Sindhu Rakshak tragedy

In all the dark and gloom of the tragedy, this was the only bright spark

Chennai express - part 2

part 1 can be read on this blog here
http://recklessmusings.blogspot.in/2013/08/chennai-express.html

Chennai Express - Part 2
-------------------------

Like I said at the end of part 1, we did go to see the movie.  Put me back by a cool 1200/- rupees including the eats n drinks.

First the bad parts
------------------

1.  The story is very run of the mill and an oft repeated one
2.  The story line is entirely predictable from the beginning to the end
3.  Story was needlessly stretched towards the end
4.  what made Shah Rukh change his mind was not clear
5.  How did Shah Rukh become so strong, so as to thrash everyone in the end?
6.  the handling of his dadaji's death leaves a bad taste!!
7.  Lastly, even Shah rukh's ardent admirers have to agree that he looks way too old to pull off romantic contortions of his face.   Those impossible contortions looked good when he was young and they probably mesmerised the women.  But at his present age, they make us suffer. I just could not look at his face in the movie after he says ' i love you' to Deepika.  I hope our dear Shah rukh takes note.

Next the Good parts
------------------------

1.  See it for Deepika - for her looks, effortless acting and comic timing
2.  See it for Priyamani - for her good looks and dance
3.  See it for the beautiful locales and brilliant camera work
4.  See it for the lungi dance song (not for the lungi dance per se which looks quite cheap but for the rest of the song)
5.  See it for the comic parts 
6. It is a true family movie. no sex or vulgarity and not too much fighting!!

Lastly - the average parts
------------------------
1. SRK's acting. I felt most of the time he was trying to be a part of the Gen X.  Quite hyper and over acting many times.  But SRK being SRK , he manages to hold the audience.
2. Stunts

The sermon towards the end by SRK about women not getting liberation even after 66 years of independence ( i think he said in the 66 th year of independence, he should read my post http://recklessmusings.blogspot.in/2013/08/66-th-or-67th-independence-day.html), feels out of place. It may have been deliberately placed there to win over some women viewers.

Still, the sermon sounds hollow, as SRK (as Rahul) has scant respect for his grand parents, who brought him up since child hood after the death of his parents. Have you heard of 'love for grand parents' or 'gratitude' , Mr Rahul?.  You have no gratitude or loyalty to your grand parents or the village which helped you, then Mr, what sort of values do you stand for?

SRK (as a real individual) is  guilty of being party to the depiction of grand parents being treated in this way.  Even the manner in which Dadaji dies is in exceptionally poor taste.  Its not just money friends!!! You need to care about what sort of values you are propagating!!!

But who gives a fish?!!! The film is a big hit and is racing towards the 200 crores mark in just a week!!!  And such films will continue to be made!!!

MY VERDICT : YOU CAN WATCH IT WITH YOUR FAMILY. YOU MAY OR MAY NOT ENJOY IT,  BUT YOU WONT BE BORED

NDTV's Ms Nidhi Razdan's interview of British MP Barry Gardiner

Saw a video of NDTV'S Ms Nidhi Razdan's interview of British MP Barry Gardiner on Shri Narendra Modi. You can watch it here at 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-twGoTBkc-Q

The anchor was very sharp witted and focussed in her interview but she dominated most of the interview with us hearing mostly her view point only while in an interview with Mr Barry Gardner on National Telly.  So much so that Mr Gardner told her off - 'If you keep talking over me than listening to me, then it is not an interview'.

Shri Narendra Modi

Whatever may be Ms Rajdan's views on NaMo or human rights violations, my request to her (if her allegations are true)  is not to wash our 'linen in public'.  We don't need a foreigner's endorsement (or the lack of it) of our internal problems!!  We have our Supreme court of India to look into it. If the Supreme court of India convicts NaMo, then no leader in the World can save him and if it doesn't, then we must at least cease discussions outside of the country.  The internal debates can continue as they are integral to democracy.  But questioning the Supreme court itself become contempt of court.

