All Talk and No Action

Showing posts with label education. Show all posts

Student Internship Programme (SIP)

All Talk and No Action Tuesday, September 13, 2011

Social activism is a buzzword these days.

I refer to the current crop of university students in most Mumbai colleges.

With good intentions (colleges cross their hearts over this), many Mumbai colleges have introduced an SIP in their curriculum. The programme is compulsory in nature and requires all students to devote a minimum of 2 hours every week to NGOs of their choice.

Much due diligence has gone into the selection of the NGOs and record keeping and maintenance.

These institutions hope to churn out socially responsible men and women - who will understand India and her myriad problems better.

This could have been very touching.

But who in hell thinks that forcing a bunch of collegians to pledge their time to an NGO will benefit the collegian and transform her?

In my experience, compulsory anything (where personal choice and interests are concerned) is a recipe for failure.

I personally interact with such college volunteers and can vouch for how some of them hate doing what they do. At least two of them will have washed their hands off any kind of volunteering by the end of their SIP.

Also, some clauses of such internship programs are ridiculous. Most of these programs recognise only classroom teaching. Anything beyond the classroom is not recorded or appreciated. Why? What if I want to go light a bulb or plant a tree or feed a stray or do grocery for the elderly or help save the tiger?!

Most volunteers that I work with, contribute way more than what is expected out of them - all by means of classroom content design, PR activities, community initiatives, parent counseling, etc. Such an in depth contribution helps us immensely and makes the volunteers far smarter and in sync with reality than a classroom ever can.

At the other end of the spectrum lie free riders who fudge their weekly hours and get away easily. Of course, the NGOs that accept such students on their roll are equally responsible for adding to the sham.

All of the above is not to say that NGOs don't require volunteers or are in a comfortable position. Baring some of the big-wigs, most NGOs in India find it fairly difficult to get by without a sufficient pool of volunteers. Also, most NGOs appreciate the monetary help but would give anything to get more hands on the deck. Time is valuable and few people donate it.

But, I don't think the SIP strategy is the right medicine.

K.J. Somiya College supports Pankhudi Mumbai

All Talk and No Action Tuesday, January 25, 2011

A very exciting engagement - Somaiya Foundation, through K.J. Somaiya College will support Pankhudi Foundation through their college fest "Symphony 2011".

While talks are still on, there is a possibility of Somaiya College hiring a bus to promote Symphony across Mumbai. This bus will showcase Pankhudi and it's activities and will help to garner support for the cause of education.

Pankhudi Volunteers will be present during the bus yatra.

We might also be putting up a stall on one of the fest days.

If you or your friends are students of Somaiya/plan to participate in the festivities, do drop in at our counter.

Pankhudi is delighted to have been chosen by Somaiya College in this literacy drive.

**********

We are in final talks with Xaviers College and will soon have Xaviers' students volunteering with us on an annual basis.

This engagement is a part of their academic project for non profit organisations.

Again, if you know of students in Mumbai who would like to volunteer (teach/organise activities) with Pankhudi, please write back.

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Any genuine NGO, worth its salt, will tell you how easy it is to raise funds.

What is difficult, is to encourage, cajole, inspire people to donate their time.

Anmol Diwali Dhamaka 2009

All Talk and No Action Tuesday, October 27, 2009

The below are some snaps clicked by my colleague Ritesh and me at Anmol.

Farida Lambay - The Chief Guest

Wares that Anmol produces

M B A

All Talk and No Action Thursday, June 4, 2009

Loads of friends from premier institutions haven't been placed yet and quite a few are just managing to hang on to their jobs.

How advisable is it to go for an MBA right now?

Duration of the course? (1 vs. 2 years)

MBA in India vs. Abroad?

I have been having lots of discussions within my tiny brain and also with lots of friends.

I believe an MBA is a long term investment and hence short term recessions and other incidents shouldn't affect our decisions.

Also, I have always believed in getting good enough work-ex and then applying to the best universities. Yet, looking at friends, some of who have been pretty intelligent and talented, taking up courses at mediocre colleges, just makes a dent in my own confidence and belief.

Their logic - Some day or the other, the university brand name ceases to exist. It's You. Period.

Yups. That's true. But I would like to do my Masters from a reputed institution. I would like to make it an experience. Not just a grind.

Is the wait worth enough?

Or am I missing some pretty obvious signals here?

Though, I have almost made up my mind, yet a good discussion here would only help me see the larger picture.

I seek suggestions/advice.

