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For The Woman in You

Shikha Pandey

Sheetal Mehta Walsh Is Bringing Micro-Finance To Indian Villages

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The tale of Grameen Bank in Bangladesh is famous throughout the world. That is what inspired Sheetal Mehta Walsh to start Shanti Life.

microfinance photo
Professor Muhammad Yunus: Building Social Business Summit by University of Salford under CC BY 2.0

Life was anything but normal for Sheetal Mehta Walsh. Her family was cruelly uprooted from Uganda during the Idi Amin regime. They moved to Canada where her parents taught her to build a community. They met people from the same region and culture. It created a small world of its own and she saw what it meant to be a part of a community and a group. As immigrants, she viewed the struggles faced by people in the West. They were trying to build something and earn enough to feed their family. Their ethnicity and their status prevented them from getting loans or any funding to start a venture of their own. These lessons remained with her for a long time and she remembered what it meant to come from nothing.

More than money, these people need someone in believes in. Sheetal Mehta founded Shanti Life to provide capped loans with low-interest rates. The repayments go back to finance other female-run businesses and support local communities. Sheetal’s philosophy isn’t only just giving money to needy people. ‘Teach a man to fish’ is her motto. Shanti Life offers training, resources and vocational skills to the poor. It allows them a fighting chance to compete for jobs, resources and money in a fair manner. There is a strong focus on supporting female entrepreneurs. Skipping any middlemen, they just send the money to the entrepreneur or business directly. Rural women are skilled workers but have no education or money to start a venture. They can only manage survival and not a livelihood. Sheetal and her organization adopt communities or villages. Doing so sets them up for success and pulling themselves out of a rut. Rural women also can’t sign their own names or a check. Their lack of education can make them the target of money lenders who fake papers or forge signatures. This forces them into debt or crushing poverty. Sheetal and her team educates them and teaches them simple things that can change their lives.

microfinance photo
Microfinance in India by Peter Haden under CC BY 2.0

The future for Sheetal looks digital. An online marketplace or store where she can sell goods and crafts created by rural women and villagers. The profits from these sales will go right back to the artisans and creators. The goal is to adopt almost 5-7 villages and build a bigger community. She is keen to see the bigger picture instead of just lending money or creating a platform. Sustainable solutions that will uplift, empower and enrich their lives are her goals. Shanti Life is a holistic approach to employment, education, and sanitation. Sheetal also has plans in place to provide sanitation facilities and medicines. The office and team are based in Ahmedabad and have operations in Vadodara, Amreli, Dahod, Mahisagar, Bhavnagar, and Morbi.

Sheetal sits on various boards and trusts. An accomplished spokesperson, she has talked at Cambridge, LSE, TED, and many forums or events. A former director at Microsoft, she also acts as a liaison between the UK Government and business owners. Her profile is to invite global businesses and companies to base their operations in the United Kingdom. Sheetal was named among one of the most influential and powerful Asian women in Britain, 35 Under 35 to name a few. She was invited to the Buckingham Palace by Her Majesty, the Queen of England for a ‘Women in Business’ reception. Her work and efforts have been lauded for their simplicity yet effectiveness in improving the quality of life. Several communities and villages in India have found a strong source of income thanks to Sheetal and Shanti Life.

Featured Photo: bangladesh microfinance by DFAT photo library under CC BY 2.0 (Representational)

The Change Consultant Corporate India Is Praising- Priya Naik

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Coming from a family of hardworking people and social thinkers, Priya Naik always knew she wanted to do something different. With this in mind and her positive attitude, she started Samhita Social Ventures. 

