Cathoic Psychologists in Varanasi

The 10^th National Meet of the Conference of Catholic Psychologists of India (CCPI) was held at Nav Sadhana, Varanasi from the 19^th to 21^st of this month.

Catholic Psychologists and Counsellors had been meeting every year for three days since 2000. Two years ago they officially formed a Conference, with Dr. Jose Parappully as its first President.

The theme of this year’s meeting was “Children with Special Needs.” The meeting was commenced with a Eucharist presided over by Fr. Subhash, the General of the Indian Missionary Society (IMS) who have their headquarters and motherhouse at Varanasi. Fr. Subhash reminded the participants that sensitivity and love in dealing with children with special needs can have profoundly transformative impact on them.

The inaugural session was presided over by Most Rev. Patrick D’Souza, Bishop Emeritus of Varanasi. The session began with a beautifully rendered prayer dance and welcome song by the students of Nav Sadhana College of Music and Dance. Fr. Jose Parappully, the CCPI president welcomed the guests and participants.

The Chief Guest, Professor Indramani Lal Singh, Head of the Department of Psychology at Benares Hindu University (BHU) described needs of special children as a “gigantic challenge” for the profession of psychology, a challenge that has to be met with sensitivity and love. He pointed out that the two major “disorders” children suffer from today are the Disorder of Incompetence and the Disorder of the Fear of Failure

The resource person for the first day, Mimansa Popat, a Special Education Consultant and Counsellor from Mumbai, presented an overview of Different Forms of Learning Disability, and some typical academic problems of learning disabled children, and the skills required in working effectively with these children.

On the second day, Suzanne Rodricks, an expert in Special Education and Learning Disabilities and a Member of the Rehabilitation Council of India and former faculty of Centre of Special Education, SNDT Women’s University, Mumbai, helped the participants understand the World of Special Needs Education. She described the different forms of special needs and ways to address them.

On the third day, Dr. Jose Puthenveed, Director of St. Joseph’s Guidance and Counselling Centre, Kollam, presented the psychosocial problems of school children. He highlighted the major problems affecting school children currently, some of their causes and the behavioural approaches and interventions that are helpful in addressing them.

There were also moments of relaxation too. On the first night participants were treated to a cultural programme by the students of Nav Sadhana College of Music and Dance. On the second day participants went on a “Varanasi Darshan,” the highlight of which was participation in the “Maha Arati” on the banks of the river Ganges.

Why is the World Round?

Recently I had a mail from a friend who has just retired form a position at a reputed mental helath facility. Though he has a fairly wide range of options for the future, he is not making any decisons yet, he is letting his future evolve the way it is meant to. He concluded his mail quoting a friend of his who told him, "You know why God made the world round?....So you wouldn't know what was coming over the horizon!"

Not knowing what was coming over the horizon!I think that's a wonderful reason for the world being round! The creator wanted us to have surprises! I vaguely rememeber that the title of a book I read a very long time is "God of Surprises"!

There are people who plan every day, every moment of their life so very carefully. They leave little room for the unexpected. Naturally, they seldom have the joy of being surprised by the serendipitous.

I have had delightful surprises. For example, I think of having something. I don't have any clear idea how I am going to have it. Belive it or not, within a few days, I get it-- without any effort on my part. It just turns up -- in unexpected ways!

That's why my faovurite title for God is "Provident God" - a God who forsees and provides!

Naturally, such surprises makes one grateful. Try being grateful, it will transform your life!!

Beginnings

I have been wanting to start a personal blog for sometime. I think I have ideas that are worth sharing. That's the narcissist in me! My bloated ego!

But seriously, I do think I have worthwhile ideas. Only, I don't know if you guys/gals will find them worthwhile!!!