Why Should I Think?

Our luminary visionaries envisaged a sovereign, socialist, secular, democratic republic and the constitution enshrined social and economic equality for all her citizens. The entire edifice of democracy still stands in these sacrosanct principles. Our executives, legislatures and judiciary are expected to strive to maintain our fundamental aims also by complying with our guiding philosophy of Directive Principles. Last but not the least, the sovereign authority of India – People/Citizens need to be empowered to own their own rights and privileges.

After 66 years of independence, we have myriad stories of success to say. There is no dual opinion in the fact that there are tremendous changes in our economic sphere while comparing to the period two decades ago and it is heartening to realize that our innovations in social and environmental sector have created amble opportunities for development. Even though these are the facts and figures there are multitudes of pressing concerns – there solutions still remain elusive.

The demographic dividend of India is unique that opens immense opportunities of socio-economic development and to ensure our growth inclusive and sustainable. Though the approaches Sustainable Development and Triple Bottom Line (TBL) strategies are suffice to find answers, the most challenging questing is – who will guide the youth of India towards these goals.  When those who are expected to do this onus deviate from their primary goals, there are number of organizations and foundations wake up to take this responsibility.

 It is a high team to seek for changes in our society and politics. But another question is where we start and how we start. There are several young minds like me, those blood is up and have the urge for development, now is in the ramp of searching for a path for a future India, eagerly looking for platforms to connect prevailing issues and possible solutions.

I firmly believe that winter School at the Sambhaavnaa Institute is an ideal opportunity that will provide fresh lens to my eyes to view different social, environmental and economic issues in different perspective and in a new angle.  This effective mutual blend of theory and practice of social change covers Economic Policy, Social Justice, Democratic Governance, Ecological Sustainability, Social Movements and Alternatives to Development are my areas of interests that will pave way for strengthening my social actions.

We need a change and we need to change- but this is possible only through us – A SELF DRIVEN URGE FOR CHANGE AND DEVELOPMENT. I want to stand for the change and bear the torch for development. To be a herald of goodness I will flash my little lamb where ever I can, with the hope – Sambhavan will ignite my lamb to an intense luminosity.

A Letter to the Director, Sambhavan

Dear Sutradhar,

Thank you for the mail and informing a genuine concern. I hope you are seeking for right and best candidates for Samanvay and Sambavan.

Franky speaking, I too in a dilemma. At one side I want to participate in this 'Rethink' , and at the same time there are so many  deserving candidates seeking for financial assistance eagerly waiting for  the positive response from 'nayi dishaayein'. As you mentioned in the mail, money is a matter for many and the situation is not different for me also.

Your mail touched my heart and forced to me find some money for the program.  I strongly believe this work shop will help me to understand  myriad governance issues and the modus operandi of tackling social evils. Definitely, it worth more than the nominal fee you are expecting. This amount was not a matter for me a year ago while I was working. But now I am perusing PhD to  improve my credentials and for the betterment of policy interest. My goal is to reach a lead position in making and executing right policies for public interest and now I am in the mission to achieve my target. Also I was forced to spent some money for our organizations activity (GOAL@25).
I was expecting my scholarship amount from the university, but it is not yet sanctioned. I think it will take some time, so I am maintaining austerity. I am totally aware about the financial condition of my parents and not in a position to ask financial support.

This my belief - "Opportunity will knock the right door at right time" .- Today or Tomorrow. I request you to make sure the grant should be reached at the right hand.

I am not sure about whether I can offer some amount or not. I left with two options.

1. I can work for some organization/agency for getting enough money (Can you arrange?)

2. I will attend/pay the event just after receiving scholarship from the university (I will afford full amount)

There are number of reformers without any selfish attitude - I salute and admire them. Also I have seen many rich but corrupted people, only with lip services and token actions. Also powerful but no strong desire for social development and clear vision for community enhancement. I don't want to live in a world where poor becomes poor and corrupted becomes corrupted. I dream for a just, equitable and sustainable India. I want to establish and widen 'Green Life India International' to promote sustainability.

From the short tenure, I realized

Not all rich men can help poor

Not all powerful men can stand for the rights of underprivileged

Not all innovative persons can execute pro poor plans

But a person with money/might+mind can do anything for the society.

Right to the point, Now I don't have money and power (legal). But have a right mind. And striving for power and status. Certainly it is for admiration along with inculcate and impart right vision for my followers. So no one can stop to execute my missions for the welfare of society.

We can't take anything after death, but we can leave our footprints for our coming generations. So Live, Love, Learn and Leave Legacy!

Expecting Your Valuable response.

Thanking  You
Paul V Mathew

Why I am a Traveller

This is the first time I know about this wonderful journey. Actually I want to participate as a Yatri. But my age is now 26. So I went across the responsibilities of a Facilitator and consoled myself that I can successfully perform the responsibility.

I have 4 years full time work experience in social sector.

I have conducted different tours and organized various meets/camps

Most of the programs I involve are with students and youth

I have a keen desire to make my enterprise a viable one

I have participated in different discussions

I have so many things to share with my team mates

I have a good character and strong discipline

Above all I love to inculcate my visions and impart good values to as many I can. So I think this is an excellent opportunity for me to encourage youths to an active partners of national development through successful business enterprises.  As I have a degree in business administration, I can clarify some doubts of my team members, also many of the team members may have creative ideas, so I can create an excellent platform to share, discuss, debate and crystallize the concept of their business

Most of the initiative I have associated with is in social development. While I was working in MACFAST, We have conducted different programs for students and Youth. Under the banner of GLII, I have organized various programs like.

