Ye Inaayatein Ghazab ki..Ye unki meherbaani..
Mera haal bhi pooncha, kisi aur ki zubaani!
Friday, October 31, 2008
Ye Haqeeqat hai ki hota hai asar baaton mein!
Ye Haqeeqat hai ki hota hai asar baaton mein..
Tum bhi khul jaaoge do char mulaqaaton mein!
Tumse sadiyon ki wafaaon ka koi naata tha!
Tumse milne ki lakeerein thi mere haathon mein!
Tere waadon ne humhe ghar se nikalne na diya..
Log mausam ka maza le gaye barsaaton mein!
Ab na sooraj, na sitaare, na shama, aur na chaand..
Apne zakhmon ka ujaala hai ghani raaton mein!
Tum bhi khul jaaoge do char mulaqaaton mein..
Ye Haqeeqat hai ki hota hai asar baaton mein..
Thursday, October 30, 2008
A notebook: A Sweeping love story!
Saw two beautiful classic love stories..1) A walk to remember 2) A notebook..here's something about notebook..i recommend this movie to everyone..
At no other time in my life can I recall seeing any movie where the film-makers make it so unashamedly obvious that their one and only aim is to make everyone in the audience cry.
The movie starts off with an old man in a nursing home reading a story to an old woman each day (that old woman is suffering from Dementia, a disease where people lose out on their memory). The story he reads is about two young lovers named Allie Hamilton and Noah Calhoun. They met one evening at a carnival many years ago. Although Allie refuses Noah's request to go on a date at first, she changes her mind after a double date with her friend. After that, they spent the whole summer together. Allie's parents disapproved of this and separate Noah and Allie because of Noah's lack of wealth. After waiting for Noah to write to her for several years, Allie meets and becomes engaged to a handsome young soldier named Lon.Allie did not know that Noah had written 365 letters, one letter a day for a year. He stops writing after a year because he had never gotten a response. In a local newspaper years later, Noah's picture catches Allie's eye. He is standing in front of a fully restored, 200 year-old home. The article is filled with praise for his accomplishments. Allie's heart nearly bursts and she faints; the last time she saw the house it was rotted and decaying, and Noah spoke of his plans to buy and renovate the house.With her love for Noah still alive, the picture pulls at her heart. She feels she must go back, see if Noah is okay, and tell him about her marriage. Noah seems distant when first seeing Allie. However, he invites her in after she mistakenly drives into his fence. Noah and Allie have lunch, visit and Noah walks her to her car later that evening. He asks her to come back the next morning, as he has something he wants to show her. Allie goes to her hotel, where she gets a phone call from Lon. She tells Lon that she's tired, and will call him the next day. She goes back to Noah's house in the morning and he takes her out on the lake in a rowboat. Noah shows Allie a part of the lake, where hundreds of white ducks are gathered. It starts to rain heavily, and turns into an absolute downpour. They both wonder why each other ended the relationship and Allie says that she was never ready for the relationship to be over, to which Noah replies "It never was over for me, it still isn't over", Allie asks Noah why he never wrote to her. Noah tells Allie that he wrote 365 letters but she apparently had never received them, and he then kisses Allie passionately.
When Allie's mother comes to pick her up after a few days, she learns that her mother's true love is a lumberjack whom she visits to see and wonder what would've happened had she followed her heart. She then leaves Allie to decide who she would like to be with after giving her the letters that Noah sent. Allie is then faced with the decision of picking between her finance Lon, and her true love Noah.In the end, she realizes that she needed Noah in her life. She returned to Noah and they lived a long, wonderful life together. Allie gets Alzheimer's and soon forgets all of her life with Noah. Noah reads from a notebook Allie had written about all that happened in their life together, and soon gets Allie to remember, despite what her doctors said. At night, Noah sneaks into Allie's room and they die together peacefully in their sleep.
Here's the link, in case anyone is interested: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1VFGtl5SoTs
At no other time in my life can I recall seeing any movie where the film-makers make it so unashamedly obvious that their one and only aim is to make everyone in the audience cry.
