As IPl 2 comes to a close today, it's interesting that the last two teams last year, Hyderabad and Bangalore, are in the finals this time :)
We saw some good cricket this time, but in my personal opinion, both Pakistan and Australia were sorely missed. And not having the matches in India somehow robbed the tournament of the passion we saw last time... or who knows, maybe it was just the novelty rubbing off... And without Dada, KKR lost it's biggest fan (no, not SRK, me!). And without me, SRK too didn't attend any of the games... oh, guess I got something mixed up there.. anyways, I am sure you got my point...
The final is at 8 tonight, and I don't really have any plan to watch it. Yet.
One good thing came out of IPL being transferred - a super safe Indian elections!
And yes, my office group has started playing cricket on weekends... I need to start joining them, but my Goa contracts hasn't give me the opportunity yet :(
Sunday, May 24, 2009
Movie Review: Gallit Gondhal Dillit Muzhra
Yet another comedy hit from Makarand Anaspure, the movie is set in a small Maharashtrian town and traces the "struggle" of the village boy Narayan to achieve his politicla aspirations while doing chamchagiri for both the local Sarpanch and the local MLA...
A good laugh, tends to get a little boring towards second half, though.
A good laugh, tends to get a little boring towards second half, though.
Casatta Updates
I love catching the characters on TV!
Zzzzzz... I love it when Sanam puts me to sleep on her shoulder!
See, I told you!!!
I am trained to use the bathroom...
...but sometimes the basin is more fun!
A Bike Takes an Auto!
Apparently, she was too tired riding around and decided to take a ride herself... on Law College Road, some time around midnight
Britto's
Don't miss Britto's when you are in Goa. Anyone will tell you where it is, but if you are the type who doesn't like to ask - just watch out for it a hundred meters from the end of the road on the Calangute Baga beach.
Try anything and everything that used to move. Especially the crab-stuff prawns and the rava fry mussels.
Try anything and everything that used to move. Especially the crab-stuff prawns and the rava fry mussels.
Tuesday, May 19, 2009
Quote for the Day
Madhya Pradesh CM Shivraj Singh Chouhan of the BJP today sent a clear message to the party saying "Vikas alone is Hindutva"!
Results from Andhra, Orissa and Bihar clearly point to what India wants - development, not divisive politics of caste and religion.
Results from Andhra, Orissa and Bihar clearly point to what India wants - development, not divisive politics of caste and religion.
Interesting Times!
With the UPA coming back to power with a thumping mandate, the Left, SP and BSP out of the way of reforms and development, the stock markets reacted with a never-before rally, gaining more than 2000 points, a rise of 17%, before two successive upper circuits triggered off and halted trading for the day, first time in history. And all this in just one minute of trading!
The Indian stock market, in that one minute, has become the best performing stock market in the world this year.
While all this was happening, Sri Lanka also annouced the end of the 30 year old war with the LTTE, with the killing of Prabhakaran and most of this key leadership.
Will we soon see a similar rout of the Taliban? Are good days here again?
The Indian stock market, in that one minute, has become the best performing stock market in the world this year.
While all this was happening, Sri Lanka also annouced the end of the 30 year old war with the LTTE, with the killing of Prabhakaran and most of this key leadership.
Will we soon see a similar rout of the Taliban? Are good days here again?
Saturday, May 16, 2009
Singh is King... and How!
As the results keep pouring in now, the trends are absolutely clear! The UPA is headed for a mammoth 260+ seats, almost 100 more than the BJP-led NDA, powered by 200+ seats for the Congress itself. Manmohan Singh has proved he's King, the only PM since Nehru to be voted back to power after a 5 year term.
As Naveen Patnaik and Nitish Kumar sweep their states of Orissa and Bihar, the verdict is clear. The Indian voter has rejected divisive politics and voted for governance and stability. Lalu and Paswan have been routed, Mayavati and her bahujan politics have been relegated to third position in UP, irrespective of the number of statues of herself she's got installed all over. The Left has got their lowest ever total in decades in Kerela and West Bengal, their shameless politics of blackmail given a strong thums down.
The Congress has cashed in on the strength of the Gandhi family, Sonia and Rahul's charisma and relentless campaigning turning into a strong positive tide in their favour. But for me, the winner has definitely been the performance and the clean image of our PM, Manmohan Singh, who's truly showed his worth! With many other strong, young leaders like Sachin Pilot, Jyotiraditya Scindia, Milind Deora, Priya Dutt and NC's Omar Abdullah, the country can finally look forward to a lot more involvement and power to the youth.
