Monday, November 9, 2009

Life is too short to be anything but happy

"There comes a time in life when you have to let go of all the pointless drama and the people who create it , and surround youself with people who make you laugh so hard that you forget the bad and focus solely on the good . After all, life is too short to be anything but happy! "

Saturday, October 31, 2009

Crossroads

There are moments in our lives where we find ourselves at crossroads.
Afraid, confused, without a roadmap.
The choices we make in those moments can define the rest of our days.
Of course, when faced with the unknown, most of us choose to turn around and go back.
But once in a while, people push on to something better,
something found just beyond the pain of doing it alone,
and just beyond the bravery and courage it takes to let someone in,
or give someone a second chance,
something beyond the quiet persistence of a dream.

Because it's only when you're tested,
that you discover who you are, that you discover who you can be.
The person you can be does exist,
beyond the hard work, faith, belief, and beyond the heartache, and…
fear of what lies ahead.

- One Tree Hill

Powerful Words

The less you associate with some people, the more your life will improve.
Any time you tolerate mediocrity in others, it increases your mediocrity..
An important attribute in successful people is their impatience with
negative thinking and negative acting people. As you grow, your associates
will change. Some of your friends will not want you to go on. They will want
you to stay where they are. Friends that don't help you climb will want you
to crawl. Your friends will stretch your vision or choke your dream. Those
that don't increase you will eventually decrease you.


Never receive counsel from unproductive people. Never discuss your problems
with someone incapable of contributing to the solution, because those who
never succeed themselves are always first to tell you how. Not everyone has
a right to speak into your life. You are certain to get the worst of the
bargain when you exchange ideas with the wrong person. Don't follow anyone
who's not going anywhere.

With some people you spend an evening: with others you invest it. Be careful
where you stop to inquire for directions along the road of life. Wise is the
person who fortifies his life with the right friendships. If you run with
wolves, you will learn how to howl. But, if you associate with eagles, you
will learn how to soar to great heights.
"A mirror reflects a man's face, but what he is really like is shown by the
kind of friends he chooses."

The simple but true fact of life is that you become like those with whom you
closely associate - for the good and the bad.


"In Prosperity Our Friends Know Us. In Adversity We Know Our friends."

"Never make someone a priority when you are only an option for them."
"If you are going to achieve excellence in big things, you develop the habit
in little matters. Excellence is not an exception, it is a prevailing
attitude..". . ............ ...... ...

Lessons from baby camel






















Shuttling between Mumbai to Goi

As I shuttle between Mumbai to Goa,
I realise that I am trying to keep a difficult balance:
between my past , my present and my future,
between what I want , what I've been, and what I should be!
between my dreams and my reality,
between true happiness and a fakade of smiles,
between social pressures and inner peace,
between love and friendship,
between trust , faith and relationships!


As I shuttle between Mumbai to Goa,
I see a sea of choices sorrounding me...
Should I walk on, Or should I wait for others to walk with me?
Should I take the path less taken or should I keep listening to what other's have told me?

As I shuttle from Mumbai to Goa,
I find my life torn into bits and pieces...
Every bit shouting out my name,
Every piece blaming me for the loss of the game!

As I shuttle from Mumbai to Goa,
I realise... someday...this journey back and forth has to stop...
I realise I cannot keep hanging in the moment,
I realise this balancing act has to drop!

As I travel from Goa to Mumbai,
This time around with no return ticket,
I've told myself, "This is it! Just do it!"
There's no point in living a life which is of other's making,
If its grief and insult you have to bear, just take in..

Life is a journey, we all are travellers,
But it makes sense only if we move forward!
Do what it takes but please keep moving,
In the start it may hurt, but time is soothing!


With dreams in my eyes and faith in my heart,
I set my foot on cold unknown paths....
Hope hopes and wishes come true soon,
Hope my decision turns out to be a boon,
May Some day many a travellers learn from me..
A Hard lesson but one that's worth remembering!

Janaki Shinkre ...

Monday, October 19, 2009

The song on my mind........

On bended knee is no way to be free
lifting up an empty cup I ask silently
that all my destinations will accept the one that's me
so I can breathe

Circles they grow and they swallow people whole
half their lives they say goodnight to wives they'll never know
got a mind full of questions and a teacher in my soul
so it goes...

Don't come closer or I'll have to go
Holding me like gravity are places that pull
If ever there was someone to keep me at home
It would be you...

Everyone I come across in cages they bought
they think of me and my wandering
but I'm never what they thought
got my indignation but I'm pure in all my thoughts
I'm alive...

Wind in my hair, I feel part of everywhere
underneath my being is a road that disappeared
late at night I hear the trees
they're singing with the dead
overhead...

Leave it to me as I find a way to be
consider me a satellite for ever orbiting
I knew all the rules but the rules did not know me
guaranteed...

By Eddie Vedder

Sunday, October 18, 2009

Trust Me....

Mom told me never to trust anybody !

She told me its never worth trusting anybody other than your blood relations, cause they are the one's who care , they are the one's who'll always be there!

But when I fell on the hard school ground, it was another school mate I'd never met who gave me a helping hand!
When I scored terrible marks in math, it was my benchmate who put a hand on my shoulder and said," There's always a next time!"

When I came home and showed my marks, I got shoutings!
When I came home and showed I'd got hurt, I was told I have become too naughty!

Why is it that my close one's are never happy with me? I always wondered!

Whenever I did anything that made me happy- all my close one's were never happy about it!

And the saga continues.....

I wrote dialogues for a full lenth konkani film this september! All I got to hear when I came home was, " Is anybody going to know at least that you were involved in this film? who cares about your small name appearing somewhere in the credits?"

So who do I trust?
Who do I depend on?
People who encourage and support me? Who stand by me and share my happiness?
Or people who call themselves my caretakers and protectors but are never happy about anything I do???

Saturday, September 5, 2009

It has to start somewhere,
It has to start sometime,
What better place than here,
What better time than NOW?


-Guerrilla Radio,
Rage Against The Machine.

The Cow

Friday, September 4, 2009

"Film Making"

One of the most fascinating fields according to me! And I am just loving the process of making one right now!

I dont know exactly when I fell in love with films, nor did I ever think this would become a lifelong passion!

There's no department I am not interested in knowing or learning about- nor any department I dont know anything about! Film making involves so much observation- and I feel everyone and anyone can make one, a film that reflects his/her thought process!

