I am not a big fan of the government. Although I am normally a patient person, I find the bureaucracy and torpor of most government offices too frustrating to deal with. And yet, I recognize the need to work at that level, both because the government is the only institution with the infrastructure to do what needs to be done and because policy change is essential. I also recognize, in saner moments, that the government is not a faceless monolith, but is made up of people, many of whom have wonderful dreams and plans and a true desire to do good.

One such officer is the Chief Secretary of Uttarakhand, S K Das. I have known him as a man of great integrity and vision, a person who genuinely wants to change things for the good, who wants to make the system work for poor people and who has the power to make it happen. I met him yesterday and we had such an interesting conversation. I walked in feeling purposeful and energized. My fiftieth birthday was a milestone for me. I told him I had looked at my life and realized that, more than anything else, I want to make a difference in this world, and that turning 50 had made me suddenly see how urgent it is to make every day count. (I have to say he laughed at that, and pointed out that he was already 60 and still waiting for that amazing accomplishment. But he is a modest man.)

I told him about the promise I had made to the entire staff that we would build our own campus this year and that I needed his help to fulfill that promise. He has agreed to help us get the 35 ac clearance we require for 100% tax rebate to large donors, AND to look into other ways the government can assist us in our plans. Watch this space for more good news. It’s all finally happening!