SSVM’s Founder, Dr. Manimekalai Mohan tells about the experience of SSVM Transforming India Conclave 2024 held in early September and how it is aimed to contribute towards the society
Born from 25 years of educational excellence, the SSVM Transforming India Conclave serves as a meaningful contribution to society, shaping a new approach in how children address real-world challenges. Every year the conclave brings in visionaries from around the globe to inspire students.
The 3rd edition of the Transforming India Conclave 2024 held at SSVM World School, Coimbatore had the theme, “Resilient Today, Sustainable Tomorrow.” Over three days some of India’s prominent leaders shared game-changing perspectives. Among thm was Wing Commander Rakesh Sharma (Retd.), the celebratory first Indian Astronaut and former Indian Air Force Officer. Wing Commander (Retd.) Rakesh Sharma’s session with Dr Srimathy Kesan, Founder & CEO of Space Kidz India was a riveting exploration of space exploration and human resilience. As India’s first astronaut, Mr Sharma shared his groundbreaking experiences, inspiring the audience with his journey beyond Earth. He emphasized the importance of courage, innovation, and a visionary mindset to drive India’s future in space science and technology.
Dushyant Savadia, globally renowned entrepreneur, distinguished humanitarian, public speaker, and technology disruptor, who also spoke urged the audience to embrace sustainability as a fundamental responsibility. He was followed by news anchor Palki Sharma urging students to embrace authenticity in their storytelling and Dr. Rupinder Singh Sodi, sharing intriguing insights about the evolution of rural India. Srikanth Bolla whose inspiring statement “vision is not confined to what we see, but rather to the dreams we dare to pursue” inspired many. The discussions on sustainability continued with Kaveri Lalchand and Arun Krishnamurthy’s continue to be in our imagination. The former spoke about integrating eco-conscious methods into every aspect of designs while Arun emphasized on making sustainability as a daily commitment.
Food historian Rakesh Raghunathan enlightened the audience with his take on finding the essence of cultural roots in the kitchen. With her extensive knowledge in India’s history, Keerthika Govindasamy elaborated on sustainability practices of the past and how it can be put to use in the present for a sustainable future.
In an era marked by increasing fragmentation and polarization, Dr. Sashi Tharoor, Indian politician, public intellectual, writer, and former diplomat, who has been serving as Member of Parliament emphasized the critical importance of thought leadership. He joined the Valedictory ceremony with a virtual launch of his latest book, “A Wonderland of Words: Around the World in 101 Essays.”
Another key highlight of the conclave was the Studentpreneur Awards and the Inspirational Guru Awards. This year, around 5,000 students actively participated in the conclave. The competition was fierce, with more than 250 entries for the Studentpreneur awards and 500 for the Inspirational Guru awards, presenting a challenging task for the jury. Among the 250, only the top 3 students internally and externally were presented with cash prizes. Around 30 teachers internally and 25 externally were felicitated for their tireless service. The vibrant mix of activities and high level of engagement highlighted its significance as a major venue for celebrating and nurturing talent. The SSVM Transforming India Conclave also inspired students and educators alike to prioritize mental wellness, equipping them with tools for a resilient and sustainable future.
The SSVM Transforming India Conclave is set to return in September 2025 at SSVM World School, Coimbatore. The conclave will continue its mission of fostering change and stimulating meaningful discussions, ensuring its ongoing impact as a platform for inspiring future leaders and innovative ideas.