Whether its acting, costumes, direction or art or production..... give me any job and I love to put my flavour in it!

Strange, how I feel about this field! Never have I loved anything or anyone more than this!

Just one prayer to the almighty, let me do this all my life! Let me observe, create, learn and get fascinated with this field till I take my last breath!

Passing Thoughts

A bit busy these days so no time to write long, thoughtful expressions /musings of my mind....but a thought crossed my mind today.....

In life , what you purposely dont do is as important as what you do!
The same as knowing what not to say, and what to say!
Sometimes 'not doing' an act , can take you places!

Say what?

Saturday, August 29, 2009

Ghusmatmaar!!

In Konkani this means "frustration" ! And that's how I feel right now! As if my own personal problems and issues are easy enough for me to solve, that a new one always faces me around the corner!

If I want , I can very well look over some of the issues that bother me so much! The issues that bother me are the issues that face everybody here, I wonder how everyone can be so calm and peaceful as if nothing has happened!

Lets take the past 3 days, 3 little pups are caught up in an old unused house, their mother has abandoned them and they scream on top of their voices for help! As every day passes by I hear the energy fading, and today I just heard some small cries- their last attempt to call for help!

Its very difficult for anybody to climb their fence and go in, besides there's too much vegetation, you can hardly see anything there- the house looks like its haunted!

Is it just me hearing their screams?
I called all the Animal rescue Organisations I know, nobody came for help!
Then I called the Fire department who conviniently said this doesnt come under their kind of work- they gave me some more animal rescue numbers, I called evrybody- half of their phones are out of order, others are not picked up and those who do pick up , say, we dont have staff or Margao is not under our jurisdiction or we are out of funds or we have no vehicle!

I've been praying now that those pups die, sooner the better!How much more should those little ones suffer? And if they are rescued, where would they go? Who would take care of them? I've rescued too many dogs already and have no takers left anymore- besides my house and my mum's house is full of pets!

I just wished I didnt love animals so much that it would hurt me like this! I wished I was deaf and dumb like the rest of the lot and my heart didnt ache everytime I heard an animal scream for help!

Monday, August 24, 2009

Creative Ganesha

This Ganesha Idol is made out of bottle caps (metal) that are used on glass soft drink bottles! Its a big idol and sits right in front of my house ( Sarvajanik ) . Every year, our local boys succeed in coming up with a new idea to make the Ganesha idol. Last year they made an idol out of coconuts, year before that out of cloth and so on.

People come here from all the corners of Goa to see this creative Ganesha Idol!










Tuesday, August 18, 2009

Photography Blog

Well! Let me step into a new category , a new creative zone called photography! I havent been much of a photographer ever, I always thought it was too technical, and I still feel so! But I agree that you need an eye to capture great photos.... you need to observe what others ignore! So , even though a camera is a machine, there's always an eye behind the camera which decides what should be clicked, and what is better ignored!

So, hope you'll enjoy what I click!


To start off, I chose this picture, its a caterpillar....... Actually its the one which will soon become a butterfly! I found it on our lemon tree, this little fella has eaten all of the leaves, no lemons grow on it now...... its a breeding ground for butterflies, and once in a few months I always come across this caterpillar before it flies off as a beautiful butterfly!



The Secret to a Happy Married life

This is an old joke really, nevertheless I love reading it everytime I get it as a fwd !




Once I was asked by my Friend, "What is the secret behind your happy married life?"

I said, "You should share responsibilities with due love and
Respect each other. Then absolutely there will be no problems."

He asked, "Can you explain?"

I said, "In my house, I take decisions on bigger issues where as
my wife decides on smaller issues. We do not interfere in each other's
decisions."

Still not convinced, Friend asked me "Give me some examples"

I said," Smaller issues like, which car we should buy, how much
amount to save, when to visit home town, which Sofa, air conditioner,
refrigerator , monthly expenses, whether to keep a maid or not etc are
decided by my wife. I just agree to it"

He asked, "Then what is your role?"

I said," My decisions are only for very big issues. Like whether
America should attack Iran , whether Britain should lift sanction over
Zimbabwe , whether to widen African economy, whether Sachin Tendulkar
should retire etc etc and Do you know one thing,

my wife NEVER, NEVER, NEVER objects to Any of these".

Saturday, August 15, 2009

Happy Independance Day




I couldnt help but notice, I couldnt help but appreciate this photograph and its underlying lesson- Inspite of all the differences in our religions, casts, opinions..... We Indians belong to 1 big family!

Yes! There are a whole lof of problems that are not addressed and which are making matters worse for our society...... But fighting in the name of religion.... is not a very smart thing to do!!!

Minorities or majorities........Indians 1st!

Happy Independence Day to all My Indian brothers and sisters!!!


Image taken from Today's Times of India.

Thursday, August 13, 2009

You can see she's a beautiful girl....

Her face is a map of the world
Is a map of the world
You can see she's a beautiful girl
She's a beautiful girl
And everything around her is a silver pool of light
The people who surround her feel the benefit of it
It makes you calm
She holds you captivated in her palm!!



………..I was still in bed when I heard this sweet voice humming a tune….and some sounds of doors closing, bags opening etc. I’ve never been an early riser, this is my 2nd day In Mumbai! I am staying with 3 other girls in an apartment – I’m here for an internship of 2 months!

I try hard and open my eyes and check the clock lying near my bed, Its 7 am! I’ve to reach Churchgate by 9 sharp…..

“ Good Morning” That same sweet voice….. I look towards her….she’s one of the girl staying with us. And she’s standing there in her towel!

Well! I had heard a lot about her before I actually met her! My friend ( girl friend) was all ga-ga about how beautiful she was. I’d checked out her snaps on Orkut but didn’t find anything that special…..I definitely had come across more beautiful girls than this 1.

I just met her yesterday, and instantly knew there was this quality about her……not just her looks, but her charm, the twinkle in her deep brown eyes….that made everyone watch her longer than it should normally take.

She knew she was good looking, and she took good care of herself! I wished I knew how to be that disciplined about my looks and my body! She’s an air hostess by profession and right now she’s busy with her usual 1 hour make up routine!

I sat in my bed, watching her with amazement as she carefully drew the lines around her eyes and moved the blush on her cheeks! “ What are you looking at?” She suddenly asks.

