Akshat Shekhar talks to The Foundations TV

Transcribed by Divya Mendiratta

Gauri : Hello everybody our guest today at Foundations TV is Akshat Shekhar. Who is pretty well known in our community, but is here at foundations TV for the first time. Welcome to Foundations TV Akshat.

Akshat: Thank you for having me.

Gauri : Absolutely a pleasure. Akshat is a brilliant student. And he is currently a sophomore in UPenn, Wharton School of Management. And he is pursuing the Bachelor of Science in Economics, with a concentration in finance. And he is also one unique student who achieved 2400 on SAT, in his only attempt. And he was also one of the three students from Massachusetts, to be named Presidential scholars by United States Department of Education and one of the 12 students to be selected for the student exchange program in China. Is that right?

Akshat: That’s Right.

Gauri : Ok now that’s a lot of achievements, but I’m sure I’m missing a lot. So would you like to talk about a few of your achievements?

Akshat : You did a great job covering the academic side of things, I think. That sums it up pretty well. To give viewers a better idea of what I do outside of the class room, as extra curriculum, at Wharton. I’m involved on some different boards. I’m on the board of Wharton Management Club. I write the corporate relations newsletter for their Private Equity and Venture Capital Group. I help on the development team for the Wharton Investment Trading group. And one of the main things I do is, as part of the Daily Pennsylvanian, which is the Universities Daily Newspaper for students, I’m member of the marketing team there. I’m member of the opinion board, and I occasionally function as a political blogger.

Gauri : Oh Wow, excellent. So even though you are pursuing a degree in finance, you are quite all-rounded. You are doing quite a lot of different things besides that, as well. Is that right?

Akshat: Right. I’ve never really been dead set on Finance, it’s really something I’ve really picked up in the last year or two. I’ve always tried to keep the array of interest wide.

Gauri : Wonderful. Now that leads us to our next question about your work experience. I believe you do have a wide variety of work experience, during your high school internships, and your college years. So would you like to tell our audiences about it?

Akshat : Sure, I’ve bounced from field to field. I’ve worked in very technical places. I used to work with Robotic Arms, with small business called Bare Technology. I also use to work at a medical lab, at Harvard Medical School affiliated Lab, as a senior in High School. But I’ve also worked in sort of research based places, as well. This past summer I had economic research internship, focusing on monetary policy, with a technical finance firm. I’ve worked for an Incubator/Investment Bank locally in Boston, this past summer. And as well I’ve worked at Boston City Hall working as a Policy Research intern.

Gauri : Which one was your favorite, out of all these?

Akshat: I like the economic researcher a lot, I’ve always wanted a job along the line.

Gauri : I’m sure. No that you have so many achievements to hold onto, close to your heart. Which one do you think is your greatest one?

Akshat : The biggest success. Hmmmm . I think the things I do that have the most impact on a large audience, or where I feel I contribute the most. And therefore I feel that’s the greatest success. The day to day work I do, for example, on the marketing team of the Daily Pennsylvanian really would qualify. Because when I do something like, benchmark on a paper against other college paper, or I do a long term research project on what exactly is our campus looking for from this newspaper. That’s something that not only benefits myself and the paper, but really the entire University of Pennsylvania campus. So I think something that can reach out on a broad basis like that, those are the type of achievements I’m most proud of. Whether it’s at the DP, or my experience at the City Hall, anything that can impact the greatest amount to other people, is most important.

Gauri : Sure. So do you have a personal measure of success that you keep? For something like this, I know you are talking about the breath of the coverage. So do you have any numbers that you keep in mind, while you are on it?

Akshat: Honestly, not really. Honestly a lot of it is looking back. I think if you set out to be successful, as your number one, it sort of throws it off the balance. I think your number one priority should be to do what you like first, and then try to advance in what you like. I have never really gone into a venture, I’ve never really have gone into the City Hall, for example,  knowing I’m going to make this successful. I like government, I like politics, I wanted to take a role. Once you get a role in something that you like, you try to expand it, and try to be as effective as possible. There’s definitely value to that, but I think success is really subjective. It’s hard to quantify, whether you are doing it right or how much you are doing it, in the moment. It’s good to have couple of achievements that you look back on, later and say, oh I really did a good job on x y or z.

Gauri : So it sounds like, you follow what you like to do, and you go in a direction of what you want to do, and then give it your best. And your best just becomes the best of everybody because you are the best.

Akshat : Thank you. (Chukles)

Gauri : That’s awesome. Now I know we’ve talked a lot about the successes, and the achievement, and happy times and the things that you love to do, and you are good at. But I actually want to ask you a question about the other side of life, which is failure. Have you experienced failure?

Akshat: Sure, definitely. I think a lot of times if you want a certain role, or a certain position, that you are not ready for, that you don’t have the skills for. When you don’t get it, it can initially seem like a setback. I played Saxophone for a lot of years, I think, since middle school. I was a part of Jazz band in my school. When it came time to captain, although I was one of I think 3 or 4 senior saxophone players, I wasn’t elected one of the captains from high school. I didn’t take that too hard, personally, because I knew, although I was good, I wasn’t like the prodigy or virtuous. It was something I did for fun. But taking that in stride and saying, hey this is one place you are not in leadership position, that’s named, but you can still contribute, you can still be leader. For example to organize captains practices, the captains rely of people, on unofficial heads of sections, to make sure all are on same page. And learning how to contribute, even though nominally you “ failed”, which I don’t think is a really productive way to look at it. Figuring a way to contribute in any way you can, is what it is all about. If can still do what you like to do, even without the position of the role. I think really what you should aim for.

Gauri : That’s a great analysis, looking back I know what you’re a saying is so logical and it’s so perfect. That’s great. At your age to be able to analyze that much, and to be able to hold on to that learning for rest of your life, is really nice. But at that moment, was it hard for you to accept this so called failure?

