In this episode of The Storied Way Perspective, Rituparna sits down with Mehak Sharma for a heartfelt and thought-provoking conversation on the powerful intersection of storytelling and wisdom. Together, they explore the mission and journey of Project FUEL and the Uttarakhand Wisdom Library (UWL)—two initiatives rooted in honouring lived experiences and preserving cultural heritage.

From the quiet villages of Uttarakhand to digital spaces across the globe, Mehak shares how personal narratives can become powerful tools of connection, resilience, and growth. The conversation reflects on what it means to reconnect with our roots, slow down, listen deeply, and carry forward community wisdom in a fast-paced world.

• Storytelling shapes identity and brings people closer.
• Wisdom emerges from everyday life and lived experience.
• Project FUEL captures life lessons from around the world.
• Human connection is vital for meaningful growth.
• Culture and community are preserved through intentional storytelling.
• Everyone has a story worth telling—even if it's not told often.
• Contributing to a storytelling community is both a gift and a responsibility.
• It's okay for stories to be light, nostalgic, or imperfect—they still matter.
• We must respect and reclaim our roots while moving forward.
• The challenge of gathering stories is part of the storyteller’s journey.

Project FUEL (Forward the Understanding of Every Life Lesson) captures the practical wisdom of people across the globe and transforms it into tools for learning and change. By designing immersive experiences from life lessons, Project FUEL fosters empathy, creativity, and intercultural understanding.

The **Uttarakhand Wisdom Library (UWL)** is a living archive of the stories, traditions, festivals, landscapes, and voices of Uttarakhand. It goes beyond postcard views to capture the region’s spirit—its quiet strength, lived realities, and deep-rooted wisdom.

Through storytelling, UWL seeks to preserve and share the cultural richness of Uttarakhand with the world.

Mehak began her journey in the classroom, where she learned the power of clear communication and deep connection. Over time, her path led her through diverse roles in communications, administration, and digital strategy—always rooted in purpose and people.

Today, she blends creative content with data-driven insights, working across platforms to amplify meaningful stories. Whether she’s decoding algorithms or sipping chai in soft sunlight, Mehak is grounded in the everyday beauty of life.

Connect with Mehak: Instagram | LinkedIn

Connect with Rituparna | ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠LinkedIn⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ | ⁠⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠⁠

Visit ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠www.yourstorybag.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Write to us at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠podcast@yourstorybag.com⁠⁠⁠⁠

Season 1 of ⁠⁠The Storied Way Perspective