Harriet Silva Vidyasagar 2000* 

 

write to:
2033 Westchester Drive 
Silver Spring, 
Maryland 20902
USA

 
contact

Great love and great achievements involve great risks.

Approach love and cooking with reckless abandon!

Make sure at least one life breathes easy because you live.

CAREER  INTERESTS

I enjoy creative work and am fascinated by technology and its applications. I have an infinite capacity to produce results in a challenging, creative and open environment with projects that ignite my interest. A new and unfamiliar field has never been a constraint and I have broken new ground often and with a great deal of personal satisfaction and success.

I am presently working on creating a privately funded internet based resource that helps people stay connected with things Indian, by sharing information and creating opportunities for exchange of art, culture, education, trade and business. 
This has been a 'labour of love' with no end in sight, yet....expecting to bear fruit!

Apart from the regular features of an internet portal, this site has guides to 6 Indian metro cities, GIS based products and information for the local and international market, a framework for e-commerce  and  marketing opportunities for online courses, goods and services.

I am passionate about issues relating to women and their inherent power and am involved in a project to help bridge the digital divide especially among the economically disadvantaged. 

I am proud to be an Indian national and actively work on presenting the beauty of my country: India, to the world whenever an opportunity presents itself.

I am a volunteer wikipedian and am helping with promoting Indian language wikipedia editing and have special interest in Konkani.

AREAS OF INTEREST:

Database Creation and  Management.  New Product Development: 
I designed and developed a Human Resources Management Information System from concept to commissioning (for ITC Ltd. PERUSE) and am familiar with the creation and management of  HR databases.  With the emerging new technologies and social networks I see exciting possibilities in this field. 

I am closely involved in the development of  new state-of-the-art technology products for the internet which will be deployed in the Out of India web based project.

Media and Communication: Publishing—Print and Audio Visual. 
I am also deeply interested in photography, video documentation and multi-media production. I have hands-on experience and skills with a range of computer software as well as video equipment and have archival digital material from over 30 years, of many distinguished people, institutions and events. I am interested in pursuing, (with the help of a sponsor) a national digital story archive.

Some of the special assignments for which I have handled video documentation are:
- The visit of  Pope John Paul to India and his historic meeting with Mother Teresa in Kolkata (Video)
- Interview with Mme Kira Banasinska (Montessori Equipment in India)
- Streemela a 15 Day exposition of Women in Hyderabad. (Video)
- The Visit of President Clinton to India and his meeting with the Indian Prime Minister in Delhi and his address at the Hi Tech City in Hyderabad. (Video)
- The archival material for the Spastic Society of Eastern India.(Video)
- Lectures and Talks by  eminent Indians. (Video)
- Book Release by Pres. Dr. A P J Kalam at Rashtrapati Bhavan (Video)
- Pravasi Bharatiya Divas events.(Video)
- Digital stories and individual profiles.(Video)
- Interview with Chimy Nanjappa: Founder Vimor Bangalore
- OLPC projects in India since 2007 and Visit of Prof Nicholas Negroponte to India. 
 

Management and Internet Based Consulting:
I have several years of experience in Management Consulting : Print publishing:  Media and Communication.  Press and publicity, and have been working on the internet since 1995.

I also have substantial experience as an entrepreneur  in creating, producing and successfully marketing a monthly publication from the concept stage to the drawing board, and on to building an established Brand Equity. I co-founded the city guide Channel 6 in Hyderabad in 1989. It has since been acquired by a business house and has undergone a complete makeover.

In the field of internet based marketing, I have developed a niche area of expertise in marketing to the NRI: Indians abroad. My clients' products  have included, art, banking products, online education, films and real-estate investments.

I helped set up the first Trade office in India for the State of Maryland in Bangalore.
The Maryland India Centre.
 

EDUCATIONAL QUALIFICATIONS
    
Masters  Degree in Management  X.L.R.I.  Jamshedpur with a Specialisation in Human Resources Management.
      
B.A. Honours in Education   Loreto College, Calcutta University.
 

CERTIFICATIONS

Certificate in Film Animation Calcutta Cell of NID (National Institute of Design) Ahmedabad.

Certificate in Video Production. Max Muller Bhavan  and Chitrabani at Calcutta. 
Conducted by Gerhard Lechanauer Dy Dir. Film & TV Academy of Berlin

Indo French Workshop In Video Production for Academics. MCRC Jamia Millia Islamia
at New Delhi, Sponsored by the University Grants Commission India and CNRS France.  

