Wednesday, December 1, 2010

Newspapers induce fear in the society

Lately, I've realised that newspapers are such a big turn off. News only means reports on scams, robberies, murders and rapes. The content is full of annoyance and negativity. I know it is the duty of the reporters to inform, educate and spread awareness among the people but what actually spreads is FEAR. We all are afraid to die and thats natural but this thought boggles the common man as soon as one steps out of the house. Well that doesn't mean that we are safe in our house!

The newspaper which used to compliment the breakfast earlier, has now become indigestible. To top this negativity the number of pages is increasing because there is so much to scare people. I prefer scanning advertisements in the newspaper than to pay heed on that annoying stuff. Newspaper supplements offer no respite as the gossip of the B Town rules the content.

I wish the gatekeepers of these newspaper get to know about the impact of the news content on society. I'm waiting dearly for some positive news that could bring a smile on my face someday. Yes! the cartoon section Dubyaman can help me.

Tuesday, November 30, 2010

Penning down the trip to Peninsula




Yes, finally I travelled to the South of india and it was a brilliant experience. With expectations of gorging on idly, smabhar, dosa all days 24x7, I was greeted by the wonderful fragrance of the South Indian cuisine. The coconut trees followed us all through the geography of Karnataka and Tamil Nadu. The cuture and tradition is just untouched. People still feel better to roam in their lungis and women wear fresh gajras. I'll always cherish the essence of this part of India.
It was just scintillating to be in the lap of nature
and admiring it to the fullest.  

Thursday, September 30, 2010

The 'positives' of my childhood

The incessant and untimely rains during this month have taken everyone by a pleasant surprise. Organising Committee of the Commonwealth games was most surprised and called it the God’s fury. But, the common man is happy to wake up in the drizzle and drench on the way to office. I too am delighted; each day is so beautiful than yesterday. On one such rainy day, I sat in my verandah with a cup of coffee in my right hand and a bunch of old photo albums. I wanted to do something constructive and didn’t have any better task to do than to scan all the pictures. I had a better reason to do it because it had been years I had flipped through them.
The chair was all wet with the flying droplets of rain; it was like dew on the plastic chair. I made myself comfortable with a couch for backrest and surrounded by around fifty photo albums. Some album with half covers, some with torn flaps, loose pictures and some without even covers.  All positives from camera surrounding me with anxiously looking females on the cover page looking straight into my eye as if they’ll come out and say, “I am tired of that pose, open the album fast.” I asked myself before tossing through the albums, if it was worth the effort or just a time waste. But the weather acted as the driving force and forced me to peep into the first album with an old dark blue cover having 4”x6” pictures.
The first picture snapped with the four generations of the family from my maternal side. It was a treat to the eyes, me-my mother-my grandmother-great grandmother, all sitting in the ascending order. The next few pictures were equivalent to the lightening in the sky. I was at the echelon of my naughty spirits, sitting in front of the wooden dressing table and playing with my mother’s sindoor (vermilion) and kaajal (kohl). It was amazing to know the way society changes your mischievous instincts into sobriety. 
Some pictures took me to the late eighties while the others kept me swinging in the nineties. Different trips with family to religious places, hill stations, beaches and plains were there in a haphazard manner. The best part of each picture of my childhood the natural emotion was kept intact and the deliberate smile was missing. Most pictures clicked with me being unaware of the presence of the lens around me. I wonder as I take another sip of the coffee and speculate the manner life changes you. Times have changed drastically; the change is attributed to the advancement in the technology. Now even the trial room or the washroom in the mall scares me, there could be a hidden camera somewhere. The nature of capturing the object is similar but the cameraperson is the one who makes the difference.
All my emotions and feelings were changing dramatically with each second flip of the album. I chose the albums randomly; another one was with my brother. Small little creature with baggy shorts, vests and curly hair combing my hair, the picture was cuteness personified. The picture was animated but it exuded so much softness and love. I wondered if my brother could be as soft, tender and cute as he was then. That’s the test of time, we have to move, grow old and accept everyone around us. I picked that picture with a few more from that album for scanning.
The rain stopped for some moments, I stood up to have a glance at the drenched apartment. Every building, car and the park radiated freshness. Even I was feeling fresh after going back in time and forgetting every other assignment or project that was due for submission. It was like sitting in a time machine and rewinding my whole life page by page. The slight wind bought tiny little droplets on my face and I again adjusted myself to start again.
Album by album, I went on, smiling, giggling, laughing, remembering and cherishing all those clips. I found so many unknown faces, many who are not around me anymore and enjoying my tryst with my childhood.
After that flipping exercise, I looked at the pictures I had kept aside for scanning; it was a full bundle of infinite clips each picture having its distinctiveness. I thanked my parents to have been so agile to have captured my each moment of life, that too with a flash and click camera and getting the rolls washed each time. It was an outstanding pleasure I got after this exercise. But, I dropped the idea of scanning them, as they felt better when you can feel these pictures in your hand and with your fingers. These pictures are called positives because they really turn you positive towards your life. So, I picked all the albums and kept safely in the almirah and admired the beauty of pictures with unparallel sentiments which touch your soul.

