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Shwetha Kalyanasundaram rebuts this story which lambasts India and makes you feel the country is made up of vultures only looking for prey landing in form of women tourists. A must read for all, no matter what nationality.  

Ms. Rose Chasm’s article “India: the Story You Never Wanted to Hear” has been trending for the last couple of days, with many of my friends sharing the story on various social networking sites. The headline of the article prompted me to read and I was shocked to read about Ms. Chasm’s traumatic experience in my country. As a woman, my heart went out to Ms. Chasm. When I read your article Ms. Chasm, I was ashamed of my country (for the first time!). But pondering over your article, I realized that I cannot sit in my comfortable space and watch people tear my country down (with reference to the 1000+ comments left behind by people to your story).

As a citizen of this wonderful nation (and not a nation of snake charmers and elephants), I am writing in to clear the air and do my bit to support my country. I love my country. And I am not blind to the flaws that exist today.

India has been my home for over two and a half decades. As a woman who bears resemblance to a South East Asian (rather than having the typical Indian features), I have always been looked upon as a foreigner in my own land. I can understand how it feels to have hundred pairs of eyes follow your every move. There have been many instances when the local people have tried to sell their wares to me; with a hope their goods reach foreign shores. I wouldn’t call them advances, rather we are just a group of people who take pride in what we do and feel the need to be appreciated by somebody from a foreign land.

We have always been dubbed as a nation of brown-skinned people and I don’t have any qualms in accepting that we have an obsession for the “white” skin. That could probably explain why people stopped and gaped at you in the bazaars. And I can bet they weren’t just men who stared at you – women and children would have looked at you as well. As a foreigner, you must have been prepared to stand out in the crowd. I am sure you would have been briefed about the cultural differences between the two nations. Yes! It can be uncomfortable to be stared at and photographed but lady, you know ignorance is bliss.

Almost every woman who grows up in India has been subjected to some kind of sexual innuendoes. For the millions of women who use public transportation in India, there have been numerous cases of “accidental” brushes and gropes. There have been numerous cases where women have been stalked and flashed – at. But for every man who cannot control his libido and gives in to his over-crazed sexual drive, I can assure you that there will be ten men who will fight for you and your dignity.

The recent spate of rape attacks and incest cases that we hear and read day in and day out have definitely tarnished my country’s image. And your story just adds more fuel to the fire. If there had been an attempt to rape against you or your friend, did you reach out to the local police to lodge a complaint or did you approach your consulate for help?!? I assume, as an exchange student, you would definitely have been briefed about all these formalities in the event of any untoward incident.

In Sanskrit, we say “Matha, Pitha, Guru, Deivam” (translated: Mother, Father, Teacher, God). The meaning of this adage is the greatest truth and is the order in which we offer reverence. This is the basic tenet in existence from time immemorial and every man has been taught to place the womankind even above God. The Indian men know to treat their women with respect. And I cannot tolerate your generalization that Indian men are bad. You cannot blame the entire male population for the actions of few.

I have seen the best and worst of both the worlds, having spent a considerable portion of my adult life in America and the Middle East. In all the countries I have been to, I have been subjected to roving eyes and sexual overtures from men. I have been leered and heckled by cab drivers and pedestrians alike. Even a middle aged woman is not spared!! Let’s not be too dramatic here and accept that sexual crimes against women are a problem world over.

Do you know that every 1 out of 5 women in America are raped every day (This is according to a UN report published in 2011 and the same figure has been quoted in a NY times article, published December 2011). Does this mean I can issue a travel warning and tell people how unsafe America is?!? Your country is a beautiful place Ms. Chasm and a few bad moments are not going to deter me from travelling again. I just hope your personal experiences don’t make you too judgmental about our great country.

Ms. Chasm, I sympathize with you completely. As a woman, I understand the trauma of your three months stay in my country. Your problem is with that category of homo-sapiens bearing the Y-chromosome and not with my country.

It tears me apart that men and women have apologized on behalf of the Indian population and have left comments to your article. I’m not going to offer apologies. I can only offer you an olive branch and hope you visit my country again, and view this nation from a different and an unbiased perspective. 

Related articles

• India a traveller’s heaven, a woman’s hell: American student (ndtv.com)
• My India -what I face as an Indian woman every day (ireport.cnn.com)
• Micheala Cross, traumatised by Indian sex assault culture, triggers outpouring of sympathy (smh.com.au)

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By Ankush Kumar

Cast: John Abraham, Nargis Fakhri, and Raashi Khanna.

Introduction: Coffee apart, this one filters bullshit as well and presents an engaging political thriller; get off the train baby and head right into ‘Madras Cafe’.

Premise: This is a story about a hero who fails to save the Prime minister. It’s built around the incidents leading upto the assassination of the Prime minister.

Plot: ‘Madras Cafe’ is a dark, deep and exemplary film about the politics of separatism. If you have a penchant for history and know a little about the LTTE struggle, the connect will be instant. For the naive, it still is an engaging entertainer. Even though no names are taken its quite obvious that the story is about Prabhakaran, LTTE and the killing of Rajiv Gandhi.

Technical Insight: The cinematography by Kamaljeet Negi captures the right tones throughout, the music is unconventional but has a double play value, the editing and sound designs is the stand out aspect of the film. But what puts a cherry on the top is the direction of Shoojit Sircar.

Acting: John Abraham plays a RAW agent, and for a change looks and behaves like one. Nargis Fakhri essays the role of a war correspondent and does it brilliantly. Raashi Khanna is promising but the stand out one is is Prakash Belawade as John associate who takes home the honors.

Kela moment: Jaya speaking in English and Vikram answering in Hindi.

Citizen Kane moment: The climax of the movie.

Brownie points: 4 out of 5.

Related articles

• Chennai, please support ‘Madras Cafe’, says John Abraham (ibnlive.in.com)
• John on ‘Madras Cafe’: Won’t accept bullying tactics (ibnlive.in.com)
• Madras Cafe not based on Rajiv Gandhi: Shoojit Sircar (dnaindia.com)
• Shooting from the lip (thehindu.com)

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By Shwetha Kalyanasundaram

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So how did my search for Mr Right go?

With everyone relying upon technology (to throw you solutions), my parents, just like millions of other Indian parents, put my profile on every matrimonial site available. My parents and I sat down (with a notepad and a pen) to list out our expectations and to draw up a profile for me that could be posted on these sites. After sessions of brain storming and cluttering our house with crushed balls of paper, we finally zeroed in on what had to be put up on the web!!

Oh, these also involved consultations with astrologers to prepare a list of birth stars that would match with mine. Phew, it was one hell of a task before my profile finally came up in the various marriage portals.

I should also mention the confusion we had over the kind of photographs that had to be uploaded on my profile. Should we choose a photo with a desi look or could the photo show the modern moi?!? For those who still don’t understand the reason behind this confusion, here’s a brief explanation. Guys (waiting to get married) want girls to have a modern outlook towards life (this is one statement that’s so common and visible in all the guys profiles) and would not want to see a photo of a girl in a sari; they call such girls “pazhams” (Tamil slang). And parents do not wish to see the girl in sleeveless dresses or in jeans and they term such girls “liberated”. To put an end to all this bokwaas (made popular with the release of Chennai Express), we put up 6 photos in all, in different costumes, catering to all “their” needs. Now that’s a lot of choice we have given the parents! And with the advent of social networks, the changes to your Facebook profile photos to suit the needs of the groom and his parents – one helluva job!

This blog would make no sense if I do not talk about the tamashaa involving horoscope matching!! If astrology is all about maths and physics, why do astrologers differ?!?

And then the calls started flowing, multitudes of them. Details, telephone numbers, email ids and horoscopes were exchanged. The homepage on our PC and laptops changed to the matrimonial portal. From our end, numerous profiles were scanned, a handful shortlisted from them and horoscopes downloaded. My mother then ran to our family astrologer for matching purposes, and always used to return crestfallen, with just two to three horoscopes matching. This had become a routine, and our astrologer’s number had been assigned as “the priority” on the speed dial list on our mobile phones!

It is a known fact that no two astrologers have the same opinion. And that results in total chaos!! If the horoscopes match at the girl’s end, it doesn’t on the guy’s end and vice versa. When only a handful of horoscopes match from a billion others, my mother reached a state where she stopped believing in astrology. She didn’t want to involve a third person (the astrologer, that is) to decide the future of her child (that’s me!!), rather she decided to believe in destiny!

