The 12-year-old bride came to stay with her husband, Perumal, in Pullucheri, Madurai district in Tamil Nadu. Chinna Pillai used to go along with women from the village to work in the fields of the high caste landowners. Exploiting the vulnerability of these landless dalits, the wealthy landowners paid them below normal wage. Their pleading for an increase in their daily wages went unheard.

To make ends meet, these hapless labourers were forced to borrow at a high interest of 300 per cent from moneylenders. Chinna Pillai, now a mother of two sons and three daughters, also became a victim of this oppression.

Local MP Vasimalai had an idea to save these poor rural folk from the slavery of the powerful moneylenders. The former student of the Indian Institute of Management (Ahmedabad) had given up an attractive job to work at the grassroots level. Later, he headed the Dhan Foundation. Vasimalai asked the women to form groups of 20; everyone had to deposit Rs 20 monthly. The cumulative amount was then lent to one of the group members at an interest of 60 per cent. Though this interest too sounds big, compared to the 300 per cent interest of the moneylenders, it was much less.

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Leadership qualities are required not only for those who are in political and social life; it is needed in all walks of life, and its scope extends to home, school, religion, business and any other field. A good leader will have clear idea about his target and knows the way to success. A realistic leader has foresights and insight. S/he is able to read the signs of the times and senses trends and tendencies which are at work in his/her surroundings. Prof Sherene Aftab in the cover story this month explains how Mahatma Gandhi became the undisputed leader of the Indian freedom struggle and influenced millions of people with his simplicity, humility, honesty, truthfulness and empathetic nature. She challenges you teens to use your education, knowledge and the skills you acquire in school and college days to pave the way for a bright and better future.

Everyone is called to be a leader. A good leader, as a role model, will have positive attitudes and will be disciplined. S/he values human resources and will empower others constantly and act as a mentor, persuading others by his/her words and deeds, and at the same time also being assertive when necessary. Developing leadership qualities is a lifelong process; it does not happen overnight.

To become a great leader you need to make sure that your intentions are pure, your words and actions are appropriate and they are applied at the right time, in the right manner and with the right persons. If you are a good listener you will elicit the cooperation of others and reap the benefits of networking. Humility to learn from ones mistakes and willingness to learn from others will enable you to make sound judgements. Humility and sincerity to accept responsibility, accountability and transparency will generate trust among your followers. A good leader will have the ability to manage relationships, build rapport, provide emotional, intellectual or physical support when needed, manage time creatively and be dependable and consistent. It is the capacity to cultivate and build up their skills that distinguishes leaders from the followers. Discover your inner resources and strive to be a good leader.

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