The academic year 2008 - 09 has witnessed considerable extension in the activities of Counselling Cell. Some of the significant activities of the cell have been mentioned in this report.

As in the yester years the central activity of Counselling Cell was personal Counselling of students. It gives us immense satisfaction to report that as many as 53 students, 4 teaching faculty, 5 supportive staff have availed of this facility. As many as 140 personal Counselling sessions were conducted with them.

In one to one based Counselling various issues like :

1) Emotional management 2) Relational management 3) Behavioural alterations
4) Anger management 5) Career guidance 6) Stress management

Nearly 1 to 6 sessions were conducted with each student depending upon the requirement.

We are happy to report that, with support of the administration, we have extended this facility for outsidess as well with minimum charges. As many as 6 people have availed of this facility. The main issues which were dealt with in this context were a) Relational management b) Parenting.

On 22nd Sept. 08 Counselling Committee Chairperson conducted a group Counselling session with ‘students council’ where the theme was ‘team building’ and ‘flexibility of leadership.’

Besides this, similar group Counselling sessions were conducted by the Chairperson during the N.S.S. camp held at Mamnoli from 10th to 20th November 2008. Every morning yoga meditation and mind training session was conducted with the campers.

Besides on 10th November ‘Ice breaking session' was held. On 14th November a session on the theme of Counselling was held with the students.

Teaching of relaxation technique is one of the salient features of group as well as personal Counselling of the Cell.

On 10th Jan. 2009 a career guidance programme titled ‘Careers after T.Y.B.A.' was arranged by the committee. There were 6 guest speakers. All of them were ex-students of our college who have made their mark in a variety of fields. They spoke about their respective fields of work and future prospects in these fields.

The 6 ex - students were :

1. Advocate - Prashant Panchakshari

(Member of Disciplinary Committee, Bar Council of Maharashtra and Goa.)

2. Smt. Varsha Parchure

(Programme manager - Prasad Chikkitsa N.G.O.)

3. Ms. Dhanashree Joshi

(Counsellor - Testing and psychological assessment department.)

4. Ms. Shefali Karanjikar

(A Billing Analyst of call centre and teacher of Bible and Ethics)

5. Ms. Shilpa Khare

(A librarian in Thakur Institute of Management studies and Research)

6. Mr. Geet Naik

(An entrepreneur - organiser of outdoor adventure activities)

Advocate Prashant Panchakshari was

the chief guest. All the speeches were informative and inspiring. Under the auspices of the programme, students got an opportunity to interact with their ‘role models’

All the ex-students conveyed their heartfelt gratitude towards the committee for arranging such a programme, giving them an opportunity to be back in their home institution.

I would like to express my sincere gratitude towards our Principal Dr. Mrs. Shakuntala Singh and the entire administrative team - Vice Principal
Mrs. Leela Bhat, Vice Principal Dr. Padmini Murti, Jr. College Vice Principal Mrs. Ujwala Beke, for their unconditional support and encouragement. We are also thankful to our collegues for their co-operation.

During personal counselling sessions a few students were referred to Mental health professionals and Legal advisors. We would especially like to thank - Dr. Ajay Singh (Psychiatrist), Adv. Madhavi Naik (Advocate) for their timely advice and expert interventions.

We hope to continue and strengthen this activity in the coming years.

Prof. (Mrs.) Suchitra Naik

Chairperson Counselling Committee