VIHAAN – India in 2040

India is in a unique position demographically in the world today. We have the world’s largest young population. As per the 2011 census almost 41% of our population is below the age of 19. And that is a staggering 500 million! That is the population of the European Union or 1.5 time the population of the United States of America. We are currently the third largest economy by Purchasing Power Parity and expected to become the world’s 2^nd largest by PPP by 2030 a USD 46 Trillion economy (Source Oxford Economics, Brookings). And yet we are 130^th out of 189 countries in the Human Development Index.

If we really want India to get its rightful place in the comity of nations it is imperative that we develop leaders in multiple areas. This leadership development must ideally start at a much younger age at the school level. As of today there is not much focus or even and idea of how to take this forward.

Vihaan is an initiative which seeks to start a conversation on this crucial issue.

Vihaan in Sanskrit means dawn and signifies awakening. 

The topics for panel discussions were :

1.      Skills relevant for work which can be developed in Schools as seen by top Corporates

2.      Skills relevant for higher Education that can be developed in Schools as seen by College and university deans

3.      Skills relevant for Entrepreneurs that can be encouraged in schools as seen by successful entrepreneurs who were not that successful academically.

4.      What do top schools do to develop the above.

Now the next question is why did we do it - Mission is world class – We do believe all our programmes starting with our Abacus programme is world class. We challenge you to find a more effective Abacus programme in the world ! We can say that confidently because we have invested a great deal of effort on the programme in the over the past 15 years and we continue to do so. However this cannot be said of much of India. We have many processes/ways of doing things which fall far short of world class.

This unique conference has been put together by SIP Academy India , an organization which has been developing skills in children since 2003. SIP Academy India  has made a huge difference to the lives of many children and also women across the length and breadth of India. Starting in a humble way with one programme, 3 employees and a few franchisees largely in Tamil Nadu . SIP Academy now runs 5 programmes and is present in 23 states over 300 cities and has close to 800 centres and 300 schools where the programmes are run. In 2016 , SIP Academy India went International and now the programme runs in 8 countries across the world. Every week over 150000 students are touched by a SIP Academy Programme in India.

Along the way the company has had many firsts to its credit :

1.      The first organization in the country / may be the world to introduce a money back guarantee on children skill development.

2.      The first company to have run a programme to develop creativity in children on a large scale.

3.      The first children skill development company in India to have a online system across over 250 cities connecting all franchisees

4.      The first Abacus Company to take over the International Operations of the parent

5.      The first company to give a guarantee on reading skill enhancement to schools.

Summary of panel discussions of VIHAAN – India in 2040:

Keynote Speaker

All kids are researchers however, the current education system roots out creativity by not allowing them to ask questions, experiment and discover things for themselves. We need to develop a scientific temper in children by giving them to give ample opportunities to explore and learn for themselves.

Arnab Bhattacharya, Scientist TIFR & Founder of ‘Chai & Why’

Panel #1 – Representing Corporate World of India: Skills relevant for work which can be developed in schools as seen by top corporates.

Other than basic communication & mathematic skills, schools should focus on inculcating problem solving skills, adaptability, decision making and team spirit which help in preparing students for a successful corporate life.

Narendra Murkumbi, Founder – Sri Renuka Sugars Limited (World’s 2^nd largest Sugar Producer)

Top corporates look at core skills such as language, mathematics, computing, as also basic rigour, sociability and most important understanding and applying their domain knowledge.

Sandeep Bhushan, Director & Head of India GMS – Facebook

Panel #2 – Representing Colleges & Universities of Indis : Skills relevant for higher education that can be developed in schools as seen by College & University Deans.

Identify students’ potential and channelize them effectively. Train them to have healthy relationships, avoid instant gratification and teach them to accept failure & develop their problem coping mechanism.

Rev. Dr. F. Andrew, S.J. Principal – Loyola College, Chennai

Schools should help students in their goal setting and nurture skills such as creativity, critical thinking, social consciousness and adaptability. Students should be given an opportunity to develop team spirit and empathy.

Dr. C. Muthamizhchelvan, Director, Engineering & Technology, SRM Institute of Science & Technology

Panel #3 : Representing first generation entrepreneurs – Skills relevant for successful entrepreneurship that can be encouraged in schools.

Ability to learn , unlearn & re-learn are skills that children need to develop in the modern times. The ability to think differently and look at problems as opportunities, which will nurture entrepreneurial skills in an individual .

C K Kumaravel, Founder , Naturals Salon , India’s leading chain of salons.

The quality of managing resources to fulfil an ambition , needs to be taught in schools . The schools need to encourage the Parents & Alumni , who are entrepreneurs to interact with the students .

M.V.Subramanian , Co-Founder & MD of Future Focus Infotech P Ltd.

Panel #4 : Representing top ranked Schools of India – What are the top schools in India are doing to develop the relevant skills in children.

Knowledge has to be constructed in the classroom. Schools to give students ample opportunities to question , debate and clarify.

Prof Dr Sridhar Srivastava , Dean (Coordination) NCERT , New Delhi.

Schools should focus on 4C : Character, Compassion, Critical thinking & Creativity. Schools should treat every child as an individual and help her/him excel in their area of interest,  instead of pushing them towards traditional career choices such as Engineering , Medicine etc.

Mr.Skand Bali, Principal of Hyderabad Public School, Hyderabad .

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