“ Sorry! I’ve never seen anybody do make up that beautifully, so trying to pick up some tips….hope you don’t mind!”

“ Naah!” She looked at me sideways and winked…….. What was that for? I thought! Well! Anyway, might be her style…..

The next minute she suddenly dropped her towel, standing naked in front of me…… I was blank….Numb…..I am a normal girl ok? Not a lesbian or anything like that. But I haven’t ever seen any girl strip off before me, that fast!

“ Hey wait, let me go out……you could’ve asked me to!”

“ No worries…. We all have the same things….!” She chuckled as she carefully wore her stockings and her bra! She gave me those sideway glances while she did everything, I had these strange feelings, as if she’s instigating me to be naughty, to flirt with her…… The strangest part was, I couldn’t take my eyes off her! Women are truly a piece of art – and I know this after I saw her well crafted body!

Before I knew it, she was done! “Bye…Have a nice day” She again winked and left.

My friend who was sleeping next to me jumped up the moment she was out the door.

“Hey, I thought you were sleeping!”

“ I was only pretending to be sleeping. See? I told you she’s hot! Didn’t you get this strange feeling that before she left, she should’ve come and given you a good-bye kiss?”

I looked at my friend, shocked…..how did she read my mind??

The 1st day of anything is the most difficult when it comes to adjustments. I was completely alright at work, but the thoughts of the air hostess weren’t letting me breath easy. It wasn’t anything about her that worried me, it was me ! I kept asking myself, Am I a lesbian?

But I’d never felt that way about any other girl before…..I’ve a boy friend for the last 3 years and everything between us is perfectly fine….why then these strange feelings?

When I came back home, she was there in the hall- stretching and doing some exercises.
“ Hey, how was your 1st day at office?” She asks.
“ It was good.” I keep my eyes low, and avoid looking at her as much as possible.
“ Sit down, you must be tired, let me make you a cup of coffee.”

Why is this girl being so sweet to me? I just don’t understand her, she’s confusing me!

But as time passes by we all get comfortable with her attitude…..she’s a very caring girl…..a good friend, a good cook.! Its hard to find good looking girls being so sweet and having absolutely no ego about their looks and beauty. She makes good healthy food for us and gives us make up and dressing tips……wow! Having Such a friend is the dream of every girl!


And days go bye………


It’s a Early Sunday Morning….and my phone rings.
“ Hey, sweets…. I am in Mumbai!” Its my bf Om.
“ Wow! What a pleasant surprise?”

The door bell starts to ring just then. It must be the doodhwalla , I think. This job is usually done by the air hostess cause she’s the 1st one to rise….

I open the door thrusting the vessel forward and see Om standing there.


" What are you doing here? I told you this was a girl's apartment !" is the 1st thing I say looking at him.

" Is this how you greet me after so many months?"

We hug for a long time, But strangely I want to drive him out of the apartment before she wakes up...before he sets his eyes on her! If I cant resist her, uski to baat hi chodo!

"Who's at the door Diya?"

She comes out with her micro mini shorts and a noodlestrap top!

I turn to see my boyfriend's reaction 1st....he stared at her...came close to me and said, " Hey, you never told me you lived with hotties!"
" Yeah! Because I didn’t want you to drop in here again and again!"

He then went up to her, extended his hand and introduced himself!

" Ohh! Diya's BF? Tum to bohot chupi rustam nikli yaar! Tumne kabhi bataya nahi iske baare mein?" She said in her usual cheerful tone!

With her long beautiful hair, sleepy eyes....she was looking more beautiful then ever! I wanted to hide her, protect her from the prying eyes of men...from my BF!

" Aaj kal to sabka BF hota hai!Isme batanewali kya baat hai?"

" Mera to koi bf nahi hai!" She said naughtily.... “anyway, you 2 sit and chat, I'll make some tea for you, or would you like something else Ommm?"

" Anything you like!" Om is mesmerized!

" So sweet!"

"Dont give me that silly smile...I know what it is for!" I was so angry...I couldn’t control my temper!

" Hey what? Its just normal for a guy ok?"

He was right. Its normal for him...its quite abnormal for me to feel protective about her! Its abnormal for me to not hate her but hate my bf instead!

When she came out with the tea, she was wearing a proper jeans and a T-shirt....to my relief! She didn’t sit with us while we had our tea, she chose to go inside...while my bf Om spent d rest of our time together asking about her!

After an hour of arguing , Om was ready to leave... he decided to stay at a hotel nearby for the next 2 days and have breakfasts and dinners with us- for obvious reasons!

That sunday evening, My friend and the other room mate went out for shopping. The air hostess stayed home , she wasnt feeling very well. And Om was to join me in a couple of hours so I decided to stay back. This was the 1st time me and she were all alone in the apartment!

I sat in the hall , reading the Sunday Times.....She suddenly came out of her room in a chirpy mood, " Do you want to play dress up?"
" What is that?"
" We pretend like we are walking the runway and wear different clothes!"
" Isnt that meant for kids?"
" Come on na? It will be fun!" She pulled my hand and called me inside her room!

" Remove your clothes!" She orders me!
" what?"
" How else can I dress you then?"
" You dont need to dress me. I’ll dress myself!"
" Arre you are the model, I am your fashion designer, now remove!"
" Ideally, you should be the model- dont you think so?"

" Ok!" within seconds she was topless. " Now dress me!"
" You dress yourself!" I start getting a bad feeling about this...something about this girl was not right...something about her was not what she usually was!

" My god! How much nakhras you do! Remove....Remove na?" She was so adamant.... She got what she wanted.............My Shirt!

" I dont like this game...I am going..." But as I start to go out, she suddenly pulled my hand and pulled me close and pinned me against the wall....

" You like me dont you?" She was so close to me, I could feel her breath,

" What? Let me go." My head has started spinning already!

" I saw you watching me the 1st day! You are attracted to me...... then what is this shit with your bf?"

" Let me go....." She was much stronger then I'd expected her to be! And she was pushing herself against me....

Men have rubbed against me in trains and buses before....It is a horrible experience...but this was worse than that..... A woman against my body...I was so scared, I wanted to scream for help...I had no doubt that if I dont do anything in the next couple of minutes, she would surely rape me! But I couldnt say anything...the shock of it all had numbed my reactions. She probably took this as a positive sign from me and started her act!

