Substance abuse among youth is not just an addiction problem—it is deeply rooted in society, peer pressure, and gender expectations. 🔍 Meet Atul Nimare, an Udaan Fellow at Synergy Sansthan, who has been working on a project idea on understanding why young people turn to substance use. His journey started with a personal realization—he was just 8-9 years old when he first became aware of substance use. Through his project, he explored the hidden reasons behind this growing issue. Many boys don’t get a space to share what they’re going through. They are told to ‘man up’ instead of expressing emotions. And when they don’t have an outlet, they turn to substances as an escape. Key Insights from His Research:🔹 Peer Pressure & Social Expectations: Many young people fear being mocked, isolated, or bullied if they don’t engage in substance use. “If you don’t smoke or drink, you’re not cool”—this mindset pushes them towards addiction. 🔹 Masculinity & Societal Norms: The belief that “real men drink and do nasha” is deeply ingrained. Many boys see their male elders engaging in substance use and perceive it as a symbol of strength and adulthood. 🔹 Patriarchy Affects Boys Too: While patriarchy is often seen as an issue affecting women, Atul points out, “I now realize that patriarchy and masculinity don’t just impact girls; they deeply affect boys too.” Young men are not allowed to express vulnerability, leading them to suppress emotions and resort to harmful coping mechanisms. 🔹 Breaking the Cycle: The real question we need to ask is:Do young people get addicted because of dependence, or because they need to prove their masculinity? Watch Atul’s powerful insights and join the conversation. Let’s break the stereotypes and create safe spaces for youth to express themselves without judgment. What are your thoughts on this issue? Comment below!

Meet Seema Dhurve: A Change-Maker from Udaan Batch 8 Seema Dhurve, one of our inspiring Udaan Batch 8 fellows, is making a significant impact in her village khudia, Khirkiya Block, Harda by addressing the critical issue of unemployment. Through her project, Seema has empowered women in her community by teaching them the skill of incense stick (agarbatti) making. What started as a personal effort has now grown into a movement, with trained women further passing on their knowledge to others in the village. This initiative not only provides a sustainable livelihood but also fosters a sense of community and self-reliance among rural women. We are proud of Seema and all our fellows who continue to create meaningful change in their communities. Together, they are shaping a brighter future through innovation, resilience, and determination.

My name is Nikita ( Udaan Batch 8 fellow), and I am from a Rural and Tribal area name Khudiya. My project idea revolves around domestic violence, something I have witnessed in my own home and neighborhood. I often saw girls being mistreated, and I, too, experienced it. This made me realize that there was a need for change, both in my own home and in my village. When I joined the Udaan Fellowship and decided to take on this project, I felt a sense of responsibility to create a difference. After attending workshops and learning new things, I began applying them in my own life. The transformation in my family was remarkable. I shared the knowledge I gained from the workshops with my family, and slowly, things started to change. One of the biggest changes was that my father reduced his alcohol consumption, and there were fewer arguments in our house. He no longer scolded us or got angry. My family started trusting me more, and I felt that I was making a difference not only in my own life but also in the lives of those around me. Looking back on my one-year journey with Udaan, I have learned that I, too, can make a change. I realized that if others can do it, so can I. I now believe that I can work on important issues and make a positive impact, both in my home and in my community. This journey has taught me the power of knowledge, courage, and the belief that change is possible when we take action.

Meet Shivani from Harda. Growing up in a small town in Madhya Pradesh, I never imagined that one day I’d be living independently in Pune, working as an Academic Associate and supporting my family. My journey has not been very easy but every challenge has shaped the person I am today. During my college days in Harda, financial struggles pushed me to take up a part-time job as a private tutor while completing my graduation in 2019. Despite the hardships, I was determined to create a better future for myself and my family. After graduation, I volunteered with Synergy Sansthan for six months. That’s when I had a life-changing conversation with a mentor at Synergy Sansthan . He told me about Navgurukul, an organization that provides free education with a guaranteed job. It sounded too good to be true, so I did my research—speaking to alumni, watching videos, and ensuring it was legitimate. Once convinced, I faced a new challenge: convincing my family. Coming from a small town, the idea of me moving to Pune was daunting for my parents. My mother was the first to say “no,” fearing for my safety and the family’s reputation. I sought help from my friends and mentors, who supported me in making my case. Slowly, I won over my mother and grandfather. But my father remained unconvinced. For weeks, we had countless conversations filled with emotions and doubts. Finally, my mother’s heartfelt plea softened my father’s stance, and he agreed. In a gesture of support, he even dropped me off at Navgurukul in Pune. That moment marked the beginning of a new chapter in my life. At Navgurukul, I gained technical and life skills that helped me grow personally and professionally. Over the past 2.5 years, I’ve been working with Navgurukul Foundation for Social Welfare, living independently, managing my finances, and even supporting my family back home.

In our village, the idea of girls playing cricket was considered laughable. Since childhood, I often heard, ‘A girl’s job is to manage the house, not play games.’ But deep inside, I felt a fire to do something different. I wanted to play cricket, no matter what the world said. When Pachi expressed her desire to play cricket, her father dismissed the idea, questioning what people would say, while her mother urged her to focus on household chores. But Prachi couldn’t ignore her dream. She shared her wish with her friends, and together they vowed to play cricket, no matter the challenges. Without a field, bat, or ball, their journey seemed impossible. Undeterred, the girls began collecting donations in their village. While some mocked their efforts, others supported them. After saving every rupee, they finally bought a bat and ball, a moment that felt like a victory. Their determination led them to learn about the Samaveshi Cup, a tournament on January 13-14th 2025. For travelling they approached the village head, who, moved by their story, lent them his vehicle. In the semifinal, they faced a strong Joga team. Fear turned into determination, and with their best effort, they clinched victory, celebrating with tears of joy. The final match brought a new challenge: playing under floodlights. Though nervous, they gave it their all, but the unfamiliar glare affected their performance, and they didnt win the first prize but they were the runner up team. Returning to their village, they feared criticism but were met with garlands and applause. The same people who doubted them now celebrated their achievements. Though they didn’t win the cup, they won something greater—the respect and support of their community. Pachi’s journey inspired the girls of Salyakhedi to dream bigger, proving that determination and courage can break any barrier.