THE OTHER SIDE

RIP Favorite Mother of Bollywood : Reema Lagoo

Reema Lagoo along with Farida Jalaal is among the most favorite mother of Bollywood in 90's and early 2000's. Reema Lagoo breathed her last today on 18th May 2017 after a cardiac arrest. She was only 59 and free from any major illness at the time of her death which makes this news more shocking to her fans. She was equally famous in films,television and Marathi theater. I have heard that she remained associated with Marathi film industry, theater also during her working days and was an appreciated name in that industry.

I remembered her from the days of Tu Tu Main Main where she played Mother-in-law (saas) of Supriya Pilgaonkar and Shrimaan Shrimati where she was a middle class housewife. In both of these comic roles she was superb in her timing and dialogue delivery. As a character actor in Bollywood movies she played mother to almost all superstars of today and has worked with many top directors,actors and productions. Her role as Salman Khan's mother in Maine Pyaar Liya, Hum Saath Saath Hain, Judwaa as Madhuri Dikshit's mother in Hum Aapke Hain Kaun, Juhi Chawala's mother in Qayamat Se Qayamat Tak, Shah Rukh Khan's mother in Kal Ho Na Ho, Urmila Matondkar's mother in Rangeela, Saif Ali Khan & Akshay Kumar's mother in Yeh Dillagi , Sanjay Dutt's mother in Vaastav, etc are much appreciated role of her. My favorite among these is her character of Sanjay Dutt's mother in Vaastav where she killed her own son to get him rid of his sins.

People come and go in this film industry as a natural law but few left their impressions even without being a lead actor and she was that kind of personality in Hindi movies. With charm on her face and her simplicity #ReemaLagoo used to capture the audience attention even being a character actor. People can relate her with the mothers of that time. She has created a void in both television and film industry which will always remind us of her absence but as they say 'Show Must Go On.' Good bye for now. Rest In Peace Reema Lagoo.

AAP Yahan Aaye Kis Liye !

Aam Aadmi Party or AAP came into politics to revive it. Arvind Kejriwal the convener of the party said during the formation of the party that to clean the filth in the gutter one must have to go inside the gutter. (Rajniti ke gatar ka gachra saaf karne ke liye usme utarna hi padega). The party which emerged from a nationwide movement gave hope of betterment to millions won majority in Delhi Assembly polls of 2012 in its first attempt and form government with the support of the Congress. This government last for only 29 days in Arvind Kejriwal’s ambition to become Prime Minister of India ( Hawa Mein Udne Lage The) as the party fought in almost every constituency more than any other party of the country. Desh Mein Jhadu Chala Denge they used to said.

Their ambitions fall flat when they won only four seats. The splits in the party started then when some fractions blamed the party for deviating from the path. Even then they won 2013 Delhi assembly elections with a huge majority washing out both BJP & Congress by attracting poor and the middle class. But Ye Politics Hai Meri Jaan, you have to be alert at each corner two stalwarts and founding members Yogendra Yadav and Prashant Bhushan along with few others left the party for Arvind Kejriwal’s authoritarian behavior.(Hum Angrezo Ke Zamane Ke Jailer Hain). The party which showed us the dream of change appeared similar to others. After that incident the blame game politics started in which they alleged either Congress or BJP for conspiring against them. Media’s portrayal of the issues rose by them was also selective enough in maligning their image as of anti-national and supporters of Pakistan as a result their other outings in Punjab and Goa polls failed. Moreover they lost in a by-poll in Delhi and later MCD polls after which another split begins which hit the core foundation of the party. Ghar Ka Bhedi Lanka Dhaye.

Kapil Mishra former minister in the Delhi cabinet did a Bhanda Phod in the media after his removal from ministerial post after Kumar Vishwas controversy where Kumar appeared angry with the party. With Kapil Mishra’s allegations of corruption on face of anti-corruption from last five years Arvind Kejriwal another nail is nailed in the party’s coffin. The core foundation is attacked. Although Kapil Mishra didn’t disclose why he remained silent on corruption when he was minister, what he was doing during the deal was made and other such questions but his allegations has dent party’s image further. With this episode it is also cleared that we have to live with the corrupt and disloyal politicians for many more years to come since questions were raised on anti-corruption crusaders.

