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The Hindu
22-05-2025
- Politics
- The Hindu
Should students work while studying? Exploring India's earn-and-learn model
The debate over whether students should be encouraged to work while studying has gained momentum with the ongoing education reform agenda that emphasizes 'learning by doing.' Governments worldwide, including India, are promoting apprenticeship programs and flexible part-time courses to allow students to earn while they learn. This approach aims to equip students with practical skills from an early age, fostering a culture of responsibility and self-sufficiency. In countries like the United States, student employment is deeply embedded in the educational framework. Recent reports highlight school toppers engaging in on-campus jobs to offset living expenses, showcasing a growing trend among Indian institutions as well. However, this dual commitment of working and studying raises concerns about reinforcing existing caste and class structures. Critics argue that without adequate opportunities, students may inadvertently follow parental or ancestral occupations, perpetuating societal inequalities. To explore this multifaceted issue further, The Hindu hosted a webinar titled 'Should students be encouraged to work and earn while they study?' on May 17, 2025. The panellists included Kaibalyapati Mishra, Ph.D. student at ISEC; Prof. Shraddha Kumbhojkar, Head of History Department at Savitribai Phule Pune University; and Dr. Parag Kalkar, Pro Vice-Chancellor at SPPU. Also Read: Need for National Student Work Policy: Safeguarding students working off and on campus Prof. Kalkar, who gave the opening remarks, emphasized the importance of students realising the value of money. 'Our parents are very caring and, despite a child who is going for postgraduation, even a Ph.D., the parents take care of their money, their pocket money, and many other things', he said. He also highlighted how work can shape student behavior and attitude. 'Students and the young generation are not interested in working in a physical mode. They want to work on a computer in an air-conditioned cabin. But when the student works for one or two hours, they realise the value of money. They socialise. The human aspect of the students will be developed naturally. If they earn and then invest in higher education, I think their sensitivity, sensibility, and sincerity will be more than what it is today', he said. Impact on mental health While the benefits of earning through work, such as enhanced confidence and life skills, are evident, it's crucial to consider potential drawbacks like stress on mental health or adverse effects on academic performance. Policy-makers need to ensure that student employment does not compromise educational quality or well-being. The conversation surrounding student work opportunities also highlights systemic issues within India's higher education landscape. Many students come from economically disadvantaged backgrounds; thus, their motivation for working often stems from financial necessity rather than choice. Ensuring safe working environments and dignified labour conditions is imperative if we are to prevent exploitation under the guise of skill development. Mr. Mishra emphasized that student employment in India is often driven by compulsion rather than choice. 'We are assuming the fact that they will like it, but in most cases, it's a compulsion that pushes the students to divert their scope from learning to engage themselves in work. Mr. Mishra highlighted the economic pressures many students face, adding, 'They are earning for their family. That is the problem in this situation. We need laws for students working in India before we try to formalise this as part of the curriculum.'Additionally, suggestions have emerged regarding skill mapping initiatives that align student capabilities with available job opportunities while providing necessary counseling support for informed decision-making about work during studies. Caste Implications Prof. Kumbhojkar highlighted the caste implications of student labour. She spoke about a colleague of hers who comes from a family of shepherds. He had narrated to Prof. Kumbhojkar that while he was a high school student, during vacations, he had to take his sheep for grazing. If he were seen by some of his upper-caste classmates, he would feel ashamed. She stressed that giving dignity to all forms of labor is a societal responsibility. 'The element of caste and the gravity of this shame, the whole hierarchical power structure, is very real. One doesn't want the caste system to be reinforced through this earn-and-learn kind of thing. This idea needs to be imbibed by each member of a society, not just the universities and all these protected and safe spaces', she said. She also proposed policy interventions to support student employment meaningfully. 'The kind of work that students are made to do may not be aligned with their degrees, but they may be involved in jobs that have transferable skills like content writing. Perhaps something like the CSR policy could be worked out by policymakers. The University Grants Commission has the Earn While You Learn scheme, paying around ₹4,000 (max.) to students working within campus and a few rules too. But there is a need for a comprehensive policy. As discussions unfold around these topics, stakeholders must collaborate towards creating policies that safeguard both educational integrity and economic empowerment for students across all strata of society.


