As a poor student who aspired to pursue engineering, my dream would have never been fulfilled without our Chancellor, Sir Dr. G . Viswanathan. The VIT STARS scheme is a lifeline for someone like me, and I will forever be grateful for providing equal opportunities for all students, regardless of their background. During my time at VIT, I was exposed to a world of knowledge, innovation, and personal growth. The education I received at VIT laid the foundation for my professional success. Today, as a well-placed and settled individual in my career, I attribute a significant part of my achievements to the solid education I received under your leadership. You have truly been a guiding light, and without your support, I cannot fathom the kind of life I would be leading today. I will always cherish the memories and experiences I had at VIT, and I will forever be grateful to you, Honorable Chancellor, sir, for having given me the chance to succeed. With utmost respect and gratitude,

As a family facing financial hardships, we believed that our dreams of giving our son a quality education would remain unattainable. We are filled with high hopes that our son, armed with the knowledge and skills gained from his education at VIT University, will be able to uplift our family and future generations. Honourable chancellor, sir, your kindness has opened doors for us and given us renewed faith in the possibilities that education can bring. In this moment of profound gratitude, we offered our heartfelt prayers to God for your well-being, happiness, and good health. May you and your entire family be blessed with long, fulfilling lives filled with peace and prosperity. Once again, we express our deepest thanks from the bottom of our hearts to you, honourable chancellor, sir, as a token of our love and respect. With utmost respect and gratitude

Name of the Alumni : KAVIYARASU V
Name of the parents : Velusamy and Bakkiyalakshmi
Name of the Company : L&T Constructions, Chennai
Native village and District : Soddakuppanur in Dindigul district

My name is Kaviyarasu, hailing from the small village of Soddakuppanur in the Dindigul District. My parents, daily wage earners, faced severe financial challenges and health concerns. Our financial situation never allowed us to seek proper treatment for their health issues. At this dark time, a call from VIT transformed our lives. After four years at VIT, I secured a position at L&T Constructions in Chennai. This stable job and steady income enabled me to address my parents' long-standing health issues with proper medical care at a reputed hospital. Their health has significantly improved, and my gratitude to our Chancellor, Dr. G. Viswanathan, is beyond words. It was not merely a 100% scholarship; it was the lifeline that revived my family and gave us a healthier future. Without the grace and concern of our Chancellor, Dr. Viswanathan, this life and the well-being of my parents would have been unimaginable. I am profoundly thankful to our loving Chancellor and our respected vice presidents for everything they have given us.

Name of the Alumni : NITHISHKUAMR R
Name of the parents : Ramamoorthy and Muthumari
Name of the Company : Amazon,Chennai
Native village and District : Sevvoor, Ramanathapuram

My name is Nithish, and I hail from the small village of Sevoor Paramakudi in Ramnad District. Upon completing my schooling with good marks, I was determined not to burden my father, who at 58, is the sole breadwinner for our family. With limited options, I applied for a BSc in Mathematics at nearby colleges.
However, my life took an incredible turn when I received a call from VIT STARS. The grace and vision of our esteemed Chancellor Dr. G. Viswanthan sir changed the course of my life and that of my family entirely. I was given the opportunity to join VIT as an EEE student, and through hard work and dedication, I secured a prestigious internship at Amazon with a stipend of Rs 80,000. This internship later transitioned into a full-time placement with a salary of 25 LPA. This remarkable transformation in our lives is not solely due to my merit or academic achievements, but primarily due to the unwavering support and concern of our Chancellor for students like me.
Without this golden opportunity, I would have likely been a BSc Maths graduate with limited prospects. My entire family and future generations are deeply indebted to our loving Chancellor Dr. G. Viswanathan sir and the Vice Presidents for their benevolence and support.

Name of the Alumni :K. KARTHICK
Name of the parents : K Jaya
Name of the Company : Delta Electronics Pvt Ltd, Krishnagiri
Native village and District :Chinna Velakkantham Trichy

My name is Karthick, and I hail from Chinna Velakkantham in Trichy District. Throughout my schooling, my family did not have electricity at home, so I studied under streetlights. Due to inadequate shelter, my two brothers and I lived with our grandfather. My mother, a farmer, and my grandfather, a cow seller, were the primary sources of income for our family.
Despite these challenges, I received a golden opportunity to pursue a B. Tech in EEE at VIT. The initial period of emotional imbalance and insecurity was alleviated by the unwavering support of Meenakshi Mam, who became a mother figure to me.
Over the years, I secured a job at Delta Electronics Ltd., bought a new scooter and gold jewellery for my mother, and am now planning to build a new home for our family. I am profoundly grateful to our Chancellor, Dr. G. Viswanathan, who is a beacon of hope for us.
Without our Chancellor Sir’s generosity, I wouldn't be where I am today. My heartfelt thanks and deep respect go to our Chancellor and Vice Presidents for transforming my life and the lives of future generations.

