Management Lessons in a Forest

Management lessons from a forest visit?
Sounds weird.
Not until you read this story and see the pictures.

Ghumakkad with his PGDM students, went on a Nature Walk in Telangana State Forest Academy Hyderabad. The Academy run by the Forest Department has a program called CAFE- Children And Forest Education. Under this program, the students are taken on a 4-km Nature Trail. The trail goes through a man-made forest which is not very old. The terrain consisting of rocks and boulders has not been disturbed. It is an easy hike fit for all age groups. That is why the Academy gets regular group of students from schools and colleges alike.
As Syeda, one of our students wrote "It was like a bit close to the heavenly Nature, the sound of  the birds, the fresh breeze and pure air."

After uploading the pictures on my laptop, I was wondering whether there were any lessons from the hike? Apart from sensitising the students to Nature, Environment Conservation, Forestation and Awareness about Flora and Fauna- was there anything else? The answer came through the pictures. Am sharing some of the pictures in this story. Few pictures of the flora have been reserved for upcoming KBG (Kaun Banega Ghumakkad) Contests.

Enjoy the pictures and do let us know if you have something to add to the learnings.

Get a feel of the excitement of the students after climbing the rock face in this short 30 seconds video.

Picture story continues.

Vasudhaiv Kutukbakam वसुधैव कुटुम्बकम a Sanskrit phrase, means the whole world is one family! Peaceful coexistence at its best!

We all took back memories as well as learnings from the forest visit. Thank you Dr Dharma Chandra of TS Forest Academy.
With a large group I could not 'shoot' the birds although I could discern the calls in distance. Pictures of birds of the Academy, some other time.

Credit for plant names and research goes to Dr Chitra Shanker. Despite being on an assignment in Australia, she beat the time zones with prompt responses. Thanks again Dr Chitra.

We end with RW Emerson's famous quote on Nature superimposed on a picture of Neem flowers. PQ- the picturesque quote for you!

Thanks readers for your patient browsing. Stay connected.

    -   Harsh-the-Ghumakkad/ 15th Sept 2019
#forestacademy #forest #floraandfauna #nature #environment #plants #trees #managementlessons #learningfromnature #powerofobservation #firstmoveradvantage #teamwork #leadership #conservation #wildflowers #productpackaging #reusability #ghumakkadhb #ghumakkadharsh #vvism1 #vishwavishwani #vvpgdm

Convocation Excitement

Convocation signifies achievement as also freedom from classes, assignments, tests and exams.
But you enter a phase of life where bigger tests are yet to happen.

Tests which have no syllabi.
Tests which will always be full of surprise.
Tests where you can't look over the shoulder of another student in the exam hall.
Tests which only you have to answer.
Test of life.

Ghumakkad attended the 5th Convocation of Hyderabad campus of BITS Pilani earlier today.
Glimpses of 2nd convocation held in 2013 can be browsed in our earlier post titled 'Convocation- A Day to Rejoice'.

Pictures of today's convocation follow.

Although it was a cloudy day yet the dullness was overcome by the excitement of the graduating students and their families.

The auditorium was all decked up with students wearing shining gowns.

The Chief Guest

Oath: "On this solemn occasion, Convocation 2016 at Hyderabad and in the presence of my teachers and my family, I pledge to use my knowledge and experience gained at BITS Pilani and elsewhere in the service of the people of my country and of the whole world. I will do so while adhering to the highest ethical standards, in harmony with the environment, and with utmost humility, honesty and devotion, and thereby bringing glory to my family, my alma mater, my profession and my country."

And then came the moment everyone was waiting for!

The following picture is courtesy my wife Neeta.

Am sure the readers will recall their own past when they attended their convocation. Even if you did not attend it physically, the thrill of graduating from your institute remains etched forever.

Thanks for browsing.

   Harsh-the-Ghumakkad/ 14th Aug 2016