Mari Vaat

Pyar Kiye Jaa

2012-01-13T09:35:00.001+05:30

(#2)

First Day First Show | Pyar Kiye Jaa (1966)

Credits (Courtesy IMDB) :

Story: Chitralaya Gopu and C.V.Sridhar (Sridhar-Gopu)

Screen Play: C.V.Sridhar

Dialogues: N.S.Bedi and Rajendra Krishan

Lyrics: Rajendra Krishan

Music: Laxmikant - Pyarelal

Director: C.V.Sridhar

Cast: Kishore Kumar (Shyam/Rai Bahadur Ganga Prasad), Shashi Kapoor (Ashok), Mehmood (Atma), Om Prakash (Ramlal), Kalpana Mohan (Malti), Rajsree (Nirmala), Mumtaz (Meena), Chaman Puri (Devraj)

Songs :

"Dil humne de diya" - Kishore Kumar and Lata Mangeshkar

"Kehene ki nahi baat" - Mohammad Rafi

"Gore haathon par na" - Mohammad Rafi

"Kisne pukara mujhe" - Lata Mangeshkar and Mahendra Kapoor

"O meri maina" - Manna Dey and Usha Mangeshkar

"Din jawani ke char yaar" - Kishore Kumar

"Phool ban jaoonga" - Lata Mangeshkar and Mahendra Kapoor

"Sunle pyar ki dushman duniya" - Lata Mangeshkar, Manna Dey, Kishore Kumar and Asha Bhonsle.

First of all thanks very much for your kind appreciations on my first blog under the head of "First Day First Show". It was hit like the movie "Teesri Manzil" itself. After getting such valuable inputs and appreciations, suddenly I got thought of this movie only. I decided that day itself that my next FDFS (First Day First Show) blog will be on "Pyar Kiye Jaa". Sadly, I heard death news of Kalpana Mohan ji, who was integral part of this movie. Hence I dedicate this blog to her.

I do not have a pleasure to watch this movie in theater, like I had for "Teesri Manzil". May be because this movie was not that big as "Teesri Manzil", it didn't had a re-run during my childhood. By the way this is another all time favorite of my father. After buying a VCR (Video Cassette Recorder) in the early 90s, I got a chance to watch this movie. From very beginning I am a fan of comedy movies. Even today I seldom miss a chance to watch comic stuffs either on TV or in theaters. This one was a typical 60s comedy. Decent, clean and very nicely told. Not too many loopholes. The director, Sridhar is from south but he has a unique distinction for his another hindi classic. He finished his 1963 classic "Dil Ek Mandir" in a fortnight only. He has directed many hindi movies but this is one of his best for sure.

Story: Ramlal is a rich man having few estates under him. He wants his two daughters to get married in families who are wealthier then his. He always sees the world with the glasses of money. His elder daughter is already in love with Shyam who is in Bombay (Those days it was not Mumbai). Ramlal has got a manager named Ashok, but he fires him as he misbehaved with his daughters. Ashok decides to protest and fixes a tent just outside Ramlal's house. Ramlal has a son too, Atma. Who wants to produce,direct a big film under his moneyless "Wah Wah Productions". He is always behind his father, Ramlal, to finance jerky idea of his. Slowly Ashok starts liking Nirmala, the younger daughter of Ramlal. Knowing Ramlal's greed for money and decision on where he wants to marry his daughters, he calls his rich friend, Shyam, who as I have already mentioned above is in love with the elder daughter of Ramlal, Malti. Shyam disguises in an old but very rich, richer then Ramlal, Rai Bahadur Ganga Prasad, who is father of Ashok. As per him because of young blood Ashok and he had a difference of opinions and thus he left his home and joined Ramlal's job. Ramlal was totally impressed with him and decides to marry Nirmala with Ashok, who are already in love with eachother. Malti too later finds that the father of Ashok is no one but her own sweetheart, Shyam. In Rai Bahadur Atma too finds another source, who can finance his "Wah Wah Productions". He too tries to woo him by showing a dance piece by himself and his heroin Meena. Meena is a daughter of Ramlal's Munim and that's what Ramlal hates to the core. Story takes a turn when Shayam's father, Devraj comes to Ramlal's estate and realizes that he and Ramlal are actually friends from the college time. Now Shyam is in a fix. He can't stop helping his dearest friend Ashok, till he gets marry and over here Ramlal and Devraj have decided that both Shyam and Ashok will get married with Malti and Nirmala respectively on same date. He can't even lose the chance to marry his darling Malti. The story takes final turn, which I believe should be watched in movie it self, hence I am not going to talk about it more.

This movie is a comedy. But when you have three giants of comedy, Om Prakash, Kishore Kumar and above all Mehmood then what can you expect then a laugh riot. For me Om Prakash is the most natural actor I have ever seen. You will just believe that it is the character and not the actor Om Prakash, you are seeing,in any given role, such a natural actor he was. Probably very few movies in which you can sense Om Prakash's presence from first to last frame of a movie, this one is one of those. When you have such big names like I have mentioned, fun is guaranteed and it is there in this movie. Shashi Kapoor too plays his part as a charming, young boy, who is like today's generation, fearless and can do any thing for his love. Though Shashijee's comic talent was better used in later of his career, yet he has done relatively enough to make us at least smile in this movie.

Since it is a comedy, lets take on the three giants. Om Prakash as I said is as natural as he is always. You can easily identify him as a rich yet greedy old man. He has no value for his munim and his daughter, so for his manager and his jobless and fool son. But he shows bright colours when he sees Rai Bahadur and Devraj, who areapparently are richer then him. More about Om Prakash in "Dessert Storm !!!" section.

Kishore'da, what to say about him? He was an all rounder, wasn't he? He has sung fantastically in this movie, but has played both Shyam and Rai Bahadur, exceedingly well. He would sung and dance with Kalpanaji as a young boy at the same time, he will show grace of an old man very effectively. Two scenes of Kishore'da strikes out for me. One is when he misunderstands that Ashok is in love with daughter of Ramlal, whom he thinks was Malti. Because he was playing Rai Bahadur to help Ashok and has to speak in a strong, thick voice, he starts struggling with his own voice. The kind of voice Kishore'da has produced, only he can do that. The second was, when Rai Bahadur tries to impress, already impressed Ramlal about his lavish spending and giving an example that how he bought an elephant, just to show kid Ashoke, how an elephant looks. He just twists his voice,when he utters "Jab Ashok ne poochha, Pitaji, Haathi kaisa hota hai?" The phrase which I have highlighted will surely bring a smile of admiration for the man, if not otherwise.

Mehmood. One of my favorite human beings with great Amitabh Bachchan, Kishore'da, R.D.Burman and Sunil Gavaskar. When it comes to comedy, there was, there is and there will be no match of him. I always say he is the BAAP of all the comedians. He always had a clear mind about the role he is doing. He would have already decided, how that person will speak, behave, walk, dance and so on. Here too, if you see Atma, you will agree that this role is made for Mehmood saab only. He wears a shirt and tight pants here most of the time, always chews his nails and speaks non sense. In one of the scenes he even dares his father that if he doesn't finance his "Wah Wah Productions", he will start "Ha Ha Productions", "He He Productions and "Hu Hu Productions" altogether. Such terminology can be thought by Mehmood saab only. A scene where he teaches his "heroin" Mumtaz in outdoors, is just superbly hilarious scene. You won't feel it cheap, when he says to posing Mumtaz, "Zara Kula idhar karo". But there is an epic scene in this movie. Where he describes his movie's story to his father, Ramlal. Oh my goodness. You will laugh like a mad dog if you are watching it for the first time. Along with the story, the sounds Mehmood saab has produced is just awesome. Many of our comedians, not bad ones but good ones also, have tried such scenes, but have failed miserably. Simply because it was Mehmood, the Baap.

Songs and music are excellent too. The title song is still a hit. Laxmikant - Pyarelal has done descent job. Though one would feel that there are one or two songs too many for the movie's length, but such was the time, where songs were getting equal share with the story.

I am putting the clip of that scene I have mentioned in "Dessert Strom !!!" section, do enjoy it, but that doesn't mean you will not watch the rest of the movie. It is as enjoyable as this scene is. So rush to your nearest DVD walla or download from a torrent. This movie is a must see, if you still have not seen it.

Dessert Storm !!!

Before you watch that scene, let me tell you one interesting thing. Once you are done with Mehmood saab's legendary acting in this clip, re-run it just to watch Om Prakash Ji's reactions and actions to Mehmood Saab's dialogues and acting. They are just awesome. I do not have confirmed source, but I have heard that Mehmood Saab got "Filmfare award Best Comedian" for this movie. While receiving the same, he said that I did what I have to, but with out Om Prakash ji's expressions, this scene wouldn't have been so effective.

So watch it by your selves......

Teesri Manzil

2012-01-06T11:57:00.000+05:30

"First Day First Show : Teesri Manzil (1966)"

I am always been mad for hindi movies and it's music. We all are in fact. But being a neutral between this and past generation, I feel movies and music of past generation were more better then todays and long lasting as well. So I have decided to write blog on most famous movies from the past which I have seen and loved. These special series blogs will be published on every Friday, if I am available to write on that day. (Who just said Nahiiiiiiiii?) On this first Friday, I am showcasing the ever loved musical thriller "Teesri Manzil".

Before I start writing any thing, I must give credit to Mr. Ashok Dave, the famous Gujarati writer on humor, who writes same column every Friday in a local daily for this idea.

Credits (Courtesy IMDB) :

Producer, Story, Screenplay, Dialogue : Nasir Hussain

Director : Vijay Anand

Lyrics : Majrooh Sultanpuri

Music : Rahul Dev Burman

Actors: Shammi Kapoor (Anil Kumar "Sona" or Rocky, Asha Parekh (Sunita) , Premnath (Kunwar Sahab) ,Prem Chopra (Ramesh) ,Helan (Ruby) , Iftekhar (Inspector) , Laxmi Chhaya (Bela) and Rashid Khan (Waiter)

Songs:

'O Hasina Zulfon Waali Jaane Jahan" - Mohammad Rafi and Asha Bhonsle

"Aaja Aaja Mein Hoon Pyar Tera" - Mohammad Rafi and Asha Bhonsle

"Deewana Mujhsa Nahin" - Mohammad Rafi

"O mere Sona Re" - Mohammad Rafi and Asha Bhonsle

"Mein inpe Marta hoon" - Mohammad Rafi and Asha Bhonsle

"Tumne Mujhe Dekha" - Mohammad Rafi

This particular movie is the most favorite movie of my father. Its kinda Sholay for him. He can talk day in and day out about this movie. Watching movies, good movies in cinemas is inherit in our family. Even my Grand Father used to travel few kilometers to watch movies in 40s and 50s. When I was growing up, we didn't had facility of watching classics at home. Doordarshan had started recently to show movies on Sunday evenings. But most of them were award winning movies as they have to pay less for that. They were quite boring too, to be frank. Hence, we had to rely on theaters only to see if there is a chance to watch such classic movie. I very much remember that this movie was again showed in Ahmedabad's Shiv Cinema in the year 1982. Naturally my father was very excited to watch this again. It must be his 15th or 20th time. All these years I had heard so many times about this movie that I too was very excited. Me with my parents reached the hall, and guess what? It was "House full" !!! Yes a 1966 released movie was "House full" in the year 1982, some 18 years later. Not possible today. We had to resort to "Swami Dada" a Dev Anand movie, newly released, showing at "Natraj" just opposite to "Shiv". What a pity! Anyways we got another chance the next week, with two of my cousins also joined us for the show.

Yes it was a suspense thriller. The story line goes like this.....

Sunita who comes to revenge her sister Roopa's lover, a drummer and allegedly murderer, Rocky. When Rocky, who has already started liking her, comes to know about her intentions, introduces his friend (Salim Khan, Salman Khan's father) as Rocky. Rocky was a very popular drummer and singer in the hotel was also liked by the dancer named Ruby. Rocky changes his name to Anilkumar Sona and extends his helping hand to Sunita to find her sister's murderer. The intention behind that was to read her mind as why she thinks that Rocky is behind Roopa's murder. As the story moves on... Anil accidentally enters the villa of Kunwar Sahab, who is a big shot of that city along with Sunita's friends. Trying to impress his lover and her friends, he calls this villa of his uncle's. Suddenly Kunwar Sahab enters but forgives Anil for his mischief as he too used to do such tricks when he was young. Slowly things started to change and after falling deeply in love Anil feels that he should tell his reality to Sunita. So he writes a letter to her telling her that if she will forgive him, she will come to his show this evening in the same hotel. Enters Ruby. Who doesn't like Rocky aka Anil to leave from her grasp so easily, takes help of the same waiter who supposed to give letter to Sunita before the show. She instructs the waiter to delay the delivery of the later and give it to her only when she enters the show. Anil feels that she has forgiven him and Sunita gets shock of her life. In this mess the original killer of Roopa (will not reveal who is he or she for the first timers) starts feeling that Anil/Rocky has became threat to his life, so he tries to shoot him but Ruby comes in between and scarifies her life for her lover. Police Inspector has already cleared Anil and that's why the killer gets more impulsive. He even fails the breaks of a car which Anil was told will take him to the killer. Even that scare was evade by Anil. Finally Anil gets hold of a woman who knew every thing and reaches the killer. Happy ending at the end of the day.

The pace of the story is very quick, which was written by the producer himself along with the watertight screenplay. There is always a something special feeling about Nasir Hussain's movies, which started from this very movie. Previously he was known for romantic movies. But after this success he has started to make some thrilling gems like "Yaadon Ki Baraat and "Hum Kisi Se Kum Nahin". Vijay Anand has directed very few films, but look at what he has given us? Jewel Thief, Guide, Johnny Mera Naam, Teesri Manzil and last but not the least Ram Balram. The screenplay and slick direction will always keep you on the edge of your seats till you know who is the real killer. The revelation of the killer itself is an absolute beauty. Along with screenplay and direction of Vijay Anand, the background music of R.D.Burman (for whom I have spared an entire para) and extraordinary facial expressions by Shammi Kappor makes that scene the most special scene for this movie. Asha Parekh is not known for her acting, yet she leaves her impression. She was always a great dancer in her own rights, does well in that regard. Aaaja Aaaja was eye catcher not only because of antics by Shammijee, but for Asha Parekh's dance too. Helen as always sensuous. Her moves in songs are just perfect. Premnath, just awesome. I always say he is one of the most underrated and less used actor of hindi cinema. In Johnny Mera Naam and in this movie, he has proved his metal. Prem Chopra, Laxmi Chhaya, Rashid Khan all do well in their short roles. There is no flaw in the story. You just can't see any thing which is not in its play. Apart from Sholay, this is one of those movies where you find a very slick direction and screenplay. Such things are badly missing in today's cinema.

If six songs are not enough for you to enjoy, then take the title track and back ground music of this movie as well. Can some one believe that this was just a fourth movie of a "young" music director, who was also a son of a famous father. Having worked as assistant of S.D.Burman, his father, for years, R.D.Burman was still a new comer in the industry. Shammi Kappor was always for Shankar Jaikishan, because of his natural bonding with the duo. He was not sure whether the choice of Nasir Hussain is right In fact he was doubting the man himself. Upon insisting time and again to at least listen the tunes, by the producer and director, he came to studio and once Pancham'da started to play the tunes on his harmonium, rest, as they say is history. All the songs of this movie are gems. You just can't put fast forward button when any of these are playing on your music system. Even today, Aaja Aaja is a hit and much asked for song in dance parties at homes and reality shows on television. Naughty and peppy songs can make u dance and feel good, but for me the best of the lot is the last one, "Tumne Mujhe Dekha". What a song sung by Rafisaab!! Very soulful . The music goes with the emotions as well. In an interview Asha Bhonsle revealed that she felt that she sung/recorded "O mere Sona re" pretty badly as she was not feeling well. So around mid night, Pancham'da called her and asked, if she wants to re-record it? But Ashaji told him that if he feels that the song is fine then she will not like to re record it and finally the original recording stayed. Such was the professionalism existed in those years. In another incident. When Panchamda got thought of the tune for "Aaja Aaja.." he called the director Vijay Anand around 3 am and with extra excitement he said, "listen Goldie (Vijay Anand was famously called by this name) .. Tanana na na na Tannana Na na nana...." Vijay Anand laughed and told Panchamda to meet in the recording studios where he can listen to the tune with comforts. This was the dedication of the artists in those days.

All in all a must watch movie, if you have not seen till now. You can easily get DVDs or torrents for the same. Else some times it s on few movie channels too. You will certainly like it because of the storyline and the way it has been told. Great music and as I said even title music and background music are enough to keep you glued to your couches for two hours and a bit.

Dessert Storm !!!

The song "Tumne Mujhe Dekha" as I have mentioned above is very soulful. But it has a small story attached to it. Just before shooting this song, Geeta Bali, wife of Shammijee died. Shammiji stopped shooting for his movies. The Set was already ready. But Nasir Hussain told Shammiji not to worry and they will restart the shooting as and when he (Shammiji) feels so. It is said that the set remained as it is for not less then six months when finally Shammiji decided to restart the work!!

