MY VIEWS, MY THOUGHTS AND MY PREJUDICES

You are India's future generation - How can you lead / influence the climate change challenge to ensure a sustainable future for the country and the p

2009-10-21T21:06:00.000-07:00

According to many scholars we belong to a country where anarchy has found its being. The Civil Disobedience movement to them symbolized social anarchy. Yet Gandhi’s anarchy had more shades of white than red.

Gandhi always believed in treating his opponents with kindness and respect and that law breakers must take responsibility for their actions.

Does that sound like anarchy?
I believe not.

The Oxford Dictionary defines ‘Anarchy’ as the social state in which there is no governing person or group of people, but each individual has absolute liberty without the implication of disorder.

Gandhi’s anarchy has and will never fit into this definition. The participants stood up to break laws which were unjust. It is our moral duty to stand our ground against laws which create discrimination rather than bring equality of opportunity. After all unjust law is no law at all.

Moreover they did have a governing person- Their Conscience……

Thus if anarchy did not take place in the 1920’s then it is taking place now. Though this anarchy started with the advent of the Industrial Revolution in the 18th century, its implications are being seen now. What we see today has transcended the borders of social, physical, economical, political and moral frontiers. The breach is so effective that the next generation itself has come on the forefront of danger.

Environmental Anarchy is here.

Since the 1980’s the only broad based solution to this issue has been to find ways to be sustainable. Sustainability is an approach which has a wide jurisdiction in the social and economic arena with its obvious foundation in the environmental junction. The interesting issue is the intersections of these three subjects create the scope of a sustainable future though there are inherent contradictions among these three subjects themselves.

For example; when the economic and social policies interact the question of equity rises. Similarly when environment and economic challenge climate change the issue of viability puts up uncomfortable questions. Finally the social and environmental arena puts forward the difficulty of creating solutions which are endurable.

Thus, my solutions stand on the tripod of these three issues- Equity, Viability and Endurance.

EQUITY
The core belief that we must fix responsibility first and then act must be revalued. The question has lingered for a long time with no answer for we all respectfully demand that we must agree to disagree. As global warming steps up to spread it dark blanket, the least we can do is to stop an endless debate to define responsibility of each and every nation.

The reason for the failure of the Kyoto protocol has been the fact that no one want to take the responsibility of emission rates fixed by others. We hate boundaries set by others, so why shouldn’t sovereign powers. At the same time worthy questions are raised as to why a certain nation should object to emission rates of others while its own emission rates seem higher than normal.

In this situation we need to eliminate the very process of fixing preset emission rates or responsibility on one nation. We have seen differential treatment in any arena- be it social, political and economic, has never worked.

By historical reckoning be it the economic, social or political differentiation made during the British India or the pre American Civil Rights Movement era, have all fallen on their faces. It is time a new regime comes up. The UNO exists to provide an equal platform to every country irrespective of size, stature or status, to voice their opinions and choices. Even if the UNO seems too idealistic an organization it is time we give this brand of equality an opportunity.

We must give rest to the debate of the under developed versus the developed. It is a match-up with no positive consequences. The only result will be that time has gone past us and we have come to the end of our own survival. It is time we come together, construct ourselves based on co-operation, help without any socio-political-economic agenda and do what we can to curb the spoils of decades past. Let every nation decide what is best for them, because when we do our best for ourselves only then can the collective best be possible.

It is time for an individualistic approach.

I believe this solution is too idealistic for the environment now, but it seems all that is practical has not worked, so it is time we give idealism an opportunity.

VIABILITY
The Serenity Prayer says:

God grant me the serenity
To accept the things I cannot change;
Courage to change the things I can;
And, the wisdom to know the difference.

The important factor that we must understand is that the world cannot stop exercising on fossil fuels. The use of fossil fuels has dated back over three centuries. To imagine the limited use of these substances abruptly because of their limited stocks is preposterous. Our way of life is completely established. Till the day the deposits of these fuels last the world is going to use them.

This sums up the first part of the Serenity Prayer. We cannot change this fact; we must accept it, and its consequences.

Viability is an issue which we need to address not with the perspective to stop the use of fossil fuels but with finding methods and applications which stand complementary to the use of fossil fuels. This will allow these methods to gain a solid foundation in our living systems and when the appropriate time arrives for us to solely rely on their services, the transition will not be so arduous, as a sudden change would be.

Developing countries find renewable sources of energy far more suitable, for energy transmission generated from fossil fuels to remote and rural sectors can be both difficult and expensive. Locally produced fuel presents a more viable option. India has set an example with Gobar Gas. This fuel can be easily made as we harbour the highest cattle population in the world, and logistically this fuel is financially stable and easy to produce. Many projects which have employed renewable energy have established that it caters to employment generation and to increased business opportunities.

Diversification is the need of the hour. In the current conditions it is viable to use fossil fuels to establish sources of non renewable sources of energy like hydro electric power plants, wind mills in high wind areas and mass produced solar panels. India presents a very interesting mix of environmental diversity which gives us an opportunity to exploit the natural resources. Our summers are long and hot, with plenty of sun in every part of the country. This gives us a huge prospect of producing solar energy. With our economy booming, diverting a chunk of money to this cause can help the states establish solar power stations. Similarly rain water harvesting is an interesting option, knowing that we have long rains and tidal energy also presents a lot of scope for energy recruitment.

This sums up the second of the Serenity Prayer. We can change; and that we must make intelligent choices as to where we can change, because that is where we can make a difference.

ENDURANCE
When it comes to endurance we in India need to be more principled oriented in our socio-political approach towards the environment. It is time citizens understand their responsibilities. It is the moment for the Legislators to discuss real issues regarding the environment and realise what is important. Mumbai and the Lakshwadeep islands are in real threat of drowning in the sea by 2030, and this threat becomes a reality with every passing day.

Small measures like car pooling, water conservation, recycling, afforestation, usage of Gobar Gas, use of public transport etc must be employed with enthusiasm by the citizens. A people’s movement can only begin with the people themselves acting responsibly; understanding the needs of the environment at this moment precedes their own. We are not asking for monumental sacrifices, a small paradigm shift is what is required. It is the same with legislators also. Sustainable development has been the buzz word for over three decades; it is time we put its promises to work.

Gandhi showed us that it was judicious combination of a few gigantic and numerous diminutive steps that help bring in a revolution. No movement for the greater good of the society has and will be successful unless it is a people’s movement. The international forum will see our huge population as a burden in terms of the people’s movement we wish to bring about.

Logistically it does bring about intimidating numbers yet I choose to see this as a blessing. The more the population, the more minds work towards greener pastures, this leads to more participation which will effectively lead to a greater revolution.

The task seems daunting, but when a man wearing khadi, carrying a stick and who lived with pleasantly simple values can bring about a change then I believe so can we.

EDUCATION AND REFORMS NEEDED IN INDIA

2009-06-08T06:17:00.000-07:00

E-D-U-C-A-T-I-O-N

It is a very special word. Its spelling might be a mammoth task for a young learner to learn but to its stark contrast, its definition becomes simpler as we grow in age, knowledge and experience.

What truly is education ?

Everyone has a personal definition and I have one. To me education is awareness. Awareness which is complete in totality. Awareness in terms of oneself, awareness of the world around us, awareness of the people who make the world and keeping in mind present context, awareness of our precious planet.

Education encompasses teaching and learning specific skills and also something less tangible but more profound, that is the imparting of knowledge, positive judgment and well developed wisdom.

Education has as one of its fundamental aspects that is the imparting of culture from generation to generation. Education means to draw out, facilitating realisation of self-potential and latent talents of an individual.

The education of an individual human begins at birth and continues throughout life. The goal of education is fourfold: the social, intellectual, economic, and political or civic purpose. Current education issues include which teaching methods are most effective, how to determine what knowledge should be taught, which knowledge is most relevant, and how well the pupil will retain incoming knowledge.

Educators have identified education as an inherently political process with inherently political outcomes. The challenge of identifying whose ideas are transferred and what goals they serve has always stood in the face of formal and informal education.

India's biggest export through ages has been education. Education yoga, education in food and spices, education in living, education in life sciences and technology and finally education in peace. Dr. A.P.J. Abdul Kalam has a vision of India as a knowledge superpower, is slowly becoming a reality. We are taking steady steps towards the same. Infact from what I observe... the goal is not being a superpower but making us all empowered with knowledge.

India has been a major seat of learning for thousands of years. While some of the country's universities are among the world's well-renowned, it is also dealing with challenges in its primary education and strives to reach 100% literacy. Universal Compulsory Primary Education, with its challenges of keeping poor children in school and maintaining quality of education in rural areas, has been difficult to achieve, Kerala being the only Indian state to reach this goal so far.

All levels of education in India, from primary to higher education, are overseen by the Ministry of Human Resource Development, and heavily subsidized by the Indian government, though there is a move to make higher education partially self-financing. Indian Government is considering to allow 100% foreign direct investment in Higher Education.

There are broadly four stages of school education in India, namely primary, upper primary, secondary and higher secondary. Overall, schooling lasts 12 years, following the "10+2 pattern". However, there are considerable differences between the various states in terms of the organizational patterns within these first 10 years of schooling. The government is committed to ensuring universal elementary education for all children aged 6-14 years of age.

The current system of education, with its western style and content, was introduced & funded by the British in the 19th century, following recommendations by Macaulay. Traditional structures were not recognized by the British government and have been on the decline since. Traditional structures were not recognized by the British government and have been on the decline since. Gandhi is said to have described the traditional educational system as a beautiful tree that was destroyed during the British rule.

After independence, in 1976, education was made a joint responsibility of the states and the Centre, through a constitutional amendment. The center is represented by Ministry of Human Resource Development's Department of Education and together with the states, it is jointly responsible for the formulation of education policy and planning.

The 86th Amendment of the Indian constitution makes education a fundamental right for all children aged 6-14 years. The access to preschool education for children under 6 years of age was excluded from the provisions, and the supporting legislation has not yet been passed.

The 'Sarva Shiksha Abhiyan' is a flagship programme of the Government of India for achievement of universalization of elementary education in a time bound manner, as mandated by the 86th amendment to the Constitution of India making free and compulsory education to children of ages 6-14 a fundamental right. The programme aims to achieve the goal of universalization of elementary education of satisfactory quality by 2010.

The programme seeks to open new schools in those habitations which do not have schooling facilities and strengthen existing school infrastructure through provision of additional class rooms, toilets, drinking water, maintenance grant and school improvement grants. Existing schools with inadequate teacher strength are provided with additional teachers, while the capacity of existing teachers is being strengthened by extensive training, grants for developing teaching-learning materials and strengthening of the academic support structure at a cluster, block and district level. SSA seeks to provide quality elementary education including life skills. SSA has a special focus on girl's education and children with special needs. SSA also seeks to provide computer education to bridge the digital divide.

Reforms in the Indian education system are three fold at the three levels of education:

• Primary

• Secondary

• University level

Primary

In terms of primary education I shall concentrate exclusively about rural educational infrastructure.

TEACHERS IN VILLAGES

At the primary level the most important step needed is to call for good teachers from the village itself and training keeping in mind the fact that they will be the future educators of the children born in the village. The most important step to be taken to ensure the above is to highly remunerate those teachers who stay back in villages. This will ensure high retentive levels of teachers in the harsh conditions that villages offer.

RETENTION OF CHILDREN IN VILLAGE SCHOOLS

The next focus in the direction of primary education should be to achieve high retention levels of children in village schools which can be achieved by giving social and economic incentives to the parents for keeping children in schools. These incentives should be doubled for those parents who send a girl child to schools.

Social incentives can be seen in form of representation in the village panchayat and economic incentives can be in the capacity of monetary subsidies in education and job opportunities at the district and state levels once their wards education is complete.

ASSIMILATION OF THE COLLECTOR OF THE DISTRICT INTO EDUCATIONAL SERVICES

To ensure the above two steps the collector at the district level needs to be given heavy responsibility to ensure implementation of educational reforms with utmost seriousness, sensitivity and conviction. His leadership assumes importance because his leadership gives credibility to the educational programs which are being implemented by the government.

Secondary

In terms of reforms in secondary education the following reforms are advocated:

STRESS ON PRACTICAL LEARNING AND CLASS ROOM PARTICIPATION

Practical learning is the prime focus of education considering that education in the long run is needed to make a living. Practical learning focuses on hard work, responsible learning and actual growth of knowledge that is required for success in future profession.

Class room participation leads to independence of thought, openess of attitude towards other thought processes, delimiting of inhibitions and easy learning from observation.

CHANGE FROM ROTE LEARNING TECHNIQUES TO CREATIVE LEARNING STYLES

Our system breeds rote learning which cripples the creative strings of the students who have to exclusively reproduce the their text books on their exam sheets and not what their own concious or knowledge is.

Exam system based on rote learning needs to be changed and independent learning should be highly encouraged. This would allow students to research which in turn will make them have access to greater pool of knowledge.

Truly eduaction is beyond classrooms and textbooks.

STRESS ON STUDY OF ARTS RATHER THAN MINDLESS ENDORSEMENT OF THE SCIENCES

At the higher secondary level we see a single minded endorsement of the study of Sciences which at times takes proportions fit to be termed as mindless and insensitive. This fuels added pressure and aspirations on students and parents. With our education al set up Sciences takes prime position and students who study Sciences are elevated to levels of brilliance which are far from facts of real life.

The study of Arts at this level tends to project the students as one who is average. People overlook the challenges that Arts student face. The saddest part is that these Science students

end up studying Arts by the time they enroll college.

Then why is their such a prejudice towards Arts ? A look into the U.S. structure says that applications for Arts in colleges and schools are more than Sciences. That might be another extreme but what we can learn from them is a healthy respect for the students who pursue Arts from the high school level.

UNIVERSITY LEVEL

At the university level some of these changes are needed.

SETTING UP OF A GROUP OF UNIVERSITIES ON THE LINES OF THE IVY LEAGUE FORMAT

The ivy league set up in the U.S.A. is an exceptional example of exclusive education for the masses. Through its heavy funding towards scholarships, fellowships, student loans and subsidies these universities scout the best of minds and talents from across the world from an equally diverse social, political and economical demography.

The same needs to be done in India and semi autonomous universities need to be established with eduactional standards at par with the ivy leagues ensuring education at the highest level.

INCREASE FUNDING OF UNIVERSITIES

Funding at the universities need to ne increased considering that some of these institutes of excellence are falling short of cash. IIT Mumbai at one hand does not have any cash to pay its satff while Pune University is sitting prettyly on some fat and idle cash without spending it on infrastructural growth or educational support.

INCENTIVES FOR INDIGENEOUS RESEARCH

Monetary incentives need to be given to students who are lured by corporate greed so that they can come out with independent research projects as truly we are falling short on research projets when it comes to international standards. Progress takes palce with research and that is where qwe are falling short.

Our culture has always held education in the highest esteem and upheld its importance time and again. We need to understand that accountability is of prime importance when we talk of educational reforms. We also need to be highly aware of progressive measures that we take because progress for the sake of progress must be discouraged. Training the young minds of the future occupies the highest priority and we must invest a sizeable amount of time in building a resourceful batch of teachers with the highest moral and educational standards.

