Mumbai terror brought out the best in media

THE UNPRECEDENTED terror attacks of 26/11 have pointed fingers at the government as well as the media. Mumbai, a city of verve and vivacity, was brought down on its knees on this fateful day. There have been several debates questioning the integrity, professionalism and ethics of the media. Rather than praising the media for its relentless reporting, it was criticised for intruding into official matters, be it the police or the NSG. It was the media itself who provided a larger sense of the happenings inside the Taj Mahal Hotel to a city seething with rage and grief. More than 70 hours of live reporting is definitely not a cake walk. Bloodshed all over, people crying and withering with pain is not an easy sight to see. It requires a lot of courage to record such disturbing footage and control your emotions. Talking on air and suppressing your sentiments is tough. At the time of war, people simply want to know if they are safe. If media gives them this information, it is condemned for doing so. Why is the media hated in such a manner?

Competition might be a reason for media hatred. Gone are the days when, news was available just once in a day. Boom of television news channels has further boomed up competition. Every channel wants to be the first one in the rat race. Media shows what the viewer wants. The media abided by its ethics and acted responsibly in not broadcasting disturbing videos.

Mediapersons were present right at the spot of live firing, doing their job of keeping its audience informed. A single bullet was enough to kill the journalists on duty. After all why should they put their lives at stake? The answer is very simple. They put their lives at stake because they are out on the call of duty. This duty includes informing citizens to stay indoors and making its viewers aware of the situation in their own city.

The area was cordoned off for a couple of hours and never did they dare to take any discrepant step. 26/11 has been a lesson for all, and the media has done a commendable job of reporting and keeping the viewer updated with all the crucial happenings. Criticism develops a change in us and gives us an opportunity to reinvent, but when one is criticised after a virtuous act, it is really saddening. The viewer sitting peacefully at his home has no right to malign the mediapersons. Stepping into the shoes of journalists will make the viewer realise the hurdles faced by people on duty.

Thankyou Santa

As a child I always believed that Santa Claus exists in reality. My faith started fading away slowly, as I started growing up. I was taught that Santa exists only in stories and fairy tales, not in real life. I used to dream of Santa in my dreams, riding his sleigh and fulfilling all the desires and wishes of people. Stories of hanging the stocking on the Christmas tree, so that Santa can drop a gift inside seemed magical and at times whimsical. The question which amused me was the practicality of such a fat man, fitting into the chimney of a house. It seemed to be quite unlikely, but Santa is regarded as the messenger of God, so nothing is impossible for God.

After having grown up with a lot of faith in Santa, it is not viable to take a decision on his existence. Nobody might see Santa in reality, but he does exist among us. He is the one who grants us peace and harmony. Totally selfless, he comes with noble deeds right from the North Pole, traveling far and wide across the globe to grant us our wishes. Bearing the biting cold and crossing all sorts of weather conditions, he knocks on our minds silently. He might not give us grant us with worldly pleasures, but surely gives us happiness that all of us long for. He might not assure us with materialistic comforts but makes sure to take away hatred from the society. He bestows upon us a new year filled with cheer and glee.

Though he is not visible and will never be, he is omnipotent and omnipresent. Santa, if you can read this, then peace is what we all desire. Be it within the country or within every household. This Christmas grant us with eternal peace and strength to face any kind of obstacles coming our way.

Do's and Don'ts of a website

WITH THE advent of information technology, the world appears to be just a click away. With everything available online, it is turning the world into a global village. The process of marketing, initially undertaken by word of mouth underwent a transformation with radio, newspapers and television chipping in as major marketing vehicles. That was not all. Along came the Internet, which ensured the availability of anywhere and anytime information. Internet marketing and consulting services made it possible to access information in an effortless manner.

After having recognised the contribution of information technology, it is time we looked at the Internet as a whole. An attractive website is that which appeals to the eyes of the internet savvy people. Online surfers generally display a short attention span. Therefore website developers must factor in the psyche of the surfers.

The criteria for website development must be defined in such a way that they fulfil the surfer’s needs without causing restlessness in the surfer. The four most important C’s that play a vital role in the development of a good website are: Conciseness, clarity, correctness and colour. In order to be successful in internet marketing, these four C’s should be considered before designing the website. Information technology has rendered the impossible, possible. Goods and services are being marketed to more and more people without any physical barriers cropping up, all thanks to internet marketing and consulting services.