What did the BJP get wrong? Everything. Having Advani fly to Mumbai to try and make cheap gains out of 26/11, even while our soldiers were still battling, a few days after having publicly taken on the ATS and its chief Hemant Karkare, was symbolic of the depth the party has sunk to. From opposing the nuclear deal, to infighting between its own cadres, to the absolutely disgusting personal attacks against a man of the stature of Manmohan Singh, the BJP has proved it's complete lack of vision and leadership to run this country!
For me, this is a red letter day in the history of this country. Finally, truly, this country has grown up!
As Naveen Patnaik and Nitish Kumar sweep their states of Orissa and Bihar, the verdict is clear. The Indian voter has rejected divisive politics and voted for governance and stability. Lalu and Paswan have been routed, Mayavati and her bahujan politics have been relegated to third position in UP, irrespective of the number of statues of herself she's got installed all over. The Left has got their lowest ever total in decades in Kerela and West Bengal, their shameless politics of blackmail given a strong thums down.
The Congress has cashed in on the strength of the Gandhi family, Sonia and Rahul's charisma and relentless campaigning turning into a strong positive tide in their favour. But for me, the winner has definitely been the performance and the clean image of our PM, Manmohan Singh, who's truly showed his worth! With many other strong, young leaders like Sachin Pilot, Jyotiraditya Scindia, Milind Deora, Priya Dutt and NC's Omar Abdullah, the country can finally look forward to a lot more involvement and power to the youth.
What did the BJP get wrong? Everything. Having Advani fly to Mumbai to try and make cheap gains out of 26/11, even while our soldiers were still battling, a few days after having publicly taken on the ATS and its chief Hemant Karkare, was symbolic of the depth the party has sunk to. From opposing the nuclear deal, to infighting between its own cadres, to the absolutely disgusting personal attacks against a man of the stature of Manmohan Singh, the BJP has proved it's complete lack of vision and leadership to run this country!
For me, this is a red letter day in the history of this country. Finally, truly, this country has grown up!
3rd Weekend in Goa...
My third consecutive weekend in Goa :) And no matter how many times I come, and how inconvenient or otherwise the journey is, it's just not enough!
Really looking forward to dry fry crabs, masala squids, and rava fry shinanyo at Ritz tonight :)
Really looking forward to dry fry crabs, masala squids, and rava fry shinanyo at Ritz tonight :)
An Amazing Democracy... Maturing...
Elections 2009 have been an amazing step forward for Indian democracy... a mammoth exercise in the face of terror, a resounding success for the armed forces, for the election commission, for the politicians, and for the ever-maturing Indian voter.
Less than an hour into counting for half a billion votes, and results are already coming in for more than half the seats! Just an amazing testimonial of the maturity of this largest democracy in the world!
And the results... just stunning. Spoilers like Maya and Lalu getting routed, Nitish sweeping Bihar with his results of good governance, Left losing heavily after their politics of convenience. And most interestingly, the two main parties, Congress and the BJP, gaining heavily at the expense of the other smaller parties.
Still early hours... but with gains of around 40 seats, and a difference of almost 60 with the NDA, the UPA seems to be emerging the clear winner...
Less than an hour into counting for half a billion votes, and results are already coming in for more than half the seats! Just an amazing testimonial of the maturity of this largest democracy in the world!
And the results... just stunning. Spoilers like Maya and Lalu getting routed, Nitish sweeping Bihar with his results of good governance, Left losing heavily after their politics of convenience. And most interestingly, the two main parties, Congress and the BJP, gaining heavily at the expense of the other smaller parties.
Still early hours... but with gains of around 40 seats, and a difference of almost 60 with the NDA, the UPA seems to be emerging the clear winner...
Sunday, April 19, 2009
Amazing India
Nice piece in the Express today got me thinking...
When the politicians dithered about Nano and IPL, corporate India stood up and showed the world how to do things... fast, decisive thinking, and both projects were back on track!
And when corporate India threw up a Satyam, our politicians stood up, and showed the world how severely screwed up companies can be resurrected - in a matter of 2-3 months!
I guess, it happens only in India... :)
When the politicians dithered about Nano and IPL, corporate India stood up and showed the world how to do things... fast, decisive thinking, and both projects were back on track!
