I was invited to speak at the 5th Anniversary Nanubhai Gala Event in New York City. Nanubhai is a charity that I recently learned about that further enhances public education in rural areas of India. What touched me the most about this charity was the fact that it promotes education across both genders.
India is one of the most populous countries in the world but also has the biggest disparity between the rich and poor. Any foundation that tries to enrich the lives of individuals definitely catches my attention – and Nanubhai is definitely trying to fix a void that exists in India’s society today.
To learn more about Nanubhai – you can visit: http://nanubhai.org/
To see pictures from the event you can also vist: http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=226988&id=532615110&l=8b099
For those of you that missed the event, below is the transcript of my speech.
Good Evening everyone.
First of all – I’d like to thank Nanubhai for inviting me here today.
I’m 26 and I feel truly blessed that god’s given me a chance to reach my dreams at an early age. Twenty-Three years ago when my parents first came to this country – my father had a strict agenda in mind for me. No surprise here, but he wanted either me to be a doctor or engineer. My father had arrived with $25 in his pocket through a lottery-based visa, but his heart was full of dreams. “Education is the key that opens all the locks to all the doors in the world. My four children will become doctors and engineers. Maybe even both!” he would say. That didn’t necessarily happen – but with God’s blessing by our side – we all became very successful.
As a child, I never realized what the importance of education was or why it meant so much for them until several years later. And, that came down to resilience and sacrifice.
If I were to point out a true hero in my life, a person that defied all odds to make everything happen for us – that would be my grandmother. In rural India, she was a single mother that raised my father. Especially in those tough times, education for women wasn’t allowed or accepted as part of society. So, she picked chilies, did various farming jobs to make ends meet – for only one dream of hers. And, that was to give her son, my father, the proper education he needed to thrive and realize his dreams.
While my grandmother wasn’t given a chance to receive proper education – this setback further instilled discipline and courage for my father to succeed. My father went on to get an English degree and with that was able to have a successful career in America.
This is what attracted me to Nanubhai. I feel the progress they’ve made even in the particular region of Gujarat to promote education across both genders is amazing. It’s providing hope, direction, and most of all a journey of a lifetime for these adolescence.
I know during these tough economic times – it’s tough to be involved in organizations – so I’d like to thank all of you for supporting this organization today but I also commend the organizers and volunteers for continuing their vision in making this happen. Not only am I happy of their efforts and support this cause. But, if my grandmother and parents were here at this event today, they would be too.
Thank you very much. And I wish everyone a great 2009!
Tags: 5th anniversary, charity, education, event, foundation, gala, genders, india, nanubhai, poor, rich, rural
March 7th, 2009 at 2:01 pm
I am very proud of you supporting this noble cause. Comment regarding your grandmother touched me a lot as I personally was very close to my grandmother and miss her a lot as she is not with me now.
May god bless you with happiness and good health so you continue to make us proud. I consider you as my younger brother becuase you posses all the qualities I dream for my younger ones.
With Regards,
Gurnoor
Elk Grove, Sacramento
March 8th, 2009 at 8:36 pm
Every time you do something amazing like this, it makes me admire you more and more. I’m sure I’m just one out of a million that look up to you, but wow, you amaze me. I hope to be one day as successful as you. Hats off to Mr. Chahal.
God Bless
xoxo
March 9th, 2009 at 4:45 pm
Everyone at Nanubhai was absolutely thrilled that Mr. Chahal cleared some time in his schedule for us! Mr. Chahal is an incredible, inspiring personality, a real force of nature. His speech will be remembered by all in attendance, and we will always appreciate his support! Thank you Mr. Chahal! Thank you so much!
March 9th, 2009 at 6:48 pm
Kindness is most definately in all of us. It is up to us, the human being, to treat others, empower others to seek and fulfill their dream. Whether that is a young entrepreneur trying to reach a successful person because he believes in the whole world that that is the most experienced and knowledgable person that he ca turn to.
“With greatness comes responsibility” Winston Churchill
It is important that we reward persistance and determination in young entrepreneurs who are not only willing but are currently building the companies of tomorrow, the technology of tomorrow, and essentially our future as a society.
While there are thousands of people like Dr. Phil who have a story, only few are willing to help aspiring entrepreneurs.
When Dr. Phil wanted to speak with Oprah he was turned down by Oprah’s assistant. But Dr. Phill kept at it and didn’t care how annoyed Oprah became, he waited for hours in her office, sent emails but one fine day she gave up and listened. That was the beginning of Dr.Phils career on TV.
Simple gestures can make a monumental difference in a person’s life if that person is willing to listen to an entrepreneur who, thrugh persistance, is trying to reach out to another successful person.
“People are people”, as CEO Donny Deutsche once said when Cameron Johnson, a teenage entrepreneur, told him that Donal Trump was willing to listen to him at the age of 8. He listened and inspired Cameron so mcuh that he founded multi-milliion dollar companies.
It is scarce to find entrepreneurs in today’s world who are willing to reach out and help aspiring entrepreneurs.
So what if they have sent a few emails, waited for hours or called a few times just to reach out. Listen to him, and see what he has to offer. Worst comes worst the 10 minutes will be the most wasted time ever. The best would be a situation where the two entrepreneurs end up like Warren Buffet and Bill Gates after what was suppose to be a 10 minute meeting but lasted hours. They became friends for life.
Everyone has a story and many times it is very similar to people like Gurbaksh’s life. People who make a place for themselves through hardwork and frugality deserve to be recognized. While that is true, it also imperitive that that person share his insights with other aspiring entrepreneurs. To promote the next generation to seek and rise above.
