tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-284237102024-03-14T07:32:51.929+05:30THE INVOLVED OBSERVERThese are some of my views.<br>
If you don't like them,<br>
I have more.Unknownnoreply@blogger.comBlogger61125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28423710.post-20748398156856443812010-01-18T13:01:00.015+05:302010-01-19T09:13:06.964+05:30Farewell to a Leader<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_GpOdfUXPQ90/S1Qwqra1-eI/AAAAAAAAAjY/ulAjuIXUt98/s1600-h/2006020405841201.jpg"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 300px; height: 300px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_GpOdfUXPQ90/S1Qwqra1-eI/AAAAAAAAAjY/ulAjuIXUt98/s400/2006020405841201.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5428016960656243170" /></a><br />Death of an ailing 96 year old would not be expected to push regular headlines into the obscurity of the middle pages yet the demise of <b>Jyoti Basu</b> has evoked memories from both admirers and detractors which dominate national dailies this Monday. Though thoughtful in nature these obituaries only serve the purpose of bolstering the belief that 'the man' would not be forgotten in a hurry - a welcome reassurance considering the quality of public memory being ruefully 'short' in our country.<div><br /><div>While regrets resound on "what could have been" had "the best Prime Minister India never had" had actually led the United Front government the spectrum of mass opinion never deny his rightful place as one of the most respected leaders the nation ever had. Much admired for his administrative prowess and ability to expedite consensus inside a party bound by Spartan principles his critics found his open Anglophilism and general insouciance for political opposition unacceptable. As children we grew up in Calcutta in times when the police were only heard of when they were bloodying their batons breaking up some opposition rally or the other. Mamata Banerjee, Basu's <i>bete noire</i> turned admirer, bore the brunt of such political arrogance on many occasions in that period. The image of Jyoti Basu which dominates most minds from our generation, growing up in the nineties, to be that of an old patriarch, reclusive in nature, reluctant in ushering revolution - the very plank that defined him in his prime. Still he strangely maintained that iron grip over proceedings in the Secretariat and the heart of the people who renewed his mandate in spite of vicious hand-wringing at many of his decisions. This generation still believe Bengal's unenviable skill at strangling industry is his legacy for us to bear. They willingly overlook the "land reforms movement" which installed Communists in the first place and line up arguments which make the "Comrades" look too power-drunk to have seen their own downfall coming. And not surprisingly Basu became the face of that unchallenged government over the years. </div><div><br /></div><div>But amidst all the frustrations one must be reminded that it was Basu who invited Telecom and IT industries to the state later taken up with gusto by Buddhadeb Bhattacharya, the present incumbent. His intentions were reformist in nature but with time his actions increasingly bore the seal of circumspection seen in aging patriarchs. A permanent <i>status quo</i> seemed to be the writ from the Writers'. Considering the hurdles Bhattacharya finds himself grappling with presently Basu's stand comes off as one of wise inertia in hindsight. May be his understanding of the very people he ruled prompted his decisions and made him the longest serving Chief Minister of any state ever. With the death of able organisers like Anil Biswas, Harkishen Singh Surjeet and now Jyoti Basu the present party leadership has some very big shoes to fill and going by their recent show at the hustings things can only spiral down from here. On the same note it seems poetic justice for someone like Prakash Karat who blocked Basu's way to the PM's post and now finds himself explaining every drubbing that his policies have ensued. Given the loaded possibility of the Communists falling in a heap in the coming 2011 Assembly Elections one cannot ignore the curious coincidence of the sun setting on the Hammer & Sickle Flag within a year of the last sunset in Jyoti <i>Babu</i>'s long and illustrious life.</div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div>photo: googleimages</div></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28423710.post-17976283919054540522009-05-19T11:06:00.014+05:302009-05-20T01:03:18.269+05:30Election-2009: Sign of Things to Come ?The picture has cleared and hopefully we are on course to having a strong, stable government at the Centre. As eventually proved I was jumping the gun when I put the UPA's tally at "220 odd" in <a href="http://caesar-caesar.blogspot.com/2009/05/jumping-gun.html">my last post</a>. They ended up with 261 and now need the support of just 11 members to stake their claim successfully. So much for the "hung house" noise and a "fractured mandate" fear.<br /><br />* In<span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 255);"> </span><a style="color: rgb(51, 51, 255);" href="http://election.rediff.com/report/2009/may/19/loksabhapoll-upa-total-314-bsp-sp-support.htm">latest news</a> I learn that the two raging bulls from UP, always at loggerheads in their state, have decided to support the UPA Govt. "unconditionally", of course for secularism's sake. Now if that's not funny I don't know a funnier joke.<br /><br />The results of Election-2009 has emphasized two very potent emerging realities for beginners:<br /><br />1. Rahul Gandhi's elevation to the top league of national politics has been formalized. H<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_GpOdfUXPQ90/ShMCNY_U4qI/AAAAAAAAAjE/lzIL42Z_lF8/s1600-h/Rahul+Gandhi-237506.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer; width: 210px; height: 229px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_GpOdfUXPQ90/ShMCNY_U4qI/AAAAAAAAAjE/lzIL42Z_lF8/s400/Rahul+Gandhi-237506.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5337612412433785506" border="0" /></a>is decision to go alone in UP and Bihar has proved to be a "goldmine" for the Congress at the same time marginalizing the Lalu-Paswan-Mulayam sphere of influence. Failure in meeting adequate numbers in these states would have drawn flak, instead the prince-in-waiting has pulled off a great coup and the former allies are still smarting under it. The Congress after two decades of irrelevance has again become a force to reckon with in these two pivotal states which send no less than 120 members to the Lok Sabha. Though many see this is as his warming up to the top-job in time for 2014 and resent the subsequent throw back to dynastic politics I personally feel Rahul Gandhi should be a good bet at the helm as he has already earned his stripes - working for his constituency(Amethi) for the past 5 years, campaiging extensively for this election, proposing policy reforms within the party. Moreover young people have responded positively to his "youth inclusive" <span style="font-style: italic;">aam admi ka sipahi</span> vision. Bringing the educated, responsive youth who are in tune with present challenges is a sea-change from the genteel gerontocracy we are so used to. If a single youth icon can inspire more like him to join politics that should be viewed as a welcome change than harp on his credentials, lineage and worst of all- his <a href="http://www.expressindia.com/news/fullstory.php?newsid=30839">Spanish girlfriend</a>. I can totally understand the foreboding that grips the <span style="font-style: italic;">swadeshi </span>variants who resented a "foreign national" elevated to the PM's post in 2004 but at this moment of time all this is too much wistful thinking and little else. Our better sense must prevail and so should Junior Gandhi's in accepting the HRD or the I & B portfolio. "You won't have a report-card if you never sit for an exam" and managing a ministry for 5 years is his test for the taking.<br /><br /><br />2. The people have forcefully rejected the Left tactic of political arm-twisting to influence policy decisions at the Centre. They have had enough of their brand of "Zero Responsibility, Maximum Credit" non-participative brand of politics. But that is neither the sole reason nor the most significant one behind the brutal drubbing they were handed out at the hustings this election. For once, pressing local issues merged with a hitherto unseen wave of popular rage pent up for over a decade and erupted to drive them to the margins of political anonymity. In one single sweep Alimuddin Street and all its mandarins in their bubbles of arrogance were stunned to observe that bastion after bastion their posts had been breached and that too by <a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_GpOdfUXPQ90/ShMCVi_yCgI/AAAAAAAAAjM/Accm0a4OtBM/s1600-h/mamata_banerjee313.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer; width: 313px; height: 234px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_GpOdfUXPQ90/ShMCVi_yCgI/AAAAAAAAAjM/Accm0a4OtBM/s400/mamata_banerjee313.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5337612552559004162" border="0" /></a>a party it never deemed fit even to be a worthy adversary - the Trinamool Congress. In Bengal, where the sting will hurt for many years in the future, the Communists have faced their worst defeat till date. Land agitation in Singur and Nandigram, Rizwanur Rahman and Tasleema Nasreen cases being bungled all blended to yield the perfect poison for the apparatchiks. Mamata Banerjee became just the vessel for its delivery. Many people are convinced that Banerjee would have stormed Writer's Building had the State Assembly elections coincided with the Lok Sabha polls. Some are of a different opinion. They say they felt the need to vote for change only because they wanted the Communists to reform their attitude from that of unbearable arrogance which stems from assured vote banks and start to perform on the ground. Long has been their vice-like grip on every union in every field of work. Be it teachers, students, professors, workers, bankers, drivers - everyone figures somewhere in their long and distributed chain of dependence. The "organization" is so vast for its content and feared for its reach that practically "the party" runs the show everywhere - in every corridor in every office. People who grew up in such a system took all of it on their way but in the last four years acts of unchecked audacity by some of its leaders have antagonized the masses and the elite alike. From publicly insulting a sitting High Court judge to shameless pandering to a murderous mob of home-grown extremists they had done it all when elections came knocking at the doors. And everyone had their own score to settle by then. In a prolonged vacuum of opposition the TMC provided a mercurial leader who stood for little political sense but a lot of integrity and character. People voted for her in huge numbers but this only gives her a opportunity to perform and prove that she can actually don the Chief Minister's post in two years time. 2011 may not seem so close but it will surely be a very close battle considering the Communists pull up their socks in time. Otherwise history might just play lazy, go ahead and repeat itself.<br /><br />Meanwhile, the people will be watching. To keep them on their toes.<br /><br /><br /><br />* other trends might be appended to the post as and when memory surfaces and news emerge. <br />Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28423710.post-78101297865923247302009-05-16T10:51:00.009+05:302009-05-16T12:12:39.154+05:30Jumping the GunThe IPL can sit back and enjoy another show now. One much more gripping than itself<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"> <span style="font-weight: bold;">- <a style="color: rgb(51, 204, 255);" href="http://election.rediff.com/election/loksabha-election-2009.html">The Great Indian Poll Results.</a></span><br /></div><br />While trends in the first hour suggest disappointment for <span style="font-style: italic;">Lauh Purush</span> Advani my heart goes out to 'the man who could not be PM'. Overshadowed by the more senior statesman in Vajpayee his career high point will now remain being the Deputy PM when in office and Leader of Opposition when out of it. For his dedication's sake I hoped he would be at helm this one time. But alas! Voters always have a different plan and how some live to rue it.<br /><br />On the other hand the results which give 220 odd seats to UPA in terms of present leads will encourage Congress to woo new allies to take them past the 272 mark. Celebrations are already underway at 10 Janpath according to reports. It is easier to bargain from a position of strength and the smaller parties will now feel the heat of bargaining season. Though most of them stand to gain substantially yet repeated parleys might force them to tone down the demands pitch. What will be interesting to watch now is how and who joins in to make for the rest of the requisite 52. Will it be the big three from the cow-belt known for their selective reverence for Madam? Will it be a impaired Left who will "hold the hand" in happiness? Or will it be Nitish-'The Suitable Boy from Bihar'-Kumar who will secure his state's "special" status by offering support to the "outstretched hand"?<br /><br />The picture will become clearer within an hour or two but whatever be the outcome the majority will heave a sigh of relief for a fractured mandate would have made the nation limp for five uncomfortable years. We will take anything but that with glee. <br /><br />Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28423710.post-88057885339297896802009-05-13T12:37:00.005+05:302009-05-13T13:41:43.141+05:30The First Election Experience<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_GpOdfUXPQ90/Sgp_B-YhopI/AAAAAAAAAi8/TuYzECZmlUw/s1600-h/EVM.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 260px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_GpOdfUXPQ90/Sgp_B-YhopI/AAAAAAAAAi8/TuYzECZmlUw/s400/EVM.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5335216380476236434" border="0" /></a><br />I cast my maiden vote today. I won't exaggerate and say that it was a liberating experience or that it marked the initiation of my political relevance but somewhere inside it felt good to be exercising the franchise that makes us a part of a democracy. It felt that finally, after all these years I was an adult - now that I had a say in who represented us in the capital.<br /><br />In most parts of Calcutta, especially the Southern stretch of it that I hail from, "election day" is more of a community exercise. It felt like walking into the <span style="font-style: italic;">para pandal</span> on <span style="font-style: italic;">Oshtomi</span> morning to offer<span style="font-style: italic;"> pushpanjoli</span> - seeing all the <span style="font-style: italic;">kaku-kakimas</span>, <span style="font-style: italic;">dada-boudis</span> and distant <span style="font-style: italic;">protibeshis</span> standing in the queue outside the local primary school. Smiling, waving to one another, filling each other in with the latest gossip - it hardly looked the "pitched battlefield" of two sworn rivals of the political arena. It showed that the smart-showers and <span style="font-style: italic;">Kalboishakhi</span> over the past couple of days had felicitated this get-together to a large extent. People looked generally relaxed and unhurried. Though largely a Communist stronghold there was little coercing or pleading on show, just a little raise of a hand here and there followed by a nod of assurance. Persuasion was being played out in all its politeness just outside the booth. And one would take this any day over booth ransacking or manhandling of voters which is so rampant in many parts. Though I was asked a few times about the choice of my candidate by <span style="font-style: italic;">paratoto kakus</span> I have known since birth I evaded giving a direct answer lest I be made to explain my choice in detail, all standing in a queue of considerable stretch, in front of the prying eyes of zealous party-workers and earnest looking army men. Worse, they might make me read their respective party manifestos before I am allowed to vote, I thought. But for all the questioning that I was subjected to I got even by drilling into the head of this <span style="font-style: italic;">kaku</span>'s son the mechanics of our great parliamentary system on my way back. By the look of it, he will be pestering his father to satiate his curiosity on the procedure of appointment of the Lok Sabha speaker for the next few days.<br /><br />I am no political activist. I sport no political affiliations. I exercised my right and to the best of my knowledge voted for "the lesser evil" on the EVM panel. I also weighed the political eventuality in case the candidate I voted for wins and his/her party does well elsewhere and how it would lend stability to a Govt. which can run its course in New Delhi.<br />I just hope I have made the right choice.<br />I hope others have made the same.<br />I hope the coming five years do not stifle out the excitement I felt today in belonging to a system, a great one at that.<br />I hope I get to vote again.<br /><br /><br />photo: http://www.bel-india.comUnknownnoreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28423710.post-49791395577129658032009-05-08T09:54:00.009+05:302009-05-16T10:50:02.475+05:3017 down, 11 to goThat is how the harried poll-managers stationed in the state must be thinking after <a href="http://www.tribuneindia.com/2009/20090508/nation.htm">yesterdays violence stricken polling in <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">Nandigram</span> </a>went underway. They must be genuinely itching to pack their bags and head home at the earliest given the politically charged atmosphere in these hamlets of industrial disuse. <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">Singur</span> being the twin brother was uncharacteristically "quiet" on poll-day which further stokes fears of a bloodbath in the event of electoral setback for one party or the other when the results are declared. If <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2">Nandigram</span> was any indication the later phase of polling will see a re-run of the "There will be blood"-routine in many other parts of the state. Political opponents are keeping their fingers crossed and bombs handy for any eventuality. If the CPI(M) wins there will be, in all possibility, a political witch-hunt unseen in its ferocity in rural Bengal or for that matter anywhere in the country. And in case the <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_3">Trinamool</span>-Congress combine wrest the initiative, the Left will have finally ceded ground in one of their strongest bastions. Whatever be the outcome there will not be any graceful losers this time around for too much is at stake.