Calling Sam

The dream of Sameer was intruded by a ringing phone somewhere. Coming back to senses, he realized his mobile was ringing with the “Californication” tone, the song he was mad about. He tried to look at the watch in the dim light coming from outside. It was 2.45 am. Quite uncanny for someone to call. He looked at the mobile screen. In his dreamy eyes, he could see that the number was unknown to him. He quickly applied some permutation combinations in his mind of the probable caller. His girlfriend won’t call from a different number. He did all the work of the office and his boss is on leave to France, so he won’t be calling at this time. Getting to nowhere, he picked up the call. It was a male voice that answered.
“Hello.”
“Hello. Hello, is it Sameer?”
“Yes. Who is this?”
“Hello Sameer, hi. I am Aman. Sorry to call at this hour of the day, but I am a little troubled and only you can help me in this matter.”
“Dude, I don’t know you and I am not a psychiatrist to help you in your troubles. Stop bothering me.”
“Sameer, wait wait. Just listen to me. I am Snigdha’s friend. We were in the same class in the training period. You may know me by face but we never talked. Please I am in a big trouble, can you help me?”
“Dude, can we talk in the morning? I am not in a state to have a nice talk with you.”
“Sorry Sameer, but we need to talk now. I am already outside your door. Please can you spare some time for me?”
“What the? Where did you get the address anyway?”
“From Snigdha, of course. Please let me in.”
“Okay wait.”
Sameer got up from the bed and went to open the door. His legs were still wobbly and his eyes swollen from the deep sleep. Now he was in senses due to the talk with the so called intruder. He took his steps gently and went to open the door. Aman was standing waiting to get in. Sameer invited him inside and asked him to sit. Then, he went to the bathroom just to freshen up his eyes, so that he could look and reason better.
“You want a drink?”
“No thanks. I am in no mood now.”
“Do you mind if I have some?”
“Not at all.”
Sameer goes and picks up a bottle of scotch inside his freezer. Then he realizes, he shouldn’t drink so late at night, so he picks up the bottle of coke and makes a drink for himself. Then he settles on the sofa confronting Aman.
“Yes, tell me what the problem is?”
“Actually, I am sorry, that I came so late in the night. I am having sleepless nights since few days, so Snigdha told me that you can help me.”
“She might not have told you to come so late at night to take some philosophy classes from me?”
“No she didn’t. I first decided not to come, because I thought I will recover from it. But it grew worse. The problem is, actually, I have lost my job.”
“Hmmm…. So, how can I help you?”
“I don’t know what to do. I have my parents in Ranchi, who think that their son is doing well in the city and will pull them out of poverty. My sister is getting married and I have given all my savings for the function. I recently took a car loan too. In short, I am screwed.”
“Which company do you work in?”
“Metasystems Limited. I was the senior manager there.”
“Hmmm. Sorry to say but I don’t have any links in the company. To be more precise, I am not aware of any such company. Maybe some new company is set up.
“No, it is an old company with a history of almost 30 years in the electronics department. Deals with all types of electronic products and has recently stepped into the software market too.”
“Strange. I am working for five years and I never came across this company. Where is it based?”
“It is a multinational company, based at Geneva. It has clients all over the world, and is the leader of electronic items. It is also listed in the Fortune 500 Company.
“Very well, I must have missed it then. Anyway, how much were you paid there?”
“No no. Don’t get me wrong. I am not here to ask for money from you. Actually, there is something else I wanted you to know.”
Sameer sees Aman has started perspiring and a bit unsettled. He shifts a bit uneasily. Sameer asks.
“Are you okay?”
“Actually, do you mind making me a drink?”
“Sure. I should have given you anyway. Sorry. Let me bring it for you.”
“Thank you.”
Sameer gets up and again goes to the refrigerator to make the drink. He makes two of it, as he realizes it will take some more time and he needs to keep himself awake. Maybe he won’t be allowed to sleep today. He takes the drinks and goes into the room.
“Here, have it.”
Sameer gives one glass to Aman and settles down on his sofa. He takes a sip and watches Aman gulping the whole drink. The person is damn tensed, Sameer thought. He smiles and again takes a sip of his drink and keeps it on the table.
All of a sudden, without any talk, Aman lunges toward him with a knife in his hand and stabs Sameer’s stomach. The blood oozes out and Sameer squeals. He tries to kick Aman out, but Aman has already made the second stab in his chest. Sameer could no longer move and his senses were burning out fast. All he could listen was Aman’s shouts.
“She was mine. I loved her since my school. Who are you to come in between? You destroyed my life, you destroyed my dream. She is m…..i…….n………”


……………………….
“Any proofs?”
“We found the knife the victim was stabbed with. The knife was stuck in his chest. Six to seven blows were made. We found a mobile too, in the bedroom. It had an unread message of Snigdha, probably warning Sameer about the killer.”
“Did she name the killer?”
“Yes sir. Some, Aman Malhotra.”
“Okay. You checked the call records?”
“Yes, the last call was made by Snigdha at 12.10 am. We called her and interrogating her, but she is not in a state to talk. All she could say was that she and Sameer were going to marry in the coming two months.”
“What is the time of message?”
“Sir, it is 01.05 am. Looks like Sameer was sleeping, when the message was received.”
“Time of death?”
“03.10 am.”
“Hmmm…. Find this Aman. I will try to talk with Snigdha.”
After two hours, the inspector’s mobile rings.
“Yes?”
“Sir, we found Aman Malhotra. It is bizarre sir. Aman committed suicide last night, shooting himself.”
“Strange. What the doctor says?”
“He says the time of death is 01.10 am.”

