About the Trust
“The Power of One” was registered in 2016, with its website going live on October 11, 2016, an auspicious day of Dussehra. It is a non-profit charitable trust dedicated to the cause of education. The Trust is the dream project of Prasad Narayan, based in Pune, India. Like many, Prasad has always extended a helping hand to the poor and the needy. But he dreamt of creating an initiative that could make a far larger and lasting impact. The Power of One was born from that vision.
Prasad often wondered: Why should funds only be raised when calamity strikes? Why should financial aid for an individual depend on contributions from just a handful of people? Most importantly, in lieu of maximum funds coming from NGOs, charitable trusts, organizations, businessmen and other individuals, why can’t all the tax payers come forward and join hands in helping the poor and the needy? If every taxpayer contributes just ₹1 a day and continues this throughout the year, that’s ₹365 per person. This amount is unlikely to strain anyone’s pocket. In fact, it might even be less than what many already donate annually. To put it in perspective, it is far less than what we spend on a single buffet or a hearty meal. Yet, collectively, such small contributions can create an enormous impact.
This is Prasad’s most ambitious project to date. Over the years, he has witnessed many bright young students abandon their studies simply because their families could not support them financially. Some were forced to take up small jobs at a young age to help make ends meet at home. In the process, they lost the chance to earn a degree and with it, the opportunity to build a secure and promising future.
Prasad confesses that it is Mahatma Gandhi’s timeless quote “Be the change that you wish to see in the world” that inspired him to take up this noble cause and turn his vision into reality.
Inspirational stories...
- Gritty slum girl overcomes odds to crack CA exam at one go http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/pune/Gritty-slum-girl-overcomes-odds-to-crack-CA-exam-at-one-go/articleshow/53348375.cms
- The overall literacy rate in the country may have gone up to 74.4%, but the drop in the illiteracy rate has not matched the increase in population. For further details, please visit: http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/Literacy-rate-up-but-so-is-illiteracy/articleshow/50749744.cms
- 18-year-old Kolkata slum boy scripts IIT success story http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/kolkata/18-year-old-Kolkata-slum-boy-scripts-IIT-success-story/articleshow/47858412.cms And the list could go on and on.
Thought behind the Trust
After the horrific terrorist attacks in Mumbai in November 2008, I felt compelled to pen my thoughts. The following letter was published in the Pune Mirror, reflecting my anguish and hope during that difficult time:
Later, Prasad shared this idea with a few people, but nothing concrete materialized. Still, the thought never left his mind. A couple of years ago, he was deeply moved by the struggles of a poor family striving to educate their daughter, a girl with an outstanding academic record. Though he stepped in to support her financially, Prasad realized that one individual alone can only do so much.
According to http://wealth18.com/number-of-income-tax-payers-in-india/, in a population of 1.2 billion people, there are only about 35 million taxpayers in India. If every taxpayer contributed just ₹1 per day, we could collect ₹35 million daily. Even if only 1/10th of taxpayers participate, the collection would still amount to ₹3.5 million (₹35 lakhs) per day. And if the number is further reduced to just 3,500 contributors per day, the total collection in a month would still reach a healthy ₹1 lakh, enough to provide education for several deserving students.
One rupee may seem almost worthless today. If a shopkeeper doesn’t have one-rupee change, we hardly notice. Yet, that same one rupee donated day after day, week after week, month after month, and year after year can transform countless lives for the better when given to a noble cause.
Many NGOs often set a minimum contribution, usually to meet a specific need. There have been times when I myself have refrained from donating simply because I couldn’t pay the expected amount in one go. I believe this highlights a key problem: charity should be left to the discretion of the individual. I do not want people to see The Power of One as just another run-of-the-mill organization asking for money. Instead, I envision it as a systematic approach to giving, much like SIP investments, where small, consistent contributions can collectively create a lasting impact.
It’s not about ideas. It’s about making ideas happen. As Steve Jobs famously said, “If you are working on something exciting that you really care about, you don’t have to be pushed. The vision pulls you”
The 80-20 Rule
Many of us may have heard of Joseph Juran’s 80-20 rule. In economics, it suggests that 80% of a country’s wealth is controlled by 20% of the population. In organizations, it is observed that 20% of employees are responsible for 80% of a company’s output, and 20% of customers account for 80% of revenues. More generally, the 80-20 rule states that 80% of outcomes can be traced to 20% of causes. In business, this principle helps managers identify critical issues and focus on the key 20% of factors that drive the majority of results.
Of course, these are not rigid facts or rules that everyone must agree upon. Whether it’s 80/20 or 60/40, it’s safe to say that a smaller percentage of contributors often creates a disproportionately large impact. When it comes to charity, the same principle may apply: fewer people may be donating, and those who do contribute may be giving a larger portion of the total funds.
The Power of One aims to change this perception. It doesn’t ask people to donate large sums, just ₹1 a day. Its goal is to involve the common person and make them an active contributor to a social cause. Donors are encouraged to spread the word within their circles be it family, friends, acquaintances or colleagues. Each contribution will be directly used to educate a deserving individual, someone who may even be known to you, yet genuinely requires financial assistance.
United States President Harry Truman had the famous inscription on his desk:
Likewise, education is our collective responsibility and we should not pass the buck to NGOs, organizations, or a handful of high-net-worth individuals to shoulder this duty alone.