Everywhere in the country and in the world, people left their beloved homelands to try their luck in this cold, faraway place where all one had to do, was be willing to work. Mumbai is the prime example of city of migrants in India. And America is an example of a modern country found by immigrants only. In times of economic downturn, we forget the values on which the place was built and developed. The sociopolitical climate becomes increasingly destructive towards immigrants in these times as scapegoats are used to help alleviate frustration. We are all citizens of the world–there is no place in the world that we can go and not touch something created in another land, no place where there are not immigrants. In my views, history is made by wandering humans from one place to another for trade, war or to become part of greater civilization. Human is indeed yayaver by nature and settler by culture.
Few web links in mumbo-jumbo post for reading....
Copenhagen Diary : A report on Climate change by Sunita Narain.
A Celebration of Difference: Science and Democracy in India by Shiv Visvanathan
It's The Comedy, Idiots by Shiv Visvanathan
Every child learns differently by Hyderabad-based educator James Tooley
Internet Growth - Key Learning's in India
Internet rules and laws: the top 10, from Godwin to Poe
The Joy of Science and Excitement of Discovery (in the history of modern quantum mechanics)
Monday, January 11, 2010
Friday, January 8, 2010
Jihad against Caste Discrimination
I am always in the favor of inclusive development of backward caste and tribe with general caste. Equality, dignity and merit to GE, OBC & SC, ST irrespective of their caste backgrounds. I always think that government gives equal ground through regulations and reservation in theory only. I don't know that our higher caste Hindu is now accepting lower caste as their equals or not. I always ask elders that has society became more feudal, caste oriented and communal than 60 years ago ? No clear cut answers. People still ask surname with smile to map out the caste and ancestry in their minds. I hope one day caste discrimination will fade away and it will remind us of our ethnicity only.
1- An interview of Shahid Siddiqui, Editor of Urdu daily Nai Duniya about caste politics.
2- Call for first caste census in India.
Officials said the ministry had asked for caste to be included as one of the criteria in the 2011 census, and recommended a differential headcount of the Other Backward Classes and reassessment of their conditions that could lead to changes in the OBC list.
3-Untouchables in Indian polity, 1956-2000: A review from a mainstream political angle. This review is from the book The Untouchables: Subordination, Poverty And The State In Modern India by Oliver Mendelsohn & Marika Vicziany
4- MacArthur Foundation "genius" Esther Duflo, PhD '99, field-tests aid programs to find out which ones work-and why.
5- Indian cinema and caste. A well balanced look.
"If you ask a Bollywood filmmaker whether this is actually what he is defending, he will be surprised. He believes that the values he is defending in his film are universal — love, family, country, religion... The word ‘caste’ would never cross his mind. Then how do we say that Bollywood films defend caste society?
The arranged marriage or marriage with parental sanction is an institution that supports, that takes the load of caste society through absolute parental authority when it comes to marriage or any other kind of relationship with the opposite sex. This parental authority is taken for granted in Bollywood films. There is no need to even explain it. The world of Bollywood cinema is so cleansed of caste and religion that one is almost tempted to believe that one is dealing with a bunch of ultra-liberals for whom caste and religion do not define the human personality. But the real reason for this absence is that women must not make the wrong sexual choice that could lead to the collapse of society as we know it. So, the world of Bollywood cinema is shown to be a ‘natural’ world, where upper caste Punjabi men are linked up with upper caste Punjabi women without the problematic obstacle of caste ever coming in the way of their union. Whereas, in reality, especially for the middle-class, caste is an overriding factor in marriage in particular and sexual relations in general."
------------------------------------------------------------------
I remembered a good quote against racism to finish this article. That would be of a 19-year old single mother from McKeesport, quoted by the Democratic Party chairman for Pittsburgh's 22nd Ward, Khari Mosley, in the Pittsburgh Post Gazette, on November 2nd.
Rosa sat so Martin could walk, Martin walked so Barack could run, Barack ran so we all can fly.
1- An interview of Shahid Siddiqui, Editor of Urdu daily Nai Duniya about caste politics.