Akshat : It wasn’t my first moment, there have been plenty of things, like applications for things, different leadership positions that you miss out on. And I think at some point you have to be able to go through that enough, that it’s not a shock, that you don’t take it in a bad way. It’s very bad I think to go through and win everything.

Gauri : Ya, it sounds really good, but may be is not the best.

Akshat : It’s not the attitude you really want to have towards everything. The attitude shouldn’t be about success, virtually winning as in, I’m the president of every club. The attitude should be what do I like, and how can I maximize my role in what I like. So I think not getting something or getting something that’s a little bit below of what you ideally would’ve wanted works well too. You occasionally need that just to calibrate and say, ‘ok that’s fine’ . How do I still contribute?  How do I do what like as effectively as I can?

Gauri : Wonderful. These are some great lessons to hold on to. So now kind of switching the track completely towards more personal life and family, what is the role your family, your parents, your siblings play in your life? What do they mean to you?

Akshat : I think, letting me be comfortable enough to take risks. Allowing me to pursue whatever I want to, was a big part of it. I mean, if I had success I wouldn’t hide from my family, I would always come back and celebrate. And if one thing is really going really well, and another isn’t, that too. But it’s not as if my parents said, these are the three clubs you’re going to join, or you should always do these four extra-curricular activities. They were very open from the onset in terms of do what you want. If you advance in that, we’re going to be happy if you are happy. But just sort of being open to anything, it was really the key.

Gauri : So we are kind of wrapping up the interview now. But last couple of questions about advice to our audiences who is listening to you today. Let’s begin with parents. Do you have any do’s and don’ts for parents?

Akshat : I guess as a general philosophy, be willing to let your child explore, what he or she likes. Especially in high school and college both, you’re not going to really have that opportunity to do later in life to do whatever you want. To have the sort of funding and resources, that community around you, to explore whatever you want, on trial basis ever again in life. So I think that’s really a critical part for any child. And I think as a parent letting them know that they are free to explore is very important.

Gauri : Great. And now going onto kids. A really quick advice. For aspiring kids, who aim high, and who are looking to be successful in life, what’s your inspirational message for them?

Akshat : Again, be willing to branch out. There will always be one or two favorite things to fall back on, but be willing to branch out into opportunities that aren’t standard. I remember one of the things that I really like throughout high school, and still do was sports. But I never thought of that separate from extracurricular. I was able to fuse the two, by joining the student broadcasting team. Helping make community of kids, who liked sports same way as I did. So I think, that wasn’t something I had in plan, there wasn’t really ever a plan. But I think everyone should be willing to make community around themselves to include kids who like the same things that they like, and then be willing to branch out in activities.

Gauri : Excellent, there were so many questions I wanted to ask, but just in the interest of time I’m going to have to end here. But I’m sure we will talk again.

Akshat : Thanks for having me.

Gauri : You’re welcome. It was very nice talking to you.

Akshat : Thank you, you too.
To watch the video
http://youtu.be/pT6Gz8kkFWE

Singing for the Planet - May 10th event

PRESS RELEASE

Three Of New England’s Most Creative Singers
Join Voices Against Climate Change

On Saturday, May 10, three internationally acclaimed singers from widely varied musical traditions will join together to draw attention to the global climate crisis. “Singing For The Planet: World Voices Against Climate Change” will feature the mesmerizing South Indian innovations of Deepti Navaratna, the bilingual singer-songwriter-guitarist Dean Stevens, and the brilliant jazz singer Gabrielle Agachiko. The music begins at 7:00 pm, at Emmanuel Church, 15 Newbury Street, Boston, MA. Tickets are $25; $20 students/seniors. All proceeds will go to the environmental organization www.350MA.org.

For information, please call 781-396-0734 or go to www.warrensenders.com.


“Singing For The Planet” was conceived as a way for creative musicians to contribute to the urgent struggle against global warming. Because the climate problem recognizes no national boundaries, the artists represent musical styles from three different parts of the globe. While Navaratna, Stevens, and Agachiko sing in different languages and genres, all are virtuoso performers sharing the core values of expression, emotion and honesty. And, of course, all three artists and their accompanists are committed to raising awareness of the potentially devastating effects of global warming. Their choice of beneficiary, 350MA.org, is focused on building global consensus on reduction of atmospheric CO2 levels — action which climatologists agree is necessary to avoid catastrophic outcomes. It’ll be an evening of great vocal music, full of exquisite melody, compelling rhythm, expressive lyricism and daring improvisation — from three singers who are genuine masters of their craft.

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About the Artists

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Deepti Navaratna

With 'a particularly lovely and bewitching voice’ (Boston Globe, 2010),  Deepti Navaratna embodies a rare mix of classical wisdom, expressivity and virtuosity.  Her long-standing immersion in South Indian Classical music under gurus such as Rohini Manjunath and T.V Gopalakrishnan is the foundation of an adventurous and versatile musical personality that can move freely and easily between Carnatic classical repertoire to avant-garde contemporary compositions and everywhere in between.

Deepti Navaratna sings in Sanskrit, Kannada, Urdu, Hindi, Turkish and Greek as she explores the many ways in which world music can be unraveled with a distinct South Indian twist.  Accompanied by an eclectic cast of musicians – the concert promises to take the listener from Muttuswamy Dikshitar to Mirza Ghalib to Mozart, in a seamless exploration of unity in sound. The concert will feature traditional Carnatic classical repertoire framed by new music that inventively pairs traditional music with sounds of the world.

