The Mantra of Empowering Young

Recently Rekha and Inderjit Sharma, 75+ year old senior citizens of Mumbai, India had a manifestation of their continued efforts towards empowering young girls - daughters of a rickshaw driver, or a vegetable seller, or perhaps a cobbler or cleaner; where their education is the least priority and restriction is norm.

It is to such girls that they provide support by encouraging them to continue their studies, teaching them to communicate in the world language 'English' and alongside facilitating them with the skill of sewing garments for children and women using sewing machines and fabric donated by friends and family. 

The year long effort of sewing and coaching concluded by facilitating them with a platform to experience public interaction. This was made possible on two occasions - The first being at the annual exhibition of the Dilkhush Center at Juhu where they set up stalls of fun games like 'blow in the cork' and 'how steady is your hand' - both the games were made by the children and taught them to apply their learning of physics. Needless to say that the experience of trying to blow the cork in and keeping the hand steady while carefully taking the wired loop across the twisted band to avoid touching it and sparking the beep brought a load of delight for the challengers - collecting the coupons and donating the same to the school taught the children how to give without expecting anything in return.

The second interaction was at the School of Life at Andheri Versova Link Road where the sewed garments were first displayed on hangers with price tags, the team was taught how to respond to queries about the garments, complete the transaction, packing and finally taking feedback. 

The simple objective of this exercise was to empower the young girls with the confidence to interact in society, acquire a skill that they can use to earn a livelihood and learn the intricacies of what it takes to create a home grown venture.

The result was heartening as most of the garments flew off the hangers thanks to the enthusiastic visitors who encouraged the girls for their efforts and hard work. 

The smiles on their young and hopeful faces when the exhibition came to a close were priceless; while for Rekha and Inderjit their minds were busy making plans of how to fulfill new dreams in the new year.

Social Entrepreneur - Can you be one?

Entrepreneurship normally is a form of work that people with leadership qualities easily take to, and if the leader is inspiring and has an incredible idea or innovation that makes life better, he or she naturally attract followers to believe in their passion and co-create wealth for stakeholders. Now imagine a leader that has a passion to create wealth with a social mission as its epicenter – a mission that is viable while effecting change, that is inclusive of people living at the fringes of society and that can reach out to people across the globe; a business leader of such an enterprise is called a social entrepreneur.

They both create opportunities – but there is a difference. The regular entrepreneur thinks only of his enterprise and donates in retrospect while the social entrepreneur thinks of how his enterprise can change the lives of people by empowering them to be a part of the change.

Years ago, I had the privilege of working on OASIS (Old Age Social Income Security) a project initiated by a small company called Invest India Economic Foundation, under the aegis of the Ministry of Social Justice – we endeavored to develop a pensions framework for retired people of India by encouraging them to systematically save money into a professionally managed pension scheme during their work lives so that they can continue to live with dignity in their golden years – our team led by Gautam Bhardwaj worked tirelessly and passionately initiating research papers, conducting conferences, meeting stock market experts, insurance and mutual fund heads, government officials and bureaucrats for several years; more often than not having cost over-runs - the result of that project is the recently launched New Pension Scheme.

Around the same time I got acquainted with the phenomenal work of Mohammad Yunus, the economist from Bangladesh, who created the unique ideology of micro-finance and formed the Grameen Bank, which helped the poorest of the poor to break out of poverty by providing loans to entrepreneurs who could not qualify for regular bank credit – loans were given in solidarity groups that ensured repayment.

In the United States; Leilah Jenah started the Sama Source, which works effectively to uplift communities across the globe - they simply understood the billions-of-dollars-worth business process outsourcing model and turned it into an enterprise that used technology to get thousands of poor people to be part of projects and gave money straight into their hands. Goodwill Industries popularly associated with charity, employs marginalized people, recycles donated clothing and helps corporations with doing their events and managing their relocation - they earn store revenues amounting to $3 billion.

Closer home the SEWA Bank formed by Elaben Bhatt works successfully with poor women with the mantra that they are 'bankable' as they are economically active; and not to be forgotten is Dr. Verghese Kurien’s white revolution gave livelihood to millions making India one of the world’s largest producers of milk and made Amul a household name.

