Dear Readers,

Ritinjali’s Second Chance School as the very name suggests provides another chance to educate those who are deprived of education owing to adverse economic conditions and lack of proper guidance.
Here the boys’ holistic development is taken care of during a two-year programme. They not only learn hard skills needed to get jobs but more importantly learn people skills which transform them into responsible citizens enabling them to successfully face the challenges of life with confidence.
The boys belong to different parts of India with different languages, food habits, customs and culture. Ritinajli’s intervention creates an atmosphere of mutual learning and respect.
Here are five stories – those of Shiv Kumar, Angad, Arvind, Deepak and Brijesh.Read about their individual success stories here: Click Here
Happy Reading!
Warm Regards,
Pallavan Learning Systems Team

Dear Readers,

The sixth webinar by Pallavan Learning Systems was held on 12 December 2020. The webinar sought to explore mental well-being both from the lens of science and spirituality. The webinar was moderated by Dr. Saroj Thapa from Pallavan Learning Systems. The speakers included Dr. Monisha Akhtar, a licensed child, adolescent, and adult psychologist/psychoanalyst and Geshe Lhakdor, a Tibetan Buddhist scholar and author who works closely with His Holiness, the Dalai Lama.

The webinar started with the speakers defining mental well-being from the perspectives of Buddhist Philosophy and Psychology. Although there are differences in the way they define the internal and external factors that impact mental balance, there was complete agreement that maintaining the balance is the key to mental well-being.

Some basic causes of mental unrest were discussed and some simple and powerful activities and habits that could improve our overall mental hygiene were also deliberated upon. It was said that the pandemic is a good time for us to go inwards and maintain a balance between body and mind which will result in a healthy world environment.

It was discussed that compassion is the glue which brings humanity together. The values of morality and ethics stem from compassion. It is compassion that differentiates the wrong-doer from the wrong-doing. Anger, ignorance and attachment are the roots of the problems society faces today.

Developing a coping mechanism – at an individual level and at a social level – is essential. It was advised that doing things that bring balance to one’s life, for example cooking with family are good coping mechanisms. Having a sense of purpose in life and caring and sharing with others are also important. Children need a stable environment – a routine, such as exercising and time for socialising with other children. Children need a structure with flexibility, factoring in playtime and virtual gatherings during the current situation. For the elderly, it is family support that gives them a sense of security and helps them to cope.

It is poverty of the mind that makes man unable to live alone. Living compassionately with others is essential to find that balance which gives us the ability to rely on our inner resources to overcome difficulties. Instead of focusing on the negative around us it is important to highlight the positive things and focus on those. It is also important to be realistic in a crisis and not worry about things we can’t change – thus drawing a distinction between worry and concern. Read the full report and the synthesis by the Pallavan Learning Systems team here: Click Here

Happy Reading!

Warm Regards,

Pallavan Learning Systems Team