Money Matters...

Money Matters, and it is important to know about Money when we travell.

1. Rupee – The new sign is an amalgam of the Devanagari letter (Ra) and the Latin capital letter “R”. The parallel lines at the top (with white space between them) make an allusion to the tricolored Indian flag.
2. U.S. Dollar – Back in 1794, ‘ps’ : the abbreviated unit for the Spanish Peso was frequently traded. A shorthand version, with the p and the s overlapping, has come to be known as the dollar symbol of today.
3. Japanese Yen – The word ‘yen’, (actually pronounced as ‘en’) means ‘round object’ in Japanese. It describes the shape of coins globally. Foreigners often pronounced ‘en’ with a ‘y’ preceding it. Which is probably how it has come to symbolized as a ‘Y’.
4. Euro – The symbol is inspired by the Greek symbol ‘Epsilon’, popularly, the “E” in English and represents the first letter of the word “Europe”. The parallel lines across the epsilon are to certify the stability of the currency.
5. Riyal – This is the term given to currencies of various Arabian countries. The Saudi riyal is denoted by the sign SR in English and was first introduced in 1963. It is divided into 100 parts, each of which is refrred to as “hallalah”
6. Chinese Renminbi – Abbreviated, as RMB, the Renminbi is the official currency of the People’s Republic of China. The Renminbi is commonly referred to as the ‘people’s currency’ and is the legal tender in mainland China, excluding Hong Kong and Macau. Its units are the Yuan, Jiao and Fen.
7. British Pound – The pound sterling (formally), is the official unit of currency used in the United Kingdom. It is denote rarely as L and find their origin from ‘Libra’, the Latin word for ‘pound’. It is less formally referred to as ‘quid’.
8. Dirham – The Dirham, a unit of currency in UAE, was introduced in 1971. The name derives from the Greek currency ‘drachma’. It is most commonly represented as AED and sometimes, as Dh or Dhs.
9. South African Rand – Symbolized by the letter ‘R’, the rand was introduced on 14th February 1961, the same year in which the Republic of South Africa was established. The name ‘rand’ was taken after Witwatersrand, the ridge upon which Johannesburg is built and where most of South Africa’s gold deposits were found.
10. Turkish Lira – The lira was introduced in 1844, replacing the ‘kurus’ as the principal unit of currency. In late December 2003, the Lira was redenominated by the removal of six zeros to create the new currency of Turkey. This new currency came to be known as the ‘new Lira’.
11. Swedish Krona – The Swedish Krona came into existence in the year 1873. Krona, literally ‘Crown’ in Swedish, is often depicted with “Kr” and is called “Kronor” in plural form.
12. Pesos – Peso (literally meaning weight in Spanish) was the name of a coin that originated in Spain and became immensely important internationally. Peso is now the monetary unit of several former Spanish colonies including Argentina, Philippines, Mexico, Cuba and Colombia.

Partner for life

You never realise, when you start missing someone- When life itself is temporary, how can we have someone permanent in life.

People come to our life for a reason, season or life time (of one of us). But when you expect someone to be with you untill 'death do you apart', and the relationship do not last, it is terrible. Especially when you have children. Irrespective of whether you are in the east or the west.

You cry day and night until you realise that you have no choice anymore than to act rather than react.

You become a single mother with children who don’t understand their parent(s). You are still under shock about the physical violence if any and very very angry inside. You might want time to cool down to speak without crying . You might want time to reconsider and to speak without any anger in summer or fall. But if the spouse do not taken that chance, rather the opposite; you are shattered.

You feel like junk thrown in a bin, a marriage , everything becomes replaceable. It is important to have an individual life style and do anything one wants … almost everything has become replaceable. But this is not possible with a marriage and family life, is what one feels; but with time even this has changed. There are more failed marriages than successful ones.

You have with you tears all the time, you drive tears are comming up, you are under the shower, you have tears, you wrap the kids around, and there is tears.

Then spouse find someone from the internet dating portal. Tell THE CHILDREN that he needs time to try it and the relationship out. The message the children get is : "and if it is not the right one, mum is second choice." What does this mean to them and what does this mean to the lady?

You are not even angry at him. You are deeply hurt and to be honest devastated , sad and have to take care of two teenagers’ feelings because their father has taken that decision. Leaving your spouse after marriage physically and emotionally damages each person's life and the children’s future. What does this mean for their future relationships? That you can drop a family and try a new partner out easy like that? That in bad times you go on the internet, looking for a substitute . It is leaving a bit question mark in their souls for all their lives … that is making it hard. Future generation has to cope with this as well.

And I doubt that the kids can ever forget what the parents do. It will follow them their whole life and parents leaves this burden with them. That is the worst.

Two Countries & Charlie

The first of the movies this year was Two countries - we were two countries, who had been to watch Two countries; our first movie in Gold Souk - and to grab a ticket for this we went into Oberon, Lulu and finally thought of give a try here.

Ullas (Dileep) is a Jack of all trades with oodles of energy and a quirky character. He tries every conceivable trick to liven up his life which lacks the fizz that he yearns for. He has his accomplices in his pursuits for quick fix solutions to his problems. There comes a Proposal for his Namesake from Mamta who is in Canada - and trying to break it - he describes all his vitures to be negative.

Finally they end up marring - and the best part is how he has saved his memory of her. His marriage to Laya (Mamtha) which was supposed to turn his life on its head , turns out to be topsyturvy.

Aju Varghese, Mukesh and Suraj Venjarumoodu are well and truly in their elements and their dynamism and inventive humor perks up the momentum of Two Countries two fold. Rafi, Lena, Srinda, Vinaya Prasad, Jagadeesh, Ashokan, Vijayaraghavan,Makarand Deshpande etc. are there and ensure that they don't just make up the numbers. Mamta Mohanad deserves Kudos.

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Neil's favourate and often watch is Charlie.

After she flees from home mainly to avoid an alliance that she doesn’t like, Tessa (Parvathy) checks into one mess of a room in an old building. As she begins to clean the room, she discovers some interesting aspects about a bohemian youth, who lived there before she came. Martin Prakkat’s Charlie is about her search to find that amazing guy.

From a storybook that he had sketched about a fascinating adventure with a small time robber, she learns that the man in question had a quirky idea of fun but was at the same time, an extremely genuine human being. As we learn new stories about his kindness along with Tessa, we too feel attracted to this elusive young man, wearing colourfully printed shirts and sporting an unkempt beard. Each of the stories are touching - small-time thief (Soubin Shahir), Doctor Kani (Aparna Gopinath), Mariya (Kalpana), Kunjappan (Nedumudi Venu).

Charlie sweeps you off the feat with its inherent charm. It may be far from perfect, but is an entertaining film for sure, and I see Tessa in me - who has traces of her grandmother K.P.A.C.Lalitha as Rahel Ammachi.


Read more at: http://www.sify.com/movies/charlie-review-malayalam-pmywMDbhfdaag.html

The Jungle Book

Absolutely stunning and spectacular is how Walt Disney Pictures developed live-action/CGI adaptation with Justin Marks penning the screenplay and Jon Favreau directing the film, released on 15 April 2016; version of much edited or adapted by way of book, TV serials, movies - animated and otherwise on Mowgli and 'The Jungle Book' by Rudyard Kipling can be described. The film's cast includes Neel Sethi as Mowgli, Bill Murray as Baloo, Idris Elba as Shere Khan, Ben Kingsley as Bagheera, Christopher Walken as King Louie, Giancarlo Esposito as Akela, Scarlett Johansson as Kaa and Lupita Nyong'o as Raksha. There are a handful of moments that make you jump out of your seats.

