REX Since Inception

Buddha had said that “An idea that is developed and put into action is more important than an idea that exists only as an idea.”

Keeping this thought in mind the REX conclave from inception has been converting ideas into action through strong advocacy and policy influencing. From the beginning the REX Facilitator & Curator Jeroninio Almeida (Jerry) started dreaming of an idea for building an egalitarian platform where concerned citizens from all walks of life could get a stage to present their thoughts and ideas. Thus was conceived Invisible Leaders of India during the visit of HRH Prince Charles’ visit to India in September 2004. Jerry used this opportunity to recognize the “invisible leaders of India”.

Impact

Jerry followed this up immediately with another event titled “Vision of India” where In December 2003, the founders of iCONGO planned, managed and supported an event for PUCL and Anhad in Chennai with leading celebrities like Kamal Hassan and Amala and Media partners like Vijay TV and The Hindu, to sensitize people in Tamil Nadu to understand the electoral process and not just vote for politicians who make tall promises. This event was managed by sex workers and destitute youth who were trained to execute various details of event management and in the process gained jobs with event management firms.

He then planned a gala event under the aegis of Vision of India at Bangalore with various partners to bring grassroots leaders and eminent people on the same platform. However he was unhappy with this as he felt that in the glory of hosting a social event in a 5 star hotel the real value of egalitarianism, austerity and simplicity was getting lost and it was important to ensure that the program should have a good mix with a whole lot of participations from grassroots & marginalized communities also.

Now in its 11th year all this has been rechristened and repositioned as REX- Ideas for Action 2.0