Writers’ movement takes wing in Kumarakom

Kochi, April 16 (2008): The picturesque backwaters of Kumarakom in Kerala witnessed the launch of a unique mission aimed at taking India forward. A group of Bangalore and Kerala-based journalists and writers have joined hands to build a platform for the unsung heroes and ordinary citizens of this country. Christened Inspired Indian Foundation, this unique venture will train the spotlight on the stories of success, hardship and passion of millions of Indians across the board.

The soft-launch of the Foundation activities took place on April 14. There were no banners, microphones or speeches. Neither were stars invited to do the honours. Playing host to the event was Kumarakom Lagoon – a virgin island resort, with a few residents of the nearby area as guests. Two boat drivers – Rajesh and Prashant – launched the website in the presence of curious onlookers, who took some time to get the hang of the sudden developments on the boat. Interestingly, Rajesh is an Economics graduate and has taken up this profession to support his family.

The movement will encourage journalists, writers and creative brains to capture stories of unsung heroes on a voluntary basis, along with photographs. On its part, the Foundation will launch a series of campaigns in rural areas and under-developed regions. “This movement aims to create a network of like-minded people in the Media to take up social causes. It’s a mission beyond the newsroom,” says Anantha Krishnan M., senior journalist and president of the Foundation. “There’s no dearth of ideas in India, but we lack a pragmatic system to transport them to the masses, and Media is an ideal vehicle. We need fewer talkers and more doers to take India forward,” he said while addressing the media in Kochi.
 

Honest auto driver honoured

Bangalore (Oct 2, 2009): Inspired Indian Foundation honoured an honest auto driver to mark Gandhi Jayanthi on Friday. The driver - Manjunatha - hit the headlines recently with an exemplary act of honesty, returning two laptops that three passengers had accidentally left behind in his auto. Manjunatha tracked down the owners from their visiting cards in the laptop bag and returned their prized gadgets worth over a lakh. The trio gifted the driver Rs 1,000 as a token of their gratitude.

Inspired Indian Foundation -  which stands for promoting good writing and celebrating unsung heroes - couldn't have asked for a better hero than Manjunatha on the occasion of Gandhi Jayanthi. Apart from a cash reward for Rs 1,000 and a certificate appreciating his honesty, Manjunatha was also given a surprise kit carrying some goodies. Senior journalist Ms Vinaya Hegde did the honours on behalf of the Foundation at a simple event.  "Manjunatha is someone who perfectly matches the objectives of Inspired Indian Foundation. We are very touched by his honest, down-to-earth behaviour, despite being in the limelight following his honest deed. We are happy to celebrate any story that is inspiring. We would like to take the Inspired Indian philosophy forward by recognising real unsung heroes, and our way of celebrating will be sans banners and mikes," the Foundation said.
 

Media’s role key in backing unsung heroes: Bhardwaj

Bangalore, December 10 (2009): Karnataka Governor H.R. Bhardwaj has advocated the need for media and corporate houses to recognize and support ordinary citizens with extraordinary talent.

Launching the website of Bangalore-based Inspired Indian Foundation, a movement of journalists, writers and thinkers, at the newly-renovated Raj Bhavan library on Wednesday, Mr Bhardwaj said media’s role is paramount in highlighting the stories of unsung heroes.

“This is a new millennium and the world is more and more driven by technology. But one must not forget to support and back the dreams of people who have tremendous potential but no platform to showcase their talent,” Mr Bhardwaj said.

The Governor said he has launched a series of measures to make the Raj Bjavan accessible to the common man. “I have been meeting a lot of unsung heroes at the Raj Bahvan of late. Now, with my association with the Inspired Indian Foundation, I am happy that I am becoming more and more an inspired Indian. I am amazed by the literary wealth of Karnataka, its tradition and people. I have been cherishing every moment here. This is the land of Adi Shankara and we must value his teachings in all our endeavours,” was his advice.

“Promote RTI”: On his vision statement to the Foundation, the advocate-turned-politician-turned-Governor said social service has to be selfless. “You can’t change the world, but you can change yourself and that will be the first significant step towards inspiring others,” he said. “I want the Inspired Indian Foundation to ring in a social change by spreading awareness on the Right to Information (RTI) Act and its hidden potential to keep the system under check. Every Indian should make use of this tool; every Indian should become and RTI activist.”

Convinced by the ideology of the movement, the Governor had joined the Foundation as its patron on December 1.

