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Education

Let Children Decide!

Let Children Decide
Three Friends Laughing Together On Their Way To School

Children learn how to make good decisions by making decisions, not by following directions.

Alfie Kohn

Raising children is a complicated, demanding yet fulfilling, and happy job. A child’s safety, health, and future are paramount to parents. So parenting becomes complicated when a child must be given the space to decide for herself. 

A certain level of autonomy instills a child’s self-confidence. This nurtures creativity and innovation. Therefore, let children decide! The question is how to find a balance between the freedom and responsibilities of a child. 

The world needs smart innovators who can solve Earth’s problems in a sustainable manner. Our Constitution rightly puts on its citizens a duty to develop scientific temper, humanism, and the spirit of inquiry and reform. 

We can raise children who are inquisitive, innovative are creative thinkers. To achieve this a child requires a loving, nurtured, trustworthy and stress-free environment where she can express herself without fear and judgment. 

Parenting Styles

Parents may be unaware and unconscious of the parenting style they have adopted for their children. However, experts have classified parenting styles into four categories i.e., authoritarian (fear-based parenting), authoritative, permissive, and uninvolved.

Although in present times, parenting styles are broadly classified into two categories i.e., fear-based parenting and trust-based parenting. 

What is Fear-Based Parenting?

It comes from a place of fear of parents for the safety and well-being of their children. Parents are overprotective, so they end up forcing their wishes on the child which is secured by fear of consequences. 

Simply put, fear-based parenting is when parents use power and control to try to get their kids to comply. If children fear the consequence of not complying with the wishes of their parents, then there will be some sort of punishment.

Some parents think fear-based parenting is good and safe for children, however, there are fear-based parenting examples that tell us otherwise. Aamir Khan, Mr. Perfectionist of Bollywood, presented a superhit movie Secret Superstar, a coming-of-age story of a girl named Insia. Against the wishes of her controlling father, she wants to be a singer. So, to achieve her dreams she lies to her parents, rebels, and starts posting her singing videos anonymously. 

Another fear-based parenting example could be the tale of Casabianca taught in schools as a lesson in obedience. This noble story is about a brave, moralistic, and obedient young boy, Casabianca. As his father-captain of the ship directed, Casabianca stood his guard and did not move from the burning deck without his father’s command. 

The boy did not know that his father was already dead. The boy had a brave death. This is a story of bravery and obedience. The father’s intention was to keep the child safe but Casabianca did not move because his father told him to not move.

Effects of Fear-based Parenting

Children are impressionable; they may not be able to channel their emotions properly and express them adequately. In such a circumstance, if a child is fearful of her parents, then she may not share her concerns with them. The effects of fear-based parenting have adverse effects illustrated below: 

  1. Lack of Decision-making Skills

The child will always be dependent on their parent’s choices and decisions. She may not be able to decide what is good for herself or what the child actually wants to do. The child will always be doubtful of the decisions she will take and growing up and adulting will not be easy.

  1. Low Self Esteem

If the parent will not allow children to decide for them what game to play, or allow them to meet friends, the child’s choices and decisions will always be doubted, and rejected by the parent then such a kid will have low self-esteem.  

  1. Indiscipline 

While smaller children may not express themselves adequately, the adolescent child of such a parenting style may start rebellion at home- children might start lying, and stop sharing information such as what is going on in school. 

  1. Distrust

The child, because of fear of consequences or punishment, may not share with parents important information as to when she is in danger, having difficulties at school, etc. 

  1. Health Disorders 

A 2018 study found parental control or fear-based parenting to be associated with higher odds of, depression, anxiety, eating and behavioral disorders, agoraphobia, and alcohol misuse. 

  1. The Child Fears the Parent

One of the most negative outcomes of fear-based parenting is that the child feels afraid of the parent instead of being loved by them. Therefore, look out for signs a child is scared of their parents.

Such signs could be not talking to parents, and staying away from parents’ sight as much as possible. Lying when something wrong has happened. The child could develop stress both physical and emotional stress. 

Trust-Based Parenting and Autonomy

So, fear-based parenting may be able to keep your child safe, however, it may also put them in danger. It may not prepare them for adult life and real-time scenarios when the parent will not always be around to protect the child. Therefore, parents must put some trust in their children and let them decide.  

As opposed to fear-based parenting, parents must put some trust in their children and the decisions they make. Giving some autonomy to children will instill in them confidence. Children will make mistakes but they will learn from them too. 

Autonomy does not mean independence, it means having oversight over children while they make decisions in their own limited sphere. For example, allow your child to choose what art/science project she wants to make or at what time she could invite friends over, etc. 

Guide them into taking decisions however avoid micromanaging. This will also teach your children how to overcome the fear of growing up. 

How to Overcome the Fear of Growing up

Change is the only constant. Growing up involves a lot of physical, emotional, and physiological changes. Kids may feel unequipped and insecure because growing up would mean making decisions for themselves. This is where parents need to find the right balance between fear-based parenting and trust-based parenting.

Too much control and fear of consequences will cause stress and other problems as stated above, however, giving unregulated autonomy may put children in unsafe situations. Prepare them for adulthood and real-life scenarios. Fear is not all that bad, it is also a good emotion because it keeps us safe from dangerous places, people, and circumstances.

Parents should allow their children to sometimes suffer the consequences of bad choices. You cannot be present everywhere to protect them. This will train them for adult life. Basic life skills such as cooking, cleaning, driving, going to banks, social skills, and doing daily chores must be cultivated in them. 

As that can help them in their day-to-day life. This all must be done in an engaging and joyful manner.  For example, a business game like monopoly can teach them how to manage money. 

Finally, the children when equipped with decision-making skills, have experience facing the consequences of bad choices and adequate basic life skills. From bad decisions, they will learn to make good decisions.

Smile Foundation Helping Create A World of Educated Children

Smile Foundation through its flagship programme, Mission Education (ME) is trying to make a measurable and long-lasting impact on the lives of lacs of children from lower-income households. These children are not letting their socioeconomic conditions limit them. If you want to learn the stories of these children, get in touch with us here!

