Important Hydration Tips for Hikers

Vikram “Vik” Uppal co-founded San Francisco’s Aid India in 2002 and continues to manage the charity’s fundraising and event coordination efforts. When he is not helping to raise funds for basic goods and housing and medicine needs in India, Vikram Uppal enjoys staying active through hiking.

Hiking can provide individuals with varying degrees of physical activity, from a leisurely stroll in a local forest to an intensive trek through a national park. Regardless of the difficulty rating associated with a hike, individuals should always remember to stay hydrated before, during, and after a trip.

Proper hydration begins prior to leaving. Shortly before the hike, individuals should drink two eight-ounce cups of water, juice, or a trusted sports drink. Hikers should refrain from drinking caffeinated products, including coffee and soda, as well as alcohol, as these liquids actually promote fluid loss and dehydration.

Once the hike begins, it is important to remember that each individual will require different amounts of fluid throughout the day. The need for liquids may relate to a person’s body type, weather conditions, and a number of other influencing factors. About one quart of fluid every hour is a good rule of thumb.

While every hiker should pack an ample supply of water, individuals must remember that a few sips from an electrolyte-charged sports drink can help maintain energy levels during a tough section of trail.

Finally, no matter how effective a person is when it comes to hydrating on the trail, all hikers return home with less fluids in their body than they left with. Just like stretching before and after a run, hikers must remember to rehydrate at the end of every trip.

Big Brothers Big Sisters Launches Pilot Workplace Mentoring Program

San Francisco-based professional Vikram “Vik” Uppal is the co-founder of Aid India, a charitable foundation that works to provide food, shelter, medical aid, and other basic necessities to Indian families. Vikram Uppal also contributes to philanthropic initiatives closer to home, serving as a volunteer for the Big Brothers Big Sisters organization.

Big Brothers Big Sisters is perhaps best known for its community-based mentoring program, which matches screened volunteers with children in need of positive adult role models. The support and guidance Bigs provide their Littles through even the simplest activities helps empower youth to succeed in areas of life ranging from school to personal relationships.

Big Brothers Big Sisters of the Bay Area (BBBSBA) also operates an additional program aimed at preparing young adults for successful careers. The nonprofit is currently in the second year of its pilot workplace mentoring partnership with GAP, which pairs teenaged Littles with Bigs employed at the clothing retailer.

Meeting twice each month over the course of a year, the pairs explore an extensive curriculum spanning job and life skills such as business etiquette, community engagement, college prep, career exploration, and more. Each day of the program is developed by a BBBSBA Workplace Mentoring Coordinator and is designed to help youth not only develop critical career skills but also begin to plan their futures. The Workplace Mentoring Program has been largely successful, and Big Brothers Big Sisters of the Bay Area has even amassed a waiting list of teens eager to take part in the program.

Vik Uppal

Corporate Giving Law Greatly Benefits India's Nonprofit Sector

Since 2002, Vikram “Vik” Uppal has spearheaded the humanitarian efforts of the Aid India Foundation, a nonprofit organization dedicated to fulfilling the basic needs of underserved Indian communities. As co-founder of the San Francisco-based nonprofit, Vikram Uppal is instrumental in organizing events and seeking out effective partnerships that provide food, housing, medicine, and other goods to those in need.

In April 2014, India became the first country to require corporations to make charitable contributions. A new addition to the country’s body of company law required all companies reporting annual revenues in excess of 10 billion rupees (approximately 150 US dollars) to donate a portion of it to charity. Under the law, businesses can choose to support initiatives in the areas of education, hunger, poverty, or gender equality, but must contribute at least 2 percent of their net profit to the selected cause.

India’s groundbreaking legislative change greatly increased annual charitable spending from the corporate sector. Independent sources report that collective private-sector donations skyrocketed from approximately 33.67 billion rupees in 2013 to some 250 billion rupees after the law went into effect. Experts also note that the new law has brought corporate responsibility to the forefront of corporate operations, as companies now have a legal obligation to create effective corporate social responsibility strategies.

However, some fear that the law does not go far enough in ensuring corporate social responsibility. According to a survey by accounting agency KPMG, 52 of India’s 100 largest companies did not direct 2 percent of their profits to a charitable cause.

Sustainable Farms in India

Vikram (Vik) Uppal is a cofounder of the Aid India Foundation. Vikram Uppal created the organization to raise funds for initiatives designed to help residents of India. One such initiative is the creation of sustainable farms and improved agricultural practices.

The purpose of sustainable agriculture is to develop farms that incorporate features of the local ecosystem while providing a human food source. Sustainable agriculture focuses on avoiding the use of damaging farming techniques and replacing them with environmentally friendly ones. Another important feature of sustainable agriculture is the collaborative involvement of farmers, laborers, and consumers. The participation of each group is important to the sustainable agriculture movement.

Sustainable agriculture and organic farms are connected because the use of sustainable farming practices can produce organic farm goods. Organic farms are capable of bettering the environmental quality of the land while improving the economic conditions of the surrounding community. It is important that India continue to improve its farming infrastructure to meet the needs of the country’s increasing population.                            

Microfinance in India

As a founder of Aid India, Vikram (Vik) Uppal has engaged in microfinancing activities in India. Vikram Uppal has devoted his time and resources to raising capital that could be used to help underprivileged residents of India.

Microfinance is the provision of loans or other financial services to low-income communities. Many individuals with limited means do not have the financial flexibility to procure a loan through traditional banking means. Microfinancing provides borrowers with the opportunity to raise cash for their farms, homes, or other areas that require investment or development. These microfinance loans typically are issued with favorable loan terms to help individuals to improve their financial standing.

Although microfinancing lends money to people with limited financial means, it is seen as a wise investment by the financial sector because of the high likelihood that these loans will be repaid. Microfinance is seen as a way to infuse cash flow into underdeveloped areas and communities.