Tuesday, November 19, 2013

Chat with Babul Supriyo

Gauri: Welcome to Foundations TV everybody. Our guest is very special today, the one and only Babul Supriyo. Welcome to Foundations TV, Namaskar. So happy to have you here in Boston. Welcome to Boston.
Babul: Pleasure. I have been here before and everytime I come back to Boston it looks new with colors on the trees

Gauri: Yes, this is a good time of the year. Is this your first time in the fall here? Have you seen the colors before?
Babul: No, I’ve been coming here. Infact my first ever show, the first city in which I performed in America, that was way back in 1993, when I had toured with Amitab Bachhan. So the first show was in 1993 and I don’t know how 20 years have passed by. The only sign I see in the mirror is probably a little bit of gray hair

Gauri: Oh no, you don’t look 20 years older, you look 20 years younger. I was very impressed when I saw you for the first time today. I have seen your pictures but when I saw you, I was like, Oh My God, He is even better looking than his pictures.
Babul: Well , It might sound flattering but I will take a little time to accept that compliment and then I will get back to you.

Gauri: No No truly, so does this bring back any memories with Bachhan ji. Can you relate some memorable incidents that come to your mind, coming back to Boston?
Babul: Absolutely. Every time I leave the Logan airport, and the car oozes past the Boston Downtown, I can see the hotel in which we stayed. I am a small town guy from the outskirts of Calcutta, Kolkata, rather in India now, worked in a standard bank. I come from a musical family, so I have learnt music. My grandfather is N.C. Baral, a very famous composer. But then like a very cliché, only son does, I got a job in the bank, but realized that music was one quality that was given to me by nature or God for free. I wanted to pursue that so I had a fight with my entire family including my dad, left my job, and just ran away to Bombay. So, coming back to the question, why I am saying all this is because, I came to Boston in October 1992, and two months prior to that, I still remember the name of the cinema hall. It is called ‘Paradise’ in esplanade , I had seen a show which was Bachhan saab’s performance in London. It was picturized and released as a movie.vIt was called ‘Jumma Chumma in London’ and we all had watched that movie. My friends and I went from the bank to watch the movie and we saw the magnanimity of a live show and how a show can be so grand and how can there be so much of grandeur and you know 6 months from that 1993 , March, Kalyanji Anand Ji, after I got a chance to meet them and sing for them , they chose me ahead of a lot of other people for that tour. So, in 6 months , I was there from paradise cinema hall watching the movie and thinking what it was, never did I know that that in just 6 months of time, Life would throw such a big surprise to me. Boston does bring a lot of great memories for me. My first camera clicking of Bachhan saab performing on stage was here. I was really a kiddo, looking at a star in his every right, standing next to him, breathing the same air as him . It was huge. And the euphoria is something unique, like when you get your first bicycle, that euphoria is something. You might get a Q3 or a Bugatti in your life, but you can never match that euphoria.

Gauri: Absolutely. This is such a beautiful story. It got me flowing with it too . It was so nice. And there was no stopping from there on. You’ve been performing live, been a playback singer , been every where, singing old songs, new songs , and doing so many other things as well so that’s a fantastic journey
Babul: As they say, life begins at 40 , so I’ve just crossed 40 and I am on the other side of it . I’m 41. There is famous quote by George Bernard Shaw, ”Youth is wasted in the young”. Now that I have gained this 20 years of experience, I am trying to go back to what he said. But wait, I still didn’t accept the compliment you gave me…(Laughing) I try to make myself a little more fit, more agile because I think that the experience that I have got in the last 20 years is something that I can really use now and ‘caterpil’ myself in the next orbit instead of just being spoon fed, going to the studio, singing a song and then traveling the world, doing shows, making money etc.. I want to do something a little more worth while. Singing is what gave me this platform mentally and to think in this manner. Now I  have the experience now and from here, I can take it a little forward probably. I hope that life throws in afew more surprises for me.

Gauri: Absolutely. I’m sure . I can feel that you are following your heart and it’s not just about what the need of the market is but you’re doing what you want to do, what you like to do, that’s what you’re doing right now.
Babul: Need of the market is very important, I would say.  Because you don’t want to make albums or do films that don’t do commercially well. They do go hand in hand. But it is very important to find a path in life because otherwise it is the same thing over and over again. You just keep performing , and keep on singing in different parts of the world. You get paid and life gets into a cozy area and you don’t want to move away from it. So, I want to bring the euphoria of the struggle back. I want to do a few new things. I am not saying what they are. If they unfold, if I meet success then that is something that is definitely going to be on screen so lets wait and see.

