This one little incident, like many other little ones got me thinking as well. Life is so much about perceptions than anything else - and if you can fight your adverse perceptions and manage to dream beautifully life can be an amazing journey.
Here's the little funny incident that got my imagination running:
The best looking couple at the Dulles airport(Washington DC).. were Brother & Sister! and that gorgeous blond was not American.. she was an Israeli.. and of all the things in the world, she liked 'Baingan ka bharta' (mashed roasted eggplant!?).
She possessed good sense of humor was evident when she talked, as the fact that she was extremely sensitive - and that was something so much against my perception. And before I had talked to her, I was pretty sure she would be anything but what she turned out to be. She was able to mold a conversation in to something funny and interesting which otherwise would have ended up in to being something racial. She was able to take the conversation to a point wherein everyone around forgot the fear of the shaky-flight and actually got interested in to what we were talking. It helped everyone (and my new Friend - Gaurav, probably benefited the most) since that weather-marred flight in that kite like little aircraft was turning out to be the nightmare of my life.
You know, you are bound to imagine things when a gorgeous looking blond - instead of looking in to the eyes of hunk sitting next to him - is looking all scattered. But well, if you can perceive better things if only you give yourself a chance. I so wanted to talk to this girl, and when we finally broke in to a conversation - all I was thinking was, this girl is a hell of a woman. A keen listener and she sounded like appreciative of most things around. She was not just a Blond!
And, I must thank Gaurav for initiating that conversation - out of his shaky-flight-phobiac uttering!
Friday, December 31, 2010
Jaipur, How to go about site seeing.. (My Expert Advice)
My foremost advice is not to get in to the Auto-Rickshaw-Site seeing Trap! Just avoid it. My second advice is that if you are an Avid photographer, spend at least 2-3 days there. The three forts Amer, Jaigarh & Nahargarh are worth a day and half between them. As a photographer do not hush your journey upwards towards the top of the hill and do not be eager to see the palace. Instead, walk slowly and explore the view and enjoy it.
To explore the City, you must walk around - and to do that you should map out your walking path. If you go by car, I would suggest parking your car near the Albert Hall museum and walk towards the Pink City. If you are going to use public transport, get an Auto from outside your hotel and ask him to drop you at Albert hall museum. Do not listen to Autowala if they ask you to visit any handloom/handicraft shops, if you do that you will be wasting your precious time. You can buy that stuff from anywhere in Jaipur anyways.
Once at the Albert hall museum, you may want to check the stuff in museum if you are a first-time. I don't find it exciting anymore. I would rather start my walk towards the Pink City, City Palace & Hawa Mahal etc. straight away.
Thursday, December 30, 2010
Gurgaon - the Migrant town & My other theories
Gurgaon is a Mess today, and that might just be an understatement. The Government dis-owned it for over a decade, handed it over to the private builders. And what the greedy private builders have done to the city is no breaking-news. Adding more misery to this, are the hordes of Migrants from other cities - who show no ownership towards this place, no sense of attachment. I am one of them, lived most part of my life in better organized Faridabad. However, I have learnt to be faithful to even the places that I visit and therefore I am a lot more faithful to this city though I have lived the shortest part of my life here.
Over the last Decade and a half, most of the residential and commercial spaces have been developed by the private builders. But have they done any better than the HUDA? The answer is a clear NO! In fact because of their profiteering motives, they have ended up cramping the living spaces. The city meant for not more than 5 Lakh population, is now shelter to almost 25 Lakhs and still growing.
What adds more misery to the already pathetic situation is the fact that more than half of the population is Migrant and comes from various cities of Punjab, UP, Rajasthan, Haryana, Bihar, other states and Delhi. Since this population does not belong to Gurgaon and Gurgaon is just a short term plan in their life-span, they hardly bother to raise issues. Once this large chunk of population starts showing ownership to this city, they will probably start looking at things other than the Malls and Pubs.
The mess of Gurgaon is a collaborative achievment, a great private-public effort! The private builders ensured that they carve out maximum possible 'Inventory' out of the available land and leave no open green spaces to let the inhabitants breathe fresh air. The public departments, so far governed by the people with rural mindsets and regressive mindset - ensured that they take not notice of the haphazard development. Happy that the private-babus were gifting them their share of the booty, they did not notice that the entire town was being developed without approved building plans and without sewerage lines.
Off late, the mess has finally forced the hitherto happy-go-lucky Mall-mongers to think what actually they have got themselves into. Yes, so far it's a mess.
To be contd.
Over the last Decade and a half, most of the residential and commercial spaces have been developed by the private builders. But have they done any better than the HUDA? The answer is a clear NO! In fact because of their profiteering motives, they have ended up cramping the living spaces. The city meant for not more than 5 Lakh population, is now shelter to almost 25 Lakhs and still growing.
What adds more misery to the already pathetic situation is the fact that more than half of the population is Migrant and comes from various cities of Punjab, UP, Rajasthan, Haryana, Bihar, other states and Delhi. Since this population does not belong to Gurgaon and Gurgaon is just a short term plan in their life-span, they hardly bother to raise issues. Once this large chunk of population starts showing ownership to this city, they will probably start looking at things other than the Malls and Pubs.
The mess of Gurgaon is a collaborative achievment, a great private-public effort! The private builders ensured that they carve out maximum possible 'Inventory' out of the available land and leave no open green spaces to let the inhabitants breathe fresh air. The public departments, so far governed by the people with rural mindsets and regressive mindset - ensured that they take not notice of the haphazard development. Happy that the private-babus were gifting them their share of the booty, they did not notice that the entire town was being developed without approved building plans and without sewerage lines.
Off late, the mess has finally forced the hitherto happy-go-lucky Mall-mongers to think what actually they have got themselves into. Yes, so far it's a mess.
To be contd.
Wednesday, December 29, 2010
Social Networking
A facebook page for Gurgaon Traffic police, Delhi Traffic Police and Municipal Corporation of Delhi too has now joined in. I have never seen a better phase or face of social networking.
