Bala's Paradesi - Movie Review

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Paradesi_(2013_film)

I’m glad I made it to the first day of the movie “Bala’s Paradesi”. Set in pre-independence India about tea plantation workers, their innocence to fight famine, and their life after accepting the British’s offer to work in the tea estates. The story is the hero and the cast have carried it well by living their characters. They are unique, yet real and definitely make lasting impression. What I specifically like about the movie is the beginning and the end – the way they have been shot. At the start, you will experience the bubbly feel of the village, the joy spread by everyone and everything in the locality and contrastingly in the climax, your soul will shed tears. The music was able to bring in the right emotions and the blend is good too. I cannot tell if the music suits the 1930s but it definitely is in sync with the story scenes. The art direction serve as a backbone, the entire movie has got the parched tone bringing you a scorched feel. The other items such as costumes, make-up, and sets, help in bringing a slice of time period in history.

I love the fact that Bala hasn’t taken any artificial sprinkles. He hasn’t mixed the story with melodrama, clap worthy dialogues, romance, good vs. evil, uprising with hope, revenges, or anything that may do good in the box office. This is his landmark, I believe. The movie also brings in a subtle message on the business in sacred threads, the advent of globalization, the strategy in spreading Christianity, and not-to-forget the westernized lifestyle system.

Paradesi will make us think twice before our first sip of the next tea. :)
Let the world cinema taste another remarkable story.

Safety, Rights, Empowerment

I’m sure most of us celebrated March 8 - International Women’s Day. Few of my friends refused to accept the wishes quoting the worsening state of womanhood. Coincidently, a lot of recent talks over wire were on Women’s safety. Women rights is another aspect prevailing since a few years. Deep dive, it’s about empowerment IMHO. I'm going to take only one item for this post. Let me stick to the sad truth of money being an authority (at least in the empowerment context). It is equally sad to realize that most women who earn now-a-days aren’t empowered enough to manage their earnings, savings, or investments or some don’t even have a say. I’m trying to look for an answer for this stand. I think it goes back to the upbringing and the societal constitution. In most of our families, men manage the finances. In other words, Men are earners and women are spenders. There is no overt discrimination I believe; but there lies a serious problem. The so-called uber-modern societal setup has also been a reason for this problem. Look at most of the advertisements – women are portrayed as spenders buying something every possible way sometimes even without an absolute need - thanks to the eCOMMERCE (eShopping) fever – they do it just with a click. While most men are presented to be decision makers taking some investment decisions and securing their families, some men are shown spending money buying something for their wives. There are certain advertisements which present women as wise, smart, and sensible – but those are more likely to be for nutrition or FMCG products. I will stay away from the cosmetic world. The movies aren't a spare. How many  can you list that bring women in the true form? But I wonder when the world will change this perspective toward women (may that be sooner, please!) If the social media has such beliefs and keeps expressing that, then the empowerment I wish for is in question. I wish there could be a council to grant approval for such ads – but let me not ask for stars.

I also know of quite a few women who take a step back when it comes to investment or money management. Ma’ams in finance, please excuse :) Money, if believed to be the power, doesn’t stay so if only earned but managed as well. There’re so many ways to learn new things in this connected world, we know what to do but we just don’t do it. Let us begin with that change. I also must say that there is an ample opportunity for every men to realize their part in the CHANGE.

Time to wake up to the truth and stop supporting the false and bloated societal traps. 

Pregnancy as a Service - Baby as a Product

Yes, I want to talk about Surrogacy! (Surrogacy is a method in which a women will carry a child to term and hand the baby over to the commissioning parents a few moments after birth.) Shocking? Surprising? Or interesting? Read on!! Science has advanced!!!

Surrogacy challenges my fundamental understanding of Motherhood and brings in a question of what I always thought as an unbreakable bond between mother and child. While many condemn this, some compares it with women who rent their bodies (prostitution – the world’s oldest profession) or the organ transplant (after people die). I am not going to talk about those who have their babies by surrogate to avoid stretch marks or lose the waxes in their body parts! But I will try and talk about those mothers who rent their wombs - they need money and the couples who commission it - they have money and infertile. This practice is seen in many major countries with the deal done domestically and/or internationally (outsource for a cheaper cost). Money is THE constant need for many in the world, isn't it? Few governments have legalized this practice with clinics and medicos specialized in this, they also do baby-brokering. Interesting to know that homosexuals too are customers of this trade, of course partnered with a sperm/egg donors.