Pancham Unleashed

2012-01-04T10:11:00.000+05:30

My musical tribute to my "GOD" Rahul Dev Burman

Rahul Dev Burman (1939 ~ 1994)

" Ghar Aaja Ghir Aaye.." (Chhote Nawab - 1961) :

"O mere pyar aaja" (Bhoot Bungla -1965)

"Tumne Mujhe Dekha" (Teesri Manzil - 1966)

"Chunri Sambhal Gori" (Baharon Ke Sapne - 1967)

"Pyar Hua Hai Jab Se" (Abhilaasha - 1968)

"Ek Chatur Naar" (Padosan - 1968)

"Tum Bin Jaaoon Kahan" (Pyar Ka Mausam - 1969)

"Pyar Deewan Hota Hai" (Kati Patang - 1970)

"Gulabi Aakhein Jo Teri Dekhi" (The Train - 1970)

"Koi Maane Ya Na Maane" (Adhikar - 1971)

"Ye Kya Hooa, Kaise Hooa" (Amar Prem - 1971)

"Raat Kali Ek Khwab Mein Aayee" (Buddha Mil Gaya - 1971)

"Hum Toh Hai Rahi Dil Ke" (Carvan - 1971)

"I Love You" (Hare Rama Hare Krishna - 1971)

"Chanda O Chanda" (Laakhon Mein Ek - 1971)

"Aao Jhoomein Gayeen" (Paraya Dhan - 1971)

"Duniya Mein Logon Ko" (Apna Desh - 1972)

"Dekha Na Haay Re Socha Na" (Bombay To Goa - 1972)

"Kali Palak Teri Gori" (Do Chor - 1972)

"Saamne Yeh Kaun Aaya" (Jawani Deewani - 1972)

"Deewana Karke Chhodoge" (Mere Jeevan Saathi - 1972)

"Beeti Na Beetayee Raina" (Parichay - 1972)

"Goom Hai Kisi Ke Pyaar Mein" (Rampur Ka Laxman - 1972)

"O Saathi Chal" (Seeta Aur Geeta - 1972)

"Na Koi Dil Mein Samaaya" (Aa Gale Lag Jaa - 1973

"Aaj Ki Raat Koi Aane Ko Hai" (Anamika - 1973)

"Mutthu Kudi Kawwadi Hada" (Do Phool - 1973)

"Bahot Door Mujhe Jaana Hai" (Heera Panna - 1973)

"Kya Nazare Kya Sitare" (Jheel Ke Uss Paar - 1973)

"Kiska Rasta Dekhe" (Joshila - 1973)

"Mein Shaayar Badnaam" (Namak Haram - 1973)

"Mein Ek Chor Tu Meri Rani" (Raja Rani - 1973)

"Tere Sau Deewane" (Shareef Badmash - 1973)

"Aap Ke Kamre Mein Koi Rehta Hai" (Yaadon Ki Baarat - 1973)

"Zindagi Ke Safar Mein Guzar Jaate Hain" (Aap Ki Kasam - 1974)

"Aaya Hoon Mein Tujhko Le Jaoonga" (Manoranjan - 1974)

"O Hansini" (Zehreela Insaan - 1974)

"Tere Bina Zindagi Se Koi Shiqwa Toh Nahi" (Aandhi - 1975)

"Ek Din Bik Jaayega Maati Ke Mol" (Dharam Karam - 1975)

"Sun Sun Kasam Se" (Kaala Sona - 1975)

"Sapna Mera Toot Gaya" (Ek Mein Aur Ek Tu - 1975)

"O Majhi Re" (Khushboo - 1975)

"Sholay Theme" (1975)

"Ruk Jaana O Jaana Hum Se" (Warrant - 1975)

"Bade Achchhe Lagte Hain" (Balika Badhu - 1976)

"Dil Machal Raha Hai" (Khalifa - 1976)

"Parbat Ke Peechhe Chambela Gaaon" (Mehbooba - 1976)

"Yeh Duniya Ek Paagal Khana Hai" (Darling Darling - 1977)

Medley (Hum Kisise Kum Nahin - 1977)

Meethe Bol Bole Bole Payaliya (Kinaara - 1977)

Dil Sajan Jalta Hai (Mukti - 1977)

Raju Chal Raju (Azaad - 1978)

Gulmohar Gar Tumhara Naam Hota (Devataa - 1978)

"Phir Wahi Raat Hai" (Ghar - 1978)

"Aati Rahengi Baharein" (Kasme Vaade - 1978)

"One Two Cha Cha Cha" - (Shalimar - 1978)

Golmaal Title Song (1979)

"Hum Aur Tum They Saathi" (Hamare Tumhare - 1979)

"Jeevan Ke Har Mod Pe" (Jootha Kahin Ka - 1979)

"Rimzim Gire Saawan" (Manzil - 1979)

"Chandani Re Jhoom" (Naukar - 1979)

"Do Lafzon Ki Hai Dil Ki Kahaani" (The Great Gambler - 1979)

"Bhor Bhaye Panchee" (Anchal - 1980)

"Ae Khuda Har Faisala" (Abdullah - 1980)

"Jaadugar Jaadu Kar Jaayega" (Alibaba Chalis Chor - 1980)

"Kaho Kahan Chale" (Bulandi - 1980)

"Jeena Kya Aji Pyar Beena" (Dhan Daulat - 1980)

"Piya Bawari" (Khubsoorat - 1980)

Shaan Theme (1980)

"Murti Ganesh Ki Andar Daulat Desh Ki" (Takkar - 1980)

"Pal Do Pal Ka Saath Hamara" (The Burning Train - 1980)

"Pritam Aan Milo" (Angoor - 1981)

"Apne Pyar Ke Sapane Sach Hooye" (Barsaat Ki Ek Raat - 1981)

"Aaongi Ek Din Ajjaoon?" (Basera - 1981)

"Gori Ho Kali Ho" (Biwi O Biwi - 1981)

"Tere Liye Palkon Ki Jhaalar Bunoo" (Harjaee - 1981)

"Tum Saath Ho Jab Apne" (Kaaliya - 1981)

"Hume Tumse Pyaar Kitna" (Kudrat - 1981)

" Kya Gazab Karte Ho Jee" (Love Story - 1981)

"Mere Angana Aaaye Re" (Naram Garam - 1981)

"Kya Yahi Pyaar Hai" (Rocky - 1981)

"Pyar Tumhe Kis Mod Pe Le Aaya" (Satte Pe Satta - 1981)

"Kisi Baat Par Mein Kisise Khafaa Hoon" (Bemisaal - 1982)

"Kaun Ho Mein Kya Naam Hai Mera" (Dard Ka Rishta - 1982)

"Huzoor Is Kadar Bhi Na Itraa Ke Chaliye" (Masoom - 1982)

"Raah Pe Rehete Hain" (Namkeen - 1982)

"Sheeshe Ke Gharon Mein Dekho Toh" (Sanam Teri Kasam - 1982)

"Jane Kaise Kab Kahan Iqraar Ho Gaya" (Shakti - 1982)

"Chalo Haseen Geet Ek Banayein" (Shaukeen - 1982)

"Ek Roop Kayee Naam" (Swami Dada - 1982)

"Yeh Zamee Gaa Rahi Hai" (Teri Kasam - 1981)

"Tu Tu Hai Wahi Dil Ne Jise Apna Kaha" (Ye Waada Raha - 1982)

"Humein Aur Jeene Ki Chahat Na Hoti" (Agar Tum Na Hote - 1983)

"Kahi Na Jaa Aaj Kahi Matt Jaa" (Bade Dil Waala - 1983)

"Jab Hum Jawaa Honge" (Betaab - 1983)

"Har Chhori Raani Hiyan" (Mahaan - 1983)

"Bach Ke Rehna Re Baba" (Pukar - 1983)

"Hum Kya Hain" (Anand Aur Anand - 1984)

Title Song (Andar Bahar - 1984)

"Tu Rootha To Mein Ro Doongi Sanam" (Jawaani - 1984)

"Kaisi Lag Rahi Hoon Mein" (Jootha Sach - 1984)

"O Meri Jaan" (Manzil Manzil - 1984)

"Aur Kya Ehd-E-Wafa Hote Hain" (Sunny - 1984)

"Aisa Samaa Na Hota" (Zameen Aasman - 1984)

"Kabhi Bekasi Ne Maara" (Alag Alag - 1985)

"Mammiya Kero Kero Kero Mama" (Arjun - 1985)

"Jeene De Yeh Duniya" (Lava - 1985)

"Machal Machal Jaata Hai Dil" (Ram Tere Kitne Naam - 1985)

"Jaane Do Na" (Sagar - 1985)

"Hum Kitne Naadan They Yaaron" (Sitamgar - 1985)

"Jab Chaha Yaara Tumne" (Zabardast - 1985)

"Roz Roz Aakhon Tale" (Jeeva - 1986)

"Ae Sagar Ki Leheron" (Samundar - 1986)

"Kis Karan Naiyya Doli" (Dacait - 1987)

"Mohobbat Toh Karta Hai Sara Zamana" (Hifazat - 1987)

"Katra Katra Mitti Hai" (Ijazat - 1987)

"Chand Koi Hoga Tumsa Kahan" (Inaam Dus Hazaar - 1987)

"Aao Tumhe Pyar Karein" (Itihaas - 1987)

Title Song (Joshilay - 1989)

"Tumse Milke Aisa Laga" (Parinda - 1989)

"Main Na Jooth Boloon" (Indrajeet - 1991)

"Yeh Mera Dil Toh Paagal Hai" (Gardish - 1993)

"Aana Re Aana Re" (Gurudev - 1993)

"Kuchh Na Kaho Kuchh Bhi Na Kaho" (1942 - A Love Story)

All the songs are my personal favorites. Hope you like them too.

The controversial ‘Pal’

2011-12-21T12:22:00.000+05:30

This word “Pal” first came to me when I started reading one of the James Headily Chase books during my late teens. My father used to have big collection of that series. I could pick any and start reading, but at the end of the day, because of my everlasting laziness, I could read only one. But this word ‘Pal’ struck to my mind immediately. I studied my entire education career in Gujarati medium. So I had a dictionary and I got the meaning, which was “friend”. In Gujarati, Hindi or Sanskrit the meaning of the same word is “the one who protects”. So in other words he can be a friend too. Friend often protects us from various difficulties. But today there is one Pal which is unwanted to the government for years is going to take birth by either tomorrow or by end of the current parliament session. The Pal they were avoiding probably since independence, is going to exist soon. Off course against their wish.

On 12^th of April this year, suddenly out of the blue I wrote a blog, as those days I hardly used to write any. The blog was written after Anna Hazare’s first fast was over. (Here is the link for the same: “I am not convinced” http://marivaat.blogspot.com/2011/04/i-am-not-convinced.html) Sadly few things I wrote in this blog have come true. Nobody wants corruption in this country. But those were the different days. Every morning we used to hear a new scam, bigger than the previous day’s. The five “wise men (and a woman)” suddenly came out of the dark and told us that they are our Messiahs and they will take us out of this corruption. The fight was imminent. To their credit, they generated the passion against the corruption from the public in general, which was fed up with the daily drainage of their hard earned tax paid money. In that blog I have questioned the very claim by those “civil society” members that they are the direct representatives of public in general. It is natural that once the euphoria takes over, you are tend to get enormous support but once it goes down, you feel yourself alone in your group. Had they tried first to educate the public on how corruption, small corruption, affects our life and then educated them not to pay bribe at any cost and be ready to face the consequences things would have been different. But as always, longer and tougher road is always deserted. Within the “Team Anna” there are many who’s real faces have came out in public since 12^th of April. Even Anna Hazare was kind a “exposed” bv his own blogger Mr. Parulekar. People like me who were always against the tactics used by the Team Anna, came out strongly against the team. People like me who are in a group which wants corruption to go but not by pushing the government and blackmail it with “My way or highway” tactics. Especially when a swami speaks against you, especially when one of your members has not paid income tax worth lakhs in rupees, especially when one of your members is involved in fake billings of her travels and more importantly when you have said “Kabhi Kabhi Gadhe Ko bhi baap banana padta hai”. Right from the first day for me the entire moment was selfish to gain public support by all those five-six people for their political aspirations. Who knows they were planted by government too, to pacify public from daily corruptions.

Whatever reasons may be, we now have a draft of Lokpal ready. Just what I am getting from the various news channels that it is totally a 180 degrees different then what “Team Anna” had asked for. For me may be it is not the strong Lokpal an Aam Aadmi would have liked to have, but at least government has not bent down to the so called “Civil Society” members. The government at last has taken “a step”. At least this is a small step forward towards ending of the menace of Corruption. It was said and believed that corruption can’t be abolished from our country from ever. Since independence, all the governments, including those who are in the opposition today has denied or skipped this Lokpal. At least now we will have a watch dog. May be toothless, but still we have something to look upon. We didn’t have RTI till early 2000s, but have now. Plenty of things have came out because of RTI only, despite it was said, will not be effective. But people have used it smartly and today we have new phrase called “RTI Activist” and “Whistleblower” bill will also likely to be passed along with the Lokpal.

There were two major things which were not easy for the government to be agreed upon. First one is that PM under Lokpal and second is CBI under Lokpal. PM with adhesives is in where as CBI is not. For me bringing PM inside Lokpal, even if with adhesives, should be looked at huge victory for Team Anna. We must remember that when the agitation started, Government was adamant of not having PM under the Lokpal at any cost. So what if it needs 3/4^th majority to start the case against PM? So what that only 7 years term of PM can only be looked at? At least we have something to work for PM too. Regarding CBI. Yesterday, Mr. Manish Tiwari, and surprisingly I agreed with his personal views, said that why not make CBI autonomous and why can’t we have separate policing arm for Lokpal? Like currently Police and CBI co exists and working together sometimes, the third force, with experts from all the levels and business of country, can also co exist. I strongly believe that in these days, any government can’t ignore the feelings of Aam Aadmi just like that. Yes it is not easy to get into the ears of Government either. Team Anna is losing the plot by not remaining flexible enough. Once you are on negotiation table, you have to be like elastic. Sadly now, the draft is before us, its Government who has came out with more flexibility from its first stand, then the Team Anna. They still want their own draft to be passed. I am sorry but that is not possible in a democracy, no matter how the ruling government is corrupt or biased towards corruption.

Last night on one of the news channel debates, Lord Meghnad Desai had rightly said that “Lokpal is still an unknown quantity”. So, why can’t we have it first in place at least in its present form and then later decide to amend, if required? I wonder when our political parties will have such flexibility in their mindsets so that our nation can run smoothly. Anna and his team have decided to start yet another agitation since their draft is not accepted. I am sure this time government is in positive position in the eyes of those sections of people who wanted a mechanism to tackle corruption, as it has kept the promise to introduce the bill and may be passing the same in this session only. I can bet this time the government will not budge. They are in better position this time then on previous three occasions. On the other hand, Anna and his team should now stop agitating and start thinking on how to use, whatever Lokpal we have, smartly. People need work, bread, and happiness. Yearlong agitations will not give them any of these things. Better they keep themselves away from five assembly elections coming next year. I do agree with the stand of most of the members from ruling party that better they (Team Anna) come out clear with their political intentions. Back door entry is not good at all. Just because Congress or UPA is in power you will oppose congress and not minding other parties’ corruptions, where is the logic in this?

I am not sure about other four stats going for elections next year, but at least in my state Gujarat, Team Anna will be as unrelated as the main opposition congress party is for last more than a decade and a half. Yes Gujarat government is not pure for sure, but the “Modi Magic” is still on and it is a duty of Congress to give us, the Gujaratis , strong and substantial evidence against Modi and his government regarding their corruption and not Team Anna. But the equation will be funnier when Congress will try to expose Modi Government’s corruption and Team Anna will protest against Congress in Gujarat, mainly because they didn’t passed Lokpal of their likings at the center.

It is high time for Team Anna to re think.

Dessert Storm !!!

”Team Anna being very cruel to Anna. I strongly protest. They all keep 75 year old hungry and have a gala feast at his”

- - Digvijay Singh’s Tweet on 20.12.2011

Pont(ing) to be noted

2011-12-14T11:35:00.000+05:30

As a cricket fan, again I am at a situation where I ask myself a question...”When should an established cricketer (read : great cricketer) retire?” It’s an open secret to my friends that one of the reasons why I admire Sunny Gavaskar and Sourav Ganguly the most is the timing of their retirement from international cricket. Both of them retired when people had a bit of a shocker and start asking “Why?” instead of “Why Not?” The million dollar question today is “Should Ricky Ponting retire?” I am not the greatest of followers of Australian Domestic Cricket Circuit, but still would like to give my few cents on why should or shouldn’t Ponting retire and what loss or gain Cricket Australia will have as and when they take a decision on this.

First let me go back to two decisions I have mentioned in first para regarding Gavaskar and Ganguly. Both have initials of SG. I have been their ardent fan all life, in fact Sunny Gavaskar is my childhood cricketing “god”, like today’s generation has Tendulkar for the same reason. The day when Sunny Gavaskar decided to hang his boots I was in my first year of teen. Those days we had only Doordarshan and AIR to get updated with news. Couldn’t believe when news “broke” on DD that he is taking retirement. I literary stopped eating my dinner, stood up and washed my hands. For me it was end of cricket watching. But such things do happen when you are in your teen. When I grew up and started taking cricket as my serious passion, I started to admire Sunny Gavaskar’s decision more. We have seen many cricketers from the subcontinent and especially across the world, who fail to decide their right time to exit, and thus feel the kick on their backside from their respective cricket boards. Actually in case of “Dada”, the timing of his decision was off course timely one, but there were other issues as well unlike Gavaskar had in his time.

Let us face it, Ganguly was not wanted at some point of time at the end of his career. Despite he was at his new peak the time was to inject “fresh blood” into the team. Dada was a cricketer with immense talent, but at the end of the day, he was having little bit lesser stature then Dravid and Tendulkar. I am desperately sure that there was some agreement between him and BCCI to have him his graceful retirement from international cricket. But the way he still is trying to prove the world that he can still play good cricket like Dravid and Tendulkar, shows he still thinks that he had to retire prematurely. No matter what public postures he makes or BCCI says, but as a cricket follower I feel this. Anyways, on the record, he retired when he was on his peak form and the matter ends there. He was all grace when he made his formal announcement, and after exactly 20 years on that day, I could feel tears in my eyes to hear such news regarding my cricketing hero retiring.

