Just A Thought

This is something i received in the mail today...a simple sentence...speaks volume...


"Life is not about waiting for the storms to pass....



it's about learning how to dance in the rain."

Folk Media

"All the world's a stage,
And all the men and women merely players:
They have their exits and their entrances;
And one man in his time plays many parts,"
-Shakespeare

As i look back to the those few weeks of pure bliss and torture, its hard to ascertain whether i hated or loved this particular assignment of ours at college..a folk media(read contemporary)theatre presentation.. day after day of absolute nerves..of handling tantrums of the highest order..of gulping down self-pride to give way to others..of being faced with opportunities of tackling massive impatience with a tight-lipped smile..of clutching a pen as though ur life depended on it-demanding it to write the most beautiful lyrics that ever shook the earth..of dropping your head in ur hands in pure agony everytime a word of much expected criticism came ur way...of wanting to scream bloody murder as some over-stepped their boundaries while some refused to budge from the starting point..

'was it that bad?', i ask myself..

the joy of being there with your friends all day-with permission from home..the chance of doing something you love..the idea of learning new things from people..the thought of trying ur hand at something you never thought u could do..the satisfaction of having an idea approved..the pleasure of knowing that you're needed..the fun of making mistakes that could be laughed at..the knowledge that you have the ability to be patient with all sorts of people..the realization that nothing is possible without teamwork.. the thrill of being on stage..the feeling of seeing pure delight on the faces of the children..the contentment of accomplishing a task..the pride of hearing words of praise for your effort..the sight of watching families and friends smile..

nothing beats this moment..

so i guess...this experience is truly one of a kind.. one ill never forget and always cherish..

Do Bigha Zameen- review

DO BIGHA ZAMEEN (1953) has been directed by Bengali film director Bimal Roy and is set in the India of the early 1950’s. Starring Balraj Sahni, Nirupa Roy and Master Ratan, the film depicts the adversities of the people of rural India, post independence. The story centers around the struggle of Shambu (Sahni) to retain his land from the clutches of the Zamindar. A story of sacrifices and compromises, Shambu puts on stake everything he owned and leaves for Kolkata (then Calcutta) only to discover a whole new life filled with trials and tribulations. The film very accurately reveals the stark contrast between rural and urban India of the period, bringing out, with full honesty, the deterioration of the agrarian sector with the rise of capitalism.

There are superb images in the film that bring out the oppression and miseries of the characters with true meaning and give the real picture of their lives.

Keeping in mind the culture of Indian cinema of that time, there is sufficient melodrama, emotions and tragedy to satisfy the audience. However, with splendid performances from the star cast, it comes out as perfectly natural and effortless. They move the audience throughout the film and keep them enticed all along. With just the right amount of humor and at just the right places, they manage to make the audience laugh and cry along with them.

The music has been given by Salil Chaudhary and its soulful and heart-wrenching tunes add to the depth of the film.

Pearl Harbor- review

PEARL HARBOR (2001) is an American war film directed by Michael Bay and written by Randall Wallace. It is a dramatic re-imagining of the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor Naval Base. It has a large ensemble cast including Ben Affleck, Josh Hartnett, Alec Baldwin, Kate Beckinsale, Cuba Gooding, Jr., Tom Sizemore, Jaime King and Jennifer Garner.

The movie centers on the love triangle of Rafe (Affleck) and Danny (Hartnett), both Army Air Corps pilots, and Evelyn (Beckinsale), a Navy nurse with war in the background.

With a few historical inaccuracies that can be over looked, the movie consists of truly outstanding performances by the actors, nail-biting action and absolutely splendid dialogues. The thrill and drama adds to the storyline and makes it a must watch for all those who love action and romance.

The Color Purple- review

THE COLOR PURPLE (1985) has been directed by Steven Spielberg and is an American period drama film. It is based on the Pulitzer Prize winning novel of the same name by Alice Walker. The film tells the story of a young African American girl named Celie who is constantly subjected to abuse and told she is ugly. It’s a journey of a woman from being silent, timid and invisible to a stage of self-actualization that transforms her into a happy, successful, independent woman. Starring Whoopi Goldberg as Celie, the role is played to perfection.

