Vidur's Blog

My Denunciation ; Shame Sagarika Ghosh Shame !!!

Vidur [ Kamal Nayan Chaturvedi ] — Thu, 26 Jan 2012 18:25:40 +0000

MUMBAI – MAHARASHTRA – INDIA JANUARY 26 , 2012 11.55 P.M.

Our National Flag is dear to all Indians , who believe in nationalism .

Our Constitution is sacrosanct to all Indians , who are proud to be Indians .

Our Nation is supreme to all Indians , who think that they are just a foundation – stone in the edifice called India .

If there is insult to our flag , our constitution and our nation , we are outraged . Every right - thinking Indian will be outraged .

You don’t have to be a worker of B. J. P. [ Bharatiya Janata Party ] to love India . You need not belong to R. S. S. [ Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh ] to become a proud Indian .

But trolls feel otherwise . For them , everything related to the pride of India is Hindu . They believe that if you love your country , you belong to either R. S. S. or B. J. P.

Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh

B. J. P. Flag & Symbol

If you say that you are a proud Indian , it doesn’t automatically make you a follower of Dr. Keshav Baliram Hedgewar and Shri Madhavrao Sadashiv Golwarkar . Every Indian , who believe in the idea of India , can proclaim and say that he is a proud Indian .

Dr. Hedgewar - Founder of R. S. S.

Shri Golwarkar - 2nd R. S. S. Chief

And even if you follow above mentioned eminent Hindu leaders , it doesn’t make you a communal right – winger . But trolls think otherwise .

These trolls have made it a point to denigrate every Hindu symbol , everything that is Hindu and they want to show Hindu culture in poor light . They don’t also believe in Hindu ethos .

Today , on the occasion of 63rd Republic Day , Sagarika Ghosh , News Anchor CNN – IBN , tweeted about our National Flag . I don’t have access to her twitter account . She allows limited and like – minded people to follow her . But there was an outcry on twitter after she tweeted about our flag . I follow Mr. Kanchan Gupta and came to know about Sagarika Ghosh’s tweet through him . He was enraged .

KanchanGuptaKanchan Gupta

It’s a slur on the Tricolour. It’s calculated to mislead impressionable minds: RT “@sagarikaghose: Salute the Orange, White, Green today…”

KanchanGuptaKanchan Gupta

This is neither ignorance nor mischief. It’s sheer evil: RT “@sagarikaghose: Salute the Orange White, Green today…”

I was shocked beyond belief that according to Ms. Sagarika Ghosh , our flag has three colours ; Orange , White and Green . She is so secular that she is ashamed to acknowledge that the colour on the top is saffron and not Orange . I immediately checked :

I checked another picture :

It is saffron indeed and not orange . But is saffron so bad ? Is everything related to Hindu ethos is despicable ? Will you become less secular if you accept that the colour on top is saffron ? By not accepting the fact , Ms. Sagarika Ghosh is insulting our national ethos and also the founding fathers of our nation .

I was anguished and condemned Ms. Sagarika Ghosh on twitter . Immediately two trolls appeared on the horizon . @gsurya and @mediacrooks sprang to her defense . secular can despise our National ethos but you can’t denounce them . And if you do denounce them , then you are a right – winger . You are B. J. P. worker . And you are a communal R. S. S. swayamsevak . If Ms. Sagarika Ghosh has right to express her views , so am I .

India’s secular community might object to the following photo :

Portrait of Bharat Mata

But can they object the following one :

And the colour here is also saffron and not orange .

I denounce Ms. Sagarika Ghosh . I promise not to watch CNN – IBN .

Ms. Sagarika Ghosh

Shame Sagarika Ghosh ! If there is a secular like you , then I am a proud Hindu .

Sagarika with Her Husband Rajdeep Sardesai

VIDUR

MUMBAI – MAHARASHTRA – INDIA

Who Owns & Control Meida in INDIA (rajcritic.wordpress.com)
Who owns the media in India ? (santoshbhatt.wordpress.com)

My Denunciation ; Shame Norway Shame !!!

Vidur [ Kamal Nayan Chaturvedi ] — Wed, 25 Jan 2012 18:31:58 +0000

MUMBAI – MAHARASHTRA – INDIA JANUARY26 , 2012 00.01 A.M.

Since three days I am watching Times Now coverage of the story of the Indian couple settled in Norway . The NRI couple lost the custody of their children to Norwegian Childcare Services . Anurup Bhattacharya and Sagarika Bhattacharya’s children Abhigyan ( 3 years ) and Aishwarya ( 1 year ) were taken away from them and they have been living with their foster parents since May 2011 .

Anurup & Sagarika with Their Kids

I am aghast ! ……………… I am shocked ! ………………… I am anguished !

Location Map of Norway Within Europe

Barnevarne [ Norwegian Child Welfare Services ] took these children under protective ? ? ? care ? ? ? in May 2011 . The Norwegian authorities took objection to the fact that these kids are sleeping with their father , that the parents are hand – feeding the kids . According to them hand – feeding is akin to force – feeding . According to them kids must have separate bed and sleeping with father is akin to molestation . Authorities of Norway followed the mother Sagarika Bhattacharya and started filming her activities . Now they are saying that since the girl child has no eye contact with her mother so she is disconnected with her mother . Fact of the matter is that the girl in question is 4 months old .

King & Queen of Norway with Crown Prince - File Photo

In the above posted file photo of the King , Queen and Crown Prince Olaf of Norway , royal parents are not having eye contact with their child and vice – versa . What does it mean ? Does it mean that Norwegian price Olaf was subjected to cruelty ? Does it show that he was not connected to his mother ? Or his mother was incapable of taking care of her child ?

