Three Weeks, Three State Teams and a Crew Driven by Purpose: A Glimpse into the SAHELI Training Journey
— By Surya Surendran
For three intense weeks in Chandigarh, our SAHELI study team came together for a training experience that was far from ordinary. Absolutely fantastic, experienced field investigators, health investigators and field supervisors from Bihar, Punjab and Telangana gathered to prepare for a survey with nearly 800 questions on women’s health. What unfolded was a journey that blended learning, lived experiences, and a strong sense of purpose.
One of the things that struck me most during the training was how deeply every question was explained. Instead of simply being told how to ask something, we spent time understanding the concepts behind each item. These concepts were explained by experts in the field including gynaecologist, women’s health research experts, and experienced social worker by walking us through their perspectives. Their insights made the questionnaire come alive and helped the team understand why each question mattered. The in-person involvement with the core team who had designed the questionnaire added another layer of richness. Listening to them discuss the thought process behind each section helped us connect with the intent and scientific foundation of the tool.
Considering the involvement of teams from three different states, speaking three different languages and content heavy sessions, we also needed to ensure these were understood by each of the teams. Therefore, the speakers used a mix of English and Hindi to explain while there were translators available for Telugu and Punjabi. It was a trial-and-error method while we tried to find the right fit as this was never done before and we did not have a reference to learn from. While we initially tried simultaneous translation while the discussions happened, this led to some chaos and we, after several rounds, settled to have summarising the content on a periodic basis throughout the day ensuring the investigators were updated in real time allowing them to think and speak up right away. During the training, I formed a special bond with the Telangana team through the additional remedial sessions in the evening to explain the days learnings and respond to any queries they had. What began as serious revision sessions soon turned into lively gatherings filled with snacks, quizzes and many laughs. Those evenings became some of my favourite memories from the entire training.
The training often felt like a shared journey, and not a one-way flow of information. Field investigators brought their own stories, experiences and challenges to the discussions. These exchanges helped everyone understand how questions might be understood in different contexts and how the some of the sentences needed to be adapted for each state. We also had mock interviews throughout the training period providing practice to how the data collection needs to be done, and I sweated while I made through my vocabulary for Hindi and Telugu simultaneously when I did a mock with my colleague as a showcase.
A memorable aspect of the training was seeing male investigators and supervisors learning about women’s health with equal seriousness. They reflected about experiences in their own families and showed enthusiasm in asking doubts while they had access to the gynaecologist in room. It highlighted that women’s health is a shared responsibility, and not just for women.
On the final day of the training, I was genuinely moved listening to investigators reflect on their experiences. Many shared that they had learned far more than they had expected. They spoke about how they now saw the survey not simply as a data collection exercise but as an opportunity to contribute to change. They felt better equipped to use what they learned to improve the lives of participants as well as the people around them in daily lives. To quote one of the investigators,
…by joining this project, I also came to know what menopausal symptoms are. Because my mother too had such issues, but it is only after coming here that I learnt that those were menopause symptoms. Now my mother’s weight is increasing, she has joint pain, swellings, and sweats… I learnt all this here. Now I also tell my mother- ‘It’s okay mummy, it will reduce’…- FI, Telangana
Bringing participants from three states also meant bringing three cultures, languages and ways of living together. In the hostel, they shared rooms, routines and stories. The Punjab team quickly became the chief advisors on local shopping and sightseeing. Break times revealed several hidden talents including singing, dancing, and comedy. Since everyone saw each other almost constantly, birthday celebrations became deeply personal and were carried out with great enthusiasm.
Food was another memorable part of the experience. Knowing that three weeks of the same cuisine might tire people out, the menu incorporated dishes from each state. Even so, the chole bhature lunch stands out vividly in my memory, especially watching the bhature disappear almost as soon as they were served.
In the middle of the training, everyone got a short break. Many investigators headed to Shimla and came back glowing with excitement. A few of us chose a quieter trip to Kasauli to enjoy the calm of the hills. Some travelled home for a brief rest, while others stayed back to continue working. Each of these little moments added to the shared story of the training.
Alongside all these experiences, the team also spent long days and nights perfecting the tool. There were late-night discussions, endless revisions and many screens glowing well past midnight. Even in stressful moments, there were shared jokes, comforting words, cycle rides, coffee and sugary refreshments, and the feeling of being part of something important. Somewhere in between the tiredness and the laughter, strong friendships were formed. These bonds continue to hold value for me long after the training ended.
Data collection has now been completed, and everyone has returned to their own work. But whenever I think of those three weeks, what comes back to me is not only what we learned, but the people, the shared stories, the laughter and the sense of purpose that brought us together. Those memories continue to bring a smile every time I think of those training days, because I know I was part of something meaningful.