March 2017
New HorizonsDRF’s Quarterly Newsletter Volume 13 | Issue 5
COVER STORY REFUSE TO BE SILENCED
Pg. 1 About us
Dr Reddy’s Foundation (DRF) is a not-for-profit organization committed to enabling economically and socially vulnerable groups to take control of their lives. Set up in 1996 by Dr Anji Reddy as a result of his faith in the innate capacity of the human being for progress when provided with an appropriate environment; the organization focuses on education, livelihood, health and nutrition.
We develop and test innovative solutions to address adaptive social problems and support scaling up of impact by leveraging the power of partnerships. We work with Children, Youth (including Persons with Disabilities) Women and Households in 20 States in India.
Vision
To enable sustainable social impact at scale
Mission
To empower communities through improved education, livelihood and health outcomes
Strategy
To develop and test innovative solutions to address adaptive social problems and support scaling up of impact by leveraging the power of partnerships
Values
- Practice honesty and integrity under all situations
- Strive to bring excellence in every aspect of our work
- Do things differently and innovate constantly
- Accept change and see new situations as opportunities to learn and grow
- Take personal responsibility for achieving specific, measurable outcomes and track results
- Respect others and be sensitive to their opinions, cultures, beliefs and diversity
- Establish good relationships by helping people feel valued, included, acknowledged and appreciated
- Take ownership beyond one’s own role to protect the organization’s interest
- Trust our stakeholders and be accountable for results
- Actively seek, give feedback and welcome suggestions and corrections. FROM THE EDITOR CONTENT Dear Readers,
As we try to make New Horizons more relevant and COVER interesting for our wide audience, we have tried to link STORY the main theme of each edition to a prominent calendar Pg. 04 event in that particular quarter. With Women’s Day popping up as a significant event in March, we thought it was just the right time to focus on women who make you sit up and take notice of them not because they are women but because their work cannot be ignored. RURAL STORIES OF I think it was Suzy Kassem who wrote that the true test of a FOCUS CHANGE warrior is how your ‘stance’ holds up after any ‘circumstance’. Pg. 12 Pg. 15 Our cover story - ‘Refuse to be silenced’ - is not just in sync with the 2017 Women’s Day theme ‘#BeBoldforChange’ but it focuses on four irrepressible women – Sunitha Krishnan, Anjali Lama, Laxmi Agarwal and Virali Modi - whose “stance” defies every barrier only to bounce back from the DRF deepest abyss and use that experience as a springboard HIGHLIGHTS to do some groundbreaking action to help other women. Pg. 18 Sure there are many women who have not made it to the headlines but they continue undeterred in their goals. Some of our own students – young women from very difficult settings - have inspired us with their amazing IN resilience and tenacity. This edition show cases one of our DRF heroes – Anuradha - who has overcome her own CONVERSATION challenges to become an exemplary model to others. Pg. 20 Our ‘Rural Focus’ highlights MITRA- an innovative DRF program that works on the ground through “lead farmers”, whose farms have been transformed as information hubs for local farmers to get hands-on New Horizons is a quarterly publication of Dr Reddy’s Foundation. training on new farming techniques and information tools. DRF is not responsible for the opinions expressed by the writers. Editor: Reena Mathai Luke In addition to our regular features and updates, this Sub-Editor: Sravani Gade, Ayushi Khandelwal edition also includes an interview with an engaging Design: Avish John Thomas (Independent Designer) NGO head from Pune. Ramdas Mhatre, founder of Prahar Apang Kranti Andolan, is a champion who refuses to be silent on issues related to persons with disability.
We hope you will enjoy reading this edition. Do write and give us your feedback.
Regards,
Reena Mathai Luke
Pg. 3 COVER STORY
REFUSE TO BE SILENCED
ourage, Audacity and Grit. Indeed these three words are the leitmotif of this issue’s cover story. Simple adjectives Cbut when fused together because of soul searing experiences, they open up the floodgates of resolve.
