Stories of courage, camaraderie and conviction that motivate, move and, on many occasions, mobilise individuals and organisations to do more will unfold this Saturday, August 24.

IIHM presents The Telegraph School Awards for Excellence 2024, 29th edition, in association with The Bhawanipur Education Society College and Exide, will be held at the Science City auditorium from 10.30am.

For three decades, the awards have saluted the spirit of students who have challenged their situations and triumphed over the odds. Students who have walked through paths ridden with hurdles and challenged their destiny instead of bowing down to it.

Also feted are teachers who have turned out to be superheroes in their commitment to education and institutions that have risen to the occasion and often defied conventional wisdom on what defines greatness.

“Every year, I tell myself I don’t think there is anything more that can inspire me further in terms of the motivating stories of courage that we hear about children and their parents, teachers and other role models in society who are unknown. But then, as I go deeper into my preparation in the weeks that lead up to The Telegraph School Awards for Excellence, I realise that we have reached only the tip of the iceberg. As the years unfold and the movement grows, we will continue to be surprised — and inspired — by more and more extraordinary people leading ordinary lives — the real heroes of society,” said Barry O’Brien, founder-convener of the awards ceremony and trustee, The Telegraph Education Foundation.

O’Brien has been hosting the awards ceremony since its inception 29 years ago.

This year, joining him on stage would be his daughter Raisa, a new-age teacher and anchor representing the voice of the young women of India.

Saturday’s programme will fete Jancy Joseph, who had three brain surgeries within three months, partially lost her memory, but fought back and scored 89 per cent in her ISC exams.

The spotlight will not just be on high performers because sometimes the hardships are so acute that even simply passing an exam is a feat.

Kheral Hembram cannot use his hands to write because of a disability but he wrote the state secondary exams with his feet and scored 36.8 per cent. He will come from Purulia to receive his scholarship.

The inaugural ceremony was held at South City International School on August 10 where 1,100 certificates of honour and merit and scholarships were handed over to students, teachers, schools and parents.

Last year, The Telegraph Education Foundation gave away over ₹40 lakh in scholarships.

Many institutions lent support. There were also many individuals who, despite not having a lot, insisted on giving.