to EACH its OWN !!!!: September 2005

The Congress on 6th September, described as 'difficult but unavoidable decision' of the government to raise petrol and diesel prices in view of the spiraling crude oil prices in the international market. According to them, government has been sensitive about the increase in burden on the consumers and has therefore not passed the entire burden to them.

Thankfully,there was no increase in kerosene and LPG prices and in actual terms price increase in petrol and diesel is much less compared to the sharp rise in oil prices globally. However, paying Rs. 50/- a liter is still turning out to be a burden on the pocket not only for the common man but also celebrities. The hike in fuel prices has forced many TOP PEOPLE to change their daily traveling means and routine.

Here are some techniques adopted by our Page 3 people, to cope with the ever-increasing petrol prices.

1. Shahrukh Khan - From now onwards instead of traveling in his Mercedes or BMW, he will be going to shootings and press conferences in his newly acquired 'Bath Tub', which will be pushed around by the 'Lux' people and his bodyguards.

2. Maliaka Sherawat - Thanks to her 'sex appeal', from now on will be seen taking 'Lift' from strangers driving poshy cars. That way she will be burning someone else's fuel.

3. Anil Ambani - He will continue traveling in 'Lamborghini', only difference will be that he would be stealing 50% fuel from his brother Mukesh Ambani's Mercedes.

4. Abhishek Bachan - Will not much change in his lifestyle, he will continue riding on his dad's piggyback.

5. Ektaa Kapoor - She has decided to pay for the fuel but cutting salary payments of his daily-soap stars. Plus she has also decided that all her soap actress will be wearing 'Micro' clothes instead of lavish saris...this move is expected to increase the T.R.P rating her daily 'saas-bahu' dramas as well.

6. John Abraham - He has decided to sit on his 'Bike' and make 'Vroom..Vroooom' sound and think of Bipasha Basu, to get the feel of riding without wasting any fuel.

7. Karan Johar - For him the decision is easy...he will ride along in Shahrook's 'Tub', afterall 'Shahrukh hai na'.

8. Lalu Prasad Yadav - Has decided to back to his old days of riding on his pet 'Bulls' and 'Cows'.

9. Saurav Ganguly and Grey Chappal - They have been advised by the cricket board to travel together in one car, provided by the board. This will not only save fuel money for the two...but also help them solve their differences. Well this is what the Indian cricket is board is hoping, since they can't do anything themselves.

10. Farah Khan - Well she will try to fit herself in Shahrook's 'Tub'. If that attempt is unsuccessful, then her expertise of dancing on top of moving trains would come handy.

11. Salman Khan - He will continue with riding his 'Bicycle', since he is shown 'No Entry' sign wherever he goes.

My this post, compels me to ask a question "Is it too much to ask from a marriage a piece of paper, a marriage certificate?". It seems appalling that even after more than 50 years of Independence, we still do not have any compulsory legislation for the registration of marriages in India and we are still fighting for gender equality.

Beginning in the 19th century with Raja Ram Mohan Roy, there has been a concerted effort to bring an end on Sati, Child marriage, and Untouchability. The Constitution guaranteed women equality to women at par with men. Since India consists of a plural system of laws where four major communities have their religion based Personal laws, Hindu, Muslim, Christian and Parsi.

After continous struggle and battle lead by great leaders, in 1955 series of laws were enacted which guaranteed certain rights to Hindu women like, Hindu Marriage Act, 1955; the Hindu Succession Act, 1956; and the Hindu Adoptions and Maintenance Act, 1956, Legislative measures like the Bombay Prevention of Hindu Bigamous Marriages Act, 1946, continued the process of reforms.

The above laws to some extent help Hindu women get over the obstructions imposed by the society, however there are certain aspects of these laws that desperatly need to changed keeping in mind the current societal practices. One of them, includes compulsory registration of marriage under the Hindu Marriage Act.

Currently Registration of marriages under Section 8 of Hindu Marriage Act (1955) states -

(1) For the purpose of facilitating the proof of Hindu marriages, the State Government may make rules providing that the parties to any such marriage may have the particulars relating to their marriage entered in such manner and subject to such conditions as may be prescribed in a Hindu Marriage Register kept for the purpose.

(2) Notwithstanding anything contained in sub-section (1), the State Government may, if it is of opinion that it is necessary or expedient so to do, provide that the entering of the particulars referred to in sub-section (1) shall be compulsory in the State or in any part thereof, whether in all cases or in such cases as may be specified, and where any such direction has been issued, any person contravening any rule made in this behalf shall be punishable with fine which may extend to twenty-five rupees.

(3) All rules made under this section shall be laid before the State Legislature, as soon as may be, after they are made.

(4) The Hindu Marriage Register shall at all reasonable times be open for inspection, and shall be admissible as evidence of the statements therein contained and certified extracts therefrom shall, on application, be given by the Registrar on payment to him of the prescribed fee.

(5) Notwithstanding anything contained in this section, the validity of any Hindu marriage shall in no way be affected by the omission to make the entry.

In simple words it means, that there exists a provision for registration of marriages. And, it's left to the contracting parties to either solemnize the marriage before the sub-registrar or register it after performing the ceremony in conformity with Hindu beliefs. However, the Act makes the provision that the validity of the marriage will in no way be affected by omission to make the entry in the register.

On the other hand,

Under the Special Marriage Act, 1954, which is valid for any Indian citizen, irrespective of religion, each marriage is registered by marriage officers specially appointed for the purpose.

Registration of marriage is compulsory under the Indian Christian Marriages Act, 1872. Under the Act, entries are made in the marriage register of the church, soon after the ceremony, along with the signatures of the bridegroom, the bride, the officiating priest and witnesses.

Parsi Marriage and Divorce Act, 1936 makes necessary Registration of Marriages.

In Muslim law, a marriage is regarded as a civil contract and the qazi, or officiating priest, also records the terms of the marriage in a nikahnama, which is handed over to the married couple.

Therefore only under the Hindu Personal Law it is not compulsory to register the marriage. However certain state governments, did impose compulsory marriage registration law inorder stop the crimes committed against women and children and aimed at giving legal status to wedlock and to strengthen the institution of marriage. For example -

- The Bombay Registration of Marriages Act, 1953. This Act applies to the States of Maharashtra and Gujarat
- The Karnataka Marriages Act, 1976 in force since 1983
- The Himachal Pradesh Registration of Marriage Act, 1997
- Andhra Pradesh passed the Compulsory Registration of Marriage Act, 2002

But in September 2000, the Union government rejected the National Human Rights Commission's proposal for compulsory registration of Hindu marriages -- as had the Narasimha Rao government in 1994 and the Deve Gowda government in 1996.

Two major problems, arising from non-registeration of marriage under Hindu Marriage Act are as mentioned below :

The provisions of the Hindu Marriage Act on bigamy are admittedly faulty. So is Section 494 of the Indian Penal Code which deals with the offence of "marrying again during the life time of husband or wife". Both of them requires certain ceremonies to be performed for a marriage that is valid and binding. The ceremonies depend upon one's caste and religion. If they are not performed there is no marriage even between a couple who are entitled to marry. The same logic was applied to bigamous marriage. Non registration of marriage affect women the most. Women most prominently victims of bigamous relationships and property disputes face enormous hardship in establishing their marriage as they have no proof of marriage. It has been seen in number of cases of bigamy the wives are losing their cases by reason of their failure to prove the first or second marriage of their husbands.

Another serious national problem is Child marriage and it is estimated roughly a half of all marriages taking place in India in a year the girls are underaged. The Child Marriage Restraint Act, 1929, prescribes the minimum age of 18 years for girls and 21 years for boys for contracting marriage, and "extends to the whole of India except the State of J&K and it applies also to all citizens of India without and beyond India." Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh, Uttar Pradesh, Haryana, Orissa, Chattisgargh, Jharkhand and Bihar, where child marriages are rampant, haven't moved towards compulsory registration.

Certain Advantages for the compulsory registration of marriages :

The certificate is a Government document, which provides valuable evidence of marriage.

It is useful while accompanying wife/husband to foreign country.

If a person dies without nomination for bank deposit or life insurance policy, it will be useful to get such money in the name of husband/wife.

Registration would prevent child marriages and thereby prevent sale of girls and trafficking.

Registrar will verify whether the marriage had in fact taken place in accordance with the personal law applicable to the spouses. He will specifically mention, in a special column, the presence of the spouses before issuance of marriage certificate.

It is suprising to note that, the Central Government has made it mandatory for all States to make compulsory birth registration and also asked to legislate for compulsory registration of marriages. The reasoning is that the States are in a better position to know the social structure and local conditions prevailing in the respective states.

Then applying the logic for mandatory birth registration why isn't the Central Government making marriage registration compulsory for the whole of India?

The only solution possible -

The National Commission for Women through The Marriage Bill, 1994 had recommended for the enactment of a uniform law relating to marriages and providing for the compulsory registration of marriages, with the aim of preventing child marriages and also polygamy in the society. This was a result of wide consultation and deliberation. Unfortunately, this and other recommendations have been forgotten.

The solution is to insist on regularisation of marriage and the ceremonies, will then be optional. The registrar will demand a signed declaration that neither party has a spouse living, something that will deter everyone. Political will is the need of the hour for such a law, which is extremely necessary to curb child marriages and bigamy. This law has to be made widely disseminated through all medium of communication.

It is amply clear that it is necessary to have a Uniform Civil Code and the state should act upon Article 44. A Uniform Civil Code will not take away religious ceremonies and rituals. It will empower women and children by giving protection and ensuring gender just laws. It is high time we had a nationwide debate over it and pass a law on Compulsory Registration of Marriage.

We have to take a holistic approach when we talk about crimes against women. There has to be an integrated approach to the marriage law, dowry law, divorce law, property rights, maintenance and child custody. We have to work together the people, the judiciary, the NGOs, the police, lawyers and National Commission for Women. Attitudinal change has to be brought out and last but not the least gender disparities removed from the cradle itself. Because laws will be meaningless if the social attitudes subjugating the girl are not removed.

Till such time that we change the social fabric of the society, dowry will survive in a greedy consumer and commoditised society where girls are battered and harassed and even killed for a motorcycle or a car.

(*Disclaimer - Above information has been collected from various sources.)

Now this is something I would love to be a part of.....

The University of Glamorgan this week launched what it said was Britain's first undergraduate course in astrobiology, the search for extraterrestrial life.

About half a dozen people enrolled this week in the degree course, which will encompass topics like "Exploring the Sky," "Vertebrate Zoology," "Science and the Media," and "Life in the Universe", the university said.

Course leader Professor Mark Brake said there was massive interest in the topic. About 100 people in the local community are studying aspects of the subject.

Though the course will examine popular culture, including films like "ET," students will also study obscure texts, work in laboratories and conduct stargazing.

Yesterday on my way home from work, I heard a certain radio commercial, which went like this...'an arrogant guy wants to enter a restaurant/bar but is stopped by the manager, since there is private party going on and entrance is on invitation basis only. The arrogant guy refuses to budge and starts taking names of certain influentional people (government officials) inorder to get entry. Finally, the manager gives in and allows the guy to enter. The ad ends with the tag-line 'IT PAYS TO HAVE THE BIG GUYS ON YOUR SIDE, WHO DO YOU HAVE?'.

It got me to thinking, about some of the incidents/events which I have personally seen or observed, which made me realize that the ad's tag-line stands so true. Once again it made me realize the implications of the extent of corruption that have come to occupy so much space in our society and it's menacing proportion which is threatening the very foundations of our society and State. According to me, even an act where people break certain rules/regulations without actually engaging in money/goods exchange, just on the basis of influential contacts could be defined as a corrupt behavior, which most of us indulge in pleasant or un-pleasant circumstances.

Here are some of the recent incidents from personal experience -

1. Just last week, a close family friend opened up a posh nightclub in one of the suburbs. Now according to the state rule, Mumbai night clubs have to shut down by 1.00 Am on week days. This rule is exempted for nightclubs that are based in 5 star hotels. Now I have seen quite a few clubs which have been raided by cops for being open beyond the allocated time. So this means that the cops are doing their job, well not exactly. The family friend's uncle is the DCP of Mumbai, which inturn means that the club has the indirect-authority stay open beyond 1.30 am for business.

Another example of the same can be given for club 'Vie' in Juhu. Mrs. Smita Thackarey is one of the five partners of the club, therefore Juhu station allows it to be open till 3.00 Am during week days.

2. I work in the garments manufacturing industry, till the beginning of this year we had 'Excise' rule imposed on us. Now every year, we had these excise government officials who would come to our factory to inspect the invoice and other official papers. Inorder to make them clear our company papers which would enable us to get some monetary refund of the 'excise' amount that we had paid to the government, we had to keep these guys happy. Mind you, not that we had done anything un-official or some ghapala and therefore were paying these guys to clear it for us. It's just that if you do not please them, they would simply remove un-necessary faults and thereby delay the entire process.

Now that the 'excise' rule has been lifted, these guys still come-over without any prior notice and take loads of garments from us for 'FREE' and we allow them do so because we never know, tomorrow the rule might be enforced again.

3. One of our senior sales guy is going thru a major crisis. The house he had purchased couple of months ago, turned out to be from bank loan taken by the previous owner. Now, the bank has issued a notice against our sales guy and threaten to take the house, since the previous owner has not paid the loan. To cut the long story short, we contacted the local police station and filed a criminal case against the previous owner. To take advantage of this situation, the head police officer keeps sending his man every second day to take some free clothing from our company. Some times, its trackpants for his wife and some times cricket set for his son.

We have to go along with this, otherwise the cops won't do their job. The previous owner happens to be a senior accountant at a MNC. So with the help of his boss's high influence seems to be getting away with murder here. However the fight and struggle is still on...wish us luck !

4. This event is the most painful and heart breaking for me and it occurs every damn year. Just before the local elections in the area where our company is located, the standing politicians will send their goons to collect 'chanda' which actually means 'hafta'. We have to pay them obscene amount, why because if we don't then we land-up suffering miserably. For example, these guys control most of the worker-unions. In many instances, these politicians don't give a hoot about the workers but sadly, the un-educated workers seem to take them as their messiah and see us as the bad guys. They have the power to bring middle-size company to a standstill by starting a 'strike'.

In an overly competitive garment industry, even a small-scale 'strike' could be the end of the company. This crime is just not limited to the elections, they keep coming around asking for 'chanda' at times for Ganesh festival, Diwali festival, Party meetings - it's an on-going process and we bear the brunt all year round.

In 1985, my dad did oppose to this injustice and filed a report against a certain politician. And what happened after that seemed just out of a commercial Bollywood movie. My dad was attacked by a mob on his way back from work in the middle of a busy traffic light. Luckily and thanks to the help of few passersby that my dad was saved. After that we received numerous kidnapping threats and murder threats. This did not stop my dad and finally the culprit was arrested but after few months was let loose again. During that time, my factory was shut down for nearly 6 months. I remember my dad and his few loyal staff would stay up late at night working, preparing court papers.

