OSCARS FOR SLUMDOG

The thumping success of Slumdog Millionaire at the just concluded Oscars is a pleasant and happy moment for all things Indian.
Sorry for the nay Sayers who are uncomfortable with reality and want to exist in the fantasy of their protected environment. Fortunately they are a minority who can remain behind the tinted glass of their Mercs, Ferraris and bungalows.
Danny Boyle’s movie has won eight Oscar awards including best picture, adapted screenplay, cinematography, sound mixing, film editing, original score, original song and direction.
The highlight of the Slumdog Millionaire drama is reflected on the faces of the happy kids from the 'real slums' wearing tuxedos and designer dresses smiling at the Oscar venue enjoying the entire experience with the innocence of unadulterated exuberance of the moment, which is universal irrespective of who and where the child is. Only children are capable of soaking in true glory they always deserve.
That I think is the power of the story so well told by the entire team and deserves to be saluted. It has changed so many lives and given an entirely neglected deprived section of our society the right to aspire and courage to dream.
I look forward to the day when the politics of vested interest will no longer be able to exploit this class with false promises and criminality.
The Director of the film humbly attributed the success of the movie by stating that the story is not about money (prize) but all about Love. The human angle is really well narrated and touches the viewer.
Thanks to the Oscars jury for fulfilling the personal wish made on my post of 25th January!!

SURRENDER TO TERROR

The chilling news of surrendering to Taliban by Pakistani Government (if it can be called one) in parts of the country where Sharia law will apply is devastating for the world in general and India in particular.

Rhetoric should be replaced by reality now that the double crossing Pakistani game started by Musharraf under which the Bush administration continued to be bluffed is out in the open.

The reality is worse and more dangerous than the situation in Afghanistan and Iraq put together. Pakistan is a nuclear capable 'failed' state. The trigger will soon pass on to Osama - Pakistan's guest of honour while the world searched caves else where?

It is more than obvious that the war on terror after 9/11 has miserably failed because the Taliban has proved itself to be more intelligent in biding its time and resources behind the veil of deceit provided to them by the Pakistani administration which kept fooling the world by mock support of the war on terror. The Taliban is a much stronger outfit today than it was when the war commenced thanks to the billions of dollars that USA routed to them via Pakistan.

The international community should respond to the wake up call given in Pakistan by the TALIBAN and strategise to control this menace urgently. The threat cannot be viewed as distant and in isolation any more because it is on the doorstep of all nations who cherish freedom from fear and believe in protecting dignity of life.

India's allegations and fears stand starkly validated after more than 60 years of shouting and complaining in vain. The Mumbai carnage was Taliban's first notice declaring their growing power and intent to the world.

Pakistan is and has been a disaster of history from the day it became a reality by political default and will haunt the rest of the world worse than it has India.

VALENTINE'S DAY

Just did some basic research to find out what could be the reason (if any) for 'Goons Brigade' objection to celebrating Valentine's Day and came up with some facts.
You are invited to decide if there is any justification for the threats being issued by certain fringe outfits like Shiv Sena/Ram Sene etc.
It is obvious that frustrated manipulators have a hidden agenda to protect their vested interests by resorting to extra constitutional tactics to blow 'non issues' out of proportion and gain media attention.
It is time for the common citizen of the country to introspect and seek to change the abuse of democratic rights by the minority which the system of governance is failing to control by implementing rule of law. The media can play the role of a catalyst to build the pressure group for change.
The VALENTINE'S fact sheet is simple and non controversial.
* Celebrated world wide on 14th February.
* According to the Greeting Card Association, an estimated one billion valentine cards are sent each year. Approximately 85 percent of all valentines are purchased by women!! (validates my observations about women made on 15th Januaray!!)
* Significance - Lovers express their feeling for each other.
* Traditional Symbols - include hearts, doves, Cupid and love notes.
* Observances - Sending greetings cards and gifts, dating. - (Saudi Arabia's religious police in 2008 banned the sale of all Valentine's Day items, which created a black market for roses and wrapping paper?)
CELEBRATE VALENTINE'S DAY THIS YEAR TO PROTECT INDIVIDUAL RIGHTS AND PRIVACY OF CHOICE.

HINDU TALIBAN

Slowly but surely India is following the foot steps of 'Musalman' Talibans with intolerance and violence being the key tools used to terrorise innocent targets.
Pramod Mutalik (probably insane due to his inability to face the reality of personal failures in life) representing himself as the self appointed Chief of a bunch of religious fanatics (mostly unemployable youth) collectively calling themselves 'Sri Rama Sene', has managed to project himself on the front pages of print media and prime time news channels by the cowardly act of man handling young liberated women enjoying at a Pub - usually perceived as 'soft targets' - in the name of protecting them from western influences. Molesting women and beating them in public is deemed 'safe guarding' Hindu culture by these hooligans and devils in male clothing!!
The disturbing fall out of this episode is frightening. Consider these facts.
1) Protectors 0f law and order (a.k.a. Police force) remained mute spectators for more than two days, while the politicians (a.k.a. Government in Power) calculated their options in terms of 'vote bank'.
2) The magistrates/judges (a.k.a. Judiciary to uphold laws) considered the culprits worthy of bail and released the 'animals' to uphold democratic rights and due process of justice.
3) The 'no fear of punishment' message conveyed to the scum of society by a failed system emboldened the hooligans to organise a "Victory Parade" to celebrate their release on bail while the police force ensured security at the venue.
4) At this victory parade they audaciously threw a challenge to society at large and the system of governance in particular by WARNING to unleash violent means to stop "Valentine's Day" celebrations through rabid statements in the name of 'Indian culture'.
5) The administration's soft pedalling is disconcerting as it allows the rogues to flex their muscles to infringe upon private and fundamental rights of citizens.
While writing this - there is a 'breaking news' on news channels - a young girl returning to her college from holidays is dragged out of a public bus along with a young male college mate.
They are beaten up mercilessly because a "Hindu" girl was speaking to a "Muslim" boy and the goons brigade considers it immoral and against Hindu culture?
The frequency and regularity of such incidents unleashed in the name of religion is dangerous for the country.
The administration is urged to nip this trend in the bud with a bipartisan approach before India becomes known as the birth place of "Hindu Taliban" competing with its infamous neighbour dreaded by the world for their "Muslim" Taliban.

