Endnotes!!!

• Poor Hrithik Roshan!!! He has to dance even to sell biscuits. Dont get what i am saying?? You will have to watch the latest Bourbon Biscuit tv advertisement. Saw him gyrating to his histrionic moves fervently for some few seconds... and then suddenly from nowhere emerges a biscuit packet from his hand... and he mutters something... it happens really quickly to even register anything. What hits you though is that poor Hrithik is being typecast as a dancer... and he has to break into his fervid item everytime he endorses a product. Come on Bourbon ppl... you guys can do much better... so can Hrithik. Spare his flexile body.

End Note: Has anyone seen Hrehaan??? He is Hrithik's elder son. Recently saw him perched in his mumma's lap at some award function. Cute is the word. But think no further.... Have booked him for Aara. Aara too broke into giggles when i put Hrehaan's photo in front of her. She broke into her little chiggy wiggy dance as soon as she set her sight upon him. Double thumbs up!!! :)

• Irrespective of all the hype and hoopla that surrounded Jaswant Singh's book 0n Jinnah... its a delight to read it. Its a well-researched, well thought out and well spaced book that documents how Jinnah went onto become Quaid e Azam of Pakistan. This well researched book has been put together with great care too. It has references to several books and has brief explanation on various events and people who made history as end notes. Someone who enjoys reading history and is curious about India, should read this book.

End Note: Just as a precaution... dont hold the book with one hand and lie on your back, while you read it. Its heavy. My wrist is furious with me and is making its feelings evident since two days.

• Just as Ishrat Jahan encounter case grabbed the headlines, driving both the central and the state government into a frenzy... stories from all quarters started coming in about various other fake encounters carried out by police officers across India. While Gujarat Government dug out records to show.. how poor seventh or eighth Gujarat fared at killing people in encounters, compared to UP or Rajasthan, Chidambaram took the matter on international stage. Made a comment on Gujarat Government and Ishrat killing in the Washington. CNN and BBC which hadnt bothered so far, too took attention. Better late than never, CNN too has reported about it now. Its an interesting report from an international point of view. Can be read at: http://edition.cnn.com/2009/WORLD/asiapcf/09/11/india.shooting.probe/

Talk about going international Mr. Modi!!!

End Note: The encounter feeling engulfed the city to such an extent that even local cable operators put up 'Ab Tak Chappan' - a hindi movie on the backdrop of encounter killings by police officers, featuring Nana Patekar, in their prime time movie slot.

• And when the encounters, war and crimes are grabbing headlines all over the world... and one is tired of listening to all the noise that comes with the chaos... here's a break. Photographs by Emilio Morenatti. He has travelled extensively in the middle east and has captured Afghanistan and Pakistan for Associated Press. He has also been conferred the award of Newspaper Photographer of the Year 2008. Once while on an assignment in Gaza, he was kidnapped by gunmen but later released without any harm. The reason why i am building up so much is because the photos that he took left me spell bound. These are riveting photos... something that will linger on even as you move onto the next one. "A picture says a thousand words." - it was never so true before. You can take a glimpse of his work at http://blogs.denverpost.com/captured/2009/03/23/photographer-collection-emilio-morenatti/

End Note: Its 12th September. My Momma Jani In Law's birthday. But even as we set out to celebrate her birthday today evening... Amul just mentioned in the car today morning saying: 'Mos, exactly three more months to go." 12th Dec is nearing. The countdown is drawing close. :) The room is under construction. Clothes and venue and functions are decided. Navarati is approaching and Diwali will be here soon. And within no time... it will be time to get invitation cards printed..... phew.... God!! Be there!!!

Till the next post.... tata!!!

A New Post

I am glad a lot of people read my blog. Some of them write comments, some of them sms me and some of them refer to it, to tell me indirectly that they have read my blog. So one of them asked me what do i read? Well, for one, i read books. I read, finish that one, pick another one. I recently finished reading A case of exploding mangoes by Mohammad Hanif.

A Case of Exploding Mangoes has Pakistan Army and its functioning as a backdrop, as the book goes onto explain Who killed General Zia-ul-Haq? Well, before you get any ideas... its a work of fiction. But its beautifully written. Any literature graduate will remember the college days when ornate prose was so well appreciated. It has some beautiful quotes from Urdu Literature. Anyone who enjoys beautifully written prose, is curious about Pakistan and its army and loves history as a backdrop to the story will like reading the Case of Exploding Mangoes.

After A case of Exploding Mangoes, i read Exodus. Infact i had left Exodus midway as i had forgotten the book behind at Amul's place. I recently picked it up and finished reading it. Its written by Leon Uris. Exodus is one his best books and he's a great writer when it comes to writing historical fiction. Exodus is about the formation of Israel. Its about how people flocked to Israel following Hitler's actions in Europe. Its a beautiful plot with a lot of drama, historical facts thrown in with the right mixture of human emotions, which have been cultivated beautifully. Its a long read though... Its not about reading it over a trip. It takes time to read it but its one of those books that is a must read.

And when i am not reading books... i am reading magazines and newspapers. That comes as a part of the job. But i also read magazines which has nothing to do with work. I subscribe to Outlook, Readers Digest and People. I regularly pick up India Today, The Week, Outlook Business, Vogue and Outlook Traveller. :)

And sometimes i read blogs on the internet.... the ones that my friends write or forward me, sometimes i pick them up from other websites where they are recommended by someone. They are interesting and i like their writing styles. I guess writing is such a beautiful way to express yourself... to reveal your thoughts without actually saying it.... to talk to people without having to actually call them.... and just share things you would like to.

Reading and Writing are two of my best occupations. They provide this cushioning to life. They fill in the gaps. They accompany you when u are alone. They give an expression to the feelings pent up inside. They release all these thoughts that generate in my mind and above everything reading and writing are like soul sisters.... companions for life.

