"Dilon mein tum apne Kwaab leke chal rahe ho, toh zinda ho tum"

Last week – we had graduation ceremony for our just formed embroidery team – (yes – you heard it right – graduation. Our women loved it and enjoyed every bit of it and were proud of their respective portfolios). We expected it to be a simple event with friendly banter, handing out the certificates, small embroidery kits, the stipend followed by chai/samosa party.

Mogi came to join us and he thought of holding a circle of sharing before the samosa party and he requested everyone to share their experience. All the women shared their journey of this one month, their motivation to step out of the house and where they see themselves and we shared with them the next steps.

What stayed with me was a comment by one of the lady who said that she aspires to get a permanent roof constructed over her small house…currently, the roof is temporary (tin) and then she was overwhelmed with emotions and cried!! I felt a mix of emotions at that time – joy that this little step made her inner aspirations come alive and also felt the burden of the expectations. I can’t seem to take her face out of my mind.

And I felt that at the end of this project even if we are able to fulfil one such aspiration, isn’t that a success?? Why is impact measured in quantity and not in quality of engagement?

Wishing everyone moments of feeling alive!

Included below is the poem from "Zindagi na milegi dobara" that I was reminded of at the moment.

Dilon mein tum apni betaabiyan leke chal rahe ho, toh zinda ho tum
Nazar mein khwaabon ki bijliyan leke chal rahe ho, toh zinda ho tum
Hawa ke jhokon ke jaise aazad rehna seekho
Tum ek dariya ke jaise lehron mein behna seekho
Har ek lamhe se tum milo khole apni baahein
Har ek pal ek naya samaa dekhe yeh nigahein
Jo apni aankhon mein hayraniyan leke chal rahe ho, toh zinda ho tum
Dilon mein tum apni betaabiyan leke chal rahe ho, toh zinda ho tum


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