Rockstar

I personally think Rockstar- the movie was sort of over-hyped. However, the songs were excellent and Ranbir Kapoor was phenomenal. Afterall, which girl wouldn't find a stubbly, brooding musician who walks around in a boho avatar adorable?

So for those, who aren't Ranbir Kapoor fans or Rahmaniacs but would like to know what Rockstar is all about without spending precious time and money, here's a snapshot...

Why I want an Armadillo

My laptop has a weak immune system. It is subject to attacks both internally and externally. Internally because it suffers from a lot of near death experiences which translates into me getting mini heart attacks and externally because it is constantly subject to peeling paint (which the Dell customer care executive says cannot be helped) and ant attack! Yes, you read it right.

I think my laptop is actually a camouflaged anthill and those tiny six legged creatures are guerilla warriors trying to seek revenge for some godforsaken reason because as far as memory can recollect, I have never ever harmed their kind, never subjected them to a watery death, never tried focussing sunlight on their colony through a magnifying glass, though I must admit I've been tempted.

Soo anyway after lying dormant in the Dell anthill for a while, family Formicidae has launched an attack stronger than ever before. The first time I noticed this phenomenon was when I thought Patrick Dempsey's irrestibly good looks were jeopardised by a mole on his face and a mole that moved! On closer inspection, it turned out to be the nasty six legged creature.

But seriously, do ants feed on metal these days? because I certainly don't devour those chhota Hide and Seeks or bhakar vadis in the vicinity of my laptop.

And this is not a stray case of ants. There probably exists a Formicidae Co-operative Housing Society nestled in the confines of my laptop's motherboard. I've tried boric powder, using a brush

to get rid of the ant menace. Unfortunately the All-in-one Hit will not reach the crevices of my laptop.

A friend suggested I call India TV to unravel the mystery behind the ant attack!What do you recommend?

The India Against Corruption Rally.

"Dhuan chhata khula gagan mera nayee dagar naya safar mera
Jo ban sake tu hamsafar mera, nazar mila zara"
-Roobaroo, Rang de Basanti

It was a damp evening in Mumbai today. And there was a rally organised by India Against Corruption that was to begin at Bandra(W) and culminate at Juhu. For a city that's well known for it's spirit and resilience, there was no way that the rains or the crater laden roads or even certain open manholes were going to deter the will to join the movement against corruption and support the bill for a stronger ombudsman.

Let me tell you, the last time I saw so many people on the roads was when India won the World Cup. However, this time around the gathering wasn't revelling in victory. Rather it was a gathering of people who were angry. Angry and frustrated with the state of affairs of this country. The lack of governance. The corruption that has engulfed everything. Even the very roads on which the protestors marched bore signs of corrutpion. The so called infrastructure on which crores of rupees are spent for repair and other purposes and which were repaired just 2 months back were nothing short of kuccha roads. And this time, there were people from all sections of society. Young and old, rich and poor..it was India that poured onto the streets. I wonder what the struggle for independence was like.

And since no protest march is complete minus slogans, this rally too had it's fair share of interesting slogans besides of course Inquilab Zindabad and Bharat Mata ki Jai! Sample these:
1. Gali Gali mein shor hai saare neta chor hai!
2. Hamara neta kaisa ho? Anna Hazare jaisa ho!
3. Desh ka youth yahan hai. Rahul Gandhi kahan hai?
4. Desh ki beemari...Manish Tewari!
5. Kapil Sibal..maaro chappal! (x2)
6. Saari sarkar nikammi hai...Sonia iski Mummy hai!

It was a rally of responsible citizens. They made sure that the streets were not left littered. They made sure that ambulances were allowed to pass. They made sure that there were no untoward incidents in a gathering of over a lakh people.

It is on days like these that my faith in spirit of the nation is reaffirmed. We too are capable of bringing about a revolution. A billion voices. United!

