Tag: Lead Bhumi

The Lead Bhumi selection process unfolded

The Lead Bhumi selection process unfolded

Some of you had questions on the rationale behind the process. Most of these have been explained below; feel free to write back to us if you have any further queries.

Q: I have a feeling I went through a lengthy process, briefly what were the different phases and how long were we expected to plan/execute these?

A: The process from its launch in Jan second week till the declaration of results in May last week did appear lengthy, and lasted over five months. However, if we break it down and analyse, each phase was 3-4 weeks long to help the applicants complete every phase without affecting their routine. Also, most of the phases had been extended by a week or two to ensure as many applicants were able to complete the activity. The phase-wise estimated time to complete including preparation and execution were:

  1. Application phase – 1 hour
  2. Develop phase (team task) – 10 hours
  3. Ignite task – 3 hours
  4. Interview round – 3 hours

Thus, a total of 17-20 hours was adequate from the applicants to complete the process successfully. It may look ideal but that’s how any selection process is expected to be. We observed that during the team task, some teams took a lot of interest and wanted to do more than what was expected, which took them longer to complete.

Q: What is the need for team task (Develop Phase)? Especially for Ignite volunteers why we had asked to do catalyse activities as part of Festival of Volunteering.

A: The objective of the group task is to sensitize every volunteer and LB applicant in particular to realise the depth of the cause we connect to (through RTE / Educational Audit activities) as well as the potential of volunteerism (through other activities). The volunteers had the freedom to choose between an educational project and entirely new ideas aligned with ignite –  as long as it had substance and impact. Ideas such as craft workshops, building as learning aids (BALA) etc. were also conducted and encouraged.

Q: During the team task (Develop Phase) I was asked to volunteer for or coordinate something different from my area of interest. Why was I supposed to?

A: Further to focusing on his/her interest, its ideal for every coordinator to contribute towards the holistic development of the organisation. No aspect of the process is outside of our interest area but only to give the applicants a complete picture of their own interest area.

Q: I have not been able to actively take part in the team task (Develop Phase) of the selection process. Have i been eliminated for that?

A: LB process is not an elimination process. As the name states, “Develop” phase primarily helps the applicant to build his profile in their journey to become a potential coordinator. As long as one didn’t totally skip / ignore a particular activity / task / phase, they haven’t been eliminated. A consolidated view of the performance in all phases was taken into consideration while selecting an applicant.

Q: I have not been able to complete the “ignite task” (Centre visit / centre management discussion / centre identification) as part of the Develop Phase. Have I been eliminated for that?

A: LB process is not an elimination process. The ignite task has been included in the selection process as a crucial task for ignite applicants. However, we realised that the task could have been scheduled earlier, considering the closure of sessions. Hence, we have given very less weightage to this task this year. However, going forward, completion of this task will be a pre-requisite to apply for ignite project roles.

Q: I had applied for Lead Bhumi 2016-17 and my commitment is only from the beginning of new academic year. Why was it assumed that applicants will have spare time for planning and executing the event?

A: Yes, the applied role is for the next academic year and for each role the time commitment is clearly laid out in the Lead Bhumi website. However, waiting till the beginning of the year has its challenges. To draw analogies, when you apply for a new course/job or a fellowship, the selection always takes place before the commitment begins.

Q: I had to coordinate multiple times with my interviewers for the interview. Even after finalising the interview, my interviewers never initiated or called me back?

A: The interview phase is designed to give the applicants a typical scenario they would be facing in coordinating with someone – a centre management, an external partner or even a volunteer; which, mostly in real life, requires perseverance and patience.

Wishing you the best always!!  Happy Volunteering!

