Rambuna

Moved to new address!

2009-12-20T08:07:00.000-08:00

Blogging has really become a good venue to pour and share my thoughts on varoius topics/ issues with my readers!
Recently, i have changed to www.rambuna.wordpress.com

I find that to be a better interface.

look forward to see you there!

Whether we should privatize higher education?

2009-11-03T03:53:00.001-08:00

“Reliance” will enter the education sector to provide quality higher education as it emerges as the next profitable opportunity.

A range of private enterprise has already set up international schools and they are doing well. And some fly-by-night operators have entered too rather they were always there!
The state has a role to play in order to modulate this enthusiasm amongst the eligible ones so as to maximize the social cause. Let’s face it…Population and education have always been the most sought after sectors that need correction. In countries like US, UK and other developed , private enterprise have always played a role to better education standards as well to provide scholarships to the ‘worthy’ students aspiring for higher education. Of course, the scene is far better in India when compared to 20 years back. PSU banks and other institutions have started disbursing educational loans that were not available earlier.

We should allow companies to run educational institutions as well-run businesses that have transparent accounts and declare dividends. But a word of caution…entry of private funds into higher education is not a case for the state to withdraw from the sector. Rather the state should deepen their involvement and give it a different shape. Higher education is expensive, many will agree. A good part of the cost in providing higher education should be recovered from ‘realistic fees’ from the students. At the same time, it must be ensured that lack of funds does not kill the dreams of attending college by well deserving students coming from poor families. A large part of government funding should be in form of scholarships which are liberal.

Securitized loans by government undertaking banks is already happening as mentioned earlier in this passage. That is a good step taken by the PSU banks.Hence there is mix of private enterprise and modulation (read control) by the government required to uplift the standards of education in this country.

A Sublime (read uplifting) feeling…review of the movie ‘Nishabd’

2009-11-03T02:52:00.000-08:00

Recently, i saw the most talked about movie ‘Nishabd’ which I am sure was made for viewing by the special class and not the mass.

As usual, Amitabh Bachchan does complete justice to the role given to him in this film too. I can never understand why and how people fall in love and aspire to give it a name. I am quite sure that everyone is in love with ‘self’ all the time. So nobody falls in love with anyone other than themselves. All relationships are need- based...simple metaphysics. An old man of 60 years wants to be young or wants to go back to his youth and seeks a relationship with an 18 year old girl when approached by her first. So, that at least speaks of his maturity as he does not initiate. All he wants to do…is avail an opportunity to be ‘young’ again’. But, he is already married for past 27 years and his daughter is as old as this girl. Love cannot be divided (thank god!) otherwise there would be chaos as many people will keep falling in and out love all the time. The movie revolves around the feelings of a 60 year old man and is basically a narration of his experience that also serves as a 'lesson' to others who wish to live like him.

I found the movie very touching especially at the end.

With tears in his eyes, Amitabh explains how his other relations got messed up because he could not control his feelings for this girl.The movie shows finally, how the 'old man' wants to end his life because his life gets in to a state of disorder because of his unwarranted feelings.

The movie is thought provoking and refreshing.

Should we allow M F Hussain into Mumbai again?

2009-10-31T21:46:00.000-07:00

It was purely co incidental that I could get an opportunity to meet the bare footed painter of international acclaim, M F Hussain, at a restaurant I frequented often, close to K C College, near church gate. The year was 1990 when I was working with a franchising company with its regional office situated opposite K C College.

Today, since past 4 years, he is in exile in Dubai in fear of his life resultant of his infamous nude paintings which desecrated the Hindu god Saraswathi. Probably it was unintentional but the damage was done and no art gallery is willing to take the risk of displaying any of his paintings. He is afraid to step in to Mumbai, a city where he use to walk bare-footed all over. MF Hussein was born in Pandharpur, close to Nashik, but he embraced Mumbai as his home long back, nearly 8 decades back. (Hussein is 94 years old now!) He does not know or fails to acknowledge the fact that the political parties rule the aam aadmi psyche now. Opportunism and sheer competition among political class has got the city defrayed on unconstitutional practices with growing intolerance. No, it is not acceptable any longer to condone free speech or freedom of expression through paintings. What, M F Hussein? Definitely he cannot gallop in to the city on his ‘horses’!

MF Hussein came to Mumbai city as ‘absolutely very broke’ young…very young painter to paint film hoardings to earn a livelihood. Neither he believed nor did we that one day he would become so famous with his paintings on Galloping Horses. But the city embraced him just like it did with every citizen who is dropped in the ‘melting pot’ called ‘aamchi’ Mumbai now. MF Hussein should know that he has to come back (if allowed) to a city that is no longer as resilient as it was and there are many shiv sena variants of different colors and names! Even, if the congress in power at the center and the state, the least the political heavyweights can do is just sympathies with him. When they cannot display his paintings, can they give security to him?

But the 94 year old painter wants to come home to Mumbai. Can we welcome him?

My way !

2009-10-28T03:35:00.000-07:00

As I look back over the years
Traveled far and to many lands
Capsulated life, I quiver
Was I driven and if so
Tell me by what?
Was it only survival or
Was I guided by unknown hand?
What did I gain or lose?
It is long before
The final curtains will fall
But this play has already
Entertained and brought tears
As I laughed and cried
All the way…
It is now clear
That I have led my life
My way!

Met many in the journey
Did not bother to note the names
As I knew these meetings
Were only co-incidental
And only the ‘change’ was certain.
Without mentioning I was
Strong at all times, did not buckle down ever
The bachelor days were lonely
But now I realize
Each to himself and
It is a lonely path always
Why is it so unpredictable?
As if the chartered territory of life
Reveals its story moment to moment
I am glad that I could take part till now
And complete the script given
With energy, enthusiastic and confident
That I have led my life
My way

Regrets are there
But too few to mention
Relationships are definite
As it was not I alone
Though I owned is only ‘myself’
But the play had other actors too
Who carried me when needed
For they are close to me always
now and before
So, how can I forget them?
As the play enters the final phase
I am happy as never before
As if I am glad i made it till here
What else is life?
If not lived ‘positive’
Such an eventful life I did not ask
But then, can we decide what we should get?
Then, Why should I proclaim...
That I have led my life
My way

Why do we mis-interpret so often?

2009-10-27T11:21:00.000-07:00

Very often, our communication with others around us is driven by our thoughts at that moment. We actually form sentences by our interpretation of the situation as a result of our perception.

Did you ever notice that we like some people instantly just as reverse with other people? I have noticed something strange…i.e, we form opinions based on our perception of a situation. Very few are gifted with non-biased perception. They have a clear head.

Reasons for mis-interpretation:

1. Rules -ordered structure of behaviour – we form certain set ways or rules to interact with others. We interact differently with close ones/ relatives while compared with outsiders. Metaphysically these interactions are need based

2.we organise ourselves into groups – Such groups are small or large depending on the proximity of the members, requirements of the members or position of the members in the group.

3. habitual thinking - The strength of these habits, then, has a powerful positive/ negative influence in the direction of accuracy of communication.

4. What we do and say has a high level of predictability,We find that we say the same things to certain people in our lives...like between husband - wife, brothers, parents etc.

5. The capacity to adapt or adjust to others – there seems to be within us a drive to understand, a predisposition to make sense out of what others do and say.Again, these are driven by our indvidual capacity... that decide to adjust or not.

'ALL THE BEST'

2009-10-27T06:36:00.000-07:00

A Quick review of the movie ‘ALL THE BEST’ i saw today..with my son...

