Social Tweet served Indian style!

Facebook, Orkut and Twitter were probably designed to keep people connected across the world. It created a virtual world where people thought they could Like, Poke &  Follow people. Well, almost. But we can't really do much without Indianizing everything we get our hands on. Mc Chicken burger has a little brother named Mc Aloo Tikki and Subway sandwiches have fillings of Chicken Tikka. 

So while orkut came up with background themes for occasions like Diwali and Holi, all of these social networking sites had an option to access them in Hindi. While surfing one of the days I came across a blog, that glued me on to it. This blogger by the name of Krisha Ashok in one of his blog entry talks about Indianizing the 'Like' button in facebook. His writing hilariously takes you through the various possibility that the Indians will create even in a simple social networking site like Facebook. Even more interesting is that the buttons would have the possibility of exceptions. Eg: I like the picture but not the caption, or I like but don't get the wrong idea. 

I do agree we like to modify the things our way, but that is probably how we make it acceptable to the masses here. I guess every city in the world has a trade mark, we as Indians may have just found ours!

The Scam Sham

Scam scam here and there, not a country to live? This is the thing about the people here, we not only like to blow things out of proportion, but we like to stick to the theme. Like this time the theme is scams. The article by Swapan Dasgupta in the editorial column of the Times of India, talks about the same subject. The 2G spectrum scam and the involvement of various industrialists like Ratan Tata, along with lobbyist Niira Radia has led to the worry of those who are the citizens of the nation. The politicians have always been known to be corrupt the latest example being the Commonwealth scam and the Adarsh housing scam. But the involvement of the corporate world with the policy makers has been a blow to those had hope in the capitalist setup.

A very known journalist, Swapan Dasgupta writes how in the midst of all these scams we only see the negative side and how to thrash all the people involved. He talks about all these areas where faults exists, but how we as the citizens of India have to channel the anger in the right direction instead of maintaining a stagnant picture. In all honesty, I see that as the truth, except it is much easier said than done. The first step as he says is to channelize the energies in the right direction, but which side is the right direction, is yet to be known. I really like his thoughts in to words in the following lines :

"Instead of fighting the cancer, a lynch mob has, however, set its sights on mocking the famous, destroying reputations and creating a mood viciously hostile to entrepreneurship — the force that propelled India’s growth story. "

Corruption indeed, is no less than a form of cancer plaguing our society. It surfaces with various names and faces and keeps us occupied in trying to figure out which disease is it. Instead of treating it like a disease and looking for the cure, we choose to first find where it came from than how to deal with it. The question yet again comes back to us, ' If we the people make the government, then why don't we have the courage to face the repercussions of our decisions?' The answers lie within us, only we choose to let them be dormant.

Top 5 Scams in India

1. 2 G Spectrum Scam 

           2. Commonwealth Games Scam

  

           3. Telgi Scam

        4. Satyam Scam

 

       5. Bofors Scam

It is amazing indeed that the country has so much of money to fill the pockets of such frauds!

For the love of fetish!

Heights of crazy fetishes have been redefined once again. As if it wasn't enough to have crime and atrocities against humans in the world, the next target is the weak who cannot voice their views. I'm referring to animals who cannot speak for themselves while they undergo torture by humans, just for sadistic pleasures.
This article that was published in the Times of India today talks about little animals like rabbits being the prey to the entertainment for some Chinese girls.There are videos made of these Chinese girls play and kiss little animals like rabbits, puppies and kittens and take glass slab keep on them and sit on it so as to crush them to death. Or to make it more interesting and sexy, they wear pencil heals and stand and jump on the little animals so as to kill them. This is the most horrendous and outrageous act of cruelty. As if the Chinese were not satisfied with killing dogs mercilessly to eat their meat.

This is not the first time that cruelty against animals has been taking place. The People for Ethical Treatment of Animals ( PETA) have been fighting for various causes like against KFC and Mc Donalds unethical slaughter of chickens, animals is entertainment, killing of baby seals in Canada, fur from animals and force feeding of goose liver. Although PETA has intervened in the 'Animal Crush' matter, it is not an organisation that will be able to counter such fanatics who like to torture animals for their own amusement, it is we the people who can drive the change. If we have a heart for our own children, why kill the children of dogs, cats and rabbits. After all they too have a heart, don't they?

Real or reel life hero?

