HR Speaks, established in January 2018, is H.R. College’s monthly magazine providing a platform for students to share their memories and personal experiences. With sections dedicated to fiction, non-fiction, poetry, inter/intra-college events, sports, and book reviews, it welcomes submissions from students across all streams.
Beyond a magazine, HR Speaks has grown into a vibrant community, organizing initiatives to inspire personal growth and healing through uplifting stories. The club also hosts H.R. College's Literary Arts Festival, the HR LitFest. Articles are regularly published on the college website and the HR Speaks Club's Instagram handle, encouraging all Degree College students to contribute their stories, poems, and book reviews.
HR Speaks and Think India of HR College hosted a seminar on data analytics, AI, and Excel at H.R. College. The event ran from 10:30 am to 11:30 am, with over 80 participants engaging in discussions on using data to drive business decisions, Excel functions, and automation techniques.
The session concluded with a discussion on ethical considerations, highlighting the importance of responsible data usage and privacy protection. Overall, the seminar provided valuable insights on improving efficiency and decision-making through data tools.
August 2024 Issue Publishing
August 22, 2024 Attendees: 50
HR Speaks proudly unveiled the August Issue titled "Friends, Faces, and Fresh Start." This edition explores the power of connections, the value of familiar faces at work, and the excitement of new beginnings. The "Entrepreneurs’ Desk" featured the success of Social Time, a digital marketing agency founded by an HR College student, which has elevated over 15 brands in just 1.5 years.
The 'WHAT'S HOT' section discussed Donald Trump and the 2024 election, examining its potential impact on the business world. The 'Insights into HR Speaks' section hosted a lively meet and greet, filled with laughter and a photoshoot capturing the event's energy. Additionally, the 'Clubs Corner' highlighted a collaboration with Think India HR College and Garuda Cell, fostering a dynamic exchange of ideas.
Published on August 22nd, 2024, this issue reflects the vibrant spirit of HR College, celebrating connections and community.
HR Speaks: Ice Breakers
Date: 21st September, 2024 Attendees: 50
HR Speaks Ice Breaker session welcomed new members and fostered a sense of community among participants. The event aimed to break down barriers and encourage open communication. It provided a space to share stories and interests; and a foundation for future teamwork and collaboration. The session featured a variety of activities like Push-up Challenge, Human Bingo, Dance and Introductions with a Twist.
Towards the end of the session, participants expressed positive feedback. The Ice Breaker session was a great success, fulfilling its role in helping members to connect and feel comfortable with one another. It set a positive tone for future meetings and opened up new events for collaboration and learning. The enthusiasm and energy in the room confirmed that the club is building a strong, supportive community of HRites.
Education Session - A Social Initiative
September 15, 2024 Attendees: 50
HR Speaks conducted an educational session for 30 children from local communities near Sanjay Gandhi National Park (SGNP). The event, attended by 50 volunteers, aimed to inspire learning and provide essential educational resources to children with limited access. The participants, ranging from nursery to 8th grade, were divided into groups based on their class levels, with volunteers teaching age-appropriate subjects. The session included basic academic lessons, interactive activities, and a special celebration of Hindi Diwas, highlighting the importance of preserving cultural heritage. The day concluded with refreshments, offering both children and volunteers a meaningful and rewarding experience.
HR SPEAKS Club Photo Gallery
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ACTIVITIES 2023-2024
PRE-INDEPENDENCE DAY CELEBRATION
August 13, 2023 Attendees:100 Location: Marine Drive
On August 13, 2023, HR Speaks orchestrated a heartwarming pre-Independence Day celebration at Sunday Streets, Marine Drive. Over 100 HR College students and fellow Mumbaikars gathered by the sea, fostering unity and togetherness. HR Speaks collaborated with the local band and set an evocative tone with patriotic melodies. The event concluded on a high note with heartwarming friendship songs, deepening the sense of camaraderie.
