As I stand at the verge of completing my fellowship journey, I often find myself reflecting on the past few months and asking- what has been my greatest learning?
More than any technical skill or field exposure, the answer that comes to me most clearly is this: learning how to be a good manager, and equally, a good team member.
This fellowship marked my very first work experience after graduating from university. When you are just starting out, people often tell you how important it is to have the right people around you, those who inspire you, challenge you, and quietly push you towards your fullest potential. At the time, I didn’t fully grasp what that meant. Now, I do.
My first interaction with my Point of Contact (POC) was over a phone call, just after I was assigned my NGO during the YASHADA orientation in Pune. I remember feeling sceptical and confused about the fellowship itself. The domain I was stepping into – public health, was completely new to me. While I was curious and eager to learn, I was also quite apprehensive, aware of my lack of prior experience and unsure of what lay ahead.
With a mix of nervousness and cautious optimism, I headed towards my NGO location. I reached around 10–10:30 in the morning, and that was when I met her for the first time my POC, Erika Dutta who somewhere along the way became Erika Di to me.From day one, she was warm, welcoming, and reassuring. What could have been an intimidating first workplace experience immediately felt safe.
Over time, I realised that she wasn’t just a mentor guiding me through my tasks; she was someone I was constantly learning from, simply by observing her. The way she handles responsibilities, her dedication and sincerity towards her work, and her attention to even the smallest details left a lasting impression on me. She multitasks with remarkable patience and calm, and yet carries herself with a lightness – often a complete goofball of sunshine – which makes even the most hectic days feel manageable.
Her work ethic is inspiring. There is a certain seriousness with which she approaches her responsibilities, and a slight, almost endearing annoyance when something goes even a little off-track, because she wants things to be done right, if not perfectly. Watching her navigate situations when things go south, staying calm in unfavourable circumstances while simultaneously ensuring that everyone around her is doing okay, taught me more about leadership than any manual ever could.
What made this mentorship even more special were the conversations we shared – conversations that went far beyond work. Our discussions ranged from her explaining how the winter sky slowly moves through a series of colours during sunset, to telling me about local practices and traditions I would otherwise never have known. From breaking down how the rural health sector actually functions on the ground, to gently guiding me on how to navigate life when you are living so far away from home – every conversation carried learning, comfort, and perspective.
She encouraged me to learn everything from scratch – helping me understand how to approach the project, plan field visits, and coordinate with team members while slowly finding my footing. At the same time, she made sure I was doing well beyond work – checking in on my health, reminding me to eat properly, and creating a sense of care that I hadn’t expected in a professional setting.
Some of my most cherished memories are outside work hours – like her childlike enthusiasm when she tried a new recipe, followed by her meticulous precision while cooking it. The sheer satisfaction on her face when the dish turned out exactly the way she had envisioned mirrored how she approaches her work – with passion, patience, and intent. And on days when homesickness crept in quietly, she would cook homemade food; a warmth that made all the difference. (An undeniable blessing of having a Bengali POC.)
She also has an eye for beauty, quietly clicking the most stunning photographs, often noticing details that others would miss. Watching her frame moments, whether through her work or her lens, reminded me how attentiveness itself can be a form of care.
Now, as I reach the end of this fellowship, I realise how deeply formative this experience has been. Beyond reports, fieldwork, and deadlines, what stayed with me most strongly was the presence of a supportive, inspiring mentor. Someone who didn’t just teach me how to work, but showed me how to be – calm, sincere, dedicated, and kind.
This journey taught me that becoming a professional is not just about acquiring skills or managing projects. It is about learning to show up – for your work, for your team, and for yourself. And sometimes, all it takes is one person who leads by example, believes in you, and helps you see your own potential more clearly.
Looking back, I feel nothing but gratitude – for the learning, the growth, and the people who made this journey what it was.
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