Is it a New Year or the Old Habits in a new way?

The unthinkable attack on humanity that held the city Mumbai and kept hostage the entire Nation left me numb. More than 30 days have passed by…
Where we and what are we doing?
Did the flicker of the candle get blown away in the snow storm of verbose thoughts? Here we are today standing with fear in our mind and head bowed down, quite contrary to Rabindranath Tagore’s ode of "Where the mind is without fear and the head is held high…”

As you, I and all around us except the families who have lost their dearest and nearest ones will again usher in the New Year with renewed hope, zest and vigor, but this time punctuated with horripilate eeriness.

They did what they wanted to do. Killed many mercilessly, Orphaned many more and shaken the very existence of one’s being only to prove their Jihad.

But, what did we do? Arrange for debates, talk shows and salute the brave heroes…
Get a better TPR for the channels and promote products striking the emotional chord and selling words, encashing on the tragedy-This is what the Fourth Estate had to do!!!
And our inept, clumsy, slugabed politicians donate 5 lakhs for the lives we salute, quite contrary to crores that you shower on a boy born with a golden spoon to bring home gold in the Olympics… What is the principle and where is the logic?
An answer that I dare not expect from a bunch of clumsy, careless and corrupt people who live like parasites and have silently shaken the roots of our Nation.

We are going door to door seeking international unison to put to justice the perpetrators…Why?
Are we not liable and capable to protect our own people?
No, just because we don’t owe our Nation. We do not owe our people. It’s just the loss of individual families and you react only when it hurts your bum.
It’s just a Reaction with no Action because killing 400 odd lives in the land of billion populations cannot create an upheaval to change the Nation that is dominated by Politicians worse than Terrorists.
I say this because Mumbai incident brought in a terror face while our Netas are faceless terror that engulfs our existence and shrouds our being like a cobweb.

35 days… and still the identification parade is being held for the lone surviving terrorist. With evidences in our hand, we are diverting attention to different issues just because we are involved in our selfish motives.

It’s hurting but it’s true… if your mom knew you from fetus; terrorists know you till your corpse!

So it’s not this New Year but each day that you need to celebrate being alive amidst fear n insecurity, hoping and praying silently for A Wednesday to happen in reality!!!

Barack Obama : US President and its effect on India

Celebrations started in the United States of America as it has its new president; Barack Obama became United States' 44th President but the first African-American man to win the race to the White House. The 47-year-old gentleman is not only an inspirational leader with a vision to CHANGE, but is also a great writer, philosopher and a thinker. A journey from slavery through White House has thus recreated history in its own way.
Barack Obama name will be inscribed in Gold in the history of America and the Americans voted him seeking a new beginning in the changing demographic status of America- a change that Obama vouches to bring about in the United States and that will eventually spill its impact through the entire world; India not to be an exception to receive it.

Most Indians in US voted consciously and subconsciously this man and are obviously happy as his win marks an end to the racially fanatic society. The effect on India seems manifold from the nuclear non-proliferation deal to the never-ending war for the soil of Kashmir; from influx of foreign aid to terrorism; the concerns are many and every Indian will follow his moves in the White House.

On the nuclear front, India might be forced to sign the CTBT (Comprehensive Test Ban Treaty), but India should be prepared for a diplomatic debate to sustain a strategic relation with US.

Second, the growing concern especially in the IT sector is Barack Obama's viewpoint on outsourcing- he had been categorical in his campaign that he would provide with tax-breaks to companies that will create jobs for its own people. India, here, needs to wait again to react to the changes that might evolve with Obama gracing the White House.

Each President of America, in his own way wants to be the peacemaker. Thus, with Barack Obama at the helm of US affairs, might like to play as an interventionist player in the war over Kashmir between India and Pakistan. However, on this issue, India needs to have a stronger viewpoint as Kashmir tension has essentially been a truffle between countries, India and Pakistan, and none other but they themselves can sort it out between them.

