Last week I had been to see Harishchandrachi Factory, a Marathi feature film which is India’s official entry to Academy Award in the Best Foreign Language Film Category. I throughly enjoyed the movie and I am very happy to see some outstanding Marathi movies being produced these days. In fact, I pulled in my cousin to the theatre with me who hadn’t seen a Marathi feature film for years because he hadn’t witnessed the new wave of Marathi cinema.

In a line: It’s a Charlie Chaplin take on the struggle of Dadasaheb Phalke in making Raja Harishchandra in 1913, India’s first feature film.

Although, I could be a little biased but I would rate it higher than 3 idiots. Even if you understand very little Marathi, I would still urge you to not miss this film!

Set yourself a goal.

Set yourself a deadline.

Define success at the start.

Make a plan to make it happen.

Build a team to help you.

Get the team to sign up, head and heart, to the plan.

Understand there will be hurdles, barriers. Accept them. But defeat them.

Work each day toward getting things done. A little can do a lot.

Keep the end goal in your mind at all times.

Understand the importance of your energy. Your stubbornness. Your persistence.

Half way through a project is always the lowest point. You are neither at the start, nor at the end. Energy dips, morale is low. Have a day off.

The next day remind yourself why you started it in the first place.

Focus. Focus. Focus. But focus on the most important thing.

Tell the world what you are doing.

Tell the world your deadline.

Celebrate progress. Any progress.

Never give up.

Look back at how far you have traveled. It will surprise you.

It will also tell you that you are closer to your goal than ever before.

Keep going.

Then one day, after many, many days, you will complete your goal.

You got there in the end.

Your words and your deeds are one. Most people in life are just talkers. But you are a doer. Well done.

by David Hieatt

Source: DoBlog

I am inspired and short of words. I would rate this only second to Steve Job’s ‘How to live before you die?’ commencement speech and that would be on the basis of the role they have played in my life at critical junctures. I just can’t thank David enough for this and the least I could do would be to follow the path.

Few years back
I said to myself
Said to myself
that You were the one

Even that day
I had no doubts
Had no doubts
deep in my heart

I wanted a chance
to look in your eyes
Look in your eyes
and confess my love

I promise I tried
to ask you out
Asked you out
but you weren’t convinced

Now that I think
I should have tried
Should have tried
and given my best

Here I am today
and I want to confess
Want to confess
you’re still the one

I don’t expect
for you to feel
You to feel
the same as I do

I want you to know
that all I wish
All I wish
is good for you

Nothing’s gonna change
of what I feel
What I feel
is my love for you

Years down the line
and all I fear
All I fear
you may still be the one

- Akky

P.S: I wanted to compose this into a song but that didn’t happen :( and it was one of the reasons why it took me so long to post it on my blog. So, for now enjoy the lyrics of what could have been my first debut single ;) Click here to see Logan Square in all its beauty.

I get bored with the design on my blog so often that I keep playing with its look and feel all the time. I have just made a switch to a new design and look forward to your views on it. Even if you have no opinion on it - please do drop in to say ‘Hi’. Feels good :)

“Every sunrise that fights to breakthrough, germinates a million hopes to soon follow through.” - Akky

P.S: Liked this one? Would love to read your comments. You may also like others from the Quote-Unquote series.

“Success or failure is not a reflection of who you are, its simply a local maxima or minima.” - Akky

P.S: Liked this one? Would love to read your comments. You may also like others from the Quote-Unquote series.

“A freshly painted canvas is up in the sky, any single moment you can give it a try.” - Akky

P.S: Liked this one? Would love to read your comments. You may also like others from the Quote-Unquote series.

“Hunger is what it takes to earn the bread.” - Akky

P.S: Liked this one? You may also like others from the Quote-Unquote series.

For a moment,
I was lost in another moment.

In that moment,
I lived a thousand moments.

The next moment,
I was back in the moment.

Now for a moment,
I again wanted to get lost in that moment.

Alas, I had found that moment,
Now how could I again get lost in that moment?

- Akky

P.S: Liked this one? Just for fun you should also check “The Moment” which has a totally different flavor. Would love to hear back from you. Click here to browse through few others. You may also like the Quote-Unquote series.

For a moment,
I was lost in another moment.

In that moment,
I lived a thousand moments.

