हिंदी में पढ़ने के लिए क्लिक करें
Who can tell better than Viji how to improve communication skills along with studies…
Viji Venkatesh- Social Worker, Actress
Viji Venkatesh, outspoken, and humble, is the former regional head of The Max Foundation for India and South Asia. She has over 25 years of experience in cancer patient support and advocacy. She founded Friends of Max and played a key role in raising funds and awareness for patients through the Chai for Cancer initiative. She began her work in this field with mill workers, who often consume gutkha, which leads to a high incidence of oral cancer.
According to him, cancer still carries a stigma, causing patients to die more out of fear than the disease itself. In such a situation, Viji Venkatesh’s awareness campaign has given people a renewed sense of life. Viji has spent over 25 years in this field.
Although Viji is not a doctor, she began working in this field at the age of 35. Her years of experience in supporting cancer patients and helping them access medication have earned her a reputation as a cancer care specialist and patient advocate.
Additionally, Viji Venkatesh made her acting debut at the age of 71 with the Malayalam film “Pachuvum Albuthavilakkum” and continues to act in films today. She spoke about her long journey with Grihashobha.Here are some excerpts:
Tell us about your educational journey? What were your thoughts at that stage of life?
I come from a traditional South Indian family, neither orthodox nor conservative, but deeply rooted in its culture. Therefore, my parents introduced me not only to education but also to fine arts, music, and dance. Today, I’m nearly 75, but when I was younger, I aspired to be a newsreader or an air hostess because they wore beautiful saris, and I still have a deep passion for them. I once dreamed of becoming a doctor, but I never pursued that path. I never imagined I would study law or medicine, which I had to do with the arts.
Today, I follow it professionally. What did you pay special attention to when choosing a degree in education?
I majored in English Literature. It was a wise and respectable choice for me, as it allowed me to progress so far. However, I could have also taken the IAS exam in this subject and become a bureaucrat like my father, but I didn’t need to.
How did this study help you move forward?
Studying English has greatly improved my ability to speak or write to anyone, which has made it easier for me to work in any field.
What aspect of your education has helped you the most in your career?
I always felt confident in every kind of communication, which was very important for me.
Technology, AI, and work culture are constantly changing. In these circumstances, how will it be important for youth to move forward?
Never stop learning, even at this age I believe in learning new things and implementing them in my life with work ethics and style, it is not easy to accept the challenge of any change but once you have adopted it then no one can stop you, be it young or old, it does not matter.
You have the power to make yourself happy at work, and you must love what you do, and this love must come from understanding and acceptance.
– Soma Ghosh