Goal Setting Workshop 01.02.2014

Thanks to all the students & PKs for your support w.r.t. the captioned workshop. Overall 33 students & 7 PKs were present.

Parag explained the following concepts in a lucid manner to the students through day-to-day examples:

1.   Concept of goals - short term/mid term/long term.

2.   Long-term goals are always invisible for most of us (though some people can clearly foresee their future. However this needs talent), mid term goals are comparatively visible & short term are the most visible. Hence a reverse planning from long term to short term is required

3.   Though the goal of many of us may appear to be the same, each person's planning/time management/priorities may be different. But they are equally important for all.

4.   Certain things are beyond our control (e.g. college rules & regulations, etc.) the same are not easy to control due to their sudden appearance. Hence they can't also be predicted.

5.   For such uncertain situations one should provide for a contingency plan in the setting the goal. A proper & regular communication with all those concerned, may reduce the intensity of possible loss

6.   Goal setting needs proper enquiry about possible options

7.   Students shared examples of goals such as good job, money, enjoying their education, etc. They were additionally told that marks cannot be a goal but it can be only a measure to see how far one is near or far away from the goal. Hence marks are very important however; there are many things apart from marks that are required for achieving the goal.

8.   Working hard is important but working smart is more important

9.   Always measure ROI (Return on Investment). Investment can be in the form of time, energy, mind share, etc. If Returns ÷ Investment is >1 then one is on the right path & vice a versa.

10.            There should always be a tipping point (i.e. equilibrium) of one's efforts & the result of the same. If one is far away from the same, the ROI may be even 0. Always see how far you are near or far away from ROI & tipping point.

11.            Parag also explained the communication technique with the help of an image of a fish viz 1) eye of the fish - topic of one's speech; 2) Three bones - divide topic into three main headings; 3) Tale - Summary; 4) Conclude with a punch line / slogan/proverb, etc. This can be a technique for any type of communication - long / short

12.            Through group discussion & presentation (3 minutes), students expressed their thoughts about the goal & this was used as a public speaking/communication training as well.

Few Observations (PKs need to take a reality check):

1) Most of the students expressed that they are near the tipping point.

2) Most of the students wish to take up Spardha Pariksha. (Though I tried to subtly warn them that apart from intelligence these exams like CA, UPSC, etc. needs THE ATTITUDE, Mental Strength & KILLING INSTINCT. I also tried to explain that in commerce related options entry is easy but exit may be difficult. Science options will have exactly opposite scenario)

3) 2 students expressed willingness to do business. However, they are not very clear about what is needed for the same (They were given some direction of course). I feel they need to be encouraged & if really talented for business (If this is not a day dreaming), possibility financial help can be evaluated.

Below is a letter of one student viz. Aishwarya Bhogale, Kalyan who is doing her first Year BSC from Birla College, Kalyan and she attended the Goal Setting & Public Speaking Workshop conducted by Bhakti & Parag on 01.02.2015 at Thane.  Aishwarya has written this letter to her Karyakarta Palak who is Snehal Solegaonkar, Thane. 

Thanks and Regards,
Parag Rede
Bhakti Gadgil

VSM awareness drive @ Vikas Complex

Vikas complex is known as a well managed complex, leading the way for many social initiatives in Thane. It was one of the first complexes to adopt rain water harvesting as an example. We thought it is very apt to introduce VSM resident of Vikas complex. We couldn’t have thought of a better occasion than the Republic day to do so.

Parag Rede addressed the gathering after the flag hosting ceremony on 26^th Jan, 2015 to provide them an overview VSM, our vision, mission, and the work we do. Summary of this appeal was if you are looking for a noble, effective and trustworthy initiative to contribute, VSM is the one and I can vouch for it.

Key differentiators of VSM are:

a. blend of family bonding and warmth and organizational discipline and structure

b. low overheads

c. role of Palak Karyakarta, which makes strong bond with the students ensuring their success

d. structured and robust selection process for the students

This was well received by the audience and we got very encouraging feedback throughout the day.

In the evening, we set up a VSM booth as part of Republic Day fun fair at Vikas.