A good website design must catch the attention of the surfer instantly by its simplicity. Viewers must be able to navigate between pages in an easy manner. Never make the surfer click the back button. This annoys the surfer as searching for some other information on the website is not always pleasant. Overloading it with information will annoy the viewers. It should involve a carefully planned procedure and carry the views of experts. Taking advice always helps; so before operationalising your website, always survey the most-visited websites. It can be a formal or an informal process. This keeps you informed of the do’s and don’ts of designing a website.

Rab Ne Bana Di Jodi: Falls short of expectations

YASH RAJ Chopra’s Rab Ne Bana Di Jodi starring Shahrukh Khan and Anushka Sharma turned out to be a bit cold at the box office. The storyline doesn’t fit the SRK style nor does it have any magnetising effect. It focuses on a very simple lifestyle of Surinder (Shahrukh) who undergoes a 360 degrees change in him, just to win his lady love Taani (Anushka). Surinder doesn’t leave any stone unturned in winning Taani’s never-ending love for him.
The story unfolds when Taani, is about to get married but unfortunately, her groom meets with an accident and passes away. Surinder walks into her life at a time when she is all alone. He gets married to her and respects her decision of not loving him. He tries to find love for himself in every act of hers. Small things like packing his tiffin box or making breakfast for him are seen with overwhelming love and care by Surinder. He realises that Taani wants a real life hero and not a headless chicken. The way he transforms himself from a homely man to a lovesick teenager is definitely laudable. But he could have made her realise that her dream man is her husband himself. Instead of searching for him in Raj, the script could have made her search her hero in Surinder. Slight adjustments in the script would have made it a super hit. It is hard to believe that Taani couldn’t recognise her own husband. Just because Suri had a moustache and Raj did not, is not an excuse for being so ignorant.
Had the story not introduced Raj, the audience would have loved Shahrukh even more in the film. Introduction of Raj made the script very impractical. There are scenes in the film, which have overemphasised the obvious. Like, winning against the Japanese wrestler or winning the dance competition at the end. Such segments in the film make it even more unrealistic.

Films are most of the times thought to be impractical and unfeasible but it is the duty of the scriptwriter to make it believable. Love stories are often said to create minor altercations amongst couples. Looking at them they develop great expectations from their spouses. People look up to those successful on screen love stories and dream of having one just like that. It’s advisable not to go to the movie with high held hopes of a DDLJ or Mohabattein. RNBJ is something which leaves the audience with an incomplete feeling. There is a said-unsaid factor which turns down the viewers.

In a nutshell Rab Ne Bana Di Jodi is not a typical Yash Raj movie. Although he has kept it low profile and doesn’t showcase unwanted glamour the movie fails to impress. SRK fans will surely be disappointed as the trailers make you expect a lot from it, but the movie is not capable of fulfilling your expectations.

Politicians - Please mind your Language

Days after terrorist attack in Mumbai, politician’s atrocious comments outraged the masses further. To start with, R.R Patil’s offending remarks, that said, “Such small things happen in big cities” become a rage amongst one and all. To add fuel to fire was Kerala Chief Minister Mr. Achutanadan’s inexcusable comment, “not even a dog would visit Major Sandeep Unnikrishnan’s house”. BJP leader Mukhtar Abbas Naqvi followed suit to their obnoxious comments by saying, “women wearing lipstick and powder should not criticize politicians”. Television is the most dominant media today and before talking to them, these politicians should at least learn some lessons of mass communication.

The media has always been criticized for twisting the statements and whipping a controversy. It is blamed for making a mountain out of a molehill. But when we see our own so called, “leaders” talking in an insensible manner before the camera while addressing the public, nothing can be more degrading. The politicians should equip themselves with a better tongue. Their vocabulary and manner of speaking should fit the positions they hold. They have no right to offend public sentiments and public sensitivities. Politicians on the other hand take training to convince the public during the time of elections. The way they maintain their calm to grab votes is an unnerving sight to see. Why can’t they maintain the same calm and poise at the time of crisis? It is said that a man’s true colors come out at the time of a disaster. The media has done a commendable job in exposing the true colors of our “leaders”. They are leaders who would join their hands pleading for votes but would not even care to lend a helping hand at the time of need.

So politicians, we do not need your helping hand. The least you can do after everything is over is take some talking lessons and stop fooling yourselves. We are not in a position to expect anything from you, just spare those who have given their lives for our country.

