Diary of Animesh Raj

Divided We Stand...

Mon, 25 Feb 2008 19:01:02 +0530

It takes only a faction of people to show us the kind of fractured society we live in. It takes only a group of rogues to let us realize how effete our police force is. It takes only a few common beings to let us know that we live in a country full of insensitive bigots who are not even ready for dialogue- violence is the only language they speak. Intolerance is becoming more and more inherent in our country which actually happens to be one of the most celebrated democracies in the world.

In India everyone has the right to freely express himself. The Indian press too has great freedom and is totally independent of the government. With such free and fair tools having been provided to the masses where does the need of creating violence to get oneself heard arise? The country is full of sham patriots and sham guardians of tradition who have this false idea that they represent a larger section of people, and an iota of issue is enough for them to create mayhem and destruction in the country. It is actually the shortest and most effective way to ensure their fifteen minutes of fame. The sensational media is always present on the site of the occurrences to ensure them their coverage. They become the talk of the nation of a billion people and a billion problems, if only for a few days. This all ensures that they get more than just their fifteen minutes of fame. Surprisingly the police never seem to be equipped to face such thugs. The government needs to empower the police force to put an end to such cases of blatant lawlessness and intolerance.

In the present situation it seems as if there are two completely different worlds residing in our country. One is full of progressive people who are receptive to new ideas and want to see India as a superpower. The other is full of regressive, obstinate people who make sure that India remains stagnant. And in the growing rift between the two sections it is the country that suffers the most. India has always been identified with the phrase ‘unity in diversity’. One wonders if it will hold true for long.

by Animesh Raj

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I've learned...

Sat, 16 Feb 2008 14:09:39 +0530

Get enchanted by these mesmerizing words of Andy Rooney :

I've learned.... That the best classroom in the world is at the feet of an elderly person.

I've learned.... That when you're in love, it shows.

I've learned.... That just one person saying to me, 'You've made my day!' makes my day.

I've learned.... That having a child fall asleep in your arms is one of the most peaceful feelings in the world.

I've learned.... That being kind is more important than being right.

I've learned.... That you should never say no to a gift from a child.

I've learned.... That I can always pray for someone when I don't have the strength to help him in some other way.

I've learned.... That no matter how serious your life requires you to be, everyone needs a friend to act goofy with.

I've learned.... That sometimes all a person needs is a hand to hold and a heart to understand.

I've learned.... That simple walks with my father around the block on summer nights when I was a child did wonders for me as an adult.

I've learned.... That life is like a roll of toilet paper. The closer it gets to the end, the faster it goes.

I've learned.... That we should be glad God doesn't give us everything we ask for.

I've learned.... That money doesn't buy class.

I've learned.... That it's those small daily happenings that make life so spectacular.

I've learned... That under everyone's hard shell is someone who wants to be appreciated and loved.

I've learned.... That to ignore the facts does not change the facts.

I've learned.... That when you plan to get even with someone, you are only letting that person continue to hurt you.

I've learned.... That love, not time, heals all wounds.

I've learned.... That the easiest way for me to grow as a person is to surround myself with people smarter than I am.

I've learned.... That everyone you meet deserves to be greeted with a smile.

I've learned.... That no one is perfect until you fall in love with them.

I've learned... That life is tough, but I'm tougher.

I've learned.... That opportunities are never lost; someone will take the ones you miss.

I've learned.... That when you harbor bitterness, happiness will dock elsewhere.

I've learned.... That I wish I could have told my Mom that I love her one more time before she passed away.

I've learned.... That one should keep his words both soft and tender, because tomorrow he may have to eat them.

I've learned.... That a smile is an inexpensive way to improve your looks.

I've learned.... That when your newly born grandchild holds your little finger in his little fist, that you're hooked for life.

I've learned.... That everyone wants to live on top of the mountain, but all the happiness and growth occurs while you're climbing it.

I've learned.... That the less time I have to work with, the more things I get done.

Game on, Sania!