All the examples mentioned above are successful social entrepreneurship stories led by great minds that kept their mission of effecting change in societies as their epicenter.

Among the many global problems, poverty is one that leads to personal misery and frustration. Poverty is the result of lack of opportunity to make a livelihood for loved ones. 'An idle mind is a devils workshop' is an old adage that has never been more meaningful in today's times than before, as all of us belong to the global village with connectivity and awareness of what we can have and can't because of or the lack of, our financial capacities. This stark reality of the poor is more in our face today and yes we feel guilt but don't take time out to empathise because we are too busy with our personal endeavours to do better, thereby widening the divide between the haves and the have not's. This divide aids angst against the better endowed and often results in crime and unrest. Social entrepreneurship today seeks to provide occupation to those educated but idle minds, thus reducing the divide and being an essential ingredient to pave the way for global peace.

What further aids social entrepreneurs’ today is the new but popular ideology called impact sourcing, which is sourcing based on social impact and quality. Procurement Managers from corporations have the option to choose the partners they wish to work with through the year for their business related needs and are also are conscious of the companies corporate social responsibility #CSR targets. There is a growing trend to consciously work with organisations that have an explicit social mission. By choosing to work with such enterprises they ensure that their allocated budget is actually being used to address issues like poverty alleviation. This way of reaching out to people and aiding their lives is far more effective and real than donating money to an NGO at the end of the year or hoping that a fraction of the tax one pays is collected by the government and appropriately disbursed to improve the lives of the needy.

#socialentrepreneurship is one of the important keys that can make each one of us have a meaningful role to play and feel the responsibility of making our world a truly global village and us a truly global family.

#KOD #EEMA Treasure Hunt!

I met with Vijay Arora, Vice President #EEMA North three weeks ago at his beautiful office. I was meeting him on behalf of Kingdom of Dreams, India’s ultimate live entertainment destination. As ingenious as he is, he suggested that we host the 2^nd EEMA North Treasure Hunt at #KOD. We mutually decided on going ahead with the idea and Saturday, 19 December 2015 was set as the date for the event.

#EEMA North led by Vijay Arora swung into action putting together an expert team of Mandeep Singh, Sachin Talwar, Anushree Agarwal, Amanveer Singh, Rajesh Varma and Sharad Mathur who discussed elements and allocated tasks for the event. They soon did a #KOD recci, engaged vendor partners and talent, created the communication pieces, announced the event to its members and before you could say oompa-ga-loompa the day of the event was here!

There was a flurry of activity from the wee hours of the 19^th with the KOD operations, F&B, technical and stage management teams – menus were set and executed, dry and technical runs were done and dress codes were decided. Then came in the #EEMA production team for the venue set up at the #KODcourtyard – mojos barricades, stage, truss, lights, speakers, generators, sound/light/AV consoles, décor and branding were put in place; and the Treasure Hunt control room team were connected up to the and we were finally all set to welcome the guests!

It was a day of fun and frolic for the event managers - people that work, tirelessly day in and out to meet their clients’ needs and ever changing deadlines. It was our endeavor that they all let their hair down and have a blast and for a change be a part of the fun. The day’s activities included a treasure hunt that would be flagged off from #KOD and take the participating teams across the city doing some crazy tasks and finding clues to finally complete the race back at #KOD.

After the guests were flagged off from the huge parking lot I got call from Sharad Mathur, “Priya, my family will be privileged if you could join our team in the race … Please come quickly to gate No.2” I had just ordered some lunch at #Culturegully and the food hadn’t yet come to the table plus I was unsure whether I was required to be a part of the evening arrangements – however when Sumit assured me with confidence that he would manage just fine, I jumped at the opportunity and rushed to meet Sharad and his lovely wife Saroja and their sons Shubh and Shaurya – they welcomed me with open arms as they made place for me in their Mercedes.

Each team would be given clues and tasks that need to be unraveled and completed and the proof of which was a selfie with all the members being present in it in front of the destination or while doing the task had to be sent to our Marshall by WhatsApp from the registered mobile number only – any queries or assistance would result in negative marks. The first clue took some time to come in as I tucked into the snack box that had been given to each car. The first clue came in after a few minutes and from then on started the race across the city, racking our brains over the tricky clues being doled out to us – arguing about the possible correct outcomes – searching Google Kaur again and again and again – reaching the destination of the clue (in our case we had Rustoms, Polaris, Trillion, Showtime office, Bikaner) and clicking the necessary selfie – sending the selfie to our Marshall as proof – receiving a CORRECT from her and cheering with shrieks in the car...

