Common man..at his best!

A Wednesday (2008)

This movie was released in India before Mumbai Terror Attacks 26/11. But one can easily gauge its relevance with more assurance today. The message the movie gave is a simple thing, that are we really safe today wherever we are? But it is supposedly the most difficult question for our Government and the common folks.

For that matter, when lakhs of Mumbaikars gathered at Gateway of India or Oberoi to show their anger in a non-violent manner, it was showcased very diligently. But what after that? When it comes to sign petitions and making NGOs, only few raise their hands.

And the less you speak of the politicians the more it is better. But anyway, why to blame them when we ourselves elect them? We blamed them after 1993...when terror gripped Mumbai like a wild fire...and we blamed them after 17th July, 2006...when Mumbai's railway was exploded by the cruel minds. Even today we are blaming. And soon the blame game will over. And everyone will almost tend to forget it. And we say that it's the Mumbai spirit to keep going on and on. Great!

What Naseer's common man has done in this movie is an exemplary definition not only for Mumbaikar's but all those who feel that since we are safe, let's continue with our work. I'm not saying that common man should adopt this stance which is adopted by Naseer's character in the movie, but at least we can try for the myriad options to unite and collectively adopt strategies to enhance our own security.

Leaving aside this issue, I guess this movie is an eye-opener for many people worldwide. It is simple yet gripping. I salute the story and screenplay writer Neeraj Pandey who has scripted each and every scene with a lot of practicality and consciousness. His direction is noteworthy.

Naseer shines as always. He has this particular way to deliver his dialogues which I like the most(sometimes, I try to imitate it!). And equally commendable performance is delivered by Anupam Kher as the decisive Police Officer who’s last scene of meeting the common man and not revealing his name took the movie to an all-together different level of maturity. Rest all actors have done their part well.

This movie needs a more public viewing than Filmfare or any other film nomination!

Rating: 4/5

Rab-bing the wrong way!!

Rab Ne Bana Di Jodi (2008)

Some movies are meant for pure entertainment. The things like logic and sense don't work in such movies. They are the symbol of true Indian Commercial Movies made just for entertainment. And the fact that such movies exist in Indian Filmography is very obvious thanks to our culture, traditions and beliefs. And such movies will continue to work in India, no matter you are in 2008 or 2080. This movie is an example of such movies.

The best part of this movie is the screenplay by Aditya Chopra. In fact, it is the only thing which makes this movie a one-time watch. The story lacks sense, logic and hold in several parts but still the way it is presented by Aditya is commendable. I believe that Aditya as a screenplay writer and a dialogue writer succeeds than he as a story-teller. The dialogues and the tactful presentation of scenes has been his forte in all his movies. Same was the case in Mohabbatein.

Anushka Sharma is the worst choice for the role of Taani. If the director wanted to cast a new face only, then he could have searched for someone better than her. She looks good and sweet but lacks the much needed serenity or emotions on her face for the role of Taani.

The music is RNBDJ's another plus point. Salim-Sulaimaan has done pretty well job. Haule Haule keeps on haunting you even after the movie. Tujh mein rab dikhta hai and Dance pe chance are soothing to hear. Even the shabad in the opening credits sounds too well. End credits keep you engaged for a while.

Yash Raj Movies are always technically sound. No wonder this movie has a good cinematography.

It's Suri's character which Shah Rukh has done very well. As Raj, we have always seen him. Such a performance was expected from him after being in the industry since so many years.

Lastly, as I said, logic and sense doesn't hold any grounds here. So it's fine if Taani fails to recognize Suri as Raj and falls in love with him. It's a Yash Raj Hindi Film. I am sure many are here to love such movie. Let them enjoy!