Ricky Thomas Ponting, whose center point of this blog, is more or less on the same position as his former KKR team mate and Captain Sourav Ganguly was few years back. The only problem with Punter, as he is fondly called, is that he has very less “form” to show. He has been blamed for not showing up for Australia at crunch time, but then is Australia as a team except Ponting’s contribution doing better in any case? Same was the question when India had disastrous 2007 World Cup. India lost the first match against Bangladesh and blame was on Ganguly who was on the contrary, top scorer in that match. He was accused of playing slow. Here Ponting is blamed for his poor form effecting over all team performance, but in only few matches Clarke has done better and what about others then? Yes Ponting is out of form, but is he the only batsman who should score runs? What about openers failing? Hussey? Haddin? and inconsistent Captain? Clarke has “not so be proud about” average of 35.72 since December 2010. One of his three hundreds have come in winning efforts, one in draw and he was clueless as others in that paltry 47 all out at The Newlands in Cape town, despite scoring a fighting century in first innings.

There is a call from Allan Border that both Hussey and Ponting should be dropped from Indian series. I have admitted at the start of the blog only that I am not a follower of Australian Domestic Cricket Circuit, but is there any strong replacement? We all know no one can replace a player like Punter instantly. India still has not found amicable replacement for Dada. Yes Kohli has in his him, but till now he has not established himself. Three years have gone by since Dada has retired. Does Australia have a replacement for Punter who can at least guarantee to play punterlike cricket? Look at the series stature!! Its huge. Its Australia v India, and “Border-Gavaskar Trophy” is right now held by Indians. For last few years many Aussie commentators including Late Peter Roebuck has said that this series is as good as “The Ashes” if not better. If so then why taking such huge risk? May be Harbhajan is not part of Indian team, but why should we deprived of Ponting-Ashwin or Ponting-Ojha or Ponting-Yadav or most awaited Ponting-Ishant battle?

Forget good advertising for a series, but take a note of “experience” factor. I don’t know who was right and who was wrong in Katich-Clarke spat, but we can see Australian opening slot is vulnerable when Katich is absent. Hughes is total failure and surprisingly like past Indian cricket culture, he is probably in the team because his captain likes him and doesn’t like more of a “Test match specialist” Katich. Yes Warner has given you a hope that can rely on him, but yet if Watson is not fit, you need both Katich and Ponting. I have always believed that, problem with such “great” (talking about Ponting and not Katich here) players is, that they can find their form any time. Probably that’s why they are called “greats”. Plus as I said the stature of this series. Who knows, players like Punter thrives on such a big stage. As I said about Dada, who can forget his first and only double ton at Bengaluru? Remember India was four for nothing when he arrived. All great guns like Tendulkar, Dravid and Laxman were back in the pavilion, but first Yuvraj and then Irfan helped him to get India out of the trouble. Who knows one good innings by Ponting, may be a slow hundred on Boxing Day, gives him the confidence he needs. New comer will certainly take some time, again lack of knowledge on Aussie bench strength stops me to write further on the implications of “what if Punter is dropped”, then its better to give Punter first two test matches. A century in both or either of two those tests, should guarantee his place in next two.

Certainly as cricket fan, I would like to see a hard fought series between the two countries. I am not saying that if Ponting and Hussey are out India will have a cake walk. But yet these two gentlemen will certainly thrive and will do better against us. That will give us and the people at ground great value of our money. We don’t know what Ponting has gone through in last two-three days, since Hobart test is over. He also must have heard and read what others are saying about him. He is with the family members, must have talked with them. If he is courageous enough, then I am sure he will not retire on his own. If he feels, that he still got something to offer, he will not decide to retire, may be Cricket Australia have to force him to do so and set a stage for his “grand exit”. Who knows like Dada in his first press confy at MCG on the eve of “Boxing Day Test Match”, he will announce, “This is going to be my last test match series”.

Even if he does that we can have Punter on board for this summer in Australia!!

Dessert Storm!!

"I think one of the old boys will go,"

- Allan Border told Fox Sports show Inside Cricket.

Musical tribute to Dev Anand

2011-12-05T08:56:00.001+05:30

"Dev Kabhi Marte Nahin"

"Jaayein toh Jaayein Kahan" - Taxi Driver (1954)

"Jeevan ke safar mein raahi" - Munimji (1955)

"Chup hai dharti Chup hain chaand sitare" - House No. 44 (1955)

"A meri topi palat ke aa" - Fantoosh (1956)

"Aakhon hi aakhon mein ishara ho gaya" - C.I.D (1956)

"O neegahein masatana" - Paying Guest (1957)

"Soja neendiya ki bela hai" - Nau Do Gyarah (1957)

"Hai Apna Dil toh Awaara" - Solva Saal (1958)

"Hum Bekhudi mein tum ko pukare chale gaye" - Kaala Pani (1958)

"Dheere Dheere Chal Chand Gagan Mein" - Love Marriage (1959)

"Khoya Khoya Chand" - Kala Bazaar (1960)

"Deewana Masatana Hoova Dil" - Bambai Ka Babu (1960)

"Jiya O Jiya kuchh bol do" - Jab Pyar Kisi Se Hota Hai (1961)

"Na tum hamein jaano" - Baat Ek Raat Ki (1962)

"Chheda Mere Dil ne Tarana Tere Pyar Ka" - Asli Naqli (1962)

"Abhi Na Jaao Chhod Kar Ke Dil Abhi Bhara Nahin" - Hum Dono (1962)

"Sun le tu Dil ki Sadaa" - Tere Ghar Ke Saamne (1963)

"Aise Toh Na Dekho" - Teen Deviyan (1965)

"Din Dhal Jaaye Haay Raat Na Jaaye" - Guide (1965)

"Yeh Dil Na Hota Bechara" - Jewel Thief (1967)

"Phoolon Ke Rang Se" - Prem Pujari (1970)

"Palbhar Ke Liye Koi Hamein Pyaar Kar Le" - Johnny Mera Naam (1970)

"Dil Aaj Shayar Hai" - Gambler (1971)

"Ae Maine Kasam Li" - Tere Mere Sapne (1971)

"Dum Maro Dum" - Hare Rama Hare Krishna (1971)

"Neend Chura Ke Raaton Mein" - Shareef Badmaash (1973)

"Ek Paheli Hai Tu Naar Naveli Hai Tu" - Heera Panna (1973)

"Hamara Naam Banarasi Babu" - Banarasi Babu (1973)

"Dheere Se Jaana Khatiyan mein" - Chhupa Rustam (1973)

"Kiska Rasta Dekhe" - Joshila (1973)

"Mein Aaya Hoon Leke Saaz Haathon Mein" - Amir Garib (1974)

"Ruk Jaana O Jaana Hum Se Do Baatein" - Warrant (1975)

"Jaaneman Jaaneman" - Jaaneman (1976)

"Raahi Tha Mein Awaara" - Saheb Bahadur (1977)

"Aise Na Mujhe Tum Dekho" - Darling Darling (1977)

"Nazar Lagey Na Saathiyon" - Des Pardes (1978)

"Ek Roop Kayee Naam" - Swami Dada (1982)

"Hum Kya Hain Yeh Tumne Jaan Liya" - Anand Aur Anand (1984)

10 wired tips for our Parliamentarians

2011-11-24T11:22:00.001+05:30

“Baith Jaaiye, Baith Jaaiye” is the most frequent word the Loksabha speaker Madam Meira Kumar utters since she has taken over the post. Previously Mr. Purno Sangama, whom I regard very high as a speaker, used to shout “Pleess Pleess” more frequently. I have never seen a speaker since or after or even before Mr. Sangama who has an effect on our naughty school boyish parliamentarians. He used to even scold and show the importance of being MP whenever it was needed. Where Madam Meira Kumar seems to be helpless the Leftie old war horse Somnath Chatterjee was neither as powerful as Sangma was or nor as helpless as Madam Meira Kumar. But he used to get emotional and that helped him few times I believe.

These days our learned opposition members are opposing P.Chidambaram’s very presence in the house. Logically or even if you are staunch fan of the opposition party, you probably won’t like to support this move. He is yet to be charged in 2G scam, though there are suspicions on him raised by good old Dr. Subramaniam Swamy. But on that basis just to gain political points, one should not allow to disrupt the parliament. As far as I know parliament and Assemblies and Municipal Councils are the only places where the “problems” of people must be discussed. No matter what ever the minister or a person in the ruling bench is, one must give time to address the people’s problem and not the petty political issues. Those can be gained when you organize rallies or yatras and during election speeches or go to courts directly to get rid of your problems or doubts. Parliament must always function. That’s my honest belief. I am sure plenty of us share the same feeling, but those who run the parliament never cared, either they are in opposition or in ruling party.


Meira Kumar,, current speaker of Loksabha

It is not that current opposition is doing this for the first time in the history of parliament, those who are in treasury benches today used to do the same when they were in opposition and we have witnessed that also. There is a right to oppose in democracy. Like many other rights this right should also be used with plenty of thought. Like freedom of speech should not be used to abuse someone, freedom to oppose should not be used in such a way that entire administration fails to function. But then almost all the parties across the nation finding it difficult to get new ways to oppose. They always feel that there are no other way to show your opposition then start shouting slogans and coming in to the well of the house and try to attract the attention of people as well as speaker.

I have given a long thought on this and found out some very innovative ways to oppose in Loksabha or in Assembly. So that our opposition parties across India can use it. They may not be attractive or fruitful to begin with but slowly if they use them frequently, they may get success. So let’s have a look on it.

1. Walk out: This is tried and tested formula by our opposition. When congress used to have huge and comfortable strengths in parliament or in state assemblies, and when opposition was also innocent and humble enough then today, used to just walk out of the house. Better to leave the place where you are not heard rather than try the futile exercise of shouting and being heard. If half of the house is empty even treasury benches will feel bore and will come to you and plea to come back, like many of the husbands do when their wives go to her maika , “roothna manana you know”.

2. Men (and women) in BLACK: Wearing black arm bands is another historically proven way of showing your dissent. At least you get noticed that you are opposing something. If that doesn’t make you happy or you feel you get unnoticed by just wearing black arm band, then why not wearing all cloths in black colour? Yes why not? Black Kurta, Black Dhoti, Black topi, Black saree…just imagine how entire half of Loksabha looks in black? There will be certain questions from treasury regarding this and you will immediately get noticed. Once that’s done you can tell them the reason of your opposition and threat them to wear them till your demands are not met.

3. Gandhiji ke teen Bandar: Today it is not like in 50s, 60s, 70s or 80s that opposition has small numbers. Except in few assemblies every where we can have large number of opposition members. They can be divided in to 3 parts. One will put their palms on their lips, other section on their eyes and remaining one on their ears. Probably the best way to show your opposition. Certainly you can show your plight that “this government has totally lost it and not allowing the opposition (means the people of India yaar, samjha karo) to speak, see or hear”. Gandhiji must have foreseen the problem of Indian opposition in this century, way back in early last century, then only he “liked” (no Facebook on those days dudes!!) these three bandars.

4. Show your back: Another great idea sirjee. The government people would love to see your dull faces when they reject your demands. Since you are not going to shout or march to the well of the house, why not seating backwards? Yes the first raw to last one every one just turn 180 degrees and show their back to great Pranab’das and Chidambarams. The opposition can certainly take part in the debates while doing this. Just they need to care about is “to sit back and enjoy”. What will happen then is that government people will feel uncomfortable, because it is scientifically proven that eye to eye contact conveys the message better then “back to eye” or vise versa. Who knows they may surrender to your demands too. Imagine Pranab’da and Manmohansinghjee calling Advanijee and Yashwantsinha “aji sunte ho?” when they face their backs? They will definitely put their arms down and ready to discuss.

5. Stand Up: Well I am not sure whether this idea will be liked, because many of our Netas must already have “knee replacements”, not because they always give “kneejerk” reactions, but because of their age. The idea is to stand for entire session of parliament without shouting and still participating in debates. I know the current speaker’s favorite lines are “baith jaaiye baith jaaiye” so opposition people may need her prior nod. If they get it, then nothing like it. The only problem is that government people may think, by mistake that entire opposition is giving them “standing ovation”. So opposition must convey through the speaker, that they are infact not giving them standing ovation but they are showing novel idea to oppose.

6. Munnabhai Estyle: The so called “Gandhigiri” advised by Munnabhai can also be tried. Every opposition member should bring equal number of bouquets for every member of government side MPs. Yes they can also attach a card of “Get Well Soon” if they are really “sick” of them. They can bring new bouquets every hour passed by and thus there will be plenty of bouquets on treasury benches and by lunchtime the ministers may not be able to see through feel uncomfortable and may agree to discuss on which the opposition is adamant. The side effect of this will be the entire Parliament will have some nice fragrance and room fresheners will be unused for that day. That will save plenty of money to exchequer too, isn’t it? Just one thing to keep in mind that they should not do this on 14^th of February if the session is “on” on that day.

7. “Anna-Giri”: Not Azha-giri, off course because we want you guys to speak also, when allowed to. Anna Hazare in recent days has done two great things. One is fasting and other is “maun vrat”. Maun Vrat can be observed with above given ideas. So what remained is fasting. I know very less Netas will be queuing up for this but still I request them to read this fully. There are two options. Either fast till session is on. I mean for whatever days the session lasts they can fast. Try not to do this during Budget session, because I heard that is long and comes in two parts. The other idea is to have fast per day. Means, they can fast when at 11 am session starts and break it when it ends in the evening. I feel that is the smartest way to do isn’t it? The effect of this will be the rates of already cheap food of Parliament canteen will go further down because of lack of takers. So government people will start asking and may ask opposition people to withdraw their fast so they can stop loss to parliament accounts.

8. Filmy dialogues: Daily discussion in Hindi, English, Tamil or any other language may be boring some times. Ministers are always ready to answer. But if opposition people want to tease them they can give a twist to show their opposition by asking questions in Filmi dialogues. For example they can ask “Kitne aadmi they?” to know the exact number of people involved in 2G, CWG and other scams. Or they can ask Sharad Pawar “Aaj Raja ke paas itne crore hai, Kanni ke paas itne crore hai, Kalmadi ke paas itne crore hai, tumhar paas kya hai hain?”. Sharadbhau may get confused and feel outta answer, but being seasoned politician he may calmly reply like Shashi Kapoor replied originally, “Mere paas sirf 12 crore hain” . The opposition may use this idea for their inside benefit too. Recently we have seen Advanijee in tears for many times. Arun Jaitley can easy say “Babu Moshai, I hate tears”.


Navjotsingh Sidhu (MP-Amritsar)

9. Unleash Sidhu: It is said that, if nothing works, then “Brahmastra” works. When you have Navjotsingh Sidhu in your batting line up, oops, in your party, you better use him, but carefully. Because if used early he may backfire and if used late…then may backfire too. You just tell Sidhu to start speaking; he can do that for entire Budget session without stopping, even when Budget session has few days of break in between. That may help the speaker. She has to handle only one person, though we are sure that even then it is not easy. The government people will get tired by half hour and may get ready to discuss what opposition wants. Then the onus will be on opposition to stop Sidhu and let him know that our demands are accepted. But as I said he is your “Brahmastra” so must be used judiciously.

10. Shot the gun: Nope, I am not advocating any violence here. What I want that somehow, opposition should manage to bring their own Shatrughan Sinha to both houses and let him just say “Abey Khamosh!” and that may do the trick. The entire treasury will go silent and will allow the opposition to put their case easily. Again this option should only be used when above 9 doesn’t work.

Hope our leaders will be happy to read this, if they ever read such stuffs. They have plenty of options to oppose now. They can even moderate or edit on this after doing some research. I do not hold any copyright on this. My only point is that all the lawmakers must complete their stipulated days of work. People are worried about the money goes wasted when there is disruption. But that money was going to be used in any case whether parliament runs or not. Plus we have spend plenty of money on those large scale industry of scams, hence if few more goes down the drain, its fine...our hearts are large may be our pockets are not. But only thing is that the huge number of pending bills must be entertained and discussed faster. We need rule of law to remain checked. We get our salaries cut if we do not go to office just to attend our ill brothers and sisters at the hospitals. You do not have such an emergency. If there is any is that how you can make our living standards high and for that you need to discuss and pass laws.

Thanks for reading…..

Dessert Storm!!

Once Loksabha speaker Mr. Balram Jhakhar asked the then MP and bollywood icon, Mr. Amitabh Bachchan to seat down twice, when he was already sitting. Mr. Jhakhar later realized that Mr. Bachan is so tall that he is actually seems to have been standing. Later he (Mr. Bachchan) used the same situation in different way in his movie “Sharaabi”, when he asked Mukri to seat down.

-Not confirmed, but heard somewhere.

1996 : Eden Gardens

2011-11-19T10:58:00.001+05:30

Yes we all were exited. It was all set for a gripping semi final of a world cup. World Cup was at home after almost nine years and we were playing really well against all but the one against whom we were going to play that day. Yes Sri Lanka had beaten us convincingly in the round robin match at Delhi, the only match they played outside Sri Lanka before this and the all important final. For me it was really exciting times for sure. I was just 9 when we won World Cup and there were very hazy memories (even today) about that win, so this was my first time as a big boy to celebrate the best possible chance to win the ultimate event.

