Padala Charitable Trust - Blog #Generous

PCTs Efforts for Road Safety Awareness

Wed, 24 Jan 2024 11:02:00 +0000

Author : Anne Alekhya, Program Manager

ROAD SAFETY WEEK in India is celebrated from Jan 11th to Jan 17th every year. This year, the Department of Transport in Kakinada is conducting a campaign for a month in hopes of minimizing accidents and increasing safety. Check out this news from Sakshi on 24th Jan 2024 which lists all the activities scheduled

Stealing their Childhood?

At Padala Charitable Trust (PCT), we include the topic of ROAD SAFETY in our awareness programs such as Swechha for Little Birds (SFLB), Swechha for Girls and Boys, and Student Empowerment Training (SET). The ROAD SAFETY module covers the following topics – (1) Safety Measures to follow while on the road whether a person is in a vehicle or walking, (2) What to do to keep the roads Clean and Safe?, (3) What not to do to keep the roads Clean and Safe?, (4) “Speed Thrills but Kills” concept, and (5) Consequences of Rash Driving.

Times of India on Nov 1st, 2023 published an article that revealed the government data regarding deaths caused by road accidents, “Speeding was responsible for 70% of road deaths in India in 2022, which saw a record-breaking 168,491 fatalities and 440,000 injuries. Failure to use safety devices, such as helmets and seat belts, was the second leading cause of deaths. Over 50,000 two-wheeler riders died due to not wearing helmets, while 16, 715 deaths were linked to not wearing seat belts. India has the highest number of road fatalities globally, accounting for 11% of total deaths.”

We include the ROAD SAFETY topic in our awareness modules to instil and encourage children from a younger age to practise safe rules of the road while walking or driving and to think of the consequences of their choices.

What AP X Class Examination Dilemma amidst the COVID Scare is telling us?_copy

Sat, 23 May 2020 10:54:00 +0000

Author : Pavani Sairam, Program Manager

AP X Class Examination: If you ask students why X standard is considered as such a big deal, what would they answer?

Students:

“Oh god! What kind of a question is that sir? We are talking about the AP X Class Examination! We must pass it, get good grades and earn the certificate. Otherwise, our family members and our teachers will be devastated. That is why we are not allowed to play or participate in any extracurricular activities. We are banned from excursions, arts, performances, sports and cultural meets until our brains liquefy from the repeated tests and retelling of lessons from the minute we start X class in the march to the very end of our last exam.

We are express fed syllabus that takes 9 months to complete within 6 months, discussing important questions in our question bank more vigorously than the subject concepts. It is in no way less than a war. Our parents, teachers, even neighbours are hyper-excited about the whole X class exam thing. Government authorities prep for it months in advance. They tirelessly fight to make us pass the exam “one way or another”. Do I still have to explain why X standard is considered as such big of a deal?

Stealing their Childhood?

Anyhow, whatever our adults do for us, they do it for a reason, no? That’s why we stopped questioning the exams, the hype, the system and the validity of our certificate. But, if I must be honest, I have no idea how our life is going to be from now, or how these X class marks change our lives. We sometimes wonder if someone can help us out by clarifying it. But we are too busy by hearting biology answers!

But sometimes few doubts creep up about the whole, all study no play situation: Why were we not so aggressively encouraged to the only study throughout our education up until X class? Are the concepts in those classes not that important? Until we finish filling the last bits in the answer paper of our last exam, we are solely focused on scoring better grades.

Quality education: Practical skills or fancy grades?

But after that we start another confusing journey- up until then, we were only told to look into the question banks. Suddenly we are supposed to make life-altering decisions about the kind of path we would like to stick to for the rest of our lives! How are we suddenly supposed to adult and take decisions? Most of us have never given much thought about what we like, where our strengths and capabilities lie. We have no decision making or problem-solving skills. How do we lead our lives from here?

None of us has any clue about it, nor do we have the kind of time to think about all that!”

