Colors, from the Viacom 18 stable, is all set to overtake Star Plus as the number one channel in India after already displacing sony and zee. What's sad is that the driving force is a serial called "Baalika Vadhu".
If the soap that has had the last 6-7 episodes of every character weeping and wailing because of a tragic death is what is captivating the imaginations of the Indian viewer, then there is something seriously wrong with us. This is the serial that skyrocketed to fame by showing a 10-11 year kid being locked up in a filthy basement and howling throughout the night at the torture (which I am told took a neat 3 episodes). How can it represent the "Entertainment" and "Variety" positioning that the channel did when it launched itself? Colors had shows like "Khatron ke Khiladi" and "Big Boss". It then moved on to the 'universally Indian' likes of "Jai Shri Krishna". But where does "Baalika Vadhu" fit in this image?
Viacom has always been associated with MTV; youthful, vibrant, crazy, uncontemporary. I am afraid even they have taken the Balaji route to the depressing fantasies of the Indian housewife. How can something so depressing with so much negative focus be called entertainment? To make things worse, the serial is making people stay inside their homes till 8:30 pm, so the business of malls, restaurants etc is also effected (just like the KBC effect we saw around 8 years back).
It is high time that Indian women move on from wasting their time with this non sense called "soap" churned out in dozens by dozen channels every day. If the fantasy of an average Indian 'domestic engineer' includes multiple affairs, illegitimate children, squabbling family members all living and plotting against each other in the same house, handling a 500 rs crore "business" without any prior experience whatsover, then it is nothing short of an epidemic. If they get "entertainment" by listening to the preaching lectures full of Indian mythology delivered by sari clad "pavitra" women (who are later known to have done everything "apavitra") with full make up on even when they are cooking food or waking up, then I am afraid it is a mental sickness of the scale of an endemic epidemic.
Jaago India Jaago!
Friday, March 6, 2009
Tuesday, March 3, 2009
Resonance
....and as the three wheeler; that I was riding alone; sped at the maximum permissible speed allowed by traffic; my mind was in a world other than this one. Surrounded in an epic rhythm and an acoustic melody; enchanted by a mesmerising soul captivating voice. As her last words rang my ears; I realised that there was but one thread connecting me to this world. Those words were, "Follow me yeah let's go"
The epic was ending and the male metallic voice was booming the familiar countdown. As he began "5.....4....." I saw that the traffic signal was also counting down in the exact order....5.....4.....3.....
Which is when I got the message. Loud and Clear. The world inside my bloodrushed head is not different from the "outside" world. There is resonance.
The epic was ending and the male metallic voice was booming the familiar countdown. As he began "5.....4....." I saw that the traffic signal was also counting down in the exact order....5.....4.....3.....
Which is when I got the message. Loud and Clear. The world inside my bloodrushed head is not different from the "outside" world. There is resonance.
Friday, February 20, 2009
Mumbaiite
The oldest history we have is that of the Magadh empire around 3rd century BC. The now NalaSopara was an established trade port of King Ashoka. It seems they left the islands to Fishermen and Buddhist monks.
(Reference)Bombay changed hands many times. The islands belonged to the Silhara dynasty till the middle of the 13th century. The oldest structures in the archipelago--- the caves at Elephanta, and part of the Walkeshwar temple complex probably date from this time. Modern sources identify a 13th century Raja Bhimdev who had his capital in Mahikawati-- present-day Mahim, and Prabhadevi. Presumably the first merchants and agriculturists settled in Mumbai at this time. In 1343 the island of Salsette, and eventually the whole archipelago, passed to the Sultan of Gujarat. The mosque in Mahim dates from this period.
Then it all started with jealousy. Spaniards were having an upper hand over the Portuguese. Christopher Columbus had accidentally discovered the new world when he had begun to discover India. Their hard rivals, the Portuguese imperatively had to discover the (route to) real India. With Vasco Da Gama, the first Portuguese arrived in India. The Indians discarded what they had brought in their ships (we had better quality materials anyways). The Original wanderers reported back to Portugal Royal elites that India w big. "They had big markets, so many people, long roads, big buildings. Everyone was so rich". But with other better goods carrying trips (Vasco Da Gama came thrice to India during his lifetime, dying here in his last trip), they slowly spread their wings in India.
Slowly the Portugese had captured much of the southern ports of India (The current Kozhikode (Calicut) and Pondicherry still carries the remnants of their "culture"). The britishers had to find a landing place in India. Their ships circumvented the Portugese ships and beachheads across the western southern coast and went a little north. To establish a small port. They picked Surat.