In a nation of mixed cultures, races, and strata of the society, there is always a news that keeps us occupied. So today when I was going through the newspaper, the Nation page of The Times of India had a very interesting piece of news. The article was about the famous bollywood actor Hrithik Roshan, because he had developed an allergy to an anti biotic he took. This landed him straight in the hospital.

Hrithik Roshan maybe the heart throb of many, but I'm not sure if that news featuring of the National page of the newspaper would benefit the lives of even a few. A country where every hour there is a shortage of water in villages of Jharkhand and electricity in small villages and towns, focus still remains on a bollywood star. Since it is published in a national newspaper, hence people read. But as a news reporter, do we print what the readers like to read or do we follow the 'Indian Norms of Conduct' and go ahead with the moral duty of being a journalist, reporting, accurate and fair, free from any biases.

It is not just about popularity anymore, sometimes it gets as obscene as you can think.Two days back in the same newspaper the famous celebrity Kim Kardarshian was quoted on the international page of the National newspaper. Her dilemma was on the size of her twin assets. Wow! that is really some interesting piece of news very essential to the humankind.

The point here is simple, as a journalist if you can help even one person by making him heard by the medium of the newspaper, you have indeed justified your job!

Judgement Day

The much awaited verdict to the pending case of Aman Kachroo came out in the papers today. The defaulters responsible for claiming the life of a student over meaningless ragging were sentenced 4 years imprisonment. It may be an end to the struggle that Late Aman's father has been going through. But a question still remains unanswered to me. Has the justice prevailed?
In this case the defaulters may have realized the repercussions of their action done under the influence of alcohol. But this still remains one of those cases that came to light because the parents and the concerned people chose to speak about it and hence gained the right to have these guys tried in the court of law. Every single day there are in numerous cases of rape, molestation, teachers beating up students to death, and everyday these cases are buried under piles of money and connections. There is no end to raping many such Ruchika Girotras or torture of the Aman Kachroos.

This judgement might set examples but it still remains the tip of the iceberg.

Roadside Grey

Every red light that one stops on in Delhi, little girls and boys are seen in tattered clothes begging for money or selling colourful pens or balloons. I came across one such traffic signal. And these were my thoughts.

Standing among the beautiful rainbow of colors
Blue green red and yellow,
Is all he could see.
Those tiny hands had more than they could handle,
The different sizes made it look like a perfect family.
Gleaming lights added to the drama,
The honk, made him see the reality again.
Little feet in the tattered slippers,
Blood pained cracks made it impossible to walk.
The cold breeze doesn't bother much,
The soft child skin is there no more.
The lungs are out of air,
Giving life to those balloons,
His dreams are shattered by the lonely nights on the red light.
The eyes only shine at the glimpse of a prospect customer.
My heart aches to ask him,
Why don't your parents save you from this plight.
Where I get my answer looking at the foot path,
The old lady is tying the balloons to a stick.
My car starts moving and the little one disappears.
But the memory of the little boy with balloons,
Stays fresh in my mind

Institutions like Child Line India, look into rehabilitating such kids. Maybe we can lend a hand!

Just for fun

Technology has given us many ways to connect to people across borders and distances, but in a rather absurd incident it let to disconnect of relations, maybe for life. The Times of India today, features and article where husband in a couple hailing from Qatar, typed 'Talaq' thrice while chatting with her on Skype. He claims to meant it as a joke, but I guess the joke didn't turn out to be very funny. According to the law now the wife has to wait for a period of 90 days called the Iddah to remarry. Post which she cannot remarry the same person, and in case she wishes to marry the same person she must marry someone else, divorce him, wait for a period of 90 days and the only she can remarry the first husband.

Long process isn't it? In the midst of all this has anyone every wondered how derogatory it is for the woman. She is merely treated like a commodity. Has anyone ever asked her what trauma and pain she goes through in this? Referring back to the article, the husband insists that it was purely a joke and was not meant seriously. A film made in 1982 in Bollywood called 'Nikah' truly depicts the feelings of a woman in an Islamic marriage.

Coming from a country like India which has an exhaustive list of women heading multinational companies, we also see women being treated as nothing but a mere puppet in the hands of their husbands. The husbands may never wake up from the slumber, but the wifes, its now or never.

Name your price..

"Karmanye Vadhikaraste Ma Phaleshu Kadachana, 

Ma Karma Phala Hetur Bhurmatey Sangostva Akarmani !"

