tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36223392317938756162024-03-06T10:48:09.801+05:30Immigrant in this worldShooting the breeze, talking films, advertising and general ramblings of a filmmakerVikram Singhhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12170663904691626408noreply@blogger.comBlogger57125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3622339231793875616.post-61618748012187487662020-01-06T12:03:00.002+05:302020-01-06T12:35:43.456+05:30CAA and NRC and Chote Dil<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<div class="p1" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-size: 17px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;">
<span class="s1">56 inch chest ho, aur dil itna chota ho? Kya achha lagta hai? </span></div>
<div class="p2" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-size: 17px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; min-height: 20.3px;">
<span class="s1"></span><br /></div>
<div class="p1" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-size: 17px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;">
<span class="s1">Since when did we Indians become so small hearted that we won’t give a few miserable refugees a place to call home? Our land was never that small or heart so unfeeling. Through history look at the number of people who have come to India and become Indians. </span></div>
<div class="p2" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-size: 17px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; min-height: 20.3px;">
<span class="s1"></span><br /></div>
<div class="p1" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-size: 17px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;">
<span class="s1">All my life I have been an immigrant in someone else’s land. My father was an army officer. He was never posted in the state he belonged to. All his working life he was received with love and affection. Though he was always an outsider. As were we, his children. As children we lived in Tamil Nadu, Maharashtra, Assam, Andhra, Himachal, Punjab, Bihar (now Jharkhand) and J&K. </span></div>
<div class="p2" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-size: 17px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; min-height: 20.3px;">
<span class="s1"></span><br /></div>
<div class="p1" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-size: 17px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;">
<span class="s1">As my father retired he planned on settling in Punjab. He lovingly built a house there but was never able to live in it. He had to leave Punjab because we didn’t belong and Hindus were being targeted at the time in Punjab. Punjabis have been known to have big hearts, unfortunately a handful of Punjabis with small hearts held sway at that time and consequently the whole of Punjab suffered enormously for it. The simple lesson I drew from it was Small heart = Mean times. This was probably the only time in recent history when Punjab wasn’t bustling and thriving. </span></div>
<div class="p2" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-size: 17px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; min-height: 20.3px;">
<span class="s1"></span><br /></div>
<div class="p1" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-size: 17px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;">
<span class="s1">Later in life I have lived in Delhi and Mumbai. In both places arriving as an immigrant, consuming the resources both places have to offer, and hopefully contributing something and enriching the society there. I have thrived as society has thrived, I have felt the same fears and joys as everyone else. Despite being an immigrant I have ended up belonging to both cities. </span></div>
<div class="p2" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-size: 17px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; min-height: 20.3px;">
<span class="s1"></span><br /></div>
<div class="p1" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-size: 17px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;">
<span class="s1">So what is the difference between a refugee and me? Perhaps the fact that I have the stamp of being a legal immigrant. Sure this legal fig leaf has it’s uses. But that has not stopped me from feeling threatened, time and again- first in Punjab for being an outsider and then in Maharashtra for being a North Indian. </span></div>
<div class="p2" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-size: 17px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; min-height: 20.3px;">
<span class="s1"></span><br /></div>
<div class="p1" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-size: 17px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;">
<span class="s1">I have often wondered what makes the claim of people who arrived a couple of decades before me greater than mine. They are immigrants or children of immigrants too. In 20-30 years time today’s refugees will be attached to the land as I am today. What cutoffs in time make one a legal alien and another an illegal? In Mumbai, where I live currently, practically everyone is an immigrant. Some came in before the others. Even the current rulers have come from outside Mumbai. Mumbai is what it is because of its immigrants. And the same can be said of Delhi and Bangalore.</span></div>
<div class="p2" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-size: 17px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; min-height: 20.3px;">
<span class="s1"></span><br /></div>
<div class="p1" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-size: 17px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;">
<span class="s1">To my mind there is a clear correlation between being welcoming of immigrants and thriving financially, culturally and artistically. Therefore I find it difficult to understand an India that would turn away someone purely on the basis of their religion. We were never so small hearted. Once again- what is the use of having a 56 inch chest when the heart inside is small?</span></div>
</div>
Vikram Singhhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12170663904691626408noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3622339231793875616.post-68475563870168425032016-06-04T11:37:00.001+05:302016-06-04T11:37:51.991+05:30Wine & Popular Perception In India<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBMkt91r79WdhIOcCXFBKx4QUtbvv22DZz2pNEuLZg7O55WNhWG5qbqKDVA-FWZjVlTSZ3F5bZhgZF2wz6OvEQKKVbPKn9w1nVstayPGhqXXmby-F4Tltg7_cxkSqDHy8tCapjQ9po2Sek/s1600/Tuscny.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBMkt91r79WdhIOcCXFBKx4QUtbvv22DZz2pNEuLZg7O55WNhWG5qbqKDVA-FWZjVlTSZ3F5bZhgZF2wz6OvEQKKVbPKn9w1nVstayPGhqXXmby-F4Tltg7_cxkSqDHy8tCapjQ9po2Sek/s640/Tuscny.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-US">Last month I was on a holiday in Italy with
my family. Of the many charms it has to offer, and to be sure the place has
many, one is the excellent quality of wine. Even for budget tourists like us
the wine quality was exceptional. Small local restaurants selling house wines
at about the same price as water could give some of our top end hotels, with
their super expensive wine list, a lesson or two. Quantity and variety on offer
was staggering too. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-US">Walking down a street in the non-touristy
part of the city we encountered a shop selling wine to the locals. It was
around 5.30 PM and the place had a longish queue. They were mostly people
returning from a day’s work and were buying food and drink for the evening meal.
The shop’s modus operandi was simple. Bring your own bottle and have it filled.
The whole operation was more akin to a Mother Dairy booth in Delhi than the
sleezy desi theka/daaru shop that I have come to associate with alcohol sale in
India. In the supermarkets wine was being sold in bottles, bag-in-box and even
in tetra packs sitting right next to packs of orange juice. In fact the
multiple packaging options reminded me of our own lassi on a supermarket shelf.
