Reduction of air pollution - An Awakening

The advent of Electric cars, hybrid cars are paving way for the reduction in air pollution in the current scenario. Although these cars came into existence in the early 1900's, there were a few factors that would have influenced in supressing them. Some of them could have been like non- availability of electricity in the remote areas in the olden days or the threat for oil exploration companies and oil exporting countries. The list could expand to infinity.

Of all these hurdles, electric cars sneaked into the market in the early1990's with tags like environmental friendly, low power consumption, less maintenance as there are few moving parts unlike in gasoline cars. Due to political issues and selfish people they were scrapped from the market. When people were ready to buy them, the automobile manufacturers were forced to stop their production by unknown external factors.

Finally there seems to be a ray of hope for the electric cars and hybrid cars as a few other automobile manufacturers have had the courage to give life for them in the market. One of the electric car manufacturers’ website below would provide more information about the future for them.

http://www.teslamotors.com/index.php?js_enabled=1

Soon we can find decreasing gas stations and increasing electric charging station in every house, every parking lot and on top of it a dead end for war for oil. Hey all gasoline car owners, its time for changing to hybrid or electric cars or else you will lose a lot while reselling your car after a year or two.

End...

A word that says it’s all over,

A word that says it’s all begun,

A word that gives you no mercy,

A word that gives you all the hope,

A word that means you’ve something ahead,

A word that says ‘no looking back’,

A word that soothes,

A word that cuts through,

A word that can give,

A word that can deprive,

A word that means there’s nothing more,

A word telling you it’s just the beginning,

A word telling you it’s just enough,

A word that means there’s more to life,

And…

A word that eventually takes you to a different plane of life!

FriendSHIP...the only ship that never sinks!

No matter what comes our way....in life...
There are some things we can always hold on to...
Each and every soul needs a friend...
To evolve, to be happy, to laugh, to cry...and eventually...
TO LIVE!!!

Babel: Ok but Enough's enough

Ok, here's the deal...let's stop the saturation before it gets intolerable. I love films with horizontal storylines/non-linear narratives/parallel structures, but please, we gotta refrain from overdoing it. Magnolia, Syriana, Crash and now Babel...gosh gimme a break, there's a clear pattern emerging here. Non-linear's in and too much of it is making me wanna hurl. But if you still wanna do it, do something more with it, something different. As Hollywood says "Give the same thing, but only different".
I ain't gonna lie but I've had ideas about doing Non-linear narratives, but what I now realize is that you gotta think way ahead of your time before bringing out something original. That's why I've been racking my brains and trying to come up with a different structure. Hope my grey matter musters up enough activity in the next few weeks to break out of the clutter.

HE HAS NOT LEARNED THE FIRST LESSON OF LIFE WHO DOES NOT EVERY DAY SURMOUNT A FEAR.

This was the response given by me in 1998...so will there be any difference now? in 2006?

The nature of life always deals with any issue in two ways. The reason why we experience bad is because we will know the difference when it is good. This is the universal truth accepted by majority of human beings who learn the ways of living through this formula. A fear for something indirectly inspires the human to conquer it in some way and carry on with the next coming challenge. And without conquering the fear for the first time no person can proceed to the next level of life's understanding. The lesson comes from the very fact when the person learns to face and surmount fear, he takes the strength from this victory and feeds his will and determination to vanquish all the fears he might face in the forthcoming lessons of life. It's strange that most of the answers to life's questions lie in the questions themselves. When fear for example comes in the form a simple insecurity towards a relationship between a child and his favorite toy, the child learns to confront the fear first by developing protective instincts towards it. The fear of losing the toy will provide all the strength for the child to safeguard it from any of his possible threats. Fear also indirectly paves way for the expression of the mind without any inhibitions. If people under the threat of domination by anyone around them be submissive about their expression due to fear, and fail to overcome it, the experience gained from an otherwise free mind would never be felt at all.
Fear definitely directs the mind in a way which helps it to adapt itself to the actual LIVING though the momentary threat it kindles in the mind is temporary.
So, what do you think? Is FEAR necessary???

Clouded Mystery

Even the brightest ones can be hidden behind the clouds...






But they are just passing clouds...

The Omnipresent, the Omniscient...

