'It is today Madam' I received a confirmation call early morning.'Time is 9.30 a.m.''Well, thanks'I will be there'. I had prepared my Presentation two days earlier and just had to fill in minor details in the ppt program.

9.35 We, my son and I, were at the school gate. It was quickly opened and we entered a spacious home like area, at a distance a verandah was visible, it looked like the British style colonial offices of the Commissioner. Maybe this must be once the office of one... We got down and walked up. I could now see a signboard saying Office. The Vice Pricipal greeted us. She smiled as if forcibly. My son left after placing my bag and the laptop.

After a cup of tea rather sumptuous I thought, hmmn 'tea' before work? Well, so much to eat? Allah is Merciful, I was taken to the lecture room.

Typical classroom setting, and gender clarity too. Men on one side and ladies, more in number on the other. I was led to step up on a stage, which had a dias on the right side and a white board at the back in the center, I could see the marker and duster on a table closeby. It felt more like a political address arrangement.Well, it time to start, and all eyes were on me , as I was the center of all focus, the Presenter, the speaker, the teacher, the Resource Person! Ah, but what about the equipment?

Planning ? preparation? Whither thou art?

There were colorful curtains on the windows, four each on the sides of the room.I had to open the laptop set it, look around the stage space while everyone was watching.

This was not the workshop setting I had in mind and there was no way to change anything...

Think about it next time, I told myself.I had asked two teachers who went there before me but both could not explain the setting to me 'It is fine ,madam' was the answer.

What should a training room be like? what about the screen , Multi Media, computers, OHPs, Interactive white boards, and movable furniture, and display screens?

Why are we not thinking on these lines? I spoke about Morning Assembly but soon I realised that I had to use the traditional techniques, aids, and common items like posters newspapers, charts, pictures, flashcards and the blackboard on the wall. We are still in the 70s. Alas! The laptop was hardly visible to those seated at the far end of the room.