Heaven was always just few KM away!!

They say there are some days in your life that you cherish till you die…..I just happened to witness two of such days! I was among those lucky few thousand people who witnessed the storm called “Viru” and India’s highest ever Test Match score.

The atmosphere at Brabourne Stadium was absolutely electrifying and its wait of 36 years for international Cricket certainly ended with best possible match. I was at North Stand; don’t think I am being biased but for two days I was there, it was 100% most noisy, boisterous and wild stand. The spectators were in total frenzy when Viru was batting. The chants of Viru-Viru were deafening. For those who had come to watch India’s batting it was pure ecstasy. If you don’t like cricket…..just come to enjoy pure unadulterated joy…If you like fun then stadium is a place to go and watch the game. When the debate is on as to poor crowd turnout…..I think people like me who have been watching the game on TV don’t even get 10% of the thrill, because to watch Sunil Gavaskar and Ravi Shastri from mere few feet is all together different experience.

The facilities at Brabourne were also amazing. The pitch now in its fifth day has also held up very well. And the stadium is one of the finest.

If the first day was a frenzy then second day was total mayhem and anarchy. The queue for tickets was up to Eros. All the people who had come to watch Viru’s triple century were totally saddened but as Viru left…..The God himself appeared….and the frenzy was restored. Believe me to watch Sachin-Dravid in person is all together different experience. You go to the ground and then you will really appreciate the strokes by these geniuses. While going on third day, I prepared myself with, warm water gargles and “haldi” milk, I didn’t not want to be left behind in shouting competition. On the third day, we all were equipped with Flags, banners, posters, whistles, painted faces and the artillery was used heavily. But the crowd was surely of high spirits; even the good fielding from Srilankans was cheered and appreciated. But all this took funny and interesting turn when Dhoni and Zaheer were batting to "normal Test match" standard, the crowd was cheering “Murli-Murli” and to everyone’s delight Zaheer played an ambitious shot to get out. The crowd cheered Murli all the way till Srisanth took guard….that was absolutely hilarious. And the umpire Daryl Harper was amazing entertainer, while the game was slowing down he kept the crowd busy with his antics between the overs. On TV, they don’t show you all this fun.

And towards the closing when Dhoni was hitting all those towering sixes, we didn’t even sit for a second. To witness India’s highest ever total, in person, along with those passionate supporters was something not many are born to witness. Poor Ojha despite his gritty batting was rather unnoticed by the crowd. My only complaint is that food and water were not good quality and at affordable price, but may be that’s not for which we had gone.

My special thanks to Bertie Uncle who made it possible for us to go to the match and enjoy it like heaven!!!!

-N.D.K.Nikhil

Child-Drain Day

To celebrate a day for a cause and that too on the birth anniversary of a National Icon, is one of the best things we have. So like the teachers’ day we are celebrating today the “Children’s Day”. But what are we celebrating?-may be we are not sure of it….and after all the celebrations are only for affluent. So while schools across the country are organizing various functions, many children have not even seen a school from inside and those who are organizing functions-Social Flaunters-are employing child labours…so as they say -life is full of ironies….

My title explains that I am not much enthusiastic about it…..so I just tried to recollect news about children-what did I remember- a school bus in Panvel catches fire and kids succumb to fatal wounds, Domestic child labour brutally beaten, count-less cases of children harassment at home, school and at work place(!), worms in Mid-Day meals, Cartoon Channel stops telecasting so that children can go out and play, teacher shaves head of student cause he did not wear proper uniform, Government passes Right to Education and bail application of some psychic paedo rejected…What are we really celebrating here…they say you cant think with empty stomach, I think it should not be a reference to welfare at least.

Recent movies have highlighted various plights of children notably Page 3, Traffic Signal, TZP and SDM. But what has really changed in our attitude? A young boy comes to my house to deliver newspaper, another comes to deliver groceries, even to collect raddi paper and the best one -to collect kachra and I am here writing about children abuse and welfare!!!