2- Call for first caste census in India.
Officials said the ministry had asked for caste to be included as one of the criteria in the 2011 census, and recommended a differential headcount of the Other Backward Classes and reassessment of their conditions that could lead to changes in the OBC list.
3-Untouchables in Indian polity, 1956-2000: A review from a mainstream political angle. This review is from the book The Untouchables: Subordination, Poverty And The State In Modern India by Oliver Mendelsohn & Marika Vicziany
4- MacArthur Foundation "genius" Esther Duflo, PhD '99, field-tests aid programs to find out which ones work-and why.
5- Indian cinema and caste. A well balanced look.
"If you ask a Bollywood filmmaker whether this is actually what he is defending, he will be surprised. He believes that the values he is defending in his film are universal — love, family, country, religion... The word ‘caste’ would never cross his mind. Then how do we say that Bollywood films defend caste society?
The arranged marriage or marriage with parental sanction is an institution that supports, that takes the load of caste society through absolute parental authority when it comes to marriage or any other kind of relationship with the opposite sex. This parental authority is taken for granted in Bollywood films. There is no need to even explain it. The world of Bollywood cinema is so cleansed of caste and religion that one is almost tempted to believe that one is dealing with a bunch of ultra-liberals for whom caste and religion do not define the human personality. But the real reason for this absence is that women must not make the wrong sexual choice that could lead to the collapse of society as we know it. So, the world of Bollywood cinema is shown to be a ‘natural’ world, where upper caste Punjabi men are linked up with upper caste Punjabi women without the problematic obstacle of caste ever coming in the way of their union. Whereas, in reality, especially for the middle-class, caste is an overriding factor in marriage in particular and sexual relations in general."
------------------------------------------------------------------
I remembered a good quote against racism to finish this article. That would be of a 19-year old single mother from McKeesport, quoted by the Democratic Party chairman for Pittsburgh's 22nd Ward, Khari Mosley, in the Pittsburgh Post Gazette, on November 2nd.
Rosa sat so Martin could walk, Martin walked so Barack could run, Barack ran so we all can fly.
Controversy over 3 idiots
There was controversy over 3 idiots over credit with Chetan Bhagat and producers of this film. There is no mention of opening credit in the contract. Only the mention of rolling credits. The whole contract can be seen here. But chetan is miffed that his name appears quite late.
I am producing here stand of my friend who want to remain anonymous. I am in still dilemma that what is right or wrong in this case. One clue about him, he is an IITian. Take a look on his views and spare few thoughts :
The Problem: See this is not about a respectable person or reputable person as such. As an IITIAN, he should maintain the standards, 'arey yaar credit gaya toh gaya', I don't understand why he is making so many media appearances for this, film people like to come in front of the cameras, that is their job anyways, let them do that.
A suggestion: Next time, sell your stories to people, who'll respect your inspirations.
A short comment: Well at this moment, I would also like to comment that if we see the movie Sarkar, the credit has been given properly to 'THE GODFATHER', well theur are some instances which were made different to indianize the story but well still it shows a great respect for Mario Puzo and the filmamkers of THE GODFATHER. Hence proved, two things
1) We as Indians, dont give respect to Indian ppl for their work or we just like so called 'foreign' things to be awarded, remember this is not a question of merit. 5 point someone and THE GODFATHER are masterpieces and liked by mass. So is true for their movie adaptations.
2) Inspirations should come even before the starcast, I believe, whatever you did, you tweaked, did it 99.9% different but still somewhere at the grassroot level you gained something from the base story.
Independent Conclusion
3) I know Chetan Bhagat has gone to IIT (which is actually great and the country still holds its debts for many technological revolutions at IIT, many of them remain hidden or you see some ISRO director speaking about them, never mentioning the institutes, a plight) but IIM (seriously I tell you, most of the management institutions in India, dont provide with a) Mathematical Ability b) Use your engg. skills to tackle any financial problem at hand. They just go for publicity. So, This is a clear indication which shows what IIM education has done to a prominent writer and a technologist, a give-me-publicity personna.
