Saraswathy English Challenge
Empowering Disenfranchised Communities
Building on last year's remarkable turnout of over 1,200 participants from more than 200 Tamil schools nationwide, Basis Bay proudly presents the second season of the Saraswathy English Challenge (SEC). This initiative aligns with our ESG commitment, aiming to level the playing field by nurturing English oratory skills among Malaysia's marginalized youth. We believe in fostering an environment where every child can thrive educationally and socially, ultimately catalyzing positive change within their communities.
Congratulations SEC 2024 Winners!
We extend our heartfelt congratulations to the top 3 winners of this prestigious competition! Your exceptional talent and dedication have propelled you to the pinnacle of success. Well done!
We would also like to acknowledge and congratulate the other 7 finalists for their outstanding achievements. Your remarkable performances have earned you a well-deserved place among the elite competitors. Bravo!
To all the participants, finalists, and winners, we commend your hard work, passion, and commitment. Your journey in this competition has been inspiring, and we have no doubt that you will continue to excel and achieve great things in the future. Keep reaching for the stars!
JOSHUA ABHIVAANAN
SJKT FES SERDANG, SELANGOR
FIRST PRIZE WINNER
HANNUSHKAPREEYA DEVINDRAN
SJKT METHODIST MALIM NAWAR, PERAK
SECOND PRIZE WINNER
KAVEYA KOGULANAAT
SJKT LADANG KINRARA, PUCHONG, SELANGOR
THIRD PRIZE WINNER
Best Written Essay Winners!
MIRTHANA BALU
SJKT PUSAT TELOK DATOK, BANTING, SELANGOR
FIRST PRIZE
KAVEYA KOGULANAAT
SJKT LADANG KINRARA, PUCHONG, SELANGOR
SECOND PRIZE
AGATIYA MURUGAIYAH
SJKT BUKIT MERTAJAM, PENANG
THIRD PRIZE
Re-Watch the Grand Finals
FINALS TOPIC
The need for disenfranchised minority groups to rely on self-help, while understanding both local and global employment and business opportunities.
Congratulations Finalists!
AGATIYA MURUGAIYAH
SJKT BUKIT MERTAJAM, PENANG
ASHLEY RIVKA CHRISTOPHER
SJKT PUCHONG, BATU 14, SELANGOR
HANNUSHKAPREEYA DEVINDRAN
SJKT METHODIST MALIM NAWAR, PERAK
JOSHUA ABHIVAANAN
SJKT FES SERDANG, SELANGOR
KAVEYA KOGULANAAT
SJKT LADANG KINRARA, PUCHONG, SELANGOR
KIRTHIKA ARUMUGAM
SJKT RANTAU, NEGERI SEMBILAN
MAUNISSHA VALAIYAPATHY
SJKT JALAN HAJI MANAN KLUANG, JOHOR
MIRTHANA BALU
SJKT PUSAT TELOK DATOK, BANTING, SELANGOR
THEJASVINEE THIRUVARASAN
SJKT LADANG NORTH HUMMOCK, SELANGOR
VINARYA SINNATAMBI
SJKT KINRARA, SELANGOR
Congratulations Semi-Finalists!
AGATIYA MURUGAIYAH
SJKT BUKIT MERTAJAM, PENANG
ASHLEY RIVKA CHRISTOPHER
SJKT PUCHONG, BATU 14, SELANGOR
ASWIN KANAGASABAI
SJKT JALAN HAJI MANAN KLUANG, JOHOR
AVILA DEEPIKA THIAGARAJAN
SJKT METHODIST MALIM NAWAR, PERAK
DANUSHVANAN MANI VANAN
SJKT TELOK PANGLIMA GARANG, SELANGOR
DHAYANEETHA THINESH KUMAR
SJKT SARASWATHY SG.BULOH, SELANGOR
DIVYA THAARANI PRAKASH
SJKT SARASWATHY SUNGAI BULOH, SELANGOR
DIVYABARATHI SIVABALAN
SJKT LADANG ULU TIRAM, JOHOR
DIVYESH MAGESHWARAN
SJKT TAMAN TUN AMINAH, JOHOR
ELEESHA ARCHANA
SJKT BATU CAVES, SELANGOR
HANNUSHKAPREEYA DEVINDRAN
SJKT METHODIST MALIM NAWAR, PERAK
HEZEKIAH JERVIS
SJKT SG RENGGAM
SELANGOR
ILAAKIAH SUGUMAR
SJKT PERMATANG TINGGI, PENANG
JOSHUA ABHIVAANAN
SJKT FES SERDANG, SELANGOR
KAVEYA KOGULANAAT
SJKT LADANG KINRARA, PUCHONG, SELANGOR
KESHVENAA LOGAMOORTHY
SJKT BANDAR MAKHOTA CHERAS, SELANGOR
KIRTHIKA ARUMUGAM
SJKT RANTAU, NEGERI SEMBILAN
KISHORE KUNASILAN
SJKT TAMAN KELADI, SUNGAI PETANI, KEDAH
MAUNISSHA VALAIYAPATHY
SJKT JALAN HAJI MANAN KLUANG, JOHOR
MEEZHA JAYARAMAN