It is absurd ! …………………. It is sheer nonsense ! …………………… It is idiotic !

Norway has some strict Child Welfare laws . They take pride in their welfare society . Mr. Gunnar Toresen , the head of child welfare services at Stavanger , said that , ” the child welfare service has a responsibility to intervene if measures at home are not sufficient to meet a child’s need . “

Map of Europe

Norway and whole of Europe takes pride in their child welfare schemes . Have they forgotten Fritzl case ? Where were their child welfare services when Austria‘s Josef Fritzl was physically assaulting , sexually abusing and raping his biological daughter Elisabeth Fritzl ? Josef Fritzl imprisoned his daughter in the basement of his house for 24 years and raped her numerous times . He fathered 7 children with his daughter . There was 1 miscarriage also . So this incestuous relationship resulted in 8 births .

Fritzl Father & Daughter & the Basement Cell

Whenever I see this photo , I hang my head in shame . But the head of child welfare services of Europe will still take pride in their social services . Incestuous father Josef Fritzl convinced Social Service Authorities and became foster-father of his own child with his daughter . Now authorities say that they erred in their judgement .

Josef Fritzl of Austria

Authorities can go wrong . So in my humble opinion Norwegian authorities have erred in this case . Kids should be returned to their biological parents . They need care of their parents . They shouldn’t be deprived of the benefit of being brought up in their ethnic , religious and cultural milieu .

If Norwegian authorities take pride in the infallibility of their judicial system , then they should remember Fritzl case .

VIDUR

MUMBAI – MAHARASHTRA – INDIA

Norway NRI case: Uncle to take custody of kids (ibnlive.in.com)
Norwegian authorities list Bhattacharyas’ shortcomings (thehindu.com)
Norway to hand over Indian children to uncle (thehindu.com)
Norway may hand over NRI kids to grandparents (ibnlive.in.com)
Norway is Kidnapping Indian Children (arunshanbhag.com)
Stop fast-track contracting out of Child Welfare Services by AFSCME (socialactions.net)
Norway Authorities Take Away Indian Couple´s Kids, Say Feeding With Hands Wrong (faktensucher.wordpress.com)
Norway Officials ‘Kidnap’ Indian Couple’s Children (ibtimes.com)
NRI couple’s children taken away by Norway Government! (breakdnewslive.wordpress.com)

Adieu Nikhat Kazmi : A Film Critic Par Excellence

Vidur [ Kamal Nayan Chaturvedi ] — Mon, 23 Jan 2012 17:46:14 +0000

Nikhat Kazmi

MUMBAI – MAHARASHTRA – INDIA JANUARY 23 , 2012 11.15 P.M.

Renowned film critic of Times of India , Nikhat Kazmi died on January 20 , 2012 in Delhi . She was only 53 at the time of her death and was suffering from breast cancer .

Born in 1958 in Allahabad , Uttar Pradesh , she was associated with Times of India for almost 2 decades . Starting as reporter in 1987 , she then became special correspondent and finally she became Head of Sunday Times of India and then Delhi Times . She was one of the few film critics who started star – rating trends . Despite her ill-health , she continued watching films and writing reviews till the end . Her last reviewed films were last week released ” Ghost ” and ” Sadda Adda “ .

Many luminaries of Hindi film world mourned her death through micro – blogging site twitter :

SrBachchanAmitabh Bachchan

T 629 – But before the tune a sad passing away of Nikhat Kazmi, film critic with TOI .. sincere, full of life, and never too harsh ..

juniorbachchanAbhishek Bachchan

The 1st ever review I read of Refugee, my 1st film, was by Nikhat Kazmi. She always pointed out the road to improvement to me. RIP ma’am.

NeilNMukeshNeil Nitin Mukesh

Nikhat kazmi ji the one person who has always encouraged me. Wrote so beautifully and one film critic I respected a lot !May her soul RIP

MaheshNBhattMahesh Bhatt

Nikhat Kazmi was generous! Having come to terms with mortality she made it a point to look for something good in every film she viewed.

kjohar25Karan Johar

Was truly shocked to hear about the untimely death of nikhat kazmi…the TOI critic of several years…prayers and thoughts with her family.

She had written two books on cinema ; ” Ire in the Soul ” and ” The Dream Merchants ” . She had also written a play ” If Shakespeare Was A Gun ” .

She had been on the National Film Jury and the selection panel of the International Film Festival of India .

Nikhat Kazmi

I am pained to see many disparaging comments about her on the net . People have all the freedom to have a negative attitude about her writing . But I agree with Mr. Amitabh Bachchan , ” …… and never too harsh ……… “.

VIDUR

MUMBAI – MAHARASHTRA – INDIA

Jasmine Revolution in Burma [ Myanmar ]

Vidur [ Kamal Nayan Chaturvedi ] — Fri, 20 Jan 2012 19:30:08 +0000

MUMBAI – MAHARASHTRA – INDIA JANUARY 21, 2012 01.00 A.M.

2011 will be known in the world history as the year of Jasmine Revolutions . It started with Tunisia .The despotic ruler of Tunisia , Zine El Abidine Ben Ali was forced to quit his post after 24 years of tyrannical rule .

Zine El Abidine Ben Ali of Tunisia

Egypt was the second nation to be engulfed by the Jasmine Revolution . After having an iron grip on Egypt for 30 long years , Hosni Mubarak was thrown out of power by the rampaging masses .

