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Women Empowerment

Self-employed: Reorienting Happiness

CSR in India empowering women
CSR in India empowering women

Isn’t life a pursuit of happiness? All our tasks, routines, objectives, and hobbies are toward making us and our loved ones happy. This necessarily involves earning a dignified livelihood or income to support the needs, wants, and desires of one’s self and loved ones.

Earning for self and by self 

A self-employed person is not working for others or at the will of others. It is about being your own boss. A self-employed person is one who works for herself, at her own will, and has freedom and control over her work and life.

The self-employed person’s objective behind any work is to deliver quality work independently. A self-employed person works for the purpose of earning profit for herself and spends time on the operation of a business. Self-employed persons include employers, own-account workers, independent practitioners, contractors, sole proprietorships, partnerships, entrepreneurs, freelancers, doctors,  gig workers, actors, lawyers, etc.

Self-employed: Creating Your Happiness

We work with certain objectives and outcomes in mind. Both the employees and self-employed while being engaged in work need to achieve certain desired outcomes. However, the way these outcomes are achieved is also important. The self-employed enjoy creative freedom, flexibility, and innovative liberty to work at their comfort and convenience. 

Various studies have shown that self-employed persons are happier than employed ones. Some of the reasons are– 

Choosing Your Own Environment

To be self-employed means to choose your own space from where you will work. For example, a Chartered Accountant can do the taxes of a firm from a hill station in Shimla or a street vendor who sets up a small time food stall in the food streets of Delhi can decide the time of the day or days of the week when he wants to set up his stall.

Continuous Engagement with Work

The self-employed work for herself. She will earn money upon completion of a particular work or task. Her job is to complete the job within some given time. Her engagement to work will be at her discretion. Studies show that “Measuring how engaged people are in their work is therefore a really useful way to gauge their well-being,”

Freedom & Autonomy 

The owner of a business has the flexibility and freedom to decide her own work hours and workplace. She also has the autonomy to make changes in her work or business. The person is his own boss. 

Innovation & Creativity

A self-employed person is her own boss. She has the freedom to innovate and be creative. She undertakes the completion of the tasks as per her own brain and will decide how to compete with others.

Self Employment Income

The fruits of labor will belong to one person. The more you work, the more your income will be. If you work hard, smartly, and be innovative the earnings will be yours. 

India’s Self-Employment Scenario

Self-employment is the biggest source of employment in the Indian economy. 2020-21 Periodic Labour Force Survey (PLFS) says, 55.6% of Indian workers are self-employed. The number in India stood at 333 million in 2021. On a year-on-year basis, self-employment in the country increased by 7.6% in 2021. Between 2010-2021, the number of self-employed people in India increased by 8.1%.

India is a developing country, the above data may not reflect the grassroots truth. Self-employed people could be large in number also for the reason that the number of employment opportunities may be less in the country.

The data suggests that the self-employment income earned by self-employed workers is very little in India. The self-employed workers in India on average earn just Rs 10,643 per month. This is 60.4% of the average income of a salaried worker in the same survey period.

Therefore we need appropriate government intervention to enable economic activities.

Initiatives of the Government for the Self-employed

The Government of India launched a flagship initiative– Startup India. The objective is to develop a conducive ecosystem for the inception and growth of start-ups. It is to catalyze startup culture and build a strong and inclusive ecosystem for innovation and entrepreneurship in India. This scheme provides an opportunity for self-employment as well as salaried employment. 

In rural areas, the opportunities for salaried jobs or employment are less due to the absence of enterprises therefore self employment is the only viable option to earn a livelihood.  In this light, the Ministry of Rural Development has implemented the National Rural Livelihood Mission (NRLM). This is a poverty alleviation programme, among other things, that focuses on promoting self-employment.

The Self Employment Programme of urban poor is a component of the National Urban Livelihoods Mission (NULM). It provides financial assistance to individuals/groups of urban poor for setting up gainful self-employment ventures/ micro-enterprises, suited to their skills, training, aptitude, and local conditions.

Prime Minister’s Employment Generation Programme (PMEGP) scheme facilitates the generation of self-employment opportunities through the establishment of micro-enterprises in the non-farm sector by helping traditional artisans and unemployed youth.

Pradhan Mantri Mudra Yojana (PMMY) is initiated by the Government for facilitating self-employment. Under PMMY collateral free loans up to Rs. 10 lakh, are extended to small/micro business enterprises and to individuals to enable them to set up or expand their business activities.

Swabhiman is Smile Foundation’s women empowerment programme that trains women and adolescent girls to become financially independent through education, entrepreneurship, health, and nutrition activities.

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Livelihood

Livelihood Opportunities to Tackle the Growing Population of India

 Livelihood Opportunities to Tackle the Growing Population of India
 Livelihood Opportunities to Tackle the Growing Population of India

Recently, China reported its first population decline in 60 years, leaving India to soon become the world’s most populous country in the world. With an estimated 50 million people surviving on less than $2 per day, the growing population is alarming. It will worsen poverty and hunger problems. It has become more important than ever to address livelihood opportunities to make sure the country’s economy remains sustainable and inclusive. 

The population of India in 2023 has crossed 1.4 billion, with the majority of growth coming from rural areas. The rural population which comprises nearly 70% of the total population mostly depend on agriculture for their livelihood. With the changing times and growing population, the agriculture sector alone cannot provide enough employment. Therefore, there is a need to focus on creating livelihood opportunities in other sectors as well.

Livelihood Opportunities in a More Populous World

Livelihood opportunities include various avenues available for people to make a living. It could be anything from traditional occupations like agriculture and handicrafts to modern-day jobs like IT, finance, manufacturing, and travel & tourism. With a population of over 1.4 billion, there’s a new demand for employment opportunities across all sectors of the economy.

In addition to creating new jobs, the government needs to improve the quality of existing jobs. A lot of people in India are underpaid, working in low-paying and low-skilled jobs that offer few opportunities to advance their careers. To address this problem, both the government and the private sector need to invest in training and education programmes. This should be done to aid people hone skills and achieve their career goals. 

Another important sector that needs focus is entrepreneurship. The government needs to support and encourage entrepreneurs. This includes providing access to capital, mentorship, and other resources that can help startups succeed. This will help India create industries and jobs that encourage innovation and creativity.