One funny video on youtube about Chetan Bhagat controversy. People who can't see subtitles: Turn on the captions.At the bottom right of the player is the button with a upward pointing triangle on it. Click on it, and then click on CC button to turn on the captions. Those unable to see subtitles, watch it on youtube.
I am producing here stand of my friend who want to remain anonymous. I am in still dilemma that what is right or wrong in this case. One clue about him, he is an IITian. Take a look on his views and spare few thoughts :
The Problem: See this is not about a respectable person or reputable person as such. As an IITIAN, he should maintain the standards, 'arey yaar credit gaya toh gaya', I don't understand why he is making so many media appearances for this, film people like to come in front of the cameras, that is their job anyways, let them do that.
A suggestion: Next time, sell your stories to people, who'll respect your inspirations.
A short comment: Well at this moment, I would also like to comment that if we see the movie Sarkar, the credit has been given properly to 'THE GODFATHER', well theur are some instances which were made different to indianize the story but well still it shows a great respect for Mario Puzo and the filmamkers of THE GODFATHER. Hence proved, two things
1) We as Indians, dont give respect to Indian ppl for their work or we just like so called 'foreign' things to be awarded, remember this is not a question of merit. 5 point someone and THE GODFATHER are masterpieces and liked by mass. So is true for their movie adaptations.
2) Inspirations should come even before the starcast, I believe, whatever you did, you tweaked, did it 99.9% different but still somewhere at the grassroot level you gained something from the base story.
Independent Conclusion
3) I know Chetan Bhagat has gone to IIT (which is actually great and the country still holds its debts for many technological revolutions at IIT, many of them remain hidden or you see some ISRO director speaking about them, never mentioning the institutes, a plight) but IIM (seriously I tell you, most of the management institutions in India, dont provide with a) Mathematical Ability b) Use your engg. skills to tackle any financial problem at hand. They just go for publicity. So, This is a clear indication which shows what IIM education has done to a prominent writer and a technologist, a give-me-publicity personna.
One funny video on youtube about Chetan Bhagat controversy. People who can't see subtitles: Turn on the captions.At the bottom right of the player is the button with a upward pointing triangle on it. Click on it, and then click on CC button to turn on the captions. Those unable to see subtitles, watch it on youtube.
Thursday, January 7, 2010
Everybody loves an entertaining news !!!
Hours of crisis at both national and international level. Naxalite, artificial food scarcity, communalism, border problem with aggressive china and disintegrating Pakistan; It would be far better for India if its government gets off those commanding heights of the economy, and addresses basic problem like health care, illiteracy etc. How to make accountability of the corrupt, self-serving political and bureaucratic elite to ensure social and economic justice for those it had claimed ? Cut the services provided to officers and make them managers. Its time for Inclusive and Integrated development.
I had faith in the people. They had good wishes for upheaval of everyone but the path design requires merit not popular support. Hence, I fear populist democracy as sometimes behave like celebrity culture.
Looking for guidance towards west is hopeless. The uniqueness is in individual not in the society. A group is diverse with its unit having own characteristic. Hence westernized concept of One language, people custom and religion does not hold true in India. For the west, democracy means believing in exactly the same things that they believe. Is that really democracy?
Our mass media is far away from the mass realities. It seems like a conspiracy of silence and a conspiracy of denial. Common people angst can be against such corrupt system as all of us remain angry against a system, in which we work because we find injustice is done to deserving people. And voice is raised when wrong is done to people with money by people with power.
Reputed Journalist, P Sainath puts that responsibility if media is - 'to signal the weakness in society. That remains a minimum duty of a decent press. A society that does not itself, cannot cope. The focus is on the spectacular. The long term trends that spell chaos does not make good copy. '
In his insightful book, 'Everybody loves a good drought', he proclaimed - "But at the best of times, press has viewed drought and scarcity as 'events', not 'process' behind it. And belief that only events make news, not processes, distorts understanding. Some of the best reports on poverty suffer from trying to dramatise it as a event. The real drama is in the processes. In the causes. Deforestation has much to with drought. But being a process it becomes a 'feature'. And then disappears int newspaper ghetto called 'ecology'- presumes to be off interest only to rabid 'Greens'.
