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A window of opportunity for me usually involves a rock - Jay London Rocks keep rolling in front of our Shaktis in their lives and the girls break them with their courage and determination to find all the windows of opportunities for themselves. On January 10,11 and 12, 2024, the International Inner Wheel Club (IWC), an International Women’s Organization, an organization that volunteers in friendship to serve the communities worldwide, organized their Centenary celebration “Euphoria” in IICC (India’s largest Convention and Exhibition Center) at Yashobhoomi venue. This auditorium is the largest in India and can hold up to 6000 people at a time. This event, EUPHORIA – Century Grandeur, rolled out their red carpet for many dignitaries and Ms. Mahima Chaudhry, Indian Actress was the Guest of Honour. Isn't it great to participate in an international organization’s 100th-year celebration at India’s largest venue?? A window just opened for the continuous hard work and perseverance of the Shaktis and they had a golden opportunity to perform on that great stage and to be a part of IWC’s memorable celebration. Day 1 – January 10, 2024 A Ballet performance- that uses body movements, music, and stage to speak emotions and stories. 8 Shaktis along with IWC performers performed an incredible theatrical ballet dance. Following this, the Shaktis showcased their kathak and Bharatnatyam skills. Around 54 Shaktis danced to the Gananayaka song and the audience was impressed to see everyone on the stage with their costumes and structured progressions. With the Ganapati backdrops running behind them, their elegant moves brought a divine aura to the auditorium. Day 2- January 11, 2024 On Day 2, our Shaktis were ready to show their yoga finesse. Around 32 Shaktis were about to perform, but due to internal and technical reasons, the organizers had to cancel the performance. Our shaktis felt a little down, yet we managed to boost their confidence and they took part in other events on that day and enjoyed the rest of the day. Day 3 – January 12, 2024 Yes, the previous day might’ve disappointed our Shaktis, yet they are resilient and confident and made the third and the last day of the event, a grand one. They gave 4-5 blast performances starting with a Bharatnatyam performance. They paid namaskar to Guru Bhagvan by dancing to Gurubrahma song. They gave back-to-back performances comprising Kathak and 3 folk dances. Around 60 to 70 Shaktis gave different folk performances with jaw-dropping costumes. New costume patterns were bought for this event and the Shaktis looked dazzling in their colour-coordinated outfits. The outfit colours and the lights complemented each other and so the performances were an absolute stunner. Every spectator in that huge auditorium couldn’t take their eyes off and continuously recorded the performances on their phone. The Shaktis were drenched in confetti on the stage. The electronic tablets were given to all the girls and an award was presented to Ms. Hemangi Bhatnagar as a token of love and appreciation. Coming from an underprivileged background, these three days were full of new experiences for the Shaktis. The organizers provided a bus service for us to commute from our place to the auditorium every day. Ms. Hemangi Bhatnagar was the pillar of support to them throughout the event. The auditorium was packed with successful women and the members of the Inner Wheel Club. This was a huge and golden ticket for the Shaktis to perform in front of the most powerful women and get appreciation from them. This was indeed a platform for Shaktis to know about successful people and get inspired by their works and achievements. Shaktis moments on the stage and the event are forever etched in the yearbook of IICC and the Inner Wheel Club. We are very grateful to the organizers of the Inner Wheel Club for giving this wonderful opportunity for the Shaktis to showcase their skills and develop their confidence. Of course, this was our first event of 2024 and we had a glorious start! Written By: Shagunthala Ravi Proofread and Edited By: Kririka Saraf

On this International Women's Day 2024, Sarvam stands with the United Nations' call to "Invest in Women: Accelerate Progress". Women are warriors, tirelessly breaking barriers to unleash their potential. It's time to move beyond celebrating them and invest in their limitless spirit. Investing in girls isn't just the right thing, it's the key to building a more just and prosperous India. The Power of Education and Skill Development "When girls are educated, their countries become stronger and more prosperous." - Michelle Obama Educating and empowering women with skills is a fundamental human right and a powerful force for economic prosperity. When women have access to education, they gain financial independence, make informed choices about their lives, promote healthier families, and eat healthy food.  They also have a better understanding of their rights and will be more likely to speak out against discrimination and violence. Skill development bridges the gap to employment, driving personal growth and national economic advancement. Investing in girls' education and skills, we unlock their potential as leaders, change-makers, and key contributors to a stronger, more prosperous world. Imagine the impact – if all girls finished school and entered the workforce, India could boost its GDP by a staggering $770 billion! Isn’t it great? Shaktis on the Rise Indeed, women are a force for positive change – and nowhere is this truer than in our Shaktis. These once underprivileged girls now symbolize the transformative power of investing in women's potential. Through education, skills training, and the nourishment of their spirits, our 300+ Shaktis rise in many ways. These are girls like Muskan and Adrika, who dared to explore their potential despite circumstances. While five Shaktis are successfully working as teaching interns at Heritage School, many Shaktis are interviewing for teaching internships this month. They break down barriers, igniting a change in their families and communities. The Shaktis' ambition and successes inspire not just individuals, but whole communities. Parents once hesitant to invest in daughters now see the vast potential their girls hold. Shakti Neelam, facing countless hardships, didn't give up on her education. Today, she's an inspiring example to other girls. Shakti Simran, the inspiring head girl of her school, through her leadership, changes how people view what girls can achieve. Shakti Kritika and others showcase their dance and yoga talents, challenging outdated beliefs and proving girls belong in every arena. Imagine when thousands more girls from underprivileged backgrounds have this chance! Let their stories inspire us to build a world where every woman has the chance to reach her full potential. Women Leading the Way at Sarvam Shakti: A Force for Change Strong, dedicated women are the beating heart of Sarvam Shakti. Ms. Nehha Bhatnagar, our visionary founder, saw a world where girls were held back and limited. She didn't accept this reality, instead dreaming of a brighter future filled with opportunity. That dream is what we're building every single day. At Sarvam Shakti, we believe in the power of teamwork. We're grateful for the amazing men who support our mission! They work side-by-side with our incredible women, providing strength and fostering a culture of equality for everyone. They understand that true empowerment comes from working together, and their