That apart, there exist other worries especially on foreign aid, as Obama hinted already that if not the aid is going to be trimmed, the foreign aid influx to India might get delayed.

To strike and ensure continuing dialogue, there are amicable grounds for discussion on issues concerning global warming, fuel and energy crisis, and most important, the fight against international terrorism.

And, as an Indian, I am joining my friends in US to rejoicing (but with caution) Barack Obama's win. More importantly, I am as curious to follow the changes that can augur a beginning of new era.

Obama or McCain : Wait n Watch !!!

As the world superpower goes to voting its 44th President amidst fear of economic crisis, financial crash with bankruptcy and bail out package being the buzz word, the entire world is keenly following the debate, the policies, the issues and the areas of improvement talked about, by the Democratic leader Barack Hussein Obama and the 72 years old, Republican Senator McCain.

Many might ask that it is America going on election, so what is there on the other side of midnight? The truth is, there is no denying the fact that even with a reflection in reality of a failed leadership of Bush regime, America still dictates the world economy. Everywhere, people will follow the proceedings as Americans go voting before or after their working hours to give shape to America's future. America's Presidential election holds importance everywhere, be it Korea's Kospi, Japan's Nikkei or Indian Sensex. The need of the hour is Wait n Watch.

US Presidential Election has a manifold interest for people to flip on news channels, read through media reports as well post comments on debates. The year 2008, race to Whitehouse got hotter initially with the entry of Hillary Clinton, who raised the bar for American Women. The heat generated continued to refract enthusiasm and gather momentum as the 47 year old Law graduate from Harvard, Barack Obama stepped in with its contrasting reform measures and policies on outsourcing, nuclear proliferation, fighting terrorism and deadline to withdraw troops from Iraq. On the other hand, McCain, still promises to carry on the legacy of Bush administration with regressive thoughts and beliefs of Sarah Palin. So here again it’s the Wait n Watch once more.

The bleeding American economy still has a critical global influence. Hence, it’s President and policies will cause differences even to the common man in the streets of the entire world. The final bell of the world's most robust American Presidential election campaign is about to ring and the rest of the world is waiting to hear its consequences.

Smile....the curve that sets everything right !

Before you read this post, just ask when was it last that you have laughed your heart out? Did you smile today? Well, the answer in most cases is not spontaneous. You really need to think hard to recollect when is it that you really laughed with all your 32 teeth (if you still have them intact) out.

In today's modern pace of life, don't you think that we are just slaves of Time chasing a mirage to realize and achieve the Unknown ? Are we conscious enough to realize that in the process we might have stampede the little moments of life that nurtures a bond, a relation? Yet we move on and on adding to our worries and anxieties increasing the stress levels, thereby increasing the release of hormone called Cortisol. In extreme cases, it often lead to memory impairment. Stress also adds to hypertension, has a negative effect on your metabolism and reflect early signs of hair greying and hair falling.

So, why add to these worries to your otherwise hectic life ? Why foot medicine bills? Thus, one can avoid frequent visit to doctors by simply laughing and smiling for a better physical and mental well being.

Simply laugh your way to a better cardiovascular system, respiratory system and metabolic system. The word of advice is, please stop suffering from the syndrome of Seriousness! Life is short, so live it fully to relive each moment for a meaningful existence.

Do you know there is again a release of hormones when you laugh or smile?
Yes, it is the happy hormones called Endorphins that does the trick and tickle and giggle its way to fight stress hormones cortisol.

So, if you are not spontaneous and lacks humor bone, please develop it cautiously and genuinely. There are Laughing Clubs mushrooming in the neighborhood where people of all ages exercise with laughter to continue their day energetically. If you can join one, good enough or else, pass a smile to one and all as you meet and greet on your way to workplace or at home. If you can crack a smile, and strike a conversation, the battle is half won. It decreases your level of anxiety and helps put things things Straight by one Curved Line... yes a true genuine smile.

