Priceless Quote from "Behind Closed Doors: What’s On the Mind Of Chief Marketing Officers"

previously marketers were used to ‘Bowling’, where marketers could easily throw a message down the aisle and hit the pins with great confidence. Now, he eloquently describe, it was more like ‘Pinball’ where a marketer could load the message up, shoot it out, but have no idea where it will end up.

via web-strategist.com

This a great quote...I'd even say priceless. Thanks to Greg Walsh for saying it and to Jeremiah for sharing it. Another great analogy I like for social media is comparing it to the Indian traffic...its chaotic but there is a subtle pattern and method to the madness. You just have to accept it and go with it. Listen to the noise and figure it out. Forgot where I got that analogy from but I am pretty sure its from a social media blog. If you're the author of that post please let me know so that I can credit you.

Posted via web from VTAS

Geo-Tag the place where you have had sex! Coolest use of Google Maps yet

I Just Made Love! is by far the best use of Google Maps I have come across. It lets people geo-tag the places where they have gotten down and dirty. Absolute genius! The next step would be to allow people to share stories - anonymously - which then get rated. Depending on the ratings one could advance to a playa status and then give tips to the other lowly non-playas. After all, we were put on this planet to reproduce, right? So why not use our inventions to advance that cause?

PS: I would really like to know who did it in the middle of the Atlantic?

Posted via email from VTAS

Aliens stole my tweets, analyzed them and returned them back! True Story.

The first picture from twitterholic.com at the end of the post shows my twitter history since October 2008. Between July and September of 2009, my update count dropped from 3500 to 500. My  tweets simply vanished.

But recently - September 7, 2009  to be exact - they re-appeared. Check out the second picture from my present day twitter page. My update count right now is 4000+. From where, I don't exactly know.

After thinking it over for few days, I have come to the conclusion that the only explanation for this is Aliens. Aliens from one of the planets stole my tweets, analyzed it to figure out my tweeting behavior and then returned it back.

I have two questions for them:
1. Can I have a report of the analysis along with the methodology you employed?
2. What tools did you use to analyse the tweets?

I work as a Social Media Analyst. Sharing knowledge with some Extra-Terrestrial minds would be awesome :-)

See and download the full gallery on posterous

Posted via email from VTAS

#nepalcrisis and Amatuer Politicians

Nepal is facing a severe political crisis which threatens to dismantle the peace process and its on twitter (#nepalcrisis). Not sure how I feel about Nepal's big break on Twitter involves tires being set on flames and a curfew most likely to be called any moment now. A quick glance at Twitterfall shows nothing but uncertainty on how the situation might develop. Its a terrible waiting game that a lot of people are having to play.

The blame for this can be placed squarely on all politicians - the failed coalition government and the opposition. A fellow tweeter sent me this last night as the crisis was unfolding : "We need a decisive war- winner vs loser. The Maoists were behaving as if they won the war and have rights to do whatever."

He is right on the money. There has been no sign that the peace process has evolved to a point where people in Nepal are ready to back the government or the opposition for that matter. The situation since 2006 has been the embodiment of the cliched phrase - "Give Peace a Chance". Any action by the Maoist government without a complete political consensus was bound to undo the peace process - not that we were making any headway in the process.

Sacking the CoAS is a reckless move by the Maoist government. They have actually been pretty impressive in terms of organization and strategy since joining the political mainstream until now. While both NC and CPN(UML) have forever been plagued by factional party politics and power mongering, Maoists have stood out in terms of political acumen. They seem to have a definite ideology, a set goal , a well crafted strategy to get there and the ability to address challenges as a political party. Sacking the current CoAS is not only an unpopular move as it certainly looks something a dictator or a radical undemocratic government would do, but also legally controversial. This is equal to political suicide. The Maoist risk losing all credibility they have gained since coming to power.

