tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-77351904137434035582024-03-14T15:30:04.251+05:30Mystique Soultidbits from my life...Pradiphttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17460265428707102735noreply@blogger.comBlogger62125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7735190413743403558.post-25020206517831965052014-04-17T13:41:00.000+05:302014-04-17T13:42:33.241+05:30Dilemma<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
My Story "Dilemma" Published in the below link:<br />
<br />
http://bangalorewritersworkshop.wordpress.com/2014/02/25/bww-star-dilemma/<br />
<br />
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Rakesh had been in the city for a while and had been Bangalored over the years. He wondered about how Bangalore had changed over the last decade. A beep on his computer drew his attention back to the code that he had been testing.</div>
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He had finished his engineering and joined the herd of software engineers spending half his waking time in front of the blue screen.</div>
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With the delivery coming up in a week, he had to stay back late and finish some testing. Lack of sleep and a long day were taking their toll on him and to keep himself awake he was alternating between Times News and the testing screen.</div>
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<b style="background-color: transparent; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Warning from the Bangalore Police Department, as seen in the local newspapers: </b>Miscreants sometimes act as if their car has been broken down and they are seeking your help. When you stop and step out of the car, a gang appears out of nowhere and flees away with your valuables and your vehicle. It’s advisable not to stop the car for any unknown person.</div>
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He saw the system time striking midnight and decided to catch-up with the rest of his work on the next day. He got into the lift and waited impatiently as it descended slowly towards the ground floor.</div>
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The moment the lift doors opened, a spine-chilling gust of cold air greeted him. He came to the lobby only to realize that it was extremely cold after the heavy evening showers. His teeth were like a Morse code machine, punching the code into thin air because of the spine chilling breeze. Kittkittkitt. It was pitch dark outside. He could hear the distant growls of the zooming cars and trucks on the Ring Road. Rubbing his hands in an attempt to keep himself warm, he moved to the entrance gate. As the human count on the road became sparse, the canines started patrolling with their tails up. Dogs added the required Indianness to the office landscape. One of them looked inquisitively at him and after a moment joined its pack, which was howling together at a distance. In spite of all the atheism and rationale he was bred in all these years, he was still feeling really uncomfortable with a pack of dogs howling at a distance for no reason. It was a bad omen.</div>
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He quickly got into his car and closed the doors. His vehicle came to life and he drove at full speed with everything that his beast had to <span class="skimlinks-unlinked" style="background-color: transparent; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">offer.Heavy</span> metal music added to the required adrenaline rush. He was driving all alone on the Ring Road with no other vehicle in sight. Then he encountered a sight which screamed DANGER! At a distance he saw a man wearing helmet running towards him, who then started frantically waving at his vehicle. He recalled incidents of robbery on the highways and stepped on the accelerator. With his palms sweating and nerves on edge, he accidentally hit the man and sent him falling to the footpath. He stopped the car and watched for any movement from the injured man. Still skeptical, he kept one foot on the accelerator. The injured man was breathing heavily and trying to hold on to the ground. Then he saw two men approaching in the rear view mirror. The gang had come. He switched off the headlights and zoomed onto the road ahead.</div>
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He reached home and realized that he was trembling with fear. He was terrified and his head was spinning recounting the last 30 minutes of his life. He pictured himself being arrested, thrown out of his job and jailed, and all the bad things that would happen to him in jail. Suddenly, the “<i style="background-color: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Kill Bill</i>” whistle ringtone rang and an unknown number flashed on his mobile, interrupting his train of thoughts. He kept staring at the phone with shaky hands wondering who could be calling up so late. He didn’t have the courage to answer and it went dead. It rang again a few more times but he didn’t pick up. Later, with great difficulty, he hit the bed and slept off hoping that he would wake up and realize that all of this was just a bad dream.</div>
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He was jolted out of bed with the familiar ‘Kill Bill’ whistle ringtone. Groggily, he answered the call. The brightness of the room nearly blinded him and he squinted. He jumped out of bed with shock when he heard the news on the phone. He was told that his room mate, Adarsh, had met with an accident.</div>
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When Rakesh reached the hospital, he was taken to Adarsh’s bed where he noticed that Adarsh was under the influence of sedatives and was sleeping. He was numbed when the doctor told him that Adarsh was hit by a car and his legs were badly injured. It would take him a couple of months before he could start walking <span class="skimlinks-unlinked" style="background-color: transparent; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">normally.The</span> doctor also told that they had tried to reach Rakesh on the previous night several times as his number was marked as Adarsh’s emergency contact. Rakesh instantly understood the entire chain of events and stood there listening numb with <span class="skimlinks-unlinked" style="background-color: transparent; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">shock.He</span> wondered why Adarsh had been running towards the car wearing his helmet and would Adarsh know it was him. It was a genuine mistake, wasn’t it? While the war was going on in his head, he noticed Adarsh waking up.</div>
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Rakesh helped him to sit and asked how he was doing and if he needed anything. He told Adarsh everything that the doctor had told about his condition. Adarsh looked devastated and started crying. He asked Adarsh to recount the events of the previous night. He told Rakesh that while riding home, his mobile slipped from his pocket and fell on the road. He parked his bike and ran towards an approaching car asking to stop, to avoid it from running over his mobile. But the driver ran over the mobile and him. He pointed towards the smashed iPhone. Rakesh asked if he saw the driver or the number plate. Adarsh said that due to the blinding headlights, he could not figure out anything. Listening to this, Rakesh was relieved for the moment. He told Adarsh to rest while he brought back some breakfast for him.</div>
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Rakesh got up with a heavy feeling in his head. His heart was filled with too much guilt. He felt like a criminal. Stepping out of Adarsh’s ward, he realized that his legs were no longer supporting his frame anymore. With a heavy heart, he collapsed into a chair at the reception.Thoughts from the previous night, kept flashing before his eyes. He tried hard to shield them and divert his attention but he failed miserably. The thought of Adarsh in crutches broke him and he started sobbing.</div>
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Should he confess?</div>
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The news on the television interrupted the war inside him. A chirpy news reader was saying: Last night a member of the highway mugger gang was hit by a speeding car on the Ring-Road around midnight. The description of the victim by an eye-witness matched the records of police. The gang fled before the police reached the spot.</div>
<br /></div>
Pradiphttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17460265428707102735noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7735190413743403558.post-22003996873543120362013-10-28T19:56:00.001+05:302014-01-20T14:57:55.326+05:30Closure<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Palatino Linotype","serif";">“Arey Ananditaji, Aap bhi
Kerala ja rahe ho? Bête ke paas?” Parminder Kaur said walking towards Anandita along
with her husband; who was waiting in Dumdum airport lounge. Anandita in a Bengal cotton saree and neatly
tied up hair in bun was in deep thoughts looking into nothingness; engrossed in
some deeper thoughts, least attentive to Pammi’s pleasantries. Her red and swollen
eyes were covered with big sunglasses. No more tears were left in her.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Palatino Linotype","serif";">“Kaisa hai Rahul? Suna hai badi
tarakki kar raha hai?” She said taking seat next to Anandita.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Palatino Linotype","serif";">“Hum bhi Kerala ja rahe hain, backwaters
ghoomne, inka LTA benefit use karenge ji. Rahengi na kuch din wahan Rahul ke
pass?” asked Pammi pressing her palms.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Palatino Linotype","serif";">Slowly Anandita looked to Pammi
and said in low voice- “Rahul died last night in a car accident and I am going
for his cremation.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Palatino Linotype","serif";">Pammis cheer was replaced with
shock as her gaze moved from Anandita to her husband.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Palatino Linotype","serif";"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Palatino Linotype","serif";"><i>Hi Ma, Guess what, our agency
has bagged 6 awards apparently. It’s still unofficial. They will be announcing
the names at the award ceremony today evening. I am hoping my name will be one
of them. Pray for me. I am still wondering what to wear for the party. I know
you would like to see me in navy blue blazer but it’s too corporate for me. I
don’t know when the party will end, but I’ll try and call you, and hopefully
with some good news. <o:p></o:p></i></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Palatino Linotype","serif";"><i>Yours<o:p></o:p></i></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Palatino Linotype","serif";"><i>Babu</i><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Palatino Linotype","serif";">Anandita was greeted with extreme
humid weather in Trivandrum. Rahul’s colleague Sanjukta came to pick her from airport.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Palatino Linotype","serif";">“How far is the house from
here?” asked Anandita looking through the gods own country which didn’t mean
anything to her at present.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Palatino Linotype","serif";">“Do you want to go to house
first?” asked Sanjukta looking up from her mobile.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Palatino Linotype","serif";">“We aren’t? Where is he?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Palatino Linotype","serif";">“Actually we didn’t want to
take him to the apartment. Housing society objected. They thought it might
traumatize the kids there. So, we moved him directly to crematorium from
hospital. Everyone has reached; they are all waiting for us.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Palatino Linotype","serif";">“Aunty, this is Mamta, our
director.” Sanjukta introduced Anandita to a malyali lady in her early forties.
<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Palatino Linotype","serif";">“I was the one who called you
yesterday.” Said Mamta.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Palatino Linotype","serif";">She was dark and slightly on a
heavier side. She was in black saree and oversized sunglasses covering half her
face. They sat there waiting for the electronic cremation to get over. Sanjukta
went to check on if it’s done leaving the two ladies to talk.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Palatino Linotype","serif";">“Was he sober?” asked Anandita
continuing to look into distant trees.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Palatino Linotype","serif";">Mamta removed her glasses but
didn’t say anything.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Palatino Linotype","serif";">“Don’t hide; I can’t scold him
now anyways. How much did he actually have?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Palatino Linotype","serif";">“Why do you want to know?
Agreed you can’t scold him, you can’t do anything also right? Leave it.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Palatino Linotype","serif";">“Aunty, it’s done.” Sanjukta
said handing her the pot of ashes.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="border-bottom: dotted windowtext 3.0pt; border: none; mso-element: para-border-div; padding: 0in 0in 1.0pt 0in;">
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="border: none; line-height: 150%; mso-border-bottom-alt: dotted windowtext 3.0pt; mso-padding-alt: 0in 0in 1.0pt 0in; padding: 0in; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Palatino Linotype","serif";">Anandita recalled how 25 years
back she held Babu for the first time; round face, almost bald head and tiny
eyes which were still closed. He was weighing light as feather. This was
probably the last time she would hold him but the weight was unbearable; so
heavy that she would not be able to carry it.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
</div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Palatino Linotype","serif";">Mamta offered to drop Anandita at Rahul’s apartment. They stared at passing trees without any exchange of
words.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Palatino Linotype","serif";">“He was a sweet kid.” Mamta
broke the silence still looking outside. “He was a real asset for our group. We
all got an instant liking towards him; respectful to seniors and very dedicated
towards his work.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Palatino Linotype","serif";">“They have put the date
incorrectly. 18th is today.” Said Anandita absently looking at the death certificate
issued.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Palatino Linotype","serif";">“Let me see.” Said Mamta taking
the certificate. “Yes, but it happened at 2:00 AM post-midnight so technically
today.” <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Palatino Linotype","serif";">“Where did it happen? Near KC
Road; do you want me to take you there?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Palatino Linotype","serif";">“No! Just wanted to know.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Palatino Linotype","serif";">“We’ll send someone tomorrow to
sign the insurance papers as you were the nominee. Is that ok?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Palatino Linotype","serif";">“Sure.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Palatino Linotype","serif";">They reached home and Anandita
walked in collecting Rahul’s mobile and laptop from Mamta. As Anandita stepped
into the apartment…<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Palatino Linotype","serif";">“We are holding a small
condolence meeting tomorrow. We would like you to be there. Of course, if you
wish to opt out, we would understand.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Palatino Linotype","serif";">Anandita nodded and went in.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Palatino Linotype","serif";"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Palatino Linotype","serif";"><i>Hi Ma, My new address- 407 Ram
Vilas, SP Road. This is the office apartment. I will be shifting to in a week
or so. It’s about time I stop living out of suitcase.<o:p></o:p></i></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Palatino Linotype","serif";"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Palatino Linotype","serif";">She scanned the house recalling
the mail. She was glad that he taught her all about emailing before leaving for
his first job.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Palatino Linotype","serif";"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Palatino Linotype","serif";"><i>Hello Ma, Today is my 1st day in my office apartment. It’s a huge place. Almost 3 times our Sealdah house. I’m
not going to bother sending you any photos. You come and have a look yourself. It’s
not as per your taste but nicely done. The house is waiting for your finishing
touches. When Ma? When are u going to come? <o:p></o:p></i></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Palatino Linotype","serif";"><i>Yours,<o:p></o:p></i></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Palatino Linotype","serif";"><i>Babu</i><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Palatino Linotype","serif";">She changed and sat in the
balcony thinking about Babu. Her eyes seemed stony without any expressions. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Palatino Linotype","serif";"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Palatino Linotype","serif";"><i>Hey Ma, there’s lovely breeze
here when you sit in balcony. I have got AC installed in one room only for you.
You know how much I hate cold. By the way my colleague Sanjukta has helped me
do up the place and I hope it’s going to be up to your liking. Come soon.<o:p></o:p></i></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Palatino Linotype","serif";"><i>Babu</i><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="border-bottom: dotted windowtext 3.0pt; border: none; mso-element: para-border-div; padding: 0in 0in 1.0pt 0in;">
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="border: none; line-height: 150%; mso-border-bottom-alt: dotted windowtext 3.0pt; mso-padding-alt: 0in 0in 1.0pt 0in; padding: 0in; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Palatino Linotype","serif";"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="border: none; line-height: 150%; mso-border-bottom-alt: dotted windowtext 3.0pt; mso-padding-alt: 0in 0in 1.0pt 0in; padding: 0in; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Palatino Linotype","serif";">Was it very cold with all that
ice they put around you in the morgue? Must be very cold... whispered Anandita
to Rahul’s photo she was holding and tears started rolling uncontrollably. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
</div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Palatino Linotype","serif";">Next morning Sanjukta came with
breakfast for Anandita. They had breakfast together and sipped tea near the table
with fish bowl. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Palatino Linotype","serif";">“Did he drink too much that
day?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Palatino Linotype","serif";">“Yes, normally he didn’t drink
that much? With celebrations and all…”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Palatino Linotype","serif";">“None of you guys stopped him?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Palatino Linotype","serif";">“No, who wants to kill the joy?
Moreover we were also high. Even if we would have asked, would he listen?” <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Palatino Linotype","serif";">“Why wouldn’t he? After all it
was an office party not a private affair? There has to be some decorum, some
restrictions. And they just let him drive back home in such inebriated state?” <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Palatino Linotype","serif";">“No, that’s not true. There
were 3 office cars waiting to drop us home. We all got dropped home. He could
have also gone. But no, he just refused.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Palatino Linotype","serif";">“Do you know exactly where it
happened?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Palatino Linotype","serif";">“Yes, we all went there.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Palatino Linotype","serif";">“Can you drop me there? I want
to be there for some time.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Palatino Linotype","serif";">Sanjukta drove Anandita to KC
Road where Rahul met with the accident. The iron bars were still bent with
broken divider.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Palatino Linotype","serif";">“How critical was he when cops
called you?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Palatino Linotype","serif";">“Critical, very, but he was still
there.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Palatino Linotype","serif";">“What time did the ambulance
come?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Palatino Linotype","serif";">“I don’t know. By the time we
arrived he was already taken to hospital. Mamta got the news first. She was
with him in the ambulance.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Palatino Linotype","serif";">“What did he wear that evening?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Palatino Linotype","serif";">“Navy blue blazer. He ordered a
new one. I will show you pictures tomorrow.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Palatino Linotype","serif";">“I want to stay here for some
time. You carry on. It’s getting late.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Palatino Linotype","serif";">“No ways. I am in no hurry. Take
as much time as you need.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="border-bottom: dotted windowtext 3.0pt; border: none; mso-element: para-border-div; padding: 0in 0in 1.0pt 0in;">
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="border: none; line-height: 150%; mso-border-bottom-alt: dotted windowtext 3.0pt; mso-padding-alt: 0in 0in 1.0pt 0in; padding: 0in; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Palatino Linotype","serif";">“What was his hurry at 2 in the
night? Every time he’s driving at night on empty roads, he has to zip through. I
have told him so many times Babu! Go slow, go slow. Ease off. What’s the hurry?”
Tears found their way while Anandita spoke.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
</div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Palatino Linotype","serif";">Anandita reached home and
started packing Rahul’s belongings to be taken back to Sealdah. She saw the
fish bowl and asked Sanjukta to take it with her as Rahul’s memory. <o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Palatino Linotype","serif";"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Palatino Linotype","serif";">“No, no, no. Sorry Aunty! I
can’t take it. In fact I never liked it. I hate life being caged. Caging
everyone, putting them in boxes! You see a beautiful bird and put in in a cage,
see colorful fishes and immediately keep it in the aquarium. Nonsense! Why do people
have to box everything? Set them free. Let them be what they are.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Palatino Linotype","serif";">Anandita thought, she was right.
