5th July...Bharat Bandh! Called by Opposition parties, lead by BJP, apparently to raise concerns of the aam aadmi
The result: Schools, Colleges shut...many offices closed...trains stopped, buses being damaged, huge traffic jams, loss of crores of rupees.
What kind of politics is this: you trouble the common man, in name of raising their concerns. Whats the point of disrupting the whole system? And more importantly...what benefit the common man gets out of it! Simply nothing...
Its Just a lame attempt at show of power...or else how do you justify a crowd pelting stones at a office cab, carrying employees to work? What if a ambulance gets stuck in the traffic jam ?
Agreed that price rise a issue and it should be debated upon. I'm sure those doing it must have deliberated upon it before taking such a decision (I'm sure, even they love votes). It would have been more appropriate, if the Opposition party would have called for a debate on national television for the government to explain this. That would have been peaceful, wouldn't have caused any troubles to anyone, and yet it would ensured that the concerns were voiced to those who matter. In this age, where Media is so much empowered, and so much reach..do we need bandhs to ensure that our voices are heard!
While driving to office, I was wondering ...if Bandh is a platform to raise issues..then what is Parliament for ? Isn't it supposed to be a platform where our chosen leaders should discuss/debate topics which concern the nation and its citizens? And what happens in parliament sessions: walkouts...! These very political parties, refuse to utilize that precious time and money, to have some constructive discussions.
I've always believed that Opposition should be about constructive criticism...instead of "opposing just for the sake of it". Would there ever be a day, when we'll see some constructive politics in India!
Monday, July 5, 2010
Tuesday, March 30, 2010
From Labour Room...
One of my colleagues once commented that "once you have seen your wife enduring Labour Pain, you would start loving her all the more". And after my experiences over last 48 hours..I must admit that I couldn't agree more.
My wife entered the labour room, with approximately 21 weeks pregnancy. While the reason and result both were rather fateful in our case, but the experiences or lets say the process was almost similar to that of full-fledged delivery.
She was in labour for close to 14 hours.
14 hours of continuous and literally excruciating pain, consistent bleeding. Every single minute was a test of her mental and physical strength. And with every passing minute my respect for women hood, and in particular for my wife, grew stronger and stronger. Ironically, women are still called 'the weaker sex'
And in that context it's so disheartening to see the plight of women in today's world. Female foeticide is a grave reality, dowry deaths haven't really vanished, domestic violence continues as we speak.
As men..the least we can do is respect and love women. Women - who endure pains of unimaginable degree to give us life.
My wife entered the labour room, with approximately 21 weeks pregnancy. While the reason and result both were rather fateful in our case, but the experiences or lets say the process was almost similar to that of full-fledged delivery.
She was in labour for close to 14 hours.
14 hours of continuous and literally excruciating pain, consistent bleeding. Every single minute was a test of her mental and physical strength. And with every passing minute my respect for women hood, and in particular for my wife, grew stronger and stronger. Ironically, women are still called 'the weaker sex'
And in that context it's so disheartening to see the plight of women in today's world. Female foeticide is a grave reality, dowry deaths haven't really vanished, domestic violence continues as we speak.
As men..the least we can do is respect and love women. Women - who endure pains of unimaginable degree to give us life.
Thursday, June 25, 2009
Tough Times...
A few minutes back, wrote this e-mail to my boss:
" Must say it has been probably been the most discouraging week of my 3 yrs at Newgen. 3 cases getting dropped/halted/postponed. As a sales guy, you are bound to get disheartened. Typically we don’t see such emotional/philosophical emails being send to ones line manager, but somehow felt like sharing it with you more as a senior rather than as a line manager. I am trying, and would keep trying...and hopefully other weeks would be a little different from this one.
regards,
Bindesh "
I guess this speaks volumes about what I'd be going through right now. The only word which comes closure to describing this situation is : "Frustrating". There was a famous line in The Alchemist "...when you want something, all the universe conspires in helping you achieve it." But somehow get the feeling, the universe, these days, has changed it loyalty. It is conspiring to ensure that I am not achieving!
