Jobaaj Stories
In the bustling metropolis of Mumbai, where millions of lives intersect, one woman had a vision to capture the essence of the city through its people. Karishma Mehta, a young storyteller with a dream, founded 'Humans of Bombay' in 2014 at the age of 21. What began as a simple Facebook page has grown into a cultural social trend, celebrating the diverse pieces of art of Mumbai but how? To know the full story, read this till the end.
Family, Upbringing, and Independence
Karishma Mehta grew up in Mumbai with her two older sisters in a protective environment. Her father was a businessman who wanted all of his daughters to be financially independent. Karishma was the most spoiled child in her family because she was the youngest.
When it comes to Karishma's education, she attended Bombay Scottish School before spending two formative years at a Bangalore boarding school. Her studies led her to the United Kingdom, where she studied Economics and Business at the University of Nottingham, gaining a global perspective that would be useful in her future career. Her father was filled with pride.
The spark of Inspiration
Karishma felt a sudden disconnect from her studies and wanted to start something else, but she continued to study due to family pressure. At the same time, she came across a Facebook page called "Humans of New York" (owned by Brandon Stanton) and was astounded by its content.
Karishma couldn't take her gaze away from the Humans of New York page after discovering it. The page featured a number of moving stories about everyday heroes in New York, which inspired Karishma to do something similar. That's when the concept of the 'Humans of Bombay' came to her.
Humans of Bombay: A treasure of unheard stories
Karishma, being an action-oriented person, converted this thought into a Facebook page which turned into a branded platform in 2014. And this didn’t happen overnight as she worked consistently hard to bring this day. As soon, as it was launched the page accumulated over 40,000 followers, and by 2015, it had reached over a lakh followers.
In 2015, 'Humans of Bombay' initiated fundraising campaigns, raising Rs. 6.5 lakhs for Kranti, supporting daughters of sex workers. They featured a girl opposing child marriage, gaining 60,000 likes in two days, promoting Aangan, a child protection organization. A child with blood cancer received Rs. 10.31 lakh through crowdfunding in days.
A Visionary Entrepreneur
Karishma Mehta's journey isn't just about storytelling; it's also about entrepreneurship. In 2016, she published a self-published book, showcasing her storytelling skills, featuring both published and unreleased stories that have deeply touched many people.
In 2022, Mehta started another adventure, launching a YouTube series titled "How The Hell Did I Do It?" This series goes beyond storytelling to explore the "how" of success. Mehta showcases her ability to adapt and grow her brand while maintaining her storytelling roots by revealing the secrets of successful individuals from various fields.
Aside from her work with 'Humans of Bombay,' Mehta is a respected writer who has contributed to notable publications such as National Geographic. She shares Mumbai's stories globally, has appeared at TEDx events, and inspires others to embrace storytelling through her insights and experiences.
Humans of Bombay vs. People of India
Mehta’s Humans of Bombay has recently stirred controversy by suing its rival, People of India, for alleged copyright infringement, claiming that they copied their unique storytelling style and used their content without permission.
On September 18, the Delhi High Court issued a notice to the People of India, acknowledging substantial imitations in the content. Brandon Stanton, the founder of Humans of New York, criticized Humans of Bombay on social media, adding to the drama. Notably, the storytelling format of Humans of Bombay was inspired by Humans of New York. The next court appearance is scheduled for October 11.
It is her journey with 'Humans of Bombay' a testament to the transformative power of storytelling. From a humble Facebook page to a cultural phenomenon, her platform has not only celebrated the people of Mumbai but has also diversified into books and video series. Mehta's academic and professional background has enriched her storytelling, making her a Mumbai maverick with a global reach. As she continues to shine a light on the diverse stories of Mumbai, she reminds us that every person has a story worth sharing, and it's these stories that connect us all in the tapestry of humanity.
Written by: Gauri Singhal
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