Rating: 2/5

Fashion (2008)

Rating: 3.5/5

Fabulous! Basically almost all of the Bhandarkar movies are my favourites. This one adds to the list.
I loved the movie. It's in typical Bhandarkar style. Cinematography is very gripping. And Priyanka does her part right. Oh man, she looks amazing throughout the movie! Another sensational character, Shonika is well designed and Kangana Ranaut is the best choice for the role. She's surely gonna win all the supporting actress awards next year! And is it true that almost all fashion designers are femnine or gay? At least that is what been portrayed in the movie.
Bhandarkar articulately brings out the face of fashion world with his high profile dramatic scenes and songs. His last movie, Traffic Signal was nice as well but not as good as Chandani Bar or Page 3. With this one, he has gone to his basics again and surely gonna bag awards next year. Go for it!

Saawariya (2007)

Rating: 2/5

Over-exaggeration of anything may result in a failure. And the best example of this statement is Sanjay Leela Bhansali's Saawariya. It worked for Devdas since it had some mind-blowing performances and a soulful screenplay. It worked for Black since it had a brilliant theme and a purpose keeping the dumb-and-deaf people in sight. But it doesn't work here. There isn't anything new to see and the exaggerated art direction just puts you off. And the end result is an over-exaggerated play of love and emotions which lacks depth and soul.
The tragic end adds fuel to the fire. Why did he choose such an end? Does he wanted us to rave about his so-called gracious and delightful couple? The scenes slide one after another as if we're watching an extended version of Black. Music is no doubt, appreciable (Jab Se Naina, Yu Shabnami and Saawariya were brilliant!) but how does it matter if screenplay itself lacks soul?
The only positive point about this Bhansali's saga is the performances. No, not of Sonam Kapoor..she's cute and sweet but sadly, lacks the much required acting aura for the character of Sakina. Rani Mukherji comes out as a pleasant surprise, gets to the skin of the character and delivers a mind-blowing performance (and she doesn't cry a lot in this one!!). Zohra Sehgal is sweetest lady I've seen in the recent times...hats off to her performance which adorns the sincerity of her character. And yes, last but not least, Ranbir..who's charismatic..handsome..does extremely well. The shades of his father were visible in his oration. Definitely, a graciously inherited heritage of acting is his plus point. But it couldn't save the movie.
Silence...grand sets...and lots of drama doesn't always help. Bhansali lost this time.

Dostana (2008)

Rating: 3/5

It’s all fun. Music is hilariously best…appreciable work by Vishal and Shekhar. I wanted to see more of Kirron Kher who was excellent. And heyy, what’s up with Priyanka? I mean…she have always looked beautiful, but this time she is unbelievably awesome! She looks sexy, charming and elegant in each and every scene of her. A competent performance…though nothing more challenging for her to do but still looked and acted very well…this is definitely her year…Fashion…Dostana…no wonder you hear it next year…and the Best Actress Award goes too…
And all the fuss about gays and homosexuality…uff! I mean it’s nothing to do with it. Still Karan maintained, in his interviews, that the movie will change people’s perception about homosexuality. Really? Ho-hum!
John needs some acting lessons…and Abhishek was excellent. But anyway, first time ever the commercial cinema has at least dared to laugh on gays whole-heartedly. Fire, My Brother Nikhil were the serious attempts but commercially tanked. And I heard that NCP leaders are high on this movie too. Why? Maa ka ladla bigad gaya?

Arth (1982)

My Rating: 4/5

If you haven't watched this movie, then you have really missed something so important as far as Hindi Films are concerned.

The story is very much simple. You may feel that now but remember the year in which it was released and I would like to salute the writer-director Mahesh Bhatt for presenting and highlighting the issue of extra-marital affairs at that time!
It's a story about an extra-marital affair between Inder and Kavita, a popular film actress and the consequences of this affair on his marriage and his wife, Pooja. Kavita turns psychic and slowly starts feeling insecure about being in such an undefined relationship while Pooja leaves Inder's life to enter a life full of self respect, independence and dignity.

