Tuesday, December 9, 2008
Tribal Teacher Training Program
One part of Tribal Mensa Nurturing Program was to conduct Tribal Teacher Training Program. In the month of November and December 2008, training program was conducted for Tribal residentail school teachers of Vadeshwar, Malegaon and Kamshet. 22 primary teachers participated the training program.
Sunday, May 18, 2008
Friday, April 25, 2008
Durga Workshop
Monthly Report: February- March 2008
Durga Workshop (22nd Feb to 25th Feb 2008)
Goddess Durga is a form of Prakriti or Nature. She is the Divine Mother. The February Tribal Mensa Nurturing workshop took inspiration from the forms of Durga i.e. nature and centered around exploring nature, generating curiosity to understand it and creating an atmosphere to nurture it.
On February 22nd when Sachindada came to take us to the Nishta Kendra, we were all holding bags of seeds. They were of various indigenous trees Pongamia pinnata (Karanj) , Terminalia spp. (Hirada, Beheda etc), Acacia spp (Babhool), etc. which we had collected from Sacred Groves near our villages. Some of us had brought them from nearby forest lands and river banks. We took over a month to make our collections – dried and sorted. We could name most of the trees from which we had made the collection. We found that it was a lot of fun to be in the forest. We watched birds and insects. We tried to find some fruits and berries to eat too.
I found that to watch and enjoy Nature, I need to open my eyes and my mind. The more curious I was, the more I saw, the more I understood. After my exams, which is in March, I think I will spend more time exploring the Sacred Grove near my home.
The journey from my school to the Kendra was tiring this time. It was partly due to the heat and partly because I missed few of my friends. They had gone for their village festivals and were not going to attend the workshop. But as the Kendra came closer, the excitement grew. What was to be done with all these seeds? What activities will be there this time?
The excitement suddenly transformed to tremendous curiosity as I saw two very new people in the Nishta Kendra, who welcomed us in. Narayandada then introduced us to them. They were Richard Scott from England (Landlife trust, Liverpool) and Madhav (Mathieu, Krishna Devotee from France) from Udupi. Both of them were going to help us set up a plant nursery from the seeds that we had brought. Now everything fell into place.
As afternoon drew on, we took time to settle down. We tried to interact with Richard and Madhav. We had so much to talk with our friends this time. We talked about our collection, about our village festivals. Some of us had also been to small excursions with their classmates. We also spent some time playing carom board.
In the evening, Richard and Madhav gave us boxes of paints and brushes. How thrilled we were! We had wished to paint the walls of Nishta Kendra and had told Narayandada in the Pongal workshop about it, and our wish was coming true. We all went wild.. in a creative way. Sashitai, Anjalitai, Varshatai also joined us as we painted flowers, mountains, and rivers. I drew a painting of Lord Ganesh. Some made signs of 'Welcome' and some drew symbols like ‘Trishul’, 'Swastika' etc. Now ,we felt we were in our own Maherghar. A place which spoke to us, inspired us, and a place where we have left our permanent visible mark on.
While we were engrossed in our activity, Narayandada brought in a truck full of soil. It was unloaded in the garden. I knew immediately that tomorrow was our day of gardening. I wondered what all we could do. We needed a good place to sow the seeds and they will need to be watered. I started planning in my head remembering what all I do in the farm back home.
Evening came, and we had to stop our painting as the lights went out. But today we were enlightened very differently in our minds. Madhav played devotional songs on his flute. It was a very different kind of music than what I get to hear at school or in my village. I enjoyed it a lot. It made me very calm and it showed on my face.
We were woken up by Madhav's flute and after drinking madhpaani we were all ears to listen to Narayandada. He asked us to return the books we had taken from the library last time. Most of us had read the books more than one time! I am looking forward to reading a lot more.
Then Narayandada spoke to us about our activity for the day – Plant nursery. We were to remove stones and gravel from the soil he had got yesterday. Small pots were to be filled with soil and manure, and seeds were to be sorted out. Richard and Madhav were going to help us do all that.
We divided ourselves in groups by afternoon we had filled over 150 pots, and sorted out about 50 types of seeds. Shiekhatai, an MSc student from the Pune University also helped us in doing so.
Some of the boys from Bagicha gat made rangoli designs from the seeds. It was a picture of a man who was stopped by a girl from cutting a tree. We had a lot of fun. We got to talk with
Richard and even with friends. We found that teamwork makes a difficult task easier to achieve.
We were tired after the activities and we got some free time. In the afternoon, me and my friends from the Annapurna Gat found some old clothes in the cupboard. We used them to decorate our room. We hung sarees on the wall like curtains. Some made designs out of dupattas and stuck them on the walls. I knew I would have a nice sleep in this cozy, friendly room.
Shri. Vishwasrao Kher and Mrs. Sonavi Desai from the Kher Foundation had come to the Nishta Kendra during this time. Narayandada showed them all the work that we had done, our paintings, our boards, our pots, seeds and even our activity files. They seemed to be happy about all that we were doing. The Kher Foundation, we were told, will be looking after the maintenance cost of our Maherghar. I am thankful to them for their help. Anjalitai family too came from Pune to watch our work in the evening. Its nice to be appreciated by people and getting to know them too.
In the night, we saw a movie about two tigers, born in the zoo and then taken to the wild. I was so tired; I could hardly keep my eyes open. But, not everyone is tired like me. Some of my friends stay up till late night to read the story books given to us. Some of them read even in torch lights stealthily when Narayandada puts the lights out.
When I went to sleep, I thought of how I will sow the seeds the next day. I thought if the seeds know that they were handpicked from the Sacred Grove to come here and grow , like I was. I wondered...
In the morning, Narayan spoke to us about 'Swadeshi'. He spoke about taking pride in being Indian, in following its traditions. He spoke about how culture changes from country to country, and why we are special in our own way. He spoke to us what is a modern outlook and what is a western outlook. He showed us that people from different cultures can work in harmony, and still maintain their own perspective. We saw that when we saw him talking to Richard and Madhav.
When I came out in the garden I found the seeds soaking in warm water, ready to be planted. Shiekhatai, Richard, Anujatai and few a few of us, sowed the seeds of Cassia fistula, Pongamia pinnata , Azadirechta indica, Tamarindus indica etc. As I planted them, I wished that each one would grow into a big tree. I took care that they were sowed properly, that its roots may grow strong. I watered them and hoped that one day I could take them back into the wild – in their Sacred Grove, just like last nights movie.
Afternoon time was for the workshop activity. We played an old game, called 'Antakshari' , but the twist was that we could sing only those songs which had questions. Annapurna Gat was sure to win... we knew all the songs by heart. Then Narayandada told us why we played this game. It was to raise questions. The key to curiosity, the key to all the answers in the world. Questions,
Jidnyasa! We sat down in our Kaksha and raised 150 questions! 'why, when , where, how, from where, till where.....' It was so much fun. What if I start asking so many questions to Abba? I am sure he will be baffled trying to answer them. Oh! But thats what this exercise was all about. I no longer need to ask questions to anyone. I can generate more questions and more and more.. to find my own answers!
After the gruelling session of exercising the brain, Dr. Tanuja Oak and her team arrived for stretching our body. It was time for Yoga. Like last time, we stretched and flexed, twisted and turned. I found that now it is much easier than the first time we did Yoga. All the practicing at school is helping I guess.
In the evening, we had a fun session with Narayandada. We played Antakshari again, this time of Bhajans and patriotic songs. Madhav also played his flute for us. We listened to it with all our heart and soul, as today was the last day of the workshop.
Narayandada then told us about the next workshop. He said he will try to organize it in May, after our exams and holidays. He even promised to take us for an ecotour to the coast! I am so excited already. What all things we will see?!
Then we scurried back to our respective Kaksha, as we had to prepare for the 'Manoranjan' activities of the last day. The boys from Paani gat had put up a drama for everyone. Some sang devotional songs, some sang gavlans, patriotic songs etc. And then, it was time to sleep. Before sleeping, I once again prayed, for my seeds to grow well.
When I woke up, I was told that Richard had already left for England, Madhav would be leaving for Varanasi soon. It was time for Narayandada and the Mensa team toreturn back to Pune and me to my school. This time when I left the Maherghar, I left a part of me still living there. I am sure that my song will echo there till I return.
In our journey back home, I realized that we had truly lived the spirit of Goddess Durga during the workshop. I had been Prakruti, as I had walked in the forest. I had been a Mother as I sowed the seeds, and I will be the Protector, as I help them grow and blossom into trees. And I wonder if this Goddess Durga will reside in my village, in my Sacred Grove...........
