Professional Documents
Culture Documents
IUeMag August 2013 Edition
IUeMag August 2013 Edition
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Editors note
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Interview with Mr. Tom Ufert Interview with Mr. Anurag Anand
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Founder and Chief Editor: Sujit Lalwani Lead journalist, Creative & design head, Editor: Preethi Kashyap Editor: Sandhya Nagaraj Supporting editor: Mohan BN Chief Web-designer: Shruti Balasa Online Presence Manager: Sireesha MK Lead Marketing Head: Bharath GC Marketing Executive: Kunal N Taswala Marketing Head, Nepal: Surendra Ayer
Hello readers, First of all, wishing all the Indians a very happy Independence Day and extending a warm invite to all others across the globe to celebrate the same with your Indian friends (if any)! On this occasion, we salute all those martyrs and freedom fighters from different parts of the globe, who sacrificed the luxuries of life and in many cases, life itself, for the current generation to enjoy and celebrate freedom. Working on similar lines, IU e-magazine has always been ardent in its pursuit to drive inspiration in every soul it touches.
Editors note
Rare are consumer fairs that can offer roller-coaster rides that can thrill people, even if they repeated visits week after week or month after month. So is the case with our inspiring stories featured month after month and edition after edition. We promise to make the adrenaline levels higher each time you visit and pay heed to read. Bringing stories under the shade out into the world to cast a spell of inspiration that can kill the dearth of it is truly the speciality of our team that endless attempts of ours to let go cannot be of support to kill this ability of ours. The creator ceases to exist in the absence of the creation. The life on earth is the reason for the sun to shine. Likewise every special reader of your kind is the reason for us to strive hard to bring every edition of our e-magazine to your inbox. Let's spread the inspiration worldwide!
Regards,
Mohan BN
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Disclaimer: All authors who have written for this issue have a verified background to the best of our notice. The factual information, here posted, is verified, understood and is by no means writer created. The articles here mentioned intend to offend none. In case of any errors, misinterpretation or misrepresentation of any piece of information contact us immediately: iuemagazine@gmail.com. All rights are reserved with the company. All writers writing agree to our terms and conditions. We are not responsible for any errors in Facts and figures, though we make best efforts to verify. Any such complaints shall be forwarded to the writer.
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Introduction:
S. V. Rajendra Singh Babu is a Kannada film maker and producer. He was born and brought up in Mysore. His father late Shankar Singh was one of the great producers in Kannada Film Industry and has produced many films under the banner Mahatma Pictures (Mysore). Rajendra Singh Babu has made movies in different genres. He has written and directed love stories, War, suspense thrillers and comedy movies. Many of his films have been adapted from novels or short stories. He is not only famous in Karnataka but also across all of India. Babu has won numerous awards for his films and has also directed movies in the Hindi and Telugu languages. Vijayalakshmi Singh, wife of actor Jai Jagadish is his sister.
Source: Wikipedia
Who is your inspiration to enter this field of cinema? Both my father and mother were into the film industry. So, right from the beginning my father has been an inspiration for me. Apart from that, while growing, I was inspired by many movie makers in Hollywood, Bollywood and Sandalwood (Kannada film industry). How did you start your career? Were you passionate about direction since childhood or you entered the field and then found it to be your passion? As I stated earlier, because my family was in the film industry, it was an inheritance for me. My parents never wanted me to enter this field as they wanted me to be a doctor. I was very much passionate about photography. I wanted to achieve something in that field. I travelled historical places and, at times, used go to places that were totally unknown to me and capture pictures there and write articles on the same. That was my hobby. My articles were featured in Sudha magazine, Deccan Herald and few other dailies. This talent in me helped me a lot in my profession. The artistic view helped me become a good director. Which was your first film and how was the experience working for the first time?
I started working with my dad for a film with Dr. Vishnuvardhan as an actor. It was a black and white film titled Nagarahole, which was my first film. It was a film belonging to a completely different genre and nobody had ever made a film of that kind, then, in Kannada industry. It was an adventurous film and majority of the footage was given to children. I was the youngest director then. At the age of 24, I directed my first film. How challenging was your journey in this industry? Every film is challenging. Nagarahole was the first of its kind. It was made with children and wild animals. Subject itself was very challenging. Another movie of mine, "Anta" was also very challenging because it questioned the existing political system. During 1980s Dr. Vishnuvardhan was an action hero. In the movie Bandhana, he played the role of a romantic hero. That was a risk again. "Muttina Hara" was yet another challenging subject that was completely an army based story. I directed some comedy films also in my career. So every single subject I took was a risk as I wanted to experiment with new concepts, explore new things, and give a new taste to the audience. I invited challenges and still continue to do the same.
