About The Book
This candid and thought-provoking memoir follows Pushpa Sundar, a brilliant young officer who, driven by circumstance, resigns from the elite Indian Administrative Service (IAS) to navigate life as a homemaker and supportive wife of a successful IAS officer. Yet, she doesn't settle for the sidelines; she boldly carves her own path as a passionate advocate for Indian philanthropy. Through her own life experiences, she sheds light on the challenges faced by a nation in transition from the early years of Independence to the present day, illustrating how personal journeys can parallel and influence the collective movement toward progress. Inspired by her work at renowned organisations like FICCI and the Ford Foundation, along with experiences in London and across Southeast Asia, Sundar is dedicated to fostering a culture of giving in India, viewing philanthropy as strategic action rather than mere charity. With a refreshing honesty, Beyond the Heaven-born Service challenges common misconceptions about the IAS and what it means to step away from such a prestigious career. Her story, rich in detail and often sprinkled with humour, shows that fulfilling paths exist beyond traditional expectations, especially for women in a changing yet still tradition-bound India.
Introduction
As I write, the laburnums lining the road outside my house are in bloom again, their delicate fragrance scenting the early morning and night air. From my window, I see only a canopy of yellow blooms and soft petals scattered across the road in gentle drifts. The golden wonder flits past my eyes like a slide show, while the green of the nearby park is speckled with a scattering of canary hues, forming an ever-changing kaleidoscope. Most people overlook the fragrance of laburnum because it is so gentle, unlike the strong perfume of night jasmine, the raat ki rani, or the heady perfume of the mogra (jasmine). But to me, the laburnums are a metaphor for my life-nothing flashy, not too grand or spectacular, yet rich and meaningful in its own quiet way. Just as the laburnums subtly enrich the landscape, my life has contributed to the world around me in my own way. I have worn many hats throughout my career-from an officer in the highly esteemed Indian Administrative Service (IAS) to a writer, development specialist, and civil society activist. My journey has taken me across India and the world, driven not by ambition nor by an inclination to be a rolling stone, but by circumstance. Through it all, I've tackled diverse challenges and believe I have earned a commendable report card. While I often had to seize opportunities as they arose, I longed for a mission that would fully engage me. My prayers were answered later in life when I found my calling in philanthropy. My career path through the IAS, the FICCI, the Ford Foundation, and the Gujarat government provided valuable insights, contacts and skills, each role serving as a stepping stone to my ultimate destination: the study and promotion of Indian philanthropy. hilar my book Beyond Business: From Merchant Charity to Corporate Citizenship (Tata McGraw Hill, 2000), I recount my initial naivety about philanthropy. I was almost, if not quite, like the character in a promotional video made by the Canadian Centre for Philanthropy. Asked for her views on philanthropy she says, 'Gee, isn't that something to do with stamp collecting? Or is it the study of language?" Then purely by chance, I found myself drawn into the world of philanthropy. As a Programme Officer at the Ford Foundation in Delhi, I often heard grantees expressing frustration at their inability to secure alternate funding once the Foundation's support ended. Government funding was difficult to access, and the stringent Foreign Contributions Regulation Act (FCRA) made securing funds from foreign donors equally challenging. Inexperienced fund-seekers, especially from rural areas, faced significant communication barriers. I found myself wondering if there could be another alternative. From my vantage point at the Ford Foundation, I became aware of private philanthropy the love of humankind expressed through charitable giving to promote societal welfare. It had played a significant role in advancing Western societies, with corporate funding often highlighted as a crucial component. I wondered about its position in India, where it was rarely discussed in academic or public discourses. Thus began my exploration into indigenous, non-governmental sources of funds for charitable and developmental work. A stint as a Senior Fellow in Philanthropy at Johns
About The Author
Pushpa Sundar is a former IAS officer and a passionate advocate for philanthropy, dedicated to raising awareness of giving for social change in India. With a career spanning the IAS. FICCI, the Ford Foundation, the Gujarat government, and the Nand and Jeet Khemka Foundation, she focuses on social development and funding strategies, drawing from her experiences in India and abroad. She was a Senior Fellow in Philanthropy at the Johns Hopkins University in 1995, and the moving spirit behind establishing the pioneering Indian Centre for Philanthropy in 1996, to enhance understanding of and participation in philanthropy. Her books include Giving with a Thousand Hands: The Changing Face of Indian Philanthropy (OUP, 2017), Foreign Aid for Indian NGOs Problem or solution? (Routledge, 2010), and Beyond Business: From Merchant Charity to Corporate Citizenship (Tata McGraw Hill, 2000). Her work has garnered international recognition.
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