From Nitin Paranjape, Abhivyakti, Maharashtra

The five day conference was an enriching experience. For many reasons.

From experiencing the anxiety of organising it without lectures, expert discussions, plenary, Udaipur Declaration, and conclusion to a sense of fulfillment at having organised such a workshop filled with diverse needs and ownership, I have come back to Nashik charged with life. I count myself blessed at having met such wonderful and sensitive persons, and it was my privilege that my feet took me to some insightful discussions on Swaraj, civil society, politics, dominant logic, nature among other. To have met Munir and the ease in which a relationship grew discussing so many aspect of life and learning. Similarly, Claude, Kishore bhai, Vivek, Shilpa and Lisa, having met them, and known them is indeed my treasure.

 Discussions with Manish on many aspects of organising the event and beyond was such intense experience that sometimes I wonder did it actually happen! In between, there was Pioneers of Change in Zaid and Alok. Working together was fun, as it was tense and difficult. Sometimes it seemed like being pulled in different directions. Dealing with diversity is easy to describe but difficult to follow. It's a challenge that I have accepted, and am conscious of when in meetings, in work, at home, with children. I also try to promote the need to acknowledge the diverse ways of learning and living that is present in human beings.

 Back home, we have been discussing issues of management practise and how it is used in controlling, dividing and using people, and what could be relevant that releases creative energy, critical reflections and engages us into purposeful engagement with our own inner issues as well as relate with others with feelings. Infact, I have started to deal and value my resources that are my own - feelings, thoughts, experiences and purpose - which sometimes gets trapped in my anxities, fears and expectations that it restricts spontaneous flow of my energies. I am now more conscious and not afraid to engage with others with issues that arise from within, which help in forming and consolidating my relationship with others.

 The conference also highlighted the need to experiment with ourselves, our bodies (Peter's exercises helped in this realisation), our expressions in variety of ways without feeling any pressure, and the immense possibilities that are present. Learning is about allowing our personhood to freely express itself in various forms and moods, and getting shaped by the web of interaction and relationship that develops naturally.

 Some of the post conference activities:

·         edit the video about the conference with Manish

·         Dialogue with others whom I meet and discuss about promoting learning societies

·         Discuss ways in which our own project Self-directed Learning evolves organically

·         Collaborate with Shikshantar on exchange of team members, plan and organise a yatra, video series on thinkers

·         Constantly thinking of ways in which Abhivyakti can evolve into a socially, emotionally, spiritually, politically and culturally responsible work place

·         Have discussed with Peter about collaborating on a theatre workshop in Nashik

·         Dialogue with Zaid on future collaboration

·         Promised Ravi that we would document on video about small power project in Uttaranchal

·         Thinking deeply and listening to friends about Sakhi's schooling

·         Have invited Claude to visit Nashik and interact with farmers, team members

·         Have invited Shilpa to visit us and interact with our team on regular basis

·         Translate some of the articles that have appeared in Vimukt Shiksha series in marathi.

·         Saw the film "Dead poet's society" by Peter Wier

 The pre-conference dialogue and organising the event before the conference started was another enjoyable experience. Working together of Abhivyakti and Shikshantar team blended easily, and the passage was smooth, enoyable and without tensions. It is such a relief being accepted as we are that automatically we strive to give our best. Acceptance is a value that is not easily forthcoming, and that is the challenge before us as we try to be ourselves in our quest for a better society to evolve. But the mainstream dominance and its influence sometimes overwhelms us. Do we strike a balance between our ways and theirs? or srtive to tread our own path with our own value system, philosophy, and vision?

 I am convinced. How do I make my circle of influence bigger?

 I am inspired by what someone said so beautifully, " Path is made by walking on it".

 Looking forward to more creative sessions, conferences, get togethers, visits, dialogues...