The GEMA Student Speaker Competition continues to be a platform for young students to bring light to powerful and impactful stories. While this year’s winner, Diyalini P. B., did exactly the same by honoring Dr. Muthulakshmi Reddy in her speech.
Diyalini shared in this heartfelt interview regarding why she decided to speak about Dr. Reddy, a trendsetter in medicine, women’s rights, and education. This student narrated how Dr. Reddy established India’s first cancer hospital, fought against child marriage, and became nation’s first female lawmaker. Diyalini shared her unshakeable admiration and respect for the doctor’s dedication and courage in standing up for women’s education during a time when society was against it.
Diyalini talked about how she wanted to inspire people, especially young girls. For young girls to learn about Indian women who brought real change in the society. She also states that only a handful of individuals her age are aware of Dr. Reddy, and she took pride in presenting such a significant figure to both her peers and future generations.
In the course of the interview, Diyalini also shares her feelings of nervousness at the start. In a very intriguing manner, she describes how the support of her mother and the regular practices helped her speak confidently. She described the competition as a learning experience that helped her improve her communication skills and gain knowledge about Indian history.
The interviewer maintained a very warm and friendly tone throughout the interview, asking open ended questions that allowed Diyalini to express herself freely and naturally.
This interaction reflected the heart of GEMA’s mission, that is, encouraging young people to find their voice, speak with purpose, and honor the unsung heroes of the society. Diyalini’s dedication, clarity, and calm presence in both her speech and interview proves why she was the deserving winner amongst so many students.
Watch the full interview with GEMA Student Speaker Competition winner Diyalani here.