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!!!