Penned By Board Member, Ms. Alo Pal -19? —Yes madam, love marriage, then three children by the time I was 24. During those years, I couldn’t do any work. The children all attended government school and college. -How did the idea of starting a business come to you? —I needed to add to the… Read more »

Penned By Board Member, Ms. Alo Pal *Please note: The names mentioned in this blog have been altered to maintain privacy* When the lockdown was announced, all of us turned into housekeepers, and millions of housemaids lost their jobs. Already coming from low-income families, the lockdown resulted in a drastic reduction of cash in hand,… Read more »

Penned by Board Member, Ms. Alo Pal Pictures of Sri Aurobindo and The Mother, tastefully decorated with flowers, greeted the 15-member team comprising two doctors and technicians who arrived at the Sri Aurobindo Ashram Lake Estates at 8:30 a.m. on March 15th. They were welcomed by the Lake Estates staff, the Sharana team, and members… Read more »

Penned by Board Member, Ms. Alo Pal *Please note: The names mentioned in this blog have been altered to maintain privacy* Ragini dropped out of school after her 8th. She worked as an agricultural labourer from the age of 14. She got married, and had two children in quick succession. Her husband is into tailoring… Read more »

Penned by Communications Manager, Ms. Aditi Mandali In a world increasingly shaped by technology, digital literacy is no longer an option but a necessity. Women often prioritize household responsibilities and family needs over their own aspirations. However, this trend is gradually shifting. We were delighted to witness this change firsthand when several women approached Sharana,… Read more »

Penned By Boeard Member Ms. Alo Pal My grandmother, to me, was an ocean of unconditional love—the best cook in the universe—who fed a joint family of ten, day in and day out, for decades. I hardly ever saw her cook. Food was on the table—several dishes—catering to the fancies and needs of every child… Read more »

Penned by Board Member Ms. Alo Pal In front of the students were three banners: one from the Government of Puducherry about the “National Action Plan for Drug Demand Reduction” (NAPDDR), one from the school with useful contact numbers, and in the center, a banner from Sharana, creating awareness under NAPDDR through expressive art. DO… Read more »

Overview Cyclone Fengal struck the Union Territory of Puducherry and Tamil Nadu on November 30, 2024, bringing heavy rainfall and powerful winds (60–90 km/h). Puducherry recorded an unprecedented 48.6 cm of rain in 24 hours, leading to severe flooding, displacement, and damage across homes, agriculture, and infrastructure. Coastal and low-lying areas, including the riverside communities… Read more »

Penned by Board Member Ms. Alo Pal *Please note: The names mentioned in this blog have been altered to maintain privacy* Valli was an alcoholic who wasn’t inclined to work, and her daughters lived in a shelter for destitute children run by a local organization (which later merged with Sharana in 2012). She abused her… Read more »

Penned By Board Member Ms. Alo Pal Umapathy and I sit on the verandah of the Sharana Social Centre at Angalakuppam village. She’s 54, and the lines on her face tell a story that belies her compulsive funny disposition. – How did your parents fish in the backwaters? Did they use a fishing rod? Or… Read more »