The movie starts off with an old man in a nursing home reading a story to an old woman each day (that old woman is suffering from Dementia, a disease where people lose out on their memory). The story he reads is about two young lovers named Allie Hamilton and Noah Calhoun. They met one evening at a carnival many years ago. Although Allie refuses Noah's request to go on a date at first, she changes her mind after a double date with her friend. After that, they spent the whole summer together. Allie's parents disapproved of this and separate Noah and Allie because of Noah's lack of wealth. After waiting for Noah to write to her for several years, Allie meets and becomes engaged to a handsome young soldier named Lon.Allie did not know that Noah had written 365 letters, one letter a day for a year. He stops writing after a year because he had never gotten a response. In a local newspaper years later, Noah's picture catches Allie's eye. He is standing in front of a fully restored, 200 year-old home. The article is filled with praise for his accomplishments. Allie's heart nearly bursts and she faints; the last time she saw the house it was rotted and decaying, and Noah spoke of his plans to buy and renovate the house.With her love for Noah still alive, the picture pulls at her heart. She feels she must go back, see if Noah is okay, and tell him about her marriage. Noah seems distant when first seeing Allie. However, he invites her in after she mistakenly drives into his fence. Noah and Allie have lunch, visit and Noah walks her to her car later that evening. He asks her to come back the next morning, as he has something he wants to show her. Allie goes to her hotel, where she gets a phone call from Lon. She tells Lon that she's tired, and will call him the next day. She goes back to Noah's house in the morning and he takes her out on the lake in a rowboat. Noah shows Allie a part of the lake, where hundreds of white ducks are gathered. It starts to rain heavily, and turns into an absolute downpour. They both wonder why each other ended the relationship and Allie says that she was never ready for the relationship to be over, to which Noah replies "It never was over for me, it still isn't over", Allie asks Noah why he never wrote to her. Noah tells Allie that he wrote 365 letters but she apparently had never received them, and he then kisses Allie passionately.
When Allie's mother comes to pick her up after a few days, she learns that her mother's true love is a lumberjack whom she visits to see and wonder what would've happened had she followed her heart. She then leaves Allie to decide who she would like to be with after giving her the letters that Noah sent. Allie is then faced with the decision of picking between her finance Lon, and her true love Noah.In the end, she realizes that she needed Noah in her life. She returned to Noah and they lived a long, wonderful life together. Allie gets Alzheimer's and soon forgets all of her life with Noah. Noah reads from a notebook Allie had written about all that happened in their life together, and soon gets Allie to remember, despite what her doctors said. At night, Noah sneaks into Allie's room and they die together peacefully in their sleep.
Here's the link, in case anyone is interested: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1VFGtl5SoTs
Monday, October 27, 2008
Slyveira's guitar Academy and Genres of music!
Folks, When i was in pune for my graduation, i was associated with this amazing person (read the last part to know about hi, dont't scroll now). He was the lead guitarist fotr R.D. Burman for many years. The famous tunes we keep hearing in the songs like "Chura liya hai tumme jo dol ko" and Dum maaro dum are all played by him. i have never seen a person like him who is so full of life and always hillarious. He would always talk about music, life, love and to be able to see the lighter side of life. Through him, i really developed a understanding about how to appreciate good compositions. It does help when we know a little bit about how it must have been composed.
Menino Sylveira, a man possesssed! Sir if you happen to read this blog someday, this post is for you. I must tell you that you had a major influence on my life. I still remeber your words "Whatever you do in your life, there should be touch of class in it". Mediocrity shouldn't have a place within us.
In addition:
Couple of my friends (who are too lazy to put up a comment) have asked me whether i only listen to ghazals as i wrote so passionately about it..its not true. The genres of music i really appreciate are 1) Ghazals (only by jagjit singh), 2) Soft rock (Eagles), 3) Blues (Eric Clapton), Pop (MLTR and Savage garden), Country (John denver). Eagles are my all time favourite band. I think their compositions are exceptional and no one can match them ever, especially their songs like tequilla sunrise and hotel california. Among the new age bands, MLTR has really rocked. Their lyrics and compositions are touching, but driven by one man "Jashcha richter" who is the lead singer,lyricist and composer. I used to like Byran adms as well during my early teens, specially "Heaven". Rock on!