- Akky

P.S: Liked this one? Just for fun you should also check the “Parody of a Moment“. Click here to browse through few other rhymes. You may also like the Quote-Unquote series.

Mumbai has been plagued with a series of controversies recently over the Mumbaikar vs. North Indian and Marathi vs. Non-Marathi issues. Being a Maharashtrian myself it would make me uncomfortable at times when in the media or elsewhere you would have people who would represent the so called Marathi viewpoint. None of their statements would strike a chord with my sensibilities.

Today, in the noise of the *roaring tiger* and the *meow of his cubs*, Maharashtrians in Mumbai and all over the world finally have a voice that resonates with what’s in their hearts in none other than the Master Blaster - Sachin Ramesh Tendulkar. Sachin made a comment,

“I am a Maharashtrian and I am extremely proud of that. But I am an Indian first. And Mumbai belongs to all Indians.”

Sachin is not only the greatest batsman in the history of cricket but one who truly embodies all the qualities to be called an idol.

Feels like singing…

Stream your thoughts,
Bring it on.

Let them flow,
Keep it on.

Even if no one cares,
I am tuned to your song.

- Akky

P.S: A rhyme for all my Facebook friends and Twitter followers. Liked this one? Would love to hear back from you. Click here to browse through few others. You may also like the Quote-Unquote series.

Amol Surve and RenSu Yang exchanged vows in the presence of close relatives and friends on the 3rd of October in the beautiful city of Sedona (Arizona, USA) at the heart of the Oak Creek Canyon.

The wedding planners (Amol & RenSu) did a fabulous job in ensuring that it was a unique and memorable experience not only for the bride and the groom but also for everyone involved. The highlight of the event was the confluence of the Hindu and the Chinese wedding customs. Add to it the attention to small details right from the wedding invitation to the wedding favors made it feel very special.

Please join me in wishing the couple a lifetime of great happiness, peace and fulfillment.

(Sometimes the embedded video takes a while to load. If you are on Facebook follow this link)

I am really excited to share with you that we have launched Ads4Good today.

From the website:

Ads4Good is a unique initiative which allows everyone with a blog or a website directly raise funds for their favorite cause for free.

I think you should visit ‘Why Join’ to know why and how you can join the initiative.

Read more about the causes we champion for:

• Education
• Animal Rights
• Poverty Alleviation
• Environment

In the next few days I would love to share with you how it all started and why I think this would change of how people look at online giving.

I would really appreciate if you show your support us by doing any/all of the following:

• Signup with your favorite cause
• Fan us on Facebook
• Follow us on Twitter
• Use a twitter overlay image of Ads4Good through Avartize

Every single day I fail to deliver
And every single day I don’t live up

Every single day I face failure
And likewise every single day I don’t give up!

- Akky

P.S: Liked this one? Would love to hear back from you. Click here to browse through few others. You may also like the Quote-Unquote series.

I don’t know how it feels
To find the love of your dreams

The one you are destined to meet
Could be seated next to your seat

An unknown looking glance
Could lead to that chance

A couple of introductory greetings
May lead to future meetings

Sharing your life’s motivation
Initiate an engaging conversation

You may go different ways
And that is how things could stay

So don’t hold back even that slightest thought
Why keep anything in your thinking hat

For all you know you may never see
The love of your life from your dreams

- Akky

P.S: Liked this one? Would love to hear back from you. Click here to browse through few others. You may also like the Quote-Unquote series.

You cant describe great cosmic significance to a simple earthly event. Coincidence, thats all anything ever is, nothing more than coincidence. There are no miracles. There is no such thing as fate. Nothing is meant to be.

These were the last few lines from the movie 500 days of summer which I just happened to watch (yes, for a change and after long). I think this is a particularly refreshing take on how one could interpret the events in one’s life. I for all this time was closer to the notion that there is a reason for what’s happening around you and in particular with you. This meant I could still remember that first glance, that first phone call, that first conversation and so many more firsts that even today I would be ready to believe there ought to be a reason for it happening with me. But for all I know it could have just been coincidence. I know it takes away the fairy tale story line out of the plot but now I think it could well be true but my heart still doesn’t want me to believe it.