In short wine was everywhere. With the minimal of fuss people were drinking or
not drinking the stuff the way we would quaff water.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-US">So, being a good Indian balak brought up on
moral science lectures and sermons about the evils of alcohol I kept a lookout
for obvious signs of decadence. Alcohol brings out the devil in man and all
that sort of thing. To be honest I even felt a little smug. After all I was
armed with the right education and cultural moorings. Bollywood had done an
excellent job of reinforcing those beautiful moral science lessons by painting
vinos as villains. Surely the crime levels must be very high in Italy due to
their wayward policy on alcohol. The streets must be overrun by drunkenness and
resulting lewd behavior. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The men must
all be wife beaters. Alcohol consumption must be leading to higher incidents of
rape and other crimes against women. It must be unsafe to step out of the house
after dark. So on and so forth. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-US">Boy, was I disappointed. In a fortnight of
tramping around Rome and Florence I didn’t meet a single drunken-wife-beating-
rapist- eve teasing degenerate. Not one. I met many happy people going about
their lives peacefully. I met some people who may not have been too happy but I
think that was mostly because they didn’t like my asking if they were drunk and
might be planning on indulging in some dodgy behavior. And yes, I met one self-righteous
woman (I think I’ll call her Medha for want of a better name) who was making
everyone very unhappy because she was blocking the way to a bridge, shouting
loudly about the sins of alcohol, whilst distributing pamphlets that messed up
an otherwise clean walking path. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-US">So, what does one make of it? None of what
I was told to expect was happening. The higher moral ground that I thought I
was on wasn’t so high (pun unintended) at all. In this society a glass of wine
is the same price as a cup of coffee, and is sold side-by-side, and still there
is relative calm on the streets. There is no prohibitive sin tax on wine in
Italy. The government is not actively campaigning to wean its citizens off
wine. And sale of wine isn’t restricted to special jail like structures. In
short no Nitish or Amma making moral promises to rid their citizens off the
curse of alcohol. And even though I am sure the Italians have their own well meaning
but slightly stupid NGOs (remember Medha from the bridge?) nobody seems to be
listening to them and allowing them to influence government policy.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-US">On the way back we flew over the Gulf with
those wonderfully rich oil countries. Thankfully we didn’t land there so I can’t
really profess to possess any great insights into their culture. But from
second hand knowledge acquired from books and papers I knew that most of them
have banned alcohol consumption in their vast and beautiful lands. I am
assuming they’ve done this for religious and social reasons. Probably
believing, like we in India do, that alcohol is the devil’s tool. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I am sure due to this astute decision there
is no crime against women in this part of the world. Nobody must worry about
lewd behavior on the streets that’s the work of drunken louts. Addiction to
substances- Alcohol or others- I’m sure does not exist. And wife beating is
surely unheard off as I am sure are other forms of domestic violence. So you
can imagine my surprise when I saw a video about a preacher teaching his flock
how to beat a wife. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>YouTube has this in
the form of a full instructional video. As I learnt from the video some people
in beautiful Arabia weren’t beating their wives enough or even doing it
right.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I couldn’t help but wonder -What
the hell is going on? <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-US">Humor and sarcasm aside I think we in India
have our lines mixed up. Our attitude towards alcohol has been shaped by many
assumed truths. While a correlation does exist between alcohol’s role in the
above mentioned social ills there are other factors that play a role which go
uncorrected because we focus solely on alcohol. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-US">Take for instance wife beating. Which is,
to be fair to the anti-alcohol campaigners, a horrible problem. But I am going
to argue that alcohol cannot be the only reason for it. Of course alcohol does
embolden a person to do rash things and might impair his judgment. But to say
that because a person drinks he is going to beat his wife is silly. The real
problem lies in the society’s attitude towards women. Men in India feel they
are vastly superior to women. They also feel that they are the providers and in
some way the woman ‘belongs’ to them. Ownership or this subconscious equating
of the woman to property gives the man a sense that he can hit/humiliate his partner
without fear of social and/or legal repercussions. The same man is unlikely to
attack another man after a few drinks. The same man is unlikely to hit another
woman. And the same man is most unlikely to hit a cop or his boss or anyone
perceived to be stronger than him. So clearly alcohol may have impaired his
judgment and emboldened him but not enough for him to do something that might
have serious repercussions. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-US">Much is said about domestic violence and it
is indeed a very serious issue. I don’t want to trivialize it here. But it is
my contention that governments in India have been barking up the wrong tree all
along. Tokenisms like banning or attaching a sin tax upon alcohol haven’t
achieved desired results.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>When a
government takes the easy way out and blames everything on one evil they don’t
deal with the issue in its entirety. Banning alcohol is far simpler than
education or changing how society thinks. And we know that most politicians
will take the easy way out. Denial of access to alcohol is automatically
equated with a solution to a social problem. At best this is an ill thought
through measure. At worst, as a conspiracy theorist I believe that this part is
truer than anything else, it is a cynical manipulation of the stupid, as well
as opening up of a new business vertical. This business vertical allows
managers of the state in a different avatar to become businessmen and provide
illicit alcohol to the needy. Creating a parallel monetary system. So, instead
of cleansing the system of the problem they create a more profitable, for
themselves and their cronies, version of the problem. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-US">When confronted by the European example
I’ve often heard powerful people say something like – “it’s not in our culture”
or “Our people don’t have the sense to drink responsibly”, whilst sipping their
favorite whiskey and soda or something similar. This is the worst kind of
response. It assumes a patronizing attitude, which is offensive to all Indians.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-US">Indians are like humans anywhere else. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Humans are unlike any other animal. We seek
enjoyment beyond the bare necessities. It is in our DNA to seek out sensory
pleasures. We seek pleasure in food, smell, drink, music, art, humor and even
in intoxicants. Coffee, tea, tobacco, alcohol, marijuana etc. are all
recreational drugs. To say one out of them is not a part of ‘Indian culture’ is
stupid. And if you deny humans one sort of intoxicant they will find a
replacement. An example is in the form of Cigarettes. They’ve been made so
expensive in the last few years due to the sin tax imposed on them that now
most poor people have started chewing tobacco, which is cheaper. A walk down
Mumbai’s roads will convince you if my saying so doesn’t. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Public spitting has assumed epidemic
proportions thanks to the habit of chewing tobacco. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-US">So, why then does alcohol get such a halo
(unhalo?) when compared to other intoxicants? Is it because Gandhi was against
it? It might well be. Or it may be because of religious slant against this one
intoxicant. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But it is my opinion that
Gandhiji and religious teachings are just a convenient crutch for many very
poor administrators. Having failed to do their jobs in the field of education
they’ve always looked for the first available fall guy. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-US">Nobody can deny
alcohol’s addictive effects. There are people who are more prone to addiction.
And the sad fact is they will find alcohol or other substances no matter how
many bans you hide it behind. One of the reasons alcohol attracts such a large
number of youngsters is because of the mystique created around it mostly by
government policies. Getting drunk is a big deal for many youngsters because it
shows off their ability to challenge social mores. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It’s almost like a challenge to the male ego-
a Mardaangi test of sorts. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>One of the
easiest solutions is to demystify and dismantle the halo around alcohol. This
can be done very easily by segregating alcohol into categories. The higher
concentration of alcohol in a beverage could still attract a sin tax. Drinks
like wine and beers which are low in alcohol content should be taxed and sold
under a more liberal regimen. Once you club beer and wine with other non-alcoholic
beverages you make them reasonably unattractive to an adventure seeker. This is
exactly what the European countries have done. While they have their own
