Mission-Better India

Taare Zameen Pe!!!

2007-12-26T00:44:00.000-08:00

ha..(sigh)....a beautiful movie, after a long time,a perfect film to end the year 2007 with :)

No seriously, i simply loved the movie. A very emotionally intelligent movie..and very sensitive subject portrayed in a lighter way, with very subtle at the same time strong emotional touch.

And not to forget the heart touching music by the trio- Shankar,Ehsaan & Loy....simply fascinating...especially the one, called..MA MERI MAA..... phew, i would be lying if i say that i wasn't crying throught out the song...bhoo bhoo :(

And hey, how can we forget the wonderful lyrics, by Prasoon Joshi, really refreshing..and a ray of sunshine..after dusk....And ofcourse the casting crew yaar..Darsheel..brilliant performance....and The Ace 'KHAN'...Aamir, again proved himself to be the Ace Khan.....:) kudos..Aamir....so the wait was worthwhile....

Eagerly waiting for your next project...Bring it on Aamir!!!!!!!

Stop Abortion!!!!

2007-11-01T01:10:00.000-07:00

A letter from a unborn (aborted) baby girl to her Mother.........

Dear Mommy, I am in Heaven now... I so wanted to be your little girl. I don't quite understand what has happened. I was so excited when I began realizing my existance. I was in a dark, yet comfortable place. I saw I had fingers and toes. I was pretty far along in my developing, yet not near ready to leave my surroundings. I spent most of my time thinking or sleeping. Even from my earliest days, I felt a special bonding between you and me.

Sometimes I heard you crying and I cried with you. Sometimes you would yell or scream, then cry. I heard Daddy yelling back. I was sad, and hoped you would be better soon. I wondered why you cried so much. One day you cried almost all of the day. I hurt for you. I couldn't imagine why you were so unhappy.

That same day, the most horrible thing happened. A very mean monster came into that warm, comfortable place I was in. I was so scared, I began screaming, but you never once tried to help me. Maybe you never heard me. The monster got closer and closer as I was screaming and screaming, "Mommy, Mommy, help me please; Mommy, help me." Complete terror is all I felt. I screamed and screamed until I thought I couldn't anymore. Then the monster started ripping my arms off. It hurt so bad; the pain I can never explain. It didn't stop.

Oh, how I begged it to stop.I screamed in horror as it ripped my leg off.

Though I was in such complete pain, I was dying. I knew I would never see your face or hear you say how much you love me. I wanted to make all your tears go away. I had so many plans to make you happy. Now I couldn't; all my dreams were shattered. Though I was in utter pain and horror, I felt the pain of my heart breaking, above all. I wanted more than anything to be your daughter. No use now, for I was dying a painful death. I could only imagine the terrible things that they had done to you. I wanted to tell you that I love you before I was gone, but I didn't know the words you could understand.

And soon, I no longer had the breath to say them; I was dead. I felt myself rising. I was being carried by a huge angel into a big beautiful place. I was still crying, but the physical pain was gone. The angel took me away to a wonderful place... Then I was happy. I asked the angel what was the thing was that killed me. He answered, "Abortion". I am sorry, for I know how it feels." I don't know what abortion is; I guess that's the name of the monster. I'm writing to say that I love you and to tell you how much I wanted to be your little girl. I tried very hard to live. I wanted to live. I had the will, but I couldn't; the monster was too powerful. It sucked my arms and legs off and finally got all of me. It was impossible to live. I just wanted you to know I tried to stay with you. I didn't want to die. Also, Mommy, please watch out for that abortion monster. Mommy, I love you and I would hate for you to go through the kind of pain I did. Please be careful.

Love,
Your Baby Girl

PRO CHOICE? DO YOU THINK THESE BABIES CHOSE TO DIE???

Being Mohmad!!!

2007-10-25T04:13:00.000-07:00

I m a Hindu, but it really matters to me...I guess that's the case for most of us..But whenever I have heard about this Hindu Muslims riots, the one question which strikes me is "How does it feels like being a Muslim in Hindu society??" (I m referring this as a Hindu society, coz our so called India culture is very much influenced by Hinduism,that what I believe!!)

