TISSians show love towards their Alma Mater at NUSSD programme

NUSSD Director Mr Tanmay Nayak with Mr Atul Kulkarni 

Author, Organizational Unlearning Specialist Mr Kanti Gopal with Mr Atul Kulkarni(IPS)  (Pic credit: Mangesh Gudekar)

...Alums groom students extensively at the Youth Leadership Development Programme with intense innovative sessions and aspiring messages

As the police vehicle entered TISS main campus, the security personnel moved eagerly ahead to guide the guest inside TISS. TISSian Mr Atul Kulkarni (IPS) who was inside the vehicle was all excited to put his feet on the campus, as he was returning here after a long wait and that too for a reason he had aspired for all these years.

A visibly happy Mr Atul, moved rather quickly observing the much loved lush green campus, occasionally sharing memories of his batch mates and faculty.

Mr Atul Kulkarni, Assistant Superintendent of Police, Mira-Bhayander, was invited to conduct a session on 'Cyber Security' at the Youth Leadership Development (YLD) Programme. It was designed by the Centre for Lifelong Learning (CLL) and organised by National University Students Skills Development (NUSSD) Programme, TISS for NUSSD batch leaders from 26th May to 31st May 2019 on its Mumbai campus.

NUSSD is a flagship programme of TISS and is the response to the growing unemployability among India's university graduates. NUSSD has been aggressively empowering the youth coming from a humble background to become changemakers, contributing to the development of society.

NUSSD Programme has been rapidly expanding, training over 25,000 students of 120 colleges in 5 states, successfully providing them with the right skills required for gainful employment. The United Nations (UN) Steering Committee on Children and Youth has recognised the NUSSD Programme as a "Skill Development Best Practice" in the country.

TISSian Kanti Gopal with NUSSD batch leaders at TISS 

Nearly 100 batch leaders from Jodhpur and Ambad (Marathwada) colleges were selected for this YLD session, who will act as a bridge between the students and the NUSSD officials to run the programme successfully across several states.

Mr Atul Kulkarni, a firebrand IPS officer, who addressed NUSSD batch leaders credits his grooming at TISS for his success. "As a TISS alum, I have a strong desire to give back to my Alma Mater which has nurtured me, help me stay rooted, fight dreaded criminals and corruption. The training I received here has made me fearless. It has inculcated in me the right values," said Mr Atul, with a sense of pride.

"I am delighted, as I had this unique opportunity to visit TISS, my Alma mater, which has shaped and moulded me, helped me become what I am today," said Mr Atul, adding, "I consider TISS as the finest crucible of my life as it is India's best academic institution. The lessons I learnt here, within the classrooms and on this picturesque campus, have powerfully and indelibly shaped my perceptions, career and personal life."

Mr Atul's sessions on Cyber Security at the NUSSD YLD programme was very well received by the batch leaders. Mr Atul got several rounds of applause as he could generate a lot of enthusiasm among students after he narrated several incidents of his bravery.

Mr Atul who has exposed several scams, rackets, many of which have gone viral on social media, is featured by the media on a regular basis lauding his efforts. There were a lot of things for the NUSSD batch leaders to take back home after listening to Mr Atul's hair raising experiences.

Another TISSian,  Author, Organizational Unlearning Specialist and Visiting Faculty - TISS and NMIMS, Mr Kanti Gopal engaged with the participants on the idea of 'Peer Leadership'. Using fun exercises and provocative questions, Mr Kanti conducted the sessions, which helped the batch leaders to understand the importance of taking initiative and supporting those who take the initiative.

Mr Kanti, whose sessions though gave serious inputs and were of intense nature, were delivered with ease and grace. Mr Kanti said that it was a privilege for him to facilitate the YLD program of NUSSD, as the students were enthusiastic and their learning quotient is high. He expressed hope that these batch leaders have the capacity and drive to transform the 'employ-ability mindset' of their peers.

Mr Kanti who is full of hope and enthusiasm, which reflects while he conducts sessions, underscored some vital points. He stated that experienced TISSians can bring a larger worldview and help students to expand their minds. They can inspire as well as seek inspiration from the new generation of India.  

Mr Atul expressed his gratitude towards TISSAA President Mr Pravin Shastri for offering him this opportunity as an expert speaker, where he could share his experience with the batch leaders on how his training at TISS has motivated, supported to bring out the best in him.

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