Politics and Craze – more Haze for Me

I think this time, the 2014 General elections is making a lot of noise all around. Whether you are in politics, like to discuss about politics, have no liking about politics, simply hate politics, you cannot be spared from the entire hullabaloo about it.

Holi and the Colours

Friends, wish you all,

Happy Holi

Read this link here. It made me sad, at first brought tears of sadness and then of joy. A little difference can bring in a smile and cheer to those lives who has not seen colours on them for so many years.

This day of colours brings so much passion in the lives of each and every Indian. The different colours make all the difference when they are splashed one on the other and such vibrant combination is the result.

Mind is doing a Tango

Hop, skip and jump. Time is giving no space for a hop or a skip but straight it says, “Jump yaar jump”. Will seem prejudiced if I say this is true. But really Time is having own affair and no place for a small soul like me. It is taking its flight, and the speed…I can’t catch up sometimes.

Holi has come up. It seems just like yesterday the Kite-flying festival, the Paush Sankranti, has not left its mark. Colourful kites flying around in the space of the blue sky. What a hue. Terrific and nostalgic to watch small colours adorning the sky sometimes the red on the left and then blue flies in. The yellow gleefully moving up and the green and pink one feeling shy to go near the purple one. Some brave one’s going too close and simply cutting the other to drift away and not come back. Kites playing their own game…no gender game…but a common one. And the human hand doing all the tricks.

Friday Fever…without temperature...hot or cold…AAHHAA!!!

Friday brings its own fever. I have witnessed it, have any of you?

A simple question and all is needed is a simple answer.

Anyway, if you don’t give an answer, never mind, but I can see the thought has been read…some want to ponder over it and some will abandon it.

After Gulab Gang now Hum Teen Gang

After Gulab Gang now Hum Teen Gang

Satire has an extra flavour when humour is added to it. Read on…………….

The Movie Gulab Gang has cast its spell on the three special ladies to form their own gang.

After seeing the movie Gulab Gang, Mamata Banerjee aka Didi rang up Jayalalitha alais Amma.

Didi (Mamata): Hello, Jayaji. I’m Didi speaking. How are you? Can we meet over a cup of tea in my Trinamool office in Delhi?

Amma (Jayalalitha): Anything urgent Didi?

Didi: Yes, of course.

Women's Day (Special...no no no...)

Someone wished me, “Happy Women’s Day”. He was smiling as he said the words. I thought, was it a taunt or a rendition from the heart? I say this is a rendition, as the words sailed into my ears there was a soft musical touch.

Maybe, I’m being too touchy. He must have had no intention to hurt me.

Money Mantra

Money Mantra

Money Mantra

Money is Mantra for some, Need for many and necessity for All. That’s what I like to say about Money.

Present day some -- maybe can say many or even more people are getting very attached to money.

Money comes to us in the form of coins and notes which we have to keep safely. The size, shape and designs of the coins have changed over the years, so also currency notes have got some changes brought in them. How does that matter as long as the value remains the same for the different denominations?

Today’s Pick – C or Chubby Cheeks!

Today’s Pick – C or Chubby Cheeks!

Is it confusing? Hah! C is there, so Confusing can be there, after all beginning with C.

But if I’m to start, I say C for Cat. That’s what baby Guddi was learning from her mother. Mother was saying, “C for Cat, repeat after me,” and Guddi was religiously following her mother’s words like chanting some mantras.

Guddi, the two and a half year old daughter of Mr & Mrs Sood. Mother, a homemaker, having good educational qualifications, but prefers to stay at home for her daughter.

Gunday: Film Review

Starring : Ranveer Singh, Arjun Kapoor, Priyanka Chopra & Irrfan Khan

Directed by Ali Abbas Zafar

Produced by Aditya Chopra

Written by Ali Abbas Zafar

Music by Sohail Sen

Cinematography Aseem Mishra

Editing by Rameshwar S. Bhagat

The film Gunday under the Yasraj Films banner kicks-off with the plot of the making of Bangladesh. Along with the violence and the horror of the early 70s prevalent in Bengal, the film brings in the story set during the formation of the new country. It is about two young boys who have suffered losses and are left with themselves and moved into Calcutta as refugees.

