JJ Nagar, Palavakkam Library Inauguration

You may view the album here.

Over the years, Asha has established libraries across our projects with the vision of creating welcoming spaces for reading and self-study. Located in rural areas, these libraries open their doors to underprivileged children from Asha-supported schools as well as nearby government schools, offering them a safe and supportive environment to learn and grow. More than just collections of books, they have become vibrant community hubs where children can explore ideas, nurture curiosity, and build confidence.

Each library is staffed with dedicated teachers who guide students through a variety of engaging activities. Children begin their daily visit by spending the first 30 minutes on homework, after which teachers introduce them to activities like reading newspapers and storybooks, practicing card reading, learning Tamil songs or stories, exploring English books, conducting simple experiments, or creating crafts. One laptop is provided to the teacher which is used by students to watch short educational videos and learn basic computer skills. These libraries are not only places of study but also gateways to imagination, creativity, and lifelong learning.

Asha libraries at Thiruvallur

In Thiruvallur, Asha had been running two libraries, one at Seethanjeri and the other at Anna Nagar. The Seethanjeri library was run until December 2024 and discontinued later due to staffing issues. The Anna Nagar library is run by Ms. Nivetha and continues to operate through the year. The library is open from 5.00-6.30 PM from Monday to Saturday, where children spend time doing their homework, reading or doing some activities during their time there. Sundal or peanuts are usually distributed to the kids.

Michelin India at Thiruvallur

Michelin’s initiative, “My Village, My Pride” program, provides an opportunity for its employees to assist in the development of their village. A few employees of Michelin from JJ Nagar wanted to take up this village as part of this program. Michelin approached Asha to establish a new library at JJ Nagar in the Ellapuram block of Thiruvallur district. The children from this village go to PUPS Palavakkam school that is located about 2 Kms away. Asha has been working with this school for more than 10 years. Asha also has a history of running a mini-school during Covid at JJ Nagar. Therefore, we were happy that Michelin selected JJ Nagar for their “My Village, My Pride” program as we were well aware of the need of this village.

This village has a large Irula population. The Irula (Irular) community, an indigenous Dravidian ethnic group in Southern India, is classified as a Particularly Vulnerable Tribal Group. JJ Nagar has a significant Irula population, where many children face challenges such as poverty and limited awareness about the importance of education, factors that often lead to school dropouts.

This new library offers a safe, welcoming space for children to learn and grow, fostering reading and continuous learning to strengthen education and inspire students to stay engaged.

We started getting the place ready by starting on the civil work needed. Broken windows were replaced, fans and lights were installed and we fixed new doors. The facility was given a new coat of paint as well.

Asha volunteer, Mr. Rajaraman and Mr. Anbarasu, who manages the CSR and HR at Michelin, visited the facility when it was getting ready to take stock of the situation and to ensure the work was progressing as planned.

Once the library was ready, students started coming in by 16 February,2026.

Inauguration Function

The library was inaugurated on 26 February, 2026, Thursday by Mr. Jean-François Rene, Executive Director Michelin India / Site Director – Michelin Industrial Plant, Chennai and Mr. Rajaraman, Volunteer and Coordinator for Asha Chennai. The event was attended by Mr. Anbarasu C, HR General Administration, 15 other Michelin employees, Asha staff and the HM of PUPS Palavakkam school, Ms. Chinthamani. You may watch the video here.

The library is now managed by Asha librarian, Ms. Maariyamal B, who runs it from 5-7 pm. Nearly 60 students from around the area visit the library and spend time doing homework, reading or craft work.

Toilet Renovation at PUPS Thirupatchur

Under Asha’s project Sugadharam, we take up the renovation of toilets in schools supported by us. This largely depends on the availability of funds. This year we took up the renovation work at PUPS Thirupatchur. This school has been a part of our Project Sangamam and we have been associated with it for over10 years. Additionally, both this school and the GHS Thirupatchur, also in the same campus are extremely supportive of Asha. Most of the Asha Chennai monthly meeting, many of our ACE teacher training sessions etc. are organized in this school’s facilities.

We generally take up renovation work during vacation so that the students are not disturbed by the construction. The work here was taken up before the Christmas break in December 2025. The girls’ toilet was in a bad shape and needed repairs.

Since the toilets were in poor condition, a lot of work had to be done. We hired local masons who have previously worked on other Sugadharam projects to work on the renovation of these toilets. We started by cleaning up the overgrowth around the area. The old Indian style toilet was removed to be replaced with a new western toilet.

A new hand wash basin and taps were installed and the plumbing was replaced.

A fresh coat of paint was applied to the entire building.

Since the floor space outside the toilets were damaged, it was dug out and new cemented floor was provided.

A new metal roof has been installed for the toilet. In earlier years, the school was surrounded by open spaces with few neighboring structures. Today, however, few buildings adjoin the school premises. To ensure privacy for the girls, the roof has become an essential addition.

Asha volunteer and project coordinator, Mr. Rajaraman visited the school during the construction to oversee the progress. The toilets were ready for use once the children returned from their December vacation.

In villages where student dropouts from government schools are not uncommon, we believe that providing improved sanitation facilities will help restore trust in schools and encourage regular attendance. By investing in toilet renovations, we are not only addressing a basic need but also laying the foundation for healthier learning environments.

STUDENT EXCURSION 2026

You may view the album here.

As part of Asha’s Joyful Learning initiative, excursions have become a cherished tradition for students in schools we support. This year too, children from across our geographies- Thiruvallur, Thoothukudi, Thiruvannamalai, Thiruvarur, and Chennai -set out on exciting journeys to various destinations, combining joy with meaningful learning experiences.

Each trip was carefully planned with the necessary permissions secured from schools, ensuring that not only students but also their teachers and headmasters could participate. To avoid disrupting regular classes, excursions were scheduled exclusively on weekends. We primarily included students from Classes 4 and 5, as younger children in Classes 1 to 3 are too small to manage long trips and less likely to fully enjoy the experience.

Over the years, we have found that managing two to three buses per trip is ideal. Anything beyond that severely limits the venues we can take the children to. Coordinators often began their day as early as 3 a.m., traveling across school locations to pick up students and ensuring that everyone returned safely by night. Their dedication, along with the support of volunteers, made these trips possible. This year, we organized 11 excursions, engaging 31 buses and reaching more than 2,200 students.

These excursions are funded by Amazon under its Amazon Future Engineer program. While most of the participating schools were supported by Amazon, some neighboring schools directly supported by Asha also joined in.

Throughout the day, students were well cared for. Snacks or breakfast were served in the morning, a proper lunch was provided in the afternoon, and snacks or dinner rounded off the evening. Transportation, entry tickets, and drinking water were all arranged, and no money was ever collected from the children. Everything was free, allowing students to simply enjoy the experience without worry.

Conducted in batches until early March, the excursions gave thousands of students across different locations the opportunity to explore, learn, and grow.

Project Sangamam (Thiruvallur)

The highly anticipated student excursions officially commenced on January 25, 2026. The first batch of students were from our Project Sangamam in Thiruvallur where they embarked on an exciting one-day trip to Chennai. Traveling in three buses arranged by Asha, the children started their journey as early as 5:00 AM! Children were filled with excitement, singing, and dancing along the way. The carefully planned itinerary included visits to the Birla Planetarium, Guindy Park, and Besant Nagar Beach.

At the Birla Planetarium, the students were struck with awe during their first-ever visit to the Sky Theatre. The projections and push-back seats which provided a unique viewing experience of the overhead dome thrilled them! They also got to enjoy the 7D show and the Sphere show at the planetarium. After visiting the various exhibits at the planetarium, the students took some time to play in the park. Throughout the day, Asha ensured the children were well-nourished by providing water, morning and evening snacks, and a hearty lunch.

After lunch, they were taken to the Guindy Children’s Park and then the Besant Nagar Beach. The beach is where the children find their greatest joy. They happily played in the water, enjoyed beach snacks, and bought souvenirs for their families back home.