So is there more fun to this?!? Wait and watch!!!

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By Ankush Kumar

Cast: Ashton Kutcher, Dermot Mulroney, and Josh Gad.

Introduction: Steve Jobs was a complex man as long as he lived, the film is no different.

Premise: JOBS is a competent retelling of Steve’s life till he took control of Apple Inc. in the nineties.

Plot: The film opens in 2001 at the launch of the iPod. And then traces the journey of the greatest innovator from his formative years in college to his wayward actions to his making of Apple. Likewise an apple product the movie keeps moving to one big aspect one after another.

Technical Insight: The background score in the opening scene, through its speakers is one of the best to be heard in recent times. The make up of Ashton Kutcher is a very believable Steve Jobs. The editing disappoints as the director tries to squeeze in too much of everything in one movie.

Acting: Ashton Kutcher plays the role near perfectly, the star in him is not visible as he plays Steve Jobs just well, the supporting cast is good but the man who takes home the honors is Josh Gad who slips into the role of Steve Wozniak beautifully.

Kela moment: The direction overall. Too much has been squeezed in.

Citizen Kane moment: The opening sequence.

Brownie points: 2.5 out of 5.

Related articles

• Ashton Kutcher Wasn’t Enough to Keep “Jobs” From Bombing In the Box Office (complex.com)
• Jobs Reviews Are In: Ashton Kutcher’s Steve Jobs Homage Not Quite the Apple of Critics’ Eyes (Forevervogue.com)
• Q&A: Ashton Kutcher Talks About Portraying Steve Jobs (fool.com)

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By Ganesh Subramanian

It was a bright morning in New York. Ritesh woke up to the sound of chirping birds beside his window. He rubbed his eyes for his vision to clear. He looked at the Christiano Ronaldo poster that adorned one of the walls of the living room. The poster showed Ronaldo ready to take a free kick. Ritesh was reminded of the premier league match that he planned to watch that night that featured Christiano Ronaldo. Almost as if stirred by memory, his eyes moved to the calendar which was hanging from one of the walls. The date 11^th of December was circled in bright red colour. Ritesh smiled at the irony that the date was circled in red and not in any other colour. Today was the 11^th of December. The circled date reminded him of the most important task that he wanted to accomplish that day, an accomplishment that would banish the demons of humiliation, embarrassment and pain, an accomplishment that would exorcise the ghosts of the past once and forever. This was something important that he has to finish at any cost. The premier league match can wait.

After a quick shower, he reached his office. After checking his mails and mailing his daily updates to his boss, Ritesh was waiting for a call which he was expecting that day of all days.  The next minute, his mobile screen flashed the name of Vimmy Veronika. Ritesh answered the call.

“Happy Birthday, my cutie teddy”, said the female voice at the other end.

“Thanks. Surprising to see that you have come to office on time”, mocked Ritesh.

“Only for you, dear”, answered Veronika. “Ok Listen. Come over for dinner tonight at my place”, said Veronika.

This was what Ritesh wanted to hear. But still he played with Veronika. “I have lots of work. Need to prepare that presentation for the board meeting this Friday”, said Ritesh.

“Oh, Come on. If you spend a couple of hours over dinner at my place, your board won’t sack you”, Veronika said.

“Alright. I will be there at 9.” replied Ritesh.

“Now that’s my boy. See ya” said Veronika.

Ritesh winded up the day’s work by 8 pm and when his SUV landed in Veronika’s Eastbrook apartments, it was 8.45 pm.

Ritesh and Veronika were from India, but now working in the US. Veronika was born to a Hindu father and a Christian mother, hence the name has a combination of Hindu and Christian names (Vimmy, short for Vimala, a Hindu name and Veronika for her Christian roots). Having got to know each other through a common friend, Ritesh and Veronika loved each other as if there is no tomorrow. Veronika told Ritesh that she will make her dad announce him as her life partner during her birthday party. Ritesh bought an apartment with his year-long savings to present it to Veronika. On the birthday party, Vimmy’s dad announced her engagement to Deepak John, an Indo-American businessman. Ritesh was heartbroken. The worst part was Veronika seemed to be happy with her dad’s decision. She told Ritesh that Deepak was well-settled and she could not disappoint her father. This sudden change in Veronika baffled him. Through some of his sources, Ritesh came to know that Deepak and Veronika had been pals in college and they had a very intense relationship and before they knew it, Veronika was pregnant. So this marriage is a quick heal solution before things could go out of hand. Ritesh’s blood boiled on hearing this. “How could she do this to me?”, he wondered. Although they both had kept in touch occasionally through the phone after this incident, things were never the same again between them.

Veronika welcomed Ritesh. After a sumptuous dinner, they settled on the couch and were having a few drinks. Veronika got up to bring another bottle. Ritesh got up and followed her. When Veronika pulled out the bottle from the fridge and turned back, Ritesh was standing close to her. He flashed a romantic smile. He moved close to her and put an arm on her waist. He brought his face close to hers. Past memories came flooding back to Veronika. She couldn’t resist. Anticipating a kiss from Ritesh, she closed her eyes. This was the opportune moment he was waiting for. He brought out a kitchen knife, its steel finish glistening in the dimly lit CFL lamp. In a swift motion, he plunged the knife into Veronika’s midsection. Veronika froze in horror and pain. The bottle dropped from her hands. Before she could scream, Ritesh’s left hand closed her mouth. He pulled out the knife and drove it harder into her abdomen again. Ritesh came close and whispered into Veronika’s ear – “You shouldn’t have done this to me, you lecherous bitch!”. Saying so, he pushed Veronika. She dropped dead on the floor.

One more task to be accomplished. Ritesh started his SUV and headed towards Maxington Lane. He reached Silver Oak apartments in Maxington lane and headed to Door # 145 in the 3^rd floor. Jeevitha, a Tamilian from the southern part of TamilNadu, the occupant of #145, opened the door.

“Yes. How may I help you?” said Jeevitha.

“I am Ritesh. I am the brother of Mukesh, your reportee. I want to talk to you” replied Ritesh.

“Come in.” said Jeevitha.

“I know why you are here. To say that your brother is innocent. But the records seem to tell a different story. The 10 lakhs that disappeared was his responsibility. There were no expenses of that magnitude that day. Only way the money could have disappeared is when Mukesh himself had taken it. Better he admit his crime, so that atleast his punishment would come down” replied Jeevitha.

“Mukesh is not like that. He is innocent. He is being fabricated in this case for some moron’s crime. Do not go by what you hear. Listen to your heart. Save him from this mess”, pleaded Ritesh.

“I am sorry. I can’t do anything. Your brother has to face the consequences”, Jeevitha said firmly.

“Will you help him or not?”, Ritesh said in a menacing tone.

“No. If you don’t leave now, I’ll call the cops”. Saying so, Jeevitha moved towards the telephone.

Ritesh was fast. He pulled Jeevitha back and twisted her right arm behind her back.

” I am asking you one last time. Your statement against my brother tomorrow will finish his career. After that, Mukesh will not be alive. Think again.” said Ritesh.

Jeevitha didn’t listen to him. She extricated herself from Ritesh’s grasp and ran to the window to shout and alert the apartment’s security. Ritesh was equally quick. In one motion, he twisted Jeevitha’s left arm behind her back and put his right arm around her neck. Then he brought out the kitchen knife and slit her throat in a smooth motion. Jeevitha’s crumpled form fell to the floor.

Satisfied with his accomplishments, Ritesh left house no. 145 with the occupant lying in a pool of blood.