A website with a difference:
The website www.inspiredindianfoundation.org is probably the first online project exclusively dedicated to capture the stories of unsung heroes.

“We want to give an opportunity to all Indians to write about other Indians who are different, yet blessed with immense talent. Their stories should inspire fellow Indians, their deeds must create a sense of belonging; and their story of struggle must become something worth emulating. This is an opportunity for upcoming journalists, budding writers, teachers, techies, office-goers, students, housewives and other professionals to take writing as the best option to spread the essence of inspiration,” Foundation members said.

A separate section is dedicated for students to write about their icons and another section for shutterbugs to capture inspiring photographs that speak a thousand words.
 

Badminton coach, umpire honoured

Bangalore, March 02 (2010): Inspired Indian Foundation, a writer’s movement for unsung heroes, honoured leading Badminton coach Mr M.D. Murali and umpire Mr R. Suresh Kumar with Lifetime Achievement Awards for their contributions to the game. The awards were given away by Foundation secretary Mr B.M. Arun Kumar during the just-concluded ECA Inter-Club Veterans’ Badminton Tournament. “This is the first of a series of awards to be instituted by Inspired Indian Foundation to honour real unsung heroes in different fields. The contribution of Mr Murali and Mr Suresh Kumar for the game of badminton is known to many players and administrators. Through this award, we salute the spirit and dedication of the duo in spreading the essence of the game in their respective roles,” Inspired Indian Foundation National Coordinator Ms Sindhu A, said.

Mr Murali, who started as a badminton coach under the guidance of Prakash Padukone in 1990, has tutored many players who went on play at the national level. A retired national badminton umpire, Mr Murali now focuses on coaching young and raw talent by instilling the basics of the game.

Mr Suresh Kumar, became a national Badminton umpire in 1979 under the guidance of late Ramesh Padukone and has held important assignments during Asiad Games in New Delhi apart from umpiring several sub-junior, junior and senior national Badminton championships. He was the technical official for the World Badminton Championships held in Hyderabad last year. He was nominated as the Chief Referee for the World Championship for the Disabled held in Bangalore last year.

Bangalore-based writers, journalists and thinkers are part of the Inspired Indian Foundation movement, while Karnataka Governor Dr H.R. Bhardwaj is the Foundation’s patron. The biography (A Different Spirit) of noted wheel-chair athlete Ms Malathi K. Holla is the Foundation’s maiden project.
 

Media must inspire youngsters with stories of unsung heroes: Bhardwaj

Bangalore, July 9, 2010: Karntaka Governor H.R. Bhardwaj asked the media to highlight stories of unsung heroes regularly to inspire youngsters in India. Delivering his brief speech during the launch of Athulyam, the Malayalam translation of A Different Spirit -- biography of wheelchair athlete Malathi K. Holla, the governor expressed concern over excessive sensationalism being adopted by the media. “Murder theories, blood stains and corruption cases.., the list of negative stories are endless when you open a newspaper or switch-on a TV. Why can’t we hear more stories about people like Malathi, who showed alls us what grit and determination can achieve even in adversities. Let there be more positive stories on unsung heroes and that’s what will inspire youngsters in the country,” he said.

Sreyams Kumar, MLA and Director (Marketing) Mathrubhumi, said that the Malathi’s story was different in many ways which prompted the group to translate the work into Malayalam. “We wanted to share her story to our wide readership base across the globe. A Different Spirit is an eye-opener book and we are confident Athulyam will too soon become a best-seller,” Sreyams said.

A Different Spirit, authored by senior defence journalist  Anantha Krishnan M., is the first project of Bangalore-based Inspired Indian Foundation, a movement of journalists, writers and thinkers promoting unsung heroes and celebrating good writing.

Malathi Holla expressed surprise that the book has found takers in Kerala with its Malayalam launch. “I am glad that my story will now be available in another language. With such high literacy rates, I am confident that Athulyam will be a sell-out in Malayalam,” Malathi said.

K.P. Narayanan, general manager (Advertisements), Mathrubhumi, R. Jaideep, DGM (New Media), Mathrubhumi, Shankaranarayanan, CA, Inspired Indian Foundation, Sindhu A., National Coordinator, Inspired Indian Foundation, were present during Athulyam’s release at Raj Bhavan.

Athulyam is being published by Mathrubumi Books and translated to Malayalam by noted cricket writer K.M. Sudheer Kakkat.  The book is priced at Rs 60.