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Partnerships Partners In Change Uncategorized

CSR: Creating An Equal World Through Partnerships

CSR: Creating An Equal World Through Partnerships
A Smile Beneficiary Teaching Her Younger Sibling To Write

Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) has emerged as a powerful mechanism for driving social change. It allows companies to contribute meaningfully to society while funding crucial development projects in areas such as education, healthcare, rural infrastructure, and more.

While corporate philanthropy has long existed in India, CSR has formalized the process. Under the Companies Act, it is now mandatory for eligible businesses to allocate a portion of their profits towards social development initiatives. This framework ensures consistency, accountability, and broader impact.

One of CSR’s most significant contributions is that it has created opportunities for grassroots NGOs to access funding. These small but impactful organisations are now able to scale their work through partnerships with corporations. On the other side, companies benefit by engaging with trusted organisations that are deeply rooted in communities and equipped to implement effective programmes.

This ecosystem of strategic CSR partnerships ensures that social initiatives are implemented efficiently while also contributing to long-term business value.

What Is CSR?

The full form of CSR is Corporate Social Responsibility. As defined by the United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO), CSR is “a management concept whereby companies integrate social and environmental concerns in their business operations and interactions with stakeholders.”

In simpler terms, it refers to a company’s commitment to balancing economic, environmental, and social goals—also known as the Triple Bottom Line approach.

While the concept of CSR began evolving in the 1950s and 60s, it gained momentum globally in the 1990s and 2000s. According to a 2017 KPMG survey, only 35% of the world’s largest 250 companies were reporting their CSR efforts in 1999. This number grew to 45% in 2002, 64% in 2005, and over 80% by 2008. From 2011 onwards, over 90% of these companies consistently report their CSR work.

CSR in India: A Legal Mandate

India became the first country in the world to mandate CSR through the Companies Act, 2013. The law requires qualifying companies to spend 2% of their average net profit on CSR activities each financial year.

Since this mandate came into effect, the impact has been remarkable. In FY 2020–21, over 18,000 Indian companies collectively spent more than ₹25,000 crore on CSR projects across 14 focus areas, including rural development, education, health, environment, and more.

For businesses, CSR is not just about compliance. It is about giving back to the community they operate in and contributing to the social fabric that supports their success.

The Role of Partnerships in CSR Success

Effective CSR implementation depends heavily on collaborations with the right partners—be it NGOs, government bodies, or community-based organisations. While corporates may have the funds, they often lack the on-ground expertise to carry out large-scale development initiatives.

This is where partnerships become vital. For example, a company based in Mumbai can support flood relief efforts in rural Assam by partnering with a local NGO that understands the region’s specific needs. Similarly, CSR funds can support government programmes to amplify impact—such as during the COVID-19 pandemic, when several companies contributed to national healthcare and relief efforts.

When partnerships are aligned in purpose and values, the outcome is more impactful and far-reaching.

Moving Beyond CSR: Strengthening Implementation

However, selecting the right partner is key. Corporates must conduct thorough due diligence to ensure that the funds they allocate are used transparently and effectively. Long-term partnerships, rather than short-term funding cycles, help drive deeper, more sustainable impact.

Organisations receiving CSR funds must also maintain ongoing communication and collaboration, aligning their goals and operations with corporate expectations. Meanwhile, companies should build robust monitoring and evaluation (M&E) systems to track progress and measure outcomes.

As India’s corporate sector grows, so will its CSR contributions—unlocking the potential for transformational change. But this will only be possible if the funds are deployed efficiently through meaningful partnerships.

The Way Forward

CSR is more than compliance—it is a pathway to social equity, shared growth, and inclusive development. When companies collaborate with the right partners, they help create a society that is stronger, fairer, and better equipped for the future.

Partnering for Impact: A Call to Action

At Smile Foundation, we believe in building a more equitable world for all children. Since our inception, we’ve worked alongside corporations to drive impact through CSR—particularly for children and communities from low-income backgrounds.

We invite like-minded organisations to join us in creating lasting change through strategic CSR partnerships.

Categories
Education Girl Child Health Smile Women Empowerment

8 Best Life-changing Books to Read in 2023

8 Best Life-changing Books to Read in 2023
8 Best Life-changing Books to Read in 2023

The year 2023 is already past its spring season in India. But we can still make some new year’s resolutions for ourselves. New year resolutions may start making more sense with each passing year of your life. As you gain a greater perspective on the world and strive to grow, you realise the importance of small wins and enjoying every moment in life.

New Year resolutions also come in all forms, allowing you to set your own goals. However, reading may be an excellent place to start if you are confused about where to begin your New Year’s resolutions journey.

It is one of the more popular New Year’s resolutions, offering fresh perspectives and an escape into different worlds. Reading is also inspiring and can provide the spark you need to transform your life.

Best Life-changing Books to Read in 2023

For our list of the best life-changing books to read in 2023, we have compiled books focused on delivering change in society. Therefore, our list includes books on education, women empowerment, pregnant women, and children’s health— topics central to bringing tangible change in society.

From memoirs to parenting books to feminist manifestos, read on to find the best life-changing books to read in India in 2023.

1. Educated— Tara Westover

Educated (2018) is a moving memoir by American author Tara Westover. Born to a survivalist Mormon family in the hills of rural Idaho, Tara had an unorthodox childhood. She didn’t receive preschool or high school education, spending her summers stewing herbs for her mother and salvaging her father’s junkyard in winter.

The young girl didn’t even have access to hospitals, as her father forbade formal healthcare. All injuries and diseases, from concussions to burns, were treated at home with herbs.

Since the family lived high in the mountains away from society, Tara didn’t receive a formal education, but that didn’t stop her from educating herself. She taught herself mathematics and grammar and got admitted to Brigham Young University, where she learned history.

Her thirst for knowledge led to Harvard and then a Ph.D. from Cambridge. Educated chronicles her beautiful journey and teaches the value of education.

2. We Should All Be Feminists— Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie

We Should All Be Feminists advocates feminism better than the writer’s own TED Talk and the inspiration for the book. In the book, the Nigerian writer says feminism is a human rights issue.

She speaks about various forms of discrimination and systemic behaviors that devalue women. Adichie uses her worldwide experience to argue why gender inequality is a curse for men and women.

