Honing skills, gaining knowledgefrom every available source
   Date :09-Mar-2025

Honing 
By Vikas Vaidya
 
SOME youngsters follow their parents in choosing their career, while some take a different path. ‘The Hitavada’ spoke to some youngsters who have chosen their respective fields with a particular goal. Those who took a different path had to start from zero. But they are firm on their decision. They know well that one should keep one’s body fit as bad health should not be an obstruction in utilising any opportunity in future. Such youngsters are on the lookout for some unique field which nobody is inclined to choose. For example, many youngsters don’t aim to become teacher. But Abhijeet Chore is aiming to make a mark in this field. He is working as Assistant Professor with the Department of Liberal Arts at Dr Vishwanath Karad MIT World Peace University, Pune. He tries to ensure that he has dreams and goals for every aspect of his life, including career, health, family and travel. “I aspire to find a balance in my life where I am contributing as much as possible to my students’ lives. I ensure fitness while exploring as much of the world as possible. My favourite modality though, remains the conversation,” said Chore who believes in the plurality of dreams. When one stops learning, one stops oneself from being open to new possibilities. Upskilling helps in opening new avenues and guarantees a fulfilling career, added Chore. “Every batch of students is starkly different from one another. Being relevant to each of these batches can be a challenge, I have to observe, understand and deliver content in different styles.
 
I change my teaching methods, delivery styles and even my resources,” explained Chore. Chore doesn’t believe in having role models. “I have never put too much faith in having role models for the simple reason that hurdles and opportunities can come in unpredictable patterns in people’s lives. Irrespective of age, all are ingrained with qualities like resilience, compassion and empathy. It is for these qualities that I like to read about the people who have been stalwarts in my field. In the age we live in, there is a great documentation available in text, audio and video and I like to make use of them all.” Pushkar Lawankar decided to become a lawyer unlike his father Dr Ravi who is in the medical profession. He is working hard in his profession with an aim to become an Advocate in the Supreme Court.“I aspire to use my legal knowledge and expertise to make a meaningful difference in people’s lives and contribute positively to the society.
 
I acquire knowledge by doing online research, which has been a game-changer for finding valuable resources. What truly amplifies this learning is blending it with wisdom from experienced individuals, as their practical insights add depth and clarity.The real value comes when I put this knowledge to use— whether by solving problems, improving processes, or achieving specific goals—and learn from the outcomes to refine my approach further,” said Lawankar. Sushant Chandekar studied Architecture and founded ‘Saws and Beans’ – (a maker – Design studio), with a dream to inspire a shift towards sustainability and hands-on skills. “I envision a world where maker spirit, innovation, and conscious living come together. My goal is to bring sustainable values in our design solutions, and boost a DIY (Do it yourself ) culture through our experiential workshops and spread the joy of creation,” said Chandekar. His father Dr Murlidhar Chandekar is in the teaching profession and drafts the policy of Higher Education for Maharashtra after completing the tenure of Vice Chancellor.
 
His father’s highly successful career failed to attract him. Akanksha Patil, a Visual Artist has done MFA in Creative Painting. As far as acquiring skills are concerned, she believes in observing surroundings, practical experience and extensive reading of books and historical texts. She keeps visiting numerous places, historical monuments, museums and art galleries, as well as engaging in discussions with other individuals. She competes with herself. “Rather than viewing others as competitors, I focus on personal growth. My sole competitor is myself, striving to be a better artist than I was yesterday. I constantly work to develop both the conceptual and technical aspects of my practice,” expressed Patil. She firmly says, “I strive for authenticity in my art, translating my emotions and thought processes directly onto the canvas.
 
This honesty allows my work to develop a unique identity and genuine character. Additionally, I enjoy experimenting with different mediums and exploring their full potential. Regular visits to museums, galleries and talk shows further enrich my artistic knowledge. Consistent practice and critical selfreflection are essential for continuous improvement.” “As an author, I observe everything around me. I listen—to people, conversations, and the unspoken rhythms of life. I read widely: literature, news, essays—anything that feeds my curiosity. I follow industry leaders and closely track trends in advertising, neuromarketing, and consumer behaviour. I have been fascinated by words since I started reading the lexicon at the age of 8, and that passion hasn’t waned. I follow internet abbreviation‘TIL’ (Today I Learned). Every day, I make it a point to note down something new I’ve learned - across any field. It’s my way of staying curious and engaged,” explained Shalaka Kulkarni, Chief Wordsmith, Author and Founder, Write Click, India. “I meet new people, engage with experts, attend events, make copious notes, and read extensively.
 
I also take short courses to stay updated with the evolving ecosystem. I am aware that J K Rowling endured countless rejections, and Melanie Perkins, the founder of Canva, was turned down by 100 venture capitalists before succeeding,” asserts Shalaka. Society always calls youngsters arrogant, disobedient, addicted and indisciplined. Few of the youngsters may fall in these categories. But majority of them are certainly different. They follow their dreams, they have an intense urge for acquiring knowledge, they aim at living a purposeful and meaningful life.