Possibly, when the times would change, I may reflect upon these times as "learning period" or philosophically remember this "..as a testing period" ...but as of now its a pain in the ass really.
Hoping desperately for the situation to change...and for the universe to start conspiring again in positive direction. Till then..I'd keep fighting...inshallah.
" Must say it has been probably been the most discouraging week of my 3 yrs at Newgen. 3 cases getting dropped/halted/postponed. As a sales guy, you are bound to get disheartened. Typically we don’t see such emotional/philosophical emails being send to ones line manager, but somehow felt like sharing it with you more as a senior rather than as a line manager. I am trying, and would keep trying...and hopefully other weeks would be a little different from this one.
regards,
Bindesh "
I guess this speaks volumes about what I'd be going through right now. The only word which comes closure to describing this situation is : "Frustrating". There was a famous line in The Alchemist "...when you want something, all the universe conspires in helping you achieve it." But somehow get the feeling, the universe, these days, has changed it loyalty. It is conspiring to ensure that I am not achieving!
Possibly, when the times would change, I may reflect upon these times as "learning period" or philosophically remember this "..as a testing period" ...but as of now its a pain in the ass really.
Hoping desperately for the situation to change...and for the universe to start conspiring again in positive direction. Till then..I'd keep fighting...inshallah.
Sunday, March 22, 2009
Ye dilli hai mere yaar...
Dunno whats it with movies, which prompts me to pen down something every time I happen to watch a "good" movie. "Good" ofcourse is a subjective term here!
Today, it was Delhi 6.
Nice movie. Could have been nicer, with some editing. Its grey areas aside, the movie does manages to put its message across, and put it across fairly well. Rakesh O Mehra, indeed deserves a pat on back for this effort...touching upon real, and very pertinent issues. More importantly, like many other movies of late, the message nevers sounds cliche.
The core message ofcourse here is - practise what you preach! We preach Ramayana, but hardly practise what Ram did. We so often talk about unity/love...but even with smallest of reasons...we are literally ready to kill each other. This we can witness very often...in Road Rages, Riots, Caste based discrimination. It takes guts to touch sensitive issues like these, when there is cut throat competition in commercial cinema. That pat on back is indeed well earned. What makes Rakesh's message more appealing is the symbols (Kalabandar/Monkeyman, Ramlila - and the characters portrayed in Ramayana) he uses to convey the message.
Other than the symbolism used, and the message conveyed, on a personal level, the movie establishes a instant connection...because of Delhi angel. Delhi has been my home since birth, so the city indeed has a special place for me. It has been a witness of my growth....from a school going kid..to being titled 'account manager'!!
Till now, my professional world has revolved around 'international sales'...which essentially means that sooner or later (assuming I continue in this domain) I'll have to move outside India. And whenever I think of leaving India/leaving Delhi...it gives me goose bumps. Its difficult, literally impossible, to imagine life away from the city which has been your companion ever since your existense in this world!
Kaun jaye, Zauk, Dilli ki galiyan chod kar...
Today, it was Delhi 6.
Nice movie. Could have been nicer, with some editing. Its grey areas aside, the movie does manages to put its message across, and put it across fairly well. Rakesh O Mehra, indeed deserves a pat on back for this effort...touching upon real, and very pertinent issues. More importantly, like many other movies of late, the message nevers sounds cliche.
The core message ofcourse here is - practise what you preach! We preach Ramayana, but hardly practise what Ram did. We so often talk about unity/love...but even with smallest of reasons...we are literally ready to kill each other. This we can witness very often...in Road Rages, Riots, Caste based discrimination. It takes guts to touch sensitive issues like these, when there is cut throat competition in commercial cinema. That pat on back is indeed well earned. What makes Rakesh's message more appealing is the symbols (Kalabandar/Monkeyman, Ramlila - and the characters portrayed in Ramayana) he uses to convey the message.
Other than the symbolism used, and the message conveyed, on a personal level, the movie establishes a instant connection...because of Delhi angel. Delhi has been my home since birth, so the city indeed has a special place for me. It has been a witness of my growth....from a school going kid..to being titled 'account manager'!!
