59 Responses to “My Indian Dream – 1 thru 10 for India”

1. 
   Mr. Pramathesh Borkotoky Oct 2nd, 2009 at 10:36 pm

   Nice one. I also believe in simple charities and not just giving it to some organization. I don’t say that we should not give it. But, simple charities also help.
   Mr. Pramathesh Borkotoky´s last blog ..The Indian Dream

2. 
   Madhu Rao Oct 2nd, 2009 at 11:06 pm

   @Pramathesh,

   Thank you sir. Appreciate the encouragement. It is good to see that people want to take the pains to see their donations reach the intended recipients. We need to look for better ways to help and people being pro-active definitely helps ..

3. 
   Daisyblue Oct 3rd, 2009 at 12:02 am

   Good post here with a nice presentation. Yes simple charities do help a lot. But the number of people doing the charity is very less compared to the people available to do so. And thats the problem that we face here.
   Yes 1% of salary to charity is doable & I follow that.
   Daisyblue´s last blog ..The Indian Dream

4. 
   Raji Oct 3rd, 2009 at 12:50 am

   Madhu, hi
   Hats off to you for a wonderful post on ” The Indian Dream”. It touched my heart.. all the best

5. 
   Naveen Oct 3rd, 2009 at 1:08 am

   a good message …well documented … this idea of personal charities instead of donating to organizations is really something to take up seriously !!
   Naveen´s last blog ..The Indian Dream

6. 
   Madhu Rao Oct 3rd, 2009 at 1:38 am

   @Naveen, Thanks for the encouraging words. Appreciate it. When organizations gobble up chunks of the donations in the name of ‘operating costs’, not only does it makes a mockery of a noble gesture but deprives the needy as well . More personal participation has worked for us  

7. 
   Madhu Rao Oct 3rd, 2009 at 1:42 am

   @Raji, Thank you so much. I’m happy it touched you. A few people moved will cascade and move mountains .

   If you return there are some stories by our authors in the SHORT-STORY(top banner) section that you may like. The sentimental and moving kinds. Let us know how we are doing. Keep us honest ..

8. 
   Madhu Rao Oct 3rd, 2009 at 1:48 am

   @Daisyblue, 

             You hit the nail on the head. Charity in India is a drop in the bucket when compared to the needs of the impoverished. That was one of the reasons we felt we need to try and influence 10 people each by 2010 apart from doing the 1%…. 

9. 
   SiD Oct 3rd, 2009 at 2:50 am

   U have a very great blog/site here.

   Yes, you have laid down a great points here. Its quite touchy and to the point.

   We need more personal charities.
   SiD´s last blog ..The Indian Dream

10. 
    Madhu Rao Oct 3rd, 2009 at 2:54 am

    @SiD,

           Thanks for the appreciation. It means a lot to us when people like the site.

           Touchy and to the point is where I was going  

     

11. 
    Charitra Oct 3rd, 2009 at 3:05 am

    Wow ! You created a whole video for the post ? Amazing…

    But damn you ! Your video made me cry . Looking at the Aishwarya thumbnail on the video, I was expecting a satire piece.

    This was just what we need. Help our fellow rahis..

    Kudos. Loved the video and the haunting Bombay theme in the background..

12. 
    Maya Oct 3rd, 2009 at 3:08 am

    Beautiful beautiful post Madhu ! I loved it.

    Like Charitra said, you created the video for just this post ? You are dedicated ! Don’t reject my next post for lack of a detailed video !

    Jokes apart, a beautiful effort. Hope you win !!!

13. 
    Madhu Rao Oct 3rd, 2009 at 3:13 am

    @Charitra,
    Tears were not the intent ; touching the heart was. So glad you shed a few . Yeah, created the video for this post/contest. It needed some dedication all right

    @Maya,
    Thank you. Yeah, created the video for this. Don’t fret about videos ; dial M(Rao) for videos

14. 
    Dhiman Oct 3rd, 2009 at 3:19 am

    Yeah I think ‘common Indians’ do these kind of small charities which is benefiting the ‘Other India’ …. like people carrying food items etc for the children who beg at the signals … or helping the cornseller when he needs some money to finance his daily business… many do it but we need many more to do it…
    Dhiman´s last blog ..The Indian Dream

15. 
    narendra Oct 3rd, 2009 at 3:30 am

    its high time We Indians realised that walking ,talking and spending time with the needy amounts to charity too

    does money mean evrything?not at all!!

    let us live this dream (in your post)

    and let us hope to see a better India..

