Category: Leadership

Mohanlal Steps Down; Boban, Vijayaraghavan Lead 2025 AMMA Election

Staff ReporterElection, Film, Leadership 0

The Association of Malayalam Movie Artists (AMMA) is set to undergo a significant leadership transition as superstar Mohanlal steps down as president, with Kunchacko Boban and Vijayaraghavan emerging as frontrunners for the position.

The AMMA, which represents actors in the Malayalam film industry, is preparing for a pivotal leadership change with current president Mohanlal announcing he will not seek re-election. This decision has ignited excitement and speculation within the industry as new candidates emerge. The upcoming elections are scheduled for August 15, 2025, with preparations already underway.

Nominations for the election, which began on July 17, will decide 17 key positions, including six officer roles and eleven executive committee seats. The opening of the nomination window has generated significant interest, with at least five members collecting nomination forms on the first day and over 30 members expected to compete for various posts.

With Mohanlal stepping aside, the focus has turned to two prominent actors: Kunchacko Boban, representing the younger generation of actors, and veteran Vijayaraghavan, who has considerable support from senior artists. Sources close to AMMA suggest that should Vijayaraghavan officially declare his candidacy, he may secure an uncontested victory, given the respect he commands among peers.

The post of general secretary has also attracted interest, with actor Baburaj preparing to file his nomination. Rumors suggest that actress Shwetha Menon, a former AMMA officeholder and seen as a formidable female candidate, may also join the race, although her participation remains unconfirmed. Many are keenly observing whether she will officially enter the contest.

Several well-known figures, including former executive members such as Tovino Thomas, Tini Tom, Vinu Mohan, Kalabhavan Shajohn, Jayan Cherthala, and Suresh Krishna, are expected to contest in the elections. Their involvement indicates active engagement from both senior and younger actors in shaping AMMA’s future leadership.

Candidates wishing to contest in the election have until July 24 to submit their nominations. As voting day approaches, the coming weeks are anticipated to reveal more contenders. This election is expected to herald a new era for AMMA, bringing fresh direction and energy, as all eyes focus on who will succeed Mohanlal as president.

In his final acting endeavor before stepping down, Mohanlal was featured in the crime thriller ‘Thudarum,’ directed by Tharun Moorthy. He portrayed Shanmugham “Benz,” a challenging role met with acclaim for its compelling narrative and strong performances, including Mohanlal’s own.

Source: Original article

Warren Buffett: Success in Life Hinges on Love

Staff ReporterCover, Leadership, Profile 0

Warren Buffett, renowned investor, defines true success not through financial achievements but by the love and respect one earns from those around them.

Warren Buffett, one of the most celebrated investors of our time, offers a poignant perspective on success that goes beyond financial gain. His insights are not only rooted in investment acumen but also in understanding what truly matters in life—human connections and the love we cultivate from others.

A few years back, speaking to students at Georgia Tech, Buffett articulated his personal definition of success with disarming honesty. He emphasized, “If you get to my age in life and nobody thinks well of you, I don’t care how big your bank account is, your life is a disaster.” This insightful comment underscores Buffett’s belief that true success is measured not by wealth, but by the depth of relationships and the love one inspires.

Buffett elaborates on this in his biography, The Snowball: Warren Buffett and the Business of Life. He stated, “You’ll really measure your success in life by how many of the people you want to have love you actually do love you.” He further noted that despite financial accomplishments, a truly successful life is defined by genuine connections, which can only be cultivated by being lovable and giving love generously.

This sentiment challenges the conventional narrative of success, which often prioritizes ambition, competition, and personal advancement. While striving for wealth and recognition frequently isolates individuals, Buffett’s approach underscores the importance of trust, respect, and loyalty as core elements of meaningful success.

For leaders today, Buffett’s wisdom offers valuable guidance. Effective leaders do not focus excessively on self-promotion or singular achievement. Instead, they prioritize empowering others, cultivating communities, and nurturing relationships. This approach to leadership ultimately reflects in the legacy one leaves—how well one has cared for others rather than one’s own achievements.

In today’s climate of division and workplace dynamics shaped by remote work, diminishing employee loyalty, and widespread burnout, Buffett’s message becomes ever more relevant. It suggests that true leadership and legacy are not about your accomplishments in building companies or teams. Instead, it focuses on the impact you have on others and how you’ve treated them throughout your journey.

Buffett’s philosophy can be practically applied in several ways:

Lead Selflessly: Prioritize giving over receiving. Effective leaders selflessly support and develop others without expecting an immediate return. Research indicates that servant leaders cultivate teams that are more committed and productive because people tend to value leaders who make them feel appreciated and secure.

Strategic Love in Business: While affection and business may seem mismatched, Buffett illustrates the advantages of enjoying one’s work environment. Companies that cultivate a values-driven, supportive culture experience better overall performance. Investing in such cultures results in greater trust, collaboration, and employee satisfaction.

Adopt the Platinum Rule: While the Golden Rule encourages treating others as you wish to be treated, the Platinum Rule advocates for treating others as they want to be treated. This approach requires empathy and emotional intelligence, enabling leaders to adapt their methods based on understanding the needs of others.

