As per the Annual Training Plan (ATP) for the year 2020-21, ICAR- DWR, Jabalpur organized a three days training programme on “Skill Upgradation in Good Office Practices cum General Awareness for Skilled Supporting Staff” during 24th to 26th March, 2021. All Skilled Supporting staff of ICAR-DWR, Jabalpur, participated in this training programme. A total of 21 participants participated in this online training. Sitting arrangements for the participants were made in the conference hall and committee room of the Directorate, with proper physical distancing in view of the present COVID-19 pandemic. Resource persons from the Directorate delivered their lectures in physical mode whereas the external resource persons delivered their lectures in online mode with the help of Zoom meetings platform. The HRD Section of ICAR-DWR, Jabalpur, consulted with some of the eminent personalities in the relevant fields and accordingly finalized the speakers. Dr. J. S. Mishra, Director, ICAR-DWR, Jabalpur inaugurated the training programme and addressed the trainees on good office practices, necessity of discipline at workplace. He also emphasized on the importance of a healthy body and mind with a positive attitude for achieving greater height in professional career, since a healthy person can discharge his/her duties more effectively and efficiently. On this occasion, Dr. J. S. Mishra wished that all the participants will take active interest in all the lectures delivered during this three-days training programme. The first lecture of the training programme was delivered by Dr. Yogita Gharde, Scientist, Agricultural statistics, on the topic ‘Effective Communication Skills/Soft Skills’. She highlighted the importance of being a good communicator for achieving success in personal as well as professional life. The next lecture of this session was delivered by Mr. Sujeet Kumar Verma, Administrative officer, ICAR-DWR, Jabalpur, on the topic ‘Basic Information Technology and Computer Skills’. During this lecture he highlighted about the importance of working professionals to have a solid foundation of basic computer skills. He also taught the basic information about computer, hardware and software components of computer, how to start and turn off computer system, how to create and use mail ID, how to apply leave from ICAR ERP system etc.

The second session of the training programme was held in the second half of 24th March, 2021. During this session Dr. Arti Raut, Private practitioner, Physiotherapy, Pune, Maharashtra, delivered lecture in an online mode through zoom meeting platform on the topic ‘Art of Public Speaking’. During her lecture, Dr. Arti Raut gave tips for mastering the art of public speaking. She also emphasized on the importance of effective and clear communication at workplace for personal as well as professional growth. The third session of the training programme was held in the first half of 25th March, 2021. During this session the first lecture was delivered by Dr. Pawar Deepak Vishwanath, Scientist, Agricultural Biotechnology, ICAR-DWR, Jabalpur on the topic “Power of Discipline”. During his talk he emphasized on the importance of employees to have discipline at workplace. He also highlighted the consequences of indiscipline and benefits of adhering to the same. The second lecture in this session was delivered by Dr. Himanshu Mahawar, Scientist, Agricultural Microbiology, ICAR-DWR, Jabalpur on the topic “Team Building Exercises”. During his lecture Dr. Himanshu Mahawar highlighted the importance of all employees to work as a team, so that the targets can be fulfilled in desired time frame. The fourth session of the training programme was held in the second half of 25th March, 2021. During this session Dr. Tripti Somani, Private practitioner physiotherapy, stay fit physiotherapy centre, Pune (Maharashtra), delivered a lecture in online mode through zoom meeting platform on the topic ‘Physical and Mental Health Management’. During her lecture, Dr. Tripti Somani gave tips for maintaining physical and mental health at workplace as well as in personal life. The fifth session of the training programme was held in the first half of 26th March, 2021. During this session the first lecture was delivered by Dr. V. K. Choudhary, Scientist, Agronomy, ICAR-DWR, Jabalpur, on the topic “Personal Hygiene for Healthy Life”. During his talk he emphasized on the importance of personal hygiene for maintaining healthy life. He also talked about various tips for taking care of body as a healthy mind resides in healthy body.

The second lecture in this session was delivered by Dr. Shobha Sondhia, Scientist, Agricultural Chemicals, ICAR-DWR, Jabalpur on the topic “Inter-Personnel Skill Development”. During her lecture she emphasized on the importance of proper communication skills for maintaining a healthy relationship among the office staff. The sixth session of the training programme was held in the second half of 26th March, 2021. During this session Mr. J. N. Sen, Technical Officer, ICAR-DWR, Jabalpur, guided the participants during the Field/Exposure Visit at ICAR-DWR, Jabapur farm, beginning from the agricultural fields, he took the participants to technology park, followed by aquatic weed ponds, weed cafeteria, phytoremediation unit, composting unit, FACE facility, OTC chambers, Lysimeter unit etc. An exposure about important weeds of field crops was given to them especially about Parthenium hysterophorus. The staff clarified their doubts and had productive interactions at the end of each session with the invited speakers. After the Field/Exposure visit, valedictory programme was conducted wherein feedback from all the participants was taken and participants shared about their views about the training programme. The topics were appreciated by the skilled supporting staff participants of ICAR-DWR, Jabalpur and the programme was described as a much needed one. At the end of the valedictory function, participants were awarded with a certificate for attending this three days training programme. The training program director and Director, ICAR-DWR, Dr. J. S. Mishra oversaw the smooth conduct of the event, while Dr. Pawar Deepak Vishwanath and Dr. Dasari Sreekanth, coordinated the training programme. Sh. M.S. Hedau, Finance & Accounts Officer, Sh. Sandeep Dhagat, Sr. Technical Officer and Mrs. Iti Rathi, Technical Officer helped in smooth conduct of the training programme. Dr. Pawar Deepak Vishwanath, Convenor of the training program proposed the vote of thanks.