In this blog, I had the privilege of speaking with Sushmita, a Youth Champion, about her journey and its impact on her. Sushmita shared personal insights into how Rubaroo’s programmes helped her build confidence and broadened her understanding of interfaith connections.
Starting with Rubaroo: A Journey of Self-Exploration
Sushmita recalls her early days with Rubaroo, describing her experience as short but impactful. “It was a very good learning experience,” she says, reflecting on how the activities boosted her self-confidence and encouraged her to voice her thoughts. She appreciated the way Rubaroo’s programs allowed participants to explore their potential.
The activities were diverse, from small events to group interactions, aimed at pushing personal limits and enhancing self-esteem. “The time we got, it was like a very nice self-exploration with Rubaroo,” she mentions.
The Power of Interfaith Connections
Sushmita highlights one of the most significant experiences of Agaaz-e-Baatcheet – the interfaith events. These programmes involved visits to places of worship from different religions, including temples, mosques, churches, and Gurudwaras. She reflects, “It was interfaith. We visited religious places from different religions.”
This exposure was eye-opening for the participants and had a broader impact on their college community. She explains, “It was eye-opening for the people who are lecturers… when we went to all kinds of different religious places… We can be open to all kinds of religions, and it’s equally important to them as for us.”
Sushmita shares how the visits helped her peers become more open-minded. Some participants, who initially felt hesitant to explore other places of worship, eventually became more receptive. “They were very happy and blessed to see the divine spirituality… it’s not limited to only our thing,” she says, highlighting the shift in their perspective.
A Silver Lining
When asked about the personal impact of these interfaith experiences, Sushmita emphasizes a deeper understanding of “unity in diversity.” Though the phrase is often seen in books, she believes her Rubaroo experience brought it to life. “We have always read it in books, but that was an event which made us realize it personally, in a practical way,” she explains.
She proudly reflects on how this realization helped her embrace a more inclusive and open-minded outlook, a lesson she still carries with her today.
The Ground Impact of Rubaroo’s Work
Sushmita believes that Rubaroo’s impact extends far beyond its participants. The organization helped cultivate a wider understanding of inclusivity and interfaith dialogue by involving college peers in interfaith visits and other activities. “It had a good impact on them,” she notes, explaining how the participants’ new openness led to meaningful interactions with people of different backgrounds.
Despite initial hesitation from her peers, the events sparked an eagerness to connect with others and learn about diverse religious practices. “They were open and confident to talk to other people,” she adds, underscoring how Rubaroo’s efforts led to a lasting shift in community behavior.
Confidence and Professional Growth
One of the most significant outcomes of Sushmita’s involvement with Rubaroo was the development of her confidence. “What I am today is all because of my confidence,” she says. This newfound self-assurance played a key role in her professional journey, even during challenging times when she considered giving up. The lessons she learned through Rubaroo—especially the importance of perseverance and believing in herself—have been integral to her growth. “It brought me back to knowing we can’t give up. We should be confident enough in what we are doing,” she reflects.
Advice for New Participants
Sushmita’s advice for anyone joining Rubaroo as a volunteer or participant is simple yet powerful: “Be ready for the adventure you’re going to experience with all the excitement.” She encourages newcomers to embrace the journey, assuring them that the experience will leave them feeling more confident and empowered. “They are going to love the experience, and they are going to come out like very young, confident people.”
Looking back, Sushmita is grateful for the lasting friendships and connections she made through Rubaroo. “I’m very good friends with them till now, till date,” she shares. Even though it has been several years, the bonds formed during her time with the organization remain strong.
Beyond Rubaroo: Other Volunteer Experiences
Sushmita has also been involved in other organizations like Dobaara and her college’s NSS program. However, she admits that while those experiences were good, Rubaroo stood out in terms of its impact. “Rubaroo brought that confidence, brought us that self-boosting,” she concludes, expressing her deep appreciation for the transformative journey she experienced with the organization.
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