contributions are invaluable. Ms. Hemangi Bhatnagar, our incredible CEO, is the engine that keeps Sarvam Shakti running smoothly. Her dedication ensures that our programs have a lasting impact on the lives of the Shaktis. We also have a team of amazing female teachers, counselors, and more who use their skills and overflowing care to help the Shaktis blossom into the confident, capable young women they were always meant to be. Sarvam’s Mission for Change "When we invest in women, we invest in a powerful source of global development” - Melinda Gates Sarvam Foundation sees great potential in every underprivileged girl who enters our doors. Our mission is to unlock that potential through quality education, skills training, dance and yoga, and nutritious food. It isn't just about creating successful individuals. It's about nurturing compassionate leaders, resilient problem-solvers, and girls who possess the values to restore India's strength. Our Shaktis are growing with talent, waiting for the chance to shine. By investing in them, we invest in a brighter, more sustainable future for India and the world. We are honored to be part of their journey, shaping the next generation of changemakers. Written By: Shagunthala Ravi Proofread and Edited By: Kritika Saraf

Have you ever moved out of your hometown? Oh! Yes, it’s a tough decision to start anew but a surprising way to see great things in life. This is an inspiring story of our Shakti Kritika Chaudhary who moved from her hometown with an empty bag, filled it with surprising valuables, and continues to fill it.  Let’s delve and find out! SHE IS A BEAUTIFUL SAPLING Kritika and her family moved to Gurugram years back from West Bengal. At present, she lives with her parents and a brother in a small rented house in Sikanderpur Ghosi. Her father is a painter and her mother is a maid. She’s in 11th grade and her brother is in college. She is studying at P.M. Shri Government Senior Secondary School, Chakkarpur. Kritika is full of potential and always longing to achieve big in her life. She joined Sarvam Shakti in 2019. She got interested in dance and started learning Bharatnatyam. The Early Struggles Being relocated from a different state her major challenges at the early stage were the language and the level of confidence. She struggled with both Hindi and English and in turn, it affected her confidence in every aspect. The insecurity and the lack of trust made her parents turn down Sarvam and didn’t allow her to pursue dance initially. She never gave up and continued her practice despite their pressure. The struggle continued until the day of her first stage performance. After seeing her performance her parents felt very happy. She proved her potential to them that day and gained respect for herself. Then her parents along with Sarvam started encouraging and supporting her to achieve her dreams. A Day in Kritika’s Life Kritika wakes up early and gets ready for school. She eats breakfast helps with some household chores and goes to school. After school, she directly goes to Sarvam. In Sarvam, she practices dance and yoga. She takes computer and English lessons. Since she struggles with Hindi, she practices peaking in Hindi with everyone here. And then she goes back to home. Her tiny life rewards around her home school and Sarvam. Nourishments to the roots of the sapling Kritika was a quiet, introverted girl who considered anger and shedding tears often as her weakness when stepped into Sarvam back then, but never short of capabilities. She actively involved herself in learning dance yoga and languages. These learnings slowly started to create a positive impact on her body and mind. She can find a lot of changes in her personality, and behavior, and positive feeling of confidence and clarity. She started to get rid of her weaknesses and discover her strengths. Shakti Sanjeevani (nutritious food and drink) in Sarvam is adding strength to her body as well. She is starting to walk on the right road and framed three goals for her life. She wants to make her parents happy by buying a new house for them. She wants to help the people in need by starting an NGO like Sarvam. She wants to become a Bharatnatyam teacher. While marching towards these goals she said she wanted to turn the poor person to rich and fight and stand up for women’s suppression in interior parts of India if she had a superpower to change the world. She always feels happy and very grateful for Sarvam and proud of herself for traveling this long way. Blooming towards the Sunlight At times, Kritika loses confidence and decides to go back to her old self. Ms. Himangi Bhatnagar talks to her during those times boosts her confidence and reminds her about the path she travelled. A sapling can bend but never break and this paved the way for glorious moments in her life. Kritika always considers Miss Himangi Bhatnagar as her role model and she gets emotional seeing the care from her which is more than her mother’s care. She remembers her first performance which changed her life. She showcased a Bharatnatyam performance at Kingdom of Dreams, Gurugram, and received a lot of appreciation for her expressions and moves. Witnessing her blooming talents and skills, Kritika was selected as one of the five students for block level dance competition by her school where two schools competed. We take a pride moment here to announce that all those five students are Sarvam Shaktis! She won this competition and took her first successful step in her life. Second block level competition In this competition, six schools participated. She was too nervous as it was her solo performance for the first time. The stage fright made her forget a step at last, but she used the skills learned from Sarvam and managed beautifully and won first prize. District level She moved to compete at the district level following the win. It was held in Sadar Bazar Girls High School. Her efforts and perseverance fetched her first place at the district level too. She was all smiles and she met a few of her old teachers at the event. They were surprised to see her transformation and her talent in Bharatnatyam dance. All of them came forward to offer her help to achieve big in classical dance and they are overjoyed to see her growth. State-level Kritika advanced to state-level dance meet which was held in Panchkula, Punjab. She had to travel alone for the first time without her parents. She always expresses this heartwarming memory of Ms. Himangi Bhatnagar on how she called her every few hours and kept checking in on her. She worked very hard for this competition and met many talented competitors from all over India. She secured 4th position and felt very great to achieve this milestone. She gained a lot of experience and had an opportunity to meet great dancers who were the judges in the competition. Her parents are so proud to see the efforts and hard work she has given so far. Right from the moment she adopted Shakti Sadhana(dance) and Shakti Strong(yoga), she is showing a remarkable transition and getting recognition for her talents and moving towards her dreams. Remember the empty bag at the beginning? Kritika’s achievements so far are because of the confidence and the talent she is building, perseverance, and a healthy mind and body. These are the surprising valuables that are peeping out as leaves. This sapling is growing into a mature tree blossoming with leaves, fruits, and flowers and we continue to water it to achieve her dreams and she strives to provide shade and shelter to others like her in the future.

