It’s the morning after the event and I am in a state of complete euphoria! This event has been special in many ways. This was my first event at regional level. The warmth and the closeness shared by the community have left a lasting impression on me.
The morning of 28th dawned with an extra dose of excitement. I was all set and excited to go for the ISABS event. The day started with a slow pace and I found myself waiting for it to be 3pm. I was supposed to wind up my tasks for the day by 2.30pm and leave for Karjat. Amidst the routine hustle bustle of the office and last minute meetings and typical, “meet me before you go… we have important things to plan”, I was delayed and almost did not make it for the 3pm Karjat local. When my colleague pointed out that it was 2.40pm already, I panicked. I picked up my heavy backpack and dashed out of office, ignoring the questions coming my way. Thankfully Mumbai CST is just a five-minute walk from my office. The ticket window was not so crowded and I got my ticket within two minutes and boarded the train as it was crawling out of the station. As I looked out of the window, I felt like a kid going on the much-awaited holiday. The train picked up speed and so did my anxiety and anticipation.
In between a sandwich, a bit of reading, some music and mostly dozing, I finally reached Karjat. As I arrived at the resort, I saw members of the group coming in. I was happy to see the known people. There were some unknown faces as well. However, I seemed to know instinctively that we were a part of the same event.
This event was special for me as this was my first exposure to the other side of the event. This was my entry into the mysterious group of facilitators! Joining me were Sanjay and Vidyut. We were invited to join the staff meeting that evening! Amongst the various roles, I decided to volunteer for communications and Vidyut joined me. Other than that Sankar and I made up the party team. The professional members took up all the other roles voluntarily.
This event was special as we had Sankar and Bilol returning to the chapter after a long time. The chapter was that much more enriched by the presence of the senior members of the community. Bilol was energy personified through the event. As we laughed and doubled over, we wondered whether that the stop button had gone missing here! Sushma, Vignesh, Shridhar and Vikram brought in their own experience, wit and humour to the event. Joining them were Rachna and Rahul as interns. Sanjay, Vidyut and I were doing our Observation Lab.
This time, the community had about 38 participants and 11 staff members. This comprised 3 BLHPs (Basic Laboratory on Human Processes) and 1 ALHP (Advance Laboratory on Human Processes). Vikram and Rachna had teamed up for BLHP1, Sankar and Rahul with me as observer for BLHP 2, Bilol and Shridhar with Vidyut as observer and Sushma and Vignesh with Sanjay as observer for ALHP.
Day 1 started, as usual with an opening community session. Bilol, Vignesh and Vidyut welcomed the participants and set the tone for the next 5 days. We met with the members of the community, seeking our space, reflecting upon our location and feelings. Later Vikram addressed the community and groups were announced. At 11am on first day the small group work started in individual groups.
I joined my group and began “The observation”. In my professional life, I have been exposed to observation tasks and I had presumed that this was going to be a cakewalk. Little did I know that these 5 days would prove to be the most challenging ones.
Day 2 started with small group work. I had been receiving a huge amount of data and my awareness of self and group had peaked by the end of the previous evening. I overheard the participants discussing that no one had much to talk during the day and felt even more miserable that I had so much to say to the members of the group but no means of expression. I guess that’s why I had started my day with graffiti! Soon I saw the board filling up! Some of the interesting ones stayed in my mind – “Rest of your life begins now…” “I plan to live for ever or die in the attempt”, “What’s for Lunch? – Bheja Fry!” Interestingly, the last one was on third day.
Day 3 concluded with the mid-community session. Sushma, Sanjay and Vikram welcomed the community with soft music and mood lighting. Sushma’s soothing tone almost put me to sleep. I sailed through the community feeling happy that I was talking to the members of the group. The silences in my life were temporarily interrupted! The session concluded by non-verbal expressions of the values that were most alive for the groups. The group members depicted these values by making various formations. By this time the tentativeness of the first community session had dissolved. I saw some holding hands, others sitting close to each other, many talking and expressing for a long time, some groups connected in the formations they got into. The community hall seemed to be filled with emotions and expressions of all kinds.
Day 4 ushered in the most happening night for the community. Party time folks! One of the participants was a DJ and the party rocked as he belted out funkiest music for the “funky town” party. We did not get the Mr. and Ms. Funky – as none were dressed funky. Nevertheless, we did get to see funky forms of dances.
Next day’s graffiti was “Jai ho!” and “cheers!”
Day 5 brought with it the whisper of closure. All those who had bonded were wistful through the day. Others were in a hurry to experience something before they left and some were simply joyous to return home. As Vignesh, Rachna and Shridhar closed the community, we chucked away the things that we did not wish to take with us in a bucket. The group dispersed with the usual goodbyes – effervescent, teary, cheerful and wistful – all happening around me at the same time!
* (for the uninitiated this is the regional event of ISABS – Mumbai chapter. I am pursuing a professional development course in Applied Behavioural Science through ISABS – Indian Society for Applied Behavioural Science)
