Walking The Extra Mile

Authentic happiness and inner satisfaction is derived only when you walk the extra mile. I feel really happy to tell you that all of us experienced the thrill of walking the extra mile, rather some extra miles at Bhopal.


All of us went through and through the thirteen foundation notes, twelve (match-box)reflection booklets, all the external readings on facilitation and also the Ramakrishna Mission book. This gave a deeper understanding and assimilation of the basic tenets of citizenship which were shared in small groups and then in the whole class. The facilitators were engaged in this activity till well past midnight and some of them again got up early next morning. It was a delight to see the entire campus of learning centre bustling with activity from well before 9 O'clock in the morning till late hours in the night. There were so many computers and laptops bustling with activity - videos were being watched, presentations were being prepared and meaningful, dep discussions were being carried out. All the facilitators were so involved and engrossed in the activity that the master facilitator thought it best to move out quietly in the evening and enjoy a boat ride in the beautiful lake. There was no one to give him company as every soul was searching something deeper. It was to be seen to be believed!


The pace was set right at the beginning of the facilitators' workshop when the task of facilitator gym was explained and shared with even before the scheduled time of commencement. They could sense that it was not just another programme. Then came God's real blessing in the form of our Chief General Manager Shri M Bhagavantha Rao's inspiring inaugural address in which he touched the very core of the citizenship initiative by saying that a life ends when an egg is broken from outside but when the egg is broken from inside, a new life begins! That put everyone in the true citizen facilitator mode.


Some facilitators were observed drifting towards the 'I Know' mode initially as they had already conducted over two dozen programmes. They were made to put on their creative hats by being given the task to silently reflect and try to tell the story ( as different from the concepts, analysis, structure etc.) of the Citizenship Orientation Programme which they found really challenging as it demanded deep insight, reflection and creative skills. Most of them came out with essays, opinions and analysis of the programme and were asked to think over again and come up with their stories on the next morning. This way the mind cups were effectively emptied!


We also carried out group discussions on what could be the appropriate dress that the facilitators could wear while conducting the programme, how they could manage the class room environment optimally during the programme, how facilitators could deliver the programme with energy and passion on an ongoing basis and what is the programme goal framework.


The facilitator gym was a beautiful and unique experience. Every group presented their units in an innovative way. There were quite a number of outstanding role plays to bring out the basic learnings. I have no hesitation to say that the facilitators have mastered the art of role playing and they enjoy that too! We could complete all the eight units and realized that the objective of capacity and confidence building was more than achieved. As far as coming together as a community is concerned, the facilitators worked in so many groups and mingled with each other well. Towards the end of the two-day programme, we tried to gauge this by calling a volunteer and asking him to tell the names of as many facilitators as he could. Lo and behold, he was successful in telling all the thirty-six names correctly!


Of course, we started with a walk through of the new version on the first day and running the exercises and sharing the best practices. The new version was deeply admired by one and all. Overall it was a great, fulfilling and intense experience which we'll cherish for a long time.

-CoolBisht