Self immolation and Tibetan identity

I often go to Majnu Ka Tila after college it’s quite and not crowded, very unlike most of Delhi. It feels good to be there, specially the café at the very heart of ‘MT’ as we fondly call it! Even after having innumerable cups of coffee and the street side treat laping, I had never thought that the same place would one day turn out to be the home of a hero who sacrificed his life for his people, for his country and most importantly for ‘Freedom’. I am talking about Jhampel Yeshi, a 27-year-old Tibetan living in exile in India, set himself aflame at a protest on 26^th March 2012 in New Delhi against the forthcoming arrival of Chinese President Hu Jintao. It was at least the 30^th time a Tibetan had self-immolated this year alone, a shocking statistic. But as Yeshi’s fiery protest took place in India - rather than in Tibetan areas of China, where most of the immolations have occurred - it received more coverage by the press.

Yeshi died from his injuries a day later, prompting more demonstrations by Tibetans in India against what they consider the brutal Chinese occupation of their homeland. The Indian government, nervous about upsetting China, engaged in a full-on crackdown, arresting close to 300 Tibetans on an archaic colonial law that wards against such dissent.

Yeshi before self immolating left a poignant hand written note. He wrote, ‘the fact that the Tibetan people are setting themselves on fire in this 21st Century is to let the world know about their suffering.’ The number of Tibetan self immolations in China has crossed over thirty. But is the world listening?

Soon after the incident as usual the Chinese authorities put the blame on the Dalai Lama. The Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Hong Lei accused the Dalai Lama of ‘masterminding’ the series of self immolations. The Chinese officials also ‘complimented’ the Indian authorities for their ‘handling’ of the situation. Apart from officials, not many in India would be enthused to receive such a compliment!

And yet the Chinese refuse to take a second look at what is actually causing such unrest in Tibet. Areas inhabited by Tibetans are under harsh security cover. Many new road check points have been built and they are manned by heavily armed Para-Military Police. The Chinese have also instituted ‘monastic management’ plans in order to control religious life. About 21,000 Chinese officials have been deployed to ‘befriend’ Tibetan monks and dossiers have been created on most of the latter. In addition, over a million national flags and Mao portraits have been distributed; monasteries have to compulsorily hang Mao portraits. Such heavy handedness is causing great disaffection amongst the general Tibetan population.

Sadly for the Tibetans, apart from human rights activists, no country has spoken up for them or for their obvious suffering. When a Tunisian street vendor Mohamed Bouazizi self immolated in Tunis on 17 December 2010, he actually helped launch the so-called ‘Arab Spring’ which led to widespread changes in the Arab World. Unfortunately for Jamphel Yeshi, nothing similar seems to have happened in Tibet. Even when the Chinese occupied Tibet in 1950 and the Tibetans took their case to the UN, no major country including Nehru’s India supported their case. While most are demonstrably anxious about the goings on in Syria and critical of the killings of innocent civilians there, few if any are prepared to shed a tear for the hapless Tibetans.

The reasons are not far to seek. No one wishes to annoy the Chinese. The People’s Republic of China is a permanent member of the UN Security Council. It is the second largest economy in the world after the United States and of recent has also grown considerably in military might. Western countries which used to raise Tibet as an issue in their relations with China now also appear to overlook or bypass it when dealing with China.

On the eve of the anniversary of the failed 1959 Tibetan uprising, mass protests were launched by Tibetans and their support groups from their exiled capital Dharamsala, India. Hunger strikes, Candle light vigils, remonstrations and public anger were witnessed in every Tibetan community across the world.

Lobsang Wangyal, an exiled Tibetan entrepreneur living in India says, "Tibetans in Tibet have long said they are not happy under Chinese rule. The self-immolations are saying that they mean it. But the world is paying little attention. It gives a feeling that 30 Tibetans risking their lives is still not enough to make a point and as if more lives should be sacrificed." 

However, all is not lost for the Tibetans. With the evolution of the new media and social networking websites such as Twitter, Facebook, etc., the suffering of the Tibetans is now known worldwide. Millions all over the world who saw the self immolation of Jamphel Yeshi could not but have failed to be moved at the gruesome sight and at the plight of the hapless Tibetans. As more such self immolations take place, the revulsion for Chinese policies in Tibet will grow exponentially.

I for myself will continue going to Majnu Ka tila, to enjoy my cup of coffee and savour the spicy laping; but now MT will no t be the same old MT for me, from now on it is a sacred site where a benevolent soul like Jhampel Yeshi once resided. Bhod Rangzen!! *

* Bhod means TIBET, Rangzen means INDEPENDENCE, in Tibetan it means FREE TIBET.

(I had written this article exactly two years from now, and on the 2nd anniversary of the incident I am finally uploading it on my blog. MT will always have a special place in my heart, forever!)

