Sense of Ownership

The sense of ownership is missing among the citizens of India. When a person purchases any product by paying money, he gets its physical possession. He can utilize it, feel it and can add its worth of his property.

India is my country. The very beginning of our pledge which every fortunate citizen of India who had attended school has definitely taken. But hardly people consider India as their country. If they consider it as their motherland, they would certainly think twice while spitting on the road, passing urine at the corner of the streets and throwing litter here and there.

The moment Swach Bharat Abhiyaan by the present central government is a movement to create the similar kind of awareness among the citizen of India. Again the catch is, instead of an act to be done by every citizen of India, it has become a kind of activity to become popular either politically or socially. Very few could understand the real spirit behind the movement started by the Prime minister of India.

Right from metropolitan city to any newly developed city, in towns and in villages, people now need to understand that India is our country and we are the true owners of this beautiful nation. It is our responsibility to keep it neat and clean for our healthy present and for better tomorrow. When we realize this, when we accept our ownership, we tend to follow our responsibility with more efficiency. 

We certainly require people who can train people and can create awareness towards social ownership and public responsibility.

Without the sense of ownership, people may keep practicing wrong acts and they may hardly realize that they are in fact, part of the massive crime of killing the serenity of the environment.

Common Man at Fault

Yesterday I was returning from Danapur to Patna after finishing Soft Skills session at ISM Patna, I met Raghu, a boy who was hardly ten years old. He was pulling a rickshaw. He works at Pulwari Sharif. His job is to move from gate to gate of each house and collect the rubbish, even sometimes he is forced to take away the filth from houses.

On inquiring, he proudly said that for this job, he is being paid rupees hundred per day. He is a bread earner for his family. He lost his father couple of year ago when he was too young.He said proudly that he used to go to school. Now he and his mother as a maid work hard to fulfill the amenities of the family which consists of Grandfather, Grandmother, two sisters of age eight and six. 

The job that he is performing is assigned to an outsourcing company by the Bihar Nagar Nigam to keep the city neat and clean. To chit chat for a while with Raghu, I asked him, if he would like to have a glass of Bournvita, he immediately asked for a cup of tea. He brought his rickshaw and had parked it by the side of the tea stall where we both sipped a hot cup of tea. 

I asked him if he had faced any problem while performing his everyday task, he smiled and said, "Didi, now I am well accustomed. A year ago, to pull the rickshaw and paddle the cycle, was very difficult as the handle used to slip away. But now, you can challenge me. I have become an expert."

Were you questioned by police anytime? Did they see you pulling the rickshaw? Have they stopped you anytime? 

His answer was spontaneous and said, "I always salute the policewala's whenever I see them. They are good. They never stopped me. Also, I follow the traffic rules, strictly.

He then thanked me for the cup of tea, with a bright smile, he said bye to me. He pulled his rickshaw and moved off to reach his destination. 

I also felt bad and was ashamed of myself because people like me every day meet children like Raghu. When they come to the home to collect the rubbish, we treat them as an employee instead of showing any empathy towards them. Common man blames the government for different evil practices, but when he is the part of such evil practice, hardly bothers to correct self. We, at least the educated members of the society, are aware of labor laws. Why should we not employee a child for his services?

At such a tender age, Raghu is pretty aware of his responsibilities. To work for the family and to look after their needs, he takes it up as his duty. Though the government has different policies, but in India, we have many such Raghu everywhere, in every city and village. For them, providing free school facilities, books and midday meal, can not suffice their need.

Just by knowing the norms will not help in eradicating the evil practices. What I believe is, people who are blessed like us, should share our blessings with at least children like Raghu. I am keenly waiting for my next meeting with Raghu, so that I can be of some help, to him and for his family.

How to Improve? A Big Question

To fulfill my childhood days dream, I left Delhi and moved to Patna three months ago. In these three months, I traveled to different districts, remote villages plus the developed parts of Patna and Greater Patna. My interest was into meetings students of schools and colleges. In last 90 days, I met more than 3000 students and I noticed that the students of Bihar are running in a race without knowing their end destination.

Be it a renowned school like St.Karen Secondary which is duly affiliated with CBSE or the so called government schools affiliated with BSEB, students lack confidence and there is a lack of clarity related to future, in particular, their career goals. 

The present generation is blessed with the fast changing technology. They are well equipped with smart gadgets and what not, still the level of general awareness is below average.

