#DoCCDiaries: Resilience is a human superpower

“Happiness can be found even in the darkest of times, if one only remembers to turn on the light” – Albus Dumbledore.

Few days ago, a devastating fire engulfed the village of Tandi near Jibhi, Himachal Pradesh, at an altitude of 8,000 feet. Twenty families lost their homes, belongings, and what they had built over the years in mere moments. As part of our SPJIMR Development of Corporate Citizen (DoCC) social internship with the Foundation for Living Knowledge – FOLK, I had the opportunity to visit the village and assist with immediate relief measures.

It was snowing heavily as we arrived—nature’s stark reminder of how relentless circumstances can be for those already in distress. We interacted with the families who had lost everything to the fire. Their resilience and smiles amidst adversity left us speechless. Their positivity shone through even as they faced unimaginable loss. FOLK, under the leadership of Mr. Madhusudan Singh, took swift action to provide basic relief kits to the affected families. These kits included essentials like water heaters, buckets, food supplies, tools like Gaintis, and even support for their cattle. While these efforts can’t fully restore what was lost, they were a step towards rebuilding lives and homes.

Inspired by the commendable work of the FOLK team, we participated wholeheartedly in their mission and experienced firsthand what community service truly meant. The smiles and gratitude of the families reminded us that even the smallest acts of kindness can create ripples of hope. This experience has been a profound reminder that happiness is a choice, and resilience is a human superpower. A heartfelt salute to the families of Tandi and the entire FOLK team for standing tall during such challenging times.

After our initial visit, I used social media to request donations to support the families who had lost everything in the devastating fire. The response was overwhelming, with generous contributions pouring in. This allowed us to return to Tandi Village, where we delivered essential relief supplies tailored to the community’s needs, as identified through consultation with the community.

We distributed vital items with the support of the Foundation for Living Knowledge – FOLK and People for Integrated Planning and Adaptable Living (PIPAL) Foundation. These provisions, though modest, are helping families find some comfort as they navigate this challenging time.

A special note of gratitude to the SPJIMR DoCC team and Prof. Chandrika Parmar, director of DoCC, for giving me this opportunity to make a meaningful impact. The collaboration among FOLK, PIPAL, DoCC, and our incredible donors was the backbone of this effort. A big shoutout to my incredible colleagues Ritu Tiwari, Yaswanth Ayyagari, and ILS Mounika for their unwavering support and dedication during our relief efforts for Tandi village. Despite the harsh conditions at an altitude of 9,000 feet, their commitment and resilience were inspiring.

A heartfelt thanks to Mr. Madhusudan Singh, our mentor, philosopher, guide, and saviour, who stood by us throughout this journey. His wisdom, leadership, and constant focus on our safety made this experience both impactful and secure. Thank you, Sir, for being our anchor during this internship and for inspiring us to serve with compassion and dedication. Let’s appreciate the unsung heroes at FOLK who work tirelessly to make a difference. Finally, thanks to all the donors, their kindness brought hope and relief to these resilient families. Together, we can rebuild lives.