On the performance front, full marks can be given to Sanjay Dutt who manages to elicit laughter every time he enters the scene. And the best thing is he has stepped out of his Munnabhai image in this movie at last and yet looks distinct. For the actor who has done action roles for more than three decades, it's commendable to re-explore himself at this stage and come out with different comic tricks everytime. Interestingly, in the movie he says, "Action to main 30 saal se kar raha hu, comedy tho ab shuru ki hai". The only problem is the actor's weight because of which he's started resembling his father Late Sunil Dutt now. Need to shape up a bit! And his teeth or missing teeth ...oh! They look awful.

Ajay Devgn (his new ‘numerolgy’ spelling in his name), the producer of the movie, has become a regular at Rohit Shetty's movies (He is a close friend of Rohit Shetty in real life) He is a natural and performs every role with an effortless ease. Beside comedy, he provides some emotional-relief too. One contact scene is where Ajay realizes that the net of deceit is affecting his personal equation with Bipasha (who's playing his wife). Here, I felt objection to the ‘suggestive’ dialoques etc. Hindi movies never change as they address the uneducated mass to get box office earnings.

Bipasha Basu is new to the comedy genre. Beginners in comedy tend to overact, but Bipasha has managed to impress with her subtle comic timing. With a little more experience in the genre, the best in her can come out. But her sensuality always shadows everything she does on screen. Unfortunately she is not able to rid of that image.

Mugdha Godse doesn't get into the skin of her character. She certainly needs a tonic to boost her energy levels and acting too!

Fardeen Khan is comfortable in his comic zone and comes out with a nice performance! At times he resembles Feroz khan, his father.

Overall, the movie is a laugh-riot ( for kids) and if you want to enjoy with your child, it is absolutely not a bad idea at all! I was more happy seeing my son enjoying the comedy in the movie. And yes. It reminded me of my stay in Goa as the shooting is done in Goa primarily.

Say again…George W Bush to become a Motivational Speaker ?

2009-10-25T21:55:00.000-07:00

I was amused to read the story that Dubya (as George W Bush is fondly called) will become a motivational speaker soon and get paid for it too …after getting his country as well as his 8 year presidency clouded with two unsuccessful wars (Iraq and Afghan) and a great recession! Finally getting shoes thrown at his face but then he ‘ducked’ as always.

George W Bush is one of the six children born in his family and had his childhood and formative years spent in Midland and Houston, Texas. He went to Yale to graduate and got his business degree from Harward Business School. So what made his presidency unsuccessful? To be voted as the most Unpopular?

Well, Dubya was obsessed with security concerns for himself and his country.

Dubya likes to present himself as a straight-talking, regular guy. But that is a lie!
Definitely, Dubya was a spoilt rich kid in one of the richest families in US. He was well-known for his flamboyant days - during his adulthood, courting with President Nixon’s daughter besides drugs n alcohol abuse etc. Really a party animal! Sex, drugs and Party!

So after all this background, this guy meets Billy Graham, the Preacher and claims to be born again! He claims he has quit drinking, drugs, women (‘W’ stands for women in his name) and is now a 'true' loyal husband to wife Laura and father to twin daughters.

No doubt, he was really motivated to do all this jaaz! Now he can motivate others too!

Uh! strange ways of living and luck!

Memories do not fade away...

2009-10-24T23:11:00.000-07:00

The early childhood days
Times of innocence
Mysterious & lovable
Walking in the rain and following
The school bag with the maid
Splashing water and mud
With sweetened candy in lunch box
I look forward to
Oh! Those childhood days!
They are so vivid in my mind

Playing big brother at times
The feeling of a protector
Back to home
To play and bully other kids
Picking up a quarrel
Thus inviting neighbor
To complain about me
To my mother in vain
Climbing to the first floor
Over the grilled balconies
The diwali crackers
Were fun really
But for luck my eyes would be gone
As I bend to see what is lit
Close and involved to ignore
The obvious
Oh! Those childhood days!
They are so vivid in my mind

Traveling to new metro
Learning tamil from tutor
And those tiffins in the evenings
That mother made
With care
And those stories of jaykumar
In the school
Too good and lively
The football games in the ground
With the shoes getting torn
School days are mundane
I felt then
But everyone has to go through
As life was bound to school
I grimaced

Helping my twin when there were fights
Naturally I was stronger
‘Might had the way’ always
I felt
But that’s what I had to flaunt
I am big brother, right?
And those ‘exams’ were too many
Managed to be first class
Public speaking was a fear then
Soon got over the same
In the graduate school
New found organizing strength added
And adolescent years were
Replaced slowly
With ‘so to say’ adult likes and dislikes
Reading fiction became a passion
Ayn Rand topping them all
Idealism and perfection
Imagined and sought after

Loss of mother
Was unbearable being a momma’s boy?
Affection was sought always
Then too
The swimming was refreshing
So was the gym
Personality is important
I advised myself
Oh! Those childhood days!
They are so vivid in my mind

Consumer driven economy - Perils and dangers

2009-10-24T02:14:00.003-07:00

A consumer driven economy rests on consumer confidence, purchase behavior, availability and pricing.

If you look at the right example of consumer driven economy- the US Economy, you will realize that there is great level of confidence amongst the consumers, manufacturers, retailers and hyper markets! A conscientious consumer spends readily only when confident of a secure tomorrow, else tightens the strings bracing against wants. With a secure tomorrow (though it is provided by the credit companies in many cases) there is little hesitation to spend what you have! But what will happen when the income does not increase proportionately to increasing wants?

When there are cash flow jitters (read too many credit card payment defaulters), even the developed economies are shaken up. And that leads to fear among buyers to decide whether to buy or not? The consumer is controlling a consumer driven economy unlike market driven economies which are controlled by producers, service providers, and manufacturers. Here we could also differentiate between ‘Market pull’ mechanisms and ‘brand push’ strategies. Earlier the mechanism was to study the market and respond accordingly. But this has changed in developed countries where the approach is to ‘sense and respond’ which is nothing but bombarding the consumers with plethora of products’ information and study their behavior and respond accordingly. Hence though it is called consumer-driven it is a brand push strategy hidden so that it is not visible. The techniques could be simply ‘sales’ offer over the counters, collecting data of consumers to ascertain interests and wants regularly, With the excessive penetration of internet, mobile communication these techniques are very easily practiced.

So, what happens when the consumer drives an economy? Clearly the economy grows but so do debts or deficit budgeting. The needs are replaced by wants! This leads to growth of credit lending companies, schemes to create demands, financial tools to enable speedy recoveries and competition of banks to make available funds. Now this becomes a balloon that can expand or burst too if not properly regulated…..

How Obama could earn the Noble Peace Prize ( that he has already won)?

2009-10-15T06:59:00.000-07:00

It was a practical joke, i thought when i came to know that Obama has won Noble Peace Prize...i cross checked in various media to ascertain the truth! Yes, Obama has indeed won it!

Sometimes, I wonder whether Obama is destined to achieve greater success for himself and USA...At a very young age of 48, he not only became the President ( with just 4 years senate experience that is considered very less) but drew attention of the entire world due to his triumpant hope over inexperience. He is a good Orator and can tie down others to his words of Hope and is destined to get re-elected. The task placed in front of him could not be completed in one term, i firmly believe. Definitely, Obama will earn the credits during the course of his Presidency. He has to as there is so much faith placed on him in return to the hopes he has raised in others.

