Dear Friends,

I am sure you all realise just how well India is doing! We are incessantly being told that we have never had it so good. Witness our economy: the rupee getting stronger and stronger, and our stock markets climbing to even greater heights. Witness our corporate culture going global: no more are our companies being bought, now it’s we who do the buying! Witness our almost super power status: other powerful nations now call on China and India (in the same breath) to influence supposedly errant nations to more acceptable behaviour. Our rockets visit outer space and travel vast distances with pinpoint accuracy.
As an Indian, I am extremely proud of all this, and more!
But, I wonder if the man resignedly contemplating the best time and way of killing all his loved ones - wife, parents, children and finally himself - unable to bear any longer, their initial whimpering, followed by the deafening silence of the pain of gnawing hunger - is he proud to be an Indian?
And what of some of our women who, to ward off starvation, prostitute themselves for an immediate mouthful of food – knowing in advance, that it can only be temporary at best – is she proud to be an Indian?
And the little children, who uncared for, most often abused and in despair, make their way alone in this world of the unforgiving adult – proud to be Indian? Do these parents not care for their children or have we not the ability to fully comprehend the depth and extent of their hunger, despair and hopelessness – proud to be Indians, all?
I am frequently asked of my “vision” for Concern in the future. The answer is simple : to be able close it down completely! But, as long as there is even one person living in such desperate and hopeless poverty, whose quality of life we can improve, we will continue to the best of our ability “helping people help themselves”.
Kavita, our CEO, whenever she thinks I am approaching complete despair and when my mood is at the point of being dangerously low, has a habit of reminding me of what we have achieved. Last year alone, we were able to improve the lives of nearly 3 lakh people and, this I must admit, leads to a lifting of the dark mood, at least for the moment.
Finally, I must thank you all for your contributions, big or small, however extended, through the years. Without your support (in particular that of Nari Hira - our staunchest supporter from the very beginning) and the dedicated work of all those at Concern we would not have achieved anything at all. As it is, I hope we have been able to make you as proud of Concern India Foundation as I am.

Yours sincerely,

Ardeshir B K Dubash
Chairman