Some of us grew up with dreams. Others had dreams growing on them. Each dream is precious. Once set free, a dream has endless potential to transform those it touches. However, the Indian education system is seldom dreamer friendly. For those who seek linearity, corporate jobs, condominiums and bonuses, it seems, perhaps, promising. But what about those who dream differently? The Gandhi Fellowship was set up as a sanctuary for dreamers. Although the Fellows will vouch, a snug sanctuary is not what it feels on a given day. More than a faraway, cosy resting place, the Fellowship is an intense, emotional joyride through grassroots reality and the surprising hinterland of one’s own mind. The tagline whispers at “Work for India; Do it for you.” Not for Mama, not for Love, but for your own Self. The question all Gandhi Fellows religiously engage with is one of transformation – and that is what we require around us today. And that requires some gumption. Gandhi Fellowship Founder-Director Vivek Sharma, speaks of his current occupation as one of betting on young people as he goes campus hopping, looking for tomorrow’s leaders from among the youth. “Popular perception is that youth don’t care. But from the cream of the crop institutions to far-flung colleges, I come across a bunch of creative, non-violent constructivists waiting to take up extraordinary agendas.” “I often ask if they dream of one big issue to solve. Some answers come rapidly, mostly from the over-exposed metropolitan bacchas. Those from rural and semi-urban parts silently nod, without even the hint of a dream as if the education system clipped their wings. But I see a hunger in the belly; innocent, unpolluted minds and most important, given coaching and mentoring, they will deliver the rigour and passion required to succeed.” Understanding the precise art of transformation – idea to action, fear to courage, cynicism to change, dreamer to leader – is what the Fellowship believes will create a different world. Aditya Natraj CEO, Piramal Foundation, says, “People like Mahatma Gandhi, Verghese Kurien MS Swaminathan and Ela Bhatt felt a deep understanding of the problems they addressed. To seed the next generation of leaders, it is crucial to understand today’s scenario. As a first step, it requires exposing and familiarising them with the challenges in the Indian backyard.” Besides the exposure, the Fellowship works at giving the dreamers significant practical life experience, and opportunities to hone leadership. It is designed to develop leaders who will contribute in the domains of social entrepreneurship, civil society, politics, economy, academia and communication. Being the change you wish to see in the world, is the grain of Gandhian philosophy that Fellows live by. Change yourself first, GFs are warned before they set foot outside. The Fellowship once evolved alongside a parallel visionary idea – the Principal Leadership Development Program. The program was about lending to Headmasters, who wish to bring change in their schools, the necessary support to create sustainable change. School support involved academic and institutional transformation in which the Fellows were an executive assistant, coach, friend and sometimes, even a jiminy cricket of sorts for the older school Headmasters. Together, they created and implemented strategies to bring changes in the school fabric, measuring change, attendance, scowls, smiles, and everything in between. Today Fellows work in areas so diverse as water, health and education – with gram panchayats, block & district officials and the rural communities in the bottom districts of India. Transformation takes place not in rhetorical word play or in borrowed answers but in places that have been institutionally ignored – our lives, hearts and minds. Once the Fellows succeed in thawing the old ice, the elders at the helm of social change in India, the district and Block leadership, becomes playful like children, it doesn’t stop there. Even their spouses feel the tender strokes. Life changes once people begin to feel free and unencumbered (bhaya-mukt). Gandhi Fellows engage with divergent experiences, to gain multi-layered perspectives and to learn together, from a bustling month long community immersions, to taking a vow of silence at a Vipassana retreat and hanging out with organisations with contrasting ideologies. The Fellowship is not about making the best out of the best, explains Vivek.” While we go to top campuses, the majority of dreamers are from the districts India. “Impaired by an education system that has failed to deliver them vocabulary and grammar, what does a young person do? Yet I see a yearning across campuses, a desire to make a difference to the self and to the world around, tomorrow if not today, faltering if not coherent,” adds Vivek. The Fellowship pushes its dreamers to stretch their limits and grow in fearlessness. To understand what you must do to spur someone else’s transformation, you must be steeped in and deeply engaged with your own. And to approach the world, not as an external agent of change – but a participant means living with grassroots empathy and self awareness. It means living with integrity – and being the change you really wish to see.
