A R Rahman at the Oscars

This is A R Rahman at the Oscars.... winning two awards (for Best Original Score and Best Original Song - Jai Ho) and of course, performing O Saya and Jai Ho....



Special thanks to YouTube.... :p

And the Oscar goes to....

The 81st Annual Academy Awards (read :: Oscars) have been announced. Slumdog Millionaire has bagged 8 awards out of the 10 nominations it has recieved.


SLUMDOG MILLIONAIRE

Best Adapted Screenplay - Simon Beaufoy
Best Cinematography - Anthony Dod Mantle
Best Film Editing - Chris Dickens
Best Sound Mixing - Resul Pookutty
Best Original Score - A R Rahman
Best Original Song - Jai Ho (A R Rahman / Gulzar)
Best Direction - Danny Boyle
Best Picture - Slumdog Millionaire

SMILE PINKI

Best Short Documentary - Smile Pinki

Well Done !!! Congratulations from my side.... Both the films have made INDIA proud....

Love

Love is a game
just meant to be played.
Love is a phrase
just overly clichéd.

It's dominated by cheaters,
players, and rule-breakers.
Where three words often said
are lies spoken by fakers.

Love is an emotion
and hormones are the cause.
Love is perfection
that brings out your flaws.

Young ones are swayed
into believing that it's real.
Soon concious of mistakes,
next fear is what you feel.

Love is a wish
desired by so many loners.
Love is a sight
shown off by its owners.

It's a sad pathetic world
when love is only wanted,
for the sake of having it
and for it to be flaunted.

Love is a drug.
Addictive and strong.
Love is a toy.
And you're strung along.

The endings are painful,
yet again you will start,
to end with more lies and tears,
and another cruelly broken heart.

Love is a reason
to be treated like dirt.
Love is an excuse,
an excuse to get hurt.

This outstanding piece of work was mailed to me by a friend. It touched my heart and I decided to put it up on my blog.

P.S. : I'm not in love AT ALL.... lol :)

Why just ME???

What the fuck?

Why just ME???

There are certain moments in life, when you utter these phrases. And in my case, recently there have been so many occassions when I was pissed off, I wanted to say this... I wanted to say 'LIFE SUCKS.... big time'.... but I couldn't do anything.

Why sometimes do we become so helpless? So helpless, that we can not even react to the situation properly....

My cheerful face, the smile that I wear on it, the friendliness, all just vanishes in a nanosecond. As if, I'm somebody else. This may be similar to what you call a 'Multiple Personality Disorder'. But in fact I'm tired of maintaining and 'faking' my trademark smile.

I'm completely heart broken... totally tired of battling with the tough times... going mad fighting with the situations and trying to remain the same in order to prove the fact that "Whatever happens, I won't change..."

Its not just something which I do, or something which I intend to do, its just the fucking life which keeps on bullying me and challenging me time and again. I'm just tired of facing life single handedly. Life isn't as easy as it seems to be. Life isn't just a piece of cake. Life's difficult. And in my case, its much much more than just difficult.

At times, life kicks you... and it kicks you badly... so bad that by the time u gather strength and courage to get up and recuperate, life's ready to give you yet another blow.
... and that too a big one.

You might think that I'm a loser. I just don't want to face the reality. but I wasn't like this at all. In order to keep myself 'the same', unknowingly I've changed myself so much that today I can't even compare myself to what I was earlier. I've lost much and hence you can call me a LOSER.... I'm just tired of facing the harsh reality... I'm just tired of bouncing back each time from the toughest of the situations...

And this 'patch' of my life has decreased my faith on God... I don't deny the existence of God... but I just wanna ask Him that "WHY ME??? WHY JUST ME???"

Waiting for your answer Mr God...



a GOOD-FOR-NOTHIN' LOSER !!!

Zindagi Ne Zindagi Bhar Gham Diye

Jitne Bhi Mausam Diye Sab Nam Diye

Jab Tadapta Hai Kabhi Apna Koi

Khoon Ke Aansu Rula De Bebasi
Jee Ke Phir Karna Kya Mujh Ko Aisi Zindagi
Jisne Zakhmon Ko Nahi Marham Diye

Zindagi Ne Zindagi Bhar Gham Diye

Jitne Bhi Mausam Diye Sab Nam Diye

Zindagi Ne Zindagi Bhar Gham Diye

Apne Bhi Pesh Aaye Hum Se Ajnabee
Waqt Ki Saazish Koi Samjha Nahi
Be-Iraada Kuchh Khataayein Hum Se Ho Gayi
Raah Mein Patthar Meri Har Dam Diye

Zindagi Ne Zindagi Bhar Gham Diye

Jitne Bhi Mausam Diye Sab Nam Diye

Zindagi Ne Zindagi Bhar Gham Diye

Ik Mukammal Kashmakash Hai Zindagi
Us Ne Hum Se Ki Kabhi Na Dosti
Jab Mili Mujh Ko Aansu Ke Woh Tohfe De Gayi
Has Sake Hum Aise Mauke Kam Diye

Zindagi Ne Zindagi Bhar Gham Diye

Jitne Bhi Mausam Diye Sab Nam Diye

Zindagi Ne Zindagi Bhar Gham Diye

[Song : Mausam]

[Movie : The Train]

[Singer(s) : Mithoon, Kshitij Taarey]

V-Day

I don't need a special day to say "I Love You" to those i love. For me its just another day, 'coz for me every day is a Valentine's Day....