Gauri: excellent. That’s a great message that you just shared , ‘come out of your comfort zone, and that’s where life begins’. So, our audiences would certainly like to know what other things you are doing besides singing. I know singing is a huge attraction to all of us in Boston here, specially tonight for Durga Puja celebrations. But other than that what are you other passions in life. You HAVE to share those with us.
Babul: Singing is what brings me here. Basically , if I have any dreams that I want to follow, if there is anything else larger than life , for my life that is, that I would want to add into my career then it is the singing that I have done in the last 20 years that takes me there. I am a singer first and everything is an extension of that. Whether I get into acting or direction or TV hosting . Actually I have done all of that. ‘K for Kishore’ is a show that I hosted and was very popular in America. People loved that show . And I feel that probably it is not fair to talk about what I’m trying to do in the next few years. (smiling) I would just say that today, in Boston , I really want to throw the best of Babul Supriyo as a singer on stage today because the organizers have been great. They’ve fed me good food..:) and I’ve experienced lot of warmth in the cold Boston weather . I do have a few surprises in store . I hope that the surprises are pleasant enough for the audience.

Gauri: I’m sure they will be. Thank you so much. We are all very very excited. We are all looking forward to your show a lot .
Babul: Thank you so much. I would just like to tell my audience that right now in Mumbai, there is a little bit of a scenario where the regular play back singers, as you may say, the generation that came in after Kumar Shanu, Udit Narayan  and Abhijeet and that era, myself, KK, Sonu, Shaan …we do have lesser songs than what we had may be 3 years back. There is a new wave of finding new voices. And singing is not something that is absolutely required to be a famous singer any more , pun intended, cause we have great softwares that can help you sound great at a studio. The indispensability of a singer has actually reduced. But I would tell my audience that if you’ve ever loved any of the singers for their live performances, for what they’ve sung at the studio, then stick by them because good music never fades away. I have a new solo music album, from Sony music which released in India, just about a week back . It’s called ‘Khushaamdeed’. So, people can go to iTunes and search for Babul Supriyo songs, and you should get that. It is a nice easy flowing song, you’re going to love it.

Gauri: And you also have another one “What the Folk” coming out soon?
Babul: It is already released. See we do sing in a lot of languages. Bengali being my mother tongue, I do sing a lot of Bengali music. In fact the song that I sang with Shreya 2 years back actually one the National award. The film got the National award, the song got the National award. In Bengal, I had released an album, a dance mix of folk songs and a little mischievously I named is “What the Folk” . and it really clicked . It is Number 1 in all the FM stations and commercially as I said is very important, it is selling like hot cakes .

Gauri: Good time for Durga Puja. Congratulations for that . And all the best for tonight .
Babul: Wishing The Foundations TV all the best .

Click For the youtube video



Wednesday, November 13, 2013

chat with Satinder Sartaaj

Gauri: तो आज हुमारे साथ हें Satinder Sartaaj जी। He is such an idol for the youth, I’ve heard your music. आप इंतना अच्छा गाते हें, कि आपके गाने सुनके तो बैठना मुश्किल है. पाओं अपने आप थिरकने लगते हें. Welcome to Boston. आप Please बताएं हमारे दर्शकों से कि आप कहाँ से हें.

Satinder : Basically में Punjab के Hoshiyarpur के एक गाओं से हूँ।लेकिन आज काल Chandigarh रेह रहें हें. और Punjab University से मेरी सारी study है education है। M.A music, M.Phil Music, PhD Music, diploma in Persian language और वहीं च्छे साल परहाया, M.A class को. Boston हम लोग दूसरी बार आयें हें. हमारा एक गान है, “दिल सबड़े वखरे जी”, उसकी shooting हमने यहाँ पे की थी. और बोहूत अच्छा लगा था Harvard University घूमें, यहाँ के students ने घूमाया फिराया. बहुत अच्छा लगता है जब भी हम लोग Boston आतें हें. मुझे ऐसी पुरानी इमारतें बहुत पसंद हें. जैसे ही हम land हुए, हमने तस्वीरें खींची. और सबसे खास बात येह है की America tour 2013 की येह हमारी आखरी मेहफिल है, और हम येह उमीद करते हें कि हम यहाँ के श्रोता गनों की उमीद के काबिल हो सकें.

