Republic Day
Hey ppl! I was watching NDTV's X-factor today and the question was "Should Inida still have the republic day parade?" I side with shekhar Gupta completely cause i feel republic day parade showcasing our arms might is not really necessary and just contradicts everything that our republic day stands for. What do u guys think?

Anyways in the later part of the show they had the interview of Late Triveni Singh's father, Capt. Janmer Singh (Retd.). Lt.Triveni Singh received Ashok Chakra for his gallantary

His father received the award on his behalf. His face bore a crestfallen look as he answered Rajdeep Sardesai's questions. It's such a sad situation to be in. Will a father be happy that his son got an Ashok Chakra or be sad that he lost his son...........It's tough and it's an understatement.

This just reminds an incident. I had attended this local function, a felicitation function of a particular community. I was totally bored.......and I don't know why I was there nor do i care to remember...........But suddenly i heard this announcement......."This award is for Mr. So n So.....who killed some 20 odd enemies at the border and blah and blah............." This just set me thinking. Is the person awarded just because he killed some 20-odd Pakistanis??????? Is he great just because of that...........I mean if he would have killed 20-odd Indians then he would have been a bloody murderer........he becomes great just coz he killed our enemies........does a change in nationality of people killed make such a huge difference........murder and bravery..........ok......I understand ground realities....but I am talking about the humanitarian aspect........i mean the so-called enemies were human too...........but no!!!!! they are bloody pakis.........Huh! puhleeze............The same logic applies to the stupid American policies........I have the highest regard and respect for the armed forces........I know they are doing their duty of defending us.....our country.........but somethings I don't understand......I just simply don't get it!

Also in India a soldier dies a martyr. The whole attitude sucks. Ultimately it's the loss of a precious Human Life. The whole martyrdom thing is pathetic. Soldiers dream of dying here. Oh puhleeze..Watta waste of a such a beautiful life. In America, one might never notice this. This is because human life is very very valued (only American life, mind you!) One would notice a huge public outcry when they would see soldiers dying or for that matter anybody dying. That's why US bombed 2 countries after the death of 3000 Americans......Wonder how many countries should we bomb under this logic.........The concept of martyrdom in India is taken a bit to far.

I know.........I know........I repeat I know about the situation..........the ground realities.....I know about our neighbours......But all I want to say that I am tired.......I really am.......seeing deaths....of soldiers, civilians................I want happiness, peace.........UTOPIA........sigh..............I want no more soldiers to receive awards posthumously........

Hehehhehehehheheheheheheeeeee

Aint this funny Guyz...........I just can't stop laughing.......ehehehhee............This was a toy sold at WSF! HAhahahhahahaaaa

If u can't see the pic, plz do tell me!
Thanks Ridz for the help! :)

This is really cool!

Monalisa ......responds!

WSF-Day1
I was all excited for the World Social Forum(WSF) to begin, more so since I am a student volunteer at WSF, 2004. The first thing that stuck me when I entered NESCO grounds, goregaon was the sea of humanity that I envisioned. There were people everywhere. Living in Mumbai one just gets used to the colossal crowds that we witness everyday. But this was different. There were people who had come from different parts of Maharashtra, different parts of our country and also from various parts of the world. NESCO grounds had become a melting pot of myriad cultures, religions, people etc. The very casualness in which everybody went about doing their work amidst so much differences be it cultural, religious, linguistic etc. just overwhelmed me to a large extent. It was beautiful. It took a while to sink in though.

WSF 2004 was inaugurated by noted freedom fighter Captain Lakshmi Sehgal. The opening ceremony saw dignitaries like Nobel peace Laureate, Shirin Ebadi (Iran), writer- activist Arundhati Roy, prominent leader for Palestinian struggle Mustafa Bargouthi etc. to name a few. Shirin Ebadi spoke about Patriarchy. She denounced the patriarchal system and expressed sadness by the fact that women all over were directly responsible for the continuation of patriarchy. I thought that it was extremely noteworthy for her to speak against patriarchy especially since Iran being an Islamic country has patriarchy rooted in its society. Patriarchy is very inherent in India, something I am sure everyone encounters at his or her homes itself. It was a powerful message since most of the Indians have more or less accepted patriarchy as matter of fact without any questions against it. Mustafa Bargouthi talked about the freedom struggle in Palestine, which everyone heard, with rapt interest. He retorted that most of the people are misinformed about the Palestinian conflict and he held media responsible to certain extent. I thought that was interesting. Almost all the speakers condemned the USA’s occupation of Iraq and denounced the growing US imperialism.

The translation system at the WSF is very innovative. Media persons and other delegates are equipped with a FM radio. In case of a speech in English, Hindi etc. simultaneous translations take place in Spanish, French and other languages, which the person can hear with the help of the FM radio. The translators have come all the way from France, Spain etc. to help assist WSF. They are very quick and efficient at their work.

I met lot of interesting people on the way. Earlier in the day I met two journalists from Germany who trying to talk to the cab driver to take them to hotel Sea princess. Then I realised that the driver had no plans of going to Juhu and he was busy trying to tell them that he is not going in that direction. Obviously the foreigners didn’t understand. This is where I stepped in. I asked them to go by an auto rickshaw since there weren’t any cabs in sight then. They were quite amused by the name “Reekshaw”! I also told them about the meter-reading system too. They thanked me and left.