Only Life

She opened the windows of her room to let the morning breeze come in. She loved the cool air, because she thought it to be the most natural and most authentic thing left in her life. She lives in a studio room, literally, even smaller than that. The room is hardly 10ft by 5ft, with attached bath. That is all she can afford. It isn’t that she doesn’t like to live in a fully furnished apartment. Air conditioner is very important in Mumbai weather, where the heat and the humidity rules the atmosphere. But a fan is what she can only afford now.
Life in Mumbai is tough. There is whole pool of talent waiting for a chance. And not only that, everyone is trying to use the other and move forward. “That’s life.” Sarah told her, but she refused, because she had a friend in her life, who was not like this.
She thought her friend was special, her best friend, her life partner. They have been together for six years now. Met in school, he was the only boy who talked with her with warmth and affection. No matter, their love grew and within four years, the bond was unbreakable. He had huge ambitions of being an actor, always dreamt of going to Mumbai one day. She used to be very happy with her boyfriend’s ambitions. She also had ambitions but she used to keep them with herself. Partly because, there was no one to listen to it.
She lost her mother before she came in this world. Her mother grew complications while pregnancy which led to her death after her birth. Her father blamed her for her mother’s death. All these years, they never were on talking terms. Her father was a businessman, rich and affluent they were. She had everything in her life, cars, education, clothes everything, except parent love. Many times, she went to her father to talk with him, but either she was driven away or her father heard him with indifferent eyes. Twenty five years gone, and the eyes are still the same, full of hate and indifference.
She remembers the day when she told her father that she was going to Mumbai. Her father was sitting in his study room. When told, he went to his locker, took out two bundles of notes, and gave it to her.
“Here, take this. Twenty thousand rupees for your tickets. Ask for more when you need it. I will send the money in your account.”
“Father, wont you ask me why I am going to Mumbai?”
“Its getting late Sneha. Go to sleep. Best of luck for your trip.”
“Father, will you ever forgive me for my mother’s death?”
There was silence.
Every month, he used to send fifty thousand rupees in her account, and a mail mentioning the same. That was the only connection she had with him. She used the money for some months, then she stopped doing it too.
She came to Mumbai a year back. The only connection in Mumbai was her boyfriend who shifted just an year ago to be an actor. But the Mumbai atmosphere changed him too. He avoided any connection with her since she landed in the airport. She tried to find out the reason of his behavior, but with no success. Only after few months in Mumbai, and some friends in fashion designing course, she realized that Mumbai has all this in store, and she must get used to it.
She had very small group of friends with her. There was Kartik, a Mumbai University passout, and there was Raghav and Sarah, made for each other since school. All four of them hanged out and saw various places, be it Marine Drive, or Juhu Beach, or Band Stand. Thanks to Kartik, they enjoyed the best places and the best foods of Mumbai.
Sneha was very good in her art, because she was always interested in designing clothes, maybe due to her early age rich upbringing. She was best in the group and best in the class. But when the top fashion company arrived in their college to take the best graduates, she lost all her designs. Her group friend, Kartik, stole her designs and grabbed the job. The company took him only while Sneha couldn’t even sit for the interview. Raghav and Sarah were equally devastated. But the result was declared, and they could hardly help Sneha now.
So, today was the last day of her life. The cold breeze was still there to give her the last salute. She took out the sleeping pills, all of them, when the bell rang.
“Sneha, are you there?”
“Sneha, please open the door.”
Sneha heard the voices and went to open the door.
“Guys, wont you even let me die in peace?”
“Leave all this, come here and sit.” Sarah took her hand and made her sit on the sofa. Raghav opened a fashion designing magazine and showed her the advertisement.” She looked to it carefully.
“Guys, this is impossible, the auditions are just a week later and all my designs are stolen. There is no point I can pull this off.”
“A week is more than enough for you, Sneha. We know you will be able to pull this off easily.” Raghav said.
Sarah came near Sneha and said, “Sneha, life is full of problems, all are facing some kind of problems everyday. When you see a person, he is loaded with problems, some of them he can share, some he can’t. But with every morning a new day begins and the night ends giving us the solutions of all the problems of that day. We just have to look into the opportunities and grab them. Ending the life is easy, but it needs more guts to live it. You know your abilities, we know your abilities. Just give it a try.”
“Yes, and if the outcome is again negative, then you can surely end your life.”
“Shut up Raghav.”
……………………………………………
Sneha decided to take the chance that day, maybe for her dream, she thought that her suicide could wait. And it always waited.

Life is only one, ending it is not bravery, living it is.

