Have you seen the Honda Jazz ad? The man puts a cactus in his car so he can gift his girlfriend the flower growing on it, and then they leave the plant
by the roadside. What are they trying to say? Let's spoil the environment for fun? Let's go burn more oil?
Oh, but maybe I'm being too serious here, and there's a joke I didn't get.*
On the subject of ads, I hate most car and bike ads. They are full of machoist posturing and usually imply that the right bike will help you 'get the girls'.
But there have been two two-wheeler ads lately that I love.
The first one is of Hero Honda Passion Pro. It builds a story around one benefit: the bike starts easily. They do talk about 'style' in the voiceover, though. Lovely
jingle, too.
The other one is for TVS Scooty Streak.
Aimed at women, it's funny and empowering. It's a nice dig at all the other bike commercials that have women wanting to ride pillion to demonstrate the
attractiveness of the bike.
I'm glad Hero Honda came up with a good ad for once. TVS Scooty, though, has been using Sania Mirza very well, I think!
*The tagline is "Why so serious?"
Tuesday, July 28, 2009
Saturday, July 25, 2009
thoughts, thoughts, thoughts
Lately, I have been thinking about thinking. Or in fancyspeak, metacognition.
Throughout the day, millions of thoughts race across our heads at breakneck speed, sometimes not even pausing enough for us to register them. There are the happy thoughts, and there are the not-so-happy thoughts. The older we grow, the percentage of the latter grows with us. There are a million things to think about, and not surprisingly a large portion of it is again, about thinking.
How much we think! Ugh.
What people in the past thought about us and what we thought of them. What they thought we thought about them and what we thought they about us. What we made people think. What people made us think. What people are thinking about us and what we're thinking about people. What people think we're thinking about them and what we think people are thinking about us. What people will think of us and what we will think of people. What people will think we will think about them and what we will think people will think about us. You get the drift. I could go on, but there are only three tenses. Of course, there's the fourth kind of 'tense' which is what listing all of this has made me. There's just so much unnecessary thinking. And no matter how many times we tell ourselves and the people we care about that it's not worth it, sometimes we just can't help thinking. 'To hell with it!' is an excellent strategy, but it does have its moments of failure.
Most of the time, it's easier when people just express the thoughts in the form of speech. Out with it. Over and done. But they don't. They don't and we don't and all of us just choose to clam our mouths and trap the thoughts in the head. For the better. To keep things cordial. Us confusing them, them confusing us. We don't talk, we think. Because talking would be worse. But sometimes, thinking is worse. To keep on thinking is even worse. Not only does it drive us nuts, all this thinking... is almost exhausting. But it remains, an essential part of human life, to think about things that are not worth thinking about, even though no one really likes to nurse an occasional migraine or two.
So, in order not to think, we do
things. We do things in the hope that we can think about the things we're doing, and not think about the things we shouldn't think about. However, this only works if we're actually thinking about what we're doing, and not cheating our way through this solution. And then of course, there's the random wellwisher. One who comes along to invalidate whatever we're feeling with advice as moronic as, "Hmmm... Try
not
to think about it." Actually, that does give us something else to think about -- how to decapitate said wellwisher using nothing but dental floss.
Sigh. Thoughts. Complex words that do not have a speech bubble wrapped around them. Words expressed in a language no one can understand fully. Can't live with 'em. Can't live without 'em.
However, the best way to get rid of any thought is to blog about it. It's a tried and tested method, at least by me!
For some reason, it helps. Stops right there. We can carry on with life. And that's what I am trying to do. It's not like I have a particular thought in my head right now that's driving me crazy. It's the thinking about thinking that's driving me crazy. And I do hope that after hitting 'Publish post', I can stop thinking. About thinking.
Confused? Great!
Even I did not understand this time, what I have wrote.
however, Still an advice to you, that go above and read this post once again.
And, most importantly, if you can understand even a bit, let me know the same via your comments so that this imprudent can grasp a tad.
Throughout the day, millions of thoughts race across our heads at breakneck speed, sometimes not even pausing enough for us to register them. There are the happy thoughts, and there are the not-so-happy thoughts. The older we grow, the percentage of the latter grows with us. There are a million things to think about, and not surprisingly a large portion of it is again, about thinking.
How much we think! Ugh.
What people in the past thought about us and what we thought of them. What they thought we thought about them and what we thought they about us. What we made people think. What people made us think. What people are thinking about us and what we're thinking about people. What people think we're thinking about them and what we think people are thinking about us. What people will think of us and what we will think of people. What people will think we will think about them and what we will think people will think about us. You get the drift. I could go on, but there are only three tenses. Of course, there's the fourth kind of 'tense' which is what listing all of this has made me. There's just so much unnecessary thinking. And no matter how many times we tell ourselves and the people we care about that it's not worth it, sometimes we just can't help thinking. 'To hell with it!' is an excellent strategy, but it does have its moments of failure.
Most of the time, it's easier when people just express the thoughts in the form of speech. Out with it. Over and done. But they don't. They don't and we don't and all of us just choose to clam our mouths and trap the thoughts in the head. For the better. To keep things cordial. Us confusing them, them confusing us. We don't talk, we think. Because talking would be worse. But sometimes, thinking is worse. To keep on thinking is even worse. Not only does it drive us nuts, all this thinking... is almost exhausting. But it remains, an essential part of human life, to think about things that are not worth thinking about, even though no one really likes to nurse an occasional migraine or two.
So, in order not to think, we do
things. We do things in the hope that we can think about the things we're doing, and not think about the things we shouldn't think about. However, this only works if we're actually thinking about what we're doing, and not cheating our way through this solution. And then of course, there's the random wellwisher. One who comes along to invalidate whatever we're feeling with advice as moronic as, "Hmmm... Try
not
to think about it." Actually, that does give us something else to think about -- how to decapitate said wellwisher using nothing but dental floss.
