An interview : Oswald Periera

        1.  Journalist, Author, Editor and now a mentor to budding writers. Sir, how do you define your journey? (in terms of the experiences, learning and carving a career)

It has been a great, exciting journey. But it has never been a bed of roses, for there were thorns that hurt me as a journalist and writer as well. The life of a journalist can be quite stressful and you are only as good as your last story. So, there is always pressure to surpass yourself and come out with a better scoop or newsbreak each day. There’s a great adrenalin rush when you see your name on the front-page of your newspaper or your story appears as a cover story in a magazine. But there is a real rat race out there and in journalism we find the classic example of survival of the fittest. But while a journalist can call the shots, and with experience, your story rarely gets rejected, as an author rejections come like a deluge. You have to really be patient, because editors of publishing houses can be quite subjective in their evaluation and you never get a reason why your manuscript has been rejected. It’s a standard, ‘doesn’t fit our list.’ And unlike journalism, where your name flashes the very next day, in publishing the wait is rather long ― from acceptance of your manuscript to actual publishing ... it can take a couple of years. But once you are in print, you stay on the shelf for a long time, unlike newspapers where stories are forgotten soon after they are read. I have evaluated manuscripts and mentored a few authors ... that can be very satisfying. All said and done, I have no regrets or real complaints and I’m happy being a journalist and author ... I wouldn’t want to wear any other shoes. 

2.It must have been tough. You talk of planted news, the money in the offering and similar things in your first Novel “The Newsroom Mafia”. Honestly, are we left with any trustable news element today? There are a dozen news channels and I know each fight for its TRP but somewhere, is the essence of journalism lost somewhere?

Yes, as I said earlier, it was tough in my time. But there was more honesty and professionalism, though there were black sheep then too. But today it’s a sad state of affairs in journalism. You have put it succinctly; the essence of journalism is lost these days. Professionalism has, indeed, taken a beating, with the hunger for instant scoops and TRPS.

3.I see your contributions in the Speaking Tree as well. Are you spiritual or philosophical?

My contributions to The Speaking Tree I would term as articles of analytical or logical spiritualism. I think it is logical to be spiritual. Take a subject like, loving your enemy or loving your neighbour. Hate is illogical because it kills you and you become a victim of your own hate. So, doesn’t it make better sense to love, rather than hate? It would be presumptuous for me to say I am spiritual. I’d rather believe that I am philosophical and take life as it comes and play it by ear, looking at ups and downs, highs and lows, as part of life’s cycles.

4.The young generation of the 21^st century is completely moving to a different space where they do not really hold the teachings of our holy books. Somewhere, I feel that the essence of our cultural teachings is lost. However, we can’t really blame this shift owing to the pressure and challenges of life one has to face in order to make a career. And somewhere they get delineated by the illusions of the modern world! Your take on that sir? And especially is there one piece of advice you would like to give to the youth of today?

There were illusions even in earlier times. Life itself is an illusion. Each individual has to take responsibility, and, we living in society and one world community, need to take collective responsibility. The youth of today should take responsibility for themselves and shouldn’t expect things on a silver platter or expect others to the dirty work.

5.So moving to the space of creativity, tell me- How difficult is it to make a career in writing? Because somewhere I feel it requires a lot of patience to script one book. You have done two.

As I have said, earlier, writing a book is no child’s play. It requires a lot of patience, grit and determination. A full time career in writing or making a living out of it is not such a good idea. One always needs a day job, till you hit the jackpot.

6.One straight question- how do you successfully market your work? It requires a lot of personal investments right?

Yes, marketing a book, I often think, is as, if not more difficult than writing your book. The best way to market your book is promote yourself, without feeling shy about it.

7.You have used Youtube, facebook and personal website to market your work. How to strategize the marketing?

You have to try a combination of all. Media reviews and reviews by book bloggers are also very important means of marketing.

8.How do management students use their skills and contribute in this arena?

Management students can help with their innovative, out-of-the-box ideas.

9.In the game of MBA as I know, most fight for a big 6 figure salaried job. Most dream of making it big in consulting. On the other hand, Dan Brown and J K Rowling- you guys have made it big in a pretty unconventional career. What are the challenges one needs to face in this unconventional career?

