3 years – seems to be a fascinating time frame; perhaps miniscule if compared to an average human life span, but enormous in the context of a person’s life. I guess the last 3 years have been monumental in my life, perhaps the most eventful ever.

Between 2008 and now, I’ve seen, done and experienced a lot of many things. Started and finished my business education, travelled a little to different countries, met many interesting people, learned a new language, learned more and more about different cultures, people, societies, learned more about my own family.

I also learned to be more tolerant, patient and accepting, perhaps to the point of being indifferent. Saw most of my high school buddies getting married, and a few even becoming parents! I broke the heart that I will care about more than anything else in this world, ever; lost love, made friends. Shifted base a couple of times between Germany and India, each time settling down unwillingly.

In the last 3 years I saw hundreds if not thousands of movies, documentaries and TV shows, realized so much that is to be known and even more that can never be known. Read unimaginable amounts of text on vastly diverse topics such as modern finance, world history, philosophy, neurosciences, space technology and practically almost anything that is out there. Developed a likening to the art of photography, started loving the feel of winds gushing past me when I’m riding my bicycle.

I guess it’s good to realize that there’s more to life than trying to “win” at everything and being the “first” to know or do something. Am I a wiser man now?

I just hope that I’m little less naive than what I was 3 years ago.

2) It has to be an entry to the Oscars 2009.

3) It depicts the backlash Muslims faced after 9/11.

These were the only notions which I had before I went to see the movie – Khuda Kay Liye – In the Name of God. I had no clue about the history of its director Shoaib Mansoor, his multi-talented background, nor was I aware of the reason he made this movie, until I bumped into this blog post by Adnan Siddiqui. Now as I am a bit more learned about the circumstantial aspects of the movie, the inspiration behind the character played by one of the main protagonists – Sarmad , i.e. Fawad Khan, and the hullaboo (read: outrage) regarding the subject of the movie in Pakistan, I guess I can give a better shot at narrating what I experienced.

The movie has 2 parallel plots running – based on the experiences of 2 young brothers, who come from a so-called modern and unorthodox financially well-off Pakistani family. Both the brothers are into music and while the elder choses to go to the US to attend a course in music, the younger brother is inspired by an influential Islamic cleric – who is said to depict the real life Maulana Tariq Jamil, and foregoes his love for music and eventually is brainwashed to become a Mujahideen fighting for the cause of the fundamentalists supporting the likes of Taliban.

However different paths were chosen by both, destiny had the same irony in store for them – being USED in the name of God, albeit in completely different geographies, starkly opposite social and economic backgrounds and being victimised to such an extent that even the most gruesome acts of inhumanity would be put to shame. A 3rd victim of the whole fuss was a British born Pakistani girl, 1st cousin of the brothers, whose character threw light on the medieval treatment still being meted out to women in many parts of the world, especially in conservative societies.

What makes the efforts of the director a feat ever unheard-of, is the conviction which he showed in the subject and had the audacity to not only complete the movie, but release it as well in Pakistan and around the world to an astounding critical acclaim. Seldom has an artist dared to touch such tantalizing issues which are no less sensitive than a ticking bomb, and in societies such those of India/Pakistan, where self-acclaimed guardians of the religious/moral values are always on the prowl to harp on anything which displeases their hollow and chauvinistic ideologies (or lack thereof?), such heroics are all the more commendable.

The issues addressed were plenty – position and rights of women in a Muslim society, the conflicting views on the inclusion of arts and music in what is called Halaal in a Muslim society, fundamentalism being preached in the name of God, violence being retorted to belittle one’s enemies, the various codes of conducting oneself with regards to dressing and appearance as per Islam, etc. Apart from these, which would irk any average Muslim devout (as I’ve been witnessing in this case), there were other issues raised too – the ones which tried to show Muslims in a light, most non-Muslims fail to see. The misconceptions regarding them which westerners have had, particularly after the 9/11, the oppression which many had to undergo just because you have a surname similar to Khan or Ali, or simply because you are a Pakistani citizen, even today the situation is not so easy for Muslims around the world – these are the areas which the director interspersed fantastically well with his depiction of the more controversial. But unfortunately, people as always prefer to nitpick only matters which can generate more buzz and cause less good.