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Right from the point of time when the idea is conceived till the time it reaches the big silver screen, every step is a challenge in this field of cinema. We lack some good researchers in the film industry. We need to work a lot in the marketing field as well. Earlier, we had put big cut-outs and posters in the streets but now it is not the same case. Due to the media, internet and the advanced technology we can very easily interact with people. We get the feedback directly from the viewers. We are closer to people now. I have made 8 films in Hindi, 7 in Telugu and in Kannada, about 35 films. I believe that creativity doesn't have any barriers and language can't be a barrier either. Human emotions are the same in any part of the world. Movie is a universal language. It has been an enriching experience in the movie industry so far, and Im looking forward for more. Few snippets from your childhood days: I was very much interested in movies always. In those days, we didn't have a television at home. We had to go to theatres. Every day I used to watch movies. There was a theatre nearby our house in Mysore. Whether the movie was in Tamil, Kannada, Hindi or English, or any other language, I used to watch it. Thats how I became completely addicted to this colourful industry. Do you consider anyone as your competitor today? No! I do my work honestly. I see and do things in a very professional way. I always carry that spirit and energy to do something different and out of the box. Even today I keep in mind and ensure that when I am picking a film, I choose a concept in a way that others can't dare touch that subject easily, because I love experimenting with new genres. It's important to take risks. One can't really say what impacts whom. So, I love introducing new style every time. I am happy that so far people have welcomed and accepted all my ideas wholeheartedly. My subjects are very expensive and people fear even touching it. For example, after I made Anta, there were thousands of movies that came with a similar story line but nothing was comparable to Anta. Even after "Bandhana" same thing happened. But in case of Muttina haara movie, people till date haven't dared touch that subject. Its not that easy a subject to play with. How do you think Sandalwood can move forward and grow big like other film industries? Lack of marketing is the key loophole. We are yet to build a good marketing team here. We should start releasing our movies in different states and abroad as well. We also combined two-three film makers and made movies but there were a lot of coordination issues. Few ate away all the profits. They should be generous. Unfortunately, they arent . Many talk about Kannada but don't come forward to invest. So, lots of new initiatives have to be taken to foster Sandalwood and make it the number one film industry.
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Introduction:
In her words: I am Kim Mutch Emerson. From my earliest memories I wanted to work with words. I started Master Koda Select Publishing about a year back. I am a small publisher with a big heart. Im also an author under the name of K.D. Emerson. You can find my books on Amazon. One of the roles I love the most in my life is that of a teacher and mentor to writers looking to perfect their craft and publish their work.
Throw some light on your journey of life My journey is not half as exciting as my novel. I cant fight a polar bear or make my mind connect to a submarines computer system. I have never swung from a vine in the jungle or had a monkey save my life, but I do have one thing in common with my novel and that is I have experience in mind control and know it is real. I know that as humans we have a responsibility to start breaking free from the chains that bind us and embrace freedom. My journey in life is to help others learn how to do the same. What is the medium that you have opted to mentor authors? I teach online writing courses to assist writers in polishing their craft. I also host online writing conferences where people can learn online marketing, social media, website basics, cover design, how to find book reviewers, and other important information to be successful as an author in today's world.
What were the difficulties you faced while establishing this publishing house? I have been a business owner all my life, but the publishing business had many components I needed to address that were new to me. It's been exciting and character building. I can see why many people who work in this industry turn sour and even hateful. I am grateful for the growth it has offered me and I am happy to report that Ive been able to hold onto my positive attitude. Being an entrepreneur, how do you balance your personal and professional life? It's a challenge at times and there are times when I am not successful in balancing, but I do find that if I don't set aside time for myself and my family, I burn out and nothing gets done. I think it's important to set a schedule and stick to it. Time off is equally important to work. Without a schedule it is too easy to waste time or work so hard that you drop.
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According to you, who is a successful writer? To me, success as a writer isn't measured by how many books one sells or how famous s/he is. A successful writer is one who can create a deeper feeling or thought process in the reader, no matter what the genre is. I personally have a passion to create books for the upcoming generation and those who will be the future leaders of the world. I feel those who write for teens and young adults carry a huge responsibility to help these young people become deep thinkers so that they can impact the future in a positive way. This is what I hope I have done in my book Digitus 233. Two authors that come to my mind who have been successful in doing this are Chris Crutcher and Robert Cormier. As an author, what inspires you the most? Who is your inspiration? What inspires me the most is when I see young people stepping out to stand up for what they believe or stand up for someone weaker than themselves. It also inspires me when others achieve their goals and dreams against all odds. What kind of writers approach you for guidance and even publishing? Do you encourage amateur writers as well by publishing their books? How do you help them? I have writers from all walks of life come to me for assistance; from beginner to published authors of many novels. I encourage those just starting out to study their craft before submitting their work for publication. It's a rough industry and people need to toughen their skin before putting their work in the public domain. As far as what I do to assist others, that's a long list, but some of my services are offering coaching and classes in novel writing, marketing and promotional services, publishing and mentoring. Before approaching a publisher, what are the things that an author should keep in mind? Before submitting a manuscript to a publisher a writer should have studied his/her craft and become the best writer s/he possibly can. Writers should write from their heart, write what they love. After having written their best possible manuscript they should get it edited by a professional (the best that they can afford). They should always be professional in communication and thoughtful of the publisher's time. One should be short and to the point in the cover letter and synopsis and follow the publisher's submission guidelines.
