Report on Book release, inauguration of IGDCS and the Convocation (DCS2010) function

The function for giving diplomas was held on 15 August 2010 at Manthan the resort that Banjara has opposite to the Delhi Public School (N) on Baglur Road. As I was driving to the function it was raining heavily and since the function was to be in open air I thought there would be poor attendance. Well what did I take the one year counselling course to be? People would be scared of the rain and stay indoors? The students had gathered in full strength to get their diplomas and enjoy the rain. A trivial thing like bad weather (perhaps the students were enlightened by now not to be judgmental about the weather too!) could not keep the spirits of the people gathered to celebrate the initiation of 181 students as independent counsellors.

We were greeted with a warm cup of coffee/tea/chocolate/badam milk as soon as we entered Manthan. The welcome drink was good to perk up the spirits of people gathered, that is if their spirits needed any perking up. Half of us were taking shelter in the covered area of the dining place and the other half were in the semi covered auditorium. In the true spirit of Banjara the program was going on in parallel in both the place! Students of DCS10 as well as guests did not shy from singing songs coincidentally on weather!!

As soon as the rain stopped everyone moved to the auditorium. Ali announced that there were two events before the distribution of diplomas. The first was the release of the book Dynamics of Counselling written by S.R. Krishnamoorthy. The man's spirit is to be admired. At the age of 84 he was releasing a book. He had apparently enrolled for a Ph.D with Bangalore university after hitting eighty with Ali as his guide. Due to some reason the program could not go through. In his indefatigable spirit SRK decided to go ahead with his research and Ali helped him in getting the book published. Ph.D be damned!! The whole of the gathering lustily cheered SRK for the release of his book. He spoke for a few minutes about his book and his well wishers honored him with shawl and fruit baskets.

The second event was the inauguration of the International Graduate Diploma in Counselling Skills (IGDCS) Course. After ten years of DCS Ali announced to a enthusiastic assembly that Banjara was going international with the course. He mentioned how Sitaram had worked hard to set up the website for Banjara and also had initiated the process for the course in spite of battling cancer. Ali said the course was a salute to the spirit of the man who passed away fighting a valiant battle with cancer. Narayan – Sitaram's bother and I – Sitaram's friend were invited to to the dais and introduced as people who are working behind the scene for the launch of the IGDCS.

Soni, a student of DCS10 along with Sapna, the mentor at Banjara had designed two book marks, got them printed and distributed to all the people gathered at the venue.

With both the events out of the way, it was on to the main function. It was time for Bharath and Farook to take over the stage with their brand of humor. Nalini was the first speaker for the day. She had just returned from the USA and she was welcomed by all students. Next Raja spoke briefly for a few minutes urging the students not to stop with getting the diplomas but reminding them that their work began now.

The batch leaders and the deputy batch leaders of each batch were given a special mention as they were cheered by all students gathered. Next the mentors of each batch were recognized for the excellent work that they had done throughout the year. A special prize was given to the student with the maximum attendance. Can you believe this? Twenty odd students were called out to the dais and they were told that they were called as they had been selected as the students having the best smiles!! Raja even went to to describe each of those smiles!! This can happen only in Banjara.

Then before distributing the diplomas Ali made all the students take a pledge to use their knowledge for the betterment of people around them. Here is the pledge:

• On being awarded recognition in the field of counselling, I hereby solemnly declare and pledge that
• I will use my skills and knowledge purely for the betterment of mankind
• I will maintain confidentiality of what has been shared with me in confidence
• I will remain non-judgmental in my assessment and perceptions about people
• I will not betray the trust of any person who seeks help from me
• If I cannot help a person, I will ensure that I cause no further harm or distress And
• I will maintain the highest level of values and ethics as I understand them.

Each batch of students were called to the dais and their leader allowed a few moments to express their views on the course and diplomas distributed. Each of the student was also given two saplings one of which was a Cactus and they were asked to do their bit in greening the environment. The Cactus pot had a sticker on it that read "Certified Counsellor DCS-10. I grow, slowly but surely. I face challenges, I bloom even in the desert, and I personify improvement of quality of life". The program ended with the National Anthem and then Venu took over as the hospitality host and all the guests were treated to the Bangalore specialty - Chow Chow Bath!

As all the freshly-minted diploma holders were leaving the venue, the rain had ceased and as sunlight peeped out from behind the scattering clouds the harbinger of hope and good times the rainbow made its timely appearance.