Do Non Resident Indians involve in Nation building?

PodUniversal - Edition 39

In the recent years, lot of educated youngsters migrate to United States and Europe for better prospects. There are two type of Non Resident Indians (1) people who are living there even prior to 1991 and (2) people who migrate to foreign countries post 1991.

During 1990 when India was facing acute financial and political crisis, during Prime Minister Chandrasekar's period, gold reserve was pledged to meet the day to day balance of payment. At that time, fearing collapse of Indian economy, many Non Resident Indians repatriated their investments from the Indian Banks to their living country. At that time, it added further financial strain and crisis to India. Rajiv Gandhi assassination lead to further political crisis. During 1991, Narasimha Rao took over as Prime Minister and with the help of Dr Manmohan Singh (then Finance Minister and present Prime Minister) liberated the Indian economy.

Economic liberalisation opened up our economy and lot of opportunities. Indian economy started booming. Lot of educated youngsters started moving to US and Europe for better prospects. Now the young Indians have started building up the Image of the country across the globe. What was considered by developed countries as the 'land of snake charmers and beggars' is now being seen as 'technology savvy country'.

In this background, few questions arise in our mind: (1) What is the attitude of NRIs towards the development of India (2) How far, they will raise to the occasion, if another crisis is faced by India (3) What is the role of NRIs in developing the Nation.

With these questions, we approached Mr Sudarshan Venkatraman, Chairman of Zylog Systems Limited, an Indian Multinational Company for his views. He has been operating the business in many countries. He belongs to the 'post 1991 group of NRI'. He has been taking active interest silently in various social welfare activities, particularly towards education of dalit and downtrodden children. You can listen to his views by clicking to play (13 minutes)


The interview may also be listened from the following link
http://www.podbazaar.com/permalink/144115188075857189

If you want to download in mp3 format, right click this link and save to your desktop (12 mp)

Unsung Heroes - Young Helping Minds

PodUniversal - Edition 35

Many times, the elders blame the younger generation including students for their behaviour and changes they bring about. But seldom we recognise them for their silent contribution to the society.

Nagappan, Sathiyan and a dozen young students used to celebrate their birth day parties in hotels and enjoy the dinner. Suddenly four years back, Nagappan and his friends decided not to spend lavishly the money for their birthdays in the hotels and instead pool the money to help poor students. A physically disabled junior student hailing from a very poor family was the first beneficiary of their gesture. They paid his college fees.

The smile on the face of the poor disabled boy motivated Nagappan and others to mobilise more number of students, who can contribute around 20 to 25 rupees every month. All the amount so collected were pooled for supporting more such poor and disabled students for their education., by way of fees, books, etc.

The encouragement given by the fellow students made Nagappan and Sathiyan to form a trust in the name of 'Young Helping Minds' and they registered the trust deed with authorities and also with Income Tax Department. They have around 250 students / young people contributing their small share towards the noble cause of educating the poor and disabled children. Presently, they support 35 such students for their education.

Inspired by Dr Abdul Kalam, Nagappan also changed his name as 'Kalam' Nagappan. They want to increase the contributors to 1000 and to increase the beneficiaries to 100 by 2010. Nagappan, Sathiyan, Poornima and Ponmudi, the trustees of this Young Helping Minds met me last Sunday.

I asked them : "Now you are all students. You are happily involving yourself in the social activities. Some of you have completed and now working in companies. What would happen if you all get married and enter the family life?" Without hesitation or even blinking of the eye, they responded together, "We will look only for like minded partners".

When they sought an appointment with me to meet, I was happy that i was going to motivate them further. Finally, after having had three hours of discussion, I ended up in getting myself motivated by these young boys and girls. I saw them off from my office with all hope that India's future is in the safe hands.

