Finding Neverland
Mood:  bright
Now Playing: Finding Neverland
FINDING NEVERLAND It was one of those hot mumbai nights. When the moon was a silent observer and the Wind a mere whisper. I was asleep in the gentle glitter of the moon god, unaware of Worldly misery. Dreamless sleep a blessing which was abruptly taken away from me. Somebody was tugging at my hair and I thought that it was the beginning of a dream. Therefore I waited for the journey to begin…….a moment and then two but nothing Seemed to appear in front of my closed eyes. Irritated I woke up. What I saw Changed by life for ever ….. Dressed in cloudy white frock with pink frills, stood in front of me gods little angel. Beautiful grey green eyes peered at me through strands of soft brown curly hair….she looked at me and said : "I am your daughter, Dad". What??? I think you have come at a wrong address, . "No Dad, I swear I am your daughter", she said blinking her eyes With innocence that would put the most purest of doves to shame. My friends are in trouble she whined. They have complained to god but he won't help Us. But I told them that my daddy is very brave and he will surely help us out. I could See her struggle to catch up with her breath as she ran one sentence into another. I Smiled ,all my doubts about she not being mine just vanished into thin air. That was How Nikhila talks when she gets too excited. Come Come she said and then wrapped her little hand around my finger and pulled Me towards what I could see was the wide dark sky. Suddenly within few seconds the hue changed and turned into a bouquet of purple, red, orange, pink and numerous colours, as if some nerd painter has just randomly stroked his brush across the canvas of white eternity. We were walking on pillows of cloud………..my kitten was directing me with a seriousness in her voice that belonged to just one person in this wide world. Nikhila. I just could not stop smiling as she directed me into some clouds towards the moon just next to those beautiful stars. I found myself standing i in front of a huge door. "Open it, can't you > see my dad has come, she literally screamed and I could picture nikhila screaming her lungs out at me. I told you about him didn't I . He threw the huge doors open and I walked in a mute spectator to the unfolding drama in front of me. Lush green lawns, flowers of colours I didn't know existed ,trees swaying to the melody of the wind, mountains bathing in the beautiful sunlight that beamed from the Heavens above, there were waterfalls cascading with a glint of silver. Laughter of innocence echoed through the valley as children ran around in gay abandon. I asked my little angel where we were going. Papa wait a minute, but please dont go anywhere.....I just stood at my ground And watched her vanish into the garden of roses. I thought I saw somebody sitting across o the bench so I walked over. My hunch Was right ! Mr. Patil was sitting there with a woman who was more beautiful than Beauty itself. His wife I guess, his arm was around her and she a wedding band Gleamed on her finger…..I was shocked what are you doing here . I remember beingAbsolutely heartbroken when the love of his life had ditched him to marry another.She was said to be a real beauty but this woman was unlike anybody inthe universe I was sure…..I was making making small talk with him and her when somebody came and held my hand….. I did not have to turn to know who it was. Why did you just disappear I said with a Tone of disapproval in my voice….. I was still very upset with her ………the fact that I was seeing her after a month did not strike me then. Ok Relax ...why you always have to shout on me....Yes I always shout, but what are you doing here....Come lets go...i have to feed him...him who????....Buddhu, Lion king....have you forgotten > him....Oh God! have you gone mad....first one girl comes to me and claims i am her father now you are telling me that I have a son too.. ..have you also lost it.....No my dear i have not...they are our kids. Come lets walk she said, lets go home and then you can meet him he will be so happy to see you, he misses you a lot. I can hear Little Mermaid call out from a distance PAPA, MAMA Wait………………she comes running and I pick her up in my arms, there is content On nikhilas face come soon she says and walks towards a purple cloud…. > Have I gone crazy?? what is happening to me??? Somebody pinch me Ouch! Dad what happened.. are u fine my buttercup looks up at me with concern on her cute little face . .Ok you better tell me now.. What is happening here.? Little Mermaid thats what I have decided to call her decides to sit on a mushroom stool and I make place beside her. Dad this is Neverland …………..what remains unfinished in the real world is concluded her. Every unfulfilled story has a happy ending. I love you she says and hugs me….. you are the best dad in this world. This is my home and lion kings and always will be……her face suddenly clouded with sadness and tears spiraled down her rosy cheeks …..I quickly wiped them away and tried to hush her…..god send us here a month ago. Neverland.....what