Books That Will Inspire You To Give Back To Society

Do large-scale philanthropic activities—especially when tax-subsidised—serve to strengthen or weaken democratic institutions? Can poverty be addressed solely by governments and philanthropic organisations? Is there any practical guide on re-designing markets when they fail to empower the poor?

These are the themes of books that comprise the reading lists of Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation’s M Hari Menon, Teach For India’s Shaheen Mistri, and DSP Investment Managers’ Aditi Kothari, as they talk to BloombergQuint on literature that inspires them to give back to society.

M Hari Menon

-India Country Director, Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation

Factfulness, By Hans Rosling

“If we don’t know the facts, we would imagine that world is going to end. Stories of gloom and doom are everywhere.” In Factfulness: Ten Reasons We’re Wrong About the World—and Why Things Are Better Than You Think, Hans Rosling highlights why because of our instincts and biases, humans are often unable to observe facts and data that points to progress in the world. He calls out the habit of generalisation as a reason for our “blind sightedness” and provides a toolkit to help people see things for what they are.

Factfulness is a book of an objective perspective of facts, and progress. It is also a book of hope. It makes the reader appreciate the progress and improvements being made in the world we live in. It is an essential read in a time where opinions often substitute for facts, and the notion of truth is under assault.

Building Social Business, By Muhammad Yunus

If you believe that complex problems of poverty and inequity should be addressed primarily by governments, civil society or philanthropic organisations—then this book might trigger a fundamental re-think. Nobel laureate Muhammad Yunus lays out a compelling new option in his book Building Social Business.

I recommend this book, because it’s both inspiring and also serves as a practical guide for how we can re-imagine and re-design businesses and markets when they fail to enable and empower the poor. Drawing on parallels from his work at the Grameen Bank and other examples, Professor Yunus talks about merging the power of social businesses and innovative technology. He explores social business models that can be successfully deployed across critical sectors like health, sanitation and education in ways that will include the poorest and most vulnerable, and by doing so, help them escape poverty. Recommended read for social entrepreneurs.

Moment Of Lift, By Melinda Gates

The world has long known two facts.

The first: women around the world carry a disproportionate burden of unpaid household chores which keeps them from productive work.

The second: by empowering women, we can drive massive positive impact on families, communities, countries and the world. Yet, the paradox is that gender inequity continues to persist around the world. It isn’t adequately measured, nor is it substantially addressed. I highly recommend Melinda Gates’, Moment of Lift; a book that serves as a powerful call to action to solve one of the fundamental societal challenges of our times.

Packed with stories and data from her experiences, Melinda’s own story enriches the book as it surfaces traditional gender roles and biases even among the most privileged. She makes an impassioned appeal to re-think gender roles and build an equitable world where women and girls can fulfil their potential.

Why Philanthropy Is Failing Democracy And How It Can Do Better, By Robert Reich

Robert Reich’s book, Why Philanthropy is Failing Democracy and How It Can Do Better, is a provocative read to say the least! I enjoyed reading it because it questions several existing beliefs about philanthropy’s role in a democracy and whether large-scale philanthropic activities—especially when tax-subsidised—serve to strengthen or weaken democratic institutions. Reich sees philanthropy as “an exercise of power by the wealthy that is unaccountable, non-transparent, donor-directed, perpetual, and tax-subsidised”. Whether we agree with his argument or not – the book certainly makes a strong case to revisit the regulatory mechanism which govern philanthropic organisations today. It also steers us to think about how the biggest philanthropic organisations can make themselves more inclusive as they decide on their goals and agendas.

Imagining India: The Idea of a Renewed Nation, By Nandan Nilekani

I remember reading Imagining India, and it “kind of blew my mind”. It helped re-frame the sense of transformative potential that technology and systems change offered India at an important juncture in her history.

In it, Nandan Nilekani, co-founder of India’s tech giant Infosys, has captured the central ideas and themes that have influenced India’s rise, articulated the challenges that stand in its way, and suggested solutions to overcome them.

He refers to India’s inbuilt and cultivated advantages, and how they can be leveraged for enabling a new India. Given his background, Nandan presents a thorough understanding of how information technology can be applied to help address many of the country’s developmental challenges, most notably, the idea of Aadhaar, a fundamental building block of India’s pioneering public digital infrastructure. An essential read when one needs inspiration.

Shaheen Mistri

- CEO, Teach for India

The Prophet, By Kahlil Jibran

l love this book because I resonate with the essence of it very deeply.

The Little Prince, By Antoine De Saint-Exupery

One of my read-again favorites, both for its words and illustrations. The Little Prince reminds me to see the world differently, and to stay in touch with the child in me.

Oh, The Places You’ll Go! By Dr. Seuss

You’d be surprised at what we can learn from our children - if we give up the assumption that we know better, and just listen to them. You’d be surprised at what we can learn from Children’s literature - if we just give up the assumption that we’re too old for it, and just read!

Stories by Dr. Seuss is a perfect example of this. This book is a perfect motivator for anyone looking at embracing change—either in her own life, or with the intent to affect change in a larger spectrum. It is vivid and beautiful, and explores many landscapes in one’s personal quest for meaning and impact.

The Giving Tree by Shel Silverstein

Reading this has deepened my understanding of our human capacity to give.

Gandhi The Man, By Eknath Easwaran

This book talks of the way Mahatma Gandhi lived his life according to his principles, no matter what, and his courage to do things differently.

Aditi Kothari

Director & Head – Sales, and Marketing, DSP Investment Managers

Factfulness, By Hans Rosling

This book talks of global data and statistics and its “unseen impact”. It talks of the “positives of this data” and inspires me to give more to philanthropic causes because the world is changing for the better if we collectively work for its good.

Journey Of Souls, By Michael Newton

This is a “really good book”. It talks of life between lives - what happens to the soul after it leaves the body. This book touches on the aspects of our purpose on earth. “We are born to do good. It feels good to do good.”

When Breath Becomes Air, By Paul Kalanithi

It talks of the experience of a doctor and his terminally ill patient. It shows us that time is limited and we must do the most that we can, in our lives and fill our life with meaning.

The Girl On The Train, By Paula Hawkins

This is a modern thriller and “an exciting read” and it gives a glimpse of physical abuse and depression. I closely work with NGOs on these issues, and this book strengthened my resolve to do more for women’s issues.