| PAMPER DYNASTIES Blinded by powerful families, we vote for them continually though our conscience must say no. | |
| DON’T REWARD FIGHTERS The CPI(ML) has been seeking a clean Bihar for years. They don’t get more than a handful of seats. | |
| IGNORE WORTHY NOMINEES Manmohan Singh lost by 29,999 votes in the 1999 South Delhi Lok Sabha election. Hasn’t contested since. | |
| DON’T CHANGE VOTING HABITS Grandfathers voted for Indira. We vote for Sonia and Rahul. The world has changed in between. | |
| GIVE UNDUE CREDIT The Congress didn’t do CNG in Delhi. The Supreme Court did. | |
| DON’T STAND AS ONE Thirty-seven parties in the Lok Sabha and 29 in the Rajya Sabha. Can get crazy, like in Jharkhand. | |
| ARE LETHARGIC Can’t step out, for causes or for voting. So, we minimise who we are. | |
| DON’T THINK The BJP in Gujarat after 2002. The Left for 33 years in West Bengal. Chamling since 1994 in Sikkim. | |
| CHOOSE PERSONALITIES, NOT POLICIES Amitabh. Dharmendra. Azharuddin. Jayaprada. Not liberalisation, Article 370, RTI, women’s reservation. | |
| ACCEPT BRIBES Liquor. Money. Land. Jobs. And sundry other favours. We are fine with it. They are fine with it. | |
Friday, November 19, 2010
Vijay Simha's Tehelka Column - What Indians politically do wrong
Thursday, November 18, 2010
The Zeitgeist Moving Forward
Time to move forward from an illusion called money to love..
from one human living the moneyless life...
Suelo says in his blog...
I've been totally without cents since Autumn of 2000 (except for a couple months in 2001). I don't use or accept money or conscious barter - don't take food stamps or other government dole. My philosophy is to use only what is freely given or discarded & what is already present & already running (whether or not I existed). I don't see money as evil or good: how can illusion be evil or good? But I don't see heroin or meth as evil or good, either. Which is more addictive & debilitating, money or meth? Attachment to illusion makes you illusion, makes you not real. Attachment to illusion is called idolatry, called addiction. I simply got tired of acknowledging as real this most common world-wide belief called money! I simply got tired of being unreal. Money is one of those intriguing things that seems real & functional because 2 or more people believe it is real & functional!
Living Without Money - Documentary of a life
A vision i see of a world...a planet breathing peace...a moneyless world..where every being will exist for the sake of love and the other..in a united purpose to realize the infinite within!
Tuesday, November 16, 2010
The enormity and the being!

a teaching in itself of what can be done...
maybe...this jogs the memoir of only being a small speck!
in a great wide, ever-expanding vastness...
a taste of the enormity!!!
Thursday, October 28, 2010
Daayen ya Baayen - Trailer of Indian Indie film
Just wanted to spread the word about the film 'Daayen Ya Baayen' directed by Bela Negi, an FTII Pune graduate. Supporting this for the spirit of Indie film in India.
Tuesday, October 26, 2010
Must-see Documentary - Man on Wire...
...should actually be phrased 'Man on Fire' - the fire of determination that is; and the indomitable will to do what you want no matter what. The documentary film directed by James Marsh 'chronicles Philippe Petit's 1974 high-wire walk between the Twin Towers of New York's World Trade Center. It is based on Philippe Petit's book, To Reach the Clouds, recently released in paperback with the new title Man on Wire'.(source Wiki)
In the film Philip says "It was impossible...that's why I had to do it". There are 2 profound aspects in the film. One, the triumphant will of Philip, and two, his post-walking "success-story" as a human being and the impact on his friendships/love(though not depicted much). This is something to watch out for because the current knowledge about the WTC changes the way you see the film.
Friday, October 08, 2010
Bereft Beauties 2 - Aravanis/Thirunangais
Bereft Beauties 1 - Aravanis/Thirunangais