SJKT TAN SRI DATO' MANICKAVASAGAM, PERAK
MIRTHANA BALU
SJKT PUSAT TELOK DATOK, BANTING, SELANGOR
NUDHARSINI SARAVANAKUMAR
SJKT SIMPANG LIMA, KLANG, SELANGOR
REIGINAA RAGAVAN
SJKT LADANG WELLESLEY, KEDAH
RITIKA SRE KESAVAN
SJKT PUSAT TELOK DATOK, BANTING, SELANGOR
RIYASHRI SUNDARAM
SJKT KANGKAR PULAI, JOHOR
SANMITHA KUHANES
SJKT LADANG SEMENYIH, SELANGOR
TAMILINI SARAVANAN
SJKT JALAN SIALANG, JOHOR
SESHADRI MAHENDRA
SJKT SUNGAI RENGGAM, SELANGOR
SHIVIRA VEERAYEN
SJKT RAMAKRISHNA, PENANG
SRIDAAR MOGANADASS
SJKT SUNGAI RENGGAM, SELANGOR
SUGITHA VELMURUGAN
SJKT LADANG EFFINGHAM, SELANGOR
THANUSHKA BALA MURUGAN
SJKT SUNGAI RENGGAM, SELANGOR
THARANE VASU
SJKT LORONG JAVA, NEGERI SEMBILAN
THAVAANISH RAJ KUNASEELAN
SJKT BANDAR SRI SENDAYAN, NEGERI SEMBILAN
THEJASVINEE THIRUVARASAN
SJKT LADANG NORTH HUMMOCK, SELANGOR
VASUMIETHAA KANNAN
SJKT KUANG, SELANGOR
VINARYA SINNATAMBI
SJKT KINRARA, SELANGOR
VISHAALI RAKESH KUMAR
SJKT KO SARANGAPANY, KEDAH
YAKASHKA SANKARAN
SJKT VIVEKANANDA, KUALA LUMPUR
YOGADARSHNE CHANDRAN
SJKT MASAI, JOHOR
Meet the Judges
Vimalavathy K Vadivale is an experienced teacher with nearly 40 years of teaching under her belt. She has a Diploma in Education: Teaching English as a Second Language and a BA (Hons) in English from University Malaya. Starting as an English teacher in 1983, she realized the profound impact of influencing young minds. After 6 years of teaching, during which time, she represented Malaysia in the Chess Olympiad, she moved to the Curriculum Development Centre of the Ministry of Education. She encountered the challenges faced by the B40 Indian community and focused on making a difference one child at a time, Vimala became involved with NGOs and worked closely with the Desa Mentari community. Currently, she is actively engaged with school-going children at the Taman Megah Centre.
VIMALAVATHY VADIVALE
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Professor Dr. Sulochana Nair (Finals), the Vice Chancellor and CEO of Binary University, has significantly advanced education and societal development. While at the University of Malaya, she was the Founding Director of the Centre for Poverty and Development Studies, Head of Development Studies, and Associate Professor. Her expertise has significantly helped shape policies and educational programs in Central Asia and Cambodia. She also serves on the Boards of the Sejahtera Foundation and Gandhi Memorial Trust. Recognized globally, she was honored as an Honorable Professor by Uzbekistan and led the “Engendering the National Budget” initiative. Dr. Nair’s achievements reflect her commitment to positive change, inspiring advancements in education, development, and social justice.
PROFESSOR DR SULOCHANA NAIR
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Dr. Puspa C Suppiah (Finals), a Senior Lecturer in Universiti Teknologi MARA’s Academy of Language Studies, excels in discourse analysis, language and communication, and pragmatics. Holding a PhD from Universiti Malaya and degrees from Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia, she boasts over two decades of higher education teaching experience, including roles at Universiti Selangor and UiTM. As the authority on Contrastive Analysis, she contributes significantly to research, curriculum development, and academic administration. Dr. Pushpa’s extensive publications in international journals span topics like vocabulary instruction via TikTok, crisis communication, and misogynistic language in song lyrics, showcasing her broad expertise and dedication to advancing English language studies.
