Bharathi-Gandhi-Vivekananda Day Celebrations Conclude at Kadayam The second day of the two-day Bharathi-Gandhi-Vivekananda Day celebrations organised by Sevalaya was held on 11 September 2026 at Sevalaya’s Chellamma Bharathi Learning Centre, located at the Kadayam Branch Library, South Ratha Street, Kadayam, Tenkasi.
Sevalaya celebrates 11 September every year as Bharathi-Gandhi-Vivekananda Day to commemorate Mahakavi Bharathiyar, Mahatma Gandhi and Swami Vivekananda, the three great personalities who inspired the founding of Sevalaya. September 11 marks Bharathiyar’s remembrance day, the day on which Mahatma Gandhi coined the term ‘Satyagraha’ in South Africa and the day on which Swami Vivekananda delivered his iconic speech at the World Parliament of Religions in Chicago, USA.
Every year, Sevalaya conducts various programmes on the occasion to introduce their ideals and legacy to the younger generation. Kadayam is the birthplace of Chellamma, the wife of Mahakavi Bharathiyar, and the place where Bharathiyar lived for around two years. Sevalaya has installed a life-size statue of the Bharathi-Chellamma couple at the Kadayam Branch Library and established the Chellamma Bharathi Learning Centre at the same location.
T S R Venkata Ramana, Secretary, Chathiram Chellamma Bharathi Girls Higher Secondary School – Kadayam, and R Sundar, nephew of Chellamma, participated as Chief Guests. A Sheikh Muhammad Khan, Secretary, Kadayam Traders Association, Best Librarian M Meenakshi Sundaram, Librarian – Kadayam Branch Library, and A Sethuramalingam, Head, Bharathi Readers’ Circle, Kadayam Branch Library, also participated. V Muralidharan, Founder and Managing Trustee, Sevalaya, delivered the welcome address.
The guests garlanded and paid their respects to the statues of the Bharathi-Chellamma couple. They garlanded the portraits of Bharathiyar, Mahatma Gandhi and Swami Vivekananda and inaugurated the celebrations by lighting the traditional lamp.
Speaking on the occasion, M Meenakshi Sundaram said, “Students should learn about Bharathiyar’s social justice principles, his efforts against untouchability and his journalistic work, as well as the good habits emphasised by Swami Vivekananda, and follow these ideals to grow into individuals who contribute meaningfully to society.”
Sethuramalingam, in his address, said, “Sevalaya’s service providing children with food, clothing and shelter with a motherly concern is commendable. I wish Sevalaya continued success in shaping more doctors, teachers, engineers and lawyers who will go on to serve society.” A Sheikh Muhammad Khan said, “Bharathiyar’s principles and courage are admirable. Gandhi’s life teaches us that authority cannot achieve everything and that it is only through love that we can truly achieve our goals.”
Speaking on the occasion, Poet P Rajendran from Pothigai Tamil Sangam, said, “Sevalaya is working to bring Bharathi’s thoughts and actions to the people. It is commendable that Sevalaya has paid tribute to the Bharathi-Chellamma statue through a rath yatra from Chennai to Kanyakumari.”
R Sundar said, “Bharathiyar’s thoughts were always centred on the nation. He gave importance to women and was a person who thought differently. We should never forget those who worked for the nation. I am grateful for the opportunity to speak on the land where my aunt Chellamma lived.”
T S R Venkata Ramana said, “Sevalaya’s initiative of celebrating the three leaders, who were born in the East, West and South of India, is commendable. I thank Sevalaya for creating awareness about Chellamma Bharathi and for conducting various competitions for students and presenting prizes to them. Students should follow the ideals of the three leaders and should cultivate positive thoughts.” He requested that the association between Sevalaya and their school should continue and appealed to Sevalaya to help construct a building for the higher secondary classes at the school.
Earlier, V Muralidharan, Founder and Managing Trustee, Sevalaya, welcomed the gathering and said, “September 11 is an important day for Sevalaya as it connects Bharathiyar, Gandhi and Vivekananda. At Sevalaya’s Kasuva Centre in Tiruvallur district, 2,200 underprivileged children are receiving free education. It is special that the BGV Day celebrations held there are also being conducted here at Kadayam today. Members of the Bharathi-Chellamma family and several other distinguished guests are participating in today’s programme.”
As part of the Bharathi-Gandhi-Vivekananda Day celebrations, competitions were conducted for school and college students at State and National levels. A total of 3,258 students from 233 schools and 66 colleges participated. The winners of the final competitions were selected by a distinguished jury panel. A total of 291 prizes were presented to the winners during the ceremony. State-level winners received shields and appreciation certificates, while National- level winners received cash prizes and appreciation certificates. The National-level winners also delivered their winning speeches at the event.
K S Kalyani Sivagaminathan, Retired Head Master and a well-wisher and supporter of Sevalaya, delivered the Vote of Thanks. Students of the Chellamma Bharathi Learning Centre presented dance performances and yoga demonstrations. Mementoes were presented to the special guests. The two-day celebrations brought together students, teachers, local residents and admirers of Bharathiyar.
