Orientation Programme Centre for Excellence in Education, TISS Mumbai

 Orientation Programme  of Centre for Excellence in Education , TISS Mumbai

A group consisting of faculty/ research team members and students of Centre of Excellence in Teacher Education, TISS, Mumbai came to Sevagram Ashram for an orientation programme cum study visit for three days. The students' group consisted of B.Ed.,M.Ed. and MA in Education Programme. During the course of their degree programme, the students became familiar with innovative educational ideas, philosophies and practices with a special emphasis on Nai Talim.  Therefore, the Centre thought it would be quite appropriate for them to understand Gandhian Philosophy and  Nai Talim  at the historic premises of the Ashram through an experiential learning experience which  would help them   in defining their trajectory as education practitioners. Accordingly a three days programme was chalked out in consultation with Sri Jamnalal Bajaj Memorial Library and Research Centre for Gandhian Studies, Sevagram Ashram Pratishthan, Wardha.  The programme was organized at the premises of Sevagram Ashram from 28 to 30 November 2023. The group reached the premises of the Ashram on November 28. Soon after settling down at the guest house and after having lunch the group enthusiastically plunged into the programme.

The group underwent an exploratory guided visit to the ashram premises to reconnect with the history and understand the important and significant programmes / actions  the heritage buildings in the ashram witnessed when Gandhi was alive. A brief narrative of each place linking it with historical incidents and events were explained to them. In the evening, the group participated in the evening prayer of the ashram.

The sessions resumed after the dinner at the seminar hall of the Library and Research Centre of Sevagram Ashram Pratishthan . The first session was an introductory one trying to find out the expectations of each member of the group from the orientation programme. Shri Climus guided the session. The second session was basically to understand the life, work and message of Gandhi from Sevagram including Nai Talim.

The first session of the second day was held at the seminar hall of the Library and Research Centre. The main focus of  the session  was to understand Gandhi’s experiments and experiences in education which culminated in the Nai Talim or basic education. This session was guided by Dr. Siby K. Joseph , Director of Library and Research Centre of the Ashram. After this session, the group visited the Anand Niketan School run by Nai Talim Samity. They had the opportunity to observe and understand the functioning of the school through interaction with students and teachers of the school.  Dr. Richa Sharma and other faculty members of Tata Institute of Social Sciences, Mumbai guided the students. The group then participated in the evening prayer of the ashram.

After dinner the group assembled at the Seminar for further  discussions and deliberations. The group was given a brief description about the activities of the Research Centre, especially the International Fellowship Programme on Nonviolence and Peace. Work is a central theme in education and a session devoted to philosophy of work and Gandhi’s approach for the group. The second session was to analyse to what extent Gandhian ideas and ideals reflected in the Constitution of India. It was followed by discussion on challenges created by AI in the field of work and education. The sessions were guided by Dr. Siby K. Joseph and Shri Vijay Tambe, Secretary of Sevagram Ashram Pratishthan. All the students and faculty participated in the sessions with a lot of  vigour and enthusiasm.

  The third day of the orientation programme began with Yoga and Shramdhan work in the campus of Library and Research Centre. Soon after the breakfast  the group went on a field visit to Acharya Vinoba Bhave’s ashram at Paunar, exhibitions of Jamnalal Bajaj and Vinoba Bhave at  Gitai Mandir premises at Gopuri and Mangan Sangrahalya, Wardha. The afternoon was devoted to visiting the Centre of Science for Villages, Dattapur  and shopping for those who are interested.  The group left the premises of the ashram in the evening. The group felt  that the three days spent at Sevagram Ashram were incredibly enriching and truly memorable. The various components in the programme   provided  them valuable knowledge and deepened their  understanding of the Gandhian philosophy and practices.  About 28 persons including students and faculty participated in the programme.