Driving change with heart: From personal advocacy to global philanthropy

Ferose begins our chat with a fundamental question: How should we define philanthropy, and what does it mean for different cultures? It’s clear he’s been pondering this for some time, partly as research for his next book, “Giver,” and partly because questioning the status quo seems to be in his DNA. Ferose questions the established norms everywhere. He strongly espouses the rallying cry – ‘nothing about us without us’ and expresses his disbelief around some blind spots that seem prevalent today.

“You cannot do a disability conference without people with disabilities in the room.”

At the 2018 Indiaspora event, Ferose sparked a lively debate on the true nature of generosity, emphasizing that it’s not about how much you give, but how much you sacrifice. His talk on philanthropy was more than just a critique; it was a vibrant call to action, advocating for a shift from nominal donations to meaningful, hands-on involvement.

“Believing that money alone can solve problems is a flawed notion.”

We also discuss the importance of shifting mindsets from sympathy to empathy to compassion. Ferose fervently believes that compassion is where true change happens. Ferose’s life mission goes beyond personal accomplishments; it is a call to fundamentally rethink how we view and practice giving. I end our chat feeling inspired by his thoughtful approach to societal problems, confident that the world is being made better, one motivated person at a time.