Paani Ki Lehron Par Hichkole Khaati Naav!!!!!!!

Hi Friends,

Hope you enjoyed my last post and here is some more on Kashmir.

This time, I am talking exclusively about the houseboats, the miniature hotels, located on the periphery of the Dal Lake, that have been there since 1860 and are now on the verge of extinction.

It is really sad to learn that the court has ordered the houseboat owners to shut their operations because of the rising pollution levels and depleting natural life within the lake.

According to officials, the Dal Lake figures among the 93 sick lakes of the world and the state pollution control board reported in 2004 that the level of pollutants in the lake was six to eight times above the permissible limit. Along with other factors, the houseboats are considered to be the cause, thus, the restraining order on houseboat operations.

However, those who have enjoyed a comfortable and interesting stay inside these houseboats are not happy to hear that, which brings me to a brief description about the houseboats.

Houseboats in Kashmir:

After descending on the scene more than a hundred years ago, the houseboats have come to be an integral life of the valley, especially the Dal. The official records claim that the first houseboat, named Victory, was designed by a serving officer of the British Army, M T Kenhard. Since then, these houseboats were mostly used to serve as vacation homes for the British officers, who were then facing mutiny in the rest of the country.

After traversing a long course of history of pre and post independence India, the houseboats have become a signature of the Dal Lake. Among other things, their popularity is because of the comfort and real flavour of Kashmiri culture preserved inside thes dwellings. Houseboats are generally made up of cedar wood and contain of living quarters, drawing and dining areas.

The interiors of these houseboats are decorated with carved wooden furniture, embroidered Kashmiri carpets and rugs, as well as various hand-made items, including paper machie objects.

The windows offer a beautiful view of the mountain peaks lining the Dal.

It is this piece of history, which is threatened with oblivion now and I fervently hope that that never happens. Pray with me friends.......

Aarambh Hai Prachand!!!!!!

It is time to celebrate the festival of colours in India, called Holi, which most of the country will celebrate tomorrow, March 11, 2009, but the youngsters have already started celebrating about a month ago in most of the cities, towns and villages.
Colours, baloons, water-filled, coloured water, pichkaari, find their way into almost every other home in the country, children are found on most of the balconies, on the roads, inside the parks, splashing coloured water on each other.
While adults also enjoy in their own way, the holi celebrations are mostly meant for the young kids, who, for once, dnt mind getting up early on this day and getting drenched and, most importantly, staying drenched till well into the afternoon, when harried mothers, smiling behind their stern expressions, drag the kids inside for an elaborate bath to take off all the colour put into the hair, eyes, ear, etc, etc। Looking forward to enjoy the festival and its sights, though, I do not celebrate much of Holi myself.
However, there is one more thing that I am looking forward to this Holi (actually to be precise, after this Holi) and that is the release of film "गुलाल," filmmaker अनुराग कश्यप's first release after "देव डी ". I have put up a poster of the film, available on Internet, to give the readers an idea of what the film is like (though, I have a hunch that the movie will not be suited to everyone's liking, though I wish I am proven wrong).
The promos are available on Youtube and if anyone cares to watch, here is the link:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IS7KLVs1Ib4
The promo looks explosive and I am sure that the movie will be an even better success than Dev D. It represents the struggles of the youth of today in the backdrop of regional politics (entirely my guess).
The actors are lesser known, except for Kay Kay of course but, nevertheless, their expressions say it all.
It is good that movies of today are ready to shed the burden of being a vehicle for escaping the harsh realities of life, which we simply cannot ignore anymore.
Corruption, political debauchery, regionalism, unemployment, lack of ideals and moral disintegration are the parasites that are eating away into the foundations of our Indian society and kudos to Kashyap and others of his ilk for briging them face to face for us.

Slumdog Millionaire: The Quest Is Yet To End...

Much water has flown under the bridge and many a remarks, comments, compliments and opinions thrown about in the aftermath of Danny Boyle's take on life in a Mumbai slum, Slumdog Millionaire.

The movie is winning awards left right and centre and is headed to Oscars, with a hefty recommendation in the form of the Golden Globes.

However, the land, where the Slumdog Millionaire was born, is witnessing a debate of a different kind.

In this debate, one side is accusing Boyle of shamelessly cashing in on the poverty-stricken underbelly of India and not showing a more balanced and positive view of the country, which, by all means, is one of the leading economies of the world.

The other side is defending Slumdog by saying that the movie deals with truth and optimism and it is showing what already exists in the country.

The verdict is not yet out as the discussion goes on: over blogs, in the newspapers, on television channels, inside living rooms, on office balconies, inside buses and cars.

Everyone has something or the other to say, So, I thought, why not get together my blogger friends and have our own SAY in this matter.

So, the field is open, anyone wanting to have a say on this matter, is welcome to put his or her remarks, comments, opinion on whether "Slumdog Millionaire is biased because it has chosen to be selective in its portrayal of reality or does it actually show the audience, worldwide and in India, a true picture of slum life in the country?"

The discussion is open to all and anyone who wants to have their say can do so by putting in their remarks in the comments section and taking part in the poll survey that I have put up on the left hand side of the blog, just below the Blog Archive section.

I would be keeping a tab of the discussion and would put up the comments and counter-comments on the blog for everyone's perusal from time to time.

Thank You!!

When will we change?

Hi there,
Been away for long yet again. no use making excuses, so I will come to the point right away.
The winter is setting in with chilled air and welcoming sunlight. America recently voted a black man to the White House and the world rejoiced along with the Americans in their turning point in history. We all followed the presidential campaign earnestly, however we might deny it. It was a campaign, which we could learn a lot from.
Right from Obama's Kenyan descent to his skin colour, from american population's trust in Obama to his rival John McCain's speech after the results were announced. We should also be able to overlook the caste, religion, creed, social status while indulging in a political campaign. However, unfortunately, election campaigns in India are centred around these things only and in their worst forms.
The latest example would be that of MNS chief Raj Thackeray launching a tirade against North Indians in Mumbai, whatever his argument might be!
Well, a lot to learn then and hoping things would only be better in the coming elections....