Related articles

• From Nasha to BA Pass, it’s raining A-rated films in Bollywood this year (dnaindia.com)
• Slovanian Home Tour from Peter & Veronika (stylemepretty.com)

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- अनघ शर्मा

मुझे हमेशा यूँ ही लगता था की उसका मन बेतवा के ढाल सा होगा।हमेशा साफ़, भरा और छलछलाता हुआ। चाहे कितना ही सूखा क्यों न आ जाये, पर मन के स्नेह का स्रोत हमेशा लबालब भरा हुआ रहेगा। पर लबालब भरे स्रोत से भी कई बार प्यासा ही लौटना पड़ता है।
उन दिनों दो बड़े बदलाव हो रहे थे मुझमें पहला तो होठों के ऊपर मूछों की लकीर उभर रही थी, और दूसरा मन भीतर एक कहानीकार बेचैन सा करवटें ले रहा था। सो एक दिन उसी धुन में मैं उससे कह बैठा। मैं एक दिन तुम्हारी भी कहानी लिखूंगा धीमरी।
क्या तय हुआ था ? पूर नाम, असली नाम छोटे लल्ला।
अच्छा ठीक है, नैनतारा। अब खुश ?
कहानी लिखना क्या इतना आसान होता है छोटे लल्ला ? बीस-पचीस बरस इंतज़ार करो, जब हमें भूल जाओ, हमारे कने दिमाग पे ज़ोर डालना पड़े तब लिखना।
चलो ये भी तय रहा, सो अब न शक्ल याद न आवाज़।
जाने-अनजाने जिंदगी की तरफ कभी कोई शर्त उछालो तो वो उसे एक ही बार में कैच कर लेती है, लपक लेती है, और फिर हर बीतते समय के साथ उसकी आवाज़ मंद पड़ जाती है पर एक आवाज़ कभी मंद नहीं पड़ी।
यूँ भी ज़िंदगी जो मसौदे तैयार करती है, ख़ाका खींचती है। आदमी की आरज़ू उसे दो कौड़ी का मान सिरे से नकार देती है, धड़े से ख़ारिज कर देती है। और जो चार सतरें चोरी-छुपे आरज़ू किसी लिफ़ाफे में भेजती है, उसे ज़िंदगी बड़ी होशियारी से गायब कर देती है, या पूरा मौजूं ही बदल देती है। आखिर में जीत ज़िंदगी की ही होती है।
उसकी ज़िंदगी के मसौदे उसकी आरज़ू से जीत गए।
………………………

ऐ धीमरी हमारे लड़के का कान बह रहा है कई दिन से ?
जिजी बबूल के फूल सरसों के तेल में पका कर ठंडा तेल दिन में तीन बार डालो, एक दिन में कान बहना बंद।
अच्छा धीमरी और मेरे लड़के का कान दुःख रहा है रात से।
लो बहन ,किसी जच्चा का दूध डाल दो थोडा सा दर्द ये गया वो गया।
धत ! पगली
ऐसे तमाम नुस्खे उसकी अंटी में बंधे रहते थे। बड़ी धीमी-धीमी आवाज़ में एक गीत गया करती थी।
” भौंरा भनर-भनर होय मेरी गुइंयाँ / गजरा लहर-लहर होय मेरी गुइंयाँ
जब मोरे राजा पिया आयें अटरिया / जियरा धुकुर-पुकुर होय मेरी गुइंयाँ “

ऐं छोटे लल्ला, क्या सारी कहानी हम पर ही लिखोगे ? अपनी भी कुछ कहो।
अपनी क्या कहें कुल जमा आठ सतरें लिखे तो हो गयी पूरी कहानी।
ऐसे न बनेगी बात।
अच्छा सुनो। भरा-पूरा परिवार था, बाद में बाप जाते रहे। दिन बदले, थोड़े बिगड़े-थोड़े बने और रफ़्ता-रफ़्ता ज़िंदगी चल निकली।
ये तो कोई बात न हुई। कहानी में ख़ास बातें होती हैं। कुछ ख़ास हो तो बोलो छोटे लल्ला।
ख़ास क्या ? हाँ ज़ब्त बहुत था हमें,होता भी क्यों न ? माँ-बाप को ख़ासा ज़ब्त था। खूब गालियाँ सुनी दोनों ने घर वालों की। पिता ने तो मरने के बाद भी खूब सुनी। पैसे से कमज़ोर आदमी को सबसे ज्यादा मार अपने घर के अन्दर ही सहनी पड़ती है। ये न समझना की हमें प्यार न मिला। बहुत मिला,टूट-टूट मिला पर कम लोगों से। बाकी लोगों से दिली नहीं काम चलाऊ सा मिला। सो यूँ कुछ वाकयों से कुछ लोग दिल से उतर गए। उतरे तो फिर कभी न चढ़े।
अच्छा छोडो हमारी। अपनी पर आओ, ये कहानी तुम्हारी है। बातें मत उलझाओ।
अच्छा ये बताओ तुम वहां से भाग क्यों आयीं ?
बताते हैं सबर रखो। पहले वादा करो हमारी कहानी में एक किस्सा है ,उसका ज़िक्र न करोगे।
पागल हो क्या ? उसका ज़िक्र कैसे न होगा ? सब उसी पर तो टिका है इस कहानी का। वैसे भी आदमी की फ़ितरत होती है, इधर-उधर से जोड़-जाड़ अपनी समझ लायक कुछ ठीक-ठाक सा किस्सा बना ही लेता है।
तुम्हें मालूम ही नहीं , छोटी जिजी जानती हैं सब।
मैं पूछ लूँगा उनसे। समझी।
वो चुप बैठी मेरा चेहरा ताकती रही।
खट से मेरी नींद खुल गयी। सपना ही तो था ये, आँख खुली और हवा हो गया।
……………………………

वो वहाँ से क्यों भाग आई थी ? ये हममें से कोई नहीं जनता था। पर उसे माँ से कई बार ये कहते सुना था।
” जानती हो जिजी कोई औरत दो बातों बिना अपने ठिये से नहीं भागती। अपने पेट और पीठ, या तो पेट की औलाद पर आंच होगी या अपनी पीठ भारी होगी। “
अब सोचता हूँ पीठ तो कभी भारी रही नहीं होगी उसकी। उसके भागने में जरूर पहले वाली बात ही होगी।
माँ से उसकी दोस्ती का किस्सा भी अजीब था। सालों पहले एक दो-तीन बरस की बच्ची के साथ वो हमारी मौसी को आगरा बस-अड्डे पर मिली थी। सो वहां से पहले उनके घर और बाद में हमारे घर आ गई सदा के लिए, और हमारे जीवन में रच-बस गई जैसे गर्मियों की धूप और सर्दियों का कोहरा।
बाद में समय की दौड़ से क़दम मिलाने के लिए हम भी बाहर चले गए। महीनों घर नहीं आते थे, जो कभी आते भी तो अपने-अपने में मश्गूल रहते थे।
एक बार कॉलेज की छुट्टियों में जब घर गया तो उसकी बेटी को न पा कर बड़ा आश्चर्य हुआ मुझे।
मीना कहाँ है? मैंने पूछा।
चली गयी।
कहाँ ?
अपने सासरे और कहाँ ?
ऐं ! पागल है क्या ? ब्याह होता तो हमें पता न चलता क्या ?
हमारे सासरे गयी थी, वहीं हो गया।
कुल तेरह-चौदह की तो थी। इतनी छोटी का ?
हमारे यहाँ इतने का ही होता है।
और हाँ !तेरा ही कौन सासरा बचा है दुनिया में ?
उसने एक कातर दृष्टि से माँ को देखा और अन्दर चली गयी।
क्या हुआ इसे ?
कुछ नहीं, बीमार थी कई दिनों से।
क्या बीमारी थी ?
औरतों की बात है, तुम्हें क्या बताएं। माँ ने कहा तो मैं चुप हो गया. यह भी भली बात थी की औरतों की बात में मेरा क्या काम ? फिर यूँ भी एक छोटे से वाक्य में निहितार्थ क्या ढूंढना ?
पर सालों बाद वो खुद ही अधूरी बात का सूत्र थम गयी।
……………………

ऐं, छोटे लल्ला रंगीन अखबार है ?
अखबार, क्या करेगी ?
कुछ रखना है।
क्या ?
पेटीकोट।
नहीं है, मैं झूठ बोल गया। हांलाकि मेरे पलंग के गद्दे के नीचे खूब रंगीन अखबार रखे रहते थे। फिल्मों का बहुत शौक़ था मुझे, और अखबार में इतवार के इतवार एक रंगीन फ़िल्मी पन्ना आता था।
झूठ क्यों बोलते हो? गद्दे के नीचे रखे तो रहते हो। एक-दो दे दो।
ले मर ! मैंने झटके से हाथ पटका। आह !हाथ झंझनाता हुआ पलंग के पाये से जा टकराया। ये भी सपना था, टूट गया। सपने बहुत आते थे मुझे कहानियों में या सपनों में कहानियां। सपने और कहानियां मुझे आते थे और उन्हें लिखने का शऊर बड़ी बहन को।

