2006 is saying good bye. New year is here. Other than the YY field in date what else is going to change?

Will I get to see girls walking without fear in Delhi?
Will I get to see the rapists being hanged?
Will I get to hear no instance of domestic violence at all?
Will there be no communal riot in Mangalore?
Will there be no intrusion attempt in Kashmir, Arunachal Pradesh
Will there be no Naxal attacks?
Will I see ordered traffic in Bangalore?
Will all the managers start trusting their employees?
Will the price of houses in Bangalore come down?
Will people stop preaching me how important it is to compromise in life for a girl?
Will people stop poking nose in others lives (When abso no help asked)
Will professionalism be held over ‘chalta hai’ attitude?

I don’t find ‘Yes’ for any of these questions..
Then why? Why there is so much hype about this?

I have a new reason to smile everyday as it’s a new day.
I have the power of nature’s miracle with me.
Everyday fresh flowers smile at me as I enter my office.
People at the breakfast counter serve the same breakfast with a smile which is a perfect beginning for any day.
Tens of unread emails in my inbox make me feel I am wanted by people. (Ego boost)
Those ‘Good Morning’ mails tell me that someone is still around wishing me a bright day.
A call from a friend asking for new years plan, adds excitement,
Party Preparations add a flavour of belongingness among we friends
And yes, most important of all I have feet to dance all day, all night.
So here is to the beauty of life.. problems hamesha hi rahenge.. Let’s find a reason to celebrate life always J

Happy New Year

The first thing that greeted me this morning was an invitation to volunteer the AIDS awareness program. That is when I realized that its World Aids day. We have it every year, every year few movies like ‘Phir milenge’ and ‘My brother Nikhil’ are screened on TV. The same messages are given. is there anything new that is been discovered? Any cure? New carriers of the disease? Why we have to repeat the same thing over and over? Is it soo tough to bring awareness among people? Do people still think AIDS spreads by mosquito? I am shocked, shocked that we still have the need to educate people on this age old issue in world. In fact I am not convinced that there should be an Aids awareness day.. Just a fad of having a day reserved for everything. Anyways good for people and companies who know to commercialize anything and everything.

This is when I feel at home, I feel I am myself, When world is still, or may be I am still and silently watching the fast moving world, a silent spectator, a passive listener.. The word I read die before my eyes, songs I hear never reach me, Is this called Niravana?

Umrao Jaan

Remember Rekha with tearful eyes? Her best effort to hide the shock and singing yeh kya jagah hai doston.. And the pain in her eyes reflected aptly in Asha’s voice? Yes I am talking about Umrao jaan. I have no doubt that Ash is beautiful. But can she play Umaro and do justice for the role of a lady who had hundreds of men falling for her and yet she was all alone. A scene where Umrao realizes that Farooq is married to her friend, that feeling of betrayal, still lingers in me. I wont say Ash wouldn’t have done a good job, its just that Rekha has really set a very high standard. Music of Umarao is melodious, brings out the pain, and yes some are sensuous. I think it would be wrong on my part to compare the two versions.
Hmm. Few thoughts about the Music of new Umrao jaan
‘Jo ab kiyo hai daata’ is a very touching song. It says “God don’t make me a gal in my next birth” . Painful. You tend to think of thousands of umrao’s still present in our society.
“Behka diya hamein” has all the magic of javed saab’s poetry and a typical romantic song. I can’t say more about it.

“Jhoote ilzaam” begins with typical Mujra note.And I could imagine dance steps through out the songs. Just waiting to watch the movie to see if they match.
The classical base of the song makes it pleasant.

“Pehle pehal” is a song reminded me of ‘Refugee’ songs. I am serious.

“Salaam” is another typical song but thts my favorite in the album.

No song has the depth “Zindagi kyon ..” and or “Yeh kya jagah hai doston”
“Pooch rahe hai” comes little closer to “Justaju jiski thi”

All in all music takes you back to the golden era, other than “Jo ab kiya”, all songs have taste of that Golden era. You won’t find anything new in this Album. It delivers what is expected. But you can sit back in balcony and listen to this when you feel pensive. J

If you havent tried music of Dor yet, try it, but only if you enjoy hindustani classical and rajastani folk. And yes If you found some inspiration in "Ashaayen" from Iqbal this album has "yeh hoslaa" for you. Remember Pratichee(yes, the ex-Viva gal) and her album which had meaningless video? it goes something like "mara piya ghar ayaa re.." , Nagesh has used that song here :).

Just a thought again.. does fair unfair etc etc really exist in this wicked wicked world? does one get punished by the ultimate power? Do we really pay for what we do? or is it the guilt in us which makes us feel that way? too many unanswered questions and yes my prev post about joining dots still holds good. too many events in last few weeks. and i dont see them joining for good end. All that happened made no sense.. inspite of all the questions in my mind i am able to find one answer.. no, dots dont join. And this time i am convinced.

Am taged!

