241. Take Hold of the Last Year To Make the New One Shine

Beside the Lake in Alwar, Rajasthan
with the mountain chain of the Arravali Hills
which spread across all of Rajasthan, and protagonists
of many Rajput adventures, in the background

I am writing this post in accordance with a mixture of instructions I found on Michael Hyatt’s blog post “Seven Questions About Last Year” and that of Seth Godin: “Year in Review What did You Ship in 2010?”




Maybe you would like to try it too... I found it extremely helpful to see what I have achieved and what has yet to be achieved.

One of the first things Michael Hyatt’s blog asks you to do is 

“If the last year were a movie of your life, what would the genre be?”

Last year for me was neither a “Tragedy” “Comedy” or “Romance”, so if I were to put it in a genre I would need to put it under either what is known on TV a “Discovery Channel” or “ The Adventures of...”

The year began with sending my manuscript “Rajput” a history of Rajasthan which took years of research, and uncovered ground not known before, to a publisher.  It is perhaps the first book to put to put together such diverse historical moments over a period of fifteen hundred years.  It was also my endeavour that this book should not read as a pedantic history text book but with the easy and enjoyment that we read fiction.  It was an exciting time, not only because of the event itself, but interacting with some of the most affable people in the publishing industry.  Working alongside such people made the whole process of crucial decision making, choices, seeking advice, making suggestions so as to come up with the best possible, layout, design, and cover run as smoothly as possible.

It had not been easy for me as to which publisher I would eventually choose to publish with, but since “Rajput” was intended for readers in India, the choice of publisher that could distinguish itself as trustworthy and prestigious overseas eventually fell on WestBow Press.  This allowed me to present the book in India and open up publishing opportunities there.

Now for a more mundane set of things I did: 

• ü  Built a fence so my dogs could have some freedom while in forced captivity due to a rabies outbreak:
• ü  I went on a Pilgrimage to Turin to see The Holy Shroud, and went through an experience quite unknown before as explained in here in this blog:  
• ü  After 18 months of inactivity I post new pictures on my blog of paintings:
• ü  Joined the Parish Magazine as Photographer- but volunteered to put the magazine on-line here.
• ü  I renovated all my blogs with new templates from Blogger and added features that made my blogs more inviting increasing my visitors from tens to hundreds per week for each blog.
•  ü  I renovated my personal website with a new template: 
•  ü  I built up my relationships with the people of India through social web sites as Twitter and Facebook.                                                                                                                                                         

•  ü  I went to India presented “Rajput” and spoke on Gandhi and World Peace: see entire speech here: 
o at the Gandhian Studies Centre, Modinagar (Greater Delhi) 

o at Sunder Deep College of Engineering, Gaziabad 

o at Teerthanker Mahaveer University, Gaziabad 

o at G.D. Govt. College for Women, Alwar, Rajasthan 

o at Rajrishi College, Alwar, Rajasthan 

o held workshop at English Language Teachers Association of India, Jaipur, Rajasthan 

See my “India and Education” page on my Professional Website

• ü  I went to India to take photos of places that appertain to the historical events found in “Rajput” for an eventual illustrated, expanded, history of “Rajput” to be published in India.  An example of this may be found here:
•  ü  I set up “The Real India” blog which encourages guest bloggers

As for my hopes, plans and aspirations for the New Year? 

Ø  Work alongside Prof. Ellpee Mahawar in a continuation of the workshop topic I began during my visit to the English Language Teachers Association of India, Jaipur, Rajasthan, but which was by no means concluded.

Ø  Work alongside my Researchers in Udaipur, Ashok and Geetika Detha to bring out an illustrated, expanded version of the history of Rajasthan aimed at India’s once Royal Families and visitors to India.

Ø  Do some paintings inspired by the landscape I saw in India.

Ø  Think if I should take out my fiction writing projects and seriously work on them.

  

Disclosure of Material Connection: I have not received any compensation for writing this post. I have no material connection to the brands, products, or services that I have mentioned. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”