My experience with life skills: Awakened citizen programme

By Samhita Rengarajan

In the year 2021, when I entered the 6 standard, a new area of learning called Life Skills was introduced. Like my classmates, I was curious about this subject. Our class teacher then explained that Life Skills, based on The Awakened Citizen Programme (run by the Ramakrishna Mission), is a graded value-education programme for middle-school and high- school students. The programme aims to empower students in practical ways, helping them develop into enlightened citizens capable of making responsible choices.

My experience with this programme has been remarkable. It has not only broadened my thoughts but has also imparted essential day-to-day skills that every individual should possess. I’ve come to realise that these qualities are not necessarily grand gestures but can be as simple as being honest, heroic, polite, and much more.

Our school places equal importance on this programme as it does on any other academic subject. We have engaged in various activities, including watching videos on Swami Vivekananda’s life, creating PowerPoint presentations on our heritage, participating in dances and songs celebrating our heritage, taking quizzes, and engaging in numerous class discussions.

This program has benefitted me in the following ways:

• Increased confidence: While answering in class, I used to question whether my response would be right or wrong. After attending Life Skills sessions, I feel more confident in expressing my thoughts.
• Self-discovery: Life skills have revealed hidden possibilities within me that I never knew existed.
• Positive mindset: Faced with challenges, I now approach them with a positive “I CAN” attitude.

Overall, I am thoroughly enjoying this programme.