Stories of ordinary human beings, unrecognized faces who went about their daily lives till events beyond their control knocked them down. Overnight their values, relationships and even their perspective of everything that they cherished got undid. They know what it is to hit rock bottom; have juggled with pain, loneliness, humiliation and desperation. They have
been mocked by neighbours, disowned by friends Sunitha Krishnan and some even by their families. But like the proverbial phoenix, they have risen out of the ashes stronger and better. And it does not stop there. Against all advice, would know better than her, the pain and trauma each of them has stepped out to take on the very of being violated and stigmatized. A rape survivor menace that changed their world, not for vengeance – she has told her story over and over again without or accolades but because someone had to do it…had mincing any words - forcing her detractors to to take a stand. wonder why does she have to even talk about it? And this indeed is the paradox that Sunitha tries I have closely watched Sunitha Krishnan speak on to draw your attention to. We rather encourage a several platforms both live and on TV but it was only rape victim to be silent and blank it out as quickly as when I bent to hug her that I realized how diminutive possible than talk about it. For truth be told, such talks she really she is. But don’t let her size fool you to think make most of us cringe and rather uncomfortable that she is frail or malleable. than face it. Except that Sunitha refuses to be silenced. She looks you straight in the eye and says “Frankly, I do Just four feet and six inches, Sunitha Krishnan is not remember the rape part of it but I vividly recollect a tall woman who few can measure up to. Her the surge of anger.” There is a long pause before she formidable reputation as an advocate for trafficked adds “I derive my power from that anger and I will children and women has pushed her on to the fight trafficking tooth and nail to my dying day.” world stage and even got her the Padma Shri but She deftly steers all talk away from her personal life. But Sunitha remains dispassionate about all such talk. to be fair, that should not be surprising, for her entire What fires her up and gets her to show any kind adult life revolves round trafficking so the lines between of emotion, is when she talks about trafficking. her personal life and work are often blurred. But on the The simmering anger is understandable, for who rare occasions when she does talk about herself, you
Pg. 4 Photo credit: Mentor Me India Picture courtesy:Picture Google Images
Anjali Lama Laxmi Agarwal
callous policemen or worrying about pugnacious “…the power and the pain defense lawyers. As for her critiques, many of whom think she does it for extra mileage – so be it. She is not are both within oneself holding a brief for any one. She would rather focus her energy on fighting trafficking and supporting women and you need to make the who have been rescued by her NGO called Prajwala. choice. I made mine and I Today Prajwala has rescued more than 17,500 trafficked victims and despite knowing too well pay a price for it.” that trafficking for sex and organs is one of the most lucrative, dangerous and nexus driven operations; - Sunitha Krishnan she admits that she is in it for the long fight. get to see a simple and vulnerable woman like any one Sunitha has braved several threats and assaults. An of us. However, in between those lines what you can’t irreparably damaged right ear, a painful fracture and miss is that she is also wired with steely determination. the numbness of witnessing one’s colleague being “Stubborn is the word I am more familiar with”, shot right in front of you, are all things that she has she says wryly when you comment about it. silently dealt with. Her house has been broken into, At 15, she did not blink before her rapists and her staff beaten up, she has been dragged, kicked, now even after three decades, that anger has not punched and much more - all to arm twist her into diminished but gives her the courage to take on silence. But does that mean she is going to stay silent? ruthless traffickers without getting intimidated by She smiles, shakes her head very slowly and adds
Pg. 5 Picture courtesy:Picture Google Images
“There is no dichotomy in my thoughts and action matter, her present. In fact she wears her identity and that perhaps is most liberating. So whatever with pride. Nepal’s first transgender model (that’s people might say or think, I cannot afford to carry how a google search describes her) ,Anjali the baggage of selective truths and untruths”, says Lama is here to stay and even shine. Sunitha matter-of-factly and elaborates “the power and the pain are both within oneself and you need When Anjali Lama sashayed down the catwalk, her to make the choice. I made mine and I pay a price élan and grace was something that most people for it. But that is the choice I have made.” could not ignore. Tall and lithe, her cream dress highlighted her slender frame and her victorious ike Sunitha, another woman from an smile only helped to showcase her lovely skin ordinary family in Nepal has no intention and exquisite features. She is a true pro and of running away from her past or for that makes you believe she was born for this moment. L But growing up as a boy in farming family on the slopes of Nuwakot in Nepal, modelling was the last thing on the mind of young Nabin Waiba. “Coming out was a major And as the fifth son of a farmer surrounded by a clan of relatives, the transformation from Nabin to step for me… my potential Anjali was not easy. Anjali has spent the majority of her life tackling discrimination and prejudice. won over my identity” As a young kid, the innate inability to conform - Anjali Lama to gender stereotypes was extremely confusing and painful. “I enjoyed wearing women’s clothing, and at school I mostly had female friends. The
Pg. 6 kids at school used to mock me and say ‘he’s finally announced herself as a transgender. Friends a girl.’ Then at home, my father would scold and family discouraged her but she moved forward. me, asking ‘what will you do with your life? She went for surgeries and implants and today she Waiba recollects several incidents where he could is comfortable in her new skin and happy in her new not even think of verbalizing his confusion and avatar as Anjali Lama. Says Anjali, “Coming out was a angst. Trapped in a body that did not keep pace with major step for me, so considering a career in modeling his heart and mind, Waiba just eked each day out. seemed like a long shot. But my friends insisted I try Now talking about her past, Anjali shared in it out, and their encouragement made me feel good.” an interview “As a kid I was really confused and What is commendable is that after years of struggle depressed. I kept asking myself if I am a boy, she is willing to tell the world about her identity why do I feel this way ?. And whenever I tried in the hope that her story will inspire others like to confirm to the norm it was mental torture.” her not to give up. And while she does not deny Moving from Nuwakot to Kathmandu for that a large chunk of