Goldwinner SYMA Childfest 2025 - Prize Distribution - Lt.Col U Sachin.

Srinivas YOungMen’s Association has been conducting Childfest – competition for school children for close to 3 decades now.  In this year’s Goldwinner Childfest – 2200 children from more than 100 schools in the city participated.

 

SYMA is a Social Service organization striving for the betterment of society since 1977.  Among our many efforts stand out, our Medical Centre functioning since 1989, where we charge token fee of Rs.2/- and provide consultation and medicines free, our Medical lab and SYMA Growth.  Daily around 40 persons benefit at our Medical centre.  Our lab is associated with Neuberg and the charges are very nominal. Growth is our free tuition centre providing quality educational support to more than 100 poor students every year since 2008. 

In every Society, we need Role Models especially for younger generation.  Who is a hero ?  Who is the ideal role model !! 

The word hero comes from the Greek ἥρως (hērōs), "hero" (literally "protector" or "defender"), particularly one such as Heracles with divine ancestry or later given divine honors.  According to The American Heritage Dictionary of the English Language, the Proto-Indo-European root is *ser meaning "to protect". According to Eric Partridge in Origins, the Greek word hērōs "is akin to" the Latin seruāre, meaning to safeguard. Partridge concludes, "The basic sense of both Hera and hero would therefore be 'protector'." 

For some adulation is Cine heroes or Sports persons or politicians it he norm, nay, not !!  We have seen students following MGR, Sivaji; then Rajini, Kamal and later Vijay, Ajit and numerous others.  They are not real heroes, worthy of emulation.  An Hero should be :  - Well educated, Smart in looks,  possess great  strength, extraordinary ability, wisdom, Fit,  Smiling, Caring, responsible, Society oriented and more – an  icon of Nation.  Whom do you think possess such noble qualities ? 

In movies unreal heroes fight ! now-a-days, even those with many bad qualities are shown as heroes.  Away, during the Warring States period, Nameless, a Qin prefect, arrives at the Qin capital city to meet the king, who has survived multiple assassination attempts by Long Sky, Flying Snow, and Broken Sword. Implementing tight security, the king forbids visitors from approaching within 100 paces. Nameless asserts he has killed the assassins, displaying their weapons. Impressed, the king permits Nameless to approach within ten paces to share his story.  Hero directed, co-written, and produced by Zhang Yimou, and starring Jet Li, was interesting martial arts film released in 2002.  

 

A hero, by definition is a character who, in the face of danger, combats adversity through feats of ingenuity, courage, or strength. The original hero type of classical epics did such things for the sake of glory and honour. 

How many of us, especially students know “Hilli”  - Hilli, is a place in  Rajshahi, Bangladesh.  It is here two battles in quick succession took palce and Paki Major Niazi of 31 Punjab regiment surrendered  to Lt Col V.R. Swaminathan of 22 Maratha Light infantry after the battle of Hilli/Bogra on 16 December 1971.. .. instead of reading and knowing such things, we read more about Battle of Plassey and Panipat !! 

Doklam is an area in Chumbi Valley with a high plateau surrounded by China's Yadong County   Bhutan's Ha District &  India's Sikkim state to the west. It is a high altitude area 4,653 metres (15,266 ft).  In places like Doklam, Kargil and more at very high altitudes, in extreme tough conditions, our Army protects us and we are living happily without understanding their difficulties. Our life, our future is made by our Jawans who brave enemies, hostile weather and more.  They are the real heroes !!

 

As every parent would aspire, the Chief Guest of the evening graduated in Electronics and topped it with MBA – tasted Corporate life working in Asian Paints, GE Capital – later he added Diploma in Logistics and Supply Chain management.  These would ensure that he moves up the Corporate ladder, earns and enjoys happy peaceful life.  BUT heroes are different !! 

In this year’s Goldwinner SYMA Childfest held at NKT National College of Education Triplicane on 8^th & 9^th of Feb 2025 there were 10 events, 2200 students participated.  There were 251 Prizes in various events.  The winners were given medals, certificates on 9^th Feb evening and the Chief Guest was no ordinary individual. 

A Lieutenant Colonel is a senior commissioned officer rank in the military,  representing a significant level of responsibility and leadership. Lieutenant Colonels typically hold key positions in various units and are crucial in decision-making processes. Corps of Military Police (CMP) is the military police of the Indian Army. In addition, the CMP is trained to handle prisoners of war.  The first section of Indian Corps of Military Police was raised in July 1939, and was  inducted in World War 2. 

Lt Col U Sachin  was our Chief Guest.  Students and those present were awe-inspired by the strong fit man walking in Military uniform with so many decorative medals.    After a short stint in Corporate World, passed out from Officers Training Academy joining the Uniformed forces and has now more than 22 years of commendable service.  He was commissioned to 70 Armoured Regiment and now is the Second  in command of Corps of Military Police 

In his service the Officer has tenated various important appoints including Troop Leader, Squadron 21C, Technical Officer, Adjutant, Quarter Master, Company Commander, Instructor at School of Army warfare and more. He has served in tougher terrains including Punjab, Rajasthan, Haryana, Assam, Nagaland, Maharashtra and  now in Chennai.

 

He has further honed his professional skills with :

·        PG diploma cert in Tank Technology

·        Diploma in Automotive technology

·        PG diploma in Radio technology

·        PG diploma in Professional & Security management

·        Diploma in Security threat analysis, resource management and Forensic Sciences

·        Para Basic course 

His accomplishments include :

o   Leading his Company in rescue of civilians in Leh Flash floods in 2009

o   Moving troops nearing 5000 without a single casualty from Nagaland Leh  during Doklam Emergency situation

o   Creating helipads at 16000ft in Battalik (J&K) for suppy of ration to troops in 2009

o   Creation of living infra for troops & improving standard of training in officer courses.

 

SYMA considers itself extremely fortunate that such high ranking official was our Chief Guest who was on the podium, talked nicely to students emphasizing the need for social service, and the need for inculcating discipline and good qualities. Those of who listened to him were enthralled and felt proud in hearing the voice of a Hero.  Mrs Preetha, wife of Lt. Col. Sachin, was also present on the occasion. 

Deeds of Indian Military and real-stories of Armed personnel, details of various battles involving our Nation should form the basis of History text books, every citizen must undergo some basic training atleast and work for at least a short time in Armed forces.  Above all, we must respect those soldiers protecting our Nation, place them high pedestal, respect them and salute them at every place. 

Jai Jawan, Jai Hind.  Respected Lt. Col. U Sachin Sir, our regards and respects to you.  Thank you so much for coming to SYMA Childfest.  It is the greatest honour and we are grateful to you.

 
Thank you Col. again.
 
With great regards – S Sampathkumar
Vice-President -  SYMA