TNIE Webinar | 'Freshers should put skills on CV that prove they can get job done'

TNIE Webinar | 'Freshers should put skills on CV that prove they can get job done'

Freshers need to put a skill on their CV that very clearly demonstrates their ability to get the job done, PB Kotur said.

Published: 11th October 2021 07:49 AM |

By Express News Service

Want to work abroad and wondering what’s the best job that will get you there? Steve Hoover, Endowed Executive Director at Rochester Institute of Technology (RIT), said, “Cyber jobs are in high demand in the United States and there is a significant under supply of talent. There are 500,000 job openings posted by US employers.”

He was discussing the importance of Tech Demands and the Need to Keep Upskilling with the Head of Wipro’s Global Talent Engagement Program, PB Kotur, Qualcomm India’s Machine Learning Head, Madhusudanan K, and Sri Ramachandra Engineering & Technology’s Provost, Dr V Raju. This was a webinar conducted by The New Indian Express and SRIHER.

SHIHER’s model of engineering is based on RIT’s engineering course, where Hoover teaches, Dr Raju said. “RIT has a unique aspect where students, after two years of their engineering course, work in the industry for a full year,” Dr Raju said.

Freshers need to put a skill on their CV that very clearly demonstrates their ability to get the job done, PB Kotur said. Innovation is going to be a challenge going forward for the IT industry, Madhusudanan K said. “A majority of innovation happens through networking and collaboration, through informal and formal meetings. But that in-person connection is missing due to the pandemic,” Madhusudhan added.

Two doses, too many wonders

Two doses, too many wonders

Dr Sekhar said the district administration aims to inoculate 1.5 lakh persons during the fifth mega Covid vaccination camp to be held on Sunday.

Published: 09th October 2021 10:49 AM |

A health worker displays empty vials of COVAXIN at a vaccination center. (Photo | AP)

By Express News Service

MADURAI: Of the 498 persons treated for Covid-19 at Government Rajaji Hospital (GRH) in the last two months, those who received two doses of Covid vaccine neither died nor required ICU care, said Collector Dr S Aneesh Sekhar.

The collector pointed out of the 263 and 235 Covid patients who were treated in August and September respectively, 208 persons and 168 persons were not vaccinated, 41 and 48 patients had taken the first dose and 14 and 19 patients respectively had taken both the doses. Of the 48 and 31 patients who required ICU care, 44 and 28 were unvaccinated and 4 and 3 patients had taken one dose.

"There are a total of 24,45,000 residents aged above 18 years. Of them, 60% received the first dose while 15% received both the doses. While 63% of residents in rural areas of the district have been immunised against Covid, 55.4% of city residents have been vaccinated.

Dr Sekhar said the district administration aims to inoculate 1.5 lakh persons during the fifth mega Covid vaccination camp to be held on Sunday. "500 camps will be conducted in the city and 900 camps will be held in rural areas," he said, adding mobile camps have been planned for Sunday to cover the destitute and homeless living on streets.

As many as 1.4 lakh doses of Covishield and 10,000 doses of Covaxin are in stock.

During the four mega Covid vaccination camps held so far, 3,64,258 persons have been vaccinated, with the district witnessing a lull due to hesitancy during the fourth camp held on October 3, he said.

"When the second wave of Covid was at its peak 4 to 5 months ago, the public showed more interest in voluntarily coming forward to inoculate themselves. But, with the drop in Covid cases, the willingness too has declined."

Citing that still there are chances for the third wave, the Collector urged the public to come forward to take the jab, shunning vaccine hesitancy.

Meanwhile, Corporation Commissioner Dr KP Karthikeyan said seven wards in the city have achieved 100% vaccine coverage. He further said the civic body plans to achieve 100% coverage at five wards in each of the four zones in the city.

Take the jab and stand a chance to win prize

The district administration has announced prizes at panchayat union level through drawing of lots for the residents who opt to get inoculated during the fifth mega Covid vaccination camp to be held on Sunday. The prizes include bicycle, mixie, pressure cooker and utensils.

Disability didn't stop these women from attaining financial independence

Disability didn't stop these women from attaining financial independence

Workers are busy at Thiyagam Women’s Trust, tucked away in Nagamalai Pudukottai of Madurai. While one section stitches face masks, another makes doormats and gloves.

Published: 10th October 2021 05:30 AM 

Residents at the Thiyagam Women’s Trust in Madurai are first given counselling, and then allocated work based on the level of their skill and education | Express

By Jeyalakshmi Ramanujam

Express News Service

MADURAI: Workers are busy at Thiyagam Women’s Trust, tucked away in Nagamalai Pudukottai of Madurai. While one section stitches face masks, another makes doormats and gloves. Some sew night gowns for women, and others craft decor items. All of them are persons with disabilities (PwD) being trained to earn a living.