All I was praying was that India should win the toss. Because if we win the toss we will bat first and anything above 200 should serve us well. The history was also favoring my thinking. In past “Hero Cup” semi final and final were played on the same venue and small scores were easily defended. In the semifinal India could defend even a score just under 200, not easily though but with the help of “Tendulkar’s last magic over”. He left Proteas clueless and they couldn’t score even 4 runs required to win in the last over. (Probably the first incident of their now very famous” chocking”) In the finals India again won the toss and batted first and made decent score and in response, West Indies was just made to surrender. Anil Kumble took one of the best figures of 6 for 10. So what I want to assert here is that in those days Eden pitches was of the nature that it would break in pieces once the first innings is over. So win the toss and win the match was the foregone conclusion. If any one of you still remember, during first IPL pitch was like that way only. Though KKR beat DC while chasing a very paltry score even in the T20 match but not before making a fight.

But shocking surprise came when we all saw toss and Azhar chose to bowl first. I still remembered I was so shocked as if the Indians have just lost the match. But how could I feel differently when I remember those two incidence mentioned in last para clearly? It should have been a “cakewalk” for a team once they win the toss at Eden. But as if things were there to prove me wrong, we saw two most devastating openers history has even saw got out in the first over itself! Both Jaysuriya and Kaluwithrana got out at scores of 1 and 0 respectively. I thought hey, its not that bad decision. Azhar must have done it with lots of thinking. But then another wicket and enters Aravinda de Silva and since then they never looked like losing the match. It was one of the best counter attacks at least I have seen. But then too, 251 was still chasable in minds. As it was very natural and common then that if Sachin is there, there is always a hope. Wickets were tumbling at other end and he was keeping on batting. Once spinners started to operate, the faces in well learned drawing room started to feel the heat. Literary ball was turning square. Puffs of dust were seen like minefield. Readers can correct me that Jayasuriya got Sanjay Manjarekar, bowled around is legs. I have never seen Jayasuriya before and after that match turning the ball that much. In the end Tendulkar too succumbed and the crowed at Eden also followed the same. Few people were seen leaving the ground but few not only stayed there but also started to bother the fielders on the boundary lines by throwing stuffs, primarily water bottles, on them. Few of them even caught showing their middle fingers to Indian players on camera. I have never seen such an abuse to our team before and thank god after. Referee Clive Lloyd intervened and declared Sri Lanka winner by default. Everything was going through our eyes but this decision made me livid for sure. I even uttered that had this match played in Colombo would Lloyd awarded the match to India even when India were all but gone?

If this was not enough each one of us saw the not out batsman Vinod Kambli crying when the match was awarded to Sri Lanka. Few machos in my living room under the effect of shock and shame called him “non man”. But few like me, who lives with their emotions, showed some sympathy to him and even pity him. But those tears were probably real and not the one he poured a night before. In this media age everything is sellable. Even your smile, laugh, sneeze and your tears. The things he has said to support his claim can’t stand anywhere, forget court of law. It seems he is out to target Azhar and probably the other two guys who were banned by the BCCI later on match fixing allegations. If you look at the score card, only Sachin, Manjarekar and Kambli himself along with Mr. Ex has got into the double figure. Just because the tainted trio has gone out for ducks and a single respectively, Kambli and the channel might have thought that they got enough masala to raise the TRP to the roof top. The same channel is known for throwing unethical, unsupportive and selfish allegations in past for which I too also is a sufferer, but that I will talk at an appropriate time. The pair might have thought that they will get support of other media houses for this and can run this on and on for months to come. It’s good to see Azhar came out in public immediately and rubbished the claim. I always feel for Azhar. He was suspended by BCCI based on Chandracur committee report but then that’s all! Azhar has filed a case against BCCI in courts but nothing by BCCI. Till Butt, Asif and Aamer went to jail, all those apart from Cronje played or still playing the game but not Azhar. Be it Shane Warne, be it Mark Waugh, Boje or Gibbs. As he (Azhar) rightly said last night on one news channel that it’s easy to blame Azhar when fixing things are talked about. Because the case in the court is not going at a faster pace, he can still be favorite punching bag for years to come now.

Even if I have to believe Kambli that, that match was fixed, I would rather say that possible reason could be not to play in Pakistan for the finals. Those days relations between India and Pakistan were tense then even now. Though they are always like this but still it were certainly very tense. You could see how first Aamir Sohail reacted to Venkatesh Prasad when he hit him for a boundary and then Prasad himself reacting to Sohail when he got him out next ball in the match just before this most talked about one. Not only that a night before that match Imran Khan also on one live discussion said Pakistan will win easily because they were “always” the better side then India. Even Salim Malik said that we are better than Indians, hence we will win hands down. So if the match at all was “fixed” then must be by top brass of BCCI taking Indian team in faith and keeping Lankans in dark, obviously. But then the question comes that the venue of the final was decided long back. Probably in 1994 when Imran Khan and Late Madhavrao Scindia made joint effort in ICC to bring the world cup event back in sub continent. So this argument also doesn’t stand.

All in all this looks like another TRP event. If Kambli was so sure he would have said this even a year or so later. But then youth was with him and he must be expecting to play more for India and doesn’t want to put his place in trouble. But then if he was so selfless and worried about corruption in cricket, he would have became instant hero by exposing then and there only. Azhar has said many things in his defense in last two days are enough to understand what Vinod Kambli is all about, because we have seen him helping another TRP raising event in “Sach Ka Saamna” few years back.

Dessert Storm!!!

“I thought I gave the match to Indians in platter, I told him (Azhar) to bat first if he wins the toss”

- Eden Gardens’ curator, few days after the semi final.

This Ra.One has G.One

2011-11-02T11:30:00.000+05:30

The “Dream Projects” in Indian movies often have been disastrous in past. With due respect to Late Raj Kapoor, Shailendrajee and Guru Dutt and their dream projects, later turned into “master pieces” , were not up to the mark at the box office. “Mera Naam Joker”, “Teesri Kasam” and “Kagaz ke Phool” were not less the disasters at theaters during those times. Off course makers especially creative makers put on dream projects to fulfill their internal wishes. Means those things which they have not done yet and doing it for their own satisfaction. Raj Kapoor was almost bankrupt after “Mera Naam Joker” so was Guru Dutt after “Kagaz Ke Phool”. Shailendrajee died soon after “Teesri Kasam” didn’t replied with desired results. I am sure my memory is serving me right in all three cases I have mentioned above. When I was on my way to watch another dream project of today’s Badshah all these cases mentioned above, plus the articles and reviews by different film pundits were going through my mind. Although I was just obliging my six years old son, who wanted to see this movie at any cost, I too was not less exited to watch it. Mind you never been a SRK fan, in fact, never liked his antics on and off the screen. Yes I have always admired him as good actor with charming persona.

After going through those reviews by movie pundits on different websites and super pundits on different social networking sites, first 10-15 minutes of the movie, certainly gave me thought of “Gayee Bhens Paani Mein”. It all started with “Is ki Lee” “Us ki Lee” “Sab ki Lee”. It was then followed by Condom-Condom, Bhai ka bhocha, Tere baap ka poda. I told myself, “Oh god, SRK is at it again!!” That blog “An open letter to SRK” [http://thebigdowg.wordpress.com/2011/10/31/an-open-letter-to-srk/] was right there in my mind too. They “key” sequence was also looked like “typical SRKish”. But suddenly things started to change when visual effects started to happen. Things were getting interesting for me. The way Ra.One was starting behave the way he wanted to as per rule of the game. Especially the way Aakaashi was feeling the pinch by Ra.One every time he tests the game.

Anyways, most of us have seen the movie and know the story, so no further boring talks on that. Let me explain what helped me in having different opinion then most of the pundits who are hell bent on claiming that Ra.One is no different than those three movies I mentioned above, calculating amount of disaster about Ra.One, despite being not a fan of SRK? The first thing helped me is that I have not given any comics in my childhood days. For me the only Super Hero was Hanuman. I had no knowledge about Batman or Superman or Spiderman, till I was in 5^th or 6^th standard. Thanks to Doordarshan, who used to air Spiderman every Sunday noon when I was a kid. Apart from that I never watched a single Superman movie till now. Only watched Batman in mid 80s on neighbors’ VCR and got an idea about what Batman is all about. Oh ya, not watching ROBOT also helped a lot while watching Ra.One.

Not watching English movies also helped me in this cause. Yea very seldom I watch English movies. Like my father I am fan of only Bond Movies, hence no Terminator for me. Had I watched those movies I would have certainly joined the bandwagon. I always like good Hindi cinema and forget the bad one, once I leave the theater. That’s always been a case for me. That certainly helped. Being big fan of Amitabh Bachchan, I never tried to compare any other actor. Because for me AB is God and no one can come close to him, hence rests are equal. So I was like clean slate when I watched Ra.One last evening.

So, when I saw Ra.One getting in to real life for the first time, the kid in me came to life. I really enjoyed the sequence. I am least concerned about VFX, SFX because I am totally non technical person. But I loved the way G.One jumped around and fight the goondas and then the Ra.One himself. I loved the way he goes through two trains and then run over the train to save lives of people. I was just spell bound when I saw V.T. Station started to come down as pack of cards. It really amazed me when Ra.One was dismantled in small pieces and later all came to gather and he became one again. Why I am saying this?

Because in all the reviews which are trying to ridicule the movie are trying to establish few technical things to common man. The problem with our pundits are as I said, have seen foreign flicks and thus they feel that this movie has inferior technology. We always have this mentality to admire foreign flicks and ridicule Indian efforts. We don’t mind a bus jumps to safety, where there is no way it can with so much big gap on under construction bridge in Speed, but we laugh at “The Burning Train” calling it “The Turning Brain”. But for people like me who have not watched certain things regularly can really enjoy these stuffs. There is also a gallery, who has already decided way back to get the movie down at any cost. I agree with most of them regarding SRK and his antics, but at the same time you should go case to case, if you like to call yourself a movie buff. For me Ra.One has rocked! Yes the movie has plenty of flaws. Plenty of things should have been avoided. Few I have mentioned above plus, there was no need of Satish Shah. Good actor has been wasted. No need of that Gay checking at the London air port . But that’s one should expect such things in SRK movie. G.One putting his palm on Kareena’s breast while saving her should also have been avoided, but again, that’s SRK for you. While making fun of SRK we often forget that we have seen “Jahapanah tussi great ho” with pants down and we have seen towel been pushed in an out between the legs before and enjoyed them too.

People has also criticized the movie by saying that, this super hero is interested in saving one family only and not the entire human race as they show in Hollywood. Well then I must say they have not seen the movie properly and were busy in finding flaws only. My dear friends, the story says that it all started when Lucifer left the game in midway defeating Ra.One in the 2^nd round of the game, hence Ra.One wanted to kill Lucifer only. It’s because Lucifer needed someone like Ra.One as he himself was weak enough to save his own life, enters G.One. If all the pundits have stayed till the end of the movie, they would have noticed that G.One has already has come back. The main aim was conquered, Ra.One is dead, hence now G.One can think of surviving entire human race!!

The overall feel for me is “Paisa Wasool”. For that only people go to watch movie and I am no different. Those dream projects I have mentioned in start of this blog, have primarily sad stories. Mind you “Mera Naam Joker” is one of my all time favorites. Yes you can have dream of making such movies, but you are offering your dream to public in general, I feel SRK proved a bit taller and smarter than those three dream projects. He has chosen the subject very well. Things which can attract people. Good Look, ummm good enough “story”, good music, good songs, special effects. That’s it. To be very frank, you need “balls” to make such an expensive movie and come out with conviction. I have never seen technology been used with such an effect before in hindi movies. As I said V.T. Station falling down was pack of punch by this movie for me and ya burning Ravan behind Ra.One was no less spectacular.

If at all SRK wants to make Ra.Two, as a fan of Ra.One, I would advise him to keep those cheap things at bay. Indian viewer is very much matured now. Give him what he wants; he will make you a super hero by any means. If at all SRK is going to make Ra.Two, I am looking forward to watch it from today itself.

Oh ya and stars? I would give 3.5 out of 5.

Dessert Storm!!

“Har saal hazar log cigarette peena chhor dete hain”

“Warning padh kar?”

“Nahi mar kar”

- One of the dialogues in “Ra.One”

અશોક કુમાર

2011-10-20T12:26:00.000+05:30

ઘણા વખત પહેલા એક જાહેરાત ની ટેગ લાઈન હતી "સિર્ફ નામ હી કાફી હૈ", અશોક કુમાર માટે પણ આમજ કહી શકાય. હમણાં ૧૩મી તારીખેજ એમનો ૧૦૦ મો જન્મદિવસ ગયો. આપણા સદનસીબે એ સો વરસ પહેલા જન્મ્યા અને આપણા કમનસીબે એમનાજ નાના ભાઈ અને આપણા બધા નાં લાડીલા કિશોર'દા એ વરસો પહેલા આજ દિવસ પસંદ કર્યો એમની આખરી વિદાય માટે. તે દિવસ થી જ્યાં સુધી અશોક કુમાર જીવ્યા ત્યાં સુધી એમણે પોતાનો જન્મ દિવસ ન ઉજવ્યો. જો એક પણ દિવસ નો ફેર હોત તો મારા જેવા એ બન્ને "લેજેન્ડ્સ" નાં ચાહક માટે સારૂ થાત. કારણ કે જો કિશોર'દા નાં જવાનો શોક મનાવું તો અશોક કુમાર ને અન્યાય થાય અને જો અશોક કુમાર નો જન્મ દિવસ મનાવું તો કિશોર કુમાર નો અનાદર થાય. ખૈર જીંદગી રોકાતી નથી એટલે આપણે પણ એડજેસ્ટમેંટ કરવુજ રહ્યું.

અશોક કુમાર ને ઘણા લોકો "દાદા મૂની" કહે છે, પણ એ ખોટ્ટો ઉચ્ચાર છે. બંગાળી માં "દાદા મોની" એટલે કે દાદાઓ (મોટા ભાઈ) નાં દાદા એમ થાય, એટલે કે ગુજરાતી માં આપણે "દાદા મણી" એમ કહી શકીએ. ગમ્મે તે હોય પણ મારા માટે અશોક કુમાર કાયમ એક ઠંડા પવન જેવા હતાં. બસ એમની હાજરી માત્ર મારા મન ને શાંતિ દેવા માટે પૂરતી છે. કોઈ પણ રોલ હોય એને તેઓ બખૂબી નીભાવી શકતા હતાં . આપણને એમ લાગેજ નહી કે આ અશોક કુમાર છે, બસ આપણ ને એમજ લાગે કે આ પાત્ર સાચુકલું બોલી રહ્યું છે, ચાલી રહ્યું છે.

પાછું ટીનએજ માં મને એવું જેલસ પણ ફિલ થતું એમના માટે કે "યાર આમની ઉમર તો જો અને યંગ હીરો લોકો ની હિરોઈનો લઇ જાય છે" . તમે જોવો તો દાદા એ એવા ઘણા રોલ કર્યા છે જેમાં એમની કોઈ પત્ની હોય અને એનો પાછો કોઈ પાસ્ટ હોય અને મજબૂરી માં એને અશોક કુમાર સાથે લગન કરવા પડ્યા હોય. સુનીલ દત્ત, માલા સિન્હા સાથે નું 'ગુમરાહ' છે, કે પછી મીના કુમારી, પ્રદીપ કુમાર સાથે નું 'ભીગી રાત' હોય કે પછી શર્મિલા ટાગોર અને ધર્મેન્દ્ર સાથે નું 'એક મેહેલ હો સપનો કા' હોય, અશોક કુમાર ને જલસા જ જલસા હતાં.

એવું મજાક માં કેહવાય છે કે અશોક કુમાર, એ.કે.હંગલ અને ઓમ પ્રકાશ જન્મ્યા ત્યાર થીજ વૃદ્ધ હતાં. આ મજાક ની વાત છે, પણ હકીકત માં આ લોકો નો મેચ્યોર અભિનય કોઈ પણ સીન કે આખ્ખે આખી ફિલમ ને તારી દેવા માટે પૂરતો હતો. જોકે અશોક કુમાર સાથે બાકી નાં બેય ની અભિનય ની દ્રષ્ટિ એ સરખામણી ન થાય કારણ કે અશોક કુમાર એ અશોક કુમાર હતાં.

મેં જોયેલી અને મને ગમતી અશોક કુમાર ની ફિલ્મો છે : 'ખૂબસૂરત', 'શૌકીન', 'વિક્ટોરિયા નં ૨૦૩', 'ચલતી કા નામ ગાડી' , 'છોટી સી બાત' અને બીજી ઘણી બધી. પણ આ બધી ફિલ્મો માં જો કોઈ ફિલ્મ શિરમોર હોય તો એ છે 'જ્વેલ થીફ' .. આ હા હા હા શું જલસા કરાવ્યા છે દાદા મણી એ ?? એક તો વિલન પણ એમાં પાછા સસ્પેન્સ હતાં (હા નાનપણ માં જયારે આવી કોઈ સસ્પેન્સ ફિલ્મ આવી હોય ત્યારે અમે બધા છોકરાઓ એક બીજા ને સ્કૂલ માં કે બીજે બધે પૂછતાં કે "સસ્પેન્સ" એટલે કે ખૂની કે ચોર કોણ છે એ ન કેતો મારે હજી પિચ્ચર જોવાનું બાકી છે "). પિક્ચર ની શરૂઆત માં પોતાની "બેન" ને ન્યાય અપાવવા મથતો એક મજબૂર ભાઈ અને પછી જયારે પડદો ઉઠી જાય છે એટલે રોલા પાડતા વિલ્લન. ખરેખર એ રોલ કોઈ બીજા એ કર્યો હોતને તો એ પિક્ચર માં મજા જ ન આવત. મને આ પિક્ચર નો એક સીન બહુ ગમે છે. અશોક કુમાર વિલન છે એ ખબર પડી ગયા પછી એમના ગૂંડા ભાઈઓ ની એક મિટિંગ હોય છે, આ મિટિંગ પછી જયારે અશોક કુમાર જયારે સિગાર સળગાવવા (એ જમાના માં મોટો માણસ હમેશા સિગાર પીતો, બીડી એ સિગારેટ પીવે તો નાના પિતાશ્રી નો થઇ જાતો) લાઈટર શોધતા હોય છે , ત્યારે અશોક કુમાર નો એક 'ચમચો', પોતાનું લાઈટર ધરે છે ત્યારે દાદા મણી ગુસ્સા સાથે (બીજા શબ્દો માં રોફ સાથે) એને કે છે, "અપના કામ કરો!!" અને એની એ ઓફર સ્વીકારતા નથી. એમના એ એક્સપ્રેસન ઉપર તો સમરકંદ બુખારા કુરબાન. મતલબ એ કે તોળી તોળી ને સરખા વજન સાથે કેમ અભિનય કરવો અને એ મતલબ નો ડાઈલોગ કેમ બોલવો એ કોઈ નાનીસુની વાત નથી. જો તમે આ અશોક કુમાર જોયા હોય અને 'ખૂબસૂરત' નાં અશોક કુમાર જોયા હોય તો તમને એમના અભિનય ની રેંજ ની ખબર પડી જશે.

