You are a successful investment banker on the Wall Street. What makes youwork for Asha for Education?
I'm personally very interested in India. My desire is to somehow becomeinvolved in some of the issues that India faces. Education is very importantto me and since Asha for Education is an action group for basic education inIndia, it attracted me. Looking at the problems and issues that India faces,Asha for Education is a good way to get some funds from the US. It's a groupof very enthusiastic, young and energetic people. Therefore, it's veryattractive for somebody looking for something to get involved in.

What about the other volunteers of Asha for Education? Are they alsoprofessionals like you?
Yes, they're all professionals or students-people in IT, finance, PhDs,undergraduates. The group started in 1991 at the University of California,Berkeley. And it was started by some students who had come from India andwho desired to give back. Purely because of a few individuals, Asha has nowestablished itself all over the US.

What draws us all together is the desire to really give back. And the causeis children's education in India.

But why only Asha, why not any other organisation?
Children's education, for which Asha works, is a very noble cause. Also, thephilosophy of Asha is good. It's a very flat organisation-there's nohierarchy. It's totally up to an individual to participate in a project ornot.

Another important factor is that in terms of the overhead costs, it's paidby the members themselves. For instance, any donation that Asha gets totallygoes to the cause and the projects-100 per cent. So, when the money concernis not there, you get people who are really interested in doing things for acause.

When you say you're involved in Asha, does it mean monetary help ormore?
It's more than mere money. Of course, anyone who donates is appreciated. Butthere are two major functions. One is fund-raising which involves doingcultural events, etc. The second thing is identifying projects. That processis very interesting because we don't do the projects ourselves. Rather, weidentify people who are doing it in India. So when I say I'm involved inAsha, it's mostly fundraising. Like in April 1999, we had `Cultural Bahar' -an Indian musical concert. Around 600 tickets were sold and all the moneywent towards Asha for Education projects. Then there was Spice Week, forwhich we got together 12 Indian restaurants. The money raised from SpiceWeek also went to these projects.

Are Indians in the US interested in such events?
It's interesting because there are two groups. There are some people wholeave India and leave it behind. Then there's another group who have asocial conscience. So it's the people in the second group who have a desireto do something for India.

Often Indians go abroad and get into social development activities.Why?
I don't think I'm qualified to make that judgement given that I grew up inthe US. Having spoken to people who come to the US from India, I feel thereis a sense that an individual makes a big difference in the US. It's a veryindividualistic society. There are good points and bad points about it. Toomuch individualism is selfishness. But in some sense if you have a socialconscience, it can lead to social benefit for the society.

Does an Asha member have to make a certain contribution?
In terms of financial contribution, there's no fixed amount. Also, my workschedule demands that I travel a lot. So my participation in Asha is erraticsometimes. But nobody in Asha is critical about that. For instance, I'vebeen away from Asha for the past six months. But nobody would grudge that.It's just four to five people who really care and who've been there allalong. They have an incredible amount of energy. And tremendous dedication.But over a course of time, I want to become a more consistent contributor.I've been involved since December 1998.

What are your other interests?
My interests lie with India. Not from a business side. I don't see myself asbeing a businessman at all. But I really have a strong interest in thesocial issues and the economic issues of India. I understand the history ofthe country, its background and culture. And I want to see a lot of thatcontinue.

Personally, I identify education as the most important thing. Now only avery small population is highly educated but they're valued. In terms ofsustainability, you must have a population as a whole which is educated.Dedicated individuals have to make a sacrifice and make a difference inIndia. Ultimately, I'm not saying I'm going to do it because I don't knowwhat future holds for me. But I'll say that's my biggest interest.

I'll be moving to Singapore in July. I hope to revive the Singapore chapterof Asha once I'm there. And my desire is to move to India.

What are Asha's plans?
Although education is the primary focus of Asha, other issues which impacteducation are coming to the fore also. For instance, economically if you'renot able to spare that much time to be educated, what do you do? You won'tgo to class, you'll go to the field for work. How do you get past the socialstigmas in getting education? So, the focus has started to widen. But onething is clear-we don't want to become a political organisation.

How does your education and professional background help you in your workfor Asha?
Being educated you realise how important education is and how privileged youare to have those opportunities in the first place. If you are not consciousof the disparities, how do you change them? Similarly, professionalbackground means having a certain discipline and understanding. It teachesyou how to work in a certain way-it obviously helps you. When you are doingsomething for Asha, the professionalism appeals to more people. You know howto present things which will capture the interest of more people. And theprofessional background gives you credibility.