The Hindu : Andhra Pradesh News : It's simply `Magnificent'

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Monday, Dec 06, 2004

Andhra Pradesh

Andhra Pradesh

It's simply `Magnificent'

By J.S. Ifthekhar

Youth from gymnasiums in the Old City participating in an interactive programme on Sunday. Photo: P.V. Sivakumar

HYDERABAD, DEC. 5. All brawn and no brain will make Jack a dull boy. How about striking a balance? Providing mental stamina along with physical fitness. A concerted effort is on to create healthy minds in healthy bodies among the youth in old city.

Two well-known groups -- one a software giant and the other an NGO with strong links at the grassroots -- have teamed up to pull this feat.

The Satyam Alambana Foundation and COVA have decided to reach out to the youth in old city and sensitise them on various social issues.

The project

To start with, it is planned to channelise the energy of youth frequenting gyms in the right direction. Boys in the age group of 15-25 are considered highly impulsive.

They are the ones who flex their muscles at slightest provocation. "We want them to be the ones stopping others from doing so," says COVA chief, Mazhar Hussain.

Old city has about 70 gyms and most of the youth coming here are educated, quite a few postgraduates and graduates. But they are handicapped by diffidence and lack of communication skills and thus unable to reap the benefits of emerging career opportunities.

It is here that Satyam has decided to step in and equip the youth with that cutting edge. It will also be providing them with positive role models.

Action plan

Balaji Utla, director, Satyam Alambana Foundation, and Mr. Mazhar, interacted with gym owners of old city on Sunday to chalk out a concrete plan of action for the youth. Representatives of the Fitness Point Gym, Shalibanda, Fitwell Gym, Attapur, Hollywood Gym, Haribowli, D.J. Gym, Devan Deodhi welcomed the Satyam-Cova initiative and offered their support.

A large number of jobs under the Business Process Outsourcing (BPO) are available in Hyderabad. "If the educated youth are imparted the right skills they can get these jobs," Mr. Balaji said.

As part of the corporate social responsibility, Satyam wants to go beyond chequebook charity.

Its "Magnificent 7" concept will now catch up with the youth in old city. The weekend warriors as they are called will work with the gym youth and brush up their skills.

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