Hailing from the vibrant city of Hyderabad, Amulya was always an engaged student, immersing herself in academics and community activities. But it was her meeting with Imtiaz and Ismail that opened the doors to Rubaroo and marked the beginning of her transformative journey as a changemaker. Her involvement with Rubaroo soon became a significant part of her life as she joined the community centre as a volunteer, committing her time and passion to its initiatives.
“I learned that there’s a program on leadership, and I would be travelling. Excited, I enrolled in the Changemakers program, whose workshop was conducted at Deccan Trails. I learned a lot of things there, and the impact it has had – I don’t think I would’ve signed up for this if it was a classroom setup.”
The spark that ignited Kratu
Following her experience with the Changemakers program, Amulya began noticing barriers among her peers, particularly around language and confidence. She saw how a lack of communication skills and English comprehension impacted many students, creating invisible yet significant hurdles. Inspired to bridge this gap, she teamed up with Imtiaz and co-founded “Kratu,” which means enlightenment in Sanskrit.
“Kratu was formed during a discussion with Imtiaz, and we thought it was worth doing. Hence, we contacted many schools and undergraduate colleges and conducted 10 sessions divided into segments, tasks, and assignments. Overall, we reached 360 students from orphanages, resource centres, YRC, and ComLab.”
Through Kratu, they crafted a program to equip students with essential communication and life skills, reaching a diverse audience and creating a platform for growth and confidence.
Agaaz-e-Baatcheet
One of the most memorable moments in Amulya’s journey was during the Agaaz workshop, which challenged participants to dig deeper into understanding identity. They explored identity through an “iceberg” model, analysing both the visible and hidden aspects of who we are. This exercise left a profound impact on Amulya, teaching her the importance of reserving judgement and fostering empathy.
“I remember the Agaaz workshop, where we drew an iceberg and analysed it to the parts of identity people know and don’t know. It was a moment of realisation that I must be conscious and not judge people. Currently, I relate to this concept more than ever when I talk about racism in the US.”
An insider advice and her global journey
Today, Amulya is studying for her MS in Computer Science in the United States, but her commitment to community work has only grown stronger. She’s actively involved in the Global Student Friendship organization, helping international students settle in, and is currently the Director of Student Organization on campus. Through her roles, she is applying what she learned from Rubaroo, investing in people and building a sense of belonging for those around her.
When asked about advice for young changemakers, Amulya shares, “Take advantage of everything you get through Rubaroo. It helped me develop myself immensely, and it’s a never-ending learning process.”
Amulya’s journey from Hyderabad to the world has been marked by dedication, empathy, and a commitment to create lasting impact. Through Rubaroo, Kratu, and her ongoing efforts, she continues to inspire others to build connections, overcome barriers, and embrace growth on every step of their path.
About The Author
Leave a Reply