Swati’s Diary

Stop Passing the Buck!

2012-05-24T17:11:00.011+05:30

24th May, 2012

Petrol price hike

IPL controversy

Juhu rave party

Rajat Gupta scandal

Reebok fraud

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The list of infamous scams, scandals and controversies grows bigger and fatter with each passing day.

No sooner does the hype around one controversy dies down than another one is raked up.

Flipping through the newspaper is hardly ever a pleasant read… I really don’t remember the last time I read something pleasant and uplifting in the newspaper…

The Reebok fraud is being speculated as the second biggest corporate scam after Satyam.

Top notch Indian industrialists have expressed support for former Goldman Sachs Director Rajat Gupta who has been charged with insider trading.

Soon after the alleged rave party in Juhu was busted, the over 60-year old Bombay Prohibition Act has been invoked which means Mumbaikars need a permit to drink. Drinking without permit can amount to imprisonment and/or a hefty fine. On the flipside, it is just another ridiculous way of extorting money.

Indians are naturally fuming over the petrol price hike, and it’s not just the middle class. The steepest-ever hike in petrol prices is not only disgustingly shocking but also unacceptable and unjustified.

Mumbai – 78.58

Delhi – 73.18

Kolkata – 77.88

Chennai – 77.83

Bangalore – 81.01

But, of course, as opposed to taking responsibility, those accountable are busy passing the buck because it is the easiest thing to do.

Tongue-in-cheek petrol price remarks and sms-es are doing the rounds.

Petrol da rate vekh ke… Ankhiyaan jo hanju rul de…

Petrol Pump Attendant: Kitne ka daaloon? Customer: 2-4 rupye ka car ke upar spray kar de bhai... Aag lagani hai!

I am somehow reminded of the lyrics of the Sunscreen song: Accept certain inalienable truths - prices will rise, politicians will philander, you too will get old, and when you do you’ll fantasize that when you were young prices were reasonable, politicians were noble and children respected their elders.

I seriously doubt if we are ever going to feel prices were reasonable and politicians were noble.

Still a Shahrukh Khan Loyalist! Media Reports Be Damned!

2012-05-19T07:56:00.006+05:30

19th May, 2012

Does being one of India’s biggest superstars rob you of your rights? Your right to defend your children when they are being manhandled? Your right to strike back when people are misbehaving with you?

One of the most revered actors of Hindi cinema, Shahrukh Khan has been embroiled in a much blown-out-of-the-proportion controversy.

The MCA-Shahrukh Khan episode has elicited reactions ranging from disgust to disappointment.

Once known for his cool, wit, sense of humour and demeanor, Shahrukh Khan seems to have acquired the reputation of flying off the handle. This observation is ridiculous to say the least!

Why can’t the iconic Shahrukh Khan lose his cool, especially in a scenario involving his family? Is this the price he has to pay for stardom? Just because he is someone the nation looks up to doesn’t mean he cannot protect his children when they are being manhandled.

Isn’t he human? Can he not get angry? Just because he is The Shahrukh Khan, he is expected to exhibit Godlike superhuman qualities. BS.

My blood boils when Shahrukh Khan is unnecessarily dragged into a much-ado-about-nothing controversy.

Does being Shahrukh Khan rob you of emotions? The right to be angry? The right to feel hurt? The right to feel agitated? The right to strike back when provoked? The right to feel?

I am deeply hurt and pained by this entire MCA-Shahrukh Khan episode.

Please don’t make Shahrukh Khan a scapegoat for cheap political gains – there are better ways of gaining political mileage. Spare him, for God’s sake!

Why should Shahrukh Khan apologize? For protecting his kids? Would you care about language when your kids are being manhandled? Shobha De would rather live up to her image than stand up for her kids in a scenario like this. It is very easy and convenient to take potshots at people. It is even easier to make nonsensical suggestions. And, of course, it is cool to give sound bytes to the media.

The 5-yr ban is just not justified.

I am still a Shahrukh Khan loyalist, media reports be damned!

I love you Shahrukh Khan. My love, respect and admiration for you hasn’t waned one bit. You have not alienated fans, SRK. I am with you!

