The Part Confessions Of An Eternal Escapist

2012-02-03T23:21:00.004+05:30

For the first time in all my existance, i have to make a decision. A decision that not only affects me but also those who i love ever so dearly.

Growing up sucks. It sucks bad.

I wish i could be at two places at one time. I wish skip this part right here.

posted from Bloggeroid

The Sweetness

2011-12-05T01:02:00.001+05:30

The sweet smell of nothingness

I like it

But it taunts me;

I crave it

But it pawns me.

The sweet sight of emptiness

I brave it

But it fights me;

I fill it

But it locks me.

The sweet sound of hollowness

I welcome it

But it haunts me;

I caress it

But it stabs me.

The sweet touch of bareness

I call it

But it mocks me;

I want it

And it has me.

Of Thunder Thighs & Truck Tyres

2011-12-01T23:17:00.001+05:30

Warning: This blog is written under conditions of self-pity. Reader discretion is advised

Karma is a sour lil' witch, who was once done wrong and is now out for ruthless revenge. All my life I've taken pride in a chromosomal trait that I strongly believe I'm bestowed with... my true inheritance which is popularly know as 'fast metabolism'. I hogged and it never showed. Most called me under-nourished, I called me 'skinny and hot'.

I made it a point, a mission even, to rub my superior metabolism powers in the chubby faces of the obese/overweight population. Management folks call it negative reinforcement, but I prefer the phrase 'I'm hot, your not'. You would find me parked in an American food chain joint shoving my face with calorie-infected cheese-covered chucks of meaty heaven as I smiled politely at friends who wondered out loud 'Where does all that food go?!'.

Two years and a Bangalore later, the same set of friends know exactly where that food went. I repeat, Karma is a witch. I truly didn't realize the gravity of the situation, till I put on a sizable amount of meat, enough to feed a small African country. I can barely look at myself in the mirror without cringing. Yes, this is a blog post about my weight.

Phase 1: Denial
Every time my skinny fit jeans struggled to fit, I blamed it on the laundry guys. Those clothes shrinking idiots! I blatantly refused to believe the slightest probability that I might be gaining some. To counter the accusation from my friends and my clothes, I ate more in a bid to prove them horribly wrong.

When I couldn't deny the evident paunch, I blamed it on everything from standing too close to the mirror, to beer...from PCOD to water retention....from desk jobs to indigestion. And then it happened, I ran out out of excuses. Everyday, I bloat after hogging and like clockwork you will find me exclaiming, "I think I have a stomach infection!". Now that I look like a spectacle wearing cow in her 3rd trimester, I can't fool myself anymore.

Phase 2: Half-Admission and Self-Pity
This is where I am. Got TLC's chart topping single 'Unpretty' in a perpetual loop on the vinyl player in my head. I find myself looking at old picture of the thin me. I find myself being slapped by reality every time I pass by a reflecting object. I find myself blogging about it. And like clockwork I blame those worms/bacteria/extra-terrestrial aliens in my tummy on a mission to destroy me by taking away the one true thing I own (See: Fast Metabolism)

A few drinks down last Saturday, I stared into the vast view from sky scraper. Vast like my waist size. I made half an admission to myself, I think I might be a little overweight.

To be continued...

Ol'

2011-09-21T22:53:00.001+05:30

Yet another sad attempt to rhyme.

When we are older
its easier said that done
The sky is no longer the limit
and the walls around us have shrunk.

When we are older
rainbows are a passing glance.
Numbers and banks disseminate
our mind and soul apart

When we are older
Our dreams no longer fill
hunger of the real kind
or even pay the bills

When we are older
We 'make do' with our lives
swallow our pride with
limp in our stride

Guess who?

2011-07-31T01:32:00.001+05:30

The reason why we love the idea of having 'kids of my own' is perhaps the same reason why we love dabbling with virtual avatars.

