The Forbidden Library: Banned and Challenged Books
The Forbidden Library: Banned and Challenged Books
The rape of Bombay?
HindustanTimes.com: "Even as the infrastructure — and the politicians who are in charge of it — let Bombay down, its citizens showed us what makes this one of the world’s great cities.But for now, I have a suggestion. Let’s forget all this Manhattan crap. Let’s bury all this Shanghai hype. In neither of those cities would Tuesday’s downpour have led to so many deaths and so much suffering. Nor for that matter would there have been so much chaos even in Delhi.
Let’s just accept that Bombay is Bombay — or Mumbai, if you prefer — and stop trying to pretend that it is something that it is not.
And let’s finally tell the greedy builders and the rapacious developers where to get off. And let’s make the politicians and bureaucrats accountable for the rape of Bombay."
I was talking to a Mumbaiya yesterday, at Armaan Travels. He told me that the civics department people in Mumbai have asked the Army to move in and help clear the animal carcass. Both of us agreed that in case of emergency, and the complete failure of the municipal departments, the Army should be called in to help save people's lives. But clear carcasses! He suggested that the teachers / professors / elders should co-ordinate a group of young people to carry out such duties. This has been done else where, but not in Mumbai. I agree. Though the taxes paid are not properly utilised, that can be dealt with later. The priority, right now, should be to protect the citizens against diseases that could flare up if the environment was not properly cleaned up. What we need now are leaders and workers. Leaders need to be fast decision-makers. Followers need to be disciplined. Only then can they achieve their goal. These are the qualities that the Army possesses and it is very easy for all of us to call them to help out. Why can we not clean up our own area? Surely, small areas cleaned up will add to become a big area! We have been brought up watching Films Divison documentaries such as - Ek, Anek Aur Ekta. Now is the time to implement that and show that we are united and can come out winners in any situation. Or should we go the Singaporean way and make military training compulsory?
And then there were others who saved their owners' lives. What crap is this, O God!
Movie Review: Parineeta, Morning Raga, Viruddh, Bunty aur Babli, The Island
Parineeta This is yet another take at yet another Sarat Chandra Chatterjee's famous novel. It's the early 60's and Shekhar's dad had lent money to Lolita's uncle, when he had suffered a heart attack. His evil plan of selling their house and converting it into a hotel almost succeeds. But that is the time when Girish, another wealthy man, comes into the story. Girish bales Lolita's family out of the financial problems. By that time Shekhar's father has influenced his son's thinking. Shekhar hates Lolita for having married Girish.
But why is she still interested in him? Can true love conquer insurmountable obstacles, or will it succumb to them? Will Lolita and Shekhar get back together or will they be swept apart forever? Watch this movie to find out.
The music is very sweet. Piyu Bole Priya Bole stands out. Rekha does a cameo as singer at the Moulin Rouge Pub. Saif's performance stands out in this very serious role. Just goes to confirm what a versatile actor he has become. Definitely a more controlled performance than SRK's in Devdas (by the same author). Sanjay Dutt is his usual self.
4* (out of 5)
IMDB - Read more details about Parineeta here
Morning Raga What happens when you lose your best friend in an accident? 
What happens when you realize that had you not asked her to join you she would not have died that day?
This is a very good movie about Swarnlata, a singer. She wanted to go to the big city and perform in a concert. She had paired up with her friend Vaishnavi, who played the violing, and they used to do Carnatic music together. Finally they get there chance, Swarnlata persuades Vaishnavi to go with her to the city and perform. Just outside the village there is a long bridge that crosses over a wide river. Their bus has an accident and they are plunged over the side rails down into the river. Vaishnavi does not survive. Swarnlata's son doesn't survive. Swarnlata blames herself for their death and is not able to forgive herself. She believes that if she puts her foot on the bridge again, something bad will happen. So she gives up her dreams to go to the city.