"I have always been a big fan of Mowgli and his friends from the jungle." - even I had written here in 2009.

http://arunoday.blogspot.in/search?q=Mowgli

It is not right to dismiss Rudyard Kipling's masterpiece as literature for children considering the philosophical insights that it offers.

1. The Law of the Jungle - lay down rules for the safety of individuals, families, and communities;
2. The need is bare necessity.
3. It is not good to be alone.
4. How man prosper controlling the red tourch.
5. Need to respect and bow down on seeing others.
6. Mother's Love and the need to set free, what you love.
7. The Manager - Baloo

Set your love free, you will have it, if it is your's.

Disney indeed felt bullish about Jon Favreau’s live-action remake of The Jungle Book, is well evident from its conclusion, and there are chances for its sequel soon.

Where the original 1967 animated feature ended with Mowgli being seduced into returning to the “man village” by a pair of feminine eyes, Favreau’s film sends the boy hero (played by newcomer Neel Sethi) back to his wolf pack in the wake of vanquishing the menacing tiger Shere Khan (Idris Elba), while his animal pals Bagheera (Ben Kingsley) and Baloo (Bill Murray) look on proudly. For now, at least, Mowgli intends to enjoy the bare necessities of jungle life, rather than try to adapt to living around other humans.

There is the less-remembered elements of the original Mowgli stories penned by Rudyard Kipling.

Picking up from the moment when Bagheera and Baloo lead an unwilling Mowgli to the gates of the man village, this version of events has him laying eyes not on a girl but on a gruff older man holding a musket. This is Buldeo, a character Kipling introduced in the Jungle Book’s fourth story, “Tiger! Tiger!” Innately distrustful of anything wild, Buldeo fires a warning shot when he catches sight of Bagheera. The panther pushes Mowgli forward, telling him, “Get going, man cub!” As Mowgli rushes towards Buldeo, the older man takes aim again, until his gun is knocked away by another villager. Buldeo claims that the child is “bewitched,” but he’s overruled by a woman who takes a closer look at Mowgli and says disbelievingly, “Nathoo … can it be you?”

There are many other differences as well - basically being new tricks and thoughtfulness of Mowgli and his boomerang being absent, Kaa the python being a foe and not a friend, and there are some of his other friends missing as well.

Amar, Akbar, Antony/Anarkali & Pavada

Got to watch 3 malayalam movies during the past three days; - first I could not digest...

The multi-starrer , Malayalam movie; "Amar Akbar Anthony", the debut directorial venture of Nadirshah, ran successfully in India and abroad. The film has Prithviraj, Sukumaran and Jayasurya in the lead roles. Songs and the child artist; Baby Meenakshi as Fathima are excellent - but the main story and message is haunting.

His directorial debut Amar Akbar Anthony, starring Prithviraj, Jayasurya and Indrajith, exactly follows the pattern of the mimicry films of yore.

His leading men are not jobless but doing jobs that are considered lowly.

Amar (Prithviraj) drives battery-operated toy cars and gives joyrides to kids in an upmarket mall. He gives his girlfriend an impression that he is a pilot.

Akbar (Jayasurya) is a lift operator in a posh hospital.

Anthony (Indrajith) is a pizza delivery man.

They live in a slum with their families.

The pivot of the story is that these three youngsters are saving their hard earned money to make a trip to Pattaya and how the difficulties of daily living create hindrances in making their dream trip.

They are also vying for the attention of their neighbour, Jenny, a dancer.

The narrative is punctuated by humour, mainly at the expense of the leading trio, who are presented as dim-witted and slapped by the fairer sex every now and then.

Today, the villains are not the traditional loan sharks or the bank managers; they are the migrant labourers with criminal pasts and paedophiles.

This being a multi-star entertainer, the director successfully maintains a fine balance among the three leading men. Yet, it is Prithviraj who shoulders the weight of the film on his beefed-up biceps.

Jayasurya looks more of a hunchback than a polio-afflicted person, who uses his brace to get even with one of the villains while standing erect as a pole.

Indrajith's Anthony is the butt of the jokes and he does not mind cracking jokes on himself too. It really makes him most likable character of the three.

Namitha Pramod is under-utilised as the leading lady.

Amidst this fun and life, there is another story - which is poking; Their perceptions and beliefs get shattered with an unexpected event and the resulting story forms the plot of the movie.

Police verifies that girls under the age ten are missing from surrounding area and several of their abused dead-body is found in various places. Police suspect a habitual pedophile Bengali who was convicted for similar charges in Bengal and might have relocated with the migrant working community to Cochin, after his release. Identity of this man is confirmed by the trio and they find him. However, before invoking their final vengeance they are intervened by the Police and to their shock are informed that it wasn't the Bengali who killed their Fathima but the colony's beloved Sir (V. K. Sreeraman), he was outed by a victim of his pedophilic abuse. Both the Bengali and the Sir are brutally murdered as a social justice and cleansing of the community by the people of the colony. The police knowing the legal protection that these criminals would have turns a blind-eye condoning to the people's justice.

The movie is story narrated by Faizal - (Asif Ali), in hospital. Faizal was their travel agent for Pattaya tour and the trip for ₹25,000 was a lie for him to get ₹25,000 and it had resulted in his accident that broke his leg as the proverb says "If the dumb is cheated by the miser, the miser gets cheated by God".

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"Anarkali" (Courtesy : http://www.ibtimes.co.in/prithvirajs-anarkali-movie-review-feel-good-romantic-love-story-654822) delivers a simple message: Sincere love stays forever even if there isn't any communication between the individuals; fate will unite them no matter what, if the love is true.

Directorirector Sachy's "Anarkali" narrates the story of young navy officers Shanthanu and Zacharia, played by Prithviraj and Biju Menon. Shanthanu falls in love with Nadira (Priyal Gor), daughter of Rear Admiral Jaffer Imam (Kabir Bedi), and certain incidents change their life.

Years later, Shanthanu arrives at Kavaratti as a diving instructor and Zacharia as a system engineer of the island's light house. "Anarkali" is all about love and friendship.

Coming to the performances, Prithviraj has done a good job as a smart young naval officer and later as a matured individual who trains divers in Kavaratti. However, Biju steals the show with his remarkable comic timing and witty counters. Kudos to Suresh Krishna for speaking in the island's native language, Jeseri.

Unlike other language actresses, Priyal Gor has a good chemistry with Prithviraj as her acting looks natural and impressive.

Kabir Bedi needs a special mention for the role of a strict navy officer, and he looks convincing. Miya as Sherin Mathew, medical superendant of the island, Sudev Nair as navy officer, Arun as Prithviraj's friend, and Samskruthy Shenoy as a native of the island have done their parts well.

Filmmakers Ranji Panicker, Madhupal, Shyamaprasad, Major Ravi and V K Prakash have also appeared in cameos in "Anarkali".

The film's climax is predictable, but thanks to Biju for handling the situation well by creating a laugh riot in theatres.

Vidyasagar's music has synced well with the intense love theme of the film, but Miya's lip-syncing in her intro song wasn't right at some places.

