Lokpal Bill - Nothing Guaranteed!

There is a lot of chaos everywhere regarding the Lokpal Bill, eradicate corruption, Anna Hazare going on Hunger Strike, Baba Ramdev duplicating the same. But are we even sure about the problem? Is the Lokpal Bill the sole point of focus or should corruption be targeted? A Lokpal Bill if passed may slow the rate of social decay in the short run, but in the long run it too must become a prey of ‘corruption’.

Clearly the common man is confused. I didn’t know about the Lokpal Bill before Anna Da went on the hunger strike and I am sure there are many like me out there. But what we all must think is what the need of the country is at this hour? It is definitely not eradicating corruption. It is much more than that. We are beholding the inexistence of character so we must build character and corruption will automatically evaporate.

But then again, it all sounds very philosophical and nowhere near practicality. Anna Da did and is still doing the best he can but can one man really accomplish? It’s not the British era. We are talking about the 21st century where unity is lost. It's not that eon where everyone will overlook everything and get united to accomplish a goal. Now, everyone is a single individual with his own needs and wants. We first figure how it will benefit us. And if we even minutely sense that it might cause some hitch, we now very well to stay out of it.

Whatever happens, in the end, Honesty should win and not allegations!

Ramdev Baba Is No Anna Hazare!

So now we have a new fashion in town…Hunger Strike! Fantastic! What else do we need? Anna Hazare went on a hunger strike to knock out corruption from the country. I don’t know what will happen to that eventually but the others have definitely got something new to do now. Confused? Don’t be. It’s simple. We Indians have the herd mentality. We do what everyone else does. Anna Hazare did Ann shann to wipe out corruption so now even Baba Ramdev joined the league!

What is the de facto? Why is he doing it? Is he really vexed about the corruption in the country? Or are there any personal gains behind it? What Anna Hazare did was different and what this guy is doing is not even close. Anna Hazare did not ask anyone to follow him. He was a frustrated stupid common man who lost his patience and decided to take a step forward. He only said what he wanted to do and went ahead with it and got the entire India supporting him. The common man was with him. He did not ask anyone personally to support him for the cause. Nor did he have any followers. He is a simple man who has all the simplicity - you name it. He have it and who genuinely wants to bring about the ‘change’! People just followed him, from big personalities and celebrities to the simple (read: stupid) common man.

But the case with Baba Ramdev is incomparable. His followers are his patients, who do his yoga. They too are innocent people and somewhere down the line are discontented. And ok even if we assume that his intentions are pure, then why was he running dress like a woman, jumping and hiding in the crowd to hide himself? So comparing him with Anna Hazare would be inappropriate.

There are a lot of other problems in this country like unemployment, poverty, illiteracy, female infanticide, and so many more. Look into that. If you really want to do something then do it to get rid all these problems also. Why is everyone behind corruption? Or are we waiting for another Anna Hazare to stand against the other problems and then we all will follow him (the herd mentality)!

What have we done as individuals? I agree not everyone is Anna Hazare and I am not even asking everyone to get up and go on hunger strike or any such strike. But do we even do the simple things which are in our hands? I have noticed so many times while commuting, people eat chips and wada pau’s and then throw the trash out of the window. Why? How hard is it to throw it in the dustbin? Why do we spit on the roads? Those roads are built from the taxes that we pay. Don’t we know that? How comfortably we spoil our own property. The bottom line is, it’s not about who has done what. It’s about what have you done? We all have become pessimists. All we do is criticize the system and point fingers at others. Anyone can do that. We are building hatred and in the long run, we all will drown in this hatred.

We are Indians! We are the biggest democracy in the world. We were the ones who united and kicked the British out of our house. We had Mahatma Gandhi, Bhagat Sing, Indira Gandhi, Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru who were born here and who brought a change. I know I am stating nothing new here but even though we have read all this a hundred times, we still haven’t got it fixed in our heads. The eyes do the reading but then it vanishes from there itself. I wonder if it ever touched our hearts.

Ever wished you would have done something, but didn't? Something you wanted to do, perhaps even needed to do; but for one reason or no reason at all, you just never did. We all have. And many of us still do. Instead of doing, we don't. And a lifetime of missed opportunities passes us by.