Sigh. Thoughts. Complex words that do not have a speech bubble wrapped around them. Words expressed in a language no one can understand fully. Can't live with 'em. Can't live without 'em.
However, the best way to get rid of any thought is to blog about it. It's a tried and tested method, at least by me!
For some reason, it helps. Stops right there. We can carry on with life. And that's what I am trying to do. It's not like I have a particular thought in my head right now that's driving me crazy. It's the thinking about thinking that's driving me crazy. And I do hope that after hitting 'Publish post', I can stop thinking. About thinking.
Confused? Great!
Even I did not understand this time, what I have wrote.
however, Still an advice to you, that go above and read this post once again.
And, most importantly, if you can understand even a bit, let me know the same via your comments so that this imprudent can grasp a tad.
indian railways the great!
If anything connects India more than cricket and BSNL, I think that's the Indian Railway. you would be able to find people from every province of India
in a single buggy. and the gradual change in the language and the product of the hawkers from the start to the end of the journey always amazes me.
since childhood i'm fond of traveling by train, but these days the long journeys make me impatient. so I don't think i'll be loyal for a long time. and
the condition of the toilet is the main factor for that.
my last journey was more than 1500 kilometers and it took more than 24 hours( including the delay). while boarding the train from station, I was
shocked to see the coupe full of sardars with baggages as big as their bellies. but thankfully, they shifted somewhere else. I had a some bengali people
with their family as my co passengers. there was a little girl who was a chatter box and didn't stop talking for a split second. i was amazed seeing how
the two families got so close to each other in so little time, but when they got down together, i realized that they were traveling together because they
are relatives.
for me train journey means reading a book, penning down a few lines in my notebook, listening to some old wafty sort of songs, thinking a lot, and sleeping until my back starts aching. well, there
are a few more things, but i don't want my blog to be the confession of all the illegal things that i do.
while coming back i also had a bengali family. but there were some non-bengali people , too. i was shocked by the couple's eating ability.i was convinced
that they were two magicians in disguise. because the amount of food they had in train and considering all that came from the little bag, i was impressed
by their magic. and while sleeping they also took out some blankets from their little bags. I was convinced that if they wanted, they could have put in
the whole aashram express inside that bag.
after eating the lady was reading a hindi magazine. i was a bit concerned about her husband, but i saw that with
his amazing magic he's made the same cooking magazine to become something with mallika sherawat's pic with a title called, "haan. mein sexy hoon"
but the train journey is incomplete without the hawkers, the beggers, the enuchs and the food you buy from the station.
for the 1st three I'm not going to say anything, but as par as the last one is concerned, don't ever try kachori from abu. you'd consider
turning a vegan.
while coming back for a momentI felt like, to somewhereI'm also like a train. for some time some people can't imagine their life without me and they enjoy
being with me from the bottom of their heart. but after a little while, they move apart and don't even feel like saying good bye. and I got busy with some
new people.
well, that's how life is.
you and me will spend our life like the parallel track of the rail, always beside each other. people will think that we'd merge at the horizon. but that's
just an illusion. we'll always be at the same distance we were at the start of our journey.
in a single buggy. and the gradual change in the language and the product of the hawkers from the start to the end of the journey always amazes me.
since childhood i'm fond of traveling by train, but these days the long journeys make me impatient. so I don't think i'll be loyal for a long time. and
the condition of the toilet is the main factor for that.
my last journey was more than 1500 kilometers and it took more than 24 hours( including the delay). while boarding the train from station, I was
shocked to see the coupe full of sardars with baggages as big as their bellies. but thankfully, they shifted somewhere else. I had a some bengali people
with their family as my co passengers. there was a little girl who was a chatter box and didn't stop talking for a split second. i was amazed seeing how
the two families got so close to each other in so little time, but when they got down together, i realized that they were traveling together because they
are relatives.
for me train journey means reading a book, penning down a few lines in my notebook, listening to some old wafty sort of songs, thinking a lot, and sleeping until my back starts aching. well, there
are a few more things, but i don't want my blog to be the confession of all the illegal things that i do.
while coming back i also had a bengali family. but there were some non-bengali people , too. i was shocked by the couple's eating ability.i was convinced
that they were two magicians in disguise. because the amount of food they had in train and considering all that came from the little bag, i was impressed
by their magic. and while sleeping they also took out some blankets from their little bags. I was convinced that if they wanted, they could have put in
the whole aashram express inside that bag.
after eating the lady was reading a hindi magazine. i was a bit concerned about her husband, but i saw that with
his amazing magic he's made the same cooking magazine to become something with mallika sherawat's pic with a title called, "haan. mein sexy hoon"
but the train journey is incomplete without the hawkers, the beggers, the enuchs and the food you buy from the station.
for the 1st three I'm not going to say anything, but as par as the last one is concerned, don't ever try kachori from abu. you'd consider
turning a vegan.
while coming back for a momentI felt like, to somewhereI'm also like a train. for some time some people can't imagine their life without me and they enjoy
being with me from the bottom of their heart. but after a little while, they move apart and don't even feel like saying good bye. and I got busy with some
new people.
well, that's how life is.
you and me will spend our life like the parallel track of the rail, always beside each other. people will think that we'd merge at the horizon. but that's
just an illusion. we'll always be at the same distance we were at the start of our journey.
Friday, July 24, 2009
Do you keep expectation? Hey man, give me a break
the dictionary meaning of Expectation is “Belief about (or mental picture of) the future” or “Anticipating with confidence of fulfillment”.
We all create expectations for ourselves. It is a basic human trait to project our desires and thoughts onto those we are closest to.
