My Vision & Goals
My Story so far
Hello!
I'm Pradhan
Our family belongs to a marginalized community within the country’s Caste hierarchy. My maternal and paternal grandfathers accepted Christianity when missionaries visited their regions. Since then, we have identified as Christians, which would help us mask our low social identity in the entire social structure. The social identity of being from a marginalized community plays a significant role in our lives, from being unable to afford basic needs to even struggling to find a decent social identity/status. It took a lot of effort from my parents to give me the education that put me on the map with the rest of the kids. By the time I reached high school, I was lonely and had no sense of direction. While my parents raised me, they were always at the bottom of the social structure, and their naivety only helped me to an extent. I have called my life a trial and error, with an absent father and a tired mother trying to keep everything together and provide us with a healthy childhood. Balancing my education and being concerned for my family affected my mental health, making me ill for a long time.
I was studying in a catholic convent when a guest musician/missionary visited our school. Thanks to my friend Sujan, I was introduced to Christ and church. At first, I was uncomfortable, but soon, I was encouraged to participate in weekly meetings in minor capacities, and soon, our Youth Pastor, Younus Samuel, started putting me in positions to lead prayers and small groups. As I began absorbing the Gospel and opening up in small groups, I felt valued in this community.
Slowly, I realized that the “Gospel Changes Everything,” so it did. Ever since then, this remains my fundamental belief. It didn’t happen in a day or a week, but it took months for me to understand Christ’s value in my life. After my baptism, little did I know that the most significant test of my faith was just around the corner. My health soon took a downturn, I was suddenly stuck with multiple seizures; they found a blood clot in my brain that affected one whole side of my body; lying in intensive care, I realized there was no hope for me than Christ himself.
After being on medications for over a year, I had to take a step of faith, precisely when a famous evangelist was visiting India. I crossed state lines and went to the meetings expecting a miracle, which never happened as I expected. I later realized I didn’t need to go to miracle healing meetings, but Christ the healer would meet me exactly where I am. As months passed, we couldn’t afford our medicines, and my body took a toll; it was the most frustrating period of my life. After a year or so, I decided to stop my medications in faith and continue studying and working through life. After a while, I went for a regular check-up, which suggested that the clot had vanished. There’s no bigger physical miracle I have experienced in my life to date. Through all my challenges, I stepped up and started leading small groups, working in the media ministry, and leading worship to conduct youth camps; I felt God and the leaders above me commissioned me in various roles.
I moved cities for work, and I realized that big cities can be lonely, but I relearned the idea of community with smaller, intimate groups. During these transitions, I returned to studying, so I couldn’t earn like I did. God tested my faith through crisis. I can never forget the day when my pastors reminded me, “You don’t have to go through this by yourself; you have a community of God’s people around you!” That added a new perspective to my Christian life. It felt like a new vision to reach out to the most neglected people in our communities. I started writing and putting together small group discussion modules for vulnerable groups around my extended community. I began by writing for a Christian Manager India; like “Making Sense of Grief.” I believe in piloting ideas on a small scale so I also started to reach out to single Christians in my circles, igniting meaningful conversations that would help all of us live healthy single Christian lives.
And I always tell people that I did not learn about the love of God and the Gospel from the Bible or Sunday School but from my parents.
We lived in the suburbs in the '90s; the area drew less traffic, and the neighborhood mostly shut down by 7-8 p.m. On two occasions, we noticed lost folk walking around the neighborhood. The first time, it was two nuns and a priest, and the second instance, they were young brothers and sisters. Our parents offered them to sleep in our bed while we took the kitchen. (We lived in a small two-room house back then). I lost my dad during my teenage years and my mother last year., her life, especially, was a true testament of the love of Christ.
Many others helped me build my life through the years; here are some brief inductions to their contributions. Namely Timothy Keller, C.S. Lewis, and Rob Bell with his series of videos called “Nooma.” My pastors in Hyderabad, Delhi, and Mumbai.
I'm passionate about serving my local church in Hyderabad, India. Our congregation is the largest in the region, with an attendance of over 5,000 individuals spread across multiple services. Among these worshippers, the youth segment alone numbers between 1,200 and 1,800. Yet, in a church of such magnitude, providing individual attention is a challenge. While dedicated individuals lead small groups, they lack the training and resources required to address specific mental health concerns. I aspire to collaborate closely with the church's pastors and leaders to establish a counseling center specifically tailored to the needs of our young churchgoers, aiming to facilitate their journey toward healing and well-being.
A Youth Counselling Center
My roots lie in a marginalized community in the context of my country, colloquially referred to as Dalits, a term recognized by the Indian constitution alongside Scheduled Castes, Scheduled Tribes, and Other Backward Castes. Historically, these communities have endured systematic oppression, resulting in the current generation often residing on or below the poverty line. Most people in the community predominantly engage in frontline government work, daily wage labor, and blue-collar jobs. Regrettably, these individuals not only lack the financial means for mental health counseling but often remain unaware of the existence of such vital services. Through some recent work, I was confronted by the stark reality of the inadequate counseling available to these vulnerable groups. Issues of trust and accessibility further compound it. I want to join organizations already working among vulnerable communities. Here's some past work in the area. Research Paper 1, Article
The Dalit and Backward Communities:
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Name: Pradhan Thandra
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Account: Pradhan Thandra
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Drawing from my journey, one marked by trial and error without guidance or counseling from anyone, I am driven to prevent others from making the same mistakes I have. My experience in Learning and Development and Recruitment has helped me meet, coach, and mentor many young professionals. I am now passionate about contributing at a deeper level and dealing with it holistically as a trained professional. I want to help them make well-informed and fulfilling decisions that will shape their futures positively.
My pursuit of an M.A. in Mental Health Counseling is rooted in a profound sense of purpose, and I am wholly dedicated to leveraging the knowledge and skills I acquire to transform the lives of those who need it most. This academic journey is not just a personal aspiration but a commitment to be an agent of change, empowering individuals to overcome their mental health challenges and stride confidently toward a brighter and more fulfilling future. My vision and mission are not only related to my current circles, but anywhere God places me.
The document is a glimpse of my passion for counseling; God willing, if we ever meet or have an interview, I would love to share more of my experiences that will probably leave you with a deeper understanding of my vision.