Film Review: Highway

Starring:  Randeep Hooda and Alia Bhatt

Directed by Imtiaz Ali

Produced by Sajid Nadiadwala & Imtiaz Ali

Written by Imtiaz Ali

Music by A. R. Rahman

Cinematography Anil Mehta

Editing by Aarti Bajaj

Imtiaz Ali has shown courage to do a film with an unusual story, as is his style, not common in Bollywood. This film is more of a travel story with many twists and turns.

The story opens with the preparations on for the marriage of Veera Tripathy (Alia Bhatt) who is a young girl from a very rich family. She is a happy-go-lucky character. Just before the marriage day, she slips out of her house at night with her to-be husband. She wants to travels the lonely roads like a free bird, enjoying the wind and the fresh air around. But she is kidnapped at a gas station on the outskirts of the city by a gang whose leader is Mahabir Bhati (Randeep Hooda), who were there to loot the gas station.

To Post or Not To Post

To Post or Not To Post

To Post-OR-Not To Post

The title worried me for a moment when I wrote it. Did this create a sizzle in your mind too? Mind does so much work…all the time, when you are awake and even in sleep, sleep because of the Dreams that gush like a strong breeze and flees leaving back little or no memory of it.

Mind -- Tussi great ho!!! Ha, ha, ha, no jumps, no jerks for how can you do all this activity when the keyboard needs so much attention.

Talking about posts first reminds me of the Post Office. Post Office was the place where in my childhood many a times I’ve gone to buy Post Cards, Inland Letters (a folder with self-stamp to write on and then put it in the post Box…for those who know not about it…recent generation…a smile takes over for a moment), Envelopes, and then get fun in dropping the letters in the Post Box. There used to be Post boxes standing out in many neighbourhoods making easy for people to drop their letters in them. The Postman used to open the lock of the Post Box, empty the letters from there into his official bag and carry it back to the concerned Post Office. Now none of those red Post Boxes are visible in the busy towns but are some existing in villages.

Film Review: Jai Ho (2014)

Starring: Salman Khan, Tabu, Daisy Shah (introducing), Danny Denzongpa, Nadira Babbar

Directed by Sohail Khan

Produced by Sohail Khan Sunil Lulla

Written by A R Murugadoss

Screenplay by Dilip Shukla

Based on Story Stalin by A. R. Murugadoss

Music by Sajid-Wajid, Devi Sri Prasad, Amal Malik

Cinematography Santosh Thundiyil

Editing by Harsh Tiwari

Jai Ho is a Salman Khan starrer Bollywood Masala film and a remake of the blockbuster Telugu movie Stalin. The story revolves round the main character Jai Agnihotri, played by Salman Khan.

Mickey Virus: Movie Review

Starring: Manish Paul, Elli Avram, Manish Choudhary, Varun Badola, Puja Gupta, Nitish Pandey
Directed by Saurabh Varma
Produced by Arun Rangachari & Vivek Rangachari
Screenplay by  Saurabh Varma
Story by Gaurav Varma,  Saurabh Varma & Elvin Raja
Music by Hanif Shaikh
Cinematography Anshuman Mahaley
Editing by Archit D Rastogi 

Mickey Virus gives debutant Manish Paul for showing off his acting skills. Though Manish has hosted shows on television earlier, getting a chance to act in a film got to see how much he gave to his character.

In the Thick and Thin of Life

In the Thick and Thin of Life

Life has so many shades of colour. Like the rainbow with the VIBGYOR that makes it, life too has many shades.

Life does not run in a straight line. Like a graph it has its ups and downs, the highs and lows, and without these diversions what would be the meaning of life at all.

A smooth sail can never be there. Life is like a sailing boat. The breeze can be soft, smooth and pleasant at times. There can be harsh breeze which can cause havoc and simply pull the boat away from the direction it is moving. Even at times the boatman can change direction. The boat can be made to stop at a particular place and then drift on. Even there can be a time when the boat can sink.

Women are 49 % -- That’s what the Advertisement Says

Women are 49 % -- That’s what the Advertisement Says

In all simplicity and truth and neatness the Tata Tea Gold advertisement says – Women are 49%, so don’t ignore them.

I like the way the words of the lady and how she makes her man make some tea for her. The main part is when the tea leaves open to spread the colour and taste. That’s the essence and she confides that she…one person can be ignored but not all. This speaks a lot how women folk cannot be ignored.

