Chicago South Asian Film Festival Oct 1-3

Presented by NetIP Chicago and Vachikam Inc., hosted by Columbia College Chicago and supported by the Chicago Department of Cultural Affairs, the festival was developed to promote South Asian culture throughout the greater Chicago metro area and Midwest, by showcasing filmmakers of South Asian descent as well as films that represent the perspective of the Diaspora. The event will establish a groundbreaking cinematic and cultural experience. This year’s festival will attract close to 2,000 people consisting of various professionals, students, faculty, filmmakers and members of the Chicago South Asian community.

The three-day experience kicks off with a red carpet event at the Chicago Cultural Center, followed by the opening night film, a question and answer session with the director and actors, and a gala reception.  Screenings on Saturday and Sunday will take place at Film Row Cinema at Columbia College Chicago. This year’s festival will screen 16 films including features, shorts, and documentaries in a variety of genres. All film sessions at Columbia College Chicago include Q&A with the director and/or actors.

As an added bonus, selected films will be shown at Claudia Theater at the Chicago Cultural Center on Saturday and admission to the public will be absolutely FREE – so don’t miss out on this opportunity to catch these outstanding independent films.

Additional offerings over the weekend include a special workshop “Hollywood Production with the Canon DSLR camera system” for those interested in learning how to use a Canon 5D/7D for film, television, and web production.

About the Films and Attendees

We’ve selected sixteen fascinating films that showcase the world through the eyes of South Asians. The line up includes the opening night film 2 Paise For Sunshine 4 Annas for Rain starring Manisha Koirala; 2009 National Award winning film, Antaheen; Ajay Naidu’s directorial debut movie, Ashes; and a series of outstanding features, short films and documentaries. More information on the films can be found at http://www.csaff.org/film_selections.html.

Artists expected to attend include award winning directors and actors – Deepti Naval, Manisha Koirala, Rajit Kapoor, Aparna Sen, Ajay Naidu, Ravi Kapoor, Aniruddha Roy Chowdhury, Meera Simhan, Umakanth Thumrugoti and Rajeshwari Sachdev.

Tickets

Tickets are on sale!! Individual movie screenings are only $11 and each screening includes a short film, the feature film and a Q&A session with the director and/or actor. It’s a perfect opportunity to meet the filmmakers and learn about their craft and their films.

Opening night is $100 and includes a red carpet arrival, screening of our opening night film, Q&A with the director/principal actors, and the exclusive opening night gala. Enjoy tantalizing hors d-oeuvres along with alcoholic beverages and other refreshments as you network in style with a crowd of prominent guests and artists. Opening night tickets are limited, so be sure to purchase your ticket soon!

Special festival passes are also available at a discounted rate. Please visit http://csaff.org/ticket_passes.html for tickets and prices.

For more information, contact Amit Rana, Cultural Chair NetIP Chicago at amit.rana@netipchicago.org

City of Seattle Proclamation

NetIP North America was honored today by the Seattle City Council and the Seattle Mayor by their proclamation that Friday August 20th, is SOUTH ASIAN PROFESSIONALS DAY.

“We welcome conference attendees to explore all the city has to offer and encourage Seattle citizens to take note of the contributions the South Asian Community has made to Seattle.”

Signed:

Council President Richard Conlin
Council member Jean Godden (sponsor)
Council member Sally Bagshaw
Council member Tim Burgess
Council member Sally J. Clark
Council member Bruce A. Harrell
Council member Nick Licata
Council member Mike O’Brien
Council member Tom Rasmussen
Mayor Michael McGinn

URGENT ACTION REQUEST – Your Vote Could Help Grameen Foundation Win $200,000 to Fight Poverty!

Vote Now  – www.takepart.com/membersproject/vote

http://www.grameenfoundation.org/vote

As you may know, NetIP has chosen to raise funds and awareness for Grameen Foundation’s work in South Asia.  NetIP believes in Grameen Foundation’s mission to enable the poor – especially the poorest – to create a world without poverty. We do this by providing cutting-edge products and services in microfinance and technology, enabling those in need to change their lives forever.

With a small action – just a couple of clicks  – you can help make that world without poverty a reality.

Grameen Foundation is battling for first place – and $200,000 in funding – with just one other organization in the Community Development category in American Express’s Take Part Challenge.

We need every NetIP member to vote TODAY (before Sunday at 11:59 p.m. PDT) – and next week too!  Voting ends next Sunday, August 22^nd.  You can vote once per week from each e-mail address you have.