Besides the protagonist, there is also Oprah Winfrey, who plays the role of Sophia, a large, fiercely independent woman who befriends Celie and refuses to submit to whites, men, or anyone else who tries to dominate her. In one instance, she says, “All my life I had to fight. I had to fight my daddy. I had to fight my uncles. I had to fight my brothers. A girl child ain't safe in a family of men, but I ain't never thought I'd have to fight in my own house!”

It’s a film of female friendships as a means for women to summon the courage to tell stories, of racism and sexism, of slavery and oppression. The way the story unfolds is exceptional and over-whelming. The acting is plain and simple yet incredibly moving.

The Patriot- review

THE PATRIOT (2000) is an epic war film directed by Roland Emmerich and written by Robert Rodat. It’s the story of an American swept into the American Revolutionary War when his family is threatened. Starring Mel Gibson as Benjamin Martin, Heath Ledger as Gabriel Martin, his oldest child and Jason Isaacs as Colonel William Tavington, the movie is a story of love, sacrifice, patriotism, determination and commitment.
Set in 18th century South Carolina, it’s a combination of battles, drama, angst, sorrow, tenderness, rage all rolled into one. While it is a fictional story, the backdrop is purely historical.
The acting can be considered praise worthy most of the times. The script too, on a certain level is above average as it is the first of its kind. However, the execution is merely satisfactory. While at times the performance seems over the top and exaggerated, at times it becomes dull and monotonous. A lot more could be done by legends like Mel Gibson.

Wake Up Sid-review

WAKE UP SID! (2009) has been directed by debutant Ayan Mukherjee and is a triumph on various levels. Starring the young Ranbir Kapoor as Sid Mehra and the beautiful Konkona Sen Sharma as Aisha, the movie is a breath of fresh air. Even though the story is predictable, it is the execution that makes it different from any other love story made so far. The story of an arrogant, good-for-nothing college boy as he sets out to discover himself and his potential in the city of Mumbai, Ranbir is perfect for the role. It’s his best performance so far and his effort is truly commendable. Konkona plays the role of an aspiring writer new in the city, working for the magazine “Mumbai Beat”. The friendship and later, relationship, that both share is subtly expressed and well constructed. There is no exaggeration as far as the acting is concerned, no melodrama or over acting. It is simple and just the kind for the audience to associate with. Another plus point is the music; with the Shankar-Ehsaan-Loy team as the composers and Javed Akhtar as the lyrist. It is urban, refreshing and completely catchy.

No other film, in recent times, has such a great combination of everything that makes it one hell of a film for all ages.

Purity at a Price

Festivals: what rules them? Individual attitude? Religion? Or money? Is discussing the essence of festivals today a vain attempt, because it’s beyond restoration? Or is a debate valid, because people now realize that there is still hope to revive the sanctity of these festivals? This contrast in belief regarding religious festivals has been a topic of discussion over centuries and even today, people have a mixed opinion.


On one hand, people think that the spirit of festivals today is lost and the real meaning has remained confined in history books. While on the other hand, some are of the belief that a festival is still and will always be a sacred occasion and a symbol of their devotion to God.


If you take a look at the former part of the debate, and see it in context with a few religions like Christianity, Islam and Hinduism, you will realize that in a sense it is partially true. Festivals have become a business and many companies have now realized their commercial potential. It has become a time of spending money on worthless needs and the idea behind giving gifts to one another is not love but only to show the measure of their love in the amount and value of the presents they give.



If you talk about Christmas, for instance, there are people who are under the impression that it is merely an occasion for merry-making combined with cake, drinks and gifts. The true spirit of Christmas is lost amidst the special offers of the season by various companies, loudspeakers at D.J. parties echoing rock and pop music not even close to Christmas carols and drunken youth roaming the streets yelling “Merry Christmas!”