(Reference)With increasing prosperity and growing political power following the 1817 victory over the Marathas, the British embarked upon reclamations and large scale engineering works in Bombay. The sixty years between the completion of the vellard at Breach Candy (1784) and the construction of the Mahim Causeway (1845) are the heroic period in which the seven islands were merged into one landmass. These immense works, in turn, attracted construction workers, like the Kamathis from Andhra, who began to come to Bombay from 1757 on. A regular civil administration was put in place during this period. In 1853 a 35-km long railway line between Thana and Bombay was inaugurated-- the first in India. Four years later, in 1854, the first cotton mill was founded in Bombay. With the cotton mills came large scale migrations of Marathi workers, and the chawls which accommodated them. The city had found its shape.
That is how the 7 islands came upon being. It began existing. Slowly, with more and more trade, more infrastructure was required. People were required. The Marwari community began traveling humongous distances to sell their stuff. It began breathing. Nothing to take away from Kolkata, as it was the Britishers' original start up port. But the point is, that is how Mumbai began its life.
With more Gujrati people coming here armed with their business skills and community supportive work culture, it slowly established itself as a business destination. It follows logically that with the business culture and performance orientation, the skills and ability of a person would take the center stage. They would become more important than the origin of the person, or to which community or region the person belongs to. Without introducing any kind of bias on association of a person's community with her/his ability, people from different parts of the country began coming to the land of opportunity. With more favourable conditions, the place transformed itself, step by step, from a port to a residential place to a business hub to a (additionally) film city.
(reference)The name Mumbai is derived from Mumba Devi, the patron goddess of the Kolis. The Kolis called her ' Mumba Aai' (Mother Mumba). From this word came Mumbai. The British, however, preferred to call the islands as Bombay. The name remained in practice till recent years. The temple of goddess Mumba Devi is still exists in Mumbai and the area around the temple is popularly known as Mumba Devi area
Given this background, I want to ask a question to everyone even remotely concerned with this city. Whose Mumbai is it? The Britishers? The Portuguese? The Gujrati Bohras/Parsis/Banias? The Marwari community? The Kamathis? The marathas? The kolis? The north Indian migrants?
(Reference)Bombay changed hands many times. The islands belonged to the Silhara dynasty till the middle of the 13th century. The oldest structures in the archipelago--- the caves at Elephanta, and part of the Walkeshwar temple complex probably date from this time. Modern sources identify a 13th century Raja Bhimdev who had his capital in Mahikawati-- present-day Mahim, and Prabhadevi. Presumably the first merchants and agriculturists settled in Mumbai at this time. In 1343 the island of Salsette, and eventually the whole archipelago, passed to the Sultan of Gujarat. The mosque in Mahim dates from this period.
Then it all started with jealousy. Spaniards were having an upper hand over the Portuguese. Christopher Columbus had accidentally discovered the new world when he had begun to discover India. Their hard rivals, the Portuguese imperatively had to discover the (route to) real India. With Vasco Da Gama, the first Portuguese arrived in India. The Indians discarded what they had brought in their ships (we had better quality materials anyways). The Original wanderers reported back to Portugal Royal elites that India w big. "They had big markets, so many people, long roads, big buildings. Everyone was so rich". But with other better goods carrying trips (Vasco Da Gama came thrice to India during his lifetime, dying here in his last trip), they slowly spread their wings in India.
(Reference)In 1508 Francis Almeida sailed into the deep natural harbour of the island his countrymen came to call Bom Bahia (the Good Bay). Bahadur Shah of Gujarat was forced to cede the main islands to the Portuguese in 1534, before he was murdered by the proselytizing invaders. The Portuguese built a fort in Bassein. They were not interested in the islands, although some fortifications and a few chapels were built for the converted fishermen. The St. Andrew's church in Bandra dates from this period. For years, the Dutch and the British tried to get information on the sea route to India--- often by spying. Eventually, in 1661, Catherine of Braganza brought these islands to Charles II of England as part of her marriage dowry. The British East India Company received it from the crown in 1668, founded the modern city, and shortly thereafter moved their main holdings from Surat to Bombay. George Oxenden was the first governor of a Bombay whose place in history was finally secure.
The web of commerce which had supported the civilisation of the Indian Ocean littoral had died with the coming of the Europeans. The Mughal empire in Delhi was not interested in navies-- despising the Portuguese and the British as ``merchant princes''. The second governor of Bombay, Gerald Aungier, saw the opportunity to develop the islands into a centre of commerce to rival other ports still in the hands of local kingdoms. He offered various inducement to skilled workers and traders to move to this British holding. The opportunities for business attracted many Gujarati communities--- the Parsis, the Bohras, Jews and banias from Surat and Diu. The population of Bombay was estimated to have risen from 10,000 in 1661 to 60,000 in 1675.
