The optimism of the poor inspires me: Deepti Doshi

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Deepti Doshi

Educationist

What current project (or idea!) of yours are you most excited to share with everyone at TEDIndia?

In India, many children attend school but few really learn. I am working with Escuela Nueva, a foundation in Colombia that has successfully addressed the same issue across Latin America.

Over the last 40 years, Escuela Nueva has developed a pedagogy that moves away from rote learning and has children in hands on activities to engage them in learning and has successfully scaled to over 20,000 schools across Latin America and beyond. I am working with the team to bring the strategy here to India - to both government schools as well as low cost private schools where a growing percentage of parents are sending their children.

Who are the people that have greatly inspired you and your work?

Today, as we work on improving the quality of education for the poor, I am constantly inspired by the work of Maria Montessori, who developed the Montessori methodology for Italian street kids. Her unrelenting commitment to adapting the school environment to the natural behaviour and psychology of children is something I believe we need to see more of across all education initiatives.

I have also been lucky to work with a number of inspiring leaders and one that has been particularly formative is Jacqueline Novogratz, whose personal and professional commitment to alleviating poverty is a daily inspiration.

What are you most looking forward to at TEDIndia?

The people! I am looking forward to meeting the rest of the fellows in the cohort to learn about their work as well as the rest of the TED speakers. I am humbled to be part of such an extraordinary group and look forward to learning from everyone at the TED conference

What is your favourite TED Talk?

Ah, so many! But one of my favourites is Chris Abani's muse on humanity (listen to it here). This line, in particular, always stays with me: the only way for me to be human is for you to reflect my humanity back at me.

What does India mean to you?

To me India represents possibility and hope. It is in India where my great grandmother made her way out of being a maid, stuck in the cycle of poverty, to raise a family where all the grandchildren and great-grandchildren have the freedom of choice as we build our lives.

Today, I see the same determination and possibility in the millions of people who live below the poverty line here and am inspired each day by their optimism and smiles!

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