Let us look at the US Foreign Policy where he has already got some achievements. He has successfully created a worthy dialogue on Nuclear Disarmament. He does not say " You are with us or against us" like Bush said. I am sure that he knows that he has to bring about Peace in the Middle East... He has to rebuild the tarnished image of US Foreign Policy...he has to decide quickly whether US should exit Iraq or not...whether he should send additional troops to Afghanistan or not...whether he should continue or free POW in Guantanamo prison or not.

The major task is getting his country out of recession quickly..the effort should be to focus completely on this aspect. There is one good thing..about Obama. He is enthusiastic and very hopeful that he can meet the requirement! Definitely, money would not be spent on Wars as done in the past.

Obama 'brings' a team that is the same !

2009-09-24T00:03:00.000-07:00

United States of America was told that finally, after years of ‘yes men’ running the ‘BUSH’ government, they were getting a President who would follow Abraham Lincoln’s lead, fill his administration with ‘varying viewpoints’, and glean empirically sound policy from the clash of ideas. “Yes, we can! To bring the CHANGE we believe in.” … the promise was made.

But, Obama's national security team, for instance, includes not a single

Iraq

war opponent. The president has not only retained George W. Bush's defense secretary, Robert Gates, but also 150 other Bush Pentagon appointees. The only "rivalry" is between those who back increasing the already bloated defense budget by an absurd amount and those who aim to boost it by a ludicrous amount. Are you giving a choice??

Of course, that uniformity pales in comparison to the White House's economic team -- a squadron of corporate lackeys disguised as public servants.

At the top is Lawrence Summers, the director of Obama's National Economic Council. As Bill Clinton's treasury secretary in the late 1990s, Summers worked with his deputy, Tim Geithner (now Obama's treasury secretary), and Clinton aide Rahm Emanuel (now Obama's chief of staff) to champion job-killing trade deals and deregulation that Obama Commerce Secretary Judd Gregg helped shepherd through Congress as a Republican senator. Now, this pinstriped band of brothers is proposing a "cash for trash" scheme that would force the public to guarantee the financial industry's bad loans. It's another ploy "to hand taxpayer dollars to the banks through a variety of complex mechanisms," says economist Dean Baker -- and noticeably absent is anything even resembling a "rival" voice inside the White House.

That's not an oversight. From former federal officials like Robert Reich and Brooksley Born, to Nobel Prize-winning economists like Joseph Stiglitz and Paul Krugman, to business leaders like Leo Hindery, there's no shortage of qualified experts who have challenged market fundamentalism. But they have been barred from an administration focused on ideological purity. Can they not provide the CHANGE?

In Leo Hindery's case, the blacklisting was explicit. Despite this venture capitalist establishing a well-respected think tank and serving as a top economic advisor to Obama's campaign, the Politico reports that "Obama's aides appear never to have taken his bid (for an administration post) seriously." Why?

The anecdote highlights how, regardless of election hoopla, Washington is the same one-party town it always has been -- controlled not by Democrats or Republicans, but by Bureaucrats.No matter how many times their discredited theologies are stabbed, torched and shot down by verifiable failure, their careers cannot be killed. Somehow, these political immortals are allowed to mindlessly lunge forward, never answering to rivals -- even if that rival is the President himself.

Remember, while Obama said he wants to slash "billions of dollars in wasteful spending" at the Pentagon, his national security team is demanding a $40 billions increase in defense spending (evidently, the "ludicrous" faction got its way won before the competition even started) Is US in recession??

JAWS...movie that gripped me really!

2009-09-19T03:21:00.000-07:00

A stunning, still terrifying, movie, Jaws sucks three men down to the level of a perfect eating machine while keeping perspective upon their essential humanity. The scene is Amity Island, favourite holiday destination, and the time is summer, just before the 4th of July holiday. Early in the morning police chief Martin Brody (Roy Scheider) gets called out, alerted to a possible drowning. The severed arm that rests among the dunes, however, rules out this avenue of thought. In his first season on the island it's exactly the sort of horror that Brody hoped to avoid by leaving New York. Still this doesn't appear to be your typical city crime; the local pathologist rates the incident as a shark attack.
It's only under pressure from Mayor Larry Vaughn (Murray Hamilton) that this verdict gets rescinded, downgraded to a boating tragedy. As a politician and a local, Vaughn wants the beach kept open at all costs. Unfortunately when a little kid is taken, right in front of his mother, all hell breaks loose. With a bounty on the shark's head, amateur fishermen flock to Amity like hook-happy lemmings. With them comes Matt Hooper (Richard Dreyfuss), a marine biologist and shark specialist; he alone realises the size of Amity's unwelcome guest. Even the eccentric but experienced Quint (Robert Shaw) doesn't realise what he's stumbled into when he offers to reel in the beast for $10,000. Yet, through the wonder of procrastination, Brody, Hooper and Quint will all get to stare death in the face.
A directorial tour-de-force, with Jaws Steven Spielberg demonstrates an astounding knack for contrasting moments of sheer terror with natural feeling. Even when foreboding wraps your rib cage in a vice-like grip, there is room for touching scenes of beauty. Yet to concentrate on this aspect of Spielberg's talent is to jump the gun; throughout the first half of the film the central trio are barely threatened. In this long, never for one instant boring, build-up, Spielberg achieves two things. First, he makes us care for the three men about to be crammed together in a leaky tub. We care because these characters are endowed with separate, distinct pasts and feelings that touch on more than the immediate crisis. Second, throughout most of the film we barely glimpse the shark; instead our imagination has over an hour to dream up horrifying images and gross scenarios. These factors alone ensure that Jaws retains its dizzying impact decades after first light.
Despite this juggernaut momentum, that Spielberg harnesses and bends to his will, the leading trio of Dreyfuss, Scheider and Shaw resist with incredible strength. Without the slightest evidence of effort, all three dig deeply into their roles; from Jaws' lucky dip they drag motivation, history, phobias and destiny.
Thus Dreyfuss is a rich kid with rich kid's toys, entranced by the danger and mystery that sharks represent. He's familiar with the ocean and how to work with its power; what he's never had to do is gain a living from the sea or evade the chance of dying by its salty clutch. This is Shaw's territory. He's been scarred, rewarded, tortured and reborn, yet the waves continue to hold a deranged fascination for Quint. He's made a sailor's pact with Neptune, open-eyed to his probable fate; all Quint asks is for a shot at the best. In a remarkable change of pace, Scheider is not just a landlubber but also an island dweller that's terrified of the water. It's a crazy notion yet Scheider pulls it off with honesty, warmth, humour and a knowledge of what it's like to leave your comfort zone far behind.
Together these three provide sufficient friction to keep us entertained even as they work together for a single goal; the enormity of the challenge rivets all but the most impatient to their seat. Of course, while the dialogue sparkles and the ensemble acting is wonderful (even amongst the bit parts), these elements alone do not a classic film make. What lifts Jaws high up is the technically sure hand of Spielberg, displaying impressive maturity for one so young. Exceptional, sharp editing ensures that not a single scene is wasted; each builds on that which came before. Overlapping dialogue, such that you often get the gist of what's been said without being able to separate the words, proves wonderfully realistic. Spielberg's choice of shot is occasionally inspired, implying far more than is shown. When suspense is required, it's drawn piano-wire tight, vibrating to the slightest touch. Yes, Jaws is a quite remarkable movie, propelled by a pace that simply refuses to slacken.
Ironically then it's probably the technical limitations faced by Spielberg that forced him to make a better film than might otherwise have emerged. Saddled with a shoal of uncooperative rubber sharks, Spielberg came to rely on the unseen. For much of the time the shark is little more than a shadow or a brief glimpse of fin, the luck of being based on a naturally camouflaged monster. When the shark finally lurches bodily out of the water it's a shock, despite its rubber glory. In fact the effects inJaws still look reasonable, though this is more a result of the aforementioned directorial "choice" than due to the superiority of the effects themselves. Spielberg makes it so easy to suspend your disbelief that you've got to actively work against the film to dislike it, to see the joins. Even better, Jaws is just awesome on the big screen, gaining an impact that you don't realise is missing on television. Writ large the characters gain stature, the violence is more shocking and the tragedy greater.
When these harmonious elements sum, the result is a memorable film that stands up to repeat viewing. Spielberg plunges into the emotional currents of Jaws, forcing the camera upon his cast. Their panic, fear, anger, bewilderment and smugness rolls forth in waves. It's a remarkable directorial feat. Jaws still stands as one of Spielberg's finest, most triumphant, heart-stopping movies, which is really saying something when you consider his filmography. This is an eternal classic, badly let down by its sequels.

