By Ankita Sutar, Project Coordinator, Youth Unit, CYDA
Supported by Yardi Software Pvt. Limited
The Ramtekdi slum community in Pune is home to thousands of migrant families, most working as unskilled workers. Houses are small and crowded, with poor sanitation and limited access to clean water and healthcare. With no proper guidance or support to show the right path, many residents, particularly the youth, fall into addiction and unhealthy habits. This lack of direction traps the community in cycles of hardship, making it difficult to break free and build a better future.
Introduction
Aditya Kamble (18 years) lives with his parents and sister in Ramtekdi. His father works as a watchman with minimal income, while his mother manages the home. In early childhood, Aditya struggled as he had aggressive behaviour and did not listen to anyone. He had backlogs in his matriculation, leading him to drop out for four years. By 16, peer pressure and negative community influences drew him into substance addiction and violence, keeping him trapped in a harmful cycle and away from education or growth.
Challenges
- Growing up with friends who were involved in violence.
- Developing addictions and unhealthy habits due to a lack of purpose.
- Spending time unproductively.
- Experiencing a personality change as a result of addiction and negative influences.
- Family members struggling to cope with the situation and feeling uncertain about how to help.
- Causing emotional stress at home because of his behavior.
A New chapter begins
The turning point came in 2024, when CYDA’s Youth Resource Centre started at Ramtekdi. As part of the mobilization drive, facilitators reached out to young people in the community, including Aditya and his group. Initially curious, he began visiting the centre with his friends. At first, his behavior remained disruptive – restless and inattentive. It was challenging for the facilitators with his hyperactive behaviour. With patience, facilitators engaged him in small activities such as art and craft, youth festivals and group discussions. Through different fun activities and personal conversations, they began to understand his interests. In one YDP session on “जगाची सुरुवात माझ्यापासून, विचार का महत्त्वाचे आहेत, कम्युनिकेशन आणि पीअर प्रेशरमुळे काय होतं” – (The world begins with me, why thoughts are important, what happens because of communication and peer pressure), Aditya opened up for the first time, sharing his personal struggles. Recognizing this breakthrough, the facilitators encouraged him to join the Stepping Stone workshop program led by Mr. Mathew Mattam, Founder of CYDA, in March 2025. The workshop was extensively focused on gender, sexuality, communication, and behaviour change. Slowly, these engagements gave Aditya safe spaces to reflect and interact.
Exposure visits and early interactions revealed his rude behavior, lack of interest in mingling with peers, and constant withdrawal from positive opportunities. His facilitators witnessed Aditya as restless, hyperactive, and unable to concentrate for more than 15 minutes.
He disappointed peers and facilitators alike, often ignoring advice and avoiding responsibilities. Despite multiple counselling sessions and family meetings, change seemed impossible. CYDA’s facilitators admitted that after months of rigorous follow-up, Aditya showed little improvement. At one point, they even concluded that he might not be able to change.
Gradually, Aditya began to realize the consequences of his choices. After years of wandering, he has now begun to take charge of his life. In the past two months, he secured a job at a washing centre, earning Rs . 13,000/- per month, which is a significant step towards responsibility and financial independence. His parents see a visible change in his attitude, and Aditya himself acknowledges the transformation: “Didi, I understand now that leaving addiction is not easy, but I have realized so much about life. The way YRC treated me—with respect and care—even when I was lost, gave me strength. From the sessions, I understood things that I never thought about before. Somewhere, it has started making sense to me. I used to spend most of my time with friends in the community. Many of them were into addictions and violent behavior. At first, I thought it was fun, but slowly I became like them, irregular, rude and careless. My behavior only pushed people away. Even when I went for an exposure visit in 2024, I hardly spoke to anyone, behaved rudely, and disappointed the facilitators. At home, my parents did not know how to deal with me. Sometimes I felt like no one understood me, and honestly, I did not understand myself either. I often tell my didi at the YRC, ‘The way you all treated me – with respect and care – even when I was lost, gave me strength. From the sessions, I understood things that I never thought about before. Somewhere, it has started making sense to me. I feel lighter now. I may have disappointed many people earlier, but today I am trying to rebuild myself. CYDA gave me the space and respect that I had never experienced before – admits Aditya.
The constant efforts of CYDA combined with structured programs like Stepping Stones, created an environment where Aditya could reflect, learn, and grow. His progress from a restless dropout to a young man earning for his Family reflects the power of patience, guidance and community support.
