Wednesday, February 25, 2009

Its raining Oscars at India


The 81st Academy Awards have been announced and its raining Oscars here at India. A very proud moment indeed.

Hearty Congratulations to,

1. Academy Award winner, A R Rahman (Music Composer) - Two award winner

Original name : A S Dileep Kumar

India the 'Super Nation', is shining and making its name in many areas in the world, was once longing for the Oscars. Many talented actors like Kamal Hassan, Aamir Khan etc., and many directors like Ashutosh Gowitrikar and many more have been trying to achive the Oscars.

And finally, here we have today, Oscars galore. A R Rahman is the first Indian to win two Oscars for the Best Original Score ‘Slumdog Millionaire’ and its foot-tapping song ‘Jai Ho’. The movie Slumdog Millionaire is directed by Danny Boyle.

A. R. Rahman was born to a Tamil Hindu family. His father R. K. Shekhar, was a composer and conductor for Malayalam-language films of Keralite cinema. He converted to Islam in 1989.

Rehman’s stint in Sandalwood

Source : http://www.deccanherald.com/Content/Feb242009/city20090224120400.asp

Bangalore, DHNS: Kannada film fraternity is thrilled with A R Rahman creating history by winning two Oscars. Rahman has his own contribution to Sandalwood. As a new entrant to the industry, he worked for 10 - 12 films in Kannada as a key-board player.

Karnataka Film Chamber of Commerce (KFCC) has also invited Rahman for its platinum jubilee celebrations scheduled between March 1 and 3.

Rahman worked for Kannada movies between 1984 and 1988. He started his career in Kannada, with music director Vijayananda by playing key board for Indina Ramayana, produced by Dwarakish.

Rahman worked for Dance Raja Dance, Nee Thanda Kanike, Ravana Rajya, Krishna Nee Kunidaga - all produced by Dwarakish. Later he worked with Hamsalekha, noted music director of Kannada for two years.


2. Academy Award winner, Gulzar (Lyricist)


Original name : Sampooran Singh Kalra better known by his pen name, Gulzar Deenvi


3. Academy Award winner, Resul Pookutty (Sound Mixer)



Other Academy Award winner Indians,

Academy Honorary Award winner, Satyajit Ray (Filmmaker)

Ray with his Academy Award just days before his death.

This award was given to the likes of Charlie Chaplin, Walt Disney, Robert Redford, Warner Bros, Deborrah Kerr among others; so i guess that makes it really special.

Academy Award winner, Bhanu Athaiya Rajopadhye (Best Costume Designer)


She shared an Oscar with John Mollo for the movie "Gandhi" (1982) in Costume Design category. She won it, whereas Ray was awarded.

Thursday, February 12, 2009

Tips to get smarter, better at work

Here are some simple and effective tips that could enhance your career to a greater extent.
1. Effective communication forms the foundation for a positive work alliance. You need to be able to tell your potential ally what you need and listen deeply to what they need.

2. Treat your allies as equals. No matter their position within your organization, all people are equal; they just have different jobs. Believe this.

3. Exhibit total professionalism. Never participate in gossip or in discussing the business of coworkers behind their backs.

4. Make sure you are not forming an exclusive club that the rest of your organization will fear and resent. But, you must take the time to develop strong relationships with your allies.

5. When working on a project together, always put forth your best efforts. Be the person who is willing to do extra to strengthen the collaboration and the outcome or product.

6. Keep your promises. If you say you will do something, do it. People need to depend upon you and the deadlines to which you commit.

7. Resolve any conflicts or disputes at your earliest opportunity. Unresolved conflict festers just under the surface in organizations.

8. Be an ally. Support your colleague’s ability to accomplish his or her mission, too. Give credit for ideas and solutions.

9. Effective managers delegate and don’t micromanage. Prioritize your tasks to focus on the important ones.

10. Your workspace should keep you motivated, not provide hot spots for daydreaming. Dress up your desk with items that keep you focused.

11. Too much to do at work? Add another task to your list: take a vacation and relax. People can’t operate at full throttle on the job day after day.

12. It’s a fact that taking breaks will increase productivity. It’s been proven in studies. If you need to, find someone to help ensure you take a morning and afternoon break.

13. Establish a routine of planning your week and your day. This will allow you to have your most productive week all the time.

14. Delegate or delete the non-essential items from your to-do list. The best way to do this is to always do your most important things first.

15. Make sure you plan in enough time between activities and appointments, and find ways to fail proof being on time.

16. Choose to enjoy your time at work. Find others who are like this and spread good cheer. It’s contagious and it grows.

17. Deadlines, tough bosses, rude clients, slow computers. Don’t make them into large dramas. Don’t lament the challenges of the world.

18. Try doing something different. If you always go on a trip, try taking a more local vacation, and really get some good rest time.

19. When you complain or fight on everything, then your power to ask for things is diminished. Save it up for when you really need it.

20. Don’t wait for your company to tell you what to do. Think creatively about how you can work with others to generate a greater result than if you had each worked on this alone.

21. If you are asked a question that stumps you or surprises you, never feel like you have to answer it right away. Seek more time to think about or research your answer.

22. Don’t immediately reject critiques from others, even if you don’t like or respect them. Sometimes people you don’t like may be giving you more honest feedback.

23. Be open to change. Give it a chance. Adapt to new things while using your experience to guide you, and you will have great success.

24. Always be on the lookout for opportunities to learn and improve your skills. Look for good seminars and training.

25. Set up a routine for “busy days” - perhaps you work 2-4 extra hours, and stick to that schedule, working nothing beyond it.

26. Schedule things like “break”, “coffee”, or even “video games” into your calendar just like you would a conference call.

27. There is a time and a place for perfectionism - when things are busy, consciously choose the areas in which you are willing to slack.

28. Whether it be business or personal support, busy times call for a morale boost on a regular basis. Hire a temp virtual assistant or call a good friend.

29. Everyone has a few things that are guaranteed to bring your stress level down to normal. Know your ‘relax buttons’ and get them on your schedule now.

30. For many people, a computer is the central tool at work. Optimizing the energy settings for computers and other devices can be more than a modest energy saver.