Dreams, Leadership, and Collective Action: Nandwal’s Inspiring Journey

[Shahrukh Atpade]

"A dream is not fulfilled when someone else completes it for us. A dream becomes real when people start believing in their own strength to achieve it."

When people begin to see their own strengths instead of only their problems, real change begins. SALT (Support and Share, Appreciate, Listen and Learn, Team) is not just a method. It is a process that helps people recognize the strengths they already have. In SALT, ready-made solutions are not given. Instead, people listen to each other, appreciate one another, discover their own abilities, and work together to create change.

The story of Mauli Career Academy in Nandwal is one such inspiring journey. It is not only the story of an academy. It is the story of a dream that started with a simple conversation, of young people who took responsibility for that dream, and of collective leadership that grew through the SALT process.

Background – A Dream That Existed for Many Years

Every village has common grazing land reserved for the community. Nandwal also had around 250 to 300 acres of grazing land. Children played there, elderly people went for walks, and young people preparing for police and army recruitment practiced there every day.

During 2018–19, about 115 acres of this land was handed over to the State Reserve Police Force (SRPF). However, the villagers were not informed. In 2020, during the Ashadhi Wari, people came to know about it when they were stopped from holding the traditional Ringan ceremony. Since then, many villagers have been continuously trying to get the land back for the community.

Earlier, youth from Nandwal and nearby villages used this ground to prepare for police and army recruitment. Two SRPF officers voluntarily trained them, and because of that, one young man joined the army, while four young men and three young women were selected in the police department. Even then, the village did not have a permanent career academy.

As a result, many young people still had to travel every day to Kolhapur for practice. They spent both time and money. On average, they paid ₹1,000 per month for physical training, ₹500–600 per month for a private study room, and around ₹1,000 per month on fuel because Kolhapur is 15 kilometers away from Nandwal. This meant that each student spent nearly ₹2,000 every month. If an academy started in the village, this entire expense could be saved.

Everyone knew the problem. But no one imagined that the solution would begin with a simple conversation.

One Question Started the Change

On 5 June 2026, during a discussion organized for Men's Mental Health Awareness Month, 18 young men and 5 adult men participated. The discussion focused on mental health, responsibilities, and the future of young people.

During the discussion, Anuradha Bhosale, President of Avani Organization, asked a simple question:

"What is your dream—for your future and for your village?"

Without hesitation, the young people replied:

"Many boys and girls from our village prepare for police and army recruitment. Our dream is to start a Mauli Career Academy in our village."

She then asked another important question:

"Who will work to make this dream come true?"

The young people answered confidently:

"We will."

That moment marked the beginning of a new journey. Before the meeting ended, the date for the next meeting was decided, and the dream found its direction.

Second Meeting – From Dream to Planning

On 12 June 2026, 6 young men and 3 adult men met again.

This meeting was not only about discussing the dream. They started planning how to make it a reality.

They discussed finding land for the academy, working together for village development, meeting their MLA, raising the issue in the Gram Sabha, forming a committee, and holding a separate meeting for youth preparing for competitive exams.

The group made several important decisions:

- Work together to secure five acres of land for the academy.
- At least 25 young people would meet MLA Chandradeep Narke.
- Raise the issue in the Gram Sabha.
- Form a village development committee.
- Organize a separate meeting for youth preparing for competitive examinations.

For the first time, responsibilities were shared among the participants. The dream was no longer owned by a few individuals. It had become the dream of the whole community.

Third Meeting – Leadership Emerged

On 17 June 2026, participation increased significantly. 20 young men, 8 adult men, and 4 young women attended the meeting.

The group strengthened its decision to establish the Mauli Career Academy. They decided to submit a request to MLA Chandradeep Narke for land.

A 10 member coordination committee was formed, consisting of 8 young men and 2 young women.

The discussion also went beyond the academy. The group decided to organize a village cleanliness campaign before the Ashadhi Wari, form a cleanliness committee, conduct awareness activities, and arrange temporary toilets for women pilgrims.

It became clear that the SALT process was not just creating one project. It was building a new culture of leadership in the village.

From Discussion to Action

On 21 June 2026, young people and villagers met MLA Chandradeep Narke and submitted a request for land for the Mauli Career Academy.

They explained that more than 50 young men and women from the village were preparing for police recruitment, army recruitment, and other competitive examinations. However, because there was no proper practice ground, they had to travel to Kolhapur every day.

The MLA responded positively and assured them that he would discuss the matter with the concerned departments and try to solve the issue.

A Change That Happened in Just 17 Days

Between 5 June and 21 June, in just 17 days, one conversation turned into a dream.

The dream became a plan.

The plan created leadership.

Leadership led to action.

And action created hope.

In just three meetings, increasing participation, the formation of a coordination committee, and direct communication with public representatives started a new movement in Nandwal.

The Real Strength of SALT

This is not only the story of a career academy.

It is the story of young people who understood their own needs.

Of men who stood firmly beside them.

Of young women who accepted leadership.

And of a community that moved from saying "Someone will do it" to saying "We will do it ourselves."

SALT does not provide ready-made solutions. People discover their own solutions.

SALT does not create dependence on others. It builds leadership, trust, and collective action.

That is why the Mauli Career Academy is not just a training ground.

It is a symbol of the hopes, confidence, and collective leadership of the young people of Nandwal.

This is not the end. It is the beginning of a new journey.

Some stories end after change happens.

The story of Nandwal begins from there.

Today, the dream of the academy is becoming a reality.

Tomorrow, this place will produce police officers, soldiers, successful competitive exam candidates, and responsible citizens.

Today, young people have started believing in themselves.

Tomorrow, they will inspire other villages.

The people of Nandwal did not wait for change.

They created it themselves.

Yes… Nandwal made it happen..!