Durga Workshop (22nd Feb to 25th Feb 2008)
Goddess Durga is a form of Prakriti or Nature. She is the Divine Mother. The February Tribal Mensa Nurturing workshop took inspiration from the forms of Durga i.e. nature and centered around exploring nature, generating curiosity to understand it and creating an atmosphere to nurture it.
On February 22nd when Sachindada came to take us to the Nishta Kendra, we were all holding bags of seeds. They were of various indigenous trees Pongamia pinnata (Karanj) , Terminalia spp. (Hirada, Beheda etc), Acacia spp (Babhool), etc. which we had collected from Sacred Groves near our villages. Some of us had brought them from nearby forest lands and river banks. We took over a month to make our collections – dried and sorted. We could name most of the trees from which we had made the collection. We found that it was a lot of fun to be in the forest. We watched birds and insects. We tried to find some fruits and berries to eat too.
I found that to watch and enjoy Nature, I need to open my eyes and my mind. The more curious I was, the more I saw, the more I understood. After my exams, which is in March, I think I will spend more time exploring the Sacred Grove near my home.
The journey from my school to the Kendra was tiring this time. It was partly due to the heat and partly because I missed few of my friends. They had gone for their village festivals and were not going to attend the workshop. But as the Kendra came closer, the excitement grew. What was to be done with all these seeds? What activities will be there this time?
The excitement suddenly transformed to tremendous curiosity as I saw two very new people in the Nishta Kendra, who welcomed us in. Narayandada then introduced us to them. They were Richard Scott from England (Landlife trust, Liverpool) and Madhav (Mathieu, Krishna Devotee from France) from Udupi. Both of them were going to help us set up a plant nursery from the seeds that we had brought. Now everything fell into place.
As afternoon drew on, we took time to settle down. We tried to interact with Richard and Madhav. We had so much to talk with our friends this time. We talked about our collection, about our village festivals. Some of us had also been to small excursions with their classmates. We also spent some time playing carom board.
In the evening, Richard and Madhav gave us boxes of paints and brushes. How thrilled we were! We had wished to paint the walls of Nishta Kendra and had told Narayandada in the Pongal workshop about it, and our wish was coming true. We all went wild.. in a creative way. Sashitai, Anjalitai, Varshatai also joined us as we painted flowers, mountains, and rivers. I drew a painting of Lord Ganesh. Some made signs of 'Welcome' and some drew symbols like ‘Trishul’, 'Swastika' etc. Now ,we felt we were in our own Maherghar. A place which spoke to us, inspired us, and a place where we have left our permanent visible mark on.
While we were engrossed in our activity, Narayandada brought in a truck full of soil. It was unloaded in the garden. I knew immediately that tomorrow was our day of gardening. I wondered what all we could do. We needed a good place to sow the seeds and they will need to be watered. I started planning in my head remembering what all I do in the farm back home.
Evening came, and we had to stop our painting as the lights went out. But today we were enlightened very differently in our minds. Madhav played devotional songs on his flute. It was a very different kind of music than what I get to hear at school or in my village. I enjoyed it a lot. It made me very calm and it showed on my face.
We were woken up by Madhav's flute and after drinking madhpaani we were all ears to listen to Narayandada. He asked us to return the books we had taken from the library last time. Most of us had read the books more than one time! I am looking forward to reading a lot more.
Then Narayandada spoke to us about our activity for the day – Plant nursery. We were to remove stones and gravel from the soil he had got yesterday. Small pots were to be filled with soil and manure, and seeds were to be sorted out. Richard and Madhav were going to help us do all that.
We divided ourselves in groups by afternoon we had filled over 150 pots, and sorted out about 50 types of seeds. Shiekhatai, an MSc student from the Pune University also helped us in doing so.
Some of the boys from Bagicha gat made rangoli designs from the seeds. It was a picture of a man who was stopped by a girl from cutting a tree. We had a lot of fun. We got to talk with
Richard and even with friends. We found that teamwork makes a difficult task easier to achieve.
We were tired after the activities and we got some free time. In the afternoon, me and my friends from the Annapurna Gat found some old clothes in the cupboard. We used them to decorate our room. We hung sarees on the wall like curtains. Some made designs out of dupattas and stuck them on the walls. I knew I would have a nice sleep in this cozy, friendly room.
Shri. Vishwasrao Kher and Mrs. Sonavi Desai from the Kher Foundation had come to the Nishta Kendra during this time. Narayandada showed them all the work that we had done, our paintings, our boards, our pots, seeds and even our activity files. They seemed to be happy about all that we were doing. The Kher Foundation, we were told, will be looking after the maintenance cost of our Maherghar. I am thankful to them for their help. Anjalitai family too came from Pune to watch our work in the evening. Its nice to be appreciated by people and getting to know them too.
In the night, we saw a movie about two tigers, born in the zoo and then taken to the wild. I was so tired; I could hardly keep my eyes open. But, not everyone is tired like me. Some of my friends stay up till late night to read the story books given to us. Some of them read even in torch lights stealthily when Narayandada puts the lights out.
When I went to sleep, I thought of how I will sow the seeds the next day. I thought if the seeds know that they were handpicked from the Sacred Grove to come here and grow , like I was. I wondered...
In the morning, Narayan spoke to us about 'Swadeshi'. He spoke about taking pride in being Indian, in following its traditions. He spoke about how culture changes from country to country, and why we are special in our own way. He spoke to us what is a modern outlook and what is a western outlook. He showed us that people from different cultures can work in harmony, and still maintain their own perspective. We saw that when we saw him talking to Richard and Madhav.
When I came out in the garden I found the seeds soaking in warm water, ready to be planted. Shiekhatai, Richard, Anujatai and few a few of us, sowed the seeds of Cassia fistula, Pongamia pinnata , Azadirechta indica, Tamarindus indica etc. As I planted them, I wished that each one would grow into a big tree. I took care that they were sowed properly, that its roots may grow strong. I watered them and hoped that one day I could take them back into the wild – in their Sacred Grove, just like last nights movie.
Afternoon time was for the workshop activity. We played an old game, called 'Antakshari' , but the twist was that we could sing only those songs which had questions. Annapurna Gat was sure to win... we knew all the songs by heart. Then Narayandada told us why we played this game. It was to raise questions. The key to curiosity, the key to all the answers in the world. Questions,
Jidnyasa! We sat down in our Kaksha and raised 150 questions! 'why, when , where, how, from where, till where.....' It was so much fun. What if I start asking so many questions to Abba? I am sure he will be baffled trying to answer them. Oh! But thats what this exercise was all about. I no longer need to ask questions to anyone. I can generate more questions and more and more.. to find my own answers!
After the gruelling session of exercising the brain, Dr. Tanuja Oak and her team arrived for stretching our body. It was time for Yoga. Like last time, we stretched and flexed, twisted and turned. I found that now it is much easier than the first time we did Yoga. All the practicing at school is helping I guess.
In the evening, we had a fun session with Narayandada. We played Antakshari again, this time of Bhajans and patriotic songs. Madhav also played his flute for us. We listened to it with all our heart and soul, as today was the last day of the workshop.
Narayandada then told us about the next workshop. He said he will try to organize it in May, after our exams and holidays. He even promised to take us for an ecotour to the coast! I am so excited already. What all things we will see?!
Then we scurried back to our respective Kaksha, as we had to prepare for the 'Manoranjan' activities of the last day. The boys from Paani gat had put up a drama for everyone. Some sang devotional songs, some sang gavlans, patriotic songs etc. And then, it was time to sleep. Before sleeping, I once again prayed, for my seeds to grow well.
When I woke up, I was told that Richard had already left for England, Madhav would be leaving for Varanasi soon. It was time for Narayandada and the Mensa team toreturn back to Pune and me to my school. This time when I left the Maherghar, I left a part of me still living there. I am sure that my song will echo there till I return.
In our journey back home, I realized that we had truly lived the spirit of Goddess Durga during the workshop. I had been Prakruti, as I had walked in the forest. I had been a Mother as I sowed the seeds, and I will be the Protector, as I help them grow and blossom into trees. And I wonder if this Goddess Durga will reside in my village, in my Sacred Grove...........
Thursday, January 24, 2008
Sita Pongal Workshop Report Jan 2008
Sita- Wildflower in Tribal Niche
Monthly Report: January 2008
Pongal Workshop (10th Jan – 15th Jan 2008)
Shouting “Pongalo Pongal ! I came to Nishta Kendra on the 10th January. I was very excited as it was a lovely break away from school, right after appearing for exams.
