20 May 2026 – 1 June 2026
Introduction
On 20th May 2026, I started an exciting new chapter in my life by taking admission at Vigyan Ashram, Pabal. Before coming here, I had heard that Vigyan Ashram focuses on practical learning and skill development, but experiencing it firsthand has been completely different. Every day brings new opportunities to learn, create, explore, and improve ourselves.
During these first two weeks, I learned about photography, fashion designing, sewing, measurements, pattern making, communication skills, and self-discipline. I also got the opportunity to help other students, continue my preparation for the NIFT entrance examination, and become familiar with the unique lifestyle of the Ashram.
This blog is a reflection of my experiences, achievements, challenges, and learning from 20th May to 1st June 2026.
Life at Vigyan Ashram
One of the first things I noticed about Vigyan Ashram was its disciplined and organized daily routine. Unlike traditional learning environments where most learning happens inside classrooms, the Ashram encourages learning through practical work and real-life experiences.
Our day begins at 7:00 AM with morning prayer, exercise, and a walk. These activities help us start the day with positive energy and a healthy mindset. After returning, we get ready for the day and have breakfast at 9:00 AM.
After breakfast, students report to their respective departments and begin working on their projects and learning activities. Lunch is from 1:00 PM to 2:00 PM, after which we continue our work until 5:30 PM. The evening includes tea time, games, physical activities, meditation, and dinner.
This routine not only helps in skill development but also teaches discipline, time management, responsibility, and healthy living habits.
20 May 2026 – My First Day and Photography Workshop
My journey at Vigyan Ashram began on 20th May 2026. Being the first day, I felt both excited and nervous. Everything was new—the environment, the people, the departments, and the learning style.
The day started with a Photography Workshop. During the workshop, Sir taught us many interesting aspects of photography. We learned that photography is much more than simply clicking pictures. It is about observation, creativity, storytelling, and capturing moments from unique perspectives.
Sir explained concepts such as:
- Different camera angles
- Proper framing techniques
- Importance of lighting
- Composition of photographs
- Capturing emotions through images
- Basic camera handling skills
The workshop helped me understand how photography can be used as a creative tool to communicate ideas and tell stories visually. It was an inspiring beginning to my journey at the Ashram.
21 May 2026 – Entering the World of Fashion Designing
On the second day, I officially began learning in the Asmita Department, where I chose Fashion Designing as my area of specialization.
The day started with an introduction to the department and workplace safety rules. Tai explained why safety is important while working with tools, machines, needles, scissors, and fabrics.
After understanding the safety guidelines, I was given several charts and learning materials to study. These charts helped me understand the basic concepts of garment construction and pattern making.
Tai then introduced me to blouse paper cutting. She demonstrated how patterns are prepared before cutting fabric. I learned that accurate measurements and proper pattern preparation are the foundation of good garment construction.
After lunch, I went to the computer lab and started an online Fashion Designing course on Alison. Through this course, I began learning theoretical concepts related to fashion, design principles, garment production, and the fashion industry.
This combination of practical and theoretical learning made the day very productive.
22 May 2026 – My First Experience with a Sewing Machine
On this day, I was introduced to one of the most important tools in fashion designing—the sewing machine.
Tai patiently explained the different parts of the machine and their functions. I learned about:
- Needle
- Bobbin
- Presser foot
- Hand wheel
- Thread guides
- Foot pedal
Before working on actual fabric, I was instructed to practice stitching on paper. This exercise helps beginners learn machine control and maintain straight stitching lines.
At first, it was challenging to keep the stitching perfectly straight. However, with continuous practice, I gradually improved my control over the machine.
I practiced on three to four sheets of paper and became more comfortable with the machine. This practical exercise taught me that patience and repetition are essential for developing any skill.
After lunch, I continued my online Fashion Designing course in the computer lab and learned additional concepts related to fashion.
23 May 2026 – Understanding Measurements and Pattern Drafting
This was one of the most educational days of my first week.
Tai taught me how to take accurate body measurements, which is one of the most important skills in garment construction. Even small measurement errors can affect the final fit of a garment.