Wake up before its too late

How many lives will have to be put at stake before our politicians wake up? Are we prepared to face terror in our country? If yes, why have we not able to stop the terrorist from claiming innocent lives? Who is to be blamed for their confidence? No body will have answers to this ongoing debate. 36 hours of uncontrollable terrorist attack that claimed the lives of 125 innocent people and injured more than 300 in the financial capital of India still lives in terror. Mumbai, is often said to bounce back after getting hurt brutally but till when will the spirit of mumbaikars be tested? Mumbai is a remarkably resilient city, and has taken repeated serial bomb blasts in its stride. There have been unprecedented attacks in the country several times but seems that we are never going to learn a lesson. America learnt a lesson after 9/11 and never did it leave any untoward incident to touch it. But in India, we wake up only when we get a sudden blow.

After Mohan Chand Sharma’s passing away, it’s now ATS chief Hemant Karkare and Vijay Salaskar one of India’s top encounter specialist who laid down their lives for the country without fearing for his own family. But do we know how to respect our heroes? Amar Singh had the audacity to say that M.C Sharma was killed in a fake encounter. If we really knew the worth of life, we wouldn’t have allowed such atrocious attacks to happen again and again. The sight of the cops who face such terrorists is indeed depressing. They are not given even proper bullet proof jackets to safeguard themselves. A lathi in their hand is all they have, where on the other hand, the terrorists are better equipped with arms and ammunitions. Here, we do not give our cops, proper telecommunication systems and there, the terrorists use satellite phones.

Raj Thackeray talks about Marathi men, employment for marathis but does he come forward when his own Marathi men are in danger? Where is Raj Thackeray and his 'Brave' sena...??? Tell him that 200 NSG commandos from Delhi (all North & south Indians, especially from parts of UP & BIHAR) have been sent to Mumbai to fight the Terrorists...so that he can sleep peacefully. If the present government has nothing to do to ensure safety in the city, how will a common man survive? And if the opposing government uses this as a strategy to point out fingers, then it also has no authority to do so. It’s high time we stop playing hide and seek with ourselves. Only during the time of elections all the politicians come out and face the public. Otherwise they sit mum and watch terror take its course. The uproar of combating terror stays in news only till it is newsworthy. After a few days all is forgotten and life goes back to where it was. Only the affected families lament the loss of their loved ones.

Barack Mubarack !!!

4th November 2008, created history in the United States of America after Barack Obama was elected as the first black president. His victory dominated newspapers and news channels extensively all over the world. Headlines were flooded with American Presidential elections across the globe. Honolulu born, Obama took early lead against his opponent John McCain and left everyone thunderstruck when the curtains were unveiled and results were announced. Joyous Obama gives all the credit of his victory to both, those who voted for him as well as those who didn’t; with a small hope that those who did not vote for him will do it the next time. This shows the self belief and self reliance he has in himself.

Racism has always put the blacks in an undisputed conflict. Blacks and Whites used to be logger heads generations ago. Blacks never got the right kind of treatment they deserved. They worked as slaves for the whites. People like Abraham Lincoln and Martin Luther King couldn’t tolerate sitting dumb headed in a nation that belonged to all. They decided to fight back against the injustice done towards the blacks due to race. Racial consciousness spread like wild fire.

As we reminisce the prejudices against blacks this win has come as a bundle of surprise for the Americans. With just a population of 30% blacks in America, a white candidate could not make it to the top. Priority was still a black candidate. 47 year old Obama lived a life filled with misery, profound grief and woe. He lost his parents at a tender age and was brought up by his grand mother, whom her adored the most. Unfortunately, she also left for her heavenly abode just a few days before the elections. But Obama is a true fighter and he fought a winning battle. In his speech which said ‘Yes we can’ shows how wonderfully he spoke, expertly delivered and made him one of the best political orator of our generation.

A Wednesday - Movie Review

We have had many films that have dealt with the subject of terrorism and violence, depicting the hard core feelings of common man. To name a few, there have been movies like Bombay, Mumbai Meri Jaan, Black Friday, Amir and so on. Such films leave the audiences with goose bumps. One such attempt in the recent past is by the move - ‘A Wednesday’. Directed by Neeraj Pandey and produced by Ronnie Screwala the movie revolves around the protagonist, Naseeruddin Shah, a common man who attempts to curb terrorism from head to foot. He is well aware of the fact that the Indian Judicial system will fail to teach the terrorist a lesson. With a mere phone call he succeeds in making the swollen heads weak. Anupam Kher, a retiring Police Commissioner is taken aback to see such a case in the history of his career. Faith is something which Naseeruddin Shah messes around with. Very smartly he wins over the confidence of the terrorist and then plots an encounter with the police forcing the police to shoot them.

