Running for a cause

Mumbai Marathon is probably one of the biggest Marathon in the country. The number of people participating, the number of athletes, the amount of prize money, the kind of media attention it draws, all the parameters are huge. I have been attending this event for the last three years. But this year the feeling was different. Since the event took place shortly after Mumbai Terror attacks people wanted to express their anger against such anti-social activities by coming out in large scale. The same happened also. The participation as well as the spirit, both were high. From RBI the participation was the highest ever, and it was the head of the institute who led from the front. With marine helicopters hovering overhead and cheerleaders and jazz band playing Bhangra and Rock respectively, it was really an experience to run on the marine drive.

Watching Slumdog

India is a multifacet society. Here we have Hindus, Musilims, Christians, Buddist etc. etc. We have whites, Browns, wheatish, blacks, yellow and all other colours of the skin. We have Himalays, Thar, Ganges, Oceans, and Great plains. And last but not the least we have Ambanis, Tatas, Birlas, brainy middle class and the slum dogs too. But unfortunately the West wants to project India as a state of slum dogs only. That is why films like Slumdog millionaire and books like The white tiger get so much of fame from the West. The same kind of undebelly exists in the west too. For example the the kind of looting and killing that takes place on the streets of The New York every night is no secret. But this never receives any media attention. Here, I, should not be misunderstood as the one trying to coverup for the ugly side of the Indian society. The point I am trying to make here is that all the aspects of the Indian society should be recogonised equally. The slumdog Millionaire and The White Tiger are the excellant creations. My special congratulations to their creators. But at the same time Business Maharajas of India, Taare Zameen par, Swades etc. are also equally good creations. Let us not let the west paint a wrong picture of India before the world.

Celebrating New Year

Much has been written in the media about the terrorist attacks in Mumbai. People from all over the world and from all sections has shown a lot of criticism to the terrorism. But only criticism, no action, atleast there has not been any remarkable action from Inda. In our colony, where I have the opportunity of serving as a president, residents welfare association, there was a divided openion about celebrating the arrival of the new . Some comrades wanted to avoid celebration and mourn the terrorist attacks, their affection was geniune, but lacked action. An action which is required to put a full stop to the terrorism. After much of disscution we decided to celebrate the new year arrival, but with a difference. The difference was to educate the next generation. To create greater awareness about the danger of terrorism which is staring them streight in the eyes. Probably the biggest threat to the next generation. The programme started with a prize distribution funcution of the annual sports mela we had, and then a few patriotic songs. My friend Mr. Bishwjeet and Mr. Pathak who are excellant oraters started the funcution by paying two minutes silence to the martyers of the 26/11. Most the ancoring was handled by the kids of the colony and the programme ended with a celebration and welcome to the new year. I personally believe that we were able to achieve the aim of celebration to a large extent. At least some action at our level.