ખૂબસૂરત માં પત્ની થી દબાયેલા એક વૃદ્ધ પતિ નો તેમનો અભિનય લાજવાબ હતો. દીના પાઠક પણ કોઈ વાઘણ થી કમ નોતાં લગતા આ પિક્ચર માં. ભલભલો પુરુષ ગભરાઈ જાય. પણ આ ગભરાવા નો ખરો અભિનય કરવો એ બહુ મોટી વાત છે. જયારે જમીન પર ન ચંપલ નાં નિશાન એમના ચંપલ સાથે મેચ થાય છે અને જે એમના એક્સપ્રેસન છે, સાહેબ, ભલભલો અભિનેતા ચક્કર ખાઈ જાય. એજ પિક્ચર માં છેલ્લે જયારે એમનો ગુસ્સો દીનાબેન ઉપર ફૂટી પડે છે એ અભિનય પણ ઓછો યાદગાર નથી. વળી પાછું એમણે એક ગીત પણ ગાયું છે , લ્યો મમળાવો ..

કર્નલ નગેન્દ્રનાથ જુલિયસ વિલ્ફ્રેડ સિંઘ નું નામ સાંભળ્યું છે? નહી? લે કર વાત. જપટ થી 'છોટી સી બાત' જોઈ નાખો. આત્મવિશ્વાસ ગુમાવી બેઠેલા અમોલ પાલેકર નો આત્મવિશ્વાસ જે રીતના એ પાછો મેળવી આપે છે એ ખરેખર જોવા લાયક છે. એમાં પણ જે રીતે એ 'ચીકન અલાફૂસ' બોલે છે એ તો ફક્ત દાદા મણી જ બોલી શકે એટલું મજાનું છે. 'ચલતી કા નામ ગાડી' માં પણ એમનો એક સીન છે જે મને બહુ પસંદ છે "મન્નુ, ઝમાના બહોત ખરાબ હૈ, તુજે નહી પતા" તરતજ અનૂપ કુમાર એને રીપીટ કરે છે, "મન્નુ, ઝમાના બહોત ખરાબ હૈ, તુજે નહી પતા" ફટ દઈ ને અશોક કુમાર શાંતિ થી બોલે છે અનૂપ કુમાર ને, "તુજે પતા હૈ?'. જે બ્બાત . શું ટાઈમિંગ છે બાપુ નું ? આજ ની ફિલ્મો ને જોઈએ છીએ ત્યારે ખરેખર અફસોસ થાય છે કે અમુક કલાકારો જો આજે આવ્યા હોત તો ખરેખર પિકચરો ની રોનક કંઈક ઓર હોત.

એવું નથી કે એકજ પ્રકાર ની કોમેડી એમણે કરી છે. 'વિક્ટોરિયા નં ૨૦૩' અને શૌકીન માં ઠર્કી બુડ્ઢાઓ નાં રોલ કોણ ભૂલી શકે? વિક્ટોરિયા માં દરેક આવતી જતી છોકરીયો ને "પતા હૈ મેં આપ કે ઘર કામ કરતા થા ?" બોલી બોલી ને પટાવવા ની ટ્રાય કરતા રાજા ને જોવો એ બહુ મોટો જલસો છે. પ્રાણસાબ સાથે એમની જોડી એવી જામી એ પિચ્ચર માં છે કે તમે કન્વીન્સ થઇ જાઓ કે બન્ને 'એક દુજે કે લિયે' જ છે. શૌકીન માં પણ દારૂ અને સિગારેટ પીવા ની મનાઈ હોવા છતાં "સોરી ડોક્ટર ભાસ્કર" બોલતા બોલતા બન્ને વસ્તુઓ નો લહાવો લેતા અને ચશ્માં બદલી બદલી ને છોકરીયો ને બારી માંથી જોતા કે પછી રતી અગ્નિહોત્રી નો "ચાન્સ" લેવાનો ટ્રાઈ કરતા અશોક કુમાર ને જોવા એ એક માઈન્ડબ્લોવિંગ અનુભવ છે. એમાય પાછા એ.કે.હંગલ અને ઉત્પલ દત્ત જોડાય એટલે પૂછવુંજ શું?

મને ખબર છે કે મેં દાદા મણી નાં હળવા રોલ વિષે જ વાત કરી છે. પણ જીંદગી માં કેટલા દુખો છે? જો આવો કોઈ મહાનાયક આપણને સરળતા થી હસાવી શકતો હોય તો કેમ નહી એનીજ વાતો કરીએ? હજી ઘણું બધું યાદ આવે છે.. એમના ખુબ જુના પિકચરો વત્તા 'ખટ્ટા મીઠા' વત્તા ઘણું બધું, પણ એ બધું ફરી ક્યારેક. અત્યારે રજા લેવાનો સમય આવી ગયો છે.

આવજો !

ફાફડા-જલેબી :

અશોક કુમારે પોતે ગાયેલું એક મધુર ગીત આજે 'ફાફડા - જલેબી' માં. ના ના રેલગાડી નથી, જરા જોવો તો ખરા..

Mera No. 1

2011-07-28T10:36:00.000+05:30

“Cricket is game of glorious uncertainties”

“You can’t say over, till it’s over”

“You are not a winner till the last ball is been bowled”.

We have heard above phrases time and again by various TV commentators. But they them selves seem to have forgotten this, especially from English side. India lost a test match and it seems heaven has fall down and people have already tagged England No.1 side of the test playing nations. I am simply amazed and utterly surprised by the former English players’ statements since Lord’s test was over. There was no second thought that India lost the test match and lost it very badly. But series has just started. You want to be number one; you are most welcome, if you deserve to be. But you can’t be No. 1 on beating a No. 1 side in one match.

As per ICC, England need to have clear gap of two wins at the end of the series to be No.1. This is just one win and three more tests are to go. How can you start speaking like this on the first place after just one test? We have seen in past that Indians are always slow starters during foreign tours. This may not be any different series. If we do not go far, just look at last series between these two countries in England, India just hung on to a draw in first test and then went on to win the Nottingham test and then won the series. But English Ex Cricketers, who actually should be more cautious then fans, are writing off Indians just on performance of first test, as if Englishmen are playing against Bangladesh or Zimbabwe. The first test performance was poor and it should be condemned. But one should not ignore the fact that it went on till last session, had few of Indian batsmen stuck to their tasks and avoid being against their natural batting style or not playing bad shots, this could have been an easy draw. I am not saying because I am an Indian, but this has happened in past, against New Zealand, when Gautam Gambhir played for eight hours or so and made a draw possible. Remember, India won the series there too, so this can be a repeat of it.

But English greats and two African greats are thinking otherwise. Geoffrey Boycott who always been an admirer of Indians and a biggest critic of English team, as suddenly changed sides , sensing his team has greater chance to be No.1 this time, he has already written an obituary for India. He said that, “this is beginning of India’s end and

England

will be No. 1”. I wonder, how come a former test player like Boycott, who has seen more ups and downs of the game then any one else and who was also part of a team which beat Australia after getting follow on, can say like this? Yes one can understand if India is 0-2 down, but based on first test results? It’s shocking.

Another legendary cricketer and all time great all rounder, Ian Botham has gone even one step forward. He said, “We are now un officially No.1”. Again the same question, after only one test? If that is the case then why this test series has to be four match series and not one off? One of the best fast bowlers of all time, Allan Donald also joined Sir Botham and said, “England deserved to be No. 1”. Why? Because your country

South Africa

doesn’t deserve it to be? What is your parameters Donald sir to call some team No 1? I can sense only one parameter; it should be a non Indian / sub continental team. Another shocker came from Nasser Hussain. When he is in commentary box of an Indian TV channel, he is so nice, even questions third umpire’s decision to give not out Kevin Pietersen because of lack of “strong evidence”. But when Times of India interviewed him, he says, “M.S.Dhoni’s team doesn’t value their No.1 rank”. Oh my god!! If they do not value then how come they are still No. 1 and not lost a series for almost two years now? And how will Englishmen value it? By keeping it at Lord’s museum and not allowing any one to touch it?

The same English people and media always criticized Aussies and Indians not being sporting enough, over appealing, faking injuries. But what about English coach, Zimbabwean, Andy Flower barring Monty Panesar from giving net practice to Sachin Tendulkar? So when some one else is on top, you expect them to be sporting, but when you are nearing on the top spot, you can be unsporting. Applause!!

I have never seen even Australian media and their ex cricketers in recent past, talking like this. Even during that Sydney test incident, most of the Australian journalists and cricketers took side of Indians rather then Australians. Then why this time the past English players are so much over boarded and giving interviews like this? Reason, what I can see is very simple. This is first time may be in history despite being starters of the game, if not in history then since the incorporation of ICC rankings, England has best chance to become No. 1. England never won a world cup of cricket, despite being founder of it. They have been at finals for many times but always been on the losing side. Boycott, Botham both were on loosing side when

England

were in a World Cup finals in past. They only have one big trophy in their show case and that is T20 world cup. But we all know how much a T20 championship trophy values against ICC Cricket World Cup trophy or a No. 1 spot in a test match. So this is their desperation which is showing up. They want to be at top at any cost. Hence they are feeling that by doing this, they will demoralize Indian team and buck up their home side. There is nothing wrong in losing No.1 position, if India is to after the series. But then there should be some calmness. Be No.1 no one is stopping you but first make hard work of it.

It is good if we say less about Indian media and ex cricketers. They make our team hero to zero on one performance. But after seeing this, they should take leaf out of English cricketers’ book and start reporting positive about our team and rally behind them. Stop giving undue importance to those ex English cricketers who can’t say at least one good thing about our team. We are still No.1 and chances of England taking over are still less. India needs to win at least a test to crash English dreams. Criticize you team on their bad performances, but do not overdo it. I know our players watch/read neither English nor Indian media, but this may change their way of thinking and start watching Indian media, at least.

We the fans know that we got a very cool captain. We have always seen in recent past that Indians are nervous starters on a foreign tour. Not only that against South Africa at home too, they lost first tests twice and able to come back. Yes, we have some injuries to worry about, but the cool captain at helm with world’s strongest batting line up, and with our support till the series is decided, we can still win a test or two from here. Let the Englishmen do what they are known for, but before this series is decided there is no need to panic. We must be behind our team and cheer them up. We know we can’t go and play for them, it’s them who are going to play and win series for us.

Dessert Storm!!!

“It's totally different to playing Australia. There's a genuine hatred between the English and the Australians. “

Kevin Pietersen suggests playing India is not as intense as the Ashes (Source: Cricinfo)

Cricket 2000*

2011-07-19T12:25:00.000+05:30

BLOG - 9

So, at this point of time we can safely say that cricket itself is on “Nervous One Thousand Nine Hundred Nineties”. If the Lord’s test is washed out with out a ball being bowled can we say that “nervous what ever has struck”??

None of us would like that to happen, because its not only the 2000^th test but also 100^th test between England and India. Though for me, battle between these two nations are less attractive these days then it'’s between India and Pakistan or India and Australia or the Ashes. If any thing what I believe is true then the hype created by both English and Indian media before this test is enough evidence.

What ever the hype may be but test cricket has really come of age. It is said that this format is under sever and consistent threat from the shortest version of the game. But at the same time if you see any cricketer interviewed by a TV channel or newspaper scribe confirms that he always love to play test cricket then the rest of the two formats of the game. Though in last one decade or more then a decade, especially after ‘Steve Waugh brand of cricket’ has emerged, tests have produced more results then draws. More interesting and fighting draws rather then dull ones.

Fans have almost forgotten that draw is also a result or an option which can give you satisfaction. The recent controversy about Dhoni, not taking chance to chase at Dominica is the best example of it. It wasn’t like this in past. As I said draw was also a result and an option. Sometimes it was also taken as a victory or defeat in disguise or a moral boosting result or having a psychological edge for remainder of the series. Teams like India, Sri Lanka or Pakistan, when they were not counted as “force”, could sigh a relief once they earn a draw, especially outside their home. Those were the days when batsmen like Gavaskar and Boycott could play for entire two days without any problem just to gain draw.

But things have changed. West Indies was once unbeatable side, but I don’t saw them encouraging others also to go for victory first and then go for a draw. But as I have mentioned it was Australia who attracted others like India, Pakistan, South Africa or even Sri Lanka to wear a “killing instinct”. It took a bit of time to poach the Kangaroos and their theory of ‘mantle disintegration’. But once India started the same against them at the start of the century slowly Aussies lost their position.

Days are gone now that only one team will lead the pack. It’s all about rankings now. Every captain, whether he agrees with the ranking system or not, tries hard to improve his side’s rank. The gap between first four is not that hard to gauge. Two bad series or good ones can change their fortunes dramatically. Plus the captain of the current No.1 team is not as ruthless as his past counterparts were. But at the same time we must admit that he is smart. He knows how to play with rankings and remain at the top for the longer period of time.

Future of the test cricket is not that bad as people are painting it. ICC is trying hard to have a day night test matches. Personally it is not my favorite subject. Because if a dull phase in a particular test match is going on, where a team is playing for a draw rather then winning it, will make the game look more dull in night atmosphere. But if it is successful then nothing like it.

Being from old school, I always prefer to see a test match rather then other two versions of the game. So this special occasion is really special for me, in fact a very tempting one. As an Indian I would love to see India winning this, but if we have an exiting test match and not a dull draw, then it will be an icing on the cake.

Dessert Storm

Haroon Lorgat, the ICC chief executive, has suggested that the final of the inaugural World Test Championship, which will be held in England in 2013, could be a 'timeless' Test.

આપણે ખલનાયકો

2011-04-14T10:48:00.000+05:30

"બ્લો-૯"

કેવી મજા પડે છે હે ને ? રોજે રોજ લોકો ને મારી નાખવાની ? તોફાનો કરવા ની ? હિંસા આચરવાની ? અરે જલસો પડી જાય છે હે કે નઈ? અરે આપણે જ નહિ આપણી પોલીસ પણ આખ્ખો દિવસ "ફેક એનકાઉંટર" કરવા માંજ મસ્ત છે. કદાચ એટલેજ ૬ કરોડ ગુજરાતીઓ ને એમના ભાઈબંધુઓ ને રોજે રોજ મારવા માટે છુટ્ટો દોર મળી ગયો છે. ગુજરાત માં આ રોજે રોજ ની હિંસા થી પ.પુ.ધ.ધુ. શ્રી.શ્રી.શ્રી.૧૦૦૮ દિગ્વિજય સિંહજી નું હૃદય દ્રવી ઉઠ્યું છે. જો કે આ દ્રવી ઊઠવા ની પ્રથમ ઘટના નથી પણ લગભગ દર મહીને, કોક વાર પંદર દિવસે પણ આવા હુમલા આ પુણ્ય પવિત્ર આત્મા ને આવતા હોય છે.

જોકે આ વખત ન હુમલા થી આપણ ને કોકે આગોતરી જાણ કરીજ દીધી હતી પણ આ જાણકારી આવવા ને હજી બે દિ' જ માંડ થયા હતા ને ત્યાં આ હુમલો થઇ ગયો. હશે કાળ ને કોણ રોકી શક્યું છે? જે થવાનું હતું તે થઇ ને જ રહ્યું. પણ જે ન થવું જોઈએ તે પણ થયું. ૧૦ મી એપ્રિલે ભારત નાં "instant હીરો" અન્ના હજારે એ ગુજરાત અને બિહાર નાં મુખ્યમંત્રીઓ નાં વિકાસ કર્યો નાં વખાણ કર્યા, એટલુજ નહિ, બીજા મુખ્યમંત્રીઓ એ પણ આ બન્ને ને અનુસરવું જોઈએ એવી સલાહ પણ આપી દીધી. આપણા મુખ્યમંત્રી જે મલીંગા નાં યોર્કર ને પણ સિક્સર મારી શકે છે તે, આ ફૂલટોસ ને જવા દે? તરત એમણે હઝારે ને "ખુલ્લો પત્ર" લખી દીધો અને એમણે ચેતવી દીધા કે "ભાઈ સાહેબ તમે હવે ફસાઈ ગયા છો. જો જો એક ગુજરાત વિરોધી ટોળકી હવે તમને નહિ છોડે". થયું એવુજ. જે લોકો અન્ના ને સાથે એમના ઉપવાસ માં સહભાગી હતાં તરતજ બોલી ઉઠ્યા કે , "ઉભા રહો, ચિંતા નાં કરો, અમે અન્ના ને સમજાવીશું." એમાં એક ગુજરાતી બેન પણ હતાં અને એક મરાઠી બેન પણ ખરાજ, જેનાથી માંડ માંડ ગુજરાતે છુટકારો મેળવ્યો chhe અને નર્મદા નાં નીર પામ્યું છે ."

