எனக்குள் ஒரு கனவு

by Rashmi Bansal, ராஷ்மி பன்சால்

ராஷ்மி பன்சால் ஆங்கிலத்தில் எழுதிய ‘ஸ்டே ஹங்ரி, ஸ்டே ஃபூலிஷ்’ என்கிற புத்தகத்தை ‘முயற்சி திருவினையாக்கும்’ என்னும் தலைப்பில் விகடன் பிரசுரம் தமிழில் வெளியிட்டபோது, வாசகர்களிடம் அதற்கு ஏகோபித்த வரவேற்பு. ஐ.ஐ.டி. படித்துப் பட்டம் பெற்று, வேலைக்குப் போகாமல், சொந்தத் தொழில் தொடங்கியவர்களின் சாதனைக் கதைகளின் தொகுப்பு அது. அடுத்து, ‘கனெக்ட் தி டாட்ஸ்’ என்னும் புத்தகத்தை ‘புள்ளிகள்... கோடுகள்... பாதைகள்!’ என்னும் தலைப்பில் தமிழில் வெளியிட்டது விகடன் பிரசுரம். ஐ.ஐ.டி. படிக்காமலே, சுய தொழிலில் இறங்கி, வெற்றி கண்டவர்களின் கதைகளின் தொகுப்பு அது. இதோ, ‘எனக்குள் ஒரு கனவு!’. ராஷ்மி பன்சாலின் ‘ஐ ஹேவ் எ ட்ரீம்’ ஆங்கிலப் புத்தகத்தின் தமிழாக்கம். “வருவாய் ஈட்டுவதையே பிரதானமாகக் கொள்ளாமல், மனித குலத்துக்கு சேவை செய்ய வேண்டும் என்கிற கோணத்தில் தங்கள் தொழிலைத் தேர்ந்தெடுத்து, வெற்றிகரமாக நடத்திவரும் தொழிலதிபர்களைப் பற்றிய உண்மைக் கதைகளின் தொகுப்பு இது! அந்த வகையில் முந்தைய இரண்டு புத்தகங்களைவிட இது இன்னும் மேலானது!” என்கிறார், ராஷ்மி பன்சாலின் புத்தகங்களை தொடர்ந்து தமிழாக்கம் செய்து வரும் ரவிபிரகாஷ். ‘மனிதக் கழிவை மற்றொரு மனிதன் சுத்தம் செய்வதா?’ என வருந்தி, அதற்காக நவீன கழிப்பறைகளை வடிவமைத்த பிந்தேஷ்வர் பதக்... குப்பை பொறுக்கும் சிறுவர்களின் நிலைக்கு இரங்கி, அவர்களின் முன்னேற்றத்துக்காகவே நிறுவனம் தொடங்கிய அனிதா அஹுஜா... பசியால் வாடும் பள்ளிக் குழந்தைகளுக்கு உணவு அளிப்பதற்காகவே ‘அட்சய பாத்திரம்’ என்னும் திட்டத்தை உருவாக்கி வெற்றிகரமாக நடத்தி வரும், பெங்களூர் இஸ்கான் தலைவராக இருக்கும் மது பண்டிட் தாஸா... என இதில் இடம்பெற்றுள்ள ஒவ்வொருவரின் கதையும் நம் நெஞ்சை உருக்கக்கூடியது. படியுங்கள்; ரசியுங்கள். ‘நாமும் நம் பங்களிப்பாக இந்தச் சமூகத்துக்கு ஏதேனும் செய்ய வேண்டும்’ என்கிற உத்வேகத்தை இந்தப் புத்தகம் உங்களுக்குள் எழுப்புவதை உணர்வீர்கள்!

Genres: Nonfiction, Business, Entrepreneurship, Self Help, India, Inspirational, Indian Literature

350 pages, Paperback

First published May 30, 2011

About the author

Rashmi Bansal is a writer, entrepreneur and youth expert.She is the author of two bestselling books on entrepreneurship. ‘Stay Hungry Stay Foolish’ features the stories of 25 MBAs who left lucrative jobs to follow the rough road of entrepreneurship. The book created a new record in Indian publishing by selling over 300,000 copies and has been translated into 8 languages.

