1. Tell us about your background and journey
My name is Manisha Gautam , I was born and raised in Bihar, and I completed my schooling there. I have always been passionate about the arts and humanities since standard 8th and so I opted Humanities stream in class 12th and later pursued a Bachelor's degree in Political Science from Delhi University Kamla Nehru College for Women .
During my School Days , I realised that there are a lot of stereotypes regarding Humanities Stream , lack of guidance and resources available for students from the arts stream background. This motivated me to create a platform where I could guide students from the arts stream, and thus I started my Instagram page called 'Humanities Adda.
2. What made you start 'Humanities Adda' and what is it about?
As a Humanities student, I realised that there is a lot of discrimination against Humanities students , When I chose humanities in Class 11th, I could not find a single school in my district which offers regular classes for humanities stream, unfortunately I completed my class 12th as a non-attending student , studied alone at home with the help of some YouTube videos and later scored 92.5 %.
This experience made me realise that there is a lot of Stereotypes regarding this stream for example only weak students choose Arts , There's nothing to study ,No scope in future , you won't be successful in life , arts will make you less Intelligent, etc and a lot of discrimination against Humanities students they don't get respect & Support even from their own family , significant lack of guidance and resources available for students .
So I decided to take matters into my own hands and created a platform where students just like me can get information, guidance and support.
I realized that currently, we are living in a place where our thoughts get modified through memes ,yes it's true , This is how 'Humanities Adda' was born. It is an Instagram page with over 32k followers , Starting this page was for a " CAUSE " When I Noticed there was no single page which put forward the feelings of a Humanities student. There was a lot for Science & Commerce Pages but not a single page for Arts Students.
'Humanities Adda' is a platform that aims to provide guidance and resources ( study material) to students from the arts stream.
I started "Humanities Adda" as a way to provide educational resources for students from the humanities stream in a way that is engaging and fun. I wanted to create a space where students could learn and connect with others who share their interests. I also want people to realise that there's a lot of opportunities in this stream , I want them to realise HUMANITIES is as good as other streams , & should " RESPECT this stream .
Humanities Adda covers a wide range of topics, including literature, history, political science, sociology, and psychology. I started this page to help students who are passionate about pursuing a career in the humanities but are unsure about the opportunities available to them. Through my page, I provide guidance on various courses, entrance exams, and career options available in the field of humanities and motivate students through memes and fun content .
3. What, according to you, makes your page stand out from the rest?
What sets my page apart is the fact Humanities Adda is one of the first pages on Instagram that is specifically dedicated to all Humanities students and the content is tailored to their needs .Through this page I have interacted and guided more than 10k students and am still interacting for the positive outcome.
I also believe that what makes my page stand out is the unique combination of memes and educational content. By using humour and relatable content, I am able to engage students in a way that traditional educational resources often fail to do , and the fact that this page is not only for memes but for some educational and informational Content too which could help Humanities Students. I also make sure to provide a mix of educational and fun content to keep my followers engaged.
4. Tell us more about your YouTube Channel.
In addition to my Instagram page, I also have a YouTube channel where I and my elder Sister Amisha Gautam ( who has done her graduation and post graduation in History ) create videos on various topics related to the humanities Stream . The channel is an extension of my Instagram page and aims to provide a more detailed understanding of various subjects. The videos cover a range of topics, including book reviews, interviews with experts, and career guidance. Our channel is a way for us to connect with students on a more personal level and provide them with the information they need to pursue their passion in the humanities
5. How has this impacted your life? Any experience that you would like to share?
Running Humanities Adda has been an incredibly rewarding experience for me. Not only have I been able to help others, but I have also learned a lot about myself and my own strengths and weaknesses. It has given me a sense of purpose and fulfilment, knowing that I am helping students who were in the same position as me.
Talking about experiences that stands out to me , there's a lot for example when I received messages from my students thanking me helping them out in exams , for helping out with their College Admissions , they usually send thankful messages for creating this page , because through this they get motivated , through this they get all important information and study material , guidance Support and many more things , also one of the prestigious university professor praised me for my page & for my notes which I provide to students & for my youtube channel , all these moment made all the hard work worth it.
And also you feel great when you realise there are people who laugh because of you , who feel proud because of you , who feel good because of you .
6. What is your idea of success or your mantra in life?
My mantra in life is to keep learning and growing, and to always pursue my passions. To me, success is not just about achieving goals, but also about enjoying the journey and making a positive impact on the world around me.
I believe Consistency is the key to success
If you have started something, don't stop. Be regular in your work & believe in yourself. It's very important. Hurdles are everywhere. Face it, fight with it and achieve your goal.
7. Was there any setback that you later realised was a stepping stone?
Yes, there have been setbacks along the way. At times, I have felt overwhelmed and doubted whether I could continue running Humanities Adda. But instead of giving up, I used it as an opportunity to learn and improve my content. Eventually, my hard work paid off and my page started gaining traction. Each setback has taught me valuable lessons and helped me grow as a person and as a leader.
Overall, my journey has been one of overcoming challenges and creating a platform to help others. I hope that through my efforts, I can inspire and empower students from the humanities background to pursue their dreams and make a positive impact on society
I believe that the humanities are an essential part of education and provide us with a better understanding of society and culture. Unfortunately, these subjects are often undermined and not given the importance they deserve. I wanted to create a platform that would not only help students in their academic pursuits but also encourage them to pursue their passion for the humanities..
8. Which is your favourite book and why ?
One of my favourite books is Ikigai. Ikigai" is a book that explores the Japanese concept of "ikigai," which translates to "a reason for being" or "a sense of purpose in life." The book delves into the secrets of longevity and happiness in Japanese culture, which has one of the highest life expectancies in the world.
It discusses the importance of finding balance in work, leisure, and personal relationships, as well as finding a sense of meaning and fulfillment in life. Overall, "Ikigai" offers a unique perspective on life and happiness that is rooted in Japanese culture, and it has resonated with many readers worldwide.
Interviewed By - Nimisha
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