Don't condemn the language of creativity

Well we are criticising Mr. Ram Gopal Verma for his presence at the Taj, with the CM. He deserves this criticism. After all, India was shattered! Some 10 odd infiltrators taking refuge at the top-end locales, bombing us mercilessly. Mr. Verma was wrong to explicitely hold his commercial interests over the phase which the nation went through. The 60 hour long seige got the entire nation to a stand-still.

Is there any harm in filming the recent Mumbai Seige, or call it 26/11, 2008?
I dont see any!

Movies, theatre, and other forms of art, are ointments for social healing. They reflect the sensibilities of mankind, mirror social - remember the chatter bug that seem to have hit our unsensitive politicians.

As a medium, they reiterate that out intelligence is not upto the mark. It highlight the need for better security. They reflect the diplomacy going around.
We will keep condemning the attacks sitting at some high end eatery, or at the closed walls of our rooms. But the power of cinema will take it to theatre at the interiors of nation.

Movies reflection of society, a historical documentation, reflecting the society and the civilization. The gen next will bank on media archives collected at the virtual world, let them know, let them understand, let us give them the art to better find their way out, rather than messing up the facts.

Let us mature, please dont condemn the art. Bollywood has been credited with maximum film productions in the world reaching out to the tune of 9,000, in various langauges.

Please dont condemn the prospects of reeling up the seige, as these fictional accounts speaks volume about the gravity of the crisis, and bring the unsaid to the forefront.
For more pics, log on to

http://www.ndtv.com/convergence/ndtv/talkingpictures/TalkingPic-Mumbai-Attack.aspx

Permeable routes, irresponsible cues

Sunday the 30th November 2008, saw mass protests, condemning the series of 60 hour long attacks in the financial capital of India. Indiscriminate firing and binding hostages at the gun point by terrorists allegedly linked to Indian neighbour. I offer my heartfelt condolences to the victims and their families. I salute those martyred during the rescue operations....

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I am confident this will happen again, as such instances are not new to India. Terrorists were equipped to blow off 5,000 people and planted bombs at the two landmark hotels. They were waiting for the bombs to blow, so that they can escape the security cover. Thankfully the bombs did not blow at the Taj, and the one which blew at Oberio did not cause any causalities. Sadly only one terrorist was arrested, remaining were killed.

The government officials are already officially declaring their bid of resignations - seemingly this is what they think they can do at max, after exhibiting uncaring attitude for running a state.

Chief Minister of Maharashtra, Vilasrao Deshmukh, took his actor son Ritesh Deshmukh and renowned director Ram Gopal Verma for a stroll in Mumbai’s upscale Taj Heritage posts the attacks. This is seen as a gravely irresponsible act on his part. He had to resign amid stubborn circumstances.

RR Patil, Deputy CM, commented, such instances happen in big cities. This was understood as an irresponsible remark. He has quit from his official designation.

Shivraj Patil, Indian Home Minister has always been feeling the heat whenever terror strikes India. He has quit. Reason being repeated failure in the intelligence network.

Intelligence from Israel and US have come down to Mumbai, to track the 3 days long turf. We need an efficient intelligence, better vigilance, and responsible handling of crisis doing away with casual remarks by the official dignitaries. Our permeable borders and coastlines are paving ways for infiltrators. Bombings could have been averted with sleep inducing chemicals, which could have helped in catching the terrorists alive. Apparently India does not have access to these kinds of tools, which might have put India - now responsible nuclear power, on a better crisis management or to put it as terrorism management denominator.

Terror is not new to India, we are the second worst hit nation with terror in the world after Israel. This calls for assigning greater importance towards measures curbing terrorism and after attack policies. We have to holistically deal with development in economic front and supplement it with better and respectful human resource management. Such setbacks have been reported repeatedly. But no breakthrough in this regard has been achieved so far.

Politicians will propose setting up federal agencies, redrafting laws, and imparting training etc. But this practice is available more on papers than on practice. Socialists and media often catch flaws on the part administration's mishandling of such crisis. Catching the innocents in lieu of getting a pat on their backs is a commonplace for administrators during such times.

How do we mend it?

Do we see our policemen able enough to stand tall when a 20 something is firing indiscrimately?

Do we see out terror squads not letting innocents die, and handle the situation as responsible national representatives?

Can the government handle the situation anymore or should we start off with an NGO initiative aimed at imparting training to common man towards better management of terror crisis?

I am sure the government is working towards documenting the aforementioned points.

Awaiting detailed policy guidelines - on papers!

Terrorists yet again attack Mumbai !