The challenge of taking rejections in one’s stride, in a matter-of-fact detached manner.

10.How do you see the creative market shaping up in the future? (You can talk of the size of the book market and where is it going, the different events that take place for writers, the platforms for writers and awards and the impact that it can have)

I believe eBooks will shape the creative market. Some publishers today are also talking in terms of novels that are around 50,000 to 60,000 at the most ― quick, easy but meaningful reading. The size of the book market is growing, but there is also some churning going on, as the place has become overcrowded. The problem is that there are too many books, chasing too few people, as we as a nation are not voracious readers ... we like to discuss a lot, rather than read and there seems to be more charm in eating out and watching movies and television, rather than sitting and quietly reading a book. Platforms and awards for writers are limited in India. There are much more awards in showbiz. Authors are still a growing species.

11.Just to finish it on a quick note – who is your favourite writer and why?

I don’t have any modern favourite authors. It would be unfair to pick favourites in this struggling profession.  My all-time favourites, however, are the classics.

12.Anything you would like to say to the Cox MBA students? Would you like to be invited again for an interaction?

Do your Karma and leave the rest to God. Make giving rather than receiving your philosophy in life. Sure, would love to interact again with you folks.

From the writers' world :Oswald Pereira

“Childhood seems like it is full of roses. But the thorns that prick you as you grow up can hurt a lot” - Oswald Pereira

When we talk of Indian literature and Indian writers, one of the contemporary names that rake up our minds is that of Oswald Pereira. With his two novels “Revenge of the Naked Princess” (Leadstart Publishing) and “The Newsroom Mafia” (Grey Oak Westland), he has already made a mark in this creative market. In his Journalist-turned-novelist journey spanned for over 3 decades, Mr. Pereira has contributed significantly with the Times of India, Financial Express and the Outlook.  In one line- Mr. Pereira has brought his journalism experience on fore with his two books and has presented the bloody side of the conspicuous nexus between the political world, the underworld and the sphere of media. We might have assumed things from outside, he has lived it all inside and that is what gave shape to his two works in the creative space.

However, he has displayed finesse when it comes to development of his story to marketing his work to striking a balance between work and personal life.  In his writings, he has also displayed his philosophical touch as he replicates the words of the Bhagavad Gita through his recommendation, “Work but detach from successes or failures”. It is true and that is ideally the core secret to living a Happy Life.

One can read more about Mr. Oswald Pereira and his contributions at his website : http://oswaldpereira.com/

As a management student at the SMU Cox School of Business, in my exploits, I try to learn more of the management aspect- not just of making a career in the creative space but also the management of life. Let’s hear from this fine gentleman!

A preview into “The Revenge of the Naked Princess”

                               https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0uYhAK1VNYg

A small chat with Rehan Poncha: Arjuna Awardee and an Olympic Swimmer

_________________________________________________

1.    I read in your bio that you started swimming at the age of 7. How difficult was it for you to cope with the pressure of studies on one hand and swimming on the other?

Competitive sport comes with unbelievable pressure and you have to be really committed to your dreams to be able to stay the course. I knew I could not afford to miss training because of exams and study pressure. And grades were important as well. So, I would find time to study in the car on the way to training, and through my lunch and play breaks at school! An athlete’s life requires a lot of sacrifice from fairly early on, but then, without sacrifice there is no success. I had to make these choices if I wanted to live my dreams and I made them because the joy in living my dream was mu larger than the unhappiness of sacrifices leading up to it.

2.    You have had an iconic career for him in swimming. You represented India in the Beijing Olympics, commonwealth games, national games and won numerous medals for your  country. Looking back at all these accomplishments, how satisfying has this journey been? Any fond memories that you remember of ?

There are so many memories I hold very dear to my heart ! So many races I can still think of  and relive in my mind very clearly. But there are major defining moments  as well, that really stand out for me and are quite special - such as qualifying and swimming for the Beijing Olympics or every single time I lifted a National Championship trophy or had a Gold Medal put around my neck. Unforgettable!

