Chennai : The Rotary Club of Madras East, Rotary International District 3234, celebrated exceptional young talent at the Young Achiever Award 2026, honouring two outstanding youngsters whose accomplishments and dedication continue to inspire their peers and the wider community.
The prestigious award ceremony was held on Wednesday, 11 November 2026, at Hotel Pullman, Anna Salai, Chennai.
For the past 15 years, the Rotary Club of Madras East’s Young Achiever Award initiative has sought to identify, encourage and celebrate exceptional young talent. Held every year in November in the spirit of National Children’s Day, the award recognises not only national and international accomplishments but also the sustained effort, discipline and determination behind exceptional achievement.
Over the years, the award has celebrated young talents across diverse disciplines, including sports, performing arts, education, science, technology and other fields. Previous recipients include Lydian Nadhaswaram (2019–20), pianist and music composer; Aarav Anil (2023–24), recognised for robotics and innovation; and Tulsi Raghavendra Hegde (2024–25), a Yakshagana artist. Their varied journeys reflect the award’s commitment to recognising excellence in all its forms.
The Young Achiever Award 2026 honoured Grandmaster A. R. Ilamparthi and Harikatha exponent Janane Narayanan.
Grandmaster A. R. Ilamparthi, from Chennai, Tamil Nadu, has distinguished himself in competitive chess through exceptional focus, discipline and determination. Introduced to chess by his parents at an early age, he earned the prestigious Grandmaster title while continuing his Class XI studies. His journey exemplifies persistence, independent learning and quiet confidence.
Janane Narayanan, a Class XI student of Padma Seshadri Bala Bhavan, Siruseri, is a gifted young Harikatha exponent who brings India’s rich traditions of storytelling, music and spiritual literature to contemporary audiences. Alongside her artistic pursuits, she excels academically and has cultivated a deep interest in Tamil and Sanskrit. Her journey demonstrates how young people can embrace cultural heritage while pursuing modern education.
Sri Rangarajan Madanagopalan, Co-Founder and former Director of Servion Global Solutions Pvt. Ltd., graced the occasion as the Chief Guest. Padma Shri Sri Achanta Sharath Kamal, celebrated Indian table tennis champion, was the Guest of Honour. Rtn. D. Suresh Jain, District Governor, Rotary International District 3234 (RY 2026–27), was the Guest of Honour.
“The Young Achiever Award is our tribute to the extraordinary potential of young people who pursue their dreams with passion, discipline and perseverance. By recognising achievers like Grandmaster A. R. Ilamparthi and Janane Narayanan, we hope to inspire many more young minds to believe in their abilities, embrace excellence and create a lasting impact in their chosen fields.”
— Rtn. Radhika Sathyanarayana, President, Rotary Club of Madras East
The award is sponsored by Past President Rtn. Murugavel Selvan and family, whose continued support reinforces the Club’s commitment to nurturing and encouraging young talent.
By recognising remarkable young achievers before an eminent gathering, the Rotary Club of Madras East reaffirmed its commitment to inspiring families, educators and society to discover, support and celebrate talent early, while encouraging the next generation to pursue excellence with purpose and Create Lasting Impact.
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