Thursday, April 26, 2007
Monday, April 23, 2007
Story of Bachchans, Britney & the Stupid Media….
"We have to fight like Gandhi"....the words keep drumming in my ears.
Holding a copy of the Delhi Times, Amit asked "Would you recommend the pictures of these almost-nude models to an 8 year old kid?”. "As business students, appreciate the fact ......It’s our business" replied the Delhi TOI Editor after a momentary silence which revealed her capitalist mind successfully grappling her consciousness. Her sobbing consciousness hid under her black suit should have lost its balance, when she managed to restore it by gulping a glass of water. Having created ripples in an otherwise silent crowd, Amit was suddenly viewed as an outcast for having surfaced his "uncouth" behavior in a guest lecture.
After the seminar, I tried appeasing him, "Come on Amit, understand the realities of life". Ouch...my ego hurt when he slammed back "You are a selfish spineless Indian. This is a cancer and this evil should be fought against. We have to fight like Gandhi”. “Your hyper actions would never take you places. This is not a cancer it is just business” I said slapping back. I resolved never to discuss with him on this topic anymore and I was fairly successful.
Time passed by, TOI fervently captures market share in Southern cities of India. Business, as usual for Bennett Coleman & Co., busy filling its coffers to feed the already fat-rodents called shareholders. The so-called “Sensational” news which appeared in Page 3 found its swift way to the main page under the TOI banner. I could observe tremendous improvement in the quality of articles which is a must-read for every responsible Indian.
Headlines published are superlatively phenomenal and highly appealing to the salivating mouths of the well grown voyeurs of the great Indian democracy. The editor and the readers probably would chose Aishwariya touching Abhishek’s feet as a sensational feat and as critical as kargil when the likes of Katara elected to the Lok Sabha would be busy trafficking people. Yes, crucial is the big fat bollywood wedding when the efficacy of our MPs is not worth pondering.
The (ir) responsible paparazzi daily news paper would chase Britney and be concerned about her shaved head and arm pits, when Antrix Corporation(for the uninitiated it is the commercial arm of ISRO) makes huge strides. Liz Hurley washing her dirty linen in public is our top priority when Indian citizens are contemplating to avert the water crisis this summer. Guess what the headline is tomorrow…..Would the silica gel of Pamela Anderson grow bigger???
TOI is just an analogy, when the whole “media market” is busy chasing the craziest and stupidest things under the sun. It is high time to take account of our mistakes as these so called “businesses” provide what “we” want. It is time to start weeding the evil that has mushroomed in our fast paced economy corrupting our imaginations, thought and actions. It is the penultimate time to stop demanding newspapers and channels that makes us true voyeurs and mindless citizens.
Shedding my ego, I called up Amit to let him know that I have ceased to be a spineless citizen. "We have to fight like Gandhi"....the words still keep drumming in my ears.
Holding a copy of the Delhi Times, Amit asked "Would you recommend the pictures of these almost-nude models to an 8 year old kid?”. "As business students, appreciate the fact ......It’s our business" replied the Delhi TOI Editor after a momentary silence which revealed her capitalist mind successfully grappling her consciousness. Her sobbing consciousness hid under her black suit should have lost its balance, when she managed to restore it by gulping a glass of water. Having created ripples in an otherwise silent crowd, Amit was suddenly viewed as an outcast for having surfaced his "uncouth" behavior in a guest lecture.
After the seminar, I tried appeasing him, "Come on Amit, understand the realities of life". Ouch...my ego hurt when he slammed back "You are a selfish spineless Indian. This is a cancer and this evil should be fought against. We have to fight like Gandhi”. “Your hyper actions would never take you places. This is not a cancer it is just business” I said slapping back. I resolved never to discuss with him on this topic anymore and I was fairly successful.
Time passed by, TOI fervently captures market share in Southern cities of India. Business, as usual for Bennett Coleman & Co., busy filling its coffers to feed the already fat-rodents called shareholders. The so-called “Sensational” news which appeared in Page 3 found its swift way to the main page under the TOI banner. I could observe tremendous improvement in the quality of articles which is a must-read for every responsible Indian.
Headlines published are superlatively phenomenal and highly appealing to the salivating mouths of the well grown voyeurs of the great Indian democracy. The editor and the readers probably would chose Aishwariya touching Abhishek’s feet as a sensational feat and as critical as kargil when the likes of Katara elected to the Lok Sabha would be busy trafficking people. Yes, crucial is the big fat bollywood wedding when the efficacy of our MPs is not worth pondering.
