Chief Minister M.K. Stalin meets Deva and Jiva, the child influencers who tell everyone to study

Identically dressed brothers Deva and Jiva, two child influencers, walked through the tightly guarded corridors of the Chief Minister’s chamber at Fort St. George and were welcomed by Chief Minister M.K. Stalin himself.

The brothers, natives of Sathipattu near Panruti in Cuddalore district, are already known figures on social media through their reels over the last one-and-a-half years. “Even though a lot of people are posting reels, I have invited only you. Do you know why?” asked the Chief Minister. “To encourage us,” said the brothers, who are studying Class 5 and 2 respectively.

“You have been telling everyone to study. I am also urging the student community to study well while interacting with them. You are doing it at a very young age. That is why I have invited you,” Mr. Stalin told them. The Chief Minister’s meeting with the two boys, students of the Nellithope Panchayat Primary School, is being widely circulated on social media. The two boys said their mother wanted them to become Collectors. “So, one has to study well. Not just me, but everyone in the world,” said Deva, the elder brother. They also told the Chief Minister that they use the phone for just 10 minutes to post their reels.

While Deva is keen on becoming a Collector, his younger brother wants to become a policeman. “If you become a Collector and a police officer, you will need to visit Fort St. George frequently. But you have visited it even before achieving those positions,” the Chief Minister told them.

Mr. Stalin also invited School Education Minister Anbil Mahesh Poyyamozhi to join the conversation with the boys, who recited two Tirukkural couplets at the request of the Chief Minister. Jeeva even explained the meaning of one of the couplets. “The food is very good. We are served pongal, rava kichadi, semiya, and samba wheat upma,” they told Mr. Poyyamozhi about the food served at their school. The boys have also learnt to operate the smart board at school.

The boys also asked Mr. Stalin about his dog. “Its name is Chittu. I will sleep only if I am with it,” he said, showing them a photo of the dog. The boys said they also had a dog as a pet. They used the occasion to get a byte from the Chief Minister. “I am here with CM sir. You will listen only to the CM. Sir, please give some advice, some motivation,” they said.

“You are doing well. But you should also concentrate on your education to achieve your dream of becoming a Collector and a police officer,” Mr. Stalin told them. He presented them with books and pens. The parents of the boys were also present.