Monday, March 17, 2008

The Obvious which is Unnoticed

How sad is that in Bollywood movies when making a music video they use American currency to show power of money?!

Yes! Its true, when they made the video of Bluffmaster, they at least had the pride to show Indian currency! However, in movie Cash, the title track, uses U.S. $100 bill with Benjamin Franklin. This just shows you how everyone favors dollars over Indian currency. But people, people, people, Dollar is starting to lose its value!!!

Another eye opening fact about Bollywood movies are Halla Bol & Jodhaa Akbar. Its intentions were true but the drama was not real! For instance, Halla Bol, the little skits in the movie were truly a slap on the public’s face, yet many walked away from theaters learning zip! The political drama was too much; however, fame has its price was true. No wonder celebrity likes to stay away from scandals; the media is a hungry Tiger for prey. The media ruins lives along with reputation of one without making sure of the facts!

With Jodhaa Akbar, if the research of the movie is to be believed, if a Muslim prince kept a Hindu Princess happy with pride? Why can’t the common man do that for thy neighbors? For the common man it’s not about pride, it’s about ignorance of accepting a simple fact that everyone is human before religion sets them apart.

But where does one start setting people apart by its religion? When one clan of religion gets favoritism or one is abused for the religion they believe in. It’s true that middle class people have no time or “hassiet” (value) to fight bureaucracy; therefore, people keep quiet. No one today has the time to create groups or organization to stand against what they truly believe in. People in India have no true powers! Because they are blinded by FEAR!

Many times the social problem in a country is set due to government control. Just like with parenting, parents set example for their children, the government is responsible for setting the right example for its people. They forget that Government is there because of people. Without the people, they have no one to govern!

I thank the producers and directors of the movie Halla Bol for attempting an eye opening issue in our free country. They are at least using their power to send the right message through right channels.

I also like to thank producers and directors of the movie Jodhaa Akbar for bringing out such a wonderful fact that when religions work together, they are unstoppable!

Sayonara!

P.S. to my readers, sorry for taking a long time, college is a bitch! But a wonderful experience I cannot miss out on!

Friday, December 21, 2007

Democracy at its best in India!

The biggest democracy nation of the world has yet to learn how to use democracy to its advantage. A nation where freedom of speech or protests are merely used to exploit Bollywood celebrities are constantly complaining why their government lacks efficiency improving lives of 'aam janta' (general public). The Janta or the public runs to protest if a celebrity is seen receiving a simple peck on the cheek, but fails to see positive cause of the campaign of AIDS awareness. Also, if a celebrity is quoted voicing his/her opinion, forgetting that even celebrities are entitled to freedom of speech. However, where is this public acknowledgement, when the bureaucratic system is being abused by the general public from bribing watchman to the main boss?

I think we all remember the Amir Khan controversy around the time when Fanna movie was released, regarding some comment he had made regarding the Narmada dam in Gujarat. Now that happened about couple of years back; however, some people in Gujarat just do not want to let it go. Some group of people has gone to movie theaters threatening the managers not to screen Tare Zameen Par. Now this task is necessary because the whole Gujarat state public is not entitled to watch the movie because few people who have too much time on their hand to blow this issue out of proportion. Although, I have not watched the movie, I feel that each individual should watch it in order to understand kids, not that I'm promoting the movie.

So the real issue here is that the public will create a huge controversy over little things what bollywood celebrities does, but it fails to acknowledge issues which effect their lives. Also, the public knows more about what is happening in Bhachans house then the parliament in New Delhi. If one is to ask younger generation who is the Defense Minster of India? They would not know! However, they can probably list all the star cast of the movie Om Shanti Om. It is sad to say that the biggest democratic nation in the world is also the weakest nation when it comes to supporting the government in improving daily lives of AAM JANTA! However it is powerful when it comes to remembering bollywood related events.

Now when leading a normal life one forgets that Bollywood industry ONLY exist to entertain the public. But the public has given so much importance and power to bollywood industry that who knows it might even create its own government in the Land of Mumbai!

~*~ NaShiLi CraZy ~*~

Tuesday, December 18, 2007

Indians Raising up in America are ABCD...what are Americans staying in India?