Australian Film Festival at IIC – Film Review

The Tall Man

Written and Directed by Tony Krawitz, ‘The Tall Man’ is a documentary based on a book of the same name by Chloe Hooper. The documentary is a puzzle which takes the audience on a roller coaster ride to determine the truth behind the famous Cameroon Domadgee death in custody case.

An inebriated Cameroon was arrested one morning for swearing at Senior Sergeant Chris Hurley, and just an hour later he was found dead in the Palm Island police station. The police claimed that Domadgee died because he fell and slipped when entering the cell. Nobody cared to explain how he got such bad injuries by just falling: four broken ribs, a badly ruptured liver and condition as bad as after a car accident.

The documentary uses court transcripts, interviews with Doomadgee’s family and fellow residents and video footage of Hurley re-enacting his version of that day’s event. It also touches upon Palm Island’s colonial history where racism was widespread. 

The filmmaker plays fair by allotting almost the same time to Hurley’s supporters as he does to Domadgee’s. The local people of Palm Island would refer to Chris Hurley who was 6 ft 7 in. tall and weighed 115 kg as ‘The Tall Man’ (of the title) because of his giant physique. The documentary highlights the difficulty to bring him to trial, and his final acquittal makes us question the Judiciary. Krawitz couldn’t convince Chris Hurley to be in the film. The film ends with the results of the final investigation conducted in 2010, including an audio recording of Hurley’s statement.

Go Back to Where You Came From: Series 2

The documentary film shows us the lives of refugees and the difficulties they face trying to lead a normal life. The filmmaker tried a new genre of documentary film making i.e., a reality TV show format. This fresh approach makes us as an audience more interested, captivated and receptive. Refugees are vulnerable and prone to exploitation and violence. With no protection and no rights, they are completely helpless. This documentary does try and bring out the debate of asylum seekers in the open.

We were shown Episodes 2 and 3 from Season 1 of the documentary. It begins with a mini introduction of all the 6 participants – their names, ages, backgrounds and their opinion on the Australia's asylum seeker debate. Except one of the participants, all the rest shared a common hatred for refugees and this included an absolute racist (Raquel) and a complete Muslim hater (Adam). From being a part of  immigration raids in Malaysia, to living in a refugee camp in Kenya, from visiting slums in Jordan and going to war torn countries like Congo and Iraq – the participants do it all.

The film screening was followed by a discussion with filmmaker Rick McPhee. During which a woman said that the participants take more of our attention and sympathy than the refugees. Though she meant it otherwise, I felt that was the biggest advantage of the film. It worked well because, in order to win the asylum seekers debate in their favor, we need to convince people who are anti-refugees first. And the film does that easily, as it strikes a chord with especially such people and makes them think. They connect with participants who are challenged by the situations they are put in and change completely by the end of their journey. If the participants on the show could have a change of heart, so can other such people. The documentary gives us all a ray of hope.

Sights and Sounds at Okhla Vegetable Market - Part II

Location: Okhla Vegetable Market

Time: 04:10 a.m. to 5:30 a.m.

20 sounds that I liked:

1. Namaz – coming from the tent put up for the auspicious Ramzan season.
2. The sound of stray dogs being kicked intentionally or unintentionally, in any crowded places is common.
3. ‘Aao! Aao!’ – Shopkeepers keep shouting this to lure customers.
4. ‘70 Rs. bahot ho gaya’ – the price may change but this is one dialogue you get to hear from both the customers and the shopkeepers.
5. As a vegetable market is a crowded place the commotion of people, the mixing of chatter, with the sound of walking and other activities creates a noise unique to the place.
6. ‘Hato!’ – Very commonly heard by the workers carrying big sacks or huge boxes on there backs when somebody is blocking there way.
7. A radio playing in the background is common to a lot of places, but a vegetable market is one place where in order to here it you would have to close your eyes and feel it.
8. ‘Papita!?’ – the item may change, they may know you are not there to shop, but a good vendor will never let an opportunity pass by to inquire if you need something.
9. ‘Puch ke laga cheezein’ – a shopkeeper instructing a worker under him, or a father teaching his son, this is very often heard in various forms.
10. Sound of the honking of cars from the road, and the trucks in the mandi are a constant sound effect in a vegetable market.
11. Thumping noises caused by beating of hand against the sides of a truck, signaling it to back or stop is common here. This avoids any mishaps and allows smooth movement in the market.
12. When vegetables like potatoes, onions, corncobs etc. are dumped, along comes a lot of dust and irritants which can cause coughing. So coughing is another common sound.
13. Sound of dumping of sacks, after they have been packed into the truck.
14. Taking off the big brown tapes that seal the fruit boxes is another frequently heard sound, especially near the fruit shops.
15. As the ‘Okhla Sabzi Mandi’ is near a railway stop, you can constantly hear the train’s horn whenever one passes by.
16. By the time we were leaving, it had started raining. And there was already a big puddle on one side. So whenever a truck would pass, it would make a splashing noise.
17. ‘Aye rickshaw!’ – used to call a rickshawala, grab his attention for some work.
18. ‘Kacha, Hara’ – sometimes the vendors use innovative words like these to grab the customers’ attention. He says ‘Kacha, Hara’ but doesn’t specify what he is selling. It could be anything dhaniya, chilly, banana, mango, beans, capsicum, bitter gourd, etc. so when you hear this, you tend to look for the shop and see what he is selling. Good marketing strategy!
19. As we were exiting, a man’s mobile started ringing in a funny Bollywood ring tone. It was funny and at the same time very symbolic of our visit. As that was the only moment when people around us actually silenced a bit, to see where it was coming from.
20. Whistling – I spotted these few people who were using whistling as some kind of codes to call out to each other and signal certain actions. It actually comes handy in a crowded and difficult to move around environment like a vegetable market. 

