Events
Events
Introduction In keeping with their annual tradition, Christ University (Bengaluru) had organized the annual career fair “DAKSH,” a two-day mega event to highlight the best opportunities available at Christ University and their partner agencies in recruitment and institutional liaison. Gandhi Fellowship, under the aegis of Piramal Foundation, has a long-standing relationship with this esteemed institution for 8+ years, with several Gandhi Fellows recruited from amongst the various campuses of Christ University. It was an honor to participate and be a part of the two eventful days during DAKSH-2025 networking with similar minded groups and individuals, paving the way for our future growth. Highlights of Daksh: The Stall The presence of Gandhi Fellowship Program (GFP) was established through the setting up of a stall with colorful creatives and eye-catching posters that form the core of our program. It was a clarion call for all our visitors as to how the Fellowship program focuses on enhancing 21st century skills and what are the set of exciting processes that make it unique. A complete view of our stall during the event Alumni testimonies, visual representation of the Fellowship through the story of Sagar and Jaz, focus on post fellowship opportunities, a KYC game to break ice through the posters for Batch-18 and an outline of the recruitment process were the key attractions at our stall. The stall was constantly surrounded with buzz Networking With close to 80 stalls and an estimated footfall of 175+ people over the two days, our stall was abuzz with activity for the two days. It was exciting and exhaustive interaction with the faculty, students and parents about their clarifications and curiosity regarding the Fellowship. Nevertheless, it was fulfilling and rewarding to experience this footfall. With Anamika Deb, from the Big Bet DBC who had joined us at the stall During the visit to stalls of NCC and Peer Education System A good amount of time was spent visiting other stalls; notable among them being the National Cadet Corps (NCC), Peer Education System, Center for Social Action (CSA) to interact with them; sharing with them about the Fellowship, its USP and how it would help the students in having a long-term career. Interaction with Para Commando Forces A high moment during the event was the interaction with Major Ajay Singh accompanied by his colleague who dropped by to visit our stall, knowing more about the organization and our body of work. He was extremely happy to know more about this unique Fellowship and left us with a Food for thought too. A query he raised was, “Could Agni-veers join this Fellowship, after their 4-year service period; but the minimum graduation requirement will be a hindrance”. He asked to see if this could be a possibility in the future. Interaction with Major Ajay Singh who also shared his written feedback Special Mention and Gratitude The event could not have been possible without the support and creative visualization of Ms. Deekshitha, who worked with me from the conceptualization of the stall to the long-standing interactions with various stakeholders during both the days. We look forward to collaborating with more like-minded individuals like her who wish to join us to foster the culture of 21st century skills and excellence among the students of various universities. Ms. Deekshitha, during the event A fun moment during the event We would like to convey our gratitude to the University Student Council, Centre for Placement and Career Guidance for their full support in allowing our active participation during Daksh and we look forward to furthering our long-standing relationship with the esteemed Christ University.
(In collaboration with Gandhi Fellowship and Department of Food Science and Nutrition, HumanDevelopment and Family Studies, University of Mysore) Today the world is at the cusp of transformation and hence, there is a constant need for upkeep to stay abreast of the metamorphosis surrounding us. This calls for the development of certain skill sets and competencies that support us over and above what the academic degrees offer us. In view of this, a workshop was organized with the final year students of the Department of Food Science and Nutrition, Department of Human Development and Family Studies at the seminar hall of University of Mysore. Details of the EventThe session began with the keynote address by Dr. Komala M, Chairperson and Head, Department of Food Science and Nutrition who set the context for the session in terms of value addition the students could have through this brief workshop and interaction. She also stressed the need to stay relevant in today’s world by constantly updating ourselves on the changes around us. The need for collaboration between universities and organizations is more than necessary today to guide the students onto becoming assets for the nation and focus on their holistic development. Dr. Prabhavathi, Professor, Department of Food Science and Nutrition; also graced the occasion and spoke to the students on the importance of multi-faceted and domain agnostic opportunities like the Gandhi Fellowship which gives students a peek into the administration and running of the nation, along with a host of other skill sets developed by working on ground. There was a formal release of the posters of the 18th batch of the Gandhi Fellowship by the faculty of both the departments followed by circulating it among the students, who were intrigued by the uniqueness of the posters. This was followed by an interesting icebreaker activity rejuvenating the group of youngsters who participated in it enthusiastically. The first segment focused on defining Change for the students. Many daily life-based interactive questions were designed to ensure more active student participation. There was an incredibly positive response from the students, who actively shared their interests and choices finally culminating in our key pointer “What is Change and How do you define it.” With this key metric defined, we went ahead with our next segment establishing the change across various sectors in terms of Jobs. We also made sure that the students work individually on identifying jobs available in their respective sectors today, the ones that could be in high demand over the next few years and the ones that could become obsolete by the end of the next decade. This exercise brought the importance of the role of technology, Artificial Intelligence, Data analytics in bringing a change in basic assumptions in jobs and what the new age jobs look like and the kind of pivot that today’s students need to undergo to adapt themselves. This scenario helped the students to understand the nature of future jobs and the kind of skills they need to equip themselves with to have a long and fulfilling career ahead. What surprised me was that the students themselves arrived at these skill sets after collective reflection and brainstorming in their individual focus groups. At the end of the