There were people from remotest parts of India and they were quite overwhelmed by the presence of several foreigners and their whacky dressing styles. I overheard two Malyalee guys talking, “Ivada noka, idhu onnum ittutillya” (Look there, she’s hardly worn anything) I just burst out laughing.

The highlight of the day was the performance of Pakistani Band, Junoon. They played their hit numbers, Sayyonee, Dosti etc. and enthralled the crowds. It is here that I met some members of Swati, an NGO working for women. SWATI is women’s movement against poverty and violence working mainly in Tamil Nadu. I started talking to a few members in Tamil. They just couldn’t believe that I could speak Tamil. But later the funny or tragic part was that they couldn't figure out what i was talking. Ok my tamil was sooper-bad and every sentecnce contained 3-4 english words. Man I am pathetic. Ultimately i ended up speaking to Ms.Lalitha in English. Geeeesh!!!!!!! SWATI works with rural women in Tamil Nadu. They help them gain employment, teach them skills like tailoring etc. she said that, “People in rural areas don’t realise the ill-effects until they are affected by it. We believe that globalisation is dangerous and we are involved in education the women in the grassroot level.” I didn’t quite agree with her because I feel that globalisation in totality is not bad but certain practices definitely are. But I did not argue. What she further said was quite interesting. She said, “Globalisation is responsible for the growing violence against women. She also said globalisation has resulted in reduction of jobs, also the voluntary/compulsory retirement schemes have proved to be really harmful. Men with no jobs on hand tend to be more violent with women.” I later wished her luck and departed.

On my way home I met a group of chinky eyed women who asked me the route to the railway station. I guided them and then asked them about their country. They replied that they were Indians. It was embarrassing for me. I mistook them for someone else. I felt really foolish. I mean I would have felt very offended if someone Indian might have asked me whether I am an Indian or not. It just reflects the sad fact that we are so ignorant about northeast.

It was a great day at the WSF. What I noticed was a growing resentment against the growing hegemony of USA and its actions. Also it was an eye opener since I found scores of people being hit by unfair practices of globalisation. Also it was lot of colour, culture at day one at WSF.

(More to come later as and when I would get time)

Budday Wishes
Happy Birthday Rahul Dravid (11th Jan)! :)

Building Parties
As I am writing this there is a building party going on in the neighbouring housing society. This is something very typical to people who live in apartments in Mumbai, Guess its popular everywhere else too. Every new yearmany housing societies have a get-together. they have their own typical idiosyncrasies.

A party is incomplete without musical chairs. Its so much fun seeing moti ladies running to grab the chairs. heheheheee!

There has to be an antakshari. Goodness! it then becomes gathering of all besuraas.........even as i am writing this, there is an antakshari going on.......and trust me I wanna run away from my place. They are murdering the songs. But there will exist one person who will sing well and He/She would be irritated to death coz s/he are supposed to oblige everybody by singing. Poor souls....are bored to death. But some of them enjoy every moment of their brief period of limelight and so they oblige requests from everybody.

Whats a building party without naach gaana! So this year, its Kal Ho Naa Ho all the way. Its the time to disco................Its must-have song. Previously it was Dil chahta hain........Koi Kahe........it was there everywhere. Children over here take centerstage. Non-stop practice, endless rehearsals, costumes, make up, everything is managed by children and the teens!

Also how can I forget Housie, the number game. There would be one Patil uncle from every building who would compere the show in his own inimitable style. He would occupy the centerstage with others surround him anticipating every number.

There would also be sports. Running race, relay, lemon 'n' spoon, Book Balance etc. etc. for the kids. Parents are the most excited during this event. One should see the way they come and cheer their children. Its a matter of pride if your daughter defeated your neighbour's son, pappu.......

Now who can forget the food. There are some losers in every hsg soc. They would turn up only when the dinner is served.

I used to love building parties, infact I still do. I used to take part in all dances (filmi). It used to be so much of fun. One thing I used to love was rehearsals. All the friends used to gather together and have so much of fun. There used to be this empty house always, so all our dance practice would go on there. All our Christmas vacations used to be spent rehearsing the dance steps.

Our building parties were so popular that other building residents would queue up in their terrace to watch us perform. I remember we used to have loads of Christmas vacation homework in school........but wat da heck! Nobody cared! We were too busy with our dances, drama etc. Parties like this have their own unique character. Some memories I will always cherish! :)

Somethings I love doing
Hmm......I just loving moon gazing. I can do that for hours together and just not get bored. I simply loveee it.

I love balloons. I always like to buy gas ballons...loads of them and then go to my terrace and then just let it go........in the blue sky and just watch them. Wow! can anything be more better!

I just love watching kids play. they are so adorable. Especially toddlers.....they are amazing. The way they speak, the way they walk........everything is fascinating.

I love nature. I love going for long walks where there is ample greenary. I would never get tired walking. Obviously Mumbai does not offer me such luxuries.....But am always on hunt for such locations.

Love reading a book near a window, sitting on a comfy couch, when it is raining outside with a amma's hot filter coffee. Wow! nothing like it.........haina!

Meeting up with friends and yapping non-stop! Total timepass......

Going to my school. I miss those days ya.....

Talking on phone with friends.

I love elephants. They are my favourite animal. They are so cute, the best actually. A ride on an elephant wud be so amazing. hehehehehe! Ok.me not crazy...but I love it!

Hrishikesh Mukherjee's films and RK narayan's novels! love them!!!!!!!!!

Love beaches and can gaze the sea for hours on end.

Visiting my patti......mean my gramma......she is an absolute sweetheart!
many more......