Sujith Vasudev's cinematography should be given full marks as he has captured the beauty of the island in all ways possible. The use of helicam to shoot an aerial view of Lakshadweep makes us fall in love with the place each time.

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Pavada - The movie subtly deals with two very important themes - drinking and sexuality, It flows with the story and hence the denouement feels natural. The lives of two drunkards - Pavada Babu Sir and Pambu Joy are brought into focus. Performances from Prithviraj, Anoop Menon and Nedumudi were outstanding.

The plot in summary is: An alcoholic duo, met at a de-addiction center helps each other to arrange their lives back together with their persistent illness. Pambu Joy's married life is in a muddle due to his alcoholism. Pavada Babu's life is in pieces due to a film he produced, in which Sicily was the heroine, Joy's mother. For financial gain the film was adulterated by Eldho. Eldho intends to re-release the film's 3D extended version. Both Pambu Joy and Pavada Babu fights through their alcoholism to stop the re-release of the film due to the added pain that will cause for Babu and to Joy's mother Sicily.


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Which is your favourate among this three? - All 2015 release Prithviraj movies - The guy is back in form in Malayalam...

Sarangi

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Enjoy the specially hand designed jewellary from my Friend - Proud of you dear, and all the very best in your venture. Go and grab yours...

Love, Marriage & Depression

Choose your Lady/Man wisely.

Life seems to be complete when you have someone to share it with, though Solitude has its own bliss. Blessed are we, if we find a person who is a mirror of us. Only in another person's heart you can truely see yourself and the presence of God within you.

Age is just a number for true lovers; at a time when life is witnessing the turbulence of ‘happily never afters’, there are some who adheres to the notion of 'Till death do us apart’.

Electrified admirer do all it takes to woo the man/woman of their dreams.. But not everything would work out. Marriages have to survived the ups and downs for decades. No marriage is perfect. How can it be, when as human beings we are not perfect? It is mutual love, respect and adoration that keeps a marriage ticking.” Years passes by, love remains.

Mourning Pratyusha's death, Karan Johar tweeted, “This is just so sad...and a wake up calm to families and friends who don’t consider depression a medical condition...RIP.”

When marriage/love fail, people get into derpression. So it is important to make wise decision, as you need to take care of your life.

Missie and Mr. Clean

Studious Missie, with her long thick hair plated into two, traditional, from a typical middle class family; dreamt of how lucky it was to be placed in the booming IT sector company soon after college. Having done her schooling from a vernacular school of South India, she thought it was beyond her talent; and expected that people working there had to be hifi. Her joy knew no bounds, when she finally got a placement out there, in one of the companies. What better gift she could give to her parents, whom she loved dearly - more than anyone and anything in her life; only other person being her lovely sibling?

As always, before anything auspicious, she went to the temple, asked God to shower blessings on her, and started with her dream career. The corridors, the door to the office, the reception, chairs, paperless office, computers everywhere with duel monitor; she kept wondering where she was. Delightful journey began in her life. She had new 'friends' - and as she was a person who thought with her heart, presumed and trusted every one as her friend, and did not realise that they were mere colleagues.

Within few days of her joining, there was a trip planned. They were to leave soon after office hours, which followed US timings. As they were about to leave; an email popped up her screen:
"Missis, please reserve the seat next to you, for me" - she was spell bound, it was quite unexpected. But there was a spark in her mind, a smile on her face. Well, what could go wrong? After all, the message had come from Mr. Clean, who joined few days, after she did; though at a senior level being an IIPM product; Mr. Clean - The handsome young man; whom she had been training. How well he spoke English, and with the clients overseas in calls; indeed a gentleman.

Unfortunately though she reserved the seat next to her; it was occupied by another colleague. Mr. Clean in a polite way asked if the seat could be swiped; and finally they were together the whole night, sitting next to each other. There was an electric wave passing through her. As they spoke to each other the whole night, she saw traces of her father in him. That was the kind of life partner she expected to have; if ever she had one. When the team was busy watching movie, she was staring outside. He asked her what was wrong, and she said - she was missing her family. He reassured her that in his presence she did not need to, and they started exchanging words and heart. Next day she had a sprain in her leg, and could not go around, and had to take rest and be in the bus. He accompanied her in the bus and stayed behind - in the pretext of giving her company in case she needed anything. So continued their long chats - hand in hand for hours; all heated up. Well the time had come for the first trip to end, and he just got down, as if nothing had happened. She felt sad at the bottom of her heart. As she was heading home, she kept thinking, about all that happened, and what it meant. She wondered if she had met her soulmate; the partner of her life. On reaching home she was shocked and could not understand the message she got - "Was'nt the presex feeling great?" What did it mean? Nothing made sense, she wanted to end up everything. But was not sure, if it was part of life. She liked him, and started falling for him; while he told her it might be just infactuation and they needed to give some time.

During client visit outings, she learned from him how to use spoon, fork and knife to eat; though with boss and seniors around, while returning, he would sit in cab hand in hand with hers. She asked him if he loved her, and he said he was not sure. As they lived along the same route, they at times shared cabs enroute home, after office hours. Some of these were noted by the cab drivers, and she became the Dirty girl. He went to onsite for transition. She had a new friend in office. A Hindu Nair girl, who was in love with a Christian boy. Seeing them together made her want to have someone in her life as well, and she felt there was nothing wrong in going forward with her relationship. Whenever Mr. Clean was in office, they would lock their eyes, but never speak to each other. When something would go wrong, or he would try to ignore her, she would spend hours in the restroom crying. There she would find that she was not alone, there were more than handfull of girls, going through similar emotions. A smart clean and gentle boy, as he was; knew how to make use of the available opportunity.

The first of their private meeting was during office hours, soon after her father dropped her near office, he picked her from there and took her to an isolated place; touched her and kissed her on her private parts, boobs, stomach; and asked her to return his 'favour' by touching his pennis. Twice he took her to isolated houses, one his cousins; and another a flat where he was supposed to introduce her to his family - but on reaching home no one was there; he repeated the same action. Soon after he derived his pleasure he would just hurry off. The last was on the pretext of dropping her home after a friends wedding reception; when at night, he took her home, and said he would want to suck her breast. Though she said that was for her kid, and not for him, somehow he finally managed to do it.

All these four incidents happened, intermittently as they continued being just colleagues, friends, in a relationship - different faces, at small intervals. She kept getting into depression, started having medicines for depression; soon her family got to know about this. She was at times ashamed of herself, and thought how could she betray her family, and love someone more that everyone she has every loved. She did not realise Love was blind. Love was the king of all emotions, and she had the painful need to be with her lover. She loved him with all hear heart, but for him, it was just a time pass. She and her family were innocent. She even went to his home and confessed her love for him to his parents.

Here I remember the beautiful lines - "Adjustment & Compromise are 2 crucial sides of the same coin called relationship. Adjust when someone wants to be with you & Compromise when you want to be with someone." This is exactly what happened and what she did; not realising what she was doing. Also it is said that, when you love someone set them free; if if comes back to you, it is your's; if it does not, it was never yours. She just could not let her Love free, and wait to know if there was something genuine; but wanted him desperately; and he did not miss the opportunity he had.

He told her, he was kind to her, by not having sex with her, and thereby not spoiling her! What did that mean? Also he accused her of being a third rated Ezhava, who wanted to have an affair with a Nair boy, to belong to a higher caste....A modern educated boy; where did the feeling of caste go, when he had momentary pleasure with her? It became a matter of concern, only when it was time to make life time decisions?

