George Koshy

Our 'lil Superstars…!

2010-01-05T09:29:00.005+05:30

Had a disturbed night, the last one…my sonny had a 'lil fever and was restless too. Even as I lay there staring at the slow moving ceiling fan, visuals of a 12 year old boy hanging from the ceiling kept flashing in my mind. No, I hadn't seen 12 year old Sushant Patil of Sharadashram school, neither was I at the scene to report. But the image was still there…vividly clear. Blame it on the media if you wish, these images of a kid hanging, bullets, violence, murder et al are all around us each moment.

It's so easy for someone to point a finger at a current blockbuster and blame two main incidents of recent times as an aftermath influence from the movie! Most newspapers I'm going through in Mumbai have the story on the front page. It is more important and thought provoking 'coz Sushant is not the only case. 18 year old Bhajan Preetkaur an engineering student and believe it or not a 11 year old Neha Sawant in the suburb of Dombivili followed the same path. While securing more marks was the cause for the 18 year old, for 11 year old Neha, her parents not letting her participate in a dance show was reason enough.

My son's an year and two months old and I dread the societal times he is growing up in. There is so much competition all around. At work, in the society, at home among siblings and in the school or college. Professors (like in the popular movie I was refering to) badgering-in all the time that no one remembers who took the ‘second place’ in the race. Parents continuously upping the pressure to perform – CAN THE ‘LIL ONES TAKE IT?

Gone are the days when a 80 percentile on the report card was an excellent performance. A 90 today is scorned upon – Toppers meet the 97 – 98 even a 99 point something percentile and it’s this rat race to perform across diverse strata and environments that are leading to increased heart burns and quicker burnouts. Whether be it a young executive at the helm of his corporate career or be it our growing generation.

With working parents; kids today end up living their lives on their own, learning on their own and taking decisions too as they please. The modernistic society loves to term it “independence”. We take pride in our kids being able to do their things on their own and not depending on us as much. But being given the toys and gadgets that adults still strive to cope with, these ‘lil minds hardly possess the discerning ability to choose the right from the wrong – recognize the ‘peak’ of their desires from the ‘want’ that the society thrusts upon them.

I was very particular in starting a family soon after marriage and living with our parents, simply ‘coz of the value system it’ll help build in my growing son. My dad told me one day when I returned from work “I almost re-live all the time I lost with you; in the time I spend with my grandson”. It almost got me thinking – What a rat race of an existence we live. We make all the money, live all our dreams and buy all the property in the world to ensure we enjoy a certain respect/status in the society we live - our kids have an immaculate source of ancestral wealth he can depend upon - and our generations thrive. But what use if we’ve already lost our kids early in the ‘morals’ they’ve built for themselves?

My son gets restless around 6 pm each evening. He leads us to my parent’s bedroom and picks up the ‘lighter’ kept at a designated spot and points it at the lamp near the ‘praying area’. This toddler joins his hand in prayer and shows us the same.
I did not teach him this. But my mother (his grandmother) follows this routine with him every evening. I am busy at work everyday and so is my wife. But we have a backend – my parents – whose lives revolve around their grand child. They have all the time in the world to narrate stories to him – to sing songs for him and I was surprised the other day when I saw my otherwise strict and ‘straight-faced’ dad doing a few dance steps with him (I saved that moment on video!).

And this is the comfort that I hold in my mind when I’m at work – that my kid’s growing-up in safe hands. Living with parent’s maybe an irritant at times. There are times when we feel we lack the freedom or are frustrated at being curfewed-in. But there is also the joy in learning the tricks of the trade.

I probably got the maximum attention as a single child with both parents in the educational field (mom and me almost left for school and got back at the same time). I look back at the comfort that it has provided. When parents insisted on at least one meal together as a family – praying together – At least one vacation together (where there were no phone calls allowed). It creates a bond – a feeling of being wanted – a security that cannot be substituted. And most of all a TRUST deep within that when all hell breaks loose – when the world says you are a failure – you still have a ‘home’ to go back to where you still are the SUPER STAR! And that’s what we need to give our ‘lil Superstars”!

My city is Burning....So many Hearts Weeping..!

2008-12-01T09:41:00.002+05:30

My city is burning….so many bleeding;

hearts weeping and I’m still flying..!

A fly on the wall…just watching;

Flying from one wall to another.

Unable to cry along; unable to share a shoulder.

A hand lent out is scanned for a boom mic;

They think I’m a foe…they think I love to see them cry.

And also think I lack a heart!

Always blamed for saying too much!

But, I was there too…

Scared as much as you were; yet determined to fly on

Dodging the same bullets that you did;

Breathing-in the same smoke you did

The pain was there, the emptiness too

I lost as much as you did too

My faith in so many things..

my leaders my guardian angels my neighbors too.

But I’m still flying on and forever will too

‘coz from one wall to another I hit glass too

And there I lay motionless; looking for help

Unable to even call out..!

But seeing me there you turn around

And find a path that hits no transparent harm

And as I get that breath back I fly on

To another wall from where I look on

And to see you safe and egging on

Simply drains away that swelling tear

Gives me the joy that drives me on

And I go on flying…from wall to wall..!

Mumbai city is burning. And this time it’s not the iconic man-made structures; but the hearts and minds of each Mumbaikar. It happened when not one of us expected. It hit us where it hurt most and it left a wound that’ll maybe someday heal. But I’[m sure is; the scar will remain forever though..!

Day-1

A call from my colleague Yogita Limaye at 10:00pm, there's been a shoot-out at Leopold cafe in colaba...could you find out more? Even as I try finding out, she texts me that she's in any case leaving for the spot with a camera unit; her hunch says it could be important.

Information already meanwhile trickling-in of more gun shots being reported; this time from the Mumbai ‘Chatrapati Shivaji Terminus’. Most television channels too getting into breaking news mode...this had to be major…!

And that's what put us all into an alert mode...each of us calling-in our sources even as 'assignment' alerted logistics, fleet....each of our video-journalists too starting to call-in and enquire if the situation was bad and they needed to come-in.

News started coming in even as I traveled to the spot; the possibility of a gang war between two Nigerian drug-mafia. But CST? How could the situation have reached CST?

10:20pm and we have confirmation from my colleague Toral Varia that it is not a gang-war but a full-on attack. More news trickling-in by the second. A blast at vile-parle? An attack at the airport? There seems to be some trouble at Oberoi Hotel. The air reverberating with sounds that seemed nothing other than fire crackers; at times maybe even a cracker-bomb.

CST road seemed blocked. There was a crowd rushing our way; also some commotion seemingly near CAMA hospital. I head towards the other side. Let me check GT hospital first. This place seemed to be operational for disaster a management long ago ‘coz they’d already setup people to prevent the media from entering. Any information from there seemed highly unlikely; we move towards METRO. Policemen lined-up all along the way; each of them with drawn pistols and ready-to-fire sten-guns. Most of them on their tether ends already. “Hands-up karo!’, came an order even as we approached them. One wrong move, someone would have definitely ‘pulled-it’.

At the Metro junction there seems to be a bunch of police and our scribes. Gun shots get wilder. We’re asked to move away and even as we walk 15 feet a police car pass us; we hear gun shots behind us and a huge commotion. And there we turn back to see two people fallen down. One hurt another dead already as we rush back. We realize this is now for real.

Hours turn into moments even as I and my video journalist Manish Dubey travel from one spot to another gathering info from passerby, the police were too wary to talk. The message that one of their vehicles have been hijacked had shaken them too.

