Eastern Ghats Trek

Just completed a trekking expedition in the Eastern Ghats mountain range, which was being organised by the Andhra Pradesh State Branch of the Youth Hostels Association of India (YHAI, http://www.yhaindia.org/). The 6-days' trek covered the picturesque Araku valley and the breath-taking Borra caves.

PROGRAMME

Day 1: Report at base camp, Shivalingapuram, near Visakhapatnam
Day 2: Trek to Ceraku Madta
Day 3: Trek to Valasi
Day 4: Trek to Sunkara Metta
Day 5: Rest day: Visit to Araku town
Day 6: Trek to Borra caves; drive back to Shivlingapuram; valedictory

World of Arts

There is an artistic side to me, which I have suppressed and ignored over the years. These days, I am actively exploring the art world and trying to connect with artists from different domains: music, dance, painting, sculpting, theatre, film, etc. This is opening up new doors and windows for my spirit. It is also leading to very interesting relationships.

I think art is part of the trimmings that fall off from the artist's self as the artist continues to grow in the pursuit of a graceful life.

Shodh Yatra (Koraput District, Orissa)

Shodh Yatra is organised by Society for Research and Initiatives for Sustainable Technologies and Institution (SRISTI) every year, as a search for traditional knowledge and local innovations in the remotest parts of India. More ...

I am going to join the Shodh Yatra this year, which is going to be organised in the hills of southern Orissa, covering the stretch from Semiliguda to Sabara Srikhetra (Koraput District, Orissa), during 9-16 May 2006. I may have something interesting to say after I return.

[May 21, 2006] Wrote a poem to capture my state of enchantment, on returning from Koraput:

SCENTED LIFE

Enchanted with the Deomali peak;
Rose apples, demsa dance;
Enchanted with infinite trust.

Enchanted with a culture of giving;
Music of mountainous springs;
Enchanted with directness.

Enchanted with the kumkum tree;
Magic millet, distant river tamed;
Enchanted with grit.

Enchanted with the shweta-arka flower;
Humble delights, scented life;
Enchanted with a dream.

[June 15, 2006] My detailed reflections titled "Expressions of an Enchanted Diku: On Attending Shodh Yatra in the Hills of Southern Orissa" is appearing on the SRISTI website, for your comments please: http://www.sristi.org/cms/dasdesh

Leadership in Schools, Hyderabad, Feb 2006

I conducted some sessions in a training programme meant for school principals. The programme was titled "Leadership in Schools" and it was organised collaboratively by the following three agencies:

IL&FS Education & Technology Services Ltd.
Society for Educational Advancement
Future Focus Foundation

The programme was conducted during Feb 1-5, 2006 in Hyderabad, India, with around 20 participants. Among the participants were school principals and education entrepreneurs who have set up schools and other academic institutions. The principals came from a wide range of schools, including international schools as well as national board schools located in remote districts.

The focus of the programme was on creating an awareness among the participants of their roles as leaders and managers of educational institutions. Some sessions also focused on developing skills relevant to educational leadership. The programme included sessions on the following topics:

Strategic decision making in schools
Leadership roles and styles
Schools in the changing context
Managing innovations in schools*
Instructional leadership
Information technology applications in schools
Managerial effectiveness
Building a learning community in schools*
Managing change
Counseling in schools
Management systems*

* My sessions

Based on my experience in this programme, I think there is an enormous need for management training in the education sector. It seems, educational institutions have to contend with a fairly large set of management challenges, such as preventing teacher attrition, ensuring child development, clarifying school objectives, adopting relevant educational technology, involving the wider community, etc. In the absense of any other mechanism of selection, either experienced teachers or persons close to the founders/promoters are made school principals. Consequently, most pricipals seem to have a rather inadequate grasp of their leadership responsibilities--much of their energies being directed at day-to-day administrative and operational minutiae. Devoid of any strategic clarity, many schools tend to become victims of the personal idiosyncrasies of their principals--often producing person-centric management systems. Many schools are unable to deal with the management challenges they face. There seems to be a growing awareness of the need for management training and professional development within the education sector.