It is very important that such movies must be given the right kind of treatment it deserves. The theme doesn’t involve dancing around trees. This is a reminder that Bollywood is not all about item numbers and masala. It has a sensible story to narrate and a meaningful message to be passed on to every “stupid common man” (as Naseeruddin Shah says in the movie). This idea generally strikes most of us after thinking about the unfathomable pain and anguish that thousands of innocent families have to go through after losing their loved ones in an unobtrusive manner. But not much is done once we reach our own den. This movie is worthy of premium quality praises and admirations. A Wednesday is a very proactive movie which describes best human mentality and the change we want.

A tribute to Soumya

The mysterious death of Soumya Viswanathan, a TV journalist, has sent out shock waves to all the journalists in the country. Aged 26, this young and vivacious girl was shot dead ruthlessly by unidentified persons at the early hours of Tuesday morning. She was on night shift which ends at 12 midnight, however due to the blasts at Malegaon and Gujarat she stayed back till 3 am. Driving back home for journalists is not something that is out of ordinary. Lives of journalists have always been in danger. According to a report titled, ‘Killing the Messenger’, released on March 7, 2007, 1000 media personnel around the world have been killed while trying to report news over the past 10 years – which comes to about two deaths every week. India also figures in the list of the top twenty one bloodiest countries over the past ten years as far as killing of journalists is concerned. Shooting was by far the greatest cause of death, accounting for almost half of the total. Bombing, stabbing, beating, torture and strangulation were also used to silence reporters and reporting.

Journalism is a field where one needs to be extra cautious and extremely vigilant.. It is regarded as one of the most prestigious professions. This prestige doesn’t come without risks and one has to learn the nuances of swimming upstream. The media is always blamed for blowing things out of proportion and making a mountain out of a molehill. People seldom realize that it is the media’s duty to report the happenings and the media is responsible to give voice to the voiceless. Journalists work hard day in and day out just to give the world the latest happenings and updates of politics, crime, sports and even entertainment. It’s only because of them that one gets to read the newspapers every morning.. Television boomed, and journalism created 24/7 news. When we talk of 24/7 we need to understand that there are people working behind the camera 24/7 to give you news at odd hours. Journalists brave the elements only to bring news at your door step even as people rest in their luxurious homes switching channels for latest news updates.

The ghastly murder of Soumya should now silence some of the critics. The police must gear up to track down and nail the guilty responsible for such a dreadful act. In their relentless pursuit of news, journalists will continue as ever before. As a journalism student myself, I feel it is our duty to salute this young girl whose priorities towards work ranked higher than her personal life. The least we can do for her is to pray God to grant peace to her soul.. I also salute the media whose tenacious struggle is ceaseless.

Change the Law

Bangalore, Ahmedabad and now Delhi. The attacks on innocents have once again revealed the callous attitude of the administration. The problem doesn’t lie in any individual or in any government, but it lies in our own judicial system. People found guilty are put behind bars after a fourteen day remand. This is just a small price which the ones held responsible pay after everything is over. The government expresses its helplessness. The crux of the matter is - why can’t the guilty be severely penalized for such dastardly acts? A mere slap on the wrist is no punishment, when weighed against their misdeeds. The people behind the killing of countless innocents deserve much more than stringent punishment. Death penalty should be announced after thorough scrutiny of the case. This will not only send out a word of warning to other militant groups but will also act as a deterrent against any such operations in future. There is no use blaming our government till the judiciary doesn’t revolutionize and become swift and stringent. Death sentence meted out to all those found guilty will indeed put the fear of the law in them and thwart others from indulging in such heinous acts.

The Supreme Sacrifice

Inspector M.C Sharma, who laid down his life for the motherland has set a very pertinent example for each and every individual of the country. Winner of seven gallantry awards, including the President’s gallantry medal and 150 police rewards, Sharma was also credited with the killing of 35 terrorists and the arrest of 80 others. He always believed in the foremost principle “Work is Worship” and worshipped his work more than anything else in life. For him, his priorities towards his work and towards the country always ranked higher than his personal life.

A father, who was supposed to give blood to his son battling against dengue in a hospital, shed his own blood to protect his countrymen against the evil elements of the society. He was shot thrice in an encounter and succumbed to his injuries in Holy Family Hospital. His wife, who was waiting for him since 3 days, lived on a hope of his early arrival only to receive his body. Inspector M C Sharma was an inspiration to our security forces and will continue to inspire them after his demise too. A brave son, a dutiful husband and now a hero of the nation, Sharma’s contributions towards the county will never be forgotten. People who did not know Inspector Sharma also, will now stand up and give their salutations for the way he battled the terrorists valiantly and went down fighting. He has made the supreme sacrifice in the service of the country. To the others in the police force, he always set an example worthy of emulation.