They can be contacted at younghelpingminds@yahoo.co.in
Their website www.younghelpingminds.org

I also recorded their interview in podcast. Please listen to the podcast by clicking to play. (8 mts)



The podcast may also be listened from the following link
http://www.podbazaar.com/permalink/144115188075857183

If you want to download the podcast in mp3 format: - Right click this link and save to your desktop

Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR)

April 2008 issue of our ezine deals with Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR). This issue is Guest Edited by Mr S Narendra, Former Information Advisor to Indian Prime Ministers. We are carrying exclusive views from eminent persons, who have rich experience in CSR initiatives. The ezine in pdf format (460 k) may be downloaded from
http://www.primepointfoundation.org/presense/presense0408.pdf

Please also listen to the podcast interviews

PodUniversal Edition 32

Mr Kishor A Chaukar, Mg. Director, Tata Industries Ltd

Please click to listen to the interview (12 m 30 sec)


You can also listen to the interview from the following link
http://www.podbazaar.com/permalink/144115188075857140

Right click this link to download in mp3 format (11.4 mb)

PodUniversal Edition 33

Mr Gerard Helmink, Director, Akzo Nobel, Netherlands

Please click to listen to the interview ( 10 m)


You can also listen to the interview from the following link
http://www.podbazaar.com/permalink/144115188075857142

Right click this link to download in mp3 format ( 9.2 mb)

Exclusive interviews with Dr Abdul Kalam and Dr Y S Rajan, duo of India Vision 2020

This ezine completes two years and enters third year successfully. Feb 2008 issue is the Special Second Anniversary Issue. This issue is unique in its own way.

If all the Indians chant with pride the 'Vision 2020' mantra, the entire credit goes to the duo Dr Abdul Kalam and Dr Y S Rajan, who authored the book India 2020 together. This edition is Guest Edited by Dr Y S Rajan and we carry the exclusive interviews from Dr Kalam and Dr Rajan.

Download the ezine

Please download the ezine from the following link ( 250k in pdf)
http://www.primepointfoundation.org/presense/presense0208.pdf

PodUniversal - Edition 28 - Podcast interview of Dr Kalam

Please listen to the exclusive interview with Dr Abdul Kalam - click to play ( 6 minutes)


You may also watch this podcast from the following link
http://blip.tv/file/698761

You may download this podcast in wmv format - right click and save

PodUniversal Edition 29 - Podcast interview of Dr Y S Rajan

To listen to the podcast interview of Dr Y S Rajan - click to play (13 minutes)

Click to play to listen to Dr Y S Rajan

You may also listen this podcast from the following link
http://blip.tv/file/692523

You may download this podcast in mp3 format - right click and save (12 mb)

Violence to Non-Violence : Story of an extremist turned social worker

Edition 21 and 22 - PodUniversal - An Unsung Hero

From 2007 onwards, United Nations has declared that Mahatma Gandhi's birthday i.e. 2nd October every year will be observed as "International Non violence Day" globally. Mahatma Gandhi was leading the freedom movement few decades back against the mighty British Empire and succeeded in his mission. In these days, when violence, extremism, terrorism are on the increase, the concept of 'Non Violence" assumes greater significance. Violence has no place in the development of the society.

To mark this occasion, we present to you a real time case study of Mr Periaswamy of Tamilnadu. Mr Periaswamy right from his boyhood, got engaged himself in extremism. He was arrested and sentenced to death by the Court. He was relieved by the High Court later. During his five years of imprisonment, Mr Periaswamy realised that 'violence' had no place in the development of dalits and downtrodden. A totally changed person, Mr Periaswamy, has now organised 63 night schools in 63 hamlets in two districts and started providing education to dalit and downtrodden children. (see pic. on right)

Besides, he is also conducting tailoring sessions to benefit the young ladies and girls in these localities. (see pic. on left)

Mr Periaswamy may be contacted at nandanartrust@gmail.com

His silent revolution is now benefitting nearly 4000 children of his locality. In an exclusive interview with K. Srinivasan, Editor of PodUniversal, he explains in detail about his transformation.

Interview with English translation:

Please click to play to listen to his interview with English translation. If you want to download the mp3 file (12 mb), click this link and save to your desktop

Click To Play

Interview in Tamil (original version)

If you want to listen to his interview in Tamil (original), please click to play. You can download the mp3 file (12mb) by clicking this link and saving to your destop.

Click To Play

Indian Media should represent the billion people of the country - Dr Kalam

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Edition 18 - Exclusive interview with Dr Abdul Kalam - Part Three

When India is celebrating the sixtieth anniversary of her freedom, we are presenting three part exclusive podcast interview with former Indian President Dr A P J Abdul Kalam. The first two parts have already been published in these columns. If you want to listen to them, please click:

Part one - Challenges before the Nation and the role of youth in facing these challenges
Part two - Exclusive Independence Day message to children

We are now presenting the Part Three of Dr Kalam's interview. In this podcast, Dr Kalam shares his views and suggestions to Indian Media to become the partner in Nation building. He wants the Indian media to become 'the media for billion'.