Over the next 4 weeks, Asha coordinators took batches of students from different schools supported by Asha to these one day trips. Mr. Rajaraman Krishnan, Asha volunteer and Coordinator, visited the children during a couple of the excursions and spoke to the children about their trip.

Project Poornavidhya (Chennai)

Around 120 students from Project Poornavidhya embarked on an educational excursion in Chennai on February 28, 2026. Their journey began at the Birla Planetarium in Kotturpuram, which is the fifth B. M. Birla Planetarium in India and is located within the Periyar Science and Technology Centre campus.

The children were completely captivated by the virtual tour of the night sky and planets projected onto a specially perforated hemispherical aluminum dome in the Sky Theater, as well as an engaging 7D show. They also spent time exploring various museum exhibits and playing in the science park. Following a lunch provided by the accompanying Asha coordinators, the group headed to Guindy Park. There, the students explored the Snake Park and enjoyed playing at the nearby Children’s Park, rounding off a safe and memorable day filled with learning, fun, and discovery.

Project Cauvery (Thiruvarur)

Our students from Project Cauvery in Thiruvarur enjoyed an enriching trip to Pudukkottai in February 2026. Their first stop was Chithannavasal, a renowned Jain cave and archaeological site dating back to the 7th–9th century, where the students were fascinated by ancient Jain beds, a cave temple, and magnificent rock paintings. Next, they explored the historic, 400-year-old Thirumaiyam Fort. This hill fort built in 1687 offered the children a direct glimpse into Tamil Nadu’s rich history and its significant role in the Palayakaar Wars.

The excursion concluded with a relaxing visit to the scenic coastal beauty of Manora Beach. Throughout the journey, the children were well cared for with breakfast and lunch provided by Asha, and they were accompanied by project steward Ms. Komalavalli, the project coordinator, and dedicated teachers from Thiruvarur to ensure a safe and memorable experience.

Project Pearl (Thoothukudi)

Students from the Thoothukudi project participated in weekend excursions organized in batches starting in February 2026, traveling to Kanniyakumari and Madurai. The batch that visited Kanniyakumari enjoyed boating and explored several prominent landmarks, including the Kannadi Palam, Vivekananda Rock, Thiruvalluvar Rock, and the historic Vattakotai Fort.

Another batch of students traveled to Madurai, where they had the rare and thrilling opportunity to visit the Madurai Airport. For the government school students, watching airplanes take off was an extraordinary, joy-filled experience outside of their everyday lives.

They also visited Keeladi museum dedicated to the archaeological findings at Keeladi, a site along the Vaigai River dating back to the 6th century BCE that reveals an advanced, literate, and urban civilization. The students toured the Museum in Sivagangai to see excavated artifacts, including ancient pottery, jewelry, and iron tools. Because the trips required an early morning start, the Asha coordinator meticulously organized the buses, entry tickets, and all meals, providing the children with breakfast, lunch, and snacks for a thoroughly enjoyable trip.

Project Thulasi (Thiruvanamalai)

Nearly 270 students from Asha supported schools in Thiruvanamalai went on excursion in March, 2026. They visited Vedanthangal and Mahabalipuram in Chennai. Vedanthangal Bird Sanctuary in Madurantakam taluk of the Chengalpattu district in Tamil Nadu is a sanctuary where than 40,000 birds have been recorded during the migratory season every year.

Mahabalipuram is a premier UNESCO World Heritage site renowned for its 7th- and 8th-century Pallava dynasty rock-cut architecture. Just 55 km south of Chennai, this coastal gem offered the students a perfect blend of ancient heritage and seaside charm, making the trip both educational and delightfully fun.

ANNUAL DAY CELEBRATIONS 2025-26

You may view the album here.

At Asha, joyful learning isn’t just a philosophy, it’s a lived experience. From Sports Day to excursions and Annual Day celebrations, we create moments that go beyond textbooks and classrooms. These events open doors for children to discover themselves: while some excel in academics, others find their spark in sports, dance, drama, or music.

By offering such diverse opportunities, we nurture confidence, teamwork, leadership, and emotional intelligence. These experiences don’t just entertain, they ignite curiosity, creativity, and a love for learning that lasts a lifetime. True education, after all, is about shaping the whole child – mind, body, and spirit.

This year, Asha supported Annual Day celebrations in 129 schools across Tamil Nadu. While government funding provides a base, it falls short of covering the full costs. The school teachers and local villagers also donate to support the function. Asha also bridges this gap by providing schools with prizes, snacks, and support that make these celebrations truly memorable. Thanks to contributions from Amazon and Asha’s own budget, thousands of children experienced the joy of performing, participating, and celebrating together.

These moments of laughter, applause, and discovery are not just events, they are milestones in building a brighter, more holistic future for every child.

Thiruvallur – Project Sangamam

Sangamam in Thiruvallur is one of our largest projects. Here we supported annual day celebrations at 77 schools. Asha project coordinators organized the prizes and snacks for the students. Asha teachers along with coordinators participated in the celebrations alongside the students. Mr. Rajaraman, Asha Volunteer and Coordinator also had an opportunity to visit and be part of some of these schools during their celebrations.

We have supported annual day celebrations at the below schools this year-

Thoothukudi – Project Pearl

At Thoothukudi, we supported celebrations at 15 schools this year. Our project coordinator, Mr. Murugan and Asha teachers actively participated in the events and ensure the prizes were readied in time.

At Thoothukudi, we supported annual day celebrations at the below listed schools-

Thiruvanamalai – Project Thulasi

Under Project Thulasi in Thiruvanamalai, we supported annual day celebrations at 20 schools. Asha provided prizes for various events. Our project coordinator, Mr. Dhinakaran and Asha teachers attended the events and cheered the students.

We supported the below listed schools this year-

Thiruvarur – Project Cauvery

We supported annual day celebrations at 11 schools in Thiruvarur this year. We provided schools with prizes for various events. Our project coordinator, Mr. Akhilan and Asha teachers participated in the events.

We supported the below listed schools at Thiruvarur this year-

Chennai – Project Poorna Vidhya

Asha supported annual day celebrations at six schools this year. Asha volunteer, Mrs. Kasturi and Asha teachers attended the event and gave away prizes to the students.

Asha supported celebrations at the following schools in Chennai this year-

You may view the album here.

Asha Computer Education (ACE) is the flagship initiative by Asha, to bring computer literacy to government school classrooms. ACE was inaugurated in October 2023 with a goal to train 52 government teachers in Thiruvallur district to deliver Asha’s one-year computer science curriculum across 52 schools. You may read the full report here – ACE Program Inaugurated on 19th Oct 2023

The ACE program is entirely funded by Amazon under its Amazon Future Engineer program. By joining hands with government teachers to implement ACE, Asha attempted to equip rural students with essential computer skills that would open doors to higher education, better job opportunities, and a brighter future.

In 2024, we launched ACE V2 in 53 more schools, and in 2025 in 40 more schools offering a more extensive, two-year computer science curriculum, and expanded our geography to Thoothukudi, Thiruvannamalai and Villupuram, in addition to Thiruvallur. Here is the report- ACE V2 Inauguration. With some schools stopping out after the completion of the first full year for ACE v1 and v2 in April of 2025, we had 125 schools implementing ACE in 2025-26.

This initiative was designed to demonstrate the scalability and effectiveness of our curriculum, pedagogy, training model, evaluation framework, and overall delivery approach. As a result, over 4000 students have directly benefitted from the ACE program.

About ACE Impressions

The curriculum of every Asha program is designed so that 1/3^rd of the term is dedicated to Project work. After the teachers cover the curriculum, the students are grouped into teams of 2,3 or 4 and required to create and submit a project. Both the government teachers and Asha teachers act as guides to help children in creating their projects. They are also provided support to hone their presentation skills.

Over time, children have been able to pick up diverse and interesting topics for their presentation. They spend time of their own accord to research topics, use features taught beyond the curriculum and submit excellent projects.

This year, under the ACE program, we received an impressive 933 project submissions from 3,745 students, marking 100% participation across all ACE schools.

