[Music] I hope you’re excited to hear me speak
I hope you’re excited to hear me speak
I hope you’re excited to hear me speak I’m really excited to be here with young
I’m really excited to be here with young
I’m really excited to be here with young people with young minds to talk to you
people with young minds to talk to you
people with young minds to talk to you about something that I have learned in
about something that I have learned in
about something that I have learned in my journey choose to make a change I did
my journey choose to make a change I did
my journey choose to make a change I did it was some 15 years ago two years after
it was some 15 years ago two years after
it was some 15 years ago two years after I had cancer and depression I came back
I had cancer and depression I came back
I had cancer and depression I came back to India and I met this young lady her
to India and I met this young lady her
to India and I met this young lady her name is Rita Bala she was 11 years old
name is Rita Bala she was 11 years old
name is Rita Bala she was 11 years old she had cancer at the age of five and
she had cancer at the age of five and
she had cancer at the age of five and then when I met her she had cancer again
then when I met her she had cancer again
then when I met her she had cancer again at the age of 11 I was struggling to
at the age of 11 I was struggling to
at the age of 11 I was struggling to understand what exactly I wanted to do
understand what exactly I wanted to do
understand what exactly I wanted to do my cancer and my depression was really
my cancer and my depression was really
my cancer and my depression was really around what I had done with my life I
around what I had done with my life I
around what I had done with my life I was 38 at that time when I had cancer in
was 38 at that time when I had cancer in
was 38 at that time when I had cancer in the year 2000 I was in Warsaw my boys
the year 2000 I was in Warsaw my boys
the year 2000 I was in Warsaw my boys were 7 and 3 and I really felt that I
were 7 and 3 and I really felt that I
were 7 and 3 and I really felt that I had had a terrific are bringing I had
had had a terrific are bringing I had
had had a terrific are bringing I had great education not from this
great education not from this
great education not from this institution but nevertheless a great
institution but nevertheless a great
institution but nevertheless a great school the great college I was a civil
school the great college I was a civil
school the great college I was a civil servant I done well in life and then all
servant I done well in life and then all
servant I done well in life and then all of a sudden I was facing death and I was
of a sudden I was facing death and I was
of a sudden I was facing death and I was wondering what I had done with my life
wondering what I had done with my life
wondering what I had done with my life to actually show what it was worth I was
to actually show what it was worth I was
to actually show what it was worth I was also incredibly afraid of dying the
also incredibly afraid of dying the
also incredibly afraid of dying the whole time and in good plea bargaining
whole time and in good plea bargaining
whole time and in good plea bargaining with God I said God spare me for my two
with God I said God spare me for my two
with God I said God spare me for my two little children they won’t be able to
little children they won’t be able to
little children they won’t be able to manage without me actually they’re boys
manage without me actually they’re boys
manage without me actually they’re boys and they managed perfectly well without
and they managed perfectly well without
and they managed perfectly well without me and I thought maybe they won’t manage
me and I thought maybe they won’t manage
me and I thought maybe they won’t manage well without me I told God God please
well without me I told God God please
well without me I told God God please let me live I promise you this time
let me live I promise you this time
let me live I promise you this time round I will do well I will do better I
round I will do well I will do better I
round I will do well I will do better I will look after every kid with cancer
will look after every kid with cancer
will look after every kid with cancer anywhere in the country
anywhere in the country
anywhere in the country and so I survived I came back to India I
and so I survived I came back to India I
and so I survived I came back to India I started working in a hospital trying to
started working in a hospital trying to
started working in a hospital trying to understand what best to do and this is
understand what best to do and this is
understand what best to do and this is when I met this beautiful young girl I
when I met this beautiful young girl I
when I met this beautiful young girl I met a lot of other children like this
met a lot of other children like this
met a lot of other children like this and little bit whose father would take
and little bit whose father would take
and little bit whose father would take his time
his time
his time go into the chalk everyday to try and
go into the chalk everyday to try and
go into the chalk everyday to try and get business for the day to sell
get business for the day to sell
get business for the day to sell vegetables so that he could afford her
vegetables so that he could afford her
vegetables so that he could afford her treatment so that he could look after
treatment so that he could look after
treatment so that he could look after his family and here was this bright
his family and here was this bright
his family and here was this bright young thing who only wanted to live only
young thing who only wanted to live only
young thing who only wanted to live only wanted to survive and was willing to do
wanted to survive and was willing to do
wanted to survive and was willing to do so much to do so well and so came my
so much to do so well and so came my
so much to do so well and so came my pledge a defining moment a choice made a
pledge a defining moment a choice made a
pledge a defining moment a choice made a pledge that I wrote with this young lady
pledge that I wrote with this young lady
pledge that I wrote with this young lady in front of me a choice that I made
in front of me a choice that I made
in front of me a choice that I made because I am able because I can do
because I am able because I can do
because I am able because I can do anything I set my mind to dream big
anything I set my mind to dream big
anything I set my mind to dream big reach for the stars and Dutch the sky
reach for the stars and Dutch the sky
reach for the stars and Dutch the sky then hold out a helping hand and fly in
then hold out a helping hand and fly in
then hold out a helping hand and fly in the face of her storm and after that
the face of her storm and after that
the face of her storm and after that storm enjoy the colors of the rainbow
storm enjoy the colors of the rainbow
storm enjoy the colors of the rainbow together and bask together in the Sun
together and bask together in the Sun
together and bask together in the Sun forever stand strong be a hero amongst
forever stand strong be a hero amongst
forever stand strong be a hero amongst heroes because you are able because you
heroes because you are able because you
heroes because you are able because you can a pledge and a choice and a resolve
can a pledge and a choice and a resolve
can a pledge and a choice and a resolve that has actually stood with me and has
that has actually stood with me and has
that has actually stood with me and has been every part of me over the last 15
been every part of me over the last 15