New Indian Express
06-05-2025
- Entertainment
- New Indian Express
Book released on Bengaluru's affair with BMTC rides
BENGALURU: Bengalurina Bussina Kathegalu (Bengaluru's Bus Stories), which captures the memories associated with the Bangalore Metropolitan Transport Corporation (BMTC) buses, was released on Monday. A collaborative effort of the EQUIMOB (Inclusive Cities Through Equitable Access to Urban Mobility Infrastructures for India and Bangladesh) project, Institute for Social and Economic Change (ISEC), Bengaluru Bus Prayanikara Vedike (BBPV) and Samvada, the book brings alive memories of double-decker buses, love for bus radio when there were no mobile phones, bus bonds and others. 'When we discuss about Bengaluru, the first thing that comes is the Information Technology, the city's infamous traffic, Silk Board Signal. But we hardly get to see anything related to BMTC buses, Bengaluru's lifeline,' said Prajwal, a PhD Scholar from ISEC and Utrecht University, who coordinated for the project from EQUIMOB. 'Like Kolkata or other cities, Bengaluru didn't have trains for local commute. All we had was the BMTC (then Bangalore Transport Service). BMTC buses, which played a pivotal role in Bengaluru's making, have largely remained neglected in its development story. Except for some scenes in a Kamal Hassan movie and in other Kannada movies, BMTC buses are hardly seen,' Prajwal said. Though every one of us has travelled in BMTC and has a lot of memories associated with it, it is not being recorded, he said, adding that the book has stories associated with the bus, he added. The organisers said the e-book will be uploaded on Equimob website soon, and hard copies will be distributed among the BBPV community organisations and various government departments.


Mint
25-04-2025
- Business
- Mint
Recommended stocks to buy today: Top stock picks by market experts for 25 April
•COROMANDEL: Buy above ₹ 2,240 and dips to ₹ 2,170 | Stop ₹ 2,140 | Target ₹ 2,440-2,525 •ISEC: Buy above ₹ 900 and dips to 850 | Stop ₹ 825 | Target ₹ 990-1,125 •NAVINFLOUR: Buy above ₹ 4,350 and dips near 4,200 | Stop ₹ 4,100 | Target ₹ 4,750-4,900 Also read: LTIMindtree: New year, new plan – but will it work? Why it's recommended: Robust order book and capacity expansion, diversification into high-margin passenger segment Key metrics: P/E: 34.93, 52-week high: ₹ 1,897, volume: ₹ 39.30 lakh Technical analysis: Reclaimed its 50-DMA Risk factors: Supply chain disruptions, execution delays Buy at: ₹ 811.45 Target price: ₹ 950 in three months Stop loss: ₹ 772 Also read: M&M Fin's margin rebound must be accompanied by lower bad debts Buy Network18 Media & Investments Ltd (current price: ₹ 46.15) Why it's recommended: Digital expansion and audience reach, investments in sports broadcasting Key metrics: P/E: N/A, 52-week high: ₹ 228, volume: ₹ 44.62 crore Technical analysis: Reclaimed its 50-DMA Risk factors: Volatility in advertising revenue, high investment costs, and profitability pressure Buy at: ₹ 46.15 Target price: ₹ 56 in three months Stop loss: ₹ 43.2 Also read: Bajaj Housing ends FY25 on a strong note, but the stock remains richly valued Raja Venkatraman is co-founder, NeoTrader. His Sebi-registered research analyst registration no. is INH000016223. MarketSmith India: Trade name: William O'Neil India Pvt. Ltd. Its Sebi-registered research analyst registration number is INH000015543. Investments in securities are subject to market risks. Read all the related documents carefully before investing. Registration granted by Sebi and certification from NISM in no way guarantees performance of the intermediary or provide any assurance of returns to investors. Disclaimer: The views and recommendations given in this article are those of individual analysts. These do not represent the views of Mint. We advise investors to check with certified experts before making any investment decisions.


