Lines of Culture and Lessons of Change: My YCB Experience

Walking into the Young Changemakers Bootcamp, I carried a bundle of curiosity, excitement, and a little nervousness. I had little idea how much this experience would shape my understanding of myself and the world around me.

Every moment was one I'd love to relive. There was something in the smiles as well as the glooms that carried lessons I'll remember for a lifetime. One such moment that stands out was sitting on a couch with my teammates the night before the much-awaited My Idea for Change competition (after clearing up one of their messy rooms!). In those few hours, we turned from quiet strangers to friends, sharing stories, hopes, and frustrations. Together, we came up with a business idea that meant something to all of us: Lines of Culture, an initiative to combat regional discrimination and prejudice by sharing real facts and stories from different regions across India through social media and creative merchandise.

As we discussed further, it struck me; each of us, from such different backgrounds, shared the same desire: to make things better, not just for ourselves, but for our communities. That night, I realized real change begins when we choose to listen, empathize, and work together. During the camp, through interactive sessions, group projects, and unplanned conversations over meals at Shiwalik Mess, I learned that changemaking isn't about having all the answers, it's about asking the right questions, finding like-minded people, and persisting even when things feel uncertain.

Those days at YCB left me more open-minded and resilient. They pushed me to rethink what leadership and impact truly mean. The biggest changes so far have been within me, I'm more empathetic, curious, and driven to keep learning. I may not have created massive shifts in my community yet, but YCB taught me that change begins with small steps, and I'm determined to act on these lessons.

If I could offer one message, it would be this: trust in your ability to make small ripples. Together, those ripples will grow. And never underestimate the power of inner transformation, the world changes when we do.