But today we cannot afford to take such risks, we were lucky to survive then BUT maybe this time we won't.

The above events portray two dimensions of corruption. One is the 'exploitative corruption' where the public servant exploits the helpless poor citizen. The other is 'collusive corruption' where the citizen corrupts the public servant by a bribe because he gets financially better benefits. Some how I feel,the growing State intervention in economic and social life has vastly increased the scope of corruption.

Today a person is giving importance more on the basis of 'who he knows' rather than 'what he does'. It's a sad reality that is stumped right in our face, every bloody day.The public at large has become cynical and tends to accept the evil as natural.

For your information :

The most corrupt departments are -

Central Government: Customs, Excise, Income Tax, Defence Procurement, Central PWD, Industries, and Railways.

State Governments: Commercial Taxes, Police, Regional Transport, Education, and Registration.

The giant squid can be found in books and in myths, but for the first time, a team of Japanese scientists has captured on film one of the most mysterious creatures of the deep-sea in its natural habitat.

Until now the only information about the behaviour of the creatures which measure up to 18 metres (59 feet) in length has been based on dead or dying squid washed up on shore or captured in commercial fishing nets.

But Tsunemi Kubodera, of the National Science Museum, and Kyoichi Mori of the Ogasawara Whale Watching Association, both in Tokyo have captured the first images of Architeuthis attacking bait 900 metres (yards) below the surface in the cold, dark waters of the North Pacific.

"Up to now, giant squids were thought to be relatively sluggish squids that stay in deep waters without moving much ... But we found out that they move around pretty actively," Kubodera told Reuters in an interview.

Kubodera said he was particularly struck by the way the giant squid -- which was captured on film in a sequence of photographs taken every 30 seconds -- tangled its prey in its elongated feeding tentacles.

"It's probably almost exactly the same as the way giant snakes wrap up their prey ... with their bodies," said Kubodera as he stood before a mounted specimen of a separate giant squid displayed at the National Science Museum in the Japanese capital.

The Japanese scientists found the squid by following sperm whales, the most effective hunters of giant squid, as they gathered to feed between September and December in the deep waters off the coast of the Ogasawara Islands in the North Pacific.

Giant squid have long attracted human fascination, appearing in myths of the ancient Greeks, as well as Jules Verne's "20,000 Leagues Under the Sea." Scientific interest in the animals has surged in recent years as more specimens have been caught in commercial fishing nets or found washed up on shores.

While the President of our neighbouring country went about accusing his country women of getting themselves raped just for mere abroad travel & citizenship, maybe it's time that someone put gun on his head and made him see the actual reasons behind the rapes and made him realise the plight and agony suffered by these women. Islam protects the rights of all individuals and rape by force is punishable by death in Islam yet incidents like these are happening one after another and that too on the orders of Jirgas and law enforcers in Pakistan. Most of the cases are taken up by media. Government usually tries to pacify the people by suspending few officials and making tribunals however, battle for justice proves to be very long and in most cases culprits get themselves free due to various loop holes in the system. Issues like these are usually handled by adhoc measures and conventional lethargic attitude.

We have heard brave stories of some Pakistani women such as Mukhtar Mai & Shazia Khalid, who decided to get up and fight against the corrupt system and make their voice heard around the globe, in the hope that if not them atleast the younger generation of Pakistani women would one day be in safe hands of a government that would look at them as humans and not just mere objects.

Another brave women, fighting against the system is Sonia Naz. The tale of Sonia Naz, the latest case of alleged gang-rape in Pakistan highlights the very fact of a growing willingness among many women in this devout Islamic country to report such crimes.

Sonia's ordeal began nearly six weeks ago in the industrial city of Faisalabad, about 200 km west of Lahore, when her husband, Asim, was arrested by police. Asim, a low-level clerk in the revenue department, was involved with nearly a dozen other officials in a corruption case. Most senior officials initially arrested were soon free. Asim, on the other hand, seems to have vanished - and while his family paid many bribes, and Sonia, expecting her second child at the time, repeatedly visited the police station - the young man was never located.

In despair, Sonia, in April of this year, turned up at the national assembly in the capital, Islamabad, leaving her two small children with her sister in Lahore. "I hoped to meet Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz and tell him my story. I was certain he would help," she said. Sonia, barely educated and unaware of protocol, was accidentally waved forward by a security guard right into the chamber, where she took her place among the legislators. When her presence was noticed, the bewildered Sonia was dragged away by guards, taken to a police station and charged with breaking into the assembly.

After being released following pressure from journalists and rights activists, she was re-arrested in Lahore in May, where she says she was repeatedly raped, stripped naked, beaten and abused by her police captors, despite her pleas for mercy. After her story was published, the prime minister and President Pervez Musharraf swiftly intervened to order an inquiry and the suspension of Superintendent Khalid Abdullah and Inspector Jamshed Chishti of the Lahore police, allegedly involved in the sexual assault.

Sonia's case demonstrates a growing determination on the part of many Pakistani women to fight back against violence. The times when women, fearing social stigma, refused to report such crimes or were too scared and ashamed to do so seem to be changing. The HRCP (Human Rights Commission Pakistan) said it had details of more than 250 incidents of rape and gang-rape in the first six months of 2005 alone. The fact that the figures are significantly higher than in the same period of 2004 is put down to an increase in the reporting of such crimes by victims.

It's time that the General opened his eyes and mind and saw to it that the victims are given the full protection of the law and not ostracized, imprisoned or killed for staining family "honor".

(*Source - IRIN Asia)

It is often said that the status and position of women in society is the best way to understand a civilisation, its progress and its shortcomings. In case of India, women have come a long way from women sages and scholars in the Rig Vedic period to women in the armed forces, IT sector, politics , industry and other significant areas while balancing their role as a daughter, wife and mother. This journey towards modernization has not been easy.

Women have had to fight the traditional Indian male-dominated society to emerge as stronger and independent entities. While all these are positive developments, cases of rape, harassment at workplace and dowry deaths are rampant. Illiteracy and ignorance about their rights are still prevalent among a majority of the women. However there are some women, who defy all odds to stand up for themselves and make their presence felt.

Here are some of the ever-encouraging women, who make a positive role-model for all Indians.

1. Women behind Shri Mahila Griha Udyog Lijjat Papad :

A women's organisation of the women, by the women and for the women. It was started in 1959 with 7 lady members with a borrowed sum of Rs. 80/- at Girgaum in Mumbai.
The turning point of this Institution was in 1966 when it was registered under the Bombay Public Trust Act 1950 and also registered under Societies Registration Act, 1860 and got recognition from Khadi & Village Industries Commission as a village industry.

The objective of the Institution is to provide employment to the ladies to enable them to earn decent and dignified livelihood. Any women who can render physical work in this Institution without distinction of caste, creed and colour and agrees to abide by the objective of the Institution can become a member of the Institution from the date on which she starts working.

Besides Lijjat Papad the Institution has other products like Khakhra, Masala, Wadi, Detergent Powder & Cakes, Bakery Products & Chapaties. At present it has 63 Branches & 40 Divisions and gives self-employment to about 40,000 sister members all over India with Sales turnover of Rs. 300 Crores which includes Rs. 12 Crores of Exports.Shri Mahila Griha Udyog Lijjat Papad posted a turnover of over Rs 118 crore from the sale of papads alone in fiscal 2003-04.The co-operative posted a turnover of Rs 288.47 crore for the year ended March 2004.

"The success behind this large turnover is the hardwork of women working towards this," says Jyoti J Naik, president, Shri Mahila Griha Udyog Lijjat Papad. This Institution, over the years, has paved the way for village women to become self-reliant and self-confident. Lijjat has provided them the right platform to improve their status in society.

2. Dr. Kiran Bedi :

Kiran Bedi is the first woman police officer (IPS) of India. She has set a glorious record in the various tasks assigned to her, and made a name for herself in a male dominated profession.
In July of 1972, she became the first female police officer in India when she joined the Indian Police Service. Her honesty drew attention, although it was not always appreciated.She was well aware that the police were often the biggest violators of human rights. Yet, she believed that it was the police who were in the best position to be the champion of human rights. She applied this philosophy in every stage of a career as a traffic cop, a narcotics officer, an anti-terrorist specialist, and an administrator. Bedi felt that the police should do more than just catch the bad guys and put them in jail. She saw her role as a police officer as an opportunity to help people, to show them the way to a better life.

The greatest challenge to her philosophy came in 1994 when she was promoted to the rank of Inspector General of Prisons and given the responsibility of managing the largest and most notorious prison in the Asia Pacific area. Tihar Prison held approximately 8,500 prisoners, mostly male. Besides her professional contributions, two voluntary organizations founded and supervised by her - Navjyoti, set up in 1988 and India Vision Foundation in 1994, reach out to thousands of poor children daily for primary education, women for adult literacy; provide vocational training and counseling services in the slums, rural areas and inside the prison apart from treatment for drug addiction. She and her organizations today stand nationally and internationally recognized, with the latest award being given by the United Nations - the Serge Sotiroff Memorial Award for drug abuse prevention.

Her greatest achievement may be the effect her achievements have had on Indian women who see Kiran Bedi as a role model and a hero. Bedi has shown them that with hard work and determination, they can overcome ancient stereotyping and make their dreams come true.

3. Shabnam Ara Begum

In a rare achievement, 26-year-old Shabnam Ara Begum has become India's first woman qazi. She is the Muslim marriage registrar and honorary qazi of Nandigram village in West Bengal's East Midnapore district, about 170 km from Kolkata, where, despite a few voices of protest, people have accepted her in this traditionally male position. Since her appointment in December 2003, Shabnam has conducted over 770 marriages. Apart from a small honorarium, she gets a minimum of Rs 100 for her efforts. This means that in 20 months, Shabnam earns nearly Rs 1 lakh -- a large sum for a villager, let alone a woman.

Shabnam's appointment did not go undisputed. Mozammel Hossein, a resident of Nandigram and claimant to the post, challenged her appointment in the Calcutta High Court saying: "There is no provision in the shariat for appointing a woman as qazi. Under Islamic law, women are not allowed to carry out tasks performed by men. All over the world, only men are qazis." He also pointed out that, at the time of her appointment, Shabnam was below 25 years-the minimum qualifying age for a qazi. The court however refused to interfere in the case and, on July 21, 2005, the matter was referred to the inspector general of registration (judiciary) for adjudication within three months.

The appointment of Shabnam Ara Begum as qazi - a cleric who can conduct a wedding ceremony - is being seen as a step towards the emancipation and empowerment of Muslim women.

4. Bachendri Pal

Bachendri Pal was the first Indian woman to climb to the summit of Mt. Everest, in 1984. She was independent and fearless, and first tasted the excitement of the high altitudes when a group of 12-year-old classmates climbed to 4000m (13123 feet) during a picnic, could not come down by nightfall, and spent the night there without food or shelter. At 13, like most Garhwal girls she was expected to leave school and help in the house, but she studied on her own at night until her determination impressed her family to let her finish high school. She still earned money by sewing in her spare time. The principal of her school persuaded her family to send her to college, where she beat both boys and girls in rifle shooting and other competitions. Her B.A. thrilled her parents, who wanted her to be the first girl in the village with a higher degree. She eventually an M.A. in Sanskrit and then a B.Ed. In spite of these achievements the job offers that came in were only for low-paid, temporary, junior-level positions, so Bachendri applied to the Nehru Institute of Mountaineering for a course.

She was judged the best student in the course, and marked down as 'Everest material', much to her surprise. In an advanced camp at NIM in 1982, she climbed Gangotri I (6,672 m/ 21900 ft) and Rudugaira (5,819 m / 19091 ft). Her mentor was Brigadier Gyan Singh, director of the National Adventure Foundation, who set up an Adventure Club for young women to learn mountaineering skills. It also provided an instructor's job for Bachendri, whose family was under economic pressure. India's fourth expedition to Everest was scheduled for 1984, and only four women in the world had ever scaled the peak. The '84 team consisted of seven women and eleven men, and this was Bachendri Pal's first real expedition.

She is a member of the governing body of IMF, HMI, NIM, National Adventure Foundation, Vice Chairman of Seven Sister's Adventure Club, Uttar Kashi and All India Women's Judo and Karate Federation, and President of Lioness Club India. She is the Manager Adventure Programmes, Tata Iron & Steel Co. Ltd. The then Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi had presented the 1986 Ladies Study Group Award to her in recognition of her outstanding contribution in the field of Mountaineering. She has been awarded Padmashree, Arjuna Award, IMF Gold Medal, and cash award from U.P. Government and TISCO.

5. Mrs. Simone Tata

Simone Tata has several firsts to her name:the first businesswoman to introduce cosmetics to Indian consumers, the first businesswoman to start the practice of beauty salons in the country, the first to introduce a 100 per cent private label store in the country. She started India's first indigenous beauty company, Lakme, in 1962, and was appointed as its first MD in 1964 and also assumed its Chairmanship in 1982.

After she sold off Lakme to Hindustan Lever in 1996, she wasted no time in snapping up the Indian operations of Littlewoods, including the Bangalore store and sourcing operations. The aim was to create a national fashion retail chain that was to make good fashion available at affordable prices. Trent Ltd. is now an all-India chain of 'Westside' stores.

Simone Tata says she's looking at the possibility of introducing in-store labels in the lifestyle and home furnishing categories. Some of Westside's current clutch of brands include Gia for larger women, Stone River Classic for teens, Westsports sportswear and 2-fast-4-you for young men.

She is also the Chairman of the Sir Ratan Tata Institute and a Trustee of Children of the World (India) Trust, Bombay. She was awarded the Udyog Ratan Award in 1988, designated as 'a Woman of Decade'.

6. Mrs. Kiran Mazumdar Shaw

She can be easily considered India's bio-tech queen and the richest woman in the country. This bold, enterprising and assertive woman entrepreneur best personifies the changing face of the Indian Woman. A woman with a fiery ambition, deep-rooted confidence and staunch foresight, her aim was to build a world-class institution using India's own scientific talent. Her multi billion dollar, Biocon India Ltd. has successfully come a long way from the little operation that it was in 1978.

Today she heads the leading biotech firm in India, Biocon India Ltd., a company that has evolved from a maker of enzymes to a major pharmaceutical enterprise producing everything from insulin to antibodies. When the company went public in March of this year, its shares were oversubscribed by 33 times on opening day, and it now has a total stock-market value of $1.2 billion.

In 2001, her firm was singled out as a World Economic Forum Tech Pioneer. Biocon has a string of successes to its credit: It is the country's first biotechnology company to export microbial enzymes to the US and Europe, and to receive ISO 9001 certification. Her strong vision combined with her keen aptitude for innovativeness has helped to transform Biocon into one of the leaders in India's biotech industry and her aim is to 'make Biocon one of the world's top-five biotech companies in the not-too-distant future'.