confidence comes from her college was the first step. Away from the present success, she is also astute to recognize that close scrutiny of the family and the local all this hype and curiosity in the media when she community it provided a breather of anonymity. steps on the ramp is because she is a transgender. But that does not deter her. “My potential won over It was only after he turned 18 and after a series my identity” says Anjali and today she is happy to let of disasters which included being thrown the world know that the third gender, like the out of a hotel where he worked part time other two have a right to identity and dignity. because of his feminine behavior that he found the courage to live the identity ama is not the only one that he believed was his true self. hogging limelight on the But more importantly, she got connected L fashion scene because of being to an NGO called Blue Diamond Society unique and a notch above the rest. where she got to meet other transgender Another model who made international and realized that she was not alone. headlines last year at the British Asian There was no looking back. In 2005, she Trust Charity fashion show is 26-year-old Picture courtesy:Picture Google Images
Pg. 7 Picture courtesy:Picture Google Images
Laxmi Agarwal – an acid attack survivor who “We cannot kill our quest for walked the ramp to raise awareness about violence against women – a cause that is a personal crusade. happiness or stop chasing Laxmi was in 7th grade when a man double her age threw acid on her because she refused to marry him! our dreams. We are fighters But to narrate the details of that incident would be to shift the focus from her courage and determination not victims.” - Laxmi Agarwal to stand up and speak for acid attack survivors. Needless to say that it was a lonely and long fight. to monitor the sale of acid. Soon interviews led to She had to fight her own demons. The feeling of panel discussions and then talk shows till she finally rejection and despair were not easy to erase but got to host her own TV show – Udaan on New Express. once she got started there was no stopping her. Her endeavours won several hearts but also She decided to face the world and determined the caught the attention of the world. In 2014, best way to score against her oppressor was by she received the International Women of showing the person “our life is not going to stop.” At Courage award from the former First Lady of the fashion show when she was asked to speak she US Michelle Obama which was followed by the said “Years ago someone destroyed my face thinking NDTV award for being the “Indian of the Year”. that my life will be ruined…but I decided to break Today she is the director of Chhanv Foundation - an that notion and I am here to share my thoughts…” NGO dedicated to help the survivors of acid attacks in India and is closely associated with several other An activist to the core, she started her crusade by projects including ‘Sheroes Hangout’ – a line of small joining an NGO known as Stop Acid Attack as a cafes in three cities that is run entirely by female acid campaigner and soon catapulted to newspaper attack survivors. She is obviously keen not to skip any headlines by her gutsy ambushing of the then opportunity that will draw attention to the issue of Home Minister Sushil Shinde’s car to hand over a acid attack survivors. After all, like she admitted to a petition signed by more than 27,000 people seeking journalist “we cannot kill our quest for happiness or a regulation on the sale of acid. The Supreme Court stop chasing our dreams. We are fighters not victims.” responded positively and new laws were implemented - Reena Mathai Luke
Pg. 8 Virali Modi
AT THE WHEEL
We all know life is not a bed of roses but very few Tell us something more about yourself can argue that they have gone through as much as Virali Modi. This young girl with sparkling I was born in Mumbai, but moved to the US when I eyes and an infectious smile had always was two months old. I returned to Mumbai when I wanted to be a surgeon, but life had other was 17 and though I'm not close to any of my relatives, plans for her. Virali was paralysed from neck I'm extremely close to my parents. Ever since I was down after her return from a family vacation. a child, we'd do everything together. I don't have True to her name, Virali did not buckle. Instead, any siblings, so my parents got to be my friends, with some help from her parents, she is now siblings, relatives and of course my parents. They're a motivational speaker, model, actress, Miss all in one for me - and that's made our bond stronger. Wheelchair 2014 runner-up and a disabled- rights advocate. No one thought she would What was your growing up years like and what trick death and come back to life so beautifully. is the happiest memory of your childhood?
Virali opens up to Priyanjali Bangaru I have many strong and happy memories, but one about her journey and plans for the future. really stands out. Whenever I'd do something that's Excerpts from the interview. commendable or if I'd ever win an award - my dad would take my mom and me out to Pizza Hut. We'd eat Describe yourself in three sentences. pizza, joke around with each other, and we'd go home. It was simple, but I enjoyed every single moment of it. I'm a strong, independent, optimistic and But in my teen years, I was a rebel. For some reason cheerful woman. I believe that laughter and I decided to be a typical “American teenager” and positivity can cure most dilemmas. I'm just a I am not sure why I interpreted that as, I shouldn't happy person overall, I can make anyone smile. listen to my parents for they didn't know right
Pg. 9 from wrong! Of course, that was a BIG mistake!! I was great at school, I even joined modelling and acting classes, but I started hanging out with the wrong type of people and it made my grades fall. When I saw the disappointment on my parents’ faces, I realized that I had gone too far and I needed to make my life better. This happened when I was about 13-14.
But before I turned 15 my life took a U-turn. What started as a mild fever soon spiralled out of control and I became paralyzed from the neck down. Those 23-days stand etched in our collective minds because it not only changed my life but also because my parents had to endure the worst kind of trauma.
On three different occasions the doctors told them that I was dead. In fact about a week before my 15th birthday, the doctors wanted to take me off my life support as they felt it was futile to keep me hooked on to tubes when I was not showing any signs of improvement but my mom begged them to keep me alive at least till my birthday which was just around the corner. Of course, the doctors thought she was crazy thinking about celebrations at that juncture but they relented on the condition that they would have to remove the life support if there was no improvement in my condition.
Undeterred, my mum quickly organised a birthday get together in the hospital and when my Dad took my hand to cut the cake and I opened my eyes and stared at the ceiling. There were about 50 people in the room and they started to scream and cheer which got doctors to rush in!