However, it also makes one think if the Maoist know for sure that they will have the backing of the people with this decision. Maybe they are dead certain that they have reached the point where they can withstand the tire burnings of NSU cadres, coalition partners deserting them and NC politicians taking to the streets. This could just as well be a test of where the Maoist stand politically. If they survive this, then no doubt, they are in control. The scarier part is, if they fail.

But the big question is what next? Do NC and CPN(UML) form a coalition opposition? Will the Maoists be able to bring all other parties under their wing? Could this finally lead to a two party system in Nepal - (that would definitely help the peace process by streamlining the clutter of demands made by numerous ethnic groups)?

For now, lets simply follow #nepalcrisis on twitter and join in the agonizing waiting game.

Update: Just as I posted this, word broke out that PM Dahal (prachanda) has resigned. Thanks to @bopsource for breaking the news on twitter. I guess the Maoist government could not withstand the people's pressure.

Nabuur, SACD and meeting Sabina Didi

Sabina Matangi moved to Yoshinkhel, Bhaktapur after her marriage. Besides having a full-time job in Kathmandu, she also takes care of her 2 kids (a son & a daughter). In a patriarchal society like Nepal, it is nothing short of inspiring to see a woman balance family and work. As if that was not enough, she decided to start her own non-profit - Social Action for Community Development (SACD) - aimed at providing for the marginalized and underprivileged women, youth and children of Yoshinkhel, Bhaktapur. That pretty much guarantees her sainthood in afterlife.

I personally met Sabina didi last summer (July 2008) in Nepal. Before that we had been 'conversing' mainly via nabuur through which she sources all the support she needs to run her audacious non-profit. I came across Nabuur's website back in November 2007 . It is a platform that connects online volunteers with non-profits around the globe. It is one of the coolest & most innovative uses of social networking I have seen on the web.

As soon as I found the website, I browsed to see if there was anything from Nepal. I bumped into Sabina didi's project. It instantly clicked with me - a grassroots level program aimed at the most vulnerable demographic with an objective to develop skills among them and get them to earn an income so as to sustain the development. Now that is 'real' development as opposed to the 'fake' ones where people carry out a huge fundraiser (= rich people mingling, getting drunk and giving away their money) and the money goes out to pay for internal costs such as the ac-induced high electricity bill while all we get is a PowerPoint presentation.

One of SACD's major goals is to set up a child care & adult learning center that will offer day care services, a pre-school program and after-school programs. It already offers skill training (for the most part knitting woolen accessories such as hats, gloves, scarves and other apparel) for income generation among women in the community. Sabina didi has not only taught the women how to knit these items but she also takes care of the wool that comes in and the final product that goes out to the stores. SACD has already acquired a half finished building that it plans to complete and convert into a child care center with pre-school and after-school programs. An innovative education program has also been developed for school going children. All of this has been accomplished with the help of "neighbors" (online volunteers) on nabuur.

When I met Sabina didi last July, I was simply looking forward to meeting a woman with audacity and ambition. But what I saw was a warm and loving mother and wife with an unmatched penchant for social work who deeply cared about the community she lived in.

In the nabuur Yoshinkhel page she writes:
"As a child, my aim was to be a social worker. My Grandfather, my Father and my Father-in-Law all spent their lives in service to the community. They used to tell me “Do not think of yourself only. Serve the people around you.” They taught me that some part of life should be spent giving back to the society that serves you. They inspired me to be a local representative. When I remember my responsibility toward the community and the pending work our project requires, it keeps me awake at night. When I succeed in my work, when I see the children happily playing, enjoying and learning, and these small successes make me smile."

I was dumbfounded to find out that she solely funded SACD with her paycheck. She had put in her time, money and an incredible amount of effort to get SACD off the ground. This truly was a project of passion. She mentioned during our conversation that it was heartbreaking for her to hear that someone had to quit school in the neighborhood for any variety of reasons, such as to get married. She also acknowledged that the situation in Yoshinkhel for women and children was far from safe and acceptable. She had started SACD to address these issues.