We also need to be aware of social justice and equality when it comes to education. By our own reckoning our governmental spending on public educational organizations is low as compared to the private entities. This means better textbooks for a private school student as opposed to one studying in a public school. I think that is a shame. A lot of people say that the gap cannot be bridged today but then when will it happen.... Because the right to justice, the right to equality and the right to uniform education will happen now or never.

Yes, the going will be tough but then without pressure, without expectations we will never strive towards enthusiasm or success let alone our goals

EUTHANASIA: THE DEBATE OVER THE RIGHT TO DIE WITH DIGNITY OR DOCTORED DEATH

2009-06-03T20:10:00.000-07:00

Medical science has now acquired life supporting systems and medications to extend life artificially for long periods, even after the loss of brain activities and the control of bodily functions. The decision to reject such artificial treatment should be of the patient alone and no one else.

This decision of the patient constitutes the act of 'euthanasia'. Earlier this was called 'mercy killing '.However, now, the term "euthanasia" encompasses acts from lethal injection to "assisting" in suicide and to withholding basic levels of care from non-terminal patients. Euthanasia is a concept which is chequered with a lot of moral dilemmas and as such is a hugely controversial topic.

In the case of Euthanasia and Physician Assisted Suicide, the countries that advocate 'mercy killing' are Holland, Northern Provinces of Australia as well as some states in the United States of America. The Netherlands is the first country in the world to legalise euthanasia. The bill allows doctors to kill patients with terminal diseases who are suffering "unbearably," if they request it.

'Right to death' is different from euthanasia. Euthanasia means 'a good and peaceful death'. The term euthanasia comes from the Greek words "eu"-meaning good and "thanatos"-meaning death, which combined means “well-death” or "dying well". The term 'terminal', as defined by medical experts, means a disease that cannot be cured nor has no remedy. In fact, the final remedy is death. A practicing consultant, who is an expert in that particular field of illness, must confirm the terminal illness of the patient.

The classic example can be given of Terri Schiavo who died in the year 2005 after the United States Supreme Court allowed her feeding tubes to be taken off on the behest of her husband, though her parents relentlessly opposed it. Some have since maintained that her death constituted judicial murder.

The Indian Constitution says that the 'Right to Die' is not a fundamental right under Article 21.The Right to Die is inherently inconsistent with the Right to Life. The Court held that the Right to Life is a natural right, embodied in Article 21. However, suicide is an unnatural termination or extinction of life and therefore, incompatible and inconsistent with the concept of Right to Life.

Supporters of euthanasia are of the opinion that being in a permanent comatose and helpless condition was not at all beneficial to the patient. It was held that this concept was unrelated to the 'Principle of Sanctity of Life' or the 'Right to Live with Dignity'. The Court said that this argument was of no assistance to determine the scope of Article 21 of the Constitution while deciding whether the guarantee of 'Right to Life' includes the 'Right to Die.'

The court made it clear that the 'Right to Life,' including the right to live with human dignity, would include the existence of such a right till the end of natural life. This also includes the right to a dignified life up to the point of death, including a dignified procedure of death. This may include the right of a dying man to die with dignity, when his life is ebbing out.

The Court reiterated that the argument to support the views of permitting the termination of life in such cases by accelerating the process of natural death, when it was certain and imminent, was not available to interpret Article 21 to include the right to curtail the natural span of life.

The various reasons which support euthanasia are choice, which is an essential feature of a liberal democratic society, pressure on the medical facilities which is otherwise wasted on a person who does not really receive the wholesome goodness of such resources, economical pressure on the kins of the affected person and the outrageous exploitation of human resources and emotions.

Conversely, there is equal number of motivations to oppose euthanasia. These reasons, in brief, are disrespect to the moral code of medicinal conduct, feasibility of such an act when the patient is not in sane mind, act being against the wishes of the family or being performed under some pressure which is not appropriate. Further, the act is considered immoral if seen under theosophical light.

Euthanasia can never be implemented in a country where there is a clash of ideologies. There has been a lot of debate over this topic over the past few decades. The right to life of an individual is certainly the most fundamental right. Yet in extreme cases, it should not be binding on the individual to exercise that right in cases of agony.

Suicide should not be confused with euthanasia. The former is a narrower term when compared with euthanasia. In Greek, euthanasia means a 'good death'. Other countries will have to decide for themselves whether they should implement Euthanasia or not. Maybe, the Dutch style of an open policy is the best way to deal with such a delicate and ambiguous concept.

THE YOUTH BRIGADE SEEMS TO BE A FARCE

2009-06-03T05:13:00.000-07:00

If there is anything which has taken more political space this past
elections other than the worthless allegations over BOFORS and soap
operatic party structures, has been the contribution of the ‘youth’ of
the country towards this election and their entry into the world of
Indian politics often seen as a haven for the older generations. Rahul
Gandhi the flag bearer of the youth brigade has been seen as the one
who has rounded off on the young leaders of the Congress and has been
leading them, for having revived the Youth Congress and for bringing
some national political presence in student politics. But the youth
that he seems to lead or speak so passionately about brings about a
range of questions and most prominent of it is are they really the
youth of the country?

The so called young leaders who have been elected into the Parliament
this year are truly the youth in terms of their age. They are vibrant,
robust and bring in new ideas but the diet being forced down our
throat at every opportunity of them being true representatives of the
youth is very misleading and to some extent a farce.

If we hand pick some of the new entrants amongst the ‘youth’ we find
that they are off springs of big political houses, come from
economically prosperous family and so in turn are very well educated
and have had a cushioned entry into the world where they claim to
represent the youth of the country.

For example, Nilesh Rane, all of 27 is the son of Narayan Rane, a
political veteran in the state of Maharashtra. Elected from the
constituency of Ratnagiri in Maharashtra on a Congress ticket, he
seems to have gotten a platform ready made for his big arrival into
the Parliament. The bell rings the same tune for another young
Congress MP, Hamdullah Sayeed who won the Lakshwadeep seat with a
Congress ticket and is the youngest MP in the house. But what is
overlooked with convenience is that the Delhi High Court advocate is
the son of late P.M. Sayeed who won from the Lakshwadeep seat for four
decades. Ravneet S. Bittu, another Congress MP is a Youth Congress
leader whose grandfather just happens to be former Punjab CM late
Beant Singh.

And the cases can go on and on…..

RLD MP from Mathura, Jayant Chaudhary is a LSE graduate whose father
is Ajit Singh, the founder of RLD. Shruti Chaudhry from the Bhiwani
seat is the granddaughter of Bansi Lal and daughter of Minister for
Forest and Tourism, Kiran Chaudhary in the Hooda Government in
Haryana. Shatabdi Ray from Birbhum is an acclaimed actress from
Tollywood. Similar are the stories of Priya Dutt, Sachin Pilot and
Jyotiraditya Scindia who come from illustrious political families.

Need we speak more about the Marans from Tamil Nadu who publicly
declared that we must accept dynastic politics or the Chautala’s from
Haryana, or the dynastic politics of SP in Uttar Pradesh, or the
Gandhi’s from across the Indian political lines, where debutants or
second timers have all blue blood running in their veins? Agreed Rahul
Gandhi fielded 10 Youth Congress leaders of which 8 won but what about
the rest who represent privileged hues. Agreed again that the aam
youth of the country might not want to be part of politics, choosing
high profile jobs instead, but what is disturbing is that these
elected MP’s claim to represent the youth when in fact most don’t
identify with them and their journeys. Agreed that dynastic politics
rules in our country but don’t mislead us with the rhetoric of true
youth representation when we all understand that it is the new guard
replacing the old ailing guard from the same family to safeguard the
golden gates of the same treasure trove of power and political fame.

The political parties functioning across the Parliament must realize
that they must accept dynastic politics with a free arm just as DMK
did, oh so proudly, and stop manhandling the expectations of the
country that someone new can come, when the newness comes from the
same stable working overtime without any results over the past few
decades. There is nothing wrong with sons of politicians becoming
politicians themselves and getting a cushioned entry, its there in
every professions, sports, the arts, medicine and law but the
hypocrisy of the entire exercise as seen in politics seems as a tick
off.

POLITICS OF MAJOR CONVINIENCES

2009-05-10T01:57:00.000-07:00

It is the season of major political moves considering the general elections. In the fag end of this election, which turns out to be most drab in terms of issues raised during the campaigns, it has turned into a major slugfest of convenience. Not that our politics has been any different but this time around, it seems that the cutting across every political line there is, convenience seems to be the mantra of every politician worth any money or name.

What started as individual campaigns in Uttar Pradesh and Bihar for the Congress has suddenly made a stark u-turn in terms of their independence of thought. Calling on their former allies, Rahul Gandhi made a disaster in terms of their agenda. The use of the word ‘Like Minded Party’ was done so heavily and without any appropriate measure it seemed to have lost its significance in the discourse that took place during that fateful press conference. The election participants who started out as foes suddenly were being called on for making a government in case a hung assembly comes on. If one remembers there were numerous television appearances where many Congress spokespersons had claimed of Jayalalitha’s maligned political prowess and that Congress would never make any alliance with her party but now it seems to be convenient for the Congress to do so. Why must it be done? Suddenly it seems Nitish Kumar is an astounding leader of the masses who has the ‘like mindedness’ to be a possible ally for the Congress. And the Left seems to be wooed again on the same lines. Where is the self respect of every party gone? I wonder how a flip flop happens with such suddenness in the public eye. Again the alliance with Trinamool Congress raises eye brows.

We all are very aware of the fact that the Parliament is heading towards a very messy stale mate in terms of the power sharing means between the major national parties. Even BJP is doing no better. With Varun Gandhi drawing heavy crowds and still subtly commanding over sensitive communal issues is as astounding as the BJP support for him when it is speaking heavily for secular forces in the centre. His speeches are littered with distasteful remarks. For a commanding party with such a national presence it seems blasphemous to pitch in non-leaders like him. The Samajwadi Party has no clue of where their agenda is going as they shout off every roof top that any government which assists them in displacing the Mayawati government will have their support. We do seem to have reached a pinnacle of repulsive political diplomacy.

The other convenience is to pitch in there own favourite candidate in the open market of Prime Minister-ship. If Mayawati, with heaven knows what faculty, stakes a claim to the seat, then there is Jayalalitha who harbours such ambitions. Then there is NCP pitching the idea that the time is ripe for a Maharashtrian to become the PM. What absurdity is this? The PM has to represent the country, has to be a national face and not a face that gives vent to regional aspirations, which have to be strictly guarded and shown across. Some of these leaders are firmly regional faces and somehow they wish to have a national impact which is a surprising move over and over.

The agenda’s of the parties seem to border around the fact that we are beggars. Free colour television, rice and wheat at single digit monetary value and other such disastrous conveniences. Is India that poor? And even if we are it is because the money issued to development is lost in the pyramid of heavy corruption which shrouds the administrative bodies. The Samajwadi Party is attempting to stop English language and computers. I am an advocate of increased use of Hindi, our national language, in daily exercise but to stop the use of both these utilities is akin to inviting disaster to strike us while we know it is well on its way. Does less use of computers lead more job creation? I doubt it. Keynesian Economics is still valid in times of recession but this agenda seems to be stretching it too far. Do they think the aam junta is so mindless? With what thought are such agenda’s created and with what face do they manifest such views?

This has by far been the most disheartening election campaign with no issues raised, no worthy manifesto to be shown and most the campaign has centered on a famous soap opera. I cannot possibly blame the low voter turn out considering the lack of interest in the people. This has been the season of some absurd and unacceptable major political convenience. It raises serious question about our political future.

PREDICTIONS FOR 81ST ANNUAL ACADEMY AWARDS, 2009

2009-02-10T05:29:00.000-08:00

It is time for the most lavish awards to roll out its gifts to another set of winners. Let’s take a peek at the possible winners……….

Best Motion Picture of the Year
The Curious Case of Benjamin Button
Frost/Nixon
Milk
The Reader
Slumdog Millionaire

The predicted winner: Slumdog Millionaire is the clear front runner here. This rags-to-riches tale seems to be the critics delight, the favourite for audiences worldwide and the toast of every award ceremony worth talking about.

Might just make it: The Academy struck a major shock by eliminating Revolutionary Road in favour of Milk among the nominees, still the argument of Slumdog Millionaire remains very strong. The Curious Case of Benjamin Button, and Frost/Nixon are strong contenders. The eventuality of their winning is remote. Still the Academy can throw in surprises… remember Brokeback Mountain.

Best Performance by an Actress in a Leading Role
Anne Hathaway, Rachel Getting Married
Angelina Jolie, Changeling
Meryl Streep, Doubt
Melissa Leo, Frozen River
Kate Winslet, The Reader

The predicted winner: As always the Academy loves to shock and surprise. This time again, they replaced Kate Winslet’s Golden Globe winning role in Revolutionary Road and nominated her supporting actress winning role in The Reader in the lead category. This ruined her possible historic double win. Nevertheless, this category remains the most exciting in years for there are no clear frontrunners and has the best talents in the industry vying for the grand prize

Anne Hathaway started strong in the early award season scooping every critic’s award possible. The baton then somewhat moved on to Meryl Streep with a strong momentum leading to the Golden Globes. But the Golden Globe Awards put Kate Winslet as the complete front runner. Though she scooped the supporting actress nod for The Reader against different nominees, this still puts her in a higher pedestal. She won the BAFTA on Sunday for The Reader against similar nominees as at the Oscars. The SAG awards went both to Meryl Streep for best actress and Kate Winslet for the best supporting actress. This makes this category all the more unpredictable.

In the battle between the living legend, Streep and the maverick English brilliance, Winslet it will be Streep with the golden statuette but expect a very close finish, a very very close finish in fact.

Might just make it: Anne Hathaway may just surprise the proceedings with her gigantically loved role in Rachel Getting Married. She has vowed most of the critics, just remains to be seen if members of the Academy are vowed. She truly remains the dark horse this season. Expect surprises…..

Best Performance by an Actor in a Leading Role
Richard Jenkin, The Visitor
Frank Langella, Frost/Nixon
Sean Penn, Milk
Brad Pitt, The Curious Case of Benjamin Button
Mickey Rourke, The Wrestler

The predicted winner: Though Leonardo Dicaprio remained denied yet again it seems to be a two way battle between Mickey Rourke and Sean Penn. Mickey Rourke who seems to have seen a sudden revival in his drug induced career, seems to be on the higher side of winnings in the popular awards. He won both the Golden Globes and BAFTA but the veteran winner Penn came back strongly to win at the SAG and a host of critics awards.

Expect the Academy to love the underdog, read Rourke but then again past winners have been equally cherished. If it all comes to the end of the wire then Sean Penn will be scooping up another Oscar.

Might just make it: Brad Pitt has flown under the radar for most of the award season for The Curious Case of Benjamin Button. He has been nominated every where but has won a couple of critic’s award. Just like Anne Hathaway, he is the dark horse in this category with an added bonus of being a debutant to the Oscar race. Might just break the class ceiling when and where it matters the most….. Who knows?