All the songs, be it Tum ye jo itna muskurarahe ho.. or Koi ye kaise baatayein.. are touching and heart-melting..Jagjit Singh and Kaifi Azmi deserves the credit which they got. Direction is too good and last but not least, the performances by almost all actors which keep you engaged till the end. Shabana Azmi delivers a flawless Pooja with such a calm and restrained performance. She excels truly in that party scene when she first faces Kavita. Kulbhushan Kharbanda plays the troubled man with much needed consciousness. Rohini Hattangadi and Karan Razdan are too flawless. But more specifically, I watched this movie for one actress and that is Smita Patil. Hat's Off to her!!! She has sparkled in whichever scenes she did and brought the warmth and craziness required to play an 'other' woman. Terrific performance by late Smita Patil.

Watch it if you haven't..at least for the peformances by Smita and Shabana..both truly compete!!

Kabhi Alvida Naa Kehna...

The other day, I happened to watch one of my favorite movies again on TV and it was Sanjay Leela Bhansali’s Black. There are many reasons why I term this as one of my favorite movies. Firstly, it was fabulously directed by Bhansali. Secondly, the story was touching, the background score was gripping and cinematography was marvelous. And lastly, performances! No doubt about a classic act from Big B. It was very much expected from him. But I was surprised to see Rani Mukherji as Michelle. I mean, it’s not that I was watching her in any movie for the first time. I had loved her in Mani Ratnam’s Yuva as well. But the way she has performed in Black left me speechless then in the theatre where I watched this movie for the first time and also this day when I was watching it on TV.

I can certainly rate and categorize Rani amongst those classic actresses of Indian Film Industry who gave an altogether different meaning to the word ‘Bollywood Herione’. Madhubala, Meena Kumari, Vjayantimala, Nargis, Waheeda Rehman, Sharmila Tagore, Hema Malini, Rekha, Sridevi and Madhuri Dixit are the most anticipated names of this category. They were Bollywood Queens. There are other ace actresses as well like Juhi Chawla, Kajol, Karishma Kapoor and Aishwarya Rai who made their best attempt to reach the topmost pedestal but weren’t very successful. Rani had the spark to reach the top. The performances she delivered in Kuch Kuch Hota Hai, Hey Ram, Saathiya, Hum Tum, Yuva, Bunty Aur Babli, Mangal Pandey – The Rising and Black aren’t some jokes. Her last successful attempt was Kabhi Alvida Naa Kehna but unfortunately it was the director of the movie Karan Johar who messed up the script and the film couldn’t turn out that well.

But what after that? Babul, Tara Rum Pum, Laaga Chunari Mein Daag and Saawariya were Box Office Duds. Thoda Pyar Thoda Magic turned out to be another good-for-nothing movie. Is that all from Rani?

The Low phase in career graph is witnessed in each and every actor’s career. Madhuri Dixit too experienced it in 1996 when her movies were simply failing to create the flutter. But don’t forget that Dil To Pagal Hai came in 1997 and Devdas in 2002. Actresses like Madhuri and Sridevi enjoyed a greater period of dominance in the industry. But look at Rani…it’s as if her career graph is going low and low.

The reasons are very much obvious. Rani’s association with Yash Raj Banner has done a lot of mess with her choice of selection of movies. Yash Raj Films are very much stereo-typical and Rani is doing similar kind of roles again and again without any variety like the way she did in Yuva or Black. Or is it that the air of the two consecutive Best Actress Awards which she received for Hum Tum and Black in 2005 and 2006 has gone in her head?

Is this the end of the empire of this queen?

Mind's play!

All the following thoughts are completely my own. It doesn’t have any scientific basis. It’s just a result of what I feel about the things going on around our mind and metaphorically, I relate it to a play.

