Giving back in my own way

Knowledge and Welfare are worshipped in the forms of goddess Saraswati & Laxmi. Both are vital for growth of society.

Laxmi is the goddess of welfare. Most of us find ourselves understanding goddess Laxmi synonymous to Wealth.is Wealth is private whereas welfare signifies community wealth. Generate wealth for all is the true test of good business.

Wealth and knowledge must be shared with community as water in a village pond.

Being born to a humble family in a remote village in Southern Orissa and coming up the academic leading to the monetary success ladder, inspired by the ancient concept and a true believer of the same I am trying my best in whatever way possible within a budget of 1% of my annual salary .


Mission:
Giving back some thing to your society (mother land) in terms of time/money or labor. With the distance acting as hindrance the option of time and labor is restricted to the vacation trips to my village.

Objectives:
The first being: to spread education by providing the tools and amenities
The second (a more ambitious one): To open an old-age home (though looks a bit more ambitious)

Execution:

The initial idea was to provide books 8 to 10 children in each of the three classes (8th, 9th and 10th) in my high school which has shaped my career. Due to the changes in the school opening timings the idea failed .The syllabi for 4 subjects in class 8th have been changed .So it was decided that the new books would be distributed to 22 students of class 8th.

The process involved identifying the financially challenged students who have the desire to pursue studies.

Total of 88 (4 x 22) books were purchased and distributed among the selected students

Books not Scholarship

There was a conscious decision not to provide cash to avoid doubts about utilization. And again cash in term of scholarships will go to the individuals for a particular year only and the effect wouldn’t be passed to others. The good thing about distributing books is that books can be rolled over for next year bringing the multiplier effect into force. So if I spend the same amount of money next year the number of beneficiaries will be doubled (provided the syllabus doesn’t change).Next year it will be tripled……….

The amount may be minimal but the smiles on the faces of the student and teachers were noteworthy. I was not there in the occasion.


Other Forms.

Giving your old books
Paying for School fees.
If you /your parents are influential in the area requests can be made to the authorities of the concerned institutions to waive the school fees.