On the socioeconomic front, we also need to address the distortions that limit access to capital and land, to allow new/first-generation entrepreneurs to grow and build a solid base and compete with larger firms.

What’s Happening on the Ground?

Currently, in India, big/tier 1 cities are too expensive. For firms to remain competitive, they need to be able to shift to smaller cities and towns where costs are lower. However, these smaller cities do not currently have the required infrastructure- both physical and human, to support such a move.

The government needs to act to improve physical infrastructure and take steps to improve human capital by way of relevant education and training, especially in Tier 2/3 cities so that the transition and spread of manufacturing and service sector to these smaller cities and towns happens rapidly. This will provide a strong impetus to competitiveness and related job growth in less industrialised States and cities.

Such a strategy becomes even more critical at a time when India is trying to benefit from the actions of large corporations to reduce dependence on other countries for manufacturing. India has to immediately act to improve global ratings on education, skills, life expectancy, and health, and the resultant upgrade in human infrastructure. The pace of job creation is intricately interwoven with higher investments in education and skill development. 

Women in the Radar

Let’s also not forget that women play a vital role in the development of society. Their voices and participation eradicate poverty and malnutrition. Women population in India makes up 48% of the total population and yet they’re largely excluded from the formal workforce due to social and cultural norms. Without education, they don’t have enough job opportunities.

Problems like poverty and unemployment cannot be solved by men alone. It is vital to stress on the importance of population education, which refers to education on population-related problems such as family planning, reproductive health, and population growth.

Women who are empowered have better access to education, which leads to better job opportunities and higher earning potential. It also leads to improved financial inclusion for women, including access to credit and saving programmes. This will also help women start and expand their businesses and improve their livelihoods. 

Women empowerment programmes can help women hone their skills to start and manage a business or get better job opportunities. Moreover, when women are empowered, they get access to better job opportunities as well as resources and services that help improve livelihoods. 

Financial Independence and its Fight Against Poverty

Access to livelihood can help fight poverty in India. Poverty not only affects the individual’s standard of living but affects the country’s overall economic growth. By creating livelihood opportunities, people can earn a sustainable income, and reduce poverty levels.

They can also lead to an increase in local economies, which in turn increase the overall economic growth of the country. Besides poverty and illiteracy are the two driving forces for overpopulation in India. People from poor families turn a blind eye to education as a solution to improved living standards and instead believe that the bigger the family they have, the bigger their chances to earn a livelihood. 

Livelihood opportunities need to include marginalised communities, which include scheduled castes, scheduled tribes, and other backward classes. People belonging to such communities face challenges in accessing better education and employment opportunities, which excludes them from society. The government needs to implement schemes, policies, and special programmes for skill training and entrepreneurship development. 

There needs to be proper utilisation of land; small areas of land need to be used to their maximum limit. Usage of land needs determination by the number of workers, marketing and traffic-related arrangements available and the value and quantity of a commodity, and more. In the case of wastelands and dry lands, constant improvements must be implemented to make them useful. 

Interestingly, India’s growing population presents both opportunities and challenges when it comes to creating livelihood opportunities. By focusing on the creation of new jobs, supporting entrepreneurship, developing infrastructure, and addressing inequality, we can create a more inclusive and sustainable economy that benefits everyone.

This, no doubt, requires a collective effort from both the government and private sector to ensure. Our large-population-related problems can be converted into an opportunity to maximise growth and human development.

Smile Foundation and Livelihood

Smile Foundation in its efforts toward increased livelihood opportunities is reimagining its livelihood programme, STeP, and integrating courses that best serve the current generation and their needs. Right from BFSI, digital marketing, healthcare, core employability, BPO, and retail management, every modern and relevant skill training course is provided to the youth of lower social stratum who need direction towards getting a skill-oriented livelihood.

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Livelihood

Four Reasons Why You Should Pursue a Digital Marketing Course

Four Reasons Why You Should Pursue a Digital Marketing Course
Students getting trained at a STeP centre

The 21st-century world is split into two. One is the physical world, where you touch, feel, and see things with your senses. It is tangible and has been around since time immemorial.

The second is the online world, existing on the Internet. Fortunately or unfortunately, the online world holds more value to individual and collective lives. It houses everyone’s personal, professional, and financial data and provides unprecedented insight into individuals’ thoughts and actions.

As a result, the online world is vital for businesses worldwide. With online marketing and advertising, businesses can reach their audiences in minutes, removing the logistical challenges of offline marketing.

Consequently, digital marketing and advertising offer a sea of professional opportunities. Individuals can make successful careers in marketing their client’s products and services online. Digital marketing courses are always in demand as the skill is among the most important in 2023.

What is Digital Marketing?

Digital marketing, or internet marketing, has electronic devices, like cell phones and laptops, at its core. It uses the data on these devices to market products and services of various businesses.

Marketing specialists leverage the Internet to run marketing campaigns targeted at their audiences. Unlike traditional and offline marketing, online marketing features on laptops, desktops, phones, tablets, and other electronic devices.

Digital marketing also has subcategories wherein marketers focus their attention on a tool. Search engine marketing, paid social ads, and social media posts are a few subcategories of digital marketing.

Introduction to Digital Marketing Courses

It is challenging to quantify the importance of digital marketing. With the world moving online, digital marketing holds as much value as coding, machine learning, and new-age technological skills.

Businesses are the backbone of the physical as well as the online world, and they need marketing to grow their customer base and reach new geographies. Digital marketing techniques, like Search Engine Optimisation (SEO) and paid marketing, can help them compete with the best in the industry and reach their audiences.

Digital Marketing Courses in the 21st Century

The advantages of digital marketing for businesses are there for all to see. As a result, digital marketers are in-demand, and digital marketing courses can help professionals learn the skill or update their existing knowledge. A few other reasons to choose digital marketing courses online include:

1. You Don’t Need a Degree

One of the advantages of digital marketing courses is that you don’t require an educational degree to get started. Many institutes offer digital marketing courses to freshers with no degree, while the Internet is also a valuable source for understanding the fundamentals of digital marketing.

