The Asha India Conference was hosted by Asha Chennai in December 2025, bringing together all Asha India chapters. This report has been prepared by Asha volunteer, Ms. Komalavalli.

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.