    REIKI to all the blog-a-tonics so that at least they live contented!
    narendra´s last blog ..The Indian dream

16. 
    Madhu Rao Oct 3rd, 2009 at 3:43 am

    @Dhiman,
    You are correct. We do see random acts of kindnesses all over. But given the magnitude of need, it would help if the “India Shining” were to consistently self-commit to helping the “Other India”..

    @Narendra,
    “Seva” is called seva-daan/shram-daan. So I think it does count as a form of daan . It is even better. Even with monetary donations, we ought to do more ourselves and not hope to write a cheque to an organization and consider charity done. That does present pro-active involvement..

    Nice gravatar..

17. 
    narendra Oct 3rd, 2009 at 4:05 am

    agreed!! the gravatar i did a long back..just today it is seeming relavant..
    thanks..you have a nice blog/ezine/site(or whaterver they call it we dont care about names…right??)
    narendra´s last blog ..The Indian dream

18. 
    Avada Kedavra Oct 3rd, 2009 at 5:13 am

    Oh god! that presentation made me cry.. I like that Mohan scene from Swades so much! That scene always brings tears in my eyes.. Your presentation was too good.. 1 for 10 is going to be of huge benefit if everyone follows it! Hope you dont mind. I posted a link to that video on my facebook and twitter so that even my friends can watch it.. I simply loved that video.. really loved this post!!!
    Avada Kedavra´s last blog ..The Indian Dream

19. 
    chetan Oct 3rd, 2009 at 6:03 am

    hey well written
    it is true that only by our small efforts will India progress
    all the best

20. 
    Madhu Rao Oct 3rd, 2009 at 9:33 am

    @Avada,

             I’m so happy you were touched. That train scene is moving and haunting. 

    We are so very GREATFUL to you for posting the video on your facebook & twitter. That is exactly what we want. That’s our HOPE.  I would love if more people do what you did Avada. We have a “1 thru 10″ page (top banner) that has badges, YouTube embed link etc so people can spread this.  

    Please feel free to use whatever you would like from the post/site. “1 thru 10″ for us is much bigger than just being a blog-a-ton entry. 

    Again, Thank you so very much. Greatly appreciate you spreading the word.  

    Madhu 

     

21. 
    Madhu Rao Oct 3rd, 2009 at 9:35 am

    @Chetan,

             Thank you sir. Appreciate the comment. The hope is that we can do more together  

22. 
    VeNkY Oct 3rd, 2009 at 11:52 am

    wonderful post, really thought provoking. I liked the way you brought up from facebook and swades. thumbs up
    VeNkY´s last blog ..The Indian Dream

23. 
    Madhu Rao Oct 3rd, 2009 at 12:05 pm

    @Venky,

             I’m glad you liked it and it provoked thought. Rather than battle progress, the idea is to make technology an enabler in helping the needy. . We all being so Web 2.0 savvy can utilize it to do some amazing things with it . Creating awareness and inspiration is as much a need as is the charity itsel.

    Appreciate the comments sir…

24. 
    Shilpa Garg Oct 3rd, 2009 at 2:21 pm

    A novel approach Madhu!!
    “1 thru 10 for India’s” 2 requisites
    Use 1% of your monthly salary for a charitable cause thru 2010.
    Inspire at least 10 people to start such charity by 2010…are so very practical and attainable!!

    All the very best!
    Shilpa Garg´s last blog ..The Indian Dream

25. 
    Madhu Rao Oct 3rd, 2009 at 5:11 pm

    Hey Shilpa, Thanks for stopping by and commenting. I’m glad you think it is attainable. I hope so .. 

26. 
    RSV Oct 3rd, 2009 at 7:01 pm

    definitely we need more charities out there….
    the best part about your post was your presentation and I think this is the only post in this contest which makes use of a video..
    kudos!!
    and best of luck from my side….
    RSV´s last blog ..The Indian Dream..

27. 
    RSV Oct 3rd, 2009 at 7:01 pm

    and I answered you there, in my blog…do tell me if I am right

28. 
    Madhu Rao Oct 3rd, 2009 at 7:25 pm

    Thanks a bunch Rahul(RSV). Good luck to you as well ..

