Secure in Secularism

When will the much awaited-verdict on the case over the ownership of the disputed site at Ayodhya happen?

Guess even the Supreme Court would not have an answer to it! Would the verdit be based on anarchy or law?

In either case we all have to wait.

It is sad because a country like India that is amidst diversities has somehow not acquired that sense of what we  have in common : the assumptions, the habits, the shared-reference points an so on.

From my personal opinion, 2.77 acres of land, can that not be divided. If Rohan Bopanna from India and Aisam-Ul-Haq-Qureshi from Pakistan can play together during the US Open men's doubles; and if Hindus villagers in Karnataka Gadag district can offer help to rebuild the 50-year-old mosque for the benefit of a handful of 20 muslims in the village, why can't there be a healthy way out to resolve the issue rather than depending upon our so called government's decision.

Meaning of Demeaning..

An autobiography is an account of a person's life written by that person. So what's wrong if Shania Twain wants to pen down
her own autobiography?

Anil Thakkar's counterview was that it simply demeans literatue. An autobiography does not demand
set rules or agendas and ceratinly age and achievements are not qualifying criterias. Why would I incorporate 'social and political landscapes I inhabited' when its not even necessary? I don't need to be a Henry Adams, a Gandhi or anyone to write my own autobiography. I do not want to shake or wreck anyone's world and neither do I intend to touch or change anyone who reads it. It is an insight upon my own life and I will certainly pen it down if the same calling comes to me.

 Therefore, why can't we just let the poor country singer live her life and we get back to ours. It would for sure save us a lot of time, money, and effort. There is nothing to debate but to vacate that space in the newspaper to other articles worthy of a debate.

The old and the beautiful

“Women are lining up to marry me, because I’m a nice guy, because I’m loaded, because I know how to deal with women.” The exact words Silvio Berlusconi (The Italian Prime Minister) answered on why women find him irresistible.

That was a blunt delivery. Is there anything else apart from what you have just mentioned Mr. Prime Minister? Hope your reaction wouldn’t be misleading just to find your queue shorter. Wish those are the only demands  fitted within the ambit of what a woman would define as her picture perfect hubby. By the way you have just unfold what Donald Trump, Nicholas Sarkozy and Salman Rushdie never dared. Kudos!

Look who’s growing up at 40.

This is in regards to what Rahul Gandhi said at a press conference in Kolkatta on September 16, 2010.

Despite testing times in Jammu and Kashmir, this is what the Congress General Secretary has to say “Omar is a youngster and has a tough job; we have to give him time and support.” My question here is WHY!

The high-profile Cabinet Committee on Security (CCS) failed to suggest any steps to address the alarming situation in Jammu and Kashmir, the Centre announced a political package close to Eid but nothing happened and in regards to withdrawing the Armed Forces Special Power Acts that’s just a distant dream. Over and above this, we still need to wait for the 40 year old Omar to grow up! Rahul Gandhi’s late realization I’m afraid will not do anything to cool down tempers in the valley. Mere talks and promises are not enough. We need the government to urgently step in and take charge. The death count since June has climbed up to 85 and for sure we would not want the figure to go up waiting for Omar to grow or for the government to keep starching their dhotis. Seven years as a Chief Minister, what! It’s certainly now or never.

Whose gender is it anyway?

Gautam  Adhikari, ‘Women With The Dragon Tattoos’ (Sept 11,2010).

Gautam questions the present existence of men and whether or not they have a future in today’s emerging context of changing gender trends. Spot on title I should say! The article draws comparison to trends on men and women in America today and how women in particular have dominated the current workforce. He shows a little apprehension to India, as he feels it is difficult to comprehend.  One of the reasons is that large sections of the country still prefer sons to remain the prize of marriage. He also questions certain qualities of women like sensitivity, empathy and how with time they could replace a man’s brawn.