She also provides an interpretation of feminism in the modern world, with a firm emphasis on inclusivity and consciousness. The book discusses raising boys and girls equally, challenging traditional gender roles, and promoting equality in society.

The writing is witty and compelling and will force you to demand more from yourself concerning feminism.

3. Expecting Better— Emily Oster

Expecting Better is arguably one of the best books to read in life for pregnant women. Challenging the status quo and debunking common myths about pregnancy, the book is a breath of fresh air for pregnant women.

Author and economist Emily Oster use data to prove pregnant women have followed rules that do not really yield results.

Common myths, such as the dangers of caffeine and the need to avoid certain foods, prevent women from enjoying a peaceful pregnancy. Expecting Better addresses that by empowering women to use scientific evidence to decide what to do during their pregnancy and childbirth.

The book promises to make women happier about their pregnancies and ensure they enjoy the best foods during pregnancy.

4. Seeing like a feminist—Nivedita Menon

In Seeing like a feminist, Nivedita Menon reveals the hurdles to feminism in India. The book focuses on feminism and how the Indian male-dominated construct is unfair to women.

In the book, Menon says feminism is less about a triumph over patriarchy and more about changing the perception of men and women forever. Menon also challenges the existing marriage order in India, which only became popular during the British occupation of the country.

Themes of sexuality and gender are also touched upon in the eye-opening book published in 2012.

5. The Happiest Baby on the Block— Harvey Karp

Newborns are precious but challenging for parents. Their sleep cycle is unique and irregular, keeping parents awake throughout the day and night.

Working parents face even more significant challenges, as they may need to juggle work, house chores, as well as their newborn. The Happiest Baby on the Block by Dr. Harvey Karp is a potential way out.

It is among the best books to read for parents to promote better sleep for their newborns. The secrets revealed in the book have made Dr. Karp a superstar among pediatricians and parents.

He shares with parents techniques known only to the most gifted baby soothers throughout history and explains exactly how they work. The “5 S’s” technique is the book’s centerpiece: it involves swaddling, side/stomach positioning, shushing, swinging, and sucking.

6. The Whole-Brain Child— Daniel J. Siegel and Tina Payne Bryson

Children may be difficult to deal with it not because they want to but due to their developing brains. Their brain develops every day with new experiences of the world around them.

It is vital for parents to understand that so they can help their child’s brain reach its full potential. In The Whole-Brain Child, neuropsychiatrist and author of the bestselling Mindsight, Daniel J. Siegel, and parenting expert Tina Payne Bryson explain the science of a child’s development.

They explain the meltdowns children have and explain how a child’s brain is wired and matures. Knowing these can help parents address their children’s outbursts, arguments, or fear and promote growth.

7. Becoming— Michelle Obama

Becoming is as much a story of grit, determination, and self-belief as it is the journey of the former First Lady of the United States of America (USA). Michelle Obama gives readers worldwide insight into her spectacular but testing life in her memoir.

She beautifully details her journey from the humble South Side of Chicago to the most popular house on the planet. The former First Lady brings you closer to three distinct phases of her life, “Becoming me, becoming us, and becoming more.”

Standing as a rock by her husband’s side, Michelle Obama also raised two humble daughters and ensured they remained true to nothing but their work. Her story is an inspiration for every woman with ambition and shows the value of grit, hard work, and honesty.

8. Untamed— Glennon Doyle

Untamed is an intimate memoir that sheds light on the incredible strength of women. It is a story of one woman’s journey of finding herself and realizing she can become the perfect role model for her family only if she is true to herself.

It is Doyle’s own story of navigating divorce, falling in love with a woman, and realising her true self. Authenticity is the biggest lesson of the book, but self-discovery, identity, and empowerment are equally explored in this magnificent book. You must add to your best life-changing books 2023 reading list.

Books Inspire Change

Every New Year resolution has its value, but reading more in 2023 might be the best decision you make. Reading will broaden your perspective and increase your wisdom and knowledge of the world around you.

While there are millions of books out there, we’ve listed the eight best life-changing books we feel you need to make 2023 count.

Smile Foundation and A Culture of Reading

The flagship programme of Smile Foundation, Mission Education (ME) has a heartfelt dream of making children from low-income communities excel in work and life. All the projects are shaped in a manner where curiosity and inquisitiveness are encouraged through various activities including reading different kinds of books. Volunteer with us to make a change in the lives of children or donate a small amount to support their education.

Categories
Livelihood Women Empowerment

How Can Women in STEM Make Their Mark in Employability?

How can Women in STEM Make Their Mark in Employability?
How can Women in STEM Make Their Mark in Employability?

STEM education and professions are the careers of tomorrow. STEM stands for Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics. It is no doubt that the world is rapidly moving towards innovation in these fields. 

Newer opportunities are being created for growth and it is creating new avenues in the job market. However, even today, the share of women in STEM remains low as compared to men. This is not only restricted to STEM professions but also education.

Only 28 percent: Women in STEM

According to reports, out of the total workforce engaged in STEM fields, only 28 percent are women. This disparity further widens when we look at areas like engineering and computer science. Another report by the World Bank suggests that only 18 percent of the girls/women studying at the tertiary level are enrolled in  STEM education. This is much lesser as compared to boys/men for whom the number stands at 35 percent.

Only 33% of researchers, 22% of artificial intelligence professionals, and 28% of engineering students worldwide are women. The situation in STEM education is grim across the globe, including in developed countries like the United States, the United Kingdom, and Canada. In these countries, the percentage of women who are graduating from STEM fields stands at 34, 38, and 31 percent respectively,

This disparity in STEM education is reflected in India as well with only 43 per cent of the graduates being women. While the situation is comparatively better than in many other countries, its impact on women’s participation in the STEM workforce is limited. 

Even with an increasing number of women STEM graduates, their participation in STEM-related jobs remains poor and stands close to 14 percent. These are worrying statistics because the overall participation of women in the labour force also needs significant improvement.

Women in Workforce

The global labour force participation rate for women is slightly over 50 percent compared to 80 percent for men, according to World Bank figures. Women are less likely to hold formal jobs and have fewer prospects for professional advancement or business growth. 