Vaishnavi's son who survives, loves music. He grows up wanting to be a successful musician much to the dislike of his father. On a trip to his village, he meets Swarnlata and his memories from childhood, make him follow her, trying to persuade her to join his music band. Can he succeed in making her forget about the past and take up singing again? Or will it be done by another girl who is involved in the story? She is the daughter of the driver of the car that caused the accident. And in the meantime, enjoy some fusion music. Shabana Azmi is in her brilliant self yet again and it makes me yearn to see her live on stage some day...
4* (out of 5).
IMDB - Read more details about Morning Raga here
Viruddh 
This is the story of a father's struggle to clear his dead son's name. It is the story of a 60+ couple who believe in courage and honesty in bringing the murderer to justice. It is their fight against a very corrupt system backed by the law enforcers themselves. Amitabh Bachchan and Sharmila Tagore are brilliant in this one. You would think that the movie would be something like Anupam Kher's Saaraansh, but it is not. The right amount of happiness, shock, sadness, helplessness, determination and anger make this movie a very good one to watch. AB is getting better and better in these kind of roles and all his movies are big hits. There is no way this one can miss. John Abraham is thrown in to give it a shampoo ad look. Can some one cut his hair, please! And also explain how on earth he managed to stay in a posh apartment overlooking the
3.5* (out of 5).
IMDB - Read more details about Viruddh here
Bunty aur Babli When I sat down to watch B&B, I had left my expectations out. 
I had decided that watching Bachchan father and sond duo should be entertaining. That it was and much more. Rakesh and Vimmi were two people with big dreams living in their small villages. Both of them run away from home to make it big, er...at least different from what their parents expected of them - Rakesh to work as a Ticket Collector and Vimmi to get married. After being cheated out by others due to their honesty, both of them decided to take on the bad world. By cheating others! Quite a concept. They called themselves Bunty and Babli. They even managed to sell off the Taj Mahal to a stupid foreigner. DCP Dashrath Singh swore to get them arrested. B&B put their hand into his mouth when they stole gold from under his nose thus throwing him a challenge on a personal level, to catch them. So does he succeed? Watch it for yourself. Bachchan senior is too KOOL in this movie with his accent and mannerisms (stretching of the neck). Must see for the fun part of it. AB Jr has become a wanted star of late, his performances are getting better. Rani is as effervescent as ever. Good to see her in such roles.
3.5* (out of 5)
IMDB - Read more details about Bunty Aur Babli here
The Island After watching the rushes of this movie during 'Revenge of the Sith' and '
Lincoln 6 Echo is a person living in a survival training camp after the contamination of the human race. He is one among hundreds like him who are being trained and observed to attain optimum health conditions so that they can go to the
One morning he wakes up and finds that he has one left shoe missing from his wardrobe. That starts a thought process out of curiosity and soon he is asking too many questions to make the supervisors uncomfortable. He falls in love with a beautiful lady called Jordan 2 Delta who is chosen to go to the
He snoops around and finds out that the people going to the Island are actually being killed and so he decides to try and save
Check out the rail-axle sequence here.
3.5* (out of 5)
IMDB - Read more details about The Island here
Labels: Movie Review
First annual blogging awards.
Anubha and Saba have come up with this unique idea of having blog awards to honor bloggers and their writing in diverse categories. The bloggeratti works something like this .
* Any blogger interested in taking part in the awards will have to send in his/her entries for the 11 listed categories which are going to be put up in their next post.
* Of the entries received they will read each post carefully and nominate five nominees in each category
* You guys will come into play once again as winners will be decided by combining the results of YOUR votes & the votes obtained from an esteemed jury .
* The winners will be announced via a glittering ceremony on yahoo messenger .
* The winners will win attractive prizes in addition to blogworld wide acclaim.
