Dr. Kizar Nawaz is one of the respected member in many Islamic and Medical related communities on orkut.com, doing a vast research on comparative religion, Dr Kizar is a man of principals and discipline. His interview on Orkut’s Hall of Fame counts as one of the best interviews ever, Dr Kizar answered the questions of zazo on Islam,myths about Islam and on Dr Kizar’s personal life.

You are very welcome sir.

Let peace be with every one. First of all I would like to thank you personally for doing such a wonderful job, let god bless you and make your job more and more far reaching to greatest heights possible. I am at your service.

It’s my pleasure Sir, Can you please tell me a small biography of yours. Your education, family life, work and other pro experiences?

I was born in 1956 in madras. my native place is kayalpattanam.
I had my elementary education in madras and tuticorin.
I played football for school, as well as college, and in many all India tournaments.
I started reading Quran when I was 4 years old and finished first time when I was 5 years old. By God’s grace I recited the holy quran more than 400 times so far.
started reading Hadiths when I was 9 years old and still going on.
Read Bhagvat Geeta, Upanishads and Bible as well. and was having intensive research in all religions for the past 35 years.
Finished my MBBS from Stanley Medical College.
Had special training in ophthalmology and now practicing in Muscat
I am moderator of more than 10 communities of different categories like Islam, medicine, inter-religious debates etc.

Short history of my native place

Early settlers of Kayal

The First Wave

In about 875 AD, or so the legend goes, not far way from Cairo, the capital of Egypt, on the shadows of Mount Mukhadham, existed a town called Qirafathul Kubra. It was from this town that year, the legend continues, about 224 men, women and children, all descendants of the first caliph of Islam, Abubacker Siddique (Ral), belonging to the Bakhri tribe, left the Egyptian shores, under the leadership of Mohamed Kalji, in a ship made of wood (hence marakayar?) and eventually landed on the shores of Kayal.

This region, at that time, was under the rule of the Pandya king Abhirama Raja Adhiraja Raja Jayaveera Rajukaar. It is said that the new arrivals were given land by the King to settle and carry on their trading. A land title was also issued by the King to this effect.

The Second Wave

In about 1284 AD, it is said, 5 boat loads of people, escaping repression and natural disaster, left Egypt to various destinations. One such boat people, it is believed, reached the city of Kayal. The number of people in this ’second major wave’ of settlers is unknown, but they were reportedly well received by the Pandya ruler of the time, Sundarapandya Thevar. The settlers were led by Syed Jamaludeen, believed to be the 21st descendant of Prophet Muhammed (Sal)[citation needed].

It is said that the Pandya king sent Syed Jamaludeen as his emissary to the court of Kublai Khan. After his return, it is believed, Syed Jamaludeen regularly supplied horses to the king and eventually rose to become the commander of the king’s army. Following the death of Sundarapandya in 1294 AD, Syed Jamaludeen is believed to have succeeded to the throne.

From.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kayalpattanam

How the interest in researching about religion started? The most doctors I saw till now hardly get time for anything else except there practice and medical books.

Well that’s why I posted the history of my forefathers from Egypt.
So basically our town belongs to people who speak Arabic fluently and has eminent scholars and waliullahs. And it always differed from the neighboring Hindu areas. So religion ever since my young days fascinated me, the customs, rituals etc etc of different religions kindled the fire in my thoughts to know more about them.

and fate I would put , though coming from an orthodox Muslim town, I had to reside in a Brahmin colony in my school days, where my father practiced as an eye specialist. So I had many Brahmin pandits living near by , their sons being friends of mine, heard a lot of stories from them about Hindu mythologies and all.

and finally I had my early education in a Christian school. St. Francis Xavier’s high school Tuticorin, where I had a lot of Christian friends and Jesuit fathers were my teachers who always inspired me with their knowledge and grace.

so a combination of all these things resulted in intense research on all these religions, for a period of 35 to 40 years now.

WELL I NEVER COMPROMISED ON MY PRACTICE. All these works were in my spare time.

I had been in private practice through out my career, taking the mantle from my father.
Now I am settled in Muscat and having a roaring practice here by gods grace.

I am sure 30-40 years is a long journey for you. How was the experience? How many scholars you met and how many places you been to, for this research?

Yes it was a long but pleasant journey because I went after light. (Knowledge)
in Islam, I have met many eminent scholars and had chat, as well lessons from them. and extensive reading I would put showed many solutions for my questions.

my maternal grand father was a philosopher, and poet. and I think I inherited that. Because many things I felt it came from inside, that’s from my mind itself as if I had known for years, but later confirmed in reality. God is great.

read biographies of great religious persons in all religions from books as well as nets.

The most talk about issue today in every country, society and religion is Islam and Muslim. Mostly a very common name attached to Muslims is “Terrorists” its hard and sad to accept by any Muslim who has nothing to do with terror but still its a bitter truth. How much these effect your thoughts and worries?

There are two aspects in this.

First of all , for what a group of people do the whole community should not be blamed.

Secondly, killing innocent people never comes under jihad.

You had similar incidents in Ireland, Sri Lanka, and else where too where the party
involved were blamed and not the concerned religions they belonged.

AL QURAN SURAH. 5 : 32.

Because of that We ordained for the Children of Israel that if anyone killed a person not in retaliation of murder, or (and) to spread mischief in the land - it would be as if he killed all mankind, and if anyone saved a life, it would be as if he saved the life of all mankind. And indeed, there came to them Our Messengers with clear proofs, evidences, and signs, even then after that many of them continued to exceed the limits (e.g. by doing oppression unjustly and exceeding beyond the limits set by Allah by committing the major sins) in the land!.

There are lots of misconceptions or you can say questions non-Muslims have about Islam, can you tell us what is the meaning of Jihad? Why Jihad is necessary? is there is no peaceful way to solve the issues rather taking weapons in hands?

In Arabic, Jihad means “strive” or “struggle”.
Jihad appears frequently in the Qur’an and common usage as the idiomatic expression “striving in the way of Allah ” (al-jihad fi sabil Allah)

According to scholar John Esposito, Jihad requires Muslims to “struggle in the way of God” or “to struggle to improve one’s self and/or society. Jihad is directed against Satan’s inducements, aspects of one’s own self, or against a visible enemy.

The four major categories of jihad that are recognized are
Jihad against one’s own self (Jihad al-Nafs),
Jihad of the tongue (Jihad al-lisan),
Jihad of the hand (Jihad al-yad),
and Jihad of the sword (Jihad as-sayf).

In the classical manuals of Islamic jurisprudence, the rules associated with armed warfare are covered at great length. Such rules include not killing women, children and non-combatants, as well as not damaging cultivated or residential areas. More recently, modern Muslims have tried to re-interpret the Islamic sources, stressing that Jihad is essentially defensive warfare aimed at protecting Muslims and Islam.

In Modern Standard Arabic, jihad is one of the correct terms for a struggle for any cause, violent or not, religious or secular (though ???? kif?? is also used). For instance, Mahatma Gandhi’s struggle for Indian independence is called a “jihad” in Modern Standard Arabic (as well as many other dialects of Arabic); the terminology is applied to the fight for women’s liberation.

use of weapons depends upon the type of oppression, but Quran stresses to make peaceful agreements with oppressors and keep them up. so peace is the main stress in Islam with fellow beings. But oppression of any kind for anyone should be relieved.

From: Sahih Al Bukhari.

Narrated ‘Aisha: The Prophet said “Gabriel continued to recommend me about treating the neighbors Kindly and politely so much so that I thought he would order me to make them as my heirs. (Book #73, Hadith #43)

Narrates Ibn Umar: Allah’ Apostle said, Gabriel kept on recommending me about treating the neighbors in a kind and polite manner, so much so that I thought that he would order (me) to make them (my) heirs.” (Book #73, Hadith #44)

What was more challenging in your life between the studies of medical and studies of religions?

I would say study of religion was more challenging. Because they say ignorance is bliss.

So once you have learnt about religion, then next step is to follow accordingly, initially to follow according to Islam was difficult, but once you went through then it was bliss total.

This was like when you go for a game of football you should do atleast half an hour exercise like stretching, and sprinting etc. which is difficult, but once the match starts you are fit in it because of this preparation.

About medical studies well, it’s another ocean altogether, but the lesson I learnt is learning never ends, from the cradle to death.

What is the definition of religious extremism for you? Do you think every person who do follow his/her religion strictly and dedicatedly comes into the category of extremist? Please share your thoughts.

Surah 35: 32 Then We gave the Book the Quran) for inheritance to such of Our slaves whom We chose (the followers of Muhammad SAW). Then of them are some who wrong their ownselves, and of them are some who follow a middle course, and of them are some who are, by Allah’s Leave, foremost in good deeds. That (inheritance of the Quran), that is indeed a great grace.

