Before going for the move I had read a review regarding the movie  by Devansh Patel, Bollywood Hungama. He states: When Aamir Khan is on screen, the movie comes alive; when he isn’t, it feels laboured and ludicrous. It is like one of those flabby novels with one terrific character, where you find yourself skipping pages in the hunt for his next appearance.

http://entertainment.oneindia.in/bollywood/interviews/2011/dhobi-ghat-aamir-khan-interview-210111-aid0097.html

But after watching the movie I must say that I completely disagree. The review is totally biased and untrue.. the reviewer must be either a huge biased fan of Amir Khan or he did not understand the story (or novel as he describes) at all. Amir Khan was no doubt excellent in his small but substantial role doing absolute justice to his character of an unsocial,reserved artist with broken emotions..his restraint acting and his story-telling through his eyes  shows us yet once again that Amir is Amir..But what I was surprised by was the absolutely splendid acting by the newcomers.Prateik  Babbar’s (Munna) screen presence along with his natural acting was marvellous. He was indeed living in the character. Monica’s (Shai) character was fresh,contemporary and very real to which Monica did absolute justice to.. But the acting of Kirti Malhotra (Yasmin) depicting a naive , happy go lucky ,newly wedded girl was marvellous and most appealing to me.. in fact the transition from the happy go lucky state to the sad ,hopelessness was depicted beautifully by this actress. Amir (Arun) was no doubt the string that tied the characters and the story together but the story is beautifully written and told by Kiran Rao where every character was real and appealing and at no point did I feel that it was essentially an AmirKhan movie. And the experience of watching an entire bollywood movie without any song ( only background score) and only great acting was relieving and refreshing.

All in all ..a wonderful movie with splendid acting and beautiful story which seems like a poetry of melancholy and hope.. and lots of tingling affections and unsaid emotions.. If  I am allowed to have one tiny little problem with the movie it is got to be with the title Dhobi Ghat.. as it is little misleading and confined.. The apt title should have been just simply ” Mumbai Diaries”.

“Medicine for Blood Cancer!!!!
‘Imitinef Mercilet’ is a medicine which cures blood cancer. Its available
free of cost at “Adyar Cancer Institute in Chennai”. Create Awareness. It
might help someone.”

So I thought of doing some researching before writing this blog. Because if it is not true and it is a hoax,this email chain and false awareness needs to stop as because we do not want to play with the emotions of cancer patients or their near and dear ones by creating some false hope, knowingly or unknowingly. On the contrary if any of this is true.. we should start creating more awareness and make this message reach as many people as we can.

It was hard to find it in google as many of the sites describing Imitinef Mercilet did not seem to me as reliable.. after much researching.. I found an article which seemed to be real and was repeated quite a few number of times across different reports, sites and blogs. Here it goes..

“Imitinef Mercilet” is apparently an alternative spelling of the cancer drug, Imatinib mesylate. Imatinib is a drug used to treat certain types of cancer.Imatinib works by blocking an abnormal enzyme characteristic of the disease.Imatinib is the first approved drug to directly turn off the signal of a protein known to cause a cancer. Imatinib is rapidly absorbed when given by mouth, and is highly bioavailable: 98% of an oral dose reaches the bloodstream. Metabolism of imatinib occurs in the liver .Although the long-term side effects of imatinib have not yet been ascertained, research suggests that it is generally very well tolerated. Broadly, side effects such as edema, nausea, rash and musculoskeletal pain are common but mild.Rarely it has been assosciated with damage to heart muscles.

The Adyar Cancer Institute is a real health facility located in the city of Chennai, India and, as its name implies, it indeed specializes in cancer treatment and research. The Adyar Cancer Institute has achieved great results in the treatment and research of cancer since its establishment in 1954.

I saw many articles quoting a certain spokesperson of the institute who said.. Only the Part of this message is true. The medicine Imitinef is available free for only qualified persons and not for all. It is free for those who have admitted in the hospital for treatment.

‘Imitinef Mercilet’ is apparently an alternative spelling of the drug Imatinib mesylate which is used in the treatment of some forms of leukemia along with other types of cancer. Imatinib, often referred to a “Gleevec”, has proved to be an effective treatment for some forms of cancers. However, “blood cancer” is a generalized term for cancers that affect the blood, lymphatic system or bone marrow. The three types of blood cancer are listed as leukemia, lymphoma, and multiple myeloma. These three malignancies require quite different kinds of treatments. While drugs (including Imatinib), along with other treatments such as radiation can help to slow or even stop the progress of these cancers, there is currently no single drug treatment that can be said to actually cure all such cancers.