However, a diploma in digital marketing and other courses are more valuable as they provide crucial strategies and tactics that aren’t readily available online. They can enhance individuals’ careers in digital marketing.

While a bachelor’s degree in marketing can be advantageous for securing opportunities in digital marketing post-course completion, individuals from different backgrounds can do the course and succeed.

2. Increasing Demand

The market for digital marketers is expanding daily. Digital marketing may have come a long way, but the skill still offers exponential growth opportunities for professionals. The number of internet users worldwide is only going to increase in the coming years, meaning businesses will look to connect with new audiences.

Digital marketers will hold significant value, as the influx of clients and projects will require skilled professionals. With more individuals and businesses seeking an online presence, digital marketing will become even more critical.

However, aspiring professionals must upskill regularly to capture growth opportunities in the coming years. Those possessing the latest skills and knowledge in cutting-edge strategies will attract more demand as outdated approaches become obsolete. Keeping up with new strategies can help professionals accelerate their career growth and gain access to more opportunities, making digital marketing courses useful.

3. More Income

Digital marketing courses make sense because digital marketing is a high-paying skill. Digital marketers are among the highest-paid professionals, with the future promising even better salaries.

Digital marketers earn substantial income because businesses allocate massive budgets for marketing online. Large corporations reportedly spend up to 10% of their annual revenue on digital marketing. It bodes well for digital marketers, as companies will only increase their spending on digital marketing due to increasing competition.

While it is hard to pinpoint the exact figure top digital marketers make, experienced and reputable digital marketers can earn an average annual income of over ₹20 lakhs. Therefore, those seeking career opportunities with high-income potential should consider digital marketing courses with placement.

4. Develops Creativity

Digital marketing is used in most industries and by most businesses. Companies seeking digital marketers may belong to manufacturing, retail, finance, or any other industry.

Still, a large portion of opportunities for digital marketers come from creative industries or businesses. Most bloggers, video content creators, producers, influencers, and marketing teams require help with digital marketing.

Working with creative professionals can help professionals nurture and develop their creativity. Hence, life after completing a digital marketing course can help professionals grow and develop their creative selves. The advantages of digital marketing courses are thus many.

Closing Thoughts

Digital marketing is an in-demand skill that can pay serious dividends in the long run. However, professionals must upskill regularly and adapt to changing technologies to stay ahead of the competition.

Smile Foundation following the right trends of the time is training the youth from the disadvantaged sections of society in digital marketing courses. More than 75,000 youth have been trained till now in different livelihood courses with 47,000+ youth trained in respectable brands all across India.

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Livelihood

BFSI Skilling Course Making The Banking System in India Robust

(BFSI) Skilling Course Making The Banking Industry Robust
(BFSI) Skilling Course Making The Banking Industry Robust

Anything Zerodha co-founder and True Beacon Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Nikhil Kamath says grabs attention. Zerodha is the biggest discount broker in the country. Unlike hundreds of startups in India, it has achieved profitability without raising a penny from Venture Capitalists (VCs).

Recently, Kamath shared the Recession Probabilities Worldwide 2023 data to signify the growth opportunity in India, urging citizens abroad to consider moving back to the country. According to the report, India is the only country in the world with a 0% probability of recession this year. Meanwhile, the United Kingdom (UK) and the United States (US) have 75% and 65% chances of recession, respectively.

It shows the resilience of the Indian economy, aided by several factors like domestic consumption and an increasing working class. The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) also deserves credit, with the banking system in India among the most robust worldwide.

The RBI has achieved it through innovation and increased focus on the skill gap in India. Addressing the banking skills gap was vital, as the BFSI (Banking, Financial Services, and Insurance) sector has struggled with a labour problem.

What is the BFSI sector?

The BFSI sector comprises banking, insurance, mutual funds, etc., services. It is a massive contributor to the Indian economy. With a market cap of ₹90 lakh crore as of 2022, the sector is nearly 12% of the GDP. The figure was just two percent in the 1950s, demonstrating its growing influence in the country.

How India Addressed the Gap in Banking Skills

The evolution of banking in India yielded seismic results with the introduction of the Unified Payments Interface (UPI). A banking and payment system like no other, UPI transactions have only increased month-on-month. The value of UPI transactions hit a new milestone of ₹12.98 lakh crores at the start of 2023, growing exponentially from ₹1,700 crores in January 2017.

The number will only grow bigger as smartphones and banking services become more accessible. As a result, there are tremendous opportunities in the BFSI sector. India has a robust banking education system to rely on.

The Indian government, RBI, and various financial institutions have launched many skilling courses to take the banking industry to new heights.

Insurance Institute of India (III) Initiatives

Insurance penetration in India is still less than global peers, making it a significant growth driver for the BFSI sector. Consequently, the Insurance Institute of India (III) offers several courses to prepare enough skilled professionals to meet the growing demand.

The courses offered provide individuals with the required knowledge and skills to work as insurance agents, underwriters, and claims adjusters. From insurance law and risk management to insurance products, the courses cover every facet of the insurance industry.

Depending on the specific role, the salary as a working professional in the insurance sector in India is lucrative and will only increase in the coming years.

National Institute of Securities Markets (NISM)

The Indian equity market has seen unprecedented growth in Demat accounts since the COVID-19 pandemic. With disposable income and the need for alternate investment options, Indians plunged into the capital markets.

The number of active investors and traders in the country has grown significantly, but there’s still room for tremendous growth. As a result, the National Institute of Securities Markets (NISM) has tweaked its course offerings to help professionals achieve their stockbroking dreams and cater to the upcoming demand.

NISM addresses the skill gap in India’s equity markets by arming students with the knowledge of equity, mutual funds, and investments. Professionals can take NISM courses and work within the industry as stockbrokers, mutual fund managers, and investment advisors.

Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA)

The CFA program addresses another banking skill gap in India. For years, India struggled to produce investment bankers, portfolio managers, and financial analysts. However, thanks to CFA, the country now has thousands of CFA professionals capable of driving businesses forward with their understanding of business finance.

The CFA program helps individuals learn investment banking, portfolio management, and financial analysis. After completing CFA, individuals can join asset management companies (AMCs) and investment banking divisions of various banks.