They say that, change is the only constant in nature. So, even I have decided to give a break to my routine writing style and try out a different format. Normally, I do not work on Sundays. But the last Sunday (Jan 26) was something different. Racing on the bicycle the Sarpanch had given me to use for commuting around the village, I started off at 5.30 in the morning, traversing through fields and houses of curious onlookers. But, what will remain forever with me is the encounter I had at Hardik’s home, at around 7am, when I dropped by for my morning Chai. “Good morning Manohar sir, how are you?, asked the boy in English with a beaming smile, seeing me so early at his doorstep. Reciprocating his gesture, I just waved him a Hi, and offered a folded Namaste to his grandfather, who was sitting on a Khat, outside his home. The conversation was naturally about his grandfather, as I could not speak of anything else other than that, at that point of time. I was shell shocked, coming to know that, he had an acute paralysis attack, 3 years ago. Prior to it, he suffered from a knee cap replacement surgery, when he fell down from a moving bus. Dadaji was a conductor in a government bus, traversing daily from Kapadwanj to Nadiad. I was further saddened when I came to know that, they took him to a hospital 5 long hours after he suffered from the attack because of no facilities. They didn’t have enough money to afford an ambulance and to top it, they have a strained relation with their neighbors, owing to a property dispute. After a medical check-up, the family could not afford advanced treatment and just let Dadaji be, as long as he can live. It pained me the most. When my dad suffered from a similar attack in 2012, we took him to the best hospital in less than 10 minutes. There was physiotherapy and advanced physiotherapy for him, for almost 3 years, making sure that he does get back to normalcy. Though my dad doesn’t work anymore, it’s very difficult to say, he had an acute paralysis attack, seeing his present look. This comparison was racing on in my mind. “How a paralysis attack can affect an entire family,” this thought was hammering all sides of my brain, transporting me back to those turbulent days. But then, I can only say that, it is all fate, and no can guess, what will ever happen to anyone of us. Speaking with Hardik’s father, I was still more saddened. When I told him to not give up on physiotherapy or exercising and told him to take Dadaji for any nearby trauma center, he just lay bare his condition, making me silent for almost 20 minutes. I couldn’t utter a single word after that. He said, he’s neck deep in loans, hunted by loan sharks, owing to the installments he has to pay for his Eeco. He also added that, it’s because of this reason that he stays away from home, most of the time. He also said that Hardik and Hemal’s education are his top priority now and he cannot afford to oversee it to better Dadaji’s condition. I couldn’t say anything after this. I was too emotionally drained, as I was, in parallel, thinking of my own home. What if my dad had not secured his finances, what if we were not able to afford the treatment, what if I didn’t have the resources to complete my education, what if I did not have a strong mother who managed things so well, and these thoughts kept on coming back, after a really long time. I tried putting myself in Hardik’s shoes, but I just could not, as it was too scary for me. The only difference I found between Hardik and me was that, he remains happy with whatever limited he has got, enjoying the present. On the contrary, always searching for something better in the future, I keep on ruining my present. This single incident was enough to put me on a very deep reflection, letting me thank God for what he has given me, despite taking back a few moments. I also promised myself to not get involved with others who do not reciprocate similar kind of feelings towards me. I made a mental note, to just stay strong, keep working hard, and keep getting better at what I do. Though I felt like staying with them for a whole day, I had to leave after my food, as I had an interview with the Sarpanch at 12.30 pm. The interview went well, I did my best, though it was a very new experience for me, facing camera. I would be getting the edited footage in about two days. Finishing this, I left for Santosh bhai’s home, as he had invited me for lunch. I interacted with his extended family too, who were there for a function at his home. I ate my food silently and just left to my home. I decided not to go anywhere after that, and was just lost in thoughts. I thank God for making me this capable and giving me, what he could best.
