Swarna (Talent Management, Wipro Technologies, Visually Impaired)
"I was so thrilled that I too can train people. I realized that one has to learn local language at the place that one stays and it surely helps. Thoughts can change the way we live life is a strong message I am carrying back. When the children felt the cane in my hand they said – why are you using it. We must be the one using it. The moment they learnt about my blindness, we felt more bonded and my life inspired them. I have never seen myself as a role model. Initially I forgot to tell them I am visually impaired but when I told them the body language changed. There was wonderful communication. The kids were so excited being on the stage. They wanted a lot of advise and pat as if it was a big match but it was fun to see them that way. "
Soulbath Peace Foundation
on World Enability Day
Dec 3rd 2011
Raj Bhowmik 300
Internationally Dec 3rd is celebrated as World Disability Day. It is a day spent in work focused towards individuals who have a specific physical challenge.
The Question Is: If we all feel and respond the same way as humans, and our productivity is dependent on our happiness quotient, then we are all enabled in a unique way beyond the physical ability. So at Soulbath Peace Foundation, aligned by Our Founder Sri Raj Bhowmik’s Vision we spent time with Children at Sri Ramana Maharishi Academy Of he Blind in Bangalore – even the volunteers being differently enabled – in their professions, roles in life and some even in the physical domain.
It was wonderful to see an independent campus and children between the age group of 12 – 14 walking briskly, all excited to attend an engagement program as part of the Raj Bhowmik Back-To-Society DREAM without the white canes. Their smiles and mischiefs were no less than any other at their age except that their sense of hearing & touch were far beyond the normal average sighted people.
We began the challenge by splitting into different groups to understand each other’s names, areas of interest and each group worked towards a context of an environment. These environments allowed them to form characters and dialogues.
Output: A 2 minute advertisement that enhances the 4 CORPORitual Values that is a need in today’s era in their own simple way. The Highlight of the RB-BTS DREAM Volunteering Team were also children from Raj Bhowmik Schools. In their own simple way, they absorbed the 4 CORPORitual Values Of Living in the following ways –
Meeting Yourself In Silence – by spending time reflecting on what one has done today and the focus ahead. Manifest Your Purpose of Existence by doing something that we love to do and give ourself 100% to it, Practice Compassion – by spreading Goodness around that we are all abled in the direction and Forgive and Bury the Past – to refresh ourselves constantly.
Some groups were giggling and some others were still negotiating with their roles in the context. Some of the favourite roles were based on Friendship, family coming together and children spontaneously enacted their characters to send out the message loud and clear very naturally.
The children and the volunteers became one during the production phase and the performance. The audience although were not sighted could identify each of their classmates voices accurately even if the performers were shy and soft. That is the special ability surely – the ability of accurate hearing and attentive listening. This was followed by distributing some goodies and exchanging messages to one another. “When are you going to come back?” echoed most of the children to their volunteers as they found a new friend both ways.
In Life we often take many things for granted. Our Body and our senses surely are one of them. Being in the School with the children moved the volunteers not from Sympathy but the enability of the senses that are superior in them that the children could trust and allow bonding implicitly.
"Whenever you shake hands, be aware to shake hands as a human being; and not as a label."
- Sri Raj Bhowmik
Disability is surely one of the many labels that separate humans from one another. When the mind, body and soul feels and expresses in the same way, then it is only the separation in the mind that can create a difference between 2 people, everything else remains the same.
The Question Is: If we all feel and respond the same way as humans, and our productivity is dependent on our happiness quotient, then we are all enabled in a unique way beyond the physical ability. So at Soulbath Peace Foundation, aligned by Our Founder Sri Raj Bhowmik’s Vision we spent time with Children at Sri Ramana Maharishi Academy Of he Blind in Bangalore – even the volunteers being differently enabled – in their professions, roles in life and some even in the physical domain.
It was wonderful to see an independent campus and children between the age group of 12 – 14 walking briskly, all excited to attend an engagement program as part of the Raj Bhowmik Back-To-Society DREAM without the white canes. Their smiles and mischiefs were no less than any other at their age except that their sense of hearing & touch were far beyond the normal average sighted people.
We began the challenge by splitting into different groups to understand each other’s names, areas of interest and each group worked towards a context of an environment. These environments allowed them to form characters and dialogues.
Output: A 2 minute advertisement that enhances the 4 CORPORitual Values that is a need in today’s era in their own simple way. The Highlight of the RB-BTS DREAM Volunteering Team were also children from Raj Bhowmik Schools. In their own simple way, they absorbed the 4 CORPORitual Values Of Living in the following ways –
Meeting Yourself In Silence – by spending time reflecting on what one has done today and the focus ahead. Manifest Your Purpose of Existence by doing something that we love to do and give ourself 100% to it, Practice Compassion – by spreading Goodness around that we are all abled in the direction and Forgive and Bury the Past – to refresh ourselves constantly.
