Firstly let me start by thanking the Taj (especially the Learning & Development Department) for suggesting the excellent idea of working with an NGO. I am glad I decided to follow this suggestion because the said period was one of learning and understanding, raw emotion and feelings, and a period graced by the brilliance of human connections. The following is my final blogpost as Roabin’s intern.
The internship is coming to an end….
My very last day involved a visit to an educational institute outside Pune. I am pleased to say that it was a good last day (I will elaborate later regarding the visit). My internship with Roabin started off with a few ideas, but no well defined goals. One of my very first telephonic conversations with him involved my telling him I wanted to contribute and that I wanted to get on the path to happiness (http://nishantvp.blogspot.com/2009/09/pursuit-of-happiness.html). Over time, after I was introduced to Nanda ma’am & Nilesh and to Saathi, the goals took shape. I mentioned these goals earlier. I’d mentioned that I intended to bring change into the lives of Nanda ma’am and Nilesh. I’d mentioned that I intended to bring certain changes in myself. One goal that I refrained from mentioning earlier (which I have decided to mention now) was that I also intended to help bring change in Saathi.
While my initial aim of teaching Nilesh the basics of English perished quite quickly, we achieved something else that we were not actively seeking. Readers of all previous blog-posts will understand the lessons that were learnt over the past 3 months. All of us gained so much as our relationship developed. I most certainly gained even more. Nilesh received a few tough lessons; lessons that I hope will stick and help him as he grows older. I’m sure that the idea that “to receive attention and interest one must give attention and interest” is something he’s beginning to understand. Nanda ma’am, Aji and I learnt lessons through our interesting discussions regarding equality and other such issues (something I never expected). By going on an outing with me, Nanda ma’am took a step to make sure that she was controlling her insecurities rather than letting them control her. I gained willing support through emotional distress. I even gained a morsel of understanding with regard to the difficulties faced in a slum by women, by single mothers, by ill grandmothers and by children (I use the word “morsel” here specifically to explain that my understanding is limited to what I have seen and limited by what I have not myself experienced). Most importantly, in Nanda ma’am, Nilesh and Aji, I gained three good friends.
As far as bringing change to Saathi is concerned, I am unsure of the results. So with respect to my being refused an internship with Saathi, I’ll simply state what I had desired to achieve in terms of change. I hoped to let it be understood that the purpose of systems was to serve the organization and not run it. While I had been told to “Step outside yourself” I feel people were doing just the opposite by considering the issues I had raised to be personal attacks. I wanted to let them know that I raised those issues only for corrective action and not with the hope of tarnishing anyone’s reputation. Overall I am glad I had the interaction I did with Saathi. I can honestly say I have learnt important & good lessons and this was only possible because Saathi chose to continue to remain engaged with me. I thank them for not shutting down communication.
I am more certain about change in me. I had hoped to be a little less self-absorbed and a little more confident. My internship with Roabin has certainly helped me do that. I’ve taken some steps with that objective in mind. My visit to the educational institute I had mentioned earlier was an example of a step taken with the hope tackling some of these issues. I met wonderful people, both teachers and students, and was so pleased to see the relationship they shared. Students were encouraged to speak out their points of few even if that meant challenging what their teachers said. I also took part in Community Interaction (a requirement at this Institute). The CI involved a visit to a voluntary organization which cares for adults who are mentally challenged. The experience was brilliant. As soon as we entered the premises, the students I had gone with were greeted warmly with hugs from the people staying there. They obviously knew them well. They did not know me, but that didn’t stop them from coming to me and asking me my name. One man, took my bag from my shoulder, put over his shoulder, took my hand in his and led me to the hall where the interactive activities were to take place. That was amazing. The entire experience was wonderful and left me wondering why our colleges and junior colleges did not encourage such activities. We too need to have a requirement in our curriculum directed towards community interaction. It helps us understand the challenges faced by people different from us. We can contribute and hence gain immensely. Our institutes also need to encourage “thinking”, challenging the teachings of the teacher & interacting with them rather than simply listening to what they have to say. Overall the visit was truly enlightening and a step towards tackling my lack of confidence (especially in terms of meeting new people). It is now up to me to continue taking these little steps.
I can say that this internship was truly worthwhile, mostly because of the friends I have made through the process - Nanda ma’am, Nilesh, Aji, Roabin uncle and Lygia aunty to name a few. I do hope to make these friendships long lasting ones. That is most certainly my intention with Nanda ma’am (my plan is to give her a call once a week). I need to thank Roabin for asking me to start this blog and encouraging me to write. Looking at it, I feel genuinely happy. One thing that does make me sad, however, is that I will not be able to give it much time once I join the Taj. Although I do hope to drop in once in a while with a few articles, I would be glad to hand the reins over to someone else for this is a good blog (even if I do say so myself).
Finally…… I need to thank Roabin for asking me, as he did so very often, to dive off the deep end J.
…..the internship has come to an end.