According to me this is religious extremism.

“Some who are, by Allah’s Leave, foremost in good deeds ”

extremism in doing good deeds.

others are fanaticism. as said here.
” Then of them are some who wrong their ownselves.”

Well no. Religion is to streamline human in to a straight path. Islam is not a religion it is actually a way of living virtuously so no one will be wrong if they follow it in the right way. Islam is the only religion which by law prevents one from drinking, gambling, adultery and even lending on interest. Islam advocates compulsory charity, which is just opposite to lending in interest. one who is interested in getting interest, will restrict his charity, so that he can lend more and earn from that. Charity feeds poor and interest starves them.

I still remember that after 9/11 tragedy I used to get a regular forwarded message on my cell phone that “Not every Muslim is a terrorist but every terrorist caught is a Muslim, why?”, I also read somewhere a quote from a well known author though I cant recall his name, he said “Islam is the best religion in the world having worst followers”

How much Muslims are responsible for making bad image of there ownself in the world? What and where they lack? Proper education? Social backwardness? Negative media publicity or something else?

Education, social backwardness negative media publicity all these plus certain ( only religious knowledge ) uneducated teachers contribute to this state of Muslim youths. Also media exaggeration makes it magnified, how far these news are true.
GOD ONLY KNOWS.

Dr, please tell us what are your favorite pass time, other than work and religious activities what you like to do?

Like to watch TV. Favorite is BBC and Discovery Channel.

Walking daily with my wife for 45 Min,

Reading, Reading and Reading.

What you would be if not a doctor?

Well very difficult question for me.

Because I was groomed to be a doctor right from my first day by my father and god fulfilled our dreams. Alternatively, I would have had an orphanage caring for handicapped children, and aged.

Dr Kizar please share the day when you felt most successful and the day when you felt a failure and disappointment.

I felt successful when I got admission in to medical college. And, I was extremely disappointed when my father got expired suddenly.

Who is that person who you followed all your life and he is the inspiration for you forever? Why?

My father. I learnt all from him. He was my guru too.

How to live doing good only ever and correct bad if found any where in any body.

Dr Kizar, may I ask you a very personal question on your decision of taking job outside India, What makes you took this step? Many high educated people choose other countries to serve than their own country though India needs people like you more than other country. What is your explanation on this issue?

As a matter of fact, it was due to the worst Hindu Muslim conflicts at that time in my part of the city, which prompted me to migrate, though not the right decision, which I feel now, but I am happy to live in Oman.

How did you find orkut.com? Since when you are active here and did it really helped you in building a good social network?

t was my daughter. Zahra, who is a doctor in Chennai(madras), introduced me to orkut in aug. 2006. From that time no turning back. I feel I am one of those who utilized orkut to the maximum. I spend at least 5 to 6 hours daily in orkut, answering various questions on religion, general, as well as medicine.

Islam

Muslim Doctors

We are Proud to be Muslim

United we Stand

DiscussIslam

above are some of my important communities.

It’s great to have words with you Sir. I wish you achieve more in your work, Thanks for giving your precious time on Orkut’s Hall of Fame.

zazo, thank you very much.

its my pleasure. I enjoyed thoroughly the two days I was here, let ALLAH give peace and prosperity for all. Wish you all good luck. Good bye.

Here comes one of the most popular and anonymous personalities of OUG. A man who is blessed with a huge knowledge of computers, and a man with excellent concepts on everything. A man who loves to help people in every regard of technology.

Welcome Tree.

Interview hmm… a heavy word

What I think is Interview = internal views, and the person taking interview (Supriya) got some capability of presenting the internal views of the person (Tree). Although I don’t like such stuffs but I can’t even say no my friends. Supriya want to take my so called Interview. So, I am here to open up a window through which he can peep inside me.

I don’t know why he wants that. There is nothing special inside me but let him be happy.

So, Lets start

Thanks a lot for coming here…People will be benefited for sure from your interview.. Tree please tell us little about yourself, your profession and location.

Location 28°37′25″N 77°4′7″E. Profession Software Engineer, about me mmmm… errrrrrr……I am a Male age 24

When did you join Orkut? What was your journey till joining Orkut Underground? Are you equally active on any other social networking site?

In 2006 at that time I was waiting for my joining So, I was very free at that time to have fun on orkut.

As I don’t like people spamming my email id So, I was never interested in joining orkut But one day My friend told me that there are lots girls lol but then also I didn’t joined at that time I was committed . But he himself created my id and told me that this one is your id lol. and he himself added few girls in it lol. So, no other option.

But I really liked orkut and slowly I got addicted to it.

At that time I was in a mood of making my own OS. So was searching something on orkut. and in some technical community I found a guy making fool of people saying I am a hacker this that. So, I thought lets have fun with him I was in a mood of teasing him lol. He was owner of OUG DE.From his profile I got link of OUG. 1st day I had lots of fun in oug in some hacking topic. OUG is OUG they started searching about me 300 profile visitors from a community of 400-500 members lol sounds very crazy people were there in oug. Few people thought I am from Google, few thought I am a hacker who is hacking all communities on orkut, few fallen in love with me lol. And many interesting things happened over there. Nope I am not active in any other social networking site.

I am eager to know why you choose this name “Tree”. Is there is any reason behind it?

Almost everyone knows you by this name.

hmmm… yes there is

trisha = tree + esha

name of my 1st and last GF

You are an old member of OUG. What do you think is the reason behind its success? If you were free to make a change in OUG that could improve it further what would it be?

And do tell readers about other communities in which you are active.

Its a very big answer so ill answer it in a free time. I would have deleted help thread in OUG. These days I am not active on orkut. Then there is no question of being active on any other community. But yes when I joined orkut I was active in

Software Addicts by Rohit. Something web site developers by crazy real owner was someone else but crazy hacked that community. Some open source Operation System by Viral Patel (I am a big fan of Viral Patel). Macro Media flash community we people use to share our work over there. Hacking Community, Virus Writing here I found Vivek
Some Sex community this community owner was a very open minded married girl who use to share her tips and tricks plus helps people in solving there relationship problems. Really she was very cool and a nice girl.

What fields of computers do you specialize in? What prompted you to take up computer engineering? Or was it just a co-incidence? Are you interested in the field of hacking/cracking or, another field called:- reverse engineering?

What would you suggest to the youngsters coming up in this field? Which fields still have scope for research?

What is your favourite computer language?

I believe in getting correct output by hook or crook. So, hacking, cracking and reverse engg is not my passion but requirement. Many things are not available in books or on net at that time I have to crack things as research require time. Actually I avoid such things but some time I have to.

I got scope in research as whole world is still lacking in this field. For earning Animation got good scope. About my favorite language, Its a Tough one. Its like asking which is your favourite finger. So, I would say all languages are my favourite one. I am not interested in learning a language which I don’t like. And the language I am interested in is my favourite one

I am not specialized in any particular field of CS I am good in all fields of computer except that technical writing part I am very bad in that.
There are many reasons behind opting CS branch. 1st From 3rd std I am studying Computer as a subject and since 3rd std I got a computer teacher Who is very understanding, beautiful and lil partial about me from rest of the class. I still remember when my friends use to be jealous for this thing. Lol. 2nd Everyone told me that there is always a good crowd in CS Branch, although it was not true lol. 3rd In 12th board I got 97 in computer that too without studying. My aim was to opt Marine Engineering but then I thought I can do better in CS field.

Apart from computers, tell us about the things that influence you. Are you interested in any other branch of science? Or do you love to spend on any other issues that might increase your knowledge?

Apart from computers Vedic Indian Astrology, psychology and Archaeology always attracts me.

Most of the times I am not free to spend time. But When ever I gets time I love to explore things and it can be anything New discoveries, Religious myth and Religious stories etc.

That’s really nice to know the other side of a techno-maniac like you.

Well, every one of us possesses some ideals in life. Who are your ideals? In which manner they inspired you? Would you suggest other youngsters to get inspiration from your ideals?

I am diff from everyone. So, I don’t have any ideal in life. Every one got diff brain, diff childhood, Diff School, Diff College, diff climatic conditions, diff genes. So, instead of looking at others achievements look inside u. In which field u are good and turn your life according to that instead of looking at others what he did what are his achievements I should also do that etc. NO, everyone got diff powers inside him So, increase your power instead of wasting it on achieving something else. Would you suggest other youngsters to get inspiration from your ideals?

I would say let others take inspiration from u instead of taking inspiration from others.

“suppi bas kar kitab likhega kaya mere upar”

How do you visualize orkut? Just as another social networking website, or a powerful medium to gain knowledge? Did Orkut really increase your knowledge? What impact does your virtual life has lent on your real life?

Any suggestion to readers in this regard?

