Interview with Dr. Praveen Prem Shukla | Being Social-एक नई शुरुआत
Our vision: To be trusted and preferred social service organization to improve education, health, environment, the welfare of society and human development.
Our Mission: To accelerate philanthropy service and help transform the society aiding in community-led changes.
Focus: Involve volunteers and organizations to work together on basic necessities bringing a positive change in society and see substantial development in our country.
1. Please introduce yourself to us?
I was born in Muzaffarpur, Bihar. I did MSc in Biotechnology and currently working as Medicine Research/Clinical research. I recently achieved Honorable doctorate in Social Service.
2. How did you come up with Being Social – एक नई शुरुआत?
In November 2015, my friend and I decided to meet over a cup of coffee in Delhi. Amidst our regular conversation, we saw a little girl on the street, picking up some food from a dustbin and eating it. This heart-wrenching scene left me and my friend devastated. That day itself we decided to do something for the less privileged community. Since then, there has been no looking back. We tried connecting alike minded people over the social media and started working on this volunteering platform, Being Social-एक नई शुरुआत.
From 2 of us to almost 4700 volunteers now, spread over 9 cities in the country. We have grown beautiful and stronger with the goal of spreading smiles and serving humanity.
3. What gets you out of bed in the morning? What is your source of motivation?
New hopes, new ideas and how to implement these ideas for the welfare of the society and progress of our nation encourages me to get out of bed. Source of motivation is the smiles on the faces of every citizen, child, youth and senior citizens.
4. Why should people choose you for social services?
Our platform, to serve the society believes in equality, trust and transparency. This is the reason why people choose our platform for social services.
5. What are your competitive advantages and why can’t it be copied?
The diversity in our social causes to choose from. Be it Health and Hygiene, Education, Environment, Festival for all, Skill development, Women empowerment and life skills, Traffic and road safety, Outing and Spending time with the orphanage children and senior citizens from old age home. School transformation, Shoe/stationeries/clothes donation drives etc., makes us an edge apart from our other competitive platforms.
6. What risks and problems are you facing?
The major risks and problems we face are financial constraints and sustainability.
7. Have you considered any alliance/partnership?
Yes, alliance and partnership which could help in positive symbiotic progress of the organization are always welcome.
8. What are your cash flow projections? When will you break even? How much will you need in investments?
Cash flow is just on a voluntary basis as of now. Most of the activities are supported by volunteers through contribution. Now a few organizations have come forward for some of our initiatives and projects. We are progressing with this support and faith. Regarding need in investments, our every project or initiative requires a different budget. The maximum budget we need is for skill development program like sports initiative Plaython, Talent hunt initiative Pehchaan. We require maximum investment and support with a budget of around 3 lakhs for each.
9. What comes first for you money and emotions?
Emotions do come first, but to shape to emotions and quality life to others we sometimes require money. We can definitely use our time, skills and emotions to bring happiness in other’s lives.
10. What are your strengths and weaknesses?
Strengths: Selection of good cause with a reality check, good planning, grass root level work and a team of likeminded hard-working volunteers. Weaknesses: Logistics and financial constraints.
11. Tell me about your accomplishment you are most proud of?
We have many accomplishments added to our kitty. To name a few: “Water for birds” initiative appreciated by our Prime Minister of India, Shri Narendra Modi in “Mann Ki Baat”. Awarded Shri Abdul Kalaam for Social Services. Nelda Award, Leadership Award for Volunteering Engagement, Youth Jazwa Award.
Biggest accomplishment for us was when the children of government schools and orphanage homes showed great improvement in their education/academics securing 1st, 2nd and 3rd positions in class because of our education initiative, Light a Life – Education for all, where our volunteers go over the weekends to teach the children at various centres across Bangalore.
12. How do you handle the pressure?
When you enjoy and do something from your heart it is never a pressure. All hard work is paid off when we see a smile and receive unconditional love from society. Meditation and patience help to cope with hard work.
13. If you sold your company today, what would be the tone of the conversation? What would you want to gain? What would you want to avoid losing?
Parting ways with your loved one is always difficult, especially when it is like your baby for whom you have put so much of love, care and attention. So it is near to impossible. NO gain equals to or more than seeing your baby growing towards the epitome of success. I would never want to lose this beautiful platform created to serve our Nation.
14. What advice would you give to someone starting out?
Be genuine to your passion and your own self. Allow dreams to be born from your heart. Believe in your dreams and do your absolute best to turn your dreams into reality.
15. Where do we see ourselves or where do we see our work reaching in a few years?
We want to see our work touch all lives across the Nation. Making love and compassion. The most important aspect of anyone’s life spread more smiles and serves humanity more. I see a happy, healthy and progressed India.