Slowly the Portugese had captured much of the southern ports of India (The current Kozhikode (Calicut) and Pondicherry still carries the remnants of their "culture"). The britishers had to find a landing place in India. Their ships circumvented the Portugese ships and beachheads across the western southern coast and went a little north. To establish a small port. They picked Surat.
(Reference)With increasing prosperity and growing political power following the 1817 victory over the Marathas, the British embarked upon reclamations and large scale engineering works in Bombay. The sixty years between the completion of the vellard at Breach Candy (1784) and the construction of the Mahim Causeway (1845) are the heroic period in which the seven islands were merged into one landmass. These immense works, in turn, attracted construction workers, like the Kamathis from Andhra, who began to come to Bombay from 1757 on. A regular civil administration was put in place during this period. In 1853 a 35-km long railway line between Thana and Bombay was inaugurated-- the first in India. Four years later, in 1854, the first cotton mill was founded in Bombay. With the cotton mills came large scale migrations of Marathi workers, and the chawls which accommodated them. The city had found its shape.
That is how the 7 islands came upon being. It began existing. Slowly, with more and more trade, more infrastructure was required. People were required. The Marwari community began traveling humongous distances to sell their stuff. It began breathing. Nothing to take away from Kolkata, as it was the Britishers' original start up port. But the point is, that is how Mumbai began its life.
With more Gujrati people coming here armed with their business skills and community supportive work culture, it slowly established itself as a business destination. It follows logically that with the business culture and performance orientation, the skills and ability of a person would take the center stage. They would become more important than the origin of the person, or to which community or region the person belongs to. Without introducing any kind of bias on association of a person's community with her/his ability, people from different parts of the country began coming to the land of opportunity. With more favourable conditions, the place transformed itself, step by step, from a port to a residential place to a business hub to a (additionally) film city.
(reference)The name Mumbai is derived from Mumba Devi, the patron goddess of the Kolis. The Kolis called her ' Mumba Aai' (Mother Mumba). From this word came Mumbai. The British, however, preferred to call the islands as Bombay. The name remained in practice till recent years. The temple of goddess Mumba Devi is still exists in Mumbai and the area around the temple is popularly known as Mumba Devi area
Given this background, I want to ask a question to everyone even remotely concerned with this city. Whose Mumbai is it? The Britishers? The Portuguese? The Gujrati Bohras/Parsis/Banias? The Marwari community? The Kamathis? The marathas? The kolis? The north Indian migrants?
Tuesday, December 16, 2008
Of a trance-doper
My top ten greatest artist groups with the songs that drive me, that are huge reasons for me to live.
EPIC, Progressive, Euro, breakdowns, lift; the terminologies that keep me kicking.
Influencers. Transformers. Spiritually rich and enriching. Mood uplifters. Gods.....
10. Daft punk
Their name is credited by them to a UK based magazine, indirectly. The critic called their music 'daft (crazy) punk'. They picked up well with the single 'Da Funk'. Another amazing album of theirs came out with Japanese animations of alien worlds, named "Discovery". It had tracks like 'One more time', 'Aerodynamic' and 'Digital love'
Funky:
9. Delerium
Why did the two member band split after they made the album"Karma"? They produced such amazing tracks like "Silence".... I wonder...
Crowd Mesmeriser:
I won't write much about them, as they are a well known rock band. I wish to attend a live concert of Linkin Park at least once in my life (Are you listening Chester/Shinoda? When are you coming to Mumbai? India at least!).
I have heard most of 'Hybrid Theory' and a couple from 'Meteora'. I don't like "crawling", it is too negative for my taste.
Ramblers:
7. Eminem
Once again, there have been enough dwellings on this artist all over the media and the internet. He has lead-starred in a large scale Hollywood movie for F***'s sake (his style :P ).
That doesn't take away the fact that I truly respect him. His early life is a great example of resilience (fight from going almost bankrupt and losing his wife due to poverty) and devotion (his love for his daughter Hailie).
Rappers:
6. BT
Considered by almost everyone to be the pioneer of Trance music. This guy is old skool in the field of trance music. His album ESCM (1997) had the smash hit "Flaming June". I recommend this track to everyone who want to find out how to seriously dance!
He is known for his stutter technique. He introduced me to the out of this world vocal singer Sarah McLachlan.
'Mercury and solace' had a creepy yet beautifully picturised video of a child apparently hurt by a car crash. He is found by a group of kids in the lush fields nearby and they dance and play around. They seem to be attracted by a shiny object at a distant hill, which seems like metal reflecting sun's light. All this time a model (who's actually the singer, Jan Johnston) wearing coat over a wrapped evening gown(??!!!??) is screaming "reach out for me". I think the kids (or are they time backs of their adult being? Who knows?) are dead and it is a sort of an after-life activity happening.
