Once in a while you come across something that just strikes a chord with what you believe in! This is one of those…

I am big fan of design and branding and so both of these deserve a spot in my website. Thx to Gabi Toth

Dear Rahman,

you just made hell lot of Indians proud! You bumped the morale of an entire country thats still wondering what its really worth!

But…I have to agree with ubiquitense, Rahman didn’t really need an Oscar, everyone one else wanted it!

The timing of the movie and the vibe of the music couldn’t have hit the American ear at a better time…its just timing…any other year, this movie wouldn’t have seen a daylight and just made it straight to DVD, as apparently planned! However, one thing that Rahman highlights is “Karmanye Vaadi kaarastey, Maa Faleshu kadaachana!”…“When you work in the right consciousness, when your work becomes organically a part of your whole self, and when you do your work out of that commitment, no matter what other people do, no matter what the compensation may be, do it for the health of your own soul, then you open the door by which the affluence of the Universe flows forth into your life.”

I am just proud of you from the bottom of my heart pal! Keep doing what you are doing, this is just a glorious journey, with no beginning or end…Jai Ho!

Be it a brand, a company, a country or even an individual person, there are always challenges in articulating value that entity adds to others.

This piece of paper from the United States Postal Service is a constant reminder to me on how to articulate in a succinct yet persuasive way. If only they added some more visual aspects to it, but words are worth it.

Isn’t it amazing that US Postal delivers as many as pieces as a day as FedEx does in a year???

Happy New Year!

Looking back at 2008, there is a lot to be happy about and there is a lot to be frustrated, in the end, I thought, there is more to be thankful for all the good things!

Today, America lives up to its true identity. All barriers were broken and the audacity of hope of a young African American has persisted. A new true hero is installed at the highest office of the super power.

A historical moment indeed.

However, the real battle begins today. Success today will diminish if Obama doesn’t help raise this nation out of its chaos soon. Will this be a Obama nation?

This coversations network podcast speech by Wendy Kopp is inspiring. This is yet another proof that all great things start with a moment of thought. An undergraduate thesis idea is becoming a national movement that is on a march to change the face of American education. Teach of America, the brain child of Wendy, is already a powerful movement impacting many American schools. At least, 10% of graduating college students sign up with Teach for America (ToA) to volunteer their first two years after college to teach in under-privileged schools. With ToA Alumini now at influential government and private positions, Wendy believes the large-scale impact is just beginning! Though it started off as a dent in the educational inequality issue, scaling this program each year is now a key aspect of realizing nationwide, systemic and lasting impact.

Listen to her talk for more : http://sic.conversationsnetwork.org/shows/detail3646.html

We landed in Chennai earlier today. Its humid but not too hot and apparently been raining heavily but not today! The Jet Airways experience was more than what we had expected and their entertainment and service were well worth the price. Even better was the off-season timing so the flights were not as packed as it could have been so many folks got to sleep in economy just as they would in business class. Flying with Rishi went ok and once landed, he is taken over by family *grandparents. So until we leave, there won’t much debate on who will pick him up when he is cranky. But then, after we return, we have would have to start all over again!

Flipping through the TV this afternoon made me wonder about how the media is growing so heavily here. Man, there is more channels than any sane person could ever ask for. Was wondering who consumes all of this but seems this Lintas Media report indicates more channels to come.

Its an odd feeling every time I visit India : I don’t belong here, yet some of me wants or feels like it does.

I was dusting up some of my very old books and stmbled upon a philosophy book (one of my favorites) and flipped through it and saw i had the following underlined.

“blaming any exterior conditions in our lives as the culprit behind our feeling tied down or captive or helpless is like getting angry at our shoes for being laced too tight”

If only that was as easy as loosening up the lace…

If you have been my regular reader, you know my interests in using film for social change. I pointed out at Echoing Green yesterday, and now I like to drag your attention to Channel 19, a community production program (also available online) that produces ‘Video News Magazines” to drive social change. Channel 19 provides a voice for the common people, when mass media can’t/won’t. Currently, Channel 19 is operating from India through six Community Video Units (CVUS), but I see the concept just as good for any country or society that needs a social voice through media!

An obvious next question (that my wife asked when we first talked about it) is how does the videos reach the “mass”. This is indeed a challenge to not only meet the supply side of it, but also the demand side of community videos (who wants to watch community media in India, when the Zee, Sony and Sun TVs flooding the mass with “drooling” reality shows and Saas-Bahu c(rap)onspiracies?) While Ch19.org also hosts all the videos online, the primary distribution is through screening the videos on a regular basis in the slums and villages, creating awareness across the affected society. It may not reach the “mass” but it reaches the locals and perhaps, will reach the district and state next and eventually the mass media. The videos not only highlight a social issue but also present solutions to issues these communities want to or should take action on. It is a tall order to make a meaningful impact, but absolutely a start. So I wholeheartedly support them!

Another thing I am proud of Channel 19 is, it is a Video Volunteers product. And Video Volunteers is a NYU Stern 2007 business plan competition winner!

I was back at NYU Stern campus last night after almost 3 months. For the first time, I was visiting as an “Alumni”. Ah! just to say it feels nostalgic. I met a few of my classmates and a bunch of Alumni and almost all the 08 graduates were just excited that we are done with it! but still figuring what next to do…

In my chats with another alumni, I heard about “Echoing Green“, an organization that selects and funds social entrepreneurs targeting social issues around the world. I am writing about it now because I took up social entrepreneurship as one of my specializations in business school and took up a very eye-opening course with Billy Shore and Sarah K. Chiles. It was an excellent exposure, especially to Bill and his thought process. He is the visionary behind the non-profit “Share Our Strength” and the author of “The Cathedral Within”. Apparently, Echoing Green supported Billy Shore and Share Our Strength in its early development, through another grant program.

The 2008 fellows of “Echoing Green” sounds like a promising list and at least one of them matches with one of my core desires to make a difference. I will be reaching out to them soon to help in any way I can. If you like any of the ideas, You shoud too!

As an end note, this quote from Echoing Green website grabbed my attention and is worth mentioning here.

“…it is important to realize that the world does not depend on you. It will go on its own way, and you shouldn’t expect anyone to be thankful for the work you’re doing. If you decide to do something, it is because you want to do it, and nothing more” - as mentioned by Rahul Panicker here.