Let’s fly high in the sky of Simran's life sky and see how she embraces the clouds and blessings and turns them into colours. Our Shakti, Simran Rai, hails from a small village named Sikanderpur Ghosi in Haryana. She is in her 12th grade, studying at The Pine Crest School, Gurugram. Her nuclear family consists of a father, a mother, and two elder brothers. Her father is a street vendor, selling chole kulche and her mother is a homemaker. The gloomy days in Simran’s life Simran Rai lives in a small house with a room, kitchen, and bathroom wrapped closely together. She wakes every day before the rooster crows and leaves for school at 6:40 AM. After school, she goes to Sarvam, where she gets trained in yoga, dance, and English. And spends a few hours at the Public Library before she returns home at 9:00 PM. Then she eats dinner and helps her mother with chopping onions and tomatoes for Chole Kulche and also prepares butter and helps with household chores. And when the whole house rests without the sounds of mixer and utensils, she finishes her homework with the company of silence and goes to sleep. Juggling between chasing her dreams and the chores she sleeps only for 4 to 5 hours a day. Every cloud has a silver lining As every struggle inches toward Simran, her heart grows with courage and positivity. “Strength does not come from physical capacity; it comes from an indomitable will “- Mahatma Gandhi The above quote of Gandhiji blends with her life. With the situations she faces as a marginalized girl, she is emerging as a self-empowered person. She is bold yet benevolent. When someone feels down, she motivates them and boosts their confidence. She even motivates the kids at Sarvam to learn and take part in the programs. She believes in equality and treats everyone with equal respect. The hardships in her life never sadden her. Instead, she attributes her dignified qualities to those hardships and considers the life she has, a gift. Sunshine after the storm The clouds continue to float In Simran’s life but with the sun behind it. In the darkness, Sarvam, her teachers, and the school hold the lantern to show her the right direction. Her God-given talents start to become visible and she has the ability to excel in anything she steps in. Seeing her potential in the English language, Sarvam and the school encourage her. At Sarvam, she shows consistent progress in yoga and her interest in classical dance fetched a place in Sarvam’s dance group. She feels that Sarvam is the turning point in her life and Ms. Hemangi Bhatnagar is her biggest pillar of support. Also, at Sarvam, she’s provided with healthy juices and snacks including meals to support her hard work and perseverance. A Colourful Arc in the Sky ‘A rainbow is a promise of both sun and the rain’ The clouds that brought the rainstorm and the sun together produced a seven-colored arc in Simran’s life. The first colour in her rainbow is formed because of one of her teachers from her previous school, The Happy School. Seeing her excel in academics and English, her teacher made sure The Pine Crest School, one of Gurugram’s finest schools, heard about Simran’s talents and gave her 100% scholarship. This is Simran’s very first biggest achievement in her life. After joining Sarvam in 2019, her first performance was a yoga performance at Silver Oaks. We saw nervous eyes that day. After that day she befriended the stage and displayed over 35 performances at prestigious venues till now. She teaches and gives commands to her juniors. She slowly found her leadership abilities and started developing them. As another testament to her hard work, she’s been crowned the head girl at the Pine Crest School recently. Such achievements have given her a boost of confidence and a new dimension to her life. Indeed, she is making her parents and everyone proud. The Rainbow That Never Disappears “A sign of a hard worker is the one who works without complaint – Sarah Price” Simran works hard consistently without complaining about the weather above her head. The only thing that worries her is the time. Yes, 24 hours a day is not sufficient for this whirlwind. Her struggles to succeed inspire many other marginalized girls and hold a lantern in their lives. When asked about her ambition, all Simran wants is to be nothing but a good human being and considers that to be the toughest job in the world. Isn’t it! To us, Simran is a symbol of wisdom, through all the hustles and bustles in her life, she continues to fly to produce many more rainbows that never disappear, and strives to be a respected independent woman in society.