Hosni Mubarak of Egypt

Soon the revolution reached at the door – step of Muammar al – Gaddafi . After fierce resistance of few months , Gaddafi was thrown out of power and was subsequently killed . His despotic and tyrannical rule lasted for 42 long years .

Muammar al - Gaddafi of Libya

Soon after Libya , Jasmine Revolution reached at the doors of other despotic rulers of Syria , Yemen and China . Syria’s Bashar al – Assad is currently facing the brunt of the masses . 10 years of Bashar al – Assad and 30 years of his father Hafez al – Assad‘s rule is now deeply resented .

Bashar al - Assad of Syria

Yemen is another country , ruled by a totalitarian ruler , Ali Abdullah Saleh. His 21 year – old rule is going to end soon . Jasmine Revolution is furiously knocking at his door .

Ali Abdullah Saleh of Yemen

At present China is trying to control the Jasmine Revolution . But the question remains , will she be able to check the marching footsteps of the disgruntled masses ?

It is very surprising that in the last quarter of 2011 , Burma [ Also Known as Myanmar ] got rid of the military rule of 49 years , but the world is slow to react to the new reality . Many in India don’t know much about our eastern neighbour .

Than Shwe , The Military Ruler of Burma

To know about Burma , we should look at the map of British Indian Empire . Map of British India is very interesting . In comprises present day India , Pakistan , Bangladesh , Burma [ Present Day Myanmar ] and Ceylon [ Present Day Sri Lanka ] . People know that West Pakistan [ Now Pakistan ] and East Pakistan [ Now Bangladesh ] were part of India before 1947 . But today’s generation do not know that Burma [ Now Myanmar ] , and Ceylon [ Now Sri Lanka ] , were also part of British Indian Empire .

IMap of British Indian Empire

Map of British India

At the time of Independence of India in 1947 , British rulers divided the Indian Empire into 4 free and sovereign states . India , Pakistan , Burma and Ceylon became 4 independent states .

Proposed Divisions of British Indian Empire

India and Pakistan became two independent states in 1947 . Burma became independent on January 04 , 1948 . Burma is the 40th largest country in the world and 2nd largest country in South East Asia . Burma is also the 24th most populous country in the world .

Political Map of Burma

Location Map Showing India & Burma

After independence in 1948 , Burma was a democratic country for 14 years but unfortunately , on March 02 , 1962 military ousted civilian rulers in a coup . Military junta ruled Burma till 2011 . Then junta was dissolved and a civilian government was installed again .

14 Provinces of Burma

During it’s 49 year rule military junta changed many things in Burma . The name of country was changed to Myanmar . Though it is not recognised by the world community and the majority population of Burma . Name of the capital Rangoon was also changed to Yangon . Later on capital was shifted to Naypyidaw in Mandalay province .

Aung San Suu Kyi

After 15 years of detention , Burma’s pro – democracy leader Aung San Suu Kyi was released on November 13 , 2010 . In October 2011 many political prisoners were freed and trade unions were legalised . Jasmine revolution seems to be booming in Burma and the country is on the verge of democratic rule .

I have a childhood fascination for Burma . My maternal grand-uncle and maternal grand-aunt lived in Rangoon , Burma during 2nd World War . They used to tell many thrilling stories about Burma . Their stay in Rangoon was also full of very interesting anecdotes . Whenever I used to visit their place along with my mother , I used to sit with them and used to hear their stories of Burma . Now I know that many stories were fabricated but they kindled my fascination about Rangoon and Burma and my childhood fascination still continues .

When I started my studies , I read about Bahadur Shah Zafar and about his imprisonment and his subsequent death in Rangoon . Then I read about Lokmanya Tilak’s infamous jail term and 6 years [ 1908 - 1914 ] that he spent in Mandalay jail . My relationship with Burma was fortified in my mind .

A Hindi film song of ” Patanga ” [ 1949 ] also helped to build up the Burmese fascination . The song MERE PIYA GAYE RANGOON ; WAHAN SE KIYA HAI TELEPHONE , TUMHARI YAAD SATATI HAI …….. still reverbarates in the corridors of my sub – conscious . I haven’t seen this Shyam , Nigar Sultana , Yakub , Gope and Cuckoo starrer , which was directed by H. S. Rawail . But whenever I used to hear C. Ramchandra’s immortal song , specially its lines ; TUM BURMA KI GALIYON ME HO , AUR PHIROON MAIN DEHRADUN ………. TUMHARI YAD SATATI HAI …… I used to feel that I am also roaming in the lanes and by – lanes of Rangoon and Burma .

Another Hindi film ” Burmah Road ” [ 1962 ] again inflamed my imagination about Burma . This Ashok Kumar and Kumkum starrer film was forgettable but a song DAGHABAZ HO , BANKE PIYA KAHO NA , DAGHABAZ HO ……. is still fresh in my memory . Lata Mangeshkar’s voice made this song immortal and Majrooh Sultanpuri’s lyrics were set to tune by Chitragupta .

Since the country is on the road to democracy , I hope to visit Burma one day and would love to roam around in the lanes and by – lanes of Rangoon . May be this will happen soon , may be very soon .or may be in far distant future . I would love to visit Burma , visit Rangoon and would love to meet Ms. Aung San Suu Kyi .

Long live Aung San Suu Kyi !!!

