Ep53 w/ Gita Balakrishnan - Commandments of A Quest, 1,700km of Transforming Walk | Change Catalyst

Attitude Makeover

Hi everyone, it is my absolute honour to have Gita Balakrishnan with me for the premiere episode of my new series, Change Catalyst.

Gita, an architect who truly followed an unconventional practice as she believed she was doing what she was best at, started her organisation ETHOS which serves as a nurturing ground for architects and students nationwide. Within its embrace, ETHOS harmoniously aligns passion and skill, empowering individuals to become catalysts for change. Drawing inspiration from the 1987 walk of Sunil Dutt from Bombay to Amritsar and fueled by her unwavering passion for running, Gita translated this fervour into a noble endeavour to stride for a meaningful cause.

Amidst the turbulence of the pandemic, as numerous daily wage labourers were compelled to migrate, their livelihoods upended, Gita, embarked on a journey that sought not only to fathom the struggles of these harbingers, crucial to the visual allure of towns but to also spotlight the role of good design and architecture in fostering the cultural and geographical tapestry of our nation.

Reminiscing about her 1,700-kilometer journey from Kolkata to Delhi, Gita also shares the challenges and triumphs of being a woman on the road. From hygiene to safety, Gita faced it all with grit and grace. But the journey was more than just a physical challenge; it was also an introspective experience that helped her overcome her past and become more accepting of the situations.

"I used to keep writing, thinking, and reading about what I wanted to do." Driven by an insatiable quest for good, Gita is determined to make a difference, not just in her own life, but in the lives of thousands of others. She is committed to building a legacy of work that will have a lasting impact, and to creating something that will transcend her own time and place.

Conclusively, when asked why she decided to walk such a long distance, Gita articulates the need to experience the sunshine and rain of people's struggles to truly change their lives.

Navigating the pressures with grace and gratitude,

She is now working on six key areas to expand the definition of architecture beyond mere structures and to stretch the limits of creativity and design, connecting culture with people.

Tune In Now to Change Catalyst by Attitude Makeover!

Table of Content

00:00-01:23

Introduction

The Ascent Through Chrysalis: Meet Gita Balakrishnan who walks us down the lane of her journey to change

01:24-05:59

Tracing the Transformative Journey: How walking 1700 km from Kolkata to Delhi Wove Itself Into The Fabric of Gita's Family

06:00-09:04

Ethos Unveiled: A Chronicle of Principles, Progress, Purpose and Plans

09:04-13:54

India: A Tapestry of Cultures and Diversity, Woven Through The Lens of Gita on her walk

13:55-18:22

Charting the Course: Unlocking the Mantra to Uncover One's Quest

18:23-29:06

Beyond the Uncharted: How Gita blazed new trails by challenging the status quo and overcoming adversities as a Woman

29:07-36:54

The Journey Within: Taming Expectations To Achieve Your Wildest Dreams

36:55-45:18

The Metamorphosis of Self: How Gita Rediscovered Herself In The Rhythm of Change

45:19-52:12

Soul Whispers: Listening to The Voice Within for Inner Fulfillment by travelling down the lane of memories

52:13-57:25

The Fire of Struggles: Gita explains how the ebbs and flows of your life forge your character

57:26-1:00:57

The Alchemy of Your Future: Why and How You Transform Your Dreams Into Your Reality?

1:00:58-1:10:14

Closing Words: Gita's Visionary Walk, six momentous visions and an Attitude Makeover

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/attitudemakeover/?hl=en

Twitter: https://twitter.com/sowjanyashetty

Video version of the podcast: https://youtu.be/mT2P0kKD4b0