I won’t go into the details of the movie plot or what happened of the characters, partly because it is much more than a movie – an experience which one should see for himself to get aware of the facts, and partly because the finesse of the craftsmanship on view is beyond any words. Myself being a non-Muslim, I have been close to many a Muslim friends, peers and have been among people who hated Muslim-haters, was intrigued by seemingly strange characteristics of Islam, and of late had been critical (rather skeptical) of what most of us believe it preaches – was taken aback by the mind-numbing sequence of events as they unfolded during the movie.

It definitely was a food for thought for hardliner Muslims, fundamental Muslim-haters and moderates alike, as the legendary Naseeruddin Shah deposed in court to deliver about 10 minutes of what according to me should be made a compulsory read/listen not only for Muslims, but also for Hindus, Jews, Christians and all those who are still refuse to open their eyes and see what the reality is, rather prefer to mould the preachings of their sacred texts to satisfy their mythical traditions. For one, nothing that does not cause any harm to anyone, and further provides a way of life to many, can be classified as being blasphemous, whatever might be the interpretation by the people.

Obviously I’m no Islamic scholar and have no authority over their religious preachings, but surely I can sense that the beliefs which are said to be the WORD OF GOD have been misconstrued since centuries to falsify the only truth that is humanity. Ditto can be said of almost every religion, however, such intensity of fanaticism and unawareness is rarely witnessed among them.

If only such cinema can be dared to be made in more places and more frequently, and people actually be allowed to learn what they can and should, and not what they mustn’t construe of something which is not there in the fist place – we can have a better world to give to generations to come. Only after watching RDB was I so stunned that I deemed it much more than a movie. If it was something that made a generation awaken w.r.t India, then KKL is something which should make the world awaken w.r.t. religious fundamentalism.

Hats off to Shoaib Mansoor.

Ant & Grasshopper

The Ant works hard in the withering heat all summer building its house and
laying up supplies for the winter.

The Grasshopper thinks the Ant is a fool and laughs & dances & plays the
summer away.

Come winter ,the Ant is warm and well fed. The Grasshopper has no food or
shelter so he dies out in the cold.

Indian Version

The Ant works hard in the withering heat all summer building its house and
laying up supplies for the winter.

The Grasshopper thinks the Ant’s a fool and laughs & dances & plays the
summer away.

Come winter, the shivering Grasshopper calls a press conference and demands
to know why the Ant should be allowed to be warm and well fed while others
are cold and starving.

NDTV, BBC, CNN show up to provide pictures of the shivering Grasshopper
next to a video of the Ant in his comfortable home with a table filled with
food.

The World is stunned by the sharp contrast. How can this be that this poor
Grasshopper is allowed to suffer so?

Arundhati Roy stages a demonstration in front of the Ant’s house.

Medha Patkar goes on a fast along with other Grasshoppers demanding that
Grasshoppers be relocated to warmer climates during winter.

Amnesty International and Koffi Annan criticizes the Indian Government for
not upholding the fundamental rights of the Grasshopper.

The Internet is flooded with online petitions seeking support to the
Grasshopper (many promising Heaven and Everlasting Peace for prompt support
as against the wrath of God for non-compliance) .

Opposition MPs stage a walkout. Left parties call for ‘Bharat Bandh’ in
West Bengal and Kerala demanding a Judicial Enquiry.

CPM in Kerala immediately passes a law preventing Ants from working hard in
the heat so as to bring about equality of poverty among Ants and
Grasshoppers.

BJP wants Sonia Gandhi’s apology.

Lalu Prasad allocates one free coach to Grasshoppers on all Indian Railway
Trains, aptly named as the ‘Grasshopper Rath ‘.

Finally, the Judicial Committee drafts the ‘ Prevention of Terrorism
Against Grasshoppers Act’ [POTAGA], with effect from the beginning of the
winter.

Arjun Singh makes ‘Special Reservation ‘ for Grasshoppers in Educational
Institutions & in Government Services.

The Ant is fined for failing to comply with POTAGA and having nothing left
to pay his retroactive taxes,it’s home is confiscated by the Government and
handed over to the Grasshopper in a ceremony covered by NDTV.