Rashmi’s second book, ‘Connect the Dots’ focuses on non-MBA entrepreneurs. It has also been a bestseller, selling over 100,000 copies.

Her third book ‘I Have a Dream’, on social entrepreneurs, is releasing in May 2011.

Rashmi is co-founder and editor of JAM (Just Another Magazine), India’s leading youth magazine. She writes extensively on youth, careers and entrepreneurship on her popular blog: Youth Curry.
Rashmi is a columnist on popular Indian news portal Rediff.com. She has been Consulting Editor with Businessworld magazine and Bloomberg UTV, where she hosted India’s first interactive show on careers.

Rashmi is a consultant for international youth research agencies such as The Futures Company (a division of WPP, London ) and Flamingo Research (Singapore ).A guest lecturer at various business schools of repute including IIM Ahmedabad, IIM Bangalore, ISB, S P Jain among others, Rashmi mentors numerous students and young entrepreneurs. She also conducts motivational talks and youth insight seminars for corporates.

Reviews

[Harleen · Rating 1 out of 5]

Poor writing and execution. After reading Rashmi Bansal and Chetan Bhagat, I feel just anyone can claim to be an author.

[Atul Sabnis · Rating 1 out of 5]

I read this book as a requirement of a course I was doing. The stories are interesting but the presentation is one of the worst I have come across.

Bad language, interrupted flow of thoughts, and too many - I repeat - too many paragraph breaks. It feels like someone is outlining the story, before you write the story and then completely forgot to flesh out the story, read it aloud and see if it makes sense. You will need to put in a lot of effort to read this book. Also, who writes books in ALL CAPS??

If it was well-written, this could have well become a a motivational and an inspirational book.

[Murali · Rating 5 out of 5]

Inspiration comes from every page of the book, I am half done but cant stop my self giving the review as i expect that rest of the book will be equally good.

It taught me something, that "NO PAIN .. NO GAIN". all had been through a tough time though they are working on a Noble cause.

for a moment, I felt SUPER 30 is a Concept behind the movie ARAKSHAN. Do you guys felt the same ? let me know..

And finally, Kudos to Rashmi for this wonderful work. :)

[Prajakta Mahajan · Rating 3 out of 5]

I won't say that the author has done a great job - actually it could have been done better, much better. However, the book covers the stories of inspiring and extra ordinary - immensely extra ordinary people. The theme is exciting, but the author makes many things look simple when they are not. Poor in proof reading and what's about the Hindi sentences anyway?

[Himani · Rating 4 out of 5]

I have a Dream…mmm let’s see…

As I got down to reading the book, story after story came on to me, awe-inspiring as they are…(and much as I wouldn’t want to say it here, I couldn’t just go on with the book cover to cover, like I would with some ‘fiction’! This, for the simple reason that these are no ‘fairy tales’ with angels! These are lives of real people doing great deeds simply because they are all for doing their ‘due’ and more, for the cause of humanity!)…they overwhelm!! And require lesser mortals like me to recharge and get back to grips before we can go on! Well, I took my own time in reading it, so I could do better justice to Rashmi Bansal’s efforts to celebrate the deeds of those that celebrate humanity…and life, in the truest of sense, that can be!

This said, lets look at what the book has in wait, for its readers:

As the back cove says it, it is “the story of 20 idealists who think and act like entrepreneurs” each in the league of their own! And yet, there runs a common thread through it all:“Be the change you want to see in the world.” (as Mahatma Gandhi philosophized.) They all work with all their might, and prove that “change starts with one person, and that person could be someone next door”. They are the people next door who chose to employ their innate humanness and all of their faculties to make a difference to the less endowed! To achieve “ a greater common good” through leaving no stone unturned, in not just thinking, but even ‘acting’ differently…by giving different hues and manifestations to a ‘common’ dream!

While some of them are ‘Rainmakers‘ who ‘Weave the People‘ ‘Rags to Riches‘…’Prodigal Sun‘ ‘Moving Mountains‘ or even heeding ‘The Sound of Silence‘, other are ‘Changemakers‘ who take “a small step towards making it as it should be.” And there are ‘The Spiritual Capitalists‘ that choose to live by the ideal of service, still, “Because they believe purity of purpose and selflessness of spirit can transcend every limitation”…where by, there are the likes of Shreesh Jadhav that hold “up a candle…a light of hope in the darkness of the selfish, me-first world.