Fr. William Carvalho, the parish priest of Rosary Cathedral states, “The scenario today is very different from what it used to be, say about 15 years ago. Christmas is celebrated on a more grand scale, with elaborate decorations, serving liquor at homes and going for parties. The influence of western culture has had a negative effect on the spirit of the occasion outside church. People from different economic strata, whether the owner of a super market selling non- Christmassy things or the common man selling homemade cakes and delicacies, all have found a way to make money during the festival. Even in some schools it has become a day of entertainment with Santa Claus the main highlight, thus completely misunderstanding the true meaning of the birth of Christ.”


Festivals like Diwali, Holi, Ganesh Chaturti and Navratri have also taken a commercial turn. Newspapers, television and even street stores are flooded with advertisements and everyone is out to make the most of the festivals by earning a quick buck. It has become a time of celebrations that may or may not have anything to do with the religious aspect.





“Even though I don’t think festivals here in Vadodara are as commercial as some of the big cities and people have still maintained the devoutness of these occasions, I do think that the government and private sector alike make huge money during this time”, claims Aadhya Shah, a resident of Akota area and a student of Economics. “All the publicity and hype done by the government during Navratri is a mere means of attracting tourists to the city. The separate seating stalls for the VIPs during Navratri, charging money even from spectators, stalls of restaurants and mobile companies put up at the venue, etc are all money making tactics. Diwali time is a battle between those selling crackers, trying to earn more money than the others and also between those bursting them, and the exchange of gifts between people have nothing to do with the sentiments of the season but a way to show their status and wealth depending on the kind of presents they give.”


Even though the festival of Eid might not be as commercialized as some others, it has nevertheless become an occasion for shopkeepers to earn huge bucks at the time of the breaking of the fast. Market places are flooded with traders trying to lure the people with mutton, poultry, ready-made garments, bangles, toys etc and making money out of it.



Commercialization and consumerism have merged with the festivals and cast a negative impression on age-old beliefs.


Now, if you consider the other half of the debate, that religious festivals have not been completely commercialized, you will find considerable proof in this regard as well.


Fr. Roy Miranda, from the Shrine of the Mother of the Forsaken, states, “The sanctity of Christmas is still maintained today, as far as the Eucharistic Celebration goes. People come to church with true faith and devotion to witness the birth of Christ. It is still a festival of love, hope and miracles. What goes on outside on the streets is beyond our control; that is not what Christmas is about. ”


People even today celebrate festivals not as a mere tradition but with pride and reverence, keeping in mind their sacredness.


Maulana Ismail, the Imam of Taif Nagar Masjid in Tandalja area, claims, “The festivals of Eid-ul-Fitr and Eid-ul-Adha are celebrated not because it is mandatory, but because people have supreme faith in Allah and his Will. Nothing can be more holy than the fervor with which Eid is celebrated. ”


Dr. Shariq who is basically from Mumbai and now based in Vadodara rightly supports this view. With utter conviction he states, “Eid has nothing to do with commercialization whatsoever. The devoutness that people possess for Allah can never be tainted by the evil of money. It is not a festival of receiving but one of giving; giving to those who are not as blessed as us; not because Allah has commanded us to do so but because the virtue of sacrifice is deep rooted in every Muslim. Zakkat(charity) is part of our faith and without this, there is no meaning to our religion. As it is stated in the Quran, ‘what you choose for yourself, choose for your brethren’.”


Every religion teaches you to spread peace, joy and hope around you, which is what people are now trying to focus on. Religious festivals are occasions to reach out to those people who are not as fortunate as many of you but nevertheless deserve to experience the feeling of the festivities. It is a time to put to practice what religion truly preaches.




This year, Saharsh India organized a morning Education Awareness rally in the city appealing to citizens to spare whatever they can voluntarily from their Diwali spending on firecrackers and sweets, and use the charity money to support education of the underprivileged.


Fr. William Carvalho agrees that festivals are a chance to give the oppressed a reason to smile. “During Christmas, we request the people to help the poor in any way, be it cash or kind. Food grains, food packets, clothes etc. are given not only to Catholics living below the poverty line but even the helpers of the church like sweepers. We find a way to enable even the poor to enjoy Christmas with laughter and love.”


So who’s right and who’s wrong? Which side do you choose to support?
This is not a matter to be weighed on a scale to see which side is of more value. Nor is it a battle of two parties to decide who wins over the other. It is a freedom of opinion, a preference of a particular point of view. It is an endless debate; the two sides of a coin. As George J Carroll once said, “For what do I lose if I lose this world and in doing so I find my god?”