I slowly improved with each day and on October 5th I was wheeled in for a tracheotomy (transferring the breathing tube from my mouth to my throat). The doctors warned my parents that it might affect my memory or that I might get aggressive. Fortunately that didn’t happen. My memory was intact, I was normal, and everything was fine, except for the fact that I was paralyzed from the neck down. The doctors still don’t know what caused it but they think I have Transverse Myelitis.
After becoming paralyzed, my friends stopped talking to me because I guess they were too cool to hang out with someone who can't move their limbs. Picture courtesy:Picture Google Images
Pg. 10
But that's also when other people will be “NEVER give up! attracted towards you. Be positive, 2. No one can control your happiness except dream big yourself. - I think this is something that most people forget. You are ALWAYS in control. You have the and keep fighting right to control your happiness, not anyone else. If someone's actions make you unhappy, you've for what you believe is right.” given that person the reigns to your happiness.
3. Stop caring about people's opinions about At the age of 17, I moved to India for additional you. - What people say about you is none of your treatment and that's where I found my current business. People talk, all the time. They'll stop treatment, which helped me regain my body control. talking about you when something that's more I'm now partially paralyzed from the waist down. interesting will come around. I think you should live your life the way you want, because it's YOUR life. When did you decide that you are not going to let your disability define you? You inspire a lot of youngsters as a motivational speaker, disability rights advocate, model and a I remember I tried to commit suicide twice after writer. What do you enjoy doing most? becoming paralyzed. I survived each time - that's when I started to realize that I'm alive for a reasonand I enjoy all of these things whole heartedly. I that I should do something worthwhile with my life. couldn't pick, quite honestly. I love being in front of the camera, I love penning down my thoughts, Can you synthesise briefly how a person can I love inspiring people, and I love fighting be positive in spite of adverse situations? for disability rights. I can't pick!
1. Learn to love yourself. - When you are alone, What is the secret of your success? without anyone in the room, that's who you really are. If you cannot If I told you, it wouldn't be a secret now, would it? Just be content with yourself without kidding. It has to be determination, perseverance, anyone - you do not love hard work, and the support of my parents and yourself. We are born alone and others. That's how I've been able to get this far. we die alone - that's a bitter fact of life. You should love Any goals that beckon you? yourself in each and every instance. You I want an accessible India. I want to work in a film should be content with Irrfan Khan or Vidya Balan. I want to model a with yourself around Manish Malhotra creation. I want so much, quite other people and honestly, that it would be hard to pen it all. alone. When you truly accept who you Any message you would like to give? are and truly love yourself, that's when Be positive, dream big, keep fighting for what you you'll realize that believe is right, and NEVER give up! you don't need other peoples' Please visit www.change.org to sign Virali Modi’s company. petition for Disabled Friendly Railways.
Pg. 11 RURAL FOCUS
SMALL STEPS FOR BIG CHANGE
With nearly 70% of India’s population dependent on agriculture for their livelihood it is imperative to address the challenges that some of our farmers are struggling with regarding the quality and quantity of crop year on year. While the government offers several schemes for farmers, the reality is that most of these schemes do not trickle down to the grass roots and farmers with small landholdings are often the ones who get the least support.
In an innovative effort to bridge this gap in knowledge transfer, MITRA – a Dr Reddy’s Foundation initiative – aims to empower farmers through the creation of an agri-extension delivery platform by a unique model that identifies “Lead Farmers” in each cluster and helps to train them to be incubators of new technology and ensure that they in turn will train their peers.
With a vision to create an impactful, scalable and sustainable agri-extension services program, MITRA leverages the enthusiasm that passionate and progressive local farmers have, to be the best farmers a generation of farmers who have stepped up to and, to help their own community stay updated and experiment with new ways and adopt better practices. informed on the most profitable and sustainable agricultural practices. Currently spread over 15 districts Sanjay Fund, Santosh Fund and Aaba Fund are the in seven states, MITRA endeavours to bridge the gap three lead farmers of Sarola Advai who volunteered between the development of agricultural technologies to be the face of change in their village. Sanjay, and its adoption on farm. Santosh and Aaba received training in pea, onion
and green gram cultivation respectively. The lead Sravani Gade captures snapshots of some of the farmers were also introduced to the concept of experiences in this journey of learning. seed-treatment, where the seeds before sowing are treated with bio-fertilizers like Azotobacter Sarola Advai and Karegaon are two quaint villages and Rhizobium for green gram and only Sulphur in Parner taluka whose farmers’ lives are directly for onion seeds that supplement the fertility of dependent upon the welfare of their crops. These the soil and stimulate healthy growth of the crop. places have witnessed generations toiling to bring out the best from their land and the current generation All three of them are in unison when they recall the is no different. However, as we drive towards the impact these measures have had on their crops. “I never village, we notice a subtle change. There is now
Pg. 12 Picture courtesy: Ayushi Khandelwal Picture courtesy: Picture courtesy:Picture Khandelwal Ayushi
thought the simple act of applying a coat of fertilizer could impact my produce significantly. The crops are now healthier and fetch a far better price in the markets”, remarks an elated Sanjay. It is only now that the rest of the farmers in the village are warming up to these techniques and feel assured that the change is in fact for better. “There are two main concerns we have when someone approaches us with a promise to help – one, our age-old practices are challenged and two, the risk of failure is always looming large. Fortunately for us, we three and even our peers have an open mind and are willing to try new ways that better our lives at the end. It is only natural that the others will come forward once they see the results for themselves in real, rather than just hearing us talk about it. That is exactly what has happened”, shares Santosh, our lead farmer in onion.
