Water Lily

As a child, the freshness of the lush greenery and the wild flowers always caught my attention while travelling by train during monsoons. What cheered me up the most was the abundance of snow white Water Lilies in the shallow ponds swaying with the current and dancing to the whisper of monsoon winds. How much I yearned to have one in my house!
Years flew one after the other over my head. But I was never able to forget the charm of water Lilies. Finally, I managed to get a purple one from a nursery. Later,my daughter gifted me a snow white one. I planted them together in a pot. 
They started blossoming and have emerged as the undisputed stars of my garden, hugging each other like siblings.

Education & Employability: Ying Yang of Professional Success

14 years in to the 21^st century, dynamicity seems to be the only thing that is stationary, business leaders face unprecedented challenges. Markets are becoming increasingly competitive and globalized and society is becoming more multi- culturally diverse than ever. Advances in information and communication technology are reshaping the market structures and demanding entirely new business strategies. To be successful in the changing business environment, tomorrow’s business leaders more than ever before, must have ground-breaking knowledge in all functional areas.

The transformation from regulation to liberalization and integration with International markets, and rapid advances in IT and communication Technologies, exponential growth and the reach of internet, social media and consumer advocacy have all created immense scope and increased requirement for trained professionals to manage effectively in the complex business environment. The Business Schools are competing and struggling to develop professionals who can lead and foster creativity and innovation in a dynamic and technological environment.

Conventionally Kerala has been a prominent supplier of skilled human resource to the rest of the world. But, now in accordance with the requirements of the fast changing world, though Kerala has an amazing pool of Human Resource, the overall employability is calculated less than 30 percent.

It is a fact that there is a huge gap between students’ perceptions of their abilities and the employers’ perceptions of those same skills. The students should overcome the problems of functional application and skills in the chosen field. This process can certainly be enhanced through regular interactions or exchange between academia and industry, in the form of aligning and improving the curricula to meet industrial needs and by providing much needed work experience to students.

The Business schools should impart knowledge of the best practices in the industry and build core competencies such as learning skills, communication and collaboration, leadership, creative thinking, analytical and problem solving skills. Business schools also have a responsibility to the student body to keep students abreast of real time technical skills and to utilize the expertise of industry veterans to groom the upcoming slew of young professionals.

When we boast of being the first state to achieve 100% literacy, we do not take in to account the fact that the employability factor is too low. The students in Kerala are good in theories, but, the problem with unemployability of these young adults is the lack of proper communication, out of the box thinking, and application. This should start right from the primary levels in schools. Save for a small fraction of students who were privileged to acquire education in CBSE and ICSE schools others are victims to Government’s policy of aversion to English. It is disheartening to find that English is still treated and taught as a ‘subject’ in the school curriculum rather than a serious communicative tool. The approach to education has to change; it is not a two year quickie to lifelong comfort, but a phase where the horizons of your mind are broadened, where you learn the basics of networking and a place where the challenges of the real professional world are simulated so a student can find his ground.

The students should realize that employability skills are the passport to the world of all preferred jobs and the place of English is an imperative in grabbing the best jobs in India and abroad.

Alvida, My Chashme Baddoor

It saddens me to accept that the hero of my dreams of younger days, Farooque Shaikh, is no more. I remember those bubbly days, when at times, I used to steal a few hours from the college to see films with my dear mom, who had passion for good Hindi movies. Though, I have not seen all his films, Chashme Baddoor, Garam Hawa, Shatranj ke Khiladi , Noorie,  Umrao Jaan and Kissise Nakehna, are always etched with admiration in my mind. With his innocent charm, uninterrupted honesty to his craft and the ‘aam aadmi’ next door persona, he reigned the hearts of all young boys and girls.

As a college girl, who had modicum penchant to Urdu poetry, Farooque's soft streak of Urdu, articulated through a fascinating smile,has remained with me, endlessly mesmerizing me during the prime of my youth. Chashme Baddoor was a delicious slice of life comedy about three friends, their lives, outlook and social intercourse. The central theme is about a small prank and how it goes wrong. Farooque ,as Siddharth, imbibed with earnestness the role of studious bachelor nerd, who is somewhat shy accommodating and honest to the core. He is ready to forgo his love for the sake of his friends. Finally with a lot of twists, “all is well that ends well”. All the young girls of those days, I presume must have fallen in clandestine love with him and I guess the boys must have surreptitiously identified with him, he having impacted the youth then voluminously.

Umrao Jaan is another feather to his cap.  In the movie as a Nawab, he has great fervor for poetry and dancing, falls ardently in love with a courtesan.  However , he becomes powerless and  helpless against his daunting and obtrusive mother, thereby constrained to relinquish his love to marry a girl from a royal family. Farooque, at his apex performance is depicting ardour of love, on one hand,and cowardice, subject to his mother's dictum on the other hand, all vivified through his variegated facial expressions. Truly he was versatile.

He has given committed performance to the pre and post independence themes like Garam Hawa and Shatranj ke Khiladi. These are brilliant roles, for which he received accolades even from the foreign media.

