Creative Writing Assignment

This post is written with the intention of posting for the Ramnarian Ruia College BMM Sem III Assignment. Any clinical suggestions are welcome.

Post 1: Is a video that has the narration of my recent poem, 'Picture in the Stars'. The poem is dedicated for a women that fills my imagination. The poem is an attempt to convey my new found feelings for a vision that engulfs my very being. The poem has the tendency to rouse similar feelings in readers and one can connect easily with the simple language of the poem. 'Picture in the Stars' was written at 3 am in the morning over a cup of coffee and a truckload of memories...

POST 1

Post 2: Is the script for my documentary 'A man called Che'. The documentary talks about an Argentinian revolutionary 'Che Guevara' who was instrumental in changing the way the world thought. He spread the word of communism and resorted to radical means. He was born in Santa Fe, Rosario, Argentina on 14th July 1928. He studied medicine and traveled the length and breadth of South America on a bike with his best friend Alberto Granado. They saw the widespread hardships, poverty, unemployment and oppression faced by the peasant class and the workers. He realised it was the neoculturalism and widespread commercialisation that had put the people under suffering and the way to fight back was through World Revolution.

He met Fidel Castro and helped eliminate the dictator of Argentina Fulgencio Bautista. After that Castro and Guevara went about spreading their message of radical means of revolution and had accumulated a faithful band of followers and widespread supporters across the continent. But their ways were curbed before they could create any further impact on the world. On the orders of Washington, Che Guevara was capture din Bolivia along with his troops and was executioned at La Higuera School on 9th October 1967. A great revolutionary was dead, but his revolution got new life.

URL for Post 1: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9JQQGVSja-Y
URL for Post 2: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V3D1xmbTv6A

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When I smoked for the first time...

Friday, 3rd September 2010...

It was a tiring day in college, considering the fact that I arrived early in college for a rehearsal of an upcoming economics skit cum presentation. Though my friends and I did not sit for any lecture in college that day (thanks to a misunderstanding) but at least Neel decided I should pitch in and we should make an Effective Communication Skills presentation. For that, we agreed on shooting a small video and it was also agreed that a small lake near S'hum's house would be our chosen location.

Weary and dazed with all the workload on my shoulders throughout the week, I frankly did not know what I was doing and what I would end up doing in the evening that day. The day passed by and it was time to move. As the sun was steadily setting, we reached the banks of the lake equipped with a camera, seven friends and a couple of 'Nirdosh' non-tobacco cigarette packs - and a lighter ofcourse! The camera angles were selected, the action finalised and places for each actor fixed. I went with the flow.

Overlooking the murky waters, we took our positions. Each one of us was offered a cigarette. S'hum, Cushion-boo, Ni-shady and I took one each. I watched each one put the cigarette in their mouths, flicking on the lighter and taking a puff and blowing out a cloud of smoke. The sun was setting, shooting yet to start and all eyes were on me. There was a frantic feeling of desperation - both to try it and also to run away from the mad place.

I stared at the brown cigarette in my hand for a few seconds. Out of nowhere, I was filled with a clear mind and immense courage. My brain shut off and in an instant, I pushed the evil thing into my mouth, lit it and took a great big pull. My throat felt uneasily warm and I tasted smoke on my tongue. As I let it out, I watched clouds of big, white smoke escaping my mouth. It floated away and along with those clouds of smoke, my conviction escaped too.

The shoot, the scene, the surroundings, the passerby s, the actors seemed insignificant for that moment. Gloating within yet arrested with guilt, all I could think of was the years of morals teaching me against smoking incarcerated in a few seconds. There was a pinch inside telling me what I did was wrong, but I kept convincing and consoling myself that all of it was required. As Neel called out to me asking whether I was ready or not for the shot, I pulled out of my thoughts and sat up straight and got down to business.

At the end of the day and the end of the shoot, I had puffed out four cigarettes and wished for more. I knew what happened was against the morals - my morals, yet it did not feel all that bad. I was grossed out by myself and still I felt a sense of fake pride. A new level of decrepitude I had reached and I rushed back home, trying to escape the barrage of thoughts invading my mind.

As the night grew, my thoughts were replaced with sleep. I was taken away by the cloudy land of dreams. As I drifted away into deep slumber, the last thing that came to my mind was:

"I will not smoke EVER again"

I place my trust in me and hope I live up to my own oath...

300% salary hike is just TOO less for our MPs!

The Times of India on Friday 20th August read, "Unhappy over only 3-fold hike in salary, MPs stall Lok Sabha."

Our MPs are just so unhappy to find their basic pay going up from Rs.16,000 to Rs.50,000. Why doesn't our dim-wit Government understand that our 'honourable' Members of Parliament require a 7-fold basic pay hike! Such men of amazing repute must not be troubled with a meagre raise in salary. Don' you see just how much energy and effort they put in our nation? C'mon! They deserve better than this!

