Prasanna – Guitarist

Carnatic music has lived in isolation for centuries and retained its pristine glory. But I think it is a beautiful form that needs exposure. I would like to see it become Universal like Yoga. No one really thinks of Yoga as Indian. It is just a useful tool for all. For me the way to take the music to non-Carnatic musicians is to present it within a framework that is familiar to them. I also believe my work is a two-way street. I was able to present a jazz concert in Music Academy in Chennai and reach out to “Mamas and Mamis” who were not familiar with the art form. But the real motivation for me is the fact that I love all forms of music and I just love making good music. more...

Rashida Bee And Champa Devi Shukla – Bhopal Gas Victims and Activists

Our plea to shareholders is, please think with your conscience when you invest your money.Bhopal should not happen again. We are committed to solving the Bhopal problem. Our children will continue this battle. The corporate world must understand that the poor are not expendable”.more...

Udit Narayan – Bollywood Playback Singer

Lagaan was and still is like a dream, we knew it would be a hit, but we all were surprised and very very happy that it got the Oscar nomination. Everyone was devastated when Lagaan did not win. Everyone in India, every Indian, all over the world, was hoping it would get an Oscar. Wherever I go I am asked to sing the O ri Chori maan bhi le the song from Lagaan, people seem to love it so much. more...

Trupti patel – Immigration Lawyer

Trupti Patel: On an average most of us work about 75% of our life. I believe the career we choose should be something we enjoy doing. Law is something that grabbed my interest. I studied law in the United Kingdom and I practiced litigation and probate law. Marriage brought me to the United States. I got a job in a company where I began to work on immigration. I really enjoyed it. Later Ralph Donabed offered me a position. I have been working here for the three years and I love every minute of it. more...

Chitra Banerjee Divakaruni - Writer

The Indian experience in America — and the conflict between the traditions of her homeland and the culture of her adopted country — is the focus of much of Divakaruni's writing, and it has made her an emerging literary celebrity.
She bristles a bit when I asked her why her female characters were almost always better thought out and deeper than their male counterparts.
"That is not very accurate, while it is true that I do feel greater empathy with the women in my stories, I have tried to imbue my male characters with strength and integrity. In my latest novel 'Vine of desire' parts of the story are from a man's perception and point of view. In my earlier works, there have not been many men with as important a tie to the story as in 'Vine of desire' but their presence has always been an integral part of my stories." Ms. Banerjee's characters have a way of deciding for themselves their actions. I wonder if she bails them out of their perils. more...

Shivani Gauri Pant- Writer

If you ask me, you should learn as many languages as you can. It strengthens the language. For instance, Urdu is a beautiful language. I went to Hyderabad once where they felicitated me at the University and I spoke in Hindi. Someone asked me if I could speak in English and I said “ How can I ? I am a Hindi writer and I assure you that I will speak in simple Hindi as much as I can”. Later, one gentleman came up to me and said “ even though I don’t know Hindi, I heard the music of your language just by listening to you. So you see, it is the same with Tamil, Telugu etc. Telugu Literature, as you know has so much Sanskrit in it. They are all enriched.more...

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