TATA NEN -- Hottest start-ups

In its search for the most innovative start-ups in India, the National Entrepreneurship Network (NEN) in association with the Tata group has launched the Tata NEN Hottest Startups awards. In a first of its kind contest, winners will be chosen through a public voting process, rather than a panel of experts. The voting begins today.

Some of the startups include Seventymm, MobiYard, oCricket, Stylus, Lucifer Lights, MobiLearnTV, Rupeetalk, The Loot.

Check out the competition site (www.hotteststartups.in) for more details. on the complete list of nominations, reviewing experts, nominee profiles, and ratings and additional entrepreneurial resources. The site is indeed a well of knowledge and creative ideas, even for the non-participants. I personally like the sections -- Knowledge bank, Bright ideas and Fun Box, among others.

Are there any alternative pronunciations?

Well, we Indians have a way with words, even if the rest of the (western) world thinks otherwise. ;)

Sameer Mishra, a 13-year old boy of Indian origin, has won the title at the 2008 Scripps National Spelling Bee, as reported here. He correctly spelt the word guerdon -- meaning 'something that has different language roots'.

I keenly watch this contest whenever it comes on TV. This is the story for the past several years. I also take pride in the fact that my spelling sense isn't that bad and wish (still) that something of this sort should be there in India as well. I just love this show. And what amazes me is the cornucopia of wordpower which these lads have. Every year, Indians rule the roost over there. If you have watched this show, you'll understand the part when the participants ask the judges in their heavy accents, rolling their tongues: 'Are there any a(w)lter(r)native pronunciations?' or 'May I have the language of origin please.' Then they go on to spell even the toughest words you could ever think of, with utmost ease -- A-P-P-O-G-G-I-A-T-U-R-A. Ha! It's damn interesting. That's what Anurag Kashyap spelt to win the 2005 contest by the way. How I wish to participate in one of these contests ...

FESPACO -- the pan-African film & TV festival

This week, the Alliance Francaise of Madras showcased a selection of award winning African movies. FESPACO, the Pan-African film and television festival, is the biggest, regular cultural event on the African continent. FESPACO was started in 1969, and is held every two years. At the end of the festival the grand prize of the mythical Yennenga Stallion is awarded to the best film. The Alliance Francaise of Madras in association with the Indo Cine Appreciation Forum presented four of the films that have previously won this prestigious award. I could see only two of them due to my engagements elsewhere -- Ali Zaoua & Sarraounia.

Ali Zaoua: Prince of the Streets

It is a 2000 Moroccan crime drama film directed by Nabil Ayouch about the homeless street children, who steal, fight, even kill for the sake of survival. It has won numerous awards, including the 2000 Stockholm Film Festival and 2000 Amiens International Film Festival.

Ali -- the movie's central character, Kwita, Omar and Boubker, are street children who wander the streets of Casablanca, sniffing glue. Ali is killed in a stone-fight by one of members of the rival gang, headed by deaf and dumb Dib. Now, the 3 remaining friends do whatever they can to give their friend a burial like a prince.

They even arrange for the robes of a sailor as Ali wanted to be a sailor who wanted to sail away to his fictitious island of two suns. Interspersed with rib-ticking dialogues and performances from the kids, some of whom are real life street urchins, and some thought-provoking scenes, the movie is a beautiful depiction of the street scene of Casablanca. It reminds me of the innocence found in most of the Iranian movies. However, the movie doesn't tell us what drove the kids to such a state in the first place. But it's definitely worth a watch.

Sarraounia

This 1986 film from Mauritania, by Med Hondo, is a powerful story about the historical Queen Sarraounia, a great leader of the Aznas' resistance against the French in 1899, after many other tribes had succumbed to the attack of the colonizing soldiers. It starts with an old man asking his friend to look after her daughter Sarraounia. The foster father not only looks after her, but also teaches her to use various weapons.

It reminded me of Chinua Achebe's much acclaimed novel, Things Fall Apart. The European armies invade Africa, trying to spread their empire, are faced by a determined tribe of Sarraounia. The movie was intense and slightly long. Sarraounia's role as the warrior princess could have been given more air-time. But with its beautiful traditional music and visually appealing shots, you'll not forget the movie for a long time.

The film, touted as 'the first African epic' by Le Monde, was featured at festivals in Montreal, San Francisco, Berlin, Moscow, Atlanta, and London, and won several awards at the annual African Film Festival at Ougadougou.

Other movies

The remaining two movies which I couldn't see were:

1. Tilaï (1990) from Burkina Faso, directed by Idrissa Ouédraogo

2. Guimba the Tyrant (1995) from Mali, directed by Cheick Oumar

Pangea Day

Yesterday, while watching Star World (after ages), I saw this show and just could not change the channel because the show was just so engrossing. I later found out that it was the inaugural Pangea Day. And believe me, it was a fabulous showcase of some of the best short films from across the world – all packed in a 4 hours show. It was just so beautiful. Films from Iran, Egypt, France, Australia, Mozambique, from everywhere -- truly a treat.

About Pangea Day

Pangea Day was an international multimedia event conducted on May 10, 2008. It was coordinated from 6 locations – Cairo, Kigali, London, Los Angeles, Mumbai, and Rio de Janeiro – in 7 languages – to produce a 4-hour program of short films, live music and speakers. The program was broadcast live across the globe from 1800 to 2200 UTC, culminating in a global drum circle, symbolizing the common heartbeat of the world. According to the festival organizers, "Pangea Day plans to use the power of film to bring the world a little closer together."

Pangea Day originated in 2006 when documentary filmmaker Jehane Noujaim won the TED Prize. Jehane wished to use film to bring the world together.

Pangea from the Ancient Greek pan, meaning entire, and gaea, meaning Earth was the supercontinent before each of the component continents were separated into their current configuration. Used in this way it is meant to imply the "connectedness" or unitary nature of all people on Planet Earth. [By the way, Nokia was the global partner of the event – Connecting People!]

The films

Pangea Day was a celebration of the power of film. It featured films that were funny, sad, gorgeous, stark – and powerful. Voices that had never been heard before. Things many had never seen. Scenes from worlds few had visited. A cross-section of our amazing, complicated, noisy, beautiful world.

The films in this program were chosen by Pangea Day's panel from more than 2,000 submissions and a long roster of curated suggestions. Together, these films moved us, frightened us, made us laugh and smile, and helped us feel closer to the world.

Learn more about Pangea Day films.

The speakers

In between the films of Pangea Day, some astonishing speakers talked about our world in surprising ways. From Jordan's Queen Noor to former boy soldier Ishmael Beah, from journalist Mariane Pearl to planetary explorer Carolyn Porco, we heard powerful stories and mind-expanding new ideas. And in one unforgettable moment, two historic enemies met on the Pangea Day stage.

Learn more about Pangea Day speakers

The music

The music of Pangea Day came from Brazilian legend Gilberto Gil, rock stars Bob Geldof and Dave Stewart, and the elegant and soulful Rokia Traoré – plus underground Iranian indie rockers Hypernova – and a few surprises.

Learn more about Pangea Day music.

In the end

Well, I just loved the concept. And some of the short films shown were truly outstanding. You can check out the Highlights from Pangea Day here.

Keep smiling!

Source: Wikipedia & Pangea Day Website