Apart from his responsibilities as Deputy Commissioner of Shivamogga district, K.A. Dayanand on his rest day, Sunday, also imparts training to students on life skills.
The district administration, in association with the Department of Public Instruction and Samanvaya, a non-governmental organisation, has commenced a Skills School at Guru Bhavan near Basaveshwara Circle in the city, with an objective to provide holistic development for children from economically weaker sections of society. As many as 60 children from 8 to 16 age group have enrolled in it.
The training on life skills, yoga, meditation, fine arts, classical music and dance is for free. In addition, sessions on study skills, health, and hygiene are also held by experts in these fields who do not receive remuneration. The sessions are held every Sunday from 9.45 a.m. to 1 p.m.
This Sunday, Mr. Dayanand was seen at a story-telling session in the school where the importance of courage, self-confidence, positive thinking, crisis management skills and resilience were imparted. This was his 17th class here.
Mr. Dayanand told The Hindu that prior to joining the civil services, he had been a social science teacher at a rural government high school in Chikkamagaluru district. “I am conducting classes here because I have a passion for teaching. Moreover, spending time with children enables me to overcome stress related to my core job,” he said.
Yashwanth Kalyan K.P., a student from DVS High School who attends the Skills School, said the sessions on meditation and study skills here have helped him improve his academic performance.
Vaishnavi M. from Mary Immaculate School said the sessions on story-telling and the training on theatre have enhanced her communication capabilities.