Love And Music

He never gets angry.
She was so happy that she would meet him after four days. Why he got angry and shouted at her, she didn’t know. He never did. But he did. And it did hurt. A lot.
She got him all wrong. He was not angry on her. He was happy that he was going to meet her after four long days. He was angry on his friend. His friend was supposed to submit his assignment on the selected day. He came back to learn that the assignment was submitted well after due date resulting in precious marks lost. He tried to reason out with the teacher in person, explained him the situation, but for no profit. She came to him seeing him agitated. He snapped. He slapped her.
Sunday Evening. Ashima entered the church. It was the nearest pious place from her college. She went past the benches and lighted a candle. She put it on the altar along with many candles and sat on her knees looking at the cross. Rain was dropping ceaselessly since morning. She sneaked through the lull in between, dry.
Few moments later, the doors of the church cracked. Aditya entered drenched. He walked towards the cross, shivering. His clothes completely wet, bent near Ashima and took out his candle. His hands still quivering, he tried to light up the wet wax. Ashima got up and walked to the nave and sat on the third row silently. Their eyes refused to cross each others. Aditya managed to heat up the wick and stick it near Ashima’s candle. He crossed his hands looking towards God, got up and walked towards the end of the benches, sitting near the last row. Sitting silently, both got transported to a day’s eve.
…………
‘Where were you guys?’ Ashima asked. ‘Yes we were about to leave. And how was your rehearsal?’ Shikha added.
‘As usual. Ashima’s man has again missed the first beat of his line.’ Sameer said, giving a knock on Aditya’s head.
‘How am I the defaulter? Pulkit always forgets to play his notes.’
‘Me?’ Pulkit exclaimed. ‘I am supposed to start from the second line, the first line is monologue.’ Both Sameer and Pulkit knock on Aditya’s head.
‘You guys can do this forever. Linkin Park ko chodke kuch gaana aata nahi.’ Ranjana imitated Pulkit playing the guitar. Everyone started laughing.
‘You never even listened to Linkin Park. You consider Himesh as a rockstar. What do you know about music.” They start fighting again with each other. Ashima hushes them up.
‘Stop it guys. And tell us about the plan for tomorrow.’
‘Plan unchanged. Morning six o’clock. Marine Drive.’ Aditya replies quickly.
‘Why are we going at all at this stupid place so early in Sunday morning, that too in the rain. We get eventually bored. You and Ashima move away from the group and spend time separately’ moaned Ranjana and everybody joined.
‘Hey guys, we never did that.’ Ashima protested.
‘Yes. We always bear with the awesome jokes of Pulkit, and try to smile in most of them. We never complain.’ Aditya explained.
‘Saale, maar khaega.’ Pulkit hits Aadi’s stomach.
‘Then my car tomorrow?’ Sameer asked.
‘No. Me and Ashima will meet you directly. We will take a rickshaw. I can’t bear Pulkit so early in morning.’ laughed Aditya. Again Pulkit and Aditya started in a mini fight.
‘Let them go. Else Aaditya will bore us crying like a little boy the whole day.’ Everyone laughed and moved to their respective hostel rooms. Pulkit promises Aditya dire consequences once they are back in room.

Morning 6.30am. Ashima and Aditya are sitting on the banister facing the sea at Marine Drive. Ashima knows that Aditya loves water, just looking at them, listening peacefully their frolicking, relieves him, and Ashima is relieved watching him happy and smiling. But now she is a little panicked as the other four are yet to arrive and it has been half an hour already.
Aditya’s mobile starts ringing.
‘What happened? Did you ask where are they? Aaah… great. Now the rain starts.’
‘Perfect.’
‘What perfect, Aadi. We will be drenched. And where the hell is this music coming from?’
Ashima turns around to see Pulkit with the guitar and Sameer with the keyboard all setup in the distance. Shikha and Ranjana are smiling nearby. Ashima is confused. She gets off the wide banister, and runs towards them. She hugs them both while the music is in full swing now. Ashima turns around to see Aditya, now standing on the banister facing the sea. He is humming, and starts singing.

Boondo k motiyon mein khulke ehsaas aya.
Waqt se nikalke lamha dil k paas aya
Choo k guzra tha par dil ko na mehsus hua
Ab jo dekha to vo lamha dil ko raas aya
Yun ki taiy kar nap au re
Dil ki baat main hawa k zariye pahuchau re
Ya khud hawa pe chalke aau re
Tumse pyar hai ye khulke
Jinme keh pau re
Lafz vo kahaan se lau re………

Music continues. Aditya comes down and bends before Ashima.
‘Ashima, will you marry me?
‘yes, you fool. Yes.’

Pulkit and Sameer continued the music without destroying the moment. Aashima and Aditya kissed each other. Ranjana capturing the beautiful moment.

……………………

Ashima looks back towards Aditya. He, settled on the bench was also looking at her. His eyes moist and regretful. Ashima runs to him and holds him tightly.
“I am sorry. I won’t do that again. I promise.” Aditya says.
“I know. Just don’t say anything, my love.”

Educating India?

Recently, we are listening of all the plans of Kapil Sibal, our honourary HRD minister, of revamping the education system of our country. And it is including all kinds of different methods, from eliminating the marking system and introducing grading system, decreasing the board exams to singular, and on the bigger stage, allowing foreign universities, and uniting all the schools under one board are quite motivating for a ministry which was long ignored by the government. Seriously, the last time I heard of any change in education system was the introduction of the OBC quota, which didn’t go well with me. But again, that is a different issue I don’t wish to comment on.

Some people also speculated that Kapil Sibal is moving way too fast than supposed. On this thought, I remember an article by Shekhar Gupta, some days later, titled “Babuji Dheere Chalna” becoming the anthem of our society. Clearly, when we have an important ministry under a person highly educated, we are bound to see such changes coming by.
What even astonished me, that the board exams which were reduced in standards from the time I gave exams, were again re-patterned to introduce some innovation compelling the students to think of what they are studying. Clearly, marks will not alone matter because, the marks are vanished. So, read to gain knowledge, not marks.
Speculations are important part of an democratic country. It helps in the betterment of the society. I was reading a editorial in Indian Express titled “The Marketplace Of Ideas” by Mr. D. Raja discussing the after effects of the redesigning of the Indian educational system. Clearly, an in-depth knowledge and far sightedness can lead to such articles. And I totally affirm with the predicament of the salaried middle-class people. But while reading, I thought, is it “wrong” of HRD ministry, or the psychology of the people. And I will discuss more about this, rather than giving a decision on the decisions.

For a long time, we are seeing the importance of brand-name over knowledge. Getting admissions in the public schools, coached in the best institutes, then IITs, IIMs. The knowledge period starts from a time when the child is just learning its own being. Pre-nursery, nursery, LKG, UKG, school, graduation, post-graduation, the list never ends. And all the parents need the best. If asked, what is best? Most people don’t know the actual reason.

I am not talking about IIT or IIM here. They are the topmost college not for their name only. The curriculum is very tough and is designed specifically to bring out the best. Day-night classes, assignments, two exams in a day. It is a fanatic race of educationists. Clearly, the students deserve big bucks for all the efforts they have put to clear the exams. But is clearing the exam enough to judge a person of his capabilities? If yes, then how many IITians become scientists and how many IIMians become future business leaders? And if IITs have so terrific curriculum, then why most of them choose IIMs, and the biggest question mark, how do companies prefer such people?