And when corporate India threw up a Satyam, our politicians stood up, and showed the world how severely screwed up companies can be resurrected - in a matter of 2-3 months!
I guess, it happens only in India... :)
Confessions of a Shopaholic (Family)
We did a bit of shopping and a lot of window shopping last night...
First to Twist and Tales. Sanam wanted to read about Shivaji, having been inspired by the movie. When she couldn't find something on him, she tells me, we can buy Secret Seven instead. Lol. Anyway, finally, I found a Shivaji comic in a set, along with 9 others... and had to buy the whole bunch.
Then we went to Croma. We checked out a LCD - Sony Bravia looked great, but the moment they switched from the Hi Def Promo to Tata Sky, it suddenly didnt look as sexy any more! So we'll probably just repair our existing Bazoomba and wait for Tata Sky to deliver HD content before we splurge another fifty grand.
Sanam then wanted to check out an electronic piano/keyboard. She tells me Yamaha is the best. Apparently, she checked out features and prices on Google! Oh, and yes, by the way, she's seven and half years old.
We saw a Tata Nano there, too. Croma belongs to Tata, remember? Pretty sexy car, I must say! Good job, Rattu!
Then to Natekar sports. Some swimwear for Sanam, and a baseball bat for myself. The moment he saw it, he knew - it's to keep in the car, right? he asked me! Yes, I said, surprised. Well, everyone who buys one, does it for the same purpose, he explained!
We also checked out an exercise bike - 5K, with hands and legs support. I was curios. What if it reduced my hands and legs, but left my stomach intact? He smiled and assured me that wouldn't happen. I am not completely convinced.
Then we had some Wazwaan chicken and wazwaan fruit punch, with some other normal sounding assortments, and came back home.
First to Twist and Tales. Sanam wanted to read about Shivaji, having been inspired by the movie. When she couldn't find something on him, she tells me, we can buy Secret Seven instead. Lol. Anyway, finally, I found a Shivaji comic in a set, along with 9 others... and had to buy the whole bunch.
Then we went to Croma. We checked out a LCD - Sony Bravia looked great, but the moment they switched from the Hi Def Promo to Tata Sky, it suddenly didnt look as sexy any more! So we'll probably just repair our existing Bazoomba and wait for Tata Sky to deliver HD content before we splurge another fifty grand.
Sanam then wanted to check out an electronic piano/keyboard. She tells me Yamaha is the best. Apparently, she checked out features and prices on Google! Oh, and yes, by the way, she's seven and half years old.
We saw a Tata Nano there, too. Croma belongs to Tata, remember? Pretty sexy car, I must say! Good job, Rattu!
Then to Natekar sports. Some swimwear for Sanam, and a baseball bat for myself. The moment he saw it, he knew - it's to keep in the car, right? he asked me! Yes, I said, surprised. Well, everyone who buys one, does it for the same purpose, he explained!
We also checked out an exercise bike - 5K, with hands and legs support. I was curios. What if it reduced my hands and legs, but left my stomach intact? He smiled and assured me that wouldn't happen. I am not completely convinced.
Then we had some Wazwaan chicken and wazwaan fruit punch, with some other normal sounding assortments, and came back home.
Movie Review: Me Shijaviraje Bhonsale Boltoy
Yet another fantastic Marathi movie! In the last few months, I have enjoyed some really good movies, and MSBB just ups the bar one more level.
Dinkar Rao Bhonsale is a middle aged, middle class Marathi manoos. He wears white formal shirts and trousers, travels by bus, and works in a bank. He buys Bombay Duck (and not the Pomfret) and waits for his arrears to come so he can buy a new shirt. His son is desperate for admission to Engineering college, but Bhonsale cannot afford the donation fees. His daughter wants to change her name to B Kala and then to a Chopra, because she finds Shashikala Bhonsale very down market. He loves to be called Baba, but the kids prefer Dad. And every South Indian and North Indian in Mumbai despises him for being a Ghaati. A typical Marathi manoos, lost in every day life, and incapable of moving in tandem with the fast moving "outsiders" in his own city.
He owns a palatial old bungalow in suburban Mumbai... When a builder eyes it, and offers Dinkar Rao an alternate bungalow in Badlapur, he refuses to move out. He wants to stay here, and he wants an apartment in the complex being built on his land. How can you non-veg fish-eating Ghaati stay in the midst of the rich vegeterian clientele, asks the builder? But Dinkar Rao is adamant. And that's when his troubles start.