On November 6, more than 20 girls called Shaktis performed together at an event organized by the Inner Wheel Club District 301 at the Iskcon Temple in Delhi. The girls enjoyed the peaceful atmosphere of the temple. They expressed their devotion to Kanha Ji through classical dance, moving gracefully to songs like #swagatamkrishna, #shrikrishnagovindharemurari, and #kanhare🎶. The best part of their visit to Iskcon was that it gave them a chance to showcase their talents on stage, boosting their confidence. It also allowed them to experience the beauty and spirituality of the temple, offering prayers to Radha and Krishna and feeling the peaceful energy of the place. It was a joyful and meditative day for them. Neelam, one of the girls, happily shared, "Didi, we would never get to explore such beautiful places without Sarvam. Today, we seize the opportunity to explore the world." Hearing this warmed my heart, realizing how these opportunities are not just fleeting moments but cherished memories that enrich their lives. Sarvam is happy to empower dreams & hearts❤️ #unforgettablememories The Inner Wheel Club generously donated more than 100 yoga mats for our Shaktis, a touching gesture. This visit was more than an event; it deepened our connection with Lord Krishna and his teachings, instilling values of love, respect, and cooperation. Write-up: Kritika Saraf Picture credits: Nitin Rawat

CHHOTE BACCHE, DIL KE SACCHE ❤️ The Shaktis, with pure hearts dedicated to hard work and aspirations, resiliently face life's challenges, finding joy in little moments and opportunities. Sarvam is grateful to be a ray of hope for these sweet, pure-hearted young girls, made possible by the resolute support of our generous backers. As we strive to empower, we're reminded: "Empower a girl, empower a nation." November 14th is observed as Children’s Day every year, commemorating the birth anniversary of India’s first Prime Minister, Jawaharlal Nehru. His enduring presence is cherished, reflecting his contribution to the nation and deep affection for children. This day serves as a reminder of the importance of educating and nurturing children with love and care. We celebrated Children's Day with our Shaktis at our centers, filled with fun, healthy food, and clothes distribution. The Shaktis began their meals with a prayer, expressing gratitude for the food. Spinach Pakoda and Bajra Halwa, cooked by our skilled cook Bina Didi, were the nutritious delights of the day. https://www.instagram.com/reel/C0958kBLL73/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link&igsh=MzRlODBiNWFlZA== Amidst a bunch of pictures, giggles, and waves of laughter, Vijay Bhaiya and Bina Didi worked tirelessly to make this day memorable for the Shaktis. Mrs. Alka Sondhi, a core team member for Shakti Shiksha, joined us in distributing snacks to our Shaktis. Simple acts of kindness, result in big smiles💕 It was a day to remind the girls of their significance within the foundation. Komal, the adorable sister of our junior Shakti, Suhaani, also joined us in the Children's Day celebration. At just 2 years old, she's eager to learn meditation, yoga, classical dance, and English. Her parents aspire to send Komal to the Sarvam center, impressed by the positive changes in Suhaani's overall personality and well-being. As an organization, we feel truly grateful to nurture girls in a way that motivates and inspires families and communities to embrace the power of their daughters, their true feminine strength, SHAKTI:) Every year, we celebrate and spread happiness and love at our learning centers by celebrating Children's Day with our Shaktis. This day is especially important as it emphasizes the need to provide equal opportunities and protect all girls from discrimination. Any blog reader willing to come forward and donate to our Shaktis would be a huge help. Your contribution, whether in the form of donations, volunteering, stage support, or monetary support, is appreciated as a form of Shakti Seva. Even a modest contribution can have a profound effect on a Shakti. Please refer to the accompanying link to donate: (https://www.sarvamshakti.org/support-us)

We are incredibly proud of our first Shakti batch and the amazing senior Shaktis for lighting up the stage at the Indian Habitat Centre in Delhi. On 13 October, in the evening, our six seniors, Simran, Anjali, Shivani, Shweta, Priyanka, and Jyoti poured their hearts into a beautiful 12-minute Bharatanatyam performance, the purest form of classical dance. The audience, along with Guru Raja Choudhary Ji, showered them with applause and cheers at the event. It was a heartwarming moment that filled their Aai (Mrs. Hemangi Bhatnagar) with pride and happiness. The girls performed the 12-minute dance piece on the fusion of 5-6 songs (Shiva Shakti: theme), choreographed and taught by our beloved Bharatanatyam Guru, Ms. Mridula Nambiar. She regularly conducts Bharatanatyam classes for our Shaktis at both the Delhi and Haryana centers, where they learn the refined skills of this beautiful dance form. Ms. Mridula also accompanied the Shaktis, playing an integral role in their nervous journey to the stage. Shaktis' support and motivation were further amplified through an introductory speech on the dance piece, that was given by their Bharatnatyam guru. Such events hold their essence not just as sources of opportunities but also as avenues for the exploration of diversity and culture. Coming from marginalized communities, it is never easy for them to manage all in a cup (consistent rehearsals, household chores, internship, college, and school classes, and school studies). The love and respect they received from the audience touched the very core of their hearts. As they say, "Little by little, one walks far." These Shaktis, step by step, are creating a brighter tomorrow. To view the Shakti Bharatanatyam performance video, kindly click on the following link. You will be redirected to the YouTube video: https://youtu.be/YVHakD2Ddb0?si=yF_PnlNq8KMbQjdd

Picture this: over 40 amazing Shaktis from Sarvam Shakti taking center stage at Apparel House, Sector-44, Gurgaon. They danced their hearts out at the BJP Social Media Volunteer Meet, creating magic with a fusion of Kathak and Bharatnatyam on the song "Ekdantaya Vakratundaya." These incredible Shaktis brought so much life to the stage, and guess what? They didn't stop there! Next up was a powerful classical dance performance on the song "Maa Tujhe Salaam," where their clear steps and sharp, fine expressions stole the hearts of many, seated in the audience. The secret sauce behind these energetic and confident performances is just hard work and sheer dedication. The Shaktis put in the effort day in and day out. Every dance, speech or Yoga opportunity becomes a stepping stone in their journey, boosting their confidence and propelling them toward bigger dreams. Ms. Nanda Karmalkar and Ms. Hemangi Bhatnagar had accompanied Shaktis to the event house, to be the forces of encouragement. Let's talk about Shakti's power🔥 These girls are like unstoppable forces of nature. No challenge is too big, and no stage is too daunting. Because of the daily rigorous training at the Sarvam center, the confidence and strength of the girls have taken flight. They now have the spirit to turn each performance into a celebration. You know what's the best part? It's not just about the dance. It's about the confidence that blossoms with every stage show. These Shaktis are not just dancers; they are a family, a powerhouse of talent, and each performance is a validation of their unbreakable bond. Want to witness the magic yourself? Check out the YouTube video -(https://youtu.be/PkUnsbRVDQI?si=4WknG1ZdhBGYW9sF). In the spirit of #womenempowerment and #girlsempowerment, Shaktis at Sarvam Foundation are breaking barriers, celebrating their uniqueness, and setting the stage on fire with the art of hard work. Stay tuned for more stories of these incredible Shaktis, proving that with each dance, they are stepping into a brighter, bolder future. #classical #bharatanatyam #kathak #respect #selfworth #bjp #volunteermeet.

