Inspirational Men & Woman

Dr. Pallavi Patel, accomplished pediatrician, entrepreneur and philanthropist, had always wanted to make a difference in the world.  A native of Ahmedabad, India, she worked with her physician husband, Dr. Kiran C. Patel, in Zambia for many years before coming to Tampa in 1982. In Tampa, she was soon making a major difference in her community.  The Patels started a medical practice which quickly expanded to 22 locations offering family and internal medicine, pediatrics and cardiology.  By pursuing managed healthcare contracts, these practices serviced more than 90,000 patient visits annually.  Eventually their efforts led to the formation and success of Wellcare HMO.  By the time they sold their majority interest in that company in 2002, it served over 400,000 members and employed more than 1200 people in Florida and New York.

Dr. Pallavi Patel and her husband, Dr. Kiran C. Patel recently announced a $5 million gift to the Tampa Bay Performing Arts Center to establish a school in her name. She also co-founded the Annual Indian Festival at the Sun Dome at the University of South Florida. In Tampa Bay, the Patels have helped establish a charter school to meet the needs of at-risk children. Dr. Pallavi Patel was inducted into the Florida Women’s Hall of Fame. This is the first time an Indian woman has been extended such an honor in the US.

We should have more people like Abdul Edhi in this world - why?  because he is known also as the Mother Teresa of Karachi - or the equivalent.  Abdul and his wife apparently worked with people and helping them for a long, long time and they are folks who doesn’t like the publicity either.  Folks like Abdul and his wife are proof that you do not need to be very rich nor very educated to care and help others.  They are totally committed to helping the poor and needy.

Abdul started the Edhi Foundation on his own in a one room office but is now one of the largest welfare organization in Pakistan.  The foundation now has over 300 centers across the country providing medical care, family planning and emergency assistance.   The foundation refuses to get any help from the government to maintain its independence and in 1985 the foundation received the Nishan - e - Imtiaz from the Government of Pakistan and in recognition of their services the Government of Philippines awarded Abdul and his wife the Magsavay award.

For those who are not aware of this - I worked in the hospitality industry for many years before migrating to Canada in the name of love.  Working a  customer service representative work -   is not as easy as you think - or see - because back home in Asia - we bend backwards to keep our in house guests happy.  So when I first came to Canada and our the hotel room wasn’t reserved for us as planned - and no apologies given - I cannot but wonder how people survive here in the hospitality industry.

Back home to work in the hospitality industry - you have to go to a school called the SHATEC - Singapore Hotel Association & Training, Entertaining and Catering for 2 years and you pay for it - thousands of dollars to get into a hotel. Of course, here in the West - you are indeed lucky - you can become a front desk clerk - without the school.   But yes - you have to admire the customer service people - because they deal with all sorts of people.  Sure we all hope for great in house guests or paying customers - but some customers can be really nasty and abusive.  Plus when you work in a hotel - and on a night shift with drunk customers coming back from night club - you really need to be very tactful - inside story.   Having said all the above - I’ve had great joy working in the hotels i worked for and I’ve gain so much experiences from them - I learned a lot and brought it a long with me - when i came to Canada.

This Japanese lady who is 75 years old lives in Italy - married to an Italian businessman who died in 1982 - leaving her a fortune.  But she decided long ago - that her mission in life is to support the arts and help fund many, many orchestras and musician.  Ardent supporter of the New York’s Carnegie Hall since 2005.  Underwrote the New York Philharmonic’s first concert in Pyongyang on Feb. 26, as well as its show in Seoul two days later. As part of the tour, music students in North Korea took classes with Philharmonic musicians and attended their rehearsal.

Yoko’s favorite quote is :”I know nothing about politics, I don’t care about the conflicts between North Korea, Japan, United States. I love music and music is a universal language. I am pleased I can make the concert possible, I hope it can contribute to peace”  And more people should be like her.

I’ve actually only know more about Carol Channing after listening forever to this song “Diamonds Are The Girl’s Best Friend”.  Carol was the original singer of this song in Broadway - or rather introduced this song to everyone.  And in most places that I’ve seen Carol in ?  are award shows - so I’ve often wondered who this person is.

Born in 1921, she is an singer and an actress - won 3 Tonys and including a lifetime achievement, a Golden Globe and an Oscar nomination.  Married 4 times - she now resides in California with her 4th husband - her high school sweetheart.  Ahhh - so sweet!

Michelle Yeoh from Asia is older than I but definitely looks a lot better than I *sigh* - I’ve gotta work harder to get myself in shape.  But Michelle Yeoh is definitely an inspiration to Asian woman - not only is she good looking - she is famous and she is a woman who holds her own and don’t need the men in her life to buy her diamonds .  Although, I’m sure diamonds are meant to be bought by the special men in your life.

Born in Malaysia - where women there are known to be quite contented with being the best mothers and wives - Michelle is from a small town - in Malaysia - Ipoh but is now based in Hong Kong - making movies and being the 50 Most Beautiful People as said by People magazine.  Acting is her passion and she appears on all prominent functions of high society but kept a very low profile in her personal life.  But you can see Michelle shopping for the best - yet living simply.