As legal citizens of India we have innumerable rights but what about our future citizens? So the Punching Bag comes with Right to Education-without adequate infrastructure….Forget about the underprivileged kids, their agony is beyond Ishwar’s Kripa Drishti but even the children of affluent class are facing “interesting” problems. The kids are grown up at crèche, what kind of children they are expected to become? Children glued to cartoons’ channels what about them? Makes me wonder even after reading in the newspapers and watching on TV which one of our politicians-nowadays even children are hired to campaign in elections-is going to take cognizance of all this?

As for underprivileged children, they have plights of their own, illiterate parents having no income always use them as shields to combat poverty. One child at traffic signal can earn up to Rs. 100-150 average daily….Now that’s not any meager income. Just do a simple math and you will realize racket behind this (a scene in SDM where kids are trained and tortured …rings bell?) I read recently – a traffic signal is given as a dowry in wedding. There are many selfless NGOs working towards this cause but people like us who turn blind eye should seriously think about this. Children of sex workers are another serious issue which we are not even aware of and so they are reduced to “exciting” cover stories for “Children’s Day” special magazines.

Child abuse is a serious and yet neglected issue. Tiny hands of tiny children craft expensive sarees so that some Page 3 social workers can flaunt them with style. All those PeTA supporting actresses should definitely be questioned on this. And worst of all is sexual abuse of children-mere statistics will make you palpitate. Over 50% of the abuse in this case is domestic and largely unreported-Now that’s an eye opener…but again this is an open secret in our society for ages (Amar Meyebela by Taslima Nasrin and Bitter Chocolate by Pinki Virani)

But what simply baffles me that those very people who can understand these facts are making their children suffer gruesomely….Watch TZP and one will realize many similarities at home. The other thing which always bothers me is use of child artists in TVs and movies. Nowadays just about everywhere children give out their best performances to please worthy judges and greedy parents. Which takes me to the physically and mentally challenged- special kids-they are not different than us but rather one better. With all wisdom, intelligence and physical power it’s our choice not to use it rationally and they have not even been bestowed with this option.

Children are sensitive to their surroundings and we all adults create those surroundings. So I guess its not much debate about our responsibility but its only of acting on that responsibility. Wikipedia says Congress is trying to gain mileage by making Nehru’s Anniversary as Children’s Day…..Well debate is always open…..But Nehru despite his involvement in freedom fight nurtured one of the brightest child prodigy and perhaps the best post independence leaders- Indira….If all the parents can take a leaf out of those very letters ….we will definitely have brighter tomorrow…..

N.D.K. Nikhil

“Pedestrian Mannerisms”

One of my best friends in college times used to love driving. I did not follow his passions then as I didn’t know driving …but now I can understand why many simply love driving….its something which can really take your fun “long way”!!

Well, so as I am inside the vehicle and driving I will give my biased view of a driver about pedestrians outside….

In our country potholes are biggest deterrent to enjoy the driving but to me equally bad are the pedestrians…..for once we have footpaths ………and it always eludes me why cant we use them. Now I know a lot of footpaths have encroachments but then is it an excuse to walk on the roads which are meant for vehicles? While crossing one should be using “Zebra Crossing” but we rarely have them on crossings, so basic issue here, will always be neglected. Also the punching bag (the Perfect Government), is to be blamed for not having enough sub-ways. In Thane at Teen Hat Naka, I think there is one of the biggest crossings in Mumbai, but for last so many years we have not been able to envisage a sub-way there. An unfinished sub-way at Nitin Company, which is also a risky crossing, may get completed precisely when next elections are in the corner.

There are a lot of things that should be tought at school level but unfortunately they are not…but to me there are a some things that can be learnt through common sense. I have constantly observed parents walking on the road who keep their children towards the flowing traffic…. Well it may sound cruel but it reminds me a story of “Akbar-Birbal and a Monkey” but again common sensical part here is- how do we assume children to know anything when their parents are totally ignorant about it? Vehicles are constantly keeping their eyes on traffic signals and their count-downs. But how many of us keep eyes on traffic signal while crossing? That’s one of the ways to make road crossings simpler. Why is that we always over-estimate our abilities? Ask those who run while road crossing. What’s the point in challenging the speed of the vehicle….I have always observed while we cross all of us eagerly look at the vehicle speeding towards us but we hardly ever see that behind approaching vehicle there is hardly any traffic. So why not control our ego for a while and cross the road in peace? (And in one piece also)

