Alumni Testimonials
Since volunteering with AID Columbus, many of our alumni have traveled far and wide and continue to work towards the vision of a just and equitable society. Some of them continue to volunteer for AID through their local chapters, while others work for the betterment of their local communities. Wherever they may be, they all believe that it all started when they were first introduced to AID, and since then there has been no looking back.
Here is what they have to say about their experiences volunteering for AID
Here is what they have to say about their experiences volunteering for AID
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“I was associated with AID Columbus for about two years during which I participated in many of its activities. I enjoyed the intensity, vigor and energy of the weekly meetings, the enthusiasm in organizing events and fund raisers and above all had a lot of fun being in AID. At a deeper level I realized the importance of the work AID does and its ability to make a difference in the lives of the under-privileged. At a personal level by working in AID, I had a chance to hone my organizational skills and ability to work as a team.
Through AID I met a lot of wonderful human beings who have not only become lifelong friends but also inculcated in me the spirit of giving something back to the society. This I feel is the most valuable lesson I learnt and hope to carry and spread wherever I go. I believe and support in the mission of AID and wholeheartedly recommend everyone to be a part of AID.” |
Sanchaita Bose has been a volunteer in AID-C since Oct 2009 and has served as Public Relations coordinator from Dec 2009- June 2011. She has been one of our most active volunteers involved in many fundraising and outreach activities including Friends of AID Dinner 2011. She is currently a homemaker in Canada and is one of the founding members of AID-Vancouver.
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“Columbus AIDers are the most inspiring set of people I have come across in real life. Attending AID meetings, I have learnt more about grassroots issues in India, than I could ever from reading tabloids. I have thoroughly enjoyed organizing and participating in the events, and made some life-long friends here.
A note to new volunteers - You are never too new to be heard/take up a task. Don't let the structured meetings intimidate you. They are an integral part of the efficient machinery and if you stick around long enough you will appreciate it for yourself.” |
Meenakshi Kushwaha (M.S. Biomedical Engineering) served as fundraising coordinator of AID-C from Dec 2009 to June 2011. Before joining AID-C, she has helped to start the Asha for Education chapter in Birmingham, AL, and volunteered there for more than a year (2008-09). She was one of the most enthusiastic volunteers in AID-C who worked with ISA in organizing the Penn Masala concert and was a key player in organizing Friends of AID Dinner 2010. She has also played a vital role in many awareness events. She currently works as a Research Associate at the Dows Institute for Dental Research, University of Iowa and has been instrumental in starting the AID Iowa chapter.
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“Volunteering with AID has been the cornerstone of my personal and professional life that I cannot imagine otherwise. Getting to know grassroots activists and following their stories and struggles has placed so many of my actions and thoughts in perspective. The old adage 'you are known by the company you keep' is never more true with AID and its volunteers. I looked forward to the meetings to learn from the committed volunteers and engage in discussions that advanced common cause.
There are many unforgettable memories - organizing the Indian Ocean concert, hosting Arvind Kejriwal, the engaging discussions during project reviews, participating in the many shramdaans, the feeling of effecting change at the grassroots, getting recognized by OSU and other community groups, and many more. OSU-Columbus chapter is an extremely well-run organization that has institutionalized several of its activities and processes to factor the inevitable volunteer turnover. One can learn so much by just being a part of this amazing group.” |
Sridhar Vedachalam (PhD in Environmental Science) was a dedicated and passionate volunteer of AID-C chapter for 6 years since Fall 2005. He served as the Treasurer (2005-07), President (2007-09), Communications coordinator (2009-2011) and as Project Coordinator for three projects during his stay in the chapter and organized one of the chapter's largest fundraiser in 2008. He was a vital player in streamlining many of the chapter's activities including the project review process, fundraisers, day-to-day operations of the chapter and he generated the content for our website which was recognized as the 'best website' among OSU organizations. He established a platform of Google groups for effective documentation and intra and inter-chapter communication. He was also a Senator at The Ohio State University Senate (2009-10) and had volunteered with Mudiyor Balar Kudumba Grama (MBKG) Pannai, Vellore District, India (2002-04). He currently works as a Post–Doctoral Fellow at Cornell University, Ithaca and continues to guide the chapter as an alumnus.
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“I carry many fantastic memories and experiences from a variety of different events and activities undertaken by the chapter. Taken together, they have made volunteering for AID-C one of the high points of my stay at OSU. In particular, I am extremely grateful to AID-C for exposing me, through its projects and campaigns, to the issues faced by grassroots India. Getting to know some of the activists involved in addressing these issues was both humbling and inspiring.
