Mirror,Mirror,on the Wall........

Is it fair?
All over the world people are being influenced by the colour of one's skin.This is more evident in India where there is such a fascination for the fair(gora)look that people go to great lengths to make themselves fairer.This has been taken advantage of by the corporate sector which has come up with innumerable creams,lotions and soaps to make one 'fair and lovely'.So,as the majority of Indians perceive it,fair is equivalent to beautiful or superior while dark is ugly or inferior.Being dark-skinned myself I have often faced various taunts about my dark skin tone and have seen many occasions where people with fairer skin are shown preference or have berated others for being dark.
I thought it was a known fact that the skin tone was a result of the amount of melanin present in one's skin but then I guess most people are ignorant about the truth so they behave as they do.In the process the companies which have come up with the fantastic idea of fairness products are making a lot of money.Good for them!Sadly,the disparity on the basis of colour has led to many people with self esteem issues,if they have not learnt from their near and dear ones from the beginning that colour has nothing to do with ones personality or ability.
So,to make myself clearer to some morons who do not know why the colour of persons skin differ,I am copy-pasting verbatim a part from Wikipedia about the Human Skin Colour.It says:

Human skin color ranges in variety from the darkest brown to the lightest pinkish-white hues. Human skin pigmentation is the result of natural selection. Skin pigmentation in human beings evolved primarily to regulate the amount of ultraviolet radiation penetrating the skin, controlling its biochemical effects.

The actual skin color of different humans is affected by many substances, although the single most important substance is the pigment melanin. Melanin is produced within the skin in cells called melanocytes and it is the main determinant of the skin color of darker-skinned humans. The skin color of people with light skin is determined mainly by the bluish-white connective tissue under the dermis and by the haemoglobin circulating in the veins of the dermis. The red color underlying the skin becomes more visible, especially in the face, when, as consequence of physical exercise or the stimulation of the nervous system (anger,fear), arterioles dilate.

There is a direct correlation between the geographic distribution of UV radiation (UVR) and the distribution of indigenous skin pigmentation around the world. Areas that receive higher amounts of UVR, generally located closer to the equator, tend to have darker-skinned populations. Areas that are far from the tropics and closer to the poles have lower concentration of UVR, which is reflected in lighter-skinned populations.

When a whole lot of heroes and heroines from Bollywood films are joining the bandwagon and promoting fairness creams and lotions there are a few like Kangana Ranaut and Nandita Das who are doing their bit to stop the discrimination based on skin colour.Their efforts need to be applauded and it is time for people,especially Indians ,to realize that it is what's inside that really counts.Ability,strength of character,virtues alone make a person what he/she is and not his/her skin colour so we should stop judging others based on their skin tone.As film artists that so many thousands idolize and imitate,it is necessary for the likes of Shahrukh Khan,John Abraham,Asin,Deepika Padukone and others to act more responsibly and refrain from being a part of this fair is beautiful campaign.The advertising fraternity needs to be more responsible before it brings down the self esteem of so many who rate themselves according to their skin colour.They too have a moral responsibility towards the aam janta which is easily lured by these adverts.

Black is beautiful and so is white.Why differentiate ???

It is time we are more comfortable in our own skin colour.Beauty lies in the eyes of the beholder.Your attitude,ability,character and virtues say a lot more about you than your colour so work on improving them.

A kick in the rear to all the film stars who promote fairness products........

And a kiss to those who believe that beauty is more than one's skin colour.

And my last word on this topic.......(at least for now!)

Mardaani Ki Kahaani......

The promos of the movie Mardaani were hard-hitting and they focussed on the heroine Rani Mukherjee nee Chopra.The theme was human trafficking and I as usual had made up my mind to watch it on its release.I have an objection to the title though, as I don't think that just because the police officer,the chief protagonist was a strong woman she should be called Mardaani which means like a mard (man)Why can't they accept that a woman can be strong and independent and one who fights against oppressors just as any male can?To assume that being strong only means being strong like a man is stereotyping women as weak.Please give women some credit and learn to accept that women too can be and are strong, fearless and a force to reckon.
Naari is not to be considered just as an Abala naari,she is a Sabala naari...........(Go watch Mary Kom if you disagree,it's releasing soon.)

So back to the movie.It can never be seen as a mass entertainer as entertainment is not the criteria for watching this movie at all.It was never meant to be so.There are so many who have been criticising this movie for not being entertaining.Wish people understood that all movies are not made to entertain,some come with a message and hard-hitting facts but who wants messages or facts???You don't then please go watch 'Hate Story-2' or 'Its Entertainment',that's just what you need.