From harassment by the BMC to threats and attempts on the lives of his children, will Dinkar Rao be able to fight back? Yes, he will! Because he has the support of the apparition of Shivaji and his loyal followers, who inspire and guide him to fight back, as a true Marathi manoos.
The production quality is pretty good, and for most past, doesn't feel like a movie shot on videocam (except some of the scenes of Shivaji on the horse in the city). Some of the camera angles are shots are pretty outstanding. There're a lot of laughs sprinkled around throughout the movie. The cast is perfect - every character an absolute perfect caricature of people you will meet and interact with every day. Sachin Khedekar does a fantastic job. Mahesh Manjrekar is good as Shivaji, though on close ups, he looks a little drunk and sleep deprived. Makarand Anaspure is fast proving himself to be the king of comedy in Mollywood. And as the daughter, Priya Bapat does a great job, and also lights up the screen whenever she's there!
The movie is a perfect rebuke to the antics of the MNS and other self-styled champions of the Marathi manoos. It has a serious social message, and yet, provides all the thrills and the entertainment of typical comemrcial cinema. One particular scene packs a lot of punch - when Dinkar Rao complains to Shivaji about outsiders, Shivaji retorts back, "Who asked you not to open hotels? Who asked you not to send your kids to IAS? Why do you take so much pride saying "amchi kuthech shakha nahin"?".
Should definitely make some people think...
I'm not a Marathi manoos, and I have no opinions to offer about them (at least not on this blog :)), but I enjoyed the movie, and I would highly recommend it to everyone else... as long as you can understand a bit of Marathi!
Dinkar Rao Bhonsale is a middle aged, middle class Marathi manoos. He wears white formal shirts and trousers, travels by bus, and works in a bank. He buys Bombay Duck (and not the Pomfret) and waits for his arrears to come so he can buy a new shirt. His son is desperate for admission to Engineering college, but Bhonsale cannot afford the donation fees. His daughter wants to change her name to B Kala and then to a Chopra, because she finds Shashikala Bhonsale very down market. He loves to be called Baba, but the kids prefer Dad. And every South Indian and North Indian in Mumbai despises him for being a Ghaati. A typical Marathi manoos, lost in every day life, and incapable of moving in tandem with the fast moving "outsiders" in his own city.
He owns a palatial old bungalow in suburban Mumbai... When a builder eyes it, and offers Dinkar Rao an alternate bungalow in Badlapur, he refuses to move out. He wants to stay here, and he wants an apartment in the complex being built on his land. How can you non-veg fish-eating Ghaati stay in the midst of the rich vegeterian clientele, asks the builder? But Dinkar Rao is adamant. And that's when his troubles start.
From harassment by the BMC to threats and attempts on the lives of his children, will Dinkar Rao be able to fight back? Yes, he will! Because he has the support of the apparition of Shivaji and his loyal followers, who inspire and guide him to fight back, as a true Marathi manoos.
The production quality is pretty good, and for most past, doesn't feel like a movie shot on videocam (except some of the scenes of Shivaji on the horse in the city). Some of the camera angles are shots are pretty outstanding. There're a lot of laughs sprinkled around throughout the movie. The cast is perfect - every character an absolute perfect caricature of people you will meet and interact with every day. Sachin Khedekar does a fantastic job. Mahesh Manjrekar is good as Shivaji, though on close ups, he looks a little drunk and sleep deprived. Makarand Anaspure is fast proving himself to be the king of comedy in Mollywood. And as the daughter, Priya Bapat does a great job, and also lights up the screen whenever she's there!
The movie is a perfect rebuke to the antics of the MNS and other self-styled champions of the Marathi manoos. It has a serious social message, and yet, provides all the thrills and the entertainment of typical comemrcial cinema. One particular scene packs a lot of punch - when Dinkar Rao complains to Shivaji about outsiders, Shivaji retorts back, "Who asked you not to open hotels? Who asked you not to send your kids to IAS? Why do you take so much pride saying "amchi kuthech shakha nahin"?".
Should definitely make some people think...
I'm not a Marathi manoos, and I have no opinions to offer about them (at least not on this blog :)), but I enjoyed the movie, and I would highly recommend it to everyone else... as long as you can understand a bit of Marathi!
