Program Title: Dr. Ambedkar’s Legacy driving us to be Leaders for Social Change
Module: Module I – Self and Society
Location: Thirunagar Hall, Karaikal – Puducherry
Dates: 30-08- 2024 to 01-09-2024
Partner Organizations: Women Education Social Trust (WEST), Village Beneficiaries Education and Development Society (VBEDS), Karaikal Multipurpose Social Service Society (KMSSS) and Social Empowerment and Livelihood Trust.
Resource Person: Ms. Sherin (7904648872)
Youth Participants: 29 (Male – 17, Female – 12)
Capacity Building Training for Rural Youths – The three days training program was conducted on Self and Society in Karaikal-Puducherry zone with the great support of Indian Social Institute-Bengaluru. In this training 29 young people participated, got a great knowledge of understanding oneself and society. This training pushed the youth to move forward to be responsible citizens of the society.
Pravin Birla, a young participant, shared passionately, “I am very proud to say that this training is a great gift to me and the entire team. I come from Karaikal, a town that belongs to the Puducherry Union Territory, 130 km away from the main region. The distance has made Karaikal feel isolated; our voices often go unheard, and there seems to be little attention on us. But in this situation, this training has empowered us, giving us the tools to become leaders who can make a difference in our society.”
Kavinila, an MSW student, shared her perspective on the impact of the training: “This training has been eye-opening for me, both as a student and as someone deeply passionate about community work. Often, in our studies, we focus on theories and frameworks, but here, I’m learning firsthand about the real challenges and the resilience needed to bring positive change to communities like Karaikal. She explained that the training has helped her bridge the gap between academic knowledge and real issues in society. This training experience has shown me that even in communities that feel marginalized, there are people ready to step up and lead. It’s about creating spaces where they can be heard and equipping them with the right tools. And this training was a starting point for me to learn about Dr. Ambedkar and his wisdom. So I feel, if I could learn Dr. Ambedkar, I could be a great leader.
As a resource person, Sherin’s teaching in this training focused on practical skills and the mindset needed to empower community leaders. Her sessions covered a wide range of essential topic that is ‘Building the body and mind’. She encouraged the participants to engage in group discussions, individual sharing. In her sessions, Sherin highlighted Dr. B.R. Ambedkar’s life and work, using his story to inspire participants and emphasize the values of resilience, social justice, and empowerment. She spoke about Dr. Ambedkar’s fight for equality and his role in shaping India’s Constitution to guarantee fundamental rights for all citizens, regardless of caste, religion, or social background.
Fr. Francis Balaraj, Head of the unit – Social Inclusion and Democracy gave his full support for this training by his presence. That was a great moment for the youth and the NGOs.
As a facilitator, I feel that this training program has been deeply rewarding and inspiring. Watching these young leaders step up with courage and enthusiasm has reminded me of why I am so passionate about community empowerment. I’ve found that facilitating this program goes beyond simply teaching concepts—it’s about creating a safe and encouraging space where participants feel free to share their struggles, voice their ideas, and envision a different future.
Premkumar D
Facilitator, Tamil Nadu and Puducherry
Social Inclusion and Democracy Unit