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Sumana Setty
Introduction:
Sumana Setty is a co-founder of Commit-2-Change (C2C), a charity dedicated to creating systematic change by educating orphaned girls. Since its inception 2 years ago, C2C has supported over 400 children in their efforts to build a better future for themselves. Sumana's belief that every woman should be empowered inspired the co-creation of Catrinka, a socially conscious fashion brand that collaborates with women around the world to make fair trade, fair wage handbags. The profits from the sales of these unique bags made by socially responsible artisan groups go to pay school fees for girls in the country where the bags were created. When she is not leading the crusade to improve the lives of those less fortunate, Sumana serves as general counsel of a private equity fund. She has been a practising attorney for 11 years.
Drive toward social entrepreneurship: The desire to create sustainable change drove me towards social entrepreneurship. I co-founded C2C two years ago as a not for profit organization. One consistent theme in my work with C2C is the constant pursuit of funding and it diverts attention away from the task at hand. When we started Catrinka, we wanted to focus our efforts on empowering women and educating girls and not on how to constantly raise money for our projects. We decided we needed to be a sustainable business to achieve our goals and embraced the double bottom line model. As a business we are able to grow and expand which creates employment opportunities for women, and by giving back a portion of the proceeds to educate girls we are creating a positive return to the society.
India and poverty and disparity were an unfortunate way of life. When I first started Catrinka, my mother called it the purse project. Even though my parents didnt really understand why it was so important for me, they still supported me. My mother took me to orphanages and she helped me buy goods for the children and my father gave me seed capital to start Catrinka. I dont know what triggered the change, but slowly my parents and my cousins all started embracing my dreams. My favourite moment was when I called my mother on her 60th birthday to wish her and she told me that she couldnt talk because she was giving food to the children in a nearby orphanage.
Inspiration: The little girls at my orphanages are my inspiration. When I moved to New York 9 years ago, I never imagined that I would start my own company. I came as a wide eyed, bushy tailed young associate ready to tackle the world of corporate America. I went to India over the Christmas holidays and my aunt took me to an orphanage in Bangalore. I was overwhelmed by these childreneach child was abused, abandoned or orphaned by their parents and each child was HIV positive. Yet, the image when I Ieft that place that day was the laughter in their eyes. The fact that they can find joy and happiness in the moment is a lesson in life. Every child deserves the ability to dream and a path towards achieving it. I came back to New York wanting to continue to be a part of their journey. Catrinka and C2C are the tools which enable me to do so.
People supporting me: I started Catrinka with two friends Megan Cayten and Amisha Patel, and C2C with my friend Sejal Gehani. As in any relationship, however, it is all about chemistry and when you build a business or organization with friends, you have a natural chemistry with each other that can have a positive impact on your business. This synergy is, however, highly dependent on a foundation of trust and it is important to us that we work with each other to make sure that the base of trust is strong. My familys response: Honestly, my familys initial response was ambivalence. My parents live in
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How did you develop the skills required to be an entrepreneur? I believe the key skill to be an entrepreneur is execution. Ideas are generic. It is the ability to make your idea reality that differentiates you from the herd. I was fortunate to receive this training as an associate in a law firm. We worked with our clients to bring their vision to fruition and this entailed everything from creating a strategy, to problem solving, to getting into the weeds to understand what needed to be done and how to do it. We are also always under extreme time deadlines, which require us to be efficient and confident in our objectives. What were the lessons learned during your journey? My journey has just begun and every day presents a different challenge. The best way to tackle these hurdles is to check your ego at the door. I never thought I would be carrying handbags across the US and sitting outside movie theaters asking people to purchase a purse to support women and girls. It is not about where you are in your life, but where you want to go, and that requires a lot of persistence and humility. If you read the biography of Steve Jobs, or any other successful entrepreneur, you learn that they all took a lot of hits before they were able to reach their goals. It is important to not give up, not to take no for an answer and not let other people define your vision or your abilities to make them a reality. 5 key people who helped me turn my visions into reality: My parents: My parents grew up in a culture where girls are considered a curse and a burden, and education is not a priority. My father didnt adhere to these notions, instead ensured that I obtained an education. It is the best inheritance I could have received. My Sampreetha aunty: My aunt took me to Little Flowers Childrens Home, an orphanage in Bangalore where all children are infected with AIDS. Meeting them inspired me to co-create C2C. My friends: I have an incredible network of supporters, advocators and thought leaders who constantly inspire me to push forward. 5 key words: Live your life with intention.
Message:
"Go with confidence in the direction of your dreams because the failures in life are what will enable you to succeed."