We had set up a stall with banners and posters of VSM providing more information. We also had a summary version of slide-deck presentation on a laptop to provide more insights to them. We got overwhelming response from Vikas residents. More than 60 families visited the booth, got very positive comments and encouragement, we got spot donation of 6K and many more assured that they are keen to extend financial help, equally importantly if not more, several people showed interest in joining us as Karyakartas.

We have lined up follow-up discussions with the people who showed interest and the response is very encouraging. Donation contribution has reached 36K and it is growing and several people are going to join one of our sessions/ monthly meeting to understand more about us so that they can join us.

In short, it was a good success and an enjoyable and encouraging experience. It is proven time and again that if you reach out to people with a noble cause, you get overwhelming response. Denaryache Haat Hazaar.

Thanks and Regards,

Parag Rede

Vidyadaan Sahayyak Mandal,Thane – celebrated its 6th Anniversary on 15th August 2014.

Starting with 8 students in 2008 , now it is all set to help 140 students. In addition to Thane,Shahapur and surrounding villages it has now spread its wings to Pune, Ratnagiri , Chandrapur and many such places . In addition to giving financial help to the needy and deserving students , it also conducts various workshops and training programs for them. Each student is allotted one mentor- ‘Palak Karyakarta’ , who keeps in constant contact with the student , and helps and guides him.

Today there was an art corner at the venue depicting various art forms , paintings, craft all made by students of VSM. The program started at 3.45 in the afternoon. One of the students Kanchan Patole did excellent compering of the program.

1. Six girls of VSM Sang Welcome song – ‘Swagatam ,Suswagatam’ under the guidance of Jyoti Deshkar and Viraj Chikhale.

2. Bhau Nanivadekar the founder member of Vidyadaan read the 6th Annual report. He mentioned following salient points. 

• He said we think of VSM as family and not as an organization.
• Today we have nearly 140 students and 95 volunteers.
• We have with us one blind girl ‘Menaka Sonawane’ and one girl ‘Diksha Dinde‘ who is physically disabled , they are inspiration to other students due to their determination and hard work.
• Now all our palak karyakartas submit reports and progress of their wards online.
• This year there was a special workshop by Dr. Shubha Thatte for our volunteers.
• We had talent display program of our students at Shahapur on 25th December.
• There students also displayed various art and craft products , drawings etc and revealed their artistic side .

3. Parag Rede talked about what is the viewpoint of volunteers working for VSM. He said ‘Volunteers do all the jobs , there are no paid workers for any job .Our volunteers are very young , as young as 20 to 80 years! We have a structure but no hierarchy. We treat fund raising as ‘Fun raising’.We believe in helping children to get education which will lead to employment. Volunteers select students who are needy and deserving , work as mentor to them , conduct various workshops for them , do fund raising and accounts maintenance. We believe that ‘Vidyadaan’ i.e. giving education to a student helps in the upliftment of the students as well as development of the donor. Finally we have faith that these students will come back to us as volunteers.’

4. Swati Agte explained the role of ‘Palak Karyakarta’. She called this social parenting. She said ‘ Palak Karyakarta is student’s friend,philosopher and guide. He thinks about difficulties faced by the student, he praises him , supports him , reprimands him if required. Instills financial discipline in him. What the student gets is –someone who is there to share feelings ,to tell what is right and wrong, what are his strengths,weeknesses, opportunities and threats, someone to help him in solving his problems. Volunteer gets immense pleasure in helping the student in every way and that is the only reward he gets.

5. Ranjana Kulkarni told about Gajanan Teli who works as a farm help and Babu Bhokare who is a small farmer . These parents were felicitated for helping and supporting their children against all odds.

6. Late Meenatai Patankar puraskar were awarded to :

Sewavrati – Diksha Dinde.( Does a lot vounteer work inspite of herself being physically handicapped) Sewadharmi – Nalini Baswant (Teaching Maths, English for 8th to 10th std students free of charge .) Sewadharmi – Chetana Late ( Conducted compettions for village children) Sewabhawi – Prakash Gaikwad ( Teaches village children during holidays)

Sewabhawi – Vaibhav Sonone.( Teaches for 4th and 7th std Scholarship students free of charge)

7. Kalpana Gore thanked everyone for their respective contribution . Mr Nandkar who had come all the way from Pune specially for the program was also thanked.

