Foreword 

August was a month filled with excitement and anticipation at Swabodhini. Our students and staff were enthusiastically preparing for the much-awaited Sports Day, with the playground echoing with laughter, cheers, and friendly competition. Unfortunately, heavy rains forced us to cancel the celebration, bringing disappointment after all the spirited efforts.

Amidst this, we are delighted to share some wonderful achievements:

Mr. Praveen, our student from the Tondiarpet Centre, has been selected as a trainee at Grundfos Pumps India Pvt. Ltd.—a proud milestone for Swabodhini and a testament to our ongoing efforts in creating meaningful employment opportunities for our students.

Mr. Kaviselvan, also from the Tondiarpet Centre, earned the World Record Title for his performance in an Inclusive Music Concert—a remarkable achievement that highlights the immense talent within our community.

We are equally happy to announce a new initiative in collaboration with The Chennai Port and Dock Educational Trust Hr. Sec. School. Our vocational students at the Tondiarpet Centre are now preparing and delivering healthy snacks to the mainstream school children attending evening special classes—an endeavor that fills them with joy and pride.

Our children also participated with enthusiasm in WalkAlong 3.0, organized by Young Indians at Elliot’s Beach as part of the Chennai Day celebrations, showcasing their spirit of inclusion.

The month was marked by festive celebrations of Independence Day, Krishna Jayanthi, and Vinayakar Chaturthi, observed with devotion and joy across all centres. As always, we ended the month on a cheerful note by celebrating the birthdays of our students and staff.

We look forward to bringing you more heartwarming updates in the coming month.

Warm regards,

Nandini Priyakumari
Director
Swabodhini School and Vocational Centre for Special Children

Our Sports Day rehearsals were held at the GNC Ground, where our children participated with remarkable enthusiasm and discipline. They performed all the activities with great energy, teamwork, and dedication, showcasing their talents and spirit of sportsmanship. The rehearsal was a true reflection of their hard work and excitement for the upcoming Sports Day.

*Unfortunately, due to the heavy rains, we had to cancel Sports Day 2025. While this was a difficult decision, the joy and effort displayed during rehearsals remain a cherished highlight for all of us.

We are proud to share that our student, Mr. Praveen, successfully cleared the interview held on August 13th at Grundfos and has been selected for a traineeship. This achievement stands as a testament to his hard work and determination. We wish him the very best as he embarks on this exciting new journey.

We are proud to share that Mr. P. Kaviselvan was awarded a World Record Title for participating in the Most People Performing in an Inclusive Music Concert (Singing) with Differently-Abled People. Organized by Dr. Prabha Gurumurthy of Surya School of Music and TRM Surya’s Rhythms, the record was achieved in Chennai during July 2025. This recognition highlights the power of inclusivity and music in bringing people together beyond barriers.

As part of our inhouse Assisted Employment model, we are providing nutritional snacks made by our children of the vocational unit of Tondiarpet Centre every Wednesday to the students of Chennai Port and Dock Educational Trust Hr. Sec. School who attend evening special classes. This small gesture ensures they stay energized and motivated to continue their learning after regular school hours.

We recently bid farewell to the graduate students and professors from The George Washington University’s Art Therapy program. Their time with us was filled with creativity,learning,    and   meaningful   interactions    with   our   children.

As part of the Chennai Day celebrations, Young Indians (Yi), Chennai Chapter in collaboration with CII, hosted Walk Along 3.0 at Elliot’s Beach, Besant Nagar. This vibrant community walk celebrated inclusivity, civic pride, and social responsibility. It brought together people from all walks of life to take a step towards a cleaner, kinder, and stronger Chennai.

Independence Day was celebrated with joy and pride by our children, who enthusiastically participated in various activities. Dressed in colorful attire symbolizing unity in diversity, they expressed their patriotism through national flag painting and cultural activities. The celebration not only showcased their creativity and talents but also helped instill in them the values of freedom, responsibility, and respect for our nation. The day concluded with smiles, pride, and a renewed spirit of togetherness.

The festive spirit of Krishna Jayanthi was celebrated with great enthusiasm at our school. Students came dressed as little Krishna and Radha, filling the campus with joy, color, and devotion. The celebrations included cultural activities, devotional songs, and dance, making the day both vibrant and memorable. It was a beautiful occasion that blended tradition with cheer, leaving smiles all around.

We were delighted to be part of the Independence Day celebrations organized by the Chennai Port Authority. The occasion was observed with patriotic fervor and respect for our nation’s rich legacy. It was a proud moment for us to join in this memorable celebration of freedom and unity with our students singing patriotic songs and performing a skit in front of the gathering.

Madras Day was celebrated with great joy and enthusiasm at our school, offering our children a chance to explore and appreciate the rich heritage of Chennai. A variety of engaging activities and fun games were organized, allowing students to learn more about the city’s

culture while enjoying themselves. The celebration was not only entertaining but also educational, instilling in the children a sense of pride and connection to the city we call home.

The vibrant spirit of Ganesh Chaturthi filled our school as students came together to celebrate the festival with joy and creativity. From engaging in cultural activities and crafts to preparing traditional sweet dishes, the day was both festive and meaningful. The celebrations not only honored the tradition of welcoming Lord Ganesha but also gave children a chance to learn, create, and enjoy together.

We proudly showcased and sold their handmade products at the stall hosted at My Bungalow, Eldams Road. The initiative not only provided a platform for displaying their talents but also gave them an opportunity to interact with customers and gain confidence. Events like these help create awareness about our vocational training programmes while supporting the journey towards self-reliance and empowerment.

We were pleased to welcome visitors from the Rotary Club of ECR to our school. As part of their  generous  support,  they  gifted  a  black  screen  for  our  Multi-Sensory  Room.

Energy and excitement filled our Selaiyur centre as we marked National Sports Day with a variety of fun and engaging activities. Children participated enthusiastically, displaying teamwork, discipline, and a love for sports. The celebration highlighted the importance of fitness and play, while also creating joyful memories for all.

Birthdays were celebrated with warmth and joy across all our centres, bringing together both children and staff. The celebrations created a cheerful atmosphere filled with smiles, laughter, and togetherness. Marking these special days as a community helped strengthen bonds and made everyone feel valued and appreciated.