Everyday Tens of users are posting pictures of vehicles violating traffic norms and the administrators of the fb page (officers of Delhi Traffic Police) diligently look in to these photographic complaints and penalize the erring culprits.
Following a cue from Delhi Traffic Police, Gurgaon Traffic Police too has come up with a facebook page that is being used to prosecute the erring drivers on the Gurgaon roads. A young man laced with a diploma in cyber crime is managing the show. The page is really helpful and has lot of information about the traffic rules and the changes required to make the traffic smoother.
MCD - Municipal corporation of Delhi is the latest to join this bandwagon and people are pouring in with their suggestions.
I have always been a believer of the thought that 'Talking' is the only way you can end of 'doing' things. Once you talk about problems you can expect solutions, when you never talk about a problem and start living with it - you can never ever have a solution.
I can see that a change is ushering in... 2011 can be the year of cyber-resurrection of the falling and failing systems.
Saturday, August 28, 2010
Once Upon a Time.. In Mumbai
I was on a bollywood trip this month. Aisha, Peepli live, Lafangey Parindey, Once upon a time in Mumbai.. It was quite a bollywood feast. And the flick with Conscientious Criminal (Devgan), Steel Strong Cop (Hooda), Confused Youngster (Hashmi), witty dialogues and sensational background score.. wins hands down.
Yeah Once upon a time in Mumbai!!! was the entertainment of the month. With all the ingredients in the right quantity - The Criminals, Cops, Youth, Poverty, Slums, Bollywood Molls, Good Music, Witty dialogues and enthralling background score. Go for it..!!
The three actors playing the 3 protagonists fit so well in their characters, it's a sheer delight. I have never been so glued to a movie for a long time, and the thrilling background music surely helps.
The dialogues so witty, I have not heard anything like these in years. Be it Ajay Devgan, Imran Hashmi or Randeep Hooda - the three of them have got a good share of crisp dialogues and have delivered them well. In fact Randeep Hooda impressed for the first time... For record purposes, I remember Milan Luthra's first flick - Kachey Dhaagey, it was superb on the run film. He has not disappointed with this one.
However, seeing the character that Ajay Devgan plays in this film - I wonder if the Dons can be ethical, what stops the corporates from fulfilling their Social Responsibility?
Yeah Once upon a time in Mumbai!!! was the entertainment of the month. With all the ingredients in the right quantity - The Criminals, Cops, Youth, Poverty, Slums, Bollywood Molls, Good Music, Witty dialogues and enthralling background score. Go for it..!!
The three actors playing the 3 protagonists fit so well in their characters, it's a sheer delight. I have never been so glued to a movie for a long time, and the thrilling background music surely helps.
The dialogues so witty, I have not heard anything like these in years. Be it Ajay Devgan, Imran Hashmi or Randeep Hooda - the three of them have got a good share of crisp dialogues and have delivered them well. In fact Randeep Hooda impressed for the first time... For record purposes, I remember Milan Luthra's first flick - Kachey Dhaagey, it was superb on the run film. He has not disappointed with this one.
However, seeing the character that Ajay Devgan plays in this film - I wonder if the Dons can be ethical, what stops the corporates from fulfilling their Social Responsibility?
Tuesday, August 10, 2010
CWG incites thoughts..
A random FB message regardign the CWG spend initiated this discussion on development..
Somebody Posted: "I will start forgery in my tax files onwards, if govt. will not stop spendin ma tax money in stupid games. Govt wasting nearly 60,000 Cr on CWG'10 in India where 42Cr ppls dont evng get two times bred butter properly .. What shame.."
Me - That's so right said friend.. but events like CWG also creates Job Opportunities and makes economy go round... BUT the PROBLEM is few corrupt contractors.. they need to be PUNISHED. You & I need not stop paying taxes... else this city becomes a bigger mess..
Me - You know what, a frail guy from Orissa who I had interviewed few months back.. had rattled me with his answer, when I had asked "what's wrong with your Govt.?".. He answered - it's not the Govt., it's us - the people of Orissa who are not m...oving towards the right direction of growth. So I would say, while people like you, I and few others .. talk about things that matter for development.. there are several thousands who don't even want to talk.. and There are very few who selflessly do..
The bottom line is - promote the right thoughts & slowly work in the right direction.. we might just achieve what we dream.. Promote, Promote, Promote.. the Right Thought. If we do that, the develoment Ideas will also start selling like Coca-Cola & the I-Phones..
Bottom line is.. our thoughts become our actions over a period of time. So, let's not stop thinking good and let's not stop talking good. As we do this & as we promote the ideas of growth and development - we will find buyers for the same and we will have many thinking and talking.. what needs to be.
On a Lighter Note - I think Aamir should donate all the Cost+ Collections to some cause... because nobody would have gone to cinemas for this movie if he had not produced it... but then I think he already had adopted a village during Lagan, so maybe it's time he buys a bunglow the size SRK has ;-) lol
Somebody Posted: "I will start forgery in my tax files onwards, if govt. will not stop spendin ma tax money in stupid games. Govt wasting nearly 60,000 Cr on CWG'10 in India where 42Cr ppls dont evng get two times bred butter properly .. What shame.."
Me - That's so right said friend.. but events like CWG also creates Job Opportunities and makes economy go round... BUT the PROBLEM is few corrupt contractors.. they need to be PUNISHED. You & I need not stop paying taxes... else this city becomes a bigger mess..
Me - You know what, a frail guy from Orissa who I had interviewed few months back.. had rattled me with his answer, when I had asked "what's wrong with your Govt.?".. He answered - it's not the Govt., it's us - the people of Orissa who are not m...oving towards the right direction of growth. So I would say, while people like you, I and few others .. talk about things that matter for development.. there are several thousands who don't even want to talk.. and There are very few who selflessly do..
The bottom line is - promote the right thoughts & slowly work in the right direction.. we might just achieve what we dream.. Promote, Promote, Promote.. the Right Thought. If we do that, the develoment Ideas will also start selling like Coca-Cola & the I-Phones..
Bottom line is.. our thoughts become our actions over a period of time. So, let's not stop thinking good and let's not stop talking good. As we do this & as we promote the ideas of growth and development - we will find buyers for the same and we will have many thinking and talking.. what needs to be.