Aaiye sunte hain Neelam Ki Kahaani! #HumansOfShakti Neelam lives in Chakkarpur, Gurgaon with her mother and brother, in the toughest living conditions, that you and I can only possibly imagine. She was born in a small town of Bihar, Ratwarand and she is presently studying at PM Shri Government Model Sanskriti School, Chakkarpur, Gurgaon. In a largely patriarchal society where the father is considered the sole breadwinner of the family, she grew up in adverse financial conditions as her mother managed to assume the role of both parents while working and earning for her family as a housemaid. It's not easy, it is not at all easy. Her elder brother is a construction worker, hence, he is currently a big support for the family, income-wise. Together, they earn a modest monthly income of 8000 rupees, which makes it challenging to cover the daily household expenditures and Neelam's education expenses. DESPITE THE ODDS, NEELAM & HER FAMILY MANAGE TO FIND STRENGTH AND UNITY IN LIFE'S UPS AND DOWNS❤️ SARVAM SHAKTI IS HER SOURCE OF STRENGTH, SHE SAYS Neelam crossed paths with Sarvam Foundation in 2019. She has been a part of the Sarvam family for quite a few years now and has mastered her skills in yoga as well as dance, Kathak to be precise. Recently, during our Iskcon Temple visit for a stage performance, Neelam mentioned, "Didi, I am so happy that because of the performance opportunities at various venues, we get a chance to visit wonderful places like Isckon. I love traveling and it would not have been possible if I was not a part of Sarvam." It is not just the training in classical dance, yoga, ethics, values, and other life skills that matter, but the environment. At Sarvam, we ensure that our young girl children, not only receive the important skills training but also find peace, happiness, togetherness, friendship, respect, warmth, and comfort, which are not so common in their day-to-day lives at home and school. BEDROCK OF SUPPORT FOR THE SARVAM TEAM🤝 Sarvam Foundation's team and Neelam share a complementary relationship. She has played an instrumental role in helping us (the Sarvam team) smoothly take our organization's Sarvam Shakti project ahead. Right from helping Vijay Bhaiya maintain student records to assisting the Administrator with various office-related tasks, Neelam has always proved to be a gem. For Hemangi ma'am, Neelam is like her second daughter. They both share an inexplicable relationship of love and support. PERSISTENT LEARNER Bina Didi has always watched Neelam grow up as a persistent and hardworking young girl. Like other Shakti students, Neelam also starts her day at around 5:30 AM, helping her mother with all the household chores. She cooks food, cleans her home, washes the dishes, and then leaves for her school. Coming back from school, after some rest, she gears up for Sarvam classes dressed in Sarvam Shakti uniform. At the Gurgaon Sarvam Centre, she consistently learns Yoga, meditation, and classical dance from 3 PM to 6 PM. Her perseverance, dedication, and learning appetite are beyond comparison. Her go-getter attitude and all-time wide charming smile leave all of us in awe. Mrs. Hemangi says, "She is truly a golden heart, a pure soul, rare in today's world." LEADERSHIP SKILLS ARE THRIVING We have noticed some significant improvements in Neelam's skill set and personality, besides being a keen learner. Her leadership qualities are notably improving day by day. HOW? In the learning process, Neelam makes sure that her peers and juniors are also making the most of this opportunity. In the absence subject teacher, she takes charge of tutoring the others and is rather a very firm mentor. She is a huge pillar of support for this foundation where she voluntarily takes the responsibility to ensure that every student is actively present and participating in all the events of the foundation. She is always taking care of the attendance of other Sarvam students. CONSISTENT PRACTICE LEADS TO PERFECTION 📚✍️ Being a student at a government school where the English language is seldom practiced, she finds it difficult to communicate in English and often feels anxious about it. But she refuses to give in to these feelings and rather takes it as a challenge that she must overcome this weakness. She ensures to better it, by constantly communicating with her Sarvam friends and seniors in English. She takes online English classes from her teacher, religiously. She prioritizes attending classes, even in urgent situations, driven by a strong desire to learn quickly. Her proficiency in spoken English has remarkably improved with her constant hard work after following her teacher's instructions at Sarvam Shakti for the past couple of months, boosting her self-confidence. Now she can speak long sentences in the English language fluently, such as "Ma'am, tomorrow can I take leave? I have to help my mother at home." It is a fact, that she is one of the true hardworking Shaktis at Sarvam. Her mother is proud of her 😊 NEELAM'S SWEET MEMORIES Neelam cherishes her first Sarvam stage performance in Vasant Kunj, where she nervously performed Yoga on "Ae Vatan." Over 20 confident acts later, from speeches to dance and yoga, she reflects on her growth with a calm heart and steady feet. Neelam proudly recalls the sweet moment of happiness and pride she saw in the eyes of her close family members, especially her mother, Bina Didi, Vijay Bhaiya, and Hemangi Ma'am, back in 2021, when she earned a trophy for securing 1st place in a three-legged race at a sports event by the Inner Wheel Club district, at Thyagraj Stadium, New Delhi 🏆 WELL, NEELAM IS NOT ALWAYS BLUE 💙 Neelam, a name resonating with the deep blue hues of sapphire, isn't confined to a single shade. Beyond the blue, she paints her life with the strokes of hard work, dedication, love, respect, and honesty. Like an artist with her canvas, skillfully applies mehendi, weaving finesse and creativity into each design. IN OTHER WORDS, SHE IS A PALETTE OF DIVERSE HUES. Recently, on 'Karwa Chauth,' she applied Mehndi to the hands of the ladies of nearby residential societies and made a good income along with her Sarvam friends. "If the efforts are consistent and pure, opportunities are endless." THE WORLD THROUGH NEELAM'S EYES Neelam, the 18-year-old with big dreams, was asked, "What if you had superpowers?" Guess what? She wants to use her magic to fight against the unfair treatment of girls and make life better for women. She thinks early marriages are a big