THE DEADLY CASE OF MISTAKEN IDENTITY!

I found the above picture doing the rounds on the internet. It symbolizes Sikh-Muslim unity in the wake of the a bloody tragedy that shook Sikhs in Oak Creek, Wisconsin when a redneck American entered a gurdwara and opened fire on the devotees killing six and gravely injuring three, including a police officer.

Wade Michael Page was wounded when a police officer shot him in the stomach but the FBI said he subsequently died from a self-inflicted gun shot wound to the head.

So, about this picture, I am all for Sikh-Muslim-Hindu-Christian-Jews-etc.-etc. unity but the fact remains that many Americans just do not know the difference between a Sikh or an Afghan. The beard and the 
turban is all that they see. For them the two are the same.

There are abundant cases post 9/11 where Sikhs were killed or racially abused by Americans because of mistaken identity. If they would have known the difference, I am sure many lives could have been saved.

The sad part is that even Hollywood or the American film industry is in a way adding fuel to the fire by not differentiating between the ethnic groups which are so different in their culture, language etc.

I can site two examples here. 

In the movie Iron Man 1 a Jehadi terrorist group kidnaps Tony Stark aka Robert Downey Jr. aka Iron Man and holds him captive in a cave in Afghanistan and surprisingly the Jehadi leader talks in Hindi or Urdu whatever. WTF??? No Afghan would ever talk in Hindi or Urdu. 

Secondly, in the popular TV show Scrubs I once saw an Indian Sikh portraying the character of a Turkish doctor. This ignorance is surely not bliss.

This clearly shows that they can't differentiate between an Irani, Iraqi, Afghan, Turkish or Indian.

However, to some extent they cannot be blamed completely because if you are walking down the road in downtown Pahar Ganj and you see a group of white backpackers, would you be able to tell, by just looking at them, who is a Britisher and who is a Russian? or for that matter a Chinese or Japanese. Absolutely Not!

But the fact is that the worst that can happen with a white here is that he may be fleeced by an auto-rickshaw driver or robbed—petty crimes-- but a Sikh who is understood to be an Irani or Afghani, from the land of Osama Bin Laden can have serious consequences.

And here lies the problem, instead of educating the west that Sikhs and Muslims are different, such pictures will further confuse them. But it has to be done in a way so that it doesn’t appear as if Sikhs are okay with Muslims being killed if in return their lives are spared.

Sikhs are brave, we all know and majority of Muslims are peace loving people. However, it does not justify someone getting killed because of a silly case of mistaken identity.

These pictures may look good on Facebook or the newspaper but will no way help the Sikhs.

However, on the flipside Page was no country side redneck chewing tobacco and playing the banjo. He was an army veteran and definitely knew that Sikhs are Indians.

He suffered from severe case of white supremacy, a neo-nazi he was. He played for a band called ‘End Apathy’ that in its songs warned the browns, blacks, Asians, Hispanics in short everyone who was not a white that “they all would have to pay for their sins.”
  

In a nutshell, he was a nutcase.

All said and done, there will be some who will argue that minorities should remain united and together but frankly, this is certainly not the way to go about it.

  

  

RAMZAN: FEASTING AFTER FASTING IN JAMA MASJID

Feasting after fasting from dawn to dusk, shopping for Eid or just catching up with friends, it’s that time of the year again when the old quarters of the city come to life during the holy month of Ramzan.

During the 30 day period that culminates in Eid, apart from the fasting, Muslims are required to pray and abstain from negative thoughts to purify the soul. The early morning meal before the fast is Sehri while iftar marks the end of the fast after sunset.

As important as it is to fast during Ramzan, it is equally important to have a nutritious and healthy diet before and after.

Specialties like Khajla, (round bread), Pheni, (spiral crusty cakes) and sheermaal (sweet buns, usually served with butter and jam) are prepared during Ramzan, providing the required energy without wreaking havoc on the digestive system.

Khajla and Pheni are made in desi ghee and soaked in hot milk overnight. At the time of consumption, sugar is added to it. Some also like to add dry fruits.

People usually go to bed after eating the sehri, so the meal should be light and digestable, therefore Khajla is a staple meal across several homes.

Apart from those fasting, there are several non-Muslims from across the city who throng the walled city every year during Ramzan for Khajla.

Markets around Jama Masjid, are all decked up and bustling with crowds. The excitement is palpable as you enter one of the many lanes leading to the 17th century historic mosque, decorated in yellow lights.

Post iftar, the markets and streets are abuzz with some out for shopping and dinner, while others to meet friends over a Banarasi paan.

