Latest news with #Sethu
The Hindu
6 days ago
- General
- The Hindu
Children return to schools amid a festive mood in Ernakulam
Hundreds of children were accorded a colourful reception on the occasion of the start of the new academic year across schools in Ernakulam on Monday (June 2). Songs, dance performances, distribution of gifts, sweets, and flowers turned the 'Praveshanolsavam' into a festive mood. Although a few tiny tots broke into tears amid the new surroundings, the teachers and non-teaching staff lost no time in consoling them, as evident from the scenes witnessed in several schools on the first day of the new academic year. At the Government Girls' Lower Primary School, Ernakulam, the children were welcomed with colourful caps made out of chart paper. The senior students were also around to ensure that the younger students remained happy on the inaugural day. The Government High School at West Kadungalloor near Aluva wore a festive look as the district-level 'Praveshanolsavam' was held on the campus. Minister for Industries P. Rajeeve, who inaugurated the programme, said that the new curriculum will equip the children to tackle the challenges in life beyond the knowledge gathered from textbooks. The inclusion of topics such as good habits, the importance of cleanliness, and the ill effects of drugs will enable them to become responsible citizens, he said. Sethu, the author, who spoke on the occasion, said that learning one's mother language will unite humanity. The learning of mother tongue cannot be set aside in our educational system, he said. Name slips with messages related to cleanliness were distributed among the students as part of a campaign by the Suchitwa Mission. Parvathy Gopakumar, Assistant Collector, Ernakulam, who inaugurated the 'Praveshanolsavam' at the St. Joseph U.P. School, urged the children to face the challenges in their lives as part of the journey ahead. 'If you can overcome these challenges, you will be able to move forward with courage,' she said. Anthony Asanparambil, Chairperson of the Maradu Municipality, inaugurated the Thrippunithura sub-district programme held at the Government Lower Primary School in Mangayil. Children were welcomed to the campus with colourful balloons and sweets.
The Hindu
10-05-2025
- Business
- The Hindu
Showcase your expertise
I am pursuing Social Science. My UG degree was International Relations, and Master's was Political Science. What are the potential career options in teaching in India and abroad? What skills do I need to develop? Dheeraj Dear Dheeraj, Your academic background is a strong asset. Potential career options in India include teaching in government and private schools (the latter could be affiliated to Indian or international boards), universities and colleges, coaching or tutoring, and curriculum development or creation of educational content. Abroad, you can teach at schools if you complete specific certifications that are prerequisites in those countries. Work on becoming a subject matter expert, and stay updated on current events. Understand and apply pedagogical skills such as lesson planning, delivery, classroom management and differentiated instruction. Work on your verbal and written communication and active listening. Use technology to create digital content and build a skillset in software proficiency. Develop interpersonal skills, research and analytical skills and a deep understanding of cultural sensitivity. Also, explore online teaching, work with NGOs and think tanks, and build an online presence by creating a professional website or blog to showcase your expertise and teaching philosophy to help you stand out. I am in the final year of B.A. Economics. I want to do a PG in Economics and Econometrics. Are there any good institutions? Also will it help to pursue courses in computers? Sethu Dear Sethu, Some of India's top institutions, known for their Economics and Econometrics programmes are Indian Statistical Institute (ISI) in Delhi and Kolkata; Delhi School of Economics (DSE); Indira Gandhi Institute of Development Research (IGIDR), Mumbai; Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU); Indian Institutes of Technology (IITs) Delhi, Kanpur, and Kharagpur; and Madras School of Economics (MSE), Chennai. Computer skills are essential for Econometrics (as it relies on statistical software such as R, Python, and Stata). Proficiency in these tools is crucial for data analysis and model building and will broaden your job prospects. I have completed BBA but am not sure what to do next. I am interested in stock market trading. Are there any courses on the stock market, especially futures and option trading? Viswa Dear Viswa, The National Stock Exchange (NSE) Academy offers a range of courses including futures and options trading, and provides industry-recognised certifications. The Bombay Stock Exchange (BSE) Institute also offers courses related to the stock market, including derivatives trading that cater to different levels of experience. The National Institute of Securities Markets (NISM) offers certification exams that are mandatory for certain roles in the securities market. Online platforms such as Coursera, Udemy, and