My first encounter with ghost - Part II
Posted On Saturday, June 30, 2007 at at 17:38 by Rajkumar Harilal SinhaAs I was returning from the pond, I saw a person of my age resembling one of my villager heading towards the canal. And we were at the same time had to cross the canal. Seeing him in hurry I called him by name and requested to allow me first to cross the small canal; as I was getting wet and just had come from the pond.
My request had no effect on him and subsequently closed to each other with merely distance. I noticed the person thoroughly and found as follows -
After thoroughly observing him in all respect I repeatedly requested to give way for crossing the canal but all fall in vain. In the next moment I was terrified to see the changing face of the man. Finding no other way of my rescue I started praying GOD two or three times. The next moment, so to veil my fear I started rebuking hardly in rough language in order to catch the attention of the people. My all efforts came out with no results. He was constantly gazing at my face, and his face was rapidly changing becoming more dangerous and frightening.
I started scolding again but this time more vigorously and loud in nature. I began pouring punches to his face and breast. In the meantime I noticed that the size of his eye becoming bigger and bigger and almost reddish in colour. His constant gaze remained steady towards me without any twinkling. Though I did everything for survival of my life I never touched his body.
God knows from where I got enough courage to reciprocate the spirit who was looking like my neighbour. The next very moment the spirit gave me passage by shifting right leg in hanging position and the left leg taking the place of the right leg position, and his body tilted towards the canal by freeing his hand grips from the bamboo. For a normal person he would have fallen. But.........he was balanced. Presuming the opportunity I advanced my leg and kept his leg in between my legs and bitterly scolded making eye-to-eye sharp contact with him. When I crossed my leg the spirit came to his original position. Then I move backward keeping eye on him and constantly scolding him.
On sudden disappearance of the devil I got so nervous and awestruck that I hardly reached my house and I fell down on the ground in senseless condition and I remained through out the night. And in early morning I regained sense.
My first encounter with ghost - Part I
Posted On Friday, June 29, 2007 at at 23:25 by Rajkumar Harilal SinhaWell, if one ponders hard and ask oneself from where do they get all these trembling black images sort of stories in daily basis, it is definitely to feed the hungry television time and raise their TRPs.
But if I narrate my encounters that took place decades ago in the early 1960s I have never seen or encountered since then. Don’t feel cheated since all you people or netizens supposedly were not born then.
The world we are presently living was far different from the world that I grew up. The rural/ urban India was not as it is today. To cover a distance of mere 20 km took a whole day. That was Assam, district Cachar, village Mohanpur virtually cut-off from the other world. It was a quite sleepy Bishnupriya Manipuri village covered with evergreen trees.
The news of ghost/ devil encounters was listened and discussed vociferously than the news flying around the world. And my encounter with this spirits took place within a year when I was in class eighth.
It was an eerie moonlit mid night and at the dead hours I got up from the bed to urinate. I came outside my home, I saw shades of trees casting their shadows on the ground and silence perpetuating the whole universe.
And the silence was broken, interrupted when I saw a shady man coming from the funeral site, which was near to my house. My muddy house was at the periphery of our village.
At first I could not recognize him but as he approached near about 400 metre from me. Then I was able to make out who the shady figure is.
He was our neighbour who was severely suffering from the blood dysentery and confined to bed. At once it crossed my mind that he cannot be the one whom I thought at first. He cannot loiter at this dead hour.
And under this circumstances it was vividly clear to me that the person coming towards me is no more my neighbour but a spirit (read ghost) replicating him wearing a white full baniyan and gamocha and carrying a burning hukka in hand.
The distance between him and me was so near and close that I could clearly hard the bubbling sound of hukka and see the smoke continuously coming out from his mouth.
I noticed inquisitively all his activities while hiding myself behind a big mango tree and a little beetal nut tree, assuaging my desire to know more about these creatures which was unfolding first time in front of my eyes. I was just 15 years old then.
The living ghost was then approximately 15 meter away and he suddenly changed his direction, he turned back and ambled again towards the cremation site from where he came.
I watched it till the replica became invisible from my eyes. Later I quietly came back to my bed. Early morning it was widely circulated news in my village.
Mallika Sherawat not sharing space with Hansika in Aap Ka Saroor
Posted On Monday, June 25, 2007 at at 22:25 by Sonika RajkumariWell for this you have to wait till the movie is released on 29 June, 2007. In the movie Aap Ka Saroor Himesh Rashmaiya is first time appearing as an actor and for actress Hansika it is her debute film. Mallika Sherawat in the movie is coming in the negative shade.
The heroine Hansika of the movie Aap Ka Saroor, may be new for the whole world, but if one tries to recognize her, she had appeared in a few movies and have done serials of the Balaji Telefilms. She had also participated in the celebrity Fame Gurukul programme of the channel Sony Entertainment.
Moreover, she was also in the Rakesh Roshan’s Koi Mil Gaya movie, not opposite to actor Hrithik Roshan but one in the group of his children friend.
Got surprised how a jovial looking child had grown up and matured so fast in a couple of years. The truth is that she is still a tension free teenager who has just turned 16. She was just 15 when she signed and started shooting for the movie.
Call it fortunate or unfortunate that girls at this age are busy preparing for the board exam and she has completed a movie, which is yet to be released.
The news that got steam was heroine Mallika Sherawat refusal to come to one shot in the movie Aap Ka Saroor against the actress Hansika in the song Mehbooba….Mehbooba.
Jhoom Barabar Jhoom movie review
Posted On Sunday, June 24, 2007 at at 21:59 by rk rishikesh sinhaTalking about Jhoom Barabar Jhoom as a movie and its songs in particular, which are inseparable ingredients of Bollywood movie where does it stand?
