Madhavi Arekar

Assistant Professor, Department of English, Vidya Prasarak Mandals’, K.G. Joshi College of Arts & N.G. Bedekar College of Commerce  Chendani Bunder Road, Thane, (Maharashtra)

When we applied for the course none of us was having any idea what we are heading for. Everyone among us was checked the names of the fellow-participants on the website and wondered at the cultural diversity we would experience. 

On the first day of O.P.-15 we met the participants with whom we would share the journey of knowledge for almost a month. We were 26. The communication was initiated by an ice-breaking activity conducted by Dr. Reetesh Sah. The rules and regulations of ASC Nainital and the Orientation Programme were clearly communicated by Prof. B.L. Sah and Dr. Divya U. Joshi. 

Well, we stepped into an entire new world of information and a new aspect of experience and knowledge was emerging share we started relating to each others' culture and to some extent understand different languages. It is said that the family which eats togehter, lives together. Meeting each other at meals and exchanging light notes about each others' culture sparked a 'big family feel' which was reflected when somebody was ill, everybody was concerned. At times, there was sudden burst of laughter in the dinning room. If some body had a chocolate or toffees, they were shared by all. 

Many times, a child was revealed in all of us when we wanted to rush back to our rooms after the lectures prof. J.K. Joshi in his lecture on "Education" has said us, I quote", children walk to school, but they run home". We all 26 participants proved him right. 

Study Tour was organised for us on 16th May, it was altogether a different experience where we not only learned the different aspects of Nainital but most importantly the lessons of group dynamics and had lots of fun. Most interesting feature that we all enjoyed was group discussion we all fought, argued and we all won. Victory was shared by everybody. 

The assignment of writing a Minor Research Project Proposal was an extremely fruitful exercise in developing an insight in the field of research. It made us understand the minute details of writing a Project Proposal and presenting it in form of Power Point in front of the experts. The remarks made by Prof. B.L. Sah, Dr. Divya U. Joshi and Dr. Reetesh Sah will surely prove helpful.

O.P.- 15 will be known for its photographs. Every moment was like a Kodak Moment Gosh!!! we have clicked more than 5000 photographs. Amazing, isn't it 

Now that we are going back to our homes we are taking with us all the information and knowledge provided by the experts and the guidance by the faculty of ASC, Nainital with sweet memories of this place. This is just a beginning for all of us in our journey of Research, teaching and Learning. 

I, Madhavi Arekar on behalf of each participant present here express our gratitude towards every member of ASC, Nainital