Avinash Bindiganavile

Visit to The City

2008-05-05T14:45:00.001-05:00

New York

2008-02-15T16:25:00.000-05:00

Work

2008-01-02T15:37:00.000-05:00

well - i think i've told you this before avi

but i'll remind you

"the person that cares the least has the most power in any situation" - (the fastest way to it is to live in the present moment, just this breath)

so - don't come from a place of desperation but "a place of strength"

you always have options even if you don't like them all

avi - i say make a list of needs

and then a list of wants

there is a minimum salary requirement that you need

anything on top of that is a want

Rediscovering Myself

2007-12-20T11:24:00.000-05:00

Certainly,I've been lost with myself somewhere during these 8 months.It has been the most daunting period.

Today,I would be leaving my position at Entrepreneurs Colombia and I can't find enough words for Good-Bye.Entrepreneurs Colombia is now hammering for a huge comeback and the motivation amongst each individual since it's new inception has been incredible.I wish Entrepreneurs Colombia lots of Success and Strength for the New Year.

On the other side,I'm hammering for a comeback as well.Where? When? What? How? are obviously the questions on my mind and I'm giving my best with few trials...

Fingers Crossed!

Life

2007-12-17T16:52:00.001-05:00

I have had a lot of death in my face this month
when looking at the preciousness of life it is a great reminder to live each moment to the fullest
worrying about the future is a waste of time
lamenting about the past is also
all we have is this present moment avi
make the most of it
whatever it is

breath avi
stop take a breath, observe and proceed
that is all you can do

Family

2007-12-17T16:50:00.001-05:00

Well - my suggestion is that you find a way to have understanding for your family
and that you not cut them out of your life or have them cut you out of theirs
regardless of what your feelings are right now
this is your family
and they are important
also - I would recommend that anything that you do
you do it with compassion
and not anger
or resentment

Repeating Cycles

2007-12-17T16:44:00.000-05:00

Seems like you keep repeating the same cycles.

Whatever helps you avi

Just as long as you don't count on it too much

Ok - good luck avi

Help me take America's Giving Challenge!

2007-12-17T08:44:00.000-05:00

It's been quite sometime since I got introduced to Atlas Service Corps!

It's been wonderful being a friendly volunteer at Atlas Corps and now I've taken up another challenge i.e. to lead a campaign(as below). I would appreciate all my friends and others who could help Atlas Corps by donating 10 USD.

If you would like to read coverage about the contest in The New York Times, click here.

With your $10 Atlas Corps can win $50,000 from GlobalGiving.
Please consider making a donation now.

About Atlas Service Corps, Inc. (Atlas Corps) is a new international nonprofit organization that is building a global partnership for development through an innovative, sustainable and scalable fellowship program where nonprofit leaders with 4-8 years of experience volunteer overseas for one year to learn best practices, share unique insights, provided needed support and return home to their country. The focus of our program is nonprofit leaders from the global south (India, Colombia, and Ecuador) to volunteer in the U.S. for one year. We have successfully launched this year with 7 Fellows from India and Colombia as the first-ever organization to bring mid-career nonprofit leaders to the US to volunteer fulltime for one year. Please visit Atlas Corps for more information.

About the $50,000 Contest: GlobalGiving, the Case Foundation and Parade Magazine are supporting a contest to see who can rally the most number of supporters for an organization they support. Any donation over $10 counts. Eight organizations will win the $50,000 and 80 more will receive smaller donations. With your support, Atlas Corps has a great chance to win this contest. With $50,000 we will be able to bring two more leaders from India, Colombia or Ecuador to the U.S. and send one American to Bogota to volunteer for one year. Imagine that! With your $10 you can empower three people to volunteer overseas for one year! Please make your donation now and help Atlas Corps by spreading the word. You must make your donation following this link: http://givingchallenge.globalgiving.com/dy/registry/ag.html?regid=624&cmd=prevfund

Questions? Comments? Email Scott Beale at scott@atlascorps.org with questions, comments or if you want to get involved and support Atlas Corps more actively. We strongly encourage you to visit the Atlas Corps website for more information: Atlas Corps about the organization and the campaign.

INDIA

2007-07-12T09:56:00.000-05:00

Egyptian singer,Hisham Abbas best known for his hit song Nari Narain in year 2000.

This was an arabic song picturised in INDIA with pretty damsel named "Jayashree".