People are now asking AAP Yahan Aaye Kisliye and there answer of Aapne Bulaya Isliye has not many takers now. Breaking of hope is always painful and until we get another hope God Bless India.

Amar is Amar in Our Memories : RIP Vinod Khanna

Vinod Khanna passed away today (27th April 2017) in Mumbai at the age of 70. If you remember few months back you didn’t even think about that news because he looked fittest among the actors of his era but a picture of his last month in hospital clothes shocked everybody because he was looking weak and pale and now another shocking news came today that he died due to bladder cancer.

The name Vinod Khanna reminds a father figure for today’s generation who has seen working him as father of Shahrukh Khan (Dilwale 2016 also his last film) and Salman Khan (Wanted 2009). He has also worked in Players,Ramaiya Vastavaiya also in the recent past. Mere Apne, Mera Gaon Mera Desh, Amar Akbar Anthony, Muqaddar Ka Sikandar, Qurbani, Sachcha Jhutha, Kudrat, Dayaman, Nishchay, The Burning Train, Parvarish, were among his popular movies. If you can see these films and list of his other films you will notice that he was not insecure of his image throughout his career. Film choices are not limited to lead actor roles but to multi actor films also even though he was a hit, popular and among the handsome Bollywood star ever.

I can’t recall his appearances on News & TV shows for interviews and promotions. Even as three time Gurdaspur (Punjab) MP he avoided media spotlight and remained occupied with his work only. During Atal Bihari Vajpayee's government he even elevated to the post of MoS External Affairs which was huge portfolio for a MP with Bollywood background. What I have read and seen about him he appeared to be a humble, friendly and supporting star. At the peak of his career in 1982 he left film industry to join Osho Rajnish’s Ashram and spend 5 years of his life working there before returning to the film industry again.

Today we know him as father of Akshay and Rahul Khanna who have successful film careers but not even close to the success of their father. I have learnt today after reading about him that he was married twice and has two more children a girl and a boy. The man who started as a villain was a real hero all his life. He is no more between us but his characters will remain immortal in our memories. The moment can be best described from lines of a song from his film Muqaddar Ka Siqandar (King of Destiny).

Zindagi To Bewafa Hai Ek Din Thukrayegi,

Maut Mehbooba Hai Apne Saath Lekar Jayegi,

Mar Ke Jeene Ki Ada Jo Duniya Ko Sikhlayega,

Wo Muqaddar Ka Sikandar Janneman Kehlayega.

#RIP #VinodKhanna.

Half Girlfriend

Relationships they say completes yourself. As we born god bestowed us with several relations from mother, father, sister, brother to so and so from the extended family. We can’t change them but to live with them. We have certain commitments & duties in them but then there are relationships we make ourselves in the form of friends, boyfriends or girlfriends in which we take easy liberties as we are not supposed to perform some duties or to show some commitments we can enjoy Half Relationships i.e. Association without any Commitment but in reality these are the relationships which shape our lives for good or for bad.

Rahul (name changed) caught in Love at first sight at the moment when Aditi (name changed) asked him the way to her class at the first day of college. Fortunately they both were in same class and call it divine intervention or just coincidence they shared the same bench. It didn’t take much time for these mere strangers to become best friends. Other students in college now have discussions about their friendship. Rahul’s friend wanted him to step ahead in this relationship by sharing bed with her. ‘Yaar! Sex is the next step of every relationship. Cement your boyfriend-girlfriend bond with a night together.’ Rahul thought he could get success in this as Aditi didn’t mind going out with him alone and he has noticed her blushing when he touched or hugged her.

One day Rahul decided to put forth this idea when they were sitting in a corner seat of a Cafe after the college. He was on the verge of saying something when suddenly Aditi stretched her hands to hold his, ‘Rahul more than a year has passed in our friendship and I have never told you this.’ Rahul was smiling inside thinking she was going to utter those three magical words which propel his plan further. He was quiet as she spoke, ‘Rahul thank you for being my friend. I am from a small UP town and it would be difficult for me to adjust here in Delhi if I haven’t get a friend like you who was not like other boys thinking about sex while meeting a prone girl like me or forcing to commit love. I never hesitated from your company because I feel comfortable in it more than my female friends who often talk of their sexual relationships while sitting together. Thank You Rahul! Be a friend like this for me always.’

