An Attempt to Shape Pillars of Administration with Gandhian Principles

Orientation

A two-day orientation programme for officers of Delhi Government on “Nonviolent Communication and Conflict Resolution” was organized from April 24-25, 2018, in Gandhi Darshan.

The Programme was attended by Ms. Manisha Saxena (Secretary, Revenue Department, Govt. Of NCT of Delhi) and other distinguished District Magistrate and Sub-divisional Magistrate from Revenue Department. Whereas, the resource persons were Shri Prashant Kumar Mishra (Former Chief Secretary, UP & Former Member, UPSC), Prof T K Thomas(Academician and Ex-broadcaster), Ms. Anupama Jha (Expert on Stress management).

Dr. Vedabhyas Kundu, Programme Officer, GSDS outlined the aim and objectives of the orientation programme. While speaking on the benefits of the programme, he added that the program could help participants to deal with the situation without using coercive methods and violence and through the process participants will be able to use tools of nonviolent communication while negotiating with the stakeholders.

The First session was conducted by Shri Prashant Kumar Mishra on: ‘What are conflicts faced by an Administrator and the ways for their Peaceful Resolution’. He started with the discussion of the concept of Life that people understand and reached a conclusion that life is an experience between birth and death; its a way of living; It has never been a straight line as it has own Ups and Downs. He then focussed his session towards the question –What is a conflict?

He further, defined conflict as a situation where there is a clash of ideas, interests, principles, values, culture and civilization. Also, discussed the types of conflicts which are faced by an administrator namely conflict faced while working with politicians and political representatives; conflict faced with institutions (Judiciary, Human Rights Commission ) Economic Conflicts (liberalization, taxation, demonetization), social conflicts (caste, creed, gender, faith), cultural conflict; conflict arising due to emergence of new technology, internal conflict and conflict with Family, etc. Alongside, he gave an insight that how he dealt with all such conflict while working as an administrator.

Further, Prof T K Thomas began his session on Nonviolent communication with a positive note that Our personality is like many splendid diamonds….the more corners it has…more facets it has…it becomes brighter and powerful. Then he captured the attention of participants towards the powers an individual have, namely, the power of perception, optimism, decision, persistence, belief, choice, focus, giving, learning and the highest power i.e. love. He urged all to remember their innate powers to have a constructive outcome even in harshest conditions. Then he described HEALTH Formulae (Health, Empathy, Acceptance, Listen, Trust and heart) for effective decision making and adaptability in undesirable conditions. He said generally we are reacting from life but not responding and we can respond only when our heart is at work to make a decision. So, he asked participants to practice to listen to your high self i.e your inner voice, for a better and stress-free life.

Later, Ms. Anupama Jha took a session on Stress Management. She described the Human body as a sophisticated system and our duty is to manage it. Also discussed Some inputs for a stress-free life like- Try to stop the chatter of the mind, pay attention to self, stop scared of being sitting with yourself, give at least 15 minutes in a day for meeting yourself. Then she took a “Meet yourself” session having Pranayama and meditation as its part.

An interactive session with the participants was organized during the two-day orientation programme.