Women make less money while they work. The same data also suggests that the labour force gap between men and women in India stands at 57 percent. This shows that women are not participating actively in the workforce in India.

The Covid-19 pandemic has exacerbated this problem of the gender gap in the labour force because of various reasons. Women already faced societal restrictions as they are seen fit to take care of the households. The pandemic created a situation where women were further pushed within the households taking up more unpaid labour of managing the family while men go out to earn the living. 

Numbers To Put Things Into Perspective

As per Deloitte India, 65 percent of the women wanted to leave work at the time of pandemic as the working from home became normal. This could be because of the huge disparity in sharing of household work among men and women. At the same time, the responsibility of taking care of children also falls on women. 

Data also suggests that women’s participation in the workforce fell from 42 percent to 39.9 per cent after the pandemic. According to recent research, employed women in India have a 14–20% lower chance of receiving marriage offers. Combining all these factors, we can understand why women’s participation in work is comparatively lower.

Only 21.49 percent of all start-ups or 13.41 per cent of non-agricultural companies are run by women in India. This shows that the country also performs poorly on the index of female entrepreneurship. There are many structural obstacles, including few opportunities for women to enter certain business sectors. 

The most notable obstacle to starting a business, however, is the availability of financing. According to a poll of women in four locations, this obstacle was cited by about 70% of respondents.

Reducing the Gender Gap in STEM

One of the biggest challenges in STEM education and employment is gender disparity. While the trend is similar around the globe, the gender gap in stem India needs special focus. This is because the country is already struggling with gender equality on other parameters. 

If women in India are able to access STEM fields more easily, it will help in bringing a transformation in science and overall work culture in the country. The biases related to employment in India are many. 

Research has found that when there are lesser jobs in the market, it is believed that men should be given preference in employment. This disparity further widens based on the caste or religion of the individual. For example, lesser Muslim women are formally employed in India as compared to Hindu or Christian women. This number is much lower in STEM fields.

So, to improve the overall state of labour force contribution and gender equality in work, there is an immediate need to focus on fields that are considered to be careers of tomorrow. If women get the opportunity to enter STEM fields today, they may be able to lead the companies of tomorrow. This will also help in the economic growth of the country and will boost the GDP.

STEM to STEAM for Women Too

Equipped with 21st-century skills and knowledge, women will become employable and bring a positive transformation in scientific research. There is already a lot of work being done in this area and more awareness needs to be generated to achieve the right goals. 

To make the spectrum broader, Arts as a field is also integrated with STEM to create STEAM. Similarly, there is STEAM which includes writing and reading as core disciplines too. The idea is to make new-age education and skills more accessible for everyone, especially women. If we continue on the correct path, we may achieve equal employability for women in India and around the globe in the future.

Smile Foundation and Education of Girls/Women

She Can Fly initiative of Smile Foundation is aimed at enabling and empowering girls and women to become self-reliant and rise up to their full potential through interventions in education, vocational and skill training, and healthcare and nutrition.

Connect with us today to learn more and help girls/women in getting their well-deserved places in decision-making. Decisions that change the course of history.

Categories
Uncategorized Livelihood

Ashar’s Dream: Livelihood Beneficiary Breaking the Poverty Cycle

https://www.smilefoundationindia.org/blog/ashars-dream-livelihood-beneficiary-breaking-the-poverty-cycle/
https://www.smilefoundationindia.org/blog/ashars-dream-livelihood-beneficiary-breaking-the-poverty-cycle/

Who are geniuses? Are geniuses born or made? This oddball question has gained a lot of attention from humankind for a few centuries. The highly acclaimed movie Good Will Hunting portrayed how a janitor at MIT from a commonplace background can turn out to be a genius, even without a formal education. 

Beyond The Genius 

But what about those who work hard, come from no-privilege backgrounds, and need a formal education in the form of livelihood training to make it in the world? An increase in unemployment from 7.14% in January 2023 to 7.45% in February 2023 has shot up the number of unemployed people in India.

With the country making strong moves towards becoming a global super economy, it’s imperative that the Indian youth is prepared for the job market from the word ‘go’.

Ashar, a resident of Govandi (Deonar), Maharashtra, seemed shy in the beginning. In his world as an introvert, even interacting with people on a daily basis was a task. But when one meets their tribe, one becomes more expressive and interactive. That’s exactly what happened with Ashar Sayyed, our livelihood beneficiary.

Ashar’s Strive 

WhatsApp Image 2023 03 08 at 4.12.43 PM
Ashar attending one of his BFSI classes

Ashar lost his father during the mayhem of COVID-19. As what happens with people of limited means; Ashar never concerned himself about getting therapy to resolve the trauma and emotional upheaval of losing a parent.

Instead, he started looking for job opportunities. Making money was a priority for Ashar. Professional therapy is expensive when all your efforts go towards securing an income for your family.

Ashar wanted to start contributing towards household expenses that included the educational expenses of his younger brother. His mother is a homemaker and his elder brother is a sales executive. His elder brother’s income was not enough for the whole house and its needs.

Ashar promised himself to get a job that provided well for his family. The Euronet livelihood programme done in collaboration with Smile Foundation offered Ashar a perfect opportunity to make his dream come true.

Getting Enrolled Into Smile Foundation’s BFSI Course 

IMG 20230308 WA0012
Ashar completing his 4-month long BFSI course

He enrolled himself in the 4-month long BFSI (Banking, Financial Services, and Insurance) course at Govandi center of Smile Foundation’s Euronet programme and became a livelihood beneficiary. He didn’t have to invest in his training financially and that was a big relief to him.

In his first few classes, he seemed nervous but he eventually became more comfortable with his classmates and faculty. Ashar started exhibiting youthful exuberance and confidence; something that made everyone at the center happy.

His soft skills, computer, banking, marketing, and core employability knowledge improved exponentially in the course of these 4 months. The faculty at the center was his guiding light. With the support of understanding counselors, Ashar was able to determine his goals and charter a path toward achieving them. 

Ashar Acing His Interview 

Ashar office pic
Ashar at his workplace

Our resilient one, Ashar was fully prepared for his interview rounds at the end of the 4-month long BFSI course. The faculty at the center was successful in helping Ashar live his dream. He got a great job as a sales executive at Sincetele Info. Solutions Ltd.- a company offering personal loans to its customers. With a monthly salary of INR 11,000, Ashar is standing on his own feet, determined to make it big.

