25 years in training

25 years isn’t even a ding in the universe’s scheme of things but for dings like me, it is something.


Exactly today 25 years ago, I completed the first ever training programme that eventually set the course of my career across diverse industries and sectors.


It was on 6th and 7th of November in the millennial year 2000 that I got the opportunity to conduct a two day training programme with my then senior colleague Neha Jain and our Director Mrs. Maja Daruwala for the prison staff and non-official visitors of the prisons in the Gwalior division in Madhya Pradesh.


It was all thanks to the invite by the late Justice Gulab Gupta, the then Chairperson of the Madhya Pradesh Human Rights Commission who invited the Commonwealth Human Rights Initiative (CHRI), the NGO where I began my career 26 years ago, to conduct training programmes in the prisons of the state.


While it’s a long story before and after that invitation, I will briefly share the most important lessons I have learned along the way.


The most impactful experience I had in that session was to witness the power of listening.


People transform when they feel heard and understood.


Thereafter across sectors from the social to educational, government and the corporate I have come to witness the following:


“You cannot teach a man anything new. You can only help him find it within himself.” - Galileo.


The answer lies within; a powerful insight in coaching.


Build on what’s already inside the person.


The power of stories.


The importance of walking into a session with the humility to learn as well.


The power of positive pygmalion effect: I walk into each of my sessions with the belief that my participants will surprise me, inspire and make me proud to tell their stories to other people.


Except for one session that I personally called off at the end of day one, I have always walked out of a session surprised, inspired and proud to tell their stories.


Along the way, I met so many people who gave me opportunities, taught me the nuances of training, facilitation and coaching; as well as my participants from 144 organisations so far. I remember them all and thank them all.


Ever grateful.


And btw, what better way to be mindful of 25 years than to be in a session on 6th and 7th of November 2025!! Had a great session with 38 participants.







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