Meet the Alumni

What started with 3 students in Kindergarten 11 years ago in 2012 has come a full circle with its first batch of 8 students of Grade 10 successfully clearing their board exams through International General Certificate of Secondary Education (IGCSE – Cambridge Board) in May 2023

Our Alumni, each student, a unique self, has unfolded into an aware and a conscious adolescent taking strong and thoughtful steps towards adulthood and the world.

Here's is a brief about what each one has chosen to do after their learning journey in Swadhaa.

Archita has been in Swadhaa since class 6. She feels Swadhaa helped her to think multi-dimensionally. She attributes her Theosophy and Language literature teachers in helping her understand a world view and introducing her to aspects like human psychology which intrigued her during Class 9 and 10.

Archita has now chosen the International Baccalaureate (IB) programme for her 11th and 12th grade in Symbiosis International School. She has chosen to pursue Maths, English Literature, Environmental Systems and Societies, Psychology, French, Visual Arts, CAS (Creative, Activity, Service) and Theory of knowledge.

She is on the student council leading her peers in her new school. She is also a collaborator in student magazine – RAYS, and an enthusiastic participant in various clubs like the psychology club, the Youth initiative (YELL), the music club and sports club. She attributes her daily rhythm at Swadhaa that has helped her understand how to use her time well in learning and how to optimise it with a healthy breathing in and breathing out.

She occasionally helps in designing marketing content for her aunt's ceramic studio.

Asmi started her journey in Swadhaa when she was in Grade 1. Having spent all her foundational learning years at Swadhaa, Asmi finds her new college different in terms of values that she grew up with. But she feels rooted and grounded due to all the practices that she received in Swadhaa. She continues to practice Sudarshan Kriya as it helps her to be calm during her exam period.

Asmi has chosen to pursue Higher Secondary Certificate (HSC) programme for Class 11th and 12th from Symbiosis Junior College of Arts, Science and Commerce. She has taken up Sociology, Psychology, Economics, English, Physical Education, Geography, German and Environmental Science. She is part of the cultural club and theatre club at school. She feels comfortable with the curriculum as IGCSE covered certain concepts in class 9 & 10.

Apart from her academics, Asmi continues her practice of Rope Mallakhamb and Kathak. She is taking a private course in German from an expert to help her learn it more practically. She loves hip-hop too and attends workshops any chance she gets. This year she utilised her long summer break by doing a theatre workshop at Prithvi theatre (Mumbai) and an Aerial dance workshop which has intrigued her and she plans to explore it further.

Asmi likes to write and her genres of interest are Sci-fi or stories that real life around her inspire.

Durga began her journey in Swadhaa in class 4. Her journey has been filled with lots of artistic expressions. Right from drawings, painting to designing clothes and writing poems and songs. She has a gift of words which was further nurtured by the Language and Literature teachers at Swadhaa.

Durga aspires to be a contributing member of society and would like to incorporate arts to bring joy to the world. Naturally her choice is to pursue courses in Arts & Design. She has enrolled in Suryadatta Junior College of Arts, Commerce and Science a Central Board Certificate Education (CBSE) college and is preparing for the CET for Architecture & Design. Durga finds it easier in her new school as she is equipped with the skills of self enquiry and self learning. She feels that the approach to any concept is through exploration leading to deeper understanding.

She attributes her transformation from an introvert to a social being to the various activities like the listening and sharing circles that she was regularly  part of, at Swadhaa. Her interactions with visiting mentors that came to Swadhaa added to her learning and helping her.

She is happy in her new college but at the same time misses the rhythmic well planned day at Swadhaa that would always keep her energies high.

Kabiir joined Swadhaa in Class 6. Kabiir brings lightness and joy wherever he goes. An outgoing person who likes to engage with everything and everyone Kabiir is one his way to explore the world.

Kabiir is pursuing National Institute of Open Schooling (NIOS) programme for his 11th & 12th. He has chosen Geography, Environmental Science, Biology, ICT, Mass Communication and English. Kabiir is learning all these subjects on his own and with the help of online tutorials. All these subjects interest him and he wishes to have a deeper understanding.

Kabiir wishes to pursue his interest in music and photography. He is gifted in creating magnificent String Art. To unwind and work on his colour schemes, Kabiir does a lot of Mandala colouring. He plays basketball whenever he gets time.

Since he does not have a school to attend, Kabiir felt it was important to have a timetable to his day. He follows the flow of the day sincerely which helps him do his self study as well as contribute around the house and work on himself.

Kabiir is motivated to be better at what he is doing with each passing day.

Kanishka started her learning journey at Swadhaa when she was in Class 6. From a quiet, shy child Kanishka has evolved into a confident young adolescent who expresses herself without any hesitation. She attributes this transformation to the loving and caring environment at Swadhaa that allowed her to unfold at her own pace. She also says, “I choose friends freely and surround myself with the right kind of people".

