Tuesday, January 8, 2019

My Journey at Gandhi Ashram, Ahmedabad

I was in the train and was going to Gandhi Ashram, Ahmedabad for Anubhuti's next workshop with Ashram Girls. I don't know why I was feeling this, but since the beginning I was so positive about going to Ahmedabad. And after talking to Sanchi on a phone call for the very first time, I never felt like I am going to an unknown place, it felt like I am going from one home to another. The moment I spoke to Sanchi, it felt like a complete home. :)

And I experienced the same, it was a warm welcome by Ashram's volunteers and I was feeling so comfortable among those people. I was excited to meet the girls in the evening. I started receiving their love from the day one onwards. It was so heartwarming to see all those girls (who belongs to a most vulnerable background) learning and exploring this beautiful classical dance form Kathak with so much sincerity and passion. They all were quite nervous and excited at the same time to learn it. 

I found them little shy and hesitant in speaking or talking to me initially but as we started spending more time interacting with each other, they beautifully opened their heart and shared their love and care. One of the expression of their love was to take care of my small small requirements during my whole stay there. They often asked me in the morning class, "Didi, did you have your tea? Or did you eat something?" and at times when I said," No, because I was getting late for the class, so I skipped my tea." then one of the girl would run to the kitchen and prepare a tea for me and would ask me authoritatively, "Didi, you should have your tea and we shall practice on our own till then." 

I found this a very beautiful expression of unconditional love which I was getting from these girls who were initially a little scared from me as one day they shared with me that "Didi, when you first came here we were thinking that you would be very strict in teaching, but you were not. You behaved like an elder sister and more like a friend to us." I was staying with them in their hostel only, so other girls who were not a part of the workshop were also becoming a part of my journey in the Ashram. 

There was another experience which touched my heart. I was having problem in sleeping at night because there was a big tube light just outside my room which disturbed me throughout the night as I need my room to be dark to be able to sleep and I couldn't switched it off because the washroom and the stairs were close by and it was being used by the girls living upstairs. I discussed it with the hostel staff but it did not help. One day, a girl named Nikita came to my room and we talked around for half an hour, and while leaving she asked me with concern, "दीदी, आपको कोई problem तो नहीं हो रही इधर ?" I said very casually, "हाँ यार , हो तो रही है, ये  बाहर वाली light मुझे सोने नहीं देती रात को, इसका कुछ कर दो.." She replied, "Hmm..okay didi,  मैं ऊपर सबको बोल  देती हूँ। " and she left. That night onwards I did not face any problem with the light outside as the girls had taken the responsibility कि जब भी कोई लड़की नीचे washroom use करने आएगी, वह lights on करेगी और जाते वक़्त light बंद करते हुए चली जाएगी। It was so overwhelming for me to see those girls taking efforts for my comfort. Nikita took the lead in that and other girls supported in the best manner possible.

I had many experiences there where I received their love. Our workshop was also going very smooth. I could clearly see the Spark and Enthusiasm on their faces to give their best. Everyday they all were there in front of me with a fresh energy and a zeal to learn which was very inspiring for me to see. The best thing I learnt from those girls was their sincerity in attitude and also the way they joyfully were taking the efforts to learn. And yes, the way they share their love with people around. :) 

On the concluding day of the workshop, we all were in teary eyes and they were asking me to promise that I would pick up their phone calls whenever they call specially during their festival 'Uttarayan' in January. In a nutshell, I experienced a complete flow of love and care from everyone present there during my stay at Gandhi Ashram. Self confidence, leadership, team work, discipline and other soft skills were planted in them as a seed through the traditional classical dance form Kathak; I was able to see that they were becoming more open in sharing and speaking in front of their 200 peers and hostel staff. Moreover, they have nurtured the seed of Love and Compassion in my heart.