Connect IT Workshop by NASSCOM

I have been attending Connect IT workshop organized by NASSCOM Foundation, started on 18th and will end by 21st January, 2011. This program is being held at KLE's Engineering & Technology College, Belgaum.

Desh Grant to RAPID

I am really thankful to Deshpande Foundation for making us as "CHANGE AGENTS" through its Fellowship Program. The Foundation really wants to bring positive change in Sandbox area.
This year for 2009-10, RAPID has received INR 14.5 lakhs from Deshpande Foundation for improving the economic condition of women in distress like widows, deserted and physically handicapped who are all from poor families.
The support will help us to work with more members and leaves its impact on thinking covering more districts in the days to come!
Thanks to DF for its generous support.

Microsoft, India

Microsoft, India has invited me through RAPID to participate in the Charity run organised by them on 15-Mar-2009 at Bangalore. More than 100 microsoft employees took participation during the run in order to raise money for helping chidren for continuing their education. We were able to raise Rs. 70600/-. I really appreciate and thank them for their generous donation towards our members' children.

Increasing demand for Ilkal Sarees

Umpiring in the AIR

REFLECTIONS ON DFP

Fellowship is a very unique program which helped to explore innovative ideas for solving existing social problems. It also gives vast knowledge about different sectors like education, health, livelihood and micro finance. Interaction with national, international resource persons and guest speakers has motivated me to contribute to the society.
The mixture of theoretical study and the practical work enhanced my skills and understanding about social sector. The fellow led activities like cleaning Nrupatunga hill, Khadi sale and sale of home made products by RAPID members received a positive response from the public. I personally feel that the success of any project depends upon active participation by the public.
The fellowship helped me to allow and develop innovative ideas, and face the challenges, problems, threats to succeed in my life.

Guest Speaker

Ms. Anuja Master Bose was today’s guest speaker. She leads the developmental efforts of social enterprises created by Ramalinga Raju, Founder and Chairman of Satyam Computer Services, and his family.
While addressing the Fellows, she said that philanthropy and social entrepreneurship have changed dramatically. She stressed on three important aspects; a) focusing more on the availability of resources, b) sustainability and c) scalability of any projects. If we have any good idea and the passion to do that work; then there is no dearth of raising money. She is of the opinion that the talent and the passion should intersect.

Taryn's B-Day

Jyadase jyada kya hoga?

Two days back, we had an opportunity to interact with Ms. Chetana Gala Sinha, President, Mann Deshi. We spent about two and half hours with her. The interaction was really useful for those who want to set up their own social enterprises. The success of Mann Deshi is not only resulted in helping more than 85000 clients but also inspires one who is fighting for the social cause in any field.
She is a product of Bombay University, got married to a farmer and stayed in village. Then her real journey of working for the women started. She understood the problems faced by women in rural areas, their inability to take independent decision, lack of awareness for saving. This has given birth to Mann Deshi Women Bank.
Ms. Chetana Sinha had applied to RBI for starting women bank but the RBI officials rejected the application due to the reason that all other members were illiterates. They did not lose the ray of hope. They started learning, four months it took them to learn, finally succeeded.
This time with a new hope and enthusiasm, Chetana with members met Deputy Governor of RBI for approval of the bank. The decision of RBI officials was crucial. The decision in favor of Mann Deshi was changing the whole scenario of women in rural India in the next 15-20 years.
The constant struggle had resulted in getting approval from RBI for starting women bank.
The bank was under losses during the first three years. Now they have a large number of clients and also expanding the activities to many other states of India.
During the interaction, she had shared some of the important points. They are below;
Need to listen carefully
Success will follow a bit late
Allow innovative ideas
Be transparent; people will accept us
Any field has a bright future but work for at least 10 years; success will then follow
Face the challenges, problems, threats; Jyadase jyada kya hoga?

My Learning
We should work for the people but at the same time we should influence policy makers to have laws which are beneficial to poor or deserved ones.

Chicken

Two days back we all have enjoyed Diwali religiously by offering pooja to Lord Hanuman in Nuggikeri, Dharwad. I was accompanied by Mr. Naveen Laxmipathy, an Indicorp Fellow. Nuggikeri is just 3 kilometers away from the Dharwad city. So we went by bike. Throughout our way to the place, we have seen that the buffaloes, sheep and dogs were also going like passengers; crossing the road, causing traffic jam. It was surprised to see all these things. While sitting at home after coming back, he shared an interesting thing (for me) that in US, cities are totally distinguished from rural areas. No one can find cows, buffaloes or hens on the street or roads.
Another point is that chicken, beef or meat of any kind is sold in the open market here. It is called as mutton market. If you see that you will not eat them once in your whole life. While in US people get only the finished meat products. They are left out, not aware of how it is processed. They get only well packed, preserved and ready to eat or use food or any other stuff.
I am sharing it because the 1857 riot was due to several reasons but religious reason was also one among them. British military personals were using fat of pigs and cows in guns. This message spread like anything and Indians started mutiny against British. The rest is history.
Similarly how chicken or meat is produced by brutally killing animals is known to all customers, then we may stop killing them.
Is that right to keep the final users in dark?

Khadism

Khadi is a traditional hand spun fabric used for making Khadi Kurta, Saree etc. Usefulness of Khadi is more as it is good to wear in all the seasons. The look is also good. The prices are very very low. Even the common man can buy it.
But the use of Khadi by common people is very low. It is because, Khadi and Khadism are totally neglected by us. No publicity to it. Only limited items are available in the market. We have compomised with the quality of it. Not ready to cope up with market. All these reasons made Khadi as an untouchable product. Mahatma had seen GOD in Khadi.
Let us wear Khadi once in a week and thereby nurture Khadi and Khadism.

Sale of Khadi in BVB Campus

Demand Draft for Kosi victims

Myself and other two co fellows Mr. Pramod & Mr. Sanjeev have organized Khadi Day on 25-10-2008 at BVB-CET campus, Hubli, Karnataka.
Let us celebrate this Diwali with Khadi. Here is a beautiful quote;
“I believe that where a pure and active love for the poor there is is a God also. I see God in every thread that I draw on the spinning wheel”. Mahatma Gandhi

Eco Tourism - Honnemaradu

Hmmmm....very tasty - Akshaya Patra

Flame Orange

There is a great need to create awareness among the public to keep public places clean. Orrange Team, as a small effort has undertaken a project called “Flame Orrange” which aims at creating awareness among the public who are visiting the Nrupatunga Hill in Hubli. This is a visitors’ place, attracting large number of people in and around Hubli.
These visitors are (Not all) badly maintaining the place by throwing plastics bags, cups and bottles every where. It is hard to find a place to sit and enjoy the beauty of the nature. In this regard, we the Orrange team members are constantly visiting the place and involved in creating awareness among the visitors.
I strongly believe that if people do take active participation, this project will be a successful and sustainable one.

Nature - Enjoy the beauty of it