The oberoi, Santacruz, mazgaon, vile parle , JW Mariott, Vidhan bhavan…news seemed to be trickling-in from everywhere. No one seemed to be knowing what and where and when and how. All that we collectively knew was times were bad. Each one was to fend for himself. T’wasn’t the time for jokes; the Taj was burning, the injured were being brought-into hospitals by the dozen.

Was this another serial blasts? Then what were armed gunmen doing in the open? Finally the Qualis with the armed men seemed to have been abandoned at Nariman point near the Vidhan bhavan and a Skoda car used to move further. A hot chase and there was one dead terrorist and another captured alive.

A huge explosion at Colaba. A petrol pump’s on fire already. Confirmations from two of my colleagues here Prachi and Raksha both having heard it. A simple hop skip and jump for here; Raksha shetty already in her bed sits up in bed and withing seconds is out on the streets escorted (for her own safety) by her husband karan.

This probably only the beginning even as each of us reporters set the meter down – there was no turning back – this was it –the real thing our city was being attacked and we were on adrenalin. The wails of the passing ambulances even as I moved from the Trident / Oberoi to Colaba. A few locals agree to take us to a building opposite the Nariman House. We recce the place but find it too risky to stay. We head back. We see forces reaching. Hardly any solid fire-power yet. It’s been an hour since the grenade explosion already.

Raksha stays on…and I move to the TAJ Mahal hotel. And lo, the sight almost sends a chill down my spine. I’m at the backside entrance and there’re the Anti-terrorism Squad personnel all with drawn guns and taking guard, lottsa ambulances and fire brigades…the most shocking…the sight of the burning hotel.

First the fire and then the huge amounts of salt-water will the structure’s beauty ever survive..? Well then the numbers spread – more than 50 people possibly dead already. Don’t actually recollect when the day1 turned into day-2 even as I scouted for someone who’d have some inputs. Chances of two people having scaled the pool-side gate late evening being the ‘trouble makers’. The first casuality aswel; a hotel guard and his guard-dog.

Day-2

Firing continued. The fires that had broken-up still continue to rage and almost took mid-early morning to be put out. Meanwhile it seems like a wait and watch between the security agencies aswel as the terrorists. News of the presence of RDX inside come through. In other places too the stand-off continue. The army’s trying it’s best to penetrate the defenses of the terrorist. Confirmation comes-in of the presence of more than 2 terrorists at each of these places. The presence of the army has created speed and emergency in the process but a big break though still needs to come by.

It definitely seems a tough road ahead even as the terrorists keep moving in and out of locations with ease. An inkling even to the fact that they are familiar to the topography of the hotel really well. Were they insiders at the hotel? Did they recce the place earlier? Only the security agencies will tell us this later.

Meanwhile a stray bullet ricochets on the pavement space in front of us and injures one bystander and two journalists; including a lady photographer. Things quickly come into perspective. The Hollywood movie that was unfolding in front of our eyes in this wide 360 degree canvas quickly turn a reality. Suddenly the enormity of the dangers standing there near the frontline seeps into the psyche of the reporters aswel as all the media personnel present there. Everyone quickly duck to the ground bracing themselves to the stone pavements of the gateway. That was a close shave indeed.

More fires, which we later will realize are being setup by the terrorists themselves most of it as a diversionary tactic and also to keep the security agencies busy. Even as the heritage building of the Taj slowly burn, we can’t help remembering the beauty of the priceless artifacts inside. The exquisite carpets, the antique furniture, the priceless painting, the enormous numbers of books in the rare library. This is a part of history these terrorists were destroying.

A connection meanwhile being established. Agencies pointing fingers at the LeT (the Lashkar-e-Toiba with it’s well known affiliation to the Al Qaeeda. Reinforcements being brought-in from the agencies. The NSG (National Security Group) steps in, one terrorist was already meanwhile arrested alive.

This drama was just getting bigger by the minute. What was supposedly a gang war in had converted into a high octane drama playing itself on live television throughout the world. The world was watching closely even as PRESS personnel from across the world descend on those rough-cut stone pavements of the Gateway of India. More fires even as hostages are rescued by the minute from all the three flash points – the Taj, the Oberoi aswel as the Nariman Building.

The drama at the Oberoi ends. Nariman building is still poised delicately even as conflicting reports come-in of the operation ending; even as fresh and unexpected gun fire begin allover again. Night fall brought with it a separate set of adrenalin rush. More gun shots each time reverberating from a different location. At times from the hack of the building, then towards the belly; sometimes from a top floor at times from somewhere close-by.

NSG commandos slowly were lining themselves near the periphery of the corner facing the Gateway of India. It seemed they’d cornered the terrorists somewhere on the first floor. The Wasabi Restaurant in all probabilities. Even as heavy firing and counter-firing continue through out the night we noticed a pattern of lights being flashed into the sea from the window at Wasabi. Was this some sort of a morse code? Did they have an accomplice outside? Questions that’ll hound me forever.

Day-3

More fire power from both sides all through early dawn. All of it followed by a series of explosions- grenades exploding in quick succession. A raging fire breaks out; this time at the Wasabi. Sad but the reality we realize is- the damage is extensive. The restaurant has been gutted down. The fire officials are then moved-in. Even as the NSG commandos storm the restaurant from the other side. ATS officials providing the back up along with the army.

Even as the fire slowly comes under control smoke quickly fills-in. Looks highly impossible for anyone to have survived the fire and smoke and all of sudden then a face outside one of those windows. A terrorist tries to lob a grenade at the officials standing down below – he is shot – and the body falls down onto the pavement. Then-on the security personnel bore a contented look, a sense of relief, some ven on their cell phones – one of them overheard saying “ho gaya, mein theek hoon” (It’s over, I’m fine).

Was this truly the end? Seemed like and a ‘lil while later we realize it is..! what a night it had been, one that would stay etched in my mind for time immemorial. The people, the place, each moment of it all. My city had been attacked by people I didn’t know. My city was also rescued by people I personally didn’t know. Even as I remained a mere spectator to the drama unfolding in front of my eyes there were sms’es that came in by the galore.

Of public anger and frustration. Some blasting politicians for playing the regionalistic card – even as your goons continued sleeping it was the jawans from ‘outside’ who saved the day (the message read; if put mildly). A general anger a raging frustration; this was happening time and again and those doing it wasn’t being sent a stern message. It is not OK..! a clear message have to be sent – a message strong enough to be a warning to anyone else who’d ever think of pulling-inn a stunt like this.

Even as I returned home my heart still stays there. Bodies were being taken out by the dozen. The stench of death hung strong through out the hotel. I was returning home safe and sound. But there were so many hearts in so many homes that was weeping. Entire families wiped out, mothers lost, fathers lost, children lost…and all of it without a warning.

I cannot put in words the sorrow, the disgust in my mind for the leaders who were to be our guardian angels. They’ve failed me time and again. Every time I thought they’d buckle-up they’ve fallen flat on their faces. It is far from frustrating; it is outright disgusting. And more so the pain ‘coz I know it’s my vote that brought them were they are.

I’m looking for leadership, someone who’d take charge. It’s so easy to put-ijn papers, resign and except the blame. Everyone’s still playing the vote game. Mumbai city has been plastered already with pictures of our brave police officers. Each political party vying with the other to share the grief. They don’t need your condolences. What they need is for you to make their sacrifice worthwhile. These families have given away their husbands, their sons and their fathers so that we stayed safe.

Plz don’t let their sacrifices go in vain. What can I do about it? Well, as a journo; someone would call it irresponsible. I don’t care..! really truly I don’t..! I am just not going to cast my vote this time…..Simply ‘coz I really don’t see anyone worth wasting this one on. You give me a leader and I will…!