Why I Love and Hate the Rains

It's been a while since I've blogged. This was thanks to my internship which consumed the entire week and left me so exhausted by the end of it that all I wanted to do was sleep and watch TV and sleep some more.

So anyway, the monsoons graced Mumbai in the last week of May bringing much respite to the EXTREMELY sultry weather which was so bad that I'm told even the sight of those ridiculous deodorant adverts which feature 'hot' women drooling over the deo owner would repulse them. Hence, you can imagine how bad it was.

As usual, the Municipal body was less than prepared to handle the fury of the rains because in our city, when it rains it pours. And the bylanes and more often than not even the main roads start resembling the Venice of a third world country. And no, these waters don't discriminate. So there are frequent sights to marvel at like the ones when a BMW gets stuck in the middle of the mini pool and the humble autorickshaw is able to manoeuvre it's way through like a badass machine.

Believe you me, if you really want to experience the monsoons Mumbai style, it is highly recommended you travel by public transport just so that you can experience those everlasting memories.

Here are the top 5 reasons why I love the monsoons:

1. The breeze doesn't dehydrate you by the time you reach your destination because more often than not you will NOT find public transport.
2. Since you sweat less, your face doesn't look like that of the Bride of Frankenstein.
3. The rains make it impossible for the eunuchs to corner you at traffic signals and force you into giving them money.
4. The abundant craters and potholes ensure that every part of your body is given adequate workout before you reach your destination. Who cares about those Telebrands exercisers nowadays anyway?
5. And we can be assured that there won't be a water cut next year unless a certain industrialist decides to channelise every drop into his 22 storey Altamount Road wonder.

And here's why I hate them:

1. Because the access-way to the local train stations resembles a landslide site which has to be carefully treaded over. This basically means that I have to trek in my 3 inch stilletoes which basically isn't the ideal situation.
2. Because the local train seats are dripping with water ensuring that you all you can do is stand and stare at the vacant seats while your toes get mutilated. It's like being forced to listen to a Himesh Reshammiya song on TV because you cannot find the remote. Seriously, MTV?
3. Because your phone has to wrapped in several layers to plastic which effectively reduces the ringer volume ensuring atleast 5 missed calls in the span of 2 hours.
4. Because Tata Sky almost never receives signal even during the slightest of drizzle which basically means that I have no access to television till the month of September while my neighbours who've subscribed to the local cable services get uninterrupted transmission. My life is so not jhingalala! x(
5. Because the freaking wind makes my house seem haunted!

And umm, since I can't think of an appropriate ending for this post why don't I leave something for you to chew on:

Ever wondered what would happen if Freaky Friday transpired between Manmohan Singh and Digvijay Singh?!

☺

Mumbai Blasts

When you're at the end of the road and you've lost all sense of control,

When your thoughts have taken their toll and your mind breaks the spirit of your soul,

Your faith walks on broken glass....

(21 Guns, Greenday)

Last evening when I was at work struggling to complete a note on the registrations required prior to the commencement of aircraft operations in India, my co-intern got a bbm saying that there had been a bomb blast in Bombay. Soon, the office was abuzz with news confirming that there had indeed been bomb blasts in three places in South Bombay. I refreshed the NDTV and IBN websites but they did not suggest anything to that extent had happened. Then the news channels started showing live coverage from the mauka-e-vardaat.

The cellphone networks had been jammed by now and there was no way I could contact anyone. Infact, I had to ask my friend on Facebook to call up my parents. Imagine the anxiety.

My journey back home that takes nearly an hour by road and a witness to a tired city still bustling with activity, took me less than 20 minutes to cross the island city. There was an eerie silence as darkness descended upon a bruised city.

Within minutes world leaders condemned the blasts. The politicos and our Mr. Mute Singh dashed off statements saying this is a very unfortunate turn of events. We condemn the blasts. Justice will be done. OFCOURSE you condemn the blasts. Don't add insult to injury by making such pointless statements!