India is a layered, diverse country with varied problems. Nobody can predict or understand the complex issues faced by Indian states or understand them without effective research. After studying in US, Priya managed to travel 25 countries by the time she was 25. This enriching experience opened her eyes to a new world. A world where the reality was bleak yet it wasn’t too late. She felt she could keep traveling the world or she could go home and make a difference. India was home and it was also the country she wanted to try and save. Unlike other NRIs who pay lip service and just keep donating money, Priya wanted to stay and work here. Her mind was racing to find an exciting business venture or opportunity. A former researcher at the Poverty Action Lab at Massachusetts Institute of Technology, she mentored a student team to find answers to reversing or reducing poverty. Her critical bent and thinking have always made her a figure people look up to.

Business in India is booming. People are more likely to create jobs than apply for one. Start-ups are the future and Priya noticed this as she observed the people around her. Companies and organizations have a civic and social responsibility to provide for the country or their community. They usually rely on internal structures or departments to channel money to beneficial causes. This may be acceptable but there is so much more these companies can do. Priya Naik wanted to tap into this area and figure a solution. The private sector can transform the social sector if it benefits both of them. She launched Samhita Social Ventures, a platform that connects corporations with social organizations. ‘Samhita’ meaning ‘Collective Good’ is the basis of her business idea. Instead of relying on finding partners for their CSR (Corporate Social Responsibility) projects, they can just turn to Priya and her company. Individuals, donors, companies, and institutions can research causes, people in need of their support. It will also create a community of like-minded philanthropists, activists, and social thinkers.

Priya doesn’t just act as a middleman. She is an adviser and a consultant. Companies pay her to guide them through the process of social responsibility. She will sit down with companies, founders and owners to discuss their relation to the community. How are their practices impacting the people they live around? What needs to be done to be socially responsible and sustainable? Big businesses often have economic, social and environmental repercussions. They need a well thought out strategy or plan to guarantee the support of locals or citizens. For a fee, Priya will provide them with implementation ideas, assessment tools, and strategies. She does not charge anything from the organizations receiving donations or equipment. In fact, her focus is on making sure they receive as much as they need and on a consistent basis.

At present they have 1500 NGOs and 333 programs live on their platform. They have developed a tool that companies can use to select NGOs and organizations that interest them. The Indian Government launches hygiene and sanitation schemes. Samhita is one of the first ventures to spread information and create understanding about these schemes with corporations and companies. In just 7 years, Priya has transformed her idea into a fully fledged company that employs people and creates social change. The road has been rocky and long for her because people usually remain skeptical of a female entrepreneur yet she persisted. Her belief in her vision and her commitment to her country has inspired many men and women across India.

Featured Photo: Don Bosco by Tawheed Manzoor under CC BY 2.0

India’s Biggest Water Crisis Is Here, Says Anu Sridharan

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Recent reports and studies show India is facing the worst water crisis in its history. 600 million people are facing water shortage at present. Anu Sridharan, co-founder of NextDrop is doing her best to help solve this giant problem.

Global warming is real. It is affecting several countries, cities, and states. Globalization has led to the rapid rise of population and more people trying to access a limited number of resources. The climate is changing, natural resources and forests are drying up. Approximately 200,000 Indians die every year because they can’t access clean and safe drinking water. It is common to see women and children queuing up daily to collect water from public taps. 24/7 availability of water is a luxury in most towns and villages. 21 cities are rumored to run out of water before 2020 due to the inability to manage water supply. Primarily an agricultural economy, India relies a lot on water for planting and farming. About 80% of water supply to any town or village is utilized for agricultural purposes. Rains are erratic and as mentioned previously, declining every year due to global warming. Demand for water is expected to surpass supply by twice by 2030. Water is crucial for our existence, business, and food production. Most developed countries consider it a given but it remains a luxury for most Indians. The picture looks terrifying and paints a sorry future.

A civil engineer by profession, Anu Sridharan wanted to push the boundaries of technology and business. As an entrepreneur, she knew her business or idea will have a social impact. A friend of hers asked her to pilot NextDrop in India. Initially hesitant to be a leader, Anu has now embraced the role with open arms. Her personality is different from the typical, brash and overconfident leaders. She focuses on attracting talent and solving problems together instead of just going at it alone. The water scarcity crisis in India is real and escalating.