Attraversiamo

2012-05-18T14:34:00.001+05:30

18th May, 2012

There are two sides to life - on one side is the comfort of the known, and on the other side is the fear of the unknown. Like most people, I fear navigating uncharted territories. I fear slipping into the unknown. But I know that we’ve got to move forward, we’ve got to embrace the unknown. We’ve got to cross over! ‘Attraversiamo’, as Julia Roberts says in Eat, Pray Love!

Dolce Far Niente

2012-05-15T23:15:00.012+05:30

15th May, 2012

Some films leave an indelible impression on the mind – ‘Eat Pray Love’ is a case in point.

There’s this Italian phrase in the film that caught my attention – dolce far niente. Simply put, it means the sweetness of doing nothing!

This is something that we all need to practice. Sometimes it is important that we do nothing – it can help calm the anxiety-riddled mind.

Sometimes it is important that we break away from the monotony and drudgery of everyday life. Imagine a day without errands, chores and work! The idea itself is thrilling, isn’t it?

Sometimes we need to enjoy the simple yet beautiful things that life offers. Interestingly, most of these things are FREE. Like watching the sun sink into the sea, walking at the beach, popping bubble wrap and the other things that I have already mentioned in my previous post titled ‘Savor Life’s Little Pleasures’.

I am not advocating a life that is boring, meaningless or directionless. But yes, sometimes, we need to pause, reflect and re-orient ourselves.

Since childhood, we have been conditioned to have a purpose in life. We have been told that we need to have an aim in life and that we should do all that it takes to meet that aim. We have been fed with things like – don’t kill time, don’t waste time, spend your time wisely, etc.

Most of us have an agenda, a to-do-list and events scheduled for the next day.

This frenzied on-the-run scheduled lifestyle has certainly deprived us of life’s little joys and pleasures. And that is why – once in a while – it is good to soak into the freedom of doing nothing.

Take a moment to live! Let go of all your worries. Spend a day without an agenda. Let your mind wander. Let your imagination run amok. Enjoy boredom. Enjoy doing nothing.

Take a break from your scheduled routine and bask in the sweetness of doing nothing!

Uninhibited Under The Arclights

2012-05-13T14:56:00.004+05:30

13^th May, 2012

My admiration for Indian actress Vidya Balan continues to grow.

From playing the deaf and demure Radhika in Balaji’s ‘Hum Paanch’ to the feisty Vidya Bagchi in ‘Kahani’, Vidya Balan has come a long way! From the small screen to the big screen, Balan has taken a huge leap and has succeeded despite all odds.

She seems to push the boundaries with every film she does. Her choice of films is simply laudable! After all, it takes a lot to take the road less travelled.

It’s amazing the way she blends into every character and effortlessly brings it alive on celluloid. She is way too natural and uninhibited onscreen.

Besides her acting acumen, I love the fact that she chooses to be herself in the style-obsessed and glamour-struck Bollywood. She has often been ridiculed for her sartorial choices but that hasn’t deterred her from being herself.

Balan wears her attitude, something that very few actresses choose to wear.

She may not be THE style icon, but she is hailed as the new hero of Bollywood who seems to have given the Khans and Kapoors a run for their money. And she is certainly not the one to rest on her laurels.

The actress with the most endearing smile has ushered in a new wave of cinematic excellence!

What Are You Feeding Into Your Mind?

2012-05-08T12:49:00.010+05:30

8th May, 2012

It is always nice to connect with people who have tastes and preferences that are different from our own. We get to learn from them. We get a new perspective on life. I am lucky to have met people who are different from me because their presence in my life has been instrumental in making me who I am. I have realized that you’ve got to develop the habit of interest to broaden your horizons. Listening to new ideas and new insights is enjoyable. It enriches the mind. It helps feed the mind with nourishing thoughts and ideas.

Incidentally, we are fully conscious and cautious about the kind of food we feed our bodies with, but we are not as conscious and cautious when it comes to feeding our minds.

What do you feed into your mind?

Flip open any magazine, surf any website, read through any newspaper and you are likely to find a hundred tips to rekindle the spark in your relationship, but you will hardly ever find tips to rekindle your hunger for knowledge.

Einstein deserves a mention here - “The only thing that interferes with my learning is my education.”