Jhoom Barabar Jhoom, starring Abhishek Bachchan (Rikki Thukral), Preity Zinta (Alvira Khan) Lara Dutta (Anaida Raza/Laila) Bobby Deol (Steve Singh/Satvinder) and Amitabh Bachchan (Special Appearance) is a movie directed by Shaad Ali, who has under his belt hit films like Saathiya and Bunty Aur Babli and produced by Yash Chopra and Aditya Chopra.
The first shot of the movie starts with the melodious song jhoom barabar jhoom with Big B Amitabh Bachchan on-screen with a guitar in hand singing and dancing in the bevy of phirangis. The audience as usual likes it seeing bollywood star Amitabh Bachchan in his new avatar.
Next to the song comes the scene of two strangers, Rikki Thukral (Abhishek Bachchan) and Alvira Khan (Preity Zinta), waiting for their respective fiancés. Till the interval the movie virtually ceases between the chemistry of the duo, waiting at the Waterloo station in London.
So to kill time they starts telling their respective love story which later comes out to be a cock and bull story created by both and this fact added by loose dialogues, improper character building specially on the part of Rikki Thukral aka Abhishek Bachchan kills the curiosity left over on the part of audience. This story hammered the last nail on the coffin of the audience taste. Not to forget the occasional, without context song – jhoom barabar jhoom. The song crosses the level of irritation that one could bear.
For the audience it was enough when both Rikki Thukral (Abhishek Bachchan) and Alvira Khan (Preity Zinta) started imagining that they both have fallen in love. There was no rhythmic story build-up that they both have cornered a soft corner towards each other. So audience does not buy their story. Do not forget the intermittent song jhoom barabar jhoom popping out anytime in the movie.
After the interval the story revolves around Rikki Thukral (Abhishek Bachchan) and Alvira Khan (Preity Zinta) trying to behold each other with the help of Lara Dutta (Laila) and Bobby Deol (Satvinder), the characters of their cock and bull story. Alvira Khan (Preity Zinta) in love with dashing lawyer Bobby Deol (Steve Singh) and Rikki Thukral (Abhishek Bachchan) in love with Lara Dutta (Anaida Raza).
Well, after the movie if someone is left thinking it was luscious sexy legs of Lara Dutta and a glimpse of Prity Zinta tattooed breast.
Rani Mukhejee and Aditya Chopra Got Engaged! Is it?
Posted On Thursday, June 21, 2007 at at 00:19 by Sonika RajkumariAccording to the report Rani Mukhejee and Aditya Chopra have got engaged and soon they would marry. Their engagement ceremony was closely guarded and private, it adds. The news lacks the surprise element in it as the fact: actress Rani Mukherjee has been very close to Yash Chopra’s camp, and still she maintains, is a very well known.
She had appeared in many movies produced by the Yash Chopra’s camp. The recent movie was Ta Ra Rum Pum, starring Saif Ali Khan.
Today in the Bollywood Rani Mukherjee’s name is counted in the list of top most actresses. It would be wrong to say that behind her marvelous success there wasn’t a lot support of Aditya Chopra.
Her first movie “Raja Ki Aayegi Baraat” was a super flop film. But she gradually improved her acting prowess and signed many super hits movies including many Yash Chopra’s film like Veer Zara, Hum Tum, Saathiya, Bunty aur Babli, and many.
Her first hit movie, as an actress was Karan Johar’s produced movie Kuch Kuch Hota Hain, starring Shah Rukh Khan and Kajol. After this movie people started knowing her.
Her name in association with Bollywood man is not new. Earlier her name was joined with the actors like Govinda and Abhishek Bachchan. The news that had been very hot in the Bollywood circle was Rani Mukherjee and Abhshek were very close. But his marriage with Ashwariya Rai all this rumours died a natural death.
After Abhishek Bachchan marriage, question started cropping up that who will be the raja (king) of the rani (queen).
But Rani’s father denies all this news of getting engaged with Aditya Chopra. News is that Yash Chopra and his wife Pamela Chopra is not happy with son Aditaya Chopra’s decision.
Bishnupriya Manipuri Status in Google
Posted On Tuesday, June 19, 2007 at at 06:44 by rk rishikesh sinhaWhat is the status of Bishnupriya Manipuri in the world of Internet? What it’s standing in the yahoo and in the google search engine? How many people click, typing Bishnupriya Manipuri in the internet. Well, these were some few questions, definitely, would be lurking in everyone’s mind. So, is the case with me?
Are we dead in the eyes of netizens? Are we visible for the whole world? Let us travel down the line in the murky lanes of internet and find out the real status of our community.
Type Bishnupriya Manipuri in the world’s biggest search engine Google – results 23,600 in 0.09 seconds. The first website - http://www.bishnupriya-manipuri.org/ - is static and only God knows what has been written and it is full of boxes. Would you pay a visit to the website. The answer would be big NO.
Now come to the second website - http://manipuri.freeservers.com/ - it is much better than the first one. I suppose Google Page Ranking tool went wrong this time since this website is full of contents and useful informations on the language movement and how to learn the Bishnupriya Manipuri language. A good website in itself.
Coming to the third, it is http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bishnupriya_Manipuri_language in the world famous online encyclopedia wikipedia.org, indeed is a prize catch. It is matter of prestige that our community name has been added to this site. And who ever has written is a man to be honoured for taking the painstaking and incisive work.
Next http://manipuri.htmlplanet.com/ is a more descriptive website mentioning about songs, drama, novels, essays and research work. A must visit website.