Mr Barry Gardner

Lastly, we saw the interview expecting a debate/engaging conversation but all that we got was her view point (We don't point fingers at her though, as she has a job to keep). There wasn't much we heard of Mr Gardner which we we would have loved to, to get an outsider's perspective of the whole issue - especially as that, is  the reason we tuned into the interview in the first place!!!  

In such interviews next time, maybe NDTV can let us hear the other side more!!!!

Chennai Express

My daughter was after me since last few days to see Chennai express!! As was my usual habit, I checked on the reviews of the film.  Almost all the critics have panned the film with one even declaring 'board at your own risk'.  I told the same to my daughter who just wouldn't agree with the reviews (shah rukh power i guess!!!).  I reminded her of the last time we had the same conversation.  The critics equally panned Ra One but my daughter forced me to go to the movie with her and the day we went there were just a little over 20 people in the theatre and too in inox!!!. And i came back with a splitting headache from the movie!!! So she grudgingly kept quiet!!!

Yesterday she told me - 'papa chennai express is going to cross 200 crores this week'.  I thought she was joking  but a quick search on the net confirmed what she said!! How could a film so poorly rated by critics do so well at the box office?!!! 

Are the critics dumb or the audiences?  I did a bit of research and found out quite interesting points. Have a look!!

Chennai express was released in 7000+ screens across all territories.  Considering the average occupancy of each screen, they may be fetching atleast 50,000 per day. Multiply that with 7000 screens result in a whopping 35 crores per day!!! So if any such film just manages to run 5 days, it is sure to earn at least 100 crores. During this period and before there are certain actions taken by the production houses:-

before release

--------------

1.  generate a lot of buzz about the movies from a few months before release

2.  attend tv events, shows, inaugurations

3. incessant interviews of lead actors

4. ads on tv and internet

5. high profile release

6. enroll cyber armies. this is to counter every critic on the internet in the first few days so that a credible opinion on the movie does not come out and keeps the potential viewer confused about the movie (even if it is definitely bad)

all this will ensure a high initial turnout

after release
---------------

1.  Release high figures for first day gross

2. have all actors talk about how happy they are with the success

3. big tv and paper ads about the success and gross collections

4. have cyber armies actively praise the movie online

5. keep the buzz alive

6. keep the potential viewer interested

basically its all about the first one week.  The potential viewer comes to know about the movie by a week.  Thereafter if it good, he will see it and if it bad he will drop it.  But, the first week is the time his opinion has to be managed by the tv, internet and print media.  All the Blitz, even if it does not convince him , it will keep him confused at least.  And that is the aim!!!

Also, when someone says that a movie is a 70 crore movie, we would like to know the breakdown like

hero fee-

heroine fee-

all other actors fee-

ads budget -

director fee-

all other persons fee-

fee need to be paid no doubt, but the renumeration paid to individuals does not add to the technical values of a film.  So if i want to know on what a grand scale a movie is made, then i would like to know how much was spent on locations, sets, special effects, stunts, technical advancements etc!!!

Also, it brings us to an important question. Can everyone get 7000 screens for his release? Obviously not - as Ajay devgan found out some time back.  Therefore if you have 3500 screens instead of 7000, then your collections are cut in half!!!.  This means that collections are not a result of good cinema but a clever manipulation of screens by the production houses!!  You may make a bad movie in 20 crores but if you release in 7000 screens with as much publicity, it will still return a substantial profit in the first three days itself!!

So, in the present day, the success of a film does not talk of the quality of the film!!! (this is not a comment on Chennai Express as I haven't yet seen the film)

p.s:- Still, we are going to see Chennai Express today becoz I too am confused !!! And that sums up the story!!!

The President's speech

The President's speech

Having heard the President's speech, I wondered if he is the Messiah we are all looking for!!! I mean he touched upon everything we care about and held out an absolutely practical vision for the citizens of this country.  I am amazed by his frankness and no-nonsense approach.

key points

------------

1.  Gandhiji's vision cannot be turned into reality if we spurn the very values that were compulsory to his cause: sincerity of effort, honesty of purpose and sacrifice for the larger good. 