The day we think we know everything we stop learning; we stop growing.

There are quite a few subjects that I have absolutely no idea about. My knowledge is really low and probably even non-existent. However, I am willing to learn, I am willing to listen, and I never pretend to know more about a subject than I really do.

Savor Life’s Little Pleasures

2012-05-06T22:10:00.030+05:30

6th May, 2012

We are all frantically rushing through life. Most of us don’t know where we are going, but we can’t wait to get there! We are so caught up in the whirlpool of our daily routines that we don’t even have a minute to sit back and bask in life’s little pleasures.

Savor life’s little pleasures - a hot cup of Bournvita, a good night’s sleep, sizzling cardamom tea, the aroma of freshly brewed coffee, the scent of mud after the rains, the smell of a freshly printed book, the scent of roses, scented candles, a stranger smiling at you, an old childhood photograph, a baby’s laughter, popping bubble wrap, the greenery around you, the chirping of birds, your mother’s soothing touch, sunset, singing in the shower, a bubble bath, blowing air bubbles, walking barefoot on the beach, an afternoon siesta, hot chocolate, listening to your favorite song, watching an old couple.

Some of us are busy hating people who hate us instead of loving people who love us. Some of us are busy chasing things that we don’t have instead of relishing all that we do have. Some of us are busy trying to impress people who don’t give a hoot about us instead of spending time with people who truly matter to us.

The worries of tomorrow seem to have robbed us of the joys of today. Let us ALL make a conscious effort to revel in small yet significant pleasures that life offers every single day.

Life's Little Joys:

A good night's sleep

The aroma of freshly brewed coffee

The scent of mud after the rains

The scent of roses

Scented candles

An old childhood pic

A child's laughter

Popping bubble wrap

Watching the sun sink into the sea

Singing in the shower

A bubble bath

Blowing air bubbles

Walking barefoot on the beach

Watching an old couple

Picture courtesy: Google

Stop Masquerading, Take That Cloak Off

2012-05-02T01:53:00.007+05:30

2nd May, 2012

Finally, I am done with F. Scott Fitzgerald’s, “The Great Gatsby”. I would like to recommend it to fiction enthusiasts.

“The Great Gatsby” is touted as the quintessential American Classic – a book that is representative of an era. The story centers around the moral decay that ensued in America during the 1920s.

This post is not to be mistaken for a book review. It is, in fact, about a quote that I’ve taken a fascination to.

“God knows what you've been doing, everything you've been doing. You may fool me, but you can't fool God!"

I quite liked this quote; however, I would like to tweak it my way: “God knows what you've been doing, everything you've been doing. You may fool the world, but you can't fool God!"

I have always believed that if you do anything that goes contrary to your conscience, it will have a crippling effect on your life; it will haunt you all your life. You will never be at peace. You may try to portray a different picture of yourself to the world, but you cannot deceive your conscience, you cannot deceive God, and, of course, there’s Karma – you cannot escape the shackles of Karma. You have dug your own grave. In your heart, you know the bitter truth, but you choose to overlook it, you continue to fake it. Self-pity is not going to lead you anywhere. Stop drowning in self-pity, get a grip!

More people need to choose ‘empathy’ over ‘sympathy’ and practice what they preach!

How long can someone pull off a façade? How long can they mislead the world? How long can they stay untrue to themselves? Is it any wonder that these people are distraught and miserable!!! Seemingly happy, they are devastated within! I pity them and I wish them well, seriously.

Do you have the courage to stop masquerading and take that cloak off? The cloak of lies...

Don't Judge What You Don't Understand

2012-04-12T22:46:00.023+05:30

12th April, 2012

It’s far too easy to look at someone and make a snap judgment about them. What a person shows to the public is only a small fraction of the iceberg hidden from sight. And more often than not, it’s lined with cracks and scars that run all the way to the foundation of their soul –Marcandangel.com

Photo courtesy - Pinterest

Spare some thought the next time you're tempted to judge...

(Random) Work of Fiction

2012-04-12T02:57:00.000+05:30

12th April, 2012

She awoke from her doze and stared in silence.

The haunting awkwardness had a crippling effect on her. There was this sense of reserve and inhibition about her that that was both enchanting and repulsive.

