Event Date – 22nd May 2026
We’re Back! After a brief pause, Safar Zindagi Ka returned with its seventh episode.
This time, our guest was Xavier Sir, a counsellor from Tripta Foundation who has been working at the Dongri Observation Home since many years, post-COVID, supporting children struggling with addiction issues. Xavier Sir is a close friend of Seedling Foundation and has always been confident and candid in his demeanor. Yet, he was a bit hesitant to step into the spotlight.
From the very beginning, we knew Xavier Sir’s story would resonate deeply with the children. And, in an attempt to make this Safar Zindagi Ka episode more special and to build curiosity among the audience, we kept the identity of the guest a secret.
Before becoming a counsellor, Xavier Sir had spent years battling drug addiction. During our conversation he spoke about this openly and honestly. He was candid about his journey, his mistakes, and the decisions that changed his life. The ease with which he spoke about his shortcomings, while also confidently sharing the decisions that helped him turn his life around, was refreshing for the audience.
The conversation began with Xavier Sir’s childhood. He captivated the audience, as he spoke about growing up in an institution. As he spoke about believing for much of his childhood that he was an orphan, many of the children found themselves relating to parts of his journey.. Xavier Sir shared that he spent most of his childhood at the institute until his parents eventually came to take him home.
As the conversation progressed, he spoke openly about his journey through addiction and most of the boys were able to relate with his experiences. He mentioned the everlasting and devastating effects of addiction – physical, psychological, emotional and the loss of memories. He reflected on how some of the most cherished memories his family holds are memories he himself cannot remember. It was a powerful reminder of what addiction can quietly take away.
Perhaps what struck the audience most was the way Xavier Sir described himself. He openly said that he is an addict and will remain one for the rest of his life. While talking about recovery, he explained, it is not something that happens once—it is a decision he continues to make every day.
One of the most inspiring chapters of his life was his return to education. Xavier sir shared that he appeared for his 12th std examination when he was in his 40s, alongside his son, while also working full-time. For him education is more than qualification; it is driven by the desire to learn and grow.
Another important aspect of Xavier Sir’s life is his passion for trekking, which he discovered much later in life. This passion stems from two things: his drive to overcome his fear of heights and his curiosity to learn about how different forms of life survive through adversity. Despite being afraid of heights, he deliberately chooses to challenge himself by climbing mountains and exploring difficult terrain. He explained that fear is one of the greatest obstacles in an addict’s life, and confronting it has become an important part of his recovery.
The audience was visibly surprised by the adventurous side of someone they had known primarily as a counsellor.
As with every episode of Safar Zindagi Ka, the conversation was enriched with surprise photographs and video messages from people who know the guest best.
While Xavier Sir was looking at the pictures, and listening to the stories shared by his family and close friends, he mentioned he does not have a recollection of many of these moments in his life as he was under the influence. The emotional impact was heightened by Xavier Sir’s reflections on the memories he had lost, making the family’s messages even more meaningful.
It was evident that the boys were invested as they could relate to some or the other part of Xavier Sir’s journey. What was more interesting was at several points during the interview, it felt as though the staff were just as captivated as the children. His story served as a reminder that behind every professional role is a deeply personal journey that often remains unseen.