SLUM GOD MILLIONAIRE

Watched SLUMDOG MILLIONAIRE and rate it amongst one of the best movies to date (59 years + 10 days!!). Walked out of the multiplex with awe wanting to watch it again!!
I do not suffer from dyslexia (you are excused if you presume that from the title?) - it is deliberate. The idea is to convey reality. Facts cannot be twisted into hiding by being politically correct.
Sorry 'Big B' for ranting about depiction of "poverty porn" from the confines of upper strata's comfort zone in enclosed bungalows. I only hope it is not a fall out of 'sour grapes' syndrome that the success of the film has rattled him even though he happens to be indirectly present in the story line giving an autograph to Jamal covered in human excreta.
The film set amid the poverty of Mumbai and India's under belly is a hard hitting 'reality check' not only for our 'netas' but also the society at large that chooses to remain in denial.
The desire and right to dream belongs to one and all. The single minded determination to pursue a dream with perseverance is an object lesson to the less privileged who remain exploited by vested interest. The immense power of love and desire to connect is displayed touchingly. The A.R. Rehman touch is obvious. It is certainly worthy of Oscar recognition. Wish the entire Slumdog Millionaire team wins it hands down.
Don't miss this movie which will make you feel nice and grounded to the basics of human emotions which is time less and unrelated to ones current situation.

BURDEN OF EXPECTATION

Watching the installation of the 44th U.S. President on 20th January 2008 beamed live around the world was akin to being part of history. The human race appeared to have become one huge expectant mass irrespective of their location on the planet.
True to his reputation Barack Obama rose to the occasion by delivering his acceptance speech looking you in the eyes and mostly stating the things that the crowd around the world have been waiting to hear after the eight years of 'bull fight' performed by Bush!!
We the people - as world citizens - now have to rise above petty politics and partisan restrictive actions to rebuild the world. The coming together of billions of people needing to watch the Obama moment indicates that majority of the human race are capable of single minded resolve to make a difference.
The urge to become part of the 'Obama Moment' places immense burden on each one of us to carry through with a renewed sense of purpose in fulfilling the expectation of change which has become critical in varied aspects of our existence so brightly ignited by Barack Hussein Obama.
May God Bless The President and give us the power to make a difference.

COMPUTERISED SHYLOCKS

This piece is based on a “TRUE STORY” and is intended as a polite warning to youngsters who tend to live beyond their means corrupted by the lure of easy credit and "free" life time offers by the banking sector (mainly the Private/Foreign as opposed to Nationalized Banks).
A qualified experienced young man decides to opt for VRS (golden hand shake) from the corporate sector and goes into a business venture along with a friend (who smartly retains his employment). Unfortunately, over a period of years it transpires that the friend (mini Ramalinga Raju!!) is a “Cheat” who wipes out the entire capital sunk by our young man and quietly disappears to concentrate on his executive job.
For obvious reasons the income stream gradually dries up but cash flow remains intact since the bunch of Credit Cards which this young man had obtained (while in employment and business) from various private/foreign banks continued to be swiped to maintain his life style in the hope that some gainful employment/business activity will soon take care of the credits.
Enter the “Debt Trap” skillfully set up by the banks.
For fear of default in monthly servicing of Credit Cards and its dire consequences (including being beaten up by bank’s panel of out sourced “goons” a.k.a. Debt Recovery Agents) our victim of circumstances is now offered convenient “UNSECURED LOANS” not only to service the existing cards but also to continue his life style in anticipation of the ‘light at the end of the tunnel’. Reinforced by Bank’s faith on his credit worthiness, Credit Card loans are sanctioned over the phone and accepted with apparently lucrative EMIs.
The bubble continues to grow. Fortunately, before the Debt ridden individual reaches the point of no return (usually suicide), his woes accidentally gets disclosed and efforts are initiated by family/friends to puncture the bubble by liquidating the loans.
This is when the murky under belly of the “Friendly Banker” gets exposed. The sensible decision to pool resources and seek pre-mature closure of the loans triggers extremely unfriendly interaction with a ‘faceless’ system working behind a barrier of phone calls and e-mails (thanks to the BPO Devil).
The amount determined for closure, after being made to run from pillar to post for weeks (which period also ultimately becomes part of interest calculation), gets inflated by penal interest (because the loan is being settled before due date?) and other charges way beyond the original amount which the borrower is forced to accept without any recourse to understanding the calculations and scope for negotiation. All efforts to contact a ‘Human Being’ are in vain. The telephone/e-mail interface threatens that any delay associated with efforts made to seek audience with any relevant bank official in blood and flesh will be at a price of “X – Rupees” per day of delay!! once they have declared the settlement figure.
Incidentally, there are no written and signed loan documents – but only “Voice” recordings in support of the loan transactions which in the first place are sanctioned and disbursed ‘OVER PHONE’ (perils of our HI TECH generation).
Similar frightening episodes are sure to be occurring in our society becoming nightmares for youngsters hiding behind false hopes. I caution them to avoid such fool hardy schemes to portray success. Parents, relatives and friends are also urged to keep channels of communication open to identify devastating “Debt Traps” into which their loved ones may unwittingly walk into.