Very little is understood about the world of surrogates. I've read about their stories and it seems to me that they like to be involved, though it is primarily for money, but they also enjoy the feel of their bellies with a baby inside and the high of all those rushing hormones. Defying stereotyping, hah? The hardest part of this job could be the loneliness that come after the deal is done. The mothers come home without the baby they were carrying and there’s no one to ask, no calls, nothing. The performance is over, nobody cares, they’re done. They’re out!! All they have is the surrogacy money and the livid C-section mark.

Is it all about activism against infertility-as-a-curse or the demand for money in everything in day-to-day lives? People explore different options to get out of the prisoning the society has put on them. Who is to be condemned?

Wet Nurse, Babysitting, Surrogacy, then what?

If these walls could talk...

Lonely, around the corner

Wishing someone could knock and take me out

Never ending silence of the living room

Untold sorrows and stories

Memories unfold…
they would give you pages and pages to read…

Only if these walls could talk!

Stamp

Did you ever try?

No one has ever measured, 

not even poets, 

how much the heart can hold.

- Zelda Fitzgerald (1900 - 1948)

you made me think

see yourself!

i trUst

Feel the silence...

The second best thing

FaceABook

Let me live

Just with hope!

livelife

Prediction

love all

Every relationship is important...

Whenever I sit down for a conversation with my married friends, they try (really try!) telling me the complications of a married life. I agree to some of their points, yes they’re valid.. I do believe in a fact. “Every relationship is important.” When it comes down to partner (wife, in my case), this is more important and becomes a very vital aspect of our lives. I AGREE. Now coming to the topic—Marriage. Does it really change us? Don’t you all agree that we have relationships with various people from childhood? Do those relations change you? No. The reason is we being ourselves with fewer expectations and less influences. We never force ‘anyone’ to act like as we do or think; ‘anyone’ includes our parents, siblings, friends, neighbors, teachers, fellow students, fellow colleagues, etc. Then why in the hell we try changing our partners? Why can’t we accept the way they’re? They are grown-ups; they know their morality (at least to some extent); don’t you feel bad when someone tries to change you, or the way you think, or the way you do things, or the way you see life? I’m sure you will. Then, why wouldn’t they? However, I agree that not all of us are matured enough to ‘think’ and ‘act’ right; but I also put up a fact that no one will change just because it is told. They may, but it doesn’t last longer. The point is they have to realize it themselves (may be repeated telling; but definitely not forcing) or they have to decide themselves to let the attitude go. Only then, they will adopt it for their life. After all life is full of learning, isn’t it? With good relationships, we do take a little closer step to guide them whenever things aren’t right or get guided when we are down; this usually happens on a mutual trust and care. If you call our partners really a ‘partner’, then where did the mutual trust and care go? Shouldn’t it be more? 

When you really care, you listen. When you really listen, you understand. When you really understand, you think. When you really think, you act right. So everything goes well. So care your partner the way you did for all your relationships, much more than that. Also remember that this ‘partner’ is special, sharing all the ups and downs of our life. And also ensure that you don’t ruin theirs. Give them the respect for what they are and what they have got for you. Care, listen, understand, think, and then act. Don’t jump on please. If you follow this simple rule for your own life, you will never be in trouble. 

Show It Now!

just a thought passed by...

Over And Over

Turn ON / OFF

The Death Pain

Save Water

Save Water

- the hub of life

Few suggestions I have:

1. Tap the tap. 

2. Wash your car with a bucket, not with a hose.

3. Have a quick shower, instead of a bath.

4. Use a low flow tap.

5. Reuse your kitchen water and bathroom water for your garden.

The speed( Ω )breaker and the COME BACK

I always hate medicines and going to clinic for any consultation. I am good enough to keep myself fit, hale and healthy. And I was too fast in my life (that’s what my friends say about me) – my brain didn’t accept that – it instead speeded up. Yes, my life was going at a pace it is supposed to go. And here it is: there was a speed breaker in my life (will it come again?) and that was my accident. This happened during the second year of my career. I usually commute to office by bike.

