Hi, I am Shivani,

Whenever I tell people I work with rural communities to drive transformation, they often picture a life filled with challenges—limited infrastructure, unreliable transport, and tough access to health and education. And it’s not just what people assume—these are real issues that shape everyday lives in rural India.

But living in the heartlands of India has given me unexpected gifts. Over the past three and a half years, I’ve grown to cherish waking up before the world stirs. In those quiet early mornings, I remember why I chose this path. It’s far from glamorous—some days are uncomfortable, uncertain, and test your patience. Yet, when I see a woman raise her voice for the first time in a village meeting, or witness the joy in a child’s eyes because their teacher showed up and helped them learn, I know I’m exactly where I’m meant to be.

I come from Pilkhuwa (Uttar Pradesh), a small town 40 km east of Delhi, known as Handloom Nagri (Handloom Town). Nearly every third household there is involved in handloom weaving—crafting textiles that reach markets across India and beyond. Growing up surrounded by the hum of looms and the scent of dyed fabric, working in the social sector wasn’t on my radar. Initially, leaving home was tough. It hit me that from this point on, I’d be living on my own—navigating my life, carrying both professional responsibilities and personal ones. It was the beginning of learning how to show up for myself. But when I got selected for a fellowship under the Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship in 2021, I knew it was time. The program gave me a chance to work directly with the district administration of Vidisha district in MP, while studying public policy and management at IIMA. But it was only a glimpse of what lay ahead.

In 2023, I joined Transform Rural India and moved to Petlawad block in Jhabua district, Madhya Pradesh. For the first time, I wasn’t just visiting rural India—I was living and working deep within tribal communities. The work was hands-on, human, and humbling. The conversations were real, the challenges raw, and the connections I formed were unlike anything I’d ever experienced.

At Petlawad, I found pillars of strength in Seema Didi, Aarti Didi, and Kalpana Didi—women who’ve faced hardships at every turn but still chase their dreams. They welcomed me as family, sharing meals during field visits and checking in on me with nightly video calls. Their kindness restored my faith in humanity in a world that often feels transactional.

Life here moves slowly but is rich with meaning. When I find spare moments, I dive into cooking and reading. Cooking connects me to home—recreating childhood dishes and sharing them with those around me. Reading is my sanctuary, with poetry, philosophy, and fiction by authors like Vinod Kumar Shukla and Nirmal Verma stirring my soul.

Being a young, single woman living far from home, can feel isolating and inconvenient. But these are balanced by the unexpected gifts of this life—fresh vegetables, clean air, and the quiet simplicity of Jhabua, which consistently enjoys good air quality. And with hardly any junk food outlets around, that’s a blessing in disguise.

My father often jokes, “Tum hi toh asli swarg mein reh rahi ho” (You’re the one living in real heaven). On many days, I think he’s right.

Now based in Rajpur block of Barwani district, I still carry Petlawad in my heart. When I left, a few Didis came to see me off, carrying food packed for the day. One said, “You’ll reach late and won’t be able to cook, so take this and eat at night.” Another said, “Because of you, I learned to use a laptop and ride a scooter—things I once feared. I will always remember that.” Those words melted my heart. In that moment, I truly felt the impact of my work. It’s in these small but powerful moments that I realize I’m part of something bigger than myself.

What’s surprised me most is how deeply this journey has changed me. I came here believing I would be the one making a difference—helping others find new opportunities, supporting women to raise their voices, and bringing small changes to everyday lives. But somewhere along the way, it was my own perspective, resilience, and sense of purpose that underwent the biggest transformation. The lessons I’ve learned from the people here—their strength in adversity, their warmth and generosity, their ability to find joy in simplicity—have shaped me in ways I never expected. I set out to transform lives, but it’s my own life that’s been truly, profoundly transformed.

If I could change one thing, it would be how society views women who choose unconventional paths—especially those who dare to walk them alone. Because what I’ve learned is this: being far from home doesn’t mean being lost. Sometimes, it means finally finding exactly where you’re meant to be.