The Hindu Business Line : Are there ways to tap the skills of the educated unemployed?

Story so far: During a visit to the neighbourhood park, I notice that along with the usual regulars walking and jogging along the pathways, a seminar on developments in computer security is in progress, on a grassy patch. A regular activity for the benefit of IT employees, I learn. Ah, we need more such activities, of knowledge economy spilling over to public places, I tell myself.

Episode 159

It was with the seminar in the park that I had wrapped my previous episode. Responding to it Jagadambigai, an ACS student, writes in: "Dear Swati, I'd like to make the following suggestions. One, the group should discuss problems that everyone can relate to; so that people gathering around the group can follow the discussion. Two, the discussion should not affect the feelings of any particular group. Three, it should be informal, so that everyone can participate and give his/her opinion on the topic. Four, the discussion should be beneficial to society at large, such as on poverty, rural employment, women's empowerment, and so on. And, five, the discussion should not be political in nature." Ground rules for park seminars, may we say?

"Dear Swati, sharing knowledge in public domain is becoming one of the major avenues of knowledge dissipation," observes Sriram Kannan. "With the evolution of the Internet and blogging, the spectrum of knowledge-sharing has become wider and better. These have really changed the way people share knowledge and information. Besides mirroring the sentiments of individual communities, they have evolved into a platform for development. Sites such as Wikipedia have been successfully operating in the public domain, and are quoted for credible data by many writers. This is a good trend that will continue in the days to come." Thanks Sriram

Corporate philanthropy

"Philanthropic acts need not be trumpeted from rooftops, be it individual or corporate philanthropy. At the same time philanthropic acts done with publicity need not be condemned or criticised," says A. Ramalingam of Mannargudi. "Swati, philanthropists are of three types. One, what their right hands give, even their left hands may not be aware of; this is the very ideal type. Two, they give a lot but with least publicity. And three, they give very little but with a lot of fanfare." Interesting analysis.

"I know many affluent people with enormous wealth for generations to come, but with absolutely no heart to give. When compared to such people, types two and three are many times better, as they have the heart to spare for the needy and poor. Hence, philanthropic acts with little or more publicity need not be subjected to criticism." You have a point, Ramalingam.

"Dear Swati, even though publicity is not ideal for philanthropic activities, sometimes it gives an insight into the corporates that do care for the downtrodden," writes Thangavelu M. of Chennai. "Otherwise many will not know there are good people who really care and that there are avenues for others to follow in their footsteps. Instead of a huge publicity campaign for philanthropic activities by corporates, why not they ensure that publicity expenses do not exceed, say, 25 per cent of the total budget for the same?" One-fourth looks like a big proportion!

"Dear Swati-garu, nowadays companies are entering new fields such as cultivation and retailing. Corporate generosity is the need of the hour," says P. V. Sudhakar Rao, Deputy Manager, SBI, Ongole.

"It is true that publicity antics of individuals/organisations engaged in socially relevant causes can, at times, create only aversion," notes Krithivasan. "I have seen in some such events, how once the OB (outdoor broadcasting) vans of the telecasters/broadcasters or the news-scribes left the venue, majority of the seniors in the organising groups leave the place, with only the juniors left to manage the show. This applies to a greater extent to the political and cine crowd, who are more publicity-oriented. We in India have long forgotten that these should be done mainly for personal satisfaction and to meet the requirements of the underprivileged/needy." Quite right, almost.

"Dear Swati, the deed is commendable. Good deeds, whenever performed, have to be reported," insists R. Thesinghrajan, Sr. Development Officer, LIC, Ooty. "We can blow our own trumpets to make others know our interests and capabilities. There is a lot of competition among corporate hospitals to conduct eye camps. Though this act is part of their corporate social responsibility, they want publicity. Thanks to the media and publicity we had many people and organisations coming forward to rehabilitate those affected by the tsunami. Maybe, corporate philanthropy need not be trumpeted with press conferences but it has to be made known so that others will also do something to help the poor to improve their standard of living. We need not crave recognition; but recognition itself is a great motivating factor, as voluntary service in our country is rare." Nice distinction.

Homeless and the New Year

Another mail from Thesinghrajan, about an earlier episode, empathises with the homeless and the poor. "I am not against New Year celebrations as a new culture that is emerging in our country, what with high disposable incomes in the hands of youngsters. The promoters of such events are mainly hoteliers, who make use of this opportunity to fill their coffers. My request to them is that they could use a part of their New Year earnings towards the education of the poor and street children, as part of their corporate social responsibility. I would be very happy if New Year celebrations happen in orphanages and old age homes."

From Rajapalayam writes M.V. Balasubramanian: "Dear Swati, I am a regular reader of your column. Please keep the wide variety of subjects you discuss going. I am an ardent admirer of our President. His vision is achievable, but need tremendous support from the media. Young columnists like you must write frequently on the responsibilities before the youth of this great democracy. I am dreaming of an India totally ruled by our President for full five years with the help of educated and able administrators, and without any politician in sight." Wishful thinking?

B-schools and social issues

"Dear Swati, is it only the management students who need to be aware of the social issues?" asks C. Prahalad. "Real benefit will accrue if we have such socially-oriented courses even while at the graduation stage. It is not enough if only a section of students are sensitised towards the social needs of this mammoth democracy. We need leaders at every stage. A select few would not be in a position to achieve much, given the size of our democracy. Awareness should come from every level of education. Is bridging the gap between haves and have-nots only the responsibility of the elite? I feel each and every citizen should contribute his bit." Logical argument.

"As far as management education is concerned, there are quite a few management institutes in India that have mandated at least one social responsibility project in order to make a prospective manager a good corporate citizen too. It is a move in the right direction, but we need more institutions to come up with such courses. Similarly, we need corporates to sponsor students to take up a socially relevant projects, even while at college, and take it through completion. Then the vision of bridging the gap between haves and have-nots will become a reality." Positive thoughts.

"Dear Swati, I love your column in Mentor," writes S. Niveatha, a student of food processing and preservation technology (BE), Avinashilingam University, Coimbatore. Thanks! "I want to become a successful manager." All the best. "Those who manage time can manage life in a better way. Any individual, including me, can develop management quality. I feel a bit of basic management studies can be a part of syllabus at different levels, conveyed via games, songs, drama and the like, so that they feel enthusiastic and learn the concepts with interest." An idea worth trying out.

********

Around a carrom board

Last Sunday, I ventured out for a stroll late in the evening in the hope that the fresh air would help me get a good night's sleep. The roads were deserted already, as if daunted by the prospect of one more exacting Monday, only hours ahead. However, there was some activity in one of the by-lanes, where a group of youngsters was standing around a carom-board. I moved closer to watch the game.

The boys were familiar faces in the neighbourhood, with no gainful employment, despite education. One could always find them in tea-shops and libraries, on bikes and in street corners.

At the carrom game, though, the concentration they displayed and the precision they achieved in their strikes were amazing. There should be a way to tap the skills of the unemployed youth, I felt, while retracing my steps. Send in your thoughts by Friday.

Blog at: http://Swati-CA.blogspot.com

SWATI_CA@HOTMAIL.COM

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