<br /><br />This morning, all newspapers report an impressive 75% voter turn-out in the state - beating the national average by a good margin. In other states it would have meant the anti-incumbency factor at work but not here. Though the <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_4">Trinamool</span> Congress seems certain of partially stalling the CPI(M) 's vaunted voting-machinery one cannot be so sure till the results come out on the 16<span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_5">th</span>.<br />Come 13<span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_6">th</span> and it will be <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_7">Kolkata's</span> turn to make it count and I hope people come out in large numbers to vote - that the <span style="font-style: italic;"><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_8">bangali</span> <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_9">bhodrolok</span></span> finally overcomes his ennui and 'make his mark' early in the morning than let the mid-day sun intimidate him into inaction (like always).<br /><br /><br />In other news, I yesterday heard a seasoned Leftist hollering about, among their other achievements, how they catapulted West Bengal to the No.1 spot in both agriculture and industry. The jaywalker in me balked at such misinformation in the name of campaigning but the sight of hundreds of others turning a deaf ear to such <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_10">pre</span>-poll bragging quickly made me realize how the city dweller ignores all <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_11">that's</span> irrelevant and potentially dilatory to his plans of reaching home early. Politics can wait till one returns home and sits around a fresh brew of tea and friends when it can gladly resurface to make for a round of entertaining and informative <span style="font-style: italic;">political adda</span>. Not before that should it figure in their minds.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28423710.post-16165448501745325602009-04-21T17:07:00.010+05:302009-04-21T22:40:31.713+05:30Nepotism Redefined<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_GpOdfUXPQ90/Se28Pxj81gI/AAAAAAAAAis/f_W0nFHZ3Nw/s1600-h/21look.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 368px; height: 400px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_GpOdfUXPQ90/Se28Pxj81gI/AAAAAAAAAis/f_W0nFHZ3Nw/s400/21look.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5327120913437349378" border="0" /></a><span>This might go down as a blatant display of<br /></span><span style="font-style: italic;">Bhai-bhatija-wad</span> in India[<a style="color: rgb(51, 204, 255);" href="http://cricket.rediff.com/report/2009/apr/21/first-look-when-obama-met-lara.htm">link</a>].<br /><br />In his attempt to showcase Pan-American solidarity President Obama has unwittingly vindicated the ways of our political dynasties. Mulayam and Lalu may now go ahead and give party-tickets to all their kith and kin and then we run the risk of reconsidering delimitation i.e if 543 falls short in accomodating them all.<br /><br />Their justification would be on these lines:<br /><br />Would Mr. Obama ever come to Balia or Siwan to learn a square drive or two from <span style="font-style: italic;">Dada</span> or Dhoni? Well, doesn't look like it, atleast in the near future. And why won't he do such a thing ? Is it because he associates India with hockey after looking at the<span style="font-style: italic;"> Chak De!</span> girls running around in shorts? Is it because the IPL is being played in South Africa, a mere 8000 Kms away from home ? Or is it his way of snubbing the ICC at refusing "The Michael Jordan of Cricket" legitimacy along with the ICL? None of the above. This is just a way of showing the world that "Black is Back". If Obama feels his fellow men need his support why should not we support our brothers of our caste and sub-caste. Let us see him dancing to the tune of any of Guddu Rangeela's music-videos and then we will know how global a leader he actually is. Let us see him call our Ravi Kishan "The Aur-land-wo Bloom of Bhojpuri Cinema" or Nagma "The Ebha Long-goriya of India" and we will know how much of India he has actually embraced. Till then we will keep sweeping <span style="font-style: italic;">Amrican</span> "bouncers" of liberalism with the far reaching <span style="font-style: italic;">danda</span> of our mass ignorance.<br /><br /><span style="font-style: italic;">Humein mat sikhaon. Pehle apne aap ko sudharon.</span><br />Jai Hind.<br /><br /><br />link, photo: courtesy - rediff.com<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><img src="file:///C:/DOCUME%7E1/SHUVOM%7E1/LOCALS%7E1/Temp/moz-screenshot.jpg" alt="" /><img src="file:///C:/DOCUME%7E1/SHUVOM%7E1/LOCALS%7E1/Temp/moz-screenshot-1.jpg" alt="" /><img src="file:///C:/DOCUME%7E1/SHUVOM%7E1/LOCALS%7E1/Temp/moz-screenshot-2.jpg" alt="" />Unknownnoreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28423710.post-66118494075259861692009-04-18T14:34:00.006+05:302009-04-18T15:38:44.345+05:30The Diving Bell and The Butterfly (2007)<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_GpOdfUXPQ90/SemlU5bRXTI/AAAAAAAAAiU/k6Xz4K8unzM/s1600-h/diving_bell_and_the_butterfly_ver3.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 280px; height: 400px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_GpOdfUXPQ90/SemlU5bRXTI/AAAAAAAAAiU/k6Xz4K8unzM/s400/diving_bell_and_the_butterfly_ver3.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5325969812773494066" border="0" /></a><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Le Scaphandre et le Papillon</span> ( <a style="color: rgb(51, 204, 255);" href="http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0401383/">The Diving Bell and The Butterfly</a>) is one of the most remarkable films I have seen of late. It tells the the true story of Elle editor Jean-Dominique Bauby who suffers a stroke and has to live with a totally paralyzed body except his left eye which remains unaffected. Helped by two caring and sympathetic therapists along with an immensely patient and understanding scribe he succeeds in dictating the story of his life, all conveyed through the fluttering of his solitary eye-lid. The director, Julian Schnabel's sensitive depiction of such mournful a human tragedy is both heart-rending and introspective at the same time. Mathieu Amalric, who plays Bauby (Best known for playing Dominic Greene in Quantum of Solace), has only his eye to act for him and he does it to perfection, driving his audience to tears with his restless manouevers and naked helplessness. This film is not a journey of faith nor a story against insurmountable odds where the protagonist comes out triumphs. Rather it is a story which makes one ponder one's own way of life, how he/she treats his/her loved ones; for there could never be a chance to make amends tomorrow. This sense of foreboding fills us with dread as we see Jean-Do struggle to convey things we so take for granted in our lives everyday. We feel belittled by the impact of his infirmity, to watch how an ageless mind is trapped inside the rigid carcass of a dysfunctional body. Though Bauby dies only 10 days after his book is released, we are told, his story does its bit in putting a seed of consciousness in the heart of its audience and that for a film of mere 107 minutes is an enviable achievement.<br /><br />A ennobling film based on an extraordinary story which tries in its own little way to make better human beings of us all; all it asks from us is a little empathy to truly appreciate and "live" its message of love and compassion. <br /><br />Unknownnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28423710.post-13655629823526586882009-04-16T13:51:00.008+05:302009-04-16T15:18:32.209+05:30Shoe -Shoo !!While<a href="http://specials.rediff.com/money/2009/apr/15slde1-infosys-announces-q4-results.htm"> IT major Infosys predicts a drop in profits for the coming year</a> the shoe-barons were last heard to be laughing their way to the banks.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Reason :</span> People are flocking to their outlets, seeking the latest in "deep-impact" sneakers and aerodynamically designed<span style="font-style: italic;"> chappals</span> to greet their <span style="font-style: italic;">netas</span> with, first thing in the morning. Brands like 'Sree-leaders' and 'Hurl-puppies' are turning out to be the biggest gainers in this segment while <span style="font-style: italic;"></span>activists under the banner of<span style="font-style: italic;"> "Nanga-Payr Susth Prashashan</span> <span style="font-style: italic;">Manch</span>" get more vocal with popular backing burgeoning.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Effect :</span> More and more small-time <span style="font-style: italic;">netas</span> are being accused of clandestinely distributing cheap sandals to their supporters before the start of rallies where they are being instructed to hit the podium from various angles and at equal intervals between their "hate speeches"- readily transforming them to "hit speeches" - getting day-long TV coverage and political mileage for free. The add-on includes being catapulted to the status of figures like George Bush, Ahmadinejad, Wen Jiabao and<a style="color: rgb(51, 51, 255);" href="http://election.rediff.com/report/2009/apr/16/loksabhapoll-slipper-hurled-at-advani.htm"> now L.K Advani</a><a style="color: rgb(51, 51, 255);" href="http://election.rediff.com/report/2009/apr/16/loksabhapoll-slipper-hurled-at-advani.htm"> with a single sling of footwear</a><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 255);">.</span> Speculations are rife within political circles that the leader with the most number "hits" at the end of the campaigning might stake his/her claim to the PM's post on the basis of popularity. Amar Singh has stoked fears with his,"Negative publicity is also publicity" remark in the mould of the redoubtable Rakhi Sawant and the ever "resourceful" Mallika Sherawat. The Congress is agitated now that the BJP seems determined to field Narendra Modi from at least 10 Muslim-dominated Lok Sabha constituencies following recent developments. Their possible ploy of fielding both Sajjan Kumar and Jagdish Tytler from Punjab is being hailed as a masterful counter-move by supporters and detractors alike. On the other hand the CPI(M) politburo has expressed concern that several of the Trinamool MLAs were spotted in queues outside prominent shoe-stores at Lindsay Street in Kolkata. The Speaker of the West Bengal Assembly has promptly issued a directive to all members of the House - "to be divested of all footwear and other associated instruments of protest before entering the Assembly Hall" to which Mamata Banerjee has responded with her characteristic ferocity. The TMC plans to launch its <span style="font-style: italic;">"Khali Paaye Khali Gaaye Andolon"</span> (Naked Feet Naked Torso Agitation) for an indefinite period of time before the directive is revoked and fair chance is given to all MLAs in taking aim at their opposite numbers inside the Assembly. A petition bearing the signature of 60 MLAs has already been forwarded to the Governor in this regard.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Side-effects : </span>The Election Commission is contemplating a blanket-ban on shoes during elections.<br />Anbumani Ramadoss has promised to ban shoes if he is returned to the Lok Sabha.<br /><br />Nike and Adidas has cut-down prices drastically to come "within reach" of the common man.<br /><br />The family members of <a href="http://www.google.co.in/url?sa=t&source=web&ct=res&cd=2&url=http%3A%2F%2Ftimesofindia.indiatimes.com%2Farticleshow%2F104636192.cms&ei=kvvmSeW_E4js7AO53OTEAw&usg=AFQjCNFPq7819Lni2rPRJkvfZnZOZFLFeA&sig2=vDmVTJz8KzSXtFJf7yLo3Q">Partha Pratim Ray Burman are having sleepless nights now that their stocks have started to go through the roof and the Dubai-<span style="font-style: italic;">bhai</span>s have all started calling again.</a><br /><br /><br /><br />Unknownnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28423710.post-35882429130073254362009-04-15T11:22:00.013+05:302009-05-08T11:04:44.692+05:30Con-Front-edIndia goes to vote in less than 24 hours from now and in what promises to be a fascinating exposition of democracy choose who rules the country for the coming five years.<br /><br />Though the latter part of the above statement might be an oversimplification the average Indian will keep pegging his hopes at seeing a stable government installed at the Centre. Here are some reasons he might get disappointed in the near future:<br /><br />Each of the UPA, NDA and the Third Front combines fail to reach the magic number of 272 and we get a hung assembly, which in all possibility we will. The following situations might surface :<br /><br />1. Congress emerges as the single largest party. DMK does well in Tamil Nadu to lend respectability to whatever little remains of the UPA . RJD-LJP-SP perform well enough in the cow-belt to be profitably realigned with the UPA with more bargaining power than before. Sensing the current towards this fledgling front NCP throws in its weight and the UPA is resurrected, dangling cabinet posts for more new friends, willing them to join in. The southern-settlement negotiated with the likes of PMK and MDMK the Congress still seems to be in need of additional support.<br /><div style="text-align: left;"> <br />Now,<br /><br /><div style="text-align: justify;">(i) Mr. Karat says "No" and the UPA is looking at weaning away Mayavati or Jayalalitha from the Third Front. The presence of Mulayam Singh Yadav and Karunanidhi in the UPA makes cohabitation an impossible exercise for these two mercurial maidens of legendary whim. In comparison, taking in Deve Gowda might be easy but it will hardly serve the purpose of meeting numbers.<br /><br />(ii) Mr. Karat says "Yes" and the Left Front reverts back to its "We had to do it to keep the communal forces ( read BJP) out". Considering the projected losses of the Left in West Bengal and Kerala come out to be real, even after their support the UPA will enjoy a very thin majority and be liable to seasonal fluctuations of temper and policy. Add to it the disturbing apparition of Mamata Banerjee and the CPI(M) in the same front and you know Mrs Gandhi's hands are going to be more than full this summer.<br /><br /><br />2. The BJP emerges as the single largest party and JD(U), Akali Dal does well in Bihar and Punjab respectively. Seizing the opportunity TDP, AIADMK and BJD bolster the NDA and with time more friends emerge from nooks and corners. The Third Front disintegrates and both Sonia Gandhi and Prakash Karat are left sulking in their dens. That leaves the NDA humoring cabinet-berth demands of Jayalalitha on one hand and wooing Mayavati, just in case the wheels wobble mid-way.<br /><br /><br />3. The Third Front bags 125 odd seats and proves to be uncharacteristically cohesive in the post-election scenario. The Congress having conceded its single largest party status in the House to BJP is left with few options but to support a Third Front Govt. from outside "for the sake of secularism". Mayavati becomes PM with BSP bagging 40 odd seats and the country becomes one huge caste-cauldron in the mould of U.P and Bihar with reservations becoming the top priority in a Dalit-Muslim oriented Pan-India agenda. The Congress looks to pull the plug on the govt. at the first opportunity which presents itself and the cabinet lives precariously, formulating policies for survival rather than progress.<br /><br /><br /><br />Any fair judge of the situation would recognize the fact that the probability of any of the three major fronts forming a Govt. at the Centre is equal. But one thing is certain considering the mutable nature of political alliances in election season this summer and that is:<br /><span style="font-weight: bold;font-size:130%;" > <br /> " Don't vote for any Front. It might not be there come May.</span><span style="font-weight: bold;">"</span><br /><br /><br /></div></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28423710.post-47069172579236591882009-02-26T13:15:00.004+05:302009-02-27T22:13:27.744+05:30Deconstructing Dev DRarely while browsing through the mundane affairs in an old, abandoned magazine does one stumble upon an engaging nude and more rarely does one accidentally discover, in the midst of such activity of harmless ogling, the human face to that enticing naked body. <span style="font-size:130%;"><strong>Dev D</strong></span> is such an artistic nude in the middle of the moribund routine of Bollywood which makes a complete departure from custom and ends up as one of the most remarkable films made in recent history. Only it has a more than fascinating face and an infinitely tempting body.