My CDI Experiences
Nilesh S. Pandit, North Maharashtra University, Jalagaon

Since I995-96, I have participated in various programs of CDI in my alma mater Jaihind College, Dhule. The personality development workshop I attended in January 1996, changed my attitude towards CDI. It has also brought a change in my living style. From then onwards I took part in a series of CDI activities in my College and encouraged many of my friends as well. CDI has also given a boost to all of us for achieving organisational abilities to conduct big functions and major events on our campus. Certainly, a shy guy also got the guts to speak before a huge crowd, which in our College we call 'stage daring'.

To most of us, the medical counseling session, conducted as part of the CDI activities, was very informative and exciting. Various aspects from general health to basic sex education were discussed in that event. We also got many opportunities to interact and listen to the thoughts of various foreign scholars. In 1997, Dr. Edgar Beckham and Dr. Alfredo Gonzales, both from USA, and Dr. Arm Harper from South Africa visited our college and interacted with the students.

I have also attended a National Integration Camp at Shimoga, Karnataka, in 1996. There I learned a tribal dance from one of our fellow student from Dhadgaon, Dhule district. This camp also made me aware of the efforts of the CDI in minimising the rural-urban student divide. It enhanced our understanding of the cultural practices in the surrounding areas and inform students from other states about our own cultural specificities. Yet another important experiment of CDI on our campus was teacher-student guardianship. Under this program, 6-7 students were mentored by one of the teachers and the teacher was totally concerned about their psychological and other problems. This was also a remarkable and successful program on our campus.

My tryst with CDI was renewed when I joined North Maharashtra University for pursuing my post- graduation. Here I got an opportunity to meet the famous personalities of my own region, namely, Dr. Shriram Lagoo, Mrs. Pushpa Bhave, Dr. Narendra Dhabolkar, etc. We got an opportunity to interact with our Muslim brothers at a national conference on 'Religion as a Bridge to Humanity'. Id Milan was also organised and we were informed about a few teachings of Holy Quran.

Interaction with Dr. Vinod Arora, a HRD Consultant from Jaipur was a memorable one not only to me but also to most of my friends. He conducted an exciting counseling program for our students. During the session, I discussed my personal problems with him. Particularly I shared my inability to communicate with my father about my career plans because my field of interest is entirely different from his hopes and plans for me. So there was some confusion in my mind whether I would be successful in future in my field of interest. When Dr. Arora listened to my problem, he recalled his own experience with his son, same as that of me. And as if I was in place of his son, he told me the way, the path and some expectations that a father or parents would demand from their child. This really gave me confidence.

It will be impossible to wipe away the moments and experiences I had with Dr. Arora and Mrs. Sharada Nayak. Today, I thank CDI, my teachers, and my alma mater for giving such a nice opportunity to students like me in moulding our careers and life.