Recently there was a vexatious order by Mumbai RTO, which banned usage of mobile by drivers completely- that can be separate topic-Likewise there can be a similar order for walkers also. What’s so important to talk when a vehicle is fatally approaching us? Why we want to rely on drivers’ brakes rather than our own sense and judgement? But the main concern is when parents are carrying their children…..have you ever seen a parent literally dragging a child while road crossing? Why to risk the life of your child if you can be wiser? I have always wondered what effect children would be having sub-consciously on their minds when they witness elders’ behaviour. But the most annoying thing as a driver –when you honk to remind walkers of their duties, the walkers give best to give you their glaring looks. Now that’s always a funny site.

Also I would like to add bicyclists in the list of “pedestrians”, as by RTO rules they are not suppose to hold any driving license. But then they sometimes can be huge nuisance. There are people carrying huge loads on the back of their bicycles….and ultimately they end up loosing balance of the bicycle and cause traffic jam. Also school students who ride bicycles must be trained properly to understand traffic rules. They should be issued some sort licenses which will not only smoothen traffic but also will help in case of accident as a proof of identification and blood group. Now I am well aware of “Administrative Difficulties” but then if something is warranted then we have to take initiatives.

A departure from main topic but equally important issue of crossings is of Railway Crossings – the casualties in this case are more and the entire issue is very grave but basic question is left unanswered. What’s more important than our own life which can’t wait for 5-10 minutes?

Now, I am not at all saying drivers are the saner among two, when I am a walker there are certain things that strike me really hard. As drivers, there are certain rules that we must follow even they are not written in the law books. It doesn’t really hurt our time schedule if we let senior citizens, parents carrying children and physically and mentally challenged people cross road in peace. When we are nearby schools and hospitals, there bound to be traffic, so it’s our responsibility to see that students and patients cross safely.

Our Government can do a lot to insure the safety on roads but some unwritten rules can make everyone even safer…………..

N.D.K. Nikhil

“Don’t play with Fire”

One of my best friends always says “it’s not enough to just pinpoint the deficiencies in our ‘system’, but more important is what we do to change ‘the system’.”

Well, I can realize it the most, as I witnessed the horror show in Thane on the morning of 18 October. Six brave fire –fighters lost their lives in the middle of the Diwali-ironically festival of light.

We always criticize our Government but this time I have no words for it. After the whole tragedy our city- apart from posters of ‘the Social Workers’ – did not really take notice of the tragedy. And we continued as if nothing has happened, I really don’t know what will be the event which will transform our society.

And it was sickening to read in the newspapers that the firefighters were not properly trained. What we give a miss here is that those firefighters are slightly better trained than normal citizens and despite of this they show remarkable courage to enter into area to exhaust the fire.

As usual there is only one common problem here ‘The Government’ and this time it’s Municipal Corporation of Thane. When everyone is shamelessly talking about the use of the lift by the firefighters, who will question TMC? When we have a 10 storey skylift with TMC run fire station, how do we sanction the 14 storey buildings?

For a city of 20 lakh, we have only 5 fire stations. Sixth one inaugurated last year still waiting for equipments and personnel. Whereas standard is one station per lakh of population. There are mere 250 personnel to cover area of over 150 sq km. Thane who boasts one of the biggest Industrial areas in Wagle Estate…..The fire station here could collapse any time.

Let’s look at the questions raised after these incidents and their possibly justifiable answers. Q: Why fire-fighters used the building lift? Ans: Skylift could reach as high as 10 storeys. So logically, quickest way had to be the lift. Q: Despite the training, how did they stifle in the lift? Ans: firefighters were last trained 20 years ago on how to open a lift. Q: Why they did not communicate to any of their counterparts? Ans: they were not supplied the basic equipments like hammer, torch and walkie-talkie. And the best of all- Q: How did no one realize earlier they were missing? Ans: There was no Supervising Officer available on night shift. To sum up all- One of the most important departments is left to God’s mercy. The moaning will always be common so really don’t feel like repeating it. But the question is when are we all going to learn lessons and get wiser? If simple routine inspections of all buildings are carried on….the flaws in the fire safety would be diagnosed very early. But the important point here is that of “the root cause”, the fire in the first place was caught because of a cracker- a rocket. I think the time has come to officially educate everyone on how and how much to burst crackers. Is someone going to book the person responsible for causing fire? How many of us are aware of necessary actions be taken when a fire breaks out. It’s very often that when a fire or any such accidents take place, stampede and panic attacks are very common.