Despite the challenges of exam schedules and the onset of vacation, the students demonstrated remarkable commitment, delivering projects of outstanding quality which is an achievement in itself and speaks volumes about the effectiveness of the program.

This year, the students were taught three courses-

1. Digital Literacy
2. Scratch Programming and
3. CSF Express Programming

The 933 projects were first evaluated by Asha’s lead teachers, from which 123 were shortlisted. These were then reviewed by Asha volunteers, who selected 41 projects for the final competition. ACE Impressions is the platform where these finalists are invited to Chennai to present their work and compete with peers for prizes. The competition is judged by external experts from academia and the technology sector, ensuring a fair and rigorous evaluation.

You may read reports on the previous Impressions events here. ACE Impressions – Batch 1 and ACE Impressions – Batch 2

The Competition

This year both the Asha Impressions for our SPRINT program and the ACE Impressions for the ACE program were held within 2 days of each other – Asha Impressions on 18^th April and ACE Impressions on 20^th April. Once the Asha Impressions concluded, there was no time to rest. The preparation for ACE Impressions had been underway alongside.

The competition was held on 20 April, 2026 at the CLT Auditorium at IIT Madras. IIT Madras, a long term partner of Asha in many programs, graciously gave us this auditorium and nearby hall for free!

The teams from Thiruvallur and Thiruvanamalai started early morning around 3 am, while the teams from Thoothukudi travelled overnight in buses organized by Asha. Asha project coordinators, Government teachers and Asha teachers accompanied the students. The buses reached IIT around 8.00 am.

Once the children had their breakfast, everyone assembled in the auditorium. The judges arrived by 9.00 pm after which Mr. Rajaraman, Asha Volunteer and Coordinator, welcomed the gathering. The Digital Literacy competition was planned to be held at the main auditorium, while the room across the hall would be used for the other two competitions.

Before the start of the event, Mr. Rajaraman briefed the judges about the grading parameters and set expectations regarding the projects. He provided background on the ACE program and outlined what was expected from the students in their project work.

The Digital Literacy presentations would carry 30-30-40 weightage. Project and presentation would be graded at 30% whereas the Q&A would carry 40% weightage. Judges were encouraged to actively engage students with technical questions, asking how they developed their projects and requesting demonstrations or modifications to better understand the functionality of specific features.

In the case of Scratch Programming and Physical Computing, where the presentation component was less extensive, the weightage for project, presentation and Q&A was adjusted to 40-20-40.

Across all competitions, the Q&A sessions held particular importance, as they allowed judges to assess both the students’ depth of technical knowledge and their level of involvement in the projects.

Each competition was assigned four judges. After selecting the competition they wished to evaluate, judges were provided with scorecards. Soon after, the students began presenting their projects. Judges were requested to allocate 15 minutes per project- 10 minutes for the presentation and the remaining time for the Q&A session.

The competitions began around 10 am, and the teachers and staff guided students as per the scheduled line up. In Digital Literacy the students presented interesting topics like Water pollution, AI In Science, Our Universe, Solar System, Traditional vs Modern Farming, Renewable Energy, உத்வேக பயணம், Thirukkural etc. They created acts, brought in props, added fun music, and games making their presentations engaging and entertaining.

A special mention goes to the students who presented on the topic of Eye Donation. Their contribution went far beyond preparing and presenting a project, they took the extraordinary step of pledging their own eyes. Guided by their teacher, they visited doctors to understand the process in depth, and later received official confirmation letters and eye donation cards from the hospital.

Their act of generosity also got them a place of mention in the local newspaper!

This selfless act of service left the audience deeply moved and inspired. It is truly commendable that when students grasp the essence of what they are taught, it transforms into meaningful action that benefits society. Such outcomes reflect the highest purpose of education- knowledge that sparks compassion, responsibility, and real change.

The Scratch Programming students presented on topics like Top 10 Most Powerful World Leaders, Dora explores English, Mobile Awareness story, Nobita in Indian festivals, Brain test game, Science simulator etc.

CSF Express Programming was introduced in ACE schools in 2025. CSF refers to Code.org’s Computer Science Fundamentals curriculum. The Express Course is an accelerated, self-paced track within their program that teaches core computer science concepts to older students or those moving at a faster pace. The Express Course uses a block-based coding approach, allowing learners to build programs by snapping visual blocks together like puzzle pieces.

Students presented on topics like Maanin Meetchi, Exploring religious places in Tamilnadu, Disaster Management and Safety Awareness, Fish hunting game, Spaceshooter etc. For one of the projects titled Four Friends, the students staged an elaborate skit. For the project Maanin Meetchi the students even crafted a handmade stage, adding a unique and captivating visual appeal to the story.

We broke for lunch around 1 pm. Lunch was biryani which is generally a house favourite. It took about one hour for everyone to have lunch and settle. Post lunch the students continued to present their projects. The competitions were done by 4 PM, post which the judges shared the list of winners with Mr. Rajaraman.

Prize Distribution

Since ACE program is funded entirely by Amazon, we had requested Amazon to participate in the event. Mr. Shyam Sridhar, Director-Operations and Program Management at Amazon graciously accepted our invitation as the Chief guest for the event.

A total prize fund of INR 9,00,000 was allocated to the winning teams. Instead of distributing the amount in cash, Asha will channel the prize money into infrastructure development projects for the respective schools, ensuring that the rewards create lasting impact and benefit the wider student community.

The winners were announced by the respective competition judges to loud applause and cheer.

The winners of the competitions are-

The Government of Tamil Nadu has launched SPARK (Tamil Nadu Schools Programme for Artificial Intelligence, Robotics, and Knowledge of Online Tools), an initiative aimed at equipping government school students with practical skills in digital technology, AI, and coding. Asha hopes to engage with the Spark program the same way in which it has trained the teachers of the ACE program.

To acknowledge and appreciate the dedication of all CS trainers who contributed to ACE, Asha presented them with smartwatches as a token of gratitude for their hard work and commitment.

After the distribution was completed, the students boarded their buses and set off home after taking a small detour to the beaches of Chennai!

Testimonial

Mr. Vinoth Kumar, ACE Judge– First of all, I would like to thank my friend Ganga (an Asha omputer teacher in Thiruvarur) for giving me this wonderful opportunity to be part of ACE Impressions – Asha for Education. I truly appreciated the way the program was conducted; it was very well organized. It was inspiring to see the motivation and enthusiasm of the children, especially those coming from the southern parts of Tamil Nadu, showcasing their talents with the guidance of their teachers. It was impressive to witness how they progressed through various projects and earned their spots in the finals. I feel privileged to have been one of the judges, sharing my thoughts and helping choose the deserving winners. I am extremely happy to have been part of this experience and would love to contribute more in the future.

You may view the album here.

In Chennai, March 2026 proved to be a dynamic period for both Asha and the state of Tamil Nadu. Amidst the election frenzy, Asha prepared to host two major events—Asha Impressions and ACE Impressions. Both were scheduled to take place before the state election date of 23 April 2026.

To secure venues and finalize dates, we reached out to Amazon and IIT Madras. Confirmation soon followed:

• Asha Impressions to be held at Amazon Chennai office on 18 April 2026.

• ACE Impressions to take place at IIT Madras on 20 April 2026.

About Asha Impressions

Under Asha’s SPRINT program for primary and middle schools, we support about 200 schools across Tamil Nadu and Uttar Pradesh. Trained computer teachers are placed in these schools to teach computer science and integrate other subjects using innovative digital content.

At 100 schools in Tamil Nadu, the Amazon Future Engineer program, provides this support. Our eight year curriculum emphasizes both digital literacy (basic computer use) and computational thinking (programming and problem-solving).

A hallmark of our pedagogy is hands-on application. Each year, students create and submit projects that showcase their learning:

• fourth and fifth graders prepare presentations using OpenOffice.
• Seventh graders  design programs in Scratch and Physical Computing

These projects are team-based, with Asha teachers mentoring students throughout. Outstanding work is presented at Asha Impressions, a platform where children proudly showcase their creativity and skills to external judges. This year the students competed under three categories-

1. Digital Literacy

2. Scratch Programming

3. Physical Computing

The table presents a summary of the number of projects submitted from each Asha geography-

This year, students submitted 1,352 projects from 179 schools!!

