Martin Luther Success Story

Quick Facts

Full Name :	Martin Luther King, Jr.
Born :	15th- Jan - 1929
Zodiac Sign :	Capricorn
Height :	169 CMS ( 5 Feet 7 Inches )
Birth Place :	Atlanta Georgia
Country :	USA
Education :	Washington High School Atlanta, Morehouse College Atlanta, Crozer Theological Seminary Pennsylvania, Boston University Boston
Occupation :	Politician
Industry :	Politics

While civil rights leaders like Malcolm X established a reputation for violence and militant beliefs, it was the more moderate leaders like Martin Luther King that made civil rights a struggle that all of the United States could get behind.

Born in Atlanta on January 15th, 1929, Martin Luther King was a highly influential figure in the American civil rights movement of the late 1950s and 1960s.

Childhood

Born in Georgia, one of the most aggressively segregated states in the country, Martin Luther King experienced racism and bigotry from an early age. His family was devoutly religious, but the young King questioned the truth of the Bible from an early age. While he was connected to the church all throughout his life, he expressed doubt over many of its teachings and the content of the bible.

This skepticism formed an integral part of Luther King's psyche. Despite his close adherence to the church's teachings, he found himself questioning not just the rules of religion, but the strict rules of the culture in the deep south. He questioned the policy of racial segregation, and claimed that much of the country would be better off under a 'colorblind' system, in which races were neither unfairly praised nor subject to unfair disadvantages.

He gained fame in the local civil rights community by organizing a bus boycott, known around the country as the Montgomery Bus Boycott. The protest, which began after a black teenage girl, seated in the white section of the bus, refused to give up her seat, turned into a year-long campaign which resulted in King being threatened constantly, and seeking protection from bomb threats.

Further campaigns against segregation and racism soon followed, culminating in King's iconic and culturally significant March on Washington. The march was the first time that most of the American public had seen King in action, and his oratory skills sold his ideas to millions. This march was the first place that his famous 'I Have a Dream' speech was performed publicly to thick applause.

Of course, King wasn't alone in his quest for equal rights and civil liberties. Other black leaders like Malcolm X, of the Nation of Islam, were campaigning for minority rights in a more militant fashion for some time. However, while X and his followers fought in an aggressive, abrasive manner, King retained a focus on peaceful protesting that made him ultimately more influential with the public.

Faith is permitting ourselves to be seized by the things we do not see - Martin Luther

However, many of his rivals lacked his sense of compassion and belief in non-violence. During a visit to Tennessee in support of workers' rights, King was shot dead while relaxing on the balcony of his hotel room. The death sparked a wave of riots across the country and a great deal of public mourning – mourning that was supported through a national holiday commemorating his death.

Achievements

While the success of other leaders like Malcolm X rested in their military-like precision and high-power message, it was King's charismatic and non-violent approach that made him a success with the wider audience. There's a lesson to be learned from his success – that it's often worth toning down your message if it allows it to travel farther, and to be heard by more people than before.

Awards

2012

Grammy Hall of Fame

2004

Congressional Gold Medal

1977

Presidential Medal of Freedom

1971

Grammy

1966

Jawaharlal Nehru, Margaret Sanger

1964

Nobel Peace Prize

1963

Times Person of the Year

1959

Anisfield-Wolf Book

1957

Spingarn Medal

Narendra Modi - The First Prime Minister born in Free India

Quick Facts

From a tea vendor to becoming the Prime Minister of the largest democracy in the world, Narendra Modi has indeed scripted a success story that can inspire each one of us.  What is remarkable about his success story is that at every difficult juncture in his life, he had the courage and conviction to chart out a positive outcome for himself.  He turned every negative into a positive and made sure that all victories count, big or small.

