(This Heart Desires For More)
Who said youth are only inspired in your Jesuit Educational Institutions? Take me, for example, I was drawn to Jesuits who were in social and youth work. The first time I met Frs Vijay, Erwin and Nagin, I was attracted to how they served people experiencing poverty and empowered the youth in their Ashadeep Human Development Centre (AHDC). I was a daughter, a student and Para Legal Volunteer in Jitodia Court; I had a lot going on at that point in life and sought opportunities to get a direction in my life. To my surprise, the All-Gujarat Students Development Movement gave me those opportunities to realise my vocation as a social entrepreneur. The human development programs increased my self-confidence. I developed a deep understanding of who I am, a spirit of helping others, and a penchant for raising my voice against injustice through writing. I was just 19 years old when Fr Nagin Macwan SJ asked me to become the first woman editor of Jyothi Mukhpatra. I am thankful to AHDC and AGSDM for trusting me and giving me that opportunity back then.
Jesuit Fathers ignited in me that spark which I needed. And from then on, it was like “Yeh Dil Maange More” (this heart desires more). There was no turning back. In addition to reaching people with the Jyothi Mukhapatra, I founded Noble Hands Foundation, a social organisation that campaigns for adopting trees, teaches young women self-defence, trains youth for competitive exams, creates Gender sensitisation and Menstruation awareness, etc. There is much to be done, and I wish more join us. You Jesuits are good at transforming the directionless youth into social entrepreneurs. I hope you will continue living a lifestyle close to the marginalised. Believe me, when I say that young people like me are passionate about doing good, it only takes good company and meaningful opportunities to ignite us. Once ignited, there is no stopping us. True to St Ignatius’s words, we shall set the world on fire.
Ripal Dabhi, a Social Entrepreneur and an Environmental Activist is a living example of how proximity to the oppressed can transform our youth into torchbearers of social transformation. In addition to Jesus’ teachings, his lifestyle, convictions and a preferential option for the poor, transformed the disciples into apostles. As we bask in the Easter Joy, let us live like Christ the poor. Let our lifestyle inspire youngsters to exclaim in excitement and eagerness, “Yeh Dil Maange More” to transform this world into a better place.
Ms Ripal Dabhi is the Founder of Noble Hands Foundation and recipient of various awards for her Social and Environmental Activism.
Fr Nagin Macwan and the late Fr Erwin Lazrado are Jesuits of Gujarat Province. Mr Vijay was then a Jesuit helping out at the AHDC.
Nithin Monteiro, SJ, (KAR) is currently pursuing his Ph.D Studies in Ethics & Artificial Intelligence at XIM University, Odisha. Contact: [email protected].