Pongal they say is the South Indian festival of prosperity. True to the name of the workshop, we all tried to show how prosperous we have grown in our thoughts and action. We were taking initiative, we motivated each other and our brains were always bursting with ideas.
This time, I traveled to the Raj guru Nagar bus stand with my teachers starting early in the morning. I made sure I had packed the seeds, stones, leaves and soil samples I had collected. Sachin dada picked us up from there and took us to the Nishta Kendra. During the bus journey I met my friends. We had a lot to catch up on since Karthik Damodar.
As the I saw my Maher Ghar through the window of the bus, my eagerness to start with the workshop grew. Narayan dada, Sashi Tai were already there to welcome us along with a few of my friends who had arrived earlier than me.
It was afternoon, and we all arranged ourselves in the Ananta Kaksh (that’s where the meetings take place). We found our stationary, caps, bedding and bags. We got really big bags! I loved the design on mine. Our group leaders took over and made sure that we were all set for the next four days.
Evening time was free, and I spent it by looking around my Maher Ghar. I found that the library had a lot more books than last time. It had autobiographies, craft books, story books, comic books, and books on science too. I wondered if I would get to read them. I also found a whole new set of games. These games were much different than the ones I knew. A game I particularly liked was Brain vita. I know that some of the boys stayed up late to make a model from the game called Mechnix... I am waiting for my turn.
Some of my friends started doing their group tasks. The Swachhata Gat (Cleanliness Group) had made sure that the Maher Ghar was clean. They put all the buckets and towels in place. The Manoranjan Gat (Entertainment Group) had started to make a list of the library books, taking care of the games etc. At this time Narayan dada called us for a meeting. He gave us special colored bands to wear on our hands. I am in Annapurna Gat and got a yellow colored band. Bagicha (Garden Group) Gat got a green, Paani (Water Group) got a blue, and Swachhata Gat got a white, while Manoranjan got a red band.
These Bands, which he gave us, are special because they make us feel like we are part of a team. Now, we are not just Tribal Mensans. We are Tribal Mensans from Annapurna Gat!!
Then he told us to take a group-wise meeting (gata-shaha baithak) to discuss how we could excel at our daily tasks. He appreciated us for doing them with perseverance, but now he wanted us to learn innovation. When we sat in our meeting, we put up a lot of ideas. Varsha Tai, Muktatai, Ketki Tai helped us too. But every time, our discussion would be a chaos. All of us would start talking, some wouldn’t talk at all. There was no order. After observing this, Narayan dada talked to us about how a meeting should take place. He taught us how to increase participation, motivate everyone in the group and how to maintain decorum. He spoke about how a group leader should take over a meeting, how he should direct it, and yet let all the wild ideas come up. He also told us about how leaders talk, stand, encourage and participate.
When I slept I wondered if there was a leader inside me... What work will I do as a leader of my group? I must come up with new ideas.
We woke up as usual to the sounds of Suprabhatam. I always miss this sound in my school. Then we went to the Dhyan Kaksh to do our morning 'chintan' or meditation. Narayan dada read out two lines from a book by Dr. Appa Pendse. The lines talked about having a dream and doing all it takes to achieve it, to turn it into a vision. He asked us what we wanted to be when we grow up. Most of us wanted to be teachers, engineers, doctors, and soldiers. He then told us that we must work hard to achieve it, make it our goal. We must try to understand what skills are required for our chosen dream, and find a way to develop them. He also narrated to us stories of valour and the spark of intelligence. He talked about his friends Vijay Chandrachud and Aba Hasabnis. I am waiting to meet them, especially Aba Hasabnis.
Before long, it was time for the workshop. Swapna Tai, Shruti Tai, Anjali Tai, Sujal Tai and Sameena Tai have arrived. We were introduced to a new game called “EK” or one. We had to enlist our groups 'one' favorite river, tree, animal, God, food, country, feeling etc. The challenge was that when we select one, we had to consider each ones thought. Different people have different likings, hence our challenge was to integrate each ones ideas. In the Swachhata Gat, everyone except one decided that Maharashtra was there favorite state. Only one of them said Jammu and Kashmir. He defended his case, and then they decided that their group’s favorite state would be Jammu and Kashmir. In Paani Gat, there was a dispute to find out a favorite tree. Each one had a different choice; no majority voting could be done. So, they intelligently listed it as 'fruiting trees' are our favorite, and they had an 'Eki'(oneness). I think every leader should be able to find this Oneness among the people. That reminded me of the discussion last night, and we made an innovative Menu card in Hindi before lunch. We also re-organized the seating arrangement to better suit us for serving everyone.
In the afternoon session, we were told to write 500 observations of the leaf, like we had observed a potato in Karthik Damodar. I came up with 100 but 500 seemed to be difficult. Narayan dada later explained us how we have to come up with basic parameters, and then work on their permutation combinations. Now 500 seems easy. Based on the observations, we made poems, stories and jokes. We are learning to observe and build ideas on our observations. Then came the most loved part of the day! We went out for the 'Daal'. Gaurav dada, Rahul dada and two more friends had come to the Maher Ghar to teach us new outdoor games. They taught us 'Chauras Cricket' (baseball) and 'Dasha Hastantare' (ten passes). I was a little nervous to play 'Chauras Cricket' as I couldn’t hit the ball initially. But I decided to concentrate more. I looked more attentively at it and then! I had it up in the air! .... I managed to make two runs! But the boys were much better at batting. They had difficulty in fielding though. In the game of ten passes, it took us a lot of strategy and team spirit. It was great fun.
When we came back the lights were out, so we had to sit together in the yellow candle light.
Dada told us short Japanese about a father and son separated during an earthquake. The story talked about faith in each other and perseverance. It made me very emotional. Then we song our group songs, an abhanga by Tukaram and the Prabhodhan Geet. We discussed our favorite lines .Keshar, Sarala; Chandana even added a few lines in them! Just as we finished singing, we felt our energy was at a peak, and the lights came back. I laughed at the thought that maybe it was our minds making the light today!
In the morning, Mukta Tai read out the story of Vivekananda’s childhood. Gaurav dada explained to us about how Vivekananda was a man with a mission. Then he took us out for the morning Dal. Ketki tai helped him out. We did a fun but creative game, where we had to come up with innovative uses of a mug. During breakfast Narayan dada told us that today would be a day of exercising. Morning to exercise the body, and afternoon to exercise the brain!
Dr. Tanuja Oak and Swati Joshi had come to visit us. They taught us some basic Yoga. Dr. Tanuja first told u about the importance of exercising, and how best to do it. The she asked us to do Suryanamaskar. We bended, stretched, flexed and breathed. Aoow! I need to practice everyday to get better at it.
In the afternoon there was a fun activity, or so we thought! It was called 'Maha Manav'. We had to describe how our ideal 'super person' would be like, what qualities he would have etc. First we enlisted all the great leaders and great people we know. (Mahatma Gandhi, Dr. Kalam, Sachin Tendulkar, and Kiran Bedi, etc.)Then we found what qualities made them so – visionary, spirited, empathetic, etc. Then we combined the qualities we thought best and important to give shape to our 'Maha Manav'. My Maha Manav was a fabulous cook along with being a warrior! Could I be her one day?
In the night we met Dr. Pratibha Kulkarni. She talked to us about how and why to take care of our health. I had a lot of questions in my mind, which she clarified in very simple language.
After that we viewed the movie 'Spirit'. It was about the adventures of a horse. We had to identify all the feelings shown in the movie. It was very difficult to concentrate after a long tiring day. We all ran to our beds.
Sleeping that night I wondered about what all we did during the day. A lot of people had come to visit. Amruta Tai had come here even when her leg was broken! And all the other tais were always around us to help. Why are they so interested in us? Narayan dada always says that we are a topic of research, and we are unique in the world. What is this 'intelligence' that makes me this special? What do I do with it? I was fast asleep.
On the third day morning, Pratibha Tai read out a poem called 'Aag Gadi ani Jameen' or 'The train and the Earth'. The way she recited the poem was so vivid. We could almost see the arrogant train zooming over the mountains inflicting pain on the Earth below. Then Amruta Tai explained us the rhyme, rhythm and feeling of the poem. We were learning how to personify things, how symbolism can be used to express complex ideas simply. It was truly enriching.
Just as we reached our artistic high, we were introduced to Science teacher, Milind Naik. He seemed to be a normal person, until he did all his magic tricks!! He could make a volcano erupt; sounds from broken pipes, letters appear on a white paper! But his biggest magic was, that he triggered our scientific minds. My little friend Sharad tried solving all the puzzles in front of us. Kiran too helped him out. Dr. Naik helped us understand that science can be fun when you start asking Whys? How’s? And Why knots? All answers lie in questions!