बड़ी दी उन दिनों मानवीय रिश्तों के तमाम आकलन करती कहानियां लिख रही थीं। पर उसका आकलन करना बड़ा मुश्किल और पेचीदा काम था , ठीक वैसे ही जैसे बकरियों की सवारी पर कोई रेगिस्तान पार करना।

“कोटेड और अनकोटेड बातों के बीच की लकीर, सड़क के तारकोल में फंसे छोटे-छोटे पत्थरों की लिपि और किनारे तक जा कर डूबने वाले आसमान को पढने वाले एक रोज़ बड़े अकेले रह जाते हैं। “
या फिर ये
” पीछे उतर के देखो, तारीख़ में गहरे बहुत गहरे जा कर देखो दस, बीस, सौ, दो-सौ, चार-सौ बरस पीछे जा कर देखो कि एक शाहकार के पैदा होने के लिए और कितनों को पैदा होना पड़ता है। यकीं न आये तो पूछो मुमताज से की एक ताजमहल के पैदा होने के लिए किस-किस को पैदा होना पड़ा था। एक शाहजहाँ को, एक दारा को, एक औरंगज़ेब को, एक शुजा को …… और भी न जाने कौन-कौन ??”
पर उसमें ऐसी कोई खूबी नहीं थी। न वो मुमताज थी न किसी शाहकार को पैदा कर सकती थी। न वो कथ्य-अकथ्य के बीच की पंक्ति ही पढ़ पाई थी। न जीवन भर चलने वाली सड़कों में फंसे पत्थरों की लिपि। न ही डूबते आसमानों के किनारे। फिर भी अंततः बहुत अकेली रह गई थी वो। बहुत पहले ये भी मुझे बहन ने ही बताया था कि वो धीरे-धीरे अपना मानसिक संतुलन खोती जा रही है।

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By Malathy Madathilezham

Life is but a play!

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By Tahira

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Clik here to view.A member of the cabbage family, broccoli derives its name from the Italian plural broccolo meaning ‘flowering top of a cabbage’. Broccoli has been considered a valuable food among the Italians since the days of Roman Empire. There are mainly three types of broccoli – Calabrese Broccoli, Sprouting Broccoli and Purple Cauliflower.

With a plethora of health benefits, the broccoli is one of the healthiest foods in the world. Some of the health benefits of broccoli are:

Anti-Inflammatory: Broccoli is a rich source of flavonoid named kaempferol that helps battling inflammation and allergies.

Detoxification: The presence of three phytonutrients -  glucoraphanin, gluconasturtiian, and glucobrassicin has a strong impact on the body’s detoxification system.

Fights Vitamin D Deficiency: The presence of vitamins K and A in broccoli help keep the metabolism of Vitamin D in the body. Proper balance of Vitamin D promotes bone and health growth.

Rich Source of Fibre: A rich source of fibre helps lower cholesterol levels. It also facilitates digestion.

Good for Eye Health: Studies have shown that regular consumption of broccoli helps improving eye health. The presence of two major carotenoids- zeaxanthin and lutein is extremely good for eye health.

Supports Skin Repair: The substance glucoraphanin present in broccoli, when converted into sulforaphane helps in repairing skin damage – the result is you get a healthy glowing skin.

Rich in Potassium and Vitamin C: Potassium helps controlling high blood pressure while high Vitamin C ensures absorption of iron.

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Clik here to view.Cancer Fighting Abilities: The presence of glucoraphanin in broccoli, is processed by the human body into something (a compound) that is capable of preventing cancer. The vegetable is extremely rich in indole 3 carbinol that is a powerful antioxidant. Other anti-carcinogenic substances are known to prevent the development of prostate cancer, breast cancer and also cervical cancer. It also promotes the growth of a healthy liver.

Health organizations advise eating broccoli several times a week. However, remember, the vegetable has to be cooked properly. If it becomes too tender it might not retain the nutrients. So, always slow cook or rather boil or lightly sauté broccoli before having it.

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Post the gang-rape in Mumbai, a friend observed ‘thank God, I don’t have daughters’. But Jaideep Ghosh has, and he wouldn’t have it any way.

The plus of having a teenaged child is that you get tech savvy in double-quick time. But as a parent of a teenager, you also need to be able to gauge between what is too much interference, or not.

So when I got savvy to Whatsapp, I keep tabs on my daughter. But most of the time it’s to check when was the last time she was online. If the time span is anything more than two hours, I send her a message.

I am a father of daughter who commutes in to the North Campus of Delhi University from the NCR, alone. She travels the entire breadth of the city, through some of the not-so-great neighbourhoods, and beyond. I worry. But I will be damned if I tell her not to.

But while there is no question that people’s freedoms and rights are sacrosanct, some of the reactions to the Mumbai gang-rape, or any other offence, leave me a little frustrated and a little angry.

Our politicians have never been paragons of sensitivity, so their reactions are not to be jumped on with any great gusto.

At the same time, the reactions of the so-called ‘liberals’ scares me. You cannot condone, if not downright encourage, putting women in situations where they would be at risk.

I tell my daughter to be careful, not because I am trying to impinge on her liberties. I would equally tell a son to wear a helmet if he was on a bike. And I would tell them both to be back home by a reasonable time (though the interpretation of ‘reasonable’ has always been different for parents and children).

Irrespective of which country you are in, the initiative is always with the criminal. There is no system by which the police can pre-empt a crime, without prior knowledge. That is also what makes terrorist strikes so successful.

This distinction is pretty clear for me – I won’t let anyone compromise my child’s pursuit of success and happiness. At the same time, I would not accept any hysterical banshee proclamations that ‘freedom’ translates into taking unnecessary risks.

That applies particularly given the fact that we live in a society which largely, at best, just tolerates women. Men cannot handle being bettered by women, or even equalled. Take a look at how men drivers react to being passed by women. That is a classic example. So, given half a chance, they will try to force this ‘superiority’. Don’t give them that chance.

I worry. I am always keeping track of where my daughter is. She has been brought up in the rather unforgiving environs of Delhi, but that bravado and attitude can be a double-edged weapon.

But that doesn’t mean she will sit at home. She will do whatever she wants to do, but as a sensible 20-year-old, she knows where she has to draw a line. This ‘drawing a line’ seems to be an issue with many women. To them I say, get real.

That said, I wouldn’t trade having a daughter with anything else. I would wish her a happy life, as to all women. But be a little careful out there.

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Continuing her crusade in India’s defence, Shwetha Kalyanasundaram, brings to you more evidence of why she thinks this entire Ms. Chasm story is a campaign to malign India. A must read. 

A chance comment posted under my article on CNN iReport titled “My India: The Mistaken Story – An Indian Woman’s Perspective” (first published on Mission Sharing Knowledge) caught my attention.

Quoting the person under the pseudonym ‘moonboat’ – “Michela Cross posted a number of videos on YouTube during her trip, including one that gives quite a different account of the Ganesha festival incident she related. In the video, she gushes on about how she loved all the attention and photos being taken of her. In the current circumstances, where her story is being taken as gospel and this story has gone viral, I find the videos are appalling. She also shows herself to be ignorant and disrespectful of Indian culture.”

And this had a bunch of us looking at the videos posted by Ms. Cross on her channel in YouTube. Boy! Weren’t they interesting! And we realized that some of her statements were in total contradiction to her article “India: The Story You Never Wanted to Hear”.

Here’s how…

Her video published on September 29, 2012, where she talks about her experiences at the Ganesha festival

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hPu2GmF4Y44

Quoting Ms. Cross from the video

• “We were grabbed by a bunch of GIRLS who started dancing with us, flashing paint on our faces, which was COOL”

• “Taking loads of photos of us, I felt like a CELEBRITY. If you wanna feel like a celebrity, be a WHITE person and GO TO INDIA”

• “We danced for 12 more hours to Bollywood music and we were given lots of food. It was super cool. I felt like I was in a movie”

• “Fun facts – The Ganesha festival which ended today is…ummm…Ganesha is the God who is prayed to for the start of journeys and travels. I consider it GOOD LUCK”

Wow Ms.Cross! This is so contradictory to what you had put up in your story about the Ganesha festival!!!

Quoting from her article “I was prepared to follow the University of Chicago’s advice to women, to dress conservatively, to not smile in the streets.” However, your video titled “Whipping Boy” published on October 2, 2012 has you saying that your roommate and her friend embarked on an adventure and smiled at the people on the streets!