PS: I finally understood what this arabic song meant when I found this song today with spanish subtitles jejeje... Btw,I'm pretty good with my spanish now :D

Knowing my pattern

2007-07-07T18:01:00.000-05:00

...Steph today noticed a pattern with me and said the following to help me:

You chase many things expecting to acheive a certain outcome

You chase many things expecting to acheive a certain outcome
and fall into dispair when they don't work out

it is something for you to watch

and see if it is something you can work with

so that not everything is the best or the worst

Constantly think of "Nothing is permanent"

and that things work out the way the are supposed to when you don't try to force it

By the way - this is a very normal human condition

we grasp and chase what we think will give us pleasure

and push away or avoid what we don't like

but always trying to control the outcome is based out of fear

and almost always leads to disappointment

Maybe you can start asking yourself what you are afraid of

and then just notice it

you don't have to change it

sometimes just being aware

"fear is like this"

can start to bring some relief

give it time

you may also start to notice that you can give some of your snap decisions some space

Victor frankl said "between the stimulus and the response, there is space"

when you notice that you are in fear you may start to make better decisions

it may give you the time to think about whether you are making a fear based decision

or if it is a sound decision

so that was Steph

...and my thought for every day would or rather should be:

NOTHING IS PERMANENT and CLINGING ALWAYS BRINGS DISATISFACTION.

2007-07-06T10:55:00.000-05:00

Eh!Ave Maria...it was such a pleasant surprise when Eva had sent me an sms day before yesterday that she was visiting Bogota along with Veronica.These two TALL,BLONDE and BEAUTIFUL Slovakian girls are such a wonderful company...and I was so happy to see them again after 4 months.

I had promised them that I would take them to have the best beer at Bogota Beer Company(BBC) on their visit...and so we did Chill! :)

We were at Parque 93 watching the final 10 minutes of the football match between Colombia and USA where it was filled with crowd and loud noises after Colombia won 1-0.

Then we had been to BBC(my re-visit after almost 4 monhts...HUH!)...loved the company and of course with a couple of beers.(yellow, red and black paint)My favorite being RED...the best you could get.This place is always brimming with customers.

What a night! :)

Colombians hold hostage protest

2007-07-05T10:46:00.000-05:00

Colombia's President Alvaro Uribe is leading a nationwide protest against kidnapping, a week after the deaths of 11 provincial lawmakers held by rebels.

The protesters are also demanding the release of more than 750 hostages still in the hands of the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia, or Farc.

The protest comes as talks between the government and the Farc are deadlocked.

The murder of the politicians last week in unclear circumstances has further increased mistrust between both sides.

The Farc said the men, held hostage for five years, died in crossfire during a military raid on a guerrilla camp.

The Colombian government has denied that any military operation took place and accused the guerrillas of killing the men in cold blood.

Read On: Reject Demands

Source: BBC

Article in Spanish

Source: ElTiempo

FYI: FARC Website

Superstar "Eclyse" in Germany

2007-07-05T10:37:00.000-05:00

Horse or zebra? Unusual zebrula(Hebra)draws crowds in Germany.

A zebrula -- a cross between a horse and a zebra -- has drawn curious onlookers to a zoo in Germany because of its unusual coat.

While zebrulas have been in existence since the 19th century, this one is particularly unique: its coat is sharply divided between horse and zebra, says Safaripark, a zoo near northern Guetersloh.

The animal, which is slightly more than a year old and is named Eclyse, has a zebra head, while the first half of the rest of its body is white and the second half is zebra-colored.

It arrived at the zoo three weeks ago from Italy.

Source:Yahoo

Finding Myself

2007-07-01T11:49:00.000-05:00

Can't believe...I've been striving so hard

Can't believe...I've learnt so much

Can't believe...I've missed a lot

Can't believe...I haven't socialised

Can't believe...It has been three deadly months

I am breathing and now I'm hammering for a wicked come back!

just breathe avi

2007-06-15T08:47:00.000-05:00

notice your breathing

on the in breath

notice i am breathing in

on the out breath

i am breathing out

do that for a little while

when the mind wanders off and you notice it

gently come back to the noticing of breathing

on the in breath i calm my mind

on the out breath i relax my body

World Book Capital City 2007

2007-04-23T07:44:00.000-05:00

Based on the positive experience of World Book and Copyright Day, launched in 1996, UNESCO initiated the concept of World Book Capital City and nominated Madrid as the Capital for Year 2001. Following this successful experience, the General Conference adopted, on 2 November 2001, the 31 C/Resolution 29, establishing the yearly nomination of the Book Capital City.