His other tracks include 'Dreaming' (mixed by Tiesto also I suppose), which is considered to be a classic trance track, in the league of 'Godspeed'. One more was 'Never gonna come back down' which was the epitome of Energy in performance, especially by the Ghetto singer.
Crushes:
5. PVD
This world leading DJ from Germany is a one man army. He has traveled the world, and I was lucky to catch his second coming to Mumbai, live.
His hits include "For an Angel" and "We are alive" which had a video of a huge black trampoline cum couch traveling in city roads (I guess in Germany) and people of all ages/sects enjoying bouncing around. I somehow don't like these songs.
Thumpers:
4. Deep Forest
Thanks to the creativity of this french duo. Creative because they combined Pygmy chants with Digital (revolutionary back then, in 1992) sounds. Creative because they moved on to Hungarian and Gypsy chants for further projects. Their first album was titled "Deep Forest". If you have heard the title song from the movie "Gupt", look no further for its "inspiration".
Creative as they were considered forerunners in the world of world music.
Creative as they have Australian native lyrics (not Swahili) in their smash song (sweet lullaby)
Makes you wanna groove:
Heavily uplifts the mood:
3. Planet Funk
Mental patients exhibiting all signs of catatonism (a kind of madness for all you lazy bums) locked in a room. This forms the base video of "Chase the sun". The secret to the wooden radio is revealed in the next released video "Inside all the people", where there is no radio equipment inside the hollow box at all! Perhaps suggesting that the patients are listening to something out of their imagination.
"Inside all the people" goes on to show the chemistry that happens between a man and woman. A simple collision in the crowd is showed 3 times with 3 different results.
Rated 5, automatically ;) (windows media player style):
Hip turners:
2. Enigma
Who could possibly think of a positive out of a 12 year old child dropping out of school to pursue a career in music? I am glad Mr. Cretu did.
Gregorian chants, Sexual noises, Thumping dance track, Shakuhachi flutes, can anybody possibly imagine a fusion out of these? I am glad Mr. Michael Cretu did.
Who would get inspired out of falling asleep in a London underground train? I am glad Mr....Yep, you got it.
Welcome to the world of Enigma. The world of mysteries. The world of treasures in terms of musical riches. No wonder the list of bollywood movies that got 'inspired' are countless. From the background music of Tridev to the songs of Akshay - Mamta Kulkarni (mang meri bharo....straight lift from mea culpa), everyone has tried to rake in the success story of this phenomenon.
After 'the cross of changes', their third album was a fusion of these Gregorian chants as well as tribal songs.
Reinventing itself in "The screen behind the mirror" and "Voyageur" proved that the artists have no dearth of soul.
Favourite tracks: Too many to list but will post a few 'toppers'
Mood Transformers/Transporters to different worlds:
Groovies:
1. Chicane
Trivia: All you Bryan Adams fans, read this. Have you heard the song "Cloud no 9"? If you have, then the chances are that you have heard the remixed version of this song, not the original one. Because the original one was so bad, it never took off. It was Chicane's remix that did the trick and the song became popular. Bryan Adams sang for their biggest hit so far (Don't give up) as a gesture for his help.
Their music is described as relaxed, ambient, mood shifting and influenced by Ibiza!!
Anthems, my version of "Bhajan":
Phew!
What a ride this has been for me. If you have read this far, thank you very much for walking through this with me!
EPIC, Progressive, Euro, breakdowns, lift; the terminologies that keep me kicking.
Influencers. Transformers. Spiritually rich and enriching. Mood uplifters. Gods.....
10. Daft punk
Their name is credited by them to a UK based magazine, indirectly. The critic called their music 'daft (crazy) punk'. They picked up well with the single 'Da Funk'. Another amazing album of theirs came out with Japanese animations of alien worlds, named "Discovery". It had tracks like 'One more time', 'Aerodynamic' and 'Digital love'
Funky:
- Da Funk
- Around the world
- Aerodynamic
- Harder Better Faster Stronger
9. Delerium
Why did the two member band split after they made the album"Karma"? They produced such amazing tracks like "Silence".... I wonder...
Crowd Mesmeriser:
- Silence (featuring Sarah McLachlan)
I won't write much about them, as they are a well known rock band. I wish to attend a live concert of Linkin Park at least once in my life (Are you listening Chester/Shinoda? When are you coming to Mumbai? India at least!).
I have heard most of 'Hybrid Theory' and a couple from 'Meteora'. I don't like "crawling", it is too negative for my taste.
Ramblers:
- Papercut
- In the end
- One step closer
- A place for my head
- A cure for the itch! (freaking awesome fusion of scratchy R&B with Bass)
7. Eminem
Once again, there have been enough dwellings on this artist all over the media and the internet. He has lead-starred in a large scale Hollywood movie for F***'s sake (his style :P ).