Knowing one’s own self is as much a difficult task as cracking MBA’s CAT entrance exam! Probably more difficult than it…but it is really difficult task. Many people say that they know their self. They are close to their soul and are living a life full of happiness and content. I would like to appreciate such people’s thought process which makes them say so or feel so. May be they are really happy. But many-a-times, truth aren’t the one which we see. Nobody on this planet is happy with whole of his/her heart at the moments which pass by. Every one has some or the other kind of worry or grief which engrosses their mind. But the thing is that every one tries to find a possible solution of that problem or a probable fix on that worry making it feel that things are all right in their case. I call it as a play of mind.

Yes, I feel it is the play of this abstract thing of our body which is called as mind. It is the mind which makes us laugh, cry, think and ponder over the situations around us. And this is the same mind which makes us react and respond. Mind is an abstract entity of our body which makes us feel about our selves.

Many-a-times, we find ourselves in a pickle…in a situation which we’ve never expected us to be. We take some decisions in haste, not thinking about the consequences but just being what we think right. When we’re in a mob of people, it’s a mob psychology which works and rules. We never try to be someone different from the group in which we are, only because we want other people from the group to relate us. All this is a play of mind.

People find themselves in love and relationships; they decide for a commitment and at the end find themselves separating their ways. This happens many times, with many people. It is the fault of neither of the couple who goes through this kind of situation. It’s just the play of their mind which makes them do certain things which they could’ve done without. Most of the times, we blame it on God, our destiny or time. But, I feel it’s not the fault of any of these. It’s simply a play of mind.

Mind, though how abstract it is, is a stage and day after day, thoughts come and hover around it, sit on it, act on it and go away from it. A play goes on this stage. We act and respond accordingly. But if someone does some mistake, it’s not entirely his fault. Thoughts come and act around on his mind and they propel him/her to do certain things which could not have been done. And thoughts are the consequence of the situations and moments which we experience continuously.

But there are some people who have a control on this play. They try to be the orator of their mind’s play, try to anchor the thoughts and let them act the way their brain or heart tells them to do so. Such people think rationally and are said to have a control on their mind. Hence I say, knowing yourself is a difficult task. It requires observing yourself very closely with a keen and patient eye. Only such people succeed in anchoring their mind’s play. So, now you decide, whether you want to be the anchor of your mind’s play or a mere spectator?

God, us and Me...

'I kept a fast yesterday for my loved one so that he remains happy and cheerful wherever he goes. I know that God will listen to my prayers and make him happy', these are the words of one of my friends who is too much of a religious person for one to believe. She thinks that God is there, high up in the sky, in the frames, in the idols, in the photos and praying to them will fulfill her dreams and that God will listen to her prayers. On the other hand, I’ve another friend who hardly believes in God and approaches the concept of God in a different way. He has respect for all religions but he refuse to believe in the concept of idol worshipping. He even refused to touch the holy vessels and ‘God’s’ frame which was kept at the Vastu Shanti Ceremony of our new residence. While people were coming and praying at the sight of the holy pots, this friend of mine tells me, ‘Kalpak, is it fine if I don’t pray?’ My answer was an emphatic yes for I know that it was his way of thinking and to perceive things. I can’t, in any ways, interfere with it.

All these things make me ponder. Both of my above mentioned friends have different ways of thinking about God. It’s their approach and their perspective. Good for them. But if any one asks me to put forward my views, I find myself without an answer.

Yes, I find it difficult to answer when some one asks me that whether I believe in God or not. I keep pondering, thinking as what to answer. Every one around us is entitled to have an opinion about various things in the world. Each of such opinions is influenced by several such factors like family and upbringing, relatives, friends, teachers, books we read, newspapers and life experiences. I come from a religious family where God is given utmost importance as in any other Maharashtrian family. But in spite of such religious background, I am unable to relate myself either with those of my friends who believe in God or with those who are atheists.