are you saying.....I said………….. God said that we are never going to be able to transcend into the real world because are Mummy and Papa have decided to not let us. You know how much Lion King cried…………..so I told him I will talk to papa and I am sure that he will get us out of this place so I begged god to give me one chance to meet my papa ………. > Please Dad, we love you and mom, please do something and take us out > of this place......Or lion king will cry forever and I will never smile. I couldn't bear my child so upset and I was ashamed of myself to have put her through this. I will get you back I promised her Mom and I will do each and everything possible to bring that smile back we will sort thing out I assured her. A tall giant suddenly emerged out of nowhere and started pulling her out of my arms. I have to take her back....you ..dare not touch her....DAD DAD > PLEASE TAKE ME BACK DAAAAAAAAAAADDDDDDDDD!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I fought him with all my might kicking and screaming! Suddenly there was a thud and I collected myself from the ground. I had fallen from the bed……i saw outside my rooms window she was smiling inthe clouds... but I was not confused any more I knew where I was and Where I had to go. I had to call Nikhila, I had promised Little Mermaid I will get her back. If only you could understand this nikhila...........

A Big Divide
Mood:  energetic
Now Playing: A Big Divide
Topic: My articles
A big divide Saturday, May 20, 2006 01:00:57 am A silent protest The whole country may be in the grip of student protests. But on Friday, IIT Mumbai saw a protest of a different kind. Students raised their voice against reservation by forming a human chain. Both pro and anti-reservation voices were raised at the forum. “Death of Democracy”, this poster perhaps tells the entire story. On Friday, students of IIT Mumbai raised their anguish against reservation and the ill treatment on the medical students all over the country by forming a human chain. Amit, an IIT Mumbai student says, “We are here to save the quality of our institution; this is just dirty politics and nothing more”. At an arms distance, another group with perhaps the same passion for its cause, but a small difference, was the one favouring reservation. On the opposite end Pratish, another student at IIT Mumbai says, “Even after 56 years of independence the elite institutions are dominated by upper caste and we feel the backward students should be given equal chances.” While protests all over the country have mostly turned violent, this protest has no doubt made its presence felt without raising decibel levels.

Love out of control
Mood:  special
Now Playing: Love out of control....
Topic: My articles
Love Out of Control Monday, May 15, 2006 08:20:41 pm Bitten by love bug, Asha Patil's love story is a classic case of love knowing no boundaries. Her love story could easily be the script of a Yashraj movie. A tale of courage and determination wherein this girl packed her clothes to make a long journey from Mumbai to the Line of Control (LoC), just to meet the man she loves. Speaking to TIMES NOW, Asha Patil said that she wanted to go across the border to meet the person she loves "Us paar milney jaana hai apne pyaar se....'' . Last week 24-year-old Asha Patil of Thane, packed her bag and baggage for Poonch LoC. Patil had plans of crossing over to Pakistani side to meet her love, Lahore-based Mumtaz Khalid, who runs foreign exchange business . However, unfortunately the harsh reality of boundaries and army snipers put a halt on their plans. They were apprehended few metres inside the border. Their love affair dates five year back, when they came in contact with each other through internet. And one fine day while chatting, Khalid expressed his love for Patil, which she accepted. Since then, they have been regularly in touch with each other via the internet. Preliminary investigations reveal that the love between them bloomed and two years back, the duo decided to marry. On April 29 this year, Patil went to Wagah border to have a glimpse of Khalid. She says that this meeting further enhanced the intensity of their love for each other. She is not worried about the cross border affair and feels that the relation between India and Pakistan can in no way stop her from meeting her eternal love Khalid. She avers: "Jo bhi tension ho dono deshon mein, it cannot dampen my love''. Asha has left no stone unturned to cross the border, however, all her efforts went in vain as Pakistani authorities denied her visa on one pretext or the other. Despite that she did not loose heart. Last fortnight, media reports about opening of Poonch - Rawlakote road generated new ray of hope in Asha Patil and she headed for Poonch along with her friend, Ayesha Sharma and tried to cross the border. However, before she could succeed in her intentions, army snipers brought her to screeching halt. The bottom-line, whatever, be the outcome of story, one thing remains clear that internet technology has blurred borders for many a love birds like Patil and Khalid...