edx offering a variety of courses on finance, investing, and trading. Zerodha, a popular brokerage platform in India, provides free educational modules on various aspects of the stock market, including futures and options. Investopedia is another valuable online resource to learn about financial terms and concepts. Many brokerage firms offer educational resources and seminars on trading. However, be cautious and ensure that the information is unbiased and genuine. Before trading with real money, practice with a demo account to get a feel for the market and test your strategies. Start small and gradually increase your investment as you gain experience. The stock market is constantly evolving and dynamic. So, it is essential to stay updated with the latest trends and developments. Futures and options trading involves significant risk, so understand the potential losses before you start trading. Be wary of 'get-rich-quick' schemes, scams and unrealistic promises. I completed (Hons) Agriculture and worked in an e-commerce supplier. Now I am looking after operations and finance in two retail shops in my family business. This has got me interested in finance, and I took up a certification in Investment Banking. Should I look for entry-level jobs in the investment sector or try for CFA Level 1? Raghul Dear Raghul, Entry-level jobs in the investment sector will help you gain practical experience, build a professional network, and learn from experienced professionals. However, these positions are highly competitive, and your non-traditional background may require you to put in extra effort to showcase your skills. But the CFA Level 1 CFA Level 1 is a globally recognised qualification and will significantly enhance your credibility and showcase a strong commitment to finance, thereby increasing your chances of landing better jobs. However, it will require significant time and effort for preparation and does not guarantee a job. Start preparing for the exam while actively seeking entry-level jobs. Leverage your experience in managing finances and operations in your family business, and highlight your ability to analyse financial data and make informed decisions. Connect with professionals in the investment sector. Customise your resume to highlight relevant skills and experience. Emphasise your analytical skills, financial acumen, and ability to learn quickly. Gain proficiency in financial software and tools, and improve your communication and presentation skills. Consider internships to gain relevant experience and make connections.
The Guardian
11-04-2025
- Entertainment
- The Guardian
‘I can't believe I'm paid to watch Ncuti Gatwa!': Doctor Who's boundary-pushing new companion, Varada Sethu
Most teenagers rebel against their parents in small ways: sneaking out, stealing a nip of Cointreau, arriving home past curfew. Not Varada Sethu, the Newcastle-raised actor who's about to grace screens as new companion Belinda Chandra in the forthcoming season of Doctor Who. Her rebellion took on a go-big-or-go-home attitude befitting a future screen star: when she was 18 she entered, and subsequently won, the Miss Newcastle beauty pageant. 'Oh my God, I thought that was gonna be buried somewhere!' she exclaims when I bring it up. The whole thing was 'kind of an accident', she explains: 'My sister and I were walking around in Eldon Square shopping centre, and they asked us if we wanted to enter, and I thought: 'Yeah, I'll give it a go' – I thought it might piss off my parents a bit!' The decision to enter definitely caused 'a bit of friction', but Sethu's parents didn't raise a quitter. 'On the day we had the rehearsals, I called my mum up and said: 'I don't want to do this, can you please take me home?' And Mum was like: 'Well, you've signed up for it, so you're doing it,'' she recalls. 'None of us expected me to win – the whole thing was a bit of a bodge job for me!' Now 32, the beauty pageant world 'doesn't really align with' Sethu's value system, and her chosen vocation is miles – galaxies, really – away from that world of tiaras and special skills. In recent years, thanks to a starring role in the acclaimed Star Wars series Andor and her forthcoming turn as Belinda, as well as a part in the 2018 BBC drama Hard Sun, she's become known as a go-to British sci-fi actor. 'You don't often see brown people in space – well, you do more than in other genres, because they're futuristic – but I don't think I necessarily saw myself as part of the sci-fi world,' she says. 'So I don't quite know how I ended up here, but I love it, and I'm very, very happy to be here.' Born in Kerala, India, Sethu moved with her parents and twin sister to Newcastle upon Tyne when she was six. Her entire family are artistic – her father sings and her mother is a dancer – but 'everybody does it as a hobby', so when she caught the acting bug after doing National Youth Theatre as a teenager, her parents insisted she pursue a veterinary degree as well. After a few months in vet school, she was ready to drop out. '[One day] my dad outright asked me: 'Are you actually happy?' and I completely fell apart. I was honest, saying: 'No, this isn't what I want to do – I want to follow my dreams, I want to go into acting,'' she says. 