Basa Line, Bhatpara Tea Garden: SALT Session Sparks Shared Dreams and Community Unity

[Nityam Ghosh]

On December 30, 2025, a SALT session at Basa Line in Bhatpara Tea Garden united the community. Following the SALT (Stimulate, Appreciate, Listen, Transfer) and CLCP methodology, this gathering not only shaped common dreams but also strengthened communal bonds. The active involvement of youth and adolescents proves that change begins at the grassroots level.

Icebreaker Insights: Winter Stories Reveal Deeper Truths

The session kicked off with a simple yet powerful icebreaker: “What do you like to do in winter?” Responses offered a glimpse into community life. A teenage girl preferred staying home, women enjoyed tea and gossip, men raved about volleyball and football, and one woman noted how less sunlight made work easier.

Analysis: This activity highlighted gender-based roles. Women's homeward tilt reflects labor divisions, while men's sports focus shows social connections. It laid the foundation for deeper dialogue, where small talks build big changes.

SALT Pairs: Proud Stories That Teach Lessons

To introduce newcomers to SALT, pairs formed via a number system. Each shared a proud story about their partner:A mother’s partner plucked tea leaves for a pregnant friend to meet her daily wage.A 13-year-old girl always shares food with friends— a symbol of kindness.A teenage girl regularly cares for mothers' young children, easing household burdens.A boy walked 2 km to fetch petrol for a stranded woman's scooter on a lonely road.

Analysis: These tales showcase selfless service. Especially, boys' and men's helping roles redefine masculinity—not through power, but empathy. This ties into gender violence prevention, promoting emotional intelligence.

Building Shared Dreams: Unity in Vision

Discussions on male-female group dreams led to these four common ones:

The village environment will be safe and healthy.

Everyone in the village will be educated.

We will preserve our culture together forever.

All individuals in the village will have the same way of thinking.

Analysis: These dreams point to inclusive growth. Safety and health echo post-COVID needs, education links to child protection, and culture preservation safeguards tea garden identity. Uniform thinking fosters harmony, but implementation will be key.

AER: Reflections Lighting the Path Ahead

In the After Experience Reflection (AER), participants shared:

Discussing dreams was great, but follow-up with action is essential.

First time here—sharing proud moments was wonderful.

Everyone expressed views, and most share the same village vision—inspiring.

Analysis: AER validates SALT's self-reflection power. The call for action shows the community shifting from passive to active partners. It's a strong testament to your facilitation work.

In conclusion, this session proves how participatory methods like SALT drive transformation in small tea garden communities. Next steps? Turn dreams into action plans—education camps, health awareness, cultural events. This model from Bhatpara can inspire other villages.

[Rituu B. Nanda]

Hi Nityam, what was the purpose of this meeting? Thanks