As a symbol of unwavering patriotism, 200 Indian flag badges were distributed on this pre-Independence Day celebration symbolizing shared pride in the nation's history and a hopeful future. HR Speaks' event successfully nurtured a sense of belonging, exemplifying the club's dedication to building a community through meaningful initiatives.
INDEPENDENCE DAY COMPETITION
August 15-16, 2023 Attendees:47
HR Speaks, organized a captivating online competition on the occasion of Independence Day, held on August 15, 2023. The competition, centered around the theme "What does freedom mean to you?" garnered a remarkable response from the student community.
Participants were divided into two categories: Category 1 welcomed poems and articles that encapsulated their perspective on freedom, while Category 2 embraced artistic expression through digital artwork and paintings. The submissions portrayed diverse interpretations of freedom, highlighting the depth of creativity among the participants.
Following a thorough evaluation, the results were declared on August 16, 2023, showcasing the top achievers from both categories. The three winners from each category were not only acknowledged but also featured on HR Speaks' Instagram page, amplifying their voices to a wider audience.
The event's resounding success underscores HR Speaks' commitment to providing a platform for voices to be heard. HR Speaks' Independence Day competition exemplified the power of fostering creativity and encouraging active participation. The event resonated with the essence of freedom, fostering a sense of belonging and unity among participants.
AUGUST 2023 ISSUE PUBLISHING
August 17, 2023 Attendees: 17
The HR Speaks club accomplished a significant milestone with the successful August 2023 magazine issue, themed "Unmasked Minds." This issue delved into hidden aspects of mental health, encouraging students to share experiences, insights, and coping strategies, fostering awareness and support. Diverse narratives unfolded, shedding light on mental health's unspoken aspects, cultivating empathy and understanding. The magazine also covered the 2023 Millets Year and the SYNC club contributed a thought-provoking article.
The image gallery captured club events in July, showcasing the dynamic campus life. This magazine was a collective effort by 17 core members who meticulously curated every detail. The HR Speaks team's commitment brought the magazine to life, reflecting their dedication.
SEPTEMBER 2023: ISSUE PUBLISHING
September 7, 2023 Attendees: 16
HR Speaks successfully published the September Issue, which was dedicated to the theme, “Against the Clock - Youth's Aspirations for Early Success”. This issue delved into the modern youth's fervent desire to achieve early success and featured a range of compelling articles and insights.
One of the highlights of this issue was an in-depth exploration of the ongoing renovation of our beloved HR College, offering readers an exclusive glimpse into the transformation that is set to shape the future of our institution. Additionally, Research Cell contributed a thought-provoking article that shed light into the ongoings of their club. In our Image Gallery section, we celebrated the vibrancy of our college community by showcasing captivating visuals from the various events conducted by our clubs throughout the month of August.
We are immensely proud of the contributions from our talented student body. Their refreshing articles and perspectives enriched the content of this issue, making it a true reflection of our college's intellectual vitality.
PAGES TO PROGRESS: CRAFTING A CAREER IN BLOGGING
September 30, 2023 Attendees: 26
HR Speaks hosted an engaging webinar featuring Vidhya Thakkar, a prominent figure in the world of blogging and social media strategy. Ms. Thakkar, Founder and Director of Sparrowave Media and the brain behind Mumbaibookstagram, shared her remarkable journey from being a shy college student to becoming one of India's top bloggers.
During the webinar, Vidhya Thakkar captivated the audience with her insights into literature, blogging, and her experiences collaborating with renowned brands like JCB Prize Literature, JLF, AKLF, Oxford Bookstores, Flipkart, Amazon, and many more. She also spoke passionately about her role as a social media strategist, working closely with authors, publishers, and brands for marketing and promotions.
Vidhya Thakkar's candid storytelling and willingness to answer questions provided aspiring writers, literature enthusiasts, and bloggers with invaluable insights. The session served as an inspiring platform for all, reaffirming the limitless possibilities in the world of literature and blogging. It was an evening of learning and empowerment, leaving participants eager to embark on their own blogging journeys.