Lead Bhumi 2014-15

Lead Bhumi 2014-15

Bhumi believes that every under-privileged child deserves quality education. We have transformed this conviction into a volunteering opportunity for India’s youth, launching a snowball effect of talent nurturing talent on the path to an educated, poverty-free India.
Volunteers who choose to lead enable tens, if not hundreds, of other volunteers in impacting thousands of lives. We believe Bhumi is a platform for young people to incubate their leadership skills.
Lead Bhumi … Lead India
Phase 1:
Phase 2:

The team from Bangalore:

Clockwise: Shwetha, Sriranjan, Sahithya, Uttara and Shubhadra
Clockwise: Shwetha, Sriranjan, Sahithya, Uttara and Shubhadra

Sriranjan Gorty, City Coordinator

A blend of energy, passion, hard-work and motivation, he’s raring to volunteer and promote volunteering to his fullest potential. He has been associated with Bhumi for the last four yrs and he believes that each day drives him more to fulfill our common dream of ‘Change today … Change tomorrow’

Subhadra Bhagavatula, Project Coordinator, Speak Out

A Chartered Accountant working with Goldman Sachs in Bangalore since December 2010. She is hard working and ambitious, passionate about bringing a change to our society. She loves working with children of all shapes and sizes. In her free time, she enjoys reading, singing and gardening.

Shweta Tripathy, Project Coordinator, Lakshya

She strongly believes in “When you were born you cried while the world rejoiced. Live a life such that when you die you rejoice while the world cries to leave you”. So every moment of her life, she wishes to spread immense happiness to all those around. She’s passionate about dancing to the beat of every possible tune and loves being around kids.

Uttara Turumella, Project Coordinator, Little Einsteins – Mathematics

A software engineer by profession, she started volunteering to spend her free time doing something productive. Little did she know then that volunteering will change her life (for better, of course). She joined Bhumi 2 years back and since then, there has been no turning back!

Sahithya Sreenath, HR Coordinator, Little Einsteins – Mathematics

Currently working for Oracle India Pvt Ltd, she completed her Masters in Software Engineering from VIT University and has been working for the past 2 years now. She’s a dreamer by nature and believes in working hard to turn my dreams into reality. Writing is her stress-buster.

The team from Chennai:

Clockwise: Preetha, Smithi, Anerudh, Janavi, Samantha
Clockwise: Preetha, Smithi, Anerudh, Janavi, Samantha

Smithi Manickam, HR Coordinator, Nakshatra Reach Out Dance

A confident, outgoing and broad-minded person. She believes in standing up for her opinions and does what she thinks is right. She is more of a positive person who gains happiness in whatever she does and loves sharing her happiness. She enjoys dancing, fitness, long drives, trekking and more. 

Janavi, HR Coordinator, Nakshatra Reach Out Arts

An ambitious media student trying to bring a change in the way this whole world lives. A theatre artist who loves to write and paint. A Marathi woman who loves the Tamil culture and started following it. An Indian, a woman, a Bhumian.

Anerudh Murali, HR Coordinator, Nakshatra Reach Out Sports

Jovial, frank and down to earth person with whom everyone feels warm. For him work comes first, rest is secondary He says that a few months ago, he struggled to even get the kids together, but now even before he arrives their warm up is done – such is his impact on the kids.

Samantha N, HR Coordinator, Little Einsteins Mathematics

An IT professional, she was born and brought up in Chennai. She is fun-loving and loves to interact with people. She says “be the change you want to see”.

Preetha, Project Coordinator, Fundraising

An IT professional with close to six years of experience in various projects. She plans to pursue her MBA in consulting and says she is passionate about the causes that Bhumi supports.

Saki Kripakaran, HR Coordinator, Nakshatra Reach Out Music

Gerad, Project Coordinator, Nakshatra Reach Out Sports

The team from Coimbatore:

Clockwise: Prahadeesh, Ankita, Ambarish
Clockwise: Prahadeesh, Ankita, Ambarish

Ambarish Singh Panwar R, Project Coordinator, REFRESH

He has a view that is different from most; he maintains a focus on the past, present, and future to ensure he is positioned to dedicate himself to making a difference – and he is happy to say that he has helped thousands of needy. He is also an nature lover and a cricket fan.

Prahadeesh B, Project Coordinator, Kanini

Currently running S.L.Engineering works which manufacture automobile spares. A graduate in the disciple of Information Technology, his hobbies include photography and reading books.