<br /><br />Cinephiles of the blogdom were having words of praise for this movie when I decided to give it a dekko, albeit a bit gingerly after my last experience with Anurag Kashyap’s ‘<a href="http://caesar-caesar.blogspot.com/2007/10/say-no-to-no-smoking.html">No Smoking’ </a>ending up in a hair-tearing frenzy of sorts. Before I launch myself into something with a semblance of a review let me thank Providence that Sarat Chandra Chattopadyay was born a Hindu and to the best of my knowledge died that way. If he would have been buried and not burnt the Bengali novelist would have surely launched into a bout of crazy somersaults in his grave by the manner in which the re-interpretation of his tragedy was executed with “carnal sins” as its new central theme. With unabashed vocalizations of every word/sound/noise related to <strong>S-E-X,</strong> Dev D has broken rules that might never get enforced in our films again. Every character in the film makes their candor on the issue of sexuality apparent within moments of their appearance. Even the hero’s father is emphatic in his displeasure over the <em>“sooki sooki baans ki dandiyon</em>” that his son is busy chasing, overlooking the “real” women in his vicinity. In a one-of-it’s-kind adaptation of Devdas - superbly superimposed on present social realities - Kashyap introduces us to a Paro unafraid of communicating her sexual urges and a Chandramukhi who is too-tough-to-be-torn by a society out to make her feel a miserable victim. The three main characters in unison make for an experience which is heady to say the least. Here are the highlights from my latest multiplex experience:<br /><br /><strong>Parminder/Paro</strong> - She redefines “equality of the sexes” in a revolutionary manner as she eagerly seeks physical intimacy with her lover - more for her own enjoyment than toeing the “Boys love so that they can have ‘it’, Women give ‘it’ just to have some love” rubbish. She is in total command of her life and is unafraid in her attempt to pursue things which pleasures her the most. When a malicious rumor wrecks her love-affair she makes a desperate bid to make clarifications and sort things out but male-ego and frayed nerves become telling hurdles in her way. Hurt and insulted by the love of her life, that too on the basis of a flimsy rumor, she moves away without a word of reproach or spite. Instead, she wipes her tears, gets married to a respectable suitor and in general terms “moves on” with her life. While her feeling of being wronged by her lover fades into a wise acceptance of reality she also comes around as a woman of firm convictions as she is ready to help her old friend/lover in his hour of need (even with the chores) but not ready to cheat on her husband with a limp ‘for-old-time’s-sake’ excuse. There is sweet revenge at the end of the line for her when she shows Dev his real <em>“aukad</em>” not in any subtle terms but with considerable venom and bite much to the cheer of the audience.<br /><br />Mahi Gill is the new find for the industry with this film. I agree with people already lining her up as the rightful replacement for Tabu. And that on her maiden film is saying a lot about her abilities. 10 on 10 for her Paro. I personally cheered for her on that <em>“aukad</em>” note.<br /><br /><br /><br /><strong>Devendra/Dev</strong> – The maudlin hero who never valued what he had when he had it, the weak male with an inflated ego and a weaker spine to boot, a masochistic hedonist who escaped his troubles by drowning his consciousness in a flood of spirits - Kashyap’s Dev is an epitome of the Irresponsible for us. While trying to come to terms with Paro’s conjugal bliss he is driven more by jealousy than love when he decides to ask her to come back to him. Even when he gets a chance, he is quick to ask her to “make love” to him in order to reaffirm her allegiance without risking the spread of an elaborate apology for his past blunders himself. While displaying scant regard for emotional bonding he is unashamed in his wanton urge for flesh and hardly ever makes any bones about it. Though his self-destructiveness strikes a cord with Chanda, who eventually falls in love with him, he continues to remain the undeserving scoundrel with abominable aplomb. He is more of a chauvinistic demon than a tragic hero of any appeal. Though Kashyap cooks up a picture of the resurrection of Dev at the end of the story it somehow seemed unjust that the diabolical D must end up with the beautiful damsel in Chanda. Instead, he should have ideally choked on his “coke with vodka” concoction and died in the hole he dug for himself.<br /><br />Abhay Deol might never see the lights or the cameras of the Chopras and the Johars but he is one incredible actor who will continue to make ripples with his association with “different” films. Considering he was great in his last release - ‘Oye Lucky, Lucky Oye’ too one can expect a world of good from him in the future. He brings to life Dev in all his morbid glory.<br /><br /><br /><br /><strong>Lenny/Chanda</strong> – A girl who is a victim of urban voyeurism defies desertion from her own family and friends and discovers the most tangible reality of life a la Frost “That it goes on”. And with this earthy demeanor she tames her ghosts to submission and how! Fighting a lone battle from upon a tightrope of survival she has a handy lesson or two for all and sundry in the throes of depression. She is not in the slightest bitter about the treatment she has received and remains unapologetic for morphing into the “All America Schoolgirls” “CSW” with time and necessity. Bright and lively on the outside, she too nurses feelings of pain and hurt in the deepest corner of her heart that makes her so believably human. Though it takes Dev to unearth those feelings from within her neither once does she submit to the sway of her emotions nor give in to tears – not even when Dev leaves her in a huff. The scene where Dev first meets Lenny is full of sparkling conversation, not very conducive for ears accustomed to conventions of levity or innuendo though easily making for one of the highlights of the film. Chanda comes across as the strongest of the three characters as she inspires with the poise with which she handles her ‘situation’ and ultimately ends up to be the proverbial guiding light to the reckless ways of Dev. She is bold yet mature, ravishing yet restrained though all through there is this abiding subtext that it is the sheer suffering she undergoes that eventually moulds her into a superior individual by a slow, tortuous process – a true woman in the garb of a wide-eyed girl.<br /><br />Kalki Koechlin, I doff my hat to you. She is the true star of the film. Having taken the film’s flow by the scruff of the neck she makes every viewer become engrossed into the machinations of her mind right from when she emerges on the screen. She is vivacious, thoughtful, emotive and a complete natural with the camera. Her depiction of the girl with a quiet sense of assurance and control that defines Chanda is so potent that it sweeps one off his feet. Doubtlessly, she scintillates with her brilliant performance though one cannot really put his finger on that-one-thing which really worked for her in this film – My guess is it was she, herself.<br /><br /><br />Coming to Mr. Kashyap, I think as a film lover I can discount him half-a-dozen of his ‘<a href="http://caesar-caesar.blogspot.com/2007/10/say-no-to-no-smoking.html">No Smoking’ </a>duds for this one piece of pioneering work. Dev D is a bold undertaking delivered with consummate grace and a killer style. The popularity of Dev D can truly spark off a change in the way ‘the message’ part of ‘classics’ is redone to give a look of contemporary relevance and present them with fresh perspective and insight. No doubt we have a moody maverick inMr. Kashyap; we only hope we find him in his creative best (also tangible/comprehendible best) in <em>Gulaal.</em><br /><br />I for one will be watching out, waiting to be impressed once more.<br />The teasers seem delicious enough.<br />Unknownnoreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28423710.post-17734791609010953362009-02-16T11:41:00.010+05:302009-04-18T22:37:55.027+05:30On Films and The David Lynch Conundrum<span style=";font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;" >I love watching films. That is no secret. All types of them. Black & White or Eastman Colour, Drama, Thriller, War, Comedy or Science-fiction, Fantasy, Horror. If you have a DVD which has films I have yet to see, do kindly lend it to me and before you start missing your loved possession it will be back with you in one piece. <span>350</span> films in the last <span>8</span> months bear ample testimony to such an intense addiction. And in these 8 months I admit to have been acquainted with some of the best in world cinema - Directors, both cryptic and lucid, passive and profound, elegant and outre. There were moments when Masters were rediscovered in new light, as with Satyajit Ray and Akira Kurosawa; New perspectives formed and sensibilities heightened. Moments when the coy symbolism of a Bergman was overwhelmed in an avalanche of bold sensuality of an Almodovar or the tactile plangency of a Majidi eased with the cerebral comedy of Woody Allen. Cinema can be more than just entertainment and its full potency in shaping minds and thoughts can only be realised when you open your senses to their full import and impact. I am no film critic or expert but I have always eagerly taken up a review if a film has touched with its matter or message and it is with this feeble conviction that I will now ask any of you film-lovers this question:<br /></span><span style=";font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;" ><br /> " Do you get <a href="http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0000186/bio">David Lynch</a> at all ?" <blockquote></blockquote><br />I have till date seen only four of his directorial works and the experience has been marked with feelings of surprise, bewilderment, shock and sympathy.<br />Let me attempt to elucidate on my statement with the films in context.<br /><br /><a href="http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0090756/">Blue Velvet</a> - A film which revolves around a 'severed ear' had all the ingredients of turning into a riveting thriller but Lynch instead delved into the small-town underworld story with characters both perverse and peculiar - one of Lynch's trademarks. Dennis Hopper as the vicious psychopath and Isabella Rossellini as the distressed nymphomaniac are more than credible in their roles and are instrumental in making the film a cult-classic that it is believed to be. Generous amounts of nudity might have also played its part.<br /><br /><a href="http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0100935/">Wild at Heart - </a><span> </span>Reckless brash boy flees with daughter of evil-witch-mother who sends a pack of oddball assassins to kill him and bring her back. Sex and violence are the highlights of the film along with some great performances by Nicolas Cage, Diane Ladd (Oscar nominee for Best Supporting Actress, rightly) and Willem Dafoe. Some scenes like the 'flies hovering over vomit' are outright revolting. Fails me how it won the exalted <span style="font-style: italic;">Palm </span>d'Or (1990) and paved the way for Tarantino who lept into the French Riviera film-fest with Pulp Fiction (1994).<br /><span><br /><a href="http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0080678/">The Elephant Man - </a> </span> Like me if you have watched the above two films before watching this one you will be left wondering if the same man was behind its making. The story of a man with congenital deformity is pictured with such masterful finesse that one will find it difficult to keep the emotions in check. </span><span style=";font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;" >The scene where John Merrick is first taken to Dr. Treves's house is a veritable tear-jerker. </span><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="font-family:georgia;">The apathy of human society towards its ill-fated, the irony of sympathy being a fashionable trend for the rich and the travesty of hunger and destitution has all been weaved into such a heart-rending fabric on celluloid that it easily becomes a must-watch for any film aficionado. Shot entirely in B&W with stellar performances from John Hurt and Anthony Hopkins this film will rarely fail if ever in injecting fresh perspective to the plight of the people who suffer because of no crime of their own and how a little sensitivity from us can make their misery more bearable if not light. I do not have enough words of commendation for David Lynch for making such a wonderful film.<br /><br /><br /></span><a style="font-family: times new roman;" href="http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0166924/"><span>Mulholland Dr.</span></a><span style="font-family:georgia;"> - The last of the four that I watched only last afternoon and the one which aggravated my confusion over the sort of film-maker Mr. Lynch actually is. The film-plot starts with a imminent murder stalled by a car accident which yields a beautiful amnesiac girl (Laura Harring) searching for her lost identity. Girl meets another girl, falls in love with her and 'the bizarre' makes its first appearance as we find that all this was just a dream. In reality the 'other girl' ( Naomi Watts) is a bit-actress doing bit-roles whose partner is in love with the director whom she loves secretly. In between lesbianism and adultery the issues of identity, murder ( first scene, remember?) and mafia are lost most clumsily. If you still think the plot is a bit too confusing watch the film to be taught a whole new lesson in 'Confusion'. Sub-plots emerge and vanish like vapor and the wobbling narrative fiddles with flashbacks and character-swaps with utmost disregard for human comprehension and logic. Lynch plays around with the assortment of characters like a puppeteer least bothered about his audience. A film, like anything that defies comprehension, that must be seen at least once, if not watched with any expectation whatsoever.<br /><br /><br /></span><span style="font-family:georgia;">A director to have left visible impressions on the style of men like Tim Burton and Quintin Tarantino, I can only guess as to what others in my place would do when faced with the proposition of picking up a David Lynch film in future but, from my limited experience with his works I have no shame in admitting that I will be confronted with a most unusual confusion - The sort of dilemma that brings back a disgruntled reader to an author who has both entertained and annoyed, touched and bruised, cheered and charred his reader with his art.<br />And maybe, just maybe he will come up with an Elephant Man again.<br /><br /><br /></span><br /><span style="font-family:georgia;">Here's to Good Cinema !<br />Here's to mavericks of the art!<br /></span><span style="font-family:georgia;">Cheers!</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:georgia;"><br /></span><blockquote style="font-family: georgia;"></blockquote><br /><blockquote><br /></blockquote></span><span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="font-size:85%;"><blockquote><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><br /></span></blockquote><a href="http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0080678/"><br /></a></span><blockquote></blockquote><span style="font-size:85%;">links : imdb.com</span><br /></span><blockquote></blockquote>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28423710.post-42580157429627258572009-02-08T22:12:00.004+05:302009-02-16T11:31:42.179+05:30Late Night Calls<meta equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=utf-8"><meta name="ProgId" content="Word.Document"><meta name="Generator" content="Microsoft Word 11"><meta name="Originator" content="Microsoft Word 11"><link rel="File-List" href="file:///C:%5CDOCUME%7E1%5CADMINI%7E1%5CLOCALS%7E1%5CTemp%5Cmsohtml1%5C01%5Cclip_filelist.xml"><o:smarttagtype namespaceuri="urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:smarttags" name="place"></o:smarttagtype><o:smarttagtype namespaceuri="urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:smarttags" name="Street"></o:smarttagtype><o:smarttagtype namespaceuri="urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:smarttags" name="address"></o:smarttagtype><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <w:worddocument> <w:view>Normal</w:View> <w:zoom>0</w:Zoom> <w:punctuationkerning/> <w:validateagainstschemas/> <w:saveifxmlinvalid>false</w:SaveIfXMLInvalid> <w:ignoremixedcontent>false</w:IgnoreMixedContent> <w:alwaysshowplaceholdertext>false</w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText> <w:compatibility> <w:breakwrappedtables/> <w:snaptogridincell/> <w:wraptextwithpunct/> <w:useasianbreakrules/> <w:dontgrowautofit/> </w:Compatibility> <w:browserlevel>MicrosoftInternetExplorer4</w:BrowserLevel> </w:WordDocument> </xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <w:latentstyles deflockedstate="false" latentstylecount="156"> </w:LatentStyles> </xml><![endif]--><!--[if !mso]><object classid="clsid:38481807-CA0E-42D2-BF39-B33AF135CC4D" id="ieooui"></object> <style> st1\:*{behavior:url(#ieooui) } </style> <![endif]--><style> <!-- /* Font Definitions */ @font-face {font-family:Georgia; panose-1:2 4 5 2 5 4 5 2 3 3; mso-font-charset:0; mso-generic-font-family:roman; mso-font-pitch:variable; mso-font-signature:647 0 0 0 159 0;} /* Style Definitions */ p.MsoNormal, li.MsoNormal, div.MsoNormal {mso-style-parent:""; margin:0in; margin-bottom:.0001pt; mso-pagination:widow-orphan; font-size:12.0pt; font-family:Georgia; mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-weight:bold;} @page Section1 {size:8.5in 11.0in; margin:1.0in 1.25in 1.0in 1.25in; mso-header-margin:.5in; mso-footer-margin:.5in; mso-paper-source:0;} div.Section1 {page:Section1;} --> </style><!--[if gte mso 10]> <style> /* Style Definitions */ table.MsoNormalTable {mso-style-name:"Table Normal"; mso-tstyle-rowband-size:0; mso-tstyle-colband-size:0; mso-style-noshow:yes; mso-style-parent:""; mso-padding-alt:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; mso-para-margin:0in; mso-para-margin-bottom:.0001pt; mso-pagination:widow-orphan; font-size:10.0pt; font-family:"Times New Roman"; mso-ansi-language:#0400; mso-fareast-language:#0400; mso-bidi-language:#0400;} </style> <![endif]--> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 12pt;font-family:times new roman;"><span style="font-size:100%;">Launching a blistering attack which might leave <b>The Bad P</b> ( i.e. Pramod Muthalik as against the good <b>P</b> i.e. our own <i>Pronob babu</i>) quaking in his dhotis <a href="http://www.hindustantimes.com/StoryPage/StoryPage.aspx?sectionName=HomePage&id=d18b226c-1944-4bec-adc9-e78c278e54e3&ParentID=58489fe9-8cc1-4c40-ba79-aedc585cf1f5&&Headline=%E2%80%98I+wonder+how+Muthalik%E2%80%99s+mother+raised+him%E2%80%99">Renuka Chowdhury has questioned the kind of upbringing he might have undergone as a child</a>. Applying Freudian deductions and Jungian principles of psychoanalysis she has successfully come to the conclusion that Muthalik's early childhood was deeply influenced by females who believed in "All hail the male!" rather than the then-dubious-now-ubiquitous slogan of "Why should boys have all the fun?". Still the very little gaps that her theory suffers from she intends to eliminate by arranging a tête-à-tête with the saffron stal-<i>wart</i>'s mother.
