Hey folks!
June was very eventful and we are grateful to everyone who participated in our events and engaged with us!
Queer Roundtable
We had a wonderful discussion about a wide range of issues and topics regarding the LGBTQIA+ community at our Queer Roundtable on 8th June. The topics of discussion ranged from the importance of pronouns to queer representation in media, how queer folks are sometimes forced to compromise and choose their battles because of how heteronormitive the way the world operates is, and much more. We look forward to creating and maintaining this safe space so that people from the queer community can talk about their experiences in a supportive environment.
Film Screening
We screened Margarita with a Straw, on the 14th of June and had a wonderful discussion with you folks afterwards! The film resonated with everyone in a different way and hearing about which parts stood out for different people was very insightful!
It’s a film that celebrates the beauty of queer narratives through the story of Laila, a young student living with cerebral palsy, who falls in love with a woman and discovers newer horizons in the process. We will continue to host film screenings in the future so stay tuned to our socials!
Queer-e-Mehfil
It was heartwarming seeing so many queer artists perform at the Mehfil. You folks truly made it a night to remember. More than thirty artists attended the Mehfil and filled the room with music, dance, and poetry. We are very grateful to everyone who showed up and participated and we hope to keep hosting events like these!
Though critics may bow to art, and I am its own true lover,
It is not art, but heart, which wins the wide world over.
-Ella Wheeler Wilcox
Workshops
Faculty Development Program
Narendra Barhate is the Founder of SEED Infotech Ltd.
With a profound background in engineering and a fervour for yoga, meditation, and neuroscience, Narendra possesses a distinctive blend of skills to guide individuals on their paths of self-discovery and personal development. Narendra is particularly adept at applying neuroscience principles to various aspects of life.
He facilitated two workshops that ARISA organized. The topics covered ranged from brain facts and myths, stress mechanisms and stress coping techniques, to brain health maintenance, and effective learning processes including working and long-term memory.
A Faculty Development Program for Faculties of IMLD (Institute of Management and Leadership Development) of Bharati Vidyapeeth, Pune was held on 5th June and was attended by
25 Faculties.
A Faculty Development Program for Faculties of Jnana Prabodhini Prashala, Pune, the school for Gifted Students was held on 8th June. It was attended by 45 teachers and the Principal.
Know and Rewire Your Brain
The Know and Rewire Your Brain workshop, also facilitated by Narendra, offers a comprehensive introduction to neuroscience and its practical applications for personal growth and well-being.
It was held on the 28th of June and attended by 20 managers of Le HR Solutions Pvt. Ltd.! Through this workshop they gained insights into the brain's structure and functions, learning how neuroplasticity allows the brain to adapt and change. Key takeaways include strategies for managing stress, the benefits of mindfulness and meditation, enhancing performance and relationships, and maintaining brain health. Through understanding concepts like the prefrontal cortex's role in decision-making or the effects of the amygdala on stress responses, attendees became equipped with tools to foster mental resilience, improve cognitive function, and achieve a balanced, healthy life.
Thrive: Navigating Stress with Science and Art
Thrive, our stress management workshop, was successful in being informative and enjoyable for the participants. There were activities that involved practical techniques to manage stress based on neuroscience! This was nicely balanced with theory that succinctly explained stress in a way that was eye-opening for a lot of people. We wanted the participants to truly understand their perception of stress and create an environment where they were not only introduced to different stress management techniques but also were given time and experience with them, to figure out which technique they liked the most.
Upcoming Events
Queer Events - First Saturday of Every Month!
Thanks to your amazing response to our events this month, we will be hosting queer meetups on the first Saturday of every month in Pune! Text us on WhatsApp at +91 9904991122 to be added to a group chat with more information about these meetups!
We will be screening Happy Together, on the 6th of July at 6 pm! It’s a film by one of the most beloved directors in cinema, Wong Kar-wai. This film follows the story of Yiu (played by Tony Leung) and Po (played by Leslie Cheung) a gay couple from Hong Kong with a tumultuous relationship marked by frequent separations and reconciliations. The screening will be followed by a discussion session about the film!
It’s a free event but you are required to register for it beforehand! You can do so through this link!
Clean-Up Drive in Pune
In a collaborative effort with Ecoforce, we are organizing a clean-up drive on Sunday, 21 July 2024, at 08:00 AM! The meeting point is Vetal Tekdi Parking Lot. Gloves will be provided! Just bring your enthusiasm and a love for our planet. See you there! Let's make a difference together. 🌿🌏
Ecoforce (Environmental Conservation with Ordinary Folk On Realistic Circumstances for Earth) is a group of people aiming to keep nature on Pune's Tekdis pure and clean. It's an organized group founded by a few school-going students 3.5 years ago. They have been working on Pune's Mhatoba Hill, Vetal Tekdi, Hanuman Tekdi, and Mahatma Tekdi. They collect non-biodegradable trash and send it for recycling. Although Ecoforce mostly contains youngsters, college students and school students, they aim to reach people of all ages!
Blog: Aesthetic Alchemy
How Sexual Orientation Influences Social Conformity
Social conformity is an essential component of human interaction, defined as the inclination to align one's conduct or ideas with those of a group. Some researchers believe that it is a result of evolutionary forces and aids people in avoiding conflict and gaining acceptance in their social groups. Conventional research has demonstrated how particular brain regions - namely, those associated with rewards and conflicts - mediate social compliance. Still, little is known about how social conformity and sexual orientation interact.
Examining how sexual orientation affects social conformity is essential as it reveals the complex dynamics of social interactions and biases. By analyzing conformity in tasks associated with male attractiveness, the study seeks to comprehend the influence of homophobic motivations on social behaviour. This research underscores how anti-gay prejudice can lead to non-conformist actions, particularly regarding attitudes towards objects linked to sexual orientation. Grasping these mechanisms is crucial for fostering inclusive environments that confront prejudices and uphold diverse identities.
You can read the full blog on our website!
Our Team
A new member joining ARISA as a Design Intern in the middle of June!
Shradha Nagarajan (they/she), Design Intern
Shradha recently completed their graduation in BA Psychology Honours from Dr. Vishwanath Karad MIT World Peace University, Kothrud, Pune. They are motivated by the vast scope of accessible, inclusive and comprehensive mental health services in dealing with distress and enabling human flourishing and have a particular interest in the field of expressive arts therapy. They have always had a fascination for all forms of artistic expression and love collecting skill sets related to the same such as multimedia fine art, graphic design, photography, handicrafts, crochet, classical dance, music, etc. which has contributed to their unwavering identity as “the art kid”. They are an avid enthusiast of artistic & slice-of-life films, queer literature and gender studies, sitcom shows, filter coffee & desi dark academia and love to spend their time outdoors in greenery picking up cool rocks and petting local cats.
Thank you for supporting ARISA Foundation! We are a not-for-profit research and social work organization that bridges the arts and sciences to advance academic research in psychology, neuroscience, and neuroaesthetics, preserve tangible and intangible cultural heritage, and promote social change.
With a focus on interdisciplinary approaches, science communication, and community engagement, we aim to make the sciences and arts open, equitable, and accessible to all.
Contact us (info@arisafoundation.org) if you want to know more about our work, collaborate, work, or volunteer with us!