A Spicy Mission with an Official Vision!

"Hey! It’s a young lady”.  “No, it’s not. It is the profile of an aged woman”. “How could that be? Can’t you see it with your eyes?”  “Okay then, explain to us the grey hairs. How can a young lady have grey hairs?” A fiery discussion was brewing up in the tent on top of the chilly hill top of Sooryanelli early in the morning. The Sun has just started to hit the crest of the Earth in full swing. Realizing that the conversation might not reach at a consensus between the two groups, the facilitator, the one who was leading the discussion, slowly stepped in. What would be his viewpoint? “The portrait is both an aged woman and a young lady”, said he. The whole group was wonder-struck at the statement. As an answer to the raised eyebrows of the onlookers, Commander Madhusoodanan, the head-trainer of the Kalypso Adventures continued. “This was a small test on your perception. The whole group was divided into two with a distinct purpose. The test makes you realize how an external influence could sway your ideas even in seconds”.  So that was just a start to the Outbound Training Programme for Spices Board India staff in Kalypso Adventures at Sooryanelli, Munnar.

As excited as it was before the start of the journey, there was also a set of pre-conceived notions about the training that the group took with them. But none thought that all these notions would be mere castles built upon a set of cards. It would not take much, but a gentle breeze to blow away the cards. The 19^th Batch of the OBT programme, exclusively women brigade, was thus no exception to the other male counterparts who had attended the training so far at Sooryanelli. The whole exercise was undertaken as a part of enhancing the capacities and capabilities of the individuals in Spices Board. Neither the hierarchical difference nor the discrepancies in the age mattered.  Right from the top cadre to the bottom, everyone was being taken for the training programme. Importance of each individual in the organization was realized and not the designation as such. So the Training Programme was organized in such a way to wipe off the inhibitions, to shed the ego and to seek the hidden talents in the employees. In batches of 20-30 it was a chance for the employees to enjoy the picturesque beauty of the Western Ghats. So this time it was our chance to breathe fresh air and indulge ourselves in the mystic beauty of Sooryanelli in Munnar hills.

The journey started from the Spices Board head office around 2 in the after noon and the group boarded the vehicle for a remarkable experience that would remain one to be cherished throughout their lives. Everyone bid adieu to the artificialities of the city for a life entwined with nature at least for a couple of days. It was a journey to dwell in perfect harmony with nature that is pristine and waiting to be explored. The long winding and curvy roads with hills on one side and seemingly unending, steep precipices on the other created the picture of a charming romantic location. With the hues and cues of flowers wafting its way through the roadsides, the lush green vegetation all around caught the sight of everyone passing by. Giving a feast to the eyes, ‘the dancing waterfalls’ also added freshness to the whole trip. The journey continued and the vehicle sniveled away through the dense forests. As if worried for the safety of the travellers, the moon in his full bloom lighted up the paths. The stars, being too shy to dress themselves up for the occasion chose to stay behind the doors. Giving a picture perfect shot in each and every angle, the whole journey was sure to be a memoir. It is true that with Nature at proximity, man gets all the more natural; he would be able to think afresh and feel anew.

The long journey ended before the entrance of the Kalypso Adventures. From the clues gathered from hither and thither, it was sure to be days of adventures. Somehow I was reminded of the lines by Jason Mraz: “Here’s to freedom, cheers to art. Here’s to having an excellent adventure and may the stopping never start”. So before immersing ourselves fully into adventure, we took a glance at the surroundings. Although pitch dark the beauty of the place needed no mention! But it was no time to get immersed in that enchanting beauty. To beat the cold air everyone rushed to the fire as if “flies to a taper”. After dinner, everyone parted ways to their make-shift tents set for the stay. The rest of the sights were reserved for the day break. The morning started quite early at 6. The cold climate was new to many and it took time to get attuned to the atmosphere. With the sun making its way down, the cold climate could do nothing but to make a coy exit through the back door. It was time for camera flashes and even the basic of cameras and the worst photographers could walk away with brilliant images.

The facilitator, Commander Madhu, started off with his succinct introduction on the purpose of the Corporate Outbound Training Programme. To get into the swing of things and to ward off inhibitions the Ice Breaking session was the best. Next the group was split into three. The group with a leader at the forefront geared up for their maiden task. The task was to make a Five-pointed star with a rope. What’s the big deal, right? But it was not so easy keeping in mind the rules and regulations of the game! Innovation- that was the only way out… The team worked as a whole and within seconds the task was completed. It was just a beginning and the rest of the activities were following suit. On the mark, set, go! All were charged up and now there was a goal to finish off the task in time. It was amazing how people of different age-groups could get along this well. Balancing the Ball in a String’, ‘Rolling the Stone’, ‘Difference in Perception’, ‘Cross-Over’ etc tested each one’s caliber on innovation, team synergy, adapting, crisis management, co-operation, communication, team management, co-ordination and planning. 

The lush waterways in an unbroken canopy of forests- I am not sure whether I am any way near to describing the beauty of the place with these words… but that was how I felt it when the team was escorted to Anayirangal reservoir, the place where the next activity was going to take place. Bamboo sticks, rubber tyres and ropes were the only things in the vicinity. Of course we knew that we were rowing rafts here. But where were the rafts and why are all these things on the ground? Gradually the picture became clear. There were no ready-made rafts, but instead new ones should be made with available resources. With no designs and guidelines, it was a challenge but everyone was fully steamed up and there was no stopping now, although none had seen a real raft before! The task to make a raft with limited resources, without compromising on quality and safety was a hectic job. Since everyone’s life is at stake, it was also a task of utmost importance to ensure safety. The hierarchical difference in official designations of each member did not in any way hinder the activities. The group proved that in unity laid the strength and there is nothing as impossible if there is determination and will power. When it came to the testing time, none in the group stayed behind and all of them experienced their first rowing expedition. 

From all the previous batches, the one thing that was oft-quoted was the Trekking expedition to Phantom head hill top. So it was with great excitement we had set out for this Herculean task. The biggest and hardest of activities was thus reserved for the last day. It was a belief that older women could not undertake this task but it was just a belief that was topsy-turvied. Though a very few stayed back due to health woes, the rest continued with their mission although given an option to choose. So one thing was clear; it would definitely be not that easy. But the team was ready for the conquest. The steep heights and narrow paths were challenging. After a long climb of more than two hours there was a sense of satisfaction in each one’s mind which showed how much that meant to them.  With our mind in place nothing would be able to stop us. The physical problems for an extent could be kept at bay if our mind is willing. The valley told, “The hill is too high for you!” But half way through, we could feel the confidence building in each one of us. At the top of the hill, I replied, “You would have been right if I were alone but we are a team. We have conquered” 

With trekking the three day activity full of fun and adventure came to an end. The OBT training programme is nearing the fag end of its journey in Spices Board. Almost 450 employees of the Board has undergone training by now in separate batches. So one would wonder as to what the purpose of this training programme is! Definitely there should be a purpose if Spices Board spends this much of time and effort on this training programme. The Big Picture is clear. It is not solely about fun. All the activities are specifically chosen. The learner centered activities are a chance given to review oneself. For some, it is a revelation, for others it is a reminder and for the rest it is a realization. The whole experience, one would say, is as beautiful as a dream. As Eleanor Roosevelt rightly said, “The purpose of life is to live it, to taste experience to the utmost, to reach out eagerly and without fear for newer and richer experience.” What is life without adventure? But this journey was a sojourn; to recollect, contemplate and take to heart the experiences that are worth living for.

Revathy