Third semester fee for Vikram*

The reciept of semster fee for Vikram*

* name changed to protect the identity of student

article by Gopal

We were thrilled in June when our graduates this year (four girls, one boy) in the Kapur Scholarship Program did well on their college entrance exams. These kids are B+ to A+, with three girls going to a commerce college and one going to a teacher’s college. The boy wants to join an engineering college, still waiting for admission response.

But when I arrived in Patiala July 8, I was dismayed to find that one girl had been pulled out of the college plan by her father. The rigid deadline for college admittance was over. Still, I requested a meeting with the high school principal, head teacher, the father and the girl, Lata*. We were deeply concerned that the father was planning to marry her off—a common solution for poor parents of girls tired of worrying about keeping them safe.

The father is a rickshaw driver and barely making enough for his wife and two daughters. They live in a tiny space, and the father works 12 hours a day in blistering heat, bicycling customers around town in his Rickshaw. He told us that he’s decided to take his family back to his village because of rising expenses, where he will make clay pots to sell.

There is no college for Lata* or high school nearby for the younger daughter who is in the IX grade. So they will be put to work in the fields and that will end their education.

The younger girl is an A+ student, impressing the teachers with her abilities. The parents want them in school; they just cannot afford to live in the city. As an incentive, I offered the father a stipend of Rs.1000 ($25) per month as long as his girls attend college/school. We are working on getting Lata* admission into a technical college. The younger sister is now in Kapur scholarship program, relieving the father of her high school costs as well. Great kids!

* name changed to protect the identity of student

First semester fee for Subhash*

The reciept of semster fee for Subhash*

* name changed to protect the identity of student

article by Deeksha

It was the summer of 2008, when as a member of Community Service Council of HCL Tech, I visited Shree Krishna Inter College in Ghari-Chaukhandi (village on the periphery of Noida). I had volunteered to teach Chemistry and English (two of my most favorite subjects) to students of Class 10th and 12th. We were a team of around 15-20 volunteers. In the year to follow, we witnessed a completely different life and a different set of people. Our lives were in a way transformed. The experience as I captured on my blog went like this,

For the first time in my life, I felt I could see dreams and hopes in someone's eyes and they belonged to those little kids. For the first time I came to know, what's the value of education? The Art of Living instructor who accompanied us asked them a simple question - "Bachchon, zindagi mein safalta ke liye kya chahiye" and shot came the reply -"padai"...“mehnat" followed another enthusiastic voice. My jaw dropped. I never expected such earnest answers. For a while, in my mind, I pictured my school, where a bunch of callous students bunked classes, others thought only of FIITJEE and thirds were a neutral lot. And there these are, who what it means to get educated. When they looked with awe towards us, I saw in those eyes, the belief that there exists a modern India and their longing to be a part of it. When their smile reached their innocent eyes, and they asked "didi, aap humein padaoge na?” I could feel the tears somewhere in the back of my eyes. I saw a facet of life that stopped time for me, it seemed so difficult to imagine my office, boss, my tasks, my daily woes, my friends, hangouts and shopping sprees while standing there. The gratitude those eyes carried for our presence there, was enough to make one throw aside all the worldly pleasures and take a stride in this new world. Transfixed, I take this stride, in this unknown world.

Why I am recollecting that experience is, because hadn't I been through this transformational journey, I'd have never understood how small our effort might be, it makes a huge difference to someone's life. And because there I met Achal, thought of whom made me volunteer to mentor Anuradha.

He was in class 10th and aspired for IIT. A boy coming from a village which even didn’t have electricity (Yes! the villagers used to "buy" electricity from somebody running the generator service, as the kids told me). I was awe-inspired to see the kid's clarity of goals, while he was just in class 10th. Normally, students will wake up from their slumber in class 12th. On the contrary, he was well aware of his limited resources but his courage was undeterred. I don't know how and why out of a group of 15-20 volunteers, he chose me as his mentor but after the classes, he 'd discuss with me, how he wanted an 80+ percentage but was getting less than 70 and wanted to improve. He wanted me to tell him what study pattern and schedule to follow, what all is required as preparation to appear for IIT entrance examination. No wonder, the kid used to bewilder me. After the program came to an end an year later, as the fate would have it, he would call me up occasionally and kept in touch through phone.

Then, I changed my job and went abroad for my new assignment for a year. All this happened so fast and I became so self absorbed that I forgot completely about Achal. I realized quite late that he didn’t have any means to contact me. I called back on the number he used to call me up from, but I could not connect across. I lost touch with him.