battles with addiction they have at least reduced the crime related to illicit
liquor. And they’ve got a more honest and less hypocritical relationship with
alcohol than we do in India. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<o:DocumentProperties>
<o:Revision>0</o:Revision>
<o:TotalTime>0</o:TotalTime>
<o:Pages>1</o:Pages>
<o:Words>1551</o:Words>
<o:Characters>8842</o:Characters>
<o:Company>ngngn</o:Company>
<o:Lines>73</o:Lines>
<o:Paragraphs>20</o:Paragraphs>
<o:CharactersWithSpaces>10373</o:CharactersWithSpaces>
<o:Version>14.0</o:Version>
</o:DocumentProperties>
<o:OfficeDocumentSettings>
<o:AllowPNG/>
</o:OfficeDocumentSettings>
</xml><![endif]-->
<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<w:WordDocument>
<w:View>Normal</w:View>
<w:Zoom>0</w:Zoom>
<w:TrackMoves/>
<w:TrackFormatting/>
<w:PunctuationKerning/>
<w:ValidateAgainstSchemas/>
<w:SaveIfXMLInvalid>false</w:SaveIfXMLInvalid>
<w:IgnoreMixedContent>false</w:IgnoreMixedContent>
<w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText>false</w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText>
<w:DoNotPromoteQF/>
<w:LidThemeOther>EN-US</w:LidThemeOther>
<w:LidThemeAsian>JA</w:LidThemeAsian>
<w:LidThemeComplexScript>X-NONE</w:LidThemeComplexScript>
<w:Compatibility>
<w:BreakWrappedTables/>
<w:SnapToGridInCell/>
<w:WrapTextWithPunct/>
<w:UseAsianBreakRules/>
<w:DontGrowAutofit/>
<w:SplitPgBreakAndParaMark/>
<w:EnableOpenTypeKerning/>
<w:DontFlipMirrorIndents/>
<w:OverrideTableStyleHps/>
<w:UseFELayout/>
</w:Compatibility>
<m:mathPr>
<m:mathFont m:val="Cambria Math"/>
<m:brkBin m:val="before"/>
<m:brkBinSub m:val="--"/>
<m:smallFrac m:val="off"/>
<m:dispDef/>
<m:lMargin m:val="0"/>
<m:rMargin m:val="0"/>
<m:defJc m:val="centerGroup"/>
<m:wrapIndent m:val="1440"/>
<m:intLim m:val="subSup"/>
<m:naryLim m:val="undOvr"/>
</m:mathPr></w:WordDocument>
</xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<w:LatentStyles DefLockedState="false" DefUnhideWhenUsed="true"
DefSemiHidden="true" DefQFormat="false" DefPriority="99"
LatentStyleCount="276">
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="0" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Normal"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="heading 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 7"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 8"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 9"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 7"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 8"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 9"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="35" QFormat="true" Name="caption"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="10" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Title"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="1" Name="Default Paragraph Font"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="11" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Subtitle"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="22" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Strong"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="20" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Emphasis"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="59" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Table Grid"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Placeholder Text"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="1" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="No Spacing"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Revision"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="34" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="List Paragraph"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="29" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Quote"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="30" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Intense Quote"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="19" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Subtle Emphasis"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="21" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Intense Emphasis"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="31" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Subtle Reference"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="32" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Intense Reference"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="33" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Book Title"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="37" Name="Bibliography"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" QFormat="true" Name="TOC Heading"/>
</w:LatentStyles>
</xml><![endif]-->
<!--[if gte mso 10]>
<style>
/* Style Definitions */
table.MsoNormalTable
{mso-style-name:"Table Normal";
mso-tstyle-rowband-size:0;
mso-tstyle-colband-size:0;
mso-style-noshow:yes;
mso-style-priority:99;
mso-style-parent:"";
mso-padding-alt:0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt;
mso-para-margin:0cm;
mso-para-margin-bottom:.0001pt;
mso-pagination:widow-orphan;
font-size:12.0pt;
font-family:Cambria;
mso-ascii-font-family:Cambria;
mso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin;
mso-hansi-font-family:Cambria;
mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin;
mso-ansi-language:EN-US;}
</style>
<![endif]-->
<!--StartFragment-->
<!--EndFragment--></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<br /></div>
Vikram Singhhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12170663904691626408noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3622339231793875616.post-57705164536637059662016-04-04T10:05:00.000+05:302016-04-04T10:05:07.885+05:30Politics and Indian Education. <div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Yesterday I was helping my daughter prepare for her class 5 History exam and came upon this chapter. I am no expert in education but something seems seriously amiss in this chapter. Do our kids need to study about Medha Patkar or Mallika Sarabai or Sharukh Khan? Are these the best examples of achievers in this country? Do we not have scientists or businessmen or sports people who could perhaps be better qualified to be on these pages? I am surprised that Teesta Setalvad isn't a part of this chapter. I am sure if someone from the HRD ministry tried to drop some of these obviously dubious names it would be called saffronization of education. Prof. Amartya Sen and Dr. Verghese Kurien are the other names that make up and sort of redeem this chapter.</div>
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirBTytg_w6Ggu0OnF9BOXMJRTWBH0w0i2cjqyMwGgNmxLLpd4kccMetYE9R_hAIralO_qYXRsqNVpOgoctrMEniTWWprOyoJfGmUEaTxpggb5vexScvEhpAj2dPR2iTrO-qFcTO7gTJ1tj/s1600/IMG_0198.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirBTytg_w6Ggu0OnF9BOXMJRTWBH0w0i2cjqyMwGgNmxLLpd4kccMetYE9R_hAIralO_qYXRsqNVpOgoctrMEniTWWprOyoJfGmUEaTxpggb5vexScvEhpAj2dPR2iTrO-qFcTO7gTJ1tj/s320/IMG_0198.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsSb83FFyIGmHB3zIOSzJECzWhk9uYxdwMELqLmZTI_Fx_n18gCLgYv8xuQJZSmq_RpvJd9veCt0BUbQpsQeX1k9ZAP5a6Sc2s0MBXc7fvxkmUhbwPIutBm9mDjocRHeL8T-eRTHpj-HJc/s1600/IMG_0199.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsSb83FFyIGmHB3zIOSzJECzWhk9uYxdwMELqLmZTI_Fx_n18gCLgYv8xuQJZSmq_RpvJd9veCt0BUbQpsQeX1k9ZAP5a6Sc2s0MBXc7fvxkmUhbwPIutBm9mDjocRHeL8T-eRTHpj-HJc/s320/IMG_0199.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4FJp5N1x4O-BERSF7Rpdi-nQwZU7CdeR3js370AG7c9_GgbNFS12J4DsIEvdRUlo-MbySopwQ212KEv3CxQMMBK-JEufhBSUqxXu42xVygIbDQtD5obV8BhpNH3R04ovKgukD-uzGX1G5/s1600/IMG_0200.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4FJp5N1x4O-BERSF7Rpdi-nQwZU7CdeR3js370AG7c9_GgbNFS12J4DsIEvdRUlo-MbySopwQ212KEv3CxQMMBK-JEufhBSUqxXu42xVygIbDQtD5obV8BhpNH3R04ovKgukD-uzGX1G5/s320/IMG_0200.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiogw8nATePdW39AfNAamRYBuS0_NvvzoNFgyyVbB3n97lnGuAKzodDMYNqQYVR_91v2uGphKs1OKakyQxNvL3V-B6wchfXVkjbRP0ryxxactOmLdfNhGwqcDWlX3mqn6o3sabEGzQht4h4/s1600/IMG_0201.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiogw8nATePdW39AfNAamRYBuS0_NvvzoNFgyyVbB3n97lnGuAKzodDMYNqQYVR_91v2uGphKs1OKakyQxNvL3V-B6wchfXVkjbRP0ryxxactOmLdfNhGwqcDWlX3mqn6o3sabEGzQht4h4/s320/IMG_0201.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br /></div>
Vikram Singhhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12170663904691626408noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3622339231793875616.post-77643771838251113612016-03-26T19:51:00.001+05:302016-03-26T19:51:51.503+05:30What Makes Me A Good Indian?<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="text-align: left;">I have a mother and I love her very much. I
love my country very much too. I must confess I find no special affinity
towards a cow, at least no more than I would towards a goat or a hen. I have no
confusion in my head about my mother, my country or cows.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-US">I would like to state that I am a patriot
and a very proud Indian.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In fact being
an Indian is the one identity I value more than any other. Much much more than
my religious or regional identity. Being a fauji kid I guess this part comes
easy to me. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-US">I
don’t think a cow is equal to either my country or my mother.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>My mother is not equal to my country or a cow.
Similarly my country is not equal to my mother or to a cow. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I think it is important for me to state this
because a lot of people are confused between the three.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It is possible for an intelligent person to
compartmentalize logically. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-US">So, am I a good Indian? Of course I am. “What
is a good Indian?” you might ask. I’ll tell you why I think I am a good Indian.