Babu was free now. She thought how he was used to toddle about the dining room
and reach the kitchen to see her cook, waiting anxiously for her to look and
throw an endearing smile at him, and when she did, he would chuckle and clap
hands singing in his own baby language loudly, and eventually land on his bums.
He used to keep repeating the act while she was in the kitchen. And at the end
of it, when she was done with her chores, she would hug him and kisses followed
and he would sing even louder. Ahh! the joys of the first-born kids; in this
case the only kid. The thought of Babu’s childhood brought a subconscious smile
on her face. <o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Palatino Linotype","serif";"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Palatino Linotype","serif";">Sanjukta noticed and asked what
it was that got her smile. Anandita looked at her and said, “Nothing just some
childhood things of Rahul. All I wanted was to love and protect my son…” said
Anandita hugging Sanjukta, tears rolling of her eyes. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Palatino Linotype","serif";">“…and be with him for the rest
of my life. He would fade away from our lives and I don’t want that, I want him
back. I want to hold my Babu. I want to feed him and scold him when he does mistakes.
I want to hold him so tight so that he is never lost again.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Palatino Linotype","serif";">“Before going back, can we go
to that KC road again?” Anandita asked wiping her tears.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Palatino Linotype","serif";">“Sure, I’ll take you there now
and will drop you at airport after that.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Palatino Linotype","serif";">They reached KC Road and found
the road to be deserted in the afternoon.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Palatino Linotype","serif";">“Hey look they have repaired
the railing. Do you remember which 2 bars?” Asked Anandita.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Palatino Linotype","serif";">“I think these 1st 2 bars”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Palatino Linotype","serif";">“No, No it’s the 2<sup>nd</sup>
two bars I guess.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Palatino Linotype","serif";">“How come Trivandrum
Corporation is so prompt in fixing it?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="border-bottom: dotted windowtext 3.0pt; border: none; mso-element: para-border-div; padding: 0in 0in 1.0pt 0in;">
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="border: none; line-height: 150%; mso-border-bottom-alt: dotted windowtext 3.0pt; mso-padding-alt: 0in 0in 1.0pt 0in; padding: 0in; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Palatino Linotype","serif";">“Maybe they wanted to speed up
the closure for us.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
</div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: justify;">
<b><span style="font-family: "Palatino Linotype","serif";">Sealdah</span></b><span style="font-family: "Palatino Linotype","serif";">: Anandita reached home and
wrote to Sanjukta.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Palatino Linotype","serif";"><i>Dear Sanjukta,<o:p></o:p></i></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Palatino Linotype","serif";"><i>I have so much in my mind and
heart that I don’t know where to begin. You have been such good friends to my
son and so kind to me. You have helped me in so many ways, to help me know my
son better. I had come there to collect my son’s belongings. What I found was
much larger. He has left so much of himself with you all that it cannot be
packed away and so much of me also in the process. I’m sending enclosed some
pictures of you and Rahul as his remembrance to you. When Babu’s father passed
away five years back, I thought it was the worst day of my life, as f nothing
worse can ever happen. Then, this day! I
have survived his father’s absence but the void created is still there. Now,
Babu has deepened it further. But I have his emails and pictures which I didn’t
have of his fathers.<o:p></o:p></i></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Palatino Linotype","serif";"><i>With lots of love and hugs.<o:p></o:p></i></span></div>
<i><br /></i>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Palatino Linotype","serif";"><i>Anandita</i><o:p></o:p></span></div>
</div>
Pradiphttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17460265428707102735noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7735190413743403558.post-26051759915538366142013-10-16T10:04:00.003+05:302013-10-16T10:08:01.378+05:30Media Gimmick<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 150%;">Trrriinnngggg… my mobile started
blaring enthusiastically in an effort to get me out of bed. Groggily I grazed
my hand on the bed hunting for the source of sound. Finding it hidden under
pillow, I killed it and tucked myself deeper in the sheets.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">“It’s already eight o’clock. You
better get up if you want to reach office on time on your first day.” My mother
shouted from kitchen flipping the parathas.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">“Eight O’clock!” I jumped out hearing
that as if I had been electrocuted. I can’t mess up on the first day of
joining. My dream job to join India’s biggest news channel Planet Plus had
finally come true. I got ready within no time. Stuffing one paratha, I ran. By
the time I reached office I witnessed a commotion on the floor and people were
running towards the farthest room.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">“Team!” The chief editor of Planet
Plus, Subhash barked. “Get into the conference room right now. We got breaking
news and I want us to be the first one to cover the story.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I joined the mob running towards the
conference room with their notepads and pens. Everyone wondered what could be
so important news. Had there been another terror attack or corruption? I
wondered.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">“What’s his problem first thing in the
morning yaar? I am still not fully awake.” said Sumit to Neha.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">“I guess Telangana state formation had
been declared; In which case, I have a nice caption for front page headline-
India delivers at 66. What do you think?” asked Neha patting Sumit.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">“Nice! I am sure it has to be that
news. Let’s go fast else he will start biting.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The small but neatly decorated conference
room was full and everyone tried to the grab the available seat. The big oval
table in the center was facing 2 large TVs on opposite walls. Everyone was
guessing what could be the sensational news while waiting for Subhash to wrap-up
his call and disclose. Almost three-fourth was betting on Telangana state
formation while minority split was on corruption, political scandal or death of
a country’s high profile personality.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">“Guys!” Everyone went quiet and gave
attention to Subhash. “There had been a gang-rape near Saket mall. Couple of
hours back a girl had been raped and brutally injured. She had been rushed to
AIIMS. I want you to be in the field right away and get it on air before any
other channel.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Part of me got excited to be part of
high profile news on day one. While the other felt bad for the victim.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">“Why is this rape such a big issue?
Every 10-15 minutes there’s a rape in India. We can cover a small article like
every other rapes that we publish.” interrupted Sumit.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">“Couple of points Sumit; firstly it
happened in the country’s capital, which questions the safety of women across the
country. Secondly, it’s very gruesome. The rapists have cut off the breasts of
the victim.” Everyone cringed the moment they heard it. “Lastly, as opposition
is supporting our media group, they want this issue to be sensationalized to
get some political mileage for the upcoming elections.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Subhash continued “Our papers have
already covered the basic details on front page but I want a complete story by
mid-day. Sumit, I want you to take your team to the hospital and cover it LIVE
from hospital. Talk to the parents, friends, relatives, school/college teachers,
neighbors anyone whom you can get in touch with. Dig into her personal life and
I want a complete coverage by 5:00 PM. importantly, check what her character
was…”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">“But sir, her character... Don’t you
think we should be sensitive?” interrupted Sumit.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">“See, as reporters it’s our moral
responsibility to show facts without bias. So, get there fast and report back. Hold
the character details for time-being; we’ll decide how to use it depending on
the situation in coming days.” <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I was listening intently as the drama
was unfolding. As a new joinee I was experiencing how a newsroom works at the
backend. I was aware that politicians back media and news channels but now I
was going to be part of this circus.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">“Yes Sir.” Saying this Sumit left the
room.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">“Neha, get a quote from Amitabh
Bachchan, SRK and Sridevi and keep the ticker rolling with the news.” <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">“Don’t you think we should get Salman
and Aamir instead of Sridevi?” said Neha excitedly.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">“Neha! I don’t care what those 2 khans
think. I want Sridevi! She has 2 daughters and she is back with a big bang. She
is everywhere starting from movie openings to Vogue. SRK and Big B have
daughter and grand-daughter so public would be interested to know their
reactions. Don’t waste time on bachelors and stars with boys. Instead get a
quote from Kareena, Deepika and Priyanka. Also get quotes from Shobha De; see
if she can get you something interesting.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">“Understood sir! We need sensational
news.” Saying this Neha got up to leave the room.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">“Neha! See if you can get some debatable
statements from Rakhi Sawant or Mallika Sherawat also.” Subhash said winking at
Neha.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">She smiled “I will” and left the room.
<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">My mind wondered how Subhash, who lectured
Sumit on moral responsibility a minute back, had asked Neha to get dramatic news.
I was not able to decide what was the driving factor- money, power or morality?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Subhash scanned the room and looked at
Abhishek. “Abhi, I want you to get in touch with the Home Minister, the CM and some
opposition leaders for their quotes.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">“Yes Sir,” said Abhishek. I’ll go to
the parliament. It is in session today, I can get hold of most of the ministers
there.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">“Abhishek, how long you have been working?”
Subhash said exasperated. “Even an uneducated villager knows that they don’t
attend the sessions. Check with their PAs and see where they are and get their
quotes.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Abhi didn’t say anything and left the
room sheepishly.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">“Murli and Sunita, I want you to get
quotes from IT workers and college students and teachers. Get footage of some
girls in skirts or minis and some in salwar kameez/saree. Try to dramatize
while talking to them. Understood?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">“Got it sir.” <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">“Raghu, I want you to go to the
tourist spots and get quotes and feelers from foreigners. Ask them their
experiences specially women traveling alone. Ignore the nice climate and
hospitality part. Review your tape with me before rolling. I also want you to
identify 2 freelance foreign writers. One needs to write about worse experience
with molestations, groping she faced in India. The other needs to contradict
that and portray wonderful experience. Release both articles with a gap of 2 to
3 days. That will fuel debates across the country. Out you go.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">“Samar, you have two things to do.
First I want you to create a Facebook page demanding justice. It should demand capital
punishment. Push it through all the social circles and advertisers. I want at
least 50 thousand hits/likes before prime time. Ensure you do it from some
local internet cafe and it should not be traced to us.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">“I’ll get Arun to get some comic
strips also rolled out.” Added Samar pointing to Arun.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">“Sounds good; do that. Secondly, get
the rape statistics across the world, country and states. Also try and get
India’s ranking with respect to safety of women in the world. Ensure that the
states where Normal Aadmi Party (NAP) is ruling, the numbers need to look low
compared to Social Janta Party (SJP).”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">“But sir, we can’t tweak the numbers!
We are supposed to show the facts!”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">“Samar, fuck the facts. You don’t get
paid for facts and no-one is going to validate them anyways. TRPs gets you your
paycheck on time and this is our chance to get that. We need to beat AbTak News
Channel this quarter. Show me the figures before relaying.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">“Arnab, I want you to take up this
issue in today’s prime time debate.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">“But sir, we have the telecom
corruption debate scheduled today.” <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">“Postpone that and apologize to the
guests.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">“Ok, who all do you want for debate?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">“Try to get the CM or Home Minister
from the ruling party. I want you to get Shruti Irani and Grishma Swaraj from
opposition. Their high pitch screaming will make it interesting. Also ask
Jalebi Devi to join.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">“But sir, she can’t speak English and
our debate is in English.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">“That’s exactly why I want her; she is
from the ruling party and will be the comic factor for the show.” Subhash said
giggling.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">“Sir we can also call Mamta Rani from
the ‘Society For Woman’ (SOW) NGO. She is also a very aggressive lady.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">“No! No! Not her. Their NGO is
sponsored by SJP. We need Prabhavati Devi from AIAMA (All India Anti Male
Association). Their NGO is sponsored by NAP and she literally shouts her guts
out. Check out where she is and if she is available.” <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">“Got it sir.” Saying Arnab left to
prepare for his debate.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">My mind was boggled with too much
information in a national news channel office. I was witnessing the news creation
process. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">“Rest; please continue with your
stories and prioritize this one if anything comes up.” Subhash looked at me and
asked me to follow him. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">“Namit, I want you to do 2000 words on
this issue and run it through editor. This needs to be done by evening so that
it can go in tomorrow’s morning print. I’ll sit with you for briefing later
this week.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I left to cough my 2000 words, when
Arnab rushed to Subhash with terrified look- “Sir, Prabhavati Devi cannot make
it to the debate!”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">‘Don’t worry; I’ll talk to minister
Patil. You carry on.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Subhash rushed to his room and dialed
Ramanand Patil, NAP’s party leader. “Sir, all arrangements are done as
discussed. We need one help from you. We wanted Prabhavati Devi to attend
today’s debate but looks like she cannot make it.” Pause. “No problem sir, we can
patch her from her residence. Thank you Sir.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">At Ramanand’s Residence- Ramanand
dialed Prabhavatis personal number…<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">“Hello Prabha.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">“Hi Patilji. How are you?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">“All that is fine, I want you to
attend the debate at Planet Plus primetime tonight.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">“Anything you say. Now tell me when
are we meeting? My husband is out of town for 2 days. Shall I come to the guest
house after the debate?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">‘No! Not today. Meet me after
tomorrow’s Woman’s Welfare Meeting.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">“Okay! Bye.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">“Bye.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">In the channel headquarters Subhash
and Arnab were happy that Prabhavati agreed to join the debate. My story was going
nowhere with the chaos and running around in the office. I was getting
distracted every few minutes with the TV wall where atleast a dozen TVs were
hanging tuned into every major news channel. Every correspondent was talking
the same issue and I was able to spot Sanjay from AbTak news channel broadcasting
LIVE from the hospital.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>Sanjay</b>: "Aaiye hum aap ko le chalte hai
AIIMS ke hospital pe jahan humaare samvaad daata deepak chaurasia maujood hai."
<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">"haan Deepak kya aap hamey sun
sakte hai?" (Deepak is on screen and he is as blank as Laloo's 10th
board answer sheet) <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">"Deepak aapko humaari awaaz aa
rahee hai?" <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>Deepak</b>: "haan Sanjay
boliye" (People behind Deepak desperate to come on TV were waving as
if stranded on an island for ages and trying to signal a far off ship in sight)<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">"Deepak, Is waqt wahan Abhaya ki
tabiyat kaisi hai? kya mahaul hai iss waqt wahaa par?" <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>Deepak</b>: “Abhi hum AIIMS mein Abhaya ke room
ke saamne khade hain aur aapko bataa dein ki AbTak pehla channel hai jo ye
khabar aap tak la raha hai. Sanjay jaisa ki hum sab ko pataa hai aaj subah
Bharat ki Rajdhaani Dilli mein 4 yuvakon ne milkar Abahya ka saamuhik balatkar kiya
aur uske stan kaat diye. Subah se yahan saare news channel waalon ka taanta
laga hua hai…”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>Sanjay</b>: Ye batayiye ki kya Abhaya ko dard ho
raha hai? Use kaisa mehsoos ho raha hai?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I turned back and came to my desk
hearing to the absurd questions that were being asked and broadcasted on a
national news channel. I found this more disturbing than the rape itself. Every
channel continued to show some or the other irrational and irresponsible piece
of information- starting from woman’s dressing to eating habits, makeup to
talking on cell phones, working late nights to boy-friends, Influence by Bollywood
item numbers to foreign culture and Internet. Surprisingly, none of the news
channels showed the rapists pictures or upbringing of boys while the victims’
photo was pasted on the screen all the time.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="line-height: 150%;">Finally
the day came to an end and I left office contemplating my decision to join as
journalist. Sitting in the taxi, I reflected back on my day. One peep into the
national news channels working day has completely changed my views about
everything in life. Everything looked questionable. Is anything real or just
hype created by media for selfish reasons?</span><span style="line-height: 150%;"> While engrossed in the thoughts</span><span style="line-height: 150%;">,</span><span style="line-height: 150%;"> a little
girl started tapping the window pane trying to sell some </span><span style="line-height: 150%;">magazines</span><span style="line-height: 150%;">. Her tiny
body and saucer eyes made her resemble the classic poster girl for poverty. She
tapped on the window of my </span><span style="line-height: 150%;">taxi</span><span style="line-height: 150%;"> and said, </span><span style="line-height: 150%;">“Ek magazine lelo </span><span style="line-height: 150%;">saab.’’ She
was shivering as she sold the </span><span style="line-height: 150%;">magazines</span><span style="line-height: 150%;"> to motorists, most of whom shooed
her away. She possibly didn’t know </span><span style="line-height: 150%;">about today’s incident</span><span style="line-height: 150%;">, but she
knew that she would make some extra rupees</span><span style="line-height: 150%;"> by selling few magazines
till late night</span><span style="line-height: 150%;">. And that made her happy! For the little girl, those few extra
rupees would translate into extra bread for dinner.</span><span style="line-height: 150%;"> She would probably never get to see the inside of a<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span><em><span style="font-style: normal;">pucca</span></em><span class="apple-converted-space"> </span>house. For her, the blue plastic
sheets have to suffice. When she is a little older, her life will change. The
day is not far when she will be raped in some alley and no-one would bother to question.
From selling magazines, she may end up selling her body. Like so many others
who survive on metro’s mean streets, turning tricks, hustling, peddling drugs.