What does this advertisement really want to say? It is Election time calling –women are said to make up 49% of the voting population in this country – their votes count and mean a lot and they can’t be ignored.

In all reality, the ratio of the numbers of girl child at present in India is on the decline. The ratio has gone down and creating a concern.

Politics in India at its Low -- My Daily Write-up

Parliament of India

Politics in India at its Low...

Politics in India is in no way Shining, moreover, it is losing Sheen. The incidents that are taking place in the Parliament…The Temple of Political Activities…and also in the different Assembly’s in different States make an Indian hang his/her in shame.

How is the world looking at all this nonsense happening. If we Indians can feel the shame then the world must be mocking at us.

We are proud to say India is the largest democracy in the world. Actually does Democracy exist?

The Word B Pops out its head to say… -- My Daily Write-up

The Word B Pops out its head to say…

I can hear the noise -- Bang-bang!

Who’s that banging, I wonder.

“Aah Haah! It’s me” says B in a loud note.

“What do you want from me”?

“Give me a space here”.

“Space for you, but what will I write”.

“Write about me”.

O.K. leave me alone I say and throw away B from my sight as of ‘just now’. By just now I mean I intend to give a place to B today.

When January said…no Riddle no Game …Ride the Read for a Smile -- My Daily Write-up

When Months Giggle

…no Riddle no Game …Ride the Read for a Smile…

January asked February, why you stand behind me,

February said, I am short, I am stout but love the place I am in.

March jumped in and said, I am third in the line for I have been shunted here for no fault of mine,

April says, see the blooms when I come to bring joy with colours of season Spring.

May shows a sour face for the blossom time is going to fade,

June is angry with the sun that is hot when she comes.

July is funky holding no regrets for standing in the seventh spot,

August dares the previous months for the shoving down the line.

September is pleased to sing a song for Autumn’s haste to come,

October is sober and calm and does not like to fight.

November is happy to bring the chill to lighten hearts and human spirits,

December is the happiest to be last in the sequence of months.

People wait for the Calendar to come to read the dates and months,

What would have happened if there were no twelve months?

Political Fever Versus Exam Fever -- My Daily Write-up

Political Fever Versus Exam Fever

This time of the year sees more into exam time. School Board examinations are held…the stepping stone to the next level. This is the time when students put in many hours of study to get good marks/grades in their Board Exams. The Class X and Class XII Board Exams are important as they pave the way for the future of the studies a student wants to pursue. The Medical & Engineering Entrance tests are held after the completion of class XII. And students have sleepless nights burning the night oil to study hard to get a seat in the Premiere Institutions in India…be it medical or engineering…choice lies with them.

There are the IIT’s and other government engineering colleges. There are Government Medical Colleges also. So also a number of private institutions are there for these courses but to get an admission in these private institutions there is the Donation System which pinches the pocket. But with a good ranking in the entrance test enables a child to get a seat in a college of his/her choice without donation.

This time of the year is very important in for studies.

With the coming of the General Elections in May 2014, the Political fever is at its height. The temperature/heat of each and every Party is rising more than the expected heat from the Summer’s Sun. The General elections can be a disturbance to the study factor.

But who cares! Politics has an upper hand over other things and is nurtured and nourished by politicians as and how they like. Each one hitting out at others in strong languages and making promises that will hardly be kept once they come to power.

And the puny voter…I say puny because no power lies in the voter except the vote…waits for that day to cast their precious vote. With the Voter Identity Card in hand, the voter steps into the Polling Booth to cast the vote…so precious that they make the destiny of some to reach and enter through the door of the Parliament to sit on a Chair…a prestige that is given. It is no test with books and courses but a litmus test that is passed with the push of the button of the EVM (Electronic Voting Machine). With the highest number of votes the winner gets a place.

Two big tests are coming up. Both are no doubt tests of different king. One is the work with brains and long hours of devotion and dedication to education. The other is to woo the voters, by hook or by crook, use strength if required and also by mislead.

Whatever be it, those no longer in their schooldays are the happy lot.

Those who have attained the Voting age are happy to cast their vote…the first-time voter is the most enthusiast.

