SST 8.0 | Days 1–2: Setting the Foundation
December 16–17, 2025
Venue: Lakeshore Retreats, Varkala
The first two days of Ignite Foundation’s School for Social Transformation (SST) - 8th Edition marked the beginning of an immersive journey rooted in community, reflection, and active citizenship. Participants checked in at Lakeshore Retreats, Varkala, where the programme officially commenced with a focus on connection, context-setting, and collective learning.
Day 1 – Welcome to the Tribe
Theme: Ice-breaking, Bonding & Context Setting
Day 1 began with the arrival of participants in phases throughout the morning and afternoon. Early arrivals were welcomed and guided by the host and programme coordinator, Ali Farbani. As more participants joined by noon, along with programme leads Ijas Kollam and Sulfiker Ali, the space gradually transformed into a vibrant learning community.
Due to staggered arrivals, the programme schedule was adapted to prioritise connection. Participants spent time engaging in informal conversations, helping build comfort and familiarity among the cohort.
In the late afternoon, a mindfulness and connection activity facilitated by Sulfiker Ali helped participants become present, attentive, and grounded. This was followed by an ice-breaking team activity, including a blindfolded mud game, designed to build trust, collaboration, and openness.
As the day transitioned into evening, participants took part in a sunset kayaking session coordinated by Finu Fawaz, offering a reflective and experiential moment in nature. After freshening up, the cohort gathered for an evening session led by Ijas Kollam and Manasa Guru.
The session introduced participants to Ignite Foundation, SST, and the larger vision of the programme. This was followed by an interactive session by Manasa Guru, linking participant energy and engagement to the core theme of Civic Rights and Youth Empowerment. The day concluded with reflections, marking the formal welcome into the SST journey.
Day 2 – From Self to Society
Theme: Community Engagement & Constitutional Understanding
Day 2 expanded the learning beyond the retreat, focusing on community engagement and constitutional awareness. Participants travelled together to Loyola Campus, where they attended a public session featuring Aruna Roy, Nikhil Dey, and Dr. Patrick Heller. The discussions centred on constitutional values, democratic participation, and insights from Aruna Roy’s work The RTI Story.
Following the session, participants visited key civic spaces to deepen their understanding of the Constitution including the Parliament complex and a nearby museum, where they explored the history of India’s constitutional framework and leadership.
Later, the cohort moved to the Press Club, where interactions with public representatives and thinkers further strengthened their understanding of governance, rights, and civic responsibility. In the evening, the Malayalam translation of Aruna Roy’s book on RTI was released.
The day concluded with an interactive session by Dr. Adheela Abdullah at Kapiness Café - India’s first mental health café. The open dialogue encouraged participants to ask questions, share perspectives, and engage critically with issues related to society, governance, and mental well-being.
Setting the Foundation
The first two days of SST 8.0 successfully laid the foundation for the programme by nurturing trust, community, and awareness. From personal reflection to societal engagement, participants began their journey of transformation moving from self to society, grounded in shared values and active citizenship.