My trip to Telangana

 My Sampoorna trip to the villages in Mullakalapally, Telangana, was truly a journey of self-transformation. From the extreme hospitality to the simplistic lifestyle of the villagers every experience gave us a newfound sense of appreciation for things in our life that we take for granted.

The villages that we visited lacked basic amenities such as readily available water, electricity, decent roads, and a proper roof over their heads. These villages were a stark contrast to everyday comforts that we often take for granted and rarely think about how blessed we are to be able to have in our lives.

The absence of a reliable water supply has put the villages in a situation where they need to walk to distant sources just to be able to obtain clean water. Some of us were able to witness and take part in the process of obtaining water from a nearby stream, the villagers needed to dig holes to get the water and then had to wait for a few hours for the debris to sediment to get clean drinking water.  

The lack of electricity was also evident in these villages. With no access to modern amenities that we consider essential in our daily lives, the villagers have to rely on alternative lighting methods which limits their overall productivity. However, it is worth noting that in a few villages solar panels have been introduced in the past few years which has helped the local people progress forward.

The rights that women in these villages were denied were truly appalling and deeply disturbing. We encountered a woman who had completed her nursing degree and possessed the skills and passion necessary to excel in her profession. However, when we inquired about why she did not pursue her career she explained that her marriage had forced her to abandon her aspirations. Witnessing the plight of this woman, whose dreams and potential were stifled by the backward mindset of her community, left us all in shock. It was a stark reminder of the inequalities and restrictions that many women face, hindering their growth.

Toward the end of our visit to the final village, we asked the head of the village what his vision for the future was, instead of focusing on his struggles and challenges he stated that he wanted his future generation to be able to receive a proper education and to be able to progress forward as a community. This perspective shed light on his genuine commitment to the well-being and prosperity of the village and gave us a glimpse into his selfless heart. This trip has taught me so much and has helped me grow as a person, I am extremely grateful for the opportunity I was given and I will always remember the values I learned on this trip.