On a Lighter Note - I think Aamir should donate all the Cost+ Collections to some cause... because nobody would have gone to cinemas for this movie if he had not produced it... but then I think he already had adopted a village during Lagan, so maybe it's time he buys a bunglow the size SRK has ;-) lol
Sunday, August 08, 2010
Aisha.. Aka Emma!
Aisha is claimed by the film's producers to be inspired by the Jane Austen Classic Emma. Here's my little take on the film..
Ms. Kapoor (Sonam Kapoor - I struggled to recollect her name for hours & avoided going on goofle) excelled as a shallow delhite bimbo in Aisha. She was really good & played her character with seemingly a lot of conviction. And she was successful in making the character loveable and loathful at the same time. Abhay (Deol) played another lovable character in Aisha and adds another good performance to his already quite a remarkable list. When it's Abhay, you can trust the film to have a good script. Another plus for the movie is that most lead characters acted quite well. Overall, though the film was a good one time watch.. and quite enjoyable - the fallacy of the film is The Happy Ending & Trying find a match for all the key characters..!! In the end it all seemed like a FIXED MATCH.. and it looked like a typical bollywood. Infact the ending was quite artificial, while most of the film was relatively effervescent. Liked it but it did not turn out to be as effervescent as I had thought.
And the latest is that "...'Aisha' grosses Rs 260 mn over weekend":
http://entertainment.in.msn.com/bollywood/article.aspx?cp-documentid=4251160
Ms. Kapoor (Sonam Kapoor - I struggled to recollect her name for hours & avoided going on goofle) excelled as a shallow delhite bimbo in Aisha. She was really good & played her character with seemingly a lot of conviction. And she was successful in making the character loveable and loathful at the same time. Abhay (Deol) played another lovable character in Aisha and adds another good performance to his already quite a remarkable list. When it's Abhay, you can trust the film to have a good script. Another plus for the movie is that most lead characters acted quite well. Overall, though the film was a good one time watch.. and quite enjoyable - the fallacy of the film is The Happy Ending & Trying find a match for all the key characters..!! In the end it all seemed like a FIXED MATCH.. and it looked like a typical bollywood. Infact the ending was quite artificial, while most of the film was relatively effervescent. Liked it but it did not turn out to be as effervescent as I had thought.
And the latest is that "...'Aisha' grosses Rs 260 mn over weekend":
http://entertainment.in.msn.com/bollywood/article.aspx?cp-documentid=4251160
Wednesday, August 04, 2010
Seabiscuit and the Discipline of the West/America..
This write up is all about - A dialogue from 'Seabiscuit' and my interpretation of the same & the ensuing dialogue between me & two of my friends.
Here's the Dialogue & my Interpretation:
"Red's Dad: There you go.
Red's Mom: You're not getting him a horse.
Red's Dad: Why not? He's great at it.
Mom: Because he's 16 years old.
Dad: So?
Mom: So... he should earn it."
I am not sure if this discipline is part of every family in America. But if it is, I would call it discipline only.. this is the discipline that makes Americans Independent.. I at no Cost would call it 'cold blood' like many do, because it's a part of Parenting wherein you are making your child understand the value of money & hardships in life.
And Americans, like many other developed nations exhibit this discipline in various walks of their life. That's why they are the 'Developed' nations.. they are disciplined enough to stick to the rules, goals and plans.
And below are the comments that followed:
Sheema K.H.: Americans are not cold ,they are very pragmatic in their approach to life. The most valuable lesson in a person's life can be that of financial independence.and they start teaching this very early to their children.
Bonny L.S.:Exactly.. I appreciate your apt understanding of their systems & values.. though these differ from person to person like anywhere else.. but basically they are more disciplined.. and imbibe the same in their off-springs.
Amit C.: I just know one thing....they show in the movies..what the society should be like.. ...not what it is. They long for those values which are certainly not there at present. If you see more of the American houses, they are junkyard for new ga...dgets and new machines..in retro! see the huge beeline for new gadgets ...they are not always earned by kids..but rather provided by parents.. America is not developed nation because they are disciplined ..but because they have to pay a high price if they are ill-disciplined. I am sure, if you have to pay that price you will 'whine and Rant" all Indians do.... And Talking about Financial Independence. 80% Americans live on Credits and that's what is important for agencies to be rating them..and that's how 'light-bridge" (Credit Monitoring Autonomous Agency) Guide their Credit Ratings..Americans doesn't teach financial independence to their kids.The US. National System takes care of it. I can only say that - Americans doesn't give values (Finance Independence)..to their kids..in those harsh conditions you have to earn it for your survival. The only last suggestion - "REMOVE COTTON BALLS FROM YOUR EYES".
Bonny L.S.: Well.. they say.. there are 3 sides to every story - your, mine & the Truth. While your opinion would hold good for few, mine holds good for few.. and it's up to us how we interpret our things. I agree partly with your opinion Amit.
Sheema K.H.: America's economic policies have been under a lot of flak especially after 2008 recession hit the market .U.S Government bails their companies and citizens out of debt and bankcruptcies becoz it CARES !!!
And i would still stick to the po...int that they teach their children economic independence ,very few r born with a silver spoon in their mouth in u.s.There are so many young successful entrepreneurs around here,making their mark becoz they were taught to take risks, be independent and create their own destiny.They dont grow up with a sense of entitlement like children in india do . And yes American society is a consumerist society but I think india is not that far behind in that area too.
Here's the Dialogue & my Interpretation:
"Red's Dad: There you go.
Red's Mom: You're not getting him a horse.
Red's Dad: Why not? He's great at it.
Mom: Because he's 16 years old.
Dad: So?
Mom: So... he should earn it."
I am not sure if this discipline is part of every family in America. But if it is, I would call it discipline only.. this is the discipline that makes Americans Independent.. I at no Cost would call it 'cold blood' like many do, because it's a part of Parenting wherein you are making your child understand the value of money & hardships in life.