The (ir) responsible paparazzi daily news paper would chase Britney and be concerned about her shaved head and arm pits, when Antrix Corporation(for the uninitiated it is the commercial arm of ISRO) makes huge strides. Liz Hurley washing her dirty linen in public is our top priority when Indian citizens are contemplating to avert the water crisis this summer. Guess what the headline is tomorrow…..Would the silica gel of Pamela Anderson grow bigger???
TOI is just an analogy, when the whole “media market” is busy chasing the craziest and stupidest things under the sun. It is high time to take account of our mistakes as these so called “businesses” provide what “we” want. It is time to start weeding the evil that has mushroomed in our fast paced economy corrupting our imaginations, thought and actions. It is the penultimate time to stop demanding newspapers and channels that makes us true voyeurs and mindless citizens.
Shedding my ego, I called up Amit to let him know that I have ceased to be a spineless citizen. "We have to fight like Gandhi"....the words still keep drumming in my ears.
Thursday, April 19, 2007
How to name it?
Train journey is something that offers you a new experience everytime...
Left in a romantic mood.....getting drenched in fresh rain....on my Hercules MTB...I could not think of anything but this.....
Walking down the end of MG road in bangalore. People wandering with lust is a common sight... Should prostitution be legalized??...I have no opinion...I'm thinking ...Should prostitution exist???
Should I call this Oedipus complex???
Left in a romantic mood.....getting drenched in fresh rain....on my Hercules MTB...I could not think of anything but this.....
Walking down the end of MG road in bangalore. People wandering with lust is a common sight... Should prostitution be legalized??...I have no opinion...I'm thinking ...Should prostitution exist???
Friday, April 6, 2007
Blisters of Solitude :-)
I was riding my Pegasus in solitude. The solitary ride could bring the best in many and could make a novice express naiveté. I'm unsure what it did to me, as it needs careful introspection but I prefer calling the outcome of this process as blisters of solitude.
Friday, March 16, 2007
25G
Eyes firmly fixed on Peters Bridge; I was impatiently waiting to see a 25G ascending from the top of the flyover, with a hope that it would allow me to join the procession that it embarks. For much longer time(after my long arduous days in Delhi), I was oblivious to other MTC buses and enjoyed being blissfully ignorant only to conceive the thought that most benevolent people of Chennai commuted in 25G.
25G arguably, had the power of assorting the most diverse passengers and offer the best experience to an eavesdropper. Deciding to kill boredom, which had already spread its tentacles on my mind, I donned the innocuous mask and was adventuring on my new profile of eavesdropping. In a hope to hear recent Kollywood gossips I firmed myself next to a couple of college kids, grossly failing to realize their eyes were riveted on a middle aged good-looking woman, whose sari had betrayed her. Squeezing and inching forward to hear more captivating discussions, I halted beside two disgruntled old men discussing politics who apparently lost their faith in the whole system. Cursing my ill-fate and unable to hear their irrational and superlatively stupid comments, I quit eavesdropping and decided to be on my own.
As 25G was cruising along the road in its own style, I was busy humming a recent hit, assuaging my deprived soul, which, consciously made me think of her. Like an oasis in a desert, her memory brought me the utmost pleasure that I could derive in a crammed bus. Like fresh rain in a dry wretched day, her mere thoughts would bring in a respite of happiness, no matter how fleeting time is. Her beatific smile and her sharp eyes made me recall the verse from Love’s Labor lost, my memory failed to help me:
"From women's eyes this doctrine I derive:
They sparkle still the right Promethean fire;
They are the books, the arts, the academes,
That show, contain, and nourish all the world."
Having reached the destination, I managed to pull myself out of the city procession 25G would continue to make. Plunging into darkness, my fearing shadow joined me in the quest to understand its master better. I was mentally preparing myself to wear the mask my career would demand. The street lights effusing sheath of light alleviated the fears of my shadow and managed to bring it out of its master …..
Wearing my new mask, my shadow joined hands with me, as we were marching towards a new dawn which would bring us new memories…….. Her thoughts vroomed back again and I realized it is here to stay, whichever mask I wear…… From women's eyes this doctrine I derive…..
25G arguably, had the power of assorting the most diverse passengers and offer the best experience to an eavesdropper. Deciding to kill boredom, which had already spread its tentacles on my mind, I donned the innocuous mask and was adventuring on my new profile of eavesdropping. In a hope to hear recent Kollywood gossips I firmed myself next to a couple of college kids, grossly failing to realize their eyes were riveted on a middle aged good-looking woman, whose sari had betrayed her. Squeezing and inching forward to hear more captivating discussions, I halted beside two disgruntled old men discussing politics who apparently lost their faith in the whole system. Cursing my ill-fate and unable to hear their irrational and superlatively stupid comments, I quit eavesdropping and decided to be on my own.
