Daily Archives: July 4, 2015

On the threshold

Arts, Culture & Entertainment, Business & Economy, Education, Records, All
Shop with fun: The Bethel Store. Photo: Special Arrangement
Shop with fun: The Bethel Store. Photo: Special Arrangement

In a first of its kind in the country, St. Francis College sets up a retail store to be managed by students of Retail Management & IT course

For better learning experiences and prospects, students won’t settle for anything less than the best. The Department of B.Voc (Retail Management & IT) of St. Francis College for Women, Begumpet is attempting to provide just that, as it takes opportunity into a completely new, uncharted and exciting array.

Bethel Retail Store is a first of its kind in the country — a store for and by the students — aiming to to provide students with a hands-on experience of managing a retail store.

“The idea of the store stemmed from the need to provide students a way to implement classroom learning; industry assignments, projects, live research and internships are limited due to time and resource constraints. The course is a skill-based and focused on practical learning. So, it’s like a lab for the students to explore and be trained in,” shares Subi Verghese, Head of Department of B.Voc (RM & IT).

The store will showcase merchandise from various retailers for products ranging from textile, footwear, jewellery, books, cosmetics, handbags and designer wear. The present focus is on collaborating with small entrepreneurs, but could tie up with bigger brands in future. The format of the store will chang every month.

In running and managing the store, students will handle everything from promoting and marketing it to unpacking the products, setting up the display counters and shelves, selling to a customer, billing and handling cash operations of the store. Department faculty explains that they have set aside an hour in their timetable for skilling and students would handle the store in shifts.

“Industry retail experts will also train the students. The store isn’t expected to be a commercial establishment, but a platform to learn. A lot of initiative has been taken by the students themselves during the initial stages in terms of contacting people and implementing the idea. They’re thrilled about it,” adds Subi.

Mahati, a student shares her excitement: “At first we were sceptical of the idea and how we would go about it. But as it built up we realised it was an amazing opportunity. I’m expecting to learn more about aspects like how to visually market products.”

“This is something beyond what we’ve expected and we’re all eagerly waiting to start working at the store!” adds Usha, another student.

The store will be operational from mid-August, during the college hours. With the tagline “The Threshold of learning”, the store aspires to be that and more.

source: http://www.thehindu.com / The Hindu / Home> Features> MetroPlus / by Sadiyah Y. Lasania / July 02nd, 2015

Nikitha catches the ‘magic bus’ at the right time

Arts, Culture & Entertainment, Inspiration / Positive News and Features, Sports, World Opinion
Dantulturi Sri Nikitha practising football on the school premises on Friday.– PHOTO: Mohd Arif
Dantulturi Sri Nikitha practising football on the school premises on Friday.– PHOTO: Mohd Arif

Dantulturi Sri Nikitha of Nyamatabad in Nyalakal mandal, who dropped out from school, has a reason to celebrate now. She has made it to the football training programme at New Jersey, USA.

Three years after she left the school for financial reasons, Magic Bus, a voluntary organisation working with children, recognised her talent in football and helped her hone her skills as a goal keeper.

Her parents Subba Raju and Vijaya Lakshmi, who are farm labourers, had plans of marrying her off once they get a suitable groom. It was at this juncture that Magic Bus recognised her talent and prodded her to pursue it with enthusiasm. She came to the limelight during one of the community sports events organised by the Magic Bus. “Thanks to Magic Bus which made all efforts to get her readmitted to school. They convinced her parents to do so. Without the organisation, Nikhita’s talent might not have gotten proper exposure,” says Shakeela, Principal, Navabharat High School, where Nikhita is studying at present. Under Nikhita’s leadership, the school football team won more than eight matches and also represented the school at the State-level last year.

“She was distraught when we refused to readmit her in the school. Some of our relatives are still against she going to the US as they think that it will be of no use for her. Only her uncle, Subrahmanyam Raju, supported us throughout,” says Nikhita’s parents. But nothing has deterred Nikhita from chasing her dream. Ask her about it and phat comes the answer: “I want to become a football player. To achieve that, I will do whatever that is needed to be done. But my family needs support too ,” says Nikhita, who is flying to New Jersey today to be trained by Sports Leadership Academy there.

With the help of Magic Bus, a voluntary organisation, a dropout from school has managed to go to the US for training in football

source: http://www.thehindu.com / The Hindu / Home> National> Telangana / by R. Avadhani / Mirajpur (Medak District) / July 04th, 2015