The success of a student clearly depends how much he can absorb from the environment. If a student who is liking what he is doing, he will definitely do good, no matter what his alma-mater is. And when we are talking about schools, the differences sublime. I have seen many idiots from top public schools, and many excellent students from government schools. Leaving the fame, we should stress on the quality of the education and the abilities of the child. Let him choose the right path, let parents help him to choose his destiny. When he will do what he likes, he will definitely prosper in it. And that is how, a better workforce will be built for the country.
Recently, there is a beautiful film released which dealt with this question mark in its ulterior. And I clearly remember, “Baccha kaabil ban, kamyabi jhak maar ke piche ayegi”. Go for excellence, success will follow you. And to the larger part of the audience who believe this part is unachievable, the fact is that it is true.

A Different Song: Aik Alif

This is not my creation, but I wanted to post it because I want this song to be my part of life till my demise, and I come back to it when I get depressed..



This is the song in youtube, listen to it when you have time and read the lyrics
(http://www.koolmuzone.com/forum/music-infonews/bulleh-shah-aik-alif-(lyrics-translation-history)/)

I am still posting the lyrics of the song:

Parh parh ilm te faazil hoya
Te kaday apnay aap nu parhya ee na

(You read to become all knowledgeable But you never read yourself)

You read so many books to know it all, yet fail to ever read your heart at all.

Bhaj bhaj warna ay mandir maseeti
Te kaday mann apnay wich warya ee na

(You run to enter temples and mosques But you never entered your own heart)

You rush to holy shrines to play a part, Would you dare enter the shrine of your heart

Larna ay roz shaitaan de naal
Te kadi nafs apnay naal larya ee na

(Everyday you fight Satan But you never fight your own Ego)

You are quick to attack the evil one, yet pride is a battle you have not won.

Bulleh Shah asmaani ud-deya pharonda ay
Te jera ghar betha unoon pharya ee na

(Bulleh Shah you try grabbing that which is in the sky But you never get hold of What sits inside you)

You grab for a star you can control, yet fail to grasp the light in your soul.

Bas kareen o yaar
(Stop it all my friend)

Let the race end, my friend

Ilm-oun bas kareen o yaar
Ik Alif teray darkaar

(Stop seeking all this knowledge my friend Only an Alif is what you need)

Stop trying to be the one who knows, for ‘God is One’ you need to know.

Bas kareen o yaar
(Stop it all my friend)

End the race, my friend

Allah Sayyaan Allah Sayyaan
(God is the Master, God is All)

God is All we need! God is All!

Nee main jaanaa Jogi de naal

(I shall follow the Yogi)

Follow the wandering dervish!

Jo naa jaane, Haqq ki taaqat
Rabb naa devey us ko Himmat

(Those who deny the Strength of Truth Lord does not give them courage)

If you deny the power of all that’s true, God will not grant strength to you.

Hum Mann ke darya mein doobey
Kaisi nayya? Kya manjhdhaar?

(We have drowned in the river of Self the boat and the flowing waters do not matter)

We are lost in this river of self, no boat or streams are of any help.

Bas kareen o yaar
(Stop it all my friend)

End the race, my friend

Ilm-oun bas kareen o yaar
(Stop seeking all this knowledge my friend)

Stop trying to know it all, my friend.

Allah Sayyaan Allah Sayyaan
(God is the Master, God is All)

God is All we need! God is All!



And ofcourse do remember, according to Old Testament of Bible, We can refer God as our own MIND.

MUMBAI from a DELHITE Vantage

It has been a while now I am doing Up and Down in Mumbai, atleast once in an year, sometimes twice the same year. My half a month minimum of one year is spent in Mumbai. It was always in my mind to compare the two cosmopolitans, both somewhat my home now. Maybe I am under-informed or slightly away from the actual picture. My Mumbai friends can easily rectify me and come up with more points, but following is my spectacle to look at the metro city and what makes it unique and different from its counterpart in the north.

1. People: Lots of them. Mumbai is a crowded place. It may be true that Delhi is crowded too. But it looks more in Mumbai because the area is too less for the people to dwell. While on the road, you can see cars, auto-rikshaws, passersby, and shops on the same road.
2. Time: Mumbai is a fast paced city. It is a city that never stops. Be it a terrorist attack, bomb-blast, floods, rain. Look out of your window, you can see people constantly moving around doing their job. This is because Mumbai has no time for petite issues. Fight for living in the cosmopolitan city takes out the necessary time needed to look into such issues.
3. Weather: Humid. Very Humid, very very humid. That’s the only thing I hate about Mumbai and wish I don’t come here. Sea on the side, you wont expect your clothes dry when you go outside. And the most biggest problem is it feels like someone has put a layer of dirt and sweat on your face to prevent you from more tarnishing. Delhi is as hot as Mumbai, may be even two or three degrees more than that, but I like Delhi summers, because it lives there for five months maximum, and it is not humid at all. The heat can kill you but in the month of June, you will hardly get a drop of sweat on your forehead.
4. Train: I had only once experienced in the locals of Mumbai, that too on a holiday. I was told that I am very lucky I haven’t seen the actual crowd of second class bogey. Delhi metro is going through such crowds nowadays, but Mumbai has this for a long time. It is said that it is the lifeline of Mumbai. And I realized it because a trip which could take 3 hours easily on the road was completed in 30 minutes via the train. People travel from surrounding regions, Thane, Nasik, to work in Mumbai. It is definitely a must fro everyone who visits Mumbai. And yes, do keep vigilance of your belongings. It is highly likely you come out of the train with torn pockets.
5. Autorickshaas: You want to go to Dahisar, Kandivali, Bandra, Ghatkopar, or Santa Cruz, you will get an auto. And that too, with a meter. You don’t have to ask them how much will they charge because unlike Delhi, it is evident in Mumbai that riksha means charging with Meter. There is no u-turn in it. It is highly unlikely that you wont get this public convenience if you are going out. Watch the roads and you will see more of these black-yellow vehicle than the others.
6. Traffic: Oh my god! You get irritated standing in Delhi at Naraina crossing? Come to Mumbai, and you will get a two kilometers of traffic jams. I was lucky I was going to catch a train to Aurangabad and I was on the opposite side of the road. I was just looking at the huge traffic that went on and on. And if you think that Highways may be a solution to all these, then I would like to correct you because I saw the traffic jams on the highways only. This time, it was due to a religious procession going on the small road. Yes, a freeway’s small road because if you have come from Delhi, you will be used to six lane roads.
7. Vada Pao: Desi Burger. I cant get over it. I have been to Mumbai for six to seven times now, and every time I come here, Vada Pao is something I never miss. Even when my sister visits, I expect her to come with lots of them, so that my one time meal includes Vada Pao only. It is amazing to see a conglomerate of potato in bread is so famous in Maharasthra. And I crave for it because not a single place in Delhi sells Vada Pao.