Some groups were giggling and some others were still negotiating with their roles in the context. Some of the favourite roles were based on Friendship, family coming together and children spontaneously enacted their characters to send out the message loud and clear very naturally.
The children and the volunteers became one during the production phase and the performance. The audience although were not sighted could identify each of their classmates voices accurately even if the performers were shy and soft. That is the special ability surely – the ability of accurate hearing and attentive listening. This was followed by distributing some goodies and exchanging messages to one another. “When are you going to come back?” echoed most of the children to their volunteers as they found a new friend both ways.
In Life we often take many things for granted. Our Body and our senses surely are one of them. Being in the School with the children moved the volunteers not from Sympathy but the enability of the senses that are superior in them that the children could trust and allow bonding implicitly.
"Whenever you shake hands, be aware to shake hands as a human being; and not as a label."
- Sri Raj Bhowmik
Disability is surely one of the many labels that separate humans from one another. When the mind, body and soul feels and expresses in the same way, then it is only the separation in the mind that can create a difference between 2 people, everything else remains the same.
Raj Bhowmik Back-To-Society DREAM Volunteers Speak:
Jayanth C (SAHHEAL Healing Consultant & President at Café Coffee Day)
There were no thoughts when I was in the room with the children and even ater so many hors I still feel the same. I am feeling a sense of expansion and happiness inside. I realized that when we are at peace with ourself then nothing else matters. I feel blessed Raj being a part of the RB-BTS DREAM. The whole process is like an open eyed meditation being in the world , so concentrated and focused.
Prerna Bishayee (Raj Bhowmik Schools, Age 11)
I felt very equal to the children at the school. Even though they spoke in different languages, no body was superior , there were no adults or children. My partner was also talking and being like a child. I feel that however big you become you still have a small child inside. When I went to the stage I felt nervous. I felt everybody had compassion in them. It was surely a good world enability day. I felt responsible.
Dipti Wadhera (Raj Bhowmik Schools, Age 11)
We all had different experiences. I realized that everybody’s point of view is very different and right from their side. I learnt that adults and kids from different age groups can still be together, very connected.
Anmol Venkatesh (Raj Bhowmik Schools, Age 11)
Yesterday on the Dec 3rd, we the students of Raj Bhowmik Schools went to Sri Ramana Maharishi School for the Blind. We were all making an advertisement on the various topics given to us and we were teaching the children at SRMAB through the advertisements about the 4 CORPORitual Values of Living. In my group there was Dhanuja, Vinuta, Mamta, Renuka, Rohan and Bharat. While making the advertisements and conversing with the children I learnt that a smile and a small action can bring a lot of hope and bring a lot of change to the Society. I don’t think that those children were any less than us and that there are no bars and walls when we are wholly doing it with willingness and love. I also learnt that these children do need support from us.
Rahna Ibrahim (Talent Management Wipro Technologies)
I don’t know how I am going to explain but I feel so good and so different. I realized that even though I didn’t know their language, the children connected through other media of touch that made them feel good. I noticed that when I was calling their names, touching them, they were so excited. Although we were with each other for just 2 hours it seemed as if we know each other for many years. I realized that nothing is impossible. I want to say a big big thank you to Raj from the bottom of my heart. I want to participate in all events with Soulbath Peace Foundation. It was not the usual scene today at all. They know their world so well as the children are familiar. Everything about them is normal except their eyes. They have immense talents and also walked without cane. It has been an amazing experience.
Bhanumathi Vishwanath (MOM, Teacher at the Sri Ramana Blind School)
We could all connect with each other. Although children were shy initially, they began to slowly trust us and also agreed to play their roles. When I saw the kids perform, I was extremely happy to see that in a short time of 2 hours they were ready with their lines so spontaneously. It was remarkable. It was a lot of group work and each child had a different skill. I thank Sri Raj Bhowmik for giving me this opportunity through this platform as we are constantly exposed to new opportunities that were never there before. These were surely new ways of approaching things – I could never think that a skit could bring out so many talents in such a short amount of time. It is a nice way to teach CORPORitual Values Of Living. I hope we are able to do more of such work.
Dr. Uma S Patil (Oro-Facial Medicine Specialist, SAHHEAL Healing Consultant)
I felt Useful and Connected today. The children were asking when we would be coming back again. They wanted to be with us. I realized everyone is unique. Initially my group was introverted and reluctant and slowly they responded. I felt very joyful. I feel grateful to the Source & Sri Raj Bhowmik that I have 5 senses. Today the socio economic barrier was completely lost and nothing mattered when it came to displaying love. I thank Raj for giving me this opportunity and grateful for my 5 senses that we so often take for granted and the opportunities that life has given me. I realized that there is nothing called disability and through our inner eye we see much better. When I asked one of the boys what makes you happy – they said “Helping another person”. Even as I think about it my hair stands. The thoughts and love that the children gave is more focused and fills us much more to nullify their disability.
