Dear All: I’ll be undertaking a “Digital Fast” over the next 3 days.  Although the idea has been on my mind for the last several month, something prompted me to say “enough” yesterday evening. Perhaps it was the urge to check my email one last time before switching my laptop off..or perhaps it was the strain I felt in my eyes after almost 10+ hours of screen time..or the realisation that my “To Read” list of books/articles is continuously increasing.
I am undertaking this “fast” in the hope I’ll be able …

Two weeks ago, I spent a couple of hours with a remarkable group of youngsters in Pune who truly lifted my spirits. The experience was humbling and inspiring. And it reminded me – once again – how fortunate most of us are and how little we realise this fact.  These youngsters are part of the Niwant family.
“Melting the thick barricade and the wall that is built between the sighted and the people with no sight (in  just the physical sense of the term)” is the mission of Niwant.
It helps visually …

The Leadership Workshop for Political Activists
Join us for a day of richly stimulating and intensely thought-provoking workshop on “Making the Leap: From Discussing Politics to Changing Paradigms”. This workshop – the first of its kind in India – is aimed at concerned and aware citizens who wish to make the transition to active politics. For those of you who may be wondering why bother with politics?, here is the reason, courtesy my friend and FTI colleague, Sanjeev:
Of the things we take for granted in our lives, politics must surely …

Dear All, Here is the video of the talk/ presentation I made at the House of Commons, UK to the All-Party Committee on Jammu & Kashmir on 30th March ’11. It is in four parts…Comments, thoughts welcome as always… And while you are at it, please consider subscribing to my YouTube channel here.
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Part I and Part II…Please see these two parts in conjunction with Slides 1-12

Please see Part III with Slides 13-23 and the last part , from Slide 24 onwards…
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Related Posts: Article 370 and the plight of Kashmiri Hindus …

1 Day Leadership Workshop for Political Activists

Respected Anna’s recent campaign & its success reminded me of these video snippets from my talk at Simrol (MP), almost 2 years ago. The over-riding theme during this talk – held in a village temple hall – on a lazy monsoon afternoon was the confidence that change will come…
The recording was done from one end of the open-to-air hall (you can even hear the birds chirping in the background!), so the audio may need to be turned all the way up.
I got very emotional several times during that afternoon; the tone of …

Even as we feel proud & happy today for Anna, please remember:
Just as India’s win over Pakistan in the World Cup did not magically solve the Kashmir issue, LokPal bill is not going to magically make India a well-governed country.
Real Change will ONLY come when we are able to change the Paradigm of Popular Politics. The battle has been won but the WAR is not over.

Below, slides from a recent talk I delivered at Sri Sri’s Ashram in Bengaluru.
India, 2011
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Jai Hind, …

Slides from a talk I gave at House of Commons to a small group of MPs, Councillors, prominent members of the Indian community and of the Kashmiri Hindu diaspora in London. 30th March ’11

A short video snippet to follow soon…
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J&K @ House of Commons, Mar '11
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Related Post: J&K at House of Commons…

Looking forward to a presentation on J&K that I am making at the House of Commons tomorrow to a select group of British MPs, political representatives, senior members of the Indian community in Britain and representatives of the Kashmiri diaspora in Britain.

Programme details are on this link http://www.box.net/shared/9u7n4n8z46 I shall try and share notes and slides post the talk. Stay tuned.
Related Post: A 5-min video snippet and few slides on J&K and the whole category of posts related to J&K

My guiding principle for the rest of the year (emphasis added):
“A decade into the 21st century, it has never been clearer that not letting yesterday’s institutions..roles, tasks, assumptions and beliefs fail..is a titanic roadblock standing in the way of a more authentic, enduring prosperity.
The future’s not predicted — it’s created. So create it.”

Umair Haque, Director, Havas Media Lab via HBR
Past quotes are here.