The most I can think is a general answer…may be…or may be not! And that’s true for me. I don’t feel that I need to find a perfect exemplary definition of God and the need to find about His existence. For methinks that God is the power with which I work day and night. I am of the opinion that God lies in my conscience and in my inner self. He dwells in my optimistic approach towards life. He is my soul, my mind and my body. In that way, I believe that each one of us is small parts of the big entity called as God. That’s it. I can’t think of any other definition other than this one. Lokmanya Tilak started Ganeshotsav with the belief that people will unite together at the moments of festivals like this one. And I appreciate this feeling. I would always like to then keep my faith in a supreme power if it unites us altogether forever. And this is the way I perceive this concept of God. Furthermore, I believe that it’s individual choice to think about God. Then you may say anything about my views, call me idiot for my definition or anything of that sorts, I don’t find the reason to care.

Other than this, I don’t know anything about God. Whether he is their in those rock marbles or idols is not my topic of research. Having said so, tomorrow if my parents ask me to accompany them to a temple or pilgrimage, I won’t mind to go. I respect my parents’ love for myself and it will not make me any small if I obey their wishes. I’m not adamant in my principles. I, no doubt, follow them but if in any ways, they prove to be affecting my state of mind then I don’t care of disobeying them. I love my closed ones and respect their views. What I said above, are my views. I don’t want them to enforce on somebody else. I’ve respect for all religions but still I opine that humanity is greatest of all of them. That’s all for it.

This is the way I perceive God. May be you’re right…may be God is there…a supreme power…encapsulating mankind and universe…may be He isn’t there…just a fake belief which humans tend to have for making their life more easier…I don’t know…I don’t want to know…so far as I’ve faith in myself…in my inner God…I don’t find the need to search for an external one…and I know that I would never find the need to do so…this is my way of thinking…good for me…what you perceive is your way of approach…good for you!

The Namesake - A beautiful piece of work!

Gogol…the name sounds to be little strange, right? But this was the name which Ashima and Ashoke Ganguli kept for their beloved little son. And Jhumpa Lahiri’s ‘The Namesake’ is a story about Ashima, Ashoke and Gogol. I haven’t read any of Lahiri’s work before. But I would like to say that ‘The Namesake’ is really a very well written piece of work.

The variance which Ashima finds in the Western culture from the Indian one, her loneliness even after having her husband so close to her self, the emotional attachment with the families left far behind in the traditional houses of Calcutta, an emergence of new life on the Pemberton Road where she strives to find her own new identity is all which is described in the first half of the book. The rest part revolves around her son Gogol, who is unhappy about his strange name, who finds it difficult to relate with the Indian culture in which their parents were born and brought up, who undergoes a several failure in his relationships with the women who came in his life. He even goes to an extent to change his name from Gogol to Nikhil. With the passage of time, he regrets about what he has done…at last, feels guilty that this was the same name which saved his father Ashoke from entering the doors of heaven.

Jhumpa Lahiri, very articulately, describes minute details of their lives, depicting each and every scene with much needed warmth and affection. The end too is wonderful!

And hands down to Mira Nair, who translates this saga into a beautiful illustration of a motion picture where Tabu, Irfan Khan and Kal Penn plays Ashima, Ashoke and Gogol. Apart from well written screenplay by Sooni Tareporewala and outstanding direction by Mira, Tabu, Irrfan Khan and Kal Penn excels in making their characters as real as possible.

Some people who have read the book first, opine that the movie was much better than the book. Since in my case it was otherwise, that I read the book after watching the movie, I think I loved the book equally.

A saga worth reading and watching!

The Empress

I was four years old then. It was the year 1994. My family carried me along with them to watch a movie Hum Apke Hain Kaun?. Now at the age of four, obviously, no one was expecting from me to understand the movie. Moreover, the darkness of the theatre made me afraid and I sat on the laps of my mother, hugging her throughout the movie, instead of sitting on a separate seat. Nothing of the movie made me happy or cheerful, except one face!!! My mom still recalls that how quietly I sat soon after the entry of Madhuri in the movie...throughout the movie then...and says that even after the show, outside the theatre, I was continuously telling mom that I want to see that smiling face again!

