If your grand parents are alive today - go and give them a tight, non fatal hug.
It's a little late in the day to be sharing this
However, Mahima writes beautifully and I couldn't agree more on the subject.
*****
A lot has been said about Facebook and how it may have revolutionised how we view ourselves and the world.
My opinion : Whatever.
This is a deplorable situation.
While I don't have any suggestions to work out the problem, one only wishes the elderly are treated with more honour.
Link via Arvind.
2010 has been quite eventful so far.
Before leaving for the Vipassana trip (earlier this year), I had promised myself that the day I got back to Mumbai - I would bring an end to my career in investment banking.
My job had presented me with many opportunities and accolades. However, I just didn't think it was anywhere close to a 'calling' for me.
Ofcourse, this crazy plan was well guarded from most people. Not everyone takes a deviation from routine as normal.
So, for the first time in 4 years after graduation, I had truckloads of time on hand.
I slept, read, watched movies and cooked.
I visited my school and went out with old friends.
I shortlisted nine sectors worth doing business in, made business plans and sought feedback from experts.
Yet, most of the time, seemingly engaged in interesting activities, my mind worked overtime.
I had NO idea where I was headed.
It was extremely difficult not to have any answers. For someone who prided herself on always knowing what she wanted from life and working towards achieving it, these months of uncertainty were quite daunting.
Thankfully, the year has progressed well and my experience of 'doing nothing' has been quite revealing and worthwhile.
Though some questions still irk me, most concerns have been ironed out.
Having spoken about the year, I now want to specify why I write this post.
I don't think I could have fared as well as I did, had it not been for my friends.
Ofcourse, my family was the most supportive. But then, they are blood relations and will have to wait for a vote of thanks.
Today, is just for friends.
People who have stood by me, supported me, corrected me, humored me, mentored me and just plain, heard me out.
People who showed me kindness and faith.
Most important, people who made me feel good about myself.
Once a friend told me that my future didn't bother him much. 'You are a Sindhi after all! Your innate resourcefulness will see you through!'
Ofcourse, that didn't solve my problems. Still, coming from a friend, it was the most comforting balm! (And, yeah, he earned brownie points for the Sindhi's ego massage ;-) )
The point I am trying to make is - Old friends are valuable and good for your health. Like wine, they get better with each passing year.
Often, people don't value their friendships. Different colleges, separate career pathways, boy/girlfriends, marriage, children are quoted as reasons of 'letting go'.
Agreed not all friendships are worth the hassle. Still, the few that are, must be treasured.
So, on this Diwali, while I thank God for my wonderful set of friends, I hope you reach out to people who have made your life worthwhile.
Here's wishing you and your loved ones a Sparkling Diwali and a fun filled new year!
With the blessings of God and a very thoughtful friend, I will finally have Dhoop Kinaare in my collection.
I have already expressed how keen I was to have it.
Not just for myself, but even for my mom. She is a bigger fan of the Marina Khan series like Dhoop Kinaare, Tanhaaiyan, etc.
Anyway, I am writing this not because of Dhoop Kinaare, but because of this friend.
Searching for the series through the crazy Internet maze was not easy. Even more difficult if you have a list of friends, each with his/her own wish list.
Never known to say a "No" and always a source of laughter and happiness, I am glad for how things have shaped up for this friend.
I wish him all the very best and hope I get lots of goodies when he gets back after a two year vacation in London.
Till then, I will continue building up my download list.
Do men like their women to be less intelligent than them?
Just the other day, a friend said, he wouldn't want his lady to know more than he did.
"You see, she should be as sweet and as dumb as Phoebe Buffay!"
Before I could open my mouth, to cover his track, he also said...
"See, tere bhai ke bhi yehi vichaar honge...And am sure most men wouldn't want a partner who knew more than they did...So now don't start your Mahila Mandal Bhashan !"
So.... Really??
An interesting lunch table conversation at workplace...
The talk started with Young Damsels falling for Older men and veered towards Sallu Bhai and his bad luck with the opposite sex. The ladies drooled over his charisma and charm. All had mean things to say about his most famous muse (Now the Bahu of the first family of Bollywood).
Ladkiyon..Bhoolo mat ki usne is bandi ki bhar bhar ke pitaai ki thi…remember the famous fracture ? the broken eye...??
Ehh..?? So…? She asked for it !!