Orkut is a nice user friendly medium to be a global citizen. Powerful medium to intact with your social life. By Helping peoples and exchanging our thoughts.

Yes, I must say orkut did. There is not as such any impact of this virtual life on my real life.

So the last question comes up for you.

Where can we expect you to see 5 years from now? Where would the roots of this tree reach?

Secret

Tree, I wish you a great and brightening future. Thank you for giving your time and making this interview successful. It’s always great to talk with you. It is even more beautiful that we came to know many interetsing things about you. And one more confession from my personal side. You are one of the persons I admire the most on Orkut.

Keep rocking.

And my special thanks to http://www.orkutheroes.com/ for giving me a chance to interview you.

Thank God khatam hogaya whuuuuuuuuuuuu.

ViruSoul is one of the best artist and graphic designer I ever came across, he has creativity, perfection, superb imagination and color intelligence. More, he is also a very good martial artist. Serving as one of the most trusted moderator on a legendary community of computer and internet freaks OUG(Orkut Underground). ViruSoul has an interesting present and tough past, still he is coming up defeating every obstacles in life. ViruSoul gave his precious time to make this interview a success.

Welcome ViruSoul.
1st of all I really appreciate it..and really honored to be a part of OrkutHeroes blog. Thanks for choosing me in (-:

Well my Name is ViruSoul…most of Net Friends know me as Evil ViruSoul.
am a Jolly natured Punjabi guy basically belong to Rajasthan, India…but now struggling for a better future in Canada.

I didn’t studied much… as my dad passed away in my early age and am only person to hold my family. I am Net & PC Geek….exploring things make me happy. My hobbies are only three Martial Art, Graphics and Orkuting. Martial Art was my early age Interest but now I am looking for future in it….Black Belt in Taekwondo and Jiu-Jitsu. Graphics its my free time Interest and also source of income if not success in above….this is ma 2nd option. Orkut is like home because that is a good place to hangout with friends from India & Pakistan. I played lots of competitions… and won lots of Awards..also visited Nepal, Japan, Australia(i was 2nd here), Brazil (2 Time) for classes and Competitions….best experience was in Brazil My GOD! they are really creative and fast…I learnt a lot there. Recently I have given an audition in Ontario for UFC Light weight Championship 2009-10

Great and interesting background Virus Soul. I anxiously want to know that why people on orkut call you a Human Google? Since when and how you got this name?

Human Google..lol

actually am quite good at googleing…some Google dorks and hacks make me find more deep inside Google.

When I was an extreme Orkut user (doing orkuting all the time ((-: ) in OUG Help Desk I has all replies and people start Calling me “Mini Google” or “Human Google” lol…and I love this Name ((-:

Virus Soul I never saw such a rare combination of graphic arts and martial arts together in one person because psychologically it’s completely different. Do you agree with me? Please tell us how this 2 different passion got into your life? I bet your hands cannot be soft at the same time hard to hit lol.

1st of all this is ViruSoul….there a Little difference between Virus Soul and ViruSoul (-:

yeah..I am totally agreed with you (-:

Actually when I was in 9th I need to change ma school..where I got admission, there is 1 sport is necessary to choose..(-: So I choose Martial Art and time by time I become good at it in 11^th grade my father passed away )-:, and am the only 1 to holdup ma family….so I left ma study in middle…and seek to Job and I got a Good job at my Uncle’s Printing Press and I become a good at printing, as time passed I learn Computer and become good at Designing and all these stuff (-:

Sorry ViruSoul for misspelling, you definitely saw a tough life, how’s your activity on orkut and especially on OUG started? There are many communities like OUG on orkut, why you choose to be on OUG only?

Well after starting ma own press by helping ma Uncle. I got some free time at ma shop…it was early 2005…me and some ma friends went on vacation at Jaipur..there we found a lady friend from Sanford, she invited me at orkut….slowly-slowly I got addicted to it..((-:

founds Lots of communities and friends….as am good and Geeking stuff, I become well know as Evil ((-: this was my 1st name at orkut….. rapidly like a Virus I become good at ma stuff and I become well known in my orkut circle So changed my name to ViruSoul…..still some of people call me Evil ViruSoul…(-:

time to time I become Mod lots of communities…once I was mod near about 33 Communities…(-: After coming to Canada, I didn’t find much time for orkuting so I removed ma profile….now from almost year am back here as I told you it is a good palace to hangout with ma India and Pak friends. About Joining OUG….after deleting OUG 7 I got a invitation from Panther we both are Mod of another well famous community that time AAO (All About Orkut) to Join Back OUG 8…am really thank to him. After Joining OUG I learnt a Lot from here.. from OUG 10 I always treated as a Elite Member of OUG and now at OUG 13 am proudly in MODs Team. In short OUG is not Just a community to me (-:

What’s going on in Canada? How was your experience till now? Miss home?

Canada…..hummm…… Country for me where Dreams come true I am learning English as well both things GFX and Martial Art we are 13 pplz group leaving at one House and all are students as seeking a good carrier. Thus life just rocking, fun all the time (-:

yaaa I miss home….. specially ma li’l Sis )-:
but still to become a successful person in life..its necessary to be alone (-:

mom bolti hain…”Beta Life mein kuchh Pane ke Liye kuchh khona bhi padta hai”

Absolutely.

ViruSoul tell us which gfx software you love to use and in how many you are master in?

ma favorite Question, I am Good enough in Photoshop CS4 and mostly use it as Prime Need but also take help from others like Adobe’s Dream weaver, Fireworks, Illustrator, After Effect and Flash also am good enough in Corel Packs

Mostly, creative people take inspiration from many things around them, like nature, people, spirituality etc. where you take inspiration from?

whatever around me…which make me feel lets try to make it…mostly I made vectors type stuff…which use to make different kind of stuff (-:

Would you like to share some basic tips or tricks for newbie designers? What important sources which you would like to refer? Any books, tutorials or community forums?

Basic tips? All I can say is be creative..(=

and its better if you create a basic shape on a paper so we get a idea what we going to do
most of cases I seen about feather most of people which know only basic didn’t use feather…(-; that’s why there layer seen sharp from edges….if they use feather, they can find fine edged layer mixed with back layer. About forum http://photoshoptutorials.ws/ is ma favorite, and in short period am also gonna start quick tutorials in OUG as well as on my website (gfxmatter, its under process).

Coming to next is your 2nd passion Martial Arts. How much optimistic are you for Martial Art and its future in India? Historical proofs says that India is a birth place of this world famous self defense technique but we hardly found any great example or idol of this fighting art in India. Any comment?

agreed zazo, silambam and kalaripayattu & Sword Art is given to word by India….but very less people know about it and also wanna learn it )-:

what I think is biggest problem with Indian student is money because these things want money and time 2nd thing am worried about is drugs , some selfish peoples are spoiling our youth…but still India really has some legends…Like Basant Thakur(ma 1st Guru) Jasmine Simhalan..(-:
I will try ma best to keep rise up India’s Name…(-:

How much time I took you to get Black Belt? Any great experience you would like to share? Also tell us something about Brazilian Martial art, is it same as an Indian (Asian) techniques?

To be true..in Indian most of small cities institutes are not giving Belts or Grades, they selling it. It doesn’t mean to them how much you experienced or expert…if you have money, you have belt…that’s how I got ma first two grades:

1. SHODAN: first degree black belt
2. NIDAN : second degree black belt

but after Japan’s tour, I got it I didn’t know anything..)-: , I need to learn more and what I learning is nothing. Then I switch to Bangalore for better classes and about Brazil…that was a whole new experience to me…oh! ma God! they are machines. All new moves, Ideas and Techniques…I really shocked when I see them at 1st time…I loosed that match..but I win whole new concept and future.

Au/Capoeira is part of Brazilian Martial Arts…its just awesome and founded and designed by Brazil. I spent 4 months there….but I need more to know it better (-:

OUG community is very famous for computer programming freaks, all famous scripts, hacks and mods are developed by most of the OUG member, how you fit yourself there as you are not from computer programming background?

lol…but at least they need a good designer also…yaa…I didn’t know programming but serving ma best to OUG since OUG 9 (-: and am 1 of faithful users. Help Desks, New Webbies, Gadgets and PC Geeking Stuff is posted by me time to time (-:

How much orkut is responsible to give you an online identity and social circle? However, media always framed orkut as a disaster for youth, how and what do you think?

90% . BTW Zazo…in Canada its not that’s much famous…facebook and myspace are giants for Orkut here…)-: about Youth….yaa it seems really a problem..)-: as student bunking classes and doing Orkuting & Chatting..)-: I thought a Limit is good…but being addictive is bad..(-:

I wish you a great and brightening future ViruSoul, Thank you for giving your time and making this interview successful. Its Great to talk with you.

Good luck!