Ashar might not be a genius but he is everything that all parents hope their children turn out to be– hardworking, kind, and ever-ready to learn new things in life. Ashar is doing justice to the multiple meanings of his name– Ashar is brave, lively, and accumulating all the needed wisdom in the world to keep going.

Smile Foundation and Livelihood Programme 

Smile Foundation through its Livelihood programme, STeP connects the unemployed or underemployed youth from disadvantaged communities with the sectors which have large growth potential in terms of revenue generation and employability like Core Employability, Healthcare, BFSI, Retail Management, Business Process Outsourcing (BPO) and Digital Marketing.

The STeP programme has trained over 75,000 youth with more than 47,000 youth placed, like our livelihood beneficiary, Ashar. 400+ respectable brands across the country are the employers of STeP ptogramme.  Learn and become a part of our livelihood programme here or get in touch with us to learn in detail about our livelihood-related interventions.

Categories
Health

Decreasing the Dependency on Private Healthcare in India

Decreasing the Dependency on Private Healthcare in India
Decreasing the Dependency on Private Healthcare in India

Today, India has more than 43,000 private hospitals, on the other hand, the country has more than 25,000 public hospitals. This makes private infrastructure responsible and accountable for nearly 62% of all of India’s health infrastructure. Numbers Speak Louder Than Words. Let’s learn about the private health care system in India.

It’s quite obvious that resources are still limited in the country’s public health system, making even basic healthcare for the poor inaccessible and quite expensive. If private health care system in India becomes the dominant healthcare provider, it is a failure in not having a robust public healthcare programme.

Private Health care System in India: Reducing Dependencies

To formulate a strategy to reduce dependency on private healthcare providers, we first need to understand the current gaps within the existing healthcare infrastructure. The issues are varied and persistent for decades. 

Progress has been there over the past few years with the government putting legislation and funds in place to improve public healthcare. The focus is on easy and free access to marginalised communities and remote inhabitants across the length and breadth of the country. 

In the Economic Survey of 2022, India’s public expenditure on healthcare was only 2.1% of GDP in 2021-22. This number is slightly better than 1.8% in 2020-21 and 1.3% in 2019-20. But it needs to increase substantially both at the central and state levels.

Private Health care System in India: Existing Issues 

Inadequate Infrastructure

The private health care system in India is widely spread and easily available to all, but it’s not affordable for the majority of low-income households. On the other hand, public healthcare which should be easily accessible for free to all citizens of the country has limited and inadequate infrastructure and medical staff.

This disparity between both increases our dependency on private healthcare making low-income households struggle to make payments or risk the lives of loved ones. 

A Shortage of Health Personnel

India’s doctor-patient ratio is 1:1456. This is way below the recommended WHO doctor-to-patient ratio. It has serious consequences for providing adequate and decent healthcare, to those living in rural areas. It’s not just a shortage of doctors that we observe, it’s also a shortage of nurses, trained paramedical staff and medical technicians that currently exists across most rural areas and among public health institutions.

There is an increase in government spending toward public healthcare, but for a country with over a billion population, it is not enough. The country needs to pledge and commit more funds towards building and maintaining a robust primary health care programme. A programme that is both affordable and accessible to the communities who need and depend on it. 

Most low-income households are uninsured and spend a significant portion of their meager earnings to pay for expensive private healthcare. This is an unfortunate reality and the state should change it. 

Strategies to Improve the Healthcare Sector

Government initiatives:  In 2018, the government of India launched the Ayushman Bharat Scheme, also known as Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana (PMJAY).  Ayushman Bharat is a wide-scale healthcare program. 

The mission of this scheme was to help the weaker sections of society to get quality and affordable healthcare facilities. The programme offers several primary healthcare services, such as maternity care, vaccinations, treatments and health awareness seminars.

Even options for telemedicine for those who live in remote locations as well as local pharmaceutical stores are available.

The Ayushman Bharat program has surpassed the three-crore milestone for hospital admissions, with a total claim value of INR 36,500 million disbursed and over 18 crore cards produced. Such initiatives go a long way to provide citizens with a support network that includes primary, advanced and preventative healthcare.

Telemedicine: The Covid 19 pandemic has changed the face of medical consultations, giving rise to a whole new essential and cost-effective strategy called Telemedicine. During the lockdown periods of the pandemic, Telemedicine played a crucial role in providing healthcare to patients both in rural and urban areas. 

Patients didn’t need to travel anywhere to seek high-quality diagnoses and medical treatments as they were provided through teleconsultation. Even patients in remote locations benefitted from remote healthcare diagnostics, examinations, and video consultations.

Telemedicine connected them with healthcare professionals in an instant giving them peace of mind along with medical help and support. 

Way Forward

There is no doubt that the government of India is keen to implement extensive structural and long-term reforms to boost the healthcare sector. It is committed to increasing public spending on healthcare to 2.5% of GDP by 2025. We are seeing that quality medical facilities are slowly and steadily teaching tier 2, tier 3 cities, and small towns. 

The administration is also encouraging healthcare startups to explore innovative healthcare strategies. The healthcare horizon is slowly but surely turning clearer with all efforts being made to optimize infrastructure. This ensures that patients have easier access to high-quality and affordable treatment.

Each day the focus on providing quality and affordable healthcare increases. We are well embarked on the path to making medical services accessible for all.

Smile Foundation and Healthcare

Smile Foundation’s ‘Health Cannot Wait’ initiative aims to provide healthcare to all. Keeping the health of children, women, and other vulnerable populations in mind, mobile healthcare units called “Smile on Wheels” reach out to people in far-flung areas and informal settlements of the cities where people lack awareness about basic healthcare.

For the poor, health is truly their only wealth! Join hands with Smile Foundation to make quality healthcare accessible to all

Categories
Livelihood

How to Future-proof Your Career?

How to Future-proof Your Career?
How to Future-proof Your Career?

Building a career is one of the biggest challenges one faces in their life. No matter which field you are getting into, future-proofing your career requires immense hard work and commitment. It often involves finding your strength area and creating a niche for yourself.

