Chetan's Musings

Last year, soon after completing 20 years in the social sector, I had written a series of 4 articles on LinkedIn called "20 Years, 20 Insights". I'm immensely thankful to all those who gave me their feedback, comments, and appreciation. Now, I'm glad to share these articles in the form of this easy-to-read-and-share compilation; a chronicle of my key learnings in the sector. 20 Years - 20 Insights

Image Source: " crossroads " by  Laenulfean  is licensed under  CC BY-SA 2.0 . With experience spanning 25 years at a leading Indian conglomerate behind her, Vasudha Narasimhan was all set to scale greater heights in her professional career. Having graduated from a premier B-school in 1995, her CV included international assignments and several accolades that had come her way over the years. She was also managing her personal obligations well, with her daughter currently enrolled in medical school. And then, a few months after her 50 th  birthday, Vasudha decided to give up her well-paying job for one where she would be paid a pittance in comparison, at an NGO working for children’s education. ~~~ Vasudha’s is not an isolated example. T here are many like her, who at a similar stage in their careers have chosen to transition to the social development sector, with the sole objective of seeking a higher purpose in life. This trend has taken a significant turn with...

The recently completed Shaheed Path in Lucknow - an elevated 6-lane expressway that allows quick access from the airport to eastern UP - is a driver's delight. If you're travelling to Faizabad, for example, the road can get you speeding towards your destination, bypassing Lucknow city almost completely, in a matter of minutes. If your visit is during the waning winter season, you will be enthralled by the miles of mustard fields on the way - the enchanting yellow atop green stretching for as far as the eyes can see. You can do your business in Faizabad and be back at the Lucknow airport to catch an evening flight, carrying with you an idyllic portrait of rural India, and feeling smug about improved infrastructure in the state of UP. Venture a little within the state, and you will quickly realize how deceiving this idyllic portrait can be. Barely 40 kms from Lucknow, within the Lucknow district itself, is the Mal block. On 19 Feb 2014, I made a visit to Mal to understand th...

In a recent casual discussion, the CEO of a prominent CSR foundation shared her lament about how youngsters who join the social sector prefer to spend their time at the office, noses buried in their laptops. Going by my observations of some of these youngsters as well, this indeed appears to be a disturbing trend. The social sector is all about causing a positive change to the lives of those who've been left behind. Much of this is to do with basic human requirements such as health & nutrition, education, livelihoods, clean water, and dignity. As in any other social discipline, the traditional classroom can only at best provide a theoretical perspective - the real learning can only be found in the field. To that, no alternative exists. And this learning is seldom apparent in one or even a few visits. The field reveals itself gradually - layer upon layer - and that too, only to the discerning, non-judgmental eye. For a newcomer to the sector, it would take several vis...