Rohini Nilekani : Pratham Books

Yeah! Rohini Nilekani, a philanthropist, founded Pratham Books, a nonprofit publisher that uses innovative ways to put low-cost books in the hands of millions of kids.

"My mission is to put a book in every child's hand," says Rohini Nilekani. That's an ambitious goal anywhere, but especially in India, where there are more than 30 crore children, most of whom can't afford books, or even read. Nilekani is founder-chairperson of Pratham Books, a nonprofit publishing house that uses innovative ways to tap India's vast market.

"The children we reach are first-generation readers," she says. "Their parents probably don't know how to read. They may never have bought a book in their lives." Set up in 2004, Pratham Books is an offshoot of Pratham, one of India's largest nonprofit groups, which supports education across India. Eight years later, Pratham has published more than 1 crore books with 225 titles in 11 languages. Most of the books are priced at less than 25 rupees.

Pratham Books is able to price its books so low partly because it's a nonprofit, subsidized by capital from Nilekani is unapologetic about this and says that while financial sustainability is a goal, Pratham Books's first priority is social impact. But Pratham Books also keeps its costs low through continuous innovation.

One of its biggest recent successes has been story cards, sheets of laminated paper folded to make a story and priced at only 2.5 rupees. Children who can't afford books can share and trade these easy-to-read, easy-to-store cards. One crore has been sold already.

Pratham Books is also trying out "sachet" books in retail stores across India - tiny, cheap books targeted at poor rural customers." We are constantly trying out new things," Nilekani says. "Some work, some fail, but because we don't have to worry about the financial bottom line, we can take risks."

Rohini Nilekani has spent about Rs. 215 crore for philanthropy activities since 2005.

Rohini Nilekani Sells Infosys Shares, Raises $27 Million For Charity.

Rohini Nilekani pours her wealth into getting books to India's poorest children

Salute to Rohini mam... 

Top 3 Questions and Anwers on "Rohini Nilekani: Pratham Books"

1. Question: What is the mission of Rohini Nilekani and Pratham Books?

Answer: Rohini Nilekani's mission is to provide books to every child, especially in India, where many children can't afford books, through Pratham Books, a nonprofit publisher.

2. Question: How has Pratham Books achieved its goal of providing low-cost books to millions of children in India?

Answer: Pratham Books has achieved its goal through innovative approaches like story cards and "sachet" books, making reading accessible to children at incredibly low prices.

3. Question: What distinguishes Pratham Books as a nonprofit publisher, and how does it balance social impact with financial sustainability?

Answer: Pratham Books prioritizes social impact and offers affordable books by keeping costs low through continuous innovation while being subsidized by philanthropic capital.

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04. Mansoor Ali Khan Pataudi: The Tiger Passes Away
05. Anita Iyer: Valuable Work For The People With Disabilities
06. Smita Patil: We Never Forget You (13 December)
07. Jointless Woodcrafts - Unbelievable

Jointless Woodcrafts - Unbelievable

Shravan Chopkar converts so-called 'useless' wood pieces into wonderful sculptures. Shravan Chopkar (born on August 15, 1945) of Durg, Chhattisgarh, creates beautiful joint less single piece wooden articles like miniature temple, house, lamp, a 102ft wooden Chanin with 535 links, a 7ft x 3.5ft wooden shawl with 1,032 links etc., out of single blocks of wood. He has been mentioned in the India Book of Records for his art.

Can you imagine artworks made in wood which look like consisting many joints but absolutely have no joints? May sound strange. But that's what actually done by Chopkar. His creations show-historic monuments in India, various objects like-chains, lamps, temples, human figures, wall decorations, belts, necklaces - without any joint! He is the only one in India, who produces such wooden sculptures. He is the creator of this new type of wooden sculpture. To prepare these he takes the wood piece, makes the idea what to do with it, and then starts chiseling our the unwanted portion of the wood piece, allowing only the wanted part to remain.

In this way, he prepares every link in the wooden chain neatly carved and makes it movable. Similarly, he carves designs on the door of a building, the designs on the border frame, or the different joints in a human body. Chopkar creates other types of sculptures also. He has created astonishing village huts, open wells, bullock carts, swings, etc. by joining wooden pieces. He also creates lamp shades, table lamps, by carving coconut shells.

Top 3 Questions and Answers on "Jointless Woodcrafts: Shravan Chopkar"

1. Question: What unique skill does Shravan Chopkar possess in his woodwork creations?

Answer: Shravan Chopkar has the remarkable ability to craft jointless single-piece wooden articles, creating intricate sculptures and functional objects without any visible joints.

