An ode for the overemotional and sentimental Indian..

Slumdog millionaire facts:
It’s a movie made not by an Indian
It is now renowned all over the world and is a Golden globe and Oscar winner
It has valuable contribution from Indians
And whether you like it or not it’s a fantastic movie.

I cannot help agreeing about an opinion which is popularly believed by other nationalities that Indians are overtly emotional and defensive whenever it comes to their country.
The criticism mentioned in a number of blogs (and in a higher number in the streets in India) about Slumdog millionaire not only reflects how we poorly relate to art but also shows our inability to accept the reality.

Dharavi in Mumbai is Asia’s biggest slum. Period!!
Having stayed close to that area for sometime I can vouch for the scenes images shown in the movie.

Being overtly emotional and saying that india is being portrayed “obnoxiously” or saying that India is portrayed in a wrong way is downright duplicitous.
The fact is that India is still perceived by many as a land of snake charmers. If you do not believe me conduct a survey and you will get your answer.
There is no denying the fact that we Indians have moved far ahead from that impression and have set a great foot print on the world but the belief and perception of the footprint is far from satisfactory
The question that we need to ask ourselves is that how do we change this perception? What do we do to make this a better place not only in terms of perception but in terms of reality? Can we make a difference?
If we don’t have answers to the above questions then we probably do not have the right to defend any criticism that comes its way, irrespective of the media.

Coming back to a few movie aspects
The scene in which small Jamal jumps into the pile of shit to take the autograph of amitabh bachan. That’s real india – we can make any successful individual god
The scene in which Jamal gets beaten by the American tourist driver and jamal says “this is real india”- isn’t that a scene which we witness on the streets in india.
Anil Kapoor addresses Jamal as a chaiwala – don’t we address people as Naukars, maalees, doodhwala, driver etc? if your instant answer is no. I know that you are lying and that’s because you are probably an Indian and here we do not function on names but identify people as class, religion and some other forms of racism as well
As for AR Rehmans music I don’t see a problem in him reciveing awards for the music, although I personally feel that this work was not his best. I guess the debate on this is futile because the work is perceived as the best.
The song at the last is just to show the spirit of celebration and some foolish people consider it dancing on VT. All I can say is that you need to watch more movies!!

Its very easy for the Indian literate class to term the movie being made in bad taste with respect to the Indian sentiments but I don’t see it that ways. I think it’s a wake up call for all Indians that how an American comes to your country understands the nuances of it and makes a film which is not only convincing but also critically acclaimed all over the world
The fact that the world likes the movie just proves that the picture shown about India is a well believed perception, a visual imagery which all viewers can relate to and the sooner we Indians realise it the better is it for us.
Realising that there is a problem is 50% of the task. Working towards is the remainder..

However, my fellow Indians and friends who would be reading this would still not agree that poverty, illiteracy, slums, cheating, bureaucracy, goons, underworld etc are a virus and we are not depreciating but dilapidating at the rate of knots.

Personally I get hurt by many scenes shown in the movie but I would love to watch it again and again. I use the pain only to contribute more towards my country.

Its time to realise…. Its time to wake up…
Start by going to http://www.jaagore.com/

Its extremely difficult to control your tears when you hear to "yeh jo des hain mera" from swades. As an Indian citizen residing abroad nobody in India understands the real feelings that this song instigates and to be honest this blog is not for that purpose.

This one is for Kolkata, the city in which i was born and brought up, the city which is just not merely a home but has been my alma mater, a friend and a guide for so many years.

But that’s where my emotional connect ends.

After spending approximately 2 weeks in Kolkata after almost 3 years I can’t help myself repeating the age old complain that Kolkata has not improved and it would not be exaggeration to say that it does not want to improve either. As much as i hate saying this but that’s the real truth.
I happened to go to Allahabad bank in 1997 for a small query regarding education loan I had to wait for some time and went around 4 desks to get a small query answered, in that process I came across people half asleep, engrossed in social issues, worried about the performance of saurav ganguly and seemingly depressed about the absenteeism of the “chaiwala”. The way of operation was bereft of much technology (understandably so) and only boasted of one PC in the entire 2 floors. Books were still being maintained and ledgers formats still being drawn.
Cut to the present … 2009…. Same bank and same scene. Now that’s what you call delivering with consistent quality!!
A small query regarding an NRE / NRO account made me travel from Boltu das desk to Ashok Koomar both of whom did not see much interested in giving information and I felt horribly guilty for having disturbed Mr. Ashok Koomar afternoon siesta after 2 samosas and a cup of tea (it’s the smell). What seemed most amazing is exactly the same set up and the consistency that the organisation showed with still using minimum technology and following the “strict” rules of book keeping. A PC was still difficult to locate although I must agree that the absolute nos from 1997 had grown 5 times. After having spoken for about 3 minutes I was pleasantly surprised to know that the bank had an internet banking facility (I was impressed .. no puns intended ) and then came the real catch internet banking is available for only savings and current account for NRE/NRO account this facility does not exist. Now don’t ask why the answer is “shecurity”.

My patience and logical reasoning powers begged me to leave. I gave in!

Travel in the metros, buses or walk on the roads you still the same old infrastructure nothing has improved but there seems to be an active effective attempt to dilapidate the city. Blaming the government or any oragnisation would be futile because we all are part of the same but what needs a change for start is our outlook and attitude.

I couldn’t help notice the hype and excitement the upcoming general elections have fostered within the kolkatans, you can read it in the papers, hear it in morning metro conversations, notice the visibility in the streets and to the extent that you get designer undergarments with party signs as well. Everybody seems to be anxious about the result of the elections but what about the final result, what about our roads, what about our hospital, what about schooling, what about traffic…

I guess all that is secondary for Kolkata

God help kolkatans…. As they cant help themselves....

and for me thats a horrible feeling to stay with..