<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-US">I am a good Indian because I believe all
Indians are equal. Of course I also believe that all people are equal in case
some of you miss that. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-US">I am a good Indian because I believe in a
policy of live and let live. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-US">I am a good Indian because I pay my taxes
honestly. Sure, I don't like it. But it doesn't say anywhere that I have to like it too.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-US">I am a good Indian because I care about
what happens to other Indians. I am capable of feeling empathy for fellow
citizens.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-US">I am a good Indian because I don’t
discriminate against my fellow Indians. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Did I say that before? Maybe, but always nice
to say it again and underline it. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-US">I am a good Indian because I don’t incite
violence against other Indians. Actually I don’t incite violence against other
nationalities either. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-US">I am a good Indian because I obey the laws
of this country. Not just the laws that seem convenient to me. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-US">I am a good Indian because I don’t believe
I am right all the time. Actually, when I stop to hear the other point of view
I am surprised at how often I am not right. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-US">I am a good Indian because I concede that
people I don’t always agree with are also Indians and they have as much right
to India as I have. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-US">I am a good Indian because I don’t lie as
per my convenience. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-US">I am a good Indian because I don’t cheat or
steal. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-US">I am a good Indian because I don’t defraud
banks or other institutions dealing in public wealth. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-US">I am a good Indian because I believe in
paying for that I consume. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-US">I am a good Indian because I don’t spit on
the roads, streets or public spaces. Ditto garbage. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
I am a good Indian because I stand in
queues like everyone else.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-US">I am a good Indian because I question
everything including second hand wisdom that is often handed down as gospel
truth. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-US">I am a good Indian because I don’t try to
get ahead at the cost of other Indians. Be it in traffic or in any other aspect
of life. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-US">I am a good Indian because I don’t make up
angst to suit my politics. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-US">I am good Indian because I don’t forward,
retweet or share like a cancer every unverified post, that suits my politics, I
see on the Internet. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-US">I am good Indian because I don’t play
convenient politics over a dead person. Regardless of their religion or
politics. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-US">I am a good Indian because I don’t force my
religion upon others. I also believe religion is deeply personal and doesn’t
belong in public. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-US">I am a good Indian because a laal batti
normally works as a red rag for me. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-US">I am a good Indian because I believe I am
an ordinary person with nothing particularly special about me that make either
my opinion or me more important than the next person. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-US">I am a good Indian because I don’t suggest
moving to Pakistan to anyone who disagrees with me. I have no quarrel with
those who wish to live in Pakistan but I am not showing a red card to anyone
and sending them off that way. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<o:DocumentProperties>
<o:Revision>0</o:Revision>
<o:TotalTime>0</o:TotalTime>
<o:Pages>1</o:Pages>
<o:Words>573</o:Words>
<o:Characters>3272</o:Characters>
<o:Company>ngngn</o:Company>
<o:Lines>27</o:Lines>
<o:Paragraphs>7</o:Paragraphs>
<o:CharactersWithSpaces>3838</o:CharactersWithSpaces>
<o:Version>14.0</o:Version>
</o:DocumentProperties>
<o:OfficeDocumentSettings>
<o:AllowPNG/>
</o:OfficeDocumentSettings>
</xml><![endif]-->
<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<w:WordDocument>
<w:View>Normal</w:View>
<w:Zoom>0</w:Zoom>
<w:TrackMoves/>
<w:TrackFormatting/>
<w:PunctuationKerning/>
<w:ValidateAgainstSchemas/>
<w:SaveIfXMLInvalid>false</w:SaveIfXMLInvalid>
<w:IgnoreMixedContent>false</w:IgnoreMixedContent>
<w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText>false</w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText>
<w:DoNotPromoteQF/>
<w:LidThemeOther>EN-US</w:LidThemeOther>
<w:LidThemeAsian>JA</w:LidThemeAsian>
<w:LidThemeComplexScript>X-NONE</w:LidThemeComplexScript>
<w:Compatibility>
<w:BreakWrappedTables/>
<w:SnapToGridInCell/>
<w:WrapTextWithPunct/>
<w:UseAsianBreakRules/>
<w:DontGrowAutofit/>
<w:SplitPgBreakAndParaMark/>
<w:EnableOpenTypeKerning/>
<w:DontFlipMirrorIndents/>
<w:OverrideTableStyleHps/>
<w:UseFELayout/>
</w:Compatibility>
<m:mathPr>
<m:mathFont m:val="Cambria Math"/>
<m:brkBin m:val="before"/>
<m:brkBinSub m:val="--"/>
<m:smallFrac m:val="off"/>
<m:dispDef/>
<m:lMargin m:val="0"/>
<m:rMargin m:val="0"/>
<m:defJc m:val="centerGroup"/>
<m:wrapIndent m:val="1440"/>
<m:intLim m:val="subSup"/>
<m:naryLim m:val="undOvr"/>
</m:mathPr></w:WordDocument>
</xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<w:LatentStyles DefLockedState="false" DefUnhideWhenUsed="true"
DefSemiHidden="true" DefQFormat="false" DefPriority="99"
LatentStyleCount="276">
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="0" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Normal"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="heading 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 7"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 8"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 9"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 7"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 8"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 9"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="35" QFormat="true" Name="caption"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="10" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Title"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="1" Name="Default Paragraph Font"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="11" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Subtitle"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="22" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Strong"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="20" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Emphasis"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="59" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Table Grid"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Placeholder Text"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="1" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="No Spacing"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Revision"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="34" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="List Paragraph"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="29" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Quote"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="30" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Intense Quote"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="19" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Subtle Emphasis"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="21" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Intense Emphasis"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="31" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Subtle Reference"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="32" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Intense Reference"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="33" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Book Title"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="37" Name="Bibliography"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" QFormat="true" Name="TOC Heading"/>
</w:LatentStyles>
</xml><![endif]-->
<!--[if gte mso 10]>
<style>
/* Style Definitions */
table.MsoNormalTable
{mso-style-name:"Table Normal";
mso-tstyle-rowband-size:0;
mso-tstyle-colband-size:0;
mso-style-noshow:yes;
mso-style-priority:99;
mso-style-parent:"";
mso-padding-alt:0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt;
mso-para-margin:0cm;
mso-para-margin-bottom:.0001pt;
mso-pagination:widow-orphan;
font-size:12.0pt;
font-family:Cambria;
mso-ascii-font-family:Cambria;
mso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin;
mso-hansi-font-family:Cambria;
mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin;
mso-ansi-language:EN-US;}
</style>
<![endif]-->
<!--StartFragment-->
<!--EndFragment--><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
</div>
Vikram Singhhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12170663904691626408noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3622339231793875616.post-27941371773749543022016-02-04T18:24:00.001+05:302016-02-04T18:24:18.976+05:30Playing Safe Is As Good as Being Dead<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="text-align: left;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="text-align: left;">Ever watched a small film and felt like
you’d seen it before? I was just watching a trailer of a forthcoming film and
it suddenly struck me that I’d seen it many times before. The formula was down
pat to the last comeback. The Hero just the right type of chocolate and the Heroine
just the right sort of damsel in distress. </span><span style="text-align: left;"> </span><span style="text-align: left;">A flowing dress fluttering in the wind, wrapping
itself across the hero’s face while he had just the right sort of ecstatic
expression. Promo song shot in slow motion in just the right sort of exotic
location. The heaving bosoms and chiseled abs doing just the right sort of orgasmic gyrations.</span><span style="text-align: left;"> </span><span style="text-align: left;">It’s not like there
was anything wrong with the trailer, more a case of nothing being right with
it. </span><span style="text-align: left;"> </span><span style="text-align: left;">It was just plastic. Commercially it
had ‘Investors will lose big’ written all over it.</span><span style="text-align: left;"> </span><span style="text-align: left;">The poor sods don’t know it yet and nobody
has bothered to articulate the reasons to them. Right now they’re probably
popping champagne at a party to celebrate the anticipated success of their
classic.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-US">So, why is it that on seeing a trailer of a
film most viewers can make out exactly what the film is going to be like? Why
do viewers decide to drop a load of money on one film and give the other a
complete miss? It’s because most viewers, unconsciously of course, can smell
the sameness on offer.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This sameness
works in opposite ways for different budget or types of film. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-US">For a large budget film, for example a
Rohit Shetty or Salman/SRK film the sameness works as an advantage. The
audience knows what to expect. There is comfort in knowing that the formula
will be exactly as per template. It is like going to a well-known buffet
meal at an average restaurant. The standards are set not too high, yet they
seem high enough, and there is a bit for everyone. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Minor variations in story and execution make