AP X Class Examination: If you ask the same question to psychologists, psychiatrists and educational leaders, their answer would be:

X class and the years around it are indeed critical. These are times when children are undergoing rapid transitions to their brains. It’s the time kids learn the right lessons about life, not just lessons from their textbooks. Hormones flood their body during this time. This causes them to have physical and psychological changes.

Children are prone to fluctuating thoughts, fears, anxieties, delusions and a truckload of questions. If you gallop like a racehorse, it’s a mighty force. What would you do if your horse is running hither thither, without knowing what distance they want to go, where to, or with what speed? They have too many doubts and no chances to ask.

The teen brain is not a finished product; it is still in the making. Teens have questions they can’t voice out, but their minds seek answers naturally. They are more prone to be influenced by the thoughts, habits, situations, environment and people that surround them. All these play a key role in shaping their personalities. Teens must, therefore, be handled with lots of care, consciousness and attention.

You cant expect a fish to fly and then get upset!

Students who are as competent as their teachers are faring well and gaining accolades. On the other hand, a few kids are labelled “weaklings” just because they score lesser marks compared to “toppers”. Until this tyranny of labelling a human’s intelligent based on their grades continues, “weaklings” will be manufactured in the corner of every classroom! The kids are punished and insulted forming a poor self-image. This is very dangerous for society.

The AP X Class Examination dilemma in the wake of Corona:

It is being reported that divorce rates and cases of domestic violence are spiking during this lockdown. Why? We’ve ignored our family members, neighbours and every bond tied in blood in the name of earning. We’ve forgotten how good it feels to share; we’ve forgotten what it is like to coexist with our near and dear.

Emotional intelligence, problem-solving and critical thinking have become things of the past! We have run like racehorses long enough that we don’t even remember why we are running and where to! It is about time we rethink our priorities.

Nobody has figured out about ways to control this virus. Every week, the case counts are increasing. In the wake of all this, we need to rethink if X class exams need this degree of attention and focus even in the midst of a deadly pandemic.

It was announced that the exam pattern is set to change. The 11 papers are now reduced to 6 changing the sections, question types and marking system. Wouldn’t this unexpected change in patterns create more panic? If the exams are postponed by 3 months and conducted in July, wouldn’t that painfully long wait stress the kids?

Should they carry the stress of preparation for 3 extended months? To make things worse, they are now conducting online classes and circulating model papers and time tables with a forged signature of the commissioner of education. Is it even fair to stress out such young kids in this way?

How can kids manage their examination stress in the midst of a health scare?

Even if you believe their career must be prioritized, won’t easing up on the exams give them enough time to prepare for entrances like Polytechnic and APRJC?

They have decided to double the no.of exam centres. This means that children would be travelling to far off places than they need to. Red zone kids might have to appear to exam centres in green and orange zones. Everyone including the students, invigilators and authorities must wear masks and take protective steps. Even if we take all these measures with the utmost care, we can’t guarantee that some unfortunate mishap won’t happen.

In such dangerous circumstances, can the kids feel free to write their exams at the top of their abilities?

There will be lakhs of papers due for evaluation; students need to await the results for another 2 to 3 weeks. What will we all gain as a society by having our kids risk their life over this? Is the risk and worth it for them, at least? Should they scorch everyone in this way to give certificates that they are awarding to every other class? Crores of public money are wasted, thousands of teachers, authorities and kids are risking their lives.

Despite facing a crisis of this scare that is threatening lives and harmony of families, should we still go back to prioritizing careers, exams and paychecks over our lives, relations and happiness? If we are ok promoting kids from VI to IX standard, why on earth do we fuss about making the same life-saving decision for our X standard children? Are their lives and health less valuable than their grades and ranks?

Risking life for an exam? What is the point?

If Corona can’t be controlled by July, the exams must be cancelled anyways. Isn’t it better to make a decision right now instead of wasting 2 months? It’ll also save lives.

Is there anything greater than protecting the health of our students? Let’s think about things that matter!