After all, not just anyone would come out right and say, (to none other than Rajiv Gandhi,) “if you really want to have a battle then battle on the content of education and how it is to be delivered!” Or proclaim “If I tell you desh mein do hazaar crore ka ghotala ho gaya, it’s just a story. But if I tell you the kachcha road outside your house has been ‘made’ last year, as per municipal records, your blood boils.“

They have mights of steel, and wouldn’t (didn’t) take ‘no’ for an answer though they had to lose (lost) even those/what would matter most in life…the likes Sumita Ghose, who didn’t break down and give up their dream upon losing their spouse at the altar of their cause, but continued by themselves, to make real the cause that took away their spouse! (Sumita’s husband was murdered by ULFA for mobilizing locals to build their own embankments so they wouldn’t be washed away in the tide of corruption, each year!)

Further, excerpts directly from the ‘protagonists’ placed here and there, on grey backdrop, on the top or bottom of some pages, and ‘Advise for young entrepreneurs’ at the end of each ‘story’ makes it an even better (could be read impressive/effective) read.

I guess this is it from me…let Rashmi do the rest of the talking!

[Dakshesh Thacker · Rating 4 out of 5]

As a development sector professional I am constantly seeking to learn about the multiple problems that face society. In the context of India itself there are infinite. My intention to pick up this book (my third Rashmi Bansal book) was to understand from the journey of various social entrepreneurs the experiences they underwent to identify the problems they wanted to solve. Rashmi Bansal does cover some stellar stories and details the journey of some prominent and some not so prominent yet impactful change makers. The chapters on Vinayak Lohani, Madhav Chavan, Harish Hande and even Arvind Kejriwal are well written. They managed to inspire me and the chapter on Lohani particularly was emotionally moving.
There are two major drawbacks of the book. The first is the absence of an analytical approach to selecting these social entrepreneurs. There are no showcases of stories from Agriculture and Healthcare, two heavyweight sub-sectors in the social sector. It would have been particularly interesting to learn about PRADAN and Amul, their stories and growth. Secondly, I have observed a clear trend in Rashmi Bansal's books to pepper sentences with phrases in Hindi, leaving little sanctity to the language, structure of sentences and paragraphs. I do understand that this could be an intention technique but I believe serious non-fiction requires some degree of linguistic sanctity.
On the whole I did enjoy the book and specifically 9 out of 20 stories did leave me with a lot of learnings and a sense of resilience to soldier on in this sector. I would recommend this book to anyone who wishes to scratch the infinite landscape of the social sector and read some compelling personal journeys. The language is accessible, definitely not Tharooresque and can get the mind of anyone jogging about the limitless scope of social entrepreneurship.

[Darshana Unnikrishnan · Rating 4 out of 5]

i really liked this book. it was so overwhelming to read a piece of work only based on the social service many people have undertaken. this book carries interviews of 20 idealists who have decided to make a change in the world we live in. some of them have taken social service as a business and make money by applying management principle to it. some of them belong to the regular class of social workers. and yet some others are monks who have taken the path of spirituality. reading this book was a very humbling experience. to learn that these people are very ordinary people like us and yet they took the oath of making a change in this world and decided to do so without hesitation actually made me contemplate on what i am doing with my life.

[Utkrisht Fella · Rating 2 out of 5]

"I Have a Dream" by Rashmi Bansal presents a collection of stories about social entrepreneurs in India, aiming to inspire with their dedication to making a difference. The book highlights individuals who are committed to societal impact rather than just profit.

While the premise is compelling and the stories themselves are undoubtedly inspiring in their essence, I personally found it challenging to stay engaged with the book. Despite the important work these entrepreneurs are doing, the narrative style or perhaps the depth of detail in each account didn't quite capture my interest enough to keep me reading. I ended up leaving it unread halfway through.

[Sagar Baver · Rating 3 out of 5]

The content-delivery feels more like an interview summary crammed into a few pages. That said, the valuable insights gained into social entrepreneurs' lives forces you to question the "rat-race" that most of us find ourselves in.