We are never shy of questioning the Government Servants for their poor attitude and even poorer work ethics. But we always neglect the fact that they have to work with the primitive infrastructure and that too inadequate. The issues which bother us as common citizens hurt them with equal venom.

Our Army men, Policemen and Firefighters are among the bravest in the world. Even with insufficient resources they give us the best results. To the memories of six brave men who made our eyes wet but their courage will always keep our head high.

-N.D.K. Nikhil

Diwali Special.........

The word “punctuality” looses all its significance on this blog. So this is our Diwali Special….Hope u had safe and environment friendly Diwali……..

This Diwali was largely important on the backdrop of State Assembly Elections in 3 states but I will focus on Maharashtra Elections.

This Elections were very important for the ruling Coalition as they have a good opportunity to consolidate on their Lok Sabha triumph. Also the emergence of third front, independents- many rebels and talking point of state at the National level-MNS. But I’m not any political expert so I will try to look at all this from a common citizen’s totally biased vision...

Its funny that our memory is terribly short lived so when respected P.M. campaigns in Maharashtra, he says “to continue” progress elect Congress. Well, as someone who has in last five years become legal citizen, I feel funny when I visited neighbour state Gujarat.

Well, after all progress and development is improvement in Infrastructure, Law and Order, Education and Economic Prosperity. Now if these are the major criteria of progress so there is no space to debate Maharashtra’s Progress.

As a common citizen of Maharashtra it baffles me what has the Government has done in last 10 years….if these are the indices of development at least visually there is no progress to be seen and even if there is RTI access to Goverment files is still not that easy. I will try to put up my points on each of them…

1. Infrastructure : The major project Maharashtra has seen “recently” was Mumbai-Pune Express Highway and webs of Flyovers in Mumbai, but then it was all commenced in Shivsena-BJP reign. Even the much talked about Bandra-Worli Sea Link was envisaged in that period only. So as the population of Mumbai-Maharashtra is burgeoning where is the planning to start next big projects? It is all in tug of war between MMRDA and other many city planning corporations.

What MHADA has really done for common people to build residences? When private builders are busy building just about everywhere why our Government Agencies can’t match them in pace…..

And the major problem which now everyone’s aware is- “Electricity” Mumbai is suppose to be Economic Capital of our Country (!) and it is simple, plain stupidity that an order of the Court is supplying it electricity 24/7. Lets not get into the price of electricity; the main issue is of its supply. Its simple outrage that not long back Politicians and a respected Committee said that Maharashtra will have surplus power and we don’t require any power plants. But as my Kaka once said, it’s a simple math-Industrial output of power consuming articles can tell you about the power we would require. May be politicians should be taught simple arithmetic. The conditions of towns and villages just 50 Km away from Mumbai is left to God’s mercy.

And come every election we have “Common” minimal agenda of Roads, Water, Power, Education and new addition- the Reservation

2. Law and Order: The law and order had been satisfactory up until recently. I say so because “normal” terror attacks, security of women, robberies and thefts are now assumed everywhere. But all that was shattered last November when terrorists attacked Mumbai. There was general pandemonium in the whole system and it led to mockery of the entire system when our ATS chief among others was shot dead. That day made us aware about our vulnerability to attacks. But the sheer courage of our Policemen, Commandos and others rescued us all from even major disaster. The subsequent enquiry and judicial trial are still going on.

And when elections were near and Naxalites killed our policemen not a single politician came out scathing so-called Justice Seekers. The very people of this country who are at war with this country are being sympathized with often ridiculous logic.