"Stop the insult of MPs" and "implement report of the parliamentary committee" were slogans chanted by SP, BSP, JD (U), RJD, Shiv Sena and Akali Dal members, forcing Speaker Meira Kumar to adjourn the House twice. It is just so pitiful top see our rotund, fat arsed MPs lift their butts off their seats and stand for so long protesting against 300% basic pay increase. Don't you know, Monsieur, that holding up 40 kgs of flab all noon! Their knees and joints must be in utter agony!

If anyone watched the Newshour Debate last night on Times Now (Do our MPs deserve 300% hike)I feel for our MPs - almost everyone is attacking them relentlessly. Why does everyone want a bite of our beloved MPs' throats? So what if they are corrupt, so what if they are conceited, so what if they are loony? They are our MPs after all! We put them in the place they are in right now!

What is wrong with giving MPs Rs.60 lakh per annum, even as an Army personnel has to make do with Rs.20,000 in a month? What is wrong with providing MPs 50 free air trips a month to our MPs, even though there are so many poor in this country who aren't able to afford even bus fares? Why do our Middle class Indians feel agitated if our MPs are asking for their OWN salaries to be hiked AS PER THEIR WISHES? Those meddling nosy Middle Class!

This country has gone to the dogs! We just can't think rationally anymore. Let the elite class of the Parliamentarians enjoy their 'Rights'! They have nothing to do with the people suffering in Leh nor with the injustice meted out to several pensioners. We have to grind each day and grind we will! Let them MPs have fun and frolic. Trouble them no more...

The power of Meditation

Life is full of surprises, some of them are evil. Very often, life throws dirty traps and pulls you into nefarious pits and leaves you in the shambles. Devastation, Grief, Depression, Anger, Malice and moments of utter craziness take over our being making us true human monsters. For example, when was the last time you did NOT think of stabbing the gut out of your menacing, breathing-down-your-neck boss in office?

That's exactly my point...we are all human beings. Emotions tend to take the better of us and it is in our own hands whether to let them rule your mind or not. What should one do when a wave of despair washes over you? What can be done to reign in our superfluous anger and let go? What could fizz out the potential malice and jealous enveloping your existence? It's a simple one word answer - Meditation.

Personally, it took time for me to believe in the power of meditation. I pretty much rejected its proven powers, but that was all until yesterday. Attending a course I signed up for, I took my place amongst the 90 odd students in class. Belonging to somewhat similar backgrounds, I camouflaged well in. Trying not to grab too much attention, I sat - jittery and anxious.

Call it Serendipity or call it coincidence, but our Tutor started off by telling us he was aware of our nervousness and told us he had a wonderful solution to it. Eager to know it, I sat up bolt upright and preened my ears. But i was disappointed when he said, "Let's close our eyes and meditate for a minute." Disappointed and in the least bit interested, I slouched back into my seat. But I closed my eyes, just not to be an oddity amongst the lot.

No sooner had my eyelids closed than I felt it - the surge of energy coursing through the entire classroom. At first, it was a tingling feeling - almost sensational. But soon, it seemed to focus down upon us and I could easily relax. My muscles grew limp, all the stress in my body loosened up and I felt at peace. Just by doing absolutely nothing, I felt one with my soul!

The class began and at the end of 2 hours and 8 minutes, we slowly moved out of the class. Nothing interesting happened in that span of time but my thoughts were stuck on the sudden, almost magical feeling I derived from a minute of Meditation. I forgot all the daily hassles of life, the mental trauma I had to deal with and the barrage of emotions that overtook me each day of my life. I was wonder-struck and was almost speechless.

So you see, Meditation does have its own set of benefits. It turned a non-believer like me into believing in its immense power. I saw a path to happiness and peace, and it could be achieved not without the help of Meditation. Our Indian sages and wise old gurus left behind a 'magical experience' to be enjoyed each day by everyone of us. Unfortunately, the busy working class of India has no means or the time to apply it in daily life. However, I plead to you to inculcate Meditation in your life and reap the benefits it offers. You can take my word for it.

Hope life is full of peace, not torn to pieces...

S

DJ Tiesto dead?

When i first read the news in the morning papers, I was shell shocked. Our beloved DJ couldn't have died in a car crash - or could he? I was really worried the whole morning and a little depressed. I remembered all of his foot-tapping, groovy trance music numbers and I couldn't bear to imagine what it would be like to no more have Tiesto play his awe-inspiring music.

But as it turns out, DJ Tijs Michiel Verwest, popularly known as Tiesto, is very much alive and breathing. The God of Trance posted on his blog, "It's nice to read that people care about my life." He added, "Its good to be alive and to get so much love from you." Rubbishing reports of his untimely death, he wrote, "I don't know where these stories come from, but I'm very much alive and well and looking forward to the rest of my tour." This crowd puller draws so many audiophiles that it is almost insane. Seeing is believing...