This is a shloka ( verse) from the Bhagwad Gita that is often considered the essence of the Holy Book and of the philosophical and spiritual foundation of the Hindu way of life. This Sanskrit shloka is usually translated into Hindi as 'karm kar, phal ki icha mat kar' or 'carry out your duty, don’t worry (or care?) about the result.' 



I am a sincere believer of existence of god, and I often pray at the temples, mosques and gurudwara. It must be pure and selfless love for the existence of the almighty. Recently, for my birthday I wanted to sponsor a Langar,which is basically offering food to the deity and then feeding it to the masses. Since I am a believer of the Sai Baba so decided to keep one at the Sai Baba Temple. My family has been organizing similar Langars before, but this time it just didn't feel right. The feeling I got from the people working at the temple, was very artificial. Getting a chance to serve in the temple is an honour. But that is hardly the feeling that I could gauge from the people working there. All they were looking for was how much would they be tipped after the offering was done.So is it really about the belief or is this a profession in itself?

Around two years back, I went for a pilgrimage to Tirupati Balaji, down south of India. He is known to be the richest god in world, considering the amount of money and gold people donate. Everything these days comes with a price tag, so my visit as well. In short, just to skip the line which takes hours to an end, you can choose to pay Rs. 500, Rs. 1000 or Rs.1500 to see the deity and pray. What about the common man who stands in the line from a day before so that he gets his chance to pray to his god. In today's world everything is commercialized.

I come back to the verse from Bhagwad Gita which means carry your duty and don't worry about the result. The man who is dedicated to his work and family and has the love of god is the true worshiper. He need not visit the god in the temple for the god resides in his heart. Maybe its time we stop putting a money worth to everything, including belief!

Welfare for Nature and Men!

A society for crafts and craftspeople Dastkar, is a registered society that aims at improving the economic status of craftspeople, thereby promoting the survival of traditional crafts. It was founded in 1981 by six women, who had worked in the craft and development sector including Laila Tyabji, who is the current Chairperson.
What better way to spend your day on a Saturday afternoon than attending the Nature Bazaar organised by Dastkar at the Indira Gandhi Center for Arts. This is an initiative to improve the economic status of the small town workers and also to preserve the traditional handicrafts of each state. Most of the commodities put up at this exhibition is environment friendly and made with waste or natural resources. So when I reached there, it was a difficult task to find a parking slot for the car. But, in my opinion its a very good sign, because obviously it is something that people are appreciating.


There we stalls from various states ranging from Uttrakhand to Kutch. And the beauty of the handicrafts cannot be captured in words. The raw silk sarees and the Himachal shawls were the one of the sure shot hit with people. The pottery and the clay kept the kids occupied. My personal favourite was stall called 'Haathi Chaap' which is paper made from elephant dung. In spite of the base ingredient sounding gross, the stuff is actually very good. It includes dairies that can be gifted, coasters etc... The other stalls had jute bags, kantha work sarees, bangles made with beads, blocks for block printing and home decorations. 


The best part was yet to come, and for me that is food, food and more food. So the food stalls included delicacies from Kerela, Tamil Nadu, Rajasthan and Hyderabad. The Dal Bati Choorma from Rajasthan which is a wheat dumpling served with lentils gave a tough competition to the Kathi Roll form Hyderabad which was loaded with egg and chicken. The conclusion, I loved them both. Finished it with a filter coffee from the Kerela stall and some Kulfi as dessert.



All in all it was a good day spent considering I was also supporting a welfare activity. Just an advice, the strata of the society that normally attends such fairs, is upper middle to higher class. Hence the prices of the goods are not very cheap. But I guess tax is not levied on just going and having a good day, right?

Thought over food

" I will not have more pooris ma," I commented this morning. There was Ashtami Pooja at home, post the holy occasion of Navratras for Hindus. I was craving the Halwa and Poori, especially after fasting for a week. It was a beautiful sight to see those tiny pooris puff up in a pool of clarified butter and the warm aroma of halwa with hints of saffron and cardamom. I was in food paradise.

