4 DAYS UDHAM SINGH NAGAR DISTRICT TEAM WORKSHOP AT NAUKUCHIATAL 6TH-9TH AUGUST, 2012

INTRODUCTION:

Amidst the beautiful gorges and mountains, the whole District team of Udham Singh Nagar sets out for a four days outstation workshop to be held at Naukuchiatal from the 6^th-9^th of August, 2012. The primary objective of the workshop is to revisit the concepts, ideas and strategies of the District Institute projects and interventions. Another important objective is to orient the new members of the team about the District Institute and its functions and to acquaint each team members with one another. The workshop was graced by Mr. Anand Gangola and Mr. Anurag Behar.

ACTIVITIES:

Pic: 1 Ice-breaking session on the round

The workshop begins with an introduction session which is done through an activity. Each member are required to pick and chit and find the partner who holds the same chit and form a partnership. Each partner is supposed to cull out some interesting facts/characteristics about the partner which is not commonly known to others. This activity acts as an orientation for the new members with the other team members. It also inculcates the spirit of unity among all the members.

One of the most significant sessions on the first day was the brainstorming session on the “Values” of the foundation. The group was divided into five groups where each of the group is supposed to have a discussion on one of the values of the foundation. Our group was given the Values “intense commitment to quality”. The discussion was very fruitful as each member brought in new dimension to it. The contentious issue about it was at what point we can agree at “quality”, to what extent can we compromise in the quality etc. The feedbacks from the members are very significant, particularly, from Anurag when he talks about the Values prioritization based on the context.

Pic: 2 dissecting our values

The second day of the workshop begins with a feedback session of the previous day’s activities. The feedback session was very interactive and fruitful as members participate actively. This was followed by a presentation on the “Journey of the Foundation” in the context of the Udham Singh Nagar. The presented highlighted on how the foundation has shifted its approach from a ‘program’ mode to ‘institution’ mode. This shift in the approach signifies the foundation learning and understanding that a permanent/long-term strategy is necessary in order to bring the desirable change in the society.

The presentation also highlighted briefly the six broad areas of the District team’s present intervention viz, Direct Engagement (with Schools/community), Capacity Enhancement (Teacher’s Training), Research and Development, Library and Activity Centre, Communication and synergy and Consultative support services. Besides, the presentation also highlighted the four levers at which the team is intervening viz, Teacher’s Education, Education Leadership Management (ELM), Community Connect and Creating Conducive Environment.

The presentation was followed by a detail and critical discussion based on the four levers. The whole group was divided into four each one discussing on one lever. As for me, I was among the discussing on ELM. The group members put in their thoughts and their take on the concept and functions of the ELM. After a deep thoughts and critical discussion the group agree that “all those factors outside the classroom but have impact upon the classroom environment” comes under the domain of ELM. This discussion helps me in grasping the basic idea of ELM.

Pic: 3 on deep thought process          

Upon discussion, each group presents their own topic to the whole group which was consequently followed by a critical discussion. The discussion is quite insightful as each member put together their critical thought on the issue.  One interesting thing about the team that gets highlighted through the discussion was the united attitude of the team. Each member of the team knows the every program of the Institute.

The final day of the workshop begins with a discussion on ‘Kabir’ festival. There was a discussion on the Doha of Kabir. This discussion was a bit foreign to me as I am not aware of the concept of Kabir before. This discussion was followed by the presentation on “Informal Group of Teacher’s”. This presenatation received quite a good response because of the word “informal”. After a critical discussion on the issue the group decided that the word “informal” should be changed to “Voluntary” to make it more precise. 

The workshop was spiced up by the speech of Mr. Anurag Behar when he talks on “what the foundation will be like after 100 years from now”. The most significant issue being pointed out by him was that, by 20 years the domain in which the foundation work may change, but we will still be working with our vision “to ensure just, humane, equitable and sustainable society.” This sums up the challenges in which we have jumped into where we may not see even a little change after investing your all.

Pic: 4 Future perfect

One cannot ignore the exploration trip of the beauty of Naukuchaital. The team went out in groups to explore the scenario and topographical beauty of Naukuchiatal. Some went for boating, horse riding, trekking to feel the beauty that nature has endowed upon us.

Pic: 5 exploring the beauty of Naukuchiatal

CONCLUSION:

Finally, the spirit of oneness that has been displayed by the whole team throughout the workshop, and the sense of co-operation and enthusiasm that gets highlighted through the presentation and discussion signify that the foundation’s vision – ‘to create a just, humane, equitable and sustainable’ society and its five core values gets translated within the team. 

Prepared by:

Goukhanlam Hangsing

Email: goukhanlam.hangsing@azimpremjifoundation.org