On AP X Class Examination By P. Surya Prasad, Padala Charitable Trust, Kakinada, padalasurya@yahoo.com

Edited by Pavani Sairam

Generous Mind: The Art of Giving

Sat, 16 May 2020 07:04:00 +0000

Author : R.A. Rao, PCT Advisory Board Member; Pavani Sairam, Program Manager

The Art of Giving: The lores and legends of cultures around the globe are replete with stories and myths, recounting men who placed the spirit of Giving over their own happiness even at the risk of losing their own lives.

“So long as the millions live in hunger and ignorance, I hold every person a traitor who, having been educated at their expense pays not the least heed to them” etched Swami Vivekananda into one of his letters to Alasinga Perumal of Chikkamangalore.

Hindu Philosophy suggests that all of us came into existence by drawing life forces from the panchabhoothas and are bound to dissolve into the same. Some visionaries see this as a testament to the balance between ‘giving and taking’ that exists in the universe.

One of the five pillars of Islam is Zakat (that which purifies). According to this covenant, every Muslim who earns more than a basic amount of money called nisab must give 2.5% of their annual savings to the needy.

International Art of Giving Day: May 17

In Chapter 2, Verse 47 of Bhagavat Gita, Krishna advises Arjuna to commit actions as Nishkama Karma or selfless actions devoid of expectations on the results. Giving is classified as rajasik, and therefore inferior, if it is done with an intention to gain name, fame, or spiritual merit.

Generosity is not just about the actions; it is more about the intention behind those actions. Therefore, this article is about the spirit and the mind of a giver. It is about the frame of mind while giving, as much as it is about the actual act of giving.

Evolving to be Humane: Civilizational shifts, Biological Changes

India ranks 129 among 189 countries in its Human Development Index. Year by year, the wage gap between the highest and lowest paid lots is increasing.

Source: Oxfam, Statistics in India

There was a time when every decision was made keeping survival in mind; auto regulating body’s metabolism to match food availability, storing enough food supplies to get through harsh weather, and deciding marriages based on the livestock of the prospective partner.

Look at the world around us now, recounting history; we have come so far! We are at a better place in the history of human-kind now. But the ancient survival instincts of ‘take, take, take’ and ‘give and take’ seem to be burned in the back of our minds. Instead of trying to be more generous, humans are increasingly training their higher faculties to be an accumulator instead of a giver.

If we raise kids by teaching them the joy of sharing instead of accumulation, they may grow up to be more giving adults.

Beyond Money & Material

Take the example of a mason who had to be counseled against the idea of making a huge material donation to an orphanage, or another example of a retired government employee, who wanted to donate all of his life’s savings to a charity. Surprisingly in both cases, their family members were also supportive of their generosity.

All of them had to be counseled against the idea of donating so much. There are some people who are so passionate to give that they go beyond their/ their family’s capacity to give. Therefore, the receivers of charity must check if donations negatively impact the donor beyond a point of leading a self- sustainable life, and counsel them against it if need be.

Every act of empathy by way of word, deed, or presence can also be charity. Those who feel generous but can’t afford to donate money can be encouraged to donate their skills and time.

A generous state of mind.

Here is a list of 3 Gifts of Non- Monetary Charity:

Gift of understanding: Interact with everyone from a non- judgmental space. Be present and listen without daydreaming, interrupting, or planning a counter-response. Be in other’s shoes and understand their point of view. Being sensitive to those who want nothing but to be left alone is also priceless.
Gift of support: Root for someone, take care of them and encourage them; be creative responding to the need of the hour. Surprise someone with a kind compliment, say they are doing a great job, or express gratitude writing a hand note.
Gift of empathy: Cheerful disposition and affectionate interactions have the power to change the ambiance. Be a loving space. Say hello, thank you or greet with a cheer. A spontaneous smile works beautifully even with strangers.

Thoughtful Charity

Clearly, there are ways of extending generosity beyond money and material called non- monetary charity. Donating time is a profound way of extending generosity. When donating time, give away the total vitality of your life force to the cause.

“Na karmana na prajaya dhanena tyagenaike amrtatva manasah: Neither by actions, wealth or progeny can one attain liberation; it is only attained by the spirit of sacrifice.” _ Kaivalyopanishad

Though giving is seen as a path to liberation- the highest reward of spirituality- donating to unworthy and futile causes is seen as a sin and classified as tamasik.