We should be immensely grateful to such officers like Inspector Sharma. It is due to such officers that we have been able to retain our hard fought freedom. A person who would wake up even by the slightest of noises will never open his eyes again. Paying homage to this victor is the least we can do as citizens of India. As we bid a final adieu to him with tear filled eyes and numb senses, we salute the fearless hero and pray to God to grant everlasting peace to his soul.

Delhi bombarded again

13th September, indeed a fateful day for India. Bomb blasts rocked the heart of India’s capital - Delhi, killing around 30 and brutally injuring more than 100 innocent lives. The families who lost their loved ones had no clue that such a thing would happen and they would see them for the last time. Five blasts that took place in Delhi left the masses agitated and startled. The audacious terror attacks were claimed by the Indian Mujahideen, a militant group. They targeted some of Delhi’s best known landmarks and markets, exposing the inadequacy of India’s security forces.

The photographs show people grieving with immense pain and hurt. It is said that a picture speaks a thousand words and each picture of the bombarded area depicts a sense of concern, care and assiduousness shown by strangers to strangers. The wounded lying on the floor crying out of anguish and misery is indeed a depressing sight to see. People in large numbers gathered together to escort the injured to hospitals. Such an act, evidently attests that the spirit of humanity is still alive amongst us. Photographs also show the feeling of helplessness amongst common man. Even the police seem to be weak in front of the guilty. There is nothing one can do after everything is lost. It is like crying over spilt milk. The sympathy and empathy which people showed towards one another protrudes a symbol of oneness. These retrospective snapshots are examples of togetherness. It gives you an idea of relevance of mankind today and in times to come.

Investigations will go on but the tears of people who have lost their nearest and dearest in such blasts will never desiccate. Bangalore, Ahmedabad, Surat and now - Delhi. Seeing the way blasts happen this way, it is quite apparent that no place in India is free from terror attacks and each one of us are vulnerable to it. The politicians will condemn it, the media will debate it and one day everybody will forget it.

Life without newspapers

As I was sipping my hot and steaming cup of coffee with the newspaper in other hand, I wondered how life would have been without newspapers. Giving out daily news in detail is just one facet of the newspaper, but it does much more than merely giving out news. The date would be unknown without newspapers. One need not be too imaginative to realize how dull our lives would be, in a world devoid of newspapers.. Our most awaited day of the week - the Sunday, would have been just like any other day. Apart from assimilating current events, most of us reach out to the newspapers for learning high-quality phrases and words. In a year of 365 days, we would learn as many new words by picking up one word each day from the newspaper, thus increasing our vocabulary. Of course, the movie segment of the magazine section does not go unnoticed for many of us.

The newspaper makes the reader an intrinsic part of itself by portraying daily news to an individual making the reader feel informed and important. It plays a very crucial role in congregating the masses together for all purposes; be it social or political. With the advent of television, there have been several debates on the ubiquitous newspaper coming to an end. We tend to forget that the first tool for mass communication was the newspaper itself. Watching television can at times become monotonous. Moreover the whole story being telecast might not be thoroughly understood.. In case of newspapers, one is free to decide when to read what news. While television binds the viewer in certain limitations, like time and schedule, the same cannot be said of newspapers. Though the shelf life of a newspaper is only a day, the stories have more credibility. This is due to the physical presence and the aura of authenticity which a newspaper carries with itself.

With the upsurge of internet and the world turning online, everything these days is available just a click away. Be it daily news, shopping, entertainment or any other topic under the sun, the Internet provides us with vast amount of information whereas newspapers present an adequate amount of information that the common man needs to know about a certain topic or issue. With print, one might not have the latest news, but there does exist a built-in sense for its freshness. Although web based news is dynamic as compared to a newspaper, which in contrast is static, the humble newspaper presents a solidity that is more reassuring, constant and secure. Internet updates itself almost every thirty minutes and puts the reader in a dilemma as to what to believe in. Another observation: print has a defined beginning and a defined end, which contains the time you spend with the news. With the web, there is no such finiteness, allowing a flexibility to spend as much or as little time at one’s disposal.. This in return ends up costing more time, than little.

With the influx of newspapers in regional languages the common man senses contentment and gratification. Knowledge of any particular language is not a pre-requisite for reading a newspaper. Hence the growing circulation of regional language newspapers is indeed a matter of great significance. Looking at the circulation of these printed copies, no doubt we cannot do without the newspapers. One way or the other it has become an integral part of our daily routine which we cannot do without.