Didn’t you just break the rules?!? And you say you weren’t prepared for all the stares/glares that sliced away bits of you piece by piece! You brought it on upon yourself – you purposefully drew the locals’ attention on you! And you blame us?!? Preposterous is the word (that would just be an understatement actually!).

There are 6 videos that have been put up by Ms. Cross on YouTube with reference to her India trip – especially her three months of stay in Pune. Surprisingly, none of her videos show signs of struggle or trauma. And you are struggling with Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) now?!? I’m no psychiatrist Ms. Cross – but all I can say is you are suffering from a serious bout of “Attention Deficit Disorder”.

Ms. Cross, now I’m really starting to wonder if your whole article “India:  The Story You Never Wanted to Hear” was a sham to tarnish the image of my beautiful country. You’ve taken the entire nation for a highly emotional ride. Your article drew in a lot of support from my fellow compatriots and this pretence of an article is like a slap on their faces. Deplorable act I must say!!

P.S: @Moonboat – whoever you are, thanks a lot for bringing this to our notice. We owe this article to you!

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- अनघ शर्मा

अपने बचपन में किसी भूगोल की किताब में पढ़ा था कि दुनिया का सबसे बड़ा ज्वालामुखी विस्फोट इंडोनेशिया में हुआ था। इतना बड़ा की उसमें से निकले धुएं के कारण अगले पूरे वर्ष धरती के एक बहुत बड़े हिस्से का तापमान सामान्य से कई गुना नीचे दर्ज़ किया गया था। मैं जब तक उसके पास रहा ये जान ही नहीं पाया की कितना कुछ धधकता है उसके भीतर। अब सोचता हूँ कि अगर उसके भीतर का ज्वालामुखी फट गया होता तो कितने वर्षों के लिए हिम-युग आता। पर न ज्वालामुखी फटा, न ऐसा कुछ हुआ। आख़िरी बार भी बहन ही ने खबर दी थी उसके बारे में।
बड़ी बदल गयी है वो, अजब बुढ़ापा झांकता है उसके चेहरे से अब।
बूढी तो अपनी माँ भी लगने लगी हैं, याद है कितनी खूबसूरत थीं हमारे बचपन में , मैंने कहा।
ब्यूटी इज़ द कर्स। वो बोलीं।
फ़ोन रखने के बाद मैं देर तक उसी की याद में डूबा रहा, पर सिवाय एक धुंधले के कुछ नहीं दीखा। वैसे भी जब से बंगलौर शिफ्ट हुआ हूँ ,घर जाना ही नहीं हो पाया। पिछले दस सालों में तो एक बार भी नहीं जा पाया हूँ। रात की शांत फ़िज़ा बार-बार खुद में यही दोहरा रही थी कि हर इमारत को एक रोज़ खंडर में बदलना ही होता है।
” जानते नहीं ख़ूबसूरती की ज़िल्द पर सबसे पहले जंग लगती है। फिर टुकड़ा-टुकड़ा, पर्त-पर्त ये ज़िल्द खुद ही गल जाती है ……… वर्तमान की जो भी इमारत अपने अतीत में जितनी ज्यादा खूबसूरत रही होगी भविष्य में उसके खंडर बन्ने की आशंका उतनी ही प्रबल होगी। वैसे भी खूबसूरत चेहरों को बदलने में वक़्त ही कहा लगता है? बस एक वक्फ़ा …….

कहाँ तक पहुंचे छोटे लल्ला ?
अजब है तू भी, चित्त- पट्ट का मामला थोड़े है। सिक्का उछालूं, थामूं, देखूं और फ़ैसला हो गया।
तुम तो बहुत बखत बरत रहे हो।
तो क्या किस्सा-कोताही कर दूं ?
तुम से अच्छा तो छोटी जिजी कह-लिख देतीं।
तो फिर उसी के पास जा। हट! परे।
वो उदासी में डूबा हंसता चेहरा ले कर चली गयी। पर जाते-जाते एक भेद पकड़ा गयी कि सबसे पहले हंसते चेहरों की हंसी उतर कर देखनी चाहिए। आजकल उदासी बड़ी चालक हो गयी है। अगर खुश रहना है तो छुपी उदासी को निकाल फेंकना होगा। हाँ पता है उदासी और डर बड़े पक्के होते हैं ,एक बार पकड़ लें तो फिर छोड़ते नहीं। शांत बहते पानी में ज्यों अचानक पहाड़ियां निकल आयें, ऐसे मन पर कब्ज़ा कर लेते हैं ये। कई बार तो यह भय जीवन की जिजीविषा से भी बड़े हो जाते हैं। फिर भी जीवन जीना ही है आखिर तक। जीवन की चाह को लगातार ईधन देना पड़ता है, हर हाल में। जीवन की राहें आसन नहीं होतीं, किसी के लिए भी नहीं।
उसके जीवन की राह भी बड़ी कठिन थी,उसके नियंत्रण से परे। वो अगढ़-अनपढ़ भले ही थी पर बड़ी समझदार थी। वो जानती थी कि राह अगर टेढ़ी-मेढ़ी, पथरीली हो तो भी एक बार को कट ही जाएगी। पर वह सपाट राह जो काई से चिकनी हुई, शैवालों से पटी पड़ी हो, उसका क्या ?और अगर ऐसी फिसलन भरी डगर पर मूंह बके बल गिरना निश्चित हो तो क्या नंगे पांव खड़े हो संतुलन बनाये रखने की चेष्टा करना या चप्पल पहन तुरंत ही गिर पड़ना।

थोड़ी देर यूँ ही बेतरतीब ख्यालों में उलझे रहने के बाद मैंने बहुत दिन घर से बाहर रहने के कारण फ़ोन में जमा हुए वॉइस-मेसेज सुनना शुरू कर दिए। उनमें से एक बड़ी बहन का भी था तो कुछ वक़्त बाद उन्हें ही फ़ोन मिला दिया।
कैसी हो ?
ठीक हूँ। तू कैसा है ?
मैं भी ठीक हूँ।
तेरी आवाज़ थकी हुई सी कैसी लग रही है ?
बस ज़रा-बहुत थकावट है।
बड़ी रात गए फ़ोन किया तूने? सब खैरियत ?
हाँ, आज ही लौटा हूँ हैदराबाद से, तुम्हारा वॉइस-मेसेज था फ़ोन में तो सोचा तुम से ही बात कर लूं।
और क्या चल रहा है ?
कुछ नहीं, अच्छा तुमसे एक बात पूछनी थी।
क्या?
मुझे आजकल धीमरी बहुत दीखती है सपनों में। तुम जानती हो उसके नीम-पागल होने की क्या वजह थी।

सोशल-इंजस्टिस,सामाजिक अन्याय और हम सब में छुपा हुआ सबसे बड़ा भय। तब ज़माना आज के जैसे नहीं था कि एक कैंडल-मार्च निकालो लोग साथ जुड़ जायेंगे, भले ही धीरे-धीरे ही सही। दबंगों की दबंगई से तो आज भी मिडिल-क्लास और छोटा तबका डरता है, तब की तो बात ही छोडो। छोटे शहरों में तथाकथित बदलाव की गुंजाईश ही कहाँ होती थी तब ?
छोटे शहर चुस्त-ट्राउज़र्स की तरह होते हैं। धड से नीचे घुटनों तक इतने चुस्त की हवा भी इकहल्लर नहीं निकल सकती। घुटनों से नीचे जिस हिस्से को थोड़ी आज़ादी होती है वो हिस्सा मध्य-वर्ग का है ,जो चार पैसे जोड़ मौका लगते ही अपने बच्चों को बड़े शहरों की तरफ निकल देते हैं ताकि उनका भविष्य सुरक्षित रह पाए,पर सबसे ज्यादा मार खाता है हमारे यहाँ का निचला तबका। ढंकने को उसके पास कुछ होता नहीं नंगा वो चाह कर भी नहीं हो सकता। बंद पड़े-पड़े ख्यालों में बेड-सोर पैदा हो जाते हैं, कुंठाएं पनप जाती हैं, ज़हन कुंद पड़ जाते हैं।
लूट-डकैती दबंग डालते हैं और पुलिस पकड़ के ले जाती है गरीब घरों के बच्चों को। जिन्हें ये सिस्टम धीरे-धीरे पेशेवर मुजरिम में ढाल देता है। कुछ सालों में ये बच्चे हाव-भाव, चाल-ढाल,शक्ल-सूरत, रंग-रूप में एक जैसे हो जाते हैं। हाँ ये सच है अब समय बदला है और समाज के बड़े प्रोटेगोनिस्ट इन्हीं तबकों से निकलते हैं।
अरे !छोड़ो ये बातें , उसकी बताओ।