IPL 2
IPL 2 kicked of in SA yesterday - pretty sad that it's not in India this time. Was really looking forward to it. And with Dada out as captain, with the Pakis missing, and with my TV conked off... at least as far as I am concerned, the IPL fever's yet to catch on!
Dr Phatak
Yesterday, as part of the BE Project Competition at Persistent, I had the good fortune, once again, to hear Dr D. B. Phatak, from IIT Mumbai speak to us at length about life, learning, values, ethics, India and dreams.
Be like DEW drops he said
Dream big
Enjoy life
Work hard
As always, it was an inspiring, humorous, and very memorable experience.
A piece of unsolicited advice: NEVER miss an opportunity to hear him speak!
Be like DEW drops he said
Dream big
Enjoy life
Work hard
As always, it was an inspiring, humorous, and very memorable experience.
A piece of unsolicited advice: NEVER miss an opportunity to hear him speak!
Sunday, April 12, 2009
26/11 Revisited
Bought a book on 26/11 yesterday from Crossword. A collection of articles and compilations, the book brought back vivid memories of those 60 hours of horror, with some new insights and understanding into what really happened in those hours of horror, bravery and pride. The cold and calculated planning and execution by the ten agents of death, and the unflinching bravery and courage of our officers, the staff of the hotels, and many ordinary citizens.
Do buy it, and read it.
Do buy it, and read it.
Movie Review: Evan Almighty
Saw a pretty interesting (and old) movie yesterday on HBO - Evan Almighty. When God meets and encourages a newly elected Congressman to build an ark, he thinks he's freaking out under stress. But when animals and birds start chasing him in pairs and when his beard refuses to bow to a shave, he realises he has no choice.
Why does God ask him to build the ark? Will there really be a flood on Sept 22nd?
What I liked was the message of the movie: you can change the world by doing "Acts of Random Kindness" - ARK.
Oh yes, and the animals too :)
Why does God ask him to build the ark? Will there really be a flood on Sept 22nd?
What I liked was the message of the movie: you can change the world by doing "Acts of Random Kindness" - ARK.
Oh yes, and the animals too :)
Movie Review: The Fast and The Furious 4
A treat for road action fans, F&F4 is set in the deserts and streets of southern USA and Mexico, with Vin Diesel, out for revenge against the drug lords for the murder of his girl friend (the sultry Michelle Rodriguez), teaming up with an FBI agent, Paul Walker, racing against and with each other in a deadly game of speed. Also watch out for the really hot Jordana Brewster, as the gangster's henchwoman.
The opening sequence is breathtaking, and there are a few cool segements later on, but the movie stretches for most part and could have easily been cut down by another 30 mins.
The opening sequence is breathtaking, and there are a few cool segements later on, but the movie stretches for most part and could have easily been cut down by another 30 mins.
Friday, April 10, 2009
Movie Review: 8 * 10 Tasveer
If you thought a camera clicking the future was innovative, check this out. Akshay Kumar, an Environment Protection Services officer in Canada, has a unique talent - he can stare at a photograph, and get his mind transported into the past where the picture was clicked. And yes, he can even look into the past through the eyes of those present, or not present, there. Every time he does that, he also goes close to death, and needs serious medical attention to stabilize. And yes, if someone burns the photo while he's in the past, he's going to be stuck there forever.
Anyways.
The story is pathetic, very predictable for most part, and the twist at the end is just about OK.
Akshay does a typical Akshay, and he should reasses his candidature to topple the King Khan. Ayesha is roly poly, yet very sweet and sexy. I like this girl. She's done some great movies, and she needs a good director to bring some amazing stuff out of her. Unfortunately, this isn't really one of those movies.
But yes, do watch the movie for some of the most beautiful locales ever captured in a Hindi film. Absolutely mesmerizing. Worth it, just for that.
Anyways.
The story is pathetic, very predictable for most part, and the twist at the end is just about OK.
Akshay does a typical Akshay, and he should reasses his candidature to topple the King Khan. Ayesha is roly poly, yet very sweet and sexy. I like this girl. She's done some great movies, and she needs a good director to bring some amazing stuff out of her. Unfortunately, this isn't really one of those movies.
But yes, do watch the movie for some of the most beautiful locales ever captured in a Hindi film. Absolutely mesmerizing. Worth it, just for that.
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