no-no. Despite being young, Neelam's thoughts are like savior plans – powerful and ready to make the world a better place! NEELAM HOLDS HER MENTORS IN HIGH REGARDS Neelam says, "Hemangi Aai, Bina Didi, and Vijay Bhaiya are like role models to me. I learn from them every day. Their support motivates me to keep working hard. I wish to make them and my mother proud." NEELAM IS THE SUNSHINE AT SARVAM, CONSTANTLY STRIVING FOR A BETTER TOMORROW:) She's working hard and always spreading love. No matter what, she faces everything with a smile. We hope to see her doing great on her own very soon. Right now, she's focused on getting better at English, and she's doing amazing. Her journey with Sarvam Shakti has been like a fun ride, helping her discover herself in new ways. Neelam is just a lovely soul, making everyone happy around her. She's growing and learning every day, and we can't wait to see where life takes her. Neelam's story is like a little light that can inspire so many. 🌈💕

Henna Tales : An Ink Of Culture Henna art, popularly called as Mehndi in India, takes a centre stage during cultural functions as it is symbolic of Indian culture. It has a history that goes back about 5000 years ago. Originating from Egypt & Middle East, the henna art tradition spread slowly to the Indian subcontinent and other parts of the world. "MEHNDI" is thought to represent happiness, beauty, and spiritual enlightenment. Mehndi is believed to act as a protective shield against evil spirits and a source of blessings. In many wedding traditions, the bride's hands and feet are decorated with alluring mehndi designs to represent beauty, auspiciousness, and to wish the newlyweds luck as they embark on their new life together. The tradition of applying mehndi may have considerably evolved over time, but it continues to be an integral part of celebrations and ceremonies in many cultures where people express their cultural identity and creativity. Cultural Palette, Karwa Chauth & Mehndi Function In Hinduism, "Karwa Chauth" is a fasting ritual observed by married Hindu women. It is a day-long fast that women undertake for the well-being and longevity of their husbands. Mehndi is an important part of Karwa Chauth ritual, as it is symbolic of women's ornamental beauty and love. Just the day before the Karwa Chauth function, ladies get their hands painted with the color of mehndi, in the most beautiful patterns. This year, the ladies of various Gurgaon societies & condominiums (Exotica, Aralias, Camelias, Belmonte), and the Inner Wheel Club ladies, who have always been a huge support for our organization's vision, invited sarvam girls to apply mehndi designs on their palms. Six Shaktis, "Neelam", "Anu", "Kusum", "Viveka", "Muskan" & "Anshu", got a wonderful opportunity to assume the role of henna artists. Filled with enthusiastic eyes, the girls reached the desired location on 31st October at around 11:30 a.m in the morning. They were given a warm welcome. After some relaxation and food, the girls began applying henna on the graceful hands of these ladies. Their persistent hard work and hours of patience had paid off as the event turned out to be a huge success where the girls could achieve a milestone by earning a noteworthy amount for themselves. They even received numerous heartfelt compliments from the women. Shakti Hunar & Honsla Few of the the ladies were actually so impressed with the kind of designs that the sarvam girls had applied, that they were taken aback by their HUNAR AND HONSLA. Of course, it isn't easy to manage all. Managing household chores at home, financial constraints, lack of resources and facilities, school homework, sarvam dance and yoga training, english classes, marriage pressure, as well as new skill development. It takes courage to balance all, at such a tender age. This event will an important chapter in their books of memories and experiences, and it will remain imprinted in the girl’s lives because it was not just an opportunity to bravely use their creativity to earn, but also brought with itself a chance to feel confident and realize the power of self-worth. Reflecting back on this rewarding day, the shaktis extended their deep appreciation towards the core members, Mrs. Hemangi Bhatnagar and Mrs. Alka Sondhi (Core Team Member - Shakti Shiksha Lead) as this event would not have been possible without the initiative taken by the core members. Mrs. Alka Sondhi who has been a consistent support for the foundation for many years, single-handedly encouraged the other team members of the foundation to generate and promote flyers and posters in various societies and condominiums of Gurgaon, where the Shaktis' Henna artistry skills were evidently highlighted. She played a major role in spreading the word about Sarvam Foundation and its talented shaktis which made the entire event a huge success and even made sure that the girls were served with some mouth watering dishes as well. Mrs. Hemangi ma’am took the entire responsibility of ensuring that the girls reach their desired destinations safe and sound and constantly motivated them and cheered them up. It truly was a day to reminisce. Written & Edited by : Ms. Soumi Chakraborty & Ms. Kritika Saraf

DURGA PUJA, A SYMBOL OF POWER AND DEVOTION It is said that, “When you believe in the power of Maa Durga, you can overcome any obstacle in your path”. Tracing its origin in the 16th century from West Bengal, Durga Puja is a celebration of divine feminine energy, the triumph of good over evil. The tradition of celebrating the victory of Maa Durga (Adi Shakti), who was created by the combined energies and powers of various Gods, including Brahma, Vishnu, Shiva and others to defeat the demonic Mahisashura, was started by the Zamindars (landlords) in West Bengal. Evolving over centuries, Durga Puja which is also widely regarded as Navaratri in North India, where the different manifestations of Goddess Durga is worshipped, is celebrated every year for ten days. The tenth day culminates with Vijaydashami, marking the victory of good over evil who cause havoc and tyranny. This festival also marks the homecoming of the Goddess, as it is believed that she visits her parents’ home during this time. The festival typically takes place in the month of Ashwin (September-October) in the Hindu calendar. SHAKTIS CELEBRATION OF THE DIVINE FEMININE ENERGY THROUGH NRITYA NAVARATRI, ARTISTRY AMIDST FESTIVAL With Maa Durga's blessings, more than 80 shaktis showcased their artistic