29. 
    Shruti Oct 4th, 2009 at 12:41 am

    Hi madhu
    A very well written post! deeply etched with thoughts and really beautiful!
    “”Use 1% of your monthly salary for a charitable cause thru 2010.”"
    What a dream!
    Shruti´s last blog ..Indian Dream

30. 
    Madhu Rao Oct 4th, 2009 at 12:47 am

    @Shruti,

              Thank you for the appreciation. Hopefully “1 thru 10″ is simple, bite-sized enough that people will consider  

31. 
    Talking Skull (Sudarshan) Oct 4th, 2009 at 1:20 am

    A very nice and inspirational article – Best luck for Blog-a-Ton-3.

    But fundamentally, I disagree with your views on ‘little charity’. The divide between the rich and the poor, the urban and the rural, is so huge that we need a FOCUSSED EFFORT. The piecemeal efforts can – at best – help the two extremes to COMMUNICATE, but will fail to solve the issues on hand. It is like a drop of water on a parched desert.

    There are extremely wealthy people, who are very active on charity. Why not have some of them ADOPT villages, and focus all efforts and money there instead of spreading too thin. The result can be outstanding. Just see what the Tatas have done to Jamshedpur.

    Today, there are a gazillion NGOs and Charity Groups, most of which are either a group of unemployed chasing free money, or a social group out on a picnic. I know many will frown at this comment, but the thousands of NGOs ‘milkiing’ the Bhopal Gas tragedy is a living testimony to my statement above. To me, a few bucks here and ther is no good. I would rather divert those little funds to an organisation that focuses on a particular region/ village, and has its books audited!!

    I rest my case.
    Talking Skull (Sudarshan)´s last blog ..BJP fails to sabotage Rahul’s Kalavati

32. 
    harsha Oct 4th, 2009 at 2:20 am

    really nice post. Simple things do make a huge difference. I have decided to follow this, Thank you for sharing it with us. Thank you.

33. 
    Pawan Oct 4th, 2009 at 5:05 am

    Nice one.
    The idea of implementing a thought is itself unique.
    One by one if we all unite, there will be no trouble in making india the absolute superpower.
    Good one man!

    Cheers!

34. 
    Bharathi Oct 4th, 2009 at 5:39 am

    its a very nice societal post. I too plan to workout this percentage.

35. 
    Avada Kedavra Oct 4th, 2009 at 6:50 am

    Most of my friends liked the link and few friends shared it in facebook with their circle.. hope everyone gets the message! and your presentation was too good.. you covered every important place, every important fact about it.. Kudos!!
    Avada Kedavra´s last blog ..The Indian Dream

36. 
    Madhu Rao Oct 4th, 2009 at 9:27 am

    @Avada,
    wow ! You rock ! Thanks so much …

37. 
    Madhu Rao Oct 4th, 2009 at 9:31 am

    @Bharathi, All the very best. If you feel there are aspects from what you do that’s better let us know, we will modify “1 thru 10″. It’s not set in stone and it is about how best to help ..

    Cheers,

     

38. 
    Madhu Rao Oct 4th, 2009 at 9:33 am

    @Pawan, Thank you for the kind words sir. Appreciate it.

    You said it  so well : “… if we all unite, there will be no trouble in making india great …”

    Cheers,

     

39. 
    Madhu Rao Oct 4th, 2009 at 9:34 am

    @Harsha, Thank you for the encouragement. Appreciate it. Small acts do go a long way .

    We are glad we could inspire you. 

    Cheers,

     

40. 
    Madhu Rao Oct 4th, 2009 at 9:57 am

    @Sudarshan, 

             I’m so glad you commented and your comment is contrarian. Here’s the strange part, I agree with you

    on most counts ! . Actually all parts sans the fact that ‘little charities’ do not help. They do.