Smitha Jayanth (SAHHEAL Healing Consultant & Mom )
It was really nice today. I felt some sort of Peace that I cant explain in spite of all the noise outside. I felt we were all driven by something of Divine Nature. All children seemed happy. Children of Raj Bhowmik School seemed to understand CORPORitual and have assimilated it in a very simple manner. It is special as the understanding do deep doesn’t usually come at that age. One of the boys called Amogh told us that he never feels bad and has no enemies. I saw that he was so matter of fact and could forgive people. I want to say a big Thank You to Raj. I am humbled when I think of the experience. I feel very grateful to being connected.
Vudaiy Vallabhu (SAHHEAL Healing Consultant, Project Manager @ IBM)
I learnt that restriction of performance is only in the mind. There is nothing called enabled/ disabled. In a team environment we need to allow creativity to flow. My Group was very clear about focusing on what one loves to do. When all were on stage, age groups didn’t matter. Raj I want to say thank You for organizing this event and it makes me respect children more deeply.
Dhanuja Singh (SAHHEAL Healing Consultant, Operations Thomson Reuters)
I felt really thankful that I was able to see and I am born fully. They recognized me by my voice and touch. I noticed that trust was so easy for them, they think a lot and their senses are so alert. I noticed they would tag and hold. They are more evolved than us. We cant trust because we can see. I thank Raj for this platform and He is open to various phases of our Life and giving back. This platform brings in people who can give together and makes us give.
Mili Chakraborty (SAHHEAL Healing Consultant, Founder DREAMZworld Day Care)
The first thing that I felt was immense Gratitude that we are born complete, more Gratitude as they are also being taken care of so well. The children are independent and capable. Although the language was different , I was able to understand everything through my other senses. I am thoroughly touched. I want to say a Big Thank you to Raj that I can contribute to this project.
Smita Rahul(SAHHEAL Healing Consultant, Juniper Networks)
I realized that everybody’s point of view is different. It was very nice to be with the kids as they were all excited. I thank Raj for giving me an opportunity to be part of this program. We call them disabled but I saw no disability in them I am more grateful as better things will come for them. Through Soulbath Peace Foundation and Raj, I now have the confidence to express my voice that has never happened before. I am seeing things more clearly rather than that of a victim. I am seeing many perspectives.
Col Kewal Puri (SAHHEAL Healing Consultant, Dusters Hospitality Management Services)
Dear Raj,
To express my gratitude for giving an opprtunity to participate in the Disabiliy Day programme at Ramana Maharishi Ashram. Love and compassion can help in easing the pain, if shared with sincerity and feeling. The participation of the visually challenged children and the cheer and happiness it brought was a humbling experience. My hearfelt grtitude once again.
Peace and regards,
Kewal
Kirti Dwivedi Bishayee(SAHHEAL Healin Consultant, Raj Bhowmik Schools, Founder DREAMZWorld)
The World "Enability day"
This is what my daughter wanted this testimonial to be titled as. Even I felt it was indeed the right title for the RB-BTS Dream celebration which we all participated in today. We all were looking forward to this day to be celebrated in a unique way as the Raj Bhowmik School children wanted to do something for the Blind children in a special way. The opportunity soon came as a form of the World Disability day..and there we were..along with a dozen more eager volunteers to celebrate the day together , at Ramanna Maharshi Academy for the blind. It was a pleasure to see all the three children -Anmol, Dipti & Prerna take the lead and work out Advertisements along with the Academy children SO SUCCESSFULLY! It brought tears of Gratitude in my eyes for the TEAM SPF & for the platform Raj Bhowmik School . I have worked with the SPF team before in living the RB-BTS Dream before, and those experiences are equally empowering & Unique..but today it was a Hands on experience to see the LITTLE Leaders in Forming...I had to try hard to keep my eyes dry...In just over 40 mins. all the eight team enacted out theme based Advertisements with social messages based on C-VOL...The group Kewal & I were apart of were pretty shy but open . They responses were prompt & they related instantly with the C-VOL of "Practice Compassion " ..Ujjwal spoke with confidence and Abhishek, Ranganath, Raju, Anand enacted their roles very naturally.They were pretty happy about the "DRAMA "form of the story and some of the dialogues were original of them.They all seemed very aware about Computers though...
All the messages in all the Advertisements came out loud & clear & the words "YES MISS' are still ringing in my ears.I came back enabled & empowered & charged enough to do more and on a much larger, balanced & powerful state next year..! I was calm, peace & quite somewhere deep inside. No noise , no chattering, no worries..It was the STILL part of Kirti which I got in touch with today at the Blind Academy...
Thank YOU RAJ...For all of this opportunity & experience of today !
Minny Puri (SAHHEAL Healing Consultant)
Dear Raj,
On third Dec.we went to the Ramana Maharishi School for the Blind as part of the RB Back to Society Dream Programme. It wasa great experience because of a sense of belonging and participation with the group. Love needs no language--- when it is there it may not be seen but it is felt. A lesson I will never forget. Thank you Sri Raj Bhowmik for unfolding such important teachings in life in such a simple form
With warm regards,
Minny Puri