Twilight- review

Twilight (2008) is a romantic thriller directed by Catherine Hardwicke. It’s a story of a vampire falling in love with a human. The story has been adapted from the novel under the same name written by Stephanie Meyer. The plot is intriguing and keeps the audience charmed with the unwinding of the story. The pace, however, is slow and tests the patience of the viewers. The selection of the cast is apt; with Kristen Stewart as Bella Swan and Robert Pattinson as Edward Cullen, playing their respective roles as the innocent human who falls in love with a vampire. Yet, the acting seems forced and exaggerated. It makes the viewers think of the fact that it seems impossible no one before Bella ever discovered the secret of the Cullen family. Inspite of its many faults, the movie is a breath of fresh air and will be liked by the audience of all ages.

Blue-review

Blue (2009), Bollywood’s supposedly most expensive film (Rs 100 crore), has been directed by Anthony D’souza, starring the daring Akshay Kumar, the lean Zayed Khan and the not-so-lean Sanjay Dutt, with special appearances by Lara Dutta, Katrina Kaif and of course, Kylie Minogue. The movie can definitely boast of the incredible deep sea shots in the Bahamas by cinematographer Pete Zuccarini, but that is where the praise ends. With only the duration of 1 hour 58 minutes, the movie has nothing substantial to offer. There is hardly any action barring Sanjay Dutt’s half-hearted attempt of shooting at the villains, Zayed’s few bike stunts resembling scenes from Dhoom, and Akshay’s pseudo scuffle with the sharks. All the ranting about the dangerous under-water stunts proved to be nothing but a waste of money and time. The audience sits impatiently waiting for something to happen but nothing worthwhile happens except in the last 15 minutes of the movie. The semblance of a story is shattered with only few seconds dedicated to the plot. Though it has been running houseful at the box office, it only has the Diwali holidays to thank.

I Know Who Killed Me- review

I Know Who Killed Me (2007) is an unusual thriller of identity crisis following a tragic experience. Directed by Chris Siverston and written by Jeff Hammond, the story opens with the kidnapping of Aubrey Fleming (Lindsay Lohan) a student of a high school in New Salem, after the brutal killing of a fellow student by a serial killer. A couple of weeks later when she is found mutilated in the similar way as her schoolmate, the FBI turn up at the hospital only to discover that the girl on the bed claims to be the stripper Dakota Moss and not Aubrey Fleming. The movie tries to depict the reactions of a traumatized teenager but ends up in completely confusing its audience about the identity of the lead actress. Is she Aubrey Fleming: Daniel Fleming’s daughter? Is she Dakota Moss: one of the characters in Aubrey’s fantastic story? Or is she Aubrey’s long lost twin, whose existence is known only by their father? The story has many loose ends and though it manages to grip the audience’s attention, the end is disappointing. The acting of Lindsay Lohan and Neal McDonough, who plays her father, are the only plus points in the movie.

The Roman Holiday-review

The Roman Holiday (1953) has been directed by William Wyler and written by Dalton Trumbo. It is a remarkable love story of Princess Ann, played by Audrey Hepburn, and Joe Bradley (Gregory Peck), an American newspaper reporter. The plot revolves around the princess’s surreal experiences as a common person and the joy she feels out of simple things that were otherwise deprived to her for being Royalty. The acting of both Hepburn and Peck is stunning. Both the roles have been performed to perfection, and though it feels like a regular Bollywood love story, it differs from the very quality of the execution of the script. The acting is subtle, classy and smooth. There is neither an overflow of emotions nor any unnecessary drama.