That which gives the highest degree of comfort between beings…

That which allows limitless tolerance between beings…

That which helps to maintain balance of all possible emotions…

That which reveals all the joys of togetherness among beings…

That which is present in the deed done by every caring mind…

That which relates every being with an unknown bond…

That which will remind others of our existence even after we’re long gone…

That which leaves every being with wonderful memories to hold on…

That which intensifies the very meaning and purpose of living…

That which coexists with beings in this planet…

That which endures without our knowledge..in our souls..forever..

That which is the only possible reason for this planet to exist…

That which above all makes us realize that

IT ' S WORTH BEING HERE!


............and that is Love, Love and Only Love..............

Upcoming Short film - Wait No More

Title: Wait No More
Synopsis: Wait No More is about you and your psyche and how your "worldly self" ignores the simple intentions of the "self within". If you don't take chances with the self within, what would be at stake? Your raison d'etre or life itself?
TRT: TBD
Cast: Ragini Parmar, Patrick Fernicola
Status: Currently in Post-production (Completed Rough cut)
Production Stills: Check out http://www.accessiblehorizonfilms.com/waitnomore.html
Keep checking for updates.

Memento - Raison d'etre

After many metaphysical indications, I finally watched Memento last night. Considered one of the most critically acclaimed films that came out 6 years ago, it has had some of the worst divided audience on the subjective nature of the film as well as the structure and content. Scores of critics/fans/noir-lovers have dissected the film so much that it really doesn't another review from me. Anatomically speaking, it doesn't make sense to cut up an already cut-up film.
Christopher Nolan (Writer/Director) has no doubt done a good job, but isn't there a line of demarcation one has to draw between giving the audience a grueling experience rewarded by a nice pay-off (translates an understandable message with no loose ends) as opposed to a grueling experience with layers of loose ends (with each scene having its own course of reasoning)?
In the end, there are so many revelations that feels maybe like unfinished business leaving the audience to still work it out on their own. But hey, I'm usually up for some challenge but sometimes it leaves me wondering what the point was. Existentialism itself is something that's as deeply subjective as thoughts/perspectives themselves but when you make a film out of that I guess it becomes much more subjective beyond even the realms of space.

I think Discovery Channel will excuse me for posting their rather thought provoking question...

"WHEN WAS THE LAST TIME YOU DID SOMETHING FOR THE FIRST TIME??"

Ask yourself this question time to time and see if you really do anything different... once in a while!!

Post Men-of-Burden NYC Screening

Men of Burden had its NEW YORK CITY premiere yesterday at 6 p.m. It was a more-than-satisfactory evening!
Before the screening, when we were standing outside the theater waiting for people to come, it hardly seemed like anybody did. But the moment we went in, we couldn't believe it...the theater was almost full. During the scenes of Vincent, Balaraman and Selvam (Rickshawmen in our film), people couldn't stop laughing. And by the end of the film, the film had quite a sustained applause. Seems like people really enjoyed the film :-)
The post-screening discussion was moderated by Vandana from the IAAC Film Festival staff. The best part of it was that people came forward to make donations for the Men of Burden - Cycle Rickshaw Revival Project
We also announced the launch of our MOB - Soundtrack music album which has Steve Gorn's wonderful music underscoring the entire film.
The After-party at Asia Society was good and we met many filmmakers including Directors, Actors, Producers and others. There was a mix of those just starting out and those who are established. Overall, it was a very interesting evening, of course, how could I forget the Chardonnay and the Merlot!

IAAC Film Festival 2006

This is the night of the third day of the festival.
A good collection of films - both shorts and documentaries.
Some films that I/we watched since Nov.1st:

The Namesake

Toba Tek Singh
View from a Grain of sand
Un posh yeli weli van posh
Kabaddi Cops
Flower Girl
The Seance
Singing Pictures
Dharini

Hiding Divya
Gandhi at the Bat
Twins of Mankala
Pria
Davy & Stu
Nina's Heavenly Delights

The reviews will soon follow...too tired from the drive and ofcourse movie-watching ;-)

Suicide Pledge in schools - Ethical?

In August (Article from Chennai Chronicle: MONDAY 28 AUGUST 2006 ) there was an article on the Chennai Chronicle on the 'necessity' of Suicide Pledges by children in school. This was a reaction to the increased number of suicides by children because of the increased and heavy workload of children, the cutthroat competitiveness in examinations and the pressure to perform.
The problem here is with the educational system but making children take suicide pledges - way off the limits.
Is this even ethical?