Deepti’s musical journey is studded with many firsts - she is the first South Indian classical musician to be awarded a merit scholarship and cash prize to study World music and Contemporary Improvisation at the prestigious New England Conservatory of Music, Boston, United States. She was the first South Indian classical vocalist to be selected to represent India in a month-long residency at the Music Omi International Music residency for which she was awarded the Rajshekar Parikh Fellowship as well.
Deepti is also recognized for charting new directions at the leading edge of contemporary Indian Classical music and world music. She received critical acclaim for her genre-slashing experiments in casting Carnatic sounds with an operatic finish in Indian-American composer Shirish Korde’s opera production in 2009 (www.thebanditqueen.com)  As an improvising soloist, she has collaborated with Richard Pittman (Conductor, New England Philharmonic & Boston Musica Viva), Zorana Sadiq (Soprano),  Robert Schulz (Boston Metropolitan Orchestra), Jan Muller Scheraws (Boston Musica Viva), Mehmet Sanlikol (Jazz pianist, Turkish composer), Nihan Devecioglu (Turkish folk singer & Mezzo-soprano) & Negar Booban (Persian Oud). As part of the Contemporary Improvisation Department at the New England Conservatory, she has collaborated with the likes of Ran Blake, Hankus Netsky, and Tanya Kalmanovitch.
A polymath whose domains of expertise span the sciences and humanities, Deepti holds a doctorate degree in Neuroscience and is currently on the faculty of Harvard Medical School. An author of several international peer-reviewed original research articles and book chapters, her scientific work focuses on the etiology of diabetic complications in the brain.

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Dean Stevens


For twenty five years Dean Stevens has delighted audiences of all ages throughout the Americas. An exuberant performer of distinctive style and wit, he combines an intricate, self-taught guitar style with a versatile and expressive singing voice.

“...a charming entertainer, a musician of great sensitivity and wit. His spirit of joy and sharing shines through his music.”  — Jerry Christen, New Song Coffeehouse —


He has established himself as a formidable creator and interpreter of a wide spectrum of songs in English and Spanish. His own material explores a variety of personal and social topics, paints sketches of people and places, celebrates the Earth, and annoys the narrow minded.


“Dean Stevens will inspire you. Great voice!” — Pete Seeger —


Born and raised in Costa Rica, Dean is a lifelong student of Latin America. He learned Spanish at an early age, and readily absorbed the musical and topical influences of the region. He travels frequently to Central America, and has become known for his humanitarian efforts on behalf of refugees returning to their homes in El Salvador and Guatemala.

“Seeing and hearing Dean Stevens live on stage is proof that sanity, literacy, love, hope, and the forces of good are still alive and well and at work in the universe. Every song is offered with immediacy, humanity, and humor underscored by the most articulate and inspired guitar work you’ll hear anywhere on the topical folk circuit….a thinking and compassionate master communicator at the peak of his powers. Losing your faith? Go to a Dean Stevens concert!”  — Geoff Bartley —

Dean Stevens has four highly acclaimed recordings to his credit. His last release, “Eyes of Wonder” (Volcano Records), is a collection of songs in English and Spanish, with guest appearances by Sol y Canto, Randy Sabien, Linda Waterfall, and others.


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Gabrielle Agachiko and Agachiko

Kenya-born, England-raised Gabrielle Agachiko’s winding tri-continental road has brought her to Somerville, Massachusetts, and to the helm of Agachiko, her new seven piece band.  Featuring Gabrielle’s gripping, soulful and technically spot-on voice and presence, the band sports the unique horn section of flute, trumpet and tenor sax, along with classic hollow-body jazz guitar, acoustic bass and drums.  The sound can be understated and delicate, bluesy and brash, or full and lush.  Agachiko’s veteran musicians have pared their playing down to the essentials,  with all their energy focused on bringing the emotional reality of the songs to life.


Gabrielle Agachiko’s songs reflect a woman of confidence, clarity and deep understanding.
— Linda Yohn, WEMU Radio —


Agachiko’s repertoire ranges from originals to Nina Simone-related material, classic torch songs and even show tunes given an earthy reality by Gabrielle’s no-nonsense singing.   Arrangements are written by Grammy-nominated arranger and tenor saxophonist Russ Gershon (Either/Orchestra), and by flautist Ken Field (Revolutionary Snake Ensemble).


Agachiko proves she belongs in jazz…If (she) can do this much on her first jazz album, imagine the sequel. Yes!
— Carol Banks Weber, The Examiner —


Born in Nakuru, Kenya, Gabrielle attended boarding school in Dorset, England, where her musical talents were noticed and developed in Orchestra and Chorus.   As a teenager Gabrielle traveled to Hartsdale NY, where she finished high school, then moved to NYC to attend Julliard as a composition major.  After Julliard, she spent time in New York and Paris, working with the legendary Steve Lacy, before settling in Boston.  In the mid-80s, the power and emotional directness of her voice landed her in Atom Said, a band which rose to the top of the Boston rock scene before their guitarist/co-songwriter Reeves Gabrels was hired away by David Bowie for his band Tin Machine.
After fifteen years in Western Massachusetts, Gabrielle moved back to Boston in 2005.  In 2007, her growing interest in the work of Nina Simone led her to form a quintet to take on the Simone book.  Since that time, the scope of Agachiko’s repertoire has grown – as has the size of the band, with Gershon and trumpeter Scott Getchell recruited to fill out the horn section.  The band now includes Sam Davis, an underground legend around Cambridge MA for his legions of guitar students and surreal sense of humor; Blake Newman on bass, who’s been anchoring the Lizard Lounge Poetry Slam for 13 years, and Phil Neighbors, a rock-solid Boston scene veteran.

What’s exciting about the record is not only the material…, and Agachiko’s powerful vocals, but the overall conception — updated soul-jazz as Max Roach and Abbey Lincoln might have done it.
— Jon Garelick, The Boston Globe —

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About www.350MA.org and the number 350:
Co-founded by environmentalist and author Bill McKibben, 350.org is the hub of a worldwide network of over two hundred environmental organizations, all with a common target: persuading the world’s countries to unite in an effort to reduce global levels of atmospheric carbon dioxide to 350 parts per million or less. Climatologist Dr. James Hansen says, “If humanity wishes to preserve a planet similar to that on which civilization developed and to which life on Earth is adapted, paleoclimate evidence and ongoing climate change suggest that CO2 will need to be reduced from its current 385 ppm to at most 350 ppm.” (Dr. Hansen heads the NASA Institute for Space Studies in New York City, and is best known for his testimony on climate change to congressional committees in the 1980s that helped raise broad awareness of the global warming issue.) Activists involved in the 350 movement include Rajendra Pachauri (Chairman, Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change), Vandana Shiva (world-renowned environmental leader and thinker), Archbishop Desmond Tutu (1984 winner of the Nobel Peace Prize and a global activist on issues pertaining to democracy, freedom and human rights), Van Jones, Bianca Jagger, Dr. James Hansen, Barbara Kingsolver and many more.

