In this blog, Kamshola Rai, an Azadi Leader from our Climate Cohort, talks about the time she spent with The Azadi Project in Delhi.
My time in Delhi with the Azadi Leadership Climate Cohort has been nothing short of life-changing. It has truly been the most fruitful program I’ve ever been part of. Over four incredible days, I made memories I’ll never forget and friendships that I know will last a lifetime.
To begin with, I’m deeply grateful to the Azadi team for believing in me especially since I didn’t come with prior experience in a formal professional setting. Yet, not once did I feel like an outsider. From day one, the team felt like home. It was as if I had known them forever. The atmosphere was warm, welcoming, and refreshingly chill and more like friends than facilitators. And the mentors? Some of the best I’ve ever met. Supportive, inspiring, and deeply human.
Each moment of the program felt intentional and meaningful. The Walk of Privilege game left a deep impact, offering fresh insights into our lived experiences and systemic inequalities. Interacting with leads from previous cohorts gave us invaluable perspectives. Visiting the Outlook office was a highlight, meeting Romana and seeing his photography projects reignited my own love for the lens, a passion I thought I had lost.
Listening to Chinki’s life story was both humbling and empowering. Playing games in Sunder Nursery with everyone made me feel like a child again, joyful and free. And Tastesutra, what a paradise for someone who loves cooking! From the fun cooking games to the delicious food and witnessing Achal’s work, it was pure bliss.
One session that particularly stayed with me was She Changed Climate. It opened my eyes to the deeply gendered impacts of the climate crisis. It made me realize just how underrepresented women are in climate leadership and how crucial it is to bring in their voices and wisdom.
Kate’s presentation on indigenous knowledge and nature-based solutions gave me hope and a renewed belief in the power of traditional wisdom. And how can I forget the interview session with Shreyas? I was incredibly nervous to speak about myself for even three minutes, but her patience and the support of the entire group gave me the confidence I didn’t know I had.
And then came the final day at Shivana’s home. The biryani we had there was, hands down, the best I’ve ever tasted. Even now, I can still recall the burst of flavors. Alongside the food, I had the opportunity to receive professional insights from Chaity that I know will stay with me and shape my journey ahead.
It’s hard to capture the magic of these four days in just a few words. Delhi, the people, the sessions, the stories everything came together to create an experience that was both grounding and uplifting.
Thank you, Azadi, for helping me rediscover myself.
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