Sights and Sounds at Okhla Vegetable Market - Part I

Location: Okhla Vegetable Market

Time: 04:10 a.m. to 5:30 a.m.

20 visuals that I liked:

1. Just outside the ‘Okhla Vegetable Market’ something interesting caught my eye. As it’s a wholesale market, a lot of trucks and tempos, had been parked outside. These created good frames, beside the pavement. One such was a green tempo parked in front of an orange truck, and the space in the middle that was left you could see a family sleeping on the dusty pavement.
2. Another visual that I found interesting while still outside was the array of vegetable carrying bicycles. I hadn't expected to spot these, and I have been to vegetable markets before, but obviously not one this big. These bicycles looked adorable; they had woven vegetable baskets tied to the front of the handle bars, and a really big one secured near the seat. Standing in lines, or even when pictured alone they made for a pretty sight.
3. As it was early morning when we visited the ‘Okhla Sabzi Mandi, some people could be found sleeping. But what amazed me how different their beds and sleeping positions were! For e.g. I saw a man sleeping on vegetable plastic baskets, stacked together to make a bed. And another basket which had been kept upside down right next to him had a goat sleeping on it.
4. As we went in further, I spotted a fruit seller, who had a huge tent with watermelons under them. And one could clearly see that he was having a good time as he was quickly selling them off, though it was still so early. It was a good day for him! But right next to his shop, two young men slept on a wooden hawker’s cart. This made the visual very interesting, while the watermelon vendor was sending off truckloads of melons away, among all this commotion and activity these two men just slept through it all.
5. On going further we saw to our right, a lot of Muslims offering their early morning namaz. Special seating arrangements had been made for the auspicious Ramzan season, to host a large number of people. From the market where I stood, you could look into the tent through a gap and see the namaz proceedings.
6. Then I saw a truck, which was being loaded with sacks full of potatoes and onions. There were two workers at the back of the truck, one with the light guiding the other one with the sack. They made a very homely picture.
7. As we approached the area from where the market properly began, I spotted another interesting truck. It had been parked on a slope and had a street light illuminating the back end of the truck. It had a man on the top who was pulling a cover on top of the truck. Because of the slope and the man pulling it in the direction of the slope with all his might, this sight symbolized for me strength and hard work at the vegetable market.
8. Men with weird backpacks caught my attention as we were walking in the main market now. From a distance I couldn't make out what it was. It took me a while to see that they were not really backpacks, but contraptions made by them to lift a bag full of vegetables and carry it easily till the truck. They were all white in color and made of the white plastic sacks that one sees at markets. It had a small wooden block tied on the end, to sport the box or the sack.
9. A very charming fruit shop was something that stood out in a ‘vegetable’ market. There were other fruits shops too, but this one just marked its presence, the vendor must have spent quite some time in setting it up. It had fruits arranged in such a way that it looked like a fort of fruits, the front was lower and the backside was higher. So one could just stand and scan all the fruits easily. The vacant chair in the middle and a weighing matching just added more to the charm. Also fruit baskets and trays hung on strings from the rooftop lining the shop.
10. On one end of the market we saw a corncob wholesaler. This was the biggest corncob shop I think. It was huge and had one man sitting at one corner peeling the excess leafs off them. And one man who helped him was standing next to him. The heaps of already peeled corncobs lay below, which was being managed by two other people who were helping to get them loaded on trucks standing nearby.
11. There was an attention-grabbing man selling potatoes at the market. Though dressed in a normal banyan, lungi and smoking a beedi, there was something remarkable about him which made him so unlike others. He also had a ‘change’ pouch hanging off a really long string on his neck. It looked like he was some character out of a book.
12. There was also a shop selling only packed Khajoor (dates). To go with the festive season of Ramzan and the upcoming Eid. Packed in clear transparent plastic bags and reflecting the light from the bulbs, the Khajoor looked really glossy and silken! Appetizing enough to compel anybody to buy them.
13. Near one of the tea stalls in the market, was a big weighing machine placed. And beside it was kept a charpoy. So the hardworking men could be seen lifting heavy sacks placing them on the weighing machine, then sealing them and taking them to the truck. Whereas on the charpoy right next to it, young men who are lazy bums (you could make out by there behavior) just kept lazing around. One even got scolded by his dad for not working. It showed the contrast very clearly.
14. Sometimes the ordinary looks so different, that it looks other worldly! I felt this when I couldn't recognize green bananas being sold at a shop, because of its placement. They had been placed one top of the other, with the top i.e. the place where they are connected to each other was facing us. So they looked like huge big green flowers, with every banana looking like a leaf to me. It felt like a scene from the evergreen African jungles. So green and so exotic!
15. Early morning and the smell of ‘Chai’ is sure to brighten anybody’s day. So we went and had tea at one of the tea stalls. It was much later that I noticed it reminded me of some place. I couldn't really say it aloud because I thought it sounded weird, but nevertheless I somehow said it. And to my relief Nagma agreed with me. The ‘Chai stall’ reminded one of being in a railway station! Its composition was such that it had a feel of being situated on a platform. For once I actually though that we were waiting for a train and not really in a vegetable market. We were surrounded by vegetables yet getting the feeling of being transported to another world altogether is no mean feat.
16. One of the vendors who was not making much sale, or maybe was unhappy about something sat on the weighing machine of his shop with a grumpy expression on his face.
17. The place where the sacks were being lifted on the backs of workers also had interesting sights. One that I liked was the way they lifted the sacks up. Another worker would help lift the bag, and then he would swing it in a peculiar way above his head, so that it landed on his back. It looked very smooth and there practice showed in the ease with which they were doing it.
18. Amongst the vegetables and fruits in the market, amongst the vibrant colors, a dairy shop is sure to stand out. Selling products like: milk, cheese, khoya, etc. – the shop looks very white! And stacked up on a silver shelf, it shines too. Very different from the rest of the market indeed.
19. At one of the exits/entrances, there was an interesting opening with a triangular top. Vegetable vendors sitting on both sides with light bulbs glowing in their shops, contrasted well with the black sky visible through the opening. The play of light and dark, made it eye catchy.
20. The shop that I liked the most was the one selling carrots and capsicums. It had two levels and an interesting background of colorful doors. On the floor lay the orange carrots, and up the stairs to the raised platform lay green capsicums. Workers could be seen cleaning the vegetables and packing them. Behind them was a dark green cupboard fixed into the wall, then a blue door and just next to it a bright green bigger door. Two sacks of carrots were kept on the left side of the platform. It was full, vibrant, rich and one of the best sights that I saw at the ‘Okhla Sabzi Mandi’.