Next comes the pouri http://www.pouri.org/. Do not expect much from this website. It was updated on 08 December 2005. A no, no website.
http://mahasabha.org/ - an official website of the Nikhil Bishnupriya Manipuri Mahasabha is the one that could personalize anybody and it makes the first impression favourable with its front page depictingthe familiar names Dr. Debandra Kr. Sinha, Gopinath Sinha, Hem Chandra Sinha , Uday Sinha, Rajendra Kr. Sinha, Krishna Ballab Sinha, Sundar Mukherjee and address Bhakatpur, Silchar.
Despite the alluring looks of the website, if one expects while clicking the news tab, one would get news, forget it there is no news being the official website and being situated at the heart of our community. The Orkut version of Bishnupriya Manipuri is far better active than this one.
These were few of the names of the websites that probably command respect or disrespect. And how much these websites ventilates the community to the other world. It is not far away from everyone’s guess.
Has it been ever possible that one invokes the Google Alert tool and one's mail box not flooded with related materials from the sources - news, blogs, web and group - on a keyword, pouring out from any part of the world? But it happens with the Bishnupriya Manipuri. Try it. Google fails to crawl any items with the word Bishnupriya Manipuri. Your mail inbox will be blank.
Well my inquisitive to know how many people are really typing Bishnupriya manipuri I ran the google trends but it failed to come up with any result it showed – the term Bishnupriya manipuri do not have enough search volume to show graphs. So here it failed to colligate any information on it.
Not believing on the google tool I tried the same in a yahoo tool it failed again. Next I took refuge in another google tool to know so far how many have since the internet came into existence typed Bishnupriya manipuri. It came out with the figure 25000.
So we came out with the two figures first the 23,600 – the total search result available in the google search and the 25000 – the total number of search done by people typing in the internet browsers.
Winding up the whole issue – we all Bishnupriya Manipuri must be active and must contribute in this ever-changing world of internet before we are being wiped out by others, not to mentions the enemies we have.
Cold War Between Bipasha Basu and Arshad Warsi
Posted On at at 00:15 by Sonika RajkumariAs the world is obsessed with Shakira’s belly dance, but as per Katrina Kaif she has seen many belly dancers shaking their hips better than Shakira.
For others, John Abraham and Bipasha Basu is the hottest couple in Bollywood, but as per actress Konkana Sen Gupta they are most boring couple.
These were few of the opinions about stars, let us pip into the cold war in Bollywood. Once upon a time Kareena Kapoor and Priyana Chopra was best friend. They have done many movies together like Aitraaz, Don and a Pepsi Cappichino advertisement together.
But now when we talk about their relationships they try to change their topic. Priyanka told straightforwardly that she is not here to make friends she is concentrating on her acting career. As we all know currently Kareena’s best friend is Amrita Arora that she revealed in a show – Coffee with Karan in Star One.
Grapevine is that Jaya Bachchan is now becoming closer to Bengali actress Konkana Sen Gupta instead of Rani Mukhejee as she was previously more attached to her.
Hey! You might me knowing many days ago a controversial movie Kabul Express was released starring John Abrahum and Arshad Warsi. In this movie they were not stopping praising each other.
But now the situation is that they are not seeing and talking with each other; only because Bangolee beauty Bipasha Basu was taking side of John Abrahum.
In a shooting of a movie Bipasha shouted on Arshad as he came late on the shooting and make her wait.
We can’t even predict when we get surprise, friends turning foe and foe turning foe as it happened between Salman Khan family and Vivek Oberoi.
Google new e-mail service
Posted On Monday, June 18, 2007 at at 08:17 by rk rishikesh sinhaOf all the majority of the net users, if one goes by the Orkut demographic report – 59.03 percent are in the age group of 18 to 25 years and 11.23 percent falling under 26 to 30 years.
Now Google new e-mail services to the students of the university is one such step in this direction. Search engine Google’s, this initiative is being seen by many as building up the ‘relationship for life’. If one twists this fact, one would come to the conclusion ‘relationship for slave’. Well, is it - a relationship for life or a relationship for slave?
So far, Trinity College Dublin, Lakehead University, Arizona State University and the Linköpings University have already joined or in the process of joining the new services. This names Trinity College Dublin, Arizona State University and the Linköpings University have, one could say – outsourced their e-mail services.
All these universities of the United States, a few in Europe and in the African countries like Rwanda and Kenya have opted for the Google’s web based application. In addition to it, Google, the world's leading Internet search engine, is going to digitize a collection of more than 800,000 books and manuscripts housed at the University of Mysore (Mysore University).
Well, how do you feel when someone trespasses your privacy and keeps a constant watch on you? Making it worse if it keeps a constant watch over the whole population. Definitely you would not like and could possibly fight tooth and nail to protect yourself from the unwarranted intrusion.
Here comes in the picture Google- the masiah of the internet. Is it masiah or a crooked detective who catches you to make his both ends meet? According to the Rights group Privacy International: the search giant Google is "hostile" to privacy how they handle personal data.
The Rights group Privacy International further adds that the Google was leading a "race to the bottom" among net firms like Yahoo and AOL, which had policies that did little to substantially protect users.
While a number of other Internet companies have troubling policies, none comes as close to Google to "achieving status as an endemic threat to privacy,".
In recent times, it has become a matter of serious discussion about who holds the right to possess maximum volume of people’s profile – the government agencies or the Google?
So I'm more concerned, privacywise, about Google and what it intends to do with all that search data it's accumulating. Not to mention the data flowing through its E-mail, data storage, and app services.
Himesh Reshamiya first debut film Aap Ka Suroor
Posted On Sunday, June 17, 2007 at at 14:04 by Sonika RajkumariThe songs like “tera suroor and naam hain tera tera..etc ” were in everyone’s lips. Success of the album inspired Himesh Reshamiya for making this movie, which presumably, is based on his true love story.