[Sumit Dhamija · Rating 3 out of 5]

Finished reading 'I have a dream' by Rashmi Bansal. A truly inspiring book. Each story will stir up your soul and leave you introspecting. A must read for all who want to make a difference in this world.

[Vismay · Rating 3 out of 5]

They throng temples, fairs, movie theatres, hotels & monuments- begging for the half eaten samosa in your hand pointing to their empty stomach or for cloth to cover their body. Though we may think the common rhetoric that these beggars- rotten eggs of the society are trying to leech money out of our pockets for no apparent reason than they don’t want to work, the truth is far different.

We- the aam junta- have developed a think skin, regarding the dismal condition that this country is ailing from. For long, the Pachyderms inside our minds have developed and trained a larynx so strong enough that it can handle continuous complains, jeers, bickering, shouts and cusses about the dire state the country is suffering from without developing any strain at all.

There are some, like us, who like to whine about it, while there are others who actually do something about it. ‘I have a Dream’ by Rashmi Bansal tells a tale of 20 such social entrepreneurs, who have not lost the reference point of their heart which is called love and empathy and have tried to bring about a change in the lives of millions of people. In the beginning of the book, the author says that these people aren’t Mother Teresas, they are common men, like you and me, who apply the fundamental principles of business-management transforming lives as a result.

From Sulabh Sauchalays to Micro-Venture Funding, from Right to Information act to Coaching classes- this book covers it all. It is a belief long held by the guys from I.I.M.s across the countries that reading and hearing stories of the Guys Who Made It will inspire, move, and catalyze a change in our actions until we ourselves join their league. Rashmi Bansal of ‘Stay Hungry Stay Foolish’ and ‘Connect the Dots’ excels in the craft of story-telling. This is her third book, which, in the similar vein as the previous two tells the life-tales of the guys who roughed it out, following their hearts, ultimately fulfilling their dreams and long held aspirations.

Well though she tells other people’s stories, she herself is a success story. She had made it her ultimate goal to inspire youths through words. Not only does she etch out bestsellers, she is an owner of a vibrant and fun filled youth oriented magazine J.A.M. (Just Another Magazine), which is quite a rage among the youngsters.

I think you would enjoy it, I did. Nothing is too big, nothing so larger than life that it is insurmountable. After all they did it…

[Geo Raju · Rating 3 out of 5]

i love reading books on famous people....people who cared for other people....spend their days and nights to make other peoples life better....here the author is portraying the lives of 20 people who made their life meaningful and also their fellow beings.
i didn't like the author's writing style...i won't say this book is a page turner....infact you find it boring after going through a few pages...this is only because of author's bad writing skills.but i would recommend this book to everyone....everyone should know there are people
like this living in this country who had dedicated their lives for others and for the development of this country....realise you could be also a chamge maker.

[Poonam · Rating 2 out of 5]

The stories are inspiring, no doubt. It takes a lot of courage to break out of the conventional path & do what people normally term 'eccentric' or 'foolish' :)

But the disconnect for me was:
(a) Of the 20 stories, at least 5-6 cannot be classified as 'social entrepreneurships' - they are plain and simple NGOs/ religious trusts.
(b) Some of the people featured in these 20 stories have the backing of large institutions/trusts or come from very privileged backgrounds with loads of 'connections'. The inspiration comes from their desire to 'do good'.
Pegging their efforts in the same bracket as some of the others who literally started from scratch & struggled had to make ends meet, is farcical.

[Anandh Sundar · Rating 4 out of 5]

Fair disclosure:-She is an alumna of my Bschool(IIM-A, so this review may be a bit biased though I've tried to keep it objective. The book has inspring stories and first person interviews without seeming like a hagiography. And some of them are household names(people behind Super30/Sulabh toilets/politicians wealth disclosures) etc. The book is worth digesting. Don't be put off by the slightly cheap paper quality, look beyond that! it has helped keep the book cost low-around $3 offline and maybe $2.5online.

