O womania....!!!

Tanu weds Manu ...and they lived happily ever after ....or so .. that has been the happy ending that our Bollywood has been purveying us for so long and so forth. But the difference is Tanu is not the conventional Bollywood girl here. She is a liberal, independent, argumentative and one who knows her rights and wrongs.

The movie starts with the afteryears of a passionate love marriage between two opposites. But after not quite so long ..the couple discovers that opposites attraction has withered away and the normal humdrums of a married life creeps in. The complains of wife for a husband for not being a energy meter and the complains of husband for the wife being uninterested in sex could have been a normal post marriage story...except here. When the lady protaganist (read Tanu) decides to leave him in a mental asylum and take a break do decide for future course of action. 

The movie takes twisty turn from there as the male protaganist (read Manu) falls in love with a lookalike of Tanu (Datto) after a divorce notice from her wife. 

For the sae of spoilers alert I would not venture into the story part of it any further as it would underminde the trust of those who wait for a better print version to be released on torrent ;) 

It is always tougher to improve upon the prequel as the expectations are already high but he movie is an excellent improvement from its prequel Tanu Weds Manu all across the sections i.e. dialogues, acting, script or anything for that matter.

The success of TWMR exemplifies that films with women in leading role can also make a moolah at the box office. Bollywood which lost its way in 80s and 90s is now again waking from the slumber and giving the actressess their long due space in the industry. 

Women

Women's day started as "Working women's day", basically as a socialist movement. The day is a celebration of womanhood and all they represent - compassion, warmth, dedication and care.  Although it should not take a special day to express concern about their issues but should be a sustained effort so that they should achieve their maximum potential. How can the world be a better off place if half of the population lags behind socially, economically and politically?

Comparing the condition of Indian women with their peers in western hemisphere we come across stark realities. Indian women although have started coming out of their cocoon and have experienced the liberation but to a very limited extent and that too in urban pockets. The subtle discrimination in urban families and overt discrimination in rural areas keeps the fairer sex devoid of their share of resources and rights. They are conditioned since childhood to sacrifice for others and keep their personal priorities lower in order. With this mindset and upbringing its not only the men that discriminate but women also as mothers and mother-in-laws starts discriminating and imposing their values. The vicious cycle of "humne ye kia to inko karne main kya problem hai" culture keeps repeating and people never have time and courage to have healthy discussions and initiatives to stop this. Even most of the votaries of women rights will be found giving only lip service but refraining to take initiatives at their home, society or locality.

In our quest to women empowerment we should not blindly impose western model of liberation but should evolve our own approach. The approach to women empowerment can't be unidimensional but has to be all encompassing the cultural, economic, social and political aspects as well. 

In the wake of the unfortunate rape case which made the whole of India agitate and demonstrate their anger against such a gruesome deed it is very important to go into deeper and basic reasons for such acts. If we think providing more security, creating separate banks or making more laws will cure all the problems then we are hugely mistaken as there are just the symptoms of the deeper malaise that exists in the society. The "objectification" of women is the most underlying reason that can be cited for such acts. Growing inequality, noneducational and education devoid of values are some of the significant factor that has led to the deterioration of social values and norms. 

Blindly aping western models won't address the problem. Our context is different, our social structure is different, our history is different and our thinking has been moulded in a different way. So how do we address these problem? I think the best way forward is to strengthen the following factors in long term so that our society emerges as one which treats all the person equally regardless of the gender

1. Value based education system: I think the seeds of values that we sow in young minds remain intact with them for the lifetime and forms the basic tenets of ones character. The inculcation of Nationalistic values, Gender issues and emphasis on integrity and moral values in education will be a long term investment in the human resource of the country. 

2. Awareness: Sensitizing people about gender issues and encouraging them to have healthy debates and discussion in families and society so that apprehensions and doubts are cleared. 

3. Police Reforms: The police force is seen as more of an agent today and than a democratic one. Instead of serving public they are seen as serving their political masters. The gender sensitization at cutting edge level is abysmally low. Reforms related to recruitment, training and other issues should be expedited. 

4. Women reservation: Although is a debatable issue but still I think that if not going all for parliamentary reservation we could atleast initiate reforms relating to promoting women canditates in political parties internally. 

5. Stop Objectifying: Wherever possible we should generate awareness and sensitize people to have a broader outlook and perspective that is gender inclusive. 

As India is going though a transitionary phase be it in economic, social or political sphere we need to grab this moment to revolutionize and cement the enthusiasm that has been created regarding gender reforms. 

JaiHind!

Review of Indian Summer: The Secret History of the End of an Empire

The first thing that comes to my mind after reading Indian Summer by Alex Von Tunzelmann is that why does it take a westerner to write such an intriguing story about Indian History. The reason is beyond my comprehension till date as common sense suggests the otherwise. The Indians must be having greater access to archives, letters of iconic personalities and first hand interviews of the survivers. This I am saying as I have also read Indira by Katherine Frank and found it excellent.

