Seema Seth, Founder, NAYI DISHA

Seema Seth, Founder, NAYI DISHA

On this episode of The Brand Called, we have a very accomplished woman with us today. Mrs. Seema Seth is a professional of the corporate world who now contributes to social development. She is the Founder of Nayi Disha, a school for the marginalized children.

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On this episode of The Brand Called, we have a very accomplished woman with us today. Mrs. Seema Seth is a professional of the corporate world who now contributes to social development. Mrs. Seth has a master’s degree in History and has completed her PG Diploma in Personnel Management in HR. She has spent over 25 years in the corporate and HR world. She is passionate about women and child development. She is the Founder of Nayi Disha, a school for the marginalised children.

After finishing her graduation, Mrs. Seth worked with multiple successful brands of the Corporate world. She worked with American Express for the longest period of time and contributed greatly with business operations and HR. After spending 25 years in the field, Mrs. Seth decided to switch gears and move into the area of social development. She started a school for marginalised children to provide basic education to these kids.

Mrs. Seth threw light on the challenges she faces while running her school. She explained the lack of awareness with respect to education among people and the irresponsible behaviour that parents display. She also spoke about the challenge of bringing the students to school each day.

Mrs. Seth spoke about inter community issues, social pressure on children, her learnings and the basic changes that she was able to bring about these children.

Her initiative has helped create an aware and educated environment among the marginalised. She has not only succeeded in sending some of these kids for higher education but also managed to gradually ease the taboo around girl’s education.

After 25 years in the corporate world as an HR professional and corporate trainer, I am now focusing my productive years in the field of Social Development.  My years’ of experience in the Human Resources function and as a Trainer has strengthened my belief that every individual, regardless of background and education, has potential that can be nurtured and developed.  I am currently associating myself with organizations that have the passion and focus to hand hold individuals who want to have a graceful existence, and can do well for themselves with some help from individuals who have the wherewithal to guide them in the right direction.

As I feel passionately about child and women education for the underprivileged, I was associated with an NGO called Azad Foundation (http://azadfoundation.com/) who work to empower women to be self reliant and have financial independence.

I am also associated with St Jude Child Care Centre  (www.stjudechild.org) as a Team Member. I volunteer my time for staff development, staff  issue redressal, children education and parent engagement.  

In March 2014, with help fro family and friends,  set up NAYI DISHA (www.nayidisha.org.in) a school for children from marginalized communities in Harijan Basti in DLF Phase V, Gurgaon.  A second school was started in December 2018, and we currently have 100+ children.  We provide non formal education to children between the ages of 5 and 10 to prepare them for admission to regular, mainstream schools.  We have achieved our purpose thus far, and have successfully admitted about 160 children to schools like DPS Shiksha Kendra,  Amitasha of Amity International school and some other primary schools.  Our presence in the Basti gives us the additional responsibility to deal with community issues.  Having established ourselves as education givers, and having built a strong network with other schools for admissions, we have now embarked on a very important journey of ensuring and Creating Safe Spaces for Children.  We are creating leaders from the teacher community to propagate this to whoever is  a care giver and works with children.  This, we hope,  will help reduce school drop outs,  and encourage children to speak up in case they face any kind of abuse.

I am an experienced Corporate trainer and certified Assessor for Development Centres.  Since 2007 I have partnered with organizations to train and counsel employees on subjects that help employees upgrade their skills and enhance their performance.  

Have partnered with schools in Gurgaon for POCSO and worked on POSH investigations for some Corporates.