Gauri: Oh Absolutely, I could feel the excitement outside. बहुत सब लोग आयें हें आपका गाना सुनने के लिये, और बहुत excited हें और हम लोग बहुत ज़्यादा खुश हें कि आप Boston आये और आपको Boston अच्छा लगता है. तो आप गाना कब से गा रहे हें, आप फटाफट से हूमें येह बता देजिये.
Satinder: गाना हम लोग, में बहुत छोटा था, मेरे खयाल से, में 3rd class में था, तब से गा रहे हें, तब शौक से गा रहे थे, पर 10th class ke बाद, मेने proper guidance शुरू की, phir graduation with music honors की. उसके साथ साथ मेने indian classical, North इंडियँ क्लास्सिकल का पांच साल का diploma किया. संगीत विशारत उसको केहते हें. बाकी तो मेने आपको बताया कि सारी कि सारी education मेरी मूसिक में है. लेकिन Sufi-ism में मेरे जो रिझां हें, या जो मेरा interest है, जब मेने doctorate शुरू की, तो मेरी PhD का topic था Sufi music. उसके तेहेत में बहुत से लोगों से मिला, ज़ुबाने सीखे, फारसी ज़ुबान सीखी specially. और Iran का culture, वहां से जो सूफ़ी पेदा हुए उनका लिबास कैसा था, उनके साज़ो समान कैसे थे, वो कहाँ रेहते थे, क्या गाते थे etc. तो हर एक चीज़ मेरे thesis में है. हम बहुत ज़ल्द ही उसको translate करके छपवाने कि कोशिश करेंगे as in बुक form, और उमीद करते हें कि वो लोगों को अच्छी भी लगेगी.
Gauri: I’m sure. आपकी रग रग में music भरा है, आपकी education में पूरा music है. So do you have a family background of music as well?

Satinder: बिल्कुल नहीं, मेरी proper farming family है. में किस्सान का बेटा हु और खुद खेती बारी की है हाथों से. लेकिन येह इतफाक हुआ है ki में इस field में आया. खुशी की बात येह है कि मेरे अम्मी अब्बा हमेशा इसी बात को प्रोत्साहित करते रहे हें कि मुझे music में ही जाना चाहिये था. नहीं तो लोग केहते हें कि यार आप doctor बनिये, engineer बाइये, आप advocate बनिये, लेकिन मुझे इस बात का फक्र है कि मेरे father साहब ने मुझे specially कह के Masters Of Music में admission दिलवाया था.

Gauri: Excellent. So did you ever dream of being so successful in life?

Satinder: नहीं, कभी ऐसा सोचा नहीं था. मुझे लगता था कि मेरी जो शायरी है बहुत संजीदा है, और मासूम सी है, तो बर्रे हुजूम तक जब पोहुँचायेंगे, तो शायद समझ में ना आये, पसंद ना आये, क्युकी इसमे कुछ भी इतना ज़्यादा sparking नहीं है. लेकिन जब मैने Canada tour किया 2009 April में टो बहुत से लोगों ने, खास तोर से जो Punjabi परदेस में रेहते हें, उन्हों ने बहुत ज़्यादा रुतबा दिया, असीस दे, दूआएं दी, और मुझे इस काबिल बनाया, और आज आपके सामने हें. 

Gauri: आप एक message देना चाहेंगे हमारे दर्शकों को, the people who are aspiring to be like you.

Satinder: में यही केहना चाहता हूँ कि, इस field में जो भी आना चाहते हें, वो मेहनत करें. सिर्फ एक रात के लिये, शानो शौकत के लिये, या famous होने के लिये ना करें. तमाम उम्र अगर आप गाना चाहते हें, तो उसी तयारी के साथ आयें ताकि लोग आपको मोहोब्बत दे सकें तमाम उम्र.

Gauri: बहुत ही प्यारा message है. Thank you so much for being with Foundations TV today And good luck for your show.      