She trusted only one person, whom she thought would support her, and give her the adivse that she wanted. Every coin has two side, and this might be partly one side of the coin; but a lesson to learn, remember and not to be repeated.

Indeed " The bravest thing she ever did was continuing her life, when she wanted to die"; she was victim of circumstances; anybody could have been at her place; and she wanted to warn the gen. next to be carefule; not to fall in a trap partly woven, partly pulled into, as she had fallen into the trap.

1. Never tolerate any injustice and never compromise on self-respect. Value your values.
2. Life is not safe out there, Take care.
3. Depression is deadly, don't let yourself into that mode.

KaFa

Had been waiting to meet her….today for almost 2 hours, but it was worth it…was very excited. We would be meeting after 5 years…Was it too long? Well with the advents of social networking sites like Facebook it appeared to be just yesterday that we had departed, but emotionally there was so much missing.

She was the same both physically and mentally; appearing to be strong but within a cry baby. She kept telling me I will be there in 10 minutes, and I kept walking around the mall – window shopping as well as doing some real shopping; thinking if it was okay to come early – though mom and sis had asked to stay home till evening, and we had plans to go and watch the jungle book.

Finally the cry baby, my Rams did turn up – handing over to me a finely woven Sarangi ear-rings from her new venture, with a smile on her face and undercurrent of emotions flowing beneath. First thing she said was – Chechi I should not have married. Don’t know why, and what was beneath that statement, but superficially she appeared to have a good companion in life. Who was there for her. Though very much different.

She had been going through a very tough face in life. Like every woman, she wanted to be a mother, have her own baby. The day was just one year, after she lost her carrying baby to be born and had to undergo a DNC. Wanting to have another, and expecting one, she got her monthly periods which added to her vow.

Kalli – Anger was beneath her – we managed to get into the corner of the Bloomsbury – to nibble something as she was fasting since morning, and to catch up with some private chat. Her mother was going through her last stage of cancer; and spoke to her as well. They did remember me. She said, the day her mom is no more – she, her father and sister too will leave this world, as this is not the place for innocent people like them. My dear Ram, you are educated, strong and woman of today – you should be the strength to your sister and father – it does not suit you speaking this. Be strong.

True only a handful of men if at all any could be good; but most of them are bad; it is not at all acceptable that anyone use a girl for days after marriage and leave her back home – my heart goes out to your sister; let her have the courage to go through this phase in life.

Fanna – this was what surprises me the most about you. Inspite of so much going on – saw in you – Fanna – You were still not out of your first love – and Indeed how could one easily forget someone whom you wanted to be your life partener, loved more than the best family you had; and thought of sharing a life with; who promised to marry only ‘Ramya’ if he was not a bastered; but ended up marrying another ‘Remya’? – First things are always dear to our heart – But life goes on, and we must move on – Twice he ditched you, and you have moved forward – please don’t look back my dear – The past is history, future is a mystery - Live today. Love your Life.

We walked around the mall for sometime – I had never been there for so long – more than 5 hours, but it was not enough – she could just go on and on – and she wanted me to write about her – well I knew just 1/10 or even less; and by no means were I a writer – but as she desired – so I do. And because of her Kalli and Fanna – Call this KaFa…This is her story.

Trip to Pondi and Mahabhalipuram

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Trip buddies, me with Jisha again set out for our next tour - this time around the only plan being - We start Friday 25th evening. Bus - Kallada travels to pondy from Edapally at 5:30 pm. Reach pondy Saturday morning. Booked hotel Abirami for saturday. Checkout on Sunday and proceed to Mahabalipuram. Hotel booked till Wednesday. 30th wed checkout and proceed to Chennai. Evening 4:20 flight to Kochi. Best thing is I had to know of nothing; Mera Jisha arranged for everything - The best birthday gift I ever had.

It is said that Well begun is half done - we did start well, but the beginning of the trip was not that very well.

Hotel booked in Pondi was:

Hotel Abirami Residency – Pondichery
No. 92 Anna Salai, Pondicherry - 605001.
+91 0413-2229881 to 83

Yes, mentioning the full address, because they cheated us. We had booked this hotel via Makemytrip - but when we reached the hotel there were no rooms. Thank fully an auto driver helped us find another one.

Sathishni joined us soon. It was so nice meeting her after years - 8 years to be precise - spend some time chatting and we were very hungry.

Had good lunch from A2B - Adayar Anand Bhavan. Met Surjith, Kajori and family there. Visited Manakula Vinayagar Temple;Sri Aurobindo Ashram; Matrimandir (Aurovilla),
Gandhi statue, Promenade Beach, Immaculate Conception Cathedral, Aayi Mandapam (monument), Gateway to Pondichery -

Next day had been to 'Kaasha khi Asha' & Bharathi Park.

Also indulged in the variety of cuisines available in this town during Pondicherry tour. From South Indian to authentic French and Vietnamese delicacies.

From there took a local bus to Mahabalipuram - where everything welcomed us with open arms and joy. Hotel Pallava Dynesty was a good one. We spend that evening in the shore temple 

and beach. Loved being into the seawater - which I missed in Pondi.

Next day we went to Dakshina Chitra where tradition came alive; 

and on return went site seeing to the rest of Mahabhalipuram viz:
• Pancha Rathas (Five Chariots) – five monolithic pyramidal structures named after the Pandavas (Arjuna, Bhima, Yudhishtra, Nakula and Sahadeva) and Draupadi. An interesting aspect of the rathas is that, despite their sizes they are not assembled – each of these is carved from one single large piece of stone.
• Light House, built in 1894 - we did climb the 93 steps untill the top. 

The first light was commissioned here in 1887. With a circular masonry tower made of stone, it became fully functional in 1904. Its source of light comes from dis-chargeable lamps, which rotate in bowls of mercury. Beneath it is the old light house, also known as Olakkanesvara Temple, it is India’s oldest lighthouse, built around 640 CE during the reign of Pallava king Rajasimha. This lighthouse/temple is categorised as one of the “Group of Monuments” at Mahabalipuram that were designated as a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1984. Currently, the Pallava era lighthouse is a protected monument, maintained by the Archaeological Survey of India. Like the Shore Temple, the Olakkannesvara Temple is a structural temple. Its name translates to “flame eye.” It is situated directly above the Mahishasuramardini mandapa on a hillock which provides scenic views of the town. Prior to the construction of the new lighthouse at this site in 1900, the roof of the Olakkannesvara Temple served as the lighthouse. The climb is not too steep. Stone steps have been chiseled out of the rocky hill to assist visitors. On each of the four walls are chiseled different avatars of Shiva. On the exterior walls, there are two sculpted images in the niches of the ardha-mandapa. Enclosed within pilasters, these images of Shiva as Kalari killing “Kaala” (Yama) are later additions, not attributable to the Pallavas. On external walls of the main shrine, there are other niches or devkoshtas; on the south wall the sculpture is of Shiva as Dakshinamurthi under a tree in seated posture, on the west face an image of Shiva and Parvati seated on Kailash Mountain with Ravana trying to shake the mountain. There is another image on the north wall is of Shiva in the posture of Nataraja. I heard hat sometime towards the end of the eighteenth century, the sivalinga was stolen from the temple.