By this time Sameena Tai asked us to do something very different. She asked us to do some gardening work. I didn’t know then, but it was an exam! I wish I had such fun exams in school! Sameena Tai was seeing how we worked in a team. She is doing a research about leadership amongst us and how it can be enriched. Slowly I am starting to understand what the theme of this workshop is. This time it was all about exposing us to varied areas where we can explore our leadership and team spirit.
In the evening, we played a few more team games. This time, I made it a point to be more organized in our group. As a result, we won in a relay race. It needs both individual and team efforts... we are learning fast isn’t it?
But Bagicha gat won three games! I am sure they have better strategies than us. I must learn from them. By now, we all have identified something special in each one of us.
Running and jumping on the black farm soil made me tired, and I could barely keep my eyes open to watch the courageous boy in Home Alone!
It was 14th January, and so we all ate 'Pongal'. It was a new preparation. I have never tasted it before. There are so many new things Deshpande kaku cooks for us with help of Dixit kaku! The night before she had made tomato soup. We drank it before dinner. When I go home, I will tell my mother and abba all about it. I want to give it my little brother on a cold evening! He will be very happy I came here!
During breakfast, Amruta Tai talked about what this workshop were all about, what we will learn from them? She also talked about the five Kosha. All the pieces of the jigsaw puzzle are slowly fitting in. It will be sometime before I can truly understand though. For now, I know I have to give my best in the workshop, teach my friends all that I learn and most important of all.. to be more AWARE of my surroundings.
Today we spent the day completing our work, packing and cleaning our Maher Ghar. Sashi Tai gave us some fun tests too. I am eagerly awaiting the results. These tests are very interesting!
By evening we were all set to leave and it was time for our Entertainment programs. We heard many Gawlans, Bhajans etc from the Akash from (Terungan). They are very good at it.
It is always sad to say the goodbyes. Narayan dada made it easier by reading out the 15th Chapter of The Gita before we left. It made our minds calmer. Due to the serene sounds, everything that we did for the past four days got firmly imprinted. It will keep ringing for days.
Sunday, December 30, 2007
Sita- Wildflower in Tribal Niche
Monthly Report-November 2007
Dear Narayan dada,
Our first acquaintance was through your letter and so I am writing one in reply. In your first letter you wrote to me about my selection as a Mensan as well as about the Maher Ghar (Mother’s home) that you have been developing for us. You also informed me about the first workshop known as “Kartik Damodar” starting from 24th November to 29th November 2007.It has turned out to be the new beginning in the life of this wildflower from the Tribal Niche.
On the evening of 24th November, I finally arrived at the Maher Ghar. Huddled in the bus for around three hours with students from other schools, we arrived at the Tribal Mensa Nurturing Centre which is the Nishta Kendra, Kamshet tired and cold. You immediately made us sit down comfortably and spoke to us in a friendly manner. As we were all a bit cold, sitting out in the open, you first handed a dark green color monkey cap to all of us. There we sat, under the shed, all similar, all one, wearing a green monkey cap! You made it clear in the first instance that you were not our teacher, that we could call you by your first name cause we are all equal in terms of being Mensans and intelligent. You spoke to me like I was your younger sister and I was sure you would take care of me.
You put us into groups with other children from our school so as to make us feel comfortable. As we were trying to settle into the new places with so many unknown faces around us, you made sure we had comfortable place and things to sleep with. In the morning I was awoken by the sound of ‘Suprabhatam’. As the day unrolled before me I realized that this place had a different system. We were informed about a time table and were not forced to do anything but just reminded of our responsibilities.
How was this different from the school time table? Well, at Maher Ghar I was made aware of the tasks I needed to do everyday but I had the choice to decide when I would do it in the entire day. There was no bell as the one rang in our school but just shlokas to wake you up and mentors to guide us throughout the day.
As our mentors took us for a tour around the house I realized there was a specific arrangement in this Maher Ghar. Everyone had been assigned rooms and each space was identified by a name, by a God’s name with its use specified (Annexure I). I was staying in a room with all girls and it was called Govind Kaksha.
You gave us so many new things which I was free to use but also act responsibly as it belonged to my group and finally my Maher Ghar. The stationary box prepared with the material brought from Abhinav Pustak Mandir and the coloured sheets of paper prepared by Step-in copiers were one of the most new and liked part of the things. Apart from the stationary material, you had taken care of all the items of daily use required by us. Like you had written in the letter, each of the groups had their own toiletries like soap for bathing and washing, talcum powder, as well as a comb and hair-oil. Who would have thought that attention would have been paid to these needs as well? Each group was also given buckets and mugs, mosquito-coil, torch.
When you saw that on the first day as there was no school bell nor clocks, some of my brothers woke up 3.30 in the morning, you brought small clocks for us. These clocks showed the time, as well as you taught us how to set an alarm on it for the next morning. Blankets and carry mats to sleep on, plates, bowls and glass for each family member. There were also sweaters given to some of us who hadn’t brought any and they were given to us by Yusuf dada (Yusuf Jariwala).
The Maher Ghar was our own and thus we played our own part in looking after it. The five groups which were made by you were given five different responsibilities. Each group was assigned a color by which it would be easily recognized (Annexure II).
We were given the yellow color which was for the ‘Food Arrangement Group’. As we were a group of 10 girls we would be responsible for getting the food, serving it, disposing off left over food and putting everything for wash, cleaning before and after food in the Vishwa Kaksha. Slowly I know we will be given more responsibilities like helping in cooking the food as well as giving information to students about the benefits of what they eat.
You also appointed a leader and an assistant leader for all the five groups. I was not the leader this time. But you said that leaders would change every time and hence all of us would get he chance to lead. Thus each family member had a responsibility to fulfill. Similarly my brothers from the White group were in-charge of cleaning the activity rooms, keeping the toilets and bathrooms clean, keeping the centre surrounding area clean, keep shoes and chappals properly. Once these tasks are perfected, other tasks like organizing prayers and puja, taking care of electricity, attendance register and helping in cleaning vessels after meals would be added for them.
The boys from the Blue group had to arrange for Madh Pani (Honey in warm water) in the morning, serving water during meals, purifying water for drinking, arrange drinking water near activity rooms, water arrangements for washing hands and feet.
The boys from the Green group were in-charge of the garden. Their responsibilities consisted of tending to the garden, preparing a nursery and plantation, keeping the outside area of the clean. The Red group had some interesting tasks to do like arranging a notice board, seating arrangement, movie watching, library, board games and other game equipment, welcome and entertainment for guests.
There was so much to do suddenly. Then we were told to do prioritize the tasks and slowly add a task at a time to the group responsibilities. We all made a chart listing our own tasks and put it up in our activity rooms. This helped us remember who was appointed what task and whom we could help in their activity. Thus, this activity helped me in understanding the tasks, its details, how to organize, how to allocate the work between group members and fit it in given time.
Food was served to us with a lot of attention and care. You insisted we ate enough and were always given what we asked for. While eating, stories were being read for us. Our meals included vegetables, pulses, whole grains, rice, biscuits and milk and sweet like rice kheer or jaggery and ghee or sheera (sweet made of Semolina).
We also played many games with you. We competed with groups while playing relay races, then we played the voice modulation games and dog and the bone games.
This time you had done something very new for me. There was a small screen and a computer which played movies! And you showed so many different kinds of them. There were movies of animals and forests, and there was also a movie with people who didn’t talk but only made actions. I have never seen a man with such a small moustache (Charlie Chaplain) be so clumsy or create such chaos. The sound of our laughter together, you and all the children still rings in my ears. You also showed my Marathi movies like Sant Dyaneshwar and Shyamchi aai. I thoroughly enjoyed all the films I saw during my stay. One boy after the movie Syamchi aai cried. And you sat there with him at 11 o’clock at night.
You spoke to us every morning and I can still remember some of the important things you spoke to us about. You told us the importance of washing our hands and feet and keeping clean to avoid the entrance of Kali (disease or illness) in us. You told us the importance of sitting in an upright position, and corrected our postures. That would help the Brahma nadi to become upright thus allowing smooth flow of energy.
In the morning when we all got together soon after the Maun (silence) period, we all would chant ‘Hare ram hare ram’ and ‘Hare krishna hare krishna’ together. we all could feel the rise in energy in all of us as well as in the room.
