This Week from Madurai
Hi everyone,
I’m writing this week’s note from my grandparents’ home in Madurai, where I’m currently staying to support my grandfather’s health and my family. Even in the middle of this, I’m trying to stay present with learning, community, and the work we’re doing together.
Showing Up With Constraints
Over the last few days, a big part of my “online presence” has been simply explaining my reality honestly to people I learn from and work with. I’ve been writing to faculty to share that I’m away from campus due to a family situation, while asking if I can still participate in sessions remotely instead of disengaging. This includes negotiating online participation for the Design Thinking class and the Behaviour Change & Communication presentation on 24 February, so that my learning journey does not pause even when life gets intense
This has been a good reminder that responsibility is not about pretending everything is fine, but about communicating transparently, honoring my commitments as far as I can, and being open about where I need flexibility and support.
Learning, Online Rooms, and Community
My calendar this week is full of online rooms that keep me connected to different parts of my identity: learner, builder, and community member. There are Design Thinking & Innovation, Finance, Behaviour Change & Communication, and multiple Student Activities and placements-related sessions that I will be joining through Zoom or Meet. There is also the “Impact-Focused Entrepreneurship 2026” series, which is helping me think about how to build initiatives that are socially meaningful and sustainable over the long term
Alongside the academic sessions, I’ve also created online spaces for peers and friends, like our internal “Meeting link” check‑ins and the Vikasa Taranga reunion, to hold community and friendships even while I’m away from campus
These calls matter because they remind me that learning is not only about content, but about relationships, support systems, and the small rituals that keep us grounded.
This Week’s Reflection
This week, I’m holding three ideas close:
Responsibility is doing what you can with honesty, not doing everything alone.
Empathy is a two-way street – asking for flexibility while also staying committed to show up.
Community is not just being “in the same place”, but being willing to create and protect shared spaces, even if they are just links on a calendar.
If you’re also navigating family responsibilities, emotional load, or any kind of transition, I hope this reminds you that it is okay to ask for accommodations and still stay engaged. We can design our ways of participation more creatively, instead of choosing between “fully in” and “completely out”.
An Invitation
If you’re reading this and holding something heavy in your own life right now, I’d love for you to ask: “What is one small, sustainable way I can stay connected to what matters to me this week?” That might be joining one online session, checking in with a peer, or simply telling someone what you’re going through.
Thank you for being part of my learning and support system this week. 🌱
