Ahh I was about to write about this since long...but recent times I have been "Super Busy".
You know when you are in pune when........
1. When the uniformed beggars at the signals compete with non-uniformed ones
2. When no matter what hotel you start, what ever you serve, what ever you quote, there will be people thronging to eat...
3. When you will be ashamed to speak the local language ( mai marathi ) in malls....
4. When you know you wont be punished what ever you do if you are driving a car..
5. When people will sell you flats at whatever price they feel...and you will be in a queue to buy it...
6. When you know suddenly that the road you are driving on is one way in opposite direction..but dont worry...you know why...
7. when the city bus (PMT) driver has a right to kill people... there are too many people anyways...
Saturday, July 17, 2010
Sunday, February 21, 2010
Pune Blast - Economics of Terror
I have been giving it a lot of thought about the episode where the end was tragic! With 11 people having "officially" died in a supposedly quiet town 200 Kms to the east of Mumbai .....PUNE! Why would anyone plant a bomb in a town that has barely 10% population of Mumbai, where shops remain closed from 1 to 4 pm so that the vendors can enjoy their afternoon siesta?
Answer lies in "development". Pune though small is quite a rich place! It stands for all the good things a Marathi person* can offer...Good educational institutions, peace , health care , eat outs , culture..... .Obviously there are bad aspects as well the uncontrolled growth in the name of development. The big so-called IT companies hiring people like herds of sheep, rising prices, the nexus between politicians and multinational corporations...what not. This makes pune important. Still relatively virgin compared to Mumbai, it remains a soft target for millitants. Few years back it was unimaginable that there could be a blast in Pune...even terrorists would not have thought of that! But money changes all.
The specific spot was chosen ..A Bakery that was popular hangout for many foreign tourists. Indians are often minority there. Caucasians , Mongoloids, Black all races could be seen assimilated there. They would come here often for spiritual quest in the form of marijuana, sex and meditation. The Osho ashram, where it takes Rs 500 ($10..not too much by American standards but it could be a weeks salary for many Indians) just to meditate, is very popular amongst foreign tourists. The German Bakery is a target! Why?? We need to come to terms with admitting that a white life costs more than a black life or a brown life.Is an American or a German killed equivalent to 10 or more Indians killed? We may deny this with all our heart but it is a fact! This is the economics of terror.
This is the Terror which makes us realize this difference. Why didn't the terrorists plant a bomb in much richer areas like J.M. road, F.C. road or even Camp ? Answer..lack of Caucasians. The psyche is simple . How can we cause maximum damage with minimum investment? I am sure our so called Hindi or English media would not have covered the incident if there would have been a blast in Wadia college or Rasta Peth and 20 Indians would have died! It would have been printed on 2nd or third page even in Maharashtra Times or Lokmat. The terrorists got maximum coverage by killing 2-3 foreigners!
Aftermath of Blast: Pune is still insecure as ever. No amount of security can stop the terrorists. Terrorists are like mosquitoes. You cant go after individual mosquito but a mosquito net keeps them away. Our government should invest in border security like US.
Life will be a hell for pune residents and it will still go on as usual which is NOTHING TO BE PROUD OF! Terrorists will surely strike again while political parties like SS will threaten jesters like SRK and karan Johar who dole out crap in the name of movies. The already overburdened corrupt police will provide security to the malls to wardoff goons while terrorists make a good use of it!
While the biggest criminals in this drama THE MEDIA ( including journalists like Sardesai ) will have a gala time with their TRPs!
*Marathi Person : Person who understands marathi.
Answer lies in "development". Pune though small is quite a rich place! It stands for all the good things a Marathi person* can offer...Good educational institutions, peace , health care , eat outs , culture..... .Obviously there are bad aspects as well the uncontrolled growth in the name of development. The big so-called IT companies hiring people like herds of sheep, rising prices, the nexus between politicians and multinational corporations...what not. This makes pune important. Still relatively virgin compared to Mumbai, it remains a soft target for millitants. Few years back it was unimaginable that there could be a blast in Pune...even terrorists would not have thought of that! But money changes all.
The specific spot was chosen ..A Bakery that was popular hangout for many foreign tourists. Indians are often minority there. Caucasians , Mongoloids, Black all races could be seen assimilated there. They would come here often for spiritual quest in the form of marijuana, sex and meditation. The Osho ashram, where it takes Rs 500 ($10..not too much by American standards but it could be a weeks salary for many Indians) just to meditate, is very popular amongst foreign tourists. The German Bakery is a target! Why?? We need to come to terms with admitting that a white life costs more than a black life or a brown life.Is an American or a German killed equivalent to 10 or more Indians killed? We may deny this with all our heart but it is a fact! This is the economics of terror.
