I had visited Hyderabad a few days back. The visit turned out to be very warm. Not just the weather, but the people too... Surprising that people were so friendly in a City like this... Be it office or a hang out, all the people around were very friendly and caring. A few things that made me happy:
1) The people ofcourse, they made me feel as if I was a well wisher in some royal palace..
2) Very clean roads... Believe me, i didn't find a single dust bin on the roads and yet every road was clean... The true Indian feeling of littering the place, as if unnoticed was not prevalent in my mind.
3) Hilly landscapes and enjoyable drive. From Hitech City to Rajbhavan road, across all the so called "Hills", was amazing.
4) Delicious and Cheap food (the very thought is mouth watering!). A hundred rupee hyderabadi chicken biriyani take away, serves 3 good eaters.. Should i call it recession? Where are the profit motives?
5)Coming to the best part... This one is called "Hustle". On Thursday night i had been to a resto-bar with my sister... For one particular song everybody in the resto-bar danced alike.. Though it was an easy move, the synchronisation was just perfect. A perfect sight...
Now for the negative, yet funny part of the story. Nobody in Hyderabad respects the traffic signal... You find the traffic sergeant and the traffic signal (both signalling ofcourse!) but nobody seems to bother about it.. Not the cop too.. Strange!!
It was a perfect weekend.. While I sit back at home, hot (not warm!) weather where i sweat like a criminal in the court of law, fond memories about Hyderabad eluate.. May be i should call it a city where we "hide-bad-era" (Hyd-era-bad).!
Tuesday, March 31, 2009
Wednesday, March 25, 2009
Percussions Sans Programming!!!
"If music be the food of love, play on, Give me excess of it; that surfeiting, the appetite may sicken, and so die," said Orsino in Twelfth Night. Music, over the years has gained high importance, be it a concert, a play, a movie or a discotheque… The appetite will never “sicken and so die”.
I had been to a Japanese Drum ensemble organized by the Indo-Japanese Foundation and the Consulate general of Japan at Narada Gana Sabha. I anticipated a high entertainment dose and it actually got heavier than I thought. Being a percussionist myself, I really enjoyed the energy displayed by the drummers. Some “Goose-bumpish” details about the show:
1) Excellent back drop and stage arrangement
2) Energetic posture of the drummers, highly athletic as if they portrayed some martial arts technique.
3) At the later part of the show, they got the audience screaming. Applause from all age groups.
4) Tsugaru Shamisen, a stringed instrument, with a huge plectrum and the body of which is made of wood from South India. (Trust me!!)
My heart was beating very fast, faster than the beat of the drums… I wanted to shout too, not because I was really excited but I remembered the other percussion instrument that had made me groove several times, and the instrument I always wanted to play, the karamadai ranganadhar drum (that’s what I call it!!) and the thappattam.
I am pretty sure that most of the audience who were there and most of you reading this blog are not aware of these instruments. I always loved listening to them because I love folk and the energy displayed, the rhythm and ofcourse the dance. My eyes were filled with tears after listening to the applause, while Chennai Sangamam which reveals all the native folk instruments fails to draw crowd.
It was indeed painful to digest this fact. The Japanese consulate has brought their tradition to India and I’m sure everybody who attended the show was gibbering about it. But how may of us really know about these traditional percussion art forms that are more energetic, more rhythmic and make our heart pounce like little deer? How may of us actually insist on taking our instrument worldwide?
Towards the end of the show I let the tear drop. The group coordinator admitted that the instruments had to be displayed powerfully and required some extra energy, since it would be lack entertainment if played plainly. Unlike the tabla that can produce several sounds, the wadaiko is a dull instrument. I wish the Indian Consulate in Japan would organize a drum concert using the karamadai drums and the thappattam.
Call it emotional terrorism or clash of civilizations, the deep rooted Indian feeling prevails!
Thursday, March 19, 2009
Who is a Gandhi???
Pretty strange that Varun Gandhi remarked, “I am a gandhi, nationalist and a Hindu”, to the press yesterday after the controversial hate speech. By the way, who is a Gandhi? What did he mean when he said he was a Gandhi. Well, I don’t really know if I would be hurting nationalist sentiments, but let me tell what "Gandhi" actually means (from what I know).
Origin: Ghandy. (A person of Parsi Origin)
Cast : Nehru, Indira, Sanjay, Menaka, Rajiv, Sonia, Varun, Rahul, Priyanka. (Please add Gandhi now, because after you read this post, I don’t know if you would really want to).
Story and screenplay : Indian Politics
Viewers : Intellectual prostitutes of India (Me and you!!!)
1) Indira Priyadharshini Nehru – The lonely girl who was chased out of Shantiniketan University by Guru Dev Rabindranath himself for misdemeanor was married to Feroz Khan, son of a Muslim grocer and coverted to Muslim. Feroz’s mother was a Parsi. Kamala Nehru (I’m sure you are wondering who this is. Its Nehru’s wife!! Come on! The picture you saw with Lady Mountbatten was the outcome of a political relationship), was unhappy with her daughter's marriage and was dying. Our beloved Mahatma called Nehru and dictated the change of the young man’s name from Khan to Gandhi. There was no change of religion, but a change of name through an affidavit. Feroze agreed to inherit the name Gandhi since it represented his parsi mother’s family name, “Ghandy”.
2) Rajiv – Eldest son of Indira and Feroz, recorded as a “QUALIFIED” Mechanical engineer from Cambridge, who hadn’t cleared a single examination in all three years, converted to Catholic to marry Sania. His catholic name was Roberto. Their children were named Bianca and Raul. (Now you know their Indian Names. Quite rhyming though!)
