First published in Verve, August 2015
When my 22-year old friend said that she wanted to return to India and join an NGO, her mother exclaimed, “I didn’t pay three crores on your foreign education just so that you could come back home and earn peanuts!” The Ivy Leaguer, with degrees from the University of Pennsylvania (UPenn) and the Wharton School of Business, had the best job offers lining up at her doorstep — and still wanted to leave everything to join a social endeavour.
Today, many 20-somethings in big metros are armed with the best education and lead comfortable lives — and yet they are choosing to leave air-conditioned workplaces to sit on the floors of classrooms and interact with underprivileged children. Are we seeing an emergence — in real life — of many Mohan Bhargavas, the hero of Ashutosh Gowariker’s Swades who felt a greater sense of satisfaction working in an Indian village than he did in his plush NASA office in America? And, what had impelled him to return — a woman’s love or the call of his country?
INDIA CALLING
In students’ teen years, it’s all about slogging for the best GPAs and SAT scores. Though several young ones in urban societies seek high grades to enter the Stanfords and Harvards of the world, they also try to stay connected to their Indian roots once they join foreign universities. Some do it by watching the latest Bollywood films and some by making ghar ki dal in their dorm kitchens. And there are those who, sooner or later, wish to return and ‘give back to the country’.
“Many Indian students, regardless of where they’re studying or working, feel a deep-rooted connection to India. They not only see the massive potential this country holds, but are also cognisant that unlocking that potential would have enormous implications. The possibilities for the future of India would honestly have no limit,” says Sandeep Rai, a Teach For America alumnus, and one of the founding staff members of Teach For India (TFI).
When it comes to social organisations, TFI and The Akanksha Foundation, the brainchildren of Shaheen Mistri — both that engage volunteers to educate children from lower income groups — may be two of the most popular ones. But others aren’t far behind. With greater passion driving young Indians, many more endeavours are on the rise. There’s Samyak Chakrabarty’s Social Quotient that combines marketing and social impact, and Princeton and Cambridge graduate Akanksha Hazari’s m.paani — a mobile-based mass consumer loyalty programme that reaches out to benefit all income groups. Ramona Saboo’s Forty Red Bangles produces sustainable luxury products such as home décor items, accessories, clothes and more, while working with several women’s empowerment trusts and initiatives.
MORE THAN MONEY
“There is a growing desire among urban youth to contribute to society. This is not just in the form of money but also in terms of time. Many are considering the social space as a career option, which was almost unheard of a few years ago,” says Smita Ram, co-founder of the Bengaluru-based organisation Rang De that supports education and livelihood of communities. Agrees Rai, “In addition to working towards a purpose-driven mission, you’re interacting with some of the most incredible people you’ll ever meet. And, if you find the right fit and organisation, you’ll get to both utilise and develop a wide assortment of knowledge and skills”. But of course, choosing this path doesn’t come without its challenges.
It’s not just my UPenn alumnus friend whose mother was worried about her child not earning enough if she joined an NGO. For, in a more collectivistic culture like India’s, parents have a larger say in things as compared to, say, the USA, where many leave their homes once they turn 18. “You’re moving contrary to the direction often encouraged by our culture. My parents were initially adamantly opposed to me moving back. It’s tough when you’re not only thinking about salary constraints, but you’re also weighing the opinions and beliefs of family members,” Rai shares.
If Indian parents still worry about where their kids are going, what time they’ll be home and why they eat so little, surely they’re going to wonder why their MBA graduate offsprings are giving up six figure salaries to work “for peanuts”. As Aakansha Kedia, director of Social Quotient and creator of The Green Batti Project (a mentoring programme for children from under-resourced communities) states, “It’s tough to get your point across to your parents, and to convince yourself that this is the right time for you to be taking this risk. It’s hard to let go of a few zeros from your salary slip to see a few more smiles on people’s faces as a result of your work. But this becomes easy when you are passionate and can find the balance between ‘self’ and ‘social’”. Not everyone gives up their Saturday night party at the five-star hotel or their buffet brunch at their favourite restaurant — they just learn to manage their social lives and work together.
Being brought up in affluent homes and knowing little about the problems of the world outside their air-conditioned vehicles can also be a problem. As Ram explains, “I do think that the lack of experience and understanding of real issues can come in the way. But the fact that people are starting young and can afford to take time to learn is a great advantage.”
ALWAYS WORTH IT
It comes down to using your education and degrees to make a positive impact — and many choose to start in their own country. “Don’t think of it as a sacrifice, settling for less, a compulsion or a last resort. It’s not about returning to your roots, it’s about holding onto them in any career to choose. Giving back to society shouldn’t be a task but an involuntary action,” maintains Kedia. As Rai puts it, “At the end of the day, it comes down to one thing: is it worth it? From close to the 10 years that I’ve spent doing this work, I say a resounding yes”.
There probably is a Mohan Bhargava hidden inside many who need that sense of accomplishment that probably no NASA job can provide. They’re looking for an opportunity that’s much bigger. Just like my UPenn and Wharton degree-holding friend, who will someday return from her job in USA to fulfil her dream of building an NGO and creating history.
AKANKSHA HAZARI,
Founder, m.paani
SUCCESS STORIES “A large income does not equal success. My personal measure of success and drivers are living a life of value and purpose, as it impacts people and the world around me. By that measure, I am incredibly happy with the path I have chosen, and in that sense it is an easy choice. It is the only choice.”
BEING THE CHANGE “I want to build businesses that deliver value to millions of people through original and innovative products, services and systems…. Environmental issues are of serious concern. The way we live today is totally unsustainable. India alone is home to 13 of the most polluted cities in the world. I am trying to make changes in my own lifestyle — right now I’m working on completely cutting plastic out of my life. In the future, I aim to invest more of my time working on environmental issues.”
FOLLOW YOUR PATH “Today, all eyes are on India and other emerging markets. The real opportunities for growth and innovation are here. We are putting India on the map as a leading economic powerhouse. Your legacy is yours to define. What are you waiting for?”
RAMONA SABOO,
Founder, Forty Red Bangles
NEW BEGINNINGS “My background in building social enterprises and working with refugee groups in Melbourne inspired me to start my own business which was focussed on community development. I decided to create a line of eco-friendly, sustainable, luxury products, while providing an income to the artisans involved. So Forty Red Bangles took shape and is continuing to evolve and expand.”
HOMEBOUND “Many make the move back to India to be part of a larger community here. Sometimes, trying to maintain the balance between corporate life and raising a family can be extremely challenging, which spurs people to look further and explore other career options. India is a land of extremes and it is rewarding to be able to contribute and give back to society through one’s line of work.”
CAREER CONSCIOUS “It is a journey that comes with many challenges. If you stay true to the core principles of your brand philosophy then the social field is a very satisfying path to choose. I once said I would never live in India, but I found myself drawn back to a place that has given me so much.”
Huzan Tata 