First the beautiful Jupiter-Venus-Moon conjunction in March this year, and now a super moon , both visible so clearly in the night sky, unlike other beautiful celestial phenomena which are sometimes hard to spot. If you don't stop to look at the stars, you will never know the beauty of night. Everyone is occupied, their eyes always looking down into newer gadgets that seem to make our eyes downcast, literally. I like the times when family get togethers meant everyone rushing to the terrace with mattresses and pillows and someone would cook delicious snacks and there we all sat munching things under the night sky or slept on our backs looking up at the clearest constellations and the vastness of the space. 

It isn't that the stars today are too far away than before. We stopped taking the time out to appreciate the heavens above. I will end with a quote from William Shakespeare's Julius Caesar.

"The fault , dear Brutus, is not in our stars, But in ourselves, ..."

I was looking at comic strips created by people in different countries as part of the world comics india workshop in countries around the world. People from different countries represented subjects that were reflective of their societies - daily life, problems they could face etc. In Brazil, the theme was largely about crimes like robbery, rape, drugs while in Europe the themes centered around daily life, music, school, and curiously, hoods (jackets, clothes). Sri Lankan artists' work was overwhelmingly women-centric, about the plight of women, especially about sexual violence. In Lebanon and Palestine, it was all about how peace negotiations would bring about a better lfie for all. African artists drew about hiv and fgm, and in Pakistan, the theme was empowerment of girls. In India and Nepal, it was alcohol abuse, village life, water conservation. None of the workshops set a definite theme, nor were the people who attended artists, they were people who didn't have formal trianing as artists, and some had never shown an interest in drawing until then. Poeple who attended were free to draw whatever they pleased, whatever they wanted. There was no training on how to draw either. They were only told to draw their story on a singleside of a page in four blocks, each block representing a story. I attended one such workshop some years ago and it was one the best times I had there. 

What I realised is that around the world, people give importance to things that are vastly different from what you think is important. And some cultures have an easy and safe life, and some don't.

I was looking at comic strips created by people in different countries as part of the world comics india workshop in countries around the world. People from different countries represented subjects that were reflective of their societies - daily life, problems they could face etc. In Brazil, the theme was largely about crimes like robbery, rape, drugs while in Europe the themes centered around daily life, music, school, and curiously, hoods (jackets, clothes). Sri Lankan artists' work was overwhelmingly women-centric, about the plight of women, especially about sexual violence. In Lebanon and Palestine, it was all about how peace negotiations would bring about a better lfie for all. African artists drew about hiv and fgm, and in Pakistan, the theme was empowerment of girls. In India and Nepal, it was alcohol abuse, village life, water conservation. None of the workshops set a definite theme, nor were the people who attended artists, they were people who didn't have formal trianing as artists, and some had never shown an interest in drawing until then. Poeple who attended were free to draw whatever they pleased, whatever they wanted. There was no training on how to draw either. They were only told to draw their story on a singleside of a page in four blocks, each block representing a story. I attended one such workshop some years ago and it was one the best times I had there. 

What I realised is that around the world, people give importance to things that are vastly different from what you think is important. And some cultures have an easy and safe life, and some don't.

There are thousands of women in India who are anaemic and are unaware. Duggamma, Neelamma's daughter went to the doctor because of frequent fainting spells and the doctor told her that she required blood and she would have to pay him five thousand rupees. What a large sum. And Duggamma was planning to borrow the money from someone, and pay it back with interest. She was afraid after the doctor said she would die. She didn't want her four little children to grow up all alone without a mother. We advised her to not go back to that doctor and we're going to help her. You never know how doctors can take advantage of the poor and illiterate, maybe conducting clinical trials on them. Solving the problem of adequate nutrition is difficult. Simply because food is expensive. Nutritious food is even more so. The easiest way for the poor to get iron is to eat beef (this is what I read), because it isn't as expensive as mutton or iron supplements. Getting enough iron from vegetables is also hard because green herbs and so many other food which contain iron are out of reach. How do you eat well, when your choice is so limited? There are so many women who work as labourers or in factories or do hard physical work. But where do they get their strength from? 

raging wind
rain of leaves
dust storm
grey skies
the wind is so fierce, it could almost be the start of the monsoon.
But its only april.

raging wind
rain of leaves
dust storm
grey skies
the wind is so fierce, it could almost be the start of the monsoon.
But its only april.