That doesn't take away the fact that I truly respect him. His early life is a great example of resilience (fight from going almost bankrupt and losing his wife due to poverty) and devotion (his love for his daughter Hailie).
Rappers:
- Stan
- Loose yourself
- The Real Slim Shady
- Sing for the moment
6. BT
Considered by almost everyone to be the pioneer of Trance music. This guy is old skool in the field of trance music. His album ESCM (1997) had the smash hit "Flaming June". I recommend this track to everyone who want to find out how to seriously dance!
He is known for his stutter technique. He introduced me to the out of this world vocal singer Sarah McLachlan.
'Mercury and solace' had a creepy yet beautifully picturised video of a child apparently hurt by a car crash. He is found by a group of kids in the lush fields nearby and they dance and play around. They seem to be attracted by a shiny object at a distant hill, which seems like metal reflecting sun's light. All this time a model (who's actually the singer, Jan Johnston) wearing coat over a wrapped evening gown(??!!!??) is screaming "reach out for me". I think the kids (or are they time backs of their adult being? Who knows?) are dead and it is a sort of an after-life activity happening.
His other tracks include 'Dreaming' (mixed by Tiesto also I suppose), which is considered to be a classic trance track, in the league of 'Godspeed'. One more was 'Never gonna come back down' which was the epitome of Energy in performance, especially by the Ghetto singer.
Crushes:
- Mercury and Solace
- Flaming June
- Godspeed
5. PVD
This world leading DJ from Germany is a one man army. He has traveled the world, and I was lucky to catch his second coming to Mumbai, live.
His hits include "For an Angel" and "We are alive" which had a video of a huge black trampoline cum couch traveling in city roads (I guess in Germany) and people of all ages/sects enjoying bouncing around. I somehow don't like these songs.
Thumpers:
- Crush mix ('The politics of Dancing') from the Energy 2003 live performance
- Times of our lives
- Autumn
- Rapture mix (originally by the group Iio - who derived their name from Sony Vaio!)
4. Deep Forest
Thanks to the creativity of this french duo. Creative because they combined Pygmy chants with Digital (revolutionary back then, in 1992) sounds. Creative because they moved on to Hungarian and Gypsy chants for further projects. Their first album was titled "Deep Forest". If you have heard the title song from the movie "Gupt", look no further for its "inspiration".
Creative as they were considered forerunners in the world of world music.
Creative as they have Australian native lyrics (not Swahili) in their smash song (sweet lullaby)
Makes you wanna groove:
- Deep Forest (title track)
- Hunting
- Savana Dance
- White whisper (have you heard the background music of Salman Khan's presence in "Judwa"?)
Heavily uplifts the mood:
- Night Bird
- The first twilight
3. Planet Funk
Mental patients exhibiting all signs of catatonism (a kind of madness for all you lazy bums) locked in a room. This forms the base video of "Chase the sun". The secret to the wooden radio is revealed in the next released video "Inside all the people", where there is no radio equipment inside the hollow box at all! Perhaps suggesting that the patients are listening to something out of their imagination.
"Inside all the people" goes on to show the chemistry that happens between a man and woman. A simple collision in the crowd is showed 3 times with 3 different results.
Rated 5, automatically ;) (windows media player style):
- Chase the sun
- Inside all the people
Hip turners:
- Who said (stuck in the UK)
2. Enigma
Who could possibly think of a positive out of a 12 year old child dropping out of school to pursue a career in music? I am glad Mr. Cretu did.
Gregorian chants, Sexual noises, Thumping dance track, Shakuhachi flutes, can anybody possibly imagine a fusion out of these? I am glad Mr. Michael Cretu did.
Who would get inspired out of falling asleep in a London underground train? I am glad Mr....Yep, you got it.
Welcome to the world of Enigma. The world of mysteries. The world of treasures in terms of musical riches. No wonder the list of bollywood movies that got 'inspired' are countless. From the background music of Tridev to the songs of Akshay - Mamta Kulkarni (mang meri bharo....straight lift from mea culpa), everyone has tried to rake in the success story of this phenomenon.
After 'the cross of changes', their third album was a fusion of these Gregorian chants as well as tribal songs.
Reinventing itself in "The screen behind the mirror" and "Voyageur" proved that the artists have no dearth of soul.
Favourite tracks: Too many to list but will post a few 'toppers'
Mood Transformers/Transporters to different worlds:
- Callas went away (I have written a poem on the visions I get when I hear this song)
- Knocking on forbidden doors (Another vision that I get is of a guy running across narrow paths in the night on high dark barren plateaus, with deep gorges on both sides, to save someone locked in a dark castle...scary?)