All of what Gautam wrote, kept me pondering on whether the future would be a man’s world or a woman’s world or both. But  I am certainly not sure of what his intention was to introduce Lisbeth Salander. The writer describes Lisbeth as a 24 year old lady, who emerged as an independent adult from her abused childhood. She has a dragon tattoo down her slender back, small in build, not conventionally attractive , is bisexual and hack computers. Then Gautam questions “Do women like her at all need men in their lives apart from sexual intercourse?”

These characteristics are no longer the determining factor. Woman in the 21^st century are
way  independent and secure. They do not look for rescue anymore. They are content with their lot in life. What they want is a structured future and the rest shall follow. Sexual intercourse for pleasure and reproduction is a matter of choice. So to agree with Gautam, men are no longer the top priority. However, after taking into consideration the statistics and researches, we still don’t have a clear majority. Even if it does, what difference would it actually make? 

Pros and Cons

Of late movies have come a long way. A general idea of what each movie industry is at the minute, is superficial (referring to Hollywood and Bollywod). To say that Hollywood actors are just about impeccable looks, self-made, the one who finds time to come up with hilarious one liners even in the middle of a dangerous crisis; or Bollywood actors are fair-skinned, has a rich father who dosen't hug him enough, craves true love...is certainly not the answer to what is wrong with the movie world. To prove my point here are a few movies from both Hollywood and Bollywood that does not comply to any of the above set characteristics: 'Billy Elliot' (a talented young boy becomes torn between his unexpected love of dance and the disintegration of his family.), 'Crash' ( 'Crash' takes a provocative, unflinching look at the complexities racial tolerance in contemporary America. Diving headlong into the melting pot of post-9/11 Los Angeles, this urban drama tracks the volatile intersections of multi-ethnic characters as they struggle to overcome their fears while careening in and out of one another's lives. In the gray area between black and white, victim and aggressor, there are no easy answers.), 'All About My Mother' (Spanish drama film written and directed by Pedro Amodovar. The screenplay deals with complex issues such as aids, transvestitism, faith, and existentialism.), 'The Jane Austen Book Club' (six Californians start a club to discuss the works of Jane Austen, only to find their relationships...both old and new...begin to resemble 21st century versions of her novels.), 'Raincoat' (it tells the story of two lovers, separated by destiny, who meet again one day. This encounter allows each to realize the truth about the lives they are living.), 'The Japanese Wife' ( this lyrical but contrived tale of unfufilled love shows two women coming together after the tragic death of the man they both loved. One, the Japanese wife of the title, the other a silent widow of meagre means. This story of a long-distance 'marriage' between a Bengali bhadra-lok from rural Bengal Snehmoy (Rahul Bose) and his Japanese pen-pal Miyage (Chigusa Takaku) suffers from an incurable disease known as Inherent Silliness. They're both so annoying and outdated in their naivete.), 'The Namesake' (American-born Gogol, the son of Indian immigrants, wants to fit in among his fellow New Yorkers, despite his family's unwillingness to let go of their traditional ways.)......These movies have broken the norms that were once dominant in both Hollywood and Bollywood. Such movies are limited and they cater to a minor (intellectual) section of the society. My endeavour is that our directors should look at things in a different perspective and let heir money work harder for them. In India the process may be a little slow. No one is to be blame. The bottom line is, if masala sells  why not...our directors would make more money at the box office. Therefore, a blanket conclusion is not enough. Lets look at both sides of the coin.

The idea of Indianness

Jug Suraiya's 'second opinion'(Sept 1,2010) to Chetan Bhagat's plea of boycotting the Common Wealth Games, won my heart.

He said the games has boycotted us before we could boycott the games. He backed this up by citing examples of farmers in western Uttar Pradesh (how their villages are threatened in the name of 'progress' and 'public interest') and also the plight of the Kondhs of Orissa (due to bauxite mining operations in the area).
http://www.editorialjunction.com/2010/09/jug-suraiya-whose-boycott/
I would strongly not boycott the game for a simple reason- I am an Indian and I cannot back out. Blame game, that has always been our style. How about standing up as one nation (despite the odds) and say that we put up that show. If we fail or we succeed that is a different story. At least let us stand up for once. That is the idea of Indianness. We have come so far with so little. So what. Ultimately, let the world have only a finger and not two to point out. But for that I would suggest Chetan Bhagat and his followers to read : Pavan K Varma's book titled ‘Being Indian' http://www.flipkart.com/being-india-pavan-k-varma-book-0143033425and Sashi Tharoor's book titled 'The Elephant, the Tiger, and the Cell PhonePhone.' http://www.infibeam.com/Books/info/Shashi-Tharoor/The-Elephant-the-Tiger-and-the-Cellphone/9780670081455.html