Her bright eyes and cheerful smile will be replaced by a hard, stony expression
and a twisted mouth. But chances are she will still be working on the same
street, ducking into the back seat of an auto rickshaw to satisfy customers
looking for a monsoon quickie. Try telling her<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span><em><span style="font-style: normal;">Mera
Bharat Mahan</span></em>. She might just punch you!</span></span></div>
</div>
Pradiphttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17460265428707102735noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7735190413743403558.post-91907870616394255072013-09-13T10:55:00.002+05:302013-09-13T10:55:30.815+05:30The Last Supper<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">“Stop running your fingers through my
neckline, its tickling.” said Shikha giggling.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">“Sorry love, but it’s what I’m meant
to do. It’s called passion. We’re in love.” Rohit said pulling Shikha closer to
him.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">“Passion! Love! I don’t know what the
hell you’re talking about. By the way, we are there.” She said as the car screeched
to a halt at the entrance of the restaurant.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">Rohit got down and tossed the keys to
the valet attendant. He walked around to the passenger seat and escorted out
Shikha. Both of them walked into the restaurant, unaware of the black car which
stopped on the other side of the road.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">Rohit led Shikha to the lobby and
asked her to get settled while he got a call. Shikha was escorted to their
usual corner table overseeing the moving traffic outside. It was a perfect
weather for a romantic dinner. She settled in her chair and started staring at
Rohit who was on call on the other end of the room. Rohit was a successful businessman’s
son and a certified playboy. He was in a dark leather jacket standing at 6
feet. She could not ignore how handsome he was with the stubble-wrapped
jawline. His spiked hair and boyish charm was making him even more endearing.
He saw her staring and tossed a flying kiss to her. She blushed and started
wondering- Is it going to be today? Is this going to be his last supper? She
has been putting away the task from past three days. It has to be done soon
before someone gets to see them together and she became a suspect. She fiddled
through and found the glass vial marked poison in the secret chamber of her
purse. She was told that it was king of poisons for its discreteness and
potency- it was virtually undetectable.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">On the other end of the room Rohit was
speaking to Tony- his loyal man. He was listening attentively and processing
all the information being provided. He air-kissed her and she blushed. He
wondered how stunning she looked in that flowing blue dress. Her long unending
legs were to die for. He wondered how this is going to end. He pressed against
his side pocket to make sure his revolver is firmly fastened. He ended the call
and knew what to do.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">Rohit came back, kissed her gently and
took the seat next to her. They held hands and started talking when the waiter
came with 2 glasses of wine. They ordered and got into their usual conversation.
Rohit told Shikha how much he loved her and passed on a small package. The gift
had a card which said- “<i>For the love of
my life</i>”.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">Clasping her hands like a child she
said- “Wow! All my favorites are right here, you, the wine and the surprise gift
is perfect.” She told him with a giggle. She slid the satin ribbon and opened
the package to see a beautiful bracelet shining at her. Her face lit up like a 4
year old toddler looking at her mother at the end of the school. She kept
staring at it while Rohit got up and offered to place the bracelet on her hand.
She obliged and they kissed. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">The man on the other side of the road was
watching all the action unfolding through his binoculars. He gazed at the
couple from distance. His eyes seem cold and steely. He took a flask out of his
jacket and gulped a big swig of rum and waited patiently. He reached to the
dashboard and took out his 0.22 revolver. He double checked it to be loaded and
started fitting the silencer. He was all set and was waiting for their last
supper to end.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">Meanwhile at the corner table in the
restaurant love was blooming. Shikha tilted her head slightly and asked- “So
how many girls did you bring to this place?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">“Many but none was like today.” He
said equally cocking his head.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">“What’s so special about today?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">“It’s special today because I am in the
presence of my true love.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">She wondered how many times the line
was used. “True Love, hmm? What’s that?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">“hmm…True love is one soul’s
reflection in another.” <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">“Wow!!That’s really cheesy, but it
works for me.” <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">Shikha thought expensive gifts and
such make believe cheesy lines are what girls are falling for. But she had to
admit he has got those good looks and confidence to turn girls to him.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">“So are you saying I am your true
love? You are lying and liars go straight to hell.” Though she knew there were
stronger reasons for him to go to hell. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">“If you promise to be with me, I am
ready to go anywhere. But let’s finish our dinner; and then I will take you to
heaven.” <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">He gave a devilish grin squeezing her
palm and thought, enjoy your last supper sweetheart.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">Shikha teased and excused herself to
the ladies room leaving Rohit alone.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNoSpacing" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">********<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">Rohit was a 30-year old who fitted the
bill of a rich spoilt brat perfectly. He was Ambadas’s only son and his
reputation of Casanova preceded him. He was very charming and had the charisma
to make the girls swoon over him. When Shikha left the table he wondered what
she might be up to. The conversation with Tony flashed back in his mind. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">“Sir, she is Mia’s elder sister and
has been enquiring about you since her death.” Rohit always had the habit to
get a background check of his dates and Tony was his guy to rely on.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">Rohit thought what Shikha might be up
to. Does she want to talk about Mia? Does she know about Mia’s pregnancy? Does she
think he was responsible for her death? He was not able to figure out her
intentions. Come what may, he was ready to face her and all her interrogation
but will wait for her to initiate it.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNoSpacing" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">**********<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">As Shikha left the table, she felt her
heart was pounding so hard that it would explode out of her chest’ chamber
walls. She went into the ladies room and took a deep breath. When she looked up
she not only faced herself in the mirror but her fears also. She seemed nervous
thinking of what she was going to do. Her last interaction with her sister- Mia
came flooding. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">Few months back…<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">It was late that night when she called
which was not normal on Mia’s part.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">As soon as she picked the call, Mia
told in a panicky voice- “Shikha, I got to tell you something and need you
standby me.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">“What happened? Are you alright?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">“I am pregnant and just got to know
today. I am very scared.” <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">“Chotu! What are you saying? Who is
it?” Shikha knew it was not the time to scream and give her lessons on
morality.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">“It’s Rohit. We have been seeing each
other for some time now.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">“Rohit, who? Did you tell him? What
did he say?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">“He is very nice guy dids. He is Amba
Textiles Company owner’s son. Today after the tests, I met and told him. He was
very happy and asked me to marry. He will be speaking to his parents today and
he wants me to meet them tomorrow.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">“Mia, everything is happening so fast
and I don’t know anything about this Rohit guy. Somehow I feel something is wrong.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">“Ufff oh Didi !!! Don’t get paranoid.
He is really sweet and tomorrow I’m going to get him to your place in the evening.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">“Yeah, please do that. We need to talk
and also I need to meet your Rohit also. I’m so happy for you chotu”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">“I Love you Dids. Catch you tomorrow”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">“Love you too. Take care Good night.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">Shikha was experiencing the complete
spectrum of feelings at the same time. She wished her parents were alive today
to handle the crisis. At the same time she knew she had to be strong to let
chotu sail through with ease. Finally after lot of agitated rounds of the room,
she thought of holding her calm till she meets Rohit next day. Strange dreams
kept her awake all night.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">Next day Shikha woke up to the call of
Mia’s suicide. She was shattered and it didn’t take her long to figure out that
it was not a suicide. Her chotu was not brave enough to bleed herself to death.
But she didn’t have anything to prove and decided to solve the mystery herself.
She enquired all of chotu’s friends of any possible leads but it was not going
anywhere. Finally she thought probably she has to get it from Rohit himself;
But how? He won’t admit to the heinous crime. But does she need him to approve?
Who else could gain from Mia’s death? She knew that she doesn’t need any proof
because deep within she knows that it’s Rohit and he has to pay for it.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">Flushing sound from the stall behind
broke her train of thoughts. She fiddled through her purse again and left the
washroom.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNoSpacing" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">*************<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">Rohit looked nervous when Shikha
returned back to the table. Their meal arrived. Shikha noticed that Rohit was
poking his steak without eating much. She placed her hand on his and asked- “What
happened? Why did you get quiet all of a sudden?” <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">Rohit didn’t say much, but he could
feel the sudden tension building between them.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">He continued eating. Shikha noticed he
seemed absent minded at the moment and this could be her moment.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">She needed a diversion. She opened her
purse and let it fall from her lap making all the contents spread around.
“Shit, how clumsy am I, I am so sorry.” <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">Rohit offered to pick-up which is what
she was expecting.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">As Rohit got down collecting all the
scattered stuff, she plunged and dropped few drops from the vial into his wine
glass. The mute lights and corner seat made it easy for her. It’s done.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">She thanked him and they continued
eating. She finally did it. She overcame her fear and avenged her sister. Now,
it’s just a matter of time. She waited so long but these few minutes seem like
ages.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">After what seemed like centuries he
finished his drink and they were ready to leave. She had a satisfied look on
her face. Mia would be happy where ever she is. Her death has been avenged. They
finished their meal and got up to leave. Rohit and Shikha came out of the
restaurant and waited for the valet to get his car. They got in and left. The
black car from the other side of the road also left tailing them.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">She was wondering how long it’s going
to take for the effect when he complained of severe stomach ache. He stopped
the car on the deserted road. He got down and tried to throw-up when the black
car chasing them came to halt behind theirs. Shikha got down the car and before
she could reach to Rohit, the man got down from the car and shot her in the
head. She flew back and dropped dead. Rohit didn’t know what to do and took out
his revolver but he was too weak to do anything and he fainted.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">The man dialed a number and waited for
it to be answered. The moment the call was picked he narrated everything that
happened. Tony screamed and asked the man to rush Rohit to the hospital
immediately. He picked Rohit and rushed to the hospital. The doctors declared Rohit
dead on arrival. Tony reached hospital as soon as he disconnected the call. He
was a loyal person to Rohit but only after Ambadas. He had been giving all
updates of Rohit to Ambadas. He was the one who killed Mia on Ambadas’s order
to uphold the family prestige. He has arranged to kill Shikha also but he was late
this time. He dialed Ambadas and the line went dead on hearing Rohits death.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
</div>
Pradiphttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17460265428707102735noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7735190413743403558.post-45583571229079467722013-09-03T13:31:00.000+05:302013-09-03T13:31:11.331+05:30If Only Trees Could Speak<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1jU7ZlAczVZkfApA6u7m7dzTyH_NX99X0GJJDGuySv0eQexdY_O7J5bvOp0-AJ2-nlDyCBil9-xmrp_6vlcqEDFM8t60qQkhN0XZBueBnz3rYVopA-9vbVakr2lo8FyFbbkgquXhyphenhyphenDtM/s1600/download.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="261" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1jU7ZlAczVZkfApA6u7m7dzTyH_NX99X0GJJDGuySv0eQexdY_O7J5bvOp0-AJ2-nlDyCBil9-xmrp_6vlcqEDFM8t60qQkhN0XZBueBnz3rYVopA-9vbVakr2lo8FyFbbkgquXhyphenhyphenDtM/s320/download.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"><span style="line-height: 150%;">Anita stood in front of the mirror and
watched herself before gliding fingers through her dark flowing hair. She
admired what she was seeing. And then she spotted the new </span><span style="line-height: 24px;">grayness</span><span style="line-height: 150%;"> that started
budding up in her sideburns. It was not there few days back. Anita realized she
was getting old. She grabbed the chair and sat in front of the mirror applying
eyeliner to her eyes. She bent forward and took a closer look at the mark on her
right eyebrow. It has been more than 8 years since the incident but the gash
was still there reminding her of that dreadful night. She suddenly felt her
stomach churning loudly. She seized her tummy and slide down on the floor. It’s
happening again. All her memories were emerging back from the darkest corners
of her mind where she thought they have been locked. She gasped for breath. She
held the sill of the window and stood up inhaling the freshness of the garden. Weakly
she scanned the beautiful garden in her front yard but her eyes glued to the jasmine
tree which never bloomed in past 8 years. Her thoughts came flooding.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">8 years earlier…<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">“Congratulations, you are pregnant and
all your reports look normal. You just have to keep eating healthy and have
sufficient sleep.” The doctors’ voice echoed in her head as she entered the
house with a big smile on her face. They have just shifted to their new house on
the outskirts of the city. Her complaint of sparse population and no neighbors around
were ignored by her husband- Ravi. But she ensured that the boundary walls were
high enough with barbed wires for her safety. She got inside and lit some
essence sticks in front of the deity thanking for the good news. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">Ravi was on his way from his business
trip and she can’t wait for him to hear the news. She went into the kitchen and
started making preparations for the special rice pudding her mother had taught
her. She was totally charged up and was waiting eagerly for the clock to strike
8 PM. She finished mundane household chores and waited for Ravi to get home. Finally
the clock chimed 8 PM. She was elated; Ravi would be home any moment now. Anita
checked herself in the mirror again and made sure she looked her best. She went
near the window and excitedly waited for the gates to creek open. The hands on
the clock seem to be moving faster than usual. It was half past 8 now and
there’s been still no sign of Ravi. She was still standing at the window with
her eyes racing between the clock and the gate. She was feeling agitated and started
pacing the living room. Her pacing was interrupted with the loud clang of clock
banging 9 times. She got into the chair near the window and kept staring at the
gates. All kind of negative thoughts were making her more restless. She started
cracking her knuckles nervously when she heard the gates open. She was relieved
and rushed out.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">Anita noticed that Ravi was drunk and
hardly able to walk straight. She rushed towards him and tried to support him
on her shoulders. She was horrified to see his bruised arms and clotted blood
on the forehead. Slowly she took him into the house and put him in the sofa. She
rushed and got some Dettol to clean the wounds. “What happened to you? Why are
you so drunk? How did you get injured? Did you get into a brawl in some bar or
were you attacked by someone?” She started shooting a volley of questions breathlessly.
He didn’t reply to any of her questions and tried to get-up. She held his hand
but he pushed her away and started going, mumbling something which she could
not make out. He started climbing the stairs to go to the bedroom. She ran and
supported him lest he slipped. He pushed her aside again and yelled- “I don’t
need you. Get away from me.” She stood there looking at him with tearful eyes. She
couldn’t understand what’s wrong with him?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">She followed him and went and tried to
speak to him. “Ravi, what happened? Tell me please” he looked at her and handed
her an envelope. Anita was not sure what it was. She opened the envelope with
trembling hands to find her pictures with Sameer. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">Sameer was Ravi’s friend and a
bachelor staying alone. He used to be a regular visitor to their place for
dinners. Ravi’s marketing job kept him out of town all the time and Anita was left
alone. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">Anita started finding company and
comfort in Ravi’s absence. His constant travels and lack of companionship she
expected got her closer to Sameer eventually. It’s been sometime they have
developed a connection and their love had bloomed. Ravi was unaware of all this
development and never suspected either of them.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">She didn’t know how to react or what
to say. She stood there motionless trying to figure out what’s going on in Ravi’s
mind. She put her hand on his shoulder and said- “Ravi, let me explain.” Ravi
removed her hand from his shoulder and slapped her. She fell on the table
nearby and her eyebrow started bleeding. He picked her and held her shoulders
and asked- “How could you do this to me? I loved you so much.” <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">He pulled her closer into tight grip
and held her throat- “I can’t live with you anymore. It’s over between us.” She
was feeling the grip tightening, gasping for breath. When she could not take
any more, she pushed him aside and moved back panting. Ravi, in his drunken
state lost control and tumbled down the stairs. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">Anita ran down screaming- “Raviiii…”
but it was too late. His skull smashed open and blood pool was growing with
every passing second. She was horrified looking at the scene in front of her. After
few minutes which felt like ages, she realized what she had to do. So, she
dialed the number and waited with a baited breath for the call to be answered. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">“Hello, this is Sameer speaking; who
is it?” The voice from the other end echoed. She said- “Sameer come home
urgently. Don’t ask anything, just come home NOW.” <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">“Ok, but tell me what happened? Are
you okay? Did you and Ravi have a fight?” He asked realizing her chocked voice
over the phone. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">She told “I can’t speak over the phone.
Please come home immediately.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">“Don’t worry, I am coming right away”
He said realizing the panic in her voice. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">Sameer reached Ravi’s place and was
stunned to witness the scene. He saw Ravi in the puddle of blood lifeless.
Anita was on the other end of the room in a shocked state sitting still looking
at the body. Sameer entered home and closed the door. He went to Anita and
hugged her as she broke in his arms. He tried to console her and told her that
he had a fight with Ravi at his place. Anita narrated everything that happened
and how Ravi fell to his death. Anita was trembling with fear and could hardly
form complete sentences. Sameer was equally worried thinking what to do next?
How can this be explained to everyone? Who would believe their innocence if
people get to know that Anita and he were having an affair?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">Sameer agitatedly started marching in
the living room while Anita was hysterically blabbering something in a state of
shock. The banging of clock jolted them to the reality. Sameer rushed to the
garage and on his way back saw that the street was totally deserted at that
hour of night. Few canines were patrolling the street with their tails held
high. He got the shovel and started digging ground in the garden. Anita
understood what’s happening. When the hole was sufficient enough they checked
the roads again. The canines seem to have lost interest in the deserted street
and left but their howling could be heard from distance. They went inside and
picked Ravi’s body and dumped him in the garden. Sameer leveled the ground
while Anita was keeping a watch on the street for any human movement. By
midnight they were done with the garden work. They went inside and started
mopping and cleaning the living room. By the time they cleaned everything it
was well past midnight and they were exhausted.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">They went upstairs and took shower
together. Anita was still in a state of shock and Sameer was also fatigued.
