Education and Skilling to Actualise Individual Potential
On June 21st, 2025, Ritinjali hosted a webinar on the theme, ‘Education and Skilling to Actualise Individual Potential' in association with Pallavan Learning Systems and Centre for Escalation of Peace.
The webinar brought to light the power of second chances, focusing on how mentorship, skilling, and personalised education can transform lives, especially for those who may have missed their first opportunity at formal education or career success. Three inspiring alumni from Ritinjali’s Second Chance School—Virender Kumar, Brijesh Yadav, and Raghav Sonkar—shared their journeys, demonstrating how tailored support and life skills training helped them rewrite their stories.
Virender Kumar spoke of his transformation from a labourer in Uttar Pradesh to a fashion entrepreneur in Delhi, highlighting how the programme enabled him to pursue his passion despite early setbacks. Brijesh Yadav described his shift from working as a security guard to becoming a computer support engineer, eventually launching his own laptop repair business. Raghav Sonkar, a member of the first batch of the programme, shared insights from his career in the development sector, where he has worked for over a decade. Their stories highlighted the role of education, counselling, and skilling in enabling individuals from disadvantaged backgrounds to build meaningful, sustainable livelihoods.
The discussion also addressed the challenges faced by those migrating from rural areas, such as limited access to education, transport, and safety, and the importance of building support systems to help them make informed choices. Virender Kumar’s experience of launching a new business after losing his job during the pandemic illustrated how setbacks can become turning points. Brijesh Yadav spoke of how a simple act of helping a neighbour with a laptop issue inspired his path into entrepreneurship. Raghav Sonkar reflected on his early struggles and how the support he received through the Second Chance School helped him build a long-standing career in the development sector, where he now works to uplift marginalised communities, proving that sustained guidance and opportunity can lead to meaningful impact.
The webinar concluded with a strong message about the importance of perseverance, recognising opportunities, and embracing lifelong learning. A lively Q&A session reinforced the idea that with the right mindset and support, it is possible to overcome adversity and create a better future.
To read the full report, please click here. You can also watch the full webinar video at this link.