Ankita P Raichura, Project Coordinator, Little Einsteins Mathematics

Works as a processor in Vitae International Accounting Services Pvt Ltd., she has completed her B.Com and MBA. She loves theater and has taken part in plays and dramas which were organized in her college and work place. During her spare time she likes to cook. Apart from this, she loves to watch movies, and is an absolute movie buff.

Mahendran M, HR Coordinator, Little Einsteins Mathematics

Veeramanikandan.C, Project Coordinator, Little Einsteins Science

Showmya J, HR Coordinator, Little Einsteins Science

The team from Delhi:

Clockwise: Ayesha, Ketan, Aniket, Ashwin and Ashir
Clockwise: Ayesha, Ketan, Aniket, Ashwin and Ashir

Aniket Jain, Project Coordinator, Lakshya

A lawyer currently practising in the High Court. He did his schooling from St. Columba’s School in Delhi and his law from GGSIP University, Delhi. He plans to eventually start his individual practice in the Supreme Court of India.

Ashwin Ravichandran, Project Coordinator, Speak Out

Born in Delhi, studied in Madras, graduated in Coimbatore, graduated again in Delhi and lived life across the country. Bread and butter earned by writing LOC’s for websites. Live life by teaching kids.

Ketan Bhatt, HR Coordinator, Little Einsteins Maths & Science

An Engineering student and an occasional blogger, he loves food, enjoys traveling, reading and writing. He says that he was looking for ways to spend his time in something that, for once, was not completely selfish. He wanted to do something that had the potential to effect lives other than mine. In Bhumi he got his answer.

Ashir Aseesh Borah, Project Coordinator, Little Einsteins Science & Hi5 club

Born in Guwahati, Assam, he moved to Delhi to complete his senior secondary education from Delhi Public School, RK Puram. He loves to work with Bhumi because in the process of working for the society, he is learning a lot more about myself and discovering new things every day.

Ayesha Datta, Project Coordinator, Joy to the World

Currently pursuing sociology, she started volunteering with Bhumi just a few months back. She enjoys dancing, painting and loves to get engaged in social work. She has interned with organisations like CRY and has campaigned against child labour.

The team from Hyderabad:

Clockwise: Vignesh, Rakesh, Adityavalli, Dharini, Utkarsh
Clockwise: Vignesh, Rakesh, Adityavalli, Dharini, Utkarsh

Rakesh Kumar R, City HR Coordinator 

Presently working with TATA Lockheed Martin Aerostructures Ltd as an Engineer, he has also assisted in starting up a company from scratch. In doing so, he got varied experience of being an HR, Trainer, Business developer and Manager. He has stayed in different parts of the country and speaks about eight languages. An Aircraft Engineer by profession, he likes socialising, travelling, music and social working.

Aditya Valli K, Project Coordinator, Little Einsteins Mathematics

She is kind, confident and likes to take up challenges. She possesses a positive attitude and enjoys socialising. She initiates many events and is supportive to others too.

Dharini P, HR Coordinator, Little Einsteins Mathematics

An HR by profession, she works with TATA Consultancy Services. She has been associated with NGOs and volunteering activities in the past. She is highly passionate about music and loves singing. Her other hobbies include painting and writing. 

Utkarsh, Project Coordinator, Kanini

By profession a mechanical engineer, always wanted to do something extra apart from regular job something which can give satisfaction and which can take out the better me and then he found Bhumi – which was a great platform and the best part was that it involve kids.

Vignesh S, Project Coordinator, Little Einsteins Science

Working in TATA Lockheed Martin Aero structures Hyderabad, as a Senior Executive Engineer for the last two years. He has been with Bhumi since 2011 but with the Tiruchirapalli chapter. In 2012, he had to shift cities, and has been waiting for Bhumi to start operations in Hyderabad. 

Meghana Dodda, Project Coordinator, Hi5 Club

The team from Jaipur:

 

Clockwise: Bhumika, Vishesh, Vidhant
Clockwise: Bhumika, Vishesh, Vidhant

 

Vidhant Jain, Project Coordinator, Little Einsteins Science

A student at Amity University Rajasthan pursuing B.com(Hons) in Finance & IB. He is very much inclined towards helping people and initiating a change for the society. He believes that change begins from one person and is carried forward to all.