And suddenly the door bell rang.......I was shaken out of my numbness.....I pushed her away from me, and ran to the door in the state I was in. I hurriedly opened the door, it was Om... He was shocked to see me in that half dressed state, crying, scared, nervous!

" What happened?"
I just hugged him and cried, no words came out of my mouth!

After around 10 minutes , I finally found my voice and told him what had happened. Throughout all this conversation, she did not step out of her room! After om heard what had happened, he just couldn’t control himself.

“ Wait I’ll just see what she thinks of herself.” He said and before he could open/ bang on her door, she swiftly opened the door and stood there………all dressed up, calm and composed as she always was……the room all cleaned and a big bag by her side. She handed an envelope over to Om, and without looking at me walked out the front door.

I kept looking after her……. “ Its 5000 in here!” Om said taking out the contents of the envelope.


“ There’s a note too.

Dear all,

I’ve got a very good job in Hyderabad, and I’ve to leave right away. Sorry for not staying back and saying a good bye.

Take care of yourselves,

Bye!”

Wednesday, August 12, 2009

Tula Mi , Mala Mi....

Today was the concluding day of the "Kala Rang" festival which is held in Margao every year. The organisers always succeed in getting the best talent from across India to Goa, and I'm thankful and glad for all the work they do!

This year saw performances by Pt. Hari Prasad Chaurasia, a beautiful Bharatnatyam performance by my guru- Lalan desai and Alka Lajmi, The play White Lily and Night Rider and Rima Lagoo's "Tula Mi , Mala Mi".


Today's play again was a masterpiece! Here are the synopsis:

Madhavi Rajadhyaksha, a college professor teaching English Literature, occasionally pens short stories in Marathi. One fine day she releases a book penned in English. The book gains international recognition. It becomes a bestseller. Madhavi receives such significant remuneration that she resigns from her job. This invites accusations that Madhavi has written the book in English with the sole intention of acquiring maximum royalty. She is also accused of exploiting her sister’s illness and her own husband's marital problems in order to increase the book sales. A Marathi movie based on Madhavi's book is produced. A leading television channel invites her to speak. What will happen when Madhavi begins to confront the accusations leveled against her?

Details of the play:

TULA MI MALA MI is the Marathi adaptation of eminent playwright Girish Karnad's original Kannad play. The play has already been produced in Hindi (BIKHRE BIMB) and in English (BROKEN IMAGES). The Marathi version has been produced by O Rima Creations and has already seven shows to its credit. The Marathi adaptation, direction and music have been done by Vivek Lagoo with technical assistance from Samir Lamaye and special contribution from Shekhar Dhavlikar.

My views:

There's just 1 person on stage with her 2 images- 1 her real self and the other that we see on a TV screen on the stage! The whole play is about Madhavi, the writer talking to herself who appears on the TV screen.

As the play unfolds we come to know about Madhavi's real story! The interview that she gives to the TV channel shows her to be a happily married writer, who writes a book based on her paralysed sister.


There are several accusations levelled against her - about a marathi writer, coming out with a book in English which goes on to become a best seller., about writing about sexuality etc. But this is just the tip of the ice berg.

As the story unfolds we realise that Madhavi actually never wrote the book! We realise that the book was originally written by her ailing sister Mukta , who is much more intelligent and beautiful but Paralysed. in the final 6 years of her life, Mukta stays in Madhavi's home. Madhavi's husband Pramod and Mukta are deeply involved and the entire book is actually a true story written with explicit details in dialogues and their complex triangle of relationships!

Reema Lagoo, no doubt has done an excellent job! It is not easy to time the performance according to the pre recorded herself talking to her from the TV.

Rating: A must watch, A different kind of play!
Hats off to Mr.Girish Karnad for writing such a beautiful script!

Death at a Funeral Vs Daddy Cool

"Death at a Funeral" is an excellent British comedy film released in 2007! Its a must watch, You'll love it!


Bollywood is coming up with its own re-make called "Daddy cool". Looking at the posters it looks like the makers have copied it frame to frame!

Why then do they give the credit to Tushar hiranandani for script and screenplay? All the credit should go the writer of the original film- one Mr.Dean Craig.






I dont know if these guys have borrowed the copyrights, but if not....then someone needs to bring this to the notice of the original film makers and our Indian brothers should be sued for such shameless acts of stealing other's scripts!



P.S : They dont even spare the costumes! copied that too! And as for sophie's dress is concerned, in my 24 years of experience of being a Goan, I havent seen any lady wear bright red for a catholic funeral! This was The only place our guys went to experiment , they've messed it royally!

White Lily and The Night Rider

I am very fond of theatre. The unfortunate part is ,I've hardly seen any good dramas now a days! Comedy ki to baat hi chodo! There are so many "so called comedy" marathi plays , but when you are watching them, you wonder whether you are supposed to laugh at all? They are that pathetic! With the actors making weird faces, and body postures that are best described as vulgar! What happened to genuine comedy? genuine theatre?

Yesterday I came across a genuine piece of art' The play named " White Lily and The Night Rider".

There are only 2 main artists- RASIKA JOSHI, and MILIND PHATAK .


Synopsis:


“White Lily & Night Rider” is the contemporary play - a black comedy - of a man & a woman in their 40’s. They are very close Chat Friends involved even in erotic chat. At one point of time they desperately want to meet each other to transform that virtual reality in to reality and may take the decision of marriage.

But when they meet person to person the showdown begins. Any known system of man – woman relationship is unacceptable to them. Neither can they accept the “Sanskars” of the previous generation, nor can they adjust to the thinking of the new generation! For them marriage as an institution is outdated and live in relationship is unthinkable!!


The play raises innumerable questions and confusions about the fundamentals of the relationship & companionship. Does this confusion end with self realization? Are they afraid of reality? Is the virtual reality more comfortable??



My Views on the play:

It is a must watch! The play endes with both the parties deciding that their relationship is at the best in the virtual world! The play is very much realistic. It brings to light how our society treats a 36 year old unmarried girl! How unsafe the world has become to women- you cannot trust anybody, and trusting an internet pal? That's the most dangerous thing to do!

It also shows in a way that there are no guarantees in life- marriage is a gamble and no matter how many precautions you take- something always happens, which you didnt expect it to happen. People who keep checking for a companion's compatibility with each other- whether sexual, mental etc. are missing the whole point.......the fun part of marriage is to get to know another person, where is the fun if you are looking out for your duplicate? As the age factor starts rising, you become less and less willing to change and to accept people as they are.