3. Education: I have always thought that, as much as Government has failed in our Country to spread effective education, the willingness and sheer determination of people have always countered it. So the performance in education was never something to brag about-so in an attempt to prove you are doing something, you simply make a fool out of yourself. I was a full supporter of 90:10 Quota (http://nykhil.blogspot.com/2009/06/9010-quota-justice-finally.html), but then our able Government failed even to defend this novel idea. But worse was yet to come……Our Government suffered humiliating fiasco with online admissions of Class 11. With whole system in jeopardy it sank to all time to low with introduction of ATKT for Clas 11 admissions, and once again cure was found without addressing the root cause.

4. Economic Prosperity: May be the combination of all the above factors culminates in Economic Prosperity- perhaps most vital indicator in today’s times. But when we have miserably failed on all the fronts, what will be the final result? So when our neighbours Gujarat and Karnataka are making progress in all the departments and newly formed States are on full throttle, what is it making us stay behind in the race? Political will power? Well, Union Power Minister is from Maharashtra, Agriculture Minister is from Maharashtra, for good(!) length of time- no pun intended- Home Minister was from Maharashtra-may be that sums up all.

So with this backdrop it was funny to see hardly any anti-incumbency factor. May be all of us have resigned to our future or would have come out and at least voted would have voted. For a city of Mumbai and its suburbs less than 50% turn out is not sign of responsible citizens, is it?

Among all this turmoil may be we will finally learn that “voting” is not our privilege or right but it’s a first responsibility we have to towards our future………..

-N.D.K. NIKHIL

This was dedicated to our brave Fire Fighters who lost their lives in Thane -fighting to keep us safe……In festival of lights this was indeed the darkest chapter we have witnessed….May Ishwar give families of Martyrs all the strength to endure this great loss……

A Decade after…..

It is said that all of us have selective memory and even worse a short lived one….A decade in terms of History is not a huge time gap but as we are selective and weak, we have almost forgotten 26^th July 1999. The day when we were 10 years younger and the day which made Farhan Akhtar and Hrithik Roshan even more famous- How? It inspired the movie “Lakshya”

July 26, 1999 was one of the Golden Leaves in the history of independent India. The day when we re-claimed our land from the clutches of Pakistani Army. Our tigers bet their lives to re-claim one of the most dangerous and strategically important lands of our country. Many of our brave soldiers gave away their lives, many were wounded and many would never return to back to the battle field. But as usual we have forgotten the sacrifice they have made, so that we can live peacefully and enjoy dramatic war coverage from our living rooms.

Well, I don’t claim to be someone who is deeply patriotic because I am not much different than any ordinary Indian citizen. We are so busy in our chores that it never crosses our minds that our safety is only because of the brave men who are protecting our borders day and night. It never occurs to us that we owe something to these men of honour. But none the less, today all over the country martyrs are remembered in various ceremonies by ministers, MPs and politicians. They should just answer a simple question –how many of them have let their sons and daughters join the Armed Forces? And also some rich and famous humanitarians will arrange the candle marches just to grab vantage point on the most coveted Page 3. It’s nothing but frightening that this is our state where we are not even bothered about things that affect our lives so much. Its only when we as a nation are in calamity we discover and re-discover our patriotism.

So what is the morale of the story- Well our apathy always comes back to haunt us. The result is all of our elected representatives and its no wonder that Mumbai attack should happen. We don’t stop fighting for 50 paisa but we forget to fight for our own “free” rights. Our Constitution has given us unlimited benefits, its shame that we are forgetting to pay a little price!!

My humble tributes to our brave tigers who fought, conquered and made us even more proud!!!

N.D.K. Nikhil

Sibbal Education?

HRD Minister Kapil Sibbal has pitched for uniform examination at national level to reduce trauma of students of 10^th grade. It makes you wonder why we have to take decisions whichnever touch deeper aspects of issues?

People are crying foul about hazards of Board Exams. But why don’t we address the true problems. Is our standard of the education good enough? Is our standard of education keeping pace with the lightening changes? Are teachers all over India providing same standard of education? Well, answers to all this questions are definitely negative. So why to provide only ostentatious relief without recognizing real and deeper problems?

We have to first radically reform our education system. We have to enrich our students with better knowledge then only we can test them with better exams.

- N.D.K. Nikhil

Nilekani’s New ID!