Friday, September 24, 2010

Volun-‘Tearing’ at CWG 2010

October was supposed to be a month of cash inflow, but it seems the flow is just there in the Yamuna River. Around February, many of my friends were lured by the money they would get to sweat out in Commonwealth Games 2010 in Delhi. They had pre-planned their disposal of that petty amount in shopping and savings, but to their surprise and shock, they are only a part of the un-paid staff. Well afterall, ‘volunteer’ means a person who freely offers to take part in an enterprise or undertake a task, according to Oxford Dictionary. So, the organizers are just referring to their dictionary to save themselves from being screwed once again.
All plans swept, all tears shed but these volunteers are left with no choice but to exert themselves in the venues. Long training hours, a huge manual and unlisted rules and regulations – they have to keep in mind all of it. In return of the hectic schedule, they’ll just get awarded a certificate—I hope my friends don’t have to wait for years to get the piece of paper. They get a travel allowance, thank you OC – Organising Committee. Free travel in the DTC buses and reimbursement of metro fare, finally they get something in return.  
Being at CWG doesn’t mean they are safe and sound. You never know when the next ceiling will fall down. Assurance regarding the security is what I expect atleast. I would have been happier, if my friends would have been promised their due. After all volunteering is not easy; the work is equivalent to the paid staff.
Disappointment is at its peak this time. Any lapse in the politics was earlier sorted out internally or we dealt with it somehow or forget it. But, this time the height of distress is unparallel and has gone above the danger mark. I know I’m being rude but I never wished to see my country in a light of disgust and anguish around the globe. My dear politicians would never learn a lesson of honesty and humanity. There is a saying ‘Beggars are not the choosers’ but in India, ‘Beggars are the choosers’. The poor decides the Government because most of us enjoy this 'Voting holiday'.

Wednesday, September 8, 2010

LOVING the WORKPLACE

People are falling in love with their work. They are dying to go to their workplace each morning. They wait eagerly for their clock to strike nine in the morning. Isn’t this odd? No, it’s not. Professionals are falling in love at their workplaces, obviously not with their work but the working people around.

Hectic hours of organisations leave no time for personal grooming and expanding the social circle. Professionals find it easier to find their match at their office only. They feel it’s better to have a life partner who understands the demands of the field of work. Each person tries to avoid interference and wants personal space also called ‘ME time’. Mind rules the heart and thus, most people choose their partners radically. Practicality of a relationship has become more important than the feeling of togetherness or love.


Spouses at the same workplace however, sometimes find it difficult to cope with the situation. Demands increase which might lead to suffoctaion of desires at home and workplace. Social obligation also force them to be around each other else people suspect a foul play in the relationship. This doesn’t allow them to widen their social circle and they remain stuck with their spouses, whether at the time of lunch or any office outing. Even friendly talks with a colleague of opposite sex might induce unwarranted suspicion. Many couples also feel a lack of spark in their personal lives as they don’t have anything to share as they are around each other the whole day. Seeing the same person 24*7 also surfaces boredom.

