Interview With :
Lakshmi Pratury, Founder and Host of INK
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Views: 9
INK, or "India's TED" as some people call it, is hosting its annual event in Kochi this month. INK is a three-day conference, bringing together people from different fields ? technology, business, science, arts, entertainment ? to share ideas and to showcase their work.
Topics range from cleaning oil spills to the wisdom of mythology. INK also boasts of an eclectic mix of speakers, from international Hollywood celebrities like James Cameron to Indian author, Gurucharan Das.
We spoke to the founder and host of INK, Lakshmi Pratury, on the genesis of INK and what brings them to Kochi.
On INK 2013's theme ? "All that matters"
Lakshmi: This theme came up during my conversations with a few friends on how we need to study to get a job; and we need a job to make money; and we need money to buy a bigger house. At the end of all this, what are we looking for and what do we pursue at the end of the day. And it boiled down to what is it that really matters to people? What's the core of our being? and we want to bring this out through different disciplines, voices and perspectives.
Personal motivation for starting INK conference in India
Lakshmi: The future is here. But I believe that if the future is a mere projection of the past, we are in for great trouble. To shift the future in a radical way, you need a lot of young people on your side. I need to be where young people are and I was lucky that the country I came from happens to have the largest number of young people. I want to be able to influence the youth in a whole different way and that was my motivation.
I remember many times when I was young, when you think differently, and not sit in malls, I remember feeling alone at times. And I was really lucky to have such an amazing family and a strong father who stood up to everyone to let me do what I believe in. I felt that if I had any means at my disposal, that's what I would focus my time on ? I want to give the youth a platform to make them feel special and I wanted to start a platform that's based on ideology and meritocracy and not on privilege.
Beyond the three-day conference, how does the INK platform contribute value?
Lakshmi: The conference is a catalyst ? it's an amalgamation of our work throughout the year. The idea of INK has shifted from being a conference to a community that connects throughout the year. We've done programs with schools and colleges and helped many of our fellows accomplish their dream. We've done a lot of things to turn imagination into impact. For example, if you take Shubhendu Sharma, who is one of our fellows and into urban forestation ? we've been able to introduce him to different people so that he can get more business. He is now an Ashoka Fellow.
Why Kochi?
Lakshmi: Ambience is a big part of what we do. You have to create an environment where people can relax and think differently. Kerala has amazing beauty. The rustic beauty is kept along with modern facilities. You can experience both. We also have amazing people who've stepped up to help us out with open arms. Also, Kerala is the most literate state in the world, being literate also means opening up your mind to larger thinking. It's a place that's open to what INK does. Both aesthetically and symbolically, it fits.
Source:
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