About School of Practical Skills

The School of Practical Skills (SoPS) is comprised of experienced journalists, anchors, theatre and media personalities with a combined experience of over 100 years. If you’re looking for somebody to train and mentor you, to level up your performative presence, look no further. We use innovative teaching methods to help you discover your personal brand, speaking style, and unique strengths. Through a series of fun exercises, we’ll help you unlock your potential as an effective communicator.

We’ve worked with some great companies

Our Training Method

At SoPS we use a training methodology that is an ideal mix of theoretical lessons and practical exercises. We use real-life examples, current events and topical issues to help you articulate your thoughts with clarity, conciseness and conviction.

The pedagogical philosophy of The School of Practical Skills is – Learn it today, Use it Tomorrow. We’ll help you create and sustain immediate and long-term improvements in your performative speech abilities.

Meet The Training Team

We have a group of highly qualified trainers led by our chief trainer, Suresh Venkat. Our trainers are experienced business journalists, voice artists, theatre actors and radio professionals. Our trainers are practitioners of their individual crafts.

Suresh Venkat – Chief Trainer

Suresh Venkat is a communications trainer, presenter, actor and anchor, with over 25 years of experience in news and entertainment across television, digital and radio. Suresh has trained dozens of  CXOs, news anchors, radio presenters and students in the art of effective communication. Suresh is a graduate of the National Institute of Design, Ahmedabad. He is currently the host of www.readytomelt.com and ET Startup School on www.etplay.com

Ashish ‘Jaggu’ Jagtiani – Trainer

Ashish (Jaggu) Jagtiani is a business journalist, podcaster, columnist and playwright. He is one half of the famous ‘Jaggu & Tarana’ radio host duo on Radio One94.3 FM. With over 25 years of media experience, Jaggu has been a radio anchor for both business and entertainment shows, a financial journalist with Bloomberg UTV, a podcaster with Bookmyshow.com and a columnist with Vogue, Hindustan Times, Mid-Day and others.

Faezeh Jalali – Trainer

Faezeh is the Founder and Artistic Director of the theatre collaborative, FATS TheArts, Mumbai. She is an award-winning theatre actor, director, and writer, as well as a teacher, kalaripayattu practitioner and choreographer.  She has written and directed several well acclaimed plays, like, Shikhandi-The Story of the Inbetweens, 07/07/07, Bone of Contention, Strictly Unconventional and Afterlies, among others. Faezeh has 15+ years of teaching experience with both children and adults. She also conducts theatre workshops for all ages.  She has a BA, an MFA and a Diploma in Kalaripayattu. She’s very cool. Ask anyone. (And in case you’re wondering, her name is pronounced “Foy-zay”)

Pablo Chaterji – Trainer

Pablo is a film-maker, photographer and automotive & lifestyle journalist. With over 20 years of combined experience in these fields, he is currently the editor of Motoring World, one of India’s first automotive publications. Having dealt closely with senior executives in the automotive and lifestyle industries for years, Pablo has a unique insight into the techniques of media interactions and public speaking, as well as the art and craft of writing effective press releases. He’s also an amateur blues guitarist, cook and mixologist.

Tarana Raja – Trainer

Tarana is a communications trainer & performer on Radio, Film, Television & Stage. With over 25 years of experience, Tarana is one half of the famous ‘Jaggu & Tarana’ radio host duo. As an actor, she’s been an integral part of hugely popular shows like Bade Achhe Lagte hain, and Kasautii Zindagi Kay and in movies like Pyar Ke Side Effects and Karthik Calling Karthik. Her TV appearances include chat shows on Zoom, Zee Music, CNBC Awaaz and Doordarshan. Tarana is currently in a Zee5 Webseries called Frontpage & a theatre production called Pink is the New Black.

Urvashi Yadav – Trainer

Urvashi is a sports and lifestyle journalist and TV presenter, who’s reported from the heart of India’s cricketing action, covering epic matches and the IPL. She’s also been the face of all the bollywood buzz on Zoom TV. With over a decade of experience in broadcasting and events, she decided to trade the hustle of India for the vibrant streets of Berlin. In Germany, she’s taken on the role of training corporates in English communication by day and leading yoga sessions in the city’s heart by night. Oh, and when it comes to cooking, let’s just say she’s better off ordering in!

Ankit Vengurlekar – Trainer

Ankit Vengurlekar is a communications trainer, content creator, and personal brand consultant for CXOs. An award-winning journalist with over 20 years in media, Ankit has trained dozens of students, digital journalists, and video content creators. He’s a keen technology observer with interests in generative AI, Crypto, Web3, and productivity tools. Ankit is also a mindfulness coach and a trained Yoga teacher.