What more does the vain human mind love than a reflection of himself/herself...

posted from Bloggeroid

A Must-do

2011-07-24T09:42:00.000+05:30

Nyassa Store( Khar dhanda,18th road, Bombay) is exhibiting the mind-blowing work of one of my besties Francis Mascarenhas. Francis loves natural poses and his sense of aesthetics a rare find.

Preview to the show = http://shadows77.daportfolio.com/

French photographer Iza Voila also showcases her work at this exhibit.

Watcha waiting for? Go...go now!

Exhibition: July 22 at 4:00pm - July 24 at 9:00pm

FB event: http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=113509892074469

Dusty Ol' Books

2011-07-19T12:14:00.001+05:30

Ummm...This could be a million dollar idea!

The trance that lay beside, admist

Dusty, Yellow Ol' Books.

...The intoxicating fragrance it emits.

I've got two words for you --- Unisex Perfume.

Day 3

2011-07-06T18:29:00.006+05:30

Writers have blocks.
But I honestly don't know what to categorise this emotion or the lack of it as.
Like any self respecting human creature I shall suppose I am the first of my kind to endure such hardships.
I wonder if I get naming rights?
I call dibs.

Point being ?
I have begun my days at the lonely house of the unemployed. We have 6 meals a day with a handsome helping of confusion.

Day 3: Im considering vegetarianism. Then you can call it a day and institutionalise me with good reason

Salary is a drug...
not the natural kind like weed but a filthy hallucinogen that lets you think your rich and bestowed with money management skills of a Wall Street G*d.

The monthly moolah is satanic because when you don't get it, withdrawals happen.

They don't prepare you for that in the best of schools, do they soldier?

There ...now that rambled myself to a bermuda triangle point, I shall go dance in the rain.

posted from Bloggeroid

Will I ever get it right?!

2011-07-04T02:01:00.001+05:30

posted from Bloggeroid

"To Kirket"

2011-04-06T10:20:00.009+05:30

Wednesday 30th March,2011

Ind Vs Pak WC Semis 2011

Much to the irritation of my pals in Bombay, I chose this day to fly back to B'lore.

Yes, I didn't calculate the odds that of the WC and weighed the chances of us playing Pak in the semis. Why? B'cause I don't care for cricket AT ALL. It's highly overrated.

There I said it. Sue me

A brilliant day to drive. Our ride from Shivaji Park to the airport took to mere 15mins without a single halt. The airport was mighty deserted. No lines to check-in, no crowd to push through. The dreaded Gate 2 (low cost airlines gate) didn't look like a fish market. I felt utterly lost. This didn't look like the Bombay airport I know and love/hate.

The few folks who dared book their tickets on this eventful day perched their behinds conveniently facing the LCDs that the airport so considerately installed for this occasion. As I immersed myself in India Today, I hear our National Anthem. As I raised my egg shaped head to face the TV, this moderately filled lounge was on their feet with pride in their stance and hope in their eyes. Like a scene out of a TV commercial.

We sit & inspect the area around me wishing I had to knife to cut the tension in the air. The marshals pressed themselves against the glass doors, their florescent jackets hurting my eyes. Wonder who was watching the planes...?

Go Air's regular flight to B'lore was hauntingly empty. More leg space for me, I say. Now miles above the ground, I fought to keep my eyes open when I was interrupted by the Captain. He panted like I presume Hercules did, " Hello. This is the score of the match. India is 175 for 4 after 35 overs. (I don't remember the exact numbers)." Now my sleep evaded me. Thank you Mr. Pilot man for making me laugh my lungs out & doing what only caffeine could have done.

Touch down B'lore, only to be at the receiving end of another short breath score update. Endearing how every time the pilot the contacted the radio towers, they gave him an update.I wondered if anyone else found it as funny as I did. I strained my ears for a chuckle. Nothing.

Back to the city for dinner at a small restaurant. They kept forgetting to bring me food! Next stop, Chocolate Room & LCD TVs. We entered to find fellow college mates. I didn't know them but one can tell a fellow Christite in a crowd. After the chocolates disappeared, the staff didn't mind all those people hogging space.