Nearby popular eateries like Karim’s and Al-Jawahar restaurant do brisk business as families throng them for dinner while youngsters, especially those on a shoestring budget head to the several kiosks lined outside these restaurants, grilling all types of meats.

Mutton seekh kebabs, shammi kebabs, chicken tikkas, fried chicken etc. usually served with rumali rotis and with a generous amount of mint chutney, chopped onions and chaat masala, a meal for two at any of the dozen kiosks is just around Rs. 150.

For those having a sweet tooth, there are abundant shops and kiosks selling rabri faluda, kulfi, jalebi, phirni (kheer) or kesar, badam milk.

Apart from gorging on the succulent kebabs and spicy curries, shopping is another highlight during this period.

From Lucknowi Chikan suits to fancy sandals and imported cosmetics, women throng the several clothes, footwear and cosmetics shops in Chitli Kabar, Matia Mahal and Meena Bazaar.

 The men folk meanwhile, hunt for kurta pyjama/salwar kameez, skull caps and sandals, many of them preferring Ballimaran market.

THE DARK SIDE OF BODY BUILDING

Till a few months back, my 28-year-old neighbour was jubilant as his parents had finally gave him the nod for an inter-religious marriage. The wedding was in late 2012 and preparations were on full swing for the sagan which was scheduled to take place in July had to be postponed because the groom to be fell ill and had to hospitalized.

A week later while the doctors were still trying to diagnose the cause, he died… months away from his marriage.

The news left our neighbourhood shocked and the family traumatised. However, the only thing that overshadowed the young man’s death, was the cause—anabolic steroids used for body building.

Though, people spoke in hushed tones, it was clear that the deceased’s liver had been severely affected by the steroids taken over a period of six months as he wanted to impress his bride.

Sadly, according to experts, an ever-increasing number of physique-conscious boys and men are taking anabolic steroids to buff their bodies for several reasons like an aspiration to join showbiz or just to impress the other sex.

Having a toned body is a fad nowadays for youth and because of this, the number of youth taking supplements are on the rise, said a senior consultant at a prominent hospital in south Delhi.

Meanwhile, the premium as well as affordable gymnasiums around the city are leaving no stone unturned to promote these steroids due to the huge profits. The gyms are more than willing to provide the steroids if you have the money.

A popular gym in west Delhi suggested capsules, a box that would last around three weeks for Rs.5,000, which would "burn fat and turn them into muscles in a month's time."

Another gym in south Delhi suggested shakes that would increase stamina, resulting in longer workout sessions. Questions on side effects or withdrawal symptoms were simply ridiculed.

But are all people so dumb that they would risk their lives for some doley-sholey?

Well, in several cases especially involving teenagers, steroids are given by trainers in the garb of health supplements as they produce dramatic results. So, fake supplements mixed with steroids are promoted.

With good quality protein supplement priced anything between Rs.3,000 and 4,000 for a 2.5 kilo pack, the copy of that same product is available in the grey market for around Rs. 1,000. The huge margins of profit are more than even the gym fees.

The solution, experts feel, is to urgently spread awareness on the issue as not many who suffer due to steroid abuse come out in the open as it is embarrassing for many to admit that they wrecked their kidneys or liver with steroids because they wanted a muscular body.

MERE SHEHER KI GARMI

Har taraf hahakar hain, ki tapman 48 degree ke paar hain, sadke khaali, galiya sooni hain... woh kehte hain surya dev ka bhayankar prahar hain...

Bhari dopahar me sannata chaaya hain, aisi bhi kya garmi, yeh kyu mere sheher me curfew lagaya hain?

Chadha hame fitoor, socha kyu na ek muyana kara jaaye, kis tarah tapa rahi hain yeh garmi mere sheher ke aam aadmi ko, kyu na first hand experience kiya jaye...

Uthaya chaata paidal hi nikal pade hausle buland kar ke, itni bhi kya garmi ki log gharo me baithe hain darwaaze band dar ke?

Pohocha ghar ke paas hi ek garden me, ghadi me baj rahe the do, ek kone ke bench pe baitha tha ek joda, magan ek duje ki god me the woh...

Jaake poocha maine ki kyu bhai tumhe nahi lagti kya garmi, kya boodha kya bacha, sabke saamne faila rakhi hain besharmi?

Yuvak muskurate hue, ek ungli se ladki ke hoto ko sehlate hue bola... Bhai kaunsi garmi kahe  ki garmi... tum daro besharmi se, mujhe toh matlab meri jaan ke hoto ki narmi se.