Aung San Suu Kyi

VIDUR

MUMBAI – MAHARASHTRA – INDIA

Clinton visit to Burma (Myanmar): Will an economic opening follow? (VIDEO) (csmonitor.com)
US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton breaks new ground in Myanmar (dinmerican.wordpress.com)
What China sees in Clinton’s visit to Burma (Myanmar) (csmonitor.com)
US faces down China with much-trumpeted Burma visit | Simon Tisdall (guardian.co.uk)
Burma: EU to respond ‘positively’ (telegraph.co.uk)
Aung San Suu Kyi party unveils logo in Burma politics run (telegraph.co.uk)
Clinton offers small incentives for Burma’s reforms – Washington Post (washingtonpost.com)

Manipur : Election 2012 & Indian Communists

Vidur [ Kamal Nayan Chaturvedi ] — Tue, 17 Jan 2012 20:44:25 +0000

MUMBAI – MAHARASHTRA – INDIA JANUARY 18 , 2012 02.15 A.M.

Elections have been declared in 5 states of India . Uttar Pradesh , Uttarakhand , Punjab , Goa and Manipur will go to polls on various dates this year . Manipur assembly election will take place on January 28 , 2012 . Punjab and Uttarakhand will go to polls on January 30 , 2012 . Polls will take place in Uttar Pradesh on February 08 , 11 , 15 , 19 , 23 , 28 and March 03 . Election will occur in Goa on March 03 , 2012 . Results will be out on March 06 , 2012 .

Latest Political Map of India

Let us take the case of assembly elections of Manipur first .

Seal of Manipur

Manipur merged with Indian Union in 1949 . It became Union Territory of India in 1956 and became a province of India on January 21 , 1972 . It is part of 7 North – Eastern States of India , known as 7 sisters .

7 Sister States with Sikkim

At present Manipur has 9 administrative districts . They are ; Bishnupur , Churachandpur , Chandel , Imphal East , Imphal West , Senapati , Tamenglong , Thoubal and Ukhrul .

Political Map of Manipur

Assembly election of 2012 is the 10th assembly election of Manipur . First assembly elections were held on July 01 , 1963 .Mairembam Koireng Singh became the first Chief Minister of Manipur .

Okram Ibobi Singh is the 11th Chief Minister of Manipur . He is the first Chief Minister of Manipur to complete a full term as the Chief Minister . He is the first one to get mandate for the second consecutive term also . So he becomes the first Chief Minister of Manipur to last in the office for 10 long years .

This blog is not about the historic feat of Mr. Okram Ibobi Singh . It is about the opportunistic stand of two Communist parties of India . C. P. I. , C. P. M. , Forward Block and R. S. P. have formed a front . This is known as Left Front in Indian Politics . This Left Front ruled West Bengal for almost 5 decades . It has ruled Kerala also for several terms . It is still ruling Tripura . West Bengal , Tripura and Kerala are the known Communist bastions of India . Left Front exists in these three states .

In Manipur , surprisingly , Left Front does not exist . Communist Party of India [ C. P. I. ] is with the ruling Congress and is part of the ruling front . Communist Party of India – Marxist [ C. P. I. M. ] is with the main opposition party ; Manipur People’s Party and is part of the M. P. P. led opposition front .

May I demand to know about the cause of non – existent Left Front in Manipur . The Indian National Congress and The Communist Party of India [ C.P.I. ] fight with each other in West Bengal , Tripura and Kerala . How come they are friends in Manipur ? How come The Communist Party of India – Marxist [ C.P.I.-M. ] does not oppose this opportunistic stand of C. P. I. ? Or are they partners in this game of sin and crime ?

Once they tried to paint India red . They took part in democratic elections as per their convenience . They waged armed struggle with the central government as per their strength . To be in different fronts and alliances is also part of their strategy . The dream of painting India red lies in shambles . But the effort is still on .

Red India - A Failed Communist Dream

The Communist can go to any length to accomplish their dream . Though the fossilised leaders are the only hindrance .

C.P.I.M Leaders at 18th Party Congress

VIDUR

MUMBAI – MAHARASHTRA – INDIA

Manipur Assembly Polls: 280 Candidates in Fray (ibtimes.com)
Bomb Explosion in Imphal, Manipur (India) (icrindia.wordpress.com)
Left to contest 7 Goa seats (thehindu.com)
CPI(M) opposes AFSPA in Manipur: Brinda (thehindu.com)
Daily News Digest : Imphal Free Press – 14 January 2012 (koksum.com)

Jarawa Tribe of Andaman & Pan – Indian Mentality

Vidur [ Kamal Nayan Chaturvedi ] — Mon, 16 Jan 2012 21:10:25 +0000

MUMBAI – MAHARASHTRA – INDIA JANUARY 17 , 2012 02.40 A.M.

Apart from Hindus , Muslims , Christians , Jews and Parsis India has a sizable chunk of animist tribal population also . Andaman & Nicobar Islands have a large tribal population , some of them are even pre – historic . Some of these aboriginal tribes have been declared endangered . It means they are on the verge of extinction .

Map of Andaman & Nicobar Islands

Jarawa tribe is one of the most endangered tribes of Andaman & Nicobar Islands . There are just 240 Jarawas left . That is the reason Administration of Andaman & Nicobar Islands has declared them endangered tribes and have initiated several welfare schemes for the preservation of their identity and culture .

Map of India Showing Location of Andaman & Nicobar Islands

Last week some tourists filmed a video , which showed that Jarawa women are dancing for food . When the news became public there was tremendous public outcry . Several mainstream channels carried the clippings and they were indignant that Jarawas were degraded by this dance – for – food act and that filming of the act was inhuman and insensitive . Demands for inquiry were raised and the administration of Andaman & Nicobar Islands promptly ordered the inquiry .

