The milestone Decennial Celebration of Niraivagam culminated in grandeur with Niraivagam Day, the institution’s signature annual event, held on January 28, 2025. The 10th Niraivagam Day celebration held at Don Bosco Bi-centenary Hall, Kilpauk was imbued with a deep sense of purpose and commitment, focusing on the theme “Awareness About Autism.” A defining moment of the day was the presentation of the prestigious Niraivagam Awards 2024, honouring exemplary contributions in the field of mental health. The awards recognized and celebrated the relentless dedication of individuals and organizations working to advance mental health services across diverse domains:
SNEHA Foundation Trust – Awarded for Excellence in Mental Health Service
Dr. B. S. Virudhagirinathan, Clinical Neuropsychologist and Director of Care IBS – Honored for his Lifetime Contribution Towards Mental Health Services
Mr. Suresh Mari – Recognized for his Contribution Towards Mental Health Awareness Through Media for his directorial debut Tamil film, J Baby.
This recognition sparked inspiring reflections from the awardees. Dr. B. S. Virudhagirinathan emphasized the significance of remedial teaching and teacher training in special education and mental health services while accepting his award. Dr. Anand of SNEHA Foundation spoke about the shared ideology between Niraivagam and SNEHA in addressing mental health needs within society. Mr. Suresh Mari expressed his admiration and surprise upon discovering Niraivagam’s diverse approaches to mental health services and the impactful initiatives they have implemented.
The keynote address was delivered by the Chief Guest, Mrs. Nandhini Priyakumari, Director of Swabodhini. She emphasized the importance of creating inclusive communities for individuals on the autism spectrum, aligning with the event’s theme of “Awareness About Autism.” She also offered her support for future collaboration, highlighting the shared values and goals of our like-minded organizations.
The spectacular audio-visual Decennial report was presented to the audience, showcasing the humble birth of Niraivagam and a decade of ventures across multiple dimensions. Sentiments of gratitude were rendered to Rev. Fr. Joseph Jeyaraj SDB, the Founder of Niraivagam and Director for seven years and Rev. Fr. Paulraj Amalraj, the former Director of Niraivagam, for their contribution and hard work in building up Niraivagam. Following the presentation, the Vice Provincial, Rev. Fr. John Alexander, who was the Guest of Honour delivered an engaging and heartfelt speech, reflecting on his experience of introducing remedial teaching at Don Bosco Mat. Hr. Sec. School Egmore. He praised Niraivagam’s unwavering commitment to mental health services and highlighted the importance of a collaborative approach—a sentiment shared by all the dignitaries during their speeches. They emphasized the power of collective effort in advancing mental health awareness and services, underlining the need for continued partnership and dedication to the cause.
One other notable standout event was the launch of a new initiative—the E Magazine titled, Niraivu Life, a significant step toward knowledge-sharing and awareness-building in the mental health domain. The occasion also witnessed the much-anticipated Prize Distribution Ceremony, where enthusiastic students participated to receive their awards, celebrating their achievements in the Inter-School Mental Health Awareness Quiz Competition. This initiative aimed to inspire young minds and foster a deeper understanding of mental health among 1400 students in 12 schools.
The winners of the Intra-School Mental Health Awareness Quiz Competition from Don Bosco Matriculation School, Aadhamangalam were also awarded. Niraivagam adopted this rural school to promote awareness on Mental Health for the students of Std. 6 to 9.
The prestigious Niraivite of the Year Award, recognizing the best employee of the year, was proudly presented to Ms. Roshan Barisha, School Counsellor at Don Bosco Matriculation Higher Secondary School, Egmore. The Niraivagam family celebrates Roshan for her exceptional dedication to her profession and her unwavering commitment to the psychological well-being of students. Through her innovative initiatives, such as establishing the Wellness Club at her school, and numerous other creative endeavors, she has made a profound impact. Her relentless pursuit of professional growth and her ability to exceed expectations have earned her well-deserved admiration and praise.
As the event concluded, there was an overwhelming sense of gratitude and fulfilment. The Decennial Celebration and Niraivagam Day 2025 stood as a testament to the institution’s decade-long journey of impact, service, and advocacy. It was a day that not only celebrated past achievements but also set the stage for continued commitment to mental health awareness and support in the years to come.