Anyways Happy Valentine's Day.....

The Great Indian Political Tamasha

With India getting ready for the next general elections (for the Lok Sabha), I thought it might be useful to focus on politics - 'The Great Indian Politics'. In most democracies, there's a choice between a couple of major political parties. But as with almost everything in India, its never that easy.

With the number of political parties increasing manifold, as the mosquitos do in the monsoon, India has now become used to the system of coalition politics wherein no single party gets a majority (any single party can not get it 'coz of the large number of parties). The government is then formed by creating a coalition of the same parties that fought against each other in the elections. Ironical !

In this era of coalition politics, we not only have to keep our eye on the national parties, but also on the regional parties which have a few MPs but play the key role of 'king-maker' in the formation of the government. And those few MPs in turn get ministerial berths (officially) and unofficially many more things (to be understood, not to be mentioned).

The two main coalitions in India are the UPA (United Progressive Alliance) led by Congress and the NDA (National Democratic Alliance) led by the BJP. The UPA are in power since 2004 and the NDA was the erstwhile government that ruled for six years (two terms). In 2004, while calling the general elections, the NDA government proclaimed "Bhaarat Uday" (or "India Shining"). Although the campaign was a good one, majority of the population did not agree with the NDA's assessment and delivered another fractured mandate in the elections. The Congress party managed a majority and formed the government and hence UPA was born. After nearly 5 years and elections on the verge, people feel cheated by the weak central government and are much eager to bring about a change. But the million-dollar question is what options do they have? This question made me prepare a list of options which goes like this :

SONIA GANDHI / DR MANMOHAN SINGH (indirectly SONIA GANDHI) / RAHUL GANDHI :

Representing the oldest party of India, the party that 'helped' India get independence, the current PM Dr Manmohan Singh, who just had a bypass surgery, still hopes to lead the next elections (and the government). But this seems very unlikely, at least to me. The Congress has two more options - 'tyaag ki devi' Madam Sonia Gandhi and her son '30+ but still young' Rahul Gandhi. But given the Congress party's love and 'faith' for the Gandhi family (or rather the Gandhi surname), I wouldn't be surprised if either of the name comes as the Prime Ministerial candidate after the elections.

LAL KRISHNA ADVANI :

Advani, the NDA's candidate for the PM, has been in the political arena for almost five decades. He was the Number Two in the erstwhile NDA government led by Atal Bihari Vajpayee. With Vajpayee bowing out, he remains the sole contender for the post. People in India had great regard and affection for Atal Bihari Vajpayee personally. The voters also felt safe with people like Jaswant Singh and Yashwant Sinha but not necessarily Lal Krishna Advani. His chances are reduced because of his age and his extremist image. The age factor plays a bigger role. People now want someone young and dynamic to lead the country.

The BJP has a 'young and dynamic' option too. And that is the Gujarat CM Narendra Modi. He has led Gujarat on the path of development that no other state could ever achieve. He has already been declared PM-material by the top notches of corporate India, namely Ratan Tata, Anil Ambani, Sunil Bharti Mittal and the likes. With Modi's increasing acceptability, the pressure on Advani is also increasing. But he's lucky to have been declared as the NDA's Prime
Ministerial candidate.

THE DARK HORSE (MAYAWATI / MULAYAM SINGH or AMAR SINGH / PRAKASH KARAT / SHARAD PAWAR / LALU PRASAD YADAV / ???) :

I think anyone of these could play the role of 'king maker' in the next elections. Mayawati, the current CM of Uttar Pradesh (UP sends the largest number of MPs to the LS, and Mayawati's BSP has a clear majority in the state assembly), has huge chances of clinching most of the seats in UP.

Samajwadi Party had 'helped' save the UPA government in the trust vote over the Indo - US Nuclear Deal. Mulayam Singh and Amar Singh, after years of hurling abuse at the Congress, decided to jump into bed with them and extend unconditional support to the Congress and prove their importance.

It was Prakash Karat's monumental miscalculation that provided SP this chance. The Left parties withdrew the support at a crucial time. The Communists have not been able to extend their territory beyond West Bengal and Kerala. But they enjoy huge loyalty in theses two states. But the general tendency is that people certainly do not want the Left Front to be a part of any Central Government in India.

The Maratha vote, led by Sharad Pawar, whose NCP is a current coalition partner could also emerge as a victor. A former Congress leader, he split and formed his own party focussing on his home state of Maharashtra. With charismatic leaders like Prafull Patel, he's definitely in the race for the post. As the President of the BCCI, he’s used to taking on heavy weights in battle.