We tend to expect significant people in our lives to behave in a manner envisioned in
our mind.
It is a human tendency to create a mental picture of what will happen given the present scenario and the actions being carried out now.
Very rarely does it happen though that what you expected actually happens. More often than not, expectations don’t come true and this leads to a multitude of problems.
If In the words of Benjamin Disraeli, What we anticipate seldom occurs, what we least expected generally happens.
Well yes, a valid question may be, that who you are to talk about expectation, and specially keeping yourself above from those human propensities?
Actually, I’m not keeping my self to the sideways, but man, I have right to talk about this, as apart from software development, I have somewhat knowledge of psychology as well.
Getting it? Great, perhaps this will egg on you to listen me more carefully, and to believe certain things too.
Expectations in relationships can be harmful when unspoken ideals are
projected onto the other person. Unspoken assumptions and unrealistic expectations
commonly sabotage relationships.
How many times have your feelings been hurt because you mistakenly assumed
someone else knew what you thought or expected?
Do you ever become annoyed or angry with someone who acted differently than you
expected?
Have you found yourself saying:
“If you really loved me, you would…”
“Why didn’t you…”
“You should…”
It doesn’t matter what kind of relationship you are in. Each person’s expectations plays
a large part in determining the health of the relationship.
When someone harbors unclear or unspoken expectations, then they are likely going to
surface at some point.
“Happiness is living without expectations. “
---Peter Cajander
Having expectations is bad and something that should be avoided for 2 reasons.
Firstly, if you had expectations which didn’t come true, it will cause you
a great amount of distress and lead to sorrow, possibly even fractured relationships. Secondly, if you expected something and it actually came true, it
won’t give you much happiness; you will just feel that this was always supposed to happen.
So, what’s the big deal. On the other hand, had you not expected
it, you would be overjoyed when it happens. These 2 reasons are precisely why I avoid (although many a times unsuccessfully) having expectations and would
suggest you do the same.
Assuming one just can’t help keeping expectations, there is one thing that becomes a must. One should always think from the other person’s point of view
as to why something that you expected didn’t happen. For example, your group is going for a movie and you expect them to call you but they don’t. Now the
typical reaction would be to feel bad and get pissed at your friends. However, one must think from their point of view and ask oneself why they didn’t
ask you to join them. It might just be that you have been refusing them last 10 times or so they called and so they assumed you’ll do the same this time
as well. Or maybe someone told them you are very busy with your work and might not make it or simply, there might have been a miscommunication regarding
who was to inform you about the outing and eventually no one ended up doing it. There are numerous possibilities for this and frankly speaking, the best
way to avoid breaking your head over these is to not have expectations in the first place. But in case you do, just make sure you give the other person
a fair chance before starting to judge him/her.
In fact, this is a fiddly job somewhat, but I don’t feel it’s impractical.
Is it?
We all create expectations for ourselves. It is a basic human trait to project our desires and thoughts onto those we are closest to.
We tend to expect significant people in our lives to behave in a manner envisioned in
our mind.
It is a human tendency to create a mental picture of what will happen given the present scenario and the actions being carried out now.
Very rarely does it happen though that what you expected actually happens. More often than not, expectations don’t come true and this leads to a multitude of problems.
If In the words of Benjamin Disraeli, What we anticipate seldom occurs, what we least expected generally happens.
Well yes, a valid question may be, that who you are to talk about expectation, and specially keeping yourself above from those human propensities?
Actually, I’m not keeping my self to the sideways, but man, I have right to talk about this, as apart from software development, I have somewhat knowledge of psychology as well.
Getting it? Great, perhaps this will egg on you to listen me more carefully, and to believe certain things too.
Expectations in relationships can be harmful when unspoken ideals are
projected onto the other person. Unspoken assumptions and unrealistic expectations
commonly sabotage relationships.
How many times have your feelings been hurt because you mistakenly assumed
someone else knew what you thought or expected?
Do you ever become annoyed or angry with someone who acted differently than you
expected?
Have you found yourself saying:
“If you really loved me, you would…”
“Why didn’t you…”
“You should…”
It doesn’t matter what kind of relationship you are in. Each person’s expectations plays
a large part in determining the health of the relationship.
When someone harbors unclear or unspoken expectations, then they are likely going to
surface at some point.
“Happiness is living without expectations. “
---Peter Cajander
Having expectations is bad and something that should be avoided for 2 reasons.
Firstly, if you had expectations which didn’t come true, it will cause you
a great amount of distress and lead to sorrow, possibly even fractured relationships. Secondly, if you expected something and it actually came true, it
won’t give you much happiness; you will just feel that this was always supposed to happen.
So, what’s the big deal. On the other hand, had you not expected
it, you would be overjoyed when it happens. These 2 reasons are precisely why I avoid (although many a times unsuccessfully) having expectations and would
suggest you do the same.
Assuming one just can’t help keeping expectations, there is one thing that becomes a must. One should always think from the other person’s point of view
as to why something that you expected didn’t happen. For example, your group is going for a movie and you expect them to call you but they don’t. Now the
typical reaction would be to feel bad and get pissed at your friends. However, one must think from their point of view and ask oneself why they didn’t
ask you to join them. It might just be that you have been refusing them last 10 times or so they called and so they assumed you’ll do the same this time
as well. Or maybe someone told them you are very busy with your work and might not make it or simply, there might have been a miscommunication regarding
who was to inform you about the outing and eventually no one ended up doing it. There are numerous possibilities for this and frankly speaking, the best
way to avoid breaking your head over these is to not have expectations in the first place. But in case you do, just make sure you give the other person
a fair chance before starting to judge him/her.
In fact, this is a fiddly job somewhat, but I don’t feel it’s impractical.
Is it?