So let’s blog!!

2009-09-19T02:32:00.001-07:00

Blogging is becoming more and more popular everyday….I had initiated in 2008 to blog but then I was only wondering. What use is my blog if no one reads it? After being plodded by many (my brother in particular) in the family, I decided to take forward my initiative to its end by natural course... I too became a blogger in this exciting Blog World!

Then, I carefully selected the content of my ‘interests’ in my profile keeping in mind it will perceived as an extension of my thought process by my readers. So, some of my thoughts which are private could not be shared, I realized. But, at the same time I wanted the readers to gain from their reading my blogs…which could be from my past experience, ideas, opinions or just entertainment. In fact my intention to include film reviews as well link to tamil films in my blog page is to relive the moments of joy as well recommend them for viewing. I am a movie buff whether they are English, Hindi or Tamil ones! Of course, I have to steal from my available time to watch the movies in a cinema on Sundays (with my son) or at home or I generally do it during my business trips (late night shows after dinner).

1. Certainly, Blogs also enable to express my opinion on current issues political whether national or international. This compels me to read the newspapers as often I can…generally done while I am commuting to my office. I try to be unbiased in presenting my version or perception on my blog.

2. I recommend certain products or ideas of commercial interest too…if not done till now, please be rest assured I intend to do it.

3. My topics on ‘Parenting’ are to help people facing similar situations I have gone through or I am going through. I intend to do some reading on this aspect so that I can understand parenting better. I intend to write on health related issues too to add value, if possible.

4. Blogs are wonderful tools to improve writing skills, so I intend to improve on my written content.

5. Yeah, I write blogs to connect with like-minded individuals with whom I can share my opinions. I would request my readers to comment freely on interests of mutual like.

6. I will try to update readers with information to help them think on ‘whole’ issues all over again.

7. I intend to stay active or knowledgeable in many issues. Hence I invite my readers to update me in return by writing fresh information.

8. I intend to stay connected with my family located at various parts of the world…so keep writing or commenting!

9. To have fun, I would blog! To be just creative and imaginative!!

So let’s blog!!

'Sholay' - review of all time hit Hindi Movie

2009-09-17T03:02:00.000-07:00

One of the most analyzed movies in Indian cinema has to be "Sholay". What can one say about this film that has not already been said by thousands of others? Yet, "Sholay" is the type of film that no matter how many times is talked about or frequently played at cinemas, movie buffs never tire of it. A sign of an evergreen classic. For everyone has their own different favorite moment or scene that they recall fondly from the movie. Be it Basanti (Hema Malini) chatting away nines to the dozen but at the end claiming breathlessly, "Kyunke mujhe befuzool baat karne ki aadat to hai nahin (I am not one to engage in idle talk)". Or Gabbar Singh ‘s (Amjad Khan) booming voice philosophizing, "Jo darr gaya samjho margaya (Who ever is scared is dead)". Or the sound of the swing squeaking after the dacoits have inflicted their reign of terror on the household of Thakur Baldev Singh (Sanjeev Kumar).

The plot sounds very simple on paper. Notorious dacoit Gabbar escapes jail but he is enraged at the man who put him there in the first place- Thakur. As an act of malicious revenge, Gabbar and his henchmen kill Thakur´s entire family (except for his daughter-in-law). Now Thakur wants to bring Gabbar to justice. He is helpless because he lost his arms and he is out of the police force. Therefore, he employs the help of two brave but badmaash layabouts, Jai (Amitabh Bachchan) and Veeru (Dharmendra), to bring Gabbar to him. ALIVE. Not Dead. “Tum Gabbar Singh ko nahin maaroge! Tum yahan Gabbar ko pakarke mere hawaale karne aaye ho. Zinda! (You will not kill Gabbar! You are here to capture Gabbar and hand him over to me. Alive!)” Thakur reiterates when Jai promises that they will bring Gabbar’s corpse. For Thakur, not killing Gabbar is an important matter. He wants to mete out the desired punishment to his nemesis himself. He wants a helpless Gabbar lying at his feet, a man who would be shocked that an armless man still has the power to render him helpless.

Gabbar Singh is firmly entrenched in Indian cinema history as being a very popular villain. This is mainly due to Amjad’s tour-de-force performance but also partly due to the way Ramesh Sippy introduces his character into the film. He allows suspense to build-up through several characters’ hushed mentions of the notorious bandit. Gabbar does not make his screen appearance until after one song and a lot of scenes have gone past. Even then his face is not shown immediately at first. The sound of shoes clashing onto the rock signifies Gabbar’s entrance. The camera shows his henchmen’s terrified faces from the angle of Gabbar’s shoes. This is a comment on the power that he wields over his yes-men. He is above them and can control whomever he wants. He believes that he is as powerful as God. He has a very maniacal laugh that would not sound out of place in a mental asylum. The role was originally signed to Danny Denzongpa but fate meant that it landed in Amjad’s lap. And how he lapped it up! His dedication to his role (blacking his teeth, vigorous rehearsing, menacing eyes) is mainly the reason why his character is remembered so much today.

“Sholay” is a benchmark in the careers of the rest of the performers involved. The screen chemistry between Hema and Dharmendra sizzles. Their camaraderie and exchanges are a delight to watch. There is also brilliant chemistry between Dharmendra and Amitabh meaning that we do not need to be persuaded that these men are close friends. Sanjeev and Jaya Bhaduri (who plays Radha, Thakur’s widowed daughter-in-law) give powerfully understated performances. But one of the reasons why all the actors shine in their roles is that their characters can easily be distinguished from one another. Each of the characters possess individual traits and nuances that we can identify them with. There is the silent sarcasm inherent in Jai’s character. Veeru’s childish sense of humor. Basanti’s habit of talking too much. Thakur’s sincerity and determination. The quiet brooding of Radha. Whereas Veeru and Basanti’s relationship is steeped in a sense of loud fun and humour, Radha and Jai are united together through silence. When they meet they cannot find many words to say but they are not bothered about that, they connect just by gazing at each other. Every evening, Jai sits outside the house playing his harmonica while watching Radha walk around the building turning off every lamp. Just that rare moment of connection fills them with content. After turning off every lamp, Radha goes into her room to listen to the sound of Jai’s harmonica. Every light in the house is off but she does not turn the light off in her room. The light in her room indicates a new form of hope, a new beginning.