<br />
<br /><i>"We'll have to ask her where he gets his attitude"</i>, she says.
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<br />We wish her all the luck with the interview.
<br />
<br />
<br />In other news, a L.K Advani comment has just erupted onto the scene which should bring more cheer to the healing hearts at 7, <st1:street st="on"><st1:address st="on">Race Course Road</st1:address></st1:street> than the sagging shoulders at 11, <st1:street st="on"><st1:address st="on">Ashok Road</st1:address></st1:street>.
<br />In his characteristic manner, that of a practiced raconteur,<a href="http://www.dnaindia.com/report.asp?newsid=1228881"> Advani has compared Narendra Modi to Atal Bihari Vajpayee. </a>As if the old man was not <a href="http://www.hindustantimes.com/Redir.aspx?ID=74b199a3-746a-47df-b1fb-c00ab126d76a&SectionName=PodCast&add=test4">suffering enough already</a>, Advani had to compare the great statesman to someone who is not even a whimpering apology for Atalji's political acumen, stature, charisma and presence. And to be reminded that both of them made for the<i> Krishna-Sudama</i> of Indian politics till a few years back. Some lasting ties of friendship there, Mr. Advani! Some glowing tributes!<i> Jai ho</i>!
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<br />Has political expediency got the better of a respected leader like him or has the corporate coterie finally had its way, one wonders. The investments, both domestic and foreign, which are pouring into <st1:place st="on">Gujarat</st1:place> cannot hide the hideous past of hate and divisive politics that thrived under the garb of "good governance". If Mr. Advani is still calling the shots from the helm he needs to keep track of the past and chalk maps for the future keeping in mind the larger picture rather than playing to the Hindutva gallery. A Vibrant Gujarat under Modi is as much a palpable reality as was Uttam Pradesh under Mulayam Singh Yadav and the day<span style=""> </span>Modi is put in charge of the nation would indeed be a sad day for our democracy. <o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 12pt;"><span style=";font-family:";" ><span style=";font-family:times new roman;font-size:100%;" >- For some things are better not forgotten and some people better not compared.
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<br /><!--[endif]--><o:p></o:p></span></p> Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28423710.post-42835199996935328872009-01-31T12:50:00.009+05:302009-02-02T22:36:27.139+05:30Oye! It's Dryday!After clamping down on "Western Evils" like Valentine's Day and 'necking in public' [<a href="http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/articleshow/1462544.cms">link</a>] the ire of our self-appointed moral guardians has shifted to something which can be, at its euphemistic best, called a fledgling social rot - Women who love their pint. [<a href="http://in.youtube.com/watch?v=lEbD2aXs-XU">video link</a>]<br /><br />If the MNS, Bajrang Dal, RSS, VHP and Shiv Sena were not enough already there has emerged from nowhere a group of Right-Wing (flightless) moralists called Ram Sena, hell bent on reforming our society for us, their way. What is most disconcerting is the support, tacit or otherwise, that these hooligans are garnering from ministers holding public office. Karnataka CM B.S Yediyurappa and Rajasthan CM Ashok Gehlot who represent two of our nation's largest political parties have expressed their disapproval of 'the pub culture' gaining ground in this country. Public outrage and an active media has entailed that ever-invisible tug from their respective high commands in New Delhi and they have more or less disambiguated their previous statements, smoothening the edges to give it all a liberal yet concerned look.<br />Union Health Minister, Anmubani Ramadoss has chipped in with his comments,<br /><br /><span style="font-style: italic;"> "It is not our culture. If it goes this way, I don't think India will progress".</span> [<a href="http://news.google.co.in/news/url?sa=t&ct=in/0-0&fp=4984f3ccf1af9c7f&ei=UQmESdTdIZSA7QOqvpmsCQ&url=http%3A//www.hindu.com/2009/01/31/stories/2009013159811200.htm&cid=1299117365&sig2=H--ocOPzkAtwz9xTkB4ZBg&usg=AFQjCNG6px4GJzH10t7Fe0O_0W6Ylbwj_A">link</a>]<br /><br />Though it may strike as startling as to how women pubbing can affect the nations progress we hope the Union Minister has some logical explanation for his sermon.<br /><br />History shows that any recession is marked by an increase in alcohol consumption in that economy. India is no exception. With newspapers ringing in bad news every morning regarding the employment figures around the world plummeting to new lows what can but a commoner, or say a software engineer do? A moment of thought for the Satyam employee and another for the recruited fresher biding his time in seclusion, waiting for that elusive DoJ ( 'Date of Joining' for the uninitiated).<br />The positives of spirit-induced-forgetfulness -<br />1. A restless youth kept reigned in the confines of a pub, voluntarily.<br />2. The exponential growth of the liquor industry.<br />3. A happy Vijay Mallya - meaning more colorful calendars.<br />4. More time to reflect upon the futility of material pursuits and hence renunciation.<br />5. A profusion of Devdases, born of diverse reasons - not necessarily <span style="font-style: italic;">Paros</span> & <span style="font-style: italic;">Chandramukhis</span>. - Better material for Bhansali and Co. to build their films on. Realistic ones at that.<br />6. A spirited nation looking at a better tomorrow. Sloshed.<br /><br />So we look forward to a pubbing.. errr... throbbing nation.<br /><br /><br />P.S - About women's rights and their<a href="http://www.hindustantimes.com/StoryPage/StoryPage.aspx?sectionName=ViewsEditorialSectionPage&id=8fc9b175-f444-4f23-9818-d9f33aa2411a&&Headline=Ladies%2c+raise+your+glasses%21"> pursuit of pegs</a> - I will write another day. Surely.<br />Till then, Hic!Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28423710.post-38104856584758363422009-01-29T13:12:00.010+05:302009-01-29T15:26:37.780+05:30Heat Strokes and Heated StrokesSerena Williams had an "out-of-body" experience in the brutal heat of Melbourne at the Australian Open yesterday. [<a href="http://www.news.com.au/adelaidenow/story/0,22606,24978409-12428,00.html">link</a>]<br /><br />She is believed to have said:<span style="font-style: italic;"> "I felt I was watching someone play in a blue dress, and it wasn't me, because it was so hot out there".<br /><br /></span>Considering<span style="font-style: italic;"> <span style="font-style: italic;"><span style="font-style: italic;"></span></span></span>the heat wave in the sub-continent in the searing summer season is no less forgiving these are some of the more entertaining "out-of-body" experiences that we can expect<span style="font-style: italic;"> soon<span style="font-style: italic;"></span> :<br /><br /></span>" I see this fat, bald man crying hoarse with a diva sitting cross-legged on the dais. There is a unshaven, lean fellow with a stupid grin on his face, he has probably pinched that hair-band of his from his wife. He is sitting beside her, holding her hands, pointing at her sindoor. Also, there seems to be this really important looking old man trying to read<span style="font-style: italic;"> "Mere Pitaji ki kuchh Kavitaaye"</span> in a familiar baritone to the irate <span style="font-style: italic;">unpadh</span> crowd shouting <span style="font-style: italic;">"kajraa rey, kajraa rey"</span>. I think the bald fellow needs some protection. Both from the sun and the mob." <span style="font-style: italic;"><br /><br /> </span>- Amar Singh at a rally in Madhepura, Bihar. [<a href="http://www.google.co.in/url?sa=t&source=web&ct=res&cd=1&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.hindustantimes.com%2Fredir.aspx%3FID%3D29b19d19-929e-4312-b673-81a0a3ddfc15%26SectionName%3DRSSFeed-News&ei=C3aBSZOxE5jEkAW2tbG7Aw&usg=AFQjCNFar8tivW1xTCPS0GUDsB5iZCqXWA&sig2=Y9ECjs3D7gToMvBX2xfnPg">link</a>]<br /><br /><br />"I see this black-ox-of-a-man trying to prevent his small raft from sinking under his weight, all the while humming absorbedly a <a href="http://in.youtube.com/watch?v=k8gMyk-NhEI">"chinna china asaai"</a> tune. He also has a stack of magazines with a fat lady in a negligee posing most distastefully on their covers. His passport has only two letters - VP to avoid the entire thing being overrun by his full signature, between which he is trying to etch a carefully caligraphed 'I' just for an ego-boost in these troubling times. There is also a photo of a bald man in dark googles smiling that is peeping out from his misfitted outfit."<br /><br /> - Velupillai Prabhakaran fleeing Sri Lanka. <a href="http://www.google.co.in/url?sa=t&source=web&ct=res&cd=1&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.lankanewspapers.com%2Fnews%2F2008%2F10%2F33175.html&ei=anaBSdSdE5K-kAXo3tC0Aw&usg=AFQjCNHEVsMD-lfjm8nnuPQGzEXzb5eYMA&sig2=INUOKEJ72a1X-hJsz7O9cw">[link</a>]<br /><br /><br /><br />"I see this man with a manicured moustache brooding intensely over a list titled "Who Next To Hit On in World Poilitcs" with a picture of a beautiful woman on the adjoining table kept face-down. I also notice a file labeled "Evidence from India" in the trash-can along with a note which reads <span style="font-style: italic;"><span style="font-style: italic;"><span style="font-style: italic;"><span style="font-style: italic;">" I am sorry. Love, Mushy". </span></span></span></span>On the walls I see along with assorted portraits of American Presidents and Taliban Ulemas two distinct aberrations : The portraits of Hugh Hefner and Shivraj Patil."<br /><br /> - Just another day in office for Asif Ali Zardari. [<a href="http://www.google.co.in/url?sa=t&source=web&ct=res&cd=1&url=http%3A%2F%2Fnews.bbc.co.uk%2F2%2Fhi%2Fsouth_asia%2F7787518.stm&ei=1naBSebNMMnWkAWFlry0Aw&usg=AFQjCNG1AQY2-DHjBbu0R2c0U60nek47xg&sig2=fsD9z3UFXRZbKKAVNTGTOw">link,</a>] [ <a href="http://www.google.co.in/url?sa=t&source=web&ct=res&cd=1&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ndtv.com%2Fconvergence%2Fndtv%2Fstory.aspx%3Fid%3DNEWEN20080067097%26ch%3D9%2F29%2F2008%25208%3A02%3A00%2520PM&ei=_XaBSfDhN5K-kAWn39C0Aw&usg=AFQjCNEvEQtpww0pxUd5qQ5sXBddjx0tvw&sig2=lAp78_SGZx4-ve4m-B8aEQ">link</a>]<br /><br /><br />"I see this really dejected fellow, white hair and an air of erudition about him, slapping his forehead and crying, "<span style="font-style: italic;">Bhogobaan</span>!!! Not Again!!" at the sight of hoodlums picnicking in front of his house, blocking his way, raising a storm with slogans of <span style="font-style: italic;">"Cholchhe na! Cholbe na!" </span>to everything he ever utters - a much familiar cry of dissent and protest, one he was brought up to believe in from his early years, ironically."<br /><br /> - Buddhadeb Bhattacharya trying to dribble past a blockade in front of his house. [<a href="http://www.google.co.in/url?sa=t&source=web&ct=res&cd=1&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.merinews.com%2FcatFull.jsp%3FarticleID%3D143619&ei=OneBSZXoL4bRkAWywozNAw&usg=AFQjCNGVslM24lSyQll78h8UMBtytDLfGw&sig2=7WJR_p1X-_JsKy5YsrXJPw">link</a>] & [<a href="http://www.google.co.in/url?sa=t&source=web&ct=res&cd=3&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.nerve.in%2Fnews%3A253500196605&ei=h3eBSYWBPIzXkAX6q7XSAw&usg=AFQjCNEhezVFzGCSEqvOT4boIGVF-XLfYg&sig2=urIYif3sqlJLVWyCuCsX4A">link</a>]<br /><br /><br />"I see, yes, I can cleaaarly see a O-man in a <span style="font-style: italic;">sadaa-kaalo-paar-saaree</span> doing <span style="font-style: italic;">rasta-roko</span>s and <span style="font-style: italic;">chakka-jam</span>s and <span style="font-style: italic;">amoron onoshons</span> in the meedeel of the road. I can also see her in a Subhash-Chandra-Bosh-<span style="font-style: italic;">Dilli--Cholo</span> posture, pointing her index finger towards a great red building. She seems driven now that the Tatas have driven their Nano out of Bengal. She recites her self-composed poem :<br /><span style="font-style: italic;">Leeteel caars </span><span style="font-style: italic;">phor leeteel peepol. </span><br /><span style="font-style: italic;">Bangaali </span>is a <span style="font-style: italic;">graate jaati. </span><br />Make the autos<span style="font-style: italic;"> doble, treepol</span><br />Or I become<span style="font-style: italic;"> attyoghaati.</span>"<br /><br /> - Momota Banerjee in the middle of a mid-summer rally in Kolkata. [<a href="http://www.google.co.in/url?sa=t&source=web&ct=res&cd=6&url=http%3A%2F%2Ftimesofindia.indiatimes.com%2FCities%2FKolkata_%2FMamata_protest_clogs_BBD_Bag%2Farticleshow%2F3944791.cms&ei=GXiBSYu8L9i5kAX_oIzNAw&usg=AFQjCNFLBETLNZqdApMaOfNb1zRz1k1eBw&sig2=sSWTKi49SxfvuJA-dyA6Lw">link</a>] & [<a href="http://www.google.co.in/url?sa=t&source=web&ct=res&cd=1&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.hindu.com%2F2009%2F01%2F04%2Fstories%2F2009010455230900.htm&ei=S3iBSb7tJZXWkAXQpcC-Aw&usg=AFQjCNGU_17Ud7_7RnbTSLGjhlyPsDgkzA&sig2=3uTwzDIOtDqNzE2ZJHJfRw">link]<br /></a>P.S - <span style="font-style: italic;">attyoghati</span> is bengali for sueycaaide.<br /><br /><br />" Who is this man ? Can't recognize him! Put him away! Seems terribly underfed. Might be from the SWAT valley or worse, one of those <span style="font-style: italic;">Ram Sena</span>, <span style="font-style: italic;">Ravan Sena </span>whatever!"<span style="font-style: italic;"> </span><br /> - Adnan Sami. [<a href="http://www.google.co.in/url?sa=t&source=web&ct=res&cd=1&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.paklinks.com%2Fgs%2Fpakistan-affairs%2F304956-adnan-sami-get-threatening-calls-being-pakistani.html&ei=lHiBSeeXG4_VkAXcooC5Aw&usg=AFQjCNFg4jsPswg2Bk1UEjmmVpPAN7OToQ&sig2=8fC6TqB2seRUSmt2o1qvrA">link</a>]<br /><br /><br />"A man crying inconsolably. A tune drifting in from a distance , <span style="font-style: italic;">"kaahe ko roye.... chaahe jo hoye... safal hogi teri aradhana...kaahe ko roye..."</span>. He wipes his tears, settles his <span style="font-style: italic;">Johor</span>-coat and enters the MEA after a heartrendingly brief stint in the PMO. He swears to himself, almost inaudibly, "In next laaife, I will be Madam if not the PM. <span style="font-style: italic;">Ei holo amar otoot bochon</span>" and then struts like a politician who could never care to win a election, himself."