One of the most rewarding parts of my journey has been the opportunity to tell stories that inspire. And certainly, one of the most compelling stories is that of Sabriye Tenberken and her vision for a institute where people who have overcome adversity would master social leadership.

It features some of the most inspiring and courageous people that you will ever meet on the frontiers of social entrepreneurship, at their verdant campus on the shores of the Vellayani lake near Trivandrum. Here is a link to Vision--a film that I directed on the IISE (International Institute for Social Entrepreneurs)--now known as Kanthari International:
 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ECai9C60Qsk 


If you enjoyed this film, do take a moment to rate this (on five stars) and of course, leave me a comment telling me why you liked it.  

Happy 2012!

Are you watching Life?

Discovery’s landmark 11-part series:  Life tells the incredible story of our planet’s animals and plants and their extraordinary strategies to stay alive as individuals and survive as a species. You will be over-awed by life’s sheer intelligence. Brown-tufted capuchin monkeys in Brazil. Bottlenose Dolphins in Florida. Stoats in picturesque central England. Every episode of Life will leave you thinking about the Planet we live on—especially in the run-up to World Environment Day, that we will celebrate on June 5, later this week.

Life has existed for about 4 billion years on our Planet. Humans have a recorded history of about 10,000 year. Our last 200 years have been spent trying to undo the damage we have unleashed on the only planet that we can live on.  Across the world, ecosystems and environments have been disrupted only for us to discover that there are personal consequences to every act of eco-vandalism. The Gaia Principle urges You to experience Earth as a single living organism. Every life on this planet is linked with yours. And, everything works towards the sustenance of life. Especially, our Earth. Since 2003, scientists have observed the Earth trying to heal itself, as ozone layer is slowly repairing itself.

World Environment Day on June 5, this week, will create three states of being. Environmental Awareness. Political Attention. Public Action. World Environment Day will make it possible for you to contribute, where you are. Plant a Tree. Save a Forest. Celebrate the birth of the next Tiger.


Begin now, with Life:
http://tv.msn.com/life/?icid=TV2&GT1=TV2

The ancient kingdom of Kerala has a principle of statecraft. It went like this. When it comes to allotting your resources, give one third for the water, one third for the forests and one third for your people.Coincidentally, I heard Jamie Lerner, the iconic Brazilian mayor who transformed his city Curitiba echo similar thoughts in his now legendary TED presentation:
http://www.ted.com/talks/jaime_lerner_sings_of_the_city.html

Kerala, despite 'development', reflects this focus on water, forests and its people. You don’t need to perch on a mythical winged creature today to realize this truth. A commercial airliner will do just fine. This principle holds deep relevance for the new world that you are building, where you are. Especially, when you plan for your city, information technology park and home:

Allot one third for the water; invest in rainwater harvesting and water conservation
Invest one third in the forests ; thrive with your eco-system and nurture its green cover
Give one third for your people; empower your community, workforce and family with their best life

One third of your World to create the best life we know.

 
I was reading today that since the beginning of civilization, that life has been a steady upward climb connecting with peaks of human achievement over the centuries. CSR—corporate social responsibility—makes you believe that is possible. Give or take the odd recessionary thought, that is the sort of thing that adds wings to your spirit.

CSR, if you think about it, is as old as the hills. I personally believe that it is rooted in a principle of life that every living being or entity thrives only when it contributes to its ecosystems. Our new era offers us a privileged look at this vital space of our lives. And, the fact that you are reading this shows that tells me that you already have a commitment, in one form or the other, to these focus areas: Communities, Environment, Heritage.

Again, the litmus test of your commitment to CSR lies in a single choice: Did you pick the biggest problem? Because that is where you will make the biggest difference. And so, here’s my take on how you can make our world a better place and create a legacy through it:

- Align your CSR  with your Organization’s ‘Purpose Statement’ (the combination of its mission and vision).
- Make long term, realistic commitments that will yield slow, but lasting change. Plant a tree. Or, a Forest.
- Reach out to your Community’s most vulnerable groups. Orphanages, old age homes, challenged and indigenous groups ache for your presence.
- Ensure that your Environment initiatives benefit land, water and air. Remember, they sustain you.
- Celebrate your Heritage. Preserve its customs, traditions, architecture, history, literature and performing arts.
- Measure your CSR through meaningful business case studies that capture their impact, reach and return.

Communities. Environment.  Heritage. Time for these ideas to take wing. Make your World a Better Place.
 

Observe the dance of light
between your trees
Nature’s delicate balance
of ozone, light & life’s peace 

Celebrate your inheritance
Pick your corner of Earth
Every handful in your palm
doubles its worth 

Eagles ride winds
Dolphins ride crests
You care for our future
Earth knows her best 

A seed in your palm
A forest across your land
Earth sustains her life
Knowing you understand  

 

Beautiful, isn't it?

Here is an invitation that will transform your life.
Take a trip to Trivandrum and from there, to the beautiful shores of the Vellayani lake. If you walk there, along the verdant shores of the lake where beautiful lotus flowers sway in the blue waters, you will come across  an extraordinary group of people. You will find twenty five of them from countries like Colombia, Germany, Ghana, India, Japan, Kenya, Liberia, Madagascar, Nepal, Norway, Philippines, Saudi Arabia and Sierra Leone.  Look closely and you will realize that some of them are blind. And others are partially sighted. And yet, they all share one vision: To make the world a better place for blind people and for sighted people like you and me.

Their journey begins at the IISE Campus at Vellayani. The International Institute for Social Entrepreneurs (IISE) is a realization of Sabriye Tenberken (a blind young German woman) and Paul Kronenberg (A Dutch Engineer) who set up Braille without Borders, an international organization to help the blind at Lhasa, Tibet in 1998. It is today recognized as a pioneering model to educate blind and partially sighted children. At Vellayani, Braille without Borders continues its mission through IISE. It helps blind and partially sighted people to make a positive change in their country, society or surrounding. The Braille without Borders website asks the question: Do you need Vision to be a Visionary? My experience at Vellayani inspired me to write this original version of this article for the New Indian Express in Trivandrum. The pictures you see, in order, are The IISE Vellayani Campus, Sabriye with her Team, and the Incredible View from the Campus. 

Over the next year, the group at Vellayani will make a journey—with IISE team—learning to set up small businesses and transform lives within their communities. They will be trained in management, accounting, computer technology, English, communication and soft skills. They will learn to stand up for their rights, to negotiate with government leaders and to change the attitudes towards blind people in their own countries.

For Sabriye Tenberken, who lost her sight at the age of 12, there was always the dream to lead an extraordinary life--and make the world a better place.  And she began with Tibet—thousands of kilometers away from her hometown of Cologne in Germany. Would you swim, ride a horse, learn Tibetan, open a school, write a book, use a laptop, climb to the Base Camp of Mount Everest, if you were blind? Well, Sabriye has achieved all of this and more. The world has recognized Sabriye Tenberken and her extraordinary mission. She is a Nobel Peace Prize Nominee, Mother Theresa Award recipient and television host Oprah Winfrey’s personal choice on her show “Eight Women Oprah Wants You To Know.” “What I have always wanted to do,” Sabriye says, “is to make a positive difference in the lives of people. That I have been able to do".

Sabriye Tenberken’s life has one inspiring message for you. You can make a difference  wherever you are. Helping a less fortunate child. Planting trees. Transforming your community. Your smallest act will make the difference today. Like Sabriye. You can discover this on the shores of the Vellayani lake. Most importantly, you will discover this within yourself.

Visit www.braillewithoutborders.org to learn more about  IISE.