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Five Leadership Qualities to Practice

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The best leaders don’t simply direct; they inspire, support, empower, and adapt. Whether you're leading a team or an organization, refining your leadership skills can make a lasting difference in your professional journey. While some people may be naturally inclined towards leadership, the truth is: leadership skills can be learned, developed, and refined. Here are the five leadership qualities that every aspiring leader must practice: Self-Awareness and Personal Reflection Effective leadership begins with self-awareness. Leaders who understand their strengths, weaknesses, and emotions are better equipped to make thoughtful decisions, managing stress, and leading by example. Their willingness to reflect, learn from mistakes, and continuously grow is tremendous. Leaders stay grounded with directed intentions in how they communicate and respond to challenges, and inspire others. Empowering People Around You Great leaders inspire those around them. Rather than micromanaging every deci...

Young India at Work: The Internship Culture

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In recent years, India has seen a sharp rise in internships among students across various disciplines. What was once an optional part of college life has become a vital step in shaping careers. From startups in Bengaluru to think tanks in Delhi, internships are now embedded in the academic and professional lives of students across the country. But what’s fueling this trend? India's Rising Economy India’s economic growth is a major factor: as businesses expand, their need for skilled, adaptable employment increases. Internships offer companies a practical way to test potential employees and provide training for the job. Startups benefit from enthusiastic interns who are willing to learn while taking on real responsibilities, and large companies often utilize internships to build talent pipelines—many even convert interns into full-time employees. Academia and Industry Collaboration Another reason is the growing collaboration between education and industry. Universities have realized...

Enhancing Your Presentation Skills

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Effective presentation skills are crucial in both academic and professional settings, allowing individuals to communicate their ideas clearly and persuasively. Developing these skills requires a combination of preparation, confidence, and engagement with the audience. Here's how you can enhance your presentation skills: Prepare Well: The foundation of a strong presentation lies in thorough preparation. Understanding the topic in depth and organizing content logically ensures clarity. Structuring a presentation with a compelling introduction, an informative body, and a memorable conclusion. Practice: Practicing multiple times helps in refining the flow, identifying weak points, and improving transitions between ideas. Be Present: Confidence plays a vital role in delivering an impactful presentation. Speaking at a steady pace, maintaining eye contact, and using appropriate gestures enhance credibility. Keep Calm: Managing nervousness is essential, and techniques such as deep bre...

What is ABC: Academic Bank of Credits

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The Academic Bank of Credits (ABC) is a wonderful initiative revolutionizing Indian higher education system. Introduced by the University Grants Commission (UGC) under the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020, it was launched in 2021. The scheme aims to provide students with a flexible, digitally integrated education system that allows seamless mobility across institutions and academic programs. The ABC functions as a digital repository that stores academic credits earned by students from recognized higher education institutions (HEIs). These credits can be accumulated and transferred between universities, facilitating multiple entry and exit options in higher education. This initiative is designed to eliminate rigid academic structures and promote an interdisciplinary learning approach. How Does ABC Benefit Students? The ABC system offers several advantages to students, professionals, and universities: Credit Portability: Students can transfer credits between institutions, allowing t...

Student Engagement in the First Class

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In my first class at a government school in Gangwa district, Haryana, I took a different approach. I arrived prepared with the syllabus but had something else in mind. After a quick introduction, I surprised the students by asking about their favorite sport. Many eagerly responded with cricket and football, while some liked tennis. Sheetal, curiously, answered Chess, which is indeed a sport, and not a game, as she was quick to clarify. Next, I asked the students about their favorite subjects. This time, they responded with more enthusiasm. The class showed interest in a many subjects, physics, chemistry, mathematics, biology, and some were interested in social sciences as well. Then, I posed an  out-of-syllabus question: What are your goals? Some students aspired to join IITs, while others dreamed of becoming doctors. One student shared his ambition of joining the NDA. I praised his aspiration and told him that I was also an NDA aspirant and had joined the NCC. His eyes lit up as...

Balancing Academics and Extracurriculars

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Balancing cocurricular activities with academics can be overwhelming. But for a student, both academics and extracurriculars have equal importance. This balance is necessary to develop various skills and create a holistic learning experience. Children at a young age often participate in extracurricular activities and develop these skills. But over time, academics take the center stage.  Here is how you can balance both your academics and extracurriculars effectively and make the most out of your learning experience. Prioritize: Determine your priorities for the day and set clear goals. Say you have an exam tomorrow, so for today, your academics hold priority. Doing so will ensure you are not overburdened and doing well in your academics.  Plan Effectively: Make a practical schedule, manage your time, and set clear goals. Many calendar and time management apps can also help you keep track of all your activities. Keep up with your assignments, homework, exams, and track your p...

How to Overcome Setbacks like Edison did

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A setback is usually considered bad, yet it is a crucial element of learning and self-growth. In school, failing in an exam is considered really bad and students are often scolded or punished by their teachers and parents. In professional life too, not being able to finish a project on time is immediately punished with losing a project, promotion, or in worse cases your job. But failures are inevitable in life and they are crucial learning opportunities that can help us grow, become better, and continue moving forward with grace.  It’s Okay to Fail  Instead of dwelling about failure, we must understand how to learn from them and change. Failures teach us things that success never will. When things go wrong, we learn what doesn't work and we make smarter choices next time. Instead of being afraid of failure, we should see it as an opportunity to grow and develop our skills. Overcoming failure develops resilience, or the ability to keep going against failure. Fighting against fa...