You can check for yourself... If you are too worried, just stand in-front of a mirror and see your smiling face for few seconds, you are bound to feel better and with continuous practice you master the art of healthy and perfect living. Look through each thing with smiling eyes, soon you will find multiple opportunities from a tiny spark. Look at the funny aspects of life and laugh watching a comedy film or read a funny joke.

So, just take a lil' effort... giggle, chuckle and laugh at work to lift your spirits to greater height!!!!

Big issue for Small car in West Bengal

It’s been long ... and I was out of blogging. But it’s a sudden freak of thought like a thunderbolt that I decided to keep it updated... read on

It was Tata's Nano launch that I wrote and it was Mr. Ratan Tata's promise to make the cheapest car in the world hit the road by November 2008...and being a strong Kolkatan felt proud that this world's popular auto project will be associated with Kolkata, to be precise with Singur.

Yes, it is in Singur, 40 kms from Kolkata that Tatas have invested worth Rs 1500 cr to build the automobile factory. The land acquired by the West Bengal Government was given in lease to the Tatas. The controversy spiraled with the West Bengal Government and the opposition party on this 1000 acres of land given as domestic investment to the Tata Group.

The opposition party proposes to ‘gherao the Singur Tata plant’ to protest against the injustice meted out to the farmers. They are of the opinion that out of 1000 acres of land, 400 acres need to be given back to the farmers. Thus the seed of industrialization sown in the soil of West Bengal met with strong protests from the opposition party members.

Who are at loss at this political crisis? The opposition leader will shout slogans saying through the blood of farmers industrialization of cultural Bengal cannot be achieved. But is this true? Is it not through investment in manufacturing industries that generation of employment is possible? Is it not through successful
implementation of this factory that we can attract further investments through channels of either domestic investment or foreign institutional investments ? Are we not closing doors for future growth of Bengal?

In the hands of opposition are the instruments of bandhs and strikes.. Be it upgradation of Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose Airport or the growth of IT hub in Rajarhat, Kolkata. Are we conscious enough to know what lies behind this veil of controversies?

With project in Singur, which are the lands that they want back? Those that are meant for ancillary investment and moreover that 400 acres is not available together. These are pockets of lands spread all over.

Thus before the Tata really bid Ta-Ta to Bengal, its high time that we delve deep into this crisis to find an amicable solution through negotiation, re-negotiation and dialogues for a prosperous Bengal.

IPL-The New Face of Gentleman Sport-Can It Entice The Gentleman Fans of The Game?

Life in this 21st century has been changing a lot and we have started to run with time. Change in pace changed the ways and means of entertainment as well and these have undergone a drastic makeover. Gone are the 8-ball over in a cricket game that we saw as children and the 6-ball overs took them over with 60-over games. Later came the 50-over matches and people seem to be not satisfied with it, rather have no patience to sit for 100-long overs of a match. Now came the 20-over innings and the 40-over matches in what are called as league matches, probably someone who watched soccer and hockey matches a lot would have conceived this shorter version of cricket match. Lets give the credit to him and jet set to watch these dwarfened matches? Are they interesting at all?

Amidst heated arguments on controversy and hype this gentleman’s game, has transformed to a new bonsai version at Bangalore in the form of IPL or Indian Premier League. Along the same lines of county cricket, the Indian Premier League was split into several teams, which are then auctioned. Each team has players from different cricket playing nations. Business behemoths such as the Ambanis and the Mallyas and celebrity personalities including King Khan and Preity Zinta sweated out to own the teams. Then the respective team managements selected players from all over the world forming a great Asianafrican and Australian-English mixture. Leave the fact whether they teamed together well or not……the T20 season of cricket started raising cricket fever and fervor across the world.

8 teams are sweating out for the past 30 days under the floodlights for the coveted title of T20 IPL champs. IPL prompted Cricket Australia to start similar league and it pronounced that by next summer they are there with a similar one. But we will have to wait if people would entice this version of cricket. After all they are just an evening affair and so far people are enjoying the cricket and sidelights of it as well. The cheerleaders with their twisting abs are taking a center of attraction at the grounds and people going crazy as and when they start their way of cheering their team members.

