Author: admin

The rhythmic up and down reading of a healthy heart on the ECG monitor is a constant reminder that our life is interspersed with struggles and success peaks we touch as a result of our brave efforts. Patience is a virtue we all require to respect, regard and remember that our tough times will pass. Instant gratification and validation are momentary and what remains with us is our hard earned learning. After all LIFE comes without short cuts!!

I consciously count this as a virtue because life today has a complicated definition in spite of all the technical up gradation we observe around us. Gadgets that make life feel simple, AI to the rescue in every conceivable phase to challenge our brain and even emotion, faster services and the most efficient communication means.

And the result- Humans have failed to catch up with the speed of technology since emotional age and the technology have a reverse order of progress. When technology invades life they helplessly stand and watch.

Technology was intended to make life easier so that people can use their time more productively to enhance creativity, social skills and talents. But humans ended up achieving the contrary. Though Creative Thinking and Design Thinking has been in vogue in recent times, people have delegated even their thinking to technology. We have 20 per cent of brains creating the technology and 80 per cent of them mindlessly using the same. With the over dependence on defensive procedure intervention, people seem to have lost intuitive skills for professional and personal growth.

The Golden Mean rule needs to be applied. Patience for Happiness needs to be Prioritised and Creativity needs to be preserved. Let’s together learn to Stand and Wait!

Today when I enter a classroom I am confronted with silence- a dream scenario for teachers once upon a time. No merry chatter, no banter, no fun, no teasing, no loud laughter, no self-invented games, no athakshari. You can hear a pin drop! With the ear plugs fixed in their ears and their head held down, their world has shrunk into the palm of their hand. I remembered my English teacher at school.

“Where the mind is without fear and the head is held high

Where knowledge is free

Where the world has not been broken up into fragments by narrow domestic walls;

Where words come out from the depths of truth;

Where tireless striving stretches its arms towards perfection;

Where the clear stream of reason has not lost its way into the dreary desert sand of dead habit;

Where the mind is led forward by thee into ever widening thought and action

Into that heaven of freedom, my father, let my country awake.”

– Rabindranath Tagore

When the Creator pondered upon the multiple ways of differentiating the species of his creation, the gift of the gab was probably the easiest choice! The first word a baby uttered was always celebrated, cherished and remembered. The first day exposure at school was considered a social experiment of his/her life ahead.

Hours, months and years were spent teaching the children letters, spellings, grammar and vocabulary. Anything we learn the hard way is remembered for life. The multiplication tables, chemical symbols, equations, formulae, the metric system conversion and the copy writing books for good hand writing just to name a few. The 3 Rs Reading, Writing and Arithmetic were considered indicators of education.

Today we thoroughly enjoy the sheer variety of genres in communication. Pictures speak, emogies speak, letters speak- the exciting plethora that is easily available to us has gone a long way to making our lives easier. But there is a catch- Something is missing- the words are there, probably the best of words, the techniques are right, the content is the well- researched but strangely, it feels like canned laughter. The soul has gone missing. Even our CV, the document that is supposed to be a showcase of our capabilities, skills and talent seems to be a limp document that reflects a pale shadow of ourselves.

Manners maketh Man was the saying once…..Though we have come a long way since then and we are truly proud of the progress we have made in every step Sunitha Williams being our latest Advancement Icon, we still have to follow the Golden Mean rule to keep us grounded. Good manners are at a premium today! Courteousness, chivalry and politeness are restricted to the service industry when it actually should belong to the entire humanity.

Certain things in life are basic and must not change since they are beyond change or question. Why are some things so….? Well, they are just meant to be so. For example, there is a difference between childhood and adulthood. We cannot defy or deny that phenomenon. It is not just physical…it is emotional and intellectual. Technology has wiped away that dividing line. If the infant at home has learnt to swipe the phone, it is the phone that is smart and not the infant. It is undoubtedly a red flag! Your parental sacrifice only begins with sleepless nights. What follows is your ability to hold back your technical instinct to lead the path for your offspring to follow.

We are supremely conscious of our body and we see gyms here cropping up like the erstwhile type writing institutes. There are health food promoters, diet freaks, doctors turning dieticians who passionately believe in eating measured calories and drinking litres of water for hydration and skin clarity. But hold on what about your mental diet? People today are so hung up on a make-believe world of virtual relevance and consumerism that they are callous about experiential gratification.

No matter what progress we have seen the basic fact remains the same. The tree is able to grow, flourish bear flower and fruit since its roots are firmly grounded and is in constant pursuit of water and nutrients.