Now we don’t know how much this movie reflects the true story of Himesh Reshamiya’s personal life. It will be revealed after the release of the film- Aap ka Suroor.
I think after the release of this movie – Aap ka suroor – many wrapped up mystery of singer Himesh Reshamaiya that how he looks with out his cap will come out? Since for the first time his hair will be visible to the whole world.
Frankly speaking I am least interested on his acting skill as I am more concerned seeing him without his TOPI.
While going through his phenomenal success it seems there is a bellowing fire in him. Driving him to do something extra. He probably wants to establish himself in an international forum.
Music director turned singer and now actor, what will be Himesh Rashmaiya’s next avatar. So far actor Himsesh Rashmiya’s luck has been on his side. His music is awesome and in tune to today’s generation ears.
Songs from Maine pyar kyon kiya, Aitraaz are few of them. His first song – Aashiq banaya aapne catapulted his career. It was a huge hit and was top on the musical chart.
Despite learned music lovers complaining that he has a nasal voice, the truth is that audience has loved him and his songs.
His first music worked magic on audience, the same was followed by his first song – aashiq banaya aapne - that he sang; now with his first movie coming will he be able to create the same sensation that he has been doing. It has to be seen; meanwhile wait for the next Friday.
Bishnupriya Manipuri Juggles Over Inter-Caste Marriage
Posted On Saturday, June 16, 2007 at at 09:10 by rk rishikesh sinhaAnd it triggered the dormant volcano slumbering in the minds of the youngsters of the Bishnupriya Manipuri to explode, in the forms of thoughts, logic, experience and sometimes venomously attacking personally and very often going out of the track.
Now, when the Bishnupriya Manipuri community is caught in a crossroad of self-identification and gradual death of their inherent culture all due to gust of development and progress taking place in and around them. It was quite natural receiving football of opinions from the users.
Shibu (orkut name) scrapped “Only if we really feel about our caste then one should think twice before committing to inter-caste marriage.” But there were others harbouring different view on it, for them “past is past” and it has no resemblance to the present impasse.
And on the issue of those people of this community who have married outside their language; Ranita scrapped, “I m not against inter-caste marriage, the only thing is that don't forget your roots and don't blame the community. I don't even understand where is the need for marriages from other castes when our community is having so many eligible bachelors and so many beautiful and well educated girls”.
It is not about that a Bishnupriya Manipuri girl or boy must marry from within their community, it is the parental love, livelihood and the heart calling that must be the determination factors, scrapped Sandeep. In response to Sandeep point of view, DEV scrapped, “how many examples can u show for a BM doing inter caste marriage and living peacefully with his parents”.
Dev point of view got solidified and a twist was given when Mysterious (orkut name) scrapped, “you need them (read the BM community) in your joy, sorrow, happiness, etc.You can’t just eat and live in this society alone...”.
Bouncing back Sandeep scraped it is not the marriage counts but it is the blood running in him that makes whether he is a BM or not. He cites with an example, “If I were your younger brother and I married a punjabi girl will u not give food to me nor talk to me....I will be the same for my parents and society”.
The flurry of scraps amongst the members dealt on each and every topic that could be accommodated under the sun with clarity, persuasions laden with facts and personal experience. The discussion tied down the community’s problems on education and unemployment in length. It was indeed a healthy discussion.
No doubt, all users were busy in putting across their point of view and they had their own share of mild infighting. But they were one in one point, I suppose, that they all feel proud and wish to bring a change in the lives of the people. They all want to kiss the sky in their own terms.
Though the discussion remained inconclusive but it also showed the maturity of our man accommodating opposite views.
Aishwariya Rai's on - screen Hero?
Posted On Friday, June 15, 2007 at at 21:39 by Sonika RajkumariNow at this juncture, when everything looks rosy what course would her filmy career will take? Will she be signing one after another as she has been doing before marriage? Will she do hot scenes as she did earlier? I think she knows, but for the audience who love Aish, the answer is – only God knows.
But one thing we all must say that the producers have to think not once but many times before signing any hero against her.
Except Abhishek who will be the on-screen hero against Aish? I think, it’s the only question, which is rounding in many producers’ mind. No question arises taking Shah Rukh Khan, Salmam Khan and Vivek Oberoi opposite to Aishwariya Rai. Everybody knows – the reasons behind it.
Besides this names, stars like Hrithik Roshan, Saif Ali Khan and Ajay Devgan are in the fray. Grapevine is that these stars are avoiding her to play any lead role opposite to her.
Now about Aamir Khan, well, he is still angry with her after she left Mangal Pandey at the eleventh hour. Later, Rani Mukherjee replaced her.
It s confirmed that the two “Khans” are not working opposite to her. The renaming names are Kunal Kohli, Shahid Kapoor etc., their jodi with the beauty pageant will fail to create the chemistry as one expects from them. Well, no prize for guessing as she is above 30.
At the end, after all these arithmetic if someone is left he is her Mr. Perfect. I would suggest Ash to remain in her private life before her fans deserts her.
Sense of Humour New Found Talent
Posted On at at 08:42 by Sonika RajkumariExperience the Virtual world in Real
Posted On Monday, June 04, 2007 at at 00:50 by rk rishikesh sinha
The concept of writing, in the recent times, has undergone sea change. Gone are the days when for any aspiring writers, newspapers are the Hobson’s choice.
But in today’s web 2.0-era writing, expressing one’s belief, thought is one click away. Reporters and copywriters, who were dying for their byline to appear in the black and white is no more an issue.
With the web-2.0 technology coming in the shape of blog and interactive websites; bylines has crossed geographical barriers and community.