However, a future-proof career is not guaranteed simply by getting the right skills. Let’s understand here how to know your future career or upskill yourself in your existing one.

According to a PwC survey titled ‘India Workforce Hopes and Fears’, 71 percent of the employees in India worry about being overlooked in their jobs. Close to half of them also think that their jobs are not giving them the necessary skills to grow in the long run. This shows the insecurity that Indian professionals live with. 

How to Know Your Future Career

In today’s competitive world, having future-proof skills is extremely important. According to a report by LinkedIn, hiring in India dropped by 23 percent in 2022, December. However, at the same time, about four in five people are looking for newer and better opportunities even within the job market. 

Therefore, it is even more important to understand how can one negotiate the job market and continue to grow. So, here is all you can do to future-proof your career:

Upskill and Cross-Skill

So, you might have found a good job after completing your studies. You are comfortable in your role and your work gets appreciation. But, is that enough to keep you going in the long run? Perhaps, not. One of the biggest changes that have occurred in the professional world recently is the growing importance of upskilling and cross-skilling.

So, what is upskilling? Imagine you work in an organisation as a sales executive. However, the growth aspects in this area are limited owing to your current set of skills. Therefore, to find new opportunities and grow in your job, you can take some online courses like MBA which will add to your skills. This way, you may be able to get a promotion at work.

Upskilling is a rapidly expanding trend in the job market today. According to a recent survey in India, upskilling is a priority for 62 percent of CEOs. However, only 35 percent of employees stated that upskilling programs were available for them internally within the organisation. 

To fill this gap, a number of online education and skilling platforms have come up in India and around the world. Reports suggest that the online education market in India is about to grow to $313 billion by the year 2030. With more than 90 percent of employees in India admitting to the need for upskilling, it has become an extremely important exercise today.

Just like upskilling, cross-skilling is also gaining a lot of traction in recent years. It is when an employee acquires new skills that are related to the current role but also offers newer opportunities for them to move into different departments. 

This way, you can open up fresh pathways for yourself and grow rapidly. Today, multitasking has become extremely important irrespective of which industry you are in. At the same time, technology is becoming central to all aspects of a business. 

Learning about technology like Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning can help you in many ways. Therefore, cross-skilling is something that can help you stay relevant and perform better than others.

How to Know Your Future Career: Find Your Niche

While you upskill and cross-skill, and acquire new knowledge, it is always important to have expertise in a particular area. You must become the go-to person for that role. This is how you can carve a niche for yourself. For this, you should be sure of what you enjoy doing and are willing to put your time into.

Therefore, give ample amount of time into figuring out your career path. But, how to know your future career when you are in college or an entry-level employee? You can work towards what you are good at and also like doing. Gradually, you can try many different things and develop a niche.

However, you don’t have to work in a single area for your entire career. You can always create a new niche for yourself once you establish yourself in one area. Experience and constant effort towards growth will help you in this.

Build a Strong Network

No matter which field you are in, one of the biggest future-proof skills to learn is to network. The people you work with can become your biggest advocates if you are able to forge strong relationships at work. You should also network with other people working in the same field as yours through professional networks, both offline and online.

This way, you will be exposed to new ideas in the industry and you can also display your expertise and knowledge in front of others. This can also help you in building a personal brand which will help you a lot when you are changing jobs or looking for new opportunities. Healthy networking skills are extremely important in today’s cluttered market and help you in standing out.

Focus on Soft-skills

While hard skills are important to give you expertise in your particular area, soft skills enable you to become a good professional. Skills like communication, growth mindset, creative thinking, teamwork, etc., are needed in every profession and they also set you apart from others.

You might be a great engineer with many interesting ideas but if you do not have the skill to communicate these ideas to others, it is of no use. Therefore, you should also work hard on your soft skills and build certain character traits that make you desirable for companies.

So, these are some of the ways in which you can future-proof your career. If you are someone who is starting out on a professional journey, remember these points and make the best of them.

Smile Foundation and Skilling

Our livelihood campaign, Tayyari Kal Ki is in strong alignment with the Government of India’s ‘Skill India’ initiative. Currently, it is operational through 81 centres across 18 cities in 16 states. In the last 15 years, Smile Foundation has trained over 65,000 youth, and placed more than 45,000 of them in over 350 formidable brands across India.

Categories
Health Education

Sports and The Conversation around Mental Health

Sports and The Conversation around Mental Health
Sports and The Conversation around Mental Health

“The relationship between mental health and sports is becoming more prominent in today’s society. Athletes are no longer just physical performers, but they are also public figures who have the opportunity to influence the conversation around mental health and help reduce stigma.”

Dr. Nicole Detling, Sports Psychologist

Mental Health Stigma in Sports

Mental health has long been a taboo subject in sports, particularly in the high-pressure world of professional athletics. A field where showing vulnerability is often perceived as a weakness. The stigma surrounding mental health issues is pervasive in sports, leading many athletes to suffer in silence and struggle with their mental health alone. 

In recent years, however, more athletes have come forward to share their struggles with mental health issues. It is sparking an important conversation around mental health in sports and the need for greater support for athletes. 

One such athlete who has been vocal about his struggles with mental health is Australian cricketer Glenn Maxwell. In 2019, Maxwell took a break from cricket to focus on his mental health, revealing his struggle with depression and anxiety.

His decision to speak publicly about his struggles sparked a wave of support from fellow athletes and fans alike. Cricketer Virat Kohli praised him for his courage to speak out. 

Maxwell’s decision to prioritize his mental health was a significant step in the fight against the stigma surrounding mental health in sports. It sends a powerful message that mental health is just as important as physical health. Seeking help is a sign of strength, not weakness.

Importance of Mental Health in Sports

Mental health is an integral part of an athlete’s overall well-being, yet it is often overlooked in the sports industry. In recent years, however, there has been a growing recognition of the importance of mental health in sports. 

The focus on mental health has been driven, in part, by high-profile athletes like Naomi Osaka, Simone Biles, and Glenn Maxwell, who have spoken out about their mental health struggles. These athletes have helped to reduce the stigma surrounding mental health in sports and encouraged other athletes to seek help when needed.