Menino Sylveira, a man possesssed! Sir if you happen to read this blog someday, this post is for you. I must tell you that you had a major influence on my life. I still remeber your words "Whatever you do in your life, there should be touch of class in it". Mediocrity shouldn't have a place within us.
In addition:
Couple of my friends (who are too lazy to put up a comment) have asked me whether i only listen to ghazals as i wrote so passionately about it..its not true. The genres of music i really appreciate are 1) Ghazals (only by jagjit singh), 2) Soft rock (Eagles), 3) Blues (Eric Clapton), Pop (MLTR and Savage garden), Country (John denver). Eagles are my all time favourite band. I think their compositions are exceptional and no one can match them ever, especially their songs like tequilla sunrise and hotel california. Among the new age bands, MLTR has really rocked. Their lyrics and compositions are touching, but driven by one man "Jashcha richter" who is the lead singer,lyricist and composer. I used to like Byran adms as well during my early teens, specially "Heaven". Rock on!
Sensex and Aam Aadmi!
Last year, Sensex had crossed the 20,000 mark. Mukesh Ambani became the richest man in the world. This made us believe that India is riding high on industrial development and growth, but the reality was far from rosy.
However, question arises as to whether the Sensex reflects the health of the Indian economy? Will it have an impact on the well being of the Indian masses? Will it help the 64 per cent of the country’s population, which goes to sleep empty stomach? I think there's no relation between them.
A lot of money has come into India and has increased the share prices. Many people have made a lot of money and hence will start buying things and thus make everything more expensive. This would make the life of poor and hungry people more difficult. This, unfortunately, is the result of globalisation and free market economy. i read one article where it says:
"The boom in the share market was never because of increased production. A few industrial houses, to meet their own vested interests, have fabricated it. Less then two per cent of the population in the country may be involved in stock market activities. But every day our media projects the shares prices as if it reflects the lifeline of the Indian masses.The so called 64 per cent who go to sleep empty stomach actually fall outside the ambit of the tremendous progress achieved in industrial sector because they are either dependent on agriculture, where there has been hardly any progress, or they are people in the unorganised sectors, like rickshaw pullers and small vendors.Though India’s GDP is projected to be marching towards a 8 per cent growth rate, the rural economy, on which over 70 per cent of the population is still dependent, is in a bad shape. The agricultural productivity has become negative. There was no employment generation in the rural sector. Unless agriculture is made profitable, we cannot expect the economic well being of the vast majority of the India’s population.The so called boom in the service sectors is limited to only a few. According to estimates, the number of people getting an annual salary of more than Rs one lakh may not cross seven lakhs in the country. Despite numerous packages from the Prime Minister, the suicides in farm sector continue and government policies fail to provide confidence to the depressed sections of the rural masses. So, the first and foremost task of the government is to treat agriculture as an industry and corporatise it and thus increase the purchasing power of the people dependent on agriculture. With the gradual conversion of the agricultural land into residential, commercial and industrial complexes, we can provide food security to a limited number of people only, and certainly not to the huge population. The net area under agriculture is coming down and for the first time in the last two decades, we are facing a shortage of food grains.Given the realities of the Indian economy, there should be a percentage cap on share prices, so that the new money is invested in new industries and companies. What is going on right now is a super lotto at the cost of the sufferings of the poor. "
What people fail to understand is that sensex is not an indiactor of the state of the economy. Since sensex is mainly driven by the FII inflows. I remember one sketch by R.K. Laxman Where Indian prime minister is talking to his secretary infront of one poor farmer, and telling his secretary " I told this farmer that we are growing at 9%, we have telecommunications revolution, our banks are safe but still he doesn't look happy"....What the common man has to do with sensex...which consists of more than 70% of india ...by the time i am writing this sensex is at 8,264 levels i.e. after a sharp recovery!