- Shadows in silence
- In the shadow in the light
- Push the limits.....It has lyrics having statistics about the MOON! Then linking it with the famous 'Oh fortuna' (remember the background score of the old old spice ads?) chant, possibly implying a connection with the moon and velut luna (like the moon, fortune is very moody and erratic)
- Smell of Desire
Groovies:
- The eyes of truth
- I love you I'll kill you
- Age of loneliness (Carly's song)
- Return to innocence (The reverse video)
- TNT for the brain (Listen to the Table, and listen to the sanskrit chants in this album)
- Voyageur
- Page of cups
- The piano
- The gravity of love
- Modern crusaders
- Traces (Light and Weight). This is the song captured in Sony Ericsson mobile handsets' "greetings" alarm/ring tone. Apart from Enigma, I think only AR Rehman can put the sounds of dripping water and match stick lighting to create the effect.
- Silence must be heard
- Turn Around (techno focus, and lyrics straightaway mention titles of previous hits of Enigma)
- Ancient person of my heart
1. Chicane
Trivia: All you Bryan Adams fans, read this. Have you heard the song "Cloud no 9"? If you have, then the chances are that you have heard the remixed version of this song, not the original one. Because the original one was so bad, it never took off. It was Chicane's remix that did the trick and the song became popular. Bryan Adams sang for their biggest hit so far (Don't give up) as a gesture for his help.
Their music is described as relaxed, ambient, mood shifting and influenced by Ibiza!!
Anthems, my version of "Bhajan":
- Saltwater (my all time favourite song across all categories of music, to date)
- Don't give up
- Sunstroke (remix)
- Offshore
- Autumn tactics
Phew!
What a ride this has been for me. If you have read this far, thank you very much for walking through this with me!
Sunday, November 16, 2008
Forget the bulls and bears, JB students chase leopards
Thanks to Kunal for the title. Disclaimer: This article is purely a spoof
POWAI, MUMBAI (9 pm):
It was a usual routine game of Volleyball at the annual sports festival of a rival school in Powai, when the students of JBIMS turned it into a nature related activity. Joining the spectator list of students from SIMSR, JBIMS, NITIE and SPJIMR was a yellow, 4 foot long leopard. It is widely believed that the leopard was attracted at the sight of the best planners of India gathered together so close to his home.
As a token of respect for the leopard the students of JBIMS engaged into a case based discussion on 'Ways to spread awareness about leopards among Mumbaiites'. Among the various suggestions provided, a few innovative ones were using campus radios and visiting thejijamata udyan (zoo) while visiting the Ganpati of Lalbaug. The closing statement of the discussion "We look forward to hosting you on this campus again" was substantiated just 30 minutes later as the Leopard gave a second appearance in the same ground.
"The value of conserving nature is ingrained in us in the very first year through courses like CSR" says Neerav Makwana, a first year student of JBIMS. "Being at Churchgate, the closest we get to animal sightings in nature are those of the dolphins near marine drive. So we thought that the current situation presents to us a wonderful opportunity to practice what we learn".
When asked about the number of prizes that JBIMS won at the sports festival, he replied "Most B schools take part in these events to win, but Bajaj is different. We come here with the primary purpose of enjoying, and we have successfully ensured that the enjoyment quotient is achieved at the end of the day. We also provided a value addition in terms of leveraging upon the existing resources of our rival institute. Also, when it comes to maintaining a consistency, we have proved ourselves yet again as we reached in the semi finals of all the events we took part in".
POWAI, MUMBAI (9 pm):
It was a usual routine game of Volleyball at the annual sports festival of a rival school in Powai, when the students of JBIMS turned it into a nature related activity. Joining the spectator list of students from SIMSR, JBIMS, NITIE and SPJIMR was a yellow, 4 foot long leopard. It is widely believed that the leopard was attracted at the sight of the best planners of India gathered together so close to his home.
As a token of respect for the leopard the students of JBIMS engaged into a case based discussion on 'Ways to spread awareness about leopards among Mumbaiites'. Among the various suggestions provided, a few innovative ones were using campus radios and visiting thejijamata udyan (zoo) while visiting the Ganpati of Lalbaug. The closing statement of the discussion "We look forward to hosting you on this campus again" was substantiated just 30 minutes later as the Leopard gave a second appearance in the same ground.
"The value of conserving nature is ingrained in us in the very first year through courses like CSR" says Neerav Makwana, a first year student of JBIMS. "Being at Churchgate, the closest we get to animal sightings in nature are those of the dolphins near marine drive. So we thought that the current situation presents to us a wonderful opportunity to practice what we learn".
