Sense International’s Post

You can't sit at my table ------------------------------ The founder of a nonprofit that works primarily in urban India recently shared that she had two Boards- one that had the English speaking, upper middle income elite and another youth Board that had memebrs from the community . There are a few others that do have different groups that they engage with on the overall governance decisions of their organisations . However, barring a handful few and far between, I have rarely seen a Board in urban India that also has an active representation and participation of a community member that they set up for to serve. I wonder why. Is this some subliminal conditioning remnant of a general lack of understanding of equity? Is it a belief that we know better that those who are different from us from a class, language, educational background? Is it a fear of including those who may challenge us if given the space? Is it a concern about optics ... Do we need more to be done in reducing this inequity in the Board rooms as we are now doing to increase diversity representation from other categories of people ? Or should we plough on as we are, in the belief that this will be in the best interest of the community and at a pace that wont slow us down , given we will need to invest more time and effort to elicit prudent engagement from the community representatives ? What do you think? #Board #diversity , #directors, #trustees , #ngos , #equity , #class , #boardmembers , #

Untouchability in India - is it still a thing?! I'm shocked that even today, this outdated practice exists! It's an offense, right? But reality checks in, and I'm saddened to see that generations have passed, yet mindsets haven't changed. In some communities, people from certain castes aren't even allowed to enter lanes used by others. Yes, you read that right! Separate lanes for different castes. I casually invited myself over for lunch at our support staff's home. She was thrilled when I reached and prepared her special Aloo Pulao I call it :) But then her daughter offered me water, and she quickly whispered, "Mam, hamara Pani nahi piyegi" (Mam won't drink our water). I told her I'd filled the bottle from another house in the same lane! I had a lovely meal together, but it left me wondering... how many more generations will suffer? Why should they face this every day? How long will it take for us to break free from these chains? #UntouchabilityInIndia #BreakTheChains #SocialJustice #EqualityForAll #EndDiscrimination #CasteSystemReform #HumanRights #IndiaNeedsToChange #NoMoreUntouchability #DignityForAll #InclusionMatters #SocialEquality #EmpathyInAction #StandAgainstDiscrimination #DalitRights #Casteism #SocialReform

Celebrating Republic Day with Sensory ALL🇮🇳🪷. On Republic Day, Sensory ALL celebrates the diverse fabric of our nation, emphasizing the importance of inclusivity and accessibility for all, especially neurodiverse individuals. As India marks the adoption of its Constitution, we reflect on the rights and opportunities that should be extended to everyone, regardless of ability. Republic Day is a reminder of the need for a society where all voices are heard, where inclusion is not just a concept but a practice, and where neurodivergent individuals are empowered to thrive. Sensory ALL stands firm in its commitment to championing the rights, dignity, and representation of neurodiverse communities. #RepublicDay #SensoryALL #NeurodiversityInclusion #InclusiveIndia #EmpowerNeurodiversity #EqualRightsForAll #AccessibleIndia #CelebratingDiversity #InclusionMatters #NeurodiverseVoices #SensoryALLInclusion

I agree that women must be allowed to perform last rites for their loved ones. It is a matter of equality and human rights and emotional attachment to loved ones. We must respect the wish of the women . Came across this lady who has performed last rites of more than 1000s . There is no religious prohibition on women performing last rites. In fact, there are many examples in Hindu mythology of women performing last rites for their loved ones. The exclusion of women from last rites is a social and cultural issue, not a religious one. It is a practice that is based on gender inequality. Here are some of the arguments in favor of allowing women to perform last rites: Religious freedom: Women have the same right to religious freedom as men. This includes the right to participate in religious rituals and ceremonies, including last rites. Gender equality: Women should be treated equally to men in all aspects of life, including in death. This means that they should be allowed to perform last rites for their loved ones if they wish to do so. Human rights: Everyone has the right to dignity and respect in death. This includes the right to have their last rites performed in accordance with their wishes. I believe that the time has come for change. Women should be allowed to perform last rites for their loved ones if they wish to do so. This is a matter of equality, human rights, and religious freedom.