The Indian Summer is based on dissection and deep research into the true personalities and personal lives of Mountbatten and Jawahar lal Nehru in the backdrop of Indian Independence movement, giving an microscopic and magnified version of the last few months on the British Raj in India. Although the book starts in a bit sluggish way describing in detail the lives of Mountbattens in 20s and 30s and Indian freedom struggle but one later feels its requirement in order to personify the true characters and lives of the Mountbattens and to build the story. The book catches the tempo in the later half giving not only the details of the events but also the personal conversations and discussions of the personalities we read so much about and allows us to have a closer glimpses at their personal lives. The book presents the facts not only on the basis of here says and rumors but are thoroughly researched based on the letters exchanged between personalities involved and the evidences gathered otherwise. This book unravels the humane side and peels of the layers of their character and brings to life their common and simpler side of some of the greatest personalities of India. We read about the leadership roles of Nehru, Patel and Gandhi in our history books but its very difficult to personify them with just those details. This book fills the gap between political and personal life of leaders and having human insight into their lives.

The writer though falters few times to reach conclusions based on conversations and indirect references but otherwise depicting a neutral account of the events.

Nehru’s personality comes out as a great visionary leader whose intellectual level was way higher than other leaders who sometimes compromised with their ideals and vision in tiring circumstances.

After reading this book I would to delve more into the books that discusses the ideas and experiments of Gandhiji and gives me more insight into the Kashmir problem.

In the end … a good and interesting read. 

Why this Rush - Di?

So Here I am, returning to blogging after a good 1.5 year. The leisure time between Main and Interview has given me this breathing space to take some time out for this activity which along with other hobbies are simply put in back burners when u r preparing for civil services.

Anyways, coming to the topic on Rushdie, the brouhaha over his novel "The satanic verses" is not new but the controversial novel came to light again in the backdrop of Jaipur Literature Festival (JLT). The author was invited by the JLT organizers to be a part of the festival, but due to some unfortunate turn of events the writer had to cancel his visit and all the credit goes to our canny politicians and their vote bank politics.

The 1989 controversial book "The satanic verses" allegedly hurt muslim sentiment and was promptly banned by Rajiv Gandhi in India (even before Ayyatoulla Khameini of Iran and others did so ). The book is said alleged to have anti-islamic elements and has mocked the prophet. A series of fatwas were issued against the writer and many authors who translated his work in other languages have been assassinated or brutally attacked.

Now, as soon news of this author being invited to JLT started pouring in, there were slew of fatwas issued against him by the ulemas and clerics (whom I doubt if they themselves have read the book) and demanded not to allow him to visit this country by denying him Visa (unknown of the fact that he is a PIO and doesn't need one!).

With UP polls just round the corner the State govt of Rajasthan and Union Govt. decided not to take a chance and decided to put his visit off on the grounds of law and order situation.

Its a shame to see that in the largest democracy of the world one can be gagged like this where freedom to expression is a fundamental right. Although the Right is not absolute but its not encroaching either. In no way a book is going to hurt ur belief or sentiments if you choose not to read that book, nobody is forcing you to do that!. I think as a society grows and diversifies there should be more and more signs of tolerance rather than confrontation.

Its a shame that when a Z plus security is provided to the very perpetrators of communal violence and politicians. Its a shame that ppl whose writings and cartoons instigated the Bombay (YES it was Bombay then) communal violence are roaming free instead of many FIRs and cases pending upon them.

Its a shame when our govt. fails to take a strong step towards religious fanatics.

Its a shame that a great painter of our country dies in exile just because the govt. was unable to decide on his case.

It is shame that the community instead of concentrating on reforming itself and freeing itself from the fetters of irrationality the community is incited to pick up the issue of the book, content of which nobody has a clue.

I think the time has come for the people see things through the lens of rationality and reason rather than preconceived notions and bogey of attack on religious faith.

Dustbin

Its been nearly a year since I have been living here in Old Rajinder Nagar area of New Delhi. Nothing special about this area from other parts of Delhi except that the whole area is packed with Punjabis and IAS aspirants. A quite well to do colony but doesn't lag behind in competing with the rest of Delhi in lack of civic sense. I think its a chronic disease spread out in whole of Delhi. People think their duty just end by the four walls of their home, rest other is "public".. not for use but for exploitation, i.e. the roads , the streets and any other place they can find to litter. There is no difference between the dog that shits anywhere in the street and these people. They finish off their tea and throw it wherever they wish. Sometimes I had to carry my cup of tea to my home which is good enough distance from the spot. Now the Q. is whose fault is this . Is it a societal problem creeped deep down inside every rajendreite or delhite ? or is it the municipal malfunctional that has compelled civic society to resort to such measures ?. But it can't be ustified on either of the two reasons. Thats a social evil and if a institution fails its the moral responsibility of the other to respond. But I think we r a decade or two lagging much behind in civil society reforms than compared to any other institution. As some great person said it " Charity begins at home", similary if the elected institution is not delivering its our moral responsibility to at least do our bit. Muncipalities cry over missing dustbins when they place such in colonies. But that problem can be easily ratified with making them permanently grounded like the one I saw in market . The solutions are not hard to find if u r looking for one ....