Mr. Lochan and his suspender pants

A chequered shirt, a freckled face

Yet a smooth overall appearance

Spectacles hanging from his neck

On a strand of thread

His hair black but mostly white

And off course, how could one miss

His ‘suspender pants’:P

The class all quite, all eyes on him

But are they interested, in awe or just scared of him

He modulates his voice,

Changes its texture,

Throws his hands around,

But do my friends really understand what he says,

Cause if they really did, why would they scared?

Sitting in the centre, of the circle we make around him

He says he doesn’t like people sitting at the back,

But if we someone’s at front, someone has to be behind,

And someone who’s been himself a backbencher all his life,

Should I really listen to him?

His suspender pants, just sum him up

It binds him,

So that he dosent go off the track

It controls him, so that he doesn’t lose count

It sizes him up, and off course they hold his pants in place

So that he can jump around in his thoughts.

I wonder how would he be, had it not been for them,

What a crazy person he would be!

The Shortest Poem

In July that year, when he first showed me emotions,
I saw a person who could cry for me,
Who felt pain if i was away. :)

But in April this year, when I saw him lie on my face,
It all came crashing down!
End of story. 


(Written at my Maasi's place while I was out with my parents, last piece written about my breakup. Will never write anything about it. Doesn't deserve that space in my head or heart anymore. And I thought he cared. :I )

27th May 2013, 05.04 pm. 

It felt so right 'to me'

I held onto his every word,
I believed everything, he said
blind to the core
where the fuck was my head? =0

Proud of my brains,
intelligent than the rest,
that's what I thought,
about myself,
till I met you!

You who put everything in perspective,
I know now, I too do have a heart
Cause otherwise it wouldn't have hurt so much.
I thought I coudln't cry for anyone
except myself, but now I cry every night
For could I not see
it clearly then?
How could I be so stupid?