Mental health is crucial in sports because it can affect an athlete’s performance on the field or court. Athletes who are struggling with mental health issues such as anxiety or depression may find it difficult to focus on their game, make good decisions, or perform at their best. 

In addition, mental health issues can also have a negative impact on an athlete’s physical health. For example, athletes who are experiencing high levels of stress may be more susceptible to injuries or illnesses.

Recognizing the importance of mental health in sports, many sports organizations and teams have started to implement mental health programmes and initiatives. These programmes provide athletes with resources such as counseling, therapy, and mindfulness practices to help them cope with the pressures of their sports and life in general. 

By prioritizing mental health, sports organizations, and teams help their athletes perform better. They are also creating a healthier and more supportive environment for all involved. The importance of mental health in sports cannot be overstated, and it is encouraging to see the industry taking steps to address this crucial issue.

How to Improve Mental Health for Athletes?

Mental health is essential for athletes, just as it is for anyone else. To improve their mental health, athletes can incorporate the following practices:

  1. Develop a Support System: Athletes need a team to support them both on and off the field. This includes coaches, family, friends, and mental health professionals. Athletes can also find support through peer groups, such as team bonding activities, or connect with other athletes who have faced similar challenges.
  1. Prioritize Self-care: Athletes need to take care of themselves both physically and mentally. This includes getting enough sleep, eating a balanced diet, and engaging in activities that promote relaxation and stress relief, such as yoga or meditation.
  1. Build Mental Resilience: Mental resilience is the ability to bounce back from adversity. Athletes can develop this skill by setting goals, practicing positive self-talk, and learning from setbacks. It is also important for athletes to acknowledge and address their emotions, rather than suppressing them.
  1. Seek Professional Help When Needed: Athletes may experience mental health challenges that require professional help. It is important for athletes to seek help from mental health professionals who understand the unique challenges faced by athletes and can provide appropriate support and treatment.

“Sports psychology is not just for athletes with problems, but for athletes who want to reach their potential.”

Dr. Michael Gervais, High Performance Sports Psychologist

This quote highlights the importance of mental health in sports, not just for addressing issues, but for optimizing performance. It emphasizes that mental health should be an integral part of an athlete’s training and preparation, and not something that is only addressed when problems arise. 

Improving mental health for athletes requires a holistic approach that considers both their physical and emotional well-being. By prioritizing mental health and seeking support from sports psychologists, athletes can enhance their overall well-being. This will help them achieve their full potential both on and off the field.

Conclusion

In conclusion, the conversation around mental health in sports has come a long way, but there is still work to be done. Athlete mental health awareness is crucial to breaking the stigma surrounding mental illness. This ensures that athletes receive the support they need. 

It is important to prioritize mental health in sports, both in terms of prevention and treatment. This means creating a culture of openness and support within teams, providing access to mental health resources and professionals, and educating athletes, coaches, and fans about mental health. 

Ultimately, by addressing mental health in sports, we can not only improve the well-being of individual athletes but also create a more inclusive and supportive sports community as a whole.

Smile Foundation and Mental Health

We at Smile Foundation recognize the importance of mental health and its impact on individuals, families, and communities. We provide awareness campaigns and skill-building workshops to help children manage stress and anxiety.

Our education initiative Shiksha Na Ruke is tailor-made for the needs of children from no-privilege backgrounds. These children are returning to schools after the COVID-19 pandemic disrupted their learning cycles.

Categories
Education

Should Your Child Study Humanities or Not?

Should Your Child Study Humanities or Is it Irrelevant?
Should Your Child Study Humanities or Is it Irrelevant?

Once a well-respected stream, with many wanting to study humanities, today humanities are facing a crisis. A drastic drop in the number of students enrolling in humanities subjects has been observed for a considerable time. 

Education is seen as a means of upward economic mobility, especially in developing countries. The career prospects of humanities students aren’t lucrative enough to cease this downward spiral. A closer look at the current scenario gives a clearer picture of this morbid ground reality.

The Tragedy of Humanities

Once a cradle that rocked human civilization to infancy, the modern world has not been kind to the humanities. The growing incomprehension of their value has led to the perception of the humanities being a luxurious vain indulgence. This takes away the attention of humanities being a research-driven field of human study. 

Popular memes on social media poke fun at stereotypes of liberal arts and gender studies students. In the current times, it has become a trend to troll students for their choice of studying the humanities. This is mostly due to their opinions on political issues or their comparatively lower remunerations. 

While quantitative fields such as economics and psychology are holding the fort, the core humanities subjects such as literature, sociology, anthropology, and philosophy are on a decline. 

Why Study humanities: To Be or Not To Be?

This is a debate so powerful that it needs a regular revisit to reinvigorate the discussion on studies essential to human existence. While everyone across the world pays lip service to these disciplines, funding for their programmes has seen a dramatic cut. 

Those pursuing only tech jobs would want to convince the world that the humanities have no real value. Nothing to offer to the neoliberal world, but it’s quite the opposite. This is tunnel vision. The survey conducted by Hart Research Associates found that humanities students have a great foundational skill set required by companies. 

Around 80% of employers agreed that students should have a broader knowledge of the liberal arts and sciences irrespective of their college degree. The qualities of ethical judgment, critical thinking, and collaborative problem solving are a staple for courses in humanities. Qualities that are most sought after by employers according to the study. The humanities reward students who are best at analysing data and communicating it most effectively through presentations and essays. 

Why Study Humanities When the World is Looking the Other Way?

In the modern system of transactional education, students are trained to seek a return on investment when pursuing college degrees. The cost of education is inextricably connected to the idea of a future return based on median salaries offered to the course graduates. The idea of assigning abstract value to the impact of humanities is the very discourse that the humanities would help dismantle. 

Topics such as history, political theory, public policy, linguistics, sociology, literature, and philosophy form the structure of civilization and their impact cannot be measured in the terms of monetary value. Simply put, how do you measure the joy of reading your favourite book in terms of “fiscal value”?

To answer why we need to study humanities we would like to quote Oscar Wilde, “All art is useless”. The quote is often misinterpreted, but at the crux of this wild thought lies the answer. It is futile to assign value to art or the humanities in general based on the metrics of our utilitarian views.

