HURAY GOLD MEDAL AND CASH AWARD FOR SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY
From Puppets to Purpose: My Journey in Social Responsibility
My journey into social impact began during the COVID-19 lockdowns, when I helped conceptualise a digital puppetry competition to keep students meaningfully engaged.
Through virtual storytelling using puppets, we brought joy and cultural relevance into homes during a tough time. This initiative was later featured in Tamil Murasu (Singapore Tamil News Article) and planted the seed for my passion in using technology for creative education.
Press Release:
https://www.tamilmurasu.com.sg/special-feature/story20220403-86436
This passion evolved into StoryLab Academy, a social enterprise I co-founded with my best friend, Sanjay.
We run digital storytelling workshops that empower students to express themselves through comics, animations, and videos rooted in their own cultures. Over the past four years, we’ve worked with more than 500 students from 30+ schools. As an MOE-registered trainer, I personally conduct many of these workshops, helping students find their voices through tech and story. This work inspired our next venture — Eduville.
As a core member of Eduville, I’ve been deeply involved in designing language-learning games that blend culture with technology.
Our work thus far spans product design, teacher outreach, and piloting with schools. Eduville tackles the often overlooked issue of language loss by making mother tongue learning engaging for students and easier for teachers. Through this platform, we aim to preserve cultural identity while improving educational outcomes — especially for underserved communities and diaspora families, attaining UN SDG 4, Quality Education for all.
Awards: Winners of NUS Hult Prize Competition 2025 out of 47 teams, nominated for National level Hult Prize Competition, Winners of Vaniga Vettai NTU Business Pitching Competition 2025
Press releases:
- https://www.tamilmurasu.com.sg/youth/games-and-education-take-different-angle?ref=youth&utm_source=telegram&utm_medium=social-organic
- https://www.tamilmurasu.com.sg/youth/vaniga-vettai-2025-young-entrepreneurs?ref=youth&utm_source=telegram&utm_medium=social-organic
Beyond tech, I’ve also served the community through Singapore Tamils Society, where I volunteered from 2021 to early 2023 and was entrusted with the role of Youth Wing Vice-President.
During that time, I led initiatives like elderly befriending, festive gift drives for migrant workers, and second-hand clothes distributions — balancing it all with my university responsibilities in Year 1. These experiences taught me that small, consistent actions can spark real impact.
As part of Earthlink NTU’s Community Engagement Subcommittee, I participated in beach clean-ups, tree-planting, and awareness drives on environmental issues.
One of my most meaningful projects was organising an interactive event for underprivileged children — introducing them to sustainability through hands-on activities in NTU. This reinforced my belief in making education both inclusive and actionable.
Through Thrive Social Consulting, I also led a team supporting a local NGO in improving their strategic direction.
We conducted interviews, market research, and helped clarify their impact model for better beneficiary outreach.
And most recently, I found myself in Ipoh, Malaysia, simply chatting with underprivileged children — a reminder that even simple conversations can create connection and meaning.
Whether through tech, teaching, volunteering, or just showing up — I believe in contributing wherever I can.
1 – How It All Began
Volunteering has been both a personal journey and a leadership mission. My journey in service began in 2019 and has shaped me meaningfully over the past six years. At Nanyang Business School (NBS), I have been privileged to continue this journey—not just as a volunteer, but as someone who inspires others to serve. As Chairperson of the NTU Tax Advisory Club (TAC), I championed the spirit of giving by embedding volunteerism into the core of our club’s mission.
The Driving Force Behind My Cause
My passion for service was sparked by the encouragement of Dr Daniel (Leadership, Management and Organisation Division, NBS) who inspired me to reimagine the role of an academic club beyond scholastic achievement. His words helped me understand that a club should not only nurture intellect but also foster character and community spirit. Motivated by this vision, I set out to cultivate a culture of giving within our club, where members grow not just in knowledge, but in empathy and purpose.
This experience shaped my personal motto: Serve, Inspire, Reflect.
2 – To Serve the Community
Volunteering has taught me that “service” is not just about giving, but also about growing. From managing logistics to creating meaningful interactions, each experience honed my skills in planning, communication and teamwork. Most importantly, these moments reaffirmed my belief in the human capacity for connection, kindness and joy across all ages.
