Pooja Chauhan the girl from Rajkot has been in news for all the wrong reasons. Some are amused, some including the media is busy ridiculing her and some are plain indifferent to her plight. But the bottomline is she did became a fodder for gossip, media space and casual conversations....what we (including me) all have forgotten is that she is at the end of the day a person who wanted to get heard.

what she did was not just unusual but also gutsy. I mean how many of us will actually strip down in public just to get heard. we will succumb to our pain and eventually internalise it. The poor girl was time and again being tortured and ill treated by her in laws and husband and like any law abiding citizen who still has some hope on this country's police forces, she did the legitimate thing of complaining. But when they did not bother to even listen to her let alone file a complain. she thought of doing something outrageous.

Outrageous she did but for her some cause. It is really sad to know we Indians go gaga over some female astronaut who is just remotely connceted to India and debate about women empowerment, there still exists girls like Pooja who need to do the unusual to get heard for a legitimate reason.

So much for women empowerment!

when I heard about the

Au Revoir!!

Life has kind of come to a full circle for me. I remember seven years ago when I landed myself in this crazy city called Mumbai. I felt like Alice in Wonderland and now after all these years when I m starting a new journey I still am very much in love with this wonderland.
So what is so special about Mumbai you might ask? It is crowded, polluted and the infrastructure is going from bad to worse...yes I admit this is the ground reality. But somehow for me this city is still special for it taught me to love myself and trust myself despite the oddities. To bounce back despite the lows. And the people here are the craziest of the lot. They will not even bother to say a polite HI on a normal day but come any disaster-natural or otherwise, they won't hesitate to help each other out stride through the day. Yes we are the "most" spirited of them all, don't all the calamities prove that??
It is also not that the city has shown me only good times. A broken friendship, a minor heartbreak and such other things are challenging even for a confident girl like me but as they say tough moments don't last forever tough people do, this too shall pass.
YUP! thats why this city is so special for me, it has taught me to get up and move on whenever I fall and make lemonade when life gives you lemons. Will definitely miss this crazy city with its crazier people!

Kaun banega Rahtrapati?

The straight race for presidential candidate is getting murkier day after day and is anything but staright! Never in the Indian history has presidential elections created so much hullaballo.
I belong to that category of people who believe Mr.Kalam should have got a second chance. The man is confidence and hope personified. All his talk about development and youth empowerement doesn't sound like some positive faff, but you actually want to believe him. In a world filled with cyncism, he represents hope.
But enough about him. They say all good things come to an end. His exit just proves that. The two names thrown up are Pratibha Patil and Vice-prez Bhairon Singh Shekhavat. while mud-slinging from both Congress and BJP continues, the question remains who will eventually win.
Pratibha Patil created a lot of stir right from the beginning. From being the first women nominee to all the allegations against her and her kin. while Congress's stand that it is high time the country gets a women president is commendable. One must also remember that credentials matter a lot and precisely that is what is lacking here. Women empowerement is good but that doesn't mean anyone can be given the reins.
A lot of us argue that it doesn't matter who the president is, after all he/she is just a titular head. But what we have forgotten is that at a time of crises he/she has the power and that is why we need someone who has a mind of their own, is not afraid of using and executing it and refuses to be a puppet at the hands of political parties.
While the game gets worse let us hope that the million dollor question gets answered on July24, Kaun banega Rashtrapati?

Back with a bang

So I was out of action for nearly a month. Some of my friends who take the time to read my ramblings have asked me why i havent entered a blog for so long, after all I m an aspiring journalist! Well the answer is plain and simple I was kind of experiencing a writer's block. Not that there was not enough material to write about, there were...from the Presidential election which never had been such a debetable topic to celebraties wanting a simple to rains et all, the topics were there, what was missing was an inclination to write. My own life which despite its downs is quite exciting in its own way.

What kept me away from writing was plain old laziness which does not have any cure and being a person who takes responsibility for her actions, i'll gladly (and hopefully gracefully) accept my fault.