There are couples who are able to survive all these pressures and challenges. Some partners understand each other quite well and cope with the situation brilliantly. It is rightly said that marriage is a sacred union of two souls and understanding each other keeps alive this heavenly relationship.

Tuesday, September 7, 2010

Turning Brains

Born and bought up in corruption, bureaucracy, dishonesty, and all similar synonyms. All philosophies and idealistic thoughts flush at once when you face the world. The society teaches to you to only disown your ideals. Your expectations take a beating when you see the cruel, bad world trying to smother you at once. These Commomnwealth Games around the corner have unearthed such broken links and made us realize the foundation of our upbringing. Parents try their best to save their children from the unhealthy elements but one day we have to deal with it on our face. CWG have openly taught us to be dishonest to work. Money is God for all the officials, but God still exists. Money can’t buy God, thus here it is- rain, rain come again.




Hoping against the hope, does this work? I don’t hope that the Games would be a success, I just hope that the money minting legacy people leave behind doesn’t stay like a hole in the heart. There should have been a surgery which could remove corruption from their minds forever. Yes! I believe I’m being swept away by the feeling of country’s welfare. I agree I’m talking something out of the world, but Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind. Like in that movie, I sincerely hope there is a doctor who could remove that part of the memory which deals with corruption. I don’t want politics to be Pollute-Ticks, these ticks stick to the nation and the youth must be doctored to remove them. We must be brilliant at making this nation the best.

Wednesday, September 1, 2010

Connecting to the real world

It was a deliberate break from the web world not because I didn’t have an access rather I wanted to feel the missing link in my life. Two days I was cut off from the cyberspace but couldn’t manage to stay away from my phone. I sensed the real people around me instead of the virtual ones. My life was so much simpler and uncomplicated during my school days. But, now it is tangled around the NET. It was a holiday from the daily routine of sitting for hours in front of the PC till the eyes water.

 Yes! This break was truly refreshing. I realised that I have this spontaneous urge to go back and switch on the system but to hold it back and make myself busy offline was a task in itself. Self-control is a real lesson learnt from this voluntary exercise. My parents had always been sceptical about this whole computer scenario ruling the society by a storm but I was always positive about it as I felt I reunited and reconnected people. But, it disconnected me from the real world, it is more important to value the live people around you and not bother about the people thousand miles away.

I would certainly take such mini breaks from the internet and meditate about my life offline. It is difficult but satisfactory experience.

Monday, August 23, 2010

When the ego stoops down...

They need guts to be like that. They are so numb, so emotionless, so brash, and so inhuman. The way they talk gives me jitters, I feel like a candle in the wind. I’m talking about sarkari (government ) officials of my very own DELHI. That bank official on top of his voice shouted on me & my mother for forcing him to work. But, once my mother started, there was no looking back. When my mom bragged about complaining about his bad temperament to the higher authorities, his soul stumbled. I’m sure his heartbeat would have increased a thousand times.
Wow! It was a sight, the way he came running after us and requesting us. Hats off to my mom for teaching him a lesson. That’s what she does each day, after all she’s a teacher.

I am now so convinced that sarkari system is highly rotten in India. These babus must be sent bouquets with a flip card written on it –“Get well soon maamu”. I thank god, that I’m a humanitarian by nature and know the nuances of communication. The credit also goes to my Mass Communication degrees. I just wish deep inside that I don’t bump into such people.

Friday, August 20, 2010

That's the weigh! Ahaan Ahaan :)

Weighty issues always bother women. The size zero craze is fading aways, thank god! Kareena finally has cellulite on her thighs. The sight of cellulite on her legs has also attracted a lot of paparazzi, well any publcity is good publicity...as they say. But the media juggles with an issue till is goes out of proportion, that's what happened with Kareena also. She has gone out of proportion, however, some might find her face equally chiseled and ready for closeup. Say Cheese! When her movie We are family, is slated for release next month, all iz well.
When gyming sessions become strenuous, you just want to binge on anything and everything. I wish I had a faster metabolism and didn't have the need to workout daily. God! Shilpa Shetty is so blessed, I envy her.

