Psychology Renewal program for Revenue Employees

Sree Saraswathi Thygaraja College, Pollachi organized a one day refresher programme on Psychology entitled “Knowing Me & Knowing Others” for Pollachi revenue division staff on May 11, 2013. 

The participants were given intense training in the areas of human personality, emotional maturity, life goal setting, effective team building, human relationships, communication skills and stress management etc ... with a view to helping them to understand themselves as well as others in their personal life as well as professional endeavours. Today similar soft-skill trainings are gaining momentum in the corporate world. Government employees are not privileged enough to have such exposures. Hence the Sub-collector of Pollachi Ms. Rashmi Siddarth Zagade IAS sought the assistance of Centre for Counselling and Guidance to offer one day refresher program for the revenue employees.

 56 participants from Pollachi Revenue Division participated in the program. Dr.V.Venkateswaran, Principal welcomed the gathering and Mr.Vijayamoghan, Chairman of the college in his presidential address congratulated the initiatives taken by the sub-collector and stressed the need for such program for the government employees. In her inaugural address Ms. Rashmi Siddharth Zagade, I.A.S., Sub Collector, Pollachi assured that the program will pave way for a long term change in the outlook of the revenue employees to know themselves fully and equally others to maintain good understanding and relationship with others and to involve and dedicate themselves in tuning out their duties. She also promised to organise such refresher program to encourage and empower the revenue employees in the coming months. Dr. Janetius, Director, Centre for Counseling and Guidance conducted the programme. 

 

Prof. Ramachandran from MBA department of Sree Saraswathi Thyagaraja College and M.Balakrishnan, PA to Sub Collector, Pollachi coordinated the programme activities. The participants were issued certificates in the valedictory session of the program by the Sub-Collector of Pollachi. The revenue officials welcomed the initiatives taken by the sub-collector and expressed their desire to partake in such programs in future.

Much needed to be done to empower women - The Hindu

Much needed to be done to empower women - The Hindu

Way to Valparai - Some Endangered Animals on the Road

 

I had a chance to go to Valparai last week. We were able to see few Lion-Tailed Macaque (Macaca Silenus) and a family of Nilgiri Tahr (Nilgiritragus Hylocrius) on the road. Both are unique to Western Ghats. One courageous Macaque climbed over the hood of the car, probably looking for food. Feeding wild animals are prohibited and we closed the windows to be safe.

Lion-Tailed Macaque is one of India’s endangered mascot species. It has a wonderful mane of hair around its face that makes it look like a lion and also its tail, which has a tuft of fur at the end, which looks like a lion's tail. This species is endemic to the Western Ghats hill ranges in south-western India.

Nilgiri Tahr is endemic to Western Ghats in the states of Tamil Nadu and Kerala in southern India. It is the state animal of Tamil Nadu.

Book - Rural Empowerment for Sustainable Development

March 27 & 28, 2013 the International Conference on Rural Empowerment was organized at Sree Saraswathi Thyagaraja College. 85 papers were presented in 12 technical sessions and two panel discussions were attended by more than 150 delegates from Six Countries. 

We have published a book compiling all the research papers presented in the ICRESD 2013 into a book.

The Book is edited by Dr Janetius, Prof. Padmanabhan, Dean & Mr. Mudiappan from MSW Department. The book has 420+ pages and 78 research articles and the price is Rs.900. The book is available at the Centre for Counselling & Guidance, Sree Saraswathi Thyagaraja College, Pollachi - visit - http://icresd.page.tl

Corporate Gene-therapy

Organizational DNA and Corporate Gene-therapy
 Dr Janetius, 2013

Recently one of my friends requested me for an appointment for consultation. I was glad to spare some time with him.

His issue was complex; the problem was regarding his work in an institution. There is no organizational structure, widespread unethical practices and total chaos and confusion. All the good works, best intentions, creative and innovative ideas of my friend has no place because the chairperson is not keen on giving any freedom to anyone to take any decisions. Of course, my friend is holding one of the top managerial posts in the institution.

Since the owner and top brass of the institution has no clear-cut division of labour and proper organizational structure, he interferes anytime, anywhere, with anyone … He is an impulsive and petulant type of person... an autocratic Maharaj. 
As I slowly analyzed the situation, I was able to understand that the particular organization’s DNA could be the best example for ‘how an organization should not function’. All I could understand was that the organizational DNA is completely corrupt and damaged; it needs some corporate gene-therapy, starting from the leader and his functioning style.

Well, my friend has only few options before him now: 1) quit the organization 2) close the eyes and get the salary 3) ask the leader and the owner of the organization to undergo some corporate gene-therapy.

I can’t ask my friend to eat crow. The third option is not a very practical one as far as my friend is concerned because he is not in a position to tie the bell on the cat's neck. The owner is an irascible person. The smart thing to do is to lie in wait for the right time to quit the organization for better pastures.

However, I was breaking my head to find some ways and means of doing corporate gene-therapy not to correct the hair-brained contrarian or to save his organization from comatose but to experiment some corporate gene-therapy models.

The Healing Powers of Music

 I was fully satisfied when I showed the last slide of my presentation to nearly 200 odd students.  I could read the satisfaction and excitement in the face of students when we completed two hours session on the ‘Healing Powers of Music’ at Sree Saraswathi Thyagaraja College.  

The session was structured in variety of ways. The classical guitar music of Mr. Sekar here and there, some theoretical knowledge about Western and Indian Music, information about various Carnatic ragas and their healing effects, videos of melodious Tamil movie songs in some classical ragas etc… etc… It was a total excitement, information and a superb two hours in the auditorium. 

Mr. Sekar has registered at Trinity College, London in Classical Guitar for grade two. 

While preparing the presentation, Sekar and me were a bit nervous about showing movie song clips because we were afraid that the students may go out of control. So we announced that only 80 students who register first on the previous day will be allowed for the program. I relaxed the rule because students started to pour in for registration and I put a full stop when it crossed 150. Latter the MSW department requested their students presence because they have a course on music therapy. Some staff and faculty joined too.

Sekar who played Guitar was very happy and explained that he has played Guitar for many orchestras but this program for students was of a different category which gave him an entirely different level of satisfaction. 

Sabari steps, our team’s photographer was also very excited about the whole program and was very busy with his camera. At the end, I asked Sabari, how was the program…. I expected Sabari to say 'it was wonderful' but he said, Sir… I did not listen to the music or your presentation…. but I got some wonderful snaps and showed his zoom lens SLR.