Apna sa muh lekar hum waha se chal pade, paas waale bus stop pe jaa hue khade, aayi jo khatara si bas hum chadh gaye, garmi se hatash driver ki peeche waali seat pe pad gaye.

Tabhi nazar us driver pe padi... Gamcha paseene se geela, thakan dikh rahi thi shakal pe, kai ghanto se joh baitha tha us aag ugalte engine ke bagal me.

Naseehat di maine ki bhai sehat ka rakho dhyan, aisa bhi kya kaam itni garme me thoda toh kar lo aaraam.

Maathe ka paseena pochte hue driver bola... Sahab maana gamcha geela hain, gala sukha hain... lekin main kaise lu ek din ki bhi chutti , ghar pe mera bacha bhukha hain.

Hamare liye kya garmi ab toh aadat ho gayi hain kai saalo se, haaye garmi, uff garmi... toh bas shauk hain a/c me ghoomte un ameero aur laalo ke.

Zindagi ki kadwi sachai ko ugalte hue alvida kaha us driver ko, himmat jawab de gayi thi ab garmi me hum badhe apne ghar ko.

Bus stop se ghar ke raaste pe ek basti thi, chote se ghar ki khidki pe khadi ek chaar saal ki bachi thi.

Dekh apni saheliyo ko khidki se khelte hue, chilla chilla ke who ro rahi thi, darwaze ko bahar se kar band maa chaarpai pe so rai thi.

Poocha pados ki amma se, ki kyu yeh maa apne bache ko yuh tadpa rahi hain, kyu khelne nahi deti isse, kaahe rula rahi hain?

Aakho se mota chashma utaar ke amma boli, kaun maa apne bache ko rula ke sukhi hain...  yeh pagli pichli loo me ek bachha kho chuki hain.

  

   

  

A DIRTY PICTURE THAT CLEARED MY PERCEPTION

The first time I saw Vidya Balan was in a song ‘Kabhi Aana Tu Meri Gully’ by the Delhi based band Euphoria almost ten years ago. First, I wondered how such a ‘humble’ looking girl with a whitish complexion and a built that was on the heavier side could be the lead model in top band’s song.

But then going by the theme of the video of a love story in a typical Indian mohalla featuring the girl next door and a simpleton hardworking boy, I was somewhat pacified because she actually suited that character.

And soon she hit the big screen with Vidhu Vinod Chpra’s Parineeta in 2005 forcing me to sit up and take notice. Though I did not watch the movie but the teasers and the pre-release interviews were enough to give birth to strong disliking towards Balan.

Reason?

I couldn’t fathom the reasons behind her sudden appearance on the red carpet. I mean she wasn’t fair like Kareena Kapoor or had a figure like Priyanka Chopra. How could she get a film?

The first movie of hers’ that I saw was Lagey Raho Munnabhai and to be honest my disliking was gradually turning into hatred. I did not like the way she looked, talked, acted or danced.

Over the years as her career graph went north, so did my hatred. Finally it was after watching the 2009 movie ‘Paa’ that I decided that it was enough. Paa was a pathetic movie and defied any kind of logic.

Her portrayal of the character of the abla nari raising a child alone did not work for me and I decided not to watch any of her movies again.

That was until 2011 when the promos of The Dirty Picture came out. Though titillating for many I found them vulgar and joked with my friends that rather than seeing Balan dance in the rain I shall go to a village in Gurgaon and see the buffaloes bathing in a pond.

However, last Saturday I downloaded the movie for one of my colleagues and forgot to delete from my pen drive. So Monday being my weekly off I was watching the IPL highlight late Sunday night and around 2 a.m. I was done with watching TV and surfing the net.

In no mood of dozing off, I decided to watch a movie but had nothing new to watch. Then I remembered that The Dirty Picture was still in my pen drive and I don’t know what came over me but I decided to watch it.

Half an hour into the movie I could so relate to the character of Emran Hashmi’s – ABRAHAM who loathed Reshma aka Balan for the way she looked and what she did.

I would chuckle in joy whenever Hashmi ridiculed Balan especially when he said “Yeh Moti Banegi Heroine?” I was in splits.

But as the movie progressed I saw Reshma’s other side which had a very uncanny resemblance to 

Balan’s real life story.

A fat, whitish and average looking girl trying to make it big in the world of mainstream Indian cinema where without good looks, you could only end up playing the heroine’s best friend’s sister at best.

However, going by the preferences of Indians down south, who are dark skinned and like big boned girls, Reshma’s journey was a cakewalk when compared to Balan’s journey in Bollywood.

To make a mark in commercial films when competing with the likes of the Kareenas and Katreenas is no small achievement.

