Staff Orientation

Staff Orientation is an important date in our calendar. This year, after two long years of Covid induced lockdown, the interaction was in person.
The joys of meeting in person, and the anticipation of beginning the new academic year, was palpable. The events of the day began with a solemn inter-religious prayer service themed ‘Belongingness’. The lighting of the lamp was symbolic of spreading illumination after the darkness of the pandemic. The scripture readings from the Bible, the Quran and the Bhagwad Gita resonated with our belief in the presence of God especially in the troubled times that we live in. Intercessory prayers for war-torn Ukraine, religious unity in the country, peace in the world, families all over the world and for a safe new academic year filled the solemn silence. Hymns were sung as silent intentions were sent heavenwards by the staff members gathered in the auditorium. The concluding prayer by the Primary Administrator Fr Vishal D’Souza SJ, brought the meaningful prayer service to an end.
The orientation was led by resource person, Fr Cedric Prakash SJ with his twin-session seminar on ‘Social Analysis’. Fr Cedric Prakash is a human rights activist, a writer, a reputed trainer and facilitator besides donning many other hats. Having won many National and International awards, Fr Prakash is a highly knowledgeable yet humble man. He was welcomed warmly by our Principal Fr Sunil Fernandes SJ. The first session threw light on constitutionality, environment, communalism, corruption and the whole gamut of social concerns. Fr Cedric emphasized on the steps of social analysis viz. awareness and alertness, authenticity, articulation and actualization.
The second session was activity based. Discussions were carried out in groups about social issues as highlighted by the newspaper of the day. This seminar was different, the interaction vivid and the views diverse. The Staff Orientation ended on a high note each teacher pledging to ‘be the change’.