350MA is the Massachusetts Chapter of 350.org, and the founder of the Better Future Project.

Warren Senders is the contact person for “World Voices Against Climate Change.” He is one of thousands of concerned global citizens hoping to trigger positive change through social action and the arts. He can be reached at warvij@verizon.net or by telephone at 781-396-0734

When Music Made the Audience Weep Tears of Joy….. - By Shuchita Rao

Pandit Jasraj Concert by MITHAS
write up By Suchita Rao

On a warm spring afternoon, lavender crocus raised their heads in pride and speckled brown

bunnies raced across the lush green grass lawns outside MIT’s Kresge auditorium. The air was  abuzz with excitement as MITHAS (MIT Heritage Arts of SouthAsia) was celebrating 21 years of service to the community with a grand concert by the renowned Hindustani vocalist, Padma Vibhushan Pandit Jasraj on April 13, 2014.

Dr. George Ruckert of MIT welcomed the audience and introduced the artists: Mewati gharana exponent Pandit Jasraj, one of the foremost vocal ractitioners of Hindustani music, his tabla accompanist, the well-known Pandit Swapan Chaudhuri and illustrious vocalists, Tripti Mukherjee and Suman Ghosh to whom Pandit Jasraj is esteemed Guru.

Amala Mahadevan, chairperson of MITHAS thanked patrons and struck a spiritual chord with the audience when she conveyed that Pandit Jasraj, through his music, intended to pay homage to the soul(atman) of each and everyone in the auditorium. In Panditji’s words, every atman(individual soul) is a manifestation of the supreme soul (param-atman). 

The concert stage decorated by Shobha Shastry was a work of art. Long panels of pleated cream silk drapes flanked by flowing pink and purple fabric served as the elegant backdrop to a raised stage. Soft pastel purple lights reflected from mirrored panels on the ceiling. The celebrated maestro Pandit Jasraj dressed in an elegant silk dhoti, kurta and red waistcoat looked no less than an emperor surrounded by his accompanists and disciples who were dressed in rich hues of gold, red, chocolate brown and mustard silk ethnic wear. 

The melodious strains of two taanpuras, the harmonium, the swarmandal and the sound of a perfectly tuned tabla breathed musical life into the auditorium. Pandit Jasraj opened his concert with his signature invocation in Sanskrit, Mangalam Bhagwaan Vishnu, composed in the romantic afternoon raga Madhuvanthy. A vilambit khayal, Mehmaan se kaa lariye, set to 12 

beat cycle Ektaal followed with a leisurely and elaborate exploration in the lower and middle octaves. The occasional but deliberate use of rishabh in the ascent revealed the artist’s non-conventional take on the raga and his weaving of intricate solfege patterns with heavy gamak ornamentation created an exquisite and colorful quilt of melodic phrases infused with feeling 

and emotion (bhaava).

In the two subsequent faster compositions in 16 beat cycle teentaal, Kasturi Tilakam and Kaahe Maan Karo, the confluence of sensitive support on tabla, the blending of male and female 

vocal support by Suman Ghosh and Tripti Mukherjee created a sober and beautiful atmosphere steeped in melody.

The next khayal in Raag Din Ki Puriya set to medium tempo cycle of 16 beats, Chalo Chhalo Ri Aali Mandirva described the festivities of the spring season. The artist painted a visual 

landscape of pretty maidens stringing together flower garlands to greet their beloved. 

He constructed an impressive array of fast melodic patterns (taans) together with his accompanying vocalists. Pandit Jasraj’s early musical career as a tabla player was evident in the manner of construction of the taans with special emphasis of beats on accompanying rhythmic cycle. His investment in the progress of his accompanists could be seen in the manner he interacted with them, deftly guiding them sometimes and sincerely appreciating their support at other times.

Post-intermission, Pandit Jasraj sang two compositions in Raag Hansadhwani – the first one in praise of Lord Hanuman, son of Wind God, an ardent devotee of Lord Rama (Pavan Poot Hanuman) and the second one in praise of Lord Rama. The energetic renditions were marked by vigorous ornamented gamaks contrasting with graceful glides in three octaves. A question and answer exchange (sawal-jawab) with tabla artist Pandit Swapan Chaudhuri added variety to the presentation much to the delight of the audience.

Pandit Jasraj conversed with the audience with great love after the rendition of Raga Hansadhwani. “It is not my singing that you are listening to – you are listening simply to your own love” he remarked. Pandit Swapan Chaudhuri drew a chuckle from the audience when he shared that Pandit Jasraj was not too sure that he could sing in his normal capacity right before the program. “I told him GOD would take care of him. Now, I think GOD has taken too much 

care of him….” he said, making the maestro and the audience laugh openly at his humorous comment.

The piece-de-resistance of the evening, an emotionally expressive composition in Raag Adana, “Maata Kaalika” set to 16 beat cycle Addha teentaal was the next item to be presented. Pandit Jasraj sang with devotional fervor and sustained long rests on high notes with uncanny ease. Several imaginative variations on the lyrics added immensely to the prayerful mood. Deepti Nijhawan of Cambridge, ex-chairperson of MITHAS summed up the essence of the presentation. “It was spiritual and sensual all in one! Every member in the first row of the audience sitting next to me had moist eyes. I went home and listened to a you-tube clip of Maata Kaalika rendition several times over” she said.