3) Sania Maino (Yes.. I spelt it right!) – The ‘I’talian lady who currently rules ‘I’ndia, is also from Cambridge, but not on the “technical” university but she was educated at a language school, where foreign students learn English. Trust me friends, without attending any language school in India, she is well versed in Hindi!!!
4) Sanjay – Younger son of Indira and… Not Feroze now, but another Muslim person named Mohammed Yunus was initially named Sanjiv. He was arrested in London and his passport was impounded for stealing a car. The Indian high commissioner in London offered to issue another passport to the criminal who changed his name to Sanjay. He took high advantage of his undeclared father’s state and his distructive influence on his mother was highly political. He wandered around if India was his and we all know the Maruthi Controversy and his share in the emergency rule. Rajiv once blamed Sanjay for his mothers state at the 1977 election defeat.
4) Menaka – The Bombay Dyeing towel model who takes pride in rearing 11 stray dogs in her house, serves the BJP currently. As a politically ill motivated journalist, she shocked the nation by publishing obscene pictures of Suresh Ram, the son of the then Defence Minister, Babu Jagjivan Ram with Sushma Chaudry, a delhi university student. This was a clear political-killing for her mother-in-law Indira. The pictures were published to disgrace Jagjivan Ram, who left the congress and helped bring Janta party to power in 1977.
5) Priyanka, Rahul & Varun – And the battle continues… As part of the so called “Gandhi” family, the earlier stated politicians ruled India. Now with the split in the family who can call themselves “A Gandhi”. Priyanka, Rahul helping the mother (Mother India!) and Varun serves the BJP with his mother.
“An eye for an eye makes the whole world blind” – Mahatma Gandhi.
“Many Gandhi’s for a Gandhi have made the whole world blind” – Lokesh Vasudevan.
Origin: Ghandy. (A person of Parsi Origin)
Cast : Nehru, Indira, Sanjay, Menaka, Rajiv, Sonia, Varun, Rahul, Priyanka. (Please add Gandhi now, because after you read this post, I don’t know if you would really want to).
Story and screenplay : Indian Politics
Viewers : Intellectual prostitutes of India (Me and you!!!)
1) Indira Priyadharshini Nehru – The lonely girl who was chased out of Shantiniketan University by Guru Dev Rabindranath himself for misdemeanor was married to Feroz Khan, son of a Muslim grocer and coverted to Muslim. Feroz’s mother was a Parsi. Kamala Nehru (I’m sure you are wondering who this is. Its Nehru’s wife!! Come on! The picture you saw with Lady Mountbatten was the outcome of a political relationship), was unhappy with her daughter's marriage and was dying. Our beloved Mahatma called Nehru and dictated the change of the young man’s name from Khan to Gandhi. There was no change of religion, but a change of name through an affidavit. Feroze agreed to inherit the name Gandhi since it represented his parsi mother’s family name, “Ghandy”.
2) Rajiv – Eldest son of Indira and Feroz, recorded as a “QUALIFIED” Mechanical engineer from Cambridge, who hadn’t cleared a single examination in all three years, converted to Catholic to marry Sania. His catholic name was Roberto. Their children were named Bianca and Raul. (Now you know their Indian Names. Quite rhyming though!)
3) Sania Maino (Yes.. I spelt it right!) – The ‘I’talian lady who currently rules ‘I’ndia, is also from Cambridge, but not on the “technical” university but she was educated at a language school, where foreign students learn English. Trust me friends, without attending any language school in India, she is well versed in Hindi!!!
4) Sanjay – Younger son of Indira and… Not Feroze now, but another Muslim person named Mohammed Yunus was initially named Sanjiv. He was arrested in London and his passport was impounded for stealing a car. The Indian high commissioner in London offered to issue another passport to the criminal who changed his name to Sanjay. He took high advantage of his undeclared father’s state and his distructive influence on his mother was highly political. He wandered around if India was his and we all know the Maruthi Controversy and his share in the emergency rule. Rajiv once blamed Sanjay for his mothers state at the 1977 election defeat.
4) Menaka – The Bombay Dyeing towel model who takes pride in rearing 11 stray dogs in her house, serves the BJP currently. As a politically ill motivated journalist, she shocked the nation by publishing obscene pictures of Suresh Ram, the son of the then Defence Minister, Babu Jagjivan Ram with Sushma Chaudry, a delhi university student. This was a clear political-killing for her mother-in-law Indira. The pictures were published to disgrace Jagjivan Ram, who left the congress and helped bring Janta party to power in 1977.
5) Priyanka, Rahul & Varun – And the battle continues… As part of the so called “Gandhi” family, the earlier stated politicians ruled India. Now with the split in the family who can call themselves “A Gandhi”. Priyanka, Rahul helping the mother (Mother India!) and Varun serves the BJP with his mother.
“An eye for an eye makes the whole world blind” – Mahatma Gandhi.
“Many Gandhi’s for a Gandhi have made the whole world blind” – Lokesh Vasudevan.
Wednesday, March 18, 2009
Shut up and Vote!!!
Seen the latest IPL ad, “The only thing that one billion people do at the same time?” A good advertisement but suits the voting campaign better. The only thing that one billion people do at the same time is vote.
Saw this poster at a popular eat out today, it read as “Jaago re - Shut up and Vote tour” organized by TATA tea. A rock concert tour organized all over India. So why call it “Shut up and vote tour?” Don’t really understand the following logic:
1) Why does TATA tea organize such a campaign? (The high profile suspicion!!!)