And Americans, like many other developed nations exhibit this discipline in various walks of their life. That's why they are the 'Developed' nations.. they are disciplined enough to stick to the rules, goals and plans.
And below are the comments that followed:
Sheema K.H.: Americans are not cold ,they are very pragmatic in their approach to life. The most valuable lesson in a person's life can be that of financial independence.and they start teaching this very early to their children.
Bonny L.S.:Exactly.. I appreciate your apt understanding of their systems & values.. though these differ from person to person like anywhere else.. but basically they are more disciplined.. and imbibe the same in their off-springs.
Amit C.: I just know one thing....they show in the movies..what the society should be like.. ...not what it is. They long for those values which are certainly not there at present. If you see more of the American houses, they are junkyard for new ga...dgets and new machines..in retro! see the huge beeline for new gadgets ...they are not always earned by kids..but rather provided by parents.. America is not developed nation because they are disciplined ..but because they have to pay a high price if they are ill-disciplined. I am sure, if you have to pay that price you will 'whine and Rant" all Indians do.... And Talking about Financial Independence. 80% Americans live on Credits and that's what is important for agencies to be rating them..and that's how 'light-bridge" (Credit Monitoring Autonomous Agency) Guide their Credit Ratings..Americans doesn't teach financial independence to their kids.The US. National System takes care of it. I can only say that - Americans doesn't give values (Finance Independence)..to their kids..in those harsh conditions you have to earn it for your survival. The only last suggestion - "REMOVE COTTON BALLS FROM YOUR EYES".
Bonny L.S.: Well.. they say.. there are 3 sides to every story - your, mine & the Truth. While your opinion would hold good for few, mine holds good for few.. and it's up to us how we interpret our things. I agree partly with your opinion Amit.
Sheema K.H.: America's economic policies have been under a lot of flak especially after 2008 recession hit the market .U.S Government bails their companies and citizens out of debt and bankcruptcies becoz it CARES !!!
And i would still stick to the po...int that they teach their children economic independence ,very few r born with a silver spoon in their mouth in u.s.There are so many young successful entrepreneurs around here,making their mark becoz they were taught to take risks, be independent and create their own destiny.They dont grow up with a sense of entitlement like children in india do . And yes American society is a consumerist society but I think india is not that far behind in that area too.
The Change Maker - Aamir Khan, Peepli Live & More
Heard that Amol Palekar was upset with the kind of HYPE that Aamir Khan managed for his 'Peepli Live', I guess Amol needs to understand that if Aamir or he himself won't hype their good work.. then the 100 Crore Indians would only know about flicks like 'Om Shanti OM'. As a result of Amol Palekar not being able to generate enough hype for his good project, I don't even know it's name.
Wish people understand that this world is all about Marketing and the good products just like the bad ones need to be marketed. And if marketing can help generating curiosity and enthusiasm for a product - the real value of the product will help it carry on and sustain on its own.
While I say all that, I would also like to mention how greatly I respect Aamir Khan for being a Change Maker in Indian Cinema and thus the Indian Society too.
Aamir indeed is a 'Change Maker', from lambasting Media (Filmfare awards) for distributing 'Fixed' awards to Providing some of the Best Cinema to Indians so far.. he's on the Track and being LOVED by MEDIA as well.. Proves IF you are a MAN of your words, you will be respected by your detractors as well..
Peepli Live Trailer: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KbHEH89zQCw&NR=1
Dispite his Sarcastic Take on Media, I am sure the Media is going to appreciate it. But they are selling on TV just what the Masses want probably...!!
Part2.
=======
Adding more after I have seen the film. One thing I would say at the outset is "Only Aamir could have done it".
There is nothing in the film that you don't know already. The contrast of 25% of Confused India Vs 75% of Poor India, In fact the developing India can be counted on fingers.. 4 Metros + 4 Other cities and rest is nowhere near developing.
The Stupid journos & TRP hungry TV Channels.. you know all that but what can you do about it? Stop Watching it!? Well, most people already don't. In fact I am back to newspapers ever since the 'Shouting Journalism' surfaced.
The END was probably 'the statement' - that the writer - wanted to make.. the Poor Farmer ends up as a Labour at one of construction sites.. where else.. but in Gurgaon!!!
The only thing new about Peepli Live is the Tremendous Publicity that Aamir has generated for such an offbeat stuff.. & it was a Courageous attempt by the stubborn actor who respects neither Indian Media nor their award functions but they still run
after him because He Sells.. and probably he touches their hearts.. and they actually want him to change the whole thing that they want to but can not!
I still remember when I went for first day first show of Lagaan about 10 years back.. the cinema was 75% empty.. and the collections picked up only by the coming week.. but then Aamir was not considered the 'genius' that he is now.. and Now he can have the audis full even for an offbeat flick like 'Peepli live' which he doesn't even act in and is only producing!!!.. Carry on the Change Maker.
On a lighter note - I think Aamir should donate all the Cost+ Collections to some 'cause' because nobody would have gone to cinemas for this movie if he had not produced it... but then I think he already had adopted a village during Lagan.. maybe it's time he buys a bunglow the size SRK has ;-) lol
Part 3
======
July 2011, Delhi Belly has hit the Indians. Some are loving it, some are loathing it. Some have been able to understand the camouflaged Dark-humour, some thought it was a stupd story of Smugglers & Young Boys.
I think it is a turn of the century Bold Bollywood Kitsch with dark-undertones that only somebody as intelligent & bold as Aamir Khan could make. Not everyone is going to like it, not everyone is going to understand it. There are going to be those simpletons who think things like these do not happen, or things like these should not be shown on screen for the sake for Morality. Well, guys you've been warned by the producer well in advance.
If Peepli Live was a Bold interpretation of the Rural Mess, Delhi Belly is a creative interpretation of the Urban Kitsch that many of the Indian Metros are with their confused Moral Ethos.
Wish people understand that this world is all about Marketing and the good products just like the bad ones need to be marketed. And if marketing can help generating curiosity and enthusiasm for a product - the real value of the product will help it carry on and sustain on its own.
While I say all that, I would also like to mention how greatly I respect Aamir Khan for being a Change Maker in Indian Cinema and thus the Indian Society too.