What's the deal here? What makes us frequently turn our backs on the very things that are important to us, things that give our lives meaning and purpose? Why do we needlessly allow so many magical moments to silently slip away?

Why do we leave a trail littered with broken promises and unfulfilled dreams instead of just doing what needs to be done?

The Best Ever CRUNCH !!!

So finally I’ve got myself again to sit and write something. Not that I dislike writing. It’s just that sometimes I have a lot to say but just don’t have the words. Just like my last internship at Network 18 (in.com). I was lucky enough to get an internship at in.com for MTV Crunch. I know it was over long back. But then you know it’s never too late.

It’s been almost a week I left that office where I had the best time ever. I admit that working for crunch.in.com as a live blogger was the best internship ever. I learnt so much, made so many new buddies…in short it was just superb!

It all started with a call I got from the HR of Network 18 during my study leave. That time I was already interning with a PR firm and so I showed no interest in the opportunity he was offering me. But a big big biggg thanks to him, because had he not forced me to come for the interview, I wouldn’t have cared at all.

So next day I went to Network 18 with my friend, hoping it would be a simple interview where he would ask me about my future plans and that would be it. But how wrong I was! It turned out to be completely opposite to what I had expected. The moment I entered the office I was astounded! It was just like one of those offices you see in those daily soaps. Just the kind of office I always wanted to work in. And suddenly I was tensed and nervous, because I knew that getting into an organization like this is never going to be easy.

And I was right! The HR (Vinod) came and he took me in for a chat. He asked general stuff like my exams, future plans. He asked if saw the site and all. It was relaxed and cool. Then he gave me the actual jhatka where he told me that I will be required to give a 45 minutes test, based on which they will decide whether I fit the bill or no. I was all nervous and panicking but then it passed. And frankly speaking, the moment I finished it, I somehow knew that I haven’t made it. I was like that person who has no more hopes in life and whose life has ended. (Very dramatic, right?)

Exams ended and I got back to my internship at the PR firm. But I had lost all interest. Now if you show a person dairy milk silk which he could get but then give him mango bite, that person is surely not gonna like it. After a long week, one evening I got a call. By then I had given up all hopes. But as they say, “great things happen when you least expect them”. The call was from Network 18 and they told me that I was selected! My immediate reaction was “Really??!! Yippppeeeeeeeee!” I was on top of the world. My immediate reaction was to call my mom and gave her the fantastic news. My mom always told me that I would get it. Somewhere down the line she was sure about it. And her magic worked this time also! I love her so much. It’s like whatever she says it happens! Period!

I was just way too excited about it. The first day when I entered the office I was all energetic. Usually, I am nervous and not so excited but this was something totally different. From the beginning it was different. On the first day I met all my team members and in the blink of an eye, we were all talking and laughing. Then within 2 days we had started with our training session.

And hence, the journey started…from live blogging, to those short coffee breaks, to the team lunches. Everything was just mesmerizing. I loved every bit of it. I used to love going to office. I had friends there, the seniors were super cool, and every single bit of it was crazy!

It was indeed the best ever internship and I certainly miss it. Once again, thanks to Smruti for showing confidence in me and Aditi, my team leader who helped me improve a lot. I will miss all of you.

Mrs. Tendulkar Aala Re!

On one regular lazy day, I was just lazing around and adoring the most awaited vacations after one hectic year. Never in my life so far had I worked so hard (And mind you, I say that at the end of every year :P). Studies, internships, projects, assignments, phew! Yeah so I was enjoying the “vacations” thinking about how jobless I am!

When teenagers like me are bored, we have only 2 let outs: The Idiot Box i.e. T.V. and Facebook. Facebook isn’t really that fun. You enjoy it only when you have your friends online in that chat window otherwise after an hour you end up refreshing your home page every 10 seconds just to see if bored people like us have posted something lame enough to entertain us. You know what’s amusing is that we know we have got our dose of Facebook but still we cannot get ourselves to log out and shut that damn window off! Bloody Addiction!

