Ques: Could you please provide a brief introduction about yourself?
Hello, I'm Neha Jain, born in Ranchi, Jharkhand, and originally from Bikaner, Rajasthan. Throughout my academic journey, particularly while pursuing Applied Psychology at Gargi, I've been driven to explore the intersections of climate education, gender, and mental health. My experiences working with various organizations and stakeholders in the social and sustainability sectors inspire me to walk on this path.
My passion for bridging the gap between theoretical knowledge and practical application has led me to engage in numerous projects, from volunteering to leading my own initiatives. My journey has taken me from teaching underprivileged children to developing projects focused on climate action, women's empowerment, and mental well-being. I'm someone who's deeply committed to continuing this work, and I'm excited to contribute to creating positive change in these critical areas.
Ques: You've successfully founded several projects, including Meraki, Empower Moment, and Climate Ready. What key factors do you believe are essential for initiating a project from scratch, and what inspired you to pursue these ventures?
My journey has been a transformative one, filled with twists and turns that have shaped me into the person I am today. As I reflect on my path, I realize that inspiration can be found in the most unexpected places – within ourselves, our surroundings, and our experiences.
Growing up, I felt confined to the traditional mindset around me. However, I was driven by curiosity and a desire to challenge the things around me. This led me to explore the world of education and social impact. At 15, I began volunteering with organizations that worked with underprivileged children in slum areas and construction sites.
Through this experience, I came to understand the interconnectedness of education, environment, health, and well-being. I realized that education is not a standalone solution, but rather a powerful tool that must be considered in conjunction with other fundamental needs.
The COVID-19 pandemic presented a new challenge, but it also opened up opportunities for me to explore the realm of disaster relief and online volunteering. I collaborated with various organizations, engaging in conversations around menstrual awareness, environmental consciousness, and sustainable development.
In retrospect, I've learned that inspiration is a deeply personal and omnipresent force. It can stem from our immediate surroundings, our loved ones, or even our own experiences. The key is to recognize and nurture this inspiration, allowing it to guide us toward our passions and values.
My journey has taught me that growth and self-discovery are lifelong processes. By embracing our unique perspectives and staying true to ourselves, we can unlock our full potential and create meaningful impact in the world.
Currently, I'm leading two of my passion projects. The first, Climate READY, focuses on climate education, representation, and action. It began serendipitously when I volunteered with a few environmental organizations, and simultaneously volunteered for a government project, Desh Ke Mentor, which connected college students with school students for peer guidance, where a colleague expressed interest in piloting climate education in government schools. This sparked Climate READY, which now engages over 500 school children in Delhi's government schools. We empower them to become climate champions through activity-based sessions, field exposure, and hands-on projects like composting and gardening.
My second project, Meraki, collaborates with women artisans to ensure their empowerment as entrepreneurs. We market and promote their indigenous handicrafts, making them accessible to a wider audience. Meraki recently won a UNESCO and Dior award, which was a proud moment for our team. We're now scaling up the project, incorporating the insights and inputs we received.
Ques: As the recipient of the Dream For Change Winner 2024 award, can you walk us through the experiences, challenges, and triumphs that ultimately led to this achievement?
My journey with the UNESCO and Dior mentorship program was a life-changing experience. As an introverted person, I was thrilled to be selected for this global platform. The program was a year-long journey that introduced me to various processes, interviews, and women leaders from around the world.
This experience led to the birth of Meraki, a project that empowers women artisans as entrepreneurs. Along with my three co-founders from different countries, we started this project with a pilot in Dehradun. We partnered with local organizations, held entrepreneurship boot camps, and helped the artisans connect with the market.
Our hard work, belief, and luck paid off when we got selected as one of the top 20 projects, then top 5, and eventually won the contest. I had the opportunity to represent India and pitch our project in front of a global audience in Paris. It was a surreal moment, especially being the first Indian project to win the award from UNESCO and Dior.
This experience strengthened my commitment to taking Meraki to the next level. We are currently working with communities from over 8 states in India, providing them with skilling workshops, entrepreneurship training, and market access opportunities. We aim to continue growing and scaling our project to make a meaningful impact in the lives of women artisans across India.
Ques: As a mentor with UNICEF India, can you share with us the type of content you develop and disseminate to support the organization's goals and initiatives?
As a mentor at UNICEF India, I create content that focuses on various themes, including children's rights, education, health, and climate change. My journey with UNICEF began during the pandemic when I was 17 and still in school. I stumbled upon their Youth Co-Content Creators Programme, which aimed to amplify the voices of young people on issues that matter to them.