You spoke about sharing amongst us and feel brotherly towards everyone, as we are all the same in intelligence. I did make some friends and I still have to get to know so many other members of this new family. Sometimes we would sit in our rooms and work on projects given by you and your team like doing a collage or writing a poem or a poster competition for the name of the group. Each activity we did, had its own importance, like you arranged for a competition for reciting shlokas. This not only encouraged us to memorize the shlokas but to learn how to say it together as a group with correct pronunciation. Then you also gave us a song which you had written for us. We also put a tune for it, five groups five different tunes.
I met so many new people; there were other intelligent young people who like us had been your students, like, Harshal dada, Chaitanya dada, Linata tai, Shruti tai and Anuja tai. Then there were also Sameena tai, Sashi tai and Varsha tai who had come to our schools during the Mensa test.
All that you have done to bring us here! Writing letters to each one of us to writing letters to our principals and teachers. And then taking consent from Kapse sahib (Project Officer, Ghodegaon) and school authorities to extend their support and cooperation for the project. Sameena tai and Sachin dada had personally visited each school to talk to the principals and schools about the Tribal Mensa Nurturing Program.
As so many schools were not familiar with Nishta Kendra you made travel arrangements for all the children to be picked up from our schools and dropped back after the program. And as you have taught us, to give blessings instead of just saying thank you, I would like to do the same for so many people. To Sevadham trust, Chang Bhale (Wishing you good) to provide us the bus and jeep to help us get to the centre and then back to school. Chang Bhale to Kiran dada for helping with the travel plan. All the people who helped you in gathering the material for the workshop like Sukumar Beri, Sachin dada, Varsha tai, Amit dada, Chang Bhale for all of them. Chang Bhale to Dixit kaku for preparing such Sattvik (pious) food for all of us and Dixit kaka for taking care of things at the centre.
Chang Bhale for all those people who came from Pune to be with us, to teach us, to play with us. There was Deshpande kaku who looked after all our meals, Anjali tai, Devesena tai, Swapna tai and Neha tai who taught us new things. The four dada’s from Jnana Prabodhini who played games with us, told us stories and taught us new songs. They spoke to us about their school and lessons of respect and love and devotion for parents, our country and guests that they had learnt from their masters and in their lives.
Sashi tai who took care of us as well as worked on making a profile of each child by doing psychological tests and collecting information.
There were guests who cam to visit he center, Dr. Gore and Dr. Vadhokar from Sevadham Trust. As well as Col. Joshi, the Chief Mentor for Tribal Mensa Nurturing Program.
Chang Bhale to Dr. Vadhokar and Sevadham Hospital for providing medical treatment to one of my brothers. He had fever and dada immediately rushed him to the hospital with Amit dada. Then while Narayan dada went to get the teacher from Shaskiya Madhyamik Ashram Shala, Gohe Sachin dada stayed with him. Narayan dada also told me how Surve sir (Teacher) immediately came to the hospital and took care of the boy who was ill. He was present to leave the children to the centre as well as to take hem back to school. Such teachers who extend their support and co-operation to the program are essential and form an important link between the Tribal Mensa Project and the school authorities.
At the end of the four days, you even asked us what we liked or didn’t like at our Maher Ghar or what else would we like to have. I agree that we may have taken time to open up and start talking to you but you took the time to talk to each one of us. We all ate together, watched movies together, played together and had fun together. Remember how we were laughing and enjoying on the last day. We were all sitting in the Anant Kaksha and all the groups were performing plays or one of my friends who sang a song, another who cracked a joke and there were others who told stories. And this togetherness is what we need to build more amongst us. With our groups and group leaders we are to excel at the tasks we do, we need to be creative in what we do and we need to take responsibility for what we do.
Narayan dada you not only taught us new things at our Maher Ghar but you also told us what we are to take back from here to our schools. All the material you gave us was properly packed and returned to you on the understanding that it will be kept for us till we visit our Maher Ghar again. What we can take back to our schools is the things we have learnt here, like reciting prayers in the school, spreading awareness about maintaining personal hygiene, and sharing in school all that happened in the four days at the Maher Ghar. You have also told us to get you information about the Deorai (sacred groves) near our school. I will definitely do that. As you have given us so many gifts at the Maher Ghar, I will get you the gift in the form of the information about the Deorai around my school. I will observe closely everything in the Deorai using all my five senses as I have learnt from you.
And when you come next to visit me in my school, I will show all I have done. And then I shall return again to my Maher Ghar where once I learnt so much to and to learn so much more.
Your sister,
Sita.
This is how I felt and what happened during the first part of the Nurturing Program. How did such a Nurturing Program come into being?
Once long back I had mentioned that Devasena tai and Anjali tai have been working on a concept for the Nurturing Program. Then Narayan dada, having read the Bhagwatam, Geeta and studying it, designed the Nurturing Program based on the five Koshas. These five Koshas which are:
1. Annamaya Kosha- related to healthy food and exercise
2. Pranamaya Kosha- related to the five Karmendriyas and five Jnanendriyas
3. Manomaya Kosha- related to feelings, and emotions
4. Vidyanamaya Kosha- related to intelligence
5. Anandmaya Kosha- related to spirituality and serving the society
The Nurturing Program is thus based on these five Koshas and we, the Tribal Gifted children will be taken from one level to another level. For such type of nurturing to express, to manifest the nurtured qualities a platform is essential. The platforms in this model are psychological, ecological and social.
The psychological platform will talk about inside composition of the Gifted Tribal students. The ecological platform will deal with relationship between us and the landscape. The social platform will emphasize our role in the community. Each platform at each Kosha is drafted with defined aim, objectives and method. The method includes psychological assessment, ecological action and social awareness. In this way the Nurturing program has been conceptualized by dada.
As has been explained in the nurturing program concept, the five Koshas are manifested not only through activities but also in the atmosphere of the centre, the time-table set for the children, the resources made available for the children and through the living and eating arrangements as well.
One can review the program in terms of the activities done through out the day or how each Kosha has been successfully introduced and implemented throughout the five days of the program.
1. Annamaya Kosha
Food: In the morning children were given Honey and warm water (Madh Pani) to drink. This helps to clear the digestive system and is a more healthy substitute for tea in the morning.
Food prepared at the centre was healthy, nutritious and Sattvik (pious). Food was prepared without using onion and garlic. The atmosphere during eating was created with care given to washing hands before eating, being served with love and care, children eating as much as they want. While we ate, a volunteer read out aloud a story or spoke about the different forms of Ganapati in different kinds of fruits and vegetables. This helped in creating an atmosphere which was calm, quiet as well as informative and interesting while eating. Narayan dada during food asked us to chant God’s name and recite shlokas (prayer). He also explained the meaning of the shlokas to us. As I understand eating and preparing food is a spiritual activity. It is performing ‘Yajna’. In the 15th Chapter of Sri Mad Bhagwat Gita, Lord Krishna said to Arjuna, that he resides in every body, be it animal or plants, in the form of fire (by the name of Viashwa). Eating pious food is like giving an offering to him. Thus, sweet, ghee (butter) and six different rasa’s (juices/tastes) are very much essential in our daily meals. He also explained how many Lord Vishnu’s forms are in the different food items. Thus, in this way he started explaining every action in terms of its principles (like eating food) which we performed daily.
Exercise: Every morning from 7.30 to 8.30 am we exercised. We were taught Surya Namaskar by Anand dada. Posters with each posture in Surya Namaskar were put up around the centre for us to see and learn. The first three postures were performed correctly by all of us.
There were also outdoor games which we played to help us utilize all our physical energy. On the second day we played some games with Narayan dada. We had lots of fun; we made two groups and then had competitions among the two groups in the games. Games were based on team work, mental ability, observation skills, communication skills and concentration. After every game, Narayan dada explained the importance of the game and what skills were nurtured through it.
Volunteers from the Yuvak Vibhag (Youth club) at Jnana Prabodhini took a two hour playing session for us. They taught us slogans and told us to compete with each other. The boys played tug of war whereas we played langdi (skipping on one leg, trying to catch others).
2. Pranamaya Kosha
Cleanliness: We were told the importance of washing hands and feet after visiting the toilet as well as before eating. We were also told about Kali (disease or illness) and the only way to prevent it was by maintaining personal hygiene. We already had one group appointed for keeping the centre clean as well as the Blue group making arrangements for soap and towel at specific places for washing.
For inner cleanliness we played a game taught by dada, it involved control of breath. This would help us to breathe more deeply and increase the intake of oxygen in our body.
3. Manomaya Kosha
Sharing: We were divided into five groups and each group was given material and daily use items to be shared. This helped us learn group cooperation, sharing with one another and understanding each others needs. Incidents where there were conflicts among us were pointed at and criticized. We were encouraged to do not only our own individual tasks but also help others in their tasks and work as a group together.