Governments and policymakers are having a tough time tackling this situation. There is no research or information on how households manage water. Wastage of water is also not studied effectively by the officials.  There is no app or technology that can increase water production or supply. But it can distribute the existing water supply in a timely and efficient manner. NextDrop provides information through a text message to residents regarding water supply timings and pipeline issues. It reduces the anxiety families and people suffer from not knowing when to queue up or to save water. The water supply companies can use this data to change timings to accommodate more citizens or distribute it evenly. For somebody living in a progressive country, this can seem trivial. Yet try to imagine an overworked housewife or mother of two. Between running a household, feeding her children and family, she also has the added stress of deciding how to divide the water. Should she collect it in buckets for later because Lord knows when the tap will work next? NextDrop and Anu Sridharan are responsible for bringing peace of mind and ease to many such housewives across India.

Anu has been selected as Forbes ’30 Social Entrepreneurs under 30‘ list due to her commitment to her cause and business. As a woman and entrepreneur, she is aware of the responsibility on her shoulders. The future of leadership and co-creation is pointing at women as the faces of the generation. And people like Anu Sridharan are more than ready to take on the mantle of mentor, leader, businesswoman, and social activist. Her future plans include going to the US and work with the Government to solve employment, health or education crises using technology and businesses.

Featured Photo: India . the water carrier by Nick Kenrick under CC BY 2.0 

SocialCops, Powering Data To Save Our Country From Crimes

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Data Intelligence is changing the way we live. Knowing the right statistics can help provide solutions and solve crimes. According to Prukalpa Sankar, co-founder of Social Cops, data gathering and intelligence can save our country from a spate of crimes and issues.

The Indian Government is responsible for the largest democracy in the world. A large chunk of the population is young and active. In fact, India remains one of the biggest youth and active populations in the world. While this is good news for employers, companies and our future, it can be complicated too. Young, impressionable minds are put into battle with each other over jobs. For India to progress and keep its citizens employed and occupied, job creation is vital. The cutthroat world of employment is brutal and it pushes people into desperation. These desperate and angry people can turn to crime or violence. According to statistics and reports, cities have a higher crime ratio than towns or villages. Delhi, for example, accounts for almost 15% and more of the crimes reported in the entire country. Isn’t that number staggering? But knowing that number can actually help officials and authorities. Crimes against women have risen faster than the population. The number of reported crimes are still dismal because of the stigma involved in society and India.

Even if the Government wants to actively fight against crime, their hands are tied. The statistics, data, and numbers are often muddled or outdated. You need to know what monster it is you are fighting. Or how often does a particular crime happen and the location? The traditional model of doing research or conducting surveys is outdated and consumes too much time. With a digital age on our hands, its time to look in the future. Prukalpa Sankar wants to use the technology we have to fight the problems we face. We use data for everything, from ordering food to cabs to clothes. So why not use data to fight crime? Data is also more than just numbers. It is patterns, growth and decline areas and indicators. It can also be utilized for enhancing and providing amenities such as education, sanitation, transport, and business. Private organizations, Governments, corporations, and companies are in dire need of the right data and information to tackle their problems. The biggest hurdle in data intelligence is often the gathering, analysis and visualizing data.

crime in india photo
Handcuffed Girls Qiqi Lourdie December 05, 20104 by stevendepolo under CC BY 2.0

