Ms. Asha Pillai-Balsara – Faculty for the School of Mind Training.

Asha is a Trainer and Adult-Learning Specialist who honed her skills in Top Management Corporate Training. As a Facilitator, Counselor & Creative Head in Pragati Learning Systems Pvt. Ltd.(now Pragati leadership centre) from 1992 – 2000, she facilitated workshops for all major corporations in India in the area of Self-Awareness, Personal Effectiveness, Team Building & Stress Management. Her corporate clients included: HDFC, Hindustan Lever Limited, Godrej GE, Wartsila NSD, Castrol, Johnson & Johnson, Cummins India, Thermax & Forbes Marshall. She provided consultation in the area of Diagnostic studies & surveys, 360-degree feedback & role clarity. In her capacity as Creative Head, she has designed resource material, newsletters and products with a team.

She was a resource person and volunteer for the Pragati Foundation, a Non- Profit Organization working in the area of Women and Youth development. She conducted programs for health workers in the ‘Women & Health’ Project (WAH!). She has been a counselor with the Good Work Centre – a subsidiary of Pragati Learning Systems Pvt. Ltd. During the course of her work, she has counselled over 500 individuals, primarily youth-career counseling. She has conducted ‘Living Life Successfully’ programs for youth. She has designed and conducted ‘Teachers Training Programs’ for Schools Like Sanjeevan Vidyalaya Panchgani, Karnatak High School Pune. She has conducted programs for women called WELL (Women Enjoying Life & Learning)

In 2001, along with the other founding members, she started WCCL Foundation, and assumed the leadership role of Executive Director, WCCL Foundation.

Asha is also instrumental in establishing the Buddhist Psychology as a theoretical foundation for therapy work in India. In the ABT Model, she designed the modules on ‘Subtle Energy Guide’ which became the ground on which the entire healing approach of ABT was built.

Until 2015, WCCL Foundation’s ABT Course was the only one in India. Under her leadership, WCCL has taken “ Capacity building” to the next level by developing a train-the-trainer program called “ABT Educator’s Program” (AEP).

She pioneered the ‘Study of Mind’ project (2010-2018). The project initiated by her allowed for creative collaboration between WCCL Foundation and various other organisations from the field of Indian Philosophy & Psychology (Department of Pali, SPPU, Siddhartha’s Intent Society, Tibet House, DGL Nunnery, Khyentse Foundation, Arth, Banyan Academy of Leadership in Mental Health, Deer Park Institute. The aim of this collaborative effort is to promote the Indian traditions of mind-training, and establish it in a secular format.

Under the guidance of Dzongsar Khyentse Rinpoche (Chairperson, Khyentse Foundation), she has designed the course syllabus for the Post Graduate Certificate Course in ‘Applied Mahayana Buddhist Psychology & Ethics’ (ABPE) at Dept. of Pali, Savitribai Phule Pune University. After establishing the ABPE course, two similar courses were established. They are called ‘Healing the Mind through Knowing the Mind’ offered by Arth, Mumbai  and Banyan Academy for Leadership in Mental health (BALM), Chennai. She is visiting faculty in those courses as well. With the help of Geshe Dorji Damdul (Director, Tibet House Delhi) and Khenpo Choying Dorjee, she has written text books for the courses.

Ms. C. Deborah Daniel – Independent Partner for Visual Arts in therapy

Ms. C. Deborah Daniel is a Visual Artist, Facilitator & Social Worker. She has been working as faculty of visual aesthetics and project design for the past 15 years in the Arts based therapy, (ABT) course under WCCL Foundation. She has pioneered the use of visual art using the lense of Indian Psychology. Rather than using visual art as merely a psychological evaluation tool, she has developed the Visual Aesthetics module based on creating, imagining, reflecting and contemplating.

She is also one of the supervisors for ABT practitioners all over India. Since 2016, she is one of the faculty member and supervisor to the ABT Educators’ Programme at various locations in India. She led a long-term intensive research in ABT – a multi-location and multi- population study called Best Practices in ABT. (2010 to 2013). Currently she is the Project Coordinator and Support Resource Faculty in an ICDS project, which involves training 150 Anganwadi workers on Music education for young children. The project is based at Palghar, Maharashtra. (Since 2019)