ऐन होली से एक रात पहले दबंगों के लड़के खींच कर ले गए थे इसको। रात भर बिना कपड़ों के नचाया इसे। कपड़ों के बदले सौदा तय हुआ मीना का। बाद में खाली पेटीकोट थमा के भेज दिया इसे।
और कोई बोल नहीं मुहल्ले भर से?
सब सोते रहते हैं ऐसे मौकों पर।
और मीना ?
मीना कब लौटी, किस हाल में लौटी ? किसी ने नहीं देखा। जब अम्मा ही महीनों बाद जान पाई तो कोई और क्या जानता?
मुझे क्यों नहीं बताया? मैं लगभग रुआंसा सा बोल।
तुम बंगलौर थे उस वक़्त कॉलेज में। हमें खुद ही बहुत देर से पता चला तो तुम्हें क्या बताते।बाद में सालों बीतने पर लगा की अब बताने का क्या औचित्य ? बाद में अम्मा ही राजघाट जा कर उसका सब सामान बहा आईं थीं। पर कुछ और भेद भी छुपा था उनके मन में जिसे कोई और नहीं जान पाया कभी भी, लोग अक्सर सच छुपा ही जाते हैं। एक बात पता है तुझे, लाल, नीली, पीली, चमकीली, काली, दुनिया में मौजूद और भी जितनी स्याहियां हैं उन सब का इस्तेमाल करके किस्से-कहानियां लिखने वाले जानते हैं कि वो पूरा सच नहीं लिख रहे हैं। चाहे कल्पना का ही नाम क्यों न दें उसे पर अधूरी ही है हर बात। भले ही कागज़ पर लिखी जाये, या रेशम पर, या फिर पत्थर पर ही उकेरी जाये , हर कहानी सच पर एक कलई चढ़ाये रखती है। चाहे मैं लिखूं या कोई और पर पूरा या पूरे जैसा कोई कभी कुछ लिख ही नहीं पाता। सच हमेशा कहानियों में नए-नए कपड़े पहने टुकड़े-टुकड़े में ही आ पाता है। पूरा सच तो अनगढ़, उलझा, लश्तम-पश्तम ताले लगे मन में कहीं पड़ा हुआ सांस लेता रहता है। मजाल है किसी की जो अपने ही मन का ताला खोल सच टटोल सके।

फ़ोन काटने के बाद मैं सन्न, अवाक बैठा रह गया। क्या था ये जो मुझे अभी पता चला ? कोई डरावना सच, या किसी फिक्शन का हिस्सा जो पढ़ा नहीं बस सुना भर हो। किस दर्ज़ा ट्रॉमा होगा। कैसी भयानक सौदेबाज़ी होगी वो? जिस्म के बदले जिस्म उफ़ !। मैं पक्षघात के मरीज सा थम के रह गया। कोई चिकोटी काटे तो भी महसूस न हो।

देखा छोटे लल्ला मैं कहती थी न छोटी जिजी तुम से अच्छा लिख लेती हैं। कैसी सुघराई से सब बता गईं तुम्हें। घबरा के इधर-उधर देखा मैंने, कमरे में कोई नहीं था। डर के मारे कहानी के अध्-लिखे पन्ने फाड़ कर फ्लश-आउट कर दिए मैंने। शांत रात में सिर्फ़ हवाएं बह रहीं थीं , मैंने गौर से कान लगा कर सुना। वो हवाएं एक दर्द-भरा गीत गा रहीं थीं।
“मोरी पतुरियाँ माई गंगे बहा देव
मैं तो चली परदेस मोरे लाल”

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By Joybrato Dutta

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Day – Wednesday, June 11, 2008
Time – 9:00 PM

Vikrant parks his car as he answers his phone.

“Hello Vikrant, Harsh bol raha hun” Harsh’s tensed voice spoke from the other end.

“Kya hua Harsh pareshan kyun hai”

“Bhaai kal teri gaadi chahiye”

“Hatt saaley, girlfriend ko chamkane ke liye meri gaadi mili tere ko?”

“Chamkana nahin hai bhaai, bhagaana hai”

Kya? Matlab?

Harsh explains his situation to Vikrant. His helpless condition compels Vikrant to help. He pauses for a moment and asks, “Plan kya hai?”

“Kal raat ko kareeb 11 baje, Mai Riya ko Ram Mandir ke saamne se pick karunga. Phir raat ko hi hum Kalkatta nikal lenge. Jahan mera Chachera bhaai rehta hai. Uske yahan teri gaadi rakhwa kar hum subah ki flight pakad kar Bhopal chale jaayenge. Wahan se phir Kareli”

Vikrant thinks for a moment and says “Plan to thik hai, par Riya ke baap ko bhanak bhi lagi to tu kat jaayega”

“Ghabra mat tere aur mere alawa yeh baat sirf Riya aur Neha jaante hai.” Harsh assures him.

• The Love Cartridge: The Last Bullet – Chapter 1

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By Ankush Kumar

MSK and Ankush Kumar start a series of interviews, where we will showcase the views of our youth leaders and their connect with the Youngistaan.

Joining us today is ‘Mr. Rajesh Kumar’ convenor of the professional cell of the BJP for Bihar. He is a son of the soil, born in a village named Narhat, has done his schooling from there, did his engineering in Bangalore and MBA from Pune. He is currently the Zonal head for Frontline, a company that is into trading and investments. He also has other business interests but most importantly is an active youth leader for the BJP in Bihar.

Excerpts.

Ankush Kumar (AK):  Sir why did you choose the BJP and say no to the Congress or any other political party?

Rajesh Kumar (RK): The motto of this party is to work with a difference. It puts the nation as top priority, then the state follows and self is given least priority. They function in a democratic way, unlike the Congress where one family controls its policies. Hence I have chosen the BJP.

AK:  Since you believe in the democratic set up of your party, and the youth is desperate for change. How do you think you can sync your ideologies with the young voters?

RK: The youth has taken to the social media in a big way, any issue and every issue is dissected by them. They are disheartened by the current affairs of our country and its leaders. We as youth leaders want them to know that we empathize with them and we are ready to walk hand-in-hand and bring change to society.

AK: All political leaders say the same thing sir that they will bring in the change. Frankly most leaders choose politics to make money. How do you think this can change?

RK: I agree to a certain extent that most leaders have failed the people of India; they have minted money on people’s misery. But most importantly they have filled their coffers by dividing the nation on communal and caste lines. These leaders can never show us the right direction. They can just do minority vote bank politics. Our NDA Government in has Bihar managed to change that in the last nine years. We have ensured that people in the lowest strata of the society get educated. Because a well educated society can only curb the rampant culture of such selfish leaders.

AK: As you said that we need to educate at the grass root level, India spends very little on elementary education. What steps has the BJP youth wing taken to ensure that education reaches the grassroots level?

RK: As they say Rome was not built in a day. When NDA came to power in Bihar, our aim first was to eradicate the fear of the people by providing security and law and order. We youth level leaders first want to break the syndicate of these selfish politicians who do not let the weaker sections of society to progress. If you remember the induction of 2 lakh teachers happened during our regime. Cycles were provided to girl students to strengthen our education system.

AK: Last time I visited a few schools in Bihar and most teachers under the Shiksha Mitra scheme did not know basic general knowledge about our country. All this eventually hampers the image of Bihar. Even today the perception of a Bihari is wrong in other parts of India. How do you all plan to tackle this?

RK: See there will be some loopholes always. Even we have observed that selection of few teachers have not been up to the mark. And that definitely needs to be corrected. As far as perception is concerned, I don’t care what others think about us, because we too have opinions on them. For example, I believe Maharashtra has the highest crime rate. Furthermore, Maharashtrians haven’t remained in touch with their culture. So, before throwing stones at us, they need to get their own house in order. We are a state that boasts of the best brains, be it from the field of engineering, UPSC or any other. So you cannot judge us uni-dimensionally.

AK: The bitter truth though remains that these brains eventually settle outside Bihar. What steps can be taken to ensure that brain drain does not happen?