We've all watched bi-lingual movies like American Desi, Where is the party yaar, Chicken Biriyani, and many more. How many times we have heard someone talk about the encounters between an ABCD and a Indian based person or even witnessed it ourselves? Who can forget Russell Peters stand up comedy based on Indians living in America? Many Indians felt shame when their own kind of people made fun of their own culture to fit into 'AMERICAN' or 'WESTERN' culture.

For once, for the Indians, the tables have turned. With IT services growing in India, and Bangalore becoming home for many Americans. The Americans are finally realizing how hard it is to move across "saat samundar" and live in another country. As I was reading some blog entries from a company about cross cultures, an American living in Bangalore encountering different scenarios, I realized for once the Americans will feel what every Indian has felt before. They will go through the same treatment of being stared at, adapting to Indian food (even though there are many McDonald's, its still not the same), learning to understand BRITISH English, and being the minority.

My thoughts are not be viewed as revenge. Reading this blog entry (partly, this blog reminded me of the rubber scene in American Desi), I realized how funny it would be to witness an American trying wonder in streets of Bangalore, or anywhere in India. Just as we have laughed at our FOB (Fresh Off the Boat) accent and looked down upon ABCD's, you know you have when you weren't so Americanized in the beginning :P, we can be humoured with these stories.

Please share more stories if you've heard or read any. I'll be linking the two blogs I've read.

~*~ NaShiLi CraZy ~*~

"There's No WalMart in India"

"Cross Culture Encounters" - Already Linked Above

"The Fancy Store"

Sunday, July 29, 2007

Indian or Indian Idol?

Today, when India is an emerging power, many youths are closing their eyes when it comes to developing India as a country.

The youth today are blinded by the hi-fi fashion, phones, and other accessories, instead of thinking in the big scale.

There are thousands of Indians who are going to auditions for Indian Idol, Sa Re Ga Ma Pa, or other television shows where they can show off their talent in singing and acting. Everyone wants to be the best, everyone thinks they got the talent in singing, but is that all does India as a country need? More singing talent? Why isn't there more reality shows asking today's youth to come forward with new ideas and projects to improve the country's poverty and lifestyle. There is increasing amount of inflation in India. When inflation rises, the people who are on borderline of poverty and those who are already poor suffer.

I for one would definitely like to start changing the Indian lifestyle with not only better life but increasing jobs, outlining policies for minimum wedge laws, and other rules and regulations to better the poverty and lifestyle of each individual.

Today India needs a fresh brain power, today's brain powers, instead of those who are running are country. They all point out what is wrong with India, but they don't take steps to improve. Or they do in certain part of the country and they expect the whole country to follow!? India is not gonna change that way, I agree its only 60 years old, but it has to start somewhere. We have Indian students who are bright and intelligent fleeing to US, UK and other countries for better life style because they can't live in India or don't want to when they can live abroad and enjoy the easy life style. Why is India letting it's own brain power go to abroad and help other countries develop when India itself its not a develop country. I agree its the 3rd largest economic in the world today, but majority of India's population is dying of hunger, some parts are over populating the country as taboo of having a son, and others are well just waiting for a day when all gets better.

For those of who understand Economies, should know that, in order for a country to develop it needs more educated people. I would encourage Indian government to put more governmental based school and give them equal credibility as the private schools in India. Most of parents can't afford to put their kids into private school, but government schools do not have such a credibility therefor they just don't prefer their kids go to school at all. If you go to foreign countries, especially US, look at their education system. Based on the population every small town, or big cities have governmental school.

My question to Indians living everywhere on the globe is, is it fair that we leave our country to struggle and sit & watch what politics does to India and not do anything at all? I for one is waiting to finish school, if its in my power I would definitely go back and try to make a certain changes, even if its little its something I'll contribute to the country.

If everyone just worried about their own lives who would worry about the country itself? Someone needs to stand up and tell the youths today that being a star is not everything. Who has followed up on the former Indian Idol's and Sa Re Ga Ma Pa winners, to see what they are doing these days? Of course they won the money and they are in Bombay somewhere, but if your an Idol shouldn't you be changing the minds of the youth and helping the country improve?

Everyday in Bollywood News, stars are doing some charity organization, but when will they give message to the youth that you all should help. Every helping hand will reach to someone, somehow!

So my question to you is, would you prefer to be the Indian Idol or just an Indian, who'll help, even in small amount, to improve India?

I can keep on going but I think I'll stop here for today!

Thanks for reading