They came out and got into the bed together. They laid there without speaking
anything for long time. Anita broke the silence- “I’m pregnant.” Sameer was
pleasantly surprised and kissed her. To keep her mind away from all that
happened, he asked what the doctor said. They spoke about the probable names and
possibility of it being a boy or a girl. Suddenly Anita got up and sat. She
turned to him and asked “what do I say when people ask about Ravi? “<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">Sameer thought for a while and then
told her “Don’t worry about anything. Since you moved recently no-one would
notice him missing. Don’t say anything to anyone. In-case, anyone enquires,
tell them you got divorced. Moreover he doesn’t have any close relatives’ so, no-one
would enquire.” <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">Anita felt little skeptical but
thought the idea might work because there were no intrusive neighbors around.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">Sameer added, “After sometime we can
get married.” <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">Anita nodded consenting to the plan
and they discussed whole night trying to fill any possible gaps in the story.
Sameer left home before dawn.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">Later around mid-day he went to a
nursery and brought grass sod and rushed to Anita’s house. There they laid the
new grass sods across the fresh dugout area carefully and watered it. High
fence and lack of visitors helped them. He also got a jasmine plant and planted
it there. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">In the next few days the story of
Anitas divorce and second wedding flew across her friends like a wild fire.
Even though some might have suspected something to be wrong, no-one bothered enough
to probe the issue. It had been now eight years since the jasmine shrub was
planted but it never blossomed. Anita thought if only trees could speak what
would the jasmine tree say?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
</div>
Pradiphttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17460265428707102735noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7735190413743403558.post-70175884360846548502013-07-29T13:56:00.003+05:302013-07-29T16:28:44.101+05:30What an Idea Sirji !!!<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">This is an entry to "The Idea Caravan" sponsored by <span style="color: #3333ff; line-height: 115%; text-decoration: none;"><a href="http://www.franklintempletonindia.com/" style="line-height: 115%;">Franklin
Templeton Investments</a></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<b><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">What an Idea Sirji<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Every time I saw the "Idea" ad on
my Idiotbox, I used to think it to be a lame advertisement which doesn't have
any credibility in reality. "An idea can change the world". How is
that even possible? India is a junkyard of problems ranging from corruption to molestation,
poverty to un-education. We, the Indians are in such a state of affairs that we
can’t do with just an idea but we need a revolution. Every time you switch on
the news channel, there are pre-defined set of depressing events rolling- new
corruption seeing the days of light, lower standards of poverty redefined,
human morality dropping an inch with every passing hour, disrobing the modesty
of women in some part of the country, people in power making money out of children’s
meals or charity; the list goes on and on and on...<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I was an optimist person with great zeal of
energy and enthusiasm as a college lad who had big dreams to change the world
and make the country a better place to live for one and all. Then I got out of
college and stepped into the big bad world of rat race trying tooth and nail to
keep myself ahead in the race. Over a decade I realized that optimism and
positive attitude is on a downward trend. I have now become more pessimistic,
cynical and negative in my attitude towards the term “India Rising/Shining”? Every
time I hear someone say something similar to that I laugh it off. In the race
to get higher TRPs, the media has played a spoil sport and probably lost their
vision. How many times have we seen any positive news being flashed zillion
times to create a positive impact on public? But a feud between 2 khans would
get the primetime attention as breaking news and panel discussion. If the media
showcases ONLY faults of our politicians, high profile leaders, how can one
expect a positive attitude in citizens? No wonder people like me have become
cynical which is very well put in the movie “<i>Rang De Basanti</i>”; where they all laugh and say “<i>Is desh ka kuch nahi ho sakta</i>”. Yes,
nothing positive can come in India if we continue on our current path.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 115%;">Thinking
of all these things I got through “The Idea Caravan” which had a positive attitude
and vision to changing the future of our country. This is an initiative by <span style="color: #3333ff;"><a href="http://www.franklintempletonindia.com/"><span style="color: #3333ff; text-decoration: none; text-underline: none;">Franklin Templeton
Investments</span></a> partnered the TEDxGateway Mumbai in December 2012</span>.
The attractive prizes were encouraging enough for me to browse through the videos,
though with a skeptical mind frame initially. Couple of videos down, I could
feel the lost hope and enthusiasm. It made me realize that all is not lost and we
are not a completely failed country. There is still hope at the end of the
tunnel. There are many unsung heroes, who are the torch bearers of optimism and
humility carving the path for our better tomorrow. These are the real heroes
who have dedicated their life for something completely beyond materialistic façade.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Every single video was a story in itself to
make our lives better. But there is one video which emphasized on “water”
really quenched my thirst for selfless deed. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>Video 1</b>: <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pvJVL6ECGLg">Suprio Das</a><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Suprio has proved that- “<u>Even a mile long
journey starts with a single step</u>”. He didn't wait for people’s approval of
his idea. He followed his instinct and selfless act of materializing Rabindranath
Tagore’s “<i><span style="background-color: white; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial;"><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ekla_Chalo_Re">Ekla Chalo Re</a></span></i><b><span style="background-color: white; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial;">”</span></b>. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The issue with water inspired me to search
and read about it more and landed up in following link: </span><a href="http://www.guardian.co.uk/environment/datablog/2011/jun/28/water-scarcity-africa-middle-east" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">http://www.guardian.co.uk/environment/datablog/2011/jun/28/water-scarcity-africa-middle-east</a></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: justify;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgE0SQPKpX2iE_psB0OcayA6m8DzoLZFDy8ZXD-eXu6VlxcUxReT8FcKa59o_vfVAqG2jnjGO1jw9NNHyxuMyQ-rQB2jdxZOGucFLIYKIXYRRcEdggLym-XZzUWR_u5z4pOPDs2rnr78uo/s1600/WaterStressMap.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="120" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgE0SQPKpX2iE_psB0OcayA6m8DzoLZFDy8ZXD-eXu6VlxcUxReT8FcKa59o_vfVAqG2jnjGO1jw9NNHyxuMyQ-rQB2jdxZOGucFLIYKIXYRRcEdggLym-XZzUWR_u5z4pOPDs2rnr78uo/s200/WaterStressMap.png" width="200" /></a><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The more I read, the more it felt like we are
sitting on time bomb which can boom anytime. Even a cosmopolitan city like Bangalore
is not spared by the evil of water scarcity. There have been reports of water
bed dehydrating. Migration has set the wheel of borewell’s spinning at alarming
rate. Apparently, the city is not equipped to support big populations with
drinking water and sewage needs. The city’s water-bed is drying up and the
water mafia is making people cough for drinking water. A recent study had
scared the living daylights of the IT crowd in the Silicon Valley of India.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><a href="http://www.firstpost.com/india/will-bangalore-have-to-be-evacuated-by-2023-697649.html">http://www.firstpost.com/india/will-bangalore-have-to-be-evacuated-by-2023-697649.html</a><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Hopefully this would eventually delay the
time bomb which is inevitable unless a miracle happens. We are all familiar
with the Cauvery water fiasco or the drastic change in Bangalore’s weather. If
no action is taken, the day is not far when the world would probably turn into <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Waterworld">water world</a> (1995 movie)
where there is water everywhere but not a drop to drink.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Some actions are being taken by authorities
but we as citizens also have to come together and stand for the cause. At the
end of the day its our city, our country, our earth and we are the one
responsible for our actions.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><a href="http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2013-03-27/bangalore/38069188_1_borewells-karnataka-ground-water-authority-bwssb">http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2013-03-27/bangalore/38069188_1_borewells-karnataka-ground-water-authority-bwssb</a><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The study has not just made the authorities
but even the citizens responsible to a certain extent. This recent event led many
Bangalore apartment complexes to install Rain Water Harvesting system. We went one
step ahead and started saving the water discarded from RO water purifiers. This
water is used for car wash or gardens. This is not a revolution, but this one
step of saving discarded water from our purifiers has shown great results and
savings in our complex.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Now the TEDs link has become idea store for
me. The app available for smartphone not only gives easy access during commute,
but also keeps nurturing the positive attitude in me. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">People like Suprio and many others have taken
a step towards their passion and <span style="color: #3333ff;"><a href="http://www.franklintempletonindia.com/"><span style="color: #3333ff; text-decoration: none; text-underline: none;">Franklin Templeton Investments</span></a>
</span>with this contest is helping create a bigger foot print. Tiny four
lettered word “Idea” is peeping through the TEDs window and is about to make a
giant leap for humanity. My vocabulary falls short in praise for people like
Suprio but to warp-up I would say- <i>What an
Idea sirji</i>.</span><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
</div>
Pradiphttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17460265428707102735noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7735190413743403558.post-13633032905976939492013-07-09T15:48:00.004+05:302013-07-09T17:12:18.994+05:30The Chosen One<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The room is full, every soul looks dull</span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The trainer is trying hard to break through our skull<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The mobiles are out and laptops switched on<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Everyone is looking time to quickly move on<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Pretending a seriously “<i>thinking</i>” expression on their faces<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">They try to show, they understood the project and all the
phases<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Holding hard the urge to doze or yawn<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjx0N1DsZZQDBBlzYBTNW32cYupySFhfVv2cEYNe7_DORo6BueDSmbBKfnhkNoGKAF0k84Bxpj2TNPilUKqwFkUahvqL82V9x9zX001LX5nc9GcmV5pS5VBwS2mTqhOEfT5guQXr7EKkas/s1600/yawn.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjx0N1DsZZQDBBlzYBTNW32cYupySFhfVv2cEYNe7_DORo6BueDSmbBKfnhkNoGKAF0k84Bxpj2TNPilUKqwFkUahvqL82V9x9zX001LX5nc9GcmV5pS5VBwS2mTqhOEfT5guQXr7EKkas/s320/yawn.jpg" width="273" /></a><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Phones are being used on and on<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Wishing a small unharmed earthquake <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Or at least a fire without any life at stake <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Anything, to make the training stop <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I SMSed the almighty back to back non-stop <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Before the SMS reached the Intended Lord <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Trainer caught me totally off-guard.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">He started bombarding questions <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">To embarrass me, being his sole intention<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Miraculously, answers poured out of me <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Everyone was taken aback, including me <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The questions woke me up far and wide <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">While the trainer proceeded to his next slide <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I was awake for the rest of the class <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">And tried to participate with the mass <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">After 4 long hours the training was done</span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">With little “<i>Gyaan</i>”
I got, I felt I am “<i>The Chosen One</i>”</span><o:p></o:p></div>
</div>
Pradiphttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17460265428707102735noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7735190413743403558.post-19227815358804286052013-07-08T14:18:00.006+05:302013-07-08T14:18:57.176+05:30The Hooded Man<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjl1TiJ4ltdvzorJaXVW9DlY0IUFz0VQ8qE-rJLf82CzZwFaoS-sy0brZb-96X5L2V4b3j-kuUUfVC3awHo2xQ53qHlShiI_tv8XxdKQPR4Bf88hL0IN5IIlvcbd3tMjVj63axxiN7OxSM/s1600/hooded-man-web.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="222" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjl1TiJ4ltdvzorJaXVW9DlY0IUFz0VQ8qE-rJLf82CzZwFaoS-sy0brZb-96X5L2V4b3j-kuUUfVC3awHo2xQ53qHlShiI_tv8XxdKQPR4Bf88hL0IN5IIlvcbd3tMjVj63axxiN7OxSM/s320/hooded-man-web.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">It was early evening. But, it seemed like night has unexpectedly descended. The last fragments of sunlight also vanished. Moon, that was shining until now has been eclipsed by the clouds. The temperature dropped suddenly. It was cold. The chill in the air was crawling under the skin. But, the weather department predicted it to be a normal day. I saw through the window. The darkness seems to have engulfed the planet. It was a pitch dark night. The street below seemed deserted. The lone owl was hooting at a distance. Crickets were making their usual noise. I felt uneasy, restless and nervous. I felt a Jitter and got out of the bed.</span></div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Slowly I walked towards the door. The door knob was cold as ice. It refused to budge at first. I tried again and the door gave way. It opened with loud creaking noise. I peeked outside my room. The hallway was dark. The kitchen light was glowing. A movement of shadow was visible. I called in low voice- “Mom!!” No response. I called again, louder. Still everything was calm. I turned back to see my deserted room. I came out wondering why mom is not answering. Suddenly the door slammed with a loud bang. I was horrified. I looked around and there was no-one. I called again- “Mom…” Still there was no response.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Slowly I started moving towards the kitchen, with my back to the wall. I was scared. I saw a shadow moving again under the light. “Who is there?” I managed to utter. Then I saw the shadow facing the stove; away from me. I was relieved and walked towards it. I went closer and placed my hand on the shoulders. Suddenly there was silence; an eerie silence. The shadow turned slowly towards me. What I saw, threw me back few paces.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Frozen and paralyzed I tried to recognize any facial features. The hood covering the head was making it difficult to recognize anything. The fiery red eyes were glowing. I kept staring. As if I was hypnotized. The figure started moving towards me. He stretched out his hand. "Come closer," he said in a low voice. I thought my heart was going to come out of my chest, it beat so hard. My legs gave out and I fell to the ground on my knees. I was sweating badly. He continued to come closer; with his hands stretched. I closed my eyes. My tears started rolling. I got my sweaty palms together and began to pray. I prayed and prayed.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
He was now standing in front of me. I could feel his presence close to my chest. Suddenly there was silence; an eerie silence. I could hear my heart beating faster and faster. Suddenly I felt the hand on my shoulders. I shrieked loudly and opened my eyes. I was in my bed sweating. The tears were still streaming from my face. I was shaking badly and promised myself again- “<i>I’m not going to watch any horror movies ever!!</i>”</div>
</span><div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: justify;">
<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: justify;">
<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: justify;">
<o:p></o:p></div>
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<o:p></o:p></div>
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<o:p></o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: justify;">
<o:p></o:p></div>
</div>
Pradiphttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17460265428707102735noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7735190413743403558.post-36190034904517561162013-03-11T12:14:00.000+05:302013-03-11T12:14:04.261+05:30The LIFT<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
<span style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Rinith drove to Mysore that morning
to attend the state level Sales meet and was packing to drive back after late dinner.
He was working for a small start-up company in Bangalore. It was late and he
was talking to his mother who was asking him not to travel so late at night; on
Friday the 13th. She was very superstitious about such beliefs. He didn't want
to argue with her and hung up to bid good bye to Dubeyji and few other sales guys
whom he met that day. He was hoping that he would bump into a chirpy, talkative
and sexy lady at the meet like last time, but no luck. As soon as his monstrous
Fortuner came to life, a black cat crossed his path which he chose to ignore
and he was on the road. The night was pitch-black and conditions got overcast
with the clouds looming large. He was touching 140 kmph in no-time with Heavy
Metal adding the required adrenaline rush. He was cursing his luck that he didn't get any chic this time and had to hang around with the pot-bellied CXOs
of unheard companies. He planned to drive non-stop so that he can reach
Bangalore by 4:00 am. Suddenly it began to drizzle. He toggled a switch for the
wipers to operate. Soon the drizzle transformed into heavy showers with storm
as well. The wipers were struggling.</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
<span style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">There was thick forest cover at
either side of the road. The trees would twist, twirl and bend over the road
with the gust quite ominously. He drove at full speed what his beast had to
offer. Even after two hours the storm showed no signs of settling. The winds
breathed life in the trees on either side of the road. Conditions were looking
gloomy. But in the next five minutes quite unbelievably everything became dead
quiet. The wind ceased to blow, the rains stopped, and even the trees went
dead. He could only hear the engine roar which was screeching ahead on the wet
road. He was driving all alone on the bypass with no other vehicle in sight.
Then he encountered a strange sight. At a distance on the roadside, he saw a
man and a boy in school uniform sitting on the milestone. The man got up and
started waving at his vehicle frantically. He saw the time was well past 1:00
am. He knew that there is no inhabited area within few miles from that place.
He stopped the car and the man started approaching towards him. He was watching
every move of that man very skeptically with one foot on the accelerator. He
noticed that neither the man nor the boy were drenched surprisingly. He heard a
howling at a distance for no reason. It was a bad omen. The man said peeping
through the rolling windows; please drop us near Ramanagar, on your way. Then
suddenly there was a lightning with thunder and he saw some long shining thing
in his back pack. He recalled incidents of robbery on the highways and stepped
on the accelerator with all his might. The car didn't move to his horror. The
man kept banging the glass viciously repeating the same words asking for lift.