A sigh of relief

This is a reaction to an article 'Cricket In Crisis' (Sept.31). The article is regarding the allegations with a betting racket during the England-Pakistan Test series. The article talked about the stringent of Indian and South African boards as to the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) when it comes to match fixing. The urge is that the International Cricket Council (ICC) and the PCB should not spare anyone irrespective of whatsoever if they are found guilty.

There is light at the end of the tunnel. The ICC suspended Pakistan cricketers Salman Butt, Mohammad Asif and Mohammad Aamer on 03/09/2010. Even the Pakistan High Commissioner Wajid Hasan was also suspended.

It is an inspiring move by the ICC to curb the menace. I mean if you are guilty you are ought to be punished. There is no second thought about it. This would not just make cricket fans lose trust in the game but it would further refine cricket to a much higher level. I am glad it happened. Otherwise, I would also start playing cricket and become a millionaire overnight......because anyway I'll be FIXED!

Welcome to Atlantic city

Very thought provoking article by Gautam Bhatia, 'Will The Games Be Worth It'. He talks about fiscal malpractice in the Common Wealth Games (CWG) and the unaccounted figures that the country is ignoring. He draws comparison from other countries which are intriguing. Over and above all this, he tells us about the aftermath and impact of corruption (the question of engaging other poor countries for such mega events).http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/home/opinion/edit-page/Will-The-Games-Be-Worth-It/articleshow/6487193.cms

I think he has got a point there. It is not just our pride that we are fighting here. It is the confidence and the trust of whether other poor countries (except for Canada, Britain and Australia) as he mentioned, would also be given a chance to host the CWG or not. The side effects are vast and it would be shameful if we are not able to set the benchmark. Would any of our organizers, builders and contractors be the lifeline?

Fashionably Challenged

Jug Surauya was lucky to be at the Van Heusen India Men's Fashion week. But Who ever invited him (just to have him give a slap back)? This is in reference to Jug Suraiya's article 'After a Fashion'.

The columnists was physically present to witnessed the VHIMFW show. The article talked about his alienation to men's fashion and females designers. He went on to explain eloquently how models looked and their attire when they strolled down the runway. He felt they were 'pilgrims' like those kanwararias- who'd gone off course and hadn't been to a barber for a while. He felt that the tie looked like a napkin and that the model had forgotten to remove it from his neck the same way he had forgotten his shirt (as the model was off shirt).http://blogs.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/jugglebandhi/entry/after-a-fashion

As I mentioned earlier, eloquently written. However, the interpretation of what fashion is, is very disturbing. He thought it was hilarious but it think is absurd. Men did fashion as well? that was his question, unbelievable. I mean its alright by me if you have little knowledge on a particular topic. But to actually mis interpret its essence- that is just not fair. I say this because the effect on the readers would be tremendous. The whole idea of fashion has got nothing to do with gender. The models looked a certain way because it is a collection and the designer had for sure planned it that way. I feel it is just a mockery on new ideas and concepts. For him becoming a designer male model is merely not shave for four days and cut his hair for six months. Glad Jug Surauya was not able to digest the ramp. Imagine how could he have digested whats behind that glamorous ramp. I guess he needs a little dosage of the Vogue's Fashion Night Out on Sept.10/2010 (probably his perception would change).

A model presents a creation by John Galliano during the Spring/Summer 2010/2011 Men collections at the Paris Fashion Week, in Paris, France, 25 June 2010.

Men wear sindoor and skirts at the fourth Lakme India Fashion Week. Creation by Rohit Bal.