Till now, my professional world has revolved around 'international sales'...which essentially means that sooner or later (assuming I continue in this domain) I'll have to move outside India. And whenever I think of leaving India/leaving Delhi...it gives me goose bumps. Its difficult, literally impossible, to imagine life away from the city which has been your companion ever since your existense in this world!
Kaun jaye, Zauk, Dilli ki galiyan chod kar...
Saturday, August 23, 2008
Paradox of Disassociation
Had resigned from my job, at Newgen, a couple of weeks back. Reasons were : impatience (read long wait for success in new geography), money, and some of the people!
Post-resignation, life was easy - no tension of work, no time pressures...easy life.
And that's what you need, to understand how much you enjoy doing a particular thing. For close to two weeks, I did not do what I used to do day-in and day-out; and this break actually made me realized - how much I enjoyed doing that.
Most of us, often complain of things being so routine/monotonous for us. However, what we don't do is to pause for sometime and completely detach ourselves from our regular routine for some days. This break actually helps us rejuvenate and at the same time, makes us understand - whether we love what we do or we don't?
It indeed is a paradox that to test your love for something, you need to dis-associate yourself from it. But, we need such paradoxes.
Resigning from job could'nt have been better than this; it helped me get back to my job with more vigour now.
Post-resignation, life was easy - no tension of work, no time pressures...easy life.
And that's what you need, to understand how much you enjoy doing a particular thing. For close to two weeks, I did not do what I used to do day-in and day-out; and this break actually made me realized - how much I enjoyed doing that.
Most of us, often complain of things being so routine/monotonous for us. However, what we don't do is to pause for sometime and completely detach ourselves from our regular routine for some days. This break actually helps us rejuvenate and at the same time, makes us understand - whether we love what we do or we don't?
It indeed is a paradox that to test your love for something, you need to dis-associate yourself from it. But, we need such paradoxes.
Resigning from job could'nt have been better than this; it helped me get back to my job with more vigour now.
Monday, August 4, 2008
At cross-roads...
Just like my diary, the rate of my entries into this space is also diminishing at a fast pace. A fair gap between last two entries.
Life has been moving at a rapid pace these days; got engaged this July!! And now, slowly coming to terms with this reality...
Soon to be Mrs.Pandey has Sonal as a prefix and Mishra as Suffix. Based out of a satellite town called Kalol, near Ahmedabad. She'll be completing her MCA next year. So going by the current tradition(in terms of right age for getting married) - when settled to ones satisfaction; this marriage can be aptly called "Bal-vivah"!!
They say that the phase between, engagement and marriage is the most beautiful and most rememberable one. And they are not wrong! This indeed is turning out to be a beautiful phase of life..and of this relationship. You get to know the person...and you let yourself known. The feelings...slowly and steadily get intense and intimate. The word emotions find a new meaning.
At the same time, such a relationship like this brings with it a deep sense of responsibility and I am sure that this feeling is going to strengthen/intensify with each passing day. This transition from being a 'carefree single' to a 'committed & to-be responsible soul' has just begun. Would be interesting to meet, Mr.Bindesh Pandey around the same time next year.
Life indeed is at cross-roads...personally as well as professionally...
Monday, January 7, 2008
Taare Zameen par...
Written on 30th december, 23:10 hours
Taare Zameen Par...
Dont know where to start from. Right now there is a tussle going on ,in the mind, to find the best superlative to describe Taare Zameen Par. And looks like we have to invent some new superlatives which can do justice to Taare Zameen Par. In my quest till now(to find the best adjectives/superlatives)..the words which have come across my mind are: awesome, superb, beautiful....just amazing. The movie is more beautiful than what any of these adjectives can convey.
Though am a highly emotional person, but it doesnt happen very often that tears trickle down my cheek....and I dont make an attempt to stop that flow. This happend while seeing TZP. And I guess that should explain the kind of connect the movie establishes with its audience.