Over the past few weeks, we’ve been working hard with our friends at Microsoft to prepare for the launch of an exciting new program: Innovate4Good@Microsoft. TakingITGlobal is honoured to have been chosen as the online community partner, building an online community to engage young people around the world in programs and opportunities that support their natural passion for innovation, connecting them to opportunities to realize their potential. We’ll be working to build connections between the TIG and Innovate4Good online community – sharing relevant programs and opportunities in both directions.

The program is kicking off with a series of events Microsoft is holding across the globe, bringing together young people who have been touched by the many programs Microsoft has supported through its Corporate Citizenship focus on Opportunity for Youth. Just last week, Microsoft and the International Youth Foundation released a report framing the global opportunity gap - which provides insightful context on the urgency of the need to invest in youth.

The first event was in Seattle this past Saturday, and brought together nearly 100 young people from across the United States at Microsoft’s campus. Our team arrived last Friday to put the finishing touches on the Innovate4Good@Microsoft online community, and to prepare for Saturday’s event. On Friday night, there was a reception at the Microsoft Store, where the enthusiastic staff provided a comprehensive showcase of a variety of technology scenarios – from a Windows 8 and Microsoft Surface demo, to a look at several productivity products, like the Neatreceipts scanner and an amazing digital pen, which more than one attendee bought to take home with them.

Our team pulled up to the venue on Saturday just as one of Seattle’s most famous donut trucks was setting up – providing a real treat for attendees who would be arriving shortly. We setup a counter of PCs, where we helped each attendee register for the online community after their registration – and were relieved after our hard work on the site that everything ran smoothly. The attendees provided some great feedback and were quite excited to use the community to follow the activities of future events and stay connected to opportunities for engagement from Microsoft.

The event itself was masterfully facilitated by our friend Allan Gunn (aka “Gunner”) who we’ve had the pleasure of working with in the past at the World Summit on the Information Society. Any “ice” between participants was quickly broken with a fun activity, physically reflecting on perspectives on different issues – from juvenile detention to Internet as a human right.

Then the serious work began – brainstorming issues that participants wanted to solve, and clustering them together. Here are some highlights of the diverse challenges to be tackled:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Before breaking into groups to expand on the ideas, a variety of Microsoft teams hosted a “speed geek” session, showcasing their products and programs: Imagine Cup, MS Research, Kinect for Windows, Windows Phone, Windows 8, Skype, and a new art software preview. Lots of fun! Windows 8 looks pretty cool – especially on some of the powerful new slates (tablets with laptop-like power)

After we all geeked out, a number of participants agreed to act as facilitators, and groups emerged to flesh out potential approaches to addressing the different problems. The day ended with an inspiring go-round of the groups, hearing the amazing ideas that had emerged in just over an hour of work together. Everyone headed down to the Microsoft visitor centre where Kinect Darts and Microsoft Surface Checkers were being enjoyed – with some great music from a local DJ to celebrate a packed day.

We’re excited about supporting the development of this program with Microsoft over the coming weeks, months, and years. Next weekend the event comes to Cairo, followed by other cities including Singapore, Brussels, Mexico City and Beijing. If you’re in Singapore and interested in attending, applications are open!

 

Over the past few weeks, we’ve been working hard with our friends at Microsoft to prepare for the launch of an exciting new program: Innovate4Good@Microsoft. TakingITGlobal is honoured to have been chosen as the online community partner, building an online community to engage young people around the world in programs and opportunities that support their natural passion for innovation, connecting them to opportunities to realize their potential. We’ll be working to build connections between the TIG and Innovate4Good online community – sharing relevant programs and opportunities in both directions.