Best Performance by an Actress in a Supporting Role
Amy Adams, Doubt
Penélope Cruz, Vicky Cristina Barcelona
Viola Davis, Doubt
Taraji P. Henson, The Curious Case of Benjamin Button
Marisa Tomei, The Wrestler

The predicted winner: This again is an open category and has opened furthur with the absence of Kate Winslet’s nomination for her work in The Reader. In her nonattendance, a three way battle seems to have opened. Penélope Cruz won the BAFTA on Sunday which added further momentum to her ambitions, Amy Adams has had a wonderful innings as a two time nominee and would like to convert her third into a win while Taraji P. Henson has been raved about for her work in The Curious Case of Benjamin Button.

If all goes well, expect Penélope Cruz to look all pretty with the Oscar, a wonderful gown, a ravishing hairdo and an accented thank you speech.

Might just make it: Viola Davis seems to be making all the right noises for her ten minute appearance in Doubt. She is one who could come all the way and disrupt the happy party for the three front runners. The Academy enjoys breakthrough performances, it might just be the ticket for Viola in the big league.

Best Performance by an Actor in a Supporting Role
Josh Brolin, Milk
Robert Downey Jr., Tropic Thunder
Michael Shannon, Revolutionary Road
Philip Seymour Hoffman, Doubt
Heath Ledger, The Dark Knight

The predicted winner: It’s unanimous, it’s well deserved and it’s almost a sure thing. It’s Heath Ledger for his unfathomable warped performance in The Dark Knight.

Might just make it: Robert Downey Jr. seems to be getting the momentum in his stride and it is a very well deserved nomination but the writing is on the wall and it says The Joker………

Best Achievement in Directing
Danny Boyle, Slumdog Millionaire
Steven Daldry, The Reader
David Fincher, The Curious Case of Benjamin Button
Ron Howard, Frost/Nixon
Gus Van Sant, Milk

The predicted winner: With every award going his way it seems futile to make any predictions. It’s Danny Boyle all the way…………

Might just make it: With Sam Mendes being over looked for Revolutionary Road (another shocker) the field clamped down even more competition. If a second in command has to be nominated it has to be Ron Howard for Frost/Nixon.

Best Writing, Screenplay Written Directly for the Screen
Courtney Hunt, Frozen River
Mike Leigh, Happy-Go-Lucky
Martin McDonagh, In Bruges
Dustin Lance Black, Milk
Andrew Stanton, Pete Docter, Jim Reardon, WALL•E

The predicted winner: In Bruges…. Period.

Might just make it: WALL•E and Milk might snare in a competitive look into the winners circle but a win seems highly unlikely.

Best Writing, Screenplay Based on Material Previously Produced or Published
Eric Roth, Robin Swicord, The Curious Case of Benjamin Button
John Patrick Shanley, Doubt
Peter Morgan, Frost/Nixon
David Hare, The Reader
Simon Beaufoy, Slumdog Millionaire

The predicted winner: Simon Beaufoy for Slumdog Millionaire. Take a bow!!!!!!

Might just make it: The Reader and The Curious Case of Benjamin Button might just about play spoilers but in the competitive arena, shockers are far and few in between. Not this time………..

Best Achievement in Music Written for Motion Pictures, Original Score
Alexandre Desplat, The Curious Case of Benjamin Button
James Newton Howard, Defiance
Danny Elfman, Milk
A.R. Rahman, Slumdog Millionaire
Thomas Newman, WALL•E

The predicted winner: The envelope reads A.R. Rahman…. This award is for billions. Let us enjoy our moment.

Might just make it: No one seems to be seen this year as competition….

Best Achievement in Music Written for Motion Pictures, Original Song
A.R. Rahman, Gulzar("Jai Ho"), Slumdog Millionaire
A.R. Rahman, ("O Saya"), Slumdog Millionaire
Peter Gabriel, Thomas Newman("Down to Earth"), WALL•E

The predicted winner: The second envelope should also read A.R. Rahman but hoping that it has Gulzar Saab’s name as well. Jay Jaykar for ‘Jai Ho’………..

Might just make it: WALL•E might just sneak this one away as a consolation prize…….

Best Achievement in Sound
David Parker, Michael Semanick, Ren Klyce, Mark Weingarten, The Curious Case of Benjamin Button
Ed Novick, Lora Hirschberg, Gary Rizzo, The Dark Knight
Ian Tapp, Richard Pryke, Resul Pookutty, Slumdog Millionaire
Tom Myers, Michael Semanick, Ben Burtt, WALL•E
Chris Jenkins, Frank A. Montaño, Petr Forejt, Wanted

The predicted winner: Ian Tapp, Richard Pryke, Resul Pookutty will take the Oscar for Slumdog Millionaire. No second doubts………..

Might just make it: The Dark Knight will have to be content with a runner up finish.

Best Animated Feature Film of the Year
Bolt
Kung Fu Panda
WALL•E

The predicted winner: WALL•E! WALL•E! WALL•E! WALL•E! The envelope screams WALL•E…………..

Might just make it: Kung Fu Panda might have an outside chance…

Best Foreign Language Film of the Year
Der Baader Meinhof Komplex (Germany)
Entre les murs (France)
Revanche (Austria)
Okuribito (Japan)
Vals Im Bashir (Israel)

The predicted winner: Critics loved it, and so will the Academy members. It’s Vals Im Bashir from Israel.

Might just make it: Kung Fu Panda might have an outside chance…

LET’S SET OUR HOUSE IN ORDER BEFORE WE STEP ON TO MEND SOME ONE ELSE’S

2009-01-22T22:54:00.000-08:00

Since the Mumbai attacks, all we have seen is a surge of governmental pressure over Pakistan to hand over the twenty listed terrorists, close the permanently-open-to-attack terror camps and dismantle their intelligence services along with a very liberal dosage of diplomatic and pleasing-to-the-ears backlash. Add to the above an umpteen number of ‘Enough is Enough’ citizen mails which have been dropping onto our mailboxes with the regularity of the wins seen by the Indian cricket team lately.

In the midst of this all, all I want to do is to shout on the top of my lung and ask every single activity on these streamlines to just STOP. Enough with the back lashing, enough with the citizen mails, enough with the you-stop-first diplomacy and finally enough with we-are-the-victims façade. This has been going on for a while now and I believe a collective number of nerves are right at the edge of the wire, mine included.

Let’s first look after our affairs. Let us first make adjustment to our perceptions to our own problems and finally let’s just make a difference in our lives first before bringing an alteration in someone else’s life. It is time we mind our own business rather than make someone else’s business our very own.

We need to realise that rather than blame Pakistan let us first bring about a sea change in our security system. We have to diversify our security measures, make the grades in terms of advancements in technology support and get a firm grip over our strategies. We must stop blaming Pakistan for our tragedies, our short falls and our mistakes. Of course they are going to disagree to our allegation, they will not commit to our demands and they definitely will not owe up to their shortfalls no matter what the evidence. We have to get a grip over our internal circumstances. The diplomatic blame game must stop at this very instance. It is doing us no good. It would serve us well if we divert our attention to getting our security cover up to the bet we can in the given circumstances.

Finally, for the citizen drive we are seeing. It has to stop. All we are doing is giving suggestions which I am sure no one is applying. The high-horse situation must discontinue at the very instance. All we can do is ACT! That is the focal point. How, when and where is question. i mean, we are perpetually in a slumber. No offence but every writer seems to be one among us, still sleeping.

ONE SUGGESTION- Let’s just get our lives right, personally advocate changes in yourself. Do those little things that matter, like switching off lights when not needed, saving water, not litter, take safety measures in our driving methods, not giving aid to corruption even if we have to stand in the line for another few hours or have to jump through loops to get our work done, giving back to the important charities, paying our taxes and being honest in our own lives. And for gods sakes lets not say WE DO ALL THESE THEN WHY DO WE SUFFER! We suffer because we don’t do it right……

Michael Johnson once said- You can practice throwing the ball in to the basket for years, but if you employ the wrong method then no matter the hours you are doing it wrong.

That’s what is happening to us. We want to do the right things but end up trying to do the same the wrong way. So let us set our lives the right way……… We all believe in bringing revolutions but we don’t realise revolution begins only with the self. The thing is revolutions are not manufactured, they are not created my conceited efforts, it just happens when a lot of people sub consciously act the right way for the others to follow.

So first LET US ACT IN OUR OWN LIVES, SET THER HOUSE RIGHT IN OUR HOMES AND THEN WHEN COLLECTIVE HOMES ARE SET RIGHT REVOLUTION WILL BEGIN ON ITS OWN.

LETS ACT IN OUR LIVES FIRST…………… let that be our New Year resolution.

PREDICTIONS FOR THE GOLDEN GLOBE AWARDS 2009

2009-01-10T21:18:00.000-08:00

The awards season is here and by Monday morning we will get a definite taste of the best of the best of the year gone by as soon as the Golden Globe awards get announced. There is a definite Indian flavour at this years awards. Shah Rukh Khan is going to present an award at the ceremony held in Los Angeles, Karan Johar has been invited to attend and finally Slumdog Millionaire, been scooping awards after awards, the last count being 55 in two months space, has ‘India’ running all over it.

This year has the most diverse combination of actors who have put up their best to grab awards. Even if there seems to be a clear front runner there is no final conclusion to the predictions. Any one can get through the field and surprises would be the order of the day.

PREDICTIONS FOR MOTION PICTURES

Best Motion Picture (Drama)
The Curious Case of Benjamin Button
Frost/Nixon
The Reader
Revolutionary Road
Slumdog Millionaire

The predicted winner: Slumdog Millionaire seems to be getting stronger by the day in terms of agreeability factor with the critics. It is gritty and it pleases the crowd at the same time, a combination not seen in a while.

Might just make it: The Curious Case of Benjamin Button, and Frost/Nixon have five nominations each, and if their unusual side to the conventional triumphs then one of these two might just scoop the Globe.

Best Motion Picture - Musical or Comedy
Burn After Reading
In Bruges
Happy-Go-Lucky
Mamma Mia
Vicky Cristina Barcelona

The predicted winner: Mamma Mia! Seems to have taken an early lead thanks to its entertainingly hummable spirit to attached to it and then again it has Meryl Streep…. Need we say more?

Might just make it: In Bruges is climbing on the charts with a certain solidity while Woody Allen’s Spanish comedy Vicky Cristina Barcelona might just take the baton from the predicted winner.

Best Actress (Drama)
Anne Hathaway, Rachel Getting Married
Angelina Jolie, Changeling
Meryl Streep, Doubt
Kristin Scott Thomas, I've Loved You So Long
Kate Winslet, Revolutionary Road

The predicted winner: The year in which women have had it so good this seems to be the most challenging contest of all. All five have something more to offer. If there is Streep, veteran and winner always, then there is Hathaway breaking through her mould and establishing herself, and then there is Winslet who I hope wins this time after being perennially nominated and followed by Jolie, who makes a challenging comeback into the higher echelons while Kristin Scott does an authorative French repeat from last year.

Expect a fight off between Meryl Streep and Anne Hathaway, with Hathaway just about sneaking in the Globe. Tough to predict! It all comes to the end of the wire…….

Might just make it: Kate Winslet might just crack the ceiling while Kristin Scott could just spring a massive surprise with her French turn like Marion Cotillard last year. Who knows is the mantra this year?

Best Actor (Drama)
Leonardo DiCaprio, Revolutionary Road
Frank Langella, Frost/Nixon
Sean Penn, Milk
Brad Pitt, The Curious Case of Benjamin Button
Mickey Rourke, The Wrestler

The predicted winner: It’s all Sean Penn this year… Period.

Might just make it: Leonardo DiCaprio is another perennial nominee and Mickey Rourke as the come back athlete in The Wrestler could pull up a surprise but it seems highly unlikely in this scenario where Penn seems to be leading in all stakes.

Best Actress - Musical or Comedy
Rebecca Hall, Vicky Cristina Barcelona
Sally Hawkins, Happy-Go-Lucky
Frances McDormand, Burn After Reading
Meryl Streep, Mamma Mia
Emma Thompson, Last Chance Harvey

The predicted winner: This one again poses a challenge between Sally Hawkins and Meryl Streep. It’s Streep’s 23rd nomination at the Globes and is a record and we won’t be surprised if she adds the 7th and most wins at the ceremony by the time the night ends but Sally Hawkins could play a legitimate spoil sport to the same.

Might just make it: Rebecca Hall poses a should-win threat to the leaders in this category.

Best Actor - Musical or Comedy
Javier Bardem, Vicky Cristina Barcelona
Colin Farrell, In Bruges
James Franco, Pineapple Express
Brendan Gleeson, In Bruges
Dustin Hoffman, Last Chance Harvey

The predicted winner: Javier Bardem sings a different tune from last years gritty No Country For Old Men and this might just please the jury while Colin Farrell remains the most underrated act of the year. If a choice has to be made its Bardem all the way.

Might just make it: James Falco seems to be getting the right noises from the critics while Dustin Hoffman has all the experience which could pull in the award his way.

Best Supporting Actress
Amy Adams, Doubt
Penelope Cruz, Vicky Cristina Barcelona
Viola Davis, Doubt
Marisa Tomei, The Wrestler
Kate Winslet, The Reader

The predicted winner: A lot is being said about Viola Davis’s ten minute power struck act in Doubt which could clash with the aspirations of Kate Winslet in Reader. It comes down to these two and making a choice is awfully difficult. Should be Kate Winslet’s year of finally making it to the stage.

Might just make it: Marisa Tomei has been there with My Cousin Vinny. Although she does well in The Wrestler, a repeat act seems unlikely. Then again, you never know?

Best Supporting Actor
Tom Cruise, Tropic Thunder
Robert Downey Jr., Tropic Thunder
Ralph Fiennes, The Duchess
Philip Seymour Hoffman, Doubt
Heath Ledger, The Dark Knight

The predicted winner: It’s unanimous, it’s well deserved and it’s almost a sure thing. It’s Heath Ledger for his unfathomable warped performance.

Might just make it: Robert Downey Jr. seems to be getting the momentum in his stride and it is a very well deserved nomination but the writing is on the wall and it says The Joker………

Best Director
Danny Boyle, Slumdog Millionaire
Steven Daldry, The Reader
David Fincher, The Curious Case of Benjamin Button
Ron Howard, Frost/Nixon
Sam Mendes, Revolutionary Road

The predicted winner: This is Danny Byle’s year and let’s not get into second thoughts here because it’s going to be Danny Boyle for definite. Unless……..

Might just make it: Sam Mendes is making it to the elite circle where he can pull of a stunning upset but that seems a little far fetched because Slumdog Millionaire has its stride far ahead. Runner up finish will do just about fine.

Best Original Score
Defiance
The Curious Case of Benjamin Button
Slumdog Millionaire
Frost/Nixon
Changeling

The predicted winner: A.R. Rahman’s moment of glory….. And it is certain. Let’s get the Indian print and television media ready for the coverage….

