“Don’t loose faith in India” were my father’s dying words. Both my parents were true patriots and loved their country with rare passion, a passion that they instilled in their only child. I fell in love with India from the stories I heard at their knee. I am a proud Indian at a proud Hindu. […]
This morning I visited the Yamuna Centre. As we drove down the mud track that reaches our centre I saw the families sitting grief stricken amidst their belongings scattered shelter skelter have last week’s demolition drive. The families have put up plastic sheets on bamboo poles to protect themselves from the vagaries of the weather. […]
The phone rang on Monday morning. It was Rani. I do not know why but I felt something was wrong. even before I picked it up. “There is some sad news about the Yamuna centre” said Rani. For a second I thought or rather hoped that she would say the waters are rising and we […]
FCRA or Foreign Currency Regulation Act is something NGOs aspire to as it allows them to get funds from foreign countries. Today FCRA is out of the closet. The government wants to amend it and the opposition is up in arms. Wonder why? Till date the FCRA did not have stringent rules and many were […]
“I want to be a doctor” are words that I have heard innumerable times for over 25 years. Every time you ask a child what she aspires to be doctor is often the answer you get. For the past few days the hallowed entrance examination you need to pass in order to get admission in […]
As I write these words, lacs of students from across India and even outside are writing their NEET retest! The retest was ordered as numerous leaks of question papers were discovered after the initial exam. Paper leaks are not new. They have been happening for years with impunity. Often instigated by the coaching industry who […]
Empowering young minds with knowledge, confidence, and life skills.Through our collaboration with Modicare Foundation, children and adolescents participated in engaging sessions on life skills, good & bad touch awareness, growing up and adolescence, self-esteem building, physical & mental health, and gender equality.Together, we are creating safe spaces where young people can learn, grow, and thrive. […]
For the past years summer holidays have been the bane of the Project Why teaching team. Children went to the village and came back having forgotten everything. This was happening constantly year after year. This. year the team decided to address the situation and find a solution. They would make worksheets for all subjects and […]
I have been trying to write this post for some days now. Each time I decide to do so, another article appears in the press and compels me to change my approach. OK let us put this in context. Over the past weeks there have been a plethora of news articles on education. Based on […]
Keerthana is 9 year old. She lives in Narapanenipalle, a small village in Telangana. Once there were 70 children in this upper primary school. But slowly with time passing the rural education scene has changed as parents migrate towards urban centres or shift their children to English speaking convent schools. It is a true crisis. Today […]
I had decided to celebrate my 74th quietly, without much ado but that was not to be.With the very eclectic social circle I have, it is quasi impossible for me to have one big bash, not that I like those. But everyone needed to be satisfied. So planned a small lunch with two of my […]
This little girl all dressed up for her second birthday is looking ahead at her future: what does it hold for her, she wonders. Let in unfold and be a mystery. Tomorrow she will be 27010 days or 74 years old. Time to look back at the mystery and answer the one question that has […]
True inclusion means more than admitting a child into a classroom. Through the story of one little girl with ADHD this article explores why understanding, compassion and the right support are essential if every child is to thrive in school
A few days back Xavier informed us about the visit of Serge an old friend of Project Why with his new bride Saranya. We decided to do something special for them. It was to be a surprise. Serge carries India in his heart and his bride has never visited India. It was decided to welcome […]
I came across this beautiful article recently. What caught my eye was the title:”When joy becomes simple, life becomes extraordinary“. I read it and was drawn to every word as it resonated with everything I have gone through. If you have time, read it. It took me a long time trying to find an image […]
A deeply personal reflection on the purpose of Project Why and the challenge of preparing children for an uncertain future. Uses the St Exupéry metaphor powerfully to connect dreams, education and changing times. Strong founder’s voice and legacy piece.
Memento mori (“remember you must die”) , originated as an ancient roman tradition where a servant would whisper this phrase to a victorious general during their triumph parade to prevent hubris. It serves as a reminder of mortality’s inevitability to encourage a purposeful, humble life. No one whispered these words in my ear but I think […]
After 25 years of leading Project WHY, I faced the challenge every founder eventually confronts: how to ensure the organisation would survive beyond me. This is a story of resilience, hope and the people who helped secure its future. For every founder of a social organisation, there comes a difficult question: What will happen when […]