As 25G was cruising along the road in its own style, I was busy humming a recent hit, assuaging my deprived soul, which, consciously made me think of her. Like an oasis in a desert, her memory brought me the utmost pleasure that I could derive in a crammed bus. Like fresh rain in a dry wretched day, her mere thoughts would bring in a respite of happiness, no matter how fleeting time is. Her beatific smile and her sharp eyes made me recall the verse from Love’s Labor lost, my memory failed to help me:
"From women's eyes this doctrine I derive:
They sparkle still the right Promethean fire;
They are the books, the arts, the academes,
That show, contain, and nourish all the world."
Having reached the destination, I managed to pull myself out of the city procession 25G would continue to make. Plunging into darkness, my fearing shadow joined me in the quest to understand its master better. I was mentally preparing myself to wear the mask my career would demand. The street lights effusing sheath of light alleviated the fears of my shadow and managed to bring it out of its master …..
Wearing my new mask, my shadow joined hands with me, as we were marching towards a new dawn which would bring us new memories…….. Her thoughts vroomed back again and I realized it is here to stay, whichever mask I wear…… From women's eyes this doctrine I derive…..
Sunday, February 25, 2007
We Indians, the largest movie makers
Thanks to this good friend of mine, who made me think, “I'm not a good KISS-er (Keep It Short and Simple)”. To prove to myself that I can relatively do a fair job in KISS-ing, and for those who are really impatient to read the entire text, here is the highly abridged content of this blog:
Expectations = fn (Perceptions, Experience)
For the rest and for myself here is the original unKISS-ed content:
If Wiki is to be believed, Indians are the largest film makers (877 feature films+1177 short films in 2003) Vs our nearest competitor US (473 in the year 2003). Believe me; the movie making is still not outsourced. (Hei, NAASCOM guys...a good market to jump on ....huh???)
In my attempt to understand the parallel between these two countries, my analyst brain could not think of anything but 2 reasons: 1. Heterogeneous Culture with common destiny 2. Uncertainty.
Formed by immigrants with a drive to build a nation, Americans shared a common destiny to create what became (and still is) a mighty land - United States of America. In 1947, Indians were given "freedom" to rule their own country. The people of democratic India, shared a common destiny to build a country which had (and still has) all the potential to become another mighty power. Corrupt politicians, Mindless bureaucrats, Nehruvian dreams (mixed economy & import substitution policies) and Lack of vision- all had its share in failing our dreams. Our dreams never turned into a reality and still remains a dream.
Americans probably are the friendliest guys having high tolerance and respect towards others' religion and culture. Indians, highly influenced by the philosophy of their land (which embraces the positive aspect of foreign culture and religion as its own) sustained their affinity towards heterogeneous culture. But sadly enough, uncertainty is always in the air for citizens of both these countries (USA and India) and both get caught in cycle of changes – a blessing in disguise.
Creativity is at its helm during uncertainties and it is not so surprising to see these countries make the largest number of movies which reflects the society, the attitude and the journey which the society embarks on. But the expectation out of a movie for an average American and an average Indian is radically different and are these expectations are poles apart. Though the kind of experience is similar (not necessarily same) the reason Americans make and demand quality movies has completely to do with their PERCEPTION.
Example 1– WTC was hit, hundreds of lives lost, not a single corpse was shown in any of the television channels. A case in point t0 prove the maturity of their media and the people.
Example 2 – Quality of themes picked up by the American movie makers, the finest amount of details and their relentless uncompromising attitude.
Not to deny the fact that Indians make amazing movies and have receptive audience. But what proportion of these audiences are receptive is the bone of contention. Movies have the power to bring in revolution, to bring in positive changes in the society, to influence people, to capture their minds with intelligent questions and the answer it may offer.
Not enough to have expectations, not enough to have experience (positive and/or negative) what we all need is a highly positive and constructive perception. Most Americans have it, which is reflected through their movies. Do we have it?????
The Quantity per se, does not produce victory, Quality does. Though we have made thousands of movies we might still lose out to Americans.
Lets be a part of the movement that brings in change of perception. It all starts with you and me.
Expectations = fn (Perceptions, Experience)
For the rest and for myself here is the original unKISS-ed content:
If Wiki is to be believed, Indians are the largest film makers (877 feature films+1177 short films in 2003) Vs our nearest competitor US (473 in the year 2003). Believe me; the movie making is still not outsourced. (Hei, NAASCOM guys...a good market to jump on ....huh???)
In my attempt to understand the parallel between these two countries, my analyst brain could not think of anything but 2 reasons: 1. Heterogeneous Culture with common destiny 2. Uncertainty.
