“The motto I live by is that you cannot break down at the first instance of failure. There’s no meaning if you stop at first try. Somebody can smile because of you. So keep trying and try to live like that.” says Harish.
“I’ve known Gitanjali for nearly 20+ years, much before Snehadhara. We were close friends for a long time. I was going to office one day and she called me and said that she was going to follow her heart, do something about the issue she saw in some shape or form and if I would support it? Of course, I said yes. That’s how it started. It was very interesting – what she wanted to do and one has to admire it. Snehadhara is not an idea, not an organisation. It’s about how Gitanjali is telling this world that – hey, look there are people who are empathetic, there are people who would need us to understand and how do we give them that space. I’ve learnt the importance of empathy because of SF. I knew that this is how I want to lead my life, touching others’ lives and making it better.”
“There are people before and have been people after. Arts based therapy at the time was different and we did not know if it would work. All we said is – just go for it. Try it, fine tune, drop it and change it. We didn’t know back then if it would be acceptable, possible. There were lot of obstacles. But also lot of parents and others helping her. Being self-driven was key. All credit for it working out goes to Gitanjali and her team. She is trying to have the children be imbibed and more acceptable to society; she is trying to show parents that a 10th or 12th pass is not necessary, and that these children can stand on their own.”
“A simple overnighter at SF, teaches you so many things; teaches you lessons for you own life. How can you be accommodative and inclusive. It’s a form of thinking that you can express only when you go through it. I have you changed as a person through this and taken it into my own life.”
What is Humans of SF?
This is a series on the humans of SF; an attempt to celebrate each of the people who make Snehadhara whole. Novelist Anne Sewell said “It is good people who make good places.” And amongst the many good people in this world, there are some here at Snehadhara who make up this good place. We are ecstatic to bring to you glimpses of the Snehadhara team. Join us as we delve into the stories of people who stand for SF.