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COVER STORY
others. The Shahani Trust has never
taken any donations and has been
carrying out its philanthropic activ-
ities through family funds. But the
demand is always more than the
supply. So we have started accepting
funds in SAGE Foundation which is
the global arm of the Shahani Trust.
I have been handling all the adminis-
trative costs out of my own funds and
passing on 100 % of the funds raised
to the causes they are meant for.
As we take on more and more causes
raising funds could become a huge
challenge. What would you consider
as one of your greatest successes to
date?
Dialogue Foundation and the UNAOC
to bring all cultures and communities
together through love, understand-
ing and dialogue.
What would you note as one of your
major challenges on your journey
to success?
As the cliché goes, I take every chal-
lenge as an opportunity, because if I
stop doing what I do it would be like
stopping my breath, or my heart from
beating. Challenges crop up as road
bumps all the time, but this is what
makes the journey more interesting,
and reaching the goal more fulfilling.
My greatest challenge has always
been finding a work/life balance.
My biological family is important for
me, but the bigger family outside
also beckons, so there is a pull. This
is something most women face, so I
can’t call it a compelling challenge
exclusive to me, but yes it is definitely
there.
I was paranoid about travelling
alone, which restricted me in my
global out reach. I got over the fear
factor thanks to Mike, Dave and the
Rock Your Life Soul Journeys which
were really life transforming and
tempting enough for me to travel
alone. Thanks to Mike’s prodding and
insistence, I travelled alone for the
Clinton Global Initiative in the thick
of terrorist attacks in Mumbai.
I have also made trips to Doha
and Baku for the UNAOC Unity in
Diversity events where I shared the
stage with Gordon Brown amongst
LEAD | January 2018
The Shahani Trust has existed since
1952 so there have been many
success stories, which makes it diffi-
cult to pinpoint just one, as we have
assisted thousands of families during
this time. In worldly terms, every
milestonebecomes an achievement.
However, in the final analysis, living
a life of purpose by giving back to
society and leaving a legacy behind
is the ultimate achievement.
Building transformational leaders
through our Thadomal Shahani
Centre for Management and helping
the under resourced students with
their MBA’s gives me a deep sense of
achievement and purpose.
If I had to pick up one success story
it would be the story of Varalaxmi
Pillai, a housemaid’s daughter who
was nurtured by the Shahani Group
and earned the Sheriff’s scholarship
to the University of Westminister.
She is a great inspiration and role
model for other aspirants and this
was hugely covered in the media.
Today Varalaxmi tells people her
story and assists other children on
how to stand on their own feet.