Please help – it’s an easy and effective way to make a difference in our fight against global poverty.

Thanks,

All of us at Grameen Foundation

P.S.  After you vote, please spread the word to your friends!

Tweet this:

Join me and #netipna in fighting global #poverty w/ #microfinance & VOTE 4 @GrameenFdn to win $200K! http://bit.ly/Vote4GF #Vote4GF 

Tell your friends on Facebook. Please copy and paste this text as your status:

Vote before 11:59 p.m. PDT to help Grameen Foundation create a world without poverty by providing microfinance and technology products and services to the world’s poorest, especially women. Vote now and again on Monday! http://bit.ly/Vote4GF

NetIP Charity Auction, get your conference tickets for $299!

The conference is almost here and we are very excited to host you in the beautiful city of Seattle. We are pleased to announce a charity auction of tickets to the conference starting at the unbelievably low price of $299! This is your chance to encourage your friends and members to attend the conference by winning tickets to the conference. All proceeds are earmarked for charity, so this is your chance to attend the conference and do some good all at the same time.

Tickets are already on sale for a very short duration. Share this link with close friends, take advantage now!

Click here to access the ticket auction: http://myworld.ebay.com/netipnorthamerica

NetIP thanks you for your support and looks forward to seeing you in the Emerald City.

NetIP Member to Compete in World Racquetball Championships

We are excited to announce that NetIP Philadelphia board member SATHWIK RAI will be representing INDIA at the 2010 WORLD RACQUETBALL CHAMPIONSHIPS to be held in Seoul, Korea from August 11th to August 21st.

TEAM INDIA consists of three players- Sathwik Rai, Raaj Mohan and Srikaran Kandadai.  Sathwik is going to be playing both in the Individual World Men’s Singles and Doubles draw.   He will also team up with Raaj Mohan and Srikaran Kandadai in the World Team championships.  Unfortunately, the Indian federation has not been able to offer TEAM INDIA any financial assistance and the team members have to raise their own funds for this unique mission.  You can really make a difference in  TEAM INDIA’s and Sathwik’s efforts at the World Championships by supporting them in one of the following ways:
 
With a contribution of 75-100 USD  you will receive a free exclusive Racquetball INDIA promo  t-shirt.
With a contribution of over 100 USD you will receive a cool free exclusive Racquetball INDIA promo hoodie.

 
* Make a contribution towards TEAM INDIA at http://www.racquetballindia.com/Donate.aspx.
* Make a contribution towards Sathwik’s efforts at http://www.racquetballindia.com/PlayerSathwik.aspx

Check out TEAM INDIA’s exclusive promo line collection at http://www.rolloutrball.com/2010-national-team-apparel.htm
The official World Championships website is at  http://www.korearacquetball.com/wrc2010/sub/main.php

Thank you for your support!
NetIP Philadelphia

http://www.netipphiladelphia.org/

Seattle Calling

Seattle calling… come join NetIP for our gala of the year!

We’re just a month away from the biggest event of the year – the NetIP Annual Conference.  Seattle is already buzzing with excitement.  Not only do we have a remarkable line-up of speakers and 500+ vibrant South Asians to network with here, but there is also a whole range of fun waiting for you in the emerald city.  What starts with the conference kick-off mixer gala at the ultra-cool Seattle Aquarium only continues through your journey in Seattle.  Here are quick nuggets of fun that’s waiting for you at the NetIP Annual Conference:

Friday Night Cocktail Mixer – Aqua Unique

Network at the conference kick-off mixer with sizzling South Asians at the ultra-cool Seattle Aquarium.  Mix it up with underwater sea-stars, fish and even a Pacific Octopus.  Explore underwater worlds and see the luminous window on Washington Waters with hundreds of fish.  Take in the gorgeous view of Puget Sound from the private Aquarium deck while you groove with our DJ. And we have not one but two of the hottest DJs from the Northwest spinning Bollywood and Hip Hop!!

Meet Janina Gavankar in Person!
Actor. Musician. Geek.  That’s what gorgeous 26-year-old Indian-Dutch all American Janina Gavankar calls herself.  Best known for her role as ‘Papi’ on Showtime’s The L-Word, Janina has made appearances on several of TV’s most popular shows, starred in movies, been signed to a major label in a girl group and blazed the trail for South Asians looking to make a mark in Hollywood with every step she has taken.  Her versatility is groundbreaking and setting the entertainment industry on fire.