આ ઉપરાંત બીજા ઘણા ગુજરાત વિરોધી તત્વો પણ જોડાયા એમણે અન્ના ને શું સમજાવ્યા કે અન્ના ને બીજે જ દિવસે "ખુલાસો" કરવો પડ્યો, કે "મારી વાત ફક્ત વિકાસ પુરતી જ હતી". હવે આમાં શું મીર માર્યો? અમેય એમજ સમજ્યા હતાં અન્ના, વધુ કઈ કેહવા ની જરૂર જ નહતી. પણ જે ટૂંકી બુદ્ધિ નાં અને આ દેશ નાં નાગરિકો ને પણ ઠેમની જેવાજ ટૂંકી બુદ્ધિ નાં સમજનારા તમારી આસપાસ રહે છે તેઓ એ એવું સમજ્યા કે ક્યાંક મુસ્લિમો એવું ન સમજી બેસે કે અન્ના એ ૨૦૦૨ નાં તોફાનો નાં વખાણ કરી લીધા. કોંગ્રેસ નાં પ્રવક્તા એ તો આવું કીધું પણ ખરૂ બોલો!! કે, "મોદી નાં વખાણ એટલે ૨૦૦૨ નાં તોફાનો નાં વખાણ"!! અલ્વી સાહેબ એનો મતલબ એમજ ને કે કોંગ્રેસ નાં વખાણ એટલે ૧૯૮૪ માં 'શીખ વિરોધી' તોફાનો નાં વખાણ? કોને મૂરખા બનાવો છો સાહેબ? પ્રજા માં સાક્ષરતા સાથે બુદ્ધિ પણ વધી જ છે"

દુઃખ અમુક બાબતો નું થાય છે. ૧) અન્ના નાં ઉપવાસ માં મુસ્લિમો પણ હશે, હતાજ, શું આ એમનું અપમાન નથી? એ લોકો ભ્રષ્ટાચાર મુક્ત ભારત નથી ઈચ્છતા? એલોકો માં બુદ્ધિ નથી કે વખાણ કઈ બાબત નાં થઇ રહ્યા છે એ સમજી શકે? તમને કોને અધિકાર આપ્યો કે તમે એમને દરેક વસ્તુ જે મોદી ને લાગૂ પડે છે એ એમને ફોડ પડી ને સમજાવો? એમને એમની રીતે સમજવા દ્યો. ૨) વારે અને તેહવારે ૨૦૦૨ નાં તોફાનો ની વાત કરી ને ગુજરાત ને ઉતારી પાડવા પ્રથા હજી ૯ વર્ષ પછી પણ ચાલી રહી છે. આ સમગ્ર ગુજરાતી પ્રજા નું અપમાન છે, કારણ કે ગુજરાતીઓ એ પણ એ તોફાન બર્દાશ્ત કર્યું છે, ચાહે હિંદુ હોય કે મુસલમાન. અમને નાં સમજાવો અમારા માટે શું સારૂ છે ને શું ખરાબ. ૩) આ એ ન્યાય તંત્ર નું પણ અપમાન છે જેના ચુકાદા પેહલાજ કોઈ ને દોષિત ઠેરવી દેવાયા છે. ૪) આ સમગ્ર ગુજરાતી મતદાતા નું અપમાન છે જેણે ખોબલે ખોબલે મત આપણી ને આ મુખ્યમંત્રી ને વારંવાર ચૂંટ્યા છે. તમે અમને પસંદ નથી અને માટે અમે તમને ચૂંટતા નથી, એટલે અમે કોમવાદી? ૫) સહુ થી મોટી વાત, અન્ના નો ખુલાસો કદાચ એ વાત સાફ કરે છે કે અન્ના પર બીજા લોકો નો કાબૂ છે. કદાચ અન્ના એક છુપી પ્રક્રિયા નું મોહરું તો નથી ને? જો એવું છે તો સમગ્ર ભારત માટે એ ચિંતા ની વાત છે.

તોફાનો થયા જો એ હકીકત છે, તો વિકાસ થયો છે એ પણ હકીકત છે. ભ્રષ્ટાચાર કદાચ મુખ્યમંત્રી નહિ કરતા હોય, પણ તેમના મંત્રીઓ અને બાબુઓ કરતાજ હશે. પણ બે જુદી જુદી વાતો ને મિક્સ શું કરવા કરો છો? તમને શું એ વાત નથી ગમતી કે ગુજરાત ૨૦૦૨ નાં દર્દ ને ભૂલી ને આગળ વધી ગયું છે? શુકામ અમને અમારા દર્દો યાદ દેવડાવો છો?

હવે તો ગુજરાત માં જલ્દી થી લોકાયુક્ત ની નિમણૂક થાય એટલે ગંગા નાહ્યા!!

"ફાફડા-જલેબી"

"જે રાજ્ય માં નિર્દોષ નાગરિકો ની હત્યાઓ થતી હોય અને બનાવતી એનકાઉંટરો થતા હોય તેના મુખ્યપ્રધાન ની પ્રશંશા કેવી રીતે કરી શકાય?"

- દિગ્વિજય સિંહ (ગુજરાત સમાચાર ૧૪-૪-૧૧)

I am not convinced

2011-04-12T11:02:00.000+05:30

Four days of fasting and a government which is coloured in corruption from tip to toe agrees to write its “death warrant”?? I am not convinced.

Mind you this is not against Anna Hazare or his intentions to erase corruption from this country. But this is to doubt the swift agreement by the government which as I said is coloured in corruption from tip to toe. How can four or five people be our representative and start taking decisions without even asking us? “Lokpal” may be good for us, if it really is, then nothing like it, but how many of us, including yours truly are educated regarding it? Whatever Anna, Kejriwal, Agnivesh, Bedi or “Bhushans” decided good for us is binding to us? Who allowed them to do so?

Don’t you think that the road these people have taken is rather simple then a hard one should have been taken by first educating people about corruption and its (side) effects? How many of us have stopped bribing the traffic hawaldar when we broke some traffic rule and decided to pay the penalty in court instead, since this fast started? If these five-six people, now, after this “success” think that they got the “pulse” of India then why don’t they prepare us to stop bribing these hawaldars, clarkes and agents and be ready for the consequences? May be its hard and long rout to fight corruption, but at the same time, I think is the best way to fight this devil and wipe it off forever. If you can’t wipe it off at the bottom, you can’t at the top, because from Babus to Bosses every one has his or her “share”.

Right now if you see its like “lull after the storm has passed”. Anna & Co., busy in press conferences and Government is busy in it’s routine. Don’t we think gap should be taken to educate and make the common man fight against these grass route corruption? Yes, but sorry they are busy.

I am more concerned with few people are or will be part of this process. First and foremost is Swami Agnivesh. He is known supporter of Maoists in India and has often played a mediator to free hostages captured by Maoists. He may have done plenty of great things, but supporting Anti nationals is biggest crime then corruption, at least for me. There is another lady who is known for her anti Gujarat tirades, can also take disadvantage to fulfil her wishes.

On the other side of the panel our law minister and home minister are also been named in few scams in past. Allowing them in panel certainly raises doubts about government’s intentions and Anna & Cos’ inability to track the past of certain ministers. Baba Ramdev, who till now was seen as lone fighter against corruption has been sidelined and he has already shown his displeasure for a father-son duo in the panel. Is this also a movement of hijacking limelight from one to another? As they say any thing happen in India.

Last but not the least, the role of “Electronic Media”. It was put to the sword just couple or three months back on the same issue. Many faces had to hide then are comparing shows on this issue now. In this age this can be seen as hogging the limelight too. Continuous live coverage can put enough pressure on government, so was this a plan of that sort too? News Channels suddenly stopped their on going program(if there was any then Hazare’s fasting at that time), when ever Anna joust even touched the mike, or he slept or sit or change the posture vise versa.

I know few who will read this can term me a person who is for the corruption , but that certainly is not the case. I am just using my right to express. I too want this country corruption free but when such things happen at speed of light, confuses me, puts doubts in my mind. I have always believed in looking at both sides of a coin and then make a go ahead.

Dessert Storm!!!

“I invite Anna Hazare to Gujarat to see the amount of corruption created by our CM and his Government”

- - Arjun Modhwadia, leader of opposition, Gujarat (9^th April, 2011)

“Other CMs should learn from the CMs of Bihar and Gujarat on how to develop state to the grass route level”

- - Anna Hazare (10^th April, 2011)

Review this instead

2011-03-09T09:40:00.000+05:30

D-7

It’s matter of just 2.5 meters. May not be huge or not having any importance in our day to day life but it can be a huge between having two points or ending up with one instead at the end of an all important world cup game. Or having lesser threatening opponent rather then a strong one during quarter finals. But who cares? Certainly not the ICC. Like few parental sporting bodies, ICC too thinks what they decide is final and will go smoothly when implementing it.

“UDRS” or in other words “Umpire’s Decision Review System” is certainly looks like a farce after famous Kevin Pietersen dismissal and Punter’s out burst and then two latest incidents of Ian Bell and Elton Chigumbura. It was first used during Sri Lanka Vs India series in 2007-08. Indians were over smarted by their Lankan counterparts in that series when it came to using it properly and since then BCCI and Indian players particularly Sachin Tendulkar and Mahedrasingh Dhoni are against it. Now these two as we know are the biggest names you can ever encounter within current Indian cricket structure. Sachin as usual remained silent in public against this but must have conveyed strong opposition to the BCCI. Dhoni on the other hand has been very vocal against this. His funda is simple. “If you do not have full proof system, better not to use it.” He has even given example of a life jacket during India’s tour of South Africa, when Indians chose not to use UDRS for which Protease were very keen. He said, “You can’t wear expensive life saving jacket which doesn’t have guarantee to save your life and jump into deep sea.”

There is a support for this too. Especially from those who don’t have an apatite for BCCI’s might in world cricket. There is Tony Greig, the known biased critic of Indian cricket and cricketers and who was also part of commentary team of that disastrous tour of 2007-08 to Sri Lanka when UDRS was used for the first time, always takes a dig against BCCI, when ever a mistake by an on field umpire been undone with the help of UDRS. Time and again since the introduction of this, when ever India has travelled abroad and refused to co operate on this issue with home board, mostly the home captains and biased critics like Greig comes out in open and bash BCCI for not accepting or supporting the technology, when it’s available. They even don’t forget to point out the need of it when Indians suffer from certain decision by a human error by on field umpires. But why a human error should not be a part of the game? No body lives or wants to live in a perfect world!! Why should we have a technology with plenty of loopholes just for the sake of having it?

Let’s go through some examples in recent time. The first loophole came in public when in an Ashes test, Kevin Pietersen was ruled not out by on field umpire Aleem Dar. Upon requesting the review, the first replay showed there was a definite nick but the most trusted tool for this system, “The Hotspot” didn’t show any thing on KP’s bat! The decision was upheld by the third umpire and KP got reprieve. Punter had heated discussion with Dar, which was destined to be futile. So this is the first impression we got that its not full proof, as Dhoni has suggested. Hotspot was meant to get near perfect decision, but here it didn’t worked and third umpire also gone with rulebook and didn’t used his common sense by going through original replays carefully which suggested there was a nick and there was no day light between the ball and the bat. If hotspot doesn’t work then what else will?

The bombshell dropped just last Sunday when Ian Bell was not given out in the most thrilling match of this world cup. It was question of 2.5 meters. The rule says that you are not out if the difference between impact and stumps is more then 2.5 meters. That precisely what happened in Ian Bell’s case, on field umpire Billy Bowden gave him not out because Bell was way too forward and had enough doubt whether it will hit the stumps or not. Ok, agreed. Same thing but with different result happened in Ahmedabad on Friday with Elton Chigumbura, when on filed umpire Marais Erasmus gave him out despite Elton was dancing down the pitch and difference between impact and stumps here was also more then 2.5 meters . This time on field umpire thought it would go on and hit the stumps and same third umpire, Rod Tucker, who was doing the same duty in Bangalore, again left the decision to the on field umpire and Erasmus stood with his original decision and gave Chigumbura out.

The simple question here is, “Why we use technology?” The answer would be, “to reduce the errors”. “Did these two examples helped in reducing the errors?” The answer certainly is “No”. If it’s not helping then why to stick with it and not only sticking but even pushing for it? For me 2.5 meters difference can certainly put a doubt in on filed umpire’s mind, because he is human and can’t be sure, but when its referred to the technology, the hawkeye, and its giving you the correct decision that despite the travel would be more then 2.5 meters, its gonna crashing into the stumps, I don’t know what stops third umpire from using their head and give the batsman out? The thing stops umpires is the ICC rule book, which suggests that if the difference is more then 2.5 meters as per “Hawkeye”, it can’t be given out!! So in other words you are using the technology to amend the mistakes but at the end of it you are running away from amending it. “Sigh!! “

The other debating point here is why can’t the game have human errors? Yes some decisions struck at very wrong time, but certainly not every time. The fiasco at Sydney few years back has not been repeated since. The ICC statistics them selves reveal that decisions made by on field umpires, years to years have precision of more then 95 to 98 percent. Does that mean ICC itself doesn’t believe in its own stats? Yes we all like to have correct decision all time to make game perfect, but as I said who lives in a perfect world any way?

But In the process of making things perfect you can’t force an imperfect system which raises more problems. ICC could have used this in English and/or Australian domestic circuit where they have broadcast of almost all the matches and then after filling the loopholes they could have installed it into big stage. This process would have taken few years but who was in a hurry apart from the ICC? It’s sure that India, with plenty of doubts already and now after these two dubious decisions within span of four days will not be lured by ICC in next year or so any how, so why not we review this entire system instead?

Dessert Storm

“There should not be adulteration of technology with human thinking”

- M.S.Dhoni at a press conference after tied ODI between India and England at Bengaluru.

સાચું બોલવાની સજા

2011-01-26T12:20:00.000+05:30

દિ- ૬

ગઈ કાલે રાત્રે ટાઈમ્સ નાઉ ઉપર કાળા નાણાં વિષે ની ચર્ચા જામી હતી. અલબત અર્નબ ગોસ્વામી એમની આદત મુજબ પેનલ ના લોકો ને બોલવા ની બદલે પોતે વધુ બોલી રહ્યા હતા, ત્યારેજ નીચે ની પટ્ટી માં એક બ્રેકીંગ ન્યૂઝ આવ્યા કે દેવબંદ નાં નવા નીમાયેલા વડા વસ્તાનવી સાહેબે રાજીનામું આપી દીધું છે. ખર્વો રૂપિયા નું કાળું નાણું જો ભારત માં પાછું આવી જાય તો કેવે જલસા પડી જાય એવા સપના જોતા જોતા અચાનક, જાણે કે ગોળપાપડી માં કાંકરો આવી ગયો હોય એવું મોઢું થઇ ગયું. ફરી પાછી ગુજરાત વિષે કોઈ સાચું બોલ્યું અને એને સજા મળી ગઈ.

વસ્તાનવી સાહેબ કદાચ મુસ્લિમ બનવા ને બદલે ગુજરાતી બની ગયા અને લોકો ની આખોં માં ખૂંચવા લાગ્યા. કદાચ મીડિયા અને અમુક તમુક રાજકીય પક્ષો ની ગુજરાત પરત્વે ની દ્વેષ ભાવના એ વસ્તાનવી સાહેબ જે ગુજરાત માંથી પહેલા એવા મુસ્લિમ હતા જે દેવબંદ નાં વડા નિમાયા હતા એમનો ભોગ લીધો. ગુજરાત નાં મુસ્લિમો વારંવાર પોતા નો મતાધિકાર વાપરી વાપરી ને જે ધીમા અવાજે બોલી રહ્યા છે એ વસ્તાનવી સાહેબે જાહેર માં કઈ દીધું અને છદ્મ સેક્યૂલરો ને તે નાં ગમ્યું. પોતની દસ દસ વર્ષ ની ગુજરાત ને નીચું દેખાડવા ની મેહનત કોઈ એક મિનીટ માં ધોઈ નાખે એ કેવી રીતે બને ભલા? અને એ પણ પાછો એક મુસ્લિમ અને દેવબંદ જેવી મુસ્લિમો ની ઉચ્ચ સંસ્થા નાં વડા તરીકે બોલે? હદ થઇ ગઈ ભાઈ.