The situation is pathetic when we talk about the students who have studied in rural areas. For their graduation when they choose courses like BBA, BCA or B.Tech, life tends to become miserable. The complete course is in the English language, which these students have hardly studied. Few might have taken the subject for granted as there are chances that in their school, they may not be facilitated with good teachers.

A student named Ankit Raj, the resident of Sitamarhi says, "I am very scared when I open the books of my BBA course. I find it difficult to read and understand the subject as the complete course material is in the English language. I am worried about my future. I am worried because, for my higher education, my father has borrowed a loan worth 100000 INR. Will I be able to complete my course and fulfill my father's dream? I am doubtful."

Such instances are not in few but the number is large. I certainly moved to Patna with a motto to help students like Ankit Raj. The biggest challenge which I am facing is of the schools. Principals and Headmasters/headmistress hardly think about the future of its school students. When I proposed to meet and forward my proposal, they denied to even meet.

Only through regular interaction, the students can get benefitted. If the educators ignore the significance of the English language and fail to impart right knowledge, the state like Bihar will remain in dark age, when India is growing technically by embracing advanced technology to envision bright future

It's not so easy

After spending 36 years of my life in developed India, through one of the training projects, got to move to one of the developing states of India, i.e. Bihar. During my stay, I understood that life here was totally different from that of Hyderabad and Delhi. It was slow. Its outlook varies seriously from the other states.

I am talking in particular about the youth of this state. My audience were the students of class 11th & 12th and those who were pursuing graduation. They were zealous, bubbling with energy, keen to learn new techniques and processes of development. But when I speak about the language skills, per say communication, I personally feel that they need to improve a lot.

In over 12 districts, the situation remained the same. When I asked them about their future goals, 60 out of 100 wanted to try his or her luck and clear either IIT-JEE or PMT exams. Rest after their graduation wanted to appear for competitive exams to secure government jobs.

Being a Soft-skill trainer, through basic interaction, I could sense the problem that these students may face in near future. Communication gap was never bridged either by education system or through their upbringing. The art of communication needs to be imbibed.

Luckily, I had certain data that I collected for my research which emphasizes the importance of Soft skills & communication skills in professional life both in public and private jobs. It was an eye-opener for the students. They wished to empower themselves with these skills, but as the education system hardly pays any heed on these major issues, students remain backward.

Who should I blame? Whom should I approach?

The knowledge bearers are denying to get aware of the fact. They have made education as a source of income. Lack of vision and right information, are the two reasons which can be considered as major problem areas, in the process of development of the youth.

Soft Skills Taught by Maa

On Women's day, when I took pride in being a woman, certainly, the credit should also go to my parents, moreover to my Maa who not only gave birth to me but also taught the real significance of Soft Skills.

I always wanted to excel in my studies, and I did achieve my goal. But the regular achievements had nurtured my ego very badly. I don’t know exactly, when my ego-state had replaced the humble nature of mine, which my Maa always had advised carrying, in every mode of life. People could smell my arrogance.

It was only after my graduation when I took my first job as a school teacher, the ego-state got punctured. I realized people around me are more intelligent and cleverer. I am talking about two of my colleagues. They were excellent in their assigned work. They worked meticulously, day and night. Their only motto was to deliver quality education to the students. I, who had excelled till now, had faced difficulties in handling the kids. I realized, when I screamed at the students, they were quiet but their quietness proved that they had less of respect, and more of fear.

I would like to admit here, that I was running short of three basic qualities of human being:

1. Patience
2. Ability to Listen
3. The power of understanding others

It was the Principal of the school who I thank from the bottom of my heart. She had the guts to directly point out at my loopholes which made me ponder and revise my way of behavior.

It was in 2002 when this incident had happened in my life. I went home and was disturbed. Someone had shattered my ego. I could hardly believe this fact. In the late evening, I had words with my Maa, when she inquired and asked for the reason for my bad state of mood; I told her that the Principal of the school had asked me to work on the three basic qualities, which I have stated above.

My Maa who knew my nature told me that it is very easy to practice these. The only thing that I need to start with is, to allow others to put their point of view. Instead of criticizing and condemning their viewpoint, try to analyze as such what made them, the thing in that manner. She also asked me to listen patiently when other speaks.