One fine day, after I reached office, I gave my bike to my brother for his use that day. So, after my work, one of my friend gave a lift till the nearest bus terminus, where I got a bus to a common place. That’s where I will get a direct bus to my place. I got down and started walking towards the bus stop. To describe about the place, it’s always crowded by vehicles and people. It’s a row of shopping streets – a main area in the city (T.Nagar in Chennai). And I saw my bus and started walking towards it. Some more buses were standing with engines on. There were seats available in my bus, I could see it. Feeling happy, I just walked little faster (but didn’t run – I do know running in a dense area would not be advisable.) thinking not to waste time waiting for the next bus. Now I am near my bus. There was another one standing perpendicular to my bus, but it was not close, they both had a gap of 10ft. I am near the door of my bus. One elderly person was struggling to get in. I helped him and I got the grip of the handle and took my first step to get into the bus. The bus that was perpendicular started coming reverse – I didn’t notice this and all of a sudden – it happened. I am falling down. My mobile, shoes were flying off from me. Now, I am under my bus. My bus started moving. People started shouting and luckily the driver could hear it, he immediately stopped (Thank God). With my left arm broken, I can feel it like a cloth, I can’t lift it. It’s paining. I know there was an accident. Luckily I was conscious, I could shout for help. People started getting into a circle around me eager to know what had happened.

There came a great human of my age, who had the guts to pull me out from the place where I was and he called a vehicle (an auto) – he lifted me along with another small guy (he must be some 10 years old) and they took me to a nearby clinic (I am going to a clinic after a long time, should be after 3/4 years) I was given a wheel chair, I was holding my left arm with my right hand. The person who took me to the hospital was beside me, he is talking to me, I could sense that. I told him to call my friend (the same who dropped me a short while ago) I spoke to him, couldn’t speak much, that guy took over the phone and explained the situation. My friend arrived and he was trying to get in touch with my other friends. He called everyone and all of them came immediately.

I could see doctor telling that I need a POP around my hand. I don’t want to put that in my left arm (with which I write)… no other choice I was treated with that. I was feeling hungry, had a juice. Suddenly I realized that there is something wrong with my stomach – an immense pain which I couldn’t manage. Tears started flowing down my eyes. I told my friends, there is something wrong in the abdomen part. My x-rays came by that time and it was both bone fracture at my left arm and a minor fracture at pelvis bone. There was some wound in my left knee (it was carved kind) – I am wondering how it could’ve happened (my pant was without any damage). Some doctor came to investigate on my stomach pain. It’s really paining. I can feel my death. Doctors told that there could be blood leakage in the abdomen part and I am dying. Friends have been told by the doctors to take me to a big hospital – I suggested a name to them. I was in the ambulance with drips. Rushed to the other hospital…

When the ambulance reached the other hospital, the hospital authorities didn’t allow us inside the hospital thinking the injury might be because of a political clash/drunk drive. Or they could have thought about the financial potential. My brother was there and he said the hospital people that I have a mediclaim insurance card with which we can reimburse the expenses; they admitted me, rushed to the operation theatre for my fatal operation. I can remember exactly what the surgeon (he knew the urgency of operation) to my brother, “the condition is very worse, he needs to be operated for his abdomen first as QUICK as possible, it can't be operated with endoscopy, but only with cleavage since we are not sure how big the wound inside is” My brother understood the situation and got it moved to the other level. Some hospital guys were around me and they were removing my dresses and making me ready for the operation. I was in slight unconsciousness because of some injection that I had been given. Then they took me to the operation theatre, on the way, I could see my friends standing with tears in their eyes and an unsaid worry in their heart; this is what I would like to talk about. You feel special when you are blessed with so many friends and you will feel all the more special when you feel all of them in you. That’s how I felt when I was on the way to operation theatre. Finally I reached the operation theatre, I was given global anesthesia. And it was not working. They increased the anesthesia level. I could speak some words with the doctor explaining him the accident. He kept talking to me, I stopped talking. I was asleep because of the GA. I woke up after 17 hours and I was in cold ICU. It was really cold. I felt my whole body as a cloth. Cutting the whole story short, I would like to thank the hospital staffs (duty nurses, helpers, house keeping department) – everybody have the humanity in blood. That is more important for a patient. I realized this during my stay in the hospital. Finally I recovered after a fortnight of bed rest in spite of doctor telling about 3 months of complete rest. I don’t want to be idle and wanted to come back to routine as soon as possible. And I was back as I expected. THE COME BACK!