Companies spend millions of rupees and man-hours on data gathering and analyzing. Some organizations even spend 3-6 months a year on data gathering. It is strenuous and often wasteful. Prukalpa thought it would be prudent if she eliminated this arduous process for them. Her focus remains on social change and activities but she decided to create a platform that gathers data for everyone. Primary data is collected by Prukalpa and her team at SocialCops by doing surveys, interviewing external and internal sources. The data is then cleaned by an analyst or scientist. The scientist spends time studying it from various angles and removes unnecessary information. The final and third step involves presenting the data in a clear, crisp form so the decision makers can take a call. An Android-based platform, they have specific software products to deal with data. Located in New Delhi, they have worked with nearly 150 organizations in 26 countries. Prukalpa has also partnered with brands such as Oxfam India, Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, the Government of India and the United Nations. From 2013, it has been on a mission to empower individuals and companies with the right data. Prukalpa Sankar and her founder Varun Banka have been felicitated and written about by various media companies. Forbes has named her in several lists of Young Entrepreneurs and even their 30 Under 30 List. SocialCops has also won the Best Social Impact StartUp Award by Franchise India.

Featured Photo: Power & Data by dvanzuijlekom under CC BY-SA 2.0

Akansha Hazari, Bringing Social Change With m.Paani

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According to recent statistics, India is home to the largest number of poor people after Nigeria. These numbers shocked Akansha Hazari who founded m.Paani to play a part.

As the world’s largest democracy, India is a big power player in the world. The citizens of this wonderful nation could help create a strong future. But they need a solid foundation for doing that. The Indian Government needs to offer underprivileged and poor masses education, sanitation, water, and safe spaces. Lack of infrastructure is weakening our morale and lives. How often do we see slums, dirty public toilets, unequipped public schools, and colleges? Why are we failing to empower such a huge chunk of our population? While it is the Government’s duty to provide basic amenities, even citizens like us can do something.
india photo
Rajasthan . India by Nick Kenrick under CC BY 2.0

The country is on a precipice of change and we can push it in the right direction. Ordinary, hard-working citizens like us can uplift the poor and lower middle class too. Akansha Hazari took a simple idea of community building and created something spectacular. A student of Cambridge and Princeton, Akansha has always been an activist. Her heart and soul lay in supporting the needy. But she knew just donating money wasn’t the answer. Giving money may solve a problem once but giving the poor the right education can solve the problem forever. It gives them the chance to do more than just survive. Ask any poor Indian, what does he need? The answer will be electricity, water or education. They want to improve their quality of life and live respectfully.  Akansha Hazari felt that these things could be provided to them by other citizens.

She launched m.Paani, a mass loyalty program in 2014. Through m.Paani, customers can log in purchases and receive points. These points then get converted to water, electricity, education, and sanitation for underprivileged areas. Thus your consumption can actually contribute to a social revolution. Akansha Hazari plans it to become the next Alibaba. A lot like air miles, you can purchase anything from partner stores and they will update the points to your account. The benefit of this is twofold- the social impact and you support local, small businesses. True to form, m.paani has partnered with grocery stores, local retailers and businesses. Akansha and her business earn money as they charge commission from shop owners. Shop owners and businesses get a customized website and a ready customer database. The idea for her start-up came from an annual competition she participated in at Cambridge. Students had to create a business venture that could tackle water scarcity. Her belief is that a business can be purpose driven instead of just money driven. Data and internet are how the world functions but only the privileged world. Through m.Paani, she is distributing power and putting the poor on an equal level. Revenue has been reported to grow by 30% of businesses that partner with Akansha’s platform. The road to success has been tough and filled with obstacles. They have managed to raise funding and now have major plans for expansion.
Akansha has been recognized for her social entrepreneurship by India and several countries. Hilary Clinton awarded her the Global Leadership and Economic Empowerment Award. Only a team of 35, they have big dreams. The plan is to incorporate Blockchain in their loyalty program. As an Indian and as a woman, Akansha has managed to break the glass ceiling. Akansha didn’t hesitate to ask for help and received training from Google to understand the technological aspect of the platform. The business comes first and while it hasn’t received large profits, all the money from the business goes into running and updating the business. Akansha is firm on the fact that the company comes first and she will continue to work hard to get better results.

Featured Photo: Portrait of an Indian child by Nithi clicks under CC BY 2.0

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