Originally written for IDEX and published at http://commonthreadx.ning.com/blog/building-a-better-world-the-idex-way
Excited to be a part of IDEX Cohort 2013. As this is my first step to explore the world of opportunities wherein I can challenge myself and look out for a unprecedented learning experience.Today even after six decades of independence, the challenge for our nation would still remain the rural development as a whole and people of the villages remain unreached. The rural people have been deprived of education, health care, employment and over all welfare. Bridging this gap by making accessible the education and spreading awareness about the importance of education and hygiene among the community which will definitely lead to reduce the gap if not bridge it completely.It is difficult to bring about change. IDEX will help me work on real life projects and also connect to professional experts who are motivated to make the world better. I feel I'm at a right place to explore this world of opportunities which can help me build a better society by impacting the lives of people around who need support.
Day 1
Orientation at Tata Institute of Social Science gave a holistic beginning to the journey. Having entrepreneurs share their experience as to how they are successful to start on their own was really inspiring. Beginning with Ms.Aparajita Agarwal, Director Sankalp Forum could give an useful insight as to how one can create a space for themselves in the industry you desire to work. Shalab Sahai, Co-founder iVolunteer shared his personal experience which come up with a learning that say - "Ideas are just next door, watch your step, step ahead & never look back". Also talk by Mr.Pradeep Sharma, Country Director GMC told us about how to make the best out of this fellowship & gave us some insights on social entrepreneurship. Mr.Krishna Sree Kumar, CEO AgSree with his enormous experience & exposure in the field of social enterprise was boon for the day. The amount of energy & the passion he carried moved the fellows to be more interactive & discuss on issues which can impact business. The corner games which helped us discuss on various issues namely, education affordability, health care system, women empowerment etc., helped us think on the existing scenario across globe as we had fellows from India, US, Egypt, Nigeria. This turned out to be a debate as everyone tried to share their experience based on the demography & it was amazing to see that every single aspect has a different impact on a particular issue.By EOD few things we could reflect on are mentioned below:
Day 1
Orientation at Tata Institute of Social Science gave a holistic beginning to the journey. Having entrepreneurs share their experience as to how they are successful to start on their own was really inspiring. Beginning with Ms.Aparajita Agarwal, Director Sankalp Forum could give an useful insight as to how one can create a space for themselves in the industry you desire to work. Shalab Sahai, Co-founder iVolunteer shared his personal experience which come up with a learning that say - "Ideas are just next door, watch your step, step ahead & never look back". Also talk by Mr.Pradeep Sharma, Country Director GMC told us about how to make the best out of this fellowship & gave us some insights on social entrepreneurship. Mr.Krishna Sree Kumar, CEO AgSree with his enormous experience & exposure in the field of social enterprise was boon for the day. The amount of energy & the passion he carried moved the fellows to be more interactive & discuss on issues which can impact business. The corner games which helped us discuss on various issues namely, education affordability, health care system, women empowerment etc., helped us think on the existing scenario across globe as we had fellows from India, US, Egypt, Nigeria. This turned out to be a debate as everyone tried to share their experience based on the demography & it was amazing to see that every single aspect has a different impact on a particular issue.By EOD few things we could reflect on are mentioned below:
- What does social enterprise focus on : Social impact, Profit margin
- What domain of social enterprise you are passionate about to work for
- Do you have any idea in place to give it a game plan
- How does BOP community survive with <$2, what do they exactly need, what are the challenges they face etc.,
- How do you define a social enterprise : Sustainable, operate in critical need sector
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| Checking if blush can pull me, Yana and Troy |
More importantly the first day at orientation exposed us to this world of social enterprise by helping the fellows across globe to join hands together to work for the society & wonderful people around. Having an impact even on one life is difficult & we could know what aspect of one's life we are going to touch upon. The day leaves us with a network of professionals.
Day 2
Second day at orientation had in store lot of exciting things for the fellows. An awesome start by ex-fellow Averil Spencer, Co-Founder - Voice4girls. Her personal experience at IDEX & the work she has done was just splendid. It was amazing to know that the number of lives she touches upon in spite of the cultural difference she come across. There was an interesting session my be none of the fellow could think about it & that some awesome tips on blogging by Nelson Moses from Billionbulbs. We could learn that yes, the stronger you convey your message the stronger s the impact. Another ex-fellow Zoe took us through the importance of having a mentor & how this relationship can help you build leadership qualities that can drive your career path. Another interesting session which help us understand the hustle that goes between the head & heart. This could help us know what we are are passionate about & what skills we possess to accomplish the same. Second day was a blend of fun & activity.