Entertainment: We saw a lot of comedy films. We enjoyed the films with the whole group. There were also sessions where we were encouraged to come up and perform songs, plays, jokes in front of the whole group. This helped us gain confidence and the whole group was able to enjoy together.
4. Vidyanamaya Kosha
Creativity: We were encouraged to write poetry. In our stationary boxes we were given varied pens, colors and other stationary to experiment with. Another activity involved making collage out of photographs given to each group. A poster competition with the theme of “Name your group based on a religious place” was also held. Lastly we were also asked to choose an animal to which we had a similarity in nature or personality with. This helped us make associations with different animals.
Observation skill: Observation was introduced to the us through 3 activities. The first activity was to make observations of an object given to each group. The mentor for each group helped us make observations using all five senses and demonstrated the same. My group was the Yellow group and the object given to us was a potato. As we were trying to make observations, Sameena tai helped us by once asking us to close our eyes and just feel the potato in our hands, smell it. Then Narayan dada also came and he made a short poem instantly asking questions to the potato, talking to it. That made us all smile and helped us think more about what we could write about the potato. The second activity involved taking all the five groups out for a walk where we would make observations using our five senses. Then each group was asked to assemble all their information together and represent it using a drawing, a map, a story, a poem etc.
The last activity for Observation involved looking at a picture and writing down all that one can observe. We were also asked to think of what must be the past, present and future of the picture as well as what were our feelings or thoughts on the picture. Each group then presented their observations to the whole group.
5. Anandmaya Kosha
Serving others: We were encouraged to serve others as well as work for the centre, our Maher Ghar. As mentioned above each group was given a task involving working for the centre as a whole and doing things for the other children, like serving food, water, maintaining cleanliness of the centre etc.
Short talks: We were always spoken to with respect. We were also asked to respect all the guests and mentors who came to the centre. While the guests or resource persons left us we were taught to say Chang Bhale (Wishing you Good) as a gesture of gratitude. There was also recitation of prayers and we were told the importance of praying to God.
Story-telling: We were told short stories or personal experiences through which one could bring out values like respect, devotion and love for parents, the feeling of love with which guests are taken care of in our culture.
In this way the four days unrolled with the five koshas intermingled through each activity, action, thought or thing present at the Maher Ghar.
After the 4 days were over, I am sure the Tribal Mensa Nurturing Program team members had to complete other work as well. I know that Sashi tai made an inventory of the material purchased for the workshop. In this accountability would be maintained and they will get a clear picture as to the requirements for the next program.
Then of course there was a meeting at Thane, Mumbai with Disha Foundation Trust. There amongst all the Non Governmental Organization, the Tribal Mensa Nurturing Program was presented to all and so many people got to know about us. Now having completed the report for this first workshop, focus is being given to preparing an expenditure statement for the workshop.
Having done all of this I, Sita hope to have my dreams come true. To have a Maher Ghar where I have the freedom of choice is a dream in itself. I know I will need to work harder. Not only do I have to do my regular school work but now there is added responsibility to do the work for my Maher Ghar. So let me get back to work and I will write to you soon.
Sita (Wildflower in Tribal Niche, Looking for Disha, To experience Santosh in My Life)
(Monthly Report, November 2007)
Written by: Ms. Sameena Manasawala
Annexure I
ROOM ARRANGEMENTS
Ground floor Name Assigned for
Room 1 Keshav Kaksh Women teachers and resource person
Room 2 Madhav Kaksh Women teachers and resource person
Room 3 Govind Kaksh Tribal Mensans Girls (10 Girls)
Room 4 Dhyan Kaksh Prayer, library, movie, activity room
Room 5 Anirudh Kaksh Grocery storage
Room 6 Osari For shoes, brooms, rangoli
Room 7 Padvi Kitchen
Room 8 Anant Kaksh Dixit family
Room 9 Vishwa Kaksh (Shed) Food, activity, exercise, games
Room 10 Nishta Kaksh Exhibition, meetings, activity
Toilets were assigned as one downstairs for Tribal Mensans-Boys, one inside the Tribal Mensan Girls room for their use. One toilet outside for Women resource persons and Dixit family.
First floor Name Assigned for
Room 1 Shri Krishna Kaksh Tribal Mensa- Boys (10 boys)
Room 2 Shri Ram Kaksh Tribal Mensa- Boys (10 boys)
Room 3 Vaman Kaksh Tribal Mensa- Boys (10 boys)
Room 4 Parshuram Kaksh Tribal Mensa- Boys (10 boys)
Room 5 Shri Dhar Kaksh Teachers/Volunteers- Men
Room 6 Damodar Kaksh Activity room, storage room-stationary
Room 7 Anant Kaksh Activity room, Entertainment
Toilets on the first floor were assigned for the teacher and resource persons only.
The Vedvyas Kaksh on the outside was for Narayan dada, guests and government officials.
Annexure II
Group division/Assigned tasks/ Mentors
School Group color Task Mentor
Malegaon, Aasane and Kohinde White Cleanliness in-charge Shruti, Anuja
Vadeshwar and Terungan Blue Water in-charge Sameena, Swapna
Gohe Green Garden in-charge Harshal, Anjali Joshi
Phulawade and Tokawade Red Entertainment in-charge Chaitanya, Sashi Sarvade
Girls only Yellow Food in-charge Linata, Sameena
Monthly Report-November 2007
Dear Narayan dada,
Our first acquaintance was through your letter and so I am writing one in reply. In your first letter you wrote to me about my selection as a Mensan as well as about the Maher Ghar (Mother’s home) that you have been developing for us. You also informed me about the first workshop known as “Kartik Damodar” starting from 24th November to 29th November 2007.It has turned out to be the new beginning in the life of this wildflower from the Tribal Niche.
On the evening of 24th November, I finally arrived at the Maher Ghar. Huddled in the bus for around three hours with students from other schools, we arrived at the Tribal Mensa Nurturing Centre which is the Nishta Kendra, Kamshet tired and cold. You immediately made us sit down comfortably and spoke to us in a friendly manner. As we were all a bit cold, sitting out in the open, you first handed a dark green color monkey cap to all of us. There we sat, under the shed, all similar, all one, wearing a green monkey cap! You made it clear in the first instance that you were not our teacher, that we could call you by your first name cause we are all equal in terms of being Mensans and intelligent. You spoke to me like I was your younger sister and I was sure you would take care of me.
You put us into groups with other children from our school so as to make us feel comfortable. As we were trying to settle into the new places with so many unknown faces around us, you made sure we had comfortable place and things to sleep with. In the morning I was awoken by the sound of ‘Suprabhatam’. As the day unrolled before me I realized that this place had a different system. We were informed about a time table and were not forced to do anything but just reminded of our responsibilities.
How was this different from the school time table? Well, at Maher Ghar I was made aware of the tasks I needed to do everyday but I had the choice to decide when I would do it in the entire day. There was no bell as the one rang in our school but just shlokas to wake you up and mentors to guide us throughout the day.
As our mentors took us for a tour around the house I realized there was a specific arrangement in this Maher Ghar. Everyone had been assigned rooms and each space was identified by a name, by a God’s name with its use specified (Annexure I). I was staying in a room with all girls and it was called Govind Kaksha.
You gave us so many new things which I was free to use but also act responsibly as it belonged to my group and finally my Maher Ghar. The stationary box prepared with the material brought from Abhinav Pustak Mandir and the coloured sheets of paper prepared by Step-in copiers were one of the most new and liked part of the things. Apart from the stationary material, you had taken care of all the items of daily use required by us. Like you had written in the letter, each of the groups had their own toiletries like soap for bathing and washing, talcum powder, as well as a comb and hair-oil. Who would have thought that attention would have been paid to these needs as well? Each group was also given buckets and mugs, mosquito-coil, torch.
When you saw that on the first day as there was no school bell nor clocks, some of my brothers woke up 3.30 in the morning, you brought small clocks for us. These clocks showed the time, as well as you taught us how to set an alarm on it for the next morning. Blankets and carry mats to sleep on, plates, bowls and glass for each family member. There were also sweaters given to some of us who hadn’t brought any and they were given to us by Yusuf dada (Yusuf Jariwala).
The Maher Ghar was our own and thus we played our own part in looking after it. The five groups which were made by you were given five different responsibilities. Each group was assigned a color by which it would be easily recognized (Annexure II).