2) Why do they want us to shut up?
3) Why do they want us to shut up and then vote?
Simple…. We youth ask a million questions and shout at the top of our voices but fail to realise our basis civic duties. How many of us actually follow the basic rules that are required to be followed by our Constitution? I know you are smiling now. I’m not going to let you think, nor let you ask if I follow all the rules. (after all we make youth!!). All I’m going to do is, “Shut up and vote”. Atleast it’ll let me think (when I shut up!) and then vote. This phrase energizes me. It made no sense when I looked at the poster. Simply amazes me now. Let’s just go ahead and vote the best candidate (if we can find one) without complaining about what had happened all these days. Atleast we can bring about a small change in the way things work. Like:
1) Scare the politicians by recording a huge voting percentage by the younger masses. We know how the politicians thrive with the good old “genetic” voting practice.
2) Change the exit poll rules. Let Pranoy, Rajdeep and gang chose a higher youth sample size for their assessment, and when they ask us, let us say that it’s a secret ballot and not let out the secret.
3) Make Dr. Manmohan Singh realise that he can’t be termed as “Singh is King”. Lets terminate “Sonia mania” and Call the saffron lord, “Aam Aadmi Advani”.
If all this doesn’t change, I sincerely do hope that due to higher voting percentage of the youth, a change in the Indian constitution is facilitated. What’s the Change? Atleast the Youth Affairs Minister should be young. Any guesses what the age of the current Youth Affairs Minister is? Dr.M.S.Gill, 72 year young man.!
If the constitution defines youth as persons within the age of 21, then we need one more constitutional amendment. Article 84 (b) of Constitution of India provides that the minimum age for becoming a candidate for Lok Sabha election shall be 25 years.
“Result = Youth cannot contest”.
So what do we do? Simple… Shut up and vote. I’m going to head bang and sway as I listen to the rock bands perform and then raise my index finger, this time for a different cause…!!!
Saw this poster at a popular eat out today, it read as “Jaago re - Shut up and Vote tour” organized by TATA tea. A rock concert tour organized all over India. So why call it “Shut up and vote tour?” Don’t really understand the following logic:
1) Why does TATA tea organize such a campaign? (The high profile suspicion!!!)
2) Why do they want us to shut up?
3) Why do they want us to shut up and then vote?
Simple…. We youth ask a million questions and shout at the top of our voices but fail to realise our basis civic duties. How many of us actually follow the basic rules that are required to be followed by our Constitution? I know you are smiling now. I’m not going to let you think, nor let you ask if I follow all the rules. (after all we make youth!!). All I’m going to do is, “Shut up and vote”. Atleast it’ll let me think (when I shut up!) and then vote. This phrase energizes me. It made no sense when I looked at the poster. Simply amazes me now. Let’s just go ahead and vote the best candidate (if we can find one) without complaining about what had happened all these days. Atleast we can bring about a small change in the way things work. Like:
1) Scare the politicians by recording a huge voting percentage by the younger masses. We know how the politicians thrive with the good old “genetic” voting practice.
2) Change the exit poll rules. Let Pranoy, Rajdeep and gang chose a higher youth sample size for their assessment, and when they ask us, let us say that it’s a secret ballot and not let out the secret.
3) Make Dr. Manmohan Singh realise that he can’t be termed as “Singh is King”. Lets terminate “Sonia mania” and Call the saffron lord, “Aam Aadmi Advani”.
If all this doesn’t change, I sincerely do hope that due to higher voting percentage of the youth, a change in the Indian constitution is facilitated. What’s the Change? Atleast the Youth Affairs Minister should be young. Any guesses what the age of the current Youth Affairs Minister is? Dr.M.S.Gill, 72 year young man.!
If the constitution defines youth as persons within the age of 21, then we need one more constitutional amendment. Article 84 (b) of Constitution of India provides that the minimum age for becoming a candidate for Lok Sabha election shall be 25 years.
“Result = Youth cannot contest”.
So what do we do? Simple… Shut up and vote. I’m going to head bang and sway as I listen to the rock bands perform and then raise my index finger, this time for a different cause…!!!
Tuesday, March 17, 2009
Dev D - Sprung Rhythm…!
“It’s the poetic rhythm designed to imitate the rhythm of natural speech”
Anything but the usual… We all look for something different… Be it work, play or any form of art. I’ve convinced myself that some of my poems that I’ve posted in my poem blog are of sprung rhythm, but how far it appeals to the readers is the question. Talking about art form, how bout sprung rhythm in Indian film music? Some form of music which is different from the usual rhythm. We all fail to realise that the true form of music is the rhythm of natural speech… Thanks to the efforts of our “middle aged hindi film” music directors who were consistent with their rhythm, every song sounded the same. Harmony, chorus and background score of every movie was almost the same. We still seem to enjoy that kind of music. Where was change? Who created the difference? As far as tamil film music is concerned, we see a clear demarcation and uniqueness in their form of music.
1) M.S. Viswanathan – the creator
2) Ilayaraja – the maestro
3) ARR – the revolutionist
However, I haven’t found such individuality in the hindi film industry. What we see in the hindi film music are two slow numbers, one jatka and two remixes of the slow and jatka numbers, which makes one film music album. Nothing actually remains in our rusty minds for a considerable time (of course, the video does!!).
