Bollywood Style - So you think you can Dance

Will let the below video do the talking but all I can say is Bollywood Rocks and so does this clip:

About Gandhi - After Gandhi

Everytime I come across an article that has the mention of the name - Gandhi - it never fails to amaze me. The more I read about him, the more I realize there is so much information of this one man to learn about. For instance, I was recently reading an article that states among his various orations, Mahatma Gandhi was recorded to have spoken in English only twice and yet, he impacted generations together!

To this effect, there is a column created - About Gandhi After Gandhi - that collates articles, resources and several references to Mahatma Gandhi in the current age and time. An idol whose principles I aim to follow and in whose guidance, hundreds of people have devoted their lives, I hope this new column would be enjoyable and inspiring to the visitors of this blog.

The Kite Runner - Part II "Supplication"

Beautifully portrayed song from the soundtrack of The Kite Runner by Sami Yusuf:

O My Lord,
My sins are like
The highest mountain;
My good deeds
Are very few
They’re like a small pebble.
I turn to You
My heart full of shame,
My eyes full of tears.
Bestow Your
Forgiveness and Mercy
Upon me.
Ya Allah,
Send your peace and blessings
On the Final Prophet,
And his family,
And companions,
And those who follow him.

The Kite Runner - Part I

[If you intend to read this book, I strongly advice not to peruse this post]

The Kite Runner is a read that creates a lasting impact, especially if followed by the movie (that gives due justice to the book)! Story of strained relationships between two (almost brothers) friends, a father and a son, about guilt and forgiveness, about a total debacle of rich and vibrant culture and the emotional drama of lives entangled in Afghanistan from the late 1970s to early 2000s. Considered as the first novel written by an Afghani writer in English, it has surely touched upon many sentiments of courage, betrayal, ego, guilt, loyalty, identity, resilience. In awe of the way the writer brings out succinctly each of these emotions, below are some of my favorite parts from the book:

· “There is a way to be good again...”

· “I became what I am today at the age of twelve, on a frigid overcast day in the winter of 1975. I remember the precise moment, crouching behind a crumbling mud wall, peeking into the alley near the frozen creek. That was a long time ago, but it’s wrong what they say about the past, I’ve learned, about how you can bury it. Because the past claws its way out. Looking back now, I realize I have been peeking into that deserted alley for the last twenty-six years.”

· “There is only one sin, only one. And that is theft. Every other sin is a variation of theft... When you kill a man, you steal a life. You steal his wife's right to a husband, rob his children of a father. When you tell a lie, you steal someone's right to the truth. When you cheat, you steal the right to fairness.”

· “Children aren't coloring books. You don't get to fill them with your favorite colors.”

· “Quiet is peace. Tranquility. Quiet is turning down the volume knob on life. Silence is pushing the off button. Shutting it down. All of it.”

· “The shootings and explosions had scared us badly, because none of us had ever heard gunshots in the streets. They were foreign sounds to us then. The generation of Afghan children whose ears would know nothing but the sounds of bombs and gunfire was not yet born.”

· “I dream that my son will grow up to be a good person, a free person. I dream that someday you will return to revisit the land of our childhood. I dream that flowers will bloom in the streets again and kites will fly in the skies.”

· “He walked like he was afraid to leave behind footsteps. He moved as if not to stir the air around him.”

· “… I wondered if that was how forgiveness budded, not with the fanfare of epiphany, but with pain gathering it things, packing up, and slipping away unannounced in the middle of the night.”

· “I brought Hassan’s son from Afghanistan to America, lifting him from the certainty of turmoil and dropping him in turmoil of uncertainty.”

· “Happiness like this is frightening. They only let you be this happy if they are preparing to take something from you.”

· “You see, General Sahib, my father slept with his servant's wife, and she bore him a son named Hassan. Hassan is dead now. That boy sleeping in the other room is Hassan's son. He's my nephew. That's what you tell people when they ask. And one more thing, General Sahib: you will never again refer to him as "a Hazara boy" in my presence. He has a name, and it's Sohrab.”