As our world continues to evolve, it’s crucial to keep pace with the ongoing transformation. To address this need, The Gandhi Fellowship in collaboration with Rajiv Gandhi National Institute of Youth Development (RGNIYD), Tamil Nadu organized a workshop for final-year students from various departments and virtually welcomed students from the Regional Campus, Chandigarh. Dr. Rambabu Botcha, Placement Officer and Faculty Member of the Department of Social Work, set the stage by highlighting the value this workshop would bring to students. He emphasized the importance of staying relevant by embracing change and the necessity of collaboration between institutions and organizations to nurture students as assets to the nation. Distinguished guests, Dr. Sharmistha Bhattacharjee, Dean of Academics, and Dr. P. Thiyagarajan, Placement Officer of the Science Division, further elaborated on the significance of diverse opportunities like the Gandhi Fellowship. They shed light on how this fellowship provides students with insights into the administration and functioning of the nation, along with a myriad of other skills developed through hands-on experience. The workshop kicked off with an engaging icebreaker activity, reinvigorating our enthusiastic group of young participants. We initiated a discussion on the concept of “Change”, encouraging active student participation. Students enthusiastically shared their thoughts and opinions, culminating in the key question, “What is Change, and how do you define it?” Building on this foundational concept, we delved into various sectors and explored how they are evolving, particularly in terms of employment. Students individually identified current job trends in their respective fields, predicted high-demand job profiles for the coming years, and recognized positions that might become obsolete in the next decade. This exercise highlighted the role of technology, artificial intelligence, and data analytics in reshaping job landscapes. It became evident that today’s students must pivot and equip themselves with skills to navigate these changing tides for a fulfilling career. Manohar, Batch 11 Gandhi Fellow from Karnataka, shared anecdotes from his fellowship journey in Kheda, Gujarat and added a touch of humor and insight. The session concluded by portraying the Gandhi Fellowship as not just one person’s story but the collective journey of thousands of talented individuals who have become high-impact contributors across various sectors.
Hey folks! Greetings from Kheda Location’s DTP Team. A big THANK YOU to all of you for all your love, support and for reposting our cartoons so much that they found their way back to us. Really shows how connected we are as a Gandhi Fellowship community. This is Jazreen Deboo (from Bombay) and Sagar Malik (from Haryana) who have come together to tell our fellowship story. Turns out its not just our story, its yours too! We are Batch XI fellows who joined the fellowship last year and feel it really changed our lives. Here in Gujarat, we have taken inspiration from tea – an integral part of our daily survival. Two years of the fellowship will pass us by in the blink of an eye and you must drink the tea while it is still hot. (And keep good relations with Gujarati chai wallahs, you never know). So come and join us as we recall our journey so far. Find out if Gandhi fellowship is our cup of tea. तो शुरू करे चाय पे चर्चा? We met our entire team at PSL in June and we were so overwhelmed by the diversity of fellows in one campus. “Diversity is about embracing differences and recognizing that amazing things are possible when it’s woven into an organization’s culture.” Here’s what we think a Gandhi Fellow is made of: Join us one day and live the life of a DTP Fellow: Phew, tough day! Being a fellow involves going through a roller coaster of emotions. Check out some feelings of Sagar and Jaz through their journey so far. Dealing with the realities of a dynamic field Come end of the month .. Pleasant surprises .. Reflections Stakeholder Management Uh oh .. Kyunki ek accident toh banta hai .. Winner Winner Chicken Dinner .. No place for the slow and steady here .. Aaj jaane ki zidd na karo .. Can’t explain, you really have to feel this one: And during this fellowship ride of ups and downs, you’re bound to learn a lot of new things about yourself, the development sector and the country we live in. This journey of self change to system change will allow you to open your mind and expand your horizons to explore depths of yourself that you never imagined possible. From Classroom Immersion to Vipassana, from Field Support to Village Immersion and many more processes that will mold your way to being a valuable citizen of India. Here are some things Jaz & Sagar have learned so far (other than multiple Baal Geets): The importance of data, understanding the need of the community and empathizing with the stakeholder. The District is our lab – a place to try new ideas, innovate and reinvent processes and experiences. Breaking linear patterns of thinking and exploring creative solutions and ways of working in the system. Leaving your home and venturing into a new district far away will break your bubble and expose you to the realities of rural India. How well are you coping with this? With great innovation comes great risk. सबका मंगल हो A small “Thank You” or “Good Job” goes a long way .. (Hail Ufra 😀 ) There is no “I” in TEAM Its okay to screw up sometimes .. But whatever you do make sure you’re always making great memories! That’s all from us! See you all later over our next cup of tea!
