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ABAI looks to promote animation with its new programme
MUMBAI: One of the largest non-profit association in the country, ABAI is introducing a first-of-its-kind educational initiative in Bengaluru city christened as ‘Train the Trainers’ (TTT) and is actively supported by Department of IT, BT, S&T – Government of Karnataka. The program is slated to start on 21 April 2014.
The Government of Karnataka through its KAVGC policy 1.0 is aimed at improving the educational infrastructure of the AVGC (Animation, Visual Effects, Gaming and Comics) industry. In order to improve the quality of the trainers in the AVGC industry, and thereby improving the overall quality of education imparted, TTT program aspires to bring together national and international trainers to facilitate the training in different modules of various stages of production.
TTT program, chaired by Bhasinsoft CEO and ABAI secretary Ankur Bhasin is envisaged to provide an academically challenging educational experience through effective teaching, research and service, enabling candidates to acquire understanding, knowledge and skills necessary for establishing successful career in teaching and becoming responsible trainers within the animation industry.
“The TTT is an innovation on jump-starting the quality of educational initiative on the digital arts environment. It assesses the pain point of who will impart new media arts learning. It will help plug a major gap in growing a talent that needs tens of thousands of employees over the next three to five years,” said ABAI president & Technicolor India country head Biren Ghose in a press statement.
The candidates who enroll for this program stand to gain not only six months of high-quality training but also a chance to work on live projects in a professional studio environment. This will enable the candidates to learn teaching techniques such as creative teaching methodology, class-room management, and all other aspects of AVGC.
“TTT program, in its initial offering, starts with a concentrated batch of 12 candidates per batch to ensure that there is no dilution in the quality of imparted training. A separate Executive TTT course is also offered for working faculties who prefer weekend classes,” said Bhasin.
He added; “In my studio, Bhasinsoft, and across the industry it is seen that a large amount of good talent comes from tier 2 and tier 3. Hence, TTT is also planned in a way to reward trainers in the program with cash incentive for training in tier 2 and tier 3 cities.”
Institutes stand to benefit that the candidates will be able to bring the exposure and knowledge to impart quality training to students. The teaching methodology, which is a combination of a learner-centred interactive methodology and a project-based teaching, will help bridge the gap between Institute and Industry. A better education quality is bound to improve the students’ placement record, which will further enhance the reputation of Institute.
“Indian AVGC industry is growing at a rapid pace – not only because of larger quantity of Hollywood content being worked on in India but also because of a growing domestic market. The animation, VFX and post production market has grown from Rs 35.3 billion in 2012 to Rs 39.7 billion in 2013 and is expected to add over 40,000 jobs in the coming three to four years. For the growth to sustain and further enhance, it is imperative that the quality of students being trained improves which in turn is a result of the quality of trainers imparting the training. Hence, TTT directly addresses the need of the hour,” emphasised Bhasin.
NEW DELHI: Hamdard Laboratories gathered a cross-section of India’s achievers in New Delhi on Friday, handing out the Hakeem Abdul Hameed Excellence Awards to figures who have left their mark across healthcare, education, sport, public service and the arts.
The ceremony, attended by minister of state for defence Sanjay Seth and senior officials from the ministry of Ayush, celebrated individuals whose work blends professional success with a sense of public purpose. It was as much a roll call of achievement as it was a reminder that influence is not measured only in profits or podiums, but in people reached and lives improved.
Among the headline awardees was Alakh Pandey, founder and chief executive of PhysicsWallah, recognised for turning affordable digital learning into a mass movement. On the sporting front, Arjuna Awardee and kabaddi player Sakshi Puniya was honoured for her contribution to the game and for pushing women’s participation onto bigger stages.
The cultural spotlight fell on veteran lyricist and poet Santosh Anand, whose songs have echoed across generations of Hindi cinema. At 97, Anand accepted the honour with characteristic humility, reflecting on a life shaped by perseverance and hope.
Healthcare honours spanned both modern and traditional systems. Manoj N. Nesari was recognised for strengthening Ayurveda’s place in national and global health frameworks. Padma shri Mohammed Abdul Waheed was honoured for his research-backed work in Unani medicine, while padma shri Mohsin Wali received recognition for his long-standing contribution to patient-centred care.
Education and social development also featured prominently. Padma shri Zahir Ishaq Kazi was honoured for decades of work in education, while former Meghalaya superintendent of Police T. C. Chacko was recognised for public service. Goonj founder Anshu Gupta received an award for his dignity-centred rural development initiatives, and the Hunar Shakti Foundation was honoured for empowering women and young girls through skill development.
The Lifetime Achievement Award went to former IAS officer Shailaja Chandra for her long career in public healthcare and governance, particularly in the traditional systems under Ayush.
Speaking at the event, Hamdard chairman Abdul Majeed said the awards were a tribute to those who combine excellence with empathy. “These awardees reflect Hakeem Sahib’s belief that healthcare, education and public service must ultimately serve humanity,” he said.
Minister Seth struck a forward-looking note, saying India’s young population gives the country a unique opportunity to become a global destination for learning, health and wellness by 2047.
The ceremony also featured the trailer launch of Unani Ki Kahaani, an upcoming documentary starring actor Jim Sarbh, set to premiere on Discovery on 11 February.
Instituted in memory of Unani scholar and educationist Hakeem Abdul Hameed, the awards have grown into a national platform that celebrates those building a more inclusive and resilient India. For one evening at least, the spotlight was not just on success, but on service with substance.