There are many more women such as Barkha Dutt (Journalist),Sarah Joseph(Writer), Anju Bobby George (Athlete), Sania Mirza (Tennis), Arundhati Roy (Writer and Social Activist), who have done India and Indian Woman proud with their achievements as dynamic Leaders. They have helped in some way or the other to put India on the global map, for being such strong inspiration.

(*Disclaimer - the above information has been complied with the help of various sources.)

Even in our Desi Blog world, there are many women who seem to inspire us in many ways. Some of my favourites and who are well-known and need no introduction -

1. Sonia Falerio (Colour of Water) : Brings news without creating Telhalka. Simply direct and upfront coverage of events...no room for any alterations.

2. Uma (Indian Writing & Animal Rights India) : If you wanna know about books, this is a must blog. Touching write-ups about daily life or events, on the other hand manages another blog concerning Animal welfare issues and stories.

3. Sujatha (Blogpourri) : A mom, an ex-lawyer, a writer and a brand new radio jockey. Beautiful essay like stories about every-day life. Comes up with simple topics but immense meaning.

Australians are facing a gruesome quandary - they will have to kill millions of "exotic" non-native animals or allow those animals to destroy Australia's unique native species.

Millions of animals -- from camels to cane toads, horses and foxes -- face extermination in Australia under recommendations by a parliamentary committee.

A population explosion of species introduced to this isolated continent since European settlement began more than 200 years ago is a growing threat to agriculture and native wildlife, the committee of inquiry has found.

"The exotic species need to be eradicated," committee chairman Alby Schultz told AFP. "That's the first point I make."

Shooting and poisoning would be among methods recommended by the committee, which has been investigating the problem for more than a year and will present its report to parliament by early November, he said.

The Department of the Environment lists animals of "significant concern" as including feral camels (500,000), horses (300,000), donkeys (five million), pigs (up to 23 million), cane toads, European wild rabbits, European red foxes, cats and goats.

This weekend turned out to be pretty interesting for me..why ? well because it has given me the inspiration for my new list. On Saturday night, i went clubbing with couple of my friends to a pretty well-known nightspot in the suburbs. The place was packed, when we reached there..thats around 10.30 pm. Now the sad bit is..when most of your friends are couples...and you the only single one..things tend to get boreing after a while. Not to get things wrong..my friends are great and made sure many a times that i wasn't feeling left out.

Anyways the on and off free time, gave me the chance to notice certain individuals that i am sure most of you have seen, met and can relate to in the every desi club context.

So without any further delay guys....come on 'let's do the cha cha chaa'

Mr. Popular

Usually comes with his 3-5 chamchas
The leader of the pack
Mostly a regular to the club, since he knows the bar-tender on first name basis
Definitely has a good time out, thanks to 'Papa' dearest's moolah
Makes sure to keep his gang happy by paying for their drinks and meal
Mostly stands at the bar with his groupies and checks out the women

The Body-Builder

Has a good body and wants everyone around him to acknowledge it
Wears mostly bodyfit t-shirts and singlets
Dance step mostly involve flexing his muscle
He is bound to make even Sanjay Dutt look like Parbhudeva thanks to his dancing skillsDesperately needs to carry a deodorant for humanity sake...its simply unbearable if you happen to be dancing next to him when he's got his hands swaying in the air...while you are bearing the brunt of his exposed arm pit

Ms.Lolita

Gushing young women with good looks and hot body
High maintenance evident from extravagant dressing style
Will only be seen at trendiest and happing venues
90% chances of having a boyfriend
Her daddy always told her she was a princess and she expects to be treated like one
Needs to be the constant center of attention no matter what
Dances all night long and expects her boyfriend to do the same

Eagle-eyed Uncle

He's just a big over grown kid – and not in the good way
Busy checking out every single girl/women in the club when the wife is not looking
Pretends to be having a good time with wifey while lusting over someone else
Firmly believes 'abhi to mein jawan hoon'
Always on the move on the dance floor hoping to be hit by any women other than his wife

Raging Hormones

This category belongs to young high-school newly in-love couples
Rarely get any opportunity to get up & close with their partners during the day therefore they seem to make most of their night out together
They tend to occupy the darkest corners on the dance floor or the dinning section
Not at all interested in dinning and dancing, prefer to keep themselves busy with coochy-cooying with one another
Hate it when they do it on the dance floor....they desperately need to get a room

Spandex Aunty

Yes, besides the gym they make their present felt here too
Not a pretty sight to look at..need to loose atleast 75 pounds before they try to fit themselves in those short dresses or tight pants
They follow the same rule here too i.e. the dress should fit the body and not the other way round

Vamp

She has incredible looks, uses excessive red lipstick and has long bright nails
She actually looks like a vampire and seems to possess those qualities too
You can spot her miles away because she flirts with anything in pants
Believes in flaunting her sexuality at every opportunity with her dancing style
Surely by the end of the night she would have sucked out everything from her victim – money, strength, illusions and sperm.

Stage Hogs/Disco Dancers

They always want to be center of attention.
Will be heard talking excessively loud…yes even in the night club you can hear them
Wild gesturing
Provocative outfits
First ones to dance on the broad panels next to the DJ booth or the bar table
Usually the last ones to leave

Addicts

They come here only to booze
Some more booze
More booze and booze
Finally a seriously sick hang-over

That's it guys...this is all the time I got that night…once they started playing 'It's the time to Disco', I looked at my watch and realized that it was my time to khisco from the club. I am sure there are many more varieties..maybe you can give your views & experience in the comments section.

(ps..for your info I have not mentioned the category that I fall under in this post, kindly refrain from asking me...)

In the continuing mental process of sorting, storing and discarding, there is a tendency to reduce conceptual thought to its simplest form. Within the functions of memory, the slogan acts as a handle. It is a mnemonically structured device which is a conscious or unconscious effort to hook into the reader's subconscious. Used effectively, it can succeed as no other single element in advertising can. It is the only aspect of an advertisement which has the chance of becoming a contemporary figure of speech or part of everyday speech patterns. Its success, and the resultant realized dream of becoming a household word, is usually accomplished by repetition, regardless of correct grammar or even of questionable benefits or common sense.

Now the above is what i learnt during my Bachelors in Business (marketing) degree at UWS, Australia. The reason why i am quoting the above is because i have come up with a list of slogans for certain entities. Most of you may consider this, as my lamest list till date....but yaar...pls understand that i am running low on ideas which is in-turn effecting my creativity. But i am compelled to put up a list since i am a self-confessed List-a-holic.

Maybe..you could suggest a few List ideas in the comments section.

Anywaz...here is the Slogan List :

1. Indian Cricket Team - 'Future's Grim, the Future's Black'.

2. BJP + RSS alliance - 'Its fun to play together'.

3. Microsoft Corp. - 'How much are you going to pay today?'

4. Indian Airlines - 'Join our frequent near-miss program, NOW !'

5. Shaadi.Com - 'With you always, thru Marriage-Divorce-Remarriage'.

6. Red Bull energy drink - 'Forever Zombie'.

7. Reliance Group of Industries - 'Mere babuji ka sapna, karo paraya maal apna'.

8. Lux Soap (after Shahrook ad) - 'Because he's worth it'.

9. American Army Recruitment Agency - 'Join the army ! travel the world, meet interesting people, and kill them'.

10. Manish Malhotra Creations - 'Creativity is great, but plagiarism is faster'.

11. Mumbai Roads - 'You never learn to swear, until you ride here'.

12. Mumbai Police - 'We would like to help you out. Which way did you come in?'

13. Cricket Betting Association - 'A bar girl a day helps you work, rest and play'.

(Disclaimer : for the ones who think the list doesnot make sense, kindly refer to paragraph 1.)

We, Indians are facing a bizarre and rather unbelievable situation. We, because of our selfish nature are on the verge of virtually making extinct the last of the big cats in the wild. Convention of International Trade in Endangered Species (CITES) and United Nations organisation binds India to rules that prevent trade in endangered species. The assault on the tiger in India, due to a breakdown of forest management and corruption, can compel CITES into taking action against India as per the rules of this UN arm. CITES has the authority to impose trade sanctions on a member-country that has not adhered to the norms that govern this body. That is how important tiger protection is. However it still doesnot seem IMPORTANT enough for the Indian ministries and officials.

Today's Telegraph newspaper gives us proof of another very unpleasant & horrifying news -

The Indian tiger is heading rapidly towards extinction, thanks to a new breed of wealthy Tibetans who prize the skins as trimming for their traditional costumes, an investigation has shown. Hearing rumours that the new Tibetan trend for skins was behind the rapid increase in poaching, a team from the London-based Environmental Investigation Agency (EIA) went to Tibet and the Sichuan and Gansu provinces in China.

At horse festivals in Tibet and Sichuan, dancers, riders and spectators wandered about, openly wearing the traditional chuba, generously trimmed with tiger and leopard skin, while organisers and local officials joined in.Traders said the demand for the skins was coming from the newly-moneyed classes who had made small fortunes from selling a local caterpillar fungus used in Chinese medicine.

The skins are smuggled along well-established Nepali trading routes into Tibet where they are sold openly in shops in capital Lhasa. Wildlife experts accuse the Indian and Chinese governments of seriously underestimating the scale of the problem and, through a mixture of corruption and bureaucratic inertia, failing to address it.

Complete story here....

India has the largest tiger population in the world. However, the tiger population has fallen to 3,500 (according to the 2002 tiger census) from around 4,300 just 11 years ago. Poaching is believed to the main reason behind the decline in tiger numbers in Sariska and other Indian tiger reserves. In 2004, the tiger count for the state was 65, including 47 in Ranthambore, 18 in Sariska and one tiger in the Bharatpur reserve. However, today there are only 29 tigers left in Rajasthan's famous Ranthambore Tiger Reserve and 'No' tigers in Sariska, according to the latest official census.The tacit or active participation of wildlife authorities and park staff is also suspected.

Environmentalists confirm that the menace of poaching is very virulent across Asia and there is a decline in tiger populations in most countries, whether it is Laos, Myanmar (Burma) or Cambodia. Tigers are becoming virtually extinct in many of these countries.

According to many nature conversation societies, there seems to be a serious problem with the way tiger conservation is handled. Institutions and officials responsible are not doing their jobs, which has resulted in faulty plan implementations. It is important that Sanctuaries have specialised management.
The worst problem however is the rise in demand for the tiger skin in West Asia. In October 2004, the London-based Environmental Investigation Agency (EIA) reported the existence of well-organised syndicates trafficking tiger and leopard skins between India, Nepal, Tibet and China. In October 2003, customs officials in Tibet intercepted a record haul of 31 tiger skins and 581 leopard skins being trucked to the capital Lhasa.

It's high time that the Indian government and the people realise that saving the tiger is a precious goal because it involves saving the entire ecosystem. The tiger is the apex predator. If the tiger has to survive, the entire forest has to be healthy. Hence, focusing on the tiger actually achieves much more than merely ensuring the survival of one species.

Important Links -

Here is a book extract from 'THE LAST WILD TIGERS' by Peter Matthiessen, a must read for all the wild-life lovers.

Homepage of 'Project Tiger', which was formed in 1972 by then Prime Minister Indira Gandhi and was launched on the 1st April 1973 at Corbett National Park. It's aims were, to ensure maintenance of a viable population of tigers in India for scientific, economic, aesthetic, cultural and ecological values. To preserve, for all times, areas of such biological importance as a national heritage for the benefit, education and enjoyment of the people.

Homepage of Indian Tiger Welfare Society

*UPDATE

Another article on Tiger Poaching in today's TOI.

"Unlike in elephant poaching, where the poacher leaves behind the carcass, the tiger poacher takes away the entire body and leaves nothing behind,"Biswajit Mohanty of the Wildlife Society of Orissa said, highlighting why tiger poaching isn't always easy to detect.

"Because right from its skin to nails, eyes, toes, teeth, tail, everything is sold. There were seven cases of leopards and tiger seizures in the last four months in Orissa but no poaching cases were registered," he said.

According to Wildlife Trust of India vice-chairman Ashok Kumar, who has moved a PIL in the Supreme Court challenging official Simlipal tiger figures, "The number of tigers is not more than 30 as per our information. It is true that there are plenty of water bodies in the sanctuary and it is also a dense forest. But as per our information, professional poachers are very much active in Simlipal. We have also moved a PIL in the Supreme Court, saying the number has dwindled to 30."

Read this story in today's Mid-Day...and it makes me sick. Where has the humanity in today's youth gone??

Two youngsters driving a Fiat Palio whipped out their new air gun and fired at two street dogs who were asleep, grievously injuring them, and sped away laughing. The incident occurred late in the night on September 21, outside Goa Bhavan, JVPD Scheme, Juhu.

Sushma Borkar, an animal lover from the area, who has been feeding the dogs for the last three years, rushed the animals to the Andheri-based Karuna Foundation, where a surgery was performed on the dogs. "I am sure that this was done deliberately - a cheap prank by a rich man's son." Borkar added that she had got the dogs vaccinated and sterilised earlier.

Arvind Shah, animal welfare officer from Karuna told Mid Day, "Both the dogs are in a critical condition. One dog had to have a major surgery as the bullet had perforated the windpipe. It is unbelievably cruel that they were shot at."

Complete article, here...

Barbie dolls have flown off the shelves in Middle Eastern countries. No, the dolls aren't going into the hands of eager consumers, they're being shipped back to Mattell. Barbie's Middle-Eastern counterpart, Fulla is far more popular than the glamorous Barbie.

Fulla roughly shares Barbie's size and proportions, but steps out of her shiny pink box wearing a black abaya and matching head scarf. She is named after a type of jasmine that grows in the Levant, and although she has an extensive and beautiful wardrobe (sold separately, of course), Fulla is usually displayed wearing her modest "outdoor fashion."Young girls here are obsessed with Fulla, and conservative parents who would not dream of buying Barbies for their daughters seem happy to pay for a modest doll who has her own tiny prayer rug, in pink felt. Children who want to dress like their dolls can buy a matching, girl-size prayer rug and cotton scarf set, all in pink.

Fulla is marketed just like American toys, with cartoons, games, and product tie-ins galore. However, some people don't see Fulla as the positive influence she is marketed as.

Maan Abdul Salam, a Syrian women's rights advocate, said Fulla was emblematic of a trend toward Islamic conservatism sweeping the Middle East. Though statistics are hard to come by, he said, the percentage of young Arab women who wear the hijab is far higher now than it was a decade ago, and though many girls are wearing it by choice, others are being pressured to do so.

"If this doll had come out 10 years ago, I don't think it would have been very popular," he said. "Fulla is part of this great cultural shift."

Fatima Ghayeh, who at 15 is a few years past playing with dolls herself, said she felt "sad that no one plays with Barbie anymore." But, pressed for further explanation, Ms. Ghayeh, dressed in a white hijab and ankle-length khaki coat, appeared to change her mind.