Thursday, July 23, 2009
truth or dare?
Truth or dare!
Just the lure of lucre seems to be enough inducement for Indians to let their deepest, darkest secrets come tumbling out, never mind if,
in the process, they risk marring relations with friends and family forever.
We, as a rule, are supposed to be very conscious of boundaries and keep dirty linen in the bottom-most drawer of our closets. Which is why one never learns
of the bed-hopping antics of our netas. That said, all that seems to be in the past. Your average aunty, 'happily married with kids' and house-proud to
boot, is on TV admitting to stuff that'll forever shatter the pati-parmeshwar image to bits.
Or, take the avuncular figure in his 60s who admits to paying for sex and says he'll readily jump into bed with a woman young enough to be his daughter.
This is more than just a paradigm shift... it's a frigging bunker buster! And it's on prime-time TV, five days a week... "Sach Ka Samna", how's that for a
name? Family entertainment that'll shatter, once and for all, our habit of taking things at face value. Nothing is what it seems -- as Al Pacino keeps
dinning into Colin Farrell's head in 'The Recruit' -- is the credo we'll have to go by from now on.
Coming back to the aunty... she was the guest on the very first episode of our desi take on 'Moment of Truth'. Introduced as Smita Mathai, a research associate,
she looked so propah, so middle class... saree, bindi, hair neatly done in a ponytail. Her hubby, mom, sister and brother-in-law had come to watch...but,
man, were they in for a surprise.
After a few looseners, host Rajiv Khandelwal (of Aamir fame) asked her if she loved her mom-in-law more than her mom... YES, came the reply. Mommie dearest
looked shattered. Then came a biggie...did she ever wish her hubby dead? YES again. Hubby's turn to look crestfallen. But wait... there's more. Did she
ever think of sleeping with another man? YES came the pat reply. Hubby looked like he'd explode. A trick follow-up: would she sleep with another man if
she was sure her hubby wouldn't find out? She took her time... and then said NO. Bang flashed the screen: FALSE. She'd lied and the polygraph that she'd
undergone prior to the show had caught her out. Bet her life won't be the same again... and she hadn't won any cash to go solo -- liars walk away with
zilch.
As for uncleji, an actor by the name of Yusuf Hussain. He's been married thrice and is currently with a girlfriend. In the audience -- daughter, GF, one
of his ex-wives and his brother. I'll just stick to the juicy stuff. Have you found your ideal woman? NO came the reply from the marrying man who's been
hitched to girlfriend Jezebel for six years. You should've seen the look on GF's face. Have you ever paid for sex? YES. Have you slept with a woman young
enough to be your daughter? YES. Daughter's shattered. Did you try hard enough to make your marriages work? NO... there goes the stereotype of the macho
male who can do no wrong. In comparison, a tame one got him -- Do you think you've been a good dad? He thought long and hard and said YES...big screen
flashed false. Off he went with not a penny...and he was close to taking home 25 lakh.
Missed the Vinod Kambli episode... hope to catch a repeat though. It seems he's blamed best bud Sachin for not doing enough on his downward spiral. That's
probably curtains for that friendship but Kambli does need the cash... he'll always get a few pals once he's got the dosh to blow.
So, these were just a few examples, and lot more are there like this. Ok, we have accepted reality shows as great entertaining substance, but i never had idea, that it’ll become that deep personal.
Now, Methinks the 'khandaan ki izzat' and 'parampara' bullshit is over for good and we're quite happy letting it all hang out...showing our warts, bunions and
all.
People at starplus argues, that they have never forced anyone to come on the show, and even the person already know about the questions which are going to be ask. So what? Aren’t you offering a carod rupees to the person who dares to speak truth?
Actually that itself is a great component that forces the people to partake in show.
Seriously guys, you have no right to be that severely personal, and specifically to bombard someone’s life.
Whatever I might be plugging about the value of truth, but this time I don’t support it.
Ok you can hail me as double standard if you like, but sorry, i’m pretty clear in my views.
As an outset, they have now got an official notice from government as well, let’s hope if they can do something instead of behaving in anesthetized manner.
What you think by the way?
Why don’t you tell whole world by your comments below to this post?
So, Whole world including me will be waiting for your expression on this susceptible issue.
Just the lure of lucre seems to be enough inducement for Indians to let their deepest, darkest secrets come tumbling out, never mind if,
in the process, they risk marring relations with friends and family forever.
We, as a rule, are supposed to be very conscious of boundaries and keep dirty linen in the bottom-most drawer of our closets. Which is why one never learns
of the bed-hopping antics of our netas. That said, all that seems to be in the past. Your average aunty, 'happily married with kids' and house-proud to
boot, is on TV admitting to stuff that'll forever shatter the pati-parmeshwar image to bits.
Or, take the avuncular figure in his 60s who admits to paying for sex and says he'll readily jump into bed with a woman young enough to be his daughter.
This is more than just a paradigm shift... it's a frigging bunker buster! And it's on prime-time TV, five days a week... "Sach Ka Samna", how's that for a
name? Family entertainment that'll shatter, once and for all, our habit of taking things at face value. Nothing is what it seems -- as Al Pacino keeps
dinning into Colin Farrell's head in 'The Recruit' -- is the credo we'll have to go by from now on.
Coming back to the aunty... she was the guest on the very first episode of our desi take on 'Moment of Truth'. Introduced as Smita Mathai, a research associate,
she looked so propah, so middle class... saree, bindi, hair neatly done in a ponytail. Her hubby, mom, sister and brother-in-law had come to watch...but,
man, were they in for a surprise.
