Its been ages since I posted something on this blog, the reason being ...........hmmmm...... there is none actually....as we say in hindi बस ऐसे ही. To think of it, there are so many words and phrases that we use so routinely in hindi which to go by the meaning of it really doesn't mean anything but conveys the message to the person involved in conversation.
Let me try to put some of them here....
In Delhi one of the most common words that friends use everytime they meet is ...और (aur) which means "and" but then actually means " what's new in life? "
The answer to this by a dilliwala would be "बस" (bas) which really means "enough" but stands to convey " everything's fine".
Another common way of starting any sentence almost always is with " अच्छा" (acchha) which anyone knowing a bit of hindi would know means good but it is actually a way to take a breather to organise your thoughts before conveying them. A favourite word of those desirous of using english in their conversation but still are miles from knowing it well is "means". I can't really tell what they intend to convey by using it, but it definitely tells the other guy that there is still a lot of hardwork required before his friend can sail on the sea of english language.
So,I guess every language has some of the SMS lingo involved in the regular talk and not all the credit can be taken by the invention of cellular phones......don't you think so?
Sunday, July 26, 2009
Sunday, March 1, 2009
PINK SLIPS REQUIRED ....PLEASE!
In times of recession, everybody is talking about cost cutting and saving what they have. I still see a lot of things which no one seems to be talking about but which, in my individual opinion, has nothing to do with growth and can really be put in the background for a while.
Lets start with the game that Indians just can't stop talking about- CRICKET. I really see no difference in the Casinos of LA and the T 20 matches of India - both have something to do with addiction and wastage of money.At least in the casinos, one honestly accepts there is a splurge of money and no one calls it a game of "national importance". Is it not criminal to waste BIG money on individuals playing with bat and ball while every person from Chichpokhli to China is busy trying to generate some cash.
One game that I have never failed to understand is GOLF. I really see nothing logical or interesting in wasting time and large acres of land in trying to put a SMALL ball in an even SMALLER hole situated somewhere in an expanse of a 100 acres!! ABSURD is what I think of this game. Don't those who protest against the SEZ and cry about it eating up the farmer's land think its more of a wastage to let go large acres for such a meaningless sport.
And surely, one sport which has meant only loss in terms of fuel and lives is GRAND PRIX. I don't think any activity which means a meaningless waste of fuel for some Tom, Dick and Harry's passion for speed deserves any sort of recognition and infact, in my opinion, should be declared unlawful . And just think of the number of people who have shamelessly lost their lives trying to follow their dream (rather nightmare!) racing the manmade animals of iron and steel.
I think a fewPINK SLIPS if passed to the above sports can surely save some money in these troubled times!
Lets start with the game that Indians just can't stop talking about- CRICKET. I really see no difference in the Casinos of LA and the T 20 matches of India - both have something to do with addiction and wastage of money.At least in the casinos, one honestly accepts there is a splurge of money and no one calls it a game of "national importance". Is it not criminal to waste BIG money on individuals playing with bat and ball while every person from Chichpokhli to China is busy trying to generate some cash.
One game that I have never failed to understand is GOLF. I really see nothing logical or interesting in wasting time and large acres of land in trying to put a SMALL ball in an even SMALLER hole situated somewhere in an expanse of a 100 acres!! ABSURD is what I think of this game. Don't those who protest against the SEZ and cry about it eating up the farmer's land think its more of a wastage to let go large acres for such a meaningless sport.
And surely, one sport which has meant only loss in terms of fuel and lives is GRAND PRIX. I don't think any activity which means a meaningless waste of fuel for some Tom, Dick and Harry's passion for speed deserves any sort of recognition and infact, in my opinion, should be declared unlawful . And just think of the number of people who have shamelessly lost their lives trying to follow their dream (rather nightmare!) racing the manmade animals of iron and steel.
I think a fewPINK SLIPS if passed to the above sports can surely save some money in these troubled times!
Wednesday, January 28, 2009
Slumdog Thinking!
The whole world is talking about the "slumdog" from India and so naturally I can't resist writing something about it. I think we need to give the whole credit to the American director for having thought of making a movie written by an Indian, based in India and totally done in Bollywood style.After all, how many directors can we think of, from India, who can go to France and make a movie almost fully in French and win the hearts of the people with it.I don't think anyYash Chopra or an Ashitosh Gowarikar would even dare. And even if they did, they would not win the same accolades because the world abroad is a a biased place.Can you imagine a movie called SLUMDOG AMERICA madeby an Indian,making it big in the Oscar circuit and working its way up to getting some 10 nominations in the Academy??? I think we are still a nice 50 years away from something like that happening in this world.
That apart... I have not much positives to talk about this film and the filmmaker.There is really nothing different in this movie for it to be talked about so much. It has the same masala of puppy love, brothers separating to take the good and evil paths and love reigning supreme in the end...........it has BOLLYWOOD written all over...and every Indian has seen this story on the screen and pirated cds and dvds sometime in their lives.Now about the music.... well its good and nice but please... we have heard something closely similar in Khalnayak (just hear ringa ringa and compare it with choli ke peeche). And Rehman has done far better work in his life which did not get noticed earlier because he made it for Indians and for an Indian director.