It was also a fantastic experience to have been part of the group of focused, action-oriented people that constitute AID-C. I will always remember the action and excitement of my volunteering days! Note to new volunteers: For those who are concerned about India and want to contribute tangibly to it, AID-C is like the oasis in a desert! When you come to the meetings, do look for opportunities to contribute and take up an action item or two.” |
Jayanth G.R. (Ph.D., Mechanical Engineering) volunteered for AID Columbus from June 2004 to Aug 2010. He served as the Shramdaan Coordinator (2004-2005), Joint Overall Project Coordinator (2006-2007) and the Overall Project Coordinator (2007-2008). He streamlined the Shramdaan coordination and focused the organization's efforts towards documentation of all activities, including Shramdaan. He contributed significantly to the project review process, apart from coordinating 3 projects. He is currently an Assistant Professor at the Indian Institute of Science (IISc) and lives in Bangalore, India.
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“Since volunteering for AID, I have had more appreciation for things in life and more humility. Volunteering for AID gave me a sense of satisfaction about doing something meaningful. I now have an increased respect for the point of views of others, even if I disagree with them, and respect and admiration for volunteers, who are quite knowledgeable and well read in the areas of their interest. I have made long-lasting friends through AID.”
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Farha Mukri (M.S., Computer Science and Engineering) volunteered for AID Columbus from Oct 2007 to Aug 2009. She served as the Secretary (2007-2008) and the Overall Project Coordinator (2008-2009), and coordinated the Sikshana project (2008-2009). She currently works as a Software Engineer at Germinait Solutions and lives in Mumbai, India.
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“I thoroughly enjoyed organizing and participating in AID-related events, especially Taste of OSU and the multiple Shramdaans at the football stadium. We had a nice bunch of volunteers, who kept things going and I've learnt a lot being a part of AID. I think it's a great way to get educated about grassroots issues, not just in India, but in the world in general, since we all eventually tie into the system socio-economically.
On a more personal note, AID Columbus provided me the avenue to realize my potential when it comes to organizing events (especially the ones related to food :)), plus it was encouraging to win awards for the events in which we participated! The most special event that happened when I was part of AID was the Indian Ocean Concert...what a great experience overall! Hats off to Sridhar and Ravi for working on this like crazy for at least 2 months...it kept us all going and I'm happy I got to be part of the core team, managing the artistes, food, designing posters, printing tickets etc.” |
Kanika Ghai (Ph.D., Neuroscience) volunteered for AID Columbus from Nov 2007 to Mar 2009. She was the Fundraising Coordinator (2008-2009) and was the lead coordinator for the AID Food Stall in the Taste of OSU (2008) and UN Festival (2008). She is currently a Post Doctoral Fellow at Emory University and volunteers for the AID chapter in Atlanta.
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“I had a very pleasant experience with Shramdaan and Taste of OSU. During the project discussions, I learned the process of reviewing and funding projects, and many other intricacies involved. It’s a feel-good experience working for our country and would definitely give an idea of "how things work" in the government-NGO-industry-people dynamics.”
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Dakshina Murthy volunteered for AID Columbus from Jan 2007 to Dec 2009. He was the Website Coordinator (2007-2008) and coordinated the BCRT project post-review (2007-2008). He currently works as Senior Research Engineer at Exxon Mobil Corp. and lives in Edison, N.J.
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“I gained a great many number of friends because of my association with AID. I also got to know about various issues around the four corners of India that affect the plight of ordinary citizens and how local NGO's are addressing those issues.”
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Karthik Vazhkudai volunteered for AID Columbus from Aug 2005 to Aug 2008. He coordinated the Sikshana project (2007-2008) and was one of the lead coordinators for the AID Conference (2006). He works with United Health Care in Lexington, VA and volunteers with the local Asha chapter.
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“Working for AID was one of the most productive, learning and memorable time during my PhD.”
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Vishwesha Guttal (Ph.D.,Physics) volunteered for AID Columbus from June 2004 to April 2008. He served as the Secretary (2005-2006) and Overall Project Coordinator (2006-2007). He coordinated 3 projects and contributed significantly to improving the project review process, both at AID Columbus and AID-US. He is currently a Post Doctoral Fellow at Princeton University and lives in Princeton, N.J.
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“Being in AID is a fun-filled and meaningful way of spending time when not doing research. You also have the best chance to meet some like-minded people here.”
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Komudi Singh (Ph.D., Molecular Genetics) volunteered for AID Columbus from Sept 2003 to Sept 2007.She served as the Secretary (2003-2004), Overall Project Coordinator (2004-2005), Vice President (2005-2006) and Shramdaan Coordinator (2005-2007). She was the lead coordinator for the Pandit Ulhas Bapat Concert (2006). She is currently a Post Doctoral Fellow at Brown University and lives in Providence, R.I.
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