After a few looseners, host Rajiv Khandelwal (of Aamir fame) asked her if she loved her mom-in-law more than her mom... YES, came the reply. Mommie dearest
looked shattered. Then came a biggie...did she ever wish her hubby dead? YES again. Hubby's turn to look crestfallen. But wait... there's more. Did she
ever think of sleeping with another man? YES came the pat reply. Hubby looked like he'd explode. A trick follow-up: would she sleep with another man if
she was sure her hubby wouldn't find out? She took her time... and then said NO. Bang flashed the screen: FALSE. She'd lied and the polygraph that she'd
undergone prior to the show had caught her out. Bet her life won't be the same again... and she hadn't won any cash to go solo -- liars walk away with
zilch.
As for uncleji, an actor by the name of Yusuf Hussain. He's been married thrice and is currently with a girlfriend. In the audience -- daughter, GF, one
of his ex-wives and his brother. I'll just stick to the juicy stuff. Have you found your ideal woman? NO came the reply from the marrying man who's been
hitched to girlfriend Jezebel for six years. You should've seen the look on GF's face. Have you ever paid for sex? YES. Have you slept with a woman young
enough to be your daughter? YES. Daughter's shattered. Did you try hard enough to make your marriages work? NO... there goes the stereotype of the macho
male who can do no wrong. In comparison, a tame one got him -- Do you think you've been a good dad? He thought long and hard and said YES...big screen
flashed false. Off he went with not a penny...and he was close to taking home 25 lakh.
Missed the Vinod Kambli episode... hope to catch a repeat though. It seems he's blamed best bud Sachin for not doing enough on his downward spiral. That's
probably curtains for that friendship but Kambli does need the cash... he'll always get a few pals once he's got the dosh to blow.
So, these were just a few examples, and lot more are there like this. Ok, we have accepted reality shows as great entertaining substance, but i never had idea, that it’ll become that deep personal.
Now, Methinks the 'khandaan ki izzat' and 'parampara' bullshit is over for good and we're quite happy letting it all hang out...showing our warts, bunions and
all.
People at starplus argues, that they have never forced anyone to come on the show, and even the person already know about the questions which are going to be ask. So what? Aren’t you offering a carod rupees to the person who dares to speak truth?
Actually that itself is a great component that forces the people to partake in show.
Seriously guys, you have no right to be that severely personal, and specifically to bombard someone’s life.
Whatever I might be plugging about the value of truth, but this time I don’t support it.
Ok you can hail me as double standard if you like, but sorry, i’m pretty clear in my views.
As an outset, they have now got an official notice from government as well, let’s hope if they can do something instead of behaving in anesthetized manner.
What you think by the way?
Why don’t you tell whole world by your comments below to this post?
So, Whole world including me will be waiting for your expression on this susceptible issue.
Friday, July 17, 2009
same same, no more shame shame now
First, I’m writing this post in reaction of section 377 of Indian constitution, according to which gay sex has been legally recognized.
The passion and attention the issue of gay, lesbian and same sex has attracted is path-breaking. Heart-breaking too. Not just because I’m opposed to the
very idea of this sexual pedagogy. Also not because of the reason that theology or the tradition condemns this.
For some, it may be an issue of identity of self as an individual who may have strong belief in alternate sexual behaviour and identity. But, the question
I would like to ask is whether it is this identity of someone as an individual (with overt sexual expression) that holds more importance or is it the nation
and national issues that evoke more passion.
24 hours since I shared this question on some forums and my mail has been flooded with mixed responses, reactions, reasoning and perspectives – all full
with passion.
The question goes – Sexuality or Nationality? What unearths more passion? For, I didn’t see this kind of coverage for any issue related to nationality and
national development in the past decade as the issue of gay and same sex has attracted. Even if this is because it is a historical judgement, there have
been bigger instances of national significance when we felt, it deserved bigger and better public and media attention.
The responses I am receiving are good enough to exhort, exhilirate as well shock a common Indian. That the media has forgotten its responsibility and role
is something few would disagree with. It is all about TRP and market-driven content generation where everything that sells makes sense. From an item number
to an item girl, rape to pedophilia and, unreal reality to rotten jokes everything sells better than a story or copy on a relevant subject.
Because it is much easier to cash-in on what is already in demand, the marketers know they should not tamper the status quo when the going is good. So,
no need to alter what already sells.
I am leaving this blogpost incomplete as I await some more responses to bring you the full story.
Looking forward and, awaiting your comments.
The passion and attention the issue of gay, lesbian and same sex has attracted is path-breaking. Heart-breaking too. Not just because I’m opposed to the
very idea of this sexual pedagogy. Also not because of the reason that theology or the tradition condemns this.
For some, it may be an issue of identity of self as an individual who may have strong belief in alternate sexual behaviour and identity. But, the question
I would like to ask is whether it is this identity of someone as an individual (with overt sexual expression) that holds more importance or is it the nation
and national issues that evoke more passion.
24 hours since I shared this question on some forums and my mail has been flooded with mixed responses, reactions, reasoning and perspectives – all full
with passion.
The question goes – Sexuality or Nationality? What unearths more passion? For, I didn’t see this kind of coverage for any issue related to nationality and
national development in the past decade as the issue of gay and same sex has attracted. Even if this is because it is a historical judgement, there have
been bigger instances of national significance when we felt, it deserved bigger and better public and media attention.
The responses I am receiving are good enough to exhort, exhilirate as well shock a common Indian. That the media has forgotten its responsibility and role
is something few would disagree with. It is all about TRP and market-driven content generation where everything that sells makes sense. From an item number
to an item girl, rape to pedophilia and, unreal reality to rotten jokes everything sells better than a story or copy on a relevant subject.
Because it is much easier to cash-in on what is already in demand, the marketers know they should not tamper the status quo when the going is good. So,
no need to alter what already sells.
I am leaving this blogpost incomplete as I await some more responses to bring you the full story.