Blurred Vision of Jarawa Dance Video Shown on Times Now

Blurred Vision of Jarawa Dance for Food

Andaman & Nicobar Islands are enchantingly beautiful . Azure sea , breath – taking greenery and primitive surroundings are beyond words .

Andaman Islands

Sunset and Sunrise also attract tourists . This pristine and virgin beauty has to be preserved from senseless urbanization . These eco – sensitive and fragile beauty can’t be open for unbridled modernization . Pre – historic jungles shouldn’t be allowed to become a concrete jungle .

Sunset in Andaman

A Seashore of Andaman & Nicobar Islands

We have a policy for tribals . It calls for their protection and for the preservation of their tradition and culture . This issue of preserving tribal culture is so vexed that initially I was swayed by the views of various anchors of news channels . In the Times of India of January 15 , 2012 , I read a column ” Swaminomics “ , written by columnist Mr. Swaminathan Anklesaria Aiyar . Thanks to Mr. Aiyar’s column , my views on this issue is clear now .

We do need to preserve our tribal culture . We should and must try to protect our endangered tribal population . But keeping them in quarantined atmosphere is not preservation . I am posting few photos of the Jarawa tribals . Watch these Jarawa men and women and then decide :

A Jarawa

Jarawas

According to me our tribal population should be allowed to mix with the mainstream . They should be encouraged to study , to live a decent life . They are entitled to proper medication and they have every right to have all the modern amenities . Just look at the photograph of Port Blair , the capital of Andaman & Nicobar Islands :

A Market of Port Blair

Main Road of Port Blair

Port Blair is not a metropolitan city .It is not like New Delhi , Mumbai or Bengaluru . But definitely it is a bustling town with all the modern amenities . Now compare this with the condition of the tribal population of Andaman & Nicobar Islands :

A Jarawa Family

A Jarawa Couple

Is it not inhuman to keep our tribals in the primitive condition of pre – historic days ? It is argued that exposing them to civil society will be injurious for their existence . Total land area of Andaman & Nicobar Islands is 6,496 km. Total population , as per recent census statistics of 2011 is 3,79,944 .There are only 5 tribes in Andaman Islands . They are ; Great Andamanese , Jarawa , Jangil , Onge and Sentinelese . Their total number is 7,000 . There are only 2 tribes in Nicobar Islands . They are ; Nicobarese and Shompens .Some of Nicobarese are educated and have been exposed to modern civilization ;

Tribal Population of Nicobar Islands

Out of all the 572 islands , only 38 are inhabited . Out of these 38 islands less than a dozen have some kind of tribal population . Can’t we keep watch on them and protect them from exploitation ? Tribals of North – East India are well – educated . They have been exposed to modern culture . They live in cities with all the modern trappings . They didn’t disappear and become extinct . In fact they are more rooted and still preserve their identity and thriving ethnic culture . Tribal People of Arunachal Pradesh , Nagaland , Manipur , Meghalaya , Mizoram and Tripura are modern , well – educated and city – centric . They don’t live in their pre – historic primitive conditions . Yet their tribal culture is intact , in fact it is more strong .

So the bogey of losing tribal culture is misplaced . If we insist that tribals of Andaman & Nicobar Islands should be kept in virgin and primitive preservation , we are treating then as animals of a zoo . I totally agree with Mr. Swaminathan Ankalesaria Aiyar that this zoo mentality should not be allowed to continue . Our constitution gives us right to work , right to vote and right to education . By keeping these trbals in a ghetto and trying to keep them away from modern civilization is depriving them of their fundamental rights . Sure , making them dance for food and filming the act is inhuman . But can any one answer why these Jarawas could be tantalized for food ? A well – fed population can’t be lured for food . So it is clear these Jarawas are deprived . They are famished . And thus were lured by tourists .

A Jarawa Child

A Jarawa Girl Child

A Jarawa Man

The Jarawas

Tribals in A Natural Habitat

Above posted photos tells everything . These tribals lack basic amenities . They are poor and famished . They must be craving for two decent meals a day and they are not getting that . So they gave in when tempted by the tourists . Can any one lure a Naga , a Khasi , a Garo , a Jayantia or a Mizo from the North – East India for food ?Everyone knows the answer . It’s a firm no .

So same treatment will be beneficial for the tribals of Andaman & Nicobar Island also . We need a modern , well – educated , well – fed tribal population , who are well – integrated with the mainstream . We do need to preserve distinct tribal identity and not a quarantined , secluded and ghettoized existence. Definitely tribals of Andaman & Nicobar Islands could be another Naga , Mizo , Khasi or Jayantia .

Tribals of Andamans

VIDUR

MUMBAI – MAHARASHTRA – INDIA

Manhunt launched to nab videographer of dancing Jarawa women (thehindu.com)
Mainstreaming the Jarawas would be a disaster: Survival (thehindu.com)
Govt seeks reports from Andaman administration on Jarawa exploitation (thehindu.com)
Andaman Islands tour operator faces arrest over ‘human safari’ (guardian.co.uk)
Police say Jarawa video old, Govt orders probe (ibnlive.in.com)
Andaman tribes lured to dance for tourists (ibnlive.in.com)
‘Human Zoo’ Video Ignites Anger From Rights Groups! (disclose.tv)
Outrage Over Indian Islands ‘Human Zoo’ Video (maboulette.wordpress.com)
‘Human zoo’ video from Indian islands provokes worldwide outrage (news.nationalpost.com)
‘Human zoo’ video causes outrage in India (calgaryherald.com)

Vidur’s Year End Musings : Films – 2011

Vidur [ Kamal Nayan Chaturvedi ] — Sat, 14 Jan 2012 20:46:19 +0000

MUMBAI – MAHARASHTRA – INDIA JANUARY 15 , 2012 02.15 A.M.