been every part of me over the last 15 years actually a pledge I even wrote in
years actually a pledge I even wrote in
years actually a pledge I even wrote in Hindi in a moment of creativity and I
Hindi in a moment of creativity and I
Hindi in a moment of creativity and I want to tell you that when that cancer
want to tell you that when that cancer
want to tell you that when that cancer happened and it was because of gene
happened and it was because of gene
happened and it was because of gene mutation I feel like some other genes
mutation I feel like some other genes
mutation I feel like some other genes got mutated because all of a sudden I
got mutated because all of a sudden I
got mutated because all of a sudden I was more creative than I ever was before
was more creative than I ever was before
was more creative than I ever was before I could write a pledge in English and I
I could write a pledge in English and I
I could write a pledge in English and I could write it in Hindi as well but that
could write it in Hindi as well but that
could write it in Hindi as well but that is the stuff of maybe some other
is the stuff of maybe some other
is the stuff of maybe some other research somewhere because what does
research somewhere because what does
research somewhere because what does cancer do to you that actually unleashes
cancer do to you that actually unleashes
cancer do to you that actually unleashes something quite beyond just the fact
something quite beyond just the fact
something quite beyond just the fact that you live again if you survive so
that you live again if you survive so
that you live again if you survive so that was my pledge and that was my
that was my pledge and that was my
that was my pledge and that was my result and that’s my book making a
result and that’s my book making a
result and that’s my book making a choice what does it take to make choices
choice what does it take to make choices
choice what does it take to make choices and the first of that would be
and the first of that would be
and the first of that would be understanding that you have a choice
understanding that you have a choice
understanding that you have a choice actually every one of us has choices all
actually every one of us has choices all
actually every one of us has choices all the time and
the time and
the time and it sometimes takes a lot for us to
it sometimes takes a lot for us to
it sometimes takes a lot for us to understand what the choice is how to
understand what the choice is how to
understand what the choice is how to make it how best to do it the second
make it how best to do it the second
make it how best to do it the second part of it would be resolving to make
part of it would be resolving to make
part of it would be resolving to make the choice so in my case what stopped me
the choice so in my case what stopped me
the choice so in my case what stopped me why hadn’t I made the choice earlier I
why hadn’t I made the choice earlier I
why hadn’t I made the choice earlier I had quit my Civil Services job I was an
had quit my Civil Services job I was an
had quit my Civil Services job I was an expatriate wife
expatriate wife
expatriate wife I was living a wonderful life I actually
I was living a wonderful life I actually
I was living a wonderful life I actually had everything going for me and when
had everything going for me and when
had everything going for me and when that cancer hit was a defining moment
that cancer hit was a defining moment
that cancer hit was a defining moment and a change when I came back to India
and a change when I came back to India
and a change when I came back to India to learn what best to do I met a lot of
to learn what best to do I met a lot of
to learn what best to do I met a lot of people not quite from my own society
people not quite from my own society
people not quite from my own society outside my comfort zone
outside my comfort zone
outside my comfort zone I met young people like widow and many
I met young people like widow and many
I met young people like widow and many other children and many other families
other children and many other families
other children and many other families and that is how I knew the choice that I
and that is how I knew the choice that I
and that is how I knew the choice that I had to make why didn’t I make that
had to make why didn’t I make that
had to make why didn’t I make that choice well why doesn’t anybody ever
choice well why doesn’t anybody ever
choice well why doesn’t anybody ever make a choice what keeps us from making
make a choice what keeps us from making
make a choice what keeps us from making choices it could be procrastination it
choices it could be procrastination it
choices it could be procrastination it could be time just passing you by
could be time just passing you by
could be time just passing you by it could be just not wanting to get out
it could be just not wanting to get out
it could be just not wanting to get out of your comfort zone right it could be
of your comfort zone right it could be
of your comfort zone right it could be also fear I think for a lot of us
also fear I think for a lot of us
also fear I think for a lot of us especially young people today you have
especially young people today you have
especially young people today you have so many more choices than we did that
so many more choices than we did that
so many more choices than we did that perhaps just the plethora of choices
perhaps just the plethora of choices
perhaps just the plethora of choices makes us worry will I make the right
makes us worry will I make the right
makes us worry will I make the right choice when I actually know what to do
choice when I actually know what to do
choice when I actually know what to do well I actually know what to do with
well I actually know what to do with
well I actually know what to do with this particular episode so what you need
this particular episode so what you need
this particular episode so what you need to do in my belief system what I have
to do in my belief system what I have
to do in my belief system what I have learned what I would like to share is
learned what I would like to share is
learned what I would like to share is that you really have to believe in
that you really have to believe in
that you really have to believe in yourself that takes doing but that is
yourself that takes doing but that is
yourself that takes doing but that is what true leadership is about that is
what true leadership is about that is
what true leadership is about that is what each and every one of us must do
what each and every one of us must do
what each and every one of us must do keep reaching within yourself because as
keep reaching within yourself because as
keep reaching within yourself because as Mariah Carey said there’s a hero in each
Mariah Carey said there’s a hero in each
Mariah Carey said there’s a hero in each one of us so believing in yourself
one of us so believing in yourself
one of us so believing in yourself believing that you’re a hero believing
believing that you’re a hero believing
believing that you’re a hero believing that you can actually choose and
that you can actually choose and
that you can actually choose and believing that you can make a change is
believing that you can make a change is
believing that you can make a change is a big part of what helps us to make a
a big part of what helps us to make a
a big part of what helps us to make a choice the
choice the
choice the part of it equally important and one
part of it equally important and one
part of it equally important and one that often people tend to skip over is
that often people tend to skip over is
that often people tend to skip over is this one do your homework put your best