Silence is something that the director uses very well. It serves as a way of understating the violence in scenes where slaughter occurs. Like when the dacoits spot a boy from Ramgarh riding on his horse. They intend to capture him and bring him to Gabbar. They creep up to the boy silently. The next scene shows Gabbar squashing a fly on his arm- an act that represents the death of the boy. Very little bloodshed is actually shown. Even today, Bollywood cinema is rarely this imaginative when it comes to depicting murder or death. If there is silence in some scenes, then there is also the masterful background score by R.D. Burman. The background music is a character in itself. It is tremendous to listen to especially during the train sequence when Jai and Veeru help Thakur fend off a group of highjackers. Here, the sound is a thrilling concoction of operatic music, the thumping rhythm of the train moving and the galloping of the horses. To a certain extent, the musical numbers tend to be overshadowed by the famous dialogues and action scenes but, nevertheless, everyone has their own particular favorite. Each song has become an anthem for a certain theme. Ask someone to name a friendship song and it is more than likely that “Yeh Dosti Hum Nahin Todenge” will be mentioned. Likewise, “Holi Ke Din” is also a perennial favorite as a song to listen to on the occasion of Holi.
Basanti complains to Jai and Veeru, “Tum shaherwale samajhte ho ke hum gaonwale ka akal hai nahin (You city people think that we have no brains)”. Her thought nails the argument of city versus village that lies in the subtext of “Sholay”. Jai and Veeru are outsiders to the locals of Ramgarh. To the villagers, they represent change and the symbol for a happier and progressive future. However, they are also an antithesis to traditionalism. Basanti’s aunt refuses to allow her marriage to Veeru go ahead because he lacks any redeeming qualities from an educationary or financial perspective. Elders are respected tremendously in Ramgarh but Veeru’s refusal to accept Basanti’s guardian’s final decision shows a rebellious streak inside him against tradition. The only way he finally wins her hand in marriage is by getting drunk and making a hilarious attempt to commit suicide in Basanti’s name. In rural parts of

India

, widows are still stigmatized and treated as society outcastes. Jai dares to break this rule by asking for Thakur’s permission to let Radha marry again. The narrative does not let Jai see happiness by breaking this tradition. Nature intervenes and takes Jai’s life away leaving Radha broken-hearted once more. At this point, fate and nature concurs with traditionalism. Life in Indian society has its rules and it is not prepared to let Jai break those rules. He cannot be left happy through this act of rebellion. Ramgarh is happy to accept the good side of change (ie getting rid of the menace of Gabbar Singh) but it cannot bear the tampering of general society rules. Clearly, modernism does not exist in the outback of Ramgarh. This proves too much for Basanti (who shows a rebellious streak by working as a tangewali, which she herself admits is unusual for a girl) and Veeru, both who eventually leave the village so that they can live their lives as they wish in a more tolerant place.

Salim-Javed hit a creative high with their sterling work on dialogues and story in “Sholay”. To cap off this review, let’s have a look at some of the most memorable lines in this classic:
“Arre o Saambha, kitne aadmi tay? (Oye Saambha, how many men were there?)”
“Bahut yaaraana lagta hai, eh? (He means a lot to you, eh?)”
“Khota sikka to dono taraf se khota hota hai (A bad coin is bad on both sides)”
“Wohi kar raha hoon bhaiya jo Majnu ne Laila ke liye kiya tha, Ranjha ne Heer ke liye tha, Romeo ne Juliet ke liye tha… SOOSIDE (I am only doing what Majnu did for Laila, Ranjha did for Heer, Romeo for Juliet… SOOSIDE)”
“Tumhara naam kya hai Basanti? (What is your name, Basanti?)”
“Saala nautanki, ghadi ghadi drama karta hai (You’d make a fine dramatic actor)”

‘Austerity’ among political class – Is it only Lip service??

2009-09-16T23:28:00.001-07:00

Pity Suresh Taware, an up-coming MP from Bhiwandi constituency. He was settling into his business-class seat on a flight from Delhi to Mumbai on Monday when Sonia Gandhi, his party chief, boarded the plane. Suresh Taware leapt up to greet the Congress party leader — and then watched in shock as she pointedly took her seat in economy class. He must have known that Sonia Gandhi had ordered her ministers to fly economy class as part of an austerity drive designed to show sympathy with drought-hit Indian farmers. But he had no idea that she was going to be on the same flight. He hurriedly swapped seats, but the damage was done. Suresh Taware is not the only Indian politician to have squirmed under the Government’s attempt to revive the spirit of frugality embodied by Mahatma Gandhi.

Sonia Gandhi started the austerity drive last week in an attempt to show empathy with farmers suffering in the country’s worst drought since 2002. Shashi Tharoor, Minister of State External Affairs described his experience of ‘economy class' travel as “yes, I traveled with the cattle class in solidarity with our holy cows”.

Even Rahul Gandhi joined in by ditching his helicopter for traveling ‘first time’ by an economy-class train (Shatapdi AC chair car) from Delhi to Ludhiana. It is another thing that SPG (Special Protection Group) was traveling along that increased the cost of Rahul’s travel to Ludhiana significantly. Sonia Gandhi reportedly saved only 7,000 rupees on her trip to Mumbai as she had to take twice the number of bodyguards she has normally on the aircraft. Indira Gandhi during the peak of her political career used to brandish her HMT watch manufactured by a PSU company to explain her socialist bend. It is fine and common for MPs to travel by fuel-guzzling Ambassador Cars instead of more fuel efficient cars. As Ambassador Car (generally ‘white’ in tandem with white clothes worn by the political class portraying ‘clean’ image) is grossly mistaken to be a cheaper vehicle by uneducated mass so it has become a symbol of ‘I am with you” statement to the vote banks.

In today’s global times ( Think Big Grow Big) , I feel ‘austerity’ should be visible in Public sector corporate business plans, adhering to efficiency that leads to cost-effectiveness, refraining from ‘populist’ vote bank favoring policies, evading wasteful expenditure on religious celebrations, discontinuing ostentatious ‘Iftar’ parties that become political platforms showing cabinet support. Austerity should be in thinking process as displayed by Mahatma Gandhi. He has practiced this not only in India but wherever he went.

Fortunately, now that the educated class has started entering Indian political scenes… let us understand that we need not be penny wise and pound foolish. Are you listening Sonia?

Eddie Macon's Run

2009-09-15T05:05:00.000-07:00

I saw this movie quite some time back..old movie..sure worth watching...

Eddie Macon's Run

Time is running out for Eddie Macon. He’s trapped in a Texas jail on trumped up charges. He’ll do anything to make it back to his wife and child, but if he’s caught, he’ll be back in the pen for life. Carl Marzack is an aging cop who must prove he can still get his man, and his man is Eddie Macon! Hollywood legend Kirk Douglas and The Dukes of Hazzard’s John Schneider star as the pursuer and the pursued in this exciting action thriller that climaxes in a hair-raising chase through the streets of Laredo, Texas. It’s a heart-stopping 1980’s manhunt in the classic American western tradition.

Starring: Kirk Douglas, John Schneider

Why does my son like 'hardy boys' books?

2009-09-09T04:48:00.000-07:00

It is really amazing that at different ages we are attracted by different literature books...as if it spells out the 'age' more than the interest.
'Hardy Boys' books has attracted the interest of my son as he nears his first teen year. I am not surprised at all ! Just two or three years ago he was reading Enid Blyton Famous Five series and that has now taken its deserving place on the shelf as it is already read. Hardy boys books characters Frank and Joe ....are two teenage brothers ready to solve every mystery they encounter...