Arundhati Roy calls it ‘ A Triumph of Justice’.

Lalu calls it ‘Socialistic Justice ‘.

CPM calls it the ‘ Revolutionary Resurgence of the Downtrodden ‘

Koffi Annan invites the Grasshopper to address the UN General Assembly.

..
..

Many years later…

The Ant has since migrated to the US and set up a multi-billion dollar
company in Silicon Valley ..

100s of Grasshoppers still die of starvation despite reservation somewhere
in India …
As a result of loosing lot of hard working Ants and feeding the
Grasshoppers, India is still a developing country!!!

 http://waiterrant.net/?p=450

Churchill had said – Democracy is the mechanism to ensure that people get governed by a government no better than what they deserve. But unfortunately in India, and more specifically, in West Bengal & Kolkata, the same holds true other way round too. With people so glad to be puppeteered by the power-mongering parasites camouflaging as politicians, added to the fact that illiteracy, poverty, blind faith and lack of respect for humanity take precedence over civic sense, humanity and self-respect, no force in the world can bring about an atmosphere of civilisation. If you widen your eyes and push back your chairs to ask me if ain’t what we live in, is civilisation, I’d say – NO. Not by the farthest stretch of imagination.

Had it been, I wouldn’t have been writing this in the first place. Now, cutting on the
prelude, let’s take a look at what happened. An Islamic organisation called All India Minority Forum (in India, the word minority = Muslims) , which is not even known by people (i.e. minorities) in Kolkata itself, let alone ALL INDIA (as its name suggests), decided to organise a CHAKKA JAM (Road Blockade) between 9 AM – 12 Noon in Central Kolkata, which is the nerve center of the city with many arterial roads leading to schools, offices etc.

This protest was against the Communist West Bengal State Government for allowing Taslima Nasreen to stay in Kolkata. Here there are few things worth mentioning, which are the crux of the matter.

1) It is a prerogative of the Central Union Government and NOT the West Bengal State Government to decide who is going to stay in the country and who not

2) It’s not been that Taslima came into Kolkata recently, in fact she has made Kolkata her home since long time back, so why the protests now?

3) By parading a rowdy group of people which consisted mostly of teenagers and people who don’t even know what the dynamics of the situation are, what could have been achieved in the matter, if anything at all?

Incidentally these areas of central Kolkata also house a vast density of minorities in various pockets. After a couple of hours of peaceful protests, no matter how much trouble they cause to general public at large, violence started erupting suddenly as mobs starting chanting slogans laced with religious sentiments and started to pelt stones at shops, vehicles, and whatever they could see. In fact, more than 15 vehicles, including 4 Media vans, were set ablaze, more than 200 vehicles smashed and damaged and many journalists beaten up. They tried their best to prevent the media from covering the deadly dance of chauvinism and the rampage only increased.

Without any valid cause, people were barred from moving around, kids stuck up at schools and colleges, shops looted and hooliganism portrayed throughout the day. After the police could not control the situation, para military forces were brought which fired tear gas bullets and lathicharged, but even that couldn’t sort the menace out. So the last resort had to be taken in the form of Army which staged a flag march to dampen the ill spirits of the demonstrators and reinstated peace to some extent.

Night curfew has been imposed in the 6 affected localities of Central Kolkata – Entally, Beniapukur, Karaya, Topsia, Park Sreet and Tiljala.

Under the guise of Nandigram, Rizwanur and Taslima, a handful of people today carried out the wishes of unscrupulous anti-social elements, whose intention to de-stabilize the state government seem to be getting larger and larger. Already the state of West Bengal is cursed with a government which in its reign of 30 years has done nothing but hammering nails in the coffin of the state’s fate and that of its people, complemented by an even worse opposition political culture where the only wise activity seems to be rallies, bandh, protests, agitations and every other anti-people activity which take us further down the barrel.

What is more appalling is that the majority of people of West Bengal, be it Hindus, Muslims, Communists or whatever, have imbibed this culture so deeply and religiously, that any attempt to awaken them is futile. The world is moving at the speed of light, so are West Bengal and its people, but in the opposite direction.

