Life Is Like a Kite: My Journey of Dreams, Struggles, and Lessons

Uttarayan is not just a festival in Gujarat. It’s a celebration of dreams, resilience, and hope. Every kite in the sky tells a story, just like every person does in their own life. For me, the kite, the thread, and the kite flyer have always felt deeply connected to my journey.

When I started my work to empower informal workers through Panah Foundation and later Online Saathi, it felt like flying a fragile kite in strong winds. The dreams were big, but the challenges were bigger. Many times, my kite felt like it was going to fall, but every time it cut, I picked up a new one, made my thread stronger, and flew again.

Life as a Kite: The Struggles and the Strength

Life is like a kite, and the thread is what holds it together. You try to fly higher and higher, but you never know who might cut your thread.

• Some people cut it openly, some do it silently.

• Some celebrate your fall, while others genuinely feel sad for you.

In my own life, I’ve faced moments where I felt like my dreams were crashing.

• There were days when I had no resources to continue my work.

• People doubted me, criticized me, and said I wouldn’t succeed.

• Even those close to me sometimes questioned my path.

But every time my kite was cut, I told myself, “This is not the end. A new kite will fly, and the thread will be stronger.”

The Role of the Kite Flyer

While the kite and the thread are important, the real hero is the kite flyer.

• It doesn’t matter how weak or strong the thread is; the flyer’s skill and determination decide how high the kite will go.

• The flyer is often invisible, working hard behind the scenes, but their focus and effort are what make the kite fly.

When I reflect on my journey, I see myself as the kite flyer.

• My dreams (the kite) kept me moving forward, no matter how many challenges came.

• My resources (the thread) weren’t always strong, but I learned to make them better with every setback.

• And as a flyer, I stayed grounded, knowing that even the highest kite needs someone firmly holding the thread.

Lessons from a Cut Kite

One thing Uttarayan has taught me is that a cut kite doesn’t mean the end of the festival.

• It’s an opportunity to pick up another kite, adjust your thread, and fly again.

• It’s about resilience and learning from every fall.

In my early days with Panah Foundation, I faced so many challenges. There were times when I wanted to give up. But every failure taught me something new:

• How to build better strategies.

• How to connect with people who believed in my mission.

• How to stay focused even when everything seemed against me.

Even in my personal life, I learned that relationships are like the thread. If you don’t handle them carefully, they can tangle or break. My family, especially my wife and daughters, are the ones who keep my thread strong. They are my foundation, and without their support, my kite would never fly.

Staying Grounded While Reaching New Heights

One of the most important lessons I’ve learned is this: no matter how high your kite goes, the flyer always stays on the ground.

• Success may take you to great heights, but humility keeps you connected to reality.

• Your roots, your values, and your relationships are what truly define your journey.

When I work with migrant workers, I see their struggles and their dreams. They remind me of kites flying in difficult winds, held by threads that are often weak. My mission with Online Saathi is to make their threads stronger – to give them access to resources, opportunities, and support so they can soar.

A Simple Message: Fly, Learn, and Keep Flying

Life will always have moments when your kite is cut.

• Don’t let failure stop you.

• Learn from it, build a stronger thread, and try again.

Your kite is your dream. Your thread is your effort, relationships, and resources. And you, the kite flyer, are the one who makes it all possible.

Stay grounded, no matter how high you fly. And remember, the joy is not just in reaching the top but in the effort you put into getting there.

So, let your kite soar, face every challenge, and never stop believing in your journey.

#LifeLessons #Entrepreneurship #Resilience #NareshSijapati #KiteWisdom