courtesy © Ananth Padmanabhan

“Your visions will become clear only when you can look into your own heart. Who looks outside, dreams; who looks inside, awakes.” – C.G. Jung

The Awareness Programme encourages and enables exploring the ‘inner self’ so that each of us becomes the change we want to see on issues close to our hearts. Children, environment, women, disability or be it any other critical social concern… the programme is rooted in the belief that as human beings we have a corner within which is compassionate and passionate about that one cause which moves us to action.

Sometimes it has taken just a nudge to arouse that spirit. At other times, we have taken recourse to multiple activities to awaken it. Books, film screenings, wilderness walks, nature bazaars, photo exhibitions, music, meditation and talks – are all instruments for questioning old notions, advocating change and enabling reflection in the individual so that the collective can respond sensitively, intelligently.

Most importantly, the programme seeks to create change-makers who can contribute time, intellect, money, or, simply, a gesture of compassion. It has aspired to build understanding through observation and reflection. Over the years, this process has given us a vibrant volunteer base. This would have been impossible without our programmes that disseminate and, we believe, motivate people.

The focus of the programme, through which we reach out to thousands of people, is awareness-generation activities that cover a range of issues. The Awareness Programme envisions leading social change through: 

• Sensitising civil society

• Building insight

• Raising awareness on development issues

• Breaking stereotypes and questioning perceptions

• Providing information

• Raising volunteers

• Advocating change

• Communicating the importance of civil participation; and

• Providing a platform for partner organisations to talk about their work