Learning is an aspiration, and when it comes with beautiful nature outside the four packed walls, real essence makes all the difference.
Rabindranath Tagore got his inspiration in the lap of mother nature where his ideas thrived on the fragrance and flavors outside. He believed that the real holistic learning can only be done through nature which itself is the greatest Teacher and penned ‘Shantiniketan’ on the same lines.
But why are we discussing all this? It is for the simple reason that ZCBI’ans must have realized the same with ‘Outbound Activity’ at MTDC Karla.
Although clueless, we saw happiness and enthusiasm etched across everyone’s faces, every being willing to participate. But the real question is how long does all this last?
Among all the answers that one could think of, there seemed to be a strong one, that the zeal should never end there and an anticipation of ‘What next we could do’ should arise.
To our surprise, we started as one whole team being divided into two namely, Eagles and Falcons. Although we attained different names, our characteristics were quite similar. Each symbolizing dynamism, pride, independence, warmth, honesty and aggression.
Then the activities began with a tale of an empire with four princes, each with a different character. The well known mythological characters of Rama, Lakshmana, Bharata, Shatrughana were personified. It urged us to realize our inner traits. We could easily relate to one of the characters, but somewhere deep inside our hearts, all four do exist.
Though we were exhausted physically, the importance of Self-realization gave us a fresh new mental simulation, which was most rewarding.
Next day it was a new beginning with an augmented enthusiasm where we initiated with management based exercises, wherein, you being part of the same organization have to work in different groups. And that’s where everyone’s competitive spirit took over and challenged ourselves to excel in all the activities given.
“Save the World” as described by Shekhar, our activity coordinator, had to deal with everything that Eagle and Falcon embody. One after the other performed their best, did strive to produce better results than the other group. Nobody realized whether they are following the competition or the competition is following them. It was because each group got several chances to prove their potential. At the end it better paid off and we were appreciated for the whole effort. Not only the competitive spirits of each group, but also the mere presence of other groups gave us incentive to do better.
But results never replicate every time after having proved yourself so well in a small group. Having shown some of the best results, a bigger challenge always waits for you. Your group expands and more different minds join you. It happened with us too. Then was the chance to prove ourselves again but we felt the tough among the toughest of the time, unsatisfied to deliver those same results with the larger group.
Unlike the previous one, next activity was to work in a group but for different departments. More specific side of any responsibility. An exercise where our group was divided into three departments namely Healthy, Dumb and Blind. Each department was provided with different resources and was sourced with different benefits but the goal was same. It showed us that how each department should work in harmony with others and should realize the potential and strengths of one another.
Last day of outbound involved rappelling. We realized that first step towards reaching the most important is the ability to win over our fears. And then by backing everybody else with right motivational spirits, any task becomes nearly effortless to win over inhibitions.
Last was still to come up, and we were all worn out. But there were some people with the power to explore more and to walk that extra mile. A journey to Bhaja caves a kind of ‘Buddhist Vihar’ that reflected the power of simplicity. One could easily perceive the richness in the art and culture of ancient India. It inhibited in us the feeling of awe for the ancient Indians. There was something in the surrounding that made us felt the need to release our stress and we sat there at stupa for the meditation. The ‘Om’ reverberated not only in the surrounding, but also inside our inner being. That made us realize that wherever one goes, whatever circumstances might come; one can always rely on the inner spiritual strength and can always come back to peaceful serenity.
It was a unique and a memorable experience that took us through the whole process of management and showed us the strength of collective effort.
Truly said by someone, ‘we started our journey as an individual and came back as a team’. We experienced with the activities outbound, one reflects inbound. This experience will definitely help us to grow and prosper together.
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