I am telling you if my guy were to ditch me, sleep with someone else…I won't think twice about non-violence and the crap !! I would beat the s**t outta him !
Haan re…am sure the lady must have been cheating on him…warna koi kyun apni girl friend ki itni pitaai karega..? She was a b***h and deserved it.
Yaar, sirf ladki ki galti thi kya? And agar thi bhi toh aisa bartaav? Beat her, break into her house, break furniture..? Asli mard aise neech kaam nahi karta...
Kuch nahi re…the guy is a Psycho !!
Don't forget the lady was a gold digger herself ! She has had a sling of boy friends ! She left all guys when they were down and out !
Sallu ne usse achha mazaa chakhaya !
Mai toh kehti hoon sabhi dhokebaaz ladkiyon ko maar daalna chahiye....
I pray he settles down with Kaif. They look soooooooo cute !!
Chup bey…baap beti lagte hain…
Man, this lady is taking him for a ride ! Salman ki achhai ka fayda utha rahi hai woh…
But she shouldn't forget that it's because of him that she has come so far !! It's her moral obligation to get married to him !
He still rules !! My my...maine pyaar kiya and HAHK still rock !
I will hate it if she too cheats on him ! She shouldn't be doing movies with Akshay if it makes Sallu unhappy !!
Oh yaa....its all about commitment you see...anything to make one's partner happy
Arre but it's her life and career ! What's the point of the relationship if she can't enjoy some freedom? Does one have to fore go one's rights in a relationship?
Oh yeaaah WHATEVER...!
And on and on and on it went....
What's revealing though is - all the participants in the above chat were females and most had no problems with violence and abuse in a relationship...
Interestingly, This was sent across by a male friend who heard about the conversation....
Phewww......God Bless us all !
Skimming through the masala page in Mumbai Mirror I chanced upon this piece.
The note expressed concern over AD's mother's health. The article showed how the actor had cancelled his appointments, shootings and had even declined to sit for narrations till his mother got well.
I have always admired the actor for his off-beat roles and acting. A person who wrote his own rules.
This side of his personality added more to the already existing respect for him. As in, one's mother is definitely more important than big bucks and plum assignments. The relief one might get while serving one's parent has to be more than earning a few extra lakhs !
Yeah, it does involve losses for Production Houses who spend crores on these stars...But what the heck... its his mom !!
I felt smug and patted myself with this line of thought.
Only then did I recall a similar but graver incident involving another legend I had come to admire...
In April 2003, while the San Marino GP frenzy was at its peak, Schumacher faced a dilemma like none could face...
While his mother lay comatose and had minimal chances of survival, Schumacher decided to participate in the GP. Not only was it a spectacular race but it was a resounding win for Schumacher !
Now, being a star, Schumi could have easily pulled out and stayed back with his mom during her final moments... Yet, he decided to go ahead with the GP. He did it in the spirit of the game, for his promoters and for the people who worshipped him.
Would pulling out have affected his popularity? I doubt.
Does this make Schumi a greedy, heartless, insensitive human being?
No.
Come to think of it, India has produced similar sons. The most famous being The Iron Man - Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel. One popular story goes - Sardar defending a man in the court of law. At the most crucial moment of his closing comments, Sardar received a note. After reading it, he put it back and went on to defend his client.
He presented his points with fervor none could match. Obviously, he won !
Yet, on receiving congratulatory hugs, our man could not take it anymore and broke down. The note he had received carried the news of the death of his beloved wife.
However, Sardar had deemed it fit to defend and fight for an innocent man. Does it make him a less loving husband?
No.
Indian sensibilities would make Devgan a hero. Yet, what Schumacher did shows us what true men are made of.
Now, I wouldn't want to take a stand here and judge any of these men.
Like they say, I would cross the bridge when I come to it. However, in this case, I wish I never reach such a bridge !
Recently, I got a chance to catch Tehzeeb - a movie I have been longing to watch since ages.
I had read and heard loads of reviews on the movie. Yet, I remembered none since the movie is an old one now. Good for me, as I went ahead with an open mind.
I must say, I was greatly impressed. Khalid has always been known to direct simple, personal stories.
This one revolves around the estranged relationship between a mother (Shabana Azmi) and her daughter (Urmila Matondkar).