Aamir indeed is a 'Change Maker', from lambasting Media (Filmfare awards) for distributing 'Fixed' awards to Providing some of the Best Cinema to Indians so far.. he's on the Track and being LOVED by MEDIA as well.. Proves IF you are a MAN of your words, you will be respected by your detractors as well..
Peepli Live Trailer: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KbHEH89zQCw&NR=1
Dispite his Sarcastic Take on Media, I am sure the Media is going to appreciate it. But they are selling on TV just what the Masses want probably...!!
Part2.
=======
Adding more after I have seen the film. One thing I would say at the outset is "Only Aamir could have done it".
There is nothing in the film that you don't know already. The contrast of 25% of Confused India Vs 75% of Poor India, In fact the developing India can be counted on fingers.. 4 Metros + 4 Other cities and rest is nowhere near developing.
The Stupid journos & TRP hungry TV Channels.. you know all that but what can you do about it? Stop Watching it!? Well, most people already don't. In fact I am back to newspapers ever since the 'Shouting Journalism' surfaced.
The END was probably 'the statement' - that the writer - wanted to make.. the Poor Farmer ends up as a Labour at one of construction sites.. where else.. but in Gurgaon!!!
The only thing new about Peepli Live is the Tremendous Publicity that Aamir has generated for such an offbeat stuff.. & it was a Courageous attempt by the stubborn actor who respects neither Indian Media nor their award functions but they still run
after him because He Sells.. and probably he touches their hearts.. and they actually want him to change the whole thing that they want to but can not!
I still remember when I went for first day first show of Lagaan about 10 years back.. the cinema was 75% empty.. and the collections picked up only by the coming week.. but then Aamir was not considered the 'genius' that he is now.. and Now he can have the audis full even for an offbeat flick like 'Peepli live' which he doesn't even act in and is only producing!!!.. Carry on the Change Maker.
On a lighter note - I think Aamir should donate all the Cost+ Collections to some 'cause' because nobody would have gone to cinemas for this movie if he had not produced it... but then I think he already had adopted a village during Lagan.. maybe it's time he buys a bunglow the size SRK has ;-) lol
Part 3
======
July 2011, Delhi Belly has hit the Indians. Some are loving it, some are loathing it. Some have been able to understand the camouflaged Dark-humour, some thought it was a stupd story of Smugglers & Young Boys.
I think it is a turn of the century Bold Bollywood Kitsch with dark-undertones that only somebody as intelligent & bold as Aamir Khan could make. Not everyone is going to like it, not everyone is going to understand it. There are going to be those simpletons who think things like these do not happen, or things like these should not be shown on screen for the sake for Morality. Well, guys you've been warned by the producer well in advance.
If Peepli Live was a Bold interpretation of the Rural Mess, Delhi Belly is a creative interpretation of the Urban Kitsch that many of the Indian Metros are with their confused Moral Ethos.
Sunday, July 11, 2010
ATM Cards can't buy all good things in life..
ATM Cards can't buy all good things in life.. and today was one of those days!
The Day I did not have even 8 Rs in My Pocket to buy a BHUTTA from the roadside.. July 11, 2010 ... not even in d dashboard of my car.. not a single 10 Rs Note.. I searched everywhere.. how embarassing!!!!! I got to be careful.. and keep my mind in place.. n money too :) ATM cards certainly don't work for all Good Things in Life.. I surely realize.
The Day I did not have even 8 Rs in My Pocket to buy a BHUTTA from the roadside.. July 11, 2010 ... not even in d dashboard of my car.. not a single 10 Rs Note.. I searched everywhere.. how embarassing!!!!! I got to be careful.. and keep my mind in place.. n money too :) ATM cards certainly don't work for all Good Things in Life.. I surely realize.
Saturday, July 10, 2010
Fools Rush In.. Where Angels fear to tread..
Being a cynic & a critic, I was always fascinated with this phrase.. and it was part of a romantic song by Bryan Adams as well, one of my favorite songs infact. Whenever I would see people blindly running in a rat race, doing things because everybody else was doing those and making foolish mistakes I would just go back to this phrase and wondered at times how this originated.. Here's the Story (And I have attached the link, for more inquisitive minds):
Meaning : The rash or inexperienced will attempt things that wiser people are more cautious of.
Origin
'Fool' is now a more derogatory insult than it was when this proverb was coined, in the early 18th century. At that time a fool wasn't a simpleton, lacking in intelligence, simply someone who had behaved foolishly.
Fools rush in'Fools rush in...' has a precise derivation, in that it is a quotation from the English poet Alexander Pope's An essay on criticism, 1709(Quoting only the relevant para):
...." No Place so Sacred from such Fops is barr'd,
Nor is Paul's Church more safe than Paul's Church-yard:
Nay, fly to Altars; there they'll talk you dead;
For Fools rush in where Angels fear to tread."
The 'fools' that Pope targetted there were the literary critics of the day.
The line has been taken up by a string of notable writers since:
- Thomas Hardy, in The Woodlanders, 1887:
"He felt shy of entering Grace's presence as her reconstituted lover - before definite information as to her future state was forthcoming; it seemed too nearly like the act of those who rush in where angels fear to tread."
Meaning : The rash or inexperienced will attempt things that wiser people are more cautious of.
Origin
'Fool' is now a more derogatory insult than it was when this proverb was coined, in the early 18th century. At that time a fool wasn't a simpleton, lacking in intelligence, simply someone who had behaved foolishly.
Fools rush in'Fools rush in...' has a precise derivation, in that it is a quotation from the English poet Alexander Pope's An essay on criticism, 1709(Quoting only the relevant para):
...." No Place so Sacred from such Fops is barr'd,
Nor is Paul's Church more safe than Paul's Church-yard:
Nay, fly to Altars; there they'll talk you dead;
For Fools rush in where Angels fear to tread."
The 'fools' that Pope targetted there were the literary critics of the day.