Taj Heritage Property - Mumbai

Reflecting deconstruction from Mumbai attacks

Thakrey's are non vocal! Seems they are everready to breed hatered, so how can they miss this chance? Terrorists stroamed into their beloved Mumbai, and the city has come to a still initiated with the shootouts late at night on 26th November 2007.

Terrorist attack, justifying warnings to target Mumbai after attacks in New Delhi.

This is understood as India's gravest terror attack. Its been more than 40 hours now, and no breakthrough has been achieved on the Mumbai terror attack. Taj Heritage, Trident Oberoi and Nariman House, the three battle fields are on the top priority for news feeders across the globe. Everyone around are hooked to television sets to hear on some breakthrough on mission.

As I understand from the news updates that the terror mongers are Pakistan based, we know the reason - illtreatment of one community in India, non-observance of sharia law amongst, Kashmir issue others. They are not ready to negotiate. They are here to kill as many as possible and ultimately lie on hells lap!

But hello, would you be telling us what we should do with our policies? They pretty well control their operations with efficiency, but they cant run an economy, as for operating an economy one has to have constructing psyche, as against bulging brains for distruction.

I am sure we will come out of it, strong and well equiped to get them out from their caves alive. We are not scared, but now we are better able to braved the attacks and make them smell their shoes. In times like this, there in no hero and its not a fictional tale, we have to stand up stronger, be attentive and support the administration.

I look forward to your responses!

Haridwar Herald - dedicated to Papaji!!

My Haridwar chapter, for the second time again was on a sad note. It left me all the more delighted and refreshed. My paternal grandfather, I use to call him 'Papaji' passed away on 1st November 2008, he died as his suger level was high along with dropping blood pressure, as low as 35. He was admitted in ICU at Tirath Ram Shah Hospital and during his last days he could barely utter, or open his eyes, or even move. he kept lying on the bed, and was being feeded life through a drip on his right hand, oxygen nozzel connecting his nose and his head tilted towards the left. He was paralysed. 

On the 10th November 2008, we had to go to haridwar to perform his last rites. The thought of visiting to haridwar got me thinking that the river would be stinkingly polluted, but as against by belief it was not. We went to Nigam Bodh Ghaat to collect his ashes, which as per hindu mythology are supposed to be simmered in Ganges river. While simmering his askes in the water I felt as if I have lost someone who was very dear to me. He was one of the most jolly, musical, fun loving person for me. He use to help me make strange creative stuff out of piles of rubble. 

I still miss him, when ever I encounter the streets where he use to accompany me, while I go to the bank where he got my account operated, at the barber shop, where we use to have stylish hair cuts from the barber, under his directions!

Author's Note: At last, no matter how logic-less, baseless I found the last rite ceremony, I feel that he has been fared a lovely goodbye from my-side. 

A Wednesday - should have been a non fiction

I wish someone would actualize this fiction!

This flick is a day's account of planning by a "stupid common man" which shook Mumbai's administration. It attempts to convey to the people, it attempts to educate the administration, it attempts to inform the terror! The movie has three dimensions attached to it as to! Namingly, how the administration looks at it? What do the terrorists think of it? And what a common man does?

It begun with a “stupid common man” – named? Anonymous! He visits the police station to file a complaint of his lost wallet, and successfully places a bomb in the Mumbai Police Headquarters. Follows a call to the top cop warning him of bomb blasts across Mumbai, which can be avoided if 4 terrorists were relieved. The negotiations proceeds in a very strategic way. In the meantime he informs a TV journalist to keep himself abreast with live developments on the idiot box.

This is no melodrama, it shows how confidentially and abruptly the police force gets to the act, to knowingly surrender to the demands of an anonymous. Side by side the police arrange a professional hacker, a college dropout by choice, to crack the location of anonymous. Mildly mentioning the laxity on technology updation by the police department, the hacker gets on to the task assigned. Also they try to fetch the sketch os the person who came to file the FIR for his lost wallet, as the police man who filed the case made out that this bag was with the same man.

Assigning deadlines to every negotiation, the anonymous finally succeeds in getting the terror mongers to the desired location, the Air force base. He orders the police in a con-call to follow as he says, make the four of terrorists stand at bench close-by and step out of the place immediately. They followed his orders, but left only 3 of the terrorists at the spot assigned so that they don’t loose the hold on the situation. Walking merely a few steps, a mobile phone set below the bench rings. One of the terrorists picks it up and they explode to ashes.

