Brahmavar: A two days workshop on Soft skills and Employability for ST students in higher educational institutions sponsored by Rajiv Gandhi National Institute of Youth Development, Sriperumbudur was held at Crossland College Brahmavar on 23rd and 24th of February.

The workshop was inaugurated by Professor. Mathew C Ninan, Managing Trustee of Priority Educational Foundation. He also released the learning material of the workshop on the occasion. In his keynote address, he appealed to the students to develop the soft skills not just for employment but for life. He stated that Soft skills are those skills that involve our heart. He dispelled the myth among the youth about life saying that in life one should not think that academic qualifications, marks and money are the only important things.

He quoted Steve Jobs saying “I can have a driver to drive my car but I cannot hire a person to sleep on my death bed” in order to make the students understand the value of our life how we can make difference in the lives of others when we are alive. He appealed to the students to begin the practice of soft skills from home by respecting their parents and not to hurt them.

He explained that soft skills help a person to develop his listening skill, to have a clear destination, to be courteous to others and to have good manners. Dr. Robert Clive G, the coordinator of the workshop presented theme of the workshop and welcomed the gathering.

Prof. Samuel K Samuel, the chairman of the organizing committee presided over the function. The two days workshop had very useful sessions on themes such as emotional intelligence, self awareness, leadership, youth and entrepreneurship, ethics and values in life, non-verbal communication, yoga for good health, interpersonal skills, teamwork, stress management and healthy life style, and national youth policy 2014 and Sustainable Development Goals.

The sessions were engaged by Dr. Robert Clive, Crossland College, Mrs. Shammy Shiri,,Manipal University, Mr. Karunakar Jain,RUDSETI, Fr. Pradeep Sequeira, AIMIT,Mangalore Dr. Ajith D Souza, ,Mahesh College, Mangalore Mr. Teddy Andrews, Manipal University,Dr.PV Bhandary,Dr.A V.Baliga memorial hospital,Udupi and Dr. Lena Ashok,Manipal University .Ms.Chithra, B Com student of the host college took a session on yoga for good health.

There was a special session where Mrs. Manasi Sudhir, Mr. Krishna C Amin and Mrs. Latha A J, all old students of Crossland College inspired the delegates by sharing their life stories as entrepreneurs. A total of 122 student delegates participated from 10 colleges.