     

    1. I would love so see the rich do what Tata’s did to Jamshedpur. But that’s not happening. When you hear people like Angelina Jolie dedicate 30% of her annual earnings to charity, you wish our famous people would do a fraction of that consistently. But that does not seem to happen. Most companies in India talk of Social Responsibility initiatives ; they do have a few projects. But compare that against their profits and it is a drop in the bucket. Contrast that against the need of ‘other India’ and it’s a drop in the bucket as well. 
    2. NGOs , In-efficiencies and “Operating Costs” : Many NGOs of today are milking money like you rightly note. Hence we do not feel donating money to them is the best way. Add to that it makes you feel you have done your part when in reality post all their “expenses” some deliver only 10-30% of your money. That’s criminal. So, we say do it yourself. Cut the middleman. But if you know an NGO that does it well and you want to support it. Do it . We ourselves love Sankara Eye Foundation. 
    3. Micro-financing (Thanks to Nobel laureate Dr.Younis ) is working well in many impoverished countries, India included. That’s a sign that small does go a long way. So this is micro-financing for charities if you will. Small makes donors feel less coerced..
    4. “Little Charities” are complementary to big efforts. They do NOT need to mutually exclusive . More the better. Every drop counts..
    5. And again, we are NOT saying do not give it to NGOs that you know are good. We mention Sankara and link to their website. If an organization does good and you would rather give it to them. That’s fine too. Talk about it and still inspire people.. 

    There’s no fixed format Sudarshan. What we are trying is to fight against the current dogma of not giving, whatever the reasons (NGOs milking, turn a blink eye, too much of a commitment et al). From there forward, it is up to the individual. 

    If this piece were to be distilled, here’s how it would be : 

    “Help a fellow Indian in the Other India”. Let that be your motto and motivation . How best you can do it is up to you. Whatever you do, be pro-active, spread the word and inspire more to do the same. Whatever you do, please do something. There is a big need. 

    
    

41. 
    Pushkala Laxminarayan Oct 4th, 2009 at 10:15 am

    What a simple but striking post!
    Keep Writing. I loved your blog.
    Pushkala Laxminarayan´s last blog ..The Indian Dream

42. 
    Madhu Rao Oct 4th, 2009 at 10:37 am

    @Pushkala,

                   Welcome to our blog. We love that you loved what we wrote.. .

43. 
    prashansa puranik Oct 4th, 2009 at 11:10 am

    That is a very practical aproach to the topic. I think Narendra’s point is right.with moneny we should donate some of our time to change the situation as well.Now a days some companies are doing this kind of work. All the best for your work!

44. 
    Madhu Rao Oct 4th, 2009 at 6:37 pm

    @Prashansa, Thanks for stopping by and commenting. Couldn’t agree more with you-Narendra. Like Sudarshan noted quite a few NGOs scam money. So unless you know some that does a good job, donating both ‘Time and Money’ is what’s needed. As a matter of fact we have a post in the wings about a donation visit to an orphanage and a moving episode that ensued. 

    In short more active role and checks and balances to ensure your money reaches the target recipients …

     

45. 
    djd Oct 5th, 2009 at 3:37 am

    nice approach

46. 
    Nasrajan Oct 5th, 2009 at 12:04 pm

    Touching post. Linking it to the virtual world of social networking was excellent thought.

    I used to work in a software firm in Kerala. We had this one sentence as part of our motto – “Give back to the community”. It never went to the level of exhibitionism. But, with a % of our monthly contribution (even less than 1%), we changed many a lives. I wrote about it once here – http://milestogo.in/2006/05/04/the-rang-de-basanti-effect/

    Will surely write about it again. Thanks for writing such a touching post.
    Nasrajan´s last blog ..Indian Dream…

47. 
    Madhu Rao Oct 5th, 2009 at 12:41 pm

    @Nasrajan,  Thank you for the appreciation. We are happy that it touched you.

    I read your touching post and am so happy to see an example of an organization that does something for the beggars. The questions you ask about what would you do when a beggar approaches you is one that many of us have thought.

    For me it has been easy ; for some reason, my family has always put a 25 paise for the god and a whole rupee to the beggar outside ; God can fend himself. Simple reasoning is that, it does not come easy for any person to beg and unless compelled most would not do it. I would stop the hand out if we had more of welfare programs like the NGO you mention. But reality is far from it. If I can provide towards a person’s next meal with my frugal contribution, I will .

    Please do re-write about the status now or re-publish the article. Small acts can go a long way. With your permission, I would like to link that post..

    Regards,

48. 
    Vipul Grover Oct 5th, 2009 at 5:51 pm

    Dear Madhu,
    U r sch an asset to my Blog-a-Ton initiative. Thanx 4 adding a whole new dimension to this event.

    That Swades scene happens to be my most favourite scene of my all-time favourite movie. It might not be relevant here, but I am amazed at the genius of Ashutosh Gowariker in imagining this turning point of the movie.