Give us Death...
Mood:  on fire
Now Playing: Poverty-stricken family pleads for death
Topic: My articles
Poverty-stricken family pleads for death Wednesday, May 10, 2006 12:05:05 am Let us die: Mukhtar Ahmad Shaikh The Shaikhs are a family so tired of pain, and suffering that they want their misery to end. And so they have sent letters to the Supreme Court, President, Prime Minister and the Chief Minister of Maharashtra pleading for death. When death seems the only way out Abject poverty and disease have plagued this family - Mukhtar Ahmad Shaikh is asthmatic, his -30 year old daughter Khurshida and 26 year old son Mehfooz suffer from incurable muscular dystrophy, and his wife Sufiya Bano is suffering from cancer. "If government can’t do anything for my kids and my family then the only option left for us is to end our lives", says a despondent Mukhtar. A long winding road of pain and agony and an impossible task of treating his children on a salary of just Rs 2,200 have forced Mukhtar Ahamad Shaikh to think the worst. But then what are his options in a state where there is little social support. Unless help comes their way fast, the Shaikhs will have nothing other than death to look forward to.

Next big thing in Bollywood?
Mood:  energetic
Now Playing: GLITZ NOW!!!!
Topic: My articles
Next big thing in Bollywood? Monday, April 10, 2006 04:09:20 pm Upen Patel: All set for a dream debut Every year, a number of aspirants are lured by the glam and glitz of Bollywood. And the latest hot-stepper is model-turned-actor Upen Patel. Another model-turned-actor, another handsome hunk. But will he be the next John Abraham? Now that's a question that will be answered once his debut film "36 China Town" hits the marquee later this month. One thing's for sure though - Upen is one of the lucky few Bollywood wannabes to make a dream debut with the likes of Abbas-Mustan and Subhash Ghai firmly backing him. Subhash Ghai, producer of '36 China Town', feels that the young talent is always enthusiastic about making their career and is expected to give 100% which is why it is beneficial to launch new stars. A dream debut Upen was officially announced as the next big thing in Bollywood with a grand introduction at the music release of the multi-starrer over the weekend. Even though the film stars Kareena Kapoor, Shahid Kapoor and Akshaye Khanna, Upen is unruffled by the competition. "I am not going to get lost in the array of stars and the way Subhashji and Abbas-Mastan have introduced me, I am sure that I will make big", says a confident Upen. It looks like Upen's debut vehicle is all set to propel him into superstardom, considering the wonders that the pre-release hype of the film is doing for the actor. Sources indicate that the hunk has been signed on for no less than six big budget projects even before the release of his first film. Now this is what we call a dream debut.

Police, or Goon?
Mood:  energetic
Now Playing: Police, or Goon?
