Uncommon Ground – Davos discussions

Looking back at my notes on earlier WEFs, I have to say there has always been healthy debate in the corners about structural fault lines in globalized capitalism.
On my way up from Zurich to Davos to attend the World Economic Forum (WEF), I marvelled again at how clear the road remains in spite of unusual amounts of snow piled up on rooftops and mountain slopes. I also wondered whether the going would be quite as smooth inside, at the 200-odd sessions scheduled across many hotels dotting this picturesque little town of Davos.

Uncommon Ground – The Culture of Giving

It will be a pity if, just when the second wave of philanthropy was | taking root, it gets deracinated and scattered.
In the jaw-dropping exposes about Satyam, there was only an occasional story about the impact on the social
initiatives of the Raju family, such as the Byrraju Foundation, the declared goal of which is to be the best NGO for rural development in the world. And to which, according to the foundation CEO, Jacob Verghese, the family donates at least 50% of an amazing Rs30 crore annual budget for work in six districts of Andhra Pradesh.

Talk at Seventh Anniversary of Centre for Interdisciplinary Studies in Environment and Development, Bangalore

This is a talk Rohini gave at the Seventh Anniversary of Centre for Interdisciplinary Studies in Environment and Development, Bangalore on 19th August, 2008.

“Going forward, my job is to ensure that a lot of people know about the organizations I support, working for environmental issues, especially CISED, with its inter disciplinary approach. And to reach out, best as I can, to the increasing numbers of the seriously wealthy in India, so that they will reach deep into their pockets to make it ever more possible to unravel the fine web of threads that bind us all.”

 

Philanthropy, old and new

Just societies cannot be built merely by the distribution of surplus wealth.
With a plethora of the newly wealthy in India setting up trusts and foundations recently, it is a good time to reflect on the value of strategic philanthropy. When it comes to giving in …,dia, we have traditionally upheld that feeling of empathy towards others that opens up our hearts and pockets in charity. And millions of Indians, of all faiths, do so every single day, in acts of humble kindness.

Paying women their due on their day

Women’s role important, says Karnataka High Court Chief Justice Cyriac Joseph.
Inaugurating Women’s Day celebrations jointly organised by Department of Women and Child Development and Karnataka Legal Services Authority, in Bangalore, Chief Justice Cyriac Joseph said women have important role in everybody’s life.
Special awards for active Stree Shakti self help groups, Kitturu Chennamma awards for organisations involved in welfare of women, and individuals including actress Jayamala, Rohini Nilekani of Akshara foundation were presented on the occasion.