Mahalakshmi Sukumaran has bagged Young Achiever Award

My name is Mahalakshmi Sukumaran, and I was born in the year 1999. I am currently  pursuing Accounting and Finance in the Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and  Wales. The influential nature of accounting and its values to the corporate world has  motivated me to study and pursue a career in the field of Business, Accounting, and Finance.  I strongly believe, money is one thing that drives who we are and what we choose to do  in life. Having said that, establishing a career in this field not only allows me to contribute to  society, but it also enables me to do other things that I love including supporting my family,  pursuing my passion, and developing a sustainable living.  

During the past years, I have had several experiences working in the field of  Accounting and Finance. My involvement has allowed me to explore the accounting services  in several companies/ organisations with different objectives and purposes. Being as young as  19 years old, I gained corporate knowledge about the performance of a reputable audit firm,  Folks DFK & Co, where I dealt with several clients from different organisations. I have also  been working for a business company, Ma & Ha Cleaning Services as well as non-profit  organisations like Sri Rathakrishanan Music and Arts Centre and Pertubuhan Kesenian dan  Kebudayaan SRFA. My experience through my education journey has allowed me to apply  all that I have learned while working at these firms to gain a better understanding of how  things work in the field of Business, Accounting, and Finance.  

I realised my potential as a good leader ever since high school, where I was given  roles to lead a team like being the Vice President for Girl Guide Society and the Sports team.  In addition, I was given several responsibilities as a leader such as organising programmes  and camps, facilitating teamwork, distributing information effectively and a lot more at such a young age. These qualities have then allowed me to grab many opportunities along the way to  utilize and enhance my leadership skills.  

Besides, dance has been my passion from an early age, and I have been learning  dance for 17 years now. Having been a part of Sri Rathakrishanan Music and Arts Centre,  under the guidance of the principal, Guru Nalini Ratahkris, I was able to boost my talent and  skills in the South Indian Classical Dance, Bharathanatyam. I have participated in many dance productions and shows conducted by the dance academy and won many championships  locally and abroad. I have achieved several awards in this dance field and one of the most  prominent moments was when I was awarded “Nritya Kadambari” for achieving 1st place in  Saptarang International Group Dance Competition in 2019 and Best Choreographer  Award in 2021. Recently, I participated in Suaranatya, which was a program organised  by the academy to achieve success under The Malaysia Book of Records & Asia Book of  Records. 

Performing in groups has allowed me to instill unity and teamwork spirit. With  many years of dance experience, I was promoted to become a dance trainer. Not only have I  brushed up my skills and talent, but I have also trained and encouraged the younger dancers  in my academy to strive for achievements under the guidance of the principal. I have also  participated in the organising committee for several events and programs conducted by Sri  Rathakrishanan Music and Arts Centre. I was given numerous roles and responsibilities to  coordinate and organise events. These experiences enabled me to develop my confidence  level when expressing my views and when negotiating opinions. I was able to cultivate good  communication skills and leadership values through the experiences gained from the events  that I co-organised with my peers under the supervision of the principal. This allowed me to  deliver my messages clearly and thoughtfully during group discussions.  

Besides, I am inquisitive by nature which makes me want to learn more and expand  my horizon. One of the simplest ways I gain satisfaction from life is by dedicating my time to  a cause that I feel passionate about. Community service, in particular, offers numerous  opportunities for me to utilize my talent to aid those in need of help and support. This gives  me the drive to take part in volunteering activities, charity events, and community services.  Having the role of a secretary in Pertubuhan Kesenian dan Kebudayaan SRFA, a non  governmental organisation (NGO) has given me the most humbling experiences by having  the opportunities to co-organise social activities that bring benefits to myself and the  community. 

Recently, I have worked alongside the other members of the organisation on a  program called “Appreciate our Frontliners” by Pertubuhan Kesenian dan Kebudayaan SRFA  for the purpose of providing food to the frontlines who have sacrificed during the Covid 19  outbreak. Other programs that I have co-organised under this organisation are Animal  Donation Drive, where we worked on collecting funds to donate to animal shelters, and Voice  of Earth Plantation Campaign, with the objective to instill the habit of planting into young  children. Participating in charity programs like these has impacted my character in a positive  manner and allowed me to feel proud of my accomplishments.

As a student, who also holds several roles and responsibilities, I faced a few challenges  that have taught me good lessons. Time management played a vital role in my life as I juggle  between education and extracurricular activities. However, I realised the most effective and  best utilisation of time involves prioritising tasks, setting goals and willingness to achieve  various things in life. Next, playing the role as a leader could sometimes cause fear of making  decisions and leading a team. However, through the experiences I have gained and with  proper guidance, I am able to recognize any issues that occur, deal with them in an effective  manner and create forward momentum when leading a team.  

I am deeply pleased and honored to receive the “Young Achiever Award” under the  category of “Women’s Education Leadership Awards” bagged by “Women Icon powered by  Times Women”. This award surely does provide me the opportunity to reflect on the  proceeding years and gives me the spirit to strive to deliver excellence in everything I do in  the future. I would like to express my heartfelt gratitude to the organisation for selecting me. I  sincerely appreciate the attention that was given to my accomplishments and am grateful for  being selected among other deserving nominees. 

I would like to thank my beloved parents, Mr & Mrs. Sukumaran Renganayaky who  played their role as responsible parents by raising me and pushing me to my limits. It was  because of the freedom sowed upon me, I was able to pursue my passion and chase my  dreams. The upbringing they’ve provided me is exemplary for every parent.  

I would also like to thank my dearest guru, Ms Nalini Rathakris whom I refer to as my  mentor, for first believing in my abilities as a deserving candidate for this award. She has  always inspired me to succeed and grab any opportunities that come along the way. 

I believe this award would allow me to emphasize the importance of education in the  development of young people and enable me to be a role model for the younger generation  to possess leadership skills. I would describe myself as a highly motivated, ambitious, and  independent young adult. I am self-driven and always work extremely hard to attain the goals  I set. I believe it is fundamental to have such qualities to be able to set a good example for  everyone. Serving in the community will always be a part of my goal in life, whether it is  academically or through my passion for dance. I have a lot to learn but once I am capable, I  will also increase my ability to share what I have learned which is why I participated in the Women Icon Award as through this, I will continue my interest to inspire the younger  generations to achieve better in life.