While my twitter newsfeed was abuzz with comments such as 'Now the city lives up to the reputation of being 'BOMB'ay' and 'Happy Birthday Kasab, hope you had a blast', there were a few other prominent people condemning the blasts calling it an act of coward while they themselves sat in the luxurious comfort of their Malabar hill home or accessing Twitter on their iPads sipping a glass of red wine waiting for a news channel to call them and try to find out what is going on in the minds of the ordinary Mumbaikar. Funny though, how Shobha De and Suhel Seth are designated as the voice of Mumbai who are supposed to have a legit critical opinion on whatever happens in Mumbai, be it the blasts or the soirees or sanitation issues.

So what did the blasts actually do? Shake the spirit of the city whose spirit refuses to die? Shaken but not stirred, you would like to believe. Not true, I say. The reason I and scores of other Mumbaikars chose not to take a leave from work the following day was because we couldn't. It wasn't because we were very resilient. It was because we were forced to report back to work or wherever it is we had to go.

While some people took it to social networking to vent out their feelings as to how Kasab should be hanged, how the perpetrators of this latest incident should be subjected to public trial, how the world has but we have and never will learn a lesson on how to combat terrorism, how it was an intelligence failure, a failure of government machinery, the list is endless...

some others thought of carrying out peaceful protest marches and candlelight vigils espousing the cause of justice for Mumbai, a city anyone and everyone chooses to mess with at a whim, there were a few good samaritans who were actually on the field, lending physical and emotional support to the victims and helping the city get back on it's feet. I have immense respect for them. The unsung heroes whose sole aim in life is not to be featured on Television talk shows wearing D&Gs and Sabyasachis.

The skeleton of the city has been fractured and repaired several times but the scars remain and I don't know how resilient it is to withstand future dents. Our government's blue eyed boy has stated that we've been able to prevent 99% blasts. Considering inspite of this we're attacked almost once every year, I shudder to think how much hatred exists in the souls of the perpetrators against this city!

Carnival of Rust

Who would've thought that a ship on it's way to the scrapyard, would find it's 4 days of fame?

MV Wisdom, an unheard of merchant ship which broke away from the towing vessel and nearly collided with the Worli Sea Link, found it's fame during it's last days when it landed at Mumbai's favourite beach at Juhu.
And what followed at Juhu was the great Indian tamasha. People swarmed, journalists swooped in and hawkers never had a better business opportunity.

A Day in the life of India?

:)

Delhi Diaries

So my last post was ages back and it was about the British royal wedding. Now that William and Kate are on their first official tour to the United States, I too had been away on a jaunt to New Delhi. And it was not really my first trip to the place (I've been to that place about 4 times so far), but for all practical purposes it was. Never before had I been away from the watchful eyes of my parents for a period that long( 13 days). So, barring the 'few' mandatory morning-noon-afternoon-evening-night calls and texts from my parents I was on my own in a city as infamous as New Delhi.

These instructions had been drilled in my head prior this trip

• Don't talk to strangers
• Don't travel in autorickshaws
• To always reach home before sunset
• To keep my money safe
• To store a gazillion random relatives' phone numbers in my contact list and not hesitate in calling them.

I must admit though, I didn't follow a single instruction.

The day I reached Delhi, I was greeted with a thunderstorm. The temperature had dipped substantially and I was happy that I wouldn't have to face the dreaded Dilli ki garmi. But I was wrong. Nature, as usual was working on it's sinister plans.

The next day it was kind of a Loo and behold situation. For those who sucked at Geography Loo is the hot dry wind that blows in the Northern plains during the months of April-May-June. The Sun God was in the mood of showering all his blessings upon us. And my body's mast cells started working overtime giving me a bad cold and a worse cough. This was followed by numerous visits to the Apollo pharmacy for various OTCs ranging from lozenges to Otrivin. For most part of this trip, I was perpetually high on Otrivin and since I visited the Supreme Court pharmacy every other day, the pharmacist had actually started displaying more cough related medicines on the shelves. Had I stayed there for a few more days, they would've probably considered giving me a loyalty card.

