Indian Republic Day 2010

26th January 2010 has been different. I do not remember the last time I had seen the Republic Day parade on television. It has been an amazing experience. It makes me proud to be an Indian. There is so much diversity in my country. Seeing the various jhanki's (life size model based on some theme) be it of all the states or of the various government departments, it was a mesmerising experience. The performance of the BSF troop on motorcycle was outstanding. The balance these guys show on motorcycle is unbelievable. I was completely taken aback by the efforts that has been put behind all those things. Says a lot about how much progress our country has made. I remember most of the republic days after my school days, I just used as another holiday. It was just by chance that I wake up early today and switched on the TV first for the awesome experience of 'Phir Mile Sur mera tumhara'. The patriotic song which had become the national anthem of the late 80's and 90's. Its back with a bang. With a lot more celebrities and singers/musicians added. It was a wonderful experience witnessing it. I could not stop myself to make "mile sur" my mobile ringtone. Our country is full of variety in music. I could see that right now on TV. These are the scenes post the republic day parade. Wonderful experience. I would recommend all the Indians to watch this Republic day telecast at least once. Like me you will wait for it whole year to watch it again. I got very emotional witnessing it and felt so proud that I am a part of this country which has so much variety in color, music, dance, culture and you name it.

Happy Republic Day !!! Vandematram !!! God Bless India !!!

Response to the Survival Story of the Nande couple by Pune Mirror

http://www.punemirror.in/index.aspx?Page=article&sectname=News%20-%20Latest&sectid=62&contentid=2010012420100124004515607440dfa7a
This is in response to the story published in Pune Mirror Dt:Jan 24, 2010, Sunday (Cover Story, link above). Its really sad to see the smiling faces of Indians on the backdrop of the devastation. Fortunate were the couple who survived after such a mishap in the country, but how can one smile and get snapped for a picture when there is so much devastation all around? I am not sure whether the photograph was snapped earlier, but then its the responsibility of Pune Mirror not to publish such smiling pictures of the survivors when there are deaths and crying people in the background. I would have felt really proud if this Indian couple would have even tried to save a single life in such a situation. I am only saying this based on the fact that nowhere in your whole story the couple has tried to help anyone. These lucky survivors are feeling proud that GOD was kind to them (and I thank GOD for that) and they are sending you stories of death and devastation all around them. I really felt sad that Indians who are known to help others are behaving in such a way and I am further shocked to see that a daily newspaper your stature who is very famous to carry life saving campaigns like the Helment Campaign is publishing such things. These people had the time and courage to click the snaps of the rubble, people dying and crying but did they try to help anyone ? These kind of stories should not be entertained at all by the newspapers like yours. You should not encourage people doing stories when they should be actually helping save lives or do whatsoever is possible to them to help people in such a situation.

Why do women who have enormous talent stop their professional lives after marriage?

Its a personal decision one would say, but do they even realize the consequences the decision they are making would have on other people or a country as a whole? I have been a big advocate of, women should not stop working after marriage (at least the most talented ones). There are several examples in our country where women take such a drastic decision. They are not at all doing any justice to the immense talent they have. Most recently we have heard about Sania Mirza. After winning so many titles in women's tennis she has decided to stop playing professional tennis, after marriage that is. She had immerged as a single Indian women who had completely changed the attitude of Indian tennis lovers for women's tennis. And following her example are a lot more Indian women who were talented and were fearing to make it to the big scene, but for their role model Sania. Just being 22, she still has a lot of tennis left in her. India needs her and lot more like her. It's really painful to see immensely talented women like her taking such a drastic step. God knows now who will fill the void created by her absence. Even in my close circle I have seen extreamly talented women making such a decision. It's their life after all, but they dont understand the injustice they are doing to their talent.

Were the autorickshaw operators right in stopping their services, Pune?