<br /><br /> - Pehchan Kaun ? [<a href="http://www.google.co.in/url?sa=t&source=web&ct=res&cd=3&url=http%3A%2F%2Fibnlive.in.com%2Fnews%2Fwho-is-congress-pm-candidate-for-lok-sabha-polls%2F83520-3.html&ei=4XiBSeCnNdK6kAWomdmxAw&usg=AFQjCNGm_28u3q51_1aVJWPtau7NVytBoQ&sig2=bdlYc5SwnV9wB3HViPugEA">link</a>] & <a href="http://www.rediff.com/news/2009/jan/29pm-takes-a-walk-may-be-discharged-on-friday.htm">[link]</a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><span style="font-style: italic;"><br /></span>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28423710.post-40277824633344644982009-01-22T11:42:00.005+05:302009-01-22T13:32:36.780+05:30It's Official !!With ramifications as diverse as a mad scramble for dwindling "high profile" jobs to investigating the Satyam-swindle in fresh perspective researchers have found conclusive proof that<br /><a href="http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/news/uk/science/article5537017.ece"> "Wealthy men give women more orgasms."</a><br /><br />If scientists from the Newcastle University are to be believed women are hard-wired to be "gold-diggers" making the popular notion of "rich-girl-poor-boy" love-stories one of the most enduring myths in human history. Stumbling upon another detailed analysis of what is known as 'evolutionary psychology' I came across wisdom of the following kind:<br /><br /><span style="font-style: italic;">" .....for the week or so in each month when women are at their most fertile they are programmed to seek out the men with the “best” genes - the ones most likely to ensure their children survive. That means the man with the biggest muscles, the squarest jaw or, nowadays, the biggest bulge in his wallet. Such men are hard to keep so, once impregnated, women may return to their gentler long-term partner and trick him into bringing up a child that is not his." </span>[link to the entire article <a href="http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/news/uk/article5536873.ece">here</a>]<span style="font-style: italic;"> </span><br /><br /><br />Feeling pity for the "gentler long-term partner" ? No need to because this is nature's way of keeping everybody happy - The Fruits of Distributive Justice, the scientists would have us believe.<br /><br />While the coy moralist might find such studies in human nature to be an unwelcome affirmation of plunging social standards the bold ranger will take it as a nod of approval for his more adventurous pursuits. With more such researches yielding 'favorable' results one or more of the following things might get to be a common occurrence in the near future:<br /><br />1. Along with pleas of insanity and temporary indisposition the pursuit of partner's orgasm might become part of a relevant legal defense in cases of heists, scams and forgeries.<br /><br />2. Paternity disputes might have to do away with DNA verification lest the entire social set-up plunge into Neanderthal chaos of a promiscuity pandemic.<br /><br />3. "Identity Crisis" might become the new word for "Bastard".<br /><br />4. 'Philandering Loans' might get sanctioned by banks to individuals found necessitous by female standards of wealth and prosperity.<br /><br />5. Our MPs might volunteer their actual assets in carefully arranged press conferences. They might also be tempted to inflate them by a stretch.<br /><br />6. "I am RICH! Are you GAME?" might become the most fashionable tee-shirt slogan.<br /><br />7. Our film-stars might stop paying their taxes than waxing their chests.<br /><br />8. The entire "poor class" might get obliterated from the face of the earth keeping to the 'survival of the fittest' principle.<br /><br />And that would be one beautiful "climax" for the entire humanity.<br />Un-pun-intedly.<br /><br />But to end it with words of one of the psychologists,<br /><br /><span style="font-style: italic;"> “In some ways it makes us seem almost evil but it’s wrong to impose moral judgments. </span><br /><span style="font-style: italic;">There are no morals involved in evolution."</span><br /><br />- That makes evolution easy. Doesn't it ? <BR><BR>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28423710.post-16703637918816627382009-01-20T13:15:00.007+05:302009-01-20T15:49:48.665+05:30Revolutionary Road<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_GpOdfUXPQ90/SXWfvSoBwRI/AAAAAAAAAhk/_OKa20MYf84/s1600-h/2008_revolutionary_road_001.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_GpOdfUXPQ90/SXWfvSoBwRI/AAAAAAAAAhk/_OKa20MYf84/s400/2008_revolutionary_road_001.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5293312571846279442" border="0" /></a>The first reaction after watching<span style="font-weight: bold;"> </span><a style="font-weight: bold;" href="http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0959337/">'Revolutionary Road'</a> this afternoon was that of surprise at the fact that it did not manage to win more laurels at the recently concluded Golden Globes. Though I have not yet seen <a href="http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0976051/">'The Reader'</a> or<a href="http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1125849/"> 'The Wrestler'</a> , both considered to be very good films (but yet lacking in <a href="http://caesar-caesar.blogspot.com/2009/01/slumdog-millionaire-my-views.html">'that little something'</a> which mysteriously tilts the balance on the Oscars night, we might find out), I still think I will persist with my initial opinion of 'Revolutionary Road' being much more than just a decent also-ran. It struck me to be a film of considerable depth and honesty sans any frills which smudge the lens of reality so often for the viewers. According to me, the Best Actress Golden Globe performance(very truly so) was one of the many highlights of the film and not the solitary feature that distinguishes it from the others in the fray.<br /><br />The story focuses on an American couple, Frank and April Wheeler, who struggle to define the domains of their individual and collective existence and discover the myths and mysteries of the much overrated phrase - "Happily Married". He is the dreamer who never got the chance to stop and ponder on the life he really wanted to lead and then marriage and children gradually sedated him into the illusion of a life of "settled bliss". His wife on the other hand tries her best to make him live his dreams only to understand that those dreams are long dead to the rigors of responsibilities. Situations emerge and tempers soar to find two loving individuals in a quagmire of guilt, adultery and despair. An unwanted pregnancy complicate matters further and the thread of love seem thinning into an unnecessary appendage. The introduction of helpful neighbors and a gracious real-estate agent ( Kathy Bates) who has a mentally disturbed maths scholar for a son add to the maturing intrigue of the story. Amongst the bedlam of conflict and compromise love still thrives in curious corners of 115, Revolutionary Road, the address of the Wheeler family. It is this feeling of compassion and unexpressed longing that runs through the narrative which is so throbbing with life and vitality. The scene when Frank comes running helplessly to the hospital to see his wife towards the end is nothing short of heart rending with a strain of violin hanging in the air.<br /><br />Leonardo DiCaprio and Kate Winslet in the lead roles seem to have rediscovered their 'Titanic' chemistry albeit with much nuanced performances, keeping to the complex characterizations this film demanded. The characters do not charm the audience with their act but put up a mirror to the frailties of any married couple which are only aggravated by haste and intolerance. They do not come up as an incompatible couple and on the contrary depict one which suffers because of the same love that keeps them together. If only a little empathy could be mustered, the involved audience is bound to wonder. And that's the tragic irony of this film.<br /><br />After 'The Road to Perdition' this is one fine road that Sam Mendes has stopped to make his film on. He seems back to his 'American Beauty' days of masterful storytelling, getting inside the skin of the characters , narrating a most credible story in the most incredible manner while introducing sweeps of <span style="font-style: italic;">touch</span> and finesse - the true hallmarks of a director who lives his film.<br />To say the least, I will be mighty surprised, or rather vindicated, if 'Revolutionary Road' goes unrewarded at the Oscars this time.<br /><br />Here's one for a rewarding watch.<br />A very living story which lives among us, about us and inside us. Everyday.<br /><br /><br />poster: googleimagesUnknownnoreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28423710.post-10230954356138148852009-01-17T22:48:00.006+05:302009-01-18T01:08:26.249+05:30Slumdog Millionaire - My Views<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_GpOdfUXPQ90/SXIb_qFcZoI/AAAAAAAAAhU/n5pTUtPJFNg/s1600-h/slumdog-millionaire-stills01.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 217px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_GpOdfUXPQ90/SXIb_qFcZoI/AAAAAAAAAhU/n5pTUtPJFNg/s400/slumdog-millionaire-stills01.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5292323292556584578" border="0" /></a><meta equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=utf-8"><meta name="ProgId" content="Word.Document"><meta name="Generator" content="Microsoft Word 11"><meta name="Originator" content="Microsoft Word 11"><link rel="File-List" href="file:///C:%5CDOCUME%7E1%5CADMINI%7E1%5CLOCALS%7E1%5CTemp%5Cmsohtml1%5C01%5Cclip_filelist.xml"><o:smarttagtype namespaceuri="urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:smarttags" name="PlaceType"></o:smarttagtype><o:smarttagtype namespaceuri="urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:smarttags" name="PlaceName"></o:smarttagtype><o:smarttagtype namespaceuri="urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:smarttags" name="country-region"></o:smarttagtype><o:smarttagtype namespaceuri="urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:smarttags" name="City"></o:smarttagtype><o:smarttagtype namespaceuri="urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:smarttags" name="place"></o:smarttagtype><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <w:worddocument> <w:view>Normal</w:View> <w:zoom>0</w:Zoom> <w:punctuationkerning/> <w:validateagainstschemas/> <w:saveifxmlinvalid>false</w:SaveIfXMLInvalid> <w:ignoremixedcontent>false</w:IgnoreMixedContent> <w:alwaysshowplaceholdertext>false</w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText> <w:compatibility> <w:breakwrappedtables/> <w:snaptogridincell/> <w:wraptextwithpunct/> <w:useasianbreakrules/> <w:dontgrowautofit/> </w:Compatibility> <w:browserlevel>MicrosoftInternetExplorer4</w:BrowserLevel> </w:WordDocument> </xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <w:latentstyles deflockedstate="false" latentstylecount="156"> </w:LatentStyles> </xml><![endif]--><!--[if !mso]><object classid="clsid:38481807-CA0E-42D2-BF39-B33AF135CC4D" id="ieooui"></object> <style> st1\:*{behavior:url(#ieooui) } </style> <![endif]--><style> <!-- /* Font Definitions */ @font-face {font-family:Georgia; panose-1:2 4 5 2 5 4 5 2 3 3; mso-font-charset:0; mso-generic-font-family:roman; mso-font-pitch:variable; mso-font-signature:647 0 0 0 159 0;} /* Style Definitions */ p.MsoNormal, li.MsoNormal, div.MsoNormal {mso-style-parent:""; margin:0in; margin-bottom:.0001pt; mso-pagination:widow-orphan; font-size:12.0pt; font-family:Georgia; mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-weight:bold;} @page Section1 {size:8.5in 11.0in; margin:1.0in 1.25in 1.0in 1.25in; mso-header-margin:.5in; mso-footer-margin:.5in; mso-paper-source:0;} div.Section1 {page:Section1;} /* List Definitions */ @list l0 {mso-list-id:262231847; mso-list-type:hybrid; mso-list-template-ids:258878988 67698703 67698713 67698715 67698703 67698713 67698715 67698703 67698713 67698715;} @list l0:level1 {mso-level-tab-stop:.5in; mso-level-number-position:left; text-indent:-.25in;} ol {margin-bottom:0in;} ul {margin-bottom:0in;} --> </style><!--[if gte mso 10]> <style> /* Style Definitions */ table.MsoNormalTable {mso-style-name:"Table Normal"; mso-tstyle-rowband-size:0; mso-tstyle-colband-size:0; mso-style-noshow:yes; mso-style-parent:""; mso-padding-alt:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; mso-para-margin:0in; mso-para-margin-bottom:.0001pt; mso-pagination:widow-orphan; font-size:10.0pt; font-family:"Times New Roman"; mso-ansi-language:#0400; mso-fareast-language:#0400; mso-bidi-language:#0400;} </style> <![endif]--> <p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal">“A film which transcends boundaries of mediocrity while portraying the conflicting realities of an inferior universe – <b>Slumdog Millionaire </b>goes<b> </b>probing into the minds and hearts of the millions who jostle for existence in the dark crevices of Mumbai’s underbelly, nourishing dreams of a brighter tomorrow and a better deal from life and ends as a rewarding experience for all who decide to give the film a chance to exhilarate in all its ornate glory. It is a film which installs its protagonist Jamal Malik as a hero who emerges from destitution and homelessness to become a millionaire by virtue of destiny and little else. Slumdog Millionaire is a riveting depiction of harsh truths of life in an unforgiving city yet provides for the scope of human hope and love to thrive and blossom, thus, attaining its due share of greatness even without asking for it.”</p><p class="MsoNormal">
<br /></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal">Oh, how I would have liked my impression of <b>Slumdog Millionaire</b> to read like this. But no, my take on the film does not even step on the fringes of the above exaltation. That does not mean that my ‘real’ opinion of the film is the exact opposite of whatever is written within the quotes.<span style=""> </span>In reality I found it to be a strange film which had enough cinematic cunning in it to keep me interested till its end. It did annoy, at some places disgust, but the queer mix of “all-that’s-Indian” cliché hung to it like an insistent moth craving for attention from the amused audience I provided it with last night. There are hundreds of detailed reviews doing the rounds in the cyber-space so I would not torture my solitary reader with specifics. I would rather put down in as less words as possible those attributes of the film which amused me with such unpleasant regularity.