Public Relations and Publications in Cyberspace organised by CASE
(Council for Advancement and Support of Education) in Washington DC  .

Certified Knowledge Manager  by The International Knowledge Management Institute.  Washington DC. 
 

MEMBERSHIPS

Professional: Life Member SAJA South Asian Journalists Association.

Member WBFN: World Bank Family network formerly the WBVS WB Volunteer Service.

Professional Member The International Knowledge Management Institute 
 

PROFESSIONAL WORK EXPERIENCE

Though I have retired from Reliance ADAG I continue supporting some of the OLPC Sugar education projects I began when I was with the company. I am working on raising funds to support other similar projects in rural India. 
See: http://monsoongrey.wordpress.com

I promote  SUGAR  the  free and open source software in education in India as a volunteer See www.sugarlabs.org

I created the vision document and framework for the setting up of a Centre for Excellence in Elementary Education in Goa in collaboration with the Nirmala Institute of Education. A related project that grew out of it  was RAINTREE KIDS
 

On going Projects:

www.womenofindia.net

2014: Saree Conversations: 
A programme to reach out to Women of India who live abroad to help create a livelihood programme for women weavers in Karnataka India and to assist in publishing the research on the lost Molkalmuru sari Weaving Tradition.

Programme details.

Collaborators: 
Pavitra Muddayya of the Vimor Handloom Foundation Bangalore India

Usha R. Balakrishna of Cartha of Iowa City USA

Nilima Devi of Sutradhar MD.

Core Team Member: Digital Bridge Foundation (DBF) March 2008 - August 2010
DBF is a not for profit company at the Reliance ADA Group and was set up initially to work on promoting the OLPC Project: in India :one laptop per child www.laptop.org 

This began as a volunteer involvement in addition to my day job but it soon became all consuming and extended beyond the initial programme. I created the document for the mission and vision of the Digital Bridge Foundation and identified 5 Pillars of DBF. I have created a road map for the organisation which I had hoped would continue to grow.


Our OLPC and Sugar Learning Platform projects in India are:www.olpc.in
(click on the image you see)

Consultant: Reliance Communications: Reliance World
(March 2004 to August 2010)

Responsible with the Reliance Web Stores team for launch strategies for E-Learning Products through Reliance Worlds in India.
Launched e-learning catalog in March 2005

Sourcing, facilitating and operationalising collaborations with online Universities, content providers. Responsible for sourcing Internationally acclaimed speakers for the newly launched video conferencing facilities. 

Planned and coordinated the visit of Professor Nicholas Negroponte Chairman Founder OLPC and his team to India to visit the pilot project at Khairat, a village outside Mumbai.

See wiki links of the DBF OLPC Projects in India.

Country Head India:The International Knowledge Management Institute
for Washington DC based KM training organisation (2003)
www.kminstitute.org

Represent Douglas Weidner KM Mentor LLC, a Washington DC based Training organisation in  Knowledge Management (KM) Training  that conducts seminars training workshops and certifications in KM through the International KM Institute. (see KM seminar on video) 

Organised Certified Knowledge Manager (CKM)Training programmes in India for KM Institute. USA.

Country Head Maryland India Center  Assignment to hand-hold and facilitate the contractor representative of the state of MD to set up the Maryland India Center in Bangalore in (2006) This was the first ever trade office set up on behalf of a US State Govt. in India.
 

Consultant Strategic Counsel: NEF Cyberlearning USA: (2000 - 2004)

CLU is a project of the non profit NEF  (National Education Foundation) based in Washington. Worked in an advisory capacity on  eLearning initiatives outside the USA in a programme to help bridge the digital divide. My special area of focus was  India and its diaspora.
Facilitated an exclusive partnership with the Reliance group in India.
The India initiative was launched in April  2005 with Reliance Web World.
 

Consultant Strategic Counsel: EuroAmer Garuda Resorts Pvt. Ltd.  2002-2003

Short term assignment for awareness creation, website maintenance and internet marketing abroad of their maiden project which was a Indo-USA- Portuguese Joint Venture Collaboration:  Sun City Bangalore: a gated resort community and convention centre which is also a unique investment opportunity.
URL: www.outofindia.net/suncity
 

Founder and Managing Editor: Out of India 1999

I created  www.outofindia.net which is an internet based resource to help people worldwide stay connected with things Indian. Apart from all the regular features of internet portals, this site will have a series of guides to Indian cities in India based on GIS (Geographical Information Systems). 

This project prototype is being designed as a system on which models can be developed and adapted to online communities around the world.