The winning catch (Virat Kohil *drool*)... fire crackers... howling... jumping on seats... screaming...hugging...kissing... balloon bursting...crazy dancing....

Elation

It's funny how a highly fragmented and sensitive nation unites for against a common perceived 'enemy'.

It's hilarious how much fuss a game of cricket can garner.

I don't care for cricket but the last two matches got this nonbeliever to chant 'India Jeetega'.

India's loose adhesive is unarguably the unanimous love this 'religion'.

I don't care for cricket but if this is what it takes to piece together my country, I sure as hell respect the game.

*Slainte*

In the name of Exercise

2011-03-18T00:10:00.001+05:30

Must Lose Weight.

Must Lose Weight.

Must Lose Weight.

*Stops*

*Huffs & Pants*

Must Lose Weight.

Must Lose Weight.

Must Lose Weight.

The Great Wall that Divides

2011-03-08T21:22:00.007+05:30

The greatest divide is always that between intention and action

You can mean what you say
But does it show in what do?

You can talk the g*d damn talk
But how well can you walk the crucial walk?

You can do a lot of 'good' to mankind
But how well do you sleep at night?

You can talk of peace & love
But behind closed door does you arm twitch so much?

You can plan & ponder all you want
But do they translate when the real carnival comes?

You can wish upon a falling star
But does it count for Hardwork's scar?

The greatest divide is always that between action and intention

Long way to go

2011-03-04T11:49:00.008+05:30

I've finally come to a point in my life where I no longer can hide behind the pretext of 'higher education'. The Big Bad Wolf awaits my arrival. All I can do now is hope the past 22 years of my life have taught me well.

It's time to open that door.

It's time to write a new chapter.

It's my time to make a mark.

I wrote this poem with these thoughts in mind.

A Long way to go

Milestones overwhelm, as I drive by.

Perched in the corner of my mind, they

Talk,Weigh, Judge,Nod...

Relentless their pursuit.

This hybrid zooms, oblivious of patience

In the wilderness, a thought aimlessly wanders,

"If only I had fixed them when I had the time."

Paths twist as the wind sings songs of grandeur,

And those headlight fail me

"I should have fixed them when I had the time."

Brakes don't work & pauses waste time,

A firm grip steers, mine.

This Inebriated momentum loathes caution

Moonlit & narrow, the turns bend again

This elastic, unpredictable tar has no Master

Amidst the resonating call of the next milestone,

A chant creeps,

"Eyes on the road"

Why do we love Dexter Morgan?

2011-02-26T12:42:00.019+05:30

This is an excerpt from my research paper on ‘The Growing Popularity of American Anti Hero (TV Series) among Indian Audiences’. The paper was written over the course of a month and completed (& approved) in Oct 2010. The paper essentially tried to connect human psychology & the popularity of gory/dark TV shows. This passage is the heart of my research paper.

Why do we love Dexter?

On conducting primary research on a small sample of avid Dexter viewers, the researcher found answers to some compelling questions.

In the show, a lot of Dexter’s thoughts are voiced out loud with a sarcastic dark undertone to it. His thoughts make the viewer seem like they are inside his head. The captivating screenplay and gripping dialogues, grab the viewer who somehow in a strange way ‘relates’ to him.

The researcher would like to use Sigmund Freud’s Psychoanalysis Theory to interpret this phenomenon. Dexter talks a lot about his ‘dark passenger’ who he needs to satisfy to live. Sara Colleton, executive producer of “Dexter” says that we all have a bit of the dark passenger in us. She feels most of us have it firmly in check, and it's just that extra piece of fudge that we can't control. According to the in-depth interviews conducted by the researcher, most Dexter viewers root for him when he kills and can’t stand the thought of him getting caught.

According to Sigmund Freud’s Structural Model of the Psyche-- the Id, the Ego and the Superego are three parts of the psychic apparatus. According to this model of the psyche, the Id is the set of uncoordinated instinctual trends; the ego is the organised, realistic part; and the super-ego plays the critical and moralising role. The Id is the function of the psyche that we are concerned with while analysing the popularity of the anti-hero.