Even though I don’t run a marathon to win, on finishing I always emerge as a winner. - Akky

Every single day reinforces my fundamental belief that people are good and they would like to exercise this inherent urge to do good without having to go out of their way. - Akky

is in the theater about to watch Orphan with my sis. Watching a horror movie after years… not sure if it is the right thing to do :|

Don’t carry baggage from your past experience, only take forward your learnings.
- Akky

Today, I revisited my Harishchandragad trek page which had long been ignored and had broken links and images. Finally, I have updated it and in the process I got lost in the memory trail. I also updated the title of the page to ‘Harishchandragad - My personal success story’; Yes, I think of it as a personal success story. If I look back it was not the toughest trek that I had undertaken but under the given circumstances it definitely played a role in helping me identify with my traits early on. Even today I strongly believe tough and uncertain situations bring to the surface what lies deep within. I am not particularly sure how enjoyable a read it would be for you, I would still recommend reading it.

Having spent the last 3 years working with startups either contributing as a part of a team or  founding one, I can categorically state that there are many dull and not so interesting tasks that need to get done. This is against the accepted notion that working with startups is all about doing interesting kick-ass work.

Over the last two years I have grown from thinking of doing only interesting work to making work more interesting. Although, there is a subtle difference in the wording the latter is more powerful and puts you in control. You reserve the opportunity to choose your own attitude towards your work and thats what works the best.

Recently, reading “Fish! A Remarkable Way to Boost Morale and Improve Results” reinforced this thought process for me. The book is a parable which draws from the success story of the Pike Place Fish Market in making their work more interesting.

Take a look at how the workers have fun at the fish market throwing fish around and bystanders cheering them all the way:
http://www.metacafe.com/watch/1502441/

What makes me write this?

One reason was I just finished reading the book a couple of weeks back but its not the only reason. Three days back I was discussing about work with a friend of mine, lets call him PS. PS has completed his MS this summer and now has joined the technology wing of an investment company. With an year of prior experience in a IT company and completion of his MS I thought the company that recruits him would have a specific role for him and he could start contributing directly. This wasn’t to be true and took me by surprise. He would be undergoing a 3 month training program on C, Unix, Java and other technologies and would be inducted by one of the projects in the company. I was stupid enough to ask him, “You still don’t know the work or project that you will be assigned to, how do you feel about it?” He said, “I am sure I would love the work that I will be assigned to!“

Pluggd.in is running a fortnightly theme on Social Entrepreneurship and I had the opportunity to write a guest post on Social Entrepreneurship. You can read it online by clicking here. Please feel free to give your feedback on the article in the comments there.

I would sincerely like to thank Ankur, Utkarshraj and Aishwarya for reviewing it and providing inputs on a very short notice.

Next week I look forward to cover ‘Landscape and Opportunities for Social Entrepreneurs in India’. So, hold your breadth until then…

We will not go quietly into the night. We will not vanish without a fight.

We are going to live on. We are going to survive.

Today we celebrate our Independence Day!

Remember watching this movie with my brother on the big screen close to 14 years back and this for me as rightly put is the setting for a true Independence Day - when the world would come together as one and fight evil as one!

P.S: If you haven’t watched the video before - go watch now!

Trails could reach places
But the road couldn’t

Woods were dark and motionless
But the birds weren’t

Ripples travelled far and wide
But the water didn’t

Time passed and skipped beats
But the moments didn’t

Life will take a turn and shall try to move on
But thankfully the memories won’t

- Akky

P.S: Liked this one? Would love to hear back from you. Click here to browse through few others. You may also like the Quote-Unquote series.

I sat
Time flew
It took me
9^1/2 hours behind.
- Akky

“Decide for yourself; leastways you will have no one else to blame.” - Akky

Today, I shall be conducting a session on ‘Web Applications’ for faculty from various colleges attending the Short Term Traning Program on Web Engineering at Don Bosco. I have been told that there would be close to 45 faculty members and I am really excited. Primarily because I have always found faculty members to be more curious and eager to learn than students. I had also received some very good response and feedback the last time.

Embedded is the presentation I have made for the session. Feel free to comment and leave your feedback (…although it would make little sense without commentary from *yours truly* ;)

Love is in the air
and its been a long time of despair.
Even I want to witness this affair.
- Akky

P.S: Attempt at writing a haiku. Would love to hear some feedback and extra points if you can guess the context right :)