The explosion leaves the police clueless. The fourth terrorist is terrorized. Again a con-call with the anonymous reveals that he is a common man trying to take revenge from those who blew apart his acquaintances, people whom he did not know by name, but met then everyday in the train and said “hello” to them. He demands the fourth terrorist to be killed then only he would reveal the location of the bombs, and the same should be verified on TV. He got the news, “four terrorists killed in a bid to run away. They were being relocated. Police had to kill them”. Hacker’s computer screen blinks with the location of Mr. Anonymous.
His last call to the top cop says “there were no bombs”. ACP Rathor consents to him by saying that I know, and heads towards the location which the hacker cracked. And Mr. Anonymous destroys his apparatus and rushes out of the place with his vegetable bag.

They met, had a brief chat, not about the incidence, just a normal chat, what’s the time? ACP Rathor was sure of the identity of Mr. Anonymous as he had the sketch of the person who came to file the FIR. They introduce each other, but Mr. Anomymous remains anonymous for the audience. For the ACP, name depicts ones religion – which is the cause of concern.

rOcK oN !O!!

Lets get to the serious business, its no child's play, but we all can find association with it. Its called 'dreams, aims, motto, objectives and aspirations'. Rock On! presents a true depiction of music and spirit, of dreams to fulfillment, from pals to passion!

The movie begins with a bang and ends with a bigger bang. Its a story of four friends and shapes up as how destiny brings them together to actualise an unfulfilled dream.

Some ten year ago Aditya the singer, Joe the guitarist, Rob at the keyboard and KD strums the drum. Today Aditya is well hi-flying investment banker, Joe is still looking for work, Rob is working as a music composer and KD is with family's jewellery business.

Ten years ago, they got an opportunity to make a music video. The boys wanted the video to serve as a platform to establish their music band "Magik". But the notoriously cunning producer mended their theme and the ended up spiting the group.

In a fit of anger Joe walks out or the shoot with a tough blow on the producer's and Aditya's faces. Aditya withdraws and went on a hiding in Delhi. Rob and KD are clueless and Aditya's girlfriend helplessly grief about the incident.

Ten years down the line, Aditya's wife tries to reunite the friends and they decide to reform their Rock Band "Magik". Ultimately the Magic happens on a sad note, Rob had brain cancer. Debbie, Joe's girlfriend turned wife wants Joe to follow a secure profession and was strictly against him singing for Majik.

Ultimately it turns out to be an ideal story, where they sing at a concert and take the crowd along with a passage across the oceans. The movie conveys that one should follow her/his heart, and passionatly work towards achieving dream.

Please comment with how did you like the flick.

Mirroring the terror!

I was at Gaffar some ten – fifteen minutes before the blasts! I would have been in Central park at the time of blast.

For terror it’s easy to blow, because they don’t believe in the power of construction. As they are not a party to the Indian booming story, so they wish to form an account to deconstruct the economy.

“Revenge of Gujarat” is what they call the series of blasts that terrified Jaipur, Bangalore, Ahmedabad and New Delhi. After Gujarat riots, as per the estimates made by a media report, close 2 lakh Muslim kids will never get to interact with Hindu counterparts. Such a scenario is helpful in facilitating hatred.

The passage from Gaffar to my home was an unusual sort on September the thirteen, 2008. Everybody had a question, but they did not know who is the right person to address it to. A simple question which spells with varied faces as: Why do they blast bombs? Am I safe? Are my family members / friends safe? Will I reach home Safely? God forbid if I get to hear any mishap to my near or dear ones? The restlessness on the faces of people around spoke volume about the terror they witnessed. Every passage seem as if some curfew has been imposed and we can’t exercise our right to freedom, right to move freely in our own city.

Many theories will come up, but for me the real answer lies in mending the ways we at times through authoritative judgments for the people of other community. Live and let live! Why we can’t just do it??

I felt ashamed for the Delhi state and the Indian central government, who came out to condemn the attacks. But what concrete solution can we follow to actually curb such tendencies? Do they not know that terrorists can blast, and do we not know that the government and top officials will condemn these prospective blasts?

Tahaan - depicting innocence in lieu of conflict

The beauty of art movie lie in the fact that they convey the message in the most sensible ways. They depict the reality with minimal shades of grey!

I herewith begun with one more blog to my credit themed on movie reviews.



The movie, Tahaan is about a family in Kashmir, the chief wage earner of the family is missing and all the members are longing secretly for him to come back. A child, Tahaan loves his donkey Birbal, which was gifted to him by his missing father. He pledges to get his pet Birbal back after finding out that Birbal was sold off by his mother to a Kashmiri trader, after his grandfather passed away due to cold stroke. The trader further sold off the donkey to an old vendor, who has lost his entire family except his nephew and grandson.