Born on 17th September, 1950, to Hiraba and Damodardas Modi, Narendra Modi had modest beginnings in his life. The third child among six siblings, Modi spent his early years helping his father in selling tea along with his brother.  He completed his schooling in Vadara, a small town in Gujarat. Even in his schooling years and immediately thereafter he made a living selling tea on the Mehsana Railway Station to soldiers during the Indo-Pak war.Childhood and Early Life

The first glimpse of Modi as a great orator was seen in his schooling years.  In the recent interviews, his school teachers have recounted that while he was an average student, he was always a great debater who could sway the audiences.

Beginning

In 1971, just after the Indo-Pak war, Modi joined the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh(RSS) as a propagandist while working in the staff canteen at Gujarat State Road Transport Corporation. His oratorical skills came in handy and it was at this time, that he made a conscious decision to devote himself to politics.

Recognizing his contribution in the RSS and his active participation in the anti-Emergency movement during 1977, he was given additional responsibilities. Growing step by step, he was soon made in charge of the Student wing of the Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad in Gujarat.

Seeing the potential in him and realizing what an asset he would be, the RSS moved him to the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) in 1985.  At every step and with whatever responsibility entrusted to him,NarendraModi proved his mettle and soon made himself indispensable to the party.   In 1988, he became the Organizing Secretary of BJP’s Gujarat wing, and drove the party to victory in the 1995 state elections.  He was thereafter transferred to New Delhi as the National Secretary of BJP.

Political Career

In 2001, when Keshubhai Patel, the then Chief Minister of Gujarat stepped aside, the senior leaders in BJP chose Modi as their Chief Ministerial candidate. He became the Chief Minister of Gujarat in 2001 and has been voted back into power there for four consecutive terms.  In fact, his remarkable and unquestionable performance in Gujarat forced the top brass of BJP sitting in New Delhi,to make way for him and posture him as the Prime Ministerial candidate of the party in the 2014 elections.

Achievements

PM Modi with APJ Abdul Kalam

Charting an unparalleled and unprecedented victory in Indian democratic elections, Modi was able to garner an overwhelming number of votes for himself and an absolute majority for his party.  A rank outsider to the power portals of New Delhi which have mostly been zealously passed on from one generation to another in a Dynastical political scenario, Modi was able to overcome all obstacles and sweep the nation with a single-mindedness of purpose.

 Modi in talks with Obama at White House

The Modi wave which swept the nation was a very deliberate campaigning effort which projected him as a doer than a talker.  Using technology and social media networking sites like never before, Modi was able to easily connect to a varied cross section of the society.

His oratorical skills, his proven track record, his never-say-die attitude and his ‘common man’ image, had voters from across caste, creed, religion and financial backgrounds come out and vote for him.  He was able to cut across all barriers, be it, religious, regional or state and established himself as a man who dares to dream and who works to realize those dreams.

Modi With Vladimir Putin at BRICS Summit

When asked in interviews what one quality he would attribute his success to, he repeatedly mentions his optimism and positive attitude alongside his hard work.  He often projects his positive attitude by showing a glass half-filled with water and assuring everybody, that to him, it always seems filled to the brim.  While the bottom half of the glass is filled with water, he assures everybody, that the top half is filled with air.  It is only a matter of perception, then.

" THERE IS NO REASON TO BE DISAPPOINTED. INDIA WILL PROGRESS VERY FAST AND THE SKILLS OF OUR YOUTH WILL TAKE INDIA AHEAD." - Narendra Damodardas Modi

The conviction of the man is so strong that he became the symbol of a refreshing positive change that India was looking for, away from the corruption mired politics of the hitherto governments.  At a time, when people were getting absolutely disillusioned with the workings and happenings in the country, he positioned himself as the face of hope who could steer the nation towards a glorious path if he is at the helm of things.

It is probably this optimism and positive energy which sees Narendra Modi as the Prime minister of India today.  A story which proves that dreams do come true and that if you dream and work towards it, impossible is nothing.

Family and Personal Life

According to traditions of his community Modi was married to a girl of his parents' choice when they were both young. The couple spent little time together and they became distant whilst he traveled. For all his life, this fact was under wraps, however he publicly acknowledged his wife, Jashodaben Narendrabhai Modi when he applied as a Parliamentary Candidate.