The id is unconscious by definition. In Freud's formulation,

“It is the dark, inaccessible part of our personality...and most of this is of a negative character and can be described only as a contrast to the ego. We all approach the id with analogies: we call it a chaos, a cauldron full of seething excitations... It is filled with energy reaching it from the instincts, but it has no organisation, produces no collective will...” --- Sigmund Freud, New Introductory Lectures on Psychoanalysis (1933)

Freud claims, the Id is responsible for our basic drives such as food, water, sex and basic impulses. It is amoral and selfish, ruled by the pleasure–pain principle; it is without a sense of time, completely illogical, primarily sexual, infantile in its emotional development, and is not able to take "no" for an answer.

Freud divided the id's drives and instincts into two categories: life and death instincts. Death instincts (Thanatos) as stated by Freud, are our unconscious wish to die, as death puts an end to the everyday struggles for happiness and survival. It also indirectly represents itself through outward and inward aggression.

The Ego and Superego keep a check on the Id keeping it from taking over the psyche. A criminal, for instance, has a dominating Id which leads to his aggressive behaviour. All of us have innate aggression in us which is kept under control by laws, religions and other controlling ‘system’ mechanisms. Dexter’s viewers mirror their aggression off the loveable killer thus giving vent to the pent up and suppressed aggression/anger.Dexter in all his being is the manifestation, although fictional, of our Id. With all the stress of living in a fast developing country, Dexter is a digital ventilator for his legions of fans. This is one of the reasons why Dexter is so famous among Indian audiences.

Another reason could be that Dexter’s ‘condition’ is due to an unconscious childhood memory of the murder of his mother which is witnessed. Dexter as an infant was left in a pool of his mother’s blood along with his older brother. Scriptwriters of Dexter have used this Freudian concept of suppressed memory to ‘justify’ his actions. This along with Harry’s code leads his viewers to excuse his kills as a ‘service to society’.

Déjà Vu or Jamais Vu?

2011-02-26T12:06:00.005+05:30

I honestly don't know where to start.

The past two years of my life have metaphysically evolved me into whoever I am today. I owe to it all to...

a) Mum.

For being brave enough to send her only child to another city.

b) B'lore.

Continues to be the city of my birth, in more ways than one.

c) Karma.

I knew I could always count on you.

d) BFFs

You'll know who you'll are.

I'd like to dedicate this post to a certain article in the New Indian Express' magazine supplement Third Eye. The cover story in the Feb 6-12 issue is Nandini Nair's New Kids on the Blog. I must say, the magazine happens to be one of my favorites mainly because all the articles are so comprehensive. Delightful read, indeed.

This article in particular, resuscitated the blogger in me.

*Gasps for another first breath*

The Transcript

2011-02-26T12:06:00.004+05:30

For sheer neglect & namesake uploading of class assignments under the pretext of 'blog post', the jury(I, me, moi, mein, & myself) of the court of blogsphere holds Aditi G

GUILTY AS CHARGE

*Echo*

For promising to breathe life into this blog & failing to do so due to 'time constrains', the jury & court of blogsphere hold Aditi G

GUILTY AS CHARGE

*Echo*

The criminal is sentenced to a lifetime of rigorous blogging to make up for the vegetative state that this virtual diary has suffered.

CONVERGENCE: The Future of Communication

2010-10-08T19:41:00.004+05:30

“A table, a chair, a bowl of fruit and a violin;

What else does a man need to be happy?”
--- Albert Einstein

Oh! The disillusioned physicist. If only Einstein knew. It’s been over said – Man is a social animal. While applying Darwin’s Survival of the Fittest theory specifically to human, the quintessential communication process cannot be ignored. The better you are at communicating, the better the quality of your life. Communication is required to build, maintain and sustain relationships. It is necessary for co-operation, persuasion, inclusion and power. Societies and communities are deep rooted in communication via customised language, both verbal and non-verbal.

