1) The author worked long hours in Delhi as a fashion designer but began feeling disconnected from their work and colleagues. 2) They decided to quit their job and join an NGO called SRIJAN working in rural development after learning about the organization from a friend. 3) During a visit to the village of Benpa as part of deciding whether to join SRIJAN, the author was touched by the kindness and hospitality of the families despite their poverty, and realized how their lives differed from an urban upbringing.

1. FROM RESTLESS DELHI TO RUSTIC BENPA
BY:
worked in Delhi for 8 months whole day and night
with full dedication and enjoyed my work
immensely. Although my job was hectic but I
used to enjoy my work and it was never a
burden for me. I designed garments for
Hong-Kong fashion fair, worked all day
and night. However somewhere in
mind there was always a question
nagging me is my work worth it? Many a times
I felt that people these days value money more than
relations. As I began to understand work atmosphere
my apprehensions became stronger and I began to
feel alien in place packed with human robots. Chain
of events help me made my mind about quitting my
job and choose a cause which is closer to my heart.
I had heard about SRIJAN from one of my friends
working here. I decided to give working in
development sector a thought. To be clearer about
my thoughts I decided to talk to people working in
this sector for long. Suggested by friend I had friendly
office. I had no idea how such short interaction can
help one really connect to their inner self. As guided
my them I decided to visit one of the existing
locations of SRIJAN. I looked at this exposure to make
my mind about joining the sector. Although the visit
was cut short cause of other planned activities, but
my decision was made. On my way back I was happy
that I had made my mind and looked forward to be
change maker.
I officially joined Srijan on 15
th
feb 2012 at Dooni
location. I stayed Sukhpura for 4 days and Benpa for
almost 10 days (not continuously). The life was
totally opposite of what I used live.
Seeing the way women are treated din rural India I
realized how lucky I am to be bought up in an urban
atmosphere and I must extend all my help to those
no values they are treated like secondary persons.
Despite living a life hidden in veil of pardah these
women had dreams of better life and
were willing to work for better future.
Their simplicity and innocence was
reflected in their attempts to make me
feel comfortable in their homes. They had
this fear how a girl from a city like Delhi
adjust in their homes and I feared offending
their feeling and culture. The gesture that
touched me most was their affection towards me not
on my materialistic things like money, belongings
etc. Families in Benpa always treated me like part of
ave sufficient food to eat
but they tried to give me best meal they could as for
them guest is god. The condition of village is really
drink but still they served me not only water, but tea
and milk too. These visits transformed in both
professional and personnel front. I did things I never
imagined I would be doing in my life. I learned how
to make chaach and for the first time in my life I ate
chilies as vegetable and prepared chapatti on
earthen chullah. I learned a lot from them specially
how to survive in tough conditions. After spending
few days in Benpa, my mind set is totally changed
and now I am enjoying not only the environment but
my work and its looks like that this is the thing which
I always wanted to do.
Memories of Benpa would always be embodied in my
heart and would be my guiding light whenever I
would be in doubt. I would like to thank all the
families in Benpa for turning my life upside down as I
love my new life.