Thanks Zazo,
Its really a gr8 thing to me, and I really enjoyed to talk with you. also am happy to found a another gr8 friend on orkut……that’s why I love Orkut…(-:
Bye Friend (-:

Indians in Singapore popularly known as IIS is one such strong community of more than 7500 people originated from India working or staying in Singapore. Kartik Budhraja a media professional who has been working in Singapore since 2001 is a creator of IIS which is most probably the first community for Indian in Singapore on orkut.com. When Kartik joined orkut in 2004 he didn’t found any community addressing Indians in Singapore and so IIS came into existence but Kartik never took it seriously till the community member’s statistic reached 1000 in a year, organically. Kartik started administrating the community more actively, though he gives more credits to the moderators Raj and Munjal and all members of IIS. Now, after 4 years IIS is looking well organized, strong, active and more authentic community of Indians making there living in Singapore. IIS welcomes every Indian who is new to Singapore or who is living in Singapore for long. The whole IIS community is a combination into 2 different groups of people, one are those who are new to Singapore and want to get help in making there lifestyle easy and sophisticated and other group is who are staying in Singapore from long and has knowledge and information to help those who are new and need their assistance.

The forum of IIS (Indians in Singapore) is packed of useful threads started by their dedicated members and loyal moderators. From job seekers or recruiters, accommodation help or where to get pure vegetarian Indian food, IIS is having a big database of all useful information about Singapore and Indians in Singapore, IIS members as active online and at same time also doing good while offline, like arranging get-togethers, or meetings which could help them in make there bond stronger. As reaching high with a strong community, Kartik is very optimistic about future of IIS, disclosing in a brief chat on Rated-WOW Community on orkut Kartik said that he really wants to make IIS more big and strong community on World Wide Web with its all presence and not let Google profit from there hard work. Probably he is disappointed by Google ads on his community. Nevertheless, Kartik is thankful to orkut for giving such a wonderful place to interact with so many people.

Kudos! to IIS managing team and members for coming up with such a positive and really good community, we at OrkutHeroes.com are proud to give Indians in Singapore an honorable place on our Community Showcase category, really a WOW! community.

]]> http://www.orkutheroes.com/iis/feed/ http://www.orkutheroes.com/now-also-featuring-best-communities-of-orkut/ http://www.orkutheroes.com/now-also-featuring-best-communities-of-orkut/#comments Mon, 18 Aug 2008 05:21:45 +0000 zazo http://www.orkutheroes.com/?p=134 After persistently publishing interviews and stories of some most loved, honored and outstanding individual personalities of popular social networking site Orkut, we at OrkutHeroes.com has moved one more step increasing and widening our task and mission to feature some best user created communities of orkut on OrkutHeroes.com.

These are the communities which set an example of unity and friendship and became a place of huge informative, useful and entertaining forums and threads developed by the members of the community. Some orkut communities are even came up as a big non-profit organization from a small community.

Like Orkut’s Hall of Fame one orkut community where we took all interviews which later published on OrkutHeroes blog, we came up with a new concept and another community named RATED-WOW! Community Showcase for our new section/category on orkutheroes.com that is “Community Showcase”. Community Showcase is a place where we are going to publish reviews of some outstanding and most active communities of orkut.com, encouraging community owners, moderators and members for there great work is our aim.

Initially, we don’t accept any membership till we don’t invite the selected community and its owner to have words with us on Rated-WOW! Orkut Community Showcase. We are going to take all necessary information about that community and will publish an article which would be a review of that particular community; more information regarding this can get from Rated-WOW! Official Blog.

IPFC started with a small bunch of common friends from both countries soon shaped up in a strong community and organization pouring charm and meekness and cleaning up detestation and animosity, its one of the most active online community in not only orkut.com but any other social networking sites. Certainly, from virtual friendship these Indo-Pak nationalists are also sharing great example of friendship “offline” they do get-together often in different parts of world where ever they are located. Though the discussion and talks are always on some serious issues but still some members are blessed to make others smile by some light jokes and humor, there talks are mainly focused in each and every issues related to both countries politics, economy, sports and current affairs with some entertainment gossips of bollywood and Indian and Pakistan’s delicacies.

In several millions of communities on different subjects on orkut, IPFC is not only popular between users of India and Pakistan but also between the users of Indian subcontinent and south East Asia. Even, one moderator among 10 is a UK based Social Worker Jennifer Gallagher known as “Angel Jen” or “Mama Jen” hails from UK who support IPFC and believes that it’s her family, a bit pretty BIG family Jen? . I am really thankful to that person who thought and introduced social networking which is today one of the most important and useful online activity making people understand other’s cultures and countries, clearing old myths and misunderstandings, making friendship and love.

IPFC is an idea of Rahul Mukherjee an Indian who went abroad for studies and got wedged by some Pakistani friends that motivated Rahul to start something like IPFC, IPFC is not only limited to online community but many other websites and newsletter has started by many members of IPFC as well. Mariam Sayed is a PhD in chemistry is now doing her MBA from UK is an active member and moderator of IPFC since 1 year has different story behind her interest and love for IPFC, as told in a forum discussion Mariam revealed that when she went to study in a university in Thailand she met and got friends with some Pakistanis and from there her view and thoughts has changed. One such person she named was late Shafiq Ahmed Khan a Pakistani who became a close friend of Mariam

Welcome Vasumathi on Orkut’s Hall of Fame! Pleasure having you here.

Thanks so much for that delightful intro Zazo I am going to enjoy this interview and I hope I will motivate many more people

Thank you for accepting my invitation Vasumathi, To start with the interview, Can you please tell us about yourself, your location, education and your profession?

Wow that seems to be the complete interview content
Well - a brief background - I did a BSc in Home-Science (with Physics & Chemistry) in 1977 in Chennai (then Madras). I always loved medicine, but could not take it up for family reasons (lost my dad and granddad early). Home-Science, unlike what most people believe, is about the next best option - as it covers a lot of medical-related subjects……Nutrition, Physiology, Biochemistry, Child Psychology etc.

I got married immediately afterwards and in the next few years I thought I was going to be a good family person and not a professional. It was an unsettling feeling at times. I was first in Kolkata, then moved to Mumbai where I have settled down since 1981 (except for 3.5 years in a village - Uran just out of Mumbai)

In the years that followed I had two sons, and I also did some “good things” like attending Bengali language classes, doing a Secretarial Course, worked as a receptionist for a month, taught in a Primary school for an year, volunteered for the PTA in my boys school……..

In 1989-90 I did a PG Bachelor’s degree in Library & Information Sciences with the sole objective of joining my boys school as a librarian. Fate decided other things and i joined a research library (subject - Geomagnetism!!) where I worked till 1992. Then between 1992-1997 I worked in a Hospital library and then a Consumer health library

since 1997, I freelanced, then set up a company and finally moved all operations under a NOT-FOR-PROFIT banner - called QMed Knowledge Foundation. This - in Dec 2007. Our objective is “Empowering the Medical Information User”. We want to make healthcare professionals use information in the best possible ways - be it for retrieval (getting info), organizing it or writing / publishing.

In the few months that have passed we have achieved quite a bit! But we of course have miles to go before we sleep. Personally I am hoping that in a few years there will be others to take care of the organization and I am a mentor and champion!

For all about being brief - I needed a “second scrap” to add:

1997-99 I did a Masters in Lib & Info Sciences (Distance-education - IGNOU).

2000 - I also did an online course on “Searching the literature for Evidence Based Medicine” - this is a specific set of methodologies to search medical literature to get information that aids in decision making

2004 - I did a one-week course in Oxford, UK - on “Critical Appraisal Skills” - which is in a way a continuation of the above. Once you get specific literature, then how do you read critically and arrive at decisions.

A BIG LIST OF ACHIEVEMENTS!!!!

Vasumathi can you please make me understand the use of medical library in a layman term?. I was not good in studies and never thought that there is also library specially for medical purpose.

Thanks

A library is a place from where you can learn with pleasure…..if you are led to it with the right ways. Eg - in childhood - I was made to read story books in my school library. That made me start reading books.
In high school we were shown how to “read more” about anything that we learnt in classes. I studied in two Kendriya Vidyalayas and the focus on libraries was excellent in both

Then you have “special libraries” - based on Subject or certain other bases. Medical libraries, Engineering libraries etc are special libraries. A film library is a special library. A music library is a special library

A medical library will have or “create access” to a medical collection of books, journals (subject magazines), audios, videos, information snippets……….all in the medical collection.