HR SPEAKS Club Photo Gallery
HR SPEAKS - August 17, 2023 - August '23 Issue Publishing
HR SPEAKS - August 15, 2023 - Independence Day Competition
HR SPEAKS - August 13, 2023 - Pre Independence Day Celebration - Group Picture
September 30, 2023 - Pages to Progress-Crafting a Career in Blogging - Ms. Vidhya Thakkar during the webinar
September 7, 2023 - September '23 Issue Publishing
ACTIVITIES 2022-2023
THE HR LITFEST 2023
January 16-18, 2023 Attendees: 130
The HR LitFest, the flagship event of HR Speaks, the official monthly magazine of HR College, successfully celebrated its 3rd edition this year. This literary festival showcased a diverse range of genres including drama, comedy, horror, and thriller, captivating attendees with its exciting lineup of events.
The organizing team executed each event seamlessly, ensuring that every participant had an enjoyable experience. Throughout the festival, we witnessed an array of emotions and expressions from the literary enthusiasts who joined us. As the festival drew to a close, it became an emotion worth cherishing. We extend our heartfelt appreciation to the entire team who worked tirelessly to create such a remarkable event.
HR SPEAKS Club Photo Gallery
The HR Litfest 2023
ACTIVITIES 2021-2022
PODCAST SCRIPTING SESSION
July 23, 2021
The 'Podcast Scripting Session' was conducted by HR Speaks with Ms. Laxmi Krishnan. A podcast is an informative audio file that can be downloaded on a personal device. This is often a conversation between the host and a guest speaker, intending to provide knowledge and insight to the listener.
The host of this session was Ms. Laxmi Krishnan, a renowned podcaster with IVM, who hosts a podcast on literature known as 'Lit Nama'. She is also a Media and Communications Professor, a content creator, a writer, a cultural researcher, and a publisher of the newsletter 'The Culture Capital'.
Ms. Krishnan shared the nuances of podcasting with the attendees. She started with the basics of podcasting and also shared the lessons she learned and the mistakes she made along the way. The session was very interactive, with the host also sharing a few snippets of her 'Lit Nama' podcast. Her visually-pleasing slides and her way of explaining the complexities of podcasting with ease made the session very elaborate and appealing. The attendees were left with a ton of useful information and the end of the session saw a lot of interesting questions being asked, with the host obliging in every query.
LET'S TALK CAMPAIGN (2021)
June 7-12, 2021
HR Speaks hosted a social media campaign Let's Talk where people are encouraged to talk about not usually shared. This year's Let's Talk theme was Getting Candid in Quarantine, where students shared their home campuses' lives and struggles during the pandemic. HR Speaks released various relatable content pieces and insightful conversations.
June 7 - A short video was released on the Instagram reel stating that you are not alone, which featured various types of distress students are facing but not talking about it because it did not seem normal.
June 8 - Business in Quarantine was a live session on Instagram where student entrepreneurs shared their journey of starting their businesses in these unprecedented times. The live session witnessed around 95 viewers.
June 9 - Leadership in Quarantine was a video where the students who served as Presidents and Vice Presidents shared their hardships and experiences of running a club online.
June 10 - Teaching in Quarantine with Ms. Laxmi Krishnan our speaker gave us a tour of a teacher's life behind that zoom meeting.
June 11 - Quarantine Upbeats as music is the best mood lifter, we launched two playlists - one with English and another with Hindi songs.
June 12 - The Journey - A short video where students shared how their priorities changed throughout home quarantine.
The campaign was successfully carried out by the core members of HR Speaks.
JOURNEY OF A YOUNG AUTHOR (IG LIVE)
July 2, 2021
An IG Live with young student writers from the college was conducted where they discussed the entire publishing process and their experience during the same. The IG live was viewed by 552 people.
Details of the panelists-
Starzelle D'Souza - Author of 'Stars, Moon and the Sun' published in an anthology 'Road to the Lighthouse'.