The need for the Universal IDs throughout India was felt for a long time now. And finally, the Government has acted. Not only we have some initiative from the Government but the head of the project is one of the best brains of our country. Nandan Nilekani has done the country proud. It just makes us aware that even the corporates of our country are socially responsible. The corporates of our country are not some money hungry and anti-national forces but are readily willing to share national responsibilities. Just imagine how much better it will be if top brains of our country are employed to serve the country. The PM has taken one of the best decisions of his tenure.

The project will help to weed out Bangladeshi living illegitimately, fake ration cards, better statistics at national level. But more importantly it will help tackle issue of money laundering head-on.

Let’s hope finally our country will employ professionals to solve our problems.

-N.D.K. Nikhil

90:10 Quota: Justice finally!!!!!!

90:10 Quota: Justice finally!!!!!!

Quotas always invite some controversies…….it just matters which side of the coin you are watching.

When Government announced 90:10 quota in FYJC admissions it was regarded as populist announcement, with the elections in next few months, it is claimed Maharashtra Government is trying to woo “Marathi” voters!

So, our discussion point is how far this quota is fair? I am an avid advocate of quotas in all their forms except employment and higher education. The quota of 90:10 is definitely fair.

Why-

1. The interests of the in-house students should always come first.
2. This reservation is not parochial; why not take admission in Non-Maharashtra Board even for higher education?
3. The examination pattern is definitely tilted in CBSE/ICSE students’ favour.
4. Lenient checking of Non-SSC Boards against stricter checking of SSC Board.
5. Best of 5 gives unjustified edge to Non-SSC students.
6. SSC Board students face 3 language papers against 2 for Non-SSC Board.
7. When parents are willing to pay lacs of rupees on schooling then what stops them in sending their children in Non-SSC colleges?
8. If the standard of SSC is poor, then at college level why would anyone prefer Maharashtra Board over Non-Maharashtra Board?

The reasons above represent prima-facie case of SSC students.

But, the reason my attention was drawn on this issue as 26/11 war hero- a Maharashtrian signed petition against the quota. In a comment, a principal said during 26/11 no one thought of being Maharashtrian and Non-Maharashtrian. Now, I think this is all misunderstanding and misquoting the facts. Is it that Maharashtra Government is forcing Non-SSC Board schools to forcibly admit SSC students-“No”. The only reason I can see here is that in-house students, now that means either from vernacular medium or not, should be assured of their seats. Is it that Maharashtra Government has tried to help only vernacular medium students?-“NO”. So where is the question of being Maharashtrian or not?

Even the proportion of 90:10 is more than balanced. There are over 15 lac SSC students against merely 15 thousand of Non-SSC Board. So where is the injustice? One thing I agree, the Government should have declared the decision much earlier to avoid unnecessary burden to students, as a result now they will be dragged in unnecessary delay.

I am strongly in favour of 90:10 quota system. Those who do not agree should better find colleges outside Maharashtra to please their own better standard.

My heartiest congratulations to all those who have successfully cleared Board Examinations (irrespective of their Boards)!!!!

NB: IIT had to keep aside more than 1000 reserved seats, as the students are not good enough!! Well, we can argue both sides here. But, isn’t it a national waste and national tragedy? All these seats could have benefited needed and talented youth of our country.

Links:

http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/articleshow/msid-4694288.cms

http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/Pune/10-quota-may-suffice-for-non-SSC-students/articleshow/4698910.cms

http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/articleshow/msid-4698957.cms

The French Indian

Bravo!!!!! Leander has done it again!!!!!! Just when we would thought the old magic and charm is fading, Paes has done it again!!! Third French Open title!!! Wow!!!! In 3 set thriller Paes showed glimpses of his genius. But what struck me most was the intensity he showed after winning crucial points during the match and that’s not any rookie, the man has won in all 9 Grand Slams!!!

We Indians tend to be emotional and may be an antidote for it is our short memory. When I was a kid a little rendezvous with sports was our newspaper, even though flooded with our National Sport (!) –cricket; tennis and chess were perhaps freshners.

I don't really recollect when I heard the name “Leander Paes”, but surely it remained there always. Lee, what we call him and Mahesh Bhupati-hesh, the INDIAN EXPRESS has given us many moments to cherish. Their famous celebration style will always be remembered.