So, guys watch out for more news on this at :
Anubha's ---> http://anubhasworld.rediffblogs.com/
Saba's ---> http://levelhead.rediffblogs.com/
Harry Potter @ 27 seconds per page
Harry Potter @ 27 seconds per page: "Harry Potter @ 27 seconds per page"
Boycott slams ICC and Test minnows
Cricinfo - Boycott slams ICC and Test minnows: "Delivering the fifth annual Cowdrey Lecture on the eve of the Lord's Test, Boycott was in typically outspoken form. 'I honestly believe the ICC should be ashamed of themselves for allowing this devaluation of Test cricket to continue,' he said. 'My mum would have scored runs and got wickets against Bangladesh ... she'd have wanted to bat and bowl at both ends They are an embarrassment to Test cricket. Nobody wants to see it and the vast accumulation of runs against them does nothing for the game.' "
Book Review : The Bourne Series *****
The Bourne Legacy was the 5th novel inspired by Ludlum to be published after his death over 3 years ago. Eric Van Lustbader who shared the same literary agent as Ludlum, was persuaded to take write this book after the phenomenal success of the Bourne movies. The movies are not based on the book. The books are more exciting. But this one is like watching a movie. Ludlum's detailed description is replaced with faster action. Each scene is filled with so much emotion and charge that you emote with it. A great book.I still remember how I had called up SN to check the online reviews when I came across this book in a store at Tai Koo Shing. He said the reviews were bad. And the book was expensive too! So I had reluctantly decided to wait until I would be back in India. My plans of visiting the new book store at IMAX Dome theatre were in vain. The plane was 4 hours late! It is by pure luck that I chanced upon it at the ethnic shop at Mumbai international airport in the wee hours of the morning. And I started reading it even before I crossed immigration. :-)
For those who have no idea who Jason Bourne is -
No, he is not James Bond. He is better. A comparison is an insult.
The Legend - Jason Bourne is known and feared in the deadly world of covert-ops as one of the most highly skilled assassins for hire. a.k.a Delta, Cain
The Man - David Webb, CIA Agent, A professor of Eastern Studies at Georgetown University.
The Past - David Webb was a career foreign service officer, a Far Eastern affairs specialist. His first family (wife - Dao, son - Joshua, daughter - Alyssa) were killed on the banks of the Mekong River when a Vietnam War aircraft unintentionally dropped two bombs. No nation claimed responsibility of the mishap especially since Cambodia was neutral in the war. Having been shattered by the tragedy, Webb went to Saigon where he was recruited into a top-secret and US government-funded project called Medusa, by a legendary CIA agent and friend - Alexander Conklin. Medusa comprised of murderers, fugitives, smugglers, arms dealers, or drug lords who were led by Webb (codenamed Delta). Their mission was to infiltrate parts of Northern Vietnam and kill suspected members of the Viet Cong.
One of the members was an Australian named Jason Charles Bourne. In the mission to save Gordon Webb (David's kidnapped brother), he was caught and executed by David Webb for being a double agent and exposing the rescue operation.
Years later, a black ops arm of the CIA was formed and called Treadstone 71. Webb was called up to assume the identity of Jason Bourne. His mission was to kill Carlos (a.k.a Ilich Ramirez Sanchez) a dreaded and notorious contract killer. A mystery contract killer by the name Cain (also assumed by Webb) was created to give competition to Carlos and force him out into the open. Cain attempted to protect one Carlos's victims and was shot a few times, even in the head, and dumped in the middle of the Mediterranean Sea.
Thus begins the Bourne Identity....
Jason Bourne is miraculously nursed back to health by a sea village doctor. But he has lost his memory. He no longer remembers his past. His past comes back to him in patches. A face, a name, a picture...all fragments. He tries to learn who he really is. Why are some people trying to kill him? Where did he get all that money from? Is he Carlos? Is he Cain? Who is Delta? In those painful days he falls in love with his own hostage, Marie. She later marries him and helps him remember his past with the assistance of doctor Mo Panov. David tries to go back to a life of teaching college students in a small town in Maine.
the Bourne Supremacy....
Marie is suddenly taken captive by the United States government in an attempt to goad David Webb to assume the identity of Jason Bourne. But Jason is made to believe that the whole thing has been plotted by a Japanese businessman. Why? There is a new man posing as Jason Bourne and is involved in a Far East political assassination that could cause a civil war in China over the ownership of Hong Kong. Yes, this novel is set in Hong Kong! Wow. In the end, David Webb emerges as winner Jason Bourne and rescues his wife. They vow never to get involved in anything to do with the US government or the Agency again.
the Bourne Ultimatum....