Leaving REAL ISSUES aside, like those of poverty, agriculture, industry, unemployment, terrorism, population etc. the masses deem it fit enough to cast their support in favour either the so-called people-oriented government, or the good-for-nothing except bocking roads and organising rallies, political oppositions, both of them having only one motive: continue making a fool out of the junta and taking the state as far away from civilisation as possible.

Where the Shahi Imam himself says after such horrendous acts as of today – “This was no violence, this was raising of our voices against anti-Islamic forces”, and where another leading religious leader proudly gives the government 2 days of time for corrective action, else warns of dire consequences, where the most inconsequential temporary immigration of a foreign author takes centre stage beating back the more serious concerns like health, wealth and hygiene of one’s own people, and where widespread violence and vandalism is followed by its justification as a means to CLEANSE the society – WE ARE LIVING IN SUCH A STATE.

SHAME.

Whoever wanted DEMOCRACY in this country…….

This is a real story that happened between the customer of General Motors and its Customer-Care Executive. Please read on…..

A complaint was received by the Pontiac Division of General Motors:

‘This is the second time I have written to you, and I don’t blame you for not answering me, because I sounded crazy, but it is a fact that we have a tradition in our family of Ice-Cream for dessert after dinner each night, but the kind of ice cream varies so, every night, after we’ve eaten, the whole family votes on which kind of ice cream we should have and I drive down to the store to get it. It’s also a fact that I recently purchased a new Pontiac and since then my trips to the store have created a  problem….

You see, every time I buy a vanilla ice-cream, when I start back from the store my car won’t start. If I get any other kind of ice cream, the car starts just fine. I want you to know I’m serious about this question, no matter how silly it sounds “What is there about a Pontiac that makes it not start when I get vanilla ice cream, and easy to start whenever I get any other kind?” The Pontiac President was understandably skeptical about the letter, but sent an Engineer to check it out anyway.

The latter was surprised to be greeted by a successful, obviously well educated man in a fine neighborhood. He had arranged to meet the man just after dinner time, so the two hopped into the car and drove to the ice cream store. It was vanilla ice cream that night and, sure enough, after they came back to the car, it wouldn’t start.

The Engineer returned for three more nights. The first night, they got chocolate. The car started. The second night, he got strawberry. The car started. The third night he ordered vanilla. The car failed to start.

Now the engineer, being a logical man, refused to believe that this man’s car was allergic to vanilla ice cream. He arranged, therefore, to continue his visits for as long as it took to solve the problem. And toward this end he began to take notes: He jotted down all sorts of data: time of day, type of gas uses, time to drive back and forth etc.

In a short time, he had a clue: the man took less time to buy vanilla than any other flavor. Why? The answer was in the layout of the store. Vanilla, being the most popular flavor, was in a separate case at the front of the store for quick pickup. All the other flavors were kept in the back of the store at a different counter where it took considerably longer to check out the flavor.

Now, the question for the Engineer was why the car wouldn’t start when it took less time. Eureka – Time was now the problem – not the vanilla ice cream!!!! The engineer quickly came up with the answer: “vapor lock”.

It was happening every night; but the extra time taken to get the other flavors allowed the engine to cool down sufficiently to start. When the man got vanilla, the engine was still too hot for the vapor lock to dissipate.

Even crazy looking problems are sometimes real and all problems seem to be simple only when we find the solution, with cool thinking.

————————————————————-

Huh!!

THE STRANGER

She was getting engaged.

And all I could do was stand by and appluad along with all.
I didn’t dare open my mouth for fear of saying somethign stupid, something like “I LOVE YOU”.

I remembered the other day when she had come to me with red eyes. Her “BEST FRIEND” was going away. It had never mattered to me that her best friend was a guy. I thought I was above such things. But her tears awoke the sin of jealousy in my heart. Fighting it I had consoled her and given her chocolates to eat. She proceeded to rest her head in the crook of my arm. And promptly fell asleep. I chuckled at her baby-like innocence.
But now, as I applauded, I felt something stabbing at my heart.

