'Whenever you are doing good for others there is an energy that looks after you'

Something to swear by my own personal experience and as documented here with my interaction with SABERA Awardee Vinay Sharma founder Sinhayana Foundation, and its flagship project Dance out of Poverty.

This was the advice offered to him by his mentor Anshu Gupta of Goonj.

Vinay goes on to narrate his story of how this invisible force held him in good stead when all other avenues seemed shut through COVID. Someone or some energy came out of the blue to lend support and then disappeared just as mysteriously afterward!

Have you felt that invisible hand of support when all seems lost?

Hear Vinays' story and do share your experiences too, acknowledging that energy that supports GOOD beyond all odds.

Have you ever wondered, in case of, God forbid, say a fall- that requires you to be on crutches for a bit, how would you do the simple task of watching a film in the hall? Even with some help if you reached your seat and watched it, at the exit in most malls (in Noida at least) you are expected to climb down up to 6 floors in some! Well, I faced a similar experience with a friend and was compelled to have this very important yet often neglected conversation.

Addressing inclusive entertainment, especially for people with disabilities. Get to know the Chief Sustainability officer (Now former) of PVR Limited. Sangeeta Robinson wears many hats including that of influencing policy in favor of creating accessible content for Indian cinema. She herself was born with a congenital defect of one of her legs being 17.5 inches shorter but her nurturing environment at home and then in school/college never once made her feel handicapped.

By embracing diversity and creating accessible environments, brands are not only making a positive impact on society but also fostering stronger connections with their customers.

Organizations like TRRAIN (TRUST FOR RETAILERS & RETAIL ASSOCIATES OF INDIA) are doing incredible work in capacity building, empowering individuals with disabilities, and helping businesses create more inclusive workplaces.

I enjoyed discussing this with Ameesha Prabhu co-founder TRRAIN , a SABERA Awardee, on Impact Leaders and Simply Suparnaa.

an inspiring conversation with Sameer J Kapur, CEO of The Hans Foundation, about bridging the urban-rural gap. He shared a touching anecdote from a remote village in Uttarakhand—where a Sar Panch, in a subtle yet powerful shift from tradition, chose to serve water to Sameer himself when he found the food spicy.

What made this moment special? The Sar Panch’s daughter, a teacher, would have typically been the one to get up and serve. But this time, he asked her to sit and eat, recognizing the importance of her role and schedule. A small gesture, yet a big change in mindset—one that speaks volumes about evolving attitudes towards gender and education in rural India.

The Hans Foundation has been transforming rural healthcare through Mobile Medical Unit vans, bringing MBBS doctors and free medicines to the most remote regions. Their impact was rightfully recognized at SABERA 2024 under the Swasthya & Kalyan category.

My conversation on Impact leaders (Featuring SABERA Awardees every Friday) unfolded such a unique compliment: The founder and CEO of Transform Schools (impacting 10 million children in rural India), who’ve been part of platforms like the prestigious Skoll at Oxford University, spoke of his experience with SABERA.

Pankaj Vinayak Sharma went on to share how his failure through the 'Ominous' Board exams catalyzed his mission to make learning more impactful for those who need it most.

When asked about their skills, many women often respond with "Nothing." But is that really the case?

A woman managing a household with minimal resources, ensuring maximum returns, is already demonstrating the core skills of an entrepreneur—financial planning, resource optimization, crisis management, and problem-solving. What they need isn’t ability—it’s belief. A little hand-holding through banking procedures and financial literacy can be the catalyst that propels them forward.

As Dr. Nayar beautifully put it, confidence is the key that unlocks potential.

Is CSR leaving Rural India behind?

India allocated ₹30,000 crore in CSR funding in the last financial year, yet rural areas received only a fraction. Most corporations focus their efforts near operational hubs—Bengaluru, for example, ranks 4th in CSR spending, but 90% of these funds stay within the city itself.

How can we ensure rural India gets its fair share of CSR investments?

In our latest conversation, Rajesh Krishnan, CEO of United Way of Bengaluru, shares insights on Rural Rising, an initiative to channel CSR funds where they are needed most. As part of this, they are also driving behavioral change through innovative communication, a strategy that earned them सबेरा SABERA jury recognition for their nutrition program for Wayanad’s tribal communities.

Dr. Kela has led the foundation’s mission to drive large-scale job creation through entrepreneurship, skilling, and digital transformation—empowering students, startups, and SMEs across 20+ countries. Under his leadership, the foundation has facilitated ₹165 crore in funding for SMEs, upskilled 2 million+ youth, and pioneered cutting-edge research in MedTech and sustainability.

Most recently, the Wadhwani Foundation was recognized as the Non-Profit of the Year at SABERA 2024! 🏆

In this insightful conversation, we dive into:

💡 The future of job creation through skilling & entrepreneurship

🌍 Expanding impact across India, Asia, Africa & Latin America

🚀 How technology is reshaping employability & innovation

Mitali's work in gender mainstreaming and her research-based solutions for offsetting the costs of parental leave through insurance covers are potentially pathbreaking innovations.

Hearing her perspective on SABERA and how the platform drives real impact for those working towards social good was inspiring.

Who would have thought that by amplifying Voices of Impact, the same voices would start rooting for सबेरा SABERA in return?

This conversation reinforced the belief in the power of collective good.

In a thought-provoking conversation, Abhay Deshpande, founder of Recykal.com, shared the immense potential of the waste management and circular economy sector. With a turnover exceeding ₹1200 Cr, Recykal is just scratching the surface of what’s possible.

Abhay envisions the rise of 10 unicorns in the waste management and circularity over the next decade—a testament to the untapped opportunities in this critical industry. He emphasized that perseverance and purpose-driven innovation will be the keys to unlocking success.