8. Kanchan Patole recited a touching poem ‘ Maye g maye , nako todu mazi shala.’ Then some of the students expressed their feelings about VSM.

·         

      Rahul Bhalke    - He lost his parents at young age and was aimless for a year or so. But now he has completed Civil engineering at Chandrapur with the help of VSM. He has attended Somnath, Hemalkasa, Dapoli workshops .He is very greatful to Athawale Sir and Mr. and Mrs. Ingole for freeing him from a violent teacher (who was beating him without any reason). Geeta Shah helped him to control his wandering mind and get 82% in B.E. With the help from VSM he guided his brother(who was lagging behind in studies) to become electrician and earn his own bread. Now both the brothers have good jobs. And for all this he thanks VSM . And plans to do something for VSM.

·        Supriya Wable  - She wanted to be an engineer in IT . But as her father’s company was closed she could not afford it and did B.Sc. in IT (75%) . She said that she wants to do something for the family , not her limited family but extended family of VSM. With the help of her palak karyakarta she prepared a lot for interview and has recently acquired a job at L&T Infotech.

·        Ravi Deshmukh - Completed B.M.S. (76%) and has secured a job at ICICI prudential life insurance. He has an ambition to do MBA. At the job interview at ICICI he was rejected for nonfluency in English speaking but he convinced the manager that it is more important to communicate in hindi/ marathi and put his point across. There he also mentioned the help he received from the NGO i.e. VSM.

9.      ‘Be Frank’ is Karan Pardeshi’s initiative for students to come together and talk freely about various topics in English. Which has proved very helpful in making them bold and improving their language skills.Demostration of the same was made by 8 students lead by ‘Kavita Bidwe’.

10. This year some 30 students have passed out from VSM . Senior student Prakash Gaikwad spoke on their behalf. He passed M.Sc. Organic chemistry this year and is now working as reasearch assistant in industry.When his father passed away he had to work in canteen where he was spotted by Mr. Subhash Harad and reffered to VSM for financial help.

Prakash Gaikwad said that he and his fellow students felt very much indebted to VSM. And they will surely help others just like VSM helped them. They handed over some amount as ‘Krutadnyata Nidhi’ to Bhau Naniwadekar.

11.    Documentary made by Anand Sapate who is also a past student of VSM was shown. It covered all the important events during the year.

12.    Nimishbhai from ‘Caring friends’ spoke a few words to praise volunteers of VSM. He said ‘when we see others wasting time in chitchating and TV viewing , here we have very dedicated people who spend their spare time for these students.We feel that we are not giving donation but doing investment in children . In boxing who is the loser ? The one who falls and never gets up again. So even if you fall , do not hesitate to get up again.’

13. Arun Shah Managing trusty of VSM also praised palak karyakartas, saying that they have already nurtured their own kids and now they are nurturing other kids.

14. During the break snacks and tea was distributed. Slide show of photos and achievements of students was shown during this time. This was prepared by a student Rishi Shrotriya under Ranjana Kulkarni’s guidance.

15. After the break Rajita Sawant interviewed Bhagyashree Gandhi. Inspite of being blind she studied in normal school (Brahman Vidyalaya,Vartak nagar ,Thane).She enthusiastically participated in various competitions, exams . In 9th std a teacher from NAB started teaching her braile. She scored 85% in 10th std. After that she completed a certificate course in physiotherapy in Mumbai and a diploma course at Ahemadabad. She stood first in that with 84% marks. She has also completed BA as external student so that she will be able to do postgraduate diploma in rehabilitation. She is now working at chunabhatti as a physiotherapist. She also works as guest lecturer at NAB 3 times a week. She says in achieving this, many people have helped her including her parents, teachers, writers , friends and even many strangers. When one looks at her smiling pleasant face no one can guess about her misfortune.

She has rightly said ‘ Drushti peksha drushtikone mahtwacha’– ‘Viewpoint is more important than vision.’

16. Last event of the evening was again a song by VSM girls ‘ Balsagar Bharat Howo’.

Report by:

Dhanashree Ketkar.