Fri, 08 Feb 2008 02:39:13 +0530

As we all know Sania Mirza has refused to take part in the tennis tournament taking place in Bangalore owing to the huge pressure due to all the controversies surrounding her. One can understand Sania Mirza's frustration. But it is the ability to brave all the controversies and yet come out with flying colours that separates the great from just another has-been.

In a country like India with an extremely wolfish media no celebrity is exempt from controversies, be it Sachin Tendulkar, Shahrukh Khan, Amitabh Bachchan or even Narayanmurthy. Only a few months back Sachin was termed anti-nationalist by a section of media for cutting a cake which had the Indian tricolour on it. But did Sachin stop playing in Indian grounds? In fact, he didn't even react. Shahrukh Khan and Amitabh Bachchan have had various controversies to their name. But the dignity with which they have faced up with them meant that in the end they came out clean with all love in public's mind still intact.

Recently one of the most respectable entrepreneurs in India, someone who is recognized and idolized the world over, Narayanmurthy was accused of disrespecting the national anthem. A case was filed against him and even he had to make rounds of the Supreme Court to prove his innocence. But this did not decrement his love for the country; and that's why the country still loves him as much.

But things have been a little different for Sania. She has been controversy's child right from the day she made a mark in the court. From her skirts to her bold t-shirts to her nose ring everything about her has hogged huge limelight and occupied vast spaces in newspapers and magazines. Television news channels have dedicated hours and hours of prime time to discuss her sense of fashion as if there was nothing more important to address in a nation of billion people. Some of the Islamic factions have always had a problem with her clothes. They fail to understand that it is for a reason that she has to wear them; it's not that she loves flaunting mini skirts in public. The recent controversy about her disrespecting the national flag was again blown out of proportion. But then she must not make the common public suffer for this who loves her for the pride she has brought to the nation.

Sania Mirza has been a huge inspiration for a nation that is full of under achievers. She has been a ray of hope for little girls who still get less privilege than their brothers. She has been the reason why many parents have started paying more attention to their daughters' interests. By denying to play in Bangalore she has disappointed her loyal fans for whom she has been a flash of light in an otherwise dark tunnel. Give us a chance to chant for you Sania. Give us a chance to show you how much you are loved and appreciated. Give us a chance to tell you how much we are proud of you.

For the youth, Shahrukh...

Fri, 01 Feb 2008 11:02:42 +0530

A few days back our health minister A Ramadoss publicly appealed to Shahrukh Khan and Amitabh Bachchan to refrain from smoking on screen. Shahrukh retaliated by saying that it's within the creative liberty of actors whether they want to smoke on screen or not. Also, he feels that no one should personally tell him what to do and what not to do; he is mature enough to distinguish right from wrong himself.

Shahrukh Khan is right when he says that the government should not impose any restrictions on the creative liberty of actors. But being one of the most recognized faces in India, someone who is completely idolized by the youth of our nation, it does become his responsibility to lead them on the right path. What Shahrukh does on screen becomes a huge fashion statement- be it his costumes or the accessories he wears. When Shahrukh is shown smoking a cigarette as a way of life our youth does get influenced into doing it, whether Shahrukh Khan accepts it or not. Be it in Swades or in Don, the immense charisma attached with Shahrukh's persona does impart a lot of charm to smoking. It might be very tough for Shahrukh Khan but it does seem that for the sake of the youth of India he needs to abstain from public smoking at least.

With success comes a lot of responsibilities, and Shahrukh Khan has never been one to shy away from challenges. We hope he understands his social responsibility in this regard and helps our youth in overcoming the menace of smoking. Also, if our health minister is so concerned about the health of the youth shouldn't he ban smoking altogether rather than make passing remarks on Shahrukh and Amitabh? A simple increase in cost of tobacco is enough to push the youth away from smoking. May be the minister needs to look into his own den before pointing fingers at others.