His style of music is simply amazing, or simply crap - from person to person. I, for one, root for him and i sincerely follow him. One can find me plugged into one of his songs like Break my Fall, Adagio for Strings, Suburban Train et al. He has also had the honour to play at the opening ceremony of the 2004 Olympic games. The Dutch Trance-maestro has 4 albums to his name, the most recent being Kaleidoscope.

For some sensational music, grab an album and tune in. You'll either love him or you'll love him! Tiesto for life!

PS: The humourous part is that DJ Tiesto's name actually means 'flowerpot' in Spanish! Go figure...

Diff'rent Strokes star Gary Coleman passes away at 42

Gary Coleman shot to fame when he starred in the 1978 sitcom 'Diff'rent Strokes'. People absolutely adored and loved the charming 10 year old Gary. The chubby cheeked kid stole hearts with his splendid performances coupled with clinical comic timing. The show ended in 1985, but Gary Coleman lived on.

Sadly, Gary passed away on 28th May 2010 and thousands of admirers shed tears over his untimely death. He died of intra-cranial hemorrhage following a fall in his Salt Lake City home. Gary had a history of health troubles, primarily suffering from congenital kidney disease. He had undergone two kidney transplants, and required daily dialysis.

Gary Coleman's life has been one marred by tragic falls in life and a continuous struggle due to financial crisis. There were alleged reports that Gary worked as a security guard in a California mall. He had had a host of legal and financial issues, the most heart-breaking being in 1999 when Coleman filed for bankruptcy.

Gary Coleman was termed as 'one of television's most promising stars'. But the potential stardom never reached the upper echelons, as life didn't go his way. On May 26, 2010, Coleman was admitted to Utah Valley Regional Medical Center in Provo, Utah, after falling and hitting his head. He suffered epidural hematoma in his Santaquin home in Utah. Coleman was 'conscious and lucid' on 27th morning, but his condition worsened, he lay unconscious and on life support. When news broke out that Gary was dead, thousands of emails flooded in full of remorse, and offering condolences. One of which was mine.

I remember sitting in front of the television screen with rapt attention, not wanting to miss a single punchline by the 10 year old boy with a monstrous personality. His comic timing was absolutely amazing and i recall laughing so loud once that i fell from the sofa head first! My temples were throbbing with pain but my laughter just wouldn't leave me. RIP Gary Coleman, we love you.

Let the Pav Wow begin!

Those of you who can’t remember what’s on 1st May, let me remind you all that it is Maharashtra day – the day in 1960 when our state attained recognition. Celebrated for 50 years now, this day holds a special place in every Maharashtrian’s heart. The state of Bombay was divided into Gujarat and Maharashtra and since then Maharashtra has trudged along to scale new heights in every prospect. Be it economic upscale, population burst or political thresholds, the state has acquired glory.

But this time around, 1st May won’t just induce a sense of patriotic pride for the state. It will also induce a sense of gastronomy. Yes, Bombay Times is organizing the ‘Pav Wow’ Contest in Mumbai. Various joints and eateries across Mumbai will compete for the title of ‘Best Vada Pav’ and ‘Best Pav Bhaji’ awards. The contest has caught the eye of many famous joints such as Swati Snacks and Sardar Pav Bhaji in Tardeo, Canon Restaurant in CST and the likes when we talk about Pav Bhaji. The best Vada Pav award has many takers, some vying for the top place are Ladoo Samrat, Jumbo King, etc.

The Vada Pav has grown from being just the poor man’s food to a breakfast and quick eat item that features on the menus in New York and Canada. The seemingly simple snack has a delicious bite to it. Hell, people swear by it simply because it’s worth it! The soft potato Vada encased between two sides of a freshly baked pav, a generous dollop of chutney and chilies inside makes your head spin in amazement. Don’t make the mistake of underestimating the ‘Pav’er of the Vada Pav!

Let’s move on from the celebrated Vada Pav to the Pav Bhaji now. Pav Bhaji is all but a simple dish. The Bhajji in essence is made of potatoes and tomatoes mashed together with a whole lot of masalas and spices. Served with a couple of butter-laden, well toasted Pavs, this dish quickly fills up any hungry stomach. Just a light sprinkle of chopped onions and a nice squeeze of a lemon from top, the Pav Bhaji makes taste buds tingle with excitement. You must have experienced it yourself – just walk past a restaurant making Pav Bhaji and you will feel the pangs of hunger over take you. It so happen with me that I cant resist the wonderful smell of a piping hot Pav Bhaji. I just have to land my hands on a plate, whether or not my stomach is empty.

The Pav Wow contest winners will be decided by a jury of chefs, celebrities and others who hold these two dishes in high regard. Awards will be handed over to winners on 1st May, 2010 in R-Mall, Mulund. This is going to be one battle wherein everyone comes out smiling, rubbing their hands over full-stomachs. Our taste buds are in for treat! Yippee!