my life journey - pay it forward india education forum india development coalition of america july...
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My Life Journey - PAY IT FORWARD
India Education ForumIndia Development Coalition of America
July 23, 2011
Surya PadalaPadala Charitable Trust
www.padalacharitabletrust.org
InspirationI am only one, BUT still I am one
I cannot do Everything, BUT still I can do something
and Because I cannot do Everything I will not refuse to do the
Something that I can do..............................
- Edward Everett Hale
My Life Journey- From Tailor Family to NRI Family
• Dec 1972 – I was Born• Apr 1988 – State Ranker in SSC (X Std) with
93%• Apr 1990 – State Ranker in Intermediate with
91%• Jun 1990 –Top Ranker in State Wide
Engineering Entrance Examination (EAMCET)
My Life Journey- From Tailor Family to NRI Family
– I was the first recipient of NSF Scholarship (1990)
– $250/Year for all 4 Yrs of my Graduation
My Life Journey- From Tailor Family to NRI Family
NORTH SOUTH FOUNDATION
My Life Journey- From Tailor Family to NRI Family
• Jun 1994• Completed my Engineering Graduation• Secured All India Rank 226 in GATE Entrance• Got into Masters (M.Tech) in IIT Kharagpur
• Mar 1996• Joined an IT Firm (TCS) as Software Trainee
– became earning member of my family & first one in mandal to go abroad
• Local Tailor Family became an NRI Family
• Apr 2002• Started to PAY-IT-FORWARD with inspiration
from NSF
• Jun 2011• Provided 454 Scholarships to Poor & Brilliant
Students in East Godavari District of AP
• Several scholars have become sponsors by paying it forward
My Life Journey- PAY IT FOR FORWARD
• Scholarships by Category
49%
37%
6%2%
5%
0%
5%
10%
15%
20%
25%
30%
35%
40%
45%
50%
INTER DEG ENGG MEDICINE DIPLOMA
Scholarships
Scholarship Level # of Scholarships % of Total
Intermediate (2 Yrs) 240 53%
Degree (3 Yrs) 150 33%
Medicine (5 yrs) 8 2%
Engineering (4 Yrs) 30 7%
Diploma (3 Yrs) 26 6%
454
Total Scholarship amount distributed 2002-2010 = 16,88,926/- ($37,531)
• Supported the following projects
• Water/Sanitation Project by Bharathi Theertha Trust in Duppada Village of Vizianagaram
• Safe Drinking Water Plant Project by Gavarasana Foundation in Gollaprolu Village
• School Development Project at MPP School, Pentapadu, Nellore District
• Few other smaller contributions
My Life Journey- PAY IT FORWARD
Pay it Forward
Pay it Forward
My Concerns
- Am I really making a positive difference?
- Am I missing something?
My Concerns
• How much % of IITs & IIMs contribute back to the needy in society at least to their own village/people?
• How many are able to successfully handle practical issues in life (stress, personal tragedies, job loss, divorce)
• Supporting poor & brilliant to become successful in life – without 100% guarantee that they will make society a better place to live in for themselves AND for others?
• Stake Holders in Current Edu System– Parents– Teachers– Students– School/College Management– Government– Media (Print & Electronic)– Concerned Individuals & NGOs
Everyone blames others (not-me-syndrome)
Challenges
How do we enforce character / values / Wisdom / social responsibility while helping them go to school / college?
Shouldn’t we start this at the Elementary/Primary level?
How do we connect all the stake holders effectively and work together on the issues?
Thank You