Story of Change! Meet Vinod karma a fellow of Yuvaalaya program who belongs to kusia village, Harda District, MP. He is sharing his one year learnings and experiences as a part of Yuvaalaya fellow. There are different activities design for these fellows for their learning and growth.One of which is Individual Action Project.As part of his action project, Vinod set out to address the pressing issue of school dropouts in his community. Upon visiting a local school, he observed that a significant number of children were not attending regularly. Concerned, he approached the teachers and requested a list of students who had dropped out. To his surprise, the list revealed that 42 children, all from a nearby hill tribe, had stopped coming to school. Bringing these children back to school was no easy task. The children spoke a different language, making it difficult for them to understand Vinod. They appeared fearful and hesitant to engage, avoiding any interaction. Vinod soon realized that their fear was rooted in a deeper issue—the fear of failure and the fear of being mocked by others. Their unfamiliarity with the language used at school only added to their anxiety, making them reluctant to return. Vinod took it upon himself to bridge this gap. He patiently worked with the children, explaining the importance of education in a way they could understand. He also reached out to their parents, encouraging them to support their children’s return to school. Through his persistent efforts, Vinod successfully convinced 22 children to re-enroll in school, helping them overcome their fears and rebuild their confidence. This project was a transformative experience for Vinod as well. He learned that, despite the setback of dropping out, every child has the potential to return to education and succeed. Vinod himself had been a school dropout, but through this experience, he was inspired to continue his own education. He has now enrolled in an ITI program and is pursuing a course in electrical work.

Meet Abhishek Dhurve, Udaan 2.0 fellow from Khudia village, who comes from a challenging background. His family comprises his mother, sister, and father. His mother sustains the family through goat rearing, while Abhishek pursues education and do some jobs when needed. Despite struggles, he completed schooling at Navodaya Vidyalaya and now he is doing graduation in English honours at a government college. In our society While it is often discussed how patriarchy suppresses girls—limiting their choices and opportunities—it also deeply affects boys, placing unrealistic expectations on them. Boys are seen as providers, burdened with responsibilities from a young age, and denied the space to express their emotions or vulnerabilities. Under Udaan Program abhishek is working on a idea his project idea, “Mard Ko Bhi Dard Hota Hai,” stems from his experiences in a society where masculinity is equated with strength, stoicism, and sacrifice. There is a specific (perspective) towards boys: they are not expected to cry, express pain, or contribute to household chores. If a boy dares to deviate from these norms—by showing emotions, seeking help, or doing something considered “unmanly”—society questions his masculinity, saying “Tum mard nahi ho.” Such remarks not only ridicule boys but also isolate them, forcing them to suppress their true selves to fit societal expectations. After attending Udaan sessions, Abhishek started working within his community to raise awareness among boys about how patriarchy and rigid masculinity norms affect their day-to-day lives. Through his project, he teaches them that expressing emotions, crying, or helping with household chores does not make them any less of a man. Instead, breaking these norms allows them to live happier, freer lives. Abhishek’s work challenges traditional ideas of masculinity and encourages boys to redefine their roles in society. His vision is to create a space where boys feel empowered to express themselves without shame, support each other, and embrace their individuality. By challenging these norms, Abhishek is helping build a more empathetic and inclusive community for everyone.