Tahaan loves Birbal so much that he would cross the LOC a thousand times to get him back from a tough old man who vend apples across the LOC. A series of events unfold through the script, as the child mistakenly fall prey of the militants. I lieu of getting Birbal back to him an innocent looking militant manage to convince Tahaan to help him get a grenade across the LOC. Upholding the innocence of an eight year old, the climax brings back his father and his beloved Birbal to him.

The major issue of Kashmir has been related to a child, who heard bombardment across the border and often find the army strolling on the street besides his house. The child braves the curfew and a raid at his house. In this directorial venture by Santosh Sivan, the child actor, Purav Bhandare stands out with his conviction and inquisitive appeal to the theme. The video captures compliment the audio.

I welcome your comments!
Thanks

Ohh my American pie, its rotten and dry

Is the proposed nuclear deal between India and America misleading? Is the west misleading India?

The secret letter written by Bush administration to its Congress that spells it out very clearly. “The US will terminate nuclear trade if India conducts a nuclear test.”
Reference: http://www.ibnlive.com/news/letter-bomb-dropped--left-alleges-govt-misled-country/72785-2.html
As per the reference, the United States will not sell sensitive nuclear technologies to India and would immediately terminate the nuclear trade if New Delhi conducted a nuclear test.

India, a country of many faces and races, is facing a challanging question, can India afford to remain illequiped with nuclear technologies and armaments? A nation located strategically, sharing borders with countries like China and Pakistan, which are notorious globally for their nuclear proliferation. Don't we need some backing to rely on ourselves or do we need the consent or assistance of the United States when the glorious neighbours come falling on us?

Seems like the left could not put it well. They moved out of the coalition, but the concern is being actualized. Rather than pitching for Nuclear trade, India should be more concerned for getting a permanent seat in the UN security council (at present held by the priviliged N5 Nations). I believe many of the waivers will wipe off, without harming the strategic policies of the country.

One simple question I would like to ask: Is India self sufficient with its nuclear technologies or does it really need to fetch the expretise from the west?

Please Comment!

Save Water, Save Petrol

We talk of saving - Save Water, Save Petrol. This phrase comes as a monotony to me. Well this monotony may be bettter understood as a contrast. The contrast which says, lets carefully and responsibly use and manage our consumption of water, otherwise days of dearth are not far. 'Days when water will be traded against gold' may be understood as a contrast.

As a matter of fact, trading of water is at its initial stages, many corporate are taking lead in offering door to door drop-in services for water trading. Those who can afford it are amongst the previliged lot. Many urban households have set up water mending machines, I mean water purifiers etc. We the metropolitan lot get it, clean and pure.

But those residing in the interiors dont even get proper sanitation facilities. For them when it rains, its floods and when it doesn't its drought.

Can we all pledge to use water responsible?

So my dear readers, can we really do something about it? What lead can we take in curbing dearth of pure water. Please Comment!!

Nuclear Deal and the bomb attacks: Could this be a nexus?

Terrorism makes loud voice. The sound that kill, slither and horrify!

They don’t like America, they don’t want the nuclear deal!

Mearly days after winning the trust vote, India is rocked.

UPA won the majority in Parliament

Prospects of bagging the Nuclear Deal brighten

25 bomb blasts in two consecutive days (Bangalore and Ahmedabad)

Death toll reaches 45

High Alert across India

Army marching towards sensitive areas

Terror help lines activated

Citizens asked to remain vigilant

The analysts feel that these attacks were inspired by the theme of recently released Bollywood flick, Contract. I hold a different point of view. Terrorists and the Nuclear Deal!

Amongst the reasons for the serial blasts could be, the tendencies to cripple India’s International stand and highlighting nation’s laid back attitude. Additionally laxity on the part of the Intelligence forces further aggravates the contention. Showing the world that India is not a responsible Nation, able enough to be granted Nuclear Support.

What is your take on it? Please Comment on the topic.

Thanks!

The Shopping Expedition

Delhi has recently witnessed mushrooming shopping complexes, malls, hyper marts among others. On the contrary, the old world charm of some traditional unorganised markets remains intact. However these shopping outlets have evolved with time.

My shopping expedition starts and ends at Kamla Nagar, this is one of the hippest hangout options for me. I am not comfortable with the idea to shop at any other shop-out, than to stroll around, on the enthusiastic streets of Kamla Nagar. The market presents a contrast of the modern and conventional, of the young and the evolved section of society. The major crowd puller towards the market is the University of Delhi North Campus.