Even now when I know the reality,
Why do I still believe everything he said,
At times when I am alone or even
when with people
A song or a line reminds me of him
tears well up my eyes and I cry.

My gut feeling was always right,
but this is proving me wrong,
and that hurts more than anything
it felt so right 'to me'
But it felt so right 'to me'

Written during the end of March 2013 in class.

Obsessed with words

You are obsessed with words,

More than enabling, they set limits,

You ask us to write a frame,

As if it’s a story.

Off course every photo has a tale,

But when we have ink, pen and our hands,

Why can’t we just draw it out?

Easier for us to get the message across,

Easier for you to understand,

More close to reality.

Why are you then so obsessed with word?

Words that set limits,

Words that are ultimately just words,

Not visuals to please the eyes.

Sir, in the end I have just one thing to say

Why stress the brain,

When you can soothe the eyes!

< I had written this for a professor who i find cute as a teddy, but didn't like him at all when he spoke about writing out "photographic' frames and explaining them :( when one could just draw them >

Written on 23^rd January 2013 at 12:13 pm 

Magic for a Reason :)

I had interviewed Magician Akash P.R.  for the magazine Megarth - which showcases Social Leaders and Organizations, Individuals and Businesses that create exponential Social Change - here it is:

What is your definition of passion and when did you discover that magic is your passion?

Passion means madness to me, you keep thinking about it all the time, no matter where you are, what you are doing. You are unconsciously always thinking about it and drawing connections from your normal life, daily routine to that one thing that means the most to you – your passion! I discovered my passion or rather say realized my love for magic when I was in 5^th standard (approx). Everybody has witnessed some kind of magic as a kid even if not by a professional magician. Sometimes adults try to fool kids by telling them the reason for something rational that they can understand by telling them that its magic. That was beginning when a child is not taken in by the lies adults and the society around us tries to cook up. When you are not taken in by such lies you develop rationality after knowing how things works , you are ready to use the ability to create myth and illusion on your command and use it to entertain people. That is how I discovered my passion for magic. 

Whenever you go up on stage to perform, what are your thoughts before performing?

I only think about my act, how I am going to do it. I just concentrate on my performance. My mind is clean of any other thoughts except my next act. My support staff takes care of the rest.

Magic is one passion that energizes you, but what are other hobbies or activities you are involved in that keeps you happy?

Sketching is one hobby that has been a constant part of my life along with magic. I also paint and carve, modern art being my area of interest. Humming songs in my free time also keeps me energized and going.

There might be ups and downs in the pursuit of your passion but what keeps you motivated to move forward?

When a rough/low point comes in the pursuit of your passion, you sometimes feel like giving it all up and moving ahead with your life, with a lot less tension. But then because it is your passion, and you cannot stay away from it you come back to it and start working ways out. Sometimes when an act goes wrong due to some problem in stage, props, or human fault, after getting frustrated and saddened by it you come back and try to repair, fix or reduce chances of faults happening. You can never let go off your passion.

What is your source of inspiration for magic?

All creative people who have struggled hard and made a name for themselves be it in – singing, dancing, acting or magic, etc – they all inspire me. I love reading about them and there struggle for surviving against all odds inspires me to keep going.

Magic has an entertainment value but can this be used for any other purpose like spreading a social message?

Yes surely. Magic shows can be customized to suit any social cause and spread a message through such magic shows. We also have an organization MFR – Magic for a Reason which solely works for giving magic a human touch. We wish to impart social messages and uplift the society and remove the taboo associated with magic as black magic and not as a performing art.

Please share your thoughts about the perspective towards this form of art and its future.

Magic is an art form which needs no language to convey an idea to the audience. Magic has a universal language which everybody understands and everyone wants to see. But a lot of people still believe in black magic and don’t consider it an art form. We need to work on eradicating this idea from the masses.

The future looks bright for magic and if in India it gets the much needed government support and government gives it the status of a performing art. Only then it is possible that research and development in the field of magic will happen and it would be able to regain its lost glory in India once again!

Why you so scared?

Why are you so scared?

So shit scared of all?

I know you are new,

But give it some time,

A lot of times happiness grew,

Out of sadness my friend!

Accepting that you are afraid,

Afraid of the dark, strange faces and all.

Acceptance, will lead you to overcoming that fear,

Help you stand tall and never make you fall.

I will still be there always to catch you in my arms,

Would always love you for who you are.

Don’t be so scared,

So shit scared of all,

I know you are new,

But give it some time,

A lot of times happiness grew,

Out of sadness my friend!

I know you so well,

I know you inside out,

I know you my friend,

You pour your heart out.

I don’t want to shout,

I don’t want to scold,

I want you to learn,

Just help you break out!

Don’t be so scared,

So shit scared of all,

Just give it a chance,

Just give it a try.

