My Dear Student Friends,
Greetings!
This is Dr. Ravi Saripalle, Believer and Mentor, Inspire to Innovate
(i2i) Storytelling Movement. Welcome
to “Letter to Student Series- Volume 1 and Issue 6”. Hope you enjoyed
reading my previous letter. These letters are making all institutions connected
across North to South & East to West, for one good cause, Inspire to
Innovate. I thank all of you for spending your valuable time reading this letter
series and patiently acknowledging the same.
In the previous issue, I highlighted how
inspiration is an strategic investment and innovation is the currency in the
market. In this context, we discussed about Srikanth Bolla, born
blind, but showing extraordinary entrepreneurial spirit, Franklin D. Roosevelt, having
polio, but how he became President of the United States, Helen Keller, Blind, Deaf, and Mute, but renowned
author, Stephen Hawkings, nearly paralyzed but proved
himself as a famous Physicist and mathematician, Sudha Chandran, lost her leg, but demonstrated her
talent as classical dancer, Arunima Sinha , lost leg, but
conquered the Mount Everest, Albert Einstein, having learning disability, but recognized as world’s famous scientist, Jagdish
Kashibhai Patel, visually
impaired, but proved himself as great social worker for the cause of people
with disabilities, Y. G. Parameshwara,
blind doctor, practicing
medicine wonderfully, Ashish Goyal
, blind, but recognized as Young global leader, George Abraham, founding chairman of World Blind Cricket
Council and few other stories. What an amazing people! I They are really making us proud and reminding our responsibility
towards building better society! Are you getting inspired! I honestly hope!
Recently
somebody asked me, how does inspire
to innovate (i2i) storytelling movement helps? Stories especially developed
using live case studies, create tremendous impact on individual cognition levels.
First, they help in setting the vision
and executing goals without
external influence. Constant hearing and reading of inspiring stories impacts
reticular cortex function in the human brain. Surprisingly Reticular cortex
determines which content in your brain to be deleted but you need to fix on
what you don't want to delete. These inspiring stories help in implanting positive
content in our brain and build positive attitude. Second, it helps in invoking
one’s own choice of intelligence
(Verbal-Linguistic, Mathematical-Logical, Musical Intelligence, Visual-Spatial,
Bodily-Kinesthetic, Interpersonal, Intrapersonal, Naturalist, and Existential)
and put it in the practice. When you are practicing your own choice of
intelligence, you receive superior productivity. Intelligence being natural
choice of the individual, he / she enjoys whatever work chosen. Third, inspire
to innovate (i2i) storytelling movement is an edutainment (education + entertainment) process. This
process cuts-down the re-skilling
cost as individual inspires and learns skill on his own. There is no
external push required for skill building.
Dear
Friends, last week Nation lost ten brave soldiers in Saichen region. We require
guts to hear about extreme conditions and constraints prevailed in that region!
Occasional visit in such conditions itself required high energies. What to
speak of guarding there? Unless one is extremely inspired and dedicated, no one
can dare to picket in such adverse weather and rarified atmosphere. This region
is located at an altitude of 19, 600 feet and called as highest battleground on
the earth. Temperature conditions (minus 42 during night to minus 25 during
day) in that region, send shivers down the spine and makes our hair stand on end. What
kind of bravery and courage these soldiers must be having? Undoubtedly, they
are discharging unlimited inspiration for all of us! Lets us all salute to
these heroic soldiers.
Similarly,
the stories of brave kids who are winning national bravery awards, are inspiring
many of us. I was reading thebetterindia.com about Zeal Jitendra Marathe, 13 year old girl from Gujarat, saved
kids from running school bus. She called ambulance and police even in such
chaotic conditions. She is having amazing presence of mind, spirit and courage!
Balram Dansena, jumped
into a 15 feet deep pond and saved 8 year old boy from drowning. Salute to
these young brave kids! We must lend some inspiration from these extraordinary
kids.
Recently I
read about Rajinder Johar in
oddee.com who was working as occupational therapist at King George's Medical
College in Lucknow. One day, Johar was shot by robbers at home. His spine got
completely damaged and became paralyzed. However, Johar did not discourage. He
learnt to type using just two fingers and a thumb and started The Voice, a magazine to create
awareness for people with disabilities. He also started a trust called Family
of Disabled (FOD), helping disadvantaged to seek employment. He inspired
her daughter to work for the trust. Not only to his daughter, but he is truly
inspiring many disadvantaged and disabled!
Neerja Bhanot, a brave Indian air hostess, saved 360 lives during The Karachi Hijack!
She protected 3 kids but she scarified her life in that tragic incident. She
showed humanity which is above the responsibility (storypick.com).Sapper Shanti Tigga, mother of two, first women jawan in the Indian Army. On par with male counterparts, she performed her duties and scarified her life for Nation!
Mahendra Nath Mulla, captain of
the INS Khukri, expired after his ship was hit by enemy submarine during the
1971 war. He is epitome of sacrifice. Mulla gave his own life saving jacket
to another solider and saved many other lives before his ship went down. What
kind of inspiration he is emitting through his selflessness and duty bounded (desinema.com)?
