The Unspoken World Inside Smiling Men

[Shahrukh Atpade]

In today’s society, it is very important to talk about masculinity. Especially at workplaces. Because the people we work with every day, laugh with, and spend time with are often the same people with whom we can truly share our feelings and experiences.

I have been working with Avani organization for the last six years. During this journey, I have built close and trusting relationships with all my co-workers. We spend time together while working, after work, and during breaks by talking, laughing, and enjoying each other’s company. But behind all this happiness, everyone carried unspoken thoughts and feelings inside them—feelings that never got a chance to be expressed.

While working in the ARC project, I was interacting with people at the village level and encouraging them to discover their inner strengths through the SALT process. During this time, Ritu suggested starting discussions on masculinity. At first, the topic felt new, but slowly people started speaking, expressing themselves, and a process of change began.

In April 2026, Sam and Ritu from GFC visited Avani organization. During their visit, a special discussion on masculinity was organized with 20 male staff members of the organization. For everyone, it was a new and unique opportunity to look within themselves.

In this session, everyone was given chart paper and asked to think about the question:
“What responsibilities do we carry as men?”

All participants drew the figure of a man on the chart paper and wrote down their feelings and responsibilities.

Many responsibilities were common among everyone:

• Keeping the family happy

• Managing all financial and social responsibilities

• Giving time to family

• Worrying about the future

• Taking responsibility for children

• And most importantly, hiding their own emotions

Through this discussion, one thing became very clear: men have become so used to carrying responsibilities with a smile that their hidden pain and stress often remain unseen.

After the session, some co-workers shared their feelings, which showed the true impact of the discussion.

“I had never spoken about this before. But today, feeling that someone was listening to us gave me great peace. I felt lighter, and my stress reduced.”
— Akshay Kamble

“I never really got a chance to express my feelings before. Today, I got that opportunity.”
— Ravi Kurade

“It felt important to know that someone in this world also thinks about men and their feelings.”
— Sahil Shikalgar

“This experience helped me discover my true self. For years, I worked tirelessly without appreciating myself. This made me pause and look inward.”
— Uttam Kamble

“I realized that I am not alone under the burden of responsibilities—every man carries it.”
— Shahrukh

This discussion was not just a session; it was like a mirror in which everyone saw themselves in a new way.

It became a safe space where men opened their hearts for the first time, expressed their feelings, and listened to one another.

This experience clearly shows that such discussions are needed not just once, but regularly. Creating safe and trusting spaces like this at workplaces can help:

• Men speak more openly

• Reduce mental stress

• Build stronger relationships

• And most importantly, free the emotions trapped inside the idea of “being a man.”