Food has been known to affect moods and reactions of people after consumption, which may be immediate of over a period of time. Research by Judith Wurtman, a professor at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), has focused on how certain foods alter one's mood by influencing the level of certain brain chemicals called neurotransmitters. It has always been said that a heavy lunch makes one very lethargic, or eating fruits will keep you feeling light and energetic; this is the case when a heavy meal makes the stomach work more and hence requires more blood and leads to less blood supply to the brain. All this scientific explanation is good, but all I know is chocolate is my happy food, it makes me feel better on a gloomy day, and guess what, the studies agree with me. Chocolate releases Endorphins which help pep up the moods.

Food holds the greatest meaning at my household. You get up to chole bhature, move on to a pre lunch snack of idli and chutney that nani ( grandmother) sent, have a lunch of dal, roti, vegetables and rice, evening tea with bhel puri and dinner with butter chicken and naan. Wouldn't you call it love for food? 

Don't know if food really affect moods, but the food with love, does manage to satisfy the soul.

A Ray of Hope

Aisha, does the name strike a chord in your minds? I'm not particularly referring to Aisha the film based loosely on Jane Austen's novel, Emma. The Aisha in this context was the 18 year old Afghan girl, who featured on the cover of the TIME magazine in the August issue. Her nose and ears were chopped off by her brutal husband because she tried to run away from the oppression. This in the Pashtun society is a punishment that is given to the wife who disgraces her husband.

So this girl is in news this time because of the brand new prosthetic nose surgery, with a newer look and a much improved self confidence. Soon enough the doctors will give her a more permanent solution, a step ahead of the plastic surgery. And believe me I do feel very happy for her as she has been granted a new life. But to me, it seems more like another attempt of US to showcase that they are the Global Rescuer. It is good that the life of this still teenager has been granted back to her buffed & polished, but such issues occur everyday, around the streets of Afghanistan. When we refer to the atrocities against women, the buck just does not stop here. I would not say it is about just a girl in Afghanistan, but what about the thousands of women die in India for dowry or refusal to marry?  If the laws of the Pashtun society sound absurd, the local superstitions beliefs of the people in a village in Jharkhkand, India don't seem any wiser by parading women naked and making them eat human excreta on the pretext of calling them 'possessed'. 


The idea here is not to change a society or the norms, it is just about waking up and smelling the coffee!

A world less traveled?

Sitting in the first week of October'2010, the Commonwealth Games kick started pretty well. Anticipating the traffic jams and other restrictions, I decided to take a mini vacation to Bangkok and Pattaya. And oh boy! I did not think that I would be running away from one set of crowd and land straight to another one.

Reaching the airport, I see a long queue of people, and guess what? They all were traveling to Thailand. Wow, that was not the most interesting piece of news. Though it did seem like a Deja Vu, and now I know why. I remembered a reading a comment in a newspaper by Ketaki Behl, Director of Indraprastha Travels

"Most of the people, even corporates, are heading towards Europe or south-east Asia, particularly Bangkok during the Commonwealth break"

This was not good, I was running away from the crowd for some relaxation, and here I meet more crowd alas!. If that was not enough, the flight seemed like a modified zoo with kids running around and their mothers yelling  'Ae susant, skirt wali aunty se thora campa cola la na' ( literally translating to please get coke from the lady in the skirt = air hostess). So after all this I had my fingers crossed for a good trip ahead.

The feel of Pattaya was good, because I am a beach baby. But I did pretty much feel at home with all the Indians around. When I excitedly land up a the Coral Island, I head a voice which is familiar, that was of my neighbour, Deepa Aunty. Was I thrilled, irritated or just numb was a question I repeatedly asked myself. Well can I safely say that the world is a small place after all? Now good, bad or just fine, phoren  trip was accomplished right? The dreams of the relaxation were shattered soon enough.

To Play or Not that is the Question...

As kids, for our hide and seek, dog and the bone and ludo were the games we used to play. When we grew up we matured, all these games seemed juvenile. But in a little corner of our hearts there existed a small child, which was seen by the multinational electronics firm Sony, and invented PlayStation.

The Play Station came to be known as the video game for the adults, not because it had something explicit, but the graphics and sounds thrilled the little kid in the adults. I would call myself a victim of the PlayStation, because year after year they came with the new versions which always had improved graphics, visuals and sounds. Games like Assassin's Creed and FIFA world cup have been the all time favourite. Seeing it from the other point of view, even though its fun, spending almost Rs. 20,000/- on a video game, seems like a waste.
Having said that, now that I have it, why not make good use of it!