Dear Farooque,it is hard to believe that you are gone. Your flight to the celestial skies, so unexpectedly, so shockingly casts a spell of willing suspension of disbelief.  Alvida! May, the radiance of your smile merge with the palette of the twilight- sky up above!

Happiness is just that simple

Happiness is just that simple

The other day, when I was sharing my happiness of being with my one year old grandson, my friend said, “You have not changed since the college days; you give yourself to others and are too involved in your relationships. Practice detached attachment, with your family members, if you want to be a successful person in life”.

This piece of advice came from a foremost psychologist in the city, whose children gulped each piece of success mantra with great devotion. They hold high positions in the West and seldom get time to say hello to their parents who consider their children are successful. This makes me wonder, what is success? What is detached attachment?

My version of detached attachment is unconditional love and I put it as below.

Detached Attachment is the state of being detached from the loved person in form, in spirit or in emotions, and yet caring, loving, understanding and respecting that selfsame person in the right ways, in the right quantities and at the right times. 

And here is where we can prove that it is not a negative concept. On the contrary, it could very well enrich the relationship as they are very fragile entities. They need constant care and attention. Very rarely is a relationship is equally balanced. At times, one or the other has to compromise, adjust, sustain, revive and replenish it a bit more than the other. That is normal. However, sometimes these very things become quite strenuous. This leads to tensions, undue seriousness and ultimately, slow erosion of the relationship. A relationship where there is happiness and laughter is one that goes a long way. What leads to this erosion?

The most important one is 'expectations'. Quite natural to have expectations in a relationship, granted, but when these expectations start mismatching, that's the beginning of the tempest. Detached Attachment is the ability to accept potential pitfalls, be sensitive to them, accommodate and account for them. Communicate right. Expect nothing more than love.

Immaturity and lack of communication result in ego clashes. These erode humaneness and give way to grudge, jealousy and vengeance. This, I believe, is even more important a reason for the failure of so many wonderful relationships. Couples who can communicate are the ones who can stay together their whole lives.

Now, coming to success; does it mean just achieving your professional goal using certain specified parameters?  I am often amazed at how many people define success as making a lot of money. This is what the success mantras teach you. It is very strange because people who think so are harried and pretty miserable. Money cannot buy all happiness.

Our greatest happiness does not depend on the condition of life in which chance has placed us, but is always the result of a good conscience, good health, occupation, and freedom in all just pursuits. Happiness is the feeling of togetherness; it is a bond of love and mutual concern. Happiness is the contentment of selfless giving and being given.

Well, I am happy, for my loved ones, who in turn want to see me happy; they feel proud of my big and small accomplishments. To me, this is detached attachment. It is this bonding that makes me content to play with my grandson.

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IMAGES IN THE MIRROR

It is a matter of great privilege and immense pleasure for me to be associated with ‘Reflections’.

‘Reflections’ is a true manifestation of diversity of minds, thoughts, hopes, aspirations, creativity and skills of our young souls.

Today, the role of a school is not only to pursue academic excellence but also to motivate and empower its students to be lifelong learners, critical thinkers, and productive members of an ever-changing global society. A school must try to provide its students with an atmosphere for multifaceted development, where children are encouraged to channelize their potential in the pursuit of excellence. This can only be possible in a holistic, student-centric environment. The talents, skills, and abilities of each student need to be identified, nurtured, and encouraged so that he/she is able to reach greater heights. Students need to be provided with a platform to think, express, and exhibit their skills. It is necessary to empower them to negotiate several issues that confront them, with the teacher being a facilitator.

Schools often make the critical mistake of considering children, regardless of their age, class, ethnicity, or background, like a blank notebook that is yet to be written upon. In doing so, we often fail to realize that each child has his/her own individuality, special skills, and talents. Therefore, a good educational system is one that helps a child to nurture his/her talents and overcome shortcomings by providing appropriate, all-encompassing education. This enables the child to develop his/her personality and equips the child to face the challenges of life. At Jama-ath Residential Public School, our approach to learning is child centric.

We live in an interdependent and composite world that is changing at an exceptional pace. Preparing our children to succeed in this defying environment demands an elastic and real world based approach to education. Today the need for being proactive and constructive is more acute than ever before due to the sweeping change influencing every aspect of our life. Therefore, there is need for action based on holistic training of youth to take on varied challenges of life. 

In our curriculum the student is the primary focus. We motivate our teachers to provide an atmosphere for discovery, where the students are encouraged to be creative and curious. We are constantly improving our teaching methodology so that it turns learning in to a combination of classroom study, research and scientific discovery.

We have our own benchmark for discipline and character building too. Students are encouraged to build character through sports and other physical and spiritual development activities like adhering to the devout doctrines and Yoga. They are also given ample opportunities to hone their talents in cultural fields like dance and music.

