Empower the “SHE”

Power India – Empower the “SHE”

Did You Know?
More than 300 million people in India live in absolute poverty-a number equal to all the people living in the US. The majority of these people are rural and female. Girls are a critically vulnerable group and a keystone of development in the country. More than half the girls in India marry before the age of 18. Younger, the bride the greater her chance – of being trapped in poverty and becoming malnourished, anemic and at risk for maternal mortality. More than 51% of women in India have no say in decisions about their own health. 65% of the school-aged children who are not enrolled in school are girls.

In some states of India women are still like the domesticated pets caged in the house. Females receive less health care than males. Many women die in childbirth of easily prevented complications. Working conditions and environmental pollution further impairs women’s health. In recent years, there has been an alarming rise in atrocities against women in India, in terms of rapes, assaults and dowry-related murders. Fear of violence suppresses the aspirations of all women. Female infanticide and sex-selective abortions are additional forms of violence that reflect the devaluing of females in Indian society. While women are guaranteed equality under the constitution, legal protection has little effect in the face of prevailing patriarchal traditions. Women lack power to decide who they will marry, and are often married off as children. Legal loopholes are used to deny women inheritance rights.

India has a long history of activism for women’s welfare and rights, which has increasingly focused on women’s economic rights. A range of government programs , social workers, activists have schemes and slogans for the security of women have been launched , although there appear to be no existing programs to address the cultural and traditional discrimination against women that leads to her abject conditions.
We should take the responsibility individually to enhance girls’ capability to demand and secure better services in such areas as health, education and family infrastructure. Increasing solidarity among women and girls forming a unified voice and support for the changes they seek to implement in their families and communities. Create awareness about key health, education and financial practices. Build confidence to influence family decisions and the community.

When this happens, then and only then powerful India will emerge.
-Anupama Shetty

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My First Love...

I don’t really know how to explain this. But this is especially true for me. The first person in my life- who I love immensely is… very special and deserves life’s best.

My first love- “My Mother “She is the most beautiful creation on earth. My mother is an extraordinary woman and also the most important woman in my life. She is the most fascinating woman I have ever known. Writing about her is new territory for me. She has a big impact on my life. In many ways, writing about her makes me understand myself even better.

When I was just a kid, I used to smear my face with my mama’s lipstick and model her earrings and high heels, wanting to be just like her. I used to run around the house draping her sari and literally tearing it sometime…, she helped me in my studies, spanked me when I was wrong (I miss those spanking’s today)…Hmm…@?//* Memories worth treasuring!

Today… she is my best friend and guide, she’s my Goddess of inspiration- I worship her.Everything that my mother has ever done has been overshadowed by the thought behind it. While the raw experiences I have had at home have been spectacular, I have learned to truly value them by watching my mother. She has enriched my life with her passion for learning and writing, and changed it with her devotion to humanity.

My mother’s accomplishments have meant a lot to me. I hope to inherit her virtues and follow her footsteps in order to make her proud. My achievements will be a tribute of love to her.“My mother” – for me is the most and only beautiful women on earth.
Mom you are and will always be the everlasting, precious and worthy relative in my life.
Mom …I Love You!

“A mother is the truest friend we have, when trials heavy and sudden, fall upon us; when adversity takes the place of prosperity; when friends who rejoice with us in our sunshine desert us; when trouble thickens around us, still will she cling to us, and endeavor by her kind precepts and counsels to dissipate the clouds of darkness, and cause peace to return to our hearts.” – Washington Irvin Quotes

I'm sure... after reading this you would want to share a world about your First Love :)

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Most Unwanted!

Forgotten Age – Most Unwanted!

Twinkle in the eye, but darkness in existence; the Indian girl child –

One day I was cleaning my desk, when my niece who is six years old came next to me and said “Masi , ‘m I unwanted , It seems that parents don’t like a girl child. My birth must be troubling everyone in the family.” I looked at her shocked. Honey! who the hell told you this? And she started crying? It was not important who told her, but the fact that still people live and believe this fact is a shame.

The Indian girl child is outlined by our country’s traditions. Discrimination of gender equality, female infants dumped in trash, unborn fetuses sniffed in the womb, all this continues in the society .There is no end to this cruel ritual practices . Our society has dealt the girl child a rough hand, starting even before birth, till the end of life.
The number of sexual abuse and domestic violence cases against women clearly throws light on the fact that girl child in India do not enjoy even basic rights; their health and education. They are deprived of their own lives. The cost of this neglect is high, both for the girl child and for society.

Let’s get aware and rather make an attempt to envision a society that is sensitive, aware and free from prejudice that affects the girl child.Grab any opportunity of decision-making for the advancement of the girl child.

