The First Forum on Harmony, Wellbeing, and Conscious Leadership in Mauritius

In a time of fast-paced change, high pressure, and digital transformation, the idea of a “harmonious workplace” often seems like a distant ideal. Yet, the recent forum titled Creating a Harmonious Workplace, hosted by Abhyas Institute of Universal Awareness and moderated by Priyanka Prakash, offered something more than possibility—it offered presence. Notably, it was the first-ever forum in Mauritius to address, in such depth and breadth, the evolving need to create workplace cultures rooted in human values, emotional wellbeing, and inclusive leadership.

Held at the heart of Mauritius in Moka, this landmark event gathered over 80 participants from across industries—banking, healthcare, hospitality, education, textiles, technology—each bringing their own lens and lived experience. Their active engagement was a resounding acknowledgment of the forum’s relevance, with the diverse turnout itself becoming a mirror to the multi-dimensional nature of harmony at work.

This wasn’t just a professional gathering. It was a dormant conversation finally given voice—one that questioned the structures we’ve accepted, the behaviours we’ve normalised, and the possibilities we’ve yet to embrace. It moved beyond policy documents, titles, and accolades into something more essential: a basic human approach to life and leadership.

Acknowledging the Need: Why This Forum Mattered

The forum emerged at a time when organizations are reckoning with burnout, emotional exhaustion, and the alienation born from automation, AI, and hyper-productivity. Amidst this, Creating a Harmonious Workplace became both a response and a movement—welcoming uncomfortable questions and offering transformative insights.

More importantly, the improvisational flow of the event itself reflected the message it carried. As discussions evolved organically and unexpected dialogues emerged, participants adapted with patience and curiosity. This ability to remain open—to listen beyond reply—became a living example of harmony in action.

Inner Change, Collective Impact

Keynote speaker Manish Bundhun | Corporate Monk | Chief People Executive at ER Group set the tone with a deeply engaging and interactive talk. Walking among the audience rather than addressing them from a podium, he emphasised that harmony doesn’t start with policy—it starts within. With examples ranging from Sanskrit concepts like Mudita (joy in others’ joy) to toxic habits like comparison and criticism, he offered a powerful reminder: wellbeing is not an external metric—it’s an inner alignment.

Through a simple yet effective Brain Gym technique called the “Hook-up,” he demonstrated that harmony can be accessed even in a few grounded breaths. “The point,” he said, “is not to talk about harmony. It is to practice.” And practice they did.

The Pragmatic Approach to Harmony

The panel discussions gave depth and dimension to the conversation.
Guillaume Thierry from Absa Bank highlighted how the post-pandemic world required not just empathy but systemic support. From implementing family-inclusive mental health services to upskilling managers for deeper engagement, Absa’s approach underscored that psychological safety is not a luxury—it’s a strategy.

Ridhima Boojihawon from Rogers Capital tackled the challenge of meaningful learning in overstretched corporate environments. She emphasized that leadership today must recognize diversity not just in demographics, but in learning styles, emotional states, and lived experiences. Her discussion of gender-based violence and unconscious bias brought uncomfortable but necessary truths into the light.

Joelle Hitie-Baillache from C-Care added an equally vital lens: emotional exhaustion. Her work in healthcare, especially during and after COVID, revealed how safe listening spaces can be profoundly healing. Initiatives like Service D’écoute became more than HR projects—they were lifelines.

One of the most stirring moments of the forum came from Dr. N.K. Kumaresan Raja, Professor, Department of Politics and International Studies. His participation was facilitated by the High Commissioner of India. He brought the dimension of philosophical wisdom and cultural heritage into the conversation. Drawing from the ancient guru parampara tradition, he spoke about the transmission of knowledge not as information, but as realisation. The ultimate goal, he noted, is not just intellectual growth but wisdom and ethical alignment.

“If this balance between heart and mind is fostered,” he said, “the aspect of ‘othering’ dissolves. You are not different from your organization. You are one.” His emphasis on duty consciousness, echoed in his statement—“where my duty ends, another’s right begins”—brought a deeply rooted ethical lens to the forum. He concluded with five guiding principles: Transparency is for leaders, Diverse voices aren’t impolite—they’re profitable, Accountability is a discipline, not a burden, Empathy is a superpower, Fairness is not a suggestion—it is the foundation of corporate life.

With poetic gravity, he urged leaders to cultivate detachment: “Be like water on a lotus leaf—be detached. Observe yourself. Lead from that sublime space.”

From Personal Practices to Cultural Shifts

Harsha Chakoory from ER Hospitality beautifully bridged personal wellbeing with organizational impact. Her journey into yoga, nutrition, and meditation became a ripple effect through the teams she led. “Harmony,” she reminded the audience, “is not a destination. It’s a culture. A way of living.”

 “The Core Values: Building Workplace Culture”

This deeply lived message found echoes in the second panel on workplace values. Nandish Torul’s (Head of Academy (Ciel Textile)) initiative of integrating breathing and mindset training in textile factories in Madagascar was both bold and revolutionary. Through the EGR (Excellence at Grassroots) program, thousands of workers learned to reconnect with joy and self-belief—proving that even the most operational roles can be infused with purpose and dignity.

From academia, Dhanjay Jhurry, Managing Director Education at Medine Group connected leadership to scientific values—truth, curiosity, and purpose—arguing that when truth is spoken, trust is cultivated. Yogendra Soobarah from Afrasia Bank offered frameworks for collective leadership, cross-functional empathy, and performance systems that reward not just outcomes, but also how those outcomes are achieved. And Jena Gunnoo from EY reminded us that values are not posters—they are daily practices, whether in flexibility, inclusiveness, or resilience.

Beyond Certification: The Human Element

What made this forum special was not just its structure—it was its soul. Conversations were fluid, raw, and human. People didn’t just present; they shared. There were no pretenses. Just a common willingness to understand, evolve, and co-create something better.

As the event closed with an experiential breathwork session led by Alla Kozyreva (Leadership Well-being Trainer at Abhyas), participants were invited into stillness—a powerful metaphor for what harmony demands. To pause. To reflect. To feel. To be.

This first-of-its-kind forum in Mauritius didn’t just raise awareness—it redefined relevance. It highlighted that harmony is not separate from performance, innovation, or profitability. It is the condition for all three.

Looking Ahead: Workshops, Certifications, and Ongoing Practice

The success and spirit of this inaugural forum will not end here. A new series of workshops and meaningful forums is now being developed by Abhyas Institute, focused on emotional intelligence, conscious leadership, and holistic workplace wellbeing. These sessions will go beyond lectures—offering embodied practices, integrative tools, and shared accountability models for real transformation.

Improvisations to future forums are already in the works. Greater inclusion of grassroots voices, multilingual facilitation, and sustained engagement models are being explored to ensure this becomes not just an event—but an ecosystem.

In Conclusion

Creating a Harmonious Workplace was not a one-time gathering—it was a catalyst. The forum showed that transformation doesn’t require perfection. It requires presence. It requires leaders who listen, employees who engage, and cultures that reflect the humanity within all of us.

This was a first, but not the last. And for all those who participated, one truth rang clear: harmony is possible—not as an end state, but as a shared way of being.