Mangaluru: Connected Wisdom, a month-long celebration of science, literature and heritage, inaugurated on Children’s Day, has offered ELC and CFAL students and community meaningful opportunities to engage with experts from diverse fields. Through interactive sessions, students have explored ideas that nurture curiosity, critical thinking, and real-world understanding. As the series draws to a close, the final week features conversations with a celebrated author, a senior IAS officer, an eminent astrophysicist and directors of Indian Montessori Centre.
The concluding week includes an open session on December 18 at the CFAL Campus, from 5:30 PM onwards, with Dr. Prajval Shastri, astrophysicist and former faculty member at the Indian Institute of Astrophysics. Her talk will focus on scientific thinking, curiosity, and evidence-based inquiry, encouraging participants to explore, question, and connect the wonders of the universe with everyday experiences. Jupiter, Saturn and Messier 2 globular cluster will be visible during the event that will be conducted by CFAL’s Astro Club. This session is open to all.
On December 20 at 6:30 PM, TLC Café will host Roopa Pai, one of India’s most loved children’s authors, for a book-signing and reader interaction. A computer engineer–turned–writer with over 35 books to her name—including The Gita for Children and the popular Taranauts series—Roopa Pai brings stories that have shaped the reading journeys of many young and adult readers alike. The evening offers a meaningful opportunity for readers of all ages to meet the author. Open to all
Also on 20th, a talk by Ms. Latha Rao, Director of Training, IMTC Koramangala and Ms. Jayashree Guruprasad, Director of Training, IMTC Mangaluru will be conducted at ELC campus. An open house day where the pedagogy of observation and enquiry-based learning at the Learning Centre will be showcased.
CFAL’s theatre club will showcase a play based on the life of Srinivasa Ramanujam and will also hold a math exhibit based on his work. Thulasi Maddineni, IAS, Secretary to the Government, Department of Personnel and Administrative Reforms (Administrative Reforms), Government of Karnataka, will also address students. Drawing from her extensive experience in governance and public service, she will speak on the importance of women in leadership roles and how inclusive leadership strengthens institutions and public life. This session will be co-anchored by Dr. Smitha Hegde who will talk about her work at Amara- CFAL’s greening initiative in Mangalore
About Connected Wisdom:
Connected Wisdom is ELC and CFAL’s initiative to bring children, educators, and the wider community together with storytellers, authors, artists, and specialists from diverse fields. By providing direct engagement with experts from diverse fields, the initiative nurtures curiosity, empathy, and appreciation for heritage. So far, Dr. Ramachandra Hebbar (ISRO), Amrita Shah, Priya Muthukumar, Nandita Jayaraj, Chandini Chhabra, Nester Fernandes, Mamatha Rai, Praveen Alva, Rajesh Vidyasagar (World Bank), Abhisheka Krishnagopal, Dr. Janardhanan Havanje, Fr Jason Pinto and many others have conducted sessions, meaningful experiences that link learning with the wisdom of sustainable traditions. Through Connected Wisdom, ELC and CFAL continues to create spaces where learners engage deeply with ideas, connect knowledge across disciplines, and develop a lifelong love for inquiry and reflection.
For more details:
Visit www.elcindia.org or call +91 6360238816.
(To attend the book-signing event with Roopa Pai, please RSVP with Dr. at 7483414681)