Why does demanding your rights make you a troublemonger? Why does voicing your concerns make you a busybody? Why does seeking justice, embracing social causes, standing up for truth and any such activity that concerns defying or disrupting the status quo make you a social pariah labelled truculent and or strident troublemaker? Right from childhood, I was trained by my mother to stand up for myself, question societal "norms" and seek truth and justice. My relentless pursuit of these values imbibed in childhood have put me at odds with authorities/establishment often. I have been called emotional, impractical, unrelenting and fierce. I don't love these labels but I embrace my non-conformist rebel self. Sometimes I wonder, would I have been a soft, sweet, demure soul if I did not have to fight every inch of the way for what's rightfully mine? Fighting off bullies in school, playground and workplace. Fighting an education system geared to favour the non-disabled, the haves over the have nots. A society which treats its own as an outcast, a pariah, a goblin. An employment system meant for the crème de la crème discounting the differences that parochial social and educational systems bring about in candidates - diversity, if you may. Fighting for access, acceptance and acknowledgement. This is the story of every struggle from the one started for our independence to the ones we are fighting in independent India. This is the story of women, dalits, tribes, poor, underprivileged, disabled, and the diverse community. I am glad it's no longer a lonely battle. We are a #billionstrong. It's a movement and the rising tide will colour the planet purple. As a woman with multiple disabilities, I stand at the intersection of diversity and my fight is for everyone. Join this movement. Raise your voice. Be heard. #ConversationsAroundDisability #FightForRight #AccessibilityAndInclusion #PurpleTide #DEI #RaiseYourVoiceBeHeard

𝙔𝙚𝙨𝙩𝙚𝙧𝙙𝙖𝙮, 𝙄 𝙚𝙭𝙥𝙚𝙧𝙞𝙚𝙣𝙘𝙚𝙙 𝙨𝙤𝙢𝙚𝙩𝙝𝙞𝙣𝙜 𝙚𝙭𝙩𝙧𝙖𝙤𝙧𝙙𝙞𝙣𝙖𝙧𝙮... ✓ 𝗔 𝗽𝗹𝗮𝗰𝗲 𝘄𝗵𝗲𝗿𝗲 𝘁𝗵𝗲𝗿𝗲 𝘄𝗮𝘀 𝗻𝗼 𝗱𝗶𝗳𝗳𝗲𝗿𝗲𝗻𝗰𝗲 𝗯𝗲𝘁𝘄𝗲𝗲𝗻 𝗯𝗼𝘆𝘀 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗴𝗶𝗿𝗹𝘀. ✓ 𝗔 𝗽𝗹𝗮𝗰𝗲 𝘄𝗵𝗲𝗿𝗲 𝗶𝘁'𝘀 𝗻𝗼𝗿𝗺𝗮𝗹 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝗯𝗼𝘆𝘀 𝘁𝗼 𝗰𝗿𝘆. ✓ 𝗔 𝗽𝗹𝗮𝗰𝗲 𝘄𝗵𝗲𝗿𝗲 𝗻𝗼 𝗳𝗼𝗿𝗺 𝗼𝗳 𝗵𝗮𝗿𝗮𝘀𝘀𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘁 𝗼𝗰𝗰𝘂𝗿𝘀 𝘁𝗼 𝗴𝗶𝗿𝗹𝘀. ✓ 𝗔 𝗽𝗹𝗮𝗰𝗲 𝘄𝗵𝗲𝗿𝗲 𝘆𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝗽𝗲𝗿𝘀𝗽𝗲𝗰𝘁𝗶𝘃𝗲 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝘄𝗼𝗿𝗱𝘀 𝗮𝗿𝗲 𝘃𝗮𝗹𝘂𝗲𝗱 𝗷𝘂𝘀𝘁 𝗮𝘀 𝗺𝘂𝗰𝗵 𝗮𝘀 𝘁𝗵𝗼𝘀𝗲 𝗼𝗳 𝗮𝗻𝘆 𝗵𝗲𝗿𝗼 𝗼𝗿 𝗵𝗲𝗿𝗼𝗶𝗻𝗲. In short, I witnessed a community that offers: - 𝗦𝘂𝗽𝗽𝗼𝗿𝘁 - 𝗠𝗼𝘁𝗶𝘃𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 - 𝗥𝗲𝘃𝗶𝗲𝘄𝘀 - 𝗥𝗲𝘀𝗽𝗲𝗰𝘁 Imagine a place where you can say what you want, as long as you convey your disagreement respectfully without offending the other person. Isn't that amazing? I wish our world could be like this. And just then, I heard my mom calling, "Amrit, the water tank is full, turn it off!" 😑 It seems this will be a constant in my life. And with that, I come back to my world of thoughts. 😅 What do you think of this community, born from my imagination? You might be wondering, "Amrit, why build up so much hype and leave us hanging..." You all were probably thinking, "Where is this place?" It can't be in India, right? Our country is a mix of so many languages and cultures, yet some things are universal. No matter your: - 𝗖𝗮𝘀𝘁𝗲 - 𝗥𝗲𝗹𝗶𝗴𝗶𝗼𝗻 - 𝗚𝗲𝗻𝗱𝗲𝗿 - 𝗣𝗹𝗮𝗰𝗲 Certain things are common for everyone. But as times change, we need to evolve too. So what if we don't have such a community now? We can create a new one ourselves. And for that, re-SACH is always ready. All you need to remember is that it doesn't matter what we've done in the past; what matters is not repeating those mistakes in the present and future. 🙌 P.S. Let's build this dream community togethers Comment below what u feel and yes do correct me if I am wrong #Inspiration #Community #Respect #Equality #Support #Motivation #Change #Future #reSACH