Fear of weighing machine, is the biggest phobia of sorts which maximum women suffer from. Those gruelling sessions in the gym just make you believe that you are a mindless ass of some farmvilla. But at the end of it, you just feel so relieved and refreshed, till the time the workout is painless...Woof! OOps its the gym time. All set to sweat it out, I wish we lived in the stone age and never bothered about appearances.   

Thursday, August 19, 2010

Pick and run case

Today a friend excitedly told me that he helped one of his distant relative in marrying a girl. He elaborated that they picked up the girl from her home, helped her run away and then went to the temple for fulfilling the rituals of a Hindu marriage. It was a complete shock and awe situation. I had hardly imagined that it would be so adventurous and dangerous.The times have changed so rapidly and people take pride in doing socially unacceptable stuff. 
Believing this incident took time to sink in, but later I realised that I have to accept it. Even the small 10 yr old boy was a spectator to the whole drama and talked about this pick, run and marry incident. Elated he was to realise that he helped two lovers meet and settle down. But I pity those parents who expose their children to such social malpractices and remain unaware of this.

Yes! I do agree love has no boundations and true love is blind but it should only be left to lovers to sort out the matter. Why do people poke their nose into such personal and private decisions? Well, I must say we have always been brought up peeping into lives of others..God knows when this attitude will change. I feel that we should concentrate better on our lives than interfering in other's.

Wednesday, August 18, 2010

MARS media

Well! This title is an innovation of an acquaintance of mine and I give full credit to him for inspiring me to scribble down a few words on the same. Media industry is progressing uncessantly, there's no stopping. New media..our very own web has culminated news into views; readers into visitors;stories into content. This age of cyber media has made us global and universal. So there's no harm in saying that within the next 20 yrs; there would be a segment of mass media called MARS MEDIA.

Imagining how Mars media would shape up, is a bit tricky. But imagination can take us too far. A possibility of connectivity with the other galaxies cannot be ruled out. Networking with the aliens...internet users in the other world. Planet mars could serve as an interface. Also the webmasters would have another gateway to look out for generating revenue. Seems extremely exciting. We can just wait and watch and probably work towards establishing it. I know I'm drifting away towards this ET world. This is extremely fascinating for me.

I certainly wish the time comes soon. and we all have some more exciting job opportunities open.

Sunday, August 15, 2010

Independence from Title-Body-End

I've been writing since ten years and have learnt the structure of writing quite well. However, I've not learnt it, I've dismissed it with all possible means. Flair for writing is what we are taught, but if there has to be a flair it ought to be free of all the guidelines. Inverted pyramid! That's what the lecturers used to tell each time while studying repoting. While something's on your mind do you actually think about erect or inverted pyramid? Still the cliche rules pass on in our books and transfer from one generation to another.

The boundaries set by some people tend to clinch us each time we write and we are time and again forced to write. Consequently, we see loads and loads of write ups with just brain drain not heart drain. I wish that soon we'd be free of this dependene on this structure and follow just our hearts and enter souls of the readers. This is time to be free of adamancy of writing style and celebrate independence. Create your own style and recite your creativity on this 63rd independence day. Wishing all Indians across the globe.

Are we really returning to our roots?

I read an article in a magazine, saying that the young generation is going back to its roots, but is it realy so? Well I completely differ with this viewpoint, its just the appearance that is deceiving. The young brides loudly accomplish their marrital status, but at the end of the day they drink and party hard, which is an influence of the west.
Where SlumDog Millionaire grabs maximum Oscars for portraying Poor India, the same Hollywood accepts India as a traditional travel haven. Lets see, wait and watch!
Sari--India's national female attire has become the talk of the town because the Hollywood actresses have started endorsing it. It's hard hitting but we Indian are just followers and not trend setters. From high heels, denims, continental cuisine, exotic travelling locales, we are just mere trails. I wonder when the Time magazine has the maximum number of the South Asians in it. The biasness it truely existent and a huge gap has to be mended. But my eyes would be guled to that moment of accomplishment for our people who would be the leaders.
We would return to our roots when the brain drain stops and maximum youth plans to stay back and work for the nation. It is a sentimental thought but we only embraced our tradition superficially, it is not deeply rooted inside us.