Sevalaya NGO celebrates Bharathi-Gandhi-Vivekananda Day at Chellamma Bharathi Learning
Centre, Kadayam and across Tamil Nadu
Sevalaya, a registered charitable trust headquartered in Chennai and active in education, rural
development, and welfare, commemorates 11th September annually as Bharathi-Gandhi-
Vivekananda Day (BGV Day).
11th September is significant in the lives of these three great leaders : Mahakavi Bharathiyar,
Mahatma Gandhi, and Swami Vivekananda. It marks Bharathiyar’s remembrance day, the day
on which Mahatma Gandhi coined the term Satyagraha at South Africa, and the day Swami
Vivekananda delivered his iconic speech in Chicago at the World’s Parliament of Religions.
The main event was held at Sevalaya’s Chellamma Bharathi Learning Centre in Kadayam,
Tenkasi district, the birthplace of Chellamma, Bharathiyar’s wife, where Bharathiyar himself
lived for two years. A life-size statue of Bharathiyar and Chellamma has been installed at the
center to honour their legacy.
Renowned speaker, Thenaruvi Thendral Prof. M. Ramachandran, was the Chief Guest of the
event. He praised Sevalaya for celebrating the legacy of the three leaders, stating that the
organization’s service aligns with the values upheld by Bharathiyar, Gandhi, and Vivekananda.
He encouraged the younger generation to live a life contributing to society so that their names
remain in public memory long after their time.
His speech was laced with humour, and he insisted on the qualities of fearlessness among
students quoting extensively from the lives of the three legends.
He also commended the selection of Bharathiyar’s poem “Achamillai Achamillai” as Sevalaya’s
devotional song, noting that all three leaders championed fearlessness, and the song aptly
reflects their values.
The event was graced by other special guests including Kalyani Sivagami Nathan, Retired
Headmaster, Sethu Ramalingam, Chairman of the Reading Circle, and Meenakshi Sundaram,
Librarian from Kadayam Branch Library.
In his welcome address, V Muralidharan, Founder and Managing Trustee of Sevalaya,
highlighted the organization’s 36 years of service, which includes providing education to the
underprivileged, feeding the hungry, and promoting rural development. He proudly shared that
over 800,000 beneficiaries have been served, and Sevalaya’s activities have now expanded
across five states.
Kalyani Sivagami Nathan delivered the vote of thanks.
In the lead-up to the event, various competitions were conducted, with over 4,300 students
from 196 schools and colleges across 26 districts of Tamil Nadu participating. The day was
celebrated across Sevalaya centers in Tamil Nadu, including Kasuva (Thiruvallur District),
Uthiramerur, Zamin Endathur (Madhuranthagam), and Ambattur.
The Chief Guest presented prizes to winners of the various competitions.
Students from Sevalaya’s Kadayam Kalanilayam (Arts Centre) also presented cultural
performances.
Gold and silver coins were distributed to long-serving employees of Sevalaya’s Kadayam and
Ravanasamudram centres.