There are many other things special about Mumbai which we read in Newspapers like City of Rain Harvesting, Shiv Sena and now Maharashtra Navnirman Sena, and Bollywood, but I haven’t faced any of these in my visits to Mumbai, so wont beable to comment on that. But if I ever come here to live, I would definitely give my take on them too.

Dan Brown

It takes a lot of time to compose a Dan Brown. And the earlier books are even more complex than the newer ones. Probably, after Deception point and Digital Fortress, Dan Brown realized that research in science is not worth the moolahs, so he switched to Religion and tasted success. Bestseller success.
I was skeptic of reading Lost Symbol, but after I completed it, I thought to read his last book i didn’t touch, or the very first book he wrote, Deception Point. Although I must discuss it, but I don’t find it much worth because now that I have read all his books, I want to give a whole synopsis.
Dan Brown is a master researcher. He puts way more effort to bring out the maximum thriller. He describes the vision so beautifully that you can actually see a movie going on in front of you in the books. One of my friend was upset by such style, but I felt it is important to make the plot. And when you actually start getting bored by his description, he includes a twists. In each of his chapter, you will find the story going forward and leaving you in an urge to read the next. Believe me, because I finished my first tour of Dan Brown named “The Da Vinci Code” in abysmal conditions. I just couldn’t concentrate on my studies for an entrance exam three days away due to the growing suspicion in the plot.
Secondly, he will never give you a hint what will happen in the end, who will end up to be the villain here. I read all his books, assumed one as the negative person, and every time, a good person came out to be the biggest rogue of the novel..
Apart from all these, he has a certain speed in his storytelling, not too slow like Ayn Rand(mainly because hers is a proper philosophy class) and not too fast(Sidney Sheldon I heard has a very huge speed of storytelling, I have to check that though). For new readers, his books are a must have. Atleast, it will germinate the seed of reading in you. I don’t know how much voracious readers would like it, but readers like me, Dan Brown is a feast.

MNIK : A Movie, A Message

My Name is Khan and I am not a Terrorist.
The movie is not just a movie, it is a message for the whole world. It is not meant for Americans or white people, it is not directed towards one group, but it is for every person, every nation and every religion. It is a world issue camouflaged in a movie.
I will term it as a brave movie, it is a movie which needs guts and conviction to be told. Karan Johar has matured from being a romantic director to something too serious. His last venture, Kabhi Alvida Naa Kehna may haven’t topped the box office collection, but it is his best movie after MNIK. ShahRukh Khan has given his career best performance and you will recognize him only as Rizvan Khan in the movie.
It deals with two issues. One is, our perception that every muslim is a terrorist. Second, for those people who are deteriorating the position of common Muslims by their belligerent nature. The film tells us, that it is time that we stop classifying people on the name of religion, but just good and bad. There is no religion in the world, which promotes killing and terrorism. Every war has personal motives of few people. They influence young minds by giving them wrong interpretations of religion and making them believe that their deeds will seek them a place in heaven. Or I should say, their hatred grows so much that they forget which is the path of God. And this thing is not only for one religion or one cast, it happens everywhere irrespective of religion. We have examples in our daily life. Bombings in India, Pakistan, America shows that bombs knows no religion and terrorists belong to no castes.
My name is Khan touched me deeply. It has all the instances of everything I said above, told beautifully. It is a must watch movie for the whole world, including all religions. It is a movie to kill the perception that every Muslim is terrorist. It is time we focus on mankind, providing them love and friendship, because that is the most important thing required as of now. Judge people by their deeds and not on their caste and creed. Atlast, we are all human beings living together in a society, trying to be happier every second of our life.
(P.S – I don’t know whether ShahRukh Khan and Karan Johar will receive award for this because it is too early in 2010 and a lot of movies yet to hit the screens, but I surely feel that this movie will receive the RamNath Goenka Screen Award)

Dan Brown - The Lost Symbol ?