Every person can relate to this play differently and it succeeds in touching the soul of every generation!

This play is intellectual,funny and different- it is a mixture rare to find, so if it is being performed in your city, dont miss it!

You can contact the makers of this play on :http://whitelilyandnightrider.blogspot.com

Monday, August 10, 2009

Chasing Dreams

Everybody told me.....they said they spoke out of their experience.....Its never worth chasing your dreams.... Cause they dont come real!

I listened to everybody and to all their experiences, their failures, their weaknesses.......

And yet I decided to chase my dreams!

There's a strange quality in dreams..... They are like shadows! The harder you chase them, the harder they run away from you!

The moment I stop and turn myself away from my dreams, they seem to follow me!

My dream is my shadow- It never leaves me- Whether I chase it or not!

The only puzzle now is-

Will I ever be able to catch my shadow?

Sunday, August 9, 2009

Lai's Story

I read Kiran's post on his friend Lai who is a brave cancer patient fighting the disease! I felt we need to spread the word about his fight, about his courage....!

Please visit his blog -


"laichinlun - A story of a Cancer fighter

I m 32 yrs old, have a good bright career. At my career most high time, I was diagnosed with nose cancer called NSP, advanced stage with 50% survival percentage.
I m writing this blog to motivate other CANCER patient like me. Cancer is a new begining, not an ending. Continue to read my story....

Feel free to add me to your facebook(lai_1977@yahoo.com). If you know anybody who think they lost hope, recommend them to my blog.
I m a proud cancer patient"


http://laichinlun2.blogspot.com

Tuesday, August 4, 2009

I am the most beautiful

I wake up one morning, happy and excited....I've seen a beautiful dream.....a dream of a princess.....I hope to see a miracle .....I rush to my mirror........and stare......I stare at a girl I don’t like to look at, she's always the one looking back at me, she's always the one disappointing me! Always the one I've to call me!

I lousily pack my bag, stuffing it with the school books!

My thoughts are tormenting me with thoughts......thoughts that had never touched me before, ideas that never occurred to me before.....


I am the best student in the school. The head girl, the captain of my house, the 1st ranker and the winner of various extra curricular activities!

I am the best dancer, the best orator, the best sportsman!


Then why today I feel like a total loser? .......I look around me and for the 1st time observe the other school girls.....Tina- whom I know as the math failure has been crowned a beauty queen on one TV show! Smitha, the frail looking, delicate darling is the queen of hearts of my school! My own close pal
Divya got a love letter last week..... and me? Not a single boy looks at me! They dont whistle , nor do they turn around to see me......its as if nobody cares about my intelligence, about what I do, about all my talent, all that the world sees is the external beauty!

I am a big haired, plum girl~ A thick pair of glasses decorates half my face! And my extra long clothes make me look double my size!

I want to scar my face, so that my parents will have to get a plastic surgery done on me- and I'll get a new face like Rekha from " Khoon Bhari Maang!"

Mom keeps saying, " Beta 15 is too young to go to those beauty parlors. Mahendra tell her na, those beauty treatments will spoil your face darling!"

My dad looks up from his newspaper... and smiles, " My princess! Who puts these ideas in your head, huh?"

" Everybody at school does it ma! They call me a bhalu cause I've hairy hands and bushy eyebrows! And my hair is like a bird's nest! I want to straighten it permanently. Everybody's moms let them do it....All of them go to the beauty parlors themselves and ask the saloon lady to do the treatments on their daughters, why cant you just be like the other moms? My send off is next week dad! I dont want to go there with this face!"

My dad now seriously looks at me after the hurried and emotional speech I delivered! A tiny tear rolls down my cheek...

" Okay... you... "

" Wait a min!" before my dad can complete, my mom brings up the objection....I seriously feel like banging my mom's head with a frying pan lying around me!

" We'll talk about it tonight, ok? You go to school now!"

I greet my teeth! Something inside me tells me that my wish will never be granted! But for the moment there is nothing I could do, so I choose to wait till the night!

After school, I attend my tuitions and my dance class. I haven’t been able to concentrate in anything today. Once again, I am expecting a miracle tonight! Throughout my tuitions I dreamt that my mother will be standing with a hair straightener to greet me when I get home, and my dad will be holding a big box of make up! Though I dont know where and how all that color fits one's face, but I want that Palette!

I enter my house, and over hear my mum speaking to someone on the phone.....Yes! The saloon Lady will be coming any moment!....I think to myself! As I got a little closer I hear the words clearly, “yes Mrs. Bhatia.... Please do so... You know this is causing a lot of tension for responsible parents like us. And its their 10th std, so I dont think they should get distracted because of such flimsy things! Alright Mrs. Bhatia... Thank you! Bye!"

" Why were you talking to my Principal? What did you tell her?"

" Nothing! You just chillax now, everything will be fine! Ok darling? come, I'll make something for you- What would you like today?"

" A hair straightener!" words naturally leave my mouth! She turns, Smiles and goes on with her chores as if I'd said nothing.



A big Notice on the wall greets every student the next day at school.

" Parents -teachers meeting will be held tomorrow at 5 pm, everybody's parents are expected to attend the meeting. - Only for class 10th student’s parent's- "

The next day a huge lecture is given by our Principal and some psychologist to all the parents not to encourage children of such young ages into beauty parlors. The underlining statement was - please do not follow the west blindly! Have mind over matter! Simple living high thinking!

My mother tells me a day before my send off " Now everybody will come just the way they look. Dont worry, you wont be the odd man out!"

wow! I think, Now I'll really know who's the hairiest! Who's got the most tangled unmanageable hair! That should be a lot of fun!

The day of the sendoff.

Mom drapes me in her beautiful saree, ....I go to school with high dreams, expecting to see some ahhh's and uhhh's!

My jaw is drops open at the front door itself..........Tina is wearing the most beautiful ghaghra I've ever seen in my entire life. her hair is made up in a beautiful hairstyle, her face is glittering and her lips shining with so much color...they look so inviting!

Smitha is also looking smashing, I see a lot of my class boys starring at her.. some even gave her a rose!!

Divya runs up to me..... she's clean and clear too, like everybody else! Perfect hands, perfect hair, perfect face! She's talking something to me, but I just cant hear it.....My mum betrayed me, she fooled me into believing her! She wants me to look ugly! My heart is beating so fast, i can hardly breath!