The line has been taken up by a string of notable writers since:
- Thomas Hardy, in The Woodlanders, 1887:
"He felt shy of entering Grace's presence as her reconstituted lover - before definite information as to her future state was forthcoming; it seemed too nearly like the act of those who rush in where angels fear to tread."
Stupid Specie of Humans 'Indians' :) .. Mindless Blabbering
Stupid Specie of Humans 'Indians' :) .. Mindless Blabbering.
When a sane friend of mine requested to take off the blasphemous comments on Indian Masses (Well there are no Classes, whatever exists on this part of earth is a rotten specie of humans.. all of them just MASSES), I thought of transferring them here:
1. They.. They won't pay taxes.. but Drive their fat cars on pot-holes.. and for the damaged axels and damaged everything else pay to the Garage owner MORE than what they would have paid to the Govt.!!! Pay Taxes Folks.. and drive on good roads ;-)
2. They.. they won't pay taxes and let the local govt. build good Educational Infrastructure and Great Universities and Colleges.. but They.. they will send their kids to far off places to study.. and spend 10 times more for a similar education nearby.. if only they had paid the Taxes! Indians.. Stupid Indians!!! :) .. The Masses are to be blamed.. not the Govt.!!
3. They.. they have made a mess of a b'ful land-mass called India. The Humans.. the specie called INDIANS. :)
When a sane friend of mine requested to take off the blasphemous comments on Indian Masses (Well there are no Classes, whatever exists on this part of earth is a rotten specie of humans.. all of them just MASSES), I thought of transferring them here:
1. They.. They won't pay taxes.. but Drive their fat cars on pot-holes.. and for the damaged axels and damaged everything else pay to the Garage owner MORE than what they would have paid to the Govt.!!! Pay Taxes Folks.. and drive on good roads ;-)
2. They.. they won't pay taxes and let the local govt. build good Educational Infrastructure and Great Universities and Colleges.. but They.. they will send their kids to far off places to study.. and spend 10 times more for a similar education nearby.. if only they had paid the Taxes! Indians.. Stupid Indians!!! :) .. The Masses are to be blamed.. not the Govt.!!
3. They.. they have made a mess of a b'ful land-mass called India. The Humans.. the specie called INDIANS. :)
Random Rambling of the Bumbling mind..
Just thought of Archiving the random FB status that I wrote but couldn't update, as it was too big:
Years of efforts, piles of books, equations, numbers, theories.. and then life.. the People.. the work.. years of struggle.. Numb Humans, dumb humans, Intelligent ones, Wasted ones, Egoistic ones, Jealous, Over Zealous, Ambitious, Ambiguous, confused.., few loving and understanding.. and those occasional Humble ones!!!... few good friends.. and their good wishes, the wishes that mean a world.. and then that occasional success.. that piecemeal success.. but that little success is so sweet.. it should be sweet.. it has to be!!!!... I yearn for it, i'll earn it always.. and I'll find it sweet always..!!!
Years of efforts, piles of books, equations, numbers, theories.. and then life.. the People.. the work.. years of struggle.. Numb Humans, dumb humans, Intelligent ones, Wasted ones, Egoistic ones, Jealous, Over Zealous, Ambitious, Ambiguous, confused.., few loving and understanding.. and those occasional Humble ones!!!... few good friends.. and their good wishes, the wishes that mean a world.. and then that occasional success.. that piecemeal success.. but that little success is so sweet.. it should be sweet.. it has to be!!!!... I yearn for it, i'll earn it always.. and I'll find it sweet always..!!!
40 Minutes: Most memorable meetings.. and some Duds
Found GP to be an amazingly intellectual & compassionate guy. Though some people wittingly contributed the chemistry to uncanny resemblance in our appearances.. but the reason was there were two people with great amount of passion for surroundings meeting and trying to discuss every thing up in an hour!!.. We discussed work, we discussed India, US and UK. And, we discussed the cultures, the families, the warmth in people in India and every where else, exchanged experiences and subtly admired each other's point of view.
I talked about my work as passionately I could or may be just about near to it.. though I was not at my best .. I am certainly capable of even more intense conversation about work, however I was Glad that the person at the other end was amazing understanding, appreciative and could comprehend the things in correct perspective.
The best part was that he was enjoying the rain that he was seeing out of window & he enjoyed whatever he saw from Hotel to the Office.. I hardly do.. So I put him in the correct perspective by telling that.. all that you saw needs a lot of improvement..
Humor was an inherent part of this extremely serious discussion about work.. and that's where I admire people who have it.
I would rate this as one of my best Meetings Ever.
I surely remember a few other meetings which made me learn so many things
- The one with Flex Industries CEO about 7 years back, I dun't remember the name of the Old Man
- One with a CEO called ATAM PAUL about 13 years back. Back then it was a learning working on complicated spreadsheet formulas on his miniature laptop.. unfortunately I said NO to his offering. Though he had offered the job dispite myself being not able to perform the spreadsheet calculations that he wanted. I wanted to focus on my studies.
- One at a forgettable Organization that I left as soon as I joined. But the South Indian Finance AVP was impressed that a North Indian had demonstrated some brains.
- One with the WNS team, the Video Conference Interview was one of my most exciting ones. I just happened to have all the answers to their questions and left them no choice.
- With my Current Organization Central Hiring Team, when I told the HR manager that I would not work at a place more than 15 minutes drive from my place he said " I like your approach, I will call you when I have an Opening in Gurgaon" and after 3 months he called me up and said "would you like to work"?
My simplest Interview was with E-funds, the Smoking Chimney of an HR called me only one question after having a look at my resume "Do you really want to work in this Role?"
My worst interview was at EXL about 9 years back, the Lady Interviewing me was just too beautiful!! ;-)
I talked about my work as passionately I could or may be just about near to it.. though I was not at my best .. I am certainly capable of even more intense conversation about work, however I was Glad that the person at the other end was amazing understanding, appreciative and could comprehend the things in correct perspective.
The best part was that he was enjoying the rain that he was seeing out of window & he enjoyed whatever he saw from Hotel to the Office.. I hardly do.. So I put him in the correct perspective by telling that.. all that you saw needs a lot of improvement..