The International Publishers Associations (IPA-UIE), the International Federation of Library Associations and Institutions (IFLA) and the International Booksellers Federation (IBF) are associated to this initiative and are therefore represented with UNESCO in the nominating committee, so as to guarantee appropriate representation from the international organisations representing the three major sectors of the book industry.

The city of Bogotá was nominated as World Book Capital 2007 for the following reasons:

* comprehensiveness of the bid;
* presence of several specific initiatives for the World Book Capital City 2007 programme, including creative activities for the promotion of reading;
* involvement of all local public and private stakeholders in the book sector.

For the first time two applications from a region of the world which had so far not been represented (Latin America).

Amsterdam (the Netherlands) will be World Book Capital City 2008.

Previous World Book Capitals

2001: Madrid
2002: Alexandria
2003: New Delhi (India)
2004: Antwerp (Belgium)
2005: Montreal (Canada)
2006: Turin (Italy)

Source: UNESCO

Drop it on Me

2007-04-21T10:27:00.000-05:00

Now I've started to enjoy spanglish and spanish songs as I understand them quite well.

Let me drop this video for you:

Artist: Ricky Martin

Event: Victoria Secrets Fashion Show 2006

Song: Drop it on Me!

Drop it mami,drop it on me...

Oh!By the way...this show took everyone's breath away with some spectacular performanes by big artists(Justin Timberlake,Ricky Martin etc) and of course the victoria super models(Gisele Bundchen,Alessandra Ambrosio etc).

Heaven in Heaven! (along with my favorite and versatile genius Heidi Klum!)

Oops!

2007-04-05T21:39:00.000-05:00

I wonder how I forgot to blog about my adventurous weekend.Huh!Well...Sarah(roomate of Sarah) and I had been to one of the eco-destinations close to Bogota called Rafting Tobia (Cundinamarca).Now doesn't that give you a sign,for the reason we had been there?Yeah...Adventure Activities!

Tobia is a small town,75 kilometers from Bogota.Very affordable.55,000 pesos for Rafting,Rappelling with Seguros(Insurance),Lunch and kind guides.The mountains with the rivers are right there.The reason to go is for rafting in Rio Negro(Black River).It might look to be dangerous but honestly it's a LOT of fun.I was really excited about it,though I don't know how to swim :-P

Before going down the rapids you get the training etc.Then you'll be given a helmet,oar and a life jacket.We were six groups and six in each raft raising slogans etc.Then began the adventure...

It started off,nice and easy but within a few seconds...I started to have the taste of the REAL ADVENTURE! Woo Hoo!

DURO DURO(Hard)...ADELANTE ADELANTE(Forward)Each one of us..rowing the oars hard while the water hitting real hard on us.Rafting is a certainly a great recreational activity.

Then we were taken in a special mini-train(like the one in Zoo, walked along the woods for almost half an hour to do our next adventure activity,Rappelling(the process of descending on a fixed rope).We rappelled twice from 55-60 mts high in the waterfalls.

Simply Adventurous!

Here's a link for such eco-destinations in Colombia.

Choices

2007-04-05T12:40:00.000-05:00

We all make choices and live with the outcome

You'll need to weigh them and decide what to pursue

Here is the thing to consider when we have choices:

-Will a choice bring myself and others happiness?

- or Will it cause suffering?

-Am i making a choice that will make me grow?

-or Am i making a choice to avoid something else?

When a choice you make brings joy and excitement to your heart,you are doing the right thing!

Atlas Corps

2007-04-04T09:51:00.000-05:00

Atlas Corps Accepting Fellow Applications:

Atlas Service Corps, Inc. ("Atlas Corps") is a new international citizen sector (nonprofit or NGO) organization that will revolutionize international service and build a global partnership for development. Atlas Corps is currently seeking the best rising leaders in the citizen sectors of India and Colombia to apply for a one-year fellowship in the United States. All candidates must have 4-8 years of experience in the citizen sector, a bachelor's degree, be fluent in written and spoken English, and be committed to returning to their home country at the end of the program. Candidates must be nominated by a citizen sector leader before their application can be submitted. Nominations can be submitted online at: http://www.atlascorps.org/nomination.html Atlas Corps is seeking 7 outstanding citizen sector leaders for our inaugural 2007 Fellowship program. More details about the U.S. Host organizations and Fellow job descriptions can be found at: http://www.atlascorps.org/fellow_profile.html

About Atlas Corps:

Atlas Corps is a new, international citizen sector organization that brings mid-career CSO leaders from developing countries to volunteer for one year at like minded U.S. CSO Host organizations. Our mission is to create a global partnership for development through an innovative, sustainable and scalable Fellowship program that demonstrates that the global south should not just be a destination for support, but a partner in tackling the world's most pressing social issues. While in the U.S. Fellows will learn best practices from the United States, share unique perspectives from abroad, and then return home to create avenues of cooperation and continued learning. Atlas Corps Fellows will address a wide range of issues related to the United Nations Millennium Development Goals including hunger, poverty, education, gender equity, health, the environment, and human rights. We invite you to visit our website to learn more about the program and read about our fantastic staff and Senior Advisory Board that includes such notables as Bill Drayton, the founder of Ashoka, and Senator Harris Wofford, one of the founding leaders of the Peace Corps - www.atlascorps.org

Learn more by watching videos in English, Spanish, Hindi, Portuguese, French, Malay, and more ...

Email: scott@atlascorps.org

Colombian Times

2007-04-02T19:29:00.000-05:00

I was looking at the world map one day- I was overwhelmed to see so many countries on this planet. Although I’ve learnt about many countries in my school I didn’t pay much attention then- It was just a subject then, just wanted to read about it and pass the examination.

So many countries with different cultures, different beliefs and most importantly different languages. Was wondering how people live in those countries and about their lifestyle. Born and brought in a conservative family and country with strict values and traditions, I wanted to explore the world. Wanted to see different places and see how they went about with their daily chores.

Always ready for a challenge I wanted to visit a country whose culture and beliefs were different from my own country. As I was searching for a country my eyes stuck on a place COLOMBIA- then I knew nothing about the place or their lifestyle, being a vegetarian I was skeptical on how I would cope with the main source of my survival FOOD. But then what is life without challenge. So I decided to take this challenge and packed my bags and came to this land.

When I landed here I wasn’t sure how things would be, but people here are very friendly- Though it took me time to learn this language, I got used to this place. I still remember when i told folks back in my home country that I would be going to Colombia, people weren't that encouraging and felt that maybe I should reconsider my decision- But now that am here I feel my decision to come to Colombia wasn't wrong.

Present generation is always ready for a challenge. We have come a long way- previously people couldn’t connect with each other in past years because of many barriers. But now thanks to new inventions, people are getting to know each other from diverse cultures and backgrounds. Now we can connect to people all over the world and make our world a happy place to live- Hoping our future generations will benefit from the efforts we are making to bridge the gap of diversity in culture.

My experiences with this country so far has been very good and its a wonderful experience.Colombians whom I've known/met have been extremely warm, friendly and affectionate- They’ve supported and encouraged me in whatever I did.

We have one life to live, so why not live it to the maximum- Why not challenge yourself and visit places- I would encourage people to visit Colombia atleast once in their lifetime- This place not only has beautiful landscapes but also loving people. No country in this world is safe- Every country has some flaws- but just because it has flaws, you can’t say that the place is bad. So all those of you who are in doubt about this place, I would say. This country has many good things to give- so Come and visit Colombia- “A place for all Reasons and Seasons!”

It has been exactly six months today since I came to Colombia.Still can't believe that time raced away so fast...

What does "Failure" mean?

2007-03-23T16:30:00.000-05:00

Well...this question has been going on my mind for sometime now but today it is really urging me to find the answer after seeing Indian Cricket team's huge loss at the World Cup.

Like always had a chat with Steph just a few minutes back and when I told her about this huge failure of Indian team...here's what she told me:

I'm sorry that you're disappointed

I don't really see this as a failure

"Not all endeavors mean a Win"

but there is always something that can be Learned or Gained

so how can that be a failure

failing is just flat out not trying

or not learning when things don't work out the way you expect

Now what's flat out?

Means not making any effort

How to tackle failure?

It's changing your attitude about what failure is

that's how you tackle it.

Feedback:

All we can expect of ourselves and each other is to perform at our best

that best can change from one day to the next

it is always changing

as long as we put the "right" amount of effort and intention in

the outcome doesn't matter

that much

if we are always tied to expecting that we can control the outcome

we will often be disappointed

"When you are able to move into a place that you don't emotionally live and die with each change or uncertainty

you will have more peace"

Featured

2007-03-16T11:04:00.000-05:00

I have been featured on the recent Newsletter of AIESEC Colombia

Click on the below link to see the same (except my picture jejeje...)

Newsletter

Learning to Cope

2007-03-16T09:33:00.000-05:00

Everytime I have a chat with Steph (my guide/friend)I feel really good and positive in thoughts.Here what's she told me during last night's chat:

"What i have found over the years is that often times i have to not force the outcome

or be tied to it

and everything usually works out the way it's supposed to

and sometimes - it's not what i would have chosen

but i find a way to be at peace with it.

