IndiChange - MILAAP in Bangalore

IndiChange is known for bringing up some very potential issues with a simple solution. This time Indiblogger organized its meet on 15 December 2013 in Bangalore at Microsoft Research India Labs Pvt. Ltd. and the name for this meeting was MILAAP. It literally means unity. I reached the venue almost half an hour late searching for this lab in the corners of the city. I entered there half soaked in sweat asking for the way to Indimeet. As I entered, I was authenticated as Surbhi with a badge stuck to my arm. The venue was jam-packed with over 100 bloggers along with me crouching at the last seat.

My IndiChange Badge

It was my first Indiblogger meeting. I was pleased by the ambience and suave aura. The organizers were pretty cool quickly making us drop our corporate garb and bringing out the social animal out of us. The rockstar video of Anoop- the Zombie and Nihal's birthday celebration made everyone at ease.

Soon the introduction round began with a timer running on the screen. Speaking about yourself for 60 seconds seemed a herculean task to many including me too.  

                               

We were asked to describe our wish for a better world in just one word. While most of us wished for a secure, happy and peaceful world, some thought out of the box and came up with very good ideas wafting an air of change in the room.

                    

The real agenda of this Indiblogger meeting was discussing about MILAAP and carrying out Hope Project.

Milaap

Milaap is a mission driven company changing the way people fund and impact communities in need. Every day, they connect hundreds of hardworking borrowers looking to start a small business, pay for education, install better facilities in their households, and more - with people around the world willing to lend and rally their friends and family with as little as Rs. 500 ($25).

See how it works here.

                                         

The Hope Project

The Hope Project is a campaign that aims to inspire urban masses towards empowering rural women entrepreneurs through small contributions. What makes this project special is that the women in this case are ex-Devadasis and the possibility of self-reliance is a ray of fierce hope for them. Within the Devadasi system, young girls are “married” to the temple goddess. This merciless practice, though illegal, still exists in small towns of India. 

Milaap is trying to change their lives in the best and only way that we know - empower the people to empower them! The Hope Project seeks to shed some myths about this practice and invites small loans for the micro enterprises of these women. With these small loans, the women can set up small businesses and escape from this cycle of hopelessness.

The Brave Akka

A real Devadasi came up to share her journey so far with all of us. It was really shocking to listen to the ruthlessness faced by her. She appreciated the efforts of Milaap and encouragement she received to move on in her life. Today she is out of this evil system and helping other women like her to come out of this puddle and lead an independent life. We all pledged to blow the wave of change through our voices.

                                         

It was the time for some fun. Anoop asked to form groups, actually weird groups each with one member wearing a collar-shirt, one round-shirt and the rest I dont remember. The challenge was to arrange the pieces, solve the puzzle, identify the lady and answer a few questions. All the teams were set into action. Arranging the pieces, eyes, nose, grass, walls, windows... huffff , a tough job but yeah! my team made it and we were amongst the winners. Soon after that we all headed for the high tea. The table discussions over snacks, listening to fellow bloggers, getting to know more about the ground realities was altogether an amazing experience.

                                                             Lady in the Puzzle

The meeting ended with a photosession round. All bloggers with a confident ray of hope dispersed to carry the journey forward.

The Changemaker IndiBloggers

                                      

Milaap helps the individuals with micro finances. It aims at increasing opportunities and self-empowering the individuals.

Aims of Milaap

Success Stories

   

Be a Changemaker

You can also contribute to this social cause just with a click. It's very simple and secure.You are assured that your money is being used for the betterment of someone. You are paid the entire sum back within time and this is how you are called a Changemaker.

¡Salud!

JJJ