There can be many solutions to every problem. Some solutions are temporary quick fixes, while some are long term solutions with compounding returns. Choosing a worthy cause to give donations is indispensable.

Let’s say, we are trying to get rid of hunger and poverty: giving people free lunches and distributing money is one way to solve the problem. However, it is unsustainable and has no long- term returns. Besides, it can cause diminishing returns by making people dependent, entitled, and accustomed to receiving freebies without working.

Capacity building over mindless charity.

Providing employment opportunities, skill up-gradation to make the unemployed job-ready, incubating entrepreneurial ideas, providing free medical facilities, subsidized ration, improving literacy levels, and creating awareness about personal finances are the most efficient ways to tackle hunger and poverty in the long run.

Isn’t it wise to ensure that the donations- your hard-earned money- are not wasted? This is why it is wise to verify if the vision of the receivers is efficient, sustainable, and long-lasting beforehand.

States of Mind: Forgiving a foe or fighting one?

Let us share the story of a young man, who was mobbed and dehumanized by a group. They took away his life and mocked him until he died. But the young man didn’t breed resentment towards them; he didn’t flinch in his generosity and forgiveness.

“Father, forgive them; for they know not what they do” _ Jesus

The young man is Jesus of Nazareth. What would make others bitter only made him kinder. His spirit of sacrifice would be recalled and remembered for ages to come.

Here and Now!

Let us now look at the story of Malala Yousufzai, who got shot in her face when she was 15. This young recipient of the Nobel Peace Prize stood against the Taliban terrorist group to stand by girls’ right for education.

“I am not against anyone, neither am I here to speak in terms of personal revenge against the Taliban or any other terrorist group. I’m here to speak up for the right of education for every child. I want education for the sons and daughters of the Taliban and all terrorists and extremists.” _ Malala Yousufzai

What would make others retreat only made her braver. She embodied generosity and extended her purpose to the children of her attackers also. For a change, she did not give in to the animal instincts of fear or revenge.

All acts of generosity may not look similar. Generosity has more to do with the intention behind a deed than the deed itself. Jesus forgave as Malala peacefully fought. But what is common between these two, who did seemingly different actions, is their compassion. They both exemplify that empathy is deeper than the outer shell of what our actions look like.

Next time, whether you are fighting a foe or forgiving one, ask yourself if it is coming from a generous state of mind.

Act of giving or state of being?

A scientist once resigned his high paying job, returned to his village and started an NGO. At the time, it was a risky decision to throw away a life of certainty for himself and his family. Such acts of generosity are no cakewalk; they require one to fight self-doubt and fear.

Embodying the spirit of sacrifice took courage. When asked if he regrets wasting his talent, he shared that he knew many who can replace him at his job, but very few that have a similar desire to serve.

The man understands his inclination to serve as synonymous to who he was. To people like him, generosity is not an act they participate in once a year, it is not a value they switch on when they feel like; the spirit of sacrifice becomes their second- nature. Their generosity is not expressed as an action; it is experienced as a state of being.

Today, let’s celebrate The Art of Giving by being a noble space of generosity. Who knows how many lives it will touch and how many destinies it can drive?

*The authors are R.A. Rao & Pavani Sairam.

A briefer version of this article appeared in the Economic Times: The Art of Giving in ET

To read an article on the ideas of success and the role of opportunities as experienced by Team PCT, Click here.

Rethinking Success: Role of Creating Opportunities for Development

Wed, 08 Apr 2020 07:04:00 +0000

Author : Pavani Sairam, Program Manager

Working closely with children in communities from the most underprivileged rungs of India for over a decade, our ideas and understandings around success and leadership are questioned relentlessly. What is seen as a success in the communities of rural India has a world’s difference from the successes of the corporate kingdoms in Chicago.

“I was a meritorious student throughout my education- but if it wasn’t for NSF, who gave me scholarship to continue my education, I wouldn’t be where I am today. After spending 16 years in USA working as a software consultant, I quit my job and returned to India in Dec 2012. Since then I have been exploring various ways to uplift the education sector and trying my best to make a positive difference in the society.