Mera Bhagwaan

Fri, 25 Jan 2008 23:14:23 +0530

Main niwaasi hoon us mandir ka,
Log jahaan bhagwaan se baatein karte hain;
Praarthanaa karte, apna sukh-dukh baant-te,
Log jahaan bhagwaan ko apna dost samajhte hain;

Na paise ke liye,
Na shohrat ke liye,
Log aate hain yahaan.
Shaanti ki lobh mein,
Anand ke liye;

Sirf pyaar chaahte hain bhakt,
Aur koi aas nahi rakhte;
Rishwat ka laalach dikhaakar,
Apni maangein nahi rakhte;

Main us mandir ka niwasi hoon,
Jahaan log bhagwaan ko bhagwaan hain samajhte.

Time, please....

Mon, 14 Jan 2008 15:15:31 +0530

It's now 5:30 pm as I write this article. The clock keeps ticking, time keeps running. Day in and day out it moves ahead with one purpose in mind to reach the next moment. Time never tires up. Time never sways from its path. Time is a great teacher, isn't it? It teaches us never to look back "Jo beet gayi, so baat gayi". It teaches us a great lesson in determination and constancy of purpose. Learn from your mistakes and move ahead. Never deviate from your path. Always be aware of your target.

Time has another unique quality- it waits for none. We got to keep up with it or we will be left behind. There will be incidents which will cause a dent in our hearts; there will be times when things won't go according to our plans. It is in these very moments that our true character is tested. If we learn to smile at troubles and deal with them with a valiant heart, we will lead a life of honour, a life of contentment; in other words, a happy life.

So whenever things go against us, we shall shed a tear, even cry our hearts out, we shall be gloomy for a while, and that's it. If we spend too much time glorifying our sorrow, time will flee and we will spend our lives trying to catch up with it. So let's try it friends. From now on when something bad happens we will cry, we will be sad for a while but before time goes out of sight we will be back on our feet ready to enjoy our lives once again. Even if we have a hundred reasons to smile we tend to view our sorrows with a magnifying glass and forget that life is to be enjoyed, it's not meant to be spent in tears. So from now on we will use that magnifying glass to view our happiness instead!

by Animesh Raj

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New rules of cricket in Australia

Tue, 08 Jan 2008 22:13:36 +0530

Dear friends,
This is an email forward that I received from a friend and found it good enough to share with my fellow ilanders. It"s a brilliant sarcasm on the way things went in the Sydney Test match.

After watching the test match, someone has written some rules have to be
incorporated by ICC to give the other teams a perfect clarification

(1) Ricky Ponting (THE TRULY GENUINE CRICKETER OF THE CRICKET ERA AND WHOSE INTEGRITY SHOULD NOT BE DOUBTED) should be considered as the FOURTH UMPIRE. As per the new rules, FOURTH UMPIRE decision is final and will over ride any decisions taken by any other umpires. ON-FIELD umpires can seek the assistance of RICKY PONTING even if he is not on the field. This rule is to be made, so that every team should understand the importance of the FOURTH UMPIRE.

(2) While AUSTRALIAN TEAM is bowling, If the ball flies anywhere close to the AUSTRALIAN FIELDER(WITHIN 5 metre distance), the batsman is to be considered OUT irrelevant of whether the catch was taken cleanly or grassed. Any decision for further clarification should be seeked from the FOURTH UMPIRE. This is made to ensure that the cricket is played with SPORTIVE SPIRIT by all the teams.

(3) While BATTING, AUSTRALIAN players will wait for the ON-FIELD UMPIRE decisions only (even if the catch goes to the FIFTH SLIP as the ball might not have touched the bat). Each AUSTRALIAN batsman has to be out FOUR TIMES (minimum) before he can return to the pavilion. In case of THE CRICKETER WITH INTEGRITY, this can be higher.

(4) UMPIRES should consider a huge bonus if an AUSTRALIAN player scores a century. Any wrong decisions can be ignored as they will be paid huge bonus and will receive the backing of the AUSTRALIAN team and board.

(5) All AUSTRALIAN players are eligible to keep commenting about all players on the field and the OPPONENT TEAM should never comment as they will be spoiling the spirit of the AUSTRALIAN team. Any comments made in any other language are to be considered as RACIALISM only.

(6) MATCH REFREE decisions will be taken purely on the AUSTRALIAN TEAM advices only. Player views from the other teams decisions will not be considered for hearing. MATCH REFREES are to be given huge bonus if this rule is implemented.