"My friends and I loved Barbie more than anything," she said. "But maybe it's good that girls have Fulla now. If the girls put scarves on their dolls when they're young, it might make it easier when their time comes. Sometimes it is difficult for girls to put on the hijab. They feel it is the end of childhood. Fulla shows girls that the hijab is a normal part of a woman's life."

But Jyza Sybai , a lanky, tomboyish Saudi 10-year-old, visiting Syria with her family for a short vacation, disagreed. "All my friends have Fulla now, but I still like Barbie the best," Jyza said. "She has blond hair and cool clothes. Every single girl in Saudi looks like Fulla, with the dark hair and the black scarf.

"What's so special about that?"

It is important to note...

Mattel markets a group of collectors' dolls that include a Moroccan Barbie and a doll called Leila, intended to represent a Muslim slave girl in an Ottoman court. In Iran, toy shops sell a veiled doll called Sara. A Michigan-based company markets a veiled doll called Razanne, selling primarily to Muslims in the United States and Britain.

What makes her more appealing than Barbie ?

"This isn't just about putting the hijab on a Barbie doll," Mr. Abidin(Fulla's brand manager) said. "You have to create a character that parents and children will want to relate to. Our advertising is full of positive messages about Fulla's character. She's honest, loving, and caring, and she respects her father and mother."

I some-what dont agree with Mr. Abidin's explanation. I mean, just because Barbie has a boyfriend and she wears western outfit doesn't mean that she is not honest, loving, caring and doesnot respect her family.

Its just a doll....let the kids enjoy.

Complete story here....

UPDATE :

Talk about hypocrisy....

'Jalila' is becoming one of the most popular female super-hero comic character in the Middle East. According to AK Comics (creator and publisher of middle-east superheros) their goal is to fill the cultural and social gap that was created over the years between the West and East, by providing essentially needed role models. Furthermore these heroes are predestined to become global ambassadors, spreading peace and good will, creating a more optimistic and positive image of the world's most turbulent and misunderstood region; The Middle East!

If you look at 'Jalila', she is wearing a low-cleavege vest and tight body-fiiting suit. Now isin't this against the Saudi culture?? But according to the sources..she is bridging the gap between West and East...from the Middle East point of view.

Well...isn't then 'Barbie' bridging the same gap...from the Western World point of view??

Know more about Middle East super-heroes, here...

Marriage in India is illegal under the ages of 18 for girls and 21 for boys. Any marriage of a person younger than this is banned in India under the Child Marriage Prevention Act of 1929. But the practice of child-marriages is still prevalent in many parts of rural India, particularly in the states of Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh, Bihar and Andhra Pradesh. Few marriages in India are formally registered, religious ceremonies are regarded as socially if not legally binding, even if the people concerned are mere innocent kids. Kids who are forced to grow-up and take care of responsibilities that come along with marriage.

I am 25 years of age, for me the word 'marriage' still gives jitters, I simply can't even imagine the plight of these young girls who are forced by their parents into marriage just for the sake-off few old customs and traditions. Couple of days ago a saw a special report covered by NDTV, about a girl who fought all the odds and made an example of her victory for other girls in similar situation to follow.

Chenugapalli Susheela from Ranga Reddy district in Andhra Pradesh got married at the age of 12. It took a six-month-long battle, for her two-year marriage to her teenage husband annulled to pursue her dream of getting an education. The reason why the case is even more significant is because Susheela is a dalit, a low-caste. Dalits traditionally stay uneducated and often suffer serious human rights abuses. In the extremely backward region of Telengana, where Susheela comes from, child marriage, though illegal, is widespread.

Susheela pleaded to her parents that her husbands would get drunk her and beat her up infront of the village people and no one would come to her rescue. She also claimed that her husband was having an affair with other women. Finally the parents gave in and took her home 6 months ago.

A council of village elders agreed to grant Susheela an annulment after she went to the police, threatened to commit suicide and enlisted the help of a child protection organisation--the M Ventaramaiah Foundation. After granting her a 'divorce', under the watchful eye of the media, the police, local revenue officials and members of the MV Foundation, the council ordered her husband to return any valuables, including gold and money, he may have received as dowry.

Dalit parents often marry their daughters off early to protect them from the advances of upper caste men. "Our womenfolk are always insecure as the feudal culture of the Reddy farmers (the landed gentry in Telengana) continues even today," says Venkaiah, Susheela's father. He admits that he shouldn't have married his daughter off without her consent.

The MV Foundation has promised to help Susheela pursue her dreams of getting an education. "We are trying to put children in school. As part of the effort we have stopped several child marriages. But they are still happening because the administration is not very sensitive and proactive on this issue," says Rajendra Prasad, coordinator, M V Foundation.

Susheela's act of defiance has inspired her friends Mayina and Archana, as well as four other child brides, to walk out of their respective marriages too. Child marriage is common in this part of Andhra Pradesh, as it is in Madhya Pradesh's Dhar district where child marriage activist Shakuntala Verma was attacked for protesting against the custom.

What shocks me is that the reason often given in support of child marriages, is that it protect the girl from other men who, once she is married, may see her as being unavailable and belonging to someone else. Child marriages give the impression that, like sati, women and girls are seen as property that 'belongs' to someone - her family, her husband, her in-laws. A woman/girl is either a burden or can be 'traded' and used in any way the others see fit. If her marriage is left too late, it may mean that no one wants her and then she will be seen as being not valuable and no one will want to marry her (its horrifying that even in big cities and among educated families this is believed). She is a burden to her own family because she is an extra mouth to feed and they have to find money to spend on her dowry. Her only role in life is to do housework and to bear children.

In any case, child marriages are worse for girls than for boys, since the girls are usually younger than the boys. Marriage also puts an end to any education girls may have been receiving. And if they get pregnant while still young, their health gets much worse since their bodies are often not ready to bear children. According to the United Nations, maternal mortality i(which indicates the number of women dying in childbirth or from pregnanct-related causes) is 25 times higher for girls under 15, and two times higher for 15-19-year-olds.

To stop such child marriages, governments and civil society organisations are trying to get laws against child marriage made stronger, since it does not seem to be working in its present state. Right now the police cannot make arrests without applying for a magistrate's order, which may take days. The punishment, a maximum of three months in prison, and a fine is not enough to stop people.

Proposed changes include more punishment, a compulsory registration of all marriages rather than just religious rites, the appointment of anti-child marriage officers in every state, and making it a law that anyone who attends a child marriage has to report it.

History and reasons behind child marriages in India, have a look here...

UPDATE :

Came across this very interesting article...a must read.

The government appears unwilling to crack down on the practice with any great energy, however, and its ambivalence toward the issue is echoed with equal lethargy at every level.

"People have never taken this issue very seriously," said Jaya Sagade, the author of "Child Marriage in India," published this year by Oxford University Press. "No political party has taken proper action against it; neither has anyone in the legal fraternity.

There's a sense that it won't be possible to uproot such an entrenched custom."

The law itself is weak. Parents can theoretically be sentenced to three months' imprisonment, but they very rarely are; a survey in 2001 found that there were never more than 89 attempted prosecutions across India in any one year.

The police do not have the authority to arrest anyone about to take part in a marriage, and the bureaucracy involved in preventing one is so complicated that most weddings have already gone ahead by the time the papers are ready.

Yesterday i saw the special screening of "The Great Indian Witch Hunt", an award winning documentary film hosted by noted playwright, writer and actress Sohaila Kapur (sister of director Shekhar Kapur) and directed by Filmmaker Rakhi Varma. It was part of the 12 episode series "It happens only in India" launched by The National Geographic channel from September 18, with each episode focusing on an aspect of "real India" hitherto unexplored in detail.

Here is a report on the film :

"The great Indian witch hunt" explores possible causes of single and widowed women accused of being witches and their ostracism from the society sometimes with terrible consequences. Set in Jharkhand, this episode concentrates on a gory end to a woman named Mania Mardi who is killed by her nephew Gurudeo because he believed she was a witch who had brought on the death of his father and brother.

In the early part of the narrative, Varma interviews so-called witches who have been tortured by villagers and even forced to eat human excreta. She focuses on the activities of Baba Ramashankar who claims to have supernatural powers that can bring about the death and destruction of anyone he should choose to cast his fury upon.

For the murder trial, Varma uses journalist and author Sohaila Kapoor to conduct an on-camera inquiry of sorts that questions Gurudeo's real motives and arrives at the conclusion that he had wrongly assumed that his relatives had died as a result of a spell. Medical records showed they had contracted tuberculosis.

Witch hunting is a huge issue in many Indian states. The filmmaker chose Jharkhand because of the 500 or more cases of witch hunting reported there in the '90s. The film unfolds a disturbing trend and tries to find out the factual reasons that led to the killing of women after branding them witches. In most cases, the brutal acts were the fallout of property disputes or were instigated by witch doctors. However the film fails to give its viewers any conclusive evidence that 'Black Magic' really exists.

Ms. Verma concludes her story in a philosphical way by saying "Black magic like miracles, falls in the realm of what cannot be proved...it's a matter of faith".

The most horrific part of the film, according to me is the part showcasing 'Baba Ramashankar's rituals'. In the middle of a full moon night, Baba Ramashankar and his three women accomplices chant a heady mantra. They are all witches, initiated into the art of using their powers to save or to destroy through the benevolence of the one they worship -- the dain(witch). As the chanting reaches a crescendo, Baba begins to dance around the fire with a live goat kid hanging by his teeth. In the next scene, he has a chicken in his mouth, the neck of which he snaps with his teeth. After some time, everyone appears to be suspended in a psychological state that is far beyond the ordinary. Then comes a sexual orgy. According to the Baba, sexual intercourse is a necessaity inorder for him to complete his ritual and thereby please his goddess who inturn gifts him his holy powers.

The film makes you realise that for these people 'the belief in black magic is far more than their belief in magic itself'.

More on the film and the director, here....

Some facts about Witch-hunt in India

In the interiors of states like Bihar and West Bengal, 'witches' or 'dains' and their children are still hunted and killed. Witch-hunting is one of the least talked-about acts of violence. The murder of individuals and entire families accused of witchcraft is common in other states too, such as Assam, Madhya Pradesh, Gujarat, Rajasthan, Andhra Pradesh and Maharashtra.

From 1991 to 2000, over 522 cases of witch-hunting have been registered in Bihar alone.

Main reasons for many of these accusations of witchcraft are socio-economic factors such as land-grabbing, property disputes, personal rivalry and resistance to sexual advances.

In many cases, a woman who inherits land from her deceased husband is asked to disown the land by her husband's family or other men. If she resists, they approach the Ojhas (traditional village doctors) and bribe them to brand her a witch.

The strategy of branding a woman a witch is also used against women who spurn the sexual advances of the powerful men in the community.

The Free Legal Aid Committee (FLAC), based in the new state of Jharkhand has started a campaign against witch-hunting. They provide, egal support to the victims, awareness and legal literacy through streetplays and publications, raising the issue at legal and human rights fora, and the formulation of laws and amendments. Their efforts prompted the state of Bihar to pass the Anti-Witch Hunting Act in 1999.

(Disclaimer - above information was obtained from here)

A very interesting article written by Brinda Karat, focuses on some of the Issues In The Struggle Against Witch-Hunting.

Scotland is the most violent country in the developed world, according to a report from the United Nations. Scotland's violent assault rate is closely followed by England and Wales.

The study, based on telephone interviews with victims of crime in 21 countries, found that more than 2,000 Scots were attacked every week, almost ten times the official police figures. They include non-sexual crimes of violence and serious assaults.Violent crime has doubled in Scotland over the past 20 years and levels, per head of population, are now comparable with cities such as Rio de Janeiro, Johannesburg and Tbilisi.

The attacks have been fuelled by a "booze and blades" culture in the west of Scotland which has claimed more than 160 lives over the past five years. Since January there have been 13 murders, 145 attempted murders and 1,100 serious assaults involving knives in the west of Scotland. The problem is made worse by sectarian violence, with hospitals reporting higher admissions following Old Firm matches.

More on this.....

Couple of days ago i had posted this, stating my reason for not being able to join my nukkad ka gym. On the weekend, i was discussing the same with my very close friend who is a self-confessed fitness freak. Now this women has been slogging her butt at gym for more then two years...mind you she is not Tun Tun's sister..her goal is simple and that is 'to stay fit'.

She made me realise that 'fitness' is NOT the only reason why people choose to go there. In-short, our conversation changed my whole perception towards going to the 'Gym'.

According to her, Gyms are sort of like push-up bras: ridiculous in theory, but in practice, a total necessity. A gym is a room filled with people moving as fast as they can but staying in the same place, or lifting things over and over that always end up where they started off.

Going to the gym is like being transported to another world. A world that can be divided into two kinds of people: people who go the gym to work out, and people who go to the gym to hang out.

People who go to the gym to hang out : Can we be further classified into the following sub-categories.

1. The Gigglers - You have to train in the morning to notice this fine breed of gym goer. They are the guys and gals that just sit on the drinking machines sipping on their Latta carrying on a nice little conversation with their fellow drinkers while other are busting your butt. They will do 1 set every 10 minutes. They giggle at each other (isn't it fun to pretend we need to work out?!) as you slump on the weights.

2. The Puppy Paneers - Now this category basically comprises of high school kids. They join gym mostly under peer pressure, cause its considered 'cool' among their friends to be enrolled at a poshy gym. Some of them join the gym, after seeing how their girlfriend/boyfriend go ga ga over a particular movie star who has a HOT BOD.

3. The Two Goofballs - These are the two retards that pay for a membership to sit back and check out the chicks. You know the two guys who are buddies, with bodies that would make Rajpal Yadav look like Suneil Shetty, the ones who just take up gym space to oogle at the ladies.

4. The Actress Wannabe - All the men at the gym know who she is. She is the hottest girl in the gym but she is also the most annoying. She is the one that goes up to a guy with a 6 pack and a heavy wallet and asks "can you please come take these plates off the leg press, they are just too heavy for me". These girls will hog the weight benches but will not be lifting weights instead just moving around in cute ways to get boys to hit on them. They will be fooling around pretending to "stretch" by getting in their favorite sexual positions. Women whose husbands/boyfriends that fit under the above mentioned description...BEWARE !!

Similarly,

People who go to the gym to work out : Are also classified into the below mentioned sub-categories.

1. The Resolutioners/Short Term Goal Seekers - This category consists of all those people who flock to a gym right after new years because they made a resolution to get into shape. They make the gym so overcrowded that it becomes miserable just to train. They will spend a ton of money on gym clothes, membership, etc. and you will never see them in the gym after a couple of weeks. Some of them go to the gym with short term goals, wanna fit it a particular outfit that has to be worn at a close relative's or friend's wedding and girls who wanna lose certain kilos inorder to impress their friend's brother who is scheduled to return from overseas.

