Dubai: Mangalore Konkans' seminar enlightens parents, teens on life skills
Media Release
Dubai, Apr 7: The much-awaited seminar on 'Life Skills for Parents and Teenagers' on Friday April 5 at the India Club was a great success with a total attendance of 172 participants. The audience went home enriched with information and knowledge and practical guidance to specific skills in life that would help them to be healthy, wealthy and wise.
The 70 teenagers who participated in the seminar thoroughly enjoyed session on 'Self Esteem' conducted by psychologist Marissa. She commenced her session with an interactive activity which made the participants describe themselves with confidence. Through her presentation, the teenagers were taught to develop healthy self esteem, to be able to feel good about themselves, appreciate their own worth and take pride in their abilities, skills and accomplishments.
The second session for teenagers on 'Success through Perseverance' was conducted by distinguished Toast Master Sujit Sukumaran who said, “Unless one has a dream and a good goal around it, nothing tangible can be achieved.” He motivated the youngsters by stating that “Perception is what separates the good from the great and it is perseverance which makes the ordinary person an extraordinary individual." He encouraged them to develop an attitude of gratitude which will automatically make wonders happen. The participants were full of appreciation listening to Sujit’s success story and expressed that they would like to have more sessions from him.
The teenagers actively participated in the seminar by asking many questions and clarifying their doubts.
“If you buy things you don’t need, you’ll soon sell things you need” and “Don’t save what is left after spending, spend what is left after saving” were the witty sentences used by Mark D’ Souza speaking on spending and saving. Over 102 adults who attended the seminar were enlightened with the informative session on 'Financial Planning' conducted by this chartered accountant and financial consultant who travelled all the way from Bangalore for this purpse. With his rich experience of 25 years in the field, Mark conveyed vital information on the need for day to day as well as long term financial planning, retirement planning, various types of investments that one could diversify their funds in and succession planning and need for Wills. The participants wished they could hear more on the subject.
'Stress and Anger Management' was also a topic the audience were eagerly looking forward to. Psychologist Dr Lavina Ahuja explained in detail the signs and symptoms of stress, psychology of anger and anger management, helping children cope with nger, and concluded her session with one minute relaxation exercise to get away with the stress.
The combined sessions for adults and teenagers were also well received. Subramanian, the managing director of Meccademia Educational Institute was exceptionally versatile in guiding the aspirants into their career. Subramanian shed light on the fact that mere qualification would not always lead to successful career and hence identifying the student’s interest and aptitude is crucial in choosing the right steam of studies after their high school. Referring to his own experience, he addressed the need to have a professional approach to choose a career . He also gave information on alternate educational institutions who offer an exclusive educational programme for those who do not wish to pursue the existing routine educational system..
“Living a healthy lifestyle doesn’t have to be hard. It just takes the motivation to change our habits into good, healthy ones. Good nutrition, daily exercise, adequate sleep, and stress management are the foundations for continuing good health” said Maryla Johnson, lifestyle consultant, ‘Active Life’, Dubai. She explained 10 simple tips that would help to follow a Healthy Life Style and it is for each individual to be determined to put in efforts, to be healthy and fit.
Aboline D’Cunha, vice-president of Mangalore Konkans Dubai In her introductory speech said, “Education is the most powerful weapon which you can use to change the world” and that the educative seminar planned by Mangalore Konkans Dubai intended to develop knowledge and life skills through the six selected topics for the event which would surely mould the participants to be wiser and more successful in their lives.
The entire proceedings of the seminar were conducted professionally and the participants were very enthusiastic, eager to learn more and were actively involved in the question and answer sessions, which were moderated by Albert Rodrigues for adults and by Tracy Rodrigues for teenagers. After a sumptuous lunch, the quiz conducted by Deepak Machado created excitement and thrill among the teenagers as well as the adults, although most of the winners were teenagers.
James Mendonca, president of Mangalore Konkans Dubai requested those present to mark their calendars and block the dates for cookery contest on May 17 and Konkan Talent Contest on June 28, 2013, which events are part of their Silver Jubilee Celebrations apart from the already conducted events Viz. Konkan Sports Meet on 8th February and Seminar on Life Skills held in on 5th April 2013.