Me

I’m a 2011 GlaxoSmithKline (GSK) PULSE participant. The GSK PULSE Partnership program, launched in April 2009, is an initiative that gives employees an opportunity to use their professional skills and knowledge during a three or six month immersion experience within a non-profit or non-governmental organization (PULSE Partner) to make a sustainable difference for communities and patients in need. For more about the PULSE program: http://www.gsk.com/community/pulse

For the next 6 months, I’ll be working with Direct Relief International (DRI), a non-sectarian, non-profit, disaster relief and health assistance organization located in Santa Barbara, California, USA. DRI provides medical goods to institutions and organizations serving those affected by poverty, natural disasters, and civil unrest throughout the world. DRI currently works in partnership with hospitals, clinics, and non-profit organizations throughout the United States as well as Africa, Asia, Latin America, and Eastern Europe. My time with DRI will be focused on exploring the feasibility of establishing a National Charitable Medicine Foundation in India to increase access to medical products for people in India. For more about DRI: www.directrelief.org

Wednesday, October 26, 2011

Diwali Lights



Diwali Fireworks through my window

My own "Diya"s..oil lamps

Diwali Lights from my window

More Diwali lights

And more Diwali lights!

Diwali alter at the Agarwal residence

Me offering flowers at the alter

Trying to avoid the camera ;)

Fireworks being sent off

More Fireworks from my window

All decked out for Diwali..


Tuesday, October 25, 2011

Diwali in Mumbai!
Getting Ready for Diwali

Diwali Lanterns



Awesome Colors!!!

More Awesome Colors


Lit up for Diwali..this is only a preview!

GSK-India colleague in traditional gear

GSK-India colleagues preparing "Rangoli" for the competition (First Floor)

Second Floor

Third Floor

Me on Diwali

Me and Rupali on Diwali

Oil lamp lit for Diwali

Prayers (Puja) held to bless GSK-India

Singing Hymns

Taking Flowers to Offer at the Alter

Ground Floor Rangoli - the artwork was dedicated to saving the girl child from female fetucide (sp?)

Notice the dancing guys shirt has a GSK Logo !!

GSK-India Lobby on Diwali

Second Floor Rangoli - Notice the Cervarix logo, which was incorporated into the artwork and the theme

Third Floor (which is really the fourth floor?) creators of the Rangoli

Third Floor Rangoli

Sunday, October 23, 2011

Celebrating Anuruddh's Birthday at a Shelter for Rural Cancer Patients coming to Mumbai for Chemotherapy

Anuruddh, Mr. Iyer's  (DRI Agent in India) grandson and his grandmother, Meena distributing food to residents at the Shelter
Residents praying before starting Lunch
Prayer Songs before starting Lunch
Me -trying to help..
Me helping the Birthday Boy !
Meena explaining how to make the sweet dessert I'm eating..
A street family taking mobile photos of their son
Meena feeding dessert to Anuruddh
Birthday Boy with the Grand Parents



A family I pass by every day back from work