Pandit Jasraj concluded by honoring the audience’s request to sing a Sanskrit shlok in Raag Bhimpalaasi “Om Namo Bhagwate Vasudevaaya”. This fitting finale with creative harmony and interactive participation of the audience via rhythmic clapping to the recurring utterance of “Vithalam Vithalam” transported the concert attendees to a higher realm of spiritual consciousness and ecstasy.

At the end of the three hour long program, when the audience rose to salute the performers,a visibly moved eighty-four year old Pandit Jasraj wiped off tears with his sleeve and bid an affectionate goodbye with the words “Jai Ho!”. The voice of a member of the audience rang out loud and clear when she said “You are the greatest Panditji!”. The maestro smiled and waved back in joy, acknowledging the love and warmth of his admirers. The receptiveness and affection of Boston’s audience had brought out his best colors, making the concert the kind that etches itself in the hearts of artists and music lovers for a long time. 

MITHAS could not have asked for more. The Pandit Jasraj concert had turned out to be a grand celebration of twenty-one years of service to the cause of preserving traditional art and music of South Asia. May MITHAS’s mission touch new heights of success in the coming years!

*picture credit - Jay Srinivasan

Launching Ekal _ ATFS BEE inititaive

Transcribed by Divya Mendiratta

Gauri : Welcome to Foundations TV everybody, our guest today is none other than Ranjani Saigal. Ranjani welcome to Foundations TV.

Ranjani : Thank you.

Gauri : Ranjani is representing  Ekal Vidhyalaya USA. She is the Executive Director. So Ranjani why don’t we start right off with an introduction about Ekal. Tell us something about Ekal.

Ranjani: Thank you very much Gauri for this opportunity to be here. Ekal Vidhyalaya is an organization that brings education to very remote rural and tribal areas in India. But for Ekal, the children in this areas will have no access to education, and will live in darkness of illiteracy. We run these schools at the very low cost of just a dollar a day. Thus for $365 a year an entire village is educated and transformed. We are in about 54,000 villages, reaching out to about to 1.5 million children, in India and in Nepal. And Gauri it really is a pleasure to be here with you, because you are also an educationist. Could you tell me a little bit about your initiative, in the Boston are?

Gauri : Absolutely, that is what I am representing here today, which is our center ‘ATFS learning center’. We have been around for more than 12 years, and we take pride in building the education foundation in this area. We have a lot of students. And right now actually, we have so many students who I meet every day, who have made it into excellent colleges. We take so much pride in being part of the education of those students.  And speaking of that, when I heard Ekal, and what Ekal does, and the infrastructure that Ekal has built over the 25 years, it completely resonates with my philosophy of running this center here. And I think it was such a logical step of partnering with Ekal Vidhyalaya. And today we are very excited to launch the partnership between ATFS learning center and Ekal Vidhyalaya. So Ranjani why don’t you tell us something about this really exciting initiative.

Ranjani : Fantastic Gauri. I can not tell you how excited I am for it. Because what you are doing is improving the lives of children in the Boston area, by providing them with a better way to learn. And then there is Ekal that is doing the same for very poor children, very underprivileged children. What better way there is than to run a competition, an opportunity for students in the New England area to showcase their talent in something like Math, English, or anything else that we can provide through the BEE. And yet at the same time be impacting the lives of some of the very underprivileged children. Thus it is really about children helping children. And I’m very excited about that Gauri.

Gauri : That is super exciting. I think there could have not been a better fit, than ATFS and Ekal working together towards this goal. I think we already set a goal of educating 900 students.

Ranjani : Yes, and we don’t mind going to a thousand.

Gauri : We don’t mind going beyond that. So that is only the beginning. And our first initiative or first contest, under this huge umbrella of Ekal – ATFS BEE Initiative is going to be the ‘Math BEE Contest’ coming up on May 3^rd. So that’s where we need a lot of our community members involved.

Ranjani : Absolutely. It is a chance for your child to really shine. And at the same time, while they are doing their homework they know that they are transforming the life of an underprivileged child. So I hope you will consider participating in this, to not only enhance your own intellectual and your mathematical abilities, but also support a young child far away from here.

Gauri : And this is only the beginning. We have something really exciting coming up as we move forward as well. But for now enrollment are open for Math BEE, on the ATFS website, which is www.aftsonline.com. And we are already taking enrollments and we are giving out sample papers. We have enough time for kids to prepare for their tests. And also go in very noble cause in mind to actually be helping out the underprivileged children, in rural and tribal India, through the infrastructure that Ekal is providing. Thank you so much Rajani for this huge beginning, I would say.

Ranjani: Absolutely. Thank you Gauri for coming in with a compassionate heart to help our children. Thank you and may education go forward in New England and in India.  

Indian Princess Mansee Sangani talks to The Foundations TV

Transcribed by Divya Mendiratta

Gauri : Welcome to Foundations TV everybody. Our guest today is Mansee Sangani, who has recently won the title of Indian Princess USA 2014, at the Jewel of India event, in Atlantic City. Many Congratulations.

Mansee : Thank you. Thank you for having me.

Gauri : Absolutely. It’s a pleasure to have you at Foundations TV. And she is here to share her journey with us. So before we actually go to a flash back of knowing, where you were born and brought up. I just want to hear that moment out from you. How was it to win this title?

Mansee : It was great, it was actually amazing. It really didn’t hit me that I had won, up until two days after it had already happened. On Sunday 19^th, on stage having your name called out, having the crown placed on your head, it was amazing. Memorable.

Gauri : That is really exciting. Is that something you had dreamed of, being a model, since the beginning? Or is it something just happened accidently for you?

Mansee : I would say it’s something that just accidently happened. It’s not something I had ever dreamed of. I guess I just kept myself very open to all the opportunities that were presented to me. I went with the flow.

Gauri : Wonderful. So I know Mansee has a full time job, and she is also doing post-graduation . So she is studying hard, she is taking two courses at this time; and doing the modelling. So I want to know, which was your first modeling experience? When was it the first time you went on the ramp?

