The Hummingbird and the audacity of hope

A Toastmaster's speech by Ankur Bora

Ten years ago, a young man driven by his desire to help others quit his job and moved to another corner of the world. He set out to build a school and began diligently, but the enormity of the task soon overwhelmed him; he felt small and insignificant, and he thought it was impossible. However, one day he heard the story of a hummingbird.  Friends, have you ever woken up to an ordinary day, only to have the most extraordinary thing happen that changed your life forever?  Such was the day for the young man. After hearing the story of the hummingbird, his hope was renewed, he started anew with fresh energy, and he began to rebuild. Friends, are you ready to hear the narrative of the hummingbird and the inspiring story of men’s courage, defiance, and audacity?

Bipin Dhane with students at Hummingbird School, Majuli river island, India

Once a fire started in a forest. All the animals in the forest came out, and they watched helplessly as the forest burned. They felt overwhelmed, powerless, except for this little hummingbird.

“I am going to do something about the fire!” she exclaimed. She flew to the nearest stream, took a drop of water, and put it on fire. She went up and down as fast as she could, again and again, again and again, again and again.’ Meanwhile, all the other animals stood by as mere spectators, and a few criticized the hummingbird.

“What do you think you can do? You are too little; this fire is too big.” 

But the hummingbird remained cheerful and determined. “I am doing the best I can,” she said, and continued her work. Her persistent effort caught the eye of an eagle observing from afar. The eagle extended its talons and lifted the tiny bird onto its broad wings. Meanwhile, the large elephants used their trunks to carry water, inspiring the other animals to join in. Soon, everyone began pouring water, and the fire was put out.

This inspiring story of the hummingbird truly uplifted a young man during a time when he was facing seemingly insurmountable odds. His name is Bipin Dhane. A distinguished student hailing from the western region of India, he gained admission to the esteemed Indian Institute of Technology. Upon completing his master's degree, he received a job offer and relocated to Singapore. However, his true calling was to serve others; he envisioned teaching young students the beauty of mathematics. His volunteer efforts to support rural and underserved communities took him to Majuli, a beautiful river island in northeastern India. It was truly a remarkable journey that filled him with a sense of purpose and connection. Majuli, the largest river island in the world, is renowned for its natural beauty, rich spiritual heritage, and lively culture. However, every year, summer monsoon floods cause widespread destruction among villagers. The roads get flooded, their houses are submerged, and humans and livestock are swept away, just like what happened in the Central Texas flood. One day, Bipin reached a remote village that had no basic amenities such as schools, markets, a hospital, or gravel roads. When he offered to teach the children there, the villagers asked, “Sir, can you help us build a school?" Bipin was overwhelmed; he had no money, no companion, and no resources. Then he heard the story of the hummingbird. He looked at the helpless villagers and told himself, “We should always be like a hummingbird. I may feel insignificant, but I definitely don't want to be like the animals that stood by when the forest burned. I will be a hummingbird; I will dedicate myself.” The villagers were moved by Bipin’s love, kindness, and compassion; they joined him, with one person donating land and others buying bamboo and materials to build the school. In January 2017, a school with a small hostel was opened with 70 children. Bipin named the institution the Hummingbird School.

Dayaprasad Kulkarni  and Aswathy with the author

The school has achieved significant progress, and recently, two managing trustees, Dr. Dayaprasad Kulkarni  and Aswathy Preetha Jayakumar, visited the United States. I had the privilege of hosting them at my home in Dallas. They told me about the remarkable progress made and the outstanding achievements of the first batch of high school graduates. Six of the students gained admission into the Rohan Bopanna Tennis Academy, run by Rohan Bopanna, the world's number one tennis player. As I heard this incredible news, they connected me to Bipin via a video call. It was early morning in India, and students started gathering at his house. At the first light of dawn, when most people are still asleep, Bipin began his day with a warm spirit by imparting knowledge to those young, eager minds.

Friends, each one of us can make a difference, no matter how small. In 1929, a young girl from Albania chose to become a missionary and traveled to India. She saw homeless people in the streets of Kolkata left to die alone, hungry, sick, and forsaken. She established “Nirmal Hriday”, a place where the poorest of the poor could die with love and respect. The world knows her as Mother Teresa. In Kenya, a young woman witnessed the utter destruction of the forest. “Let me plant trees, that’s what will make the difference,” she said. She faces numerous obstacles, endured imprisonment, beating, and personal loss, yet she continued to plant trees, one seedling at a time. The world recognized her Green Belt Movement. She was Wangari Maathai, the recipient of the Nobel Peace Prize. On a remote river island in India, while the world sleeps, a young man awakens. he begins his day with young minds, one student at a time. Bipin made me realize that each one of us has the capacity to make a difference, no matter how small. 

In the story of the hummingbird, the other animals discouraged the little bird, they made her feel insignificant. Yet, she was determined to protect her home; she continued to carry water in her tiny beak, one drop at a time. If we all follow the example of the hummingbird by making small, sustainable changes to our lifestyles, our collective effort might influence the future of our planet. Friends, let's aspire to be like hummingbirds, let’s be audacious, defiant, daring and let's bring that vibrant energy into our lives!

Speech at Out on the Town Toastmaster 12 July 2025