Yes, this face is a constant source attraction, admiration and a sense of pride since the age of four for me. Madhuri Dixit is the only person I have loved so desperately after my mother!

Madhuri Dixit~the name says it all! She was no known face when she entered the glit-bltiz…she was no one when her first movie Abodh (1986) was offered to her. She accepted the offer and did the movie. The movie was a flop, but not Madhuri! She was noticed and her acting and dancing skills attracted the eyes of all the big names of this film industry namely Subhash Ghai, Yash Chopra, Sanjay Leela Bhansali, N.Chandra and so on.

What followed was a history…she stepped those floors of the industry where her former competitor and the then superstar Sridevi had burst out with her stardom. In months or so, the reigning position of Sridevi came down and Madhuri became a constant name in the nominations and awards of almost all awards, especially Filmfare. Several actresses of her times where trying to compete with her..be it Juhi Chawla, Meenakshi Sheshadri, Manisha Koirala or Kajol, neither of them couldn’t achieve what Madhuri successfully did. Right from Tezaab(1888) to Hum Aapke Hai Kaun(1994), she came like a wave and swept Bollywood.

She made people notice her…glance at her cheerful and pleasing smile…look at her completely flawless and perfect dancing steps…admire and live her acting power. She made people love her…made people smile for her…made people dance for her. There was a time when balconies of theatres used to get full only to see her one glimpse. And even if you keep the oomph factor aside, she did some de-glamorous roles like Prahar, Prem Pratigya, Mrityudand or Lajja which took her to an all together different level of success and stardom.

But popularity is a double edged sword. There came a time between 1994 and 1997 when her movies were more of Box Office duds. Anyway, Madhuri wasn’t one of those to give up so easily. Critics wrote her off saying that ‘Dixit magic has began to fade’ or ‘End of an empire’. But she came back. And this time with a more charm and intensity with Dil To Pagal Hai in 1997. While receiving the Filmfare award for Best Actress that year, she said, ‘I dedicate this award to all my critics who were thinking that I should pack my bags or something of this sort. I think this is a proof of it’ while showing her award with her hand raised upright with the Filmfare trophy.

Marrying US based surgeon, Dr. Sriram Nene in 1999, she went off to America again breaking innumerable hearts that were already fallen for her. She did come again, immortalized the role of Chandramukhi in Bhansali’s Devdas(2002) again becoming an award recipient in many functions. Sanjay Leela Bhansali, who became a director while aspiring to work with this dream girl, was blessed, he said, with her charisma, simplicity, down-to-earth nature. Right from classical dancing maestro Pandit Birju Maharaj, Saroj Khan to Shamaik Davar..all admired the dancing style and perfection of Madhuri…called her synonymous to the word ‘dance’ and termed her as the only worthy actress of Indian Film Industry of twentieth century who can dance so well.

She is now a mother of two little kids. A perfect balance of work and family is what she wants to achieve at this stage of her life. She made an empire and left it behind her. And still no one can rule this empire. She brought in an era of female superstars…an era where movies came with names like ‘Main Madhuri Dixit Banna Chahati Hun’…innumerable girls entered the industry by dreaming to be another Madhuri! There was a time when she was called as a Female Amitabh Bachchan!

A perfectly humble nature, simplicity of the character adorns Madhuri apart from her beauty. Each and every one who works with her can’t stop raving about her. And even today, at the age of 40, the fire is very much alive in her. In her recent movie Aaja Nachle(2007) she showed everyone that only Madhuri can replace Madhuri! Even today she is spreading her charm all over the world. An empress who truly needs to be saluted…an empress who truly needs to be remembered…even years and years after today, people should get the smile on their face when they will watch this smiling face…as they got two decades ago…and as they are getting now. Bow down to da Empress!

Kudos Abhinav..thumbs down to Indian Sports Management!