Carlos has become old but he has not forgotten the insult. He locates and plans to kill Jason Bourne. David Webb's identity disappears when Bourne resurfaces in his brain to take control of the situation. Marie and his two children are sent into hiding. Jason poses as a member of Medusa and uses the former Medusa's resources to hunt down Carlos the Jackal before he gets hunted down himself. Bourne misses his target a few times. Then, Carlos learns of the location of David Webb's family in the Caribbean. Webb stages his own death and convinces Jackal that he has succeeded.
Jackal turns to his goal to destroy the KGB facility of Novgorod, where the Jackal was trained and later humiliatingly turned away. Bourne tracks the Jackal down as the Jackal begins destroying the KGB compound. In a final confrontation, Webb kills the Jackal and returns to his family.
For those in the know -
the Bourne Legacy...Present Day
Webb's peaceful life is interrupted by a sniper's bullet. His two best friends, Conklin and Panov, are killed and he is blamed for it. He sends his family into hiding. Framed for the double killing, Webb is on the run. No, wait. It is Bourne who has taken control over Webb, again, returning to the violent world he had promised never to revisit. With an aim to clear his name and punish the killers, he travels all the way to Budapest. Is the sniper really his son as he claims he is? He learns more about himself, his guilt over not been able save his first family and his longing for his son. He also comes across a plot to hit an anti-terror summit involving presidents of 6 countries. Can he stop them in time? Can he kill his enemy? Will he survive in the end? **** Four stars because it is not long enough. ;-))
Reviews at Amazon.com
Check out the unabridged audio book. It sucks!
The official Fan List
Book Review : The Seventh Scroll by Wilbur Smith
Wilbur Smith is a writer that loves to describe details. He has a great story-line. His books are filled with graphic details of countryside, characters, settings, etc.
You get a feeling as if you are right there on the scene. That you are one of the characters. This is my first of his many books. It is written on many topics that interest me - Egyptian history, adventure, treasure hunting, museums (just kidding), beautiful landscapes, monastry (where did that one come from?) and guerilla warfare (No, I am not doing drugs). His main male character is Sir Nicholas Quenton-Harper, a wealthy collector who reminded me of Harry Ford in the Indi Jones series. The female character is Royan Al Simma, a noted Egyptologist, a strong woman in character who is determined to go after a historical treasure hunt as promised to her husband just before her death. I could probably go on and on about this story, but keeping a certain Mr.Smith in mind, I would rather point you to some reviews. **** (out of 5)
Reviews at Amazon.com
An excerpt from the book
IMDB movie reviewYes, this book has been made into a movie already.
The official W.Smith website
Lashkar deadlier than Al Qaeda
The Pioneer > Home: "From Osama bin Laden downwards, all top Al Qaeda leaders are on the run. The LeT has no such problem. Hafeez Mohammad Sayeed, its supremo, moves around with Pakistani security cover. He is free to run some 50 camps inside Pakistan and PoK, recruit a growing number of fanatical youth (boys as young as 13 are taken in as fidayeen) and spread its tentacles all over the world, including India. "Is land everything?!
Mangalorean.Com- Serving Mangaloreans Around The World!: "Fraternal polyandry. If it takes a minute for the term to sink in, you're probably not affected by agrarian crisis the way farmers in Malwa region of Punjab are. Bizzare as it may sound, there is a connection. The problem of fragmentation of land holdings has led to unusual social developments. One being wife-sharing among brothers."The AD Day
My highness, the AD, observed my birthday on the ides of July (National Ice Cream Day in UK - July 15). Jenny and Rita invited me for dinner at Xiao Nan Guo Shanghainese restaurant in Central. Thanks! These are my second set of Chinese Birthday buns. Finally, I am proud to announce my first birthday. Hahaha.It was a surprise card from BB Productions.
