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As you all may know, reading me previous blog, I came to hear about Ruchira’s new book “I Kick and I Fly” through a book fair taking place at school. After reading “I Kick and I Fly”, by Ruchira Gupta, a book that is overflowing with inspirational change, I did a simple google search which revealed the countless stories of trafficked young girls in India. Girls who lacked freedom, opportunity and education. However, Apne Aap, an anti-trafficking organization is trying to combat these ideas through refugee centers, resource donation and even martial arts classes to those interested. At the forefront of this fight against trafficking is Ruchira Gupta.
Immensely engaged on the topic of sex-trafficking, I sought quickly to learn about the work Ms. Gupta had done. Whether it was her Emmy Award Winning documentary (The Selling of Innocents), paintings, Apne Aap or her book “I Kick and I Fly”, Ruchira never ceased to amaze me. It was then I started attending “Office Hours with Ruchira Gupta” every Wednesday from 3:30-4 PM. After attending a few sessions of Office Hours however, I realized I wanted a more personal connection and so I decided to email her; I wanted advice. What could I, as a young person do to combat sex trafficking? The response I received from Ruchira was so unbelievably thoughtful and supportive. She invited me over to the Apne Aap office to ask her questions, and to even participate in her own Office Hours instagram live session where I would be able to ask her a variety of questions.
Office hours with Ruchira Gupta was an immensely eye opening and gratifying experience. I was able to openly ask her questions and visualize the characters as she saw them and it helped me understand the symbolism she was trying to portray in the book. In the Q&A Insta Live session with Ruchira, she explained the mental strength of the characters in the book. This applied to not only Heera, but it applied to her mother who worked so that she could put Heera through school and also to Meera Di who was so determined not to let her cousin, Heera, fall into the same ill-fated life she was sold into. Ruchira told me about the art of storytelling and using it as inspiration for social change.
“Storytelling not only has the capability to build empathy and awareness, but also to create a movement”
However, the most captivating was Ruchira’s take on the power of collective action by adolescents. As young adults, we often feel that we don’t have the resources to make monumental social change, but Ruchira provides three simple steps. Learn, Volunteer and Educate. If there is a real desire to participate in social work, the first step is to learn about the problem. Reach out to family members, or activists you know to get a grip on the issue both within your community and globally. The second step is to volunteer (at your own pace of course). Find a non-profit or an NGO you are passionate about, and raise money, market it on social media. The best thing you can do is help organizations get the resources they need. Finally, educate the public about your social justice issue. Market the issue/problem on social media, hand out flyers and touch the heart of people in your community.
But most importantly, don’t be too hard on yourself and seek the help of others. During the office hours Ruchira remarks “When advocating, don’t aim to be perfect. Just do what you can.” If we each do our own part, together we will be able to make change.