During the Aadi Festival in August, our team went to Salem(Tamil Nadu) to shoot some footage of various Tamil folk artists and performers who were part of the festivities. It is an ongoing documentary film project which we hope to produce through a possible collaboration. While we did get a lot of amazing street performances, most of it was commercial(I use this word because instead of performing for actual folk music and songs, many were performing for popular movie songs, even 'item' numbers).
Amidst it all, we met some Aravanis/Thirunangais (Transgendered women) who were really in their elements, singing, dancing and having a whale of a time, at the same time, enthralling their mostly male audiences. It was surprising to learn that the Aravani/Thirunangai community in Salem is actually respected and not shunned, abused, raped and ridiculed as is usually the case in almost every other part of India. Even their Chennai sisters do not get the treatment they get. We befriended the beautiful Nakshatra(extreme left among the group of 3) and her gang and there was a whole slew of fanboy-males who were swarming around them.
Sunday, October 03, 2010
Chennai to Pondy(and back) on the Suzuki GS150R
For all you Suzuki riders or rider-wannabe/s, the GS150R is one hell of a smooth ride, especially long distance. I stopped twice for the rain but it wouldn't let up. So I was like, fuck it, I'm doing this, embracing every drop the water-gods were lashing out. I made a couple of observations about highway riding in India, 1. Almost 99% of all Toyota Innova drivers drive like crazy, maybe it's the vehicle size and comfort that makes them feel they are the kings of the highway. Even Lorry drivers seemed tame by their standards. 2. There's an increasing number of two-wheelers on the highways. So many motorcycles, which was kinda surprising. I purposely didn't take my camera coz I anticipated the rain and mainly, just wanted to enjoy the ride. Next time, I probably won't do a solo. My biking retrospection is over for now. Even got an idea for a motorcycling road movie. Hopefully not a la the Motorcycle Diaries. Need to sit and write.
Saturday, August 28, 2010
Friday, August 20, 2010
That Subtle Essence!

"Bring me a fruit of that Banyan Tree."
"Here it is, venerable Sir."
"Break it."
"It is broken, venerable Sir."
"What do you see there?"
"These seeds, exceedingly small."
"Break one of these, my son."
"It is broken, venerable Sir."
"What do you see there?"
"Nothing at all, venerable Sir."
The father said: :That subtle essence, my dear, which you do not perceive there - from that very essence this great Banyan arises. Believe me, my dear, Now, that which is the sublte essence - in it all that exists has its self. That is the True. That is the Self. Thou art that, Svetaketu.
- The Chhandogya Upanishad, Chapter 12.
Monday, August 16, 2010
The Stray - True Survivor in Pondicherry
Monday, November 09, 2009
Filming & Photography in NYC Subways

A quick reference and a MUST-HAVE for filmmakers and Photographers filming in New York City Subways. Print out these two documents and put it on your camera-bag and just FLASH it when cops or MTA officials interrupt you. Many of them don't know that this exists.
1. NYPD Directive - On April 3, 2009, the NYPD issued a directive to officers stating that it is legal to take pictures within the subway system so long as it is not accompanied with suspicious activity.
2. MTA Rules of Conduct saying it's ok to film/photograph inside the Subway. Check out 1050.9.
LINK - http://mta.info/nyct/rules/rules.htm
Currently, the MTA Rules of Conduct, Restricted Areas and Activities section states that anyone may take pictures or record video, provided that they do not violate MTA regulations:
- Section 1050.9 Restricted areas and activities.
- Photography, filming or video recording in any facility or conveyance is permitted except that ancillary equipment such as lights, reflectors or tripods may not be used. Members of the press holding valid identification issued by the New York City Police Department are hereby authorized to use necessary ancillary equipment. All photographic activity must be conducted in accordance with the provisions of this Part.
Monday, November 02, 2009
Wednesday, October 28, 2009
Chasm in Time at the MIAAC film festival
Wednesday, September 23, 2009
Trailer of Chasm in Time
Trailer of our recent short film 'Chasm in Time'. Updates about its premiere will soon follow. Cast Cornelio Abella, Joey Mintz, Karthik Srinivasan, Kymm Walker.
Tuesday, September 15, 2009
Monday, September 14, 2009
The Beauty of the Caribbean
Sunday, September 13, 2009
Poor laborer in Russia singing Indian song
Tajik Jimmy a poor migrant worker in Russia is a sensation singing Hindi songs. Look how he switches between the male and 'female' voices. Refreshing!
Wednesday, August 19, 2009
Amidst Chaos!

Sometimes I wonder how I survive the chaos around me...
but then i realize I contribute to the chaotic nature after all...
Tuesday, August 18, 2009
De-mystifier!

A clouded mystery surrounds me and my purpose in this universe...
another cloud de-mystifies my purpose..
and introduces me to the collective..
what am i without it...it asks me..
i realize there can be no situation like that possible!
Monday, August 17, 2009
The color play!