the experience predictable and therefore enjoyable. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The audience doesn’t want sushi suddenly
replacing their chicken tikka. Predictable is nice and comforting.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-US">Now when a mid to small budget movie tries
to do the same thing it falls flat leaving many producers/distributors
bewildered. After all didn’t they play safe by sticking to a template that
works? They dismiss their leading actors as unlucky or worse untalented.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But look at it from the point of view of a
viewer. Where is the attraction? Why would a viewer commit to paying money to
watch a small film that looks like something that s/he’s seen before?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Using the buffet meal analogy imagine going
to a roadside eatery for a buffet meal. The vegetables are less than fresh, the
cheese cheap and the curries made with rancid oil. Add to that poor ambience
and plating and…. you get the drift.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-US">It is important for filmmakers to
understand where they stand in the scheme of things. You don’t need to be
Einstein to work out that you are not making a big budget extravaganza.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Even while I concede that there isn’t a
formula to bring the audiences in one thing is certain; they’re not coming in
to watch tired reruns.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-US">Why then do filmmakers insist on playing
safe? I must have been in a thousand meetings where producers have told me how
to make the project ‘safe’.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span>As an investor in a small or medium budget
film when you set out to make a ‘safe film’ you are essentially setting out to
take the most unsafe punt you can possibly take. The comfort of B list stars, 5 songs, a love
story, 3 act structure, a dying mother’s love and a sappy happy ending are
actually no comfort at all. These
devices may have worked once upon a time but now they are sadly out of date. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
Risky is the only safe bet available. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
No matter how much of an oxymoron the
previous sentence sounds like it is a truth that producers would do well to
understand. Stories that are unusual, stories that are uncomfortable, stories that
push you to think, stories that break away from conventionally established
norms are the only stories that can bring in audiences for a small film. The promise has to grab viewers and shake them
up. But before that the filmmakers have
to allow themselves to be shaken up. They have to buy into a story that scares them. They
have to invest in a story that seems risky or wrong to them. Playing safe is
not an option because there is no ‘safe’ anymore. </div>
<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<o:DocumentProperties>
<o:Revision>0</o:Revision>
<o:TotalTime>0</o:TotalTime>
<o:Pages>1</o:Pages>
<o:Words>647</o:Words>
<o:Characters>3688</o:Characters>
<o:Company>ngngn</o:Company>
<o:Lines>30</o:Lines>
<o:Paragraphs>8</o:Paragraphs>
<o:CharactersWithSpaces>4327</o:CharactersWithSpaces>
<o:Version>14.0</o:Version>
</o:DocumentProperties>
<o:OfficeDocumentSettings>
<o:AllowPNG/>
</o:OfficeDocumentSettings>
</xml><![endif]-->
<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<w:WordDocument>
<w:View>Normal</w:View>
<w:Zoom>0</w:Zoom>
<w:TrackMoves/>
<w:TrackFormatting/>
<w:PunctuationKerning/>
<w:ValidateAgainstSchemas/>
<w:SaveIfXMLInvalid>false</w:SaveIfXMLInvalid>
<w:IgnoreMixedContent>false</w:IgnoreMixedContent>
<w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText>false</w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText>
<w:DoNotPromoteQF/>
<w:LidThemeOther>EN-US</w:LidThemeOther>
<w:LidThemeAsian>JA</w:LidThemeAsian>
<w:LidThemeComplexScript>X-NONE</w:LidThemeComplexScript>
<w:Compatibility>
<w:BreakWrappedTables/>
<w:SnapToGridInCell/>
<w:WrapTextWithPunct/>
<w:UseAsianBreakRules/>
<w:DontGrowAutofit/>
<w:SplitPgBreakAndParaMark/>
<w:EnableOpenTypeKerning/>
<w:DontFlipMirrorIndents/>
<w:OverrideTableStyleHps/>
<w:UseFELayout/>
</w:Compatibility>
<m:mathPr>
<m:mathFont m:val="Cambria Math"/>
<m:brkBin m:val="before"/>
<m:brkBinSub m:val="--"/>
<m:smallFrac m:val="off"/>
<m:dispDef/>
<m:lMargin m:val="0"/>
<m:rMargin m:val="0"/>
<m:defJc m:val="centerGroup"/>
<m:wrapIndent m:val="1440"/>
<m:intLim m:val="subSup"/>
<m:naryLim m:val="undOvr"/>
</m:mathPr></w:WordDocument>
</xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<w:LatentStyles DefLockedState="false" DefUnhideWhenUsed="true"
DefSemiHidden="true" DefQFormat="false" DefPriority="99"
LatentStyleCount="276">
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="0" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Normal"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="heading 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 7"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 8"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 9"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 7"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 8"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 9"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="35" QFormat="true" Name="caption"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="10" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Title"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="1" Name="Default Paragraph Font"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="11" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Subtitle"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="22" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Strong"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="20" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Emphasis"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="59" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Table Grid"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Placeholder Text"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="1" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="No Spacing"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Revision"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="34" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="List Paragraph"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="29" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Quote"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="30" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Intense Quote"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="19" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Subtle Emphasis"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="21" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Intense Emphasis"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="31" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Subtle Reference"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="32" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Intense Reference"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="33" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Book Title"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="37" Name="Bibliography"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" QFormat="true" Name="TOC Heading"/>
</w:LatentStyles>
</xml><![endif]-->
<!--[if gte mso 10]>
<style>
/* Style Definitions */
table.MsoNormalTable
{mso-style-name:"Table Normal";
mso-tstyle-rowband-size:0;
mso-tstyle-colband-size:0;
mso-style-noshow:yes;
mso-style-priority:99;
mso-style-parent:"";
mso-padding-alt:0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt;
mso-para-margin:0cm;
mso-para-margin-bottom:.0001pt;
mso-pagination:widow-orphan;
font-size:12.0pt;
font-family:Cambria;
mso-ascii-font-family:Cambria;
mso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin;
mso-hansi-font-family:Cambria;
mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin;
mso-ansi-language:EN-US;}
</style>
<![endif]-->
<!--StartFragment-->
<!--EndFragment--><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
</div>
Vikram Singhhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12170663904691626408noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3622339231793875616.post-19903388011860990012015-12-09T19:30:00.000+05:302015-12-09T19:34:35.088+05:30Odd-Even and More!<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<o:DocumentProperties>
<o:Revision>0</o:Revision>
<o:TotalTime>0</o:TotalTime>
<o:Pages>1</o:Pages>
<o:Words>440</o:Words>
<o:Characters>2510</o:Characters>
<o:Company>ngngn</o:Company>
<o:Lines>20</o:Lines>
<o:Paragraphs>5</o:Paragraphs>
<o:CharactersWithSpaces>2945</o:CharactersWithSpaces>
<o:Version>14.0</o:Version>
</o:DocumentProperties>
<o:OfficeDocumentSettings>
<o:AllowPNG/>
</o:OfficeDocumentSettings>
</xml><![endif]-->
<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<w:WordDocument>
<w:View>Normal</w:View>
<w:Zoom>0</w:Zoom>
<w:TrackMoves/>
<w:TrackFormatting/>
<w:PunctuationKerning/>
<w:ValidateAgainstSchemas/>
<w:SaveIfXMLInvalid>false</w:SaveIfXMLInvalid>
<w:IgnoreMixedContent>false</w:IgnoreMixedContent>
<w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText>false</w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText>
<w:DoNotPromoteQF/>
<w:LidThemeOther>EN-US</w:LidThemeOther>
<w:LidThemeAsian>JA</w:LidThemeAsian>
<w:LidThemeComplexScript>X-NONE</w:LidThemeComplexScript>
<w:Compatibility>
<w:BreakWrappedTables/>
<w:SnapToGridInCell/>
<w:WrapTextWithPunct/>
<w:UseAsianBreakRules/>
<w:DontGrowAutofit/>
<w:SplitPgBreakAndParaMark/>
<w:EnableOpenTypeKerning/>
<w:DontFlipMirrorIndents/>
<w:OverrideTableStyleHps/>
<w:UseFELayout/>
</w:Compatibility>
<m:mathPr>
<m:mathFont m:val="Cambria Math"/>
<m:brkBin m:val="before"/>
<m:brkBinSub m:val="--"/>
<m:smallFrac m:val="off"/>
<m:dispDef/>
<m:lMargin m:val="0"/>
<m:rMargin m:val="0"/>
<m:defJc m:val="centerGroup"/>
<m:wrapIndent m:val="1440"/>
<m:intLim m:val="subSup"/>
<m:naryLim m:val="undOvr"/>
</m:mathPr></w:WordDocument>
</xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<w:LatentStyles DefLockedState="false" DefUnhideWhenUsed="true"
DefSemiHidden="true" DefQFormat="false" DefPriority="99"
LatentStyleCount="276">
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="0" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Normal"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="heading 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 7"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 8"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 9"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 7"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 8"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 9"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="35" QFormat="true" Name="caption"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="10" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Title"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="1" Name="Default Paragraph Font"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="11" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Subtitle"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="22" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Strong"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="20" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Emphasis"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="59" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Table Grid"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Placeholder Text"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="1" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="No Spacing"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Revision"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="34" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="List Paragraph"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="29" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Quote"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="30" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Intense Quote"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="19" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Subtle Emphasis"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="21" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Intense Emphasis"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="31" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Subtle Reference"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="32" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Intense Reference"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="33" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Book Title"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="37" Name="Bibliography"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" QFormat="true" Name="TOC Heading"/>
