Winner Vs. Looser

A speech made by the 26th President of the United states of America, Theodore Roosevelt in 1910 at the Sorbonne in Paris -

‘It is not the critic who counts ; not the man who points out how the strong man , or where the doer of deeds could have done them better. The credit belongs to the man who is actually in the arena, whose face is marred by dust and sweat and blood ; who strives valiantly ; who errs, who comes short again and again, because there is no effort without error and shortcoming ; but who does actually strive to do the deeds ; who knows great enthusiasms, the great devotions ; who spends himself in a worthy cause ; who at best knows in the end the triumph of high achievement, and who at the worst, if he fails, at least fails while daring greatly, so that his place shall never be with those cold and timid souls who neither know victory or defeat.’

Make a Difference (M.A.D) and Be Counted

Why sit, grumble and die when you can make a difference and be counted.

On this 13th day of February 2008 this project is launched in India. The aim of this project is that anyone, young or old, individual or groups (but without Local or National government or International agencies support) can carry out a volunteer project that helps others. The idea is participation of many and thus empowerment and self help. It might be as ambitious as collecting truckloads of clothing for the homeless, or as personal as spending an afternoon helping an elderly neighbour or relative. This project invites features from volunteers and their projects in articles and photos (in Brief). This will also help others to come forward and realise that they will remain unsung and there are well meaning individuals who will appreciate there selfless efforts to “MAKE A DIFFERENCE”. We discourage any type of NGO’s to be part of this project; not because we do not trust them in what they are doing but simply because their efforts are already recognised and thus they are best placed and be left alone in continuing with the good work that they are already doing. The attempt here is to recognise a “unsung effort”.

The spirit that drove the campaign “Make A Difference (M.A.D.) and Be Counted” - is more relevant than ever before. It is for all those who would rather than bemoaning problems; encourage achievers to get involved in addressing public concerns rather than remaining cocooned in their personal spheres. Our planet will need that spirit as long as it is confronted by barriers that prevent it from attaining its full potential. Health and education are obviously two big focus areas - the first involves a citizen's right to life, the other his right to make a decent living. So are the environment and public and corporate governance. Dr Nirmal Gupta