After being terribly perturbed about the “DISTORTED ARRANGEMENT” of the hindi film music, there’s some consolation finally. This time, the kind of music that “DEFINES” sprung rhythm. Thanks AMIT TRIVEDI. Yes.. DEV D is the film. With 18 tracks, every song is absolutely unique. After having watched the film, I realised that not a single song was “singled out”. Not like the usual dream song that would certainly follow after the romantic hug. All the songs blended well with the screenplay. I love to elaborate the excellence of every song in detail, but lets focus on a few:
1) Emotional Attyachar (Brass band version) – The whole country has been humming the verses of the Punjab’s Presley’s… With appropriate stress on words like “Dhuaaaa” and “Tragedeeey”, this is the painfully happy song of love break up. Truly band bajaying…!
2) Emotional Attyachar (Rock version) – portrays pain and distress. Bonny Chakravarthy sings aloud with immense energy. The way the lead guitar starts is amazing.
3) Duniya – Amit Trivedi proves his singing talent as well. Open voice as that of the creator (yes he is!!). Confidence with “Jhee-jhee-jhee” is exciting.
4) Nayan Tarse – Amazing start, with sound of amplifiers and distortion getting plugged, I try to strum the tune on my guitar but a 30 second stretch of the fast beat drum pattern takes me on a rollercoaster ride. Can’t stay on with the acoustic and transform to the flavour of rock. Immense concentration and hard work by Amit.
5) Saali Kushi – The best one of the entire album with “Ayaho… Ayaho” which creates goose bumps. Agony presented well. Best song to listen to when one is terribly depressed.
6) Paayaliya – Very unique and “My god” between the beats are just unthinkable. Shruthi Pathak has been used well. Classical touch in non-contemporary style would be very difficult to imitate.
“Dol yara dol” and “Ek hal chal si” also amazes me. I’m pretty sure, no orchestra or college band could ever dream of performing these numbers. Performing with the MIDI files would certainly spoil the originality of the song. I’ve been tripping on these songs from the time the music was out and I would certainly continue listening to it.
To sum it all.. Amit Trivedi is going to be the “Band Bajaying Baap of Bollywood”.
Anything but the usual… We all look for something different… Be it work, play or any form of art. I’ve convinced myself that some of my poems that I’ve posted in my poem blog are of sprung rhythm, but how far it appeals to the readers is the question. Talking about art form, how bout sprung rhythm in Indian film music? Some form of music which is different from the usual rhythm. We all fail to realise that the true form of music is the rhythm of natural speech… Thanks to the efforts of our “middle aged hindi film” music directors who were consistent with their rhythm, every song sounded the same. Harmony, chorus and background score of every movie was almost the same. We still seem to enjoy that kind of music. Where was change? Who created the difference? As far as tamil film music is concerned, we see a clear demarcation and uniqueness in their form of music.
1) M.S. Viswanathan – the creator
2) Ilayaraja – the maestro
3) ARR – the revolutionist
However, I haven’t found such individuality in the hindi film industry. What we see in the hindi film music are two slow numbers, one jatka and two remixes of the slow and jatka numbers, which makes one film music album. Nothing actually remains in our rusty minds for a considerable time (of course, the video does!!).
After being terribly perturbed about the “DISTORTED ARRANGEMENT” of the hindi film music, there’s some consolation finally. This time, the kind of music that “DEFINES” sprung rhythm. Thanks AMIT TRIVEDI. Yes.. DEV D is the film. With 18 tracks, every song is absolutely unique. After having watched the film, I realised that not a single song was “singled out”. Not like the usual dream song that would certainly follow after the romantic hug. All the songs blended well with the screenplay. I love to elaborate the excellence of every song in detail, but lets focus on a few:
1) Emotional Attyachar (Brass band version) – The whole country has been humming the verses of the Punjab’s Presley’s… With appropriate stress on words like “Dhuaaaa” and “Tragedeeey”, this is the painfully happy song of love break up. Truly band bajaying…!
2) Emotional Attyachar (Rock version) – portrays pain and distress. Bonny Chakravarthy sings aloud with immense energy. The way the lead guitar starts is amazing.
3) Duniya – Amit Trivedi proves his singing talent as well. Open voice as that of the creator (yes he is!!). Confidence with “Jhee-jhee-jhee” is exciting.
4) Nayan Tarse – Amazing start, with sound of amplifiers and distortion getting plugged, I try to strum the tune on my guitar but a 30 second stretch of the fast beat drum pattern takes me on a rollercoaster ride. Can’t stay on with the acoustic and transform to the flavour of rock. Immense concentration and hard work by Amit.
5) Saali Kushi – The best one of the entire album with “Ayaho… Ayaho” which creates goose bumps. Agony presented well. Best song to listen to when one is terribly depressed.
6) Paayaliya – Very unique and “My god” between the beats are just unthinkable. Shruthi Pathak has been used well. Classical touch in non-contemporary style would be very difficult to imitate.
“Dol yara dol” and “Ek hal chal si” also amazes me. I’m pretty sure, no orchestra or college band could ever dream of performing these numbers. Performing with the MIDI files would certainly spoil the originality of the song. I’ve been tripping on these songs from the time the music was out and I would certainly continue listening to it.
To sum it all.. Amit Trivedi is going to be the “Band Bajaying Baap of Bollywood”.
Monday, March 16, 2009
Media Massacre..!
It's Monday... Wish i could start this week with a pleasant note but news telecast every morning scares me... With the Lok Sabha Elections round the corner sense and sensibility are the key words... Who cares the most..? Not the people, ofcourse... We don't care about anything... It's the Media.. Right behind... They can push any party to success or stab them without their knowledge...