The program is kicking off with a series of events Microsoft is holding across the globe, bringing together young people who have been touched by the many programs Microsoft has supported through its Corporate Citizenship focus on Opportunity for Youth. Just last week, Microsoft and the International Youth Foundation released a report framing the global opportunity gap - which provides insightful context on the urgency of the need to invest in youth.

The first event was in Seattle this past Saturday, and brought together nearly 100 young people from across the United States at Microsoft’s campus. Our team arrived last Friday to put the finishing touches on the Innovate4Good@Microsoft online community, and to prepare for Saturday’s event. On Friday night, there was a reception at the Microsoft Store, where the enthusiastic staff provided a comprehensive showcase of a variety of technology scenarios – from a Windows 8 and Microsoft Surface demo, to a look at several productivity products, like the Neatreceipts scanner and an amazing digital pen, which more than one attendee bought to take home with them.

Our team pulled up to the venue on Saturday just as one of Seattle’s most famous donut trucks was setting up – providing a real treat for attendees who would be arriving shortly. We setup a counter of PCs, where we helped each attendee register for the online community after their registration – and were relieved after our hard work on the site that everything ran smoothly. The attendees provided some great feedback and were quite excited to use the community to follow the activities of future events and stay connected to opportunities for engagement from Microsoft.

The event itself was masterfully facilitated by our friend Allan Gunn (aka “Gunner”) who we’ve had the pleasure of working with in the past at the World Summit on the Information Society. Any “ice” between participants was quickly broken with a fun activity, physically reflecting on perspectives on different issues – from juvenile detention to Internet as a human right.

Then the serious work began – brainstorming issues that participants wanted to solve, and clustering them together. Here are some highlights of the diverse challenges to be tackled:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Before breaking into groups to expand on the ideas, a variety of Microsoft teams hosted a “speed geek” session, showcasing their products and programs: Imagine Cup, MS Research, Kinect for Windows, Windows Phone, Windows 8, Skype, and a new art software preview. Lots of fun! Windows 8 looks pretty cool – especially on some of the powerful new slates (tablets with laptop-like power)

After we all geeked out, a number of participants agreed to act as facilitators, and groups emerged to flesh out potential approaches to addressing the different problems. The day ended with an inspiring go-round of the groups, hearing the amazing ideas that had emerged in just over an hour of work together. Everyone headed down to the Microsoft visitor centre where Kinect Darts and Microsoft Surface Checkers were being enjoyed – with some great music from a local DJ to celebrate a packed day.

We’re excited about supporting the development of this program with Microsoft over the coming weeks, months, and years. Next weekend the event comes to Cairo, followed by other cities including Singapore, Brussels, Mexico City and Beijing. If you’re in Singapore and interested in attending, applications are open!

 

Over the past few weeks, we’ve been working hard with our friends at Microsoft to prepare for the launch of an exciting new program: Innovate4Good@Microsoft. TakingITGlobal is honoured to have been chosen as the online community partner, building an online community to engage young people around the world in programs and opportunities that support their natural passion for innovation, connecting them to opportunities to realize their potential. We’ll be working to build connections between the TIG and Innovate4Good online community – sharing relevant programs and opportunities in both directions.

The program is kicking off with a series of events Microsoft is holding across the globe, bringing together young people who have been touched by the many programs Microsoft has supported through its Corporate Citizenship focus on Opportunity for Youth. Just last week, Microsoft and the International Youth Foundation released a report framing the global opportunity gap - which provides insightful context on the urgency of the need to invest in youth.

The first event was in Seattle this past Saturday, and brought together nearly 100 young people from across the United States at Microsoft’s campus. Our team arrived last Friday to put the finishing touches on the Innovate4Good@Microsoft online community, and to prepare for Saturday’s event. On Friday night, there was a reception at the Microsoft Store, where the enthusiastic staff provided a comprehensive showcase of a variety of technology scenarios – from a Windows 8 and Microsoft Surface demo, to a look at several productivity products, like the Neatreceipts scanner and an amazing digital pen, which more than one attendee bought to take home with them.