When I say “create access” - it means the librarian/s will learn about the best information resources that the organization needs, and will either buy them, or subscribe to them or see how they can share resources with other libraries……all the time keeping legal aspects in mind (copyright laws)

In today’s time, information resources in ANY subject are far far too many - thanks to the Internet. So any special librarian has to know about lots more resources - both by way of the information content as well as the technological aspects (e.g. blogs / wikis etc)

So - a medical librarian has to know about print resources, electronic resources and how to handle all of them. She/he also needs to know how to network with medical librarians world over to share information. A medical library today can even be a single office room, from where a librarian ensures that all users in the institution has access to information from his/her desktop. Or the library can have a print collection, but the items are delivered to the user by way of electronic requests…….the possibilities are endless. People may think that libraries are no longer needed, but actually the need for high quality librarians is higher!

How is the standard of Indian medical libraries in compare to other developed countries? What are the improvements from last 10 years?

I am sorry to say that except for a tiny handful, our medical libraries are far behind those in developed countries. The tiny handful has made good strides though.

In the last 10 years the ones that have progressed have done one or more of the following:

- Computerized their catalog……which means as a user, I can search for the presence of a specific book or a list of books (by subject / author etc) using a computer and then locating the book easily

- Computerized many library operations - e.g. issues / returns etc

- Have access to many “medical databases” or collections through CDs or Internet (by paying subscriptions to these

- Offer “alerts” or other services to their users

As I mentioned before there is lots more these libraries can do. And a majority of medical libraries need to wake up and get moving

How QMed Knowledge Foundation works? How someone from the field of medical can get benefit from it?

QMed Knowledge Foundation works with medical / healthcare professionals as well as medical libraries.

We offer medical libraries a service (for their users) - by getting them journal articles that their library cannot provide. We also offer consulting services by which medical libraries can offer better solutions for their users. The consulting can be for things like:

a) To create their computerized library catalog quickly and accurately

b) To customize a medical journal article index database called PubMed (www.pubmed.gov) so that when a user searches it, he/she can restrict a search to retrieve only articles from their own journal collection

c) Putting their institutions publications (articles written or papers presented by their institutions’ doctors / scientific staff) in online “Open Archives”. Open Archives are areas on the Internet where people can upload their papers. Any institution can set up its own archive or use some specific public ones. In India for medicine we have a Govt archive called OpenMed - available at http://openmed.nic.in

There are many more potential areas where we can help libraries.

For individuals - we offer them the following services:

a) We do “literature searches” - i.e. we search and get them highly relevant article references/information on topics they need

b) We get them full-text articles, after they go through the literature search results - (which usually gives only references and abstracts)

c) We help them with their PowerPoint presentations if they have to give talks

d) We help them with papers they want to write in journals - by doing “copy-editing” to meet the requirements of the journals instructions

e) We create web-pages or websites for them

How you get into social networking? like orkut. Is it for business networking or catching up with friends?

My first social networking site was Ryze. Next I got into Orkut.

I got into Orkut through another medical librarian who invited me in. While I do love making friends, my chief objective is networking for my work. Well I must say that most people who I network with automatically become friends - that’s because of my nature

As for Orkut - I think I have made some of my best connections here. For all the bad publicity that has happened in newspapers on and off, I am sure there are many like me who have found great benefits (this interview is one of them!!)

In fact, I specifically mentioned Orkut, on the day we had an inaugural launch of QMed Knowledge Foundation.

What are your activities on orkut, in communities or you have a group of people to do conversations? Please tell us if you play any major role in any orkut community(s)

The communities I chose to be in fall under one of the following categories

a) Professional
b) Alumni related
c) Some serious discussions
d) Fun / hobbies

among the professional ones I am most active on Orkut Hospital - and I am responsible for one thread - which is “Good news related to India and medicine”. I try and put in all good news that I find in this area. I admit I am unable to put in my best efforts, but I constantly try. The other ones where I occasionally contribute are Essential Medical Updates and South Asian Cochrane Network.

Unfortunately many communities have people filling in all kinds of crap and then the professionalism is lost. Orkut Hospital is one really serious attempt and I really commend young Dr. Nagendra and all moderators for this!

Alumni - I have my schools and college and the school where I was a teacher during 1985-86. It was fun to find a couple of my old students and the fact that they remembered me!

Fun - my favourite was the Enid Blyton community - I had great fun participating in a quiz…….that made me remember all my childhood reading………but regretfully I just cannot find active time for that community

The Art of Living communities and the Stephen Covey communities are ones that I enjoy, because both these (the courses and the books respectively) have made me what I am today

In India which is one of the most populated country of the world, majority of the people comes from small villages and towns, they often neglect illness which looks “small” for them and don’t prefer to visit doctors but choose to buy medicines directly from local pharmacists. In result sometimes things went uglier. Who you blame? Education, awareness or people? How much a pharmacist is trustworthy?

I read a nice quotation somewhere - “Don’t fix the blame, fix the problem”!
Education IS an issue in India and health education is also an issue

We do not have enough doctors in the country and very specially in the rural areas. We need to make rural areas attractive enough for people to go there and technology can really make a huge difference for this.

Pharmacists have a great role in health education; so do nurses, dieticians, other therapists and health librarians. Unfortunately all these careers are not amongst the “most sought after”. The intelligentia in the country want to be IT specialists or Management people. The salary difference between these and other careers is just too disparate.

I personally feel that unless some primary careers like the ones I have listed, and another very important one - “Teaching” (both in schools and colleges) become attractive, our future generations are going to suffer in both basic and health education.

QMed Foundation wishes to do its bit by being part of an International campaign - HIFA2015 - which is “Health Information For All by 2015″ - this campaign wishes to ensure that by the year 2015 - everyone will have access to an “Informed healthcare provider”. The minimal level is a caregiver like a parent or relative, who should be able to have access to simple information like “Do give water and liquids to a child who has acute diarrhea” - (out of ignorance many villagers do not)

Tell us something about your family, how much time you give to them?

Oops…… asking me tough questions

my immediate family consists of my mother-in-law, my husband (a consultant in the IT industry in the areas of Finance / Regulatory etc) and two sons - 27 and 24. My older son works in Hyderabad (is in a transferable job) and the younger one in Mumbai - and lives with us.

We are all a very IT savvy family - yes - that includes my 70+ year old m-i-l, who enthusiastically learnt how to use email from me, and then went on to learn web-browsing by herself. She spends about an hour on the net - keeping in touch with relatives - including grand nephews / nieces etc.

My time with family is a little tough…..because very often even when I am at home, I have work to do. Running an organization that seems to be well ahead of its time in terms of what we have to offer takes up a lot of creative thinking.

One thing - when I have relatives (extended family) visiting I make it a point to spend more time at home. Similarly whenever I travel out of Mumbai on work, I try to stay with family (relatives) so that I am in touch with all……..uncles / aunts / brothers etc. I have a wonderful relationship with ALL my relatives - on my side as well as my husband’s

A special word about my m-i-l. She is one of my main supporters - she talks about my work very enthusiastically with people. I can discuss anything about it with her and she is all ears - trying to soak in everything. If only she were physically healthier, she would have actually come along to my office and worked with me

Then - my husband - another wonderful pillar. He has helped me financially, work wise supported me with all regulatory / legal stuff, and is my critique for many things….. out of which I learn! Not always easy, but in the long run so much makes sense.

Both my sons……may tease me a lot, but they are proud of their mum. I hope my being with them in the first few years paid off Jokes apart - I am glad I did…….I remember so many funny pieces of conversations between them!

What if you could not be a medical librarian? Where could we see Vasumathi today?

One of the following - and I’d be happy in any of them:

Librarian in an Education related institution
Librarian in IT related institution
Librarian in any healthcare related institution
Librarian in a school
Teacher in Art of Living courses
Teacher in Stephen Covey courses
Home maker

(Definitely not in Finance / Politics)

What are your expectations for future development of Medicine and related field in coming 5-10 years in India? Need your comments also for Indian Medical Libraries.

My expectation for future development of Medicine and related field in coming 5-10 years in India

My personal opinions and expectations:

a) I would like professionals from all fields - Allopathy / Ayurveda / Homeopathy etc to respect each other and help people get the best of all. I would be happiest when they refer patients to each other depending on the need.

b) I would be happy if Public Health and Preventive health became very important, so that the focus of any system of Medicine is “keeping people healthy”, and “treating illnesses” is less of routine.

c) I would like lay people and patients to take greater care and responsibility for their health. They should get more aware and educated, and work WITH doctors to take care of themselves.

My comments - for Indian Medical Libraries

India is emerging as a super power for technology and we have enough talent in this area. Infrastructure is also fast emerging. My dream is to see Indian Medical Libraries reach the levels, or even surpass those of developed countries!! For this - we need to develop a breed of professionals……..people who are strong in basic sciences AND information sciences AND IT. This breed of professionals need to be paid on par with IT and related professionals. Only then can we exploit the power of IT for proper development of healthcare with strong support from good Medical libraries and librarians!

