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 ~*~

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"