Something Corporate This Way Comes

One of the interesting aspects of living in Bombay is that it puts you in a unique position to see the New India. Just walking down certain streets, looking at the plethora of mega-malls, skyscrapers, and sports-car showrooms, its easy to forget that you're still in 'developing' country. A few months back, a woman said something to me that summed up the New India perfectly. She said, "You know, India is not a poor country. There is a lot of wealth here." And its true; wealth abounds in certain areas, and with this influx of wealth, not only the Bombay skyline is changing - attitudes and priorities are changing as well, much to the benefit of the social sector.

This is a reality that has become increasingly clear to me in recent weeks, as a result of my work. Part of my job lately has been to seek out new modes of funding for my organization, which has allowed me to interact with some of the large companies and individuals that are shaping the New India. Most recently, I had the chance to meet with the head of the Indian branch of one of the worlds wealthiest and, as a result of the financial crisis, most infamous companies. This is a company whose near collapse could have brought on a global economic depression. Luckily bailout dollars have kept them comfortable - something that became immediately apparent once I saw their building.

It never ceases to amaze me some of the places you find New India tucked away in Bombay. Unless you count Bandra East, many of these large corporate buildings are interwoven into the city. My meeting was in Lower Parrel, an very densely packed area towards the city. Normally, Lower Parrel to me would signal narrow streets and small shops crowded near a series of overpasses that lead further into the city - its one of the few parts of the city that isn't littered with trees and greenery. Its a pretty grey, urban area; or atleast I thought it was. The office of this company was to be found in corporate campus in Lower Parell - an entire area blocked off for large corporation buildings. I walked through an unassuming gate located on the streets in Lower Parrel, and it was like stepping into a different world. Suddenly there was an abundance of big open space, of large metal statues and beautiful gardens, of buildings so tall you have to strain your neck just to see the top. It didn't feel like Bombay anymore, or atleast not the Bombay I had grown accustomed to. It could have been any other wealthy developed country, characterized by the same droves business suits and coffee cups. There were a few buildings in the campus, and the one I went to also housed a few other wealthy international companies like Yahoo India.

Ok, so the flashy buildings were cool, can’t deny that. Though, what was really impressive and ultimately more important was the meeting. We meandered up to the 8^th floor of the high-rise building, and were seated in a spacious air conditioned board room complete with fine oak table and big screen tv. After waiting for a few minutes, in walked the head of this company’s India branch. He had the look and stride of a man who had reached the top of the corporate ladder. I half-expected to meet the Indian Gordon Gecko – a callous, corporate goon. Instead, he was very kind and friendly. We had come to just tell him a bit about Youth Venture in the hopes that we might be able to get him. Within minutes though, it became apparent that he was not just some apathetic businessman doing his good deed for the month and humoring us with a meeting. He was knowledgeable and engaged with the social sector, and he had a sincere belief that money isn’t enough, there needs to be sustainability and partnership in the sector.

We brought Khusboo, one of our Youth Venturers, with us because she is a living, breathing example of what happens when you empower a young person. Khusboo started a venture that seeks to support young girls who live in shelters. Herself once a runaway, Khusboo noticed that young girls who live in shelters spend their whole lives there and experience little of the outside world. However, once they turn 18, they are dropped out of the shelter and left to fend for themselves. Recognizing this injustice, Khusboo now provides classes and support to help prepare these girls while they are still in the shelters.

Khusboo was asked how Youth Venture had influenced her life, and then she spoke at length about herself, her venture, and why she believes in Youth Venture. I sat back and watched this surreal scene in front me – this titan of industry leaning in and hanging onto every word of this young girl. The meeting went on, and he made it clear that he believed in the necessity of socially engaged citizenry where every person does their part.

After this meeting, I had a similar meeting further downtown with a lawyer at one of the India’s most prestigious law firms. This meeting was in Nariman Point, an even wealthier area, as affirmed by the sports car I saw revving down the street outside the office. I met with a young lawyer who works with the philanthropic team of law firm. Again, within a few minutes he surprised me by showing that he really knew his stuff. The firm has a history of engagement with the social sector in India, and he described tried to ensure that all its work had an underlying social value. He was very honest about his frustrations with the NGO sector in India – in India, NGOs have long had the reputation of being ineffective, corrupt fronts for money laundering. This is an image that has long tarnished the sector, and it colors many middle class opinions about NGOs and social work. The lawyer I was meeting with firmly believed that this needed to change, and that were certain aspects of the sector that needed to change to create true impact. He was adamant that their needed to be more transparency, clearer metrics, and greater knowledge sharing in the sector. I’m of the same opinion, and we were able to have an interesting, constructive conversation about the necessity of corporate involvement in the social sector.

What came out of these meetings was a realization that I previously believed was just hollow rhetoric. It was the realization that in this New India the corporate sector is poised and ready to become involved in the social sector. Along with the influx of wealth, many people are waking up to the need for social involvement is entering into the hearts and minds. Of course there is still apathy and egocentrism among many, but this is a step in the right direction. Given the recent climate of anger and disgust towards corporate greed and excess, this is especially refreshing and promising. There is a profound interest in private/social partnerships, and if utilized properly and responsibly, the potential is limitless. If this really is the ‘New India,’ then sign me up.

Posted by Neel Odedara