On 30th November 2013, when the sun rose over Ritz Carlton in Bangalore, people chirped their way into the India Inclusion Summit. Vibrancy in their steps and radiance on their faces, the empty hall was soon filled with people. Everyone was there for a reason. And amidst all the big names showing their heartfelt support, was Team KnowYourStar quietly working their way through the crowd.
We are proud and humbled at the same time, when we say KnowYourStar has supported IIS – 2013 by living true to its intentions. It all started with organizing a Book Collection Drive for Kartik. We were so apprehensive whether we’ll be able to collect any books at all. But once the first step was taken, books came pouring in. The team visited different corners of Bangalore under the sun to collect books from wonderful strangers, who responded to our posters in generous numbers. The books surpassed the target we kept in mind when we started, and it was all worth it when the books were presented to Kartik, and he shed tears of joy in front of us, while we interviewed him. Priceless!
During the summit, while people concentrated on the programs and talks on the stage, one of our team members sat silently in the corner, converting the thoughts of people onto the page in the form of cartoons! Live cartooning was done by KnowYourStar, and then displayed on a board outside. And when the stars came down and saw their cartoons, the looks on their faces was what made our day, as we stood behind the crowd silently taking in the sight. When people walked past, and admired the cartooning, we stood aside and smiled.
It was not the interviews, or the name, or the fame, which KnowYourStar was there at IIS-2013 for. We were there to fulfil what the summit really intended to achieve. We did our best in the shadows, and hoped with all our heart, that we made a little difference to the people to whom it really mattered. And those few golden moments that we gained was our only gain. And surprisingly at the end of the day, nothing else mattered!
KnowYourStar.com (KYS) is official blogging partner of India Inclusion Summit(IIS)-2013. Releasing this detailed report of KYS @ IIS with video to mark the International Day of Persons with Disabilities, part of KYS initiative to see an Inclusive India.