Attacks on Indians in Australia

For the past fews days ,there has been an upsurge in the attacks on the Indian students in Australia. Shravan Kumar is still in Coma while Baljinder was stabbed in his stomach. These incidents among others has bought into picture the debate of "are foreign countries racist towards Indians?" I have lived in USA for about 4 years. I lived in around New York City for the whole time I was there. I would like to say I never encountered any racial discrimination acts against me, atleast not which were obvious. People were in general friendly and accomodating. I have heard stories of friends facing discrimination but honestly I haven't experienced it. It might be because I lived in a metropolitian city like New York City and people here are seen more open to other cultures. Residents of cities like New York interact with citizens from all over the world ona daily basis and this might just bring out a positive change in their attitude. I faced discrimination only on British Airways. The attitude and manner of speaking of the air hostess was not friendly towards me while on the other hand she would talk to the white man besides me with all the love she has. That when I have decided never to travel by British Airways. People feel there is a underlying current against Indians because we are seen as taking away their jobs. There are the specific "curry bashing" which is said to take place in Australia. Stories of racial discrimination in UK are known to all. Haven't we heard of stories of Indians in Middle-East do treat us Indians as second class citizens? Just today a friend told me about someone who had garbage thrown on him while walking on the street. These incidents occurs and there is no denying that fact. Indians tend to ignore these incidents, not lodge any complains as they azlso want to create a better life for themselves in those countries and they don't want any problems in this process. But then these people are just rotten apples who are not welcome to change, who see Indians as a danger to them in some way. Maybe it is just their own frustration which they are venting out on our people. I don't know if there is any way to explain these people our side of the story because such people are too blind-sighted by their own faith to accomodate any new ideas. It is upto us to be careful and try and lead a normal life. We are a new country which is not our own country, we have to always remember this. Mahatma Gandhi himself was a target of racial discrimination. We just have to make our voices heard to the authorities and let them know we are not soft. As we live in their country, our security is their responsibility even if we are not the citizens of that country. Lastly, I would say that be it USA, UK, Australia or any other country there would be some things that are good and some things which are bad. We need to always remember why we are there, absorb all the good and discard the bad.

Movie time

I stumbled upon my thing for today just by accident. It was already 10.30 in the night and I still had not figured out anything new to do for today. Just then as I was surfing the channels I came across the movie "The Battle of Algiers" being aired on UTV movies. I have heard rare reviews of this movie and have always wanted to see it. Luck was with me, I reached this channel just as the movie was about to start. So I found my new activity for today, watching a foreign language movie, also a movie that I have wanted to see for some time now. This movie is in Italian. It is a movie which showcases Algerian War of Independence. This war was a conflict between France and Algerian independence movements from 1954 to 1962, which led to Algeria gaining her independence from France. The film depicted the scenes of Algerian city life with stunning realism. The movie was realeased in 1966 and completely in Black and White; that adds to the beauty of the movie. The cinematography and screenplay of the movie is outstanding and so are the actors. I love foreign language movies, not Hollywood types but movies of Iranian, French or Italian origin, these movies are realist in their approach. The technical details which go into these films is world class, be it the screenplay, camera work or direction. Most people complain that you have to concentrate to your lst breath as we hardly understand these languages but then there is fun in watching a foreign language movie. If want a fun filled, happy go luck, time pass movie then please don't watch this one. It is not for the faint hearted. I would recommend this movie for any true movie buff.