Saher Sayed - A compilation of her poems and musings called 'Insight' will be published and available to the public by the end of this year.
Neel Shah - Author of the book 'Smart Labour', Neel writes about effective techniques for millennials to kick-start their journey.
MENTAL HEALTH AWARENESS WEEK
October 6-10, 2021
HR Speaks collaborated with MHAC to conduct the Mental Health Awareness Week with the vision to advocate against the social stigma associated with mental health issues and how one should never neglect their mental health issues.
DAY 1 - IG Live with Ms. Nikhila Deshpande
Views: 163
Ms. Nikhila Deshpande has a MSc. in psychology, LLB, is a certified ACC level coach, and is certified in practicing positive psychology from the University of North Carolina. She is the founder of The Depression Project and also runs the Italktherapy which is a safe and judgment-free space to talk about our minds and life. She is also one of the counselors at the college. The IG Live revolved around “Atoms of hope are all around you, so scientifically you do matter”.
DAY 2 - Webinar on 'Paint Away Your Blues’
Participants: 80
Dr. Fatema Z. Slatewala's work is of creative expression, which fosters healing & mental well-being. She has 13 years of experience in Homeopathy and since 2017; she has integrated Art Therapy into her practice as well. The session revolved around how art therapies can, relieve stress away and pay more attention to what is happening at the moment. All the participants scribbled their hearts out which allowed them to let go of their inhibitions.
DAY 3 - Webinar on 'Mindset Makeover'
Participants: 50
Ms.Aradhana Mantri is a Life Coach, an Author, and a Speaker along with being an H.R. College Alumnus. She wrote her first book titled “All It Takes Is A Little Change to Live an Extraordinary Life” this year in April to help people look at life from a different perspective.
The session reflected how the mind holds the power to influence everything we do in our life. It was highly interactive and explained to students how one should follow their dreams without worrying about society's judgments.
DAY 4 - The Happiness Project
Participants: 43
The Upper Storey is an organisation working towards mental health, wellbeing, and the holistic development of individuals across all age groups. Their work has an underlying aim to encourage individuals to cultivate a high level of self-acceptance and worth. The Happiness Project was an interactive workshop that helped the attendees learn to strike the right balance in life, how to relax and rejuvenate, and to fill our cups of happiness with self-love and acceptance.
HR SPEAKS Club Photo Gallery
PODCAST SCRIPTING SESSION
LET'S TALK CAMPAIGN (2021)
Journey of a young author IG Live
IG Live with Ms. Nikhila Deshpande
Happiness Project
ACTIVITIES 2020-2021
CREATIVE WRITING WORKSHOP
June 19, 2020
Dr. Vimal Sangam, a dermatologist by profession, is a select writer of Terribly Tiny Tales. During the session, she gave some important tips regarding the Do’s and Don’ts of creative writing with examples. While explaining these tips, she also gave some prompts for the participants to write on the spot.
DECODING SPM
July 11, 2020
A creative writing workshop by the writers of Terribly Tiny Tales, where our the experts gave our audience much needed guidance in writing short stories, poems and micro-fiction tales.
The session on Google Meet was attended by around 60-70 people. Mr. Suvrahadip Ghosh, named in the 'Top 50 Poets' in the National Poetry Competition; Mr. Taqee Syed, a Medical Engineering Consultant by profession & Ms. Rashi Nandwani, a nutrition student by day and a writer by night; hosted this interactive webinar.
IG LIVE INSPIRATIONAL SERIES – “EVERYONE HAS A STORY TO TELL”
July 18, 2020
A series of Instagram Live sessions were conducted wherein unconventional creators were invited to shed light on their journey for our audience. These live chats were informative, insightful, flexible and inspirational. The success of this series can be seen in the huge number of views each of our live sessions received on the Instagram handle of HR SPEAKS (@hrspeaks).