Many have rued the fact that they have shown girls being stripped and use of foul language and they are of the opinion that the girls stripping are a means for titillation of the audience.Let me tell you that if the scenes are watched in the context of the movie,there is absolutely no titillation whatsoever.The said scenes actually makes our blood boil and gives us goose bumps as it makes us aware of the dangers that lurk around and the ills of human trafficking.If at all the scenes titillate, then those are the perverted minds about whom I don't know what to say. The facts of human trafficking being on the rise all over the world and specially so in India is shown in the beginning and end as the credits roll.The film has been issued an Adults only certification and at the cinema hall where I went they were checking the student IDs for age-proof.

Rani is shown as a police officer who is dedicated,strong and fearless. She takes on the human trafficking gang and fights them till the end in spite of facing numerous challenges while doing so.No,I am not a Rani Mukherjee fan but yet I found the movie to be good as she suited the role.Many viewers were of the opinion that she was too fat and should reduce her weight.She did not look too fit but then which police officer truly is?

The movie showcases the crusade against the kidnapping and selling or using the girls in the flesh trade.They are also used as carriers of drugs for over-seas destinations.What the movie does is it tries to make us aware of the facts about the human trade that is so rampant.It is an endeavour to show us the harsh truth and make us sit up and take notice.The anti-hero Karan whom Rani calls under 19 cricket team ka 12th man is very convincing as the young charismatic, arrogant, fear-inducing king-pin of the gang.Impressive debut I must say.

The film is hard-hitting and has only one song which plays in the background as the final credits roll.On the whole it is a good watch provided you are going to watch it for what it is and not as another mindless entertainer or big grosser.Makes us aware of the dangers that lurk and that crimes against women are on the rise and action needs to be taken fast.It shows that with an able police force it is possible but that dedication should be there where each officer works with the intention to do away with the ills that are infecting society at all levels.The movie shows that there is still hope if there is a will to fight against the perverts.There is always a beginning......a small step too can take us far.The film just makes an attempt to tell us to take the first step and be aware......
So go watch it if you haven't already.

Boys Will Be Boys?

Some times there are people who shock you with their words and /or actions.There are many a foot in the mouth moments where people just say something that is so absurd that it makes us think,did they actually say that!I read one such news feed in the Mumbai Mirror today(Friday ,April 11,2014.)

There has been a lot of news posted regarding the Shakti Mills rape case where a young journalist was gang-raped and later on it was found that the same accused had committed a similar offence earlier.Keeping all these facts in mind the court had granted three accused death penalty,to be hanged until death and one was sentenced to life imprisonment.All around there were remarks as to why this was the right way to punish the perpetrators in order to safeguard women and keep others from repeating the same crime fearing the harsh punishment meted out to the rapists.

This is what the SP(Samajwadi Party) chief ,Mulayam Singh Yadav had to say at an election rally where he questioned the death penalty for the rapists.He said,"Ladke ladke hain.Galti to hoti hai"(Boys are boys.Mistakes happen sometimes)The SP chief further stated that he will support provision for legal action action against those who misuse the rape act.He said that there was a need to change the new anti-rape law as it was too harsh and also so that those misusing it are punished.He specified that when his party comes into power they would see to it that rape penalty is not so harsh.

This is how the chief of a political party reacts when three rape accused who have committed the heinous act on two occasions are served the death penalty.I shudder to think what will happen to our country if people such as these are voted into power.The problem lies with the citizens of India who refuse to vote when it matters and later when things get out of hand they curse the government and talk about their right to a good government.Where were they when they had a duty to perform...when they had to vote?

Shame on such politicians.Are we going to see these people back into power?If we are not going to vote then be certain that it is these very politicians who will come into power.Now is the time to act.Vote today for a better tomorrow.

हजारों ख्वाहिशें ऐसी......

 Life is full of ups and downs...its a roller-coaster ride.We have the roses with the thorns....etc.We know all this but yet life life goes on and what keeps us going is the hope that somewhere during this lifetime we are going to get what we desire.Each and everyone of us has some aspirations ,some desires that we want to be fulfilled....some are practical and some downright absurd but that does not keep us from hoping and wishing they may come true.