Find and Share Your Passion: Align your work with what energizes you and support others in doing the same. Successful leaders encourage people to engage in work that is meaningful to them. The enthusiasm one brings to their work can be infectious, motivating and inspiring those around them.

In conclusion, Warren Buffett’s reflections on love as a metric of success challenge traditional ideals. His philosophy questions the singular pursuit of wealth and highlights the importance of nurturing meaningful relationships. The essence of success lies not in material gain but in the enduring impact of love and kindness shared with others.

Source: Original article

Saheli Names Deepali Gulati as Executive Director for Growth

Staff ReporterCommunity, Leadership 0

Deepali Gulati will lead Saheli, a nonprofit focused on aiding South Asian and Arab women and families affected by domestic violence, as its new Executive Director starting August 1, 2025.

Saheli, a prominent nonprofit dedicated to supporting South Asian and Arab women and families facing domestic and gender-based violence, has appointed Deepali Gulati as its new Executive Director. Her term officially begins on August 1, 2025.

This decision was unanimously made by Saheli’s Board of Directors during their July meeting, following a compelling presentation by Gulati outlining her vision and plans for the organization.

“Deepali has overhauled projects that required streamlining for our auditors. Her notable achievements include establishing processes and collaborating with various entities, such as the Department of Public Health and federal grants, while being accountable to the Board at every step. The grants acquired under her leadership are particularly impressive,” stated Saheli President Neelam Wali in an email.

Joining Saheli in 2020, Gulati has played a vital role in developing key programs focused on survivors, including immigration advocacy, legal support, housing stabilization, and economic empowerment. Her initiatives have assisted hundreds in achieving safety, dignity, and independence.

“I joined Saheli because its mission is deeply personal to me — supporting survivors as they regain safety, dignity, and hope,” Gulati expressed. “As a South Asian woman, I am familiar with the cultural and community barriers many survivors encounter. My aim is to help dismantle these barriers with compassion and trust.”

Over the past six months, Gulati served as the interim Executive Director, guiding Saheli with what board members described as “clarity and purpose.” Under her interim leadership, the organization significantly benefited from a grant awarded by the Cummings Foundation, a milestone that will aid in sustaining and expanding services.

Gulati also spearheaded the expansion of Saheli’s Outreach and Prevention initiatives, initiated new collaborations with educational institutions, and founded the annual Domestic Violence Awareness Walk—a powerful community-driven event for raising awareness and promoting healing.

“I encourage all staff to welcome Deepali as our new Executive Director and share your ideas and vision at our meetings. Saheli’s advancement depends on your cooperation… You are all integral to Saheli’s success. Thank you,” added Wali.

Gulati’s credentials include a Nonprofit Management Certificate from Harvard Extension School, a Master’s degree in Communications from the University of Missouri, and a Bachelor’s degree from Delhi University. Her leadership is characterized by strategic insight, empathy, and cultural awareness.

Gulati commented, “Saheli is more than a service provider—it’s a community. My objective is to foster an environment where every survivor feels acknowledged and supported, and every team member is empowered to perform at their best. Together, we will continue placing survivors at the heart of our mission.”

Sam Pitroda Resigns as Indian Overseas Congress Chairman Amid Controversial Remarks

Staff ReporterPolitics, Leadership 0

Amid a flurry of contentious statements, Sam Pitroda voluntarily resigned on Wednesday from his position as Chairman of the Indian Overseas Congress. His decision to step down was confirmed by Jairam Ramesh, the Congress General Secretary in-charge of Communications, who stated, “Mr. Sam Pitroda has decided to step down as Chairman of the Indian Overseas Congress of his own accord. The Congress President has accepted his decision.”

This move followed Pitroda’s latest remarks during an interview with The Statesman, where he sought to underscore India’s diversity by saying, “people in the East look Chinese, people on West look like Arab, people on North like, maybe, White, and people in the South look like African.” These comments triggered sharp criticism, notably from Prime Minister Narendra Modi who led the BJP’s condemnation.

In response to the uproar, the Congress swiftly distanced itself from Pitroda’s remarks. Jairam Ramesh stated, “The analogies drawn by Mr. Sam Pitroda in a podcast to illustrate India’s diversity are most unfortunate and unacceptable. The Indian National Congress completely dissociates itself from these analogies.”

Pitroda had courted controversy previously when he commented on the US inheritance tax, calling it “an interesting law and could be among issues that people in India debate and discuss.” Prime Minister Modi seized on these remarks during a rally in Chhattisgarh, targeting the Gandhi family and the Congress, suggesting that the party was eyeing the wealth of all Indians. Modi remarked, “The advisor to the royal family prince, and advisor to the father of the prince, has said more taxes should be imposed on the middle class. Now these people have gone a step further. The Congress now says it will impose an inheritance tax. That it will impose tax on the inheritance received from parents. The property you have accumulated through your hard work will not be given to your children. The Congress claws will snatch that too from you.”

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