DR PUSPA C SUPPIAH
R. Nadeswaran (Semi Finals & Finals), a Malaysian journalist with over 50 years of experience, is renowned for his commitment to good governance and investigative reporting. He has covered a broad spectrum of news topics, including sports, business, conflicts, and scandals. Nadeswaran pioneered investigative journalism in Malaysia during the 1980s, exposing corruption and abuse of power in government and enforcement agencies, even as press freedom remained constrained. His “Citizen-Nades” column boldly addressed public spending and demanded accountability, often using sharp language. Despite challenges from the establishment, Nadeswaran continued to advocate for transparency. He retired in 2016 but still contributes to Malaysiakini, remaining a voice for ethical journalism and governance.
R. NADESWARAN
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Rafiq Jumabhoy (Finals) is a prominent business leader skilled in strategic and operational problem solving. He successfully navigated the 1982, 1989, 1997 and 2008 economic crises. He founded Orkney Investments in 1996 and relocated to Kuala Lumpur. With 40+ years of international experience, Jumabhoy specializes in crisis management and pro-bono work. He’s the Founder Director of the National Arts Council and the first non-government member of Singapore’s Civil Service College Board of Governors. Jumabhoy holds an Honours Degree in Politics, Philosophy & Economics from Oxford and is a Fellow of the Institute of Chartered Accountants. He has leadership roles in the Young Presidents Organization, prioritizing lifelong learning.
RAFIQ JUMABHOY
ANEETA SUNDARARAJ
Dr. Aneeta Sundararaj (Semi Finals) is an internationally published, award-winning writer whose work has been featured in magazines, ezines, journals and the newspapers. Aneeta’s best-selling novel, The Age of Smiling Secrets was shortlisted for the ‘Anugerah Buku 2020’ organised by the National Library of Malaysia. Her latest collection of short stories is called Tapestry of the Mind and Other Stories (Penguin Random House SEA, 2024). Throughout, she continued her academic pursuits and, in 2021, completed her doctoral thesis called Management of Prosperity Among Artistes in Malaysia. She also manages her website, ‘How to Tell a Great Story’.
SELVAMALAR SELVARAJU
Selvamalar Selvaraju (Semi Finals) is the Quality and Sustainability Lead for Basis Bay and is also responsible for spearheading all ESG initiatives for the company. A passionate and impact-driven leader, social entrepreneur and educator she has championed the development and empowerment of underprivileged women, children, and minorities in Malaysia. Heading Primus Wellness and co founding MySkills Foundation, her 15-year career spans various sectors. Certified trainer and communicator, she holds a Masters in Human Resource Development and a First Class Hons LLB Degree from the UK, with Harvard Summer School courses. As a Social Entrepreneur and Rights Advocate, Selvamalar recently achieved a significant milestone by being selected as a speaker at the esteemed TEDx event in Switzerland with the theme centered on the topic of “Breaking Barriers,”. Her participation in this event not only marks a personal triumph but also highlights the company’s commitment to fostering dialogue and inspiring change on a global platform.
Shalini Allegran (Semi Finals) has over eight years of experience in Teaching English as a Second Language (TESL) and Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages (TESOL). As the Director of the Centre for English Language and General Studies at Lincoln University College in Malaysia, she manages programs aimed at improving language proficiency and academic skills. She also oversees the Canadian Pre-University Programme and an IELTS examination centre in partnership with IDP Malaysia. Previously, Shalini served as Principal of Pusat Bahasa Transformasi from 2017 to 2020. She has contributed to teaching practicums at Open University Malaysia and has been a judging panelist for theatre plays at UNITAR International University. Shalini holds a Bachelor’s degree in TESOL and a Master’s degree in TESL, demonstrating her strong commitment to education.
SHALINI ARGELLAN
Our Mission
Our mission is to provide students from disenfranchised minority groups in Malaysia with equal opportunities for success by empowering them with English public speaking skills. With these skills, we aim to open up a world of possibilities in education, employment, and entrepreneurship, which will promote social mobility and break the cycle of disenfranchisement that has plagued the community for far too long. We hope to provide these students with the tools they need to achieve their goals and unlock their full potential.
Why English?
English is the language of diplomacy, business, science, and technology. The global reach of English as the lingua franca of international business and trade creates increased opportunities for employability and entrepreneurship. It is the language of instruction in many universities and academic institutions worldwide, providing access to resources and information. English also opens access to better healthcare, social services, and cultural exchange, all while boosting self-confidence and self-esteem.