With light's help, create colors...
Allow them to interact with each other..
they flow from one to another...
as life does..
and creates a world of beauty around it..
so, does it all come to a full circle?
Thursday, August 13, 2009
A place of my own!

A place to call my own in this universe...
Do I need to reassure myself that I am an inevitable part..?
whether I try to secure a place or not..
i will have one no matter what!
when will realize this?
Wednesday, August 12, 2009
Aiming the boundless skies!

Have you ever wondered who would have sown the seeds of the mango tree from which you are enjoying the fruits? well, someone would have done that long time ago..for others to enjoy the fruit. They remain stepping stones for some kind of growth which can be enjoyed by others. The leaves of all trees that grow towards the skies do not reach the top surface...they actually remain a ladder for the younger ones to sprout and grow to the topmost surface..but the truth here is that all the leaves are in the topmost layers at least once before they let others grow above them..as we enjoy the fruits of someone else's intention, so must we let others enjoy the same. Any deed that has good intentions will definitely reach others. Keep it going!
Tuesday, August 11, 2009
What is Nuclear Energy!

Global Military Expenditure Global military expenditure in a year is $1.204 trillion (1204 000 000 000). In a month this means $ 100 billion Every week this means $ 25 billion Every day this means $ 3,6 billion Every hour this means $ 149 million Every minute this means $ 6,2 million Every second this means $ 103 340 This means over one hundred thousand dollars spent every second, all year around on weapons and militaries and wars! What could you do to make the world a better place if you had a hundred thousand dollars to spend?
-You could offer 15 000 girls in poor countries education, food, health care and clean water for one year.1
-You could adopt 30 million hectare of rain forest to protect it from exploitation and devastation.2
-You could offer 3000 families access to clean water for o whole year and save them from life threatening diseases.3
All this and far more could be done – just with the amount of money spent in one second by the world’s governments on their militaries. Just imagine what you could do with all the money spent on weapons and wars in an hour or a day or a week or a month or even a year. Save the world, basically.
Thanks to http://www.slmk.org/larom/ENG/Dokument/Economy/ECONOMY%20ADVANCED.pdf
Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty [NPT]
The Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons, also referred to as the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT), obligates the five acknowledged nuclear-weapon states (the United States, Russian Federation, United Kingdom, France, and China) not to transfer nuclear weapons, other nuclear explosive devices, or their technology to any non-nuclear-weapon state. Non-nuclear-weapon States Parties undertake not to acquire or produce nuclear weapons or nuclear explosive devices.
source: http://www.fas.org/nuke/control/npt/
So, What do you think about Nuclear weapons? Do you think they are a means of Security or Threat? Is it worth spending so much money on them, when we have so many hungry people in this world? Do you think the world should get rid of them or use it positively as an energy source?
When it comes to the word "NUCLEAR ENERGY"...more than half of the people in this living world are not even aware of its existence.All they know about Nuclear energy is the information given to them through the media. For many, the word would trigger the trauma Japan had to endure (and still does) after 1945 and for some it might just be an issue that they need not even deal with, in this lifetime or in the lifetimes to come. Some are safe as far as the phrase 'ignorance is bliss' goes. And yet for a majority of people who live in abject poverty and are deprived of every invention of the so-called developed world, this issue will remain alien.
So, even before asking the question as to whether it is a threat or security, we should ask ourselves one question! Do all the people in this world know what it exactly is? Well, that is a separate issue altogether.
But let us consider that most of the people in this world are actually aware of the 'Nuclear Energy' concept. Do they have any say? They simply segregate themselves from the governments who in turn take their own decisions when it comes to things like this. How involved is the common citizen in these matters? That is the question we have to raise here? THE COMMON CITIZEN. Once this person feels responsible and asks questions and involves himself/herself, then we can think about security or threat factors.
But, one thing is for sure. Even the smallest of things has its advantages and disadvantages. You can either do something constructive or destructive with the small safety pin and it is applicable to all the things (big and small and medium) that man has ever invented for himself. So, when used in the right way, we can get its maximum benefits and when our evil gets the better of us, we use the same thing for destructive purposes. Instead of wasting our potential to find out destructive ways, we can use the Nuclear Energy to help make this world a better place to live.
But what happens to the solution for Nuclear waste disposal? Well, it is time we used our potential to find a way. We have gotten ourselves into it and we should be able to find a way out. WE WILL!
The first step is to increase the general awareness of the common Citizen in each country and bringing together like minded individuals for a noble cause. Let us first try to equally distribute food, water, medical services and most of all, knowledge - in this planet!
The rest, will fall in their right places!
It is a fact that nuclear energy greatly paved way as an alternate resource to fossil fuels and coal. At the same time it should be clearly borne in mind that a true solution for disposal of nuclear wastes has not yet been found out and it is going to be the biggest challenge for all the countries in the forth coming years. Again nuclear energy is a very costly affair for the third world countries.
When Science went deep into the matter and elctricity was found out, it was fully realized that the usage has its own dangers. But we started using it along with all its dangers. Science went deeper to discover Nuclear energy and it is millions of times more dangerous than electricity. But still we use it. With all the fast running and mechanized world it appears that man is forced to live within innumerable dangers when calling this world as a modern world becomes questionable. By the same time Nuclear energy contains more politics than the utility. All the countries are into a wild race to achieve a title as 'super power' only based on nuclear power. It is time to provide a rigorous definition for a super power in view of the exact direction of progress of the human civilization.
A world of WHAT IFs!
Sunday, August 09, 2009
Huckleberry Finn in Summer camp!