I particularly remember when one time Lee had beaten Pete Sampras in singles. That was the moment I will always remember, cause Sampras is the best player I have ever seen. Lee has also given us some amazing moments in Davis Cup ever since he made his debut aged 16!(Yes, that should remind us of Sachin) Who will forget the famous picture of Lee when after a Davis Cup win, Lee was in tears as he carried the Indian flag. Lee also paired with Martina Navratilova to win two Grand Slam titles.

Lee will always be remembered and will be forever in our hearts for his amazing performance in Atlanta Olympics when he won Bronze in singles. The Goa borned maestro had great synchro with Hesh ofcourse winning 3 Grand Slam titles out of Lee's 5.

It was sad to see his downturn last year in February when our Davis Cup team revolted against him, this made his personal relations with Hesh sour which ultimately costed us at least a medal in Beijing Olympics.

I feel age may just catch up with him, but even then this tiger still has a lot of roaring to do!!!!!

But everyone’s attention is on today’s match of Roger Federer, Can Federer finally turn French? Well that’s what all of us are waiting to see…………



-N.D.K. NIKHIL

Anniversary Month!!!!!!!

Time just passes by……..and we notice only when we realize how far we have stayed back. Its surprising to me that the blog is approaching 1st anniversary . At the beginning of the year I had mentioned posts which will be posted and to my credit I have kept promise to some extent.

Coming very soon is “political apathy” I was thinking to post it before voting in Mumbai but now I feel its good that I postponed (accidentally). The turn-out of the voters tells the story on its own. So the detailed post is coming very soon. Now that I am in anniversary month there will be couple of more articles that I plan to post.

Very recently I read a book about “Israel-Palestine issue” it’s very similar to our condition in Indian subcontinent. And indeed there are lots of things we can learn from Jews.

It had been a long time the blog was not accessed so I thought lets add something to internet. There was nothing special really that I wanted to add apart from the fact that “show should be started now very urgently”

Also tonight is a big night as Gunners and Red Devils meet at Emirates.

Lets hope the elections give us strong and stable Government.


N.D.K.Nikhil

It’s not “Child’s Play”

I follow the time very meticulously! So I take this opportunity to congratulate the Oscar winners. I was indeed surprised by few of the awards –Best Supporting Actress, Sound Mixing (!) and of course the big win Best Actor, but I don’t think I am a person with requisite knowledge to comment any further ( this is rarity). But the topic of discussion here is a different one. One of the images of the Oscars was the children of SDM- smiling confidently amongst the biggest stars on the Earth.

But no sooner did the honeymoon of the Oscars was over, there started circulating news of the abuse of child artists. One the children was beaten by his father because he refused to present himself to ever thirsty media! So how much our child artists are artists themselves?

Our film industry has seen many child artists who have gone on to become successful actors themselves (Aamir Khan, Padmini Kolhapure, Jugal Hansraj, Aaftab Shivdasani)
even singers like the great(est) Lataji had started as a child artist. In sports we have none other than Sachin Tendulkar who rocked the world at tender age of seventeen! But the question here is have we not learnt anything from TZP? Nowadays we continually watch many reality shows which use USP – the children. There seems to be over exposure to reality shows which use their main performers as children. Even some of the daily soaps have their protagonists as obviously-children.

The trend has been growing recently when parents started giving rather too much attention to the board exams. Children at the tender age of 15-16 are put to enormous pressure of the boards, where parents accomplish their (parents) unfulfilled ambitions through their own children. The performance at these exams is indeed important but is it the end of the world?

When I use to go to play the cricket at the ground, ever enthusiastic parents use to come to the ground to cheer their future Sachin! And we also have on similar lines other parents who have god gift of discovering Lata Mangeshkars, Kishor Kumars and A. R. Rehmans in young kids aged 3 to 4 . The funny incident which all if us must have witnessed when these musicians perform renditions of famous songs in their childish ways!