For today’s writers, journalist or say freelancers Internet has become the best tool or medium, which is cost effective and at the same time prompt and interactive to relate to the readers.
One could create his/ her blog freely or participate his/ her friends’ blog, thus contributing their writing. By creating or participating in the blog not only it facilitates anywhere-anytime visibility but gives an opportunity to market their latent talent to the world. While surfing through the Internet, one could find innumerable interactive websites, which are specially built to give a platform for them.
The web-2.0 revolution has created many names, which are very vibrant and have been able to make a niche for them. These names may not be household names, but do not try to undermine as they come topmost whichever websites you visit. There are many national and international websites catering to your potentials to appear in the world.
Beside your own blog, instablog.com and Merinews.com are the one in the fray in India. Which perhaps takes you away from your earlier experience. Not only it gives you a sense of control on your product but a sense of achievement and belongingness.
One finds he/ she is not only the one but also thousands of people who are part of this revolution. It gives you an opportunity to interact with other comrades. It gives a sense of family to oneself. To enjoy and take the ride of this revolution one only needs a computer.
And the world is yours. By doing so, it is in your will whether to remain visible or remain anonymous. There is no senior-junior as what is visible in our working organization. One is recognized only by his/ her work and that is one’s article. If there is one, whom you will envy, obviously is the one who ranks highest in the published ranking.
Well, its again a debatable issue, whom do you cherish. One who has garnered the maximum “comments” or one who has achieved the “star”, or the one who has published few but solid in its content. Again, if you are able to understand what I am saying, you have take a plunge in this virtual world which are at the same time seems real.
My Visit to Punjab
Posted On Sunday, June 03, 2007 at at 16:39 by rk rishikesh sinhaMy journey started on Sunday evening from the Inter State Bus Terminus, Kashmere Gate, New Delhi. Though it was not my first visit to Punjab, earlier I had been to Ludhiana for my personal purpose. But this time the story was different my pocket was bulging with money that the company gave me, so this time I was not spending it miserly. I was freely spending it on eateries, just making it sure I take appropriate bill against it.
I must confess the bus was not as luxurious as I thought it gave me an impression of a regular bus plying in the Delhi roads. The bus was on its way at around 10.30 pm, I made my sitting comfortable beside a window.
With the inquisitiveness of my visit lurking in my head, though I was physically inside the bus, I was constantly gazing outside noticing the changes taking place in the geography of the places.
If there was something occupying my mind it was the feeling that I had grown up, now I am no more with my father in this travel. All the journeys from the painstaking to the luxurious, that we had made with my father started popping out in my mind. The five-day journey from the interior place Silchar (Assam) to the troubled torn city of Kashmir, was running in my mind.
Being a reporter covering real estate sector my eyesight was constantly falling on real estate developments frantically taking place in the state. In the eerie night of my travel, the under-construction building was giving a monstrous look. I started imagining these building which looks gigantic now, what would be its structure in the daytime when it will be clear.
In the whole journey, many people get down and many boarded in each station coming in its route.
With all these running in my mind, when did I fall asleep, I do not know? But when I got up I was in the Jalandhar bus stand. The Jalandhar bus stand in its first impression was giving the usual looking other bus stand of the state. I ordered tea to break tiredness. After sipping hot tea made of pure milk of Punjab, I started searching for a lodge or hotel.
But without much effort I was able to find a lodge just beside the bus stand. It was so-so with bare necessity. After check-in into the hotel, and spending few hours in and around the hotel I headed towards the Radisson hotel, which was fortunately was at a walking distance from my hotel.
After meeting with my owner my boring hours started ticking, as there was nothing I could dissolve myself. I, along with another cameraperson waited till 6 pm and it ended when at last I took an interview of a local politician. With this my whole day work was over. I was left with an instruction that I will be called in if they need me.
Following next day, I spent my time surfing net just beside the Radisson hotel. At evening I was instructed to head towards Chandigarh, after completing the interview of DC, Jalandhar. The journey from Jalandhar to Chandigarh I find was more breathtaking, and nearer to the nature.
Through out the journey from Jalandhar to Chandigarh, the road was running parallel with a canal. The landscape was plain with beautiful houses doting the fields showing people’s prosperity of the state. It was not crowded; everything seems to in proper place and space.
I was getting impatient of travel and asking constantly fellow travelers when the planned city arrives. At last harbingers of being in this city was visible with round shaped gardens, controlled buildings and market places. Moreover, with the vehicles carrying “CHD” tag in the number plates.
Spending a night in the hotel, which was quite far away from the Bus stand, in morning I headed towards the residence of Commerce and Industry Minister of the state. Though I was unable to find his residence, I positioned myself into the residence of the State co-operative minister. While waiting for an hour, where many elderly people were also sitting, I was told by the tongue-tied minister to meet him in Civil Secretariat.
In the midst of turban wearing Punjabis, I was looking as an alien who is without the turban and well-built physique.
After getting out from his residence, I went straight to the Civil Secretariat. Getting into the Civil Secretariat was not so easy as I thought. After lot of call and verification at last I was into the citadel of power. Security was tight, for a moment I found myself in Kashmir.
In my stay in Chandigarh I got awed by the ultra-rich people and the pompous lifestyle they lead. I find whomever I chat all were proud of Chandigarh. Some were saying it is the city with highest per capita income, lowest crime level and the cleanest city in India. And I find all these were absolutely correct.
At last the day came when I had to head towards Delhi. Knowing this visit would be my last visit, I with heavy heart so to remember everything, started gazing the buildings of the Sector 17 and the beautiful lanes and the ebullient people.