3.    It is always an honor to represent India. How did you feel when you represented India for the first time? And how did it come about ?

My first international swim meet was the Asia Pacific Swim Champs in Taiwan in 1997.I was selected because I was the fastest 11 year old in the country at the time. I went to the meet and ended up winning two bronze medals, my first for my country and most special! I still have them displayed in my trophy cabinet at home.

4.    Today a lot of commercialization of sports has taken place in India and to be fair only lucrative sports such as Cricket, Hockey, Football are getting all the money and attention. Do you feel that Indian government is not doing enough to promote athletic sports such as swimming, karate, sprints, taekwondo. You have experience. What are your looking to do in order to contribute ? What are the challenges that you are facing ?

I believe that swimming as a sport is fast gaining popularity .The standard of Indian swimming is also improving. When I competed, the Indian team I was part of won several medals at the Asian Open level and today we’re also seeing some really fast swimmers doing well at these meets. I would hope that swimmers and swimming will one day also have a league of races, just like the IPL does and a lot of corporate backing and support.

I contribute to Indian sport by offering learning from my own experience of representing and swimming for India at the highest levels through workshops for India’s competitive swimmers. As for getting involved at the governance level – I recently wrote an open letter to the Prime Minister expressing the need for change, that got a lot of attention in the media and online. I’ve recently received an invitation to be on a panel of elite sportsmen to form an Athletes Commission. I am always open to offering my support to help the cause of sport and Indian swimming.

5.    Indian contingent for Olympics, Asian Games, Commonwealth games is big but we are not able to have a good medal tally. Where are we lagging? Do you feel a robust infrastructure would help the athletes a great deal? What changes/upgrades would you suggest?

I feel that if we are to compete and win against the best in the world, we need to have access to everything these athletes have access to. For instance in swimming, our athletes are likely to better their performances is they had access to world class training facilities like temperature controlled pools or nutrition and strength training support on the team. Indian swimming today has Asian Games medalists and finalists at the CWG as well.Things are looking good for the sport and I can say this with confidence that when I work with swimmers at my workshops, and share with them lessons I have learnt from swimming that I feel that a lot of these swimmers have a bright future, because of their hard work and also because of the way we work.

6.    Swimming is something that people have started to associate with leisure and don’t take up the sport seriously. How do you plan to broaden the scope of swimming?

I think its popularity as a competitive sport is growing everyday. If any one were to visit even a local swim gala in Mumbai they would see how many swimmers are present and how much potential the sport has.The problem is that these swimmers stop swimming and choose a stable financial future or higher education over competitive swimming at a later age. At this point,there needs to be a brighter future promised to a swimmer who chooses the pool over studies or a job and this can only be possible if there was some sort of financial incentive given to the athletes for winning medals for the country or even sponsorship for training abroad.That way,parents wont feel the pinch to invest in their kids’ careers and swimmers will be able to take the risk of pursuing a sport they chose to do competitively when they were kids !

7.    After a string of successful outings in swimming you are trying your hand at Golf. How did golf come to exist in your life?

I swam professionally for over 20 years and was very satisfied with what I had achieved in the pool. After my last race in 2011, I decided to take an extended break. It was during this time that I happened to learn Golf and I fell in love with it from day one! Today I train six hours a day and dream of one day being as good a golfer as a swimmer! If that happens I will represent India in my new sport, and that’s what keeps me motivated to train all over again just like I did in the pool. Golf came to me at a very personally challenging time, and I look at it as a blessing! I respect and love the sport and I know that if I had the staying power to make it in one sport, I will do it in the other as well !

  

8.    You have won the most prestigious Arjuna Award. Can you share with us the entire experience about it?

The Arjuna Award is the highest sporting honor conferred by the country and recognizes an athlete’s outstanding service to the nation. It is a great privilege to be honored so by your country.  I also won the Best Athlete Trophy in 2002 and 2007 and had the opportunity to receive these from the then Prime Ministers of India. My parents were with me at the Rashtrapathi Bhavan when I received the award, and having them there to watch and be part of that moment meant a lot since they have sacrificed so much to see I got to realize my dreams in the pool. It was a perfect day and it just goes to show that if you dream big and work toward your goals, moments like these do come along and show you  its all worth it! These awards will always remain very close to my heart and are rewards for the years of hard work I put into the pool!