Our team pulled up to the venue on Saturday just as one of Seattle’s most famous donut trucks was setting up – providing a real treat for attendees who would be arriving shortly. We setup a counter of PCs, where we helped each attendee register for the online community after their registration – and were relieved after our hard work on the site that everything ran smoothly. The attendees provided some great feedback and were quite excited to use the community to follow the activities of future events and stay connected to opportunities for engagement from Microsoft.

The event itself was masterfully facilitated by our friend Allan Gunn (aka “Gunner”) who we’ve had the pleasure of working with in the past at the World Summit on the Information Society. Any “ice” between participants was quickly broken with a fun activity, physically reflecting on perspectives on different issues – from juvenile detention to Internet as a human right.

Then the serious work began – brainstorming issues that participants wanted to solve, and clustering them together. Here are some highlights of the diverse challenges to be tackled:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Before breaking into groups to expand on the ideas, a variety of Microsoft teams hosted a “speed geek” session, showcasing their products and programs: Imagine Cup, MS Research, Kinect for Windows, Windows Phone, Windows 8, Skype, and a new art software preview. Lots of fun! Windows 8 looks pretty cool – especially on some of the powerful new slates (tablets with laptop-like power)

After we all geeked out, a number of participants agreed to act as facilitators, and groups emerged to flesh out potential approaches to addressing the different problems. The day ended with an inspiring go-round of the groups, hearing the amazing ideas that had emerged in just over an hour of work together. Everyone headed down to the Microsoft visitor centre where Kinect Darts and Microsoft Surface Checkers were being enjoyed – with some great music from a local DJ to celebrate a packed day.

We’re excited about supporting the development of this program with Microsoft over the coming weeks, months, and years. Next weekend the event comes to Cairo, followed by other cities including Singapore, Brussels, Mexico City and Beijing. If you’re in Singapore and interested in attending, applications are open!

 

Over the past few weeks, we’ve been working hard with our friends at Microsoft to prepare for the launch of an exciting new program: Innovate4Good@Microsoft. TakingITGlobal is honoured to have been chosen as the online community partner, building an online community to engage young people around the world in programs and opportunities that support their natural passion for innovation, connecting them to opportunities to realize their potential. We’ll be working to build connections between the TIG and Innovate4Good online community – sharing relevant programs and opportunities in both directions.

The program is kicking off with a series of events Microsoft is holding across the globe, bringing together young people who have been touched by the many programs Microsoft has supported through its Corporate Citizenship focus on Opportunity for Youth. Just last week, Microsoft and the International Youth Foundation released a report framing the global opportunity gap - which provides insightful context on the urgency of the need to invest in youth.

The first event was in Seattle this past Saturday, and brought together nearly 100 young people from across the United States at Microsoft’s campus. Our team arrived last Friday to put the finishing touches on the Innovate4Good@Microsoft online community, and to prepare for Saturday’s event. On Friday night, there was a reception at the Microsoft Store, where the enthusiastic staff provided a comprehensive showcase of a variety of technology scenarios – from a Windows 8 and Microsoft Surface demo, to a look at several productivity products, like the Neatreceipts scanner and an amazing digital pen, which more than one attendee bought to take home with them.

Our team pulled up to the venue on Saturday just as one of Seattle’s most famous donut trucks was setting up – providing a real treat for attendees who would be arriving shortly. We setup a counter of PCs, where we helped each attendee register for the online community after their registration – and were relieved after our hard work on the site that everything ran smoothly. The attendees provided some great feedback and were quite excited to use the community to follow the activities of future events and stay connected to opportunities for engagement from Microsoft.

The event itself was masterfully facilitated by our friend Allan Gunn (aka “Gunner”) who we’ve had the pleasure of working with in the past at the World Summit on the Information Society. Any “ice” between participants was quickly broken with a fun activity, physically reflecting on perspectives on different issues – from juvenile detention to Internet as a human right.