Moreover, it should be noted that Imatinib is available for cancer patients in many different health facilities around the world, not just the Adyar Cancer Institute.

http://www.macmillan.org.uk/Cancerinformation/Cancertreatment/Treatmenttypes/Biologicaltherapies/Cancergrowthinhibitors/Imatinib.aspx

So, though a substantial part of the report is not true.. like the medicine is not available for free for everybody and anybody who asks for it.. and it has not yet proved to be a complete cure for cancer, we can still conclude that it is an information worth passing to people at large and a ray of hope which is not altogether false or misleading.. But please be careful about where you are getting this medication or who you are consulting in this regard.

And if anybody likes , The Adyar Cancer Institute can be contacted at:

East Canal Bank Road, Gandhi Nagar
Adyar
Chennai -600020
Landmark: Near Michael School
Phone:  044-24910754  044-24910754 ,  044-24911526  044-24911526 ,
044-22350241  044-22350241

Lets hope for the best..

I dont know how to react.. blocking roads,rallies,processions to give justice to a oh-so poor(read filthy rich) exploited (read greedy)little (read old hag) Dada.Should I laugh.. or I get angry over such a huge hue and cry..

Bongs in Kolkata have always been overtly too possessive and sentimental about Dada,the main reason may be that we really do not have much Bangalies in the global stage, of sports at least and Dada being the only representative, we believe or rather want to believe that he will be playing till the age of 90 or so. I mean c’mon guys.. I too am quite fond of Ganguly , I am proud of him too for what he had already achieved and would like to see him play more cricket.. But I think even he knew there was a risk when he raised the price.. whether he will be chosen at all or not as this is for 3 years and nobody is sure weather he will be in form or not given the fact that he no longer is playing international cricket.

I agree to fact that Dada is a icon for our national cricket and key person who shaped the current Indian team. But if come to think of it at today’s practical scenario, it would have been huge risk for KKR to sign up Dada for a 3 years contract when no one is not sure of his current form and surely clueless about what his form would be 3 years from now as he has retired from international cricket few years back and he is even not regular in domestic circuits. As far as the other reasons are concerned, he is viewed as someone who tends to be someone who always has problems with team managers with his personalities ( we can  keep on arguing weather it is his fault or the other party concerned but we can never deny the fact that he has always been a problem for the team managers) and also the australian coaches .. mind you this year we have 5 of them in different teams who seem to be not so delighted to have him may be.

I myself am not fond of  SRK much , neither can I comment his decision was right or wrong but if we can think with a little less prejudice even for a moment, may be the decision of not choosing Sourav was sensible ( if not perfect) given the fact that no other team did even bid for him.. how else can we explain that.. that the whole world is planning against Sourav to ruin his career..from which he himself has retired.. oh C’mon!!

But then again I am not writing this blog because I have something against Sourav,nor to support SRK s decision. I am writing this because I want to ask one simple question.Are we as concerned or protesting.. when it comes to much serious and shameful incidents that great ppl cause and get away with??Where did our unity and and bong feeling go when take for eg the Stephen building,park street fire incident took place.. Are we half as mad towards the owner of the building,or the fire department minister..ppl responsible for such great loss of lives as we are today with SRK. When around 30 ppl were trapped and died while the fire dept and police force stood with sheer calousness and incompetency..Did we protest enough??..Did we do anything.. I dont know cos I was not there in Kol then but cant remember see this kind of rally and I believe,lots of  people responsible are still at large.. I havent seen such a hue and cry in an international or even national level..or such FB updates or blogs in a daily basis or this sort of awareness or protests..we saw ppl burning to death..we talked about how insufficient or incompetent our emergency services are.. we felt sad.. and when the news paper stopped mentioning it.. we forgot.. Its THAT what upsets me..We tend to forget things easily and get busy with crap.. I for one havnt forgotten the incident!!I even joined a cause where very few ppl responded. And it is one of the hundreds of causes that we never fought against or protested enough for and the “ma mati manush” and “communists” both have devoted their precious time fighting against each other rather than fighting what is needed to be fought against.

So to the people of bengal, here is my question .Is it because we can only unite when it comes to such stupid and silly causes.. is it bcoz we can stand together only when our obnoxious pride is hurt?Is it becoz we value our community pride more than we value the life of the ppl in the community..??

I will be waiting for your answers.. I will be waiting to be proven wrong..

Sm ppl want it big..everything big.. loves to talk about  making experiences of lifetime.. and then again lies the question of what u recognize as experiences of a lifetime..