Teams too are getting extra kicks by way of jaadoo ki jhappis and IPL brought women into the dressing rooms as well (Preity Zinta paid a surprise visit to the dressing room of Punjab XI Kings). Slaps and bans are the adverse effects if we can say any of the IPL. Best part is that there is no waste of a casual leave to watch a match. Instead of a whole day affair, IPL has made it an evening affair where one can enjoy the game after a day’s hectic daily chores.

Having said that IPL no doubt involved BIG MONEY... from the vaults of biggies and a turn of game can make them mad; whether Vijay Mallya lamenting on Dravid or firing Charu Sharma for the team’s poor performance or SRK’s continuous frowns (not made at a cosmetic clinic for sure. They seem to be manifestation of his reaction to Kolkata Knight Riders performance) or pretty Preity Zinta’s never ending hugs to her team are just examples. For a commoner though it is no doubt a game that always gives thrill of an edge-of-seat and he can enjoy the game to the hilt but time can only say whether this game will enthrall the gentleman fans.

Ode to World's Earth Day

Everyone is reeling under the blazing sun, trying to catch a glimpse of the weather report in the news channel, an upsurge in the sale of air-conditioners and even the anorexic women cannot resist a sip of carbonated drinks to quench thirst... yes...it is the SUMMERS...on most part of the Indian subcontinent. The headlines of our morning newspaper speak on how to beat this heat as the mercury is soaring higher and higher. There are cool tips on almost everything, from food that one should eat and the perfect sun-screen lotion with the correct SPF number to be put on, from colored camisoles to spaghetti tops that should adorn the closets and various options to spend the summer evening such as sipping a mug of beer at the poolside or dancing to the tune of soft music in a cool air-conditioned ambience with twinkles of dim light all around.

We do all, taking a tip from here and there. But do we ever question as to why this heat on every summer is rising at an increasing rate. Did we ever delve into the reason for this increase in temperature?

The reasons are far too many and people are divided into different groups debating on the causes, concerns and solutions to salvage the extreme weather conditions. The obvious reason which often keeps coming back on our thoughts is the drastic effect of global warming. India is one of the most worst effected country by global warming. A much talked about topic, discussed in forums, actions points jotted in board room meetings to tackle issues concerning global warming but actions are still a far cry.

The soaring temperature of today has an inevitable correlation with the greenhouse gases present in the atmosphere. It is this excess of gases in the atmosphere that includes carbon dioxide, water vapour, methane, nitrous oxide and ozone gases that increases the temperature of the planet. We as humans, instead of marauding the ecosystem, need to take conscious measures to prevent emission of these harmful gases into the atmosphere or else we need to be prepared for the doomsday.

Yes, I say it a doomsday, which might read as a horror story, when the Himalayan glacier will melt causing unprecedented flood, rivers will get dried up causing desert like surroundings coupled with shortage of water and mercury will soar higher killing thousands of people. So, to avoid this horrific end, can we not join hands to check the emission of the greenhouse gases?
To combat the adverse effects on every sphere of life from national security to economy as a result of global warming, a strong environment policy need not to be only formulated in black and white but requires implementation under strict supervision and adherence to laid down rules.
Or otherwise the World Earth’s Day of 22nd April will one day transform into doomsday.

Hillary Clinton - in the race to Whitehouse

As the sun shone on the eastern horizon on October 26, in the year 1947, the year of Indian Independence, that a lil’ girl born in the state of Illinois in US, is today the most favoured Democratic candidature for the Presidential post in the US General Election 2008-- Hillary Diana Rodham Clinton.Since her childhood her participation in public welfare activities and various social issues was noteworthy. She had mental keenness in various sport activities too. During her college days, her mettle as a leader was well proved. Her academic excellence coupled with ability to work for the school government made her a unique persona.