Then the serious work began – brainstorming issues that participants wanted to solve, and clustering them together. Here are some highlights of the diverse challenges to be tackled:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Before breaking into groups to expand on the ideas, a variety of Microsoft teams hosted a “speed geek” session, showcasing their products and programs: Imagine Cup, MS Research, Kinect for Windows, Windows Phone, Windows 8, Skype, and a new art software preview. Lots of fun! Windows 8 looks pretty cool – especially on some of the powerful new slates (tablets with laptop-like power)

After we all geeked out, a number of participants agreed to act as facilitators, and groups emerged to flesh out potential approaches to addressing the different problems. The day ended with an inspiring go-round of the groups, hearing the amazing ideas that had emerged in just over an hour of work together. Everyone headed down to the Microsoft visitor centre where Kinect Darts and Microsoft Surface Checkers were being enjoyed – with some great music from a local DJ to celebrate a packed day.

We’re excited about supporting the development of this program with Microsoft over the coming weeks, months, and years. Next weekend the event comes to Cairo, followed by other cities including Singapore, Brussels, Mexico City and Beijing. If you’re in Singapore and interested in attending, applications are open!

 

Over the past few weeks, we’ve been working hard with our friends at Microsoft to prepare for the launch of an exciting new program: Innovate4Good@Microsoft. TakingITGlobal is honoured to have been chosen as the online community partner, building an online community to engage young people around the world in programs and opportunities that support their natural passion for innovation, connecting them to opportunities to realize their potential. We’ll be working to build connections between the TIG and Innovate4Good online community – sharing relevant programs and opportunities in both directions.

The program is kicking off with a series of events Microsoft is holding across the globe, bringing together young people who have been touched by the many programs Microsoft has supported through its Corporate Citizenship focus on Opportunity for Youth. Just last week, Microsoft and the International Youth Foundation released a report framing the global opportunity gap - which provides insightful context on the urgency of the need to invest in youth.

The first event was in Seattle this past Saturday, and brought together nearly 100 young people from across the United States at Microsoft’s campus. Our team arrived last Friday to put the finishing touches on the Innovate4Good@Microsoft online community, and to prepare for Saturday’s event. On Friday night, there was a reception at the Microsoft Store, where the enthusiastic staff provided a comprehensive showcase of a variety of technology scenarios – from a Windows 8 and Microsoft Surface demo, to a look at several productivity products, like the Neatreceipts scanner and an amazing digital pen, which more than one attendee bought to take home with them.

Our team pulled up to the venue on Saturday just as one of Seattle’s most famous donut trucks was setting up – providing a real treat for attendees who would be arriving shortly. We setup a counter of PCs, where we helped each attendee register for the online community after their registration – and were relieved after our hard work on the site that everything ran smoothly. The attendees provided some great feedback and were quite excited to use the community to follow the activities of future events and stay connected to opportunities for engagement from Microsoft.

The event itself was masterfully facilitated by our friend Allan Gunn (aka “Gunner”) who we’ve had the pleasure of working with in the past at the World Summit on the Information Society. Any “ice” between participants was quickly broken with a fun activity, physically reflecting on perspectives on different issues – from juvenile detention to Internet as a human right.

Then the serious work began – brainstorming issues that participants wanted to solve, and clustering them together. Here are some highlights of the diverse challenges to be tackled:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Before breaking into groups to expand on the ideas, a variety of Microsoft teams hosted a “speed geek” session, showcasing their products and programs: Imagine Cup, MS Research, Kinect for Windows, Windows Phone, Windows 8, Skype, and a new art software preview. Lots of fun! Windows 8 looks pretty cool – especially on some of the powerful new slates (tablets with laptop-like power)

After we all geeked out, a number of participants agreed to act as facilitators, and groups emerged to flesh out potential approaches to addressing the different problems. The day ended with an inspiring go-round of the groups, hearing the amazing ideas that had emerged in just over an hour of work together. Everyone headed down to the Microsoft visitor centre where Kinect Darts and Microsoft Surface Checkers were being enjoyed – with some great music from a local DJ to celebrate a packed day.