Might just make it: No one in the picture……

MISS INDIA FINISHES SECOND AT THE MISS WORLD PAGEANT 2008

2008-12-13T23:55:00.001-08:00

In the world of pageantry, the four big beauty pageants, also known as the Fab Four, are the Miss Universe Contest, Miss World Pageant, Miss International and Miss Earth. Miss World and Miss Earth attract the highest number of participants every year, reaching well over a hundred. While the Americas, Japan and Philippines are staunchly loyal to the Miss Universe Pageant, the Miss World Pageant enjoys similar allegiance in Europe and Africa. Both the Miss Universe and Miss World pageants are the high point of pageantry in the year and its winner’s escalate to stardom not only in their respective countries but also around the world.

The Miss World pageant started in 1951 under the aegis of Eric Morley in the United Kingdom. London presently serves as a base for the pageant and the winner, though forever globe trots, regards London as her operational headquarters. Though it enjoyed vast success early on as it capitalized on the woman liberation front, in the mid 70’s it began to attract protests because of the objectification of women. Following this, the pageant brought about its motto of Beauty with a purpose. This led the winner to devote an entire year to charitable causes and fund raising. By the turn of the new millennia, the pageant brought about a new method of selection- internet voting. The 2005 edition of the pageant was completely based on this method and the winner, Peru, won the crown because she had received the most votes via polling on line. The Miss World pageant also crowns Continental Queens, the best delegates from each continent, in addition to the winners, runners up and sub contest winners. Another highlight of the pageant is the announcing of the winners. Until his death, it was done by Eric Morley and now by his wife Julia Morley, where the winners are always announced in reverse order. The emcees of the show never announce the winners in a long-standing tradition.

India has had a colourful and very successful history at the Miss World pageant especially since 1994. While we have had two winners within seven years of each other, a second place finish and a string of semi-final finishes at the Miss Universe pageant at the Miss World we have five winners, four in a stretch of seven years (1994-2000), two top five finish and a few semi-finalists. The last winner of the crown was Priyanka Chopra in 2000 and the last finalist was Ami Vashi in 2003, who no less deserved the third place but it was given in favour of China, the host. In 2006, Natasha Suri was celebrated as a firm favourite to win but as each continent could have one representative (and Asia- Pacific posed with the toughest delegates) she had to settle as semi-finalist. She created history with Miss Australia Sabrina Houssami (who finished second runner up that year) as being the first time when two delegates have finished with tied scores from the panel of ten judges and qualified for the semifinals together.

The 2008 edition of the pageant was supposed to be held in Ukraine in October but the Georgia crisis led to it being hosted in South Africa. South Africa has a long tradition of hosting the pageant and has hosted it the maximum number of times (6 times counting this year too). Sun City played host to the pageant in 1994 when Aishwarya Rai walked away unanimously with the crown. This year Johannesburg hosted the pageant. In all 109 contestants from around the world participated. The live show was telecasted in over 187 countries by 341 telecasters, making it the one of the highly watched live shows of the year.

Parvathy Omanakuttan, who not only won the Miss India-World title but also the Miss India-South preliminary contest in 2007, represented India. She finished fifth in the Beach Beauty contest and came in third in the Top Model gala. In doing so, she established herself as the strong favourite along side Russia, South Africa, Spain and Mexico. This year the organizers decided to vote in sixteen semifinalists for the final night’s competition. Of these, a pre-judging panel would select ten while the other six would come in through a string of preliminary contest. The preliminary contests were Beach Beauty won by Mexico, Top Model won by Russia, Talent won by Barbados and Fitness won by Iceland. The Beauty with a Purpose title was won by Trinidad and Tobago. A contestant who would have won the internet-polling contest would have also advanced to the semi-finals but due to technical glitches, it was scraped. Thus, there were only fifteen semi-finalists. USA won the Designer Award for the best evening gown.

The pageant highlighted the tourism potentials of South Africa through out the evenings telecast and showed the travels of the contestants through the length and breath of the country. The ten semi-finalists included India (called right at the end), South Africa, Angola, Kazakhstan, Spain….. Then they were short listed to the top five, with India, South Africa, Russia, Angola and Trinidad and Tobago heading the list. As the final hour closed by each of the top five were asked why they were to be crowned Miss World. India, poised as ever, was not given this chance as time ran out. She was asked first, as to what she liked about her month long stay in South Africa. She gave a beautiful yet practiced answer about the warm hospitality, similar cultural icons in Nelson Mandela and Mahatma Gandhi and fantastic journey she had altogether. Russia used an interpreter to answer and hoped to help people through her crown while South Africa expressed her confidence in creating a wonderful image of the organization just as she did for her country.

In the end, Russia walked away with the crown while India came in second and Trinidad and Tobago finished third. The new Miss World will now begin a fantastic year of opportunities and charity. The result did bring up question marks. If the last answer was to be taken into consideration then India or South Africa deserved the crown more than Russia. Still this is India’s highest placement in the last seven years and a fantastic representation by Parvathy Omanakuttan.

A HISTORICAL ANATOMY OF HUMAN RIGHTS

2008-12-13T23:51:00.000-08:00

What truly are Human Rights? Why do we clamour about it with a personal enthusiasm? Moreover, when is it to be recognised?

Since the World War years, in particular the Second World War, which saw Human Rights, emerged as a very important subject. The extremely dismal yet superiorly structured genocide of the Jews by Hitler led Germans was the starting point of Human Rights. The devastation caused singularly to one religion, wiped out the golden rays of European and American ethics, principles and self-suffering idealism. Though the early proponents of Human Rights were the British and the Americans, they are no less when it comes to atrocities on the human kind. The British have left a legacy of about three hundred years of painful violence on India alone; need we step into their former colonies in Asia and Africa? The USA has had a long-standing curse with the nuclear bombing of Japan and it continues in Abu-Gharib and Guanatamo Bay with no response of constructive apology.

What seems to be wrong with the concept of Human Rights is that we seem to be seeing the concept through the broken prism of the Second World War. The dilapidated view has taken us, new nations like India, no-where because the principles constructed in the last century have no validity and no application in the 21st century. The world order has changed dramatically and by the end of the next few years, recession hit USA and Europe will be knocking the doors of the new leaders in the BRIC countries.

Every century comes with a new set of rules where the principles of diplomacy changes and the very definition of important issues find themselves being modified to suit the new ways of thinking. History has been a keen witness to the changes, be it the European Renaissance, the Indian revival from the dark ages, the Chinese march towards domination or the awakening of USA amidst the World Wars while the European order crumbled. These changes are constant and change we must because if we cannot keep up with them we shall never progress.

Thus in the new scenario we also need to change the designation we give to Human Rights. We also need to revise the very application of the benefits of these rights and consider keenly as to on whom should we confer them. On paper, these rights seem holy and white washed with morals and stringent beliefs in the eventual goodness of the human kind, but it is the execution of these rights that bring in the necessary changes. Here we are not only concerned with execution but ethical and proper execution. Over the last fifty odd years, we have seen only execution of human rights, which has in turn meant shoddy, and under prepared implementation by the international agencies at large.

The Constitution of our very blessed and young country provides us with a platform to voice our opinions and choices while giving us an impetus to forge ahead to a life we deserve to live. This is what true human rights are. It is a space where we can be truly human, where we can be assured of the next set of breaths which we will take and reassured of a life where we are sure of contributing to nation building. In this scenario, we also need to realise the value of human rights. At this point, the country is unanimous in opinionating aggressively against terrorism as a potential threat to the very human right of a peaceful life and internal security, against political detraining and abysmal treatment of Prisoners of War and against atrocities committed against women and children.

However, the larger representation swirls around us looking beyond the picture painted before us. It is time we decide to look further than the mere definition given to us and as it has been defined for years. If we look back into the history books, we will only ridicule the vibrant concept of Human Rights. It is time we traverse the boundaries set by man and look outside the conventional boundaries of colour, sex, creed and nationality to define Human Rights.

In my opinion Human Rights is the right to be ME, believing in my capabilities and contributing effectively to the nation and the world at large. It is the inherent right to live a life by terms and conditions that are personal but adhering at the same time to the collective principles of a secular society. Human Rights are the very need of every human being to live a life of justice. Equality is a panacea, which is never going to be achieved, and this fact is universal. Yet, the truth is that human rights need to be implemented so that justice is served.

This brings me to execution. On whom should we bestow this right? My answer is simple. The very phrase Human Rights gives us the answer. These rights are for humans. Humans differ from animals because we have a conscience, can think constructively for general good, are capable of speech, of crafty articulation and of diplomacy among the larger community. Right is a want if each human which is not only warranted but also guaranteed.

With the above definition, these rights are to be conferred only on those capable of being humans. It is not to conferred on a terrorist who does not regret his actions, on army personnel who over step the line of duty to commit unsaid carnage and on political leaders turned dictators who simply have an over sight on those on whom crimes are being performed in the name of administration. Human rights are simply for humans.

As we turn towards 2009, it will be wise to measure up our system of managing these rights. These rights should be respected but too much emphasis too may dilute the principles of independent administration. Right now is the time to amend our views with respect to Human Rights and deliver on promises of justice if not equality.

‘DIL KABBADI’- AN ERRATIC DISPLAY OF INFIDELITY ON SCREEN

2008-12-09T07:34:00.001-08:00

‘Dil Kabbadi’ is a roller-coaster ride you would not want to take for it is erratic, boring, and slow and certainly does not know the direction it is headed to. It is a movie made with very little finesse and has no structure on which it has been built. It falls flat from the very beginning and does not get up from its slumber inducing progress till the very end.

Made on the very ‘urban’ and absolutely ‘hip’ concept of infidelity in marriages the movie boasted of a stellar pair of actors in Konkona Sen Sharma and Irrfan Khan along with the very intellectual and multifaceted Rahul Bose, banker turned blue blooded actress Soha Ali Khan, underrated and underused Rahul Khanna and ‘Big Boss’ inmate Payal Rohatgi. Though the cast is quite impressive to begin with it remains superior only in name and on paper. It is disappointing to see such wonderful actors being given a raw deal in a movie which in its promotions promised a lot.

The screen play goes haywire from the very beginning and nothing in the movie seems to be relatable. The narrative takes you aback and is at time confusing. As the script is enlightening us with quite a few stories the confusion is chaotic. At times there are movies which speak multiple story lines eloquently without swirling the audience in a self induced frenzy. This does not hold true for ‘Dil Kabbadi’. There are times that I had to wonder what happened to a certain story while one was on the roll. This affects the concentration of the audience and is not a good feeling. After all we don’t go to the movies to invest our brain cells on the screen. The humour is poor, though not slapstick but not enjoyable at the same time. The fun element does not blossom and leaves you with a very wanted mood.

The actors don’t really impress primarily because the characters are very irritating. The sketch of every role is mopped with eccentricities which are not likable to begin with. To top that the script builds on these with great efficiency this spoils the likable factor of all the character. Turning back I cannot point out even one positive fact of any of the characters. This is truly sad because this translates to the audience not liking the actors themselves even if they do a fine job.

Konkona Sen Sharma is on auto-pilot through out the movie and has nothing really to show from her brilliant repertoire of acting skills. Irrfan Khan is surprisingly irritating while Soha Ali Khan needs to learn how to emote the intelligence of her face through her eyes. They remain blank through out and any effort to trace out any emotions would lead to empty hands. Rahul Bose has an very skirmish quality to his acting in this movie while Rahul Khanna is very plain. Finally, Payal Rohatgi may have acted her part to the T but it was the most nauseating track of the movie. She was neither funny and nor was she cute, though she did look good.

All in all, miss this movie if you can. In the multiplex era tickets can be heavy on a student wallet, better save it for the biggies coming later this month.

LESSONS FROM A YOUNG INDIAN

2008-12-09T07:32:00.000-08:00

Most of our learning’s take place in an audience being informed by elders. Our teachers are always senior to us in age and experience. Very often we are led in our professions by entrepreneurs who are on the higher side of the age bar. Finally, we are being represented in the political landscape by very dramatic, chaotic and bratty politicians who just happen to be on the wrong side of sixty, which is most of the time.

In this very elderly-bias learning society it is very refreshing to be taught, hands on, by a young person who if not is a part of your generation but somehow identifies with your visions. They can effectively substantiate them with observations of their own without damaging your individual idea in the first place and dampening your burning spirits. I believe this is true teaching. In fact the single biggest academic success of mine has come with the true inspiration of my own peer and best friend.

Just a few evenings back my family of three played host to a soon to be married couple whose family happen to be of close proximity to us. Among Bengalis it a traditional feast called ‘Aiburo-bhat’. Though I knew the bride and her family since my school days I was quite new to the family of the groom. It took us a few minutes to strike a conversation while the women retired to the usual marriage talks oscillating between the kitchen and bedroom while the fathers took their day’s drinks to the balcony. It was here that I had an experience of a lifetime with a virtually unknown person who now turned to be a friend and a personal visionary.

The groom, a fine-looking twenty seven year old engineer had an opinion on about everything. It was just not opinion but it was informed opinion which made the pivotal difference. While talking about the educational system of our country I learnt that how much we criticize the system without exactly knowing of its true value. What we conveniently forget is the fact that a little experience is required before we can logically create a critique about any fact about our lives or experiences.

I ranted off about the reality that our education system kept us on our toes with a rote learning system which discouraged any imaginative and constructive intellectual architecture from our side. The fact that most of our learning was useless made our student lives fairly stressful. Most of the times we were made to study subjects which had no direct connection to our real lives. Considering the fact that no country in Europe studies modern Indian history in their school baffled me as to why we invested so much time in studying European history.

That is when I got to learn that there was a very tricky fact we overlook about our Indian education system. In his visits to Germany he realised that we, Indians have an in-depth knowledge of their history which is not only surrounds around their recent history of the two World Wars. The fact that we as students are also taught of the German contribution to the Renaissance makes them happy. This heavily translates into an effective working relation based on trust and respect. The fact that the Germans realise firstly, we look beyond the misery of the events of the 20th century and secondly that we value their history which was more glorious leads them to be warm towards us as we know so much about them in the first place.

Come to think about it I did realise that it actually holds truth. I would equally be very warm towards a foreigner who would know so much about our country rather than a visitor who is ignorant or dismissive of our country’s heritage and history. He realised during this time that the Indian educators apprehended early on that as a new nation we would be heavily dependant on foreign assistance. One way of being in the good sight of these nations is to create a legion of educated Indians who would be conversant in the basics of the history of the world and this could translate easily into a smooth transition of faith and respect leading to economic, social and diplomatic support. How ingenious!

At the same time he recounted his experiences of how the little-stressed-out study environment helped him create a very sharp focus for his job. The very fact that as students we are constantly on our toes keeps the tempo on while we are on our jobs too. According to him the sharpness of the mind cannot be substituted by anything in any profession, and that our learning pattern induces the same. At the end of the day we might just be scored on what we reproduce on the paper but the farsightedness is that not what we can recollect but how chiseled our brain cells become over time. We really do not realise in the midst of our agitation that our brain are actually receiving a work out, in fact a much needed one.

