Uthaya Baskar

Uthaya Baskaran - Uthaya was in her second year under graduation when she came to know about Talent Quest for India through a friend. It was in early 2017.

“A few of my friends and seniors were part of the selection process. The task was to talk about rainwater harvesting. To my disappointment, my name was not actually on the final list that came out. But silver lining! I was given another chance to perform. They heard me speak for a second time, and bam! I was on the team. The first-ever project I was a part of was Water Conservation. That was 2017’s One Year One Cause. That’s now my journey with TQI started.”

Uthaya Baskaran is a Maths graduate from Syed Ammal Arts and Science college, Ramanathapuram “Prior to the pandemic, I used to visit schools for the Ullas and Kanaa projects. I was an active volunteer for these projects until the pandemic caused a disruption.”

“Phone mentoring during the pandemic was the project that brought me back actively to TQI. I am now part of the organization team for the project, mentoring for school students, in particular for the Hasthinapuram region. Phone mentoring has been a defining moment for me. The response I received, the participation, the commitment from volunteers, it is all so overwhelming. Sometimes, as a coordinator, I go on conference calls when the mentors are on call with the mentees. It makes me personally so happy just to listen to the conversation, the fun, and the laughter during the mentoring".

"The support TQI gets from government schools and parents across Tamil Nadu is so amusing. How good should an organization be to get this level of acceptance all over? TQI has done it! And to be a part of the team is like a dream coming true every single day. 2017 Daan Utsav was a milestone in my journey. My team conducted a donation drive around the college and locality. The participation and donations we received exceeded our expectations. And the happiness we saw in the faces of those children is a memory etched in my heart forever. You see, there is nothing more rewarding than seeing kids smile at you. It’s so special, so fulfilling. Nothing can beat that joy.

Before TQI, my whole life revolved around my classroom. I would sit in my class, read, study and go home. I was even scared to face a crowd. I know that a lot of volunteers say the same, but it’s true. There are a lot of people who have the potential and the will to work for a cause like this. But it’s very rare to get a chance. I was lucky enough to grab it. I wish people like the old me get a chance like this. A moment of hesitation would have flipped my life. I wouldn’t have been here if that had happened. I am happy I was ready to overcome my fears for once. That does not happen often. After joining TQI I am now known in my college not only as a maths department student but as also a TQIan. There was a lot of self-learning. That is my success. TQI is what gave me an identity on my own.

If I should name someone who has helped me a lot in this journey, it would be Ajit and Parthiban anna. They are the reason we have a team for Ramanathapuram. The team is the reason why I am in TQI. I have a very big extended family now. I am surrounded by people who love me, who love what I do and that is all I need. After my marriage, now my husband is also an active volunteer in TQI.

I want to keep teaching and create an impact among children. I want to support my society as long as I can. This is my motto. If there is even a teeny tiny opportunity for us to help someone, we must take it. No standing back, no watching over, no more being an audience. Love what you are doing. Never be harsh on yourself. Working for a cause should never be forced. If something that we do is not because we love it, I don’t think there is any point at all in doing that. This is my message to all my fellow TQIans. I can’t end without mentioning our beloved Ram anna. He is a true leader and an inspiration to all of us. Without his unending effort, TQI would not have become what it is now".

Currently Uthaya is the Project Manager of "TQI Express Phone Mentoring for school students" where one-on-one phone mentoring had been conducted for 1400+ school students by college volunteers from over 100+ colleges from 4 states since 2020.