The Illusionist- review

The Illusionist (2006) has been directed by Neil Burger and is also written by him and Steven Millhauser. Based on the short story by Millhauser under the name “ Eisenheim the Illusionist”, the movie is splendid and one that doesn’t lose its charm even after watching it several times; a movie that’s true to its name and keeps you hooked till the very end. The actors Edward Norton( Eisenheim), Jessica Biel (Sophie), Paul Giamatti (Inspector Uhl) and Rufus Sewell (Crown Prince Leopold) , among others, have done an incredible job of drawing the audience into an intricate web of their own making that doesn’t seem to let go till the last scene. Even though the tag-line of the movie- nothing is what it seems- is warning enough, nothing can prepare the audience for what is to come next. And even as the credits roll past on the screen, what Eisenheim said during the movie stays on your mind-“everything you have seen here has been an illusion.” Though a movie of fantasy and enchantment, it holds true to life. Edward Norton, in his hypnotizing voice, tells you “From the moment we enter this life we are in the flow of it we measure it and we mock it, but we cannot defy it. We cannot even speed it up or slow it down. Or can we? Have we not each experienced the sensation that a beautiful moment seemed to pas to quickly, and wished that we could make it linger? Or felt time slow on a dull day, and wished that we could speed things up a bit?” Set in early 1900’s Vienna, the movie is a treat to viewers of all ages.

Chocolat-review

CHOCOLAT (2000) is a romance film directed by Lasse Hallstrom and is based on the novel by the same name written by Joanne Harris. Starring Juliette Binoche as Vianne Rocher, a young single mother, the story revolves around her and her six-year-old daughter as they try to adjust their lives in a small and conservative town of rural France. Having opened a chocolate shop during Lent, they’re initially met with skepticism and resistance. But they gradually make room for themselves in the hearts of the people. The film also stars Johnny Depp but is a minor role. The plot is simple yet executed in an effective manner. Nothing exclusive or extraordinary about the movie, but still manages to hold the attention of the audience with its smooth course of action and dialogue, and most definitely its mouth watering chocolates. The film’s tagline-one taste is all it takes- is true to its word.

Shakespeare in Love-review

SHAKESPEARE IN LOVE (1998) is a romantic comedy directed by John Madden and written by Marc Norman and Tom Stoppard. With the central theme of the love story of the young playwright William Shakespeare, played by Joseph Fiennes, and Viola de Lesseps, played by Gwyneth Paltrow, it has the underlying theme of the struggles of the playwright in the country of England 400 years ago. It deals with various issues like forbidden romances between the classes, prohibition of women actresses and the likes. The over-dramatic acting, language and gestures make for an interesting movie, and the sets, costumes, make-up add to the richness. Worthy of seven Oscars, it is truly light, entertaining and hilarious, with intense wit and humour around the greatest playwright there ever was. Even though the film is largely fictional, a lot of the characters and plot techniques are based on some of Shakespeare’s plays.

Erin Brockovich-review

ERIN BROCKOVICH (2000) is directed by Steven Soderbergh, starring Julia Roberts who won the Academy Award, Golden Globe, Screen Actors' Guild Award and BAFTA for Best Actress. Written by Susannah Grant, it is based on a true story of Erin Brockovich’s first fight against the American West Coast energy giant Pacific Gas and Electric Company (PG&E). An unemployed and single mother, outspoken and outright, with trashy clothes and earthy manners, Erin struggles to be taken seriously both, at work and in life. Also starring Albert Finney as Ed Masry, Erin’s lawyer, he hires her as his legal assistant and together they bring down a California power company accused of polluting a city's water supply. A highly interesting story line, backed with exceptionally strong and moving acting by the cast makes the movie an absolute must-watch. It’s a story from which we can all learn something; a story that inspires us to believe in the system and fight against corporate injustice on our own personal level; it’s the kind of thing which shows that each and every person can make a big difference.

Coraline-review

CORALINE (2009) is a stop-motion film directed by Henry Selick. It is based on the fantasy/horror novel by British author Neil Gaiman. The story revolves around the protagonist Coraline Jones played by Dakota Fanning, who is a brave, clever, curious and self-proclaimed 11-year-old explorer. She is aggravated by crazy grownups (as they all seem to be), not being taken seriously for her young age and outgoing demeanor, and people constantly mistaking her name for Caroline. The tagline of the movie-“be careful what you wish for” is certainly apt as the movie is about Coraline wishing her life was perfect, and about the wish coming true. Only to discover a parallel world where everybody has buttons instead of eyes, apparently caring parents who invite Coraline to stay in their world forever. As Coraline discovers that the alternate reality where she is trapped is only a trick to lure her, she relies on her resourcefulness, determination and bravery to get back home and save many others like her. With a star cast consisting of the voices of Teri Hatcher, Jennifer Saunders, Keith David and John Hodgman, the movie has won various awards including Best Feature Film at the BAFTA Children’s Award, Best Animated Female ([the character of] Coraline) at the EDA [Alliance of Women Film Journalists] Award and Best Production Design in a Feature Production at the Annie Awards

