June - August 2025 Newsletter
Personality Development Classes:
PDC I: The first PDC session of the financial year 2024–25 was held on 09 August 2025 at Rani Meyyammai Girls Higher Secondary School, Manthaveli, Chennai. Mrs.Bama Karthikeyan addressed the outgoing Class 12 students, highlighting various government schemes for college admissions and personality development programs. She stood alongside 300+ bright young girls, as they prepared to open the doors to their higher education journey.
PDC II – The second PDC session was held on 20 August 2025 at National Higher Secondary School, Mannargudi. Out of 450 students in Grade 12, 95 selected students attended the full-day training from 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. The session was facilitated by Guna, Ebe, and Sudha, with Guna serving as the lead trainer.
The training took place in the historic hall where Bharathiyar and Mahatma Gandhi once addressed gatherings during the Independence era. The Headmaster inaugurated the PDC classes at 10:00 a.m., marking an inspiring start to the day.
Saravanan coordinated all preliminary arrangements for the program. Special thanks to Mr. and Mrs. Rajagopal(Nithiya’s maternal uncle and aunt) for their generous hospitality and support—they warmly hosted our team at their home. It was Mr. Rajagopal who first introduced the school to Smile.
Looking ahead, the next session of the Personality Development Classes (PDC) is scheduled to be held at St. Joseph’s Girls Higher Secondary School, Mannargudi, on 3rd September 2025.
Smile is currently seeking donor support for upcoming PDC sessions. Each session costs approximately ₹20,000 and benefits around 100 students per school. This year, Smile aims to conduct 15 PDC sessions across various institutions, empowering more young minds through personal growth and career guidance.
Independence Day Celebrations:
Independence Day celebrations were held at Sabarmathi, Cheyyar, on August 15th, 2025. The event beautifully showcased the talents of students from socially disadvantaged backgrounds, proving that they are equally skilled and confident as those from private schools.
The program featured thought-provoking performances that reflected the gaps and shortcomings in society, expressed through dance, poetry, and speeches. A highlight of the day was a sixth-grade student who flawlessly recited 50 Thirukkurals with clarity and confidence. The audience was deeply moved by poems and speeches honoring freedom fighters and inspired by powerful addresses about Periyar.
The event’s success was made possible through the generous support of donors, whose contributions ensured that the celebration was conducted on a grand and memorable scale.
Sadhana 2025 :
Highlights of Sadhana 2025:
In 2025, out of 428 applicants, 34 students were finally selected for the Sadhana Scholarship. Smile has so far secured donors for 29 students and has already paid the first-year fees for 12 students. A formal thank-you letter has been individually sent to each donor in appreciation of their support.
Additionally, a progress report has been prepared for the Sadhana 2022–2024 batch students to be shared with donors, highlighting their academic journey and achievements.
Atchaya:
As part of the notebook distribution initiative supported by a generous donor, 46 notebooks were distributed to Class 12 (Agriculture Group) students of Orakatupettai Government Higher Secondary School on 23rd July 2025. Smileis also preparing to conduct Personality Development Classes (PDC) in this school soon.
Smile extends heartfelt thanks to Mr. Dharanirajan and Mrs. Gayathiri for their generous contribution of 1,400 diariesfor distribution among school children in our target areas. These diaries were distributed across 11 institutions located in Chennai, Coimbatore, Cheyyar, Chengalpattu, Katpadi, and Udumalaipettai.
The diaries reached high and higher secondary students from government and government-aided schools, as well as children from government hostels. The students were delighted to receive the beautiful diaries, their faces lit up with smiles and joy.
Additionally, a feasibility study for the renovation of the school’s borewell was conducted during the month, and a concept note has been shared with potential corporate partners for support.