I thought the piece of advice given to me by my Maa is something which seems to be easy and I promised her that she will see a different me from the very next day.

Trust me, to listen and to analyze, why the other person thinks in a different manner is, in fact, the cumbersome task. I had to let others speak without putting my opinion, was something which I did not practice, since ages. I also shared the lesson taught to me by my Maa with the Principal of the school and requested her for her guidance. I plead and told her to vouch for my behavior and to correct me, the moment I commit anything off track.

I started with my students. Earlier, it was me who had always sermonized in front of my students. But now, the ball was in their court. I asked them to speak and share their point of view. The kids who were just eight or nine years old, they had numerous things to share. Though for an adult like me, it may seem to be meaningless, yet it has taught me the art of listening and that too with huge amount of patience.

It was the turn to move to the colleagues. Instead of pointing out their mistakes, I thought and wondered why do they commit any mistake or tend to forget something that could be very crucial for a teacher?

The analysis says that there are many reasons:

1. Family pressure
2. Remuneration
3. Recognition
4. Self-esteem and identity
5. Lack of interest towards their job
6. Let-it-go attitude

There could be few apart from the above pointed, but these reasons were certainly in the majority. I was jeopardized to witness these facts. I thought that everybody was happy with their work, but this was not the truth.

I went and talked to the Principal again and had presented my observations in front of her. I must praise at her ability to handle such critical thing. She started a session wherein she used to have a cup of tea with different teachers and asked them about their problems and its understanding. This was another lesson for me.

In the years that I spent in the school as a teacher, instead of ridiculing myself at my shortcomings, I learned and understood the significance of Soft Skills. I thank my Maa, who is my true trainer and who had gifted me with the most valuable lessons of Soft Skills, which by the passage of time, has now turned to be my profession.

You can earn a number of degrees and a list of certificates but the most valuable of all is the certificate of Soft Skills. You need to adhere and help others to imbibe.

 

 

 

 

Reaping Efforts

Manohar finds it difficult to calm his nerve and put his cent percent effort in clearing the initial rounds of interview. He is indeed in anger with his own performance. Over a period of time, he has approached different organizations for a job, still he could not taste the sweet of success.

Rejection after rejection went on disheartening him. He lost his confidence and this was driving him towards depression.

Manohar is a well-qualified engineer. After a couple of years of working with one of the renowned companies of IT, he thought of pursuing his PGDM course. He took Marketing as his key area of specialization and opted Information Technology as his Minor.

He had put his brain and soul while acquiring knowledge skills, but one main component that he had neglected was soft skills. Though he his physique was good, but he lacked confidence. Confidence while interacting with either the fellow mates or faculty members. He was never trained for these skills. 

A year and a half passed by where Manohar enhanced his knowledge skills pertained with Management studies. He started dreaming about big brands and a better position than on which he was posted earlier. He was keen to sit into the interview processes and was excited to get selected and wanted to kick start his career path once again.

To crack any interview processes, he thought will be the cake-walk for him.He was very confident that he can get through any such rounds of interview. His thought and expectations shattered when he saw his name in the category of rejected students list. And the similar saga continued with him over ten such interview processes. The companies that rejected him were all of the good brands and they were equally ready to hire the experienced candidates at handsome payout.

One fine Sunday afternoon, I was mentoring a student of mine at Coffee Cafe Day, Connaught Place. Incidentally, Manohar happened to be there, sipping a hot cup of coffee and listening to the conversation that I had with my student. Though with some hesitation, he approached and asked to have some discussion with me related to his career. 

With positive note when we started conversing about the problem that Manohar was facing, I told him that his knowledge skills were extremely good, but his body language and the way he portrays his answers, are so vague, that they fail to create the right impact on the listener. I gave him three tips and asked him to keep me updated and let me know about his improvement:

1. To do self-introspection, to identify the areas of development
2. To take few mock-interviews
3. To video record his performance so that he can re-check and correct self.

I received a call from Manohar last evening. He was damn excited and said that he successfully cleared the rounds of interview in two consecutive companies, and now he has double offers. 

Efforts never go in vain. You need to wait to reap its benefit.

Easy to Criticize

Manohar is a student who is pursuing his PGDM course from one of the renowned Management Colleges in Delhi. He says that his decision was not appropriate. He should have taken time in choosing and picking up the right institute for his career. 