Armed with the Law degree from the Yale School in 1973, she went into wedlock in 1975 with the 42nd President of the United States Bill William Clinton. As the Nation’s first lady she exhibited remarkable strength and confidence in balancing the private, public and social life. She has also served as the Arkansas First Lady for 12 long years. Her contribution in the field of education, child health and legal services of Arkansas has been immense. As the US first lady she continued to be a leading advocate with the Health Insurance plans, she did extensive coverage and work on child immunization and creating awareness on health issues.

One cannot deny her existence as a writer too. She had been a regular columnist with Talking it over on which she wrote on various aspects that she saw and experienced as US First Lady. She did also pen a book in 1996 titled It Takes a Village and Other Lessons Children Teach Us and she did receive a Grammy Award for the same.

It was in 2000 that the lady was elected as a Senator for New York State in 2000. As a senator her role had been immense. She felt and understood the needs of the New Yorkers and strived to address majority of the growing concerns. Her role in protecting communities, investing in education, strengthening the children health-care system and improving public health has been quite remarkable contribution in the progress of the state. Rodham Clinton fighting her way with the other Democratic Senator from the state of Illinois named Barack Obama. This community organiser, university lecturer and a civil rights lawyer, son of a Kenyan father and American mother, Barack Obama poses several daunting debates on the way of the democrat Clinton’s race to the Presidential seat in the upcoming US elections 2008.

However, Hillary Clinton felt the optimism and strength within to debate all odds and work more and more to bring about the American Revolution, which is much needed in this time of slowdown in the American History. The US General Elections of 2008, need to provide the leader who would face an array of challenges plaguing the Nation today. The next President of US will inherit the qualms of two wars, a long campaign to curb the global terrorism, a resurgent Russia, growth of China as an international power, the unpredictable political conditions of the oil-rich Middle East countries along with the global issues of environment and health hazards.To achieve all, America needs a leader who would blend all strategies with immense motivation, diplomacy and persuasion. As the race begins, we know not who will hold the mantle....the Republicans or the Democrats for the US General Election 2008. We need to hold on to our views and reviews to know if Hillary Clinton can fight out Barack Obama to contest for the Presidential Post to reintroduce America in the 21st century with much more than just Vision.

The noise of 'Halla Bol'

Its' once again a call to the people of Nation to stand up and fight against injustice, corruption and bribery. Raj Kumar Santoshi's Halla Bol is a one man crusade against the evils of the society.

Ajay Devgan alas Ashfaque-ullah is a small townstreet theaterist who under the guidance of Pankaj Kapoor fought the evils for a better cause. The Halla Bol also gives a glimpse on the movement of street theaterist against the social and political evils. Pankaj Kapoor turned into a social reformer from being a dacoit has a credible performance, few riveting scenes keeping the audience quite engrossed. Ashfaque-ullah changes to Bollywoods' Sameer Khan..not only by name but by all ways that could have been. He makes it big at Bollywood & his living changed bigger. The glams and glamour ruled his life day in and day out. However it just took an incident at a party night that brought out Ashfaque from Sameer Khan. The murder hinting of the reality (Jessica lal Murder case) on that party night fuelled the climax of Halla Bol. And it is here that the story fights out all the bads with support from Ashfaque's wife (Vidya Balan), mentor ( Pankaj Kapoor) and his conscience.

Like Raang De Basanti, Damini, Ghayal, the noise of Halla Bol focuses on the conscience of the man on the street. It lies within as a sleeping volcano, when erupted will cause changes for the better.

