World of Difference is Vodafone's flagship Program across the globe.In this Program Vodafone allows their employees to donate their time and skills to a Social Service organisation for 8 weeks.In this year 2014-15,Vodafone has selected 50 Employees from India after a rigorous selection process.
I, Ankit Jain is one among the 50 winners of the World of Difference Program for 2014-15.It was a dream come true for me,as I always wants to work for a NGO but the busy life in IT didn't allowed me to live my dream.On 16th Dec 2014,I got a mail from Vodafone Foundation that I am selected for the Programme and my assigned NGO is Mahila Housing Trust (MHT) based out of Ahmedabad.
On 16th Jan 2015,We all left from our base locations to the WoD launch event at Delhi.The 3-day event was held at the beautiful TERI Resort.I took the morning 11 AM flight from Pune to Delhi and was one of the few to first check-in into the resort.We were warmly welcomed by Mr.Satya Suresh Mekala of Vodafone Foundation.I was surprised with Satya,as he memorized the names of all 50 winners and used to call us with our names in the very first meeting.
After the brief check-in procedure,I settled in my room and took a quick nap, as we all have to gather in the evening for the photo shoot.At the time of Photo shoot,almost all the winners were arrived after braving the delays in their flights due to fog in delhi skies.The plan of evening was very light with a discussion over dinner with NGO peoples.We all had detailed discussions with the NGO Peoples and with each other.This evening had created a very good base for the action to be performed for over next 8 weeks.
Next 2 days were very well planned by dasra (our implementation Partner) full of informational sessions,group discussions and team building activities.At the end of second day,on 18th Jan the main launch event was planned.This day was one of the most memorable days of my life,as we were treated like stars at this event.The event venue was beautifully designed with posters of winners well placed at the entrance.The event was attended by who's who of Vodafone in India with CEO Marten Pieters,HR Director Ashok Ramchandran,Vodafone foundation head Rohit Adya in attendance.
The event was concluded with a lavish dinner hosted by Mr.Marten Peiters. We all enjoyed this event and partied till late night.
The next day 19th Jan,We all have to leave to our respective locations to work for the assigned NGO's. We six designated for Ahmedabad left by evening Indigo flight and reach the historical city of Ahmedabad. The city was not new to me as I did my engineering from the near by Gandhinagar.
I was quite amazed as I was going to Ahmedabad after a decade.The city seems to be completely changed at least from the windows of the plane while landing.The Airport was extra-ordinary sparkling as the Vibrant Gujarat summit was just concluded.The first thing,I did was to collect the pamphlets of tourist places of Gujarat from the Tourism desk at airport.
We readily book prepaid cabs to reach the Vodafone guesthouse situated at posh Navrangpura on C.G.Road.On the way,I tried to relive the roads that I used to venture a decade back.We have received by the caretaker of the Guest House Ram Bhai and readily got settled in the assigned rooms.
After freshen up ,we all took the dinner of Fulka,Dal and sabzi which was quite tasty prepared by Ram Bhai. We retired early to the bed as we have to report to our respective NGO's next morning to start the journey of 8 weeks.
Week 1: The day started with a spark in our eyes with a motto of making a world of difference.I with my partner Deepika started from the guest house and I raised my hand to stop an auto but in place of an auto,a bike comes from no where and hit me at my hand and as a result my Tag-Heuer watch felled on the ground and immediately I realized that I am in Ahmedabad.The city is also synonymous with rash driving.
I, Ankit Jain is one among the 50 winners of the World of Difference Program for 2014-15.It was a dream come true for me,as I always wants to work for a NGO but the busy life in IT didn't allowed me to live my dream.On 16th Dec 2014,I got a mail from Vodafone Foundation that I am selected for the Programme and my assigned NGO is Mahila Housing Trust (MHT) based out of Ahmedabad.
On 16th Jan 2015,We all left from our base locations to the WoD launch event at Delhi.The 3-day event was held at the beautiful TERI Resort.I took the morning 11 AM flight from Pune to Delhi and was one of the few to first check-in into the resort.We were warmly welcomed by Mr.Satya Suresh Mekala of Vodafone Foundation.I was surprised with Satya,as he memorized the names of all 50 winners and used to call us with our names in the very first meeting.
After the brief check-in procedure,I settled in my room and took a quick nap, as we all have to gather in the evening for the photo shoot.At the time of Photo shoot,almost all the winners were arrived after braving the delays in their flights due to fog in delhi skies.The plan of evening was very light with a discussion over dinner with NGO peoples.We all had detailed discussions with the NGO Peoples and with each other.This evening had created a very good base for the action to be performed for over next 8 weeks.
Next 2 days were very well planned by dasra (our implementation Partner) full of informational sessions,group discussions and team building activities.At the end of second day,on 18th Jan the main launch event was planned.This day was one of the most memorable days of my life,as we were treated like stars at this event.The event venue was beautifully designed with posters of winners well placed at the entrance.The event was attended by who's who of Vodafone in India with CEO Marten Pieters,HR Director Ashok Ramchandran,Vodafone foundation head Rohit Adya in attendance.
The event was concluded with a lavish dinner hosted by Mr.Marten Peiters. We all enjoyed this event and partied till late night.
The next day 19th Jan,We all have to leave to our respective locations to work for the assigned NGO's. We six designated for Ahmedabad left by evening Indigo flight and reach the historical city of Ahmedabad. The city was not new to me as I did my engineering from the near by Gandhinagar.
I was quite amazed as I was going to Ahmedabad after a decade.The city seems to be completely changed at least from the windows of the plane while landing.The Airport was extra-ordinary sparkling as the Vibrant Gujarat summit was just concluded.The first thing,I did was to collect the pamphlets of tourist places of Gujarat from the Tourism desk at airport.
We readily book prepaid cabs to reach the Vodafone guesthouse situated at posh Navrangpura on C.G.Road.On the way,I tried to relive the roads that I used to venture a decade back.We have received by the caretaker of the Guest House Ram Bhai and readily got settled in the assigned rooms.
After freshen up ,we all took the dinner of Fulka,Dal and sabzi which was quite tasty prepared by Ram Bhai. We retired early to the bed as we have to report to our respective NGO's next morning to start the journey of 8 weeks.
Week 1: The day started with a spark in our eyes with a motto of making a world of difference.I with my partner Deepika started from the guest house and I raised my hand to stop an auto but in place of an auto,a bike comes from no where and hit me at my hand and as a result my Tag-Heuer watch felled on the ground and immediately I realized that I am in Ahmedabad.The city is also synonymous with rash driving.
