Taken some time off for the mid sems...
Be back in a week.

Maverick signin off.....

Chak De India!!!

Sports films like these are always filled with unavoidable cliches - underdog taking a one and a million shot at glory and success, the fight against all odds and seeminly unsurmountable problems, fallen heroes seeking redemption. And in spite of all this Chak De works for me, much better than Lagaan.
I know it would be an unforsaken sin to speak so, but then, I couldnt help it, Lagaan had so much going in favor of it - known faces of actors, cricket - which, in India, every kid knows, plays and connects to emotionally, and of course the eternal upmanship with England, which, even 60 yrs after independence, remains one of the favourite collective pastimes of the nation. And yet, somehow i couldnt enjoy Lagaan the way i did Chak De.... maybe coz of the slickness of the script. Lagaan just dragged on and on....

If Shah Rukh the star, pulled you to the cinema hall, it's Shah Rukh the actor, who is gonna keep you gripped. The director has never tried to glorify the character Kabir. And SRK reflects that aptly. He was there for his own reason and was guided by his own reason.

I was really fascinated by the dry wit in Kabir Khan’s character, as a result of 7 years of self-imposed exile ,a result of a system that has completely let him down. The almost despotic need to redeem himself.

If ability, capability and expertise were all that was needed to win a match, sports would have been a different ball game altogether. And this is what Kabir Khan( SRK) believed in.

And in a way, the movie raises its voice against a system that still believes women to be below men, not only in sports, but everywhere in life. Which still believes that women should wield 'chakla-belan' instead of hockey sticks. The symbolism in the movie is poignant.

So even if you're a non-SRK fan, you gotta go 'n see the guy perform. And if you still remain unconvinced, just tell me one actor who would have dared to risk a script which has no usual B-masala.

The movie takes u on a taut emotional joyride of anguish, pain, helplesness, empathy... and then again, the euphoria, joy and redemption of watchin the girls win. Of having the courage to believe in themselves and watching a nations dream come true.

As for the girls, well they are the face of the entire film. Even the word 'brilliant' would be an understatement. Each deliver their unique performance in style.

They make you laugh, they make you giggle, they make you sit there and realise that they are out their to perform and would not goof it up for anything.

And the most breathtaking momemt of the match??? No, not the last penalty shot getting converted into a goal. Being the cynic I am, and knowing what hindi movies are like, I must admit I knew the end was goin to be a foregone conclusion.

What really took my breath away was the team lookin gorgeously radiant in their saris. In a cocktail dinner with the other girls in their gowns, the indian team looked Oh-so-beautiful in their saris.

Agreed the film is not without flaws. It is kind of silly to imagine that a no-show team can be shaped into world champions in just three months. But then there has to be some line between reel and real.

The verdict : Watch it . PLZZZZZZZZZZZ. If u dont, u ll miss some real good comin-of-age Indian cinema.

Some excerpts from Dr Manmohan Singh's Independence Day Speech

In the past 60 years, we have built a firm foundation on which we can in fact redeem the pledge of the architects of modern India in full measure. The young people of today should remember that at Independence we inherited an economy weakened by years of colonial exploitation.

For half a century before Independence, the Indian economy registered virtually no growth at all. In the first three decades after Independence, we grew at 3.5 per cent per annum. In the second three decades our annual growth rate went up to nearly 6.0 per cent.

In the past few years the growth rate has been closer to 9.0 per cent per annum. This has been made possible by a rising rate of investment, now at around 35 per cent of national income, and rising productivity of labour and capital. If we can sustain these rates, and step up the productivity of land and labour, we should be able to attain double digit rates of growth in the near future.

India is on the move.

This steady acceleration of growth, however, averages the impressive performance of some regions and the inadequate performance of others. It has also been socially uneven. Hence, the challenge before us is to make the growth process more socially inclusive and regionally balanced. In the past decade, we have seen a further acceleration of growth, based on the impressive performance of certain sectors of our economy. But we have a long road to travel to realise the full potential of our people and fulfill the promises of the Father of our Nation and the Architect of Modern India.

India at 60 is a nation of young people. To realise our true potential, we must invest in the health and education of every child. We must create new employment opportunities for all, especially for the less privileged sections of society, and for those living in rural areas. We must eliminate the rural-urban divide in development indicators. We must also ensure that the process of industrialisation generates enough jobs for our youth, in urban, semi-urban and rural areas.

In the past 60 years, people moved to where work was available; in the next 60 years, work must move to where people live..........

While there is much to be proud of in our record of the past 60 years, the unfinished agenda should make us humble and energise us to work together. The emerging challenges, at home and globally, should make us firm in our resolve to be united and to be cooperative. I do not see enough commitment to such a consensual agenda in our political parties, in our media, in our intelligentsia and in our social elite.

On this 60th anniversary of our Independence I call upon every Indian to think of India first and work to make India first.

Love is.......

My cat reminds me of people 'playing games' in relationships.

I just want to say: "LOOK CAT! You want me to pet you, and I want you to be happy on my lap. Why the hell do you act like you don't want anything- as the cat walks away and neither of us get what they want."

Are U LIke ur Mom....... Another of those quizzes

You Are Somewhat Like Your Mom
Believe it or not, you and your mom are pretty darn similar.It may not seem like it at times, but you and your mom have a lot of common ground.Over time, you'll probably get closer ... especially if you emphasize the things you like about each other.

“I trust you” is a better compliment than “I love you” because you may not always trust the one you love, but believe me, you can always love the person you trust for the rest of your life.

Sometimes, we are in love in the idea of falling in love. Loving the illusion of having or missing someone. It's alright to feel happy thru other people, but don't get dependent on achieving happiness by being with someone. Love yourself first before sharing your life with somebody, because if you don't, you will always look for people that you think can make you complete. And in the end, it will make you lose yourself more, bit by bit, piece by piece.

Love.......

No one is too young for love,
because love doesn't come from your mind,
which knows your age,
but from your heart,
which knows no age.
-Anonymous

Lagey Raho.......

Something very interesting, from a movie that has undoubtedly inspired many......'Lagey Raho, Munnabhai'....
However, this is what i feel was the best part of the movie, something which i actually forgot after the first time i it. Yet when i saw it again, this was one singular piece which really touched me to the heart..... Give it a thought.

Shaher ki es daud me daud ke karna kya hai?
Jab yehi jeena hai dosto to phir marna kya hai?

Pehli barish me train late hone ki fikr hai
Bhul gaye bhigte hue tahelna kya hai?
Serials ke kirdaaro ka saara haal hai malum
par maa ka haal puchhne ki fursat kise hai?
Ab ret pe nage pao tahelte kyu nahi?
108 hai chanel phir dil bahelte kyu nahi?
Internet ki duniya ke to touch me hai,
lekin pados me kon raheta hai jaante tak nahi.
Mobile, Landline sab ki bharmaar hai,
Lekin jigri dost tak pahuche aise taar kaha hai?
Kab dubte hue suraj ko dekha tha yaad hai?
Kab jaana tha shaam ka woh banana kya hai?

To Dosto Shaher ki es daud me daud ke karna kya hai
Jab yahi jeena hai to phir Marna kya hai?