He was holding them but he knew he has tears in his eyes for his lecherous thinking. This #HalfRelationship was more than anything for him and he promised to maintain this for lifetime. He is maintaining it even today after four years of this incident. Trust in each other is equal to commitments utter through words. People can say that she was his #HalfGirlfriend as in Chetan Bhagat's novel of the same name but he considered her a #FullFriend.

Here is the trailer of the film inspired from this novel.

“I am sharing a Half relationship story at BlogAdda in association with #HalfGirlfriend”

Mera Bharat Mahan?

Country is going down at each front except 'Divide & Rule'

Unique Identification Numbers for cows, reviving lost river Saraswati by filling its so called route with artificial water, editing textbooks to change name of discoverers and inventors with ancient sages, Anti-Romeo Police Squad to arrest couples roaming on UP roads or meeting at some public parks, demolition of achievements of earlier government (Hall of Nation & Hall of Industries in Pragrati Maidan, Delhi) , name changing of roads, airports and cities, etc. These and many other such things right now are the priorities of current right wing BJP governments in nation and in states.

I wouldn’t have any problems with these things if government was doing enough for farmers, soldiers and poor Indians. I won’t point out at these things even when internal security is not at risk. But I have to point out these things because we have no CRPF chief for two months the agency which losing its life at every troubled area of the country recently been in Sukhma, Chattisgarh where 26 CRPF soldiers killed by Naxals, no Central Information Commissioner the head of RTI agency responsible for transparent governance. Moreover this agency is going to tweak down by government with some new guidelines. Forget about the Lokpal head, the movement for which Anna Hazare left his hometown and arrived in New Delhi to target central government which created nationwide steer is nowhere in place for last three years.

Kashmir is out of control, intelligence failure in each Naxal attack, Gau Rakshaks (Cow vigilantes) violence increasing, attacks on minorities all these things shows weakening internal security. Job creation is below the expectation and the condition of the farmers is also not very good resulting in increased suicide cases. How we can forget these things in garb of fake nationalism which has nothing to do with nation? The nation is suffering badly from all sides which even foreign media has pointed in several occasions. No one knows how worse situation will become in coming months if things are not controlled properly.

Only the clean image and oratory skills of Prime Minister Narendra Modi has polished with the time which BJP is using as a shield to cover its shortcomings and attract the voters who still have faith in him for India’s transformation. I think not to speak and write about the current governments shortcomings but I am unable to keep mum at instance of breaking of national and social fabric of the country. The society is divided into two parts now more than any other time in the recent history of India. Only we the people by raising our voices to these things can curb such things and make the government accountable for its shortcomings. It is much needed now. GOD BLESS INDIA.

The Cow's World

Hearing on a Public Interest Litigation Chief Justice Sand Singh popularly known as 'The Ox' declined the demand for equal status of humans in 'The Cows World'. He said that there is no use of bringing stale human rights to their world which don't even existed in true manner in The Human's World. He emphasized on the use of less money in domesticating them for farm use because in they end they are useless.

Petitioner 'Gau Lal Devi' is disheartened with the decision due to her emotional connect with the humans one of whom saved her from drowning. She said in a dejected tone,' I am disappointed with the decision and wants a larger bench to hear it again. We have a long association with humans and most of them are not as cruel as we think. We live in the liberal world where we must give them equal right as cows enjoys in this world of us.'

Public showed a mix response on social media. While some hailed it as historic authentication of the danger possessed by the free humans some said its wrong because scriptures talk positively about humans. Human right activists remain unavailable for the comment after court issued arrest orders for any public statement in support of humans. Larger bench will hear the petition next week but experts believe they only affirm the Chief justice's view. For now two minutes silence for the human rights.

Death of Democracy

Democracy thrives with the participation of people in the process of government formation. For this voting percentage is set as a mark of people’s trust in democracy. So what to conclude from the statistic of meager 7.14% voters’ turnout? It means people have lost trust in the established government. The statistics I am quoting is from the Lok Sabha by polls of Srinagar constituency of Kashmir Valley. These violent elections also took away 8 innocent lives with clashes between protesters and security forces.

