The trails of the Trainer

The trails of the trainer are always interesting  and provide a lot of insight into the way people think. I was in a place far away from the bustle of the city for doing a workshop for senior executives of a company throughout last week. Having no access to shopping or just roaming around as the Training centre was a good 12 Km away from the  nearest village, the participants started making friends with me. I had a good opportunity to know what people think of training as a profession.
One felt that it is a good job, "aram" (relaxation) and enjoyment (obviously as I was staying at company's cost). I was not surprised as this almost happens every programme to me that by 2nd or 3rd day some body or other makes a comment that I am really enjoying life and "they" are struggling it out.
I told him that it not all that easy to be a trainer but the person was not willing to believe or even get into serious discussion. He kept on telling how tough it is to survive in corporate culture and how the trainers are having the cake and eating it too!!
Then something struck me that I should not be disagreeing with him at all. Like all performing artistes, probably I should leave him thinking that I am having a great time traveling and seeing all nice places. Afterwards, whenever I met him in the lobby or in the dining hall, I gave one of my enthusiastic smiles which would further strengthen his belief.
All trainers put long hours to understand the client, customise the delivery, deal with last minute surprise changes, manage quirky participants and quirkier coordinators but they still come across as if they are having a roaring time as trainers. This aspect is very unique and I think is very crucial to the success or failure of any person who wants to take up training as a vocation.
What is it I enjoy at the end of the day? The feeling that I am going to get a cheque for the work? mmm No. the feeling that I have got a good feedback ? Not even that though we would all cherish that pat on the back when we recollect it after a few months. Probably, the feeling that I in my own way made a small change in the way executives work. the way they think. theway they analyse and act. I fell it is my duty or I am sort of ordained in this life to do that.
This is what I think many trainers like me going on despite the fact that  many of us are not recognised by companies whom we serve or given the due respect by the HR Heads.
We in our hearts do not serve them. We understand their limitations in appreciating what we are trying to do. I for instance feel,that I serve the common man, the person who comes to the programme from Gwalior or Jaisalmer or Tuticorin or Mangalore. He has never been in the circuit with others in the company earlier.This is a rare opportunity for that person to know first hand some thing I have learnt and I am a channel through which that knowledge or insight can flow.
I am truly happy today when I return from the hills to the city,Yes, of course, not because they served Rasmalai or they gave me a Tshirt but because I think I made a small difference for the persons who chose to come and apply their minds to change themselves and the society. 
 
  

தமிழனுக்கு பெயரே பிரச்சினை

எங்கு போனாலும் தமிழனுக்கு என்று பிரச்சினைகள் முளைத்துக்கொண்டே தான் இருக்கும் போலிருக்கிறது.

என் பெயர் எனக்குத்தெரிந்த நாளில் இருந்து சந்திரசேகரன் என்று தான் நினைத்துக்கொண்டிருந்தேன்.

இப்போது தான் பிரச்சினைகள் வந்த வண்ணமாக  ஆகி விட்டது.

சர்நேம் அல்லது குடும்பப்பெயர் இல்லாமல் வெறும் சந்திரசேகரன் என்றால் யாருக்கும் புரியவில்லை.

பான் கார்டில் எனது பெயர் சேட்லூர் , வரி ப்பத்திரத்தில் பட்டாபிராமன்  என்று எனது இனிசியல்கள்  எனது பெயராக வலம்   வர ஆரம்பித்துவிட்டன.

இந்த வம்பே வேண்டாம் சி பி என்ற என் இனிசியல்கலை  அப்படியே எழுதலாம் என்றாலோ பல கம்ப்யுடர்கள் அதை எடுத்துக்கொள்வதில்லை.

 இதனிடையில் ரயில் முன்பதிவு செய்யப்போனால் சந்திரசே எழுதியதும் இடம் இல்லை.

சந்திரசேகர் என்றால் தெரிகிறது அது என்ன ரன் என்று பல பேர் கேட்டு பதில் சொல்ல முடியாமல் பிரச்னை. 

போன வாரம் ஒரு கம்பெனியில் வரவேற்பு கவுண்டரில் ஒரு பெண்மணி கேட்டே விட்டார்.

அது என்ன உங்கள் தென்னிந்தியர்கள் மட்டும் இவ்வளவு பெரிய பெயரகளை வைத்துக்கொண்டு எங்களை கஷ்டப்படுத்துகிறார்கள் என்று.

என்ன பத்தி சொல்வது

அம்மணி இது ரொம்ப லேட் என்னால் ஒன்றும் செய்ய முடியாது . நிங்கள் எனது தந்தையாரைத்தான் கேட்க வேண்டும்.

 

Why this Kolaveri in Nursery?

You cannot cross two kms in any town in India today without coming across a board proclaimimg to educate 2 year old and 3 year old children in English and training them to face interviews for I standard. Apparently, the first impression is that education now starts early and it is a good thing. Unfortunately, most of these schools are run just for making money and are outright harmful for developing the personality of tender kids. I am a father of two daughters both educated in very good schools and so to start with, I write with some knowledge of what are the requisites for giving children a good education. Just to retrace histroy, The nursery schools (later divided in to LKG and UKG)made their appearance about fifty years back in the towns but till 90s, they were more of play and learn type montessori schools giving children a background of good habits through songs. Every one knows "pussy cat pussy cat " or " Baba black sheep" being recited in our homes. Later the scene completely changed with the entry of the commercial organisations which have spread rapidly by starting a chain of Pre schools all over the country on a franchise and profit sharing basis. Many people who have taken franchise of these school chains are business men and women having not much knolwedge or experience of teaching tiny tots. The parent company gives colourful books, note books , Cds and they just have to manage the teachers and the kids. No talent is required nor any genuine dedication to the cause of education. with the result, today the so called pre schooling outfits have become terror camps for kids. I know a preschool which gives corporal punishment to the three year olds for not being able to write the alphabets. Any teacher will tell you that unless the child is taught the drawing and eye hand coordination with some doodles, it cannot write clearly. But, the nursery schools of today have no time or facility for such methods. They also do not have good teachers as the profit motive looms large in the operation. They have got bulky books from the chain owner which they say that they must finish in time. That is all. we must understand that the nursery schools do not come under any Government rule nor any inspection. as far as Government is concerned, they do not exist. So, they are kings and queens in their own right. what they do with our kids is apparently no body's business. The school owners and franchisees are minting money by charging 50,000 Rs per child and in return are not even providing good education as they lack qualified teachers. Apart from the lack of education , the kids experience such trauma that it is seen to be believed. They are transported in crowded autos and vans and bundled up in class rooms at such tender age. Sometimes, they are not even allowed to play because school is unable to provide staff to supervise and guide them. It is futile for us to expect that the Nursery school bosses will reform. Atleast, we can ask the parents to be careful in selecting nursery school and if in doubt, avoid sending the kids at a very early age to any school. it is preferable for us to forego two years' earnings rather than expose our kids to ill treatment and misguidance in the name of preschool education. The Government should bring all preschools under a scheme by which they are inspected and any grievance against any franchisee or the staff of the preschool is dealt with by the authority. people should be warned not to charge more than a basic amount say Rs 10000 so that the greedy sharks who have entered the business more for rupees rather than love of teaching will quit the scene. By any means , this kolaveri in the name of nursery should stop.