Navin Gulia is an invaluable and most precious gift from God for many children of ADAA – Apni Duniya Apna Ashiana (Our World Our Home), which is an effort aimed at helping, assisting and guiding the lives of street children, orphans, physically handicapped children and destitute children. Navin also got honored with many big and prestigious awards like

National Role Model Award 2006

Chief of Army Staff Commendation

Cavinkare Ability Mastery Award 2006

State Award For Adventure Sports 2004

Limca Book ‘People of the Year’ 2005

Times of India ‘Global Indian of the Year’ 2005

Navin has a community on orkut ADAA and quite surprising its the only community Navin has and Navin joined, now its Orkut’s Hall of Fame too and its a big honor for us to have Navin here, we will try to find out some more exciting and untold stories from Navin, Navin answered some questions to zazo on Orkut Community, Orkut’s Hall of Fame. Below is the conversation between the two.

Welcome Navin to Orkut’s Hall of Fame.

It’s my pleasure and honor to be here.

When I joined the National Defense Academy at 17 I thought our country needed soldiers to fight and defend on the border. When at 22 I came to the civil society I realized that there is a much bigger battle to be fought here. The battle with ourselves.

A million people have selflessly laid down their lives to give us this land and society to protect and care for. If we do not take care of it, it is an insult to the martyrdom of those million.

Great thoughts Navin! Can you please give us a brief description about your family background and educational qualifications?

My father was a small village boy who joined army and we got to study in better schools.

I did my graduation with National Defence Academy, pursued masters in Indian history from Pune univ while in a hospital bed, and came out of hospital to do Masters in Computer Management from Symbiosis and UGC NET lectureship in computer applications. I also did a proficiency course in Chinese.

Navin how you got injured? I know its hard for you to get into past again but if its ok with you then please share that moment of life which I am sure you can never forget.

It was just another day. An infantry obstacle course, an accidental push, a fall, a broken neck, paralysis, not being able to breathe, not being able to speak, not being able to move, in an intensive care unit of an army hospital and the doctors saying that if he somehow lives 3 days he may live. I did.

Oh! , how did you took this accident to your life? How much you changed and how much your thoughts and goal for life changed?

I have a sportsman’s mindset. For me obstacles are not problems, they are challenges, they spur you on. Where ever I would have been, I would have tried to do my bit. But this injury made me realize life at very different and higher dimensions. I sincerely think I have been lucky to have faced all that I have. Nothing great about it, I am just made this way. I feel difficulties are the best teachers and one is lucky to face them. Facing death gave me a stronger passion to live and make something better out of my life.

How ADAA started, what makes you work for children?

I always wanted to work for street children and needy children.

1. When you help a child you change a whole life for the better.

2. These children are our future

3. Scores of children, infants, toddlers begging/made to beg in the streets in pathetic conditions and no one coming forward is a shame for our society.

4. I personally identify and feel for the needs of these children.

ADAA started when one peak winter night in Delhi with near zero temperature I saw an infant girl with only a torn open shirt on her crying bare feet on the road. Some children who might have brought her for begging with them had abandoned her. I don’t want to see that kind of thing happen again.

How this organization work? How many children are under this organization’s care at present and in how many cities of India ADAA is active?

We work in the field, we teach in the villages, we distribute food and clothing to street children/beggar children, we go to the hutments where they stay and distribute food/conduct classes, we check whenever we come across infants being used for begging and we are in the process of setting up a home for extreme cases like severely physically challenged or abandoned cases. We are right now mainly working in and around Gurgaon and Delhi, though we have our representatives in Mumbai, Pune, Vizag and Goa.

We are doing a little, lots needs to be done. And before any one makes guesses, let me also say that we run on shoestring budget with small contributions from friends. No company, government or individual has donated us any substantial money. Why? Well, I think they can answer it better.

Sorry to know about that, continuing to your answer above don’t you think that reason is more important then the condition? I mean to say that there are so many children who are suffering so instead of healing there pain don’t you think to find the reason of there pain will be more effective? To whom you blame for the condition of those children government policies, people awareness or both?

Exactly, the reason is important. Govt and society, both are responsible.

The government would not want to address any issue which cannot get them votes. These kids unfortunately don’t have votes. They even don’t have a voice. We as a society are silent. We turn our face away. We compound the problems of these kids by giving them spare coins which go to their tormentors who are encouraged to exploit them even more.

When an infant/baby is being abused for begging, how many of us would turn and scold the person do. Where is the mother of the child? Why the child is uncovered in peak winters when the person accompanying is fully clothed. Why is the child covered in mud? We allow it to happen and continue. It is my dream that no child has to beg in the streets. That they get a safe environment, food, medicine, education.

We all should do our bit.

Navin I saw on your home page www.navingulia.com that you are very passionate about adventure sports, how this passion came up in your life? After all it’s a risky

Sport.

Life is an adventure. We all have to lose it one day. Why not try out a few things in the meantime. When we are keeping our lives safe inside closed doors, aren’t we losing life without even putting up a fight? Life is meant to be lived, savored and cherished.

As for risk. I firmly believe adventure doesn’t mean taking risk, adventure means eliminating risk. See, when I got injured it was a routine activity on a routine day. I did not get injured when I was Para jumping; sky diving, rock climbing or powered hang gliding. If its my advice, it would be - open the doors, go out, live. Life is like a 500Rs note, you get nothing by saving it, you get something only by spending it. Personally, I live my life with a single agenda - ‘whenever I look back at life I should say “wow!”

Impressive and brave thoughts Navin, coming to my next question i would like to ask that who is your idol or a person you are really inspired by or you don’t have any?

oh, there would be so many, I keep meeting so many wonderful people who inspire me and from whom I learn. So many wonderful things.

In giving everything to life and not wanting anything in return Gandhi and Mother Teresa inspire me.

In starting as a small town boy, to a superstar, to a business tycoon, to governor of California - Arnold Schwarzenegger inspires me.

In perfection of art Lata Mangeshkar and Nusrat Fateh Ali inspire me.

In philosophy much beyond their times Kabir, Buddha and Nanak inspire me.

In beauty of existence children inspire me.

In invincible might the Himalayas inspire me.

In calmness and fury the oceans inspire me.

My pride inspires me not to consider myself lesser; my humility inspires me not to consider myself greater.

Every breath of life inspires me.

Maybe I can write a book on what all inspires me, there is so much.

Beautifully described. At last, where do you want to see yourself in coming 10 years?

I live with a dream that no child has to live and be exploited like a beggar. I want to have made a difference.

Thank you for giving me this great chance for talking with you Navin, I with my team and other members of Orkut’s hall of fame and orkutheroes.com gives you the best wishes and will try to do something which can help you and your mission.

All the best for future.