For many, college is all about fun. For some, it is the place where they can learn more about life. Like these students who have started a silent revolution in their college. The 80-member group has created awareness on self motivation and instilled confidence among their friends. More than 30 per cent of them are now employed as part-time workers. Credit goes to the Students’ Productivity Club of the Mannar Thirumalai Naicker College.
“Productivity is all about effective and efficient use of available resources,” says C. Muthuraja, coordinator for the club. “Our club aims to help people achieve all around development and enhances quality of life at all levels,” he says.
A brainchild of the Madurai Productivity Council, the club’s vision is to empower youth and make students productive assets of the country. The concept of an exclusive productivity club for the students in all educational institutions is initiated to create awareness as well as promote activities on improving productivity through education. “We are interested in creating more such clubs in schools, arts and science colleges, engineering colleges and other educational institutions,” says Muthuraja.
Started last year, the Students Productivity Club has so far conducted four skill development training programmes for the students. The club facilitates the vision through interaction among members. It strengthens the performance of student members and enhances their competitive spirit.
“Most of our students are from rural areas,” says C.G. Ramkumar Singh, one of the staff coordinators for the programme in the college, “we feel it is our bounden duty to help students realise their capabilities and excel.”
The club offers opportunities for its members to participate in lectures, seminars and workshops. It also provides hands on training and business networking.
“Our primary objective is ‘Productivity Education’,” says Muthuraja. “The Madurai Productivity Council facilitates the club in scaling up student members’ knowledge and skills on productivity associated matters. It throws special focus on business operation and investments, improving their technical, marketing and logistics segments.”
As a unit of the Madurai council, the club also enjoys knowledge sharing with bankers, industrialists and management professionals.
Students are now exposed to productivity related matters at global level. They also have a chance to do project or research work in the area of productivity with the support of Madurai Productivity Council.
For most of the students it is a new experience as they get to hear and see successful businessmen. “The club has motivated me in a big way,” says R. Deepa, II B.B.A. “It has shown us the way to succeed in any field. I am now confident enough to pursue any career because I know my strengths and weaknesses,” she says.
With its skill and technical development programmes, the club has now become the hub of activity in the college. It has now become the nerve centre and will play an important role in economic and industrial affairs of the region.
Success stories
K. VINOTH KUMAR, I B.B.A: He is a newspaper delivery boy from Nilayoor and does not like to be termed poor. He braved against all odds and is now in a position to share the burden of his parents, who are daily wage labourers. He gets up as early as 4 in the morning and toils in the field for more than five hours. He earns Rs.1200 a month as salary. Though what he earns is a pittance compared to the financial commitments of the family, he feels happy as he could lessen their troubles at least.
P. SHANTHAKUMARI, I B.A.: She works as a front office assistant in a hospital. She lost her father to brain fever and now solely dependent on her mother, who works in a snack shop. Having learnt the bitter truths of life, she found her way. Now she is able to take care of her studies and is also sharing her mother’s burden with a salary of Rs.1500.
K. SATHEESH KUMAR, II B.B.A.: Working in a courier company, he earns around Rs.2000 a month. He also understands the value of money and saves Rs.500 out of his salary for the welfare of the family. Born to a father, who is a daily wage labourer and mother, who is a sweeper, he has his own limitations. He comes from Palanganatham.
K. SARAVANA KUMAR, II B.B.A.: He is a Tirumangalam boy and works in a sherbet manufacturing company. He earns Rs.100 a day. Though he wanted to help his mother, who works in a hosiery unit in Kappalur, financially, he neither had the confidence nor the aptitude to do it. He got his motivation from the club to achieve and now he is a go getter. With a desire to succeed he is just waiting to complete his studies to make it big in life.