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<br /></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal">First and foremost I think the film would have been far less ‘incredible’ if shot flat-out in Hindi. Seasoned actors like Saurabh Shukla, Irrfan Khan and Anil Kapoor look horrible caricatures of their true self while mouthing the average Indian’s <i style="">Ingg-lissss. </i>In one sequence Jamal, a slum-dweller since birth swears <i style="">“Maa Kasam”</i> in perfect <i style="">phoren </i>accent to his blind beggar friend who surprisingly knows Benjamin Franklin just from description. In hindsight one feels what a great relief it was that Surdas’ <i style="">bhajan</i> was not tampered with Beyonce-an wisdom to imbibe more cinematic meaning to the context.</p><p class="MsoNormal">
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<br /></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal">Secondly, Danny Boyle, the now-acclaimed Golden-Globe winning director never misses a trick when drawing from the bag of The Great Indian Tricks – the one that holds all the hackneyed clichés and worn-out stereotypes that are associated with a resurgent India - A nation, which to the Wise Wise West, remains blissfully ignorant of the rot that ails the occupants of its vast netherworld.
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<br /></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal">According to the film:
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<br /></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p> <ol style="margin-top: 0in;" start="1" type="1"><li class="MsoNormal" style="">Mumbai is just a vast slum, complete with railway tracks criss-crossing their ways to reach VT. <span style=""> </span>It is only recently that slums have started to make way for high-rises like “<st1:place st="on"><st1:placename st="on">Javed</st1:placename> <st1:placetype st="on">Heights</st1:placetype></st1:place>” under the supervision of the local mafia.</li></ol> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 0.5in; text-indent: -0.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style=""><span style="">2.<span style=";font-family:";font-size:7;" > </span></span></span><!--[endif]-->It is common for slum-kids to go <a href="http://movies.yahoo.com/photos/movie-stills/gallery/1117/slumdog-millionaire-stills#photo15">snorkeling into shit-holes just so that they can get Amitabh Bachhan’s autograph</a>. Hygiene? Human sense of self-worth? <span style=""> </span>No, sir. This is <st1:place st="on"><st1:country-region st="on">India</st1:country-region></st1:place>, where people are crazy about cine-stars and they would do just about anything to catch the glimpse of their hero.</p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 0.5in; text-indent: -0.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style=""><span style="">3.<span style=";font-family:";font-size:7;" > </span></span></span><!--[endif]-->Slum-kids are taught of Athos and Porthos from “The Three Musketeers” at school without having the faintest of idea of how the Taj Mahal might look like. Feigning ignorance of the great edifice, “slumdogs” are prone to mistake it for “heaven” or worse, “some hotel”. Globalization anyone?</p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 0.5in; text-indent: -0.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style=""><span style="">4.<span style=";font-family:";font-size:7;" > </span></span></span><!--[endif]-->One fine morning, there are communal riots without an inkling of suspicion or rumors doing the rounds.<span style=""> </span>As a fall-out two Muslim boys (Salim and Jamal) and a Hindu girl (Latika. If that’s not an obvious Hindu name, what is?) get thrown in together to rue their fate and later, share their lives which are so inextricably entwined by fate. The lesson - Peaceful co-existence. Narendra<i style="">bhai</i>, are you listening?</p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 0.5in; text-indent: -0.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style=""><span style="">5.<span style=";font-family:";font-size:7;" > </span></span></span><!--[endif]-->Poor Indians are crafty little crooks who swindle rich gullible American tourists off their dollars, steal their shoes and pretend to be guides and ‘recycle’ mineral water bottles in their own ingenious way.</p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 0.5in; text-indent: -0.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style=""><span style="">6.<span style=";font-family:";font-size:7;" > </span></span></span><!--[endif]-->There are well-groomed, English speaking <i style="">chaiwallahs </i>who fill-in for their employers in Indian call-centers. Now Mr. Bob or Chuck will know the <i style="">real</i> reason behind the poor service that he receives whenever he needs help with his vacuum cleaner or dish-washer.</p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 0.5in; text-indent: -0.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style=""><span style="">7.<span style=";font-family:";font-size:7;" > </span></span></span><!--[endif]-->Mafia dons in Mumbai have mistresses for making unpalatable sandwiches for them and little else. RGV, your <i style="">khallas</i> days are numbered!</p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 0.5in; text-indent: -0.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style=""><span style="">8.<span style=";font-family:";font-size:7;" > </span></span></span><!--[endif]-->Beware of the jealous quiz-show host! Don’t win large sums of money to invite his wrath. If Amitabh Bachhan had pondered on this point he would not have been there in <st1:city st="on"><st1:place st="on">London</st1:place></st1:city> promoting the film. After all he hosted our own “Who Wants To Be A Millionaire?” for real. Did he not? Any news of the winners since then?</p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 0.5in; text-indent: -0.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style=""><span style="">9.<span style=";font-family:";font-size:7;" > </span></span></span><!--[endif]-->Victoria Terminus is the new lovers’ spot in Mumbai. If you are looking forward to moments of pushing-shoving-hassling induced togetherness in the anonymity of a “spirited” crowd, here you go!</p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 0.5in; text-indent: -0.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style=""><span style="">10.<span style=";font-family:";font-size:7;" > </span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style=""> </span>No film on/around/in/about/above/beneath/between/over <st1:country-region st="on"><st1:place st="on">India</st1:place></st1:country-region> can ever be complete without the happy couple celebrating their reunion (in short – Destiny) by dancing on railways platforms, accompanied by hundreds of co-passengers doing their jig. Spirit of Mumbai? Naah, A Spirited India, I would say. High spirits at that. White rum, maybe.</p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 0.5in; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<br /></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal">I don’t have much to complain about the film. Its mode of narration- that of flashbacks between quiz-questions is a sort of welcome innovation. Some of the actors and child actors perform startlingly well. A.R Rahman’s music is foot-tapping, no wonder even he was surprised by the amount of re-touching done to the tracks. But inspite of all these virtues Slumdog Millionaire remains just a well-packaged product far removed from the altar of greatness or the praise of posterity.<span style=""> </span>In its attempt to show-case hope amongst ruins it has turned the spotlight to filth and necessity, hunger and helplessness. Not that the <st1:country-region st="on"><st1:place st="on">India</st1:place></st1:country-region> of today has moved beyond the grasp of these evils but surely it has moved out of their grip. And that is where the film fails. It fails in portraying the follies that are the bitter fruits of transition in any vibrant state and instead focuses on the age-old belief in Destiny and Fate being the only agents of change and reform. The avid film follower is bound to draw parallels from films as conjoined in conception and as disparate in delivery as <i style="">Salaam Bombay, Tropa de Elite </i>and<i style=""> Cidade de Deus –</i> all wonderfully made films depicting grim reality of an alternate social setup in different countries, but Slumdog’s treatment of poverty seems prematurely poised towards garnering attention and awards leaving very little scope for cinematic subtlety to emerge and enthrall. <span style=""> </span>It rankles to think how complete the film could have been with a bit of genuine intent, a slice of directorial integrity and a generous pinch of Life to it. But then, I believe a film on ‘hungry, naked Indians’, shot in English, directed by a British director, laced with intermittent Hindi mouthed by native actors help so much more in bringing out that <i style="">desi</i> flavour – that sure-shot ingredient to charm the Western audience with, win four Golden Globe Awards and pitch for the Oscars all at the same time.
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<br /></p><p class="MsoNormal">images: sulekha.com
<br /></p> Unknownnoreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28423710.post-66837089885670148112009-01-08T11:41:00.004+05:302009-01-08T12:45:05.519+05:30Raju, NOT Hosiery!The names<span style="font-weight: bold;"> <a href="http://www.rediff.com/money/2009/jan/07satyam-raju-a-feared-man-in-us-and-india.htm">'Ramalinga Raju'</a></span> and <span style="font-weight: bold;">'Satyam</span>' seem to be the order of the day's idle discussions. The sort of thing that, if missed, would only make for pitiful ignorance considering the average Bengali's previous acquaintance with a hosiery brand named 'RAJU' which promised <span style="font-style: italic;">" shorir juurey norom chhowaa....aaponjoner moto"</span> (tenderly touches you...just like your own) opposed to the itchy discomfiture that the Hyderabadi Honcho has put the entire nation in.<br /><br />So let me not waste this God-presented opportunity of writing something useless yet verbose in the first place and drop in my two-pence if only to air my concern. So, here goes.<br /><br />While FII, CII and God-knows-what IIs huddle together to salvage credibility for the rest of India Inc. a different set of predicaments, arguably more grave, seem to have raised its ugly head amidst the cauldron of chaos going full-steam under the circumstance - <span style="font-size:130%;"><br /><br />The future of the freshers recruited by Satyam in the year 2007 and 2008. </span><br /><br />The 'Business'-page of every leading daily has been abuzz with rumors of the Satyam take-over bids by IT firms such as Accenture, IBM and Cognizant. Though the pre-acquisition game of denying everything have been played well by all the concerned parties one wonders if the cards that are being held so close to their chests still bear the names of the panic-stricken individuals to whom the Satyam offer-letters were distributed with gay abandon till a few months back. If Mr. Raju was certain that the "<a href="http://im.rediff.com/money/2009/jan/07satyam-the-letter-raju-wrote.pdf">tiger he was riding"</a> would soon devour him whole why did he not stall the recruitment process a year back and hence spare unsuspecting engineering graduates the trauma of uncertainty in this volatile times. He can plead that he did not want to induce suspicion in a already super-competitive outsourcing market by halting the ritual recruitment drive but given the total vacuum of assurance that the freshers are now living in one can only guess the veracity of his "call of conscience" act that ultimately made the fraud public.<br /><br />One shudders at the ordeal that awaits those who were taken in Satyam's fold and questions like the following arise:<br /><br />Will the post-merger/acquisition scenario assure the jobs already pledged?<br />If the jobs remain a reality, albeit considerably blurred at this moment, what time-frame are we looking at ?<br />In case of bankruptcy being filed, malpractices being proved, assets ( if any) being liquidated what course of action should the 53,000 odd Satyam work-force follow ?<br />Is the Finance Ministry thinking on these lines of providing job-assurance?<br />Will anybody intervene?<br />Will the Left chip in with their own brand of <span style="font-style: italic;">hartals, michhils</span> and <span style="font-style: italic;">dharnas</span> to protest such a massive loss of employment ?<br />Will Mamata Banerjee storm the Satyam office ?<br />And lastly,<br />When can we next expect a Satyam ?<br /><br /><br />link: rediff.comUnknownnoreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28423710.post-39670724092110976462008-11-30T23:45:00.005+05:302008-12-03T13:58:39.759+05:30Post 26/11<meta equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; 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mso-style-noshow:yes; mso-style-parent:""; mso-padding-alt:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; mso-para-margin:0in; mso-para-margin-bottom:.0001pt; mso-pagination:widow-orphan; font-size:10.0pt; font-family:"Times New Roman"; mso-ansi-language:#0400; mso-fareast-language:#0400; mso-bidi-language:#0400;} </style> <![endif]--> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in -0.75in 0.0001pt;">The <meta equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=utf-8"><meta name="ProgId" content="Word.Document"><meta name="Generator" content="Microsoft Word 11"><meta name="Originator" content="Microsoft Word 11"><link rel="File-List" href="file:///C:%5CDOCUME%7E1%5CADMINI%7E1%5CLOCALS%7E1%5CTemp%5Cmsohtml1%5C01%5Cclip_filelist.xml"><o:smarttagtype namespaceuri="urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:smarttags" name="country-region"></o:smarttagtype><o:smarttagtype namespaceuri="urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:smarttags" name="place"></o:smarttagtype><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <w:worddocument> <w:view>Normal</w:View> <w:zoom>0</w:Zoom> <w:punctuationkerning/> <w:validateagainstschemas/> <w:saveifxmlinvalid>false</w:SaveIfXMLInvalid> <w:ignoremixedcontent>false</w:IgnoreMixedContent> <w:alwaysshowplaceholdertext>false</w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText> <w:compatibility> <w:breakwrappedtables/> <w:snaptogridincell/> <w:wraptextwithpunct/> <w:useasianbreakrules/> <w:dontgrowautofit/> </w:Compatibility> <w:browserlevel>MicrosoftInternetExplorer4</w:BrowserLevel> </w:WordDocument> </xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <w:latentstyles deflockedstate="false" latentstylecount="156"> </w:LatentStyles> </xml><![endif]--><!--[if !mso]><object classid="clsid:38481807-CA0E-42D2-BF39-B33AF135CC4D" id="ieooui"></object> <style> st1\:*{behavior:url(#ieooui) } </style> <![endif]--><style> <!-- /* Font Definitions */ @font-face {font-family:Verdana; panose-1:2 11 6 4 3 5 4 4 2 4; mso-font-charset:0; mso-generic-font-family:swiss; mso-font-pitch:variable; mso-font-signature:536871559 0 0 0 415 0;} /* Style Definitions */ p.MsoNormal, li.MsoNormal, div.MsoNormal {mso-style-parent:""; margin:0in; margin-bottom:.0001pt; mso-pagination:widow-orphan; font-size:12.0pt; font-family:Verdana; mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-weight:bold;} p {mso-margin-top-alt:auto; margin-right:0in; mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto; margin-left:0in; mso-pagination:widow-orphan; font-size:12.0pt; font-family:"Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman";} @page Section1 {size:8.5in 11.0in; margin:1.0in 1.25in 1.0in 1.25in; mso-header-margin:.5in; mso-footer-margin:.5in; mso-paper-source:0;} div.Section1 {page:Section1;} --> </style><!--[if gte mso 10]> <style> /* Style Definitions */ table.MsoNormalTable {mso-style-name:"Table Normal"; mso-tstyle-rowband-size:0; mso-tstyle-colband-size:0; mso-style-noshow:yes; mso-style-parent:""; mso-padding-alt:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; mso-para-margin:0in; mso-para-margin-bottom:.0001pt; mso-pagination:widow-orphan; font-size:10.0pt; font-family:"Times New Roman"; mso-ansi-language:#0400; mso-fareast-language:#0400; mso-bidi-language:#0400;} </style> <![endif]--> </p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right: -0.75in;">The nation is in a state of mourning.</p> <p class="MsoNormal">The shock-waves that stunned the country for 62 excruciating hours are now thawing into tearful farewells and heartrending wails, making us all aware, with every passing minute, of the terrible times we are living in and the juvenile sense of security we take to our beds every night.</p> <p class="MsoNormal">Like in any great crisis, this one too has had its heroes – people who couldn’t care less about their own lives while saving others’. Some of them are being consigned to the flames as I write. Yet, before the fire in their pyres are out there will be legitimate queries from various quarters questioning the longevity of our outrage, the durability of this ire. And it is my personal belief that these people are not entirely wrong in suspecting our ability as a nation, as a polity and as a people to redress with a vengeance when wronged. History shows that we have always been a nation of the “<i style="">Chalta hain” </i>sluggards when it comes to prompt thinking and prompter action.</p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right: -0.75in;">We bypass what is difficult; we overlook what is inconvenient.