Now moving on to the idiot box which is not so idiot considering it gives us most of the entertainment when we have given up all the hopes and have surrendered to boredom. So well big thanks to Philo Farnsworth! And also to all the production houses, actors, directors…Uh well you got the point. (The point btw is I’m bored)

The other day I was just surfing through the channels, I came across this show Mrs. Tendulkar on Sab TV. Usually I prefer watching star world or star movies or HBO. But times when even they refuse to show me good stuff, I resort to other channels.

Ya so there is this show Mrs. Tendulkar which was going on. My sister insisted to watch it and all those who have younger sisters know how it is like when they put their foot down if they want something. They get it!

To my amazement the show was indeed good. Within 5 minutes I too was glued on the screen. Such a unique concept presented in such a marvellous way. Mrs. Tendulkar’ is a unique story of the bank colony members who, work and live together as one big family. The show stars comedy-veteran Deven Bhojani, as Suhaas Tendulkar and Kishori Godbole a well-known Marathi actress as Vibhavari Tendulkar. The show revolves around the life of the Tendulkars’ where unlike most other families, wife is the bread-earner and husband a homemaker (househusband as they say).

The acting and the themes are so real that you can connect yourself with it. Themes like corruption, following traffic rules, etc. are conveyed in a very strong yet hilarious manner. I saw it once and got addicted to it. Deven Bhojani who playes the character of Mr. Suhaas Tendulkar is indeed a star. His smile is to die for. He conveys the message with so much ease and innocence that you cannot ignore it. His habit of forgetting simple things like people’s name never fails to bring a smile on my face.

I’m telling you guys. If you are tired, or upset or for that matter just bored watch this show. Like watch it!!! It comes every Monday – Thursday 9:30 P.M. It’s half an hour of complete entertainment. You will feel refreshed and good. I guarantee that!

Lastly, Hats Off to Hats Off Productions!

New Girl In Town...

This time I am not going to talk about any current issue, or any other person. This post, I dedicate to myself!
I was born in one of the most beautiful city of the world, Udaipur. I was born and raised up there till my 6^th grade, after which I shifted to the City of Dreams.

Life took a complete U-turn. I was in a completely new world. I was reborn. I learned everything all over again just like a new-born.

Having studied in a girl’s convent school in my early years, the co-ed system astounded me! I was flabbergasted to see guys and girls mix with each other with so much ease and comfort. It was quiet awkward for me to be so cool with a guy! The “Yo!” “Wassup Dude!” sounded difficult to me. Time is the key here. And so as the time passed I too got used to it. Of course, now moving from a small city to a metro is indeed very stressful. The change one goes through is massive!

Ma Pa was very supportive. I still remember my dad telling me repeatedly to build up the self-esteem and build up the confidence to face the world! Mom always stood on the comforting end. We all know how moms are like. 1 tear in your eye and the soft hearted angel turns into a warrior to fight the world for you.

Time passed. 1 year… 2 years… 3 years…

And now after 7 long years in this city, I am a completely changed person. Things that I would have never considered of had I been in Udaipur, I think about them now. Fields I would have never been acquainted with, I know them now. I am pretty sure that if I was in Udaipur now, I would have been doing the regular B.Com course. Not that I am saying that the course is bad. It has its own standard. But B.Com is not my thing. What I mean to say is that I would have never explored Media as a field. Or for that matter, I would have never had this blog and wouldn't have got the chance to talk to you guys like this.

But as they say, “Whatever happens…happens for your good”! This indeed happened for the best!
Currently I am a First year BMM student in one of the top colleges of Mumbai! (I will brag a little now. :P) I am interning with MTV! YO! And just like every other teenager I too have big wild dreams. Chill! I won’t bore you with the ‘dream talks’.

So guys do drop in your comments. Tell me about yourself. I have readers whom I don’t know. Isn’t that lame? Awaiting your comments! :)

All That I Am, Or Ever Hope To Be, I Owe It To My Angel Mother!

Mother…how naturally we use this term. But are we even tenuously aware of the magnitude of this name in our lives. I’m pretty sure it would be impossible for us to imagine life without MOM. She is like our backbone. Isn’t it?

For me… well my mom was the first soothing touch, the first feel... the angel sent from God whom I saw when I opened my eyes for the first time. I can imagine that warming face smiling at me giving me all the confidence that no matter whatever happens, she will not leave my side. Even if the whole world will be against me, I know she will be standing right by my side supporting me.