Lalu Prasad Yadav, the Railways minister in the UPA government, can never be ruled out. He's always a front-runner for the Prime Ministerial berth.

There could also be another 'dark horse' which can emerge after the elections.

Elections in any country are interesting to watch. In India, you’re assured a fantastic contest in which a billion people make their way to the polling booths to cast their votes.

India’s faith in democracy, itself, is worthy of celebration.

The Chawla - Congress Connection

Finally Chief Election Commissioner N Gopalaswami (left) has belled the cat by recommending removal of Election Commissioner Naveen Chawla (right) to the President for "partisanship". Surprisingly, the ruling and self styled seculars decided to fault the Chief Election Commissioner N Gopalaswami’s recommendation for removing Naveen Chawla than focusing on the disturbing facts about Naveen Chawla.

Naveen Chawla, a 1969 batch IAS officer, belonging to the Delhi & Andaman Nicobar cadre held several important assignments before being appointed Election Commissioner on May 16, 2005. Shocked at the appointment of Naveen Chawla as an Election Commissioner 205 MPs sent a representation against his appointment.

Naveen Chawla caught the public eye when he was posted as Secretary to the Lieutenant Governor of the Union Territory of Delhi Kishan Chand during the Emergency. During this period, he was very close to Sanjay Gandhi and wielded unprecedented power. After emergency, he was examined by the Shah Commission on charges involving illegal detention orders under the Maintenance of Internal Security Act during the Emergency; treatment of detainees in jails; confirmation of detention orders by the Lt Governor in four-monthly review and working of the Administrative Review Committee; and the contemptuous attitude of the Delhi administration towards the ministry of home affairs. He was strongly indicted by the Shah Commission. The report said:

“Shri P S Bhinder, K S Bajwa and Naveen Chawla exercised enormous powers during the emergency because they had easy access to the then Prime Minister’s house. Their approach to the problems of the period relating to the citizens was authoritarian and callous. They grossly misused their position and abused their powers in cynical disregard of the welfare of the citizens, and in the process rendered themselves unfit to hold any public office which demands an attitude of fairplay and consideration for others. In their relish for power, they completely subverted the normal channels of command and administrative procedures.’’

J C Shah was not a partisan political activist. He was Chief Justice of the Supreme Court (1970-71) and headed the commission of enquiry that went into the Emergency excesses only in that capacity.

Naveen Chawla escaped penal action on the basis of the Shah Commission’s report only because the Janata Party collapsed under its own weight and the government fell in July 1979. The Shah Commission, appointed under Section 3 of the Commission for Enquiry Act, 1952, had completed its work and submitted its report even before the collapse.

Indira Gandhi, on her return as Prime Minister in January 1980, lost no time in dumping the report and Naveen Chawla was soon rehabilitated as deputy secretary, in the ministry of labour. He then climbed the ladder to become information and broadcasting secretary in May 2004 and picked to become Election Commissioner in May 2005 by Prime Minister Manmohan Singh’s Cabinet.

One more striking instance of gross misconduct of Naveen Chawla that came to light was the fact that he got donations and largesse for his family-run trust of which he and his wife Rupika are trustees. From who? The very politicians he is bound to oversee and discipline. Not surprisingly, all of them belong to a single party, the Congress. Chawla got funds allocated by Congress MPs from their MPLAD Scheme. The large hearted MPs were: A A Khan, R P Goenka, Ambika Soni, Karan Singh and A R Kidwai. Chawla’s trust was also allotted six acres of land from the Congress government in Rajasthan previously headed by Ashok Gehlot. It has been reported that Ambika Soni contributed Rs 15 lakh, Karan Singh Rs 10 lakh, A R Kidwai Rs 45 lakh. (figures not confirmed)

In retrospect, it is Chawla’s appointment to the EC, and his continuance in EC, that is wrong. Not his removal recommended by Gopalaswami. The CEC must be commended for his courage, not faulted on wrong reasoning.

Finally on the question on CEC's right to recommend removal of EC. The Supreme Court had expressly vested this right in the CEC by its judgement in the case of T N Seshan vs Union of India [reported in (1995) 4 SCC 611]. The court ruled that “the CEC is a permanent incumbent” and “to preserve and safeguard his independence, has to be treated differently” from other members of the EC. The CEC cannot be removed except by impeachment; the other members are removable without this process. The power to remove other members needs to be retained, added the court. The court also ruled: “having safeguarded the CEC from external and executive pressure” confidence was reposed in CEC “to safeguard the independence” of his Election Commissioners by enjoining that they cannot be removed except on his recommendation.

Now that Union Law Minister Hans Raj Bhardwaj is openly supporting Chawla and is hinting at Chawla's appointment as the next CEC, it is clear that there certainly is a link between Chawla and the Congress Party.

GOD SAVE INDIA.....