Khuda ke Liye

Hey, don't worry.. It's not gonna be another movie review..

After seeing this movie, I realized why I might have labeled these posts identity.. If you have seen the movies, you will realize it immediately! The identity crisis of two youth, between what they believe and what they are made to believe..

Another common thread in these movies: the "trash can" attitude towards women. India and Pakistan have been free for more than half a century now, but are we as individuals free? Before I go to we, are the women, as our mothers, sisters, partners, are they free? Our scriptures worship them, we are taught to respect them, rather, we derive our life from them! And what about their lives? Do we let them live? I would not say, the story is same across the spectrum, but it is mostly the same. Till date, there are not many households where women are free in true nature. I myself have failed at times in living up to the ideal of respecting the one from whom I derived strength. Thanks to her, she made me realize where I was wrong! But, what about the plight of million's others? Why in one of the most democratic and developed economies of the world, the United States, do we need domestic violence help centers? Why the rich cultural traditions of South-East Asia give rise to the need of "Kiran", the South Asian women's help center on my campus?

Are we ever going to learn, that "she" is the one who gave us life, "she" is the one who gives u strength, "she" is the one who helps us live.. Do we recognize their identity?

DO WE???

Khamosh Paani..

First of all, why did I label this new series of posts with "Identity"..? I am not sure.. Might find answer in coming posts..

Has anyone of you seen this movie? What have been your remarks? I am yet digesting the movie.. And before that, the next one is going to start.. So, I will come back with both, Khamosh Paani, and Khuda ke Liye..

Till then, on personal front, Punjabi is amazing.. I am in love with that language. Rarely does it happen in life that you find the real things as good as you had imagined. It was for the first time that I heard Punjabi for an hour and a half.. Very sweet language.. Like tinkling of bells.. I would be lying if I claimed that I understood every word of it, but I did relate to every word of it..

Jo Bole So Nihal, Sat Shri Akaal..!!

(Nothing religious about it..)

need..

It is on days like today, when my belief is reinforced.. The belief in having the right person at the right moment with you.. Especially, when you are "human", and not at all wanting to be anything else.. This is when, a pat, a warm squeeze, a hug, just a word, anything from the right person is more important than a breath..

The walk on the rope gets really difficult, when there is no one to find on the other side.. No one to keep your sight on, to keep you stable through your walk.. Reminds me of an Akbar-Birbal tale, where an old man survived a night standing in freezing cold water, just staring at a lamp at distance, knowing that a lamp exists, and it radiates the warmth..

There has to be a mode of strength, hope.. For river to flow, water needs to exist..

Miss the one to talk to.. Miss the one..

crushed..

Was dreaming of playing around with words to express the "surreal" feeling of meeting Dr. Yunus.. Had no clue, the emotion is going to be so fast crushed under the reality of time..

"You should be grateful, you have this opportunity.." How many times does a receiver/individual who is benefited, gets to hear these words? How does it make him feel? What is it in a donors/good doers/opportunity providers mind, that they ought to make the beneficiary realize the same, again, and again, and yet again? "नेकी कर, कुए में डाल.." That's what they say.. Do good, forget about it.. Yes, that is idealistic world, and this is realistic.. But, for all those psychologists, ain't it an interesting field of research for you all?? I would seriously like to know the psychology behind this..

What does this have to do with me? Lots.. Just because I am awarded a fellowship, and I have "a window of opening, and opportunity", I should be grateful, and with utmost humility, accept the package as and what! If I flex my muscles, and get the things done the best suited way for me, I should keep in mind, "I have had the opportunity to get it my way", now no more asking.. I am a vegetarian, and because I got a vegetarian meal once, I should not grump further for vegetarian meal, but accept the non-vegetarian food being served.. Does this metaphor explain?

Any way, "मोडेन, पण वाकणार नाही.." I remember this from my school days.. Sorry, nothing at the cost of self-respect! No one gets to trample that..

The pioneer...

This had to be uploaded.. I still cannot believe that it happened! An opportunity to interact with the one, who has created an "atypical" system in the "typical" world.. An opportunity to hear him, not from miles apart, but from a distance not more than two meters.. Sitting in the VIP seat, right across from where he was speaking..

Today, I had an opportunity I would cherish, an opportunity to hear Dr. Muhammad Yunus, the Nobel Peace Prize winner. But, he is much beyond that award, it his his life, that speaks of himself!

And yes, I got a copy of his book too, signed by him personally.. Second of my possessions, that would be really tough to give away.. The first being the book signed by His Holiness the Dalai Lama!

I will be back with lots about this morning.. Till then, adios..

Women are..

Ohh mann, this blog was getting so serious! Mind you, my life's much better.. The "Ohh mann" proves that.. ;)..

I am sure, all guys would agree to what's coming next, @ one of the, or the, most important factor of our lives: Women... And, for my "women" friends, I have not written this, so please spare me of the rod.. ;).. Enjoy..

WOMEN ARE COMPLEX CREATURES…!

If you praise her,
She thinks you are lying;
If you don’t,
You are good for nothing.

If you agree to all her likes,
You are a wimp;
If you don’t,
You are not understanding.

If you visit her often,
She thinks you are boring;
If you don’t,
She accuses you of double crossing.

If you are well dressed,
She says you are a playboy;
If you don’t,
You are a dull boy.

If you are jealous,
She says its bad;
If you don’t,
She thinks you do not love her.

If you kiss her,
You are not a gentleman;
If you don’t,
You are not a man.

If you attempt a romance,
She says you don’t respect her;
If you don’t,
She thinks you do not like her.

If you are a minute late,
She complains it’s hard to wait;
If she is late,
She says that’s a girl’s way.

If you visit another men,
You are not putting in “quality time”;
If she is visited by another women,
“Oh, it’s natural, we are girls!”

If you kiss her once in a while,
She professes you are cold;
If you kiss her often,
She yells that you are taking advantage.

If you fail to help her in crossing the street,
You lack ethics;
If you do,
She thinks it’s just one of men’s tactics for seduction.

If you stare at another woman,
She accuses you of flirting;
If she is stared by other men,
She says that they are just admiring.

If you talk,
She wants you to listen;
If you listen,
She wants you talk.

In short :
So simple, yet so COMPLEX…
So weak, yet so POWERFUL…
So confusing, yet so DESIRABLE…
So damning, yet so WONDERFUL…

………………WOMEN!

normal day..

It was a normal day.. Nothing much that happened.. But, these are the days that count the most! The two most significant events of the day were: I wished I had a big stomach so that I could eat as much as I wished (the food at the Indian restaurant was really good, especially fruit custard).. Second, just finished watching "Born in brothels.." (I would rather keep silent about it, and leave it upto you to watch it..)

As at the end of every day, at the end of this normal day too..