The faculty and staff were privileged to participate in a special retreat held on 10th and 11th October 2023. The serene ambience of the Chinmaya Eswar Gurukula campus in Veliyanad, Ernakulam, provided the perfect backdrop for this invigorating event. The participants included staff, faculty and management.
The retreat served as a platform for fostering stronger bonds and deeper connections among all participants hailing from diverse locations. An ice-breaking session initiated a friendly environment, allowing everyone to connect more intimately and on a personal level.
In his introductory remarks, Swamiji emphasized that the purpose was not merely to solve problems but to collectively work towards the common goal of the University. Throughout the two-day residential workshop, Swamiji conducted four enlightening sessions, acting as a catalyst for transformation and personal growth among the attendees.
Key Insights and Discussions:
- Pujya Swami ji’s visionary insights outlined a clear path for the future of the University. His talks were replete with invaluable wisdom, significantly enriching our comprehension of the University’s vision and mission. He focussed on the distinct status of the University being Indian Knowledge systems and emphasized the importance of IKS at CVV.
- The subsequent group discussions, where the staff and faculty were divided into 10 groups, were profoundly engaging. These discussions explored various aspects crucial for the University’s growth and strategized on implementing Indian Knowledge Systems (IKS) across all University domains.
- In addition, Swamiji crafted a perfect team-building exercise, where the groups were encouraged to come up with a creation using materials which were discarded. This activity brought out the creativity of the various faculty and staff members.
Special Engagements:
- Swami Adwayananda, Trustee, CVV, interacted extensively with the staff and faculty, offering guidance and insights.
- A dedicated meditation session was conducted in the morning, fostering a sense of peace and mindfulness among all participants.
- The cultural performances by staff and faculty members added vibrancy to the evening, showcasing talents and camaraderie.
- The retreat culminated with a special Arathi organized at the Ayappa temple at CIF on both days, where all staff and faculties participated, fostering spiritual warmth and unity.
The retreat was a resounding success, uniting the CVV family in purpose, knowledge sharing, and spiritual connectedness, setting a strong foundation for the university’s holistic growth. The retreat served as the first meeting of CVP, which has now been set up for once a month.