RK: Yes that is true! In fact, I too completed Masters from Karnataka. The truth is that the government of Bihar during the nineties in did zilch development. We had neither engineering nor medical colleges, nor infrastructure – no one was ready to invest here hence the intelligent minds decided to migrate. In the last nine years though people have come forward and through public and private ventures medical colleges are opening in the state. IIT came here so did AIIMS. When we came to power our first priority was law and order and once that was achieved we started focusing on other sectors.

AK: As you said your top priority was law and order, but in the past few months Bihar has witnessed terror crimes. How and why did this happen?

RK: Ever since we have split with the JDU, they have only been interested in saving their government. They focus on ways to demean us and harp on NDA’s achievements. The National security agencies had warned them of threats yet no action was taken. It’s a total failure of the state intelligence machinery. Bihar has hardly seen terror attacks based on communal lines, but these people sitting in Pakistan don’t seem to improve.

AK: I disagree here, terror has no face, innocent lives are lost be it any religion. Doesn’t this statement sends out a wrong message to the youth?

RK: Who says terror has no face? Ask a child on the road and he will tell you terror means Pakistan. Yes, I agree innocent people have nothing to do with these terrorists. But these cowards have repeatedly damaged our nation and its time we retaliate in the most appropriate manner.

AK: Elections are round the corner and social media gives the impression that Narendra Modi is going to become the next Prime Minister. It’s being tipped as a battle between Rahul Gandhi and Narendra Modi. What is your take on it?

RK: I would like to start with a proverb we use in our villages ‘kahan raja bhog kahan gangu teli’. Narendra Ji has been in active politics for the last forty years, thrice the awaam of Gujarat have made him the Chief Minister. He comes from the grass root level, whereas Rahul Gandhi, apart from his family, has no credentials.

He returns from abroad and is made secretary overnight. Wherever he has campaigned, the Congress has lost. He went to UP and they were reduced to 36 seats, he came to Bihar as the icon of the Congress and made false promises. What happened? They won just three seats. So those people who are comparing him to Narendra bhai have very little knowledge about politics.

AK: Sir as you say NaMo is incomparable to any leader, then why is there so much infighting in the BJP over his nomination for PM post?

RK: See, we are a democratic party; in our set-up everyone has the right to express his or her views and opinions. We don’t have unilateral power centers like the others; we have a system in place, where even a cadre-based leader can voice his opinion and if his demands are genuine, it will be acted upon. Families do not run us. I will give you an example here. Do you know the name of the father of Narendra Modi or Rajnath Ji? But the country knows the name of Rahul Gandhi’s father or Laloo’s son or Mulayam Singh Yadav’s family.

AK: As you said you are a democratic party, then why did your parliamentary board gag Shatrughan Sinha? Once gagging happens how is the party democratic?

RK: I am a son of the soil, likewise Shotgunjee too is. He commented on NaMo on the basis of ideologies and understanding of politics. I don’t want to comment on that. But I would like to say that before he comments on Narendra bhai he should gauge his own popularity. In his own constituency his banners were removed and NaMo’s banners were put up. We too have done our surveys and we believe the nation is with Narendra bhai hence he should and will be the man who will lead us in the next elections.

AK: Sir, if you all are so confident, why has his name not been nominated for the top post?

RK: As I said, we are a democratic party, and we function step by step. Right now teams are being formed in different states. Who will lead our campaigns in which state, who will handle what responsibilities. Once we complete the nitty gritties of the campaign we will soon announce the name of Narendra Modi jee as our Prime ministerial candidate.

AK: What is that one issue, that you think will help you regain control of Delhi?

RK: The issue of development is that issue. The youth wants change today, we still are using the same infrastructure that we used forty years back, that needs to change, we want to do politics of development. We are not interested in politics of religion or states or division. We have had enough of this. My appeal to the voters is to go by the appeal of Narendra bhai ‘Yes We Can’. Lets vote for change, let’s vote for development.

AK: Before I take your leave, one final question ‘ where do we see Rajesh Kumar’ in five years time?

RK: I want to live amongst my society, work for them, help them grow in life. Place me anywhere without any selfish reasons because I want to work for the betterment of my nation, state and system.

This was Mr. Rajesh Kumar, a rising star of the BJP from Bihar. Keep a tab on this space online for yet another youth leaders take on the Youth’s pulse. Till then signing off!

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By Sharat D.Mathur

jee main aata hai har ik sham koi nazm kahen,

haat ho jate hain bezar, kahen ya na kahen

jee me aata hai ki vahashat ka vo lamha keh dain,

lavz ho jate hain khamosh, kahen ya na kahen

ashk kahtain hain ki gir jayen abhi kagaz par,

aankh jhuk jati hai chupchap, kahen ya na kahen

vo ye kahate hain ki shayar ho tum tumhi keh do

sunane wale hain wohi log, kahen ya na kahen

kuch main kahata hoon to kehtain hain ki kehta hai bohot

kuch na kehane pe bhi ilzam, kahen ya na kahen.

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By Shwetha Kalyanasundaram

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Not to forget that this blog is attributed to the tamashaa that ensues in every house (almost every house), there are quite a few funny snippets that must be highlighted in the process.

In a lot of profiles that I have scanned, in the “about me” section, there would be details of the parents, brothers, sisters and the whole gamut of people in the family; but no information about the guy whatsoever. Poor guys! In some profiles, even their pet makes their presence felt but not the guy in question!! Heck, why is there a separate space for family details then?!?

Nearly 40% of the profiles that are available on these matrimonial sites have very funny descriptions – descriptions that use only adjectives (and I mean only adjectives) to describe how “good” the guy is. The most common adjectives that one would find are “nice, loving, caring, jovial…” and the likes. I thought all of us fit into those adjectives!! It’s so obvious that I don’t understand the reason why it is being stated! Ooh, the best part is their expectation for a “homely” girl. Here’s the dictionary meaning of the highlighted word:

HOME.LY / ˈhōmlē/

Adjective

(of a person) Unattractive in appearance

Synonyms – plain/simple/unsightly

Now we know what every guy wants!!! Bu ha ha ha *evil*

Most of the guys, on their profiles state that they don’t smoke or drink. But when you do start talking to them, they accept that they are social drinkers/smokers. Why hide it?!? Accept the facts as they are – it’s after all one’s personal choice and in today’s world, its acceptable and most of the girls don’t mind it at all. As the Tamil proverb goes “aayiram poi solli oru kalyaanam pannalaam” (read: One can say a 1000 lies to get married), I guess this just adds onto their bag of lies!! I appreciate guys who are really honest when it comes to this.

Can you believe it if I say that being the only child to my parents had become a disadvantage for me in the marriage market??!! We have received calls from parents who didn’t want to go ahead with the proposal just because I’m the only child.

And one parent even had the audacity to ask my mother if anything could be done…what does she expect?!? Does she expect my parents to adopt one or go through the entire process of delivering a child again?!? Oh boy, didn’t I enjoy the dressing down that the lady got from my mom for being so downright stupid!!

So what happens if the horoscope matches?!? Watch this space for more!

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By Sharon Andrew, Happiness Evangelist at Happiest Minds Technologies, Bangalore 

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What do we really need right now, to be happy?

A new car, a new house, a new friend…

What do we lack right now?

Does anything need to change in order for us to be happy?

What do we really need? Do we really need anything in order to be happy?

Powerful Questions. Food for thought.

Sharon Salzberg, the author of the book “The Kindness Handbook” (http://www.flipkart.com/kindness-handbook-practical-companion/p/itmdyjz4nhmhhgcq?pid=9781591796558&otracker=from-search&srno=t_1&query=The+kindness+handbook&ref=fed7a838-4f9a-4347-ad86-ce392709fb79) shares her experience while staying at a monastery in South East Asia. At the monastery, there was generally no charge for staying and the food was donated by “groups or families who come to the center to make the offerings”. Therefore, the food that was provided was varied depending on the circumstances of those donating. Sometimes, bountiful. Sometimes, meager.

Sharon recounts: “Time after time, I went into the dining room for a meal and looked at the faces of the people who had made the offering, since they commonly come to watch you receive it. They would look radiant, so happy that they’d had an opportunity to feed us, to offer something that would help sustain us. They seemed so happy that we were going to be meditating, exploring the truth, and purifying our minds and hearts on the strength of their offering. In that moment, when they were so genuinely grateful for the chance to give, I would ask myself, ‘What do I really need right now in order to be happy?” I realized that I was getting fed a lot more by their joy and delight than I was by the actual food”.

