“I started volunteering when I was 19 when I was in my first year of college. But it was only an interest that I wanted to develop on the weekends. For a career, I was studying architecture. However, things didn’t turn out the way I wanted. That was a tough phase to come to terms with my profession not working out and finding alternatives. Meanwhile, I continued to volunteer through different activities like spreading awareness in slums, conducting food and blanket distribution drives and training kids in government schools. The experience was not just enriching, it was also eye-opening. We all talk about societal issues at the comfort of our drawing rooms, but only when we get your hands dirty, we truly understand the reality of the world.

By the time I reached my final year, I had decided to work for the NGOs and serve the needy. But it wasn’t an easy ride. I faced severe backlash and criticism from the people around me. People said I need to focus on something that’ll give me money and not social work. According to them, charity is something you should do when you are “settled” in life, have kids – at the age of retirement.

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