It is ridiculous to expect the press to transform reality, but it can contribute a great deal by deepening public understanding of problems. Doing that requires some analytical rigour."
Short Sightedness is not dishonesty. And people blame leaders for it. Leaders are chosen in democracy by people only. Hence wrong decision taken by leaders reflect their own wrong vote in choosing representative. The change is going to happen and You have to swim with the tide. You have to be patient and wise enough to choose the right path. It requires a long term vision and fluidity to go towards optimum solution irrespective of showing loyalty towards any school of thought. This requires media of high integrity and better coverage.
But, this is more idealistic talk appear to me. It requires money to run the newspaper or news channel. TV-18 fired 200 reporters but it didn't become the news. In such market condition, the real news is hiding beneath the financial liabilities. Here is the small article by a journalist on our decaying state of journalism. But people love entertainment more than news, then what is the need of crying out loud here.... I always fail to understand why media has marginalised itself more to elites and have no link to what all hundred of millions of Indian are thinking.
PS: I had compiled + composed this post in the anger our media which fail to highlight the causes of problems. Vikram with his more analytical article shed more light in this case.
I had faith in the people. They had good wishes for upheaval of everyone but the path design requires merit not popular support. Hence, I fear populist democracy as sometimes behave like celebrity culture.
Looking for guidance towards west is hopeless. The uniqueness is in individual not in the society. A group is diverse with its unit having own characteristic. Hence westernized concept of One language, people custom and religion does not hold true in India. For the west, democracy means believing in exactly the same things that they believe. Is that really democracy?
Our mass media is far away from the mass realities. It seems like a conspiracy of silence and a conspiracy of denial. Common people angst can be against such corrupt system as all of us remain angry against a system, in which we work because we find injustice is done to deserving people. And voice is raised when wrong is done to people with money by people with power.
Reputed Journalist, P Sainath puts that responsibility if media is - 'to signal the weakness in society. That remains a minimum duty of a decent press. A society that does not itself, cannot cope. The focus is on the spectacular. The long term trends that spell chaos does not make good copy. '
In his insightful book, 'Everybody loves a good drought', he proclaimed - "But at the best of times, press has viewed drought and scarcity as 'events', not 'process' behind it. And belief that only events make news, not processes, distorts understanding. Some of the best reports on poverty suffer from trying to dramatise it as a event. The real drama is in the processes. In the causes. Deforestation has much to with drought. But being a process it becomes a 'feature'. And then disappears int newspaper ghetto called 'ecology'- presumes to be off interest only to rabid 'Greens'.
It is ridiculous to expect the press to transform reality, but it can contribute a great deal by deepening public understanding of problems. Doing that requires some analytical rigour."
Short Sightedness is not dishonesty. And people blame leaders for it. Leaders are chosen in democracy by people only. Hence wrong decision taken by leaders reflect their own wrong vote in choosing representative. The change is going to happen and You have to swim with the tide. You have to be patient and wise enough to choose the right path. It requires a long term vision and fluidity to go towards optimum solution irrespective of showing loyalty towards any school of thought. This requires media of high integrity and better coverage.
But, this is more idealistic talk appear to me. It requires money to run the newspaper or news channel. TV-18 fired 200 reporters but it didn't become the news. In such market condition, the real news is hiding beneath the financial liabilities. Here is the small article by a journalist on our decaying state of journalism. But people love entertainment more than news, then what is the need of crying out loud here.... I always fail to understand why media has marginalised itself more to elites and have no link to what all hundred of millions of Indian are thinking.
PS: I had compiled + composed this post in the anger our media which fail to highlight the causes of problems. Vikram with his more analytical article shed more light in this case.
