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Break timeYoungsters learning a thing or two about cooking

Twenty-five year old Nitin Sidamsetty, president of Panel Animation studios takes to sailing. “It’s very relaxing and a great stress buster. Moreover, this is something I do by myself, so I get to spend time alone which I quite enjoy,” he says. Another unusual activity being indulged in is bird watching. Sudhir Pai, a copywriter with e-yantra and active member of Dramanon, Dramatists Anonymous does a bit of bird watching at place like Durgam Cheruvu, Sanjeevaiah park and KBR park. Dramanon and K- Circle meetings are other activities that Sudhir takes part in.

Arundati Rao who conducts one and two-day baking and chocolate making classes often has professionals being a part of her hands on workshops. I.T Analyst Dipankar Patnaik did the weekend class since he love chocolates and wanted to learn how they’re made. “Armed with my new chocolate making skills, I make batches for people at an old age home in Bangalore where I often visit to meet my family.”

The weekend pottery classes at Saptaparini have found many takers. Business analyst Vasundhara Mohite who did the course found it very refreshing. “I’ve always wanted to learn to do something myself and the weekend pottery classes were just right for me.” Technical writer Sharmistha Ghosh who is attending these classes finds that other than learning a new skill, she has a new found appreciation for hand made crafts. “It’s fun and I’m learning something new besides meeting people outside my workplace. I find it very destressing,” she adds.

Sunita Sharma, manager of Saptaparini that organises weekend pottery classes says, “About four to five people attend the weekend classes.” Students of the weekend batch have the leisurely advantage of working all through the day if they want to.

Acquiring a new skill set is not limited to the arts and crafts department alone. Some courses are taken with the hope that they will eventually help in a lateral career growth. Advanced computer courses and foreign languages are such examples. According to Uma Sridhar, Deputy Director of Alliance Française, the weekend classes are mostly attended by professionals, since they are the ones who find it difficult to attend daily classes during the week. Since the classes are for the working group, the method of teaching adapted is specifically for adults. “Techniques like role play, and ‘real- life’ situations are used,” explains Uma. For German and Spanish classes, Goethe Zentrum and EFLU are hot favourites.

While those who are honing or refreshing existing skills are happy to be doing things that relax them, others find that learning a new hobby is destressing and often find themselves looking forward to the next step.

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