On 21 January, I met Rohan. At that time, I conducted a SALT activity with him and we also discussed masculinity. During that conversation, he openly shared that he did not like painting and putty work at all. But because of family expectations, responsibilities of age, and the social pressure that “a man must do some kind of work,” he continued doing it. From his words, I understood that he was not working only for money; he also wanted satisfaction, mental peace, and to do something he…

Today I met Shrikant Ramchandra Shelke in Shelakewadi village. Everyone calls him “Maharaj” (this is how temple priests are respectfully addressed). He had to go out for some work, so he did not have much time, but still he gave me one hour to talk. When I reached his house, he was playing with his grandchildren. The bond between a grandfather and grandchildren is beyond words. When I sat with him, the children also quietly sat nearby. First, I introduced myself. Then I asked him to remember…

The relationship between a father and son is very unique. A hardworking father is always in front of his children’s eyes. Children usually see their father working all the time. After becoming a father, a man dedicates his life to giving his children a happy and secure future.

Today’s visit was very special for me. I visited a house where both the father and his 28-year-old son were present. I had already done a SALT conversation with the father earlier. Today, I felt happy to see both…

In the morning, I visited Shelakewadi village. I went to different houses hoping to meet some farmers. After completing one SALT activity in a house, I went to the next house.

Anil Shelke is a farmer. When I went to his house, he welcomed me respectfully, asked me to sit, and offered water. He looked very tired because he had just returned from the farm. So, I first had some light conversation with him. After he felt relaxed, I started the discussion.

He said farming is his…

I am currently forming a group of elderly men who sit together at the village square in Shelakewadi. From the training I attended on masculinity, I understood that being a man is not easy. So my purpose is to create a safe space for boys, men, and elderly men where they can express their feelings openly.

In the village, elderly men usually gather at different corners. We do not need to call them—they are already there, as they are mostly free at this stage of life. I met one such group…

Shelakewadi is a small but very beautiful and warm village. As soon as you enter the village, you can see elderly men sitting calmly at every corner, while at some places they are busy in discussions. Their faces show life experiences, their eyes hold memories, and their words carry quiet confidence.

I met one such group of elderly men. They were rich with experience, emotions, determination, and faith. Their life journeys, struggles, and achievements came out naturally through their…

For the last few days, I have been visiting young people, men, and elderly people in Nandwal village to understand the impact of the SALT and Masculinity discussions held there. Today, I visited the village with the same purpose.

After finishing my visits, I saw a young man sitting with a bag on his back. When I went closer, I realized it was Rohan. We met and, while talking, sat in the shade under the milk dairy. We have known each other for the past 3–4 months, but we never got a…

For the past many days in Nandwal village, I have been meeting middle-aged men and engaging in SALT conversations on the subject of masculinity. These discussions are gradually becoming deeper. Today, one such discussion took place, through which I gained some new experiences and learned many new things.

After the SALT conversation began, he revisited some old memories. He spoke openly about traditional village games like Lezim and about how the current condition of the village was…

“You will not understand this now. What worked in your time will not work anymore. We know more than you.”

Such statements are often casually made by the younger generation to the elderly. We tend to believe that the experiences of elders are outdated, irrelevant, and of little use today. However, the experiences I listened to today and the words they shared are still echoing in my mind.

Today’s dialogue focused deeply on the concept of masculinity. The elders explained the true…

Today, I visited some elderly people in Nandwal village. Along with a SALT activity, we discussed masculinity and the idea of forming an elderly men’s group. In reality, elderly people in rural areas are very resilient and warm hearted. Their old values, sweetness in speech, and affectionate nature provide a sense of comfort. However, in recent times, their children despite being more educated have started paying less attention to them. This is happening mainly due to a lack of communication…

On 11 December 2025, the first self-assessment (Self Assessment) process was conducted with the youth of Nandwal village. Earlier, on 29 September 2025, a shared dream-building process had been carried out with the youth group. Only those boys who had participated in that process were invited again for the self-assessment.

The youth who participated in this discussion are farmers. As the sugarcane harvesting season is currently underway, only a limited number of youth were able to…

When the mind is prepared, change becomes possible. Sameer Patil, a young man from Nandwal village, has proven this through his actions.

For the past three years, the Avani Smile Team has been working in Nandwal village. Here, I work with the youth and men, helping them identify their strengths and encouraging them to take positive steps.

During these three years, a strong bond developed between Sameer and me. As time passed, the trust between us grew, and our connection turned…

On the occasion of World Men’s Day, we held a SALT and masculinity focused discussion with a group of young men, adult men, and elders in Nandwal village. This day is celebrated around the world, but this year we chose a slightly different approach. Instead of the usual practice of offering flowers or praising men just for a day, my intention was to create a heartfelt space for understanding their emotions, experiences, and everyday struggles through meaningful dialogue.

The…

After the previous SALT activity, we met once again today. My purpose this time was to have a discussion about masculinity. From my previous experience, I realized that when SALT activities are combined with discussions on masculinity, people open up and express themselves more freely and sincerely.

So, I conducted the SALT session again. They once again shared their experiences — this time briefly, but with great honesty and emotion, which allowed them to express themselves…

In the evening, everyone was sitting together on the village square (katta). At this time, most villagers finish their remaining daily tasks, such as delivering milk to the dairy, and then sit together to relax. I joined one such group of elderly men and began a conversation.

At first, they shared some memories from their lives about themselves, their…

Chandar Ulpe, age 60. We’ve known each other for about a year now, and our bond has grown stronger through SALT conversations. He often interacts with the youth group and inspires them.

When we met him this time, he was busy with farming work, yet he took time out for us. Because of our friendly relationship, we spent the first ten minutes chatting about various topics. He appreciated the young boys for starting the Lezim activity. During an earlier SALT conversation, he had shared…

A young man from Nandwal village created a display during this year’s Ganesh festival that delivered a meaningful message to everyone.

Sameer Patil, a 23-year-old youth, is both a farmer and a businessman. Along with managing his family responsibilities, he is known for expressing thoughtful and well-informed opinions on various issues concerning the youth in the village.

The Ganesh festival holds great importance in India, showcasing unity and tradition in a beautiful…

Today, a group SALT activity was conducted with middle-aged and elderly men. It was a meaningful experience that brought together diverse thoughts and experiences. The main topic of discussion was “concerns and their possible solutions.” Together, the participants reached a consensus on taking concrete steps to address these issues.

Everyone shared…