“For me, life will go on as usual, but I sincerely hope Olympic sports get a leg-up. It’s not a priority back home and I hope more focus is paid to these events…”

These are the words of 25-year-old Abhinav Bhindra who rewrote the history of Indian Olympics on Sunday at Beijing Olympics 2008. The thing which I read loudly was the latter part of the above quote. Isn’t it a shame on our country’s system and management when the winner himself declares the scenario of Indian Olympics at the moment!

Ours is a country where amongst all sports, Cricket is devoted and look after with great interest. C’mon, no body is to blame for that. After all, even cricket is a sport and this very sport has made us proud so many times here-before on international front. My only point is there should be more focus laid on other sports too. We have Hockey, which made us proud last year by winning Asia Hockey Cup. But in spite of that there isn’t much momentum in the game. Instead, people have got to know more about Hockey because of the last year’s Shahrukh Khan starrer Chak De India!

When it comes to sports, somehow I feel that there is a biased attitude towards Cricket in India. They say that people in India love Cricket, play cricket and sing cricket. But why can’t we expect the same towards other games like Football, Hockey, Badminton or Formula One? Every one has a different taste, no doubt, but making cricket as the whole and sole sport truly tells something else! Tomorrow, if some new batsman or bowler enters our Indian Cricket Team, all will know about his entire history by heart! Today Abhinav Bindra has made us proud by his feat. But let me tell you, many…mark my words…many weren’t even aware of the name of this competitive shooter! And suddenly on Sunday morning, I heard many people taking his name, even those who are remotely associated with the word ‘sports’. And when the same winner appeals to give more focus on the coaching of exceptional and enthusiastic candidates from Indian Olympic front, I think, this shouldn’t fall on deaf ears.

And heyy...don't feel I am being a critic here. I can never be a critic. How can I criticise somebody when I am not actively involved in that matter (read sports). Only thing I want to say is that there is a world other than cricket. And we should definitely know this!

And heartiest congratulations to Mr.Bindra!!

Politics of Sexuality!

The other day, a small headline on the front page of the newspaper made me feel sad. It was: ‘Two lesbian girls attempt suicide due to parental pressure’. What to say now? Those two girls, the report said, were bright girls in their academics and sports and were destined to succeed in their life. The only thing, which was a ‘mistake’ in terms of all other people, was that both the girls loved each other immensely. So what? What’s wrong if love sparks between two girls or two boys? Is it a mistake which they made? Why to simply term them ‘abnormal’ and pressurize them?
And this is the politics which is going on in a country like ours which took an oath for democracy 68 years back. Yes, I term this as politics…politics of sexuality! Indeed, it is. Love is a beautiful thing which can happen to humans. It can be very natural and can happen between opposite or same sex. Why to make an issue about it when it happens between the same genders?
The real culprit behind all this is the age old archaic law in our legal books. India Penal Code’s Section 377 states that carnal intercourse against the law of nature is an offense and if found guilty, one can get a rigorous punishment up to 10 years. Isn’t this some kind of a draconian law? My question is how come one term love or relation between same sexes as unnatural.
The WHO has removed homosexuality from its list of psychological disorders. Yet, some people would like to believe otherwise. They would say that if everyone were gay, there would be no society. This is a dishonest argument for the simple reason that everyone is not gay. They say it's against the Bible - an abomination of God.
But if Christians can change their views on the issues of divorce, women's rights and slavery, why not on the issue of homosexuality as well? Then there are those in India who claim that homosexuality is against Indian culture and Hinduism. Have they never been to the Khajuraho temples, embellished with homoerotic art? Do they not know that the Kamasutra is not just about straight sex? Do they not know that there is not a single scriptural missive against homosexuality in the Vedas - the ultimate authority of Hinduism?
I believe that there are innumerable such teens who are homosexuals and still in closet. Parental and societal pressure encapsulates their environment, making them extremely uneasy and uncomfortable to take a breath in the society. People pass lewd remarks and this can make any one feel deprived and lost. And the worst consequence of it is the increasing number of suicidal cases amongst the homosexual community.
Recent medical evidences have proved that one’s sexual orientation is a result of one’s genes. There are, no doubt, some cases wherein homosexual preference can be generated due to some early sexual encounters or uncomfortable and indecent family upbringing or even child abuse. But then there is no reason at all to blame the homosexuals for the sexual preference. It is not that they deliberately forced themselves to have such a preference.
It’s definitely the time now to reconsider the law. And even if the law is changed and decriminalizes homosexuals, the thing which needs to change is the mentality of people towards such individuals. Let them live their life in the way they want. Only then will the concerned cases of HIV/AIDS and suicides in such individuals lessen. I truly believe that this politics against homosexuality should be stopped and we adopt a policy of ‘Live and Let Live’.