 

• Krishna's Butter ball. - One of my favourate spot since childhood. 

Mahabhalipuram, not sure why, has always been one of my most favourite places in the world. 

The day after had been to the 'City of Thousand Temples'; the second holiest place in India next only to Varanasi. Had been to Kamakshi Amman Temple, dedicated to Devi Shakti; Ekambareshwarar shrine - where Lord Shiva is worshippe in the form of Prithvi (earth, the Ulahalanda Perumal temple representing the 'Vamana Roopam' sacred Vishnu shrine of Vaikunta Perumal - which also had golden lizarad, also visited a SSI where hand-woven silk fabric was being manufactured, and did buy some sarees as well; a memorable product of Kancheepuram craftsmen.

The samosa and crispy Jilebi from Mahabalipuram bus-stop on returning was really yummy - taste still lingers.

The days away from the real life was over very soon with good memories, and had to return to real life. We started early - but did visit Mylapore - reminising the good old times - with food from Sangeetha - covering Ramakrishna Mutt,

 Kapaleshwara Kovil, St. Thome church (only church in India, and one of the three in the world - to be build on the apostel of Jeasus - others being in Rome and Spain); Luss church, and Marina Beach; enroute Chennai airport for our return flight; 

Loved to see that even Chennai airport paid tribute to the Majestic Mahabhalipuram. 

via. Tvm. Well - did not know that there was still something awaiting us, first flight over the mighty meeting of three seas - all this ended with yummy dinner prepared by Jisha's mom - the best of all the food we had.

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  Pondicherry is a quaint little town that echoes remanents of its French legacy even after 70 years. It got its freedom and was made into a union territory of India in 1964. We enjoyed driving through its green alcoves, arbours and avenues. Tree lined streets with three storied colonial buildings and cobbled streets remind us of its bygone years. Then there is the Aurobindo Ashram and Auroville the peaceful international community centre plus a lot of churches and temples to view.

We decided to go to the Rock Beach we sneaked out and drove to the beach and walked on the promenade that runs along the entire length of the coastal beach. After a refreshing couple of hours, we went back to the hotel,  and drove off to Mahabalipuram 

This city is all about rocks and rock sculpting. On both sides of the highway sculptors were seen selling their beautiful stone sculptures, except the they were way, way beyond our pockets and purses. The group of temples at Mahabalipuram were cut out from rocks, built of rocks or monolithic rock carvings. There were many huge round rocks precariously poised in a gravity defying manner atop other rocky surfaces. Several brave tourists were seen posing for photographs beneath them and around them. We did not dare to venture into such adventurous acts, just in case the rocks ( after all these years) suddenly decided to agree to the pull of gravity and logic! Anyway, off we went to Chennai after a sumptuous food and stay.

Wedding - Way of Life

True to the core - "To get the full value of joy, you must have someone to divide it with". What one person cannot do - two can; and what one person can do, two can do still better. This is the basis of any society, team or family.

During riddle time there used to be a question - where do Divorce come before marriage? and now it appears that this is comming true in every walk of life.

Inspite of it, people spend so much of money on marriages, why?

1. Our culture is very old. Older the culture, bigger the burden, deeper the conditioning. "If its been around for so long, it must be right". Most actions are based on beliefs than rationale, with deep rooted traditions. So if you disagree, it makes you 'wrong', not 'different'.

2. Western influence is changing things: This is not a judgmental - but a factual statement. In the 50s you would have dutifully done what your parents said, in the 80s - you would have expressed your opinion but conformed anyway. Today you dare to consider the possibility of actually doing what you think - because you have seen that its possible. Does not make it 'right'.

If people are really in love they would not need an invisible string of marriage to hold on. The fact that one is needed suggests that peope couldn’t love enough to make it work.

People might not express - but somewhere deep down, most of the people as they grow up wants to get married; and some really do not want to. Belive it or not; it has not been a year, I heard by nephew and cousin of 5 years discussing, seeing my sisters marriage video - Will you get married when you grow up? I will; and the other said - no I will not. Guess that feeling is inculcated in the mind as we grow up, as we see the lives of people around.

Most of us would have witnessed parents have had the worst fight of their lives. They would swear not to talk to each other again. We would think they would leave each other; go their separate ways. But most of them have stuck to their vow to be with each other in thick and thin - untill death dead them apart. This thought held the family together.

This made me realize that relationships are not only about love but they are also about hatred, frustrations and disappointments;and marriage was that invisible thread which held peope together when the light of your love is wrapped around by the clouds of misunderstandings. It held people together during those weak moments of your relationship. No matter how much love you have for each other, sometimes there comes those weak moments and marriage held couples together during such tough times. But it no more does; same as is the case with Joint family system vis a vis Nuclear family.

But with people becoming economically and socially independent; and moving into an age of throw away times - anything that lasts long, repulse and so do commited long lasting relationships; untill and unless they are really strong.

Inspite of this, it is hilarious, how much of money people spend on wedding; when they could use it for other worth while purposes.

1) Costly wedding cards - How many of them are really preservied? Is this really needed? We say Go Green read on screen; and then why spend so much on wedding cards?
2) Long Guest Lists - Well you need to have your loved ones around, if required(not mandatory) when you move into a new beginning of your life; but it does not make sense to invite - every one you know - mind you; all the people you know are neither your friends, nor your loved ones.
3) Lavish speding - You might want to make your special day a memorable one; but this does not mean you need to spend lavishly for this day - spend all the life's earnings? You need to have a better life after your wedding, and not just a grand wedding day.

If you are destined to meet your Mr./Mrs. Right, and you are bound to be tied by the holy knot of wedding, you will be; God willing. But how much you spend for this one day or you make the rest of your life happy is upto you.

One person's cost is another person's review - a way of life. Good, let the people who have money and want to spend do it. But the irony is when it becomes a norm. When everybody want's to replicate the style of elite.

What is the guarantee that inspite of all the spend, the couple would live happily ever after?

It has become a routine, marriages, divorces & suicide. Either one of the partner or the parent. Now Pratyusha Banerjee; similar tragedies of Nafisa and Jiah Khan in recent times; and innumberable in all the years gone by who were all 'beautiful and talented girls'; most of them in love give up their life? Agree to Hemaji's tweet - “All these senseless suicides which achieve nothg! Life is God’s gift for us to live not for us to take at will. We have no right to do that,”

So very true - 90% of success in life depends on marrying the right person. The cost of Love - as Mr. Amari Soul rightly mention - Falling in love with the wrong person could cost you everything..

King of Good Times....

Whatever goes up has to come down...& It is only greed that can bring a person down.

Harshad Mehta, Lalit Modi, so many to name and now Vijay Mallaya. Missing my father to have a heated debate on this..as we had during the fall of big companies.

Once called the "King of Good Times" and "the playboy of the East" due to his extravagant lifestyle, Mallya and his companies have been embroiled in financial controversies and difficulties in recent years, and especially since 2012.

Mallya became the Chairman of United Breweries Group in 1983 at the age of 28, following his father Vittal Mallaya's death. Since then, the group has grown into a multi-national conglomerate of over 60 companies, with an annual turnover which increased by 64 % over 15 years. UB Group is an Indian conglomerate with interests in beverage alcohol, aviation infrastructure, real estate and fertiliser among others.

