Mina Khagram has dedicated her life to helping underprivileged members of society. A stenographer by profession, she has impacted society through various programs and initiatives. As a lifeguard, she has taught ladies and children swimming. Later, she introduced wellness and yoga lessons to her growing network of friends and associates. She is currently involved in providing education, particularly to women. She launched a weekly online empowerment program along with Dr. Lalit Sodha, inviting celebrities and high-profile speakers to share their inspiring journeys. The program is known as MINLA Zoom Sessions, attracting an international audience from the UK, USA, Canada, and India. Mina has conducted over 95 such sessions. At home, she is a devoted wife, a mother, and a doting grandmother who performs all her family and social duties with great love and care.
Questions:
1) Which place, or city or country do you most feel at home in?
I was born, brought up, and educated in Kenya. This is where I got married, and raised children and grandchildren. Nakuru is where I have most of my closest friends. It is a beautiful place and extremely popular with Tourists. This is where I feel most at home. This is where my loyalties lie.
2) What are your proudest achievements?
As a little girl, my proud moment was when I was given a prize as one of the top students in school. As a mother, it was when my first son graduated from a university in London and recently, it was when the Indian PM Narendrabhai Modi visited Nairobi. I had the opportunity to meet him and get photographed with him.
3) What inspires you?
World-class speakers and dharma gurus inspire me. Being a learner, I am constantly inspired by anyone who does something for their community.
4) What has been biggest obstacle in your career?
The biggest obstacle in my life was not having enough opportunities to go for higher education. But as soon as I got married to my husband Ramesh Khagram, I was encouraged and supported to do whatever I loved to learn. Since then, I have not stopped learning, whatever is available, in my small town.
5) Who has been the biggest influence on your career to date?
First, my late father, who taught me the value of life, my husband Ramesh Khagram, and my boys who constantly encourage me and facilitate me. My husband believes that if I don't do well in new ventures, I have learned a lot in the process.
6) What is the best aspect about your current role?
During corona time l met a divine personality on social media, Dr. Lalit Sodha, a world-class speaker, writer, and chiropractor. We started zoom sessions, by chance, where we would invite world leaders, politicians, and athletes like Eluid Kipchoge and others in many different fields. These speakers were to motivate and inspire people during the lockdown. We had zoom sessions every week, we have done more than 95 dignitaries, and have an audience of 10,000 people. Our sessions are live on Facebook and are on YouTube. With public demand, we have continued.
7) And the worst?
I always feel I am not doing enough for people. Corona has shaken the world and now war and natural disasters. Children are suffering. People are losing their loved ones. Recession, losing jobs, and stress of life for average citizens.
8) What are your long term goals?
I like to continue learning new things from young people. Motivate the young generation to help in rural areas in Kenya. Encourage them to spend time here and share their knowledge with needy kids.
9) If you were Prime Minister, what one aspect would you change?
I wish to see no child sleeping hungry. For that, I would like to teach mothers kitchen farming. And support women's empowerment. Distribute free medicine and have free medical camps in rural areas, as well as educate the youth in hygiene for longer and healthier lives.
10) If you were marooned on a desert island, which historical figure would you like to spend your time with and why.
It is my dream to spend time with Mahatma Gandhi. As a child, I read a book experimenting with the truth. And since then, I try to practice the truth. I follow his philosophy of ‘SIMPLE LIVING AND HIGH THINKING’. At the same time, I personally have many questions for him to answer.