Police, or Goon? Wednesday, March 29, 2006 07:32:33 pm ON TIMES NOW, www.timesnow.tv Three year old Dhaval has nightmares, ever since he saw his father and grandfather being beaten up. The Mishra family was travelling to Mumbai from Varanasi by train, when an argument with a fellow passenger turned nasty. Then, at the next stop which was Allahabad station, two railway policemen entered the compartment, and beat up Girish Mishra. “They just dragged me out like I was a gunnybag. When my father and mother intervened, they also slapped them. They beat me till I was unconscious, and when I came to and wanted to file a complaint, they said we had better go away or else they would make me handicapped for the rest of my life,” recounts Mishra. Mishra says that to add insult to injury, he was forcefully made to sign on a blank paper by the Government Railway Police. Hard words, not blows, say police Bharathi, the police officer who allegedly beat up Girish Mishra The railway police, however, deny the charges made against them. “To control them, yes, I used some hard words but I have not beaten him,” said O P Bharthi, SSI of the Government Railway Police. The Mishra family now wants justice. They have shot off letters to the Railway Authorities and even the President of India. Injured and insulted Girish Mishra is not ready to give up without a fight. (By Vishwas Gautam)

Making of the devil
Mood:  on fire
Now Playing: Devil's own story
Topic: Inside the killer's mind
Leo Tolstoy once said all happy person look alike and all unhappy persons have a story to tell. Secrets are buried deep down behind their unhappiness, lines are blurring; you are becoming it and it is becoming you. This is about one such unhappy person, this is about me. Roads have always been dark at night, what’s new about it. Sea has always been mysterious, what’s new about it. Perhaps this time it is not, as I walk down the dark roads besides the sea, I hear strange whispers. The winds passing by my ears are making howling noises; I am trying to find out the meanings. I always wondered why my dreaded aggression gets peace when I see blood; streaming out of my veins. I can stab myself but why I need to cut my veins. I always wondered when I will sleep in the cradle of peace, when I will look forward to the next morning the way everyone else do. I have never got an answer. I remember once I asked my mother, who are the devils? She in her own limitations tried explaining me, I was never satisfied. Today, I think I know who devils are. Perhaps they too are those unhappy people, blurring the lines of human and inhuman. Am I one of those? The catastrophic noises, the mutilated bodies do not make devils, devils are born among us, before we get to figure out, we become one of them. I am becoming one. The stories of plain chits, anxious, adventurous people inviting troubled souls and then realising that what mess they are in. I feel the same with people trying to talk to me and realising soon that they are in mess hence before they get steady with me they are out of it. I am Frankenstein, who is feeling unwanted, ignored and lonely trying to figure out as what is it in me that make people go away from me before even trying to know that there is a meaning behind what all I do, how I behave. They say one who is powerless is perhaps the most powerful, the most deadly. There is nothing that I can do to overcome the insults I have been subjected to but then there is because sometimes to be helpless is the best position to be in. Devils are human, in fact more humane than most of the humans as they know that at the end of each game you have to be a winner and if you are not then perhaps the game is not yet over. I too am waiting for my turn now because this time my friend, it will be check and mate.

Living in a hole
Mood:  don't ask
Now Playing: Living in a hole
Topic: Mumbai Blues
“Take good care of yours in Mumbai, it is easy to find a job in Mumbai but difficult to find a place to live”, said my father while I was about to board my train to Mumbai. “You don’t worry Dad, I’ll take care”, I said in sheer overconfidence. It took just three days for me in this city to realize that my father was right. Into the six-ring circus that is the housing market in Mumbai City — where a house can sell for minimum of Rs. 25 lakh to ??? well, just imagine at your own risk, they say some flats costs more than three to four crore in this city. Want an apartment on rent? Yes you can get but be ready to pay hefty advances, for a single room flat the rent can range from Rs. 7000 to ????? Rooms that are smaller even then a decent bathroom. So you think your place is small? Recently, a group of architecture students staying up late in a loft in Brooklyn took to amusing themselves by stuffing a mattress into a hole cut into the wall above a bedroom door. Then they tried the mattress out for comfort. Not half bad! It occurred to one of them, that people might pay money to call that elevated mattress home. One advertisement went on the website in New York-sized space between rooms- that used a minimalist pitch. "Opening between hall and room available for long/short-term use, accessible by ladder, sheets and pillows not provided." The ad went up around noon, and by the end of that day, it had a dozen potential takers. This advertisement forced this