2. Question: How does Shravan Chopkar approach the process of crafting his wooden sculptures and intricate designs?

Answer: Chopkar begins by visualizing his ideas for each wood piece, meticulously chiseling away unwanted portions to reveal the desired forms and designs, resulting in movable and jointless wooden creations.

3. Question: What distinguishes Shravan Chopkar's work in the field of wooden artistry, and what recognition has he received for his craftsmanship?

Answer: Shravan Chopkar stands out as the sole artist in India known for producing jointless wooden sculptures, showcasing historic monuments, intricate objects, and functional items. He has been acknowledged and featured in the India Book of Records for his exceptional artistry.

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02. Amartya Sen: Indian Nobel Prize Winner, 1998
03. Mother Teresa: The Truth Forever
04. Mansoor Ali Khan Pataudi: The Tiger Passes Away
05. Anita Iyer: Valuable Work For The People With Disabilities
06. Smita Patil: We Never Forget You (13 December)

Happy New Year 2012

Wish you all

Happy New Year 2012

From The Legends

Smita Patil : We Never Forget You (13 December)

13 December 1986, 25 years back the great actress Smita Patil died at the age of 31 due to childbirth complications. Yeah! The year I was studying in 10th standard. Smita Patil was an Indian Actress of film, television and theatre. She was appeared in over 75 Hindi and Marathi films in a career.

During her career, she received two National Film Awards and a Filmfare Award. She was the recipient of the Padma Shri, India's fourth-highest civilian honor in 1985. She is one among the few versatile Indian actresses, who have made a special position in the hearts of people. She was indeed the pride of Bollywood. She has given superb performances in her movies, for which she is admired even today.

She has worked with wonderful directors like Govind Nihalani, Shyam Benegal, and Mrinal Sen. She is the queen of Indian cinema. For some time, she also took the job of a TV news reader. She was a great photographer. She had a multifaceted personality. She had dominated the Indian film industry during the 1970s and 1980s.

Smita was an alumna of the Film and Television Institute of India, Pune. In the year 1977, she received the National Award for best actress for her remarkable performance in the film Bhumika. In most of her films, she was portrayed as a very strong woman, who is able to endure the pressures created by the male dominated society.

Notable Works of Smita Patil: Nishant, Mandi, Haadsa, Umbartha, Bazaar, Manthan, Bhumika, Namak Halaal, Dard Ka Rishta, Arth Bhavni Bhavai, Chakra, Shakti, Sadgati, Mirch Masala.

Top 3 Questions and Answers on "Smita Patil: We Never Forget You"

1. Question: When did the renowned actress Smita Patil pass away, and what were the notable aspects of her career?

Answer: Smita Patil tragically passed away on 13 December 1986, at the age of 31, due to childbirth complications. Her career was marked by over 75 Hindi and Marathi film appearances, two National Film Awards, a Filmfare Award, and the Padma Shri in 1985.

2. Question: What distinguished Smita Patil as a versatile Indian actress, and which directors did she collaborate with during her career?

Answer: Smita Patil's versatility and remarkable performances earned her a special place in the hearts of audiences. She worked with notable directors like Govind Nihalani, Shyam Benegal, and Mrinal Sen, leaving an indelible mark on Indian cinema.

3. Question: What are some of Smita Patil's notable works in the film industry, and how did she portray her characters in most of her films?

Answer: Smita Patil's notable works include films like "Nishant," "Mandi," "Bhumika," and "Mirch Masala." She often portrayed strong female characters who could withstand the pressures of a male-dominated society.

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05. Anita Iyer: Valuable Work For The People With Disabilities

Anita Iyer : Valuable Work For The People With Disabilities

Today I really have the cause to be interested about one thing here. While reading an article, in fact it is an interview of Ms. Anita Iyer on one of the most liked portals ‘thepunekar.com’. My mind just recalled following quote about her -

“If a woman has to choose between catching a fly ball and saving an infant's life, she will choose to save the infant's life without even considering if there are men on base.”

Yeah! These are the lines I really fascinate about it. I think all of you agree with this statement. For centuries, women have complained and frequently rightfully struggled for rights. But what exactly do we mean by rights? I don't believe women have rights regardless of many claiming them to be making their own choices in education, work and relationships.

It is true that the role of women in today's society has been changed in a very impressive manner. Here Ms. Anita Iyer proved a 'Role Model' of it. She is a founder and director of Ekansh, an organization that is striving to help people with disabilities to live a normal life. A woman on a mission to break barriers between able and disabled people, Ms. Anita Iyer is doing every bit to bring opportunities to people with various disabilities.

