Oasis Movement Core Community Annual Retreat 2024: Part 2 Tapestry of Sacred Expressions Yet Another Year Passed, And Yet More Stories Unfurled
90+ friends across India (Jammu & Kashmir, Delhi, Odisha, Arunachal Pradesh, Karnataka, Tamil Nadu, Kerala, Gujarat & Mumbai) join the National Annual Retreat from 27-29 January 2025 at Oasis Valleys to envision a better India and share experiences of love, friendship and transformations.
Jammu-Kashmir & Delhi
I wish to create a society that never destroys
We are truly inspired by Oasis for their efforts, energy and positivity. They travel from Gujarat to Kashmir for us and our children, so why can't we do it?
~ Mir Mohammad Gulzar
Director, Oasis Movement, J&K
It's a natural, unconscious filtering process
After undergoing L3, as a principal, I naturally found myself so down to earth in front of my staff. Everyone would agree that this is something you cannot contain within yourself.
~ Romana Qazi
Exe. Director, Kashmir, Oasis Movement J&K
I am just speechless!
We often think society has given us so much, but what are we giving back? That spark we received from the Oasis must inspire us to spread Character Education worldwide.
हम बच्चों को मार्क्स के लिए बहुत कुछ सिखाते थे लेकिन उनकी जो आत्मा है, उनके अंदर की जो विशिष्टता है, वह उन्हें कौन बताएगा? वे अपने आप को कैसे पहचानेंगे? यहाँ से एक नई ज्योत उनमें जलती हुई मैंने देखी। अभी मेरा यही ध्येय है कि में इस चारित्र्य निर्माण शिक्षण को आगे बढ़ाऊँ।
Making the Gujarati 'Ubadiyu' activity was like magic for me. The fear within me completely disappeared. I feel like a different Manika now.
~ Manika Behera
Team Member, SWATI NGO, Odisha
Feeling so satisfied!
जब पहली बार लाइफ केम्प लिया, तब ऐसा लग रहा था कि यह बातें बच्चों को कैसे समझायेंगे लेकिन जब हमने पहले दिन का सेशन खत्म किया, तब एक बच्चे ने सामने से आकर सबके सामने कहा कि वह अपनी पढ़ाई वापस शुरू करना चाहता है और पढ़ लिख कर ओडिशा में व्यापार करना चाहता है ताकि अपने गाँव के लोगों को वह रोजगार दे पाए।
~ Aparajita Jani
Team Member, SWATI NGO, Odisha
Karnataka, Tamil Nadu & Kerala
If I don't do that I'll be very irresponsible
I have foreign students and have struggled to figure out how to help them. Coming here gave me the answer and hope for my students, which I want to share with them immediately.
~ Suresh James
Founder, Building Blocks India, Karnataka
The world says pay me back, we say Pay-It-Forward
Today we celebrate everything smart- smartphones, smart classes and smart cities! These three days have felt like a celebration of foolishness, prompting us to question the world's definition of smartness.
~ Naveen Thomas
Co-founder, Headstreams, Karnataka
Facilitation gives me great joy
Whether it's the young techies in software engineering, govt. edu. officers, overworked teachers or dedicated NGO heads, I've noticed they are all deeply moved by the enduring truths presented in our workshop. The positive response from participants brings me great joy.
~ Manisha Mehta
Coordinator, Oasis "Pay it Forward" Project, Bengaluru
Unique celebration of my birthday
First time on my birthday, I conducted a session on my initiative for 50 students at a nearby school. The next day, my friends joined me in holding sessions at other locations, which led to the founding of Oasis in Kerala by youths.
~ Vismaya J.
Volunteer, Kerala
Gujarat & Mumbai
मेरे शिक्षा क्षेत्र के २२ साल पानी में गए!
एक जीवन शिबिर में एक बच्चे को लिखना नहीं आता था, मैंने उसे बोलकर अपना सपना बताने को कहा, बच्चे ने खड़े हो कर बखूबी से कलेक्टर बनने का सपना बताया। क्लास के दूसरे बच्चों ने हैरानी से मुझे कहा, 'दीदी यह लड़का इतने सालों से हमारे साथ ही पढ़ता है, पर इसने आज तक किसी भी टीचर के साथ अपनी ऐसी बात शेर नहीं की। वो तो कभी बोलता ही नहीं।' मुझे लगा कि इस २३ वे साल से बच्चों को समझने की मेरी शुरुआत हुई।
I'm supposed to see things objectively and not so emotionally, but how is it possible when things match your value systems? I felt that with whatever value system I would like to live in, all those I found in Oasis.
~ Shubham Joshi
Team Member, Pramiti Philanthropy Partners, Mumbai
Other Guests
Why is Oasis referred to as an oasis in a desert?
To me, Oasis symbolizes a celebration of freedom and joy, emphasizing that everyone should have the choice to live their life as they wish. Parents need to create an environment that empowers their children to realize their dreams. Without this, meaningful change in our country will be difficult. Oasis should strive to address these challenges.
~ Skandan Krishnan
Rtd. IAS Officer, Tamil Nadu
It's a beautiful intergenerational space!
It's wonderful to see such a large team; typically, organizations have just a few members. Having 13-14 people on this journey and inspiring others is fantastic. It feels like everyone is a founding member, creating a great celebration of shared leadership and love. I'm grateful for the learning and friendships I've formed, both young and old.
~ Ashraf Patel
Co-Founder & Board Member, Pravah and Commutiny-The Youth Collective, New Delhi
2025 Year Plannings and Presentations Visual Highlights
Editorial Team: Divya Hadiya, Riya Shah,
Aatmaja Soni
Editorial Guide: Sanjiv Shah, Sheeba Nair, Mehul Panchal
Alive Newsletter/ Magazine1 April 2025
Year 18, Issue 7
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