MISSION TO TEACH: The Life and Legacy of a Revolutionary Educator with Dipak Basu

Dipak Basu, author of an incredibly inspiring book about his late daughter, Jhumki, entitled MISSION TO TEACH: The Life and Legacy of a Revolutionary Educator joins eHealth Radio and the Cancer Prevention and Education Channels. Jhumki passed away at age 31 of metastatic breast cancer, but not before leaving a mark on the teaching profession she so dearly loved.

Listen to interview with host Eric Michaels & guest Dipak Basu discuss the following:

• Your daughter had such a short life but had accomplished more than people who live more than twice as long. Tell us a little about her passion for teaching and what her ultimate goals were.
• Jhumki was passionate about providing quality education for all kids, regardless of socio-economic conditions, especially in the sciences. Where did that passion come from, do you think?
• She had a survivor’s mentality. How did she react when she was diagnosed with cancer and when she was going through treatment? Do you think that a person’s mental outlook can affect his or her physical well-being, even for someone with such a devastating illness?
• Do you think that her stellar accomplishments had something to do with her limited time left? Do you think she knew something that you, as her parents, did not?
• Do you think Jhumki would be amused – and pleased – to see the admiration with which she is remembered? Your book has commentary by Dr. Jane Goodall as well as former Secretary of State Condoleeza Rice!
• You seem to be inspired by your daughter as much as her students and colleagues were – and continue to be. How would you describe that feeling to other parents?

Duration: 15:59

Dipak Basu, engineer, philanthropist, social worker, author, has spent much of his life employing technology in humanitarian missions worldwide. In 2006, he set up Anudip Foundation, a nonprofit company dedicated to improving livelihoods of poor rural people in developing countries through training in information technology and entrepreneurship. He currently serves as Anudip’s Chairman and CEO.

In 2001 Dipak founded and served as Executive Director of NetHope, a technology alliance of the world’s largest aid agencies, applying innovative high-tech solutions to aid operations in the world’s impoverished, disaster-affected and war-torn regions.

From 1995 to 2006, Dipak held senior management positions in Product Management and Professional Services at Cisco Systems. Prior to Cisco, Dipak served as a consultant to the Government of India, developing communications solutions for the country’s steel, energy, banking and hospitality sectors.

Dipak is the recipient of the Tech Laureate award for IT in Humanity and the President’s Award from Save the Children. He is a Cisco Leadership Fellow, a Reuters Digital Vision Fellow, and a Fellow of the Institute of Electronics and Telecommunication Engineers.

In 2009, following the loss of their beloved daughter the previous year, Dipak and his wife, Radha, launched the Jhumki Basu Foundation to carry on her remarkable legacy.

Dipak's debut historical fiction novel, A Flight of Green Parrots, was published in 2004. A sequel will follow later this year.

Web Sites: www.missiontoteach.org | www.jhumkibasu.org