Welcome to the magical musical freedom seeking world of "Huckleberry Finn"...a truly beautiful performance by the kids at a summer camp in New Jersey...
The kids made me wonder what freedom was all about..
Is it something you can smell?
Is it something you can touch?
Is it something you can taste?
well,I have started thinking about it...do you have an answer to that?
Thursday, August 06, 2009
Light and water!

The elements of the universe have a unique bond..as you and I do..when they interact, they give a lot of meaning to the many unanswered questions in mind..so, if you have a question, ask the universe...and your answer will appear to you!
Wednesday, August 05, 2009
Nature of Light!

True to its nature, light offers a variety of mixed feelings..for the mind that seeks adventure in difference!
Tuesday, August 04, 2009
Clear Mirage!

Life has its own way of surprising us with her packages...
big or small..they always come as a surprise...
at first they seem like mirages...and then..
they get clearer and clearer..
until..you get what you want!
Monday, August 03, 2009
Being sure!

Slowly but certainly...i am going towards my purpose..
am i aware of that? you may ask..
i know not...for i trust my heart..to lead me..
and do what's in store..my role..in this universe!
Friday, July 31, 2009
Life flows...

Life flows from one being to another...
quietly..but surely..
very conscious of its own existence..
like every cell that lives within..that helps the whole form to function!
Wednesday, July 29, 2009
Amidst the woods!

Amidst the dense woods...
I stand..as an anomaly...
unique as every other being..
trying to find a purpose..
in this magnificent thing that is life..
does my existence serve its purpose...
i question myself all the time..
my question answers itself..
asking me not to think too much..
and let things be!
Tuesday, July 28, 2009
Just the colors!
Tuesday, July 21, 2009
LIGHT & DARK

Light plays an important role in our lives. Light gives us numerous alternatives to see things in different ways. The ways our perception changes with every moment, every hour, every day, every month, every year etc is so influenced by light.Similarly, we have several choices to an issue and can confront it from different angles.Try to look at things from the viewpoint of light and see the difference. You can look at it positively like the morning sunlight, be harsh as the noon light...and dark as the setting light...it is your choice!!
Monday, July 20, 2009
Challenge Five By Dennis Rivers, MA

In order to coordinate our life and work with the lives and work of other people, we all need to know more of what other people are feeling and thinking, wanting and planning. But our usual "yes/no" questions actually tend to shut people up rather than opening them up. You can encourage your conversation partners to share more of their thoughts and feelings by asking "open-ended" rather than "yes/no" questions. Open-ended questions allow for a wide range of responses. For example, asking "How did you like that food/movie/speech/doctor, etc.?" will evoke a more detailed response than "Did you like it?" (which could be answered with a simple "yes" or "no").
Consider the difference between two versions of the same question, as each might occur in a conversation between two people in a close relationship:
"Well, honey, do you want to go
ahead and rent that apartment we
saw yesterday?"
AND...
"Well, honey, how do you feel about
us renting that apartment we saw
yesterday?"
The first version suggests a "yes" or "no" answer, favors "yes" and does not invite much discussion. A person hearing such a question may feel pressured to reach a decision, and may not make the best decision.
Both versions imply a suggestion to rent the apartment, but the second question is much more inviting of a wide range of responses. Even if our goal is to persuade, we can't do a good job of that unless we address our listener's concerns, and we won't understand those concerns unless we ask questions that invite discussion.
Thank you Dennis Rivers.
For more: http://www.newconversations.net/w7chal5.htm
Reckless Perceptions

