ESSENTIAL SKILLS WITH GRAMMAR

The burgeoning number of professional students in recent times has accentuated the critical need
to possess effective life skills, apart from technical and subject knowledge. Until now, education
focused only on gaining knowledge in technical aspects and other professional streams. There
was no emphasis on personality development for success at workplace and in society. Learning
today has gone beyond textbooks and classroom instructions, as only theoretical knowledge does
not prepare students to work in multi-national and multi-cultural environments. Companies are
increasingly seeking employees who have all the essential skills required to communicate
effectively with people from all over the world, a winning attitude that is essential to have an
edge over others, a clear vision and focus in life. The corporate workplace today is very
challenging and demanding effective management and communication skills. With the rise in
competition, the need to possess more refined skills has increased.

The changing trend necessitates a comprehensive account of the required skills. Essential Skills
with Grammar is an attempt to inspire its readers to hone their skills as per the requirements of
not only the job-market but also life-skills required to live happily in the 21stcentury society.
These skills, important in ancient times, are equally relevant and effective in current times. One
cannot do away with these skills, as only technical expertise is not the need of the hour. Each
chapter also aids its readers to learn effective communication for various skills. The book helps
assessment of the potential regarding the necessary life-skills with the help of related idioms,
proverbs and activities. Essential skills indicate the quintessential skills that enable effective
handling of situations and challenges of everyday life.

It is a sequel of the book Life Skills that dealt with twelve additional soft skills in detail. This
book titled Essential Skills with Grammar is an anthology of selected crucial skill sets,
illustrated through an eclectic collection of mythological stories. The book is a storehouse of
knowledge designed to make the reader aware about the significance of acquiring these
necessary skills and developing them to emerge successful in today’s dynamic global scenario. It
is an honest endeavor to instill professional competency in students and aid them to bring a
positive change. Compiled after a careful study about the essential life skills, the book aims to
provide holistic guide to students of all professional courses such as Engineering, Medicine,
Commerce, Accountancy, Business Management and Fine Arts.
An article in The Hindu dated 21st January 2015 discussed the growing concern over un-
employability of engineering and management graduates. A survey on the unemployed graduates
revealed that majority of them lacked domain expertise, comprehension and more specifically,
soft skills. Many educationists have pointed out that lack of cognitive, language and soft skills
are the main reasons for the un-employability. Industry today seeks aspirants who are confident,
competent and adaptive to deal with the work pressures and challenges of task accomplishment.
Stories and related vocabulary are selected after careful consideration of the target readers’
aptitude and interest for learning these skills. A lot of effort has been made to find appropriate or
the closest synonyms for the lexis in the book.

The authors of this book, Dr. B. Sudha Sai and Prof. V. Krishamohan, have rich academic
experience, and this work is based on their knowledge and passion for mentoring the
professional students, during the last several years.
 Dedication

Kayena Vacha Manasendriyewa I

Budhyatmana Va Prakrutiswabhavat I
Karomi Yadhyat Sakalam Parasmai I
Narayanayeti Samarpayami I

Whatever we perform with our body, speech, mind, limbs, intellect, or our inner-self either
intentionally or unintentionally, we dedicate it all to that Supreme Lord Narayana!
 Reply

Respected Sir,

Actually as mentioned in the preface of the second book, it is a sequel of the previous book “Life

Skills” and an attempt has been made to make it a little different from the earlier one. After

giving an appropriate Sanskrit quote on the particular skill, objective behind the importance of

acquiring the skill, followed by meaning of the skill, relating it with an apt mythological story

either from the Ramayana or the Mahabharata, followed by appropriate questions that emphasize

on the skill, five tips on the skill, carefully chosen vocabulary , idioms, proverbs, activity on the

skill, crossword scramble on the skill, one important component of grammar explained in detail,

worksheet and finally the key, I felt sir, instead of logical sequencing of the skills, they are to be

considered individually.

Sir, if you could suggest on whether these skills can be grouped or so….

Regarding statement of purpose on the skill and its relevance to the reader, I think I made an

attempt through objective, meaning of the skill and tips on the skill. Sir, if you could suggest any

other way….

I have tried o conclude each chapter by a detailed explanation of an essential component of

grammar.

Sir, I feel all these skills and essential elements are going to be useful to a professional student

beyond engineering and management fields. It can’t be limited to only engineering and

management students.
The title suggested for the tenth chapter is really apt, “Willingness to Learn and Unlearn”.

Finally, ten other skills suggested by you sir, are very much needed by everyone to be have an

edge over others. But due to time constraint, why don’t we plan for third book with those skills,

related mythological stories, vocabulary, idioms and other components including grammar.

Sir, please could you add more info about yourself in the preface and make necessary changes

wherever required and think about the foreword. In the meanwhile by evening I will send you the

corrected chapters.

Thanking you,

Best Regards,

B Sudha Sai