2.  The ideals of patriotism, compassion, tolerance, self-restraint, honesty, discipline and respect for women have to be converted into a living force. 

3.  We need leadership that is committed to the nation and those values that made us a great civilization. 

4. We need a state that inspires confidence among people in its ability to surmount challenges before us. 

5. We need a media and citizens who, even as they claim their rights, are equally committed to their responsibilities. 

6.  We cannot aspire to be a world class power without a single world class university.

7.  I applaud the courage and heroism of our security and armed forces who maintain eternal vigilance and pay homage to those who have made the supreme sacrifice of the most precious gift of life in the service of the motherland. 

8.  Let me conclude by quoting from the great classic Bhagvad Gita where the Teacher propounds his views and then says, and I quote, "ÿatha icchasi tatha kuru" "even as you choose, so you do. I do not wish to impose my views on you. I have presented to you what I think is right. Now it is for your conscience, for your judgment, for your mind to decide what is right." 

Dear President, you have spoken well and I think every word that you said is worth its weight in Gold.  Like you said, it is now for the country men to choose but I hope that they choose the path that you indicated!!!

(ibtimes has provided the full text of the speech on their web page.  I strongly urge everyone to visit their web page and read the address!! )

you can read the full text of the speech here

http://www.ibtimes.co.in/articles/499134/20130815/full-text-president-speech-independence-day-eve.htm

66 th or 67th Independence day

Happy Independence day to everyone. As I watched on TV today, there was one TV anchor who said it was our 66th Independence day whereas another one said it is 67th. That left me confused and so i decided to sit down and do the math.  In case anyone else is confused too, you may read on to clear the air!!!!

Since we got Independence on 15 August 1947, the first birthday must have been in 1948. So,

1948 - 1
1949 - 2
1950 - 3

2000 - 53
2010 - 63

2011 - 64
2012 - 65
2013 - 66

So, by my calculation we have completed 66 years of Independence and entered 67th year today on 15 August 2013.  

p.s : If we have candles, we must blow 66 candles on our birthday cake i.e to signify the completion of 66 years!!!

Activist moves NCW over Bhati's comments against Durga Shakti

It was reported that Ms Nutan Thakur, an activist had lodged a complaint against Mr Bhati in the the case of Ms, Durga Shakti, the suspended IAS officer.  In her complaint, she reportedly raised objections over the alleged usage of words like "aurat" and "behudgi" against the IAS officer, as was seen by all on national TV.

 

My point is not about what Mr Bhati said or Ms Durga or even Ms Nutan, the complainant.  My point is about the comments of the Chair person of NCW that she has not yet received the complaint and once it is received, she will enquire into the matter and take appropriate action.

My question then is, hasn't the learned chairperson not seen the footage which was repeatedly broadcast on all channels? Can't she have decided on her own whether it is offensive or not? And if it is, does she have powers to take 'suo moto' action? And if she doesn't have powers to take 'suo moto' action, should she press for that power?

Its time for the women's organisations to be more assertive and have more teeth. Women in places of authority need to rally together for the betterment of the less fortunate ones. Otherwise it will be all bark and no bite and things will remain in the present dismal state.

p.s

-----

after writing the above article, i did a search on NCW chairperson and came across the message of Ms Mamta Sharma on the home page of NCW.  The message is quite impressive and i hope all the concerned personnel of NCW are also 'walking the talk'.

Smt. Mamta Sharma, Chairperson, NCW

After having taken over as Chairperson on 2nd August, 2011, I feel that my focus should be to concentrate not only on womens empowerment but also on their growth and development. I believe that empowerment will also bring down atrocities against women as they will have the strength and knowledge to stand up for their rights. Another main focus will be to bring about attitudinal changes about discriminatory practices. At NCW, we encourage online registration of complaints and maintain an open and transparent office where victims can come and talk about their grievances. NCW works tirelessly towards these issues.