idea to my mind that it will be not too long that these holes above your bedrooms or kitchen doors can actually get you tenants. Where is the space in Mumbai and people keep pouring into the city, real estate prices remain stratospheric. Don’t be surprised if one day a broker takes you to one of these elevated mattress homes and asks for unimaginable rent. The market for space within other people's space is on the rise. During my ordeal of finding a corner for myself, I was picking up addresses from classifieds. You can find hundreds of ads for rooms within apartments, beds within bedrooms, even the occasional couch — if not living quarters, rooms where it will be difficult for even one person to stretch his arms but your will be asked to share it with three. Some exclude kitchen privileges, request teetotalers, insist upon plant care, limit sleepovers, some will not even have a hygienic toilet. While I was searching a damn corner for myself, I met a poor soul who had the courage to even think of buying a house for him. I used to see him daily slog out from one corner to another in spite of him being ready to pay a handsome amount. The poor soul was just searching a drop out in the mirage so much so that he has lost his mental peace. They say it is a city of dreams, fine we take that but what will one do with his or her dreams if he has not even a few inches to catch a nab for a glimpse of that dream The mattress episode can begin anytime in Mumbai. Students are sharing 1,000-square-foot apartments with five others —still they are ready to pay any amount for a small corner. It will be nto to long that the owners will decide to stuff a spare mattress into the rectangular hole cut into the wall above one bedroom door. Believe me, The mattress ad will catch lot of eyes. And If you are asking about my opinion, "well O.K. I already know I'm crazy, but . . . if that bed's really for rent and comes into my budget. I'm there." I swear after this horrifying month in Mumbai, "I am ready to sleep in corner, in tent, etc. etc." Will you rent me one???????

Byte Collector
Now Playing: Byte Collector
Probably the most tedious bore on earth is the journalist who feels it is incumbent upon him always to be ethical. Talking of decrypting ethical journalism is rather facetious in this market driven society. Fed up of buying and selling in my short career in marketing, I took on journalism hoping to make a difference in this society. But got the shock of my life when in my first class of a reputed journalism school we were taught that we are not crusaders rather we sell news. In contrast to the hard drinking hero of the ordinary citizen today’s tertiary educated journalists have been denigrated as cappuccino sippers of the middle class promulgating a politically correct point of view remote from that of their audience. Modern journalists are peddlers of a commodity called information that is marketed to the commercial advantage without reference to the individuals own reason, sensitivity and commitment. News!! What is that?? When a reputed newspapers cover story is about Daboo Ratnani sending a marriage proposal for his dog to Aishwarya Rai’s bitch or entire media lined up for Shahrukh Khan to itch his back, news is hiding behind ethics waiting to be gang raped. It is all about getting bytes, bytes and bytes, in my short span of internship in a reputed news channel all I am doing is getting bytes. The issues that can affect society are dumped and masala tit bits are given preferences, I am giving my best to learn this new definition of journalism. When I was told to get the shots of Dr. Bharat Kumar’s(Doctor who died in Kabul in a bombblast) dead body and bytes of his family members, I felt like quiting this profession. Imagine a nine year old kid who doesn’t even know his father is dead witnessing byte collectors asking weird questions. Gone are the days of strenuous journalism, today the hit and run media has created Kaisa lag raha hai journalism decimating society’s professional disseminators of news. The so called globalization has made journalism part of the entertainment industry. It has become an FMCG product dumped down and commercially driven. The result is an undesirable shift in the balance of power from the editor to the marketing manager. Going by the standards of news stories being covered by the media agencies nowadays it seems that text book journalism is left for the archives only. These 24 hour news channel are left with no option but to go by the markets. It has been rightly said that Media today is a product of the dimwits, by the dimwits and for the dimwits. It no longer aspire to change the world, it is insensitive and irresponsible. When the builders in Mumbai are violating all rules, when a South African modal is raped, when the slum dwellers are fighting for their rights, Media is also responsible. Where is the outrage? Where are the lessons of journalism which taught us to report the truth in spite of all odds. Has society failed the media or has the media failed the society, perhaps both. Our republic and its press will rise and fall together. A spirited and courageous press who can preserve public virtue is the need of hour. Until the press redefines its priorities you can see byte collectors like us roaming on roads of Mumbai reporting news that affects none.