Bankers’ Business Process Services (BBPS) Program

The evolution of the banking system in India has been rapid, but some services, like customer service and banking operations, remain evergreen. The BBPS program offers individuals training in essential services, helping them work as customer service executives, back-office executives, and data entry operators.

Pradhan Mantri Kaushal Vikas Yojana (PMKVY)

The Pradhan Mantri Kaushal Vikas Yojana (PMKVY) is a Government of India (GOI) initiative to arm the population with the necessary industry skills. The program has been instrumental in the BFSI sector, providing training and certification to individuals in necessary banking services.

Consistency is the Next Frontier

The Indian Government and financial institutions in the country have worked tirelessly to create a robust working class having the necessary banking skills. It has taken the country to new heights, but the journey from here to the next goal will require consistency.

RBI and financial institutions in India must nurture talent consistently to help grow the BFSI sector and take India close to the five trillion economy dream.

Smile Foundation and BFSI Training

Smile Foundation‘s livelihood initiative, STeP is focused on BFSI skilling as one of its core training modules. The programme makes the youth lead dignified lives through skilling, upskilling and employment opportunities in more than 400 respectable brands spread all across India.

Karuna Jadhav, Regional Officer (STeP Programme), Pune started off with Smile Foundation as a GDA trainer through a partnership with NGO Matoshree Sevadham Arogya Seva Trust (MAST). She soon branched out into BFSI Training wherein she trained 4 batches in Mumbai, Maharashtra between 2022-23. Karuna was found capable enough to spearhead region-based work and was promoted to the role of a Regional Officer in April 2023.

Starting off her journey as a teacher and football coach at Cambridge English School at the young age of 18, Karuna says, ” I like how working with a nonprofit opens up infinite possibilities. Branching out into different things like understanding the needs of individual beneficiaries, getting in-depth into the banking system of India to be able to teach better, interacting with donors, gaining insight into the management of projects, etc. always keep things interesting for me. I can proudly say that this place allowed me to dream more than my imagination.”

The STeP programme believes in the holistic growth of all involved. The programme cares equally about its beneficiaries and trainers to ensure that everyone benefits and enriches their lives phenomenally.

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In The Spotlight Education

Music and Its Magic to Transform Us

Music and Its Magic to Transform Us
Ananya Birla singing at one of Smile Foundation's centres

Music is a universal language that transcends cultural boundaries and speaks directly to the human soul. Beyond its aesthetic appeal and entertainment value, music holds a profound influence on our cognitive, emotional, and social development.

Let’s briefly delve into the captivating world of music as a powerful tool for learning and self-expression, presenting a compelling blend of data, research, and intriguing facts that highlight the transformative impact of melodies and rhythms.

Numerous studies have demonstrated the positive effects of music on learning and cognitive abilities. Here are some key findings:

The Mozart Effect

The “Mozart Effect” refers to the temporary improvement in spatial-temporal reasoning after listening to classical music, particularly compositions by Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart. Researchers suggest that the intricate patterns and harmonies in Mozart’s music activate brain regions responsible for abstract thinking and problem-solving.

Memory Retention

Music shows to improve memory retention and recall. The rhythm and melody in songs create a mnemonic device that aids in information encoding and retrieval. This phenomenon is often utilized in educational settings to help students remember complex concepts, such as the multiplication tables set to catchy tunes.

Language Development

Listening to and creating music as a learning medium can facilitate language development, especially in children. The rhythmic patterns and repetition found in music enhance phonological awareness, vocabulary acquisition, and pronunciation skills. Furthermore, singing can enhance speech production and fluency in individuals with speech disorders.

Emotional Expression and Well-being

Music possesses an incredible ability to evoke emotions, making it a valuable outlet for self-expression and emotional well-being. Consider the following insights:

Engaging with music is found to regulate emotions by modulating physiological responses, such as heart rate and blood pressure. Playing or listening to music can help individuals manage stress, anxiety, and depression. Certain genres, like classical and ambient music, are particularly effective in inducing relaxation and a sense of calm.

Music Therapy as a Learning Medium

Music therapy has emerged as a recognized form of treatment in various clinical settings. By utilizing music, trained therapists assist individuals in expressing and processing emotions, reducing pain perception, and improving overall quality of life. Music therapy has proven beneficial for patients with autism spectrum disorder, Alzheimer’s disease, and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).

Mood Enhancement

The release of endorphins, often referred to as “feel-good” hormones, is triggered by listening to enjoyable music. Upbeat rhythms and catchy melodies elevate mood, increase motivation, and enhance productivity. Music is commonly used as a motivational tool in sports, exercise routines, and workplaces.

Cultural Bridge

Music transcends cultural and linguistic barriers, allowing people from diverse backgrounds to connect and appreciate each other’s traditions. Global music festivals and collaborations showcase the power of music in promoting intercultural understanding and unity.

Collective Experience

Attending live music concerts or participating in group musical activities creates a sense of belonging and community. Singing in choirs, playing in bands, or dancing together strengthens social bonds and promotes teamwork. Shared musical experiences can evoke a profound sense of camaraderie and mutual support.

Empathy and Emotional Contagion

Listening to music can induce empathy by triggering mirror neurons in our brains. Mirror neurons enable us to experience emotions vicariously, leading to a heightened sense of compassion and understanding. This emotional contagion is often observed in concerts or when individuals share their favorite songs with others.

Fun Facts:

  • Playing a musical instrument improves hand-eye coordination and fine motor skills.
  • Learning to play music at a young age is linked to higher IQ scores.
  • Songs with a tempo of around 60 beats per minute can synchronize with our resting heart rate, inducing a calming effect.
  • Singing in a group can increase levels of oxytocin, a hormone associated with bonding and trust.

Deepening Understandings: Music as a Learning Medium

Music serves as a remarkable pathway for learning, self-expression, and connecting with others. The impact of music as a learning medium on cognitive abilities, emotional well-being, and social cohesion cannot be overstated.

Whether we listen, create, or engage with music, we unlock a world of possibilities that enriches our lives in countless ways. So, let’s embrace the melodies and rhythms that reverberate within us and allow music to shape our learning journey and foster deep emotional connections.