I learned how to measure:
- Bust
- Waist
- Shoulder
- Length
- Sleeve measurements
After taking measurements, I learned how to transfer them onto paper and create basic blouse patterns.
Tai also taught me how to extend pattern lines and prepare complete paper drafts before cutting. To strengthen my understanding, I practiced the entire process three times.
By the end of the day, I was able to understand the complete flow from measurement to pattern preparation.
After lunch, I worked on a PowerPoint presentation related to my fashion designing course and also spent time preparing for the NIFT entrance examination. Since NIFT is one of my goals, I try to dedicate time every day to improve my preparation.
24 May 2026 – Holiday
24th May was a holiday. It provided a good opportunity to rest and reflect on everything I had learned during my first few days at the Ashram.
25 May 2026 – Visit to Pune
On 25th May, I was in Pune and therefore could not participate in the regular activities at the Ashram.
26 May 2026 – Learning Through Stories and Practical Work
The day started with a classroom story session conducted by Sir. He shared the story of “Sugarcane Juice” and explained its deeper meaning and lessons.
One thing I appreciate about these story sessions is that they are not just stories. They encourage us to think critically and understand important life values through simple examples.
Later, Tai taught me the practical process of blouse cutting. She demonstrated every step carefully and explained how proper cutting affects the final outcome of the garment.
This was also the day when our Spoken English classes began. The classes are conducted from 11:00 AM to 12:00 PM and aim to improve our communication skills and confidence while speaking English.
After lunch, I continued my Alison Fashion Designing course and NIFT preparation.
At the same time, I also started helping other girls in the department. Since I had understood measurements and pattern drafting well, I began teaching them how to take blouse measurements and prepare blouse-cutting patterns.
Teaching others helped me revise my own learning and improved my confidence.
27 May to 30 May 2026 – Practice, Learning, and Growth
The next few days were dedicated to continuous practice and improvement.
Every day, I worked on:
- Blouse cutting
- Pattern preparation
- Stitching techniques
- Sewing machine handling
- Fashion Designing coursework
- Spoken English classes
- NIFT preparation
Through repeated practice, I became more confident in handling the sewing machine and understanding garment construction.
I also realized that fashion designing requires both creativity and precision. Every measurement, cut, and stitch matters.
Helping other students became a regular part of my routine. Whenever someone had difficulty understanding measurements or blouse cutting, I tried to assist them. This experience taught me the importance of teamwork and knowledge sharing.
These days were not marked by one major event, but they were important because they helped me strengthen the skills I had learned earlier.
31 May 2026 – Completing My First Blouse
31st May was one of the most memorable days of my journey so far.
After several days of learning, measuring, cutting, practicing, and stitching, I finally completed my first blouse.
Holding the finished blouse in my hands gave me a feeling of pride and achievement. It represented the effort, patience, and dedication I had invested over the previous days.
The completion of my first blouse also showed me how much I had learned in a short period of time. What seemed difficult during the first week now felt achievable through practice and guidance.
This achievement motivated me to continue learning more advanced fashion designing skills in the future.
1 June 2026 – Reflection and Weekly Review
Today, after breakfast, we attended another classroom story session. The topic was “Teeth.” Through this discussion, we learned about dental health, hygiene, and the importance of taking care of our teeth.
Later, a meeting was conducted for DBRT students. During the meeting, students shared the projects and activities they had completed during the previous week.
Listening to everyone’s experiences was inspiring because it showed how students in different departments are learning a wide variety of practical skills.
After the meeting, I returned to the computer lab and continued my studies, focusing on both my fashion designing course and NIFT preparation.
Key Learnings from These Two Weeks
During these two weeks, I learned much more than technical skills.
Technical Skills
- Photography basics
- Sewing machine operation
- Body measurements
- Pattern drafting
- Blouse cutting
- Blouse stitching
- Fashion design concepts
Personal Skills
- Discipline
- Time management
- Communication
- Leadership
- Teamwork
- Confidence building
Academic Development
- Alison Fashion Designing Course
- NIFT Entrance Preparation
- Spoken English Classes