· “War doesn't negate decency. It demands it, even more than in times of peace.”

And of course,

“For you, a thousand times over”

Three-Wheeler and its Jhankar Beat

In the previous post – Monsoon Mania-in Mumbai - there is a photograph that, apart from road flooding, shows a glimpse of a vehicle in the corner. My friend Pim innocently imed me on gmail what that was and quite proudly, I mentioned how the auto-rickshaw, as seen in the picture, is the cynosure of daily commute in suburban Mumbai (apart from several other cities in certain countries).

While a lot of townies (downtown city residents or those who show typical traits of townies!) in Mumbai may detest these three-wheelers and consider a menace to the roads (Ashit calls them cockroaches on the road!), I am personally a huge fan of this means of transport. With several synonyms to it - including Rikshah, Bajaj, Tuck-Tuck, Phat-Phati, Pedicab - across quite a few countries, an autorickshaw symbolizes the simplicity and innocence of public transport. Without getting into a poetic mode, there is much good that can be said about these autorickshaws in the suburban city of Mumbai. They are usually available in numbers at all times of the day and in every nook and corner in the city areas where they operate. Infact at nights too, they are most reliable. Most of the times, they take you to your desired destination. However, it is left to the discretion of the rickshawalas (rickshaw drivers referred by that) to decide on whom to give the ride to, depending on the distance of the run, the expected passenger rush at the onward destination and so on. While they usually charge by their meter (some automatic and some manipulated), several cities have fixed rates and hence room for negotiation. At times, one would find the rickshawalas turning away despite an empty ride and some who, by the time you ask, “M.G. road jaoge?”, they brush by. Overall, most rides are pleasant.

With a fetish to ride in them (some call it my laziness to walk), I tend to choose the rickshaw based on (a) the comfort of the seat; (b) curtain-door in the monsoons; and most importantly (c) music! While (c) is detested by several and at times can be totally annoying, it can often be most entertaining. These rickshawalas play music that has songs converted into the most horrendous remixes and still sound wholly rhythmic with the bumpy roads, the honking and the hooting. Another entertaining aspect is the way the rear of the rickshaw is adorned with the so-called ‘work of art’. Check out some funny ones in this blog:

http://arart.blogspot.com/

Several places around the world have considered providing autorickshaw rides during their tourist seasons. Many areas have autorickshaw-pooling services available. How cool is that! There is a music band by the name of Autorickshaw, inspired from classical north and south Indian compositions in the genre of world music. Also, it is interesting to note that there is something called the Indian Autorickshaw Challenge – a rally of sorts that cuts through rural India more with the idea of fostering a spirit of the event than mere competition. The only thing that would be worrisome is the emission of gases in the areas where the CNG is not widely used.

In all, this can be a fun ride, depending on where you want to go and how soon you want to get there.

Monsoon Mania - in Mumbai

During my extremely short visit to Mumbai, I was happiest not only to meet my family but also be there to welcome the father of all seasons as it made its way into the city. The wet, the mushy, the slushy, the…..Rainy Season!

The monsoon in Mumbai never fails to intrigue me. They say the migration of certain birds is a harbinger of the monsoon but to an average Mumbaite, to whom the only known bird is the ever indolent crow, forget migrating, the only harbinger of the monsoons, is the sizzling, the sweltering, the stinky, the sweating summer. By the end of May, Mumbai is nearly in flames. Temperature rises, skirt hemlines rise up. Suddenly, the shakes at McDonald is out, the nimbu pani shop is in. This lemon juice street-side vendor is the cynosure of everybody’s eyes. Down come the first showers and Lo Behold! The entire landscape changes – Mumbai looks…..and smells good!

Everyone is happy. The children are happy. The frogs are happy. The earthworms are happy. The raincoat and umbrella manufacturers are happy! Suddenly, moods change. Up comes the umbrella! Everyone talks about the massive thunderstorms and lightening that precede the showers. Time for the nimbu paaniwala to pack his stalls and here comes the chaiwala! Fashion changes too and gumboots become the coolest footwear! The more you dress down, the smarter you are!