Sunday, January 3, 2010
Movies on big Screen
As RGV jas said - " People often confuse ostentatiousness and excessive materialism as Luxury .Two are different things . Real joy of luxury is self sufficient and very personal. As Howard Roark said in The Fountainhead " Luxury is a limited endeavor. What they want is ostentation. to show , to stun, to impress. They are second handers". Cinema has become more than luxury or ostentatiousness for me. "
I am documenting my life here at my blog. The list presented here is of movies experienced by me on big screen with year of watching and place. It is in the chronological way so that I can study my cinematic development (you don't bother to study). This list is correct and lot of effort has been given in recalling memories. My date of birth is 21st August 1985. Hence, I am unable to recall the movies seen by me on big screen of first 4 years. This post is all for those who enjoy and all those who didn't ~~~
Maine Pyar Kiya -Salempur-1989
Haathi Mere Saathi -Salempur-1989
Kishen Kanhaiya -Salempur-1990
Swarg -Salempur-1990
Dil -Salempur-1990
Baaghi -Salempur-1990
Thanedaar -Salempur-1990
Sanam Bewafa -Salempur-1991
Hum -Mirzapur-1991
Henna -Salempur-1991
Bhabhi -Salempur-1991
Saajan -Salempur-1991
Phool Aur Kaante -Salempur-1991
Do Raaste -Salempur-1991
Vishwatma -Salempur-1992
Zindagi Ek Juaa -Salempur-1992
Beta -Salempur-1992
Deewana -Salempur-1992
Bol Radha Bol -Salempur-1992
Khuda Gawah -Salempur-1992
Bewaffa Se Waffa -Salempur-1992
Naukar Biwi Ka -Mirzapur-1993
Jurassic Park -Kanpur-1994
Hum Aapke Hain Koun...! -Kanpur-1994
Dilwale Dulhania Le Jayenge -Kanpur-1995
Jumanji -Kanpur-1996
Mrityudaata -Kanpur-1997
The Lost World -Kanpur-1997
Border -Kanpur-1997
Titanic -Kanpur-1998
Godzilla -Kanpur-1998
Kuch Kuch Hota Hai -Kanpur-1998
Sarfarosh -Kanpur-1999
Dr. Dolittle 2 -Kanpur-2001
Lagaan -Kanpur-2001
Jurassic Park III -Kanpur-2001
Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone -Kanpur-2002
16 December -Kanpur-2002
Terminator 3 -Kanpur-2003
Van Helsing -Kanpur-2004
Dhoom -Varanasi-2004
Anacondas II-Varanasi-2004
Aitraaz-Varanasi-2004
Page 3 -Varanasi-2005
Black -Varanasi-2005
Waqt -Varanasi-2005
Bunty Aur Babli -Kanpur-2005
Star Wars III -Kanpur-2005
Sarkar -Kanpur-2005
Salaam Namaste -Varanasi-2005
Garam Masala -Varanasi-2005
Æon Flux -Mumbai-2006
Rang De Basanti -Varanasi-2006
Anniyan -Ghaziabad-2006
The Da Vinci Code -Ghaziabad-2006
Omkara -Varanasi-2006
Kabul Express -Bangalore-2006
Dhoom:2 -Mumbai-2006
Night at the Museum -Varanasi-2006
Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix -Varanasi-2007
Bhool Bhulaiyaa -Varanasi-2007
Taare Zameen Par -Varanasi-2007
Indiana Jones IV -Kanpur-2008
The Chronicles of Narnia: Prince Caspian -Kanpur-2008
The Dark Knight -Lucknow-2008
The Dark Knight -Lucknow-2008
Quantum of Solace -Gurgaon-2008
Dev.D -Hyderabad-2009
Gulaal -Bangalore-2009
Aloo Chaat -Hyderabad-2009
Billu -Hyderabad-2009
New York -Hyderabad-2009
99 -Hyderabad-2009
Night at the Museum II -Hyderabad-2009
Transformers II -Hyderabad-2009
Life Partner -Hyderabad-2009