I for one am very demanding from life.. may be u call that high maintenance.. but life is only one..u have been given only one chance to live ..and then too the days when u really enjoy life are very limited .. and as far love life is considered..i demand more.. y..bcoz if u aim the sun u end up in stars.. because it is the most important part of life.. it defines the true success of life.becoz  when at the end of the days..when u evaluate  life it all cms to how much did u love and how mush u were loved. and so in love u just cannot compromise for anything less. Can u?

So y not want the best of everything..and out of everything and especially in the most important relationship of ur life. Again we come to the question of what is to be considered best of everything..

Well .. its difficult to describe I blive.. smtimes it can be smthing extravagant..n smtimes it can be a really small or tiny thing of huge magnitude in terms of importance..

I for example blive in giving importance to every day.. every single day..

So if u feel romantic buy a rose or card.. or give ur loved some sm cute little thing.. just bcoz u feel u want to see that smile today.. not bcoz it has to be birthday or v day or sm goddamn special day defined by the society..create ur own special day..anyday.. or everyday..
I blive in rekindling ur romance in every opportunity u get.. get a cozy dinner with the candle light.. take ur partner by surprise by taking him/her to the fav restaurant by the lake..just to see the sparkle again..

Now im gonna talk about a lil extra effort.. whenver u can afford sm time take time off and elope smwhere together..place is not imp.. it may be two blocks away from ur home.. but just a weekend together smwhere other than ur routine life.. just the two of u are going to do wonders..relive ur honeymoon days.. and those of u who underestimate the imp of honeymoon.and insists honeymoon to be just another holiday…..are ..well.. just unfortunate.. does nt know.. the wonders it creates for ur life to come.

When it comes to wanting things in life.. I demand the best.. the best not in terms with the luxury of things..but the quality of time spent..the quality of experiences it gives

Because that is important ..very important..

Isn’t it “not the no of days u live rather than how u live it”most imp.well I blive in it..

So if u think I am demanding about what I want from life ..well I AM.. and I have no intention to change.I truly believe ppl close to me will value that.. ppl who understand me will know the importance of it..and ppl who complain they cannot afford or maintain” what I want”..never really understood “what I want”..

In Kolkata it never snows.. so we never heard of it..but Christmas always was special..As a child it was a marvelous time..holiday from school ..a time to celebrate with family.The very one thing that Christmas reminds me of are the gifts hidden under my pillow or stockings..which Santa would leave for me.or so I blived.It reminds me of the small table top Christmas trees which Dad would bring for me and I would decorate with enthusiasm,of the fruitcake from Flury’s Mom would bring and how can I forget the well decorated Park st where I would go hopping with my Dad.The Christmas day would mean a family picnic,visit to the zoo or amusement park..which used to be oh so crowded..

But I m talking about a long time back.. I still dont remember when I stopped celebrating Christmas..and why..

The surprise gifts stopped..may be because I no longer blived Santa gave it to me.The small trees stopped cming coz my Dad thought his daughter has grown up and doesnt want them anymore..and worst of all I didnt care much.The family day out stopped .. I still remember going to Park st..but not to see the Christmas lights or to celebrate Christmas.. but partying with friends..the excuse being Christmas.. Christmas shopping.. Christmas partying continued every year..but smwhere I think the spirit of Christmas was lost..smwhere I stopped celebrating Christmas.. and worst of all I never really realised it.

I never realized until I came to Europe..We went to Hannover- Germany this Christmas.. mainly with the intention of holidaying with my extended family..and ended up celebrating Christmas in its true spirit..and to our luck experienced  White Christmas..It was snowing all day long and it was just perfect.We were there in my Aunts place.My Uncle brought a huge Chrismas tree almost two men tall..and me and my cousins spent the whole afternoon decorating with bells glassballs,lights etc..cant describe the fun we had.. I was feeling like a ten yr old again..When the tree was done we started loading the bottom with truckloads of gift boxes and presents.

The Christmas Eve started with a big toast of champagne..and chatter,laughter and giggles and family clicks

And then came the time for the Turkey, which my sister had spent the entire day cooking..and finally amongst the huge applause and oohs and aahs.. it was brought to the table along with other delicacies as well.When the grand dinner was over it was almost 10.We were still chatting over the dinner table..when my brother announced its time for the presents..We all gathered and sat around the Christmas tree and one by one started handing out gifts to one another..The gifts were unwrapped amidst surprised squeals,oohs,aahs.smiles and laughters..and when every gift has been unwrapped ..we thought of going to the church before it struck 12.

We grabbed our overcoats and went to this old church which amazingly remained unhurt during the world war.

The structure was huge and the architecture very fascinating.We coulnt find places to sit..so just stood across.They were singing Christmas carol and songs describing the birth of the Holy Child..Candles lit the whole place bright..The melody that overflowed the entire building took me to a different world.