Download wmv format (right click and save the link -can be played in windows media player - 2.01 mb)

Download mp3 format (right click and save the link - can be played in any mp3 player or ipod - 4.63 mb)

Download pdf file (Dr Kalam's speech to Media on 16th Nov. 2006)

Please watch and listen to the podcast, clicking, 'click to play' below the image.

Click To Play

India 60 - Second part of interview with Dr Abdul Kalam

Edition 17- Exclusive interview with Dr Abdul Kalam - Part Two

On 15th Agusut 2007, we released the first part of the exclusive interview with Dr Abdul Kalam, former Indian President. We are happy to release the second part of the interview .

In this second part, Dr Kalam gives his Independence Day message to children. Though, it is meant for children, it is more applicable to school and college going students.

The first part of the podcast can be listened from
http://poduniversal.blogspot.com/2007/08/india-at-60-exclusive-interview-with-dr.html

If you want to download the second part in wmv format (can be played in windoes media player), please right click here and save to your desktop.

If you want to download the audio in mp3 format, right click here and save

Please listen to the second part in this page, by clicking 'click to play' below this image. Please await the third part to be released next week.

Click To Play

India at 60 - An exclusive interview with Dr Abdul Kalam - Part one

PodUniversal - Edition 16
Top Ten challenges and role of youth

India celebrates 60th Anniversary of freedom on 15th August 2007. In an exclusive telephonic interview to PodUniversal , Dr A P J Abdul Kalam, former President of India shares his views on the 'Top ten challenges' of the Nation. He also shares his views as to how youth can overcome these challenges to realise the vision of developed India by 2020.

We will be publishing his other views in the coming weeks.

Please also visit http://www.indiavision2020.org and join the India's largest India Vision group

If you want to download the wmv file (audio with visuals) of this podcast interview, please right click here and save the link to your desktop ( 4 mb ). You can play wmv file in your windows media player.

If you want to download the mp3 file (only audio), you right click here and save the link (9 mb)

You can watch and listen to the exclusive interview by clicking 'click to play'

Click To Play

Nation salutes Indian President Dr Abdul Kalam

PodUniversal Edition 15 - July 2007


After a glorious five years of tenure as President of India, Dr Abdul Kalam hands over charge to the new President and leaves Rashtrapathi Bhavan on 25th July 2007. During his tenure as President of India, he proved himself as "People's President" and he made the President's Palace (Rashtrapathi Bhavan) as "People's Bhavan". He was not worried about the protocol and ceremonial positions. He was meeting thousands of children and common man.

In an exclusive chat with me on the eve of Dr Kalam's retirement from Office, Prof. Y S Rajan, co-author of the book India 2020 with Dr Kalam and his close associate speaks about the achievements of Dr Kalam during his tenure. He also speaks about the future plans of Dr Kalam. (This conversation was recorded over phone). Please listen to the conversation.

Greenpeace to internationalise Setu issue (Gulf of Mannar)

PodUniversal - Edition 10 - June 07

Greenpeace, an International organisation for environment protection will internationalise the Sethu Canal project issue. In an exclusive and fist podcast interview, Mr Sanjiv Gopal, Oceans Campaign Manager, Greenpeace India says that Sethu Samudram Canal project will not be viable and would damage the ecology. He also says that Greenpeace would internationalise the issue, if it is required. They would also take up with UNESCO for declaring the site as 'World heritage'. Please listen to the full interview. (14 m 50 s)

Please listen to the visual podcast by clicking 'click to play'.

If you want to download the file in wmv format (can be played in your windows media player), right click this link and save in your desktop. ( 6 mb)

Click To Play

PodMagazine Edition 2 - Indian President Dr Abdul Kalam speaks on 'quality in education'

Prime Point Foundation proudly announces the release of the second edition of PodUniversal, India's first Pod Magazine. We are greatly honoured to bring out the full version of the inspiring speech delivered by Indian President Dr A P J Abdul Kalam recently on the National Youth Day.

Dr Kalam launched the e-learning collaborative portal by CII-Shiksha India at Delhi on 12th Jan 07. He emphasised the need for our educational system to make the youth 'more employment generators', rather than 'employement seekers'.