Who is this for?
The competition is aimed at students aged 11 and 12, studying in Tamil vernacular schools throughout Malaysia. This age group is targeted as it allows for the development of public speaking skills and boosts confidence while also promoting the importance of English proficiency at an early age.
Challenges of
Minority Groups
The disenfranchised communities in Malaysia faces numerous challenges including historical displacement from changes in the plantation sector, low education levels, and lower rates of house and share ownership. Additionally, youth alienation has led to a rise in juvenile delinquency cases, criminal activities, and gang involvement. These communities also experiences a lack of private and corporate employment opportunities, often working in lower-paying jobs and competing with foreign migrant workers.
All Videos
All Videos
Saraswathy English Challenge: Empowering Indian students to elevate English proficiency ....
Saraswathy English Challenge 2024 - Semi Finals
SEC 2023 First Prize Winner - Thamayanthi
SEC 2023 Second Prize Winner - Yaalini
"Basis Bay's primary requirement for hiring in Malaysia is how well our candidates conduct themselves in the English language.
Speak any language as well as you wish to but master the English language to enhance your future employability and entrepreneurial opportunities both locally and internationally.”
- Dato' Praba Thiagarajah
Executive Chairman, Basis Bay
The Saraswathy English Challenge is a part of our historical commitment to ESG and is the brainchild of Dato' Praba Thiagarajah who first conceptualized it in 2015. In the same year, Dato' Praba initiated an English-speaking event for students from Vernacular Schools in Penang. More than a decade ago, Dato' Praba also organized the Saraswathy IT Challenge for young graduates, enabling them to become technopreneurs.
These challenges have been named after Dato' Praba's late mother, who always looked out for the marginalized. Both Dato’ Praba’s parents the late Mr. Thiagarajah and Mdm. Saraswathy were his early role models and played a very important supportive role in all his endeavors. He is often quoted saying that he is lucky to have been born into a middle-class family with supportive parents that always prioritized good values.
Showcase your English skills.
Grand Prize RM20,000!
First Prize
Student - RM20,000
School - RM5,000
Second Prize
Student - RM10,000
School - RM3,000
Third Prize
Student - RM5,000
School - RM2,000
Other Finalists
Students - RM1,000
School - RM500
All participants will receive a certificate of participation. The schools with the highest number of participants (gross and percentage of representation) will also receive recognition and token prizes.
Three Stages of the Competition
1
Video Submissions
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Record a 1-minute video of yourself speaking in English on one of the following topics:
- I wish I can visit...
- My inspiring hero...
- My best day... -
Fill up the registration form here and upload your 1-minute video on the form
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Registrations start at 12:00 am, 07 February 2024 and end at 11.59 pm, 20 March 2024
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The first stage is an invitation to all eligible students to submit their 1-minute English speaking video to us.
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In this stage they will be judged 70% on grammar, 20% on content and 10% on overall presentation.
2
Semi-Finals
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40 participants will be zonally selected for the semi-finals round:
- Northern Zone: Perlis, Kedah, Perak, and Pulau Pinang
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Central Zone: KL, Selangor, Pahang, Kelantan and Terengganu
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Southern Zone: Johor, Malacca and Negeri Sembilan
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The semi-finals will be held online on 4th May 2024.
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The 30 semi-finalists will receive public speaking training to help them improve their performance in the online semi-finals round.
3
Finals
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10 participants will be selected for the final round.
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The finals will be held face-to-face in a grand event.
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They will be judged on their speaking skills, content, presentation, and Q&A with the judges during which they will need to showcase their creativity and analytical skills.
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The finalists will also receive training before the grand finals.
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The FINALS will be held online on 26th May 2024.
SEC 2024 Grand Finale, Double Tree by Hilton, Shah Alam
Challenge Sponsor
Dato' Praba Thiagarajah
Project Sponsor & Executive Chairman,
Basis Bay
Core Team Members
G. S. Murali, Advisor
MD, Seven Hills Top
Founder, INDOGOTV
Content Producer & Director
Selvamalar Selvaraju
Lead - Sustainability and ESG, Basis Bay
CEO, Primus Wellness
Co-Founder, MySkills Foundation
LeadEx Fellow Asia | 2022
Sikha Patnaik
Lead - MarComm &
Primary Event Coordinator,
Basis Bay
Siva Ramalingam
Independent Event Organizer,
Basis Bay
Supporting Partners
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Supporting Media Partners