Village Life Experience Tours, Kerala

College Tours, (Tourism Club) 3-5 Days

Inter Collegiate Management Meet

Annual Day Celebrations

Participated as National Service Scheme Volunteer

Class Representative

Quiz Competitions

Seminars and Work Shops

Medical Camp

Youth Development Programs (50 Members)

Local sensitization Programs

Training for Students, Youths, Engineers, Tour Guides, Drivers and local artisans

Handled different sessions on Morality, Personality Development for students

As a facilitator I want to be

An Excellent Learner

A transformational leader and

An effective mentor

I want to be dexterous by handling different types of people from different parts of the country

By listening the views of team members I will be more enlightened.

Also I can improve my leadership skill, motivating skill and listening skill

We are the travelers in this world. To find an ideal path, and move through the way or to create a new path and experience it, then show this to our followers – leave legacies. We have a destiny – a prosperous future. Let me quote the line of Robert Frost,

“The woods are lovely dark and sleep

But I have to keep my promise

And miles to go before I sleep

And miles to go before I sleep”

Please allow me keep my promise and bless me to show the way to my followers.

Unemployment

Unemployment is the biggest challenge India going to face in the near future. In the wake of the global slowdown, fiscal imbalance and huge current account deficit India needs to move ahead with big ticket reforms. At the same time we have to cure the cancer of corruption and maladministration. Even though the demographic dividend is an advantage for India, providing education, health and job for the 60-70% is a challenging task for government. To bridge this lacuna more focus should be on education, skill development and entrepreneurship development plans. The new Naipunya Skill Development Scheme and support for incubators are most welcoming initiatives. First give education, then people will either find a job or create employment. If we convert ideas in to business then we can create large number jobs. The concept ‘sustainable business’ for my village by GLII is aims at promoting social enterprises through rural business. India should develop sustainable villages and develop rural hubs. The social enterprises run by the youth should produce multitude of products for daily lives and the surplus items should store and sell through rural hubs. These enterprises can also provide manifold services for human development. Instead of creating jobs our focus should be on the creation of job creators. Thus we can develop a self sufficient and sustainable India.

Stunted Age

Stunted stage of my village was my core concern where people didn’t have education, lack of infrastructure, scarcity of opportunities, absence of great visionaries, and no access for information. My father is a farmer, poverty and hunger was the part and parcel of my life. No one was there to guide, inspire and motivate us. It was only at the time of my Post Graduation, I use a computer.

But I don’t have any complaints. These constraints mold me and made me a strong man.  It provoked me to think for a change and forced me to work for the development of my fellow people. It pushed me to get educated and motivated me to start an organization in my village. I had a strong desire to get rid from my limitations.

Now I am realizing, if we have strong determination and a dedicated mind – we can grow. Hardships are not for destruction but for the uplift of others. It gives us rare experiences; it makes us to know the pain of others and to be pain with those who are in pain.

My Entreprenurship Endeavours

My dream social entrepreneurship is to create significant positive impact in the community.  Other way business should contribute for the development of society by ensuring people participation, transparency and accountability. My dream is the creation of a sustainable society through a sustainable social enterprise where profit shared equally among the partners. The concept I proposed is  responsible business which runs business and make profit while comply with all TBL (Triple Bottom Line Responsibilities). The initiative Gramin Bank, Amul and Dhan inspired me a lot. But the enterprise idea should be innovative, people friendly, economically viable, socially desirable and environmentally viable.

As the Chairman of the Entrepreneurship Development Club (EDC) in our college, we have conducted various seminars related to entrepreneurship.  The initiative generated Rs. 1.5 lakh as working capital through advertisement, studies and surveys and financial consultancy. The idea of Green Life India was emerged here. Now GLII provides multitude of services in TBL and other business sectors. SAFARI, REEP, Sustainable Village, Goal@20 etc. are some of the concepts of GLII. It also contributes for the development of community college and community radio. GLII not aims for profit but for the development of students, youths and community members. But it finds fund through these services.  The children’s Club in our area published a book on the history of our village and generated Rs. 20,000 as operating fund. The Samrudhi’ shop was another initiative in destination to procure and sell local products (vegetables, crafts, food items etc.) to people. This is run by women groups. Now the turnover of this group is around 25 lakh a year. The package ‘Village Tour’ designed with the support of local people is a venture to demonstrate local attractions, activities and various cultural events to visitors and share the income among the participating members.

PG - An Ordinary Man with Extraordinary Experiences

Mr. P.G. Varghese a great visionary in our area quitted his job in the army at the age of 30 for the service of nation. In the midst of hardships he established around 6700 village groups and recruited almost 3000 persons for his mission in a period of 35 years. I have read thousands of testimonies of people changed by him and amazed at seeing village people welcomed him by taking him in their shoulders. Now people in these rural villages are treating him with high reverence.

He is my mentor as well as motivator. I send letter to him and he writes to me also frequently. He envisions a sustainable India. He works for making villages self sufficient.  PG councils youths and transforms their lives. He educates people and they find jobs. This man taught me the power of self confidence, need of dreams and importance of strong vision. He believes that serving His people is serving God. He concludes the purpose of life “Love, Learn and Leave Legacy”. He overcame all the difficulties with strong determination and I strongly believe that I too can make a change.