"While leading training sessions my trainers’ team encouraged me each time despite any mistakes...When I do Play for Peace activities I forget all challenges of my life and this is not [only] what I feel but also other members of YTH feel as well." - Anjana, facilitator for the YTH Play for Peace Club in Delhi, India
Exposed to Play for Peace for the first time some nine months ago, Anjana Salodia presently conducts Play for Peace sessions as a youth facilitator for the YTH Play for Peace Club in Delhi, India. Hailing from a humble background with her father’s early death, her mother’s arduous efforts to feed the family inspired her. Anjana remembers those scenes from her childhood where there was nothing to eat and they survived eating puffed rice from government-launched groups for poverty-stricken people. Her mother was feeding her younger brother but because of lack of diet, she could not feed all of the children and her neighbouring lady fed her brother. She recalls going to a neighbor and asking for food out of hunger. She has seen her alcoholic father beating her mother when she had an operation to avoid pregnancy without his permission. She recalls and gets in tears remembering the sad moments of her bleeding mother. At the same time, she felt joyous recalling her school days. It used to be a proud moment for them to visit her school and listen to their appreciation for their daughter. It was not something about being good at studies but about being a fun-loving girl. Below is an interview with Anjana, the “iron lady,” who now has reached the wedding age as per Indian standards. The interview was conducted by Ajat Shatru, the trainer who works with the YTH Play for Peace Club.
Ajat- How will you handle the challenges of post-married life? Anjana - I feel this is a speed breaker in my growth and am not happy with my mother’s decision. At the same time, I don't want to hurt her by going against her. She sacrificed her life to make us happy and supported me in pursuing education in adverse circumstances. I am hopeful of facing challenges and overcoming them. I will not let my hope fade because I believe if one keeps hope alive then chances of success increase. Since childhood I dreamt a lot and have succeeded to an extent. This “not quitting” personality trait I have learned from my mother.
Ajat - You were a playful girl since childhood, how did YTH & Play for Peace impact your journey? Anjana - I played with peer groups all these years and it’s different. By being a Play for Peace facilitator, I got the opportunity to play with children through being an adult. It gives me an opportunity to be a child. When i am in YTH, I forget my challenges as it feels too good. A day after my engagement I was returning home after some work. I was tired but reminded myself that it's time for going to YTH and automatically my feet started moving forward.
Ajat - How does Play for Peace bring peace in your life? Anjana - Play for Peace trainings during Leadership course supported by CSEI gave me opportunity to learn new skills & its facilitator helped me improve my image. Earlier I was thinking a government job is like ultimate thing that one can have. Now I see myself as influential facilitator. During second module of Play for Peace, I shared my views on caste system in India publicly which made me confident. Play for Peace helped me travel to Gujarat, Rajasthan, Chandigarh, Haryana & Southern states. While leading training sessions my trainers’ team encouraged me each time in spite of any mistakes. While my childhood experiences in classroom traumatizing enough as I was snubbed even for asking questions. When I do Play for Peace activities I forget all challenges of my life & this is not what I feel but also other members of YTH feel as well.
Ajat - How do you see your life after 5 years or 10 years in case you overcome all hurdles? Anjana - I will be doing lots of training each day. Doing reflection post trainings and making reports. After 10 years, people will be calling me to seek guidance to run sessions and I will be doing lots of international travel for programs. Making modules of trainings and sharing my work with others through mails. I am reminded by Vijay Bhaiya to remain grounded all the time and my life experiences will also help me to remain so in future.