Smile Foundation wants a world where children thrive. Organising music concerts and workshops, we cater to the artistic and soulful needs of children from marginalised communities in India, apart from their education and skilling essentials.

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Livelihood Health

GDAs And Technology Closing The Healthcare Gap in India

Cloud-based Learning in Livelihood Programmes
Cloud-based Learning in Livelihood Programmes

The COVID-19 pandemic devastated India, causing thousands of deaths and revealing a serious lack of public health infrastructure. Leaving metro cities aside, the majority of the country doesn’t have a public healthcare structure to rely on. Private hospitals are also few and far in Tier 2 and 3 cities, with the situation worse in rural India.

The lack of public healthcare causes maternal mortality, infant mortality, and malnutrition, with life expectancy and low vaccination rates also low in rural India. It is a concerning issue as more than 70% of the country resides in rural India, yet receives less than 30% of resources for health infrastructure.

Lack of Skilled Medical Professionals

India’s population demands a significant increase in the number of healthcare professionals. The healthcare skill gap in India is felt in every corner, but rural India faces bigger problems.

India has 0.7 doctors and 1.5 nurses per 1,000 people, well below the World Health Organisation (WHO) average of 2.5 doctors and nurses per 1,000 individuals. The country has a shortage of 10 lakh doctors and 20 lakh nurses, with 1.5 lakh nurses and 50,000 doctors needed in Intensive Care Units (ICU) in the coming year.

The need is especially urgent in rural areas as the population doesn’t have access to basic housing and water needs, compounding their problems.

The Government of India (GOI) has tried to address the biggest gaps in healthcare by opening 157 new nursing colleges. Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharam announced it in her Budget 2023 speech. The new nursing colleges would be set up in co-locations with the 157 existing medical colleges the government set up since 2014.

However, increasing the number of students in medical and nursing colleges can only help close part of the healthcare skill gap in India. The country needs a specialised and highly trained workforce of healthcare professionals to reduce mortality rates.

The role of GDAs (General Duty Assistants)

The introduction of General Duty Assistants by the healthcare sector skill council can help mitigate a few critical gaps in healthcare. Patient care is vital as their comfort can help them recover quickly.

General Duty Assistants can help significantly, providing quality care to patients. GDAs are taught how to provide basic nursing care and manage patients, with their training laying special emphasis on empathetic and ethical behaviour. They work closely with doctors, nurses, and other healthcare professionals, learning the ropes of the field.

A GDA course is an excellent option for students aspiring to have a career in hospitals and nursing home settings. Given the rise in India’s population and the gap in healthcare infrastructure, GDAs will find plenty of employment options.

However, upskilling is equally vital, as over 70 million Indians are expected to enter the labour force by 2023. Many will dream about a career in the healthcare domain, making it a competitive space.

Skill development through experience in hospitals and various departments can add credibility to GDAs’ profiles.

Technology as a Solution for Healthcare Skill Gap in India

Experts searching for how to close the gap in healthcare have found the answer in technology. Various new-age technological tools are helping doctors in better diagnosis, treatment, and patient care.

MedTech is an entirely new discipline to help improve patient outcomes and enhance the efficiency of healthcare services. It includes medical devices, software, and digital health solutions. It can revolutionise healthcare in India, bridging the healthcare skill gap, improving access to healthcare services, and enhancing the quality of patient care.

Medical devices such as diagnostic tools, imaging equipment, and monitoring devices can help healthcare professionals diagnose and treat patients accurately and efficiently. These devices can also reduce the workload of healthcare professionals and improve patient outcomes.

Digital health solutions such as telemedicine can also come in handy. Telemedicine allows healthcare professionals to provide medical consultations and advice to patients remotely. It can be particularly useful in rural areas of India, where access to healthcare services is limited.

Patients in rural India can connect with experts in different parts of India and find solutions to their medical problems. With the use of digital health solutions such as telemedicine, patients in remote or underserved areas can receive medical consultations and advice from healthcare professionals without having to travel long distances. This can help improve access to healthcare services and reduce the burden on healthcare facilities in urban areas.

Training and education to healthcare professionals is another way MedTech can help bridge the healthcare skill gap in India. Medical technology companies can provide training and education programs to healthcare professionals on the use of medical devices and digital health solutions. This can help healthcare professionals develop the skills and knowledge they need to deliver quality care.

Closing thoughts

MedTech and GDA courses can drive the innovation envisioned by the NSDC healthcare sector skill council. They can help healthcare professionals take better care of their patients, and focus on developing new and innovative treatment methods. All will reduce the mortality rate in the country.

MedTech companies can play a central role in the research and development domain, developing new and innovative solutions and passing on the knowledge to GDAs.

GDA training is one of the most important elements of Smile Foundation’s livelihood initiative, STeP (Smile Twin e-Learning Programme). 75000 youth have been trained, out of which 47000 have been placed in 400 respectable brands across India till now. You can also step up and change the lives of youth from underserved communities so that they can start contributing toward their own and the nation’s economic independence.

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Education Insights

Differently-abled Children and The Education System of India

Differently-abled Children and The Education System of India
Differently-abled Children and The Education System of India

The education system in India, for a long time, has ignored the needs of differently-abled children. Whether it is the infrastructural support or creating an inclusive classroom environment, the schools have found themselves ill-equipped for differently-abled children. However, various government policies for the disabled in India have tried to address this issue over the years.

Policies for Persons with Disabilities

The Indian government has implemented several policies aimed at helping disabled students access education. This helps them to succeed in academic and professional settings. Some of the key policies include–

The Rights of Persons with Disabilities Act, 2016: This legislation replaced the Persons with Disabilities (Equal Opportunities, Protection of Rights and Full Participation) Act, of 1995 and provides a comprehensive framework for the protection of rights and entitlements of persons with disabilities, including access to education.

Inclusive Education for Disabled at Secondary Stage (IEDSS): This centrally sponsored scheme provides financial assistance to states and union territories to support the education of students with disabilities in secondary schools.

National Scholarships Portal: The government has created a centralised portal to enable students with disabilities to apply for various scholarships and financial assistance programs.

Assistive Technology: The government has initiated several programs to promote the use of assistive technology, such as screen readers and braille displays, to support the education of students with disabilities.