વસ્તાનવી સાહેબે શું ખોટું કહ્યું હતું? તેમના મુજબ , તોફાનો માટે કોઈ ને પણ માફ ન કરી શકાય પણ તોફાનો પછી ગુજરાત નો જે વિકાસ થયો છે એના મીઠા ફળ તમામ લોકો ને તેમના ધર્મ નાં વાડા તોડી ને મળ્યા છે. પણ છેલ્લા ૧૦-૧૦ વરસ થી ગુજરાત વિરુદ્ધ જે ઝેર ઓકાયૂ છે એને કારણે ગુજરાત ની બહાર ના ઘણા મુસલમાનો ને હજી એવું લાગે છે કે ગુજરાત નો મુસલમાન હજી ડરી ડરી ને રહે છે. હું મારો પોતાનો અનુભવ કહું. હું પોતે ઓરકુટ નામ ની સોસ્યલ નેટવરકીગ સાઈટ ઉપર એક્ટીવ રહું છું, એમાં ભારત ની કોમ્યૂનીટી માં વાઈબ્રંટ ગુજરાત ની સમિટ ના સમયે એક ટોપિક માં એક મુસ્લિમ ભાઈ એ ગુજરાત માં આવી રહેલા મૂડી રોકાણ ની ચર્ચા કરવા ને બદલે એવી વાત ઉપાડી કે આ ગુજરાત ને ભારત માંથી કાપી ને બહાર ફેકી દેવું જોઈએ કારણ કે ગુજરાત ના લોકો એ મુસલમાનો ને મારી ને બહુ પાપ કર્યા એટલે જો એને ભારત ની બહાર ફેકી દઈએ એટલે શાંતિ. હું બે ઘડી હબક ખાઈ ગયો. ગુજરાત વિરુદ્ધ આટલું બધું ઝેર? કોણ જવાબદાર? અલબત્ત "ધર્મનિરપેક્ષ" મિડિયા અને રાજકીય પક્ષો. ગુજરાત ને ખરાબ ચીતરવા માં એમણે કશું બાકી નથી રાખ્યું. ગુજરાત ની બહાર ના મુસલમાનો ના મન માં એટલું ઝેર ભરી દીધું છે આલોકો એ કે ગુજરાત ને હવે લોકો ભારત નો ભાગ ગણવા માં પણ શરમ સમજે છે. પણ તે લોકો એ નથી સમજતા કે ગુજરાત ભારત નોજ ભાગ છે અને ફક્ત ૨૦૦૨ ના હુલ્લડો ને કારણે ગુજરાત ના સીધા સાદા લોકો ને શું કરવા હેરાન કરો છો? વસ્તાનવી સાહેબે એક વાર નહિ પણ ઘણી વાર પોતે કરેલા ઉચ્ચારણો વિષે સફાઈ આપી. એમના વિરુદ્ધ જામિયા ના વિદ્યાર્થીઓ એ હડતાલ પાડી, વસ્તાનવી સાહેબે જરોર નહોતી તો પણ માફી માંગી લીધી, પણ વિદ્યાર્થીઓ ને એમના રાજીનામાં સિવાય કાઈ ઓછું ખપતું નહોતું અને એ એમણે લઇ લીધું. જામા મસ્જીદ ના શાહી ઈમામે પણ વસ્તાનવી સાહેબ ને ધમકાવી નાખ્યા કે તમે આવો કંઈજ કેમ શકો? ભલા આજ દિન સુધી જે ખોટી વાતો અખબારો માં આલોકો છપાવતા હતા અને ટી.વી માં "બાઇટ્સ" આપતા હતા એના થી સાવ વિરુદ્ધ જો કોઈ વાત કરે તો માણસ બગડેજ ને?

સમય પાકી ગયો છે કે જે વાત વસ્તાનવી સાહેબે અમસ્તીજ ઉપાડી છે, એને ગુજરાત ના મુસ્લિમો ગાઈ વગાડી ને કહે. જે વસ્તુ મુસ્લિમો એ હમણાજ થયેલી પંચાયતો ની ચૂંટણી માં ખાનગી માં કરી છે એજ વાત હવે જાહેર માં કહે. ગુજરાત ના રસ્તાઓ કદાચ દેશ ના સહુથી સુંદર રસ્તાઓ માના એક છે, શું આ રસ્તાઓ મુસલમાનો ના ગામડાઓ કે તેમના મહોલ્લા ઓ ને અડી ને નથી જતા? શું મુસલમાનો ને BRTS ના આવવા થી કોઈ ફરક નથી પડ્યો? શું નર્મદા ના નીર મુસલમાનો ના ઘર ના નળો માં આવતા પહેલા રોકાઈ જાય છે? શું મુસલમાનો ને ગુજરાત માં ઈદ, મોહર્રમ વગેરે ઉજવવા પર પ્રતિબંધ છે? શું ગુજરાત ની દરેક મસ્જીદો બંધ કરી દેવા માં આવી છે? શું ગુજરાત ના મુસ્લિમ યુવકો ને ગુજરાત માં નોકરી આપવા પર મનાઈ છે? શું ગુજરાત સરકાર ના તમામ ઉત્સવો માં ભાગ લેવા મુસ્લિમો મોટી સંખ્યા માં નથી આવતા? કાંકરિયા કાર્નિવલ માં એક પણ મુસલમાન નહોતો જેણે રંગબેરંગી આતશ બાજી ન માણી હોય?

જો ઉપર ના બધાજ સવાલો નો જવાબ "ના" હોય તો એનો મતલબ એ છે કે ગુજરાત નો મુસલમાન દેશ ના બીજા કોઈ પણ વિસ્તાર માં રેહતા કોઈ પણ બીજા મુસલમાન ની જેમજ તેની રોજીંદી ઝીંદગી જીવી રહ્યો છે. એક ગુજરાતી તરીકે હું છાતી ઠોકી ને કઈ શકું કે કદાચ ભારત ના અન્ય કોઈ રાજ્યો કરતા ગુજરાત નો મુસલમાન વધુ સુખી છે. પણ હવે અંદરોઅંદર આ વાત કરવા નો વખત જતો રહ્યો છે, ગુજરાત ના મુસલમાનો જે બીજા કોઈ પણ ધર્મ ન વ્યક્તિ ની જેમ ગુજરાત ના વિકાસ માં કદમ થી કદમ મેળવી રહ્યો છે, એ મિડિયા ના આવા બકવાસ ની સામે પડે અને ડર્યા વગર સાફ સાફ જણાવી દે કે "ભાઈ, માફ કરો, આગે જાઓ".

અફ્ફ્કોર્સ ૨૦૦૨ ના હુલ્લડો ના દોષી ને આકરા માં આકરી સજા થવીજ જોઈએ. ગુજરાત નો કોઈ પણ હિંદુ આવી કોઈ પણ સજા ને બે હાથ થી વધાવી લેશે એમાં કોઈ શંકા ને સ્થાન નથી. કારણ કે જો મુસલમાનો ની દુકાનો બંધ રહી હતી તો હિંદુઓ ના ધંધા પણ બંધજ હતા. જો મુસલમાનો મર્યા હતા તો હિંદુઓ પણ મર્યા હતા. બસ હવે બહુ થયું. '૮૪ ના હુલ્લડો પછી જો દિલ્લી ને બદનામ ન કરતુ હોય, મેરઠ નાં તોફાનો પછી જો ઉત્તર પ્રદેશ ને બદનામ નાં કરાતું હોય અને જો ભાગલપુર ની હિંસા પછી બિહાર ને ગાળો નાં અપાતી હોય, તો ગુજરાત ને પણ હવે એના હાલ ઉપર છોડી ને આગળ વધવા દ્યો. અબજો રૂપિયા નું મૂડી રોકાણ થવા નાં એક પણ સમાચાર તમારે ન આપવા હોય, તો એના થી ગુજરાત ને કોઈ ફર્ક નઈ પડે, પણ દિલ્લી, યૂ.પી અને બિહાર ની જેમ ગુજરાત પણ ભારત નોજ એક હિસ્સો છે અને તેની બદનામી એ ભારત ની જ બદનામી છે.

જલેબી-ગાંઠિયા

"બની શકે છે કે ભારત માં ઉદારવાદી વર્ગ નરેન્દ્ર મોદી ને નફરત કરતો હોય, પરંતુ નરેન્દ્ર મોદી દ્વારા થયેલા વિકાસ કાર્યો નો તેમની પાસે કોઈ જવાબ નથી"

- તવલીન સિંહ, લેખિકા, ની ગુજરાતમાં થયેલા વિકાસ કર્યો પરની ટ્વિટ.

Dadagiri Ends

2011-01-10T12:10:00.000+05:30

D-5

Some times you feel that it's all over, but many people still come back and make you eat your own words and humiliations. Sourav Ganguly is one that kind of a person. He was done and dusted after his first international tour itself but made heroic comeback after five years of it. He was again dumped by Dravid, Chappel, More and Co, but made one of the memorable comebacks in Indian cricket for all time. Same thing again happened, his franchise took back their support and he has been dumped in to Bay of Bengal again. Twice he came back from no where, when no one expected him to come back and this time too people have given their verdict that Sourav Ganguly had played his last match in IPL against Rajasthan Royals at his home ground last summer. Many die hard Dada supporters still feel and probably urging the god above us to allow Sourav make a grand come back again. But being a die hard fan of his once upon a time, I feel there are few factors which will not allow him this time around to make a come back. These factors are age and the speed in which these T20 games are played. You can't play like test match in ODIs and you can't play like ODIs in T20s always. Simple!

He was hardly in his 20s when he was ignored after his first international tour of Ausralia, he was still 33-34 when he was dumped by so called believers and supporters of "Looking to the future" brigade. But now he is 38.. Kind of a player who has passed his sell date long back, probably three years back now. Plus the market factor also matters here. KKR, his ex franchise now, is part of this mambo jumbo called IPL which is purely a business and profit minded organization. KKR had very bad three seasons of IPL, out of which in two, Dada was captain. First by default and then with TINA factor (There Is No Alternative). When this format is entirely made for youngsters, though there are few like Tendulkar who always are ready to break such myths, Sourav is possibly "the best misfit" person in this format. His IPL record tells us the story and they are self explanatory. Business can't be run on emotions. If it has any thing to do with emotions, then it has the least possible space, which was already used by Shah Rukh Khan, the owner of KKR for first three seasons. Else, KKR can't be the best earned franchise of all the 8 franchise for all three years despite not been qualified for the semis at least once in last three seasons.

It's not KKR or other franchise to be blamed entirely for not "purchasing" Dada, despite being the best captain India ever had before MSD. Dada him self has to take blame for it. First of all there was no need to be part of the fourth season. He enjoyed "icon" status along with likes of Tendulkar for Mumbai, Dravid for Bangalore, Yuvraj for Punjab and Sehwag for Delhi. There was contract of him with the IPL for first three seasons and it ended last year. By taking his performance both as captain and a player he should have thought again and again that there are plenty of chances that he will go unsold this time. Had he added the age factor I said above, he would have been able to convince himself more on his participation in the auction. I would be forced to say here that Anil Kumble has came out more smarter and wiser during this auction. He withdrew his name two days before the auction and set along side to Dr.Mallya and helped him choosing a "young team" for the franchise. But the mentality of "I can still play and I can still do better then what I did last time around" had stopped Dada to do the same.

Dada probably was the wisest person after Sunil Gavaskar when he announced his retirement from international cricket in 2008.i.e to retire at the right time. He even outsmarted Anil Kumble that time, when Kumble was literary pushed to the brink and had to retire from tests and helm was given to Dhoni. It was very joyful to see Dhoni giving Dada captaincy for last moments of that series, a true exit was done. By taking such decision in mind, we all thought that once the third IPL is over he will take retirement from "all kinds of cricket" and will be part of CAB, BCCI and KKR in administrating job and will serve Indian cricket in that manner. But that syndrome of "I am still young and can do better" hit him again and thus found himself humiliated during the auction two days back.

On the other hand, latest bytes from various news channels are suggesting that SRK still wants him in management, which he is echoing his CEO's words last afternoon. He even said that I can't think KKR with out Sourav. Well, to be very frank, this could have happened months back. After three bad seasons with Dada as an owner you must have thought that there is no place for him thus you can't take him as a player, hence better call him to "Mannat" and have word with him and just silent or serve his ego. But there was no signal sent even when he was not retained and now after the humiliation at the auction and chain reactions from the public in general from Kolkata and probably from parts of India are coming, he probably is feeling that he may lose the support of "home crowd" when the next season starts. The profits he made has major part of Kolkata's passion for Dada and their city. States adjacent to Bengal also has good fan base for Dada and they are as passionate as you can find in Kolkata. Hence, he has offered the "mentor ship" for Dada. Well do we all think that after earning so much from Cricket and having big family business Dada is behind such cheap money?

All in all its perfect case of another Indian sports fiasco. No one is willing to come out of ego and spoiling the image of themselves and each others as well. The day when Indian sportsmen are respected by people in general like they respect the army men, India will get more medals and trophy home. But for that sports persons too have to have lesser or no ego!!

Dessert Storm

" One should retire when people ask Why? and not when people say Why not? "

- Sunil Gavaskar, when he retired in 1987.

Top Gun

2011-01-05T14:01:00.000+05:30

D-4

Do the ghosts exist? Many people who believe in them will say yes and many those who don’t believe will say no. But if some one names a particular ghost, then those who don’t believe in ghosts will nod their heads in agreement. The ghost I am referring to is “Bofors. “ One of the Top Guns, which helped us to win the Kargil war in early years of this century. But the way it was allowed to come to India has produced few ghosts and above all the name itself is the biggest ghost of them all.

Till yesterday evening, there was no reference to this, even a common man like me have forgotten this in worry of few other scams which made this particular scam look very poor. Scams like Harshad Mehta Scam, Ketan Parekh Scam and more recently, Commonwealth games scam and 2G spectrum scam. If these scams were not enough to make us forgot the Bofors scam then it was onions were enough to make us forgot that age old scam. Though it seems raising price of onions it self is part of another scam!!

I was just 12 - 14 years old kid when this scam was first unearthed. Don’t remember who unearthed it, but it created kind of earthquake in those days. Due to the history I was taught till that day, for me Congress was the only party who is destined to rule this country since, they gave us independence. Anyways, history taught me few things and late Rajiv Gandhi’s extraordinary victory two years back was still fresh in mind and some how it made me convinced that yes what I was learned was true. I was shocked enough to know that some one is pointing a finger against my beloved central government and my most favorite prime minister. I was cursing those persons who were behind Rajiv Gandhi.

V.P. Singh, another ex-prime minister and then finance minster took stand against Rajiv Gandhi and resigned from his government. He suddenly came to my “black list”. Mr. Arun Shourie the then editor of Indian Express, used to put ten questions every day on front page of the newspaper directly asking Rajiv Gandhi to answer them. Even during the elections which congress eventually lost, I was supporting congress. Rest as they say is history.

As I gradually grew up, I started to understand, what actually the “Bofors Kaand” was and how it effected our nation in a negative way. Those who were younger then me or not even born during that time, let me tell you what actually had happened in few words.

Its crime to pay commission in defense deals in India. India ordered few numbers of Bofors Gun to Sweden based company and two middlemen called Vin Chaddha and Ottavio Quattrochchi, despite being crime in India played the middle man role in the deal and it is said that even the then Prime Minister of India got some share of it. That’s what it is all about.

Now, as it happens in India, once the scam unearthed, congress government did its best to dump it or make it lingering for long. To their luck the incumbent government of V.P.Singh didn’t last long, due to Prime Ministerial expectations of Devi Lal and Chandrashekhar in particular. They split the Janata Dal and with the support of Congress they made their own government. As one can understand, there can be understanding between these two parties and for at least four months Bofors was all but forgotten. Then congress withdrew support from Chandrashekhar government on petty issue and during the election campaign Rajiv Gandhi was assassinated. It was thought then that since he is no more, Congress will not have to worry about it. But one question was lingering in every ones mind, that commission was paid and that was a reality.

P.V.Narasimha Rao took over and as expected for five years there was nothing happening on this front and after Mr.Rao oppositions came and went into power and few took congress’ support also. So the ghost was dead and buried for many. Then in 2001 BJP, who were one of the main protesters during mid 80s, when this scam unearthed came to power with sufficient majority, every one thought now, some thing will happen in this regard, but even BJP did nothing to speed up the investigation by the CBI. This is where it sounds or feels very fishy. Because when there was a non congress government, there should have been significant progress in such big scams, but it was as if nothing will go forward. Some times I feel, is all our politicians are friends when it comes to law of land takes it course? First slow up the investigation and then use people’s weak memory and close the case.

But for congress its like a dog who has took some ones’ leg in its mouth and a person trying hard to get rid of it and not been able to do it. Its been almost 24 years now that this issue is going up. Vin Chaddha, Rajiv Gandhi, V.P. Singh are no longer living in this world. Quattrochchi is living peacefully in Argentina. But still it was nation’s money which was paid for bribe. The recent Income Tax department’s tribunal verdict does suggest that bribe has been given. That means that current and ex congress government is lying. CBI was about to file the closure report and just 24 hours before that, tribunal gave this verdict. How embarrassing it can be for the CBI. But do CBI really cares?

It’s already over burdened and always under the ruling party’s toe. If tribunal is right then CBI is wrong, if tribunal is right then Rajiv Gandhi was wrong. Why can’t the Supreme Court intervene and takes the entire issue in it’s hand, like they are doing with 2G scam. When ever congress thinks Bofors is gone, it comes back with bigger venom. If a case which has compromised with nations security, can play in hands of politicians then what will happen with few other cases which are waiting to get justice?

I know such questions are in public’s mind but what can we do and keep on watching the circus going on.

Dessert Storm

First boy: "I bought a Laptop, A bike and a Blackberry last week"

Second boy: "Wow, how lucky you are, what your father does?"

First boy: "He sells Onions!!"

"ગુજરાતીયત "

2011-01-01T13:18:00.000+05:30

દિ - ૩

મને પોતાને પણ ખબર નથી કે આનો મતલબ શું? મારા ખ્યાલ થી ઉત્તર ગુજરાત થી લઇ ને દક્ષીણ ગુજરાત, કચ્છ અને સૌરાષ્ટ્ર માં રસ્તે ચાલતા કોઈ પણ વ્યક્તિ ને આપણે પૂછશું કે ગુજરાતીયત એટલે શું? તો ત ત પ પ થઇ જાશે એની પૂરી ગેરંટી!!

