Heroes I Have Met - III

It is sheer coincidence that this post appears close to the time that we are observing the world's largest democracy in action during National Elections 2014. Having gotten caught up in the whirlwind that was the last semester of college, recording the precious stories from the trip around India was relegated to the To-Do list for the summer. Continuing this from Part II.

I hope, along with a new Prime Minister, these stories bring hope! 


On the bustling streets of Madurai, a quaint town in Tamil Nadu, Aravind Eye Care is a landmark almost as famous as the many temples that dot the city. We assemble in a large hallway in the hospital, waiting to hear about the famous Dr. Govindappa Venkataswamy who adapted

Dr. Govindappa Venkaswamy

the 'McDonald' model to provide free ophthalmologist treatment to the needy. Among the many problems that infest the underbelly of this country is avoidable blindness. Eyecare is expensive and the result of unaffordable treatment is usually blindness. This is a death knell to the poor who rely on their healthy bodies for an income. Dr. V's philosophy was to reverse-engineer ophthalmological instruments imported from abroad to manufacture at cheaper prices drastically reducing cost of treatment procedures. Today, it has spread to several locations in India providing mostly free and cheap eye treatment.

Tilonia Bazaar! Crafts from the College

Over in the western part of the country, Sandeep 'Bunker' Roy, an old boy of Doon School, is to be found in the tiny village of Tilonia, near the city of Ajmer in Rajasthan. At Barefoot College that he has set up here, he identifies astutely the difference between education and literacy. Barefoot College is the mark of a working vocational education where literacy has failed. As we walk around the campus to find men and women of all adult age groups and third world nationalities around the world learning to build photovoltaic circuits, solar water heaters, make indigenous sanitary napkins, weaving textiles and training in myraid vocational activities. Wonder of wonders, grandmothers from as far as Brazil have trained here to become solar and sanitary engineers! These women have gone back to train others in their home countries and bring change to villages all over the world. Remarkably, the fact that hardly anyone here, instructor or student, speaks the same language has not been a deterrent in the way of education.

Our final stop was at Gandhi Ashram in Ahmedabad. On the tranquil banks of the Sabarmati, we reflect on the days that have passed. At a distance, a bunch of schoolkids are being instructed on meditation. The massive group of about 500 people have dispersed all across the Ashram yet there is relative quiet. The museum here preserves many of the Mahatma's belongings including his charkha - the khadi as his symbol for India's self-reliance. It is a trip into history for us - a reminder of the teachings of the Mahatma that once mobilised the entire country into action. Amidst quiet reflection, there is a common emotion around - HOPE. The journey ends in inspiration for a life that is entrepreneurial and in benefit of more than ourselves. Would the Mahatma be proud?

On the banks of River Sabarmati :). PC: Saaku.