Mr. President – we all love you
Posted On Tuesday, May 29, 2007 at at 20:57 by rk rishikesh sinhaMany names that have been cropping up in the race of President are Union Minister Pranab Mukhejee, Shivraj Patil, Sushil Kumar Shinde and senior Congress leader Karan Singh. Another name which is doing round in the political circle is Vice-President BS Shekhawat’s candidature for the coveted post.
It is not that people of political lineage are only in the fray; there are many illustrious people from different walks of life from bureaucratic to corporate, to scientist, and to actors, whose names are being taken vigorously. But politicians of the land are not backing their names; even if they are backing them their number is miniscule.
Nevertheless, with the mainstream political parties going with the United Progressive Alliance’s (UPA) ultimate decision in this matter, and National Democratic Alliance not coming out clearly on this issue, it is certain that the constituent parties in the government would virtually decide who will be coveted in the constitutional post of President.
Other parties are taking the decision on this matter seriously. In this effort to come to a consensus decision, newly elected Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Mayawati and Tamil Nadu Chief Minster M. Karunanidhi had met with Prime Minister Manmohan Singh. The CPM politbureau has reiterated that the person occupying the post must have a political background and firm secular credential. “The future President must be able to exercise judgment to maintain the balance between the Parliament, executive and judiciary, ” it said in a statement.
Now, when the ground has been laid and rules-to-be-implemented has been worked out; especially those children and youngsters who have met with him and participated in his whirlwind lecture are feeling sorry, that their icon wouldn’t be in the Raisana Hill. He appeared as a teacher, scientist, leader and motivator for them. His coming to the office had indeed sent a positive signal that the Rashtrapati Bhawan is accessible for them.
I remember my friends who have interviewed him saying, “He is so polite, generous and communicating.” It is not that only children and youngsters have been influenced by his charismatic personality. I come to know his impact of his personality on the masses of the people when an old person whom I was interviewing in the midst of the interview took up his book ‘Wings of Fire.’
Well for me it remained as a dream to meet with him. I find and more like me had built up a common chord with him since we all had carried the dream of becoming a scientist. And when we find a scientist is leading the country, it is natural to get inclined.
A party, which plays a role in the present government, expects the incumbent to maintain the balance between the Parliament, executive and judiciary, and not with the people of India.
An Idea from the Idea
Posted On Sunday, April 29, 2007 at at 21:53 by rk rishikesh sinhaWhat would you do to make an urgent call of the fact there is no outgoing facilities in your mobile? And it is very urgent. It is dead night at Delhi and you are outside your home and the door is closed. Will you bang incessantly on the door or call in high pitch to awaken your parents? It is sure you will try both, but after trying hard you don’t get any positive response. Again, what would you do? Imagine! TRY hard.
Of his profession in the hotel industry, my brother had to come at dead night. Usually, someone from our family, task taken by my sister, awakes whole night to receive him. A call from him alerts her that he has come and her work is over by opening the gate. This followed by watching television and browsing the net by him.
But on this very day or say un-fateful night, he came at his usual time; he banged the door and screamed aloud. But he didn’t get any respite from his maiden effort. After waiting for an hour, someone came to help him out. Imagine who would be the one, who appeared in the tiny lanes of Delhi and in the midst of unscrupulous neighbour, and who took him out from the slough of depression of not able to enter at night, so devoid of sleep. The sleep that can log out anyone’s active thinking booting process.
His all attempts failed miserably which was always armed with teeth with a mobile phone and all possible gadgets. But on that day, he was not having the outgoing facility subscribed to Idea mobile service. He called the customer service of the Idea cellular service and narrated his agonized state.
And the sentient customer service personnel responded maturely, emotively with a human touch. Someone receiving your call at 2.00 a.m and in a sweet tone and showing empathy to your concern is really a matter to write and publicized. This only happens in the Mughal kingdom, Delhi and in the customer service of the Idea cellular service personnel who are not refusenik in nature. Quite opposite to the merciless cacophony projected about the Delhi and the pesky, unresponsive so-so customer service.
The customer service personnel called at first to my brother’s mobile and it went unattended. Again he called my brother who was waiting for his call to take another number. This time he gave my sister’s mobile number. My sister who was sleeping dead like a log picked up the phone, so this way the night that seemed to be long and dreary ended this way.
So, next time you wanted to buy any mobile service available in the market, bet on Idea service so that you remain connected every time, everywhere.
Guarding Your Assets: 24/7; 365 Days
Posted On Saturday, April 28, 2007 at at 21:25 by rk rishikesh sinhaThe term ‘security’ is no more confined to the khaki-clad police force or CISF (Central Industrial Security Force) guarding the safety and security of person(s) and his property/assets.
With the humongous growth of business establishments witnessed in the metros and in the towns, now it has acquired a new terminology and significance, becoming the inseparable entity of the frenetic growth in the real estate sector – both commercial and housing segments.
The increasing demand for security and safety of the employees and employers in the so called modern temples of the corporate kingdoms has necessitated the security providing companies Motion Pictures Association of America (MPAA), Motorola and G4S to don an agile, responsive, vigilant service equipped with modern techniques. One could find in India the range of such security firms or companies going from incognito local made to international brands.
There are many intriguing questions which arise in everyone’s mind about these anonymous and global security providers, since the usual looking peon sitting in the office entrance is quite capable of doing their work. What has prompted and driven them to take a bigger pie in the security sector, thus ending up making a parallel growth and business presence similar to the real estate business?
The companies hiring their services have not only helped in meeting the security and safety needs of the employees, systems and infrastructure which are pre-requisite for the smooth functioning of the business, but also their dependence on regular over-stretched state police personnel says Capt. (Hony) Padma Ram Suthar, Security Officer and Administrative Officer, Aptech AG Ltd.