'The Fountainhead' by Ayn Rand.

2009-09-09T03:38:00.000-07:00

This steamy novel by Ayn Rand often discussed by literary critics and college-goers (as that is the age when the book is appealing to read), is a stirring story that dramatizes issues in design and brings architecture to life. The hero of the story, Howard Roark, was molded after the larger-than-life American architect, Frank Lloyd Wright, I understand.

Ayn Rand's 1943 potboiler, The Fountainhead, is pure drama and talks of ideals and self-confidence... I had started reading the book right from the moment i bought it on my way back home.

From the opening scene when rebel architect Howard Roark stands naked on a cliff, to the triumphant conclusion when the 'insufferably' arrogant hero stands atop the building he fought to build, the story is gripping and irresistible. Howard Roark may be made of architecture idealism who wants to follow the theoretical rules! And he defies those who do not agree with him (the trait often admired by young ones) but want their buildings to resemble masterworks from the past. What do they know, asks Howard Roark ."I don't intend to build in order to have clients," Roark tells the dean who expels him from architecture school. "I intend to have clients in order to build." When I was twenty, I was grappled by the text of the author to read at a stretch. Now, i find it all idealistic and not possible...but the book is a good 'stimulating' reading and i recommend the book for one time reading.

RSS seeks to distance itself from BJP's crisis...

2009-09-09T02:25:00.000-07:00

The Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS), the ideological parent of

India

's main opposition Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), said that it will not interfere to resolve a leadership crisis within the BJP.

"The BJP leaders are quite capable of handling it. The BJP has to think about its own future," Bhagwat said, when asked if the RSS was going to intervene to resolve the crisis.

Bhagwat's comments are seen as an attempt by the RSS to distance itself from the crisis within the BJP, while also trying to halt speculation that the radical ideological parent was beginning to get a firmer grip on its political arm. The BJP has appeared largely directionless after a massive election defeat in May 2009, its problems further compounded after some senior party leaders began attacking each other. The party has been debating its future -- whether its Hindutva agenda, once its passport to power, was now irrelevant for younger voters.

The crisis boiled over after senior party leader Jaswant Singh was fired for writing a book sympathetic to Mohammed Ali Jinnah, the Muslim founder of rival

Pakistan

"The issue of leadership has to be decided by the party," Bhagwat said.

"As far as our opinion is concerned 55-60 should be the average age of the top leadership for the Sangh," he said in comments that could hint at how the RSS might want the BJP top leadership to look like. Finally, Sangh acknowledges youth presence in voting population! But, will it be on the ‘hindutva’ agenda? I hope not.

Pleasures of Parenthood

2009-09-08T03:20:00.003-07:00

Children are expensive at times and prevent us from doing our own thing.They also demand our time or attention as they consider us as ‘know All’ or experienced having answers to their questions.

But, at the same time, children bring an extra dimension (and reason too) to one's existence, and provide a very necessary foil to our overweening concerns with our careers and ourselves. Yes, we can wear this ‘parenthood’ foil and experience the pleasures of it. Personally, I find it very refreshing and at the same time relaxing to spend time with my kid who is about to enter teenage coming November this year. Also, I listen to his new ideas and interpretation of issues of common knowledge. These issues are more related to sports or common issues pertaining to our lives, family, problems, opportunities etc.

In fact, I found that by considering him as a member of decision making, I can get brighter solutions. No doubt, as it is commonly found, children are much more attached to their mothers who devote more time/ energy to develop as well look after them. Fathers are always preaching and do not ‘give in’ like mothers do!

Lately, I have struck a good ‘friendship’ with my ‘to be teenager’ son and am enjoying the same. We both go to movies often as I am fond of watching movies and so he is too.If I love my child, I learned that I have to express it! Another aspect is… by my listening to him, I found out that he feels important. I write letters to his personal mail ID when I do not have time to talk to him. Just another way of expression or communication of explaining to him the benefits of letter writing.The feeling of being a parent brings great joy, but it is tough job too.Parents are not always 'perfect' and all of us have flaws.There is no 'right way' in which children have to be brought up.There is no such thing as perfect parent or perfect child.
Now I have to be flexible: The rules that I make need not be the same as that of my parents. At the same time, I understand the fact that - what applies to one child need not be applicable to the other. So, I keep my rules flexible and try to spend some quality time with my son. Make sure I give him enough attention when doing other things like reading, walking, playing chess with him etc. I have been trying to go ‘walking’ with my son for long but I am early riser on sunday while he is not. He goes to his bed on weekends late too and always after me. He will be either busy with computer, television or reading too. But, I do not force him as I respect his requirement or decision.

I can say that I am enjoying this parenthood. I realize that I will be required to spend more time, energy as well be resourceful as he grows older. And I look forward to it. Yes, indeed.

Dev Anand...my favourite star

2009-09-05T11:25:00.000-07:00

Legendary actor-filmmaker Dev Anand was felicitated by the government on the occasion of his production house 'Navketan Films' completing 60 years, says....it is his fans who inspire him to continue making films.

"I humbly owe my success and fame to you (fans)," said the 86-year-old star of runaway hits like "Guide", "Baazi", "Taxi Driver" and "Jewel Thief".

Check out the films of Dev Anand Saheb in the link below

Dev Anand movies

Amitabh Bachchan back on TV with 'Bigg Boss 3'

2009-09-05T11:07:00.000-07:00

I am glad to note that Amitabh will be back on the small screen in place of Shilpa Shetty in the Big Boss...

"We need to analyse the minds of those on the show and reach out to as many people as possible through it. On eviction day, I will discuss the thought process of that particular contestant,'' Amitabh Bachchan says. "I don't claim to give gyaan or suggest that I can calm things down. My job is only to analyse why people behave in a certain manner in the house.''

Amitabh Bachchan, would be the pop-philosopher with an idea to deconstruct the emotions of those in the house and initiate discussions to keep the audience engaged.

look forward to watching it...

Men lose their minds speaking to pretty women?

2009-09-05T01:26:00.000-07:00

It’s now established. Pretty women make men nervous, for a new study has revealed that guys can lose their minds while talking to pretty women. Interesting to note, right?

Researchers in the

Netherlands

have found that talking to an attractive woman really could make a man lose his mind, a finding they claim may have implications for the performance of guys who flirt with women in the workplace.

According to them, the reason may be that men use up so much of their brain function or cognitive resources trying to impress pretty women, they have little left for other tasks.Women, however, are not affected by chatting to a handsome man -- this may be simply because men are programmed by evolution to think more about mating opportunities, the study found.

In their study, the researchers recruited some 40 male students. Each one performed a standard memory test where they had to observe a stream of letters and say as fast as possible if each one was the same as the one before last.

The volunteers then spent seven minutes chatting to male or female members of the research team before repeating the test.

The results showed men were slower and less accurate after trying to impress the women.The more they fancied them, the worse their score. So, guys should take precaution.

Right?

Michael Jackson...Oh i really felt sad and shocked ...

2009-09-04T02:58:00.001-07:00

I am not getting time to write as much I want to.....if i have liked any pop singer other than elvis with his yoddling songs....it is Michael Jackson... Meanwhile these links .......you can browse through

Michael Jackson's last journey

Official website of Michael Jackson

believe me guys...people still feel Michael is alive and hiding from everyone who want to exploit him and earn a fortune through his music.

please write what you felt when Michael died...i was shocked !