I had forgotten my own words. How sweet!
I spent the evening watching Jim Carrey as Pet Detective. Hilarious.
I got a call after midnight from Kalps first. 30 mins before midnight. Thanks. Chicku called up a little later with Ron singing his birthday of Happy Birthday. I swear I could not have recognised his voice had he not told me who he was. Grandma is on the slow and painful path to recovery. I tried to call home for 1.5 hours. Just could not get through. Chi Sin! I could hear their voices but they could not hear mine!
I thought I would dedicate a star each to my Mom and my Grandma. But then I did some research and found that its all a big fraud. I was so disappointed. But, hey, don't worry, keep looking for that gift and send it across. Actually, I have something in mind but I want to deliver it in person rather than trusting the notorious postal employees. Most of my mail doesn't reach home! AAAAhhhh! 2AM Kalps called to convey that Amitav was trying to reach me but could not. Scared all the dreams away!
The morning began with a SMS from Jerry. Thanks! It was a surprise when the Tomb Raider turned up with mango sweet and mango juice for me. "This is for the Mango Boy!" Hahaha. I was so happy. I thought she had brought the goodies for everybody who was to attend the boringly long meeting. Thanks! For the goodies. The meeting got postponed until after lunch. Hurray! So I had all the time in the world to relish every bite and every sip! I wanna see how she looks as Lara Croft. Reminds me that I need to plan the details for Halloween this year. I hope I am in HK during that time and not away on project work.VM mentioned that she would be coming to Singapore on her way to India in October. So I would be flying down there for a weekend with the kids. I got some e-cards from Peggy, Sushmita, Ka Bik and wishes from Arun, Kaushik.
Cecilia had such a bad day today. Feel sorry for her.
Then Rik and Stan treated me to lunch at Mother India.Thanks! But my poor tummy gets upset every time I go there.
That's exactly what happened this time as well. I cancelled all my plans for the evening and went to bed at 9:00PM. It was so painful. I did not even have the strength to get up for dinner. Its still waiting in the fridge. An Angel has put it in there. Thanks!
Yesterday, I squeezed out time to visit the HKU SPACE docs for my back ( a reco from Rita and Jenny). Besides being expensive they have come up with a new approach. They say that it is the muscle and not the bone. So I would have to pay them 4 visits at least since they want me back every week and say I would be cured by month-end! Wow! Just cost me HK$750 on the first visit. :-(( Lets hope I do get cured. The pain is unbearable at times.
I try to write as little about my family back in India. That is because I have tried to guard their privacy and mine. Today, I am going to break that rule. This is a post related to my birthday. And hence I am going to write more than I actually intended to.
July 15 is also my Mom's birthday. Here is a picture of her. Yeah, that's me next to her.
She is a lady with unmatched patience and good will. She is so innocent at heart and always helps out people in trouble. May she have a good year ahead and may she find more peace in life. May be some day she can visit me here in HK.Here is a picture of my dearest Grandma taken a few years ago. I am grateful to her for having taken so much care of us when our parents were away. She has been my teacher. She taught me Maths, Geography and English. She not only came 2nd in the Bihar-Orissa(that time it was one region) Matriculations but also was the first lady to be offered from Orissa Administrative Services. She was a great cook. I still love the simple yet tasty food she used to make for us every morning when we started going to school. She would get up before 3am to join us and watch cricket ODIs. She was great at weaving and knitting. And the pickles are unparalleled. Later part of her life has been plagued with diseases. BP, Heart, Diabetes and Pneumonia. From a few years back she has given up reading, which she used to love so much (and something I inherited from her) and has been unable to walk without help. She used spend a lot of time watching TV as it was her only source of entertainment when nobody was around.
Today she is 83 and very ill. She has been battling for life in coma. She is holding on and fighting back - a strong character. Thanks to all the effort put in by my relatives, friends and the doctors. Today I wish to thank all of you who have wished her good health and request you to say a little prayer for her. My birthday wish - May she get well soon and may God give her a long life.
