Our Champion at Greater Chennai Corporation School.

The Greater Chennai Corporation graciously granted permission to the Trust to extend the Champions Talks series to schools under its management. After reviewing the impact and effectiveness of previous sessions, the Corporation recognized the value of these talks and their potential benefits for its students. As part of a pilot initiative, the Trust was provided with a list of ten schools where the Champions Talks sessions were to be conducted.

The first Champions Talk program under this initiative was held at The Chennai Girls’ Higher Secondary School, Nungambakkam, on Friday, 24th October 2025.

Mr. Thangaraj, recipient of the Champion of Chennai – Social Initiative (2013) award, addressed students of Classes 9 and 11 in separate sessions. Through an inspiring narrative of his personal journey, he shared how he has been empowering underprivileged boys and girls from Vysarpadi by connecting them to sports through education.

He spoke passionately about the STEDS movement—his own initiative—which has created multiple career pathways for the young people he has mentored. The students were particularly inspired to learn that he guided and accompanied an all-girls football team to Sweden, comprising students from economically disadvantaged backgrounds, many of whom had never even imagined travelling by airplane.

Mr. Thangaraj emphasized the importance of education as a strong foundation for any pursuit, including sports. He concluded his talk with a heartfelt message on self-belief and confidence, underscoring that these qualities are the most powerful driving forces for achieving one’s dreams and attaining success.

Champions Talks – The Chennai Boys’ Higher Secondary School, Nungambakkam.

The second Champions Talks program at GCC Schools was held at The Chennai Boys’ Higher Secondary School, Nungambakkam, on Monday, 17 November 2025.

Uma Maheswari (our Champion of Chennai – Education 2017 awardee) addressed students of classes 6th to 9th. Her talk was peppered with real-life anecdotes, creating a powerful visual canvas for the children. She was able to effortlessly combine humour with current events during her 45-minute address, which was easily relatable to all present. The school has expressed interest in inviting her again to address the higher classes at a later date.

A brief tour of the school’s extensive grounds was organised. The government’s mid-day meal program at the school was demonstrated, with the speaker enjoying a sample meal!

Champions Talks – The Chennai Higher Secondary School, Puliyur, Kodambakkam.

The third Champions Talks program at GCC Schools was held at The Chennai Higher Secondary School, Puliyur, Kodambakkam, on Thursday, November 20, 2025.

S K Thanigaivelan, our Champion of Chennai and 2025 Sports awardee, spoke to students. He highlighted the importance of sports in mainstream education and encouraged students to pursue sports and academics with equal dedication. He shared success stories of students he has mentored, who have built successful careers in both private and government sectors.

Champions Talks – The Chennai Higher Secondary School, Alwarpet.

The fourth Champions Talks program at GCC Schools was held at The Chennai Higher Secondary School, Alwarpet, on Tuesday, 25th November 2025.

Uma Maheswari, our Champion of Chennai – Education 2017 awardee, addressed students from classes 8th to 12th. A short video showcasing her achievements and the various awards she received was screened before the start of the program. While the students were very curious about what would happen next, she made a grand entrance into the hall. Everyone present stood and clapped to welcome her.

Her talk was filled with real-life anecdotes, creating a vivid picture for the children. She effortlessly combined humor with current events during her 45-minute address, making it easily relatable for everyone. A brief Q&A session followed, where students asked pointed questions on her life story and came away suitably inspired.

Champions Talks – The Chennai Higher Secondary School, Thiruvanmyur.

The fifth Champions Talks program at GCC Schools was held at The Chennai Higher Secondary School, Thiruvanmyur, on Wednesday, 26th November 2025.

Muralidhar Rao, our Champion of Chennai -Sports awardee 2023, addressed students from classes 8th to 12th. The students were treated to stories of real-life achievements of people who, with sheer dedication and single-minded passion, followed their dreams and have become successful in their chosen fields. He pointed out the good and bad of social media and cell phones in today’s world and urged the young audience to choose wisely.

Champions Talks – The Chennai Boys Higher Secondary School, Saidapet.

The sixth Champions Talks program at GCC Schools was held at The Chennai Boys Higher Secondary School, Saidapet, on Tuesday, 7th January 2026.

Uma Maheswari, our Champion of Chennai – Education 2017 awardee, addressed students from classes 9th to 12th. A short video showcasing her achievements and the various awards she received was screened before the start of the program.

She was escorted into the hall by the Headmistress and introduced to all present. The all-boys audience was very curious to hear her talk. She did not disappoint them and soon had them in rapt attention with her stories of real-life anecdotes, creating a vivid picture for the children. She effortlessly related to all during her 45-minute address. A brief Q&A session followed.

Champions Talks – The Chennai Girls Higher Secondary School, Saidapet.

On Thursday, the 29th of January, we had the seventh ‘Champions Talks’ Program for GCC Schools at Chennai Girls Higher Secondary School, Saidapet.

Uma Maheswari, our Champion of Chennai – Education 2017 awardee, addressed students of Classes 8 and 9. A few days before her visit, a short video highlighting her achievements was screened for all students in the school.

As she entered the hall, the audience rose to their feet and greeted her with warm applause. Her address was rich with real-life anecdotes that instantly captured the students’ attention. Over the course of her 45-minute talk, she connected effortlessly with everyone present, making the session truly memorable.

The interactive Q&A that followed saw students asking thoughtful and incisive questions about her journey so far. A photo session with her concluded the event, making the day a special and lasting memory for all who were present.

Champions Talks – Greater Chennai Corporation Higher Secondary School, Velachery.

N. Thangaraj, Champion of Chennai awardee for Social Initiative (2013), addressed students of Classes 7, 8, and 9 at GCC Higher Secondary School, Velachery, on Monday, 9 February.

He instantly captured the students’ attention by inviting them to repeat an old Tamil saying after him, varying the tempo between loud and soft. This engaging start set the tone for his talk, which then moved into his personal journey. He spoke candidly about his struggles growing up as an underprivileged youth in North Madras and how perseverance and discipline enabled him to overcome these challenges and go on to represent the state as a football player.

Drawing from real-life experiences of youngsters he had trained as a coach, he illustrated how a balanced focus on sports and academics helped many of them secure prestigious positions in various government departments, with sports quota selections playing a crucial role.

He emphasised that single-minded focus and clarity of purpose are essential to achieving success. He concluded by reminding students that social media and mobile phones are double-edged tools, and that their responsible use can significantly accelerate progress towards their chosen goals.

A note of Thanks:

We are deeply grateful to the Greater Chennai Corporation for readily agreeing to host the Champions Talks in their schools. Throughout the programme, we noticed a shared enthusiasm among school heads, teachers, and students alike, which truly brought the sessions to life. This engagement was especially evident in the thoughtful, incisive questions posed by students and the keen interest they showed in clarifying their doubts after each talk. It is also worth noting that, for our “Champions,” this initiative offered a refreshing and novel experience. We look forward to building on this encouraging start and continuing this meaningful collaboration in the years ahead.