“The whole purpose of education is to turn mirrors into windows.”

– Sydney J. Harris

Situated in Singarampalayam, India, the ELGi Vocational Training School is a training centre that serves as a perfect example of skill development. The institution strives to provide holistic development to young students from underprivileged backgrounds, by equipping them with technical training and on-the-job skillset.

At the centre, the students receive technical training. Daily, through a practical-based approach, they get to learn basic engineering concepts and production technologies. This is augmented by the centre’s facilities, such as the multimedia classrooms and training spaces for fitting shop, machining, welding, and electrical work.

Apart from this, they also get access to yoga centres and sports facilities, which is instrumental for their physical and mental wellbeing.

For the duration of their course, the students are provided with free boarding and receive a monthly stipend, which helps them provide critical financial support to their families.

Today, let us take a look at the stories of four of our students, whose professional careers have been deeply enriched by the EVTS experience.

This is ELGi’s theme for conducting business. But how can you be Always Better?

From my point of view, we can be Always Better by learning from each other, no matter what nationality our co-workers have. Along with this, I believe that an international work environment even pushes you to be the Always Better version of yourself.

However, to power such customer journeys, collaboration is paramount. For young female professionals in marketing, this collaboration also comes in the form of active mentorship and support from their seniors at work.

Today, read more about the story of Alexandra Moreno, Marketing Specialist – ELGi USA, whose experience as a marketer has been enriched by steady collaboration at work.

“If you believe in yourself and have dedication and pride – and never quit, you’ll be a winner.”

As of 2019, only 10-15% of the start-ups worldwide were founded by women.

In spite of the steady strides made, female entrepreneurs continue to face challenges to set up their own enterprise. Whether it be the lack of financial aid, unfair discrimination, or the struggle to balance the business and family, they are forced to deal with significantly greater issues than their male counterparts.

However, with indomitable grit and a strong penchant for learning, female business owners can overcome these challenges and emerge victorious.

Let us take a look at the story of one of ELGi’s partners, Sandra Felip Riba, and how she successfully battled the stereotypes she faced, while being at the helm of Grup Air Sa.

“Entrepreneurs have a mindset that sees possibilities rather than problems created by change.”

At the outset, entrepreneurship is a rewarding journey, offering a wide scope for independence and innovation.

However, it comes with its own set of challenges. Whether it be managing finances or handling unprecedented events out of one’s realm of control – there are many seemingly insurmountable hurdles that entrepreneurs must cross every day.

Yet, it is with these challenges, entrepreneurs enjoy tremendous growth. Overcoming obstacles rewards them with a world of experience in tackling the toughest of problems seamlessly.

With this context, let’s now take a look at the story of Sarah Murray Walsh, General Manager – AIRTEC, who credits her challenges as catalysts for her long term growth.

“Entrepreneurship is about being able to face failure, manage failure and succeed after failing.”

Entrepreneurship is a dynamic career choice for women. With room for endless opportunities and flexibility to run operations, this field has much to offer for a woman’s career growth. Furthermore, this form of entrepreneurship has boosted job creation.

Yet, female entrepreneurs face their own unique set of hurdles. From the lack of funding assistance, to facing stereotypes – all while keeping the balance. Their entrepreneurial journey is undoubtedly tough.
However, despite the challenges that come their way, female entrepreneurs persevere to achieve their goals, come what may.

Today, we would like to share one such story of our partners, Padmavathy A from Jay Hari Enterprises, who worked hard to achieve her entrepreneurial goals, while tackling the challenges she faced.

“With challenge, comes change.”

In our lives, we are constantly presented with unprecedented challenges, which may seem impossible to overcome.

However, with such challenges come opportunities for change. These changes can either hold us back or drive us to be innovators of the future.

In the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic, the world around us faced many unprecedented challenges. Yet, this change propelled us to reimagine how we engage with and serve our customers. 

As International Women’s Day approaches, we’re introspecting on the positive impact made by the women at ELGi, who have made incredible contributions to ELGi’s #60YearsOfTransformation with their expertise, talent and drive, especially in the ‘New Possible’ era.

In this blog, let us hear from Jennifer Gerold, Marketing Manager – ELGi Europe, who continues to #InspireTheFuture with her strong marketing acumen and drive to make ELGi #AlwaysBetter.