I push her away and flee that horrible school.... I walk as fast as I can in that saree, Divya for a while follows me calling my name- " what happened? wait , stop!"

" Dont follow me, get lost!"

After a while I dont hear any steps behind me. I rush straight to the bus stop, and climb into 1 of the buses!

I dont know where the bus is going......but I want to be in it. Lost in a crowd who dont know me, who dont recognize me! I lay my head on the window, the tears still coming, the thoughts still messing my head!~ I close my eyes......and I see her again, just like I see her every other night in my dreams.....She's the princess..... she's what I want to be.......


Image at victoriaantoinette.com/

Saturday, August 1, 2009

The Super Mommies!!

Now a days more and more women choose to work while their tiny tots are under the care, protection and guidance of a maid!

How good is this practice ? Should it be encouraged or discouraged? Is the life of a woman so short that she can’t spare a couple of months for her child? Career- money- jobs…. Is it more important then your child?

All the education, experience and sense that we earn through our intelligence- is it for our employer/company or for our next generation?

But I tend to have mixed feelings on this issue.

I saw a news report on a news channel wherein a mother of a 15 day old baby girl went to work. Now that her kids are all grown up, she says she had made the right decision since kids don’t require their mothers when they are small as much as guidance they require when they start going to school and reach higher standards!

I feel the mothers should stay home with their babies or work from home for at least 6 months when the child is breastfed. They also need to pay close attention to their health and in those 6 months should exercise and concentrate on being physically fit.

What I don’t understand right now is how can you concentrate in work when your child is at home? At least if you have your in laws or parents to help out, it’s a different situation, but how sane is it to keep a child with a maid?

{The problem with Indian laws is that it gives only 3 months paid leave to a mother.}

Some believe, Issues like imparting values and manners come later, when a child reaches the age of 3 or something like that- that is the time when the parents have to take the responsibility for their wards. Before that the child doesn’t need the mother much.

Another trend I’ve seen now a days is most women prefer a c-section even when their doctors advice a normal delivery, just because they are scared to go through the pain! I fail to understand where all this education goes? A normal delivery is anytime better for a woman’s health. Only if there are complications, the doctor advises one to go for a c-section.

But Overall , from my observation what is important is bringing up a child!
And that is not dependant on whether you are working or a stay at home mom. I’ve seen a lot of my friends, who are very well brought up, and amazing human beings had all their mothers working when they were young. Of course a few examples here and there exist of out of hand brats! But that goes to children brought up by stay at home moms too. If you stay at home but don’t give the right values then what is the whole point? You rather go and work!

Well! Motherhood is a difficult thing! And I really don’t know if I should’ve commented on it! But I feel strongly about this issue, so thought of sharing it. I would like to know your point of view about this issue.

Thursday, July 30, 2009

I scream, U scream V both scream 4 d same Thing

I love Roshogullas! My mother’s explanation to that is when she was pregnant with me, she was gifted a matka full of roshogullas by my uncle! It was always her favorite sweet and so it is mine…. And so it is Bubu’s! Bubu is not my daughter, she’s my dog! And the strangest part of her is that she likes everything that I like to eat!

Sweets are bad for dogs and one should never feed sweets to a dog, but bubu starts to cry if she gets the smell and is not given at least 1 roshogulla, she can even gulp down the sugar syrup within seconds if I let her!

Ice creams everybody loves…..but I don’t understand why she likes the same flavour as me. I prefer the vanilla flavor and so does she. No kidding, she won’t finish off a strawberry or a butterscotch, chocolate she’s ok with- so am I!

The only difference between us is that she’s a fishetarian and I am not.

If I am eating a mango, I simply pass her the peel and she happily devours it!
She loves chickoo too, it also happens to be my favourite fruit!

Bubu means the world to me! She’s a daughter, a friend, and a loyal faithful companion!

I don’t know what I would do without her!

Here’s a prayer of a dog written by Beth Norman Harris, Kindly go through it, it’s what I see in Bubu’s eyes!

A Dog’s Prayer

Treat me kindly, my beloved master, for no heart in all the world is more grateful for kindness than the loving heart of me.

Do not break my spirit with a stick, for though I should lick your hand between the blows, your patience and understanding will more quickly teach me the things you would have me do.

Speak to me often, for your voice is the world’s sweetest music, as you must know by the fierce wagging of my tail when your footsteps falls upon my waiting ear.

When it is cold and wet, please take me inside, for I am now a domesticated animal, no longer used to bitter elements. And I ask no greater glory than the privilege of sitting at your feet beside the hearth. Though had you no home, I would rather follow you through ice and snow than rest upon the softest pillow in the warmest home in all the land, for you are my god and I am your devoted worshiper.

Keep my pan filled with fresh water, for although I should not reproach you were it dry, I cannot tell you when I suffer thirst. Feed me clean food, that I may stay well, to romp and play and do your bidding, to walk by your side, and stand ready, willing and able to protect you with my life should your life be in danger.

And, beloved master, should the great Master see fit to deprive me of my health or sight, do not turn me away from you. Rather hold me gently in your arms as skilled hands grant me the merciful boon of eternal rest - and I will leave you knowing with the last breath I drew, my fate was ever safest in your hands.

The Bad City girl

I've seen many of my friends and cousins who are born and brought up in cities but when it comes to their decision of getting married, they'll always come home to Goa and choose a girl from a not so modern Goan family!

The same applies to all religions , casts and communities. ( Finally something on which all Indians regardless of caste, religion- behave similarly!)

If the boy and his family are abroad, they'll fly down to India to search for that perfect, simple , well groomed, well educated Indian girl!

But why? Why does the city boy need a simple village girl?
And what is wrong with the city girls?

I've heard most boys/ grooms and now happily married men( who got married to a girl from their hometown) say that the city girls are bad!

" First and foremost, They've done everything!"

Everybody nod their heads!

"They dont have respect for anybody and they are chalu! They've some crazy expectations too!"

" Really? How can you generalise like that? And what do you mean by they've done everything? You are a city boy, so you must have done everything too!"

Everybody smiles, a few laughs here and there- " But that is alright!"