Out of this, 38 projects were selected by Lead teachers and Volunteers to be showcased at the Asha Impressions competition.

Organizing the event

With both competitions scheduled so close together, the backend teams had to work swiftly to arrange banners, medals, certificates, gifts for students, and handmade gifts for the judges etc. For Asha Impressions, we initiated discussions with Amazon’s management and their GREF team, providing essential details such as the number of students, accompanying adults, volunteers, Asha staff, competition information, and the day’s agenda. This enabled Amazon to plan effectively- booking rooms, organizing meals and snacks, arranging judges, and

preparing gifts for the participants. Over the course of two weeks, both teams collaborated seamlessly to ensure every aspect of the event was well organized.

Day of the Event

Since most of the students were not from Chennai, they had to make a considerably long trip. Students from Thoothukudi and Thiruvarur started by bus overnight, reaching Chennai early in the morning. Students from Thiruvallur and Thiruvanamalai started from their respective locations as early as 3:00 am! Asha had organized buses for the transportation. The students were accompanied by Asha teachers, HMs and Asha coordinators from each project.

Amazon volunteers and the GREF staff greeted the children and helped them complete the formalities at the reception. Each student and accompanying adult was provided with an Amazon ID. The volunteers escorted the students in lifts to the 18th floor where breakfast was kept ready. Breakfast consisted of podi idly, dosa, vada, pongal with chutneys.

After breakfast, the students were escorted to the briefing area, where the team provided guidance on fire safety and explained the steps to follow in case of an emergency. After the briefing, students were escorted by the Amazon volunteers to their respective floors.

The Competition

Since there were three competitions – Digital Literacy, Scratch Programming and Physical Computing – three different rooms were allocated. Once all the judges arrived, Mr. Rajaraman, Asha volunteer and Cordinator, briefed them on the grading parameters.

The Digital Literacy presentations would carry 30-30-40 weightage. Project and presentation would be graded at 30% whereas the Q&A would carry 40% weightage. The judges were encouraged to engage the students with technical questions about how they developed their projects, and to request demonstrations or modifications to better understand how the features worked.

Since there was not much of presenting work under Scratch Programming and Physical computing, the weightage for project, presentation and Q&A was assigned at 40-20-40. In all the competitions, the Q&A sessions held particular importance, as they enabled the judges to assess both the students’ level of involvement in their projects and the depth of their technical knowledge.

For the Digital Literacy competition, since there were 17 teams, each team was allocated 15 mins which involved 10 mins for the project presentation and the remaining time for Q&A. Since the prize distribution ceremony had to be held at 3.30 pm, the judges were requested to adhere to the timelines to avoid delays later. Scratch Programing had 15 competing teams and Physical computing had 6 teams.

The judges were provided with the scorecard after which the competitions began in each of the rooms. Two Asha teachers were assigned in each room to assist the students and judges to manage the flow of teams for presentation. With all arranged, the competitions began by 9.30 am.

The students in Digital Literacy presented on interesting topics such as Cyber safety, Dinosaur Ulagam, Internal Organs, Seasons, Seyarkaikolgal, Social Media etc. They used action, drama, music, songs, quizzes and several props to put forth their ideas and made the presentations interesting. When the judges asked them to modify or show how certain features were used, they were able to confidently demonstrate their learning. Not only were the students sure about the technical aspects, they also had good knowledge about the topics they had selected.

In Scratch Programming, students presented on topics like Artificial Intelligence, Child Abuse, Global Warming, Cyber safety, Physics behind games, Science Experiments, Solar system etc. They also created interesting games like Treasure hunt, Quiz Race, Pen Ball game. The students invited the judges to try their hand at these games and also explained the logic and coding used behind their projects. The students were well prepared and took turns within their teams to present their projects to the judges.

Since physical computing had been introduced only in 11 schools, we received lesser number of project submissions compared to Digital Literacy and Scratch Programming which are being taught in over 170 schools. Out of 31 projects, 6 projects were selected for the competition. The students created projects on interesting topics like Digital Farmer, How the crow turned black story, Smart plant friend, Pet monitoring app etc.

Lunch was served by 12.30 pm at the cafeteria on the 18^th floor. It was a packed lunch with roti, panner curry, gobi fry, vegetable biryani, raita, gulab jamun and ice cream. The children were escorted from various rooms by Amazon volunteers to the cafeteria. Since the Digital Literacy competitions needed to conclude by 3 p.m., the judges graciously chose not to break for lunch. They remained until the competitions were completed and then had their meal afterward.

By 3 pm, all the competitions had concluded. The students were escorted from their rooms to the prize distribution area. The judges convened to decide upon the final winners of each competition. The names of winners were then handed over to the Asha teachers to prepare the certificates.

Special Thanks to Amazon Volunteers

We would like to make a special mention about the care and kindness with which the Amazon staff and volunteers have treated the children throughout the day. From escorting them through the office and elevators, to guiding them into rooms, making sure the seating was available, to helping them with water, coffee machines, the volunteers were deeply attentive and involved with the students.

When one of the students fell ill, the team ensured constant communication and support. The child was accompanied at all times by volunteers, Asha staff, and teachers, who provided food, water, and continuous monitoring. By noon, the child had recovered sufficiently to rejoin his teammates and successfully present the project.

After completing their project presentations, the students were invited to explore a selection of innovative Amazon products. Each product was introduced and explained, with the children encouraged to experiment and try them out firsthand. This hands-on interaction proved to be a fresh and exciting experience, sparking curiosity and delight among the students.

After the competitions were done, the students had some time in hand which they spent exploring the vending and coffee machines on the floor. Amazon ground staff and volunteers guided the children to help themselves with tea, coffee, boost or Horlicks, whichever they preferred. The array of beverages available fascinated the children. The automatic taps, the had-dryer, the lifts, lights that come on when a person walks into an area, the amazing view of the sea from the 20^th floor cafeteria kept the children enthralled! The children took time to chat with the volunteers and judges and were keen to take pictures with them before leaving. The interactions were heartwarming to watch and we are grateful to the wonderful team of staff and volunteers at Amazon for making the event such a positive experience.

Prize Distribution

The much-anticipated prize distribution ceremony commenced at 3:30 p.m. The Chief Guest, Mr. Shyam Sridhar, Director of Operations and Program Management at Amazon, arrived in time to view several Digital Literacy projects. He engaged with the children, judges, and Mr. Rajaraman, taking the opportunity to learn more about the scope and impact of Asha’s work.

The prize distribution was hosted by Ms. Preeti who has been a part of three other Impressions event in the past. The children were engaged in banter and kept in good cheer.

Amazon team was also invited to show a demo on their new AI products. They explained how the products were envisioned and their potential to make life easier in future.

The judges were invited on stage to announce the winners.

Digital Literacy Judges

Scratch Programming Judges

Physical Computing Judges

Following the prize distribution, students, staff, and volunteers were given snack and goodie boxes. Adults received Amazon keychains, while the children were gifted keychains along with a one‑liter steel water bottle featuring a marble design. Handmade gifts were presented to all Amazon volunteers, after which the children were escorted in batches. The volunteers remained with them until all formalities were completed. Finally, the students boarded their buses and set off to visit the Chennai beaches and finally head back to their homes.

Testimonials

Mr. Dilip, Asha Impressions Judge at Amazon – It was a privilege to be a judge for this wonderful event organized by ASHA in collaboration with Amazon. Watching the children confidently present their projects using Office software was truly inspiring. Their energy, clarity of understanding, and fearless public speaking skills were remarkable. Every participant demonstrated strong creativity and effort, making it a tough and highly competitive event. Overall, it was an enriching experience and a great reminder of the impact such initiatives create in shaping young minds.