I chose to title this blog as "Being Mohmad".. it could have been Anwar,Akbar,Rahim,anything, but the basic idea is, does it feel really different being a Muslim?

I still remember the merciless massacre of Muslims happened in 2002, in Gujarat. More than 3000 people were killed and the killers roamed freely on the streets and the lanes armed with their voters list.Also the Anti-Muslim slogan, " Babur Ki auladh"...I can still hear them..sometimes..And remember the terrified face of a man, who was crying amidst all ruckus and fire....

Anti-Muslim prejudices, or Islamophobia, are deeply rooted in the minds of some illiterate, orthodox Hindus, have been further more reinforced owing to recent series of event and developments, both home and abroad. The famous 9/11 attack, incidents in Banaras, Delhi , Mumbai, and the ever continuing conflict in Kashmir, have further more fuelled the anti-muslim feelings and hatred against Muslims in Hindus.

The recent stories of violent attacks, and the way the media exposes them, have been used to tar all the muslims here as terrorists, or potential terrorists. Sometimes, the actual culprits are unknown and some ugly politicians and bureaucrats, with foreign interest automatically frame or assume those incidents to be have been handiwork's of MUSLIMS.

But I guess, commom people like us, or let me put it this way;educated people, or people with minds of broader spectrum-for them it hardly matters if you are a hindu, a muslim, a christians etc.The common muslim(in India) are Indians too..but why the hell are they treated as traitors or Pakistanis. I mean even they feel the same patriotism and love about our country as we all non-muslims do. Even they enjoy the all time famous clash during India -Paksitan match.

I think the problem is not with us, but the system, which comprises of certain corrupt politicians, who have joined politics to fill their pockets and enjoy luxury life..or may be have a lavish weddings for their daughters or sons....hehehe

But hey wait a minute, ain't we all responsible to bring all these brutal and corrupt politicians to power. Until we all open our eyes and think twice before casting our votes. I guess we all our encouraging terrorism, by casting our votes to these culprits who come into politics only with foreign interests.

Be it Raam or Rahim, after all its just a different channels to reach the GOD..then why is there so much discrimination about caste, religion and all nonsense. Remember , Unity in Diversity, taught to us during school days, I guess, its only in the books. And now i got it, you see our politicians never went to schools, and that's why may be they don't get this..... lol

How much is too much???

2007-10-22T02:50:00.000-07:00

The other day I was travelling in the first class compartment, what else ya, mumbai local train, Harbor line to be more specific. A lady TC entered the compartment and asked for tickets. Everyone had their respective first class passes, except one girl.

To every ones surprise, neatly dressed in Mango T's, and denim, with her Adidas sneakers on, she did not have her monthly pass handy! When the TC asked for the fine, she removed her monthly train pass, which had already expired 2 weeks ago. When asked by the TC, she said it just slipped of her mind that the pass had expired. Then the TC asked her to pay a fine of Rs.295/-. She took her wallet from her bag, and said that she had a second class ticket. The TC was amused as in how can a person forget that he's bought the ticket. But in spite of the second class ticket she would have, had to pay the fine coz she was travelling in first class. The TC asked her to accompany her to the TC office, and took her along.

Interestingly there was another lady, who is a Professor in a college, said that she comes across these kinda incidents frequently. She said about 60% of college going teens, are paid for their monthly passes by their parents. But these kids do not renew their passes but would use their money to recharge their mobile phones.I was really amused by that incident, it also pushed me into a thought process.

We all speak about the progress which Indians are making, but heaven sake, we need to address these issues too. This is really not a minute thing, but the issue is related to the the YOUTH, the future of India. This question is been unanswered since ages, how much is too much???? Be it freedom, be it pocket money, be it reservation, etc; ( all the things which u could relate).

We all have been through this stage ( Teenage), but one thing which strike me is, are the teenagers of today, responsible enough to weigh the freedom given to them. Do they understand the responsibilities which come along with the freedom given to them. I guess they don't!!

