NE YOUTH BUREAU
CHENNAI, FEB 14
In a decisive push to nurture a generation of conscious male allies and responsible citizens, Avtar Human Capital Trust (AHCT), the non-profit arm of Avtar, hosted the third edition of the Male Allyship Synergy Summit (MASS) at the Tidel Park Auditorium, bringing together more than 400 school students, college youth, educators, corporate leaders and institutional partners.
The summit’s core mission was to actively engage boys and young men early in life, equipping them with awareness, empathy and accountability to become champions of gender equality and respectful citizenship. MASS is a key initiative of MITR (Men Impacting Trust & Respect), AHCT’s flagship programme designed to shape attitudes and behaviours among adolescent boys, encouraging them to build safe, inclusive and equitable environments across families, workplaces and communities.
Delivering the inaugural keynote, Dr Saundarya Rajesh, Managing Director of Avtar and Managing Trustee of AHCT, emphasised the summit’s long-term societal vision. She said, “Through MITR and MASS, we work with boys and young men to help them see respect and inclusion as personal responsibilities and not abstract ideas. Because when boys grow up standing for fairness and dignity, they become men who strengthen families, workplaces, and communities. And this shift is essential to the India we want to build by 2047 – For nearly half our population to truly thrive, the other half must step forward and contribute actively & consciously.”
Reinforcing this commitment, participants took a Male Allyship Pledge early in the programme, affirming their collective responsibility to uphold respect, fairness and equity in everyday interactions—at schools, colleges, workplaces and beyond.
Chief Guest Dr Sam Paul, Chairman and Managing Director of Paulson’s Beauty & Fashion Pvt. Ltd., underscored the foundational role of men in shaping inclusive ecosystems. He said, “Equity does not begin in boardrooms; it begins at dining tables and in classrooms. And it grows when boys and men move from being bystanders to being active partners in creating spaces where women and girls can thrive.”
Guest of Honour Dr G. Vanitha, Deputy Commissioner of Police, Crime Against Women and Children Unit, Greater Chennai Police, highlighted the importance of collective and sustained efforts to advance gender equality and safety.
A powerful rally led by Dr Saundarya Rajesh and dignitaries emerged as a defining moment of the summit, with students marching through the campus carrying thought-provoking placards bearing messages such as “Disrespect is not a joke – call it out,” “Stand with girls,” and “Gender equality starts at school.” The rally amplified the summit’s central message—that allyship begins with awareness and must translate into action.
Student engagement formed the backbone of the summit’s transformative approach. Institutions were recognised with certificates, while winners of student contests were honoured for compelling performances centred on gender equality and social responsibility. Creative platforms such as elocutions, poster-making and college skits encouraged critical reflection on gender norms, while interactive sessions on CPR, cyber safety, substance abuse prevention and volunteering broadened the scope to holistic civic responsibility.
Eswar Balasubramanian, Senior Vice President, AHCT, outlined the summit’s intent to foster conscious behavioural shifts among youth, while Mr Umasanker Kandaswamy, COO of Avtar and Trustee, AHCT, concluded the event by stressing the importance of sustained engagement to shape progressive mindsets and lasting social transformation.
The summit was supported by Striim as Vision Partner for the second consecutive year, alongside Harman as Gold Sponsor, Flex as Transport Partner, and Sweet Karam Koffee as Refreshments Partner.
By empowering boys and young men to transition from passive observers to proactive allies, the Male Allyship Synergy Summit reaffirmed its purpose as a catalyst for cultural transformation—building a future where respect, dignity and equality are not ideals, but everyday realities.