To begun with, Bunglow Road is a paradise for the youth. Name a brand and you will find hoards of shopping outlets offering the best under the category. Lee, Levis, Spykar, UCB are the prominent ones. As you walk down towards the Bada Gol Chakkar, branded outlets of Pepe, USI, Buddy Davis, Priknit showrooms offers the youth of today a perfect shopping retreat.

Not just the branded stuff, one can take hold of hip kurtis, trendy belts, accessories, shoes, juttis, suits etc from the roadside the stalls. These stalls offers the best of the fashion at the most competitive rates.

Eating here is a pleasure-able experience. At every second step, one can easily locate an eating joint to pamper the taste buds. Chacha's chole bhature is an ultimate delicacy, which attracts visitors from the far flung areas, which certainly includes the students of the campus. Momo's point situated at a secluded spot catches the attention of the people from North east as well as the youth, despite the visible fact that many competitors Chinese eatouts have set shops right next to it, Momos point retains its charm.

Kamla Nagar is the conventional cum enthusiastic hangout option for the youth of today. Even the evolved section of the society cannot afford to offer a compulsory visit to the market during the festive seasons. My shopping expedition revolves around Kamla Nagar where I can find the best of Indian, formals and casuals, to carry home in a shopping bag.

Delhi's heritage - a misty fable

Tourism prospects do wonders to the economy! Some cash on it and some keep it in a cold store.

Take Malaysia, Singapore, HongKong counted amongst the Asian touring hot spots! They have replicated many of the heritage wonders, kept them for the Great International Travellers to witness and grab a piece of applause. Now we talk of one of Asia's most dynamic economic centre ~~ New Delhi ~~.

What would someone wanting to lead a fast life ask for? Delhi has it all! Sky high buildings, roads clogged with traffic, the happening hang out zones amongst others.

On an ironical account, Delhi has not maintained its heritage sites, the charisma attached to the Delhi Metro is more dynamic than the centuries old stamps of the Mughal empire.

Strolling through any of the heritage sites, or for that matter taking a walk in Connaught Place, one can find bits and pieces of thrash, thrown out by the irresponsible lot who does not feel the pain in blowing out the monetary jackpot. But they care the least in putting the thrash in place.

The maintenance of the so called tourist attractions might be a daily affair, but the rubble is collected somewhere on the corridors of these sites. The rubble stinks and is the breeding ground for germs, diseases, acting as tourist repellents.

Can't we all come together and pledge today to follow some of the possible habits to avoid breeding unhygienic environment. I herewith request all the readers of my blog to comment on what all contributions they can make in spreading cleanliness in and around Delhi!

Raining heavily, its just May!

I love it when the sky is studded with countless droplets!

The passage from my home to office, seem to me would be a smooth task with bright sunny morning. As last week had been by and large a raining preposition, today was no exception. The moment I was out of the metro tunnel station, I could make out that the clouds have cast dark shadow between Sun and mighty Earth and by the time I could actually rush to catch a bus, it was already raining heavily.

I thought boarding an auto would be a convenient option, after a series of arguments with the drivers who were not willing to hire on the meter price, I finally found a decent sole who agreed to fare on my terms - as per the meter. But the destiny had something else in mind! mearly 50 seconds past, I looked at the meter and the word -Error- appeared on the display. I informed the drive on an authoritative tone! 'Bhaiya Meter nahi chal raha' he tried his hands at it, hit it from the back and front, and mildly blaming the weather for the inconvenience. As he couldn't succeed, he said 'Madamji, jitna banta hai de dena'. 

On the 10 km stretch I could not locate a single decent driver, it seems like a Formula 1 track where everyone drove to compete with an invisible contender. Nobody seem to care about logged water and people travelling on bikes and autos. As its obvious that the people travelling in open wagons are most vulnerable to get a sprint of logged water right till their head during the rainy days! Every time a bike, a car , or a bus passed, the logged water could not deter to move against the gravity, jumping with joy to reach till the plastic sheeted roof of my auto. I held my umbrella on my left and set the plastic sheet of the auto from the right side, so that I can save myself from the revelry celebrated by the logged water. I just wanted to reach my without any hassles.

I stayed away from the rainy day celebration as water clogging coupled with bad driving habits and unplanned infrastructure occupied my mind all through the 40-45 minutes auto ride. Delhi Metro Rail Corporation construction is likely to bring some relief to such infrastructural problems, though its practically a 'white lie' if I peg it with a challenge.

I reached office, ironically the most beautiful and surprising day turned into a dirty and unhygienic fable for me. I know that the history made today would be repeated - every time it rains in New Delhi !