Goan Cuisines

ABSOLUTELY EVERYBODY!!

Goan cuisine is sure to leave your taste buds asking for more and there is definitely a lot to choose from for everyone

The picture- postcard paradise on the west coast of India, Goa is a perfect blend of exotic beaches, lip smacking cuisine and warm good-natured people. And all this can only come from being spoiled by nature’s bounty in this cistern of plenty: rivers and sea teeming with a variety of fish and shellfish; hillside lush with vegetation nourished by rich, red soil; and its planes a patchwork of palm-fringed paddy fields.
Goan cuisine is an art in itself. Its preparation is one of a kind and no where will you find such an array of dishes that suits everyone’s pallet.
Goan cooking is two-fold: the traditional cuisine of the Konkan region i.e. the Saraswat cuisine mainly of the Goan Hindus; and the Portuguese cuisine followed by the Goan Catholics. The Saraswat cuisine consists of a staple diet of rice, fish, vegetable and coconut that finds its way into every dish, sweet or savoury.
The Goan Portuguese cuisine is famous for its sea food which is eaten and relished by people almost religiously. A die hard non-vegetarian will have the time of his life relishing sea food ranging from sardine, Bombay duck, pomfret and mackerel to the majestic kingfish, oysters, prawns, lobsters, squids, crabs and clams of every size and colour.
Along with seafood, meat finds an almost indispensable place in Goan meals. Chicken, beef, lamb and pork are prepared with a concoction of spices that are both traditional and modern. Kashmiri chillies, bimblim, kokum, Goan jaggery and vinegar, teffla and many other spices are blended together to make pastes that go into almost every preparation. Vindalho( pork/chicken curry), Cafreal( spicy grilled/fried chicken), Xacuti(chicken/crab curry with roasted spices), Rissois(lamb/beef mince rissoles), Sorpotel( diced pork and liver in spicy curry), Recheado(fish/meat cooked with red spice paste), Pao com Chourico( Goa sausage rolls) etc are some of the most common yet most relished meals.
States Leo Pereira, manager of The Fisherman’s Wharf, Mobor in South Goa “The food here caters to everyone; whether a Kashmiri, Punjabi, Gujarati or even those from other countries. We come across people from various cultural and culinary backgrounds and no one goes back unhappy. The combination of dried and fresh spices, wines and liqueurs, and unique methods of baking and confectionery makes it a truly gourmet feast.”
For those who aren’t meat eaters, there is a wide variety of vegetarian dishes to choose from that are equally Portuguese and appetizing. Steamed cabbage, brinjals, black-eyed bean curry, drumsticks, pulao, raw mango chutneys and pickles, sweet and plain sannas (steamed rice cakes) and many more delicacies add to the richness of Goan cuisine.
Aadit and Minette Dias jointly run a catering service in Carmona, South Goa. “We get orders from all kinds of people; both vegetarian and non-vegetarian,” says Minette. “It is quite a delight cooking for people of such varied tastes. Each item is thought upon depending on the preferences of the customer. While some preparations are simple, special occasions call for elaborate meals like Galhina Cafreal or even stuffed roast suckling pig.”
People with a sweet tooth can treat themselves to various scrumptious desserts. One of the most popular Goan sweets is Bebinca, which is a layered pudding. Besides this, there is guava cheese, coconut crepes, caramel puddings, toffee, dodol (made from coconut and jaggery), rose cookies (fried waffles), and coconut and jackfruit cake.
Goan cooking, as it has evolved, is fusion cooking in its truest sense: the marrying of diverse flavours, ingredients and culinary techniques, in this case Portuguese and Konkani, to create a unique cuisine that is a satisfaction to every tongue. ▌

