The room was quite simple. Mattresses were laid out. A few fans did their best to hold off the heat. Not perfect, but enough.
We added small, simple touches. Little things that quietly said,
“You are special.”
This was the first workshop of the Nurses Leadership Program at Sangwari Peoples Association For Equity and Health
Most of them had arrived the previous day for another training.
And yet, there was no weariness. Only anticipation.
Wondering what is going to happen next.
Twelve remarkable women.
All from rural, many from remote parts of Chhattisgarh.
Each one trained, skilled, experienced.
A dream about 5-year-old; to build leadership from the ground.
With those who have carried communities through crisis, care, and silence.
We began by creating a safe space. Together, we agreed on a few ground rules. Played simple games that made them laugh so hard, tears followed.
We used familiar tools to gently begin the journey of self-realization.
This was new to them. Naturally, there were pauses, glances, hesitations.
And then, slowly, words began to form.
Stories came through.
Deeply personal.
Full of truth, pain, strength, and survival.
Stories of growing up with scarcity.
Of navigating loss without language.
Of continuing studies through resistance.
Of being the first in their family to do what they do.
Of showing up in spaces where they were not expected to lead, but did.
None of the stories used the word “leadership”.
But it was in every story.
How naturally they led.
How strongly they held each other.
Not through theory. Through presence. Compassion. Holding space. Acknowledging.
This was the start of something we had imagined for so long.
A dream to centre the wisdom of those who are too often spoken for, but rarely truly listened to.
It was a simple room. But that day, it held something extraordinary.
And I learned a lot .
I learned that each story needed more time than we had.
Because each life held depths I have never lived through.
Suffering, hardship, impossible circumstances.
Often faced alone. Quiet battles fought without applause.
And still, they stood.
With grace.
With laughter.
With gentleness for others.
I learned that they already possessed the most valuable leadership qualities.
Not because of this workshop, but because of the lives they have lived.
And I saw.
How each of them is unique.
Each one deeply special.
Each one already a leader.
Our part is simple, really. To help a diamond recognise its own worth.
Ever so grateful for my team Sangwari Peoples Association For Equity and Health, Roopa Rawat, RN, Anurag Mishra, Ajith Swaminathan, Neha and Kanika Sharma. We will surely reach there, one baby step at a time. Grateful to WomenLift Health for preparing me for this step, and for being a steady support along the way.
– Shilpa Khanna