20/7 (Wed) and 21/7 (Thu)
3:00-3:30pm
Hall 1, Hong Kong Convention Centre
(Booth Number: 1A 29-34)
Wanchai
A Performance of Madeleine Marie Slavick's poetry in English, Cantonese and Mandarin
by Madeleine, Mak Su Yin and Luo Hui,
from her bilingual English-Chinese book,
"delicate access"
(www.sixthfingerpress.com)
Entry to Hong Kong Book Fair: $20
For information: Shirley Tam, Hong Kong Arts Development Council 9499 7661 /shirley_tam@hkadc.org.hk
Indian Beauty Inspires Barbie
Indian Beauty Inspires Barbie: "A new range of Barbie Dolls, inspired by the style of former Miss World and Bollywood film star Aishwarya Rai will hit the stands and High streets of Britain soon."
Mango Dessert Buffet @ The Royal Garden - Promotions
The Royal Garden - Promotions
Present this coupon to enjoy special 20% discount on Mango Dessert Buffet @ The Balcony!
A house for Netaji
A house for Netaji: "Janakinath Bhawan, the imposing yellowish building on almost an acre land in Oriya Bazar of Cuttack city, is finally getting the attention it deserves. Under the guidance of INTACH, the house is being turned into a museum showcasing the life and times of Netaji Subash Chandra Bose, who was born here in 1897."Britain reaps what it sowed with impunity
Britain reaps what it sowed with impunity: "Britain finds itself 'the victim of terror in part because of its lax homeland security, open borders, and liberal social welfare policies'"- Kanchan GuptaBreeding grounds for suicide bombers
Breeding grounds for suicide bombers: "Much less understandable is our own government’s inability to admit that religious schools have no business to exist in secular Bharat that is India. - Tavleen Singh"Colour matters in London
Colour matters in London"And, no matter where you live, the question of identity and allegiance - of who you are, of whether you are with 'us' or not in the battle against terror - is one that is being posed to men and women of colour more than others.And that is a form of discrimination that I hope to see Britain fight and overcome."
Bob Geldof nominated for Nobel Prize
Bob Geldof nominated for Nobel Prize : His nomination comes on the heels of the successful series of Live 8 concerts across 10 cities in the world. These were planned to put pressure on G8 leaders to make trade fair and end poverty with a special emphasis on Africa.
Enter the dragon with pads on and a bat in hand
Cricket goes to China - officially!Cui says she is confident that cricket will eventually have many takers in China because it “requires little direct body contact and places more emphasis on strategy and skill,” characteristics she claims are suited to the Chinese temperament and build.
The Ultimate Chain Email?
Try this one - http://www.softlab.ece.ntua.gr/~sivann/pub/swf/may02-smilepop-soapbox4.swfWhen Indira Gandhi worsted Nixon
Read this editorial on Samachar.com: "When Indira Gandhi worsted Nixon"All in one messenger - AIM, MSN, YAHOO, ICQ
Try this all in one messenger here. One window and 4 messengers. It's a great experience!
Vacuum Cupping Treatment for my shoulders. It feels great. I wonder where I can buy a set for daily use at home.
AD
Nixon, Kissinger and Indira - Sepia Mutiny
Nixon, Kissinger and Indira - There is some more stuff on this : researched by Sepia MutinyUS View: India ~ Pak issues 1969-1972
Volume E-7Foreign Relations, 1969-1976
Documents on South Asia, 1969-1972
Read the chapters for a thorough understanding of how the most powerful nation on earth handled the India ~ Pakistan conflict.
Law 1 .Every Software Engineer continues his state of chatting or forwarding mails unless he is assigned work by manager.
Law 2. The rate of change in a software is directly proportional to the payment received from client and takes place at the quick rate as when deadline force is applied.
Law 3. For every Use Case Manifestation there is an equal but opposite software Implementation.
Bonus :-)
Law 4. Bugs can neither be created nor be removed from a software by a developer. It can only be converted from one form to another. The total number of bugs in a software always remains constant.