[this poem is dedicated to a friend of mine... :) ]

An exceptional day in my life

An exceptional day in your life…sometimes an exceptional day is occurring in your life and you have no clue about it until years later. The most exceptional day of my life was wrapped in mystery for years before finally unveiling itself to me. Sometimes captivity is good, being left in darkness beneficial, so was the case with me. I was enveloped in a soft cushioning surrounding, don’t know what it was, fluids surrounded my body, oh yes my body, I had a body! In my comfortable abode where all my needs were met – warmth, food and comfort – it was bliss! But after some months, I think it was a year, no not a year a little less. I woke up because of some movement, I could feel myself moving for the first time a little too much in my cushioning surrounding. My head could touch something hard, after struggling for hours I felt immense pressure on my head followed by huge pressure on my chest. Slowly the tension in my body subsided and the pressure was gone and my lungs filled with air – my first breath. I coughed and spluttered, and then my cord was cut! Yes, I had been born. I would not know this for years to come, what my mother went through all this time when I was coming out in this world would be hidden from me.

It was an exceptional day; I was to celebrate that very day for all the years to come – 18^th March. I am more close to my dad, I saw him first when I opened my eyes, sometimes I feel is it because I thought that he had given birth to me! :P Well that’s another story for another day, recounting such an exceptional day of my life is enough for a day I feel. :)

Manmohan in a mess!!!! XD

I won the first prize in Inter College Cartoon Making Competition - Bazinga...here's my entry! :)
*
Topic: Sometimes even my lucky rocketship underpants won’t help!!!
Idea behind it: The cartoon focuses on Manmohan Singh and the sticky situation a few months ago he was in and still is. Anna Hazare and the anti corruption protest, the slew of scams and corruption scandals that were unearthed, the Food Bill and the newly revised BPL index, followed by Kapil Sibbal’s attempt  at monitoring all online content,  all these were responsible for making the situation worse for Mr. Singh. In short nothing can help our Prime Minister Manmohan Singh from the ugly situation he is stuck in!

Five reasons why I like Anna :)

Lately I have been hearing a lot about Anna, but this time more criticism than praise, unlike before. My college just today organised today a talk in which the guest lecturers lay open the faults present in the Lokpal bill and presented their very own version of the same which they said would be more effective and useful for the people. This made me think over my stand, i was supporting Anna till now, do I still support him!?....I went over everything I think about him and that lead me in reinstating my faith in Anna. Below I list my top five reasons for liking Anna:

1. Yes I know hunger strikes are not the way to bring out reforms, but when was the last time, somebody had such mass appeal without being a celebrity, politician or any other public figure...i cant name anyone. He brought the issue of corruption to the forefront and made it the topic of hot debate, which we had been ignoring for good many years, rather generations.


2. I know the Lokpal bill has faults, but people who are now correcting it and bringing more correct versions of the same forget that Anna was the original inspiration.


3. For the first time one man is leading a campaign by his sheer mass appeal earned not by political tactics, mud slinging on others or other such unconstitutional means (in which our politicians are pro).  He is a living example of  'not asking what the nation has done for us, but what we have done for the nation'.


4. He truly lives for others, read his biography to know more. His contribution are so many they cannot be listed here. But for those who don't know at all about him, I would like tell them that he was awarded the Padma Bhushan—the third-highest civilian award—by the government of India in 1992 for his efforts in establishing Ralegan Siddhi as a model village. He lives in a small room attached to the Sant Yadavbaba temple in Ralegan Siddhi since 1975. He never visited his home though it is in same village. He owns 0.07 hectares of family land in Ralegan Siddhi which is being used by his brothers. Two other pieces of land donated to him by the Indian Army and by a villager have been donated by him for village use.


5. Name one other person like him if you can think of any in today's world, if you are able to I will change my stance and not support his cause. But I know its impossible to think of anybody else, and that sums up why I like Anna so much!

If somebody feels I am still wrong in supporting him, comment below and let me know why, I am open to criticism. Finally I would like to end this blog post by one chant - "Jai Anna"!! :)

Shopaholic guilt attack and Trend Forecast 2011

One thing that I will remember my summer vacations for this year would be shopping! One thing I never believed was that girls are shopaholic, but thanks to my last one month long shopping spree I admit that at least I am one. In the last one month I have been to all big markets of delhi flocked by girls like me: Janpath, Lajpat Nagar, Sarojini Nagar, Kamla Nagar, this year I even explored some new options like: Laxmi Nagar, Chandni Chowk, Moti Nagar, Kraol Bagh, and others. My prediction for this year college fashion according to my market research shows:

• Cloth bags are out, Leather, Rexine, Jute other materials are in.
• Tote bags are out, Sling bags are in.
• Identical shorts are out, Innovative jeggings are in.
• Heavy material is out, Sheer, Net material is in.
• Boring or top to toe coloured look is out, a pop of colour with your look is in.

