FLO Panel Discussion on Guiding Childhood in the World of SMAC

FLO to organize a Panel Discussion on "Guiding Childhood in the World of SMAC (Social, Mobile, Analytics and Cloud)"

Panelists comprised of Mr. Edward Rogers; Dr Ananda Shankar Jayant; Gustav J Gropp; Mr. Parminder will be moderated by Mr. Deepak Agarwal

The FICCI Ladies Organization (FLO), a National Body, a division of the Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FICCI) to organize a Panel Discussion on Guiding Childhood in the World of SMAC (Social Media, Mobile, Analytics and Cloud) here in city in a local hotel on 28,h January.

The Panelists comprised of Mr. Edward Rogers, (Chief Knowledge Officer NASA); Dr Ananda Shankar Jayant (Classical Dancer); Mr. Gustav J Gropp (Principal Oakridge International School, Newton Campus); Mr. Parminder Gill (Co Founder Edu Sports) will deliberate on the subject. Mr. Deepak Agarwal (Associate Director, Learning and Development, ISB) will moderate the discussion.

The entry is restricted only to its members SMAC is the concept that four technologies which are currently ruling the world, driving innovations in everywhere. These are individual technologies and platforms risen so fast and have immense influence on the society and children.

Social Media strategy has become must for all. With over one billion individuals logged on to various social networks, kids are now using social media for various reasons. Mobile devices have changed the way people access digital content. Smartphones and tablets have brought rich, digital content to the fingertips of children. Educationists, Shoppers are increasingly using their mobile devices for everything from browsing to comparing to buying products or using services. Governments are also reaching out to their citizens, using mobile devices as an efficient channel.

Every year, companies and individuals generate billions of gigabytes of data. Data, which properly analyzed and used in time, can emerge as an unbeatable competitive advantage. The undeniable power of cloud computing will foster innovations in every sphere. These all changes are post digital era where the confluence of emerging technologies is leading to new possibilities for all. So it is most important to know how these bring in changes and gear for when it is finally happening.

Bertrand Russell wrote in his Seminal 1949 Book "Impact of Science on Society" that new ways of Science will have serious implications on Leadership, Democracy, Conflict management. Individual and Collective Self-awareness and Empowerment felt and provided by others. While technologically advanced societies are benefiting from much broader expansion of Science, Indian Society is most affected only by a Slice of SMAC (Mars Mission being one among few exceptions). We as a Society urgently need to imbibe our children with much broader attitude for scientific temperament The wonder of natural world, cosmic interplay of elements, curiosity in everyday happenings, beauty in movement and rhythm, spirit for experimentation, dexterity in hands and body, pursuit of perfection, courage over failures, looking adversity in the eye and respect for opposition are some of the attitudinal ingredients for discovery and invention, which we must provide to wean our Children from mundane and in turn lead our society to greatness.

About the Panelists
Dr Ananda Shankar Javant. reciepient of Padma Shri (2007) is one of India's most eminent and renowned classical dancer, choreographer and dance scholar. Performing in the two classical styles of Bharatanatyam and Kuchipudi, Ananda, imbues to the technique and grammar of her dance, a sparkling quality that bristles with life. Her natural grace and vivacity draws her audience into the vivid and vibrant canvas of her dance, leaving them deeply touched.

Widely presented across the world, Ananda's critically acclaimed productions include - Sri Krishnam Vande Jagadgurum; Buddham Saranam Gachchami; Navarasa-Expressions of Life; Darshanam-An Ode to the Eye; Mohana-Krishna Beckons; Sri Rama Namam - Entha Ruchi Ra Taalapatra- Hymns from the Hills; Shringara Darpanam and SRI - The Goddess Within; - all in the traditional format, even as she simultaneously explored the contemporary genre in both form and content with choreographies like Jonathan Livingston Seagull that was set to Jazz music; What About Me? That raised pertinent issues on gender, was against the backdrop of contemporary English poetry, while Dancing Tales-Panchatantra, and Kavyanjali - An Ode to Gurudev were in the dance-theatre format. As the Artistic Director of Shankarananda Kalakshetra , Ananda leads an acclaimed ensemble, besides training and presenting the next generation of Bharatanatyam artists.

A TED speaker in 2009, Ananda's TED talk is a much viewed and highly ranked talk and is rated as one of 12 Incredible TED talks on cancer.

Mr Gustav J Gropp: On his journey as a lifelong learner Mr. Gustav J Gropp serves the Oakridge International Schools' Newton Campus as the Principal. This journey started in the Southern most country in Africa, South Africa via several other countries only to find a new home in India, ready to share his experiences and learn from the rich heritage in the region of Telangana in the Oakridge community of Hyderabad. His life experience and qualification profile over the last 35 years reflects his personal passion for learning made accessible to all, students, teachers, and parents.

He has followed a path of learning culminating in several degrees from various universities, an M Ed in Curriculum Design, a BTech Ed in Education Management, a PGCE in Education Mentoring, a BA Hons in Industrial Sociology, a BA in Social Sciences, and a HDE in Primary Education. He is a certified International Baccalaureate (IB) administrator.

Mr Parminder Gill: Parminder Gill is the Co-founder of EduSports, India's largest sports education company. After a successful global career in the IT sector, Parminder helped start and scale EduSports, a pioneering sports education organization enabling over 400 schools all over the country to improve learning, and helping over 300,000 children become healthier and fitter. Parminder's interests include use of body-mind connection in learning, organizational leadership and entrepreneurship. Parminder holds a Bachelors degree in Engineering from University of Pune, and a Masters degree in Management from Arizona State University.

Parminder is also a visiting faculty at Azim Premji University, where he runs a sports education course for Masters level students in Education and Social Development.

Moderator - Mr Deepak Aearwal: Mr. Deepak is Associate Director, Learning and Development at ISB. With B.Tech from IIT Delhi, and MBA from XIM Bhubaneswar, Deepak is now a career mentor and learning coach. He is also a fitness and sports enthusiast and a successful entrepreneur. He has worked at Infosys in leadership positions and was Awarded 'Infosys Excellence Award' by Mr. Narayan Murthy. He was a speaker at 54th ICSE National Conference for ICSE School attended by Principals of 1500 schools.

Monika Agarwal, Chairman, FLO Speech:
I would like to extend a warm welcome to our Guest speakers for today, Dr Ananda Shankar Jayant, Dr.Edward Rogers, Mr. Gustav J Gropp, Mr. Parminder Gill and our Moderator Mr. Deepak Agarwal. It is indeed a privilege to have you all here, and we are all looking forward to an interesting session on guiding childhood.

Today's young generation is growing up with a plethora of opportunities and challenges. They can choose and pick what they want to do. As caretakers, we all try to understand and facilitate this process of choice making.

Also, Smartphones, Internet, social media have become the building blocks of life. In this world of instant gratification, on demand information and entertainment saturation, are our kids forgetting their creative instincts? Are they forgetting to see joy in simple things like sunrise, rainfall or fresh flowers?

We as parents and as a society need to work on holistic development of children which helps in the formation of character, expansion of intellect and development of a positive view of life. To have an achiever's mind, that wants to climb the Mount Everest simply because it's there. A mind that is exuberant, always brimming with ideas and energy.

This panel discussion is about finding some simple and humanly possible ways to get there. Let's all explore, and strengthen our understanding of the world in which today's young generation is growing up and be better prepared for the challenge of being relevant to our children in their quest to manage a future that changes shape every few months.