Then suddenly the car lurched ahead, and he sped the car at full throttle. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">He drove the next few miles with
full speed and found a young lady on the way. She was a tall woman, wearing a
black sari with her midriff showing and a matching blouse sans any sleeves. She
possessed curves so luscious that could drive noble men to sin. She waved at Rinith’s
vehicle asking for a lift. He immediately obliged and sent a Thanking note to
the almighty for listening to his woes. He couldn't resist noticing, which was
rather unusual about the woman: She was bare-footed. As she entered the car he couldn't hide his pleasure and she caught him staring, she looked wary. But neither of them
felt uneasy, as for her she was probably used to this, and for him, she was too
precious to even let go of his sight, for even a moment. After they exchanged
the pleasantries, he got to know her name was Vinita and she was married. She
was at ease after sometime and chirped like a school girl. Rinith was a very
charming guy and knew how to impress her with all his wit and sense of humor. He
was cautious in not asking too many personal questions and making her
uncomfortable. She got down after a few miles near Kengeri but not before
exchanging the numbers and a promise to meet him the next day in Bangalore. Rinith
was very excited at his achievement. Next hour went past very fast and he
reached his flat before the sun was out. When he reached his flat, his
room-mate was fast asleep. He banged the door to find his roomie open the door
rubbing his eyes. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">“<i>Kaam ho gaya?</i>” Sagar asked casually
and went to his room before Rinith could respond to his question. Rinith
dragged himself to his room and collapsed on his bed. It was past noon when he
woke up rubbing his eyes. It has been a long time since he slept for so long. He
was experiencing a slight headache. He asked Sagar for a cup of hot tea. After
freshening up he eased himself on the couch. The TOI was kept on the center table. He picked it up to look for today’s crossword. Then suddenly his eyes
grew wide seeing a report.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">"<i>Robbers got away with 2 more murders on the highway near Ramnagar at
around 4:00am. Their dead bodies were found in the nearby drain. As per our
sources, Ramanand-38 went to pick-up his son-6 from the school excursion in Channapatna
as he was sick. They missed their last bus and reached close to Ramnagar by
taking a lift in a lorry. The robbers did not find any valuable with him and in
frustration they killed both father and son. The bodies will be handed over to
their family after the post-mortem."</i><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">He couldn't read further. He saw
the picture and his whole body numbed. How could he be so stupid? How could he
be so indifferent? He could have easily saved them, had he been rational. In
this case due to his very own home grown stupidity and superstition, 2 lives were
lost. He met them around 1’o clock... The poor guys begged for help for another
three hours. And he fled because he thought they were robbers. Such a poor
excuse... <i>Damn</i>!!!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">That’s when Sagar came with tea
and said, “<i>Why are you reading 2 days old newspaper?</i>”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">“<i>What??</i>” Rinith checked the date;
it was indeed 2 days old newspaper. His blood froze. Chill ran down his spine. That
means the man and the boy were dead more than 2 days ago and still…<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">“<i>Here have a look at today’s
headline...!</i>” Sagar said handing him today’s newspaper and tea.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">“<i>Women kills herself after hearing the murder of husband and son.
Vinita, resident of Ramnagar who was at her parents’ home in Kengeri committed
suicide on Friday afternoon when she got the news of alleged murder of her husband
and son near Ramnagar.”<o:p></o:p></i></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<i><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Rinith saw that innocent and
sweet face below and fainted. </span><o:p></o:p></div>
</div>
Pradiphttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17460265428707102735noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7735190413743403558.post-48583408156372713912013-03-11T11:46:00.004+05:302013-07-03T19:41:27.998+05:30The First Time<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The first time I saw you, I knew you were the One.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">My mind went bonkers and my heart took for a run.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">There was something about you that I have never found
before.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">That was the moment I realized I found myself wanting
more.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I never thought I would be hit by the love bug ever<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Was happy with my life in my small tower<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">But the day I saw you, I realized my mistake<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Like everyone I too jumped into the love lake<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Looking into your eyes, makes my day complete<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">That cute smile of yours makes my heart skip a beat<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I never thought it possible, to care for one so much<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">With every passing day, I longed for the union that much<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Years sneaked on with piles of confusion<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">When the time has come for the final decision<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Against all odds I have decided it’s you<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I was ready to say to world, I do, I do, I do.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I know that you’re not ready, for the commitment that
I want<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">But for you I'd wait forever, if you would have taken
a stand.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Although it hurts to know, that you don't feel the
same as me<br />
hopefully one day you'll realize, you'll wake up and see.</span><o:p></o:p></div>
</div>
Pradiphttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17460265428707102735noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7735190413743403558.post-62131337372360989812011-12-06T17:41:00.000+05:302011-12-06T17:42:10.724+05:30The True Daughter<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:10.0pt; line-height:115%;font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">The story is about a small middle class family of Mrs. Kalyani Iyer who has recently shifted to Bangalore after the sudden demise of her husband. She has 2 daughters Swati- her own daughter and Padma- the step-daughter. Padma has always been an eye sore for Kalyani. She cursed the day Padma was born even though both were born on the same day. Every time she saw Padma, Kalyani would be reminded of her husband’s betrayal. <o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:10.0pt; line-height:115%;font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">It all happened 20 years back when she delivered Swati. Mr. Sharat Iyer who was supposed to be on her bed-side was away citing that he had a meeting. Actually he was with his other wife who was also delivering but with some complications. After few hours when he walked into the clinic with Padma, he noticed that Kalyani was still unconscious after delivering Swati. He kept both his daughters together and waited for Kalyani to wake up. Sometime later Kalyani woke up to see 2 kids in the cradle. She stared at Sharat inquisitively. Sharat told her about his mistake and how his other wife died while delivering the infant. Kalyani was shocked to listen to all this and hated Sharat till his deathbed. Now that he is gone she had forgiven him as holding grudge would not mean anything. From that day she hated Padma and treated as a perfect devilish step-mother. On the other hand, both the daughters were very close to each other and had the heavenly sisterly love flowing. Swati used to treat Padma as her elderly sister. Swati was doing her graduation while Padma’s education was stopped by her mother after 12<sup>th</sup> citing it would be a costly affair for 2 girls to do graduation and there was no need for Padma to study. Padma never complained. She has always been the obliging daughter taking care of all the household chores. She used to get her share of love from her father and Swati. Still she always craved for the motherly love and care. Swati disapproved of such behavior towards her sister by her mother but it all fell on deaf ears. Swati was determined to do something about it but what, she didn’t know.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:10.0pt; line-height:115%;font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">One day while unpacking the luggage, Swati happened to get her hands on her father’s diary. She called Kalyani and showed it to her and asked: “Shall we read what Dad wrote?”<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:10.0pt; line-height:115%;font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">Kalyani agreed and both sat comfortably on the bed to go through the diary. Swati asked if she should call Padma also to listen to it. Kalyani rejected the idea and instead asked Padma to get 2 cups of coffee for them. Before Swati could protest she asked her to start reading. Diary had mostly events pertaining to his daughters. How one is treated like a princess and other like a servant. He had also mentioned how he feels miserable for not being able to do anything. After going through many pages at one page Swati stopped. Kalyani asked what happened. Swati was not reading aloud and all the excitement while reading previous pages was gone. Kalyani saw her eyes were moist. She asked her, “What happened darling? What is written here?” Swati handed the diary to her and left the room crying.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:10.0pt; line-height:115%;font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">Kalyani was shocked to see what happened and picked the diary slowly to see what made Swati so upset?<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:10.0pt; line-height:115%;font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">“<i>Kalyani, it’s been so many years that I wanted to let you know the truth. But I’m scared that I might lose you after your 2 heart attacks. I can’t keep the secret anymore, so I am writing it down. Someday hopefully I will gather enough courage to hand over the diary, for you to know the truth. Padma is your own daughter and Swati is your step daughter.</i>”<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:10.0pt; line-height:115%;font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">The moment she read this, the world came crumbling down in front of her. She felt a big lump in her throat, she was going to choke. She could not bear the fact the Sharat has cheated her yet again. She was furious, angry, disappointed thinking of how badly she treated her own daughter; her own blood all these years. She could not bear it. She controlled herself to read further.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:10.0pt; line-height:115%;font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">“<i>After your delivery, when I entered the room, I saw you were still unconscious. I thought I will explain and you will accept both the infants graciously. But you could not bear the truth. So when you asked which baby is yours, I lied to you, I thought after few years when you would get fond of your step-daughter, I will let you know the truth. That time it would be impossible for you to hate Swati and both will get equal motherly love. I hope to tell you soon and see my both daughters happy.”</i><o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:10.0pt; line-height:115%;font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">Kalyani broke down and started sobbing uncontrollably. After sometime, she went out and saw that Swati was at porch crying. She went and sat next to her. Swati turned and hugged her tightly and started crying. She asked her mother, “<i>Will you start hating me, now that I am not your daughter?”</i> <o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:10.0pt; line-height:115%;font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">Kalyani hugged her even tightly and said, “<i>No, Never, You have always been my daughter and always will be. I can’t see a drop of tear in your eyes. You will always the apple of my eye” both started sobbing.<o:p></o:p></i></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:10.0pt; line-height:115%;font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">Kalyani saw that Padma came with coffee for both of them and was about to leave, when Kalyani called her. Padma could not believe her ears, this was the first time ever she called with so much love. She turned back to see Kalyani smiling at her with moist eyes.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:10.0pt; line-height:115%;font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">Kalyani came closer and hugged her and started kissing her like a baby. Padma could not believe her luck. Kalyani was so wrecked after knowing the truth that she was begging for forgiveness from Padma. Padma also started crying but with happiness. They both hugged each other for long time and then happily went inside. Kalyani promised to cook herself a nice treat for both her daughters.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:10.0pt; line-height:115%;font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">Meanwhile Swati went to her mother’s room and picked the diary before someone else sees it. She came to her room and thanked the god that everything went as planned and her mother didn’t recognize her handwriting. They are a happy family now.<o:p></o:p></span></p>Pradiphttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17460265428707102735noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7735190413743403558.post-29066327387776995482011-11-23T12:18:00.004+05:302013-07-04T16:50:32.753+05:30Train to Hell<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLUvrPbSJJ9z8diVH9XWX3pwFcGkLH4CKiHe7wu9r4lWBdc9a_F7O2QN2hsuI273tyW5sB64B_pdF9YHVjFwCo9Y8gUEjNTRa8rutcobFsyCdiSchrzu6bvlVjNBRocB2xJvEX4HoTlhc/s900/hell_train_by_nuttsnbolts-d2zozk8.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="301" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLUvrPbSJJ9z8diVH9XWX3pwFcGkLH4CKiHe7wu9r4lWBdc9a_F7O2QN2hsuI273tyW5sB64B_pdF9YHVjFwCo9Y8gUEjNTRa8rutcobFsyCdiSchrzu6bvlVjNBRocB2xJvEX4HoTlhc/s320/hell_train_by_nuttsnbolts-d2zozk8.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<b><span class="Apple-style-span">26<sup>th</sup> Feb 2002<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span class="Apple-style-span">“Sabarmati Express 2 ghante late hai” Beeped the man at the railway enquiry counter.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span">Rehan’s heart sank deeper as he struggled out of the queue and walked towards Nazia. She was standing near the reservation chart with her luggage. He told her the status and added </span><span class="Apple-style-span">“Actually all the long distance trains get late and especially in night during winters” said Rehan justifying the delay.</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span class="Apple-style-span">Nazia and Rehan were college sweet hearts and she was travelling to Ahmadabad for an interview. They have been dating since 2000 New Year party in college. Their relation bloomed with the beginning of the new millennium and they were planning to get married soon. It was end of Feb but still it was chilly and they were shivering despite of their jackets. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span class="Apple-style-span">After sometime, Nazia said: “Rehan you should leave now; it’s getting late and colder with every passing minute. I will call you the moment I board the train. Ok?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span class="Apple-style-span">Rehan didn’t listen to any reasons and decided to stay back till the train leaves. He picked her suitcase and they started walking towards the waiting room in an attempt to relax and stay warm. They started talking about how important it would be for her to get through the interview and their future plans. The time passed on and after sometime, they dozed off. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span class="Apple-style-span">It was just 15 mins or so before the aging monster arrives crawling on the rails. They got up hearing the piercing train horn. They came out and stood on the platform. The platform was deserted and some dogs were howling on the one corner. Suddenly, the train appeared from the thick fog and S8 came to a halt where they were standing. Rehan helped Nazia with the luggage and after 10 mins or so the train left huffing. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span class="Apple-style-span">As Nazia entered the coach, she found the entire coach was saffronised. It seemed like everyone is coming back or going for some pilgrimage. She made herself comfortable on the berth after chaining the luggage to the hooks below. As she was about to doze off, her cell-phone rang. It was her Mom calling. She had informed her earlier about the delay.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span class="Apple-style-span"><b>Maa:</b><span class="Apple-style-span"> “Beta!! Train aayi ki nahi??”</span></span></div>
<span class="Apple-style-span"></span><br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span class="Apple-style-span"><b>Nazia:</b> “Maa train mein hi baithi hoon aur abhi station se nikli hai”</span></div>
<span class="Apple-style-span"> <o:p></o:p></span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span class="Apple-style-span"><b>Maa:</b> “Chalo theek hai!! Waise beta tumko jyaada pata hai lekin thoda dhyaan se dena interview… Bilkul nervous mat hona. Nayi wali salwar pehenkar jana. Hotel mein pahunchte hi call karna.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span class="Apple-style-span">Nazia was listening to her like a 4 year old as she went on mentioning all the Do’s and Dont’s to follow for the Interview. After some more informal talk she hung up and slowly dozed off.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<b><span class="Apple-style-span">27<sup>th</sup> Feb 2002<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span">Nazia woke up rubbing her eyes as she found the train stationary. Lazily yawning she checked wristwatch; it was about 7:45 a.m. As she lifted the window u</span><a href="" name="OLE_LINK2"></a><a href="" name="OLE_LINK1">p a cold and spine-chilling gust of air greeted her.</a><span class="Apple-style-span"> Her skin puckered into goose bumps. It was all looking foggy as if it’s all covered with soot. The train was not supposed to halt for so long at such a small station. May be some train is crossing, she thought… She heard some raised voices at a distance which she was not concerned as she was looking for a chaiwallah to cross near her window. Suddenly her phone came to life and she saw Rehan’s name blinking. She picked the call and sat up straight to get a better signal coverage. She told him that the train is stopped at some unknown station and looks like there is some dispute going on.</span></span></div>
<span class="Apple-style-span"></span><br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">
</div>
<span class="Apple-style-span"> <div style="text-align: justify;">
While talking to Rehan, she saw a man wrapped up in a shawl probably hiding something inside, coming towards her coach from a distance. His eyes were blood red and he was looking very angry. Rehan was listening to her when she asked someone casually:</div>
<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span class="Apple-style-span">“Bhaiya, kaun sa station hai ye?”</span></div>
<span class="Apple-style-span"></span><br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span class="Apple-style-span">He heard the man saying “Godhra” and with a sharp shriek the phone went dead.</span></div>
<o:p></o:p></div>
Pradiphttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17460265428707102735noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7735190413743403558.post-7309785174667109432011-11-11T10:12:00.002+05:302013-07-04T16:49:05.615+05:30Chai ki ek Talab<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnrV5OEkJUiRNmwDFasAZ4DzOCEvA9kgcC-mRicRPPZ7Qgj7o-qdQGRRueqQhS7kH5vEdQc6vEzs4MDC89WWhyphenhyphenOmdccky-SNh0R0RfBrSuqqguuSUN9_HgaA7o1JlgkpIzeBAFAz4EF24/s553/hot-tea-cup.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="258" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnrV5OEkJUiRNmwDFasAZ4DzOCEvA9kgcC-mRicRPPZ7Qgj7o-qdQGRRueqQhS7kH5vEdQc6vEzs4MDC89WWhyphenhyphenOmdccky-SNh0R0RfBrSuqqguuSUN9_HgaA7o1JlgkpIzeBAFAz4EF24/s320/hot-tea-cup.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 13px; line-height: 14px;"><span class="Apple-style-span">Shruti Kakkad was working in a MNC as a Software professional. She was one amongst the millions of engineers who used to spend half of their life in front of the blue screens. She hated her job like most. She had a delivery coming up in a week and she was asked to lead the team and had to stay back late that night. She was at her desk compiling the code which was sent for her review and the automated tool was taking its own sweet time to complete. Lack of sleep and previous night's hangover were taking their toll on the poor soul. She was not able to hold herself and finally dozed off. The screaming error message on the screen jolted her back to the reality, in her cubicle C-209 from her dreamland. She got up to realize that the keyboard and her cheek were smeared in her drooling while she was asleep. Disgustingly, wiping her cheek she stared at the screen and tied her flowing silky hair in a knot. While getting up she saw the big mug on her desk and she knew what she needed at this very moment.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 10pt; line-height: 115%;"><span class="Apple-style-span">She expectantly looked at the passing peon and made an eye contact just for a second and he immediately understood what she needed in this cold chilly night. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 10pt; line-height: 115%;"><span class="Apple-style-span">He said, "<i>Madam, Doodh to nahi hai, chai nahi ban sakti hai.</i>" Her heart sank deeper hearing this as she trudged out of the cubicle with a heart heavier than the delivery pressure. Life’s tough. With the clock striking the Cinderella hour, error screen screaming to be addressed, and No tea, Shruti felt as if the world is conspiring against her. It was not fair. Irritatingly she muted the system and went to the ladies room to cover the ruined make-up before one of her many fans sees her. From the ladies room window she saw 2 boys smoking outside the company gate. Immediately she knew what she has to do. She got an idea.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 115%;">After the quick patch up of the makeup she rushed out and ran towards the lift. From the unlucky floor she started descending to the ground at snail’s pace. The moment the lift doors opened, a gush of ice-cold breeze kissed her freshly painted face. She immediately realized her mistake as she walked past the lobby. The stole was hanging in her cubicle and she should not have worn sleeveless. The security guard saw her and stood. She was taken aback as she </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 14px;">didn't</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 115%;"> expect anyone there. He caught her and knew that she did it again. She forgot to get her Id while running down. Shruti pleaded and explained that it is at her desk and she came in rush. Reluctantly he agreed to let her go. She came out of the company lobby only to realize that it was extremely cold at this hour and she could see the dense fog in distant light. The night was getting more seductive by the minute as a poet would express it. The night was really cold and for once the weather department’s prediction came true, which she chose to ignore earlier that day. She was getting cold with every step she was taking outside. And her teeth were like a Morse code machine, punching the code into thin air coz of the spine chilling winter. kitt kitt kittt….. It was pitch dark outside. She could hear the distant growls of the zooming cars and trucks on the Outer Ring Road. She was determined that her idea will not fail her in keeping her warm and relaxing her. She was little scared, but she saw the boys out there and she knew she will get what she wants there. <o:p></o:p></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 10pt; line-height: 115%;"><span class="Apple-style-span">Rubbing her hands, in an attempt to keep herself warm, she moved to the entrance gate. At the gate she found that the boys have left and there was no-one. She felt depressed as the last hope was also gone. She was sure that she saw him also on the cycle. All her effort of coming all the way from 13th floor went down the drains. As the human count on the road became sparse, the canines started patrolling with their tails up. Dogs added the required Indian-ness to the office landscape. One of them looked inquisitively to her and after a moment joined its pack, which was howling together at a distance. In spite of all the atheism and rationale she was bred in all these years, she was still feeling really uncomfortable with a pack of dogs howling at a distance for no reason. It was a bad omen. Suddenly an auto driver popped up like a matrimonial ad of shaadi.com from thin air asking if she needs an auto. Looking at him disgustingly, she said "<i>No"</i>. Disappointed and dejected she turned back to head to her 4 by 4 cubicle. And then she heard it. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 10pt; line-height: 115%;"><span class="Apple-style-span">She turned back in anticipation hoping what she heard was true. She realized that the security guard in the adjacent company was whistling trying to shoo away the canines and the sound was not what she thought it was. She thought her fate could not be so bad. How can god be so heartless to a poor soul like her? She heard it again and this time she was sure that she heard it right. She waited with baited breath, voicing the prayers for it to come true. The fog was thick and the service road ahead was pitch dark. From that abyss of darkness she saw a ray of hope, a tiny twinkling light. Her hopes started rising and she was sure that her prayers have been answered finally. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 10pt; line-height: 115%;"><span class="Apple-style-span">From the pitch dark fog she saw the light was coming closer and getting brighter with every passing second. She could make out a lean young figure walking towards the company gates. Yes, it was him. It was confirmed now. He was walking with his Hero cycle with 2 jute bags dangling from each side of the handle. He was short and lean, may be in his mid-20s. He had a white pair of "action ke sports shoes" on. An unbuttoned orange jacket over a bright red shirt made him look like a character from the nursery sketchbook of a mischievous child. His head was covered in a woolen cap to protect him from the cold blowing wind. She had seen the big steel container tied to the seat. She was never so ecstatic to see anyone ever as she was to see Manoj- the regular guy. She knew Manoj well, as he was Krishna’s brother who used to cook at her boyfriend (Ashish) place. He used to come sometimes to help his brother in cooking where she met him. She felt comfortable seeing him walking towards her. She could not wait for him to come closer. With every step he was taking towards her, she was feeling energized and rejuvenated. Finally Manoj reached where she was standing expectantly. He asked her, if she wants. And then she said, "<i>Manoj, Ek chai pila do"</i>. Sipping contently on the hot brewing tea she went upstairs, wrapped up the work and left home late that night. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 10pt; line-height: 115%;"><span class="Apple-style-span">Next day she went to Ashish's place where he was preparing tea. She noticed he was little disturbed about something. She got to know that Krishna has not been coming since past one week. He told her that his brother Manoj who used to sell tea in Outer Ring Road was run over by a lorry last week and was dead on the spot near her office. A chill ran down Shruti’s spine. Her whole body numbed. Her blood froze. She gave him a scared look and fainted, when he offered her the cup of tea. Still Ashish wonders, why she stopped having TEA suddenly?</span><span class="Apple-style-span"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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Pradiphttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17460265428707102735noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7735190413743403558.post-71069340740043492532011-08-09T14:53:00.002+05:302011-08-09T15:00:21.845+05:30Turning 30 :(<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipHtsyF8P9wp25fcPOKZ02OuF1zcdJ_U3HIeZJjb6zhbpxwXBT5bouEOCsJ7FF_wK3lMXJTnQP5R_zdOqfG0RFBy2V5vDNFckVKLNZQLNjnZR-pSKA7Pb3v2LMIaBk4tC2aikbdgz4ddk/s1600/untitled.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 252px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipHtsyF8P9wp25fcPOKZ02OuF1zcdJ_U3HIeZJjb6zhbpxwXBT5bouEOCsJ7FF_wK3lMXJTnQP5R_zdOqfG0RFBy2V5vDNFckVKLNZQLNjnZR-pSKA7Pb3v2LMIaBk4tC2aikbdgz4ddk/s320/untitled.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5638786099729172370" /></a><p style="text-align:justify"><span style="font-size: 10pt; color: rgb(51, 51, 51); "><span class="Apple-style-span" >Being 30 is something different & not so good. First time this funda made an impression in my mind was when I saw the 30Plus tablets ad of actor Jitender. C'mon, I mean one needs some energy tablets in 30s? Let’s not go that way as yet! One more phrase that was so immensely popular during my college days- to disgust and ridicule somebody - call him 'uncle'. I had a very different 'point of view' about these 30 something uncle category people. Now there is no point in having that view. <o:p></o:p></span></span></p> <p style="text-align:justify"><span style="font-size: 10pt; color: rgb(51, 51, 51); "><span class="Apple-style-span" >They say the average life of an Indian male is about 62. So, technically I am half way through. There are so many things to be done and so much more to achieve. Well, time is running by very very fast. Frankly speaking, I was fine with this pace of time when I turned 20. End of teenage was kind a cool! Breaking the shackles... There was some awesome stuff to look forward to - Graduation, Interviews, Jobs, Promotion, Salary Hikes, Clubbing, Onsite trips, New Bike, Car, Parties, Expensive Accessories and Labelled Clothes. Wooow... I was almost dying to turn 20+. Well, I missed 'girl friend(s)' in that list. I was 23 after my graduation in 2004 and these last seven years have been lightening fast! <o:p></o:p></span></span></p> <p style="text-align:justify"><span style="font-size: 10pt; color: rgb(51, 51, 51); "><span class="Apple-style-span" >The point is, one always expects so much more from life. At 30 I am feeling a bit let down because there is really so much more to be done and very less is achieved. I need to up the tempo for next 10 years because then I will be in my ridiculous 40s. And that sure is crap!<o:p></o:p></span></span></p> <p style="text-align:justify"><span style="font-size: 10pt; color: rgb(51, 51, 51); "><span class="Apple-style-span" >So 30s, here I come. I am sure we will show each other some good time. And as they say - Men look more handsome in their 30s. Certainly looking forward to that !!!</span></span></p>Pradiphttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17460265428707102735noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7735190413743403558.post-26047347299411530172011-02-02T09:58:00.003+05:302011-02-02T10:03:48.350+05:30Shame!! Shame!! Shame!!<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpkSmTBpbud5fZbQAbTdce26jnjWeXOnxP1xkWkuXhnA5pmhRYZ0aiexgDADfWIk4fRNBzdE-pKQafCqbY9EdaiELPzcamS6eBHkLiMonyTZrb7-bnD1Ja4-yVm2LB7gOvh6D23jGmxXI/s1600/images%25202.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5568945258253048866" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 256px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 192px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpkSmTBpbud5fZbQAbTdce26jnjWeXOnxP1xkWkuXhnA5pmhRYZ0aiexgDADfWIk4fRNBzdE-pKQafCqbY9EdaiELPzcamS6eBHkLiMonyTZrb7-bnD1Ja4-yVm2LB7gOvh6D23jGmxXI/s320/images%2525202.jpg" border="0" /></a><span style="font-family:arial;">This appeared in Readers Quotient:</span>
<div align="justify"><a href="http://www.readersquotient.com/india/shame-shame-shame"><span style="font-family:arial;">http://www.readersquotient.com/india/shame-shame-shame</span></a></div>
<div align="justify"><span style="font-family:arial;">It’s been already 1 month we are in to the New Year and Valentine’s Day is round the corner. Very soon the cities, malls and stores would get painted in different hues of red- symbol of love. The season of love will again witness some drama from the moral police claiming their 15mins fame reminding the community what they are capable of. Let’s keep the V-day aside and talk about the shocking headline of 1st Feb 2011 in TOI which caught my eye- “<em>Bill seeks to let 12-yr-olds have non-penetrative sex</em>”.
</span><a href="http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/Bill-seeks-to-let-12-yr-olds-have-non-penetrative-sex/articleshow/7400208.cms"><span style="font-family:arial;">http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/Bill-seeks-to-let-12-yr-olds-have-non-penetrative-sex/articleshow/7400208.cms</span></a><span style="font-family:arial;">
When I saw this headline, I could not believe my senses and read it multiple times to make sure what I understood is correct. Such a bill coming from Chennai of all the places in the country was a bigger astonishment. The people of Chennai who have filed case against Khushboo’s statement on Major girl’s virginity have proposed for the legal acceptance on minor’s sexual acts is startling. The bill states: “Twelve-year-old children will be legally permitted to have non-penetrative sex with children of their age. The Bill also seeks to introduce a gradation in the age of consensual non-penetrative sex (12-14 years and 14-16 years) against the existing age of consent for sex which is 16 years. It proposes that in case of the age group 12-14, the maximum age gap between partners should be two years. For the 14-16 group, the maximum gap should be three years”. The consent age for sex in Spain is the lowest -13 and looks like India is trying to prove the world that we have arrived and broken all the shackles of our rusted traditions and become global. Is this some kind of mockery of “India Shining”?</span></div><span style="font-family:arial;"><div align="justify">
I fail to understand why do we need such a bill to be proposed in the first place? Is our country so perfect that we don’t have any major problems at hand to solve? Or is it the government’s idea of diverting the attention from the multi-crore scams and price rise? India is a junkyard of problems starting from poverty to illiteracy, corruption to racism. Instead of addressing the problems at hand we are igniting controversies and hullabaloo on the grounds of morality & ethics amongst the fellow citizens. The proposed person would get his 15 mins fame and the TV channels would get their required TRPs. Under the existing law, if two 12-year-olds get physical and if one child’s parent complains, the other can be pulled up by the Juvenile Justice Board. The panel that has members from </span><a href="http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/topic/search?q=National%20Commission%20for%20Protection%20of%20Child%20Rights"><span style="font-family:arial;">National Commission for Protection of Child Rights</span></a><span style="font-family:arial;"> felt such minor things should be decriminalized. The panel feels that child sex is a minor thing? Will the panel members be alright for their kids to indulge in such an act? I know I would not be. By saying this I don’t believe I am putting myself in the category of narrow-minded people like Shiv Sena or Sri Ram Sene. As ministers say at all occasions “<em>I condemn such a bill</em>” :P (pun intended). This just proves the in-capability of our judicial system and un-accountability of the parents who do not want to inculcate right morals/ethics into their offspring. Anyways we have enough perverts in this country doing, the unmentionable, we all read a lot of rubbish happening, whatever the argument/ legal explanations, by any act of humanity, this is just not permissible, 12 years of age and to allow such thoughts, this stinks big time.</span></div><span style="font-family:arial;"><div align="justify">
If a similar act conducted by a grown up person it is considered to be child abuse/molestation, then how can such an act be justified if it is done by a fellow child. If child molestation can traumatize the child how child sex can be considered acceptable? This bill would give pedophiles a chance to exploit the law. The bill talks about non-penetrative sex but it will not be possible for young children to control themselves if they get excited. At the time of sex even a sane/adult person becomes insane and actions become uncontrollable. Moreover how will a 12 year old give Informed Consent? At an age where Children should be taught Morals/ethics and the stress should be on Sports and Education, the Government is coming up with a proposal for having sex, that too with a qualifier of being non-penetrative. Children at a tender age can't differentiate between good/bad or right/wrong. What is needed is elderly guidance to humanely navigate them through their adolescence and bring them to their adulthood where they are able to take the right decisions. In a country where talking about sex publicly is a taboo, proposal of such a bill is extremely astonishing act. 12 years is not the age for a child to be indulged in sexual activities and not even for sex education for that matter. Sex education for a child should start from at least 14 years of age. Letting them do such acts and decriminalizing non penetrative sex would lead for more acts of crime. Several questions which need to be answered first:</div><div align="justify">
1) How will government make sure non penetrative act does not end up in penetrative sexual act? Will they be present to stop it? Consequences: Rise in no of 12/13 yr old pregnant girls, increase in number of abortions, Child pornography, and child sex. </div><div align="justify">
2) With introducing this act of decriminalizing non penetrative sex, what would be the fate of sexual harassment acts? That law would become null and void as mostly all sexual harassment faced by women at offices would come under the category of non penetrative acts.</div><div align="justify"> </div><div align="justify">This bill raises a lot of questions on the grounds of morality which is a very sensitive issue specially when it comes to our children-coz everyone is protective about their kids. This bill, if enacted, will become haven to child molesters and pedophiles. We can tolerate price rises, but how can we ever tolerate our children’s future destroyed? Such laws won't help in building a good nation and in building up those who are the future of our country. The Government should spend its time and energy on the more pressing things on hand. It’s really a Shame!! Shame!! Shame!!</span></div>Pradiphttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17460265428707102735noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7735190413743403558.post-62778081481419428242011-02-02T09:52:00.003+05:302011-02-02T09:57:29.078+05:30Happy Republic Day !!<div align="justify"><span style="font-family:arial;">This article got published in Readers Quotient on 26th Jan 2011.</span></div><div align="justify"><a onmousedown="'UntrustedLink.bootstrap($(this)," href="http://readersquotient.com/india/happy-republic-day" target="_blank" rel="nofollow"><span style="color:#3333ff;">http://readersquotient.com/india/happy-republic-day</span></a></div><div align="justify"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiT3jy_iLP-4NYXnhzCKKlOeT707heSxfJ1eTKzUDqMEnKys811sOJ-1dQd0pgV3wMy4vr9RaBL0Imhz_gYiqBGkHQV_Ny7mQtE2w5xmD-2qh65gwP__jJ_fQ0ZWAoKLW_IAXf_cVQfj20/s1600/r168602_629756.jpg"><span style="font-family:arial;"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5568943276701739026" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 214px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiT3jy_iLP-4NYXnhzCKKlOeT707heSxfJ1eTKzUDqMEnKys811sOJ-1dQd0pgV3wMy4vr9RaBL0Imhz_gYiqBGkHQV_Ny7mQtE2w5xmD-2qh65gwP__jJ_fQ0ZWAoKLW_IAXf_cVQfj20/s320/r168602_629756.jpg" border="0" /></span></a><span style="font-family:arial;">Another year has ended and going by Mayan Prediction we are closer to the end of the world. In a few days India is going to celebrate its 61st Republic day where we would publish India’s report card to the world. Suddenly I started feeling home-sick thinking about republic day. My parents are old fashioned patriots who ensure that special delicacies are prepared on the eve of 15th Aug and 26th Jan, since they felt it’s extremely important to celebrate the milestones of our free country. While engrossed in the thoughts of mom’s special delicacies, a little girl started tapping the window pane trying to sell some tricolors. Her tiny body and saucer eyes made her resemble the classic poster girl for poverty. She tapped on the window of my cab and said, ‘‘happy republic day saab.’’ She was shivering as she sold the plastic flags to motorists, most of whom shooed her away. She possibly didn’t know the meaning or importance of the Republic Day, but she knew that she would make some extra rupees that week. And that made her happy! For the little girl, those few extra rupees may have translated into extra bread for dinner. </span></div><div align="justify">
<span style="font-family:arial;">Looking at her made me think where is the country heading? What is our government’s goal for the country apart from robbing the common mans hard earned money to quench their desires? Do the people like the small girl on the streets begging or selling toys are ever part of the agenda to start with? It’s been over 60 years of our Independence but how much have we progressed? What is the measure of the country’s progress? Does the country’s progress ever take into account the poor and under the poverty line people? Recently I read somewhere- “According to recent Forbe’s list of Wealthiest people in the world, there are 23 billionaires in India with combined net worth of $99bn.” And on the other hand we have around 40 % of Indians below the poverty line who can’t afford to spend even Rs. 21.6 per day to get the basic 3 meals. </span></div><div align="justify">
<span style="font-family:arial;">Recently some entertainment channel was showcasing the minute details of the humble billion dollar Ambani Residence with 27 floors and 3 helipads as the world’s luxuriest home in Mumbai, where around 60% of the population resides in slums or streets. When one lands in Mumbai, you get the visual treat of Dharaavi (Asia’s largest slum) and the sorry state of our country which Danny Boyle has painted on the celluloid for the world to witness. It’s difficult to believe that on one hand India have few of the most affluent people in the world (</span><a title="www.forbes.com" href="http://www.forbes.com/"><span style="font-family:arial;">www.forbes.com</span></a><span style="font-family:arial;">) who can topsy-turvy the country’s economy, while the other side of the coin is rusted with poverty where people are struggling tooth and nail to survive each day. I don’t have any complaints or resent against the rich and affluent people in the country coz they are in a way face of the country and in some ways are able to showcase the world that India is not a snake charmers country anymore. They have worked hard enough to be in their current position and are working harder to maintain that position which should be appreciated. But what about the downtrodden half of the society? Who is responsible for them? What is the government doing for their upliftment apart from making programs on the paper? The fact is, even though there are facilities/schemes being initiated, the target audience don’t get to know or avail the facilities as there is corruption in every level. By the time the huge issued amount trickles down, there is nothing left for the needy; however documentation would be available to prove that the scheme has been a huge success leading to some more such schemes.</span></div><div align="justify">
<span style="font-family:arial;">By pointing out all the negative aspects and losing hope I might sound cynical; which is the state of most of the youngsters and educated section. With the current rate of corruption, the country is doomed for disaster and probably our generation would be there to witness it. It’s high time that we think about some measures to get the country move in the right direction. The least we as citizens can do is pay our taxes on time and don’t encourage corruption from our end as must as possible. Stop paying the traffic policemen for the lack of license or signal crossing. Follow the rules in the first place and if not, get a receipt for the paid money. I am not saying that this would change the country’s destiny but could be a stepping stone. The girl like this who is selling flags would probably end up in the metro’s mean streets turning tricks and hustling or peddling drugs, who would never see the inside of a concrete home. For such people the blue plastic sheet will have to suffice. Her bright eyes and cheerful smile will soon be replaced by a hard, stony expression. But chances are she will still be working on the same streets decade from now. Try telling people like them “<em>Mera Bharat Mahaan</em>”, she might just punch you.</span></div>Pradiphttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17460265428707102735noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7735190413743403558.post-79193355080914816342010-12-27T15:12:00.000+05:302010-12-27T15:13:40.162+05:302010- Year of Scams<div align="justify"><span style="font-family:arial;color:#333333;">This was published in Readers Quotient site: <a href="http://readersquotient.com/2010/12/15/2010year-of-scams/">http://readersquotient.com/2010/12/15/2010year-of-scams/</a></span></div><div align="justify"><span style="font-family:Arial;color:#333333;"></span> </div><div align="justify"><span style="font-family:arial;color:#333333;">The year 2010 is about to end and the new year is round the corner with lots of hopes, promises and cheers for everyone. 2010 seems to have been one of the most eventful year in the history of Indian politics since our independence. The year 2010 has been aptly coined as “The year of scams” by the media. This article is just to have a quick roundup of all the major scams exposed. With media and Common Man questioning the government, it looks like a big blow under the belt for our Prime Minister. While our PM Mr. Manmohan Singh is clean and praised for his smartness and intelligence across the world, back home most consider him to be a puppet guarding the throne for the next Gandhi Kin. The rate at which the information about fraudulent business practices involving lakhs and crores of money are getting exposed, India is bound to grab gold in the corruption race.