Gutenberg’s Printing Press, the revolutionary invention of the millennium, forever changed the way we communicate. Time and the ripple technological evolution unintentionally changed the definitions of ‘I’ and ‘We’.

Historically, there have been two ages of information dissemination since the known development of language--- The Interpersonal Age followed by the Mass Media Age. The interpersonal age was characterised by limited audience and access, partial accuracy and authoritarian power over content. This age presumably lasted the longest. Face to face communication has been around since cave men but over the years messages have become more complex in nature. The hallmarks of the Mass media age are mass production, larger reach, gate-keeping and noise to name a few. This age saw/sees its own share of censorship under the facades of democracy, communalism and secularism (call it what you may).

The final decade of the gone millennium gave us digital technology. This heralded the third age evidently called the Digital Age --The age that broke conventions and norms with the blink of an eye.

Digital Age is identified by its beauty to combine two or more media, thus creating convenience. For example, let’s dissect our humble cellular handset. We can browse the internet and use GPS for navigation purposes. We can video chat. We can read instant SMS. We can take pictures and record videos. We can listen to music as well as radio. It has an inbuilt planner and organiser. It can be customised to suit you. And it can also make calls. As for the internet, the sky knows no bounds. Technological convergence has essentially changed the way we communicate. The complexity of convergence and new media has resulted in it being an intriguing problem statement for many communicators world over.

Convergence is not just restricted to the technological aspects of media. It runs deeper. The stringent wall of divide between content generators and content absorbers has been crumbled to a large extent. The provision for the power structure and dictation of content from gate-keepers and authority figures has taken a steep downhill dive. This significant change in the relationship between the dictator and the dictated is by itself convergence. The subtle union of the ‘sender’, ‘receiver’ and the ‘message’ into one intertwined medium where borders are only chalk drawn. The silence has been broken and the lines blurred.

Convergence started as a luxury. Over time Desire slowly slips into becoming Need. Once it has evolved, there is no turning back.

Question: Is convergence the future of communication?

Answer: The Future is here. It’s Now.

The Feeling of Utter Helplessness...

2010-07-04T03:27:00.004+05:30

Need I say more?

COMMUNICATION & AVAATAR (2010)

2010-06-29T23:51:00.005+05:30

James Cameron’s path breaking film Avaatar (2010) has been minutely dissected ever since its release. This review attempts to look into the communication aspect of the most expensive film ever made.

The film is of the classic ‘good over evil’ format. It starts off with the Commander –in-chief giving the new batch a military safety drill speech. How some things never change! History stands witness that good orators and speeches of twisted ‘truths’ have manipulated crowds and caused wars.

The whole concept of Avaatars is very similar to multi-player virtual role playing games like World of Warcraft etc. The player here assumes a character or ‘avatar’ in a fictional world. Avatars on the World Wide Web also refer to customised characters that are meant to represent you.

The Ecology of Pandora, the distant moon planet, is of special significance in the film. It stands as a brilliant example of communication and media. The biological brilliance of its trees is depicted by the Signal Transduction between the roots of trees. All living creatures are connected via Eywa (Mother Tree) who, at the time of dire need, sends out signals to the animals and birds to fight the Sky People. This concept of a network is highly similar to Digital Platforms. New Media mainly allows a satellites or a server to connect many computers, cell phones and thus individuals. Apart from that, the writer also attempts to depict the sacred relationship between indigenous population and Mother Nature.

The Na’vi People have a special language of their own all complete with war cries. The director along with linguistics experts Professor Frommer created unique syntactic and grammatical rules for the Na’vi Language. Example: Kaltxì – Hello, Nga – You, Tolaron – Hunted. With the coming of The Sky People (Earthmen) and Dr. Grace’s schooling initiatives, select Na’vi people learnt English. Thus, literally universalising the English language. Non-verbal signs from Eywa are taken very seriously by the people. Seeds of Eywa are considered an auspicious sign from her to the people.