What made Manohar say this? Why does he think so?

Let me give his brief introduction. Manohar's father is the grade-II government employee. He has the good source of income and he always wanted a better career and bright future for his only pampered child. Manohar studied in a reputed English medium school. As his passion was more towards sports, his academic scores were always meagre. He remained a five-pointer right from his class five to class twelfth.

Even after passing his higher secondary school, still there was no clarity related to his career path and what he wished to do in future. It was like a conundrum which he found too difficult to think and then to answer about it. He hardly met any setbacks in his life. He passed his graduation from Delhi University. Though he remained basketball champion for consecutive three years, his scores dwindled and academically he could not perform well. 

He insisted on joining sports academy but his father had different career plans for him. He admitted him in a B-School. Manohar was least interested towards the core subject of Management but he got inspired by the Faculty members of Marketing subject. He studied hard, put his best foot front and gained corporate exposure through many live projects and a summer internship program.

In the month of October when the placement season rolled on, students were quite excited. Manohar too was looking for great opportunities. Unfortunately, Manohar's CV was always rejected as he failed to clear the basic eligibility criteria expected by the companies. As he had less percentage, his CV hardly got short-listed.

Manohar's dream shattered when he failed to sit into the interview processes of brand companies. He started the blame game and said that it was his biggest mistake to join this B-School. Even with right employability skills, still he had to face passive rejections.

As a Career Advisor, when I met him, I advised him to start his career ride from a company where he can put his best of the Knowledge and Skills and can take the company to great heights. He thought that I was trying to take the side of the B-School and was convincing him for the benefit his educational institute. 

In the academic year 2015-2016, in over 18 B-Schools spread across India, I could meet Manohar with different names but their saga remains the same.

Schools and Parents need to understand that Career goals are to be set up at the right age. Certainly when the student is in his School, he should try to find his avenues from where he can pave his way for great Career and Success.

Colors of Life

On 1st January 2016, I and my friends were supposed to meet at Connaught Place. Every year to meet and greet each one with new year greetings. Also, we wanted to know the resolution taken by each of us. The scheduled time of the meeting was 6.00 pm and I reached a bit early by 5.30 pm. 

Jolly-go-moment spent by the kids in the park, the fun and frolic that they had in life away from all hustle and bustle, made me recall my childhood days. The way I used to play for hours before my exams, without paying any heed to the valuable words of my parents, had floated in my mind. The words of caution from my mother, which I think I can never forget - do not spend too much of time just for fun and to dedicate precious time for revision and remembering the subject matter.

I certainly thank her from the bottom of my heart, for the way she made me curve my career path through good education. While my memory was floating in the beautiful days of my yesteryears, I was made to come back with a loud cry of a child. 

There was a balloon man who was selling colorful balloons. This child wanted to have not one but many balloons of the different color, whereas his father insisted him to pick maximum two of them. 

Seeing his desire to have many balloons without knowing the limitation levied upon him by his father, made me ponder on the actions of our life. We wish to have the number of things, as our desires are limitless. But we can not fulfill all our desires due to the limited resources. When our mind is duly aware of this fact, do we start thinking and desiring things as per our requirement?

I certainly doubt. Every individual knows his/her limitations but always thought to have more than what he/she can afford. Is it good to think beyond your capacity?

Some may agree and will say that this leads to innovation. We are pretty familiar with the saying, ' necessity is the mother of invention'. 

Some may come up with the opinion that, due to high demands for limited resources, it creates the problem.  This is generally noticed in our day to day life. The scarcity of resources leads to dissatisfaction, unemployment, crime and in the worst situation, it can also result in massive destruction.

But when I think from the perspective of the balloon man, he will be happy if the father allows his child to pick as many as he can. The curious eyes of the balloon man show his anxiety in his conversation too. He wanted to earn more. He started to convince the child to listen to his father, at the same time, he requested the gentleman to buy couple more by telling him about the quality, life of the kind of balloons he was selling. How this will cheer up his son, and on the new year, he should, at least, fulfill the petty demand of his son.

Before the man could think further and could say anything, he asked the child to pick four colorful balloons. The child got convinced and pleaded his father to allow him to buy at least four balloons. His father initially insisted him to buy two but seeing the smile on his child's face, he had to change his statement.

We all try to stretch and work beyond our limitations when things get connected to the relationship, moreover to happiness.