A chat with Anandhi ma’am

HJS : What were your expectations out of Bharat Darshan during your time? Did the WST meet your expectations?

AM : I don’t think we ‘expected’ anything. We just ‘anticipated’, hoping that good things will come our way. I loved to travel so just the fact that we will be crisscrossing the entire length and breadth of the country kept me on a high. And WST was an amazing exposure. Specially for someone who had grown up in a very cocooned way.

 HJS : Tell us about some long-lasting bonds that you formed or saw being formed during WST

AM : Long lasting bonds – well, none such permanent bonds happened in our group – groups were not voluntary then. But I do believe mine was an amazing group and I made awesome friends.

 HJS : What was your most memorable WST experience.

AM : Learnt many things, but the most memorable was the visit to Amhadnagar, Dr. Arole’s NGO. My lifelong passion for maternal health began here.

 HJS: How did you feel on transitioning from FC to phase one during your time

As an OT ?

Anandhi ma’am (AM): I felt like I had lost my best friends, specially 3 of them, when FC ended. The first week was very difficult. But then Bharat Darshan came along and we made new friends once again, just as we had done when FC had begun!

HJS : As an OT, your most favourite and least favourite subject of phase one ?

AM : I really don’t remember my favourite or least liked subject. I am not sure if it’s my age or the fact that most of it may have gone over my sleepy head. I am going to say it was the former!