The Power of GivingMEENAKSHI RAMESH,
Chennai
For 49-year-old Meenakshi Ramesh,
a social entrepreneur and passionate
volunteer of kuppai (garbage) cleaning,
it was her middle-class upbringing and
her father’s values that played a big role
in shaping her as a person. When her
mother passed away, she stepped in to
take on household responsibilities de-
spite her young age. Her father, a self-
made banking professional, remains
an idol of selflessness for her and her
two sisters every day. He was generous
beyond measure and never once
turned away someone in need. Says
Ramesh, “My father said it takes a lot
for someone to reach out for help. It
takes their self-esteem and their pride.
Don’t just think it’s my money; try to
see what that money can do for them.”
Motivated by the security and suc-
cess that an IIM-education brings, she
chose to join the one in Ahmedabad,
where she met her husband, Ramesh
Mangaleswaran, whom she describes
as “my partner in every sense—espe-
cially in our giving journey”. When they
graduated in 1993, India was opening
up like never before, presenting people
like them with unprecedented oppor-
tunites. Within a few years, the couple
was able to secure financial stability
and began sharing their prosperity
with those in need, beginning in small
ways—making donations, volunteer-
ing time and expertise to NGOs or
providing health insurance and yearly
increments to their domestic help.
When Krishnan, her classmate at
IIM, inspired them to take the #LMP
pledge, it was a natural transition for
the couple. Though Ramesh feels they
still have a long way to go to reach their
pledged amount, she says having a
clear goal serves as both reminder and
motivation to continue the work.
—bypratishthadobhal“Maybe we can’t end inequality in our
lifetime, but we all have an obligation to
do something,” says Meenakshi Ramesh.readersdigest.co.in 65To learn more about this campaign,
visit http://www.livingmypromise.org or send
an email to [email protected]