And now, all I can do is wonder. Could he achieve his goal? He surely deserved to, but given his resources, was he able to get the right kind of guidance and motivation. If he hasn't made it through, I believe it's completely my fault. I knew he had the potential, courage and given his situation, his urge was exceptional. And if I had persisted, may be, by my mere presence, I could have given him that confidence and support which he was looking for. I wish he has achieved what he truly deserves. But the guilt of not being there for him haunts me.

When Varun told me about the mentorship program under AKSH, I knew I had to volunteer. For one thing was very clear to me through my experience with Achal, all he was looking for from me was moral support, not any financial support, not any help for any kind of resources - just moral support, but it mattered to him a lot.

Anuradha is an earnest girl, who should leave her tensions of her studies to her parents and should be enjoying her childhood. But at this tender age, not only does she have to think about what studies to opt for, but also how to fund them, how to get all the logistics of books and transportation in place, about her household work and frail grandma, and how to continue her education in adverse conditions.

AKSH is definitely taking care of her financial worries. All I can do is talk to her. Tell her that she is a strong girl. I want to see her become a teacher, and share her apprehensions, joy, worries all along the way. Because that’s the least I can do.

I have failed badly at times. I would fail to call her even once in 2 weeks and then, I 'd realize how we have stuffed our lives with useless stuff so much that we can't even make such a small commitment. How we become so selfish sometimes!!

But then, no excuse should cost Achal's or Anuradha's dreams. Thanks to AKSH, for collecting all the little drops and touching the lives of those who need it the most.

3 admissions in commerce stream

3 girls studying at SDSE school were able to secure admission in commerce course at Bikram college, Patiala. We are in process of fee deposit and see what more help they require to start with their college studies.

The girls come from very poor families and we hope with education - they are able to make a better life for themselves.

During our interaction with the girls and their families, we realized the hardships they face .. and the fact that simple fee promise is not enough for them to go ahead with their studies.

We have worked out a "books + transport assistance" to the girls and also same for Kiran*

I am hopeful, they will use this opportunity to create a good life ahead, on behalf of everyone at AKSH - i wish them good luck ..

As of date, we now support 7 students for their graduate education - this is a huge success for AKSH within first 2 years .. all thanks to your support and trust ..

sincere thanks,

Allotment letter for Subhash* admission

This is letter from counseling session for engineering colleges. It confirms Subhash's admission for electronics & communication course.

* name changed to protect the identity of student

Subhash* secured admission for Engineering course

We met Subhash* when he was student in X+2 and wanted to pursue engineering course.

He was focused with his approach and worked hard for his exam preparation. Unfortunately, the results were not as bright as we expected - nevertheless they were good enough to get an admission in an engineering college.

Ghansham volunteered to mentor Subhash* during these months and has been instrumental with his help regarding preparations , applications and counseling stages.

For all the suspense and roller-coaster ride during the counseling - it was sweet success in the end to see him get through an engineering college and have a chance to make a great career for himself.

I wish Subhash* luck for her new journey .. and would like to say thanks to Ghansham and everyone who has supported AKSH ..

sincere thanks,

* name changed to protect the identity of student

nice thought

I slept and dreamt that life was joy. I awoke and saw that life was service. I acted and behold, service was joy.

-Tagore

First semester fee for Kalpana*

The reciept of semster fee for Kalpana*

* name changed to protect the identity of student

Allotment letter for Kalpana* admission

This is letter from Govt Polytechnic college to confirm the admission.

* name changed to protect the identity of student

Kalpana* secured admission for polytechnic course

We got in touch with Kalpana* after she had appeared for Punjab JET exam and the results were declared. It was very clear from her marks - she would get admission in a college in Patiala - which is her howntown and so would not require to relocate.

She secured admission in Electronics stream at Government Polytechnic college for Girls, Patiala.

Sushma (one of AKSH members) volunteered to act as mentor to Kalpana* .. Sushma worked for her admission process and how the fee payments would be taken care .. and this ensured all activities were completed smoothly. Thanks Sushma - for you time , efforts and ideas for improvement of our mentor program.

I wish Kalpana* luck for her new journey .. and would like to say thanks to Sushma and everyone who has supported AKSH ..

sincere thanks,

* name changed to protect the identity of student

Kiran* secured admission for BSc course

When we met Kiran* - she was a student of X+2 and wanted to become a teacher. She is very hardworking and performed brilliantly in her board exams. She scored 75% marks.