However, question arises as to whether the Sensex reflects the health of the Indian economy? Will it have an impact on the well being of the Indian masses? Will it help the 64 per cent of the country’s population, which goes to sleep empty stomach? I think there's no relation between them.
A lot of money has come into India and has increased the share prices. Many people have made a lot of money and hence will start buying things and thus make everything more expensive. This would make the life of poor and hungry people more difficult. This, unfortunately, is the result of globalisation and free market economy. i read one article where it says:
"The boom in the share market was never because of increased production. A few industrial houses, to meet their own vested interests, have fabricated it. Less then two per cent of the population in the country may be involved in stock market activities. But every day our media projects the shares prices as if it reflects the lifeline of the Indian masses.The so called 64 per cent who go to sleep empty stomach actually fall outside the ambit of the tremendous progress achieved in industrial sector because they are either dependent on agriculture, where there has been hardly any progress, or they are people in the unorganised sectors, like rickshaw pullers and small vendors.Though India’s GDP is projected to be marching towards a 8 per cent growth rate, the rural economy, on which over 70 per cent of the population is still dependent, is in a bad shape. The agricultural productivity has become negative. There was no employment generation in the rural sector. Unless agriculture is made profitable, we cannot expect the economic well being of the vast majority of the India’s population.The so called boom in the service sectors is limited to only a few. According to estimates, the number of people getting an annual salary of more than Rs one lakh may not cross seven lakhs in the country. Despite numerous packages from the Prime Minister, the suicides in farm sector continue and government policies fail to provide confidence to the depressed sections of the rural masses. So, the first and foremost task of the government is to treat agriculture as an industry and corporatise it and thus increase the purchasing power of the people dependent on agriculture. With the gradual conversion of the agricultural land into residential, commercial and industrial complexes, we can provide food security to a limited number of people only, and certainly not to the huge population. The net area under agriculture is coming down and for the first time in the last two decades, we are facing a shortage of food grains.Given the realities of the Indian economy, there should be a percentage cap on share prices, so that the new money is invested in new industries and companies. What is going on right now is a super lotto at the cost of the sufferings of the poor. "
What people fail to understand is that sensex is not an indiactor of the state of the economy. Since sensex is mainly driven by the FII inflows. I remember one sketch by R.K. Laxman Where Indian prime minister is talking to his secretary infront of one poor farmer, and telling his secretary " I told this farmer that we are growing at 9%, we have telecommunications revolution, our banks are safe but still he doesn't look happy"....What the common man has to do with sensex...which consists of more than 70% of india ...by the time i am writing this sensex is at 8,264 levels i.e. after a sharp recovery!
Ghazals, Urdu and Jagjit singh
I have been listening to ghazals by jagjit singh right from my school days...Though my understanding has certainly improved with time. I have come to know about many great poets like Mirza Ghalib, Nida fazli, Sahir Ludhianvi, Qateel, Gulzar. All of them are great poets in their very own rights, but i would certainly rate Ghalib as the best and though he uses a lot intricate urdu and persian words, which are difficult to comprehend. Among contemprory Indian poets, Gulzar sahab is one of the best. His album "Marasim" which means relationships took six long years for completion. I love everyone who is a ghazal listener. Ghazals have given a new perspective to me. I feel enamoured when i listen to jagjeet singh, he has an amazing knack of connecting with people. His ghazals have every possible emotion right from happiness, guilt, sadness, fun, and there is punjabi ghazal called "miiti da bawa" (a clay puppet), which potrays a emotion of a lady, who cannot have a child, so makes a clay puppet. I have simply been mesmerised by the thoughts these poets have penned down. Wish i could write like them.
Some of my favourites by Jagjit ji: 1) Tumko dekha to ye khayal aaya 2) Apni marzi kahan apne safar par hum hain 3) Kaasid ke aate aate (Ghalib) 4) kabhi khamosh baitoge kabhi kuch gungunaoge 5) Apne hoton par sajana 6) ye tera ghar ye mera ghar 7) Suna tha ki woh aayenge 8) Kabhi yun bhi to ho.
