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| Students from Heritage Institute of Technology discuss recruitment policies of companies at Corporate Careers 2006. Pictures by Sanjoy Chattopadhyaya |
Students from Heritage Institute of Technology discuss recruitment policies of companies at Corporate Careers 2006. Pictures by Sanjoy ChattopadhyayaDebators at the Big Fight at Kala Mandir on July 28; (top) a student from St James School on song at the western music competition that followed
The relentless rain and slow-moving traffic were hardly hurdles for youngsters as more than 500 of them showed up at Corporate Careers 2006 at Hotel Hindusthan International on July 29. The event was the last in a series of programmes held in the city over four months as part of Yuva ? the Power of Youth, a festival organised in Calcutta by AIESEC and The Telegraph Careergraph.
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| Debators at the Big Fight at Kala Mandir on July 28; (top) a student from St James School on song at the western music competition that followed |
Corporate Careers stood out among the usual career fairs with its focus on round-table sessions with the representatives of the participating companies, mock group discussions and interviews conducted by IMS and interactions with alumni of IIM Ahmedabad.
The companies that set up stalls were IMS, Tata Steel, SREI, ABP Pvt Ltd, Bengal Ambuja, Hutch and 2COMS. For them, the meet was an opportunity to create a database of potential employees. Indrani Chatterjee, an assistant manager (human resources) with Hutch, said: ?We have received over 200 registrations. We will decide on whom to recruit after taking into consideration our requirements and the youngsters? profiles.?
The youths, on the other hand, got a peek into what the companies? recruitment policies were and the nature of job openings. A group of current and graduate management students from Heritage Institute of Technology was clearly impressed after interacting with the representatives of ABP Pvt Ltd and Bengal Ambuja. They felt that the forum had helped youngsters groom themselves to fit the respective requirements of the companies.
Also on the lookout for greener pastures were executives. ?I am working with a reputed company after a masters in environmental sciences. With increasing stress on corporate social responsibility, there seems to be quite a few openings that I can consider,? said a young woman. At the mock group discussion that started from 2 pm, a group of youngsters debated heatedly on whether or not politicians should step down after a certain age to make way for fresh blood.
On July 28, six students from schools, colleges and B-schools battled it out in Big Fight at Kala Mandir. Vishesh Kothari of St James School, Abhishek Sanyal of St Xavier?s Collegiate School and Surma Guha of Presidency College bagged the top three prizes in the debate. St Xavier?s College, Presidency College and St James School emerged winners in the western music competition that followed.
?Yuva is the first youth festival of its kind in Calcutta and we are overwhelmed by the response, especially at Corporate Careers,? said Umesh Bhutoria, president of AIESEC in Calcutta.
The minimum age requirement for joining AIESEC is to be a first-year college student. Even young graduates and postgraduates seek membership to help secure internships abroad. Moiz Rangoonwala, vice president (public relations) of AIESEC Calcutta, said the organisation has a strict screening process for granting membership.
?Parents pay your bills?
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Host of many chat and countdown shows on the small screen, Sajid Khan, who doesn?t spare anyone, was in town recently to judge a contest for a TV channel. A Young Metro reader caught up with the anchor-turned-film director.
How is Sajid Khan in real life?
I?m the same person as you see on screen. I love movies and I like talking about them. I hate people who don?t love movies.
Were you naughty as a kid?
Naughty is being cute. I was dangerous (laughs).
Who is your favourite comedian?
Johnny Lever.
You have made fun of almost everybody in Bollywood on your shows. Has anybody taken offence?
No, because all that I do on screen is just fun. I never ever mean to hurt anybody. But I have reduced my antics now.
What makes you laugh ?
Funny films, funny people and funny moments.
Does your sister Farha influence you in any way?
Of course! She taught me that if you work hard and honestly, nothing can stop you from reaching your destination.
Do you want to change anything about yourself?
I want to lose 10 kgs soon.
Are you doing anything new at present?
I?m directing a film for Sajid Nadiadwala called Hey Baby. It?s a multi- starrer.
What is the worst mistake you?ve made since you joined the film industry?
Falling in love (laughs).
Any message for Young Metro readers?
Always listen to your parents because they pay all your bills. Also, never get caught cheating (laughs)!
Sritama Dutta,
Class XI, Kendriya Vidyalaya, Barrackpore (Army)
my diary
Loss
It was the end... almost
Every teardrop had dried up,
Most lives were over
It was a closed chapter
The air laden with sorrow and anxiety
Laments strewn everywhere
They had done it
Ruthless savages
With a heart of lead
Had torn through our soul
Leaving life ablaze...
This poem is dedicated to Ashis Ghosh Roy, a disaster management expert with Geological Survey of India, who died in the recent blasts in Srinagar. He was a close family friend and a truly wonderful person.
Ananya Sarkar,
Shri Shikshayatan College
