I am now, part of an experiment called The School of Inspired Leadership (SOIL), Gurgaon. I last worked as a Manager in the Wireless Software Industry (with GlobalLogic in Noida). Been fortunate to have worked with some of the best players in the Wireless Industry in GSM/GPRS/UMTS Technologies, in India and abroad.

Have been volunteering since Dec 2002. I believe in bringing about social change through systemic correction.

[Childhood - 1998]

I was born in an Army family.

As I look back, I was not a person with doubts, not a star performer in any field, was a back bencher, introvert, never understood Physics till I was challenged by “Brilliant Tutorials”, but I was practical, good with my hands – opening clocks - making electrokit models, creative, disciplined, ‘a good boy’. The teachers always took a liking for me – always thought I was worth more and should achieve more [academically] than I always did.

I knew all through that littering is bad (15+ yrs now, I have not thrown even a bit out of my car), environment is supposed to be maintained in its pristine glory, the white marks on the roads are to facilitate lane driving and pedestrian crossing, give indicators, population growth has to be stemmed, being literate is not being educated.  I remember, in Xth standard, I had strong views on what India lacked and needed!

I somehow managed to make it to Army Institute of Technology, Pune and come out of it too.  Without Questioning too much, but yes, made a sincere attempt to “really understand” the fundamentals. 

[1998-2004]

Fortunately at C-DAC, Delhi, discovered what it is to be a first bencher; learned that learning in a classroom was possible, provided you LISTEN & QUESTION!

QUESTIONING, is something, I have NOW become a master of!

After working/studying 4 years in India, in 2002, I ran away, condemming it for its flaws – “India can never change – goddam India”. Joined a start-up in Munich, Deutschland.

Half a year there, one day I woke up from a dream – picking up the last bits from it,  thoughts spiralled, “I wanted to get away from India, and here I am still dreaming of home – People take a life time to make dreams real, I instead, was living a reality, and I turned it into a dream”. I felt like a coward for having escaped India, than trying to “at least do something” to alleviate the situation. The churn began…

As a first step I compiled a list of NGOs in Delhi, looking of ways to contribute. In Dec 2002 I met Mehar Singh. Life changed – volunteered for Asha for Education, started the Munich Chapter  with Mehar and others. I discovered that there was a lot more to me than being good for Wireless Protocols – I could make things happen – FAST!

In the meanwhile decided to come back to India – many reasons had accrued, and Germany taught me a lot. After a Pandit Chaurasia concert (http://www.ashanet.org/munich/main_events.htm), got a job with HCL Technologies in Noida.

Holding my suitcases, gave a last gaze at the beautiful snowed-out view outside my room window, overwhelmed, asked my self – “Hope I am doing the right thing – leaving a city and life I am so much in love with – a perfect life”. 

Landed back in Feb 2004 – to make a difference, discover my vision and follow ‘The Dream’.

[2004 - Now]

As I was getting introducted to my team in HCL, I had difficulty in registering “Indian” names – it wasn’t before this I realised how Germanized I was! – in only 2 years! Ach-so!

I settled down in my job, taking up many technical challenges with teams mostly of freshers. For Asha Munich, worked out some foreign funding problems for project partners by understanding the FCRA.

And THEN – in Mar/Apr 2005, I used the Delhi Right to Information Act, 2001, got repaired a portion of The Outer Ring Road. Outlook article

The next plunge was The Vasant Kunj Malls case on the Delhi Ridge.where I became the core team member, webmaster, watchful eye, financial supporter.

Got associated with Asha Delhi, in July 2005. Mainly involved in getting children from the Economically Weaker Section (EWS) of the society in Private Schools in Delhi. See project: Delhi Govt 10% school reservation clause.

Today, the activists I know do lend an ear to what I say, ask for suggestions, and keep me involved - which lets me know that I must be doing or saying something appropriate! I contribute my – tan, mann, dhan.

At work – I have stretched myself. Last couple of years have been particularly exciting: I am known to be an innovative chap, thinks differently, stands for Quality & Processes, loves Wireless, a great coach-leader-manager (testimonials available ), who gets things done. 

Google Search: “Uday Gosain“