"Our Indian youth have lot of potentiality, but they are not exploiting their potentiality fully...they are diffident and need to be motivated" says Ms V S Meenakkshi, the winner of the first prize in the Essay Competition (English category) in an informal chat with Mr K. Srinivasan, Chairman of the Foundation.  Excerpts from the chat: 

Click here for the Award function proceedings and photos 

Click here for the background information

Click for the Award winning essay of Ms V S Meenakkshi

Q : Can you kindly give me a brief introduction about you.

A:  I have completed the first year engineering course (EIE) in Valliammal Engineering College, Kattangulathur (near Chennai).  I will be joining the second year of the course during July.  My parents are working in Banks.  I have also recently got the first prize in the State level essay competition conducted during Gandhi Jayanthi Celebrations of 2002. 

V S Meenakshi

Q: How did you participate in this essay competition and what is your feeling for having won the first prize?

A: I am excited on hearing the news that the Jury committee headed by an eminent person like Prof. Y S Rajan has selected my essay for the first prize.  I am greatly honoured by this.  It was the inspiration and support given by my cousin Mr Premanand, a student of Electronic Media in Anna University, Chennai and my English teacher Ms Kaveri prompted me to submit my essay.  I cannot forget the encouragement given by my Principal Prof. Paranjothi and my parents.

Q:  How much time you spent for preparing this essay and did you refer any books?

A: I had spent more than a week for preparing this essay.  During the preparation of the essay, I read lot of works of Swami Vivekananda, Dr Kalam and Mahatma Gandhi.  I have reflected the inspirations I got from them in the essay.

Q:  When you talk of inspiration, whom do you consider roll model for you in the life?

A:  Swami Vivekananda and Dr. Kalam have inspired me for their positive thinking and outlook.  They motivate you to think in an optimistic way. I have great admiration for Mahatma Gandhi and Mother Theresa for their simplicity and human approach.

Q: What do you feel about the youth of today? What are the strengths and weakness of today's youth?

A: Today's youth is the future of India.  Hence they have to prepare themselves to shoulder the responsibility in future.  Unlike the elder generation, the younger generation has got enormous potentiality, but unfortunately they are not tapped fully.  They have not understood the potentiality.  They are diffident and lack self confidence.  They need to be motivated well.  Today's youth look for jobs.  More and more job opportunities are to be created.  This is possible only if more youth come forward to become entrepreneurs.  

Q:  What do you propose to do after completing your Engineering course?

A:  I would like to do MBA after the Engineering course.  If I am not getting suitable job, I prefer to become an entrepreneur and create more jobs.  Definitely, I am not going to leave the country.  I want to work for my Nation and to become a good citizen of this great country.

Q:  What are your hobbies?

A:  I like reading good books.  Whenever time permits, I engage myself in painting and arts and crafts.  I read lot of magazines to have the first hand knowledge of the happenings.  I watch TV.

Q:  What is your message to the youth of this country?

A:  Be optimistic and think positive.  We have a lot of potentiality within us.  Try to explore and achieve great things in life.  Let us together build the Nation.