Mumbai Meri Jaan

Welcome to my home. Mumbai is the place I call home. A city full of life, a city that never sleeps. The heart of Mumbai is its people. The people who give you a feel that life stops for nobody; one always has to be on the move. The people here are always trying to get somewhere; where do they aspire to go is something only they know or maybe even they don't. I have lived in Mumbai for most part of my life. Like many Mumbaikars, I came from a different part of India to this city for better opportunity. I did get many opportunities here to advance in my life. This city makes or breaks you. This city has given me a lot that I have today. I have traveled around the world, visited many places, even lived in different cities but my heart belongs to Mumbai. Every time I land back in Mumbai from my visits, I feel alive. There is something in the air of this city that makes you want to come back. I would love to share this love for my city with everyone around. If you haven't come to Mumbai then you should. It is the city that will get your heart racing. Welcome to Mumbai...Welcome to my home...
Mumbai is home to the oldest stock exchange in Asia, the Bollywood film industry, slums of Dharavi and some of the priciest real estate on earth. If Delhi is the administrative capital of India then Mumbai is the financial capital of India. From the glitz and glamour of South Mumbai to the slums of Dharavi, you will find a picture of Mumbai to suit your interest. From watching the sunset over Marine Drive, to hangout with friends on Bandstand or going for a stroll on Juhu Beach, the Arabian Sea is intergral part of your life in Mumbai. I always loved going to Marine Drive or Bandstand and watch the sunset on the horizon. It gives you a feeling of oneness with nature. Even going for walks on Marine Drives during the monsoons is the most thrilling experience. Rains and Mumbai; you can’t imagine one without the other. I still remember being stuck in the torrential rains that lashed Mumbai on 26th July 2005. I was coming back from work and my car broke down. I met two good-hearted strangers who dropped me home helped me. The soul of this city is its people. Strangers who will come and help you in times of need, they won’t think twice before offering a helping hand. Mumbai would never think if you are from Gujarat, Bihar or Tamil Nadu. The city will welcome you will open arms. There might be no place for the existing people here, but still the city will take in whoever knocks on its door. It never turns anyone away. Mumbai is home for anyone who wishes to call it home.
I already told you guys how much I love walking in the rains, hanging out at Marine Drive or Bandstand. But the best thing of about Mumbai is its trains: the lifeline of Mumbai. If you haven't traveled by trains in Mumbai then you really haven't experience the real city. But do it on your own risk because it is not for the faint hearted. We all friends use to take the trains for college and always struggling to just get into the trains. Forget place to sit, if you even get a place to stand properly you are lucky. The best part was trying to get off on your station. You start preparing for this battle well before your station comes. We loved to just stand on the door even when the trains were empty. It was to feel the air of Mumbai brushing against your face. Oh, how I miss those days. I love driving through Navy Nagar and then going to Bade Miyan for awesome food. If you ever go to Bandstand, then I would say walk a little uphill and visit the Mount Mary Church. Just being here gives me complete peace of mind. And how can I forget Elco Pani Puri. I have seen this place grow from a small roadside stall to a full-fledged fast-food restaurant. Now that what I call business development. You will find numerous success stories like this in Aamchi Mumbai. There is an array of things one can Mumbai. You can never get tired of this city. If you do, then it is entirely your fault. Just open your eyes and this city will present you will place in front of your eyes its real beauty, you just have to have the heart to take it all in.
I might move to any corner of the world but Mumbai will always be my home. I always leave a piece of my soul back in this city; I am always longing to return back to my home.

Bucket List for 30

This is my new activity for today. I am putting on my blog the 30 things I want to do before I turn 30. Actually there are zillions things I want to do at every passing moment but for the readers sake, I will restrict the list to 30. I want you all to come back and read my other blogs. My request to everyone, try and work on such a list. You might not be able to everything but you still have goals towards which you can strive to work.

Everyone has a "To-Do" list. We always make list of things we want to do, things we have to get or just things which which will make us happy. I am a Seeker by nature. I am always in search of something. The search can be for knowledge, meaning of life or search even for the materialistic things of life. I am going to turn 30 sometime in near future. Nope, won't tell you how much time is left for it. C'on a female never reveals her age. Anyways there a tons of activities I would like to do before I turn 30. I sat down today to make a list of 30 things I would like to do before I turn 30. We all have such list and this is my bucket list. A list I wish to complete. This list included only the thing I have yet to do, not the things I have already done.

1. Backpacking across Western Europe
2. White Water Rafting on the Ganges
   
3. Sky Diving (Missed the chance due to bad weather. Hopefully will get a chance soon)
4. Bungee Jumping in New Zealand
5. Learn Foreign Languages (Chinese, French, Spanish. I have started learning Chinese, now will have divert attention to other languages)
6. Visit New York again (I say again because I have already lived there before. I want to just go back to the city again to relive those days)
7. Work in a Media Company, read News Channels.
   
8. Visit the North East region of India
   
9. Learn Salsa Dance
   
10. Go on an African Safari
11. Go on a Cruise, preferably Alaska
    
12. Visit Greece
13. Read all the books in my list "100 Books of my favorite books"
14. Watch all the movies in my list "100 must see movies"
15. Road trip through North India
16. Visit Goa (Yup. Believe it or not I haven't yet visited Goa)
17. Go on a wildlife safari in India (Corbett or Ranthambore)
18. Learn Swimming (Surprise as it may be, I can't even swim to save my own life)
19. Go Scuba Diving and Snorkeling (Naturally this would be after I learn to swim)
20. Start working on my book and make efforts finish it.
    