The globetrotter in me has decided to take a break. Its time for a new adventure, a different approach and an altered way of life. For the next two years, I am shifting base from my home in the urban metropolis Mumbai to a rural district in Gujarat – Kheda. I’m embracing this change with a mission in mind. I have become a part of the Gandhi Fellowship Programme. The programme helps youngsters like me enter the development sector to strive towards making a difference and empowering the backward sections of our country. Our project – Rural Education. Some might say I have walked into this scene blindly. With no experience, no concrete plans for the future and having never lived away from home. To those people I would like to say, have a little faith and join me in my journey (through this blog) from the City of Dreams to making some dreams come true. For now, I have said my Good Byes. Good Bye to my city and my beloved college. Good Bye to my friends. Good Bye to my protective father, my mother (and her silly jokes) and my brother who now has a room all to himself. As I write this piece, seated in the 12955 Mumbai to Jaipur Super-Fast Express on my way to the Pink City (for my training course), I am surrounded by the usual scene one would find in an Indian long-distance train. Families and their home-cooked meals, children jumping from berth to berth and every passenger over 15 glued to the screens of their smartphones. Four year olds playing at a seat next to mine: “Stone .. Paper .. Shijur” The vernacular pronunciation of the word ‘scissor’ has given me my first taste of North India. (South Bombay kids will get this.) A journey like this, even without getting out of the train can expose you to a variety of cultures just by the people who board at every station. Every passenger brings with them their own sense of style, language and sensitivity. A group of men, all strangers before they met on train are now having a partly-hushed, partly-loud conversation about ‘Modiji’ – a common topic for conversation run up to the 2019 election while their wives and the older folk snooze occasionally, keeping an eye on the children. My father sits across from me, taking some business calls. I am a silent observer, with no judgements just taking it all in. Every character in my story from here will be a brand new one. I know no one and nothing. Every scene in my life henceforth is going to be a surprise even for me. And that brings me some excitement. Stay tuned for more. #GFPDiaries #ThoughtsOfAFellow #CityGirl #UrbanToRural #MissingMumbai #KissingKheda #Bombye #GFPDiaries #MyChronicles
In an age where the digital revolution has transformed how we live and work, embracing one’s true passion has become pivotal for success and fulfillment. The Gandhi Fellowship, an initiative by the Piramal Foundation, recognizes this shift from traditional knowledge acquisition to its practical application and hence organized an insightful workshop on the 24th of November 2023 at the seminar hall of ‘Pondicherry University’. This transformation in thought and skill was the focal point, aiming to align students with the demands of the 21st century in collaboration with Pondicherry University, Dr. Anbu inaugurated the session, emphasizing the need for contemporary skills in today’s fast-evolving world. He highlighted the ongoing collaboration between the University and the Gandhi Fellowship, both committed to making a tangible impact. The workshop began with a lively ice-breaker, setting a relaxed and interactive environment. Faculty members participated actively, showcasing a collaborative spirit. The first segment addressed the concept of ‘Change’. Students engaged with real-life scenarios, actively contributing to discussions and shaping the narrative around change. This interactive approach fostered a deeper understanding and personal connection to the subject. We then delved into the evolving job landscape, encouraging students to explore current and future job prospects and those likely to fade away. This exercise underlined the significance of technology and new-age skills, like Artificial Intelligence and Data Analytics, in the transformation of job sectors. Students, through group brainstorming, identified essential skills needed for future careers, demonstrating their adaptability and foresight. An emotional connect was made with Ms Reshma, a Gandhi Fellow from the Pondicherry University Alumni, sharing her inspiring journey from a small village in Kerala to making significant impacts across India. Her story resonated with students from various fields, leading to a lively Q&A session. The workshop concluded with Dr. Sukhvinder Singh sharing insights about various opportunities in the sector and encouraging students from all disciplines to join the Fellowship. His felicitation for supporting the 16th batch of the Gandhi Fellowship was a moment of appreciation and gratitude. Dr. Satheesh Kumar’s vote of thanks emphasized the Fellowship’s societal impact, urging students to seize this transformative opportunity. In summary, the workshop was a testament to the power of innovative student engagement strategies. It not only introduced students to critical 21st-century skills but also set the stage for future collaborations, placing students at the heart of this learning journey. The Gandhi Fellowship continues to pave the way in empowering the leaders of tomorrow.
