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Confessions of a reluctant entrepreneur

While working in Malaysia, another contract for Jakarta came through – yippee!

I’ve mentioned – more than once – that I’m a highly reluctant entrepreneur! However by some brilliant stroke of luck (or two!) am somehow surviving with independent work.

Knowing there is nothing certain in life, I’ve been preoccupied with – don’t laugh – opening 3 companies! Yeah, like the paperwork and hassles for one isn’t enough, hmm?

Sounds fancy but isn’t really. Just have 3 very different types of work on the go… (more…)

Mmmmm….. mushroom soup!

It’s been awhile since I shared a recipe. So when I picked up a lovely bunch of mushrooms, it was clearly time to make soup!

Feel free to mix it up, however the basic recipe includes: (more…)

“It was a pleasure not sleeping with you!” – Part 1

Tumbling exhausted but enriched out of the car, a tight hug, we said our goodbyes and parted ways.

Hello truck! En route to Kamshet, Maharashtra

Hello truck! En route to Kamshet, Maharashtra

We’d spent the last 18 hours together – including an intimate all night experience…

It started innocently enough…

A month or so ago my partner said “Love – just block your calendar for 1st – 2nd March, ok?”

I blindly responded with an enthusiastic “Sure!” Clueless of what would come…

When I learnt the weekend was an outdoor festival many miles from Mumbai with an unknown creature comforts quotient went “Hmmm…”

Allow me to remind folks, my partner’s style is more 5 star than backpacking. If he must camp, glamping (glamorous camping) is the preferred approach. (more…)

O my! Marvelous women… without men!

A funny thing happened this week. A friend of a friend passed on an urgent request for stories of American women between 40 – 60 years of age who relocated to Asia around 5 years ago to set up a business.

The story is for a feature in O Magazine – yup that is the famous Ms Oprah Winfrey folks! (more…)

Jura Superstition, Glen Garioch 1797 Founders Reserve, Ardbeg Corryvreckan

Part of a series of tasting notes from a monthly private whisky club in Mumbai, India. It was our first session of 2014 and our 3rd anniversary of monthly whisky quaffing explorations.

Tasting Notes from 20 Feb 2014

Following our standard format, we blind tasted samples before revealing the whisky. This month featured: Jura Superstition, Glen Garioch 1797 Founders Reserve and Ardbeg Corryvreckon. (more…)

How many SIMs cards do you have?

Between my partner and I we seem to be on a SIM collecting spree!

My latest trip to Malaysia added yet another SIM. But what a pleasure – For approx $10 and 10 mins, was up and running on email, BBM, WhatsAp, etc! (more…)

Zero to Hero Week 4: Final stretch… take 2!

Aaakh! Have you ever accidentally hit publish!?! Instantly realized the error and deleted a post?

What happened? I scheduled several posts, was making a few last edits and hit “Update” button… except oops! In this case, had barely started the draft let alone ready to “publish”…. gulp! DELETE!!

So now, as well as being late to WordPress’s “Zero to hero: 30 Days to a Better Blog” have a blogging blooper to recover from too! (more…)

Zero to Hero Week 3: This ain’t wonderland (more blog stuff)

“I’m late! I’m late! For a very important date!!”

Clearly I’m late to WordPress’s “Zero to hero: 30 Days to a Better Blog” given that it is officially over!

My efforts to fast-track screeched to a halt – distracted by the play, preparations for Malaysia and oodles of other activities to be revealed in due course…

And honestly? I found the steps less than stellar. At risk of boring you, here is my compressed 3rd week: (more…)

Zero to Hero Week 2: Trying new things (blog stuff)

As shared, I’m rather late to WordPress’s “Zero to hero: 30 Days to a Better Blog” so attempting to fast-track my way through select steps. This is a compressed version of the 2nd week… For the 1st week, check here.

(more…)

Screening of “Jai Bhim Comrade” – Postscript

Update after screening:

What a remarkable experience! Over 1,000 people came… first came the friends and supporters of the film maker then as dusk fell, quietly at first a few then hundreds from the nearby slum quietly filled the back, side until every scrap of space was fully occupied. For nearly three hours, the audience was transfixed by the powerful thought-provoking film with its tough insights into our society, politics and people.

The inspiring Sheetal Sathe of the Kabir Kala Manch (Photo: Jai Bhim Comrade)

The inspiring Sheetal Sathe of the Kabir Kala Manch (Photo: Jai Bhim Comrade)

At one point, the power cut and I’m sure more than one person feared the viewing was being halted by ‘the authorities’… so strong the message. A few minutes later, everything was back on track. When it was over, most silently moved on yet were clearly moved. A few older women from the slum came up to Anand and tried to touch his feet in reverence for sharing their story. He would have none of such obeisance and instead a lively discussion ensued until 10pm.

It is heartening to think this film could have such a special public showing – Fountainhead donated the screen, the sound system provided by another company for a nominal fee and the committee responsible for the venue charged no fee and several members came, sharing their support for more such events. Yet the cultural activist Kabir Kala Manch members remain in prison on suspicion (no proof) of being naxalites while the police responsible for the atrocity at Ramabai remain free…

I just discovered a WordPress blog and recommend you read specifically Sheetal Sathe’s story.

Carissa Hickling's avatarEveryday Asia

I’ve shared how there seems to be a subtle shift in India… a frustration with crippling corruption and ridiculous red tape of bureaucracy… and a will to see tangible change. So when a friend – Anand Patwardhan, well-known activist and documentary filmmaker – approached my partner for help organizing a public showing of his politically charged film “Jai Bhim Comrade” (naturally with no budget!), my partner was undaunted and determined.

He was also very clear:

  • If he could get all the permissions needed through sincere effort and above-board application process, duly providing legitimate documentation for requirements, he would go ahead with the event.
  • If one single hand reached out for money to line their personal pockets, he would not only halt the process immediately, he would make a very loud and public stink too!

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