The Auto Expo 2008--The People's car NANO

Amidst 29 countries participation,in front of 2000 companies the Hall 11 of Pragati Maidan,New Delhi will feel the magic of unveiling the most popular Ratan Tata's dream of rupees one lakh priced car. Way back was Maruti-800, which was the first car for millions of India. So this people's car is bound to put India in the Global Auto Map. As the car hits the road the 10% of around 7 million strong 2 wheelers will migrate to the four wheeler drive. It was the sight of four people with baggages in a two wheeler which ignited the spark in the minds of Tatas'to make the dream car possible today. Mr Ratan Tata shows indication of rural catchment also for this car sale.This high technology small size car is 8% small in size than the Maruti 800. However the inner space is said to be 21% more.It says to have a fuel economy of 23 kms per litre. Nano unveils in three basic models.

However, we also find the Renault-Nissan-Bajaj will also come up with a ultra low cost car at Rs 1.25 lakh.Their USP will be on higher mileage. Gordon Murray's small car T25 seems not far behind. Even BMW who aims to top the Indian luxury car segment is doing a feasibilty study on a luxury small car. This in itself speaks a volume on the potential of small cars in the emerging market. with the developed countries already saturated & has a more strict carbon emission controls the MNCs' is now vying at India on a large scale.

However with all these goodies, something that comes by natural is the concern on environment. With the people's car there would be a price cut across automobile industry to make vehicles affordable to people. As a result streets will be over crowded, roads to be more congested & emission of pollution will be no less.Its a growing concern as people all around the world is propagating on Global warming. The concern is with such low price will these cars be able to maintain and sustain the pollution control standards. Keeping our fingers crossed we wait for the car to hit the road.

As the Indian economy is growing hot. the automobile industry is growing hotter !!

Parenting

As the sun rises in the Eastern horizon, the calendar flashes another day, millions and thousands of people in different parts of this world celebrate their birthdays in one way or the other. It might range from a 105th birthday to an hour old birth of a child. Every one of us have our childhood memories in a special way to oneself. An individuals' childhood is very important in shaping ones future. They are just born in this earth, as naive & innocent as the freshness of the morning dewdrop on the grasses and flowers. It is the parents that they first look upto. It is the smell of the mother first, that they feel comfortable with. As they blinks to open the eyes for few seconds more they learn to see the fathers' wave. They grow few days old and then get familiar with the colours around, the noise everywhere and recognises the smiling faces all over him. They know they are important, they feel special always and make you utterly special too.The parents begin their noting downs in child book like the first sitting, the first crawl, the first tooth, the first walk, the first sound. The notes remain shut in their books. Begins the wave of comparison with the similar child around him or few children above his age in the neighbourhood.

Knowingly or unknowingly the child has been subjected to a feeling of not good.
Then as the child put his first step away from his familiarity to a school where he is expected to practice self discipline, a place where he would learn how to become a successful man, he is just thrown away in a melee of the unknowns.Their splash of colours here and there seem to fade away. It gets replaced by dotted lines & cursive writing within the stipulated time frame. They fail to respond to their own stimuli. Courtesy--the both working parents or the hectic schedule of this frantic pace of life. This modernity, tech savvy way of life carries with it a baggage of disadvantages too.Everywhere & in every step we look out at the "faayda" (profit)..little knowing that the damage on the minds of the lil' ones is already done...

Aamir Khan's Taare Zameen Par potrays many a "Ishaan" amongst the children of today. Its an awakening. Parents to realise that they are the bows & their children are like arrows going in varied directions according to their own pace & wish. Inculcate in them the values of Life not the value of only numbers. Children are really special. In our daily life with busy schedules and hectic pressures, the important question to ask us, the parents... are we spending enough quality time with our children... are we having that much patience and time to listen to them... to understand them.

Retail Boom-Growth & Challenges

India being the second most populous country with over 1 billion population, the retail segment is bound to make a difference in the economy. However the Indian bourses is still predominated by the Infrastructre stocks, and partly by the Financial stocks & rest by the IT sector. It will not be long when we would find that the retail industry contributing a significant portion in the SENSEX, as in the US developed market economy. Indian retail industry is broadly divided into organised and unorganised sector.We need to pull on the unorganised sector more to reap the
benefits. This boom in the retail segment of the industry owes much to its young population.With a high growth in the economy, rise in the income level, there is an increase in the disposable income. This income has resulted into a higher propensity to consume.