Started in 2005 by S Amuthashanthy, the trust aims to make disabled rural women economically independent. When Amuthashanthy was young, her parents admitted her to a home as she was born without a left hand. This had a huge impact on her mental health as a child.

“Though I excelled in academics, I was insecure because of my disability and would isolate myself. But my teacher saw my talent and encouraged me to participate in elocution competitions. This soon helped me step out of my shell. I won a State-level elocution competition and received a prize from the then chief minister MG Ramachadran,” Amuthashanthy said.

Started with tailoring unit at home, friends as colleagues

Amuthashanthy worked at various private institutions after completing her degree. In the holidays, she and her friends would go to villages to volunteer in helping disabled women. It was then that she realised she could start a tailoring unit for disabled persons.

In 1999, with Rs 30,000 in her bank account, Amuthashanthy quit her job and started a tailoring unit at the back of her house. “Meena, my friend, and I got on her cycle and went around Sellur in search of stitching orders. We approached about 10 shops but nobody was willing to give us an order, stating that the disabled can’t do ‘normal’ work. But we soon received an order for three dozen towels and no time to finish it. My friends and I got together and completed the task in a day. Our focus was only on the goal,” Amuthashanthy recalled.

Two years later, people came forward to sponsor tailoring machines, rental charges, and to also place orders; and in 2005, Thiyagam Women’s Trust was formed with the help of volunteers and the media.

Over the past 16 years, the trust has empowered more than 6,000 persons with disabilities across the State. Coordinator at the trust, S Meena, said, “When a person with disability is referred to us or comes seeking help, we first counsel and address them based on the issues they face. Then, we identify their skills and education level, and accordingly introduce them to higher education, sports, government schemes and the like.”

The residents at the facility are allocated work on the basis of skill and education. If a person cannot use their legs, they can stitch mats; if they are educated, they are trained in data entry. “Our aim is to rehabilitate and help them survive independently,” Meena said.

After the training, the parents or caregivers of the persons with disabilities are briefed and they are encouraged to set up a workspace at home. “Family members think the disabled are useless and the person too thinks they can’t do anything. Everyone has the potential to do something. We brief the parents and family members so that they realise it is also their responsibility to take care of and support them rather than have them idle at home,” Meena reiterates.

A home for new beginnings

The trust has helped breathe a new lease of life into the residents. Nancy Sahana (30), the warden of Thiyagam Stay Home was referred to the trust by the Collector after her friend cheated her of her money and abandoned her at the Government Rajaji Hospital. As she has passed Class 10 exams, she was made the warden and also takes care of logistics for the trust.

Besides the skills that Thiyagam teaches, the residents at the facility are skilled in dancing, singing, and mimicry, among other things.

Some sections of society get a raw deal, depriving them of proper education, exposure, and employment. But there’s hope even in the darkest of places. People ostracised and labelled useless have found ways to thrive. Here are a few of their stories

Education no bar: Women entrepreneurs go the grass-route

Education no bar: Women entrepreneurs go the grass-route

The turning point was a project conducted in the Pitchandikulam Forest of Auroville to train rural women.

Published: 10th October 2021 05:38 AM 

Two women collecting herbs in the nursery | Bagalavan Perier B

By Bagalavan Perier B

Express News Service

VILLUPURAM: They were deprived of a proper education. Most of these 20 women from Villupuram’s neighbouring villages — Nadukuppam, Vandipalayam, and Devikulam — haven’t completed primary education, but can name more than 1,000 herbs and list their uses. They are now self-sufficient, and contribute significantly to their family income.

The turning point was a project conducted in the Pitchandikulam Forest of Auroville to train rural women. Over six months, these women were taught farming, manufacturing, marketing, accounting, skill development, entrepreneurship, and team building, after which, they launched the Amirtha Herbal Unit and Nursery.

The facility, near the forests of Nadukuppam village at Marakanam, serves as their workplace, where they cultivate herbs, and make medicines, cosmetics and food items, and market them. They sell 35 products, including soap, hair oil, powders for the face, teeth, and body, and medicines in the form of oil, paste, and electuary.

“Despite several requests, we don’t export products because our resources are limited,” says Parvathy Nagarajan, who trained the women. “They came here as homemakers, but now know as much about herbs as a Siddha doctor.”

Sharing her side of the story, one of the women from the unit, B Kalaiselvi, of Nadukuppam, recounts, “I dropped out of school in Class 8 as I had to start working in the fields. I continued even after marriage. But 10 years ago, I came here for training, and have been making a better income ever since.”

Even her trainer, Parvathy, was pressured to drop out of school. “My parents didn’t want me to continue after Class 5, but I managed to complete my schooling. My forefathers were country doctors, and my grandmother taught me about herbs and their uses. I did a few small jobs until I was offered the role of a herbal trainer at the Pitchandikulam forest.” Through sessions at Primary Health Centres (PHCs), Anganwadis, and women self-help groups, among other places, Parvathy has trained nearly 30,000 people, she says.