Clap of Films

2011 ended on a mixed note . A very disturbing trend emerged in 2011 . Revenue from theatres went down . Revenue from other sources like ; audio , video and satellite rights are accruing to the overall earning of a film and making it profitable . Subsidies from foreign countries are also very substantial .

As usual 2012 looks promising . Film historian and critic Bhawana Somaaya tweets :

BhawanaSomaayaBhawana Somaaya

2011 proved a lucrative year for cinema. 2012 has some more to look forward to. Abbas Mastan known for craft n suspense start with Players

=======================

Top grosser of 2011 :

=======================

Bodyguard ………………………………… 3.15

Ready ………………………………………. 2.80

Singham ……………………………………. 2.40

Ra.One ……………………………………… 2.30

The Dirty Picture ………………………… 1.65

Yamla Pagla Deewana ………………….. 1.35

Mere Brother Ki Dulhan ……………….. 1.25

Rockstar ……………………………………. 1.20

Murder 2 …………………………………… 1.15

Delhi Belly …………………………………. 1.15

Double Dhamaal …………………………. 1.10

Desi Boyz ………………………………….. 1.00

Haunted …………………………………… 0.80

=================================

Classification of Top grosser of 2011 :

=================================

AA – SUPER HIT : ” Bodyguard “

————————————————–

A 1 – HIT : ” Ready ” , ” Singham ” , ” Murder 2 ” , ” The Dirty Picture “

————————————————————————————————

A – SEMI HIT : ” Yamla Pagla Deewana ” , ” Ragini MMS “

——————————————————————————-

B B – OVERFLOW : ” Tanu Weds Manu ” , ” Mere Brother Ki Dulhan ” , ” Ladies v/s Ricky Bahl “

———————————————————————————————–

B 1 / B B – COMMISSION EARNER TO OVERFLOW : ” Delhi Belli ” , ” Don 2 ” , ” Ra.One ” , ” Mujhse Fraaandship Karoge ” , ” Double Dhamaal “

————————————————————————————————-

B 1 – COMMISSION EARNER : ” Zindagi Na Milegi Dobara ” , ” Dhobi Ghat ” , ” Haunted ” , ” No One Killed Jessica ” , ” Pyaar Ka Panchnama “

———————————————————————————————

B / B 1 – COVERAGE TO COMMISSION EARNER : ” Desi Boyz ” , ” Chalo Dilli ” , ” Bheja Fry 2 ” , ” Yeh Saali Zindagi ” , ” Saheb Biwi Aur gangster ” , ” Stanley Ka Dibba ” , ” Damadamm “

———————————————————————————————-

B – AVERAGE : ” F.A.L.T.U. ” , ” Force ” , ” Dil To Baccha Hai Ji “

———————————————————————————————–

So in 2011 total 229 films were released . And out of 229 film , only 38 films were money earners . Rest 191 were flops . Success ratio of the films released in 2011 is 17 % . It means 83 % films were flop . This year’s 229 films are less in numbers than 250 films of 2010 . It is 21 less than last year .

According to trade analyst Mr. Taran Adarsh following is the ranking of stars in 2011 :

taran_adarshtaran adarsh

India ranking – based on *Boxoffice*: 1 – Aamir Khan , 2 – @BeingSalmanKhan , 3 ~~- @~~iamsrk , 4 – Ranbir , 5 ~~- @~~ajaydevgn , 6 – @iHrithik , 7 ~~- @~~akshaykumar … contd.

taran_adarshtaran adarsh

India ranking – based on *Boxoffice*: 8 – Emraan Hashmi , 9 - Saif , 10 – Imran Khan , 11 ~~– @~~shahidkapoor , 12 – John Abraham , 13 – @juniorbachchan

taran_adarshtaran adarsh

Overseas ranking – based on *Boxoffice*: 1 ~~– @~~iamsrk , 2 – Aamir Khan , 3 ~~- @~~iHrithik , 4 ~~- @~~BeingSalmanKhan , 5 – Saif , 6 – Ranbir , 7 - @akshaykumar … contd.

taran_adarshtaran adarsh

Overseas ranking – based on *Boxoffice*: 8 – Imran Khan , 9 – @ajaydevgn , 10 – John Abraham , 11 ~~- @~~shahidkapoor , 12 – @juniorbachchan , 13 – Emraan Hashmi

==============================

Stalwarts Who Left Us in 2011

==============================

So many luminaries and stalwarts of film industry left us in 2011 .

Actors :

==============

Dev Anand , Shammi Kapoor , Rasika Joshi , Vivek Shauq , Navin Nishchol , Bob Christo , Goga Kapoor , Rami Reddy , Pratap Sharma and Sunil Rege .

Singer – Music Directors :

==========================

Jagjit Singh , Bhupen Hazarika , Srinivas Khale , Pandit Bhimsen Joshi and Sultan Khan .

Producer – Directors :

=========================

Radhakant Sharma , Mani Kaul , Jagmohan Mundhra , Surinder Kapoor , Tony Walker , M. F. Husain and Shandar Amrohi .

Writers :

=============

Sachin Bhowmick , K. K. Singh and Kumar Shailendra .

Cinematographer :

===================

Somak Mukherjee and Harish Patel .

Choreographer :

====================

Subal Sarkar ,

Art Directors :

=================

Samir Chanda and Shanti Das .

Photographers :

===================

Gautam Rajadhyaksha and Durga Prasad .