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Introduction:
In his words- I am a 47-year-old quadriplegic afflicted with 3 different disabilities and am considered by some to be an inspirational voice during troubled times. I received my double BA degree in political science and history as a scholarship recipient from Centenary College of Louisiana. Additional education includes graduate studies as a former Rotary International graduate Fellow at Australian National University in Canberra, ACT, specializing in East Asian political affairs. Some awards in my original career path include a White House Fellow nominee, a former Lyndon Baines Johnson Congressional Intern and constituency aid for two former United States members of Congress. Furthermore, my past services for 11 political campaigns on both sides of the aisle were highly valued by former Louisiana Governor Charles Buddy Roemer, Henson Moore, the former assistant chief of staff to U.S. Vice President George H.W. Bush and the present U.S. Trade Ambassador, Ron Kirk. At the age of 23, I was the youngest artistic board chairman in the United States as head of the Shreveport Summer Music Festival, and have served as a member of two other 501(c) charity boards and the community advisory board of my former rehabilitation hospital. In recent years, I have worked tirelessly as a volunteer fundraiser for numerous AIDS charities in my North Texas community and served briefly as the community affairs liaison for Legacy Founders Cottage.
Tom Ufert
Introduce us to your work whereabouts Due to my physical challenges and the bouts of fatigue they cause, working in a normal 9 to 5 job isnt feasible. Past work experiences include hotel food and beverage, pharmaceutical, home security, insurance industries. I have spent the last 2 years working from home as an aspiring author with 2 books published and one becoming an Amazon Best-Seller. Throughout much of the time charitable fundraising has always been a major priority. What are the challenges you faced in this journey of success? Definitely surviving my 3 disabilities of Multiple Sclerosis, incomplete spinal fracture and HIV have been challenging. Each is life altering but suffering. Their initial onsets within 3 months in 1992 were particularly difficult. My first book, Adversity Builds Character describes the numerous challenges that I faced in my life including a broken home, adoption, sexual abuse, numerous addictions and even a mercy killing suicide involving my mother. Yet Ive survived and grown stronger from them believing in myself, the support of others and the grace of God. How have you fought against the odds of life? Though my participation in religious institutions has declined, my faith in God
has grown stronger. I consider myself a strongly spiritual person and definitely know that I am blessed. Furthermore, the love and support of others in my life has continuously redirected my path when Ive strayed down darker roads. Realizing that life is both short and precious has dramatically helped me deal with lifes stumbling blocks. One of the quotes from my 2nd book, On The Roll Again Reads, My lifes not so badIve got a roof over my head, food in my gut, clothes on my back, a little money in the bank to get by on, friends who care, and people who love me. Really, what else matters? A strong positive mental attitude has been my number one saving grace.
Have you ever felt like giving up? If yes, at which point of life and why? The first few days in October, 1992 after being diagnosed with MS in August, suffering the spinal fracture from a car wreck in September and then being diagnosed with HIV+ were difficult. Lying nearly paralyzed in my rehab hospital bed with nothing but my thoughts and prayers to console me was the moment when giving up was most prevalent. Yet the memory of my moms fight with MS and seeing what happens when the human spirit gives up strengthened me. I was emboldened to Never Surrender! I am convinced that divine inspiration coupled with undying love and support from others in my life spurred me to carry on.
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Since when are you writing? How many books have you authored so far? I have authored 2 books and have stridently been a writer for just over 2 years. I did begin writing my 1st book over 10 years ago. Foolish and stupid mistakes caused me to get misdirected. That is another story and shall be described in my 3rd book, which I am working on now. Hopefully it will be released early next year. Who is your inspiration? How do you define inspiration in your words? My mom, Gloria Ufert, and my Godmother/adopted grandmother, Joy Cam pbell are my inspirations. My 1st book was dedicated to them. In addition, my life partner from 13 years, Lester Van Huss for whom Im dedicating my 3rd book has been highly supportive. Each of these individuals has filled my life with unconditional love that helped me overcome life altering events. For me inspiration is the powerful force that gives your life purpose and meaning. It is the breakthrough words, art, music and life experiences that make you realize that there is something bigger than yourself worth fighting for, worth living for, or maybe even sacrificing your life to defend. What are the best feedbacks that you have received so far, to mention some as a motivational speaker? You give me the hope that I can survive!, If you can survive all that youve been through, then I can do it too, Your story is amazing and the fact that youve kept such a positive attitude proves that miracles do happen, I dont know if I could survive the adversities youve overcome, but youve certainly shown that its possible What are the common questions that you come across when you face new crowd each time? How did you manage to stay so positive?, How is your health now?, Do you really donate a percentage of every book sold to charity?, Where do you find the time with your physical limitations to do so much?, You seem to find humour in the darkest places and in many ways laugh at your own disabilities. Does humour really help you make it through? What is that one biggest lesson that Tom Ufert has learnt as an author in his life? Firstly, writing isnt nearly as difficult as promoting. Its a full time job that can seriously get in the way of writing. Secondly, you cant allow flattery and success to change you. At times, they can be blinding and deceptive, but you must always remember two essential things. One, dont believe everything that you hear. There are some people out there who will use you at the drop of an idle compliment. Two, never forget that your success is never guaranteed and always comes on the shoulders of others who believe in you and support your efforts. BE HUMBLE AND GRATEFUL!