this one do your homework put your best
this one do your homework put your best into making the right choice but in the
into making the right choice but in the
into making the right choice but in the effort to see what you need to do in
effort to see what you need to do in
effort to see what you need to do in terms of deciding what you need to do so
terms of deciding what you need to do so
terms of deciding what you need to do so I spend a lot of time in the first two
I spend a lot of time in the first two
I spend a lot of time in the first two years when I came back to India
years when I came back to India
years when I came back to India understanding the development sector I
understanding the development sector I
understanding the development sector I knew nothing about the development
knew nothing about the development
knew nothing about the development sector back when I was younger not quite
sector back when I was younger not quite
sector back when I was younger not quite like you guys today in those days we did
like you guys today in those days we did
like you guys today in those days we did some very minimal volunteer work today
some very minimal volunteer work today
some very minimal volunteer work today all of you are so much more community
all of you are so much more community
all of you are so much more community conscious but I went through school I
conscious but I went through school I
conscious but I went through school I went through college I took the civil
went through college I took the civil
went through college I took the civil services exam a lot of my batch mates
services exam a lot of my batch mates
services exam a lot of my batch mates did their MBAs we went on to careers we
did their MBAs we went on to careers we
did their MBAs we went on to careers we went on most of my batch mates today are
went on most of my batch mates today are
went on most of my batch mates today are MBAs with great jobs great salaries many
MBAs with great jobs great salaries many
MBAs with great jobs great salaries many of them are top-notch civil servants and
of them are top-notch civil servants and
of them are top-notch civil servants and we had a part that went from here to
we had a part that went from here to
we had a part that went from here to there for you today the world is your
there for you today the world is your
there for you today the world is your oyster but it’s also a big confusing
oyster but it’s also a big confusing
oyster but it’s also a big confusing world there are so many things to do
world there are so many things to do
world there are so many things to do there are so many choices to make will
there are so many choices to make will
there are so many choices to make will you make the right choice and this is
you make the right choice and this is
you make the right choice and this is where these two things will help us
where these two things will help us
where these two things will help us always
always
always if this isn’t just for the youth this is
if this isn’t just for the youth this is
if this isn’t just for the youth this is for anybody who’s looking at making a
for anybody who’s looking at making a
for anybody who’s looking at making a choice
choice
choice believe in yourself work on believing
believe in yourself work on believing
believe in yourself work on believing that you will be right you will be a
that you will be right you will be a
that you will be right you will be a hero work in believing truly that you
hero work in believing truly that you
hero work in believing truly that you can achieve something and the second
can achieve something and the second
can achieve something and the second piece of it is do your homework hard
piece of it is do your homework hard
piece of it is do your homework hard work when you go to a good school when
work when you go to a good school when
work when you go to a good school when you go to a good college that really
you go to a good college that really
you go to a good college that really pays off your teachers your guides your
pays off your teachers your guides your
pays off your teachers your guides your mentors the homes that we come from the
mentors the homes that we come from the
mentors the homes that we come from the privileged are bringing that all of us
privileged are bringing that all of us
privileged are bringing that all of us have that really really is a part of the
have that really really is a part of the
have that really really is a part of the homework that we are doing to help us to
homework that we are doing to help us to
homework that we are doing to help us to make good choices and to actually say I
make good choices and to actually say I
make good choices and to actually say I will go better so I spend those two
will go better so I spend those two
will go better so I spend those two years studying the development sector
years studying the development sector
years studying the development sector understanding what families mean for
understanding what families mean for
understanding what families mean for five or six years I actually sat in the
five or six years I actually sat in the
five or six years I actually sat in the hospital at All India Institute in New
hospital at All India Institute in New
hospital at All India Institute in New Delhi every day trying to understand
Delhi every day trying to understand
Delhi every day trying to understand what would
what would
what would family who’s faced with cancer who
family who’s faced with cancer who
family who’s faced with cancer who doesn’t have the funds that I had who
doesn’t have the funds that I had who
doesn’t have the funds that I had who doesn’t have the insurance that I had
doesn’t have the insurance that I had
doesn’t have the insurance that I had who doesn’t have a wonderful place to
who doesn’t have a wonderful place to
who doesn’t have a wonderful place to stay who doesn’t have the kind of
stay who doesn’t have the kind of
stay who doesn’t have the kind of support system that I had what is it
support system that I had what is it
support system that I had what is it that RIT once what is it that her family
that RIT once what is it that her family
that RIT once what is it that her family needs that will actually be needed when
needs that will actually be needed when
needs that will actually be needed when the family is faced with cancer a lot of
the family is faced with cancer a lot of
the family is faced with cancer a lot of homework a lot of theory one thank you
homework a lot of theory one thank you
homework a lot of theory one thank you Google Baba because you can do a lot of
Google Baba because you can do a lot of
Google Baba because you can do a lot of reading on Google itself to know but we
reading on Google itself to know but we
reading on Google itself to know but we were given this beautiful book called
were given this beautiful book called
were given this beautiful book called Jana you are not alone how to set up a
Jana you are not alone how to set up a
Jana you are not alone how to set up a support group for families with cancer
support group for families with cancer
support group for families with cancer and to this day the book remains a Bible
and to this day the book remains a Bible
and to this day the book remains a Bible because we continue to go back to
because we continue to go back to
because we continue to go back to reading the theory to understand how we
reading the theory to understand how we
reading the theory to understand how we can do what we do better so a big piece
can do what we do better so a big piece
can do what we do better so a big piece of what we did on your choice I think
of what we did on your choice I think