Along with listening to ghazals, i have also developed a fascination for urdu language. I think its one of the sweetest languages in the world along with french. And this post would certainly be incomplete without the mention of Ahmad Faraz, a legendary poet from pakistan and one of my favourite. Some of his lines "Suna hai laug ussay aankh bhar ke dekhtey, So us k shehr main kuch din theher k dekhtey hain, Suna hai usko bhi hai sher-o-shaiyrii se shughaf (interest), So hum bhi apney hunar ko aajma ke dekhtey hain, Suna hai bolay to baaton se phool jhartey hain, Ye baat hai to chalo baat ker ke dekhtey hain".
Some of my favourites by Jagjit ji: 1) Tumko dekha to ye khayal aaya 2) Apni marzi kahan apne safar par hum hain 3) Kaasid ke aate aate (Ghalib) 4) kabhi khamosh baitoge kabhi kuch gungunaoge 5) Apne hoton par sajana 6) ye tera ghar ye mera ghar 7) Suna tha ki woh aayenge 8) Kabhi yun bhi to ho.
Along with listening to ghazals, i have also developed a fascination for urdu language. I think its one of the sweetest languages in the world along with french. And this post would certainly be incomplete without the mention of Ahmad Faraz, a legendary poet from pakistan and one of my favourite. Some of his lines "Suna hai laug ussay aankh bhar ke dekhtey, So us k shehr main kuch din theher k dekhtey hain, Suna hai usko bhi hai sher-o-shaiyrii se shughaf (interest), So hum bhi apney hunar ko aajma ke dekhtey hain, Suna hai bolay to baaton se phool jhartey hain, Ye baat hai to chalo baat ker ke dekhtey hain".
Friday, October 24, 2008
MSD - A Smart Cookie!
Everyone is hailing MSD for his superb contribution to indian cricket, what he has done to indian cricket is something like what R.D. Burman did to indian music i.e. reviving it. The brand of cricket which MSD plays has been adopted by the entire team. Whatever he touches at the moment seems to be a masterstroke. It was very evident at the mohali test, what he is made up of and message that he is sending is "team comes before individuals". I dont want to demean the contributions made by our very own "Fab Five". But i guess its time to move on and look beyond them. Infusion of fresh blood has done wonders to this team. India is set to replace the aussies as the next cricketing and financial powercentre. With MSD, i think "intent" is the word. He has an uncanny knack of winning moments in a match, like giving the last over of the T-20 final to joginder sharma. They say he has that Midas touch. Whatever it is, rest assured that future of indian cricket is in safe hands. What i like most abt MSD is that he is not scared to call a spade, a spade. Smart cookie he is!
Monday, October 20, 2008
Dividends are like getting married!
Guys,
Just came across a beautiful note by Ashwath damodaran on dividends. Comapnies across US, historically have not tinkered with their dividends, inspite of good earnings. Dividends tend to follow earnings, companies only increase dividends when are particularly sure abt future earnings potential...Dividends and stock buyback are both forms of returning money to the shareholder's...A recent trend shows companies are far more inclined towards buying back their stock rather than paying/increasing dividends..since dividends are sticky! once u start paying them...its like getting married..there's no way out...but stock buybacks are like hooking up a girl..you can say no whenver u want to!...Interesting way to explain..
pls post ur views on dividends, marriage, stock buybacks and hooking up ;-)..
Cheers!
Just came across a beautiful note by Ashwath damodaran on dividends. Comapnies across US, historically have not tinkered with their dividends, inspite of good earnings. Dividends tend to follow earnings, companies only increase dividends when are particularly sure abt future earnings potential...Dividends and stock buyback are both forms of returning money to the shareholder's...A recent trend shows companies are far more inclined towards buying back their stock rather than paying/increasing dividends..since dividends are sticky! once u start paying them...its like getting married..there's no way out...but stock buybacks are like hooking up a girl..you can say no whenver u want to!...Interesting way to explain..
pls post ur views on dividends, marriage, stock buybacks and hooking up ;-)..
Cheers!
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