She has secured admission for BSc course in Mohindra college, Patiala.

It was an exciting ride .. Deeksha (one of AKSH members) volunteered to act as mentor to Kiran* .. she worked very hard over past many months to provide right guidance and support.

I wish Kiran* luck for her new journey .. and would like to say thanks to Deeksha and everyone who has supported AKSH ..

sincere thanks,

* name changed to protect the identity of student

Wonderful thought

"Not everything that can be counted counts, and not everything that counts can be counted" - Einstein

The second part applies to AKSH mentors who worked so hard throughout the year to help SDSE school children ... your efforts, and benefits from it - can never be counted , but it counts more than anything else :-)

Think about it , how it implies to you :-)

First anniversary !! !!

1st June 2010 is the date when AKSH started operations ... today - one year is completed.

It has been a beautiful journey for all of us - fun, faith and feelings .. all went into shaping AKSH into its present form.

thanks all, for your support

Teach Your Child the Joy of Giving

There is nothing more refreshing, more inspiring, more wonderful than the smile on the face of someone you have just done something helpful for or when they receive a gift. There is an immense feeling of pride that rushes over us when we have given someone a gift that they might have needed, loved or enjoy greatly. Random acts of kindness such as helping a senior citizen with their groceries, allowing someone in front of you in the grocery store that has one item compared to your many items, or simply picking something up for someone; these are just a few simple things that will show we care.

Sharing is more than just a great quality to have it really shows that we are giving others. Young children may have a tougher time sharing, especially if they are an only child or are accustomed to playing alone. Encouraging sharing starts with the understanding that we are all sharing of ourselves, “Mom shares with you all the wonderful things in life and it feels so nice to share with you, don’t you want to share your toys with others and see your friends play happily.” A one-on-one talk with children can change more things in a child’s life than anything else would be able to. Think of how special this has made you feel in the past when your role model or mentor took out the time to listen to you and advise (not preach) you on various topics.

- Talk to your children about giving gifts.

- Explain what they can give with their time.

- Be a role model for the joy of gifting for your children.

Share with them the satisfaction you get from giving and you will give them the joy of gifting for life.

true joy of giving .. an inspiration ..

2nd AKSH contribution milestone

huge milestone achieved for our contributions ...

thanks a lot to all contributors for their faith, trust and involvement.

next step: double the contributions within next 1 year :-)

interesting video

A friend of mine posted this video on facebook, and it clicked for me the first time i saw it. It builds upon the working model of AKSH - to put aside that amount of money which does not change our way of life .. but when added together it becomes enough money to help pay for graduate education for so many kids.

I shared the video with my friends, and got some interesting comments on it :-)

I upload the video here, and if you have an opinion on it .. just add to the comments ..

story of Kiran* and Subash*

Last two months have been interesting times for us - as we look forward to next set of students who will write their qualifying exams this summer.

This is about two students Kiran* and Subash*

Both Kiran* and Subash* are very hardworking kids. There is a positive energy in their talk and an eagerness to make a good career for themselves. Within their own compulsions at personal front, they are determined to excel in studies. We had a long talk with them and figured two main areas where we can help them.

Firstly - we could help the kids with guidance. As we all know, X+2 preparations are confusing at best and intimidating at worst. There is lot of stress and a good direction can improve the scores dramatically. From our group, Ghansham and Deeksha volunteered to take up this role. Ghansham talks regularly with Subash* about how he can plan his studies and manage time. Deeksha will start her interaction with Kiran* this week. Later as the exams approach, we plan to help them with college selection and application process.

Secondly - we figured if there is some quality coaching made available - it can be a huge booster for them. Good coaching institutes in Patiala were all very expensive and there was no way for them or us to finance this kind of fees. Amit Aneja came up with a beautiful solution to this. A friend of his, Arun Goel - coaches students in Patiala for X+2 examinations. He discussed with Arun about our AKSH project. Gopal Kapur was also in Patiala and could meet Arun in person. Arun was convinced about our intent and need of quality coaching for the kids. He agreed to coach them at his institute.

In between all this, there were several logistic problems like the fact that Kiran* lives very far from the coaching institute and is not comfortable cycling all the way there and back. Such problems will always be there - we solve some and go around the ones we cannot solve.