'My mum thought it was an impulsive decision – she thought that I found uni quite hard and I didn't want to do it any more, which is, you know, maybe a fair thing to say – I am impulsive!' After Sethu landed a few jobs – including in Russell T Davies's 2016 TV adaptation of A Midsummer Night's Dream – her mum came round. 'When she saw that I'm able to support myself, [her opinion] changed,' she says. 'She's very much onboard now that she knows it's what I love doing, and that I'll find a way to survive.' Sethu's breakout came in 2022 when she was cast as the medic Cinta Kaz in Andor, a prequel to the acclaimed 2016 Star Wars spin-off Rogue One. Andor has been praised as one of the best Star Wars properties in many years – the franchise has been hampered, of late, by a deluge of tepidly received streaming shows – and Sethu says she 'knew that it would do well, because it's such beautiful writing, it's so considered and layered and complex'. In the show, Sethu's character is in a same-sex relationship, still a rarity in mainstream franchises. 'It meant a lot to me – I think the best thing about that part was that it wasn't this huge deal, it was just normalised, nobody bats an eyelid,' she says. 'I believe that's how it should be. Unfortunately, there are certain parts of the world where it's illegal to be gay or to be queer in any way. It's a fundamental part of someone, but it's also so arbitrary, and sadly there's still a ways to go. So anything that is moving towards highlighting how totally normal and fine it is to be queer, I'm on board with. It meant a lot to have that representation in the Star Wars world as well – the first, I think we were told, openly queer relationship [in Star Wars].' Despite the shows being vastly different, Andor gave Sethu a little bit of experience in terms of shouldering a massive, beloved franchise when it came to stepping into Doctor Who, which she wasn't a fan of before appearing on the show. In 2023, she filmed a guest spot as a soldier who comes to the aid of the Fifteenth Doctor (Ncuti Gatwa) in the episode Boom, and later that year was asked to take a meeting to be Gatwa's new companion. 'I wasn't expecting to come back,' she says. 'It was amazing to be able to come back, and it was great because it didn't feel like the first day at school, not knowing anybody – I had already had a little taste of it, and everyone knew me.' Although Sethu is forbidden from revealing too much about Belinda's arc this season, she liked that 'she was able to stand on her own, and she felt very much like the main character in her own story', she says. 'She felt very independent from the Doctor – it really feels like they're equals.' Working with Gatwa, whose turn as the first non-white Doctor has won rave reviews, was a dream come true. 'He's so talented, and to watch him every day you have to match that energy. I think that's what was great about us – if one of us was feeling knackered or whatever, the other one pulled our weight,' she says. 'I never got sick of [seeing him act] – I'd think: 'God, I can't believe I'm getting paid to do this, to watch Ncuti, one of the greatest actors of our time, perform this great piece in front of me.'' Sign up to What's On Get the best TV reviews, news and features in your inbox every Monday after newsletter promotion Sci-fi fans are notorious for rejecting or trolling any non-white actors who enter their favourite worlds, but Sethu says she has thus far been unscathed. 'What I try to concentrate on, and what Ncuti tries to concentrate on, is the gratitude and the joy we have in being able to share stories with people who are choosing to be kind and accepting,' she says. 'I mean – Doctor Who is about an alien who changes skin every couple of years, so why does it matter?' As for the rumours that Gatwa is looking to make this season of the show his last, in search of greater opportunities in the US, Sethu remains coy. '[Gatwa and I] speak about all sorts of things, but I think it's ultimately … I feel like the decisions are made by people above us, right?' she says. 'It's kind of above my pay grade to be able to say if anyone's staying or going or whatever.' Whether or not Sethu signs on for another season, she's sure to be in high demand very soon, thanks to both Doctor Who and a new season of Andor. 'There's not a lot I can say, in the same way there's not a lot I can say about Doctor Who, but there's some more action in Andor season two,' she says. 'I got to do some very, very cool stunts. But I don't want to give a lot away!' In the meantime, Sethu is hoping to pick up roles outside of the sci-fi niche she's becoming known for. 'I'm hungry for more of all of it – drama, comedy, tragedy, all of it. I would love to do something silly, like a fun romcom, or a very, very serious drama,' she says. 'The reason I went into acting, or what I love most about acting, is that you get to experience the full spectrum of the human experience – and sometimes outside of it. I love that I've been able to explore space without actually having to, you know … go there!' Doctor Who returns 12 April, 6.50pm, BBC One.