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<br /></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in -0.75in 0.0001pt;"><o:p> </o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal">The Sunday Hindustan Times had Vir Sanghvi in his<a style="color: rgb(51, 204, 255);" href="http://www.hindustantimes.com/Redir.aspx?ID=3485ae61-5e2d-439f-90f2-e3137f5de38e&SectionName=HomePage"> <span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 153);">Counterpoint column </span></a>noting:</p><p class="MsoNormal">
<br /></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in -0.75in 0.0001pt;"><o:p> </o:p></p> <p style="margin: 5pt 27pt 5pt 0.5in;"><span style=";font-family:Verdana;font-size:14;" >“Consider the <st1:country-region st="on"><st1:place st="on">US</st1:place></st1:country-region>. Nobody blamed George Bush for 9/11. And for all his faults he was able to ensure that there would be no terrorist attack for the next eight years. Or think of <st1:country-region st="on"><st1:place st="on">England</st1:place></st1:country-region>. The country was shocked by the 7/7 bombings. But politicians assured people that there would be no repeat and indeed, there’s been nothing since. Think of <st1:country-region st="on"><st1:place st="on">Indonesia</st1:place></st1:country-region>. The <st1:place st="on">Bali</st1:place> bombing has not been followed by any terrorist attack on that scale. <o:p></o:p></span></p> <p><span style=";font-family:Verdana;font-size:14;" >I can think of only three countries where terrorism reigns unchecked: <st1:country-region st="on">Afghanistan</st1:country-region>, <st1:country-region st="on">Pakistan</st1:country-region> and <st1:place st="on"><st1:country-region st="on">India</st1:country-region></st1:place>.”</span></p><p>
<br /><span style=";font-family:Verdana;font-size:14;" ><o:p></o:p></span></p> <p><span style=";font-family:Verdana;font-size:14;" ><o:p> </o:p></span></p> <p><span style="font-family:Verdana;">Just think of the other two countries in the same bracket and you will get the picture. Over the years we have become a generous recipient of terrorism exported by our neighbors (Pakistan being our ‘Most Favored Nation’ in trade is a valid excuse, maybe), an endless sink for all the toxic spawned in ‘their’ backyards and our tirelessness in this department still doesn’t seem to be remotely disturbed. If we are playing our “war of attrition” card here, I doubt if we are winning, in any possible way.</span></p><p>
<br /><span style="font-family:Verdana;"><o:p></o:p></span></p> <p style="margin-left: -0.5in;"><span style="font-family:Verdana;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p> <p><span style="font-family:Verdana;">No one denies that given a chance our politicians would never tire of milking the terror cow dry. Be it terror of any “genre” – Hindu, Muslim, separatist, revolutionary and they cannot wait to throw their hats in. Add to this scene few well-timed elections and you get the entire circus running full-steam, not ahead by an inch but in circles.</span></p><p>
<br /><span style="font-family:Verdana;"><o:p></o:p></span></p> <p style="margin-right: 0.25in;"><span style="font-family:Verdana;">The Media also plays its part well in the greater scheme of things. Some news channels, in their rush to grab the TRPs, did not even pay heed to a Home Ministry advisory while televising the Mumbai Siege “LIVE”. Perhaps their intuition had told them that <span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 153);">t</span><a style="color: rgb(0, 0, 153);" href="http://www.rediff.com/news/2008/nov/30mumterror-patil-sends-resignation-to-pm.htm">he minister himself would need advisories on post-retirement pension schemes soon</a>. But they ended up spreading the terror for the terrorists in their wake and that didn’t help the cause in anyway. Talking of media personalities, it is better if I don’t write at length my recent disillusionment regarding some of them. People who are supposed to have transformed the news-watching habits of the entire nation by their “fire-brand, no-nonsense brand of journalism” were seen thrusting mikes at the faces of dazed victims grappling with their new found lives after a horrid ordeal. And all that for “How do you feel?” .Stray bullets come at a premium too, it seems. All the respect which I had for their sensitivity to human trauma and their courage to fight for lost causes had instantly vanished.
<br /></span></p><p style="margin-right: 0.25in;">
<br /><span style="font-family:Verdana;"><o:p></o:p></span></p> <p><span style="font-family:Verdana;">“ Give a big man a great job and see how small he can be ” – I remember to have read somewhere.</span></p><p>
<br /><span style="font-family:Verdana;"><o:p></o:p></span></p> <p style="margin-left: -0.5in;"><span style="font-family:Verdana;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p> <p><span style="font-family:Verdana;">The Big Question then is - If TERRORISM could ever have a perceivable end any time in the foreseeable future?<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p><span style="font-family:Verdana;">If “yes”, How?</span></p><p>
<br /><span style="font-family:Verdana;"><a href="http://www.rediff.com/news/2008/nov/30mumterror-govt-tosetup-federal-investigation-agency.htm"><o:p></o:p></a></span></p> <p><span style="font-family:Verdana;"><a style="color: rgb(0, 0, 153);" href="http://www.rediff.com/news/2008/nov/30mumterror-govt-tosetup-federal-investigation-agency.htm">A Fed</a><a style="color: rgb(0, 0, 153);" href="http://www.rediff.com/news/2008/nov/30mumterror-govt-tosetup-federal-investigation-agency.htm">eral Agency</a> to counter terror can only be effective if it is kept isolated from the ever evolving political dynamics in our country or else it will end up getting mired in filing scams and disproportionate assets – an abiding legacy of our ministers. Also, in the first place, the installation of such an agency would require amendment of the Constitution which enlists Law and Order as a State responsibility. If this agency is to focus all its resources in handling terrorist activities it would need much teeth and meddling in its affairs would only negate the initial enthusiasm and rarify its real purpose. Tackling this new brand of urban terrorism will need extensive intelligence networking and enforcement of stricter laws. A few people at the top should be made accountable for the actions of the Agency.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p><span style="font-family:Verdana;">The promise that this much-touted Agency holds, even in its days of inception, is immense and so will be the ignominy if it fails. But, we would want ‘the powers that be’ to do anything to try and avoid another 26<sup>th</sup> November as we have just had.<span style=""> </span><span style="">
<br /></span></span></p><p><span style="font-family:Verdana;"><span style="">
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<br /></span></span></p><p><span style="font-family:Verdana;"><span style="">Links" rediff.com, hindustantimes.com </span><o:p></o:p></span></p> <p style="margin-left: -0.75in;"><span style=";font-family:Verdana;font-size:14;" ><o:p> </o:p></span></p> <p><span style=";font-family:Verdana;font-size:14;" ><o:p> </o:p></span></p> <p><span style=";font-family:Verdana;font-size:14;" ><span style=""> </span><o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in -0.75in 0.0001pt;"><o:p> </o:p></p> <p></p>
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<br />Unknownnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28423710.post-54265506770691127202008-11-27T13:49:00.008+05:302008-11-27T21:53:05.374+05:30Terror's Happy Hunting Ground<div>We, bloggers, write mostly when the dust has settled and the blood has dried on the sleeves. <br /></div><div>The news-channels go into their habitual mode of manic over-drive to televise "breaking news" of blood being spilled and flesh being ripped "while they actually happen".</div><div>Our leaders call for "restraint" in "such times of crisis".</div><div>Police officials promise "prompt action" and "return to order".</div><div>Conflicting claims owning responsibility for the strikes surface.</div><div>And we rue the sorry state of our country while warming the sofas of our bedaubed drawing-rooms, letting out that occasional sigh of resigned helplessness over a cup of luke-warm tea before moving onto some other channel with brighter things on offer. </div><div>Days pass and we forget.</div><div>And that is precisely the most terrible curse that an overpopulated nation like ours face</div><div> - <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold;">The Curse of Collective Forgetfulness</span>. And the value of human life becomes gradually more trivialised. </div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div>While <a href="http://specials.rediff.com/news/2008/nov/27sld1-terror-hits-heart-of-mumbai.htm"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 102);">Mumbai turns into a veritable battlefield</span></a> and people all over the nation are left wondering "where next?" a grotesque spectacle of terrorism unfolds before our very eyes.<br /></div><div><br /></div><div>No more RDX, no more detonations from a distance. Their war has now decidedly come down to "hand to hand combat". But, how can "terror" gain visibility if only the security forces are engaged. How can it strike fear and further its "noble cause" if the corpses don't pile up on the streets. No act of terror is complete without few innocents getting slaughtered, and so we have the count pegged at 100 and till reports last came in <a href="http://www.rediff.com/news/2008/nov/27mumterror-40-bodies-recovered-from-taj.htm"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 102);">they were still counting</span></a>. This time the casualties have nothing in common between them. Some were <a href="http://www.rediff.com/news/2008/nov/26-update-terror-in-mumbai.htm"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 102);">inside plush hotels</span></a>, some on roads earning their daily wages, some in taxis and some waiting on railway platforms. The purveyors of death have made their disregard for social strata apparent with their bloody statement. </div><div>" No class. No mercy. "</div><div>And we have taken note.</div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div>As <a href="http://www.rediff.com/news/2008/nov/27-indias-best-commandos-fight-terrorists.htm"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 102);">NSG commandos</span></a> storm their posts, bringing them down one by one, and defense analysts join the political bandwagon in dissecting their <a href="http://specials.rediff.com/news/2008/nov/27sld01-landmarks-hits-mumbai.htm"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 102);">'modus operandi'</span></a> and 'objectives', it is time that we, as a nation wake up to the realization that its about time that our leaders put "petty politics" behind them to avenge this resounding slap on the face of our continued policy of tolerance. It does not matter if "they" were Hindus or Muslims, <a href="http://www.rediff.com/news/2008/nov/27deccan-mujahideen-claims-responsibility.htm"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 102);">Deccan Mujahideens </span></a>or Kashmiri Fidayeens; it does not matter if there was the usual <a href="http://www.rediff.com/news/2008/nov/27mumterror-mumbai-attackers-may-be-pakistanis.htm"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 102);">"foreign hand"</span></a> behind these attacks or something entirely indigenously orchestrated. Fire can only be fought with fire and there are no two ways about it.</div><div>Too many lives have been lost already and someone must sound the bugle now. If not, popular outrage might soon consume the last vestiges of whatever is considered 'civil' in our society and a protracted reign of violent vigilantism might soon ensue. Unlike the political and military posturing in the wake of the '2001 Parliament Attack' concrete action is the call of the hour. An <a href="http://www.rediff.com/news/2008/nov/27sheela-advani-to-visit-mumbai-with-pm.htm"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 102);">Advani or a Gandhi visiting the blast-sites </span></a>when the muzzles have all gone cold is not good enough now. If they want to send a message to the millions that they need not panic in their homes, that must show in their work, not words. It is needless to say that every Indian city now awaits its turn in <a href="http://www.rediff.com/news/2008/nov/27mumterror-fidayeen-attack-completes-terror-cycle.htm"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 102);">the terror turn-table </span></a>with bated breath, that every ordinary citizen now stations himself in a crowded market-place relying more on faith than the <a href="http://www.rediff.com/news/2008/nov/27mumterror-lashkar-hand-behind-mumbai-attacks-ib.htm"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 102);">"IB information"</span></a> that is always over-looked before the blasts and <a href="http://www.rediff.com/news/2008/nov/27mum-antony-warned-of-maritime-terror-in-2007.htm"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 102);">highlighted only after they occur unhindered</span></a>. I admit that it is very convenient to play the blame-game sitting in the comfort of one's study, reading news-portals and venting righteous ire but these are only cultured reflections of the emotions of an exasperated majority, who, if given a chance, would put it with much more vehemence and scorn. </div><div><br /></div><div>It will be inappropriate right now to speculate on the possible political stances that might emerge in the coming days, ones which might already be underway in the corridors of power, but any more "politicising of terror" at the expense of innocent lives and we will have a "bigger, graver situation" on our hands. Soon.</div><div>Then, mere 'storming the gates' might not be of much help.</div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div>links: rediff.com</div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28423710.post-13572249021250556692008-11-25T11:00:00.004+05:302008-11-25T12:29:19.504+05:30Almost thereThings are getting from bad to worse now as <a href="http://www.rediff.com/news/2008/nov/24mba-students-kidnap-boy-to-cover-losses-in-stocks.htm">MBA students look towards innovative self-employment programs </a>which apparently do not enjoy the sanction of law. It is tragic that the very people who got into B-Schools till last year in the hope of landing <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: italic;">phoren</span> jobs with astronomical salaries are now contributing their bit to the meteoric crime-rate in the capital. Given the catastrophic consequences of the global financial meltdown the situation could swiftly spiral into a bigger social crisis. <div><br /></div><div>Take for instance the plight of the thousands of recruited yet un-'called' for engineers in the country. If even a fraction of them decide to unite under the formidable leadership of some of these management <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: italic;">gurus </span>the law and order situation can crumble within days. And given the ineffectiveness of our police laid bare by the Naxalites and the Mao-ists, they could soon establish a 'Free Economy' - where all educated criminals move scot-free, wielding their degrees as gate-passes to high-office. The days of "<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: italic;">matric-fail"</span> MPs and MLAs are numbered! A society where unemployed engineers and unscrupulous managers run the show - Mr. Murthy's dream of building a 'Meritocracy' is here for real. </div><div><br /></div><div>But one has to be extra cautious in times of great change. Before you know there might be a call for united action against our 'meritocracy' in the UN. One can guess how swiftly they would act against a legitimate-order given that they are still undecided on their response to the dangerous Somali pirates. US drones might soon hover over our IITs and IIMs in search of WMDs ( Well Managed Departments) and unlike in the past, here they won't be disappointed. In this regard the ISI angle to the kidnapping cannot be overlooked. After all, this could be just a 'diversionary tactic' to shield their men in Waziristan. Man, don't these people have foresight! </div><div><br /></div><div>Till our millions in employment deep-freeze shrug off their collective indolence in favour of a thriving meritocracy ( in which I would be too glad to be the Minister of Misinformation and Typecasting) I think it will be a good idea if I start to work on penning my memoirs ( a documentary of these troubling times of recession and inflation and everything else) the title of which I have long wanted to be <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: italic;">"Liquidity in Times of Cholera".