Mandala
Jyoti Pande, recognised as one of India’s most innovative storytellers, has revolutionised mental health by integrating storytelling as therapy. With a strong psychology background, she champions mental health awareness for defence families through the therapeutic benefits of storytelling, thereby touching countless lives with hope and resilience.
Jyoti recalls with a smile, “From a young age, I was always curious and eager to learn.” Graduating at the top of her class with a Master’s and an MPhil in psychology from Bhopal University, she pursued further education, including a postgraduate diploma in psychological counselling and a diploma in guidance and counselling. She augmented her expertise with certifications and mindfulness training.
of the conscious mind and reach deep into the subconscious, facilitating healing and self awareness,” Jyoti explains. She shared a story about a bird that helped someone feel better. Even though some people doubt it, she believes experiencing storytelling first-hand can change their minds.
Jyoti’s professional journey blends teaching, counselling, and training. With roles in prestigious institutions like Shaurya Primary School; Army Public School, Delhi; and Kendriya Vidyalaya Bhopal, she has become a sought-after trainer for NCERT and the Tata Institute of Social Sciences. Marrying an Army Officer, she immersed herself in welfare activities. Her pride in setting up a Wellness and Happiness Centre at Bhopal Military Station and conducting mental health awareness programmes for over 10,000 army families across India reflects her commitment to making a positive impact.
- By Abhilasha Srivastava
Spreading the fire of ancient wisdom ritual to more and more women as she believes that women are the bearers and upholders of culture. Born in 1975 in Kolkata, Arunisha excelled academically and thrived in the corporate world. Despite her professional success, she faced significant life challenges. Reflecting on her experiences, she says, “One of the toughest challenges I faced was my struggle with faith and the search for meaning in my life. My work in marketing felt hollow, and I longed for a deeper connection.”
In her mid-thirties, Arunisha faced another Arunisha Sengupta Arunisha Sengupta, a seasoned marketing communications consultant who bridges the worlds of marketing and spirituality, has embarked on a remarkable journey. She is one of India’s few female practitioners and teachers of sacred homa rituals.
“A homa is a sacred fire ritual,” she explains. “It involves offering ghee, grains, and herbs into the fire while chanting mantras for blessings, purification, protection, or fulfilling desires. The fire acts as a purifier and divine conduit. Yagna, a broader term for various fire rituals, maintains cosmic order and seeks divine favour.”
Performing a homa was a daily spiritual practice by a householder during Vedic times. Arunisha conducts DIY homa camps for people who are interested in learning the ritual. “I want to make this ancient spiritual practice accessible to all. Through these workshops, I foster a community of positivity and resilience,” she expresses. Arunisha is particularly passionate about teaching the homa challenge—a severe health condition that forced her to re-evaluate her life choices. She shares, “I found peace in serving those in need, which led me to explore spiritual practices. I soon felt a strong pull towards the cleansing power of fire through performing a homa. Performing these rituals became a form of therapy for me.” Arunisha adds, “It helped me channel my inner strength and overcome the physical and emotional toll of my struggles. Today, I find joy and fulfilment in every ritual and mantra.”
One such workshop in Vadodara brought together a diverse group. As they sat around the flickering flames, Arunisha’s calm guidance made the ancient ritual accessible and personal. “A priest typically intercedes between you and God,” she explains, “but as the shastras say, “Agnirmile purohitam (Agni, or fire, is the true priest who carries the offerings directly to God).”
Arunisha’s story is a testament to the transformative power of ancient practices and perseverance, inspiring others to face their own challenges with courage and determination. Call: 9867047131
The Guardian Angel on Indian Roads
India has the highest number of road accident fatalities globally, with around 1.5
million lives lost every year, according to a report from the Federation of Indian Chambers
of Commerce and Industry. Concerned by the insufficient attention and
knowledge surrounding this critical matter, Dr. Maya Tandon, 87, from Jaipur, initiated a
campaign to educate people on “Life-saving measures for road accident victims.” In pursuit
of this cause, she established the Sahayta Trust NGO in 1995.
The NGO motivates the masses to contribute to ensuring road safety by learning and participating in strategies meant to save the life of a road accident victim.
Road accidents are something which people do not pay much attention to. They prefer to pass by accident victims than stop and rescue them thinking that the act might land them in trouble with the law and police. Therefore, her major challenge has been to get people’s attention to a cause which is largely ignored by them in favour of personal matters or sensational issues raised by the media.
Having been conferred with the Padma Shri for social work in 2024, Dr Maya is now geared up to spread Emergency Medical Care Guidelines among the masses which is crucial for ensuring road safety. She has created a fleet of volunteers comprising dedicated medical experts and administrative cadre working in unison to reduce road accidents in the country- a challenge for the central and state governments for the last three decades.
After receiving the Padma Shri award, Dr Maya has garnered attention from both national and international platforms. There, she advocates passionately, highlighting that road safety is an overlooked issue that demands immediate and universal action to guarantee the safe arrival of every traveler to their intended destination.
Born in religious family Dr Maya became a qualified pediatric anesthetist and served her family and profession, till she retired. Following her retirement, she remained driven to contribute to society. The tragic loss of life from road accidents spurred her to become an advocate for road safety awareness. More power to samaritans like her.
- By Jamuna Rangachari