She has had more than 12 years of extensive experience of working in Social and Organisational Development projects in the field. In her erstwhile capacity as the Assistant Director of the Pragati Foundation, Pune she facilitated trainings in Human Resource & Leadership Development for NGOs like CHETNA & FWWB, Ahmedabad UNICEF, Bhuj, BSSK & BAPU TRUST, Pune etc International organizations such as IWMI, Sri Lanka, IPGRI, Italy, World Fish Centre, Egypt and Corporates Wartsila Disel, Mumbai, Tata Technologies, Pune, Deutshe Bank, Mumbai etc (1995 to 2006 )

She was a part of the management team for the Women and Health (WAH!) Project in Maharashtra. It was a multi-regional collaborative effort to promote comprehensive, gender sensitive, sustainable health care for all, with special concern for women and girl children, and other disadvantaged persons throughout the stages of their lives. This goal was approached through training to build the capacities of health coordinators and advocacy.

Deborah received the National Merit Scholarship for getting distinction in BA in Psychology from Fergusson College, Pune. She received Smt.Radhabai Balkrishna Apte prize for getting highest marks in term papers in MSW, Smt Laxmi Lokur prize for getting highest marks in theory in MSW and Smt Manorama Gokhale prize for the lady student who topped the list in Family and Child Welfare elective.

Mr. Aanand Chabukswar – Independent Partner, School of Applied Theatre

Aanand is the director of Applied Theatre School  Aanand has been part of 7 intensive, long-term (1 to 3 years’ duration) ABT projects and subsequent publications. Aanand has been active in theatre for past 25 years as a writer-actor-director. His theatre pieces based on poetry have had a special appeal. He has designed the Applied Theatre paper for the Centre for Performing Arts, Savitribai Phule Pune University and has been teaching it since 2007. There he has supervised more than 150 student projects that used theatre as a primary modality in teaching. He has worked in educational set-ups and institutions across India, and in Europe and SE Asia. He is an expert faculty on ‘Arts in Education’ for Teachers’ Training with University Grants Commission (UGC).
Aanand’s writings have been published internationally, among them chapters in Routledge compendium on Dramatherapy and Social Theatre (2007), The Routledge International Handbook of Dramatherapy (with Balsara, Z.) (2016), Healingstory Journal (USA, 2004), International Journal of Psychosocial Research (2016) and The Prompt, published by the British Association of Dramatherapy (2002). He is also author of a children’s story book.
Aanand is trained intensively in Dramatherapy in the UK, with Dr. Sue Jennings, one of the pioneers of Dramatherapy, and subsequently worked as the co-director with Dr. Jennings for Dramatherapy training and projects in Romania. He is also trained in Commedia dell’Arte (Italian theatre of masks and movement). He is a lifelong student of Buddhist Psychology and Ethics.

Standard Textbooks for all ABT Training:

• Balsara, Z., Chabukswar, A. and Daniel, D. (2017) Text Book on ABT Practice (Arts-Based Therapy Training Manual) 1st Ed. 2008, 2nd Ed. 2009, 3rd Ed. 2013, 4th Ed. 2015, 5th Ed. 2017. Pune: WCCL Foundation
• Balsara, Z., Chabukswar, A. and Daniel, D. (2017) Text Book on ABT Practice (Arts-Based Therapy Training Manual) Marathi Edition. Marathi Translation: Ms. Vidya Bhagwat. Pune: WCCL Foundation
• Pillai-Balsara, A (2017, 6th ed.) Text Book on ABT Theory (Subtle Energy Guide) 1st Ed. 2008, 2nd Ed. 2009, 3rd Ed. 2013, 4th Ed. 2014, 5th Ed. 2016, 6th Ed. 2017. Pune: WCCL Foundation
• Pillai-Balsara, A (2017, 6th ed.) Text Book on ABT Theory (Subtle Energy Guide) Marathi Edition. Marathi Translation: Ms. Vidya Bhagwat. Pune: WCCL Foundation.
• Pillai-Balsara, A, Balsara, Z., Chabukswar, A. and Daniel, D. (2010) ABT Supervisor’s Training Manual – a handbook for how to conduct ABT supervisions in the field. Pune: WCCL Foundation.
• Pillai-Balsara, A, (1st Ed. 2017) Pradnya Smriti (Remembering the Wisdom) Guide Pune: WCCL Foundation.