Mental Health Awareness Week by HR SPEAKS
October 4-9, 2020
The Covid-19 Pandemic has devastated community life, economy, besides adversely affecting family lives. All this has caused tremendous trauma and psychological distress among millions of people leading to mental disorders. HR Speaks rose to the occasion and organised a series of events for the students and teachers of H.R. College.The following is the summary of the events marking the occasion:
A Digital Poster Making Competition: Students sent in a graphical representation of their favorite motivational quote.
‘Expressive Art therapy’ with Dr. Fatima Slatewala who introduced the students to art therapy to relieve stress.
‘Food for the Mood’ with Nutritionist Ms. Dhvani Shah who introduced the importance of proper food and nutrition and how it affects our mental health; and the do’s and don'ts for a healthy lifestyle.
‘Exploring the Anxiety Spectrum’ with Dr. Sheba Singh who shared insights on anxiety, how to identify and how overcome it.
‘Spiritual Healing’ Session with Ms. Anahita Sanjana where she shared insights on how we could inculcate spirituality to attain our goals and better mental health.
‘Depression 101’ IG Live with Ms. Nyamat Chadha who shared the clinical concept of depression and its symptoms. She also enlightened our audience through this Instagram live, the various levels of depression and its treatment at each respective stage.
HR LITFEST 2020
November 7 & 8, 2020
The second edition of H.R. College’s National Inter-collegiate Literary Arts Festival was conducted online by the HR Speaks. With leading colleges of Mumbai, Delhi, Chennai, Kolkata, Pune, Jaipur and Bangalore participating and competing in events that tested their writing, poetry, drama and public speaking prowess, with a digital footfall of more than 650 students across India, irrespective of their fields, the two-day festival commemorated the spirit of literature amongst the youth.
Eminent and upcoming personalities like underground rapper MC Yatin Ingle, author and singer Rhiti, singer Utsavi Jha, renowned web-series actor Rohit Mehra, author Mayur Sarfare and international journalist Ms. Priyanka Pradhan graced with their presence and judged the participants in their respective events.
INTERCOLLEGIATE WINNERS:
Winner - Stella Maris, Chennai
Runner Up 1 - Mithibai, Mumbai
Runner Up 2 - Loyola College, Chennai
The Women and Law zoom session was hosted by Ms. Smita Thool who believes while ignorance is bliss, knowledge is power. She has done a Masters of Law (LLM) focused in Criminology and is a certified POSH trainer. She spoke to us about what the Indian Constitution holds for our women. Misconceptions about laws were cleared in a question and answer session. It was truly an empowering session for all the students.
IG LIVE WITH RICHA MUKHERJEE
March 14, 2021
A woman can be whatever she sets her mind on- a homemaker and even a change-maker. Reflecting such versatility was our guest Richa S. Mukherjee. An award-winning author of her book Kanpur Khoofiya Pvt Ltd, blogger, poet, wife and mother, Richa signifies what every woman aspires to become.
HR SPEAKS Club Photo Gallery
The HR Litfest 2023
ACTIVITIES 2019-2020
#Let’sTalk
HR Speaks conducted the second edition of its Summer Campaign #Let'sTalk during May 2019. This Campaign is a one-of-its-kind initiative where the team of HR Speaks interviews students and teachers of H.R. College and speaks to them about their unspoken struggles and triumphs. The motto for the campaign was 'Tough Topics, Tougher People'.
Picto-Tales
HR Speaks organized the 2nd edition of Picto-Tales, a micro-fiction writing competition. The event witnessed a total of 67 individual participants across various courses. An Indian bestselling novelist was the esteemed judge for the event who gave insights into his life as an author.
Diamond Jubilee Special Issue
Team HR Speaks interviewed various eminent personalities who have excelled in their respective fields, at the Diamond Jubilee Celebrations of H.R. College on 24th January, 2020. The team compiled their memorable experiences and published it in their ‘Diamond Jubilee Special’ Issue, which was launched on the special occasion of the Annual Prize Distribution on 25th February, 2020.
