A Real Himalayan Challenge

Seeking Maverick Expert Believers to creatively apply their Expertise, Knowledge or Network in piecing a Himalayan puzzle together

Occasionally, one comes across a challenge which is like nothing else you have done before - more ambitious, definitely difficult and demands lots of passion. And if you get a project like this….it presents an opportunity to dream big, candidly reassess one’s professional caliber and discover dormant traits during months of re-alignment to surprising realities, wooing impassive partnerships……and a nail biting finish to an unpredictable end. Well, there is one such project. And it’s a Himalayan one!


This blog is about the project. More specifically, it is the nerve centre from where the course and strategies will evolve to acheive a very tall objective. Let me clarify that rather round about statement. We, by whom I mean myself and the existing team, realize that the task we have undertaken is unique in many ways and complex to the core. Other’s experiences in the past have shown that in such multi-dimensional projects, conventional approaches and established methods can at best get limited (and not always sustainable) success. Having set our eyes and heart on achieving ‘much much more’, we are smart enough to realize that it would be impossible to achieve it by ourselves. Comforting us in this rare moment of humility is the intuitive realization that we are not actually supposed to do it by ourselves!

The fundamental essence, or shall I say the ‘spirit’, of the project lies in connecting more and many more people to the cause – enough to spark a movement! Spicing up this already hot challenge are the limits that have been set for us:
1. Use the least financial resources. The seed capital to start of is two initial installments of Rs.25,000 (US$555).
2. Do it quickly. The D day is the 31st of December 2007. BUT the time frame given for crossing the specified milestones demand new speed records!

You must be wondering ‘How will a blog help?’. Probability of triumph hinges on our success in bringing together a group like no other – creatively intelligent mavericks from different fields with three traits in common (1. Excellent in what they do; 2. think out of the box; 3. Love a good challenge) and sharing one common goal (Collectively put the myriad pieces of this tricky puzzle together).

But the big dilemma was How?. How do we find these people and when we do find them how do we convince them to make time for us in their as it is strenuous life race and give us their best work for ….hmmm...primarily intangible personal gains in return!

We decided to put our bets on the
‘small world’ belief and workability of the six degrees of separation. Afterall it is ‘people who know other people’ and ‘people listen to people’. So who could be more effective in finding and persuading the right people – lots of other people. With the Columbia university "Small World" experiment verifying the six degree of separation connections on cyberspace and in light of our resource constraints, we chose to take the hunt online.

Now the ball is in your court. If you are reading this post, then either you are an important link in the chain to identify the right person/source or you are the right person itself. In either of the two scenarios we need your HELP.

I haven’t yet mentioned what the project is. Nor am I going to…..till the 4th post. Though as the blog title suggests, it is to do with Spiti. To fathom the unique dimensions of the project and your potential role in solving parts of the puzzle, it is important to first equip you with adequate background information - introduction to Spiti (a place probably only a micro minuscule fraction of the world population would know about) and us (unknown entities with promises of ambitious challenges!). Afterall, you need to know us better and believe in the merit of the project before you decide to get involved.

I take your leave (for now) but leave behind a question – Do you know Spiti?


Yang Jalin ("Till we meet again" ) on Spiti Junction.

4 comments:

Unknown said...

Most of us today are so caught up in the "rat race", being a "cog", etc etc we forget the essence of life. Ofcourse the essence for each individual would be different but i guess it all boils down to being happy and content with what we are and what we do in life..sounds simple and easy to achieve yet we loose focus and aim for other superficial intiatives/objectives/goals. Having said this most of us, am sure want to work towards something purposeful and contribute our bit to the world around us, BUT it just remains a thought...the small gap between our 'intent and action' is the lack of a platform or initiative to take the plunge.
Ofcourse i am still not sure how, when, where can i contribute but to get an opportunity to add value to a cause is worthwhile.

Avikal said...

I am against development as it is understood in modern
sense. I like development thats sustainable, maintains the character the
area and does not cause living so easy that a population explosion
results. Hope you will agree with me. I am in Dubai but Being a specialist in
Insurance, Investments and Training, would like to contribute as much as I can. But please the way it sounds, dont let too many people touch and spoil
the region.
Regards,
Avikal

Unknown said...

Well, I am impressed with the initiative taken. As it is, I have plans to work for some NGO, coz I have a deep urge to work for the goodwill of community. It's always been my excuse that time does not permit :-), but hopefully, I should be able to contribute something here....

Anonymous said...

Hi
I have been to spiti recently and this initiative seems interesting considering some of the concerns I have for the region.
I would like to help as much as I can.
Let me know how I can get in touch and get more info.
~Freya (Musafir.freya@gmail.com)