Tessy Thomas, from Kerala, an extraordinary scientist
of DRDO, named as missile woman of India, Project Director for multiple Agni
series missile projects, lovingly called as Agniputri, contributed a lot
towards missile projects. She also successfully managed home and career and she
is role model for many working women and example to lead work-life balance.
Inspiration
can be drawn from any source, any person, any activity or any situation. Source
is unknown but outcome is guaranteed. In this context, I want to share another
inspirational deed of Vivek Vadke, from Marathwada region, who
downsized his daughter's marriage, saved 6 lakhs rupees and donated for a great
cause! You know what? He donated that amount to farmers who are suffering from
drought effected regions. He has been doing social service by saving some
portion from his salary every month. In the current society, where marriage is a
symbol of status, downsizing arrangements and saving money for donation,
witnesses his noble heart. He is an example for many service oriented people.
He is using this donation to deepen water resources and make them ready for
monsoon (thebetterindia.com) .
Let me
share another story of noble heart. A genuine driver from Kolkata not only
offers ride, but also delivers great inspiration. Recently I was reading an
article in Times of India about Bideswar
Saw, an ordinary taxi driver, found
one of his passengers left bag with 6 lakhs rupees. He tried to reach the
passenger but went vain. Finally, he handed over the bag to police station and
proved his honesty. In my view, he is not just an ordinary driver, but definitely
trusted ambassador. He is built the brand honesty. He is inspiring many of us!
Thank You Bideswar!
Again, I
read another wonderful inspirational article from Times of India. Sanjay Raval, book shop retailer
from Ahmadabad, takes another shop on lease for 9 years to save one shadow
giving tree as he found that tree was being chopped at the behest of the shop
owner as it is overshadowing his business. Sanjay is from construction business
but interested in book reading. Hence he started book business. Love towards
nature and environment, he compelled to take over the other shop as well and
took over the business. These Samaritans make life beautiful and create
environment as well beautiful. Thank you Sanjay for inspiring people towards
protecting mother trees.
I read an
article from thelogicalindian.com about Sombari
Sabar, 11 year tribal old orphan girl, from Jharkhand, sells firewood every
day, to sustain her life but she never misses the school! She received
accolades from teachers for her commitment and positive spirit. Her house
does not has electricity nor kerosene to light but she never misses school. She
is staying alone as no relatives adopted her, but not deterred by personal circumstances. Hats
off to her commitment, determination and positive attitude. In my view, she is the
role model to many students who are missing great opportunity in spite of
having good circumstances. Thank you Sombari and thelogicalindian for publishing an inspiring
article.
These
positive stories create hope in our country. Our future lies on these people
who are going to create and grab opportunities in next 10-20 years. Our future lies on these great people who
create troubles for themselves but paves way for common good. Our future lies
on these activities which are less appreciated in the beginning but create long
term impact and build positive world.
My Dear Friends, Hope you found useful reading these inspirational stories! Hope you got inspired to do good for
better society! Inspire, Inspire and Inspire!!! Friends, I appreciate your valuable time. I wish this is
informative and useful. I will again see you in my next letter. Thank you for
giving me this great opportunity to write to you and help me to learn, unlearn
and relearn in this process.
With Best Wishes
Dr. Ravi Saripalle
About Author: Dr.
Ravi Saripalle is Mentor and Believer of Inspire to Innovate (i2i) Storytelling
Movement. He is also Director, Center for Innovation, GVP College of
Engineering (A), Vizag, AP, India. As part of Inspire to Innovate (i2i) Storytelling
Movement, Dr.Ravi is trying to spread inspiration through real time case
studies in the form of short stories and conducting Storytelling Workshops to
inspire students. Also providing customized mentoring to specific inspired
students. Dr. Ravi is having more than 17 years of experience in Industry,
Consultancy, Training, Mentoring and Research. Prior to this current role, Dr.
Ravi worked with Wipro Technologies for more than a decade. Dr Ravi can be
reached at saripalle.ravi@gmail,com or http://i2itm.blogspot.in/ or facebook.com/saripalle.ravi
Links to previous letters
1.
Letter to Student Series- Volume 1 and Issue 5 (Inspire To Innovate
(I2i) Storytelling Movement @ Students Of India)
http://i2itm.blogspot.in/2016_01_01_archive.html
2.
Letter to Student Series- Volume 1 and Issue 4 (Inspire To Innovate
(I2i) Storytelling Movement @ Students Of India)
3.
Letter to Student Series- Volume 1 and Issue 3 (Inspire To Innovate
(I2i) Storytelling Movement @ Students Of India)
4.
Letter to Student Series- Volume 1 and Issue 2 (Inspire To Innovate
(I2i) Storytelling Movement @ Students Of India)
5.
Letter to Student Series- Volume 1 and Issue 1 (Inspire To Innovate
(I2i) Storytelling Movement @ Students Of India)
Disclaimer:
The goal of this i2i letter series campaign is to inspire students / youth
through storytelling and develop innovative leaders to build strong nation. In
this process, I have taken several data points from various websites, NEWS
articles, books, videos etc. I sincerely thank all the editors for providing
such an insightful stories and information. To the best of my knowledge, I tried
to acknowledge all the sources. I sincerely apologize for any omissions,
grammatical mistakes and hurting any reader’s sentiments. I request all the
readers to understand the spirit behind this effort. This effort doesn’t
involve any commercials. Letter series is for free distribution.