Were the autorickshaw operators right in stopping their services?
The answer is absolutely not. Look at their demands. They dont want to wear a uniform and they want to rehike the basic fare by Re 1. Well according to me wearing a uniform only shows the solidarity of a union. Whats wrong in wearing a uniform when all the other cities and states rickshaw drivers wear it. Why is Pune rickshawala different? Talking about difference, well as a passenger I have seen a real difference in the rate they charge which is so very different. A person daily travelling by a richshaw in pune has to be millionaire. I was in Mumbai for 3 years and I did not need my own two wheeler there. The public transport including the auto rickshaw was so much affordable that I never needed one. But, when I landed in pune, I purchased a bike within 7 days. Reason, I had to spent more than a 1000 Rs in auto rickshaw alone. I would not say all the auto rickshaw drivers are so bad and they charge so heaviliy, but there are 80% auto rickshaw drivers who do charge quite heavily. And over and above this, these people go on strike at will, i.e. without any good reason. Coming back to the second demand to hike Re 1 as base fare, well I would say how does that matter to a auto rickshaw driver, as he is charging way too high anyway? Whats the difference this Re 1 will make to the auto rickshaw driver or to a passenger. I certainly feel that there should be some proper law made against this auto rickshaw unions so that they cant go on strike suddenly. There are a lot of patients, old people and others who still need an auto rickshaw as a public mode of transport. It is not at all justified for the auto rickshaw operators to suddenly go on a strike like this.

An Open letter to Aamir Khan

Dear Aamir,
I am a very big fan of you. But, mind you, I am deeply hurt with the recent controversy that has followed the release of your film 3 idiots between the makers of the film and Chetan Bhagat, the writer of Five point someone. Your behaviour at the press conference and repeatedly saying that all Chetan Bhagat is doing is a publicity stunt seems to be in a bad taste. I have read all the four books by Chetan Bhagat. I have also seen all your films (mind you all, I have seen all of them). So, my association with you has been even longer than with Chetan Bhagat (Same would be the case with all Chetan Bhagat readers). When I came to know that 3 idiots was being made on Five Point Someone, I was so excited to see it, just like a Harry Potter fan who wishes to see the Harry Potter movie first day first show. I had waited for this movie (3 idiots) from whenever I first heard about it. You would not believe it, I had a fight over the seats in the cinema screen with my own colleagues as I wanted to see 3 idiots in its entirity from a proper seat ( I did not want to miss any frame). Such was the excitement for the two of my idols coming together (you and Chetan Bhagat) I am not a voracious reader, but, whenever I read Chetan Bhagat, I cant do anything till I finish the book. It started for me with Five Point Someone (Chetan's First Book). I had finished the book in 6 hours and that day Chetan Bhagat got a new fan in me. I have read all his books in the same manner (At one go). When I was watching the movie 3 idiots I felt like watching the book Five Point Someone at a great pace. Still it was technically a brilliant movie with perfect music, perfect screenplay, perfect editing, perfect direction and perfect casting. I do not remember seeing the name of Chetan Bhagat anywhere even in the rolling credits and at that time I was so excited that, It did matter to me. All was well and I was too excited and decided to watch the movie once again the coming week. Meanwhile the controversy between the makers of 3 idiots and Chetan started. When I heard that, I realized that I could not see the name or mention of Chetan Bhagat anywhere even when the whole movie story and sequences has written Five Point Someone all over it. I felt bad for Chetan, but, I did not take that to heart. Then I read a breaking news "Aamir says its a publicity Stunt by Chetan Bhagat. 3 idiots is an Original Story by Abhijat Joshi and Chetan Bhagat is trying to seek undue credit for it." I was seriously hurt. I could not imagine my role model, my hero saying this. Then I realised and learnt that you have not read the book Five Point Someone. Firstly, I could not believe that a perfectionist that you are, has not read the book on which you were to work for a movie. If at all I blindly belive what you said (that you have not read the book), still you have technically no right to comment on the issue. That too commenting to the whole media that this is a publicity stunt and you are asking Abhijat joshi and VV Chopra to file a defamation suite againt Chetan. I must say this was least expected from a person like you. You have held a very high position in the hearts of your fans and this behaviour from you has hurt many. My personal suggestion, if you have not read the book, you must read it then you would realise why Chetan, me and thousands like me feel the way they do. I did not go to watch the movie 3 idiots second time which normally I would have done (if this ugly controversy would not have taken place). Aamir, I thought you were not like others in the film industry who simply make films for money. I thought you were different. You are on the verge of loosing a big fan ( off course if that matters at all to you). I just want you to read the book Five Point Someone, and truthfully, yes very truthfully comment on whether or not 3 idiots is an original story (not taken from Five Point Someone).

Your fan who you are on the verge of loosing

Rushikesh Baiwar