For a Better Tomorrow: Interview With Laavnaya Kaushik, Founder of NGO, Folks & Us
For the Sake of Argument Correspondent, Tripti Pandey, catches up with Ms. Laavnaya Kaushik. This young lady has already been running a NGO and making difference to lives of many around her daily. And she is only 19.!
Tripti (T): Please
introduce yourself to readers.
introduce yourself to readers.
Laavnaya Kaushik (L) : I am one of you. I am 20yrs old with same
work as you, and the same dream as any of you have. I am Laavnaya Kaushik, but I am one of you. Profile wise I have been
running an NGO FOLKS AND US FOUNDATION for the past four years apart from being a third year law student who aspires to make a change.
work as you, and the same dream as any of you have. I am Laavnaya Kaushik, but I am one of you. Profile wise I have been
running an NGO FOLKS AND US FOUNDATION for the past four years apart from being a third year law student who aspires to make a change.
(T): How
did you come up with such an idea?
did you come up with such an idea?
(L): I had gone for conference to the United States and
there we visited the United Nation headquarters and they had a slogan that read,“Think Globally, Act Locally”. Being on an international forum you realise where
you stand as representative of a country and that’s when I decided I should try
and help build our country
there we visited the United Nation headquarters and they had a slogan that read,“Think Globally, Act Locally”. Being on an international forum you realise where
you stand as representative of a country and that’s when I decided I should try
and help build our country
(T): Still
four years back, you were in school, so running a NGO and making one would have
been difficult choice to make. You already had your studies to handle. What motivated you?
four years back, you were in school, so running a NGO and making one would have
been difficult choice to make. You already had your studies to handle. What motivated you?
(L): Ever since I was a kid my parents always asked
me to push my boundaries and the faith my sister had in me gave me confidence.
Plus 16-18yrs is the age where we have this new found energy which has to be
channelized in the right direction and I guess that’s what I tried to do.
(T): What
has been your biggest obstacle so far?
has been your biggest obstacle so far?
(L): In the beginning the biggest obstacle was
to be taken seriously. After all I was 16yrs old and I had people relying on
me.
to be taken seriously. After all I was 16yrs old and I had people relying on
me.
(T): How
do you manage studies, college and your work?
do you manage studies, college and your work?
(L): The key is to prioritise and manage your
time well. I would be kidding if I say it’s easy if you are dedicated there’s
always time for everything. Having an everyday to do list
for long term plans has always helped me.
time well. I would be kidding if I say it’s easy if you are dedicated there’s
always time for everything. Having an everyday to do list
for long term plans has always helped me.
(T): Where
do you wish to be in next 8 years?
do you wish to be in next 8 years?
(L): Umm,. I wish to be in the Forbes list would
pursue being a successful lawyer but at the same time like a mother cannot give
up on her child, folks and us will always have a special place in my life.
pursue being a successful lawyer but at the same time like a mother cannot give
up on her child, folks and us will always have a special place in my life.
(T): …And
what bout Folks and Us?
what bout Folks and Us?
(L): I really wish and hope in coming 8 years, Folks and Us would have affected and brought change in life of 20% people of
India.
India.
(T): There may be many who might have tried to do what you did, but they were never able to motivate themselves enough. A message for those readers?
(L): Find the one thing that matters to you that
you believe in and put your heart and soul in it. It’s your life, take charge.
you believe in and put your heart and soul in it. It’s your life, take charge.
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