In this month's edition, learn how to be positive and what's new with India Can. Read about Ravi's felicitation at the Rashtrapati Bhavan, latest social innovations and much more!
Food for Thought"You are as amazing as you let yourself be. Let me repeat that. You are as amazing as you let yourself be.”
~Elizabeth Alraune
RAVI'S CORNER
Jots & Thoughts
"At a recent panel discussion on social enterprises, the moderator summed up the various inputs with a single line - ‘Social entrepreneurship is a space that needs to be approached more from the heart than the mind.” This summation seems to be an apt ...” Read more
3 books you must read
When breath becomes air: Paul Kalanithi
Summary: Paul Kalanithi was diagnosed with terminal cancer just before completing his neurosurgeon residency. In this heart touching memoir he talks about the nuances of healthcare from both sides- patient as well as a doctor and finally attempts to answer the basic question- What makes life worth living?
For the Love of Physics: Walter Lewin
Summary: It doesnt matter how old you are, its never too late to enjoy this beautiful book that takes you through the journey and concepts of physics in a refreshing tone. The author also has online lectures on MIT's opencourseware which are the best rated lectures on physics in the world! This book will definitely change your opinion on what constitutes teaching!
Elemental India, Natural World in Crisis: Meera Subramanian
Summary: Meera Subramanian travels around India documenting ordianary people and micro-enterprises involved in rescuing our ecology. The issues discussed range from from dried up rivers and cooking stoves to organic food and endangered species. This non fictional work will renew your hope in Indian people and their efforts to save our environment.
SPOTLIGHT
A better You for a better India: LifeHacks
(The Power of Positivity)
Last month we learnt about National Quitters Day and why people fail at their resolutions. This month we discuss how positive thinking can be leveraged to achieve our dreams (and our resolutions!).
#1: Assess your thinking
Contrary to popular belief, you are not your mind. In fact there is a layer of consciousness that controls and guides your mind, if you master this layer you can accomplish almost anything. Also known as the voice in the head, this layer is what you can leverage to assess your thoughts and objectively determine if they are conducive to what you want to achieve at that moment.
#2: Live in the present
Eckhart Tolle says in his book Power of Now- "the past gives you an identity and the future holds the promise of salvation, of fulfillment in whatever form. Both are illusions." Positivity doesn't mean painting a rosy future or looking at the past with nostalgia. It means making the present moment count with your best efforts and hoping for the best to work out. Mindfulness over incessant thinking.
#3: Minimize disruptions and external influences
There will always be people around that will remind all that is wrong in the world, reinforced by the media that only likes to showcase negative stories. For example, arguing about politics rarely leads to anything positive, smiling and nodding is a much better response! It is important to not believe in black and white scenarios and personalizing (pinpointing people); Rather focus on your own life and improve it so that you are able to help others too.
#4: Travel when you can
Being immersed in our day to day routines its easy for an get into a rut and be unable to visualize life beyond this. This is why travelling is important as it expands your worldview and helps connect with people from different walks of life. As Tony Robbins says, people first want certainty but if they have too much of certainty, they start craving uncertainty. New experiences help us see the world more favorably.
Trivandrum entrepreneur develops Raksha SafeDrive to improve road safety
What: An IoT device that integrates crash sensors, GPS, driver reporting and panic button to work as an Accident Management System Who: Prasad Pillai, founder eLsys Intelligent Devices Notable: The device is backed by a backend call center that facilitates between first responders and the accident victim
15 year old raises money on Kickstarter to help Parkinsons' patients
What: A wearable ring that monitors typical Parkinsons indicators such as dyskinesia, bradykinesia and tremors Who: Utkarsh Tandon Notable: Uses machine learning and generates time stamped reports that are remotely submitted to physicians
EVENTS & PROMOTIONS
KIIT Bhubneshwar- National Management Convention
Feb 19th 2016: Ravi Nawal participated in a panel discussion on innovation in Agri-Business. The event focused on delivering sustainable practices and framework for agri-business and agri-tech in India.
Panel Discussion at Institute of Internal Auditors
Feb 20th 2016: IIA hosted a panel discussion on "Digit world, dynamics, e-commerce and startups" with co-panelists Ravi Nawal, Sanjeev Bikhchandani (Naukri) and T V Venkatraman (Flipkart) at IIA's Annual National Conference.
Guest Lecture at NIT Trichy
Feb 26th 2016: Ravi delivered the keynote speech on social innovation and entrepreneurship at NIT Trichy's festival- Pragyan. The event also featured speakers such as Richard Leighton
Panel Discussion at One Globe Conference
Feb 5th 2016: Ravi participated in a panel discussion on Digital India at the One Globe Conference. In attendance were Sanjeev Mohanty Sandeep Handa and Ravi Hadke.
Ravi Nawal felicitated at the Rashtrapati Bhavan
Jan 27th 2016: It was a rare privilege for the bestselling author as Honorable President Shri Pranab Mukherjee felicitated Ravi for his book India Can.