Kashmir Valley is at unrest since the formation of BJP-PDP alliance government. The incidents of protests has increased so is the case of violent protests. The trust with army has further declined among the people with increased incidents of use of pellet guns on the protesters and the stone pelters. More than hundred received serious injuries from pellet guns injuries last year which includes children who have lost their eyesight and many others who have received permanent disability. The current government has lost trust of the people with the incidents like Beef-Ban attacks, Vande Mataram row and many such incidents. The youth which looked more engaged with the mainland India before this government has detached itself again from the country.

Kashmir students were beaten in many universities of the country and in many others they were treated as agent of Pakistan by the ABVP affiliated students. ABVP which is the student wing of RSS has retorted to violence not only with Kashmir students but with all those students who supported liberal thinking. Kashmir needs our trust more than anything else. If we believe they are our own then we must believe in them also. Labeling every Kashmiri as a terrorist and Pakistan sympathizer will only drift them away from India. The separatist and Pakistan took advantage of that mistrust to lure unemployed youth to fall in their trap.

Looking back again to low voter turnout in Srinagar Lok Sabha by polls hints to that increasing mistrust in Kashmir people. These elections hold no value and must be annulled at once. Election Commission should also set a lower limit for the voter turnout for the elections to be valid. Lots of work has to be done by both the center and the state governments to bring back Kashmir people to them. I hope government will look at Kashmir issue with a different perspective without any prejudice and misconception. God Bless Kashmir.

Six Words Memoirs - Cow Vigilantes

Here are two contrasting Six Word Stories holding important message.

1. Plastic Killed Cows. Cow Vigilantes Active.

2. Men Beaten To Death. Vigilantes Active.

History Repeats Itself

"Maharajah Abhay Singh of Jodhpur required wood for the construction of his new palace. So the king sent his soldiers to cut trees in the nearby region of Khejarli, where the village is filled with the large number of trees. But when Amrita Devi and local villagers came to know about it, they opposed the king's men. The feudal party told her that if she wanted the trees to be spared, she would have to give them money as a bribe. She refused to acknowledge this demand and told them that she would consider it as an act of insult to her religious faith and would rather give away her life to save the green trees. Thus many innocents were killed by soldiers to fulfill king's will."

Above story is famous among Bishnoi Samaj of Rajasthan who worship animals,trees and other natural resources as part of their faith. Nearly two centuries later history repeats itself when a 28-year-old woman was burnt alive in her village near Jodhpur on Sunday allegedly for protesting the chopping of a tree. What is more shocking is the involvement of village Sarpanch and government revenue officer in the crime. Police has lodged FIR against 10 people including these two. Rajasthan is a desert land trees hold more importance there than any other place in India. Such acts by government officials and the people who have power again took us to the dark ages of autocratic rulers which can do whatever. The accused must be severely punished to stop such crimes in the future.

History repeat itself also in The Kapil Sharma Show where Sunil Grover (who played characters like Dr Mashoor Gulati and Rinku Bhabhi) detached himself from the show after misbehavior by Kapil Sharma in a return flight from Australia. Kapil allegedly abused Sunil Grover and Chandan who played tea-seller in the show. Sunil Grover left the show after this incidents along with Chandan, Ali and Sugandha. It is reported that show garnered lesser TRPs this weak without these comedians. Similar TRP drop was resulted earlier too when the show Comedy Nights with Kapil aired on Colors TV and Sunil left the show after altercation with Kapil.

As a fan of the show I hope everything get back to normal because the show was genuinely lacked energy and fun this weekend. History also repeated when BJP's choice for Yogi Adityanath as UP CM was criticized against the idea of new India promoted by PM Narender Modi. BJP supporters as always labelled these people anti-nationals who must leave for Pakistan. History also repeated in the matter of Aadhar card which was made mandatory by central government in-spite Supreme Court's order. Supreme Court order denial has repeated by government in several occasions. Moreover this move is interference in people's privacy. London terror attack was also an example of history repeat.

History will repeat many times in the course of making new historical events but I hope and wish this happens in a positive way. God Bless India.