Accourding to sources, he's lived his life as a conssumate bachelor.

Awards

2015

8th in TIME magazine's Person of the Year

2014

CNN IBN Indian of the Year

2012

Gujarat Ratna

2011

e-Ratna

2009

Personality of the Yea

The Boy Who Lost His Home Grows up to Become the Leader of a Nation: A Ram Nath Kovind Story Quick Facts Full Name : Ram Nath Kovind Born : 1st- Oct - 1945 Birth Place : Uttar Pradesh India Country : India Industry : Politics When an individual becomes the leader of a nation, they are entrusted with the power and the responsibilities that come with the position. Not only do they need to exude a presence of authority and respect, but they are a beacon of hope to light a nation and the foundation of a strengthened country. A nation's leader, therefore, needs to be honest and diligent in performing his duties, devoted towards his country and its people, humbled through his many ordeals, and determined to guide his country towards the future. There is no better person to have become one of India's newest leaders than Ram Nath Kovind. He has the character and spirit that make him ideal for the daunting yet inspiring position of being India's leader. Kovind is a man who started out his career as a lawyer by being an advocate for the Central Government at Delhi High Court in 1977 all the way to 1979. He then became a permanent advocate for the Centre at the Supreme Court from 1980 until 1993. As the newly-elected President of India, he is clearly not a new face in the country's political scene. He was the former Governor of Bihar from August 16, 2015 to June 20, 2017 and was also a Member of Parliament, Rajya Sabha from April 3, 1994 to April 2, 2006.  Kovind was also the chairman of the Rajya Sabha housing committee. He was then nominated as a presidential candidate and went on to win the 2017 presidential elections. He will be assuming office on the 25th of July.  Early Life and Education Ram Nath Kovind was born in October 1, 1945. His father Maikukal Kori, was a weaver who did not own any land for himself. He only had a small shop so that he could support his wife, five sons, and two daughters. Kovind was born in a mud hut; when he was five years old, the dwelling caught fire and gave his mother burns that proved fatal. When he attended junior high, he had to walk 6 kilometers to and from his school in the Khanpur, Sandalpur block. Kovind passed the intermediate exams from Kanpur and he holds a Bachelor's Degree in Commerce from DAV College, an affiliate of Kanpur University. He also earned a degree from DAV Law College, Kanpur. After, Kovind moved to the nation's capital to prepare himself for the Civil Services examinations, which took him three attempts to pass. However, he turned the job offer from Civil Services down for a position in the Allied Services where he began his practice of law. Political Journey to Leadership Ram Nath Kovind began his journey as a lawyer when he enrolled as an advocate for the bar council of Delhi in 1971. From 1977 to 1978, he also served as the personal assistant of the Prime Minister of India, Morarji Desai. In 1978, he became an advocate for the Supreme Court of India and provided free legal aid to the weaker sections of society: the women and the poor.  He joined the BJP (Bharatiya Janata Party) in 1991. He became the party's leader from 1998 until 2002. He served as their national spokesperson as well. He was also the President of the All-India Koli Samaj, an ethnic Indian community.. Kovind joined the elections in the Ghatampur and the Bhognipur assembly constituents with the support of the BJP, but he ultimately lost in both.  He was also a member of Rajya Sabha from the state of Uttar Pradesh from April 1994 until March 2006. As a member, he served the Parliamentary Committee for Welfare of Scheduled Castes/Tribes, Home Affairs, Petroleum and Natural Gas, Social Justice and Empowerment, Law and Justice. He also went on study tours in Thailand, Nepal, Pakistan, Singapore, Germany, Switzerland, France, the United Kingdom and the United States during his time as a member of the Rajya Sabha. On August 8, 2015, Kovind was appointed as the 36th Governor of Bihar by the President of India. The Chief Minister of Bihar hailed Kovind as an “ideal governor"—impartial, a stickler for constitutional propriety and unlike many of his predecessors because he always consulted by the Chief Minister.  He was nominated to run and become the 14th President of India. This led to him to resign from his his post as the Governor of Bihar on June 20, 2017. He then won the election on July 20, 2017 after receiving 65.56% of the total votes. Influence and Legacy Kovind's journey from being a poor villager to becoming one of the leaders of India is a success in itself.  Though he has had many hardships throughout his life, he has endured all of them and won the respect and admiration of his nation. The people of his home village, Paraunkh, have celebrated like never before; they were constantly sending prayers to the goddess Pathri Devi as support for their village sons. His difficult yet humble upringing influenced his leadership style and consequently, his legacy. To show appreciation for his village's support, Kovind developed Paraunkh into an ideal village by using MP funds for projects that would give it paved roads, high school for girls, a State Bank of India branch, and electricity meters in every house. He even donated his ancestral home to the village.  His old home is now a community center which offers its services free-of-charge to everyone who lives in the village. He has even extended the development to Kanpur City, where barren lands have become some of the best places to live in. Many have spoken of how quiet, humble, and modest Kovind is. His Patna Raj Bhavan had never even seen him lose his temper, nor refuse an invitation from the staff. He is a man who does not forget who he is, where he came from, and what led him to where he is now. He is truly an ideal politician who devoutly follows the rules. Being a man of integrity, India could not have asked for a better leader to lead them into a new age.

