Aug 10: A MBA degree from IIM Ahemdabad is in the wish list of many ambitious youngsters as it is considered as a passport to a successful career. Imagine, you come across someone who has this degree but shuns it all, including a well paid job within eight months of joining the corporate sector in order to do something that gave him real satisfaction. Yes, Ravi Gulati, who graduated from IIM-A gave up his lucrative career because he was not happy with what he was doing. He left his job in Canada and came back to India and began to teach underprivileged children, drop outs children of government schools and even mentally challenged children and children of barbers, maids, drivers etc. 

Though he wanted to work in a rural area he was compelled to stay back as two poor children of his locality were in need of tuitions from him. He then realized teaching children is what he liked the most. From two children to start with the number grew to 20 thus laying a strong foundation for “Manzil”. Ravi was teaching these children from his home in Khan’s market in New Delhi, which slowly became a home cum school for his students. 

Manzil, which Ravi Gulati started with his mother Dr Geetha Chopra, in 1996 is a non-profit organization providing succor to youth belonging to the deprived sections of the society. Through Manzil Ravi helps them to become independent by teaching them to learn, teach, be creative and see the world in an entirely new perspective. The work he does gives him real happiness and that really made the difference to Ravi. While teaching these children he realized that working in urban India is as important as in rural India because ultimately it benefits the society. As a teacher he does not want to don the role of a teacher alone but a mentor and guide as well. Initially Ravi used to teach only English and Mathematics to a few students. When their numbers began to swell they made an arrangement where old students were required to teach the new ones. Ravi says he wants his students to be teachers first so that they learn better in the process of teaching. “In my class every student is a teacher and every teacher is a student. These role reversals has been the hallmark of our organization”, Ravi declares. 

Apart from providing curriculum based education Manzil encourages its students to think creatively and positively. The students of Manzil are provided mentorship, guidance, counseling and an active involvement in productive work. Ravi believes that this training would help the students to allay negative thoughts beseeching them. Rather he wants to encourage them to thin and concentrate on important issues such as education, values, attitudes, health care discipline and the environment around them. 

The children of Manzil numbering more than 150 are happy that they are living in a new milieu where they are encouraged to think independently and are treated like individuals. Manzil also encourages them to take part in various events – cultural, social and other explorative actions that helps develop their personality. Children also visit trade faires, book fairs, exhibitions and other cultural centers to broaden their outlook. 

In return Ravi does not expect anything from these children whom he helps to become good human beings and successful people in their own little ways. “I don’t expect the kids to pay me back but pay it forward”. He feels there is nothing unusual in what he has been doing. “I am doing what I want to do, what I like to do. The work I am doing now gives me complete satisfaction and that is what matters to me”, Ravi says as a matter of fact. At the same time he clearly makes a different between doing a job that makes you happy and a job that benefits the society at large. 

Apart from the home turned learning centre at Khan Market there is another centre of Manzil at Kotla Mubarakapuar, a slum area. This centre which has more than 50 students aged 2-5 concentrates basically on providing preschool education, adult education and counseling for parents. The children are taught to pre-writing and pre-math concepts in a methodical manner so that they get a very good foundation. Children are provided activities aimed at physical, intellectual and creative growth. Ravi’s major concern has been the growing inequality in education between public and private schools. He is also concerned about the present education system which he feels harms them killing the very spirit of asking questions. 

The initiative to adult education includes teaching basic reading and writing skills and mathematics skills to youth aged 15-25. They are also taught self-employment skills like tailoring, embroidery etc., so that they can have many avenues for income generation. Apart from training in different spheres of life counseling is provided for normal and mentally challenged children. Manzil also assists these students in securing decent jobs and some children have succeeded in getting jobs beyond their expectations. Manzil is being funded by Ravi Galati and his family and some friends chip in with financial support every now and then. Occasionally it gets some funding from other institutions. 

It is indeed heartening to note that we have amidst us youngsters like Ravi Gulati who are in search of satisfaction from doing things that are helpful society. It is also very satisfying to note that Ravi’s family is fully supporting him and is also backing him in his mission of helping the society. We in India are definitely in need of more people like him and not some filthy rich who flagrantly exhibit their wealth by building a 27-storey residence for themselves.