There are so many things we long for or crave.....some may be as simple as a few hours free time or a short nap each day or maybe a world tour or a meeting with our current filmy heart-throb.I am guilty of having quite a few ख्वाहिशें or desires of my own which I hold dear to my heart.My desires are un-ending and once one is fulfilled a couple of new desires promptly take their place.My know-all husband calls me अतृप्त आत्मा or the soul that is never satisfied.I do not find anything wrong in having these desires as long as I am not obsessed with them.These desires give me an aim to keep going and then make me inspired and encouraged to try and achieve them.As long as our desires are not proving to be an obstacle in our life (or that of others)and ,in fact, providing us the momentum to carry on with our lives with added zeal and fervour,I think these desires are desirable.

You may be wondering what all these desires that I have are so let me tell you that I just want to live life to the fullest and do what I love to do.I want to watch movies,travel to more places(here and abroad),have a healthy and happy future for my family,have a diamond ring,buy a new high-end DSLR camera,learn new skills,read more books ,meet Salman Khan ,buy more shoes, bags and clothes , bring a smile on others' faces, have the courage to speak my mind and do what is the right thing to do, eat good food, keep myself fit and healthy, be with people I love and away from people I detest, be better at whatever I do....and the list goes on.I am not ashamed to let you know about my desires as I know that these are not hampering my growth as a person and nor am I obsessive about achieving them.I will definitely work towards fulfilling these but if I don't,its absolutely fine and it won't be the end of the world for me.

I don't think there is anyone out there who does not desire or wish for something in life.Without them life may seem goal-less and like a ship without the oars sailing aimlessly as our desires ,our aspirations give direction to our life.As desires are not only the material things we wish and long for but also include the life we want to achieve,the person we want to grow into.So I would definitely say it is alright to have your very own हजारों ख्वाहिशें ऐसी......as long as you are not obsessive about them.Also remember that all your desires are never going to be fulfilled so be prepared to accept that.

Woman On Top!

Films.....how we love them!
We watch films and forget them.There are ,but a few films that really make a permanent place in our minds and hearts.Who can forget films like Sholay,Maine Pyaar Kiya,Khamoshi,Pyaasa,Quyamat Se QuyamatTak,Saagar,Ek Duje Ke Liye,Khilona and Dilwale Dulhaniya le Jayenge?

But all said and done, there are only a few women-oriented films that touch your heart-strings and make you really sit up and take notice.Earlier a Rekha could carry a film on her  shoulders like she did in the films Khoobsoorat and Khoon bhari Maang and lately Sridevi made a great comeback with English -Vinglish.So it was a pleasant surprise to watch the movie Queen on International Women's Day(What an apt day to watch this great film with the girl gang!)

Frankly speaking,I have never ever liked Kangana Ranaut but this time when I saw the trailers of her film Queen I decided to watch it as her acting seemed effortless and the clips viewed heightened my curiosity about the movie.The movie did not disappoint at all.I loved Kangana's character and the way she grows as a person through the movie.All the other character actors in the movie are natural ,specially Lisa Hayden.There is so much this movie teaches you without being preachy or monotonous. Kangana lived her role and was it really a pleasant surprise for me to know that she can act!The other foreign male lead was really a looker!The film made me crave for paani puri too!(Watch the movie to know why)There are quite a few fun moments (like the lizard scene) and some scenes that made us realize that we must not be judgemental of others with regard to their sexual orientation ,work,status or dressing.It was nice to see the female protagonist leave the hero high and dry and walk away with her head held high and a smile playing on her lips.The movie Queen took us through the journey of Rani and her growth from an unassuming girl into a confident girl ,ready to accept challenges and having immense belief on herself.There is a Rani in all of us and we too need to come out of our shell and do away with our fears and apprehensions.We need to have more confidence in ourselves and remember never ever to lose our self-respect.This movie was like a breath of fresh air and it made me leave the cinema hall with a smile on my face.

Another movie that touched a chord was the movie Highway.The movie was stupendous!A simple tale told in a different manner. Alia Bhatt was really a surprise package in the film.The film touched upon child abuse in the most unconventional way. Randeep Hooda was awesome as the dacoit who kidnaps the rich Alia. Throughout the movie he smiles only once and does complete justice to the role he plays.After the soft and mushy Student of the Year it was unbelievable to see Alia carry this role well.There were a few scenes that left me teary-eyed.I really loved the locations chosen and it really made me wish I could visit these beautiful locations and even have a ride atop the roof of a bus moving along the winding roads!Hats off to the Director of the film Imtiaz Ali for giving us such a gem of a movie.Such a simple movie with such a poignant message.We always assume that our little ones are safe and secure in their homes amongst their family and relatives but it is here that the threat of abuse can leave scars for life.