I could have been me or anyone of us lying there dead. But it was someone else…With a silent prayer for all those who died for me. Our hearts reach out to those parents, wives, husbands and children….May the Almighty give you the strength. May God us the strength as a nation to stay united in grief and move as one with resilience. God Bless us all…!

Rain rain go away come again another day... Our BMC officials only want to play..!

2008-06-11T10:42:00.006+05:30

"We are prepared" said Mr. Jairaj Pathak, when questioned about the BMC's monsoon preparedness; just last week. Little did we know that it meant the preparedness to channelize flood water when it did not rain, or when it is low tide.

Now, how can you blame the municipal corporation if the rain gods decided to pour without any formal warning? Ain't you supposed to know that first rains always block drains. In fact, shouldn't you be applauding the BMC on working 'smart' and saving on costs and waiting for the first rains to bring up all the garbage and muck to the surface and then deploying it's personnel to clear it? Open manholes? Didn't you know that it is the result of a deliberate and well thought-of disaster management 'programme' to ensure the flow of flood water is not restricted

Ok, pun apart, it's just the first week of the much awaited rains and 226 registered vehicle insurance claims (includes only registered ones and last updated on Monday, June 09, 2008), 43 uprooted trees (took the figure from an NGO; could be many more unrecorded ones),multiple cases of broken roads, flooded nallahs, crumbling walls and broken bones. The sad story of a pregnant lady denied medical help, the sad irony of the civic head office-flooding, suburban trains on the central side thrown out of gear (the western railway also experienced delays though they may not agree),and lakhs of rupees worth of (the now overtly precious & expensive) fuel burnt stuck in incessant traffic jams 'Mumbaikars' may probably be waking up to the stark reality of a jungle raj- "Eachone Fend for Yourself".

But thank God, Mumbai's different and so are mumbaikars. We can atleast be sure of a few things, even as you stay stuck in some God damn traffic somewhere on your way back from office; there'll be a kind soul offering you a packet of biscuit and some water for your parched throats. But for how long???? For how long should the Mumbaikar take it on themselves to be his brother's savior? If it's a bomb blast....everyone's quick to turn away from the administration's security flaw and applaud him on his/her bravery and thank him for his unified sense of security to head to work the very next day..hello..! We do it 'coz that's the only manner we can survive here...!

And if 26/7 was three years ago; what has really changed ever since? Well, not too many things except that it's Jairaj pathak instead of Johnny Joseph (the media's favorite whipping boy then!)on the helm of affairs. The BMC has managed to colour all it's dumpers in a nice army shade of olive green (blame my colour blindness if I've got the colour wrong), the media blitzkrieg on the "CLEAN UP" campaign, a bundle of expensive imported road cleaning machines (which insiders already claim are not suited for the dust and muck filled roads of Mumbai with multiple uneven surfaces) the lack of a political will in cleaning up the Mithi river yet. And when you the civic administration itself walks the 'pot hole' ridden path; can we blame the MMRDA, and the other agencies for not keeping up to their side of the promises and chipping- in to help you in making our lives slightly worse than hell?

Roads dug-up a month before monsoon - After 7 years of planning it's the month of May and towards June that the Metro rail project too found it's work catching pace. A part of the Eastern Express Highway caved-in on Saturday. How bad could it get than this? The latest tarring mechanism that promised to make driving as smooth as that on any European roads. Who are they kidding? Have you driven on the Eastern Express highway ever? It is the most effortless road to drive on past the chembur turn simply by virtue of the limited vehicles on it when compared to it's counterpart on the western suburb. Leave that; and the multiple bumps and unevenness could give the strongest spine an ache when you reach a destination as far as Mulund or Thane (Mulund is where I EXIT). And now, come the first showers and viola..! 80 vehicle crashes on a single day...and each one of these - Reported ones. Try driving on this stretch. Thanks to the latest smoothening, try applying your vehicle brakes and you'd manage to swirl your car a few times and finally stop if you are lucky enough; without hitting another passing vehicle.

Can they at some point stop mimicking something they learn from the west or applying a process that some contractor thrusts on them for their own good? True, it's fast, it's quick to apply and lasts long. But what after that? I'm only talking about four wheelers here. It's even worse if you are riding a 'two-wheeler.'

Not fair to be saying this as a journalist but can't resist what my taxi driver told me, "Saab sabb chor hain; abhi kaam chalu karenge, saste material use karke, sabb baarishe mein beh jaayega or phir dubara chaluu karenge or government khaate se auur paise lenge" (Each one of them is a thief. They start work now with cheaper material knowing really well that the rains will wash them all away and then will re-start work all over again post monsoons and claim for both the expenses from the Government coffers). The Taxi driver, poor chap, didn't even know I was a journalist (thank God, 'coz just after that he hit us 'the media' too below the belt, thanks to our own antics)and so kept blabbering on. You think, otherwise he'd have said all this? But who then will BELL the CAT? You really think anyone would take the media (who thinks Amitabh bacchan getting a cold is BREAKING NEWS) seriously..? Or the political class? Or the suddenly sprung up hoards of RTI activists who I fear are all slowly missing out on their real purpose and surfing for the closest 'boom mic'?

Ok, this part of the road was done by another department. That flyover falls under the MMRDA, that nullah needs to be cleaned by the T-ward office, that road digging's done for Mahanagar Gas, or those paver blocks were disturbed 'coz the 'surface' had to be 're-surfaced'..!! CAN WE FINALLY HAVE ENOUGH???

Dear Sirs, we do not care about who needs to do what or what equipment you apply to accomplish these tasks. We care less about your officers planning to travel abroad to learn more about 'bench styles' to be laid around our city and also, have no qualms of the innumerable number of 'Scorpios' (cars) you bought for the disaster management programme that ferry each one of you in air conditioned comfort each day to and fro and around work. But what I do care for is my city. And as much as you keep bombarding me with messages on my responsibility to keep it clean and not litter the place and not spit around the place and throw garbage here and there and plant more and more trees. I think, it's only fair on me to ask you to please look at your own responsibilities in a more 'RESPONSIBLE' manner for a change. I know, it's a race to fill your pockets before the next elections or appointment . No one knows who'll hold what responsibility next year, But please sirs, when you look at that mirror to comb your hair each morning. Please, please and mighty please....Take a good look at yourself and ask yourself this," Am I being FAIR to myself? Will I do this if it was for my child? Am I doing my Best?"

And this, I request you not as a journalist; but as a Mumbaikar 'coz this city's mine even more than what it is your's. And the truth is we Mumbaikars are brave, we'll give-in our 110% to help our fellow beings in distress. But the truth is we are powerless. We have our own worries, our own roofs to save and our own parking place battles to fight. So, can't move a nail without your help. And that is all that we plead of you. We'll keep crying in vain. Wait for each rain to hit us so that we can complain. So, PLZ WAKE UP..!!

Introducing 'my friend' Mr. Sharma......

2008-05-22T10:30:00.007+05:30

Do you know mr. Sharma (not his real name)? Well, let me introduce him to you. He's roughly 32-35 years of age. He works in a public sector bank which serves a really bad lunch; where the AGM finance hardly knows his stuff and all that he really does is flirt around with his lady secretary.

The bank didnot payup the promised mid-year bonus to it's staff and fired 3 of it's senior staff for siphoning of a formidable amount of money.

Sharma lives in dombivili and has booked for a new apartment (a 2-BHK) in Khargar, Navi Mumbai. He'll then stop travelling on the Central-Thane line and move onto the harbour suburban train line. The frequency of trains on that line's not as good but it wouldn't matter much since he'll be travelling during non-peak hours.