But despite the lessons I have learnt about the latest inclothes and accesories, I still get guilt pangs of spending so much when my wardrobe is almost bursting! Just hope that I get over this feeling soon. And if you too are lusting after the new bag/shoe/cloth that you saw in a shop days back, just go and get it so that after the lust pangs are over your guilt pang begins...best of luck shopping!! ;)

Is this Delhi that I see?

While going through my college diary I stumbled upon this poem that I had written in the beginning of June 2010, when preparations for Commonwealth Games were in full swing. Here is the poem: 

Is this Delhi that I see?

No birds, no plants, no greenery

Beautification of the city they said

‘Men at work’ the signboards read

Bricks, mortar, cement, and stone

New structures have been grown

Colour, fragrance, liveliness

Nature spreading happiness

Sweet songs of birds and bees

Pure air and the cool breeze

Now replaced by oil and grease

Smoky air that makes you sneeze

Is this Delhi that I see?

No birds, no plants, no greenery.

2010 Commonwealth Games

It was the culprit to be blamed

But is it right and is it fair

Blame not one it should be shared

Wrong has been done, everyone’s to blame

It was not ‘them’ cause ‘we’ had claimed

Beautification by cutting down trees

Progress and growth that’s what we see

Isn’t it so foolish, isn’t it so lame

Putting natural beauty to artificial shame

Cement structures and stony lanes

Done all this for Commonwealth Games

Oh when will this attitude change?

‘Growth’ by cutting tress isn’t it strange

Not measured by the structures built

But by the trees that we have killed

Can’t change it now we’ve done it all

Letting buildings grow & trees to fall

We’ve done it all

We’ve done it all.

Is this Delhi that I see?

No birds, no plants, no greenery.

LSR College Fest: Tarang 2010-11

TARANG, the annual cultural festival of Lady Shri Ram College is one of the most eagerly awaited festivals of Delhi University. Dedicated to the celebration of creativity, it is a stimulating event brimming with youthful dynamism. TARANG 2011 will commence on the 11th of February, the festivities continuing over 12th and 13th February, each day culminating in a musical performance. TARANG will see the campus turning into a veritable kaleidoscope of people who not only compete in various events but also enjoy informal events, competitions, band performances, discussions and film screenings that are spread over these three days. TARANG also incorporates a food festival, which is an amalgamation of various cuisines and snack brands and is hence a prime attraction in the festival.
Looking forward to fun filled festival ahead! :D

TENTATIVE SCHEDULE FOR TARANG 2011:

11th February:-

• REMIX (Poster Making) Room 28 & 29 9:00-15:00
• For details contact: Shukti- 9810049077
• NUKKAD (Street Play Competition) Principal's Lawns 9:00-18:00
• For details contact: Samira 9811993614
• Indian Classical Solo, Instrumental and Semi Classical Competition Hut 10:00-17:00
• For details contact: Nikhila 9717821598
• Western Acoustic Band Competition Auditorium 10:00-14:00
• For details contact: Grace 9911247480
• QURIOSITY (Quiz Competition) Upper Seminar Room 11:00-13:00
• For details contact: Shambhavi 9971645274
• Rhetorica Room 9 & 9A 11:00-13:00
• For details contact:Kamala 9811460087
• Hindi Parliamentary Debate Tutorial Block ( 2nd Floor) & Room 15 11:00-17:00
• For details contact: Kanika 9953304060
• 'BAILA' Western Dance Competition Auditorium 15:00-18:00
• For details contact: Pooja 9810214492
• Projekt Movie Screening Project Room 15:00-18:00
• For details contact: Kaveri 9971956488
• Display of Photography Competition Entries Lower Foyer All Day
• For details contact: Kaveri 9971956488
• BATTLE OF BANDS Bamboo Grove 15:30-19:00
• For details contact: The Students' Union

 12th February:-

• 'MUDRA' Classical Dance Competition Auditorium 9:30-11:30
• For details contact: Udita 9899639464
• Western Music Society(Solo and Group) Hut 10:00-14:00
• For details contact: Sophie 9711901221
• Aribana (Rangoli Making) Room 28 & 29 10:00-15:00
• For details contact: Akriti 9999099564
• Creative Writing Competition Room 9 11:00-13:00
• For details contact: Kamala 9811460087
• WDC Movie Screening Project Room 11:00-14:00
• For details contact: Reeti 9911859622
• Drama Battle Bamboo Grove 11:00-14:00
• For details contact: Apoorva 9910828780
• Hindi Parliamentary Debate Tutorial Block( 2nd floor) & Room 15 11:00-17:00
• For details contact: Kanika 9953304060
• Reena Sandhu Elocution Competition Room 9 13:30-15:00
• For details contact: Pallavi 9582116680
• Indian Music Society: Sangam Auditorium 12:00-15:00
• For details contact: Tulika 8860825115
• Confessions of a Tattoo(Tattoo Making) Room 17 & 18 15:00-18:00
• For details contact: Vanika 9910152421
• Drama Rama Project Room 15:00-18:00
• For details contact: Priya 9910955932
• Treasure Hunt College Campus 15:00-17:00
• For details contact: The Students' Union
• Display of Photography Competition Entries Lower Foyer All Day
• For details contact: Kaveri 9971956488
• PARIKRAMA LIVE IN CONCERT
• Also featuring JASLEEN ROYAL BACK LAWNS 18:00-20:00
• For details contact: The Students' Union

