The Himalayan Retreat is a learning intervention that unveils your real strength is the course on Appreciative Inquiry conducted as a week-long program in the foothills of Dharamshala (Sidhbari). Through various case studies, lectures, group activities and reflection you understand what it is that you truly want to do and how you can get there.
And in the course of all this, you are supported by faculty who have been leaders in the industry but have now chosen to develop students and are driven by a deep sense of commitment and passion. SOIL alumni often quote this as the most memorable and transformational time in their lives.
As part of the initiative by Chinmaya Organisation of Rural Development (CORD), SOIL student volunteers have been visiting several villages near Sidhbari,Himachal Pradesh. Our students have been collecting data from rural self-help groups for digitizing the information on the Eshakti web portal. Simultaneously, they are involved with disability groups wherein they prepare case studies on the functioning of CORD & its challenges for disabled people in the villages.
“Sidhbari is an experience for students to grow and learn to have a sense of gratitude towards humanity. Our students come to Sidhbari every year, here I teach them a course that helps them to understand their inner potential. The whole experience of Sidhbari transforms the students into a better human being. Here they interview villagers and later enact their learnings through dance, drama, poetry & literature”.
The following is an excerpt from a student about his Himalayan Visit, 2024
The retreat began with an immersive session on Appreciative Inquiry conducted by Mr. Anil Sachdev, Founder of SOIL, where students explored new ways of learning and reflection.
This was followed by a visit to CORD (Chinmaya Organization for Rural Development), where students interacted closely with villagers, understood their social and functional challenges, and gained meaningful insights into rural development.
The next day, students presented their findings and learnings from the CORD experience, which were reviewed by SOIL’s faculty and Mr. Anil Sachdev.
Adding an adventurous dimension to the retreat, students also went on the Triund Trek — an experience that combined resilience, teamwork, and the breathtaking beauty of the Himalayas.
The retreat concluded with workshops led by SOIL faculty, focusing on the importance of teamwork and leadership, leaving students inspired and future-ready.