I am now the founder and mentor at Padala Charitable Trust (PCT) India. It feels great when the younger generation connects with me so well when I share my life journey. I only tell them how I reached from one end to the other and I challenge them to do the same. Each time I interact with a group young or old, I am told that my story inspires them. Thanks to NSF for playing a key role in my life!

Padala Surya Prasad, Founder & Mentor at PCT

I believe success must also be thought in terms of the opportunities one gets- NSF made those options possible for me. Now, our team is trying relentlessly to create more such opportunities for the under-privileged and marginalized. The following article is a success story of a women’s self help group in a rural corner of India- Mallavaram.”_ Padala Surya Prasad, Founder and Mentor at Padala Charitable Trust (PCT India).

A success story from rural India

By excluding a discussion on the availability of opportunities while talking about success, aren’t we reducing the idea of success to an end destination? By forming ideas of success devoid of the conditions and contexts, we are thinking of success as a static end result.

It can be a bit of a challenge, to have a singular idea of success. Recently, a group of women from the remote corners of a village- Mallavaram started stitching their own stories of success. When a free tailoring center for women was started, 40 members enrolled. They also enthusiastically participated in our sessions on menstrual hygiene and leadership development.

PCT: Women in Mallavaram’s Tailoring Classes

As we were about to set up a dressmaking unit at the village to enable opportunities for self-employment, the corona lockdown started and the idea got postponed. When we reached out to them a couple of weeks later, we discovered that these women stitched free cotton masks and distributed it for free among the agricultural laborers and local community.

Text Book Definitions of Success

If you ask us to share inspiring success stories, we can share the story of these women from rural India: the story of women who displayed amazing initiative rising to be community volunteers amidst a pandemic, the story of women who redefined the constricting ideals enforced by patriarchy and the story of those women who are slowly paving their way to becoming entrepreneurs, sharing the financial burdens to solve their poverty problems.

This village that sits in the middle of lush green rice fields is inhabited by communities that never allowed women to step outside their homes. So this was a group of path breakers. If you ask us what leaders are made of, we’ll show you these enterprising women of Mallavaram. They identified the mask crisis that occurred due to the pandemic, discussed among themselves, drew a plan of action, and successfully implemented it.

Women of Mallavaram in Discussion with team PCT

A local NGO heard about this and ordered masks against payment. This is the first order that the group received. This became a starting point for them to utilize their skills in managing their livelihood. PCT also ordered 1000 masks to be distributed among the red zones of the East Godavari District.

People from underprivileged backgrounds fighting all odds, crossing hurdles by hustling, helping the community, and walking towards self-empowerment: this sounds like a perfect recipe for a success story, doesn’t it?

Reviewing our ideas of success: the opportunity dilemma

But this is not the story of many women in rural India, this is an exception. It could be. The other women never got an opportunity to try. This is the opportunity gap we forget about when we talk about success.

Women discussing about

When we start thinking of success as a process by considering the contexts and backgrounds, we shift focus to creating the conditions for success. In a country where there is an imbalance in the availability of required opportunities to achieve success, we must also think of creating opportunities before thinking of success.

If we classify success and failure only based on what people achieve and what they don’t, how do we classify those women who could never step outside their houses, who did not even have a chance to try? We need to definitely look at the role of creating opportunities for a success story, especially in a country where opportunities are not homogenous.

Mallavaram Women Group with Team PCT

More often than not, in celebrating success, we forget that the opportunity played a bridge in making the success a possible reality. Until the tailoring unit was started at Mallavaram, there was no avenue to step out to. These women now have a window of opportunity to step into the realms of self-employment and self- sustenance. This project gave them a reason to come out of their confinements and support their families.

Rethinking Success: The opportunity quest

The women became torch bearers in their own right and turned their potential and hard work into a success story. But an extra external effort had to be made to extend opportunities to them. While looking at these women, we also feel responsibility; a responsibility to extend such opportunities, for other potential entrepreneurs to try and check if they can be successful?

– Pavani Sairam