Two things make a human being look foolish in hindsight: charting a road less travelled and learning—through humility—the fragility of life. No plans, methods or pedagogies truly help while foraying into unknown territories, especially when one wishes to act with a vision borrowed from the past.
Humility—real humility—forces one to confront the limits of one’s karma. It dismantles the old self so thoroughly that what remains may look naïve, even laughable.
This is an acknowledgment of how little control we truly have-and how much grace life demands. 🕊️
Young Trustees of Oasis Movement
A Story That Feels Unreal
Today, while satisfactorily announcing the stabilisation of succession at the Oasis Movement, I share a story written by destiny—one that both amazes and perplexes me. A story that feels like a dream, almost too good and unbelievable to be true.
2019: The Thought That Would Not Leave
Succession was not a sudden idea; it had existed in Oasis since its inception.
In 2019, as I completed 55 years of age, the signs of ageing arrived—quietly and unmistakably, as they do for everyone. Sixty years, after all, is considered the formal age of retirement.
But I did not want to wait for life to compel me. I wanted to step aside before time snatched everything away.
The community of founding members unanimously resonated with my thoughts of transferring leadership to the young generation and joined hands.
The Seed of Succession
Incidentally, just a year earlier, in 2018, we had launched one of the most adventurous and challenging experiments in Oasis history—the Oasis Misaal Honourship Explorers’ (MHE) residential fellowship. Young, promising youths had enrolled.
The process was principled, but the destination was unknown. A journey had begun without a map, without any foreseeable end in mind.
2020: The World Stopped, the Idea Did Not
Just as the idea of succession began taking form, the world shut down. COVID-19 arrived with an intensity that defied imagination. It was a terrifying time of lockdowns and restrictions; fear and loss dominated life for over a year.
During this period, I lost my father. Diagnosed as an early COVID case, he recovered fully, but later, suffered a fall, was bedridden and in sometime, passed away at the age of 89.
Yet, despite personal and global turmoil, this idea of succession remained unwavering. By mid-2020, the process was formally announced—appreciated and blessed by many.
Amid restrictions, Oasis adapted. We introduced longer courses, distance programs and continued events, including online contributions to the International Democratic Education Conference.
Oasis did not shut down for a single day.
The MHE fellowship continued.
2021: Quiet Transformations Amidst the Shadows
In 2021, some of us were infected with COVID and recovered—while helping others recover through simple, common-sense remedies.
The first batch of MHE graduated. What emerged was not just competence, but something subtler: inner transformation—visible only to those willing to see the invisible.
A handful of these youths, after relentless questioning and self-scrutiny, chose to commit their lives to keeping the Oasis Movement alive.
For them, Oasis had become a gift that returned them to themselves. Restrictions eased. The year ended with intense programs in Kashmir. It seemed, briefly, that the worst was behind us.
The Unthinkable Breaks Open
Then tragedy struck again—completely unexpected, baffling and paralysing.
One of the Oasis MHE aspirant girl, who had gone home for Diwali holidays, ran away and committed suicide. Her diary created controversy. The truth Oasis knew was not just stranger than fiction; it was an unbelievable amalgamation of chaotic events.
Oasis came under a torturous scanner of police and investigating agencies. The newly committed youth for life and other ongoing residential MHEs bore unparalleled scrutiny. This continued for half a year, draining all of us.
Only truth kept us going.
The entire episode became a crucible—one that forged resolve in tender youth saplings. 🔥
2022: Survival of the Saplings
Thus came 2022, with legal pressures mounting. Calling those months difficult would be an understatement—they were crushing and excruciatingly painful. We witnessed a heavily prejudiced onslaught; all involved were caught in the vortex.
Yet amidst everything, we continued our work.
Many distanced themselves. Some left.
The youth did not.
The year felt like a terrible cyclone—capable of uprooting massive trees. Yet miraculously, not only did new saplings survive, they flourished. They deeply understood what their country is, what Oasis is and why it must be protected.
Their determination became Himalayan.
This education, this mentoring was impossible to plan. Only life and destiny can do this.
2023: The Flood as an Acid Test
By mid-2023, while limping back to normal routines and missions, another unimaginable event occurred. In September, unprecedented rainfall and a man-made disaster submerged Oasis Valleys. Despite being on relatively higher ground, water rose rapidly.
This time, we made a conscious decision. Instead of guiding the youths on site, we seniors decided to turn this into an acid test. A two-hour session was held. Challenges were assigned. Then we “fled” the scene. It took immense restraint and love to do so.
Only the youth brigade remained. Water entered the institute basement. But discipline prevailed. They functioned like an army—protecting, restoring, reclaiming the campus once the waters receded, leaving behind heaps of mud.
They earned full credit.
Full confidence.
Another test passed.