What's with me and media??? Call it mediaphobia?? May be.. A few cases (out of the many), highly unfair:
1) Aarushi Murder : India is called the "murder capital of the world". According to the Crime Records Bureau, India is right at the top.. followed by US of A... Then why just aarushi in the news...? What protocol does the media believe in? Showing the degree of cruelty involved or the so called affairs connected with the murder..? what is sickening is the sensationalism in the Indian media... what was initially a sensational affair over the killing of the 14 year old was then transformed into a love affair analysis... Did Aarushi have an affair or did the father, Dr.Talwar? What a topic to investigate, and the CBI actually did.. Though autopsy reports prove that there had been no sexual assault, the media has done their part.. Deep scar.. Though the long drawn investigation and the TRP thirsty media have hibernated, much damage has been done.. Now NDTV has organised a campaign called "Justice for Aarushi". How Pranoy?
2) Mangalore maniacs : Pub Culture assault or the pink chaddi campaign, what remains is the insult to humanity… I appreciate the media for having received first hand information and getting to the spot to capture the rampant behavior… I suppose they had just the incoming facility in their phones, that’s why they couldn’t alert the police… I appreciate their efforts.. They carried their cameras all the way before the incident… Good focus too.. Telecasted repeatedly in slow motion, with circles around girls who were assaulted. If the assaulters caused physical injuries, the media brought mental trauma… Feel terribly sorry for the girl in the white top… Don’t really know what the media people would have done if their daughters or relatives were one of those girls who were assaulted.. Slow motion or no motion…?
3) Terror attacks : Hey Media… YOU don’t have to declare the commandos who handled the 26/11 terror attacks as the heroes of the year by conducting lavish shows… What are you trying to cover up by being overgenerous? We all know their duty and we respect them whole heartedly… You caused a few extra deaths by giving detailed information to the terrorists about what was happening outside… I don’t know what the IPC calls a person or an organization assisting a terrorist… Finally you try to assess the reason for the terror attacks and conclude calling it “Clash of civilizations”.
Alright! Alright! My blood is boiling… Now coming to the point… Now that the elections are approaching, you would definitely enjoy calling a few politicians to your studios and watch them all speak (shout) at the same time and make every citizen lose respect… For all reading this blog, try this… Assess the party or a candidate without watching the exit polls… The results would definitely vary.. I call this “Theory of familiarity”. Most of us want Schumacher to win because we know he would win for sure and much is spoken about him... Not many of us know about the other 20 drivers… Once familiarity is cut, we begin watching and concentrating on every other candidate..
Forget the exit polls by the media… You poll and exit what is supposed to be…!!!
What's with me and media??? Call it mediaphobia?? May be.. A few cases (out of the many), highly unfair:
1) Aarushi Murder : India is called the "murder capital of the world". According to the Crime Records Bureau, India is right at the top.. followed by US of A... Then why just aarushi in the news...? What protocol does the media believe in? Showing the degree of cruelty involved or the so called affairs connected with the murder..? what is sickening is the sensationalism in the Indian media... what was initially a sensational affair over the killing of the 14 year old was then transformed into a love affair analysis... Did Aarushi have an affair or did the father, Dr.Talwar? What a topic to investigate, and the CBI actually did.. Though autopsy reports prove that there had been no sexual assault, the media has done their part.. Deep scar.. Though the long drawn investigation and the TRP thirsty media have hibernated, much damage has been done.. Now NDTV has organised a campaign called "Justice for Aarushi". How Pranoy?
2) Mangalore maniacs : Pub Culture assault or the pink chaddi campaign, what remains is the insult to humanity… I appreciate the media for having received first hand information and getting to the spot to capture the rampant behavior… I suppose they had just the incoming facility in their phones, that’s why they couldn’t alert the police… I appreciate their efforts.. They carried their cameras all the way before the incident… Good focus too.. Telecasted repeatedly in slow motion, with circles around girls who were assaulted. If the assaulters caused physical injuries, the media brought mental trauma… Feel terribly sorry for the girl in the white top… Don’t really know what the media people would have done if their daughters or relatives were one of those girls who were assaulted.. Slow motion or no motion…?
3) Terror attacks : Hey Media… YOU don’t have to declare the commandos who handled the 26/11 terror attacks as the heroes of the year by conducting lavish shows… What are you trying to cover up by being overgenerous? We all know their duty and we respect them whole heartedly… You caused a few extra deaths by giving detailed information to the terrorists about what was happening outside… I don’t know what the IPC calls a person or an organization assisting a terrorist… Finally you try to assess the reason for the terror attacks and conclude calling it “Clash of civilizations”.
Alright! Alright! My blood is boiling… Now coming to the point… Now that the elections are approaching, you would definitely enjoy calling a few politicians to your studios and watch them all speak (shout) at the same time and make every citizen lose respect… For all reading this blog, try this… Assess the party or a candidate without watching the exit polls… The results would definitely vary.. I call this “Theory of familiarity”. Most of us want Schumacher to win because we know he would win for sure and much is spoken about him... Not many of us know about the other 20 drivers… Once familiarity is cut, we begin watching and concentrating on every other candidate..
Forget the exit polls by the media… You poll and exit what is supposed to be…!!!
Wednesday, March 11, 2009
Sombre Somnath - More to remember!!!
It's time to say Goodbye to Somnath as the 14th Lok Sabha draws to a close.. But he's not going anywhere from the safe corner of my heart...
1) Lawyer of repute
2) Disciplined Parliamentarian
3) Ethical individual
The rare dignity that every politician fails to portray is upheld in his case.. Like any headmaster of Village school, he commands and demands respect.. Not for his experience or position but for the very simple reason of being elected unanimously.. Some points that i would never forget about this person.. Thoughfuly said by fellow ministers.. "We should never forget our retired policiticians".