Wanted a Guy...more educated than the girl...

All Talk and No Action Sunday, February 1, 2009

Aaj kal ek cousin ki shaadi ki baatein chal rahi hain...

Kaafi saare achhe rishte aaye...aur kaafiyon ko mana karna pada...

Reason being...this sis is a PG in Management and most guys the family has met are well settled in family businesses, yet, are plain graduates.

It's important for the behen that her guy be more educated and better placed than she is...she thinks this shall ensure that she gets a "broad minded" nau jawan...

This set me thinking too.

How much does a degree matter?

Does having an extra set of MAs/PhDs on your name plate make you broad minded?

Does it ensure marital harmony and lesser ego clashes?

Will the guy be any lesser interesting if he is only a graduate? Will he lack in intellectual chatter? Would he not be worldly informed and refined in thoughts?

Would he not want me to go out and work? Would he get upset if I were adorned with fancier degrees??

Will the age old and well known bharatiya sanskar not be enough in the face of globalisation and an MBA hungry world??

Most important, would he be himself with a wife having better degrees than him?

Where does an Indian guy stand on this one?

Pankhudi Foundation

All Talk and No Action Friday, November 14, 2008

Livemint has covered Pankhudi's Bangalore chapter here.

I am glad to be associated with Pankhudi's Mumbai Chapter.

It's an amazing experience to teach slum kids. Their energy, enthusiasm and interest levels are infectious !

At the Mumbai Centre weekend classes are held and about 40 kids are taught English and Maths (these kids belong to Hindi & Marathi medium schools).

Apart from Padhai-likhai, we also hold picnics, creative arts, Science Camps and other such sessions for the Kids.

Most Volunteers are working professionals who devote weekends for the betterment of the Bachha Party.

For more info on Pankhudi please go here

If anyone would like to be a part of Pankhudi Family please let me know OR register online and we shall get back to you.

You could also help by holding Music, Creative Arts, Games and other such sessions.

Mediocre But Arrogant?

All Talk and No Action Tuesday, May 13, 2008

Entrepreneurs and the impact they can have on any society has always interested me.

Many people I know of plan to get into some business of their own in future. Also there is no dearth of ideas today. Some are sound and practical. Others, a little over the top. However, it’s nice and encouraging to be living in an age which is brimming with optimism and action.

Most studies and learned men tell us that India needs entrepreneurial spirit and ventures if it has to succeed and carve a niche for itself. The various problems that plague our country cannot be left to be solved by the government. Active participation by the masses is required if we want more employment and wealth creation.

Now most of these young people including myself who plan to be a part of this change also plan to do our Masters in Business Administration.

Every year hordes of people pass out of management institutes armed with world class degrees. There is no stopping them once they are armed with such fancy degrees.

However, here comes the confusing or rather, the eye opening part.

Most people that feature in Forbes/HBS/ BusinessWeek lists’ of successful entrepreneurs do not have any formal management degrees. In fact many of them have had no formal education at all !

Also, those who have had sound education – their degrees have varied from law to physics to fine arts to history!

Famous Indian entrepreneurs like Sunil Mittal, Kiran Shaw, P.P. Chabbria, Laxmi Mittal and many more have had no formal background in “How to do business”.

I for one also believe that a management course makes good “Managers” rather than leaders/entrepreneurs. The course makes one analyse/follow processes/think in a structured way.

Yes, an MBA opens doors for you, helps build a fabulous network and provides the “first push” required. However, a degree alone cannot predict the course of your future !

Many studies have shown that most MBAs from world renowned institutes do not venture into businesses. A few who do, generally stick to tried and tested business models. They rarely come up with path breaking ideas. Can this be blamed on to their education?

Successful businesses not only require processes and systems but also creativity and resilience. They require risk taking ability and venturing into dangerous waters. One needs to make very good use of intuition to juggle out of problems. You might know all the facts and figures and have ready analysis – however, it is your gut feel and belief in your idea that shall sail you through.

Most important – one requires belief and self confidence. A will to succeed and perform. Alas, these cannot be taught even by the best universities in the world.

Now, this brings me back to square one – how much importance should be accorded to a management education?

And more importantly, which way is India headed?

All Talk and No Action

Student Internship Programme (SIP)

K.J. Somiya College supports Pankhudi Mumbai

Anmol Diwali Dhamaka 2009

M B A

Wanted a Guy...more educated than the girl...

Pankhudi Foundation

Mediocre But Arrogant?

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