This entire process of struggle and challenge doubled the committed tribe of youths ready to take the torch of Oasis Movement forward for the next 50-100 years.
Samudra Manthan of the Spirit
This process unfolded like samudra manthan—the churning of the ocean-where poison emerges before nectar.
The youth brigade underwent ordinary worldly experiences: jealousy, backbiting, betrayals, abandonment, disapproval, rejection and outcasting—far beyond what words can capture.
Yet everything purified the gold within them, filtering out the unsuitable.
To hold poison in the throat like Shiva—without letting bitterness destroy the heart—is no easy feat in spiritual terms.
2024: A Glocal Turning Point
The year 2024 became an astonishing turning point. We never imagined the Oasis Movement would take root in a dozen countries so quickly—and yet it did. We found soulmates across continents: evolved educationalists and noble human beings.
In another lion-hearted challenge, the newly formed group of committed youths, through the Nachiketa Project, recreated a base of 1,000 schools (Sahastrashala) in Gujarat within months.
Oasis Publications flourished in numbers, circulation and languages—simultaneously. Many other dimensions uplifted morale. The year ended with global educationalists becoming guests and then family at Oasis Valleys. As a crowning moment, the annual retreat was fully managed by the young trustees for the first time.
2024 was truly an expansion beyond imagination—locally and globally. 🌍
2025: Standing Responsive in Times of Conflict
2025 began with national retreats. Then came the cruel episode at Pahalgam, Kashmir. Kashmir, already firmly pinned on the map of Oasis work regions, presented a dilemma. Many feared a division like 1947.
As citizens, Oasis felt an extraordinary responsibility beyond programs. The young trustees responded.
A brief war with Pakistan followed—after more than 50 years. It became an occasion to deeply understand India—historically, culturally, politically and spiritually.
Oasis acted modestly in scale, but with a responsible and large heart-being responsible without illusions. A lesson in Karma Yoga.
Save Our Souls - 2.0
Later in 2025, Gujarat was shaken by teenage violence. Mental health emerged as a deadly serious issue, beyond the continual suicides of students. Consumerism ran rampant. Conflicts and wars increased globally. Artificial Intelligence once again placed humanity at a crossroads, it is poorly prepared to handle—due to the absence of vital character education.
Addressing these modern crises, with the help of AI, we unleashed several initiatives—both online and offline. Though minuscule in immediate impact, the potential is immense.
At such a moment, it felt nothing short of a miracle that the Oasis Movement rested in admirable young hands.
The Future of the Movement
So what next for the Oasis Movement—five years, ten, fifty?
By now, readers will realise that I do not toy with such questions. Plans will exist. Structures will function. But destiny will always rewrite scripts.
No one knows what fortunes or calamities await. We can only respond with the best of our peace, wisdom and abilities. The dozen or so youths who have taken up this gutsy task are truly gems.
Their magnanimity and commitment at such an unformed age amaze me.
While some may see them as inexperienced or naïve, they are intuitively mature and conscientiously awakened. They are so beautifully hearted that I pray for them every day. 🙏
The Roots: Who Are They
One thing, however, must be said.
These youths are rare human beings in formation. Not because they are perfect. Not because they are extraordinary in the usual sense. But because they chose differently.
In a world chasing quick success, they chose slow learning.
In times when shortcuts are celebrated, they chose discipline.
When comfort was available, they chose responsibility.
They stepped away from conventional paths—not out of rebellion, but out of seriousness. They did not abandon education; they redefined learning.
What sets them apart is not talent alone, but reliability. They stay when things are difficult. They work without applause. They accept correction without losing dignity. They take responsibility without demanding authority.
They are young in age, yes—but they carry an old quality: the ability to hold effort without drama, values without noise and commitment without conditions.
Oasis was never meant to be sustained by charisma alone. It was meant to be carried forward by character.
The Dance of Destiny
Another miracle is their blend: activists, thinkers, writers, designers, artists, technologists, administrators and managers—the seeds of all talents are present.
This is life’s doing—a dance of destiny beyond the perception of the human brain, at least mine. I feel overwhelmed and stunned. Endless experiences defy articulation.
I have tried, from the purest place within me, to be worthy of them. Honestly, that is the only thing I wish to keep doing for the rest of my life. Astonishingly, they have already surpassed me in their being.
Epilogue: Who Am I?
I had heard what it means to be instrumental.
I never imagined it would feel like this—not intellectually, not metaphorically.
Humbling is life’s lifelong hammering on our existence.
The journey begins with “Who am I?”
It culminates in “Who am I?”
The difference lies only in the tone.
This is not a success story.
It is a survival story.
And perhaps—if destiny allows a foundation.
The rest belongs to life and is now trusted to time.
~ Sanjiv Shah
Mentor & Author
Founder Member, Oasis Movement
Alive Newsletter/ Magazine27 January 2026
Year 19, Issue 03
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