“We don’t have to engage in grand, heroic actions to participate in change. Small acts, when multiplied by millions of people, can transform the world.”
– Howard Zinn

Sustainability lies at the core of ELGi’s business. Whether it is developing energy-efficient products or creating eco-friendly green hubs for workspaces, sustainability is integral to the corporate identity and is actively advocated by employees.

This is why, to honour the 50th Anniversary of World Earth Day on 22nd April 2020, ELGi launched the ‘Steps For Change’ programme, a purpose-driven engagement activity. Through the initiative, employees across the globe were encouraged to take small, yet significant measures and make a difference towards the environment.

Education is a lifelong process of empowerment. At ELGi Matric Higher Secondary School, we aim to bring a holistic experience to education. The integration of learning and aspiration is the key element of our school.

We believe that the purpose of education isn’t just to impart knowledge to children, but also to provide them with a conducive environment to unfold their inborn skills and talents. The school creates an optimistic learning experience for students, which in turn inspires them to be creative and self-reliant. An impressive array of academic and co-curricular activities provides them ample opportunities to exhibit their potential.

At our institution, the grooming of wards begins with the school assembly. Ensuring equal opportunities stimulates their individuality and brings out their potential to the fullest. A rolling trophy awarded to the best class every month, eustress the students to work towards betterment.

National celebrations such as Independence Day, Republic Day, Navy Day, and National Law Day aims to instil in them sentiments of patriotism, reverence for great leaders and motivate them to follow their noble path.

The Eco-Club takes initiatives to celebrate international celebrations such as World Environment Day, World Water Day, International Drug Abuse Day, and Yoga Day to impart awareness on various social issues and groom them as better and responsible citizens. Students actively participate in Siruthuli program and are involved in nurturing the nature too.

Cultural celebrations like Pongal, Krishna Jayanthi, Navaratri, Ramzan and Christmas nourish their cultural roots and instil the spirit of fraternity, and brotherhood among students.

Kindergarten observes special days to familiarise tiny tots with colours, vegetables and fruits and other activities. Grandparents Day is a special occasion for them to shower their love and reverence for elderly people.

Our school celebrates Kamarajar Day, as Educational Development Day and the initiation of ‘Kalam Hour’ and ‘Hunt for Junior Kalam’ kindles the interest in science and brings out the talent of young children with hands-on experiments. Ignited by curiosity and desire to learn new things, our students actively participate in District Level National Science Congress and Science Expo; and are appreciated for their innovative thoughts and projects.

A spectrum of inter-house and club activities helps to promote a balanced personality development.

Students get accustomed to democratic elections when they nominate themselves for the post of school head boy and head girl, involve in canvassing, cast their votes, and elect their leaders.

Proper training and participation in Scouts and Guides activities brought us the prestigious moments of winning the Governor award. Students have proven their mettle and individual excellence in Silambam, gymnastics and other sports and athletics too.

The active participation of students in the Olympiad and Spell Bee Exams has brought laurels to our school.

Even during the pandemic, our students made us proud with their active participation in virtual cultural activities, online competitions and more. At the National Level Painting Competition, organized by RAF, CRPF, our student Dharshana K bagged the first prize and a cash award.

This year, with the Christmas celebration at school, we drew a curtain for the celebrations for the calendar year. Last year, the entire campus brimmed with the joy and festivities before the school closed for winter vacation. The scene of the nativity was created so naturally in a crib and was enacted live, the choir welcomed the newborn Jesus with their melodious voice and the arrival of Santa Claus created much excitement. There was a special cultural programme for the tiny tots too.

For most of the mid-20^th century, India was far and away the world’s best team in an Olympic sport. Other countries could only compete for second place, as India racked up 7 Gold Medals in 8 Olympic Games.

There is a reason why hockey is India’s national sport. At the backbone of India’s success was Dhyan Chand, still regarded as the greatest player to ever grace the hockey pitch. With a ridiculous tally of 33 goals in 12 games at the Olympics and over 400 goals in his career, for hockey he is what Pele is to football. The Wizard, whose birthday on the 29^th of August is celebrated as National Sports Day, inspired many lives.

One of them is ELGi’s very own Sathish. He has been working in the Accounts Department at ELGi Equipments since February, 2015. He loves to talk about hockey; and tell stories of Dhyan Chand. Just like he loves spending time coaching children, teaching them all the lessons, big and small, that he once learned on the field.