It is also the time when the immune system of average mumbaites gives them in through keeping pace with all the flus, influenzas and hepatitis. Not to mention one of the terrifying days like the July 26 ('05) rains that have left nightmares in the minds of many a city travelers, one would be cautious of the water levels. Also, such heavy downpours undo all the efforts (if any!!) that the Government has put in to fix the city roads. The cycle of road repairs and reconstruction is thus a permanent event post-monsoons.

I remember during my college days when train journeys during this season would be most fascinating (clubbed with some yukky feelings too!!). Standing by the doors taking on the face, drizzles of the showers with the wind and not to forget, that suddenly, the lady in the train is most willing to 'sweetly' offer the window seat. Several 'harbor line' travelers would complain of all the fish vendors that increase in numbers thus creating a mess in the compartments.

It is also THE time for romance. There is a sudden surge of estrogens and testosterone everywhere. It becomes a ritual for the young and old (at age and heart both!) to visit Lonavala! However, my personal favourite in this weather is to go to Goa where the deadly combination of the beach and the rain can be breathtaking or maybe even trek up the hills of Sahayadari - Matheran or Bhandardara. It is also the time when Mumbai exhibits the feeling of oneness. People share everything – their umbrellas, their miseries of waddling through the gutters, the rickshaw fares back home, thyphoid!

I cherish the monsoons of Mumbai and simply the bestest place to be inspite of all its heart-rendering idiocities.

Khuda Ke liye - In the Name of God

I am not sure what was more moving about this movie – the plot, the characters, the sensitive issues of atrocities on women, Sufi soundtrack or the overall take on the abuse of Islam. With a fetish for the true (read = NOT fanatic) Islamic culture, this movie highlights to me, in the most objective and impartial manner, the essence of being a Muslim. Through the characters, different aspects of Muslim lifestyles are brought into the foray. Without any intentions of revealing the plot of this movie, several problems are addressed with due space for each of these to grow into the minds of the viewers. While on one hand is the violence women face by their fellow-Muslims, on the other are the stark changes in the mind of the young blood, who tends towards fanaticism, wrongly influenced by the self-proclaimed ‘Islamic-know-it-all’! There is also another who falls prey to injustice due to racial discrimination.

Set across three countries (continents) – Pakistan, England and USA – the time spans between pre 9/11 and ends around end of 2002. It depicts various facets of Muslim lifestyle - rich family in Pakistan with a mix of traditional and liberal values, double standards of a UK-settled Muslim, stuck to his orthodox beliefs and status symbol, conditions of women during the Taliban regime in Afghanistan, radical (fanatic) Maulana and his sermons on the dos and don’ts in Islam, American investigator whose perceptions of Muslims are clouded by 9/11 and brilliant characterization of a spiritually elevated Maulana (played by Naseeruddin Shah) whose understanding of the religion paves way for the viewers to comprehend. He is shown to be a renowned Maulana, who has a pragmatic approach to Islam and is in love with his Islamic wel-being. Some of the best dialogues come from him. Below is the one of the scenes that best portrays various angles on the misuse of Islam:

His dialogues represent the hypocrisy that exists not only in the religion but more so, those who interpret it without any true knowledge. Creating a lasting impact among its viewers, the makers of this movie illustrate the role of Islam in present day. While the world is witness to the battle between Islaam and ‘Other Religions’, this movie attempts to objectively define the religion per se and points out what it theoretically lacks. It does not provide all the answers but sets the agenda for the audience to question.

To USC....and to my Own!

One of the aspects (not sure positive or negative) about venturing into professional world is how we feel about revisiting our college days. I recently revisited my college days when we went to see A’s Alma-Mater - University of Southern California - and obviously those nostalgic moments did make me want to go back to that life. Although a Saturday, there were a lot of activities happening around campus. Guess the term weekend exists only outside of campus life! The atmosphere provided all the freedom any James Dean could ask for and yet it proved to be the strongest restrainer! While some students were basking in the summer sun, others were busy working their way out through assignments and deadlines. The campus shared a sense of belonging and yet in all the camaraderie, there also appeared to be a deep sense of isolation. Exploring vast structures of USC including the Library, the Silent Chapel and the Computer Centers and hearing wacky instances of students staying overnight at these facilities to create amazing things was fun and can imagine it to be an essential part of the college experience.