I am more angry at the fact that a much much better and sensitive movie,Taare Zameen Par(TZP), lost out in the race much earlier because it was an Indian Khan and not an American Boyle who directed it. I bet by now all of you would have seen TZP and I am sure all of you ended up choked and moist eyed at the end of the movie.
Dear judges of the Academy,don't you think a movie which moves you so and makes you think twice before you scold your kid for not doing well in the exams deserves a tag of Oscar rather than some SLUMDOG running in shit to catch an autograph of Superstar Amitabh.I guess, its the slumdog attitude of the Academy of Motion Pictures which makes them appreciate David Boyle's work. They relate the slums and underdevelopment, poverty and cheating to India and when that is shown on the screen.........well, thats worth all the appreciation for them.
I really want your response to this thought. Please don't be silent readers of my blog and do leave a few comments -sweet, salt and bitter... all are welcome :)
Saturday, January 17, 2009
Friday, January 16, 2009
Ten Things Indians Can Do Without!
I was just sitting idle the other day and one thought that suddenly came to me was what is it about us Indians that puts us apart.Well, the mind kept ticking and I then realised there were quite a few things which makes us what we are.
1. Our obsession with the colour white. I don't know what it is with us but the moment we see anyone with fair skin we start oggling and salivating like a hungry dog does on seeing a bone.I think most species have only hatred associated with colour of the skin of people, but for us it is different and that sure puts us apart.
2. Our second obsession is with covering everything .Where in the world would you find so many varieties of sofa covers,dining table covers, car seat covers,remote covers, washing machine covers,TV covers, covers for cell phones..... you name it and we have a cover ready for it.No matter whether we use it or not, WE HAVE TO COVER IT (except for one thing which if covered while at work would do something really good to control the population... sorry for being a bit cheeky ;)) In fact, I think we have more varieties of the covers rather than the product itself.
3. We love BURPING! And the louder it is, the more satisfying it is. I don't know why the person next to you has to suffer because of your passion for food.
4. And this one is thanks to the men alone........ the habit of grabbing their twin jewels in public!The beard and the face isn't enough to let the people know your sex, the signature act is.... the "ball-grabbing" act!
5. And all know kiss and piss story..... no to kissing but yes to pissing in public..... in fact the Indian male bladder is almost passionate about emptying itself in public!
6. Who can forget our obsession with loudspeakers anytime we think of God. I guess, we leave no stones unturned to make God HEAR us. Its almost like making God listen to you at gun point. The less the melody in the voice of the "devotee", the louder the music has to be.
7.This one sure is a thumbs up for the Indians.Our celebration of marriages in the grandest possible way like no one else.Thanks to the likes of Suraj Barjatya and Yash Chopra the big loud and pompous Indian wedding is known all over now and may be that plays a part in making the marriages last longer than most places in the world.
8.We have an uncanny knack at picking habits and accents. It would take a decade for an American to get the Indian accent, but it just requires a few hours of interaction with an American for us to catch the American accent and to love their pastas and pizzas.... :)
9. We know how to litter well. Be it India or America, we always mark our zone with loads of litter and filth. I guess that's what has played a major part in developing immunity to diseases in India.
10. Well lastly, I guess its the habit of making a mockery of anything Indian that contributes ironically to us being Indians.That's true for me and I proved it by writing this write up....:)
Whatever be it..... the bottom line is .. MERE BHARAT MEIN HAIN SAB PARESHAAN PAR PHIR BHI HUM KAHEIN : MERA BHARAT MAHAAN!
1. Our obsession with the colour white. I don't know what it is with us but the moment we see anyone with fair skin we start oggling and salivating like a hungry dog does on seeing a bone.I think most species have only hatred associated with colour of the skin of people, but for us it is different and that sure puts us apart.
2. Our second obsession is with covering everything .Where in the world would you find so many varieties of sofa covers,dining table covers, car seat covers,remote covers, washing machine covers,TV covers, covers for cell phones..... you name it and we have a cover ready for it.No matter whether we use it or not, WE HAVE TO COVER IT (except for one thing which if covered while at work would do something really good to control the population... sorry for being a bit cheeky ;)) In fact, I think we have more varieties of the covers rather than the product itself.
3. We love BURPING! And the louder it is, the more satisfying it is. I don't know why the person next to you has to suffer because of your passion for food.
4. And this one is thanks to the men alone........ the habit of grabbing their twin jewels in public!The beard and the face isn't enough to let the people know your sex, the signature act is.... the "ball-grabbing" act!
5. And all know kiss and piss story..... no to kissing but yes to pissing in public..... in fact the Indian male bladder is almost passionate about emptying itself in public!
