The Downtrodden [A Poem]

The Downtrodden [A Poem]

This was penned to portray the voices of those amongst us who are downtrodden. While writing this, the visuals in my mind were that of migrant laborers, who were struggling to get back home during the mega lockdown. They did not have any avenues for their voices to be...

Lessons From A Workshop On ‘Introduction to Libraries’

Lessons From A Workshop On ‘Introduction to Libraries’

What is a library? Six months ago, I would have given a completely different answer to that question. I was unaware of the depth and possibilities libraries hold despite having access to them since childhood. It became clear only when I began working as a fellow with...

On Curiosity and Why It Matters

On Curiosity and Why It Matters

If all objects eventually reach an equilibrium temperature in a closed and static environment, why do metal chairs feel colder than wooden chairs ?  In a virtual learning session held by Sandhya ma’am and Sarit sir, the founders of Aavishkaar, we were invited to...

Reflections From The Work On Tuberculosis

Reflections From The Work On Tuberculosis

I have been working for 18 months with Innovators In Health (IIH). The organization has been actively working on the ground for over 12 years now. They work to address public health issues like tuberculosis (TB) and maternal health. To understand IIH's work in detail,...

How Caste Continues To Take A Center Stage In Panna, Madhya Pradesh

How Caste Continues To Take A Center Stage In Panna, Madhya Pradesh

A year and a half ago when I boarded a train to Panna, I was sharing a berth with a middle-aged lady. She was keen to know where I was going. When I told her I was going to Panna, her response was, “Acha, tiger reserve ghumne ja rahe hai aap?” What started as general...

Center For Entrepreneurship Development, Gujarat

Center For Entrepreneurship Development, Gujarat

The Center for Entrepreneurship Development (CED), Gujarat is a government-run organization that aims to promote entrepreneurship in the state of Gujarat, India. In their 12 days of CED training, they focus on providing practical and theoretical knowledge in the field...

Reflecting Through Rituals And Relationships

Reflecting Through Rituals And Relationships

Living and working in Maheshwar feels like building a small world of my own. Sculpting and chiseling away, without any care for the world. Taking a pause every once in a while when I get on a call or travel outside this place. The journey as an India Fellow has been...

Visual Arts As A Way To Connect Children To The Library

Visual Arts As A Way To Connect Children To The Library

I have a feeling that my relationship with art has been changing since joining the fellowship. It began with doing a life story drawing at the induction. And ever since that, I have wanted to bring more of its presence into my life. By presence, I mean, through...

Strengthening Social Justice Committees Of Gram Panchayats In Kutch

Strengthening Social Justice Committees Of Gram Panchayats In Kutch

According to the provisions of the Gujarat Panchayat Act, 1993, Social Justice Committees (SJC) are mandatory. Every gram panchayat needs to constitute SJCs. It is a standing committee that ought to perform functions related to: The promotion of economic, social,...

The Cycle Of Undernutrition

The Cycle Of Undernutrition

A few weeks back, my roommate and I had an argument about the taste of food. She argued that it's only our hunger that makes the food delicious. While I argued that delicious food will taste delicious irrespective of whether the person is hungry or not. By the time we...

How Can We Improve The Education System In Rural India?

How Can We Improve The Education System In Rural India?

The highest pupil dropout rates in southern rural Rajasthan begin in 8 grade. I tried to understand the education system in the rural villages around Gogunda, Rajasthan. In most cases, girls would leave after they start menstruating and the boys would disengage...

A Brief Introduction To Crafts – From Kachchh, Gujarat

A Brief Introduction To Crafts – From Kachchh, Gujarat

The floor, the once-blue drums, tables and chairs; are all covered in a white-ish powder. Anything you touch and you will dust your hands. Machines that you don’t recognize, lie around you. There are big pots made with plaster of paris filled with a grey-looking clay...