Ms. Rekha V, Asha Impressions Judge at Amazon – It was truly a pleasure to be part of the Asha Impressions event. I really enjoyed seeing the enthusiasm and talent of all the school kids, their creativity and confidence were wonderful to witness. The projects were very impressive. The students explained their ideas clearly and showed good understanding. Their PPT presentations were very well done, and they used props effectively. I was especially impressed by their confidence. None of them got stuck during the presentations, which is uncommon at this age. It was clear that the students were guided very well. Their clarity and presentation skills reflected the support they received. I also liked the originality in their ideas and how confidently they answered questions. The event was well-organized, and it was a great experience overall. Looking forward to being part of more such initiatives in the future!

Asha India Conference December 2026

By Komalavalli, Volunteer – Asha Chennai

The Annual Asha India Conference 2026 was hosted by Asha Chennai from 26 to 28 December 2026 at our Thiruvallur office. Representatives from several Asha chapters including Assam, Mumbai, Rajatalab, Kaithi and Kanpur, along with Asha Chennai’s volunteers and staff from Thiruvallur, Thoothukudi, Thiruvannamalai, Thiruvarur, and Uttar Pradesh, came together for this three-day event. A total of about 40 participants attended the conference, making it a vibrant gathering of volunteers and staff from across the country.

Day 1

The delegates were welcomed with traditional local flavours- kolams, flowers, sandalwood paste (sandanam) and kumkum, followed by breakfast served on banana leaves. Some of the women guests even tried their hand at drawing kolams, adding to the festive spirit.

The conference began with “Tamizh Thai Vazhthu”, followed by a beautiful Bharatanatyam performance by two girl students from the Irula tribe.

The rest of the first day was devoted to presentations by various chapters, where they shared the work undertaken during the year. These presentations were followed by discussions on accounting and technical matters related to Asha Trust,

Day 2

The day’s sessions began with Mr. Rajaraman, Volunteer and Coordinator of Asha Chennai, delivering a session on “Factors that Affect Education.” This was followed by an open discussion on the educational policies adopted by different states.

It was heartening to see active and equal participation from staff members of various chapters alongside the heads of the respective chapters, making the discussion both inclusive and insightful.

After lunch, the delegates divided into two groups and visited two Rural Technology Centres (RTCs) located at Thomur and Kanakamachatriram. The RTC is Asha Chennai’s flagship project in collaboration with IIT Madras. Students proudly showcased their projects and shared their learning experiences, giving visitors a glimpse of the impact of the program.

Later in the evening, the group visited Vasantham Nagar, an Irula hamlet near the conference venue. Asha Chennai has supported a mini-school, ran a nutritious program (Arogyam) in this settlement for many years, and also assisted the community during recent flood situations.

The visitors were given a rousing welcome with thaarai and thappattais, traditional percussion instruments. The community organized local dances, plays, and songs for the guests.

It was truly a humbling experience to witness their living conditions first-hand and understand their aspirations and needs.

Day 3

On the final day, a visit was arranged to Pulicat Lake, located about 80 km from the venue. After reaching the destination, the guests were taken by boat to a nearby island.

The time spent exploring the picturesque landscape of the lake and island gave everyone an opportunity to relax, interact informally, and bond as members of the larger Asha family. Conferences such as this would benefit immensely from participation by all chapters in India and overseas as well.

Last but not least, a heartfelt word of appreciation goes to all the staff members who worked tirelessly to ensure the smooth conduct of the conference. From receiving the guests to their final send-off, every detail was thoughtfully arranged, ensuring that all delegates felt comfortable, cared for, and truly at home.

Project Summary of RTCs supported by BNY Mellon

Asha Rural Technology Centers (RTCs) empower rural youth in Tamil Nadu with free, high-quality computer science education, bridging the digital divide and fostering future tech talent. Established in 2022, RTCs offer basic and advanced courses to class 6 to 12 students, focusing on hands-on learning and practical skills. The initiative began in 2022 with the inauguration of the first center in Thiruvallur. Since then, the program has expanded rapidly to 13 centers across four districts of Tamil Nadu.

Our existing RTCs are located in Kanagammachathram, Seethanjeri, Thomur, Kannigaiper, Periyapalayam, Uthukottai, Thirutani and Thirupachur in Thiruvallur District, Kayathar, Kalugumalai and Nalattinputhur in Thoothukudi District, Kilpennathur in Thiruvannamalai District and Kottur in Thiruvarur District. We hope to add three more RTCs in these districts in the coming year.

The Bank of New York Mellon Corporation, commonly known as BNY or by its prior brand name BNY Mellon, is an American international financial services company headquartered in New York City with major offices also in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. Asha receives funding from BNY Mellon through IITM Pravartak.

BNY Mellon has played a vital role in this growth by supporting four of these centers—RTC Kannigaiper, RTC Thomur, and RTC Periyapalayam in Thiruvallur, as well as RTC Kayathar in Thoothukudi.

Course Structure

The RTCs offer both basic and advanced coursed-

Enrollment

Most students in government high and higher secondary schools across rural Tamil Nadu lack even the most basic digital skills—not because of a lack of ability, but simply due to lack of exposure. With the establishment of Rural Technology Centers (RTCs), supported by BNY Mellon, this reality has been changing.

• The RTCs typically accommodate about 60 students in single-teacher centers and up to 100 students in two-teacher centers, organized into 4–5 batches. RTC Kannigaiper and RTC Periyapalayam are one teacher RTCs, RTC Kayathar and RTC Thomur are two teacher RTCs.

• RTC teachers visit local high schools for three-hour sessions, either in the morning or afternoon, to introduce students to basic digital literacy and programming. Those who show deeper interest continue their learning at the RTCs after school, from 4:30 pm to 7:30 pm.

• Each academic year is divided into two terms (August–February and February–August), with students working on a final course project for two months reinforcing our “Learn by Doing” philosophy.

Student Enrollment in 2024

Student Enrollment in 2025

In 2025, we introduced new courses like Web Development 2.0 and Robotics.

Assessments and Project Work

Students are evaluated on the basis of attendance, term end assessments and projects submitted.

1. Regular assessments – At the end of every term, students are tested by asking them to write a program or create a presentation, depending on the course. These assessments are conducted primarily on a computer. The assessments have been done at the end of each term in all four RTCs in 2024 and 2025.

   

   Here are the results-

   Assessments 2024-25	Feb-24					Aug-24
   RTC Name	Enrolled		Completed		Enrolled				Completed
   Kannigaipair	53		35		51				40
   Periyapalayam	68		47		75				58
   Kayathar	120		79		154				97
   Thomur	69		45		82				54
   Total	310		206		362				249
   Assessments 2025-26		Feb-25						Aug-25
   RTC Name		Enrolled		Completed			Enrolled			Completed
   Kannigaipair		40		41			57			52
   Periyapalayam		85		63			71			64
   Kayathar		110		83			149			120
   Thomur		82		48			93			73
   Total		317		235			370			309

   There has been a steady, marginal growth in enrollment at the centers for both the terms. The overall completion rate rose from 68.8% in August 2024 to a much higher 83.5% in August 2025.

   The Kayathar RTC is located in a larger town and hence gets most number of enrollments. While its enrollment volume dipped slightly in 2025, the course completion rate jumped significantly from 63% to 80.5%.

   Thomur showed the most consistent growth in enrollment and completion rates also improved from 65% to 78% by the end 2025. The Periyapalayma RTC displayed strong performance with a 90% completion rate in the most recent August batch. While enrollment is growing slowly, the operational efficiency has improved drastically, particularly in the August 2025 cycle, where nearly 83% of all enrolled candidates successfully completed their assessments.

2. All students are required to submit projects. These are done individually or in groups of 2 or 3. The projects are evaluated by computer science professionals and a few projects get selected for a competition called Asha RTC Impressions. These are judged by professors from IIT Madras and stalwarts in the computer industry. This provides the students an opportunity to showcase their talents as well as gain experience being on stage and public speaking.

