Day With A Politician: How Public Engagement Works For BJP's SG Suryah In South Chennai

South Chennai encompasses diverse neighborhoods—from the affluent streets of Adyar and Besant Nagar to the IT corridor along Old Mahabalipuram Road. However, behind this prosperous facade lie areas like Kannagi Nagar, Kallukuttai, and Semmancherry, which face significant infrastructure challenges.

For politicians representing South Chennai, addressing both elite urban concerns and grassroots issues requires balance. BJP Tamil Nadu State Secretary SG Suryah has been working in this constituency for several years. As the party's in-charge for the Chennai South region—including Velachery, T.Nagar, Virugambakkam, Mylapore, Saidapet, and Sholinganallur—Suryah has maintained an active presence.

His schedule typically involves community meetings and addressing local concerns, while evenings often find him fulfilling party spokesperson duties on television. He also runs the NaMo Vasavi Foundation, which carries out various philanthropic initiatives.

"Electoral politics is just one aspect," Suryah notes. "For many residents, what matters is tangible improvement in their daily lives—whether it's providing a bicycle to help a child attend school or establishing educational resources."

His efforts have had a good impact. Areas like Sholinganallur and Velachery saw increased BJP vote shares in the 2024 Lok Sabha elections, with some attributing this to his community engagement.

Suryah maintains that his work transcends electoral considerations. "The principle of service was instilled in me during my time with the RSS. My public profile comes from political involvement, but these community initiatives would continue regardless."

Suryah provided financial backing to Sarath, a Silambam instructor. Silambam, a traditional Tamil martial art, aligns with cultural values often emphasized by the BJP.

"Meeting Suryah changed everything," Sarath explains. "His foundation contributed ₹1 lakh for equipment, allowing me to expand classes beyond my immediate community. Now I operate a YouTube channel and maintain training space on East Coast Road."

The program has produced competitors at district and state levels, with some qualifying for the Khelo India games. Beyond athletic achievement, the training offers structure for young participants.

"Silambam instills discipline," says student Maheswaran. "It helps us avoid negative influences."

Sarath adds that these achievements are helping change perceptions about Kannagi Nagar, an area that has struggled with reputation issues.

Volleyball Court Renovation in Sholinganallur

In Sholinganallur, Suryah took a different approach by supporting a volleyball team whose playing court had deteriorated.

The renovated court now serves not only the original group but also players from surrounding areas, with some progressing to district competitions.

"Urban development often eliminates recreational spaces," Suryah observes. "These players—mostly working-class residents—need facilities for physical activity. Notably, they contributed labor to the project, reducing overall costs."

Sanitation Improvements in Semmancherry

While the government's Swachh Bharat initiative significantly expanded sanitation infrastructure, households without land ownership documentation were sometimes excluded. Several families in Semmancherry's Ward 200 faced this situation despite long-term residency.

"The previous situation wasn't just unhygienic but dangerous," notes Vijay Keerthi, a beneficiary who works as a driver. We used to go out into the bushes, where snakes were often spotted.”

An elderly resident, Kanni Amma, adds: "Despite living here for decades, we've requested infrastructure like roads and water, but never toilets due to social stigma. This addresses a fundamental need."

Educational Support Programs

The NaMo Vasavi Foundation operates "Karka Kasadara," providing scholarships to students from economically disadvantaged backgrounds in South Chennai. Over the last ten years, the program has supported approximately 400 students pursuing various educational paths including engineering, commerce, nursing, and other disciplines.

The foundation has established agreements with several educational institutions to facilitate enrollment for underserved students and employs a structured selection process to identify those with genuine need. High-performing students from South Chennai in 10th and 12th standard examinations also receive college sponsorship.

In a political landscape often characterized by campaign promises and media visibility, Suryah's approach in South Chennai emphasizes consistent community engagement. His work demonstrates how political responsibility can intersect with social development, particularly in areas where resources and opportunities are limited.

As Chennai continues developing, bridging policy with implementation remains crucial. For many residents, Suryah represents someone willing to undertake this essential work consistently, regardless of immediate political benefit.