This is the Terror which makes us realize this difference. Why didn't the terrorists plant a bomb in much richer areas like J.M. road, F.C. road or even Camp ? Answer..lack of Caucasians. The psyche is simple . How can we cause maximum damage with minimum investment? I am sure our so called Hindi or English media would not have covered the incident if there would have been a blast in Wadia college or Rasta Peth and 20 Indians would have died! It would have been printed on 2nd or third page even in Maharashtra Times or Lokmat. The terrorists got maximum coverage by killing 2-3 foreigners!
Aftermath of Blast: Pune is still insecure as ever. No amount of security can stop the terrorists. Terrorists are like mosquitoes. You cant go after individual mosquito but a mosquito net keeps them away. Our government should invest in border security like US.
Life will be a hell for pune residents and it will still go on as usual which is NOTHING TO BE PROUD OF! Terrorists will surely strike again while political parties like SS will threaten jesters like SRK and karan Johar who dole out crap in the name of movies. The already overburdened corrupt police will provide security to the malls to wardoff goons while terrorists make a good use of it!
While the biggest criminals in this drama THE MEDIA ( including journalists like Sardesai ) will have a gala time with their TRPs!
*Marathi Person : Person who understands marathi.
Saturday, January 30, 2010
Wats Playin on My iPod!
Ahh I am actually disgusted with the crap that comes out these days in the name of music. Its all about style and less about music it self. And I am sure half of us must be crying..." Take me to those 70's days"
where the ROCK ruled..It was all about music and the style came from whatever you do rather that what is being dictated by the media! These artists still rock! They are of a different class altogether. Eric Clapton, Jeff Beck, Jimmy Paige, Robert Plant ,Carlos Santana....These people represent class! But there are still few new artists who are trying hard to carve out a niche. I really salute them! Artists range from genres like blues , Indie Pop, RnB to what not! John Mayer, Coldplay, Death Cab for the cutie are few of them. Few their songs just stick to your head!
Here is a list of songs I am listening:
1. Broken Hearted - Eric Clapton and John Mayer
Genre - Blues
A calm blues song. Clapton is really a God. His voice is different ( thats what they call you when you have a bad quality of voice ) and he is THE Blues guitarist! Can you believe some one can survive for 4 decades! Well his greatness does not overshadow lesser artists like John . They blend along well in this song. Do checkout the lyrics.They are great! An Awesome song! 2. New York (Empire State of Mind) - Jay-Z and Alicia Keys
Genre - RnB
I had liked this song the first time I heard it on some radio channel. Very few songs are like that. I couldn't catch the lyrics and so the name of the song for long time. It came from an extremely unexpected source! A nice song. Captures the spirit of the city. Alicia Keys plays piano jumping up and down.
3. 21 Guns - Green Day
Genre - Punk Rock.Its an old song but it took me some time to like this song! An awesomee song with awesome message. "...Do you know whats worth fighting for?....when its not worth dying for? ..." Its anti-war rhetoric!
4. Please read the letter - Robert Plant and Alison Krauss
Genre - Love Ballad/Country
I was first shocked to see Robert Plant singing love songs! Many fans are disgusted! The man with the greatest vocal power is singing love songs with some country girl! Well, its appreciable to see him doing something daring! Yes , He is the same guy who sang The Lemon song, Kashmir and Stairway to Heaven! This song brings great calm. Alison Krauss is a beautiful gal with deep calm voice. They go to gether well!
5. Fireflies - Owl City.
Genre - synthpop
A weird song but a good one. This song is very catchy and thats why it climbed the charts quickly! This is my first owlcity song!
6. Tik Tok - Ke$ha
Genre - Dance
Its a catchy song :( .Yes it is.I am guilty of liking this song!
7. Cold Desert - Kings of Leon
Genre - Alternative rock
A nice song. Too calm to be true. Its my SFO song...but no one let me play! :(
Saturday, January 2, 2010
My Favourite Hindi Chord!
I used to think Hindi is not exactly a Guitar language but its not true..
I am not an avid follower of Hindi music but I feel it was just as good as western music.
Recently I went to see '3 IDIOTS'. It was an OK movie but it made me realize Amir, he really is a good actor.
Amir Khan's 1st movie Qayamat Se Qayamat Tak had awesome songs in its list.
Papa Kehte hai is an anthem of sorts in every college or school just like Another brick in the wall. All the boys ( not girls!) who can strum a bit come on stage and give it a try while other boy/girls become weeping audiances! Last day of school/college! Same happened in my college VIT!
This song is a simple song but it really touches some chord in you! It reminds me those times of my childhood when I went for a vacation in Lonavala at Shamiyana Lodge. Mats were spread on the floor and we had that brown portable radio from PHILIPS. This song was played many times but I was too young to understand its lyrics even though they are not as complicated as Dylan's!
It follows a very simple chord pattern of Cmaj, Amin, Fmaj, Gmaj. Its a beginners chords....Novice
Here it goes....
I am not an avid follower of Hindi music but I feel it was just as good as western music.
Recently I went to see '3 IDIOTS'. It was an OK movie but it made me realize Amir, he really is a good actor.