,,, and then waiting for the next clue/task, jumping out and into the car to perform the crazy tasks (click a selfie with a traffic cop, get Michael’s visiting card, do a video donating money to a beggar, buy some booze at a BYOB thekka, buy Santa caps and click a selfie) and then charging into KOD to complete the race. The kids were besides themselves with joy as were Saroja and Sharad and couldn’t stop saying what a wonderful experience they had together … and I was on top of the world as I had been a part of an awesome treasure hunt with a lovely family!!

 

The evening saw the guests reassemble at #KOD where they were treated with some fantastic starters and food, soulful music by Shukraan and Mehak followed by thumping retro tracks and DJ music that had the crowds hitting the floor ... heads of the companies were dancing with teams and their family members - I couldn't help feel joy for each of them as they let their hair down just having a fun time, 

The MC Shilpa Bhasin was brilliant and thanks to her sharp wit and creative quips she totally held the audience throughout the day and evening making the celebrations even more enjoyable. 

Finally it was time for the prize distribution and the first prize was given to STORY. 

Our team stood third - the boys were thrilled when our name was called out and they went up on stage to receive the trophy with smiles and cheers led by their enthusiastic parents dragging me along as they insisted that I was also a rightful winner - toooo cute!

I bid them goodbye with warmth and when Saroja said, ‘Abb aap hamari family ki ho gayi hain. Aaap agli baar Dilli aayein toh hamaare ghar zaroor aayiye,’ I hugged her warmly saying, ‘I will be a pleasure.’

When I retired for the day that night I reflected on the days events and smiled ,,, what a beautiful day it had been ... and a time truly well spent with perfect organisation thanks to the KOD team and loads of fun thanks to the EEMA North organising committee ... When a day like this passes through my life, my faith in this world is reinstated.

My color is #PINKA

The best memories I have of studying at the Cathedral & John Connon School, were of the numerous activities we had from day one of a school year all the way to the last - so apart from the studying and social service students had to do, they also did dramatics, music, art, debates, elocution (English & Hindi), basketball, gymnastics, throw-ball, track events, cricket, tennis, rugby, badminton, chess and the MARATHON ... simply superlative opportunities for the students to hone their respective skills. And as a student then, I take pride in saying, I took part in most of the above activities except for tennis, cricket and rugby; and of all of them, the toughest but the most fun was the marathon we ran amidst the wilderness for our respective houses (mine was Barham) to win the big chunk of points that would result in the glorious house cup at the end of the year. That was 33 years ago ...

Early this morning I broke routine and jumped out of my snug fleece blanket to wake up at 3.30 AM, got dressed, had a banana and some almonds and at 5 AM sharp drove with Aparna, Priyanka, Lata, Meenu, Nishita and Lipika to Bandra Kurla Complex to be there at 5.30 AM. My excitement was not unlike that of a child, as I had registered myself for the 10 km marathon at #pinkathon Mumbai 2015; an event to encourage women to make the choice of an active healthy lifestyle & by example, inspire their loved ones to do the same. This was a race for women and this morning 11,000+ women stood tall with me to do their bit in their own unique way to set an example to their families and friends and above all to themselves. 

Nostalgia and mixed emotions ran through my body as we were flagged off from the starting point at 6.30 AM amidst DJ music playing on the huge speakers and women dancing the Zoomba; the brand ambassador Milind Soman looking charismatic and appealing as ever in his salt and pepper hair waving and wishing the squealing women luck and assuring them that he would be waiting for them at the finish line; the MC screaming instructions while shutterbugs desperately clicked the action and paparazzi did their spiel with their backs to the runners; volunteers waved flags shouting 'Go Pinka go' as the Naval band played their drums and trumpets with much gusto and the time mapping machines beeped as each girl passed it ... and to add to all this cacophony and jamboree were of course the Pinka's - the pink sisters ... the 11000+ GIRLS who were screaming cheers of excitement, poking fun at each other, giggling, clicking quick selfies, dancing to the beats, then walking, then jogging and finally once they were out of the 100 m noisy corridor at the start, the real running.