Asking what is the significance and importance of ‘security’ in the corporate world, Suther, who is an ex-army personnel says “security is an all-encompassing concept, whether it is the security of one’s home, company or a nation, its sole objectives remain the same”.
The market of security has been identified and marketed brilliantly by the real estate developers, commercial establishment and retail outlets. They are coming up with installation of access control, smart card, alarm and CCTV systems in their commercial and residential dwellings.
And about the security of industrial and commercial establishment, the director of Creative Security Management (CRM), Col. (retd.) M. S Mathur opines “it is to prevent any untoward loss of life and property with burglar-resistant and surveillance equipment”. He further says that the companies are now becoming more conscious about security than ever before, they are constantly seeking to improve their protection systems.
Even in the retail outlets, currently all the major shopping malls and shopping centers are heavily dependent on a comprehensive security system. With shoplifting becoming a menace - encountered by most of the outlets; retailers are installing CCTV cameras and electronic surveillance systems to detect thefts. Moreover, ordinary citizens are also not far behind in the security hullabaloo, they are concerned about safety of their home and near and dear ones.
In this regards, security agencies provide array of services from manned security to cash processing, cash transportation, cashier services, ATM outsourcing and management, mobile patrol, VIP guards, stationary guards, reception services, alarm response services, and even extending to alarm monitoring, access control, home alarms, CCTV, surveillance, alarm installations and guarding and maintaining fire extinguishers.
All these services, no doubt, come with a price-tag and it varies from company to company and the nature of work they were called for. The Plus Four Security Services charges Rs. 5,950 per month per person for a Security Guard and Rs. 7,950 for a Security Supervisor, including the ESI and EPF. A government mandatory service tax @ 12.24% is charged additionally on the total billing.
The swelling growth in the industry plus the few recent incidents where employees of security services were involved in heinous crime, have not only brought bad name and aroused suspicion, but it has triggered a growing concern about the manner of functioning of these agencies.
“Such incidents are occurring and will be often repeated in near future” says an employee of a leading security company. “Due care and attention must be given to the welfare of the personnel, as they have to work for at least 12 hours or even more continuously in a worst condition” he adds.
And about how to tackle this problem marring the industry, Suthar says maximum number of ex-employees of Army, Air Force, Navy, paramilitary forces and the state police personnel must be drawn into the service. Inclusion of personnel, besides imparting professionalism, Suther says will train the untrained personnel.
In this line to regulate the security services, the Union Government brought out the Private Security Agencies (Regulation) Act, 2005. The Act, though not applicable in the state of Jammu and Kashmir, is a rule book that all private agencies must comply with.
But, how many security agencies strictly comply with the Act? One observes the agencies’ personnel and even their management making a mockery of this law. This must be checked by the government stringently.
Haute Malls Come Of Age In Faridabad
Posted On at at 21:01 by rk rishikesh sinhaMalls in Faridabad
Call it vanity, convenience or necessity, shopping malls and multiplexes have become a part of our lifestyle.
Malls and multiplexes are ubiquitous in the modern landscape. Thanks to the unprecedented growth in this segment. They are not simply churning out established brands from food to apparel, electronic goods to everything related to our daily needs; in this attempt they are all trying to be different from others. And to become different from others they are not leaving any stone unturned. They all are coming up with innovative, customer-friendly ways, keeping in mind the un-tested reflexes and the tastes of people.
Without an iota of doubt, pro-customer steps are always appreciated. But there needs to be ‘something’ extra that would attract the masses, before its becomes the talk of the town.
The SRS Mall located at Sector-12 in Faridabad is one such shopping arena that houses a multiplex, offering an absolutely free parking as its USP. Mr. Sushil Jain, Marketing Manager, SRS Entertainment Ltd. Says “The SRS Multiplex is the only multiplex in NCR which provides free-of-cost parking facility for the customers’ vehicles; moreover without charging a penny and validating their vehicles by providing them with parking tickets”.
The parking space in SRS Multiplex could hold over 2000 vehicles and with the free-of- cost tag, it definitely comes as a selling point and a brilliant marketing strategy. Parking hitch in malls is indeed becoming a permanent headache for many and with passing time it is turning into a pathetic and dismal shape – sometimes uncontrollable and dangerous.
Positioned in the heart of the city and spread over a total area of 1,38,000 sq. feet. SRS Multiplex showcases all leading brands for clothing and other essential items, a multiplex broadcasting latest movies, food court to serve the gourmet of your choice and mouth watering cuisines, a spa and a gym to rejuvenate the body and soul, value bazaar for shoppers with all the basic day to day amenities and even a swimming pool and gym to loosen the strained nerves. A well trimmed, well maintained garden is another big crowd puller.
In addition to it, 600 strong-employees SRS Multiplex has in its coffer bag full of excitement and unique experience to offer to the visitors for any age group and of any strata. Its services are open from low-end to high-end customers. There is ‘something for someone’ says Sushil Jain. He convincingly promises “someone dropping at morning; the multiplex has got such a vast and exhaustive pool of resources that he will find himself busy and involved and he will enjoy a lot with the array of activities for the whole day. He will never ever feel weary, unsatisfied and unconvinced”.
Strolling in the three floors of the SRS one would find fun filled activities taking place in full swing, people jostling in the entry and the exit gates, food cafeteria, garden area, in branded shops and in every corner as something undertow is excitedly happening. In weekends, Sushil Jain confirms ‘over 20,000 thousand people visits their mall. And the largest crowd puller are cinema and food cafeteria’.
Mukesh Tejwani, 24, a resident of Faridabad says everyday he spent around 3 to 4 hour with his friends ambling around the garden area and in the well-lit shops. When asked why does he come so regularly, he smilingly says ‘just to chill out, since this place has got everything to make anyone happy’.