Loves Blossom -- My Daily Write-up

Loves Blossom

Love leans on Trust 
Trust leans on Respect 
Respect leans on Healthy Understanding...
Let all this bloom together to get 
The smooth Touch and Feel of it.

Taken For Granted -- My Daily Write-up

Taken For Granted...

Some people like to be taken for granted. But I for one will never allow this to be the line for me.

After analyzing a lot, I found why some people are taken for granted.

A small list of my thoughts:

It is always good to maintain self-respect and not make it very cheap in front of others.

Try to help when asked for and not just get working on it just by hearing from others.

Don’t just jump into helping others thinking that it is a good deed.

Don’t make regular visits to others homes if you don’t get return visits.

Don’t make frequent phone calls to ask a friend or someone very close of his/her well-being if that person doesn’t bother to call back even once after all the calls.

Don’t ignore your family for the sake of others for that gives a leverage to the other to how important that person is in your life.

Live a life with respect, respect others and also see that you get back the same respect.

Live is lived with self-respect no matter how rich or poor one is, how educated or little-learned one is.

Set such a paradigm that you can be an example to others.

Follow certain self-made principles in life to make sure you live a life of honour and dignity.

Golgoppas/Pani Puri/Phuchka…Did they speak…aaaaaaaahhhh… -- My Daily Write-up

Home-made Tasty Pani Puri/ Golgappas...Hygiene with taste

Did they -- Golgoppas/Pani Puri/Phuchka – speak out? No way, they have no words.

Hah!!! They can’t speak…ha hah haah!!!

Not a joke but a smoke. ???

Smoke without fire. Then don’t let others tire.

Of course they, my sweeties, my golgappaes, phuchkaes, the pani puris did no talking. They simply made a small noise as the thumb of Raju…the phuchkawala…started serving. He hands over a small kotori, a disposable one of plastic…he has got the plastic ones instead of the ones made from leaves, the leafy ones can be destroyed without causing any harm to the environment, but the plastic bowls can create hazard. Never mind when the action is on.

Camera rolling…imaginative…Raju pushes his right thumb creating a small noise, almost unheard, and makes a tiny hole in the small crunchy puri. The masala is ready…a combination of mashed potatoes, added to it are boiled chick peas, chilli powder, salt, chat masala, finely chopped fresh coriander leaves and stem and of course his special masala. All mixed and then he takes a little portion of it and fills the hole of the crunchy puri. And standing near his right hand is the vessel filled with the special tangy water. Dip…in the masala filled puri goes and out and served to the customer.

A bite into it…again the crunchy sound is heard as it breaks in the mouth…the masala, the tangy water and the puri get into the mish-mash work in the mouth and then down it runs the food pipe to find its destination. Raju is so quick in serving one after the other that there is no time to “Stand and Stare” but act with all agility or the puris will start stacking up one after the other.

Eating Golgappas is a swift act…if slow you are behind…and then 8-10 pieces are enough if you have not entered into a competition with another to eat the maximum number.

Who cares for hygiene when there is a crave for such a treat. But this stuff is really great when it is served by the golgappa vendor…smack the lips and belch after having the fill…wipe the lips and move on till the next treat.

Did they speak? Thoughtful but…India’s street food, can’t give it a miss. Isn’t it?

Lazy, Lazy, Lazy… -- My Daily Write-up

Lazy, Lazy, Lazy…

Yesterday was so different. Felt the difference. There was so much laze that had crept in me. It had to be different for everyday is different. But I have used the word different so many times…bore for others and also for me. I think I have to substitute “different” with a synonym. A synonym…going back to school grammar…no way, not back to school days again.

There was boredom too. Why all these creepy thoughts coming all of a sudden. May be loss of sleep…trying to find the cause. But that’s not true. The mind and the heart are not in unison with this thought. Feeling so bored up…want some change…want someone to cook and feed me.

Possible???

Not at all.

Why?

Others expect from me to do this service.

Want to quit.

Not possible.

Again a why?

Simple you are the Lady of the house and it runs on your Command.

Why all this dialogue(bazi).

I’m bored.

“Don’t bore others” comes a voice from the void.

“Hey I’m talking to myself. I don’t have much to say for now. So back into my shell…MYSELF…and what more…wait till…

I will take a short nap and invigorate myself…maybe I’ve been a spoilt sport for now.

Soooooooooooooo…