These are some of the policies for persons with disabilities. Apart from this, there are various initiatives taken on an individual level by schools, non-governmental organisations, etc. for the betterment and benefit of differently-abled children. The Indian government has also taken many initiatives in the same direction.

The RPWD Act 2016 has also been revised over the years to make it more comprehensive. The act expanded the list from seven to twenty-one conditions, adding cerebral palsy, dwarfism, muscular dystrophy, acid attack survivors, hard of hearing, speech and language disability, specific learning disabilities, etc.

Budget for Disabled Persons

While there are various initiatives to improve access to education for the differently-abled, the budget allocation in this direction needs reimagination. The Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment’s (MSJE) Department of Empowerment and Welfare of Persons with Disabilities (DEPwD) received INR 1,225 crore in FY 2023–24, representing 0.027 percent of the overall budget. The overall expenditure in FY 2023–24 increased by about 7.5% in comparison to the prior year, however, the DEPwD expenditure only climbed by 1%. An improvement but more needs to be done.

Budgetary allocation for disabled-friendly government policies and schemes in India is crucial. It ensures the implementation of inclusive policies that benefit the disabled community. These allocations are essential to provide accessible infrastructure, education, healthcare, and employment opportunities to people with disabilities. 

Additionally, budgetary support helps in promoting research and development of assistive technology, which can significantly improve the quality of life for people with disabilities. By investing in disability-friendly policies and schemes, the government can create a more inclusive society and empower people with disabilities to live independently and with dignity.

A strong budgetary allocation can also ensure better programs for persons with disabilities. This can be a game changer for a country like India which is set to become the most populated in the world. A large population also means an equally big number of differently-abled people and children as per the proportion of the population. According to some estimates, out of the total population of the country in 2021, 2.21% were differently-abled.

Investments into Inclusivity

While there are limitations, the picture is not all gloomy when it comes to investment in this area. India has made significant investments in recent years to benefit people with disabilities. In 2021-22, the Union Budget allocated Rs. 3,000 crores to the Department of Empowerment of Persons with Disabilities (DEPwD) to support various programs for the welfare of people with disabilities. 

The government has also launched several schemes such as the Accessible India Campaign, Sugamya Bharat Abhiyan, and Samarth Scheme, which aim to create a barrier-free environment, promote skill development, and provide employment opportunities for people with disabilities. 

The government has also established several institutions like the National Institute of Rehabilitation Training and Research (NIRTAR) and the Composite Regional Centre (CRC) to provide rehabilitation services and skill development training to people with disabilities. Overall, the investments made by the Indian government demonstrate its commitment to promoting the welfare and inclusion of people with disabilities in all spheres of life.

Differently-abled in Education

Providing educational opportunities for disabled children is crucial as it can help them develop the skills necessary to lead independent and fulfilling lives. Education can empower them to contribute positively to society, become financially self-sufficient, and achieve their full potential.

However, disabled children often face significant barriers to accessing quality education due to the lack of accessible infrastructure, trained teachers, and appropriate curriculum. 

To ensure inclusive education for disabled children, schools and educational institutions must be equipped with appropriate infrastructure, including wheelchair accessibility, ramps, and elevators. Additionally, teachers must receive specialized training to support the unique learning needs of disabled children, including the use of assistive technology and alternative teaching methods. 

The curriculum must also be designed to accommodate the learning needs of disabled children, with a focus on developing their communication, cognitive, and social skills. Inclusive education can also promote social inclusion by fostering friendships and reducing the stigma associated with disability. Providing educational opportunities for disabled children requires a collaborative effort between the government, educational institutions, and the community. 

The government must allocate adequate resources to support inclusive education. Educational institutions and the community must work together to create a supportive and inclusive environment for disabled children. Government policies for disabled in India are a must. By prioritizing inclusive education, we can create a more equitable society and empower disabled children to reach their full potential.

Initiatives Taken

India has taken several initiatives to create an inclusive education environment for differently-abled children in the last few years. The Sarva Shiksha Abhiyan program ensures access to education for all children, including those with disabilities. The Right to Education Act mandates inclusive education for children with disabilities in mainstream schools. 

The Samagra Shiksha Abhiyan program aims to improve the quality of education for children with disabilities by providing special education teachers and assistive devices. The Accessible India Campaign promotes accessibility in educational institutions, including ramps, elevators, and accessible toilets. Additionally, the Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment provides scholarships to differently-abled students to ensure their access to higher education. 

India’s Commitment To Do More

These initiatives demonstrate India’s commitment to creating an inclusive education environment for differently-abled children. As we move forward, we must stick to our commitment to providing inclusive education, so that the differently-abled children can also flourish and stand shoulder to shoulder with everyone else.

Categories
Livelihood

Designing the Life You Love: Livelihood First

Are Core Skills Important in the 21st Century?
Are Core Skills Important in the 21st Century?

In today’s rapidly changing world, it is essential for young individuals to think creatively and design the life they love. However, the youth from marginalised communities in India face significant challenges in terms of unemployment or underemployment. It is due to a lack of qualifications and training. 

To address this issue, many nonprofits and other organisations are dedicated to transforming the lives of these young individuals by providing industry exposure, career counseling, placement support, and post-placement assistance.

Live the Life You Love: Unlocking Your Potential

Living a life you love entails pursuing your passions, exploring your strengths, and aligning your career with your personal goals. However, many youths in India find themselves trapped in jobs that do not fulfill them, primarily due to a lack of opportunities or skills. 

The livelihood programme, STeP (Smile Twin e-Learning Programme) initiated by Smile Foundation aims to change this narrative by empowering young individuals to think creatively and discover their true potential. By providing them with industry exposure, the programme gives valuable exposure to participants to various sectors with significant growth potential, allowing them to explore and identify career paths that align with their interests and aspirations.

Creativity alone is not enough; it must be combined with strategic thinking to achieve tangible results. STeP instills strategic thinking skills in participants, enabling them to navigate challenges, identify opportunities, and build successful livelihoods.

Skill Development and Upskilling: Steps to Live The Life You Love

One of the key components of the livelihood programme is skill development and upskilling. The staggering youth population in India possesses immense talent and potential, but without the necessary qualifications and training, they often face barriers to entering the job market. 

