They don’t act like Gods!

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He waved his hands standing in the balcony at his Mumbai residence and fans gathered like devotees to get one view of his. It was when Mumbai was called Bombay, during my visit I was told by the guide that every Sunday at dusk, Amitabh Bachchan stood at his balcony to give ‘darshan’ to his ‘devotees’. Such crazy fans I wondered. Earlier it was difficult to even get a glance of big stars. Today every celebrity maintains a personal blog keeping it open for comments. In simple words, now they don’t act like Gods!

Most of the celebrities are tweeting through twitter.com. Wherever on earth they are they make sure to pen down messages for their followers.

In fact even the media has been getting entertainment news through these blogs. Coming back to Mr Bachchan again, when he wrote on his blog that his house ‘Prateeksha’ was also affected due to heavy rains, who also helped few women on the road giving them a lift while shifting to ‘Jalsa’— this did become a story.

It is surprising though, Mallika Sherawat has been followed by 7606 people— these figures are highest even compared to Priyanka Chopra’s profile onTwitter. Mallika recently found tweeting useful as she was away to Los Angeles posting messages on her experiences in Hollywood.

While Mallika was left alone by media, Priyanka’s eye infection became news the day she posted it. Priyanka writes, “Distressed today… have a mad red eye! It sucks…,”.And there it became big news that the former Miss World had eye infection. I thought it was silly!

These Bollywood divas aren’t the only ones being followed on Twitter. Shashi Tharoor has more than 16,000 followers on Twitter beating the Bollywood queens; this does not surprise me though. Nevertheless entertainers grab all the attention and boast of having many fans in their admirers list, today’s young politicians have changed the meaning of being called a ’star’. Apart from Indian celebrities, it is Barack Obama who is using Twitter, having more than 1, 75,000 followers.

Social Networking or Confession rooms?

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In the times when Doordarshan was called the ‘idiot box’, it had many dedicated viewers. It discouraged out goers from what they once used to do -go out for whatever reason. Thereafter, the idiot box became more advanced. Then came the cable channels which made the same viewers even more idiotic. But there still existed some quality face to face rendezvous and outdoors. Until the ‘internet mania’ drove everybody crazy. It changed lifestyles. I am talking about Facebook, Twitter, Orkut and Bebo.

What are we talking about? Checking out what friends are up to in their lives or hooking on to the net for ‘abnormal hours’? It is this addiction that has locked our teenagers indoors. Lets face it…we all have been hearing tantrums in the families on how kids get glued to their chairs in front of their computers. A recent study conducted by a British Scientist reveals that long hours on the net may harm the brains of young people. So, are we ready to risk our health for it?

Social Networking sites can also be called ‘confession rooms’. Very recently, I was told by my friend how a teenager wrote against his mother on Facebook, as he was frustrated of her bad temper at home. Unfortunately, she also happened to be a member on Face book- she was pretty famous! Her reaction could become another confession though.

If mothers can earn such comments then what are we talking about? This reminds me of another such case my aunt narrated to me. A school teacher’s mobile number was published on Facebook writing, ‘I am available tonight’ by students who were fed up of her. I don’t have to write her reactions here, undoubtedly she must have got ‘ugly calls’ in the nights forcing her to change her number. Looks like the confession rooms also announce their verdict! One does not stop it by confessing, either the confession brings shame to the person or it concludes with a dangerous punishment- like that of the teacher’s.

The problem here is, we don’t know where to draw a line and the solution is, just a simple ‘logging off’ before we get addicted to it.

Election. Who cares?

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Early morning-quake on my bed— the phone vibrated unlocking my lazy eyelids. It was another “favorable day,” my classmates usually were free to call me for translations. Since most of them came from the northern part of India, I had to translate Kannada quotes for their stories. But this one was strikingly astonishing— most of you might have encountered such a situation and refused to ponder over it. This one is a very miniscule exchange of dialogue that unusually shocked me. This type of election times typical dramatic scenario was so common.

We at our Journalism school were bringing out an Election special edition, and this story was a part of this edition that demanded reporting in rural areas. One of my colleagues asked me to translate her quotes and so she gave her phone to the lady there, I guess the village was Tagachaguppe in Kumbalagudu near Mysore Road, Bangalore. While I question the lady asking her, whom is she going to vote and why? Without even giving a second thought over my question she asks me, “You tell me. Whom should I vote? I will vote to whomsoever you ask me to vote.

While we debate on having fair and free elections there are some people who simply don’t care to know their leaders or may be there are countless backhanders everywhere in the country taking advantage of every possible way out to win the elections. Film stars from all the ‘woods’ have been planting their seats for the elections— creating another woodland for a dramatic dome. In the name of election promises made to the people and the under-table compromises or exchanges of whatever—works in favor of any parties standing for election. The battle here is not individualistic but it is the matter of 1 billion people and the Biggest Democracy in the world.Who cares?

The 15th Lok Sabha elections is awaiting its results, aftermath of which, none of the politicians will even recall of their ‘prepared speeches,’ that pompously yelled of developments, social welfare and helping the needy. Nevertheless, growth in the economy is an exception; there are more people to concentrate on this issue.