I am a Blackberry Girl!

The most exciting news of the day is Blackberry Playbook getting launched. Surprising as most people would find it, I being a girl is a complete gadget freak! And in my opinion, Blackberry was the most amazing thing that happened to mankind and technology. Who would have thought that one could have the access to your mails and chat, on the move. My favourite feature is the Blackberry Messenger, its like having friends right next to you even if they are sitting in another continent. 


The tablet by Blackberry will compete against the I- Pad by Apple. The most impressive feature being a 1-GHz dual-core Cortex A9 processor with a gigabyte of RAM with apparently either 32-Gbytes or 64GB of storage.
Another interesting feature is that in case you do not possess a Wi-Fi connection, the internet on the playbook can be accessed through the Blackberry Plan on your mobile phone. I'm loving the sound of this gadget. 


Its expected to hit the markets around first quarter of 2011. Am I eager? Yes! Yes! and Yes!

Eating in Style!

Gucci, Versace, Chanel, Jimmy Choo, the one thing that connects them all together is Luxury. They all are roofed under DLF Emporio in New Delhi, the one stop shop for luxury. So why should the luxury stop at clothing, footwear and accessories?  Seven years after  Morimoto entered Indian market, the famous Japanese restaurant and competitor to Morimoto, Megu is venturing into India. 

It would be correct to comment that Wasabi by Morimoto set the moods and the palate for the Indians towards not just Japanese cuisine, but added a dash of finesse to dining. The once Executive Chef for Nobu,  Chef Masaharu Morimoto made his name to fame with his own chain of restaurants called Morimoto in Tokyo, New York and Philadelphia and partnered with Taj Hotels to enter the Indian market. Years later, after Contemporary Japanese became the talk of the town in the metro cities, there were rumours of Nobu planning to tie up with Leela Hotels and open up in Delhi. But talks broke down, because Nobu does not open where a Morimoto exists. Fierce competition, I must say. 

The CEO of Food Scope America, Mr. Hiro Nishida talks about his expansion plans in Moscow, Doha, India ( Delhi and Mumbai) after the two restaurants in US and one in Tokyo. They have tied up with Leela Hotels India to bring the restaurant in the two cities. The fact of the matter here is that Indians are understanding the concept of a Michelin Star Chef's  and they want to let their palates explore new flavours, even if it come a little too pricey! I believe they do know how to differentiate their Hamachi from Kampachi.

Kampai to it shall we?

Misquoted

This comic strip, I came across in The Times of India today, reminds me of a plot from a famous Bollywood film called 'Jane Bhi Do Yaroo'. The film talks about corrupt politicians and businessman, and their scandals and blaming the photo journalists for their laxity. Hilarious comedy, like this is, the Great Indian Comedy Circus.

Happy and Gay

When we were school kids, the line in a poem ' Happy and Gay' meant cheery: bright and pleasant; promoting a feeling of cheer; "a cheery hello"; "a gay sunny room"; "a sunny smile" . Interestingly today, if the word GAY  gets uttered in front of any of the family member, you have committed a sin. The word defines 'relating to sexual attraction or activity among members of the same sex.' 


Being the citizens of a country, we are granted various rights, so choosing the sexual orientation, is that not a RIGHT? The concept of homosexuality has existed since ages back, the problem that are so called free society has is with acceptance. The fact that the homosexuals openly admit and talk about their sexual preference is something that bothers the world. Fascinating fact in today's society is that still many people believe that homosexuality is a disease or a state of mind, which will be cured if they marry the opposite sex. Funny isn't it? Ruining the life of two people and families, over a stupid belief.

Recently I managed to grab the screening of a documentary film called 'Jerusalem is proud to present' which talks about the gay and lesbian rights movement in Jerusalem. The most amusing thing I observed is, all across the world, people involve religion in almost everything, and abuse it. Like for instance here, they claim that the gays and lesbians are polluting the holy city of Jerusalem, by having their existence there. I say, it is shallow mentality.

So the article on the front page of Delhi Times today talks about this actor Yuvraj Parasher who got disowned by his family for playing the role of a homosexual on screen. And just in case you  are wondering, he is not gay in real life, just in reel life. How strong are the bonds of families, and how firm is our acceptance to the sexual orientation is clearly proven.

All I would say is, people grow up, really!