Ayahs were Indian women who were hired by the wealthy British families to care for their children. By the late 19th century Ayahs were the backbone of British families in colonial India. The British mistresses depended heavily on Indian maids in bringing up their children. But their attitudes towards Ayahs (and Indian servants) were very unkind. Thousands of Ayahs from India and other parts of Asia were brought to London to look after young children. They were made to look after and entertain their children during long sea journeys. Many of them were eventually abandoned without any pay or arrangements for their way back home.  These women often took to advertisements in local newspapers, asking for help to travel back home. Soon The Ayahs’ Home was established to house, feed, clothe, and protect Ayahs in England.  The British children became more familiar with Indian languages and culture because of the close relationship they shared with their Ayah. This broke racial boundaries because Ayahs were raising white children. Ayahs had a lasting impact on the British generations. Impacts that were undesirable to the British, as Victorians believed children were being “culturally contaminated” by a “weaker race”.  However, this did not cease the employment of Ayahs, their expertise with children was undeniably excellent.  In many parts of the world, including South Asia, the term "Ayah" continued to be used to refer to female caregivers or nursemaids.  Even today, nannies and Ayahs play an essential role in supporting families. #SheThePeople #womenempoweringwomen #womenentrepreneurs #womeninmedia #womensupportingwomeninbusiness #women #womeninmedicine #womenempowerment #womeninbusiness #womeninleadership #womeninmedicine #womensupportingwomen #womeninpower #womenhealth #womenentrepreneurs #womeninconsulting