The Indian Student ...a joke!

2009-09-03T04:13:00.000-07:00

It was the first day of school in the USA for a new Indian student
named Chandrasekhar Subramanian entered the fourth grade.

The teacher said, "Let's begin by reviewing some American History. Who said
'Give me Liberty or give me Death'?"

She saw a sea of blank faces, except for Chandrasekhar, who had his hand up.

"Patrick Henry, in 1775," he said.

"Very good! Who said 'Government of the People, by the People, for the
People, shall not perish from the Earth'?"

Again, no response except from Chandrasekhar. "Abraham Lincoln, in 1863,"
said Chandrasekhar.

The teacher snapped at the class, "Class, you should be ashamed...
Chandrasekhar, who is new to our country, knows more about its history than
you do."

She heard a loud whisper, "Damn those Indians."

"Who said that?" she demanded.

Chandrasekhar put his hand up. "General Custer, in 1862."

At that point, a student in the back said, "I'm gonna puke."

The teacher glares around and asks, "All right! Now, who said that?"

Again, Chandrasekhar says, "George Bush to the Japanese Prime Minister, in
1991."

Now furious, another student yells, "Oh yeah? Suck this!"

Chandrasekhar jumps out of his chair waving his hand and shouts to the
teacher, "Bill Clinton, to Monica Lewinsky, in 1997!"

Now with almost mob hysteria someone said, "You little shit. If you say
anything else, I'll kill you."

Chandrasekhar frantically yells at the top of his voice, "Michael Jackson to
the child witnesses testifying against him, in 2004."

The teacher fainted.

And as the class gathered around the teacher on the floor, someone said, "Oh
crap, we're screwed!"

and Chandrasekhar said quietly, ' I think it is an American'

Kal Ho Naa Ho.....

2009-09-03T03:53:00.000-07:00

Another movie that I like to write about…I liked the title the moment I heard …kal ho naa ho…very true!

Kal Ho Naa Ho is the story of three friends whose relationship is based on unconditional love ( do you find it? ) and emotional empathy with each other.

The setting is New York in present times. Life is quite brooding for Naina (Preity Zinta). The cause of her sober lifestyle is a family tragedy that shook her world and took her happiness away.

Her humdrum daily routine includes her chores in her half Punjabi-half Catholic household in which she has to deal with a short tempered grand-mother, has to look after her little sister and brother besides helping her mother Jennifer [well acted by Jaya Bachchan] and deal with the family's financial troubles. In short, life could not be drabber for this gorgeous belle.

But things change with the coming of Aman [Shah Rukh Khan] into the tiny Indian neighborhood where she lives.

Aman is an extrovert person who gets friendly with almost everybody and begins to win everybody’s heart with his jolly nature. When he sees the sadness in a young and beautiful girl like Naina, he sets about to bring happiness into her life.

For this he also gets help from his good friend Rohit [Saif Ali Khan], an eligible Manhattan bachelor.

After few initial failures, the two manage to bring Naina out of her dull and gloomy moods and make her genuinely happy. The three become very good friends and every thing is hunky-dory.

But this happiness is short-lived when it turns out that one of them suffers from a deadly disease. …now I stop…you got to see the movie to know what happens. I saw this movie in Goa along with a colleague of mine during one of my business trips. Good to watch this movie and I am sure you will like it including the songs.

Does exposure makes anyone smarter...?

2009-09-02T22:47:00.001-07:00

Quite often, I feel the new generation of kids ( including mine ) are much smarter...then I console myself that their exposure to different situations/ technology are more... that makes them smarter or is the genes ....that decide you are what you are. To what extent... external factors contribute to 'smartness' of a person?

Does it mean the situations should take credit or debit on making the person what he/she is? There are many questions unanswered…if we start adding to a long list of reasons…latest research shows that even the behavior and thinking capability of a person is decided by the genes he or she is born with. So, such a theory does not ensure same 'smartness' to all exposed to similar situation.

And then, astrologers say that ‘stars’ governing a person decide on a person’s future and the individual is just a victim to vagaries of his destiny etc. But the ‘practical’ and scientism guided individuals say it is cause and effect theory which controls the happening of events in one’s life. But then, every effect is not necessarily preceded by a ‘deciding’ cause!

In the movie “Changing Places” that stars Eddie Murphy..a comedy as well a parody movie ... resolutely says exposure decides what a person can become.

BJP in crisis ?

2009-09-01T05:43:00.000-07:00

BJP gets in to problem again..... the chintan (thought) meeting at shimla became a Chinta (worry) meeting and became an identity crisis as well as leadership crisis! LK Advani, who is 81 years old, and gifted with god sent energy levels but poor memory ( he did not remember that he knew Jaswant Singh accompanied the 'freed' terrorists to Khandahar in exchange of hostages held by them) may not eventually remain as opposition party leader in lok sabha much longer. The only 'other' national party may survive this crisis and recover from the 2009 general elections debacle.... but why RSS cannot stop interfering...nobody understands..but there is clearly a leadership problem! In fact, the RSS ( Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh..popular as ' Sangh " ) had served quit notice to the quartet comprising LK Advani, Sushma Swaraj, Arun Jaitely and Rajnath singh in the BJP as it was quite disappointed with performance....RSS should realise that the 'hindu' ideology does not suit todays time ..when we are getting globally secular...cosmopolitan cities are increasing in numbers in our country...exposure is global with internet controlling a global village gearing up to meet opportunities etc.

India needs a very good opposition party and somehow we do not get that for long....oh ! we never had opposition party but seen ample infighting in the party/ coalition. I am happy Dr Manmohan Singh will remain PM for next five years for sure......not because UPA has come out stronger after the general elections...with more votes to congress....it is primarily due to BJP still not being an alternative.

Vasundra Raje in Rajasthan does not step down despite party leadership diktat to do so...due to Rajasthan election debacle. Venkiah Naidu claims that he is not in the race for any post. Such utterances out of turn are ignored by leadership..why? BJP is in a mess..headless that no corrective option can be taken to solve the mess...Will RSS intervene as usual ?

Well, let me know what you feel about the situation..

X board exams..optional?

2009-09-01T01:44:00.000-07:00

In a decision that is likely to revolutionise the school education system, the Council of Boards of School Education in India (Cobse) has decided in principle to make the standard X board examinations optional. The alternative it has suggested is a grading system to evaluate students.

Though this will happen only from the year 2010 - 11, I feel relieved to know this. At a tender age of 15 years, the board exams were too heavy a load for the children. Especially, for children who cannot mug before the exams...but are intelligent and innovative ( precisely who can think well ) !

Mostly all schools do have XI and XII standards, so why should anyone take board exams, if he can continue in the same school. The education system should inculcate continuous studying and help in thinking process....a skill required by anyone throughout his / her life.

Will the other boards like HSC, ICSE follow the step taken by CBSE...is yet to be seen.

Anjuna beach....My favorite spot in Goa

2009-08-29T19:48:00.001-07:00

Anjuna Beach....
Located about 18kms from Panaji and situated in Bardez taluka, the Anjuna Beach is the part of a 30 km extended beach coastline along the west coast of Goa by the Arabian sea....

The Village of Anjuna, a five square mile area is nestled between the Arabian Sea and the Hill overlooking the beach. The beach is famous for its stunning natural beauty with swaying palms trees and soft powered white sands. The beach is marked by an unusual rocky formation overlying a cove of white sand and black rock that juts out into the Sea. This area was known as the Jewel of Anjuna and called "Ozran".