And run they did, as did I! The streets of BKC were pink this morning with girls of every size, age, social status and religion. There were girls who were 75+ and under 5; girls wearing hip sports shoes to girls running in chappals and bare feet; girls in trendy and very sexy sportswear to girls in saris, salwar kameez, hijaab's and pink burkhas; girls with perfect fitness to fat girls and very skinny girls; girls in corporate Tshirts (Kotak Bank, Nomura, ICICI Bank, KPMG etc.) and girls dressed in the white event Tshirt; girls with earphones and girls with music playing on their phone loudspeakers some playing soulful Atif Aslam music, Mika and retro 80’s hits of the like of Bryan Adams, MJ; girls seriously running and girls ambling along as they clicked selfies, photos and videos at every milestone; girls who were young mothers walking with their babies strapped into a shoulder harness to a girl with a prosthetic limb and a girl with crutches; girls with their boyfriends on roaring bikes showing off their unnecessarily dangerous skills and girls with a boy running along with them pushing them to go on; girls running alone and girls running in groups; girls silently running and girls chatting ... errr ... about this and that and that and this, and then and now and now and then, and who and what and what and who and … God alone knows what not else!

Although I have been walking as a daily form of exercise, this was my first run after so long, so my run went something like this … Jogging – Running - Slow jogging - walking – attempt to run and back to walking – slow jogging and so on. And hence without having a choice in the matter, I was privy to a variety of conversations of the enthusiastic Pinkas :) ...

"I'm already tired"

"Seriously ... and its not even one kilometer! Shit ya ... what if I faint!? Aye you better take my photo at the finish line where it is written 10 km okay." 

"Arey why bother, lets take a photo of you lying at the 1 km milestone ... we'll add a zero for you. Itni toh dosti nibhayengey" (laughter and backslapping)

"We are looking best in these red Tshirts yaar", said one of the Kotak girls. 

"Yes we are the best."

"Yaar signal nahin hai"

"Tera Vodafone hai na ... Idea laga ... dekh mera network full hai"

"Chal selfie lete hain - dekh 1 KM aagaya - FB pe mujhe tag kar"

The KPMG girls bursting into a sudden sprint "Come on yaar, stop walking ... run run run" giggles as they all followed suit with their ponytails swishing behind them

"Skuze me .. can you please take our photo?"

"Sure"

"Please take a full length"

An middle aged more than plump Pinka to the volunteers at the water station

"Koi buscuits nahin hai kya?"

"You will get at the finish line maam"

"Tch .. arrey but mujhe abhi chahiye na -- chakkar aaraha hai"

"Maam aap please baith jao"

"Here have this sweet" said an onlooking Pinka

"Oh ... thank you"

"Modi ka latest video dekha tuney? Arrey awesome hai" "Nahin, bhej mujhe - baad mein dekhoongi - tch phone theek se charge hi nahin hua ... aur selfie kheench kheench ke battery aur bhi marr gayi hai" giggles

"Salman aur kaun ... " 

"Mera toh Shahrukh ... only shahrukh - Dilwale first day first show jaoongi" 

"Bol toh aise rahi hai jaise tera boyfriend hai"

"Haan toh hai na... tu jal matt khali peeli"

"Mama godii"

"No darling no godii ... see Pooja and her mama have already gone so far - you want to come first na? Come on walk fast"

"...aur compound ekdum mast hai toh roz walk ho jaati hai"

"Lucky yaar - apne yahan to chalne ke bhi waandey hain"

"Toilet .. chal na susu karna hai mujhe"

"Tch .. phir se? Chal jaldi kar yaar"

"Do minute baba"

"You are the only boy I am seeing in this race - very good!" said a Pinka to a young boy running alongside a young Pinka

"Thank you ... actually I'm just with her - to encourage"

His Pinka girl giggled 

"You are still a boy only okay"

"Ya .. so? ... I am a boy ... come on run faster!"

"Where is this Kamala ya" 

"God alone knows"

"Has she gone ahead?"

"I think she got left behind at the turning"

"Should we wait?"

"No no ... we'll meet her after the race"

"You have been running for one hour and twenty minutes, you have completed 8 km and burned 1500+ calories"

"Hey what is that?"

