Life skills for IT community

The IT community is fatally attracted to drugs. For those who don't agree, they have to only recall that about 280 IT professionals were arrested in a pre-dawn raid on a rave party in Pune recently, sending shockwaves among the IT fraternity.

This incident, has inspired Raman International Institute of Information Technology (RiiiT) to initiate life skills training apart from technical and soft skills on campus. The incident was an indication of how intensely the drug net has captured the present generation., and it now poses one of the most serious challenges for those steering the IT sector.

A recent study on socio-demographic features of cannabis and heroin abuse indicated that of the 680 narcotic and drug addicts associated with 3 narcotic anonymous meeting centers and 2 drug addicts' rehabilitation centers, majority was taking either cannabis or heroin. Seventy-two percent of addicts belonged to age group of 20-24 years. "Of the 680, 544 persons admitted that they developed addiction between the age group of 20 and 24."

While cosmopolitan cities have proven to be unsafe for youngsters, tier-II cities, which have potential for investments will no doubt be the next target.

Life skills training (LST) is a research-validated substance abuse prevention program proven to reduce the risks of alcohol, tobacco, drug abuse, and violence by targeting the major social and psychological factors that promote the initiation of substance use and other risky behaviors. It is here that RiiiT has initiated comprehensive and exciting program that instills confidence and necessary skills to successfully handle challenging situations or disturbing circumstances in life. It is not philosophy that is preached but a combination of theory and practical that are closely associated with real life and can be implemented daily.

Life skills taught at RiiiT teach students to resist social pressures to smoke, drink and use drugs and assist them to develop greater self-esteem and self-confidence.

Who teaches students at RiiiT?: Dr Gunde, international yoga exponent and orthopedician, who has taught former President K R Narayanan and former Prime Minister V P Singh yoga, is associated with Bombay Hospital in Mumbai. He guides students pursing PG course in software programming. With over 35 years of experience in the field of yoga therapy, Dr Gunde has GJG Yoga Academy in Kolhapur. His weeklong workshop on 'Managing Effectiveness' is popular across India and abroad, provides excellent explanations scientifically. The medical expert preaches secrets of Self Management through keeping good health by his concept of 'Total Wellness Management' for 'Effective Management of Self'. His teaching at RiiiT focuses on all components for good health, which include Yogasanas, Mudras, Pranayama, Meditation and Laughter Therapy.

Devajeet Kalita, a certified Reiki master, is a soft-skill trainer, who teaches students Reiki, a Japanese technique for stress reduction and relaxation that also promotes healing. Spiritual meditation and Reiki power techniques are taught to students to overcome negativity. Since stress is a common phenomenon among youngsters entering corporate world, Reiki helps students to control negativity in life, which in turn instills confidence to believe in their potential, talent and positive energy. A five-minute routine everyday keeps the negativity away.