“To preserve the silence within, all the noise, to remain open and quiet, moist humus, in the fertile darkness, where the rain falls and the grain ripens. No matter how many tramps across the parade ground in the whirling dust, under an arid sky”.
~Dag Hammarskjold.
Arun | Arwin | Santhosh| Sneha
These are the four participants selected from among the many applications received for the Cuckoo Naitalim Fellowship–2026. This Fellowship is designed to support individuals who are passionate about progressive and experiential learning. It offers an opportunity to mentor children, engage in hands-on learning, and contribute meaningfully to the community.
Arun
After completing his Bachelor’s degree, Arun Kumar spent a short period working in electrical manufacturing companies and later in a software firm. However, since childhood he has believed that meaningful teaching and learning can shape individuals and, ultimately, society. This conviction drew him toward the field of education. For the past few months, he has been involved with Thinnaipalli, an initiative of Cuckoo, through which he visits nearby villages to support children in their learning. He enjoys sharing his experiences, hoping to inspire others to become better learners.
Arwin R
Graduating from Bachelor’s in Engineering, Arwin gradually found his real interests outside the classroom — in travelling, meeting people, and capturing stories. Travelling through different places made him more curious about life, community, and the simple wisdom hidden in everyday moments. Photography taught him to observe deeply, and travelling taught him to connect with people and nature. Over time, he started his learning towards sustainable living, and more human ways of teaching and learning. He is inspired by the concept of learning from the land, from people, and from real experiences. He looks forward to learn with the community, contribute and grow as someone who can bring creativity, compassion, and being grounded in learning with children.
Santhosh Kumar
Santhosh hails from a small village in Tirupur. After completing his graduation in B.Sc., in realizes his interest in teaching. He started to teach underprivileged and orphanage children both online and in-person. Along with preparing for competitive exams he volunteered with an NGO. He enjoys in helping students understand concepts in a simple way. Through volunteering, he believes that while working with these children he has developed communication and time management skills. He believes education is a powerful tool to change lives, and he wants to continue working for the better future of children.
Sneha
With enthusiasm as her compass, Sneha embraces challenges as learning experiences and she allows them to take her to the heart of different communities. She believes, “the best way to find yourself is to lose yourself in the service of others.” While pursuing engineering, she unexpectedly realized the purpose — being with people, asking deeper questions, and engaging with the world around. She thinks that these questions reshaped her perspective and led her to new places, communities, and volunteering journeys. From an introvert bookworm during school, to slowly growing up into an active leader in college clubs, the growth gave her the confidence to step out, explore, and pursue meaningful work on the ground.