Rajdeep Sardesai - Real Heroes: Ordinary People Extraordinary Service

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About the book

Real Heroes: Ordinary People Extraordinary Service is a book of heartwarming and inspiring stories of ordinary people who have taken the mighty task of accomplishing the extraordinary feat of changing the world around them, for the better. The book, published in 2011, is dedicated to the winners of Reliance Foundations Real Heroes initiative. This initiative recognizes 24 selfless and extraordinary citizens from across the country and rewards them annually for their work.

In this edition, readers are introduced to strong willed women like Binalakshmi Nepram from Manipur, who helps widowed women who have been affected by insurgency, and Chandralekha, who helps the girls from a small village in Uttar Pradesh escape prostitution. From crusaders like Gyanesh Pandey, who left America to work in Bihar, to environmental activists such as Anil Joshi working in drought-hit Madhya Pradesh; the book chronicles the lives of everyday people who dare to dream and dare to win.

Started in 2008, Real Heroes is a social initiative undertaken by CNN-IBN and Network 18 in partnership with Reliance Foundation. Every year, the editorial team at CNN-IBN researches and brings to light the story of 24 deserving heroes from the hinterlands of the nation, who have contributed towards the betterment of their immediate society.

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This digital edition published in 2014

First published in 2011 by
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eISBN: 978-93-5194-057-9

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CONTENTS

FOREWORD

N othing is more inspiring than the exemplary efforts of ordinary men and women taking transformative actions that impact the lives of others in positive and sustainable ways. As Oscar Wilde put it, the ordinary gives the world its existence, the extraordinary gives it its value. Appreciating and sharing the transformative actions of our heroes galvanizes many more of us to follow in their footsteps. the real heroes initiative celebrates the triumph of the human spirit to make an enduring difference to others by passionately engaging with ones dreams.

Operating valiantly at the grass-roots level and combining the powers of creativity and compassion, these real heroes have turned the seemingly impossible into the possible. they have proven that there is no deterrent for the determined to make this world a better place. these audacious pathfinders have committed themselves to providing a lifeline to the people they work for, without the spotlight of publicity.

These heroes have demonstrated the courage to rise above ones needs and care for others. they have faced obstacles that were uncommon. We see the common thread of sacrifice in all of them to see others happy, to see a smile on a distressed face, to allow someone to live a dignified life. the actions of these heroes put forth a profound message the indomitable human spirit has no limits.

Reliance industries Limited is proud to be part of this exemplary initiative. i compliment the CNN-iBN team for capturing how these unsung heroes have put their passion and purpose into action and publishing their stories in this book. it is my sincere hope that their endeavours will rekindle the noble spirit of service and magnify the human potential to create a new equilibrium of economic progress and social well-being. Let the actions of these catalysts of transformation lead the way for all of us to recognize our real heroes within.

January 2011

With best wishes
Nita M. Ambani
Chairperson, reliance Foundation

INTRODUCTION

W hen will journalism show the positive aspects of the indian story? that question is often asked to a cynical journalist who tends to see the glass as half-full. But when the questioner is Mukesh Ambani, the richest indian and an icon for millions, then you tend to sit up and take notice. It was one such conversation at a ceremonial reception at rashtrapati Bhavan that helped germinate the idea of real heroes. In an atmosphere of negativity and despair, real heroes was CNN-IBNs attempt in partnership with reliance industries Ltd to recognize the unrecognized, to celebrate an india beyond the celebrities.

The goal was clear: identify 24 real heroes every year, ordinary indian men and women whove performed extraordinary service, and done so selflessly. But even with a clarity of goal, the task wasnt easy. it required us to step beyond the routine, to explore and discover those hidden jewels from every nook and corner of this large country. What we discovered turned out to be a treasure chest of heroes.

So in a society that glorifies aspiration, we met N. Krishnan, a five-star chef who left his job to feed the poor homeless people of his city Madurai.

Even as corporate greed led to the biggest market crash, there was Nisheeth Mehta redefining corporate responsibility by employing only differently-abled in his factory in Bhavnagar, Gujarat.

We met fifteen-year-old Babar Ali, the youngest principal in the world running the most impoverished school but brimming with hope in Murshidabad, West Bengal.

Suhasini Mistry, a fruit seller who through sheer determination set up a free hospital for the poor in hunsukpur near Kolkata.

In Ladakh we met the real-life Funsuk Wangadoo, sonam Wangchuk who inspired Aamir Khans character in 3 Idiots .

These are just a few examples. in this book, you will meet 48 real heroes, from the first two editions of our journey. each of these real heroes presents a fascinating mirror to an india which offers hope and inspiration to millions. We have divided the real heroes into various categories rural development, women and children, healthcare, social welfare, environment, and youth heroes. What unites them is their burning desire for a better society and their ability to achieve their goals without being in the arclights.

And yet, these anonymous indians unite us all with their courage and commitment to be agents of change. i still remember the first year we held a function in Mumbai to honour them. For many of them, it was their first visit to the maximum city, leave aside a five-star hotel. they were being honoured by the likes of Nita and Mukesh Ambani, Aamir Khan, and sunil Gavaskar. the audience was the whose who of the big city. And yet, not one of our real heroes was overawed by the occasion. instead, as they told their stories on stage, their dignity and self-confidence touched everyone in their presence, leaving many moist-eyed and truly humbled. One of them, a farmer-entrepreneur from uttarakhand even offered Mukeshbhai a business partnership!