Today, as I sit in the quiet of my room and count the editions, I realise I’ve witnessed all five physical retreats:
Two at The Fabindia School,
One at The Doon Girls School,
And now two at Arthur Foot Academy, including the most recent one.
I’ll never forget 2023 — the year I became the lone ranger. A freshly graduated schoolboy, I boarded a train alone from Falna to Dehradun, heading into the unknown. I had promised Hukam I’d take every precaution. It was an 18-hour journey — and I received calls nearly every hour, with well-wishers showing up at almost every station. My co-passengers were convinced I was some kind of VIP!
But perhaps the most hilarious moment came at the end. Exhausted upon reaching Dehradun, I was escorted to my hotel and fell into such deep sleep that I didn’t hear the EBD staff knocking... for four hours. Eventually, they had to use the master key to open the door — and there I was, snoring away. We still laugh about it. But that retreat taught me so much. It was a hard first step, but one that filled me with confidence. After that, I didn’t just attend retreats — I began managing them (Mr.Dutt must confirm that)
And God had been great in the form of my mentors:
Mr. Dutt,
Mr. Jugjiv,
And the “Master’s Master” — Mr. RP.
From being an escort boy in the early days to now becoming one of the people trusted to manage an entire retreat — it’s been a journey of growing up in the most meaningful way.
It’s not easy being young and being trusted, but I’ve been fortunate to find people who believed in me. This year, at Arthur Foot Academy, it felt like a new chapter — a new playground — a place where old dreams evolved and new ones were born.
And as I galavant through the golden dust and green fields of my hometown, my heart is full.
Of memories.
Of mentors Love.
Of moments that turned into milestones.
Enjoy the Summer and stay hydrated.
Fellow & Analyst
Learning Forward India Foundation