Today, when I go to train every morning I walk onto the golf course knowing that there is no golfer within a 1000 mile radius or more that has achieved as much as I have in my first sport, and this helps boost my confidence through training.

I do not mean to sound arrogant,I have the utmost respect for what our golfers do because I realize how hard a sport this is to master, but a little extra confidence always helps especially since I have started this sport at 26 and I’m up against golfers who have been playing from the age of 6 !

9.    Injuries is very common to any sportsperson. How do you keep yourself fit and away from injuries?

For both swimming and Golf I have to be very fit.  I train 6 hours on the golf course and spend another 2 in the gym four times a week. When I swam I could eat a lot since I would do a lot of cardio in the pool, but today I have to be a little careful about the quantity of food I do eat.

I also stay fit because I have a huge ego and I like to see a fit me when I look in the mirror. I think fitness has a lot to do with your self worth and if you value who you are and how good you look, fitness and how you take care of your body will always be automatic. So I’m sure that even without a sport, if you want to feel very proud of who you are, a fitter you will always keep your self confidence high and self esteem higher!

10.   I see a lot of people resorting to virtual games and don’t go out in the park to enjoy which makes them vulnerable to diseases. What is your message to the youngsters or the next gen?

I think that every child needs to really spend time finding a sport for himself that he loves doing and also loves working very hard at. I’m not saying its wrong to spend time on the gadgets but there must be a balance. Sport ,even if its not competitive,must be pursued since it builds character and teaches you so many invaluable life lessons – discipline, time management, dealing with adversity and more, preparing us for what lies ahead in our future careers.

11.  Cricket is a sport that has been followed religiously and you must have also followed cricket a lot. What is your prediction on India’s chances in CWC15?

I would want India to bring back the cup,and I believe we have a team confident and strong enough to do so J

12.  If you have to look back at these years, what is that one incident that has left a  deep impact on you ? That shaped you as a person ?

I think that many experiences, good and bad through the years in the pool have made me the person I am today.I would not pick out a single moment,because you learn everyday,and when you come up against situations that put you out of your comfort zone,you learn more.Its important to have a good attitude and be receptive to the best your sport or anyone around you has to offer.I did all my swim life,and I do that in my golf and my work too today J

 13.  Any opportunities for managers in the sports industry ?

           I think as sport gets increasingly professional in the country there is a great need for efficient sports managers. Today I can do what I do better because of the fantastic team I have supporting my goals. It is because they do what they do so well – my coach Justin Parsons, my manager Gitika an her team at Criesse, that I can really focus on my sport.

 14.          What Rehan loves doing in his personal life ? How do you spend your free time ?

Love what you do and you’ll never ork a day! I live a very balanced life where I get to spend a lot of time on my own on the golf course through the week and then I work with several swimmers on weekends when I coach them ! My life is very full and busy, but sometimes to get away from it all, I put on a nice movie or some music and I’m fine in a couple of hours. Long drives and quiet dinners with family and friends relaxes me too ! The best part is I don’t work,I pursue my dreams and both,the golf and my swim clinics that I conduct are my career,which I LOVE.

 15.          Thanks Rehan. Any message you would love to give to the children, to the sports  lovers and to our MBA class at Cox ?

Love what you do and be passionate about it ! Never let anyone tell you youre not good enough for your dreams and goals.Surround yourself with people who love you and care for you and stay true to yourself,always.

A small chat with Rehan Poncha: Arjuna Awardee and an Olympic Swimmer

_________________________________________________

1.    I read in your bio that you started swimming at the age of 7. How difficult was it for you to cope with the pressure of studies on one hand and swimming on the other?

Competitive sport comes with unbelievable pressure and you have to be really committed to your dreams to be able to stay the course. I knew I could not afford to miss training because of exams and study pressure. And grades were important as well. So, I would find time to study in the car on the way to training, and through my lunch and play breaks at school! An athlete’s life requires a lot of sacrifice from fairly early on, but then, without sacrifice there is no success. I had to make these choices if I wanted to live my dreams and I made them because the joy in living my dream was mu larger than the unhappiness of sacrifices leading up to it.

