Women Social entrepreneurship is vital for our future. Collectively we can make a change by closing the gap between men and women in the workforce.
entrepreneurs are those adventurous, daredevils who drive deep into the pressing problems of society and try to find solutions to them, not by leaving the responsibilities in the reins of the government or business, but by trying to change systems as a whole and persuading societies to take new initiatives
In our Inner Wheel Social Entrepreneur series in this episode we are introducing you a very dynamic and popular face of International Inner Wheel Dist.318 who always believes in Women Empowerment and social entrepreneurship . Yes we are talking about Pushpa Gururaj District Chairman of Inner Wheel District 318 , she shared her Inner Wheel Journey with Hello Womeniya.com Correspondent Priyanka Yadav
Hello Womeniya : Please share your first reaction and feeling on being District Chairman of IW District 318:-
Pushpa Gururaj : I was very happy to be chosen as the 52nd District Chairman and 13th Chairman from my home club – Inner Wheel club of Mysore for the year 2021-22. DC’s post is the highest position at the district level and a very very responsible post where all the eyes shall be on us. I had only one point in mind that, i never wanted neither our District, nor my clubs and members face any problem because of my wrong decisions or because of my negligence / ignorance. Actually, we will be knowing and mentally prepared for taking over as the Chairman of our Inner wheel District. I have to explain that there will be 8 posts in the District Administrative system. one will enter the District through election for the starting post. After that it is through the ladder system we take other posts (based on the seniority of entering the District) till we reach Chairman’s post. Even though after knowing, when the committee announced me as the Chairman for the year 2021-22, excitement was there with fear to take up the responsibility along with a thought that I should keep up the expectations of my members. It’s a very big but beautiful responsibility, which gives us lot of exposure to the new world around us. Going through all the posts was like a very good training for me before taking over as the Chairman. I really enjoyed every post which gave me lot of courage. More than anything i got beautiful friends with lot of memories to cherish throughout my life.
Hello Womeniya : What will be your priority in the growth of Your District?
Pushpa Gururaj : Our organization’s main motto is Friendship & Service. Society always expects something good from organizations like Inner Wheel. People watch our activities. I always advise/request members to be friendly, should maintain a healthy relationship with all the members and spread happiness in the society through service projects. Happy & Healthy clubs attract more members. Doing projects with care concern through which spreading happiness in the society is the priority. If we can achieve this, definitely growth is there. And ofcourse Serving the needy is the main criteria. Our clubs are doing wonderful projects as always. As this year’s theme says PINK FIRST, Women Empowerment is on the top priority. Giving priority to projects under Earth Care and Eradication of social Evils.
Hello Womeniya : What are the current challenges your District is facing due to this post-pandemic?
Pushpa Gururaj : Very sorry to say that we lost many friends due to this pandemic. That’s a great loss to their respective families and to our organization also. We are still in the pandemic situation only. (First wave, 2nd wave, 3rd wave …). I can say more of the positive side of this pandemic. All meetings /Functions are happening, but virtual. Each and every member is trying to adopt /update themselves with the latest technology. Now we know how to organize important Club / District functions virtually in an effective manner sitting comfortably at our places, saving a lot of time and energy. in addition to this, we are also learning many new things by attending Zoom / Google meets organized by any club from any any corner of the world. By this we are exposed to many new concepts and ideas without any efforts. (for this we should thank Pandemic)Sometimes we feel sad for not able to meet friends physically. But health is the priority now. So we should have patience to pass this bad weather. But all the clubs are continuing with their regular projects. Lot of help and support has been given for the COVID patients and their families.
Hello Womeniya : What is your future agenda to solve these problems?
Pushpa Gururaj : (Thinking that your question is about pandemic) We don’t want to lose any more members. So for that, we are following all COVID protocols. Requesting members to stay safe at home and to take care of their & their family’s health by following all COVID standard operating procedures. Other than this, absolutely we don’t have any problem. Everything is happening as it is. Yes, we are not meeting but. This is a temporary situation. Most importantly we cannot have an agenda to solve this Pandemic problem. We cannot do that. Instead, we are just creating awareness in society to stay safe and helping needy people whenever or wherever the need for service arises.
Hello Womeniya : Share your Inner Wheel journey with us.
Pushpa Gururaj : I joined the Inner Wheel Club of Mysore in 1990 when my husband Gururaj ( he is a past District Governor of RI District 3180) Joined Rotary Mysore. I have been actively involved in all my club as well as district activities. I have taken all the posts at the Club/District level before taking over as the Chairman. I am very much interested in organizing, conducting, executing programs/functions at the club and District levels. Would love to do Master of Ceremonies for conferences & functions., Totally I can say that Inner Wheel Organisation has shaped my personality, and i have grown with Inner Wheel. I have a lot of friends all over the globe through this Organisation. Most importantly I have learned a lot by observing things.
