Bangladesh creating Taj Mahal replica !!

http://news.xinhuanet.com/english/2008-12/09/content_10479651.htm

If you care to see the replica of our Taj Mahal being built in Bangladesh ... 

Shocking ??

Regional National Anthem

I went to see Rab ne bana di jodi.... and as much as I would like to post a review of it here.. i am holding against that.. atleast for now… J

We all have been accustomed to the National Anthem that is sung before every movie played in the theatres in Mumbai. I think its a good move where we can pay a small tribute to our Nation's heritage and its pride for few minutes before enjoying our movie that we paid out for. I liked the idea despite a huge debate going out in the blogging circles about the sanctity and the justification of playing it before movies like "No Entry" or "The Dark Knight".  Leaving the reasoning behind it, I still liked it. I will admit, I don’t fully realize the reason behind the move though. 

What is actually circling my mind is the regional representation of the National Anthem. I have always seen it sung by heroes of our nations, celebrities, leaders.. as a whole united nation coming from different part of our country. Since the last few movies I have seen, mainly in Cinemax, I begin to get the felling of regionalization of the National Anthem itself. I believe we have a National Anthem to bring national pride in oneself - which shows how diversified, multi cultured, multi linguistic nation we are and can unite and sing one song for our country. It represents the country not the state and hence all states are mentioned in the song. If an Anthem is supposed to represent the nation then why have only regional actors singing it. 

Maybe I have not taken it in the right sense. But I do not see any point in having only Marathi cinema actors sing the entire National Anthem either. Don’t get me wrong, am far away from such regionalization and its politics. I love all the actors in the anthem and this goes nothing against them. I am jus trying to understand the purpose behind it as tomorrow another region will start doing that and we will race towards regionalization than nationalization. At least not for the National Anthem. Let it speak for the Nation by the Nation. 

Please excuse if sentiments are hurt. This goes nothing against any particular region or language or state. 

Any thoughts ??

Back to normal... HUH !!!

There have been times in the past few weeks when I came here.. opened up the blank post editior and kept staring at it for a while and closed the window. No word compares the anger and the uneasiness thats in my mind and shared by countless others in mumbai today.  Its not the same anymore... and I wouldnt call going back to office the next day is the spirit of Mumbai as if "Life goes on... ". Its been enough that we got back to normalancy very fast as if we have accepted it as part of our life. I for one, went to office the next day and I felt disgusted about it as soon as I reached there. Its not supposed to be normal the next day.... not the next month.. not the next year.........

Mumbling Thoughts....

What good is freedom of expression, if you are afraid to express

   What good is right to be heard if you are afraid to speak

      What good is education if you choose to remain ignorant

           What good is your love for your country, if you keep complaining about it

WOW, I coudlnt think I can produce those 4 lines.... 

I too complain a lot whenever I go to Yantra Park TCS office or Lake City mall. Not that the area is bad or anything to do with TCS or Lake City but its the approach junction thats like a living hell. I wonder how Katz manage to go to TCS everyday.... :D (Just kidding) btw, she lives walking 15 mins from that place, what else do you need. 

Today, Rabs lost her best fought secret to my intelligence.. I am proud of myself today.

We had one of our biggest software event in Rennaisance powai past week. Ofcourse I had a great time, but the best time was the speaches heard from our corporate strategist on how our company is viewing this world and shaping it for the future.

I just finsihed reading Kane and Abel and have started with A prisoner of Birth. Not that I am suddenly in love with Archer, but Katz seemed to have these two. I will admit though that the books are great. Though I expected a lot better ending from Kane and Abel, I think the Prisoner of Birth will definately provide that. 

Movies haven been lagging these days. The last I saw was Quantum of Solace. Dissapointed was one word right after the ending. Though there were few seconds of cherrish during the movie, the impact of Bond was just not there. Casino Royale still is my favorite. 

Am just mumbling my thoughts here since there isnt much that I want to write now. Time to catch my sleep.. There have been times when i wanted to pen down a lot but those thoughts are no longer there. 

Expecting the unexpected

What disturbs me the most is that people do not understand people. I can see if people cannot understand what cannot be seen or felt or heard. But people can see, hear and feel people and still remain ignorant about each other.

Just for the record, I have always being modest all my life... and today I realise words from KK - this is no world to be modest. Rightly said... maybe!!