2.    You have had an iconic career for him in swimming. You represented India in the Beijing Olympics, commonwealth games, national games and won numerous medals for your  country. Looking back at all these accomplishments, how satisfying has this journey been? Any fond memories that you remember of ?

There are so many memories I hold very dear to my heart ! So many races I can still think of  and relive in my mind very clearly. But there are major defining moments  as well, that really stand out for me and are quite special - such as qualifying and swimming for the Beijing Olympics or every single time I lifted a National Championship trophy or had a Gold Medal put around my neck. Unforgettable!

3.    It is always an honor to represent India. How did you feel when you represented India for the first time? And how did it come about ?

My first international swim meet was the Asia Pacific Swim Champs in Taiwan in 1997.I was selected because I was the fastest 11 year old in the country at the time. I went to the meet and ended up winning two bronze medals, my first for my country and most special! I still have them displayed in my trophy cabinet at home.

4.    Today a lot of commercialization of sports has taken place in India and to be fair only lucrative sports such as Cricket, Hockey, Football are getting all the money and attention. Do you feel that Indian government is not doing enough to promote athletic sports such as swimming, karate, sprints, taekwondo. You have experience. What are your looking to do in order to contribute ? What are the challenges that you are facing ?

I believe that swimming as a sport is fast gaining popularity .The standard of Indian swimming is also improving. When I competed, the Indian team I was part of won several medals at the Asian Open level and today we’re also seeing some really fast swimmers doing well at these meets. I would hope that swimmers and swimming will one day also have a league of races, just like the IPL does and a lot of corporate backing and support.

I contribute to Indian sport by offering learning from my own experience of representing and swimming for India at the highest levels through workshops for India’s competitive swimmers. As for getting involved at the governance level – I recently wrote an open letter to the Prime Minister expressing the need for change, that got a lot of attention in the media and online. I’ve recently received an invitation to be on a panel of elite sportsmen to form an Athletes Commission. I am always open to offering my support to help the cause of sport and Indian swimming.

5.    Indian contingent for Olympics, Asian Games, Commonwealth games is big but we are not able to have a good medal tally. Where are we lagging? Do you feel a robust infrastructure would help the athletes a great deal? What changes/upgrades would you suggest?

I feel that if we are to compete and win against the best in the world, we need to have access to everything these athletes have access to. For instance in swimming, our athletes are likely to better their performances is they had access to world class training facilities like temperature controlled pools or nutrition and strength training support on the team. Indian swimming today has Asian Games medalists and finalists at the CWG as well.Things are looking good for the sport and I can say this with confidence that when I work with swimmers at my workshops, and share with them lessons I have learnt from swimming that I feel that a lot of these swimmers have a bright future, because of their hard work and also because of the way we work.

6.    Swimming is something that people have started to associate with leisure and don’t take up the sport seriously. How do you plan to broaden the scope of swimming?

I think its popularity as a competitive sport is growing everyday. If any one were to visit even a local swim gala in Mumbai they would see how many swimmers are present and how much potential the sport has.The problem is that these swimmers stop swimming and choose a stable financial future or higher education over competitive swimming at a later age. At this point,there needs to be a brighter future promised to a swimmer who chooses the pool over studies or a job and this can only be possible if there was some sort of financial incentive given to the athletes for winning medals for the country or even sponsorship for training abroad.That way,parents wont feel the pinch to invest in their kids’ careers and swimmers will be able to take the risk of pursuing a sport they chose to do competitively when they were kids !

7.    After a string of successful outings in swimming you are trying your hand at Golf. How did golf come to exist in your life?

I swam professionally for over 20 years and was very satisfied with what I had achieved in the pool. After my last race in 2011, I decided to take an extended break. It was during this time that I happened to learn Golf and I fell in love with it from day one! Today I train six hours a day and dream of one day being as good a golfer as a swimmer! If that happens I will represent India in my new sport, and that’s what keeps me motivated to train all over again just like I did in the pool. Golf came to me at a very personally challenging time, and I look at it as a blessing! I respect and love the sport and I know that if I had the staying power to make it in one sport, I will do it in the other as well !