Kashi taged me! So here we go..
1.Grab the book nearest to you, turn on page 18 and find line 4
am in o book's land.
2. Stretch your left arm as far as you can
doesnt go much far
3. What is the last thing you watched on TV?
Sports news on times Now. Report on Brazil Vs Croatia match
4.Without looking, guess what time it is?
3:40PM
5.Now look at the clock, what is the actual time?
4:17!!!!!! I lost 37 minutes of my life without notice!!!
6.With the exception of the computer, what can you hear?
People whispering.
7.When did you last step outside? What were you doing?
@12:30 went out for lunch to bhagini.( u knw that)
8.Before you started this survey, what did you look at?
Kashi's blog
9.What are you wearing?
Salwar- kameez
10.Did you dream last night?
Yeah not a pleasant dream.
11. When did you last laugh?
During lunch
12. What is on the walls of the room you are in?
Nothing.. :( :( . Am in office wat do u expect on wall?
13. Seen anything weird lately?
Yeah many things. This survey is one of them.
14. What do you think of this quiz?
I already answered it.
15.What is the last film you saw?
sarfarosh on star gold.
16. If you became a multimillionaire overnight, what would you buy?
an estate.. my dream car.. loads of designer dresses and accessories, europe trip.. oh my am broke again.!
17.Tell me something about you that I dunno.
I write poems
18.If you could change one thing about the world, regardless of guilt or politics, what would you do?
Forget world, i would change the concept of marriage in India.
19.Do you like to dance?
very much
20.George Bush.?
Can make a fool out of himself anywhere anytime.
21. Imagine your first child is a girl, what do you call her?
First or last.. i would call her Minti.. (=)) )
22.Imagine your first child is a boy, what do you call him?
obviously Mintu.
23.Would you ever consider living abroad?
yeah . but not to any muslim country
24. What do you want GOD to say to you when you reach the pearly gates?
Sushma dont worry ur frnds are on the way..
25.Name a friend who should be tagged
Vinay!!!

Jo beet gayi so baat gayi

A poem by harvansh rai bachan. I cant stop praising the simplicity in his poems. Simple yet a very strong message. Read on, if this inspired you, drop a comment. That surely makes a difference :)
Jo Beet gayi, so baat gai

Jeevan Main Ek Sitara Tha

Maana Vah Behad Pyara Tha

Vah Doob Gaya To Doob Gaya

Ambar Kay Aanan Ko Dekho

Kitne Iskay Taare TooteKitne Iskay Pyare Choote

Jo Choot Gaye Fir Kahan Mile

Par Bolo Toote Taaron Par

Kab Ambar Shok Manata Hai

Jo Beet Gayi So Baat Gayi

Jeevan Main Vah Tha Ek Kusum

They Us Par Nitya Nichavar Tum

Vah Sookh Gaya TO Sookh Gaya

Madhuvan Ki Chaati Ko Dekho

Sookhi Kitni Iski KaliyanMurjhaayi Kitni ballriyan

Jo Murjhayi Woh Fir Kahan Khili

Par Bolo Sookhe Phoolon Par

Kab Madhuban Shor Machata hai

Jo Beet Gayi So Bat Gayi

Jeevan Main Madhu Ka Pyala Tha

Tumnay Tan Man De Daala Tha

Wah Toot Gaya To Toot Gaya

Madiralya Kay Aangan Ko Dekho

Kitne Pyale Hil Jaate Hain

Gir Mitti Main Mil Jaate Hain

Jo Girte Hain Kab Uthte Hain

Par Bolo Toote Pyalo Par

Kab Madiralaya Pachtata Hai

Jo Beet Gayi So Baat Gayi

[Harivansh Rai Bachchan]

Kashmiri youth ignored threat from Hizbul.. and attended the screening for Army recruitment. But for what reason?? read on, http://www.kashmirlive.com/full_story.php?content_id=62595&type=ei

A song from the movie Spirit

Many of you must have seen this movie. OST of BA's Here I am is from this movie. Its a beautiful story. And has some amazing songs. Just picked few lines from one of the song.s Its all about going back where you belong, read on..
...........
I know the road is long
But where are you is home
Wherever you stay, I will find the way
I run like the river I follow the sun
I fly like an eagle to where I belong
Can’t stand the distance
I can’t dream alone
I can’t play it single
Yes am all live at home.........

Dont know what the title should be!!!!

Another summer another vacation, kids must be flocking at libraries to get the taste of their favorite book. And I have always seen people recommending one book for kids to read (Yes, even I have advised a few) ‘The Alchemist’ by Paulo. I am sure by now people reading my blog, know the fact that I read Paulo. :) . But look at the success that book has got? A heroic status to Paulo. Same goes with Ayn Rand for her Fountainhead.
She wrote that book in 1949 and it’s still most acclaimed. Why do such books live so longer? I feel the fact that they deal with an emotion which will never change. The desire to follow the dream, to achieve and to lay a new path and to become what you always wanted to be. Other emotions change over generation and differ with people. Love for me may be eternal and for someone else I might sound totally stupid. But I feel the urge of following one’s dream, making something great of our own life remain same. it is true for all the time. Some might feel the protagonists of the books are heroes as they did what he/she failed to do in life. Where as others might get inspired and very few associate themselves with the characters. All in all either you relive your life or put yourself in that character and enjoy! So there is no end. Such books keep inspiring people generation over generation. And of course sales multiply. BTW, what you have to say on this?

From TOI

Read this in Sunday Times..Could not stop myself from posting this :P
We had a lot in common, I loved him and he loved himself.

What was that???

Was that a one dayer? 434 in 50 overs.. its crazy and they failed to save the match inspite of that.. What do I call that? Probably this is what is called clash of Titans. (on a wicket that was heaven for batsman)! Woooh just dont want to write anything abt the match as the drama i experienced is something that cant b put in words.. Awesome cricket by both !

Joining dots.. does it really make sense?

I have read about this in many books, many philosophers too say this.. Join the dots.. every event of your life will somewhere or other connect to another and you know why exactly that happened. Every time something goes wrong friends tell me that everything has reason and whatever happened must have happened for good. (Ughhh that same old bollywood dialog). Somehow I dont believe that. I dont believe everything is a well crafted design and all along you life you join those dots which are laid for you. I strongly feel life is just a random pattern, not programmed by anyone, not by nature not by god. And daytoday events just fill the slot of your day and nothing else.. Any thought on this?