Men shine at women's film festival

The male population at MSU whole-heartedly participated at a film festival surrounding issues of women




Vadodara, March 14: It was a rare sight at the Urja Film Festival when an audience of interactive men joined in in the discussion about women injustice. Organized by The Women’s Studies Research Centre (WSRC), Department of Human Development and Family Studies, and Nazariya, the film festival was held at the Faculty of Family and Community Sciences of the Maharaja Sayajirao University (MSU) on Saturday.
Based on the theme of girl child, the film festival had a large number of males in the audience as well as eminent male dignitaries on the panel. The students actively participated in the debates surrounding the films that were screened. Heated arguments suggested that involvement on the part of the audience was high.
Gaurang Raval, CEO of Drishti Media and programme manager of Nazariya, was one of the panelists who stood up strongly for women’s rights and justice. Voicing his opinion, Raval declared, “Just because we are men does not mean we are not to fight for our women. It becomes our responsibility to empower women and support them. We should encourage every man who stands up against any sort of injustice and indiscrimination.”
Also present was Dr.Raja Ram, Professor of Sociology at MSU. Impressed by the response of the audience, Dr. Ram stated, “It is indeed interesting to have such a mixed audience. Having the men react so strongly to feminine issues is truly a good sign that the struggle for justice has taken a new turn. Family upbringing, support and encouragement play a tremendous role in instilling such values in the male sex.”
Pradeep Shinde, a student of Psychology and Anshuman Srivastava from WSRC at MSU, affirmed the role of a man in a woman’s battle for integrity and against prejudice and oppression. “It is occasions like these where we get to voice our opinion and actually be taken seriously,” confesses Anshuman. “It is not to be thought that supporting a feminine cause makes us less masculine. We are simply confident in what we believe in.”
The festival turned out to be quite a success with films like Bawander, Maum ki Gudiya, Drizzle and School Chale Hum being screened and professors from various faculties of the university present at the venue.▌

Itivrutt Review

AFTER REST COMES THE BEST:
The wait is over

Nishita Pereira reviews a brand new version of the lab journal of the Faculty of Journalism and Communication.




Itivrutt is out again with a whole different look. It’s in colour, it’s bold and it’s ambitious. An assortment of about 21 features, a cartoon column and a poem; it is a literary treat that can be enjoyed in small doses. With the students working on the paper since October 2009, the effort put in is evident and truly commendable.
Firstly, the stories. Each story is written in a different style, yet follows a pattern that runs throughout the paper. The technique of writing reflects the personality of the writers and their approach to the topic is varied. The issues are contemporary yet carry universal appeal. They’re both solemn and blithe. They range from religion, politics, education and economics to rock music, fashion and advertising. There are also a few humanity stories that add a certain level of maturity to the paper. Every story is backed with sufficient facts, case studies and illustrations, and has multiplicity of opinion that may or may not be a good thing.
Having worked with the software QuarkXPress 5- the world’s most widely used professional page-layout software, this has been the first batch to have done so. This has enabled the students to deliver an accurate, relevant and attractive journal. Moreover, for the first time, Itivrutt was printed in the industrial manner as opposed to the previous issues which were printed at the University Press. It gives it a vibrant and crisp look. All of this asserts the seriousness and dedication of the students.
Another change from the earlier issues is that the paper is now a 12 paged journal compared to the usual 10 pages.
The language is simple and plain that may also come across as amateurish. Whether it is deliberate or whether the writers need to improve their language skills is a decision left to the readers.
Editorially, the paper has its flaws. There are many areas that have been overlooked. Grammatical errors are unmistakable and careless. The placement of stories and photographs as well as non-uniformity of font and design gives it an unprofessional look. The variety or choice of colours is a hindrance to the eyes.
The faculty pages seem to act as an excellent aid to the senior students, in terms of placements in the media industry. However, it fails to do much for the current juniors. With the look and read of a school magazine, it does not support the rest of the paper.
By and large, over looking some of the imperfections, the paper is above satisfactory and worth the effort. It makes for an enjoyable read and will attract readers of all ages. Congratulations to the writers on the successful completion and release of the faculty journal.