We were given the yellow color which was for the ‘Food Arrangement Group’. As we were a group of 10 girls we would be responsible for getting the food, serving it, disposing off left over food and putting everything for wash, cleaning before and after food in the Vishwa Kaksha. Slowly I know we will be given more responsibilities like helping in cooking the food as well as giving information to students about the benefits of what they eat.
You also appointed a leader and an assistant leader for all the five groups. I was not the leader this time. But you said that leaders would change every time and hence all of us would get he chance to lead. Thus each family member had a responsibility to fulfill. Similarly my brothers from the White group were in-charge of cleaning the activity rooms, keeping the toilets and bathrooms clean, keeping the centre surrounding area clean, keep shoes and chappals properly. Once these tasks are perfected, other tasks like organizing prayers and puja, taking care of electricity, attendance register and helping in cleaning vessels after meals would be added for them.
The boys from the Blue group had to arrange for Madh Pani (Honey in warm water) in the morning, serving water during meals, purifying water for drinking, arrange drinking water near activity rooms, water arrangements for washing hands and feet.
The boys from the Green group were in-charge of the garden. Their responsibilities consisted of tending to the garden, preparing a nursery and plantation, keeping the outside area of the clean. The Red group had some interesting tasks to do like arranging a notice board, seating arrangement, movie watching, library, board games and other game equipment, welcome and entertainment for guests.
There was so much to do suddenly. Then we were told to do prioritize the tasks and slowly add a task at a time to the group responsibilities. We all made a chart listing our own tasks and put it up in our activity rooms. This helped us remember who was appointed what task and whom we could help in their activity. Thus, this activity helped me in understanding the tasks, its details, how to organize, how to allocate the work between group members and fit it in given time.
Food was served to us with a lot of attention and care. You insisted we ate enough and were always given what we asked for. While eating, stories were being read for us. Our meals included vegetables, pulses, whole grains, rice, biscuits and milk and sweet like rice kheer or jaggery and ghee or sheera (sweet made of Semolina).
We also played many games with you. We competed with groups while playing relay races, then we played the voice modulation games and dog and the bone games.
This time you had done something very new for me. There was a small screen and a computer which played movies! And you showed so many different kinds of them. There were movies of animals and forests, and there was also a movie with people who didn’t talk but only made actions. I have never seen a man with such a small moustache (Charlie Chaplain) be so clumsy or create such chaos. The sound of our laughter together, you and all the children still rings in my ears. You also showed my Marathi movies like Sant Dyaneshwar and Shyamchi aai. I thoroughly enjoyed all the films I saw during my stay. One boy after the movie Syamchi aai cried. And you sat there with him at 11 o’clock at night.
You spoke to us every morning and I can still remember some of the important things you spoke to us about. You told us the importance of washing our hands and feet and keeping clean to avoid the entrance of Kali (disease or illness) in us. You told us the importance of sitting in an upright position, and corrected our postures. That would help the Brahma nadi to become upright thus allowing smooth flow of energy.
In the morning when we all got together soon after the Maun (silence) period, we all would chant ‘Hare ram hare ram’ and ‘Hare krishna hare krishna’ together. we all could feel the rise in energy in all of us as well as in the room.
You spoke about sharing amongst us and feel brotherly towards everyone, as we are all the same in intelligence. I did make some friends and I still have to get to know so many other members of this new family. Sometimes we would sit in our rooms and work on projects given by you and your team like doing a collage or writing a poem or a poster competition for the name of the group. Each activity we did, had its own importance, like you arranged for a competition for reciting shlokas. This not only encouraged us to memorize the shlokas but to learn how to say it together as a group with correct pronunciation. Then you also gave us a song which you had written for us. We also put a tune for it, five groups five different tunes.
I met so many new people; there were other intelligent young people who like us had been your students, like, Harshal dada, Chaitanya dada, Linata tai, Shruti tai and Anuja tai. Then there were also Sameena tai, Sashi tai and Varsha tai who had come to our schools during the Mensa test.
All that you have done to bring us here! Writing letters to each one of us to writing letters to our principals and teachers. And then taking consent from Kapse sahib (Project Officer, Ghodegaon) and school authorities to extend their support and cooperation for the project. Sameena tai and Sachin dada had personally visited each school to talk to the principals and schools about the Tribal Mensa Nurturing Program.
As so many schools were not familiar with Nishta Kendra you made travel arrangements for all the children to be picked up from our schools and dropped back after the program. And as you have taught us, to give blessings instead of just saying thank you, I would like to do the same for so many people. To Sevadham trust, Chang Bhale (Wishing you good) to provide us the bus and jeep to help us get to the centre and then back to school. Chang Bhale to Kiran dada for helping with the travel plan. All the people who helped you in gathering the material for the workshop like Sukumar Beri, Sachin dada, Varsha tai, Amit dada, Chang Bhale for all of them. Chang Bhale to Dixit kaku for preparing such Sattvik (pious) food for all of us and Dixit kaka for taking care of things at the centre.
Chang Bhale for all those people who came from Pune to be with us, to teach us, to play with us. There was Deshpande kaku who looked after all our meals, Anjali tai, Devesena tai, Swapna tai and Neha tai who taught us new things. The four dada’s from Jnana Prabodhini who played games with us, told us stories and taught us new songs. They spoke to us about their school and lessons of respect and love and devotion for parents, our country and guests that they had learnt from their masters and in their lives.
Sashi tai who took care of us as well as worked on making a profile of each child by doing psychological tests and collecting information.
There were guests who cam to visit he center, Dr. Gore and Dr. Vadhokar from Sevadham Trust. As well as Col. Joshi, the Chief Mentor for Tribal Mensa Nurturing Program.
Chang Bhale to Dr. Vadhokar and Sevadham Hospital for providing medical treatment to one of my brothers. He had fever and dada immediately rushed him to the hospital with Amit dada. Then while Narayan dada went to get the teacher from Shaskiya Madhyamik Ashram Shala, Gohe Sachin dada stayed with him. Narayan dada also told me how Surve sir (Teacher) immediately came to the hospital and took care of the boy who was ill. He was present to leave the children to the centre as well as to take hem back to school. Such teachers who extend their support and co-operation to the program are essential and form an important link between the Tribal Mensa Project and the school authorities.
At the end of the four days, you even asked us what we liked or didn’t like at our Maher Ghar or what else would we like to have. I agree that we may have taken time to open up and start talking to you but you took the time to talk to each one of us. We all ate together, watched movies together, played together and had fun together. Remember how we were laughing and enjoying on the last day. We were all sitting in the Anant Kaksha and all the groups were performing plays or one of my friends who sang a song, another who cracked a joke and there were others who told stories. And this togetherness is what we need to build more amongst us. With our groups and group leaders we are to excel at the tasks we do, we need to be creative in what we do and we need to take responsibility for what we do.
Narayan dada you not only taught us new things at our Maher Ghar but you also told us what we are to take back from here to our schools. All the material you gave us was properly packed and returned to you on the understanding that it will be kept for us till we visit our Maher Ghar again. What we can take back to our schools is the things we have learnt here, like reciting prayers in the school, spreading awareness about maintaining personal hygiene, and sharing in school all that happened in the four days at the Maher Ghar. You have also told us to get you information about the Deorai (sacred groves) near our school. I will definitely do that. As you have given us so many gifts at the Maher Ghar, I will get you the gift in the form of the information about the Deorai around my school. I will observe closely everything in the Deorai using all my five senses as I have learnt from you.
And when you come next to visit me in my school, I will show all I have done. And then I shall return again to my Maher Ghar where once I learnt so much to and to learn so much more.
Your sister,
Sita.
This is how I felt and what happened during the first part of the Nurturing Program. How did such a Nurturing Program come into being?
Once long back I had mentioned that Devasena tai and Anjali tai have been working on a concept for the Nurturing Program. Then Narayan dada, having read the Bhagwatam, Geeta and studying it, designed the Nurturing Program based on the five Koshas. These five Koshas which are:
1. Annamaya Kosha- related to healthy food and exercise
2. Pranamaya Kosha- related to the five Karmendriyas and five Jnanendriyas
3. Manomaya Kosha- related to feelings, and emotions
4. Vidyanamaya Kosha- related to intelligence
5. Anandmaya Kosha- related to spirituality and serving the society
The Nurturing Program is thus based on these five Koshas and we, the Tribal Gifted children will be taken from one level to another level. For such type of nurturing to express, to manifest the nurtured qualities a platform is essential. The platforms in this model are psychological, ecological and social.
