Footprints on the Mountainside

Just coming back from a successful training programme. This one was for a bunch of new recruits in an upcoming software company. This was one of the most bizarre programmes I ever conducted, yet, it was satisfying in a very meaningful way.

The participants were fresh from college, and had a lot of ideals, but very little idea of what working is all about. Chaos ruled, and initially, it took some time to get them to believe that outbound training programmes are not office picnics or perks, but the company actually expected them to be learning something out here.

There was a time when I was willing to write the programme off as a disaster.

We took off in fits and starts. Somewhere down the line, the whole thing clicked in place, when we were discussing happenings in an activity that required a lot of perseverance and their
performance was a dismal failure. Something happened in that group. All of a sudden, there was an awareness that here was something important going on.

The tempo picked, and at the end of the three days, I can say that this was one of the programmes where we were able to acheive a lot of constructive change among the participants. It is probably not even close to some of the outstanding programmes if discipline and performance in activities is to be considered, but if we see the magnitude of change we went through, this one has me thoroughly humbled.

Shows that even trainers have a lot to learn from their own experiences.

Just as I was sad about how I missed the regional event and how it would be expensive to now go for a National event, I got the newsletter from ISABS that announces a new regional event that is IN Mumbai, very low budget and coming up soon.

I guess my ISABS journey is destined to go on without delays.

For folks in Mumbai, this is an unparalleled opportunity. The Umang 2007 event is from the 10th Oct to the 14th Oct 2007 and takes place in Malad - Aksa beach and overcomes one of the major hurdles for the common man to participate - money. Accommodation is dormitory type, but that is what brings it within reach.

So, where I was planning to go, my husband is also planning to join me this time with his BLHP.

Seriously folks, don’t miss this one. For more information, go the the ISABS website.

How dumb of me. I’d completely forgotten about the annual monsoon event ISABS usually has. I wanted to attend, but sigh! It already began on the 4th September. I’d completely forgotten about them, and whn I remembered and rushed to visit their site, I found that the event had already started. I’ll probably go for the next event. I was hoping for this Mumbai regional one - it works out cheaper than the national events.

I rarely write about this, so the posts are probably buried among others. For the curious, my previous posts about my ISABS journey were about improving myself after my BLHP - Basic Lab in Human Processes, and then when I was just back from my ALHP and when I went all sentimental about my journey continuing.

For those who are clueless about what I am going on and on about, ISABS is the Indian Society of Applied Behavioural Sciences. They conduct a variety of laboratories (as they are euphemistically called I guess - they are anything but impersonal) oriented toward self-discovery and interpersonal skills including facilitation skills with groups. The series of programmes are collectively referred to as a journey in the sense of self-discovery and improvement.

I honestly recommend these programmes to anyone interested in self-improvement.

Keep an eye on what you are driving, and make sure you are keeping its pollution levels law. It is required by law, but its surprising how many people don’t really care.

Avoid using vehicles for going around the corner. The walk will do you good.

Use shared vehicles and public transport where possible. Use eco friendly fuels.

Keep an eye on what you are using. Many chemical products are harmful for the environment. Find out the effects of chemicals you use, and explore options that help you do your thing with minimum damage. Its probably healthier for you too.

Avoid cooking fires. Avoid campfires. Avoid all unnecessary smoke.

Don’t sit on the horn when traffic comes to a standstill. Your horn cannot physically move cars along. If it’s a jam, it’s a jam. If it looks like its going to take a while, switch off your engine, and have patience. Blaring horns only make a bad situation unbearable. Yeah call me fussy. I call it noise pollution.

This goes for other noise pollution stuff too. Bizarre loud celebrations in the middle of the night, loudspeakers, etc. near hospitals is a baaaaad thing to do.

That’s a big luxury and need today. In Mumbai, a powercut is rare, but in many other parts of India, uninterrupted electric supply is rare. Again, it is a matter of using what we have wisely.

Switch off lights, fans, and anything that consumes electricity when not in use. Decrease your bills by exploring solar power. Switch to lower consumption versions of appliances. Switch off all things not needed when leaving home. These measures will help extend the utility of existing power resources as well as save money on electricity bills.

When cooking, use gas wisely. A flame that extends beyond the base of that utensil is gas going waste and only charring food on the sides of the utensil. Turn it lower and save yourself some cleaning effort while you’re at it.

Keep your ingredients ready or easily accessible while cooking, so that you don’t cook food unnecessarily longer, consuming more fuel and making the food less tasty. Use pressure cookers to speed up cooking and save fuel too.

Solar cookers are great, if you live in a place where you have sunlight, and an area where you can place your cooker safely. Food cooks slowly, retains maximum nutrients, utensils are extremely easy to clean, and no bills of any sort. Sunlight is free  Solar cookers are extremely easy and inexpensive to make.