The Gulmohour in full Bloom, orange red glow, the Bougainvillea partnering in sizzling rose, shaded green hidden amongst spread out splendour.

Six couples, with a single senior and one young person somewhere around 14 years or thereabouts, were at Asia Plateau savouring the best of summer. Amongst them, professionals from IBM, BSNL a bio technologist, Bank officer, an MA in Classical Music and just to retire senior Executive from Tata Motors. Sheel Rege, Varsha Kale & Clifford Paul were the Facilitators.

A collage of headlines where displayed on a white board, having themes that impinge our daily lives, ricocheting our perceptions - “Techie sues wife for giving dowry, 35,000 Tamils flee Sri Lanka, Pakistan says video of Girls flogging false,

Could we Sheel queried “together learn something ““Invest in relationships”, Learn about “Good Governance” revisit eternal truths such as “Integrity” and cherish values that have stood the test of time.

Life she affirmed is a mosaic of experiences with good and bad interweaving our daily existence, Happiness in one situation, turning sour the next. Difficulties swinging in unexpected moments and rebounding in solutions.

Varsha Kale speaking with refreshing candour exhorted the participants to be “Vehicles of Change “. Spending time in Quiet brings in clarity to the swirling chaos of options that race through our minds.  The Divine, spark, enlightens decisions, focusing direction in the light of Absolute moral standards, cynicism stifles thinking in the pervasive atmosphere of indifference and corruption.

We can, she said, take positive steps in bringing more compassion and understanding. Using the magical word Thank you as often as possible smoothens relationships and leads to a sense of gratitude.

New approaches to challenges can start in the family, move to concerns in Society and later to considering our contributions for the wellbeing of our nation. Little acts of kindness can set in ripples that effect our immediate circle of influence. We may never know the far reaching effects of our simple gestures of affection.

Sheel a successful advocate gave a sterling example of a citizen’s initiative taken for the rejuvenation of Model Colony Lake in Pune.  She was at the forefront of a combined action group who petitioned the Corporation and ensured the lake was preserved from the greed of Estate developers. She brought in awareness to the harmful effects of dissolving the Ganesh idols in the lake. The sloughing of Cadium and other harmful chemicals were polluting the lake and gumming the porosity of the water table. The place is now a transitory haven for migratory birds and an oasis in the midst of a bustling metropolis.

The Cultural evening was a bonanza of talent from the participants. Mrs Thosar a Classical Hindustani Singer held us in spell binding awe. Her notes in condensed purity encompassed us in a circumference of crystal clarity.

Life is in constant flux, continuously widening taking us to untried paths, enhancing experience and stimulating growth.

There was spontaneous expressions and strong dialogue in small groups, after viewing the movie clip “Who moved my Cheese “
Change can happen in two ways; it is either forced on us or self initiated. “Accept Change “. There was a stirring example from a participant whose father died on the eve of his wedding but despite comments and “wise advice “from others to postpone the date, he went ahead with the ceremony. His quality of steadfastness led him to later educate and marry his siblings.

Accelerated change in procedures has now streamlined systems.
Obtaining a Learners Licences was a drawn out process but thanks to the Internet this can be taken online. Agents who had a thriving business are now constrained to rethink on their business model and look for innovative approaches to sustain their livelihood.

Photography has moved from cameras and studios to digital versions which can now be instantly transcribed into CD’S or even the versatile Mobile with blue tooth features can transmit images universally unabashedly.

The future is bright with possibilities, Adapt, Change is never sudden,
“The writing is always on the Wall “