Vittal’s son and sole heir Vijay Mallya started Kingfisher Airlines almost on a whim in 2005, with a sudden announcement at a board meeting, disregarding warnings by his trusted lieutenants about a business which required insane amounts of cash and gave little or no returns. But once the airline was set up, anyone who travelled on it sang its praises due to excellent service standards, set by Mallya himself. However, never in all of its existence did Kingfisher Airlines turn in a profit though.

Today a consortium of 17 state-owned and private banks, led by State Bank of India have alleged that Mallya diverted some Rs 4000 crore of the money he borrowed from them to offshore tax havens like Mauritius and the Cayman Islands.

As per the disclosure of property - as required by MP's of Rajya Sabha, he has no houses. So what about all the lavish houses in Mumbai and Goa, where he had parties, the answer is; they are in the balance sheets of United Spirits Limited (USL), Mr Mallya's flagship spirits company, sold to UK-based liquor giant Diageo in 2013.

Diageo found the company it owned had 13 properties on its balance sheet, including Mr Mallya's sea-facing house in Mumbai, his bungalow on Sardar Patel Marg, Delhi and the splashy Kingfisher Villa in Goa.

So the liquor company had paid for a multitude of mansions for Mr Mallya's private use.

Diageo's scrutiny also suggested that as the airline's debt entangled Mr Mallya, a billionaire, USL signed an agreement with a company called PE Data, nominated by Mr Mallya, granting it first rights to buy these properties; but Diageo has done with the agreement, with PE after investigations, finding it to be a defunct company.

Clouds of uncertainty loom over Virat Kohli’s IPL team, Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB).Mallya bought the Indian Premier League (IPL) franchise in 2008 for $111.6 million (about Rs 476 crore). RCB has reported substantial losses since then. Royal Challenge Sports Pvt Ltd (RCSPL).

Mallya resigned with effect from February 25, 2016, as chairman and non-executive director of United Spirits Ltd (USL) and as director of RCSPL, as part of a sweetheart deal with UK-based Diageo. RCB was owned by USL.

Mallya has come under intense scrutiny in recent weeks after a sweetheart deal he inked with Diageo, the current controlling owner of United Spirits, under which he is getting Rs 515 crore (USD 75 million) out of which has already paid USD 40 million,to exit from the board of the company founded by his family and taken to the top by him.

Grounding of Kingfisher Airlines in 2012, under huge financial stress, led to one-by-one unravelling of Mallya's huge business empire that once consisted of beer, spirits, fertilisers, engineering and aviation businesses along with huge real estate assets.

Read more at: http://www.moneycontrol.com/news/business/diageo-to-review-tribunal-order-says-3640mn-paid-to-mallya_5855761.html?utm_source=ref_article

Well he is still communicating with the world, without disclosing his whereabouts, that is the world we are living in today...

The Lone Fighter

Destiny has it's own ways. Life is full of various families and people. Some with all greatness, some a constant fighter, and some flighters.

Whatever she does - whenever I think of her and the life she lived - I count my blessings.

Youngest of the five siblings, when she saw her mother being burned alive in Mumbai; she was 5 years, with her eldest sister married, and three elder brothers in between them. Who knows if it was an accident, suicide or murder? The elder married daughter continued living in Mumbai, while the other four where brought to their Native land - where grandparents lived. Their father would very rarely visit them; so they grew up with their relatives untill the elder brother started earning, which he had to take upon soon. The youngest of the three brothers had mental disorder, might be because of the shock from viewing the death of his mother. Medicines kept him in control.

Things started appearing to get better with the second brother getting into an MNC. Elder brother going to middle east and settled. The second one too marrying his sweetheart. But slowly things started slipping again. Elder Brothers Wife started having issues with him spending for his family. Second one got into heavy drinking and drugs - his wife left him first, then he lost his job. Who is to be blamed? Destiny or lack of self control?

When she was of marriageable age, she had to look out for proposals by herself. Finally she got married, and like every women urged to be a mother. Alas 10 years of marriage, and she could not have her own babay. Finally they did adopt one.

Her elder brother's wife divorced him, they do not know the reason why, and he was not in touch with anyone at his home town; what happened to him? Did he fall prey to ISIS? Younger brother was supported by her, at times he would stop his medicine if no one reminded, which would add to the problems. Middle one too lost his job, and being addicted, for money started selling things. At times he would go to mumbai - sold gold bangles of his neice's who was married. So his elder sister asked him to stop comming home.

The younger sister neither had the will to leave them alone, nor had the skill to take care of them. She kept struggling with her financials, in laws and brothers. Hoping and praying that she is able to end her fights and have a peaceful life ahead.

Life..Death and Sibila....

നടി : കൽപന
കഥ : അക്ബർ കക്കട്ടിൽ
ഗാനരചന : ഒ.എൻ.വി
സംഗീതം : ഷാൻ ജോൺസൺ
പാശ്ചാതല സംഗീതം : രാജാമണി...
ഛായാഗ്രഹണം : ആനന്ദക്കുട്ടൻ
സംവിധാനം : രാജേഷ് പിളള
ദൈവത്തിന് ഒരു നല്ല സിനിമ കാണാൻ തോന്നിയിരിക്കണം. നടന്റെ കുറവുണ്ട> യി രു ന്നു . നല്ല നടനെ ദൈവം തെരെഞ്ഞെടുത്തു. നാടൻ പാട്ടിന്റെ മണി മുത്ത് കലാഭവൻ മണി അന്തരിച്ചു .ദൈവത്തിന് നല്ല സിനിമ തന്നെ കാണാം .... ആദരാജ്ഞലികൾ....

Well not only in the film industry but even outside.

Each passing day is a day closer to death. Nobody knows when that final moment to bid good bye is and then what next. Daily innumerable; somebody, somewhere. But when among them if anyone is ours its unbearable, especially when we know that it could be at anytime immediate; but not sure when.

Life is a miracle, our body is the temple of holy spirit who lives within. There is no other heaven than in between our loved ones; hold them tight and never let them go...Just as air is everywhere but we at time need fan to feel it; visiting temples and praying hard for peace and good health helps.


Jan 10th she was hospitalised, 12th was her surgery and on 24th it was said she would leave at the most for 2 days; but it is only Reghus prayes that is holding her. Hats off to him, and his courage.

When in hospital, me and her sister had disucssed about Kala Bhavan Mani and so many other people. But never knew they would all leave us soo soon, when she is still battling in the hospital.

When people have been to Moon, Mars and around the world decades before, when atom bombs and hydrogen bombs are manufactured, when there was penicillin in the 1940s; why is still there no vacine or cure for cancer? If Xray was found long back in 1895; why does it take so long to detect cancer? Is it true that the pharmaceutical industry would never release a new drug which cured cancer even if they accidentally found one? Is it because curing cancer would cut into the profits of the super-rich owners of the pharmaceutical industry?

True there is still no cure for diabetes or BP too, but people live a long life if these diseases including cancer are managed well! People are slowly realising to peacefully coexist with the deases. And it appears that those not having any of these diseases, and those who neither drink or smoke are dying sooner?

Could be because we are surrounded by carcinogenic stuff! And most of the sources are completely lawfully produced products.

