EducationDMK-AIADMK alternation
· Salem
Periyar University, named after E. V. Ramasamy, was established at Salem on his birth anniversary.
Periyar University was established at Salem on 17 September 1997, the birth anniversary of the social reformer E. V. Ramasamy (Periyar), after whom it is named. It became the affiliating university for colleges in the Salem region of north-western Tamil Nadu. Its motto is 'Wisdom Maketh the World'.
Justice Party becomes Dravidar Kazhagam at Salem
Meeting at Salem, the Justice Party, now led by Periyar, took the name Dravidar Kazhagam and gave up contesting elections.
Cradle Baby Scheme launched against female infanticide
The Jayalalithaa government introduced the Cradle Baby Scheme, allowing parents to leave unwanted infant girls with the state anonymously.
Tamil Nadu Dr. Ambedkar Law University inaugurated
Chennai saw the inauguration of a state law university named for B. R. Ambedkar, created by a 1996 Act to place every law college under a single body.
First Samathuvapuram equality village inaugurated
The first Periyar Ninaivu Samathuvapuram, a housing colony where families of different castes live side by side, opened near Madurai.
Tamil Virtual University established
To provide internet-based Tamil learning around the world, the Tamil Nadu government created the Tamil Virtual University, now the Tamil Virtual Academy.
Tamil Nadu Open University established
Through the Tamil Nadu Open University Act, 2002, the state set up an open university in Chennai offering distance higher education.