After I left her home (which is also the SACD HQ), my mind drifted to how the Maoists had allegedly 'empowered' women in the vilages by giving them guns, teaching them to read communist manifestos and getting them to memorize communist songs. Here was a woman who had given hope and dignity to other women in her community by instilling in them the ability and confidence to earn a decent wage. She had provided for education for children outside of the school environment while the Maoist recruited children into their rebel army force.

The point is not just Maoist bashing. Violence could be an easy way to get what one wants, but hard earned development through peaceful channels - no matter how small - can last for generations and contribute greatly for future ones.

Speaking of her goal for the Yoshinkhel projects Sabina didi says:
"My dream is to make Yoshinkhel a model community – the most educated, healthy and developed community in Nepal. This should be a place where women can earn and children can play and learn. All school age children should enroll in school, while small children are in a centre full of love and care. Women should be independent. When these dreams come true, and we have established the childcare and adult learning center, I will be satisfied."

For now, she tells me that her immediate need is more volunteers (on nabuur and in Kathmandu/Bhaktapur) capable of running SACD to help achieve the above goal. If you do have time on your hands, please log onto nabuur, become a member ('neighbor') of Yoshinkhel and help out a noble cause.


(Sabina didi with her daughter)

Bill Gates unplugged | Video on TED.com

via ted.com

Great inspiring stuff from Bill Gates.

"... I am an optimist." check out the stats. Cynics, please shut up!

and the much hyped mosquito release is truly hilarious :-)

Posted via web from freddie_benjamin's posterous

From Kandhamal to Khotan

Let’s take two neighboring nations – India and China. While India is (supposed to be) a secular democratic country, China is officially an atheist communist nation. The Indian Constitution states religious freedom as a basic right of its citizens. China on the other hand recognizes only 5 religions - Islam, Protestantism, Catholicism, Taoism and Buddhism. It also regulates these religions very firmly. Its China’s answer to religious extremism – ban most religions and regulate the few that are allowed.

Now let’s look at two places within these nations in particular- Kandhamal in the eastern Indian state of Orissa and Khotan in the autonomous region of northwestern China called Xinjiang. There are two major ethnic tribes in Kandhamal – Panas and Kandhas. Xinjiang, similarly, is home to two major ethnic tribes Uighurs and the Han Chinese. The biggest difference between the Panas and Kandhas is their religion – Panas are mostly Christians while Kandhas are mostly Hindus. Uighurs and Han Chinese also differ along religious borders. Uighurs are Sunni Muslims and the Han Chinese are either Buddhists or Taoists.

The Constitution of India allows for freedom to follow any religion. This also means that people are allowed to convert from one religion to another- voluntarily. The Hindu Kandhas, however, claim that Panas were lured into converting to Christianity by missionaries and evangelists. So members of the Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP) and Bajrang Dal (Hindu extremist outfit) have taken it upon themselves to re-convert the Pana Christians back to Hindus - no exceptions allowed. This forced conversion is also accompanied by acts of violence such as vandalism, annihilation of property, rape of nuns, murder, burning humans (including children) alive to name a few. These violent acts followed the unsolved killing of a Hindu priest/leader Swami Laxmanananda Saraswati, who for 40 years had rallied the area’s people to choose Hinduism over Christianity. Despite lack of evidence, Bajrand Dal claims Christains in Kandhamal are behind the killing.

A lot has been written about the state of Burning Orrisa lately. The Wikipedia entry on Orissa Violence is a good place to begin to know more about it. One could simple google ‘Orissa Violence’ and land upon information galore – none of which is uplifting or positive in anyways.

