Let's talk #MissionHelp in any way you can - Hira Mehta

 

A deadly virus has locked down the world and disrupted our lives in such a harsh and sad way, that it will take years and years for us to recover from it. Economy, livelihood and the very freedom of living life has been snatched from us. We are losing loved ones and everyone is sailing in unchartered waters waiting to get to shore intact. No one was ever been prepared for this onslaught, and yet it has not stopped the human race  from being who we are - human. We all know from the ashes rises the phoenix and it is no wonder that everyone has joined hands to do whatever they can, to make it better for those who need help. Networking has worked wonders and become prime for helping the community, especially in this pandemic. There are many Covid soldiers out there, but there is that one untiring humanitarian soldier, Sailesh Mishra, that I admire, get inspired and who never fails to amaze me.

Sailesh Mishra, the Founder of Silver Innings, a Social Enterprise which is working towards creating an elder friendly world where aging becomes a positive and rewarding experience, through his Silver Innings Foundation, has once again stepped up. He has been tirelessly helping underprivileged and vulnerable families, single women, differently abled, transgenders, widows with monthly grocery and especially for senior citizens are struggling, since the virus struck in March 2020.  Even during this 2nd wave of the pandemic, since April 2021, Sailesh and his foundation continue to do good work and he has added-on three more humanitarian programs to help and serve others.

#MissionFoodDonation - Silver Innings for Humanity Foundation in association with Sushma Rana Malhotra, Food Partner & Founder, Aanyo's and delivery partner, Making The Difference (NGO) has been providing free homemade meal two times a day for people in quarantine in the Mira Bhayanadar area and also distributing ration to needy since a long time now.

#MissionFeedIndia - Providing free dry ration to underprivileged and vulnerable in association with 'Market Place'.

#Mission5000, Mission JOSH - Due to the surge in cases, there is now a huge demand for oxygen concentrators. Amid the massive shortage, social media is flooded with messages of people looking for oxygen concentrators for their friends and family. This initiative supported by Bollywood Singer, Tulsi Kumar, Actress Bhagyashree, Designer Sonaakshi Raaj, Special IGP of Maharashtra Dr Pratap Dighavkar, Global Business leaders Farhana Haque of Microsoft and Farzana Haque of TCS has set out to provide free oxygen concentrators to patients at home through their partner NGOs Sanjeevani- Life Beyond Cancer, Ladli Foundation and Silver Inning Foundation  in the Covid affected cities across India focusing and is prioritising those who require immediate attention (including cancer patients) in Mumbai, Delhi, Jaipur, Ahmedabad, Guwahati, Surat, Pune, and a few more cities. It is India’s first fundraiser that aims to provide oxygen concentrators with an idea behind being to save beds in hospitals for the use of severely impacted patients.

Support mission here: https://www.ketto.org/fundraiser/mission5000

And of course, there is Sailesh's on-going #MissionSeniorCitizen of Silver Innings. Sailesh continues and will continue to help affected people who live alone or have elders at home as also address and resolve the micro and macro level issues of the elderly.

Support my friend, Sailesh Mishra in his heartwarming efforts. Write on   silverinnings@gmail.com or whatsapp 9987104233

It is said that together we can make a difference. If you cannot step out to help,  then like me, perhaps you can become the bridge, the voice for the cause and share information to as many people as possible. Things do not just happen, nor get resolved on their own, so what's the point of waiting for things to happen. Every day is a struggle and the truth is it is the time to act, join hands, donate  and support in any way one can....... and now it is up to you!

ABOUT

Sailesh Mishra, is an extremely dedicated social entrepreneur and Founder of Silver Innings, Founder of  'A1 Snehanjali’-Mumbai's 1st 24x7 dedicated assisted living, elder care home, author of a book titled 'REMEMBER ME - YOU, ME AND DEMENTIA', and a unique annual stage talent show for the 55 plus seniors to showcase their talents titled "UMANG" - organized by his silver innings foundation, since 2008. An exclusive referral search portal ‘Silver Innings Helpline" has also been set up. Contact: silverinnings@gmail.com or whatsapp 9987104233.

 

 

Follow the leader !!! Yes or No?

I have been a part of The Indian Association of Secretaries and Administrative Professionals for a decade now. IASAP encourages continuous learning and development of secretaries and professionals through monthly meetings, networking and educational trips.  Recently, IASAP offered its members to participate in an essay contest on the topic "Supporting Leadership Responsibly" and I participated. Even though I did not win the contest, here is what I submitted on the topic and now that there is no constraint of word count... Well, I am adding a few words more here and there too!!

The word leadership to me reads as two words 'leader' and 'ship' which means to get a 'ship' to sail safely to the shore there has to be some to 'lead" it there. Can a ship float on its own without directions from the captain and support of the crew?  Most definitely not and that got me thinking back to my days of working at the bank. My portfolio of handling annual reports (for over 12 years) was no mean task. It required me to co-ordinate between content providers, agency, manage the flow of corrections between the content providers and the agency with deadlines and standardisation thrown in with a lot of stress. Even though I had my superior to support me and it was my project, I wonder whether I could make a claim to fame and whether it could have been effective by my efforts alone. Not at all, because it meant leaving the "me" behind and working alongside each and everyone, at every level of the bank to get the work done. I always believe that good leadership and team work can far outweigh what an individual can achieve.

Uncanny but just before this contest form dropped into my mailbox I had been surfing facebook. I love listening to Steve Harvey, Ellen De Generes (who I prefer to call Ellen the Generous) and Jay Shetty  so when a video by Richard Pimentel in a on The Daily Goalpost face book page dropped it caught my attention.  Richard Pimentel says, "I learnt leadership by being a good follower. I had a leader who asked me to risk my life in Vietnam. We were up this hill and trapped and Sergeant said it is our responsibility to stay there. I said responsibility? He said 'do you know what responsibility is Richard? It is a word make up of two words - the word 'responsible' and the word 'ability'. Responsibility is not what one puts on you. It isn't your job description or your job responsibility or a paper you sign. We all find ourselves looking at situations and we all find ourselves with abilities and what we have to ask is, given the situation what t to those abilities", and at the end he added these poignant words "Leaders do not get people to believe in them. Leaders find ways to get people believe in themselves".

Author Alan Zimmerman says, "Employees were expected to park their brains, shut their mouths and work their 40 hours a week. In the new world, employees are expected to take responsibility to use all their talents and to perform with excellence". So then how does a professional like you and me do that, I ask? Is it just about responsibility, performance or consistently trying to stand out for what you can bring to the table or is it more? I firmly believe that it is not just about the willingness, commitment, completing tasks on time, motivation or even the positive attitude. To me, most importantly, it is about being happy with the work you do. It is a little more than that too. If you cannot align yourself to the company's vision and mission and if you do not respect or believe in your leader and in his leadership, then the bigger picture is going to be missed altogether. Appreciate the fact that good leaders know when to lead and when to step back because that is why they are leaders! ... and on your part be the support who believe that leader is also concerned about them. After all as a saying goes "a perfect employee is the one who inspires his boss as much as his boss inspires him".