abilities at several locations in Gurgaon and Vasant Kunj on the auspicious festival of Durga Puja this year. On October 20th, at Trinity Complex Club Drive, DLF Phase-5, Gurgaon, Haryana, 40 sarvam girls from gurgaon location, dressed in beautiful dance costumes, and yoga uniforms, exhibited their group performances on the stage, for the evening show, to honour the divine feminine energy. It was the day of Maha Ashtami, also called as "Kanya Puja" when women are worshipped because it is believed that they are the incarnations of Adi Shakti, who bring joy and love into people's lives. The Sarvam staff team, including Mr.Vivek Singh Rana, the videographer, photographer and video editor, Ms.Kritika Saraf, our Shakti Project Manager accompanied by Mrs.Nanda Karmalkar (Mrs.Hemangi Bhatnagar’s sister), and Mrs. Hemangi Bhatnagar reached the venue to support shaktis and uplift their motivation to perform. Vijay Bhaiya & Rajesh Bhaiya, played an instrumental role in ensuring that the shaktis reached their destination safely. 43 Gurgaon Sarvam Girls also travelled to Purbapalli Durgabari Samiti in Sector 15 of Gurgaon, on October 23rd, where every year a whole Bengali community comes together to plan and celebrate Maa Durga with unprecedented splendor. At around 12:00 p.m in the afternoon, the shaktis entered the beautifully decorated pandal along with Maa Durga’s idol, and were greeted with a hospitable embrace by the entire community. Very gracefully our shaktis portrayed their talents through nine consecutive promising performances including poems, dance, yoga and even delivered their speeches fluently in English. The members of the community were extremely happy with the commendable performances of the girls. The audience just couldn’t stop applauding after witnessing their coordination, their expressions, intricate dance moves, and Yoga poses. One of them even said, that our shaktis are “thoroughly trained dancers coming from a very humble background favouring the art in an amazing manner”, some even said that they would “ love to witness such beautiful performances every year”, according to one of them “this was the most moving programs of this year’s Durga Puja. Such heartwarming compliments are a matter of pride for all of us and makes all the dedication and hardwork worth it. It motivates the entire team to look forward to more performances like this. We learned that many of our Shaktis attend DPS Shiksha Kendra in Gurgaon, a school for impoverished children that offers free education and is managed by community members, after speaking with one of the members of the durgabari community. Following their excellent performances, the community wanted to make sure that they, too, were supporting our shaktis reach their dreams of touching the sky, so they generously donated a respectable amount on their behalf to the organisation. 20-30 sarvam girls from Vasant Kunj also performed at different venues, with little support. Their mothers were taken away, were quite emotional and proud to see their little kids, winning hearts, by unleashing their hidden energy on stages of prime locations. THE SACRED BHOG PRASAD AND SOME EXCITING GOODIES Following their performances, the girls were given "khichdi", which is a particular navami dish, and "mishti doi", a traditional Bengali dessert. The delectable bhog prasad held a peculiar essence unlike any other edible item. The girls had a lovely introduction to traditional Bengali culture. The dishes, utensils, glasses, and other items they used to serve the bhog were all sustainable and environment friendly. The shaktis also received small gifts (steel lunch boxes) as a token of appreciation and their faces lightened up with joy as their happiness was reflected in their faces. They had never, even in their dreams had expected to be treated with such warmth and politeness as they do not belong from a very welcoming section of the society. The shaktis too were really cheerful with the amount of love they had recieved that day. FROM VISION TO REALITY : A MOMENT OF PRIDE FOR SARVAM FOUNDATION Sarvam Foundation has truly been grateful to be able to provide these girls with a platform which is able to bridge the gap between their unfulfilled dreams and desires and their unfavorable financial circumstances. The shaktis today are at a place where they never imagined themselves before. The cultural events in which they perform benefits them in numerous ways from providing them with a great exposure to the outside world, to mastering their skills in different arenas to learning about the diverse cultures of India in a way which is still unknown to a lot of people at large, as they are getting to experience the uniqueness of every single culture. Their parents are filled with immense pride and tears of joy when they witness their child climbing the stairs of success in a way which they cannot afford because of their financial situations. Everything that they are able to learn here is bringing them one step closer to their success while at the same time it is spiritually uplifting them as a human.Their fluency in English has been phenomenal. It is a moment of pride for the organisation as they are able to move a step forward towards their vision with each passing day because of the significant changes taking place within the shaktis. All of this would not have been possible without the consistent cooperation, determination and resilience of the shaktis. Their strong will power inspires the entire foundation to strive towards betterment. Being able to transform their lives has been nothing but a milestone. Being able to change the life of one shakti, acts as an inspiration for the entire community. It motivates the hundreds and thousands of parents who are unwilling to let their daughter learn and grow as they are afraid that they cannot afford it and the world in return will exploit them further, But, when a girl, a shakti, visibly grows everyday, it inspires all those unwilling parents that if one girl can do it, then all the girls can do it, all they need is a proper direction, a trustworthy guidance who would guide them to the right path, helping them to get out the tunnel of darkness filled with nothing but violence and abuse that they have witnessed throughout their life and bring light in their life. The shaktis are like the seeds of a plant being watered and nourished every day with so much love and care that they will definitely bloom into beautiful flowers one day. Blog writing credits: Ms. Soumi Chakraborty Editor: Ms. Kritika Saraf

