/ Publisher's Message, Fall 2013

by Raj Girn

Publisher’s Message, Fall 2013

Oct 15, 2013

Micro Innovation With Macro Effects

I’m not one for labels and judgment by any means, as I believe that every perspective has validity by default of being an opinion someone procured either through first- or second-hand experience. In my book, experience is the greatest and most powerful validator of them all. Now don’t get me wrong, as I’m not condoning obvious foundless and destruction-based diatribes. I’m just professing the probability that not all that classes itself as “normal” opinion is in fact good for us. Not all of it is experience-based or humanity-driven, but it has nonetheless made its way into the “normal” category because of popular opinion or culture. Moreover, and as history dictates, most opinions and conditions are made to be morphed or changed to make room for new ideologies to move society along its dynamic journey towards innovation.

I believe that innovation is something that is born from a simple idea one or two people (micro) may have, and that with staunch conviction, they proceed to test the waters to see if they can reinvent the swim. It’s not until they have taken that leap of faith to fruition that the “big boys” (macro) step in, pay the fee to own it, and mass-produce it. Only then do you and I get to experience the idea, thinking that the “big boys” created it from concept to acquisition. With all the rules, regulations and red tape that they, the “big boys,” need to navigate through, the fact is that they just don’t take the risks because as we all know, the bigger they are, the harder they fall. Tim O’Reilly, the founder of O’Reilly Media, once said something similar about open source: “Empowerment of individuals is a key part of what makes open source work, since in the end, innovations tend to come from small groups, not from large, structured efforts.” So, as we get ready to close out yet another action-packed year and look to building new horizons or expanding on existing ones, just remember: you are never too small to think big, see big or do big — never! Maybe it’s your idea the world and humanity are waiting for!

With this in mind, I want to share with you all that I decided to conduct this issue’s Open Chest cover story with a think-big, see-big, do-big trailblazer — Nina Davuluri, who became the first South Asian Miss America in the history of the pageant. Her crowning sparked global debate. In America, Twitter backlash questioned her “Americaness”. In India, comments emerged about the tone of her skin colour being a potential disqualifier from her progressing if she had competed in a beauty pageant there, due to the country’s obsession with the “white skin = beauty” propaganda. Check out our chat on page 20, where she addresses all of this an more, and see how she embodies “micro innovation with macro effects”.

Also take a look at our fabulous Annual Holiday Gift Guide on page 97, prepared especially for you by our expert editors who have scoured the world to bring you the very best in gift giving ideas for everyone you know — a must-keep in your car this season for those planned and spontaneous trips to the mall you know we’ll all take!

Finally, here at ANOKHI MEDIA, we get ready to host another tremendous experience with our 11th Anniversary Event taking place on Saturday February 1st, 2014, at the Queen Elizabeth Theatre (the awards, fashion and entertainment show) and the FountainBlu Entertainment Complex (the media reception and after party) in Toronto. To get on our pre-registration list to be notified when tickets become available, please email us at [email protected], stating your full name along with your request to be added to the list. For sponsorship enquiries, please email us at [email protected] or call us at 416-535-7000. To keep up-to-date with announcements for the event, subscribe for free to http://anokhimedia.com/free-2-in-1-offer. And to find out who will be attending, log on to www.anokhimedia.com/11thanniversaryevent.

Have a great holiday season. I’ll see you in 2014 . . . and always remember to Be UNIQUE. Be ANOKHI.

Raj Girn
Founder/Publisher

_{PHOTOGRAPHY BY RYAN EMBERLEY}

Raj Girn

Author

Raj Girn is an award-winning media personality, confidence coach, consultant and mentor. Bio: https://www.theopenchestconfidenceacademy.com/about/our-founder/ Testimonials: https://www.theopenchestconfidenceacademy.com/about/testimonials/