The increase in the consumerism can be felt when we see a growing number of shopping malls across the cities of India. These malls provide the people with all comforts-being a one stop shop for all goods to easy credit facilities with low interest & less documentation. Previously people went to a market place with different shops scattered in different directions. You needed to specify what you want to buy. Now customers have everything lying in front of them, packaged in most hygenic means, marketed in the minds through exclusive media interfaces. So you
might have gone to buy one thing but have ended up buing more than few. These shopping malls have also been a great help to the working women. To maintain a balance between work and home, hard pressed with time, shopping out in the mall on a weekend helps to run the family with much ease. Kids also find the places attractive, with escalators to go up & down, play area & rhymes CD to hear around. So Life made easier for a particular class of people. Yes, with
urban spending of Rs 10, it increase the rural income by Rs 40. This urban-rural linkage will be made more strong in the coming years with an upward surge in the retail industry.The increase in the consumer spending can also be attributed to the attitudes of this young people. As the saying goes "we wear our attitudes"- it is found that to be updated, contemporary & a willingness to change has become the order of the day. These young people do not mind in having more than one of the same gadgets. This is because they want to be updated, they want to be different & they have more choices in Life. This effect can be best described by the Mobile Handset Industry.This industry has been offering now and then with handsets targeted to different segments of its everincreasing customer base. With few changes, an updated version,added features and a multilayered promotional activities is bound to make a hit. This generation of today never minds to buy another one although the existing handset is doing good.So we are not surprised when we see there is a 50 percent plus growth in the gadget
market.

According to data from Economic Times investment in this retail sector is to be around $365 million in 2008. It is said that big players like Reliance, Aditya Birls Group, DLF and Spencer is expected to invest in Retail Business in 2008 an amount of $25-28 million.


However this segment is to face challenges too for its upward curve in the economy. Infrastructure, rising property price, multiple layers of tax, shortage of skilled manpower, lack of clear policy on FDI, underdeveloped supply chain to name the few.

Yet the India Inc to brave all these hurdles to be amongst the developed economy.

In Search of Happiness

A Search of Life….What we humans search in our day to day existence? Do we all know what is it that keeps us kicking in life & ticking with time ?

Esconsed in the couch with a book on her chest, she mumbles to herself the REASON of LIFE.
Is it the mere existence?Just getting up each morning ,going to work the whole day to buy few thousand dollars to come back home & sleep tight to wake up for another day ..This is the life of the people who just live to sustain each day. They know not what tomorrow holds for them. As the sun rises in the East they walk out to the calls of DESTINY. Have they ever questioned themselves as to where, what, why & how they LIVE.A thought which have often crisscrossed my understanding of LIFE.

Are they happy? Do they suffer?Is the feeling of sadness creeps into their existence?..Do they FEEL the feelings of LIFE .. or is it that they live LIFE as it comes.This is a strata of people belonging to our own society.They are large in number & ever if they question there might be a REVOLUTION !!They have no luxury to feel the feelings but I make myself believe that they do enjoy & are happy because they live for another day & their WANTS from life is minimal.
It is in this society of ours only where we have another class of people who have the luxury to dance to the rhythm of raindrops … Have the time to listen to the songs of the birds from the faraway lands…Believes in the flow of the rivers in the mountain terrain..They work each day to achieve something higher, something greater than LIFE…In this pursuit of material gain & comfort they lose on to the charm of Living…

However are they happy?.. These strata of people can question as what is HAPPINESS?!
A fleeting moment? .. a recollection where you sit & smile..?.. A gesture which can make another person feel good? A deed of kindness bringing a ray of light in the eyes of a deprived child ? A warm hug from your loved ones ? A moment of togetherness ? Sipping a cup of Hot coffee together in a chilly wintry morning…

Do we buy these moments with the thousand dollars we earn?Do we feel these moments just because we have a hefty bank balance?Do we live & relive these minutes just because we know we have a better tomorrow…
The answer to me & me alone is No! … never !!