Message:
Im a living proof of 2 immutable facts. One, your life can change in a split second, dont take it for granted. Two, miracles happen every day, if you only take the time to see them. The human spirit has survived millennia of war, natural disaster, famine, disease, and a plethora of adversities. Were still here. Men, women and children have created great works of art, music, scientific miracles, led movements of social change, and helped in varying degrees to make the human race a noble species. YOU ARE A PART OF THAT LEGACY that makes up the colourful tapestry that is humanity. There is nothing that the human spirit cannot adapt to, overcome, and circumstances never forgetting that you do make a difference! successfully deal with if it so desires. YOU HAVE TO WANT IT BAD ENOUGH. Accept your limitations, and adapt to ever changing
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Anurag Anand
Introduction:
In his words- I am a management professional who has nurtured a deep-rooted fascination for the written world for as long as I can remember. From Amar Chitra Kathas and Chacha Chaudhary comics in my younger days to the works of all-time legends like Franz Kafka and P G Wodehouse, books have remained a constant companion for the whole of my 34 years. My first published work, Pillars of Success was a self-help book that came out when I was 25. Since then I have authored 6 other titles including bestsellers like The Legend of Amrapali, The Quest for Nothing and Of Tattoos and Taboos. Reading and writing aside, I like to travel, play basketball and spend time with my family and friends. I believe in living life one day at a time and in the bargain it is my constant endeavour to make the most of what each day has to offer.
Give us an insight into your educational background I completed my schooling from Delhi Public School, Mathura Road, my graduation in Economics from Delhi University and my M.B.A. from Lal Bahadur Shastri Institute of Management, Delhi. While I was never really considered a threat by the top rankers in my class, I remained an above-average student throughout my academic pursuits. It was in extracurricular engagements that I found my true calling. Be it sports, debates, dramatics or creative writing, I was always one for acquiring and honing new skills. The certificates and trophies that I earned during my student years stand deeply treasured even today. Tell us about your work whereabouts I have recently moved to Gurgaon from Mumbai and am working with Coca-Cola India here. This is my 2nd stint with Coke in my decade long corporate career and it is a matter of immense pride for me to be associated with the most widely recognized brand in the world today. What is inspiration according to you and who is your inspiration? An inspiration, to me is anyone or anything that helps us in clearly forming a set of objectives, personal or professional and motivates us to work towards their achievement. My inspiration to write my first book came from my association with the NGO,
UNES during my college days. I was involved in the Youth Development Program of UNES, training school-going children across the country on aspects of personality and ways to develop them. The book, Pillars of Success was a summary of the knowledge I gained through my interactions with these young and curious minds. Once I saw my book on the shelves and people expending their time and money on reading what I had to say, there was no looking back thereon. Since then, the high of watching people pick up my book and receiving their feedback has continued to inspire me. What is success according to you? Success is a mirage, a never-ending quest that keeps the human race in a continual state of frenzy. The definition of success differs from one individual to another and is also known to change over the due course of time. When you achieve success as per your own definitions of yesterday, it suddenly loses its sheen and you once again find yourself striving for a redefined version of it. Success continues to elude you and the chase never ends. Is it wrong then to wish for success? No! Certainly not. As long as we define our milestones of success objectively and are able to see success for what it is a means of achieving the overarching end: peace and happiness it is as worthy pursuit as any.
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Brief us about your journey of success. As I have mentioned, success for me is not some carved-in-stone pedestal, concrete and stationary, that I have been gunning for. Instead, it is a bunch of several tiny accomplishments which make me happy. And by that logic, each of my seven books is a success in its own right. Initially while starting to work on a manuscript, I would find myself grappling with a flurry of questions Will I find a publisher willing to invest behind the book? How will the readers react to it? What all should I do to market the book well? I was fearful, and the rejections I faced only worked towards compounding this fear. I started writing on subjects that I thought publishers and readers would be receptive to, taking cues from the then bestselling works. However, I found myself unable to complete any of these manuscripts. I would write a few thousand words, sometimes more before losing interest and abandoning them midway. It was then that I realized that as an author my primary job was to write and that is just what I should be focusing on. I took to writing stories that appealed to me and on subjects that were close to my heart and suddenly things began to fall in place on their own. It was something that I always knew, the need to focus only on the fishs eye and nothing else, but only when the realization came from within that I was actually able to do so. What are the responsibilities that an author holds towards the society? Books share a give-and-take relationship with the society. While they draw from the extant moral and societal fabric to base their stories on, they have also been known to elicit reactions from the society at large on what they preach. And thus, it becomes an authors responsibility to ensure that the contents of his or her work are not contemptuous or derisive towards any particular section or segment of the society. I am not for once advocating any kind of censorship in writing or the cessation of an authors freedom to express himself. I am only talking about our oblig ations as responsible members of the society and I am certain that most, if not all, authors exercise such restraints in their writing. Which was the toughest phase of your life? The one challenging phase of life I distinctly remember is when, at the age of five, I was sent to a boarding school in Darjeeling. Then, it seemed like the cruellest thing that my parents could have done to me. It was difficult to let go of the comforts of home, all the love and affection, and find ones footing in an environment more hostile than friendly. But in the hindsight, hostel life was the best thing to have happened to me. It not only prepared me well to negotiate the vagaries of life, but also brought me in contact with several interesting people, some of whom remain dear friends till this day. What were the challenges you faced and how did you overcome them? Challenges are a part of life and each day comes with its own share of challenges, sometimes big while sometimes small. It is therefore impossible to summarize them all here. However, I firmly believe that the human mind is capable of overcoming all odds it encounters. All that is needed is a strong enough will and determination.