The Way Forward: Study Humanities Online

Shrinking resources within academic departments across universities have put an undue burden on the education system while also reducing the quality of education. While the change in education policy is the desired measure, learning humanities online could also prove to be a potent counter. 

Digital libraries, peer review of research papers, and a robust community of enthusiasts could turn the tide in favor of the humanities. These programmes could also be pursued as double degrees in line with any STEM course attended by students.

The humanities will survive this dip as they have for several thousand years as pointed out by this Nature article. As a society, we need to take a closer look at the nature of profit maximisation which has also seeped into our education system. While the economic outlook is essential, it cannot come at the cost of systematically whitewashing over other fields of knowledge. The knowledge that essentially fuels this very economic growth and humanity in the bigger picture.

A collaborative vision that is symbiotic towards the economy, as well as creative satisfaction, is the need of the hour. For what? Simply to restore wisdom in our society.

Smile Foundation and Child Education

Smile Foundation admires that every child is unique. Some might be interested in everything related to science. Others might be fascinated by art and its mind-bending imagination power. If looked closely, science and arts are the two sides of a coin, both needing each other, to hold their own grounds and discoveries.

Our Mission Education programme envisions every child being an independent thinker. All the activities and projects are well aligned with this idea of educated children who grows up to be brilliant and great leaders. These precious ones add fresh chapters to the collective story of the world. Come help us to make the dream possible!

Categories
Women Empowerment

Women Empowerment Programmes in India

Women Empowerment Programmes in India
Women Empowerment Programmes in India

Ruth Bader Ginsberg, US Supreme Court Justice said that “Women belong in all places where decisions are being made.”. Her statement resonates strongly with today’s times where we are seeing a tumultuous world with climate change and environmental issues. There are increasing prospects of territorial wars and disputes. 

Empowering women has become the focus of considerable discussion and attention all over the world, and rightly so!

Times like these need the driving force of women and women empowerment. Increasingly, there is an impetus for both the government and civil society to raise the bar on empowering women.

Women and Their Empowerment 

The disheartening fact is that even in this 21st century women’s education and empowerment are not up to par with men. The inequalities between men and women and discrimination against women are age-old issues all over the world. 

Women Education

Education is the cornerstone for women’s empowerment because it prepares them to respond to challenges, confront the forced traditional roles and change their lives. The education of a woman is the most powerful tool to change her position in society. 

Education also brings a reduction in inequalities. It functions as a means of improving their position within the family based on the concept of participation. Empowerment is a means of creating a social environment wherein one can make decisions and make choices either individually or collectively for social transformation. 

Article 14 of the Indian Constitution clearly outlines the privilege of unbiased gender-free education for all and Article 15 of the Constitution empowers the state to adopt affirmative measures for promoting ways and means to empower women and especially focuses on the importance of education for women.

So while today Indians enjoy the benefits of being citizens of a free nation, what comes under the scanner is equal access to freedom amongst all. 

Empowerment Defined  

Empowerment is the process of enabling or authorizing individuals to think, take action, and control work in an autonomous way. It is the process by which one can gain control over one’s destiny and the circumstances of one’s life. 

Women and their Empowerment 

A woman is a primary caregiver in a child’s upbringing and that makes her a mother of the land. It is therefore crucial for the socio-economic and political progress of India to focus on the development of women’s education. If India wants to be the superpower of the world in a few years, then the empowerment of women has to be central. 

Importance of Women’s Participation 

Women’s education in India plays a very important role in the overall development of the country. It not only helps in the development of half of the human resources but in improving the quality of life at home and outside. Educated women not only tend to promote the education of their girl children but also can provide better guidance to all their children. 

Moreover educated women can also help in the reduction of the infant mortality rate and the growth of the population. The current gender gap in the male-female literacy rate is more than 82.14% and the female literacy rate is just 65.46%. This discrimination that still plagues India can be corrected by the emphasis on women’s education in India. 

Government led Women Empowerment Programmes

The government has also launched several women empowerment programmes and women-first initiatives. The most popular and visible among all is the Beti Bachao Beti Padhao Andolan, launched to create awareness among the people to educate all girl children in the country. 

Both earning and learning are the combined key factors to women’s empowerment. There is a possibility that a woman is involved in unskilled work (for example, house helps) but still not empowered. On the contrary, it might be possible that a woman is educated but still not empowered because she is not earning. 

Women, who are educated and earning, are in a much better position as compared to uneducated women workers. Therefore, a scheme called Working Women Hostels has been launched so that safe and convenient accommodation can be provided to working women.

The scheme benefits every working woman without any distinction of caste, religion, marital status, etc. In order to take advantage of this scheme, the gross total income of women should not exceed INR 50,000 per month in the case of metropolitan cities whereas, in the case of small cities, the gross total income should not exceed INR 35,000 per month.

Other Women Empowerment Programmes

The focus of the government has increased manifold towards women’s development. They are working around the clock to maximize women’s access to education, skill training, and institutional credit. 

  • MUDRA Yojana (Micro Units Development and Refinance Agency Ltd. ) is one such scheme that was launched on 8 April 2015 in which loans up to INR 10 lakh are provided to women entrepreneurs, without any collateral. 
  • The government has passed the Maternity Benefit (Amendment) Act 2017 increasing the maximum period of maternity leaves from 12 weeks to 26 weeks.  Earlier a lot of women left their job after giving birth to children leaving a lot of working women unemployed. This landmark act has given a new life to the vision of women-led development.

Doing It Right and Fast

“If you educate a man you educate an individual, however, if you educate a woman you educate a whole family. Women empowered means Mother India empowered.”

Pt. Jawaharlal Nehru

Though the Government has come up with various measures for women’s empowerment, it is still facing hurdles in society. Therefore, there is a need to do much more for women. Also, there is a need to uphold their dignity at par with the status of men in society.

The Constitution of our Nation doesn’t discriminate between men and women, but some pockets (decider pockets) of our society do. And that needs to stop now! 

Smile Foundation and Women Empowerment Programme

Smile Foundation‘s women empowerment programme, Swabhiman aims to enhance the access of women to basic healthcare, nutrition, and knowledge about the different government schemes. Everything possible to 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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