Ohh! If the boy does " Everything" , it is alright. so in conclusion should I say that:
A. City boys are hypocrites
B. They are MCP's.
C. They dont have the confidence to keep up with a girl's expectations, so they rather run to the pavilion then bat in the heat!

Why are conclusions always drawn about girls?

I have friends who are born and brought up In Mumbai, who are virgins ( cause for an Indian boy,the world starts and ends with 1 word- virginity!)

And I also have friends staying in the most remotest of villages of Goa, and in some other villages of Maharashtra, who are not virgins! I will go a step ahead and add that I know girls from the most respectable families who are not virgins, But you wont doubt a thing about them, because they seem to be so simple!

A city hardly provides the privacy for a young girl to have affairs, unless her parents have kept no track on her! Most respectable families in the city have strict rules for their girls. Most of the times, the girls you see swaying in the discs- drunk, around the metro's are outsiders- who are there cause they are either studying or working!

Compare to this the case of a village! Its not crowded and there are plenty of places you can have privacy and nobody will know! Many times, village parents are not very strict because they are naive. the girls are naive too, probably that is the reason they hook up at an early age!

City girls have to be chalu because they are living in an extremely fast world! They've to be sharpar and naturally grow up to learn about self protection earlier then their village counterparts.

If we take the case of television exposure, then we all know that the TV is everywhere!

I didnt start the post thinking I want people to think bad of a village girl! I myself am neither from a village nor from a city! What I want to stress is on the way people tag girls at every level!

City girl, Not married girl, working girl- divorced girl...............All these girls are always blamed for anything that might be going wrong in theirs or others lives!

And its the women who start this!
Its the mother of the boy who brought up her son to think this way!
Its always a woman gossiping and spreading rumors about another woman's daughter!
Its always the woman who love to divide and rule!

Friday, July 24, 2009

The Best Professionals List

A professional Attitude is a rare skill I find in Goa. You end up paying people for below expectation services. They talk a lot, and give you an impression that you are in the best hands.....But Alas! On top of all this, if you question them about the kind of job they've done, they get offended!

So it becomes even more important to ackowledge those who do their job with utmost sincerity and who are an asset to the society!

The Best Professionals : 1st :

I keep several pets, and me and my Mum are able to take care of 3 dogs and 2 cats because we have a wonderful pet doctor! Dr. Jenny Viegas and her Husband Dr. Aneesh Viegas! Getting a good vet is really a difficult task. My aunt who stays in Mumbai took her cat to one of the best known doctor there, and he messed up the whole thing! It was the most common operation to spay the cat, God knows what the doctor did, within a few months the cat gave birth to 3 kittens!
My aunt was worried as to which organ of the cat the doctor actually removed if not the uterus.

I've spayed all my female pets, and not once after the operation/surgery have I had to worry about the pet!

Last month, my doctor was out of station for a month or so and me and mum were forced to consult a new doctor in the area. This too was a doctor couple! This new doctor , one Mrs Radhika Rao mislead me so much into a simple hair loss treatment of my 13 year old dog and made me pay a hafty Rs. 1800 for the treatment! The problem could be easily solved with a medicated bath, regular brushing and a multi vitamin for better coat!( actual cost Rs.500 max)

Most of these kind of people become doctors to make money, they have no respect nor any understanding of a pet owner. Every pet owner does not want to send his pet for a spa treatment , nor does he build a special A/C room just for his foreign breed dog!

Keeping a pet need not be a costly affair. Some people want to sell us products we dont need, and when a doctor is involved in such a business, its really cheap!

Best Professionals : 2nd:

My dance teacher, Ms. Lalan Desai! She's a worshipper of the art of dance and you can make out from the way she teaches dance, that she genuinely wants you to be a good dancer! There is no malice just simple art! This is so rare these days. There is so much competition, jealousy and rivalry that most teachers are least interested in the genuine teaching experience!

Getting a great teacher, someone who can guide you well is a rare chance!

Best Professional : 3rd:

Her name is Jabel! She works on our farms and also gives a helping hand for any other work if needed. She's always on time, never talks too much, Works efficiently and never complaints!

We all know how hard it is now a days to get servants and maids, and in this difficult world, Jabel comes as a breath of fresh air!

I love working with her, having her to help me in any work means that I am totally tension free! She always wears a beautiful smile and her work is tip top!

All these people listed above are thorough professionals! Their pay rolls, education and almost everything is uncomparable! But there is 1 skill where they are unbeatable- Their attitude at work place! No compromise, and total value for money!

There is so much to learn from everybody around. Jabel proves to the world that no matter what job you do, if you do it with utmost sincerity, it is always appreciated!

A heart felt THANK YOU to all these wonderful professionals!

The Secret Admirers

Every girl at least secretly wishes she has one!

I dont know about the male opinion on this issue..... but like every girl, even I find the whole concept of a secret Admirer highly fascinating.

Throughout school, I watched some of my close and beautiful girl friends receive letters and mails from their secret admirers! And I always yearned for that day when I would get the mail of my secret admirer!

Days passed by and it never happened in school!

When I reached higher secondary, there was a guy who passed messages to me through a friend of mine. Wolla! I was so damn excited! Here it is, finally happening! After a couple of weeks, the common friend decided it was time the 2 of us met.

I couldnt sleep the night before thinking this must be my true love, my dream boy! His language was beautiful and so was his poetry!

My head took a major shock the day I met him! No! He wasnt ugly or anything like that. In fact he was quite normal and well educated and intelligent! But I had lived in my dream world for far too long. My imagination just couldnt keep up with the reality facing me. I didnt know from where to flee the "supposed date"!

After that experience, I got up from my dream world! I somehow never could feel excited about the "secret admirers" again.

The whole thing can be quite scary actually! The secret admirer is a person who doesnt have the guts to come and approach you, he doesnt want to show himself because he's scared! that shows his self confidence is very low!


Strange as it may sound, every year I have 1 so called secret admirer mailing me- He never tells his identity! I never reply to his messages! Nor do I ever go to ask for his identity! He plainly wishes me on my B'day and on Valentines Day!

Let the mystery remain a mystery. For I know when it unfolds itself, its not as beautiful as I imagine it to be! The whole idea that somebody somewhere likes me and thinks of me is very reassuring! There's always so much fun in "not knowing" some things. After sometime, I know it will all stop! But till it continues, Let my secret admirer be the secret of my life!