I looked by the tinted window pane and could see the snow clad roads and the snow covered trees looked indescribably beautiful.. Its as if smone has washed the entire city with snow..washing away all that was bad and evil..It looked soo sacred.

I wished my parents would have been there..it would have been perfect.

Then it sruck 12.. and everybody hugged each other and wished “Merry Christmas ” to one another..

After wishes were exchanged,another song started..probably describing the significance of Christ and Christmas..I didnt understand a word of the songs as they mostly were German..but I understood what it meant..I could understand the language of Prayer..And as I closed my eyes in prayer..I knew it was the Holiest Christmas I had..No wonder it had to be a White Christmas..

Diwali , preceded by Kalipuja in Bengal was a time I always looked forward to since my childhood days.

Diwali…..the festival of lights as it is known as in India , was colorful for a lot many reasons to me. In Bengal you have Kalipuja just a day before Diwali.This puja generally  starts quite late at night and is performed throughout the night. As a child it was as if a challenge to stay up all night and wait for the Prasad. The “stotras” and the mixed aroma of flowers , the Prasad ,aroma sticks and burnt crackers….would take me to a different world.. I can still smell it now as I close my eyes. It still feels overwhelming as I think of it. Though most of the times I used to retire mid Puja and fell asleep!

I would wake up the following morning with the sound of crackers and festivities all around and indeed it was the much awaited Diwali. Every year this day would  bring new excitement, renewed energy and lots and lots of fun. Even as I grew up.. this day would always find the child in me again . Lighting Diyas in all corners of the house, indulging myself into lots of home made sweets, I would spend the entire evening burning crackers with my Dad, my cousins and friends. What fun it was! And no.. that was not all. In Bengal , Diwali is also associated with “bhai phonta” which follows a day later. Bhaiphonta , to me was a day of reunion of all my cousins , brothers and sisters. A day of strengthening bonds and being together as one big.. BIG  family. Diwali means it all.

It is Diwali time again. And this is for the first time may be this thought is not bringing any excitement at all. Because in this Diwali I am far far away from my home. No diyas to light, no home made sweets , no crackers to burn and far far away from my cousins and friends.

I dragged myself out of the bed, made a cup of Darjeeling tea and sat beside the window pane taking a long .. long look at the busy city called London.

Am I sad?? I asked myself as I sipped the tea. Na.. the thought of Diwali can never make me Sad.. I mean with all the wonderful memories rushing in how can someone be sad !!

I can light a few candles this time, I thought and I found myself smiling at my own thoughts.

“HAPPY DIWALI” I cried..two Brit kids playing downstairs stared. They obviously didn’t understand a word. Who cares!!  “HAPPY DIWALI”. No .. my voice wont travel all the way to Kolkata..to my home.. but my heart will.. I know.. I smiled again!!

 Happy Diwali to all.

This is a very wonderful feeling . I haven’t felt like this for quite smtime now.Since the time i resigned.Left my job and my position , left all the lucrative offers I was getting..left my career.. put all that I have studied and worked so hard for all these years for a toss…. Wow.. This feeling of  “I have nothing to do” was killing me inside.

Life and everything around me have been changing soo fast for few months that I have not been able to sit and talk to myself for a long time.I realize that now.As I look at myself in the mirror now its like a new person is standing.Its still me I guess but a lot LOT of things have changed. Whatever have changed outside one can see..But lot of changes  have taken place inside me.. Even I didn’t realize.

My grandma used to say that every women have 3 lives completely different from each other.I have entered into my second life .I just got married.

Marriage..the word was associated with lot of fantasies,romance,promise for a lifetime,happiness to be with someone u love.I was getting married to the man i was in love with after all!! What I didnt realize, was that it changes life forever.Its like all that you have held soo closely and preciously for all these years..you just let them go all at once.Your house,your cozy room corner,your cupboard full of childhood memories n your family (thats the most scariest part).Then you enter into a strange house with strangers all around you and learn to call them “family”….how ironic.. n we thought it even takes time to make a new friend!!

But for me more changes were waiting..Leaving my job,leaving my home,leaving my family,leaving my friends,leaving my country..  happened all at once.. I suddenly found myself an a completely new life.. so suddenly that I almost doubted that I also left my own identity somewhere.

But.. this newly found independence and newly found world is giving me confidence again.. a renewed belief in my existence again..Thank God!! that I am still the same person and that I still have myself at least. So in this new country full of strangers I will not loose myself again..

The mirror says its me again.. And I can start all the “Ballariness” again