Dan Brown is a master plotter. And each of his creations is just better than before. Many people may find his novels a bit boring, considering his long explicable facts of history, somewhat veiled from the everyday life. No matter people still feel The Da Vinci code is far better than his Angels and Demons. One thing I am assured of. Dan Brown wont spare you until you reach the last page of the book.
After reading his three books, two bestsellers and one fast reaching the feat, few things are crystal clear of Dan Brown. First, he researches a lot. Every book of his has some secret societies, institutes and buildings. Second, he has a well riveted storyline which moves at a commendable pace with twists and turns amid all his facts. Sometimes, I myself don’t comprehend whether he wants to tell a story or fascination of a secret society.
Now, let me come to the main point of my lecture above. I completed the fifth book of Dan Brown, THE LOST SYMBOL today. The book is yet about yet another mystery, The Mason, a society not many people are aware of including me. I shouldn’t call myself worthy of knowing world secrets because I opened the gates of my knowledge pretty late in my life, but I am always awestruck reading his books. Also, the new concept here was Noetic Science. I don’t know whether any of you would believe me but I have unconsciously felt the miracle of our minds in our daily life.
I never believed in God, but yes, I believed in a force very much in me which is secretly working. I always felt that God is within us. Noetic Science is a new technology which is trying to intersect two parallels, Science and Religion and just trying to pull the human being of its predicament. I always believe that our mind can do wonders if we use it properly. If working of 0.2-0.5% can create the earth as we see it today, what will happen if all the 100% comes to force. Clearly, human being is yet to unveil his own true powers.
I don’t know whether I would be able to know the enigma of human mind or understand its powers, but as of now, I am very excited of reading more and increasing my knowledge. The LOST SYMBOL has definitely inoculated a seed in me to read the Bible and other books of religions, and see if what written in the last pages of the Dan Brown’s novel has some real grounds or not.

P.S: Any of you readers of this blog, if you know books which relate to noetic science, or The power of mind, please do suggest.

An Ageless Character

Very recently, I have been surrounded by words of appreciations for Aamir Khan from all parts, be it newspaper, magazine, critics, friends and my parents. His movie, 3 Idiots has broken all time records of Hindi Cinema. Everybody is applauding his character of a 20 year old boy. I always love his performance, but when asked about my favorite actor, I always choose Shahrukh Khan. But at this moment, I couldn’t restrict myself from writing about the all-age actor, Aamir Khan.
I hardly remember earlier movies of Aamir Khan. He was just another actor for me before Lagaan. I do remember some of his movies, which I liked the most. Sarfarosh, Ghulam, Ishq to name a few. But in current Bollywood, he is a raging moolah. His past six out of eight films were runaway hits, some of them even breaking records becoming the highest grosser. And most of the time, Aamir Khan’s movie is breaking the record of another Aamir Khan’s movie. What makes him the Midas touch of films?
I was watching a tata sky advertisement of Aamir Khan, in which he is the husband of Gul Panag and introducing us with the advantages of Tata Sky Plus. Then I remembered a few more advertisements by the same actor but in totally different and unrecognizable getups.
1. An gray beard Sardar, fed up with Tata Sky.
2. Husbandfrom one part and Wife from the other part, introducing Tata Sky.
3. A Nepali offering a couple with Coca-Cola.
4. A whole family, with each member played by Aamir Khan, in a Coca-Cola advertisement.
These are some of my memorable ads of Aamir Khan. Maybe, there are some more, but the above four really left a mark in my memory. All these advertisement are different from one another. And what fits Aamir in all of them is his meticulous effort in each one of them. He makes the character so real that it is hard to believe that you are actually watching Aamir Khan in the role of a sardar or a middle-aged auntiji.
What really attracted me about Aamir Khan is the huge age differences between him and his roles and the diversity in each of them. If we take a look at some of his last fewblockbuster movies.
1. 3 Idiots – A 18-20 year old student studying Engineering.
2. Ghajini – An amnesia patient in search of his lover’s murderer.
3. Taare Zameen Par - A teacher and also, the director of the film.
4. Fanaa – A terrorist
5. Rang De Basanti - A 25 year old spoilt lad but immense guts.
6. Mangal Pandey – Historical figure
7. Dil Chahta Hai – An aimless young guy (perhaps my all time favorite)
8. Lagaan – A villager in pre-independence time.
Lately, he has chose all different and diverse roles, and in none of them, age is being a factor for him. Whether it’s DJ, who doesn’t care about his country but can die for his friends, or an amnesia patient with a physique difficult to achieve in the age of 43 when your metabolic rate has slowed down. And the most important and the latest one, a boy full of chirpiness and gaiety, Rancho, played by an actor more than twice than the age of the character. Not even once, I felt that Aamir has grown old to fit in such kind of roles. I was watching Rancho and his naughty innocent expressions found in every college boy.
I am not trying to epitomize Aamir Khan, what I am merely trying to imply is that Aamir is god-gifted. His acting has really broken all barriers of age, and has shifted the focus on square one, perfect acting.
I never think that I will ever say Aamir Khan is my favorite actor, since I am used to write ShahRukh Khan’s name in every slambook I fill, but I would always remember that the actor with great abilities will always amuse people worldwide with just pure acting, may be every year till earth lives.

Paranormal Activity

Oren Peli, the director of the film wouldn’t have thought that it would be a blockbuster hit all around the world. And he has proved that it is not necessary to scare people with makeup and scars. Sounds are enough to keep a person on his toe.
A couple, living in the suburb tends to hear noises in the house at night. The husband buys a video camera to shoot the night activities while they sleep. And then, as the camera rolls in the night, the fears increase day by day and the movie gets scarier. Not many special effects, even the camera was not a film camera. But Oren Peli has proved a point. That is we fear what we can’t apprehend and sometimes it gets on our head. Fear stems from the brain, and if we keep on thinking of it, our fear increases.
This was the first horror movie I watched on screen. And even if I slept all nights after that unlike my friend, I couldn’t wipe out the fear of going in the dark alone at night till later days.
And my piece of advice which is the most important. The movie has three alternate ending, the actual one visible in the screen only. So, try to watch on-screen only. And if you are watching at home, please wait for the original dvdrips to arrive and watch it in a dark room. Surely, you will get scared.