Vasumathi I am eager to know the secret behind the way you manage time for everything like family, work and for your own self, don’t mind if I ask you to disclose it.

No real secret. The fact is that I always wish I had a little more time for my family. I’d love to cook more, arrange my house better, keep my personal papers better organized etc. But then a day has only 24 hours.

The Art of Living courses have taught me to accept people and situations as they are. They have also taught me to appreciate what I have …….look carefully……there is SO much…….instead of craving for what I do not have.

Practicing what I learnt in these, and then what I have read in books by Stephen Covey and more recently Robin Sharma (my newest read - is an EXCELLENT one - “The Saint, the Surfer and the CEO”…….. has made me contented with how much I can do for each part of my life. So rather than trying to “manage time”, I try to focus on doing as many right things and important things as possible. Things that I cannot fit in at any time, I know that I have not left undone by poor management.

Live keeps changing and evolving, and so do people. The most important thing is to have a purpose. QMed’s objectives form a great purpose. Any alternate thing I do will be with a purpose of changing something for the better!

You achieved so much, did you ever faced failure too, if yes then can you tell us how you came back with a success?

Failure I think is more a feeling than an event. I did feel like a failure when in my two jobs as a medical librarian, I drew pathetic salaries, and the powers to be did not feel that my position deserved better, though they were fully aware of the levels of work I did. QMed - as a company ran into losses - that can be viewed as a failure. QMed as a Foundation is still running losses………

With all the above anyone in my place could feel like a miserable failure. But I KNOW I have achieved a lot in the last approx 10 - 15 years. My work has been pioneering and pioneers do not have things easy.

I will admit that I have been depressed several times over, but something in me never allowed me to give up. The fact that my husband supported me financially is a HUGE thing, but I am not sure that every other person in my place would have continues even with such support.

At the risk of sounding repetitive, the books I read and the courses have made me understand life and get large doses of courage to see life as a success and not a failure. And I can proudly say that thanks to such exposure, I do very often end up being a confidante for many people, especially youngsters. Just a few days ago, I counseled a young boy and at some stage he said “You are an angel” I was happy that he felt good.
Before you ask your next question……..since I have revealed so much about myself, I must share two more areas to which I devote time

1. My school alumni association and egroup. I studied in this school in Chennai - Kendriya Vidyalaya IIT - and we have a great AA. Being in Mumbai, I cannot physically do much always, but I do moderate our Yahoo group. And being in the Exec committee I try to help with ideas etc. Whenever I am in Chennai I attend any event there - and try never to miss the Annual Alumni Day. This year, I was honored by being invited to be Chief Guest for the Republic Day celeb. Boy was I thrilled to be treated like a celebrity in a school where I was once a “mere student”

2. I am Vice President for the Indian Association for Medical Informatics, and am on the Editorial board of its journal - the Indian Journal of Medical Informatics.

Again - I always wish I could give more time to both these, but……. :)

Do you have any idol? If yes then please share with us.

I have had my share of them as I grew up. As a kid it was Florence Nightingale (yes, one of my career wishlists included Nursing). One of my high school teachers - Ms. Shanta V. (Biology) - was another. Apart from being a wonderful teacher, I always remember her especially for one thing - she never hesitated to admit that she did not know an answer to a question, if we asked her something special. She would take the trouble to find out and update us.

There are lots more people I admire and love for many traits / qualities / abilities

In the more recent years I have admired the Art of Living Founder - Sri Sri Ravishankar, some of the Senior teachers - Rishi Nityapragyaji, Bawa, Dinesh Ghodke (the last two are on Orkut!)…………they are all awesome down to earth people, full of fun and humor!
And as I have mentioned before - Stephen Covey and Robin Sharma

One lesson I have learnt from all these people is - you don’t need to have “idols”. You can admire all of them, learn from them, but you must love yourself and want to be yourself. We need the variety in the world and each of us as individuals has *something unique* to offer to the world.

Thank you so much for this wonderful interview Vasumathi. Its one of the biggest pleasure of mine having you here, God bless! and keep up the good work.

I have to thank you Zazo! I do think you are doing something unique by featuring people like me (and so many others who are doing unusual things) in Orkut’s Hall of Fame as well as orkutheroes.com

Before I log off, I must pay a big tribute to all my colleagues - present and past - at QMed. All of them have not just worked with me……they are all part of my Vision

And - finally - I wish YOU all the best……..I hope you do a huge bunch of unusual things too. God Bless

Jennifer Gallagher, chairman of Justice and Peace committee based in United Kingdom, They support persecuted people around the world by raise funds for many projects like a school in Ramallah Palestine they are also helping in raising funds to build a health centre in Rwanda. In India they raise funds for 3 orphanages. Jennifer is popularly known as Mama Jennifer, she is also attached with an NGO in India “Sylom Blind Centre” on orkut she is active in many NGO based communities like United nations, India Pakistan friendship club.

I am proud to welcome this angel on earth who is working hard to bring smile on many faces.

Welcome Jennifer!

Thank you Zazo for your invitation to this community.. I was shocked to be asked but very honored…. sorry for late reply.. I know there is a difference in the time zone so let’s hope we meet on line sometime LOL LOL

Jennifer, I am so much thankful to you for giving me this great chance to have words with you, Here is my first question. Please tell us about your childhood, family and education. Your biography in your own words.

Well I was born 61 years ago in Hull Yorkshire into a Christian family. My father was Engineer my mother Matron of a hospital I have 1 brother.. I had a wonderful happy childhood… I was loved guided and nurtured into the person I am now…. was never smacked by either parents.. My mum came from Wales so my brother and I spent every holiday with our grandparents….. I hope I have brought my daughters up with the kind of childhood I had…I have never told a lie.. and I treat everyone as I would like them to treat me….
my education well I started university and decided it was not for me.. I went to the Hull School of Nursing and became a registered nurse same as my Mum….. Before I left work I was a nurse manager in charge of operating theaters in a large hospital…

MY family I was married to my darling Husband Hugh for 33 years he sadly died 6 years ago.. Learning to live without him in my life.. I have beautiful daughter Amanda who will soon be 38years is and engineer she has Being Hons, Suzanne is my younger daughter she is 34 years and she is Senior duty manager with the Police…. they are both married to IT managers.. I have one beautiful granddaughter Mere jaan Emma she is 4 years…
I have also been blessed with 3 unofficial adopted sons in India.. we adopted each other…. their families accept me and have adopted me also as I seem to be older to them their families all call me Didi ( Elder sister)… of course my sons call me mum and mummy.. and I spend 2 months in India every year

How was those days in hospital working as a nurse and serving so many patients? Any experience that touched your heart or a new way of life? If yes, please share.

hmmm Nursing has changed soo much since I first started it was 1965 March lol lol I can remember the first patient I sat with as he died it was 26th December 1965 His name was Mr. Nicholson.. I have since been with hundreds of patients who have died yet I cannot remember their names.. They say you never forget your first death….. I loved being on the children’s ward even in the face of death i.e. cancer they are fully prepared if only many adults could be the same….. Most difficult to nurse were patients with cancer… I left the hospital to nurse my husband when he died I did not have the heart to return to nursing…. so I put my heart into working with my Justice and Peace committee that is now my life… what I have seen and done has changed my life I wonder sometimes if for the best… I feel as if my work is like a tear drop in the Atlantic ocean and that one day I make 1 step forward and the nest day 20 backwards…. but I would not change my life with anyone…..

Can you please tell us about Justice and Peace committee? How it works and what are the objectives or goal of this organization?

we are Christian organization there are 12 members we fight injustice all over the world…. for people persecuted in any way… I have written to most of the world leaders complaining of their civil rights records.. or against war and conflict.. in 8 years I have had 2 answers to my letters one from Tony Blair ex PM of Great Britain and the other from Stephen Harper the Canadian PM.. I wrote regarding G8 promises.. even if I do not get an answer I know that I have done something…… we also support various organizations Like Christian Aid. Amnesty International. World Vision.. Water aid… and Locally homeless aid and providing holidays for poorer children.. the local hospice….also anti drug projects.. we also have a fair trade store on Sundays at my Church we sell fairly traded goods… we then became involved in India but that’s another story and a long one.

May I know if you are involved in any peace or protest campaign at present? What are your comments on world political and economical scenario?