Lastly, the few of people who have read my posts and commented on them have also encouraged me to write more. However small it is, encouragement is encouragement is encouragement. So thank you Karthi etta ( who himself is an awesome writer) for taking some time out of your busy life and read my work. You have actually inspired me to shake that rut and spring back in action.

Also some of you ( ok just one of you, my friend Shyam) has accused me of being a feminist. well at the risk of sounding repetitive, i will say...yes im one. But not of "All men are b@---@--s, and should be hanged" variety. ( Ok some are....pun intended) I m just a simple girl who wants her own space, identity and independence and all her loved ones too. I think its high time the battle of sexes end in a draw with yin supporting the yang.

So and so forth ladies and gentlemen....watch out this space for more!!!

I am the Virtue and the vice
the sinner and the sinned
the angel and the demon
the princess and the seamstress
the king and the pauper

I m my lover
and the best friend
I m my child
and the parent
I m close to me
yet far away

I m victorious
even when defeated
I m loved
even when despised

I m myself
as created by
my Almighty
In every
twist and turn
In every
trial and tribulation
In every
Ups and downs
I m just
Myself

To meet,
To know,
To love
and to
part
is the
sad tale
of many a
human heart
-Proverb

Break Free

Caged and Chained
Bruised and Beaten
Up held and enclosed
But now I want to
Break Free

Like a wind I want to fly
and taste everything
without being sly
Want to touch the sky
and feel that high
"Leave me alone" I want to cry
and don't want anyone to pry

Its time for me to Break Free

Sweet Lies

Feeded me with lies
and made my hopes rise
took my heart
and my soul
Broke my spirits
but not my goals

He is laughing
while my eyes cry
He is living
while I silently die

But days come
and days go by
People come
and some go by
And he too will
become just another name
just another face
And I'll laugh about it
after all they were....
..just sweet lies
Sweet lies..ah..those sweet lies

I'll be there for you

when you feel that the world doesn't want you,
that everything has come to an end
come to me....
I'll be there for you.
In your deepest sorrows
or your joyous joy
In your highest alter
or your lowest bottom
Up in your cloud nine
or the deep end of the ocean
I'll be there for you
Praying and hoping
Loving and caring
Cheering and supporting
for you my friend....
I'll be there for you
I'll be there for you!!!

Is this really patriotism?

Sometimes I wonder are we a nation of true patriots or just a bunch of hypocrite hooligans who have to make a huge hue and cry over every small mole. We mince no words or waste no time in making yesterday’s heroes (or heroines) into today’s villains-all in the name of nationalism. So when Narayana Murthy plays an instrumental rendition of the national anthem instead of an actual choir in the presence of the Prez, he is immediately taken from the highest pedestal and thrown into the deepest abyss. While I admit his reason-that he didn’t want to “embarrass” his foreign interns was unbecoming and completely foreign to his character, the strong reactions from different quarters left me…. well…. amused.How soon we forget the past…no longer he is the golden boy who put India in the world map with Infosys, or the man who made quite a name for himself in India and abroad and who despite all the corporate success still went home to his wife and family for a humble dinner of sambhar and ice. But because of this mistake he is soon regarded as just another arrogant businessman!! People definitely have a short memory as another golden boy-Sachin Tendulkar found out. The poor fellow would never have thought that cutting a tri color cake on his 35th birthday would add on to the pile of wrath he is already facing for the sorry performance in the WC. The episode truly created some noise, the same people who once gave him demi-god status wanted to punish him severely.And then there is the sorry (or more likely Sari) episode of Mandira Bedi. The lady surely has a knack for creating news with her clothes. Last time it was her noodle straps which did the talking, this time her very “controversial” sari has put her in trouble. How could she have the nerve or the audacity to wear a sari with the tri color placed on the feet? What a sacrilege! C’ mon people it was perhaps a mere fashion faux pass, not a criminal offence for which she has to be hanged.I might’ve provoked some ire for this blog but unlike some people I don’t care patriotism in my sleeve but in m heart. And one question for all the (passionate?) patriots shouldn’t we all concentrate on various “real” issues cropping up, rather than making mountains out of molehills. Otherwise we’ll surely become a country where people just make noise without any vision or mission.