Name of the Alumni :VANAJA S
Name of the parents : Sakthivel & Vijayalakshmi
Name of the Company : Deloitte, Hyderabad
Native village and District :Kalyanampoondi , Villupuram

Joining VIT was a turning point in my life, coming from a background of severe poverty in Kalyanampoondi, Vizhupuram District. Our family struggled daily, with no exposure to the world beyond our village. At VIT, under the nurturing guidance of Meenakshi Mam, I learned to be caring, responsible, and resilient. Her support gave me the confidence to excel. My hard work paid off when I secured a position at Deloitte in Hyderabad, marking the beginning of a positive transformation in my life. I began building a new home for my family and surprised my mother with gold jewelry, ensuring financial stability for us. None of this would have been possible without the generosity and vision of our Chancellor, Dr. G. Viswanathan. His unwavering support provided me with not just an education but a foundation for a promising future. My heartfelt gratitude goes to him and our vice presidents for their invaluable contributions to my life and my family's well-being.

I am filled with immense joy and a sense of accomplishment as I inform you that I have cleared the Group 1 examination and have been appointed as the Deputy Collector (in training at Tenkasi).
This would not have been possible without your unwavering support and belief in the potential of students like me, hailing from remote rural villages in and around Tamil Nadu. The STARS scheme served as a lifeline for me, providing me with access to quality education and invaluable guidance.
I would also like to extend my heartfelt gratitude to Dr. S. Meenakshi, whose care and guidance through the STARS program have been instrumental in helping students like us break free from moral and psychological anxiety and achieve our dreams. Her dedication and unwavering support have been invaluable, and she is always the mother of STARS.
As soon as my training period is complete, I am eagerly looking forward to meeting you, honorable Chancellor, sir, in person to express my deep respect and gratitude. I am forever indebted to you for the opportunities, guidance, and support that have made my journey from a rural village student to the position of Deputy Collector.

With utmost respect and gratitude,
Ms.J.Kavitha
VIT STARS - 2011 Batch
(Dharmapuram, Kanyakumari)
Deputy Collector (In Training), Tenkasi, Tamil Nadu

I am Rajbharath Rajendran, from Kumbakonam. I am a VIT STARS alumni. Currently, I am working at Amazon as a Software Engineer in Seattle. I was born and grew up in a small village called Patteeswaram, Kumbakonam. When I learned that I had been selected by the VIT STARS Scheme, I was afraid to join, since I was not confident enough in myself to compete with other students at VIT who had topped the VIT entrance exam. All my life, I had studied everything in my mother tongue (Tamil), so I was doubtful of my ability to show my skills in another language (English). But the STARS scheme staff motivated me. In the end, I secured a dream offer (PayPal) for our placement. Today, the STARS community is so big, and everyone is very eager to give back to the community and help others achieve their goals. I feel very proud and lucky to be part of the STARS program.
Thank you, Chancellor, sir! My sincere and heartfelt thanks to the VIT management ever.

With utmost respect and gratitude,
Mr. R. Rajbharath
VIT STARS- 2009 Batch(Pateeswaram,Tanjore)
Software Engineer, Amazon
Seattle, USA

I am Ravikumar Rajendran, an alumnus of VIT & its renowned STARS (Support The Advancement of Rural Students) scheme. I currently work as a Software Engineer at Facebook in California. From the very first day at college, our Chancellor, Dr. G. Viswanathan, & VIT administration have been phenomenal to every one of us.
In my senior year, as part of VIT’s campus placements, I was offered a Software Engineering internship at a company called PayPal. After working three years as a full-time Software Engineer, I came to the U.S to pursue a Masters in Computer Science. Soon after graduation, I joined Facebook as a Software Engineer & have been working there for 2+ years now. Our Vice President, Dr. Sekar Viswanathan, once said, “Always pay forward when it comes to the good deeds you receive,” & it has stuck with me since then. I hope, I can help pay it forward as much as I can in the smallest of ways possible! Thank you, Chancellor, sir! My sincere and heartfelt thanks to the VIT management ever.

With utmost respect and gratitude,
Mr. Ravikumar Rajendran
VIT STARS 2009 Batch (Kalvikudi Tanjore)
Software Engineer, Facebook
California USA

As a first-generation graduate, I am filled with a deep sense of gratitude and appreciation for the opportunity you have provided me through the VIT STARS scheme at our esteemed university.
When I embarked on my academic journey, I had dreams and aspirations, but financial constraints posed a significant obstacle. The scholarship you bestowed upon me has not only alleviated my financial burdens but also inspired me to strive for excellence in all aspects of my education and personal growth. Your commitment to empowering students from diverse backgrounds and creating equal opportunities for all has had a lasting impact on countless lives, including mine. The VIT STARS scheme has not only changed my life but also created a ripple effect of positive change that will benefit my family and community for generations to come.