Kaminey -Hyderabad-2009
Wanted -Hyderabad-2009
Wake Up Sid -Hyderabad-2009
All the Best -Hyderabad-2009
Ajab Prem Ki Ghazab Kahani -Hyderabad-2009
Avatar -Noida-2009
3 Idiots -Hyderabad-2009
I am documenting my life here at my blog. The list presented here is of movies experienced by me on big screen with year of watching and place. It is in the chronological way so that I can study my cinematic development (you don't bother to study). This list is correct and lot of effort has been given in recalling memories. My date of birth is 21st August 1985. Hence, I am unable to recall the movies seen by me on big screen of first 4 years. This post is all for those who enjoy and all those who didn't ~~~
Maine Pyar Kiya -Salempur-1989
Haathi Mere Saathi -Salempur-1989
Kishen Kanhaiya -Salempur-1990
Swarg -Salempur-1990
Dil -Salempur-1990
Baaghi -Salempur-1990
Thanedaar -Salempur-1990
Sanam Bewafa -Salempur-1991
Hum -Mirzapur-1991
Henna -Salempur-1991
Bhabhi -Salempur-1991
Saajan -Salempur-1991
Phool Aur Kaante -Salempur-1991
Do Raaste -Salempur-1991
Vishwatma -Salempur-1992
Zindagi Ek Juaa -Salempur-1992
Beta -Salempur-1992
Deewana -Salempur-1992
Bol Radha Bol -Salempur-1992
Khuda Gawah -Salempur-1992
Bewaffa Se Waffa -Salempur-1992
Naukar Biwi Ka -Mirzapur-1993
Jurassic Park -Kanpur-1994
Hum Aapke Hain Koun...! -Kanpur-1994
Dilwale Dulhania Le Jayenge -Kanpur-1995
Jumanji -Kanpur-1996
Mrityudaata -Kanpur-1997
The Lost World -Kanpur-1997
Border -Kanpur-1997
Titanic -Kanpur-1998
Godzilla -Kanpur-1998
Kuch Kuch Hota Hai -Kanpur-1998
Sarfarosh -Kanpur-1999
Dr. Dolittle 2 -Kanpur-2001
Lagaan -Kanpur-2001
Jurassic Park III -Kanpur-2001
Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone -Kanpur-2002
16 December -Kanpur-2002
Terminator 3 -Kanpur-2003
Van Helsing -Kanpur-2004
Dhoom -Varanasi-2004
Anacondas II-Varanasi-2004
Aitraaz-Varanasi-2004
Page 3 -Varanasi-2005
Black -Varanasi-2005
Waqt -Varanasi-2005
Bunty Aur Babli -Kanpur-2005
Star Wars III -Kanpur-2005
Sarkar -Kanpur-2005
Salaam Namaste -Varanasi-2005
Garam Masala -Varanasi-2005
Æon Flux -Mumbai-2006
Rang De Basanti -Varanasi-2006
Anniyan -Ghaziabad-2006
The Da Vinci Code -Ghaziabad-2006
Omkara -Varanasi-2006
Kabul Express -Bangalore-2006
Dhoom:2 -Mumbai-2006
Night at the Museum -Varanasi-2006
Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix -Varanasi-2007
Bhool Bhulaiyaa -Varanasi-2007
Taare Zameen Par -Varanasi-2007
Indiana Jones IV -Kanpur-2008
The Chronicles of Narnia: Prince Caspian -Kanpur-2008
The Dark Knight -Lucknow-2008
The Dark Knight -Lucknow-2008
Quantum of Solace -Gurgaon-2008
Dev.D -Hyderabad-2009
Gulaal -Bangalore-2009
Aloo Chaat -Hyderabad-2009
Billu -Hyderabad-2009
New York -Hyderabad-2009
99 -Hyderabad-2009
Night at the Museum II -Hyderabad-2009
Transformers II -Hyderabad-2009
Life Partner -Hyderabad-2009
Kaminey -Hyderabad-2009
Wanted -Hyderabad-2009
Wake Up Sid -Hyderabad-2009
All the Best -Hyderabad-2009
Ajab Prem Ki Ghazab Kahani -Hyderabad-2009
Avatar -Noida-2009
3 Idiots -Hyderabad-2009
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