India is a secular country- really? May be we should question Varun Gandhi for some comments on this, even the Congress for that matter. Whom should we vote and what happens to our votes after the elections? It will be answered as usual with a bitter silence after they win their respective chairs in the parliament, as they believe in the phrase below- “Speech is silver during election and silence is golden after the elections are over.”

Alas they remain who they are...

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It was my last day in school and a thought parked mulishly in my mind— disquieting my farewell. Then I ask myself, what did I learn in these twelve years. Apart from the textbook knowledge that was forced upon us I learnt how to drag myself into the list of teacher’s favourite.

The mores of ‘partiality’ has been running through generations and thanks to the active participation of the teachers— sadly they don’t realise not every student is genuine when they play with their words of flattery just to be in there as their favourite students. No, teachers aren’t idiots. I wouldn’t call all are ignorant of this but some really enjoy being given importance.

What happens when a teacher becomes a victim of ‘favouritism’? The students who badly require training are uncared. This results in discrepancy and discrimination among the students. And how can I forget the trend of criticism that is grinding up resulting in demoralising the slow learners. I have witnessed very few unbiased teachers in my life and miserably failed in hunting for my favourite teacher until now. I am in a journalism school and the hunt is still on and I can sense an inkling of failing all over again.

Teachers have many favourites but how many of us have our favourite teachers? I am talking in the milieu of a guru who is unbiased and fair. Have you ever been part of this partiality ambush?

I now keep brooding on how whom I considered as my favourite teachers was biased to me and how she/he unsighted the ones who desperately needed her support. They never came up to the teachers to change their mindsets, as they are convinced that these teachers have no soft corner for them. Hence they learn what they are taught and take all the shit that comes their way. And alas they remain who they are…

Atheists are damned and doomed, believe in God!

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IF FOLLOWING religion and offering prayers becomes not everyone’s priority then some of them boost themselves with the support of their counselors and mentors, as they call it. But to people who worship idols and believe in God, it is only at the doors of the almighty they feel relieved and morally heightened. Some of the strong believers in God address non-religious people as immoral and unethical. The stereotype attached to atheists who are labeled as ‘immoral’ is true to not many but to some of the religious people.

To most of the students who were asked about the stereotype they had to say that it is cool to be an atheist and also depends on their perspective of studying religion and praying to God.

“It is cool, it is their choice. I believe in God and that does not mean I am completely ethical and all clean, without making any mistakes. It is the way you look at it,” said Saheli Choudhari, who is a firm believer of Goddess Durga.

But revealing the point of view of a priest, Shivanna, at T C Palya, who said that the reason for today’s youngsters to not respect their elders and end up into dirty habits is because they don’t follow religion and don’t worship God.

Another software engineer has his own say on the issue. “I believe that there is something so called ‘God’ just because I have a hope when things don’t go as planned in life. Only thing I do not understand is what do atheists do when they need moral support,” said Deepak Badami, presently working in the US.

But to the families who have been facing flux of beliefs compared to their ancestral times have a different opinion about the issue.

“I did not have children even after nine years of marriage. I prayed to several gods and I believe in God, in fact I have seen God. When I prayed continuously for more than eight months I was blessed with a son,” said Kariappa, Chennapatna.

He also added that his son is an atheist and does not believe in God. In fact in the whole family his son is the first to be labeled as a nonbeliever and despite of requesting him to offer prayers to the God, which is why he is here in this world, as Kariappa believes, his son pays no heed to his words.

Kariappa, who begins his day from walking to the temple at around 5 am every morning, also believes that there are certain problems if one does not believe in God. This makes them less responsible as there is no fear of anyone and drops him on to the immoral category.

This stereotype is moreover seen in the rural areas, where people firmly believe in God and also think that if certain rituals are not followed and also if someone utters words like, “God does not exist” then that certainly is a big issue to them.

According to a villager, Manju, who is a firm believer of God, if one does not follow the holy book practices then they are sure to land into big troubles. “There is undoubtedly a question mark on their morality,” she added.

Apart from the rural areas of Bangalore, even the distant district Belgaum has been attached with the same stereotype in its rural land. The village called ‘Sulebhavi,’ which is thirteen kilometers far from the Belgaum city is supposed to be the abode of the holy Goddess’ temple called the Sulebhavi Lakshmi.

This place is bound with the beliefs of offering prayers for any troubled mind and for sure they would be blessed with whatever they desir. And if someone talks about not believing in this Goddess’ powers then he for sure gets lots in returns for such a remark.

“I pray to God because I believe in her.

But most of them in the village look down upon them who do not pray and visit temples. This is a wrong attitude, may be also because they are mislead,” said Utsahi Deshpande, an engineering student in Belgaum.

Another resident Surekha Desai, of Belgaum district informs that, in the month of June and July, in a particular village called Mutga, which is seven kilometers far from the city, a fair is celebrated. This particular fair is organised in the name of the Goddess Bhaukeshwari. It is during this time that people from the surrounding areas of this village are forced to not venture out of their homes and go to the city for a week.

