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My Life Journey - PAY IT FORWARD. Surya Padala Padala Charitable Trust www.padalacharitabletrust.org. India Education Forum India Development Coalition of America July 23, 2011. Inspiration.
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My Life Journey - PAY IT FORWARD Surya Padala Padala Charitable Trust www.padalacharitabletrust.org India Education Forum India Development Coalition of America July 23, 2011
Inspiration I am only one, BUT still I am oneI cannot do Everything, BUT still I can do somethingand Because I cannot do EverythingI 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 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
My Life Journey- PAY IT FOR FORWARD • 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
Scholarships by Category Total Scholarship amount distributed 2002-2010 = 16,88,926/- ($37,531)
My Life Journey- PAY IT FORWARD • 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
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?