Listen, reach out and be kind to others. It is what this world needs more of more than ever.
Go G!!! Do it!!
March 9th, 2009 at 8:09 pm
hi. Great work man.
March 11th, 2009 at 8:00 am
Hi,i want to work in your company very much. Give a chance,and you will see… Thanks Anyway.
March 11th, 2009 at 12:49 pm
I want to talk to Mr. Gurbaksh Chahal re. a very noble Sikh Cause in Surrey BC Canada . Can I make an appointment with him please?
March 12th, 2009 at 2:13 am
While reading latest news came across an artical which outlined that now Google is making its foray into behavioral targeting regarding online advertisement. As I know you are the pioneer regarding this method of online advertisement. Makes me feel proud that I know a person like you who is way ahead in implementing his ideas.
With Regards,
Gurnoor
Elk Grove, Sacramento
March 16th, 2009 at 1:35 pm
Hello There,
Our organization is called Vibha; it is to promote the welfare of children in India that are impoverished, sick and unhealthy, mentally retarded, disabled, and out of bad families. We help them out through education, food, and shelter. With education an individual has the ability to rise from the slums or whatever circumstance he/she is in and will have a better opportunity to achieve their goals and dreams and live a more self sustaining life where the need of financial help from others is not needed. Our organization in short gives them a little bit of a push in the right direction.
The hope and joy it brings to each of those individual is great and only a person of certain character is able to help and appreciate them. It is my hope that even if one kid out of the thousands we help became the next Mother Teresa, Martin Luther King, Albert Einstein, Edison, Benjamin Franklin, among the great others then our help will have been sufficient and well worth it. It is equally as great if they live good productive lives and have a positive influence on others through out their life A sort of a positive reciprocation can theoretically cause a snowball effect and effects hundreds of thousands of people over time by a kind act done by just one person or organization.
We are not just asking for money, your time and energy are just as important. Check out our website….. http://www.vibha.org.
Sincerely,
Nilkanth
nkpatolia@gmail.com
March 16th, 2009 at 1:48 pm
Hello There,
Our organization is called Vibha; it is to promote the welfare of children in India that are impoverished, sick and unhealthy, mentally retarded, disabled, and out of bad families. We help them out through education, food, and shelter. With education an individual has the ability to rise from the slums or whatever circumstance he/she is in and will have a better opportunity to achieve their goals and dreams and live a more self sustaining life where the need of financial help from others is not needed. Our organization in short gives them a little bit of a push in the right direction.
The hope and joy it brings to each of those individual is great and only a person of certain character is able to help and appreciate them. It is my hope that even if one kid out of the thousands we help became the next Mother Teresa, Martin Luther King, Albert Einstein, Edison, Benjamin Franklin, among the great others then our help will have been sufficient and well worth it. It is equally as great if they live good productive lives and have a positive influence on others through out their life A sort of a positive reciprocation can theoretically cause a snowball effect and effects hundreds of thousands of people over time by a kind act done by just one person or organization.
We are not just asking for money, your time and energy are just as important. Check out our website: http://www.vibha.org. Thank you for great effort
Sincerely,
Nilkanth
nkpatolia@gmail.com
March 21st, 2009 at 9:37 am
Hi,
Just wanted to commend you on participating in such an event, that is truly a worthy cause. With continued efforts in that direction, there will surely be hope for a better world. I saw part of the show so just wanted to drop by and add my two cents. Continue doing great things
March 25th, 2009 at 3:25 pm
I wanted to say I like reading your blogs and each time you have such amazing things to say I can see it comes with great passion and admiration. You do such great things, I like how you have become so succesful yet you stay grounded and still think of helping others!!:) I loved your book and the wonderful tips you left at the end!!! Amandeep
April 13th, 2009 at 8:12 pm
I want you to know that your success and your way of being is a badge of honour for every sikh out there (including myself). Your perseverance, your sense of humour, personal vision and faith are impressive and something we can all look up to. Heartfelt congratulations on your success in business and the rewards you may reap in your personal life as well. Way to go!
p.s. I am almost finished reading your book and I find myself grinning from ear to ear as I read it. It is truly a fun and inspirational read!
April 20th, 2009 at 5:54 pm
Great heartfelt speech! My grandfather immigrated to the US with a dream for his family as well, so your words resonated with me.
I wanted to remind you of the AMAZING work that is being done by the Akshaya Patra foundation for the children of India. They feed 1 MILLION children a day. I thought this might be a worthy recipient of some money for your foundation. http://www.akshayapatra.org/
I have no affiliation with this group; I am just a vocal donor and ardent supporter.
Be well,
Electra
http://www.electrasmonograms.com/
April 27th, 2009 at 7:26 pm
Hi there,
I am so proud of you and your work. Keep it up.
Mandip
June 30th, 2009 at 9:08 am
Thanks for all the information. I am doing a lot to help too.
July 15th, 2009 at 1:17 am
Hello Chahal,
Hope everything is alright there.Heartfelt Congratulation to you for your success. I am very much impressed from your achievements in very short age and feeling very much proud as a SIKH. Thanks for sharing yourself to the world. Really that was Great effort which you did in your short age. I am 22now doing internet marketing (as a freelancer). I started SEO (In Web Development Company)in the age of 18. I did that for 4 years. After that I connected with Craigslist and doing posting and web promotion these days. I am very much inspired from you. I made you as my GURU. Good Luck for your future. May God bless and give you all happiness and success in your life.
Thanks,
Tanbir Chahal