Sushil Jain claims SRS Multiplex is the only multiplex in NCR where there is an opulent gardening area. Visitors have the choice to spent time in the ‘green’ garden area or inside the mall. Projecting a perfect combination of going trendy with exhilarating experience and moreover with the green element.
People like Tejwani who are brand obsessive, in SRS could find and explore all international brands like Provoque, Ven Heusen, Allen Solly, John Player, Cotton County, Zodiac and many more. It also houses food giants like Mc Donald, Punjabi Tadka and Dazzel Restrobar.
Siddharth, who sits in a shop selling male garments, is ‘happy’ with SRS image, its interior ambience and crowd-pulling factor. He says his shop gets customers from Faridabad, Delhi and nearby villages.
About the specialty of SRS PVR Cinema, Sushil Jain claims it has the ‘widest screen’ in NCR. SRS Group is also coming up with its more cinemas one in Gurgoan and another in Subham Tower, close to Escort Hospital. Nevertheless, they are planning to arrange outdoor games in the SRS multiplex.
SRS Group is a conglomeration of SRS Group Housing, IT Park, SRS Hotel, SRS Food Court, SRS cinema and Value Bazzar. The Group is going gung-ho in its expansion in their chosen field.
Like any big Group, the SRS Multiplex of its sheer employee strength, area, image and goodwill also faces problems and challenges. According to Sushil Jain it is more or less in the ‘co-ordination’ and the ‘facility’ aspects that they have to improve so to compete with the other malls popping up in their immediate backyard.
Sushil Jain is not complacent when he says ‘there is no competition’ from other malls that are oozing out vigorously in the adjoining areas. He is open to react positively in the changing business environment and in the public’s taste. He is not keeping the cards near his heart as he knows the secret lies in the ‘parking’ and ‘green’ elements attached to the SRS Multiplex that will leverage it for at least 2 to 5 years. The Mall is indeed causing waves in Faridabad, with food court and shops of all kinds offering a plethora of options.
ABHISHEK BACHCHAN WEDDS ASHWARIYA RAI
Posted On Thursday, April 26, 2007 at at 14:25 by rk rishikesh sinhaInnumerable international and national media carried the grand marriage in one breathe. Amitabh, despite being offered as news report appeared was approached by an international television channel to cover the marriage, but he thought to turn down the offer, though best known to him.
The media, particularly the Indian media, which have been continually detailing the life of Bachchan, his wife Jaya Bachchan, son Abhishek Bachchan and now Ashwariya Rai, were unfortunately kept at bay. It seems the Big B wanted his son’s marriage private away from the glare of media.
Television channel were lined up in the gate of Big B reporting live any smattering news pouring out from the house. The BBC carried the marriage news as “Bollywood celebrates star wedding”. Where most of the channels were busy in digging itinerary of their marriage facts, there were other analyzing the financial aspects of the marriage. One came out with the proposition that after the marriage the Bachchan’s family would become the most powerful family in Bollywood.
If media reports are to be believed only 100 people were invited amidst sea of known names in the Big B’s life that spans from fans, to politics, to arts and to bollywood. The Abhishek- Ash marriage, where it got lot of participation added with inquisitiveness from every section of the society, it was marred with a girl’s alleged allegation of Abhshek’s betrayal of marriage promise given to her. The girl, Jhanvi much publicized allegation came as a bolt from the blue for Bachchan’s family.
Besides this, the high profile marriage also got flak from the people of Allahabad, the hometown of Big B. People of Allahabad, who revere him and his family, were disappointed of the fact that their association with the actor was not taken into consideration. The emotional attachment that the people of Allahabad had with the family is understandable.
In a country of billion a marriage can supersede and it was proved in this marriage. General people wants to see and watch their actors on and off the screen, but there are others and there are issues that has to be given due importance. It is really sorry; media was swayed by the marriage of two individuals.
Bishnupriya Manipuri Name Embossed
Posted On Saturday, April 14, 2007 at at 01:27 by rk rishikesh sinhaI took the one less traveled by,
And that has made all the difference.
---Robert Frost, “The Road Not Taken”
MILLI SINHA (Centre) NAVIN PRABHAKAR (extreme right)
Call it serendipity or sheer talent to choose the road less traveled by; Maloxmi Sinha has carved a niche of herself in the field of her chosen field, the event management. She is ebullient, confidant and more than that she is not carrying the air of self-vanity and propensity.
Maloxmi aka Milli is an entrepreneur in its true sense. She hasn’t gone to any big B school to learn the basic lessons of business and corporate communication. On the other hand, she learnt in her own way and pace. Her mantra of her success is perhaps of doing the things irrespective of the size, status of the work. So, she has excelled on whatever work she was offered to.
Her mantra seems simple and straight as stick. But at this time when youngster wish to pluck stars in one breathe. Her rise in professional life is meteoritic and exemplary. Success begins not with long jump but with small, small steps. And she has proved the same.
On asking how she has become a true entrepreneur and what prompted her to plunge in the man’s world. Her eyes sparkle and an innocent smile crosses her face. She drags the pointer of the mouse in the computer to a lady where she had earlier worked. She says, “that lady is my guru”.
But to know the tricks of the game takes time and talent, and moreover opportunities must come rolling in one’s life. About this, she says, “there (her previous job and the last) I was recruited as a Tele-caller, but with my astounding results I was shifted to do other work, and there I knew the whole game”.
She continued the job for 10 – 11 months. And she learnt the ins and out of the business from bottom to the top. The primary reason she left the job, unfortunately came from her guru’s meticulous time keeping.