Amir Khan's 1st movie Qayamat Se Qayamat Tak had awesome songs in its list.
Papa Kehte hai is an anthem of sorts in every college or school just like Another brick in the wall. All the boys ( not girls!) who can strum a bit come on stage and give it a try while other boy/girls become weeping audiances! Last day of school/college! Same happened in my college VIT!
This song is a simple song but it really touches some chord in you! It reminds me those times of my childhood when I went for a vacation in Lonavala at Shamiyana Lodge. Mats were spread on the floor and we had that brown portable radio from PHILIPS. This song was played many times but I was too young to understand its lyrics even though they are not as complicated as Dylan's!
It follows a very simple chord pattern of Cmaj, Amin, Fmaj, Gmaj. Its a beginners chords....Novice
Here it goes....
[C]Papa[Am] kehte hain [F] bada naam [G] karega [C]Beta hamara[Am] aisa kaam karega [F] [G] Magar yeh to koi na jaane Ki meri manzil hai kahan Papa kehte hain bada naam karega Beta hamara aisa kaam karega Magar yeh to koi na jaane Ki meri manzil hai kahan Papa kehte hain bada naam karega Baithe hain milke sab yaar apne Sabke dilon mein armaan yeh hai Baithe hain milke sab yaar apne Sabke dilon mein armaan yeh hai Wo zindagi mein kal kya banega Har ek nazar ka sapna yeh hai Koi engineer ka kaam karega Business mein koi apna naam karega Magar yeh to koi na jaane Ki meri manzil hai kahan Papa kehte hain bada naam karega Mera to sapna hai ek chehra Dekhe jo usko jhoome bahar Mera to sapna hai ek chehra Dekhe jo usko jhoome bahar Gaalon mein khilti kaliyon ka mausam Aankhon mein jaadu honthon mein pyaar Banda ye khoobsurat kaam karega Dil ki duniya mein apna naam karega Meri nazar se dekho to yaaron Ki meri manzil hai kahan Papa kehte hain bada naam karega
Friday, January 1, 2010
Happy New Year! 2010
I have always wondered why do new year's suck so much for me! Sooo much! This year it was by far the worst. This New year did bring me some news which in one sense is not as bad as expected! Let it be alone.
Now thinking of what I learnt this whole year. It started with me being away from my loved ones in a land faar away. Making new friends, breaking from some old friends. Going back home to become a same person as I was before. But the best thing was that I tried to be a better man. And I did succeed to a large extent! How, I would not care to explain because that is the part of betterment!
At work my trials and tribulations started by the end of a hot Indian summer and start of long rainy season. The word of the year "Recession" , I came to know the hard way. I came to know that most of the values stand only for the namesake. Recession at my place became synonymous with harassment. Constant threat and execution of threats. Policies that break your will to protest and make you bow down before the "MAN". You know how much we loathe the MAN?
This year made me realize my short comings and my capacities to excel beyond belief. It made me realize how bad I am at spellings. How good I am at understanding things around myself. It made me realize that parents do get old along with me. It made me realize that your old mistakes never leave you. It made me realize love never stays forever neither does hate. It made me realize how equal we all are.How good my voice is! How badly I play a Guitar. There are people who know more music than me.
This year's winter started in a desperate quest to set goals which will reap benefits in the near future.And reap they did! Now again I am far away in a cold desert! Calm to an extent. In search of true friends who don't fake smiles....in search of the music
Hope is the worst thing....so I don't hope anything for this year! Anyways these "New Years" are fake milestones which make you realize things you don't want to realize!
Now thinking of what I learnt this whole year. It started with me being away from my loved ones in a land faar away. Making new friends, breaking from some old friends. Going back home to become a same person as I was before. But the best thing was that I tried to be a better man. And I did succeed to a large extent! How, I would not care to explain because that is the part of betterment!
At work my trials and tribulations started by the end of a hot Indian summer and start of long rainy season. The word of the year "Recession" , I came to know the hard way. I came to know that most of the values stand only for the namesake. Recession at my place became synonymous with harassment. Constant threat and execution of threats. Policies that break your will to protest and make you bow down before the "MAN". You know how much we loathe the MAN?
This year made me realize my short comings and my capacities to excel beyond belief. It made me realize how bad I am at spellings. How good I am at understanding things around myself. It made me realize that parents do get old along with me. It made me realize that your old mistakes never leave you. It made me realize love never stays forever neither does hate. It made me realize how equal we all are.How good my voice is! How badly I play a Guitar. There are people who know more music than me.
This year's winter started in a desperate quest to set goals which will reap benefits in the near future.And reap they did! Now again I am far away in a cold desert! Calm to an extent. In search of true friends who don't fake smiles....in search of the music
Hope is the worst thing....so I don't hope anything for this year! Anyways these "New Years" are fake milestones which make you realize things you don't want to realize!
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