Directors Cut

I have also held the view that social change will only come about when we as a nation rise to this problem and take action in our own way – some by setting up social change projects on their own and some by active citizenship and volunteering. Today, I am extremely honoured and privileged to talk about an Individual who has been able to convert his passion into action and is bringing about tremendous social change through his commitment and determination to promote the sport of Hockey and also use sports as a tool for development.

I remember, Shashank Gupta, from our first meeting at the first Dream A Dream office way back in 2004 as a young software engineer, albeit slightly cynical, but wanting to bring about change nevertheless. Over the next few years, Shashank became an integral part of Dream A Dream volunteering for a variety of programs – Computer education, mentoring, fundraising, strategic advice and his favourite program – The Dream Hockey Program. He managed to build tremendous respect amongst peer volunteers and much love amongst the children. Not someone who is just happy volunteering, Shashank had bigger plans and these finally came to fruition last year when he started his very ambitious – One Thousand Hockey Legs Project. I dedicate this issue of September to Shashank Gupta and his undying spirit to bring about change in the world. He is truly a ChangeMaker.

In Shashank’s own words,

“The sport of Field Hockey, as of today, fails to connect to the youth of today - primarily because very few have ever played or watched a Hockey match in their formative years. Volunteering with Dream a Dream's Hockey Program, I came close to the world of Hockey - a phenomenal sport that has a golden history in India. Hockey has all the life skills well entrenched - Team work, Stamina, Energy, Fitness, Leadership, Conflict Handling, Aggression, Defense, Attack, Respect. I just fell in love with the game over a period of time. As with anything, I came to know the darker side of the game, i.e. not many people fall in love with it anymore. I just wondered where I can make a difference.”


”With this thought in mind, few of us joined hands to form the Hockey Citizen Group and conceived our first project - One Thousand Hockey Legs – with the aim to initiate 500 school children from privileged and/or under-privileged backgrounds in a metro/village/town - to Hockey in 1 year and spread the culture of playing Hockey amongst children. Thus, our vision statement: Give each child of the country an opportunity to play Hockey and learn about it.

They have started their first project in Pondicherry with a few schools. They have provided equipment, coaches and conducted regular festivals to keep the children involved. Started in 2008 end, recently they commenced the Pondicherry School Hockey League with our partner schools.

Shashank is already basking in the many memories he has built through this program and shares a few with me.

“After a match on one day, the next day I went to one of the schools. I had to cross a ground which was over 100 mts. This was the lunch time of the school. Over those 100 mts, 4 children from different directions walked up to me and asked me when and where they can see their match's photograph. Somehow I smelled the "Hockey Culture".

On another occasion, a team lost 2 matches on consecutive days. At the end of match, 2-3 children came up to me and said, "Sir, when you come next time, we will surely win a match in front of you."

The program is already scaling very rapidly. It is about to start in 5 schools in Kolkata. Kanpur in UP is already showing promise and Shashank believes Chennai is just round the corner.

You can write to support Shashank at amitabh.bachchan.bigb@gmail.com and learn more about his unique initiative at http://othl.stick2hockey.com/

Shashank truly lives this quote from Mahatma Gandhi ~ “Be the Change you wish to see in the world”

Vishal Talreja,

Co-founder & Director Ashoka Fellow Dream A Dream