Pg. 13 Aaba on the other hand had brought forth issues that were far more complex. The prices that they sell their produce for in the market, just about nets off their investment and very seldom do they make a profit. This is a huge concern in a place like Sarola Advai, which bears the brunt of insufficient monsoon the most. It’s geographically located on the Deccan plateau which makes the land very dry and hence, the agriculture scene during summer comes to a grinding halt as there is NO water. The farmers have to make do with whatever little they are left with for summer and also prepare for monsoon.
“The situation is not all that bad, though”, quips Aaba optimistically. “Just this morning I figured out how to monitor the onion market price not only across Maharashtra but all over the country! Thanks to free mobile data, I think this kind of information at one’s finger tips will be very helpful and we can make informed decisions without getting cheated”. Aaba was not just excited about this “eureka” moment but also about training his fellow farmers to use mobile data too which goes on to show how MITRA’s lead farmer programs are actually emboldening farmers to become enterprising and self-reliant.
At Karegaon, which is an hour’s drive from Sarola Advai, we meet another enterprising farmer, Sahebrao Kharat, the lead farmer for green gram cultivation. He is also the Sarpanch of courtesy:Picture Khandelwal Ayushi Karegaon and shares with us how the MITRA team educated them on several techniques and value add methods. He cited the importance of spraying a Potash solution on the onion crop a month before harvesting. This simple and cost-effective treatment significantly boosts the size of the onions naturally and in turn fetches the farmers a good price in the market. Small simple steps are going a long way to change age-old practices and with the support of these enterprising “lead farmers” who are vouching for these new techniques. More farmers are coming forward to learn and change for the better. Indeed, it is now the season of change!
Pg. 14 STORIES OF CHANGE STEERING FORWARD WITH DETERMINATION
Anuradha does not really fit into our regular aspirant profile. Apart from the fact that the 30-year-old mother of a daughter aged three, chucked a regular job at the Maruti Suzuki office to sign up for a basic skill program; this young woman stands out in the crowd with her unmistakable feisty demeanor.
She has no qualms about talking to a stranger and within minutes she is in control of the conversation. “So what do you want to know about me” she asks as settles down to be interviewed; and starts her narrative soon without the least hesitation.
Anuradha joined the GROW centre at Chandan Nagar, Pune, after vetting the center for its infrastructure, course content and the staff’s attitude. It is this heightened fastidiousness about her that you learn to appreciate as you get to know her better. She explains, “I did do some research on the internet before coming to the centre and visited it myself. Once I got convinced, I just took the plunge. I went back and submitted my resignation the very next day! I liked this centre for the attitude of the staff here. They treat you with dignity and are not patronizing or insensitive. They paid attention to what I was saying and did not show any kind of impatience. And that is what won me over. I was so ready to hear something like -, oh you can’t do this because you are disabled.”
But that is not the only reason why Anuradha signed on. She actually understood the huge potential of this training and how it could help a disabled person change his or her life. Even as she filled her forms, she shared with the GROW Area Head, the names of 130 other disabled youth who could be contacted to join the program. She also demonstrated it by action when the very next day, she returned to centre with two of her friends for the same course!
Elaborating on her struggles, Anuradha adds, “When I was in my second year of my graduation, my parents arranged my marriage. But on the D-day, the groom and his family suddenly raised their demand for dowry. They said since I was disabled, I would be an additional liability to them. Of course the wedding got cancelled. I decided to walk out because I was incensed about them thinking of me as a liability. My mother too decided against it. Looking back, it was the attitude that hurt and made me realize the urgency to be financially independent. Of course the good part was, because of this crazy turn of events I found a man – who volunteered to marry me without any dowry because he appreciated my guts! Today, he is my husband and supports me in what I do.”
It is not easy though. The decision to leave her small child with others in the village as she stays in the hostel, brings with it lot of anxiety and guilt. Her husband too is confused as to why she wanted to go back to do a training when she already had a job. “I joined because I aspire to move forward in my career. I worked in several places but I realized that despite my hard work, I have barely inched forward in terms of a career. I did not understand what the stumbling block was till I got to speak to the trainers here. I clearly saw where my skill gaps were and I am determined to work on those. It is obvious that she is on familiar territory when she talks about the automobile industry and she admits, “Even though I had a job, I did not find any joy in it. Frankly, after coming to GROW, I have found my calling. I would like work in a set up like this where I can help other persons with disabilities. I enjoy supporting disabled people and if I can help young people to get a good job what could be better?” and signs off as abruptly as she started by asking “I will make a good ambassador for GROW right?”
