“The biggest thing I learnt is Consent.”
Embarking on a journey often leads to unexpected discoveries and profound transformations. For Meghana, a student, the path to personal growth and societal awareness began with Rubaroo, an organization committed to youth empowerment and community engagement. From her humble beginnings as a volunteer at a college event, Meghana’s involvement with Rubaroo blossomed into a transformative experience that challenged her perceptions, nurtured her confidence, and ignited her passion for social change.
Finding a Home at Rubaroo
As a college student, Meghana sought opportunities to learn and make a difference. Hence, she engaged in the mobilization for the Agaaz-e-Baatcheet 2022 and eventually enrolled in the program on the recommendation of her professor. And the rest is history.
Reflecting on her early days with Rubaroo, Meghana recalls, “Workshop ka 9-5 schedule thoda hectic lag raha tha mujhe, par ek baar join hone ke baad, time ka pata hi nhi chala. Mai apne views pehle din se hi khulkar bolne lagi thi aur kafi achi dosti banayi maine waha par. Rubaroo ka welcoming nature ne mujhe yeh feel nhi karaya ki mai nayi hu is organization mein.”
A Glimpse into Real-Life Issues
However, her journey with Rubaroo went beyond mere participation – as it was an eye-opening experience that challenged her perspectives and broadened her understanding of social issues.
“Mere area mein kabhi religion ko lekar issue nhi hua but Agaaz join karne ke baad pata chala ki yaha ghar milna hi mushkil ho jata hai logo ke liye. Log religion aur caste ke basis par ghar nhi dete. Ghar ek basic chiz hai insaan ke rehne ke liye. Usse se aage dekha jaaye toh log LGBTQIA+ community ke logo ko bhi accept nhi krte hai. Mere SAC ke dwara I tried finding answers – and continuing to explore new things.”
However, her journey with Rubaroo went beyond mere participation – as it was an eye-opening experience that challenged her perspectives and broadened her understanding of social issues. Graduating as a Youth Champion through Agaaz-e-Baatcheet, Meghana continued her journey and pushed her comfort zone to another level by participating in Emerging Leaders Program 2023. She reflects on how the program emboldened her with newfound confidence and courage.
“I’m more courageous now with the confidence to talk to anyone. I’ve let go of the judgment factor now. Even if I’ve to go somewhere in the evening, I used to be scared, but after ELP – the residential camp helped me to go out. My mom also got confident about letting me go. Perhaps the biggest thing I learned is consent – if I’m uncomfortable, I’m saying it right away, which has positively impacted my college and personal life.”
An Agent of Change
When asked about the impact generated, Meghana sheds light on how Rubaroo has been the catalyst for personal growth and social change. She believes that it’s impacting participants and building a youth agency.
“I want every young person to go through this experience and build their leadership and communication skills. Now, I want to bear the facilitator hat and see myself as part of Rubaroo’s journey (a home for her).”
Meghana’s journey exemplifies how organizations like Rubaroo can profoundly impact individuals, empowering them to become agents of change in their communities and beyond. As Rubaroo continues to grow and evolve, it remains dedicated to nurturing the potential of young people like Meghana, providing them with the tools and opportunities they need to thrive in an ever-changing world.
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