This agitates most of the residents here, as these fair organisers believe that if they (the people) do not follow their sets of restrictions then they are unprincipled.

“If after violating their rules something goes wrong in the family then they blame that person for not following what was said and therefore this was doomed to happen,” added Desai.

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Happy Valentine’s Day to me!

Saint Valentine’s first love letter unfolded the celebration of love. In the third century Valentine was a priest and the Emperor Claudius II thought of keeping young soldiers single. According to him men without wives and children were better. But, Valentine considered this act unfair and he secretly performed marriages for youngsters. When Claudius II discovered this he imprisoned Valentine and death sentence was announced for him.

In the jail he fell in love with a girl, jailor’s daughter who visited during his confinement. Few hours before he died he wrote a letter to her and signed, ‘From your valentine,’ that is how this expression is still used today. Some also believe that Valentine was killed because he helped Christians escape from Roman prison where they were grief-stricken and tortured. Valentine’s death occurred around 270 A.D and the anniversary of his burial is celebrated as Valentine’s Day.
This day spread out merriment not only to lovers but to friends and family also. We can celebrate it with the ones whom we love the most and take a step to thank people who have made a difference in our lives. Most importantly, why don’t we love ourselves? Valentine’s Day is not only about special relationships like a loving couple. Buying something for us and expressing gratitude to oneself is another unique way of expressing love to oneself. If we don’t love ourselves, how can we love others?
Apart from the birth of Valentine’s Day and celebrations for oneself and family this day has brought different ideas of proposing ones love. Romantic getaway is the most popular way of observing this day. Couples dating in resorts and late nightlong drives are some of the features of getaway. Exchanging of gifts and offering red roses or flowers are other common ways of expressing love.
When asked few of my friends what is their view on Valentine’s Day Harsha, studying engineering had to say: “Why should it only be Valentine’s day to make love? If I fall in love I will not be waiting for Valentine’s Day to draw closer. Why do you want to celebrate love once a year?”

According to Varun, BCA, “This day is the perfect day to express love and for celebrating love.”

But, Monali studying engineering had different opinion on Valentine’s Day. She said “It is not a day alone for lovers but friends and family. Valentine’s Day is for those who have no time in the world to express their love and they choose this day.”
Nowadays, when we hear of relations the most common comment is ‘Are you serious’? The reply very often is NA!! You think so? Love stories are to be found only in novels and movies these days. Nevertheless, Valentine’s Day is celebrated with the same zest even today, camouflaged as a fashion statement. It is more like a trend to most of them, who consider having ‘boyfriends’ and ‘girlfriends’ as a tag of recognition. The real love has been replaced by lust and other materialistic pleasures.

To observe Valentine’s Day is like hunting for true love. Love is trailing its true essence and hidden in the armaments of lust, caste, language, region and colour. But, there are people who still create big love stories. And thanks to them for this act of revere, falling in love in its true sense and for not being blinded behind
worldly joys.

If some celebrate Valentine’s Day for their loved ones, there are others who raise a toast for oneself.

“Treat yourself with things you have always wished to experience,” added Harsha.

And today we find new genre of people who are seeking spirituality and fighting to reinforce their inner self. So, don’t have a Valentine? What are you waiting for? It’s time to wish your self “HAPPY VALENTINE’S DAY”!!

They call themselves revolutionists…

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Here they arrive, they call themselves followers of Hindu culture and looks like these ‘revolutionists’ as they call themselves, are the teachers of moral policy in India. And then we flaunt the flag of democracy, and still allow such religious biased parties to overrule us. How sickening is this?

Pubs will be banned and women are the Godmothers, now if they are then what made these molesters as the TV channels reported, plainly toss the girls on the road who were in the pub in Mangalore? This is our culture, Hindu culture, barring women from doing what they like to and adhering to the moral policies framed by Rashtriya Hindu Sena. Where is it written?

Moreover, what are the politicians doing? They are supporting the acts by going against them only in making news statements, but all they have to say is they are against pub culture.

But, only one chief Minsiter, Sheela Dixit does not have the same opinion. She smartly said that today’s youth are matured and very well informed. Isn’t that a smart and unbiased move? In fact these leaders who are indirectly supporting these so called ‘revolutionists’ are lazy and do not want to improve the infrastructure and strengthen the police force who can help in guarding the city.

I am not saying that I support people who don’t respect culture but what I don’t understand is…do they really understand what is culture? Culture reflects the mannerisms and the behaviour of a person, but beating up and bashing people just because they are in the pubs does not mean that they aren’t cultured. In fact, I am sure of it that, most of the girls, who were inside the pub, would know what religion is in its true sense, unlike the ones who come to blows and tag themselves as the saviours of the religion.

Before slapping this article against such religious parties, I would like to question the need for such an unimportant tussle on the name of religion. Despite of all the citizens coming together to fight against the biggest troubling issue of terrorism, we are fighting amongst ourselves and with our own people. We are talking about morals when we have to debate on bigger issues like terrorism.