Both the movies had melodious songs which were a welcome change from the Lungi dance , Blue hai paani-paani and Char bottle vodka type songs that are being churned out every week.I must say I really loved the way Alia moved to the western beats and even her rendition of the song was superb..Both the movies were different from each other but the common factor was that the female lead in the movie carried the film on her shoulders and made the viewing all the more worthwhile as here the female lead was not just a show-piece, she was a woman of substance.Wish to see many more such women -oriented films  and see the changing trend in films.More power to women!!!Way to Go Womania!!!

I Feel the Feel You Feel.....

Facebook has many fans and I am one of them.It allows me to connect virtually even when I cannot do that in real time.It gives me an insight about what is happening around me....in the lives of my friends,cousins and colleagues.What keeps them happy,what bugs them,where they went ,what they did,what they ate???......it's all there for all to see. Selfies are also a rage but I for one am terrible at that though I wish I had the knack of clicking great self pictures,but I guess it is an art at which I am hopeless.I must confess,I am a photo-uploading monster.I keep on uploading photos of my trips,get-togethers,exhibitions I attend  and even the food I eat!!!

Another thing that interests me is the status updates of friends where they post shayaris,love couplets,words of wisdom,motivational quotes,Santa-Banta jokes,husband-wife jokes and what-have-you.What catches my interest and what appeals to me I re-post or copy-paste as my status update.Just recently I read some interesting lines on my friends status.I loved them as they aptly described my emotional state at that period.So what do I do next?Of course,I just copy-pasted the lines and put it up as my status.What a foot in the mouth moment it was!!!As soon as I did that I got a message from my friend requesting me to give credit for her writing.I was amazed and embarrassed to the core as I really never thought that she could have written those lines.....I assumed they were just some random lines written by some one and she had just posted it, just as I had.I felt like a fool for not giving her credit as I always make it a point to give due credit to my photographer friends who click photos at the many photo walks I attend.How shameful!I immediately assured her that I would rectify my mistake and within seconds I credited her for her wonderful lines.I sincerely apologised for my folly and told her that I never imagined that she had penned those lines herself.I appreciated her work and was glad that the issue was sorted.

What amazed me was that she had penned down some feelings that were so true to how I felt.The same emotions,the same yearning,the same everything that I felt.And she had told me that those lines were very personal.....wow!She was feeling exactly like how I was and vice-versa!!!I felt that those lines were written by me!It made me realize that we are not alone and there are so many of us out there who have the same feelings,emotions...a common thread runs through us that binds us...silently,unknowingly.Many a times we fail to realize that and think that whatever we suffer no one knows and understands....but someone ,somewhere is feeling the same pain,facing the same or similar challenge.Similarly ,even when we are ecstatic with joy and unfettered happiness there are some out there who are feeling the same emotional high.

Amazing....life is really amazing.

There is someone or so many out there who can feel the feel you feel.....

Life never ceases to surprise us,challenge us,motivate us,delight us and intrigue us.Wonder why we cannot live together as one unit without the upheavals and clashes even when we know that each one of us has similar emotions.Why can't that common thread of emotions and feeling bring us closer?

Finally,what we all crave for is happiness,love and understanding from those who are near and dear to us.Yet,we are all still searching.....yearning for that happiness,love and understanding that eludes us.

The search continues......

Aaj Mein Oopar!!!

I am sure what I am jotting down today may not be quite so interesting for many out there as they have experienced it many times before. I am talking about my first, my very first experience at flying!!!

I have always wanted to travel to as many places I could and luckily I had an opportunity to visit Kerala with my cousin and his wife. Since they had only a few days to tour with us they opted to take us, that is me and my daughter by flight., The whole trip in itself was awesome and the most memorable trip ever but what made it more so was the flight to and fro from Mumbai to Cochin.

It all began at the Chhatrapati Shivaji International Airport, Vile parle where we were dropped in an auto by my brother-in-law. As we neared it we could see the brand new and sparkling terminal 2 or T2 which was to be inaugurated soon in January by the honourable President of India. Yes, I have been to the airport a few times but this was different as I was here to take flight and not just see someone off!!!

Shreya and I were a bit apprehensive as we did not know what the procedure exactly was. The sign boards put up all around the terminal were of great help and soon we had our boarding passes in our hands and had our luggage checked in. We were there much before departure so we had a mini photo session as we waited in the waiting area. I had a washroom break three times, not any less as it was quite cool or maybe it was nerves.