Mansee : My first modelling experience was for a bridal show; in New England actually. This was in 2011. And it was absolutely amazing, at that time I didn’t even know how to put make up on myself. And then from doing that, to going to a show where you have people doing your make up, doing your hair, helping you put your clothes on. And then when you walk the ramp, you look glamorous. It was amazing, it was awesome.

Gauri : Lovely. So now tell us something about your background. Where were you born and brought up? And how did you end up in US?

Mansee :  I was born in India. My family and I were there for about 8 ½ years. After that my parents decided to move to New Zealand, so I practically grew up over there. We were in New Zealand for almost 8 years. And then we moved here. So we’ve been here in Boston for past 6 years now.

Gauri : Wonderful. So you did go to college here?

Mansee : Yes.

Gauri : Great. So all these years you have lived in three different countries, and you are doing three different things in your life. I want to know, who inspires you, who is your inspiration?

Mansee : It’s not one person, I would have to say two people, my mom and dad. From the moment that they wake up, to the moment that they go to sleep, all I see is them working. Whether something is at home, or whether is something outside, they are always working. When you look at such people, when you are around people who are constantly doing that, you look at yourself and you realize your parents are much older than you are, they are doing lot more work, you have no right to sit around and not do anything. They’ve always been not only inspirational, but also they’ve always been my motivation.

Gauri : So have they been supportive about this modelling experience of yours?

Mansee: They have. They have been extremely supportive. Whether it was modelling whether it was pageants, everything.

Gauri : Wonderful. What about challenges though, have you felt any challenges on this road to being Indian Princess USA?

Mansee : Yes, definitely

Gauri : Would you like to share some?

Mansee : Absolutely. This is actually not my first time competing for a title, I had competed last year. I made top 10, and then didn’t make it after that. That was a challenge, but I feel like it was more of a learning experience for me. So I waited, I tried it again, and here I am.

Gauri : So what is that you think made that difference in that one year? From last year to this year, what is that you grew into, or what quality of yours that you developed which helped you win this title?

Mansee : First of all, the pageant itself was a very big learning process in terms of everything. Then going from there, coming back home, trying different projects, different events. You are trying events that are at different level. You are constantly trying to succeed at them. So I think it makes you get better at what you are doing, if not perfect.

Gauri : That’s a great answer. So it not really one goal you are striving for, it’s always trying to improve yourself from where you were. It’s like a journey, a little competition with yourself. And trying to get better each time at whatever you are doing. And that kind of builds that quality that virtue within you for being successful. Is that what you think?

Mansee : Yes. And I think that’s important, because if you’re a doing one thing, that will get boring at some point. You want to try different things. And not just for the sake of trying it but you want to give it your best. If you fail, you want to get up and you want to try again and you want to keep trying.

Gauri : And that’s an experience too. Being resilient.

Mansee : Yaa.

Gauri : So where are you headed from here Mansee?

Mansee : Right now I’m actually completing my masters. So hopefully I will be done in another year. Because I won this title I get the opportunity to go to Thailand. So there’s an International pageant, called Indian Princess International. So I’m excited.

Gauri : Lovely. So when is it that pageant?

Mansee : It’s not actually until January.

Gauri : So you have time to finish up your education, or whatever courses you are trying to finish up before that.

Mansee : I have time to get around to United States now. Before I was limited just to New England. But now with a bigger title I can get around a lot more.

Gauri : So you have any tips for upcoming models, aspiring models, who want to look like you, feel like you, be like you.

Mansee : For sure. I feel like, when I started I was an amateur. I’m not perfect even now. I guess the only tip that I can really give to the people is that, try every opportunity, try everything that comes your way. For me, like I said I was open minded about it. If I had the time to do something I did it. I didn’t think twice. At the end of the day it’s really the experience, and it’s the experience is what makes perfect.

Gauri : I see you are involved in a lot with community events as well, and you are out there helping people for the events and causes. That really builds your confidence as well. That’s great. Thank you so much for sharing your journey today with us.

Mansee : Not a Problem. Thank you for having me.

Gauri : Absolutely a pleasure. And all the best for your pageant in January. And for all the other experiences you’re going to get between now and then.

Mansee: Thank you.

CONNECTICUT INDIANS RAISE FUND FOR CHIVIKULA’S CONGRESSIONAL RUN

PRESS RELEASE
By Thomas Abraham

An Indian American community group led by Dr. Thomas Abraham, Sailesh Naik, Ashok Nichani and Varghese Ninan raised funds for NJ Assemblyman Upendra Chivukula for a his congressional run at a fundraiser dinner held at the Hampton Inn and suites in Stamford, CT on March 27^th.

Speaking at the event, Chivukula said he is running a positive campaign and that he has a good shot at the Democratic Primary  for the seat vacated Congressman Rush Holt. Chivukula, who is the Deputy Speaker of the New Jersey Assembly, said he would need over a million  dollars before June 3^rd Democratic Primary and appealed to the community to provide generous contributions as well as volunteer their time. Over $5,000 was raised at the fundraiser.

Those interested to contribute may do so online at www.chivukulaforcongress.com..

Attached photo: New Jersey Deputy Speaker of the Assembly Upendra Chivukula with organizers at a Stamford Fundraiser for him. From left to R: Shailesh Naik, Raed Ghaly, David Leun, Paul Ahuja, Sangeeta Ahuja, Dr. Thomas Abraham, Upendra Chivukula, Varghese Ninan, Shelly Nichani, Bhom Banta, Ashok Nichani, Anita Bhat, Meera Banta and Jaswant Mody.

Deepti Navaratna speaks with The Foundations TV

Transcribed by: Divya Mendiratta

Gauri : Welcome to Foundations TV everybody. Our guest today is Deepti Navaratna. Welcome to Foundations TV Deepti.

Deepti : Thank you Gauri. Thanks for having me over.