As a content creator, I worked on understanding UNICEF's key campaigns and developing content, such as reels, poetry, articles, and raps, to raise awareness and advocate for children's rights. After two years, I took on a mentorship role, working with newer creators to co-create content that drives impact.
Our content focuses on various themes, including Climate Change, Mental Health, Education, and Child Safety and Protection. We use social media platforms to share our content, collaborate with other creators, and engage with our audience.
As a mentor, my role is not to guide or lecture but to companion and co-create content with the newer creators. We share our experiences, learn from each other, and work together to create refreshing and impactful content. Currently, we're working on some amazing campaigns focused on climate change.
Ques: The short film 'Vishwaas' has garnered significant recognition. What was the driving force and creative vision that shaped this film?
The idea for the award-winning short film "Vishwaas" was born out of my personal experiences during the second wave of the pandemic. Witnessing the devastating impact of the pandemic, I felt compelled to contribute to disaster relief efforts. I collaborated with organizations distributing essential aid, including ration, medicines, and oxygen cylinders.
After the vaccine rollout, I participated in vaccination drives in my area, helping people register and schedule their appointments. We conducted these drives in an interactive and creative way to spread awareness and encourage people to get vaccinated.
This experience inspired me to create a short film documenting our efforts and compelling others to take their vaccine doses. Along with my mother, I captured our work in the slum areas, created a narrative, and released the film on Independence Day in 2021. The film gained traction, circulating across neighborhoods and groups in the city.
The film was later awarded as a winning entry in a short film-making competition by UNICEF Lucknow. This experience marked the beginning of my content creation journey, teaching me to think differently and communicate effectively. Although I had no prior expertise in filmmaking or storytelling, this project opened doors to new possibilities, ultimately leading me to become a content creator focused on impact.
Ques: As a certified Bharatnatyam dancer, can you share with us your journey and experiences in this traditional Indian dance form?
Dance, particularly Bharatanatyam, holds a special place in my heart, despite not being directly related to my current work. As a shy child, I initially resisted dancing, but my parents' encouragement led me to discover a newfound passion.
I began taking Bharatanatyam classes in Class 5 and grew to appreciate the dance form's unique balance of art, expression, and life lessons. Bharatanatyam taught me valuable skills like balance, rhythm, and discipline, inspiring me to apply these principles to my everyday life.
Although I had to pause my dance practice during my board exams, I rekindled my passion for Bharatanatyam in college, where I met an exceptional Guru who instilled in me patience, care, and kindness. Through dance, I've learned to navigate life's challenges with balance and confidence.
Ques: You have an impressive portfolio of 17 publications. Can you share with us the details of where they have been published and the significance of your research in these publications?
My publication journey unfolded naturally, stemming from my passion for writing poetry and articles, which began in school. My first publication was in a children's magazine when I was in 6th grade, where my friend and I had our poetry published. This sparked my enthusiasm for writing.
As I grew older, I continued to express myself through poetry, articles, and essays whenever possible. I also collaborated with UNICEF India on several blog posts. Recently, I co-authored a chapter on climate change and youth leadership with a mentor, which will be published in an upcoming book.
Ques: As someone with a strong foundation in psychology and diverse experiences, what are your long-term objectives? Do you plan to specialize in a particular area of psychology or leverage your skills in other fields?
Having completed my graduation in Applied Psychology Honours, I'm now pursuing training in Expressive Art Therapy. Psychology has been a grounding force, allowing me to stay focused and centered in my pursuits. I aim to integrate Expressive Art Therapy into my work in social and sustainability spaces.
As a student at DU, I've realized that while academic connection is crucial, it's equally important to recognize that academics are a means to an end, not the end itself. I'm exploring alternative educational structures, moving beyond conventional grade-based systems, which can be stressful.
My current course is part of this exploration, offering a free-flowing, self-paced, and hands-on approach. Upon completing the course, I plan to integrate Expressive Art Therapy into my social and sustainability work, embracing spontaneity and openness to new opportunities.
HIGHLIGHTS:
1) Co-Founder at Project Meraki
2) Won the ‘Dream for Change Winner 2024’ award
3) Youth Content Creator for UNICEF India
4) Project Lead at ‘Climate-Ready’
5) Second Prize in a Short Film Making Competition held by UNICEF
6) Has more than 5 publications at UNICEF India
7) Was the 2023-24 mentee for UNESCOxWomen@Dior
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