(Article from Chennai Chronicle: MONDAY 28 AUGUST 2006 )

Suicide Pledges, a must for schools
“OVER THE LAST FEW MONTHS THERE HAS BEEN A RISE IN THE NUMBER OF CASES OF SUICIDE ATTEMPTS BY YOUNGSTERS. ALARMED BY THIS, DOCTORS AT THE ROYAPETTAH GENERAL HOSPITAL HAVE DECIDED HELP SCHOOL CHILDREN BY REQUESTING THEM TO TAKE A LOOK AT THE UGLY SIDE OF SUICIDE ATTEMPTS”

Our correspondent/ Chennai

Nearly 1000 students from the Adarsh Vidyalaya Matriculation Higher Secondary School took pledge recently to not commit suicide. According to the school principal, Rama Krishnasayee, students from all city schools should be made aware of the fact that suicide is not the answer to their problems. She says, After the NSS students of our school took the pledge at the Royapettah General Hospital; they brought the initiatives to my notice. I believe it is stressful times for students everywhere. Whether they are upset about their marks, extra curricular activities or even peer pressure. They need to understand that stress can be dealt within the right way.
Though the pledge was in Tamil, the significance was explained to the students in great detail. She adds, “For students, stress is not just regarding academics, it is also the vice of the age. The school children have been very receptive and I hope they have understood how attempts at suicide can change their lives and how it can affect the ones they love.

The doctors of the Royapettah Hospital took this pledge on August 15, and have decided to spread their message from school to school.

According to Dr. Chandra Mohan, head of the gastroenterology department at Royapettah General Hospital, the main reason behind asking students to take this kind of pledge is to make them aware of the harm that it causes. “Most often students only attempt to commit suicide. When this happens the acid/substance tends to burn up their food pipe and this in turn affects their health. This is when living becomes dangerous,” he says. Most people believe that girls are weaker emotionally as compared to boys and therefore girls must be exposed to the issue of suicide. Says R.Vijayeta, an HR executive who had attempted to commit suicide when she was in school. “I took the drastic step when I could not express my feelings of distress to my parents. I was facing the same stress as many of the boys in my class were. Only I felt weaker.”

However, certain experts feel that taking pledge is not enough. Mr.Sudhakaran, vice chair person Dream foundation and a clinical psychologist says,” This initiative is very good concept as it will create awareness among the youngsters. But it is not practical in the long run. Youngsters commit suicide when they are helpless-it is an impulsive decision. Hence they should be taught how to handle the crisis and or the problem, instead of escaping it by committing suicide. If this is done, it will save many young lives. I think both girls and boys are equally capable of suicide, it is not that girls are emotionally weaker than boys or vice versa.”

IAAC Press Conference - Men of Burden

The Press Conference for the Sixth Annual IAAC Film Festival was held today between 4 - 5 p.m. Around 15-20 filmmakers, the Press and many actors and industry folks had made it for the presentation. Like every other year, this year too seems promising for South Asian/Indian independent filmmakers from the diaspora. This year's festival has 60 films in all, Feature Films, Documentaries and Short Films. Aroon Shivdasani, the executive director of IAAC opened the presentation. Met quite a few friends who are both filmmakers and actors. Watch out guys, Men of Burden - Pedaling towards a Horizon, is screening on the closing night at 6 p.m, Nov.5th, 2006.
For tickets, go to www.meratickets.com
Tickets are only $10.90 when you buy online. At the door, they are $15.

Way Past the Time...

We recently went to a place called New Port in Jersey city, New Jersey. From there we could see the enitre New York city skyline across the Hudson river. The view reminded us of a fast growing world and made us wonder about our position and role in this universe. On this side of the river, there was a board walk which led us to a memorial built for the people who lost their lives on September 11th 2001 at the World Trade Centers. This memorial was built right in line with the original World Trade Centers but on the New Port side of the river. Only the Trade Centers were missing now!
The above photograph is the view of the New Y0rk City skyline from New Port, Jersey City, without the Trade Centers taken on October 2006.
The three I-Sections which are in the other photograph were taken from the wreckage of the Twin Towers.To even imagine that they had been parts which had held the huge structures five years ago, was so strange.
No matter what the truth behind the bombings are, we can never deny the fact that lives were lost. Lives with dreams, hopes, faith, happiness etc were silenced there!
Many lives are still lost each day even without our knowing it or the media exposing it.
It is way past the time we got together and did something to spread peace and love in this Planet.