Gauri : Oh absolutely, a pleasure to have you. I’ve enjoyed our conversation off camera too, but now let me introduce you to everybody. Deepti, as most of you know is a beautiful woman of our community, a beautiful Carnatic musician as well. She has a lot of awards in her name, including a lot of ‘All India Radio National Awards’ from India; while she was there. She also is a proud achiever of the ‘Cambridge Arts Council Grants’, which is helping her with some of her unique and entrepreneurial projects that she has taken up recently. And she has also been awarded the prestigious ‘Saint Botolph Emerging Artist Award’, which has helped her. I guess you are part of the ‘New England Conservatory of Music’ as well; so that has been helpful for you as well. And Deepti besides being a Karnataka Musician, you are also a Neuroscientist.

Deepti : Yes, I’m split in the head.(laughing)

Gauri : And she is good at both, I have to say. Because she has authored many papers, and has been cited in many different write ups as well; in her field of Neuroscience. We will touch that later, but first lets come back to Carnatic music. I want to hear a little bit about your journey as a musician. When you began. And just little bit about your roots may be.

Deepti : I was born and raised in Bangalore. I started learning Carnatic music when I was 4. Growing up in Bangalore, Bangalore has a vibrant cultural scene. It was easy to grab a concert of Carnatic music, go concert hopping to another Hindustani classical music show, or chill at a pub with some cool jazz. I think that environment has also shaped some of what I do today. In terms of my parents, there was no immediate musician in the family, but I was born to an Aeronautical Scientist and an Educational entrepreneur, just like you Gauri.

Gauri : Wonderful.

Deepti : So I guess, the impetus on scientific rigors, and the value of lifelong learning, of creative impressions, those are the values that I imbibed from my parents. And I guess those value have gone way in shaping what I do, and what I value even today.

Gauri : So there is little bit of entrepreneurship that you inherited from your mother. And the music and creative side from your mom.

Deepti : That’s right.

Gauri : And then your exposure to jazz, I think is kind of evident in your music. I’ve heard some of your music. There’s a contemporary aspect to it, which is beautiful. That’s a lovely fusion of Carnatic music with contemporary verse.

Deepti : And just like they say, ‘ not all those who wander are lost’. The broader my exposure got, the deeper my appreciation for Carnatic music happened.

Gauri : That does give us a little glimpse of your Indian background. So tell us more about your journey. What brought you to the US?

Deepti : I came to US to do graduate school. I enrolled in the University of New Mexico, for a PhD in cell Biology and Neuroscience. I guess I did never let go of my roots. Moving to the United States actually forced me to value what I had, and what I had already learned in India. So while I was doing PhD, I was also teaching a course called the ‘Music of South India’.

Gauri : So you started teaching right way, when you came here?

Deepti : Right. So I designed and developed the course. It was a music appreciation course for Americans and world music enthusiasts.

Gauri : And where were you teaching that course?

Deepti : That was offered as part of the music department, at the University of New Mexico. So I was pretty fortunate.

Gauri : Wow. That’s impressive. I’m sure you had the drive and zeal to do something like that.

Deepti : I was pretty resolute about two things. One is, I have to move forward, but to fly high you have to dig deep.

Gauri : It has such a beautiful meaning.

Deepti : So I didn’t wanted to let go of my roots, but I also wanted to move forward. And I wanted to bridge a life that accommodates both.

Gauri : Lovely. So that was your first musical endeavor here in US. And then where did you go from there?

Deepti : After my PhD I moved to Boston. And Boston with its extremely thriving Indian community, and all its opportunities, I was like a kid in a candy store. I wrote several grants. I produced my first album ’Aarohanam’, which is just a CD of traditional Carnatic music. I’m thankful that I got the ‘Utah Arts Council Award’ for that. That supported the production of my first CD. As soon as I moved to Boston, I was also very aware of the thriving contemporary and world music scene in Boston. I wanted to join the ‘New England Conservatory’, which is every classical musicians dream; somewhat. And at the ‘New England Conservatory’, I couldn’t have asked for anything better.

Gauri : And you were the first Carnatic Musician in there, Right ?

Deepti : That’s right. I was really fortunate to have been the first Carnatic Musician in the history of the ‘New England Conservatory’, to join that program. The program itself is designed to catalyze a musical innovation, and scholarship for traditional artist, who want to take the music to diverse audiences, to diverse communities. And the program is designed for, what they say, musical entrepreneurs of tomorrow.

Gauri : That’s impressive. You have gone beyond the community, you have represented our community, beyond what anyone can imagine. That is really commendable. You make us all proud.

Deepti : Thank you.

Gauri : I know you have a lot of achievements in your name. Which is your favorite one? What was the high moment of your life?

Deepti : I guess when I was 18 winning the ‘All India Radio National Music Award’ was a big shot in the arm. This gives you a lot of recognition, and sort of boosts your spirit, that if you continue to learn and invest in your own arts, you can do something worthwhile with it. And I think the day I heard from ‘New England Conservatory’ that I had actually gotten into that program, was another high for me. But on more personal note I feel my biggest achievement has been, that I have been obstinate enough to stay close to what my true motivations are. I think my purpose is to engage myself in creative endeavors; be it science or music. I see them as high complimentary activities, which are built on the same urge to be creative. So I’ve been obstinate enough to not let go of that motivation, and not fall into any labels of boxes. I believe if you are outlier, that difference is what will help you make difference. So you sort of learn to be an outliers of sorts.

Gauri : That an amazingly inspiration message. I’m absorbing it as you are saying it. That is something that I’m going to hold onto for the rest of my life. I’m sure people who are hearing you today are going to really be affected by what you just shared. To have that consistency, and that drive and that determination that I’m going to make it.

And in the light of that, in the same sequence of things you have an entrepreneurial project coming up and some workshops. So why don’t you tell us about those.