</span></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div>link: rediff.com</div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /><div><br /></div></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28423710.post-48291405655954067862008-11-22T21:49:00.005+05:302009-01-09T14:56:16.725+05:30Oh! What Relief!<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_GpOdfUXPQ90/SSg97Xv_ZXI/AAAAAAAAAYk/HkyrhJQDU9A/s1600-h/PMW_zardari_wideweb__470x335,0.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 285px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_GpOdfUXPQ90/SSg97Xv_ZXI/AAAAAAAAAYk/HkyrhJQDU9A/s400/PMW_zardari_wideweb__470x335,0.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5271531454034044274" border="0" /></a><br />Now that the Pakistani playboy turned President has given us his word of assurance that- "<span style="font-style: italic; font-weight: bold;">India wont be nuked first"</span> [link <a href="http://www.rediff.com/news/2008/nov/22pakistan-wont-nuke-india-first-zardari.htm">here</a>] we can all go to our beds a lot relaxed it seems.<br /><br />One gathers that he addressed the Hindustan Times Leadership Summit via a satellite link. Couldn't they have thought of Mr. Obama joining in too ? The whole hi-tech teleconferencing thing would have suited his stature much better. Or was he too busy constituting his economic advisory board and thus decided to leave the Summit briefing to his "trusted ally" in Pakistan on his behalf?<br /><br />Talking on use of nuclear-weapons Mr. Zardari said, <span style="font-style: italic;"><span class="f12">"We do not hope to even get to that position when we have to use." </span></span><span><span class="f12">Use what, Sir ? Euphemisms or bombs ?<br /><br />Rediff.com says :<br /><br /></span></span><span style="font-style: italic;"><span class="f12">Seeking to reach out to people across the border, he recalled his late wife Benazir Bhutto's lines -- "There is little of Indian in every Pakistani and a little of Pakistani in every Indian</span></span>"<br /><br />- Reeks of <span style="font-style: italic;">bhaaicharaa</span>, one may say, but, I doubt if the thought of replacing Indians with Americans did not cross his mind while meeting one Mrs Sarah Palin a few weeks back.<br /><br /><br /><span style="font-style: italic;"><span class="f12">Remembering his late wife, he said: "Spiritually, I feel her to be around all the time".</span></span><br /><br />- Well, we now know what kept him restricted to just a hand-shake instead of the ambitious "hug"<span style="font-style: italic;"> then</span>. A 'spiritual' snub would have been something of an embarassment, I am sure.<br /><br />The affable President also seemed to have talked of something of a "hands-off" policy regarding the ongoing Kashmir Elections now that all the passes in the valley are blocked to terror-export due to heavy snow-fall. And I am waiting for our media to laud this significant "thaw" in relations tomorrow morning. "We all are waiting for a <span style="font-style: italic;">thaw</span>", Mr. Zardari must be thinking smugly.<br /><br />Commenting on the present economic crisis, Zardari seems to have mooted the idea of building an "economic block" with India vis a vis the European Union.<br /><br />- That makes us curious of what he is smoking these days - Subsidised marijuana from his Taliban neighbours ? Or opium imported from the neighbouring noodle-land ?<br />Also a relevant question in this regard would be - If and when this "economic block" pipe-dream sediments into something of a cobbled reality would it be enough if the usual "5%" is handed down to him ? Or has inflation had its effect on <span style="font-style: italic;">it</span> too ?<br /><br /><br /><br />link: rediff.com<br /><br />photo: theage.comUnknownnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28423710.post-50783062031991342612008-11-10T10:50:00.011+05:302008-11-11T11:37:47.474+05:30Adios, Prince!<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_GpOdfUXPQ90/SRfzNTmyGSI/AAAAAAAAAYU/WkrHXUtjXkw/s1600-h/Saurav+Ganguly+back.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 389px; height: 400px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_GpOdfUXPQ90/SRfzNTmyGSI/AAAAAAAAAYU/WkrHXUtjXkw/s400/Saurav+Ganguly+back.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5266945699159873826" border="0" /></a><br />" <span style="font-style: italic;">To have started with a flourish </span> <span style="font-style: italic;"> <br /> and ended with a nought<br /> - A prince in his own parish<br /> None tell him what he ought......... </span>"<br /><br /><br />But in the end it all fits well into the fascinating collage that was <span>the script of</span><span style="font-weight: bold;"> Sourav Ganguly's</span> cricketing career.<br /><br /><br />Twelve eventful years at the highest level of the sport and to bid adieu in the security of the knowledge that you won't be forgotten, ever, speaks of the man's feats for itself. Die-hard fans and detractors alike would have found it an honour to stand up in ovation as he climbed the stairs after his last stint on the crease. And every bit of applause that he got on this day was as deserved as the fate that met with the balls that pitched outside his off-stump. Not as murderous as the Jayasuriyas of his time, nor as wristy as the Anwars in full flow, he would cajole and caress the ball with his gift of supreme timing, all the while donning an expression of lordly dismissiveness. The man whose middle name could be 'Arrogance' when on a cricket field, he undeniably ushered in the new generation of "give it your all" cricketers whose success so determines the team's fortunes today. Be it the fierce stroke play of Yuvraj, the mercurial maverick of Harbhajan or the searching seam-play of Zaheer - the fact that <span style="font-style: italic;">Dada</span> blooded these stars of today and backed them in times of crisis explains why he enjoys the respect he gets in the dressing-room. And amidst all that 'backing' and 'pushing' of new talent there was never a whiff of regionalism or 'lobbying' that the Azhar-Dungarpur era had so firmly established.<br /><br /><br />As a batsman, Sourav Ganguly figures in the list of One-Day Greats with ease any given day, the Tests not an apt reflection of his class though. At a time when Sachin was down in the dumps and Dravid was still to improve before he could mould himself to suit the shorter version of the game Sourav became the main-stay of the Indian batting order. Who can forget that innings he played in the win against Pakistan in the final of the Bangladesh Independence Cup in Dhaka. The entire nation was out on the roads celebrating the victory. And it was just the start.<br /><br /><br />As a Captain he is still to be matched, not only by the sheer number of trophies that he has claimed for the country but also because he stood out as a motivational leader of men who transformed a pack of 'mere hopefuls' into ruthless gladiators who would fight till the end. He infused the "killer instinct" into a team that Ravi Shashtri, during his commentaries, would often say it lacked. India now looked certain of a win when in the driver's seat and the millions of supporters knew in their hearts that the man wearing the shades, manning the slips, would not leave it to fate alone when it came to the grind. Instead he would make it work. He would switch bowlers, bring in fielders, bark out orders till something gave, till something 'happened'. In short, eight years before the world even knew of Obama, Sourav made us, Indians, believe that <span style="font-weight: bold;">"We Can!"</span> As a result we ended up beating most teams before being beaten by the best team in the world in the finals of the 2003 World Cup - a campaign which seemed doomed from the beginning itself but epic in its own right because of 'the turn-around' mid-tournament. During Sourav's tenure India started scripting victories rather than merely winning matches just because one of the two teams had to win. With a string of victories, both at home and abroad, that too at close intervals the team had firmly established its position of being 'Challengers' to Aussie dominance. Over were the days when a fan had to look back to the times of the Wadekars and the Vishwanaths to find a solitary victory on foreign soil. This was a new outfit. A squad which huddled and ganged, bullied and battered the opposition. Finally, we had a team which made a nation proud by exuding controlled aggression backed with adequate skill. The prayers seemed at last answered.<br /><br />It is good that Dhoni seems to have inherited that same vein of aggressive leadership from Sourav. Though much more reserved on-field, he seems heartwarmingly effective with his decisions. It seems the reins are in good hands from here in time.<br /><br /><br />But all was not this rosy throughout. The purple patches soon turned into expanses of run-drought and the touch was all gone for Sourav. Balls outside his off-stump which would spear their way through the outfield following a swift command off the willow would now take innocuous nicks and nestle into the waiting hands of jubilant slip-fielders. Innings after innings would be reduced to joking speculations on 'which stump's turn it was today to be rattled' and the familiar arrogance was soon out-of-place. The Chappels were vocal, vile and to a degree villainous.<br />-<span style="font-style: italic;"> " There are 10 players and Sourav Ganguly in the Indian team",</span> the elder one said and the Prince of Kolkata was grounded, courtesy- the younger one. Fans in Boycott and Gower could offer little explanation for his prolonged "poor run". His time had come, all agreed.<br />He was dropped from the squad amid erratic cries of 'injustice', that a hero was being forced to make such an inglorious exit.<br /><br /><br />But taking what is dished out to him with servile submissiveness was so not agreeable to Sourav's princely demeanor.<br /><br />He gave a fitting reply to his critics in the domestic circuit, eased into the test-team and scored runs in a fashion reminiscent of his prime. For a man who was time and again criticised for complacency he proved that he had what it takes to climb up from the ruins. His scores cried, "Its far from over". Instead, he showed how its only him who reserved the right to decide when to bow out, and on which terms.<br /><br /><br />Today when he walks into the sunset of his career he will deserve every accolade, every applause and every decoration that is due to him.<br /><br />Like a true Hero that he is, I believe he will just savour the moment and hold that wry smile that grace faces which know the taste of a triumph from a victory.<br /><br /><br />Adios, Prince.<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br />photo: googleimagesUnknownnoreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28423710.post-54013581689576350982008-11-08T22:27:00.006+05:302008-11-10T14:21:18.599+05:30The Man Who Will Be King<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_GpOdfUXPQ90/SRXFRPuX36I/AAAAAAAAAYM/f8kR03IstQE/s1600-h/barack-obama-bw.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 337px; height: 400px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_GpOdfUXPQ90/SRXFRPuX36I/AAAAAAAAAYM/f8kR03IstQE/s400/barack-obama-bw.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5266332239349145506" border="0" /></a><br />............ and lift US from the dumps.<br /><br />Barack Hussein Obama is now to take on the mantle of 'The Most Difficult Job' in the world and deliver the goods for the millions who see him as their talismanic messiah, their knight in shining armour. He faces the herculean task of resurrecting the global image of the United States which reached new lows during the war-mongering Bush regime. But before that he needs to put his house in order. That means a bail-out plan for the economy that is unprecedented in history, going by its sheer bulk and consequence.<br /><br />But if he is half as effective as his oratory suggests he is our man for the job.<br /><br />And he is already a legend.<br /><br />"Hurray!" to that "Change".<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br />photo: googleimagesUnknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28423710.post-90746796989860895862008-11-05T22:39:00.011+05:302008-11-05T23:45:42.915+05:30Of Heidi Klum and Hedious Garbs<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_GpOdfUXPQ90/SRHerLA1moI/AAAAAAAAAYE/z3MnEIC-fAI/s1600-h/heidiklumkali.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer; width: 210px; height: 170px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_GpOdfUXPQ90/SRHerLA1moI/AAAAAAAAAYE/z3MnEIC-fAI/s400/heidiklumkali.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5265234272644864642" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br />Heidi Klum decides to dress up as Kali for Halloween. [link <a href="http://www.aol.in/hollywood-story/klum-faces-flak-from-hindus/2008110400339026000004">here</a>]<br /><br />[images showing Klum in Kali's disguise to the right and her utter contempt for all 'black beings' below.( Not by any co-incidence, she is married to a Nigerian-born British soul singer, <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Henry_Samuel">Seal</a>. Reaffirms my 'contempt' point.)]<br /><br />And we still are to hear from our Togadias and Thackeray's on this.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_GpOdfUXPQ90/SRHdv54volI/AAAAAAAAAXs/nzx6Tj6ZoNU/s1600-h/2207b.gif"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 247px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_GpOdfUXPQ90/SRHdv54volI/AAAAAAAAAXs/nzx6Tj6ZoNU/s400/2207b.gif" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5265233254435234386" border="0" /></a><br />What a howling shame!<br /><br />Where are all these people when we need them the most ? The saffron and the orthodox, the right-wing and the fanatics. When irreverent <span style="font-style: italic;">firangs</span> go about plastering their philistine disregard for the most cherished of our deities the <span style="font-style: italic;">tilak</span> adorned task-force decides to hold up their <span style="font-style: italic;">trishuls, </span>protesting the advent of the 'enemy within'<span style="font-style: italic;"> </span> or busy themselves beating up fellow countrymen appearing for public exams. Petty!<br /><br /><br />Worse, if they are to be found in this hour of great religious crisis distributing sweets to celebrate Obama's victory - The man who had nothing on his agenda regarding 'The Desecration of Hindu Gods & Godesses' and how to counter such an atheist outbreak. How so very short-sighted!<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_GpOdfUXPQ90/SRHeYPpEu2I/AAAAAAAAAX8/653WZOvotNg/s1600-h/holy-kum.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer; width: 322px; height: 400px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_GpOdfUXPQ90/SRHeYPpEu2I/AAAAAAAAAX8/653WZOvotNg/s400/holy-kum.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5265233947469855586" border="0" /></a><br /><br />A few months ago there was very little noise over Lord Ganesha adorning the covers on toilet-seats and before that Lord Shiva spray-painted on sandals in the Wayward West.<br /><br /><br />If this is not reason enough to spring into action, what are they waiting for ?<br /><br />- The launch of brands '<span style="font-style: italic;">Saraswati's Secrets'</span> and<span style="font-style: italic;"> 'Janki</span>', perhaps.<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br />images: ndtv.com, modelstalker.comUnknownnoreply@blogger.com4