Author: arfana22

Over the course of my two-year fellowship in Satkondi, I witnessed something extraordinary transformation not only in the children I worked with but also within myself. In a village where voices were once hesitant and dreams often unspoken, I saw courage slowly take root through every session, drawing, and conversation. Together, we built more than […]

In a world bursting with creativity and color, where digital design dominates, galleries thrive, and films touch hearts globally one would think choosing art as a career would be welcomed with open arms. But for many, art is still seen not as a profession, but as a waste of time. “Yeh sab shauk ke liye […]

When I first applied for the JSW Fellowship, I knew it would be a challenge. What I didn’t fully realize then was how deeply it would shape me personally, professionally, and emotionally. Looking back now, I see a version of myself that has grown in ways. Stepping Into the Unknown The decision to join the […]

During my fellowship’s exposure visit, I had the privilege of attending a transformative five-day workshop titled “Re-imagining Education” at Swaraj University, located in the peaceful Tapovan Ashram amidst the Aravali Hills of Udaipur. But to call it just a workshop would be limiting. It wasn’t merely an academic engagement it was a journey of reflection, […]

“Agar main sarpanch na hota, to shayad mai na hota” (If I hadn’t become Sarpanch, I might not be me). This is the story of Mr. Satish Thul, The Sarpanch of Satkondi village, located in the Ratnagiri district of Maharashtra. Satish is a man whose life took a drastic turn during the COVID-19 pandemic, forcing […]

Sometimes, if you’re lucky, there will be a tree outside your room window. And if you’re even luckier, that tree will become your friend. I read something similar a while ago, and it stayed with me. Maybe because I too have a tree just outside my window. A tree that I’ve looked at every single […]

While returning from the field today, I stopped midway in Khandala village, where the weekly Friday market takes place. I was walking through the vegetable lane when I heard a little girl calling her elder sister “Abba,” which means father. This caught my attention because, in most Muslim families, elder sisters are usually called Appi […]

Over the past two days, I experienced something truly special and memorable that I will cherish forever. I had the opportunity to attend the inauguration program of my village school in Satkondi, Ratnagiri. It wasn’t just an event; it became a celebration of unity, culture, and togetherness, leaving me overwhelmed with gratitude and joy. The […]

We recently completed our 5th training & Travel Workshop in Bhuj, Gujarat, where we explored various organizations and artisans. As we navigated through the intricate and narrow lanes, a memory surfaced something my Nana (grandfather) used to say: “Jitni choti aur tang galiyon se guzarna pade, samjho utne hi mahaan kalakaar se milne ja rahe […]