 13th February:-

• YAVNIKA (Stage Play Competition) Auditorium 9:00-15:30
• For details contact: Samira 9811993614
• Indian Music Society Jugal Gayan Room 12 10:00-14:00
• For details contact: Nikhila 9717821598
• Still Point( Still Life Painting) Room 28 & 29 10:00-14:00
• For details contact: Shukti 9810049077
• Hindi Parliamentary Debate Tutorial Block ( 2nd Floor) & Room 15 11:00-17:00
• For details contact: Kanika 9953304060
• Projekt Film Screening Upper Seminar Room 14:00-17:00
• For details contact: Vani 9810429987
• Street Dance Bamboo Grove 14:00-17:00
• For details contact: Pooja 9810214492
• 'IZRAZ' Choreo Dance Competition Auditorium 16:00-18:30
• For details contact: Lavannya 9971410020
• Display of Photography Competition Entries Lower Foyer All Day
• For details contact: Kaveri 9971956488
• DJ NIGHT BACK LAWNS 18:00-21:00

For details contact: The Students' Union:
lsrstudentsunion@gmail.com
President
Pragya Mukherjee 9650012331
General Secretary
Namrata Neog 9716057063
Cultural Secretary
Ipshita Sinha 9654230476
Treasurer
Aaina Mahajan 9650065448

**Diwali Mela**

LSR came alive with vibrant colours and festivity on 1^st November, 2010. The shift from the boring classes to jubilant exultation, was to celebrate the festival of lights i.e. diwali. The traditional festival of lights with its significant message of victory of good over evil was celebrated with great pomp and show. Every year the celebration is earmarked by a small diwali mela organized by the NSS (National Social Service Organization) of LSR.

The mela was a happy affair with its assortment of food, games, accessories and the like. The presence of Rajasthan dancer’s, Punjabi dhol and a street play group left nothing else to be desired for. The festive mood was in full swing with every stall thronged by girls dancing either to the tune of Punjabi pop or Eminem rap. Apart from the stall’s set up by the NGO’s under the NSS, the different societies of LSR had also set up their respective stalls.

Entretia, the e- cell of LSR had also set up a stall at the diwali mela. Our stall was placed conveniently in the mela so as to capture more eyeballs, sell more products and hence earn more profit. The item’s exhibited for sale at our stall were cool flat chappals, assorted candies’, cloth bags, eco-friendly and multipurpose vase and customized posters. This was not all as there was also a betting game which required the individual to complete the task without tearing the paper given to the individual. Every member of the e-cell contributed in the successful sale of the items in the stall in their own way. For instance, some had taken up the duty of taking charge of the stall and persuading the customer’s into buying the items for sale at the diwali mela. The items were sold at “customer pocket friendly prices” like one pair of chappals for 130 rupees, bag for 165 rupees, and vase for 15 rupees and so on. This was the primary reason for the voluminous sale of our items at the diwali mela.

This effective pricing strategy helped us in earning profit and increasing the immensity of this festivity. The success of the event should also be attributed to all the members of the e-cell who volunteered and worked as a team under the praiseworthy leadership of the e-cell coordinator’s Smriti and Swati.

Two day NEN workshop!

On 29th and 30th October, a 2-day workshop was conducted by NEN at APIM, Noida. The workshop saw enthusiastic participation from all the E-Leaders of colleges from Delhi-NCR. Two Entretia members also got a chance to attend the workshop.

The main objectives of the workshop were:

• Driving the development of a community

• Importance of staying connected for E-cells and E leaders

• How to: Scaling Up and Tap into the community

The workshops were a gush of fresh air literally, instead of sounding like ‘rocket science’, as entrepreneurship workshops generally turn out to be, they were interesting and had loads of fun activities to keep us on our toes! From sketching random stuff to putting puzzles together, we did it all and I must say people enjoyed it a lot! A lot of the students present put forward the problems they face in running their E-cells and then later solutions were worked out for the same. In all it was a great experience, an event not to be missed for sure! :)