According to his observation this translates further into work ethics. The hard work we are so used to do (even if grudgingly) leads it to become a habit. Our social scenario too encourages us to strive for success most of the time beyond our reach. In Europe as the post retirement life is secured for every one who works they do not resent living their professional lives in the same comfort zone. In stark contrast in our country we are so unsure of our future lives that we endeavor to work hard and sometimes a little harder to achieve what we truly want. This is another legacy we carry on from school.

I know a lot of readers will find what I have written here age old but for me this is new information I never imagined existed. We all have a foundation in our lives which govern as to how our thought process works and shapes. In my case it is my father. Then again with time we come across people who add on to our knowledge, to our experiences, to our lives in general. The thing about young teachers is that they can shape out thoughts with care and not with harsh canons.

The blessed groom made me realise that most of our criticism is founded on no real base and is nothing but a fallacy. What we need at this time for a young independent country like India are young teachers, young entrepreneurs and certainly young leadership. Most importantly the young political leadership must be achieved on ones own strength and by a cushion set for years on a name the country has literally grown on. At the end of the day we require self made young inners to lead our country to victory.

A salute to the young!

ENOUGH IS ENOUGH

2008-11-28T06:47:00.001-08:00

This seems to be the extreme spectrum in terms of testing the patience of a nation and its citizens. The terror attacks raging in Mumbai, entering it 45th hour as this article is being written has and must be the last straw for our tolerance towards any form of terrorism. The audacity of such terrorists to enter into our financial capital for an ill tempered man hunt is something which cannot be tolerated with our very meek replies seen before. It is time to stand up and meet our fates, which is to fight, fight for our independence, fight for our citizens and fight to save our sanctity. Enough is enough; we need to finally push for the last frontier in our fight towards and with terrorism.

In this hour our Prime Minister gives a robotic, insanely passive, dead and morose speech while addressing the nation. In this moment of complete profanity towards our sovereignty the President addresses the nation in a very submissive tone while reading a pre written speech which delivers on the same content time after time when our men and women, who drive the nation day after day, die without any fault of theirs. Where is our leadership? Is it time for our leaders, be it from the government or the opposition to speak from their sheltered houses to call for useless conferences to address the nation. For what is this needed? Why do you need to visit the injured in the hospitals now when most of the security needs to be beefed up at the spots where the terrorists have hauled up themselves or are mercilessly killing the innocent? What will you do by meeting the injured? Yes Mr. Prime Minister, can we have answers. Answers we need, answers we desire for our peaceful sleep in the night, and answers we deserve to let our children and parents go to do their daily business in the cities knowing we will see them safely at then end of the day or hear from them that they have conquered the day with safety. Did it make any difference to the injured by your very plastic visit to them? Will you even remember the faces of these people after the election?

Let me pose a few questions. We compare ourselves to our western counterparts every day with hope of our equality to them. After the July bombings of London have any other terror strikes occurred in the U.K.? Let us keep aside U.K., it is tiny in size as compared to the proportions of India. Has U.S.A. suffered any terror attacks on its own land after the 9/11 happenings? India is smaller in terms of size to the U.S.A. yet it cannot contain these terror traps. For Gods sake, we are the largest spenders in the world for defense equipments and ammunitions. Where are these purchases going? Where are these ammunitions being used? Of course I am well aware that most of them are being targeted towards Kashmir but how can the police in Gujrat and Maharashtra, the intelligence and the Indian navy loose track of a small rubber boat laden with well trained and planned terrorists who have the audacity to enter a foreign territory and create havoc and the worst terror attacks we have ever seen. How is it possible that our country and its leadership have tolerated attacks after attacks when the last straw should have been the very assault on our Parliament in 2001?

After 9/11 occurred we along with the world decided to condemn U.S.A when they installed a complete screening device in their airports. It was their way to safeguard themselves. What was wrong in it? It at least did not allow any more such attacks to be conducted on them. Why cannot we learn from them when we learn every thing else from them. We take up their accent, their entertainment, their foreign policy methods, their governance values but cannot learn the way they effectively and with single handed devotion and focus fight inland or international terrorism. Who are we trying to appease here by softening our stand day after day, year after year, and attack after attack? With what intentions does the Prime Minister give a speech about non-tolerance towards terrorism when in fact we have tolerated about a handful since they have come into power. With what convenience does Mr.L.K. Advani address a press conference when in fact our symbol of democracy, our greatest strength and the joy of our representation to the world, the Parliament was daringly attacked under their regime?

It is time we stand up to what is truly ours, peace. It is what we deserve. We have led our citizens, our democracy and our foreign policy with peace and courtesy. We deserve the same and if we are not getting it in return, which is the cold fact, we need to fight for our right. Our neighbour has done enough damage and time and again got past us because we dared to continue peacefully, but it is high time we stop the same and fight with our guns. Words have been spoken, hands have been shook, files and paperwork on peace have been exchanges and enough of these measures have been taken. It is time for affirmative action.

It is an appeal here that the leadership of this country does what is needful that is to truly be aggressive- aggressive in our dialogue, in our ultimatums and in our action. It is time to fight. The time for soft dialogues has gone. This has to be the last straw.

REALITY TV: A HISTORY OF ENTERTAINMENT

2008-11-24T20:46:00.000-08:00

Reality TV is the new mantra of television producers and channel executives. It is the means to high TRP ratings and the end is always to ouster the other channel and similar-but-tweaked-here-and-there shows from the competition. So fierce is the competition in this segment that every channel at least boasts of two to three brands of reality shows. Some of them are inherited legally from abroad, mostly and always that is from the USA- the god-mother of reality television, or some proving to be very cheap copies of the shows abroad.

If one channel boasts of ‘Jhalak Diklaja’, a take on the American dance reality show ‘Dancing with the Stars’, then another one has ‘Nach Baliye’ to offset its audience value. Both the shows boast of television heavyweights, but at times the soup served by these shows becomes a concoction of soap operas, bad production values and precarious mud slinging. Unlike its foreign contemporary where contestants’ master classic dance styles like the jive, rumba-samba, ballroom etc, these shows making the contestants dance on ordinary Hindi songs which leads the show to be mundane.

Then there glitzy talent shows, mostly singing or dancing, which makes us all feel that any other talent is worthless unless you can shake a hip to coarse steps and be a professional in multiple acts of melodrama as seen in these shows. The worse seems to be the addition of children to these shows. Apart from the very obvious labour of shooting these shows the most disturbing issue is the unearthliness of dance, crude choices of songs and impolite costumes for children aged between 5 and 10. These shows apart from becoming platforms for movies to be publicised, also produce talent which very soon goes into anonymity.

Then there are other brands of reality shows- quizzes. ‘The Bournvita Quiz Contest’ remained and will always remain, for me without doubt, the epitome of dignified, knowledgeable and a polished format of fun and delight for children and adults alike. Derek O’ Brien will forever remain the consummate host who set trends for future knowledge based game shows. The only contemporary who stands shoulder to shoulder with him is the ageless Siddhart Basu, who’s ‘Mastermind India’ produced geniuses par excellence from amongst us. In recent times Amitabh Bachchan brought himself out from oblivion along with respect for the medium of television, in the incomparable show ‘Kaun Banega Crorepati’, a reproduction of the hit show ‘Who wants to be a Millionare’. Shah Rukh Khan hosted the same show with enviable enthusiasm and also brought out the desi version of ‘Are You Smarter than a Fifth Grader’, though without much success.

In this regard we must mention, we must mention Neena Gupta’s brilliant yet sarcastic take on ‘The Weakest Link’, which did not go down well with the audience due to the stinging scorns from the forever black wearing hostess. The latest entrant into this segment is Salman Khan with his new show ‘Dus ka Dum’.

MTV brought out very successfully at it, two reality shows centered on today’s youth. ‘Roadies’ especially ‘Roadies 5.0’ along with ‘Splitsvilla’ brought out a new version of reality dosage which got the youth hooked on to the idiot box, me being no exception. These shows showed the mindset of the youth and there expressions which were well received though it was very tasteless at times.

The chief question is where did it all start from?

Without a doubt USA is he mother of this concept though European countries have had sizeable contributions to the same.

Well, the genre came on to its own in the very south of the 20th century and early 21st century, it existed from late 1940’s in America. Allen Funt’s ‘Candid Camera’ is often described as the granddaddy of reality television. Shows like ‘Beat the Clock’, ‘Truth or Consequences’, Ted Mack's ‘Original Amateur Hour’, Arthur Godfrey's ‘Talent Scouts’, ‘You Asked For It’ showed contests, practical jokes, stunts, amateur competition, audience voting and selections dictating the shows’ trajectory .

Beauty pageant gained light after the ‘Miss America’ beauty pageant attained heady success since its broadcast in 1954. The winners often got instant celebrity status. This laid the ground for international beauty pageants like the ‘Miss Universe’ and the ‘Miss World’ Pageants, both of which began very successful journeys in the 1950’s and continue till now with record participations and audience viewerships across the globe.

Modern reality television featuring participators who were more than raring to let go off their confidentiality and decorum to attain their very precious yet fleeting five minutes of success began in the 70’s. ‘Chuck Barris: The Dating Game’, ‘The Newlywed Game’ and ‘The Gong Show’ brought out the early version of the brazenness that we see today in reality shows across the world.

‘Cops’ which began airing in 1989 brought out the camcorder filming style to reality television. The concepts of heavy soundtracks being used to confessional room videos were pioneered by the series ‘Nummer 28’ which was a Dutch production. ‘Survivor’ had its basis on the Swedish show ‘Expedition Robinson’, created by TV producer Charlie Parsons, and began airing in 1997.

The 21st century brought with it multiple reality shows which hit the bull’s eye with regularity. ‘American Idol’ is one such show which has been reproduced in possibly every part of the globe. Other shows like ‘Survivor’, ‘Top Model’, ‘Dancing With The Stars’, ‘The Apprentice’, ‘Fear Factor’ and ‘Big Brother’ have all also had a global impact, having each been successfully syndicated in dozens of countries.
‘Project Runway’, ‘America's Next Top Model’ and ‘The Simple Life’ have all racked audience appreciation with strong contentions. So much is the effect of such shows that in April 2008, the ‘Academy of Television Arts and Sciences’ announced it will give its very first Primetime Emmy Award for ‘Outstanding Host for a Reality Show or Reality Competition’.

Another type of reality shows involves celebrities. Often these show a star going about their everyday life: examples include ‘The Anna Nicole Show’, ‘The Osbournes’, ‘Newlyweds: Nick and Jessica’, ‘Hey Paula!’ and ‘Hogan Knows Best’. VH1 has created an entire chunk of shows devoted to celebrity reality, known as ‘Celebreality’.

In India, reality television came with the advent of ‘Sa Re Ga Ma’. Consequently the flood gates opened and reality television has swamped our television screens and lives alike. Though these shows make for interesting viewership, they become monotonous and unrealistic. It is obvious that the show has been scripted, even if loosely.

The apparent rudeness in the show seems to be shown as if it is an acceptable norm in the society which is apparently not. It is not like we don’t live in a closed world. In a competitive scenario as is in our colleges, there is only one top spot yet I have never seen any kind of offensiveness ever. I completely agree that incentives vary. We cannot and should not compare academic excellence with trivial shows and the money it generates but what is appalling is that we mock our own value and educational system through our behaviour in such scenarios.

Reality television should stay and it must, as entertainment is required, but I believe that yes, it must be regulated. One cannot be expected to switch off the television if they do not want to watch. It is high time we see what young children are watching and doing on television.

COALITION GOVERNMENTS AND DEMOCRACY

2008-11-24T20:44:00.000-08:00

Our political system is brimming over with coalition governments. They have sprung up like mushrooms in majority of states along with a government in the centre. The core cause behind these phenomena which has rocked the very foundation of Indian democracy is the emergence of regional parties at the whims and fancy of a political leader.

Democracy is a system of forming governments where the ultimate source of power are the people and they make use of their power through their representative who remains responsible to the people for the exercise of power. Although we have been endowed with a beautiful legacy of democratic history, in my opinion, our political scene is highly unstable and in serious trouble due to the emergence of a string of coalition governments. With the emergence of multi-party system in India, increasing media focus and limelight has been liberally poured on regional parties who have seized this opportunity and have made formation of government at every level a Herculean task.

The party system that has emerged in India is not only incompatible with the particular democratic institution that we have adopted but also constitutes a clear danger to the survival of democracy in the country. Our constitutional experts need to scrutinise this situation and advocate clear guidelines using which we can iron out the flaws which crop up while forming political parties and such similar outfits and suggest what could be done for dealing with the situations likely to be thrown up after parliamentary elections where no party can form the government.

At the root of it all is that the public votes for regional parties often born on shoddy principles of caste, religion, language, region and gender. Disgruntled politicians manifest their own narrow principles to float political parties and win votes with populist strategies. The value of public opinion rests on the united show of aggregate views about causes and concerns which the community face as a whole. This is where these parties cash on.

Uneducated and ignorant as these people often are, their votes get swayed away due to regional bias and religious beliefs which make the end result a very distorted version of what the public opinion had to be or was projected to be. This leads to a very sorry state of affairs as public opinion is horrendously disintegrated and no one emerges out as a clear winner.

Though coalition governments may bank upon the advantages of representation from various quarters of the societal landscape its disadvantages brings a much wider picture highlighting the core problems in our constitutional machinery. Every coalition government formed with the union of several parties is like a newborn with medical defects which hamper its growth at every level.

The biggest disadvantage of a coalition government is that the end product depicted is very unstable and vulnerable as the core element of the coalition has to keep up with all the promises made to its partners and do the impossible, that is to make every one happy with the platter offered to him or her. By doing so the government has to sacrifice on various key policies and important programs. A succession of undisciplined activities, horse-trading events and defection take place which lowers the public morality, all just to serve to every ones narrow political interests.

The cabinet size blooms out of proportion to accommodate every interest thus fuelling increased expenditure of valuable public funds for seemingly wasteful purposes. Finally the supreme position of the Prime Minister becomes shaky and he is tied down towards preserving and sustaining the coalition and duties towards the country, thus staying distinctly non-committal to the latter.

If one has to put my list of disadvantages to test, the result will prove to be true to what we are seeing in the present UPA coalition government. The left parties leave no stone to veto the action of the government thus making stumbling holes in the path of the government, acting as if they are the opposition and not an ally. Instances can be given of the issues pertaining to Disinvestment where the government had to ultimately bow down to pressure. I believe that in the case of Third World or Developing countries the concept of coalition governments may not prove to be successful.

The next question which arises is that what needs to be done to rectify the situation?
I have a few answers.

Firstly, the voting age should be increase to 21 from 18 as we need more intelligent and matured citizens to vote as it is a serious and responsible task. I believe that a person who has reached the age of that of a graduate should vote rather than high a high school pass out or a person of that corresponding age.

Political literacy drives sponsored by Election Commission to educate rural citizens about the basics of politics and voting rights should be started at large scale to make them responsible and intelligent voters.

Campaign and candidacy done on cheap principles such as caste, religion, language, region and gender should be severely discouraged and checked. Finally, the procedure of formation of political parties and outfits should be amended making it as difficult as possible so that it is discouraged.

If we wish we can pull our country out of this menace and have our country elect a responsible government .The power always resides in us, we the people.