Ekansh not only works towards increasing awareness about every aspect connected to inclusion of People with Disabilities but also, they are trying to introduce the Indian Sign Language to hearing people, so that they can carry out a basic conversation with those deaf that can only sign. They also sensitize students and professors /teachers from different streams like architecture, management, design, etc. so that when they become the stakeholders and come into their own, their work is inclusive.

Now Ms. Anita Iyer’s Ekansh team plan to launch the disability awareness kit on the 3rd December. And I hope it works for people with disabilities. Thanks to Ms. Anita Iyer's bridging gap between able and disabled. Best luck from dais of “The Legends” to Ms. Anita Iyer’s valuable work.

Source: Ms. Anita Iyer

Top 3 Questions and Answers on "Anita Iyer: Valuable Work For The People With Disabilities"

1. Question: Who is Anita Iyer, and what is her role in promoting inclusion for people with disabilities?

Answer: Anita Iyer is the founder and director of Ekansh, an organization dedicated to improving the lives of people with disabilities by promoting inclusion and awareness.

2. Question: How is Ekansh working to bridge the gap between able-bodied and disabled individuals, and what initiatives are they undertaking?

Answer: Ekansh is not only increasing awareness about disabilities but also introducing Indian Sign Language to facilitate communication with the deaf. They sensitize students and professionals from various fields to promote inclusive practices.

3. Question: What is the significance of the disability awareness kit launched by Ekansh, and how is Anita Iyer contributing to the cause of disability inclusion?

Answer: The disability awareness kit launched by Ekansh on December 3rd plays a crucial role in promoting awareness and inclusivity for people with disabilities, showcasing Anita Iyer's valuable work in bridging the gap between able-bodied and disabled individuals.

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Mansoor Ali Khan Pataudi : The Tiger Passes Away

I still can't believe that Tiger - Mansoor Ali Khan Pataudi is no more and I will always wonder what a batsman he would have been had both of his eyes. It would have been impossible for any other batsman in the world to play 41 test matches without having an eye. And what a fielder in cover region! Yeah! He was a true sportsman. He proved the power of India by bagging the first win over New Zealand which was very convincing. He was a real tiger. Cricket was in the family and His reflexes were sharp and his fielding quick-silver.

I salute to Mansoor Ali Khan Pataudi. A true sports man tiger. A great cricket hero who contributed a lot to Indian cricket. He brought a fresh invigorating style into Indian cricket. Who can forget his lofted shots and quick silver fielding in the covers.

Yeah! Friends, "The Tiger" - Mansoor Ali Khan Pataudi passes away on 22nd September, 2011.

‘Tiger’, as Mansur Ali Khan Pataudi was often called, was the son of Iftikhar Ali Khan Pataudi, who had the distinction of playing Test cricket for England and India. Born into royalty, Mansur Ali Khan was the ninth and final Nawab of Pataudi, a princely state which merged into India in 1947.

Cricket was in the family. Pataudi Senior made a hundred on Test debut for England before his playing days prematurely ended when he opposed his captain Douglas Jardine’s tactics in the 1932 Bodyline series. He later captained India before he passed away on his son’s 11th birthday in 1952. It is said Pataudi Senior had asked bat-makers Gunn and Moore to manufacture a small-sized bat for his son, who was five at the time. Gunn and Moore didn't make bats for kids, but they agreed to make a special one for the boy who would be India's youngest Test captain at the age of 21.

Pataudi, an Oxford alumnus, went on to play 46 Tests for India, and was captain in 40. This makes him and Iftikhar the only father-and-son duo to captain India. Pataudi realized spin was India’s strength and he built upon it. He’d often play three spinners in the side. This is best reflected in the fact that Bishan Singh Bedi, Erapalli Prasanna and S Venkataraghavan all had better averages and strike-rates under Pataudi.

Pataudi was an attacking batsman. After his schooling in Dehradun, he went to Winchester College, where he made over 2,000 runs in a season. It helped him that his coach George Cox was also an aggressive stroke-maker and encouraged Pataudi’s style of play. At a time when keeping the ball along the ground was batsmen's mantra, Pataudi loved his lofted drives. His reflexes were sharp and his fielding quick-silver.

In 1960, he made 131 for Sussex against Cambridge at Lord’s. He was Oxford’s captain the next year, becoming the first Indian to receive the honour. This is the time he was involved in a car accident near Brighton beach and lost vision in his right eye.