Reality Shows !!!

Reality shows are the next buzz word in the Indian television. To all those who believe that television draws a fine line between real and reel; makes them rethink over the same. The reality shows have become trendsetters to upcoming producers and directors. Such shows make the participants cry, embarrass them, humiliates them, makes a mockery of them and leaves the audience laugh watching all the drama unfold. Indian Idol. Voice of India, Roadies, Spilltsvilla MTV on the job training and Big Boss, are some examples of such of the so called “reality shows”. The question that makes me wonder is how much of reality do they actually contain? Such shows are all staged and rehearsed shows whose underlying principle is to keep its audience hooked and captivated, thus increasing their TRP ratings. The producer decides who is going to be the winner of the show. His only duty is to build up the suspense levels among its spectators.

The youth tend to have a set of pre-conceived notions of what is “cool” and what is “dull”. It is generally observed that the younger lot do not engage themselves into the saas bahu sagas. They want something spicier and peppier. For them, reality shows squeezes in effortlessly. Such shows invariably win over a large number of viewers. All credit surely goes to the way they are criticized and mortified. Each and every individual goes through a grilling round of judge’s judgment. To top it all, the same judge is also seen praising them in a superfluous - amplified manner. Within a very short spell, new names become the talk of the town. Be it Ran Vijay or Bani. It becomes an added topic for the next day’s gossip sessions in canteens or class rooms.

When the auditions are announced people actually huddle together and wait for their turn contentedly. The success of the reality shows can also be seen when they claim to have got millions of votes through the SMS voting systems. The viewer is thus left enjoying this real unreal world of business. So you love it hate it, you just can’t resist it. The fact remains that reality shows are the new age hub of an entertainment chunk.

Teen Divas

The young and talented teenagers opting for a career in the small and big screens have become an ordinary sight these days. Most of them don’t even wait to be 18. Be it Prachi Desai, Deepika Padukone or Genelia D’Souza of Bollywood or Jennifer Aniston, Rihanna Fenty and Lindsay Lohan in Hollywood. At a tender age of 16 and 18 they decided to make it to the top. It was the way they carried themselves that had heads turning towards them with applause. These vivacious faces have become a part of the audience’s family. They are welcomed every day with eagerness and a lot of excitement. A bundle of hidden talent comes out when they take part in reality shows. Prachi turned out to be a dancing diva when she was a part of a popular dance show. Deepika’s modeling skills transformed her from a badminton player to an illustrious actress. Genelia’s ravishing and rapturous looks added her name to the list. Fresh faces are making headway with their struggles not proving futile.

The question which puts me in a dilemma is “Is getting into the film line so easy?” Can anybody with acting or dancing skills make it to the top?” The television puts out a glamorous notion amongst juvenile crowd. Who doesn’t want to be Aishwarya Rai or Abhishek Bachchan? Here the comparison is between a Miss World and ‘You’ and also between someone who has a Godfather in the industry and ‘You’. Are fresh faces always given the right kind of treatment they merit? Once they become renowned names, we forget the ordeal that they had to go through in order to become what they are today. There are thousands of young girls and boys dreaming of becoming an actress or an actor someday. They work as extras and get exploited from the so-called casting couch. Most of them come from very ordinary backgrounds with just a glimmer of hope of becoming successful someday. They see the harsh reality only when they step in and realize the glaring disparity between truth and perception.

Some are left shattered, some traumatized and some decide to go back, but there are some who get stuck in the muddle and realize it is too late to get out. So the silver screen has only a silver outline, but the cloud is dark and gloomy.

I-Day

South Delhi Apts, Sector 4, Dwarka celebrated Independence Day with patriotism and feeling of oneness. People assembled in large numbers at the society gate to hoist the national flag and salute our motherland. It was hoisted by the president of the society Mr. Kalsi. Our national anthem was sung with a lot of gratitude to the freedom fighters and respect for the tricolor by one and all present. “Jai Hind” was then chanted proudly by the free citizens of India. The heroic deeds of all those who laid down their lives for their motherland was reminisced deeply.

Apart from the flag hoisting, the society had arranged for a small get-together which included snacks and hot tea. Hot samosas and jalebis were served to the residents. This gave each one of us in the society a chance to come together and mingle with each other, which is a rarity in today’s hectic lifestyle. With each of us busy in our own worlds, children with their studies and elders with either their office work or daily household chores, life becomes monotonous with routine work without any break in between. Such small congregations pave the way for interaction amongst the residents in a spirit of fraternity and brotherhood. The active participation of all the residents - young and old alike - makes us look forward to such events and as a resident part of South Delhi Apartments, I look forward to many more joyous occasions.