You may read the detailed reports here – RTC Impressions – August 2025     RTC Impressions – Feb 2025  RTC Impressions -July2024

Projects 2024-25	Feb-24		Aug-24
RTC Name	Project Submitted	Projects Selected	Project Submitted	Projects Selected
Kannigaipair	18	5	18	6
Periyapalayam	20	4	24	4
Kayathar	34	3	43	4
Thomur	27	8	40	8
Total	99	20	125	22

Projects 2025-26	Feb-25		Aug-25
RTC Name	Project Submitted	Projects Selected	Project Submitted	Projects Selected
Kannigaipair	17	7	19	5
Periyapalayam	27	7	30	4
Kayathar	40	3	60	4
Thomur	42	5	65	6
Total	126	22	174	19

Over the years, the team sizes submitting projects has steadily decreased from 5 to 2 or 1 at times. This shift is largely due to the wider availability of laptops and the growing preference among students to work independently. With nearly 400–500 projects submitted across all RTCs, the projects selected for RTC Impressions must be kept deliberately lower. This in no way reflects a lack of quality. On the contrary, it highlights the intensity of competition and the immense dedication and hard work demonstrated by the students. Students from RTCs supported by BNY Mellon have gone on to win several prizes at the RTC Impressions event.

Key Highlights & Impact

• Reaching Underserved Communities: Over 350 students are now coding, designing, and building projects thanks to the RTCs. There has been a steady growth in enrollment of students.

• Quality Education: Curriculum designed by experienced Asha teachers in collaboration with IIT Madras has provided students with new and advanced courses like AI and Robotics.

• Hands-on Learning: Students have been gaining confidence through practical workshops and project-based learning.

• Confidence building: With opportunity of participate in events like RTC Impressions, students have been able to build confidence and improve public speaking.

• Empowering Rural Youth: Students are able to now envision careers in technology.

Sustainability & Continuity

• Building on the success of 13 centers, we aim to add 3 more RTCs in 2026, extending reach into underserved districts. Our long term vision is to position RTCs as a statewide model for rural digital empowerment, potentially replicable in other states.

• We are exploring recruitment of local librarians to strengthen RTCs as community hubs and support teachers during evening hours.

• Commitment to scaling the model to ensure long-term impact beyond donor funding.

Acknowledgements

We extend our heartfelt gratitude to BNY Mellon for their unwavering support. Thier investment has transformed lives, enabling rural children to step confidently into the digital age. Together, we are building not just skills, but futures.

Testimonials

RTC Periyapalayam – “My name is R. Deepana . I first started coming to the RTC Periyapalayam computer center when I was in the eighth standard. At that time, I didn’t know anything about computers. However, I have now successfully completed courses in Digital Literacy, Scratch, Physical Computing, and Media. My achievements include:

Digital Literacy: Won the second prize at IIT.

Physical Computing: Won the first prize.

Scratch: I was selected to go to IIT for my work.

I am currently studying in the tenth standard and am doing a course called Web development 1.0. Now, I am proficient in using computers.

RTC Thomur– “My name is Kanimozhi. I studied at PUPS Thomur for 3.5 years and learnt DL. When I was studying in 7th standard, I joined Thomur RTC. There, I learned Scratch, Physical Computing, Web Development 1.0, and Web Development 2.0.

I am confident in writing programs using the Scratch programming language, which I learned at RTC. In Web Development 1.0, I learned how to design simple websites. When I learned Web Development 2.0, I felt happy creating dynamic web pages. Now, when I see a webpage on the internet, I am able to recognize the different parts used in it.

I did my project on a Library Management System using Web Development 2.0. I was selected to present my project at RTC Impression-8 at IIT Madras. When I entered the campus, I felt excited and happy. Seeing the IIT students there inspired me to study at IIT.

When I presented my project to the judges, I felt grateful for the opportunity. I was inspired by them. I received a gold medal for my project, and I felt overjoyed. I also got an opportunity to learn about other projects and ideas from different courses.”

RTC Kannigaiper – “My name is Anish. I am studying in class 8. I have been studying at Kannikaipair RTC for three years. 52 students were studying at Kannikaiper RTC. Six courses were taught here. Now I am learning Robotics course. I am very interested. Initially, my computer knowledge was limited. Now I have completed a total of 5 courses. I have completed Digital literacy, Programming, Web development, Media Editing and Physical computing. Rajaram sir will come to RTC and give valuable comments in our project. That will be useful for me. In the web development course, my friend Yokesh and I won second place. It was very happy. When I first went to IIT Research Park and presented my project, I was scared at first, but after seeing all my friends presenting, I gained new confidence.”

RTC Kayathar – “My name is Kishore.M. I have a little and basic knowledge about computer before joining RTC. After join in RTC I have experience many things about computer. I learnt typing laptop, creating folder, and many things on computer after join RTC. While learning Scratch programming I have learnt some basic knowledge on programming. Also animation courses teach me how to animate using the code knowledge. I was selected for Chennai impression for two times. The course web development and animation, it was so nice, the Impression motivated to me to learn more.”

You may view the album here.

Asha holds two major teacher training sessions every year-

1. Right start in May
2. Computer Science Training in December

During these training sessions, all Asha teachers from our project locations in Tamilnadu and Uttar Pradesh attend the events. You may read about RightStart 2025 here.

The 3-day CS training was held at Thiruvallur at the Sairam Mahal, Siruvanur Kandigai between 17-19 December, 2025 this year. 133 teachers from Thiruvallur, Thoothukudi, Thiruvanamalai, Chennai, and Uttar Pradesh attended the event. We also had attendees from Gandhiji school Pondicherry, Asha Mumbai, Kabir Foundation – Khajuraho, Little Stars School – Varanasi, and Parmarth Samaj Sevi Sansthan – Jhansi, who joined the sessions to participate in the training.
Teachers from various locations were accommodated at different places in Thiruvallur. Our teachers statyed at KP Guest house, Sangamam office and Thirupatchur RTC. The volunteers stayed at the KP Palace in Thiruvallur.

Day 1 – 17 December, 2025, Wednesday

The session began with Mr. Rajaraman welcoming everyone present to the event. He spoke about the importance of the training program and outlined the sessions planned over the 3 days.

After the introduction, the first session was conducted by Ms. Seetha. Her team distributed chocolates to all the teachers and grouped them as per the chocolate received. It was a fun start to the day!

Asha Kanini App, Online packages by Mr. Hemnath

Once all the teams had settled, the first session was conducted by Mr. Hemnath from Asha’s software development team to introduce the teachers to the features of the new version of Asha Kanini. Asha Kanini is developed by Asha Chennai and it helps teachers find the right content for the lesson they are teaching and use it effectively to improve student learning.
The development team has worked on several updates to the Kanini app during the year. The team gave the teachers demonstration of the new updates done. New content which has been added can be mapped within the app, and the teachers were taught how to navigate to these content. The team also gave a general recap of the new and existing features.

Computer Science curriculum by Ms. Seetha and Team

In this session, the teachers explained the updates in the curriculum and showed how to use the new version of the CS lesson plans in the Asha app. Ms. Priya explained the changes in Digital Literacy, Ms.Satya Bharathi introduced the new features in the Scratch program, and Ms. Meenakshi conducted hands-on training using physical computers.

AI Samarth – Vision for AI in Schools by Prof Karthik Raman from IITM

Amongst the sessions planned for the event, we had an interesting session by Prof Karthik Raman of IIT Madras, the Chairman of the drafting committee for CBSE for the new AI and Computational Thinking curriculum. His session on ‘Vision for AI in Schools’ was well received by the teachers. They enthusiastically clarifie

d their doubts and concerns about AI. Prof Raman threw light on the future of AI in education and how AI will be adapted into school curriculum.

Digital Safety by Ms. Priyanka

Amazon Future Engineer team had conducted a workshop on Digital Safety for children which was attended by Ms. Priyanka. She conducted the same session for all our teachers during the training. The session touched upon topics like digital footprint online, online safety in games such as Roblox, the repercussions of misinformation on society. The session was conducted using activities and guidelines suggested in the Digital Safety handbook curated by Amazon.