Anjuna Beach is also an ideal place for full-moon parties at late evenings....held especially during Christmas and New Year. Tourists love enjoying the blissful atmosphere of the luminous full-moon casting a spell and the soft foamy waves kissing their feet.

At the north of the Anjuna, is its famous flea market, held on Wednesdays, where small cafes, bars and Kashmiri handicrafts ( i have bought some...) stalls are lined. This area offers pleasurable shopping experience with quality products at reasonable prizes.

Bathing and Swimming is generally safer at Anjuna than at most of the nearby resorts, especially at the more serene southern end of the beach where a rocky headland keeps the sea calm. At this place sun -starved European tourists laze around bathing in the pleasant sun.

And later....some chicken and beer after swimming on a lazy sunday....while I stayed at Alto Porvorim, close to Calangute...another lovely beach... we will discuss some other time....

Whose gas is it anyway?

2009-08-29T05:32:00.000-07:00

THE bitter feud between India’s Ambani brothers, Mukesh and Anil, has reached a new low...

Earlier this month one of Anil’s companies, Reliance Natural Resources, placed advertisements on the front pages of Indian newspapers, accusing the government of siding with his older brother over Mukesh’s attempts to raise the price of gas from a big field. The government’s actions could lead to “super normal profits” for Mukesh’s Reliance Industries, the ads claimed, and a 50% rise in power bills. Reliance Industries hit back, describing Anil’s media campaign as “malicious, mischievous, baseless and ill-informed”.

The row centres on the pricing of natural gas from one of India’s biggest fields, in the Krishna Godavari basin in the Bay of Bengal. In 2005 the brothers agreed that Reliance Industries, which controls the field, would sell gas from its D-6 lease (short for Dhirubhai-6, after the Ambanis’ late father) to Reliance Natural Resources for 17 years at $2.34 per million British thermal units. In 2007 the government stepped in, invoking its right under the lease to vet sales contracts, raising the price to $4.20.

The oil minister, Murli Deora, meanwhile, has said that the gas belongs to neither brother but to India. ... but Murli Deora , it has been reported is very close to the Ambani family for many years. And what I cannot understand is ...only management of companies have been sorted and not the profits of the group! In fact, the Reliance group profits are equally shared by the Ambani brothers...some earmarked for the sisters too! Whose gas is it anyway? Why can't the government decide? Why should Anil & Mukesh fight over natural resources that do not belong to them but only leased to one of them....

What is so unique about Ayn Rand Novels?

2009-08-26T04:50:00.004-07:00

Ayn Rand novels have long been reported as life-changing experiences. Why? What is so different about these novels? Why have they been having such a profound effect on readers ( young ones especially! ) for 50 years, in the case of Atlas Shrugged, and more than 60 years, in the case of The Fountainhead?

I can very well recall the her characters were so inspiring when i read her novels, but so are the characters in many other novels and films—admirable characters who overcome difficulties, believe in themselves, refuse to give up. What makes her characters so different?

Was it idealism, objectiveness or the tussle between altruism and selfishness?

What is so special about Ayn Rand???

Was Jinnah Secular?

2009-08-26T04:50:00.000-07:00

The news of Jaswant Singh being expelled from primary membership of BJP quite unceremoniously....was not expected!

Jinnah, according to me, had split personalities. Earlier a champion of Hindu-Muslim unity and a hardcore nationalist leader, he changed his policies due to political compulsions.Jinnah was liberal, western educated intellectual but one can't certainly deny his role in partition. It was under his pressure that Cabinet Mission endorsed Lahore Mission of 1940, which asserted that Hindus and Muslims are two nations and can't live in harmony.

It was due to the ego-clash between Nehru and Jinnah. Both were, at the time, eyeing the top job of independent India. Since Mahatma had obviously a soft corner for Nehru, Jinnah felt insecure and ended up seeking Pakistan. There is no doubt that Jinnah wanted to Pakistan to follow western liberal secularist model, as much as Nehru wanted India to. But, post independence, Nehru got sufficient time to build India the way he wanted. Jinnah’s early death left his dreams unfulfilled.

Does anyone remember Tom Cruise in the movie "Cocktail" ?

2009-08-26T04:46:00.001-07:00

I saw this movie in 1988 in US and for the first time i came across an actor who was so likeable on screen. quite short! ( huh!) but very charming and intelligent. I could see this movie again too.. the story of Cocktail goes like this....

After leaving the Army, Brian Flanagan ( Tom Cruise) tries to get a marketing job in New York. But without a college degree, this was not possible. He then decides to start studying for a business degree at the local City College and gets a part time job as a bartender. He realizes that its not that easy, but when his new boss Douglas Coughlin (actor: Bryan Brown ) teaches him the secrets of the bar trade and they become the most famous bartenders in town. Both Brian and Doug Coughlin want their own top class cocktail bars someday and Brian's Cocktail Bar is to be called 'Cocktails & Dreams', and in order to get the necessary money to open it, Brian travels to Jamaica to work as a bartender at a resort Tiki Bar, and the pay is good. There he meets Jordan Mooney ( very indianish look..acted by Elisabeth Shue)...a young and pretty, up and coming American artist on vacation with her girlfriend from New York, staying at the Island resort. Jordan and Brian spend some quality time together and fall in love. But when Brian takes a challenge from his old buddy, Doug Coughlin to sleep with an older woman, who is also staying at the resort... Jordan, herself the daughter of wealthy parents back in New York, leaves the Island overnight, after seeing Brian and the older woman together ... Will Jordan ever forgive Brian and will they get back together? It is a very different comedy/ romance story....if you see it you will enjoy it for sure..

Tom Cruise has starred in many successful movies like Top Gun, Rain Man, Mission: Impossible among many others. I recollect seeing him in 'Endless love' with brooke shields ...he was looking so young at that time...saw in bombay during college days..

Do you think Dr Abdul Kalam being frisked by US Airliner right?

2009-08-26T02:39:00.000-07:00

Why am I so upset with a drill that I should normally be supporting? Why should I be against a move that is basically aimed at passenger safety? Isn’t it the airline’s right to ensure proper security check for the safety of its own passengers?

Sure, but there are certain protocols that are recognised, followed and respected the world over, and one would have imagined the US airline would do so too. Kalam is by no stretch of imagination an ordinary person. He was not only the President of India, but also the most liked and loved one. And he certainly didn’t pose any threat to anyone.

Also, just as one finds fault with the frisking of the services chiefs, one can find even bigger fault with frisking of someone who was, till not too long ago, the Supreme Commander of the Indian defence forces.

It is not possible that the asinine security officials of the airline did not know who Kalam is. Even if one were to assume that the security officials, who reportedly said “no one is exempted”, did not know of Kalam, how could they ignore the presence of sundry officials who were hovering around Kalam to ensure that he was seen off respectfully? And even if they couldn’t see, how dare they force their diktat after being told specifically who the person in question was?

If there is suspicion that the person may endanger others, please frisk, detain, punish, or do anything else that is necessary. But you cannot be bull-headed about it. There is immense merit and justification in protocols and rules, but they cannot be at the cost of practicality. What Continental Airline did in case of Kalam was not just a breach of protocol, but it turned practicality on its head. Imagine Indian security officials insisting that Hillary will not be allowed to leave India till she is frisked by a woman constable.