One of the simplest definitions of eve teasing that I came across was an act done by men to arouse female attention. This definition sounds simple, however the problem certainly isn’t! Interestingly if you type the words “eve teasing” in any of the search engines, you would be surprised to find page after page of results are almost entirely Indian web pages. Does that mean it is more common in India, than other countries? I do not know for I have never traveled abroad but one thing is for sure, I have witnessed, heard and even experienced so many incidents that I can vouch that eve-teasing is certainly one national time pass, which many of this country’s men indulge in freely, unabashedly and shamelessly.
Try as I may it is very hard for me take a dispassionate view on the subject. For me it certainly is not an attention gathering technique! It erodes a girl’s pride and self-esteem and in some cases even drives her to extreme measures. Remember, Sarika Shah, the Chennai based girl who lost her life due to eve teasing. Certainly it is a deeper problem than our society gives it credit.
Some blame Bollywood for glorifying eve teasing. Doesn’t the hero always end up winning the heroine’s heart after some teasing ad chasing? Well, all I can say is that the Indian cinema portrays many other things too; try learning them for a change. Then there is the other section who feels that the women (the victim) must have provoked the action by her behavior or her dress…. if this section will open their eyes, they will notice that girls as young as ten years old or ladies as old as forty year old or more have been the victim. Please don’t tell me they dress provocatively!!
In any case no matter how hard a women tries to save her modesty by wearing a nine yards sari, jeans or anything, she is still leached at, pawed or even outright groped. And it is utterly humiliating. PERIOD!!
A wise person once said that nature gave women so much power that law never bothered to give her the same. So true…what we need is stronger laws and legislations because at the end of the day eve teasing is not just an attention garnering technique but a criminal offence.
And while we are talking of attention garnering…Guys, try manner, etiquettes, class or even poetry because chivalry is not dead.

Uffffffffffffff PDAs

Have you ever come across couples who are too obviously in love and don’t spare a single moment to proclaim and show their love. I agree that love is in the air and one should never miss a chance to show their love to their beloved. But call me old fashioned, if you want, I certainly feel that certain things are best-told and done in privacy. That’s why excessive Public Display of Affection does not go well with me. And for the first time my sympathies and vote go to our society’s self appointed moral police.
While I find charging and arresting couples for just holding hands and walking, borders on frenzy and is completely barbaric, there are instances when certain people needs to be told, “ look guys you are not the only ones who are in love.” And when words and warnings don’t work, we need something stronger.
Each day I come across so many couples for whom the road, the lanes, the malls, the station and even the rickshaw is…well…a room! Reminds me of a funny incident, once while I and my kid sis had gone to catch a movie, a couple came and sat next to me. Soon this we-can’t-get-our-hands-off each other couple started doing what young, in-love people do best; forcing me shut my ears and provoking me (a girl blessed with amazing tolerance level) to say, “Get a room!!”
Yes guys excessive public display of affection is a turn off and such people should learn a lesson or two from Punjab-da-putter singer Mika and the charismatic Richard Gere who have learnt the hard way that kissing (and other forms of PDAs) in India is injurious to both health and wealth.

Trust me Trust Me is worth a read (my thoughts on Trust Me, a novel by Rajshree)

What attracted me first towards this book was its bright, colorful and comic cover page and while the cliché don’t judge a book by its cover goes; I purchased it nevertheless hoping it wont let me down. Trust Me by Rajshree is the story of small town girl Parvati who comes to the city of dreams in the hope of becoming an art director in the glamorous mad ad world. She falls for hi-fi choreographer Karan and takes his dishonorable intentions as love; ultimately the poor girl suffers heartbreak and an abortion. Taking advantage of her vulnerability her boss makes a move on her. The incident teaches her a very important lesson “All men are bastards.” Her friends who know more about men and their philandering ways support her through her heartbreak.
Soon she starts working for a film production unit and a young actor Rahul proclaims his love for her in true Bollywood style.