2. The Screamer - talk about annoying. This guy/gal doesn't accomplish anything in a gym but annoy the hell out of everybody. This is the guy/gal who is doing some squats and is screaming to the top of their lungs with each rep. The problem is it just doesn't stop there; they will do it for each exercise so others have to listen to their crap all night while training. They will scream like Linda Blair during their runs. Their enthusiasm is bound to give someone a heart condition.

3.The Personal Trainer wanna be - They are the ones who are a poor excuse for a physique with loads of unwanted advice. Always critiquing the way others are training and that their way is so much better. Mostly the new-comers are their favourite prey.

4.The Spandex Aunty - They are usually not a pretty sight to see. The aunty who really needs to loose about 75 more pounds before she tries to squeeze those 'tyres' into a tight fitting spandex pants or tides. They firmly believe that 'the dress should fit the body' and not the other way round.

5.The Fitness Freak - when they go to the gym the first thing they do is put fanny pack on, pull out their ipod and get in their own little world. You try talking to them and they will kick your butt. They simply do not like to be bothered when they are in their zone. They never look at anyone in the eye. Everyone avoids them until they are finished. Then as quickly as the all out assault started it is over. Then they come back to the real world and once again they are really nice folks, until the next time they train.

I am sure some of you gym-goers can relate to most if not all of the people I have written about. If you are one of these people and are offended by what I wrote, pls note that the above are not my views...i shall pass on my friend's email address, incase you decide to send her hate-mails.

And for the newbies, i hope this list assists you in identyfing the categories that you wish to avoid. As for me, well i think i will save up and go in for personal home trainer.

For centuries in Afghanistan, women had been denied various basic rights such as, the right to vote, the right to work, and even choose their own partners in marriage (things that WE, the women of 21st century take for granted). They were denied these rights either by official government or by their own husbands, fathers, and brothers.

During the rule of the Taliban (1996 - 2001), women were treated worse than in any other time or by any other society. They were forbidden to work, leave the house without a male escort, not allowed to seek medical help from a male doctor, and forced to cover themselves from head to toe, even covering their eyes. Women who were doctors and teachers before, suddenly were forced to be beggars and even prostitutes in order to feed their families.

Since the fall of the Taliban in late 2001, many would agree that the political and cultural position of Afghan women has improved substantially. The recently adopted Afghan constitution states that "the citizens of Afghanistan - whether man or woman- have equal rights and duties before the law". So far, women have been allowed to return back to work, the government no longer forces them to wear the all covering burqa, and they even have been appointed to prominent positions in the government.

Despite all these changes many challenges still remain. The repression of women is still prevalent in rural areas where many families still restrict their own mothers, daughters, wives and sisters from participation in public life.

Numerous school for girls have been burned down and little girls have even been poisoned to death for daring to go to school. But that has not stopped some girls from atleast trying to achieve what they till now could only 'dream' off.

BBC news website's 'ONE DAY IN AFGHANISTAN' coverage, gives us a brief introduction of two such girls...who are fighting every day...to reach a self-respecting destination.

Sisters Raziya (14) and Yasamin (15) - two school students in Kabul - who talk about their daily routines, problems, and hopes for the future.

Raziya....

"My name is Raziya, and I attend school every day from 8am to 3pm in Kabul. I get home at about 4pm and eat a snack - some rice and cheese - before doing my homework. At school, my favourite subject is science. I want to be a doctor when I leave school, to treat the sick. Another of my favourite pastimes is football. I want to play every day, but I mainly play on Fridays with a girls' team. I really badly want to be in the best team, and to win!

Do the boys mind that we play football? They don't know!
Before, when the Taleban were in power, there were stories that they would kidnap children and cut off their fingers so their parents would pay them money - $200, $300."

Yasamin...

" Hi, I am Yasamin. I attend school like Raziya - in fact, we're in the same class. I want to work in a hospital, but although I leave school next year and I've been looking for job opportunities, I haven't found any yet. Life isn't easy. My brothers both work, but between them they only make enough money to allow us to eat. It's also difficult for us as girls. Walking in the streets is very bad. The boys really bother the girls. Sometimes they will force them into their cars, other times they will steal things from them."

Complete interview here....

There are things WE take for granted and get busy in our self-absorbed lives, without ever stopping once to think about the suffering of so many who have not been provided even with half the opportunities as us but who are yet strong enough to make their presence felt.

For the past few days i have been writing posts on some-what controversial topics such as this, this and this. And have been neglecting stuff that i love doing the most i.e. making LISTS. According to some, i am gettin rather good at it.

So gettin back to what i do better and also to light-en up my blogmosphere...here is my LIST on suggested e-mail ids for the following individuals.

Pls feel free to add a few more...in the comments section.

1. Preeti Jain : dial_m_for_murder@arungwali.com

2. Tarannum Khan : bettin_cum_dancin@moneyspinningdreamgirl.com

3. Shiv Sena : screw_rane@enemyno1.com

4. Indian Cricket Team : forever_jinxed@cricketfinals.com

5. Karan Johar : shahrukh_hai_na@allmyfilms.com

6. BJP : follow_double_standards@jinnahcontroversy.com

7.Vilhasrao Deshmukh : ban_plastic@tosavemyass.com

8. Uma Bharati : kabhi_in_kabhi_out@dramaqueen.com

9. Shahrukh Khan : anything_for_money@luxad.com

10. Aamir Khan : married_or_not@toomanyaffairs.com

11. Maliaka Sherawat : I_dont_need_to_act@overexposureworks.com

Thats it for now....my boss is back !!!

(ps....plot suggested by our very own super-duper blogger arZan waDia or shud i say arZan@wah-kya-idea.com)

Aspiring actress Preetii Jain, who has been accused of conspiring to kill film director Madhur Bhandarkar, was admitted to JJ Hospital last night after she complained of chest pain and breathlessness.

Now why am i not suprised with this bit of news.

These days, many individuals who are taken into police custody seem to develop 'convient' health problems. And the worst bit is...that in many cases they actually do escape with their 'white lie'. This just further high-lights the pitfalls in our law and order system.

Here is a small list of high-profiled individuals, who developed medical problems during their stay at the 'police thana'.

1. Bharat Shah was admitted to JJ Hospital after he complained of a severe chest pain.

2. Mumbai police commissoner R. S. Sharma accused in multi-crore fake stamp paper racket sought bail on health grounds as he was suffering from hypertension, chest pain, giddiness and other problems. The actual truth.

3. Ravi Subramaniam, an accused in the Sankararaman murder case, was admitted to the government hospital here following chest pain. The case was also known as 'the holy man controversy'.

4. The Bombay Stock Exchange broker Ketan Parekh the master-mind behind Rs 120 crore (Rs 1.20 billion) Calcutta Stock Exchange scam, could not be brought to Kolkata as he fell ill at the Mumbai airport and had to be hospitalised.

5. Former Indian cricket skipper M A K Pataudi, in police remand in connection with a poaching case, had to be hospitalised after he complained of chest pain.

UPDATE :

Preeti's anxiety drama.

Gallup International Voice of the People carried out a survey in June 2005, which was commissioned by the BBC World Service. The poll surveyed more than 50,000 people in 68 countries, representing the views of 1.3bn citizens. The goal of the survey was to explore the global attitudes to power.

A total of 1,063 Indians and 843 Pakistanis were surveyed.

Some of the interesting findings from the survey are as follows :

1. Who do you trust ?

Indians voted -
61% voted for military and police
58% said journalists
39% said religion
1% trusted politicians

Pakistanis voted -
55% trusted religious leaders
42% journalists
31% politicians and business leaders
29% the military and police

Globally, only 13% trusted politicians.

2. Who had the most influence on decisions taken in personal lives ?

Indians voted -
92% said family and partner
0% for religious leader

Pakistanis voted -
45% said family and partner
18% answered religious leader

I guess, this some-what proves that most Pakistanis are religion fanatics (but then we always knew that) and we, the Indians still believe in our country's justice system insipte of its numerous pitfalls.

At the 2005 World Summit and 60th General Assembly of the United Nations in New York, President Bush, the self-procliamed Leader of the Free World was caught on camera passing a note to Condoleeza Rice.

At a summit like this, a note passed between the President of the United States and his National Security Advisor must have been about something of great importance, right?

Nahi boss....The President was actually asking for permission for a potty break.

(Hat Tip: bOING bOING)

The newest entrant out television screen is 'Koh-I-noor' on Sahara One which went on air on 5th September, offers its share of action and suspense. The show is about finding the real Kohinoor diamond. Is the 'Kohinoor' diamond with the British a fake? Is the 'Kohinoor' still in India? Are some of the questions been raised by Sahara One Television's new suspense thriller.

I found the series to be quite gripping and interesting, though it is too early to say where it will lead. However, its a welcome change from the daily 'saas-bahu' and 'pati, patni aur woh' saagas. The series bound to be an exaggerated version of reality inorder to gain TRP rateings, according to me won't fail to create certain amount of curiousty over the 'price-less diamond'.

There was a period when Indian diamonds were very famous the world over. These included the Koh-i-noor, Orlov, the Great Moghul, Darya-i-noor also known as 'Hope diamond', etc. These were all part of the treasure houses of the great emperors of India. Today, they are all in the hands of outsiders.

The legendary Koh-i-noor has been in the eye of the storm ever since it left the hands of its original owners - a diamond which was never bought or sold, but changed many hands. Koh-i-noor has left a trail that speaks of greed, power, murder, mayhem and unhappiness. Many believe that the Koh-i-noor was also the Great Mogul and that Babur's diamond was separate. Information gathered over the years shows that in fact, three diamonds existed: - the Great Mogul - was the Orlov, weighing 189.62 metric carats, in Kremlin; and Babur's diamond - was the Darya-i-noor, weight 175 gm and 195 metric carats, the Iranian Crown Jewels; and the Koh-i-noor re-cut, Crown Jewels, England.

History behind 'Koh-i-noor' :

Many legends say that the Koh-i-noor was mined in India, and at least 4,000 years old. It received a mention in the 1300s, when it was named in the Baburnama. One account states that Babur got his hands on the diamond in Gujarat; another says he got it in the Deccan. But when Babur came to Agra in May 1526, the fugitive family of Vikramaditya of Gwalior in Agra most likely gave him the great diamond. There is also evidence that his son Humayun carried a large diamond that his father had handed back to him at Agra.

When the peacock throne was handed over to Nadir Shah, the hiding place of this diamond was given away. A member of Mohammad Shah's harem gave away the hiding place of Koh-i-noor. It is said that the Shah kept it hidden in his turban. So, Nadir Shah devised a plan - he ordered a grand feast to coincide with the restoration of Mohammed Shah to his throne. During the feast Nadir Shah suddenly proposed an exchange of turbans, a sign of brotherly ties and eternal friendship. Mohammed Shah was hardly likely to resist. After the exchange, Nadir Shah entered his private apartment only at night, where he unfolded the turban and found the diamond concealed within. When he set his eyes on it, he exclaimed "Koh-i-noor", meaning "Mountain of Light".

Journey to England :

The final owner was Maharaja Duleep Singh, son of Maharaja Ranjit Singh, in the backdrop of the two Sikh Wars leading to the annexation of the Punjab by the British. The hoisting of British flag was on March 29th, 1849 Lahore where Punjab was formally proclaimed a part of the British Empire in India. One of the terms of the Treaty of Lahore was:- "The gem called the Koh-i-noor which was taken from Shah Shuja-ul-Mulk by Maharajah Ranjit Singh shall be surrendered by the Maharajah of Lahore to the Queen of England." Dr Sir John Login was entrusted with two charges: to take the Koh-i-noor out of the Toshakhana (the jewel house), and also the guardsmanship of the young Duleep Singh. It was formally handed over to the Punjab government of Sir Henry Lawrence (1806-1857), his younger brother John Lawrence (afterwards Lord Lawrence, the man who in February of 1859 would break ground on the future Lahore railroad station), and C.C. Mausel.

The Koh-i-noor sailed from Bombay in H.M.S. Medea. It was put in an iron box and kept in a dispatch box and deposited in the Government Treasury. For security reasons, this piece of news was suppressed, even among officers of the Treasury - and withheld from Commander Lockyer, the ship's captain. HMS Medea's voyage turned out to be a perilous one - cholera broke out on board in Mauritius and the local people demanded its departure. They asked their governor to open fire and destroy the vessel if it did not respond. After leaving Mauritius, a severe gale hit the vessel that lasted for about twelve hours. They reached Plymouth, England, where the passengers and the mail were unloaded, but not the Koh-i-noor, which was forwarded to Portsmouth. From there, the two officers took the diamond to the East India House, handing it over to the Chairman and Deputy Chairman of the company. The Koh-i-Noor left the shores of India on April 6, 1850, and on reaching London on July 2, 1850, it was handed over to the Board of Directors of the East India Company.

The Queen's crown :

Prince Albert (Prince Consort) and Sebastian Garrard stated that the Koh-i-noor was badly cut, it is rose-not-brilliant-cut. It was decided to seek the advice of practical and experienced diamond cutters. A small steam engine was set up at Garrard's shop, while two gentlemen, Messrs Coster, Mr. Voorzanger and Mr. Fedder, travelled to London to undertake the re-cutting of the diamond. The Koh-i-noor was embedded in lead, two weeks later, after examining the stone. Mitchell thought that it had lost nearly all its yellow colour and become much whiter. The re-cutting took 38 days and cost £8000 ($40,000). The final result was an oval brilliant diamond weighing 108.93 metric carats, which meant a loss of weight of just under 43 per cent. Its was now in stellar brilliant-cut, possessing the regular 33 facets, including the table, while the pavilion has eight more facets than the regular 25 bringing the total number of facets to 66.

In 1853, it was mounted on a magnificent tiara for the Queen, which contained more than two thousand diamonds. Five years later, Queen Victoria ordered a new regal circlet for the diamond. In 1911, Garrards made a new crown that Queen Mary wore for the coronation - it contained diamonds, among them the Koh-i-noor. In 1937, this was transferred to the crown made for Queen Elizabeth the Queen Mother, based on Queen Victoria's regal circlet and is set in a Maltese Cross at the front of the crown.

Who's diamond is it, anyways ?

The 20th century saw a war of words over Koh-i-noor and its rightful ownership. In 1947, the government of India asked for the return of the diamond. Also, the Congress Ministry which ruled Orissa staked claim to the stone, saying it belonged to the Lord Jagannath. Ranjit Singh's treasurer mentioned that it was the property of their estate. Pakistan's claim to the diamond was disputed by India. Shortly thereafter, a major newspaper in Teheran stated that the gem should to be returned to Iran.

Sir Olaf has pointed out that the Koh-i-noor had been in Mogul possession in Delhi for 213 years, in Afghan possession in Kandahar and Kabul for 66 years and in British possession for 127 years. Historically, it maybe difficult to pass judgement on the validity of the various claims, but on the other hand, from a gemological aspect, as a paper report said, the Indian claim is the most valid because it was in that country that it was mined.

