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In the early 1990s, fresh out of my studies and searching for a foothold, I chanced upon an advertisement for a lecturer’s position at an institution in Bengaluru. I applied, not quite knowing that this one decision would alter the course of my life. It was my first interview, and it turned out to be my only one. I got the job, stayed on, and over time, Bengaluru became home.

But “home,” in the emotional sense, has never really shifted. My siblings, relatives, and closest friends are still rooted in Tamil Nadu. I visit Madurai, my hometown, as often as I can. Besides, every festival, every phone call, every passing political development reminds me that my connection to the state is not merely nostalgic but deeply lived. So, I watch what happens there with care, and increasingly, with concern.

For decades, Tamil Nadu has been a remarkable story in governance. The dominance of the Dravidian parties ensured a degree of policy continuity, a shared commitment to social justice, and an administrative culture that, despite political rivalries, broadly upheld welfare, education, and inclusive development. The contest was largely bipolar, predictable in structure if not in outcome. That predictability, in hindsight, was a stabilising force.

Consider the data. Tamil Nadu consistently ranks among the top Indian states in key human development indicators. Its literacy rate stands above the national average (over 80%), its infant mortality rate is among the lowest in India, and life expectancy is higher than in most states. According to various rounds of the National Family Health Survey (NFHS), Tamil Nadu has made steady progress in reducing maternal mortality and improving child nutrition outcomes. The state’s public health system, anchored by a strong network of primary health centres, has long been regarded as a model.

Education, too, has been a pillar. The Gross Enrolment Ratio in higher education in Tamil Nadu is significantly higher than the national average, hovering around 50% compared to the national figure of 28.4%. This is not accidental. It is........

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