Deepti : The ‘Carnatic Alchemy’ project was born as a musical platform for innovation, sustainability in arts, and to provide a channel that can catalyze community engagements. So like it’s said, it takes a village to raise a child, it takes many hands, both within and outside the community. Arts councils, government, and lot of arts administrative policies which have to work in tandem to actually sustain musical innovations. So the ‘Carnatic Alchemy’ project was basically born with the goal to take musical innovations to diverse communities in the Massachusetts area, and beyond hopefully one day.

Gauri : I’m sure.

Deepti : So we will do concerts, we will promote the creation of new music. We already have a concert coming up on February 22^nd, which we will get to in a minutes.

Gauri : Yes, I’m really looking forward to that one.

Deepti : And we will also engage in community activities. And we have announced the Carnatic singing circles workshops, wherein we will introduce the ‘Nada Yoga principles’ or the yogic philosophy behind Carnatic Music to Yoga Spiritual audience. So we have a wide range of activities planned around the idea of taking traditional sounds to diverse audiences.

Gauri : So this ‘Carnatic Alchemy’ project that you spoke of, is Cambridge Arts Council funded?

Deepti : Yes, definitely. Just two days back I got the news about the grant from Massachusetts Culture Council, basically promotes creative economy, as they call it, in the area, and they invest in artist, whose project goals align with the broader arts policies for Massachusetts. So this is big recognition. I’m deeply grateful.

Gauri : That’s great. Congratulations.

Deepti : Thank you. The singing circles workshop hopefully, in years to come, 

we will see that being held in assisted living centers, in libraries, in prisons and anywhere there’s a need to contemplate with sound.

Gauri :  I think that’s everywhere. Music is language that touches hearts. And makes such a huge difference in people’s lives. So all the places that you just mentioned, I think can really benefit from something like that. That’s great! So this is not just a concert, but is like a whole umbrella that’s going to hold so many different things. Does this project has an end date as well, or is this something like an ongoing motive?

Deepti : Hopefully it will go on and on.

Gauri : That’s great.

Deepti : In addition to the concert, we are trying to take Carnatic music to different communities in and around New England area. We have come up with, what I called the ‘Carnatic Alchemy prize’. And this year’s competition is for children and adults. And it’s based on the musical works of M.S. Subbulakshmi. And as you all know she was the ‘true Alchemist’. 50 years ago she did category spanning work, which is bewildering to me. Sitting here today and going through the wide spectrum of work she has done. So in her honor we have come up with this competition. And I hope that will help raise awareness of Carnatic music, even with North Indian communities, and greater Indian communities.

Gauri : I’m sure. First of all I was totally wowed when I read you biography. And now listening to you today during this interview, it’s kind of a reinforcement. It’s not just beautifying your soul through your own passions, developing yourself, but it’s also radiating that energy out into the community, and even beyond the community. Taking it out to various diverse groups of people, and being able to use that energy, in very constructive and in a very reformative manner. And there’s an encouragement factor with the completion. So there’s a whole lot of different things. What is that you are not doing Deepti, you are doing everything?

Deepti : Not sleeping enough I guess.

( Chukles )

Gauri : You got to take care of yourself, that’s important.

Deepti : And looking ahead, I want to put my mind where my heart is, so when I say this, I’m currently working on a study that involves, using south Indian classical rhythm training for dyslexic children. So you have a learning center here as well. I’m sure it resonates well with your goals as well.

Gauri : It does.

Deepti : In the future, I plan to expand ‘Carnatic Alchemy’ project into education developmental challengers. So as a musician, as a student of sound, you are exposed to a certain vantage points. And as a Neuroscientist, you get to evaluate the same human experience on a totally different level. And I plan to make the most of it. And hopefully apply some of my musical training towards learning disabilities for dyslexic children. We’ll have a kick starter campaign coming soon.

Gauri : I love the way you call yourself ‘student of sound’.

Deepti : I’ve always been.

Gauri : Speaking of you a little bit more. You a have beautiful CD that you are also releasing on 22^nd. So including that, what else can the audience expect on that fabulous event that’s coming up, which I’m very looking forward to?

Deepti : The concert on the 22^nd is called the ‘Cranatic Cadenzas’. It will be a concert for new music, its Cranatic inspired music. If you are world music enthusiast, and you want to check out a whole new form of voice and instrumental orchestration, then this your concert. If you have never heard Carantic music then definitely this is your show. If have never heard any music…

Gauri : This is the place to go, and enjoy, and appreciate it. So whatever you are in this ladder, you better come and experience it yourself.

Deepti : On more serious note the concert will release my first CD of contemporary classical music.

Gauri : Congratulations.

Deepti : So as a traditional musician you use to do the music in a certain model. So as a South Indian classical vocalist, you sing with a ‘Violin’ and ‘Mridangam’. This music takes the same idea, same aesthetics, but cast in a chamber classical format. Western Classical music also has certain models of music making. So we take the music from one model, and switch it to another model, and Bingo, that makes for some alchemist experiences.So that’s the soul behind the CD and the experiment. And so the CD ‘Ka’ was a collaboration with a Indian American composer at Holy Cross college, Shirish Korde. I’m very happy that the first CD of this experiment has actually culminated and is out. Hopefully you all will be able to join me and come to the concert.

Gauri : Absolutely. You’ve done so massive projects, all along, since you have stepped into this country. You have some great achievement. I know it’s not easy to plan something, and be able to execute your plans, and to be able to accomplish so much. Definitely congratulations to you for everything that you done so far. And all the best for your upcoming event, as well as for the release of the CD. I will certainly own a copy of that one.

Deepti : Thank you so much Gauri.

Gauri : Thanks for coming to Foundations TV.

Deepti : My pleasure.

Gauri : And before we end the video, I do want to give credit to ‘Smita’s Boutique’ for the outfit that I’m wearing.

Deepti : You look lovely.

Gauri : And you look so pretty too, I love the way we coordinated. Thank you so much for coming.

Deepti : The pleasure was totally mine