I'm the first one to to take a step ahead...what about you?
-Anupama Shetty 

The most Best Comment , which I cudn' miss to mention
Soham writes----

When I read what anu wrote, it was shocking! I started collecting thoughts, to pen down an article/blogpost to strengthen anu’s thought- or may be INDIAs thought! Mind ran faraway searching for similar instances, and I broke down ashamed of our societal morals and the way we neglect NATURE and its rule. Moment after that, I thought of cementing these cracks with a positive story, which I witnessed. I know a family (Name doesn’t matter), who had a girl child, later when they tried for a boy (now, this is weird), the lady was pregnant with twin babies…both girls (This happened several years back, when sex determination was not illegal). Lady and her husband took a little time to digest this! But, husband stood up accepting twin girls with a proud smile on his face. Entire family danced in joy to welcome TWIN STARS! Now, they are awesome family together! WHO DOESN’T WANT A GIRL CHILD NOW?


Thank you Soham :)


Dear Friends, Please feel free to share in your thought!

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King of the Woods

Vinoda lived in a small house on the edge of village Mandedyi with her father, her stepmother and her stepsister. Vinoda’s stepmother disliked her, favoring her true daughter, Saroja.

Soon after her father's remarriage, Vinoda found that all the housework fell to her while Saroja idled her days away. Vinoda's father was a farmer a timid man, and could not bring himself to defy his wife. He did nothin’ fo his daughter.

Vinoda wore Saroja's cast off clothes, and her hands grew red and chapped from scrubbing vessels, washing and milking the cows and working in the farm, while Saroja just enjoyed shopping and food, growing lazy and spoiled.

One year, when the rains were particularly fierce, Vinoda's family ran out of money. Vinoda's stepmother began nagging her father to send Vinoda away, because they could not afford to keep two girls. They did not have enough food in store, the crops destroyed due to heavy rains; it would take another year for good harvest.  Reluctantly, Vinoda’s father agreed. With a very heavy heart he took Vinoda to a hut deep in the woods and left her there.

Vinoda was very frightened. She pleaded to her father (appa)…but all her words were like unsaid to him. The woods were said to be filled with (Bhoota) demons, (Preta) spirits. Vinoda cried her guts out, but she was also practical. She entered the hut with her small bundle and found a Dhikel (fireplace), a mattress and a rusty old pot. Vinoda put away the rice grains, adeye (preparation made by rice, like idli), the knife and Upad (Pickles) her appa (father) had given her. She folded the blanket and laid it near the dhikel (chula /fireplace). Then she collected wood and built a fire.

Vinoda knew the rice and adeye would not last her all the month. So, she decided to collect berries for food in the woods. Vinoda knew she had to live alone all her life and had made up her mind.

By dark, Vinoda cooked ganji for her (semi –cooked rice). She ate it with pickle. Then she lay down near the fire for the night, listening to the wind howl and pretending to herself that she was not frightened of the woods. She was constantly chanting “kumara” (God) the protector’s name.  She was fast asleep.

It was midnight when suddenly a knock came.

Knock … knock… knock.

It echoed hollowly through the dark tent. Vinoda woke with a start, her heart pounding in fear. It came again.

Knock, knock… knock.

Vinoda thought of the Bhoota (demon/restless spirits). She hid under her blanket, praying the thing would go away. She started chanting the mantras. Still the knock continued…

Knock… knock… knock. …..let me in said the voice…it is raining outside.

Vinoda rose, grabbing an axe. She crept towards the door. The wind howled eerily down the chimney. Vinoda swallowed and swung the door open. There was nothing there. Her heart pounded fiercely as she stared out at the darkness and the rain in the light of her small fire. Then she looked down. Vinoda let out a shriek of terror and leapt back, dropping her axe. It was a man without legs!

"Who are you?" Vinoda stuttered, clutching the door with shaking hands.

"I am King Kasha…I look after the woods," he replied.

Indeed, Vinoda saw at once that it was. The body was dressed in a rich gown, with lot of traditional expensive jewelry and ruby, Vinoda was had never seen something like this before, it had heard stories about the wood by her grandmother…

"I am cold, wet and hungry. May I sleep by your fire?" the King asked. Its voice was cold and lifeless.

Vinoda gulped down her horror.

"Of course," she said. She did not have an option but to agree...

He sat next to the fire.

Anger warred with compassion inside her, but compassion won. "I am hungry," said the King. "Can u give me some food?"

Vinoda gave him the ganji (semi cooked rice) left in the pot which was for her breakfast. Vinoda was so scared that she did not want to refuse anything the king asked for…

"I will sleep now," it said. There was no softening in its attitude toward her. Nonetheless, Vinoda made him comfortable for the night, giving him her blanket and sleeping in a cold corner with only her bairas (towel) to keep her warm.