Our journey entailed a daily commute from Noida City Centre to Pragati Maidan which is a good half an hour train ride. But the Delhi Metro is the most luxurious form of public transport you will ever come across. It's clean, air conditioned, organised and occasionally entertaining, a far cry from the Local trains of Mumbai which leaves you dehydrated and your toes mutilated by the end of your journey. The Metro staff was also happy to help and gave us the glossy Metro maps leftover from the Commonwealth Games which gave us a fair idea of what was where. Yellow, Violet, Blue, Green lines. Airconditioned stations. Bliss.

Oh by the way, if you're a stickler for courtesy avoid travelling by the Yellow line. The pre-recorded message never says "Please". It sounds almost like Big Brother is watching every move of yours and will abduct you if you don't mind the gap between the foot-board and the platform.

So, armed with a map and a measly amount of five grand each, we (my friend and I) set out to explore the heart of India. And I must say, it did not disappoint me. I was amazed to see how organised the city was. How every little landmark had it's own signboard. How clean and green the city was.

The Monuments:

Now Delhi is dotted with architectural wonders, new and old. Since, it has always been the seat of power for so many centuries this fact comes as no surprise. But you do get goosebumps when you see those imposing structures right in front of your eyes. The intricate carvings, the many facets of architecture. It's like your History book coming to life! Delhi boasts of 3 of the 15 World Heritage Sites that are present in India.

Red Fort ✔

Humayun's tomb ✔

Qutub Minar ✔

Jantar Mantar ✔

India Gate ✔

The Shopping

Delhi is a shopper's paradise and the best part about it is that it caters to every pocket. So you could splurge in the high end boutiques at GK-II or go shopping to the good ol' Sarojini Nagar Market. Dilli Haat is a place not to be missed. You could spend an entire day there and empty your wallet in a matter of few minutes. However, what really is put to test in Delhi are your bargaining skills. The more you call the shopkeeper "bhaiyaji", the more are your chances of getting stuff at a lesser price. I managed to bring down the price of an item of jewellery from Rs. 500 to Rs. 100 and I take pride in this achievement of mine. *grins* Places not to be missed also include Saket (Select City Walk) and Noida Sector 18 (Great India Place), if you're the kinds who's a sucker for malls. Connaught Place has some big stores too.

The Food

The cosmopolitan nature of the city reflects in it's food. So, you'll find carts selling the world's best momos with the world's spiciest chutney, tandoori chicken, chole bhature and chaat all in the same row. A word of caution must be sounded though. This eclectic mix of spices that the Delhi street food comprises of is not for the faint bellied. The famous paranthe wali gali invites you with the tantalising aroma that wafts all the way to the Chandni Chowk Metro station. However, the sight of the conditions in which the food is cooked and served is enough to send anybody into a fit of puke. No, I'm not a city-bred snob to be saying that. You have to see it to believe it. We settled for Haldirams' chola bhatura and Raj Kachori. However, you must not miss the awesome Mughlai food at Pind Baluchi and the D.E.L.I.C.I.O.U.S pasta and dessert at The Big Chill Cafe and the Cold Coffee at Nirula's. Ofcourse, there are plenty of McDonald's and KFC outlets too.

I also happened to visit the Kingdom of Dreams in Gurgaon. When you're visiting Delhi, you must make it a point to keep aside Rs. 750 to visit this one of a kind attraction. The Culture gully which showcases the food, handicrafts and culture of each state is worth every penny you spend on the entry pass. I didn't however get an opportunity to watch the Zangoora show which is touted to be India's answer to the Broadway.

13 days later, it was time to come back to Bombay. Oh and just so you know, the purpose of my trip was not all fun and games. I'm happy to announce that yours truly has successfully completed a summer course in International Law. :D