Was talking to Sumil a couple of days back; told him that I'll going for TZP this sunday...and he predicted that on sunday night there are 200% chances of my blog having a entry about TZP. Must say Sumil...Bulls eye!
Frame by frame, the movie is a masterpiece. A beautiful and touching story, told in a simplistic yet equally beautiful manner. There wasnt a single soul in the audience who left the theatre with dry eyes. I Believe the timing for this movie couldnt have been any better. With the world around us going more and more mechanised,and the emotions getting a back seat its time when we actually pause for a moment and think about those emotions. Its the time when we actually stop thinking "ki bada hoke kya karega/banega", and let the kids follow their heart...and chase their dream. Everyone is not destined to be a doctor or a enginner or a manager...then why do we force the kids to chase these 'imposed' dreams. They can be sportmans/womens, they can be faishon designers, they can be journalists, they can be writers, they can be painters...so why restrict their horizon...why limit the parameters on which we define success of someone. Its time when there's a need for an honest attempt to understand the dreams in those nacent eyes.
Coming back to the movie, Darsheel deserves a standing ovation for his performance here. I am sure even the greateset of great actors wont mind to stand up and applaud this kid. He has done a marvelous job. Nonetheless, not to take the credit away from Aamir Khan-The director. He has this knack of delivering knock out performances as an actor, but this time he does it as a director too(ofcos he 'did it again' when it comes to acting). He does full justice to the story and eventually ends up creating a masterpiece which has certainly raised the bar for other directors. Everyone in the cast does good justice to their respective roles, and everyone's effort indeed shows here. Good performances, complimented by good music + lovely lyrics makes the impact even more stronger.
It a must must must watch...for everyone, irrespective of their ages.
Taare Zameen Par...
Dont know where to start from. Right now there is a tussle going on ,in the mind, to find the best superlative to describe Taare Zameen Par. And looks like we have to invent some new superlatives which can do justice to Taare Zameen Par. In my quest till now(to find the best adjectives/superlatives)..the words which have come across my mind are: awesome, superb, beautiful....just amazing. The movie is more beautiful than what any of these adjectives can convey.
Though am a highly emotional person, but it doesnt happen very often that tears trickle down my cheek....and I dont make an attempt to stop that flow. This happend while seeing TZP. And I guess that should explain the kind of connect the movie establishes with its audience.
Was talking to Sumil a couple of days back; told him that I'll going for TZP this sunday...and he predicted that on sunday night there are 200% chances of my blog having a entry about TZP. Must say Sumil...Bulls eye!
Frame by frame, the movie is a masterpiece. A beautiful and touching story, told in a simplistic yet equally beautiful manner. There wasnt a single soul in the audience who left the theatre with dry eyes. I Believe the timing for this movie couldnt have been any better. With the world around us going more and more mechanised,and the emotions getting a back seat its time when we actually pause for a moment and think about those emotions. Its the time when we actually stop thinking "ki bada hoke kya karega/banega", and let the kids follow their heart...and chase their dream. Everyone is not destined to be a doctor or a enginner or a manager...then why do we force the kids to chase these 'imposed' dreams. They can be sportmans/womens, they can be faishon designers, they can be journalists, they can be writers, they can be painters...so why restrict their horizon...why limit the parameters on which we define success of someone. Its time when there's a need for an honest attempt to understand the dreams in those nacent eyes.
Coming back to the movie, Darsheel deserves a standing ovation for his performance here. I am sure even the greateset of great actors wont mind to stand up and applaud this kid. He has done a marvelous job. Nonetheless, not to take the credit away from Aamir Khan-The director. He has this knack of delivering knock out performances as an actor, but this time he does it as a director too(ofcos he 'did it again' when it comes to acting). He does full justice to the story and eventually ends up creating a masterpiece which has certainly raised the bar for other directors. Everyone in the cast does good justice to their respective roles, and everyone's effort indeed shows here. Good performances, complimented by good music + lovely lyrics makes the impact even more stronger.
It a must must must watch...for everyone, irrespective of their ages.
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