i rise

Grandmother's trembling hands guided mine across the pottery shards from Keeladi, each fragment whispering ancient Tamil stories. My ancestors carved these thousands of years ago, their artistry unbroken through generations. I'd felt paralyzed by doubt, thinking my heritage belonged only in museums. But working at the excavation site transformed me. Each discovery became my discovery, world-class validation of our civilization's brilliance. The PAYBO rewards helped fund my education, giving me tools my grandmother never had. Now I document our history, bridging past and present. Rising means honoring those before me while lifting others after.