Moving on now to Khotan in Xinjiang, China. The Muslims in Khotan have a long list of government enforced rules that they need to follow in order to practice their religion. Some of these rules are:
- The imam’s sermon at Friday Prayer must run no longer than a half-hour.
- Prayer in public areas outside the mosque is forbidden.
- Residents of Khotan are not allowed to worship at mosques outside of town.
- Government workers and nonreligious people may not be “forced” to attend services at the mosque — a different way of saying that government workers and Communist Party members are prohibited from worship.
- Student and government workers are ‘required’ to eat during the holy fasting month of Ramadan.
- Muslims can observe hajj – once in a lifetime pilgrimage to Mecca (also one of the 5 essential pillars of Islam) – only via government run arrangements. The government has confiscated the passports of the Muslim Uighurs to make sure they do not travel in any other way.
- The Chinese communist government has ‘advertised’ some of these rules on sign boards placed ‘strategically’ across Khotan to ‘raise awareness’ of the issue. In simpler words, they have publicly mass threatened the Muslim community.

While Khotan has remained relatively peaceful for the early part of the 00s, series of attacks in August 2008 left 22 security personnel and 1 civilian dead. The killings have been blamed on religious tension. The religious tension seems to have sprouted from a lack of freedom to follow the Koran’s way of worship. The Chinese government calls it ‘illegal religion’. Top government officials have issued ‘warnings’ of a crackdown if there is a rise in instability allegedly due to illegal religions.

So from Kandhamal to Khotan (secular democracy to atheist communism) we see that religious differences give rise to violence no matter what form the government takes. Is the government just helpless when it comes to religious extremism? Should the blame lie squarely on the institution of religion then? I would say not yet.

Looking beyond news headlines, one can see that the Panas who converted to Christianity came from lower castes and many were untouchables. Their motive for conversion was escape from discrimination and education (not to deny that some might have felt more connected to the Christian god than their traditional Hindu gods). Once they received education (in English) from the Christian schools, they were ready to jump onto the Indian economic band wagon. In a nutshell, the Christian Panas got educated and moved up in life. The Hindu Kandhas were left behind to blame the Panas for cheating to obtain quotas on government jobs. The next ‘illogical’ thing to do was to start a violent movement. Enter VHP and Bajrang Dal (even BJP – the current opposition party in the Parliament).

At this point, I would like to make it clear that I am not taking sides here. I realize I am a Christian and this might sound absurd, but I have big issues with the Christian community in India. I believe that Christians in the Indian Subcontinent and particularly in India have a ‘minority’ mentality. About 2% of the Indian population is Christian. So yes the numbers say we are a minority. But that does not mean we have been discriminated everywhere at all times in history and that we need special government assistance to ‘live’. We spend way too much time lamenting our discrimination (which for the most part is self-perceived) huddled with each other enforcing our perception of the Christian community and hence segregating ourselves from rest of India. When someone launches a violent agitation against us then yes we should band together and uphold the law by bringing in the right authorities to deal with the problem – just as some Christians in Kandhmal asked for the police to step in. There are many other things I’d like to say but I would like to end my rant and change paragraphs now. :-)

Now back to Kandhamal and Khotan. The government, be it democratic or communist, needs to find a way to curb rising inequalities and discrimination rather than regulate ‘religion’ or (in case of India) do nothing. I have never been to Khotan (or China for that matter), so I can’t speculate much on it. But from a NY Times article here is a Han commenting on a Uighur - “The Uighurs are lazy. It’s because of their religion. They spend so much time praying. What are they praying for?” Maybe there is segregation at the communal level between Uighurs and the Han Chinese which led to religious divide in the first place.

The Chinese government needs to tackle issues of discrimination and not ‘regulate’ religion. The Indian government, on the other hand, needs to start doing ‘something’. While a bunch of thugs barricade the district and launch pre-meditated ambush attacks on helpless innocent people, the Central government is busy forming committees to look into the matter. The committees in turn ask for reports on ‘incidents of violence’ from the police, the Church, the district office and the state government. Don’t these politicians read a single newspaper? Besides a Google search would give them enough reports. Here is one done by the Asian Center for Human Rights. It comes from a neutral party and should serve the purpose. Unfortunately the report needs to be updated a lot to reveal gory statistics and gorier details.

Click links for some decent news coverage of Orissa and Xinjiang.
Hindu Threat to Christians – Convert or Flee
Violence in India is fueled by religious and economic divide
Wary of Islam, China tightens a vise of rules