I AM WHOM, THEY MADE ME

After having worked for almost 31 years across different organizations such as NTPC, ABB, ALSTOM POWER (Now GE Power), BSES, Tata Power and Tata Teleservices I gave up my corporate life. It was at the age of 53 in the year 2013, when I disassociated myself with the corporate world and stepped into a life-changing decision to volunteer with an NGO as it was my long-cherished dream in my late 30’s.

Today is my late father’s birthday. On this occasion, I want to share a small story that I am sure will touch many of your hearts. I handed a cheque of 25 lakhs signed by my mother to the managing trustee of Udayan Care.

It was 8.45pm on 14th Feb 1991. I still remember the moment when I got a call from the Medical College Hospital in Aligarh, where my father was posted as a professor in Physics. My father had met with an accident while driving his two-wheeler, and by the time I could reach the hospital, he had already moved on. Perhaps it was God’s wish that my wife, Sunita and I get a chance to live with my mother and serve her with compassion. 

As many of you would know, I have worked with many corporates over the years. Since 2009, Sunita and I started volunteering with Udayan Care, an NGO dedicated to working with children without guardians, especially in childcare and education for girls. It had been my dream since I was in my 30s, to give back to society in whatever capacity I could. 

My wife and my mother have been my greatest strength since the time I decided to quit my corporate career in 2013, and start a new journey as a full-time volunteer with Udayan Care.

A month back, my mother made a very unusual query during breakfast. She asked, “Deepak, it’s already been 28 years now, for how long will I continue to receive your father’s pension?”

I decided to avoid answering the question but my mother persisted with more questions, “Tell me, how much pension have I received over these 28 years?” 

Since I knew she had something going on in her mind and would not let go till she received a reply, I did a quick calculation and gave her an approximate figure of Rs.25 lakhs.  

Her next statement left me shocked. 

She said, “Deepak, I would like to donate the entire amount of Rs.25 lakhs to Udayan Care this year on 29th July, your father’s birthday. You have to make sure that the money is used towards the education of girls. I am not sure how many more years I am going to live.” 

She repeated the statement a few times to ensure that I acted upon it. I am sure my mother’s decision was the result of the trust and confidence she has developed for Udayan Care’s work since my wife and I became a part of their team. I am astonished yet deeply humbled by my mother’s strength, values, and desire to contribute towards the education of children, especially girls. 

To acknowledge this gesture my way, I have now decided to raise a matching amount of Rs.25 lakhs for Udayan Care by participating in this year’s Airtel Delhi Half Marathon (October). 

I am confident that you will be able to support me in some way, either in your own individual capacity or through the corporate CSR where you work, to help me raise another Rs.25 lakhs for the cause I am deeply passionate about. 

Please watch out for more information that I will be sending out very soon on how all of you can become important partners in this journey as well. 

God bless all.