of what we did on your choice I think when we make choices we really need to
when we make choices we really need to
when we make choices we really need to know and understand that yes I did make
know and understand that yes I did make
know and understand that yes I did make this choice if you have put in your hard
this choice if you have put in your hard
this choice if you have put in your hard work if you have actually done conscious
work if you have actually done conscious
work if you have actually done conscious choice making then you own your choice
choice making then you own your choice
choice making then you own your choice you believe in your choice you do your
you believe in your choice you do your
you believe in your choice you do your best by it what I did was actually set
best by it what I did was actually set
best by it what I did was actually set up can kids kids can it’s a
up can kids kids can it’s a
up can kids kids can it’s a not-for-profit it works today across the
not-for-profit it works today across the
not-for-profit it works today across the country in 70 cancer centers we provide
country in 70 cancer centers we provide
country in 70 cancer centers we provide support to children with cancer and
support to children with cancer and
support to children with cancer and their families across the country we
their families across the country we
their families across the country we work with hospitals and doctors we’ve
work with hospitals and doctors we’ve
work with hospitals and doctors we’ve set up special schools we’ve set up a
set up special schools we’ve set up a
set up special schools we’ve set up a pediatric palliative care center and we
pediatric palliative care center and we
pediatric palliative care center and we really are working towards making change
really are working towards making change
really are working towards making change for childhood cancer in India but do I
for childhood cancer in India but do I
for childhood cancer in India but do I want my choice yes I do
want my choice yes I do
want my choice yes I do am i proud of that choice yes I am do I
am i proud of that choice yes I am do I
am i proud of that choice yes I am do I believe I’m a hero yes I do actually i
believe I’m a hero yes I do actually i
believe I’m a hero yes I do actually i believe i’m doga Shakti I believe I have
believe i’m doga Shakti I believe I have
believe i’m doga Shakti I believe I have God inside me because it is God who is
God inside me because it is God who is
God inside me because it is God who is leading and showing me the way for where
leading and showing me the way for where
leading and showing me the way for where I need to go but that belief system
I need to go but that belief system
I need to go but that belief system comes from inside of me it comes from
comes from inside of me it comes from
comes from inside of me it comes from believing be responsible and be
believing be responsible and be
believing be responsible and be accountable I am responsible for the
accountable I am responsible for the
accountable I am responsible for the choices I make
choices I make
choices I make I could make wrong choices I’m going to
I could make wrong choices I’m going to
I could make wrong choices I’m going to talk to you about wrong choices in a
talk to you about wrong choices in a
talk to you about wrong choices in a minute but I am responsible for a choice
minute but I am responsible for a choice
minute but I am responsible for a choice that I mean I am accountable if I lead
that I mean I am accountable if I lead
that I mean I am accountable if I lead my team then my team needs to know that
my team then my team needs to know that
my team then my team needs to know that I am with them every step of the way
I am with them every step of the way
I am with them every step of the way they need to know that they can rely on
they need to know that they can rely on
they need to know that they can rely on me that is what good leaders do that is
me that is what good leaders do that is
me that is what good leaders do that is where you will see the difference
where you will see the difference
where you will see the difference between a terrific principal like the
between a terrific principal like the
between a terrific principal like the lady sitting in this hall who has so
lady sitting in this hall who has so
lady sitting in this hall who has so many followers over so many years so
many followers over so many years so
many followers over so many years so many students who have been through the
many students who have been through the
many students who have been through the school and the difference between
school and the difference between
school and the difference between someone who may not care as much a true
someone who may not care as much a true
someone who may not care as much a true leader is responsible right down to the
leader is responsible right down to the
leader is responsible right down to the last path a true leader is the one who
last path a true leader is the one who
last path a true leader is the one who leaves last a true leader is the one who
leaves last a true leader is the one who
leaves last a true leader is the one who says my choice my responsibility my team
says my choice my responsibility my team
says my choice my responsibility my team my belief system it’s important take
my belief system it’s important take
my belief system it’s important take pride you can see that I’m proud I am
pride you can see that I’m proud I am
pride you can see that I’m proud I am proud I know I’m making a difference
proud I know I’m making a difference
proud I know I’m making a difference it’s important if I didn’t believe in
it’s important if I didn’t believe in
it’s important if I didn’t believe in myself I don’t think I could do the work
myself I don’t think I could do the work
myself I don’t think I could do the work that I do and I think that applies to
that I do and I think that applies to
that I do and I think that applies to every one of us be it someone who goes
every one of us be it someone who goes
every one of us be it someone who goes on to be the CEO of a company paid
on to be the CEO of a company paid
on to be the CEO of a company paid someone who’s changing the landscape
someone who’s changing the landscape
someone who’s changing the landscape behave the prime minister of a country
behave the prime minister of a country
behave the prime minister of a country if you don’t believe and have pride in
if you don’t believe and have pride in
if you don’t believe and have pride in what you are doing you’re not going to
what you are doing you’re not going to
what you are doing you’re not going to be able to help other people if we say
be able to help other people if we say
be able to help other people if we say charity begins at home if we say
charity begins at home if we say
charity begins at home if we say everything that we do starts from within
everything that we do starts from within
everything that we do starts from within then it starts from me it goes out to my
then it starts from me it goes out to my
then it starts from me it goes out to my family it goes out to my circle of
family it goes out to my circle of
family it goes out to my circle of friends and from there I influence other
friends and from there I influence other
friends and from there I influence other people and other members of society and
people and other members of society and
people and other members of society and that is how you make good choices be
that is how you make good choices be
that is how you make good choices be prepared to make mistakes of course we
prepared to make mistakes of course we