Today's youth may be intelligent, when compared to us, they may confident in comparison to us. In fact they may be a notch higher when compared to their older generation in " ALL RESPECT". As every coin has two sides, even this issues does.

I guess the youth today is taking freedom in the wrong sense; for them, freedom means, enjoying late night parties, without any time restrictions. Freedom means talking over their mobile phones in the wee hours. Freedom means pocket money to buy latest & trendy outfit, preferably a BRANDED one. Freedom means " Parents not allowed"in their bedrooms...etc...

The question still remains unanswered, HOW MUCH IS TOO MUCH ????

Wife beatings-Justified????

2007-10-15T00:49:00.000-07:00

54% of women in India, justify women beating-yeah this was the headline in TOI a couple of days back. It really came to me as a shock and amusement too. Shock because, 54% of women justified wife beatings and amused by the thought how far the data and the statistics provided were reliable.

I guess, the 1.25 lakh women who were interviwed ( as per TOI), are either illiterates or may be from orthodox family from Bihar or MP etc....(coz that's where we see most of these news coming from).

But it really took me to a horrendous surprise, when most women justified wife beatings. It definitely proves that we women are the greatest enemies of WOMEN. Let alone working against women violence, some stupid women are justifying it...such a nonsensical thing to do. There is domestic violence all over the world, but I don't think anywhere in the world do people justify it, unlike India, and especially by women.

The women in India, have always been deprived of education, freedom, and many things in past. Infact the Indian women, is not even allowed to dry their menstrual cloth outside in the sunshine, they always hide them under the beds or washed & folded and kept in some remote unreachable corner of the house. Our so called Indian culture has always kept them deprived and wanting even for a ray of sunlight to dry their menstrual cloth. She (Indian women) has been a slave, of this men dominated society facing the domestic violence ever since the SITA's era.Remember even SITA had to give agnee pariksha to prove her purity and innocence.

We Indians women are brought up with certain Do's & Dont's and always preached by the elders in the family how to behave. There is always a preset boundary, set up by either the society or elders in the family, and we women are asked to operate within them.

But i guess when I think about this issue in depth i believe, that women in India has always been kept backwards in all the sphere and phase of life. She is so ignorant and unaware due to her social conditioning. She has this instilled notions in her mind, that they are the weaker sex, and are only living on this earth to serve men, in "ALL SENSE". She has considered domestic violence and beating by her husband or fathers or in laws are the part of her brutal life.

I guess we all need to come out and help each other to change this. We as women, need to understand each other and help ourselves to eradicate domestic violence from the society. Its high time we lend a helping hand to all those who are suffering violence. But i really don't think any kind of morchas or slogans will help. Unless we understand that education for women is a must, unless we realise that woman infanticide is a sin;unless we change our perception, that our daughter in laws are not merely a source of income, but are like our daughters.

Is Cricket choking other sports in India!!

2007-10-06T00:23:00.000-07:00

YES, indeed it is, for sure!! Cricket in India, has become yet another religion in India, after Hindu, Muslim,Christian and Cricket.Isn't it true?

Its like, "Cricket toh hamari nas nas mein bhara hai." Inspite of Cricket not being the national game of India, it still gets its national status..(courtesy-Government of India, the great Media, Board, & of course the Sponsors).

Most of us don't know the rules and regulations of other games, but Cricket, its like the holy chants, we have it on our finger tips. I still remember the last 20-20 match, between India and Pakistan, every body, including me was on gas, till Joginder Sharma got the last wicket and we won the series. I know this win has been a milestone in India Cricket History, especially as it was
a win against Pakistan.

Regrets apart, but I think, Cricket matches between India and Pakistan, are real entertainers.Both side, show case a breathtaking performance, passion,spirit, ek dum paisa wasool.

Coming back to the main topic, the game is clearly killing other sports in India. The tremendous media attention, and huge sponsorship, higher prize money, you name it, and they've got it all, has literally restricted the growth of other sports in India.

No body celebrated, India's win in Hockey,ASIA CUP, nor did anybody notice the under-14, Rugby World Cup win recently held in London, by a 12 member squad from Bhubaneshwar.

