A three-day personality development workshop centred on hope, self-empowerment and resilience was organised by the Counselling Cell of Changu Kana Thakur Arts, Commerce & Science College (Empowered Autonomous) in New Panvel from 8 to 10 September 2026.
Titled H.O.P.E. – ‘Hold On, Pain Ends’, the workshop brought students together for interactive sessions addressing negative thinking, self-awareness, personal strengths, the pressures of contemporary life and ways of responding to challenges.
The programme began in the presence of invited speakers Dr Shubhangi Dere, psychiatrist, and Dr Deepak Patil, MD in Community Medicine, along with Prof. Dr B.S. Patil, Head of the Counselling Department, and Mrs Swati Parab, Head of the Counselling Cell.
Moving from overthinking to constructive action
The first day’s session focused on ‘Stop Thinking, Start Living’. Through role-play and examples, students explored how excessive negative thinking can make it difficult to act constructively, and how negative thoughts can instead be redirected towards more practical and positive ways of thinking.
The session also used the contrasting ‘Jackal’ and ‘Giraffe’ perspectives. The Jackal was presented as a symbol of a mindset focused primarily on one’s own needs and thoughts, while the Giraffe represented an approach that considers one’s own needs alongside the feelings and needs of others.
Students were encouraged to reflect on which approach they would want to develop in their own lives and how their thought patterns influence their behaviour towards others.
Self-empowerment through participation
On the second day, Dr Alpana Vaidya, Head of the Department of Psychology at Symbiosis College, Pune, conducted a session on ‘Self-Empowerment’.
Through practical exercises, group discussions and student participation, she encouraged participants to examine their strengths and limitations. Students were divided into groups represented by the Phoenix, Eagle and Butterfly, with activities exploring emotions, thought processes and actions in everyday life.
Role-plays also addressed issues including excessive media use, the independent thinking associated with Generation Z and work-related stress. Students examined the problems associated with these issues, their possible effects on everyday life and potential ways of responding to them.
The day’s programme concluded with a meditation session aimed at encouraging self-awareness, calmness and positive thinking.
‘It’s Okay to Start Again’
The third day featured Dr Sanjay Rahate, an NLP Practitioner and sports nutritionist, who addressed students on ‘It’s Okay to Start Again’.
Using examples of people who had overcome difficult circumstances, Rahate spoke about positive thinking and the use of affirmations. He also discussed meditation and the importance of responding constructively to obstacles and challenges while continuing towards one’s goals.
Particular emphasis was placed on the phrase ‘Hold On, Pain Ends’, the central message behind the H.O.P.E. programme. Rahate used experiences from his own life to underline the importance of remaining patient during difficult periods, confronting challenges and continuing to make efforts rather than giving up.
Workshop concludes on World Suicide Prevention Day
The workshop concluded on 10 September, which is observed as World Suicide Prevention Day. The World Health Organization states that the day is intended to raise awareness of suicide prevention and that the 2024–2026 global theme is ‘Changing the Narrative on Suicide’, with a call to encourage open and compassionate conversations and reduce stigma.
The concluding focus of the CKT College programme therefore brought together its central themes of hope, self-awareness, positive thinking and seeking constructive ways to deal with difficult circumstances.
