Most folks connected with me here are aware of my stint with Sitare Foundation, an educational NGO started by Amit Singhal, Ex SVP Google. From August 2022 to January 2023 I interacted with and taught students who are extremely bright but hail from families that are grappling with severe financial circumstances. Very rarely have I seen students this committed and it was an absolute pleasure teaching them.
Many many colleagues, friends and well wishers have asked me the following question: If my experience was so academically fulfilling, why did I leave?
I will keep my answer brief, but I think it's important that I answer and clear the air.
A couple of weeks before classes started in September 2022, I came across this article and it sort of shook me up: Google paid former executive $35m after sexual assault allegation | Google | The Guardian (ampproject.org)
However, to my credit, I did NOT take it at face value (else I would have bailed out right then) and decided to make up my own mind after interacting with folks and observing the ground reality for myself.
Result: I left as soon as the semester ended.
I don't want to say anything more.
If you ask me, would you send your children to study here? I would answer: If my financial circumstances were so dire that I hadn't any other choice, I would. But if I had other choices, I would explore before making up my mind. I definitely don't see this option as my "top option" (or even a preferred option).
But that's just my personal view. If you differ, I respect your right to do so and wish you the very best with whatever decision you make. My personal takeaway from this association has simply been a reminder of the old adage: "Never judge a book by its cover."
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