One With All The Answers Inside a classroom or outside of it, hands raised or put down, questions asked or not; didn’t matter because I was always the one with all the answers. The one who knew it all. Whether you wanted it or not I was ready with all the answers, not all spoken out loudly but it was all there in my mind. I knew it all or maybe I thought I did. I thought I could take on life as it came and turn it my way because you know I know it all until recently when I find myself at a short of words let alone answers. Life was getting on track, I was trying to establish my footing, work was getting in line and if I had stayed things would have been very comfortable and settled by now but the heart wants what it wants and in a very dramatic manner I let my heart take over my mind and turn my life upside down. Very pompously and I must say with a large pinch of arrogance I threw away the prospects of a millennial future in lieu of uncertainties and a faint hopeless hope of being “the change you want to see in the world” (not a romantic at heart but I did just say that, see the uncertainties have already gotten onto me). I was looking for questions to answer because why not, after all I was one with all the answers. Just one and a half month into this fellowship and my head has been set straight and here I am not giving but seeking answers. When I had joined I had more confidence than blood in my body and now I see myself craving for even a glimpse of that old self. I had come here certain of myself but the ways of life have thrown me off-guard. The prospective nation builder in me was more than overwhelmed when I got to see the nation so up and close, a nation I knew to exist in books and stories but now am very much a part of. The nation that’s not in the delivery range of Zomato and Swiggy but serves tales, food and love enough to fill your stomach and satiate your soul. I had heard a lot that this journey of two years changes who you are and I thought how could it because you know!!! And here I have already started to shed away parts of me and transition into I do not even know what. Travelling to places I surely wouldn’t have otherwise both in this physical space and spiritual, finding hope in odd looking faces, tapping to my own tunes and quoting revolutionaries, at this point in time I cannot even fathom where am I headed to? You know what? I am no longer the one with all the answers and it doesn’t me any happier but it doesn’t make me sad either and somehow and I do not know high but I sleep lighter at nights, this journey of self-discovery is giving me the strength to push through my dark days. I feel my pit burning, burning with the hunger of knowledge, after a very long period; hunger to know myself and the other better, to put more life in my breaths…. Not all days are shiny and bright but the will to push through dark days towards better ones is getting stronger and Chico that’s enough progress for now, I guess!
Recognizing the importance of mental wellbeing, the Gandhi Fellowship incorporates a wellness curriculum focused on resilience, collaboration, and self-awareness. This approach enhances physical fitness and stamina for the fellows.
Recognizing the importance of mental wellbeing, the Gandhi Fellowship incorporates a wellness curriculum focused on resilience, collaboration, and self-awareness. This approach enhances physical fitness and stamina for the fellows.
Recognizing the importance of mental wellbeing, the Gandhi Fellowship incorporates a wellness curriculum focused on resilience, collaboration, and self-awareness. This approach enhances physical fitness and stamina for the fellows.