Finally, orientation comes to an end with lot of learning & network building. And according to orientation comes into play when an individual is exposed to the new environment. Orientation is aimed at providing all the required information to the beneficiaries, enabling them be in the comfort zone in the new environment. Orientations aim to provide basic information of about the prevailing atmosphere, culture and etiquette that are predominantly followed, possible challenges to be faced, solutions so on. Overall, it aims to ensure that an individual is prepared to take up the challenge and thereby help him sustain by further guidance. Well, I must say the orientation program did do justice and covered all aspects by which one could be familiar before jumping into ground realities.
City Orientation Day 1 was just amazing. Scavenger hunt. I must say this one was just crazy. Explored the city with many different perspectives known & unknown. Kick started with triple ride on a bike. Getting to know how to make a dosa turned out into business talks with complementary coffee in royal silver glass. Headed to the Yana's workplace. The task of getting defined the word "social enterprise" in 8 different languages. Then a drive to Lalbhag to get people crazy & say how much they love Bengaluru with some yummy mangoes tasted. Then drove to Jaaga with all smiles & feeling satisfied for having accomplished all the task on time. Woooo...... That was a lovely day for me just because Yana & Troy were just wonderful. All these task helped us get acquainted to the new place to some extent. Especially the Hindi/Kannada crash course, role play how to choose on the mode of transport, recognizing the food items on the menu was just amazing day.
The Day 2 of city orientation could give us a new world altogether. We could connect to so many people in fact build a network. This was a perfect blend of professional & personal space. Starting with details on EAP the moving on to explore the world of start ups at IIHS & the wonderful evening at Crescent with placement enterprise.
To describe the experience till date was just perfect to get acquainted with the new world of IDEX.
Day 2
Second day at orientation had in store lot of exciting things for the fellows. An awesome start by ex-fellow Averil Spencer, Co-Founder - Voice4girls. Her personal experience at IDEX & the work she has done was just splendid. It was amazing to know that the number of lives she touches upon in spite of the cultural difference she come across. There was an interesting session my be none of the fellow could think about it & that some awesome tips on blogging by Nelson Moses from Billionbulbs. We could learn that yes, the stronger you convey your message the stronger s the impact. Another ex-fellow Zoe took us through the importance of having a mentor & how this relationship can help you build leadership qualities that can drive your career path. Another interesting session which help us understand the hustle that goes between the head & heart. This could help us know what we are are passionate about & what skills we possess to accomplish the same. Second day was a blend of fun & activity.
Finally, orientation comes to an end with lot of learning & network building. And according to orientation comes into play when an individual is exposed to the new environment. Orientation is aimed at providing all the required information to the beneficiaries, enabling them be in the comfort zone in the new environment. Orientations aim to provide basic information of about the prevailing atmosphere, culture and etiquette that are predominantly followed, possible challenges to be faced, solutions so on. Overall, it aims to ensure that an individual is prepared to take up the challenge and thereby help him sustain by further guidance. Well, I must say the orientation program did do justice and covered all aspects by which one could be familiar before jumping into ground realities.
City Orientation Day 1 was just amazing. Scavenger hunt. I must say this one was just crazy. Explored the city with many different perspectives known & unknown. Kick started with triple ride on a bike. Getting to know how to make a dosa turned out into business talks with complementary coffee in royal silver glass. Headed to the Yana's workplace. The task of getting defined the word "social enterprise" in 8 different languages. Then a drive to Lalbhag to get people crazy & say how much they love Bengaluru with some yummy mangoes tasted. Then drove to Jaaga with all smiles & feeling satisfied for having accomplished all the task on time. Woooo...... That was a lovely day for me just because Yana & Troy were just wonderful. All these task helped us get acquainted to the new place to some extent. Especially the Hindi/Kannada crash course, role play how to choose on the mode of transport, recognizing the food items on the menu was just amazing day.
The Day 2 of city orientation could give us a new world altogether. We could connect to so many people in fact build a network. This was a perfect blend of professional & personal space. Starting with details on EAP the moving on to explore the world of start ups at IIHS & the wonderful evening at Crescent with placement enterprise.
To describe the experience till date was just perfect to get acquainted with the new world of IDEX.