Dwarka - A Sub city

Dwarka - Now known as the largest sub-city of Asia has blossomed from a desolate and uninhabited locality into a world class habitat in just no time. There were days when the roads - sans street lights and signals - were filled with heaps of mud and dust covered buses. This barren land, developed in less than six years, has become the largest sub-city of Asia. Even basic necessities like grocery, water and electricity used to be a problem. People were not only hesitant coming to Dwarka but also stayed away from exploring this unknown piece of land on earth. Dwarka has become the envy of people living in the so-called posh locality areas like Greater Kailash or Kalkaji who once believed that Dwarka is a godforsaken place.

With the flyover connecting the airport and the Delhi metro connecting CP, traveling has become much more comfortable for the masses, as the railway crossing located below the flyover was indeed a nightmare for people going to college or office. The sector 6 market developed gradually; and the place which did not have much of a crowd a few years ago is now a bustling market, throbbing with activity - so much so that finding a slot to park your car has become a difficult proposition. For the young and the vibrant crowd of Dwarka there came the Pizza Hut, Costa Coffee and Bercos ending uncomfortable travel to long distances for that steamy cup of Cappuccino or a spicy veggie’s delight. The sky rocketing land rates will indisputably make this one of the most expensive places in Delhi. It seems that Dwarka has been touched by a fairy’s magic wand and has turned into a paradise. If the development continues this way, Dwarka will very soon be in the list of avant-garde places of the country.

It is the responsibility of all of us, who have made Dwarka our home, to ensure that our sub-city is maintained in the way the planners had conceived it to be - an ultra-modern, futuristic living complex. We need to take care that Dwarka does not degenerate like so many other places which are languishing due to lack of maintenance and public apathy.

Mom : Specially for you

The way you love us can never be compared,
Neither the love can ever be shared,
You taught us things : what's wrong, what's right,
Told us stories all through the night,
On your birthday, we remember everything,
Happy birthday to you as we all sing,
The best Mom, you are on earth,
None can fill your space as you are pricelessly worth,
Your tender touch and warmth is still there today,
Nothing has changed, Nothing has gone out of way,
You could'nt sleep if we were awake,
You always try everything for our sake,
Never complain for the pains you have to bear,
A smile on your face you always wear,
Far across from the east, till the extreme west,
None can be like you because you are simply the best...

Vision of Documentaries

A documentary can be defined as something which is short, which conveys a message and exudes authenticity. It can also be called the vision of reality or mirror of life as it is based on factual information. Its generally a composition of historical records which has a political base and covers personal stories. It deals with the query of complexity with which we approach our relationship in real life. Voice is disembodied from the face and makes use of images and sounds in an interesting way. It raises ethical issues but the consent to show such issues is incalculably essential.

A documentary can be as short as ten minutes but it needs a lot of pain and effort to think about a social issue and expose it. The way of tackling the question is more important than the question itself. Nobody should feel offended after watching it. Documentaries do not need words; it can convey an idea through gestures. Even big stories can be told without words. One example of this would be Anita Balachandran’s film “He Ram” which focuses on the assassination of Mahatma Gandhi. The way in which the whole thing is shown, is simply incredible. The very famous adage “Time Flies” is demonstrated to be true. The hands of the clock are shown to appear like that of a bird and at that very moment Gandhiji is killed; the bird is shown to have flown away from the clock bleeding all over. This movie has a lot of evocative imagery with birds, houses, footsteps, falling leaves with the background song, “Ud Jayega Hans Akela”.

In 1949, a movie called “Blood of the Beast” showed how animals were mercilessly slaughtered in the abattoir. Jean Rouch, a filmmaker in the history of documentary film making once said that ‘direct cinema is the counterfeit of journalism.’ In 1961, the camera was used as a psychoanalytical stimulant in the movie ‘A Chronicle of Summer.’ The concept of realism is very important in documentary film making. Realism is basically a style used to create an illusion for reality. Chris Marker addressed documentary film making as ‘something that leaves boredom in the end amongst the audience.’ There are very few people who enjoy a documentary because they show reality and not fiction. A documentary is an interpretation of a document and the idea is imperative.

Kashmir : A True Beauty

Perched at the very edge of India, Kashmir is a land apart. Surrounded by absolute greenery, hills and valleys lies the most blessed temple “Vaishno Devi” where Maa Durga, Maa Saraswati and Maa Lakshmi have formed an incarnation in the outward appearance of “pindies” (black stones).