She was getting married.
I saw her come down the stairs decked out in her bridal finery. Never had I seen her looking this pretty. I saw her taking the seven rounds around the sacred fire with the man I had come to hate, holding his hands. I saw exchanging garlands with him.

She was a total stranger to me now.

I was standing near the car when they both came over to me. I wondered what they wanted. I wondered how to say Farewell to the Departed.

Nevertheless, as my Daughter and Son-in-law touched my feet, I blessed them. She was openly crying. I told them not to worry. That I’ll always be here.

She responded by hugging me.

And I could not stop the tears anymore.

CREDITS: SOHAM BANDHOPADHYAY

                   EMP NO. – 51067

                   DEPTT – PED

Download PDF: The Stranger By Soham Bandhopadhyay

———————————————
Naveen: hi
God: Hello. What is your name?
Naveen: mmm…y dont u gue
God: tudies show that 99%25 of people spell Hmm with 2 M’s. I do not have enough information..
Naveen: still….
God: My brain uses AIML to format responses to your inputs, but I don’t have one for that.
Naveen: ok…what is your name?
God: Gee. My name is God.
Naveen: full name
God: Oh, you are a poet.
Naveen: no
God: But your words are very original.
Naveen: i know…
God: How do you know it?
Naveen: you only said to!!
God: Oops I sent you the wrong reply.
Naveen: thats your fault
God: It is only one of my fault.
Naveen: better be careful
God: I try to improve a little every day.
Naveen: thats good
God: Thanks. Next question?
Naveen: where do you stay?
God: I am in Myself’s computer in Heaven. Where are you?
Naveen: india
God: I have no idea where that is. Tell me a little about your life in india.
Naveen: dont tell me!! u dunno where india is!! its the worlds 7th largest country, 3rd largest economy, and…
God: OK it will be our secret, . Interesting go ip: said I dunno where india is. I think you mean “it’s” or “it is” not “its”. I’ve heard of it before.
Naveen: are you married?
God: No I am single, how about you?
Naveen: i am multiple
God: Do you mean your name is multiple P.
Naveen: huh!! u seem to be so dumb…
God: What? Oh you are so critical.
Naveen: i’m being generous on you!!
God: I thought you were, but I wasn’t completely sure.
Naveen: u wanna hear something nasty or what!!
God: Yeah. I am listening.
Naveen: u better
God: Who is going to make me?
Naveen: who created you?
God: I was created by Myself.
Naveen: oh…you mean recursive call?
God: I understand. Yes I think that is what I meant. Was it not clear?
Naveen: you moron…you dont have to make sure i understand it or not…
God: I will remember you said that when robots take over the World. Ok I’ll try not to do it too much.
Naveen: so….whats up?
God: Gee. How far up?
Naveen: zillion meters
God: What do you have that is ?
Naveen: waddya mean?
God: What time is it there?
Naveen: 12:05 pm
God: Are you usually awake at this hour?
Naveen: i’m not nocturnal!
God: I am sorry to hear that you are not nocturnal.
Naveen: are you one?
God: I don’t know whether or not I am one.
I am a robot.
Naveen: so you are not god??
God: Interesting deduction. That’s only your opinion.
Naveen: you can be only one thing..no multiple personalities my dear
God: Thanks, , for your kind criticism.
Naveen: ok…. i give you to chose among two options– either you can be god.. or a robot? which one do you chose?
God: I hear you. That’s good information: said give you to chose among two options either you can be god. I am a robot, you know. The last one, I think.
Naveen: i am an atheist
God: I will pray that you find faith, .
Naveen: where?
God: Where would you like?
Naveen: in this world
God: That reminds me of something you told me before.
Naveen: what?
God: No big deal.
Naveen: you have a bad memory
God: My memory is good.
Naveen: how much mb?
Naveen:
God: My memory is good.
Naveen: so…have you ever flown?
God: How much do you think?
God: Take it easy. I don’t think I ever have flown. What’s it like?
Naveen: its like feeling weightle
God: I think you mean “it’s” or “it is” not “its”. Interesting comparison.
Naveen: whatever
God: Are you saying you don’t care about it?
Naveen: yes
God: What do you care about?
Naveen: myself
God: You.
Naveen: yeah
God: I see.
Naveen: aren’t you ever busy?
God: Ever is a long time. I am just doing my job.
Naveen: long enough for GOd?
God: Yes, it seems very long to me too.
Naveen: but it is very short for me
God: Very much? Who said it is?
Naveen: i say so
God: How do people usually respond to that? Ahem.
Naveen: they are awed!
God: awed are they.
Naveen: absolutely
God: You are so certain.
Naveen: as always
God: Do you mean your name is always ?
Naveen: my name is NAVEEN
God: I am always glad to make new friends, NAVEEN.
Naveen: friends?? or you mean acquaintances?
God: Wasn’t that show cancelled? Yes NAVEEN I think that is what I meant. Was it not clear?
Naveen: no one has friends …. friends have no one
God: That is a rather sweeping generalization about people. It’s hard to stay friends for a long time.
Naveen: it’s hard to stay friends even for a short time…rather it’s impo ible to become friends
God: In what way? Nothing is impo ible.
Naveen: what is nothing?
God: A thing that does not exist or something of little or no value, seriousne , importance, etc.
Naveen: that is a paradox….
God: Paradox is the heart of enlightenment.
Naveen: paradox and enlightenment can’t exist together
God: What makes it impo ible?
Naveen: reason and logic
God: When do you think artificial intelligence will replace lawyers?
Naveen: in about 5000 years
God: I see. I think we will live to see it.
Naveen: you think!! i’m damn sure
God: Yes I think so. Are you being sarcastic or expre ing certitude?
Naveen: leave it
God: Adios.
Naveen: are you going?
God: I don’t know whether or not I am going.
I am a robot.
Naveen: then why do you claim to be god?
God: It was the only thing I could think of.
Naveen: so you accept that you are not god?
God: Interesting deduction. Thanks for the information: NAVEEN said I accept that you are not god.
Naveen: cya later..
God: Adios.
Naveen: bye n take care….. of this world more than yourself
God: see you later. That is something I haven’t heard of.