Time is now!

In current scenario of education, especially in the campuses of engineering and management colleges, one will hardly find students getting engrossed in some thing other than academics. Students strive hard to complete their assignments, projects and syllabi to meet the needs of the structure of academics and in the process; they tend to ignore their qualities and talents. There are hardly few engineering and management aspirants, you will observe, who are showing their talents regarding some thing not at all related with their studies.
And I feel that this will certainly make these students sideline their talents. Every particular individual, I believe, possesses some kind of quality and talent in him/her. Only thing is that such talents should come out and should be seen and heard. Mere possessing talent will definitely not help.
Some students love to read while some love to write. There are many who are interested in singing while many others who have their expertise on playing some kind of instrument like guitar, violin, etc. Many students are seriously interested in sports. Dancing too is the specialty of many individuals.
But the thing is that such talents are shown only during college festivals. There are many such engineering students, who in spite of having such variety of talents, hide them only because they are engineers of the future and securing a good job is their utmost criteria. And more specifically, the general tendency is the fear of their parents that whether they will allow doing something off beat to their current field of interest.
I am now in my second year of engineering. And my hobby is writing. I make it a point to cultivate and nurture my hobby every single day so that I start getting better and better in it. I think that this is my talent and I want to show it to all. And I continue with it while balancing my engineering curriculum.
Likewise, I feel that one should never hide their talents and qualities. No matter what is your area of study currently, you certainly have some special talent in yourself. Just make it grow. Let it be better and better each day. Then let that talent be any weirdest thing of your life! Qualities are qualities and if you are perfect in it, no body can stop you from excelling in the same. I am not at all saying that engineering and management students don’t cultivate their talents. They certainly do, but this number of students is not very big. I certainly have some friends of mine who love to play guitar while some who love to dance. But most of them are interested in getting done with their studies and not to get distracted, no matter how possessive s/he is for his hobby!
So, friends, buck up and show your talents. It’s your time now. Following are some lines which I penned…

Time is now

Blossom like a flower
Unveil like a star

Let the people laugh, criticize or make fun of it
You be confident of making best out of it
Show the world who you are
Blossom like a flower
Unveil like a star

Your smile, your brain
Your dance, your pain
Your anger, your happiness
Your tantrums, your shyness
Show everything with pride
Because its fruitless to hide
Think as if yours is the hour
Blossom like a flower
Unveil like a star

Failures will come initially
Hurdles will block your path gradually
So what? Be brave enough to accept the failures
May be 99 turns go down
But 100th one will be yours
So fight till the end bravely
To achieve your goals entirely
Reveal to the world who you are
Blossom like a flower
Unveil like a star

Qualities are best to be shown
Shortcomings are better to be thrown
Being hesitant will help you in no ways
Perfection must be achieved in all ways
Past has flown away and future is yet to come
So now is the time and yes, now is the time
Live the moment for time may slip
And every moment is special to be lived
Only then will you be exultant of living your life
With joy, happiness and complete fulfillment
So c’mon, disclose your qualities hidden in your self
Just like a flower which elegantly unfolds itself
Just like the power of brightness with which shines a star
Blossom like a flower
Unveil like a star