He chose not to take a loan from the current bank he works in and instead chose to take it from a rival bank as a former colleague (who's now shifted to the rival bank) managed to get him a really neat deal.

His daughter's now 23 and will finish her engineering this semister. He's already on the look-out for good alliances and prefers a CA or a Lawyer for an alliance. But, strictly from the same caste as himself.

The train's usually not too crowded when he takes it around 7am and at 4pm back from his Fort office in mumbai.

Sharma recently had a fight with a neighbour 'coz the latter let his pet dog 'poop' near the entrance of the building. He thinks, pets are a waste of people's hard earned money and "the 'hutch dog' (as he calls it!) is nothing but a ugly beast".

And then I also almost know that a private bank's ready to offer him a job when he retires in two months.

I could definitely know more; and could have told you more about him; only if I didn't have to get down at 'currey road station'. And therefore friends, this is all I can tell you about mr. Sharma.

Well, mr. Sharma was my co-passenger as I boarded the train from mulund station in mumbai all the way to currey road station; where I alight each day (to get to work). And all through the travel (45 mins. In total) he kept me company with his conversation on the phone.

It was unnoticeable in the beginning to slightly irritating towards the end. But I barely managed to read the daily newspaper of the day that I'd carried along. I missed out on my forty winks and also on my tranquility today.

But, not mr. Sharma....he went on and on telling 'me' things about his life; befriending me; making me a part of my life; telling me his life's worries, explaining me his challenges and how he was working around it.

How would I thank you dear Mr. Sharma for making me a part of your world. I'm indebted; but no thank you....I'd rather take another seat next time!

Bollywood Bloggers..??

2008-05-15T11:07:00.009+05:30

"I DON'T HAVE THE TIME TO WRITE A BLOG" (says shahrukh) screams a popular mid-afternoon newspaper.....probably a passing answer to a journo's question of... "y don't you blog? Amitabh does!"

Just a word of caution to shahrukh khan and amitabh bacchan. No, do I know you....yes, as superb artists of your respective genres...do you know me? No, ofcourse not! I'm just a plain journo doing non-consequential news and business stories (yeh, but my wife's a gr8 fan and I have a promise to keep that someday I'm going to take her along for some shoot with you) coming back! Sir's, both of you are gr8 ppl.....each of you have your own strengths & weaknesses...plz, plz, plz.... Do not get pulled into the muddle of us news junkies...! We have space to fill and that we have to....come what may..!

What else explains a Rakhi Sawant on TV channels all over..? We're either looking for TRP's or for eye balls...and what else could promise us both..?

Mr. Bacchan, but truly unfair....putting out sms'es that journos send you in good faith over the internet foir the world to see. Remember, we journos respect you and adhere to the "off record" request many of you 'celebrities' make. And thank your stars we do..!

Amitabh Bacchan's blog Link : http://blogs.bigadda.com/ab/

Aamir Khan too is a regular blogger...for those who didnt know. And guys, try reading the latest post. maan, this guy's in for some real trouble. Either he's got too much time on his hands or is simply suffering from a serious combination of verbal diarrhea and inferiority complex..! "Inferiority complex"...?? You may ask....well, what else could you call this..? "Shahrukh is licking my feet and I am feeding him biscuits every now and then. What more can I ask for? " (refering to his pet dog..!) Read on..!

Aamir Khan's Blog Link: http://www.aamirkhan.com/blog.htm

Mumbai on Track...!

2008-05-04T20:16:00.001+05:30

"Pudheel station bhandup"......"Agla station bhandup"....."the next station is bhandup".....announced a pleasant female voice on the public address system....this went on for kanjurmarg, vikhroli, and all the stations on my early morning trudge to work from Mulund to Currey road.

No, haven't been to Shangai yet. But have heard these announcements on the London Tube.....Even as Londoners continue to read their newspapers and magazines or stay glued to their cell phones...or to the music on their I-pods, these announcements combined with LED displays all-around the compartments subtly remind them of the next station.

A change maybe for us Mumbaikars too...didn't have to crane my neck to the closest window to try and catch the place or the station that's just passed; or even have to ask the passenger next to the window, "bhaisaab, kaunsa station thha" ("Sir, what station did we pass just now..? ")

Yes, the train was equally crowded as is, generally during the peak 09:44 morning hour. But no one was complaining....or was it just the first day blues..? Each person just letting their eyes wander from roof to floor.

Steel bars separate sections in a single compartment. Iron upper handles have been replaced with solid steel ones to offer a solid yet cleaner hold. The breadth of overhead luggage rack seem to have been deliberately reduced to dissuade commuters from carrying heavy and larger luggage.

Even as this (first time) novelty on rails move from one station to another, we notice more and more people getting in. The rills being replace by aluminum close-knit ones offer a good view combining it with more safety too, especially for the passenger sitting near the window. We gradually notice that this train has just gotten a tard more crowded than usual. Guess, the novelty factor combined with general curiosity has attracted even the commuters waiting for the train after our's to take this one today.

And as the train reaches Ghatkopar the number of commuters gradually increase....."Bhaisaab aage badho na..!...Doosre logon ka bhi tho khayaal karo (Please move forward friend consider the problems of others too..) said a voice from the back. Used to the three (or atleast two) people standing in-between the seats. We did move forward...but with great difficulty. Sorry my friend, the leg-space has been reduced to just about allow two individuals to sit face-to face....but then you could squeeze yourself in if the person sitting is a tard short.

But then again, this means more space in the galley. The bigger windows with polycarbonate look out glass, bright LED's the steel finish, the solid floors, the powerful fans and the superbly ventilated compartment overall leave me with a good feeling. Surprise, I'm not even sweating as I alight at Currey Road station.

I take a glance back at the train as well as the commuters still hanging out of the doors...there still is the push and the pull...the cat calls as well as the hurry to reach their destination. But in the midst of it all, I also saw a smile on each face. Or did I..? I do not accurately know....but then again someone once said...when You smile....you experience a smile coming from everyone around. Thank you MUTP and the Railways...I smiled my way into office today..!!

My Story Links......Most of the stories I've done so far....!!

2007-10-10T09:47:00.002+05:30

Hotels Pay Royalty to Play Music

http://www.ibnlive.com/news/hotels-pay-royalty-to-let-the-music-play/55262-8.html

Christmas Plum Cake

http://www.ibnlive.com/news/just-indulge-in-some-plum-cake-this-xmas/54934-19.html

Turkey Making Christmas

http://www.ibnlive.com/news/the-art-of-making-the-perfect-turkey-this-christmas/54926-19.html

Modi Back in Business is Good Business

http://www.ibnlive.com/news/modi-back-in-business-is-good-business-guj-inc/54846-7.html

Cruise liners Shy Away from Mumbai Coast

http://www.ibnlive.com/news/cruise-liners-shy-away-from-mumbais-coast/54653-3.html

Loan Waiver Money Lender’s Trouble Jalgaon

http://www.ibnlive.com/news/for-some-farmers-loan-waiver-is-a-bittersweet-deal/61260-3.html

Bandra-Worli Sealink for Mumbai Makeover

http://www.ibnlive.com/news/the-bandraworli-sea-link-connecting-mumbai/60618-3.html

WIPRO Millionaires-Jalgaon-AMALNER

http://www.ibnlive.com/news/wipro-dreams-a-hamlet-full-of-millionaires/61763-7.html?xml

MUMBAI international Airport Special Story

http://www.ibnlive.com/news/is-mumbais-new-airport-only-a-visual-treat/62044-3.html

CISF manpower Crunch affecting Airport Security?

http://www.ibnlive.com/news/airport-security-a-matter-of-major-concern/62603-3.html