activities, Deekshitha. S (Alumni of Department of Food Science and Nutrition and the wife of Gandhi Fellow R. Manohar) shared a few highlights of the Fellowship and how it holds relevance across all domains and sectors. After this, there was a brief sharing of the nuances of the Gandhi Fellowship program; why is it important for today’s youth and what are the factors that make it relevant for them much more than ever before? There were few incisive questions raised by the students at this point, proving their thoughtfulness and interest in such kind of programs. This was laced with interesting, funny and some odd anecdotes from the Fellowship Journey (Kheda, Gujarat) of Manohar. The session was concluded by summarizing Gandhi Fellowship as not just the story of one Manohar (also a batch-11 Fellow), but a sum of thousands of equally talented and supremely dedicated individuals who have now gone on to become high impact individuals across various sectors. The vote of thanks was proposed by Ms. Srujana, Faculty, Department of Food Science and Nutrition who urged all the participants to think actively about the questions raised and the change mechanism we all spoke about for the previous hour. Way Forward We look forward to establishing a long-term relationship with the esteemed institution University of Mysore and hence, would work very closely on providing the students with all the information and guidance needed to proceed with their applications and candidature for the eighteenth batch of the Gandhi Fellowship Program. Also, we would like to partner with the University on various other programs and workshops and would like to build a strong coherence with them on the shoulders of NSS-led partnerships and like-minded collaboration
As our world continues to evolve, it’s crucial to keep pace with the ongoing transformation. To address this need, The Gandhi Fellowship in collaboration with Rajiv Gandhi National Institute of Youth Development (RGNIYD), Tamil Nadu organized a workshop for final-year students from various departments and virtually welcomed students from the Regional Campus, Chandigarh. Dr. Rambabu Botcha, Placement Officer and Faculty Member of the Department of Social Work, set the stage by highlighting the value this workshop would bring to students. He emphasized the importance of staying relevant by embracing change and the necessity of collaboration between institutions and organizations to nurture students as assets to the nation. Distinguished guests, Dr. Sharmistha Bhattacharjee, Dean of Academics, and Dr. P. Thiyagarajan, Placement Officer of the Science Division, further elaborated on the significance of diverse opportunities like the Gandhi Fellowship. They shed light on how this fellowship provides students with insights into the administration and functioning of the nation, along with a myriad of other skills developed through hands-on experience. The workshop kicked off with an engaging icebreaker activity, reinvigorating our enthusiastic group of young participants. We initiated a discussion on the concept of “Change”, encouraging active student participation. Students enthusiastically shared their thoughts and opinions, culminating in the key question, “What is Change, and how do you define it?” Building on this foundational concept, we delved into various sectors and explored how they are evolving, particularly in terms of employment. Students individually identified current job trends in their respective fields, predicted high-demand job profiles for the coming years, and recognized positions that might become obsolete in the next decade. This exercise highlighted the role of technology, artificial intelligence, and data analytics in reshaping job landscapes. It became evident that today’s students must pivot and equip themselves with skills to navigate these changing tides for a fulfilling career. Manohar, Batch 11 Gandhi Fellow from Karnataka, shared anecdotes from his fellowship journey in Kheda, Gujarat and added a touch of humor and insight. The session concluded by portraying the Gandhi Fellowship as not just one person’s story but the collective journey of thousands of talented individuals who have become high-impact contributors across various sectors.
In an age where the digital revolution has transformed how we live and work, embracing one’s true passion has become pivotal for success and fulfillment. The Gandhi Fellowship, an initiative by the Piramal Foundation, recognizes this shift from traditional knowledge acquisition to its practical application and hence organized an insightful workshop on the 24th of November 2023 at the seminar hall of ‘Pondicherry University’. This transformation in thought and skill was the focal point, aiming to align students with the demands of the 21st century in collaboration with Pondicherry University, Dr. Anbu inaugurated the session, emphasizing the need for contemporary skills in today’s fast-evolving world. He highlighted the ongoing collaboration between the University and the Gandhi Fellowship, both committed to making a tangible impact. The workshop began with a lively ice-breaker, setting a relaxed and interactive environment. Faculty members participated actively, showcasing a collaborative spirit. The first segment addressed the concept of ‘Change’. Students engaged with real-life scenarios, actively contributing to discussions and shaping the narrative around change. This interactive approach fostered a deeper understanding and personal connection to the subject. We then delved into the evolving job landscape, encouraging students to explore current and future job prospects and those likely to fade away. This exercise underlined the significance of technology and new-age skills, like Artificial Intelligence and Data Analytics, in the transformation of job sectors. Students, through group brainstorming, identified essential skills needed for future careers, demonstrating their adaptability and foresight. An emotional connect was made with Ms Reshma, a Gandhi Fellow from the Pondicherry University Alumni, sharing her inspiring journey from a small village in Kerala to making significant impacts across India. Her story resonated with students from various fields, leading to a lively Q&A session. The workshop concluded with Dr. Sukhvinder Singh sharing insights about various opportunities in the sector and encouraging students from all disciplines to join the Fellowship. His felicitation for supporting the 16th batch of the Gandhi Fellowship was a moment of appreciation and gratitude. Dr. Satheesh Kumar’s vote of thanks emphasized the Fellowship’s societal impact, urging students to seize this transformative opportunity. In summary, the workshop was a testament to the power of innovative student engagement strategies. It not only introduced students to critical 21st-century skills but also set the stage for future collaborations, placing students at the heart of this learning journey. The Gandhi Fellowship continues to pave the way in empowering the leaders of tomorrow.