“I started volunteering when I was 18, 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
Mass Media. However, things couldn’t turn out the way I wished they would. That was a tough phase to come to terms with my career 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. While the experience had been enriching it was also a complete eye opener for me. We all talk about societal issues at the comfort of our drawing rooms, but only when you get your hands dirty, you understand the reality of the world.

By the time I reached my final year, I had decided to work in NGOs and serve the needy. But it wasn’t an easy ride. I faced a bit of criticism from 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 get “settled” in life, have kids – at the age of retirement.

What people need to understand is just talking about change or blaming the government will never solve issues. Things change when people take responsibility towards bringing that change. There is nothing that a collective group of citizens cannot achieve if they rightly wish so.”

• Pranay, Student