Youth Corps Singapore | 2019–2020
I joined Youth Corps Singapore with a simple question: Why do people volunteer? What I found was more than just an answer, but also purpose, connection and a deeper understanding of the human spirit. Looking back, I have never regretted starting my journey here.
-Spruce Parkz Befriender | 2019
- Paired with a buddy with special needs, we connected through simple yet meaningful activities like litter picking and kite flying.
- Through our time together, I learned the importance of patience, empathy and celebrating small milestones. These lessons continue to guide me today.
-Youth Corps Service Week | 2019
- I managed a modified Boccia game designed to simulate the experience of individuals with muscular atrophy.
- This interactive activity helped participants gain a deeper appreciation of the challenges faced by persons with disabilities, fostering empathy and awareness.
-YOLDEN Arts Open House – Thye Hua Kwan Nursing Home | 2019
- Volunteered as a befriender, accompanying elderly residents on an outing to Gardens by the Bay.
- This experience taught me how joy can be shared across generations, simply through presence, attentiveness and genuine care.
AWWA (Asian Women’s Welfare Association) | 2019
-Assisted with classroom support for children with disabilities, engaging in art activities like painting paper plates using cotton and ice-cream sticks.
-The experience taught me to see the person beyond their disability and recognize shared humanity.
One Community Fiesta at Tampines GRC | 2020
Self-volunteered at a community event to support elderly participants in a cupcake decorating activity. I learned to adapt quickly and show sensitivity, especially as some elderly participants needed hand-over-hand guidance. The event taught me patience, adaptability and how to support others respectfully.
MINDS Reading Programme | 2022–2023
Facilitated weekly online storytelling sessions to help beneficiaries from MINDS improve their communication and social skills. This initiative, arranged by Mrs Chan Ai Lin (Assistant Dean, NBS), reminded me of the importance of consistency and care, highlighted by the heartfelt Christmas cards I received from students <3.
Willing Hearts Singapore | 2024
-During my internship, I took part in the company’s CSR Week. I volunteered at a local soup kitchen, preparing meals for over 6,000 households.
-The experience offered insight into food insecurity and the value of coordinated community support.
3 – Inspiring Others to Serve
As Chairperson of NTU TAC, I strongly believed in leading by example. I saw volunteering not as the sole domain of service-oriented clubs, but as a meaningful pursuit that academic clubs should embrace as well.I wanted to show that service could be both impactful and fulfilling, and that academic excellence and social responsibility can go hand in hand.
NTU TAC Service-Learning Initiative | 2025–Present
I spearheaded the integration of service-learning into TAC’s objectives and led our club’s first-ever volunteering event at Tzu Chi Seniors Engagement & Enabling Node. We celebrated Chinese New Year through games, memory challenges and karaoke sessions, creating an environment of laughter, connection and joy. One of the most memorable moments was singing oldies and pop songs alongside seniors. It is truly an intergenerational exchange of warmth and cheer.
4 – Reflecting and Building Present-Day Initiatives
Tzu Chi Seniors Engagement & Enabling Node | 2025–Present
What started as a festive outreach evolved into something far more meaningful. Through activities such as memory games and singing sessions, we built lasting relationships with seniors while empowering students to serve.
-Advocacy Through Leadership
- Engaged members through team reflections and informal discussions, encouraging a deeper understanding of the personal and societal value of volunteering.
- Reinforced our club’s commitment to holistic development through social responsibility.
-Encouraging Peer Participation
- After our community events, many members shared how meaningful the experience was and expressed a desire to do more. Their reflections affirmed my belief that authentic leadership inspires others, and that when we serve with a purpose, we foster a ripple effect of kindness
Each interaction has taught me that every effort counts and that anyone can leave a lasting impression; not just on those we serve, but also on our fellow volunteers. Every volunteering session has affirmed my belief that social contribution fuels personal fulfilment and that even small acts of kindness can inspire a positive change in society.
When we serve with our heart, we can build strong bridges, strengthen communities and inspire transformation—one act at a time.
As I look ahead, I remain committed to continuing my journey of service—carrying forward the motto of Serve, Inspire, Reflect. Each experience has reminded me that service is not only an act of giving, but a path to personal growth, community connection, and meaningful change.