I have a Dream – Rashmi Bansal (Book Review)
How many of us are socially conscious citizens? You’ll be surprised – All of us! But how many of us actually do anything that could positively impact the lives of others? Well, the answer is very close to Zilch. But through this book I was glad to know that there are a fraction of people among us who are capable of creating a huge difference to our society and they just went ahead and did what they wanted to! Mostly, without any resources on hand!!
Think about this – Can a person, still pursuing college, decide to start a home for homeless kids without any investment on hand? Did you consider it after college? Did I consider it after college? The obvious excuse we would come up is, I myself don’t have any resources to live on, and in this situation how is it possible to maintain the home? 99.99999% of the people would have given up right at that point. But not one person. Today, that person is taking care of 500 kids and the institution is funded purely by individual donations.
Also, think about this – Can a person who is a professor in one of the leading institutes of our country do something that will actually create a meaningful change in our politics/democratic system? Well, one professor decided to go beyond talking about creating a change and by the clever usage of PIL, enacted a law that bars criminals from contesting in elections. Not satisfied with a law on the paper, he went ahead and identified all such criminals contesting in elections and with the help of the press, spread this information among public, which forced the respective party bosses to act.
Can you or I do such things? Do such people even exist in our country? To my pleasure, I read about 20 such people in the book, ‘I have a Dream’ by Rashmi Bansal. After a long time, I gained something very valuable from a book – HOPE.
The people described in these books were the least qualified and the least resourceful to do what they did. But they just did not bother about all that and went ahead and achieved their dreams due to their extreme passion & determination.
This book clearly inspires us in the positive way and gives us examples to look up to. All the ventures described here are not purely social, as some of them aim to achieve commercial gains. But even those ventures have a social angle. For example, one person starts a courier company, but employs only deaf people. Another person starts an IIT coaching center, but takes in only socially backward students in his institute.
The book conveys one message loud and clear – If you have purity of intention and are ready to serve with your heart, the society will support you with all the required resources.
Even if you are not socially-inclined, this book will make you into one. This is an excellent Non-Fiction book on social entrepreneurship and a must-read for everyone who aspires to build a business with a soul.
- You can buy this book from Flipkart or Amazon in India. (Disclaimer: These are affiliate links. I may get a small commission if you buy the product after clicking on these links.)
Destination Infinity
I read the other two & was really inspired & motivated then. But now didn’t wanted to read more such stories so left after 2. It really does gives you hope. I think I have it now that’s why I stopped. 🙂 good luck reading other two.
sorry for the typos & grammar mistakes. 😛
I have already read ‘Poor Little Rich Slum’. I have ‘Connect the Dots’ with me and might start reading it anytime. I am yet to buy ‘Stay Hungry, Stay Foolish’, but I am sure I will buy it sometime in the future. This author is definitely doing a good job.
Initially I thought she was some IIM graduate trying to promote some MBA success stories, but now I do realize that her books are indeed different 🙂
Destination Infinity
Thanks for the nice review. Not many people will do what these people did, that is creating a huge difference.
I am disappointed with the title. “I Have a Dream” is made very famous by Rev. Martin Luther King, Jr.’s speech in 1963 to end racism in United States. The author could have chosen a different title. Worldwide, when someone says or write “I have a dream”, people will immediately think of Dr. King’s speech and not this book.
Yes, the title is slightly misleading. The author could have chosen a different variation of the same name, like Verghese Kurien who titled his autobiography as, ‘I too had a dream’. Maybe since the book is only meant for the Indian audience and the title is quite apt, the author might have selected it. But then, the stories narrated in this book can very well stand on their own, irrespective of what title is given to it.
Destination Infinity
Inspiring post! I hope this book influence a lot leading us on social dreams.
It will, if we pick it up and read it 🙂
Destination Infinity
Three things.
One. Attracted to rashmi bansal. Hit hands on keyboard with excitement.
Two. You become successful. You become 0.001%. This means infinity achieved.
Three. You do not achieve. You are not 0.001%. Be ready to face rising sons fight.
I don’t know what to say about points two and three, but about point one: I feel that Rashmi Bansal is doing something very different and is contributing richly to the diversity of the literary scene in India. It is my opinion that we need more such authors in India.
I praised this book as much for the social aspect in it, as the literary aspect. I, for one, am fed up with the proliferation of love stories/romance novels in India and hence a book on a genre like this is most welcome. I am not sure about others, though.
Destination Infinity
Lovely book this seems to be DI! 🙂
I have a dream took me to the song by Abba 🙂 A lovely reminder of priorities and chasing dreams.
I need to listen to that song now… 🙂
Destination Infinity
I somehow cant read such philosophical/social books 🙁 If it is non-fiction, it has to be related to science or must be a biography. Dont think I will pick this book.
I do agree that story-telling is a powerful medium. But, even this book can be considered as a collection of short stories. Only, all the stories are real. Of course, we are all attracted to different genres at different points of our lives.
Destination Infinity
It really sounds interesting to me. The example other people gives to contribute to society and make it better, one way or another, is always inspiring.
Thank you for your visit to the Dragon Cave and your insight. 😀
Thanks for visiting my blog. The blog blitz is a lot of fun 😀
Destination Infinity
These people are very inspiring and I wish our national news channels highlighted their achievements instead of going on and on about politics.
Regarding your ebook, congrats.
Yes, I too wish that our news channels highlight good things, as much as they highlight bad ones. Too much sensationalism only makes people avoid those channels.
Destination Infinity
Nice review… The book may motivate to do good things to empower the poor and socially backward people
thanks
Yes, it sure motivates people in the right direction. But how many people will pick up this book and read it??
Destination Infinity
It’s very inspiring to even read the review. We all have good motives, and thought towards making a social change. But we just don’t know how and when to do it, and wait for someone to do it. Well, atleast books like this would motivate a lot of us towards making such an initiative, or be part of such an initiative.
Being part of a social initiative is a more practical choice for many of us, I guess. If nothing else, it will give us peace of mind and satisfaction of having given something back to the society.
Destination Infinity
This seems to be a good one DI. I have read Rashmi’s two books and liked them.
i believe there are lot many people who does so many things for public welfare .. just there there name do not create ripples in public .. well charity or social work is best considered when done without a name ..
i agree we all are nothing in front of what these men / women have done but if each one of us contribute in some way or the other .. we may not be the dreamers like them but we’ll surely contribute to the cause…!
This book has had a life changing effect on me. The stories it contains are too close to my heart, and I am sure anyone who reads it can’t deny the power of hope after reading it.
Beautifully researched, I can’t even begin to appreciate, rather, thank the author enough.