Hello Womeniya : Could you please share your lockdown experience and how your District performed during this difficult time.
Pushpa Gururaj : This was a universal problem. no complaints. Most of the things converted virtual. no regrets.. But was feeling very sad when hear the sad news from our close associates. Clubs were carrying out their regular program depending on the local requirements including providing Oxygen concentrators
Hello Womeniya : What is your appeal and message to Inner Wheel women ? ( we should say, Inner Wheel members).
Pushpa Gururaj : I strongly believe that there is no meaning in being just an Inner Wheel member. If any member really wants to see a change in them, they should involve themselves in all the activities of the club/district, understand the motto, rules & regulations, protocols of this organization. We should learn to adopt the changes. Actually this is an important part of this organization. With these protocols, we are different from any other ladies’ organization. All members Should adopt them and follow them. We should not change any of the rules and regulations according to our convenience. So be an active inner wheel member with involvement & commitment by adopting changes whenever /wherever necessary.
Hello Womeniya : Do you agree this pandemic brought a lot of changes in our personal and professional life?
Pushpa Gururaj : Yes Of course. Change is inevitable. We should adopt changes to grow. otherwise, we become stagnant. I believe that stagnant is not good for any individual or for an organization.
Hello Womeniya : Can you highlight some important service projects you did during this pandemic:
Pushpa Gururaj : We would have given some set goals by our leaders. This year Our International Inner Wheel President has given the theme as “Pink first” – Women helping Women. Based on this our Association President (National Leader) has also given goals as “SHEROES” – Empowering Women – Securing lives. Under this we cover everything like Women Empowerment which is the main focus, Health, hygiene & Happiness, Education, Earth care, E – Learning, Eradication of social Evils, Medical help, and adopting Govt. Schools to make it happy place to learn for the students by providing necessary requirements. We do projects for special and physically handicap, and for oldage people by spending some quality time with them other than donating groceries, medicines etc.
Hello Womeniya : Being a Social entrepreneur what is your goal and vision for the upliftment of society.
Pushpa Gururaj : We Inner Wheel members had joined our hands with Rotary world over for the eradication of Polio. After that, worked along with Rotarians under TEACH program uner Rotary India Literacy Mission, which aims to work towards total literacy and quality education in India. This year mainly concentrating on Stree Shakti – enabling women entrepreneurs.
We would like to join our hands with Government organisations for the upliftment of the society. Mainly to eradicate Social Evils of our country like, Illiteracy, poverty, drug abuse, domestic violence. want to increase female literacy rate. I only hope that government /leaders who are ruling us should make very strict rules and immediate punishment should be given to the victims and the law breakers. People should think 100 times before committing mistakes.
Brief Introduction of International Inner Wheel :
International Inner Wheel is an international women’s Social organisation to create friendship, service and understanding. It has clubs in over 100 countries with over 100,000 members.IWC has very strong presence in India. It has more than 3000 thousands clubs in Urban and rural India. Since the Covid 19 Pandemic breaks out Inner wheel club launched charity campaign worldwide. In our Inner wheel Social entrepreneur series in this Episode we are introducing very popular face of IWC, she doesn’t need any kind of Introduction.
About District 318 :
District Chairman (for 2021-2022)
Pushpa Gururaj :
Born & brought up in Bangalore. Graduated from RV College Bangalore with Psychology as a major subject. Was active in Sports, Dance, Drama, Singing from the School days. Represented Karnataka State and Bangalore University at National level Volley Ball Tournaments. Enacted in many dramas and won best acting awards in Intercollegiate Drama Competitions. Became a Mysurian after my marriage with Gururaj. S, an Educationist and an Industrialist. He is a member of Rotary Mysore and Past District Governor of RI District 3180. Daughter Charulatha married to Dr. Adithya, Professor in Georgia Tech University, Atlanta, USA. Grandsons – Anish & Sidhanth Son Shishir completed his masters. Now doing his MS in Drexel University, philadelphia, US. I have been a member of IWC of Mysore since 32 years. I have keen interest in organizing, conducting and participating in all programs and events. Take lot of interest in doing Master of Ceremonies for our Conferences. Very much interested in learning new things to enhance my knowledge. Enjoyed responsibility of each post in the Club & the District level. Love to be amongst friends’ company. I always try retaining friends and their Friendship and look for something to learn from each one. Free time is spent in our Educational Institution in looking after the administration. Travelling, knowing anything which I can adopt is the most interesting part of my life. Listening light music, Singing along with Karaoke is the main stress buster. Interested in learning new traditional dishes. Enjoy playing outdoor games. Trust is the basic factor for any friendship or relationship. So I trust everyone.
