SUMEDHANS ON PICNIC TO CHANDIGARH

Having spent two months in deep soul-work, reflecting on their lives with the help of insights from psychology, spirituality and the social sciences, the participants of the 49^th Sumedha Sadhana – A Psychospiritual Wholeness Journey—went on a relaxing picnic to Chandigarh, “the Beautiful City” April 7th. 

Chandigarh is about 45 km from Sumedha centre, Jharmari.

Our first stop was the beautiful Sukhna Lake, a picturesque man-made marvel, born from the vision of the great architect Le Corbusier. It which has facilities for boating and other recreational facilities, as well as eating places.  One side of the lake has beautifully laid out foot paths and gardens – with a unique “Garden of Silence,” conducive for quiet meditation. Behind the Lake are the Shivalik Hills.

Our next stop was the Rock Gardens, the creation of Nek Chand, and perhaps the most famous tourist spot in Chandigarh. The many walls within the enclosure are studded with beautiful sculptures, all made from waste materials. It also has enchanting human-made waterfalls, a hall of mirrors and various village scenes depicted with figures made out of cloth.

We then visited Don Bosco Navajeevan Church and Social Service Centre at Sector 24 B. The Salesian Fathers there offered us great hospitality and we had a sumptuous lunch and relaxed with a game of Bingo with time for several “Full-Houses.”

Next door to Don Bosco there is a mini Rose Garden where we spend some enjoying the roses in full bloom and trying our hands and legs at the exercise machines.

Following this we visited the newly constructed Church of Our Lady of Miracles at the campus of St. Stephen’s school at Togan. The beautiful edifice will be blessed and dedicated on 10^th April by His Eminence Oswald Cardinal Gracias along with several bishops.

Our last stop was at the Christ King Cathedral where we spent some time prayer and the Bishop’s House where we spent time chatting with Bishop Mascarenhas.

Father Jaimasih Ekka, the administrator at Sumedha Centre had provided enough fruits, nuts and snacks for us to munch all along the journey. He and the Director of the Centre, Jose Parappully, accompanied the group.

This 49^th Sumedha Sadhana concludes on May 4.

The next Sumedha Sadhana begins on June 23 and concludes on September 14. Registration is open.

TEACHERS’ WORKSHOP ON ENHANCING INSTITUTIONAL EXCELLENCE

Dr. Jose Parappully, Director of Sumedha Centre for Psychospiritual Wellbeing at Jharmari, Punjab was invited to facilitate a training workshop for teachers of Jesus and Mary School at Bhurewala, Haryana, on April 2, 2024.

Bhurewala is a very remote farming village in Haryana. The school caters to students from poor families. There are about 300 students and 19 teachers at Jesus and Mary School, Bhurewala. There is also a small hostel.

All the teachers, including the Principal Sr. Kusum, attended the workshop. The topic was Enhancing Educational excellence.

Dr. Parappully used data from organizational psychology research, exercises and group activities to discuss the significant contributors to institutional excellence.

He helped teachers to assess the current scenario in regard to institutional excellence at Jesus and Mary and helped them plan measures to enhance institutional excellence at the school.

The participants were unanimous in their feedback that the workshop was immensely useful. It had not only provided them ways and motivation to enhance excellence, but also insights and skills that will be useful for classroom management.