Please meet each moment fully

and meet it as a friend"

Also,I'm learning from my mistakes.I remember Steph telling me that:

"There is no great career for anyone without mistakes along the way

When you hit an obstacle - be honest about it

People appreciate that

Be honest too when you make a mistake"

I had made a big mistake last night which will be very serious but I've admitted my mistake and I'm willing to face the consequences.Infact,I'm very happy for having learnt from this mistake of mine at such an early stage of my life/career.

When I did share this mistake I've made with Steph...this is what she said:

"I think it is good that you have learned the mistake now and not later

I have seen very senior people blur the line between right action and doing what it takes to get what you want

You will be able to recover from this

I think that you have learned a very valuable lesson and that's a very good thing."

So proud to have such a wonderful person as my guide/friend.Thanks Steph.

There is another quote that I would like to share which really moved me:

"We must accept finite disappointment, but never lose infinite hope." - Martin Luther King, Jr.

Weekend at Medellin

2007-03-12T10:49:00.000-05:00

Eh! Ave Maria Pues...Like I planned,had been for the weekend to Medellin.Was really nice and quick.

As soon as I reached Medellin, got in the metro and left out of the city (like 40 minutes away from Niquia metro station) to a finca for the EIA Zonalito.Came back to the city in the afternoon and was at EAFIT university.

Places visited:

1.Parque Lleras:

Tree-lined park surrounded by sidewalk cafes.Had been with Monica(and her boyfriend) of AIESEC EAFIT,Evaand Vero(Slovakian trainees)and was like Parque 93 here in Bogota but I would say Parque 93 is much better.(Sorry,I'm being honest!)

2.Metro Cable/Metro:

Eva,Vero and I took the metro to metro cable.The neighbourhood there is really poor and very bad in condition and it seems before it was horrible,were many clashes and just a small bridge which was constructed made a difference to live peacefully.Anyway,once we reached the top we wished that we could ski down jejeje...

3.Copacabana:

Small town outside the city,visited the church there,took some videos of some borachos(expression for drunk men)singing loud on the streets.

4.Centro:

Had some exotic fruit juice(Lulu)was a little shock for me as I had to drink in a weird mug(usually found in the bathrooms of India).Then visited a beautiful public Library which has got some fountains,Mayor's office(apparently it was Brothel's house before),had arepa choco con queso near Exito and watched the two birds sculptures by Botero...where one of the birds sculpture was destroyed by terrorists by placing a bomb in it and hence Botero made another one.

5.Plaza de Botero:

Watched the incredible statues(most of them naked)and one of them was of a warrior with golden penis and I was told by Eva that it would bring some luck if I touch it.Followed...let's see what's it gonna bring to me.

6.Parque Pies Descalzo(Park of Bare Feet):

The Park features a Sand Park, water fountains (which you can get wet and interact with),a Zen Garden, forests and wooden tables for picnicking. You can bring your own food and drinks, or eat out at one of the many restaurants and cafes within the Park.

Overall, a nice, clean, safe area in which to learn, meet people, enjoy the day, and have fun in Medellin-the City of Eternal Spring.

7.Museo Interactivo EPM:(In the same vicinity of Parque Pies Descalzo)

The Museum seeks to create a better understanding of the discovery, evolution, advancement and utilization of the sciences toward improvement in the lives of humankind.Also got a spiky hair in one of the blah blah center(Not good at physics).Aura analysis-direct or indirect examination of the vital energy that envelops each human.The colors of the aura reveal the personal traits of the subject.Mine was a stable double-colored aura and I remember only one of the colors significance which said: "El exito material y economico" :-)

8.Pueblito Paisa:

It is a replica of an old Antioquian town with handicraft shops,a church and is situated up a hill.Right now,it's under renovation.But from the roof top you can see a breathtaking view of the city and the lights of houses on the mountains looks like some chunks of Lava.

9.Parque de los Deseos:(Dream Park)

Near Antioquia's University,has an Indian context,beautifully enmarqued with the planetarium, and science experiements.Also they have huge screen on which they show movies to the public for free.A very impressive and wonderful place to hang-out.

Finally,want to thank Eva and Vero for having been so and nice patient in showing the places and for coming along with me.Thanks to Ana Garcia also who accompanied me to few places.Infact,I managed to see 99% of the above places just in a day with an excellent timing. :-)

Pues...Una ciudad hermosa y salva. :-)