We started this company in a rather unconventional manner ten years ago. We went against all norms and didn’t follow a single rulebook out there. We had a dream and we set about trying to achieve it the way we knew best. All we knew was that we had started something that was providing thousands of people with a purpose in life and they looked up to us for leadership and guidance.

Hence, it became important to raise ourselves first to become a better person, in order to help people and lead them.  And when we were told we needed a mission statement, it was right there. RYTHM – Raise Yourself To Help Mankind

Many years ago, when I was in Dubai, I remember visiting this luxury hotel. Dubai at the peak of summer is sweltering hot as many of you know. The doorman at this hotel was in his full uniform suit with a heavy coat and by looking at him, you would think he was in an air-conditioned cubicle and not the sweltering desert heat! He was smiling and welcoming all the guests cheerfully as they made their way to the lobby.

He seemed to know most of them by name and greeted them like an old friend welcoming them to his home. I was amazed and asked him if the heat wasn’t killing him? And how he managed to stay so cheerful when clearly the weather and his heavy uniform must be causing him great discomfort.

His answer is something that I will never forget and have held close to my heart.

He said,” Sir, I am the ambassador of the hotel. I am the first person the guest sees when they enter the hotel and they form their first impression of the hotel, when they see me. I don’t see myself just as a doorman, but as an ambassador of this hotel.  And what impression will the guest have if I am standing outside cursing the heat! ”

That, ladies and gentlemen, for me is RYTHM.

When I say I imbibe RYTHM in my life, it means, I have to stand and raise myself because I know I am representing a group of companies. I stand here with a strong team behind me. When I meet someone from outside, I want people to see that and experience that.

RYTHM for me is the attitude I carry and my way of life.

Right from the beginning, from when we were able to, we have always set aside a part of our profits for philanthropic activities. We are in the people business and everything we have today is because of the faith our people have put in us. And we have always ensured that we give back to people whenever we can.

It was always a part of our goal to set up this foundation. And we were thankful for having the opportunity and ability to give back. RYTHM foundation is QI’s corporate heartbeat and we want this to grow. We would like to be known better for what we do under RYTHM Foundation than for the activities of the QI Group.

We want to engage and uplift people, materially and spiritually. We believe the universal truth applies to all and helping mankind is the greatest gift you can give.

If QI is the journey, then RYTHM foundation is the destination.

In Service of RYTHM

Joseph Bismark

 

 

Read also: Vijay Eswaran's Notes on RYTHM