5 minute read
Message from Founders
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Dear Class of 2021,
What a year! I have always maintained that every year of the YIF is unique. Every year we have some firsts, we stop what we were doing earlier, we start something anew. In fact, since inception, it is in the DNA of the YIF that each year be fresh and vibrant. But, who would have ever imagined that in its 10th year YIF will have an entire year with no on-campus classes!
You have redefined the YIF—by showing us how this program can be experienced entirely online. Yes, you have a right to be disappointed that you did not get to spend more time on campus and meet any of your professors in person. Given that there was little you could have done about it, your resilience, conduct and attitude through this once-in-a-century pandemic has been commendable. Congratulations on showing the way, kudos for living the YIF’s values in a tough year and all the very best for the future. Remember YIF is not only about the one year on campus, but also a Fellowship for life. The Fellowship never ends! So what if this year was not what you expected, you now have bragging rights for life!
Pramath Sinha
Vineet Gupta
I am delighted and honoured to send a message to the tenth cohort of the Young India Fellowship. You all navigated the fellowship in what has without argument been one of the toughest years for humanity. Tough times build character and resilience. I am sure this experience at the fellowship is not what you may have imagined but it may turn out to be the most pivotal experience of your life. The fellowship expands on your leadership and self-transformation and motivates you to go beyond your circumstances to make the world a better place. I hope that each of you will carry this mission of the fellowship forward. I would urge you to not only do good to yourselves but also do good for the world. The world and society offer many opportunities to do both together and as a Young India Fellow, I would not expect anything else from any of you. So go out, build great careers and change the world.
Amit Chandra
Founder, Ashoka University Chairperson, Bain Capital India Office
Every year, since the inception of YIF, I’ve had the joy of personally meeting a part of the Young India Fellowship class. The settings have varied – classroom talks on topics of mutual interest; dinner conversations in smaller groups; workshops with Mother Theresa Fellows; and for a few years I had the privilege of even mentoring a number of Fellows. It is my loss that I wasn’t able to do that with YIF -2021, given the pandemic both prevented physical engagement and relief efforts have consumed a lot of my time. I have seen how many of those who I have interacted with are blossoming over the years, both in the social sector and corporate world, and I have no doubt that so will you over the coming decades.
As you graduate and step into the real world, I would like to share with you my observations of some of the character traits I observe in the Fellows who I particularly (silently) admire in both spheres. Firstly, they are all tenacious and persevering and this makes up for any perceived lack of brilliance in some of them as they set up the foundations of their careers. Second, they have high emotional quotients and constantly work on improving the same. Third, they are driven by a core set of values and treat life as a marathon and not as a sprint. Fourth, they are curiously optimistic – what I mean is that they are forever inquisitive but in a manner that pushes towards getting things done. Fifth, they have big hearts and modest needs. This allows them to live within their means and love beyond it.
I have gained so much from interacting with Fellows over the years and I encourage all of you to not lose touch with each other and also reach out to those who have walked this path before you, for it is an amazing network. As you step out, many of you will get very focused on life goals. However, I would like to urge you to never forget to enjoy the journey in your quest to reach the destination. May God bless each of you with good health, happiness, and the accomplishments you seek.
Sanjeev Bhikchandani
I would like to congratulate the YIF Class of 2021 for going through a really challenging year and coming put on top. I am sure you have made the best out of the past year even when confronted with very difficult circumstances. It is not the strongest who survive, neither is it the most intelligent – it is the most adaptable who survive. And the class of 2021 has demonstrated a very high ability to adapt and adjust and win. It is said that fortune favours the bold and you have shown that quality in abundance. I wish you all the very best in the years and decades to come. Founder's Message
Ashish Dhawan
Chairman, Board of Trustees, Ashoka University
Ashish Dhawan co-founded ChrysCapital, one of India's leading private equity firms, in 1999. He has served on the company's board since its founding. He left his full-time position at ChrysCapital in 2012 after twenty years in the investment management business, to found Central Square Foundation (CSF). CSF is a grant-making organization and policy think-tank focused on transforming the quality of school education in India.
Ashish's passion for education has led him to spearhead the founding of Ashoka University. Ashish also serves on the board of several education non-profits including Akanksha Foundation, 3.2.1 Education Foundation, Teach For India, Centre for Civil Society, Janaagraha, India School Leadership Institute and Bharti Foundation. He holds bachelor's and master's degrees from Yale and Harvard.