Both of us had a good look all around and we observed the passengers as they moved around with their baggage with different expressions on their faces. There were the frequent fliers who walked about as if they were in their hotel lobby, they knew where to go, what to .....they felt at home in these surroundings. Then there were families with kids (or is it the other way around?)The kids talked non-stop, played games, ran after each other, dropped things and fidgetted with the baggage looking for God knows what!!!There were the 'I need my beauty sleepy' types too. They were fast asleep and like magic they were up when their flight was announced or just a little before it was. They made themselves comfortable on the chairs or spread themselves on the ground and had a good snooze. There were the groups of tourists, honey-mooning couples, office goers out on work and those like us who were out on their first flight. We also saw the security personnel, service staff, receptionists and the air-hostesses.

Finally our flight was announced and we moved on towards gate number three (well ahead of the others),showed our boarding passes and sat in the king long bus that took us to our vaahan. Yay!!!At last we were climbing the steps and getting into the giant plane. Shreya was clicking away and was told by the airhostess who was there to welcome us with folded hands, to stop taking pictures. Both f us were too excited to mind and we got into the plane. We had the good fortune of having a window seat too!!!The personnel in the aircraft made themselves busy and there was a flurry of activity .The flight pilot and co-pilot was announced and the main doors were shut. Time to fly!!!!

The aircraft steered itself towards the runway and took off. Shreya and I ,like little kids kept our eyes glued to the window to see the take-off. There were lights all around the runway and the airplane slowly and steadily made its way into the dark sky. It was exactly 5:35 am when we took off. Immediately the airhostesses took their positions and as the announcement regarding the safety measures to be taken during the flight were announced, they enacted them. This was so  interesting for us to watch as we had had heard so many jokes about the "do dwaar aage aur do dwaar  picche" announcement. I think there were about 4 to 5 air-hostesses on the flight and they wore well ironed colourful printed sarees. Only one of them was young and beautiful and she enacted the safety drilll so well. while the other one was looking so fed up. After the drill we took time to gauge our surroundings in the plane. Surprisingly, we did not even feel as if we were in flight. On looking out we felt that we were moving so slowly. All we could see was pitch darkness and slowly when it was dawn we could see the bright sun.

Breakfast was served within a few minutes. Like well-oiled machinery, they got to work and soon every passenger had their breakfast before them on the little tables. I opted for non-vegetarian fare when Shreya settled for vegetarian. She had meduwada, sambar, chutney, bread, jam and butter while I had egg omlette ,potato wedges, bread,jam and butter. This was followed by coffee or tea. We had our fill and Shreya dozed off while I sat and just looked out of the tiny window afraid to miss out on anything exciting during the flight. Before long,it was time for me to use the wash room.the washroom was so small!!!It was clean and the sound of the flush was quite loud...whoooooshhh!!!!I whiled away my time by looking at my fellow passengers and just about ten minutes before landing it began.......the terrible ear ache!!!Shreya too awoke and she too said that there was unbearable pain in her ears. There was nothing we could do to reduce that pain as unfortunately, though I was told to chew on chewing gum during the flight ,I did not have any chewing gum. Thankfully ,it lasted only for about five minutes but even those few minutes we both were close to tears. Pain gone, we concentrated on the view outside and saw the famous backwaters of Kerala, tiled roofs and the approaching Cochin International airport. What a wonderful first-time flight it had been (minus the part where our ears had ached)From the high skies back to the ground, we collected our luggage from the carousal for baggage and walked out to see Mr.John, who had come to recieve  us on behalf of Paradise Holidays, holding a placard with my cousins name on it.

After a truly wonderful and memorable stay there we came back to Cochin International Airport for our return flight. Like the earlier flight, here too we had breakfast but this time I too opted for vegetarian fare. This time it was dosas and medu  wada  sambar.The wada was tasty but the dosa was like white cardboard and tasteless. Here too I enjoyed the hawai sundaris go through the emergency drill for passengers.As this flight was a morning one we could see the view below much more clearly. Shreya had the window seat and I had a huge passenger beside me who tried to occupy a quarter of my seat too as he spread himself comfortably in his seat. Miraculously, this time around even during the landing both of us did not experience any ear ache! What a relief! So,as we began to descend we looked out and saw the innumerable hutment colonies lining the airport. Sad to know that this is the view any tourist to India has when she/he lands at Mumbai airport. Anyway, we collected our bags and made our way out of the airport and though our mini vacations were awesome it was great to be back to Amchi Mumbai!!!
After all, home is where the heart is!
What a wonderful experience we had on our first ever flight!
Hoping this is a beginning of many more flights.......after all who does not want wings???

The window to the skies!

What a feeling!!!!!Truly sensational...!!!

Shreya getting the most of her window seat.....