This Earthling is yet another part of that infinite whole…
Where its chaos reflects in the world outside…
And its silence reflects in the peace that balances it…
Being a product of the eternal vacuum…
Tries to realize a purpose in this universe…
Truth is intangible…
And that it is intangible, is tangible!
Thursday, March 12, 2009
The Story of Stuff !!
Monday, March 09, 2009
RAINBOW KIDS YOGA!!


Life is a collection of awesome strings of experiences. I had this beautiful experience in the week of March 19-22, 2009 with a fun loving group of people at NYC. I came across Rainbow Kids Yoga when I was browsing for something interesting to do for the Siragu kids in India. You all know that the Siragu Montessori School is a free school with an alternative system of education for homeless street children in Chennai, SouthEast India.
When I came across their website, it took me only a few minutes to decide to take the teacher training course. The peace I felt when I met Gopala the first time was contagious. The other wonderful people who joined the training were all so energetic and loving. I could see their eagerness to learn and share their knowledge with the kids they'd go back to.
The playfulness of the group was inspiring and Gopala had brought out the child in all of us. We all left our adulthood outside and interacted with each other as kids. The atmosphere was filled with fun and learning alternating in a smooth flowing way.
We learned a lot of fun poses for kids and family and Gopala taught us to integrate yoga poses in the kids' stories and also gave us each 5 minutes to conduct a class of our own on the last day of training. Creativity flowed as each one of us got a hands on the teaching and the rest acted like kids trying to create a real atmosphere of teaching kids. It was fun trying to distract the teacher and trying to cope up with distracting kids and engaging them while the assignment was going on. It was so much fun! We laughed so much and enjoyed every single moment of the training. By the fourth day, even though we were exhausted, we went with the flow and did not feel it a lot.
I could go more and more about the whole experience but I think after all this learning, it is up to us to practice it and share it with the world outside. I intend to prepare a curriculum and teach the kids at Siragu School next time i go to India.
you can also see pictures here.
Monday, February 23, 2009
The girl who silenced the world for 5 minutes!!
Sunday, February 08, 2009
Piks from the health care 2009!!!

You can check out Dr.Ralph's collage about the Health care Intensive 2009 from the following link...
http://www.naturalworldhealing.com/images/Gesundheit_pics_from_Ralph_Wilson_Feb_2009.pdf
Patch Adams on fun and friendship...

Patch talks about a hospital that includes alternative medicine, and he includes homeopathy and acupuncture. Here is text from his essay:
Vision for a Free Hospital Based on Fun and Friendship
by Patch Adams
I entered medical school in 1967 to use medicine as a vehicle for social change. I used my free time to study the history of health care delivery around the world and to look at contemporary models with the idea of creating a medical model that would address all the problems of the way care is delivered. I didn't intend to create a model that would be the answer to the problems; but to model creative problem solving, and to spark each medical facility to design their own ideal rather than succumb to the garbage of managed care, or a resignation to the impossibility of humanistic care. Beginning in the climate of the political "war on poverty," I felt confident that a free hospital to serve the poorest state, West Virginia, would find easy funding and that we would be built in four years. I smile writing this as we enter our 33rd year without having broken ground on the hospital. However, we have asked our architect to go to finished drawings so that we can begin building as soon as we have funding in hand. None of the journey has gone as I imagined and the vision is so much deeper, more comprehensive and far-reaching as a consequence of such deliberate progress.
The original vision had all the principles we have maintained all these years. There would be no charge for the care. Barter was also not an option. In fact, we wanted to eliminate the idea of debt in the medical interaction as a way to begin recreating human community. We didn't want people to think they owed something; we wanted them to think...for more click here.Friday, February 06, 2009
HEALTH CARE INTENSIVE - BALTIMORE
Well, for starters, there is a group of loving people who are struggling to redesign Health care and make it a care system...for all!!
We recently went to a Health care Intensive conducted by Dr. Patch Adams and the School for Designing a Society in Baltimore, Maryland for four days.
There were so many activities, lectures and presentations made by loving doctors who are creating waves of love in the society here.
I want to connect you to their blog so you can read all about it...
please visit http://patchadams.org/blog/84