Writers- Students of the Faculty of Journalism and Communication, Batch 2009-11
Printer- Jay Printers
Number of pages- 12

SHE'S NOT JUST A PRETTY FACE

Today I attended a film festival called 'Urja' organized by the Women's Studies Research Center, Department of Human Development and Family Studies and Nazariya. The theme was Girl Child. They screened various movies on social issues like women oppression, women injustice, women empowerment, girl education, gender bias, portrayal of women in society etc. Movies such as Bawander by Jag Mundhre, Maum ki Gudiya, Drizzle by Ahsam K R, Girl Stars by UNICEF and School Chale Hum by Kanika and Bharatbala were shown. Each movie was followed by a discussion between eminent panelists and the audience, that included feedback on the movies, personal experiences, suggestions etc...
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All of this could go into the papers tomorrow and no one would care..its objective, impersonal and indifferent..its almost as personal as me writing about the gravel in my shoe..who cares about what happened at the film festival?! what i care about is what comes after the films? what after the discussions? what after the debates? are we just going to go home thinking "hmmm i wasted my day.." or "hmmm good movies..." but then what??? what difference are we going to make in the world by just viewing 3-4 movies on women injustice? there are millions of women out there LIVING those movies..but what about them? what can we do? we might not be able to change each and everyone of them..heck!we wont be able to change even One. but what we can change is our mind..our thinking..our behaviour..our attitude..both towards women and men..

our fight isn't against the men who oppress women or harass them..once upon a time this was our struggle..it still is..but what's more important now is the fight to Support those men who believe in equality for women.to let them know that its OK to think of women as an equal.to let them know that just by doing a woman's task of buying vegetables to help his wife, doesn't mean that he's not manly enough. to let them know that just by being a subordinate to a female boss at work doesn't make him any less competent.. we have always fought against men trying to put us women down. today we fight to encourage those men who are willing to treat women just as good as any other man.

we've always been protesting against the fact that women aren't given equal rights at various places. trying to shout out against gender discrimination and bias.. we open women's protection cells, women's grievances cells and promise to solve any kind of problem that any girl or woman is facing..but how much does it really help? in my opinion (and this is truly my sole opinion, we're simply making poor harassed and oppressed women dependent on the women activists..what we really need is to not to make them realize that men are wrong..what they need to understand and believe first is that THEY'RE RIGHT..they need to believe in themselves..to know their own strengths..their own needs..their own ideals..merely fighting against the men isn't enough..fight against every part of your self that tells you you're not good enough.revolt against forces that make you feel you're in anyway inferior to men. throw away every thought that tells you you cant do the things men can.your own confidence and belief will do half the work..if you're convinced that you're just as good as the men, it'll fill you with a sense of power that'll enable you to take on the men in a completely different and easy manner..show them that you can do anything they can..know inside your heart, and believe, that even YOU deserve every opportunity given to HIM..

as i heard everybody in the audience and on the panel talk about all the things women can do, and are good at, i was reminded of a song by Shania Twain. its called "SHE'S NOT JUST A PRETTY FACE". it goes like this:


She hosts a T.V. show--she rides the rodeo
She plays the bass in a band
She's an astronaut--
a valet at the parking lot
A farmer working the land
She is a champion--she gets the gold
She's a ballerina--the star of the show

She's--not--just a pretty face
She's--got--everything it takes

She has a fashion line--
a journalist for "Time"
Coaches a football team
She's a geologist--a romance novelist
She is a mother of three
She is a soldier--she is a wife
She is a surgeon--she'll save your life

She's--not--just a pretty face
She's--got--everything it takes
She's--mother--of the human race
She's--not--just a pretty face

She is your waitress--she is your judge--
she is your teacher
She is every woman in the world

She flies an airplane--
she drives a subway train
At night she pumps gasoline
She's on the council--she's on the board
She's a politician--she praises the Lord

No, she's (she's) not (not)--
just a pretty face
She's (she's) got (got)--everything it takes
She's--not--just a pretty face
She's got everything it takes
She's not just a pretty face