This document does not intend to dampen the progressive spirit we see all around us but is only a respectful reminder to go into the depth of the gift of life we have been blessed with. Take time out to identify the best in you, nurture the skill, work hard at it and celebrate the success. That will be your IKIGAI!

SB Global ‘s close association with schools, teachers and students have created in us an indelible impact on the phenomenal role a teacher plays in the lives of students across the world.

Though this profession is deeply respected, it is a painful but truthful realisation that the educators are not treated on par with their professional counterparts on the socio economic scale.

With the advent of AI, the roles educators play seems to have seen a sea change in all conceivable aspects. Nevertheless the role he or she plays in the life of children will continue to glow and shine. Though the NEP is a move in the right direction we have always felt that for the changes to be effectively implemented we need to ensure the quality of educators.

It is a matter of great relief that the State Government has decided to implement the 4 year B.Ed course that will be introduced by 2030. This brings a ray of hope to revive the dismal quality of teachers in many schools today.

Since the course will be introduced in Arts and Science Colleges, which are dying a natural death, as a new degree course, this will infuse renewed energy since teaching has always been a hot selling proposition for job aspirants.

The syllabus is likely to be embedded in the subject and will maintain a teaching learning angle of the subject chosen by the candidate. Thus the Physics/ Maths/ English degree for a B.Ed student will be taught from the student-teacher point of view and hence will be more relevant and meaningful after completion. Needless to say the skills and attitude required for the teacher will be of top priority.

Another heartening aspect of this decision is the exclusivity of the course. Admission into the course will be based on entrance exams. This will ensure that only the deserving will find a seat to create the impact on the generation next.

Behavioral and attitudinal skills adds embellishments to one’s personality. To be able charm people around you is an art and hence honing or acquiring those skills is an investment for life.

No matter what qualifications you own, it is equally or more important to ensure that those achievements benefit not just us but people around us.

With each one of us aspiring to brand ourselves as worthy competitors in this world, time to introspect and chisel our skills is a worthy exercise.

Among the most important life skills we must acquire is the art of self-expression. We are more often judged by the way we express ourselves among friends, family, and on a professional platform.

The words and phrases we choose, the tone of our voice, our body language, and the decorum with which we interact is by far the most important component of a charismatic personality.

Close observation of people and an internal learning attitude is integral to acquisition of this skill.

Innovative changes in the Educational policies has, as seen in the last couple of years, provided a great opportunity for the youth to blossom and spread wings to learn from the big seamless world outside, to explore the possibility of learning for knowledge sake, to develop constructive hobbies, to discover and develop talents and skills for life and to prepare them for the future.

We only have one chance to experience the life we have been blessed with. Experiences are to be savoured, considered as lessons for the future, as stories for generations to follow. The youth today have been chosen to lead the world into the next century. This means they have to arise and wake up to the challenges before them. A paradigm shift in mentality, attitude, emotional being and behaviour is the need of the hour.

A genuine quest for knowledge seems to have taken a back seat among children. Their childhood span seems to have reduced and there is an early onset of adulthood that we observe. Having said thus, reluctance to think for themselves and hesitation to take calculated risks has to be seen as a failure of systems collectively.

Don’t tell stories! Don’t carry tales, are comments we have all heard all along our lives. Are stories negative? Do stories matter?

After all every single person we meet including ourselves are story tellers in our own ways. We spin tales after tales, some real some fictional depending on situations, people, age or need. Story telling is a very ancient and powerful communication tools from time immemorial.

Story telling used to be very closely associated to grandparents, leisure and vacation. But in the larger perspective this art form has a very close connection with certain skills that determine our personality.

It is a skill that needs to be nurtured and honed for communication to improve. It controls inhibitions, increases scope of emotional expressions and helps in voice modulation. Since communication depends heavily on interest and narration, story- telling skills go a long way in helping the speaker reach the audience.

On the other hand listening to stories plays a pivotal role in enhancing the listening skills of people. Focus today is missing inherently thanks to the fast paced life that people are forced to lead. It increases curiosity, thinking skills and of course stretches imagination.

Stories can be used in classrooms and business alike because of the versatility that the medium holds. An interesting conversationalist cracks the best deals in life!