Situated on the top of a mountain, the view leaves an indelible imprint on our minds. Its one of the magical creations in north India and it wouldn’t be wrong if we call it “Heaven on Earth”. No matter what your age or background, Kashmir holds an adventure for you. It might be the sledge ride on snow covered mountains, or the 14 km climb from Katra, the town that never sleeps, to the Vaishno Devi temple, or the special helicopter services and even the horse ride.

Special availability of wheel chairs for the physically challenged has also been very well taken care of. Though your feet will be freezing cold when you enter the temple, you will be mesmerized with the exquisite form of the three Goddesses the moment you cast your eyes on the holy shrine. With people chanting “Jai Mata Di” all the way to the top, the stress is not felt at all.

Towards northern Kashmir lies Patni Top and Natha Top, both covered with snow during winters with temperatures below zero. These places leave no livelihood for the inhabitants, other than pulling sledges, selling woolen coats and gumboots and clicking photographs of the tourists. The place near by these hill stations is Udhampur, which very closely resembles the villages in Enid Blyton’s novels.

The station situated in the middle of the valleys leaves us an impression of something which we imagine only in fairy tales. Along with nature’s beauty, the people of Kashmir are also gifted with both inward and outward beauty that is the beauty of mind, soul and body. People here are extremely benevolent, helpful and friendly. For anyone who loves nature, Kashmir is a dream destination. This charming state has it all, with truly transcendent scenery, exceptionally friendly locals and gorgeous little villages, all of which give a unique feeling to the tourist. Kashmir will surely win you over with all its charms.

Cricket Controversies

Cricket is a religion in our country and it is very sad to see that this religion is being subjugated by some unscrupulous elements. Its not just once but the same so called “mistakes” have been repetitive in the same match against India. Blame the wrong umpiring or the umpire, the game is lost in the end. After looking at the injustice done to our country it’s high time that the ICC takes strict actions against the ones who are guilty. Not only this, but it should also stop Buckner from umpiring any match which is against India. This match should be a learning lesson for all the umpires as we are in an age where technology has boomed up rapidly; so it’s always wise to use it. The need to consult anybody on the field should not rise when the third umpire is always available. It’s pretty obvious that this will lead to biasness and will not come out with an unprejudiced action. Thus the third umpire must be made of use in times of doubts to avoid hurting the sentiments of cricket lovers; as one small scar in umpiring will build up permanent scratches between countries. Even if India decides to forgive and forget, the statistics can’t be changed and when we have a look at it 10 yrs down the line, we will only get to see a lost game.

My Culture

India is a land of culture, values and ethics. Ranging from the Himalayas till the extreme south of Kanyakumari India is filled with different languages, traditions and festivals. Out of such a diverse ethnicity I belong to South India. My grandparents belong to Hassan district in Karnataka but later on shifted to Bangalore. Hassan district was the seat of the Hoysala Empire which ruled large parts of south India from Belur Halebidu as its capital during the period 1000 - 1334 CE. Today Hassan is primarily known worldwide for its Hoysala architecture and is a true treasure of about fifty sculptural marvels tucked away in several villages and towns of the district. Hassan is also well known nationally for modern technology.

Our mother tongue is Mysore Iyengar Tamil different from that spoken in Chennai. We are basically Hebbar Iyengars belonging to Bangalore. The traditional dress for young girls is half saree which is worn with a long skirt-blouse and a dupatta. For boys it’s a dhoti which is white in color. Ladies wear Madisar which is worn by the Brahmin community especially Iyers and Iyengars. Madisars are available in silk and cotton. The main God we follow is Lord Vishnu and Lord Srinivasa. A community of Hebbar Iyengars an ancient Brahmin community settled in this area for more than a thousand years. An inscription in Shantigrama indicates that the founder was a Brahmin from Kashi. Hassan Iyengars, a different Brahmin community are well known all over south Karnataka for their tasty condiment preparations like cakes, puffs, biscuits and breads etc. Iyengar bakeries are a common feature in most towns and cities of Karnataka. Its cuisine is a mix of Mysore, Kodagu and Dakshina Kannada districts resulting in tasty specialities like midigayi pickle (small raw mango), sandige, avalakki (beaten rice), and talipittu (akki rotti made of rice flour.)

Our Guru is Guru Ramanujacharya (Alvars). We also worship Andal (Goda Devi). During the month of December Tiruppavai (a set of 30 Shlokas) are sung at home and in temples till Makkar Sankranti. Ugadi marks the beginning of our new year across Karnataka. Gokulashtami is the main festival in our community.