Cricket, is been always getting a undue attention, by us, and thanks to the technology, the live coverages of these matches has taken this game to a newer height. All others sports are really been suffocated by cricket.If we seriously think, we, the second highly populated country in the world, struggles, or finds it difficult to earn a bronze medal in Olympics.Same is the case with Football world cup, athletics, etc.

The growth and the achievements, by other Indian sportsman, are really falling in deaf ears.None other sport in India, other than Cricket, get adequate facilities, sponsorship, or infrastructure required. There is clearly a sheer ignorance and unawareness, by the Govt, media,sponsors, and all us too.

If a 12 member under-14 squad, from a remote place in India, like Kalinga, Orissa with not much experience, can win a Championship at the international level , I think there is lot more to this game. Forget this game, there is immense talent in our country, it just needs to be nurtured.

It is just, as I metioned earlier, the main culprits behind, choking other sports in India, perhaps may not be Cricket, but the media, board, sponsors and govt.

Is Gandhism-New Brand in the making???

2007-10-03T09:06:00.000-07:00

Is Gandhism, the new brand in following?? How many of us know Mahatma Gandhi in true sense, or is he just another freedom fighter for us????

Or is it the Bollywood Saga of Munnabhai and his Gandhigiri which reminds us about this dhoti clad guy with a stick in his hand, who preached about three monkeys??

Do we all agree to the Gandhian Philosophy? Does the so called Liberal and Young India, associate itself to Ganghigiri?? This would be a topic to debate for most of us. We all have forgotten Mahatma Gandhi, and most of the freedom fighters for that matter.....But hats off to Mr. Hirani, Director of Munnabhia II, who tried to revive Gandhian philosophy all over again, may be with a bit of tadka to it!!, but i think thats the way, or be the best way to comprehend to the newer generation.

But my question still remains unanswered, whether Gandhigiri is the new brand in the making?? again a topic for debate, but i believe, it is indeed a new brand which is catching up with the newer India.

Todays generation are slowly creeping towards the Gandhian philosophy of non-violence, trust in God, no defeatism, harmony etc. But I think, the Youth today, are far more responsible and intelligent enough to decide the level of acceptance of Gandhigiri, do you remember the famous scene form Lage Raho Munnabhai, where Lucky Singh sends his guard to shoo Munna away, and when says the famous dialogue, "Gandhiji jeene yeh toh nahin bataya ki agar koi dussere gal pe bhi marega toh kya karne ka???"....Thats what i meant, Youth today understands where to draw a line, when its too much...and how much is too much.

So kudos to new brand-"Gandhigiri"

Are we all ready????

2007-10-03T02:35:00.000-07:00

Are we ready???? Yes this question is addressed to each and every Indian, are we ready to face the future???
Sometimes, we Indian, are so proud about achievement, in every field, be it in Science & Technology, Telecommunications, Economics...etc(i could only thinks of these at present:-) but at the same time, we are so ignorant about certain issues which needs to be addressed like global warming, illiteracy,female infanticide, terrorism,poverty,gender discrimination,corruption,basic medical care etc (its seems to be a never ending list) ....hey dont you think that these issues needs to be addressed only in the Parliament...

While we are boasting about our ever growing GDP and FDI, foriegn investments, but what those unfortunate indians, who stirve for their basic needs like food, shelter,clean water,clothing,basic health care, forget education for that matter...

The point i am trying to make here is, the intiatives should be procative at individaul level or may be at the community level, what say u???"WE" yes, u heard it right, we as individual can definietely make a difference,by tackling these basic issues, at individual or community level, but the question is how??? the only thing required ,( may not to solve the issue but atleast curb the issue), "WILL",yes did we all forget the famous proverb taught to us during our school days,'where there is a will, there's a way.'If all of us can contribute atleast something to our society, money or kind, I think, we can make a difference.....If each of us could atleast shell out certain amount every year, may be as less a tousand bucks to an NGO, it would be great contribution.You can find the listings of NGO's below..http://www.giveindia.org/give/organisation/NGOListing.do

Come on guys, we need to do this, and make it happening...we need to rebuild a newer INDIA, which is ready to face the FUTURE....