Film Historian :

===================

B. D. Garga .

Theatre Personality :

=====================

Pandit Satya Dev Dubey .

==================================

Highlights / Achievements of 2011

==================================

1 – In 2011 Yash Raj Productions ‘ ” Dilwale Dulhania Le Jayenge ” completed 850 weeks in Maratha Mandir of Mumbai .

2 – In 2011 Aditya Chopra launched a New Banner Y Films . It will cater to youth films .

3 – In 2011 Aditya Chopra launched another banner , Yash Raj Entertainment . It will cater to Hollywood films .

4 – In 2011 Hritik Roshan and Kareena Kapoor were immortalized in wax at Madame Tussauds Wax Studio , London .

[ Some of the statistics of this blog are taken from " Film Information " , a trade magazine . I express my gratitude . ]

[ I have quoted tweets of Ms. Bhawana Somaaya and Mr. Taran Adarsh to illustrate my point of view . I am indebted . ]

VIDUR

MUMBAI – MAHARASHTRA – INDIA

2011: Bollywood goes from gloom to glory (ibnlive.in.com)
Agneepath movie satellite rights sold for Rs. 41 crores (examiner.com)

Svetlana Alliluyeva : From Russia With Love

Vidur [ Kamal Nayan Chaturvedi ] — Fri, 13 Jan 2012 21:26:24 +0000

Svetlana Alliluyeva

MUMBAI – MAHARASHTRA – INDIA JANUARY 14 , 2012 02.55 A.M.

Svetlana Alliluyeva , daughter of Soviet Communist dictator Josef Stalin , died on November 22 , 2011 at the age of 85 . She died in Wisconsin , U. S. A.

I missed the news then . When I was going through the bunch of old news papers few days ago , I came across a small news item about her death in the Times of India . This innocuous news of Svetlana’s death brought back some forgotten memories . It opened a dog – ear – page of my book of life . Some sepia – toned photos rushed to the firmament of my being .

The year was 1967 . I passed High School and went to Allahabad for further studies . In the Government Inter College of Allahabad , I was slowly opening up . I was curious to know everything . I wanted to know all the aspects of the world and I used to devour knowledge of every kind .

News papers of 1966 were full of the Svetlana episode . Svetlana left USSR [ Union of Soviet Socialist Republic ] in 1966 , and came to India with the ashes of her third husband Brijesh Singh , a scion of Kalakankar state in Uttar Pradesh . Indian news papers were full of her stories and every one was anxious and curious to know more about her .

Svetlana Alliluyeva

Svetlana Iosifovna Alliluyeva , youngest child and only daughter of Josef Stalin and Nadezhda Alliluyeva was raised by a nanny . Her mother died when Svetlana was only 6 years old . According to Soviet premiere Nikita Khrushchev , Stalin was an abusive husband . It is rumoured that Nadezhda Alliluyeva committed suicide due to the atrocities of Stalin . According to some , she was killed by Stalin himself .

Josef Stalin

Stalin & Svetlana

Svetlana married twice but her marriages were not successful . Stalin died in 1953 . Svetlana was 27 years old then . After her father’s death , she worked as a lecturer of history and political thought in Moscow . Apart from Russian , she was fluent in German , French and English .

Svetlana & Stalin

Svetlana met Brijesh Singh , her third husband in a hospital in 1963 . She was admitted for a minor surgery and Brijesh Singh , a scion of Kalakankar state of Uttar Pradesh , was very ill at that time and was admitted for a major operation . They met , fell in love and love blossomed when they shifted to a resort near Black Sea . Couple returned to Moscow in 1965 but were not allowed to marry . Singh died in 1966 and with his ashes , Svetlana left USSR [ Union of Soviet Socialist Republic ] in 1966 , and came to India with the ashes to immerse it in the Holy Ganga .

She stayed in Kalakankar Palace for 8 months and wanted to take asylum in India . It was refused and she approached U. S. A. embassy in New Delhi and was granted U. S. citizenship .

सैकत शैय्या पर दुग्ध धवल ,
तन्वंगी गंगा ग्रीष्म विरल ,
बैठीं हैं शांत क्लांत निश्चल ||
कालाकांकर का राज भवन ……..

I still remember these lines of famous Hindi poet Sumitra Nandan Pant . Kalakankar was etched in my memory . Like the other fellow students of my age , I was aghast that the Congress government of Indira Nehru Gandhi didn’t grant asylum to Svetlana . Majority of students of Allahabad University were critical of the Congress government’s decision .

She got asylum in United States of America and later on became a citizen also . Later on she wrote a best-selling book ; ” Twenty Letters To A Friend ” and married there and had a daughter , Olga .

Cover of Twenty Letters to a Friend

She moved back to Soviet Union in 1980 and again returned to U. S. A. within a year . Slowly she moved away from the front pages of the news papers . Slowly her memory faded .

Last week , when I read about her death . flood of memories gushed to my mind and I started remembering those days of 1966 , when Svetlana came to India seeking asylum and was denied that . We suspected that the Congress government refused asylum to her under pressure from government of the then USSR .

With her death , a forgotten and faded chapter of my dog – eared book of life is lost forever .

Svetlana Alliluyeva

Farewell Svetlana Iosifovna Alliluyeva ! May you rest in peace !

I am sorry that my country , which is famous for not refusing shelter to anyone , failed for the first time . I am sorry that a long tradition of granting shelter to the shelter – seekers was broken for the first time during the tenure of Indira Nehru Gandhi of the Congress , The Indian National Congress .

I was ashamed then and I am saddened now .