Ayn Rand - The Fountainhead

It’s a big novel. Atleast for me. The maximum pages I am accustomed of range from 300-400 with a font size of 11. The Fountainhead is a book of 700 pages and with a font size of 8, and yes, it is in its centennial edition. I heard about this book in a radio show and learnt that it is a classic written in 1943. I was getting used to reading novels and immediately searched for the book. Bought it in August in a book fair, but didn’t read it. My brother saw the book and laughed impudently. Once my semester exams were over, I started to read the book all over again and made it my forte to complete the book. It took me 44 hours divided in 12 days to complete the book.
I started to read the book and found it complex enough. I understand philosophies much easily and finely than any other counterpart of my age. But Ayn Rand’s philosophy took time to apprehend. It deals with the sheer complexities of human being, the urge of power, the urge to be the greatest, rule the world. And if you think, I mean literally, think again.
Ayn Rand dealt with the dark emotions of the human being. She has given the perfect description of every character. She has introduced so petite twists in the tale that they are unimaginative although evident. I found it difficult sometimes to keep up with the book, because even if different, Ayn Rand is bit too verbose. But I think that’s because she wanted to present her thoughts in detail. I think I am a little young to understand all the emotions, because I have never surfaced any of them myself, but I am sure I will read the book some years later, and I am sure it will be more than just abstruse at that time.

FPS vs 3I

Thursday, 24 December 2009. Paid premier of 3 idiots. Rumored to be a Five Point someone adaptation, but foiled by Chetan Bhagat himself, an interview I saw in the television days before. I clearly heard him that the only thing same about the two entities is that the boys involved are Engineering Students. So, while watching the film I completely forgot about comparing them.
The movie is surely a hit. A master plot penned by Rajkumar Hirani, with drastic twists and turns, compelling you to laugh and cry at the same time. And if you are an engineer, you can relate and learn more from it. A heavy movie, that’s what I said when my friends asked for reviews.
Its only after my father, who has read and criticized each and every book of Chetan Bhagat including the latest, 2 states, told me that it’s a true adaptation with maximum plots taken from the book. But I refused to accept it because both of them made different marks in my mind, then how can be both of them similar?
Five point someone is a book with a tagline, what not to do in IIT. It tells the story of Chetan Bhagat with fictionalizing some of the parts. But 3 Idiots is totally a different motive film, it focuses on the lost causes of life and education. It stresses on the point that Excellence is more important than success. So, are we forcefully trying to prove that both the novel and the film are the same thing?
No. We are not trying to prove the same. Neither Chetan Bhagat is. The film production team came to him and bought the rights of the film, and paid him the commission he is entitled to. He was told that the movie will be only 5-10% of the book. It doesn’t matter when you have bought the whole rights of the book. What matters is that Chetan Bhagat has no name from starting to the end of the movie. He does have a name in the end of the film, in the rolling credits, but to see that, I had to go to the hall and sit till the end for the second time to catch a glimpse of it. The name of the novelist and the book appears after a long list of the cast. More than that, the director of the film, Rajkumar Hirani and Abhijat Joshi took the whole credits of writing the story, without mentioning that it is adapted or re-adapted.

Generally, when a film is made on a novel, in the very start or just after the last scene of the movie, the name of the novelist appears, atleast the phrase, “BASED ON”. Many films in Hollywood are made in the same manner and they gice due credits to the original writer, no matter what or how they adapted it. Even our bollywood movie KAMINEY had the initials, “based on the story of CAJETAN BOY”. So was it so hard for The 3 Idiots team to give due respect to the original writer, or do they think they can escape this plausible situation?
Even if they deny and say that Chetan Bhagat is doing all this for mere publicity, people of India know which part of the story is correct. Those who have read the book and have seen the film, must have lost some respect for Rajkumar Hirani and Aamir Khan.
I liked the book and the film too. And according to me, it was wrong in the 3I’s part that they didn’t give the respect Chetan Bhagat deserved. Novelist in our country need to be encouraged and not merely discouraged with such incidents, because truth can be barely hidden in such cases.

Resurrection Part II

Read the previous part of the story here



All friends were sitting together. Looked much like a round table conference of the UN. It was Tarun’s academic success celebration party. But the ambience didn’t feel the same. Sangeeta was already furious of him. She was like the commanding chief of the group. Equally disgruntled was Shataksh, Pawan and Akanksha. Only Sameer had a content look. Tarun was expecting to get some support from Sameer.
“Can you now explain your position, Tarun?” fired Sangeeta. “It has been one month your results are out. Your future is set. Now you will be a MBA. Can you explain now why didn’t you contact us?”
“But I am here. Here to meet you all.”
“That is when Sameer called you up. You didn’t even take the initiative to inform us when you got selected. It was Pawan who told us.”
“Hey, I was busy buddy. I didn’t want to tell you after I cleared the first round. The interview was still left. I was definitely going to inform you but as soon as I cleared the interviews, I got busy with admission formalities.”
“You could have atleast sent us a message.” Hinted Shataksh.
“I didn’t get the time dude. Else why won’t I message you all guys?”
“May be because you don’t feel like talking to us anymore.”said Sangeeta. “Maybe we don’t match your standards anymore.”
“What? Have you gone mad? Why would I think so? I have highest regards for everybody here. You all are the more successful people than me. You all are doing what you want to, what your heart desires. Akanksha is an architect, you are a teacher, Sameer will be a software programmer. You are on much higher grounds than me.”
“Please cut the crap, Tarun.” Started Pawan. You already tried to break up yourself from us half a year ago. You cut all your communications with us, never messaged us. Everyday, you visited your orkut facebook accounts, checked mails but never tried to buzz me even when I was online. You fought with Sangeeta, hurt her and still we didn’t say you anything. Do you think you will always escape all explanations and still enjoy the favors of everyone?”
“What are you talking about man? I already apologized Sangeeta for what I had done. And the same day I explained to everybody here that I wont be able to talk to any of you for some days. Now I am free and now I have all the time to talk to you.”
“This is not ethical, Tarun. We all respect you and the friendship we share with you. You cant leave it midway and then come again to explain yourself.” Said Shataksh.
“ Well, I am not here to explain you. I thought I explained you all perfectly that day about my position that day. I was having a bad time and I wanted some time alone. I told you all, everybody that I wont be able to talk to you for some months. I think that you must all support me because I helped you all at your worst times. Ask Sameer, I never shied away from any of you when you all needed me. Then why are you all accusing me when I wanted something from all of you.”
“We understand your problem Tarun. We understood your problem. But how would you explain not informing us about your status even when you got free?”
“I forgot man. I forgot. I got busy with many works. I forgot. But today we are here to celebrate my success and we shouldn’t spoil that. Akanksha, start to eat. Sameer, Pawan, Shataksh, start your meal man. Sangeeta, please start.”
“Sorry Tarun but we are full.”
Sangeeta announced this line. Sameer was going to pick up a fork and eat but stopped midway. Akanksha, Shataksh and Pawan didn’t even roll their hands up as if they knew this was coming. Tarun was dumbstruck.
“Ok I think we are getting too serious on this matter, Sangeeta. Let’s not drag this further.”
“There is no need to drag it anymore, Tarun. It is quite clear now. You have got your new life and we don’t matter much in your life. Today we can’t share your happiness with you. I am leaving. Maybe we will talk again when you realize your mistake.”
Sangeeta opens her purse and takes out two five hundred rupees notes and keeps them on the table. Sangeeta gets up and leaves immediately. Everybody else follows. Tarun remains sit there, still not able to understand what just happened. Sameer tried to calm down all his friends but without success. Finally, he also had to leave.
Tarun was left alone with all the food still remaining untouched on the table.
…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………….
“Sir…………………….. Excuse me sir……………………. Are you here?”
Tarun came back to his senses. Aditya was standing besides him holding the cup of coffee. Mary was standing with the orange juice and the buttered bun and omelets. Both were awe-struck by seeing the tears of their boss’ eyes.
“Are you okay, Sir?”
“Ya. I am ok. Mary, sorry but I am going home. I realized I had some work to complete in home. So, I am just taking this orange juice with me. Serve the hot bread to Aditya. He has a big day today. And Aditya, your presentation is at 10am and not at 9am. So, just cool down and have some nice breakfast. Bye”
Aditya, now, not only couldn’t believe his eyes but also his ears because his colleagues haven’t trusted in him even on this big day and gave him a 9am time so that he could reach for the 10am meeting.