Water Water Everywhere

He woke up sweating profusely. 'Wow! What a strange dream. That poem has fully occupied my mind. I thought I was the sailor from 'Samuel Taylor Coleridge's' 'THE RHYME OF ANCIENT MARINER ' in my dream.' He woke up from bed and went to kitchen to drink water but he found none in the bottles in the fridge. He shouted for his mother who told him that bottles were empty because dirty water was coming from the tap. 'Even purifier is not cleaning it properly.'

'But I need water, Mom! I am thirsty like sailors in that poem' His mother was puzzled from his remark and gave him money to buy water bottles from outside shop. His locality shop has sold out all stock of water bottles. He went to other shops nearby but all have same status - 'No Water'. His mouth was dry like the sand in the desert. His lips too was without any moisture. Saliva in his mouth was not enough to sooth his thirst. Suddenly clouds appear in the sky as if god has heard his prayers. He sat on a bench on road side to drench himself in rain water and quench his thirst. Moreover he was feeling so weak to go back home.

As rain started pouring he stretched both his hands to collect water in his palms. When his palm pit was full he was excited to drink it but some one shook his hand to throw down water. ' What are you doing my boy? Haven't you read these warning government posters about probability of poisonous water in first rain of the season.' A man shouted angrily pointing towards a poster on a wall. While reading poster he laughed hysterically thinking lines of that poem:

Water, water, every where,

And all the boards did shrink;

Water, water, every where,

Nor any drop to drink.

Note: Save Water. We Have No Other Alternative for it.

‘This post is a part of Write Over the Weekend, an initiative for Indian Bloggers by BlogAdda.’

Book Review - Is It Maya?

Is It Maya? By Saikat Baksi is a crime thriller which is inspired by a real life event. The book is published by Frog Books of Leadstart Corp. I have received this book from Readers Cosmos as part of their Book Review Program.

Cover: Cover is covered with hint of crime and a women face probably depicting Maya the protagonist in the novel. It creates excitement which is much necessary to create thrill about this book.

Plot: Maya Mukhija a media tycoon and wife of another high profile personality David Mukhija is arrested by Mumbai Police for the murder of her sister whom police believed to be her daughter Veena. The high profile case was dealt by commissioner himself. Vivek a senior journalist who secretly love Maya from the childhood also interested in the case and believes that Maya is not the killer. Police on the other hand has received photographs of Maya disposing of Veena's body in the Raigarh forest. Emails which were send by Veena after her death also emerged from Maya's computer, she was also appeared to hate her relation with Ritvik son of David from his first marriage. All evidences pointed towards her. Her mysterious life history was also against her. Will police find more evidence to convict her? Will Vivek able to save her as he did previously for her without her knowledge? The plot full of twists and turns leads to a shocking climax.

Highs: The theme inspired by real life events which are still fresh in readers mind make it a worth read. Author has beautifully weaved the plot taking that event in mind and giving it a believable climax. Narration is also interesting and with right pace. The twists and turns in the plot always keeps you at the edge of your seat and made this an unputdownable read.

Lows: There is nothing to called as low but I feel flashbacks at some points stall pacy narrative and the fact that it is inspired from real life make it non-original plot.

Verdict: If you are fan of crime thrillers then you can't miss this one. It is how crime fictions should be written.

Rating: I would give it 4/5.

Jo Jeeta Wohi Sikander

The result of the assembly seats of five states i.e Uttar Pradesh, Uttarakhand, Manipur, Punjab and Goa stood at 2 – 3 where Modi’s BJP won Uttar Pradesh and Uttarakhand with a humongous majority while Congress clean sweeps Punjab and has an edge in both Goa & Manipur which indicates they are likely to form government there. In Uttar Pradesh and Uttarakhand there is clear advantage Narender Modi as he single handily lead the campaign and sidelined every opposition. Congress – Samajwadi Party alliance against Narendra Modi’s Bhartiya Janata Party failed miserably even though his speeches, his actions were labeled by the opposition as ways of polarizing the people of the state.

