Chai with Pabrai Mohnish Pabrai's Q&A session with Dakshana scholars at the JNV Bangalore Urban on December 24, 2023
May 30, 2024
A participant raises questions about the profitability of Dakshana, sparking a debate on the clash between capitalism and charitable education. The conversation dives into mathematical strategies essential for philanthropic initiatives while addressing ethical challenges. Experiences of navigating corruption in education and infrastructure reveal the struggles faced in maintaining integrity. The session highlights Akshaya Patra's innovative approach to providing nutritious meals in schools, showcasing a successful model that prioritizes student welfare over profit.
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Genesis of Dakshana
- Mohnish Pabrai wanted to scale Anand Kumar's Super 30 program but Anand refused to expand beyond 30 students.
- As a result, Pabrai started Dakshana to clone the concept with larger scale to help more students.
Using Rule of 72 to Grow Capital
- Pabrai uses the Rule of 72 to show how money can exponentially grow over time through compounding.
- He balances growing capital and giving it away intelligently to reach his philanthropic goals.
Scaling Constraints of Dakshana
- Dakshana can only support a limited number of students due to infrastructure and cost limitations.
- Scaling the program hugely would require massive investments and building new campuses to maintain quality.