Message:
Keep reading, for there is no other form of entertainment as gainful. And if you happen to be making a list of titles to watch out for in the near future, you might wish to include, Where the Rainbow Ends, my next work of contemporary fiction. The book is slated for release this October and promises to take you on a gripping and emotionally turbulent journey through its pages.
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Tarun Gupta
How do you want the world to know you? I am focused on bringing a thought-process change. Among other things, I primarily want to teach people about having a balance in life. Contrary to popular belief, wealth is not just about money. Rather, its combination of time, money and long-term security. How did you come out with this name iAchieveGroup? There are three components to that name. First, every member within the organization has ownership, a stake in the company. Thats what I is for. The revenue is proportionately shared among all its members based on their performance. I may be the face of iAchieve Group today, but tomorrow it would be every individual. The word Achieve obviously has the literal meaning, and Group because its an organization. How was the initial phase of this idea of yours? iAchieveGroup is a consortium. One of them is Teligent Inc., which is an Information Technology and Business Management Consulting firm. After having worked at several Fortune-100 companies, I started this business about 12 years ago. The second component of this entity is Gupta Ventures Inc., which is focused on leveraging the power Social Media combined with an online Network Marketing business model. The third part is Think.Grow.Empower.Lead, through which I provide coaching and mentorship to entrepreneurs around the world, primarily via one-on-one counselling, webinars and public speaking engagements.
I came to the United States in 1993, working as a Software Engineer at a major Fortune-100 client. Few years later, after obtaining my permanent residency I started my own consulting business. Though the transition from being an employee to self-employed wasnt an easy one, it was definitely a major turning point in my life. Right about the same time I was introduced to the network marketing business model powered by one the leading companies in the industry. Focusing on two businesses at the same time required a lot of discipline and time management skills. Thanks to my wife, Manjari, who not only supported me in my decision but also gave her 100% in making it work, we achieved substantial success in a short period of time. And because of the financial cushion these two businesses created for us, we were able to navigate through challenging times with relative ease. Today, I am proud to say that we are among the top producers in both our endeavours. Name 5 people who have been your strongest support in your Life. The first one is one should be pretty obvious by now. Its my lovely bride, Manjari Gupta. The second is Thiru Damodaran, the person who introduced me to the network marketing business model. Working as the Vice President for one of the major banks in the Midwest, him and I met casually in downtown Cleveland one day and that meeting changed my life forever. Damo is someone I respect the most. Hes a very special friend now.
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Third would be the BWW organization, founded by Bill Britt, who unfortunately passed away recently. He was one of my mentors, both in business and in life. My gratitude to him cannot be expressed in words. He taught me how to make my life count. Next would be John Sestina and Tyler Cook, my personal financial advisors. With over 40 years of experience in the industry, John is ranked among the top 30 financial planners in the United States. Hes my wealth coach who taught me everything I know about money, investing and financial management. Last but not the least, my grandfather, now deceased, and my parents who funded my college education in India. I still remember my grandfather giving me 46,000 rupees to help me buy my first computer in 1991. It was a lot of money back then. And thats what gave me the jump-start in my career as a Software Engineer. In how many countries has the organization reached? How do you manage the geographic spread being at one place? Though our organization is spread across all seven continents, we are primarily focused in North America, India, Australia, New Zealand, United Kingdom, Russia, Malaysia and Singapore. Thanks to mobile communications and social media, spreading our wings across multiple countries has been relatively easy. Moreover, our organization is structured as a profit-sharing partnership, which means everyone has a vested interest in its growth. And since everyone gets compensated in accordance with their performance, the model itself takes care of everything. What are your suggestions to the policy makers to help develop the field of Entrepreneurship? Our school system teaches outdated and ineffective curriculum. Our colleges prepare students for a job, not for becoming an entrepreneur. If we are to thrive in the 21st century, it is imperative that our education system changes soon. The so-called policy makers need to take a serious look at whats being taught in our school and colleges, and whether it is really preparing our children for a real future or just a nine-to-five rut. I believe, words like "interest" and "debt" should not be foreign to a kid who is 14. Some parents talk about weather, movies and video games. I talk about finance with my kids. They seem to appreciate that a lot more. I think, our school teachers need to do the same.