(7) NO VISITING TEAM should plan to win in AUSTRALIA . This is to ensure that the sportive spirit of CRICKET is maintained..

(8) THE MOST IMPORTANT RULE: If any bowler gets RICKY PONTING - THE UNDISPUTED CRICKETER WITH INTEGTIRY IN THE GAME OF CRICKET more than twice in a series, he will be banned for the REST OF THE SERIES. This is to ensure that the best batsman/Captain will be played to break records and create history in the game of CRICKET.

These rules will clarify better to the all the teams VISITING AUSTRALIA .

Happy New Year!!!

Sun, 30 Dec 2007 13:07:59 +0530

Happy New Year Glitters

Ring out the old, ring in the new,
Ring, happy bells, across the snow:
The year is going, let him go;
Ring out the false, ring in the true.
~Alfred, Lord Tennyson

Every man should be born again on the first day of January. Start with
a fresh page. Take up one hole more in the buckle if necessary, or let
down one, according to circumstances; but on the first of January let
every man gird himself once more, with his face to the front, and take
no interest in the things that were and are past.
~Henry Ward Beecher

And ye, who have met with Adversity"s blast,
And been bow"d to the earth by its fury;
To whom the Twelve Months, that have recently pass"d
Were as harsh as a prejudiced jury -
Still, fill to the Future! and join in our chime,
The regrets of remembrance to cozen,
And having obtained a New Trial of Time,
Shout in hopes of a kindlier dozen.
~Thomas Hood

A happy New Year! Grant that I
May bring no tear to any eye
When this New Year in time shall end
Let it be said I"ve played the friend,
Have lived and loved and labored here,
And made of it a happy year.
~Edgar Guest

We spend January 1 walking through our lives, room by room, drawing up
a list of work to be done, cracks to be patched. Maybe this year, to
balance the list, we ought to walk through the rooms of our lives...
not looking for flaws, but for potential.
~Ellen Goodman

The object of a New Year is not that we should have a new year. It is
that we should have a new soul and a new nose; new feet, a new
backbone, new ears, and new eyes. Unless a particular man made New
Year resolutions, he would make no resolutions. Unless a man starts
afresh about things, he will certainly do nothing effective.
~G.K. Chesterton

Ye tera ghar ye mera ghar...

Wed, 26 Dec 2007 22:15:18 +0530

Khwaabo ke mahal mein ghar basaayenge apna,
Apne pyaar se use' sajaayenge,
Nazro se pyaas bujhegi hamaari,
Ek doosre ke sparsh se bhookh mitaayenge,
Kitni suhani zindagi hogi hamari,
Jab ek doosre ki baahon ke darmiyaa use' guzaarenge.

I made this masterpiece just a few days ago ;) I think even Picasso would have been proud of it...just kidding! I even wrote this small poem to go with it. Hope you like it :)

It"s celebration time all round the world- christmas being celebrated with great fervour followed by the jubilation surrounding the new year"s eve. I take this opportunity to wish a merry christmas and a very very happy and prosperous new year to all my friends and foes (if I have any) alike. Enjoy!!!!

by Animesh Raj

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Good Mooooooorning India!!!!

Wed, 12 Dec 2007 11:36:21 +0530

Bhagwaan ne do honth diye hain,
Sirf bolne ke liye nahi;
Agar hasnaa aata hai,
To haste kyo nahi?

Aajkal zindagi itni udaas kyo hai?
Khushiyon ke phool kabhi bikharte kyo nahi?

World tour kar ke dil bahlaa to lete hain,
Family tour kar ke dil jodte kyo nahi?
Speed Dating mein milte to hazaaro dil hain,
Par unke taar kabhi judte kyo nahi?

Itni bhi jaldi kya hai,
Kabhi kisi ke liye rukte kyo nahi?
Kitni hi panchhi pukaarti rahein,
Unki awaaz kabhi sunte kyo nahi?

Is world mein itni beauty samaayi hai,
Hamaari aankho se kabhi dikhti kyo nahi?

By Animesh Raj

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