prepared to make mistakes of course we make mistakes but it’s a big part of
make mistakes but it’s a big part of
make mistakes but it’s a big part of what stops us from making choices often
what stops us from making choices often
what stops us from making choices often we don’t want to make a choice because
we don’t want to make a choice because
we don’t want to make a choice because we are afraid more often than not it’s
we are afraid more often than not it’s
we are afraid more often than not it’s because we’re afraid we’ll make a
because we’re afraid we’ll make a
because we’re afraid we’ll make a mistake that’s where that hero inside of
mistake that’s where that hero inside of
mistake that’s where that hero inside of you will say it’s okay it’s okay to make
you will say it’s okay it’s okay to make
you will say it’s okay it’s okay to make a mistake it’s okay to make a mistake if
a mistake it’s okay to make a mistake if
a mistake it’s okay to make a mistake if you learn from your mistakes if you
you learn from your mistakes if you
you learn from your mistakes if you don’t learn from your mistakes if your
don’t learn from your mistakes if your
don’t learn from your mistakes if your mistakes
mistakes
mistakes defeat you if you decide that you’re a
defeat you if you decide that you’re a
defeat you if you decide that you’re a failure if you decide that you lost
failure if you decide that you lost
failure if you decide that you lost you’re not going to be able to step
you’re not going to be able to step
you’re not going to be able to step forward again you’re not going to be
forward again you’re not going to be
forward again you’re not going to be able to move forward and say okay I can
able to move forward and say okay I can
able to move forward and say okay I can do this again and so a big part of what
do this again and so a big part of what
do this again and so a big part of what I have done is look at this
I have done is look at this
I have done is look at this I said let’s keep finding an alternate
I said let’s keep finding an alternate
I said let’s keep finding an alternate way if this road is blocked let’s go
way if this road is blocked let’s go
way if this road is blocked let’s go back and look at another way let’s look
back and look at another way let’s look
back and look at another way let’s look at another door let’s find another
at another door let’s find another
at another door let’s find another window for every door that shuts on you
window for every door that shuts on you
window for every door that shuts on you there’s another door that’ll open
there’s another door that’ll open
there’s another door that’ll open somewhere let’s look at that so I at
somewhere let’s look at that so I at
somewhere let’s look at that so I at least him one person who believes
least him one person who believes
least him one person who believes strongly don’t accept failure a lot of
strongly don’t accept failure a lot of
strongly don’t accept failure a lot of people do say to fail is good I say no
people do say to fail is good I say no
people do say to fail is good I say no to make mistakes is good because we
to make mistakes is good because we
to make mistakes is good because we learn from our mistakes but we don’t
learn from our mistakes but we don’t
learn from our mistakes but we don’t learn from saying I feel we learned from
learn from saying I feel we learned from
learn from saying I feel we learned from saying I made a mistake I made a choice
saying I made a mistake I made a choice
saying I made a mistake I made a choice one of my gurus actually said this to me
one of my gurus actually said this to me
one of my gurus actually said this to me once I said don’t you ever regret that
once I said don’t you ever regret that
once I said don’t you ever regret that you made a mistake he said no because at
you made a mistake he said no because at
you made a mistake he said no because at that time I spend a lot of energy in
that time I spend a lot of energy in
that time I spend a lot of energy in deciding how to make the decision I
deciding how to make the decision I
deciding how to make the decision I spend time I did some homework I thought
spend time I did some homework I thought
spend time I did some homework I thought I’d dwelt on what I’m doing and when I
I’d dwelt on what I’m doing and when I
I’d dwelt on what I’m doing and when I did all of that I knew that I was making
did all of that I knew that I was making
did all of that I knew that I was making a good choice if circumstances if other
a good choice if circumstances if other
a good choice if circumstances if other events if knowledge that I didn’t fully
events if knowledge that I didn’t fully
events if knowledge that I didn’t fully have or some other event makes that
have or some other event makes that
have or some other event makes that choice the wrong choice I still did the
choice the wrong choice I still did the
choice the wrong choice I still did the best by making that choice and I will
best by making that choice and I will
best by making that choice and I will still learn from that and go on to
still learn from that and go on to
still learn from that and go on to making a better choice next time but I
making a better choice next time but I
making a better choice next time but I will keep moving on so big part of what
will keep moving on so big part of what
will keep moving on so big part of what we’ve done in our 15 year journey that
we’ve done in our 15 year journey that
we’ve done in our 15 year journey that we’ve had at Ken kids is actually keep
we’ve had at Ken kids is actually keep
we’ve had at Ken kids is actually keep on trying if this doesn’t work shall we
on trying if this doesn’t work shall we
on trying if this doesn’t work shall we do this another way
do this another way
do this another way many many hospitals many many doctors
many many hospitals many many doctors
many many hospitals many many doctors didn’t understand social support in the
didn’t understand social support in the
didn’t understand social support in the beginning they didn’t understand what we
beginning they didn’t understand what we
beginning they didn’t understand what we were doing they didn’t understand why an
were doing they didn’t understand why an
were doing they didn’t understand why an NGO is needed when their doctor is there
NGO is needed when their doctor is there
NGO is needed when their doctor is there when there’s people available for
when there’s people available for
when there’s people available for treatment the government is giving
treatment the government is giving
treatment the government is giving funding but today where we stand
funding but today where we stand
funding but today where we stand in India people are beginning to
in India people are beginning to
in India people are beginning to understand the value not just of
understand the value not just of
understand the value not just of community service they’re beginning to
community service they’re beginning to
community service they’re beginning to understand the value of NGOs that really
understand the value of NGOs that really
understand the value of NGOs that really do step in and work in partnership with
do step in and work in partnership with
do step in and work in partnership with the government to make a change so we
the government to make a change so we
the government to make a change so we reached ten kids I come back to my
reached ten kids I come back to my
reached ten kids I come back to my little Bala story there were many people
little Bala story there were many people
little Bala story there were many people like the two Bala who actually got well
like the two Bala who actually got well