6. Who can forget our obsession with loudspeakers anytime we think of God. I guess, we leave no stones unturned to make God HEAR us. Its almost like making God listen to you at gun point. The less the melody in the voice of the "devotee", the louder the music has to be.
7.This one sure is a thumbs up for the Indians.Our celebration of marriages in the grandest possible way like no one else.Thanks to the likes of Suraj Barjatya and Yash Chopra the big loud and pompous Indian wedding is known all over now and may be that plays a part in making the marriages last longer than most places in the world.
8.We have an uncanny knack at picking habits and accents. It would take a decade for an American to get the Indian accent, but it just requires a few hours of interaction with an American for us to catch the American accent and to love their pastas and pizzas.... :)
9. We know how to litter well. Be it India or America, we always mark our zone with loads of litter and filth. I guess that's what has played a major part in developing immunity to diseases in India.
10. Well lastly, I guess its the habit of making a mockery of anything Indian that contributes ironically to us being Indians.That's true for me and I proved it by writing this write up....:)
Whatever be it..... the bottom line is .. MERE BHARAT MEIN HAIN SAB PARESHAAN PAR PHIR BHI HUM KAHEIN : MERA BHARAT MAHAAN!
Wednesday, December 31, 2008
Happy New Year!
Its that time of the year when all the channels on TV are busy getting all their old clippings in line and setting up a list to show over and over again calling it the best and the worst of 2008. Actually, I guess this is the time when the news channels have to do least research and lie back and enjoy the new year as there is hardly much to think and show for at least a couple of days till something new and big comes along.
On a more serious note, I think a few names which were never heard of till last year, but now would ring a bell anytime they are mentioned would be :
Abhinav Bindra who got India the sole Olympic medal, for which India should thank the richness of Abhinav's father to have been able to afford the world class training which could channelise the talent of this shooter
Vijender Singh :who has been showing his teeth and face more than his boxing arms since Beijing Olympics.
Saina Nehwal for making it into the top 10 of World Badminton Female Rankings
The now very famous phrase in the north " SINGH IS KING"
A new Khan and a new Kapoor in Indian movies : Imran Khan & Ranbir Kapoor
Aamir Khan gave barbers a reason to cheer : the new ghajini cut set their cash registers ringing though it is still to become clear whether the movie does the same for the producer.
An infamous Ajmal Kasab : whom the Pakistanis won't own and the Indians can't pardon
I guess its been a mixture of good and bad just like all the other years in the past but as usual we will talk and make a big hu-ha about it. The new year is not going to change the universe, but just brings in the hope that it would make the world a slightly more tolerable place to live in.
Happy New Year To All!
Monday, December 22, 2008
The Positives of 26/11
The whole world has been talking about the attack on Mumbai and the negative sentiments it conveyed.With due respect to all those who succumbed to the terrorist bullets on that day, I still see quite a few positive points coming out of that fateful day.
1. The Page 3 of India moved to page 1 for a sad reason and got a first hand feel of terror and its repurcussions on one's life, which probably has helped to make this incident appear as INDIA"S NINE ELEVEN as the journalists put it.
2.It was the final nail in the coffin to prove internationally that Pakistan is surely nurturing the terror organisations against India.
3. At last the politicians came up with what India needed for a long long time - a federal agency against terror and more teeth for the laws against terror.
4. Three most useless people in the Indian political scenario were finally shown the door - Shivraj Patil, Vilasrao Deshmukh and R.R.Patil
5. The "lal batti car" status provided to the overprotected netas was reevaluated and the police were relieved of the shame of protecting 50 useless politicians and were back to doing what they were trained to do- fight for the citizens of India.
6.Actors like Rahul Bose who have little to do as far as their career as an actor is concerned got a chance to talk about something in the media besides their embarrassing box office records.
Well, I guess there would be more to add to that list but at least not everything is grey and sad about the happenings of that horrifying day.Every cloud does have a silver lining after all!
1. The Page 3 of India moved to page 1 for a sad reason and got a first hand feel of terror and its repurcussions on one's life, which probably has helped to make this incident appear as INDIA"S NINE ELEVEN as the journalists put it.
2.It was the final nail in the coffin to prove internationally that Pakistan is surely nurturing the terror organisations against India.
3. At last the politicians came up with what India needed for a long long time - a federal agency against terror and more teeth for the laws against terror.
4. Three most useless people in the Indian political scenario were finally shown the door - Shivraj Patil, Vilasrao Deshmukh and R.R.Patil
5. The "lal batti car" status provided to the overprotected netas was reevaluated and the police were relieved of the shame of protecting 50 useless politicians and were back to doing what they were trained to do- fight for the citizens of India.
6.Actors like Rahul Bose who have little to do as far as their career as an actor is concerned got a chance to talk about something in the media besides their embarrassing box office records.
Well, I guess there would be more to add to that list but at least not everything is grey and sad about the happenings of that horrifying day.Every cloud does have a silver lining after all!
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