The world is becoming increasingly selfish so it is important to learn the art of giving, said Gagandeep Singh Bedi, Principal Secretary and Commissioner, Greater Chennai Corporation, at a youth service award event held on Friday.
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Mr. Bedi, addressing volunteers from 10 colleges from the Chennai Volunteers network, encouraged students to contribute to society, develop the habit of reading, remain fit, and be confident.
Chennai Volunteers, a city-based volunteering network, organised “Catalysts of Change 2023” in collaboration with Department of Service Learning (Outreach), Loyola College. The award-winners were recognised for their efforts in teaching spoken English, Mathematics and personal finance to underprivileged schoolchildren and for community service.
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The event was attended by Achanta Sharath Kamal, international table tennis player, and Jennifer Bullock, Public Affairs Officer, U.S. Consulate General, Chennai. Mr. Kamal, who is involved in a project with Chennai Volunteers to teach table tennis to schoolchildren, said: “More than the success I have through my career, there’s a larger sense of fulfilment when I give back to society.”
Ms. Bullock congratulated the volunteers for their work during the COVID-19 pandemic. “The spirit of volunteerism is a similarity between the two largest democracies — the U.S. and India,” she said.
Rinku Mecheri, founder of Chennai Volunteers, said the students were engaged in long-term initiatives with the aim that at least 10% of them imbibe volunteering as part of their daily life.