June
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Testimonial
I think this book could be extremely useful for many people making their way in life and I congratulate Sujit on having written it ~Carole Stone (tagged-Networking Queen of the World) Chairman, YouGovStone
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South Africa
Carlyle Lives and works in Johannesburg, South Africa. Her Debut novel The Broken Destiny is a Science Fiction, Urban fantasy, dystopian adventure set on Planet Poseidon to be released this Fall (US). Available through Amazon and Barnes and Nobles (international). She is a mother of two young boys, works as a PR and Marketing Consultant by day and writes by any other time Married her high school sweetheart. She believes in love and that dreams do come true. Carlyle has written since the age of twelve. Her hopes and dreams are to inspire and make a difference in this world. She supports many charities and monthly donations to Greenpeace
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USA
The actual time a vegetable plant can grow outside in the city of Minneapolis, in the state of Minnesota, in the United States, is very restricted. Vegetables are planted outside in the spring months of April, May and June and then harvested in July, August and September. If you are lucky, the season may be extended, that is, if weather permits. It is within this short season of planting and harvesting, that a huge vision for the urban youth of Minneapolis has been seeded. The program is called Project Sweetie Pie, and in only three short years, they have gone from 5 to 10 to now over 30 garden sites right in the city proper of Minneapolis, Minnesota. For a lot of youth, an understanding of what real food looks like and where it comes from has been hampered by urban food deserts where fast food restaurants and corner gas station food stores serve as the primary supplier of their meals. As young people learn how to grow their own food, not only is this short sighted supply chain broken, instead the potential future quality of their own health and the communitys health is impacted. Imagine not knowing that the
source of ketchup is a tomato let alone having the realization that you can grow a tomato in your own backyard? Project Sweetie Pie (www.projectsweetiepie.org) was born out of a vision that kids deserve healthy food and, with the support of community, these kids can learn how to garden, grow their own food and feed a larger community with not only the produce they have grown, but with the strength of youth who are engaged in the welfare of the place in which they live. These skills are the vital skills of a world focused on common good. With broad goals encompassing the planting and harvesting of food for the community, Project Sweetie Pie, also envisions the potential of year-round growing programs. In planting these seeds of change, we plant the seeds of hope for a future filled with healthy food, eaten by healthy kids who are a part of healthy communities. This is a common sense approach to our collective common good.
Karen Olson Johnson is a scientist, educator, environmentalist and speaker. She is the author of two books, Common Sense for Common Good and From Where I See It, both available at Amazon.com. Karen is the cohost of Food Freedom Radio on AM 950 in Minneapolis/Saint Paul Minnesota, USA. Go to foodfreedomradio.com and/or am950radio.com to listen.
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South Florida
Jody Lebel: Following sixteen years as a travel agent (more travel than money) Jody Lebel switched gears, returned to school and became a court reporter (more money than travel). She swapped jetting off to fun and exotic locations for reporting the cases of murderers, rapists, and thieves who are, by the way, almost never in a good mood. Being assigned to the chief judge in Broward County exposed her to a wide spectrum of cases. Positive that in a past life she was a writer (or possibly a dancehall girl) Jody has always incorporated writing in her life. She created murder mystery nights for her travel agency and wrote travel articles for local magazines.
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Mohan BN | Page20
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th
India
Mohan BN is a very passionate Inspirational speaker. His key quality is that he is a multilingual person. He has worked as software professional and has experience in sales and marketing, business and training. He is an ardent daily blogger and involved in the field of health & fitness and bodybuilding. He is a hardcore networker and a multifaceted individual.
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Vanjulavalli| Page21
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Vanjulavalli Sridhar from Salem, Tamil Nadu. Born on 25th February 1989, comes from a family of doctors. She is a budding wildlife photographer, researcher and conservationist. She is also a National level contest winner in painting, 2008. She is also interested in oil, water, poster colors and sketching. She is a shuttle badminton player for school and university, participated up to the National level. She is a multi- talented lady with number of achievements.
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India
The Goechala trek is of extreme charm and profound natural beauty. Hot Maggi, freezing cold, unbelievable campsite, some stunning views of the snowcapped Kanchenjunga, Dark nights and evenings affluent with a bunch of Nepali songs from the locals I could go on memories for life were these. On Day 4, you wake up at 3 AM to prepare for a climb to the Dzongri top to witness the sunrise. You see the first golden rays of the sun touching the mighty mountains entrenched in snow. You transcend to a state of inexplicable joy. I was one with nature. For many days after that, I felt I didnt have the right words to describe this emotion. I now know that the word for it is Yugen (Japanese). Lakshmi Maya makes her living by serving tea and Maggi at Dzongri. Hers is one of the most soulful smiles Ive ever seen. Her singing prowess in Nepali folk will leave you spellbound and high spirited. I had a chance to have some quiet time with her after she made me some great morning tea. I asked her how she managed to remain so youthful and enthusiastic in spite of such frugal means of living. She said, Yeh sab Bhagwaan ne humko diya haiBas, Har din ko manana chahiye (Everything is a blessing of God. We should just celebrate every day). She just proved to me that life looks so much better from behind a smile. Somehow, the elusive 'bright future', and life in general look so much more promising when among people with similar passions and ideologies. The world after all didnt seem a bad place to live in. So friends, Indians and Gentlemen, just travel! More importantly, just trek! A great trek brings with it, wisdom that would otherwise not come with hundreds of books, deep peace that would otherwise not come with years of spiritual contemplation. When you are one with nature, nothing can touch you. Its not the peak that you conquer, but yourself. After all, isnt that the route to greatness?
