Mrs. Lakshmi Annapurna Chintaluri a renowned educationist and resource person of par excellence, emphasized that Social and Emotional Learning (SEL) is as vital as academics. She outlined its five pillars—self-awareness, self-management, social awareness, relationship skills, and responsible decision-making—and explained how SEL fosters empathy, improves behavior, and reduces conflict. She stressed the importance of resilience, stress management, and communication skills, urging teachers to integrate SEL into daily lessons. SEL, she concluded, builds emotional intelligence and prepares students for life beyond the classroom.