Mint
25-04-2025
- Business
- Mint
Best stocks to buy today: Raja Venkatraman recommends three stocks for 25 April
•COROMANDEL: Buy above ₹ 2,240 and dips to ₹ 2,170 | Stop ₹ 2,140 | Target ₹ 2,440-2,525 •ISEC: Buy above ₹ 900 and dips to 850 | Stop ₹ 825 | Target ₹ 990-1,125 •NAVINFLOUR: Buy above ₹ 4,350 and dips near 4,200 | Stop ₹ 4,100 | Target ₹ 4,750-4,900 Coromandel International Ltd: A leading player in the agricultural inputs sector, it offers a compelling case for investors seeking a blend of fundamental and technical analysis. The company operates across two primary segments: Nutrient and other allied business, and crop protection. With a strong presence in fertilisers, speciality nutrients, and crop protection products, Coromandel has established itself as a key contributor to India's agricultural growth. From a technical perspective, Coromandel's stock has shown resilience and upward momentum, supported by strong price action. The stock's ability to maintain key support levels and break through resistance zones reflects positive market sentiment and investor confidence. Technical indicators, such as the Average Directional Index (ADX), suggest a favourable trend, making it an attractive option for traders seeking short-term gains. Also Read: Bajaj Housing ends FY25 on a strong note, but the stock remains richly valu ed The trends in this counter have been quite interesting as the stock demonstrated repeated buying at lower levels since November 2024. The trends remained unclear, but the bullish hopes were not giving up. This can be observed from the charts that we have attached below, where the reaction below the Ichimoku cloud did not head much lower as bullish bias was emerging on a consistent basis. The lack of clarity persisted till the key resistance zone around 1,900 was surpassed. This level once again came into play as the 7 April dip into these zones combined with the KS lines, as there was no trend that was emerging at the moment. As the lower end of the market began gaining a firmer footing to hold back the bearish bias, the trends began to unfold. By the end of March, a more bullish resolve managed to push the prices higher, and the last few days were clearly showing signs of some resolute newfound bullishness that can unfold. As the ADX and positive DMI are seen holding on and generating upward momentum, we can look at the possibility of continued upward traction. Overall, there has been some steady buying between the TS & KS Bands, hinting at some continued upward traction in the next few months, looking at a possibility of moving towards 2,500, and any addition towards 2,170 levels can be considered as a dip buy opportunity. Any move beneath 2,140 should be treated as a negation of the upward journey. ICICI Securities Ltd: A prominent player in the financial services sector, it offers a compelling case for investors seeking a blend of fundamental and technical analysis. The company operates across diverse segments, including institutional and retail broking, investment banking, and financial product distribution. With a strong presence in India and international markets, ICICI Securities has established itself as a leader in providing innovative solutions to its clients. ICICI Securities' stock movements often mirror broader trends in the financial services sector, influenced by factors such as economic policies, interest rate changes, and global market dynamics. By analysing these price patterns, investors can gain insights into the underlying psychology driving market behaviour. Rounding patterns are emerging repeatedly and cloud support, and repeatedly taking rebound from the cloud support region. The steady consolidation cum buying at lower levels suggest that the buying interest was very much alive. For a large part of 2024, the stock witnessed some profit booking that dragged the prices lower. However, the bullish interest kept emerging at lower levels to help it sustain the volatility and helped to sustain the trends. Looking at the charts, we note that the fall that we witnessed brought the prices lower towards the cloud support region in the month of February 2025. As the market remained uncertain, the prices spent time in consolidation. After the dips seen in the last few weeks, the renewed revival seen lately brought back the bullish interest in this counter once again. The sharp upside seen in the last few days clearly indicates that the buying interest emerging at lower levels can help the prices sustain the upward bounce. The positive Directional Index (PDI) as seen on the higher timeframe charts are clearly highlighting that a new move is unfolding, and we can consider going long in this counter at current levels and look for some upward bounce in the next few days. Looking ahead, we note that ICICI Securities represents a balanced investment opportunity, combining strong fundamentals with technical insights. By understanding market psychology and managing risks effectively, investors can position themselves for success in this dynamic sector. Navin Fluorine International Ltd: A leading player in the speciality chemicals sector, stands out as a compelling investment opportunity for those who value a blend of fundamental and technical analysis. The company operates across diverse segments, including refrigerants, speciality chemicals, and contract research and manufacturing services (CRAMS). With a strong focus on innovation and sustainability, Navin Fluorine has established itself as a key contributor to India's chemical industry. Ever since the start of 2024, the stock has shown some tremendous revival from the pullback that it witnessed. The last few weeks, the bullish momentum seen in this counter has once again reiterated that the trends have clearly stepped up the bullish participation. This stock has found some positive traction post its quarterly numbers. With the Q4 numbers expected in next few days, this counter can be tracked as the momentum is showing some steady resolve to move higher. The last few months, we have observed that the prices are forming higher lows, indicating that the trends are very much in control, and the formation of long body bullish candles is a signal that there is a steady demand emerging and we can consider looking at this counter for the short term. With s volatile market scenario unfolding one can look at buying at current levels and also on a decline towards ₹ 4,200 with a stop below ₹ 4,100 for a rise towards ₹ 4,750-4,900 within the next three months. In conclusion, Navin Fluorine International represents a balanced investment opportunity, combining strong fundamentals with technical insights. By understanding market psychology and managing risks effectively, investors can position themselves for success in this dynamic sector. Raja Venkatraman is co-founder, NeoTrader. His Sebi-registered research analyst registration no. is INH000016223. Investments in securities are subject to market risks. Read all the related documents carefully before investing. Registration granted by Sebi and certification from NISM in no way guarantees performance of the intermediary or provide any assurance of returns to investors. Disclaimer: The views and recommendations given in this article are those of individual analysts. These do not represent the views of Mint. We advise investors to check with certified experts before making any investment decisions.