Event Date: 11 & 12th February 2026
The Context
One day, while discussing a few ideas with the Chief Officer of Children’s Aid Society (CAS), Pravin Bhavsar sir, I mentioned that we should consider organizing exposure trips for the staff. He promptly asked me, asked where we could take them and who would arrange everything. I told him I know of this place called Hunnar Gurukul, outside of Pune, which would be a good place for a visit. Given his nature of quick decision making, he asked me to check with Hunnar Gurukul. Within three days, the trip was finalized with 21 staff members from Children’s Aid Society and two of us from Seedling Foundation. From proposing the idea to finalizing and executing it, everything happened in less than two weeks.! It was a thoughtfully shortlisted group that included Superintendents, Probation Officers, vocational training teachers, and others from different Homes under CAS.
Hunnar Gurukul – A Unique and Inspiring Project
We got the opportunity and responsibility to plan the entire visit and manage the logistics. Given my close relationship with Anirrudha ji from Hunnar Gurukul, we were able to quickly finalize the dates and also chart out a plan for the 2 day visit. The team from Hunnar Gurukul was very prompt, supportive and welcoming.
Hunnar Gurukul is a wonderful non-profit project, where they run year long residential courses in carpentry and civil work for children from underprivileged backgrounds, free of cost. The courses are thoughtfully designed and based on traditional, eco friendly methods. These skills are unique and have a strong market value for the children who learn them.
Day 1 – An Unexpected Place, An Unexpected Trip
On the first day, we started early morning from Mumbai in a tempo traveller and reached around lunch time. The journey itself was lively and enjoyable. We played different games, sang songs, played music and even danced in the traveller! It started off the trip in a fun and light way and allowed everyone to ease in and bond with each other.
As we were reaching closer to our destination, everyone noticed that we were heading into an isolated space in a rural setting. People wondered where we were going, and a few doubts started circulating amongst them. However, the moment we entered through the gate of Hunnar Gurukul, the perception immediately changed and everyone felt a sense of beauty in the place they were entering.
Upon reaching Hunnar Gurukul, we were warmly welcomed by the team there. The campus is nestled in nature, with a very peaceful atmosphere and a warm ambiance. The air felt fresh, the pace of life slowed down, there was no hustle bustle of the city, just silence which was sometimes broken by the chirping of birds or the conversation of the children there.
In the second half, we interacted extensively with Aniruddha ji. He shared the origin story of the project, explained how it evolved over time, described the processes followed, and narrated how much of the campus was built by the children who trained there. He also walked us through a typical day at Hunnar Gurukul. These stories left a deep impression on the staff members.
We discussed the possibility of sending children from different CAS Homes to Hunnar Gurukul for these courses. This was such a blessing since it was a win-win situation for everyone – for the Homes, for Hunnar Gurukul and for the children that would be sent here for the course. I was overjoyed to see the conversation unfold and the positiveness of everyone during this discussion.
Later, we toured the campus as Aniruddha ji explained the architecture and construction of different sections. It was mind blowing and everyone was fascinated looking at the structures, the intricate details and the uniqueness of various elements.
By evening, there were already many learnings and ideas noted down by each participant. We then had a reflection session led by Bhavsar sir, where we listened to one another, synthesized our learnings, and identified potential action points for each Home. This was very important and helped translate observations into concrete takeaways, individually and collectively. During the session, we could clearly see the mindset shift, narrative change and a positive outlook emerge, which was focused on finding a solution rather than looking at problems and hindrances.
Cultural Evening – A Chance to Showcase Hidden Talents
Post dinner, we had a cultural evening at the outdoor amphitheatre. The children of Hunnar Gurukul and the CAS staff did various performances – some sang songs, others danced, and some played musical instruments. It was an enjoyable and encouraging experience for everyone. It allowed hidden talents to emerge, people to be themselves and connect with each other on a human level, keeping all roles and hierarchies aside. It was a powerful moment to witness.
Day 2 – Deepening the Internal Channels
On the second day morning, we started the day with a visit to an adjacent retreat space called Hidden Oasis. The place has a charm of its own and sits in the lap of nature. It is covered with trees and plants all around, has a butterfly garden, a large pond, an area for organic farming, and some domesticated animals. The place is designed very thoughtfully and has quotes written all around which makes one reflect deeply. This set a reflective tone for day two.
Post breakfast, we joined everyone for their regular morning prayers. Sitting together in a hall where daily prayers have been offered for many years was deeply moving. The vibration was palpable. You could hear the birds join in too. Everyone was immersed into the prayers and felt each word of each of the prayers.
Continuing post prayers, we shared our reflections with the children and staff there about our time so far and shared our messages for the children. There were many heartfelt stories and messages shared during this interaction. On behalf of our entire group, I expressed our gratitude to the Hunnar Gurukul team and wished them well.
They then showed us the carpentry workshop and civil project, explaining the process in detail. This was particularly helpful for the vocational training teachers in our group. We also had the unique opportunity to interact with the architects who helped build the campus and design the course curriculum. Their professionalism, attention to detail, and spirit of service left a strong impression.
Before breaking for lunch, Sheetal and I facilitated a session to reflect about each of their Homes, their work processes, and about themselves as individuals. We played the video “Bhavsagar Ke Paar” which was very impactful and got everyone thinking. This was a great way to conclude our time together at Hunnar Gurukul.
After lunch, we left for Mumbai. On the return journey also, we had a lot of fun, with singing, dancing and light hearted moments.
The Impact this Left
It was just 2 days, but those 2 days felt so long, meaningful and profound for each one of us. The bonding that took place went deeper than many expected, even among colleagues who had known each other for many years. There was a renewed sense of purpose and energy. There were many practical lessons taken back. And most importantly, there was a sense of change, a sense that something new, something different is possible. It broke an old paradigm.
Many people shared that in over 15 to 20 years with CAS, this was the first time such a trip had been organized. There was a lot of skepticism even when it was announced – everyone questioned whether it would actually happen. Even when the trip started, there were questions about how it would unfold. However, under the leadership of Bhavsar sir, this became possible. It was extremely powerful, profound and a transformative experience for everyone involved – filled with joy, learning and a new perspective.
We are grateful that we got a chance to be a part of this, and to humbly contribute in a small but meaningful way. We look forward to seeing how the ripples of this visit continue to unfold.