When she woke in the morning, the king was gone. It was no more raining, it was a peaceful sunny day, and where the king had slept was a large trunk, filled with the most beautiful saris she had ever seen. Under the saris lay heaps of gold and jewels.

Vinoda stared blankly at the riches in front of her. Her father's voice roused her.

"Vinoda (Daughter), I have come."

Vinoda forgot the trunk in her joy. She ran into his arms. He had defied her stepmother to come and bring her back to their home.

"Appa, come see!" Vinoda exclaimed as she pulled him into the hut. Her words tumbled over each other as she explained.

Her father took her home. She was honored in her village for her compassion and her bravery. She married rich moneylender’s son soon after her return from the woods.

Hearing Vinoda’s story, and seeing the riches she had received, Saroja went to the woods and spent the night there. But when the King appeared, she was too lazy to serve him. In the morning, her face was full of boils; all her clothes had turned to rags and her possessions to dust.

But Vinoda lived happily ever after.

The moral of the story says –

“If you are compassionate and brave, you will always deserve the best.”

The above is a Folktale,  Suggested Actors  :- Father - Chiranjeevi , Step Mom - Ramya, Vinoda / Saroja  : (child artist) , Bhoota : Voice Over of any popular actor (Rajni Sir's Voice)

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The Myth

A myth is a sacred narrative, it holds religious and spiritual significance for those who tell it, and it contributes to and expresses systems of thought and values. It is neither the truth nor the falseness of the narrative. To the source culture, however, a myth by definition is “true,” in that it embodies beliefs, concepts, and ways of questioning and making sense of the world.
Suggested Cast :
Ranbir Kapoor(Krish)
Sonakshi Sinha (Ashna - Girl in the painting)
Shreyas Talpade(Sud)
(V.O) - Most myths are set in a timeless past before recorded and the critical history begins…
Krish and Sudanshu (Sud) were very good friends, Sud was an artist, he was very good in charcoal painting, very honest and loved Krish very much, Krish was a digital head by profession and a dreamer, a very charming and attractive guy.  He loved sharing his dreams with sud, they lived together in a cottage, which was Krish’s ancestral property.
Krish and Sud were in the same advertising agency, Sud lead the creative department. Everyday the friends used to go to office together, in the evening they used to chill out with other friends , have dinner, share how  the day was and go to sleep…….on weekends sud used to spend time painting and krish would read or sleep the whole day, so that he can dream…
This was a routine…Yes! They were very happy!!
One Saturday afternoon sud was just trying to sketch something, just to irritate him more krish said …..”if u r findin’ it difficult to imagine and sketch, lemme help u…”haha, sud replied ye…u can and actli’ meant it , Krish told he was kiddin’ but sud was serious, Krish gave up to avoid an argument, he said he will describe how his dream girl looks like and sud has to paint it.
Sud was very excited with the idea of painting someone he has never seen and, it was a challenge…sud started workin’ on the sketch…..The result was a beautiful girl, smiling as if real, WOW! She was his (krish) love; he wanted his dream come true. He wanted her to walk out of the painting and talk to him.

3 months later…
There was a painting exhibition, even the beautiful girl’s painting was displayed, yes you guessed it right it was a big and of course a very special day for Sud , krish was escortin’ the visitors to see the paintings, all his paintings were appreciated , but the special mention was for the girl’s portrait, it was a happy day, lot of paintings were sold, only the girl’s portrait was not for sale, it was late evening when they started winding’ up, there came a visitor , he was saw all the display, he stopped near the girl’s portrait, and stood there for quiet some time , he came near the counter and said “how do you know this girl? “ this was a shocking question, for a minute krish and sud did not know what to say, when krish interrupted the silence, he simply asked why? Do you know her? And to their surprise the answer was “YES”…Krish cud not believe his ears, he asked him where has he seen that girl, he told he had seen her on his way to Pune, she was the only beautiful girl in the bus and he couldn’t take his eyes off her, Krish interrupted again .” Did you speak to her, where does she stay? “ the visitor was unable to answer – he left, days passed krish was becoming restless, he wanted to the meet the girl, he shared this with sud, could do anything for his friend, they went searching for that girl in Poona, they nearly searched the whole city, but did not succeed finding’ her...Krish and sud did not miss any chance to find her; even they got any information....