It is a state of mind …. You can never be happy if you do not want to be…Yes a WANT ?? a want is what defines your way of life… A want is what defines your attitude & it is this WANT that I feel we need to put a rein into to feel the Happiness in Life ‘s Living…

She comes back to reality … back again to the journey of Life like the other 364 days, let the search for Happiness continue … are you chasing it ?

Benazir

It was on the 21st June of 1953, a lil’ girl born in an affluent, renowned, political family of Bhuttos in Sindh, Pakistan. Like every child she also toddled to Jennings Nursery School holding her mother’s finger. In no time she took her fist steps to Jesus & Mary Convent School. As the ray of learning streaked through her mind she fancied within her a word-”Power”.

As years passed by, that lil’ girl grew up to be a beautiful lady. Graduated in Political Science from Radcliffe College, Harvard, she earned her MA degree from Oxford University. In these growing years & learning phase she came close with her father, the then Prime Minister of Pakistan Zulfikar Ali Bhutto. Within the subconscious state of her being she admiried the political charisma of her father & longed to feel the power. This feeling of her is best expressed as she sacrificed a year to be the President of the Students Union in Oxford college. Thus her chase for the dream begun.

Armed with western education, this tall good looking lady of Pakistan touched her people with the one charismatic smile. However, although she wanted to join Foreign Services yet she had to take the path of Politics to be what she was.

Hanged was Zulfikar Ali Bhutto, & her life took a turn for the people of Pakistan. His execution in the year 1979, resulted in Benazir’s denunciation of Zia-ul-haq, & she began organising a political movement against him. It was the silent rage within her, that erupted now & then. She was put into a solitary confinement in year 1981.

In her book “The Daughter of the East ” she writes ”The summer heat turned my cell into an oven. My skin split and peeled, coming off my hands in sheets. Boils erupted on my face. My hair, which had always been thick, began to come out by the handful. Insects crept into the cell like invading armies. Grasshoppers, mosquitoes, stinging flies, bees and bugs came up through the cracks in the floor and through the open bars from the courtyard. Big black ants, cockroaches, seething clumps of little red ants and spiders. I tried pulling the sheet over my head at night to hide from their bites, pushing it back when it got too hot to breathe.”

This was the kind of torture she suffered physically. Mentally too she felt the pain of her idol being hanged. An intolerable suffering, yet she comes back to the people of Pakistan every now & then. Released from her confinement in the year 1981, she went to Britain only to come back in 1986. Her race to Power began & finally in the year 1988 she became the Prime Minister of Pakistan. That lil’ girl chasing her dream unknowingly came to the helm of POWER. However, the subsequent years were not free from events. In 20 months time her government fell off on corruption charges. It again rose to power in 1993. This time a three year tenure where she wanted to reach out to the masses. However in no time again that her democratic elected government fell prey to corruption charges & she left Pakistan.

I believe Power is an addiction. It beckons you now & then. It drives you to see the unseen, to hear the unheard & to make all things possible.

A mother of three children, a wife, Benazir could not restrict her inner self to come to Pakistan once again. Little knowing what the destiny is to unfold. It was her strive to be at the helm, that overshadowed her any other existence. She did not restrict her presence only to her children, because she felt her need in the hearts of the people of Pakistan. Knowing that her life is at risk, she continued to campaign once again & one more time. What would you call this? —-
Is it her passion to work for the people? Is it to avenge the death of her father in a military regime? Is it a feeling of duty ? Is it to be an embodiment of Patriotism OR is it that dream she once nourised within her. To be POWERFUL..to gain POWER.. to rule & reign at the helm.
She fell prey to a Terrorist attack. She was assasinated in 2007. The end of her Life, a struggle, a journey to POWER and the unfulfilled dreams of a great leader.