Ressurection Part I

“Any orders sir?”
“Yes. Can I get a Cappucino? And do you have anything to eat now?
“Of course sir, we have oatmeal and sandwiches. Fresh breads will also arrive in few minutes.”
“Hmm. Okay, so do one thing. Please give me one strong cappuccino as fast as possible. Then I will have some breakfast of bread and orange juice when it arrives. But the coffee first.”
“Of Course sir. Anything else?”
“And yes, can you give me the newspaper if it has arrived?”
“Sure sir.”

……………………………….. few minutes later…………………………….
“Hi Mary, how are you sweetheart?”
“Hey Aadi. Isn’t it too early you arrived at office?”
“I have a presentation today. First time after I was promoted last month. Am quite nervous since last night. Couldn’t even enjoy with my friends properly. Arrived early today so that I can cut the tension a bit.”
“Oh. Then how can I help you cut your tensions?”
“As of now, a sweet coffee served with your soft hands.”
As Mary turns around, Aditya started looking around and saw the guy sitting with a newspaper across the hall.
“Hey Mary. Who is that guy sitting over there?”
“You don’t know him? He is our company’s Finance Manager. He is the one behind your promotion.”
“Oh. Is he Tarun Sir? Man, he is too young for his post.”
“He really is a heartthrob. Within few weeks of his arrival, he became the lunchtime chat of all ladies of our company. Calm, composed, awesome personality. You can actually feel the aura talking to him.”
“I saw him today only. Need to take this golden opportunity to talk to this hot cake of our company. Okay, do one thing, send my coffee to the table.”
“Best of luck. He doesn’t speak much actually.”


“Hi. Sorry to disturb you. But can I join you?”
Tarun looks up to him and says benevolently. “Ofcourse” and started glancing at the newspaper again.
“Thank you. Hi. I am…”
“I know. You are Aditya Arora. Senior Research Manager, R&D Department. Please have a seat.”
Aditya was bold over by the information kept by his front. He started wondering whether he knew the names of all the staff of the company, near about a thousand atleast. He himself still wasn’t well versed with all the names of his department only. Tarun was back to his paper.
“Were you here whole night?”
“Yes.” Tarun looked up again and thought that it would be unethical if he didn’t give an ear to him. He folded the newspaper and kept it on the table.
“I was actually doing an important work which got completed at dawn only. So, there was no point of going back home today. You here so early in the morning?
“Oh yes. I have a presentation at 9am. Came early to prepare for it. It’s my first presentation actually.”
Aditya’s coffee arrived too.
“Sir, the breads are yet to arrive. Do you want something else?”
“No. Its fine. You just ensure that I get the first bite of the fresh bread arriving.”
Mary left.
“Do you want to go to the verandah and have the coffee? It’s a sunny morning after so many days.”
“Ofcourse. Mary, we are outside. Just inform me when my breakfast is ready.”
………………………………
“So, do you have a family here?” Tarun asks Aditya.
“No. My family is at Chandigarh. We are natives of Punjab. Where do you belong?”
“Delhi. I have grown up there. My whole childhood was spent in Delhi before I came here to work.”
“Great. Do you miss your family?”
“Kind of. But I remain busy with my work. Only the Saturdays and Sundays are little boring to spend.”
“I completely miss my family. It feels very different here. Never went so far from them. But when you haven’t got your family, your friends are always with you. I have a group here in Mumbai. Old Buddies of School. All of us had a stint of fate to get each other’s company in this unknown terrain. Friends are life, they are refreshment. I am sure, you too have friends.”
Tarun’s eyes filled with blankness, as if his past revisited to haunt him. “Yes, I used to have.” And he got transported to the day he last had the meeting with his school friends.