Tuesday, November 12, 2013

In conversation with Social Entrepreneur Satish Jha

Niraj: Welcome to Foundations TV. Today we will talk about a very interesting topic, a topic that impacts all of us living in this community, in this society. We are going to talk about Social Entrepreneurship. Social Entrepreneurship is very unique, in a way that it’s success is measured on two dimensions. The first dimension being, its positive impact on society and the community and the second dimension being, obviously, the financials. This is very different from a business entrepreneurship, where the success is primarily measured on profit and loss of the venture. So, with that background, I would like to invite in our studio Mr. Satish Jha, who has been a serial entrepreneur as in a corporate entrepreneur, a business entrepreneur as well as a social entrepreneur. He has worked in 5 continents, was most recently the chairman of “One Laptop Per Child” initiative in India and most currently is working on is latest social entrepreneurship venture ECCO. With that, background I would like to welcome Satish.
Satish: Thank you very much. I am happy to be here.

Niraj: So, Tell us more about ECCO. What exactly are you doing? I have read something about it. It sounds like an interesting concept. Do share with our audience, the background, the motivation behind such an initiative and what is the path you are treading with this.

Satish: In my journey to take ‘One Laptop Per Child’ to every State, every entrepreneur I knew, and virtually everyone in the past 5 years that I did that, I realized that India had not created a product in 60 odd years of its freedom. Early, in the 90s I had been a chairman of a product creation company, I knew it was very very difficult, and that’s why India had not done that. But after seeing OLPC , my  thought changed. I thought that if you can take the principles of OLPC, perhaps you can create something. I met some people and they were thinking along those lines independently of us. One investor told me that ‘someone I know has a similar passion as you have about creating something Indian’. So when the founder came and met me, I was totally surprised and pleasantly shocked to see this product concept. When I saw this for the first time, I thought that if this is true, then we can actually do something in India, where we can imagine, design, manufacture and create in India. A product that is made in India but make it world class.

Niraj: Really? All global standards

Satish: Exactly. And not only that , but in every area, we stretched the boundary, stretched the frontiers. Whatever the solar lamp specs were in the world, this one went a step better. To the extent the International Corporation of Finance said, ”It is one probably of the finest solar lamps in the world” And that too designed in India. That is what got me hooked. And they asked me to join them on the board and finally couple of months back, made me the chairman because most people don’t understand what product creation is, it’s complexity. They usually don’t have time to, as they are busy doing what they do. It’s not that they can’t understand, it is just that this requires time. Product creation process is difficult and complex and there is investment required and time is needed for that. Nobody wants to invest in design in the trader mentality and trader phase. When you approach people, they say, ”How much can you make and in how short a time?” But  this required lot of time. It took almost 2 -3 years, along with couple of million dollars investment. So you have to find investors to do that. When I saw this, I said, “Now India is entering a new phase.” And so here I am.

Niraj: So, Given the fact that India has not designed, produced and manufactured a product solely in India, and you were the first one, I’m sure you would’ve come across some challenges in terms of finding the right skills, right mentality, investors etc. So, what were those challenges to reach to this stage?

Satish: I think first thing is that they are exceptional people. So this team is of exceptional people. Bowny is the guy. He is an absolutely exceptional person. He has done a few things before in life. They were all exceptional. He did not want to leave India. He is a BITS Pilani topper of two streams. His wife is a BITS Pilani topper as well. So they are a team who just believe in doing something interesting. His history is such that for 50 odd generations, they have been the painters to small kings. That is the recorded history of their family. So they always imagine things. They created things, they designed things. They are two brothers and they are both doing different things. But primarily, he is an exceptional individual. It’s like you can say, India’s new Edison. Though its too early to say that but if I look at the 6 – 7 things he has done, if only we had a business partner in each of them, I think he will be one of the most talked about guys from the developing world.

Niraj: So now, is the product ready?

Satish: Yes, the product is ready and has reached more than 100,000 people. We have created 3 – 4 versions of it and each one is very unique. If you charge once , it lasts for 350 hours. I don’t think you can find another lamp that would do that. We have designed one for Chhatisghar, we call it ECCO 36, because in Hindi chhatis is 36. It basically looks at the tribal art, takes the aesthetic forms from there and creates something that show how tribal forms will look like in modern times.

Niraj: So, you have localized the lamp design to meet the local needs as well.

Satish: You can say that we have localized or you can say how we have take the local form and taken it to the next level of technology driven local forms. So, it is very interesting.

Niraj: This product that has been designed and built in India, is it primarily for rural sector or government sector? Who is the real audience for this?