Spitting and then Licking it ....

It seems Indian politics will never cease to amaze me. Few prejudices that I had earlier solidified into facts as I followed few events lately. One of them being the infamous Varun Gandhi's speech and the events that followed it. One point that everyone can drive home is that political parties has no imaan-dharam or whatsoever. How easy it is for them to eat their own words and to take U-turns on their own stands. If we take the case of Varun Gandhi, we all saw the BJP cutting itself from the whole issue and even Mr. Advani ( I dont prefer to call him "ji") personally condemed Varun's speech. But when the party saw him the issue being doing it in their favour in that particular consttuency and to appease the right wing fellow it didn't mind to back him with full support. Now that that Mayawati govt. has decided to impose NSA on Varun , this gave BJP the much needed fuel. The same ppl who initially thought he has brought shame to the party are now going and meeting in the Jail. Yes, m talking abt party president Mr. Rajnath Singh. By the way I dont take his words seriously ( does he?) coz half of the times he hisself doesnt even knw wat he is talking abt. How can we trust on a party for 5 years  if it cant  keep its words for 5 days? I am not a pro Congress but I definetly have a problem with a party that des it politics openly o the basis caste, creed and religion. Its like taking the country on the backward path. 

But this is the apathy of this country. Governance, development and Agriculture has been the election issues. Coz for political parties like these, these governance is not the motto but its the "power" they want to achieve, by hook or by crook. It like if you the right recipe for getting the votes u win. A bit of caste, a bit of religion and a bit of crime, and you get all the votes. I was discussing this issue with one of my good frnd and I asked the same question to him that why Indian politicians doesnt shy away from doing caste and religion based politics. And he told me that it works because its directly related to the sentiments of people. And I realised that yes in this country people take their religion and case very seriously. If you want to sensitize them then case and religion is the best tool u can use. So its not surprising for me to c the BJP coming out with Ram Temple as one of the main point in their Manifesto. So what if farmers are committing suicides in vidarbha, so what if half of the country is affected by insidious activities of Naxalites, so what if 1/3 of the population is not able to earn even Rs. 50/day , cmmon these are not the issues one should think about. I knw people are too sentimental abt their religion but does this mean it should overshadow the real issues?  Neways we will see many colors of politicians in these coming days ...njoy the dance ( or Tandav?) of democracy 

"The dirty alliance between religious preachers and possessors of power brought the boon of prisons, gallows, knouts and above all such theories for the mankind." - Shaheed Bhagat Singh 

Actors=Policticians, Politiacians=Actors, Reverse Roleplay??

So actors becoming politicians haan. Seems that we can't find even few find few ppl to represent our constituency so that we hire ppl who can sham that they are are the "real" candidates and eventually to no ones surprise they turn out to be the one !!!. So wat if we are counted as the smartest brain in the world, so what if our medicos have made India a medical tourism haven, so what if we were the first to discover zero, so what if we were a phoenix to become the largest democracy, so what if we are a land of kamasutra, so what if our economy is booming but my dear friend all those fasts nullify when we say that we have chosen MPs like Dharmendra, Govinda and Navjot Singh Siddhu. They make nothing but a mockery of our democracy. How the hell they can be called Member of Parliament when they haven't even attended 20% of the sittings of the house. Its pathetic to c that these actors are just using their status to make the democracy dance to their tune. How pathetic it feels feels when actors like these become MPs of and and make an ass of themselves appearing as a regular host on a comedy TV show when they are supposed to be solving problems of the common people of that constituency. Does somebody need to be Einstein to realize the fact?? .. I am too being too despondent being just a mock spectator of that situation. If it wouldn't have been 24th yr of my birthday I would have been contesting election. I am not saying that I am the best but surely I do know what are the duties of a MP and it doesn't even take a graduate to know that. But u know we are Indians, we will be driven by Glamor , we will be sold by the bottle of "pouvva" our netas gives us to vote for them. And he will be the next MP. how the hell does it matter to the man? he got his share of "pouvva" what else can he demand for? can he demand for education for every child in his village? can he demand for water for every tap ? can he demand for return of every bit of his blood he had shed while ploughing the field? . I say No , A bloody NO beacuse there is munnabhai, there is munnabhai to fullfill his political aspirations (he says he wants to do samaj sewa thats y he entered politics, bloody my foot). He will be in the ruling party next yr and can amend the laws very easily that suits his situation. A man who should be behind the bars will be contesting elections. Congratulations my sweet democracy for giving me MPs like Govinda and Siddhu on whom I can make 'n' number of jokes and wudn't even realise that he is the fuckin MP of our country.
So do not vote my dear. And let these MPs represent your country. Please and please DO NOT exercise your right to vote and let these jokers rule you. Because we deserve it.
So, next time please give a thought before NOT voting.


Jai Ho!!!