Her voice, a self-deprecating tenor, added to the impression of meekness she conveyed.

She grew increasingly critical and hateful of herself – her inadequate and insignificant self!

Sometimes, she would have a conversation with herself, and at other times, she’d be plain quiet.

She had the world at her feet and yet she had been battling an onslaught of self-doubt, self-loathing and fear.

The Man in the Arena

2012-04-03T23:47:00.004+05:30

3rd April, 2012

It is not the critic who counts; not the man who points out how the strong man stumbles, or where the doer of deeds could have done them better. The credit belongs to the man who is actually in the arena, whose face is marred by dust and sweat and blood; who strives valiantly; who errs, who comes short again and again, because there is no effort without error and shortcoming; but who does actually strive to do the deeds; who knows great enthusiasms, the great devotions; who spends himself in a worthy cause; who at the best knows in the end the triumph of high achievement, and who at the worst, if he fails, at least fails while daring greatly, so that his place shall never be with those cold and timid souls who neither know victory nor defeat.

- Theodore Roosevelt, Citizenship in a Republic

Have You Discovered Your True Calling?

2012-03-18T13:46:00.005+05:30

18th March, 2012

If you are spending more than 8 hours a day being miserable at work, it is time to rethink your job. Don’t drag yourself to work each day - quit that humdrum job and do what you love.

Swati R. Chaudhary

Do you always find yourself ridden with stress and anxiety at work? Are you putting up with a job that does not feed your soul? If you have answered yes to these questions, you are not alone. The majority of people are unhappy with their jobs but they do not have the courage to follow their dreams. Some choose to be complacent while others are oblivious to their incredible potential. The matter of the fact is that it doesn’t make sense to be locked in a career that does not justify your talents. Life is too short to do something that makes you miserable.

What is it that makes you happy? What is it that gets you revved up? Have you found your true calling? If you have discovered your true calling, pursue it with all your heart. Do what you love and success will follow. Incidentally, most of us tread the corporate terrain aimlessly and hopelessly. We are likely to feel overburdened with ridiculous deadlines and superfluous work. The modern corporate culture is demanding to say the least. And if you are doing something that you don’t love, you are likely to be burned out.

A flourishing corporate career is meaningless if you are not enjoying what you are doing. Do not conform to conventional norms, do what you love. After all, the quality of your life depends upon the choices you make. Do not pursue a run-of-the-mill career because it’s the norm; take up something that you are passionate about. Embrace a career that is fulfilling in terms of growth and job satisfaction. Do something that will keep you going! Do not get influenced by peer pressure- do what you want to do, for ‘you’. This is your journey and it had better be fulfilling and satisfying.

If you have the conviction, the sky’s the limit! If you are stuck in a humdrum job that does not fuel your passion, it is time to move on. It does not make sense to stick to a job that does not excite you. It may be enough to pay the rent, it may provide for a comfortable lifestyle; however, the question is, do you really like it? Do you drag yourself to work each day? Do you feel enthusiastic about your chosen career field?

Take time to discover your passion and use it to your advantage. Do what you love. Embark on the road to fulfilment and success! To quote Confucius, “Choose a job you love, and you will never have to work a day in your life.”

Do You Know Brijendra Kala?

2012-03-11T15:00:00.018+05:30

11th March, 2012

Everyone seems to be gushing about Irfan Khan’s stellar performance in "Paan Singh Tomar". How about the overweight reporter who speaks with a stutter in the film? Do you know him?

It is unfortunate that talented actors like BRIJENDRA KALA go unnoticed in today’s star-smitten culture.

The minute I saw the actor onscreen, I was reminded of his brief yet impressive cameo in "Jab We Met". He played the funny taxi driver who helped Kareena and Shahid reach the station.

Kareena: Aise train pakdenge hum?

Brijendra Kala (cab driver): Train to aap kaise bhi na pakdenge.

Then he hums, Tum kya jaano tum kya ho...rings a bell?

I hope this talented guy gets his due. I hope someday some director recognizes his potential and casts him in a leading role. He doesn’t deserve to play second fiddle to the Khans and Kapoors.

