Most of us, if not all, are quite familiar with the popular television programme, Koffee with Karan. In this programme, host Karan Johar, Bollywood’s famous producer who was awarded the Padma Shri last year, speaks to famous guests over a cup of coffee.
In a similar move, Tamil Nadu’s Virudhunagar District Collector Meghanath Reddy J has started Coffee with Collector, and it has become the talk of the town, gaining overwhelming popularity in just a few days of its start, surpassing the popularity Karan Johar’s show received in the initial days of its run.
Children are the happiest as it’s their special time. They are getting a chance to meet the District Collector and share some warm personal time with him over a warm cup of coffee. The Collector on his part is more than happy to address the curiosity of the young minds and answer their questions.
Indian Masterminds was also curious to know more about this initiative and spoke with Collector Meghanath Reddy J to get more information about his once-a-week coffee date with school children.
COFFEE WITH COLLECTOR
Coffee with Collector is the brainchild of 2013-batch IAS officer Meghanath Reddy J, who is currently posted in Tamil Nadu’s Virudhunagar district as Collector. He interacts with children of his district once a week over a cup of coffee. Recently, he met 21 girls and boys from the Tiruchuli block. After the interaction, he even gifted them books. He tweeted soon after that what impressed him was their varied ambitions.
He told Indian Masterminds, “I got the idea when I was reviewing the education department in the last week of December. As a collector, I have to review a lot of departments. So, I thought that I should find a method to interact with students, because here in Tamil Nadu, government conducts lots of activity for students every week. I thought of doing something on similar lines as we have 11 educational blocks in our district.”
The district administration chooses 20 children from each block every week, of which 10 are girls and 10 boys. And the Collector has interactive sessions with them for two hours. As of now, all the children are from government schools, which include high schools and secondary schools. In the next phase, children from private schools will be included, too.
“Once a week, from 10 am to 12 pm, I sit with them alone and listen to them to know their perspective on different things. I also address their doubts and answer their questions. I really like these interactions and have also received very good feedback from all,” Mr. Reddy said.
SELECTION CRITERIA
The selection procedure of the children is handled by the education department. Children are selected from different fields – studies, sports, and other disciplines. “I started on New Year’s, and in two weeks, I have met around 50 kids. Next, my plan is to start interaction with the children of private schools,” the officer said.
INSIGHTS GAINED
Mr. Reddy said that he gained a lot of insights into how the little impressionable minds work. “They have clarity on life, about what they want to do and what they should not do. Everyone has a big goal in life.”
He cited an example of a student who wants to become a businessman. On being asked why, he replied that as a businessman he can give employment to a lot of people. “So that was really fascinating. They even asked me that as a collector what plans do I have for the district, what should I change in the district, etc.”
In conclusion, the officer revealed what’s the most interesting question that’s been fielded to him so far. It was a question put to him by a young student,on managing failure. “I was asked how I deal with success and manage failure. I observed that they understand that failure is not the end of life. You have to stand up and fight again.”
