Mumbai moves forward

A year ago, 26Nov2008, I was having coffee at my work place early in the morning when my mobile beeped with a short message from a friend in India. It simply said, “See the news in any Indian Channel. Now”. This friend of mine has the tendency to exaggerate a few things. She sent me the same message when one of Shah Rukh Khan’s songs was being aired. So obviously I sat there, smiled, finished my coffee and slowly made my way to my office.

I was still smiling when I opened NDTV live but the smile froze there for several minutes.

Mumbai was under attack. While I closely followed the news for days after wards, I came to know that killing claimed at least 175 people and wounding at least 350 and lasted for 3 days. Eight of the attacks occurred in South Mumbai at Chhatrapati Shivaji Terminus, the Oberoi Trident, the Taj Mahal Palace, Leopold Cafe, Cama Hospital, Nariman House, the Metro Cinema, and a lane behind the Times of India building and St. Xavier's College.

While my heart and soul grieves for everyone who had been killed I cannot even begin to admire how well the city has moved on. We have come a long way.

Having said that, I cannot help but wonder, had the security lapses which contributed for these terrorist’s to cross the border (from Pakistan) been taken care of?
What is stopping us from executing Kasab (the sole terrorist caught alive)? Even before one year has passed the same old political party came to power!
Why is Raj Thackeray fighting over trivial things like Marathi-speaking-state than concentrating on the safety and security of Maharashtra?

Let’s forget the above questions for now, for they aren’t going to be answered. Let’s appreciate the courage shown by all our Indian police to combat the terrorists and succeeded in safely rescuing 100’s of civilians.
I am going to privately close my eyes to pay tribute to the lost lives. Please do the same, if you happen to read this. Their lives deserve at least this.

An Unlikely Hero: Om Puri

An Unlikely Hero: Om Puri

Since the time I had heard the news in NDTV (and subsequently Om Puri’s outburst) I had been meaning to write what I think about this whole issue.
For those of my friends who do not know what this gossip is about: Nandita Puri, Om Puri’s wife had recently written/published a biography of Om Puri. In that she recalls Mr. Puri having sex with his maid at age 14, then again with another woman whom he wanted to get married to.

I was totally confused when I was reading a few reviews about this book. In them they say that Mr. Puri has had an “extra marital affair”. How so? Is pre-marital sex the same as extra-marital affair? NO!! NO!!! NO!!! Then why all this hulla gulla! Really, there was hulla gulla…here is the proof.

http://movies.ndtv.com/movie_story.aspx?ID=ENTEN20090116472&keyword=bollywood&subcatg=MOVIESINDIA

http://www.bollywood-mania.com/TB/?P=4868

I don’t want to fill the blog with links to various websites. Perhaps all the mess is just a publicity stunt. I don’t understand though, why does such a trivial part of his life had taken over head lines? Why not the chapters where his childhood is described, which could be inspirational for various up-coming talented people?
Gosh! We really need to get over s few things and look at things the way they are. What is the point in being judgmental about things which has happened decades ago? It’s not like Shiney Ahuja’s case.

On the side note, Mr. Puri had believed his wife with all his heart and shared with her his utmost private life. As a person, if not as a wife, she should have consulted with him if he is OK with the information about his pre-marital life to come out in print.

Of course he acted in numerous movies, out of which, my favorite comedy is Bollywood Calling. Never mind the mess, I am so much looking forward to reading the biography of one of the finest actors India ever had.