I'm feeeeelin' it... You??
Thursday, August 24, 2006
What Can Brown Do for you.. (Not the DHL Advertisement)?
Who got it good -- Boyllywood or Hollywood?
Alright! Often we have heard the complaints that desi movies/pop videos are churned out in numbers with most tunes being copied/lifted from West to make those uber cool songs.. Now, what came as a surprise to me was the fact that how the West has indeed opted to just use an Indian song without much edits and made the best of both worlds..This original score song - Khaliyon Ka Chaaman (ironically, the music for this song was composed by the infamous "lifter aka copy cat" Bappi Lahari, I guess??)- was used by Dr. Dre for his video "Addictive" by the artist Truth Hurts as an interlude. Boy! it was an instant hit in the clubs for a while and am still hearing it occasionally at the Indian party circles..FYI, for those of you who don't know, the artist in the Indian version is Meghna Naidu.. HOTTTTTTT!
Now, I'll let you be the judge to rate who is the best (Hollywood Vs Bollywood) when it comes to Pelvic Gyrations .. I thought the West was good but until I saw this one ..
Now, you gotta agree that the Indians look farrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr more appealing/ravishing/stunning/inviting, etc, etc., to me (not biased here becos I'm a desi) than the ones on the video below .. There is something to this Indian video - it reaches out to tingle the sensual side of the viewer..Its Simple, elegant and suave compared to the rough edged, rapping western version shown below..Do you agree?? In any case, its hip shaking at its best..And me wondering how cool would it be to see some of Rakim's Rapping mixed up in the Indian Version (can't even imagine someone like Baba Shegal doing what Rakim does).. Remember, you can both videos simultaneously and it makes it easy for you to compare..Enjoy!
Tuesday, August 01, 2006
Running the Marine Corps Marathon, again.....
The project was immensely successful and the schools now boast a gleaming new piece of infrastructure that make a difference in the life of these children attending the school. I've attached a picture taken during the inauguration ceremony! The smiles on those little faces are worth all the pains and thank you for making my marathon a memorable one. Speaking from my own experience, training and running a marathon is an amazing, moving and life changing experience.
With all the encouragement and support I got from folks, I decided to do the Marine Corps Marathon again this year for AIMS India Foundation. What makes it even more special is the fact that The Marine Corps Marathon is also known teh People's Marathon and gels perfectly with the mission of AIMS, which is to bring people together. This year our team has swelled to 20 members and we have raised our target to $20,000. I would like you to join me again in the quest for Making a Difference in the lives of these people who need our help. Once again AIMS India Foundation is partnering with Marathon Charity Partners (MCP) in organizing this innovative fundraiser - the marathon training program. Completing this 26.2 miles race will be a significant challenge for me. An even more significant challenge is the goal of raising a minimum of $1,000 to benefit Sustainable Rural Development Projects of AIMS India Foundation.
I have committed myself personally to work with AIMS India Foundation on its Education and Rural Development projects. Though it's a drop in the ocean, I feel I should do my part and I hope that you will pitch in and support me in this cause. AIMS India's mission is to bring people together for the lofty purpose of bringing about a positive transformation in India, to achieve a vision of economically self-sufficient, socially harmonious that serves as a beacon of light to the rest of the world.
Please visit our website for more information on the current and past projects carried out by AIMS India.
As AIMS India is a volunteer based organization, it has virtually no overhead costs (only 6%). You can be assured that almost all the funds that I raise will go directly to these development projects in India. Running the Marine Corp Marathon (26.2 miles) is no easy task, as you all know. Though the minimum I am committed to raise is $1000 by October 29, I decided to exceed my goal by collecting $2600 - about $100 for each mile I am going to run. Remember, all your donations are Tax Exempt as AIMS India Foundation is a registered 501(3)(c) Not-For-Profit organization. You will be provided with receipts for your tax filing purposes. I would like to invite you to join me in supporting this cause. Please select from the following options:
1) $52.40 - I'm thankful for my education
2) $104.80 - I have a Large Heart
3) $1000.00 - I really believe in the cause
4) $***.** - Be creative..
5). $26.2 – Dollar a mile -- Applicable only to children under 14 years, unemployed, zombies, etc.
You can contribute in two ways…
1. Easy and quick – please go to www.mydonations.com, a partner of AIMS India Foundation that helps in making the online payments. After a quick registration, you can proceed to donate by clicking on the "Donate Online" link (seen on the left column). Do not forget to select my name under the list of runners (I'm listed as ANDY on the list of runners seen in the "pull down" menu). After this selection, proceed to use your credit card to donate on this website (It is a secured website and no worries about data theft or misuse of your personal data).
2. Conventional – Make a check payable to "AIMS India Foundation" with my name in the memo and mail it to the Treasurer of AIMS, MR. Iyappan:
Iyappan Raman
13218 Wonderland Way
GERMANTOWN, MD 20874
Be sure to indicate RUN TO SERVE A GRAAM (FYI - Graam stands for village, in Hindi) and Andy on the memo part of your check.
I am excited about the marathon and the impact our efforts will make in raising money for this worthwhile cause. I truly hope that I can count on your support. Please write to me at wizardofwashington@gmail.com if you have any questions about your contribution.
If you could, please share it with your friends and encourage them to donate. Together as a TEAM, we can do wonders and I'll be doing the hardest part (running 26.2 miles) on October 29th. You will have the easiest part -- sign a check. Will you do it today?
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Hesitating to act because the whole vision might not be achieved, or because others do not yet share it, is an attitude that only hinders progress." ----- Gandhi