Pataudi played his last Test in 1974 — as captain — and made 9 and 9 against the West Indies at the Brabourne Stadium, a game India lost and surrendered a tightly-fought series 2-3. He also won the Arjuna Award on 1964 and Padma Shri in 1967. Pataudi, 70, breathed his last today at a New Delhi hospital after a prolonged infection of his lungs. He is survived by wife, former actress Sharmila Tagore, son Saif Ali Khan, and daughters Soha and Saba.

Today, the Hero of Indian Cricket is no more. Live in peace…my beloved hero!!!

Top 3 Questions and Answers on "Mansoor Ali Khan Pataudi: The Tiger Passes Away"

1. Question: What was Mansoor Ali Khan Pataudi's impact on Indian cricket as a captain?

Answer: Mansoor Ali Khan Pataudi, often called 'Tiger,' made significant contributions to Indian cricket as a captain, leading India in 40 Test matches and emphasizing spin as India's strength.

2. Question: What unique distinction did Mansoor Ali Khan Pataudi and his father Iftikhar Ali Khan Pataudi hold in Indian cricket history?

Answer: Mansoor Ali Khan Pataudi and his father Iftikhar Ali Khan Pataudi are the only father-and-son duo to have captained the Indian cricket team, leaving an indelible mark on the sport.

3. Question: How did Mansoor Ali Khan Pataudi's batting style differ from the norms of his era, and what was the significance of his lofted drives?

Answer: Mansoor Ali Khan Pataudi was known for his attacking batting style, which included lofted drives, in an era when keeping the ball along the ground was the standard approach.

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Mother Teresa : The Truth Forever

I don't know how many of us could know the name "Agnes Gonxha Bojaxhiu". This name is further known as "Mother Teresa". Yeah! She was the missionary who dedicated her life in the service of the sick and the outcasts. This "Saint of the Gutters" considered the earthly sufferers as nothing less than "Christ in the distressing disguise". She was "Mother Teresa".

Her real name was Agnes Gonxha Bojaxhiu and was born on 26th August 1910 at Skopje, Macedonia. Since childhood she felt the call to help the needy. In 1929 she joined the Loretto Community of Irish nuns on a mission to Calcutta now Kolkata. She took the name Sister Teresa.

Initially she taught at the St. Mary's High School in Kolkata. Later she became the principal of the same. In 1946, while traveling to Darjeeling for advised rest, she heard the call to serve Him among the poorest of the poor.

Mother Teresa became the citizen of India. She took medical training to serve the sick. Pope Pius XII gave her permission to leave the Order and then in 1950 she founded her own Order of Missionaries of Charity - an institution of women dedicated to the service of the sick and the destitute.

In the beginning a school for the slum children was started. Mother Teresa then began Nirmal Hriday, an institute for the dying destitute. In those times, lepers were treated as outcasts by society. So, Mother Teresa established Prem Niwas and Shanti Nagar for sheltering the lepers. Nirmal Shishu Bhavan was started for the orphaned and abandoned children.

She started her work from a scratch, with only 12 women. But now it has spread over 125 countries and 450 centers with more than 4000 nuns working for the needy. Every day over 5 lakh people are fed and taken care of in these centers. Almost 1.5 lakh people are given daily medical assistance. Over 20,000 poor and underprivileged children are given education in these institutions.

This tiny, frail woman built such vast organization just on the strength of her love and compassion for the poor and the sick. Her great work was honored by the whole world. In 1979 she was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize, which she accepted in the name of the "unwanted, unloved and uncared for". The Indian government honored her with our highest civilian award "Bharat Ratna" in 1980. In 1985 she was awarded the highest U.S. civilian award, the Medal of Freedom.

She kept an indifferent health and suffered many health problems. This Angel of Mercy left for heaven on 5th September 1997. Grand Salute to her and her great work...!!!

Top 3 Questions and Answers on "Mother Teresa: The Truth Forever"

1. Question: What is the birth name of Mother Teresa, and how did she answer the call to serve the poor and sick?

Answer: Mother Teresa's birth name was Agnes Gonxha Bojaxhiu, and she heeded the call to serve the needy by joining the Loretto Community of Irish nuns and later founding the Missionaries of Charity.

2. Question: How did Mother Teresa's charitable work expand from its humble beginnings, and how many countries does it now encompass?

Answer: Mother Teresa's mission, which started with 12 women, has grown to span over 125 countries with 450 centers and more than 4000 nuns providing assistance to over 5 lakh people daily.

3. Question: What prestigious awards did Mother Teresa receive for her compassionate work, and when did she pass away?

Answer: Mother Teresa was honored with the Nobel Peace Prize in 1979, the Bharat Ratna in 1980, and the Medal of Freedom in 1985. She passed away on September 5, 1997.

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