KGF 2012

2012-03-10T00:11:00.009+05:30

10th March, 2012

A homage to the handcart

The Dancing Kathputli

With jazzy Jahanpana and his scary sidekick

Savor The Single Life

2012-03-05T22:43:00.016+05:30

5^th March, 2012

To all single ladies wallowing in self-pity – luxuriate in your company! Love yourself; do things that you have been longing to do. Rediscover yourself; savor your single life for this time will never come back! Swati R. Chaudhary tells you more…

Being single in a society obsessed with marriage is challenging. Singles today have earned the dubious distinction of being uncool, lonely and miserable. The stereotypes associated with being single are deeply ingrained in society. The stigma attached to being single follows everywhere you go. So, should you sit back and mope until marriage or savor those moments and revel in your single status? The latter seems to be a smarter choice.

Don’t let the ‘single stigma’ bog you down. Don’t let stereotypes keep you from living fully, freely and happily. Singlehood is a time for self-exploration. Being single is actually a blessing in disguise. It gives you endless opportunities to rediscover yourself. It gives you the time to explore yourself and do everything that you have always wanted to do. Celebrate your independence by pursuing your dreams and hobbies. Take this time as an opportunity to indulge yourself and pamper yourself.

- Treat Yourself: When was the last time you did something extraordinarily special for ‘you’? Do you remember the last time you pampered yourself? Go on; treat yourself to a rejuvenating spa session. Treat yourself to that lip-smacking meal in your favourite restaurant. Splurge on those clothes that flatter your body type. Rent movies and spend the weekend watching them.

- Give wings to your creative self: Tap into your creative streak with writing, painting, cooking, designing, etc. Write a book, create a blog, paint your emotions, bake your favorite cookies, try new recipes, design and decorate your room, revamp your home – let your creativity come to the fore!

- Volunteer for a cause close to your heart: Make your life worthwhile by involving yourself in a cause that you believe in. There are quite a few volunteering opportunities available. Teach the underprivileged or spend time at an old age home. Alternatively, you could volunteer at a hospital, meditation center or library.

- Sign up for a class: Now is the time to broaden your horizons. Learn something new that may be of considerable interest to you. Learn a foreign language or learn the guitar. Enroll for martial arts training, take photography lessons or driving lessons. The idea is to expand your horizons by learning something that you don’t know.

Travel- Break away from the daily grind – travel to scenic destinations that you have been longing to explore. Traveling is a fantastic way to get away from the neurotic pace of life. Relax and rejuvenate yourself. Discover new cultures, meet new people.

Embrace yourself. Hold yourself with pride. Don’t let your single status weigh heavily on your mind. Don’t put your happiness on hold. And, despair not, love will find you!

Untitled

2012-02-26T14:06:00.029+05:30

26th February, 2012

Photo courtesy: Weheartit/Pinterest

Judge Me, I Don’t Give a Hoot!

2012-02-19T00:47:00.011+05:30

19th February, 2012

There is a popular SMS doing the rounds. It reads – “Do not get upset with people and situations, both are powerless without your reaction.” Profound!

There is so much to learn from this message. We let situations and events overpower us. We love to react; at least I react almost immediately. I react to situations at the drop of a hat. I’m quick to hit the panic button. I’ve got to learn to relax.

I tend to over-analyze events and situations.

I want to believe my beliefs and doubt my doubts.

I've got tremendous potential, I know... I just run into a panic attack…I can’t help feeling anxious…

I am my own worst enemy and I realize it.

As confident as I am in my strengths, I am also aware of my weaknesses. I hope to turn my weaknesses into strengths. I have identified the roadblocks to my success.

I’ve made some confessions here and that’s okay...

... confessions about my weaknesses, quirks, flaws, inadequacies or whatever… It's just that I have learnt to write my exact thoughts out on my blog. I am no longer afraid of being judged on my writing style, the content on my blog, my thoughts and my personal views.

Blogging is therapeutic! This writing platform is restorative to say the least.

I feel the need to express myself through words. Judge me, I don’t give a hoot!

Valentine’s Day - Overrated and Commercialized!

2012-02-12T23:10:00.001+05:30

12th February, 2012

I don’t subscribe to the view that 14^th Feb is the day to express love. I really don’t get the hype and hoopla surrounding Valentine’s Day, not to mention the barrage of media attention that is attracts. We seem to have commercialized love. And we really don’t need to set aside a special day to celebrate something as beautiful as love. It’s like trivializing love.

