On 4 Jun 2026, grand celebrations were held at Sevalaya’s centre in Kasuva village near Thiruninravur to mark the reopening of the school for the 2026-27 academic year. A ceremony to distribute educational kits to students and a Robotics exhibition also took place.
Srinath Venkatesan, Director – Data Management and Manager – Quantitative Analysis along with Swapna George, Director – Alternatives Investor Solutions, BNY graced the occasion as Chief Guests. Dr Vidya Durai, Director – Philanthropy and Community Impact and Sevalaya donor Thiru Narayanan also participated in the event. Teachers welcomed the students back to school with a traditional Aarthi. Nearly 2,200+ students were welcomed with sweets and gifts. LKG children attending school for the first time were cheered up with toys.
Inaugurating the Robotics Exhibition, the Chief Guests interacted with the students and witnessed the various exhibits such as Smart Home, voting machine, a Smart Farming system, a Smart Cleaning Robot, 3D printer and a drone that were showcased by the students. BNY provides financial assistance for robotics classes to 350 students at Sevalaya. Prizes and certificates were also presented to students who excelled in the Robotics classes. The Chief Guests distributed educational supplies including school bags, stationery and books to the students. Students receiving educational sponsorship through BNY presented handmade greeting cards and bouquets to the guests.
Speaking on the occasion, Srinath Venkatesan remarked, “Some children may face certain difficulties in their studies. However, as students, if you pay close attention to your teachers’ instructions, treat them with respect and follow their guidance, your studies will become easy. At this young age, you have been blessed with excellent opportunities. You must ensure that the opportunity you have received becomes available to many others as well.” Addressing the gathering, Swapna George said, “Observing this Robotics Exhibition allows one to truly appreciate the student’s spirit of innovation, creativity and dedication. You are all truly fortunate; you have access to opportunities that were unavailable to us during our student days. You must endeavour to extend the opportunities you have received to the children who will follow in your footsteps.”
Vidya Durai remarked, “Sevalaya Muralidharan thanked us during his address. However, it is we who
should be thanking him for granting us this opportunity to support Sevalaya’s activities. Sevalaya’s three
inspirations Bharathi, Gandhi and Vivekananda are also my source of inspiration.”
Earlier V Muralidharan, Founder and Managing Trustee, Sevalaya delivered the welcome address, outlining Sevalaya’s growth and various activities. He noted, “As Sevalaya continues to expand across numerous locations, the support received from BNY has also steadily increased. It is through BNY’s assistance that our rural students have been able to travel to China to participate and win in Robotics competitions. It was Gandhi’s dream that students in rural areas should also have access to education through the Montessori method. We have adapted the Montessori method for our students in the Tamil
medium.” He also introduced Nandakumar, a former student currently working as a Physiotherapist, whose higher education was sponsored by BNY.
Students presented cultural performances. Silver coins were awarded to Sevalaya staff members who have completed their work anniversaries. Portraits drawn by Sevalaya children were presented as mementos to the guests. Bhuvaneswari Muralidharan, Co-Founder and Honorary Correspondent, Sevalaya, delivered the Vote of thanks. She expressed her deep gratitude to the BNY team for spending time with the children and organising field trips for them, and also to the various individual donors who have contributed generously to Sevalaya’s activities.