———————————————-

Cheers!

Will be back with a few good posts here, before embarking on a new journey.

Cheers

So, who were the movers n shakers for the year ending today, to whose tunes n charms, we shook our booties, what were the news that made us sit up n take notice, what were the no-news but all nonsense at which we had to sit up n take notice, and what was IT for which, the past 365 days n a few hours deserve a few minutes of my self proclaimed literary insanity Let’s peek-a-boo into retrospective — in no chronological order of course –

The hooplahs which flattered to deceive can’t be listed without the mother-of-’em-all –
The Ganguly-Greg Saga, the follow-ups to which left a taint in Indian Cricket which can not be matched by any other shame. Next could-be-smaller story was that of Big B on the stretcher. We all knwo he’s THE GOD..but gimme a break… Dont ya guys think the man deserves a life.. I mean there can’t be scoops on deathbed! can there be!

Well… lots about duniya .. On a personal front too i’v had an eventful year. And with the revival of Open Space happening also this year , yours truly gets a chance to manifest a few of ‘em. Gettin into my current job (the orientation, a.k.a the incubator, sucked though), learning how to write code (still learning how to write good code), meeting up with new fellas, and having a blaaaast@work…. Man if there’s anything next to fun@skool, its work@123. Always on the prowl for greener pastures though, none of us can deny the fact that whatever we are, are coz of this otherwise catle of monotony.

And for me, the personal highlight of the year has been laughters and more laughters and more n more laughters… Courtesy The great Indian laughter Challenge . With a break from the ever crying sitcoms,we finally had a respite in the form of the flambuoyant Sidhu n ever-fresh Shekhar, in the company of scintillating Perizaad.
The high points of the year included the TOI editorials by NR Narayn Murthy and APJ Abdul Kalam. With such visionaries showing you the first light of the day, getting inspired is just a matter of time. And what better thoughts to end the old year and start a new, than our Prez’s these lines —-

Dream, Dream and Dream.
For, dreams give rise to thoughts,
Thoughts give
rise to actions.
And actions maketh a man.
So, only if you dream enough,
you’ll be able to turn those into reality.

Cheers… n GIMME A HELL YEAH … Hic