    And well that’s the same scene you used to depict the turning point of ur video presentation.

    Ur mission of 1 thru 10 is a noble one and your dig at the Facebook applications, a potent one.

    I wish you all the best.

49. 
    Madhu Rao Oct 5th, 2009 at 7:32 pm

    @Vipul, I’m thrilled to be a part of Blog-a-Ton. Swades and this scene in particular is one of my all-time favorites as well. It is indeed Ashutosh’s genius that he not only envisioned this but also execute it to perfection – one of the few SRK sobbing that I happen to love. 

    I’m amazed and humbled at how people have poured their hearts out on this topic — Indian Dream. Leaves little doubt that together we can do wonders.  

    Thanks for the comment, appreciate it sir !

50. 
    pankaja Oct 7th, 2009 at 7:40 am

    hey that was a very informative presentation and a very thoughtful and touching post. Charity should begin from us. Like Mother Teresa said ” work for a cause not for applause”.
    Good one!

51. 
    Amit Kumar Singh Oct 9th, 2009 at 3:07 am

    A very nice post..
    you have told about practical approach to change the Indain Dream into reality..
    But, somehow I feel, poverty is not the only one thing to which we have to fight…along with poverty..we have to fight with people’s orthodox mentality, religious extremism…
    I can not say theses things are directly related with poverty or not..but it is imperative that despite being well and affluent in past, India has been faced constant fight, wars, carnages on the name of religion and supremacy…

    Cheers!!
    http://amit414voice.blogspot.com/2009/10/indian-dream.html
    Amit Kumar Singh´s last blog ..Romanticism; My Thoughts

52. 
    Aneet Oct 10th, 2009 at 9:15 pm

    I sincerely believe that India is NOT shining in every aspect of life, if anything… we have a long way to go before we even start glimmering…

53. 
    Madhu Rao Oct 14th, 2009 at 11:02 pm

    Hi Aneet. I agree with you 100%. We have ways to go. Thanks for stopping by. We have more posts , do let us know your thoughts on them..

54. 
    Madhu Rao Oct 14th, 2009 at 11:07 pm

    Hi Amit, I second your views. We have had issues despite being a well off nation in the past. But for now poverty glares us in the face ; almost mocking at us when we say we are shining(which is true in parts at best). But, if we can improve on other areas than just poverty, it’s only better . We have more posts , do let us know your thoughts on them..

55. 
    Madhu Rao Oct 14th, 2009 at 11:08 pm

    Thanks for stopping by Pankaja. Appreciate the comment.

56. 
    Tavish Jan 18th, 2010 at 6:12 am

    dude you are a genius… had some time to kill so was just going through a few previous blog-a-ton posts… came across this one and couldn’t keep myself from commenting…
    Tavish´s last blog : ..Fiction 55: Shift + Delete

57. 
    Tavish Jan 18th, 2010 at 6:22 am

    and yeah can i put that video on my blog. If you dont mind that is… i think the message is worth spreading…
    Tavish´s last blog : ..Fiction 55: Shift + Delete

58. 
    Madhu Rao Jan 18th, 2010 at 12:55 pm

    Thank you Tavish for reading thru an old post. Sure, please feel free to use the video wherever you deem fit ; That was the intention of it

59. 
    Bikram Feb 3rd, 2010 at 7:20 am

    I was reading this article, excellent views.
    Let me tell you the other side of the story for help.. THe problem is the money sent does not reach the potential people.
    I am telling you My personal experience we a few here joined together and use to put 10 or 20 pounds a month together, so when it came to say a sufficient amount .. WE would send it (this carried on for a few years.. I did not come ot india for the firt 6 years ..

    We collected , bought some laptops whch my company was selling off or throwing away.. Sent those..

    Anyway a few other things but when i went after os many years , to my amazement the Laptops we had sent were no where to be seen, the guy had apparantley sold them off.. The money we had sent never reached , I asked for reciepts etc to show I was almost manhandled.. to the point where i had to call my friend from chandigarh to come and save me. Police ka jhanjhat etc etc

    I am not saying this in negative way, But If someone actually does it then yeah we got people here to help out. So if you are doing this personally, putting your ideas in practise tell me I shall let others here know too..
    Bikram´s last blog : ..London Dreams is it worth. THINK AGAIN

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