Imagemaker:  IAOL (Indians Abroad on Line: www.iaol.com) (1999-2000)
India Relations and Business Development:

Senior member of the internet startup team based in Maryland. Was responsible for corporate communications and public relations.  As a team member involved in design and development of web portal and business partnerships. 
Handled recruitment, marketing efforts and development of business partnerships.  Set up a full fledged office in New Delhi India: of journalists, media persons as well as technical staff for web development and maintenance. Represented the company at India Internet World 1999.  The company was acquired by a telecom company and merged with their internet business under a new brand name.

After the merger I was offered the position of Head of the Indian Virtual Community: (VC-Mayor-India) but declined as I had a very different vision from that of the new owners and decided to work full time on the launch of Out of India.
 

Communication and Management Consultant (1998)

Worked as a consultant for an Internet Service Provider in Washington DC on a short term assignment for the Production of a Commemorative CD titled a celebration of Freedom: 50 Years of India’s independence.
 

Curated an International art exhibition of water-colours from India (1998)

Sponsored Kolkata based artist Swaroop Mukerji to travel to Washington DC and exhibit his work.in Washington DC at the World Bank, The Heritage Centre and The Gandhi Memorial Centre in Washington DC. Handled all aspects of the event: from concept to commissioning, design and production of related print brochures and promotional material. 
(Videos of all the events are available.)

Executive Director Omam Consultants. Bangalore Office.(1995)

Short term assignment to set up their Bangalore operations before relocating to Washington. Omam Consultants is an All-India Management Placement and Training organisation.
 

Published a Book of Hyderabadi Limericks to celebrate 400 years of the City of Hyderabad in India. (1994)

Editorial Planning and Co-ordination: concept, design, production and implementation of the project.  
Marketing and Distribution.  This illustrated book of 204 pages, a sponsored publication was formally released in August '96 and received very positive television coverage as well as press reviews in local and national newspapers and magazines.  

Conceptualised, designed and conducted a unique event: The "Limericathon" The Great limerick Race: an evening marathon session of limerick writing by the citizens of Hyderabad. See Pics

Co-Founder  and Publisher of Channel 6—The Twin City Spotlight.  (1990)  

Channel 6 is a monthly city magazine guide to the Twin cities of  Hyderabad and Secunderabad (72 pages), designed and published by our partnership firm 'Samhita'.  Channel 6 is registered with the Registrar of Newspapers and Publications, New Delhi. India.  Apart from concept, design, business planning, production and marketing, my contribution included all hands-on computer related desktop layout /publishing work. 
Setting up of systems and procedures for the management of data and for the empowerment of employees to run it effectively. 
This project gave me  the opportunity to be con-currently the President, the Driver, The Delivery-man and Chief bottle-washer! 
The ownership of this product has since been transfered. 

Published a book of Christmas Carols and Songs.
 

Managing Partner of  SAMHITA: Multi Media Communications. (1989)

Set up a partnership firm in Hyderabad.  The firm handled assignments related to design and production of material in print and audiovisual communication and films. Registered as a Publisher with individual ISBN ID.

Director of Video Film : on "Seed Processing"  for EMRC (Educational Media Research Centre.) Hyderabad. (1990) 
The Video  Film was produced for the UGC  (University Grants Commission) educational channel's  afternoon telecast.  
I have produced several other video programmes over a decade, as camera person and director, details of which are listed separately. My area of interest is documentary photography and video.
 

Consultant: Personnel Information Systems—ITC Ltd. Calcutta (1986-88)

Designed and developed a  PC based Management Personnel Information System for a multi-locational and multi-divisional company: PERUSE.
This involved the study of information flow and the design and development of procedures and internal formats  for effective collection and communication of data.  
Designed the new Company Application Blank for Management Staff.

Implemented the system by creating and installing a database for over 450 Managers, as the pilot group. The System provided for a comprehensive and sophisticated, yet user friendly system of multi-condition query. Developed a Terminal Operator's Guide and System User Manuals for the System.
 

Management Consultant: Retainer—Videopan India Private Ltd. Calcutta  (1985-86)

Set  up of all personnel and administration systems for the company and assisted in the setting up of the U-matic Video studio facility.  Assistance in recruitment and selection for sister concern Graphitech India Private Ltd.
 

Management Consultant on  Project—ITC Ltd. Welcomgroup Hotel Chola Madras (1977-78)

Assignment in the area of Career Planning.  Developed a Career Progression Model indicating clear career paths available to each employee.  Developed a catalogue of  Job Profile Cards for each non-managerial job in the Hotel. A project I enjoyed thoroughly and learnt a great deal from.: especially the view of the back-of-the-house operations in a Five star facility.
 