Yahoo
01-04-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
‘Doctor Who' Star Says 'Doctor Woke' Criticism Means Series Is Simply Spreading Kindness
Varada Sethu, the new star of Doctor Who, has defended the BBC and Disney+ series against claims it has gone 'woke.' In an interview with the Radio Times, the new companion to Ncuti Gatwa's Time Lord said that the 'woke' barb means the drama is simply doing the right thing in being inclusive. More from Deadline BBC & ITV Fail To Negotiate AI Safeguards In New Contracts With Actors Union Equity But Broadcasters Say Provisions "Remain Firmly On The Table" YouTube's Revenue Will Top Disney's This Year As It Becomes "The Home For All Things Video", Analyst Says 'Snow White', Poisoned By Controversy At Box Office, Won't Have A Happy Ending With $115M Loss: What Went Wrong 'There's been a couple of Doctor Woke [references] or whatever, but I just think we're doing the right thing if we're getting comments like that,' Sethu said. 'Woke just means inclusive, progressive and that you care about people. And, as far as I know, the core of Doctor Who is kindness, love and doing the right thing.' Sethu and Gatwa's pairing means that two people of color will pilot the Tardis for the first time in Doctor Who's history. 'Ncuti was like, 'Look at us. We get to be in the Tardis. We're going to piss off so many people',' she said. 'We really are equals in the way that we interact with each other. Russell [T Davies] wanted someone who can push back and not be in awe of this all-powerful being.' Season 15 of Doctor Who will premiere on the BBC and Disney on April 12 amid uncertainty over the futures of both Gatwa and showrunner Davies. It is also unclear if Disney will continue to co-produce Doctor Who beyond 2025. The Mouse House's commitment is critical to budgets, storylines, and casting, meaning its withdrawal could mean major changes to the show. Doctor Who fans will likely have to wait until at least 2027 before a follow-up to this year's season. Best of Deadline Everything We Know About 'Black Mirror' Season 7 So Far How Jon Gries' Return To 'The White Lotus' Could Shape Season 3 'Severance' Cast Through Seasons 1 & 2: Innies, Outies, Severed And Unsevered
Telegraph
01-04-2025
- Entertainment
- Telegraph
New Doctor Who star hits back at ‘woke' claims
Doctor Who is 'doing the right thing' if people think it is too woke, its new star has claimed. Varada Sethu will take on the role of the Doctor's companion, alongside Ncuti Gatwa as the Time Lord. 'Ncuti was like, 'Look at us. We get to be in the Tardis. We're going to p--- off so many people',' Sethu told Radio Times, referring to their skin colour. 'There's been a couple of Doctor Woke [references] or whatever, but I just think we're doing the right thing if we're getting comments like that. ''Woke' just means inclusive, progressive, and that you care about people. And, as far as I know, the core of Doctor Who is kindness, love and doing the right thing.' Sethu, 32, appeared in the last series in a guest role, playing an Anglican Marine called Mundy Flynn in the war-themed Boom episode. Showrunner Russell T Davies thought Sethu and Gatwa had so much on-screen chemistry, he cast her as Belinda Chandra, the new companion. Sethu said her character would be more than a mere sidekick. 'We really are equals in the way that we interact with each other. Russell wanted someone who can push back and not be in awe of this all-powerful being,' she said of Belinda's relationship with the Doctor. Belinda is 'the main character of her own story'. The daughter of two Indian doctors who moved to Newcastle upon Tyne when she was a child, Sethu entered and won the Miss Newcastle contest aged 18 'to p--- off my mum' after being scouted in a shopping centre. 'The pageant world doesn't align with my values. But it did give me the confidence to throw myself into acting,' she said. She began a veterinary degree but realised that acting was her true calling and convinced her father to let her downgrade to a three-year physiology course while looking for acting roles. Before she was cast in Doctor Who, Sethu was best known for her role in Andor, the Star Wars spin-off for Disney+. There have been persistent rumours that Gatwa will leave the show at the end of the second series amid doubts over its future, with Disney bosses said to be unhappy with the returns on their multimillion-dollar investment. The BBC signed a $100 million deal with Disney in 2022, but ratings for the first two series were underwhelming. Davies was criticised for placing too much focus on identity politics. In an interview last year, he conceded that audience figures for series 14 'might not be the ratings we love' but said the show was a success with the under-30s. 'I was brought back in to bring in a youthful audience. That's been massively successful. Those figures are astronomic for Doctor Who,' he said.