‘An eye for an eye makes the whole world blind’. When the pillars of society seem to be crumbling, when the world might be at ones feet but they lose it for no good reason. People have become psychopaths, every rhetoric seems like a simulation we have been put into as a species to be tested - but for what, no one knows. The past few weeks have been grim for India. As we celebrated our 78th Independence Day, the innate of idea of freedom and independence felt dismissed and defeated. In the youngest country in the world with the lowest gap in gender ratio and a soaring number of girls getting educated and the opportunity to create impact - for someone like me who gets to do the same, it feels unfair and uncomfortable. Imagine how many lives are getting affected with every gender-based crime. Imagine how much as a country are we comprising upon, losing out on. Me and you, we are all a part of the same population. A person in fifty percent of the population, and clearly one individual is enough to make a difference. Sadly the difference this time is too grave. The question and the solution boils down to only one word - Accountability. The who-what-when-why-how all are answered if someone takes responsibility, responsibility with consequence. As someone who tries to work in impact creation, the ‘impact’ of the past few weeks has been tremendously uncomfortable. It feels unfair to put out educational posts or resume life as it is, simply because it shouldn’t be. Everything is not a sustainability issue, but everything still somehow is. What about the sustainability of humanity - what are we doing to keep that going, to focus on the good and to be the good. LinkedIn isn’t the best place to talk about this, but as professionals and responsible human beings, it is our responsibility to aware, alert and work towards justice, with justice, in whatever capacity we can. Solidarity and Humanity should be our Strength. Being Human should be a strength. #India #justice #humanity #creatorsonlinkedin #linkedincreators #community #solidarity #realtalk #discussion #impactcreation #pause #changemanagement #impact #sustainability #accountability #responsibility #gender #crime #opendiscussions #conversation #linkedinIndia #womenempowerment #educate #nurture #learning #Gandhi #mentalhealth #wellbeing

"Girls do not perform last rites, you are crazy!" But I have performed the last rites of over 4,000 abandoned bodies and have no plans of stopping. In a society bound by traditional norms and stereotypes, breaking through these barriers is not just a challenge but a necessity. As a woman, I have chosen to step into a space that has long been considered taboo for my gender—performing the last rites of unclaimed bodies. This journey began with a simple realization: every soul deserves dignity, even in death. Too often, unclaimed bodies are left to be forgotten, with no one to perform their last rites, a practice considered crucial in many cultures for the peace of the departed soul. I could not stand by and let this injustice continue. Performing the last rites is not just a ritual; it is an act of compassion, respect, and humanity. Each ceremony is a powerful reminder of our shared humanity and the dignity that every person deserves, regardless of their circumstances in life or in death. Breaking stereotypes, I have faced numerous challenges and societal pushbacks, but these obstacles only strengthen my resolve. This mission is not just about performing rituals; it is about breaking down the barriers of gender bias and societal norms. Empowerment comes in many forms, and for me, it means standing up for those who cannot stand up for themselves, even in death. I believe in the power of one to ignite change, but the power of many can create a revolution. I invite you to join me in this cause. Together, we can ensure that no soul is left without dignity in their final moments. If you are inspired by this mission and wish to support or get involved, please reach out on Instagram Handle- @poojasharma1517. Let’s come together to make a difference. Contact: 9560917213 #Inspiration #BreakingStereotypes #SocialWork #Humanity #WomenEmpowerment #LastRites Together, let’s break the chains of stereotypes and stand for what is right. Join me in giving dignity to those who have been forgotten, and in doing so, empower women and our society as a whole. If you found this insightful don’t forget to save this for later and comment your thoughts. Follow Nikhil D. on Linkedin : https://lnkd.in/gMixPS2k. VC- I.g The Better India.

"It takes a village to raise a child" : the importance of community support in bringing up a special needs child… Raising a child requires the involvement and contributions of not just parents but also extended family, friends, educators, and other community members. This collective effort provides children with diverse perspectives, role models, and support systems, enriching their upbringing and promoting holistic development. It also lightens the burden on individual caregivers, fostering a sense of belonging, collaboration, and shared responsibility within the community. India's family support system cultivates happy, well-rounded children through strong bonds, multi-generational care, and cultural values. The role of Grandparents, imparting wisdom and emotional stability, while extended family members offering diverse perspectives and nurturing environments, all these are the merits of living in India! I witness a lot of Non-resident Indian parents, with special needs children, opting to come back to India, to avail these benefits. I have a mixed feeling about this, considering the quality of treatment and therapy options available , and awareness and acceptance prevalent abroad. I am also getting mixed reviews from these parents. It should be the parents’ discretion after all!! We counsellors are there to help you settle down your anxiety and focus on the right things!! #parentsofdisabled #caringthecaregivers #couselling #counsellingservices #ItTakesAVillageToRaiseAChild #anxietyrelief #removetherapystigma #ReachOutForHelp