like the two Bala who actually got well who actually cared who actually then got
who actually cared who actually then got
who actually cared who actually then got inspired and they’re the helping hand
inspired and they’re the helping hand
inspired and they’re the helping hand that was lent to them resulted in them
that was lent to them resulted in them
that was lent to them resulted in them to beginning to reach out to others and
to beginning to reach out to others and
to beginning to reach out to others and holding the hands of others and so I
holding the hands of others and so I
holding the hands of others and so I want to talk to you about choices that
want to talk to you about choices that
want to talk to you about choices that may change all of us will make choices
may change all of us will make choices
may change all of us will make choices all the time sometimes even not making a
all the time sometimes even not making a
all the time sometimes even not making a choice is a choice it’s a choice not to
choice is a choice it’s a choice not to
choice is a choice it’s a choice not to do anything and every choice even the
do anything and every choice even the
do anything and every choice even the choice not to do anything make some
choice not to do anything make some
choice not to do anything make some change somewhere and if we understand
change somewhere and if we understand
change somewhere and if we understand that a big part of taking good choices
that a big part of taking good choices
that a big part of taking good choices making good decisions is about the
making good decisions is about the
making good decisions is about the change that we want to make and
change that we want to make and
change that we want to make and understanding what are the changes that
understanding what are the changes that
understanding what are the changes that we want to make yes of course the change
we want to make yes of course the change
we want to make yes of course the change that you want to make could be about
that you want to make could be about
that you want to make could be about having a better life having more money
having a better life having more money
having a better life having more money having better stitcher having a good
having better stitcher having a good
having better stitcher having a good career having a wonderful family all of
career having a wonderful family all of
career having a wonderful family all of those are important being healthy a big
those are important being healthy a big
those are important being healthy a big choice for young people today stay
choice for young people today stay
choice for young people today stay healthy look after your bodies exercise
healthy look after your bodies exercise
healthy look after your bodies exercise take care of yourself today for a future
take care of yourself today for a future
take care of yourself today for a future that is important both for you your
that is important both for you your
that is important both for you your children your family and society but
children your family and society but
children your family and society but there is another choice that I want to
there is another choice that I want to
there is another choice that I want to talk to you about and that is really
talk to you about and that is really
talk to you about and that is really about the fact that the world today
about the fact that the world today
about the fact that the world today needs all of us the world is full of
needs all of us the world is full of
needs all of us the world is full of causes India as I say a country of a
causes India as I say a country of a
causes India as I say a country of a billion people has a million different
billion people has a million different
billion people has a million different causes so pick a cause and make it yours
causes so pick a cause and make it yours
causes so pick a cause and make it yours that’s the bit that I want to talk about
that’s the bit that I want to talk about
that’s the bit that I want to talk about what is the change that you want to make
what is the change that you want to make
what is the change that you want to make can you consider changes that
can you consider changes that
can you consider changes that also talk about holding out a helping
also talk about holding out a helping
also talk about holding out a helping hand reach out to someone reach out and
hand reach out to someone reach out and
hand reach out to someone reach out and pick a cause and say this is the cause I
pick a cause and say this is the cause I
pick a cause and say this is the cause I want to work with become the biggest
want to work with become the biggest
want to work with become the biggest corporate somebody a CEO somewhere but
corporate somebody a CEO somewhere but
corporate somebody a CEO somewhere but remember – to give back remember about
remember – to give back remember about
remember – to give back remember about holding out that helping hand no matter
holding out that helping hand no matter
holding out that helping hand no matter how busy you get and young people today
how busy you get and young people today
how busy you get and young people today are very very busy you guys don’t have
are very very busy you guys don’t have
are very very busy you guys don’t have the luxuries we had of just running
the luxuries we had of just running
the luxuries we had of just running around the park or doing nothing or
around the park or doing nothing or
around the park or doing nothing or making collages to fill our summer you
making collages to fill our summer you
making collages to fill our summer you have classes you have prep classes you
have classes you have prep classes you
have classes you have prep classes you have extra classes you have to burn CDs
have extra classes you have to burn CDs
have extra classes you have to burn CDs you have to get to some fancy college
you have to get to some fancy college
you have to get to some fancy college somewhere our lives were simpler and
somewhere our lives were simpler and
somewhere our lives were simpler and more blameless your lives are tougher
more blameless your lives are tougher
more blameless your lives are tougher but even as you do all that and even as
but even as you do all that and even as
but even as you do all that and even as you succeed remember that real success
you succeed remember that real success
you succeed remember that real success comes from holding out that helping hand
even as you do even as you pick a cause
even as you do even as you pick a cause and I hope that each one over here I
and I hope that each one over here I
and I hope that each one over here I hope all of us understand that a
hope all of us understand that a
hope all of us understand that a difference in this country really comes
difference in this country really comes
difference in this country really comes from each one of us saying I will choose
from each one of us saying I will choose
from each one of us saying I will choose to make a difference and I will choose
to make a difference and I will choose
to make a difference and I will choose to make change so I chose to make change
to make change so I chose to make change
to make change so I chose to make change for childhood cancer in India I was
for childhood cancer in India I was
for childhood cancer in India I was joined by many many people we worked
joined by many many people we worked
joined by many many people we worked together we worked systematically we
together we worked systematically we
together we worked systematically we worked structurally we worked
worked structurally we worked
worked structurally we worked painstakingly we actually put in all of
painstakingly we actually put in all of