Corruptions like 2G, CWG, LIC Housing loans, Adarsh land scam and IPL to name a few are the top 5 in the pick list. Many are saying India has come of age and soon it will be a powerful country in the world, but with the rate at which we are unraveling the corruptions every day, I only see India moving towards an economic black hole. From Raja to Kalmadi and Yeddyurappa to Ashok Chavan every possible person has looted, robbed and cheated making the common man difficult to trust anyone. Now with some well educated leaders in the power we hoped something’s would change and the country would get a new direction towards growth, prosperity and better living standards for all. But it turned out to be bigger calamity in itself. All the skeletons that have been brought out of the closets are going on for past few years and it took us so long to acknowledge that there is a problem.
India as a country has come a long way since our independence and we rest of the world foresees India as a major economic superpower in coming times. Lot has been said, debated and argued about the corruptions. Every channel had their field day with new exposures at regular intervals, sky-rocketing the TRPs, but how many channels have come up with a solution? Isn’t it the responsibility of the journos also to suggest some solutions? Corruption is not new and we all have been experiencing it since decades. From the meter tampering in the auto fare to 2G, from metrics tampering in reports in office to Bofors, from pulses to land, we are omnipresent. Is it that difficult for the government to set a process with full spirit and see to that it is followed with integrity?
It’s high time that we come up with some concrete solutions to curb such events. There should be new laws enforced. I personally think that India is not made for a democracy. I believe a bi-party system should be implemented. Presently every tom dick and harry has their own party. A bi-party system will ensure some level of control and also lead to accountability for the ruling party. Apart from that government should mandate a certain level of eligibility criteria for MPs and MLAs; may be a Post Graduation in Political Sciences or for that matter any degree as such. Any candidate with an FIR/criminal record should not be allowed to contest the elections until their name gets cleared in the case. There should be mandatory audit/inspection for every MP/MLAs on their accountability for their portfolio. This will definitely help us take necessary steps before the trillions of money is gulped. Government officials should also look out for eligible candidates from colleges via campus selections for government/municipal jobs based on fair selection process. These steps might sound small and petite but even a mile long journey has to be started with one step. I hope that by implementing some of such stringent solutions and several others which come into the minds of you all which you may like to put them across in the comments and feedback we can probably get some discipline in the way we are functioning and help the country progress in real terms. Hope India ushers into a new era of development in coming years.</span></div>Pradiphttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17460265428707102735noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7735190413743403558.post-32152959077481086772010-11-30T15:23:00.002+05:302010-11-30T15:27:20.438+05:30Guzaarish<p align="justify"><span style="font-family:arial;">What does life mean to us? Is mere breathing considered to be life? This is the question raised very loud and clear in the most anticipated movie of the year: <em>Guzaarish</em>- story of Ethan Mascarenhas. After painting the celluloid with Black and Blue the ace director Sanjay Leela Bhansali is back with his grandeur. This is a movie which would tickle your grey cells to think if it’s high time to debate and re-look into our judicial system to make euthanasia or mercy killing legal?</span></p><p align="justify"><span style="font-family:arial;">Firstly coming to the movie, "<em>Guzaarish</em>" is a story about a wheelchair-bound magician who once used to fly. A patient of quadriplegia, who has to be nursed day and night. SLB is back with his magical formula which got him most of the accolades- a handicapped person for whom life itself is the villain. <em>Guzaarish</em> works on many levels and fails on many as well. Surprisingly, the movie which highlights how imperfect and cruel life can be, everything seems to be unfailingly perfect. He looks too glowing and perfect for someone who has trouble breathing, whose lungs, liver and kidneys are deteriorating... Hrithik Roshan tries to wring every ounce of sympathy in us by laughing in the face of tragedy. It’s only designed to make you love him and feel for him. Only… you don’t after a point. You never really get inside Ethan’s head beyond a certain level and remain disconnected with him throughout the film. Aishwarya is a stunning picture of fire and grace, walking away with certain scenes by her sheer vitality. His student, the wanabe magician, Aditya Roy Kapoor, dresseed like Raj Kapoor in “<em>Mera Naam Joker</em>” is a natural and a delight. One can see the beauty of incandescent Goan landscape that literally transports you to an art gallery. The cinematography is so beautiful that you can feel the goan breeze on your face.</span></p><p align="justify"><span style="font-family:arial;">Beyond all this good cinematography and bad performances, there is an important question which the movie leaves behind. Is mere breathing considered to be life? Should Ethan and likes be allowed to die simply because they don’t want to live anymore? What does freedom of life mean to us? Isn’t the right to live is closely linked to the right to death since death is an event of life itself? It’s high time that we think about it and take a pioneering step. I agree life is scared and we ought to live it to the full extent. Is it possible for us as a society to recognize and assert the fundamental importance of life while at the same time recognizing and asserting the right of a terminally ill patient to die with dignity? This is something that our judicial system need to see on the humanitarian grounds and take a call.</span></p>Pradiphttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17460265428707102735noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7735190413743403558.post-81911133001812985542010-10-06T19:42:00.000+05:302010-10-06T19:43:43.242+05:30CWG 2010<div align="justify"><span style="font-family:arial;">The upcoming Common Wealth Games which is supposed to be Indias moment of glory is turning into an hour of shame with every passing day. The games due to start from Oct 3rd are proving to be a debacle. With Royal corruptions, high security concerns and incomplete preparations the question that pops up is are we really ready to organize such a world class event?</span></div><span style="font-family:arial;"><div align="justify">
2010 CWG with imported items like toilet papers worth 4000 bucks a pop and Umbrellas for 6000/piece has set a new standard of corruption. It makes all the other corruptions from fodder to software seems to be chindi chors. With CWG participants on their way its too late to react and do anything at this point. We cannot shelve the games and book the culprits. Its the irony of fact that inspite of so much nothing happens to these offenders. However we will see breaking news flashes on our Idiot boxes, some jobless panelists will be called who will condemn the issue and give out their gyaan, Some sting opertions to garner some TRPs and some more new names getting global fame. While the mango people would think that something is happening the issue will be swept under the carpet in few weeks.</div><div align="justify">
When I got to know that a whopping 30 crore flower pots were bought, I got to know what money plants are. Incase there is a security concern, our body builders working out with 80 crore dumbles (probably made of gold with diamonds studded on it) could be put to use. With all this I wonder are we really a poor country? I am sure we can make many developed countries to run for their money. You know what, its the organizers mistake; Who asked them to call it common wealth games? No wonder the officials took it literally and thought the weatlth to be "common" and shared with family and friends :P.</div><div align="justify">
Anyways its one more scandals which will be discussed at chai-time by one and all. We will curse the government for not taking any actions. TVs will show this for a while and eventually everyone will forget it. </span></div>Pradiphttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17460265428707102735noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7735190413743403558.post-80514295753795282372010-04-21T21:15:00.000+05:302010-04-21T21:16:56.569+05:30Peer Pressure !<div align="justify"><span style="font-family:arial;">1. Look at Bunty. He has scored 95%. Don’t you want to be the topper of the class and get distinction award. You should start studying more and more so that you can score more than him.
2. Orange Juice!! ha ha ha… The room filled with laughter. The girls are having vodka and a smoke and you are having orange juice. C’mon man; you are 28. Pick up the glass of scotch man.
3. So when are you getting married? You are 28 right? What’s going on?
I am sure you have heard or said such statements in more than one occasion. I have definitely been on the receiving end in more than one occasion. This is just a simple dose of peer pressure. It starts from our childhood. Parents are never easier to please; they have their own set of sky-high expectations from their children. Pressure to score highest in all subjects and be a topper, Outstanding in sports and extra curricular activities, being the best-behaved child around. As the time passes the expectations multiplies. Be an engineer or doctor by clearing an entrance exam in IIT or AIIMS. Then topping in college and getting placed in the campus selection getting paid highest in the batch. Then comparing salary’s and onsite visits. The vicious circle never ends till the time we are on our death pyre.
As a kid our parents chose everything in our lives. Starting from clothes to food to school to friends to play and mingle with. Now that we are grownups and take decision for ourselves we choose our own herd- our own set of people, colleagues and groups whom we like to hang out with. Groups where we all think alike, have common goals, similar interests and the same likes and dislikes. In short everyone’s frequency matches almost perfectly. As we become more and more independent, our friends/peers play an important role in shaping us. In a group while we make dozens of decisions we always influence each other’s choices and behaviors. Its human nature to listen and learn from others. There’s nothing wrong with comparing and getting influenced by peers. People are influenced because they want to fit in, be more like the ones they admire and do what others are doing so that they are accepted in the group.
As every coin has two faces, peer pressure also has its own share of pros and cons. It all depends on person to person what they learn and what they get influenced by. The only key being we should not lose our own identity at the end of it. I have known people who get into things they do not want to, just because of peer pressure and then repent for the rest of their lives. But it’s very hard to control one self when everyone around you are behaving in a certain manner. If you don’t act like them, then you are not one of them. Perhaps this fear is what makes you do something, which you don’t wish to do. Peers help you socialize, encourage in achieving your goals, experience something new. But at the same time peers can also make you do something, which you wouldn’t want to do in the first place. They may pressure you into doing something you're uncomfortable with, such as shoplifting, smoking or drinking, taking dangerous risks when driving a car. Remember the movie “Lakshya” where Hrithik is clueless and joins army just because his friend is going. Though he changes completely after a while. But that’s movie and practically it can cost you piece of your mind. We ought to realize when and where we have to draw our line and say No.
Peer pressure can be in any form starting from blackmailing to subtle signals making you conform to do something, which you do not want to do. The pressure can be very powerful and hard to resist. It can be doing anything as harmless as dressing in a certain outfit to pretty harmful like doing drugs. Most of the time we give in because we see everyone is doing it and think, “it must be ok”. Before you know you might just be part of the crowd and end up in an ugly situation. </span></div><div align="justify"><span style="font-family:arial;">
At some point of time everyone ends up in a sticky peer pressure situation. No matter how well we know our friends and buddies, sooner or later we have to stand our ground and make some unpopular decisions. It may be something as simple as resisting the pressure of spending your hard earned money on a weekend party making you look uncool to your group. But these situations are just an opportunity for you to decide what’s right for you. It’s not easy to resist negative peer pressure, but when you do it, you feel great. You never know it may be a positive impact on other buddies in your group. So have loads of peers but avoid the pressure and have a chill pill !! </span></div>Pradiphttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17460265428707102735noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7735190413743403558.post-83389138576690653242010-03-20T23:32:00.002+05:302013-02-05T21:05:57.750+05:30Mera Bharat Mahan<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;"><strong>कल नुमाईश में मिला वो चीथड़े पहने हुए </strong></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;"><strong>मैंने पुछा कौन? तो बोला हिंदुस्तान हूँ</strong> <strong>!!</strong></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: arial;">What is the first thing that comes to your mind when I say Taj? What comes to my mind is 26/11, which makes me shiver to the core. Gone are the days when my answer would have been one of the wonders of the world or a posh hotel. Do you remember the 14th Feb 2010 newspapers front-page headlines? “Blast rips Pune bakery, 9 Killed.” Did you find something new or shocking?That’s definitely not new to me as every few days the headlines repeat with different location and varied death tolls. Every channel showcases the breaking news trying to get higher TRP’s; netas would condemn the act of terrorism and highlight the incompetence of the ruling party vouching for some brownie points from the mango people; All so called NGO’s would gather at a historical monument with candles paying tribute to the victims; and the so-called policewala will be out on patrol with their rusted rifles trying to protect the left out citizens. What is new in this? I know, I sound cynical. Coz I’m sick and tired of such attacks, our incapability, our lethargic responses, our dysfunctional government and our handicapped system.
This year we celebrated our 60th Republic Day and published India’s report card to the world, which showed everything was perfect. We are in 21st century and India is still counted as a developing country. Even today we have snake charmers tag attached to us in spite of marking our presence on the moon. We have the world’s biggest slum, Thanks to Danny Boyle to remind this to the world and Indians also. We are almost there to beat China in terms of population. We have beaten almost every other country by getting our hands dirty in corruptions ranging from fodder to Software Company, from Pulses to Bofors. We are omnipresent. Still half the Indian population has not seen school and more than half are under the poverty line. Ever thought what is it that makes us feel proud about being an Indian? If you ask me, in real terms I don’t know myself? As in a movie Nana Patekar points out: Sau mein se assi baimaan fir bhi mera bharat mahaan. I guess this post is just to explore this how are we great when we are not able to protect our fellow human beings and when we discriminate our fellow Indians on the basis of religion, region, caste and creed?