Kala Ghoda Festival 2012 – A Creative Fusion of Art, Literature and Music

2012-02-09T16:27:00.016+05:30

9th February, 2012

Thanks to creative platforms like the Kala Ghoda Festival, lesser-known artists get a chance to exhibit their creativity.

Having said that, it is sad that only a handful of artists are acknowledged for their artistry. How many of us know Shrikant G. Poddar? But we all know Pablo Picasso, Van Gogh and M.F Hussain. How many of you have heard about Swarup Kaintura and artist Mahesh?

Through this post, I would like to generate awareness about people who deserve to be acknowledged.

Anyone interested in art should definitely get in touch with Mr. Shrikant G. Poddar. He has been organizing art shows in New Delhi and some other parts of the world. His works are currently on display at The Jehangir Art Gallery, Mumbai. His paintings are incredibly beautiful! Totally mesmerizing! The same can be viewed on Facebook. Here are his contact details: shrikanthg.poddar@gmail.com. His studio is at Lalitkala Academy, Artist Studio, Garhi, East of Kailash, New Delhi – 110065.

'Ticket Art' by Swarup Kaintura also deserves a special mention. He uses tickets and coupons to create his paintings. He can also be contacted on Facebook.

Also, art by Mahesh H.K (I hope I’ve got his full name right) is totally worthy of praise and acknowledgement. Unfortunately, I don’t have his contact details but I can share his painting.

I visited the Kala Ghoda Festival 2012 yesterday. What a delightful experience!

If you are drawn to art, literature, music, films, food, dance, street festival, etc, you cannot give the Kala Ghoda Festival 2012 a miss! The 9-day festival ends on 12^th February, 2012. Bombayites, do spare some time to check it out.

A Pyramid of Glass Tea Cups

The Interactive Labyrinth - The Bisleri Maze (an eco-friendly bhulbulaiya of Bisleri bottles)

Volkswagen Beetle- An art piece made of disposed scrap (promoting an eco-friendly way of living)

A Creative Engineering Marvel - Another art piece made of scraps

Smoking Kills - Kick that Butt!

Nose-Flute - A Rajasthani folk artist plays the flute by blowing thru his nostrils

A Revolving Chandelier of Spoons - Fighting Undernourishment little by little

Punjabi Folk Dance

Punjabi Folk Dance Video

My friend has better pictures of KGF 2012. I'll upload the same sometime soon.

Should You Give Your Heart Away One More Time?

2012-02-04T00:31:00.003+05:30

4^th February, 2012

If you have had a series of failed relationships, you are likely to become wary of giving your heart away one more time. The realization that your relationships have failed consistently leads to a period of serious emotional turmoil. You are likely to hesitate from ‘giving’ yourself again because you are not ready for emotional upheavals. (You are not ready for any more of it). In other words, you begin to hold back as a form of self-protection. However, can you allow this attitude to dominate your life?

On My Playlist

2012-02-02T20:10:00.009+05:30

2nd February, 2012

Selena Gomez- Who Says

Der Lagi Lekin - ZNMD

Staind- Outside

Gloria Gaynor - I Am What I Am

My Thoughts, My Ramblings

2012-01-28T00:35:00.011+05:30

28th January, 2012

I don't have an appetite for 'talk' and 'attention'. I don't like the social pressure to talk and party.

There is something beautiful about scented candles. I love to illuminate my room with colorful scented candles. It creates a pleasant ambience.

~~I am sick and tired of being pestered to create a Facebook account. Facebook is NOT my idea of social networking, branding, promotion, TP or whatever!!! I don’t want to connect or reconnect~~.

I made Queso dip for dinner, turned out okay.

I am dying to make Vegetable Quesadilla but I am not getting tortilla rotis anywhere. Where in Bombay do you get flour tortilla? Can someone please tell me? Or is there a substitute for it?

I have wasted my hard-earned money on the bullshitiest of things. And I know that once I’m out of my guilt trap, I will get back to wasting money with renewed energy and enthusiasm. This vicious shopping cycle is really vicious.