Kanishka has chosen the Higher Secondary Certificate (HSC) programme for her 11th and 12th from Symbiosis Junior College of Arts, Science and Commerce. She is pursuing English, Economics, Geology, Environmental sciences, Psychology and Sociology. Activities like Mindfulness, being in nature and connecting with it, has helped Kanishka choose her subjects. Her inspiration is her Language and Literature teacher who brought to her the various aspects of being human. Activities like theatre, music, group learning helped her come out of her shell and be in harmony with everything around her.

Kanishka now confidently uses the skills that she acquired while preparing for Class 10 exam. She has her unique way of making notes and self learning techniques. During her exam period she makes it is a point to do her calming down exercises. She journals regularly as a medium of self expression and to get rid of any unwanted negative emotions.

Kanishka is also preparing for her Animation and Design CET.

Reva started her journey at Swadhaa when she was in Grade 6. She says, “At Swadhaa every lesson had multiple layers to it, multiple points of view to look from and deeper ways to connect and understand concepts". “This way of learning has become part of my approach to everything new that comes my way. I carry it as an important tool in my life."

Reva has chosen to do Higher Secondary Certificate (HSC) programme from Dr. Shamrao Kalmadi High school and Junior college. She has chosen to deepen her learning in subjects like History, Geography, Psychology, Political science, English Literature, Environmental education and water security and German. She is happy to attend all classes and implements all the learning patterns and techniques that she developed with her teachers while preparing for her Grade 10. She is part of the Music club at school. During her summer break Reva joined an Internship programme at Toorly – world's first fan driven global touring platform. This internship gave her opportunity to interact with many people around the globe and with many artists from various countries understanding their PR needs. Her work as an intern was rewarded by a job which she has accepted and is now expanding her horizons along with her continuing education.

Gratitude for everyone comes naturally to her and in her new college she makes it a point to greet everyone that she comes across, her peers, her teachers and the support staff. She consciously makes efforts to acknowledge the work done by the support staff and appreciate them.

Reva misses the warm environment of Swadhaa.

Shashvati has been in Swadhaa since her Kindergarten years. She attributes Swadhaa for instilling in her the qualities of taking initiative and responsibilities. She also says that,"It is always important to ask people around you if they need any help, as many may need it but hesitate to ask".

In her search of a school for her 11th and 12th, Shashvati explored many alternative schools along with her parents. On one such visit she met with the students of Isha Home school in Coimbatore. She found them to be very calm and poised. The school had many values similar to Swadhaa. Hence Shashvati chose to move to this residential school. She is pursuing a 3 years Indian certificate for Secondary Education (ICSE) programme for her 11th and 12th Grade. She has chosen Physics, Chemistry, Biology, Environmental Sciences and English. Since her childhood days, Shashvati was deeply connected with nature. As she grew, the urge to keep it beautiful and healthy also grew. Hence her choice of school had an important criteria of  a strong programme in Environmental management. She is very happy in her new school as it offers her the possibility to connect to the world.

Apart from her studies, Shashvati is learning Bharatnatyam, Kalaripayattu and Carnatic singing. Shashvati was especially happy to offer a Bharatnatyam dance piece on occasion of Independence Day to an audience of more than 1500 people in the presence of Sadguru Jaggi Vasudev.

In her new school there is an athletics programme and to her surprise she is quite good at it. She is representing her school in the regional meets this year. She also plays volleyball regularly.

Shashvati carries her love for crochet to Isha Home school and is teaching her housemates a lot of handwork.

Siddhant has been a Waldorf student since he was in Grade 2. He joined Swadhaa in Grade 8 when his family moved to Pune. Siddhant is easy going and a bright student and took absolutely no time to settle in. He was quick is making new friends.

Siddhant has chosen the Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) programme in Crimson Anisha Global School. He is deepening his understanding in Physics, Chemistry, Maths and English. He has also chosen Physical Education to balance the head work with lots of movement. Siddhant is preparing for his JEE Mains, Advance and CET. Siddhant is also exploring English Language and literature under the guidance of a specialist teacher. He finds it easy to work with CBSE programme as he was introduced to certain concepts in IGCSE 9 and 10th Grade.

Siddhant says,"It is sometimes difficult to balance work and personal time, but tools like daily Yoga practice, yoga nidra, Sudarshan Kriya, help in achieving this balance". Though he is busy with a lot of academic work and exams, he makes it a point to bring some artistic work like singing or painting or handwork to break away from constant head work. He also feels that the activity of making Timetable for class 10 along with his classmates and teachers has equipped him with the tool to make a timetable that helps him in his daily life. Siddhant diligently follows this timetable as he has seen that if the rhythm is not followed then it affects his health and his working.

Siddhant continues to Journal his day, as daily reflections helps him see what he has achieved and what more he can do. It also sometimes helps him to release any emotions that may create disturbance in him.

Siddhant feels communication is key to any progress in life and never hesitates to ask any questions or doubts that he may have to his teachers.