  

8.    You have won the most prestigious Arjuna Award. Can you share with us the entire experience about it?

The Arjuna Award is the highest sporting honor conferred by the country and recognizes an athlete’s outstanding service to the nation. It is a great privilege to be honored so by your country.  I also won the Best Athlete Trophy in 2002 and 2007 and had the opportunity to receive these from the then Prime Ministers of India. My parents were with me at the Rashtrapathi Bhavan when I received the award, and having them there to watch and be part of that moment meant a lot since they have sacrificed so much to see I got to realize my dreams in the pool. It was a perfect day and it just goes to show that if you dream big and work toward your goals, moments like these do come along and show you  its all worth it! These awards will always remain very close to my heart and are rewards for the years of hard work I put into the pool!

Today, when I go to train every morning I walk onto the golf course knowing that there is no golfer within a 1000 mile radius or more that has achieved as much as I have in my first sport, and this helps boost my confidence through training.

I do not mean to sound arrogant,I have the utmost respect for what our golfers do because I realize how hard a sport this is to master, but a little extra confidence always helps especially since I have started this sport at 26 and I’m up against golfers who have been playing from the age of 6 !

9.    Injuries is very common to any sportsperson. How do you keep yourself fit and away from injuries?

For both swimming and Golf I have to be very fit.  I train 6 hours on the golf course and spend another 2 in the gym four times a week. When I swam I could eat a lot since I would do a lot of cardio in the pool, but today I have to be a little careful about the quantity of food I do eat.

I also stay fit because I have a huge ego and I like to see a fit me when I look in the mirror. I think fitness has a lot to do with your self worth and if you value who you are and how good you look, fitness and how you take care of your body will always be automatic. So I’m sure that even without a sport, if you want to feel very proud of who you are, a fitter you will always keep your self confidence high and self esteem higher!

10.   I see a lot of people resorting to virtual games and don’t go out in the park to enjoy which makes them vulnerable to diseases. What is your message to the youngsters or the next gen?

I think that every child needs to really spend time finding a sport for himself that he loves doing and also loves working very hard at. I’m not saying its wrong to spend time on the gadgets but there must be a balance. Sport ,even if its not competitive,must be pursued since it builds character and teaches you so many invaluable life lessons – discipline, time management, dealing with adversity and more, preparing us for what lies ahead in our future careers.

11.  Cricket is a sport that has been followed religiously and you must have also followed cricket a lot. What is your prediction on India’s chances in CWC15?

I would want India to bring back the cup,and I believe we have a team confident and strong enough to do so J

12.  If you have to look back at these years, what is that one incident that has left a  deep impact on you ? That shaped you as a person ?

I think that many experiences, good and bad through the years in the pool have made me the person I am today.I would not pick out a single moment,because you learn everyday,and when you come up against situations that put you out of your comfort zone,you learn more.Its important to have a good attitude and be receptive to the best your sport or anyone around you has to offer.I did all my swim life,and I do that in my golf and my work too today J

 13.  Any opportunities for managers in the sports industry ?

           I think as sport gets increasingly professional in the country there is a great need for efficient sports managers. Today I can do what I do better because of the fantastic team I have supporting my goals. It is because they do what they do so well – my coach Justin Parsons, my manager Gitika an her team at Criesse, that I can really focus on my sport.

 14.          What Rehan loves doing in his personal life ? How do you spend your free time ?

Love what you do and you’ll never ork a day! I live a very balanced life where I get to spend a lot of time on my own on the golf course through the week and then I work with several swimmers on weekends when I coach them ! My life is very full and busy, but sometimes to get away from it all, I put on a nice movie or some music and I’m fine in a couple of hours. Long drives and quiet dinners with family and friends relaxes me too ! The best part is I don’t work,I pursue my dreams and both,the golf and my swim clinics that I conduct are my career,which I LOVE.

