Sadhana Centre for Management & Leadership development

(Candidates are advised to come thoroughly prepared. Candidates are expected to discuss substance and arrive at practical solutions. Out of the following topics, a random topic will be announced. First 5 minutes will be for written submissions, followed by the actual discussion.)

The constitution was amended to include the Right to Education for all between the ages of 6 & 14 and the Bill to implement this fundamental right was passed by Parliament recently. Discuss how this can be implemented to achieve its objectives (in letter and spirit). Will it achieve its goals? What will be the mitigating and aggravating factors?
"With rote learning we are threatening a child's creativity". Considering the fact that the same system of education has been producing many successful professionals, what changes should be brought about in the education system to make it more practical and application based? Also discuss how learning can be facilitated rather than passing exams.
Business and industry complain that only 10%-15% graduates (engineering, business management and others) are employable. Graduates, in general, are said to have no practical skills and ability to apply knowledge. Discuss whether educational institutions are supposed to cater to the needs of the industry or educate the youngsters with proper theory, concepts and understanding of the subjects, and skill training appropriate to the needs should be the responsibility of the industry, especially when they are profit-making organizations whereas educational institutes are not for profit organizations.
Copenhagen failed to take any concrete decisions to mitigate global warming. Discuss the causes for its failure and means to bring about consensus and action.
It is said that if only people consume to fulfill the needs rather than wants, global warming can be prevented and there will be enough for everyone. If so, nature will rejuvenate itself. But the current consumerism, marketing and non-vegetarianism are the main reasons of global warming. Discuss.
According to a survey conducted by Pratham, a well known NGO in education domain, only 48.3% children of Standard I are able to read English alphabets even as capital letters. Keeping this on one end, we talk tirelessly about India being the next superpower. In short, the much touted advantage that India has over China could vanish pretty soon. How can we improve the current state of affairs to avoid such a situation in the future?
Almost all the Indian metros, cities, towns and villages are filthy and polluted. This is even true of national heritage structures as well as water bodies. Discuss why this is so and what the remedies to make India shine and clean.
While the developing countries like India have contributed the least to climate change, they are most vulnerable to its adverse impacts. Keeping in mind that per capita emissions of Green House Gases of India is 1.02 tonnes as against the global average of 4.25 tonnes, discuss the ways in which countries of the world – developing and developed, can work together to bring about a more sustainable solution to adverse climate change, rather than merely discussing and passing the responsibility on each other?
“Only 16% of the population above 15 years of age has undergone secondary education”. This is one of the findings of a research conducted by NSSO. Contrasting this with India’s ambition to become the next superpower, how do we ensure an educated and skilled Indian youth population, which will help India realize the much-touted dream of becoming a superpower?
According to a study by UNDP in India’s urban areas, 22.6% of the total population (about 42.6 mn people – roughly the size of Spain) lives in slums. For how long will we keep ignoring such glaring facts? Discuss ways to improve the conditions of our cities and ways to bring about a more inclusive development of our cities and towns.
Discuss the pros and cons of making voting compulsory and non-voting punishable by law. Also discuss how true democracy can be nurtured without the educated youth exercising their franchise. How can they be made to participate in democracy?
Discuss the cause and effect of rising Naxalism in India. Discuss possible solutions to contain this internal conflict.
It is said that the acquisition of agricultural land for mega projects, including SEZs, are creating modern feudal lords who will control all means of production, entertainment, infrastructure development, media, healthcare, education, communications and so on, almost leading to “princely states”. At the same time, investments are required for overall economic growth. Discuss the pros and cons and alternatives for inclusive growth.
Violence against women and children (of both genders) are on the rise. Even female foeticide is rampant. Discuss the causes and possible solutions and their effective implementation.
The food inflation has almost touched 20% in India, during the last 6 months or so. There is no sign of relief. Analyze the root cause and discuss short and long-term solutions so that food security is guaranteed and inflation is checked, while ensuring profitable returns to farmers.

Topics for Group Discussion