Exploring the freedom to learn

Her education began conventionally, attending nearby Tamil-medium government schools. But in 11th standard, her parents permitted her to stay in a hostel in Pondicherry to complete her two final years of high school in the city – allowing Jagadeshwari an unusual degree of freedom for a girl from her village background. “At that time, I felt sick travelling by bus, so my parents told me, ‘You can enjoy this different life’. It was a new experience. I learnt so many things, I enjoyed it a lot, and I spent time with my besties.”

Jagadeshwari then did a bachelor degree in computer engineering. While she remains unimpressed by the educational standard – “I didn’t learn much” – she asserts that the most valuable learning was her exposure to many different kinds of people. “It gave me a lot of experience in showing me the kind of people I will face in the future, the different kinds of problems.”  

She then commenced a one-year internship in a government department, working as a computer operator. Although the small stipend meant she could not contribute financially to her family as she’d hoped, Jagadeshwari is grateful that her parents gave her the “freedom to learn many things” during her internship.

Two and a half years ago, Auroville outreach project Thamarai opened an after-school centre in Annainagar. Jagadeshwari began working there in the evenings, helping to facilitate the children’s homework, teaching computer and English, and participating in activities such as silambam and martial art.

By this time, Jagadeshwari had gained a day job in a project centre in Pondicherry. But she soon developed an eye problem. “I could not see the computer screen, my tears were coming. There was pressure on my eyes, irritation and itching. I was scared. The hospital said ‘wear the glasses’, but the glasses were not good for my eyesight. My boss gave a lot of pressure, so after six months, I just resigned. Then Bridget offered me a full-time job in Thamarai in May 2018, and I began work as an administrator as well as a facilitator.”

Jagadeshwari says the main challenge of the Thamarai job is trying to get the villagers more involved with the project. “We try to communicate with the village people, and one by one they are starting to visit. When we started Thamarai in our village, we needed to employ local facilitators, but only six girls came for the job, no boys. Bridget said we need gender balance, but there is no boy coming from my village.”

Jagadeshwari describes Thamarai as “a bridge between Auroville and my village,” and she points to its “values-based treatment”. “Thamarai stands for full potential and wellbeing. They treat people like that. I didn’t see that anywhere else.  Here, I feel equal.  In Auroville, I never feel caste is an issue. There’s no hierarchy. That’s why I feel this is my second home. I feel more free.”

And what are her impressions of Auroville? “I can feel like a free bird, and feel the peace and harmony. I can explore myself here. I can see this is my learning place, for everyone. Before, I didn’t speak much English. Now I have international friends. Here, I can meet people who have come alone from other places, and explored themselves in Auroville and made new friends. A few times I went into the Matrimandir inner chamber. That connected to my heart. That’s my progress, through Auroville and Thamarai.”

And how does working in Thamarai compare to working ‘outside’? “Here, if I have any problem, I can discuss with Bridget, and she will give a good solution. She is a good guide for us. So I don’t feel stress. I feel pressure in those outside companies. They’re just expecting my work. They’re not thinking about health. Their mindset is to complete the work.”

While most people in her village work in Auroville, Jagadeshwari points out how “the mentality is different” between the two places. “In Auroville, I can move about alone, and stay alone, but in my village, my parents won’t allow it. It’s a cultural barrier. In my village, my parents have to accompany me everywhere, because of the culture.” 

Jagadeshwari has filled the role of secretary of her village women’s group for some time, and more recently undertook Monica Sharma’s leadership training, doing both the Tamil and English versions. “I learned what my values are, what I stand for – I stand for courage, harmony and care – and what I want to give to my village and society. I learned the steps to do a project. It helped me a lot, personally and professionally.” 

Following the leadership training, Jagadeshwari implemented a waste management project in her village. She mobilised people to undertake a village cleanup, and has approached the government to provide segregated waste bins. “Before, I didn’t think about where I was throwing waste, or about what I’m using and how to segregate. I would eat and throw! Through Thamarai and Auroville I learnt how to segregate, reuse and do waste management. And now, if someone throws something, I take it and put it in the waste bin. My cousins tease me: ‘See, it’s a clean India! Incredible India!’ But I like to do that job.” 

Last year, through Thamarai, Jagadeshwari was selected to participate in a 22-day River Journey programme, which involved trekking in the Himalayas with ten other youths from across India.  She had never travelled beyond Bangalore before that. “That was the best moment in my life! I didn’t know if I would manage, and I was afraid to mingle, because there is a language barrier. But somehow I managed... It was my first time for mountain travel. I’m the first girl in my village to go to the Himalayas. I feel very happy! I can still see it.”

For the long-term, Jagadeshwari would like to continue working in Auroville, but says that her future depends on her parents’ choice of a husband for her. She hopes to continue educating children in a way that diverges from conventional forms of education. “That education system is just mugging up [learning by rote] and regurgitating. I will teach in a different way, in a way that’s easy to understand. I will explain about the world, the problems they will face, and how always to be happy. I will be a good guide.”