Married to Dickson Poon a influential businessman - she retired after marrying and lived a life of a high society tai - tai - who usually shops for jewelery and have tea during the day.  But 3 yrs later after they divorced - Michelle returned to acting.   I’ve noticed she is more into American movies these days than Hong Kong movies - mostly in action roles.  So far no one in Malaysia had claimed such fame as Michelle Yeoh - will you be the next?

Bhai Patwant Singh is a famous Sikh writer, commentator, journalist, editer and publisher, as well as a frequent TV presenter. He was born in New Delhi on March 28, 1925. He grew up and carried out his school and University education in Delhi. He began his career in the family business of building and engineering but soon merged these interests with his love for writing. He started up his first periodical, The Indian Builder, in 1953 as publisher. In 1957, he unveiled his most influential journal, Design, the only magazine of its kind in the world at that time.

Singh wrote over 10 books on history, politics and international affairs. His latest ‘Empire of the Sikhs: The Life and Times of Maharaja Ranjit Singh’ was released in Washington DC on June 18. Educated in Delhi, Patwant Singh, who made headlines with path-breaking Design magazine before turning his focus to issues that the Sikh community was grappling with, authored a definitive biography of Bhagat Puran Singh and several books about Sikhs.

As Chairman of a family Trust, Patwant Singh established a unique rural medical facility in the state of Haryana in 1977. The Kabliji Hospital and Rural Health Centre is today acknowledged as a one-of-a-kind initiative in providing medical coverage and promoting preventive health in rural India. It was born out of Patwant Singh’s conviction that very little was being done for the medical and educational needs of the rural population in India, and that private initiative must play a role in providing these. A school was also founded next to the hospital a few years later. Both continue to flourish.
Travel

He travelled to many countries, often as a guest of their governments. Among these are Germany, USA, UK, Sweden, Australia, Japan, Taiwan, Thailand, Vietnam, Indonesia, Malaysia and the Philippines.

I have never met teachers who worked with special kids till coming to Canada and because my kid’s class has a special kid.  Having to explain why this good kid is different to my kid was a wee tough but seeing how one of her teacher dealt with this special kid was very touching.  The patience and the kindness from this teacher really taught me something - it touched a sentimental chord in me.  One can never imagine - what a teacher like that have to go thru’ daily - everyday is a new challenge - for i know one day - the kid ran outta the class into the streets because she thought that recess bell was the going home bell.

So at the end of the school year - we all decided to chip in and get this special teacher a gift - a thank you gift - even though she wasn’t dealing with my kid - but I figured it would be a thoughtful thing to do as well for a teacher so special.  So we decided to get her an ipod touch and I read up on some ipod reviews to make sure we get the right ipod for her but instead chose a ipod nano for her gift.  Why?  with an ipod touch - she needed a subscription to go online where else the ipod nano - she can just use it for her daily walking and exercises - that was all she needed according to the rest of the parents in school.  Yes ! special teachers deserve something special from parents - regardless whether it’s your special kid - we should all honor and appreciate these “special” teachers.

Shirley Douglas is the mother of Kiefer Sutherland from 24 - the tv series that had been running for years now.  It is only today that I learned about this - and what a beauty she was - i mean she still looked really stunning for her age.   I bet if she was living in Asia - her dad would need some good deadbolt locks to keep the suitors/admirers out hahahah!!   But of course in the West - things are quite different and locks are only meant to keep the crooks out and not those who genuinely admire their daughters.

Shirley Douglas, the daughter of the Greatest Canadian, Tommy Douglas carries on his legacy by being actively involved in lobbying federal and provincial government officals to retain and improve Canadians’ medicare system.

In 1965, Shirley married Douglas Sutherland - the year i was born and moved to California, where she actively protested against the Vietnam War and helped to establish Firends of the Black Panthers.  Refused a US work permit, she eventually returned to Canada in 1977.  Her had many acting role after returning home and in 2000, Shirley received a Gemini Award for Best Featured Actress in the 1999 television film, Shadow Lake, an honourary doctorate from Ryerson Polytechnic University in 2001, and the diamond award from the Variety Club.

Sheela Murthy is a successful immigration lawyer and founder of the Murthy Law firm  . Sheela’s story  showcases the ability of philanthropists in the U.S. to live, give and do business in both worlds, India and the U.S. Sheela moved from India in the 80s and graduated from Harvard Law School. She started her own law firm in 1994 in Maryland with a liaison office in Chennai. The Murthy Law Firm was honored in 2008 with the Maryland International Global Award for contributing to international issues. Ernst & Young also honored Sheela as  Entrepreneur of the Year in 2009.  She is listed among the top 100 women in Maryland.

In addition to business success, Sheela was named 2009 Philanthropist of the Year by United Way Central Maryland for her $1 million gift. Sheela and her husband started the  MurthyNayak Foundation  to support projects in India and the U.S. The Foundation focuses their work on children and women’s health and educational issues, programs that assist immigrants, and disaster relief efforts. In India, the Foundation supports adult education and literacy, orphanages and old-age homes, and offers scholarships.