I am still involved in apply pressure for a free Kurdistan. I also met the President of West Kurdistan in exile in London… we have organized petitions and written to the UN to try to bring some influence.. Kurds are the biggest stateless nation in the world forbidden from suing their Kurdish names… education in Kurdish,, it is as if they do not exist…. We are trying to apply pressure again on the G8 leaders for clean water for everyone.. and an education for every child in the world…. and the biggest one is to abolish Child labour and the sex trade…. again it is like an uphill struggle but as long as I have breath in my body I will fight,,

world political and economical scenario? Well too many dictators and not enough democracy take Zimbabwe Mugabe ;he lost election yet still took office through torture killings and coercion… yet the world stands back they apply sanctions that affects the people of Zimbabwe but not the leaders or those in power…. I am against wars and conflict I did not want the UN to go into Iraq and again showed our protest by letter…
Now it is insurgents who are doing most of the killing…. Terrorist have this world held to ransom.. Yet I firmly believe no country should ever give into them…. I know God does not want this done in his name….. I know they will have to Stand before God one day and answer for their actions as we all have.. and I would never like to walk in their shoes…. the economy of many countries is increasing and others like the west are heading towards a recession… take India the second fastest growing economy in the world.. yet the divide between the rich and poor is increasing… I also disagree with the billions that are spent on Military purposes.. when their are millions of children starving around the world no aces to clean water or education or even health care and we see bombs bullets and armed forces having all this money… It makes me cry….

Even then I realized how much money was wasted… I know there are millions around the world feel the same as I do.. what a wonderful world this would be if we all joined hands to work together… but we all seem to be going against each other !!!!!
I maybe sound like an agitator or someone with extreme views but this is how I feel this is me.. no lies and I make no apologies for my feelings….

Jennifer please tell us how you came to India first time and what was so special in India that makes you visit it again and again?

I fell in love with India as a child in History lessons… I have been adopted by 3 young men they are my sons!!! Well we adopted each other… so my reason for coming to India was to meet them…. I remember the first time I arrived I was soo scared on the road coming from the Airport in Delhi.. I thought everyone was crazy driving and spent most of my time with my eyes covered LOL LOL… The first time I saw an Auto I said what’s that????? and said you will never get me in one of those….. wrong … I love them travel in them all the time.. I love the people the culture the sights the sounds the smells.. the people are soo genuine…but I have one big problem people see this big White Woman and think wow money.. they always try to make me pay more than others I laugh and think ok.. but my sons get angry and say stop converting and just think in Rupees… sometimes I get angry.. Like visiting the Taj I had to pay 1.000 Rupees my sons 100 rupees… the Red fort my son pays 10 rupees me 100…but I guess that my beloved India…
Now I have become involved with the Sylom Blind Centre I have even more reason to return.. but the Mosquito’s seem to love my blood LOL LOL they eat me alive… we went out to celebrate my birthday at 3 C’s we sat outside there was about15 of us and I was the only one bitten !!!! I could live happily in India but the heat in the summer would kill me.. and there are a few thinks I find alien one is arranged marriages… but I guess that’s because here in the west we only have love marriages.. I cannot get over the poverty that I have seen children being sold into Prostitution as young as 8 years of age in Rural areas… lack of education.. health.. water sanitation and electricity.. the divide between those that have and those who have nothing is getting greater every day… yes when I leave India I leave part of me behind…. I just pray I can help change things in my beloved India…………..

As you are attached to Sylom Blind Centre in India how far you want to go with it? Are there any future plans to start similar work in other parts of India too or its already going on?

Sylom is my life’s work it is a big project we have 2 orphanages and I am looking to raise 4o Lakh to purchase a new building which will become residential school for 300 children providing free education.. we have a school now we have 157 children at present but that’s all we can take… we have blind HIV and disabled children as well as able bodied children.. we also care for old soldiers and widows the Sylom ministries cover an area of 450 km we have feeding programs in villages and in Kakinada.. we are also trying to raise funds for water bores…and solar panel.. there are many villages that have no access to Sanitation water or electricity. I cried so much after visiting these villages I could not believe that people could live the way they do….I even purchased 2 girls from village their parents sold them to me… I at least stopped these girls being sold for the sex trade…. Girls as young as 8 years are sold and trained to work as prostitutes… we have started a cutting and tailoring program to teach girls rescued from Prostitution a trade… at present we have over 60 students and Pray God we rescue more…. as this has become a lifetime cause I cannot see me moving on to other parts of India as much as I would love to… One person can only do soo much… all the money so far has come from either me or the Justice and peace Committee.. we have had a few small donations from India itself… I need to find a way to raise funds in India… I found people that have everything are never happy they always want more… yet these people I met in villages the orphanages all have smiles on their faces never asked for anything but prayers. I would ask anyone who having read this interview if you have ways of helping raise funds I would be happy.. I have tried approaching NGO’s and found most of them only want what you can do for them and they are not willing to do for my projects..

How is Kakinada? Working in rural areas of India are quite risky for a foreigner, any obstacles or threat of life you ever faced? Did you got support from local authority of Kakinada?
Zazo I never approached the local authorities. I had no reason to need them.. I was safe with all the pastors and people from the Sylom centre… I was scared in one village we could not be there after dark they are soo superstitious and not open to strangers… The Pastors had only just gained their trust with the feeding programs yet still they would not go there after dark…… these villages have never seen a white person before especially a big one like me LOL LOL LOL.. some of the children were soo scared of me .. Others wanted to hold my hand at one point I had a child holding each finger as we walked along… some asked why I bleached my skin Lol lol.. but I was welcomed where ever we went with flowers smiles and love.. many of the ladies in these villages looked so old yet I was elder to them.. it is the life style they have to endure… I was treated like a Queen… I thought we live like Millionaires and they have nothing but a hut to live in… I can see so many thinks I would love to do but money is what stops me.. Education for parents family planning clinics free health care.. and many more… I pray daily that God shows me a way…

Jennifer can tell us about your online activities? Since when you are on orkut and what are your thoughts on social networking sites?

I usually have my PC or Lappy switched on.. I use Yahoo messenger Gtalk and of course Orkut… I think sites like these can be used for good and for bad… Many people think this virtual world is the real world…I have met so many that have no life outside of the virtual world…. I use Orkut a lot I have over 780 friends and the majority have found me through my sons or the Sylom blind centre of ( IPFC) INDIA PAKISTAN FRIENDSHIP CLUB… I was voted by the members to become a mod there and I was really honored to be accepted.. this takes up a lot of my time on line.. we have well over 1 Lakh members… As I remarked before these sites can also be used to abuse people and make fun of them.. I noticed in the UN community the Indian’s and Pakistani’s that fought with real hatred with each other… I started a thread and said where did they learn such hatred for each other was it at School??? at home or in the street??? boy was I abused by both Indian’s and Pakistani’s I was never angry I just thanked them for their scraps asked if their Mum was sent something like they had written to me how would they feel said I would pray for them and blocked them… I was happy when Orkut made it possible to lock your profile…This I have to admit was a minor occurrence as all others have become dear friends many I have met in real life and the more we connect the more we come to love each other…I Know there have been other times Orkut was abused but on the whole I think that is great.. where else can you get to really understand other faiths.. other nations.. and other cultures?????

At this age where most of the people love to be with their family and declare themselves retire, you are going steady and smooth and I wish you go like this forever, What is your philosophy for life? How you keep your mind, body and soul fit and active? Any secrets?

Zazo hmm some days I feel 100 then other days I feel like a kid LOL.. my friend said Bryan Adams song 18 till I die was written for me…and Life is what YOU make of it…. I am 61 years of age not 161 years …. I still have lots to do in life… I am a committed Christian and believe God has more for me to accomplish before I die… I live my life as God wants… I do not believe in Hatred never used the word hate their is too much in this world…. I think smiles and laughter are what keeps me young if you smile the world smiles with you cry and you cry alone… Laugh love cry but most of all enjoy life we do not have time to be downcast and sad… Live each day as if it were to be your last.. and never forget to tell your family and friends how much you love them… I have lived my life like this since I was a child and it has showed many others that life can be fun even in sad times…. I have many young friends whose ay they would live their lives as I do since they have come to know me…. If I can stop one person hating another then my life would have been lived happily… I know when my darling husband Hugh died I did not want to carry on with life…. but God gave me a swift smack and told me that the life he had given me was not over yet there was more work to do…. I have many health problems that limit some of the things I do… I have arthritis in my spine and other joints so that limits my walking lol lol..and pain is a nuisance at times but that can be overcome… I am also diabetic so my love of Chocolates has to be curtailed……. but I guess my real answer is that I have lived my life being constructive and not destructive….

Jennifer who is your idol? Please tell us if there is any such man or an individual who you really follow?

