Ashoka Young Changemakers’ Post

This "25 minute convocation address" by Manish Sabharwal at Ashoka University is pure gold! Listen in and take copious notes, it's a treasure trove. I took lots of notes myself, sharing a few 1. Most of us turn life into a luck vs skill question. However, a third often overlooked dimension, trumps both luck and skill. And that is the "choices we make" . 2. The most important decisions you make in life is the parents you were born to and the pin code in which you were born. Acknowledge your privilege. 3. A top notch education is a privilege. A privilege that serves as both "your sword" and "your shield" . Shield to protect you, and sword to help you soar. Being from Ashoka <<insert any other privilege here>> will serve you even more than being at Ashoka. Use this privilege to take bold bets. 4. The biggest middle age regret is "I wish that I had done xyz". The regret of omission is always greater than the regret of commision. Be bold, take risks. Akbar's men were about to chop off the head of a prisoner sentenced to death. The prisoner requested 6 months time promising that he'll make Akbar's horses fly. Akbar gave time. Other prisoners were shocked, "how can you make horses fly?" The prisoner responded - "6 months is a long time, during which I can die, Akbar can die, or the horse can fly." 5. Play the long game. Most gains are back ended , that's how the "power of compounding" works. 6. "Work with people who are different from you." Cognitive and behavioral diversity leads to great outcomes. Seek out people different from you. 7. "Keep learning" . The 10+2+3+2 model of learning was designed for our parents' generation when employment was mono-organizational and lasted 35 years. Today's nature of employment contract has changed. Keep reinventing yourself, keep learning. 8. Books are a great way to learn. "Make friends with the eminent dead" - Rabindranath Tagore, Gautam Buddha - they'll teach you a lot. https://lnkd.in/dJBykrP2

📢 Exciting news! We are thrilled to announce the launch of our organization, 'Ikvanshu', as a social innovation lab with a twist. Our team of global experts is dedicated to empowering grassroots leaders and communities in tackling India's most pressing challenges. But that's not all, we have a 2-fold approach. 1st: we provide emerging leaders with resources, mentorship, and funding needed to implement innovative solutions. 2nd: our consulting and strategy arm offers expertise to nonprofits and funders, helping them drive impactful change. 💡 By bridging the gap between potential and impact, Ikvanshu is driving sustainable, community-led change. There's more, our hybrid team also operates across other domains, creating a continuous cycle of learning and application. The insights gained from their work with Ikvanshu enhance their expertise in other fields, resulting in a rich environment for innovation and meaningful impact. We have something else coming soon as well!! So... 🚀 Join us on this journey towards positive change. #Ikvanshu #SocialInnovation #EmpoweringGrassrootsLeaders #SapnoKiUdaan #ConsultingAndStrategy #CommunityImpact #JoinTheMovement Poorvaja Sundar Tulika Rajbhar

Since my recent election as an Ashoka Young Changemaker, quite a number of individuals reached out to me asking "WHO IS A CHANGEMAKER, AND WHAT DOES IT MEAN TO BE ONE?" A changemaker is someone who recognizes a need for change in their community or society and takes action to address that need. They are individuals who are proactive, innovative, and resilient, working to create positive and sustainable impact in their communities and beyond. Changemakers can be social entrepreneurs, activists, volunteers, or anyone who is committed to making a difference. To be a changemaker means to be a catalyst for change, someone who is not satisfied with the status quo and is willing to challenge norms and conventions to bring about positive change. Changemakers often possess qualities such as empathy, creativity, collaboration, and a strong sense of purpose. They are able to inspire and mobilize others to join them in their efforts, creating a ripple effect that can lead to broader social transformation. Changemakers are driven by a deep sense of social responsibility and a belief in the power of individuals to make a difference. They are constantly learning, adapting, and evolving their approaches to maximize their impact and address the root causes of social problems. Being a changemaker is not always easy, but it is a rewarding and fulfilling journey that can lead to meaningful and lasting change in the world. #EveryoneAChangemaker

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India is one of the most dynamic places in the world right now. I believe we have a unique opportunity to include women in our growth story, and the time to act is now. This summer, Swara - Voice of Women hosted the first 6-week ethical leadership program, CraftHER, in collaboration with the Laidlaw Foundation. We brought six scholars from top universities across the world - University of Leeds, University of St Andrews, University of Cambridge, Brown University - to Kerala to work and learn alongside women. Over six weeks, we visited five non-profits that work with women making a variety of products. Each organisation had its own theory of change, philosophy, and approach to women's empowerment. Our focus was on the activities within the craft sector. Seeing the impact on the scholars was truly moving. We also partnered with Simba Technologies to track their journey through WhatsApp surveys. Beyond the shift in how they saw India, women, empowerment, leadership, and consumer culture, the program directly contributed to the income of the women in the organisations we visited. 95% of the people we interacted with during those six weeks were women! (We need to find women driving tempo travellers 🤔) When we talk about India's potential to grow its tourism industry, we must include women. And not just at entry levels, but as leaders and entrepreneurs who benefit from the opportunities 💰💸 We are currently overlooking an incredible resource! Women bring invaluable qualities like empathy, hospitality, and warmth to the table. It's time to tap into that potential. ✨🙏 Megan Shaw , Grace Nash , Lucia Laffan , Yoshino Homma , Elizabeth Morvatz , Lillian B. , Preetha Mathews #tourisminindia #india