Shri Amartya Sen

A nobel Laurete Shri Amartya Sen is a world renowed economist.  I was relatively young when he received the nobel prize in 1998.  The newspapers and magazines went abuzz with the stories and reams n reams of prints were covered on his life story and achievements.  I as a youngster felt very proud that one of our fellow countrymen received the nobel prize and joined in the festivity.  In my enthusiasm, I followed the story in all magazines and papers n news channels of those days.  During all the prolific stories and interviews with him, one of the reporters told him how the whole of india is celebrating and asked him how he himself is feeling as a proud indian?  His reply was a shocker!!! Though it was not a live telecast on tv, the magazine reported that he said something like " he is not an indian and ....." (its been a long time, so i don't remember the exact words but something to that effect - the magazine might have twisted his words out of context also, but he did not contest the comments at that time). Though it sounded rather strange to me, I let it pass as I had more important issues to handle than analyse this acclaimed economist's personal feelings.

As the present controversy goes, there is so much more in the news about this Gentleman and the issue of his citizenship comes to the fore again.  If Dr Subramanian Swamy is right, he lost his citizen ship when he married foreigners and stays abroad!! but, is that right? can an indian lose his citizenship for marrying a foreigner and staying abroad?  Of course you lose the moral right to comment on the state on affairs of this country when you choose not to stay here but what is the rule position?  A check on his Wikipedia page shows that, he spent most of his time teaching in the best universities abroad.  If that be the case, how really can he understand the difficulties and sufferings of the common Indian?  Anyway those are different issues, but Shri Amartya Sen ji should come clear of his citizenship status before we attach a lot of importance to his comments.  The earlier comments in 1998,  I am giving full benefit of doubt to Dr Amartya Sen that I may have remembered it wrongly or the paper may have reported it wrongly.

But for the present, We would appreciate a clarification, as so many people say that he is not a citizen of India.  Because for people like me (I am sure there are a lot of people like me), he may be a great economist, but if he is not a citizen of our country, he has no business commenting about it (and we have no business  attaching so much importance to his comments).  But if he is, we may consider his views when the time comes to cast our vote.  Lets hope that some clarity arises on this.

I hope Dr Sen is still a citizen of our country and would be pleased to read that confirmation because I refuse to believe that "Bharat Ratna" would be conferred on someone who is not a citizen of India.

I or this blog have absolutely no political leanings and is a commentary only on socially relevant issues.

Current account deficit and Gandhiji

Gandhiji organised boycot of foreign clothes during the struggle against the Britishers.  India was one of the hubs of trade in the East till the British had arrived.  They gradually destroyed the local crafts (even chopping off the hands of artisans and craftsmen so that they cant work anymore) and shipped the raw materials back to England.  These raw materials after processing into finished goods used to be dumped in India.

In effect, they looted India of the raw materials and thereafter sold the finished products back to the Indians at low prices.  This way they could keep their industries back home running optimally and earn a lot of money.  To top it all, part of the money earned was used to buy bigger guns and larger armed forces that were used to oppress us Indians only.

Being an astute politician and freedom fighter, Gandhiji may have realised this and asked for total boycott of foreign goods.  A poster on the same is reproduced below:-

 

How is this relevant to current account deficit (CAD)?

This is what we need to look at.  Gandhiji advised boycott of all foreign goods which were largely clothes at that time so that domestic produced items can sustain despite being at higher price.  In the present day, if we examine any electronic or house hold appliances/decor, we can find that there is a deluge of products from South East Asia particularly China. If we take the same analogy of Britishers, this deluge is leading to the following:-

(a)  Wiping out the complete domestic electronics market

(b) Wiping out the complete domestic furniture market.  Hardly anybody goes to a carpenter these days.

(c)  Create a huge trade deficit with China/SEA countries

(d) Ensure sustenance of  foreign companies abroad by virtue of huge sales in our country, thereby furthering their prosperity

(e)  Place a severe demand for dollars to pay for exports

One might say that the same is true of Gold which is also correct.  Unfortunately we are now focussing only on Gold, probably because the other items have some utility unlike Gold which has pure ornamental value.  Still, Gold is a lesser evil in the long run. Consider this example:-

in 2013, Mr. A purchases 10 gms of gold for Rs 30,000/- and Mr. B purchases an LED tv for Rs 30,000/-.