For more more information visit http://www.netipconference.org/seattle/

Jay Sean wishes NetIP on its 20th Anniversary!

Jay Sean Is Ready To Party Like It’s The End Of The World in “2012”

neoDesi superstar, Jay Sean is ready to “party like it’s the end of the world” and take down the iTunes charts yet again. He is back with the much anticipated “2012 (It Aint The End)” – his new single with rapper Nicki Minaj, a video and a new album set to release in November.

“2012 (It Aint The End),” which hits iTunes on August 3^rd, is an energetic R&B, dance-pop track that re-imagines the apocalypse into a celebration of life and love. Joining Jay Sean on the track is Nicky Minaj, the current queen of rap adding a spitfire tenacity to Sean’s velvety, sexy pop vocals.

Click here to see Jay Sean wishing NetIP on its 20th anniversary: http://bit.ly/ag2HPS

Fans who are anxious to see the video for “2012 (It Aint The End)” will have to wait until August 8^th when it premiers on MTV.

“2012 (It Aint The End)” is the first record off of Jay Sean’s second American album, “Freeze Time” with Cash Money/Universal Republic. The album will release in stores and on all digital platforms on November 2^nd.

Jay Sean’s American debut, “Down,” became the #1 most downloaded track in America and reached #1 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart when it released in 2009, making him the only solo artist of South Asian descent and first UK urban act to top the Billboard chart. Jay Sean and his team credit much of the initial success of his American career to the South Asian demographic. Jay and his team hope that his fans will mobilize to endorse South Asian artists in mainstream America and support “2012 (It Aint The End)” as it hits airwaves and iTunes.

Check out Jay Sean’s single “2012 (It ain’t the end)” out now on iTunes: http://www.bit.ly/JaySean2012

Ever thought of Investing in India?

Monopoly – a simple game we all grew up playing.  People playing that game can be divided into two groups: the smaller population that always wins, and the rest of us.  Perhaps it is the dice? But it’s probably the strategy. It’s a game that can be applied to real life, in which investment in real estate is still the most lucrative option; the question now is where and when?

At this year’s NetIP Annual Conference, IREO, India’s leading real estate developer, will be hosting a panel to explore purchasing Real Estate in India, investment opportunities for NRIs, and the changing face of India’s real estate and infrastructure space. Global companies are flocking to India for office space across the country. The expanding workforce in urban areas is driving the need for quality housing, and the Indian government has estimated there will be a deficit of approximately 26.53 million units by 2012. The housing markets in these growing cities have held up during from the worldwide downturn in 2008-2009.

One of the cities experiencing an expansion surge is Gurgaon in the Delhi NCR, named in a recent study by Jones Lang LaSalle Meghraj as the top city for residential real estate investment. The honor was bestowed due in part to the rapid increase in office and retail space, the quality residential developments being constructed, diverse industries, and favorable connectivity to Delhi with the new Gurgaon-Delhi Metro and NH-8, an express route to the International Airport and Delhi.  The current prices of homes in the city have increased by 40-100% since the minimum recorded prices during the slump of late 2008-early 2009. An example of this demand is IREO’s first project in Gurgaon, The Grand Arch, which has seen a 38% rise in prices in less than 6 months following initial bookings in September 2009. It is not about playing the investment game – it’s all about strategy.

Real Estate Opportunities in Gurgaon

Just to give a little taste of what types of properties are in Gurgaon:

• IREO Victory Valley: Home to the largest tower in North India, soaring to 51-stories. Luxury apartments; over 7 acres of landscaped gardens, two clubhouses, and a beach-resort themed swimming pool.
• DLF: The Aralias: High-end apartments overlooking the DLF Golf and Country Club, for sale by invitation only. Each unit is built to suit each unique buyer.
• IREO Uptown: 2-4 bedroom 3-side open and villa-like apartments with spacious balconies; a state-of-the-art clubhouse and recreational facilitates.
• Tata Rasinia Residency: Spread over 12 acres hosting 9 towers with a mix of various apartment types to fit various family needs, ranging from 3 bedroom apartments to independent villas.