As told to Sravani Gade Pg. 15 POTPOURRI
have seen him transform from an aggressive young boy to becoming a more tempered captain. The book includes a few incidents to highlight these changes BOOK REVIEW and draws your attention to his present stance and body language where he has replaced the showing of a finger with the raising of his bat to herald victory! TITLE: DRIVEN - THE VIRAT KOHLI STORY AUTHOR: VIJAY LOKAPALLY In short, the book apart from tracking and analyzing PUBLISHER: BLOOMSBURY the career graph of this talented cricketer, also throws RS 399 | 221 PAGES light on him as a person – be it his respect for team mates or his reverence for Sachin Tendulkar or acknowledging irat Kohli, the toast of the cricketing his appreciation for his coach Sharma - talks about world despite his success continues to everything except his much talked about personal be an enigma. Everyone wants to know life! The book solely focuses on Kohli - the cricketer! Vmore about India’s young run machine and Lokapally, a senior cricket journalist with immense On a parting note, the book is not a biography knowledge of the game and close connect with and therefore might not be very comprehensive the players has managed to connect several dots. documentation, but it is definitely an easy read and one which Kohli fans will enjoy. The book, an easy read, is written in a simple manner with interviews from those who have known Kohli closely from his young days. And as Kohli’s team-mates and childhood coach, Raj Kumar Sharma, give their take on this cricket prodigy, one can see the shaping up of a future star from some of the nuggets that are shared by Lokapally - not as a chronicler of events but because of some of the insights he has included, which Lokapally had the advantage of knowing because of his close contact with the cricketing fraternity.
A particular incident that is well documented by Lokapally is how Kohli mustered courage and put the team before self on the morning after he lost his father; when he turned up at the Feroz Shah Kotla to resume the Ranji Trophy match for Delhi against Karnataka. And that narrative is padded with some fine recounting of what Kohli went through in his toughest moment, capturing the transition of a boy into a man.
It also underlines how Kohli hated losing even as a youngster. Lokapally includes perspectives from umpires who have officiated some of his early games to reveal the making of a tough cricketer that Kohli is today.
For those who have watched Kohli on the field, we Picture courtesy: Google Images Pg. 16 IN THE NEWS
wo years ago Vanita Balbhim Manshetty, a 35-year-old farmer from Maharashtra, took up the one-acre farming model and today,T as an independent farmer, she provides her family with nutritious, organic food.
Her husband Balbhim Manshetty works as a contractor and is engaged in laying roads, under the one-acre model. At the end, they harvested constructing water harvesting structures etc. Around in three food crop categories – cereals and millets, 50% of their annual household income comes from pulses and vegetables including leafy vegetables. this work and the rest comes from Vanita’s farming and dairy produce. Vanita reaped more than 3900 kg of produce during the year 2015! Vanita incurred a total expenditure of Vanita came to know about the one-acre farming Rs. 9,600 per acre in cash, to raise the crops which were model when she participated in a training supplemented with the manure she got from their cow’s programme organized by Swayam Shikshan Prayog dung. Her net income was Rs. 44,550 for two seasons, (SSP) and Krishi Vigyan Kendra (KVK) for women which amounts to approximately Rs.18,000 per acre. farmers and agricultural labourers. The participants went for an exposure visit to an organic farm at Vanita cultivates mainly for domestic consumption Siddhagiri and witnessed a typical one-acre resilient and sells only surplus onions and brinjals from agricultural model wherein more than hundred her one-acre plot. crops are grown on a single acre of land. The mother of four daughters, she is now the Looking at the biodiversity on this little farm, Vanita talk of Chiwri village in Osmanabad district of was motivated to adopt the model. Apart from the Maharashtra for her model farm . possibility of growing many crops,what encouraged her in particular was that almost all the crops that “My dream is to develop my land with better water were required to ensure the nutritional security of a conservation techniques and start horticulture,” says household were grown there. Vanita.
With her husband suffering from high blood -- Prema Gopalan pressure and diabetes, Vanitha is careful about Story and pictures sourced from The Hindu the food her family eats and felt this model would provide organic food for her family.