The Thought of It

The Sunday Times, my favorite newspaper, gives me the summary for the entire week. Its my dose on the gossip, bollywood, business and pretty much everything. The Editorial column, specially gives me a peep in the head of various known writers and thinkers in India. So this time an article by M J Akbar caught my attention.

So where the world is busy criticizing the Commonwealth preparations, this gentleman is looking at the positive side of the picture. He talks about how its benefiting India, because during the games, people will be at home, so no traffic, the roads are painted and polished so all in all the tourist visiting will be seeing the brightest side of Delhi.
I love the thought ,after all we are god loving positive thinking people who always see the glass half full, yes always!
I do agree, but back of the head I also remember, that this could have been many folds better, if only it wasn't of the CIA ( Corrupt Incompetent Arrogant) politicians, as Mr. Akbar puts it.
The positivity in me, I must add, is still there!

Murder he wrote...

The nation has been hit by tragedies! A goods train speeding at 70kmph through the Dooars, go slow area, hit seven elephants and silenced them to death. This has been the highest number of elephants being killed in a single railway accident. Reading this news bought tears to my eyes. Its extremely sad that these animals who cannot speak for themselves have nobody to speak for them, or have the voice of people who only portray to speak for them. Interesting fact is that we humans, as we progress and develop mankind, we completely ignore the contribution of such animals in our lives. The railway obviously refuses to take up any responsibility, merely claiming it as an accident. Killing seven big elephants cannot be overlooked as a honest mistake. 

Its shameful that animals like elephants or tigers, which are the pride of our nation need campaign's like ' Save the tiger' to save them from extinction. The humanity has been lost, somewhere in the technological succession of nations. Selfishness has slowly crept in our hearts, where this is no space for anyone else. On a more holistic level, i guess its not just the animals, we kill much more everyday, basic humanity. 

Two steps ahead or four backward?

The much awaited verdict of the Janambhoomi in Ayodhya due on September 24th, 2010, has now been deferred to September 29, 2010. This time we were sure it would give out the verdict, weren't we? The latest bridge collapse, just added the much needed icing on the recipe of disaster. My apologies Mr. Kant, the Incredible India is not seeming so incredible now. Post the the bridge collapse and the complaints of the foreign nationals on the accommodation, the world media has thrashed India and its preparations.

The core issue here is, not how we hope things to happen, but how the corruption in each sector of the country has increased and that one good thing pulls it up other five bad push it down. Now after such hard hitting issues does anyone remember that Bhopanna bought laurels to the country, the answer most likely is NO. So when I discussed the same incident with a friend, she said ' Ratieka why don't you join politics?' The sad thing is that most of the people still think that we only contribute to the country being in politics. I beg to differ, I hold an opinion and choose to voice it also. I contribute everyday, do you?

Matter of Opinion

Our dear Bollywood star Sallu Bhai ( Salman Khan) is in news yet again, sadly for the wrong reasons! So Sallu-ji your recent release "Dabangg" was super hit with the masses with a collection of over `15 Crore on the first day. I guess the excitement caused the recent slip of tongue, at an interview for a Pakistani channel. " Too much hype has been created around 26/11 attacks because elite people were involved" comment can be called a classic case of a foot in mouth situation for Salman Khan.

Mr. Khan, with all due respect to you, expressing your opinion is a right has been given by government of India to all its citizens. But, a person of such stature has to be very careful while expressing them at the right forum, since being an icon it leaves a lasting impact on people. My favorite minister Sashi Tharoor had to face verbal bashing and finally had to resign from his position, owing to his ' cattle class' comment on Twitter. Its sad enough that you had to voice such an opinion on Pakistani National television, irony is we are still struggling over the nationality of Mohammad Ajmal Amir Kasab. This version of Chulbul Pandey didn't really strike the right chord with the ministers and citizens. You owe an apology to them.

While watching the news I came across the interview of Shiv Sena Chief Raj Thackeray. I was throughly amused when he said " I support Salman, its impossible he would say something like that". On one hand Raj Thackeray claims to teach a lesson to the terrorist who have crippled Mumbai and on the other hand he supports Salman when he says that the issue was 'Over hyped'. My apologies, but I never understood the logical explanations by Shiv Sena, not today, not when they draped sari on Kareena Kapoor's Kurbaan poster and not on ' Maharashtra is for Marathis' issue. Its just supporting illogical issues and trying to prove that they exist. Besides, if the same comment would have been made by someone like Amitabh Bachan, Raj Thackeray would have personally asked for a written apology. But hey, its his friend, Sallu.