As we journey through our manifold experiences in life, we yearn for happiness and spend time and energy looking for it. I have come to believe that performing acts of kindnesses is what brings me true, genuine and abiding happiness.

I asked some of our colleagues about what truly makes them happy. This is what they had to say:

… spending time with my family especially with my daughter makes me feel happy; when I work hard and do things differently, a bit of appreciation makes me feel happy.

… being truthful and down to earth even in a critical situation & living a simple life makes me happy.

… I feel happy when I can help my fellow people… and see them happy.

… talking to Dad makes me happy – his composed and relaxed voice reflecting patience & satisfaction with his accomplishments  gives me energy and motivation to keep trying until I succeed.

What makes you happy? What do you need to be happy?

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By Malathy Madathilezham

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She stared at his worried eyes. No, she stared through them…into oblivion. What was she doing here? Why was she with him? Tears streamed down her eyes, an ocean of emotions over which she had no control. ‘I am sorry dear, really… I don’t know what to say? Why are you crying?’

His voice just washed over the surface of her skin, in the background. It wasn’t that she regretted having sex with this gentle giant of a man who had become her greatest support during the past few months. She was just surprised and overwhelmed at what could have driven her to do it. She knew he loved her intensely, but she also knew that she did not. He was part of her life right now to help her through this difficult time. Right now, she couldn’t bear the thought of sharing her life with another man! She was repulsed by the very thought.

‘Mridula!!’ Arun’s voice shook her out of her reverie. ‘Look at me dear, you know how wretched I feel when you cry. It’s worse when I don’t know why.’ Should she share her thoughts? No, she decided, it would cause so much pain to him and that she would not be able to see. ‘It happens you know when I get overwhelmed by emotions, tears just flow. Doesn’t mean that I am sad!’ She smiled at him.

It was in college that she first met him. It wasn’t first love but it was in first sight. She was drawn to him in a way she had not known till then. The magic of their first date made her want to meet him again…and again and again. The first time they made love, she had decided that this was the man she wanted to spend the rest of her life with. She could only see the love in his eyes… Love was everything….

Mridula was in stress. Uncertainty in her career, financial burden and the constant bickering and fighting with Anand was taking a toll on her health. She did not know what to do. Her only solace now was Arun. She felt guilty. She felt as if she was using him. But she could not stop. Their conversations and coffee together after work was the only thing she looked forward to nowadays.

Arun loved her. From the first day at work he liked her. He had sensed that she was troubled and wanted to help her. He tried to maintain a distance after he came to know she was married. That did not work! He could not believe what happened today. He felt guilty. ‘She is married!!’ His friends had warned him not get emotionally involved as they did not want to see him get hurt. But he had started hoping for more…looking forward to more… may be….

Mridula was walking home. She had cheated on her husband today. But why wasn’t she feeling guilty? She was, in fact, feeling calm and relieved. The uncertainty in her mind was there no more. She knew now what she wanted. More importantly she knew what she had to do to achieve that. She felt a sense of freedom which had till then eluded her. She was free.

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By Tahira

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Bengalis love fish. True. So being a true blue bong, there was no reason as to why should I not drool over this aquatic creature. I love all kinds of fish – be it the royal hilsa, or the humble rui or pomfret – direct from the sea. Back home for my holidays (that stretched for nearly 3 months) I would often concoct up fishy delicacies in the kitchen.

Most of the time, I cooked pomfret. One of my favourites. So, just thought of sharing the recipe of this delicacy with my readers. Its simple, easy and definitely lip-smacking.

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• ŸPomfret – 2 medium-sized
• ŸGinger paste
• ŸGarlic paste
• ŸRed chilli powder
• ŸTurmeric
• ŸYogurt
• ŸLemon juice
• ŸSalt to taste
• ŸCooking oil 1 tablespoon

Method

Wash and pat dry the fish. Make deep slits on each side. Rub lemon juice and ginger-garlic paste on the fish and keep aside for at least minutes. In a bowl make a smooth paste with yogurt, turmeric, red chilli powder, oil and some salt. Apply this paste evenly over the fish. Marinate it for at least two hours. Pre-heat oven and place the marinated fish. Cook for around 20 minutes at 180 degrees. You may apply some butter for basting while cooking. Serve hot with onion slices and lemon wedges.

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By Joybrato Dutta

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My eyes blinked. My eyelids fluttered. My hands trembled, as I tried to reach the button, which was just two metres away from me. A thousand voices had formed allegiance in my brain and were asking me to not press it. However, I was seeking that one voice that would make me aware of the repercussion. What if I am not supposed to press the button? What if it’s meant to be this way? The voices in my head told me, it would be better to leave it. My life could be much better. Something better might be waiting for me once the moment passed.

The excruciatingly painful moment just didn’t pass. I looked around. I was in a gas chamber, or a jail, or maybe the vault of a bank. I just couldn’t tell. My vision was blurred. All I could see was the button. I was like Arjun, the great archer from Mahabharata. Well, probably Arjun on acid. Because for some inexplicable reason my hands refused to follow my orders.

The sound in the room was deafening. It was like someone scratching a black board with nails. God knows what caused that noise. What had I done to deserve this? What happened last night? I tried looking through my blurry eyes. I couldn’t spot anyone. Where were my friends? Where was the girl who danced with me last night? I remember drinking with her.

Oh damn! She got me a drink. Did she mix anything in my drink? Why couldn’t I remember? I just remember leaving my friends and sitting in her car. My friends had warned me about such poison ivies. “Poison Ivy? She looked more of a damsel in distress” I retorted. “There’s a bitch in every bitchaari”, my friends cautioned me. Why didn’t I listen to them? Why do I have to always surrender to my stubbornness? Look what it has landed me into. Visuals from the movie Hostel started flashing in my head. Young men being castrated and lynched to satisfy the fetish of some rich Arab.

I couldn’t let that happen. I tried to gather the might and approached the button that would decide my destiny. The voices in my head tried to stop me. But I had already turned my back on common sense. As my hand neared the button the cacophony in my head increased. I hope I am making the right decision. I hope a beautiful day waits on the other side of this button. I hope I am ready to face it.

And then with all my strength, with all the power in my body I got up and pressed the button. The sound stopped. My alarm clock simply stopped. And just like that another day of struggling to get out of my bed was over. I can simply hope the day is worth the effort.

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By Ganesh Subramanian

So after the final test drew to a close after England’s late charge towards victory was halted by bad-light, the Poms well and truly got to lay their hands on the historic Ashes urn. Australia was totally outplayed in the series and England fittingly won the series 3-0. No doubt the historic rivalry of the Ashes transcends ages and generations, but that doesn’t call for an utterly disgusting way to celebrate the victory. For those who are wondering what I am talking about, a few players of the England team celebrated their victory by urinating on the Oval pitch.

Now comes the apology from the English camp for any offence that might have been caused to anyone by their actions. A few lines from the apology statement published in ecb.co.uk website are given below:

“The England cricket team would like to state that during our celebrations after winning the Ashes at no time was there any intention to disrespect Surrey CCC, the Oval or anyone else involved in the game we love,”

The interesting thing about this statement is that while England says that it did not have any intention to disrespect Surrey CCC, the Oval or anyone else involved in the game we love, what they actually ended up disrespecting was the very spirit of cricket by their “taking a leak” act. It was a shameful act to hear itself, let alone see it for the true connoisseurs of cricket. Wonder what MCC has to say on the English players’ actions given that MCC is the custodian and guardian of cricket!

The apology goes on to say that the act was a simple error of judgement from the English players more than anything else. How much more mean could that excuse be? No international player in his sane senses is expected to indulge in an act like that whether it’s a feeling of euphoria after the victory or something else.

In a series already marred by DRS controversies, Lehmann-Stuart Broad spat and so on, this was the last thing the series or more importantly the game of cricket needed. With interesting happenings in cricket on right now with Zimbabwe beating Pakistan in an ODI after 15 years, India A squaring the test series with RSA-A after their 2^nd test loss, etc this post Ashes episode leaves a bad taste in everyone’s mouth. One can only hope that in their quest for becoming a world-beating side, the English team learns a bit of modesty and humbleness also along the way.

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