1
You walk into the room with a big smile and confident handshake (and anxiety sweat–stained armpits).
Sidhu: Kamzor dil wale iss match ko na dekhein.
Translation: This match is not for the faint-hearted.
2
Your CEO starts slipping in compliments while everyone waits for the chai/coffee to come. They praise a recent article this donor has published, the unique granting method, how impressive their growth has been, and much more.
Sidhu: Ek ke baad ek, ye laaye hain tauhfe anek.
Translation: They have come bearing several gifts, each better than the other.
3
You are midway through your pitch and waiting for the right opportunity to start talking about how your organisation’s goals for this year align perfectly with this foundation’s.
Sidhu: Picchle pair par rehte hain aur wait karte hain.
Translation: They play on the back foot and bide their time.
4
At the end of the presentation, everyone in the room has realised that this grant you’ve come to ask for will barely begin to cover what your organisation really needs.
Sidhu: Aasmaan phatega toh darjee kahaan tak seeyega?
Translation: If the sky is torn apart, can a tailor stitch it back together?
5
But you have tons of impact stories and community feedback on your programme. Surely they will work?
Sidhu: Aisi aag ke saamne loha bhi pighal jaata hai.
Translation: Even iron must melt before the blacksmith’s fire.
6
Despite the fact that you’re 20 minutes past your allotted meeting time, and nobody from the foundation team has said a positive word yet, you can slowly feel the energy in the room shift.
Sidhu: Haar ke jabde se haath daalke nikaal laaye World Cup.
Translation: They have snatched the World Cup from the jaws of defeat.
7
With a final handshake, the foundation head says the grant will come through, and they will start the paperwork next week.
Sidhu: Hain andhera bahut, ab surya nikalna chaahiye. Jaise bhi ho, mausam badalna chahiye.
Translation: There’s a lot of darkness, the sun must shine through now. Come what may, the weather must change now.