Looking forward and, awaiting your comments.
Sunday, July 12, 2009
a night that changed my life
you might be amazed to read the title “ a night that changed my life”.
Yes, it was a night that proved turning point for me.
It was a night which gave me the feeling of reincarnation.
It was a night which was out of the ordinary.
The year was 2007 and date was 12th june.
I remember the date exactly, because it was the birth day of my best friend utkarsh.
It was heat all around, and whole india was burning in hot season.
As I told that it was the birth day of my best friend, I was busy in the preparations of birth day party which he and his family was going to give to all
his friends.
Whole day passed in preparations and partying, but actual action was yet to come.
Now, here comes the night of which I’am talking about.
When party got over and my driver tried to start the car, oh, the back tire was puncher.
As it was around 10:30 pm, there was no chance of getting mechanic.
The only and best alternative was to stay at my friends house, and that’s what I did.
In fact, me and utkarsh was going to sleep in same room. We did so.
There was contradictory situations with us that utkarsh was feeling very sleepy, but I was not at all feeling so.
He slept in next few moments, but for me it was not possible at that time.
After moving here and there on bed for 5 minutes, I decided to take a walk of house.
While walking, I heard a strange sound.
“what’s this?”
After bit more concentration, I discovered that it was a sound of
Moving paper of a book.
“book? Who is reading book at 12:30 at night?”
Without thinking anything else, I started to follow the voice.
The voice was coming from harish uncle’s (utkarsh’s father’s” room.
Before I could knock dore or say anything, he saw me and said “come in sun”
I asked While entering in the room, “uncle, what are you doing?”
He said: “I was writing diary”.
Oh, fantastic, here let me tell that harish uncle use to talk very litil, so that I was amazed “what he writes in dyry?”
Wanted to ask, but I knew that it’s not good to look inside of someone’s personal life.
Before I could say anything, uncle said “sun, writing dyry is one of my old hobbies. This is my very own friend since I was all alone in the world”.
I got shocked. “all alone?”
Uncle continued, “yes, you might not knowing my sun, I am a nonparented child”
“then? How you built your life so well?” I asked with curiousness.
Actually, he was a very rich man, and it was hard to believe that a nonparrented can achieve that much.
Uncle said, “it’s all because of my good fortune and hardwork.”
I was kind of a mad now. Just wanted to know on any cost that how he did all that.
I said, “uncle, please tell your whole story of success”
Uncle agreed, and here is what he told.
“I was around 11-12 years old at that time. I used to live in child care home. Once, when I was standing on road, suddenly I saw that several people are
coming to me with sticks in their hands. I was stunned, that why they have sticks have I done anything wrong? When they came more closer I got to know
that a thhaila wala who was standing just in frunt of me had blamed that I have stolen his 20 rupees. Hard to believe, but all they got convinced by him.
They came more closer, and started to abuse and beat me.
Though I have said so many times that I haven’t stolen anything, but nobody listens to a poor child.
The incidence strucked me a lot and I said in innocence to that thhaila wala that one day I will make a hotel just in frunt of your thhaila.
Every one laughed and forgot, but not me. I started doing hard work from that day. I worked in dhhabas for approximate 24 hours of day. After few years
I started my own thhaila. Then a few years after my own dhhaba, and then a hotel.
You know, Right now I have 3 hotels in jaipur city.”
I was breathless after this rousing story.
In fact, I had no words. It was 2:45 am, and still enough dark in sky, but a sun of hope had already rised for my life.
I made my way to the room without saying any word.
Again I was on bed but could not sleep further because this time I was filled with inspirations. I was saluting his determination, and in this way this
mysterious night ended.
Next morning, I was feeling a change in my self, and all that was because of last night which drastically changed my life.
Yes, it was a night that proved turning point for me.
It was a night which gave me the feeling of reincarnation.
It was a night which was out of the ordinary.
The year was 2007 and date was 12th june.
I remember the date exactly, because it was the birth day of my best friend utkarsh.
It was heat all around, and whole india was burning in hot season.
As I told that it was the birth day of my best friend, I was busy in the preparations of birth day party which he and his family was going to give to all
his friends.
Whole day passed in preparations and partying, but actual action was yet to come.
Now, here comes the night of which I’am talking about.
When party got over and my driver tried to start the car, oh, the back tire was puncher.
As it was around 10:30 pm, there was no chance of getting mechanic.
The only and best alternative was to stay at my friends house, and that’s what I did.
In fact, me and utkarsh was going to sleep in same room. We did so.
There was contradictory situations with us that utkarsh was feeling very sleepy, but I was not at all feeling so.
He slept in next few moments, but for me it was not possible at that time.
After moving here and there on bed for 5 minutes, I decided to take a walk of house.
While walking, I heard a strange sound.
“what’s this?”
After bit more concentration, I discovered that it was a sound of
Moving paper of a book.
“book? Who is reading book at 12:30 at night?”
Without thinking anything else, I started to follow the voice.
The voice was coming from harish uncle’s (utkarsh’s father’s” room.
Before I could knock dore or say anything, he saw me and said “come in sun”
I asked While entering in the room, “uncle, what are you doing?”
He said: “I was writing diary”.
Oh, fantastic, here let me tell that harish uncle use to talk very litil, so that I was amazed “what he writes in dyry?”
Wanted to ask, but I knew that it’s not good to look inside of someone’s personal life.
Before I could say anything, uncle said “sun, writing dyry is one of my old hobbies. This is my very own friend since I was all alone in the world”.
I got shocked. “all alone?”
Uncle continued, “yes, you might not knowing my sun, I am a nonparented child”
“then? How you built your life so well?” I asked with curiousness.
Actually, he was a very rich man, and it was hard to believe that a nonparrented can achieve that much.