The 30,000 for Gold, say is paid to Switzerland and the 30,000/- for the TV, say is paid to Korea. In the year 2013, both have the same impact on the current account deficit.

After five years in 2018, the LED TV would have depreciated to about 5,000 but the Gold would have appreciated to about 50,000/-. Effectively, the wealth of the individual had actually grown in purchase of gold as against the LED TV.  This is very useful when we calculate the per capita debt of the country i.e total debt of the country/population.  

It is evident from the above that despite having the same effect on CAD in 2013, their effect on the individual's and the nation's wealth is completely different five years on.

We can therefore deduce that it is equally (if not more) important to curb the imports of electronics, home appliances and decor as much as the restraints on Gold.   

In addition, that cheap mobile/appliance/decor is cheap only at the point of sale.  Once it adds to the CAD, the government has to pay for it somehow and the only way the government can pay for anything is by extracting it from the general public by way of taxes, cess etc.  So, you really aren't getting anything cheap but just filling up the pockets of MNC's.

I hope this issue generates positive and healthy discussions.

A Star is wasted - Jiah Khan

She had a lot going for her - a sensual face, terrific figure and a smouldering smile - quite an irresistible combination.  She had a grand entry opposite amitabh and had a few good films later on too.  Having acted in a few films in bollywood, she should have realised the fickleness in the bollywood relations and how people move on to newer ones.

When we seriously think of it - let alone in bollywood - most of us would have had an affair or two before getting married - and most of us would have have let go our affairs and moved on to our family lives. if every guy or gal starts committing suicide due to a failed love affair, then there will be a dearth of people on earth.

Suicide for love is simply unacceptable because - how can you leave your parents, siblings, friends n family and pass away to another world just because one guy whom you would have hardly known for 2-3 years doesn't treat you well.  What about all the other wonderful people who look you up with love and care. aren't you being unfair to them? 

You gotta love life more than your love life.

and that guy suraj i think is unnecessarily being harassed.  we hear of so many breakups be it in bollywood akshay-raveena, ranbir-deepika, ranvir-anushka, etc or in the lives of people who are in our city, locality or our mohalla. These are happening everyday. One has to be strong to withstand the pain and look towards more understanding and fulfilling relationships.

The charges of rape are hard to believe coz i doubt if there was ever a reason to rape her as she herself may have willingly given herself being in love.  All the more reason to disbelieve it coz the young lady (may her soul rest in peace) isn't present to state eitherway. and like the police said - the authenticity of the letter is being established. we will know for sure when that is done if ziah really wrote all that.

Still, suicide is not the way to go and holding suraj responsible also may not be a good idea as that might send a wrong message to the young ladies of India.  Parents must be vigilant about their children and adequately  counsel/advise them whenever they find any warning signs, to avoid such unnecessary loss of life.

Hope that we do not get to read anymore such news at least in the near future.

Let us pray that she rests in peace in the other world.

Portable toilets in school

 'Give me a toilet in school' was what one little girl wished for,  when asked by a visiting dignitary as to what she wants.  As we look around ourselves we find that there is really a dearth of places where girls/women can relieve themselves.  As women are also not comfortable to talk about this, the issue never comes to the fore (except for one article I read which was wriiten by Ms Shobha De - 'the right to pee' in a national daily).  There are many who are sensitive to this issue and who have thought of various means to mitigate this uncalled hardship.  There is however one young lady who decided not to procrastinate and went ahead and desined her own portable toilet. 

The young lady as i read in the News is,  Ms Promita Sen and she designed a portable toilet which can be setup in 5 minutes time and weighs about 16 kgs.  It is understood that these toilets have already been setup in many schools in Assam, West Bengal and Bihar. In addition as they are portable they could be easily be carried atop a vehicle for use in inhospitable areas. Alongwith her innovation the lady also has an enterpreneural streak which made her patent her design and produce it herself. I hope that her sucess with this innovation would propel to innovate further and bring out more ergonomic devices.

it is also reported that the installation of these toilets saw an immediate rise in the girl children attending schools in these areas.

Kudos and way to go Lady!!!