The Day I met Pakistan

Psst Abhi..look..look at that...there! My friend muttered..

Wow! This is fantastic..Hey..can you see some people over there?

I sounded as if we have arrived from some other planet. After all, the people on the other side of the border were humans too..But the excitement it created in me, became a moment of history!

I never knew that I was just 100 yards away from Pakistan. As a Kid, the country reminded of me of Wasim Akram and my 7th class Geography text book. In my late teens I used gossip with my friends about India's military strength, missile and most of the weapons of mass destructions being covered in our conversation, that began after the dumping of academic books was done.

The discussion included our friendship with Russia; Who will among USA and China will support in the event of a war? Somehow, we used to end the conversation with this big question being unanswered.Gradually when I grew up, I had to understand the bilateral relationship, War is not the solution..anyways.

As I reached the great Wagah border, I realized the efforts of these soldiers who guard the border day and night. And that mesmerizing moment recalled Amitabh Bacchan's words in the film Lakshya where he played the role of a Colonel- "Is desh ke sau crore insaan, jo is vishwaas ke saath sothe hain, ki main aur tum jaag rahe hain" Bacchan Saab was so true. I looked at the BSF jawans and wondered if they have time to think about their family. They appeared firecely patriotic.

The other side of the border stood the Pakistanis. I saw them only on television during cricket matches held in Karachi or Lahore. It happens with most of us, we watch Hrithik Roshan or Sachin Tendulkar, on the big screen, not getting excited. But when they appear before us, we panic, and later, lines like Arrey woh mere paas hi khada tha. I was inches away from him etc are said in an explicit manner. 7 out of 10of us will describe the So Just like that! I asked my friend " Do you have any Idea what those people on the other side are thinking? Have they noticed me? I knew how stupid those questions were, but sensible enough to covey that I was excited. I shamelessly went on thinking if the Pakistanis had noticed me in my Levis Jeans? Do they wish to come here and shake hands with us? They love our bollywood movies and perhaps want to be the part of India? I do not have the patience to write in this blog all the crap that went into my head then.So you can relax now.

However, as a kid, I had perceived a different Pakistan. I thought them conceited and arrogant. How wrong I was? They are Human beings. It's just a line that created a difference between us and them. Having said this, I would never discount the fact that I belong to a great nation! Fluttering high was our Tiranga. I stood, saluted and buried the fact in my heart that I am an Indian!

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The year that wasn't...

And there it goes! Poof! Another year..

It inadvertently hits me everytime I see a new calender. I ponder on the years that rolled. I sit back and think, where did the 90s go? I mean, its over, but when? I feel like composing a sequel to Bryan Adam's summer of 69. He had rightfully expressed his feelings in that all time great number.

I don't like to celebrate parties and welcome the brand new year. I feel, each year, it worsens my nostalgia. During my early teens, I used to get excited about new year, because it gave an opportunity for me and my friends to hang out one complete night, be it on terrace, or at someone's place, eat junk chips, burger, drink countless glasses of cool drinks- yes no correction needed there, it IS cool drink and not anything else.( even now I do not booze, if you think somethings wrong with me, maybe it is).

As years rolled by, I realized that its not the number of years that makes one grow old, its the experience that counts. I would never know if this blog will continue till 2009, but it shall certainly add one more nostalgic moment in my life.

Let me see what I go through this 2008! Will write some more thoughts later. Feeling sleepy now!

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I love Tigers

Tiger, I get excited when I hear this word. It's a beautiful, alluring, cute...... I believe mere adjectives won't help define this majestic cat. I am not an environmental consultant. I ain't a member of WWF nor I a friend of Valmik Thapar or Latika Rana. Wondering who they are? Good. They are wildlife experts and conservationists. I hung my head in shame when I see the committed efforts of people like them.

Somtime back, I wrote an e-mail to the then president of India, his excellency Mr APJ Abdul Kalam. Rediff.com had given me the privilege to wish Dr Kalam on his birthday. Seizing this opportunity, I wished him a happy birthday and also conveyed him a message to do something to save Tigers. Still wondering if my message was read? I don't know.

