Workshop on Theory of Change

Workshop on Theory of Change

I attended a workshop today organised jointly by Queens University of Belfast and LV Prasad Eye Institute, invited by ARDSI Hyderabad. I was a bit late and missed the explanation on the purpose and procedure of the workshop followed by the self-introduction by the participants. It is a three year project aimed to find out if providing glasses for reading or near vision would prevent cognitive decline in the elderly. A change for the better will occur, it was hypothesised. Some initial work already done, has selected the geographic area for the study.

 

How to get participants for the study, steps involved in screening, randomising and scheduling the activities were discussed.   Administering questionnaires, collecting the data, and using the same to answer questions / assumptions were taken up. How to motivate / enthuse volunteers, how to ensure compliance (wearing the spectacles as needed), getting cooperation of family members etc figured in the interactions. Cognitive Level Enhancement through Vision Exams and Refractions (CLEVER) is the goal.

 

Some fifteen people participated. It was an event for academic researchers and field study professionals. I treaded carefully as the topic was new.  How foolish it is to label myself as a gerontologist, I realised. In other educational events I would be bombarded with a lot of familiar stuff causing sleep or inducing boredom but this one kept me active and alert! I stand to benefit. I found the members from LVPEI were a jovial lot: smiling, joking or laughing, presenting an environment for pleasant learning.

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Dr P Vyasamoorthy / 9490804278

To each unto his madness

                              To each unto his madness

If we are active in Email or WhatsApp groups, we will find all sorts of members. Members who only complain, members who only forward mindlessly by force of habit, members who promote  their Swamy / Gurujis, those who promote their  religious / spiritual groups, politicians vying for votes, members who only reply but never post anything worthwhile or original etc . They keep pumping or pushing the same thing over and over again without ever bothering to reflect whether there is any response or just throwing their shots in the air.

 Sometimes I get irritated at this madness to prove / remind others about one’s existence: “Notice- that-I-am-alive” syndrome. Sometimes I laugh at their stupidity. Sometimes I pity them for naïve gullibility. Or admire their adamant “I-will-never-learn” attitude. I haven’t tried writing to them directly telling what they are doing, displaying my displeasure or disagreement.

 After a lot of analysis of this phenomenon I have come to the conclusion that there is really nothing much for me to do. They are what they are and I am what I am. In Telugu they say “VaaLLavala pichi vaaLLavalaki”. See the title and you will agree what I have explained!

 As this discussion is likely to offend many of my friends, I confine myself to posting this in my blog. Only persons who deliberately seek it will see / read it. Or those few kind hearted friends who have subscribed to my blog long ago when such an option was available. This is similar to writing a note on a piece of paper and throwing it into the sea, secured in a glass bottle! All that I have achieved is clearing some thought bugging me!

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