Prayers are a way of communicating to the Mother Tree Eywa and their ancestors. This age old earth tradition continues to be depicted on Pandora but with a twist. This alien species have tentacles at the tip of their hair plaits. These tentacles are their used to make a ‘bond’ (Zahelu) or connection between animals, The Tree of Souls (of ancestors) and Eywa. When two tentacles intertwine, the sensual bond results in a strong union of sorts. The power of this bond has no bounds. Communication is possible by only thinking it. When all the Na’vi people together make a bond with Eywa, she is capable of transferring life from one body to another.

Communication by way of physical touch is portrayed several times. The physical act of touching among the indigenous is a non-verbal communication of unity and support.

Jake Sully, our loveable protagonist, video logs his experiences. This undying need of human to record their feels and memories is evident here as well as in the Tree of Souls. The Tree of souls records the memories of the ancestors of the Na’vi Clan.

What strikes me the most is the sense of community is beautifully revealed. Inter and Intra community harmony and the combining of forces by communication for the greater good of Pandora is touching.

New Media & Freedom

2010-06-14T21:55:00.003+05:30

Man forever delves in his obsession of creating ‘bridges’ to interact and communicate for selfish needs. The latest milestone he successfully invented is fondly termed New Media. This mainly comprised of the hailed Internet, Cellular Phone, Video Conferencing, Satellite TV, Satellite Radio and other awe worthy communication technology. The quintessential difference between Traditional Mass Media and New Media is the question of content control. Speaking of tradition, the lay man had been used to only receiving information disseminated by mass media and its gatekeepers. Yes, he was sceptical and made his own opinions irrespective of media bombardment but he lacked a voice.

New Media is just that. It’s his voice. It’s a gargantuan platform for him to scream as loud as he can. The sheer beauty of being able to put one’s opinions, thoughts, beliefs and view out there for the world to see made New Media an instant hit. Virtual Diaries called Blogs to rant away, single line blabs called microblogs, forum and communities to meet global netizens of the same wavelength, instant message and reply facilities on the go...what more could one ask for. It’s safe to say, new media takes individual’s right freedom of speech and expression to newer dizzy heights beyond the curb of nations and their chalk drawn boundaries.

It’s a long information superhighway with no stop signs, no signals or anyone to stop you. Is that necessarily good? Do anti-social elements allow for a clean positive use of such a phenomenon? Will control crazy governments of the world allow for such ruthless freedom?

The freedom of this revolutionary technology reaches far and wide even into the hands of anti-social elements. Rouges, terrorists (the trendy tag), scamsters et al ruthlessly use new media to concretise their plans. The 26/11 terrorists used satellite telecommunication to communicate with each other while taking Mumbai hostage. Religious extremists and propagandist continue to use the internet to for disseminating hateful and instigating messages.

Governments such as in China and Pakistan have imposed severe restrictions on their citizens over the internet. The Pakistan Telecommunication Authority in Feb 2008 ordered the banning of Pakistani access to the popular video hosting site YouTube.com though access was eventually restored. In 2010, Britain passed a strict cyber law against piracy and websites hosting peer-to-peer sharing as well. Currently concerns regarding a growing tendency of governments around the world attempting to selectively restrict access to the user-generated new media content are on the rise. Censorship is catching on in many countries and pressure for websites and service providers to practise self censoring is soaring.

But man has always found a way around obstacles. Owing to the ban on political blogs in China, campaigns like Adopt a Chinese Blogger cropped up where a non-Chinese would get in touch with a blogging enthusiast Chinese by mutual consent, thus allowing the Chinese blogger to write via a mediator non-China IP.

This is merely one of thousands of examples depicting how no mountain is high enough to gag man and his innate need to communicate. New media has effectively given power back to the people.

Happy 21st Birthday Regs

2010-01-12T21:45:00.001+05:30

Dated Jan 6th 2010.

...Centre-staged...

2009-12-26T21:37:00.007+05:30

"All the world's a stage,

And all the men and women merely players:

They have their exits and their entrances;..."

--

Drama...ah there's nothing like real life drama

Perspective is a clear road map when YOU yourself are out of the picture. It just seems clear and obvious to you as a third person, the attentive audience...untouched by the gruel reality of the drama.