Quick Fact

Name :	Office for Metropolitan Architecture
Founded :	1975
Founder :	Rem Koolhaas
CEO :	Rem Koolhaas
Industry :	Service
Sector :	Public
Country :	Netherlands

Profile

Architects would look to create structures that would last through the ages. They design and innovate to create something that is fresh, bold, and at times defiant. It is for this purpose that they need projects that can give them the opportunity to do what they do best, but it is not easy to get a contract and it can be a challenge to finish the projects with no one to rely on. Which is why some architects would go out and create or join architectural firms where they can continue doing their craft with others who happen to share the same wavelength in terms of their approach to architecture.

Among the architectural firms across the globe only a few can come close to how innovative and bold their designs can be when compared to the Office for Metropolitan Architecture or as they are more commonly known as OMA. OMA is a leading international architectural firm that practices architecture, cultural analysis, and urbanism. The firm is based in Rotterdam, Netherlands which has the largest port in Europe, making it a great strategic location and a place for cultural exchange. The firm has grown and operates offices outside of Rotterdam in New York, Beijing, Hong Kong, and Doha.

OMA throughout the years has created some of the most creative and innovative buildings that can be seen today. The firm has a collection of some of the most radical architects in the business especially when you are considering who the founders are. Their projects have been described as being groundbreaking, striking, avant-garde, and even gravity defying. Thanks to their reputation OMA has received a massive amount of project proposals throughout the years and from multitudes of countries who want them to make buildings like museums, schools, theatres, libraries, and even panopticons (prisons).

Foundation and Early History

OMA was founded in 1975 when Rem Koolhaas and Elia Zenghelis started working together. Elia Zenghelis was an instructor at the Architectural Association in London and Rem Koolhaas was his student. The two eventually got their wives, artist Madelon Vriesendorp and architect Zoe Zenghelis, to join in and create OMA. Koolhaas and Zenghelis had collaborated together in earlier projects like Exodus but it was not until they entered an architectural design competition for a new Dutch parliament building in The Hague in 1978 that they started to receive receive notoriety.

OMA was one of the 1st prize winners and their project was widely published but the commission of the project was given to an architect that did not even participate in the competition. OMA moved on by joining international competitions and while their entries were successful, none of their projects were commissioned which spark great controversy at the time and they received international fame for it. It was not until they had finished one of their 1st major commissions which was The Netherlands Dance Theatre in 1987 that OMA began to get the international attention they so deserve and finally break free from the curse that plagued them.

Rise to Creative Prominence

It was in the 1990s that OMA had finally gained the lasting renown that had eluded them in their earlier years of existence. They made a series of groundbreaking entries in many major competitions like the Two Libraries for Jussieu University, Paris, France in 1993.  The results allowed them to create ambitious projects like large scale urban plans. OMA also had a hand in transforming The Euralille from a dormant center into a major European business district. OMA was in charge of the congress center, the Grand Palais(pictured below), while other architects took on the shopping malls, transportation systems, and the other buildings. 

