Leading with Compassion: Dr. Urvashi Mittal’s Journey in Social Activism

Dr. Urvashi Mittal who is a Social Activist,  Hony.Association Secretary of Association of Inner Wheel Clubs in India. She has a experience of 15 years, in which her philosophy of life is “It is never between me & you, It is between me & HIM”. 

This article tells her life journey and the impact she made while she is in Inner Wheel.

Introduction:

Dr. Urvashi Mittal was born and raised in an affluent, influential, socially well-connected, religious 'GOEL'. She belongs to a family where 3 generations work in Rotary and Inner Wheel, Ghaziabad, Urvashi Mittal was a topper all through, she topped Ghaziabad in 12th boards,  completed MMS( Master of Management Studies) from BITS, Pilani in 1986 & CFA (Chartered Financial Analyst) in 1990-SILVER MEDALIST at ALL India Level. Recently, an Honorary Doctorate in Social Service from California Public University has been conferred on her.

Despite being highly qualified and having professional degrees, she was always advised by her father, Shri Man Mohan Goel, to work towards helping the needy, as her family was doing well financially. He encouraged her to prioritize aiding others over earning money for herself and to let her knowledge be reflected in her children. Hence her involvement with Rotary and Inner Wheel started.

Originally a Rotarian, Urvashi joined Inner Wheel in 2009. Inner Wheel is the world’s largest women's voluntary service organization, present in more than 100 countries, having around one lac 20K members with its representatives in the UN also. India holds the distinction of having the highest number of members -almost 60K. She received 3rd prize in 'The Editor's Choice Award for an essay competition- ‘My Inner Wheel Moment' in 2015 and that was her turning moment in life.

Inspired by her own essay, the very next year, in 2016-17, she assumed chair of repute-President of Inner Wheel Club of Delhi Midtown, District 301 in 2016-17 and did many worthy & 'need of the hour' projects for example installation of a water ATM counter, Installation of GWR to convert bio-degradable waste to organic manure & lent support to underprivileged, needy, physically handicapped & cancer patients.

She has done many modalities of healing also, namely Reiki, Angelic, Crystal, Oracle Card Reading, Lama Phera & numerology. She’s appeared on Aajtak, DD News, Aaj Tak, CNBC, Zee News Regional, MH-1, India News, JK News, Total News, Media Conference with Lal Goel and Chardikala, etc, many YouTube channels & print media also.

Challenges and Achievements:

As a part of Inner Wheel, Urvashi’s most challenging part is to change the mindset of people including all men, women, and children. She believes that survival depends on the protection and sustainability of the environment. Along with intensive plantation, production and consumption of plastic/polythene must be reduced.

Urvashi received the Outstanding President Award, Brand Ambassador’s Inner Wheel Certificate, and many more.

Next year, As promotion Committee Chairperson, 2017-18, she ensured proper coverage of Inner Wheel activities wide electronic & print media. As District Editor, 2018-19, she introduced many new columns in Distt E-Newsletter ORBIT & introduced one new club, Umang.

As Distt ISO, 2019-20, she initiated E-Flag Exchange & released a new Distt Flag & launched a Live website/app to view ISO activities under one roof. As Distt Vice-Chairman, She prepared the ‘Secretary Manual’. As Distt Chairman in 2023-24, She focussed on working for RRR.

To support the first vertical-REDUCE, she Strongly recommended carrying steel flasks everywhere and made 2 records for the largest distribution of steel flasks through the Golden Book of World Records and World Records India. One such flask was gifted to minister Anupriya Patel during EUPHORIA and that’s how Urvashi received the ‘FLASK-LADY’ title in media.

To support the second vertical of RRR, Vintage shops / Thelas have been made & inaugurated to reuse old clothes through reselling. To support the third vertical of RRR, emphasis was laid on a collection of used plastic/polythene waste & given for recycling. 100 benches made out of this recycled polythene/plastic equivalent to a collection of almost 50, 000 Kgs of used plastic/polythene, have been installed at various places. Record through ‘Golden Book of World Records’ is made for this also.

Sarees made from water hyacinth were also promoted to address the environmental threat posed by this invasive plant. The total no of sarees bought by Distt members is impressive 121. Record through ‘World Records, India’ is made for this achievement.

Her Awards and achievements outside Inner Wheel are as follows:

• TEDx Speaker 2023
• Atal Samman, 2024
• Best Women Social Icon, 2023 by Times Group
• Elite Member Inner Wheel 2023-24
• National Women’s Excellence Award 2023 by Indian Galaxy Foundation
• ‘Expression of Gratitude’ 2023 -Beti Foundation, Support Our Heroes, Servants of the People Society-BalwantRay Mehta Vidya Bhawan, Deputy Director of Education
• Exceptional Women of Excellence by Women Economic Forum, 2023
• Delhi Ratan by All India Conference of Intellectuals, 2022
• Nari Gaurav Samman by Rajasthani Academy, 2022
• Dr. Sarojini Naidu(The Nightingale of India) International Award ‘September 2021, for Working Women by the Asian Academy of Arts in Association with the International Women’s Film Forum.
• Most reputed Certificate of Excellence ‘2018 Woman of the Year’ DIONISIO
• United Award, New York, States
• HONDA Superstar Award for Excellence,
• Award for Social work by NGO Social Umbrella,
• Award for Social Work by Lions Club,
• Award 4 Peace’ by Munni Irone, Hollywood Celebrity Coach,
• Award for Work by NGO Deepanjan Trust,
• Award by Anchor Media Group.
• ICMEI Indian Council of Media & Entertainment Industry

Personal Insights:

Dr. Urvashi is also a TEDx speaker and title of ‘FLASK-LADY’ by the media for intensive efforts to promote carrying steel flasks to reduce the production & consumption of plastic water bottles. She is also Distt Chairman post, election to the post of Association Secretary of ‘The Association of Inner Wheel Clubs in India’. All this is possible because she has a supportive spouse and her children who understand the importance of her work. She said, “Alone we can do so little; together we can do so much”.

Impact and Vision:

For Urvashi, Leadership is about growing others too. She said, “I love to interact frequently for doubts & queries and believe in spreading and teaching what I know. ‘मन की बात’ both ways, holds a key place in my life”.

Good Projects once started, must be continued year after year till the result is visible. So she still emphasizes that RRR pays attention and working towards the health of 50% population through Cervical Cancer Vaccination & education also falls under priority. 

Dr. Urvashi wants to progress in life, devoted to making India and Mother Earth a better place. A single voice is a noise, but together we become a voice. She wants to wake up people with the support of like-minded regarding their duties & responsibilities towards mankind, the environment being a priority.

Conclusion:

Urvashi advice to young women who want to become social activists and enter the field of helping others is this “If you are looking for name and fame, it’s the right choice. Who says that we only gain recognition and respect when we work for ourselves? We are often blessed with these and many more when we dedicate our efforts to helping others. But our priorities must be clear. Either we are financially sound already or we take satisfaction more in helping others”.