As much as you scream out the right answers, the ones on stage never hear you. Empathize you do, but apart from that you are utterly powerless till you jump on stage uninvited.

Somebody always gets hurt, someone has to win. Somebody always walks away untouched and someone is forgotten in the bargain.

Advice from a pro: Like it or not, everyone gets their turn in the spotlight.Remember never to back the audience(else you'll be stabbed). Improvise and impromptu ...anything works as long as you don't look like a fool on stage. And don't worry about the spotlight, your eyes will get used to it.

Perspective, the manual to winning, is handed to you after the race the lost. Consolation prize? No…

It’s the trophy of wisdom. Epiphany galore served on a platter after a hard day’s work.

Congratulations you’ve won…hope you like the prized perspective

Drama...ah there's nothing like real life drama

Media Laws Vs Freedom of Expression

2009-12-01T10:11:00.004+05:30

“There is no such thing as absolute freedom.

Freedom is accompanied by responsibility”

--- Jawaharlal Nehru

The fourth pillar of a nation—The Press --- is forever on guard when it comes to their right to freedom of expression. Ideally, they’d want absolute freedom with no strings attached. But they are rarely given this gluttonous privilege. Comparatively, Indian media is given far more leeway than other countries. There are always extremes. One on hand, you have the out-of-control US media while on the other you have the ‘gagged’ Afghanistani media (Taliban’s). But do we have to choose between this’ devil’ of complete government control and the ‘deep sea’ of absolute unmonitored freedom? There must be a middle ground...

Law makers opine and quote the apparent effects of media branding it ‘a spoilt child who was spared the rod’. To make up for this historical mistake, they push vigorously for amendments and laws that bring out the cane on the media/press when they stumble on their pursuit of truth. This tug of power has always been around and the press has marked its favourite rivals already. The press usually stands alone in their never ending crusade against all things bad including politician and other powerhouses. Most people in power (Read: Politicians) find it hard to fathom than the press has the ability to expose them and this constant fear is behind their animosity against the press.

In the name of protecting the public, laws are being made to curtail the freedom of press. A hypocritical move indeed! We have the privilege to reside in a nation that calls itself democratic. India gives its people the esteemed right to choose its own leaders out of a bag full of candidates. If the people are rational enough to elect their own leader, why discredit their rationality when it comes to the content in the media and press? They can very well differentiate between what’s good, bad, right or wrong for themselves. Censorships and other laws curtailing the press and media under the disguise of protecting the public are absolutely unnecessary.

There is always a BUT...

But the media does get ‘high’ on this freedom. There have been, are and will be instances when the press and media, so drunk on freedom, lose sight of their responsibility towards society. Instead of hard core laws that will only straight jacket good journalism and gag creative freedom, a voluntary self-regulatory organisation keeping a watch on unethical activities is advisable. Opinions and information that harm national defence and/or instigate communal disharmony obviously require laws which are rightly in place. But cutting scenes of ‘vulgarity’ from movies when you have satellite TV broadcasting worse profanity at the click of a remote is preposterous. Media ethics that come from within the industry are a better solution to the current haywire condition of Indian media. The PCI for example, ought to pull up its socks and take corrective measure where needed before laws restricting media is put into place.

Debating over such a dicey issue, it’s hard to say if laws are a boon or bane to media freedom of expression. Its contextual than hard and fast. Say for example 26/11 terror attacks in Bombay. The minute by minute update about the action of the Special Forces and cops might have unfortunately helped the terrorist drag the highjack on for days. This unintentional err should prod the PCI to include such matters in their code of ethics. Media professionals are sceptical when outsiders draft laws that affect them. Instead if the PCI is given some power to take substantial action, thus putting the onus on media itself, appropriate rules and code of ethics would be in place. As for censorship, a decent and more logical rating system like USA would be appropriate in this day and age.