10 years later
The cottage was very untidy,  it had not be cleaned for years, it was full of dust, and at one corner Krish was sitting facing the girl’s portrait, he had even named her , he called her “Ashna” there were tears in his eyes, he was actually talking to the girl’s portrait , krish was mentally disabled, for him the girl’s portrait was alive , he used to talk to her for hours , share his food with her, he use to stay alone, sud was married and had shifted to a new house , he used to go on weekends to meet krish , he could not see krish suffering. He tried explaining krish that she is only a painting, but krish was so madly in love with her, that he never wanted to understand. Sud actli’ cried for his friend. Krish had also written a letter and pasted it on the portrait which said-

“I don’t know where are you, I ‘m waiting for you its dusk again and I’m waiting, Waiting watching the melting sun,
Another day has slowly melted, another ordeal is completely done…Starlit nights are no lovelier, No longer is beautiful the moon, The breeze is dry and rusty to me,
Solitude and tears are everywhere. This silence is burning me, burning my every core;
Come shield me from all this. Come hold me once more……and, tell me –
I LOVE YOU
…………………………………………..Missing You!
Sweetheart I want you to know how I love you and will always love you even if I die, you will feel my love and ‘m very sure you will some day. “

2 years later
The cottage was for sale-
A young lady was interested in the property, she came to see the place, a young guy welcomed her, he was sud’s son he told his family is now in US, it was his uncle’s (krish)
Property and after his death, nobody is there to take care of it, so they had no option but to sell it, the lady was just going thru the paintings , when she suddenly came across a canvas which was covered and full of dust, she requested the young gentleman to help her unveil it , he did so, and to her surprise , it was “SHE” even the young man was dumstruck , he couldn’t believe his eyes , she saw the letter which was pasted on the painting , she picked it up and started reading it , there were tears in her eyes, he was the man of her dreams, but she was too late to come in this world...

She just closed her eyes and said “God is taking my test and I know I’ll succeed, I love you krish, and will love you forever “

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Remake of “Agneepath”

Karan Johar is all set to remake the blockbuster, Agneepath. While he had to pay an astronomical amount to buy the rights of the Hollywood blockbuster Stepmom, which he is remaking in Hindi, he does not need to buy the rights to remake Agneepath as it is his home production.

"Surprisingly, Karan has not approached Abhishek Bachchan to play Vijay Dinanath Chauhan, which was played by the actor's father in the original. While Hrithik is still deciding if he wants to star in the remake, Karan is sure that Hrithik is the perfect choice.

But why are we making a remake of the original…why can’t there be originality, or even if it is a remake, why say it, half of the motivation to watch a remake film almost dies, even before the movie is released, There definitely should be a remake, but it is to be treated with a different flavor, like, if so and so scene could have been changed, probably it could have been more interesting

Like for instance, why talk round and round the bush, Rohit Shetty’s Golmaal 3 was a remake, but it had its own humor, originality and freshness, and viewers enjoyed every bit of it…So the Idea is to show what people like to see again and again, with unique style and freshness.

Anyways, the remake version of Agneepath will be directed by Karan Malhotra. It is definitely going to be a great challenge for Karan Johar as well as a Hrithik to do justice to the film that achieved immense popularity and cult following previously.What do you think?

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Talent Diva – Rani Mukerji

 Making her acting debut with Raja Ki Aayegi Baraat (1997), Mukerji had her first commercial success with Karan Johar's romance Kuch Kuch Hota Hai (1998), her biggest commercial success so far, and won a Filmfare Best Supporting Actress Award for her performance in the film. She later starred in several films, most of which fared below expectations, but in 2002 she re-invented her image with the critically acclaimed drama Saathiya, for which she received numerous awards and nominations.
In 2004, her performances in the hit Hum Tum and the critically acclaimed Yuva earned her the Best Actress and the Best Supporting Actress awards at the Filmfare ceremony, making her the first actress to win two major awards in the same year. She later received unanimous praise for her portrayal of a blind, deaf and mute woman in Black (2005), for which she garnered numerous major awards. Mukerji has since established herself as a leading actress of Hindi cinema.

“No One Killed Jessica” again gave her career a boost..lekin aage kya??? Why such good and beautiful actors like Rani Mukerji, Urmila Matondkar, Preity Zinta can’t be seen on Big Screen frequently, what is the reason, are we Indians always in search for New fresh face or Fresh talent...Quiet a dicey question to answer though, but when we compare Hollywood, the actors of the same age are still a great fame there, there are so many concepts and ideas where this beautiful ladies perfectly fit the bill, they are just as young...and the fact that Life starts at 30’ should be boldly accepted by the Indian Film Industry, and Television

Just dust your minds and coats there ill will be ‘n’ of scripts for these dashing ladies, we want to see more of these beauties on screen… If no I can suggest a number, which will definitely create a cherry buzz ;)

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