"Oh that is my phone - its an APP called Runtastic, that tracks progress of my walk/run routine - You can download it too"

"Cool"

... and so on :)

Until 6 km I was doing fine, but after that my body started dragging itself and I had to really push myself to keep going walking, jogging, walking quick spurts of running for what seemed like an age and I finally saw the last 100 m mark. The cacophony began again - C'mon you can do it - its almost over - Pink Pinka Pinka - Awesome job - keep it going - last few steps - claps - more claps - naval band playing - screaming MC cheering us on - music blaring in the speakers - shutterbugs contouring themselves to get the best possible angles ... my 10 km run finally came to a close at 8.05 am - it had taken me 1 hour and 35 minutes to complete the race and I was pooped to the last bone in my body, but my heart and mind were rejoicing at the fact that I had finally pushed myself to complete the race and I believe despite the chatter and ambling and clicking so did the rest of the 11000+ pink sisters. 

As promised, Milind Soman was on stage in all his glory ... prizes were distributed to the winners, dancers came on stage to celebrate with the girls as they danced along. The only photo booth had a thick snaking line so I decided to ditch it and stood in line for my medal, certificate and refreshments as I stretched my limbs to avoid breaking into cramps. As I was slowly moving forward I surveyed the milieu of girls around me and saw tired but smiling and happy faces discussing their respective runs. And then I saw the little girl who wanted godii finally in her father's godii as her mother animatedly narrated their experience to him ... and when he looked on with pride at his two special girls I couldn't help but smile ... 

It was my turn finally and I took my refreshments bag, which included a tiny bottle of RAW fresh juice, digestive biscuits and a Kiwi ... AND a Pinkathon medal!?$#@ (which unfortunately was the only disappointment as there was no distinction from one race' medal to another) ... I wore my medal, drank the juice, chomped on some of the biscuits and slowly limped back to the car to get homeward bound with a firm resolve to be back again!

Veteranism at weddings by a perfect gentleman

I had an interesting meeting last evening at a friend's daughters wedding reception at a five star hotel in town. I took my place in the long queue behind an elegantly dressed lady, waiting for my turn to wish the bride and groom on achieving their big milestone.

And along came a fine looking gentleman chewing something. He immediately stretched out his right hand to greet me while he covered his mouth with his left "Sorry ... (while chewing) Good evening," he said after he finished chewing, "You know it is good to chew on something while we wait because you never know how long this could take. You see I'm a veteran at attending weddings in this city." 

He took his place behind me and so I turned to smile at him, "Good evening and what makes you a veteran?"

"Well I have attended an umpteen number of weddings in this city and so I have now figured out the art of making it as pleasant an experience despite the frustrations that one is forced to deal with. In the first place getting to a venue is the most infuriating as most wedding receptions start at 7.00 pm and that is the peak hour for traffic. So, although my home on a traffic free day is 10 mins away, this evening it has taken me 45 mins to get here. This could have been 2 hours at the minimum had the venue been in the suburbs."

"I can't agree more - traffic in the city is a nightmare!"

"So, when you finally reach the venue, much flustered most of the time depending on the mode of transport you have used, you first need to go to the wash room to freshen up and touch up as it has been a while since you have been on the road. Then you find out directions and get to the designated banquet hall, where as you enter you first need to figure out the layout of the hall and what the rest of the guests are doing. Is the couple ready to meet guests on stage or they yet to arrive? If they have arrived on stage before you arrived it is more than certain that there is a line to meet them on the right of the stage. So instead of approaching the stage to wish the couple, you have to master the art of containing your enthusiasm and like a civil guest find the end of the line, take your place in it and then patiently wait for your TURN. And of course depending on the number of guests invited and your luck it could take anything between 45 mins to an hour before you actually get to meet the couple by which time you are sweaty again (if it is an open air venue) and your stomach is growling with hunger."

"That is so true," I said "In fact I often duck the line when it is really long and go straight for the food counters ... specially if I don't know too many other people at the wedding, and go about the greeting later."

It was about 8.30 pm by then and my stomach was making demands of "FEED ME" to my brain with repeated ferocity. Finger foods were doing the rounds at a slight distance from us and so I signaled to one of the waiters. Thankfully he caught my eye and moved in our direction with a tray of Chicken Tikka and a practiced smile.