So well, Mr. Khan and Mr. Thackeray please watch what you support and the opinions that you lend your voice to. So Sallu are you still humming 'Oops I did it again...'

Multi-cultural

WORK & WORSHIP: Asif takes time off at a workshop in Ghatkopar, Mumbai, to offer namaz at the close of the fasting period of Ramzan. Both Ganesh Chaturthi and Eid-ul-Fitr fall on Saturday

Would you call it an irony? I would call it INDIA. So bending the rules, this time I picked up a picture on the front page of the newspaper. On Saturday, Ganesh Chatruthi festival of the Hindus was shared with the most important festival for the Muslims, Eid-ul-Fitr. Interesting, how this picture has the Ganpatiji smiling at Asif offering Namaz. I have nothing to critique on the editor's work. This picture made my day. So shall we still expect some friction on September 25, 2010? I surly hope not!

Stress Management

I happen to come across this cartoon strip in the Sunday Times. Isn't it a slap on our mentality and attitudes? There is immense pressure on this generation of children. Unless you get a 99% , your standing is nowhere. In trying show other's down by the means of our children, we completely burden and ruin their childhood. So are we ready to sacrifice their dreams for our selfish motives or will we give their dreams a chance. The quote sums it up perfectly for me.

Get over the idea that only children should spend their time in study.  Be a student so long as you still have something to learn, and this will mean all your life.  ~Henry L. Doherty

Mockery: Of the government, by the media, for the country!

Finally after lazing over it for so long I got myself to watch Peepli Live, the much talked about film produced by Amir Khan and his better half. The storyline of the film revolves around the farmer suicide in Maharashtra when they saw no escape from debts. The interesting thing in the film is that it was a hit on the box office without having superstars in the star cast. In today's world this is the genre of film that can awaken the country.

In today's extremely commercialized world, there are still people and villages who blessed with electricity for barely few hours of the day. And here we sit in the city criticize the authorities if we have to sit with out air conditioning for just 30 minutes. This one scene in the movie caught my attention where one of the politicians gifts Natha ( lead character ) a television for committing suicide. Look at the irony, the town does not have electricity to beat the heat, will the television run on goodwill? So is right to electricity for the creme da la creme of the society? It reminds me of the incident narrated by a friend, she was in Khan Market, most poshest colony in Delhi where they were removing cemented tiles and replacing them with red stone. And she thought to herself, there are people who walk miles to get to a road and here they are taking out absolutely perfect tiles to make it look even better!


As media students, in the moral conduct, we are taught to state the facts sans any prejudice or biases. So why is that we get into the rat race of running after the TRP's of the channel rather than stating the facts? To get a 'different from others' news this one character in the film goes on to shooting the feces of an alleged dead man. I was flabbergasted at such a scene, so is this the role of media?

All I ask is, we the people, when are we going to have our rang de basanti  moment. When will we get up from the slumber and work for our nation? Or are we happy being a part of Microsoft and NASA and losing our identities as citizens of INDIA..

The choice is most certainly yours.

Game Over? I guess not...

Sunday morning, when I flipped over the newspaper, I came across an article on the editorial page. Writer Chetan Bhagat of the ' Five Point Someone' and ' A Night at the Call Center' fame urges the citizens of India to boycott the Commonwealth Games. He feels the corruption of some of the ministers must be punished, and he sees this as the best opportunity to do so.
Mr. Bhagat, I duly respect you and your opinions, I would however ask you  of that the nationality that you hold. If you claim to be an Indian citizen, I need not remind you of your duties as a citizen. Boycotting the games by the Indian nationals would be insulting the country on and international forum. I myself would like to see the corrupt ministers punished in such a way that no one in the future dares to commit such crime. But never at the cost of the country's reputation.
Mr. Bhagat, is this another publicity stunt like the previous one for that happened after the success of '3 Idiots', where you claimed you had not been given the credibility for your work? The inhabitants of this counrty have brought you the name and the fame, since they were the readers of your literature. Besides after being named in the Time Magazines ' 100 Most Influential People', I sincerely believe that a little share of the responsibility towards the nation falls under your kitty. I'm afraid this extremist opinion of yours may qualify for the 4th Mistake of Your Life.