[Jaimit Doshi · Rating 2 out of 5]

i hate the author's writing style but the soup for the soul subject makes it a difficult book to really write off. ncie and inspiring in parts - again mainly due to the lovely stories and nothing great from the author.

[Vaibhav Vats · Rating 1 out of 5]

Don't judge the book by my ratings. This book is comprised of several short stories of people who have contributed to the world and society. I am fiction fan and bought it on title that is fancy. Din't like it at all. I don't like such real life stories. M sorry author.

[Vijay · Rating 4 out of 5]

Again Rashmi delivers with excellent book...this time the focus in on SOCIAL aspect!

[Sugan · Rating 2 out of 5]

Reading success stories is not always inspiring :-(
Moreover there is a lot of Hindi content in the book...It's kind of irritating for a guy who does't know Hindi...

[Madhur Shrimal · Rating 4 out of 5]

A nice book to get inspired for innovation.

[Sameer · Rating 3 out of 5]

Incredible stories of real people... People are awesome, doing mind blowing work...

[Tarun Sen · Rating 5 out of 5]

Book Review: *I Have a Dream* by Rashmi Bansal

Overview
*I Have a Dream* by Rashmi Bansal is a tapestry of inspiring stories about 20 Indian social entrepreneurs who dared to make a difference. This non-fiction piece weaves narratives of courage, passion, and the will to bring change, divided into three thematic categories: Rainmakers, Changemakers, and Spiritual Capitalists. It’s more than a book—it’s a movement to awaken the social entrepreneur within us.

What Makes It Special?
- Humanizing Social Entrepreneurship: The book reminds us that real heroes are not distant celebrities but ordinary individuals driven by extraordinary purpose.
- Broad Spectrum of Impact: From rural development and education to sanitation and RTI activism, the book showcases diverse domains where these changemakers left an indelible mark.
- *Emotional Core: Stories like Sumita Ghose’s perseverance after personal tragedy and Anand Kumar’s "Super 30" initiative brim with raw emotion and grit.
- *Practical Insights: Each chapter ends with practical advice for aspiring entrepreneurs, making the book a valuable resource for readers looking to follow a similar path.

Key Stories that Stand Out
1. Bindeshwar Pathak: Founder of Sulabh International, who revolutionized sanitation and uplifted "untouchables" in India. His story highlights how a personal incident can inspire a lifetime of change.
2. Sumita Ghose: A widow who turned her pain into power by creating Rangsutra, empowering artisans in rural India.
3. Anand Kumar: The visionary behind "Super 30," who transforms the lives of underprivileged students by preparing them for IIT-JEE.
4. Arvind Kejriwal: The RTI crusader who later became Delhi’s Chief Minister, proving that activism can lead to systemic change.

Strengths
- Inspirational Content: A rich mix of real-life struggles and triumphs that are bound to leave readers motivated.
- Relatable Language: The writing is simple, accessible, and peppered with Indian cultural references, ensuring a wider reach.
- Categorization of Stories: The three-part structure adds clarity and focus, guiding readers through the nuances of social entrepreneurship.

Critiques
- Surface-Level Detailing: Some readers may feel that the stories lack depth regarding the operational intricacies of the featured ventures.
- Overuse of Vernacular:Frequent shifts into Hindi might alienate non-Hindi-speaking readers or those seeking a more formal tone.
- Limited Sector Representation: The absence of stories from agriculture and healthcare—a vital part of India’s social sector—is a missed opportunity.

Why You Should Read This Book
Whether you’re an aspiring entrepreneur, a student, or simply someone looking for inspiration, *I Have a Dream* is a must-read. It challenges societal norms and redefines success beyond monetary gains, emphasizing purpose, passion, and social impact.

Who Is It For?
- Budding social entrepreneurs seeking motivation and guidance.
- Readers passionate about grassroots change and societal reform.
- Anyone in need of a dose of hope and optimism in today’s chaotic world.

Related Questions for Reflection
1. Which social issue would you tackle if you had the resources and passion?
2. How can you apply entrepreneurial principles to bring positive change in your community?
3. Are you willing to step out of your comfort zone to pursue a cause that matters to you?

[Juhi Tiwari]

I picked “I have a dream” for whole and sole reason to motivate myself.