And the serious side of all is witnessed when these kids are subjected to the “Reality Shows!” even adults don’t have sometimes courage to face failure and even success so why should we expect it from these kids? At the time when they should be learning their trades they are forced to grueling competitions. Who is to be blamed? - Success hungry TV channels, blind parents or ignorant audiences? Well in my opinion all of us share the blame but I feel parents should take major chunk of it. I think performers must be well aware of the art which he\she is performing, so what a young artist would know about say philosophical songs? But the judges in these shows give their remark- “you understood the meaning very well!” It really baffles me what they exactly mean! Even the daily soap which has taken child marriage as a central plot baffles me whether it has been really able to convey that message well? Rather it has raised new issue of abuse of child artists-how ironic!

Even the Government has taken notice of this and had issued a notice to the producers of these shows. I feel terribly sorry for the little kids who are forced to fulfill the wishes of their parents. I think all of us should try to protect the present and the future of these performers. Otherwise, overdose of the competitions at nascent age, we may miss best of their performances of the future.

N.D.K. NIKHIL

Luck by CHOICE.

The new trend in Indian Film Industry is certainly heartwarming. And with LUCK BY CHANCE, we definitely feel that we all are indeed very lucky. The movie is one of the bests movies made recently and certainly the debutante director Zoya Akhtar starts with loud bang!

With an unconventional opening sequence to the amazing climax, the movie keeps you fixed to chair till the very end. Farhan Akhtar delivers another amazing underplay. But the best actor among all is Rishi Kapoor who perfectly performs various shades of bollywood director/producer. Konkana Sensharma as usual at her best. All the actors have done full justice to their roles. But special appreciation to Sanjay Khan who performed role of flopped actor who turns director with the help of his brother, Rishi Kapoor.

The movie presents inside view of our industry and that to a first hand view. Zoya Akhtar’s direction, story and screenplay deserve ten out of ten. The cameo performances by various actors and other members of industry are surprisingly very realistic to their real lives.

The story, acting, lyrics, music all deserve five stars.

N.D.K. Nikhil

P.S. for detailed review I recommend Rajiv Masand -

http://ibnlive.in.com/news/masands-movie-review-luck-by-chance-insightful-funny/84108-8-single.html

India's (?) surge in the Oscars

The Oscars which we all of us have dreamt for years may finally arrive, as this year there are 4 Indian nominations out of which atleast 2 Oscars will be definitely brought home to make it our year. A. R. Rehman, Guljar and Rusel Pookutty surely will bring home the glory!!!!!!!!
The movie of the this time is "Slumdog Millionaire" One of the most engaging and entertaining movies I have ever watched. But with all this, as always have sprung many controversies. From Amitabh Bacchan to NGOs have contributed to the growing debate.

I am not really a fan of the Bhatt Camp but I must tell you, I found myself supporting Mr. Mukesh Bhatt over this issue. Among other things, I think we must understand and appreciate that SM (Copyright Big B) is not an Indian movie. It is a British film, adapted from an Indian novel, shot in India with help of few Indian actors and technicians. I think if we understand that half of the controversies will quell.

As I said, I support Mr. Mukesh Bhatt when he says we should not run after the Oscars, after all they are simply an award given by Westerners to honour their movies. No doubt, the Oscars have their own prestige, honour and glamour. I frequently decide whether to watch a particular movie only on its performance in the Oscars. Having said this, Indian Film industry has its own genre of movies typically what we call MASALA MOVIES. Movies having their own recipe (!) for the story. Back in seventies with the lost memory to typical Govinda and Mithun movies of nineties. Indian films not only have their own class (!) but also their own fanatical fan following all over the world. I support Mr. Bhatt when he says that we don’t need a westerner to tell how to make movies.

The other point being raised is the depiction of the poverty in India and commercially abusing the plight of Indian poverty. The argument would have been quite tenable but one has to understand that the movie is based on the novel of an Indian diplomat, no one accused him then. The only argument which I agree with what if the movie would have been made by an Indian film makers? To this hypothetical question it’s difficult to answer but Indian movies definitely have never got their true rewards at the Oscars, may be we failed at lobbying movies, especially Mother India. But our expert Oscars committee doesn’t help on this either, as it recommends the movies which are just not up to the mark, other wise why would we send Eklavya to Oscars?
Well but having said everything Oscars are indeed the top most honour for any film. Though SM is not the best of works of AR or Guljar ,if they get the award(s) it will be well deserved.

N.D.K. NIKHIL