About IREO

IREO is the first and largest FDI (foreign direct investment) investor in Indian property and a leading pan-India developer. Since 2003, IREO has invested US $1.5 billion in a portfolio of 14 projects in prime locations across 3,000 acres of owned land – one of the leading pan-India asset portfolios. The company has evolved as a fully integrated real estate organization that is the developer of its projects, and possesses a diversified portfolio consisting of master planned gated communities, mixed-use office and retail spaces, industrial parks including SEZs, and hospitality properties. Before the end of 2010, IREO plans to launch over six million square feet of housing.

The real estate market is quickly changing, and if you learn the rules now and take advantage of the expanding Indian real estate market, soon you could be the prosperous banker of your own monopoly.  Be sure to attend IREO’s panel for more details about real estate opportunities in India.

India Day concert with Jay Sean

Indo US Council has big plans for Atlantic City

The Indo US Council just announced their set of initiatives for boosting the influx of visitors to Atlantic City. “This action of hosting numerous events in the area will attract the large Indian American community living in the north east US to Atlantic City,” says Dr. Sanjay Gupta, president of the council, “with India ’s Independence Day Celebrations being the first one on the agenda.”

On August 13th 2010 the India’s Independence Day Celebrations will commence with a night of music and dance featuring a live concert by “the international pop sensation and multi-platinum selling Cash Money/Universal Republic recording artist Jay Sean” , at the Trump Taj Mahal Arena followed by a colorful parade next day on August 14th. The India Day Parade will march on Atlantic City’s famous boardwalk and it promises to flaunt magnificent floats displaying the ravishing and diverse Indian culture with its glory and grandeur. The parade will end in a big display of Indian handicraft, beautiful clothing and jewelry .Invitees as chief guests include Bollywood stars, prominent professionals & businessmen with local and central government officials.

To organize these events, the council has the help and support from several different social and professional organizations, such as NetIP, including physicians, hotel owners, business owners and other professionals. These events are expected to attract Indian-Americans from the whole Northeastern corridor, where a whopping 35% of its population lives, nearly a million. The Independence Day Celebrations alone is expected to bring in excess of over 50,000 visitors to Atlantic City.

One of the main attractions added to bring in more visitors to the region is the “PALACE ON WHEELS”. The Palace on Wheels is a world-famous one-of-a-kind train in India that is fit for kings and queens. The interior décor is palatial giving you an experience of splendid and enchanting royal journey. ACES trains of Atlantic City will have the flavor of” Palace on Wheels” for the celebrations.  This special train will run between New York City and Atlantic City featuring a touch of Indian décor with tasty Indian food and Indian models dressed traditionally to give you the experience of the original. A unique experience, indeed, will be made possible with the help of Borgata, Harrah’s and Caesars casinos.

Additionally, a Teen Patti tournament within that weekend is also in the works. Teen Patti, widely known as Three Card Poker, is an integral part of the Indian culture. Apart from being one of the most favored card games in India , it has also embedded itself within the Indian festivals. It is meant to be played during festivals like Diwali (Festival of Lights) and Holi (Festival of colors) to bring luck and fortune. Tournament such as this will also play its part in attracting players to the casinos.

NetIP members get discounted tickets for groups of 10 or more at the $50 level. For more information contact pooja@netip.org

Meet SAMBAA, NetIP’s Alliance Partner

Recently, NetIP North America formed an Alliance Partnership with SAMBAA – the South Asian MBA Association.  SAAMBA is based in California and on Thursday July 29 will be co-sponsoring a professional networking event with NetIP SFBA.

Professional development is one of NetIP’s four pillars and is reinforced by forming alliances with organizations such as SAMBAA that strive to create an environment where South Asian professionals can learn more about climbing the corporate ladder whether they have an MBA or are simply interested in pursuing the degree.

SAMBAA’s mission is to provide a platform to foster the next generation of corporate executives and entrepreneurs who have an interest in South Asia and to enable them to become successful global leaders.

SAMBAA offers Executive Coaching programs as well as programs geared towards women and the unique challenges they face as they strive to excel at their careers.

So, if you’re interested in understanding what opportunities an MBA can afford you, or you have your MBA and are trying to understand how best to employ your skill set to excel at your career, SAMBAA has specially geared programs and events that will help you maximize your potential and become a leader with your organization.

It strives to provide a forum where South Asians can share knowledge and experience while growing their network as they are employed in key roles within major corporations and comprise the fastest growing MBA education segment of the population.

For more information on SAMBAA please visit www.SAMBAA.org

To learn more about our Alliance Partner program, please email Kanika@NetIP.org