Lets talk about the writing style. The first few stories where the writer used hindi lines from the original interview was cringe worthy. I was not able to understand in the beginning if it was the author or the interviewee speaking. The book could have been presented better rather formed better.

Now the content part. The stories in this book were very inspiring. This book gets you in thinking gears. Infact some stories in this book had pushed me to do more research in certain field in which i am interested, if only it was well presented.

And being a Bollywood freak I would say movies should be made on 2 stories one on Sulabh sauchalay and second Parivartan of Arvind kejriwal.

There were so many heart touching stories where people gave up on a flourishing thriving career after IIT, IIM or in foreign country and chose to serve our Motherland by improving the lives of strangers who are helpless or unprivileged.

This book would surely inspire you to be a doer in helping society.

Read it for the inspiring stories!

[Mayank Joshi · Rating 3 out of 5]

The book, ‘I have a Dream’ is a collection of 20 stories which reveal the success of various entrepreneurs that have made a big difference in the world. It is an inspiring book that sheds light on various aspects of entrepreneurship and talks about how one can overcome the various hurdles that come along with it. The in-depth research and griping narrative make this book an engaging read. This book has been written by Rashmi Bansal.

Definitely in my "must have" list that every youngster should possess I have a Dream Again - the English is not the best. But, still communicates the message. If we can leave the critics apart and learn from the social transformation achieved by these 25 people - we will be looking at creating a better world for tomorrow..

Overall Good Book For Learning Entrepreneurs..

[SIV · Rating 2 out of 5]

This book gives a overall summary of the social entrepreneurship in India. The stories mentioned here are sure captivating and narrative. But, not all the stories are well narrated. However, I like the book mainly because of some stories mentioned in the book were inspiring and I could relate something with them(the people mentioned in the book). Anyways, it's once readable and I took some outcome needed for my journey into sustainable entrepreneurship.
You can check it out! It's good and valuable for certain people at certain phase of life where they feel confused to pursue their field of interest.
Even notable examples mentioned in the book has their own motion picture filmed as has become a huge box office hit, like super30.
Definitely helpful!

[Sharang Limaye · Rating 3 out of 5]

The stories are inspirational, the writing not so much. There are some extraordinary individuals featured in 'I Have A Dream'. Bansal's penmanship, however, fails to do justice to them. What should have been rousing tales of generosity and compassion are reduced to mundane newsmagazine-sort-of articles. Still, the effort in compiling this book is worth lauding. Publications eulogizing the super-rich, super-successful are a dime a dozen. People who have devoted their lives to altruistic causes hardly find a place in the public consciousness. To that end, the author's labour is a success. More power to her.

[Aniket Patil · Rating 2 out of 5]

Its just a copy paste of information from newspapers and magazines in consolidated format.
If you happen to be among those who are not reading newspapers and current affairs magazines, or general magazines but you still want to read about some entrepreneurs then buy this one.

Not expected from IIM MBA person to present such thing. one can find info on internet easily. I am purposefully avoiding other books of this author. This was random buy from myside order to learn something, end up reading other people's work only.

[Vijay · Rating 4 out of 5]

just like 'Stay hungry and stay foolish'!!

“We don’t need to actually solve the problems of the poor, the Dalits, the downtrodden. Give them an education and they will become self-confident. They will solve their own problems. So ‘education’ is actually the solution to all problems!”
― from I have a Dream

[Dhiran · Rating 4 out of 5]

Inspiring stories of men and women who didn’t care about being highly qualified and about what would happen if they didn’t succeed in what they set out to do. Sacrificing big career opportunities and pursuing dreams and ideas that are of benefit to the people that are not just profit driven but mainly purpose driven. #BookLovers #LoveToRead #AtoZEntrepreneurship #dntjbookclub

[Vishal Sharma · Rating 3 out of 5]

Good content, bad writing.
This book shares stories of many people, who brought change in the society. But the writing style of the author is very weak. The writing style is not impressive at all.

She makes very interesting stories of inspiring, but less-known people very boring and not easy to comprehend.

[Abhishek Jha]

A collection of real life stories that will inspire and will make you reflect back on your life and its decisions and how you dealt with problems in comparison to how they made a mark with even adverse situations.