Punjab witnessed victory of Capatain Amrinder Singh more than the Congress party who’s Vice President Rahul Gandhi was initially against fielding him as the Chief Minister. In Manipur Congress’s Chief Minister Okram Ibobi Singh succeeded in securing his fourth term as the chief minister. Irom Sharmila lost to him pathetically. The lady who gave all his life to the cause of the people can’t secure even hundred votes. The surprise in Manipur is the tremendous debut of BJP which won twenty one seats. Uttarakhand also gave clear majority to BJP, even the rebel MLA’s didn’t post any threat to the party there. Aam Aadmi Party performed poorly both in Goa and Punjab. In Goa it didn’t even open its account and there Punjab performance was poor than in the Lok Sabha elections of 2014.

These elections have some teachings not only for the people who lost and won but for all of us. I have tried to include them in this list:

Never order DJ and sweets believing on Exit polls. If AAP has Prevented Early Excitement they would have save themselves from embarrassment in public and media.
Victory is important and not the way how you have earned it. We have learned all our lives that it is important to play fairly than to win by wrong means but Prime Minister Modi proved it wrong. His Shamshaan-Kabristaan remark was purely communal, without permit road show in Varanasi was also wrong so is the conduct of some of his party people (Kasab remark) to polarize the election. But in the end they won and these issues didn't matter now.
Live your own life that's what we learn from the struggle and failure of Irom Sharmila. The iron lady of Manipur who was on the longest hunger strike to protest against brutalities of AFSPA even when she has wished to have a family live. She didn't even secure more than 90 votes. She wanted to work for her people but what she has earned is discouraging for her. NOTA votes were higher than her votes.
Listen to everyone before making your opinion. If Rahul Gandhi would not settle on Amrinder Singh the party wouldn't have won the elections.
Young is through attitude and not through age. Rahul Gandhi and Akhilesh Yadav who were projecting them as young leaders failed to perform against dynamic,energetic Narender Modi.
Laugh on other's pain. That is the biggest lesson of this elections. When everybody believed that demonetization which has affected farmers, laborers, small businesses badly would have negative effect on election results instead becomes fruitful for BJP because poor was happy to face its pain because those who have money are in trouble. Strange thinking isn't it?
Grapes are sour. Mayawati's claims after defeat that EVMs were tempered without proof establish this saying again.

Elections will come and teach us something always. This is the flavor of democracy that somebody wins and somebody loses. I hope those who are forming government do good for the people and the country. Till next post God Bless India.

Book Review - One Indian Girl

One Indian Girl is written by the most famous English Indian writer of India Chetan Bhagat. It is published by Rupa Publications. He has written this book from a girl's perspective and give us an inside into the Indian society's psyche.

Cover: Girl in wedding attire on the cover gives the hint of the setting of the book i.e Radhika's (protagonist) wedding. The city landscape at the cover edge and beach setting with couples holding hands gives us the glimpse of her life moments as told in this book. It is a simple nice cover.

Plot: Radhika is present with her family in Goa for her destination wedding waiting for groom's family to come. Brijesh Gulati is the groom whom she has met through a matrimonial site. During her wedding preparations she received call from Debu her ex-boyfriend from New York days who wanted to come to Goa to rectify his mistakes and marry her. Neel whom she dated in Hong Kong also called her with the similar intentions. Both of them arrived at her wedding and request to leave the marriage and marry her. She remembers her life in last four years in flashbacks and what happened to these relations. Meanwhile she is also bonding with Brijesh. She was confused about her decision. Her life is puzzled between these three men in her life. What has happened to her relations? Whom she marry? What she finally decides? All these questions are answered in this book filled with Indian masalas.

Hits: The theme to tell a tale through a girl's perspective by a male writer is interesting and I must say he has done a good job as far as presentation is concerned. He writes in easy and familiar language which always make his books easy to read. The characters are like-able many of whom you can recognize from your surroundings. It's an easy to appeal to the audience book.

Misses: Predictability makes this book uninteresting to me. From the start it was easy to guess what coming up next and the climax is also dull. Since his book is turning into movies his writing is becoming film friendly or easy to adept in a film. I noticed influence of many Hindi movies like Humpty Sharma Ki Dulhaniya, Wedding Pulao, etc. His characters also looked like coming out from Imtiaz Ali movies. Interesting but not exciting.

Verdict: It's a one time read you can use to pass your time.

Rating: I would give it 2/5.