From the hills of Shimla to the social spaces of Dehradun and beyond — my journey wasn’t just about learning public health; it was about becoming a part of it.
By Sharanya Mahajan
B.Tech CSE, UPES Dehradun | Voluntary Podcaster at Nada India Foundation
As someone born and brought up in the serene hills of Shimla, I grew up with a deep appreciation for community and connection. But like many others, I migrated to Dehradun in search of growth, education, and exposure. While my B.Tech in Computer Science at UPES Dehradun fed my curiosity for innovation, I longed for something more — a way to reconnect with my roots while aligning with global goals.
That’s when the Nada India Foundation internship found me — and everything changed.
🌱 Discovery: Learning to See What Works
My internship began in June 2025, with the simplicity of structured daily morning check-ins. These one-hour online sessions seemed small but became powerful — teaching me the importance of consistency, listening, and building presence.
At the heart of this experience was Mr. Suneel Vatsyayan, our mentor. His guidance wasn’t loud or forceful — it was reflective. He helped us see ourselves as part of the solution, not just students observing problems. That shift — from observer to participant — was my first true discovery.
One of the most defining moments was leading the first Youth Forum on Blood Donation. Nervous and excited, I found myself researching, planning, and speaking in a way I never had before. With each forum — Yoga Day, Drug Abuse, Mental Health — we didn’t just raise awareness. We created a platform for peer-led, community-driven dialogue.
I also discovered the power of stories during our collaborations with Community Action Through Students (CATS), Faridabad. Meeting youth changemakers virtually, especially during the “Happy Hour” reflection session, showed me how simple conversations could ignite shared purpose across cities.
🌈 Dream: Reimagining My Role in the World
My dream began to take shape when I started working on youth podcasts. The medium of audio allowed me to combine my tech background with my newfound interest in social dialogue.
-
🎙 Podcast on Women Empowerment with Akriti Yadav taught me how everyday courage creates ripples.
-
🎙 Mental Health Matters with Srishti opened up conversations on anxiety, stress, and the power of peer support.
-
🎙 Climate Change & Youth Action with Aanvi and Krrish gave me hope — that young people aren’t just inheriting the Earth, they are shaping its future.
Through these creative efforts, I began to see my place in a larger story — one where young people in Shimla, Dehradun, or anywhere else in the world, could be local leaders with global relevance.
I envisioned a future where youth don’t just scroll and share, but listen, speak, and act — creating healthier campuses, climate-conscious communities, and inclusive digital platforms.
🛠Design: Building My Voice, Crafting My Contribution
Under the Vidya Lead Academy framework, we weren’t just interns — we were designers of impact. Week by week, we learned how to:
-
Create peer-led youth forums on reflective thinking, self-awareness, and public health.
-
Engage in collaborative planning with mentors and fellow interns.
-
Use digital tools (audio, video, storytelling) to spread ideas beyond walls and screens.
This was also a personal design process:
From Shimla’s quiet hills to Dehradun’s dynamic campus, I was designing my own identity as a Community Action Team (CAT) member. One who blends coding with compassion, tech with teamwork, and awareness with action.
🎯 Deliverables: From Intern to Changemaker
By the end of July 2025, I wasn’t the same person who had nervously joined the first morning meeting.
✅ I had led a public forum, produced podcasts, and built networks with youth across India.
✅ I learned to host conversations that matter, ask questions that provoke thought, and offer solutions grounded in empathy.
✅ I reconnected with the values I saw growing up in Shimla — resilience, community, and care — but this time, with tools to act globally.
And the greatest deliverable? A sense of responsibility.
To my peers. To my mentors. And to the communities I hope to serve — both online and on-ground.
💬 Final Reflections: From the Hills to the World
If there’s one message I’d leave for fellow students, it’s this:
“Don’t wait for someone to tell you that you can lead. Begin with what you know, ask what you don’t, and learn from those who listen.”
I’m deeply grateful to Mr. Suneel Vatsyayan, Hiral Ma’am, and all the youth leaders who journeyed with me. Nada India didn’t just give me an internship — it gave me a platform to rediscover myself and redesign my future.
From awareness to action, this was more than a summer internship — it was a life lab. And I can’t wait to take what I’ve learned back to my community, and forward to the world.
#Youth4Change | #NadaIndia | #ShimlaToGlobal | #SDGsInAction | #PeerLeadership | #GoGreenHealthyCampus
Comments
Post a Comment