If you have any recommendations that you feel i will enjoy reading... please do share them with me... :)

Happy Reading!!

Sunday!!

:) I havent come across anyone who doesnt smile after hearing the word: Sunday. Its a bliss for the working community... and for the non-working community too, its a time well spent or i guess the day most looked forward to. Sunday holds a special place in my heart. More so after taking up the NewsX assignment, which makes me value every Sunday i am not working. God!! Its such a relief to have a break. This is one trend set by the world, i dont wish to question. Infact i whole heartedly accept this one practice of the world. 

Sundays!!! Aaahhh... Waking up without the fear of having to report anywhere by 9. Waking up and spending the next few hours without changing, without shower... and sometimes even brushing. What a bliss!! The entire rack of newspaper with best editorials, feature articles, great interviews, movie/books/music reviews and the glossy shine to make it extra special, is the next best thing about Sunday. And if you are a Sunday Express fan, you will share the smile right now. The special feature - The Eye. Even DNA is turning out to be very promising. Its a great read. Their 'The Mag on Sunday' is good too. And then the weekly forecasts. :) I always read Amul and my zodaic sign predictions... only to forget what was predicted last sunday and if the predictions are true at all. But its fun. Reading the cartoon strip and the Spiritual Corner in the The Sunday Times. All this happens only on Sundays. I guess the press knows too what people like to read on Sunday.

And once done with paper... i move on to either computer, load my favourite songs and get down to cleaning my room... or switch on the tv, get hold of my coke can and surf channels till i am done with it. Its so cool to have a Sunday at the end of the entire week. Well, in India atleast Sunday is the last day of the week. In Middle East, people must be feeling the same about Friday. And i am not sure but in the US, the week starts with a Sunday. Wow... what a way to start your week... with a holiday!!

Infact, its no fault of Monday for being disliked by so many people. Its all Sunday's fault being so cheerful that no soul loves to return to the mundane, money making, back breaking and nerve wrenching work schedule that Monday brings with it.

And the thoughts about Monday start sinking in by 8pm on Sunday evenings... as soon as you mentally go through what all awaits you tomw. For me, its always the dreaded 8am call from Delhi... going through your day plan, explaining the story, the angle you are exploring, the interviews you will be doing, the shots that you plan... god!! So much for a meagre salary. 

But i am still 2 good long hours away from feeling all bad about Sunday getting over though. Right now, as i type this blog out, my dad is practising 'Ya Rabba' by Kailash Kher on his harmonium. Just like i love listening to Kailash, i love sitting with dad when he's playing his harmonium and singing along. Today, its his birthday, but he's chosen to spend it like any other day. Which is equally cheerful and relaxed for him anyways. He doesnt want to go outside for a meal or call anybody home. As we both wait for mom to get back from Visnagar, we both are happy just doing our own stuff right now. By now, after listening to Ya Rabba 5 times, appreciating Shankar-Ehsaan-Loy's effort, Dad's learnt the song. He will now sing on some other day, when he is in mood to play his harmonium with his chai. :) 

God bless Sunday!! I wish people many joyous Sundays as they toil through the week with the worldly pursuits of money, fame, position, security and insecurities too. Sundays are about not following world's dictum. Its about following your heart. Your heart which asks you to sleep a little more, to relish that every sip of coffee, stretch while reading newspaper, and yawn loudly for four hours after waking up, roaming in your shorts and eating banana or chocolate with feet on the table and surfing channels... aahhh... what a bliss!!

If like different Gods, if days were worshipped too - i would be a die hard Sunday bhakt!! I would lobby hard among god to give Sunday the most prominence in his darbar. Would hold propaganda conferences to promote Sunday and do everything within my means to draw more people into its fold. Who wouldnt want to embrace a Sunday???!!!

I just shared this idea with dad... about hailing Sunday as a God!! Dad said, i am either very hungry or just plain stupid. :) 

Well, so as Dad wraps up his harmonium, i too will wrap up this blog. I have to go pay visit to Aara now. Yup, Chintan and Vrushti have a baby girl now. A cute little goddess!! Literally!! Aara means Goddess of Vengeance. But for our elders who we know will raise eyebrows at this explanation - we keep it a little more subtle - Goddess of Equality!! :) Get it???!!!

So enjoy your sunday till it lasts!! GOD bless SUNDAY!!

My World This Week

I want: Weekends off and a pay hike

This Sunday: Spa and Deep Conditioning

Never will: Smoke or dope

Yearning for: Devam to come back and a Goa Trip

Dreading: Nanavati Commission's Part II report and Diwali Sweets


Want to: Go on a Vacation (like right now) and make a documentary (just need a little push)

Hate it: When Mom reminds me how much (very little in this case) time i spend at home and when people ask: When are you getting married?

Love it: When Amul pampers me and showers me with attention and Sunday is approaching.

Would like to thank god for: Strong Digestive System, Shahrukh Khan and inventing the concept of Sleep

Recent Discovery: I suffer from short term memory loss. (cant recall what was said just a minute ago) But i have execellent long term memory

Wish to control: Sensex and Mom's temper

Looking forward to: Diwali gatherings and Anu's wedding

Current Favourites: Jasuben Pizza and Shambhu's cold coffee

Last Expense: L&T's 5 shares

Pending Expense: Wagon R's service and getting rid of the scratch

Currently Reading: Exodus by Leon Uris, Scarred by Dionna Bunsha, Descent into Chaos by Ahmed Rashid.


Want to indulge in: A watch for myself and Amul, a trip to New York, egypt vacation for parents, Diwali party for friends, diamond earrings, Hyundia Verna or a Mitsubishi Lancer.................