Vishesh Khandelwal VK, Project Coordinator, Kanini

Currently working as an Asst. Manager in AU Financiers (India) Ltd. handling their Innovation and Automation department. He loves sports and has always been associated with them throughout his life. He also likes solving puzzles and listening to music. He loves kids and has always wanted to do something to bring about a change.

Bhumika Ojha, HR Coordinator, Little Einsteins Maths & Hi5 Club

Completed B.Tech in Computer Science and currently working as an Assistant Programmer in Jaipur. Has been volunteering with Bhumi for over one year and believes that the journey has been full of enjoyable and learning experiences. Hi5 is her favourite of all events.Loves reading and travelling.

The team from Kolkata:

Kala Neelakantan, Project Coordinator, Kanini

Kala

An IT person who looks forward to the weekends to do something that she is fond of. Volunteering has always been in her forte and has been with Bhumi for quite sometime now. She is the high energy loquacious person and hopes this energy makes her do a great job in leading the Bhumi chapter in Kolkata.

The team from Mumbai:

Kanupriya, Lijo
Kanupriya, Lijo

Lijo Philip Raj, Project Coordinator, Kanini

An IT professional with over four years of experience and currently working as a Project Lead with TCS, Mumbai. He holds a Bachelors of Engineering Degree has a keen interest in the education of children, reading books of varied genres, event management & game of cricket. His combination of engineering background and management experience gives his a unique ability to bridge the gap between practice and theory in various fronts.

Kanupriya Sethi, Project Coordinator, Fundraising

A BBA second year student, she joined Bhumi as an intern. She says that Coming this far since the start has been a new experience, meeting children, helping in organizing things and a few efforts towards fund raising also. She reads books, paints and sketches occasionally, likes listening to music, travelling and meeting new people.

The team from Pune:

Clockwise: Rohit, Sai Krishna, Robin, Ankita
Clockwise: Rohit, Sai Krishna, Robin, Ankita

Sai Krishna, City HR Coordinator

A PG student at PICT, Pune pursuing M.E in IT and also an intern at TIBCO software Inc. Other than social service activities, he loves football and reading books. He believes that bringing change in even one child’s life will make a difference and start a ripple of subsequent change!

Robin Sharma, Project Coordinator, Fundraising

Born in Haryana, graduated in Punjab, and now working in Pune. His life is more about travelling; whether it’s lush green valleys of Himalayas, sandy beaches of Goa and Pondicherry, monuments in Rajasthan or Banarasi Ghats. He likes to socialize, listen to people’s tales and learn from them. He believes in lifelong learning and giving back to society what it has offered him.

Rohit Gurlhosur, HR Coordinator, Kanini

Currently finished his graduation in mechanical engineering, Rohit, loves watching movies. He has been associated with Bhumi for the past 3 months and enjoys working with the Kanini team. He loves interacting with the kids and aims at giving back as much as he can, to the society.

Ankita Ghosh, HR Coordinator, Little Einsteins Mathematics

A final year student of B.Sc in medical technology from Symbiosis institute of health sciences. She has travelled various parts of India during her school days and has seen the problems that our society faces. She’d like to help foster Bhumi’s cause of helping children and our society as a whole. She is eager to contribute my time and dedication for the same.

Ekta Ashok Sharma, Project Coordinator, Speak Out

Lead Bhumi Beacon 2013 Experience

Lead Bhumi Beacon 2013 Experience

In the project coordinator interview process, there was a question from Vaish that incase if you are selected as project coordinator you got to attend a 3 day leadership program in a hotel/resort in and around Chennai, can you ? Even after I said, yes, she again repeated the question – will you make yourself free for 3 days? I again repeated, yes, I can. I was thinking, who would say no for such a get-together!