In 1999, OMA had completed a rather difficult but iconic private mansion, the Maison à Bordeaux, a villa on a hills 5km outside Bordeaux, France, and is a prime area where buildings can not exceed 9 meters above ground level and can not have bright colors that make them visible from the valley of Bordeaux.. The client, Jean Francois Lemoine, was paralyzed as a result of an automobile accident and wanted a home that could meet their own needs and at the same time be a home for the whole family. They needed a solution that could combined two parallel lives.

With the help of engineer Cecil Balmond who conceived the design they were able to find that solution. The result was a house where technology meets architecture to create a universe that is at the same time simple and complex. The villa's (pictured above) most striking feature is a lifting platform that allows the owner to traverse all three floors of the villa while in the wheelchair. It is basically three houses combined as one with a machine (the elevator) as its heart. Each floor features a completely different architectural nature and has a clear visual contrast.

Notable Works

Throughout the years OMA has made many great architectural contributions all over the world. So let us list down some of their most notable works despite many of their works being famous in one way or another.

Seattle Central Library

Casa da Música, Porto

Netherlands Embassy, Berlin

Waterfront City, Dubai

McCormick Tribune Campus Center, Chicago

Current Projects

OMA has a great number of projects that have yet to manifest themselves and considering their renown it will only keep piling up, not to mention their list of clients. So let us take a gander at some of their current projects for the different regions in the world.

Europe

• Viktor & Rolf, London, UK
• ABN AMRO building Coolsingel, Rotterdam, NL
• Stadskantoor, Rotterdam, NL
• Cordoba Congress Centre, Spain
• Bibliothèque Municipales à Vocation Régionale, Caen, FR

Middle-East

• Qatar National Library, Education City
• Strategic Studies Centre for the RAND Qatar Policy Institute, Education City
• Qatar Foundation Headquarters, Education City

North America

• Milstein Hall Cornell University, United States
• Musée national des beaux-arts du Québec, Canada

Asia Pacific

• Prada Transformer, Seoul, South Korea
• China Central Television Headquarters, Beijing
• Television Cultural Center, Beijing, China
• Shenzhen Stock Exchange, China
• Singapore Scotts Tower, Residential Building,

South America

• Centro Administrativo Nacional CAN, Bogota, Colombia

Oceania

• Western Australian Museum, Perth

Legacy and Influence

OMA has seen a great amount of success and controversies throughout its years of operations but the firm has without a doubt created an impact all throughout the architectural industry. Their unique style that borders on avant-garde, and risky designs has earned them international fame and they have become a highly sought after firm that their clients are nothing more than either the richest of the rich or the  rich cities, states, or even countries. They create not only amazing structures that are worthy of admiration from the people who pass by them but they those very buildings are also considered works of art that only OMA's architects can visualize and bring to life.

OMA's works can be seen from every corner of the world like the Maison à Bordeaux in France to the McCormick Tribune Campus Center in Chicago, USA. Their works also have great symbolisms like the China Central Television Headquarters (CCTV) building (pictured below) being a great subject of some of their works. Other would say that is "conscious inspiration" while others would just call it "big boxer shorts". When all is said and done, they all agree that the building could never be conceived by the Chinese or built by the Europeans and they considered it a hybrid by definition.

The influence of OMA has impacted many architecture students and architects who have worked at the office during their careers. Some of those that had the chance to work there went on to become architects of great renown in the 21st century are Jeanne Gang, Bjarke Ingels, and Amale Andraos to name a few. OMA's will continue on through the new generation of architects because Rem Koolhas does not show any signs of slowing down and being innovative with his works. So there is still a lot more to learn from not just him but from the people of OMA. OMA designs and produces works that will last through the ages and set the stage for the future that would make any person or country proud.

story By- successstory.com