1) Even after his party, the CPM, had withdrawn support from the UPA government Chatterjee refused to step down, arguing that as a Speaker, who was elected unanimously, he did not owe allegiance to any political party...
2) He ensured that regulations were adhered to, in the upper house. He made an honest effort to bring discipline, unlike other speakers who kept mum at times of disorderly behaviour...
3) He was agitated about the fact that an ordinance had been passed in order to increase the pay package and allowances of Supreme and high court judges. He felt that judges could have waited for a couple of months...
4) After having been expelled from his party, he never questioned the authority of the party.. He said "I accept the expulsion.. thats the greatest scar in my heart, I shall carry it till my last breath..."
5) Frequent disruptions and walkouts dominated the current session at the upper house with cash being brought into the house, Somnath inculcated a sense of discipline at the trust vote session... The agitated Somnath cried out that the MP's dont deserve a 'single paisa' of public money... A bold statement and heartfelt...
6) He suggested invoking of provisions of the constitution, rule 373 which allows the Speaker to throw out any member whose conduct is "grossly disorderly", and Rule 374A which provides for "automatic suspension of a member" for causing "grave disorder" and "wilfully obstructing" the business of the House...
7) He tried pursuading the members to accept the "no work, no pay" scheme, by which no wastage of funds due to disruption at the upper house is ensured...
8) In the current scenario where every tea bill and household purchases are billed on the government, he said,"I think I can afford my bathroom expenses. And I can also afford a cup of tea for my guests."
A disciplined parliamentarian at 80 should not be forgotten... He mentions at his farewell speech, "Thanks for tolerating me".
There is nothing permanent except change... As a close well-wisher of mine says,love can change every 10 months, its not new for people of India to forget this man.. For we are called "poor memory people"...
Love shall never fade... I bow down sir...!!!
1) Lawyer of repute
2) Disciplined Parliamentarian
3) Ethical individual
The rare dignity that every politician fails to portray is upheld in his case.. Like any headmaster of Village school, he commands and demands respect.. Not for his experience or position but for the very simple reason of being elected unanimously.. Some points that i would never forget about this person.. Thoughfuly said by fellow ministers.. "We should never forget our retired policiticians".
1) Even after his party, the CPM, had withdrawn support from the UPA government Chatterjee refused to step down, arguing that as a Speaker, who was elected unanimously, he did not owe allegiance to any political party...
2) He ensured that regulations were adhered to, in the upper house. He made an honest effort to bring discipline, unlike other speakers who kept mum at times of disorderly behaviour...
3) He was agitated about the fact that an ordinance had been passed in order to increase the pay package and allowances of Supreme and high court judges. He felt that judges could have waited for a couple of months...
4) After having been expelled from his party, he never questioned the authority of the party.. He said "I accept the expulsion.. thats the greatest scar in my heart, I shall carry it till my last breath..."
5) Frequent disruptions and walkouts dominated the current session at the upper house with cash being brought into the house, Somnath inculcated a sense of discipline at the trust vote session... The agitated Somnath cried out that the MP's dont deserve a 'single paisa' of public money... A bold statement and heartfelt...
6) He suggested invoking of provisions of the constitution, rule 373 which allows the Speaker to throw out any member whose conduct is "grossly disorderly", and Rule 374A which provides for "automatic suspension of a member" for causing "grave disorder" and "wilfully obstructing" the business of the House...
7) He tried pursuading the members to accept the "no work, no pay" scheme, by which no wastage of funds due to disruption at the upper house is ensured...
8) In the current scenario where every tea bill and household purchases are billed on the government, he said,"I think I can afford my bathroom expenses. And I can also afford a cup of tea for my guests."
A disciplined parliamentarian at 80 should not be forgotten... He mentions at his farewell speech, "Thanks for tolerating me".
There is nothing permanent except change... As a close well-wisher of mine says,love can change every 10 months, its not new for people of India to forget this man.. For we are called "poor memory people"...
Love shall never fade... I bow down sir...!!!
My Speech at the public speaking competition
Management Lessons from MOTHERHOOD
Multitasking is her Middle name!!
Planning is her arm!!
Responsibilities are her shoulders!!
Execution is her skill!!
Leadership is Inborn!
YES… MOTHERHOOD!!! Ladies & Gentlemen, the greatest manager I’ve ever seen is my mother. Efforts to seek management lessons from the outer world are futile when compared to how our mothers handle the activity of home making. Here goes… A few of the innumerable management qualities…
SHE HEARD THE UNHEARD!!!
True quality of an effective leader. Good management doesn’t take action only based on the inputs that the MIS provides, but the intuitive aura that is created around the organization. A mother does not need evidences to act upon. Similarly a good manager too should not depend on evidences… He should act even without being heard…!!
ACCEPTANCE OF RESPONSIBILITIES!!!
A sense of belonging is engraved in her soul. Every activity, good or bad, happy or sad, she accepts responsibilities gracefully. A good manager should also accept responsibilities. There must be a sense of belonging to the organization to produce effective results.
INSTINCTIVE ACTION!!!
Just as the instinctive action that results in the crying out of the word “Amma!!” at times of pain, the resultant act of a mother is also instinctive. It is spontaneous but mindful of consequences. As we all know.. its always the best. The acts of good managers should also be spontaneous, but he should bear in mind the consequences.
DECISION MAKING!!!