#HumansOfShakti Adrika, a nine-year-old little gem, studies in 3rd grade at Vidhya School in Nathupur, Gurgaon, Haryana. She resides with her mother, a housewife, her three-year-old younger brother, and her father, who manages to earn a survival-sufficient monthly income. She shares a very close relationship with her family members. Being a little girl who has yet to experience the world at large, Adrika feels fortunate enough to not have faced any significant challenges till now. MEETHI ADRIKA KE MEETHE SAPNE As every child is asked, “Bade hokar kya banoge beta?”, the curious little Adrika too was once asked about her aspirations in life, to which she remarked how deeply fascinated she was, after witnessing the recent success of Chandrayan 3 mission and aspires to be a scientist one day. SARVAM SHAKTI - HER LITTLE SOURCE OF JOY & LIFETIME LEARNING She joined the Sarvam Foundation three years ago, at the age of six, and has beautifully mingled with the Shakti family, the senior, middle, and junior students. She started her journey at Sarvam as a dancer and has been studying Bharatnatyam, a pure form of classical dance, with great enthusiasm. Primarily, she started taking her lessons in Kathak, but being a curious learner, her interest shifted to Bharatnatyam, which she is gradually mastering. Shakti Adrika had stepped onto the stage, performing Yoga on the song "Ae Vatan" live for the very first time. With all eyes on her, she felt a mix of nerves and excitement. Despite the jitters, she delivered a wonderful performance, gaining confidence that fueled her through ten more events, always with a beaming smile. One special memory takes her back to the day she danced to the tunes of "O Palanhaare." Till today, the memories of continuous cheers she had received for the abovementioned performance, boost her ambitious spirit. ADRIKA KI ANOKHI PEHCHAAN What makes this little girl an exception among her peers is her unique ability to perform yoga and dance, particularly Bharatnatyam. Her body flexibility often startles the audience. She can perform both yoga and dance quite adeptly. Instead of spending her time at liberty, wandering here and there or engrossing herself in gadgets which most of the children in today’s generation do, she chooses to spend her days unleashing her potential. She is a chotu packet, bada dhamaka:D A DAY IN ADRIKA’S LIFE She begins her day by waking up in the morning, freshening up, and then heading to school. She returns home at 2:30 p.m. and then proceeds to prepare herself for her daily activities at Sarvam. At Sarvam, she engages in a half-hour yoga session from 5-5:30 p.m. and subsequently participates in her dance classes. Besides learning dance, she has also joined her classes for yoga and computers to learn and enhance her skills in these domains as well. Finishing her hectic schedule, she eagerly waits for the shakti juice filled with healthy nutrients along with gur-chana. Consuming it regularly has significantly enhanced her immune system, making her less prone to diseases. Following this, she concludes her day. On some days, she also partakes in the workshop conducted at Sarvam. SOME NOTICEABLE CHANGES IN ADRIKA AFTER BECOMING A SHAKTI Before she became a part of this family, her Spoken English was very weak and she used to get low grades in the subject because of which her parents were disappointed in her. However, upon joining the English classes at Sarvam, she has shown significant improvements in the language, so much so, that she has even delivered quite a few speeches in English on many occasions held at Sarvam. Her feelings of nervousness and anxiety have now given way to her feelings of self-confidence. We are hopeful that she will master this skill as well. ADRIKA'S COMPASSIONATE CALLING When you ask a nine-year-old, “If you had any superpower, what would it be and how would you use it?”, you generally get responses like “I would like to fly” or “I would like to be a Batman or a Superman and so on”. But this girl is different, unlike most of the children. When she was asked this question, she responded by saying that if she ever got superpowers then she would use them to help the poor people out of their miseries. She has seen so many people around her suffering from poverty that she feels deeply sad about it and would change it at any opportunity she gets. She would also guide the misguided children, making them realize their rights and wrongs, as she has seen most of her peers in school being misled to the wrong path and its negative consequences. ADRIKA TELLS US, SARVAM IS HER NEW FAMILY Adrika says that Sarvam is a perfect platform where one can enjoy and learn new skills every day. The foundation has welcomed this little soul with such warmth that she loves being a shakti now and looks forward to regularly spending her time with her newfound family. She loves attending her classes at Sarvam, which is significantly transforming her into a better person every day. Being a part of this journey, she has also become more respectful. She always feels like she is surrounded by individuals whose hearts are filled with kindness and compassion. She has also expressed her heartfelt gratitude towards Simran Didi, Indrajeet Didi, and Hemangi Ma’am as they have been her consistent motivation in this journey, teaching her some unforgettable life lessons every single day. Adrika loves Hemangi Aai, for she always boosts up her confidence whenever she feels down and guides her towards the path of success. Inderjeet Didi and Simran Didi, as she mentioned are her guiding mentors, she adores, according to her are the driving forces toward her proficiency in Yoga and Dance. They make learning for her very enjoyable and interesting. Adrika is a curious little ray of sunshine, lighting everyone up around her with her giggles and her mischievousness. As a learner, she is very sincere and willingly acquires new skills regularly. As a nine-year-old child, her determination to learn with such seriousness surprises everyone around her. She is always willing to reflect upon her mistakes and learn from them. When needed, she also takes up the charge of ensuring discipline around her, even if it means correcting her seniors. She is a dedicated child with big aspirations who is bound to achieve wonders in her life if she continues to evolve like this. Blog writing credit: Ms. Soumi Chakraborty Ideator & Editor: Ms. Kritika Saraf