The psychological platform will talk about inside composition of the Gifted Tribal students. The ecological platform will deal with relationship between us and the landscape. The social platform will emphasize our role in the community. Each platform at each Kosha is drafted with defined aim, objectives and method. The method includes psychological assessment, ecological action and social awareness. In this way the Nurturing program has been conceptualized by dada.
As has been explained in the nurturing program concept, the five Koshas are manifested not only through activities but also in the atmosphere of the centre, the time-table set for the children, the resources made available for the children and through the living and eating arrangements as well.
One can review the program in terms of the activities done through out the day or how each Kosha has been successfully introduced and implemented throughout the five days of the program.
1. Annamaya Kosha
Food: In the morning children were given Honey and warm water (Madh Pani) to drink. This helps to clear the digestive system and is a more healthy substitute for tea in the morning.
Food prepared at the centre was healthy, nutritious and Sattvik (pious). Food was prepared without using onion and garlic. The atmosphere during eating was created with care given to washing hands before eating, being served with love and care, children eating as much as they want. While we ate, a volunteer read out aloud a story or spoke about the different forms of Ganapati in different kinds of fruits and vegetables. This helped in creating an atmosphere which was calm, quiet as well as informative and interesting while eating. Narayan dada during food asked us to chant God’s name and recite shlokas (prayer). He also explained the meaning of the shlokas to us. As I understand eating and preparing food is a spiritual activity. It is performing ‘Yajna’. In the 15th Chapter of Sri Mad Bhagwat Gita, Lord Krishna said to Arjuna, that he resides in every body, be it animal or plants, in the form of fire (by the name of Viashwa). Eating pious food is like giving an offering to him. Thus, sweet, ghee (butter) and six different rasa’s (juices/tastes) are very much essential in our daily meals. He also explained how many Lord Vishnu’s forms are in the different food items. Thus, in this way he started explaining every action in terms of its principles (like eating food) which we performed daily.
Exercise: Every morning from 7.30 to 8.30 am we exercised. We were taught Surya Namaskar by Anand dada. Posters with each posture in Surya Namaskar were put up around the centre for us to see and learn. The first three postures were performed correctly by all of us.
There were also outdoor games which we played to help us utilize all our physical energy. On the second day we played some games with Narayan dada. We had lots of fun; we made two groups and then had competitions among the two groups in the games. Games were based on team work, mental ability, observation skills, communication skills and concentration. After every game, Narayan dada explained the importance of the game and what skills were nurtured through it.
Volunteers from the Yuvak Vibhag (Youth club) at Jnana Prabodhini took a two hour playing session for us. They taught us slogans and told us to compete with each other. The boys played tug of war whereas we played langdi (skipping on one leg, trying to catch others).
2. Pranamaya Kosha
Cleanliness: We were told the importance of washing hands and feet after visiting the toilet as well as before eating. We were also told about Kali (disease or illness) and the only way to prevent it was by maintaining personal hygiene. We already had one group appointed for keeping the centre clean as well as the Blue group making arrangements for soap and towel at specific places for washing.
For inner cleanliness we played a game taught by dada, it involved control of breath. This would help us to breathe more deeply and increase the intake of oxygen in our body.
3. Manomaya Kosha
Sharing: We were divided into five groups and each group was given material and daily use items to be shared. This helped us learn group cooperation, sharing with one another and understanding each others needs. Incidents where there were conflicts among us were pointed at and criticized. We were encouraged to do not only our own individual tasks but also help others in their tasks and work as a group together.
Entertainment: We saw a lot of comedy films. We enjoyed the films with the whole group. There were also sessions where we were encouraged to come up and perform songs, plays, jokes in front of the whole group. This helped us gain confidence and the whole group was able to enjoy together.
4. Vidyanamaya Kosha
Creativity: We were encouraged to write poetry. In our stationary boxes we were given varied pens, colors and other stationary to experiment with. Another activity involved making collage out of photographs given to each group. A poster competition with the theme of “Name your group based on a religious place” was also held. Lastly we were also asked to choose an animal to which we had a similarity in nature or personality with. This helped us make associations with different animals.
Observation skill: Observation was introduced to the us through 3 activities. The first activity was to make observations of an object given to each group. The mentor for each group helped us make observations using all five senses and demonstrated the same. My group was the Yellow group and the object given to us was a potato. As we were trying to make observations, Sameena tai helped us by once asking us to close our eyes and just feel the potato in our hands, smell it. Then Narayan dada also came and he made a short poem instantly asking questions to the potato, talking to it. That made us all smile and helped us think more about what we could write about the potato. The second activity involved taking all the five groups out for a walk where we would make observations using our five senses. Then each group was asked to assemble all their information together and represent it using a drawing, a map, a story, a poem etc.
The last activity for Observation involved looking at a picture and writing down all that one can observe. We were also asked to think of what must be the past, present and future of the picture as well as what were our feelings or thoughts on the picture. Each group then presented their observations to the whole group.
5. Anandmaya Kosha
Serving others: We were encouraged to serve others as well as work for the centre, our Maher Ghar. As mentioned above each group was given a task involving working for the centre as a whole and doing things for the other children, like serving food, water, maintaining cleanliness of the centre etc.
Short talks: We were always spoken to with respect. We were also asked to respect all the guests and mentors who came to the centre. While the guests or resource persons left us we were taught to say Chang Bhale (Wishing you Good) as a gesture of gratitude. There was also recitation of prayers and we were told the importance of praying to God.
Story-telling: We were told short stories or personal experiences through which one could bring out values like respect, devotion and love for parents, the feeling of love with which guests are taken care of in our culture.
In this way the four days unrolled with the five koshas intermingled through each activity, action, thought or thing present at the Maher Ghar.
After the 4 days were over, I am sure the Tribal Mensa Nurturing Program team members had to complete other work as well. I know that Sashi tai made an inventory of the material purchased for the workshop. In this accountability would be maintained and they will get a clear picture as to the requirements for the next program.
Then of course there was a meeting at Thane, Mumbai with Disha Foundation Trust. There amongst all the Non Governmental Organization, the Tribal Mensa Nurturing Program was presented to all and so many people got to know about us. Now having completed the report for this first workshop, focus is being given to preparing an expenditure statement for the workshop.
Having done all of this I, Sita hope to have my dreams come true. To have a Maher Ghar where I have the freedom of choice is a dream in itself. I know I will need to work harder. Not only do I have to do my regular school work but now there is added responsibility to do the work for my Maher Ghar. So let me get back to work and I will write to you soon.
Sita (Wildflower in Tribal Niche, Looking for Disha, To experience Santosh in My Life)
(Monthly Report, November 2007)
Written by: Ms. Sameena Manasawala
Annexure I
ROOM ARRANGEMENTS
Ground floor Name Assigned for
Room 1 Keshav Kaksh Women teachers and resource person
Room 2 Madhav Kaksh Women teachers and resource person
Room 3 Govind Kaksh Tribal Mensans Girls (10 Girls)
Room 4 Dhyan Kaksh Prayer, library, movie, activity room
Room 5 Anirudh Kaksh Grocery storage
Room 6 Osari For shoes, brooms, rangoli
Room 7 Padvi Kitchen
Room 8 Anant Kaksh Dixit family
Room 9 Vishwa Kaksh (Shed) Food, activity, exercise, games
Room 10 Nishta Kaksh Exhibition, meetings, activity
Toilets were assigned as one downstairs for Tribal Mensans-Boys, one inside the Tribal Mensan Girls room for their use. One toilet outside for Women resource persons and Dixit family.
First floor Name Assigned for
Room 1 Shri Krishna Kaksh Tribal Mensa- Boys (10 boys)
Room 2 Shri Ram Kaksh Tribal Mensa- Boys (10 boys)
Room 3 Vaman Kaksh Tribal Mensa- Boys (10 boys)
Room 4 Parshuram Kaksh Tribal Mensa- Boys (10 boys)
Room 5 Shri Dhar Kaksh Teachers/Volunteers- Men
Room 6 Damodar Kaksh Activity room, storage room-stationary
Room 7 Anant Kaksh Activity room, Entertainment
Toilets on the first floor were assigned for the teacher and resource persons only.
The Vedvyas Kaksh on the outside was for Narayan dada, guests and government officials.
Annexure II
Group division/Assigned tasks/ Mentors
School Group color Task Mentor
Malegaon, Aasane and Kohinde White Cleanliness in-charge Shruti, Anuja
Vadeshwar and Terungan Blue Water in-charge Sameena, Swapna
Gohe Green Garden in-charge Harshal, Anjali Joshi
Phulawade and Tokawade Red Entertainment in-charge Chaitanya, Sashi Sarvade
Girls only Yellow Food in-charge Linata, Sameena
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