Day 2 – 18 December 2025, Thursday
(Parallel Sessions for Tamilnadu participants and the rest)

Teachers from Asha’s SPRINT program teach students for 40 hours a year. Out of this, 20 hours are dedicated to Computer science and the other 20 hours are used to teach Math, English and Science. These sessions usually were unstructured and taken without clear guidelines.
This year, Asha’s software development team worked on bringing a structured approach to these lessons which lead to the creation of MESL activities. MESL stands for Math, English, Science and Logical Reasoning. The team created lessons and set of activities under each topic in Asha Kanini for the teachers to use. The lessons taken by teachers are also tracked under our Teacher trackers. Since these are new activities, teachers were given training for the same during Day 2.
Maths MESL Activities by Ms. Nathiya
In this activity, teachers were divided into small groups of six, and each group was given 20 color-coded tokens—green for positive values and red for negative values—to help make abstract math concepts more visual and easy to understand. The team first explained how addition, subtraction, and multiplication could be shown using these tokens, after which teachers practiced solving problems by combining and exchanging them. This hands-on learning was then linked to a worksheet so teachers could connect the activity to written exercises, and finally extended to a computer-based activity.
The purpose was to demonstrate how manipulatives (tokens) make math concepts clear, how hands-on, worksheet, and computer activities can be integrated for deeper understanding, and how teachers can adapt this complete teaching approach for their own classrooms. For computer teachers, this activity was adapted for upper primary level, helping them understand how children grasp mathematical concepts through interactive methods.

English MESL Activity by Ms. Radhika

Three English activities from the MESL module were conducted. Computer teachers from Sangamam, Thulasi, Pearl, Cauvery, and Poorna Vidya participated in this training. The activities included-
1. Alphabet Hunt for Class 1, where students can identify capital and small letters through a fun ball-throwing and balancing activity;
2. Look and Say for Class 4, in which students are required to create and ask questions based on pictures exchanged between teams; and
3. Searching for the Goal, a treasure-hunt–based activity where students follow clues placed around the classroom and answer grammar-related questions to reach the final goal.
Worksheets and relevant Asha content, including Asha Kanini, were used to reinforce learning, and teachers actively practiced using these resources. Chocolates were given to the winners to encourage participation and make the session engaging and enjoyable.

Science MESL Activities by Ms. Sasirekha

The Science Team conducted training sessions on three topics: friction on different surfaces, elements and compounds, and the Jaltarang sound activity. For the friction topic, three ramps with different surfaces were used, and one teacher performed the experiment in front of the group. A freehand worksheet method was followed, where the teacher drew the experiment setup, read the questions, and discussed the answers with the group. The topic of elements and compounds was then explained using a PhET digital simulation, which helped teachers understand the concept more clearly. For the Jaltarang activity, the idea of sound was introduced, and a Jaltarang mobile app was briefly shown as a fun learning tool. After each activity, a worksheet related to the topic was given to all participants to check their understanding.

Logical MESL Activities by Ms. Sathya

The session focused on four logical thinking activities: Fill and Pour from the NLVM package, Sum Blocks from Math Playground, Fifteen Puzzle from GCompris, and Hot Java from Hooda Math. Teachers engaged in both classroom-based activities and online games related to these topics, helping them understand how logical thinking can be strengthened through hands-on practice and interactive digital tools.

Separate session for all Hindi speaking teams by Mr. Rohit

Since our sessions are a mix of Tamil and English, the Hindi speaking participants found it hard to follow. On the second day, a separate session was conducted for the Uttar Pradesh, Mumbai and participants from Jhansi and Khajuraho. During this session, Rohit and Kumari explained several unplugged activities such as- Odd and Even using cards, If–Else conditions with cards, the Cup Activity, and the Grid Activity. This was followed by another session on advanced features of OpenOffice, including interactions and motion paths, and advanced Scratch features such as using clones. Ms. Komalavalli and Ms. Jayalakshmi supported the teachers by helping them complete these tasks.

Day 3 – 19 December, 2025, Friday

Unplugged activity for searching and sorting by Ms. Kumari and Ms. Gomathy

Unplugged activities were conducted to help teachers understand sorting and searching algorithms using real-life examples. Teachers stood in random order and were arranged from shortest to tallest to demonstrate different sorting methods like selection sort, bubble sort, merge sort and quick sort.
Searching algorithms were explained by finding a specific teacher by height: linear search by checking one teacher at a time and binary search by first arranging teachers in order and then searching by repeatedly checking the middle position. These simple, hands-on activities helped teachers clearly understand sorting and searching concepts. They learned the differences between each algorithm and the activity improved logical thinking through practical demonstration.

Algorithms – Writing efficient code by Ms. Gomathy and Ms. Kumari

In this session, an unplugged and Scratch-based session was conducted to explain the Binary Search algorithm. The session helped teachers understand the concept of Binary Search and showed how Scratch can be used to teach searching algorithms visually. Using a Scratch project with a sorted list, variables like start, end, mid, and target, and simple loops and conditions, the steps of the algorithm were clearly demonstrated. Teachers were able to see how the search range is reduced step by step until the value is found. By the end of the session, teachers clearly understood how Binary Search works, felt more confident teaching it, and appreciated how Scratch makes complex ideas easy and engaging for classroom learning.

Synchronous and Asynchronous in Physical computing by Ms. Gomathy

In this session, teachers learned the difference between synchronous and asynchronous execution using Scratch blocks such as broadcast, broadcast and wait, and wait. Through these blocks, they observed how some actions run in sequence while others run independently without waiting, helping them clearly distinguish between synchronous and asynchronous behavior.
Teachers explored asynchronous event handling using App Lab and a physical computing board. A sample program with two buttons – one to play sound and another to blink LEDs – demonstrated how event handlers continue to trigger even after switching contexts. This behavior was explained as a result of asynchronous events, and teachers learned to manage it effectively using state variables to control callback execution.

Innovation Awards

At Asha Chennai, innovation has always been at the heart of our mission; whether it’s designing the right curriculum, refining processes, or building better ways to monitor and evaluate our solutions. In December 2024, this commitment received a huge boost when Amazon recognized our work and awarded us with the $100K Innovation Grant. This support has empowered us to push ourselves over the past year. We are happy to note that with these efforts we once again received another $100K grant from Amazon in Dec 2025!
With this milestone, we’re more energized than ever to keep experimenting, innovating, and scaling solutions that make education equitable and impactful. You may read the detailed report on Asha’s innovation here – Innovation @ Asha Chennai – 2025.
Asha’s software development team, Lead teachers and Volunteers have come together to work on improving processes and helped drive this change. It was important to recognize them for their contributions at Asha. During the Rightstart CS event, we felicitated the employees who have contributed the most towards the various Innovative activities of Asha Chennai.

RTC Impressions – February 2026

A report on the RTC Impressions held at IITM Terrace Hall in February ’26.

You may view the album here.

Since 2022, Asha Chennai has been operating Rural Technology Centres (RTCs) in Tamil Nadu in partnership with IITM Pravartak. What began as two centres in Thiruvallur has expanded to 13 centres across Thiruvallur, Thoothukudi, Thiruvannamalai, and Thiruvarur. In 2025, additional centers were inaugurated in Uttukoati, Thirupatchur, Tiruttani, and Kottur.

The RTCs were established to provide government school students with free access to computer education, ranging from foundational skills to advanced courses. Each center is staffed by one or two teachers, who also conduct introductory classes at nearby government schools. Students with a deeper interest in computers are encouraged to join the RTCs, where they can pursue structured courses.

RTCs follow a biannual academic calendar, with terms running from February to July and August to January. Each course spans six months, comprising approximately 3.5 months of instruction followed by 1.5 months of project work. At the conclusion of each term, students submit projects that are evaluated by RTC teachers, leads, and Asha volunteers.

Outstanding projects are showcased at RTC Impressions, a biannual event held in August and February. This platform highlights student innovation and excellence, with selected projects presented before an external panel.

Project Submission

The 8^th batch of RTC students submitted their projects in January 2026, which were then evaluated by Asha volunteers, RTC Teachers, and Asha staff. The largest submissions are made for the Digital Literacy and Scratch Programming category which are our basic courses on offer.