</w:LatentStyles>
</xml><![endif]-->
<!--[if gte mso 10]>
<style>
/* Style Definitions */
table.MsoNormalTable
{mso-style-name:"Table Normal";
mso-tstyle-rowband-size:0;
mso-tstyle-colband-size:0;
mso-style-noshow:yes;
mso-style-priority:99;
mso-style-parent:"";
mso-padding-alt:0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt;
mso-para-margin:0cm;
mso-para-margin-bottom:.0001pt;
mso-pagination:widow-orphan;
font-size:12.0pt;
font-family:Cambria;
mso-ascii-font-family:Cambria;
mso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin;
mso-hansi-font-family:Cambria;
mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin;
mso-ansi-language:EN-US;}
</style>
<![endif]-->
<!--StartFragment-->
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-US">Delhi in January 2016 is going to become a
laboratory for the rest of the nation. If Kerjiwal’s ‘Odd-Even’ formula works
it will show the way to most of our congested cities. Without qualification I
think Kejriwal needs to be supported in this endeavor. The problem is just too huge to not support
any and every effort regardless of political affiliation. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-US">Like most thinking Indians I too have
thought about the traffic mess that our country has become. Would I recommend
the Odd-Even formula for my city? Probably not. Here’s what I would have
recommended. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-US">(Disclaimer: I am not an expert and most of
what I am suggesting seems like common sense to me. I may be wrong but I can
afford to be wrong on my own blog. )</span><br />
<span lang="EN-US" style="text-indent: -18pt;"><span style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 7pt; line-height: normal;"><br /></span></span>
<br />
<ol>
<li><span lang="EN-US" style="text-indent: -18pt;"><span style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 7pt; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><span lang="EN-US" style="text-indent: -18pt;">Define rush hours.</span></li>
<li><span lang="EN-US" style="text-indent: -18pt;">Make it mandatory for all cars
entering specified areas/roads to carry at least 4 passengers during rush
hours. Those not carrying 4 passengers should be sent a one time bill, a
congestion charge, which is steep enough for them to reconsider their choices
(say Rs. 500). So, if you are in a hurry
and in dire need you can still use your car but you have to pay for using it if
you aren’t carrying 4 passengers. Definition of dire need would change quite
quickly I suspect. This can all be done electronically. London is an example. </span></li>
<li><span lang="EN-US" style="text-indent: -18pt;">Encourage offices to provide
shared transportation. I mean buses, car pools and suchlike. To encourage
businesses a small reduction in their tax (0.5% reduction in service tax should
do it) could be introduced.</span></li>
<li><span lang="EN-US" style="text-indent: -18pt;"><span style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 7pt; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><span lang="EN-US" style="text-indent: -18pt;">Smaller offices/businesses
could share buses with other similar offices in their buildings/ office hubs. An
unintended benefit of travel by car pool/bus will be a more disciplined work
culture. This would benefit a huge number of workers who hang around in offices
just because they think they have to.</span></li>
<li><span lang="EN-US" style="text-indent: -18pt;">Cities must encourage people to
live close to where they work. This is a big one. The number of people
travelling long distances to get to work is simply unsustainable. Though most
of it is a function of real estate prices, which are governed by market forces,
I suspect in some cases it is because of the hassle involved. Buying and
selling of property should be made easier and more cost effective. Today if a
person were to sell their flat for 2 crore rupees and buy a similar flat close
to work (Let’s assume both places are similar in real estate prices) s/he would
still end up losing about 20 to 25 lacs in municipal taxes, stamp duties,
brokerage fees etc. Nobody can afford to pay that kind of money simply to be
close to his or her place of work.</span></li>
</ol>
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 18pt; text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 18pt; text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-US">There was a
suggestion of faster car lanes for cars with 4 passengers but I’m not sure that
would work. If it didn’t work for the BRTs I doubt it would work for cars. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 18pt; text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-US">I did also
consider cycling. But lack of infrastructure and weather conditions in summer
would make sure that it doesn’t become a popular option.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 18pt; text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 18pt; text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-US">That’s my two
paisa worth gyan. Feel free to add and keep the discussion going. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<!--EndFragment--></div>
Vikram Singhhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12170663904691626408noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3622339231793875616.post-90255875648391949482015-10-16T11:05:00.000+05:302015-10-16T11:05:20.759+05:30A Young Actor’s Conundrum<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US">“Should I be doing one film at a time or
should I be doing all the work I can lay my hands on?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US">If a newcomer is lucky enough to be getting
multiple offers from producers, in Bombay it mostly means you are ‘to the manor
born’, this question might play on a young actor’s mind. Of course if you’re the
kind who has sold their last belonging to make a leap into Bollyland this isn’t
a very relevant question and you can stop reading now. But if you are young and
connected by blood or sperm with the royalty of filmdom and are being puff
inflated by your managers and/ or mummyji as the next big thing you might have
to grapple with this question. At least you should if you have any fucking
brains. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US">There is a case for both approaches. In the
past, Amitabh Bachchan’s generation, that lorded over the box-office, used to
do three shifts a day churning out 3 to 5 films a year. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>While others, mostly from the current
generation of ‘Stars’, take a more measured approach doing one or two films a
year. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This approach to work was made
popular by Aamir Khan at the turn of the century.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He probably decided that it made sense for
him to limit exposure and put all his effort into the one film every year or so.
And it worked very well for him. Largely because he was meticulous about the
story he chose and made sure everyone around him polished it to a level where
it was simply impossible for it to fail. But here is the bad news for those newcomers
who think taking this route <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>is their success
mantra. Most young actors don’t know how to read a script. Of course it might
be argued that many older actors don’t really know how to read either, but then
that’s a story for another time.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US">Today I will argue for the ‘work till you
drop’ approach. One of the main reasons to do this is that as a young actor you
don’t know shit about reading a script. Your inability to make a distinction
between a good script and a god-awful one is the first reason you should be
doing more films. It is like taking multiple small bets at the gambling table
as opposed to putting your house on the line on one punt. Bandra and Andheri’s streets
are littered with tombstones of too many ‘failed’ young actors who were made to
believe they were better than the work being offered to them.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US">The second reason, and this is more
important, is that most young actors polishing up in the gyms, swimming, doing parkour
and horse riding don’t know how to act. It is a truth that is well known.
Directors break into cold sweat in the middle of the night worrying about the
next day’s shoot. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>DOPs have been known
to shoot themselves, with a gun. So, if you are deluding yourself that behind
that chocolate face is an acting supernova please dispel that thought. You are
in all probability a lousy actor with no real life experiences to draw upon. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>There is no real depth to you. You are what
would be described as a ‘flake’ in parts of India that are not Andheri west. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US">But there is hope. Take the example of
today’s reigning superstars. To put it politely they were not thespian quality
actors at the start of their career.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But
they have by and by become reasonable actors. Over time acting like any craft
can be polished. You can learn how to face the camera and pace your dialogue
delivery. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Timing and use of space is a
great skill that can be learned by acting daily in front of camera. You can
learn what works and what doesn’t if you spend enough time in front of the
camera. Experience can even make you a good actor. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And this experience comes by acting. Also,
don’t forget some of those character actors you’ll work with daily, those
actors who don’t make it to the film’s poster or publicity material, are
actually very good at their jobs and give you a springboard to bounce off that
no mirror can.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US">Since Aamir Khan’s approach to work is the
example most touted by young actors while rejecting scripts it may be
interesting to see how many films he did at the start of his career. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I have counted 26 films in the first 12 years
after his mainstream debut in 1988.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And
these are the films that saw light of day. I am sure there were enough that got
stuck in various stages of filming.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He was probably doing 3 to 4 films a year. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US">So the lesson here would be, learn to read
a script. But if you can’t make out if a script is good or bad it may be a wise
career move to carpet bomb the audiences. Learning from a mistake is better
than not learning at all. Please do yourself a favor and go through the list of
actors - I suggest looking at the last 10 years - who were billed as the next
big thing and see how far they’ve gotten. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This list is full of
sons/daughters/girlfriends of Bollyland ‘A’ list who got launched in great
style.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You’ll find a huge number, actors
who listened to their spin doctors/agents dead set on ‘packaging’ them right,
who never made any headway. In this business hot turns to cold rather quickly.
