When Stories Come Full Circle
When Stories Come Full Circle: A Heartwarming Moment at VIVEC
At Vivekanand Institute of Vocational & Entrepreneurial Competence (VIVEC), our vocational training centre, we often talk about the power of stories, how they inspire, connect, and remind us of the journeys that have shaped us. Stories are not just words on paper; they are living legacies that echo across generations. And sometimes, they return to us in the most unexpected and heartwarming ways.
Back in 2011, we published a book titled “Vikas ni Vaat na Pathdarshako”, a collection of real-life stories capturing the spirit of progress and transformation in rural Gujarat. Each narrative reflected courage, resilience, and the determination of individuals who embraced skill training and community development to change their lives and uplift others.
This week, during a quiet library session at VIVEC, one of our students, Alisarvar Rashidbhai Mutva, a student of Welding Technician from Hodko, casually picked up a copy of this very book. As he flipped through the pages, something stopped him in his tracks. There, on the page before him, was a familiar face, his aunt’s picture and then, to his astonishment, his father’s name.
Curious and excited, he began to read their stories.
His aunt’s journey was deeply inspiring. She had undergone training at the Hodko Centre of Shroffs Foundation Trust, where she discovered her passion and soon became a force for change. Through her dedication, she began empowering other women in her village, opening new paths for independence and dignity.
His father’s story was equally powerful. Once a driver, he made the bold choice to take on a new role as a Pumping Head at the Trust. Known earlier for his short temper, he gradually transformed after joining the organisation. The discipline, values, and purpose he discovered in this new role not only helped him grow as a person but also allowed him to contribute positively to his community.
For Alisarvar, reading about his aunt and father in a book published more than a decade ago was an overwhelming experience. He described the moment with pride and joy:
“આ મારા ફોઈ અને પાપા છે! એમનું નામ છે આ માં! મને ખબર પણ ન હતી કે એમની કહાણી એક વાર છપાઈ ચૂકી છે.”
(This is my aunty and father! That’s their names here! I didn’t even know their story had once been published.)
“મને બહુ ગર્વ થાય છે. આ વાત મને પણ પ્રેરણા આપે છે કે હું પણ કંઈ નવી વાર્તા મારી પણ બનાવું.”
(I feel so proud. This story inspires me too, to create a new story of my own.)
“હું ઘેર ફોન કર્યો ને મારા દાદા-દાદી ને પણ કહ્યું. બધા ખુશ થઈ ગયા.”
(I called home and told my grandparents too. Everyone was so happy.)
That simple moment in the library turned into something profound, a full-circle experience. What began as a documentation of rural transformation in 2011 came alive again in 2025, bridging the past and present through a family’s legacy.
For us at VIVEC, this was a reminder of why we do what we do. Our work is not just about vocational training or placements; it is about shaping stories, nurturing pride, and building legacies that last across generations.
Moments like these reaffirm that every skill learned, every opportunity taken, and every life touched has the power to inspire not just one individual, but an entire community. And sometimes, those stories come back to remind us of the larger picture, that we are all part of something bigger, something that continues to grow with each new chapter.