Uncle said, “it’s all because of my good fortune and hardwork.”
I was kind of a mad now. Just wanted to know on any cost that how he did all that.
I said, “uncle, please tell your whole story of success”
Uncle agreed, and here is what he told.
“I was around 11-12 years old at that time. I used to live in child care home. Once, when I was standing on road, suddenly I saw that several people are
coming to me with sticks in their hands. I was stunned, that why they have sticks have I done anything wrong? When they came more closer I got to know
that a thhaila wala who was standing just in frunt of me had blamed that I have stolen his 20 rupees. Hard to believe, but all they got convinced by him.
They came more closer, and started to abuse and beat me.
Though I have said so many times that I haven’t stolen anything, but nobody listens to a poor child.
The incidence strucked me a lot and I said in innocence to that thhaila wala that one day I will make a hotel just in frunt of your thhaila.
Every one laughed and forgot, but not me. I started doing hard work from that day. I worked in dhhabas for approximate 24 hours of day. After few years
I started my own thhaila. Then a few years after my own dhhaba, and then a hotel.
You know, Right now I have 3 hotels in jaipur city.”
I was breathless after this rousing story.
In fact, I had no words. It was 2:45 am, and still enough dark in sky, but a sun of hope had already rised for my life.
I made my way to the room without saying any word.
Again I was on bed but could not sleep further because this time I was filled with inspirations. I was saluting his determination, and in this way this
mysterious night ended.
Next morning, I was feeling a change in my self, and all that was because of last night which drastically changed my life.
i'm not a hacker
The number of hackers has radically augmented too much in past few years.
At least one hacking allied news can be found everyday in the technology section of newspapers.
Does it means technology is getting flimsy?
Does it means techno engeneers are not skilled?
Does it means hacking is very unfussy?
Probably not, but where on one hand technology experts are relentlessly trying to fabricate more secure and reliable softwares/ hardwares, there is a number of people who have resoluted to crack them in any case.
situation is getting too much startling day by day. Cracks can be found before official releases, IP addresses are getting in use in illogical operations, money is getting transfer illicitly, official data is going in the wrong hands, confidential informations/ matters are getting drip, etc, etc, etc.
yes it’s a matter to ponder, why I am talking about so sensitive matter today?
Well, answer is simple, that todays anecdote is somehow related to that.
Though time is not a comrade of a programmer, but sometimes situations fetches liberated moments which leads him to embark new things. Somehow similar ensued with me.
Once, after checking and signing out of my mails, a mischief came to my mind. In the e-mail edit box of signing in window, I entered the e-mail ID of my friend.
Next was password. I was aware that I don’t know it, but thought to give it a try.
Why? Well, I already told that I had leasure time, so mind was drumming some mischievous ideas. Yes they were dissolute, but oh my impish mind!
Hmm, it was my exam to guess something logical, something evocative, something identical, something substantial, or, something that may unlock his account and prove my mind the superior one.
While thinking, many things came in my way like his name, his father’s name, his girlfriend’s name, his first school, etc.
Even I tried them all, but nothing worked.
I was about to leave the skirmish since it was proving a great deal for me, suddenly a fantastic idea striked to me.
I have observed, that my friend use to say “ok” very offen.
Whether it’s good or bad, happy or sad, concur or diverge, cheery or lament, actually in every situation, I’ve observed him saying “ok”.
I thought, “can ok may be his password”?
“no, I think.”
“why he’ll keep such a general thing as password?”
whatever, I determined to try this also.
Oh my goodness, it worked!
His inbox was flattering my eyes, and the success was flattering my heart.
I knew that whatever I have done is called hacking, and it’s a crime according to law.
I knew it was bluff with my friend, and it may ruin our nice friendship.
Since things had already done, there was nothing more to do.
Though I could not gather the courage to tell him truth, but I promised from my self that I’ll never open his account in future.
Though noone else knew this apart from me, but I was shouting in alone
“I am not a hacker,”
“I am not a hacker,”
“I am not a hacker.”
At least one hacking allied news can be found everyday in the technology section of newspapers.
Does it means technology is getting flimsy?
Does it means techno engeneers are not skilled?
Does it means hacking is very unfussy?
Probably not, but where on one hand technology experts are relentlessly trying to fabricate more secure and reliable softwares/ hardwares, there is a number of people who have resoluted to crack them in any case.
situation is getting too much startling day by day. Cracks can be found before official releases, IP addresses are getting in use in illogical operations, money is getting transfer illicitly, official data is going in the wrong hands, confidential informations/ matters are getting drip, etc, etc, etc.
yes it’s a matter to ponder, why I am talking about so sensitive matter today?
Well, answer is simple, that todays anecdote is somehow related to that.
Though time is not a comrade of a programmer, but sometimes situations fetches liberated moments which leads him to embark new things. Somehow similar ensued with me.
Once, after checking and signing out of my mails, a mischief came to my mind. In the e-mail edit box of signing in window, I entered the e-mail ID of my friend.
Next was password. I was aware that I don’t know it, but thought to give it a try.
Why? Well, I already told that I had leasure time, so mind was drumming some mischievous ideas. Yes they were dissolute, but oh my impish mind!
Hmm, it was my exam to guess something logical, something evocative, something identical, something substantial, or, something that may unlock his account and prove my mind the superior one.
While thinking, many things came in my way like his name, his father’s name, his girlfriend’s name, his first school, etc.
Even I tried them all, but nothing worked.
I was about to leave the skirmish since it was proving a great deal for me, suddenly a fantastic idea striked to me.
I have observed, that my friend use to say “ok” very offen.
Whether it’s good or bad, happy or sad, concur or diverge, cheery or lament, actually in every situation, I’ve observed him saying “ok”.