Koh-i-noor other name of a 'deadly curse' :

It is widely believed, British kings possessed 'Koh-i-noor' without knowing how to use properly, therefore it became a mixture, more of a curse than a blessing. The history of this jewel speaks itself, the British Empire which had once expanded throughout the world ever shining like the Sun, is now restricted to a fixed territory.

This jewel is slow, belongs to Saturn, a slow moving planet, and hence affects the possessor cautiously rather than quickly. Normally it takes several years to start its effect between 10 and 25 years, it gives luck only to those who know its procedure to keep it purified.

Otherwise, it forces the possessor to dispossess his or her territory and to disturb home peace. It is equally less lucky for the queens, they are to dispossess many valuables and land to ward off its evil effects, or face some tragedy.

Maharaja Ranjit Singh got this jewel in 1813 and it affected him after 25 years and he suffered from a paralyzed attack in 1839 and died in the same year. In 1849, exactly after 10 years, the British forces toppled his kingdom, which was controlled by members of his family. Further, all of Duleep Singh's eight children died childless.

The effect of Koh-i-noor makes females or queens more possessive, self centered and self-seeking, forcing them to lose some territory, reputation and brings unhappiness at home, breaks home and ultimately may end the monarchy as per some occult reading of this Gem.

Great Briton had to struggle hard to retain possession of the Falkland Islands also known in Spanish as the Islas Malvinas. They also had to surrender the colony of Hong Kong to China in 1997, faced the tragedy of Prince Diana in the same year, suffered reputation in Iraq attack in 2003, by facing the wrath of their people, and then new marriage of Prince Charles with Camila in 2005 and uncertainty of future King of England.

Hence Koh-i-noor has turned out to be unlucky for the Queens and the Kings as universally believed unless they observe and maintain the purity of the diamond.

( Disclaimer : the above information has been gathered from number of articles on 'Koh-i-noor', some of the sources are stated below.)

1. Daily Excelsior
2. Koh-i-Nur:2A Diamond's Incredible Journey
3. All about Koh-i-noor
4. Kohinoor unlucky for British Queen?

The timing of this e-mail could'nt have been more perfect.

For months i had been trying to get myself enrolled at the nukkad ka gym. But just can't seem to find the time or the energy to do so. Finally i have decided, if i cant go to the gym then atleast i should 'try' to go on a healthy diet.

So from tommorrow, i shall go on a strict diet regime with some guidance from the below mentioned 'Handy rules for diet', which i received as an e-mail fwd.

Here it is....

If you eat something and no one sees you eat it, it has no calories.

If you drink a diet Coke with a Mars bar, the calories in the Mars bar are canceled out by the diet Coke.

When you eat with someone else, calories don't count if you don't eat more than they do.

Food use for medicinal purposes never count, such as hot chocolate sundae, donuts, Cheesecake, Baskin Robbins's ice -cream, etc. They are considered therapy food for situations such as, fight with girl friend/boyfriend, missing out on promotion at work, forgeting about the 'shoe sale' at your favourite store, no mention in the weekly 'Bharitya Blog Mela', etc.

If you fatten up everyone else around you, then you look thinner.

Movie related foods, such as buttered/caramel popcorn, Simba chilli flavoured chips, five star bar, samosas, choco-cone ice cream, do not have additional calories because they are part of the entire entertainment package and not part of one's personal fuel.

Cooky pieces contain no calories. The process of breaking causes calorie leakage.

Things licked off of knives and spoons have no calories if you are in the process of preparing something. Example: Nuetalla chocolate paste on a knife making a sandwich, and ice cream on a spoon making a sundae.

Foods that have the same color have the same number of calories. Examples are spinach and pistachio ice cream, and mushrooms and white chocolate. NOTE: Chocolate is a universal color and may be substituted for any other food color.

*ps...the above list is not to be disclosed to dieticians and personal trainers.

Last week, we saw the release of 'Salaam Namaste', starring Preity Zinta and Saif Ali Khan. Although i have yet not seen the movie but it is quite evident from the movie trailors and write-ups in newspapers and online that, the movie is promoting itself by claiming to be 'haatke philum' since the story is based on 'Live-in relationship'. Well it is indeed, as far as i can think the first Bollywood movie showcasing 'Live-in' situation between a boy and a girl. And me thinks that Mr. Yash Chopra could'nt have found better actors then 'Preity' and 'Saif' because they both actually do follow somewhat similar pattern in real life other than reel life. (obviously not together but with different partners).

Saif since his spilt with long-time wife Amrita Singh, is currently living with his angrezi girl-friend Roza and Perity has a part-time live-in boyfriend Ness Wadia. Anyways the focus of my post is not the movie but the theme of the movie.

With the increase in number of couples opting for 'cohabitation' over 'marriage', be it in western countries or India, i would like to ask my fellow bloggers, what would they prefer if given the option to choose between the two ?

As for me, well i would rather stick to the old school of thoughts and choose marriage over the other.

My reason is simple -

The love that we all want from a partner is not possible without both having the commitment to try to make it last. Cooperation, compromise, that sort of thing. There's a saying, "Happiness in marriage is not so much FINDING the right person as BEING the right person."

If it's easy to change one partner for another, where's the incentive to develop staying power in a relationship? Instead people will think "I'm upset at my partner which means I'm with the wrong person. I'm going to get out so I can hook up with the right person." It's human nature, and and i think that this approach is creating increased numbers of people without the ability to sustain a long-term relationship.

I came across this interesting article based on a research findings published in 1991, which basically outlines 'Eight Reasons Why Marriage Is Better than Cohabitation'. And they are :

1. Cohabitors have a different perspective on time than marrieds have. Marriage, by definition, means, "I will always be here for you." Marrieds' longterm contract encourages emotional investment in the relationship. In contrast, cohabitation for most seems to mean, "I will be here only as long as the relationship meets my needs."

2. Cohabitation also affects the cohabitors' children. In general, children's emotional development is poorer if a parent is cohabiting than if a parent is married. This poor development is partly due to the high risk that the couple will break up. If the couple does separate, the children pay an economic price, since they have no right to child support from a partner who is not their biological parent. They also pay an emotional price when they lose a caring adult who may have taken a parental role but will do so no longer.

3. Cohabiting women are more likely than married women to suffer physical and sexual abuse. Some estimate that aggression is at least twice as common among cohabitors as it is among marrieds.

4. Although cohabitors try to protect their economic futures (with separate bank accounts, for example), married couples are better off financially.

5. Married men earn more than single men (nearly twice as much) and married women have access to more of men's earnings than if they are single or cohabiting. This may be explained by the increased financial responsibility men feel when they marry many men have been heard to say, "Marriage made me get more serious about my career and making a good living."

6. Cohabitors generally do not reap the physical health benefits enjoyed by married couples. Non-married people feel less healthy and have higher rates of mortality than the married. Compared to singles, married people as a group are also emotionally happier. Married couples are better connected to the larger community, including inlaws and church members who provide social and emotional support and material benefits.

7. Some people would be surprised to learn that marrieds have better sex lives than cohabitors. Although cohabitors have sex at least as often as marrieds, they are less likely to say they enjoy it. Marriage adds the essential ingredients of commitment and security to one's sex life, making it more satisfying. In addition, marrieds are more likely than cohabitors to perceive love and sex as intrinsically connected.

8. Cohabitation may affect relationships with parents. In some families, cohabitation is no longer associated with sin, pathology, or parental disapproval. But in many families cohabitation is still considered morally wrong and embarrassing to extended family members. Cohabitors from those families risk damaging their relationships with their parents and experiencing the withdrawal of parental and extended family support for the relationship.

Another very interesting article which discusses certain facts behind Cohabitation.

UPDATE :

Here is another interesting article which states 'few problems with cohabitation' whether it is with or without the goal of 'marriage' in the future.

Many people imagine that living together before marriage resembles taking a car for a test drive. The "trial period" gives people a chance to discover whether they are compatible. This analogy seems so compelling that people are unable to interpret the mountains of data to the contrary.

Here's the problem with the car analogy: the car doesn't have hurt feelings if the driver dumps it back at the used car lot and decides not to buy it. The analogy works great if you picture yourself as the driver. It stinks if you picture yourself as the car.

Got this as an e-mail fwd. It is funny BUT true....anyways go ahead and judge for yourself.

How to Identify Cities in India

Scenario 1: Two guys are fighting and a third guy comes along, then a fourth and they start arguing about who's right.

You are in Kolkata

Scenario 2 : Two guys are fighting and a third guy comes along, sees the man and walks on.

That's Mumbai-Bombay

Scenario 3 : Two guys are fighting and a third guy comes along & tries to make peace.The first two get together & beat him up.

That's Delhi

Scenario 4 : Two guys are fighting. A crowd gathers to watch. A guy comes along and quietly opens a chai-stall

That's Ahmedabad.

Scenario 5 : Two guys are fighting and a third guy comes he writes a software program to stop the fight. But the fight doesn't stop b'cos of a bug in the program.

That's Bangalore

Scenario 6 : Two guys are fighting. A crowd gathers to watch. A guy comes along and quietly says that "AMMA"doesn't like all this nonsense. Peace comes in.

That's Chennai.

Scenario 7 : Two guys are fighting. Both of them take time out and call their friends. Now 50 guys are fighting.

You are DEFINITELY IN BIHAR

Scenario 8 : Two guys are fighting, two more join them, next day a lightening strike by a party regarding the street fight policies, and opposition demands for CM's resignation, Then, with no doubt, you are at God's own country

Trivandrum

We have been saying this all along...and finally they agree.

*Picture Source : Mid-day

This is in response to Alpha's post.

I completely sympathise with thee, but i feel the story is incomplete without hearing from the opposite sex. As the old saying goes, "There are always two sides to a coin".

So here is our version : The dilemma of being a women

1. Thou shalt unconditionally love cleaning thy husband's clothes....especially the white ones which were worn at the local football or cricket matches and are completely stained with dirt, mud and sweat which smells like skunk's breath-taking odor.

2. Thou shalt understand that two hot dogs or vaada pavs, in the TV room with Footy or Ruby match on with him drowning in beer and you in softdrink, constitute going out to dinner.

3. Thou shalt never ever say 'No' or complain about going with the mother-in-law to the nearby 'sat-sang' or 'kirtan', as it is considered a MUST ritual for a dutiful daughter-inlaw.

4. Thou shalt remember, when thy husband is watching 'Baywatch' or 'Porn movies' its for the fine acting skills of the actors and actresses.

5. Womanliness does not permit you to go for a night-out with your girlfriends instead of your husband or brothers.

6. Thou shalt never complain, if thy husband invites a bunch of his buddies for dinner and bothers to inform you just half an hour in advance and that too on the day when your saku-bai decides to not show up since she needs to attend her mother's brother's sister-inlaw's son's wedding.

7. Thou shalt learn to except, that men need to fix things that dont need to be fixed. Its their birth-right.

8. Thou shalt learn to except that, when lost asking for directions is considered un-manly for thy beloved sweet hearts.

9. Thou shalt learn to understand, the most common second language used by men, i. e. Beer & Over-eating Burbs.

10. Thou shalt fear two words 'Buck's night' for all apparent reasons.

11. Thou shalt never complain, if thy husband refuses get up in the middle of the night to change thy baby's diapers. According to them, its their wife's birth-right.

12. Thou shalt believe thy husband when he says 'We share the housework'. He creates the mess and you clean it up.

And the list goes on and on and on.....and the struggle continues.

Ever since I was a kid, I have always been inquisitive about the mysterious phenomena of the paranormal. I consider this as my so called 'dark side'. I enjoy reading books on Aliens, Vampires, Ghosts, etc. And I love horror movies...you wake me up at 2.00 Am and ask me to watch 'Evil Death' and I will always be game for it. I have even watched most of the 'Ramsay' directed and produced Hindi horror movies too...so you can judge my obsession with the unknown. I personally believe 'Purana Mandir' and 'Virana' were the best horror films that came out of Bollywood.

In the recent times, I enjoy watching the show 'Scariest Places on Earth' on AXN. Host Linda Blair (her acting in 'The Exorcists' was simply terrifying) would take us on a trip to some of the most haunted locations on the planet to learn the spooky history from the hair raising narration of Zelda Rubenstein. We also get a glimpse into the paranormal from the onsite correspondent Alan Robson. The basic theme of the show is to watch what happens when a normal American family spends the night in one of the Scariest Places on Earth!

After loads of reading and tele-watching, here is my list of the most scariest places in the world. And I really hope and wish that I get to visit atleast a couple of them, someday.

1.Chillingham Castle: England is a land steeped in history, tradition and legend. It boasts more than 1400 medieval castles across its countryside, many of which are said to be frequented by ghosts, specters and other supernatural occurrences. Termed as "The Most Haunted Castle in Britain", Chillingham Castle in the county of Northumberland in Northern England is infamous for an entire collection of restless souls.

Sightings :

The most famous of the castle's ghosts is the 'Blue Boy', whose agonizing cries are said to wail out at around midnight from a passageway inside the castle close to one of the modern-day self catering apartments. A soft light is then said to engulf a four-poster bed in the room nearby and an image of the boy appear for a few brief seconds. Chillingly, the bones of a boy and fragments of blue clothing were discovered hidden behind a wall in the very vicinity of the noises several years ago.

2.Tower of London: During her long and illustrious 900 years, The Tower of London has developed into one of the most haunted places in Britain. It has been home to beheadings and murders, torture and hangings, as well as being a prison to Queens and Nobles alike.

Sightings :

Thomas A. Becket is "the first reported sighting of a ghost at the Tower of London." During the construction on the Inner Curtain Wall in the 13th century, Thomas appeared apparently unhappy about the construction, and it is said he reduced the wall to rubble with a strike of his cross. Henry III's grandfather was responsible for the death of Thomas Becket, so Henry III wasted no time building a chapel in the Tower of London, naming it for the archbishop. This must have pleased Thomas' ghost because there were no further interruptions during the construction of the wall.

The Bloody Tower was the scene of the infamous disappearance of the two princes; Edward V (12) and Richard Duke of York (10), who are thought to have been murdered in 1483 on the probable command of the Duke of Gloucestershire, who was to be crowned Richard the III. According to one story, guards in the late 15th century, who were passing the Bloody Tower, spotted the shadows of two small figures gliding down the stairs still wearing the white night shirts they had on the night they disappeared. They stood silently, hand in hand, before fading back into the stones of the Bloody Tower. These figures were identified as the ghosts of the two princes. In 1674 workmen found a chest that contained the skeletons of two young children, they were thought to be the remains of the princess, and were given a royal burial not long afterwards. The story of the little princes is still to this day a heartbreaking story. They are "among the most poignant ghosts" in the Tower of London.