Why are people so impatient and inconsiderate with women drivers? I am taking driving lessons. My teacher doesn’t let me go beyond 20 kmph. Max 40 kmph. Tooooooooooo slow, I know. And why do people honk when they see a lady driver? They honk unnecessarily, perhaps to harass us or gain attention.

The kids in my building are happy as larks. They are always charged up, full of life, full of energy, brimming with happiness and excitement…sweet believing kids… chirpy, playful, joyous… Every time I look at them, I feel like I’m revisiting childhood…

Sometimes you make a declaration about yourself and then you have a responsibility to justify it.

I am aware that the content on my blog is being plagiarized but I also know that I cannot do anything about it. Stop duplicating content, please!

How do you fend off unwanted male attention, without coming across as rude?

Ban on Books, Ban on Films, Ban on Artworks… Do We Need a Ban to Ban these Bans?

2012-01-24T23:25:00.007+05:30

24^th January, 2012

Salman Rushdie’s absence at the Jaipur Literarature Festival has sparked off a debate. A number of people have expressed displeasure over the controversy surrounding Rushdie.

To say that the controversial author was conspicuous by his absence would be an understatement. He wasn't there and he still managed to make headlines. His absence evoked strong reactions. To be the talk of the nation for a book that was banned 23 years ago is quite something, isn’t it?

For the uninitiated, Rushdie’s ‘Satanic Verses’ was banned by the Rajiv Gandhi government on the grounds that it was blasphemous and offended Muslim sentiments.

The Booker-Prize winning author could not be part of the JLF. He received threats following which he had to cancel his Indian trip.

Everyone seems to have an opinion on the ban on Satanic Verses and Rushdie’s absence at the JLF. I wonder HOW MANY OF US HAVE READ THE SATANIC VERSES? And we are all debating our lungs out. Moreover, a number of other writers have also been at the receiving end of mistreatment, just that they are not as popular as Rushdie.

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Check out this must-watch video.

http://www.ndtv.com/video/player/news/panelists-at-litfest-discuss-row-over-rushdie/221946?hp

Salim Engineer has clearly made an @$$ of himself. In fact, when Tehelka’s Tarun Tejpal questions him, he beats around the bush, and in the end, asks, "What was your question." ROFL.

The concluding part deserves a special mention and I quote: "It is only for celebrity authors like Rushdie that we generate this kind of noise. We must remember that there have been dozens and scores of other cases like this in India that don’t get even a fraction of this attention."

Javed Akhtar has also rightly pointed out that India is facing a multitude of serious problems like unemployment, illiteracy, malnutrition, TB and repressive women’s rights. Why are we not upset about these issues? Why don’t we protest against these issues? Why don’t we discuss these issues? He further says, "I am upset when a Muslim doesn’t get a house because he is a Muslim." What about these real issues that actually deserve our attention?

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The question, “Is a writer not entitled to the right to freedom of expression” resurfaces. What comes under the purview of freedom of expression is, perhaps, subjective.

Is banning a writer’s work justified? Is it okay to make writers live in exile? Is it okay to drag them to court?

D.H. Lawrence’s “Lady Chatterley’s Lover” was banned from publication in the United Kingdom because of the nature of its content – the content was sexually explicit.

Taslim Nasrin has been living in exile for a long time. Her book “Lajja” is said to have outraged religious sentiments.

A longstanding gripe of writers, artists, directors, actors and the creative community in general has been the hype and hoopla surrounding their creativity, surrounding their right to freedom of expression.

A number of books, films and artworks have run into controversy for various reasons.

Who decides what is creative and how much is creative? Who decides the scope of literary freedom, artistic freedom and cinematic liberties? What amounts to hurting religious sentiments?

Intolerance for freedom of expression, intolerance for creativity, life-threatening calls to writers, artists, actors, directors, attack on painters, especially gay painters, people made to live in exile – is it all justified?

Like Film Industry and Censorship go hand in hand, Canvas and Conflict go hand in hand, Literature and Controversy go hand in hand or so it seems.

Gorgeous

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22nd January, 2012

Picture Courtesy: Weheartit

Beautiful

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19th January, 2012

Picture Courtesy: Weheartit