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.

What a unique name right?  Divine Lee - Oh so Divine - so appropriate?  No i don’t know her personally but I was looking for blinds & shades and came across this magazine during one of my work assignment in Philippines.   So instead of looking for unique shades and blinds I was distracted and read up more on Divine Lee - only to end up feeling really proud of this young lady.

You see she is born an heiress but nothing like a spoilt brat in the same league as Paris Hilton but someone who is passionate about fashion and design - not interior design but clothing.  She is passionate about it and someone who believes in hard work and she should know because she worked in the mall when she first started.  Divine reminds me more of Ivana Trump - who once said that she wasn’t going to be an heiress who dance on tables without underwear.   She also takes an active role in her family business and someone with her own voice. Divine Lee looks up to her father and if you don’t know by now is the daughter of Delphin Lee the heiress to real estate giant Globe Asiatique who is also a well known philanthropist.   I wished that more young, rich and famous could be more like Divine Lee - because people look up to them and use them as a model.

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.

Known to be Asian 10 biggest philanthropist - at 57 runs Hon Hai Precision in Taiwan- also known to be Taiwan’s richest man with a fortune at $5.5 billion - is said to turn over his massive wealth to charity before he dies. His philanthropy focusing mainly on health care - last year alone funded a medical research for $500 million for the Taiwan University.  Wow! right?  $500 million is a lot of money!  for someone with that kind of wealth - i’m sure he uses some good document management software for all his work and personal properties.

His company is now the world’s largest contract manufacturer after leapfrogging Flextronics. Shares in its majority-owned international division Foxconn, have tripled in value since they were listed last year in Hong Kong. Gou’s annual salary: 3 cents (NT$1). Last year, he announced he would live off Hon Hai’s dividends, even though he is still keeps workaholic hours as chairman and president of the company he founded. Also put a chunk of his shares in a trust to pay employee bonuses. After his wife’s sad death from cancer last year, Gou has been receiving flowers and attention from hopeful women.

Amazingly generous - Yu Peng Nian - 88 yrs of age - gave everything away last month - to a foundation - he established 5 yrs ago.  I’m sure it rocked China - in a huge way -= what this philanthropist did.  Coming from a poor background but now a real - estate magnate - who would think that he would not leave anything for his family but to aid his pet causes – student scholarships, reconstruction after the 2008 Sichuan earthquake, and paying for operations for those like him who suffer from cataracts.  His total donation is entirely what he had  3.2 billion yuan (about $500-million).

Mr Yu was asked if his children were upset about his donation?  in which he had replied that if they were capable - they would have made their own fortune.  He also made sure that none of his donation will ever get inherited.  Harsh perhaps..?  or eccentric like he is well - known for ?  As a multi-millionaire i hear he doesn’t really display his wealth but chose to live in a hotel - his own perhaps..and eat in the restaurant like the rest of the people.

Mr. Yu, who is ranked the 432nd richest person in mainland China, has topped the Hurun Report lists of the country’s top philanthropists four years running – and will certainly do so again this year – leading by example as the idea of large-scale giving has quietly taken hold among a growing number of China’s superwealthy. His rag to riches story is quite inspiring i must say.  A man who doesn’t care what others say but just to make himself happy.  Wished i could say the same too eh.

Many people inspires me throughout my life - what about you?  many people touched my life - what about you?  I don’t know if it is an Asian thing but i love showing my appreciation with flowers - but what if you are showing your appreciation to a group of people  ?  like the people I work with from another country?  I used to love sending cookies but chocolate gift ideas seems to work a lot better and less complicated hahah!  no worries about not being fresh - chocolate last a long time.  But my ultimate favorite for the special people in my life - are flowers.  Everyone love flowers even the guys - i know so - because i sent my spouse some when i was in Asia traveling and he was in Canada then for work.   So yes - I always send flowers and chocolates what about you? for the special people in your life.

Newly minted Hollywood star Edmund Chen hails from home - Singapore - has a local wife - also a popular artiste back home and 2 children.  Older than I - Edmund Chen is definitely a model for diets that work .  I’ve watched Edmund’s first tv sitcom from home some 20 yrs ago - and am very proud that he is one of the few from home that made it to Hollywood.  Starred in a filmed from Warner Brothers Turn Left, Turn Left and more recently since i’ve seen a preview of Street Fighter : The Legend of Chun-Li also by Fox -  I think what I’m most inspired by Edmund is that he is not only steadfast in his job but in his relationship with his wife - Xiang Yun and children.

Look at how old his son is already- in the last few years - in the Asian Entertainment arena - we’ve seen so many marriages broken but both artistes - although rumored to have their own set of problems some 15 years ago - managed to work everything out and even have a 2nd child.  The spouse had said that this picture of a healthy family is what he hope to achieve to.   A beautiful family if you asked me - healthy looking and definitely fit.

I was actually looking for rv for sale in China but came across Robin Li instead and thought to myself - wow!  this fella is Asia’s google kingpin.  You know he is the founder of Baidu.com - the equivalent to Google here in the West for China.  So if Google is so successful here in the West and all over the world, you can imagine how successful it had to be for Baidu as well in China .. with millions of people using it.

Born in 1968 - a little younger than I - Robin Li’s parents were factory workers but managed to send him overseas for studies. He was in New York State University and got his masters in computer science 1994.  Worked in US at the Wall Street Journal and then went home and founded Baidu and the rest is what they said history.

Daughter of Lee Kun-Hee - ex chairman of Cheil Industries, Samsung affiliate and has a net worth of $500 million.   Recently also in the limelight because of their choice of fashion and accessories, this Samsung lady- the vice president of Samsung textile unit Cheil Industries is only 38 yrs old and already well known all over the world as the country’s biggest advertising agency.

She was promoted to senior VP in Samsung’s management after a reshuffle and had been calling the shots at the Cheil Worldwide’s business planning division.   She leads the creative planning department of the fashion business and has been credited for her contributions and the improvement of sales around the clothing brand of the company in the global market.  Beauty and brains that is what i call her.  I would like some of that.