Category: LinkedIn

Looking back on my decade-long journey with Pratham Books, I’m grateful for the lessons of the incredible power of building communities. Maya Hemant Krishna and Pratham Books taught me that nonprofits can drive massive change not by simply growing but by engaging people as collaborators.

I saw firsthand how their open content model spawned a whole ecosystem of partners doing creative things like translating and adapting books for visually impaired kids. At the core was a caring ethos – investing in human relationships with authors, readers, and everyone. It wasn’t about control but nurturing goodwill.

This shaped my belief that you need a people-centric culture focused on trust and connection, not extraction. It instilled in me the mindset of seeing communities as living things to nourish because real scale happens through trust.

Originally written for LinkedIn on 7 February 2024. View original →

Update (20th Sept): [link]

So here’s a question that came up in something Natasha Joshi and I discussed earlier today. This year, we’ve attended a bunch of 10-year anniversaries of organisations – MASH Project Foundation, Saahas Zero Waste, Buzz Women, Oorvani Foundation, Reap Benefit, Waste Warriors Society, Fields of View, Indus Action, Jhatkaa.org and Vidhi Centre for Legal Policy – that come to mind. I am sure there are more. Was there something special about the 2012-2013-2014 period that birthed many new organisations? Thoughts?

Update 1: Here are some insights from the comments below:

The early 2010s experienced a surge in digital connectivity, particularly in India. The National Telecom Policy 2012 aimed to expand telecommunication services nationwide, complementing the rapid rise in smartphone usage and the digital boom. India passed key legislation during this period, fostering an optimistic atmosphere. Post the 2008 global financial crisis, India saw steady GDP growth amidst global recovery, though political challenges and anti-corruption movements also marked the period. The 2013 Companies Act’s CSR mandate possibly boosted funding optimism for social ventures. Enhanced internet access and fellowship opportunities expanded resources for many, potentially sparking entrepreneurial pursuits. Cultural beliefs, like the Mayan 2012 prophecy, may have influenced societal perspectives, while global environmental and power dynamics discussions added another layer, fueling collective action and initiative-taking.

Update 2: Here are some insights on law and regulation from the comments below:

1. 2013: Criminal Law (Amendment) Act.
2. 2013: Lily Thomas vs. Union of India.
3. 2014: NALSA v. UOI.

Originally written for LinkedIn on 12 September 2023. View original →

In 2011, I worked at the Akshara Foundation Foundation and struggled to build the Karnataka Learning Learning Partnership platform. I am unsure how I came across the TED Conferences Support program and wrote to Renee Freedman to see if I might be a good candidate. Fortunately, I was, and the Collaboratium later that year changed my life. The three days in New Orleans and working with Adéwalé Ajàdí reframed my idea of leadership. It was an “OH SHIFT” moment that has stayed with me and influenced my work ever since. Over the past decade, I have found the most evocative moments of my life have been in the company of other leaders learning and sharing their struggles. More recently, I have realised how much I wanted to help build a world where people can lead themselves and each other in an environment of creativity, collaboration and self-empowerment. At some point during the pandemic, Sumitra Pasupathy pointed me to Bamboo Being I took the plunge. Today, as I sat down to coffee with Sumi, this journey has come full circle. I’m happy to share that I’ve obtained a new certification: Certified Integral Coach from the Graduate School of Business – University of Cape Town! Doing this alongside thoughtful co-travellers like Deepa I. has been fun.

I am excited to pay it forward! Thank you, Sue Adams and Cathy Johnson. It’s been a minute!

Originally written for LinkedIn on 1 March 2023. View original →