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Chennai / The New Indian Express

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Centenary tribute to educational trailblazer

On Wednesday, the grand hall of Music Academy on TTK Road was packed with students in crisp uniforms, teachers, and parents waiting in anticipation, and alumni spanning decades representing the close-knit community of the PSBB Group of Schools. The gathering marked the centenary celebrations of Rajalakshmi Parthasarathy, or Mrs YGP, organised by the Bala Bhavan Educational Trust and Padma Seshadri Bala Bhavan Group of Schools, in honour of the visionarys 100th birth anniversary. What unfolded was an evening of tribute and remembrance, reflecting on the profound impact of an educator. The evening echoed with a specially composed song that reflected Mrs YGPs lifelong dedication to education. This was followed by Journey of Inspiration, a shadow play that creatively traced key chapters of her life. Student leaders anchored the evening, introducing the chief guest, S Krishnan, secretary to the Government of India, Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology, and the guest of honour, Padma Shri recipent Sridhar Vembu, founder and chief scientist, Zoho Corporation. Sridhar acknowledged that Mrs YGPs vision for education, saying, Self-confidence, curiosity, and the discipline to achieve these must be developed in school, he advised the students. Krishnan, returned to the stage not only as a distinguished bureaucrat but also as a proud alumnus. Recalling his interactions with Mrs YGP, he spoke of the values she instilled in her students. She was proud of her legacy and heritage, as we all should be. She built that pride in all of us to honour our own heritage while respecting the right of others to cherish theirs, he said. A sculpted commemorative portrait of Mrs YGP was unveiled, followed by the felicitation of distinguished alumni who showcased the schools legacy through their achievements, including officers of the Indian Armed Forces, historian and educationist. The event also honoured Lakshmi Devanath, author of A Class Apart, the authorised biography of Mrs YGP. Addressing the gathering, Sheela Rajendra, dean & director and correspondent of the PSBB Group of Schools, reflected on the institutions journey and its continued mission. Today we gather not only to celebrate an event, but to celebrate a vision...one that urges us to reflect on the past, celebrate the present, and look forward to a future shaped by the ideals of the individual. She also added that the centenary year will unfold with initiatives planned by the alumni, for the alumni, including a music festival, a treasure hunt and many more.

29 Nov 2025 7:00 am