Satish: Basic idea is very simple, that if you look at the solar power that is available in India, which is several times more than the power producible with conventional sources. India produces very little power if you look at per capita consumption . It is about 1/20th or 1/30th or any other comparable economy. When I say comparable economy, I mean any economy that has 2000 dollars of per capita income, compared to that, we use fraction of that power and it is distributed very very unevenly. Villages of course may have literacy line crossing the villages but those lines don’t really give power to the homes in the villages. Even if the government say the 80 – 90% of India is electrified, I would say only 20 – 25% people are.

Niraj: So they may be ‘wired up’ but they may not have power on those lines.

Satish: Right, So wire is basically those lines that cross the villages. They won’t let the power come down.  This way every individual can find the power that they need. It is light. Before the power, you need light. Our lamp not only offers power, but actually offers light. You can even charge a mobile phone. Mobile phone charging has been a big problem in villages. Normally  they would walk 3 – 5 Km or go by bicycle and pay 4 – 5 rupees per charge, just to keep the mobile phone going. This allows them to charge the mobile phone as well as if they have tablet tomorrow, that too can be charged by these lamps.

Niraj: Very interesting

Satish: And what we have done is that we have used latest technology lithium ion LED lamps with lithium ion batteries, so they don’t have the lead acid batteries environmentally challenged either.

Niraj: So all the entire product set that you have used for manufacturing parts, they are all environmentally friendly.

Satish: Exactly

Niraj: That’s awesome. What are the distribution strategies that you are using to distribute it throughout India?

Satish: You know since the goal is to go to the poorest, this large scale work can only be done with the help of the government. We reached out to various governments. Government actually made lot of plans. So in this case we have done the Chhatisgar, the one state with lot of tribal population. You must be hearing about some violence there. So we thought that was a great place to start. And Government has asked us for 800,000 lamps to be distributed . Now we are trying to produce that many. We have already done several tens of thousands there. Ladaakh had a problem about 2 years ago. There were some natural disasters. We supplied some 30,000 lamps there. Uthrakhand recently had a natural disaster, we supplied 3000 there. So, I would say more than 100,000 lamps have basically gone out . The capacity now is about a million that we can produce, in India , in our factory.

Niraj: Million per day or…

Satish: Million per annum. But effectively it can be scaled up as per the demands. As of now we are working with State Governments within their bugdets. In retail, we have tied up with Mahindra, Anand Mahindra. He liked it very very much and he wanted to do that. So, in retail we are their partners and we are trying to find local social entrepreneurs. There is a company which is in one district of Uttar Pradesh . They have taken it to 5000 people. So what  they do is, that they don’t sell it to them. They charge Rs100 a month per user and they make sure that they have access to it. They charge for them. They deliver it to them every day so at night they have lights. So many models are emerging now.

Niraj: So you have been a social entrepreneur but you are creating other ventures and other avenues for other people who want to use the product and take it to the masses also.

Satish: basically the idea is this, About 80% India doesn’t have idea of what the markets offer. How did you go about it , so in that white space, many of us can contribute and if I go to villages and look at villages. We can train them to begin using what improves the quality of life from the point of view of basics of life, to hygiene , to learning , to helping them understand how the world is shaping up and explore whatever they want to explore as a full human being rather than working as just landless laborers or someone who has no opportunities. So look for things which will create opportunities for the majority of humanity . India has the largest number of poor in the world. India has the highest potential in terms of number of people it has. In terms of our faith in learning , I think we are culturally wired to become a learning society , except opportunities are not being given. So, lets see who all can join this movement, so to say. How do you all become entrepreneurs in our social setting where we earn , not according to what NYSE says, but according to what our local environment allows us and be happy with it.

Niraj: With the success that you have achieved in India, are you taking   this product outside Indian market as well? If yes, which countries?

Satish: Yes, we are part of ‘Lighting Africa’ of the International Finance Corporation  and ‘Global Lighting’ , ‘Lighting Asia’ , and ‘Lighting India’ programs, As we speak, last week some were sent to Thailand. If we can support anyone who is clear enough to start seeing the benefit of this in any country.

Niraj: So we have talked about the product, but we have not shown our viewers what it looks like.

Satish: Ok, I am hiding it right here. (smiling) (Demonstrating the product) So if you see it, when I show it to all my friends who are chairmen of Indian companies, they say, “Tell me, where is this from. Is it from America, Japan ?” and I say, ”Imagine India” and they feel shocked

Niraj: (laughing) No Way!

