The Day 2 of SSVM Institutions’ Transforming India Conclave 2026 is full of golden opportunities to listen to Indian icons like Air Commodore Prashanth Balakrishnan Nair, Olympic Gold Medalist Abhinav Bindra, and renowned Bharatanatyam Dancer Rukmini Vijayakumar share lot of inspirational messages to the student community, which also had tons of take home messages for the everyone.
Srisha Mohandoss, Director of SSVM Institutions shared how exciting was Day 1 as it involved the participants to go through a challenging obstacles course, that required their physical and mental toughness to work as one. She suggested all the participants to give themselves a fit and healthy life, by developing a sound body and mind. Together, they will be of great help to face challenges instead of fearing them, she remarked.
Talking about the theme of this year’s Transforming India Conclave ‘Flex Your Future’, she said the word flex stands for showing off, and she said that to show off, first one has to build. So she encouraged the students to build their future well with sound mind and body.
Give your 100% – Air Commodore Prashanth Balakrishnan Nair
Astronaut-Designate, Gaganyaan Mission – Indian Air Force
Prashanth who is one of the four Astronaut-Designates of India for the highly anticipated Gaganyaan Mission said that he has put himself into difficult situations to learn more about himself. He stated that his practice of staying in the moment and giving his 100% to that work which is at hand has been deeply rewarding.
When obstacles come your way, do not react or respond to them but respect them for the lessons they bring to you, and overcome the obstacles with resilience, he said. He was also candid about the cost he had to pay to be who he is today, but he credited his attitude to accept the reality for making him become happy and successful.
“Success and Satisfaction are in your hands, do not base your happiness on external objects, live up to the parameter you put for yourself,” he said.
Perseverance is a Talent – Abhinav Bindra
Olympic Gold Medalist
Mr.Bindra who won India’s first-ever individual Olympic gold medal in the men’s 10-meter air rifle event in 2008 said that a great shot is never fired, it is built. It is built well by bring together balance, stability and keep the body and mind in harmony and control.
He spoke about how he initially stepped in to this competitive sport, thinking that he did not have the athleticism, co-ordination etc but later found out his hidden talents.
“My talent was to simply work hard. I believe working hard is a talent, to persevere is a talent, to never give up is a talent and to simply show up is a talent; and you all have it,” he said. Talent however only opens a door, but to reach the finish line, he opined that one certainly needs to work hard and persevere. He appealed the students to take time to find what they are passionate about.
He cautioned that there could be life-altering moments in their journey and most of these moments require an individual to stand alone. In such moments, Courage and Conviction will crucial to shine, and these qualities form through experiences and by learning from mistakes.
Inspirational Guru Awards 2026 (External)
SSVM Institutions presented the Inspirational Guru Awards 2026 to 13 outstanding educators at the conclave. Air Commodore Prashanth Balakrishnan Nair, Olympic Gold Medalist Abhinav Bindra presented the awards in the presence of SSVM’s Management.
Cherish Cahoon, Founder, Valor Heights, Texas-USA; Swati Sohni, Sr.School Biology Coordinator, Scottish High International School, Gurugram; Raya Mukhopadhyay, Head-Sociology Dept, Assam Valley School, Assam; Prapti Parashar – PYP Coordinator, IB Program Workshop Leader, Prometheus International School, Noida (received in absentia); Nagalaxmi, Principal, Pallavi International School, Telangana; Hariharan Subramanian, Vice Principal, Amrita Vidyalayam, Kovur, Madurai; Karthikeyan TGT- Science, Govt High School, Karayambuthur, Puducherry received the awards from Air Commodore Prashanth Balakrishnan Nair.
Mango Ram Kuncham, Principal, Abhyasa International Residential School, Toopran, Telangana; Abdul Saleem, PGT- Chemistry, JBAS Memorial Matriculation Schoo, Chennai; Shanthi Seetharaman, PGT- Economics, PM Shri Kendriya Vidyalaya, Tambaram, Chennai; Kanagadurga Madhavan, PGT-Biology, Kikani Vidya Mandhir, Chennai; Priyadharshini, Academic Coordinator, Parvathys Anugraha Intl.School, Dindugal and Mukesh Mahendran, Skill Development Trainer, KG Institutions received the award from Abhinav Bindra.
(Session continues with more speakers. Insights will be added later)