How difficult is it to solve the time, money and happiness equation? What is our personal IKIGAI? Ikigai in simple terms is that factor which makes you want to get up from bed with a smile on your face in anticipation a great day ahead.
Each of us has our own reasons to be happy about, our own interpretation of money and time. But the million dollar question still remains Do we have the time to enjoy money and the money to enjoy time? This is significant because the success of our life depends on this equation.
We are comfortable negotiating for money but most of us are not too adept at negotiating for time. Though time is a non -renewable resource, we still do not attribute the same respect we have for money to time.
Ikigai teaches us that very small changes in life can create a huge impact in our lives since there will be very less resistance. Our work life balance depends on how happy we find ourselves at the end of the day. Our challenge will always remain on how we manage to complete an apparently impossible task just by virtue of our creative intervention.
The value of patience, good habits, stepping out of the comfort zone and delegation are some of the lessons that we as professionals need to cultivate and pursue in life.

The employability and skill development needs of Indian youth, especially those from Kerala, are crucial for fostering economic growth and individual prosperity. India’s demographic dividend, with a significant youth population, underscores the importance of equipping them with the right skills to meet the demands of a rapidly evolving job market. Kerala, known for its high literacy rates and skilled workforce, stands to benefit greatly from targeted skill development initiatives.

In recent years, the focus on skill development has intensified, with various government schemes aiming to enhance vocational training and employability.

For Kerala’s youth, embracing 21st-century skills like communication, critical thinking, creativity, collaboration, and digital literacy is essential for staying competitive in a technology-driven world. The state’s rich educational heritage can be leveraged to create a workforce adept at problem-solving and innovation, aligning with the state’s reputation for excellence in education.

Challenges such as social biases, a mismatch between training and industry needs, and a shortage of qualified trainers need to be addressed to ensure effective skill development. By promoting green skills for sustainable development, Kerala’s youth can tap into emerging sectors like renewable energy and organic farming, opening up new avenues for employment and entrepreneurship.

Empowering Kerala’s youth through comprehensive skill development programs, apprenticeships, and industry partnerships will not only boost their chances of employability but also contribute to the state’s overall economic growth and sustainability. By nurturing a skilled workforce equipped with 21st-century competencies, Kerala can position itself as a hub of innovation and opportunity, setting a strong foundation for the future.

Teachers and Doctors have a lasting impact in the lives of people as they have the power to steer the lives of people in very positive directions. But unfortunately, teachers in our country fail to receive the respect they deserve as many of them are in the profession for comfort or convenience and rarely in response to an inner calling. A B.Ed., degree is more often the ticket to a teachers’ job and many of them struggle throughout their journey.

Having worked very closely with teachers and school management for more than a decade, we have always felt that there is a very strong requirement for something more than the academic qualification that makes a teachers’ role special. More than just a training embedded in the B.Ed., course curriculum, the aspiring teacher needs to work at least for a year in different departments of pedagogy just like a house surgeon do in medical colleges to understand and prepare them for the life changing journey that they will embark upon.

The classroom scenarios have changed drastically and so should the role and relevance of teachers in classrooms. The post-Covid scenario in schools is a matter of concern as far as methodologies and classroom techniques are concerned. The use of technology needs to be utilised judiciously for its optimum output.

Having equated their services with doctors, it is only fair that they also be paid on par with that of a high ranking official since they are in a career that requires constant up gradation, up skilling and a total change of attitudes and outlooks. They are dealing with high energy circuits and for them to keep up with the pace generation after generation maintaining the same passion is a very challenging task.

When the Aging Population becomes A Demographic Dividend and Triggers the Flame of Hope
We need to lay our focus on building a bridge across the vibrant youth and graceful aging experience of Kerala. When there are concerned reports about the aging state of Kerala, we must strongly believe and prove to the world that a perfect weave between the two can create a magic in the societal fabric of the beautiful state of Kerala.

Today there is a strong feeling that the world belongs to youngsters, be it arts, technology, entertainment, infrastructure etc. The entire gamut of development is heavily tilted towards the youth. People seem to have forgotten that progress is a process and a journey. Human Beings time travel to and for not just in linear patterns but in cyclical or circular movements revisiting our past for nourishment, strength and sustenance.

Such thoughts intend to rekindle the Flame of the Past that is well within our reach but which, sadly remains unheard, unnoticed and unsung.
The focus must be at tapping into the worldly wisdom of the erstwhile generation who had, without the help of technology amassed the wealth of experience relying on information from people, surroundings, environment, observation, keen sense of listening, and skill sets which were typical assets of their generation.

The youth needs to embark on a journey into the lives of the senior generation who have lived a full life and are still willing to share a good portion of their accomplishment to make the lives of their predecessors on the planet more fruitful.