Out of politeness I won’t mention names but you get what I am saying.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Choose to do more than less. Less is okay if
you are already a star or an exceptional actor.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Also remember that your father’s stardom doesn’t automatically transfer
to you.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Saying
no to a script is easy. Saying yes and then working your butt off takes
courage. And courage is what makes a great character. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<o:DocumentProperties>
<o:Revision>0</o:Revision>
<o:TotalTime>0</o:TotalTime>
<o:Pages>1</o:Pages>
<o:Words>794</o:Words>
<o:Characters>4529</o:Characters>
<o:Company>ngngn</o:Company>
<o:Lines>37</o:Lines>
<o:Paragraphs>10</o:Paragraphs>
<o:CharactersWithSpaces>5313</o:CharactersWithSpaces>
<o:Version>14.0</o:Version>
</o:DocumentProperties>
<o:OfficeDocumentSettings>
<o:AllowPNG/>
</o:OfficeDocumentSettings>
</xml><![endif]-->
<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<w:WordDocument>
<w:View>Normal</w:View>
<w:Zoom>0</w:Zoom>
<w:TrackMoves/>
<w:TrackFormatting/>
<w:PunctuationKerning/>
<w:ValidateAgainstSchemas/>
<w:SaveIfXMLInvalid>false</w:SaveIfXMLInvalid>
<w:IgnoreMixedContent>false</w:IgnoreMixedContent>
<w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText>false</w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText>
<w:DoNotPromoteQF/>
<w:LidThemeOther>EN-US</w:LidThemeOther>
<w:LidThemeAsian>JA</w:LidThemeAsian>
<w:LidThemeComplexScript>X-NONE</w:LidThemeComplexScript>
<w:Compatibility>
<w:BreakWrappedTables/>
<w:SnapToGridInCell/>
<w:WrapTextWithPunct/>
<w:UseAsianBreakRules/>
<w:DontGrowAutofit/>
<w:SplitPgBreakAndParaMark/>
<w:EnableOpenTypeKerning/>
<w:DontFlipMirrorIndents/>
<w:OverrideTableStyleHps/>
<w:UseFELayout/>
</w:Compatibility>
<m:mathPr>
<m:mathFont m:val="Cambria Math"/>
<m:brkBin m:val="before"/>
<m:brkBinSub m:val="--"/>
<m:smallFrac m:val="off"/>
<m:dispDef/>
<m:lMargin m:val="0"/>
<m:rMargin m:val="0"/>
<m:defJc m:val="centerGroup"/>
<m:wrapIndent m:val="1440"/>
<m:intLim m:val="subSup"/>
<m:naryLim m:val="undOvr"/>
</m:mathPr></w:WordDocument>
</xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<w:LatentStyles DefLockedState="false" DefUnhideWhenUsed="true"
DefSemiHidden="true" DefQFormat="false" DefPriority="99"
LatentStyleCount="276">
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="0" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Normal"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="heading 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 7"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 8"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 9"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 7"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 8"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 9"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="35" QFormat="true" Name="caption"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="10" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Title"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="1" Name="Default Paragraph Font"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="11" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Subtitle"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="22" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Strong"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="20" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Emphasis"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="59" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Table Grid"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Placeholder Text"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="1" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="No Spacing"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Revision"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="34" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="List Paragraph"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="29" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Quote"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="30" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Intense Quote"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="19" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Subtle Emphasis"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="21" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Intense Emphasis"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="31" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Subtle Reference"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="32" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Intense Reference"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="33" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Book Title"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="37" Name="Bibliography"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" QFormat="true" Name="TOC Heading"/>
</w:LatentStyles>
</xml><![endif]-->
<!--[if gte mso 10]>
<style>
/* Style Definitions */
table.MsoNormalTable
{mso-style-name:"Table Normal";
mso-tstyle-rowband-size:0;
mso-tstyle-colband-size:0;
mso-style-noshow:yes;
mso-style-priority:99;
mso-style-parent:"";
mso-padding-alt:0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt;
mso-para-margin:0cm;
mso-para-margin-bottom:.0001pt;
mso-pagination:widow-orphan;
font-size:12.0pt;
font-family:Cambria;
mso-ascii-font-family:Cambria;
mso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin;
mso-hansi-font-family:Cambria;
mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin;
mso-ansi-language:EN-US;}
</style>
<![endif]-->
<!--StartFragment-->
<!--EndFragment--><br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
</div>
Vikram Singhhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12170663904691626408noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3622339231793875616.post-72714761909845300042015-08-01T09:45:00.000+05:302015-08-01T09:45:16.687+05:30Dear FTII Students...<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<o:DocumentProperties>
<o:Revision>0</o:Revision>
<o:TotalTime>0</o:TotalTime>
<o:Pages>1</o:Pages>
<o:Words>464</o:Words>
<o:Characters>2651</o:Characters>
<o:Company>ngngn</o:Company>
<o:Lines>22</o:Lines>
<o:Paragraphs>6</o:Paragraphs>
<o:CharactersWithSpaces>3109</o:CharactersWithSpaces>
<o:Version>14.0</o:Version>
</o:DocumentProperties>
<o:OfficeDocumentSettings>
<o:AllowPNG/>
</o:OfficeDocumentSettings>
</xml><![endif]-->
<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<w:WordDocument>
<w:View>Normal</w:View>
<w:Zoom>0</w:Zoom>
<w:TrackMoves/>
<w:TrackFormatting/>
<w:PunctuationKerning/>
<w:ValidateAgainstSchemas/>
<w:SaveIfXMLInvalid>false</w:SaveIfXMLInvalid>
<w:IgnoreMixedContent>false</w:IgnoreMixedContent>
<w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText>false</w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText>
<w:DoNotPromoteQF/>
<w:LidThemeOther>EN-US</w:LidThemeOther>
<w:LidThemeAsian>JA</w:LidThemeAsian>
<w:LidThemeComplexScript>X-NONE</w:LidThemeComplexScript>
<w:Compatibility>
<w:BreakWrappedTables/>
<w:SnapToGridInCell/>
<w:WrapTextWithPunct/>
<w:UseAsianBreakRules/>
<w:DontGrowAutofit/>
<w:SplitPgBreakAndParaMark/>
<w:EnableOpenTypeKerning/>
<w:DontFlipMirrorIndents/>
<w:OverrideTableStyleHps/>
<w:UseFELayout/>
</w:Compatibility>
<m:mathPr>
<m:mathFont m:val="Cambria Math"/>
<m:brkBin m:val="before"/>
<m:brkBinSub m:val="--"/>
<m:smallFrac m:val="off"/>
<m:dispDef/>
<m:lMargin m:val="0"/>
<m:rMargin m:val="0"/>
<m:defJc m:val="centerGroup"/>
<m:wrapIndent m:val="1440"/>
<m:intLim m:val="subSup"/>
<m:naryLim m:val="undOvr"/>
</m:mathPr></w:WordDocument>
</xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<w:LatentStyles DefLockedState="false" DefUnhideWhenUsed="true"
DefSemiHidden="true" DefQFormat="false" DefPriority="99"
LatentStyleCount="276">
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="0" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Normal"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="heading 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 7"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 8"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 9"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 7"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 8"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 9"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="35" QFormat="true" Name="caption"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="10" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Title"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="1" Name="Default Paragraph Font"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="11" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Subtitle"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="22" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Strong"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="20" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Emphasis"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="59" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Table Grid"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Placeholder Text"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="1" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="No Spacing"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Revision"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="34" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="List Paragraph"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="29" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Quote"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="30" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Intense Quote"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="19" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Subtle Emphasis"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="21" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Intense Emphasis"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="31" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Subtle Reference"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="32" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Intense Reference"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="33" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Book Title"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="37" Name="Bibliography"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" QFormat="true" Name="TOC Heading"/>
</w:LatentStyles>
</xml><![endif]-->
<!--[if gte mso 10]>
<style>
/* Style Definitions */
table.MsoNormalTable
{mso-style-name:"Table Normal";
mso-tstyle-rowband-size:0;
mso-tstyle-colband-size:0;
mso-style-noshow:yes;
mso-style-priority:99;
mso-style-parent:"";
mso-padding-alt:0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt;
mso-para-margin:0cm;
mso-para-margin-bottom:.0001pt;
mso-pagination:widow-orphan;
font-size:12.0pt;
font-family:Cambria;
mso-ascii-font-family:Cambria;
mso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin;
mso-hansi-font-family:Cambria;
mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin;
mso-ansi-language:EN-US;}
</style>
<![endif]-->
<!--StartFragment-->
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-US">Dear FTII students,<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-US">First of all congratulations on your agitation
that is getting unprecedented media coverage. As any marketing professional
will tell you this construes a major success. You are already on the road to
becoming successful filmmakers because running a successful media campaign is
as important to the success of a filmmaker as making a quality film. Some may
believe even more so. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-US">Second, and this I say with utmost
humility, (I am a filmmaker but perhaps under qualified to offer advice, even
though it is friendly and elder brotherly, as I haven’t yet won a national
award for what I do. And I do know that is the minimum qualification required
to even talk to young and brilliant minds like yours) please do not allow your
agitation to be hijacked by politicians. I mean some of you may consider having
Rahul Gandhi visiting you a major triumph but I would like to remind you that
he is the opposite of what you are fighting for. Even though I don’t think
Gajendra Chauhan is the best candidate to head your institute I would like to
remind you he is perhaps a little better qualified, on account of having made
it on his own to wherever he has reached in life, than Rahul Gandhi who is
offering you homilies about mediocrity.