FASHION- A REVIEW

2008-10-30T03:52:00.000-07:00

‘Fashion’, set in the world of high fashion traces the journey of Meghna Mathur, a model whose story reaches up for the stars, witnesses the bottom of the professional well and finally her scrappy resurgence to recapture the lost dream. Madhur Bhandarkar’s ambitious drama centered right at the midst of the-some-what-booming fashion industry creates a compelling story which underlines the fact that we are ourselves responsible for our own destiny, be it rising above the ordinary to create our own space on top of the ladder or ruining ourselves in the shambles of desires, unwarranted needs and arrogance.

The movie stars Priyanka Chopra as the I-want-to-be-the-next-supermodel girl, Kangana Ranaut as the coke spiraled super model, Mugdha Godse and Arjan Bajwa as struggling models, Sameer Soni as a talented homosexual designer along with Arbaaz Khan and Kitu Gidwani as the high priest and priestess of the fashion industry.

With a budget which would fit all his other low budget movies into one, Fashion hits the right cords in terms of fashion. The clothes seem to fit into the landscape very well. The runway sets don’t impress at all and seem completely monotonous. Every runway set seems to have been manufactured for the same bits and pieces and having the very same foundation with very little difference. Every movie-goer has a fair idea of what the ramp and its surroundings look like and Nitin Desai, who created the fabulous sets for ‘Devdas’, fails to deliver this time. Secondly, it seems the director was misguided in believing that show stoppers of the fashion show goes first while on the contrary she or he is the last to show the best piece in the collection.

The movie is paced adequately, not too racy but doesn’t make the viewer restless too, and unlike other movies which get lost within the many stories it wants to tell, the script keeps the viewers updated with each story line in regular intervals. Of course Priyanka Chopra’s story line is the one which hogs the maximum screen time but the subsidiary stories have been laced beautifully around the central story. Every part of the story has been told with sensibility, the humour is kept to bare minimum and the biggest loophole of clichés towards homosexual designers has been kept to the bare minimum. The movie thus signals the continuing but sparring maturity of the Indian film-makers towards homosexuality.

Madhur Bhandarkar seems to be one of those male directors who understand the female psych with amazing depth. I have seen all his films barring ‘Traffic Signal’ and have been impressed with the sketch he designs for the central female character. They seem to be real and one can identify with their journeys and their traumas. It is the same here in ‘Fashion’. I wish he could make some male characters of the same caliber. He draws out the best from each actor. Right from Priyanka Chopra to the previously-very-wooden Arbaaz Khan, every one delivers with poise.

Priyanka Chopra has been good in each of her movies, barring a few really disastrous ones. I have not seen every movie she has acted in but can confidently say that she is in a league of female actors who consistently deliver even if the movie doesn’t. After her very sexually charged and deceitful vampish turn in ‘Aitraaz’, Chopra bites into this role with an aggression to prove her credentials. She delivers on each and every count. Through the move her transitions seems smooth be it the very ambitious small-town-girl, or the very sure and shadowed spunky corded model, to the very assertive model who makes it big, or the arrogant and attitude laden super model and finally the all time low down of her life, she pitches in the performance of her lifetime. Her final resurgence demands empathy and she proves that here is an actress who is here to make it big. What liberates Chopra from the crowd is the ability to use her inherent softness with unusual ease to convey delicateness and at the same time to suggest power and arrogance. She is one of the few actresses who have an amazing quality of voice, which insists on your awareness and her brilliant ability to use her eyes.

The very talented Kangna Ranaut makes an impression in the first half but some how disappoints in the second half. Her uber confident super model turn in the first half inspires but her hysterical second half fails to charm and is quite bleak. Her best scene was her wardrobe malfunction on the ramp. She spells brilliance in the scene. Mugdha Godse gives an equally radiant debut. Under the helm Bhandarkar, she brings about a certain dignity to her craft which is refreshing. She is especially beautiful in few scenes. Arjan Bajwa, might as well become the new romantic-chocolate-boy-next-door with his act. He is charming and gives a fine performance though his screen time is heavily restricted.

Sameer Soni brings poise and decorum as the homosexual designer without dropping in the usual hoopla of how homosexual designers are. At the same time Harsh Chayya gives a bad caricature of being a designer. Here the director seems to have underused a supremely talented actor. Maybe his vision was to make him look like that. Kitu Gidwani brings a sense of calm confidence to her character which hides concern with poised ruthlessness. She is brilliant in her short spanned character. Chitrashi Rawat of ‘Chak De India!’ fame springs a surprise as the loud mouthed ‘Mother India’ of aspiring models. The revelation of the movie is Arbaaz Khan as the very suave business tycoon who takes an ‘Anna Vintourish’ turn as the do-all of the Indian Fashion Industry. He acts with complete reassurance and goes beyond the usual wooden self.

I don’t think the movie has broken any new boundaries. I believe we have known such details of the fashion industry. Madhur Bhandarkar does not really show us any new details of what happens behind the curtains of the fashion industry. The movie could have broken new boundaries had the director shown the plagiarism and the artful diplomacy in the fashion industry and the very stagnant designer pool we seem to celebrate each fashion weak. We need to take the movie as a human tale of triumph and feel assured of our abilities in fulfilling our dreams. It is a well made movie. Don’t expect fireworks of revelations, you will not get it.

My final take: 3/5, highly recommended for the performances.

THE RAMAYANA BY RAMESH MENON- A REVIEW

2008-09-18T09:17:00.000-07:00

I have always felt the need to know my scriptures, the epics, the stories and fables that make our lives so much more colourful. It makes us richer in our sensibilities and makes us understand the origin of our culture and heritage. To aid my discovery, I decided to read the Ramayana written by Ramesh Menon. It has been deemed to be the highest selling English version of the classical epic on the website amazon.com.

The book details the story of Ram and recites in great detail the entire epic, the foundation of the story and the very end of it. Along with the story the writer has also presented the fable of Valmiki and other characters of importance in the book. The book took ten years to culminate and while reading it you can feel the hard work which has gone into its making. The writer has taken great pains in elucidating every tiny detail which appears in the book.

Each story has been hand crafted with delicate precision, profound care and a conviction of a master. The thread of every single anecdote has been strung in such a manner that one would not loose the connection of the entire story with the sudden appearance or disappearance of characters. As there are hundreds of characters, each with his or her unique story to tell, and having an individual importance, it is a mammoth task to bring them on a common platform through the book. The writer here has done a magnificent job.

The research that has gone into making the book is enormous. Every facet has been adhered to diligently. To my astonishment, every tiny story, something which could have been masterfully omitted, has been included. In his dedication, the writer devotes his work to Rama, and it shows. The writing is very simple and soothing. The writing can be felt and absorbed. In his exhaustive depiction of every scene and character, one can visualise the events and surroundings with certain vividness.

I recommend one and all to read the book. Not just read but understand the deep meaning of life through the book and the characters. It is a beautiful feeling of peace that one comes across when the book is finished. I have already started reading it a second time. It gives me an assured healing sentiment which is priceless. I hope you all can have the pleasure of knowing your epic and understanding its value once you read the book.

Hey Ram!

LET EDUCATION BE INCLUSIVE OF MUSLIMS

2008-09-15T09:35:00.000-07:00

Has anyone ever asked why movements like SIMI (Student of Islam Movement of India) have to begin in the first place? Why are the bright futures of the country, let us disregard the religion here, have to style themselves in such self destructing methods and ideologies? What is the need for them to join terrorist organisations and spread mass chaos in the country?

The answers of these questions lie in education. I am aware of the fact that the members of SIMI are an educated lot, but what has driven them to such extreme measures is the disillusionment of the very exclusive education which is provided to us all in India. The diversity of the student population India is bleak in terms of religion. Across my schooling career which has seen quite the measure of India, and now in my college instruction, I can count on my finger tips the number of Muslim students on the roll.

Education is important for the social development. Sociologists have listed with assurance that after our immediate family it is school or any educational institution which becomes the mode of social maturity. With such an important dimension being overlooked by the government, it becomes important that we become inclusive in our educational provisions. It is beneficial for students of every religion to live and get the enlightenment of education which will help grow secularism in our country, which is something we are desperately wishing for.

What do I mean by inclusive education? I mean, with all good will, that Muslim students in the youth should be made to join the public or private school system where they can interact with students of every religion and get education of the highest standards. Education in India if not completely but is quite often is secular in its views. I can vouch for it that I have learnt in equal gauge the dark period of Hindu religion as well as the tyranny of the reign of Aurangzeb, no exceptions allowed! The books provided to us showed each religion in the best light possible without deleting their low points in history. With such quality of education, why are Muslim students made to look for other sources of education?

I completely stand by the Madrassa system of education. It is ancient and it becomes very necessary for the young Muslim to have a complete understanding of his religion. One is incomplete without being aware of his or her religion. What I advocate is the compulsory education of Muslim students in the mainstream education system so as to give them the profit of having the best of both worlds. With the complete grasp of Science, Social Science, English and Mathematics they should have the knowledge of their religion. This will create complete individuals.

In a country bereft of secular individuals, this move will promote towards having educated youth taking lead in our country irrespective of their religion. This education model will only help us breed out the communalistic manifesto of our politicians. It will also help the Muslim youth, who might just be lost in the social milieu of the country, integrate themselves to the structure of our country. We know that we need every individual in the country to pull the system to another level of growth.

It is education that we see light and with this light can we find ourselves and our higher purpose. Let this be made available to every individual, irrespective of religion, who seeks enlightenment.

LET US SCRAP THE STATE BOARD EDUCATION SYSTEM

2008-09-14T04:09:00.000-07:00

Uniformity in administration brings about an effectiveness of policy execution in any country or even in an organisation or an institute. It is this effectiveness which translates into a successful enterprise of governance and leads to stability. If there are double standards it becomes very difficult for purposeful administration to take shape leading to utter commotion. This is an event which we must steer clear of yet we, in India, thrive in chaos, find success in anarchy and cleanse ourselves in a complete mess.

Education is an important pillar of any society. It is of utmost importance that we give it all the privileges it requires to flourish. If education blossoms, it showers us with a lot of effective instruments to progress in this competitive world. For a country like India education takes prime position. Ours is a knowledge based economy and if we dilute the effectiveness of our educational system by introducing dubious administrative policies, Dr. Kalam’s dream of seeing India as an educational superpower will be drowned in the words of his book.

Our country has seen very many policies which seem to have a heading towards some success but then again for every good policy there are multiple policies which seem to mar the prospect of a sound educational system. The ‘Sarva Shiksha Abhiyan’ was a good step towards universal education and was pregnant with good causes and expectant with a hopeful execution. Then again, in its wake came the very unsavoury Reservation Bill and this completely manhandled the purpose of education.

The establishment of few more IIT’s is an amazing step yet the fact remains that they have begun operating in make shift campuses or in the classrooms of the older IIT’s. IIM Ahmedabad won’t be allowed an additional campus in Mumbai till there is an excess, unwanted and unnecessary reservation for students of Maharashtra. What can we say about such administrative policies? Is there much to even discuss as to how clueless the babus are when they decide on educational matters?

One facet of the Indian educational system which I believe is hampering our growth is the allowance given to states to formulate their own educational systems in addition to one existing in the centre, which is the CBSE or ICSE/ISC. With two or maybe three active educational boards existing in every state, there is a very thin line between a possibility of a chaotic environment, as a direct result of the dual board system, and a harmonious existence.

A single unified system is better because it helps us focus on what is important. It also helps the people to completely identify with the system of education prevalent in the country rather than be confused as to its implications. I have traveled a good measure of the country and have studied around. I cannot even begin to describe the discomfort of fitting into the various systems of education which are seen around in every state. Fitting into the different basics of each state syllabus can take a toll and is not a pleasant experience.

One might argue the presence of Central Schools across the parameter of the country, but how many families constantly on the move would make a choice of this system. Private schools offer much more appealing options. Accommodation of students in this environment becomes troublesome with the addition of the state language in the curriculum. It adds to the difficulty. With personal experience I had to learn two state languages with enormous difficulty while I resided in Gujarat and Orissa.

An unified system of examination and education will also help facilitate college admission, especially in the places where prestigious colleges are placed. I have come across instances where good student and more importantly deserving students have failed to apply to the Delhi University admission process because the state board results have failed to come up in the time complying with the admission dates.

Then there is the dilemma of how the colleges and universities evaluate students of different educational background and give them admission into the courses offered. The biggest obstacle is to judge both the capabilities with judicious judgment so as not to discriminate one against the other. Still there are problems in this situation. There are no set guidelines as to how to separately evaluate every students presenting himself/herself from a different educational board. The government has not presented us or has not thought it to be prudent enough to draw up such procedures. It does not also help us when we understand that our admission procedure is all about marks and does not look at the over all student as a person.

With such kind of educational losses, which take place on both sides, it is necessary that the government lead by the HRD Ministry, needs to consolidate the entire process of education in the country thus bringing the entire faculty under one umbrella. It will help us unify the very disarrayed system of education. The problems discussed above will mitigate and help us to create an even more effective knowledge economy in the country.

THE U.S. OPEN 2008- A REVIEW

2008-09-11T07:11:00.000-07:00

The Grand Slam calendar of Tennis comes to a very spectacular and glamorous close at the city of New York, my favourite though never visited, which hosts the annual U.S. Open. This year, too, the show went on with an added spectacle making the fortieth year of the open era, the era when professional tennis was duly accepted.

This year’s pageantry began with a parade of former U.S. Open champions in a ceremony which marked the fortieth anniversary of the professional age of the sport. This era has seen the sport climb up the entertainment and mass appeal ladder and has begun to be viewed no longer as a ‘rich mans sport’. The Arthur Ashe Kids Day was also celebrated with equal fervour.

This tournament marked the first time since 2004 that a Grand Slam has seen a different men’s seed number one. There was a certain surprise in seeing Rafael Nadal heading the draw sheet in place of the usual Roger Federer. Then again, one climbs up while the other slides down. This is an eternal principle of life and sport. The women’s draw was led by the effervescent Serb Anna Ivanovic though Maria Sharapova was sorely missed. Indian representation was limited to the men’s doubles and mixed doubles, represented by Leander Paes and Mahesh Bhupati.

The men’s draw saw the best come through to the second week. The matches became spectacular as the first week passed. Novak Djokovic, the affable third seeded Serb, countered the eight seeded American Andy Roddick in the quarter finals. The match was undoubtedly the highlight of that stage. The Serb triumphed in three sets and was followed into the semi final stage by the top seed Nadal, second seeded Federer and the sixth seed, Briton Andy Murray.

The biggest upset in the men’s draw was by far the defeat of Rafael Nadal by the Brit. In a two day contest spanning four sets, Andy Murray bet Nadal 6-2 7-5 4-6 6-4. He thus advanced to his first Grand Slam final. Roger Federer beat demons and Novak Djokovic, in a delightfully error prone semi final in four sets. That set the tone for the unlikely final contest. People hoped for a Rafa-Federer show down Part III, but were slightly disappointed with the top seed not advancing to the final. Nevertheless, this was the Spaniards best showing at Flushing Meadows till date.