Fifty Shades....by E.L. James

Have you heard about 50 Shades of Grey? If you are an English novel lover and have not heard, you are most likely living in a cave. Women everywhere are buzzing about this bestselling erotic novel, which tells the story of a wealthy entrepreneur’s affair with an innocent college student by First-time author E.L. James. (Real name is Erika Mitchell (born 7 March 1963)from London)

James has turned 50 Shades into a trilogy: Fifty Shades of Grey, Fifty Shades Darker and Fifty Shades Freed. In E.L. James' bestselling Fifty Shades of Grey, one of Christian Grey's most endearing qualities is that he is a very successful businessman. So successful he may have purchased 49 of his 50 shades. The 27-year-old dropped out of Harvard to start his own business in Seattle and Grey holds the illustrious title of Most Successful U.S. Businessman Under the Age of 30 it is "a world leader in communication technologies, sustainable energy and intelligent systems development." The company also focuses on mergers and acquisitions, buying underperforming companies and, ahem, whipping them into shape. While Christian Grey may be fictional, there are still some valuable lessons to be learned from his success in the boardroom and the bedroom.

Here are seven traits that successful CEOs can learn from 50 Shades of Grey: (Courtesy MSN)

1. Resilence:

Christian Grey may be private about some aspects of his personal life, but his rags-to-riches story (born to a crack addict mother, adopted by a well-to-do Seattle family, a billionaire by the age of 25) is well known. His journey from poverty to success taught him resilience--a lesson he took into his bedroom, too.

The best CEOs know that the best businesses are worth pursuing and that failure is just another lesson on the road to success. As Steve Jobs said, "If you really look closely, most overnight successes took a long time.”


2. Be Passionate

Passion is what drives the best companies. As Zappos founder Tony Hsieh said, "Stop chasing the money and start chasing the passion.” A passionate leader can recruit equally passionate team members, raise capital from driven investors, and keep their teams willing and able to put in the long hours necessary to build a successful company. But passions can also cloud a CEO's judgment, lead to poor choices, and mislead a leader about their business prospects. Christian Grey has very singular passions, but keeps them completely controlled and entirely out of the workplace-- sublimating his passions into career drive. Great corporate leaders know how to balance passions, letting them drive a company, but keeping them in check and in perspective.

3. Find the Right Team Members


When Christian first met Ana, he almost instantly knew that he wanted her to become his, shall we say, team member. He knew that she had certain desirable characteristics that would make her a valuable partner. To recruit her, he set about learning everything he could about her before wooing her on to his, um, team. Careful recruiting is the key to growing a successful business. The best leaders know that they alone don't have all the required skills to build and run a successful company. They must self-assess their own skill sets and then use that information to hire people with skills that will complement and buttress their own. CEOs also need to know their team members' strengths and weaknesses and take the time to learn what makes them tick, what makes them miserable, and what makes them excited. This knowledge can help a CEO -- or someone like Christian Grey --know which skill to apply in which situation to ensure success.

4. Commit to Learning

Over the course of Fifty Shades, Christian makes a commitment not just to Ana, but to learning how to be in a committed relationship. Competent CEOs know that they don't know everything. As companies grow, the most thoughtful and effective leaders make learning an active part of their day, seeking advice, consulting with experts, and encouraging their team to do the same. If learning becomes an active part of corporate culture, companies can stay agile and responsive in a quickly changing environment.

5. Be A Constructive Critic

One of the most important skills for a CEO to have is the ability to be great at difficult conversations. While in Fifty Shades Christian's most challenging conversations were usually held in the bedroom and not the boardroom, CEOs do need to be able to have uncomfortable talks with employees, investors and themselves. Because of his capable way with words, Christian was able to tell Anastasia about his singular sexual proclivities, and offer constructive criticism so she could learn and grow as a companion. Good leaders need to be ready and able to deliver critical feedback in a way that that is encouraging and not demoralizing; to give feedback that teaches the recipient how to succeed.

6. Be Respectful

A good CEO knows that respect is something you earn: from the customer, employees, investors and, eventually, the industry at large. To earn respect, listen to people, treat your employees like people; not like subordinates, work hard, recognize and reward effort and be genuine. Treating people with respect also breeds happiness and the happier your customers are the more likely they will stay, grow and refer others to your company. Same goes for team members, investors, and, of course, boyfriends or girlfriends. Christian tried to be respectful of Anastasia's boundaries, but his refusal to compromise about their relationship resulted in her leaving him in tears at the end of the first book. While Christian had two sequels in which to make it up to Anastasia, businesses may not get a second or third chance to woo a customer back. Treating everyone with respect from the get-go is a far more productive choice.

7. Be Risk Aware (and Tolerant)

Building a business--or a relationship--is all about taking risk. The best CEOs recognize risks and figure out ways to manage it whether bringing in oversight teams or using scenario planning to devise strategies in advance or, even better, devise ways to leverage risk and turn it into opportunity. Still, there is being risk tolerant and there is taking unnecessary risks that can jeopardize a business.

While Christian says, "risky decisions have never bothered me," he did have Anastasia Steele sign a Non Disclosure Agreement before revealing his big secret.

Well the book as the name suggests has fifty shades of Grey's character. It made me to research on the concept called BDSM, and not just Vanella - which I had never heard before - BDSM is a variety of erotic practices or roleplaying involving bondage, dominance and submission, sadomasochism, and other interpersonal dynamics. Given the wide range of practices, some of which may be engaged in by people who do not consider themselves as practicing BDSM, inclusion in the BDSM community or subculture is usually dependent on self-identification and shared experience. Interest in BDSM can range from one-time experimentation to a lifestyle. It is made up of:
BD - Bondage & Discipline.
DS - Domination & Submission.
SM - Sadism & Masochism

Very scary even to read - Don't know why and how people find pleasure in pain.

As the authoress E.L. James blog say about Christian Grey who exercises controll in all things:

his world is neat, disciplined, and utterly empty—until the day that Anastasia Steele falls into his office, in a tangle of shapely limbs and tumbling brown hair. He tries to forget her, but instead is swept up in a storm of emotion he cannot comprehend and cannot resist. Unlike any woman he has known before, shy, unworldly Ana seems to see right through him—past the business prodigy and the penthouse lifestyle to Christian’s cold, wounded heart.

Will being with Ana dispel the horrors of his childhood that haunt Christian every night? Or will his dark sexual desires, his compulsion to control, and the self-loathing that fills his soul drive this girl away and destroy the fragile hope she offers him?

Read the Trialogy if you want to know more...Well why is the movie banned in India and not the book?

Vettah

So many back to back deaths in films industry and around now all in 40's. Director Rajesh Pillai of Traffic fame, passed away on Saturday, the 5th of March 2016.

Vettah just released on Friday and he was in hospital to bid good bye for ever on Saturday; indeed - We do not choose life, life chooses us. Life is a hunt, we choose either to hunt or be hunted.

"The biggest success for any crime thriller is to open as many loops, confuse the audience, surprise them with the final revelation and smartly close all loops. Rajesh Pillai checks the first two off the list but misses the last two. This mind game involving a criminal (Kunchacko Boban with a sly smile trying to look evil) who exploits the minds of 2 investigating officers Sadly the cops in the film are people lacking the common sense of school kids what with they not bothering to check the precedents of the criminal in their custody or failing to trace the origin of all those secret messages they are getting."

Kunchaco Boban is the actor who had to do bulk of the acting and it was a sincere attempt from him portraying the mystery character of Melwin to perfection. There were different phases and the character passes through desperate situations and he was successful with his acting. At times he had to convey something through mere looks or smile and he was upto the task. Well he did what Manju did in How old are you?

