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 »

Penned By Board Member Ms. Alo Pal I was born in the coastal town of Pondicherry. The sea has been intrinsic to my life, as have the moist sea breeze and sunrises over the horizon. We bathed, body surfed, played beach volley, and rushed to the waters in the middle of the night to witness… Read more »

Penned by Board Member Ms. Alo Pal Rajkala, the founder president of Sharana, and I met and spoke for the first time when we attended a parent-registrar meeting in school. I was a stay-at-home mother then, and Rajkala soon became my bankable security net for any emergency. Gradually, I learnt of her work in Sharana… Read more »

Penned By Social Worker & Facilitator Ms. Auroposée Bardhan It has been a year now since Sharana has been working closely with the French Consulate and the Lycée Français International de Pondichéry on two programmes for the French children of the Union Territory:  The Social Support Programme The Holiday Camp Programme   The Social Support… Read more »