Jr. Training Officer—HMT Ltd Watch Factory Bangalore.  (1974-77)                                          

Began my career as a Training Officer responsible for creating the function at the factory and all management and supervisory training and development activities at the company. In addition I handled Recruitment Selection, Induction and Appraisal of all categories of trainees.

Designed and developed the first Induction Manual for  employees.
Involved in job enrichment and job-redesign programmes on the shop floor.

I was the first woman officer under the first management trainee scheme in the company and my experience here set the tone for my growth, learning  and special interests in my career in the years that followed. I was fortunate to have an excellent senior officer (late Mr I K Amitha) to report to and wonderful colleagues.
 

SELECTED VIDEO ASSIGNMENTS

Jan 2004
Video coverage of the Pravasi Bharatiya Divas held in Delhi from the 9th-11th January.

2003
Video Coverage of the launch of  a book: "Spiritual Quest" at the Rashtrapati Bhavan Delhi by the President of India: Dr. APJ Abdul Kalam.

2002
Video documentation of  the ceremony for American and Indian Padma Awardees at the Rayburn building. Washington.

June 2002
82nd birthday celebration of Padma Sree Rajan Devadas held at India Palace Maryland.

May 2000                              
Video coverage of  Dr. Deepak Chopra's address on " The merging of Science and Humanity and the Future of Leadership" at the opening of the Asian Pacific Heritage Month Celebrations held at the Ronald Reagan Building  in Washington DC. (1 May 2000)

Photography coverage of the ceremony held at the White House Rose Garden where President Clinton received a recognition award from the National Council of Asian Pacific Americans.

March 2000
Covered the visit of President W J Clinton to India (as an accredited press photographer.)
Video of historic signing of vision statement with the Prime Minister of India in Delhi, and coverage of his meeting with the Chief Minister of Hyderabad at Hi-tech City.

March 1996                         
Edited a Global Video Conference from several hours of footage down to 20 mins. for the World Bank..

Assignment as camera person  for the WBVS Induction programme. World Bank Volnteer Service. Recorded  skits used for welcoming new comers to the Bank.

May 1992                              
A record of the discussions with the CEO of A.P. Paper Mills —MVG Rao The Turn-around story.

November 1990               
Video on "Seed Processing"  for EMRC Hyderabad UGC afternoon telecast. Script & Direction only.
(EMRC: Educational Media Research Centre.  UGC: University Grants Commission) 

October 1989                        
Produced a short video using puppetry and live action on the merits of banking (in Telugu) for an Adult Literacy Programme in Hyderabad.

September 1989               
Production of a VHS video on  Seed Processing—for ITC Agri Businesses Division. Hyderabad.
Direction, Camera and Editing.

August  1989                       
Video documentation of the Indo European Mushaira sponsored by Alliance Francaise and Max Muller Bhavan

November 1988               
Official Photographer and Videographer for the Streemela held over 15 days at Hyderabad.
This first ever Development Exposition of Indian Women,  was organised by the Sarojini Naidu Trust in Hyderabad.  This included a coverage (on  video and photographs) of workshops, seminars and talks by eminent Indian women: Children's workshops and stalls set up by women crafts persons and women entrepreneurs to focus on positive achievement of Indian women.

February 1987               
Video document of the First Reunion of Loreto College Alumni Calcutta.

May 1986                              
Video Documentation of the Centre for Special Education  for The Spastics Society of Eastern India.
This was done for the creation of archival records as the Centre was moving to new premises and the need was felt to preserve a document on the origin of the Society and Centre on video. 
This was also an experiment to demonstrate the possible use of video to document the progress of each child at regular intervals after therapy.

March 1986                          
Video document of the La Martinere Sequicentennial Celebrations Thanksgiving Service inaugurated by the Chief Minister of West Bengal, Mr. Jyoti Basu.

Production of a video album of 22 orphaned children at the Foundling Home in Calcutta, for Adoption Services of WACAP Seattle U.S.A.

February 1986               
Video Journalistic document of the visit of Pope John Paul II to Calcutta, covering all major locations in the city, including the historic meeting with Mother Teresa. This was a personal assignment as an accredited press photographer.

Documentary Video on the Marionettes of Nadia District of West Bengal, performing on an outdoor stage in suburban Calcutta.  This document has special significance as this was the first time ever that this group of performing artists were filmed. 
They went on to represent India at the festival of India held in France.

