New York, N.Y. Many philanthropists toil and make personal sacrifices—with pleasure—because of their commitment to improving the lives of others. Few realize the challenges and obstacles that some of us encounter in raising funds to support worthy causes. So, it’s always a great feeling when someone acknowledges these efforts. I experienced such a moment a [...]
Tag Archives: Sri Lanka
Charlie Rangel Honored at Uni Haiti Gala for his Efforts to Rebuild Haiti
New York, N.Y. Congressman Charles B. Rangel was honored by The James Jay Dudley Luce Foundation with its Humanitarian Award for his decades of work to encourage development in Haiti. Among his many contributions, Rangel created the Haiti Economic Lift Program (HELP) Act of 2010, which provides additional trade preferences to Haitian textile and apparel [...]
Micro-Finance Meets Multi-Nationals at Clinton Global Initiative
New York, N.Y. Nobel-prize winner Professor Muhammad Yunus, founder of the microfinance pioneer Grameen Bank of Bangladesh, addressed our breakfast at the Clinton Global Initiative (CGI) kick-off. Introduced by Hikmet Ersek, the C.E.O. of Western Union – the corporation that hosted this event – Muhammad was as inspiring as ever. Western Union, “Moving Money for [...]
Through a Pinhole: Photographing Sri Lanka’s Architectural Heritage
New York, N.Y. I met an incredible individual, Liz Doles, who also happens to be a talented artist last week at the Permanent Mission of Sri Lanka to the U.N. We bonded immediately. Having been off-and-on in Sri Lanka (and Indonesia) for a number of years working with orphans following the 2004 Tsunami, I had [...]
The Two Krishnas: A Novel You Can’t Ignore
New York, N.Y. When I was a freshman in college I moved into the international dorm and was faced with people from around the world who spoke English better than I. Many of them frequently used vocabulary twice the size of my own. As I began the novel The Two Krishnas, I was reminded of [...]
At Cipriani: 2012 Women Refugee Voices of Courage
New York, N.Y. Actress and humanitarian Liv Ullmann kicked off the Women’s Refugee Commission‘s 2012 Voices of Courage Awards luncheon at Cipriani 42nd Street in New York City on May 4 with a story about a young boy she met in a refugee camp many years ago. He told her he only cried when it rained so he [...]
New York Indian Film Festival 2012 Premieres
Aseem Chhabra, director of the New York Indian Film Festival (NYIFF) with Aroon Shivdasani, founder/director of the Indo-American Arts Council. Photo courtesy of Archana Desai. New York, N.Y. The 12th Annual New York Indian Film Festival (NYIFF) played over Memorial Day Weekend at the Tribeca Cinemas and NYU’s Skirball Center for the Performing Arts. Presented by the [...]
U.N. to Celebrate Buddhist International Day of Vesak Tonight
United Nations, N.Y. Vesak – “Buddha’s Birthday” – is the most sacred day in the Buddhist calendar, which celebrates the birth, enlightenment and the Parinirvãna (passing away) of Gautama the Buddha. A rough approximation to Christmas for Christians. In an era where the world is darkened by multiple conflicts and natural and man-made calamities, the Buddha’s message of non-violence, understanding, compassion [...]
