A report on the programme held for students of Symbiosis Institute of Media and Communication.

They came late, well after dinnertime, having travelled all day – from Pune to Panchgani. On the way their bus had broken down, in Mahabaleshwar where they had been picnicking in the rain. 135 creative, enthusiastic, noisy students of Symbiosis Institute of Media and Communications finally arrived, still determined to enjoy themselves. One girl looked at the Asia Plateau dining room and exclaimed: ‘Oh, let’s party!’

How different it turned out! In fact, how different they left – well, most of them at least.

Mayur, one of these budding young professional communicators, wrote about in poetic terms. For him, Asia Plateau was:
A place where the rustling of leaves sounds like the waves of the ocean
A place where I sway in the wind, I let myself be free.
A place where I find myself from within, I find everything about me.

But then Mayur (who emailed a report from Pune a week later) began to realize that the purpose of these days was to:
“Answer all the questions I have wanted to run from - questions I didn’t have the courage to face, to heal all the relations I had severed, heal the pains I had been carrying.” He concluded: “At times being alone makes us come closer to a lot of people. More importantly it brings us closer to ourselves.”

That happened to so many of them. As the feedback forms showed, students found ‘the power of silence’ and ‘a sharing to help shed our masks.’ In one two-hour session on ‘relationships’, around half of them came forward to talk frankly and with feeling about the troubles in their families and among friends. The hour following was given to writing letters, making phone calls and deciding how to make things different.

Our world appears to us as we listen to it. Asia Plateau has been a platform for many of these students to reconcile their differences towards others. Personal change gave one the hope that even others can change, as an individual apologizes for his / her own bitterness. Incidents like being absent in a family photograph during a sister’s wedding with a motive to hurt the near and dear ones were realized as wrong. Many of them returned home with conviction and with important decisions that will change their lives.

The movie ‘Tuesdays with Morrie’ left many teary eyed. Many were seen making phone calls to loved ones immediately after the movie. It had made them realize the importance of healthy relationships before it was too late. With choked voices, they shared their personal stories.

One afternoon a group activity on ‘India, I Care!’ brought out many qualities of excellent team-work and integrity among the group - each contributing their bit in making the session entertaining, colourful yet meaningful.

Meal times were fun and most enjoyed the cuisine. The girls where heard saying, “We rarely get such delicious food in our hostel.” The wash-up and service experience deepened the bond between the students and the spirit of team-work was flying high. Wash-up after meals was the best sight to see, everyone singing in tune with the cups, plates and spoons. Later they expressed that they got to know their friends better here than back in the Institute where the general attitude was one of competition and ‘one-upmanship’.

Mr. V. C. Viswanathan’s session on the ‘Power of Vision’ reminded each one of us that vision without action is but a dream; action without vision is a waste of time; but vision with action can change our lives and the world. He encouraged all by saying, “We have come into this earth, so let’s leave a mark behind.”

The cultural evening saw a lot of young talent, prepared with just a half-day’s preparation. One student told the audience that she feared to face crowds, and this was the first time in her life she had sung on stage. She went on to say that this programme had given her the courage to stand and perform confidently. She got cheers of encouragement from all the students as she started and roars of applause as she finished. All performances were very creative and worth watching.

The uniqueness of Asia Plateau is that it offers spiritual strength and wisdom in character building that helps students find a link between their duties as citizens and their vocations in life, all with a lot of fun. Many of them would like to return to AP with their families and introduce to them what they have learnt here in the larger community.

by Penuo Hiekha and Mike Brown