Lokmat Launch Story

http://www.ibnlive.com/news/network-18-lokmat-launches-marathi-channel-ibn-lokmat/62761-3.html?xml

Edible Oils Story-Food Crisis - Aurangabad

http://www.ibnlive.com/news/government-to-import-five-million-tonnes-edible-oil/63947-7.html

Farmer Suicide CAG Review Aurangabad

http://www.ibnlive.com/news/no-respite-in-farmer-suicides-cag-report-slams-govt/64066-3.html

Women Empowerment:

http://www.ibnlive.com/news/in-kerala-the-women-are-on-top/26011-3.html

Kerala Astology village:

http://www.ibnlive.com/news/kerala-knows-what-future-holds/26455-3.html

Mullaperiyar-I

http://www.ibnlive.com/news/dam-war-between-kerala--tn-hots-up/26436-3.html

Kerala Street Food

http://www.ibnlive.com/news/binge-with-thattu-kadas-in-kerala/26314-3.html

NCP-DIC(K) Merger

http://www.ibnlive.com/news/ncpdick-tieup-wont-stir-kerala/26008-4.html

APPAm ‘n curry

http://www.ibnlive.com/news/cook-it-kerala-way-appams-and-stew/16990-17.html

Aranmula Mirror

http://www.ibnlive.com/news/see-a-reflection-of-past-in-aranmula/26645-3.html

Swimming Teacher

http://www.ibnlive.com/news/swimming-the-shortcut-to-school/27180-13.html

Vechur Cow

http://www.ibnlive.com/videos/26833/vechur-back-from-brink-of-extinction.html

Mullaperiyar Road Blockade Effect:

http://www.ibnlive.com/news/traders-are-losers-in-dam-issue/27106-3.html

Vanilla Crops

http://www.ibnlive.com/news/vanilla-leaves-bad-taste-in-kerala/27417-3.html

Kannur Jail Story

http://www.ibnlive.com/news/kerala-jailbirds-get-computersavvy/27289-3.html

Birdflu fear stalls poultry in Navapur

http://www.ibnlive.com/news/bird-flu-fear-stalls-navapur-poultry/14998-3.html

Navapur-Workers at Risk

http://www.ibnlive.com/news/workers-at-risk-as-authorities-sleep/5598-17.html

Jalgaon Birdflu

http://www.ibnlive.com/videos/6822/human-samples-of-flu-to-be-tested.html

Mobile banking facilities not known

http://www.ibnlive.com/article.php?id=5197&section_id=7

Mumbai floods residents help themselves

http://www.ibnlive.com/news/mumbai-makes-a-clean-sweep-of-flood/14373-3.html

Standard Chartered Neel Chatterji Hit & Run

http://www.ibnlive.com/article.php?id=4890&section_id=3

SBI Bank Strike for Pension

http://www.ibnlive.com/news/nationwide-sbi-strike-on-pension-hike/7701-7.html

Church ‘n the Da Vinci

http://www.ibnlive.com/news/church-gets-cracking-on-da-vinci-code/25114-3.html

Bank strikes losing steam in Urban India

http://www.ibnlive.com/news/bank-strikes-losing-sting-in-urban-india/24878-7.html

wada pav

http://www.ibnlive.com/news/its-vada-pao-day-and-mumbais-binging/19499-3.html

Shabana CJ Bomb Blast

http://www.ibnlive.com/videos/15335/cit-journo-shabana-azmi-lends-a-hand.html

Narmada oustees cry for home

http://www.ibnlive.com/news/narmada-dam-oustees-cry-for-home/17732-3.html

Villager’s Narmada rally

http://www.ibnlive.com/news/villagers-rally-for-narmada-dam/17759-3.html

Medha Patkar Interview in Bhadwani-MP

http://www.ibnlive.com/videos/17690/patkar-spearheads-peoples-satyagraha.html

Narmada Travelogue Kakarana MP

http://www.ibnlive.com/news/deep-inside-a-flooded-village/18034-3.html

narmada splitting families

http://www.ibnlive.com/news/narmada-dam-splitting-families-apart/23845-3.html

Narmada Villages Not on Records

http://www.ibnlive.com/news/narmada-dam-villages-off-records/17380-3.html

Small Dams v/s Big Dams

http://www.ibnlive.com/news/small-dams-are-more-friendly-nba/17483-3.html

Ham Radio

http://www.ibnlive.com/news/ham-bailed-city-out-of-mobile-mess/15488-3.html

Tango with Mango-Food story

http://www.ibnlive.com/news/tango-with-mango-its-different/11441-17.html

26/7 rain memories Prinu story

http://www.ibnlive.com/news/267-memories-back-to-haunt-mum/16755-3.html

Govt. plays fowl

http://www.ibnlive.com/news/govt-plays-fowl-with-poultry-farmers/24906-3.html

Mumbai Metro Project Update

http://www.ibnlive.com/news/pm-inaugurates-mumbai-metro/13479-3.html

Mid-air merger for airlines

http://www.ibnlive.com/news/airlines-set-for-grand-midair-merger/24155-7.html

CAS effect:

http://www.ibnlive.com/news/spell-has-been-cast-on-new-yrs-day/30010-3.html

http://www.ibnlive.com/videos/30010/casting-the-spell-on-new-years-day.html

Mood Indigo:

http://www.ibnlive.com/videos/29396/iitmumbais-all-set-to-shake-a-leg.html

IIT Tech Fest

http://www.ibnlive.com/news/tech-gets-jazzy-at-iit-mumbai/32143-3.html

Vidarbha Farmer Suicide:

http://www.ibnlive.com/videos/20376/govt-conceals-farmer-suicide-stats.html

Radhu and DJ

http://www.ibnlive.com/videos/32081/cit-journo-pune-a-paradise-lost.html

Power cut:

http://www.ibnlive.com/videos/34391/dark-learning-in-powerless-village.html

Navapur Anniversary:

http://www.ibnlive.com/news/bird-flu-away-this-is-whats-left/33824-3.html

Rosys link:

http://www.ibnlive.com/videos/34463/cjmumbaispowerfulsummerwoes.html

Budget Reaction Senior Citizen’s Reaction

http://www.ibnlive.com/videos/34798/senior-citizens-on-it-exemption.html

AIR DECCAN Apologizes

http://www.ibnlive.com/news/air-deccan-chief-says-hes-sorry/10255-7.html

Vijaya Bank

http://www.ibnlive.com/news/bank-staff-protests-outsourcing/16937-7.html

Volatile Market, Investors Avoid IPO’s

http://www.ibnlive.com/news/market-volatile-investors-avoid-ipos/11243-7.html

Bus Loading HC Order Violation

http://www.ibnlive.com/news/bus-load-of-hc-violation-in-mumbai/23366-3.html

BMC Worker’s Colony

http://www.ibnlive.com/news/bmc-workers-colony-a-living-hell/23753-3.html

Onam Celebrations Powai-2006

http://www.ibnlive.com/news/mumbais-all-set-for-onam/20531-3.html

Onam Sweet – LEELA, KERALA

http://www.ibnlive.com/news/how-to-have-a-truly-sweet-onam/20591-3.html

Petrol Pump Strike

http://www.ibnlive.com/news/mumbai-pumps-burn-midnight-oil/21893-3.html

Gujarati Asmita – Rich Gujarati

http://www.ibnlive.com/news/success-comes-easy-for-gujaratis/24576-7.html

GBN IPO

http://www.ibnlive.com/news/blockbuster-debut-for-gbn-shares/33084-7.html

Pot-hole Pinches Taxi Drivers

http://www.ibnlive.com/news/mumbai-potholes-pinch-cab-drivers/20212-3.html

Beer Can Killer

http://www.ibnlive.com/news/scared-of-beer-killer-stay-awake/31142-3.html

IHM Maharashtrian Thali

http://www.ibnlive.com/news/a-maharashtrian-thali-for-ganesh/20152-3.html

MUMBAI Metro

http://www.ibnlive.com/news/pm-inaugurates-mumbai-metro/13479-3.html

Postal woes Mumbai

http://www.ibnlive.com/news/mumbais-got-mail-but-theres-a-problem/37733-3.html

Water Woes Pipe repair

http://www.ibnlive.com/news/no-water-woes-for-mumbai-tomorrow/29627-3.html

Sinking Bank

http://www.ibnlive.com/news/banks-clients-get-sinking-feeling/20586-7.html

Celebrating Navroze

http://www.ibnlive.com/news/parsis-celebrate-navroz-across-india/19127-3.html

Matheran’s toy train

http://www.ibnlive.com/news/maharashtra-toy-train-back-on-track/35290-3.html

Drug Peddler

http://www.ibnlive.com/news/engineer-by-day-peddler-by-night/35437-3.html

Pune’s changing status

http://www.ibnlive.com/news/pune-dumps-quaint-title-for-hip-one/35379-3.html

Powerless Village Nashik-Samangaon

http://www.ibnlive.com/news/dark-learning-in-powerless-village/34391-3.html

Bank Strike

http://www.ibnlive.com/news/bank-strike-looms-large-over-monthend/36325-7.html

GE-90 WORLD’S LARGEST AIRCRAFT ENGINE

http://www.ibnlive.com/news/after-airbus-380-check-out-ge-90/top/40438-7.html

Bandra-Worli Sealink:

http://www.ibnlive.com/news/bandra-worli-to-be-linked-by-sea/39991-3.html

Orkut Policing:

http://www.ibnlive.com/news/orkut-ties-up-with-cops-to-stop-spam/39773-3.html

Blind Call Centre

http://www.ibnlive.com/news/blind-fath-a-call-centre-with-vision/40673-7.html

Western Railway Megablock Morning Link

http://www.ibnlive.com/news/mumbaikars-left-stranded-for-3-days/41352-3.html

Mumbai Back-on-track after train block Property rates going up

http://www.ibnlive.com/news/mumbai-back-on-track-after-55-hours/41531-3.html

Xavier’s Profile

http://www.ibnlive.com/news/the-arts-destination-st-xaviers/42397-3.html

Powai De-silting

http://www.ibnlive.com/news/too-much-silt-makes-mumbai-lake-unsafe/42457-3.html

Dr. Devi Singh Shekavat Interview (Pratibha Patil’s Husband)

http://www.ibnlive.com/news/patils-hubby-says-hes-missing-her/42961-3.html

MADAM President-4 Window + Story

http://www.ibnlive.com/videos/43061/06_2007/madam_president_1/madam-president-deconstructing-patil.html

MADAM PRESIDENT LINK

http://www.ibnlive.com/videos/43061/06_2007/madam_president_1a/madam-president-deconstructing-patil.html

Pratibha Patil – Joint STORY fro jalgaon and Rajasthan

http://www.ibnlive.com/news/family-friends-take-pride-in-pratibha/43049-3.html

Pratibha Patil Male Fan’s Club

http://www.ibnlive.com/news/pratibha-patils-male-fan-club/42985-3.html

MUMBAI NEW AIRPORT

http://www.ibnlive.com/news/whats-in-store-for-mumbai-airport/23840-7.html

Low Cost Airports

http://www.ibnlive.com/news/lowcost-airports-high-hits-india/top/42745-7.html

Campus Calling Reality-1

http://www.ibnlive.com/news/tracking-the-great-mumbai-campus-hunt/42796-3.html

Campus Calling Reality-2

http://www.ibnlive.com/news/students-anxious-as-mumbai-admissions-still-on/44036-3.html

Campus Calling Reality-3

http://www.ibnlive.com/news/mumbai-students-campus-trail-continues/43598-3.html

H.S.C Result’s Pckg

http://www.ibnlive.com/news/mumbai-boy-beats-misery-tops-exam/42527-3.html

CBSE Toppers

http://www.ibnlive.com/news/meet-first-of-years-cbse-toppers/41192-3.html

Chiplun-Konkan Farmer woes

http://www.ibnlive.com/news/maharashtra-farmers-cheer-traders-mourn-monsoon/43876-3.html

Shoib Malpani CJ

http://www.ibnlive.com/videos/43850/citizen-journalist-life-out-of-gear-in-chiplun.html

Fungoos Village

http://www.ibnlive.com/news/ratnagiri-village-tackles-landslides-threat/43915-3.html

Broken Bridge Walk Through

http://www.ibnlive.com/news/rain-relief-in-konkan-but-heavy-damaged-caused/43939-3.html

Pratibha Patil Victory Celebrations in Jalgaon

http://www.ibnlive.com/news/maharashtra-town-celebrates-pratibhas-win/45402-3.html

Pratibha Patil’s Blind-school + Ex-school

http://www.ibnlive.com/news/schools-that-revel-in-pratibhas-magic/45354-3-1.html

RBI Comics

http://www.ibnlive.com/news/with-rbi-comics-laugh-your-way-to-the-bank/45712-7.html

VIRGIN-Sir Richard Branson’s Interview

http://www.ibnlive.com/news/virgin-set-to-enter-indian-territory-mobile-first/46680-7.html

Property prices coming down..??

http://www.ibnlive.com/news/buying-your-dream-house-just-got-easier/48561-15.html

Stock market Low…the time to Enter Stocks..?

http://www.ibnlive.com/news/want-shortcut-to-wealth-enter-stock-markets-now/47014-7.html

Chicken Sanjubaba revisited

http://www.ibnlive.com/news/digest-this-mumbai-laps-up-chicken-sanju-baba/46388-8.html

Reliance Energy consumers Electricity bill problems”

http://www.ibnlive.com/news/reliance-energy-consumers-get-shock-of-their-lives/46334-3.html

Stock market Low…the time to Enter Stocks..?

http://www.ibnlive.com/news/want-shortcut-to-wealth-enter-stock-markets-now/47014-7.html

Chicken Sanjubaba revisited

http://www.ibnlive.com/news/digest-this-mumbai-laps-up-chicken-sanju-baba/46388-8.html

Reliance Energy consumers Electricity bill problems”

http://www.ibnlive.com/news/reliance-energy-consumers-get-shock-of-their-lives/46334-3.html

Credit Policy Rates Changed

http://www.ibnlive.com/news/interest-rates-unchanged-in-rbis-new-credit-policy/45985-15.html

Monsoon Mosquitoes and disease problems

http://www.ibnlive.com/news/mumbai-bogged-down-by-diseases-post-monsoon/45108-17.html

BEST Lost and Found Dept.

http://www.ibnlive.com/news/mumbai-buses-the-best-place-to-lose-your-things/45074-3.html

BEST convert to CNG

http://www.ibnlive.com/news/best-to-sport-the-green-stripe-now/12475-3.html

Mumbai Mangroves Dying Slowly

http://www.ibnlive.com/news/mumbais-mangroves-dying-slow-death/42160-3.html

Mangroves Dying Rishi Aggrawal-Environmental Day

http://www.ibnlive.com/news/rishi-fights-to-save-andheri-mangroves/12261-3.html

Jet on Highway..?

