Karthee vidya C is the founder and first volunteer of Team Everest. He started Team Everest in 2006 when he was 22 years old. He is a simple guy with a dream of promoting volunteering in the world. He believes in volunteering because it is selfless.
What made you to start this journey and what was your inspiration?
I came across both shades of people during my childhood. Their standard of living was very different. Kids from rural and urban areas had vast changes in all aspects. This affected me immensely during my school days. So I started thinking about the poverty and tried to find a solution. After my graduation, I, along with my friends sharing same thoughts, initiated “TEAM EVEREST” to help the needy. My parents are my first inspiration and I also follow Mahatma, Mother Teresa, Abdul Kalam and Sachin.
What makes you stand out from others?
I don’t think I am unique. Basically everyone chases their own passion. Finding your passion is one thing, following it, is another. So according to me, whoever chases his passion and finds victory in it, they are considered unique.
What is the toughest feedback you have ever received and what did you learn from it?
I don’t remember any particular feedback but basically, I am the kind of person who believes completely in growth factor and learning from the past. If I am 1% better than yesterday, I will consider that I am improving.
When have you been most satisfied and which/what/who is your biggest enemy?
I think the day with no social service is the day I rest. I strongly believe that I should make someone happy everyday and that is the most satisfied moment I would like to cherish. Sometimes I overload myself with several tasks to accomplish which leads to loss of energy and diverts me from all my other duties. I consider this as my biggest enemy which kills my entire time. To be successful concentrate on one work at a time, complete it and go for the next. This is what I would like to say to all.
Everything is not based on tons of salaries. As Mahatma Gandhi says “The world has enough for everyone’s need, but not enough for everyone’s greed” and salary is also such a thing. The definition for need of money is what you define.
How can social entrepreneurs attract talent when there aren’t high salaries and options? Since you have quit your well-paid job in Cognizant.
Which specific bit makes you most worried about the society i.e. trying to improve/ change?
I have a dream that each one should volunteer at least once in a month. I believe that volunteering is the second purest form of love after mother’s love. Do something for the society without expecting anything in return. This is the change I would like to see in every individual. This is what our 12/365 concept defines i.e. if you are spending a day in a month volunteering consciously, then you are giving 12 days for a year.
What were some of the biggest lessons that have impacted the way that you work?
The biggest lessons which I have learnt from my mentors are some of the management skills. Since being a social worker it is very essential to concentrate on several things starting from managing the time. ‘How to facilitate a change?’ is the thing I am learning now, which is simply called as Change Management. This skill which I am acquiring now gives me a hand in my work and impacts me greatly.
What are the largest challenges of starting up a NGO?
The major thing is you need to be committed. People are passionate about things but passion and commitment differs. If you have more passion it will automatically get converted to commitment. Acquiring skills for initiating a venture is the second most important thing one should possess. Lack of skills will be a complete disaster. So commitment and skill sets are the two largest challenges that every NGO faces.
What is the one inspiring thing that you want to tell the next generation about social entrepreneurship?
Again, it’s a request to start volunteering once a month. It gives you lot of satisfaction and happiness. I always wanted to spread the magic of volunteerism among the next generation.