On the day of the leadership conclave, while I was eating breakfast at home, I got SMS at 8.30am saying breakfast is available at resort so please come early – Romba paasakara pasangala irrukkangale !! On my way to venue, I got a call from Gana, where are you, as usual, I said, crossed Thiruvanmaiyur will reach in 5 mins. He said, ok  come soon. I called him back, and said the truth I’m near OMR only, anything I need to do from this part of the city? He replied, dai go and pick Delhi volunteers from airport. Ok, now I got a good reason to hide my late; I drove to airport for the pick-up.

Entering the resort was a pleasant experience; that traditional hut shaped lodging paved new way to the experience of commingling with co-volunteers from other projects and cities. Entered into the presentation hall, with the expectation of seminars / presentations / PPTs – usual Microsoft window will appear for each presentation. Excitingly, doc and Vaish made all their presentations in PREZI – new tool to present your ideas, as it is, in your mind.

Now, came here the 3 strangers – Sujit, Gnani, and the other bald guy. Normally, I won’t have opinions about people or organization until I know them completely. Likewise, when these people introduced themselves, and started into the process of addressing, igniting, and illuminating leadership skills to everyone, I was listening with heart and mind open. At the end of this difficult listening process what I should stress more in is, ‘I never knew that these people could make everyone experience the leadership skills within us’. That said, these guys, taught us that those leadership skills are simple and mundane to have, but complex and exhaustive to employ.

From the first day, 2 main rules these 3 strangers adopted were very simple and effective. First, parking lot for phones during discussions or presentation everyone must park his/her phones in the parking lot while entering the hall. Second a native Indian (Appalachian) custom to not to interrupt a person who is talking during discussion. Native Indians used Stick to show the one who has a power of talking whereas Bhumians used a big pebble. We abided these 2 rules for 3 days.

First day was full of Introductions about each other, discussions about the goal of Bhumi for the next five year, discussion about the individual project goals, and the 5-step strategy to achieve these goals, project coordinators introduction about their projects. Everyone might have learnt where they are with respect to their project and where they have to transcend, as a whole Bhumi, in the next 5 years

Night in the resort, should I have to explain, was awesome. While having dinner, I could hear someone saying, ’Machi, I got tired by only talking’. After dinner, we walked to Beach, the beach was pleasant, calm, and ordinary, as it always used to be, with a husband (watch man) and his wife quarreling at one corner, and our volunteers walking in bare feet, and making calls to their friends and family. Finally, to register the day, we ended with photo sessions in beach.

Second day, we had a hint on the 1st day that 2nd day could be full of outbound activities. As said, 2nd day was full activities which will make you think in the room, act in the ground, and when you come back from the ground, these activities will groom you through discussions. The overview of some skills which we learnt on the 2nd day are Leader’s selection of team member is immaterial of the team’s performance, openness, concentrate on the goals leave the path in achieving it, talk talk and talk till everyone in your team understand your points, accept your false immediately and appreciate other’s points, always have measurable goals, and finally keep your ears wide open listen everything. With these skills experienced in the ground, and the conference room we left to our room only to get ready for the midnight meeting.

Third day was a mix of 1st and 2nd day. One outdoor activity, and discussions/Presentations. Doc,Vaish, and Bhargav somehow saved their energies so as to give their presentations in the end of the day. These presentations gave ideas more into the functional and operational aspects of our Bhumi. With all these great skills learnt, experienced, and experimented we set-off to leave the resort with happy smiles and byes to everyone. Now, I dropped all the Delhi, Pune, Jaipur vols in the airport, and came back to home with the glimpses of few images of three days…

“fight  for puri during breakfast, Big Arshath’s small smile, Bhargav’s subway surfers costume, discussion, open-mindedness, quick decision making, Madhushree’s commitment towards Lakshya in Bangalore, decentralizing every chapters, reaching 250 children in Lakshya, Chicken 65 only for the lunch on the last day, beach walk and talk, Kathambari’s track pant, Gana’s fear for Kathambari’s retort,  Prakash’s pole-photography, my room’s bathroom door which can be opened/closed only half, dance floor, bhumi’s goal of reaching 10000 children, doc’s vision of taking volunteering to the next level…………..”

~

Ramkumar Eswaran, Program Co-ordinator, Lakshya Chennai