http://www.ibnlive.com/news/air-sahara-jet-parked-on-highway/39687-3.html

Diwali Sweets

http://www.ibnlive.com/news/celebrate-a-sweet-diwali-with-sweets/24429-3.html

Credit Policy Rates Changed

http://www.ibnlive.com/news/interest-rates-unchanged-in-rbis-new-credit-policy/45985-15.html

Naxal Web In Mumbai

http://www.ibnlive.com/news/mumbai-under-naxal-shadow-cops-crack-the-whip/47169-3.html

Nuclear Show-LINK

http://www.ibnlive.com/news/upas-dilemma-ndeal-or-lefts-support/47123-3.html

Onam Celebrations 2007-Powai

http://www.ibnlive.com/videos/47516/mumbai-malayalees-celebrate-onam-in-style.html

Unauthorized Police Beat Chowkies-RTI

http://www.ibnlive.com/news/300-police-posts-in-mumbai-illegal-unauthorised/48254-3.html

Mumbai wakes up to another Accident

http://www.ibnlive.com/news/mumbai-wakes-up-to-another-accident-whos-at-fault/48677-3.html

Property prices coming down..??

http://www.ibnlive.com/news/buying-your-dream-house-just-got-easier/48561-15.html

AIR INDIA PLATINUM JUBILEE

http://www.ibnlive.com/news/air-india-celebrates-platinum-jubilee/24120-7.html

Ramzan Mohammed Ali Road Street Food

http://www.ibnlive.com/news/ramzan-a-mouthwatering-affair/22465-3.html

Midnight Coffee on Cycle

http://www.ibnlive.com/news/mumbai-night-coffee-hai-toh-sahi-hai/21494-3.html

Independence Day Flag Making street children story

http://www.ibnlive.com/news/iday-for-street-kids-only-for-a-living/18574-3.html

AMUL to replace colas in school

http://www.ibnlive.com/news/the-milky-way-to-fizzical-fitness/18981-3.html

Home Loan Interest Rate Hike Madhu Matthew Case study

http://www.ibnlive.com/news/rate-hike-set-to-pinch-family-budgets/16635-15.html

Ladies at Risk in Locals

http://www.ibnlive.com/news/ladies-at-risk-in-mum-local-trains/16399-3.html

Beirut Returnees-Lebanon Evacuees

http://www.ibnlive.com/news/first-batch-of-indians-arrive-from-beirut/16332-2.html

Mahim Station for President’s Visit

http://www.ibnlive.com/news/mumbai-being-spruced-up-for-prez/15859-3.html

Maharashtra Electricity Power Price Hike

http://www.ibnlive.com/news/a-powerful-shock-for-maharashtra/12838-3.html

BEARS meet BULLS head-on Stock Market

http://www.ibnlive.com/news/bears-met-the-bulls-head-on/10847-16.html

Modak Story

http://www.ibnlive.com/news/bite-into-modak-as-ganesh-festivities-reach-a-climax/49137-19.html

Markets Up, up and away…will it touch 18,000

http://www.ibnlive.com/news/up-up-and-away-sensex-sees-no-stopping/49831-16.html

Home Loan Rate Increase

http://www.ibnlive.com/news/now-buying-a-house-an-uphill-task/17338-15-4.html

Home loan Rate-cut

http://www.ibnlive.com/news/buying-your-dream-house-just-got-easier/48561-15.html

AMBANIS ROLE MODELS..?

http://www.ibnlive.com/news/rolling-in-money-but-are-the-ambanis-a-role-model/50314-7.html

Dalal Street-Celebration Time

http://www.ibnlive.com/news/sensex-upswing-its-celebration-time-at-dalal-street/51394-7.html

HC Order-Illegal Police Chowkies

http://www.ibnlive.com/news/ilegal-police-buildings-draw-mumbai-hcs-ire/51153-3-1.html

Home-maker turned Stockmarket investor (Snehal Sheth)

http://www.ibnlive.com/news/homemaker-making-waves-in-making-money/51452-7.html

What should Retail Investors Do?

http://www.ibnlive.com/news/what-should-a-retail-investor-do-at-these-heights/50581-7.html

Investor Buzz-Dalal Street

http://www.ibnlive.com/news/here-is-the-investor-buzz-from-dalal-street/50691-7.html

Adulterated Sweets

http://www.ibnlive.com/news/beware-you-could-eat-adulterated-sweets-this-diwali/51936-3.html

New Investors make it big..Mishra uncle story

http://www.ibnlive.com/news/surge-in-market-boosts-fresh-investors/51842-7.html

Motilal Oswal

http://www.ibnlive.com/news/whats-this-diwali-like-for-a-stock-market-czar/52019-19.html

INDIA 360- women Stock Market Investors

http://www.ibnlive.com/videos/51439/india-360-women-take-stock-of-the-markets.html

India 360-Adulterated Sweets

http://www.ibnlive.com/videos/51944/india-360-diwali-special-on-adulterated-sweets.html

Adulterated Sweets Story:

http://www.ibnlive.com/news/beware-your-diwali-sweet-may-be-adulterated/51936-3.html

AIDS Workers-BHIWANDI

http://www.ibnlive.com/news/feelgood-profession-spearing-aids-awareness/53395-3.html

Stock Market Terror Funds Link

http://www.ibnlive.com/news/terror-funding-through-indias-stock-markets/53582-7.html

IIT Mumbai-Mood Indigo 2 Crores Sponsorship

http://www.ibnlive.com/news/college-fests-thrive-on-towering-sponsorships/53534-19.html

Young MP’s Work for a Cause – Fight against Malnutrition

http://www.ibnlive.com/news/young-mp-brigade-on-new-mission-in-maharashtra/49637-3.html

Mumbai Under Naxal Shadow? Naxals Arrested in Mumbai

http://www.ibnlive.com/news/mumbai-under-naxal-shadow-cops-crack-the-whip/47169-3.html

Changi to Develop Low Cost Airports in India

http://www.ibnlive.com/news/india-on-high-over-lowcost-airports/42745-7.html

Mumbai to Pay for it’s power cuts

http://www.ibnlive.com/news/mumbai-to-pay-for-its-power-cuts/32987-3.html

Small Car Prices Fall Post Budget – Shardul’s story

http://www.ibnlive.com/news/iday-for-street-kids-only-for-a-living/18574-3.html

Ways of The Rail-Passenger Experience in the Indian Rail

http://www.ibnlive.com/news/rail-budget-the-ways-of-the-indian-rail/59739-3.html

Axe The Tax – Pensioner’s Demands (IBN IMPACT)

http://www.ibnlive.com/news/go-soft-on-us-senior-citizens-appeal-to-pc/59510-27.html

Anil Ambani Offers Bonus Shares (ADAG Power IPO)

http://www.ibnlive.com/news/anils-offer-of-bonus-shares-brought-share-7-pc-up/59269-7.html

Reliance Power IPO Flops

http://www.ibnlive.com/news/reliance-power-dampens-hopes-of-lakhs/58707-16.html

Mumbai Experiences Unusual Chill

http://www.ibnlive.com/news/mumbai-enjoys-the-unusual-chill/58298-3.html

Reliance Power IPO Unusual Surge in Demand on Last Day

http://www.ibnlive.com/news/grand-response-for-reliance-ipo-on-last-day/56841-16.html

Investors All set for Reliance Power IPO

http://www.ibnlive.com/news/investors-all-set-for-reliance-power-ipo/56482-7.html

Dadar Lady Car Accident 12 Injured

http://www.ibnlive.com/news/12-people-knocked-down-by-a-car-one-dead/55349-3.html

Celebrity Worship..!!

