I'm back !

Hi guys, am back after a long hiatus. I'd been busy with the new job that I've taken up after a years sabatical. The job's quite interesting and gives me all the freedom to do something new. I am involved with ICFAI Business School's, ICFAI Centre for Business Research. We here in ICBR bring out derivative books on management topics. My first project is to bring out a book on, "Women: Balancing Home and Profession". The synopsis is waiting for approval. One thing we've got to keep in mind is to choose topics/themes on which books have not been written before. This has been done to avoid any kind of overlap. I'm waiting ofr my synopsis to get approved. Once I get a green signal, I shall go ahead with the project.

My second project is a book on , "Maritime Trade and Security" and the synopsis just got approved.

I am also in need of writers who would like to contribute for the books that I propose to write. Will let you know as and when the projects get approved.

Ritu Beri's Haute Couture in Paris

Ritu Beri is a renouned fashion designer in India who is presenting her latest collections in a fashion show in Paris. The show was telecasted on FTV and I found it quite interesting. It had an Indian touch right from the designs, ambiance and the music (amazing bhangra beats ). The only thing which seemed out of place was that instead of Indian models the designs were carried off by foreign models. Well, in India, fashion and textile industry has come a long way and Indian designers are proving their mettle globally.

Mid life crisis?

Sitting in my study I have been pondering, for quite some time, about what next? Ever since I took a break from the routine 9 to 5 job, my thoughts have flown to hights uncontrollably. This break is indeed relaxing and has given me immense space to contemplate about various activities that I could take up henceforth. It has made me realize how I had been missing out on small yet important things in life. I feel, opportunities are aplenty but its a matter to choose and decide which one? And this has become a great task for me now. How I wish I had these thoughts as soon as I passed out of my collage. Well, this is when I believe that wisdom comes by age. Atleast in my case it has proved to be so true. I'd never imagined that this break could transform me as a person, my priorities and many other things.

So far, I feel, this transformation has been positive but again, the midlife crisis is what next??

Zindagi samajh main aati nahin!

Its been 11 long years since I took to writing poems in urdu.One of my very first poems, which is also one of my favourite, goes like this...

"Zindagi tu wo shay hei jo samajh main aati nahin,
faila hei tera wajood kyon itna jo kisi shay main samaati nahin,
mil mujhe, kabhi, kaheen ...toe do chaar baatain he hoon,
dil ki sunaayain tujhe bhi hum, kyon gale lagaati nahi,

tujhse behtar mujhe jaane hei kaun,
mera maazi tak tujhse chupa nahin,
meri ranj-o-gham ki shaamon ke aage
tere wajood ki kyon koi seher nahin,

ab tujhi se rishta nibhaana hei,
rishta mere khaaq main milne tak ka,
rishta jo jannatain naseeb karaaye,
ya ashqon ke paimaanon main dubne tak kaa,

zindagi tu wo shay hei jo samajh main aati nahn...!"

IBN- Pro "anti-reservation"?

Looks like IBN once again gave coverage to anti-reservation rally. The news posted on its site about pro and anti protest rally in JNU campus seems to be in favour of anti-reservation. As the news was posted saying;

"On Friday evening, anti-reservation protestors at JNU were taking out a peaceful candlelight march. As per plan, their counterparts from IIT Delhi joined in the march. However, the pro-reservation JNU students, who mostly belong to or sympathise with the Left, didn't apporove".

For more details on this see;
Pro, anti-reservation clash in JNU

Anti-reservation - Virtual protests.

Today, the doctors with the support of students from JNU (New Delhi) took out a pro-quota rally in Delhi. I wish there are more such rallies and demonstrations in the days to come. Moreover, Anti-reservation protesters are expressing their resentment through various blogs and websites. Unfortunately, many of these blogs and posts are getting abusive. Some of the bloggers have posted the links of "anti-reservation" logo on their blogs asking people to add the logo on their blogs or websites as a mark of protest against reservation. I have also come across a blog which is all set to make a movie on the issue and says that, "India is in need of action like rang de basanti for opposing reservation'..

well, I raise my voice in solidarity with those whose rights have been curbed for centuries...

"muddaton se aawaaz uth rahi hei,
gali,kuchon aur minaaron main,
har sadi main kuchli gayi hei,
hamari aabru ki dhajjiyan baazaaron main,

rehem nahin maangte,
haq maangne ka jazbaa hei,
kamzore katai naa honge ab,
ginti hamari hei hazaaron main..."

Zindagi..!

Life has always fascinated me more than anything else.It has nurtured me in ways that I have begun seeing life inside my own self. It has weaved me with different threads that today my existence resembles a pattern so colourful with intricate yet beautiful and varied designs.....

"Har roz mukhtasar si lagti hei,
zindagi falsafaa si lagti hei,
kabhi dariya si gehri,
toe kabhi halki baadalon si lagti hei,

khul si jaati hei pankhudiyon ki tarha,
toe kabhi band kitaab si lagti hei,
zindagi naam uss paheli ka hei,
har lamha jo kuch judaa si lagti hei..."

kya fanaa hogayi fanaa?

Well, the movie is not even released and it has gained so much publicity.... all for the wrong reasons. Apparently the movie is banned all over Gujrat and angry mobs are tearing the posters of the movie especially those of Amir khan's. Well, the movie's paying the price for Amir's "real life hero image" and Amir's paying the price for raising his voice in support of "Narmada bachao andolan". Post rang de basanti nobody had expected that, out of the blue, amir wud appear as a real life hero extending his bepanaah support to NBA.

His professional life's in jeopardy and the reason... he expressed his personal views on a cause which he thinks he shud support.What has happened to our democracy where every citizen is supposed to have the right to freedom of speech as per the constitution? Amir is one among thousands of supporters of NBA. Its just that he is targeted by political parties for being a celebrity otherwise I dont think he has expressed anything different on the issue. Like many others, he spoke for poor and displaced people. Shud we say fanaa release se pehle he fanaa ho gayi? Lets wait and watch...