We’re excited about supporting the development of this program with Microsoft over the coming weeks, months, and years. Next weekend the event comes to Cairo, followed by other cities including Singapore, Brussels, Mexico City and Beijing. If you’re in Singapore and interested in attending, applications are open!

 

I don't know why it wasn't on the local news even. Everything shook for a few seconds around 3am this morning. Five minutes before the mild tremor, Minty took her kittens out of her little house and kept them out in the open. And then suddnely it shook. It was so mild, but we could feel it. There was nothing on the news. I thought we imagined it. I didn't bring up the topic, but my neighbour's grandmother mentioned it. So she felt it too. 

I don't know why it wasn't on the local news even. Everything shook for a few seconds around 3am this morning. Five minutes before the mild tremor, Minty took her kittens out of her little house and kept them out in the open. And then suddnely it shook. It was so mild, but we could feel it. There was nothing on the news. I thought we imagined it. I didn't bring up the topic, but my neighbour's grandmother mentioned it. So she felt it too. 

test

In the morning the hens and roosters were all outside the coop, roaming freely in the garden, digging in the mud, foraging. How did they escape ? Maybe the door wasn't secured well. As the morning progressed they ventured further, until they flew over the wall to the vast patch of trees and bushes beyond. The dogs had an eye out for them and before long two dogs caught an hen and raced towards the opposite end of the road towards more dense bushes and trees. My neighbour Manu tried to stop the dogs, but they were too fast. A misadventure into the bad world outside that cost one of them terribly. It was so difficult to chase the hens back into our garden because they would fly over low branches of the trees and perch over them, just out reach. The adamant roosters wanted their freedom. By late afternoon they were back inside the compound. I took the chance to try and chase them inside their home, but the more I tried to do so, the more the dominant rooster chased me. He was so fast ! I ran all around the garden just to escape. Each time I came anywhere near the garden, he was there, ready to chase me, to attack me, he pecked me on my foot. Because no one was home to help, I called Nagendrappa and he too was chased by the rooster. He ran and gave up. The rooster attacked Gayathri, my neighbour. The whole day passed this way. But by dusk, all the chickens slowly went inside their home, without anyone forcing them. And they settled inside the coop. Gayathri had called another neighbour who jumped at the chance to close the door and to be safe, put a huge stone so that they could not push the door open again.

The next morning, I peered down through the branches of the trees, and I knew disaster had struck. The ground was covered with sfot white feathers. As we rushed down, we saw all of them putside the coop, again. They had escaped through a side wall which wasn't fixed properly. But the feather ? There it was, the dominant rooster, sitting inside the coop, suddenly harmless and docile. Sai Bharat's grandmother saw us while climbing the steps to her home. She said two big dogs had come to attack the chickens and that before they could take away any chikcens , she chased them away with a stick.

But all the chickens were unharmed except the one rooster who until the previous day was boisterously standing guard over his brood, chasing away anyone who dared come near his clan. He was injured, but we didn't know how badly until yesterday. He had become weak and the other rooster started pecking him. The next day we kept him in isolation, but his wounds had worsened and we took him to the vet who gave it an injection and cleaned its wounds. As much as we tried, we couldn't get the ants out of his wounds. He was in so much pain. IHe had fought two big dogs and survived. He had deflected attention from the others, and made himself the target and fought back and lived, just to tell us that he did a good job of being the strong defender. He was just actually a little bird that could puff up its feathers and pretend to be aggressive and fight against killing machines. He was no match for the dogs, but he protected all the rest heroically, a martyred soldier. Like dolphins, who make themselevs the target of a lone great white shark, to protect their young. He died last night a day after being wounded. Even the littlest of animals are so brave even in the knowledge that they will not live after the fight, that what they fight is vicious and stronger.

I will miss the cock-a-doodle-doos, all through the day, and always funnily enough just before salat times, eight times in all, withoutfail. He fought courageously, our brave leghorn.