Yesterday, Mom called and said, do you live in a rented place and have nothing to call of your own? Are you indebted with loans? Well I was shocked to hear  and was wondering whats wrong that she sounded so hysterical. I started wondering what did I do wrong today. I realised soon that it was some matchmaker telling her that I am no good, have no future, nothing of my own and am indebted with loans. This she had heard from some family I had met. Was finding it difficult to recollect exactly which sentence of mine they didnt understand. Ironicly mom thought I was making a hell of a living. I had not lied but comeon.. how can u infer this out of that conversation. God Gracious.. help mankind... PLEASE

She was understandable in her tone, and I was smiling. though couldnt fathom the ignorance and the immaturity of people who cannot stand anyone else but themselves. Apart from calling and blasting that matchmaker for telling my mom all this, I told her a tiny count my assets and my standing when she said .. OH sorry !! Showing dignity I said, sometimes good people get wrong perceptions... God Help them so.... PLEASE!! Chapter Closed.

At night, had a blast with friends, came home and was blasted by mom again. This time reasons not worth mentioning. But it had a lot to do with me not eating dinner at home. 

Yeah.. and I saw a movie in the old single screen theathre. It had to be Malhar and movue had to be Kidnap. As disappointing as was the movie, the samosa for 12 bucks and balcony seats for 60 was just wortht it. Truly nostalgic. Life is beautiful.

One dentist told me I will have to remove my wisdom tooth. Its tilted towards my gums and causing problems. I never looked back and did the only thing I could think of at that time......  I Ran......

My company gifted the entire team an iPOD. I gifted it to my dad - He loves music. Dad gifted it to back to me. Will fill his songs and gift him back... Life goes full circle... :)

Eating honey nut crunch at Baskins at 11 at night in panchpakhadi (home) and looking at the craziness at the streets makes a hell of a time worth remembering.

Mumbai meri jaan

It was just yesterday night, when we were sitting at the katta below my house, and were having a discussion on the happiness index in our country. We all agreed that no matter how much we earn, or how good is the feel good factor or how near are we in becoming a super power nation,  the happiness index is the lowest in the country.  And its not cause of anything else, but its due to the sheer stupidity of a few. What to do? The best solution is to go abroad and earn and be happy. Seems just right.

I dont know whats wrong, and i guess neither does anybody. Anyways, its easy to identify the wrong. Cause changing the wrong would mean changing all of us. Would you do it? 

Dont worry, you dont have to answer that.. and btw, this is not a reality check post. For that, watch Mumbai Meri Jaan. Its not cause I work there everyday and can relate to most of the phyche displayed amongst the people. Its simply about who is happy today. Every character in this film relates to someone or the other I know. The movie is about the train blasts that happened on 7/11 and how every character got influenced by it. I remember when I caught 8:38 the very next day from Thane station, I could see the faces in the compartment and the silence around me. I could see how my mom was worried and called me 10 times that day to see if I was fine. I know my friend who was on that train but was saved miraculously cause he choose to catch the other first class compartment rather than his usual one. The film showed every inch of that reality.

The part of the film that no other film could capture so far was that it showed the fact where no matter how affluent you are - a rich kid with a luxury car, or a chai wala on the cycle, or an upper middle class professional or a middle classe police man -- everyone is striving to be happy. It reminded of the movie in Pursuit of Happiness in which Will Smith emphasis on the work "PURSUIT" and how it needs to be pursued. Mumbai meri jaan compares this very point and asks you to find that happiness. This film goes right there.

I saw A wednesday before I saw Mumbai meri jaan. Both very strong in concept with a very influencing message. One shows the problem, the other a probable solution.

Anyways, the blasts in Delhi just rocked the nation again. No words to describe the insanity of the kinds who spread this fear. They say Mumbai is on High Alert. Well... I am sure, no one has been on any low alert since a long time now. It just gets used to now... and thats a F*ing big problem. 

Pune Trip Landscape

Went Pune yesterday... official purpose ofcourse.

Cant describe the beautiful landscapes on the way.. just couldnt resist the pics. Been there like a 100 times.. but this time just after the rains went slow.. and the sun in its full glory.. the sky and the greenery was an awesome spectakle.

It could easily have been mistaken for some other (over glorified) tourist place...