When asked about the number of prizes that JBIMS won at the sports festival, he replied "Most B schools take part in these events to win, but Bajaj is different. We come here with the primary purpose of enjoying, and we have successfully ensured that the enjoyment quotient is achieved at the end of the day. We also provided a value addition in terms of leveraging upon the existing resources of our rival institute. Also, when it comes to maintaining a consistency, we have proved ourselves yet again as we reached in the semi finals of all the events we took part in".
Wednesday, June 11, 2008
Ramblings of the connected kind
1>We are a part of the Universe. We are one with the Universe. We are no different.
The Hydrogen present between the stars and in the Nebulae and the Carbon present in the Sun is the same that is present in our bodies.
2>The Universe has a plan for all of us. The world is a stage and all the men and women merely players.
If we discover the plan that the Universe has aligned for us, it will do everything in its power to help us start it. To complete it takes a little effort from our side. The Universe doesn't make plans and assign it to those who don't have the capability to complete it.
3>The Universe is intelligent. If it can create an intelligent mind that can ask questions, it is more intelligent than us.
Instead of questioning or doubting life, God, the world, it is our duty to search the plan that is the purpose of our life. Then to work to finish it.
Our planet is teeming with life. All living beings are living and working for the higher purpose, aligned with the one soul. Hence it is imperative to have respect for life.
*On Revolution (Terrorism):
How can the purpose of one's existence be abruptly ending the purpose of living of one hundred others?
The Hydrogen present between the stars and in the Nebulae and the Carbon present in the Sun is the same that is present in our bodies.
2>The Universe has a plan for all of us. The world is a stage and all the men and women merely players.
If we discover the plan that the Universe has aligned for us, it will do everything in its power to help us start it. To complete it takes a little effort from our side. The Universe doesn't make plans and assign it to those who don't have the capability to complete it.
3>The Universe is intelligent. If it can create an intelligent mind that can ask questions, it is more intelligent than us.
Instead of questioning or doubting life, God, the world, it is our duty to search the plan that is the purpose of our life. Then to work to finish it.
Our planet is teeming with life. All living beings are living and working for the higher purpose, aligned with the one soul. Hence it is imperative to have respect for life.
*On Revolution (Terrorism):
How can the purpose of one's existence be abruptly ending the purpose of living of one hundred others?
Monday, April 21, 2008
The return to innocence
Then: You felt elated just because your parent looked at you sideways and gave you a short chase over the flight of stairs. You were in sheer ecstasy when you were finally caught and tickled on your tummy.
Now: You have been on the couch cycling through 104 channels for the third time in the last 10 minutes but still haven't found "anything" worthwhile. You put a potato chip in your mouth thinking about your "growing" tummy and how "Jerry" used to have one and still outrun "Tom".
Then: Any gift you received gave you double excitement. One was the pride of showing off the gift itself, no matter how common or simple or cheap it was. The other was the plethora of things you could do with the boxes/covers. Like building triangular tunnels for your toy train, makeshift rain houses for "Jackie" your puppy, cutouts in the shape of stars.
Now: The USB stick you got just 6 months ago doesn't seem interesting enough. Yes it still serves the "function" but you could have got one with FM/MP3/MPEG4 playback with a 30 GB storage. Is there an exchange offer for gadgets nearby?
Then: It's a birthday! There will be cakes, wafers, samosas, comic hero masks, cone caps, big balloons, toffees inside, coloured papers, agarbattis to burst them, games like 'hide and seek' and 'dog and the bone'. You hope that the friendly game of "Uno" cards you have brought as a gift will be used for entertainment in your friend circle in your summer holiday nights. You also hope that you get some comics as a return gift. Even a "Billoo" or a "Kar Bura to ho Bhala"-Bankelal will do.
Now: Sigh. Another senior member of the project is getting released. There goes a string of long speeches, especially by our Project Leader. Achievements, legacy, dependency, motivation, blah blah blah. My legs are aching. Hey that team member lady is wearing a nice pair of shoes. Wonder if there is a rum cake at the end of this.
Then: It is 5 pm. You hear your surname being shouted in a very crude way in the street below. Your sleeping father moans and gets irritated. You think "How many times do I have to tell my friends to use my first name? How hard is it for them to call me 'Ravi' instead of 'Singh'? At least they are not doing 'Kaalu' anymore. I'd rather put on my canvas shoes and take my bat or else this shouting will continue like everyday".
Now: The idea of a physical workout involves walking. From house to the bus stop, from platform no 6 to 1, inside a shopping mall, and if lucky, a garden or a sea face.
Then: The term "Adrenaline" meant a visit to the nearby mountain temple during monsoon. Who is interested to go for a Darshan? We go inside the premises only because of the laddoos we get for prasad. We are more interested in exploring the muddy and shrubby mountain and if lucky spotting a snake and running for our lives.