Indeed Rajesh Pillai did leave a legacy and a big question mark in the minds of many, at least me - may be because I am around that age...

Siblings Estrangement

Happen to view Malayalam Actress Kalpana's interview with Britas in Kairali TV. Did not know her relationship with Urvashi was estranged. So is it a common phenomenon?

This is what most parents do not want to happen, well there are exceptions everywhere though; and it appears that only 26% of 18-65 reported having a highly supportive sibling relationship; 19% has apathetic one, while 16% has hostile, in an Oakland University survey.

Siblings do stop speaking, why ties break down and how real families reconcile, do vary from case to case. But Brother and sister estrangement is a common unspoken phenomenon. Most siblings in contentious relationships still feel pulled towards one another.

Most of the times, it is rivalry that turns to strife. As kids, brothers and sisters fight. They get angry for stealing toys or crossing invisible boundaries. The ability to fight with your siblings and resolve those conflicts is an important developmental achievement. Siblings who never learn to manage these conflicts are most at risk for adult estrangement. You have no incentive to remain in contact. You just want to stay away.

There are two personality types who appear prone to being estranged by siblings: those who are extremely hostile and those who are grievance collectors. Those with successful careers and fulfilling lives are less likely to fixate on the past and even enjoy over-coming their 'underdog' reputation.

Completely cutting off a sibling, regardless of how much it may be deserved, has serious ramifications. Those who initiate estrangement often feel deep regret later. We have our parents for at the most say 30-50 years, but we have our siblings for 50-80 years, and they are the only person who remembers your childhood, and you have nothing to say to them? It's tragic, Fight open up...

Live Life...

I liked this msg .. Felt like Sharing...

No matter who you are, how experienced you are, and how knowledgeable you think you are, always delay judgement.
Give others the privilege to explain themselves.
What you see may not be the reality. Never conclude for others.
Which is why we should never only focus on the surface and judge others without understanding them first.
Those who like to pay the bill, do so not because they are loaded but because they value friendship above money.
Those who take the initiative at work, do so not because they are stupid but because they understand the concept of responsibility.
Those who apologize first after a fight, do so not because they are wrong but because they value the people around them.
Those who are willing to help you, do so not because they owe you any thing but because they see you as a true friend.
Those who often text you, do so not because they have nothing better to do but because you are in their heart.
Those who take out time to chat with you, does not mean they are jobless or less busy, but they know the importance of keeping in touch.
One day, all of us will get separated from each other; we will miss our conversations of everything & nothing; the dreams that we had.
Days will pass by, months, years, until this contact becomes rare... One day our children will see our pictures and ask 'Who are these people?' And we will smile with invisible tears because a heart is touched with a strong word and you will say: 'IT WAS THEM THAT I HAD THE BEST DAYS OF MY LIFE WITH'.

Only a few people care, the rest are just curious. Share your emotions with those you accept and love you the way you are. Give your best fake smile to the others.

Life laughs at you when you are unhappy. Life smiles at you when you are happy. But, life salutes you when you make others happy. Spread Happiness. Be selective in your battles; sometimes peace is better than being right.

"Sometimes you are unsatisfied with your life, while many people in this world are dreaming of living your life..

A child on a farm sees a plane fly overhead and dreams of flying. But a pilot on the plane sees the farmhouse and dreams of returning home.

That's life! Enjoy yours...If wealth is the secret to happiness, then the rich should be dancing on the streets. But only poor kids do that.

If power ensures security, then officials should walk unguarded. But those who live simply, sleep soundly.

If beauty and fame bring ideal relationships, then celebrities should have the best marriages.

Live simply, walk humbly and Love genuinely...All good will come back to you...

Neerja

Emotional and pride filled beginning to the weekend with Neerja, Indeed there is a Neerja in every girl – strong but soft, hiding her fears, who do not like tears, but has it and holds it back. Sonam appears to have worked hard but struggles with the character; at times with a slight smile on her face; when it would have been a tension or fear; the performances by the men who play hijackers especially the guy who plays the hot-headed Khalil; is so convincing and you do feel terrorised. Good to have quality bio-pics being released off late; indeed a food for thought.
http://neerjabhanot.org/home.html


Courage. Commitment.Compassion.

Three simple words that best personify Neerja Bhanot.

Neerja Bhanot Pan Am Trust is keeping the memory of Neerja alive by reflecting, in its objectives and actions, two main and basic features of her character:

1. Do your duty, come what may, AND
2. Never tolerate any injustice and never compromise on self-respect.

Hussain(A passenger in the flight) reminisced the farewell words of Neerja, to him and other passengers of "Get Out. Run" would forever ring in his ears.

To Heroine Neerja
Harindranath Chattopadhyaya

You have become historic
And made heroism heroic!
Your valour even hallows
Great martyrs on the gallows'
Even Death itself, 0 Sweet!
Must befalling at your feet!
To you the salutation, Neerja!
Of the whole nation.

Nothing is more sorrowful for a mother than to have her kid pass away when she is alive. For the rest she would be a lesson, a great learning.

Annual Day at Vidyodaya - Dashavataram & Wizard of Oz

A mesmerising day – beginning with the traditional Rangappoja – ‘Dashavataram’ enacted so well and ending with the beautiful recreation of ‘Wizard of Oz’ well organised – Hats off to the staff and students of Vidyodaya Nursery…The future is budded with talent…

The Wizard of OZ By L. Frank Baum; which was made into a Hollywood movie, and is also part of Broadway shows.
The story unfords in the Kansas Prairie. Dorothy lived in a small house that was in the middle of dry Kansas Prairie. She lived with Uncle Henry, a farmer and aunt EM along with her dear pet ‘Toto’ the dog. One day as Dorothy stood in the door with Toto in her arms, they heard a low wail of the wind and the long grass rippled before the coming ‘Twister’ – The Cyclone.
Cyclone subsides, Dorothy to her surprise, finds herself in the middle of the beautiful land – ‘The Munchkin city’.
Ginda the good fairy of the north appears and declares Dorothy as the sorceress of the Munchkin city and hands her the magic shoes of the witch of the wast, saying “Dorathy you put an end to the cruel witch of the east.” Dorathy requests Glinda to help her get back to Kansas Prairie. Glinda tells her –‘Go to the Emerald City. Meet the Oz. He will help you.”
Dorathy on her way meets ‘Scarecrow’ in the beautiful cornfield.
Dorothy meets ‘Tinman’ – a man made entirely on tin and cowardly ‘Lion’.
All the five friends off they go, at last they reach ‘the poppy field’.
In the poppy field they meet the queen mouse and her friends who guide Dorothy and her friends towards the Emerald city.
Dorothy and her friends finally reach ‘The Emerald City’ and meet Oz –Oz promises to help Dorothy on one condition – ‘Kill the witch of the west and hand me her broom’. So off they sent off to fulfil the mission.
Dorothy and her friends set off towards the castle of the witch of the west..in the middle of their journey, all five are seen being kidnapped by the winkies the winged monkeys –the slaves of The Black Witch.
Dorothy puts an end to the wicked witch of the west. All were freed from the shackles of the witch. OZ keeps his promise. Glinda guides reach Kansas Prairie.

The day was filled with mixed emotions - back to childhood days; and filled with awe....Indeed the future artist being moulded...