Communication Workshop 2016 in Dehradun, 24th Jan- 26th Jan, 2016

Comm WS Report 
Media: Times of India, Daily Pioneer, Amazing Pics (Thank you, Ashish Lakra)
Day 1: About 20 participants. Many from Delhi. One from Vijaywada. One from Makrana, Rajasthan. One from Jaunpur. A senior couple (Dhruv’s parents) from Punjab. After a little intro and a little conceptual background, participants were requested to conduct mutual “stammering Interviews”. Then, they went to local market for practicing the skills with strangers – also had lunch.

We gathered again at SR ashram by 3 pm. The scripts for role plays were distributed. Participants quickly went thru the scripts and assigned roles to their members. Some energizers. Some free flowing discussions – about stammering, its nature, why this or that.. We ended by 5 pm. But how can you end the ongoing discussions among pws..? Never.
So, many participants went to FRI, to carry on..

Day 2: We began at 9.30 am. Four participants (Vikas, Mohit, Ashish, Vishal) were sent off to MCF to interview the team there. Rest of us went to Gandhi Park in the heart of the city. Mrs Kathuria spoke to the person I/C of District Information Departments’ pandal in the park; As a result she got us the mike, stage and the entire venue for free (you see, why we should be involving our parents in our struggles and missions..?).

We did role plays, to cheering audience. Some ex-tempore stuff, songs, Dr APJ speech by Abhay etc etc. We concluded with an on the spot role play: A funny Scene from a moving local bus. Mohit was the conductor in the great hurry. All the pws were the passengers. Buying the ticket was the crux of the play. We all had LOTS of fun.. We ended with slogan- Haklao magar Pyar se.. to which audience also joined.

Two hours later, the scene changed: we were at FRI. The vast lawns. With a mighty backdrop of a huge Victorian building.. We again staged some plays; feedback round- some fun, Ravi Teja did a Rajnikant act (mind it) – and then we returned to SR Ashram for more of unstructured discussion.. till cold and hunger made it impossible to stand and talk..

Day 3
The day began at 9.30 am with some informal feedback and discussion. Pramod ji gave a very nice Republic day speech, followed by the group singing Indian national anthem.

Shyam Sundar ji gave us a good presentation about marble industry. Ravi Teja gave a thought provoking talk about the recent suicide by a Research scholar at Hyderabad.

Random topics were given from a bowl full of small slips. Abhay did time-keeping. Outside under the trees, an interview panel was organised, consisting of Mrs Kathuria, Mr Fakhruddin Sheikh and Ms Indira Ramesh. Most interviewee did feel the heat but also enjoyed it. It was a good learning experience.

Madhav had a little stomach upset. Others were having un-ending discussions. Delhi group had planned to have the next communication workshop in Delhi – sometime in April. Some participants had plans of visiting Mussoorie (dont worry about the cold!).

Two new participants had come from Dehradun itself. They were quite impressed by our show at Gandhi park, in the heart of the town. They were advised to keep in touch with local SHG through Whatsapp. They too had their chance of giving ex-tempore presentations. At one point, we had a very interesting discussion about: In an arranged marriage, should the boy tell the girl about stammering in advance? (we will share the answer in the next workshop!!). We dispersed at 2 pm after group photo shoot. We hope to start a unit in TISA, dealing with families of PWS, with help from Dhruv’s parents..


Tentative Schedule: Day 1 (24th Jan)

9.30-10.30 am: Intro; Logistics; plan ahead

10.30 – 11.00 am: Intro to Acceptance, eye contact,
bouncing.

11.00 – 12 noon: Mutual Interview in pairs and sharing in
group

12 noon- 1.30pm : Outdoor exercise – Nearby market; FRI Gate
etc. Ask questions using: Good eye contact & bouncing. Then, have Lunch
outside.

3-4 pm: Intro to Prolongation, Pausing, Voluntary stammering
(VS)

4-5 pm: Feedback (in sub-groups) on Outdoor exercise using –
Bouncing, Eye-contact, smiling, Prolongation, Pausing, Voluntary stammering
(VS) etc.

5pm: Go out for a walk or just relax and socialize.. Study the
script and prepare for the Theater.

Day 2 (25th Jan)

After breakfast: Everyone goes to Gandhi Park in SUPERVISED
small groups in local bus- demonstrating Bouncing etc. Everyone buys their own
ticket.

At Gandhi Park: First, approach others and tell them about
TISA. Then, do your play. Two play will be done simultaneously followed by
feedback (a little distance from each other, in two large groups).

Then, in small groups, we will go for lunch close by. There
are many eating places.

After Lunch- one more round of plays: especially for those
who want a second chance. Then, return to SR Ashram by 5 pm (by bus, Vikram etc.).

5-6 pm: Open session – anyone can get up and talk or sing or
do a solo skit or whatever..

Submit your topic (3) for presentation next day, to
Mohit/Ashish/Dayal/Sachin.

Day 3 (26th Jan)

9.30 – 1 pm: At SR Ashram: three groups.

1-3 pm: Group photo, Lunch

3 -5 pm: Open session- anyone can ask any question. Any
feedback also welcome.