The plot is simple with no major twists and turns perhaps even predictable but the characters are realistic. Any girl who has been in a relation where lust overtakes love will be able to relate with Parvati. The book also throws light on a woman’s complex and undeciding nature. If you are expecting a cinematic and dramatic plot, the book might disappoint you. The story is real and the characters are everyday characters you can find anywhere. That’s the strong point of the book. Also there are many funny instances and twists, which guarantee a good laugh. Not a bad debut over all.

So trust me guys (or more likely girls) get a warm cuppa of coffee, curl up and enjoy this chic-lit.

Of birds, bees and moral policing (an ode to Sigmund Freud)

The moral police have done it again. Now they have a problem with a legitimate concept of sex education at schools. Ideally, parents should impart sex education, but our society has a long way to go before sex education becomes a part of conversation between parents and children. The next best option thus is schools and teachers. Those who do not get guidance from these sources are likely to turn to pornography, blue films and other such illegitimate means. Needless to say, they will then have concocted theories about sex.

Before making sweeping statements like, “Sex education is a western illness,” the moral police of this country should get a reality check. India is the second most populated country, where AIDS and sexual offences are on the rise (remember the brutal Nithari killings). Children who are aware are less likely to fall prey to sexual offences because when you know better, you do better.
Lastly I wonder what Mr.Sigmund Freud; the man who introduced us to concept of Id, Ego and Super Ego might be feeling?? He probably must be cringing in his grave that why the land which gave Kamasutra to the world is not promoting sex education and safe sex among its younger clan.

Nation’s obsession or plain Media hype

· Aishwarya’s mehndi ceremony held with élan.
· Abhi’s wedding dress designed by so and so.
· SRK and Rani Mukherjee not invited.

If I have missed any other details, my heartfelt apologies but turn into any newspaper or switch on any news channel and you will get all the dope. After all it is the wedding of the century and we all need to know the nitty-gritty’s of the Ash-Abhishek wedding. So what half of the country is more worried about the soaring temperature and an even soaring inflation rate or the over crowded trains and jam-packed roads. The media has taken up the responsibility to tell us everything about this major issue gripping the country.

Agreed this is India- the land where films and cricket are the two main religions and considering our Men in blue gave a very dismal performance in the World Cup, the next best news making area is the films. And when you are talking about Hindi films, how can you forget the Bachchans, whatever they do have to become news. This is no small feat; it is the wedding of Hindi film industry’s most eligible bachelor to one of the most beautiful women of the world. Surely it has to be told, repeated and made into a huge tamasha!!

Harmless voyeurism aside, is the nation actually obsessing over the wedding?? The answer is a big, bold “NO”. If the media people will go out and interact with the junta, they will get a much needed reality check. Nobody really cares how Vivek Oberoi is feeling or what is going on in the other big filmi khandaan-the Kapoor family. We have enough problems of our own to give two hoots to their issues. So again I ask the unanswered question, why create such a hue and cry over a normal and simple thing like a wedding. After all everybody one day has it. As if things were not enough we also had a lovelorn, ditched young starlet giving her sob story to every news channel about how she was dumped by the small B. Media, being media gave it the same importance as it gave the Virginia University shootout story. Every time I switched on a news channel I could see a fresh twist to Jhanvi’s story.

Newsprint and other technologies do not come cheap and costs heavenly, if the present media cannot utilize these costs judiciously, give the reins to us younger generation we’ll do something better. Lastly I feel what the other newly weds Arun-Liz who got married last month (or was it before that) are feeling; perhaps reminiscing fondly about their fifteen minutes of fame.