ARE YOU AN "EARTHLING?"

Are you an EARTHLING in the deepest sense?
Just give us an answer!!
Please give us your name and email address and we can begin the network to bring all the like- minded individuals together!!
Let us know! We are waiting!!
EARTHLINGS , Unite!!!

Web-roster for the Inquisitive folks

Hey Folks
Here are some websites that you could check out when you feel like you want to dive into the never-ending matrix world of web-browsing(some are especially for people who want to make the world a better place to live in). Ofcourse, this is just a small list, more to come later. Some are obviously popular but some have to made popular. Just dive in.

World Mysteries
Just World
Wikipedia
Intent Blog
Uncyclopdia
Suyam Siragu
Dooms Day
World In Common
Resurgence Online
Parivartan
A I Foundation
Asha Net
ABE Books
E-Bay
Adbul Kalam
TGF World
Accessible Horizon Films
BH Photo Video
Barnes And Noble
Google
CIA

Men of Burden - Cycle Rickshaw Revival (MOBCRR) Project

Men of Burden - Cycle Rickshaw Revival (MOBCRR) Project
The objective of the film is to raise awareness and funds for our ‘Men of Burden – Cycle Rickshaw Revival (MOBCRR) Project’ .
This project aims to tackle issues of multiple dimensions; some key issues are to:
1. Raise Socio-economic status of rickshaw men in India, in the process, try to eradicate hunger and homelessness.
2. Revive cycle rickshaws in India
3. Reduce Environmental Pollution
4. Promoting Sustainable Transport in every nook and corner of India
5. Encourage students/professionals to do their part in creating a better world

Why help?

Approximately 400 million reasons. Yes, an estimated 400 million people in India live on less than $1-$2 a day. And on a global scale, this amounts to an estimated 3 billion people living on $2 a day. When seen from a larger perspective, the planet with all its beings constitute a single living organism which breathes and lives every single moment. When you contribute, you are creating thousands of employment opportunities, propagating sustainable development, improving the lifestyle and social status of rickshaw men, reducing air pollution and creating a better world. Since the project has already been implemented in some cities in North India and has proved to be successful, it needs to be propagated for similar success throughout India. Collaborative efforts by academic (IIT Delhi) and professional entities (ITDP) are creating waves of progress towards socio-economic change that show promise of reaching every nook and corner of the developing world. It is time we played our part as it is perfectly within our reach to lessen their burden. At a time when half the world is in need, good intentions alone are not enough. Action needs to be taken…NOW.

For Information on How to be a part of the change, Please visit:
http://www.accessiblehorizonfilms.com/partchange.html

and scroll down :)

Men of Burden - Pedaling towards a Horizon

UPDATE: Documentary Film

Men of Burden - Pedaling towards a Horizon

We are happy to inform that our film's next screening is at the Sixth Annual Indo-American Arts Council Film festival on November 5th, 2006 at 6 p.m. Do check out our official film website at www.AccessibleHorizonFilms.com

Next Screening
NYC Premiere at the Sixth Annual IAAC Film Festival
Venue: Maya Deren Theatre, Anthology Film Archives
When: November 5th, 2006, 6 p.m Sunday
Check out: http://www.iaac.us/sixth_film_festival2006/screening_schedule.htm

Past Screenings
European Premiere
FilmBuro Baden Wurttemberg's Bollywood & Beyond Film Festival
Venue: Stuttgart, Germany
When: July 13th, 2006
Check out: http://www.filmbuerobw.de/typo3/Filmprogramm.reservierungfilm.0.html?&no_cache=1&tx_mjseventpro_pi1%5BshowUid%5D=239&cHash=fb84c60655

World Premiere
Indian Film Festival of Los Angeles
Venue: Arclight Hollywood Cinemas, Los Angeles
When: April 20th 2006, 6:30 p.m
Check out: http://indianfilmfestival.org/movies06/menofburden.html

Thought process of a 7 year old...