It’s not possible for me to imagine all that my mom has done for me. Cause she just gave without ever asking for anything in return. Not even thanks! I know you guys must be thinking that I am not saying anything new here. But just close your eyes and think for a moment. Try to see the angelic, warm, comforting face of your mom and I bet you, you too will think on the same thread.

There have been innumerable times when I fought with her, accused her for interfering in my so called ‘personal’ life. But she never complained. The next moment, seeing a tear in my eye she came running and hugged me like nothing was wrong. I am versed with how guilty I feel when I lie to her or speak rudely to her.

It’s next to impossible for me to pay back for all she has happily sacrificed for me. She didn’t leave a single stone unturned…did all she could…go to all possible lengths just so that my wants were met. Who does that? She is that one person who will be enchanted to know about your achievements. The smile on her face is to die for. It’s when you have completely given up; she comes from behind and tells you “It’s not yet over. Go on. I’m with you”.

Its Mother’s Day today…but believe me guys, every day is Mother’s Day. How many times have you hugged your mother tightly and told her you love her? If you haven’t done it yet then do it NOW! Tell her that you love her. Instead of living your life for your boyfriend/girlfriend who you are not sure will be with you the next day or not, live for your MOM. Cause she will be with you forever and always. We are in this world all because of her.

I dedicate this post to my mumma.

Mumma, this is to tell you how much I love you. I love that half an hour of chat that we have when I’m home from work. When you patiently listen to all that I have to say. Thank you for being so patient with me. Thank you for always being by my side and giving me that confidence that I can do it. Whatever little I am today, whatever little I have achieved till now is all yours…cause had you not given me that moral support, had you not given me the assurance nothing would have happened. You are like a bank where I deposit all my worries and hurt. It's so wonderful that I can share everything with you. I don't have to think before telling you something. I am so thankful to God that he gave me YOU! Even if I have nothing, I know I have you!

I love you…more than anything else in this whole wide world!

Anna Hazare Asking The Politicians To Dig Their Own Grave

Dearest Anna Da,

You are like a Grand Father figure to me. Thank you for reviving the dying hope to see India corruption free. When all of us as the children of India gave up all hopes and accepted that washing corruption out of our motherland is next to impossible, you gave us a new ray of hope. Now I believe that India will be corruption free…Someday!

You proved it that just sitting at the coffee table and discussing and cursing India and its politicians for the amount of corruption will not help. Someone has to wake up and take the first step. And I feel so proud that you have done it instead of just talking about it.

Corruption has somewhere become a part of everyone’s life, at least in India. It has affected people in many ways. From the pettiest activity to the most important ones, corruption ka tadka is everywhere.

Your strike invokes the memory of Bapu. He had said, “Corruption will be out one day, however much one may try to conceal it: and the public can as its right and duty, in every case of justifiable suspicion, call its servants to strict account, dismiss them, sue them in the Court of Law, or appoint a arbitrator or inspector to scrutinize their conduct, as it likes.”

I wasn’t fortunate enough to see Bapu kick the Britisher’s out of our motherland. But I feel privileged to be able to support you for something bigger than what Bapu did. He threw the trash that came from outside but you are striving hard to eliminate a disease that was born in our very home.

It’s always that ONE person who makes the difference. Mahatma Gandhi, Dalai Lama, Nelson Mandela and now it’s you. We are with you Da. Each and every Indian is with you.

But Anna Da, don’t you think one Lokapal bill is not enough. We need at least 10 such Lokapal to eradicate corruption in the next 6-7 years. Then after that, the one that is the best will be kept.

There is a lot of anger and disappointment among the natives. This could be seen clearly when politicians flooded the protest site, but the ire against politicians was so high that Hazare’s associates barred them all from sitting beside him on the dais. Three opposition leaders who went to the site on Thursday were shooed away by angry protestors. Others were seen standing quietly among the crowds at the venue.

The current climate of graft is entirely due to these political leaders. We are not going to let any politician take control over our agenda.

We are all with you Anna Da and we WILL get this disease of ‘corruption’ cured soon.
C'mon guys. Enough of this. Time to wake up.

Join Anna Hazare and show your support

India will be corruption free. We will make it happen!