People like Balan are a beacon of hope for many average Indian women who look average, may wear a suit but have a modern perspective on things. They don’t starve themselves to death to attain that Zero figure bullshit. Balan proves to them that if they don’t want to they don’t have to.

I guess for so many years I was thinking what the people in Bollywood wanted me to think about the ideal Indian heroine. But screw you I say. Bring it on Balan, I am ready for more… much more.

P.S. Come to think of it, I relate to Hashmi’s charater even more now because when the movie began we were on the same side—Balan/Reshma haters but when the curtains came down, Abraham fell in love with her and me on the other hand became a strong admirer of her.    

   

AWARENESS AND EMPATHY CAN EMBOLDEN AUTISTIC PEOPLE

Whether an unreasonable airline denies them boarding or an inconsiderate doctor refuses examination, autistic people have been long facing unnecessary discrimination for no fault of theirs. Experts nonetheless believe that awareness and a little empathy are the only solutions that could improve the situation.

Worldwide, April 2 is celebrated as the World Autistic Awareness Day to highlight the need to help improve the lives of children and adults with Autism so that they can lead full and meaningful lives.

Autism is an incurable complex neurobiological condition that impacts communication, behaviour and social relationships, affecting 1 in 110 people, it has become the fastest growing global disorder.

According to experts -- Autism is an invisible condition that is an autistic person may not necessarily be on a wheel chair or on crutches so people don’t accommodate for the person. People tend to relate autism with rude behaviour and this is all because of lack of awareness.

The discrimination against autistic people is traumatising especially for the parents and there is an urgent need to spread awareness to demystify it.

As per a parent a dentist refused to check her autistic kid because she won’t sit still. The doctor neither had the time nor the patience so she was shown the door.

For 36-year-old Abha Singh, it was a harrowing experience last year when she decided to fly from Kolkata to Delhi with her autistic 13-year-old daughter.

He daughter was sitting on her seat and just flapping her arms. The next thing they know they were asked to get off the flight as her child was a potential risk to other passengers.

Its cases like these which add to the vow of the parents who are already reeling under the stress of raising an autistic child which can be quite draining both physically and mentally.

Worse there are parents who blame themselves for their child being autistic. But as per experts that’s not the right attitude and would damage both the parent as well as the child in the long run.

Instead, the best solution is to be well informed about the condition of a child and have realistic expectation.

INSIDE THE EXHILARATING KUTUMSAR CAVES OF CHHATTISGARH

Walking down the narrow, steep staircase in a rock crevice surrounded by dense foliage, a small iron door opened up to the pitch dark and intimidating Kutumsar caves. Considered as one of the longest caves in the world, the exhilarating journey which lasts for about an hour they are a must for those seeking an adrenaline rush.

Situated in the Kanger Valley National Park in Bastar which is around 350 kms from the capital Raipur, the caves have been named after the nearby village and are 40 feet deep and an amazing 4,500 feet in length.

The entrance of the cave is extremely narrow and big enough only to crawl through. However, a couple of feet down via the man-made iron staircase and the caves open up to be explored with the help of guides equipped with solar lanterns.

Once inside, the enigmatic setting will help you play out your Indiana Jones of Hardy Boys fantasies as you walk on the uneven and treacherous rocky surface thrilled by the fear of the unknown.

However, breathing in the damp air amidst pitch darkness and echoing sounds does make it a spooky adventure and a strict no-no for the faint hearted or claustrophobic.

As the torch light falls on the rocks around, mystifying and vivid stalactite and stalagmite formations on the roofs and walls are a visual treat powerful enough to trigger your imagination.

The natural patterns have formed over hundreds of years due to rain water percolating through small crevices in the rocks.

While a pattern on the roof may resemble goddess Durga another on the wall may look like an elephant or a peacock.

As you move ahead, small water pockets are inhabited by a unique species of fishes and frogs which as per the locals are genetically blind breeding in the dark depth as not even a single ray of sun penetrates inside.

There are several chambers inside the caves in all directions and in 2011 a new chamber believed to be 410 metres deep was discovered.

However, the guided tour passes through one main cave and venturing in the other chambers is prohibited and access in the main cave to is limited to a point owing to lack of oxygen.

At the very end of the main cave lies the naturally formed Shiva linga and every year on Maha Shivratri hordes of locals climb down to offer prayers.

According to local folklore, the caves were first discovered in 1951 by tribals who were hunting a porcupine and followed it inside the caves.

However, as per the official version, the caves were discovered around 1958 by geographer Shankar Prasad Tiwari.