‘Reflections’ is a pursuit of their literary talents. I am highly indebted to the Management of our school for entrusting me with this task. I wish to put on records the incessant assistance and cooperation from all my teaching and non-teaching colleagues and students in publishing this school magazine. I am especially thankful to Ganga Ms and the Editorial Team who has burnt their midnight oil for timely production of this edition.

Khursheed Begum(Director)

Chief Editor

REFLECTIONS

An Exemplary Strategist : Corporate India Rediscovers Gandhi

An Exemplary Strategist : Corporate India Rediscovers Gandhi

It is not at all surprising if the Management Guru C.K. Prahlad and renowned economist and professor, Arindam Chaudhuri are  talking about a new role model: Mahatma Gandhi. The Father of the Nation is now being held up as the master strategist, an exemplary leader and someone whose ideas and tactics Corporate India can emulate.

They advocate that Corporate India needs to revisit Gandhi's ideas and apply the lessons learnt from him to their leadership styles. His ideas are of particular relevance to India at this juncture, as it struggles to find ways to inch closer to the 8-10 percent gross domestic product growth rate necessary to become an economic superpower.

Gandhi, in fact, reinvented the rules of the game to deal with a situation where all the available existing methods had failed. He broke tradition. He understood that you cannot fight the British with force. So he decided to change the game in a fundamentally different way. He unleashed the power of ordinary people, inspired women and men in the country to fight under a unifying goal. Resource constraint did not bother him. He aimed at a common agenda: Poorna Swaraj. That was the motivation.

Drawing lessons from this, corporate India needs to fundamentally change the way it can grow.

Freedom or Poorna Swaraj was the goal then, but we did not know how to achieve. Same way, today, we do not know how to grow at 10 percent or more or how to create 10-15 million new jobs every year. We have to invent a new way and that is what Gandhi taught us. He had clarity of goals and the courage to invent the means. We need to change the paradigm on how to win.

Mahatma Gandhi's example is a perfect case of adopting styles to suit the culture. The country today stands divided on whether what he did was good or bad. We just know one thing: there was never a leader before him nor one after him who could unite us all and bring us out in the streets to demand for what was rightfully ours. To me, he is the greatest leader our land has ever seen.

Gandhi's leadership style is being termed as 'follower-centric' and one that took into account existing conditions before determining the strategy.

Gandhi advocated having leadership styles that were dependent on the circumstances. When Gandhi was in South Africa he launched his protests in a suit and a tie. But when he came back to India, he thought of khadi and launched non-violent protests on a greater scale.

Ideas travel very fast. Gandhi is a fascinating figure. On the one hand, he had totally ambivalent feelings about industrial manufacturing. But, on the other, he was a wonderful strategist, showman and leader. He had an amazing public relations network and a very good relationship with the press then.

For instance, look at the Dandi march. If Gandhi had gone there quietly, it would just not have made an impact. He knew he had to create an event to make an impact and so he took his followers on a march that stirred popular imagination of the time. He had a total understanding of the human psychology and used it along with his public relation skills.

Gandhi's style of leadership as applied to corporate India would involve making even the lowest person in the organization believe in it and the significance of his contribution towards it. In business, empowerment is all about making sure everyone is connected to the organization's goals. Gandhi has a way of doing that: making sure that everyone in the cause is connected to the goal.

In the last few years, there is a thinking that capitalism is not just about creating wealth, but you have to take care of the shareholders and stakeholders, too. This is why the business leaders are clear that Gandhi's managerial ideas are what they want to follow.

Ref:

1.     C.K. Prahlad

2.     Arindam Choudhari

3.     Arun Maira, chief executive officer, Boston Consulting Group,

4.     Dr Gita Piramal, Managing Editor, The Smart Manager.

Life

Life is a myriad of colours.Each colour has its own effect on different people.Some love nature and greenery.To others red is an addiction which makes them devote their lives to saving others lives.Black for some shows strength of pen.Some get a high from mixing these colours and expressing their feelings for others.It is this rainbow which makes life worthwhile. In simpler words, the wonders of nature,the miracles of medicine,man's efforts to make nature work for him in the form of physics and chemistry and his use of logic to connect all of these with mathematics: keeps the world moving. He studies his current situation, his monetary and other recourses to create a better world for fellow humans. To quote late Michel Jackson,' to make the world a better place for you and for me."

But this is not a world of science alone. We are social animals who have equal rights to basic things in life. We need to lay down guidelines to live in harmony with each other. If these rights are violated, we need someone to bring in harmony. This could be the government, judiciary or even the clergy. Life is not just about rules and regulations. we express ourselves in different ways - the pen , the brush ,the sounds et al.agine the world without any one of these components. It will be like losing a part of our body.

Let us take a deeper look in to this world,individually and combined. Hope Insight will give you a better insight of what the world has to offer. I am not going to take long. I would like to quote the wise words of two of history's biggest personalities. First Prophet Muhammed (pbuh), learning starts from cradle and ends in grave". Second, Mahatma Gandhi , "An eye for eye ends up making the whole world blind." Perfect happiness is when what you think, what you say and what you do are in harmony".