This made me go back to the first day of my university life and reflecting on the same reminded me that while at college, you get to ‘know about’ many but you ‘know’ very few. Guess it is realizing a thin line between an acquaintance and a friend, which often you think you have crossed it when you really haven’t. And that, what any MBA professor would teach you about human relations, time management and effective spending, college life lets you evolve it practically.

One of the most intriguing concepts I learnt about was the entire world of Fraternity and Sorority (totally alien to me!). While all institutions have a ‘group’ culture, this by-far beats them all! Right from the names they have – Phi Beta, Alpha Kappa, Delta and so on – they ceremonize their existence, some have an anthem and represent virtues with apparent history to their ‘past’! They were formed to provide community initiative and create social responsibility but down the years, this has filtered to become more sophisticated and there exists a lot of peer pressure…wherein group members are discouraged from interacting with those who are deemed ‘uncool’ by their set ‘standards’! Not sure how this would dampen the overall spirit of the university, my guess is those who can’t be bothered with this would anyways have the time of their lives! While am sure being part of such a group would change one's life, it may not necessarily be the life for all!

As we drove away from USC with a nascent haze of nostalgia, I look back at all that my University did for me – and understand!

Citius Altius Fortius - For Tibet!

That’s the motto of the Olympic Games, in Latin, meaning – Swifter, Higher, Stronger. Today, the Olympic Torch – carrying the motto of the game around the globe – made its odyssey run in San Francisco, a day after its arrival in the city (and Northern America).

Fortunate enough to be a part of this event, it sure was an intriguing experience for me. While the world watched this event, it was also witness to the ongoing protest by the Tibetans. There were thousands of people at this event – local residents who must have skipped work, students, performers, tourists (like me) who happened to be in the city and hundreds of protesters marching around. Glimpse of the event shown below:

Tibetans protesting (not the torch relay but the overall Beijing Olympics) the event must have come from far and wide. Some of the protest hoardings shown below:

To all my Tibetan Friends especially Chenga and Tensing, the world is watching and supporting the fight for your rights.

CILTIUS, ALTIUS, FORTIUS
Am sure your efforts will bear the fruits soon!

To the West Coast - Via Virgin!

Traveling from the East to the West Coast in the US seems like going to another country – long flight and a different time zone! But having taken Virgin America to fly to the west coast was indeed a fascinating experience. We had heard good reviews about the airline and considering the other competitors are not even worth mentioning, this one did stand out from the lot. Of course, I did have a bad experience with my luggage earlier on with this airline so wasn't sure but the deal was worth considering.

The moment you enter the aircraft, what strikes you is the cool lighting – blue/pink/purple - and hip-hop music playing in the background. It almost feels like entering a lounge. The crew members are most friendly and not to forget, the sense of humor they carry with them.

The safety video before take-off brings a smile on your face and makes you want to actually watch it!

The airline seems technologically advanced compared to the other airlines. Each seat has a power-plug in for electronic devices. Since there was no WIFI, it wasn’t much use but I can imagine this facility to be utilized by lots of business travelers. There are personal screens that provide decent entertainment including regular TV news updates. One can even chat from one seat to the other. Like all other airlines, Virgin too does not provide in-flight meals and this means one has to buy them in the aircraft. So an interesting feature is how you can actually order from your seat screen and your meal gets served to you asap! For instance, you navigate into the food section, select from a list of options, add to the shopping cart, swipe the credit card and voila, you have your order delivered on your seat! I personally thought this was the coolest feature to have in the airline and soon perceive other airlines following suit. So overall, the journey was pretty decent - oh but we did have an episode with our luggage (again) and hopefully, we should have it delivered soon.