As the story unfolds, the viewer is taken into the peaceful, everyday lives of Tehzeeb and Salim (Arjun Rampal, in an understated and sleek performance). They are a happy couple who also look after Tehzeeb's mentally challenged sister Naazo (well portrayed by Dia Mirza) until one day, Begum Ruksana decides to pay her daughter a visit.
There is palpable excitement and longing on both sides as the protagonists wait to meet each other after long years. Yet, there are raw and hurtful emotions too, waiting to explode !
You see, Ruksana Begum has been the best the industry has seen. However, all the success has come at a price. She is held guilty in the eyes of her daughter - for ignoring her duties as a home-maker and a mother, for being a selfish, emotion-less woman, finally, for being the reason of her father's untimely death (played by Rishi Kapoor).
The story sees two strong-willed woman reason out, blame and fight for what they believe in.
Viewers are blessed with respite when the duo forget their differences, come together and share love and laughter like any parent-child would. However, not for long as there are always dark moments lurking to wash out the temporary paradise. The build up from an anxious wait to meet one's kin to the final explosion resulting in an endless blame game is interesting.
The movie plays on the premise of love being the most important legacy a parent can give to her child. One can't help but feel sad for a child's longing for love, attention and warmth while turning into a bitter, stubborn and a non-forgiving adult.
The movie is brutal, where it doesn't give it's protagonists a chance at redemption. One can only feel sad at a relationship gone awfully wrong.
Both, Shabana and Urmilla give spectacular and restrained performances. Their strength lies in the viewer not being able to decide who to favor and empathize with!
The movie does have a few glitches like forgettable songs, a slow pace and an irritating Diana Hayden. However, that shouldn't stop one from enjoying this otherwise well crafted and intelligent movie.
I am not into Page 3 and High Society Gossip. However, every once in a while, I do indulge in mindless Page 3 talks with friends and delve into the gimmicks of the who’s who of Bollywood and Indian Television.
Though the Manoranjan provided is often substandard, it doesn’t harm me and provides an outlet for my wicked imagination and emotions: D
Anyway, a few days back, while skimming through the “What’s Hot” Section of a well known Gossip Guide, two gleaming faces stared back at me.
A picture of perfect harmony, bliss, companionship and “soul mates”.
A few months earlier, the faces might have invoked feelings of admiration and respect from me. Now however, they only managed to repulse and infuriate.
All the admiration I held evaporated in thin air when I, like many others, realized the sleazy plot they were a part of.
Staging marital discord, they went on to dramatize the whole process of their estrangement, incompatibility, “irreconcilable” differences and pending divorce. This, when they were considered amongst a few “Happy and committed” couples in these times of “convenient” and “open” relationships.
This wasn’t enough. They went on air and shamelessly brought in the “Dusri Aurat” ka angle coupled with “Abhimaan” like issues where the sizzling wife was earning truckloads more than the “also ran” actor.
Barely had fans recuperated from feelings of disillusionment, than this couple was seen laughing away all media reports…”Ullu Banaya…Popat..Popat!!” Aayin..?? Yeh kya koi April Fool joke tha?
Ullu toh banaya hi…But wajah kya thi..?
Any guesses?
This smarty couple along with a few marketing whiz kids decided to grab eye-balls for launching a new Product!!
Ji haan…behno aur unke bhaiyon…yeh pura naatak rachaya gaya..taaki aap unke endorse kiye gaye products khareede !!
After all, mega bucks are on line here…too much at stake…thodi masti karne mai kya jaata hai bhai..?
Ya, why not? What’s so wrong with washing your dirty Lenin in public and later calling it off?
I have never been a fan of either. However, I always admired the lady for her Bindaas attitude and confidence. There is an inherent elegance and street smartness about her.
She is also known to be a shrewd deal maker. However, this deal of hers definitely did not cut well with the masses!!
Just who in their right minds would want to make fun of a steady relationship? Something that’s sacred and has weathered years of ups and downs?
After years of “public image” management, hard work, professionalism, meaty offers, amazing cash flow and scaling popularity charts – one mis-calculated and STUPID step – and all goes up in thin air!
The couple might still have fans, gain back respect and the lost credibility – but how in the world do they explain their insensible and greedy actions to the most important person in their lives…Their Son??
Beta..tumhaare mummy papa ne kuch paiso ke liye apne sukhi sansar ki dhajiya uda di…
Is there any thing sacrosanct at all for such greedy, shameless, money making machines??
I am greatly disappointed in Malaika and Arbaaz Khan !!