Every day we hear people saying passing on the road, traveling in bus/train and even during <em>daru</em> sessions – “<em>Is desh ka kuch nahi ho sakta</em>”. Infact am not an exception. We have the most brilliant minds in the country but our contribution to world’s science and technology is almost nil. Even in 21st century our contribution to world is counted as Kama Sutra and Zero. India has money but we still can’t meet the basic needs of food, shelter and clothes for our fellow countrymen. So then why are we still lagging? Is it just our lethargy to be a pioneer/leader? Or is it the colonial hangover? Or is it the corruption, which doesn’t allow us to excel? The same brilliant Indian minds work in <em>pardes</em> and make the impossible possible making the developed countries more ahead in terms of technology, power, health and infrastructure.
Its not that we don’t react to a situation; of course we do but for that we need a push, a catalyst, and a force. Why do we need means to react and a push to be accountable? Why is it that we need Mumbai Local attacks, or a Taj Incident or the latest pune blast to unite us and stand against wrong? Why do a Jessica Lal or Aarushi need to be butchered for people to voice out their pain/angst? Why don’t we believe anymore in <em>Vasudaiva Kutumbakam</em> or <em>Sarve Jana Sukhino Bhavantu</em>? Why is it that we see unity in diversity only in books or movies? Why don’t we see this everyday on streets, in our thinking, in our work? Why do we still fight over caste, religion and sex? Why even after 60 years of independence we see each other as north Indian or south Indian? Why our education system is not able to teach us the minutest thing, which even the smallest of insects show? Unity! There are lots of hard-hitting questions and we don’t have answers to any of them.
The calendar has changed but still things are same as it were last year. We are still watching the same 26/11 videos; same set of people marching on the roads with candles to stop terrorism, kasab- who brutally killed innocent people is the safest person in India savoring delicacies in the jail. A staggering 31 crores have been spent to keep him safe and secure. I wonder if the government had taken so much care to safeguard the nation we wouldn’t have had 26/11 or 11/7 in the first place. I might sound condescending, but unfortunately that’s the truth. Every one of us wants to do something for his or her country to make it move forward towards a developed country, but we don’t know what to do? How to do? Where to start? The process of even reporting the lost cell phone is so painful that, most of us don’t even bother to take that pain. I would not say its lethargy; it’s the complicated process and corrupted routes to achieve it.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: arial;">I guess its time that we all ask this question to ourselves and think seriously about such issues and voice it. The other day I saw the movie “Invictus” starring Morgan Freeman as Nelson Mandela who asks his countrymen to turn colorblind in order to pave paths for a rainbow country. There were so many goose bump moments that it actually fill me with new zeal and passion to do something different. It’s high time that we rise to the calls of time and stand to what we believe in.</span></div>
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Pradiphttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17460265428707102735noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7735190413743403558.post-17063723859007663142010-02-09T21:53:00.004+05:302010-02-09T22:03:19.093+05:30Nothing for you My Dear- Still I Love You<div align="justify"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYNIBGKpndRWko6FBYg2yZyz0pAESTanovWbCygOWxqs62uA0pPdzCSRYkL6YAo-6Ik4ig6WGUvlfGLyKY5rD9BnqS7mPqJZdDYFrG3tA1GREmCzQDCkUWG0jB7kQ846iBw-1Ky_7qHrc/s1600-h/12515631769788188575749.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5436280565564579250" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 120px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 184px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYNIBGKpndRWko6FBYg2yZyz0pAESTanovWbCygOWxqs62uA0pPdzCSRYkL6YAo-6Ik4ig6WGUvlfGLyKY5rD9BnqS7mPqJZdDYFrG3tA1GREmCzQDCkUWG0jB7kQ846iBw-1Ky_7qHrc/s320/12515631769788188575749.jpg" border="0" /></a><span style="font-family:arial;">Ever heard the saying: "Never judge a book by its cover". Trust me guys its true. Last week I went to Landmark just to browse through the new collections and best sellers. With the valentines season round the corner it seemed like the town is painted in Red. Starting from flowers to books, cards to gifts, malls to roadside stalls. Everyone seems to be in the red mood :P. While browsing under the bestsellers section, a book with red cover with a couple on a bench caught my attention. It was a book by a debutante Arpit Dugar and the book I’m referring is “<em>Nothing for you My Dear- Still I Love You</em>”.
The cover was interesting and the jist at the last page sounded something light-hearted romcom. Since the price was just 90/- I picked it. I was expecting something on the lines of Two States by Chetan Bhagat. Like a young kid who is excited to see new books at the beginning of the academic year, I was also excited to start off with the book. But alas the excitement vanished in just few pages.
Firstly coming to the plot. The book has nothing new to offer. The same college life and similar issues, lack in captivating the reader. The main protagonist (Avi) is asked to meet a prospective girl for marriage. Avi tells her that he is not interested but when the girl insists on knowing the reason, Avi explains in the form of 185-page book. One thing I am not able to understand why on earth would someone share with an unknown girl his/her 24 years of life? I failed to connect with the author on that. I mean any sane person would tell that he/she has someone else in their life but definitely not narrate their biography as a reason for not marrying.
Secondly, within first few pages, the reader would get a bad feeling; that the book was never edited. Seems like the manuscript was printed directly. With so many spelling mistakes, grammatical errors and incorrect sentence structures the book is a big disappointment. The author wrote his own story and named his character as Avinash, but at places he got it mixed with his real name-Arpit, which doesn’t sound good. Also the name of his friend “Nitin” has been spelled incorrectly as “Ntini” at many places, which definitely means the editor gladly slipped reading the content. Smart guy I'd say!!
Lastly, in the end the author tried to get an element of twist, which was not handled well. Seems like author was bored of the book himself. He wrapped up the ending in 5 or 10 lines. Before the reader could realize what happened, the book ends abruptly. Though I have finished the book in two sittings, it’s been a great disappointment. At the end I could feel only one thing <em>paisa bolta hai</em>. If you have the <em>moolah</em>, you can get any damn stuff published and make readers pay for your $***. So to conclude, NEVER read it and thumbs down for Arpit Dugar's first attempt.</span></div>Pradiphttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17460265428707102735noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7735190413743403558.post-32184394893871228352010-01-27T12:33:00.009+05:302010-01-27T21:01:29.616+05:30Phir Nahi Mile Sur<div align="justify"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5Amv25VGgnQRPfQX_ucSwisSnosfhQx5bG44bqMsPcfdUxhFeyiZZODjscD6aXdHKq2rCOBfz4khk6sk9sgK_nRaJtrRDh4_xpB6NiZPelEVQ4xnqva-i-4Ipp3hybtnjMN5bQ6DVqhw/s1600-h/Phir+mile+sur+mera+tumhara.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5431333765355702626" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 200px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 66px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5Amv25VGgnQRPfQX_ucSwisSnosfhQx5bG44bqMsPcfdUxhFeyiZZODjscD6aXdHKq2rCOBfz4khk6sk9sgK_nRaJtrRDh4_xpB6NiZPelEVQ4xnqva-i-4Ipp3hybtnjMN5bQ6DVqhw/s200/Phir+mile+sur+mera+tumhara.JPG" border="0" /></a><span style="font-family:arial;">When I first got to know that Zoom has taken an initiative to remake the iconic <em>"Mile Sur"</em>, I was really excited. This song is considered among the most patriotic, which emphasize the common spirit of unity in diversity. It makes one nostalgic. I felt <em>chalo</em> finally someone recognized the need of this video in present troubled times, when different places in India are mentally disturbed by spoiled politics are seeking separate states and terrorism is the buzz word.
Yesterday when I saw the New <em>‘<strong>Phir Mile Sur Mera Tumhara</strong>’</em> video I was stumble down. Frankly speaking, the legacy left by old one is incomparable with new one. New one doesn’t stand anywhere near the old humble and sweet <em>"<strong>Mile Sur Mera Tumhara</strong>"</em>. I must say full marks to director/producer for initiation. Congratulations atleast they thought of this. But they messed up <em><strong>BIGGGGG</strong></em> Time... Firstly the producers didn’t understand the intent of redoing the iconic song. The original song had all the national heroes who have contributed to the country in their respective fields. The New <em>mile sur</em> seems to be a commercial song in tribute to Bollywood. Sallu doesn’t surprise me, I’m glad he is atleast partly dressed and does Ms Padoukone have only legs to show?? At least a tradional dress would’ve made her look graceful. Wonder what Rohit Bal and Karan Johar doing in this video? I am not demeaning Bollywood or the entertainment sector here, as they are much needed. But I strongly feel: For a song with an intention of national integration should include heroes from all fields- from sports to politics to business, from dancers to noble Laureates to Bharat Ratna Winners. I wonder why there was no Kalam, Tata/Premji, Tendulkar/Saurav, Rajyawardhan Singh Rathore, Paes or Bhupati, Vishwanathan Anand or Sania Mirza or Sunita williams? With the focused depiction on bollywood that too newbies like Ranbir, Shahid and Padukone, it failed to connect and seems like Bollywood is our role model.
Secondly the new composition is so disappointing that it totally spoiled the original song. There is no smooth flow and at places it sounds totally out of place especially in Aamir's part. The way Shanker Mahadevan sang, I thought it was end of the song and Sonu Nigam overdid with unrequired extra notes. Flamboyant living musical legend such as Sivamani have his movements out of sync with the music!
Thirdly the editing and camera work is poor. The best of the film industry are lined up with a really shabby editing job to showcase the country. India is such a beautiful country and they got only Taj Hotel to shoot several shots. The beautiful 7 northeastern states are totally missing. Where are the endless deserts of Rajasthan, snow covered Himalayas, green paddy fields or tea gardens?
To conclude <em>Phir mile sur</em> is like a poor remix of the original. Original score was legendary. Even today when I hear it I get goosebumps. Good old childhood socialist song made impure by capitalist bollywood walas. It’s a big disappointment and thumbs down.</span>
</div><div align="justify"><span style="font-family:Arial;"></span></div>
<div align="justify"><span style="font-family:Arial;">Mile Sur: <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gstRrEmTcBc&feature=related">http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gstRrEmTcBc&feature=related</a></span></div><span style="font-family:arial;"></span>
<span style="font-family:arial;">Phir Mile Sur (1st part): </span><a onmousedown="'UntrustedLink.bootstrap($(this)," href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nq31OjsQ124" target="_blank" rel="nofollow"><span style="font-family:arial;">http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nq31OjsQ124</span></a>
<span style="font-family:arial;">Phir Mile Sur (2nd part): </span><a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nytoo6jFfNg"><span style="font-family:arial;">http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nytoo6jFfNg</span></a>Pradiphttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17460265428707102735noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7735190413743403558.post-91000605881287320302009-12-29T15:44:00.003+05:302009-12-29T15:52:48.508+05:30Bored !!<div align="justify"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibvzfWb9sJt2UKHrHWRXjCnSBFLNHUYmG1TZ4P2MqhW1xr-Tj_JAr0TfLewruIq9UV-g9EI84FfFzOF2lmPFUWw-ZzIBFzz1kwMYpy2fFYDjDGtH2rKk1C9pU5rznGdDcMlZ7EG4DVwTY/s1600-h/bored.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5420600638183821474" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 200px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 124px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibvzfWb9sJt2UKHrHWRXjCnSBFLNHUYmG1TZ4P2MqhW1xr-Tj_JAr0TfLewruIq9UV-g9EI84FfFzOF2lmPFUWw-ZzIBFzz1kwMYpy2fFYDjDGtH2rKk1C9pU5rznGdDcMlZ7EG4DVwTY/s200/bored.jpg" border="0" /></a><span style="font-family:arial;">It’s time to get bored. While the entire world is celebrating December as Anti-Boredom Month with vacations, festivals and parties lined up, I am yawning my way to office. How am I doing on my boredom meter??? Well lets see... really bad, infact getting worse by every passing minute. With only reality horror shows, Ruchika’s trial and nth time repetition of bollywood flicks, Idiot box, is the last resort.
Friends are either at home spending time with parents/friends or merely on a mega world tour vacation to chill out and welcome the New Year in a very serene, relaxed and high-spirited way. I’m in Bangalore :( working and attending office daily. Why? Coz I don’t have leaves and no plans to go home. The good/bad part of working with an International organization is that there is literally no major work in the last 2 weeks of December. And to top it all; Recession has slowed down things a lot. Now at this time of the year, people are getting less work to do. Off late people are free and do not have much to work. All colleagues who stayed back like me are catching up on the pending work by filling pages and pages of performance appraisals. Hey am not talking about myself. Common work and me? I have this reputation of being the laziest creature on the planet and I have to live up to that. With year-end closure and holiday season, I am as free as the stainless steel chammach that comes free with Brooke Bond Tea and I am loving it. Like every normal human being I also look for number of long weekends when the next years calendars are released. Like everyone I was yearning for holidays. But now with holidays round the corner, and left alone in the city, am not excited.
I am bored to death and let me count you the evidences of getting bored. I am playing all kinds of stupid games on facebook. You can see a lot of activity going on there. I started watching some brainless reality shows and CID on TV (not suicidal to watch K serials though). I am reading all org announcements of unknown people joining GE and several other countless brainless activities to keep myself from going insane. I’ve also attended my colleagues child’s 1st birthday parties… It’s the holiday season and I’m all-alone on this planet earth. Well at office I have to fill out my performance appraisal forms like everone else and IT returns to be filed- which is monotonous and I despise it. I am not able to go home as it was not planned earlier and now the flight expenses are exorbitantly high. Sigh…. So here I am vegetating in Bangalore winters and literally doing nothing. I love it. I love my life… :(</span></div>Pradiphttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17460265428707102735noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7735190413743403558.post-38141009200055320732009-12-01T12:23:00.004+05:302009-12-01T18:12:53.142+05:30Kurbaan<div align="justify"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjW56ziy1-a_MdGjEYS7BqtB7iou9klSnn2B37zDJKsqAPkJGPoHA9eC65rftdSeNdKcvd9JDk69HsI_9ebRHoUFhbiFhfc1bT1yAPs1XuV_4Po4EXRX18TF76O-e0GZyZXH2a4yLK0m8Y/s1600/173324c4-e12c-4e52-8370-2c0d856d6eb6kurbaan.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5410159691070662786" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 138px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 200px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjW56ziy1-a_MdGjEYS7BqtB7iou9klSnn2B37zDJKsqAPkJGPoHA9eC65rftdSeNdKcvd9JDk69HsI_9ebRHoUFhbiFhfc1bT1yAPs1XuV_4Po4EXRX18TF76O-e0GZyZXH2a4yLK0m8Y/s200/173324c4-e12c-4e52-8370-2c0d856d6eb6kurbaan.jpg" border="0" /></a><span style="font-family:arial;">Lots have been said, written and exressed about "<strong><em>Kurbaan</em></strong>". So better late than never I thought I should also put my views in black and white before the movies effect fades away. I watched the movie last week with friends and trust me this is something you must watch if you havent. I'm sure many would agree that It's the most powerful film to come out of Dharma Productions continuing to make history with the letter "K". Many film makers have narrated story with a backdrop of terrorism but nothing as profound, thought-provoking and dramatic as Kurbaan. </span>
</div><p align="justify"><span style="font-family:arial;">Rensil D'silva who has chosen a burning issue like terrorism as his launchpad comes out with flying colors making one suspect if he's really a debutant. Though some draw parallels with recent movies like Fanaa and New York, Kurbaan is totally different with only one similarity being terrorism as backdrop. Despite its long running time of nearly 3 hours the director maintains the pace and keeps the audience glued to the screen. The best part is there's not even a single dull moment and every 10-15 minutes there is a twist which completely gets you unaware and hooked to the screen. The last half hour of climax is unpredictable and keeps you totally off the edge. Songs which are important part of our Indian cinema were already the chartbusters. They have gelled perfectly with the sequences without any lip sync.</span></p><div align="justify"><span style="font-family:arial;">Now coming to the actors- Saif has already proved himself as a fine actor and he is superb when he plays wicked. The transformation of his character from a charming college professor to cold blodded terrorsit is awesome. Kareena scores high with her acting and looks- No doubt on that. Vivek Oberoi also comes up with flying colors in his pivotal role though his american accent sounds very fake. No words for legends like Om Puri and kirron Kher who set new standards for themselves. Kirron however was a surprise element which was totally unexpected of. </span></div><div align="justify"><span style="font-family:Arial;"></span> </div><div align="justify"><span style="font-family:arial;">On a whole, KURBAAN deserves all the superlative accolades its fetching being the most powerful film to come out of the Hindi film fraternity in 2009, so far. The film has a captivating plot, gripping screenplay, superb performances and a climax that shakes you up completely. In short its no ordinary bollywood masala flick, rather something that will spike your brain cells to think. If you havent watched it yet, you missed something !! In short <em>fultoo paisa wasool</em>.</span></div>Pradiphttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17460265428707102735noreply@blogger.com0