 15.          Thanks Rehan. Any message you would love to give to the children, to the sports  lovers and to our MBA class at Cox ?

Love what you do and be passionate about it ! Never let anyone tell you youre not good enough for your dreams and goals.Surround yourself with people who love you and care for you and stay true to yourself,always.

Testimonials :Thanks for your contribution

It was a source of immense satisfaction and joy to associate myself as a volunteer for SMU's Melange 2015. The events were spanned across the two of the well-known NGO foundations in Delhi and Faridabad, The Ark Foundation and PrakashDeep, working for the noble cause of providing free education to the underprivileged kids of the society. Organizing the quizzes & listening to the children's views about the myriad topics from solar system to world politics did not only left me awestruck at the quality of education that they were being provided with but also helped me understand the fact why these causes are so relevant in developing societies like India.

In these kids there were potential artists, musicians, doctors, engineers and environmentally and socially aware citizens who just needed a little help in the form of infrastructure that was being provided by these responsible organizations for the cause of child development. Whether it was listening to their original poems or seeing the energy storage bicycle prototype that they developed, everything was a source of inspiration and joy just to see them flourish despite not having a very suitable social background. Be it science, math, history , geography, arts or literature, the kids had interest and knowledge on topics from all walks of life and were even enthusiastic about having discussions and debates on them.

Spending my time for these kids who were doing great despite all odds that life had to offer them was one of my best motivational experiences that would not have been possible without the concept of Melange 2015. I am thankful to SMU for letting me be a part of this inspirational volunteer opportunity. Also i am thankful and humbled by the efforts of ARK and Prakashdeep foundations working so diligently and perfectly towards providing a dream to the future of this country.

Nishant Singh

Engineer

Bharat Heavy Electricals Limited, Noida.

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I would like to congratulate and thank SMU for taking the initiative of helping under privileged children and giving me the opportunity of being a part of this noble cause. I felt so much motivated

by the positive energy and the enthusiasm each child showed towards learning. These children were eager to learn, they were full of ideas and were knowledgeable enough to compete with outside world.

I would also like to thank ARC foundation and Prakash deep NGO for doing this wonderful job of educating under privileged children and helping in the growth of the society through different means. Their painstaking efforts have demonstrated how a locally effective model of education can make wonders. Its not money that can hold anyone, have the willingness to be great you will always find the hands to help you.

Volunteering at these organisations has injected me with enthusiasm and confidence. It gave me the opportunity to make a difference in an inclusive and positive environment, and has left a lasting impact.

Yasar Arshad

Business Consultant

Tata Consultancy Services , New Delhi , India

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It was a tremendous experience for me seeing thirst for learning in underprivileged section of our society. They were keen and enthusiastic learners. I would like to thank SMU for this great initiative, this effort fulfilled my wish of helping people and giving some children the attention they needed.

It was really great socializing with these children and making them aware of the goals they should have in life and work towards fulfilling them.  

He who opens a school door, closes a prison and this initiative by SMU was a great step towards betterment of the society.

Sofia Arora

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25th April,2015: Melange with Prakash Deep Foundation, Delhi

I had a great experience working as a volunteer for SMU Melange 2015. I volunteered at ARK Foundation in New Delhi and at Prakash deep NGO in Faridabad and I was surprised by seeing the talent in these underprivileged children. They were quick in giving answers to my questions on various topics and their drawing and writing skills are at par with the privileged children of their age. They were keen to learn new technical skills, foreign languages, acting, dancing and had an aim to become scientists, bureaucrats, technocrats, politicians, actor/actresses in future.

It is rightly said that childrenare the future of this world and I am delighted to see a spark in them to bring out a change in our society/country. They are enthusiastic, full of ideas, eager to learn, dedicated towards their work and they have the immense potential to fulfill their dreams. I am thankful to the organizers of SMU Melange 2015 to bring out this generous concept of helping underprivileged/poverty-stricken children and giving me a great opportunity to serve these children as a volunteer.

I am also thankful to ARK Foundation and Prakash deep NGO for their endeavors in their priceless work for the society.

Mohammad Suheb Zameer
Design Engineer
Acme EmsysPvt. Limited Noida, India