Survival 101—A Workshop on Life Skills

‘Survival 101—Life Skills for the Body, Mind and Intellect’, a workshop organised by Chinmaya Yuva Kendra (CHYK) Navi Mumbai on 17th March 2024, was a resounding success, drawing over 35 participants eager to enrich themselves in various facets of personal development.Structured around the theme of holistic empowerment, the workshop seamlessly integrated expert-led sessions covering a diverse array of topics such as law, automobile maintenance, mental health, first aid, cyber security, self-defence, and spirituality. Each session, meticulously curated to cater to the essential domains of the body, mind, and intellect, provided attendees with practical skills crucial for navigating the complexities of modern life. The following sessions were conducted:.Law SessionMr. Chaitanya Chhatre and Ms. Reva Sharma, both students of Law at GLC Mumbai, enlightened participants about understanding legal rights and making informed decisions to ensure legal protection. Automobile/Road Safety SessionMr. Prahlad Bhojane, an experienced driving instructor, shared insights on road safety, basic automobile maintenance, tips to prevent automobile hazards and taught participants to change a flat tyre to enhance participants' safety on the road. Burns SessionExperts Mr. Navin Vazirani and Ms. Shruti from the National Burns Centre, imparted life-saving skills and awareness about burns prevention and skin donation. Mental Health Session Dr. Shubhangi S. Dere, Associate Professor at the MGM Medical College, Navi Mumbai, and Dr. Dipak Patil, Associate Professor at the KJ Somaiya Medical College, Mumbai, conducted a session called ‘Mental Health First Aid Kit’ that addressed the importance of qualities like being aware of your feelings, empathy, and gratitude in one’s mental wellbeing. Cybersecurity SessionMr. Kanda Kumaran Thevar, a CSE student, educated the participants on online threats and taught them ways to safeguard their digital identities. Self-defence SessionMr. Parth Rane, a seasoned kickboxing professional, taught tips and tricks for self-defence that empowered participants with skills to feel more secure and prepared in various situations. Intellect SessionBramhachari Samarth Chaitanya from Chinmaya Mission, led the session emphasising the importance of spirituality in finding balance and purpose in life. He shared practical insights and practices to nurture the inner self, guiding participants towards a holistic existence amidst today's hectic world..The feedback was overwhelmingly positive, highlighting participants' satisfaction with the event's enjoyable and educational nature. CHYK always strives to identify vacuums in society and provides ways to fill them with knowledge, thus contributing to overall national development. The aim here was to introduce people to important skills to become self-sufficient in all ways and introduce spirituality as a necessary life skill. Attendees were provided with a comprehensive toolkit for personal growth, focusing on practical skills vital for navigating contemporary challenges, and thus empowering individuals to thrive in diverse aspects of their lives with newfound confidence and capability.