બહુ દુર નહિ પણ આપણા પાડોશી રાજ્ય મહારાષ્ટ્ર માં "મી મરાઠી" નું ઘણું ઉપડ્યું છે આજ કાલ. ગુજરાતીઓ કદાચ ક્યારેય આવી કોઈ ઝુંબેશ નહિ ઉપાડે. મહા ગુજરાત નાં આંદોલન પછી જાણે કે ગુજરાતીયત ક્યાંક ચાલી ગઈ છે. હમણાં થોડા 'દિ પેહલાજ એક કિસ્સો બન્યો. હું ચા ની લારી પર ચા પીતો હતો એક માણસે બીજા ને હિન્દી માં ક્યાંક નું અડ્રેસ પૂછ્યું અને પેલા એ પાછો હિન્દી માં એનો જવાબ આપ્યો. બંને નાં ઉચ્ચાર પર થી એ સ્પષ્ટ હતું કે બંને ગુજરાતીજ હતા. એ વાત જવાદ્યો, જયારે કોઈ ટેલીકોલર કોઈ ક્રેડીટ કાર્ડ માટે કે વીમા માટે ફોન કરે છે ત્યારે પણ બેન ગુજરાતી હોવા છત્તા હિન્દી માજ પ્રશ્નો પૂછે છે, બોલો. મારે ઘણી વાર કેવું પડે બેન ગુજરાતી માં બોલો ને આપણે બેય ગુજરાતીજ છીએ.

ફિલ્મો માં ને ટી.વી સિરીયલો માં જયારે કોઈ બીજા પ્રાંત નાં લોકો ની લાગણીયો ઘવાય છે ત્યારે મારી નાખું, તોડી નાખું, ભાંગી ને ભુક્કો કરી નાખું જેવી વાતો બે મિનીટ માં ચાલૂ થઇ જાય છે પણ છેક "અ ર ર ર ર ...." નાં જમાના થી મોટે ભાગે ગુજરાતીયો ને નીચાજ દેખાડાય છે, અને આપણે પણ હસતા રહીએ છીએ. જયારે પણ ગુજરાતી ની વાત આવે એટલે "નોર્થીઝ" એવું સમજે છે કે આ લોકો આખો દિવસ ખમણ ઢોકળા જ ખાતા હશે અને એ પ્રમાણે જ સંવાદો લખાય. "તારક મેહતા કા ઉલટા ચશ્માં" આવ્યા પછી ગાંઠિયા જલેબી એ પણ સારૂ કાઠું કાઢ્યું છે. જો કે આપણા આ લેખ નાં અંતે પણ ગાંઠિયા-જલેબી જ પીરસાય છે એ જુદી વાત છે.

ચાલો આ થઇ નાની વાતો, પણ કેટલીક ન્યૂઝ ચેનલો ૨૦૦૨ થી આપણને બધા ને "કોમ્યૂનલ" ગણે છે. જાણે કે ૨૦૦૨ માં આખું ગુજરાત કામ ધંધા બંધ કરી ને તોફાનો કરવા નીકળી પડ્યું હતું અને હજી પણ લઘુમતી કોમ આપણા બધા થી ડરી ડરી ને જીવે છે. ગમ્મે ત્યારે ભડકો થશે ને ગુજરાત પાછું તોફાનો કરવા લાગી જાશે . દરેક ગુજરાતી છરી લઇ ને કે બોમ્બ લઇ ને ઘરે થી નીકળતો હશે અને જેવો કોઈ વિરુદ્ધ કોમ નો માણસ જોશે એટલે ઘચ્ચા ઘચ્ચ ચાલુ.

મૂળ મુદ્દો આ છે કે આટલું બધું થવા છત્તા કેમ કોઈ નાં પેટ નું પાણી નથી હાલતું? લોકો આપની મજાક ઉડાવે, આપણ ને ગુજ્જુ કે (પેલા મને પણ ગુજ્જુ કહી ને કોઈ બોલાવે એ નહોતું ગમતું, પણ મેં પણ હવે એની આદત પાડી દીધી છે.). મેં આગળ કીધું ઈ પ્રમાણે તો બીજા કોઈ પ્રાંત માં તો ધમાલ થઇ જાય જો એમની સાથે આવું કંઈક થાય તો. આપણે લોકો કેમ બધ્દ્ધૂ ચલાવી લઈએ છીએ? એવો કોઈ ધ્રુવ નો તારો નથી કે જેને આપણે આપણી ઓળખ તરીકે કઈ શકીએ? જેને જોઈ ને આપણ ને ગર્વ થાય કે હા બાપુ આજ છે "ગુજરાતીયત".

બહુ વિચાર્યા પછી મને થયું કે ભાઈ મારા, આજ તો છે "ગુજરાતીયત". પડતા ને પડ નાં કેવું ને મરતા ને મર નાં કેવું. હાથી ચાલ્યો જાતો હોય તો કુતરા તો ભસેજ ને ભાઈ? ખમણ ઢોકળા, જલેબી ફાફડા ભાવે છે તો કહીએ છીએ દુનિયા જખ મારે. એક બે ટી વી સિરીયલો કે ફિલ્મો માં ગુજરાતીઓ ની મસ્તી મજાક કરી લીધી એના થી શું આપણે નીચા થઇ ગયા? નાં રે નાં, એલોકો ને અવોઇડ કરી ને આપણે એમના થી પણ ઊંચા લાગીએ છીએ. ૨૦૦૨ પછી અંગ્રેજી મીડિયા ગુજરાત ની છબી બગાડે રાખે છે પણ આપણે ૮ વરસ માં વિકાસ નાં નવા શિખરો સર કરી લીધા, એલોકો હજી ત્યાં નાં ત્યાં છે, અને આપણે ક્યાં નાં ક્યાં?

"ગુજરાતીયત" એટલેજ ભળી જવું. હા પણ હજી એક ચિંતા છે, અને એ છે ગુજરાતી ભાષા ની, તેના ભવિષ્ય ની. આજે દરેક છોકરાં નાં માં બાપ, તેને અંગ્રેજી માધ્યમ માં જ ભણવા માંગે છે. ગુજરાતી ભાષા માં છેલ્લું પુસ્તક કયું વાંચ્યું એ મારી જેમ તમને પણ નહિ ખબર હોય. મારૂ પોતાનું સંતાન અંગ્રેજી માધ્યમ માં ભણે છે, કારણ કે મારે એને દુનિયા ની આંધળી દોડ માં પાછળ નથી રાખવો. હા પણ હું એટલું તો કરીજ શકું કે એ જયારે મોટો થશે ત્યારે એનો ગુજરાતી ભાષા પર નો કાબુ એટલો મજબૂત ભલે ન હોય , પણ એ ગુજરાતી લખી, બોલી શકે એટલું તો હું કરવાનોજ. આ વાંચનારા પણ એ કરે એ મારી હાર્દિક ઈચ્છા છે.

ચાલો આવજો!

ગાંઠિયા-જલેબી

"વાંચે ગુજરાત, રમે ગુજરાત ની સફળતા પછી ગુજરાત સરકાર લાવી રહી છે

પીવે ગુજરાત..ફક્ત ૩૧ મી ડીસેમ્બરેજ હો!!"

- થોડા દિવસ પહેલા આવેલો એક SMS.

Krishna-1

2010-09-01T10:09:00.001+05:30

દિ-૨

કૃષ્ણ (ભાગ-૧)

ઓલા Raymond's વાળા ભાઈ નહિ પણ જગત માં અત્યાર સુધી કોઈ complete man પેદા થયો છે તો મારા ખ્યાલ પ્રમાણે ફક્ત અને ફક્ત કૃષ્ણ જ છે. વિષ્ણુ ભગવાન ના જેટલા પણ અવતારો થયા એમાં કૃષ્ણ એ કોઈ કામ બાકી રાખ્યું નથી. હા હજી સુધી પોતાનું promise પાળ્યું નથી ઈ જુદી વાત છે. રામ ને મર્યાદા પુરુષોત્તમ કહેવાય છે, એટલે automatically એમાં મર્યાદાઓ હોયજ, પણ કૃષ્ણ ને કોઈ મર્યાદા નથી. અરે જન્મીને તરતજ જે માણસ જેલ બેલ તોડી ને પોતાના બાપુજી ને દોડાવે એને કઈ મર્યાદા નડે ભાઈ?

જન્મીને પણ પાછું સીધું નહિ રેવાનું, જાત જાત ની લીલા કરવાની. મોટા મોટા રાક્ષસો અને રાક્ષસનીઓ ને મારવા ના ને કંસ ને ટેન્શન આપે રાખવાનું. ચાલો માન્યું કે કંસ તો મામા હતા અને પોતાના મમ્મી પપ્પા ને જેલ માં પૂર્યા હતા એટલે એને હેરાન કરવો જોઈએ, પણ જે લોકો ની સાથે આપને રેહવાનું, એને પણ હેરાન કરવાના? લોકો ના ઘર ની હાંડીઓ તોડી ને માખણ ખાવાનું અને માખણ ન ભાવે તો પછી માટી ખાવાની. યશોદા માં પૂછે તો આખું બ્રહ્માંડ દેખાડવાનું. હવે સીધે સીધી માટી દેખાડે તો complete man ન કેહવાય ને પાછા?

હેરાન ખાલી રાક્ષશો, રાક્ષસ્નીઓ, ગામવાળાઓ કે પછી ઘરના ને નહિ, દેવી દેવતાઓ ને પણ થોડી સળી કરી લેવાની. નાની શી વાત માં ઈન્દ્રદેવ ને સળી કરી એટલે ઈન્દ્રદેવ ખાબક્યા હવે પોતે સળી કરી હતી એટલે ગામ લોકો ની રક્ષા પણ કરવીજ રહી ને ભાઈ? ઉપાડ્યો પર્વત અને આખા ગામ ને અંદર ઉભું કરી દીધું...

ટૂંક માં પોતે સામાન્ય માણસ નથી એ વારે વારે પૂરવાર કરતા રહ્યા. નાની ઉમરે મોટા કામ. કાળીયો સરોવર માં આરામ થી પડ્યો'તો ને ભૈસાબે નાગણીઓ પાસે ફરજીયાત "જળકમળ છાંડી જા ને બાળા" ગવડાવી નાખ્યું. કેમ? વાંક પાછો પોતાનો, આટલો જોર થી શોટ મારવા ની શી જરૂર હતી? પછી દડો સરોવર માં તો શું, સમુદ્ર માં પણ જાય ભાઈ... જે હોય તે કાલીયા ને ભગાડી ને સરોવર સ્વચ્છ કર્યું ને પર્યાવરણ પ્રત્યે તો પોતાનો ફાળો પણ આપ્યો.

તે આપેજ ને કદાચ આજ સરોવર માં ગોપીયો નહાવા પડે તો એના કપડા લઇ ને તો બોસ નેજ ઝાડ ઉપર ચડવાનું ને ભાઈ? ભાઈ નાં લક્ષણો નાનપણ થીજ દેખાતા હતા, નહિ તો ૧ લાખ થી ઉપર રાણીઓ કોને પોસાય? (હવે એમ નાં કેહતા કે તે જમાના માં સોંઘવારી હતી, પત્ની એક જ એક લાખ બરાબર હોય છે આતો એક લાખ ઓલ રેડી હતીજ હવે ગુણાકાર કરો, મારું ગણિત નાનપણ થી કાચું છે.)

ગબ્બર આ રહા હૂં મેં ...કદાચ આવુજ કહ્યું હશે જયારે અક્રૂરજી એમને ને એમના સાઈડ હીરો જેવા ભાઈ બલરામ ને લઇ ગયા મથુરા. હાથી જેવા મલ્લો ને પછાડી ને કંસ ને ભાંગી નાખ્યો, તોડી નાખ્યો. બા-બાપૂજી ને છોડાવ્યા ને નાના બાપુ ને ગાદી સોંપી હેય ને બધૂ સારૂ જેનો અંત સારો, હેને? નાં રે ભાઈ નાં...પોતાના ઘરમાં શાંતિ થઇ એટલે હવે ફઈ નાં ઘર ની ફિકર કરી ને આખું મહાભારત રચ્યું....

કૃષ્ણ ની બીજી વાતો આવતી કાલે ,,,,, ત્યાં સુધી

આવજો.

ગાંઠિયા-જલેબી

પપ્પા: "દેવકી-વસુદેવ નું આઠમું સંતાન જન્મે ત્યારે એને મારી શકાય એટલે કંસે એમને કારાવાસ આપ્યો"
પપ્પુ (આજ નો) : " એવું હતું તો એલોકો ને સાથે કેમ પૂર્યા??"

Randhan Chhath

2010-08-31T11:32:00.000+05:30

દિ-૧.

રાંધણ છઠ

આજે રાંધણ છઠ, એય ને આખાય ગુજરાત માં આજે રાંધા રાંધી ચાલૂ થાશે. કાલે બધાય રસોડાઓ માં રજા.નિશાળે જાતા છોકરા છોકરીયો ને પણ આજે ખુબ ઉત્સાહ હશે કારણ કે કાલ થી ત્રણ દિવસ ની રજા. તહેવારો નો એક અનોખો આનંદ હોય છે પણ મારા ખયાલ પ્રમાણે દરેક તેહેવારો પાછળ તેના ધાર્મિક કારણો ઉપરાંત થોડા વૈજ્ઞાનિક અને સામાજિક કારણો પણ હોય છે. હવે ગયી કાલ ની નાગપંચમી ને જ આપને એક ઉદાહરણ તરીકે લઈએ તો ક્યારેય આપને વિચાર્યું છે કે નાગપંચમી ચોમાસા માં જ કેમ આવે છે? ચોમાસામાં ખુબ વરસાદ હોય અને નાગ લોકો બહાર ના નીકળી શકે તો એલોકો નું ખાવા પીવાનું શું? આ તેહવાર ના બહાને એલોકો ને પણ લોકો દૂધ અને બીજી વસ્તુઓ ચઢાવે અને એલોકો ને એમનો ખોરાક મળી રહે. છે ને વૈજ્ઞાનિક અને સામાજિક કારણ?

હવે રાંધણ છઠ માં શું કારણ હશે? ભાઈ ઘરની મહિલા ઓ ૩૬૫ દિવસ રસોઈ કરતા રેતા હોય અને કોઈ દિવસ આરામ ના મળતો હોય તો શીતળા સાતમ ના બહાને આગલે દિવસે ભરપૂર રસોઈ કરી ને બીજે દિવસે ખુબ આરામ કરી લે એના સિવાય બીજો આશય શું હોઈ શકે? જુના જમાના માં આટલી બધી હોટલો કે ફાસ્ટ ફૂડીયા સેન્ટરો નહોતા કે મહિલા ઓ ને દર રવિવારે સાંજે રજા મળે, એટલે વરસ ના આ વચલે દિવસે આ બહાને રજા મળી જાય.

હા આજ ના જમાના માં ઠંડુ ખાવું એવાત ઘણા લોકો ને હજમ નથી થતી. લોકો પોતાની તબિયત પ્રત્યે વધુ સજાગ બન્યા છે, જોકે રોગો પણ એટલાજ વધ્યા છે, એટલે ૧૨-૧૩ કલ્લાક પહેલા રાંધેલી રસોઈ ખાવી પડે એ વાત કોઈ ને પસંદ નથી પડતી, અથવા તો ઓછી ગમે છે, પણ તેહવાર ની જે મૂળ ભાવના છે એને જો આપને સમજીએ તો કદાચ આવી નક્કામી ભાવનાઓ તેલ લેવા જઈ શકે છે. આમેય કઈ હોટેલ માં તમે check કર્યું કે જે પનીર ભુરજી તમે ખાઈ રહ્યા છો ઈ આજની નહિ ને કાલ સાંજે બનાવેલી છે ભલા?

ટૂંક માં તહેવાર ને તેહવાર ની જેમ ઉજવીએ અને લાંબી લપ્પન છપ્પન માં ના પડીએ તો એનો નિર્મળ આનંદ જળવાઈ રહે છે. મને ખબર છે હમણાજ ગયેલા રક્ષાબંધન ને દિવસે ઘણા માનેલા ભાઈયો પોતાની ના માનેલી બેહનો થી દૂર ભાગ્યા હશે. આ પ્રકાર નો નિર્મળ આનંદ કોઈ ને નથી પરવડતો. પરંતું જે તહેવાર માં ધાર્મિક અને વૈજ્ઞાનિક કારણો મજબૂત હોય તેને તેના મૂળ સ્વરૂપે ઉજવવવા માં કશો વાંધો ના હોઈ શકે.

મિત્રો, મારો આ બ્લોગ્ગિંગ નો પ્રથમ પ્રયાસ છે, હું રોજ કંઈક ને કંઈક વિષય લઈને તમને બધ્ધાં ને બોર કરવા માંગું છું. મોટા ભાગના લોકો જે આ વાંચી રહ્યા છે એ, કાતો મારા સગા વહાલા છે, અથવા તો મારા સોશિયલ નેટ વર્કિંગ ના મિત્રો છે, જે કદાચ બહૂ સારૂ બહૂ સારૂ એમ કેહ્શે કારણ કે મેં કોઈ દિવસ એ લોકો નું કાઈ બગડ્યું નથી, પરંતૂ, જો તેઓ પોતાના સાચા વિચારો રજુ કરશે તો મને આનંદ થશે.

આવજો.

ગાંઠિયા-જલેબી

નાગપંચમી ઉપર એક જુનો joke :

" અરે વાહ પપ્પુ, આજે તો તારી મમ્મી એ મંગાવ્યા વગર આખ્ખો વાટકો ભરી ને દૂધ મોકલ્યું?"
પપ્પુ:"હા કાકા, આજે નાગપંચમી છે ને એટલે!!!"