Humor was an inherent part of this extremely serious discussion about work.. and that's where I admire people who have it.
I would rate this as one of my best Meetings Ever.
I surely remember a few other meetings which made me learn so many things
- The one with Flex Industries CEO about 7 years back, I dun't remember the name of the Old Man
- One with a CEO called ATAM PAUL about 13 years back. Back then it was a learning working on complicated spreadsheet formulas on his miniature laptop.. unfortunately I said NO to his offering. Though he had offered the job dispite myself being not able to perform the spreadsheet calculations that he wanted. I wanted to focus on my studies.
- One at a forgettable Organization that I left as soon as I joined. But the South Indian Finance AVP was impressed that a North Indian had demonstrated some brains.
- One with the WNS team, the Video Conference Interview was one of my most exciting ones. I just happened to have all the answers to their questions and left them no choice.
- With my Current Organization Central Hiring Team, when I told the HR manager that I would not work at a place more than 15 minutes drive from my place he said " I like your approach, I will call you when I have an Opening in Gurgaon" and after 3 months he called me up and said "would you like to work"?
My simplest Interview was with E-funds, the Smoking Chimney of an HR called me only one question after having a look at my resume "Do you really want to work in this Role?"
My worst interview was at EXL about 9 years back, the Lady Interviewing me was just too beautiful!! ;-)
Saturday, June 19, 2010
I found happiness.. !!!!!!
I found happiness.. god sent it to me.. it was not football.. not Africa.. it was singing shaking Shakira!!! & the Meditation Chant goes like - Waka Waka eh eh!!! Come join me in my happiness.. make it yours!!! LOL
Trust me, rarely do you come across songs that can make you cheerful and this one is a perfect exaple.. it just makes you feel good. Here are a few words:
"You're a good soldier
Choosing your battles
Pick yourself up
And dust yourself off
And back in the saddle"
Might not be the greatest of the poetry, but if you listen carefully enough it's quite inspiring and makes you dance at the same time. And you know what? Only Shakira could do this probly ;-)
Trust me, rarely do you come across songs that can make you cheerful and this one is a perfect exaple.. it just makes you feel good. Here are a few words:
"You're a good soldier
Choosing your battles
Pick yourself up
And dust yourself off
And back in the saddle"
Might not be the greatest of the poetry, but if you listen carefully enough it's quite inspiring and makes you dance at the same time. And you know what? Only Shakira could do this probly ;-)
Friday, June 11, 2010
Miles to go before I sleep..
Whose woods these are I think I know.
His house is in the village, though;
He will not see me stopping here
To watch his woods fill up with snow.
My little horse must think it queer
To stop without a farmhouse near
Between the woods and frozen lake
The darkest evening of the year.
He gives his harness bells a shake
To ask if there's some mistake.
The only other sound's the sweep
Of easy wind and downy flake.
The woods are lovely, dark and deep,
But I have promises to keep,
And miles to go before I sleep,
And miles to go before I sleep.
His house is in the village, though;
He will not see me stopping here
To watch his woods fill up with snow.
My little horse must think it queer
To stop without a farmhouse near
Between the woods and frozen lake
The darkest evening of the year.
He gives his harness bells a shake
To ask if there's some mistake.
The only other sound's the sweep
Of easy wind and downy flake.
The woods are lovely, dark and deep,
But I have promises to keep,
And miles to go before I sleep,
And miles to go before I sleep.
Thursday, June 10, 2010
Discovering Rahul Bose..
Rahul Bose, I always liked his as an Actor for the few films that I had seen. Thakshak, Shaurya & Pyar ke side effects are the ones I can quickly recollect. However, when you go through his entire portfolio of work you can find that he has worked on a good number of amzing stories from human life.
The other day I was reading the stories of all his work and found Antaheen, Kalpurush and The Japanese Wife quite intriguing. I could even relate to the simplistic characters that he portrayed in these films. Here is the entire list & you can click on the link for more:
1994 English, August
1995 A Mouthful of Sky
1996 Bomgay The Lefty
1998 Bombay Boys
1999 Split Wide Open
Thakshak
2001 Everybody Says I'm Fine!
2002 Mr. and Mrs. Iyer
2003 Jhankaar Beats
Ek Din 24 Ghante
Mumbai Matinee
Chameli
2004 White Noise
2005 The Fall
Scrum in the Mud
Silsilay
15 Park Avenue
Ctrl+Alt+Del
2006 Anuranan
Pyaar Ke Side Effects
The Other Side of Bollywood
2007 Chain Kulii Ki Main Kulii
2008 Before the Rains
Shaurya
Maan Gaye Mughal-e-Azam
Dil Kabaddi
Tahaan
Kaalpurush
2009 Antaheen
The Whisperers
2010 Fired Joy Mittal
Mumbai Chakachak
Ghost Ghost Na Raha
I Am Jay
The Japanese Wife
Kuch Love Jaisa
Bits and Pieces
Click and Marry
2011 Africa
Antaheen is in Bengali, I am looking for a Hindi or English Dubbing. If anyone finds a copy please do let me know the source.
The other day I was reading the stories of all his work and found Antaheen, Kalpurush and The Japanese Wife quite intriguing. I could even relate to the simplistic characters that he portrayed in these films. Here is the entire list & you can click on the link for more:
1994 English, August
1995 A Mouthful of Sky
1996 Bomgay The Lefty
1998 Bombay Boys
1999 Split Wide Open
Thakshak
2001 Everybody Says I'm Fine!
2002 Mr. and Mrs. Iyer
2003 Jhankaar Beats
Ek Din 24 Ghante
Mumbai Matinee
Chameli
2004 White Noise
2005 The Fall
Scrum in the Mud
Silsilay
15 Park Avenue
Ctrl+Alt+Del
2006 Anuranan
Pyaar Ke Side Effects
The Other Side of Bollywood
2007 Chain Kulii Ki Main Kulii
2008 Before the Rains
Shaurya
Maan Gaye Mughal-e-Azam
Dil Kabaddi
Tahaan
Kaalpurush
2009 Antaheen
The Whisperers
2010 Fired Joy Mittal
Mumbai Chakachak
Ghost Ghost Na Raha
I Am Jay
The Japanese Wife
Kuch Love Jaisa
Bits and Pieces
Click and Marry
2011 Africa
Antaheen is in Bengali, I am looking for a Hindi or English Dubbing. If anyone finds a copy please do let me know the source.
