I just returned from a month long business- vacation trip to the US. What always amazes me is how Americans feel pride in so many things –
proud to be an alumnus of a school or college and wanting to give back, proud
of the heritage- culture of the state they belong to, proud to be Americans ! On
the other hand most (not all) Indians in India don’t really feel this pride in
being Indians. Granted we have a lot to be cynical about, the corruption,
pollution, poverty…list is endless but I always believe the word “motherland”
was coined for a reason. If your mother gets really sick and handicapped, yes
you will feel bad but at the same time, you will do your best to help her. So
why cant the criticism vs contribution be at least in the ratio of 2:1 vs 100:1
or more that I currently see??
I met several Indians in America who are well off, spend
hours analyzing and criticizing India and when asked why they don’t try to make
a difference and give back, replied “I am an American and not an Indian”
Convenient J
On the other hand, I also met family and friends who handed
me cash and cheques to donate to ngos
But the ratio of criticism vs contribution hasn’t changed…it
is still skewed and the criticism and cynicism is endless……
The goal of this blog
is to spread awareness about some inspiring philanthropists and good work being
done, I would like to share 2 amazing people I met in the US, at a conference
in Philadelphia – Indiaspora organized by my dear friend Rajan Navani, one of
the most competent but more importantly one of the nicest people I know.
So here are the 2 stories ----
Mr Sunil Wadhwani,
founder of Igate, entrepreneur, multi billionaire, who is giving back crores
and more importantly his time and intellect to make a difference. Please visit www.wishfoundationindia.org
Watch this 15 minute video where he speaks so well about the
work he is doing
Gist – he is
helping on 2 fronts
Firstly, identifying and funding health innovators as he
rightly believes that technology can
significantly increase access & reduce cost of healthcare in india
he has identified 170 health innovations and his foundation
is personally funding and helping 15 of these, he is in the process of raising
30 million dollar social venture fund for India as he believes that social
entrepreneurship is the most under funded area in India.
Secondly, he has tied up with 3 state governments, Madhya
Pradesh, Rajasthan & Odisha to manage and run their primary heath care
centers (220 in Rajasthan alone, first time in the history of Rajasthan that
anything like this has been turned over to the private sector. The success of
these 220 will then be replicated by the government in the 10,000 clinics they manage!).
A much needed structured and corporate approach to healthcare for the poorest!
The second inspiring person I met is Srikanth Bolla, blind entrepreneur from a very poor background who
has created a 50 cr company !
Watch this 11 min video to see how beautifully he speaks
Gist – he had to
sue the indian government as he wasn’t allowed to pursue science post 10th,
was the first international student to graduate from the prestigious MIT school
in US and has stated a company to make eco friendly products that hires 150
people, 70% being disabled! WOW
When you read about such people, you wonder how they will be
in person and when I met him, I was inspired by his spunk, wit & confidence!
I look forward to sharing many more such stories in the
coming months, do try to connect with these ngos/ philanthropists and
contribute, if nothing else….read, spread the word, get inspired and most
importantly feel proud to be an Indian !
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