The final between Federer and Murray was a one sided class room session for the Brit. Federer coming from difficult losses at the semi final of the Australian Open and final losses at the French Open and Wimbledon had to salvage his year by winning this match. Earlier he had lost his number one status along with the previous match to Andy Murray at Dubai in three sets. With his sublime touch back, his forehand menacing as always and his foot speed back to being bright, the Swiss won his fifth consecutive U.S. Open. His feat earned him to be the only player to win two different Grand Slams five times in a row, and also the second man after Bill Tilden in the 1920’s to win five consecutive U.S. Open Crowns.

With women’s seeds tumbling by the way sides like a weak deck of cards, the field grew open with each passing day. Already mourning the absence of the charismatic and sensational Maria Sharapova, the top seed and third seeded Serb Ana Ivanovic and Russian Svetlana Kuznetsova could not survive the first week. Five women were awarded the opportunity to gain the summit of the WTA Rankings if they won the U.S. Open. They were Serb Jelena Jankovic, seeded second, the William’s sisters- Serena and Venus, Russian and newly crowned Olympic Champion Elena Dememtieva and in red hot form Russian Dinara Safina.

The match of the tournament was the quarter final clash between the two Williams sisters who shared the spotlight with equal ease but brutally flashed winners to seize the match. Ultimately the younger sibling, Serena prevailed in two tight tie breakers but Venus had many opportunities lost. The other semi finalists included, Jelena Jankovic, Dinara Safina and Elena Demetieva.

The Serb Jankovic reached her first Grand Slam final in the U.S. Open and was to meet the former champion Serena Williams. The number one spot in the rankings was guaranteed to the winner of the match. There head to head meetings stood at three matches a piece and a prediction could not be made. Riding on the confidence of her red dress and her form, Serena beat the Serb 6-3 7-5 to win her third U.S. Open Championship and her first in six years. With the win she surpassed Martina Navratilova in career earnings and stood a little distance from the leader, Steffi Graf. As for the Jelena, more such opportunities will come and surely she is the next great champion on the horizon for the WTA which celebrated its thirty fifth year in existence.

Leander Paes provided a stable of joy for the Indian Tri Colour at the U.S. Open. With a great doubles season in the Grand Slam circuit which saw him finish at the Quarter finals at the French Open and the semi finals of the Wimbledon with a new partner, Czech Peter Dlouhy, the year got even better when he reached the doubles final in great fashion. Unfortunately, a pair of tight tie breakers blew his dreams of another crown when they lost to the Bryan Brother, Mike and Bob, in the finals.

He was not to return disappointed, as he won the mixed doubles crown in the company of one of the world’s best women’s doubles player, Cara Black. They beat Liezel Huber, Cara’s regular women’s doubes partner, and Jamie Murray, Andy Murray’s brother in two sets to win the crown. He came very close to repeating the double feat he had achieved at Wimbledon in 1999. He had won the doubles with Mahesh Bhupati and the mixed doubles with Lisa Raymond. Cara Black and Liezel Huber won the women’s doubles event, thus attesting their number one position in the doubles ranking.

All in all, the U.S. Open ended with many dreams achieved, many new created and many visions of ones to be achieved. Next stop- The Australian Open in 2009, where we look forward to new matches, new fashion styles and fresher athletes.

ARTICLE 370- WHAT IT PROMISES AND WHAT IT DELIVERS

2008-09-04T23:10:00.000-07:00

What happens to a child governed by special rules as opposed to the ones who are abiding by the common rule for meant for all? The child in question becomes pampered, spoilt and his demands become unreasonable to even bother to fulfill them. That is what has happened to the state of Jammu and Kashmir. This spoilt child of the Indian Constitution and India itself needs to behave, and by the above statement I mean the politicians who are holding the political reigns of the state.

Jammu and Kashmir has been given special exception for over sixty years and this has created somewhat of an unique position for the state, both physically in India and mentally among the people of the state. Till today I hear from my father, who works sporadically in the state, that the people of the valley address themselves as ‘Kashmiris’ while they refer to the rest of India as ‘Hindustan’. These sentiments are opposed in Jammu where they consider themselves as ‘Indians’. Isn’t it a shocking feeling? Being part of India the blessed people from the valley think of us as some body who is not part of their geography. Can a Maharashtrian feel the same about a Bengali? Will a person speaking Kannada disown a person speaking Punjabi as not being from the same country due to language barriers and geographical distances? I believe with complete conviction that it is not possible.

To begin, Article 370 (An article which gives a special position to the state of Jammu and Kashmir with Constitutional authority) has a heading which clearly states that it is a temporary provision. What is the span of the word ‘temporary’? The successive governments of India, with very skeptical political standards, have blotched this part of the governance with their dubious definition of the word temporary. What was supposed to be a fleeting provision has become somewhat of a permanent rider in the Constitution. Isn’t it the same with the proviso of reservation? Started as a provisional method of upliftment of the backward through education, it has made a comfortably permanent place in our scheme of things. It seems the politicians in their heydays please everyone, with momentary success, and later it seems that it backfires, like in these two cases.

Article 370 gives legislative authority to the state government of Jammu Kashmir in terms of the State List. The Union Government cannot make any laws regarding the state from the Union and Concurrent List without the consultation of the State Government, and which are declared by the President of India, as specified in the Instrument of Accession. Other matters which are not specified in the Lists can only be legislated if the President so orders. With such authority given for over sixty years, will not a state claim for ‘azadi’ from the country it has acceded to?

It is not the people who have been empowered by this article. It is the politicians who are getting themselves richer with power and authority with each passing day. It becomes wholly problematic because the common people, hapless as they are by the constant violence and chaos, do not really understand the political motivations which are presently running as the undercurrents of this Article.

I agree that Kashmir is a delicate matter when we speak in the presence of Pakistan, but then again for over fifty years we have battled for it and against a formidable opposition. This gives us moral authority to demand the allegiance of the people of Kashmir. Do they really want a future in Pakistan where governmental lapses and pro-Taliban or pro militant activities are as natural as the process of breathing, eating and sleeping? Even if independence is granted, do you think the state of Pakistan is going to respect the sovereignty of a small state sandwiched between two nuclear powers. Don’t the politicians understand that it might lead to our fourth full scale war with Pakistan, because even if New Delhi remains focused to not get involved, these very politicians at that moment of helplessness will call on the Indian Army to help them.

Where did the call for independence go when the state was rocked by a devastating earthquake? Didn’t the politicians and then people accept the central fundings then, or the donation which came in millions from across the country? It is hypocrisy which is ruling the state. At times of need, the state is India’s beneficiary but when there is a moment of sudden issues, trifling as they may be, the politicians raise the agenda of independence with equal authority.

I ask where these politicians get the gumption from to address a rally in broad day light and speak with spirited conviction to the people asking them to rally around the movement of independence. Isn’t this a mark of sedition against the country? Why can’t our politicians in the New Delhi raise their ire against such deliberate and communalist speeches? Is it not right for the police to arrest such politicians? How can these politicians go scot free after blatant violation of our Fundamental Rights?

Article 370 provided a sense of security to the state of Jammu and Kashmir when they acceded to the country. It was needed to make them feel inclusive to the fabric of the country, giving them precious time to brand themselves in the democratic colours of India. Yet it seems that the provisions of this article have been taken quite seriously in term of its longevity. The article wanted to provide security before complete assimilation of the state into India, but what it has delivered out of political compulsion is the alienation of the people and had helped the politicians of the state to sprout wings of illegitimate flights towards chaos and unlawful governance.

THE MISS UNIVERSE PAGEANT 2008

2008-09-04T02:53:00.000-07:00

The 57th annual Miss Universe Pageant was held midst much fanfare in Vietnam on the 14th of July. Miss Venezuela, Dayana Mendoza won the crown what many believe to be the most prestigious beauty pageant in the world, with amazing ease and consistency marking the country fifth Miss Universe title equaling Puerto Rico’s record. Miss Colombia finished second, marking the fourth time the South American nation finished in second place which included three consecutive first runner-up finishes (1992-94) one of which was to Sushmita Sen in 1994. Dominican Republic, Russia and Mexico rounded off the final five contestants.

Unlike other years the contest started with no firm favourites and crafted a very open field. With each week passing Venezuela’s Mendoza affirmed her pole position among the eighty delegates with a confident display in the preliminary competition which included a super splendid display in the evening gown competition. Colombia, Mexico, India and USA proved to be the firm favourites behind Venezuela.

The most high profile contestant was Ingrid Reviera from the pageant loving nation of Puerto Rico. She was a second runner up at the Miss World pageant in 2005. She came to the pageant armed with a very public news of a failed sabotage at her bid to become Miss Puerto Rico Universe 2008 as most of the national contestants felt that she was too experienced to be part of the pageant. Nevertheless, she gave a mediocre performance at the preliminary competition and could not gain a berth in the final 15. Adding to the injuries was a faulty make over and terrible surgeries to enhance her looks.

India’s Simran Kaur Mundi, was perhaps one of the country better delegates in the recent years but failed to make the cut this year. Her exclusion was hotly debated and completely astonishing as she had proved to be a firm favourite among the local press and the various pageant websites; prime among those were Missosology.org and GlobalBeauties.com which rated her among the top fifteen and top ten delegates consistently.

Yet the politics of her exclusion will torment the Femina Miss India organisers for a long time. Her performances at the preliminary competition were superior especially at the evening gown segment and she was the only contestant in the competition to finish as runner up in every preliminary contest (Swim Suits, Ao Dai/Traditional Vietnamese Costume Competition and National Costume). Perhaps the inclusion of the very undeserving yet stunningly beautiful Puja Gupta, Miss India Universe 2007, at the previous edition of Miss Universe in Mexico led to Simran’s exclusion this year. India’s placement at Miss Universe 2007 drew heavy flak for the Miss Universe Organisation. Yet Simran did represent India with complete conviction and deserves credit for the same.

This years pageant was hosted by former Spice Girl Melanie B aka Scary Spice and Jerry Springer the host of ‘Americas got talent’. The judges included famed designer Roberto Cavalli, Miss Universe 2004 Jennifer Hawkins and India’s own Esha Koppikhar amongst others. Vietnam had pulled up all stops to host the pageant even building a state of the art convention centre to host the pageant. The country’s delegate made it to the top 15. Thailand won the online National Costume contest which replaced the traditional online Miss Photogenic contest while El Salvador won the Miss Congeniality title, a contest where the delegates themselves vote for a contestant who left a lasting impression of friendship on them. The newly born nation of Kosovo scored a top 10 finish though many argue the fact if the delegate deserved the same. Similarly the inclusion of Hungary and Japan shocked analysts.

Miss USA Crystal Stewart, who has a colourful history of perseverance behind her (she competed five times for her state title of Miss Texas which included two consecutive first runner-up finishes before she won the title), slipped on her heavily beaded train of her evening gown in the segments competition. This is the second consecutive year that a Miss USA slipped in the evening gown segment. Last year at the Miss Universe Pageant in Mexico, Rachel Smith, the then Miss USA slipped on the hem of her jeweled gown and instantly became a star on the video sharing website YouTube.com. Both these contestants recovered with much poise except Rachel Smith made it to the top five while Crystal Stewart failed, the fall costing her the very deserving top five finish.
In the end the sparkling and effervescent Miss Venezuela confirmed her country’s superiority in beauty pageants by razing the field and dismissing close favoutites in Mexico, Colombia and USA (who scripted her doom by slipping). Her answer to the difference between the lives of men and women was crafted with delicious diplomacy while it was profoundly intense. She remarked that men go straight to the problems core and try and fix it while women go round the curves, fixing every nook and corner before taking the problem head on. In addition to her final answer she topped the evening gown segment and finished second in the swim suit contest.
The show glamourous as ever celebrated beauty, poise and intelligence of women the world over. The winner can look forward to a year of opportunities and appearances for charitable organisations working towards eradication of AIDS and promoting its awareness. The only hitch, I hoped it would be India in place of Venezuela.
Sayan S. Das

‘ROCK ON!’: ENSEMBLE BRILLIANCE

2008-09-03T04:30:00.000-07:00

‘ROCK ON!’: ENSEMBLE BRILLIANCE

‘Rock On!’ is a movie with wings of the youth but values of antiquity. It is a movie with the flavour of the much loved rock genre of music and the much headed values of everlasting love, loyalty and friendship. It seems Indian movies are coming of age, maturing with ageless grace and telling stories of mellowed brilliance. The time has come to launch our stories to a whole new level, and an instrument of this change, amongst many of its contemporaries, is the movie ‘Rock On!’.

The movie introduces us to newness at every level. It is directed and written by a first time director, Abhishekh Kapoor. It is the debut of the talented director Farhan Akhtar who made the ground breaking ‘Dil Chahata Hai’, the very successful ‘Don’ and the matured ‘Lakshya’. Along with Farhan, Preeti Desai, the household ‘Bani’ (‘Kasam Se’) and Shahana Goswami make their big screen debut. Arjun Rampal, is the brought out with a novel look and drama, so is the very adorable Purab Kohli and Luke Kenny. Apart from the very fresh cast, is the wonderful approach towards Hindi Rock Music which enthralls the audiences. The movie has once and for all proved that rock music is not something which has challenges of language, which is English. Like any form of music it transcends barriers made my man and can be moulded with finesse into Hindi lyrics.

I will not be sharing the story of the movie in this article as it won’t do justice to the audiences. They need to find out what the movie is all about by themselves. It does arouse different emotions in each person. A friend valued the rock theme more, while I loved the underlying significance of the friendship shown in the movie while another friend loved the humour which was showcased without slapstick-ness.

The actual winner in the film is the script, though at times it moves at a snails pace and becomes a little predictable, on the whole it has been written magnificently. It holds the attention of the audience and narration accompanied with flash-backs embraces the interest level with ease. Movies like ‘Rock On!’ go on to truly prove that it is the script which is the king, and the other appliances, like star cast, flashy locations and costumes, are all secondary. If the script holds on, and in this case it does, the movie sails safely and pleasantly to the harbour and to our hearts.

The director, Abhishekh Kapoor, has done a splendid job to hold such a new cast together. Considering he had Arjun Rampal, an experienced actor, and Farhan Akhtar, a skilled director yet new to acting in front of the camera, along with a very juvenile group of actors on the ropes, he brings out the best in all of them. The sign of a good director is when he can get a brilliant act by the entire ensemble, and here he does it with poise. He deserves some recognition when the awards season kicks in early next year.

In the acting category, Farhan Akhtar sizzles in every avtar. Be it the rock mode early on or as the very suave investment banker, he commands absolute notice. He emotes with ease, thanks to his education as a director, and delivers on every count. Here is an unconventional actor who will make his difference a convention in the years to come. Arjun Rampal seems to be getting better and better with each passing movie. He clearly has realised his aura is not to be found in the lover boy image but in avant-garde roles where the youth can relate to him. As the brooding rocker, Arjun comes clearly on his own. With few dialogues and greater inquiry into his intensity which comes through his eyes, he shines and shines like never before. Both his looks do complete justice to the character and to his personality. It seems our new age hero is here, and here to stay.

