I embarked on my journey in health psychology with an Integrated Master’s degree from the University of Hyderabad. After working at a medical college for two years, I’m currently pursuing my M.Phil. in Clinical Psychology. My academic and professional journey has been deeply fulfilling, but one particular experience has added a profound layer of purpose to my life—my association with Rubaroo.
A door to new beginnings
It was during my time at university that I first learned about Rubaroo. I would often see friends share posts and discuss various Rubaroo programs with excitement. Their stories intrigued me, and I was eager to be involved, but life had other plans, keeping me busy until 2019. That year, a changemaker came to my university, seeking support for a project. I joined as his project coordinator, and soon, I found myself part of the Changelooms program. This program was like a guiding light, illuminating dreams I had cherished as a young woman.
Taking steps towards interfaith
Changemaking doesn’t happen overnight, and as I awaited my turn, I joined another Rubaroo initiative called “Agaaz-E-Baatcheet.” This interfaith leadership journey was transformative. Having grown up in rural India within an intercaste love marriage, this experience offered me a new perspective on faith, religion, caste, and culture. The journey encouraged me to see beyond my own experiences and understand the depth of our societal differences.
As part of the program, I led an event at a Telangana Social Welfare Residential Degree College near Nalgonda. Working with youth from diverse backgrounds, I realized how essential awareness is in bridging cultural divides. The experience made me more conscious of my actions, ensuring inclusivity in all that I do. Serving as a Youth Champion and organizing these events was truly a dream come true—I was taking concrete steps toward a future of meaningful impact.
Becoming a Changemaker and building “Mimosa”
Soon after Agaaz-E-Baatcheet, I applied for the Changemakers-Changelooms program and was thrilled to be selected. This time, I focused on a project close to my heart: the prevention of interpersonal violence. With guidance from Rubaroo’s mentors, I built a dedicated team and dove into a year-long journey of training, strategizing, and implementing. One of the most rewarding moments was seeing two young participants from the same college in Nalgonda join the changemaker program themselves. Witnessing the impact of my efforts coming full circle was deeply humbling.
Through Rubaroo’s programs, I honed skills in team management, conflict resolution, program coordination, and even proposal writing. Each event I managed and every interaction added to my confidence, preparing me for challenges in both my career and personal life. While there were discouraging moments, I learned to turn obstacles into learning experiences. Today, I am grateful for these skills—they’ve enriched my relationships and made me a stronger communicator.
Scaling “Mimosa”
Even as I continue my education, I remain part of Rubaroo’s network of young leaders. My pilot project, “Mimosa,” a product of my changemaker journey, holds immense potential, and I dream of scaling it to a larger impact. Rubaroo gave me the opportunity to make a difference early in life, and I look forward to giving back to the community in more significant ways.
Each step in this journey has shaped me into who I am today. From nurturing dreams to facing challenges head-on, Rubaroo has been a catalyst in transforming those dreams into actionable goals. This is just the beginning, and I can’t wait to see where this path leads.
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