I once asked a famous film actress, also a founder of an Animal rights organisation, about the fate of Tigers. "We will not see Tigers in future" pat came the reply. Though I anticipated this reply from her, I once believed that the world for sure knows this truth. What and how could someone have heart to kill an animal? I feel helpless for those animals, slaughtered for meat. I say this not because I am a vegetarian. Perhaps, if you witness the way these dumb, innocent little animals are killed for delicacy, you'd change your mind. Their cry makes me cry. I am emotionally strong, but this is an exception.

India boasts, as the only country in the world, to have Tigers and Lions. (wondering what about Africa? Well, Africa has Lions, but no Tigers) Sadly, the world Tiger population doesn't exceed 2000. The fickle Tiger count gives miserable figure year after year.

So far, I have done nothing to save this animal. I am trying. I would want to visit Kanha National Park, where Kipling wrote Jungle Book. I wish to see a tiger in the wild. Someday, somehow.

Here are some of my creations. Please feel free to distribute these messages.

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Me a Movie Buff...

It started with those days when we had a VCR. I used to watch cartoons, sci-fi, horror, drama and other genres that never stopped me from thinking. As a 10 yr old kid, I watched Sam Raimi's-Evil Dead part 1. At school we discussed how this movie made people pee in their pants while watching. Surpringly, I pee'd after the movie was over (?!)

To narrate a filmy incident, Years ago, my Dad, an ex Defence personnel, was posted in that ARMY area of Ramgarh. He promised to take us to movie one day. It was a boon for us, because my dad never fancied to take family out. We were actually going to an open air theatre. I had no idea then how an open air theatre system works. I thought there lies a different world behind that huge wall. Late evening, we went to the theatre which was not far from our home. We struggled hard to find the seat. We sat among Sardarjis, Army men with their families. I thought every Sardarji was a "Jail Singh". He was the only popular politician I knew those days! It was a different feeling watching a movie. All of a sudden the hero Rishi Kapoor appears on the screen and I look at him with my eyes wide open. I had no idea whether my family was liking the movie, but I was thinking on how a woman like Sridevi could turn into a snake! My mind was left out on that pmovie. However, I didnt realize that I'd sleep so soon after the interval. I slept in my mothers lap caring a damn about the movie! That's it! If you think whats so filmy in that, then jerk off!

Over years, I watched many films, good, bad, ugly. I have always liked films which are natural, witty, powerful. I like raw characters which have sweat and not mascara. Somone like Bhiku Mhatre in Satya.

I don't like to watch films that showcase the characters as wealthy, lavish and pompous. I avoid Sanjay Leela Bhasali. He lives in world of imagination and expects the audience to step into his shoes. I laugh and also express my sympathy for Karan Johar and Sooraj Barjatya. I was 13 when I saw Hum Apke Hain Kaun- that family melodrama. After watching that film, I realized that I had then become very matured. I could make a better movie.

What fascinates me about Ramgopal Varma is his attitude! I love the way this guy experiments with his films , a rare breed quality that you get to see among these commercial oriented directors. Nishabd in one my Favourite films of 2007, followed by Chak De India( because Shahrukh Khan didnt act in the film) and Johnny Gaddar( I have been a fan of Sriram Raghvan since Ek Hasina thi). I had fallen in Love with Sridevi after watching Kshana Kshanam. I could not ask for a better performance from an actresses who seldom have a role to play in the movie, minus dancing for belly shaking numbers and shredding glycerine as and when instructed by the director.

I have a conventional and an unbiased approach towards Hollywood movies. I am very fond of animated classics too. I watched the Good bad and the ugly with my cousins and after the movie, I made my own assumptions. I'd rate Tom Hank's role in Forrest Gump as the finest ever role, standing ovation for Sylvester Stallone in Rocky. The list is endless. Mind you I am not writing the list of my favorite movies here. Over years, I have developed a cult for Jack Nicholson. I love his care-a-shit attitude in his roles.

With a thought and hope that one day I'd be directing a full length movie, albeit the conditions are not favourable, I rest my views in this essay.

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