Reports, Papers, and Books by WCCL Team:

• Zubin B. (2008) Automusic – Building Bridges with ABT – A field guide for using Rhythm & Voice for working with children on the autism spectrum. Pune: WCCL Foundation.
• Chabukswar, A. and Daniel, D (2008, 2009) Real World – A field guide (Text & Video) for using ABT for working with children with multiple disabilities. Pune: WCCL Foundation.
• Daniel Deborah, (2013) Best Practices in Arts-Based Therapy in India – An action research report. Pune: WCCL Foundation.
• Uppudi Mamta. & Daniel D. (2010) Emerging Trends in Arts-Based Therapy. Pune: WCCL Foundation.
• MacTavish, H with Balsara Z (2012) Songs, Science & Spirit, Musical Keys to open special doors of ability, San Francisco: Provident Publishing.

• Pillai-Balsara, A, Chief Investigation: Dr. Mahesh Deokar. (3rd. Ed. 2016) Applied Buddhist Psychology & Ethics Volume One 1st Ed. 2012, 2nd Ed. 2013, 3rd Ed. 2016. Dept. of Pali, SPPU
• Pillai-Balsara, A, Chief Investigation: Dr. Mahesh Deokar. (3rd. Ed. 2016) Applied Buddhist Psychology & Ethics Volume Two 1st Ed. 2012, 2nd Ed. 2013, 3rd Ed. 2016. Dept. of Pali, SPPU.
• Pillai-Balsara, A, Chief Investigation: Dr. Mahesh Deokar. (3rd. Ed. 2016) Applied Buddhist Psychology & Ethics Practice Guide 1st Ed. 2012, 2nd Ed. 2013, 3rd Ed. 2016. Dept. of Pali, SPPU.
• Prayer Handbook for Bodhi Bhajans First Edition 2016. Pune: WCCL Foundation.
• Triratna Anusmriti Sadhana (English) First Edition 2018. Bir: Siddhartha’s Intent Society India.
• Triratna Anusmriti Sadhana (Hindi) First Edition 2018. Bir: Siddhartha’s Intent Society India.
• Pillai-Balsara, A, (1st Ed. 2015) Teaching as Seva – A Handbook for Buddhist Wisdom & Method for Teachers. Pune: WCCL Foundation
• Pillai-Balsara, A, (1st Ed. 2017) The Bodhi Tree Volume One. Pune: WCCL Foundation.
• Pillai-Balsara, A, (1st Ed. 2017) The Bodhi Tree Volume Two. Pune: WCCL Foundation.
• Pillai-Balsara, A, (1st Ed. 2017) The Bodhi Tree Practice Guide. Pune: WCCL Foundation.
• Pillai-Balsara, A, (2nd Ed. 2018) Healing the Mind Through Knowing the Mind Volume One. Pune: WCCL Foundation.
• Pillai-Balsara, A, (2nd Ed. 2018) Healing the Mind Through Knowing the Mind Volume Two. Pune: WCCL Foundation.
• Pillai-Balsara, A, (2nd Ed. 2018) Healing the Mind Through Knowing the Mind Practice Guide. Pune: WCCL Foundation.

Chapters in Books, Articles and Reports written by WCCL Team:

• Chabukswar A. and Balsara Z. (2016) ‘Converging Lineages: Arts-Based Therapy (ABT) in Contemporary India’ in Jennings S. and Holmwood C (eds.) Routledege International Handbook of Dramatherapy, London: Routledge. Pp. 19 – 25
• Chabukswar A (2003) Birth of a Story, The Prompt (2003), British Association of Dramatherapists, UK, 9-10
  — (2004) Story-circles in Deaddiction, Healingstory Alliance, Winter, 12: 10-11
  — (2005) Kathaoushadham (Story–medicine): Story-circles in Palliative Care for Cancer, Report: Phase I, Pune: WCCL Foundation
  — (2006) Bridging the Worlds: A Case of Brief One-to-one Dramatherapy, Aaina, Pune: Bapu Trust / Centre for Advocacy in Mental Health
  — (2009) ‘Making, Breaking and Making Again: Theatre in Search of Healing India’ in Jennings, S. (ed) Dramatherapy and Social Theatre, London: Routledge
• ‘Story-Circles’ Dramascope (2003) National Association of Drama Therapy, USA

Articles/Chapters written by others about our work:

• The Sir Dorabjee Tata Trust (2010) ‘Pursuits’ in Colouring Outside the Lines, Mumbai: SDTT
• Jennings, Sue (2009) ‘Recommended Resources for Play Therapists and Dramatherapists’ in The Prompt, Spring 09, UK: Bristish Association of Dramatherapists
• Kashyap, T (2005) My Body, My Wisdom, Penguin: Delhi
• Machado, N., Kaur, A., Pant, N (2009) Education Infrastructure for Complementary Health Practice in India, Mumbai: School of Management & Labour Studies, Tata Institute of Social Sciences