What is the one thing you would like to change in India if you could? Also, tell me HOW you plan to change it. Let's have an interesting discussion. We're planning to spend a significant amount of our time on doing social impact projects in the future, so I would love to expand my world view of the problems and their probable solutions! #abhiandniyu #niyumusings

Sow a thought, you can reap an act; sow an act, and you can reap a habit!!! Often this means to build the confidence to do better, we don't realise that the coin does have the other side too. Coming from different backgrounds, I never perceived my achievements worthy of celebration, rather my obligation to do so, and in the process I forgot to own these accomplishments. Additionally, I had the constant pressure of being mature and not letting my success get on my head. I was accustomed to not speaking much so that I don't sound bragging or bossy. Despite knowing the answers, I never raised my hand, thinking that I need to give others a chance. Eventually, this left repressive imprints of myself on me and I could never see myself as an achiever and have always considered my success a fluke. After completing almost a month at Young India Fellowship at Ashoka University, I have had several realisations where I understood that I wasn't proud of myself, I couldn't strike a balance between being rooted and celebrating my successes, which has constituted me into a different person. Now I'm trying to challenge myself and get better at this. #selfreflection #development #

Is it my transition to the social sector, or was it always there somewhere within me? Thanks for sharing your humbling experience, Jasmine Saha. Grateful to have known you as a dear and warm colleague and a passionate professional! 🍀 With a Master's in Human Development from Lady Irwin College, Delhi University, I embarked on a journey that has been both fulfilling and enlightening. My first stint was with the Parwarish Institute of Parenting, where our powerful team—Sushant Kalra, Deepti Mirani, Monica, Manvi Gupta, Nageshwar Panchal, and I—dedicated ourselves to driving the unlimited potential of children. It didn't take long for us to realize: why not extend this to children in underserved communities? Hence, the birth of Parwarish Cares Foundation!🌱 At Parwarish, I've had the privilege of working with incredible client organizations like Teach For India, Smile Foundation, Neev ., and Going to School. These experiences taught me invaluable lessons in #agility and learning-on-the-go. Recently, I started writing blogs on #SocialSectorLeadership, and I was blown away by the breadth and depth of work happening across all domains in the sector. Working with visionary leaders like Anu Prasad and Rajneesh Chowdhury, Ph.D., I've seen first hand the immense value of #Professionalism and #CustomerCentricity — values that are at the core of all our work in the sector. There's so much to do, and every single person can contribute! Two years ago, when I took up my current role as #AssociateDirector at ILSS - India Leaders for Social Sector, little did I know how much the sector would help me become much more #humble and #adaptable. Remember, it’s not just you who has to accept; the sector also has to accept you! :) If you're considering a #transition to the social sector, check out ILSS’s recent offering for young leaders, The ILSS Young Leaders Program, which provides a structured pathway to explore the impact sector. I invite my colleague Meenal Manolika - a powerful leader, to share some of the incredible work she has been doing in the #socialsector. #SocialSector #Leadership #TransitionJourney #MakingADifference #Impact #ProfessionalGrowth

🎥 A Meaningful Conversation: Building the Future Together 🌟 Join us in this insightful dialogue between Mr. Krishna Javvaji and Mr. T. S. Krishnamurthy, where they discuss the importance of empowering youth, fostering innovation, and creating opportunities for growth. From affordable education initiatives to supporting government job aspirants, this conversation highlights the steps being taken to shape a brighter future for the next generation. 💼✨ Watch the video to gain inspiration and learn how collaboration and vision can drive impactful change. Together, we’re building pathways to success! 🚀 #Leadership #EducationForAll #GovernmentJobs #FutureOfIndia #Inspiration #krishnajavvaji #impacteers

"𝐆𝐫𝐚𝐜𝐞 𝐔𝐧𝐝𝐞𝐫 𝐏𝐫𝐞𝐬𝐬𝐮𝐫𝐞: 𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐒𝐭𝐨𝐫𝐲 𝐨𝐟 𝐒𝐰𝐚𝐦𝐢 𝐕𝐢𝐯𝐞𝐤𝐚𝐧𝐚𝐧𝐝𝐚" During his studies in London, Swami Vivekananda encountered a professor who disliked him intensely. One day, the professor attempted to humiliate him: 🗨️ "Mr. Vivekananda, a pig, and a bird do not sit together." Without missing a beat, Swami ji replied calmly: 🗨️ "Don’t worry, Professor. I will fly away." But the professor wasn't done. The next day, he posed a tricky question: 🗨️ "If you find a bag of wisdom and a bag of money, which one would you take?" Swami Ji, with his characteristic wit, responded: 🗨️ "The bag of money, of course. Each one takes what they don’t have." The professor, fuming with anger, took further action by marking Swami ji's answer sheet with the word “Idiot” instead of a grade. Calmly and confidently, Swami Vivekananda approached him and said: 🗨️ "Professor, you signed my answer sheet but forgot to give me a grade." 🔥 The Lesson: This story is not just about wit; it’s about emotional intelligence. Swami Vivekananda showed us that true strength lies in responding with grace and self-assurance rather than reacting with anger. 💡 How can we apply this today? 🎯 Stay calm under pressure. 🧠 Respond intelligently to criticism. 🙌 Remember, self-respect is non-negotiable. Swami Vivekananda’s wisdom reminds us that true success lies in staying composed, no matter how tough the situation. #Wisdom #Leadership #SwamiVivekananda #EmotionalIntelligence #Inspiration