Well Zazo you may be surprised who my Idol is.. he is not a famous person he is unknown to millions…. I am honored that he calls me Mamma his name is Rev. Sodadasi Praveen Chakravarthy he is the most sweet honorable man I have ever met… he lives his life for the children, widows, old soldiers and ex prostitutes of the Sylom projects.. I have never had a idol in my life until I met Praveen as I call him….every Rupee he earns he uses for the children.. He worked to raise 1 .5 lakh to provide a water bore for a village.. When I met him he said people made fun of him because he only had 2 pairs of trousers and 4 shirts… but then as I said its not clothes that make you who you are its your actions…. how many people in this world can do as he is??? gives all to others… he lives his Life truly as God asked.. if I could be half as honorable a person as he is I will die happy… Now I have become involved in these projects I have come to know more and more of him and his family… He was offered some money for himself by a friend of mine he refuse and said you may give to the children but whatever I have I receive from God through mamma…. I was lost for words at his answer…
If there was an award for be unselfish it should be given to my Hero Praveen…

The one I follow with the whole of my life is God !!!!!!!!!

Superb thoughts!
How you are fighting with the time? Traveling, meeting people, writing and family. How you are managing time for everything? How much time you give to your own self

As you get older you need less sleep lol…I have a full life sometimes 24 hours are not enough.. but I always make sure I talk with my family every day especial Mere Jaan Emma, children grow soo quickly so I try not to miss any of her growing or changes in her life… I of course give a lot of time to my Justice and peace committee also other organizations I am involved with in the UK as well as India… I give time to IPFC as a mod there you have to be ready for the arguments and abuse that can crop up occasionally.. also ban spammers and of course join in the discussions.. time for me LOL LOL hmmm we all I love to make cards for all occasions… that’s me time it is very relaxing and calming.. And every morning and night I have special me time with my Bible and my Lord God. That’s the best time of the day.. when I bring everything before him.. the problems in the world.. the problems with my friends and family.. and just spending time telling him how wonderful how awesome he is….my life would not be what it is today without my God …….

It was a wonderful experience talking to you Jennifer; I wish all the success and good health for you, Thank you for giving your so precious time and making this interview successful.

Zazo I have to thank you for asking such interesting questions… strange thing is this is really first time I have talked about me LOL LOL.. I pray in the future you find more and more interesting people to talk to and Pray they enjoy as much as I did.. God bless you.

Smile shows friendship
Smile make new friends

Smile makes other people’s day brighter
Smile improves your day

Smile looks better than a frown
Smile Puts others at ease

Smile always enjoyable to give and receive
Smile leaves favorable impressions

Smile makes you look happy, confident, and self-assured
Smile could be the start of a lifetime relationship!

So, always….KEEP SMILING!!!

MY SMILE is me. the world is a battery and every time I SMILE it recharges the battery

Hello friends and visitors,

You have noticed a changed look, design and navigation of OrkutHeroes.com, I hope you all liked the new magazine style theme and the logo. This logo which is a character of a human being represents “HERO” and will be an official logo of OrkutHeroes.com blog which is dedicated to those unsung heroes of online social networking who took the step towards a constructive, positive and strong network by doing great, noble, creative and social work by making online communities or helping individually on popular social networking site orkut.com

Me and my team of authors are proud to say that we featured some more than 30 outstanding personalities on orkutheroes.com by publishing there interviews or there real stories of success and motivation, thanks for all the support and trust you have on us, I promise to keep doing my job with more dedication and transparency as I tried till now.

With the same consistency I will try to keep flowing the interviews and articles in future too in the honor of all those talented and enthusiastic people of orkut.com. I am also thankful to all those who helped us in making OrkutHeroes.com a unique blog of its type, my friend Mr India, the theme designer Michael jubel and my friends and family for the support and help.

Your Feedback and suggestions are always needed so please dont hesitate in writing me by either mail or by comments, you can reach me through zazo [AT] orkutheroes [DOT] com

Welcome Priscilla to OrkutHeroes.com

Hi!!! I’m very happy to be the first Brasilian here; I hope I have 1.000 communities and 10.000.000 members until the end of this year. Thanks for the invitation!!

Its my pleasure Priscilla, Can you please tell us about your family, education and profession?

I live with my parents, I don’t have brothers…I’ve studied data processing (technical), and after that I went to university to study laws I’m a lawyer now and next year I will be a mechatronic engineer too, to work with my parents, I’m still studying!

You know you are the first Brazilian on OrkutHeroes.com and its my first experience of talking to any Brazilian so I want to know how much orkut is important for any Brazilian? and since when you are on orkut.com?

I’m on orkut since June 2004 =)

The orkut is the most famous site on Brazil…
more famous then fotolog.com, myspace.com or any site… We use the MSN too, but I think orkut is more famous. Almost everybody has a profile on orkut here… we can find friends of our university, school, work… girls use the orkut to discovery if the boys they like have a girlfriend or not, to see the pics from the friends, to spy boyfriends and girlfriends lol and we use to make new friends, of course. Brazil is a very big country and our friends live so far, so we use orkut to talk to them, and find friends we don’t see in a long time.

That’s amazing! Moving further I am very eager to know the secret behind your so many communities, why and how you made such a big network and how you manage it? Can you shed some light on this in detail?

I have some moderators that help me in my communities, it’s impossible to moderator all communities alone! And during this 4 years, I created some communities about things that happened in my life, and these things happened with other people too, I have communities about sadness, love, I have very funny communities too! And by this motive they make success, because they are about real feelings!

+800 communities is not a small number, May be its funny to ask but don’t you ever forget your own communities? Do you have a list of all of your more than 800 communities? How many moderators in total you have to help you?

yes, some times I forget lol some communities I remember the name but do not remember the picture… and other communities I remember just the picture and do not remember the name… but just communities that did not make success, the biggest part I remember .and yes, I have a list with all communities =P it’s here http://www.orkut.com.br/CommMsgs.aspx?cmm=12091837&tid=2490852739166194626&start=1
but the names are in Portuguese! and I don’t know exactly how many moderators I have, but maybe 50 or more… this community http://www.orkut.com.br/Community.aspx?cmm=21493060 (Mediadores da Darth Pri = Darth Pri’s Moderators) is for all my moderators, but some moderators did not joined yet! and I don’t have moderators to all my +800 communities, because some of them are not so big, and I don’t need to visit it every week.

How much orkut helped you socially? Any best friends you met on orkut for first time? Please share your experience if any.

Yes! Orkut helped me socially… People I never saw or met in my life talk to me in the street, in shopping centers, and ask me “are you darth pri from orkut? I like your communities I like your lightsaber” and it is very cool. and I have a lot of friends I met in orkut… people from many cities… and now, almost every weekend we go to Sao Paulo in some parties, and it’s very cool, I would never make this friends if they did not see me before in the orkut.

How much concerned or worried you are when some virus flow on scraps and messages on orkut? Did you experienced any of your community got hacked or somebody tried to hack it? What precautions you take to secure your all communities?

We moderators are always very afraid with these kind of hacker attacks… 2 years ago, I have my biggest community hacked, but the orkut’s support give it back to me! Thanks to orkut staff.

Last months, orkut added a lot of new functions… Now, if you want, just friends can send you a scrap, just friends can see it, now we have the co-owners too, and it help us a lot…most of communities owners created a “moderator profile” to protect about this attacks…For example, a moderator created 50 communities, so he will create a profile just to moderate them… in this profile, he do not add new friends, he locked the scrapbook and nobody that is not friend can send scrap… and in this profile, he can wrote: “Hi, this is my moderator profile, please new friends add me on my friends profile “http://www….” and it help us to protect the communities, because in the friends profile there’s no community being moderated, so if somebody send a virus on scrapbook, we will not loose our communities, because they are in the moderator profile.

Which is the most active and successful community you own? and which is your favorite community?

This is my biggest community, with almost 2 million members

http://www.orkut.com.br/Community.aspx?cmm=383773

And it’s too difficult to me to choose my favorite, but maybe I have 3 favorites…

I want to be Darth Pri’s boyfriend
http://www.orkut.com.br/Community.aspx?cmm=27716627

F22-Raptor
http://www.orkut.com.br/Community.aspx?cmm=117059

I gape (yawn) when I see this community
http://www.orkut.com.br/Community.aspx?cmm=19305093

By looking at your some communities there is no doubt on your popularity among the orkut Brasilians, What is your future plans for your communities?

Today, I have 832 communities… I hope to have until the end of the year, 1.000 communities! This is my objective! When I have 1.000, I will stop creating communities.

What is the secret behind your nick name “Darth Pri Domina” What is the meaning of this?

Darth Pri is about “Darth Vader”, my name is Priscilla, so my friends started to call me “Darth Pri” and “Domina” is not a “sado” word… is just a word to show “power”… just like “to dominate the world”

How much time you give on orkut everyday? Tell us bit about brasilian web culture since orkut came in Brasil.

hummmm well, every day I use the orkut almost 1 hour just to answer scraps…and since orkut started, Brazilians always used to use msn, ICQ, to play multiplayer games, to post pictures on fotolog, but when orkut started in 2004, all brasilians liked and started to use it too, and now we still use it, million of brasilians

Priscilla tell us your hobbies and interests other then orkut.

I like to go to