STeP bridges this gap by providing comprehensive training to equip participants with the required skills and knowledge. Through workshops, vocational training, and practical experience, young individuals gain valuable insights and enhance their employability.

STeP recognises the importance of thinking creatively and encourages participants to develop an entrepreneurial mindset. By nurturing their innovative thinking and problem-solving abilities, the programme inspires young individuals to create their own opportunities and contribute to the country’s economic growth. 

Through mentorship and guidance, participants learn to think outside the box, identify market gaps, and develop sustainable business models.

Industry Exposure and Career Counseling

To succeed in their chosen careers, young individuals require industry exposure and guidance. The livelihood programme provides participants with valuable opportunities to interact with professionals from different sectors. 

This exposure enables them to gain insights into industry practices, understand market trends, and build networks that can prove instrumental in their career development. Moreover, career counseling sessions assist participants in making informed decisions about their career paths, ensuring they choose fields that align with their skills and interests.

The impact of STeP extends beyond individual lives; it reaches entire communities. Discover how the initiative fosters a culture of collaboration, community support, and shared growth. 

We focus on the ripple effect created by empowering individuals to design the life they love. This leads to sustainable change at the grassroots level.

Sustaining Success

Securing employment is just the beginning of the journey toward a fulfilling career. STeP extends its support beyond placement by providing post-placement assistance to participants. 

This support includes mentoring, monitoring, and follow-up sessions to ensure participants smoothly transition into their new roles. Additionally, the programme fosters a sense of community among participants, allowing them to share experiences, seek guidance, and continue their professional development even after securing employment.

Designing the life you love is not an elusive dream but an attainable reality. Through our livelihood programme, individuals are empowered to think creatively, embrace their passions, and chart their own course to success. 

Join this transformative journey of self-discovery, personal empowerment, and community development through livelihood preparation of the Indian Youth.

Categories
Education

Breaking the Illusion of Knowledge: The Ugly Side of Internet

Teacher's Day: Smile Foundation
Students happy with their teacher

Knowing that ‘you don’t know much’ is the mark of a person ready to learn. However, the online (internet, social media) era has ushered in a time where everyone knows something about everything without actually having proper knowledge of most topics.

Information on anything is a click away. Access to a lot of information or easy accessibility to information does not amount to being knowledgeable, it just creates an illusion of knowledge. 

The Good and Bad of the Internet 

The Internet has done a ton of good for humanity, bringing knowledge, books, and scholarly articles from one part of the world to another. That too without any expense, to your fingertip. It has connected people via social media, made cultural integration easy, travel convenient, and learning effortless. A research paper from Harvard Law School can be accessed by a law student in India maybe for a nominal price. 

However, there is a flip side to the internet. The information that is available on the internet and on social media posts or forwards may be false, misleading, and unverified. The fake news has created a menace in society, misleading and inciting people into committing acts of violence and developing feelings of hatred.  

Experts say that manipulative actors will use new digital tools to take advantage of humans’ inbred preference for comfort and convenience and their craving for the answers they find in reinforcing echo chambers rather than giving them actual truth, facts, and knowledge. 

The Knowledge Illusion: Curse of the Online Era

Let us first understand the terms knowledge and illusion individually. 

  • In simpler terms, the Oxford Learner’s Dictionary defines knowledge as the information, understanding, and skills that you gain through education or experience. 

So having knowledge of something or a subject is more than acquiring information from the internet or on WhatsApp forwards. It’s about a personal experience of the thing that involves study, learning, deliberation, and intuition. For example, everyone driving a car if asked whether they know how a car works, would immediately access the know-how from a simple internet search but that would be superficial. However, we can for sure say that a car mechanic certainly has knowledge about cars. 

  • Illusion is a gap between perception and reality.  According to the Cambridge University dictionary, an illusion is an idea or belief that is not true or something that is not really what it seems to be.

Thus, the illusion of knowledge is a bias in favor of knowing a thing, a subject, or a concept when actually we may not really know it. The illusion of knowledge psychology study, vis-a-vis the effect of the internet has shown that searching the internet for information may make people feel smarter than they actually are.

Studies have proven that people tend to overestimate their knowledge based on the information that they are able to access online. Studies have shown that ready access to external source information is confused with actual personal knowledge. 

False Information Channels

The number of graduates from the infamously named WhatsApp University is increasing by the day. The only requirement for admission is a fully functioning smartphone with good data packs. The internet has made us lazy. We can find a one-liner answer to anything immediately on the internet without actually indulging in a little more study. 

Giving a two-word answer to every kind of inconsistent weather behavior i.e. global warming without actually knowing what is global warming or what is the actual reason for such an inconsistent weather pattern is the norm nowadays.

Researchers state that the convenience of getting quick and easy answers in an instant, on demand might be making us overconfident in our own abilities. The price of zipping among lots of bits of information is a loss of depth in our thinking.

Stephen Hawking was a renowned physicist, best known for his discovery that black holes emit radiation, once said, “The greatest enemy of knowledge is not ignorance, it is an illusion of knowledge.” 

Sincerity in Learning: A Life-long Retention of Knowledge 

Internet and social media have made accessibility to a plethora of knowledge just a search away. Students or adults access these in order to get ready and quick answers rather than actually understanding the concept or the phenomenon. 

If a student is asked, “How does a car move?” These days they will probably look it up on Google. The first answer is “Specifically, an internal-combustion engine is a heat engine in that it converts energy from the heat of burning gasoline into mechanical work, or torque. That torque is applied to the wheels to make the car move.”

Few more clicks and they will have a working idea of how the car moves, never to go forward into more details such as laws of motion, friction, and force. In a few days, they will forget the same. 

The catch is that when our brain knows that it can access something again easily then it tends not to store and retain it. Online studies and exams make cheating easy and the kids, knowing that they don’t have to work hard to get good grades, might avoid doing as much work as possible.

On the other hand, students going to schools will have to work hard and sincerely to earn grades because they have oversight of teachers and parents. In exams, they cannot cheat and they will have to actually read the books, visit libraries and make physical notes. This makes learning more tangible and real. It fosters sincerity.  