Now: I can feel the testosterone in me. Let me flash the message on DC++ : Anyone interested in a 2 hour game of Counter Strike 1.6? No? What about Halo? Thankfully I paid for LAN in this connection as well.
Then: Finally! 3 months of saving pocket money. Finally got my hands on the new "Savage Garden"/"Kaho na Pyar hai"/''Jagjeet Singh" cassette. I will listen to it at least 5 times a day on my walkman. Would my crush Pooja/Sumit like to listen to it with me?
Now: Who is this Amy Winehouse who has been on page 3 all the time? Lemme see what youtube search sputters? "Rehab"? Sounds more like her addiction problem than a video to me. Anyways, let's see how the first 30 seconds are. Or else it's back to "Race" for me.
After the journey of "Then"s from your 2 year old phase to being a teen: When was the last time when the words "simple" and "pleasure" seemed synonymous? Was it your last visit to the sea beach? Was it the friendly game of ball you played with the 3 year old in your society? Was it the melting of chocolate on your tongue? Was it the head oil massage you gave to your mom/grandma? Yes we have moved far ahead with the times. Is it time to return to innocence again?
Now: You have been on the couch cycling through 104 channels for the third time in the last 10 minutes but still haven't found "anything" worthwhile. You put a potato chip in your mouth thinking about your "growing" tummy and how "Jerry" used to have one and still outrun "Tom".
Then: Any gift you received gave you double excitement. One was the pride of showing off the gift itself, no matter how common or simple or cheap it was. The other was the plethora of things you could do with the boxes/covers. Like building triangular tunnels for your toy train, makeshift rain houses for "Jackie" your puppy, cutouts in the shape of stars.
Now: The USB stick you got just 6 months ago doesn't seem interesting enough. Yes it still serves the "function" but you could have got one with FM/MP3/MPEG4 playback with a 30 GB storage. Is there an exchange offer for gadgets nearby?
Then: It's a birthday! There will be cakes, wafers, samosas, comic hero masks, cone caps, big balloons, toffees inside, coloured papers, agarbattis to burst them, games like 'hide and seek' and 'dog and the bone'. You hope that the friendly game of "Uno" cards you have brought as a gift will be used for entertainment in your friend circle in your summer holiday nights. You also hope that you get some comics as a return gift. Even a "Billoo" or a "Kar Bura to ho Bhala"-Bankelal will do.
Now: Sigh. Another senior member of the project is getting released. There goes a string of long speeches, especially by our Project Leader. Achievements, legacy, dependency, motivation, blah blah blah. My legs are aching. Hey that team member lady is wearing a nice pair of shoes. Wonder if there is a rum cake at the end of this.
Then: It is 5 pm. You hear your surname being shouted in a very crude way in the street below. Your sleeping father moans and gets irritated. You think "How many times do I have to tell my friends to use my first name? How hard is it for them to call me 'Ravi' instead of 'Singh'? At least they are not doing 'Kaalu' anymore. I'd rather put on my canvas shoes and take my bat or else this shouting will continue like everyday".
Now: The idea of a physical workout involves walking. From house to the bus stop, from platform no 6 to 1, inside a shopping mall, and if lucky, a garden or a sea face.
Then: The term "Adrenaline" meant a visit to the nearby mountain temple during monsoon. Who is interested to go for a Darshan? We go inside the premises only because of the laddoos we get for prasad. We are more interested in exploring the muddy and shrubby mountain and if lucky spotting a snake and running for our lives.
Now: I can feel the testosterone in me. Let me flash the message on DC++ : Anyone interested in a 2 hour game of Counter Strike 1.6? No? What about Halo? Thankfully I paid for LAN in this connection as well.
Then: Finally! 3 months of saving pocket money. Finally got my hands on the new "Savage Garden"/"Kaho na Pyar hai"/''Jagjeet Singh" cassette. I will listen to it at least 5 times a day on my walkman. Would my crush Pooja/Sumit like to listen to it with me?
Now: Who is this Amy Winehouse who has been on page 3 all the time? Lemme see what youtube search sputters? "Rehab"? Sounds more like her addiction problem than a video to me. Anyways, let's see how the first 30 seconds are. Or else it's back to "Race" for me.
After the journey of "Then"s from your 2 year old phase to being a teen: When was the last time when the words "simple" and "pleasure" seemed synonymous? Was it your last visit to the sea beach? Was it the friendly game of ball you played with the 3 year old in your society? Was it the melting of chocolate on your tongue? Was it the head oil massage you gave to your mom/grandma? Yes we have moved far ahead with the times. Is it time to return to innocence again?
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