 

YEAR	PROJECT TITLE	PROJECT DURATION	FUNDER
2002 – 03	Muktangan De-Addiction Centre & Kripa De-addiction Centre	18 months	Sir Dorabji Tata Trust
2003 – 04	Sadhana Village. Residential Institution for Adults with Cognitive Disabilities	12 months	United Way of Mumbai
This project was a unique collaboration of WCCL Foundation with Ms. Tripura Kashyap. There is an entire chapter about this project in the book titled “My Body, My Wisdom” published by penguin Books India 2005.
2004 – 05	Sadhana Village – Part 2. Supporting Trained caregivers who would continue ABT.	12 months	United Way of Mumbai
2004 – 06	Core Support for Organizational Expenses & Research in Manaswardhan De-Addiction Centre	24 months	Sir Dorabji Tata Trust (SDTT)
Upon reviewing the research results from earlier projects, SDTT sanctioned a grant for further research in de-addiction and also development of a course in arts-based therapy. This period was utilized to create the syllabus & course content.
2005 – 06	Kathaoushdham (Story-Medicine) for Cipla Centre for Palliative Care in Cancer	12 months	Kirloskar Foundation, KPIT, and MBT Foundation
2006 – 06	ABT for children with Learning Disabilities in Rewachand Bhojwani Academy, Pune	6 months	Mahindra British Telecom (MBT) Foundation
2005 – 06	ABT Certificate Course 2005-2006	9 months	Sir Ratan Tata Trust towards Course expenses so that student fees could be subsidized to Rs. 7,000 per person
2006 – 09	Organizational Support for Action research & Training in ABT	3 year Project	Sir Dorabji Tata Trust over a period of 3 years
This large project grant gave a boost to action research on children with special needs for three years, ABT Certificate Course subsidies & budget for making a film on arts-based therapy
2007 – 09	“Real World” Arts-Based Therapy with special needs children in Asha School, Pune	2 year Project	Human Factors Internations.
2009 -12	“Best Practices in Arts-Based Therapy”	3 year grant for Subsidizing the ABT Course, Research on Best Practices & Training ABT Supervisors	Sir J.R.D. Tata Trust
The “Best Practice in ABT” was a research conducted in TTK Hospital Chennai, Prism Foundation, Pune, Child’N’You, Mumbai & St. Catherine of Sienna School & Orphanage, Mumbai. The action research consisted of reviewing 152 existing action research reports on ABT, drawing out key trends, and establishing best practices in arts-based therapy for India when working with – Children with Sp. Needs, Children at-risk, and Adults in De-addiction centres.
2011, 2012, 2013	ABT Kit for students participating in the ABT Certificate Course	Grant for purchasing 30 ABT Kits each year	(2011) from Union Bank of India. (2012) from Union Bank of India (2013) from Union Bank of India
2014	ABT KIT for students participating in the ABT Certificate Course	Grant for purchasing 30 ABT Kits each year	HDFC
2014	ABT Course subsidy		Meher Pudumjee
2014	Action Research projects (SAA & St. Teresa)		Mr. Shreekrishna
2015	Fundraiser Concert for Action Research Projects and ABT Course Subsidy		DHFL Changing Lives Foundation, LIC of India, Terragni Consulting Pvt. Ltd., Bank of Baroda
2016 -18	ABT Train-the-Trainer Program		Self-Sponsored and subsidy by DHFL Changing Lives Foundation.
2019-20	Training of Anganwadi Workers in Music education for children age 4-8		Partnered with team of Project Sneh with Grammangal Trust & DHFL Changing Lives Foundation.

 

Name of Institution: World Centre For Creative Learning Foundation (WCCLF)
Name of Contact Person with Designation: Mr. Zubin Balsara (Projects Director)
Registered Office: A/4 Hill View residency, Baner, Pune 411045
Phone No: (0) 9420197575
Email Address: wcclfoundation@gmail.com

Status:

Societies Registration Act
Reg. No.: Mah/1257/2001/Pune Year of Establishment: 6/10/2001

Bombay Public Trust Act
Reg. No.: F – 17972 Year Of Establishment: 6/2/2002

Exemption u/s 80G(5) of Income Tax Act 1961
Form No. 10 AC, Unique Registration Number AAATW0608CF20210 From AY 2022-23 to AY 2026- 2027

PAN No: AAATW0608C