I am usually not one to jump on a bandwagon, but a few days back, I openly proclaimed my loyalty to Apple.

As you will see below, the company that brought us the Macintosh and more recently the iPod , wears its heart on its sleeve; where it matters. Despite one of the hottest “selling” seasons, Apple has moved away from pushing it wares to show compassion in this time of great need. The company's web site says it all.

Conversely, Microsoft which to great hoopla opened up a division in Hyderabad, India is more concerned now about stamping out Spam.

Perhaps it is a wee bit unfair to pick on the behemoth in Redmond, Washington. But I find the great difference in approach quite telling of the company's priorities.

Am I buying a new Macintosh in 2005? You betcha! And the advertisement you see below is intentional. Go Apple!

Dilip Vishwanat is a terrific sports photographer based in St. Louis. His Flash-based galleries on his web site make me drool.

This has nothing to do with tsunamis or requesting donations. It's simply to show where a nation's priorities can come to rest.

Expect a spate of galleries touting the Year In Pictures. Here is the first one that I could find: New York Times.

From a dear family friend, Uncle Wijayanayake, in Colombo, Sri Lanka:

Dear Seshu,

The death toll now is over 18,000 and I guess the final count will be over 50000. The crying need is medical aid and providing clean water and sanitary facilities to obviate mass disease. Thank you for your concern.

Uncle Wije

Meanwhile, Satya Prabakar, CEO of Sulekha.com wrote in:

SULEKHA.COM-AID TSUNAMI RELIEF FUND: Your Contributions Matched Dollar-for-Dollar

Your tax-deductible online contribution to Tsunami Relief in India will be matched dollar for dollar from the Sulekha-AID matching fund. Please read on.

Sulekha.com has partnered with Association for India's Development (AID) and NuWay Advertising to raise money for the relief efforts in India following the devastating earthquake/tsunami that has claimed thousands of lives. Sulekha.com is the world's largest online Indian community. AID is a reputed social service organization run by volunteers all across the world; being a voluntary organization, and with strong grass roots presence in South India as well, AID is geared to maximize the impact of our contributions in India focused on development. All funds raised through this effort will go to AID specifically for Tsunami relief efforts. Nu Way Advertising, a leading US based advertising agency, is working on raising funds from its vast network of clients for the matching fund program.

Sulekha has created a large matching fund (currently at $20,000 and growing) with contributions from several magnanimous individuals and corporations. Individual contributions of less than $500 will be matched dollar-for-dollar from this matching fund. Contributions of $500 / Rs. 25,000 or more will automatically be recognized as a matching fund donation.

If you wish to pledge to the matching fund and pay via check or if you have any questions, please write to Arti Patel at arti@sulekha.net or call her at 214-616-2749.

Help those in dire need by making your tax-deductible contribution today. You can pay online at http://www.sulekha.com/aid. Contributions to AID are tax-deductible in the US. AID's federal tax-ID is 04-3652609.

Warm regards,
Satya Prabhakar
CEO, Sulekha.com
512-947-2231

Coast to coast, if this disaster has taught us anything at all it is this: we are each connected to one another in a sort of web. What affects me, will affect you and vice versa. While the need is great in setting things right again, let's also think of how much we need each other in this time of great need. Cast away for good silly notions of how different “they” are. Look within yourself to help at least one person this next year. While for many it will likely be a terribly unhappy new year, those of us who are capable of making things better, in whatever special way, should step up. Make that your new year resolution. Please!