Eager to put her learning into practice, she encouraged her husband to take on lease some land and vouched she would manage it. On one acre of land she cultivated cereals, pulses and vegetables besides helping her husband in the other two acres to cultivate soybean and grapes to be sold. The year 2015 was a drought year but together she and her husband grew a total of 15 crops
Pg. 17 DRF HIGHLIGHTS
ACCESSIBILITY AUDIT TRAINING BY SAMARTHYAM
Anjlee Agarwal and team from Samarthyam with DRF staff Picture courtesy: Ayushi Khandelwal
or an organization that is passionately The training pedagogies included case studies, trying to address the problems group discussions, simulation exercises through of Persons with Disabilities (PwD), which participants were made aware of what the F Dr Reddy’s Foundation took the essential access features are for PwD; even in common initiative to understand how to make the places like the washrooms and corridors. organization “inclusive and accessible” to people from all walks of life, especially for PwD. The training included an in-detail ‘Infra and Accessibility Audit’ on the concluding day In collaboration with Samarthyam – National Centre which proved to be very insightful and acted for Accessible Environments, DRF conducted a three- as an eye-opener in terms of all the potential day training program, from the 1st to 3rd of February, changes to be made to transform the Head 2017 at the Head Office of DRF in Hyderabad. Office into a completely accessible unit for PwD. Samarthyam awarded ‘Certificate of Participation’ The hands- on training was attended by several PwD to each participant at the end of the training. centre staff along with some senior colleagues from the Head office. The training program was focused “Through this training, we realized that accessibility is on providing practical and theoretical training not just for persons with disability, but about Universal on national access standards, report writing and Accessibility as per National Standards. The training checklist use for audits. The program, facilitated by impressed on us that accessibility is all about SARA: Anjlee Agarwal and Debabrata Chakravarti, aimed Safety, Accessibility, Reliability and Affordability. The to educate the participants of the barriers - both simulation exercises like maneuvering our colleagues physical and attitudinal, that PwD face and how in wheel chairs and using the white cane to help others as colleagues can help them overcome navigate the participants were eye-openers for all of us. these barriers. To help everyone to get a real feel of the issues, participants actually had their We could understand and experience the difficulties eyes blind-folded and had to access the lunch that PwD face on a day-to-day basis and are now buffet table seated on wheel chairs for their lunch! encouraged more than before, to ease these
Pg. 18 challenges for them. We have also decided to make all Project National Centre for Accessible Environments, our PwD centres more accessible too”, confirms it evaluates, develops, and promotes universal Sree Lakshmi, Program Manager, GROW PwD. accessibility in built and outdoor environments, transportation systems, information communication Samarthyam is a civil society and research technology and products. organization founded by Anjlee Agarwal . Under its
MDP PLAN IN NPO GOVERNANCE WORKSHOP Picture courtesy: Ravi Kumar, MSME Staff. courtesy:Picture Ravi Kumar,
From L to R: Anjani Kumar Sharma - Chartered Accountant, Dr Manish Fogla – Governance, Legal and Finance Expert, Shamik Trehan - CEO DRF, Dr Harish Vashistha - Executive Director, Ms Gunjan Maheshwari - SAGA
r Reddy’s Foundation, in partnership among various other areas. The resource panel with Credibility Alliance and Southern included Dr Harish Vashistha - Executive Director, Accountability Governance Alliance Anjani Kumar Sharma - Chartered Accountant and Mr K D(SAGA), conducted a four-day workshop from P Rajendran - Chief Executive of SACH, from Credibility 21st to 24th of March 2017, on the importance India; Ms Gunjan Maheshwari - SAGA and Dr Manish of Governance and Management proficiency Fogla – Governance, Legal and Finance Expert. for Not-for-Profit organizations. The program which used a mix of pedagogies like case method participant-centered group discussions, A- first- of- its-kind program, it included topics that technical inputs and conceptual lectures was need- focused on processes like governance, management, based and initiated by the DRF finance team program implementation and compliances in order to understand the nuances of NPO Governance to create efficient, legally compliant mechanisms especially against the background of no set framework and systems. The components are integral factors or modules being available . for a better, inclusive and sustainable use of fund resources for the public and society at large. DRF’s team after several rounds meticulous effort and in depth discussions with our partners, zeroed The workshop held in conjunction with our partnering in on a workshop that discussed the Management firms had eminent Governance and Legal experts as Development Plan in NPO Governance. There resource persons who shared their insights on various were 25 participants in the workshop from various aspects like Legal Characteristics, Accountability & organisations who were awarded a Certificate of Merit Governance, Accounting and Financial Management by Credibility Alliance and SAGA.
Pg. 19 IN CONVERSATION
amdas Mhatre, or Mhatre ji, as he is fondly “Education and skill-based training are called, is the founder of Prahar Apang Kranti the key life changers for PwD…” Andolan and is associated with various other organizationsR that voice the need for equal rights Writer, Journalist, Activist are a few labels for Persons with Disabilities (PwD). With its presence Ramdas Ganu Mhatre is known by. In person, across the state Maharashtra, Mhatre ji is a force his warm smile and genial demeanour is what to reckon with. An ardent supporter of DRF’s GROW draws your attention to this, wheelchair-bound skilling programs for disabled persons; he is the go-to sexagenarian, who is tirelessly working for the person for the DRF team as he facilitates media events rights and welfare of persons with disabilities. The and provides leads regarding PwD related events in government of Maharashtra the city. This support has undoubtedly helped GROW had conferred him with to maximize its outreach effort and expand their a state award in 1984 presence and network in the region. for his stellar work as the President In a candid chat with Sravani Gade on a Saturday of ‘Jagrut Apang afternoon, Mhatre ji shares his views on the subject Sangathana’. He closest to his heart, empowering the disabled, as he too is went on to win a one among them. Here are the excerpts: National Award for the disabled How did you embark on this road? in 1987, from the Government With few years of service left in my government job, of India. I resolved and realized that there are hundreds of disabled people, who need guidance and support despite many NGOs and organizations working for this cause. The dearth of focused effort in this area was evident and I soon knew that the issues of PwD need to be worked ground up. I travelled far and wide across the state of Maharashtra, interacting and understanding the issues of PwDs from various walks of life and decided to associate with Prahar Apang Kranti Andolan, to voice the concerns of the disabled.
Where are the biggest roadblocks in your work?