She thinks twice… Once to assess the action… Second, to assess the consequential effect on others. She never thinks about herself. Similarly, a good manager should assess the decision and also assess the outcome of the decision to the organization as a whole, without considering personal consequences.
LEADERSHIP!!!
Defined by character and role that she plays. Motherhood by itself commands respect. No child requires special knowledge to understand why a mother has to be respected. Qualities of a good manager should be such that the organization respects him as a leader undoubtedly.
OFFER HOPE!!!
A mothers abiding optimism has a profound impact on recovery. At any given situation a mother offers hope to ensure success. A good manager should also offer brighter prospects to create an effective work environment.
To sum up…
“A full time job of motherhood is highly remunerative with an account payee cheque of love… If we understand her job, we can encash it to become successful managers…!!!”
And thus I stand amidst you, as a leader, as a manager, to make this bitter world a better world…
Multitasking is her Middle name!!
Planning is her arm!!
Responsibilities are her shoulders!!
Execution is her skill!!
Leadership is Inborn!
YES… MOTHERHOOD!!! Ladies & Gentlemen, the greatest manager I’ve ever seen is my mother. Efforts to seek management lessons from the outer world are futile when compared to how our mothers handle the activity of home making. Here goes… A few of the innumerable management qualities…
SHE HEARD THE UNHEARD!!!
True quality of an effective leader. Good management doesn’t take action only based on the inputs that the MIS provides, but the intuitive aura that is created around the organization. A mother does not need evidences to act upon. Similarly a good manager too should not depend on evidences… He should act even without being heard…!!
ACCEPTANCE OF RESPONSIBILITIES!!!
A sense of belonging is engraved in her soul. Every activity, good or bad, happy or sad, she accepts responsibilities gracefully. A good manager should also accept responsibilities. There must be a sense of belonging to the organization to produce effective results.
INSTINCTIVE ACTION!!!
Just as the instinctive action that results in the crying out of the word “Amma!!” at times of pain, the resultant act of a mother is also instinctive. It is spontaneous but mindful of consequences. As we all know.. its always the best. The acts of good managers should also be spontaneous, but he should bear in mind the consequences.
DECISION MAKING!!!
She thinks twice… Once to assess the action… Second, to assess the consequential effect on others. She never thinks about herself. Similarly, a good manager should assess the decision and also assess the outcome of the decision to the organization as a whole, without considering personal consequences.
LEADERSHIP!!!
Defined by character and role that she plays. Motherhood by itself commands respect. No child requires special knowledge to understand why a mother has to be respected. Qualities of a good manager should be such that the organization respects him as a leader undoubtedly.
OFFER HOPE!!!
A mothers abiding optimism has a profound impact on recovery. At any given situation a mother offers hope to ensure success. A good manager should also offer brighter prospects to create an effective work environment.
To sum up…
“A full time job of motherhood is highly remunerative with an account payee cheque of love… If we understand her job, we can encash it to become successful managers…!!!”
And thus I stand amidst you, as a leader, as a manager, to make this bitter world a better world…
Tuesday, March 10, 2009
IPL Vs. IPL Vs. IPL
Indian Premier League Vs. Indian Politicians League Vs. Indian Publicity League...
Indian Premier League: Lalit Modi wants the IPL..!!! Blames it on the media for creating a big hype... He says "I haven't slept with a thought that IPL wouldn't happen". After being ousted from Rajasthan Cricket Association as its President, he says "Its not about money, its about cricket". He continuously slams the media for creating a hype when no official confirmation was received from the Home ministry.. While we wonder if the cricket festival would ever happen:
1) Shilpa throws a party at Mumbai yesterday
2) Chennai Super Kings tie up with Vijay TV to select the Cheer leaders
3) SRK selects 24 girls to participate in the reality show knights and angels to promote the Kolkota Knight Riders..
Reschedule IPL?? Call it Recession??
Indian Politicians League: Defence Minister says, "I can give adequate security, but i don't want to stretch my forces during the elections". Home Minister says, "Postponment of IPL would be a better proposition".
The Ruling party not too happy.. Obviously some unforeseen incident during the elections would cost them another 5 years of defence, accusation and opposing the ruling party..
As pressure from High Profiles mount, YES or NO, both are tough to answer...
Indian Publicity League: Sorry Pranoy, Rajdeep & Arnab... As usual you have been workin' on your TRP's.. Viewers get brilliant when there is a straight accusation from Modi.. We know what u want... Media Massacre on the high.. What is that they want.. Few answers:
1) Pressure on Modi - a certain reschedule of dates, so that they can keep talkin about the "Spill over effect" of the terror attacks..
2) Pressure on politicians - Keep asking questions whether Mr.Chidambaram can provide security and if rescheduled, ask request for SMS polls, "Is India a safe country?"
3) Capitalise on hot subjects - Shilpa, SRK, Preity etc.. Sorry media, it shows how glamour oriented you are.. No focus on the CSK bid which was the costliest.. not a single official of ICL was shown in the TV..
We know what you want.. and you know what some ppl want..
IPL Vs. IPL Vs. IPL =
1) Huge Revenue for players - total of 6.5 crores for a 30 hr maximum match schedule for Kevin, Dhoni & Flintoff..
2) Glamour in the industry..
Who ultimately wins?? Its the game of cricket... So keep ur purse full now, matches are happening and we need to buy the passes which are high on demand..!!!
