Kiran Sethi, an inspiration !

Graduate from prestigious institute like NID……..

left her fledging designing career to start a school as she was dissatisfied with her sons learning experience, Riverside her school on the banks of Sabarmati river in Ahmedabad is one of the top most schools in Ahmedabad and nationally recognized as a pioneer in education for several innovative learning models (schoolriverside.com)………

started “Aproch” and “ Design for Change”, 2 innovative initiatives…………

got several prestigious awards like the Asian Game Changer Award 2015 , awards from Rockefeller foundation, Ashoka and so many more…………….

is a highly sought out speaker at prestigious forums across the globe ………….

has pictures with Bill Clinton and Obama …..

PHEW…..and not to mention she is gorgeous, humble and with an infectious energy and charm that can blow you away when you meet her in person ……I was super lucky to meet this super woman a couple days back……KIRAN SETHI…talk about multitasking and excelling at everything !!!!

If you want a glimpse of her world please see her short but impactful 8 min you tube vide as a TED speaker in 2009, https://www.ted.com/talks/kiran_bir_sethi_teaches_kids_to_take_charge?language=en

Also see her episode with Amitabh Bachchan on “Aaj ki Raat hai Zindagi”

My take away of her fundamental belief – Children are not just our future, they are the NOW. Why wait till they are older to have them make a change? Make them “Aware” and then “Enable” and “Empower” then now to be the change !

She believes that when students engage with their community, demonstrate empathy and feel good about themselves, they also do well academically!

Some key facts about the incredible work being done by this amazing lady

·      Design for Change – This is an initiative that encourages children to identify a problem in their community that is bothering them and “design” a solution. It is about changing their mindset from “Can I” to “I Can”. They get a week to do this. 4379 schools participate, thousands of stories pour in ever year from even the remotest corners of India, followed by annual “I can awards”. Children through dharnas, fundraisers, street plays and so many creative means find solutions to community problems like alcoholism, child marriage, child labour, bullying and so many more issues. 40 countries across the globe have adopted this initiative (talk about Make in India !!)and more to join ….. (www.dfcworld.com). Help bring DFC to more schools and communities, spread the word….

·      Aproch is an initiative where she has worked with the government to make Ahmedabad India’s first child safe city. Every Sunday, the busiest streets of Ahmedabad close down and are taken over by children from all walks of life, children are skating, drawing, cycling, a truly inclusive and safe environment. Same with playgrounds and cinema halls across the city! (www.aproch.org)

To me Kiran is a role model, I feel proud that 40 countries have adopted her model instead of the other way around, thanks to Kiran and DFC, they think of India as a hub of education innovation !

Nothing was handed to her, several naysayers told her that her ideas would not get funding, were too impractical, larger than life…..but persistence and passion can work wonders and Kiran is a living case study of just that !!! Kiran, Thank you for inspiring me J