Event Duvidha Outcome

‘Duvidha’ – Child’s Ability and Dreams……A Reality Check, an awareness program for the parents of class IX students, was organized on 11-Feb-2012 at Scientific Society hall, Nagpur as part of maiden effort  of ONE Foundation. The program was uniquely designed to address various dilemmas of parents regarding academic pressure, career choices, peer comparison, socializing etc. for class IX children. The program received overwhelming response with more than 400+ audience participating in the program. The overall feedback received from audience was 3.4 on a scale of 4 or 85% satisfaction index. This feedback was arrived from forms submitted by parents at the end of the event. Many valuable suggestions were provided by audience on a proactive basis. Also few specific questions as asked by parents are being answered by panelist and ONE foundation team members through E mail/post as part of post event activities.

A quick flow of event:

• Opening: Few video of parents highlighting dilemmas about their children were shown followed by One foundation introduction by founding team of ONE Foundation.
• One to One discussion on Passion & Career with experts from diverse careers (non-conventional streams) including

• Dr. Manmohan Daga, Pediatric Surgeon (Medicine)
• Vikash Khurana, Director (Art/Theatre)
• Dr. Rajendra Nargundkar , Director IMT, Nagpur (Education)
• Air Cmde (Retd). D. D. Mandpe, YSM, Commandant Bhonsala Military School, Nagpur (Defence).

Many revelations were made by experts regarding choice of career, natural ability and their passion. All the personalities spoke about their interest and its match with ability and also shared interesting experiences in their career and life. One to One was anchored by Dr. Gole (Academician) and Shashi Chaudhary (Entrepreneur)

• “Ghar Ghar ki Duvidha” : The skit highlighted the various ‘duvidhas’ in the minds of the parents regarding the career, parent pressure, career pressure, over-burdening a child with unfulfilled parent expectations (putting a class VIII child in IAS coaching classes), social activities over internet (facebook), etc.
• Panel Discussion to address various dilemmas of parents with experts.

• Ms. Anupama Gadkari (Counselor/Psychologist)
• Dr. Rajeev Mohta (Pediatrician)
• Dr. Kausar Abbasi (Psychiatrist)

An audience poll was conducted to gather inputs for panel discussion. The discussion on various threads such as ideal parenting, socializing, adolescent relationships and career choices was done. Panel discussion was anchored by Dr. Suresh Chari (Soft Skill Trainer) and Poonam Menaria (Career Counsellor)

• Closure: Thank you note followed by national anthem by all ONE members, volunteers, panelist and guest, Parents and teachers followed by feedback forms collection.

Major recommendations and highlights of the event are summarized below:

1. Following one’s interest and passion is key for reaching high levels in career and parents needs to be open with unconventional careers as well because generally because of non-awareness/exposure parents do not appreciate these options and tend to get biased because of notions of job security and consistent income.
2. Most of speakers dared to follow their dreams. The trigger point for choosing a career happened at different stage of life. They always believed that to live fulfilling life it is important to work in the area where you are naturally inclined and talented. They did not want to spend rest of the time completely miserable and personally unfulfilled but rather content and joyous.  It’s never too late to identify one’s interest and pursue it.
3. It may be necessary to test many things before an area of interest gets identified. Talent and physical ability will not necessarily make one successful , it take mental strength to stay focussed and walk that extra mile
4. There has to be a match between natural ability, interest and practicality while choosing a career. One has to realistic in making choice. Need to make sure if one has ability backed up by disciple to walk that long road of passion. Many a time people make decisions on assumptions not the facts.
5. Parents and children must establish an open communication system wherein there is no fear of expression of both good and not so comfortable areas of discussions (including girlfriend/boyfriend and relationships)
6.  Friends are important. What we can do is to tell children about good or like minded friends. 
7. Being a 'correct role model' is necessary. Parents have to be conscious that children are watching them and are ready to mimic them.  Actions speak more than words.
8. Must provide support systems in their goal setting program and not leave it completely to 'them' (children). Their career choices are a joint effort and with trying to match their potential/ability with dreams. Introducing the word 'passion' early in life always helps.
9. When children are wrong, they should be told that they are wrong. This should be done using a corrective action than a penalizing action. Also pressure on children has to be balanced call, many a times because of pressure; students take wrong decisions and work/study in the area where they do not have any interest. They are just living dreams of their parents and not of their own. Hence they do not achieve great heights in their career
10. Accept the children as they are. 
11. Must monitor use of media appropriate with permissible age.

  Audience Feedback

• 224 forms collected
• Overall 85% satisfaction level for Audience
• Parents satisfaction score of 3.42 on scale of 4 (1 to 4)

Sample comments & suggestions by Parents:

• Need for more such programs for children as well
• Need for more career oriented programs for chidren of class 10, 11 and 12^th
• Children participation in Panel discussion would make them more appropriate
• Very Good initaitve, keen to attend more profgram by ONE foundation
• Both parents should be involved in such programs
• It would be good to invite speakers from middle class background who have struggled in their career
• Excellent program
• More time to be given for Panel discussion