D Kavitha of Devikulam, another woman from the unit, says, “The first time we left Tamil Nadu was when we went to the national capital to sell our products at an exhibition conducted by the Union government. We have customers across Tamil Nadu, and even from Mumbai, New Delhi, Bengaluru, and Hyderabad, to whom we courier the products. We also have a stall in the Pudhumai complex near the Villupuram Collector’s office.”

Members of the team say launching the Amirtha Herbal Unit and Nursery has drastically changed their lives, helping them provide economic support to their families. They also use the herbs as home remedies for minor health issues. While some herbs are cultivated on the farm, the rest are taken from the nearby forest or the roadside, says B Nageshwari, a member of the team, adding that they also encourage other villagers to grow herbs. To train the women, the Kaluveli Sustainable Livelihood Women Federation (KSLWF) was formed and a herbal farm set up in Nadukuppam with help from the Tamil Nadu State Rural Livelihoods Mission and the Sustainable Enterprise Development in Auroville Bioregion (SEDAB).

Their new venture to provide livelihood

Members of the team say launching the Amirtha Herbal Unit and Nursery has drastically changed their lives, helping them provide economic support to their families. To train the women, the Kaluveli Sustainable Livelihood Women Federation (KSLWF) was formed and a herbal farm set up in Nadukuppam with help from the Tamil Nadu State Rural Livelihoods Mission and the Sustainable Enterprise Development in Auroville Bioregion (SEDAB)

Online classes, no contact with friends: How Covid pandemic impacted mental health of children

Online classes, no contact with friends: How Covid pandemic impacted mental health of children

The New Indian Express spoke to psychologists about the repercussions of the Covid pandemic on children and how parents can identify if their child is having mental health problems.

Published: 10th October 2021 10:54 AM 

A very small proportion of adults also seek mental health help in our country, it's the same in children. (Representational Photo)

By Sowmya Mani

Express News Service

TIRUCHY: 12-year old Sarath (name changed) is an intelligent, outgoing boy. In the past year, his parents started noticing several changes in his behaviour. The lockdowns, closure of schools, inability to meet friends, go out and play had a deep impact on Sarath, say his parents. He would not concentrate during online classes, his appetite reduced, and the usually cheerful child became very quiet and pensive.

It took several counselling sessions for Sarath to open up and share his problems.

Like Sarath, the mental health of several children has been impacted in the past two years, due to the pandemic. According to a UNICEF report, The State of the World's Children 2021, around 14 per cent of 15 to 24-year-olds in India, or 1 in 7, reported often feeling depressed or having little interest in doing things.

In the same report, it is mentioned that more than 1 in 7 adolescents aged 10-19 is estimated to live with a diagnosed mental disorder globally.

On World Mental Health Day, which falls on 10th October, The New Indian Express spoke to psychologists about the repercussions of the pandemic on children, and how parents can identify if their child is having mental health problems. The theme of this year's World Mental Health Day, is 'Mental health in an unequal world'.

"Being at home, children have had been limited interaction with their peer groups. Age appropriate activities are restricted. This has led to several social and cultural problems too. The disruption to routines, education, recreational activities is leaving many children afraid, angry, and concerned," says Dr. Karthik Deivanayagam, District Psychiatrist, Pudukkottai.

Doctors say that schools are extremely important for the social development of a child. The development that happens in schools cannot be substituted by online classes, according to doctors.

"Children don't have the attention span required for online classes. We have been observing speech delay in 2-3 year old kids who've never gone to school. Since their interactions are restricted, we have observed that many children are having speech delays. Parents are not equipped to fulfil all the needs of their child, a school is required," says Dr Siddhika Aiyer, Consultant Psychiatrist, Gleneagles Global Health City.

A very small proportion of adults also seek mental health help in our country, it's the same in children. Parents must be aware of changes in their children and seek timely help.

Doctors say that children develop mental health issues by the age of 14, but it comes to the fore only after 10 years.

"In the age of 13-19, mental health issues are common. Suicide is one of the major reasons for death in this age group. 75-85 per cent people don't seek treatment for their mental health problems. This is due to social inequality. Due to lack of access to treatment, stigma around mental health, children don't seek treatment. Since their issues are not addressed, it comes out as violence, substance abuse," says Dr Sunilkumar, Clinical psychologist.

​He says that social equity is needed to address mental health problems. Doctors say that there are subtle signs that parents have to watch out for.

"If a child is isolating themselves, not talking a lot, becomes fussy about eating, gets up in the middle of night crying, imagining that something bad is going to, it may be a cry for help. Any change in routine/behaviour may be an indicator that something is wrong. Don't scold your child if you notice a change, he or she may become even more reserved. When you notice a change, try to understand what the child is feeling. Don't negate what the child is feeling. Make them open up, validate their feelings," says Dr Siddhika.

Bring Back Direct Counselling

 

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