Purab Kohli is completely adorable and the stand out performer in the cast. His cheeky smile and comic timing is the surprise factor of the movie. He shows truth in his portrayal as the always-chirpy drummer who turns into a jeweler. He drums with amazing conviction, and fits into both the looks- that of a stylish rocker and a perfectly dressed Gujju, with ease. Here is an actor who is truly underrated. His act deserves recognition from every award there is in India. Luke Kenny comes across as the weak link amongst the male actors. He is consistently overshadowed amongst the giants that surround him. Yet he does a good job in bringing a sense of amity about his portrayal.

Preeti Desai excels on the big screen as the very calm yet loving, devoted and expectant housewife. She brings a charming refinement and loveliness to her craft. Her composed representation is very delightful, though she is adept at making her own space amongst the ensemble. She seems to have successfully made a transition from the mundane soaps to brilliant cinema. Shahana Goswami, seems to be a veteran, even though she is new to this medium of entertainment. She is mature, natural, surprisingly sure of her self and very confidently marches through out the movie, and at times stealing focus from her co stars effortlessly. Koel Purie and Nicollete Bird pitch in good performances.

‘Rock On!’ excels in the music department, thanks to the fantastic trio of Shakar-Ehsaan-Loy and is beautifully shot, with a complete harmony between coarseness and sophistication. It is a must watch and if you don’t, then you are missing a piece of Indian cinema which is capable of changing our cinematic landscape for sure.

Rock On!

LET US NOT GET CARRIED AWAY AGAIN

2008-08-27T07:47:00.000-07:00

I am more than glad that we won three medals at the recently concluded Olympic Games and that a clutch of athletes came agonizingly close to a medal. What is troubling me is the over scripting we are doing to the wins. Haven’t we done the same when our athletes came back with the same distinctions from the Commonwealth Games and the Asian Games a few years back? What happened to those athletes who brought back so many medals from these games and could not shine in the Olympics?

In the Melbourne Commonwealth Games in 2006 we won 50 medals, 22 Golds, 17 Silvers and 11 Bronzes. There were representations from shooters, track and field athletes, weightlifting, woman’s hockey, table tennis and badminton in the podiums. What happened to those athletes in the Olympics? Barring those whose sports are not included in the Olympic resume, where did the other sportspersons fade away? If I may recall well these very athletes were felicitated with equal pomp and show when they had arrived back and funds were again heaped on them. Then where are they now? Well, they must have secured those funds in the bank, settled themselves in to plush and tenable governmental jobs in the state and central level and leading a happy life. Does it take one medal to secure a descent life? In India it does, it absolutely does and no sportsperson dreams of garnering medals at any of the Games for the sake of pride. The same was repeated in the Asian Games in Doha in 2007 where we returned with 53 medals in all.

In the last few days we have marveled at the Chinese domination on the Olympics and how draconian is their model of attaining sporting perfection is a diverse range of sports. There has been constant criticism on their blotched opening ceremony, on them replacing the toothless young girl who actually sang the song for a prettier one, for their Human Rights violation, for the punishing regime for athletes and a lot more.

Well, who actually cares about them? For once, an Asian powerhouse has shown oriental fare in a spiced up international flavour, and as fellow Asians we must laud them. We as Indians must never point finger at them for replacing the actual singer for a prettier dummy, for we always do that when we go bride hunting. No matter how bad the groom might look or his credentials are displeasing, no faults must be found in the bride whatsoever. Then how are we pointing fingers? Human Rights…. Are we even complaining over them? We as a peace loving nation have had some very embarrassing instances of truly violated human rights.

Finally, their draconian and punishing regime on athletes is creating a generation of super fit human resource. These very athletes on retirement will join their teaming work force and work for the economy with fervour and raise the levels of economics fitness. One saving grace of there regimes is that at least the very important value of discipline is being taught to the people from these model athletes. This is something which is missing in our country. We strain our young work force of students in to tuitions of unnecessary demands, while forgetting the need of fitness amongst them. As a result far from promoting sports and robustness, we are cloning a new generation of obese educated people most of whom leave our shores for foreign destinations looking for lucrative work. For those who debate the value of education as opposed to sporting aptness, the Chinese have proven worldwide to be able students known for their superior work ethic, intelligence and academic excellence and success. Should we then deliberate any further?

It is good that newspapers and magazines along with the very consistent 24*7 news channels have been giving the medal winners news spaces but it seems that we are overdoing it enormously all over again. The felicitations which are coming along are good but then again why do they surface when these athletes, heavily impoverished for funds before the Games, win? Why can’t the handsome amounts of money which is offered to them come before the Games so as to prepare them with much more advanced ways than presently?

The questions are many but solutions are never around the corner. The athletes who struggle to find money for their cause are heaped with funds when they return with medals. Where are these ‘busy-busy’ politicians when funds are actually needed by the athletes? I can count a number of such professionals who have lost out on opportunities of a lifetime because they could never get the desired monetary support. The various state governments are suddenly flushed with cash which they offer generously to the winners, but a sneak peak into their state backyards suggest low educational levels, stumpy health systems, wobbly gender equations and equality, inappropriate social standards for the downtrodden and many more such disproportions. Why cannot money be munificently pumped into these causes?

The Chinese, the Americans and the Russians have already created a plan for London 2012. Jamaicans, Canadians and the Brits are not behind either. As we are busy with the celebration of our 51st rank in the medal tally at China, these countries have already begun foot printing their maps for the next Olympics. Where are we? Aha! Lost as we are in the glory of our recent miniscule achievements, we are sure to miss the bus again for the very next time. A show of strength at the Commonwealth Games in 2010 does not seem to be a possibility at all.

Then again, people will term me as a pessimist. Why not? I believe we learn more from people in similar position as us than our superiors. China is an Asian country, with exactly the same problem as India- a huge land mass with too many mouths to feed. Yet they can mobilise their entire population to garner a sack full of medals and host an incredible Games. Agreed, that our governmental fashions are different but aren’t we the same in terms of our history- young, juvenile countries which have risen post World War II, after years of oppression from foreign rule. Yet, they come out with successes unheard of from countries like them, and we as usual are happy with a bleak show of strength.

In conclusion, I beg that we must not get carried away yet again, in our felicitation to these athletes. They must be bestowed with adequate recognition but much more important is to fund the next generation of athletes waiting in the fringes for support. Let us not waste newspaper space on these athletes anymore, let us bring stories of out sportspersons who need help and support and organisations which are in dire straits and help them with these much needed funds.

Let us not get carried away yet again, otherwise in the next few years we will again be celebrating three medals or maybe five…….

THE WIN.....

2008-05-18T20:54:00.000-07:00

Hard work does come to be tangible,
And, the heart soars to the sky……
Ever so blue,
Our beautiful sky!

Our mission achieves its wings,
Gleaming with feathers of gold and crimson,
As our destination soars into view,
Oh so beautiful!

The glittering sparks of the halo of victory calls on us,
With caution marking our steps,
We move forward and looking ahead,
We are confident nevertheless.

As demands build on our young yet broad shoulders,
Yet we stand up straight, poised and graceful as ever.

Yes win we must, because dispassionate is our conviction,
Our enthusiasm stems from the faith we place in ourselves,
Which is completely unflinching, but,
Will never traverse the edge of the beyond.

Yes, we win, and,
Will continue to succeed,
Because victory is in our spirits,
And in our lives………..

END OF EXAMS

2008-05-11T03:28:00.000-07:00

Our desperation about our exams getting over can be best described in one line:
"Aahna Mehrotra is waiting for the clock to strike 6"

This was the status update of Aahna on facebook at about 12:56 pm, close to two and a half hours before the final test of our second year competence in law was to begin. It is safe to write, or as Bani put it, we are now 40% lawyers. The exams are over, effectivey for the next six months we do not have to study. Well, thats an idea !

The exams have been a stressful time for me as well. For four days it has replete with moments of desperation, sleepless nights and sleepy days, heavy intake unhealthy food and drinks (read Coke and Thums Up) and of course those high octane spirits after each exam got over. Although life seems to be a bit empty now that the exams are over but then we are so looking forward to being free till the internships come and spank our high spirits.

Personally the exams brought a whole lot of feelings wrapped together in what I hope is succcess. It started off with a bang with Contracts I where I did exceedingly well and in the process stunned myself. It was culmination of a great set of notes handed down to me by Manu (God bless her !), Aahna's and Deep's nagging for me to study and finally Praneeta's sweet gesture of giving me something sweet to eat before the exam along with a bear hug.

The next exam was that of Legal Language which was a bridge to the hard working subjects and a breather for me before I had to hit top gear with History of Courts and Law of Contratcs II. Again I rose to the occassion and gave a paper of the lifetime. I believe that this was my best English paper of my life. It was a rather simple paper and I guess thats why I did so well.

The next exam was that of History of Courts and I was more than prepared for it and had really worked hard for it. I never knew what was going to hit me. After the English exam I was completely looking forward to the History paper. I was completely up for the challenge and then it hit me..... THE BLACKOUT !

I was at my friends place for the night to study and I dont know what hit me. In fact I just blanked out through out the evening and could never ever recover for the next fifteen hours. I tried and tried but could not recall a word from my precious notes, which was being used by about a dozen of my friends (there is a little exaggeration in there but quite a bit is true). Anyways, as I never recovered, I paniced. In this khichdhi I called up my father and started howling which prompted my mother to do the same.

With so much going on around me and my blank mind accompanying me to the exam hall where I met about a zillion faces saying the same story to me- "I am about to flunk!!!". I relaxed just about a bit and entered the ruddy hall. I saw the paper and my heart sank. I messaged my father slyly without being caught and wrote about me doing quite well in the paper though I knew I would just about scrape through and i just did that.

Next up, Contratcs II and I was determined not to let myself down in anyway and my hardwork worked too. The paper could not have been better and I was so happy. I finished the paper before time and accesorised it well. I could not have been happier. Three out of four sounds great to me.

My tryst with the exams ended on a happy note and I could not have asked for more. The exams are over and for the next six months I dont have to look at another paper...how happy am I !

THE COUNTDOWN HAS FINALLY BEGUN......

2008-04-18T09:56:00.001-07:00

With only six days left for the exam to begin stress is just about showing in every one around me and I feel that yes it is coming down on me single handedly. I have a feeling that people are conspiring to pull their stress on me. And yes, it is troubling me…. Jussst kidding!

Most of us have only three exams- Contracts II, Legal History and Legal English. Much as I want them to, my friends do not seem to see Legal English as subject worth doing so most of them state that they have two subjects along with Legal English. I empathise with subjects like these. They are very scoring if people study them but then most of us believe bigger glory remains in doing well in Legal History and historic magnificence in Contracts II. What stuns me is that most of them do not realize that this subject can be extremely scoring, and this comes from a group which has a very well to do I.Q., E.Q. another such requisites required for a successful life.

As for me and a few more, we have four subjects. We carried over Contracts I from last semester. As I speak for myself here, I got really scared about getting somewhere around the region of forty thus ruining my dreams of a Harvard education so I dcided to skive off the subject. Anyways, along with a very good friend, about a dozen others took the plunge of not giving the paper due to reasons galore and wide in taste, humour and logic.

Am I regretting not giving the exam? Well, truthfully no. I believe my preparation is rock solid and could not have been better despite being in a semester where I was busy for a month with a moot, holidayed at Goa, had a fun and winning outcome in IIT Mumbai and went home for a couple of days.

I am far more confident this time than ever before having worked for the first time in four semesters and investing myself heavily into writing and making precious notes, which in due course of time I shall pass on to my juniors in the hope that they become the future ‘Deboshree Dutta’s’. Hehehehehe!

Stress, it just has been coming and going and the best part is that everyone has a different take to it and of course, every one has been manifesting it in extremely varied manner. A few of my friends, including my room mate finds solace in playing cards. It is an immensely gratifying stress buster which relieves them of their exam blues, albeit temporarily.

My other roommate finds comfort in beating me down with his stark and sharp tongued sarcasm while he thrives on the reactions that I give him. With all due respect he is my friend but that does infect me with a lot of sadness and hostility. Anyways, his humour, or what ever it is (according to my feelings, which are perpetually hurt by him), is entertaining in its own way but then again part of the bargain of living with him is to bear it with a smile or a frown, he hardly bothers.

One of my beloved people on earth finds relief in blogging, which I have inherited from her with vigour. Her blogs are comforting in a very quite way. Apart from these cigarettes, rising fears and temperamental highs and lows are some of the most common signs of stress that I have seen amongst my friends.

As for me, I find some consolation in music, my favourite being the instrumental track from the move ‘Titanic’ called “Rose”. Food and music have been for long the preferred vices of great men and I am no exception. Strangely long walks under the beating sun makes me feel good and I have promised to undertake more such walks in the next few days to beat the stress.

Another of my favourite person gives me the best smile and the warmest hugs to counter my fears of the exam which gives me an instant high. Along with that late night chats with my buddy helps us both relieve some stress and share a few laughs. An effective stress buster is always to be with friends who comfort you. I have one who is always a phone call away and is always patient enough to hear me wail on and on about everything that tortures me.

Although the exams are beating down on me I am not really tensed. I know I am well prepared and will do reasonably well. It all comes down to the 22nd of April….. The countdown had begun; the pencils have been sharpening as we study and our mindsets being tuned as I write.

Good luck to all and hopefully a welcoming good bye to the exams of the summer of ’08.

P.S.- As per tradition this blog is dedicated to Apoo who is the best stress buster ever…. I truly mean it. Around him no one can ever be sad and he disarms everyone of their grief as easily as he arms them with laughter. His smiles and jokes make up for what ever sadness I encounter. He is God’s gift to us and me personally. I guess in my life I will never ever meet a guy who is completely amiable, hospitable and utterly sweet and is unanimously loved. I wish I could be a little like him……….

Anyways, this is to his humour and laughter!

A BLESSING BEYOND BELIEF………

2008-04-14T14:21:00.000-07:00

I want to dedicate my first blog to friendship through this poem beacuse it is friendship which makes us go through our daily challenges when we are away from our family. I have always believed that we should receive love gratefully when it come to you and cultivate friendship like a garden. It is the best love of all.

TO THE PERSONS TO WHOM I DEDICATE THIS BLOG TO:
You do not know how much you mean to me, my friends. And how, how rare and strange it is, to find in a life composed so much, so much of odds and ends...To find a friend who has these qualities of love. Who has, and gives those qualities upon which friendship lives.

A BLESSING BEYOND BELIEF………
(A tribute to friendship)

You are a blessing…. A blessing not in disguise.
If I count my happiness which I receive from you….
I will disrespect my joy and your dignity.

You are a joy to watch,
A flower with its petals perfect,
A person who is one amongst us but distinct on own her own!

You are my rock,
You are my star,
You are a friend and my guide.

If I sigh ever…..
Behind you or with you,
You are there to catch my breath.

If I ever cry,
With all my heart I know,
You will be there to stop the flood.

If I were to laugh,
I know you are there to laugh too,
I know and I will always know.

The year gone by, with you by my side
Eventful as it is… is a blessing,
Truly, a blessing beyond belief, a blessing beyond belief!