The most persistent ghost in The Tower of London is the ghost of Queen Anne Boleyn. The King, Henry VIII, after learning the baby she carried for nine months was a boy and still born, accused by her of infidelity. She was taken to TOWER GREEN and was beheaded on May 19, 1536. Queen Anne appears near the Queen's House, close to the site where her execution was carried out. She can be seen leading a ghostly procession of Lords and Ladies down the aisle of the Chapel Royal of St. Peter ad Vincula. She floats down the aisle to her final resting place. Queen Anne is buried under the Chapel's altar. Her headless body has also been seen walking the corridors of the Tower.

3. The Queen Mary Ship: The Queen Mary is definitely one of the most famous residents of Long Beach, California. She was once the world's longest luxury liners before and after carrying military personnel at the beginning of WWII. She carried up to 15,000 troops at one time, and returned the wounded to the US. Some of her more famous passengers include Winston Churchill, the Duke of Windsor, Bob Hope and Clark Gable. Queen Mary might be a hard working boat but she's known for a lot more than her services. Experts of the paranormal have believed for years that the Queen Mary is haunted. Passengers and crew members have all reported seeing several spooky sights. In fact, the ship has such a reputation for being haunted that you can take ghost tours on it.

Sightings :

An 18 year-old man was crushed to death during a routine watertight door drill on July 10, 1966. He was crushed in doorway number 13 in the engine room. Several sightings of a ghost fitting this man's description have been reported by visitors and crew members. They describe seeing a young bearded man in blue coveralls walking around. When he gets near door number 13 he usually disappears. The man who got crushed was wearing a similar outfit the day he died.

4. Edinburgh Castle, Scotland: Edinburgh Castle is reputed to be one of the most haunted spots in Scotland. And Edinburgh itself has been called the most haunted city in all of Europe.

Sightings :

On various occasions, visitors to the castle have reported a phantom piper, a headless drummer, the spirits of French prisoners from the Seven Years War and colonial prisoners from the American Revolutionary War - even the ghost of a dog wandering in the grounds' dog cemetery. The castle (you can get a tour here) standing magnificently between sea and hills, is a historical fortress, parts of which are more than 900 years old. The cells of its ancient dungeon, the site of uncounted deaths, could very well be an eternal place of unrest for numerous spirits.

Other areas of Edinburgh also have ghostly reputations: the subterranean vaults of South Bridge and a disused street called Mary Kings Close where victims of the Black Death plague were sealed up to die. On April 6 through 17, 2001, these three spots were the subject of one of the largest scientific investigations of the paranormal ever conducted - and the results surprised many of the investigators.

5. Bell Witch: Located in sleepy Adams, Tennessee is the former location of the John Bell Farm, one of the most famous haunted spots in American History. According to the annals of supernatural history, the story of the Bell Witch started in 1817 when the Bell family, prosperous farmers from Tennessee, began experiencing strange phenomena in their home.

Sightings :

First, the house was plagued with knocking and rapping noises and scratching sounds. Blankets were pulled from beds, family members were kicked and scratched and their hair pulled. Particularly tormented was a 12-year-old Betsy Bell, who was slapped, pinched, bruised and stuck with pins. At first, John Bell was determined to keep the events secret, but soon confided in a friend, who then formed an investigative committee. John Bell's friends soon learned that the strange force in the house had an eerie intelligence.

Two days ago i saw the latest 'Lux' ad on one of the famous T.V channels. For a moment, i thought it was just some sort of a gimmick...till i read the papers and was proven wrong.

Shah Rukh Khan, one of Bollywood's biggest male leads, has been choosen to take up a role usually seen as the prize for one of India's most beautiful women. In the ad, he appeared sitting in a bath surrounded by floating rose petals as the new Indian "face" of Lux beauty soap.

Khan, star of countless romantic dramas, where he usually ends up with the girl. But this time he is following Bollywood actresses including Asihwariya Rai, Rani Mukherjee and Preity Zinta, who have modelled for Lux before.

Those behind the new Lux campaign say they used 'Shahrukh Khan' because the soap is aimed at women. Why would women want to look at a beautiful woman, when they could admire Khan's chest, the advertisers asked.

My views -

If this logic is applied by most brands and advertising firms, then this could be just the beginning of a new trend in branding for Women targeted products.

In future, we could see -

1. Salman Khan endorsing body hair removal cream or wax,
2. John Abraham could ad for 'hair straighting' products.
3. Hrithik Roshan could model for 'face creams' and 'face masks'.
4. Aamir Khan can grow his hair again and model for all shampoo cum conditionar ads.

I have few suggestions for the Under-garments category as well, but i will leave that for another blog post.

This year was the 3rd year for Ganesh Pooja @ my place. Here are little snipets....

Home :

On the way..for visarjan :

Visarjan @ Juhu beach :

yes !! the cops were there....and i think they did a decent job at maintaining crowd and traffic.

a bit of publicity....

The after-effects :

over-flowing bins....

plastic..plastic..and more plastic

On our way home :

Prasad being distributed freely....by local residents.

Manipulation of law is not an uncommon phenomenon in India. One of the tragedies of independent India is that we have not yet learnt to distinguish between reasonable and unreasonable laws, between implementable and unimplementable laws, just as we have failed to create a law- enforcement machinery capable of providing genuine recourse to all those whose rights have been violated.

The reason for this post is here :

My housing society is manifested by rich Hindu families, owning multi-businesses, with minimum of 2 cars and atleast 3 servants. About 3 months ago, there was a highly publisied wedding of a rich businessman's son. Lets call them 'Family A'. They have been living in our society of nearly 10 years and they seem overall to be quite a decent well-educated family.

The bride belonged to the film fraternity. Her family owns one of the biggest film production company in India and are looked at with very high regard in Bollywood. I will call them 'Family B'.The girl and boy were engaged for nearly 1 year before they got married. I had met them couple of times before their marriage and they both seemed to be quite happy in eachother's company. The marriage function pictures were all over the papers, with famous celebrities taking part in the celebrations. Family B, gave loads of materialistic goodies as a part of their daughter's trousseau.

However it seems after the 'honeymoon' period got over, their marriage was on the rocks. Three months into the marriage, the girl left Family A' s residence and went back to her family's house.

The reason for leaving were as follows :
1. She couldn't stand her 16 year old sister-in-law.
2. She didn't like her husband's circle of friends.
3. She claimed that her mother-in-law made her do household chores. (which i really doubt because they have 3 full time servants).
4. She did not like the 'housing society' they were residing in.

Inspite of many pleads and requests from Family A, the girl left for Hong Kong cause she was feeling too pressured from them and her own family. She didnot even consider, marriage counselling and decided during her vacation to go in for divorce.

Family A didnot want to take their household matter to the courts and thereby damage their family pride and respect ( however there were rumours that the girl was threathing them with filing police complaint of dowry and physical harrasment). So Family A, decided to settle the matter outside the court with the help of a third party. The third party, is again a very very well-know man in Bollywood and is good friends with both the families involved.

A brief description of the settlement they reached :

1. Family BE takes back everything that they gave to their daughter. ( most of which the girl took back with her the day she left her husband's house).
2. Family A would take care of the financial matters for all the court proceedings in acquiring the divorce.
3. The girl would get herself an apartment within the budget of Rs. 85 Lakhs, which would be paid by Family A. They would also have to pay for all the paperwork involved.
4. Family A would pay Rs. 6 crores as a one-time final alimony.

I simply just don't get this...

Firstly, its the girl who wants to quit the marriage, then on what basis is she making any demands (Okay, she may have her reason, but she dated the guy for nearly 1 year..and was quite aware of his sister, friend circle, etc. so that just don't not make valid reason for a divorce).

Secondly, why the hell are they paying for her apartment.

Lastly, 6 crores in Alimony. WTF !!! Family B has taken back everything they gave their daughter, the marriage barely lasted 3 months, there are no children involved..then on what basis is she acquiring this humongous amount.

Such women simply make my blood boil. I mean, by a great deal of struggle and hard work, womenss organisations, many other individuals have won a measure of social legitimacy in persuading our society, especially lawmakers, to recognise the serious threat to women's lives due to domestic violence, etc. However, if such instances of manipulation of laws become common, we will get less and less sympathy for the plight of women in our society, even for those women who are facing threats to their lives.

We desperately need to check out whether the allegations of abuse/dowry/alimony are indeed genuine, or they are exaggerated and altogether malafide. Those of us who are concerned about expanding the horizons of women's freedom and strengthening their rights, both within the family and in the public domain, ought to be take a stand and stop such cases from re-occurring.

An article that was published in The Telegraph in 2003 is another example where women mis-use the law :

Save me, cries husband

Calcutta, Sept. 12: The boot is on the other foot.

Aniruddha Sen, a central government official, has sought Calcutta High Court's "protection from constant threats by his wife and in-laws to use Section 498A of the Indian Penal Code" against him. This section deals with cruelty inflicted by a husband on his wife and is a non-bailable offence.

Sen, in his petition to the court, said his wife was threatening to move against him under the law because she war aware even a night's stay in jail could jeopardise his career. The petition was to have come up for hearing today but because of a slip would now be taken up on Monday.

Aniruddha (a permanent resident of Jadavpur - the reason the case is being filed in Calcutta - but now posted in Delhi) married a Delhi-resident a few years ago. They stayed together for some time, Aniruddha's lawyer (Kinshuk Chatterjee) said, but found they did not have too much in common.

They have been staying apart for the past few months without taking recourse to any legal move for separation or divorce, he added. Both husband and wife are staying in Delhi, he clarified, but Aniruddha's wife is living with her parents.

The threats to use Section 498A started soon after the decision to live separately, Aniruddha has alleged in his petition. Using the "dreaded section" as a weapon, his wife and her family had "blackmailed" him into paying several lakhs, he has said in his petition.

Besides, the value of articles "extracted" from him - using similar tactics - would run into several thousand rupees, he has added.
His petition, which is to come up for hearing in Justice Pinaki Ghosh's room, says the threats have been regular and are continuing.

Aniruddha went to the local station house in Delhi, his petition says, but police refused to register a case on the basis of his allegations. "The officials explained that they were ignorant whether a case could be filed against threats to use Section 498A,"it adds.

The petition says Aniruddha's "only hope" now is the court. "If women who are tortured by their husbands can get help from the court, why can't it provide succour to husbands who are threatened and blackmailed?" Aniruddha asked. "Does the rule of law apply only to men?"

The name-change trend seems to be growing at rocket speed these days. We find many of our Bollywood as well famous Page 3 personalities changing their original name, by either adding or subtracting certain alphabets from their first name or surname. At times, they even change their complete name inorder to attract lucky stars on their side.

They do so on either Mr. Bejan Daruwalla or Ms. Sunita Menon's physic instructions. I wish , i was getting paid shit loads for looking at a crystal ball.

Anyways here are my FREE physic thoughts on the same line for a few famous people, corporates, etc...who I feel desperately need to do something to change their luck.

BJP should change their name to 'Bharitaya Jinnah Party'. Thanks to Mr. Advani.

Salman Khan should go with 'Cellman Khan', due to the recent 'tape' controversy.

Vivek Oberai due to his fascination for celebrity girlfriend, should now be named 'Vivek Only-Rai'.

Greg Chappel, well he should drop the surname because he will anyways be receiving loads of 'Chappals' from the Indian public, all thanks to the Indian Cricket team.

Google Inc, should considering changing their name to 'Goog-leee' maybe then they will finally get to use the service of their new employee.

Bill Gates definitely need to change the company's name from Microsoft to 'Muder-soft'. With their recent court battle with Google Inc. and many other reasons.

Mumbai Disaster Management Committee should consider changing the name to 'Mumbai Dubaoo Management Committee', afterall it aptly suits the job profile.

Ricky Ponting, after the Ashes series should now be called 'Ricky Panting'.

Maliaka Sherawat, made more famous by the MMS controversy can be called 'Maliaka Shares-alot'.

Boney Kapoor, thanks to all the movies that he produces going 'dud' at the box office and his financial debt, should be known as 'Moo-ney Kapoor'.

Lastly, I have a name-alogy suggestion for myself too. Instead of Sakshi Juneja, I am thinking of 'Sakshi Blog-kare-ja', since I am turning into a 'Blog-a-holic'.

While surfing thru numerous boreing TV channels last night, i came across a special documentary on the fascinating but now extinct 'Tasmanian Tiger' also known as 'Thylacine' on Animal Planet. The world's largest carnivorous marsupial once common throughout Australia, Papua New Guinea and south to Tasmania. In recent times it was confined to Tasmania where its presence has not been established conclusively for more than fifty years. The documentary covered loads of interesting topics surrounding the species, such as the physical appreance, the reason for extinction, recent sightings, debate on cloning of the animal.

Here is a brief insight on this facinating animal.

Nature & Physical Appreance
The thylacine looked like a large, long dog, with stripes, a heavy stiff tail and a big head. Its scientific name, Thylacinus cynocephalus, means pouched dog with a wolf's head. Fully grown it measured about 180 cm (6 ft) from nose to tail tip, stood about 58 cm (2 ft) high at the shoulder and weighed up to 30 kg. The short, soft fur was brown except for 13 - 20 dark brown-black stripes that extended from the base of the tail to almost the shoulders. The stiff tail became thicker towards the base and appeared to merge with the body. The thylacine was shy and secretive and always avoided contact with humans. Despite its common name, 'tiger' it had a quiet, nervous temperament compared to its little cousin, the Tasmanian devil.

Its jaws could open 120 degrees, wider than any other known mammal. They carried their young in pouches as do other marsupials like the kangaroo and the koala.

Reason for Extinction
The arrival of European settlers marked the start of a tragic period of conflict that led to the thylacine's extinction. The introduction of sheep in 1824 led to conflict between the settlers and thylacines. Farmers blamed the tigers for livestock losses. Development of cultivated land also interfered with the animal's habitat. A bounty was placed on the creatures and thousands of them were killed. By the time the Australian government moved to protect the tigers, it was too late. The last known captive Thylacine, named Benjamin, died in the Hobart Zoo on Sept. 7, 1936.

1830 Van Diemens Land Co. introduced a thylacine bounties.
1888 Tasmanian Parliament placed a price of $1 on thylacine's head.
1909 Government bounty scheme terminated. 2184 bounties paid.
1910 Thylacines rare -- sought by zoos around the world.
1926 London Zoo bought its last thylacine for $150.
1933 Last thylacine captured, Florentine Valley, sold Hobart Zoo.
1936 World's last captive thylacine died in Hobart Zoo, ( 7/9/36).
1936 Tasmanian tiger added to the list of protected Wildlife.
1986 Thylacine declared extinct by international standards.

Recent Sightings
Since 1936, no conclusive evidence of a thylacine has been found. However, the incidence of reported thylacine sightings has continued. Most sightings occur at night, in the north of the Tasmanian State, in or near areas where suitable habitat is still available. Although the species is now considered to be 'probably extinct', these sightings provide some hope that the thylacine may still exist. There have been hundreds of sightings since 1936, many of which may have been clear cases of misidentification. However, in a detailed study of sightings between 1934 and 1980, concluded that of a total of 320 sightings, just under half could be considered good sightings. Nonetheless, all sightings have remained inconclusive.

