By Riddhi Ajay Bhatia for BIS Mumbai

The Don Bosco Prafulta Centre for Psychological Wellness, in collaboration with the Rotary Club of Smart City, Navi Mumbai, recently conducted the first session of a new workshop series titled ‘Stronger the Foundation, Longer the Marriage.’ The event was held on Saturday, September 13, 2025, from 2:30 p.m. to 5 p.m. at Don Bosco Academy, Seawoods. The workshop aimed to prepare couples and individuals for marriage by helping them build strong foundations and become “truly marriage-ready,” ensuring that they are equipped to face both the joys and challenges of married life.

The session began with a warm and heartfelt welcome from Ms Mary Hemant – Community Counseller at DBDS, followed by a prayer song that created a calm and reflective environment. Fr Barnabe D’souza – Rector, DBN then delivered the opening address, where he spoke about the real-life challenges of married life, the importance of conflict resolution, and the need for empathy and mutual understanding. He shared a humorous but meaningful story about a couple constantly arguing over a toothpaste tube, illustrating how even small issues can escalate without proper communication. Fr D’souza also discussed the importance of financial planning, compatibility, and respecting differences within a relationship. To make the session more engaging, “joke pluck cards” were distributed, encouraging participants to laugh and bond while learning.

The first speaker, Ms Janaki Bhand – Psychologist at Don Bosco Prafulta, was introduced by Ms Hemant and delivered a deeply engaging presentation on “What is marriage?” She encouraged participants to reflect on their beliefs by collecting opinions from different age groups and distributing worksheets to facilitate group discussions. Her session helped couples identify unrealistic expectations, challenge myths, and separate assumptions from facts. She also explained the causes of friction in relationships, emphasizing that marriage is not just about romance but a continuous journey of growth, adjustment, and shared responsibility. Participants were guided through a “readiness check”, helping them assess how prepared they are for marriage, and encouraged to create a shared vision for their future. She also discussed how modern influences, especially social media, can impact relationships and offered practical advice on managing them.

The second session, delivered by Ms Lynn Vaz – Learning and Development Consultant, focused on effective communication in marriage. Her lively and interactive approach, filled with real-life examples, games, and rapid-fire questions, kept the audience engaged throughout. She offered actionable strategies for listening actively, resolving conflicts, and fostering trust, making the session both informative and enjoyable.

The event concluded with a felicitation ceremony honoring both speakers for their insights and contributions. A vote of thanks was extended by Ms Hemant and Fr D’souza, expressing gratitude to the organizers, speakers, and participants for making the event successful. The session ended with refreshments and snacks, allowing attendees to connect and reflect in an informal setting.

The workshop successfully laid the groundwork for future sessions, helping participants approach marriage with awareness, preparedness, and empathy while reinforcing that strong relationships are built on understanding, communication, and shared values.