21. Learn to ride a Bike. After learning to ride a bike, buy one.
    
22. Skiing in Switzerland.
    
23. Write Poetic Poems.
    
24. Work for NGO.
    
25. Adopt a Pet Dog.
    
26. Visit minimum of one country in Each continent other than the ones already visited.
    
27. Get a student's pilot license.
    
28. Meet minimum of one person from my list of "People I want to meet before I die". There is no limit on Maximum.
    
29. Watch F1 and Football match in a European city.
    
30. Visit Dubai during the Dubai Shopping Festival.
    

Filled with Colors

I was never good at drawing and painting as a kid. I still remember making my younger brother complete my drawing book in school. I always envied people like my brother who could excel at it. All my attempts to try my hand it never got me anywhere near my goal. Anyways I was not dishearted because I was always trying to learn something else which was new and fun to do. Anyways today my 9 years niece was visiting me. She was carrying her drawing book and it gave me idea for my new thing for today. I asked her for her book and crayons. She was still wondering what Massi is going to do with my book. That is when I told her that I would love to color in her book. She was a little surprised but happily gave me the book. I choose two pictures in the book. One of a Child and second of a teddy bear. Both pictures related to childhood. I went crazy with the colors, never thinking what color would suit there. I just filled the pages with the colors I loved. It was like I was coloring my life with those colors as I was coloring in the book.

Writing to the Author whose book I loved

Whenever I love any book, I always wish there would be some way I could tell the author how much I loved reading his or her book. I never end up doing it. But this was my new thing for today. I recently finished reading the book "Stranger to History" by Aatish Taseer. I love this book. As the book say, "It is a son's journey through Islamic land". The author takes you an a journey through different Islamic cultures. In every country he encounters different facets of the culture. His journey is such that the reader feels part of it. I felt a strange bond with his character. I believe each of us is in search of something in life. We spent lifetime trying to figure out what it is. Even if we know what it is we never go in the search of discovering this thing; the discover which will give a new meaning to our life. But here is a person who took up on himself to take this journey. He decided that he is not going to spend his life just thinking about it. He wanted to really know who his father is and what makes him the person he is. His journey took him through the heart of Islamic land. I felt I was part of this journey in someway. I wanted to tell all this the author. For the first time, I wanted to tell author how I loved his book and how it has made a difference to me. This time I just din't think about it but actually acted on it. Somehow I found his email and wrote to him. I told him how much I loved his book. And guess what he wrote back to me. So the new thing for today was a success. Look forward to tomm.

Start of a new idea

I always make resolutions at the start of the new year and half way through I lose track and never end up completing the resolution. This year I had decided that every day I will do something new. I don't say I have kept the resolution completely but I have made an effort this year to follow as much as I can. I just want to share it here with you all what I new I have done for that day. I know you will say half the year has already passed, what am I doing starting now. But I say it is better late than never. I wish to share this experience with everyone and maybe inspire you all to do the same. It is a great thing you can do for yourself.

P.S.: I would love to hear ideas from you my friends on what new things I can try for each day. I would love to implement it.

People I would love to meet in this life time

There are people who leave a mark on your mind and heart. They impress you in some way. These are people I look up to, they have influenced me in some way at different stages of my life. These are also people who have generated interest in me about them. These people are from all walks of life. They are the people I would love to meet in this life time. I want to talk to these people, know who they really and what makes them who they are. I am sure I will be able to realize this dream some day. Till then I will keep on wishing and being optimistic.
If you read this blog before I put up the reasons, then wait I will even put up reasons but I first want to compile the list and then work on it. So please wait and you will know the reasons.

1. Dr. A P J Abdul Kalam
2. Dr. Manmohan Singh
3. Barack Obama
4. Sonia Gandhi
5. Bill Clinton
6. Nelson Mandela
7. P. Chidambaram
8. Pranab Mukherjee
9. Vladimir Putin
10. Wen Jiabao
    
11. Stephan Hawking
12. Prannoy Roy
13. Sachin Tendulkar
14. Steve Waugh
15. Micheal Schumacher
    
16. Steffi Graf
17. Pete Sampras
18. David Beckham
19. Pele
20. Tiger Woods
21. Fareed Zakaria
22. Shashi Tharoor
    
23. Amartya Sen
24. Thomas Friedman
    
25. Bill Gates
26. Larry Page
27. Sergery Brin
28. Laskshmi Mittal
29. Narayan Murthy
30. Azim Premji
31. Ratan Tata
    
32. Field workers of the United Nations and its affiliated organizations
33. Kiran Bedi
34. Queen Elizabeth
35. George Clooney
36. Brad Pitt
37. Kate Winslet
38. Steven Spielberg
39. J K Rowling
40. Jeffery Archer
41. Khaled Hosseini
42. Gregory David Roberts
43. Amitav Ghosh
44. Suketu Mehta
45. Dan Brown
46. Prakash and Mandakini Amte

P.S.: I am writing down only the people who are alive. Hey, I am optimistic but also realistic. Also the list is not in the order of importance.