Satish: So if I have to open it, just see..(opening it) There are two parts. We are trying to make it simple . In one piece, it is a lamp that you can hang from the ceiling, or carry it as a torch. (Twisting the bottom) It is a table lamp. At a certain level of light it can go for 250 hours, at the peak it can go for 10 hours . So you have a choice as to how much light you need.

Niraj: If you can repeat that for our audiences, how long do they need to charge it for and how long does it last?

Satish: You can charge it using solar power, you can use electricity as well . Electricity from 70 V – 290 V would work for it does not impact its circuitry. It has lots of proofing done against deep discharge, against current reverse flow and all kinds of possibilities that you can imagine, we’ve proofed it that way. It is maintenance free . You know you’ve heard the principles of One Laptop Per Child, to be dust proof, sun readable, shock proof, water proof etc. all those principles got applied into this as well. So if you see this, you can actually hang it on the wall as well. (Removing the bottom portion of the lamp) Now you can take to the wall and hang it on that as well, either upside or down, whichever way you like it. So, it is something which you can use as a table lamp , a ceiling lamp , a torch or even to charge mobile phones.

Niraj: So, That was a pretty amazing story. I am sure many of our viewers who are itching right now, watching this interview would be curious to know , if you have a message for budding Social Entrepreneurs out there. 

Satish: I would say that, that India needs in every village, one social entrepreneur. I think there are about 3 million Indians in America. They basically mean about 700,000 – 750,000 families. If they can just adopt one village each , support one social entrepreneur . I think they will make a huge impact. Look at lighting, look at education. Look at things that may not be immediate, but look at things that will help them look into the future. If you support one, there is enough business to be done locally which can actually meet the expectations of someone who is investing in that. That can lead to a social entrepreneurship, a movement for that and I would say that if an investor says I will support 100 social entrepreneurs. Now you have a good business model, you’re actually talking about a few million dollars. You scale it up and it’s a great business opportunity for people here and you make a new India as well .

Niraj: That’s a great message for all our viewers and we really appreciate your time over here Satish, Thank you


Satish: Thank you for discovering me.

Sunday, November 3, 2013

Chat with Mansee Sangani, Miss India Tristate 2012

1. What was the most exciting and memorable part of the participation for you?
As far as participation in the pageant is concerned the entire journey was exciting as well as thrilling. I recall filling out my application towards the end of august and the pageant was in mid November last year and during this one an half month's not only did we learn new things but our meetings also helped shape our minds and confidence because at the end of the day we are all beautiful and we are all winners. You know how they say that it's the journey that counts not the destination. The biggest achievement that you can make while being in this pageant is by taking advantage of all the resources that are offered to you as a contestant. You are given chances to make friends, build contacts, get involved in the south asian community, get a deeper understanding of the world of fashion and have fun at the same time. 
 
I can't say that there was any one particular moment which was memorable because I still remember everything very clearly and I can't believe that it's already been one year since I was crowned. I still remember every detail of the pageant very clearly. But if I had to pick I would say it was the night of the pageant, specifically; when I was announced as the winner.     
 
2. What did this title mean to you? 
This title holds a lot of value for me and it always will. Majority of people tend to correlate the term 'Beauty Pageant" with being extremely good looking/attractive. I believe that there is a lot more to it than just being glammed up and looking good. As Indian women we are spiritually nourished and fortified by a culture that goes far beyond recorded history. We are physically resilient, mentally strong and spiritually fortified. And this pageant is really a test of that. To be kind, humble and gracious are all qualities that define a beautiful women and I feel honored and privileged to have this title.   
 
3. How did that change you as a person? 
I've learnt to nourish myself in so many different ways and absolutely love and cherish being able to inspire the youth around me. We are all beautiful but sometimes we forget to take time to nourish our unique beauty. I have found being part of the south asian community so fulfilling and uplifting. In my life, my title is a powerful vehicle for me to hold myself accountable on a daily, weekly and monthly basis in all areas of my life, with a focus for me on nurturing myself, through exercise, food, gratitude and acceptance especially because these practical exercises get you thinking, reflecting and creating the life that you wish to live. 
 
4. Did it open up any new doors for you?
Yes, absolutely. I can say that it has opened up many, many doors for me whether it's modeling, fashion shows, photo shoots or community events. It has brought me a lot closer to all the people in our community by giving me a chance to collaborate and work with them.