September 1985               
Video documentation of workshop at the ERTL in Calcutta., on:
Design of Electronic Products—Problem Solving through Design.
Workshop conducted by Prof. Carl Aubock, Industrial Designer and Architect from Austria.

January  1985                       
Video documentation over four months on the following workshops conducted by 
the National Institute of Design Ahmedabad in Calcutta.
           - Puppetry for educational and social communication
           - Graphic Design
           - Film Animation

EXTRA-CURRICULAR INTERESTS AND ACHIEVEMENTS

1972                                       
Represented the Bihar State Womens Basketball Team  as a player, at the National Basketball Championship held in Madras. India.

1973                                       
Represented Bihar State as Captain of the Bihar State Womens Basketball Team  at the National Basketball Championships held in Pune. India.

1974                                       
When I joined HMT Watch Factory Bangalore, I was the first woman officer to join the company as a Training Officer. The shop floor experience has been invaluable.

1989                                       
Received an acceptance for display at the First International Salon of Photography organised by the Photo Circle Hyderabad of a Colour Photograph of the Sunderbans titled "Dusk".

Published a book of Christmas Carols and Songs under the banner of cdef publications.

1991                                       
Won the first prize (along with a team mate) for  the first two wheeler Rally for Media persons organised by the Press Club of Hyderabad.

1991                                       
Published article on "Women in Media —Professional Status".  Published by  the World Association for Christian Communication, Women's Desk Asia Region and Media Centre Bangalore.

1989-93                  
Designed and Authored  the technical document for the Personnel Information System POWER.
This system was originally developed in DBase III + and was being translated by others to work on other windows based and Macintosh platforms.

1991-92                  
Organised on the first Sunday of every month, readings and theatre workshops for children in Hyderabad under the banner of Channel 6.

1992                                       
Conducted craft classes for Grade IV students at Vidyaranya School Hyderabad.

1994                                       
Honoured by Forum For Street Children Hyderabad, for our role in raising funds for the night shelter for street children through our magazine Channel 6.

1995                                       
Set up the Green leaf Centre thrift Shop at Bangalore, to raise funds for charity.
Renovated an old building of the Red Cross to set up the store.

1996                                       
Exhibited my photographs on India in the WBVS conference room at the World Bank.

1997                                       
Founder of Out of India: Originally planned as a print publication on things Indian in the Washington DC area.  
Out of India has evolved into an internet based resource group, which voluntarily helps people stay connected with things Indian.  I have provided information support for a range of requests from business opportunities in India, to resources for the elderly, to marketing of art  and support for adoptions from India.

1998                                       
Curated a month long exhibition of water colours by Indian Artist Swaroop Mukerji at the World Bank

Recognised by the Awards committee for International History Week at The Rayburn Bldg Washington DC.

Curated a 2 month long art exhibition titled: Confluence: Where Two Worlds Meet: at the Gandhi Memorial Center in Washington DC.

Organised a fund raiser concert by St Andrew's Episcopal  School Jazz Band for a community Service/Concert Tour of South Africa.

1999                                       
Selected as  a participant in the World Bank Arts program titled: "Reflections: Turn of the Century". Among all the art on display.  My entry was the solo in the photography section.

2000                                       
Hosted NEF CyberLearning USA at my stall at at India Internet World to initiate a programme to Bridge the Digital Divide. .

2002
On the 8th March initiated the idea of working on the creation of a  web based resource for Indian Women worldwide.
IWTLC Project: International Indian Women's Technology and Leadership Circle. Where technology need not be synonymous with "hi-tech" and women of India all over the world can share their skills, experience, in a variety of fields.

Organised in DC, a performance by Astad Deboo:  Celebrated Indian dancer 
(along with a  troupe of young deaf daners. )  (16th July 2002 )   

Organised the book launch in DC of Tanuja Desai Hidier's debut novel: Born Confused. (link needs correction!) 6th-7th October 2002.  

Organised a book reading and discussion by Ismail Merchant and James Ivory at the World Bank India Club 
January 21st 2003 on the occasion of the launch of Ismail Merchants Book: My Passage from India.

Organised a talk on Nurturing Social Entrepreneurship by P N Devarajan at the World Bank India Club June 2003.

Organised a Book reading of the novel Clive Avenue by T S Tirumurti  in April 2004 at the World Bank India Club.

Jan 2006 at DAKC

August 2008 at Parikrma

October 2010 SFSU Summit

*  2000 Picture Credit: Susan Jacox

www.outofindia.net