The struggles of PwD begin more often than not, within their own family. The stigma and fear attached to the bringing up of a Person with Disability, sow the seeds of self-doubt and the lack of confidence in them and more so, when they belong to economically challenging
Pg. 20 Mhatre(centre) with GROW aspirants Picture courtesy: Ayushi Khandelwal at Chandan Nagar PWD center in Pune backgrounds, which is usually the case. This needs to How can these be addressed? change. Also, what pains me the most is how the society at large chooses to ignore their presence. The fact that Quality education and skill-based training are the only PwD sector is often overlooked and not considered a sustainable solutions that will ensure that any disabled “majority” that needs to be catered to, is disheartening. person, irrespective of their disability is independent, self-sufficient and is not subject to humiliation. This, If you were to pin-point to five major challenges that in fact, applies to every person that qualifies as youth PwD face; what would those be? and wants to lead a life of independence and dignity. Primary and secondary education is a must for any To be very brief, I think they would be person in today’s times. However, as I mentioned 1. Humiliation and Discrimination from an early age earlier, higher education is a big challenge in the rural 2. Finding a life-partner – Most of them are completely areas and more so, for visually disabled and hearing dependent on their parents or siblings impaired persons who need specialized trainers 3. Aide not coming in time – scholarships, allowances and training, in order to complete their education. 4.Accessibility of Higher Education – More so for Orthopedically challenged persons at least have the Visually Disabled and Hearing Impaired youth option to study in colleges along with other students 5. Lack of Employment Opportunities with the help of wheelchairs or similar aides, which is
Pg. 21 unfortunately not the case with persons with visual or I see no reason why PwD youth will hold back in hearing disabilities. In such a scenario, providing coming forward to join the mainstream workforce. skill-based training in machinery, computers and similar employable skills will give them a chance Do you have any message to fellow PwD and at employment irrespective of their educational the society: background. Nobody is perfect and in fact, it is the imperfections What about employment of PwD? Does it need that make a person human. I, therefore, urge all PwD some extra thought? to not engulf themselves in self-pity and idea of being “incomplete”. I am orthopedically challenged myself There are two fundamental issues that PwD face and can do everything an able-bodied man can. I’ve when they set out to pursue jobs or employment of learnt and also taught many PwD students how to drive any kind. They are – Accessibility and Infrastructure. their own vehicles, which is a big step in becoming self- PwD, in general, are less mobile when compared sufficient. Empower yourself with education and strive to other youth and hence have scant exposure for opportunities of any kind that come knocking to you. or the willingness to explore opportunities that Never undermine your spirit or capability to give your best. are far away from their current dwelling. The onus is therefore, on the employers to come To the society at large, I would only like to say that forward and create campuses that are not only recognize and accept PwD as one amongst you. A blind easily accessible but also provide infrastructural orchestra or a disabled author should not stand out support to accommodate the needs of the because of their disability but their ability to produce disabled. Once this becomes common practice, work that deserves genuine praise.
NEXT ISSUE
Appreciating Ability - An Inclusive Workforce
Our next issue aims to highlight the importance of promoting inclusivity and accessibility of workplaces for People with Disabilities. As always, we encourage our readers to contribute to this edition and give their two cents to raise awareness on this issue.
We look forward to hearing from you!
Last date for submission of articles : 15th June, 2017.
Pg. 22 FORTHCOMING EVENTS
A snap shot of events that might be of interest to our readers
FICCI Events
April 03 - FICCI ARISE School Education Conference 2017 - FICCI Federation House, New Delhi
April 06-07 – Workshop on Hiring For Success - FICCI Mumbai
April 07 – Seminar on Let’s Talk Depression – FICCI, New Delhi To know more visit FICCI website
CII Events
April 05 – One day CSR Workshop on Implementation Evaluation & Impact – CII-ITC Center of Excellence for Sustainable Development Janpath, Delhi
April 05 – International Mentoring Grassroot Entrepreneurs in Smart Grams for Inclusive Growth – Rashtrapathi Auditorium, Presidents Estate New Delhi
April 06 – CII Conference on Future of Jobs in India – Enterprise and Livelihoods – Shangri La Hotel New Delhi
June 8 to 9 – Two day workshop on CSR Implementation, Evaluation & Impact – Mumbai (Venue TBD)
July 18 to19 – CII National Primary Education Summit – India Habitat Centre, Silver Oak New Delhi
To know more visit CII website
International Events
June 10 to 15 – International workshop on Sustainable agriculture and rural transformation: meeting farmers’ needs in socio-ecological systems – Bonn, Germany
CALL FOR PAPERS
South Asia Conference on Business Models and Social Entrepreneurship. Date and Time: Jan. 17, 2018 9:00AM - Jan. 19, 2018 7:00PM Authors must submit an extended abstract (Background, objectives and research methodology) in about 2000 words to Samapti Guha, Professor (email id [email protected]) not later than July 15, 2017 OUR INITIATIVES
Head Office: Education Team: Social media: 6-3-655/12, Down Town Mall, Unit No 405 /drreddysfoundationindia Somajiguda, Lakidikapool, Hyderabad-500082. Hyderabad 500004. Phone: +91-40-65343424, 2330 4199 / 1868 Phone: +91-40-23396169 Fax: +91-40-23301085 Email: [email protected] Email: [email protected]