Learning Thoroughly: The Answer to Breaking The Illusion of Knowledge

Learning through a click is more short-lived than learning by doing and reading. While online learning, if done rightly and sincerely can be helpful as it saves time, connects with peer groups, and gives access to repositories of knowledge from across the world. However, it cannot replace offline learning. 

Offline learning enables interaction with fellow students in a real-time environment. Questions and answers will happen instantly with follow-up queries and one-to-one feedback. Teachers will be there to solve your queries instantly in an engaging and sensitive manner with the required amount of human emotions. 

It would be more reliable. Save students from all fake news, misinformation, doctored narratives, and propaganda. The student will access books and visit libraries to learn more and have in-depth knowledge. This will also reduce strain on the eyes due to all the screen time. 

So the right amount of balance has to be struck between offline and online learning. Less reliance on easy methods and more learning from libraries. After all, actual knowledge is the only way forward for humans, societies, and their growth rather than the illusion of it.

Smile Foundation and The Foundation of Knowledge

With Shiksha Na Ruke, Smile Foundation is trying to bring every child back to school and continue their journey of education. The purpose is to promote and make education more accessible among underserved children in rural and urban India. The emphasis is on imparting the kind of quality education that makes children become truly knowledgeable by finding ways of applying their intellect for purposes and reasons that further the cause of humanity.

Categories
Insights Women Empowerment

The Pronoun ‘she’ and Its Role in Women Empowerment

What do women in developing countries need the most?
What do women in developing countries need the most?

Gender inequality isn’t new. History books are packed with stories of women suffering physical, mental, and emotional damage due to the assumed higher importance of their opposite gender. Men used prevailing societal norms that saw them as the torchbearers of humanity to commit widespread atrocities on women, keeping them within four walls. As society evolved and education became mainstream, the bubble burst, and women’s rights became a central issue. Significant progress in gender equality and women’s empowerment is felt, using the pronoun ‘she’ is seen as the final piece of the jigsaw.

Pronouns: Gender Equality and Women’s Empowerment

Language is a fundamental part of our lives. It’s as essential as the air around us, helping communicate our needs, problems, and ideas and making life easier.

However, the English language was also biased towards men for years. The masculine pronoun ‘he’ has been and still is the default pronoun for both sexes. From media to books and government records, ‘he’ is used for everyone, including women.

The world has changed, but using ‘he’ even today suggests the deep roots of patriarchal norms still dominate society. It’s unfair to men, as it marginalises them and doesn’t honour their hard work and contribution to humanity’s good.

Using pronouns is a small but important step toward gender equality and women empowerment. ‘She’ replacing ‘he’ can break the traditional gender hierarchy and create a more inclusive language. Reading ‘she’ in books, media stories, and government records can demonstrate women are central to humanity and help millions of young girls.

Pronouns can also help counter gender stereotypes. Widespread use of ‘she’ and its mainstreaming can dissolve differences between genders, allowing ideas, innovations, and conversations to flow fluidly.

This can promote a more positive image of women in society, which can positively impact the self-esteem of women and girls. They’d feel valued when hearing themselves referred to as ‘she’. This may encourage them to break stereotypes professionally or academically.

‘She’ is a powerful tool that can propel nations forward. Happy and included females can bring positive change through their work and inspire millions of young girls.

They can also motivate non-binary and gender non-conforming individuals to strive harder for their rights and the chance to speak. But breaking down the gender binary is essential for it. This is where the ‘she’ pronoun can come in handy.

India and Women Equality

India’s growth shows no signs of stopping. The country has moved up the global economic ladder rapidly since 2015, overtaking Brazil, the United Kingdom (UK), Russia, Italy, and France in terms of Gross Domestic Product (GDP). Soon, India may leave behind Germany and become the fourth-largest economy in the world.

However, India still has major issues in several areas, including gender equality and women’s empowerment. India ranked 135th out of 146 countries in gender parity terms on World Economic Forum (WEF)’s annual Gender Gap Report 2022.

The country’s cultural and societal norms act as a stumbling block. The boy child is still preferred by Indian parents, with girls lacking the same opportunity as their male siblings in rural India.

Fortunately, the Indian government has launched initiatives to change the scenario and bring more inclusivity to Indian households. The Beti Bachao, Beti Padhao (BBBP) scheme is one of several efforts by the Government addressing the role of education in women empowerment.

‘She’ Pronoun in India

With an Internet user base of over 800 million, India is the centrepiece of societal change. The ‘She’ pronoun wave reached India simultaneously with the West, with women highlighting the importance of gender equality.

The Indian government, to its credit, has been modern in its approach and welcomed the usage of the ‘She’ pronoun in India. It made legislative history at the end of 2022, using the pronouns “She” and “Her” for genders in the draft Digital Personal Data Protection Bill, 2022.

Tweeting on the change, India’s Communications Minister, Ashwini Vaishnaw, said, “We have attempted in the philosophy of women’s empowerment that Prime Minister Narendra Modi ji’s government works to use the words she and her in the entire bill, instead of he, him and his. So this is an innovative thing which has been attempted in the bill.”

The move didn’t receive enough attention, partly due to the controversial nature of the bill and the opposition’s views. However, it is a step forward and syncs perfectly with the government’s “Beti Bachao Beti Padhao” campaign and similar women’s empowerment programs in India.

Still, A Long Way to Go

Using the ‘She’ pronoun on a government bill is a revolutionary step demonstrating the government knows the importance of gender equality in development. However, it is the first in several measures to transform the Indian patriarchal society.

Unfair gender stereotypes still exist in India and cause significant mental, physical, and financial trauma to women. The Indian government must stay determined in women empowerment efforts to address these problems. It must promote inclusivity and empower women and girls to see themselves as equal members of society.

Smile Foundation and Women Empowerment

Smile Foundation’s aim is to address the concern through a simple but effective approach involving the community. Through innovative community practices, the programme seeks to make the marginalised and socially-excluded women and adolescent girls realise their inner strength and individual and collective self-esteem.

The women empowerment programme, Swabhiman aims to enhance their access to basic healthcare, nutrition, and knowledge about the different government schemes and bring an overall improvement in the quality of their lives. Potential women entrepreneurs are identified and supported with dedicated programmes to build an ecosystem for them to progress and excel.

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