Here is a website by Buck and Joan Emberg, who are firm believers of exsistence of the 'Tasmanian Tiger' after their very own encounter with so-called extinct animal. They have detailed listing and information of many people who have claimed to seeing the animal. Most recent sighting was in 1990.

The Cloning Debate
The thylacine is the only mammal to have (possibly) become extinct in Tasmania since European settlement. With the recent discovery last year of a well-preserved Tasmanian tiger pup in a jar of alcohol at the Australian Museum, scientists continue to believe there is a possibility of cloning the species back to life through DNA extraction. The cloning project was a joint venture between the Australian Museum and the NSW government.

In May, after two years of research, the scientists made a major breakthrough in the cloning project by successfully replicating the tiger genes using a process called PCR. However the probability of success was slim, possibly between 4 and 10 percent. But despite that, the project was going ahead.

On the other side, many were skeptical of such "Frankenstein science" and were concerned with the ethical questions of cloning and playing the "role of God." Many believed that the DNA was unlikely to be perfectly preserved and that no living creature is a close enough relative for a surrogate birth to be successful.

Some also argued that Thylacine specimens are so valuable that work should not be commenced without extensive consultation with both internal and external scientists and collection managers. Work should only be permitted after thorough consideration of the status of the pup as museum object and the scientific merit of any proposal to work on it. It could be argued (to take an extreme position) that the Museum's pup is so valuable as an object that it should not be damaged even to revive a species.

However, to carry out the Australian museum's Jurassic Park-style plan, scientists faced major financial hurdles. According to an Australian newspaper report, only $150,000 from government donations and private sources has been raised since 1999. It will take much more than that for such an ambitious project to get off the ground.

Finally in Feb'2005, The museum abandoned its cloning bid, it said the quality of the DNA had been too degraded to work with.

Recent Update
Three months after the Australian Museum shelved plans to clone the Tasmanian tiger, a group of universities and a research institute are planning to revive the project. Mike Archer, dean of science at the University of New South Wales, was quoted as saying that researchers from his state and Victoria were likely to join the program, which involves recovering DNA from a pup preserved in 1866.

Source : Australian Museum Online.

ps..here is a video footage of the 'Tasmanian Tiger' dated back to 1936.

A write-up on 'Bush's efforts to help Hurricane Katrina's victims' by Melvin Durai, U.S based Indian comedian.

It's a warm Texas morning and President Bush calls a press conference to address growing concerns about Hurricane Katrina.

Bush: "Thank you all for coming here today. Let me just say that my administration is ready to swing into action whenever New Orleans needs our help. I've asked the mayor to call me as soon as Hurricane Katrina hits the shore, even if I'm still on vacation."

Wolf Blitzer, CNN: "Mr. President, haven't you been watching the news? Katrina hit New Orleans five days ago. The city is flooded. Many people are homeless, desperate for food and water. They're wondering why it's taking so long for the government to send help."

Bush: "Hold on a minute, Wolf. I'll be right back."

The president returns after 10 minutes to address reporters again.

Bush: "Thank you all for coming here today. Let me just saythat my administration is responding quickly to the tragic situation in New Orleans and other parts of Mississippi. We are calling this Operation Freedom From Water. I have dispatched 10,000 National Guard troops to the affected areas and they will arrive there as soon as they're done inIraq. We are also airlifting emergency supplies to New Orleans, including food, water and American flags. I have asked Congress to approve $10.5 billion in disaster aid,while Vice President Cheney, acting with great urgency, has awarded the first rebuilding contract to Halliburton."

Terry Moran, ABC: "Mr. President, thousands of people are stranded in New Orleans, still waiting for help. Some are wondering if America will help them or if they need to turnto Mexico. Many are saying that the government has let themdown, that they're being treated like animals, not human beings. What do you say to them?"

Bush: "Terry, this is America. We don't treat human beings like animals. We treat animals like human beings. You maynot know this, but we've evacuated thousands of dogs and cats. A number of Chihuahuas, too."

Moran: "But what about the people, Mr. President?"

Bush: "We care about the people, too. That's why we asked everyone to evacuate before Katrina arrived. We asked themto load their cars and drive out of the city. Well, I'vejust been informed that some folks do not own cars. Theyrely on something called 'public transportation.' I've asked the Secretary of Transportation to look into it and see if we can 'public transportation' these people out of NewOrleans and other parts of Mississippi."

Judy Keen, USA Today: "Mr. President, some of the hardest-hit people are saying that race was a factor in the government's response to the tragedy. Was race a factor?"

Bush: "Let me be frank with you, Judy: Race is always afactor in responding to disasters. If we don't race, how can we help people in time? We must race."

John Roberts, CBS: "Mr. President, some experts are saying that your single-minded focus on fighting terrorism has compromised the country's ability to handle natural disasters. They say it made us more vulnerable to Hurricane Katrina."

Bush: "Well, it made us less vulnerable to Hurricane Saddam.And what about Hurricane Osama? I consider them natural disasters, too, because it's in their nature to wish disaster upon us. We should be naming hurricanes after evildoers like them. If we did that, people would evacuate faster. Do you think anyone would stick around to see if they can survive Hurricane Hitler?"

This week's BBM is out at Sunil Laxam's Balancing Life.

And yes, two of post have been put on Sunil's recommendation list. They are this and this.

Third week in a row in BBM...its a hat-trick....now Howz's That !

* ps great work and selection put in by Sunil.

Microsoft Corp. CEO Steve Ballmer vowed to "kill" internet search leader Google Inc. in an obscenity-laced tirade, and Google chased a prized Microsoft executive Kai Fu-Lee according to documents filed in an increasingly bitter legal battle between the rivals.

Microsoft is suing to prevent Lee from leading Google's China expansion, maintaining those duties would violate the terms of a noncompete agreement that he signed as part of his employment contract.

Ballmer's threat last November was recounted in a sworn declaration by a former Microsoft engineer, Mark Lucovsky, who said he met with Microsoft's chief executive 10 months ago to discuss his decision to leave the company after six years.

The declaration quotes Ballmer saying -

"I'm going to f---ing bury that guy, I have done it before, and I will do it again, "I'm going to f---ing kill Google."

Google has described Microsoft's lawsuit as a form of intimidation designed to prevent a fast-growing rival that has emerged as a formidable threat to the software maker.

Mark Lucovsky's declaration is just one piece of evidence that Google has filed in an attempt to prove that Microsoft is on a vengeance.

More on this here, here and some more here.

Keeping with the Bollwood theme. (this previous post on Bollywood)

I have noticed and i am sure most of you too must have also...that Hindi movies follow a certain tried and tested rules/patterns/formulas. Whether the movie has an original story (that would be a miracle), or is copied from some Hollywood or old Bollywood movie, or is just your regular boy meets girl story....these rules are applied some where or the other, even if they do not belong there.

These rules are applied by the Top guns of the Hindi movie industry such as Karan Johar, Ram Gopal Varma, Farhan Akhtar, etc...some are even directly responsible for inventing these formulas example Yash Chopra, Subhash Ghai, Raj Shri Productions, etc.

Here is a look at 'Bollywood Director's Handbook' , for some Maast Rules for Bollywood philoms: (Remember no Hindi movie is complete, without atleast one of the rule been stuffed into it.)

1) The hero will show no pain while taking the most ferocious beating but will wince when the heroine tries to cleanse his wounds.

2) If a large pane of glass is visible, someone will be thrown through it before long.

3) Nothing is too tight for Manisha Koirala.

4) The hero cannot fall in love with the heroine (vice versa) unless they first perform a dance number in the rain.

5) For a rain sequence, the heroine has to be in a body hugging white outfit.

6) Once applied, make-up is permanent, in rain or in any other situation.

7) If there is rain, there has to be a song and dance routine. Even if it does not fit with the storyline.

8) Village girls who live among cows and sheep have perfect skin and teeth.

9) A large group of goondas can be shooting at the hero, but he will never be hit, unless of course he is attempting to save the chick.

10) A large group of goondas can be shooting at the hero with machine guns, yet they will always miss. Every shot the hero takes from his small revolver will knock down at least ten opponents in a line.

11) Hero's revollver will have atleast 20 to 30 bullets, even if the revollver can be loaded only with 6 bullets.

12) If the hero/heroine starts dancing in a field, everyone they bump into will know all the steps, and will be wearing coordinated outfits.

13) It does not matter if the hero is heavily outnumbered in a fight involving martial arts - the villan and his clan will wait patiently to attack him one by one by dancing around in a threatening manner until the hero has knocked his predecessors.

14) If faced with certain death, Hero does not panic. Merely chants, Ganpati Baba, and after a few short bolts of lightning, all is well.

15) A heroine will have time to change outfits several times in one song, however short.

16) Heros with good body have to remove their shirts several times in the movie. No reason is necessary.

17) If casting a new actress, she will be seen in skimmpy outfits till interval.

18) If Maliaka Sherawat is in the movie, then a smooching/kissing scene is a must.

19) A sizzling Item song/dance number is absolutly essential.

*ps...Sagnik please do remember to insert some of these rules in your 'original' movie. :)

Mohammed Siddique Khan, the suicide bomber who was responsible for the Edgeware Road tube bombing in London on the 7th of July, filmed a confession before the attack that was shown on 'Al-Jazeera television' on Thursday night.

The video also included the claim that al-Qaeda was behind the attack, and that the date chosen was to mark the anniversary of European countries ignoring a truce from Bin Laden to withdraw from Iraq and Afghanistan.

The transcript of the bomber's statement is below.

"I am going to keep this short and to the point because it's all been said before by far more eloquent people than me.

But our words have no impact upon you therefore I'm going to talk to you in a language that you understand. Our words are dead until we give them life with our blood.

I'm sure by now the media has painted a suitable picture of me, this predictable propaganda machine will naturally try to put a spin on it to suit the Government and to scare the masses into conforming to their power and wealth obsessed agendas.

I and thousands like me are forsaking everything for what we believe. Our driving motivation doesn't come from tangible commodities that this world has to offer. Our religion is Islam, obedience to the one true God, Allah and follow in the footsteps of the final prophet and messenger Mohammed...

This is how our ethical stances are dictated. Your democratically elected governments continuously perpetuate atrocities against my people and your support of them makes you directly responsible, just as I am directly responsible for protecting and avenging my Muslim brothers and sisters.

Until we feel security, you will be our target. Until you stop the bombing, gassing, imprisonment and torture of my people, we will not stop this fight.

We are at war and I am a soldier. Now you too will taste the reality of this situation."

SOMETIMES.

Sometimes... when you cry... no one sees your tears.

Sometimes... when you are in pain... no one sees your hurt.

Sometimes... when you are worried... no one sees your stress.

Sometimes... when you are happy... no one sees your smile.

But FART!! just ONE time...

And everybody knows.

Vazirani, 45, owner of the Royal King video parlour in Mulund, has been accused of sending a three online e-mail to Kapur a few days ago in which he asked him to pay up Rs 50 crore in 15 days if he wanted to stay alive. Vazirani is believed to be a Karisma fan.

Read more on this, here...

The relationship between Bollywood movies and the Indian audience is simply mind-blowing. We and I speak for most of the masses...take Hindi movie industry for granted...as if it's our "janm sidh aadhikar". The Indian audience, I feel has alwaz been very emotional when it comes to Hindi movies. The movies we hate...never get to live another week at the box office and the movies we love, just keep going on and on and on...example Sholay, DDLJ, 'Rangeela' which brought Mumbaiya language into the limelight, etc.

The impact of Hindi movies on our daily lives is no new news. They in many cases, set new trends, fashion statements, music that we dance/cry/laugh to and not to forget amazing one liners that we use/hear in our day to day life.

Some of the popular Hindi movie dialogues, which are simply priceless, according to me -

'Pushpa I hate tears' - Rajesh Khanna in Amar Prem. This line and the movie gave him the Superstar Status. Though the dialogue was meant to be serious but today it is used in many movies to crack-up the audience.

'Mogambo khush hua'- Amrish Puri in Mr. India. I simply love this movie.

'Jaani ye chakoo hai, lag jaye toh khoon nikal aata hai'- Raaj Kumar in Waqt.

'Kitne aadmi the?'- Amjad Khan in 'Sholay'. The dialogues and the movie need no introduction, they are just too mast. Other famous dialogue from the 'Hum angrezon ke zamaane ke jailor hai' by Asrani.

'Saara shehar mujhe LOIN ke naam se jaanta hai'- Ajit in Kalicharan. This movie also made names like 'Rooberrt' and 'Moona' and 'Soona' so famous, that when used people burst into laughter no matter what mood they are in. The movie also gave birth to millions of 'Ajit' jokes.

'Baaalmmma, main ik nanha sa chota sa pyala sa bachcha hoon' -Shakti Kapoor in Chaalbaaz. The combination of Shakti Kapoor is 'kaccha' with the 'naada' loosely hanging and this line..was ekdum chakhas. Also the scene where Kader Khan gives road directions to Shakti Kapoor and lands up mugging him, was fabulous.

'Rishtey mein hum tuhmare baap lagte hai, naam hai Shahensha'- Amitabh Bachan in Shahensha. Though the movie was fully faltoo but Amitabh's acting and this line made it run for many weeks at the box office. Amitabh is many ways is the epicenter of famous one liners with his amazing dialogue delivery and stance, for example 'English is a veery phunny language' in Namak Halal, 'Mere paas paisa, gadi, bungla hai' from Deewar, 'Ye police station hai, tumhare baap ka ghar nahin' in Zanjeer, etc.

'Ki..Ki..Ki..Kiran'- Shahrukh Khan in Darr. He made stammering look cool. And he still does.

'I am aaa Baaad Man'- Gulshan Grover in Raam Lakhan. The name till today is stuck with him, but I think it's more to do with his personal life then just a movie line. BTW i thought Anupam Kher was simply hilarious in this movie.

I know i am missing many more, but yaar i have to get back to work too. Maybe you guys can suggest other one-liners and post them in the comments section.

Other one-liners that have been used in thousands of Hindi movies, that have been ratofied in our heads, are-

1.Kuttay, Kameenay mai tujhe jaan se maar doonga

2. Mai tumhara ehasaan zindagi bhar nahin bhuloonga / bhuloongi

3. Itnay paisay tum kahan se laaye?

4. Main tumharay bina mar jaa-oongi.

5. Main tera khoon pee jaaonga!

6. Yeh anyay hai bhagwan.

7. Bataoo, heeray kahan hai.

8. Tum may-re liye mar chuke ho.

9. Puliss meray peechay lagi hui hai.

10. Mai tumharay bachhe ki maa ban-nay waali hoon!

Dont you feel it's high time that the government comes out with an official Hindi movie dictionary.