The first workshop, Lighting Up Lives under a project grant from US Department of State began on 16th December 2016 with a briefing by Dr. Brij Mohan Sharma and his team of young enthusiasts.  It was heartening to see the excitement of the participants who had come from different states with an aim to equip themselves with the skills of making and repairing LED bulbs.

Day two of the workshop saw the participants trying using their soldering irons skillfully to complete the circuit and make their bulbs. A participant quipped, “Yesterday, I only managed to make one bulb, but today I have managed 3 more.” The day which had begun with a yoga class by Mr. Tomar of The Doon School, ended with some merry making and singing and dancing around a bonfire.

On the next day, the participants looked more confident and a better camaraderie could be seen among them. Some of them were working at the bamboo cutting machine while the others were polishing their beautifully carved bamboo lamps with sandpaper to give it a sheen. Dalbir Negi, a student from Pauri Garhwal said, “ I want to earn some money, that is why I have come here.” Santosh Kohli, who also hails from Pauri Garhwal said, “ I have come with a pre knowledge of circuits and am most interested in repairing LED bulbs.”

Yogesh Joshi, college student, who is pursuing his Bachelor’s Degree in Pitoragarh said, “I am getting to learn something new, which I hadn’t seen before. So, it is very exciting.” The most interesting participant seemed to be Sanjay Sarate, who is running an NGO for the upliftment of women in the Kushalwad District of Madhya Pradesh. He says, “ I will go and teach the ladies and the people around to make the bamboo lights to make them self-reliant and financially independent.”

Vipin Singh, who runs an NGO in Himachal Pradesh said, “ I have learnt something new and will do the same to earn a livelihood.”

The most creative of them all seemed to be a young musician from Austria who is visiting India to learn Yoga. “ I am very excited and happy. I have learnt a lot about community living. It’s a way of being together and is very different from what I have experienced in Austria. In the evening we joke, play the drums and sing songs.” On being asked if communication was a problem, he said, “ People speak from the heart so it’s not difficult to understand what they are trying to communicate.” It was most heartening to see four participants who were differently able but probably even more eager to learn than the rest.

The experience for each of these participants as well as the organizers has been unique. We have learnt resilience and patience from them and they the skill to earn their livelihood and light up lives! On the last day at the valedictory session each participant spoke on how they felt challenged at the beginning of the workshop and even wanted to go back. But once they felt at home and experienced the family like atmosphere they changed their views. The session ended with the Chief Guest Mr. D. K. Mishra, Hindi & Sanskrit teacher at The Doon School giving away the certificate of recognition to all participants and electronic kits and spare parts.

The success of the first workshop has served as a shot in the arm of the Alumni Team and SPECS to look forward and organize the other workshops.