Children and families gain confidence, skills and opportunities for the future, while grassroots education and teacher development are driving meaningful change in one of Mumbai’s most underserved communities.
Our interview with Pratibha Narayankar from Reality Gives
Can you tell us a bit about your background and what drew you to Reality Gives?
I graduated in information technology and began my career in programming. After moving to Mumbai, I trained with Reality Gives, which focuses on grassroots education and empowerment, and it felt like the right place to apply my skills and do meaningful work.
You’ve progressed from student to teacher, and now to teacher development trainer. Which stage of that journey had the biggest impact on you, and why?
Becoming a teacher development trainer changed everything for me.
I realised how encouraging teachers and helping to explain the concept better – and in the classroom – can have a bigger impact.
Is there a student or class whose progress especially stayed with you and really shows the difference Reality Gives can make?
One story that’s close to my heart is a group of older women who had never been to school.
They joined our classes because their children were learning English, and they felt embarrassed during parent-teacher meetings. By the end of the course, they not only understood what the teachers were saying but could confidently ask questions about their children’s progress.
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For someone visiting for the first time, what makes experiencing Reality Gives in person so unique?
There’s an energy at Reality Gives that you can only feel when you’re here.
The centre is always buzzing – students line up to enrol, others wait for their classes, and when one student joins, they often bring their whole family along! Inside the classroom, you can see the interactive, supportive learning that happens every day.
How has the continued support from the Explorations Company enabled you and the team at Reality Gives to achieve real impact?
Your support is unique because it’s a combination of trust and consistency. You’ve never told us how we should work – instead, you’ve trusted us to understand what’s best for our community. With your ongoing support, we’ve had the stability to strengthen our programmes and create measurable, lasting change.
Looking ahead, what are your hopes for the future of Reality Gives and the communities you work with?
My dream for Reality Gives is to encourage more students to learn and support each other.
I want to see our students have bigger dreams and meaningful jobs, becoming role models for others in their community.
Visit Reality Gives during your luxury India holiday
Including a visit to Reality Gives as part of your time in Mumbai offers a rare opportunity to experience authentic community life and witness how education is creating lasting change. It’s an uplifting and meaningful encounter that complements a wider bespoke journey of discovery through India.
If you’re planning a luxury trip to India and want to travel responsibly, our specialists can tailor an itinerary that includes Reality Gives alongside Mumbai’s cultural highlights and historic landmarks.
To learn more about our partnership with Reality Gives, visit our Reality Gives Impact page.
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