On July 10, GIIS SMART Campus had the honour of welcoming Dr Mallika Nadda, Chairperson of the Special Olympics Asia Pacific Advisory Council, as part of the school's Leadership Lecture Series. Dr Nadda inspired students with her words of wisdom, sharing insights from her illustrious career.

During the interactive panel discussion with secondary students, Dr Nadda delved into her journey to becoming the Chairperson of the Special Olympics Asia Pacific Advisory Council, recounting the challenges she faced and milestones she achieved. She also discussed balancing her extensive professional responsibilities with personal life and interests, as well as strategies to manage stress and maintain well-being. The session provided students with invaluable learning experiences and the thrill of connecting with an eminent personality.

With over three decades of dedicated work in the field of disability, Dr Nadda is a formidable advocate. She is the founder of Chetna Sansthan, an organisation that has educated and trained over 1,500 differently-abled children, enabling them to contribute positively to society. Dr Nadda also launched Special Olympics India, offering specially-abled athletes the chance to compete in the World Olympic Winter Games for the first time.

Her efforts have earned her several prestigious awards, including the Rajiv Gandhi Manav Seva Award in 2010 by the Ministry of Women and Child Development, Government of India, the Derozio Award in 2011 for education in human enrichment, and the Rotary Shreyas Award in 2015-16 for exemplary social services. In 2021, she was appointed President of Special Olympics India.

The Leadership Lecture Series at GIIS SMART Campus offers students the opportunity to engage with distinguished personalities from various fields. Dr Nadda's words of encouragement during the session will undoubtedly guide and motivate students as they continue their educational journey, growing into strong global leaders of the future.