painstakingly we actually put in all of our effort hours and hours of it to say
our effort hours and hours of it to say
our effort hours and hours of it to say how do we do this better how do we grow
how do we do this better how do we grow
how do we do this better how do we grow how do we move outside Delhi to Patna to
how do we move outside Delhi to Patna to
how do we move outside Delhi to Patna to other towns to other cities and all
other towns to other cities and all
other towns to other cities and all across the country in different states
across the country in different states
across the country in different states today can kids runs change for childhood
today can kids runs change for childhood
today can kids runs change for childhood cancer in Punjab in uttar pradesh in
cancer in Punjab in uttar pradesh in
cancer in Punjab in uttar pradesh in rajasthan in west bengal in Tamilnadu
rajasthan in west bengal in Tamilnadu
rajasthan in west bengal in Tamilnadu but it does take work it takes teams it
but it does take work it takes teams it
but it does take work it takes teams it takes more and more like-minded people
takes more and more like-minded people
takes more and more like-minded people so if you choose to make a change and
so if you choose to make a change and
so if you choose to make a change and you decide to pick a cause do also make
you decide to pick a cause do also make
you decide to pick a cause do also make sure that you find
sure that you find
sure that you find like minded people to work with you
like minded people to work with you
like minded people to work with you because when you do like minded is when
because when you do like minded is when
because when you do like minded is when you can actually move forward no single
you can actually move forward no single
you can actually move forward no single person alone can ever make the change
person alone can ever make the change
person alone can ever make the change that I’m talking about you need other
that I’m talking about you need other
that I’m talking about you need other people you need a group of people you
people you need a group of people you
people you need a group of people you need a community of people who care and
need a community of people who care and
need a community of people who care and that then goes on to make real change I
want to talk to you about sustainable
want to talk to you about sustainable change change that lasts and choices
change change that lasts and choices
change change that lasts and choices that we make to ensure that change that
that we make to ensure that change that
that we make to ensure that change that had that change love in order to make
had that change love in order to make
had that change love in order to make sustainable change getting people
sustainable change getting people
sustainable change getting people together and growing people together is
together and growing people together is
together and growing people together is an important part of ensuring that the
an important part of ensuring that the
an important part of ensuring that the change that we make sustains over time
change that we make sustains over time
change that we make sustains over time as I said as you grow we grew we started
as I said as you grow we grew we started
as I said as you grow we grew we started in Delhi in 2004 today in 2017 we worked
in Delhi in 2004 today in 2017 we worked
in Delhi in 2004 today in 2017 we worked on India you need to build capacities a
on India you need to build capacities a
on India you need to build capacities a lot of capacity is learning training
lot of capacity is learning training
lot of capacity is learning training building other people up
building other people up
building other people up it’s about empowering and in that
it’s about empowering and in that
it’s about empowering and in that empowerment it’s about change
empowerment it’s about change
empowerment it’s about change so that’s writable ah today she’s 26
so that’s writable ah today she’s 26
so that’s writable ah today she’s 26 years old she is a cancer advocate she’s
years old she is a cancer advocate she’s
years old she is a cancer advocate she’s a cancer activist she works across the
a cancer activist she works across the
a cancer activist she works across the country she works in can kids with us
country she works in can kids with us
country she works in can kids with us she’s in your audience today
she’s in your audience today
she’s in your audience today and with her are many many other
and with her are many many other
and with her are many many other childhood cancer survivors who’ve joined
childhood cancer survivors who’ve joined
childhood cancer survivors who’ve joined themselves we gave them opportunities we
themselves we gave them opportunities we
themselves we gave them opportunities we gave them internships we encouraged them
gave them internships we encouraged them
gave them internships we encouraged them to come back and work for the cause that
to come back and work for the cause that
to come back and work for the cause that had helped them and mind you out of all
had helped them and mind you out of all
had helped them and mind you out of all of the ones on this page up here on the
of the ones on this page up here on the
of the ones on this page up here on the screen up here they are not from
screen up here they are not from
screen up here they are not from privileged backgrounds like ourselves
privileged backgrounds like ourselves
privileged backgrounds like ourselves but they have chosen to make that
but they have chosen to make that
but they have chosen to make that difference they’ve chosen to give back
difference they’ve chosen to give back
difference they’ve chosen to give back to the cause that helped them to survive
to the cause that helped them to survive
to the cause that helped them to survive and be here and gradually this wonderful
and be here and gradually this wonderful
and be here and gradually this wonderful movement is growing I want to tell you
movement is growing I want to tell you
movement is growing I want to tell you their story from last year because last
their story from last year because last
their story from last year because last year we decided that September being
year we decided that September being
year we decided that September being Childhood Cancer Month the Taj Mahal
Childhood Cancer Month the Taj Mahal
Childhood Cancer Month the Taj Mahal should go gold the gold ribbon is the
should go gold the gold ribbon is the
should go gold the gold ribbon is the color of childhood cancer when I wear a
color of childhood cancer when I wear a
color of childhood cancer when I wear a gold ribbon I honor a child with cancer
gold ribbon I honor a child with cancer
gold ribbon I honor a child with cancer and the family for the bravery and
and the family for the bravery and
and the family for the bravery and courage through their cancer journey and
courage through their cancer journey and
courage through their cancer journey and our young survivors went out and pinned
our young survivors went out and pinned
our young survivors went out and pinned ribbons on ministers or chief ministers
ribbons on ministers or chief ministers
ribbons on ministers or chief ministers on state a heads on whu-oh they raised
on state a heads on whu-oh they raised
on state a heads on whu-oh they raised pledges they’re raising 300,000 pledges
pledges they’re raising 300,000 pledges
pledges they’re raising 300,000 pledges one for each child faced with cancer
one for each child faced with cancer
one for each child faced with cancer anywhere in the world they’re going to
anywhere in the world they’re going to