The most amazing thing about this experience has been to see how collaboration can bring about changes which none of us individually can perform. It is an example of the exact intent with which AKSH initiative begun. "our collective contribution is worth much more than the sum of our individual efforts"

For sure, in coming years - more such examples will be written about :-)

Thanks Gopal, Amit, Deeksha, Ghansham and Arun for playing out vital roles :-)

* name changed to protect the identity of student

article by Charu & Anuj

"Social Work through Social Networking"

- Charu & Anuj

I remember when I was in school we used to get these stickers for Help Age which we had to sell, it was quite a task for me explaining to people what it was when I also had limited knowledge. There was no Internet where I could Google 'Help Age' and find all details. Times have changed. In this age of Twitter, Facebook, Orkut and other social networking sites, the world has become smaller and the interaction amongst people is at an all time high. The people have become so addicted to these networking sites that even the most mundane activities a person does finds its way to his status message. A person who is about to sleep puts in a status message “ZZZZZ….” Or “washing dishes….need help” are just a few examples. I always ask this question to myself if we can use these social networking sites to stay in touch with our long lost friends then we can look at a way where these sites can be used for noble causes too.

Before we start let's understand what is social media. Newspapers and TV reports are termed as media where we have only one way communication. Social media on the other hand is two-way communication like Facebook where you can post articles, photographs and people can give their views thus participating. PARTICIPATION is the key here - how we can use social media for creating awareness for various social causes.

Social Media has come across as a quick way to flag issues and a great way to disseminate information. Social workers and social work educators have been using electronic bulletin boards, e-mail and online forums to interact with one another and raise social consciousness for years. But the transition to social media, where users connect, create and share online content, has been much slower.

Young adults have been mastering these Web tools for awhile and still make up a large proportion of social media users. Interestingly this age group too forms a part of the most active class of people as far as social causes are concerned. They already know about Facebook, text messaging, iPhone apps, YouTube and so forth. So as younger people enter the social work field, there will naturally be more social workers using social media. These are the people who can spread the awareness of these causes to anyone they have been interacting with on these social networking sites.

Businesses, philanthropic groups and others are also capitalizing on social media. Some nonprofit groups, such as Charity: Water have been especially creative. The nonprofit organization, which brings clean and safe drinking water to developing nations, used Twitter last year to bring more than 200 international cities together to raise public awareness on the global water crisis. The one-day fundraiser or “Twestival” raised more than $250,000, enough to cover the cost of drilling wells to serve more than 17,000 people in Uganda, Ethiopia and India.

Globally, the Internet and social media are forcing a culture shift over how communication occurs, who participates and what information is spread. Facebook, Twitter and blogs can enable NGOs to receive more immediate feedback the causes at hand, explore others’ thoughts on these causes. With just a few mouse clicks, these NGOs can tap into the brainpower of people and experts without even meeting them.

So let us make the most of the powerful tool we have at dispense and help create a more meaningful world.

Second semester fee for Vikram*

The reciept of semster fee for Vikram*

He secured a 25% fee waiver from the university which was adjusted in this fee.

I wish him luck, and say thanks to you all for your help , support and contributions :-)

* name changed to protect the identity of student

article by Nikhil

"the art of giving"

- Nikhil Handu

Having made decent strides in financial independence riding on the back of a booming economy, most of us want to give back something to the society, with the only question left unanswered being HOW? This is an underlying change that I have observed between the present crop and citizens of India 10 years ago when giving back to the society carried the rather uncomfortable tag of ‘charity’ and was primarily the fiefdom of the rich and accomplished who could afford to ‘donate’. Herein lays the inherent difference. When your social duties get tags such as ‘charity’, ‘donation’ etc the whole purpose gets defeated. It becomes more of an ego massage than a humbling experience.

The correct manner to give back to the society, in my opinion, is to do your bit and simply move on… not wait for people to take note of your efforts and bask in the adulation that those people may shower for the noble step (not the person, mind it). This is the underlying philosophy of AKSH and something that made me want to be a part of this noble endeavor. Just the mere fact that my small efforts are going to benefit somebody in making a decent life for himself and hopefully his family is rewarding enough, if you ask me.

A group activity like the one AKSH undertakes is of manifold importance. It prevents people like me, who independently would probably not be in a position to support the education of a deserving student, from having an excuse to shirk from their social responsibilities. What AKSH does is collect the good intensions of many like minded people like me and accumulate it to translate into a life changing effect for a person who is the deserving candidate. What such an effort also does rather efficiently and effectively is that it helps weed out personal prejudices/ favorites. I must confess here that this fact did not come to mind till very recently when while interacting with a rather respectable person, in our efforts to mobilize support for our cause, I was conveyed that we must concentrate on a particular set of students and not another set that according to the person very adequately covered by other schemes of the government.

