Fellows, Friends, and Footprints…

To my co-fellows 💛

My Fellowship journey
First time away from home
A place unknown

Nithin, Sowmya, Santhiya
You made location home
Warmth replaced the distance

With Santhiya, the scorching rides
You found joy in the sun’s glare
Made challenge an adventure

With Valli, a simple call
Fieldwork stress dissolved
Calm support, casually given

Nutan, training days shared
Roomie laughter, light and clear
The happiest part remembered

Manish, Ajendra, questioning minds
Stereotypes started to fall
New perspectives welcomed in

A Santa game played
An angel sent my way
Rakhi, your blessing touched my wishes

Rutuja, self-defense taught
Techniques brought bravery
Found strength I didn’t know

Water’s story, deep and clear
Manjunath, Sibani, remembered here
Your content stays with me

Isani, beauty, brain combined
Women’s empowerment, defined
Your project made its mark

Health, hygiene, thought-provoking ways
Joyeeta, Abhishek, inspired for days
Ideas that spark and grow

Vivek, Anirudh, agriculture’s call
A farmer’s daughter, curious through all
You fed that interest well

Training days, intense yet bright
Arfana,Anusha, Arathi, Vibha, cool vibes
You made the learning flow

Now I have homes,
Not just one, but many
Fellows’ homes across India wait.

Thank you my dear fellows for everything 💛

This journey was more than just a program; it was a mosaic of moments, challenges, laughter, and profound learning, all made richer by the incredible people I shared it with. Each name in this poem represents a unique thread in the fabric of my fellowship experience. They, and so many others not explicitly named but equally cherished, helped turn unfamiliar territory into a landscape of belonging.

The fellowship might be over, but the connections remain. And now, when I think of India, I don’t just see a map of states and cities; I see a network of friends, of homes, waiting to be revisited.

To all my fellows, thank you. You didn’t just share a program with me; you shared a piece of your lives, your warmth, and your homes. And for that, I am eternally grateful.