The Event

IITM Pravartak to support us in hosting the event. They organized to host the event at the Terrace Hall in IIT Madras campus. The air-conditioned venue, with a seating capacity of 300, is equipped with facilities such as an LCD projector, amplifier, and both hand-held and collar microphones. Once the venue was confirmed, we proceeded to design and print invitations for the event. These were sent to government officials, judges, IIT representatives, and Asha staff, inviting them to attend and witness our students in action.

Since we had eight competitions, we decided to group the smaller ones under a common set of judges. However, Digital Literacy and Scratch Programming each had over 15 projects, requiring at least 15 minutes per project, so they were judged as independent competitions. Media Editing, Physical Computing and Robotics were clubbed together in one competition and, Web Development 1 & 2, and Animation were clubbed

together in another competition. These 4 competitions were happening in parallel. We planned to allocate 3–4 judges per competition, which brought our overall requirement to approximately 12–15 judges. Once the judges were intimated, we received positive confirmation from most.

The competitions were scheduled to run from 9:30 a.m. to 3:00 p.m., with breaks for tea and lunch in between. The prize distribution ceremony was planned from 3:30 to 4:30 p.m. As a thoughtful gesture, Asha teachers prepared handmade gifts for all the judges who volunteered for the event.

The Competition

Since all our RTCs are located outside Chennai, students either traveled overnight or started early in the morning to reach the venue. Teams from Thiruvallur, Thoothukudi,

Thiruvarur, and Thiruvanamalai arrived at IIT between 8:00 and  8:30 a.m
Upon arrival, the students, teachers, and coordinators proceeded to have breakfast at the venue.

As the event was scheduled to begin at 9:30 a.m., the judges had to be briefed on the grading parameters and provided with their respective competition scorecards. Once all the judges had assembled, Mr. Rajaraman, Volunteer and Coordinator for Asha Chennai, welcomed them and expressed gratitude for taking time out of their schedules to evaluate the children’s projects.

The grading framework typically follows a 30-30-40 pattern: 30% weightage for the project itself, 30% for its presentation, and 40% for the Q&A session. Judges were then handed their scorecards and assigned specific spots to evaluate the competitions.

The largest space was provided for the Digital Literacy competition. For this competition, students create presentations using Open Office of topics of their choosing.

This year, we witnessed a wide variety of projects. With AI being the buzzword, we had made that the theme for this RTC Impressions and they got extra 5 marks if their project was in the theme or if they used AI in some manner in their project. Several students chose topics related to it, including AI in Agriculture, AI Project, Applications of AI, and The IoT. Other innovative themes such as Malaineer Segarippu, Biometric Attendance System, Navarasangal, and Space Tourism showcased the creativity and range of the students.

Presentations were brought to life through song, dance, and skits, adding a vibrant dimension to the event. In a humorous twist of “UNO reverse,” instead of dreading questions from the judges, the students actively encouraged them to ask about their projects and technical knowledge. This playful confidence sparked laughter from the audience and left the judges both impressed and amused.

Scratch Programming was conducted at one end of the hall, where students presented their projects to the judges. Using Scratch, they created engaging games such as Shooting Game, Ninja Fruit Game, Match Me Game, Multi Games, Cricket, and Sound Party. When judges requested small modifications, the students took some time to implement the changes, demonstrating their adaptability and technical skills. Throughout the process, the judges offered constructive feedback and encouragement, making the session both interactive and supportive.

Students showcased a diverse range of projects under Web Development, creating websites on topics such as Artificial Intelligence, Evolution of Technology, History of Satellites, and Medical Shop Management Systems. In Physical Computing, students created projects on topics like FM Station, Four seasons App and Smart Boy.

Media Editing and Animation also featured creative presentations. One team highlighted how RTCs had helped the student gain computer literacy, boosting their confidence and success at school. Another group presented a magic show, recording themselves performing tricks and editing the footage for added effect. Students even captured photos and videos using drones, weaving them into their storytelling, which made for an engaging and memorable experience.

Robotics was the new course introduced this year and was one of the highlights of this RTC Impressions. Asha’s team has been working on developing the Robotics course in discussions with the RTC teachers. Since it has been recently introduced, we received submission from three RTCs – Seethanjeri, Kannigaiper and Periyapalayam. Out of 6 projects submitted, 3 were selected for the final presentation. The three projects were- Miniature wonderland, Safe and safety school and Smart Home. The students worked hard on their projects, creating physical models to showcase their understanding. They had used a variety of sensors (IR sensor, proximity sensor, light sensor etc.) and a variety of motors and other actuators (stepper motor, DC motors, LED lights etc.). Finally, they had also built models to show their project including sometimes 3D printed components!

Prize Distribution

The prize distribution ceremony began at 4:00 p.m., following the tea break. During the ceremony, the judges shared their experiences from the event and commended the children for their hard work, creativity, and innovative ideas. The winners were then announced, and the students received their prizes with immense joy and pride, marking a memorable conclusion to the day’s competitions. The winners of RTC Impressions Batch 8 are as follows-

Testimonials

Ms. Mala Ragnathan, RTC Impressions Judge – On Saturday, February 21st, I spent five fulfilling hours serving as a judge for the top four winners in the “Digital Literacy” category at the RTC (Rural Technology Centers) Impressions event, hosted at IIT Madras by “Asha for Education.” The competition featured outstanding projects developed by RTC students after completing their six-month courses. I had the privilege of listening to and evaluating presentations from 16 teams, each lasting 15 minutes. Students arrived by bus from distant locations, highlighting their dedication and enthusiasm. Overall, it was a truly rewarding experience indeed!

Ms. Dharini Srini, RTC Impressions Judge– Judging at RTC Impressions was a truly inspiring experience. Seeing government school students step out of their comfort zones and put in dedicated effort to learn and build web development projects was remarkable. Their commitment, curiosity, and drive to grow speak volumes about their potential.

Mr. Vinoth V, RTC Impression Judge– This was my second event with Asha as a judge for Digital Literacy, and once again, the kids truly amazed me with the level of hard work and dedication they poured into their presentations. Every participant brought forward innovative topics and demonstrated remarkable confidence in the features they used. What impressed me even more was how well-prepared they were to handle out-of-content questions, keeping the sessi

on interactive, engaging, and insightful throughout.

Testimonials

Ms. Mala Ragnathan, RTC Impressions Judge – On Saturday, February 21st, I spent five fulfilling hours serving as a judge for the top four winners in the “Digital Literacy” category at the RTC (Rural Technology Centers) Impressions event, hosted at IIT Madras by “Asha for Education.” The competition featured outstanding projects developed by RTC students after completing their six-month courses. I had the privilege of listening to and evaluating presentations from 16 teams, each lasting 15 minutes. Students arrived by bus from distant locations, highlighting their dedication and enthusiasm. Overall, it was a truly rewarding experience indeed!

Ms. Dharini Srini, RTC Impressions Judge– Judging at RTC Impressions was a truly inspiring experience. Seeing government school students step out of their comfort zones and put in dedicated effort to learn and build web development projects was remarkable. Their commitment, curiosity, and drive to grow speak volumes about their potential.

Mr. Vinoth V, RTC Impression Judge– This was my second event with Asha as a judge for Digital Literacy, and once again, the kids truly amazed me with the level of hard work and dedication they poured into their presentations. Every participant brought forward innovative topics and demonstrated remarkable confidence in the features they used. What impressed me even more was how well-prepared they were to handle out-of-content ques

tions, keeping the session interactive, engaging, and insightful throughout.

One key takeaway for me from the day is that learning is truly a never-ending process. The teachers who mentor and guide these students are living examples of that philosophy. Asha is doing a tremendous job by introducing forward-thinking courses such as web development, robotics, HTML, and more, equipping young minds with skills that truly matter.

It was a lovely experience to co-judge the event alongside experienced professionals and spend such an inspiring day with these bright young talents. Thank you, Asha, for this wonderful opportunity. Asha is truly making an impact in every child’s life!