The Twenty-Third Dr. Deepa Martins Memorial Lecture was held on April 6, 2026 in the School auditorium. Our Honorary Mentor Mr. Anupam Martins delivered the welcome address and introduced the keynote speaker, Ms. Natasha Badhwar, author, documentary film-maker and educator and Special Guest Ms. Aruna Roy, social activist and recipient of the Ramon Magsaysay Award. The Secretary of the St Stephen’s School Society, Ms. Shefali Martins presented an insightful overview of the life and legacy of Dr. Deepa Martins. The keynote speaker delivered the keynote address on ‘Your One Wild and Precious Life: Finding Purpose in a Shared World.’
In her address, Ms. Natasha Badhwar reflected on the importance of discovering purpose in a complex world, noting that it can take many interconnected and meaningful forms. Drawing from her childhood experiences, she highlighted self-expression through writing and urged students to move beyond narrow identities to broaden their perspectives. She encouraged them to accept that fear and strength coexist, and to embrace uncertainty as an opportunity for growth and new beginnings.
Sharing her personal childhood anecdotes, she underscored the value of learning from mistakes and the role of creativity and imagination in a child’s development. She described art, writing, and media as powerful tools for self-expression and constructive dissent.
Encouraging students to draw inspiration from leaders such as Gandhiji and Nelson Mandela, she urged them to discover their own voices and author their own life stories. She also emphasized the importance of gender equality, breaking social barriers, and recognising the struggles and contributions of marginalized communities, particularly rural women.
Invoking the spirit of’ ‘Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam’—the world is one family—she stressed the need for unity in an increasingly divided world. Her address reinforced the importance of education, empathy, and community engagement.
The Special Guest, Ms. Aruna Roy, called upon students and attendees to pledge their commitment to non-violence. She emphasized that resolutions such as ‘No Violence – Not Now, Not Ever’ form the foundation for meaningful and lasting change.
The Director, Ms. Bharti Tolumbia, proposed the Vote of Thanks. She highlighted that ‘Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam’ has been adopted as the theme for the current academic session and expressed confidence that the lecture would inspire students to engage with broader conversations on diversity, equity, and inclusion as responsible citizens.
In addition to the lecture, the keynote speaker conducted engaging book-reading and interactive sessions with a select group of students and teachers. During these sessions, she shared excerpts from her work and invited participants to reflect on their personal thoughts and emotions. Using simple yet meaningful prompts—such as ‘I am someone who…,’ ‘What is in your heart?’, ‘It has been on my mind for a while…,’ and ‘Today, I decided…’—she created a safe and nurturing space for open expression and dialogue. These sessions proved to be deeply introspective, allowing both students and teachers to connect more closely with themselves and with one another in a thoughtful and meaningful manner.
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