Srikrishna Chaitanya is from Bangalore India. Aged 23, completed his engineering at RV College of engineering, Bangalore. Presently he works for GE Healthcare. He is an avid traveler and trekker. His penchant for writing began after he was moved by travel experiences. He loves the joy that literature and science bring to life. He has trekked to altitudes of over 16000 feet in Sikkim and in Uttarakhand. Recently declared a 'TATA Scholar' by the JN Tata trust in Mumbai. He will be moving to Germany soon for Graduate education.
2013. All Rights Reserved | If you have articles to contribute mail them to us at iuemagazine@gmail.com |August 2013 Edition | Page 22
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San Francisco
Sheer Joy
As many of my regular readers know, Im a dancer as well as an Author. I study dance in college and it is a true passion of mine. With work and other classes, practicing as well as trying to keep in perfect form, sometimes things can become a grind. It loses its fun factor. My schedule is packed to the top which I am sure you know from previous articles. Well, due to that very schedule, Ive had to do what I like to refer to as studio hopping to get in all the dance classes I need. Thats where I take one class at one studio and one at another or maybe even another, simply because my work or school schedule interferes with studio time. Its a bit complicated to say the least. This also results in a lot of travel time from place to place, but Im meeting new people which is a plus! Another interesting thing that has come of this entire studio hopping is that Ive had some extra time while waiting for classes and I used it watching the little ones dancing. Sometimes its more hopping around and twirling than actual dance but it really doesnt matter. What matters is the look of sheer joy on their little faces! It reminded me of how I feel about dance. It made all the studio hopping worthwhile. Now, my dance classes arent any easier and if anything Id say Im working harder, I just take time to catch a glimpse of those tiny dancers that inspire me. I walk away with a smile on my face and some extra twirls for my next class just for the sheer joy of dancing.
Patricia Carrigan is a very enthusiastic young writer. Her novel Antiserum was published while she was 16 years old and a Junior in High School. Currently Patricia is a college student, while writing Antiserum Part II, she is also illustrating, The Rising and a childrens book of rhyme.! She is also working as a fashion consultant and marketing her book on her own. As a Student Ambassador for People to People, she was able to reach out to new cultures and could make new friends across the globe. Some of Patricias many passions include nature, animals (especially bears), art and photography. Shes known for spreading hugs and smiles throughout her social media, supporting her friends and colleagues along the way. There is no stopping her once she sets a goal, until she achieves it.
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Northern Massachusetts
Jason P Stadtlander is a native of Ohio who currently lives in northern Massachusetts with his family. He has been writing since he was in sixth grade when he wrote "Loss of Innocence, a short story about a teddy bear that is alive but slowly deteriorates as his owner and lifelong companion grows up and loses his imagination. It was at this point in his life that Jason knew he wanted to write. He enjoyed the magic of being able to create a unique world full of new realities in his mindone that nobody had ever seen before. Since then, Jason has written over 150 short stories and is currently working on two novels.
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PTO
Time was free As her light was seen by the dark side of the moon An end was a must For a beginning to ponder Play was all that she had Following her heart To where a place was set She sang to the loss of his song Her voice ran A story was told With every turning page He kissed her hand Raw Her portrait froze With just enough colour She rose To a flourishing dream She wanted him To remember her with her perfume on Wonder, a commodity No name and a blank slate Love filled the curves of his face Time was short He was far Abundant obstacles for wandering eyes Lovers entered the centre Of lifes disguise And desire was what remained...
Australia
Maria Grujicic is from Darwin, Australia. The mix of finding love, living abroad, dance and developing unique friendships with artists alike led her to write in abundance. Travel, love, life and true friendship is the reason she writes. She has many published books in her name, 'Sudden Clarity' being her latest poetry book.
Nikhil Jain who is also known as Little poet NJ, is a very young and talented poet from India. He loves experimenting new things. Giving life to every situation through his poems is his passion. He says age should not be an obstacle to achieve big things in life. His poems are been published in many sites online.
2013. All Rights Reserved | If you have articles to contribute mail them to us at iuemagazine@gmail.com| August 2013 Edition | Page 26
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India
Neelam Saxena Chandra works as an engineer in Indian Railways as Director(IT). She is an award winning poet with multiple awards in her kitty alongside being a stateof-the-art novelist. She has more than 10 books under publication. Her vision is solve social problems through literature by inspiring readers and create interesting literature for children to inspire reading.
India
Kavita Baid is a commerce graduate from Chennai, currently pursuing her professional course (CS). She has been the Best girl student in her school and a MS Exponer in her college. She is passionate about writing Poems and designing sarees.
2013. All Rights Reserved | If you have articles to contribute mail them to us at iuemagazine@gmail.com |August 2013 Edition | Page 27