With utmost respect and gratitude,
Mr. V. R.Sridharan
VIT STARS 2019 Batch
(Jalagandapuram, Salem)
Sr.Tech Associate, Bank of America
Chennai

As a girl from a poor family, the idea of receiving a higher education at VIT was once an unimaginable dream. Growing up, I witnessed the financial struggles and limitations that plagued my family, making it seem impossible to break the cycle of poverty and achieve my aspirations. However, the VIT STARS scheme has turned my world upside down and offered me a glimmer of hope that transcends my wildest dreams.
The moment I first set foot on the campus of the prestigious institution, I was filled with an indescribable sense of awe and inspiration. The magnificent buildings, the vast library filled with knowledge, the busting classrooms, the vibrant atmosphere, etc. spoke volumes about the tremendous opportunities that lie ahead. The VIT STARS scheme represents so much more than a financial aid package. It is a life-changing opportunity that has opened doors to a world of possibilities. It has given me the confidence to believe in myself and the assurance that my background or circumstances do not define my potential. By granting me this scholarship, Honorable Chancellor, sir, you have not only changed my life but also ignited a flame of hope within me that will continue to burn brightly throughout my educational journey and beyond.
I promise to honor this privilege by working tirelessly to achieve academic excellence and positively impact the world around me.

With utmost respect and gratitude,
Ms. S. Nadhiya
VIT STARS 2020 Batch
(Pennagaram, Dharmapuri)
BTech CSC spl Data Science

If you educate a girl, she not only educates society but also, writes her own destiny.
Being born and brought up in a village in the Thoothukudi District of Tamil Nadu, I merely crossed my district border. I was clueless after my plus-two results, as we hardly had any money for my studies even though I topped my district.
VIT offered me a B.Tech. under the STARS scheme. From a timid & low-self-esteem girl to a confident & courageous young woman, from failing a basic English course to cracking IELTS and getting an admission from the University College of London, from convincing society to travel 600 km for studies to cover more than 70% of India, from walking / cycling 5 km to school to gifting a car to parents, the VIT and STARS scheme made people self-dependent in every aspect of life. When my friends back in my village were getting married, I chose an option from multiple offers. It has made me do what I love instead of what I get. It has offered me and many like me a place to learn, dream, aspire, and grow.
Thank you can never be enough for VIT, and that is why I chose to work with Civil Society Organizations in sustainable development. This is my way of paying back to the community and thanking VIT for the STARS scheme. I shall carry the light that VIT has lit wherever I go.

With utmost respect and gratitude,
Ms. A. Nivedita
VIT STARS 2011 Batch (Ettayapuram, Tuticorin)
Project Coordinator
The Non-Pesticide Management Network
Bangalore

Words cannot express the overwhelming emotions that fill my heart right now. I am moved to tears of happiness, gratitude, and immense relief upon learning that my daughter has been selected to VIT through the STARS scheme and has been placed at CTS now. It alleviates the financial burden that would have otherwise weighed heavily on our shoulders, freeing us to focus on her growth, development, and future. Your act of kindness has not only changed our lives but also restored our faith in humanity. With tears of happiness streaming down my face, we, the whole family, thank you Honorable Chancellor Sir from the depths of our heart.

With utmost respect and gratitude,
Mr. R. Saravanan
Handloom Weaver (Doddampalayam,Erode)
F/o Ms. S. Oviyappriya
VIT STARS 2019 Batch
Program Analyst Trainee
CTS, Chennai

It takes immense pleasure to thank VIT for the opportunity provided to our students. During my working tenure at Government Higher Secondary School, Doddampalayam, and Government Higher Secondary School, Panayampalli, six students have been selected and joined your esteemed institution through the “STARS” program.
These students were good at academics but belong to ordinary families and would not have thought of enrolling themselves in graduation courses. I am pretty sure that the selection of these students through the “STARS” program has been a turning point in their lives and will improve the lives of future generations.
On behalf of students, their families, and teachers, I wholeheartedly thank the founder-Chancellor, Dr. G. Viswanathan, for introducing this scheme for rural students. We also thank the teaching fraternity at VIT for successfully conducting the program.

With utmost respect and gratitude,
Mr. A. Devaenthiran
Headmaster (Retd.), GHSS,
Doddampalayam,
Erode District, Tamil Nadu