All Talk and No Action

I have a lot to share, so, combining everything at one go.

Godhra and ever after

I am very happy about Modi's appearance before the SIT. The past eight years have seen hundreds of allegations and counter allegations, unwarranted media frenzy and plain lies. Ofcourse, the country has been divided too.

Finally, we will know the truth.

The wait has been troublesome at a personal level too.

Anyway, if anything the incident has taught me - it is the media's role in forming public opinion and, how stong a pen really is.

The incident has taught me to look into facts.

No rhetoric. Or emotions. Just plain facts. However disturbing or non-compliant with your belief they be.

A friend recently reminded me and likened the media's role in Godhra and Gujarat to the following verse -

While we are still at this subject, I also recommend reading two excellent pieces each by Swapan Dasgupta and Ashok Malik.

They will make you appreciate, how responsible you must be as a reader and a consumer of the media and the Indian Government.

*****
History

Hitler reminds me of two movies I watched recently.

Inglourious Basterds and Invictus. Both, historical dramas.

While Inglourious Basterds is only the produce of a fertile imagination, Invictus carves out Nelson Mandela's presidency and his vision.

While "Inglourious..." has very good performances and a lovely soundtrack, Invictus has enough sincerity and inspiration to overwhelm you.

Both are "must watch" movies and maybe, Christoph Waltz's Hans Landa (Inglourious Basterds) should be included as a case study at every acting school.

*****

Partition and Sikh Riots

I am a sucker for all things historical and cultural.

A little difficult to explain, but I have always been attracted to the past.

Any family gathering or friends get-together, and I am all for anecdotes and experiences from the era gone by.

Recently, while having lunch at a school friend's place, we got talking about the Sikh Riots. The family is half Sikh and they had lots to share about what transpired before and after Operation Blue Star.

Village and small town men and women, just established themselves as heroes in my eyes !

I felt much respect for all those who protected their families, friends and neighbours and fought against armed terrorists, when the state police failed its people miserably.

We also spoke about our families, the partition and the 1971 war.

Some trivia was funny while others scared me enough to choke on the pav bhaji.

*****
Law

I also happen to have a thing for law and coutroom dramas.

All thanks to John Grisham.

So, if you find yourself captivated by the genre too, I recommend watching 12 Angry Men and The Verdict - both directed by Sidney Lumet.

In fact, 12 Angry Men is often shown to management students, with the intention of churning out better negotiators.

You can obviously ignore the above trivia. But do watch the movies - good content I say !

Also, Paul Newman is very handsome !