Thursday, July 23, 2009

Why I Lie

I dont remember when was the 1st time I lied and what was the lie..... But once you know that you can lie and get away with it, you enter a very different world!

Everybody lies, for good or for bad... but everyone does it!

" Janaki, where is your homework?" Asked my History teacher in 9th std. She was the one who loaded her students with homework. 25 questions everyday ( mostly on the history I never wanted to learn in my life eg. World War 1 , 2 and all that shit created by the western countries!)

My sister was always a ranker in school and it was greater than a religious duty of mine to preserve her notebooks carefully! They were all the guidance I needed. My sister had written every question and answer in her most beautifully carved handwriting, that I always felt it was a waste of time for me to copywrite it. So I never ever did any homework.

The 1st thing that pops up in my mind when she stares down at me is " Teacher, My homework is at home!"

But come on...... " My Notebook is lost for the past couple of days!"

This solved all my problems! the next couple of weeks I was supposedly searching for my book which never existed, and then I started scribbling on a new notebook some homework, which was now not needed. My teacher, having got bored with my quick answers stopped asking me about the homework.

Lying is an art I perfected at school!

Why?
Because studies never interested me, add to that the boring techniques our teachers ( not all though) use to impart knowledge in our heads!

Why?
Cause people preferred my lies to all the truths I held very close to my heart!

Why?
This is a world of lies! Nobody wants to know the truth about you!

When I was young and innocent , I always spoke the truth. When it came to the question of making a career, I wanted to be a conductor, a cooker ( meaning a cook), A teacher! All the jobs I got to watch and which I loved! My parents laugh out on it, not objecting as they know I'll soon change my mind!

I grow a bit older, " What do you want to do after 10th Janaki?"

I impulsively blurt out a truth I'd never said to anybody before, " I want to join Fine Arts and get into film making!"

I see blank stares at me, big eyes and silent mouths.... as If I'd told the biggest lie in the world! Why do people react so badly to the biggest truth in my life? I wonder!!
Different people tell me how bad my choice is, and that I should listen to my parents!

I end up listening to my parents , I end up living a lie!



Nothing good ever happened out of living a lie!

That is why I reserve all the lies to the world and all the truths to myself!
All that I need to be happy, to feel blissful are the truths about my life.... I know what I want, what I need...... To the world I am someone else, To myself I am the Real Me!

5 Minutes Management Course

Lesson 1

A man is getting into the shower just as his wife is finishing up her shower, when the doorbell rings.
The wife quickly wraps herself in a towel and runs downstairs.
When she opens the door, there stands Bob, the next-door neighbor.
Before she says a word, Bob says, 'I'll give you $800 to drop that towel.'
After thinking for a moment, the woman drops her towel and stands naked in front of Bob, after a few seconds, Bob hands her $800 and leaves.
The woman wraps back up in the towel and goes back upstairs.
When she gets to the bathroom, her husband asks, 'Who was that?'
'It was Bob the next door neighbor,' she replies.
'Great,' the husband says, 'did he say anything about the $800 he owes me?'

Moral of the story

If you share critical information pertaining to credit and risk with your shareholders in time, you may be in a position to prevent avoidable exposure.
________________________________________

Lesson 2

A priest offered a Nun a lift.
She got in and crossed her legs, forcing her gown to reveal a leg.
The priest nearly had an accident.
After controlling the car, he stealthily slid his hand up her leg.
The nun said, 'Father, remember Psalm 129?'
The priest removed his hand. But, changing gears, he let his hand slide up her leg again.
The nun once again said, 'Father, remember Psalm 129?'
The priest apologized 'Sorry sister but the flesh is weak.'
Arriving at the convent, the nun sighed heavily and went on her way.
On his arrival at the church, the priest rushed to look up Psalm 129. It said, 'Go forth and seek, further up, you will find glory.'

Moral of the story

If you are not well informed in your job, you might miss a great opportunity.
________________________________________

Lesson 3

A sales rep, an administration clerk, and the manager are walking to lunch when they find an antique oil lamp.
They rub it and a Genie comes out.
The Genie says, 'I'll give each of you just one wish.'
'Me first! Me first!' says the admin clerk. 'I want to be in the Bahamas , driving a speedboat, without a care in the world.'
Puff! She's gone.
'Me next! Me next!' says the sales rep. 'I want to be in Hawaii , relaxing on the beach with my personal masseuse, an endless supply of Pina Coladas and the love of my life.'
Puff! He's gone.
'OK, you're up,' the Genie says to the manager.
The manager says, 'I want those two back in the office after lunch.'

Moral of the story

Always let your boss have the first say.
________________________________________

Lesson 4

An eagle was sitting on a tree resting, doing nothing.
A small rabbit saw the eagle and asked him, 'Can I also sit like you and do nothing?'
The eagle answered: 'Sure, why not.'
So, the rabbit sat on the ground below the eagle and rested. All of a sudden, a fox appeared, jumped on the rabbit and ate it.

Moral of the story

To be sitting and doing nothing, you must be sitting very, very high up.

________________________________________

Lesson 5

A turkey was chatting with a bull.
'I would love to be able to get to the top of that tree' sighed the turkey, 'but I haven't got the energy.'
'Well, why don't you nibble on some of my droppings?' replied the bull. They're packed with nutrients.'
The turkey pecked at a lump of dung, and found it actually gave him enough strength to reach the lowest branch of the tree.
The next day, after eating some more dung, he reached the second branch..
Finally after a fourth night, the turkey was proudly perched at the top of the tree.
He was promptly spotted by a farmer, who shot him out of the tree.

Moral of the story

Bull Shit might get you to the top, but it won't keep you there.
________________________________________

Lesson 6

A little bird was flying south for the winter. It was so cold the bird froze and fell to the ground into a large field.
While he was lying there, a cow came by and dropped some dung on him.
As the frozen bird lay there in the pile of cow dung, he began to realize how warm he was.
The dung was actually thawing him out!
He lay there all warm and happy, and soon began to sing for joy.
A passing cat heard the bird singing and came to investigate.
Following the sound, the cat discovered the bird under the pile of cow dung, and promptly dug him out and ate him.

Morals of the story
(1) Not everyone who shits on you is your enemy.
(2) Not everyone who gets you out of shit is your friend.
(3) And when you're in deep shit, it's best to keep your mouth shut!


THUS ENDS THE FIVE MINUTE MANAGEMENT COURSE
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