I thought, “can ok may be his password”?
“no, I think.”
“why he’ll keep such a general thing as password?”
whatever, I determined to try this also.
Oh my goodness, it worked!
His inbox was flattering my eyes, and the success was flattering my heart.
I knew that whatever I have done is called hacking, and it’s a crime according to law.
I knew it was bluff with my friend, and it may ruin our nice friendship.
Since things had already done, there was nothing more to do.
Though I could not gather the courage to tell him truth, but I promised from my self that I’ll never open his account in future.
Though noone else knew this apart from me, but I was shouting in alone
“I am not a hacker,”
“I am not a hacker,”
“I am not a hacker.”
meri maa
Hmmm... Aren't you going to work today?"
"Errr... It's Sunday."
"I know. But why don't you go to work today?"
"Because it's..."
Okay, you get the drift. This is a typical Sunday conversation between Mom and Dad. They are one of those typical Indian couples where the wife pampers
the husband to the point where he can't do anything by himself, and then she complains that he can't do anything by himself. So on Sundays, when the whole
world is relaxing, Mom's work doubles. Every half an hour, Dad wants either the newspaper, or a glass of water, or his glasses, or his slippers, or the
remote control, and so on. And like all men, he is not equipped to see that all the stuff is right there in front of him.
And so the cycle continues, and so do Mom's brave attempts.
"Hmmm... why don't you go out and do some gardening?"
"It's mid-afternoon. It's hot."
"I know. But why don't you go out and do some gardening?"
"Because it's..."
so, what is special about?
This is in fact “ghar ghar ki kahani”, but my point is, just look at mom, dude, she works constantly, almost 24 hours, unless those 5-6 hours of sleep, what the hack.
All we gets a break, from our jobs, schools, colleges, and so on, but momma?
She even happens to be more strenuous on Sundays, and still she keeps the same smirk on her face.
Man, it starts from morning, when I demand for my favorite cheez sandwhiches, and seriously, she had never denyed.
Bro demands for some Chinese recepy, dad for some tipical Indian continental, then all we even having different choices for our soft drinks as well.
Hey, it doesn’t ends here, whether I’m arranging my old books, searching my old piano which used to be my favorite at a time, or even searching a pen to inscribe something, I can’t do without her help, and so as my bro, and dad as well.
Then, we raise our demands for evening snaks and dinner, (specially me, in case I’m not going for hangout for that day).
Therefore, she might be preparing while we are watching those all time favorite comidy movies on TV.
It follows, and I’m not sure, where it ends.
Gosh, look at her, I mean, just look her schedule. Works and works every day, and overwork on Sunday.
Now, what I need to say, is that those house wives who works 24/7, don’t they need a break?
Actually they do, not just physical, but mental as well.
Yeh, I have realized it pretty late, extremely sorry for that, but I have now decided that I’ll provide her a break from huge works she having for us.
What I’m gonna do, that I will at least try my level best to help her in kitchen in morning, and then, I’ll take her on a dinner on almost every Sunday evening.
In fact, can’t completely remove her work load, but hope this will somehow give her a freshness, relax, and so on.
then, at least to a level, i'll be able to say,
"yoon to mai dikhalata nahi, teri parvah karta hoo mai ma"..
"Errr... It's Sunday."
"I know. But why don't you go to work today?"
"Because it's..."
Okay, you get the drift. This is a typical Sunday conversation between Mom and Dad. They are one of those typical Indian couples where the wife pampers
the husband to the point where he can't do anything by himself, and then she complains that he can't do anything by himself. So on Sundays, when the whole
world is relaxing, Mom's work doubles. Every half an hour, Dad wants either the newspaper, or a glass of water, or his glasses, or his slippers, or the
remote control, and so on. And like all men, he is not equipped to see that all the stuff is right there in front of him.
And so the cycle continues, and so do Mom's brave attempts.
"Hmmm... why don't you go out and do some gardening?"
"It's mid-afternoon. It's hot."
"I know. But why don't you go out and do some gardening?"
"Because it's..."
so, what is special about?
This is in fact “ghar ghar ki kahani”, but my point is, just look at mom, dude, she works constantly, almost 24 hours, unless those 5-6 hours of sleep, what the hack.
All we gets a break, from our jobs, schools, colleges, and so on, but momma?
She even happens to be more strenuous on Sundays, and still she keeps the same smirk on her face.
Man, it starts from morning, when I demand for my favorite cheez sandwhiches, and seriously, she had never denyed.
Bro demands for some Chinese recepy, dad for some tipical Indian continental, then all we even having different choices for our soft drinks as well.
Hey, it doesn’t ends here, whether I’m arranging my old books, searching my old piano which used to be my favorite at a time, or even searching a pen to inscribe something, I can’t do without her help, and so as my bro, and dad as well.
Then, we raise our demands for evening snaks and dinner, (specially me, in case I’m not going for hangout for that day).
Therefore, she might be preparing while we are watching those all time favorite comidy movies on TV.
It follows, and I’m not sure, where it ends.
Gosh, look at her, I mean, just look her schedule. Works and works every day, and overwork on Sunday.
Now, what I need to say, is that those house wives who works 24/7, don’t they need a break?
Actually they do, not just physical, but mental as well.
Yeh, I have realized it pretty late, extremely sorry for that, but I have now decided that I’ll provide her a break from huge works she having for us.
What I’m gonna do, that I will at least try my level best to help her in kitchen in morning, and then, I’ll take her on a dinner on almost every Sunday evening.
In fact, can’t completely remove her work load, but hope this will somehow give her a freshness, relax, and so on.
then, at least to a level, i'll be able to say,
"yoon to mai dikhalata nahi, teri parvah karta hoo mai ma"..
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)