Chemistry labs teach you more than you know. To succeed in an experiment, you have to get the mixtures right. The exact measurement of liquid X and liquid Y gives you Solution Z. But this simplicity and perfection is rarely possible in real life. Laws often steps on the toes of pursuit of truth and the fingers of creativity thus backstabbing the universal human right of freedom of expression. But having said, one must admit that the press and the media don’t walk around with a halo over their head. Like Peter Parker’s (Spiderman) wise uncle said, “With great power, comes great responsibility.”

Yes I know I sound biased. But I strongly believe that a hand full of journalists still have their heart in the right place and media still has to power to sweep out the dirt under every seemingly innocent looking furniture.

The crumblings of half a cookie DATED 9 nov 09

2009-11-23T12:14:00.003+05:30

I’m surprised at my threshold. In the auto I wondered, how I’m managing to stand so still when the land beneath my feet swirls vigorously. I guess you never know your limits till you’re pushed beyond it.

I positively had at the worst night of my life. Well I know I throw around the terminology loosely. But this day, ought to go down in my history.

Why is it that when Pandora opens her box all the evil things come out at once? Why can’t it happen a day at a time? Why can’t spread out? A punch per pay is a much better recipe than truck loads of it.

Murphy has always been at the receiving end of all my curses. The Honorary Ph.D from the reputed Institution of Jerkland must be twisting in his grave just because I want a punching bag.

Its funny how people get threatened by other people’s mere existence. We are truly animals. Nahh...’Animal’ is too nice a word, ain’t it? Cannibalistic Sadistic Savages ...Now that more like it, no?

Why does it always rain on a ‘bad day’? It’s a universal phenomenon stereotyped by cinema. But, it’s true. Example: Nov 9,2009.

I tend to vent on people who don’t deserve it. Then I drown intentionally in guilt. I wonder what’s peoples’ sh*t taking threshold when it comes to me?

I like meeting new people randomly and striking serious conversation about randomness. B’lore people are nice.

Small talk aint by big cuppa tea! I hate being in it, around it, close to it or in a 5mile radius of it.

Everyone eventually goes away. And yea, life is unfair. “Happy Realization... Egyptian Civilization.” (once more in chorus)

Every notice, we get tons of calls from friends and family on a day that you are being treated like a purple robed blue blooded royal by your good ol’ pal Sinister Luck!

I sleep tonight with one question flashing before my mind’s eye like the hourly breaking news concept of Indian News Channels ... “What Makes The Cookie Crumble?”

The End of Sem 1

2009-10-18T12:59:00.012+05:30

I'm still stumped with the realisation that come 23rd one whole semester will be done and gone.

I only just got here. I guess you’re not checking your watch that often when your having the time of your life. Being here, by myself is by far the best thing that has ever happened to me. I can actually feel myself becoming this person...this person I always wanted to be.

Independence is much more than a state of mind. It’s much more than a physical activity. The environment that you reside in ought to allow independence. The conduciveness of one’s surroundings decides the degree of independence.

It has to be an ocean ....and you have to NOT know how to swim.

Some people are pushed into it but some of us JUMP head first.Either way, we all figure out how to swim.

Don't forget to decide if you want to swim with the current, against it or find your own way to Paradise Island...

2009-09-24T09:15:00.005+05:30

This...This moment...A micro second I managed to steal to give a glance to the web extension of my identity.

There is no excuse. I cannot blame it on time. It won’t care even if i do.The amusingly taxing task of adaptation had monopolised my one track mind. What can I say...I’m only human(partially)

Mother of mine tends to make sense sometimes. Yesterday evening she said, “Don’t ignore your blog. It’s a part of your identity.” Funny how things we already know seem true only when some else says it!

The timing of the dialogue was perfect. I had just begun managing my course blog for my University. I had tasted the addictive again after unwillingly quitting cold turkey.An almost predictable behavioural trait when it comes to me. When I love something too much and give it my all...at some point in time I leave it. Just like that without rhyme or reason. I let myself miss it and long for it. And I come back rejuvenated with new vigour and zest.

Ummm...the sweet high of blogging...