Apart from being appalled, I was singularly amazed at how deep prejudices run in a person that while fulfilling ones social responsibilities one is yet conscious of the fact as to who the final beneficiary is. Herein comes the crux of my present submission, please contribute and help deserving students because you want to help them and not because it is in vogue or because of personal preferences and prejudices. Let us not fall to the trap of putting identification marks on students other than their merit and acumen. I have turned a believer that AKSH and such like efforts can go a long way in rooting out extraneous factors from the noble cause of education.

The cause of educating the future generation is indeed a pious one. This must not be polluted by personal likes and dislikes and must be a practical and without prejudice or passion for a particular set of students. Education has been likened to the spread of light by many wise men – this light does not choose and reach a selected few but bathes everyone without discrimination on basis of caste / creed / color / religion / community (and god-knows-what else).

I have but one thing to share with my fellow travelers on this path ...

We pray to God of wealth and success to remove darkness from our life by way of enlightening the knowledge

Hum toh nikley they akele log judtey gaye aur kafila ban gaya ; So friends lets carry on with this beautiful journey.

Vikram* scholarship update

There is a family-income based scholarship in Punjabi University. This is designed to ease the financial burden for students from marginal income families.

Vikram* has secured a 1/4 fee waiver for the first semester. This waiver will be adjusted by University in his next semester fees. Our fee commitment for the next semester reduces by around INR 12,000 !! !!

For AKSH, it helps to utilize these savings for more kids in the next academic year.

* name changed to protect the identity of student

power of 500 !!

I am reading "Maximum City" by Suketu Mehta. Taking note from one of his observation - for the past few weeks i have started to observe the power of 500 !!

Our lifestyle is such that 500 is the currency of usual expenditures - be it food, movies, clothes, diesel !! everything adds up in multiples of 500 !! !! i was amazed to realize that on monthly basis; i spend 4 multiples of 500 on diesel - wow !! It was a revelation - how 500 has become so inconsequential to my life .. i hardly think twice before i spend my next 500 INR note.

Just ONE multiple of this 500 goes every month to AKSH. All my friends have joined in with similar intent. All of us contribute ONE multiple of 500 every month. The cumulative result brightens life of one kid (today) ; many many more tomorrow. The change which AKSH will bring to these kids is sustainable and will benefit their next generation as well. All this with just contribution of 500 !!

Every time I observe the multiples of 500 that I am so used to spend now ; i realize how a very small portion of my regular expenses provides an excellent opportunity to bright kids - so that they can write their own script of achievements. A drop in the ocean. THINK.

AKSH website

First version of AKSH website is prepared !!

Check out the link .. http://www.wix.com/aksh_initiative/aksh2

examination fee for Vikram*

Vikram* has deposited the examination fee for first semester exams. Attached below is the receipt.

* name changed to protect the identity of student

AKSH monthly newsletter

A monthly newsletter to describe ongoing activities and our community member views has been started from this month. The link to this newsletter is available on the right side frame. ===>>

Link to September edition.

Please feel free to circulate the link to the newsletter among your friends.

Talk on career opportunities in commerce stream

We are planning a talk on career opportunities in commerce stream for students studying in SDSE school, Patiala.

Anybody willing to volunteer with content development or talk/presentation in Patiala - please get in touch with me

mentor program for X+1 & X+2 students

A mentor program is planned for kids studying under scholarship in SDSE school in Patiala.

These kids have very less awareness for the kind of career opportunities available these days. If we can help them with some imagination - i am sure there are more opportunities to aim for other than simple engineering or medical stream.

The idea of this program is to create a group of volunteers who can mentor a kid from 11th class onwards. The purpose is to build a bond with the kid, so that over the period of time - the kid is able to discuss his/her interests , studies , difficulties etc etc. Ideally, the link should continue through the graduation studies as well. Think of it like the kid is your younger brother or sister - whom you would like to nurture through these formative years of his/her life.

What is required from a volunteer ?

Typically, to build a contact - through regular phone calls (say, once a month or twice a month) or as and when required. If you feel the kid needs some kind of help then we can share this concern among us and try to work out some solution for the kid.

Let me know, if you are interested to volunteer. It does not require any travel or change of routine for you - but a regular and sincere talk on phone with a kid.

I would love to have two volunteers for every kid ...

Vikram* admission update

In the latest list from Punjabi University, Vikram* has secured an upgrade to Computer Sciences branch.

He starts his studies this week , will keep you posted on his experiences :)

* name changed to protect the identity of student