Marvelous Monday with Silver Surfer Abha

“Nothing is Impossible” – She says. Presenting to you all, Silver Surfer Abha – Our Super Senior this week!

Married at the tender age of 20, Abha embarked on her career in the booming IT sector at the of 35, where she found her niche.  She then went on to work her way around her new-found passion to prove to the world that Age or Sex was no bar, of course with a little luck on her side and blessings from above. With a background in Arts, she today has built a successful career in the Tech Industry.

 

Down Memory Lane – Originally from UP, Abha got married and moved to Germany where she lived for a total of 13 years. She was an active housewife during her first stint in Germany. Being a woman who has been active for as long as she can remember, she is quick to mention, “I was a housewife for two main reasons – I did not have a work permit and my children were young.” The zealous bug bit her and she found herself actively doing volunteer work at her children’s school. She was an active member in forming a close knit Indian community in Germany. During the year 1989, she and her husband formed a high fashion men’s garment company, where they worked with some of the big labels. At this point, she realized that the sales and marketing gene was inborn in her. 

In the year 1992, life had other plans for her. She came back to India minus the marriage tag with her two children in tow. She decided to start working, first with a multimedia training institute in the year 1993. After which, in 1994, she decided to join the software industry at the age of 35 as  ” .com” was a booming industry back then. She grew in the IT industry even though all her colleagues were young. There were points in which she was reporting to colleagues who were much younger to her, but that did not deter her. She prodded on and within 8 years in her first company, the title of Head of German Ops was captured below her business card. She stuck on to IT for another 3 – 4 years as the Key Account Manager for US Operations.

In the year 2008, the year that the big bad bubble burst – Recession; Abha decided to help startups during this rough period under the sales and marketing tag and also consulted NGO’s on strategic management. Meandering into the field of CSR happened around this time and Abha found herself working for Nasscom at the VP level in the same field. Abha heads an advisory company on CSR, which is mandatory now in India. She helps and prepares NGO’s to be part of that. She works more towards Accessibility and Inclusion of persons with disability and less towards CSR now.  

The way Abha kicks her shoes and relaxes – Abha has been an active Rotary member since the year 1997. Embroidery, Knitting, making things, cooking all forms of cuisines and learning new skills forms her strong suit till date. Her loving granddaughter has diverted her attention as well. She doesn’t think she would ever stop working till her brain stops, there is no earlier stop to dim her activities – Commercial project or otherwise. Abha is now actively involved in The Silver Surfers – Silver Cause Foundation. 

Those Golden Nuggets for them Millennials – “I came back to India in such a time where business and academic scenery had changed drastically. My mother country seemed alien to me. What I can tell everyone around me is that nothing in life is unattainable, if you don’t know a skill, work around learning the skill. If you don’t know something and would love to know more about it, learn it – the World Wide Web is at your finger tips. Or ask the people around you to help. God will keep showering you with opportunities, it’s up to you to grab it with an open mind and an open heart and work on it.”

Meet the Silvers – Alice Santiago

“A lot of give and a little take with Alice ”

Name:  Alice Santiago Age: 63 Services: Chocolatier, Anti Plastic hero, NGO volunteer Meet Alice Santiago – a craft-smith churning out yummy home made chocolates and upcycled gifting paper bags along with workshops on how to do them both! She also sells handmade candles made by children of NGOs, in her attempt to help them raise funds. Alice Santiago is a woman with a heart full of love and a hand full of crafty ideas. She spends her constructive hours making chocolates, upcycling paper and turning them into little bags and working with NGOs, raising money for them by selling her products and teaching these skills to kids. Having spent most of her life in the Gulf and working as a secretary, he retirement came with the usual cloud of cluelessness and wonder on how she could spend her free time. It didn’t take too long for this 63-year-old to spring into action. She looked up tutorials online and learnt how to be a more skillful chocolatier. She now provides 3 very unique services: If you’re anti plastic, join the club. Environmentally conscious Santiago does her bit by upcycling paper to make gorgeous paper bags. These come handy for everyday use around the house and can also make for great gift wrapping.

Environment Friendly paper bags by Alice

Alice the Chocolatier: She makes beautifully packaged white, dark and milk chocolates and is open to taking orders for all your celebratory needs, be it kid’s birthday parties or wedding favours.

An assortment of white, dark and milk chocolates

She also assists NGO’s in raising money by selling products made by children with special needs. In addition, she conducts workshops and teaches these children craft skills.

Festive wrapping boxes for special occasions

A woman with many talents, if you’re around  Bangalore, you might catch Alice offering her chocolate-making workshop at the first ever Silver Surfers Meet & Greet this coming Saturday. 🙂

Diya candles – A must have this Diwali

So, if you’re looking to say it with chocolates this Diwali or upcycled gift wrapping or maybe even attend an upcoming Alice Santiago workshop, let us know and we’ll keep get you in touch with the lady herself. If you wish to be connected to the multi-faceted Alice; Comment below or Write to us on our Facebook page –https://www.facebook.com/thesilversurfersclub and we will take care of the rest.