I will most certainly support the games, and so will millions of Indians!

Who said what?

We are making it in a different language… (therefore) it has become a different movie 
– KAJOL, 
actor, on her upcoming Hindi movie, which is a remake of the English film Stepmom

Ha ha ha! I love the sense of humour of the Bollywood stars, it's like saying 'I'll say you are an idiot in Spanish and it will mean You are adorable'. Sigh! I wish along with the looks, there was an intelligence test for being a super star. 

Shaping Future!

(Times of India, August 23, 2010)

Now at least the parents of this generation will be happy that their kids are well versed with the latest happenings around them. Though nobody would take the ownership if this affects their juvenile minds adversely. So what seems more scary, the little one wanting to become the next Kalmadi or having them live in a state of oblivion. 

P.S. Either ways you might end up complaining, choose wisely!

The Common (wealth) Delusion..

'

Operation CWG'; this is the headline that somehow paves its way through to the front page everyday. Just for the record, this is the final try by the government, to save the country from a bag full of muck..err.. shame. So on a lazy Sunday when I was browsing through the newspaper, I came across the article by Shobha De, titled 'Politically Incorrect'. Shobha De being an renowned Indian writer and columnist, gives her view on the current Commonwealth Games state.
I, too hold the opinion that the Aussies really have shown plenty of love for the Indians, from bashing up Indian students to asking their athletes to boycott the Commonwealth Games. We are highly obliged  by the gesture Dawn Fraser. So since Micheal Fennell has given a thumbs up to the security and called it as 'top class' and 'very sound', Shobha politely wants to convey a message to Fraser, 'Don't bother to come'.
As much as i would like to believe that the preparation is going at a good speed, we still continue to lack in some of the basic requirements for the games. Now one of the recent articles put in focus the ambulances that will be for the players at the games, haven't yet arrived. To add to the ignorance, the training of the manpower has not begun yet. The same article also highlights the training put into action by England for the 2013 Olympics. Planning malfunction Delhi or just the power of corruption?

It seems like the Great Indian drama being showcased on national television, Suresh Kalmadi in the lead. Supporting actors Mr. Gill and Mrs. Dikshit. I guess the real life politicians are inspired by the reel life Peepli Live.

To sum it all, i would like to ask just one question, even with such pressure, will aaall be well...?
We shall see!

Safe today, Shoe-ed tomorrow!

Our day to day might sometimes be very monotonous, so to make it a little spicy a new drama hits the stage of politics, everyday. The one I refer to is the incident of Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah being the target of the shoe being thrown at him during the flag hoisting on August 15, in Srinagar.


I was reading the editorial page of the Times of India, today, and it seemed like it is the new 'in thing' to be thrown a shoe at. As this saying in the film Guru goes like ' If the people are talking ill behind your back, it means you must be earning well'. It apparently holds true in today's world. You have a footwear thrown at you, and hey you steal the limelight. The list holds the name of Omar Abdullah among the few other eminent personalities along with George W. Bush, Wen Jiabao, P Chidambram and Asif Ali Zardari. It is just not the person whom the loafers are thrown at, but the gentleman who does the javelin throw, receives his name to fame too. The point I'm struggling to comprehend is why do we need such desperate measures to grab the attention of the people we elect, to serve the citizens. Is it that the government has turned a deaf ear to our greviences and point of view?

In an article published by Hamna Zubair, subeditior at The Express Tribune in Karachi, expresses her views on the shoe target show. Towards the end of the article she urges the shoe throwing act, not to be dismissed as random act of madness, as it actually spells the deeper helplessness. I certainly agree.

The truth lies in the fact that no matter whether it is a minister or a common man, they all need their share of the 'five minutes of fame'. The medium could range from footwear to undergarments. Take your pick folks!

The Opening Line

" All world's a stage, and the men and women are merely players"
         - Willam Shakespear
I say in today's world all men and women may or may not be players, but they most certainly are opinionated. I am no exception. I call myself crazy, fun loving, super opinionated and outspoken. Hailing from a background of Hoteliering, i have been there and seen all about the glitz and glamor. My blog would reflect my views on the Editorial Page of the daily newspaper, i choose this as my theme as the editorial page has the opinions of varied people in fields ranging from politics to Hollywood. I so happen to hold an opinion on almost, everything. I should have a happy time, just critiquing others work!