2007-06-26T07:26:00.000+05:30

Was just watching an edition of the Oprah Show on Star World. Wow...!! What a woman....She's been that beacon of hope to so many women ALL OVER THE WORLD who's not had it so easy. She also been the source of inspiration, a torch-bearer to so many issues. Well, the plight of America's soldiers...families coping with so many problems. Modern day dilemmas....Well each of these that has gained so much attention and close-view scrutiny...all Kudos to her work...!!

But one particular thing that caught my attention was this 'edition' (prefer to call it that..!!) Well this was on an extension into her family. Her 'new family' as she put it. She'd decided to buy/adopt a new pet (a dog) into her family, and the edition was on how she'd taken the decision and how at the end of it all..she decided to adopt three instead of two or one dog. The reason she gave for adopting the third one being that the keeper mentioned - she wouldn't want to adopt 'him' 'coz he has a weak (slightly misplaced) bite.

And there were all the music...the continous rants of the theatrical audience, loud applause..cries, everything that there is usually...of her shows. And ofcourse her bravery in still having decided to go ahead and adopt the third pet. Well, it doesn't end here. Then there's a video of her continuous getting up through the night to allow the dogs to poop outside her home. "She now knows how difficult it will be to be a new mother" ('Seriously, not undermining what a real mother does for her kids") WOW..!! Realisty Television is sure here to stay...!!

Celebrity worship on one-side. But crying excitedly at the stupid rants of celebrities...is just another thing. Well, no place is better. People standing in queues to meet a so-called celebrity. The Page-3 culture that's fed by this mass hysteria. of being seen at all the right places. Doing all the right things and sporting all the right labels.

And why am I picking on Oprah? Well, simply because she's one of those lovely ladies who'd once mesmerised me with her book reviews, the 'hard' stories she's narrated, Stories that have been such an inspiration to so many around the world.

Of having won-over middle-class as well as upper-middle class conventions of 'blacks' (excuse me for using this word) not being able to reach those echelons of public mind-sets. Who herself spoke against these also who made celelbrities out of lesser known people at the end of it all, on attaining the so-called 'celebrity' status, mimicking those very conventions she scorned upon.

Well, may be...that's what being a celebrity by 'convenience' is all about...!!

The 'Holy' Men

2007-06-10T07:57:00.000+05:30

I ran a simple search on 'google'..."Saffron stands for...." and the results; both surprised as well as astounded me....Why..? I'll mention later...But for now...take a look.....

(Each of these have been copied and pasted..Verbatim)

1. Well saffron stands for integrity
2. Saffron - all people in our country is treated as same
3. Bhagwa or the saffron colour denotes renunciation or disinterestedness
4. A widely held unofficial interpretation is that the saffron stands for purity and spirituality
5. Saffron Stripe : Patriotism, Courage, sacrifice and the spirit of renunciation
6. The saffron color signifies the struggle and sacrifice of the people to achieve freedom.
7. saffron colour has always been identified with royalty

And you'd think it had something to do with violence...religious fanaticism or even forceful abjurations....?? So it's when you see the "saffron brigade" going around doing their 'thing'...of terrorizing lesser powerful mortals....to stand their moral grounds. Trying to forcefully desecrate works of art simply 'coz it doesn’t adhere to their moral standards........Preventing people from posting their views on social networking sites.....Going on to break shops and properties on "Annual Lover's Day" You sort of set out to compare the integral meaning of the connotations the colour could take.

Granted.....that a person cannot be affectionate 'coz he's named MOHIT or one may not become the 'ruler of Gods' simply by being named "Suresh". But at least co-relation of names and the bigger issue of portraying oneself to be something and being completely different....is another.

It's even considered a matter of pride in party circles to see their pictures making front page of dailies the next day......Pride..?? Hello....It's a negative story and not one ranting your accomplishments...!! (will someone tell that that..?)

Go ahead....do what you want....but why depend on symbolisms to make a point.....?? Kindly portray them as your own..!!

Happy Environment Day.......

2007-06-07T09:06:00.000+05:30

I was on an 'Environment Day' shoot the other day and managed to get 'shouted at' and almost 'terrorized' by the cops. Yes.....on an Environment day story....and the reason...an illegal dredger next door thought we were out on a 'sting op' to expose his mis-doings. He called his' cops and asked them to get us off the place..!!

Trust me...Environment Day stories are the worst to do these days. Gone are the days when an environment day shoot used to be a simple day affair most likely a 'beat' next to Education.

Today you could be at the receiving end of the Land mafia.....of Goons calling you at odd hours...of the hand-in glove cops as well as the civic administration who wants you to 'mind your own business'

The reason...simple.....who cares for the environment anymore...? Make hay while the sun shines seem to be the mantra. Grab as much land as possible (while there still is some left)....Fill-up man-groves to make more land available....Cut trees to highlight hoardings...use open land to dump waste....dredge canals for more construction sand...dump toxic waste into lakes to avoid detection.......................................................................... ................................................................. The list just goes on and on....and things we do to prevent this...?? hahahahahahaha.....HAPPY ENVIRONEMENT DAY..!!!

PS: By the way...a few of my colleagues who handle the "crime" beat called up a few senior police officers and got us out of the Police Sub Inspector's 'Invitation' to visit him at his police station so that "he could personally explain us the need to speak to him before we video-shoot in his area"

Found your PR yet...?

2007-05-31T10:49:00.000+05:30

My ambition in life's to be rich and famous...Well at least the becoming 'rich' part is shelved for the moment.....and for the other one.....let me check what my odds are...

- Well, I have no one who'd write about me and my deeds (as if there are any to mention)
- Nothing that I have invented or discovered and not even a 'Company' or a dot com that I have floated yet.
- I don't attend too many parties.....well the truth..I don't attend any at all...

Ok, but how do the others do it..? It's quite simple...Hire a PR guy to pick up u'r account' His fees will depend on the profile of coverage he promises you..

and then it's smooth sailing.....anything you do could make news.....well not really...but to a great extent...either the people you met could be tailor-planned to make news...things you do could be administered to meet PR requirements and pictures clicked along with the 'IN' people all to ensure...you slowly make news...

Who said it was an easy task..? I personally know at least four Not so famous not so important ...people who are now 'celebrities' in their own way... (not too big...but not tooo small either....) But at least a wider audience know them.....(remember them for how long...??That I do not know...) And trust me...with so many PR's doing the rounds...it's not too expensive either....

So guys......what are you waiting for....?? Have you got your own PR Yet....?

Amitabh Crazy MEDIA...???

2007-05-31T07:57:00.000+05:30

Witnessing another FALL of the media from Grace.....(sic) The same one that was hit...bruised and it's egos CRUSHED as they tripped over eachother to get an 'exclusive' bite or even a glimpse of "Mr.
Abhishek Bacchan" marrying the most 'beautiful' (sic) actress in bollywood.

This time......it's a breaking news on Aaj Tak......an Exclusive on Star News....and again a breaking news on IBN7. The earth shattering News....?? Hold your Breath.....

"AMITABH BACCHAN POHOCHE SIDDHIVINAYAK APNE BETE ABHISHEK KE SAATH" (Amitabh Bacchan reaches Siddhivinayak Temple (in Mumbai) along with his son to seek the deity's blessings)

Wowwww...!!! And one wonder's why 'The Media' was treated like dirt in the first place....??? Heh he heh heh heh...No points for guessing.......Wake Up...!!!

A Hello First......!!

2007-05-19T02:03:00.000+05:30

Hi, My name's George and for quite sometime I've been toying with the idea of starting a blog space of my own....but just been too lazy..Guess...finally have taken out some time to do so. Will keep posting stuff about friends...family...colleagues at CNN-IBN and general things that cross my mind.....

So do keep checking this space...

George Koshy