Students Interact Directly With Industry Experts at HCL/ICC Centre
Key Points:
- PRAGATI 2026 career awareness event held at HCL VTC, Sohda
- Senior HCL/ICC officials guide students under SATHEE initiative
- Sessions cover stress management and career clarity for students
SOHDA, EAST SINGHBHUM – Students at the HCL Vocational Training Centre got a rare chance on Monday to speak directly with senior professionals from various fields. The interaction formed part of a career counselling programme called PRAGATI 2026, organized under the ‘SATHEE’ initiative of the Ministry of Education and IIT Kanpur.
The programme, whose name stands for Program for Awareness, Growth, Aspirations, Technology and Innovation, ran for two hours. It aimed to inform rural and local students about emerging technologies, future challenges and career options.
Guests began the event with a ceremonial lamp-lighting ritual before Goddess Saraswati. They then toured an exhibition of science projects and models built by students, praising the work on display.
Several senior HCL/ICC officials attended as chief and distinguished guests. Mr Abhishek, AGM/HR, explained the goals of the SATHEE Centre and the wider HCL/ICC effort. “PRAGATI 2026 has been organized to provide students with clarity about career options available after school education,” he said. He added that interaction with industry experts helps children make informed decisions.
Mr Arjun Lohra, Chief Manager, spoke about time management and dedication. Meanwhile, Mr Sumit Ekka, Chief Manager for Human Resources, spoke personally with students about their goals and urged them to prioritise focused study time.
Mr Abhinav Kumar, Senior Manager for Electrical, shared lessons on perseverance and overcoming setbacks. Mr Saket Kumar Sinha, Deputy Manager for HR, discussed early career hurdles and academic stress. Mr Prashant Kumar, Manager for Chemistry and CSR, urged students to set goals and meet deadlines. “If you are determined to achieve something, you can reach your destination despite adverse circumstances and limited resources,” he said.
Beyond career guidance, the speakers also addressed mental stress among young students, academic pressure and the generation gap between parents and children. They stressed the need for stress management, self-awareness and personality development alongside academic performance.
Student Mosmmi Kalindi anchored the programme, while Latika Gope delivered the vote of thanks. Puja Kumari, who serves as the SATHEE Mitra at the centre, coordinated the event along with Mahendra Baitha and teachers Shyam Murmu and Kiran Giri. The wider SATHEE Centre team and student volunteers also supported the organisation.
PRAGATI seeks to move students from asking what they can become toward figuring out what they aspire to become, and how to get there, organizers said. SATHEE itself, which stands for Self-Assessment, Test and Help for Entrance Exams, provides free study material, video lectures and mock tests for students preparing for exams such as JEE and NEET. It operates through physical centres meant to reach students in remote and underserved areas.
The NIT Jamshedpur region has seen a series of education-linked initiatives in recent weeks. A seminar on education is scheduled for September 6, while JSSC recently cancelled its intermediate-level joint exam. The district also launched an ULLAS literacy fortnight in Gamharia, and administration reviewed education department performance in Seraikela. Separately, students at Jamshedpur Women’s University raised concerns over a convocation seat shortage this week.
Puja Kumari, who serves as SATHEE Mitra at the centre, can be reached for further details on the programme.