Farming.. Farmlands.. and dreams!
Was searching details of the kind of farming that can be done in Rajasthan & found interesting things like Emu Farming & Various Other things that I was actually looking for.
Found this blog interesting & whatever is being done by them is inspiring. A few lines from their about me:
"In 1992 having finally opted out of the corporate world, we now live on our 40-acre farm at the very edge of the Thar Desert in Alwar District of Rajasthan. Our major involvement is with a sustainable form of rural development."
Form more you may click on the link.
Found this blog interesting & whatever is being done by them is inspiring. A few lines from their about me:
"In 1992 having finally opted out of the corporate world, we now live on our 40-acre farm at the very edge of the Thar Desert in Alwar District of Rajasthan. Our major involvement is with a sustainable form of rural development."
Form more you may click on the link.
Friday, April 09, 2010
Please Listen..
When I ask you to listen to me
and you start giving me advice,
you have not done what I asked.
When I ask you to listen to me
and you begin to tell me why I shouldn't feel that way,
you are trampling on my feelings.
When I ask you to listen to me
and you feel you have to do something
to solve my problem,
you have failed me, strange as that may seem.
Listen!
All I ask is that you listen.
Don't talk or do - just hear me.
Advice is cheap - 20 cents will get you both
Dear Abby and Billy Graham in the same newspaper.
And I can do for myself; I am not helpless.
Maybe discouraged and faltering, but not helpless.
When you do something for me that I can
and need to do for myself,
you contribute to my fear and inadequacy.
But when you accept as a simple fact
that I feel what I feel, no matter how irrational,
then I can stop trying to convince you
and get about this business of understanding
what's behind this irrational feeling.
And when that's clear, the answers are obvious
and I don't need advice.
Irrational feelings make sense
when we understand what's behind them.
Perhaps that's why prayer works - sometimes -
for some people, because God is mute.
and he doesn't give advice or try to fix things.
God just listens and lets you work it out for yourself.
So please listen, and just hear me.
And if you want to talk,
wait a minute for your turn,
and I will listen to you.
and you start giving me advice,
you have not done what I asked.
When I ask you to listen to me
and you begin to tell me why I shouldn't feel that way,
you are trampling on my feelings.
When I ask you to listen to me
and you feel you have to do something
to solve my problem,
you have failed me, strange as that may seem.
Listen!
All I ask is that you listen.
Don't talk or do - just hear me.
Advice is cheap - 20 cents will get you both
Dear Abby and Billy Graham in the same newspaper.
And I can do for myself; I am not helpless.
Maybe discouraged and faltering, but not helpless.
When you do something for me that I can
and need to do for myself,
you contribute to my fear and inadequacy.
But when you accept as a simple fact
that I feel what I feel, no matter how irrational,
then I can stop trying to convince you
and get about this business of understanding
what's behind this irrational feeling.
And when that's clear, the answers are obvious
and I don't need advice.
Irrational feelings make sense
when we understand what's behind them.
Perhaps that's why prayer works - sometimes -
for some people, because God is mute.
and he doesn't give advice or try to fix things.
God just listens and lets you work it out for yourself.
So please listen, and just hear me.
And if you want to talk,
wait a minute for your turn,
and I will listen to you.
A Credo For My Relationships With Others - Dr. Thomas Gordon
A Credo For My Relationships With Others
Dr. Thomas Gordon
You and I are in a relationship, which I value and want to keep. Yet each of us is a separate person with unique needs and the right to meet those needs.
When you are having problems meeting your needs I will listen with genuine acceptance so as to facilitate your finding your own solutions instead of depending on mine. I also will respect your right to choose your own beliefs and develop your own values, different though they may be from mine.
However, when your behavior interferes with what I must do to get my own needs met, I will tell you openly and honestly how your behavior affects me, trusting that you respect my needs and feelings enough to try to change the behavior that is unacceptable to me. Also, whenever some behavior of mine is unacceptable to you, I hope you will tell me openly and honestly so I can change my behavior.
At those times when one of us cannot change to meet the other's needs, let us acknowledge that we have a conflict and commit ourselves to resolve each such conflict without either of us resorting to the use of power to win at the expense of the other's losing. I respect your needs, but I also must respect my own. So let us always strive to search for a solution that will be acceptable to both of us. Your needs will be met, and so will mine - neither will lose, both will win.
In this way, you can continue to develop as a person through satisfying your needs, and so can I. Thus, ours can be a healthy relationship in which both of us can strive to become what we are capable of being. And we can continue to relate to each other with mutual respect, love and peace.
Dr. Thomas Gordon
You and I are in a relationship, which I value and want to keep. Yet each of us is a separate person with unique needs and the right to meet those needs.
When you are having problems meeting your needs I will listen with genuine acceptance so as to facilitate your finding your own solutions instead of depending on mine. I also will respect your right to choose your own beliefs and develop your own values, different though they may be from mine.
However, when your behavior interferes with what I must do to get my own needs met, I will tell you openly and honestly how your behavior affects me, trusting that you respect my needs and feelings enough to try to change the behavior that is unacceptable to me. Also, whenever some behavior of mine is unacceptable to you, I hope you will tell me openly and honestly so I can change my behavior.
At those times when one of us cannot change to meet the other's needs, let us acknowledge that we have a conflict and commit ourselves to resolve each such conflict without either of us resorting to the use of power to win at the expense of the other's losing. I respect your needs, but I also must respect my own. So let us always strive to search for a solution that will be acceptable to both of us. Your needs will be met, and so will mine - neither will lose, both will win.
In this way, you can continue to develop as a person through satisfying your needs, and so can I. Thus, ours can be a healthy relationship in which both of us can strive to become what we are capable of being. And we can continue to relate to each other with mutual respect, love and peace.
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