Indian Premier League: Lalit Modi wants the IPL..!!! Blames it on the media for creating a big hype... He says "I haven't slept with a thought that IPL wouldn't happen". After being ousted from Rajasthan Cricket Association as its President, he says "Its not about money, its about cricket". He continuously slams the media for creating a hype when no official confirmation was received from the Home ministry.. While we wonder if the cricket festival would ever happen:
1) Shilpa throws a party at Mumbai yesterday
2) Chennai Super Kings tie up with Vijay TV to select the Cheer leaders
3) SRK selects 24 girls to participate in the reality show knights and angels to promote the Kolkota Knight Riders..
Reschedule IPL?? Call it Recession??
Indian Politicians League: Defence Minister says, "I can give adequate security, but i don't want to stretch my forces during the elections". Home Minister says, "Postponment of IPL would be a better proposition".
The Ruling party not too happy.. Obviously some unforeseen incident during the elections would cost them another 5 years of defence, accusation and opposing the ruling party..
As pressure from High Profiles mount, YES or NO, both are tough to answer...
Indian Publicity League: Sorry Pranoy, Rajdeep & Arnab... As usual you have been workin' on your TRP's.. Viewers get brilliant when there is a straight accusation from Modi.. We know what u want... Media Massacre on the high.. What is that they want.. Few answers:
1) Pressure on Modi - a certain reschedule of dates, so that they can keep talkin about the "Spill over effect" of the terror attacks..
2) Pressure on politicians - Keep asking questions whether Mr.Chidambaram can provide security and if rescheduled, ask request for SMS polls, "Is India a safe country?"
3) Capitalise on hot subjects - Shilpa, SRK, Preity etc.. Sorry media, it shows how glamour oriented you are.. No focus on the CSK bid which was the costliest.. not a single official of ICL was shown in the TV..
We know what you want.. and you know what some ppl want..
IPL Vs. IPL Vs. IPL =
1) Huge Revenue for players - total of 6.5 crores for a 30 hr maximum match schedule for Kevin, Dhoni & Flintoff..
2) Glamour in the industry..
Who ultimately wins?? Its the game of cricket... So keep ur purse full now, matches are happening and we need to buy the passes which are high on demand..!!!
Kudos Rehman!!!
Jai Ho!!! This being my first post of this blog, something pleasant to start off with..The very Indian thought of bringing a sense of belonging to the Indian Glory is upheld... Slumdog millionaire doesnt appeal to me as an award winning movie... The music too... Sorry Rehman... The thought is not destructive.. You should've got one of them for your very first film "Roja".
Two at a time.. What a way to win?? Moment of glory.. I WIN, I PERFORM, I WIN.. Kudos Rehman...
Im astonished by a few things:
1) Award for Rehman was too late... Yet well deserved...
2) "Ella Pugazhum Iraivanukae..." - Tamil at the oscars- Lokesh & Kalaingar happy for sure..!!
3) Love & affection shown by a billion people culminates to victory.. (personally felt)
Few strange issues now:
1) The golden Knight (Oscar Statuette) is made of gold-plated britannium and costs 500 US dollars (approx Rs.25,000). As per Customs Baggage Rules, Rehman can bring baggage upto the limit of Rs. 25,000 which makes the second one liable to customs Duty. Our Fellow Tamilian Home Minister was fast enough to state that in case of a cash award, he would recommend for an exemption.. I'm not sure what happened at the airport.. (apart from the royal welcome)
2) Did Rehman use a digital sync synthesiser during his performance... Could actually hear a second ARR singing...
3) During the rehearsals, he would have crushed under the weight of the chandelier and died... A technical fault.. If he had not moved quick, that would have been a sad day.. Mistakes happen everywhere.. thanks to all the prayers..
4) ARR ditches Rohit Bal??? Rahman walked the red carpet in a black Lanvin tuxedo teamed with a silver Satya Paul tie, before changing into a traditional sherwani designed by Sabyasachi Mukherjee for his live performance. Saira was also in Sabyasachi's creation.. Was there a last minute change??? Anyways.. Anu (my sister) is on cloud 9... :-)
To top it all.. India is shining... slums to red carpet.. dogs to oscars..!!
Two at a time.. What a way to win?? Moment of glory.. I WIN, I PERFORM, I WIN.. Kudos Rehman...
Im astonished by a few things:
1) Award for Rehman was too late... Yet well deserved...
2) "Ella Pugazhum Iraivanukae..." - Tamil at the oscars- Lokesh & Kalaingar happy for sure..!!
3) Love & affection shown by a billion people culminates to victory.. (personally felt)
Few strange issues now:
1) The golden Knight (Oscar Statuette) is made of gold-plated britannium and costs 500 US dollars (approx Rs.25,000). As per Customs Baggage Rules, Rehman can bring baggage upto the limit of Rs. 25,000 which makes the second one liable to customs Duty. Our Fellow Tamilian Home Minister was fast enough to state that in case of a cash award, he would recommend for an exemption.. I'm not sure what happened at the airport.. (apart from the royal welcome)
2) Did Rehman use a digital sync synthesiser during his performance... Could actually hear a second ARR singing...
3) During the rehearsals, he would have crushed under the weight of the chandelier and died... A technical fault.. If he had not moved quick, that would have been a sad day.. Mistakes happen everywhere.. thanks to all the prayers..
4) ARR ditches Rohit Bal??? Rahman walked the red carpet in a black Lanvin tuxedo teamed with a silver Satya Paul tie, before changing into a traditional sherwani designed by Sabyasachi Mukherjee for his live performance. Saira was also in Sabyasachi's creation.. Was there a last minute change??? Anyways.. Anu (my sister) is on cloud 9... :-)
To top it all.. India is shining... slums to red carpet.. dogs to oscars..!!
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