Formed by immigrants with a drive to build a nation, Americans shared a common destiny to create what became (and still is) a mighty land - United States of America. In 1947, Indians were given "freedom" to rule their own country. The people of democratic India, shared a common destiny to build a country which had (and still has) all the potential to become another mighty power. Corrupt politicians, Mindless bureaucrats, Nehruvian dreams (mixed economy & import substitution policies) and Lack of vision- all had its share in failing our dreams. Our dreams never turned into a reality and still remains a dream.
Americans probably are the friendliest guys having high tolerance and respect towards others' religion and culture. Indians, highly influenced by the philosophy of their land (which embraces the positive aspect of foreign culture and religion as its own) sustained their affinity towards heterogeneous culture. But sadly enough, uncertainty is always in the air for citizens of both these countries (USA and India) and both get caught in cycle of changes – a blessing in disguise.
Creativity is at its helm during uncertainties and it is not so surprising to see these countries make the largest number of movies which reflects the society, the attitude and the journey which the society embarks on. But the expectation out of a movie for an average American and an average Indian is radically different and are these expectations are poles apart. Though the kind of experience is similar (not necessarily same) the reason Americans make and demand quality movies has completely to do with their PERCEPTION.
Example 1– WTC was hit, hundreds of lives lost, not a single corpse was shown in any of the television channels. A case in point t0 prove the maturity of their media and the people.
Example 2 – Quality of themes picked up by the American movie makers, the finest amount of details and their relentless uncompromising attitude.
Not to deny the fact that Indians make amazing movies and have receptive audience. But what proportion of these audiences are receptive is the bone of contention. Movies have the power to bring in revolution, to bring in positive changes in the society, to influence people, to capture their minds with intelligent questions and the answer it may offer.
Not enough to have expectations, not enough to have experience (positive and/or negative) what we all need is a highly positive and constructive perception. Most Americans have it, which is reflected through their movies. Do we have it?????
The Quantity per se, does not produce victory, Quality does. Though we have made thousands of movies we might still lose out to Americans.
Lets be a part of the movement that brings in change of perception. It all starts with you and me.
Thursday, February 15, 2007
The misunderstood concept of Love
14 Feb, Valentines Day - probably a special day to unleash all the unexpressed love, carefully locked within an iron chest, whose keys have long been lost in the world of carnal and materialistic pleasures. Driven by more irrational and subjective wants, these so called special occasions are gathering increased traction in the rapidly changing landscape. With changing demographics, India would witness unbridled demand for such occasions in the years to come. Spinning the yarn to create more sell-able stories, the marketers stand to gain by creating more hype and hoopla around these events consciously resulting in commoditization of Love. Commoditization of love increases the dependency on material factors directly resulting in diminishing marginal utility of love, as in the case of any commodity. Accelerating the Commoditization of love is the external environment - movies and demographics causing the (un)desirable paradigm shift - creating dent on the enigmatic concept of love.
Love, in my opinion, has increasing marginal utility. And more so the incremental love is never incremental, but rather in high quantum which is immeasurable. Love does not wait for moments like Valentines Day, but rather it takes its own course to define moments which is not time & frequency bound. Love does not depend on material factors, but the material factors per se, creates delight factors in the game of love. Love can still exist without delight factors, as in the long run delight factors might not exist and what would still exist is Love.
Entities in failed relationships should have cognizance of seizing every opportunity to define moments of love. The True moments of love have higher degree of emotional appeal to make relationships work and keep it alive with life. The more we wait for moments to share and "exchange" love, the more the relationship is at risk. But unfortunately, the growing youth is inebriated with commercial aspects of Love and grossly miss out on its truest form weakening its spine. Increasing divorces, domestic violence, deserted relationships are all cases in point.
To cut the long story short....Don't wait for moments in the game of love just create them and keep li(o)ving it.
Love, in my opinion, has increasing marginal utility. And more so the incremental love is never incremental, but rather in high quantum which is immeasurable. Love does not wait for moments like Valentines Day, but rather it takes its own course to define moments which is not time & frequency bound. Love does not depend on material factors, but the material factors per se, creates delight factors in the game of love. Love can still exist without delight factors, as in the long run delight factors might not exist and what would still exist is Love.
Entities in failed relationships should have cognizance of seizing every opportunity to define moments of love. The True moments of love have higher degree of emotional appeal to make relationships work and keep it alive with life. The more we wait for moments to share and "exchange" love, the more the relationship is at risk. But unfortunately, the growing youth is inebriated with commercial aspects of Love and grossly miss out on its truest form weakening its spine. Increasing divorces, domestic violence, deserted relationships are all cases in point.
To cut the long story short....Don't wait for moments in the game of love just create them and keep li(o)ving it.
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