As we ring in 2010, I myself am celebrating a milestone of sorts. It was exactly a year ago today that I was sitting at this very desk writing my first letter as the newly minted Editor-in-Chief. I had lots to say then, but fretted as to how I would put it all into words. After copious amounts of coffee and draft after draft, it finally all dawned on me. I realized that the letter shouldn’t be about my journey per say, but the path the team took as a whole. We all knew something was in the air, but didn’t realize how much the year would change our course—for the better.
As the sands shifted below our feet, we kept finding new and innovative ways to hold our bearings and move forward. The spirit of the team buoyed us gently yet firmly. And move forward we did. With the reality of a new economic culture firmly in place, we continued with the unwavering ANOKHI spirit and held true to our belief that creativity and ambition would never fall victim to what the market pundits kept preaching.
In short: we were focused.
We were focused on continuing to create a magazine that would be the stalwart voice of South Asians across North America and the world. We were focused on breaking from the pack and setting (even exceeding) our standards of excellence.We were focused on continuing to provide you, the reader, with an international perspective.We wanted to be provocative without being petty. The spirit of overcoming adversity and relishing amidst the onslaught of challenges is something that is clearly inherent in all of us as South Asians.
And that is why we decided to package that insatiable elixir and celebrate those who have really made their own indelible mark on the global landscape by giving them their own platform: their very own issue. Thus, the first 2010 Sexy & Successful issue was born.
When our lives hit certain milestones, be it birthdays, anniversaries or hitting the next proverbial rung on the ladder to success, one thing unites us all: inspiration. In this issue, we are bellowing from the rooftops and telling you who you should keep a close eye on—those who have had a pretty remarkable year, and the ones who sit firmly on their summit of success. From business and politics to arts, music and literature, there is a unique—an ANOKHI —story to be told. A voice to be heard. A lesson to be learned. And most importantly, a reason to get inspired.
We start our journey of inspiration in this issue with our Quips and Quotes (page 20) collected by the movers and shakers who recently visited Toronto for the 18th Annual Network of Indian Professionals, and then we delve into the heart and soul of the issue: the incredible profiles of over 40 South Asians from across the world. We close the book with our very own inspiration wall (The Moment) taking a beautiful visual look back at the year that was. Is there anything here that catches your eye? Don’t be shy and tear it out! Adorn your mirror, fridge or wall with what inspires you. In the words of Angela Monet, “Those who danced were thought to be quite insane by those who could not hear the music.” So we at here at ANOKHI, encourage you—no, demand you—to shed that cloak of hesitation and be fearless. Let your guard down and may practicality be damned!
So turn up your music and dance your way to your success.
Best,
Hina P. Ansari
Editor-In-Chief
ANOKHI MAGAZINE / PUBLISHED: 7TH ANNIVERSARY ISSUE 2010
(PHOTOGRAPHY BY: ARKAN ZAKHAROV)