My newly acquired queue friend (I'm going to call him QF) looked on animatedly as I poked at a piece of chicken with a toothpick, dipped in the green chutney bowl and popped it in my mouth. It was delicious so I quickly grabbed another piece from the tray and looked at QF suggesting that he should try some too, "No thanks, I will go with vegetarian."

"Oh okay... can you send some vegetarian snacks please?" I said to the waiter. He nodded and moved on. I too am a preferred vegetarian, I said in my mind. I couldn't get myself to say it aloud though, since I had just merrily stuffed my face with chicken tikka pieces!

Another gentleman who seemed to know QF well walked up and greeted him and they began to exchange pleasantries so I looked ahead and beyond the many heads in front of me to guesstimate how long it would be before it was my turn. There were at least 20 people ahead of me and that meant anything between 25 to 30 mins more!

QF cleared his throat behind me, as if to indicate that he was ready to continue his piece on being a veteran and so I turned and smiled at him again, "The waiting is made easier by engaging in a conversation with someone enchanting like yourself. Actually it is best to take weddings away from the city. My wife and I did so for our daughters wedding. We had it at an offsite location for which we called a select group of people who were there with us for all the ceremonies ... there was no traffic or waiting. On stage we had a band playing and the newly weds were walking around meeting the guests."

"Oh that sounds beautiful"

"Indeed it was. Another important thing about the waiting is that when my turn finally arrives I meet the couple, who invariable doesn't know me from Adam ... clearly it wouldn't make a difference to them whether I am here or not. I am here of course because I know one of the parents. Are you known to the girls or the boys family?"

"The girl's mother is an ex-colleague," I said

"Okay ... and once this is done there is a bigger line at the food counter, which takes yet another 30 to 45 mins at the minimum depending on the variety on offer.

At this point along came a waiter with some Mutton Sheekh Kebabs and QF quickly took a piece using a toothpick. I immediately stopped him mid-stuffing his face saying "Hey that is non-vegetarian" to which he said, "I prefer vegetarian, but that doesn't mean I don't eat non-vegetarian" :) 

I was really amused by now and enjoying this conversation and almost wanting my TURN to take longer. "Ah one thing that is key to being at a wedding - to remember to give the envelope. I often forget and am embarrassed ... so I will have it sent later with a note done by my wife," he chuckled and at this point he called out to the lady ahead of me and introduced her to me as his wife. She turned and smiled at me and I was like ... "Oh hello ... it is good to make your acquaintance."

I smiled to myself trying to make out "What just happened?" and then I realised ... QF my dear new found friend, had been chatting with me for the past 45 mins about his veteran-ism on weddings without me having a clue that he was at the wedding with his wife. He had basically arrived at the line after me and instead of joining his wife ahead of me he respectfully stood behind me, and engage in a conversation with me that actually turned out to be delightful. So very uncharacteristic of the usual person that would have just walked past me and joined his wife ignoring me completely.

"What is your name?" he asked.
"Priya Sharma Shaikh."
"There's a story there I'm sure ... what do you do?"
I nodded and smiled, "I am an event management professional."
"Well, then you must be very used to all this."
"Yes I am," I said, "but it is always good to hear a guests perspective."

He nodded and joined his wife to go on to the stage to meet the couple.

It had taken me precisely 45 mins to get to meet the couple and the girl's parents. The mother, friend from some years ago was thrilled to see me and looked proud of her new status as Mother-in-law. I felt happy to see her happiness and I hugged her warmly. The bride looked beautiful and nothing like the gawky teenager I had met over a decade ago. She was quickly given reference of me and she smiled warmly as I hugged and wished her and her handsome groom and his parents ... and I was almost done and then I remembered to handover the envelope.

"Please do eat dinner Priya," my friend called after me. I looked over my shoulder and bid them goodbye and headed to the left of the stage for the stairs to get off. It had all lasted less than five minutes in all.

When I finished my turn QF and his wife were still at the left of the stage (they were ahead of me right!) waiting to say goodbye to me. I was humbled. I thanked him for making the waiting so very special.

And before I knew it he was gone leaving me smiling ... and that was that!