He is also talking about the role of teachers in developing vision amongst the youth. Prof. Y S Rajan, Principal Advisor to CII and one of the architects of CII- Shiksha India gives a brief introduction about this unique project, which helps the Schools free of cost.

Please click 'play' in the flash player below to listen to streaming audio (20 minutes). Streaming audio is comfortable with broadband. If you find any difficulty in listening to streaming audio, please download the mp3 file (19 mb) to your desk top and listen through any mp3 player.



Click here to download mp3 file (19 mb)
Click here to download the text of the speech

What is the significance of PSLV-C7 rocket launched by India?

Today (10 Jan 07) India launched PSLV - C7 rocket carrying four satellites. This is a significant milestone in the Indian Space Programme. India is commencing the commercial launch operations and may compete with developed Nations in this segment. India has distinct advantage of being nearer to the equator.

In an exclusive podcast interview with K. Srinivasan, immediately after the launch, Prof. Y S Rajan, an eminent scientist (also co-author of the book India 2020 with Indian President Dr Kalam) speaks about the significance of this milestone.

Please click 'play' to listen to streaming audio (11 m 53s)

powered by ODEO

Download mp3 file (10.8 mb)

Barren lands to Human capital - Achievement of a visionary

Three hundred acres of barren lands near Tiruchengode (Tamilnadu) has now been converted into a great 'Human Capital' with 12 educational institutions with more than 13000 students and thousand of teachers. Mr K S Rangaswamy, founder of K S R Group of Institutions is a great visionary and provides employment opportunities to various rural people.

In exclusive podcast interview with K. Srinivasan, Mr K S Rangaswamy talks about his vision and how succeeded braving various challenges. This podcast is a great inspiration for youngsters.

The original podcast is in Tamil. We give below the translated version into English. Please click 'play' to listen to streaming audio. (16 m 47 s)


Download the mp3 file (15.3 mb)

Removal of untouchability from India - a model village in Andhra

Can untouchability be removed from the villages of India? Mr Jayachandra Naidu of Govardhanagiri village of Andhra Pradesh has three dreams:

1. Remove the names of all the Dalit Colonies indicating the caste names and rename them with generic names.

2. Make Brahmins to perform Vedic recitation in the Dalit villages

3. All person irrespective of their religion and caste should be cremated in a single burial ghat after death and not in different places.

Mr Jayachandra Naidu has already implemented his vision in his village. In an exclusive podcast interview with K. Srinivasan, speaks about his vision and how he implements.

Please click 'play' to listen to the streaming audio: (20 m 58 s)



Download the mp3 file (17 mb)

What prompted Dr Kalam to write the book on India Vision 2020

What is India Vision 2020? Why it is to be called as Vision 2020, instead of 2015 or 2025? What prompted Dr Kalam to write the book on India 2020?

Dr Y S Rajan, who co-authored the book India 2020 along with Dr Abdul Kalam, Indian president explains about the India vision concept and the role of youth and the corporates in achieving India vision.

Please listen to the exclusive podcast interview of Dr Y S Rajan with K. Srinivasan.Please click play to listen to the podcast.(13 m 40 a)

Download the mp3 file (12.5 mb)

Why Dr Kalam is admired by Indian youth?

Prof. Y S Rajan, an eminent Indian Scientist, is the co-author of the book India 2020 with Dr Abdul Kalam. He is presently, the Principal Advisor to CII (Confederation of Indian Industry). He has held high positions like Scientific Secretary to Scientific Advisor to Govt. of India, Scientific Advisor to Govt. of Punjab, Chairman of Board Council and Vice Chancellor of Punjab Technical University, Founder and Executive Director of TIFAC, etc. For more details about him visit http://www.ysrajan.com

India Vision has recorded his podcast interview in two parts. In the first part, Prof. Rajan speaks about his personal friendship with Dr Abdul Kalam. He also speaks about the human qualities of Dr Kalam.

In the second part, he speaks about the India Vision concept. He also speaks about the role of youth, media and Corporates in developing our country.

Please listen to the podcast by clicking 'play' button of the flash player, through streaming audio. Please also give your comments after listening to the podcast. Link given below:

Part - I (18 minutes 50 seconds)

Download podcast (mp3-17.2 mb)