anywhere in the world they’re going to take those 300 pledges 300,000 pledges
take those 300 pledges 300,000 pledges
take those 300 pledges 300,000 pledges up to the WHU or up to the prime
up to the WHU or up to the prime
up to the WHU or up to the prime minister they’re at a hundred and ten
minister they’re at a hundred and ten
minister they’re at a hundred and ten thousand pledges today the schools that
thousand pledges today the schools that
thousand pledges today the schools that have helped us the colleges that have
have helped us the colleges that have
have helped us the colleges that have helped us this school included have
helped us this school included have
helped us this school included have helped us to raise these pledges because
helped us to raise these pledges because
helped us to raise these pledges because they want childhood cancer to be a
they want childhood cancer to be a
they want childhood cancer to be a childhood priority so we made it to our
childhood priority so we made it to our
childhood priority so we made it to our grind we made it to the Taj Mahal and
grind we made it to the Taj Mahal and
grind we made it to the Taj Mahal and last year this time in September we had
last year this time in September we had
last year this time in September we had the first ever childhood cancer
the first ever childhood cancer
the first ever childhood cancer exhibition within the Taj Mahal complex
exhibition within the Taj Mahal complex
exhibition within the Taj Mahal complex we don’t know why we don’t know it never
we don’t know why we don’t know it never
we don’t know why we don’t know it never happened before that there was an
happened before that there was an
happened before that there was an exhibition like this but it happened it
exhibition like this but it happened it
exhibition like this but it happened it happened by the will of God we took
happened by the will of God we took
happened by the will of God we took 2,000 people children with cancer
2,000 people children with cancer
2,000 people children with cancer patients survivors who’d never seen the
patients survivors who’d never seen the
patients survivors who’d never seen the Taj Mahal to see the Taj the Taj went
Taj Mahal to see the Taj the Taj went
Taj Mahal to see the Taj the Taj went goal that’s Rita Bala childhood cancer
goal that’s Rita Bala childhood cancer
goal that’s Rita Bala childhood cancer leader and this is the power of making
leader and this is the power of making
leader and this is the power of making sustainable change the Taj listened to
sustainable change the Taj listened to
sustainable change the Taj listened to us in the Taj spoke and when the Todd
us in the Taj spoke and when the Todd
us in the Taj spoke and when the Todd speaks the world listens and this time
speaks the world listens and this time
speaks the world listens and this time the most beautiful monument of love in
the most beautiful monument of love in
the most beautiful monument of love in the world spoke for children with cancer
the world spoke for children with cancer
the world spoke for children with cancer and it said love cures cancer
and it said love cures cancer
and it said love cures cancer give the children the love life and the
give the children the love life and the
give the children the love life and the best treatment care support that they’d
best treatment care support that they’d
best treatment care support that they’d so rightly deserve so that sustainable
so rightly deserve so that sustainable
so rightly deserve so that sustainable change for you and I want to end by
change for you and I want to end by
change for you and I want to end by telling you that it’s not just a to Bala
telling you that it’s not just a to Bala
telling you that it’s not just a to Bala this last month we were in Punjab
this last month we were in Punjab
this last month we were in Punjab we were in a rally we had many more
we were in a rally we had many more
we were in a rally we had many more survivors join us you can see young
survivors join us you can see young
survivors join us you can see young Abhishek was also in the audience
Abhishek was also in the audience
Abhishek was also in the audience he is 20 years old he had acute myeloid
he is 20 years old he had acute myeloid
he is 20 years old he had acute myeloid leukemia a cancer with low prognosis and
leukemia a cancer with low prognosis and
leukemia a cancer with low prognosis and yet he had a bone marrow transplant and
yet he had a bone marrow transplant and
yet he had a bone marrow transplant and he has a will to live he has a will to
he has a will to live he has a will to
he has a will to live he has a will to change and he became a leader for the
change and he became a leader for the
change and he became a leader for the rally this year there are many more like
rally this year there are many more like
rally this year there are many more like these children and they have all come
these children and they have all come
these children and they have all come forward and there was that one moment in
forward and there was that one moment in
forward and there was that one moment in Punjab deep down in the south of the
Punjab deep down in the south of the
Punjab deep down in the south of the state of Punjab where we were at a bus
state of Punjab where we were at a bus
state of Punjab where we were at a bus stand ordered by the Deputy Commissioner
stand ordered by the Deputy Commissioner
stand ordered by the Deputy Commissioner to go raise awareness and the entire bus
to go raise awareness and the entire bus
to go raise awareness and the entire bus stand full of cars on the rally full of
stand full of cars on the rally full of
stand full of cars on the rally full of survivors full of parents of children
survivors full of parents of children
survivors full of parents of children with cancer with rallying sounds of go
with cancer with rallying sounds of go
with cancer with rallying sounds of go Gold India go Gold Punjab childhood
Gold India go Gold Punjab childhood
Gold India go Gold Punjab childhood cancer is curable and the sounds were
cancer is curable and the sounds were
cancer is curable and the sounds were those of the survivors it was a defining
those of the survivors it was a defining
those of the survivors it was a defining moment for me it was a Kodak moment
moment for me it was a Kodak moment
moment for me it was a Kodak moment because in that moment I knew that there
because in that moment I knew that there
because in that moment I knew that there was now a whole force of young childhood
was now a whole force of young childhood
was now a whole force of young childhood cancer survivors across the country who
cancer survivors across the country who
cancer survivors across the country who had taken on the cause and owned the
had taken on the cause and owned the
had taken on the cause and owned the cause as theirs we have made sustainable
cause as theirs we have made sustainable
cause as theirs we have made sustainable change so thank you very much for having
change so thank you very much for having
change so thank you very much for having me here today
me here today
me here today thank you for understanding what it is
thank you for understanding what it is
thank you for understanding what it is to explore what it is to discover what
to explore what it is to discover what
to explore what it is to discover what it is to grow and most importantly the
it is to grow and most importantly the
it is to grow and most importantly the complete utter joy of empowerment that
complete utter joy of empowerment that
complete utter joy of empowerment that in fact exchange
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