VIDUR

MUMBAI – MAHARASHTRA – INDIA

Joseph Stalin’s daughter and critic Svetlana Alliluyeva dies (thehindu.com)
Stalin’s Only Daughter Dies (socyberty.com)
Josef Stalin’s Daughter, Lana Peters, aka Svetlana Alliluyeva, Dead at 85 (ibtimes.com)
Stalin’s Daughter Dies At 85 In Wisconsin (huffingtonpost.com)
Prisoner of the name: Joseph Stalin’s daughter dies (rt.com)
Stalin’s Daughter Lana Peters Dies at 85 (foxnews.com)
The extraordinary life of Josef Stalin’s daughter Svetlana – who died in the US as Lana Peters (mirror.co.uk)
Josef Stalin’s Daughter, Svetlana Alliluyeva (Lana Peters) Dies In Richland Center, Wisconsin (dekerivers.wordpress.com)
‘I was a political prisoner of my father’s name’ (thehindu.com)
Lana Peters obituary (guardian.co.uk)

Death of Kalpana ; A ” Gul Badan ” Ceases to Exist

Vidur [ Kamal Nayan Chaturvedi ] — Thu, 12 Jan 2012 13:40:39 +0000

Kalpana

MUMBAI – MAHARASHTRA – INDIA JANUARY 12 , 2012 07.10 P. M.

On January 04 , 2012 Kalpana , yesteryear actor a.k.a. Kalpana Mohan , died in a Pune hospital at the age of 65 . She was battling cancer for 5 years . I do know , the name Kalpana does not ring a familiar bell . Today’s generation is oblivious of her name and ignorant of her work . It is sad state of affair that news of her death appeared in national news papers 6 days later . Even a film news paper like Screen failed to report her death in the latest issue .,

But cine – goers of my generation will always remember her fondly . She did two super hit films like ; ” Professor ” and ” Teen Devian “ in 1962 and 1965 respectively .

Born in Srinagar in a family of freedom fighters , Kalpana was a trained Kathak dancer . At the insistence of Balraj Sahani and Ismat Chughtai she moved to Bombay [ now Mumbai ] and made debut in ” Professor “ [ 1962 ] , a Shammi Kapoor starrer .

A Poster of Professor

Another Poster of Professor

Later on she worked in another super hit film ” Teen Devian ” [ 1965 ] , a Dev Anand starrer .

A Poster of Teen Devian

Another Poster of Teen Devian

One More Poster of Teen Devian

I remember Shammi Kapoor serenading her with super hit songs ; Ai Gul Badan ….. Ai Gul Badan and Khuli Palak Me Jhootha Ghussa , Band Palak Men Pyar ……… Jeena Bhi Mushkil ….. Who can forget these immortals songs ; Aawaz De Ke Hamen Tum Bulao ……… or Koi Aayega …. Aayega ….. Aayega …… and Main Chali Main Chali ……. Peechhe Peechhe Jahan …… ?

Shankar Jaikishan‘s super hit music and interesting story plot made this film ” Professor ” a rage in the 60s . Kalpana arrived with a bang .

She then did ” Teen Devian ” in 1965 with Dev Anand . Sachin Dev Burman‘s melodious music added ethereal quality to Kalpana’s beauty . Can any Hindi movie buff forget Dev Anand entreating Kalpana with Kishore Kumar , Asha Bhosle duet , Are Yaar Meri Tum Bhi Ho Ghazab , Ghoonghat To Zara Odho …… ?

Are Yaar Meri .... Song

I still remember another gem from the same movie , Khwab Ho Yaa Tum Koi Haqueeqat ….. Kaun Ho Tum Batlao ….. Mr. Dev Anand singing this song on piano and Kalpana and Simi sharing screen space with him .

Khwab Ho Ya Tum .....Song

In ” Professor ” , she was in solo lead . In ” Teen Devian “ , she shared screen with much senior Nanda and another beauty Simi Gerewal . Still she got top billing .

Kalpana

She just did only couple of films . ” Professor ” [ 1962 ] , ” Naughty Boy ” [ 1962 ] , ” Teen Devian ” [ 1965 ] , ” Saheli ” [ 1965 ] , ” Pyar Kiye Ja ” [ 1966 ] , ” Biwi Aur Makan ” [ 1966 ] , ” Tasveer ” [ 1966 ] and ” Nawab Sirajuddaula ” [ 1967 ] .

She quit films after her marriage with story – screenplay writer Sachin Bhowmick . They both were as different as the chalk is from cheese . So marriage failed . She got married again in 1967 , got divorced again in 1972 and then moved to Pune , where she lived till her death .

I was saddened when I saw a recent photo of Kalpana , which was published in Times of India . Age had dimmed her beauty . An aging and lonely Kalpana Mohan caught my fancy once again . I was not a huge fan of hers but I did like her in films like ; ” Professor ” , ” Teen Devian ” , ” Pyar Kiye Ja “ and ” Biwi Aur Makaan ” . In the conservative India of 1965 , ” Teen Devian “ got A Certificate from censors , so the film got famous and the craze was enormous . And I , like other youngsters of my age , was charmed by Kalpana and this film .

I did not like her recent photo and I was pained but I am posting it for the record and for the posterity . This photograph of Kalpana is a sad reminder of the ephemeral world we are living in ; real and reel , both .

Kalpana : Then & Now

Farewell Kalpana ji !

In the last quarter of 2011 , your two illustrious co – stars ; Shammi Kapoor and Dev Anand left us . Now you too have gone !

Mortal people ; immortal memories !

VIDUR

MUMBAI – MAHARASHTRA – INDIA