Of course some of you may disagree with me and might even think that
Rahul Gandhi is the right person to be espousing the cause of merit and
excellence but I would like you to consider the appointment of Ms. Prathiba
Patil to the presidency of India as an example. I talk about the former
president because like you she too lives in Pune and you are probably aware of her
from the local newspapers. Please remember that the same Rahul Gandhi and his
party, with his zest for excellence, decided to foist Ms. Patil on us as the
president almost as an antidote to President Kalam. So, please avoid aligning with politicians of
any hue. Their aims are different from yours and to be used as a convenient
tool in someone else’s fight may not be the smartest thing you do. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-US">Third, please do not be too quick to
dismiss other people’s achievements. However modest they might look to you. I
am talking here not just about Gajendra Chauhan but also about countless
technicians and artists who work and die in this unforgiving business. Once you
come out of the institute you will realize that nepotism is big in this
business. And I am sorry to tell you that not all of you will have illustrious
careers by the yardstick that you seem to be judging success. Of course it
won’t make you less of an artist or a person. But if you define success in
narrow terms of awards or money it will rankle when rank mediocre people get to
corner the glory and money just because they are somebody’s son/daughter. So,
be kind to people while judging them because there is every likelihood that you
will be in their position in 20 years time. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-US">I do hope that the current impasse will end
amicably and to your satisfaction. I, and a lot of people like me, look forward
to being delighted, thrilled and challenged by your celluloid expressions in
the future. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-US">Best, <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-US">Vikram Singh<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<!--EndFragment--><br /></div>
Vikram Singhhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12170663904691626408noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3622339231793875616.post-87801310089652724712015-01-03T20:14:00.001+05:302015-01-03T20:30:40.569+05:30An open letter in a season of open letters. <div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-US"><br /></span>
<span lang="EN-US">Dear Hafiz Saeed (and other birds of
similar feather), <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-US">It is the new year- 2015. I could wish you
like I wish all my friends, but somehow wishing you well in the New Year isn’t
something my heart is warming up to. I am sure you will understand why.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I do however, in the spirit of the season,
wish to offer you some free advice.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>To
use it wisely or not is up to you. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-US">First off I want to tell you what you are
doing wrong.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You are waging a losing
battle. You have targeted India time and again and have nothing to show for
it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In corporate terms you are an
abysmal failure. If I were your CEO I would have sacked you for incompetence
long ago.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Your aims are unclear and what
goals you wish to achieve through your threats of violence seem muddled at best.
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>For the record all your attempts so far
have yielded nothing. Diddlysquat! <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-US">Sure you killed a few hundred Indians, but
that isn’t even a drop in this vast ocean. To give you a perspective, ten
people die everyday in Mumbai alone while crossing the railway tracks. That’s
well over three thousand people in a year. Our papers don’t even report it
unless it’s a really slow news day. We still haven’t learned to be scared of
the railway tracks or to stop crossing them while dodging trains. Coming back
your attempts; we are still here; united and disunited to different degrees,
and we intend to stay. Not because we are courageous or have great tenacity but
because we simply have nowhere else to go.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>You see we are too many to kill or drive away.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And frankly we are just too busy with our
little lives to be scared either. Your impact is limited to a day or two at
best. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>After which we simply get on with
our life. Which is pretty pathetic for all the effort you put in don’t you
think? I mean have you ever heard of the concept of ROI? We spend far more time
worrying about Bipasha Basu’s next horrorex film than we do about you. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-US">Please realize that it is not very easy to
drive a wedge between us, if that is your intent, as hundreds of riots and
communal tensions in our past could teach you if you were inclined to learn a
little about us.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Once again it’s not
because we are resilient or more evolved or any such great attribute. We simply
don’t care enough. Life is shitty around these parts, is it any better in your
part of the world, and concerns about malaria and dengue far outweigh any
concerns about any religious polarization you might achieve. It is my
submission that every human has only so much mind space s/he can devote to
worry. The average Indian’s concerns about inflation, bad roads and the dry
water tap at home take up too much of his time. Sadly you are somewhere near
the bottom of the worry pile. An autorickshaw ride back from work terrorizes us
far more than you would ever be able to achieve.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Come to think of it, most of our politicians
do a much better job than you are doing. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Maybe you should be learning from them rather
than from your friends in the ISI. Have you seen them stalling our parliament
or pulling each other down like little crabs? That’s a far more effective way
to break us up than by sending in a handful of armed idiots every now and
again.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-US">To conclude; find a different hobby,
something that satisfies the inner animal in you. I am sure there are smaller
more easily achievable nastinesses that you could indulge in.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Have you tried killing flies? Or mosquitoes?
Do you have some of those in your part of the world? It can be a very
pleasurable pursuit, I promise you. Especially if you’ve been bitten all night
and you find the little blighters hovering around in the morning wanting more. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Or if this is too little for you, you could
fight some virus afflicting your people. Killing viruses can be quite
pleasurable I’ve been told. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I hear polio
is still a problem in Pakistan. Instead of sending your gunmen to us you could
instead send them out to help protect the workers dispensing polio drops in the
far-flung areas of your country. You know it may still be possible to redeem
yourself by channeling your rage. I say this as a concerned citizen of this world.
The way you are going you may not amount to anything at all. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-US">Best,<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<o:DocumentProperties>
<o:Revision>0</o:Revision>
<o:TotalTime>0</o:TotalTime>
<o:Pages>1</o:Pages>
<o:Words>625</o:Words>
<o:Characters>3563</o:Characters>
<o:Company>ngngn</o:Company>
<o:Lines>29</o:Lines>
<o:Paragraphs>8</o:Paragraphs>
<o:CharactersWithSpaces>4180</o:CharactersWithSpaces>
<o:Version>14.0</o:Version>
</o:DocumentProperties>
<o:OfficeDocumentSettings>
<o:AllowPNG/>
</o:OfficeDocumentSettings>
</xml><![endif]-->
<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<w:WordDocument>
<w:View>Normal</w:View>
<w:Zoom>0</w:Zoom>
<w:TrackMoves/>
<w:TrackFormatting/>
<w:PunctuationKerning/>
<w:ValidateAgainstSchemas/>
<w:SaveIfXMLInvalid>false</w:SaveIfXMLInvalid>
<w:IgnoreMixedContent>false</w:IgnoreMixedContent>
<w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText>false</w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText>
<w:DoNotPromoteQF/>
<w:LidThemeOther>EN-US</w:LidThemeOther>
<w:LidThemeAsian>JA</w:LidThemeAsian>
<w:LidThemeComplexScript>X-NONE</w:LidThemeComplexScript>
<w:Compatibility>
<w:BreakWrappedTables/>
<w:SnapToGridInCell/>
<w:WrapTextWithPunct/>
<w:UseAsianBreakRules/>
<w:DontGrowAutofit/>
<w:SplitPgBreakAndParaMark/>
<w:EnableOpenTypeKerning/>
<w:DontFlipMirrorIndents/>
<w:OverrideTableStyleHps/>
<w:UseFELayout/>
</w:Compatibility>
<m:mathPr>
<m:mathFont m:val="Cambria Math"/>
<m:brkBin m:val="before"/>
<m:brkBinSub m:val="--"/>
<m:smallFrac m:val="off"/>
<m:dispDef/>
<m:lMargin m:val="0"/>
<m:rMargin m:val="0"/>
<m:defJc m:val="centerGroup"/>
<m:wrapIndent m:val="1440"/>
<m:intLim m:val="subSup"/>
<m:naryLim m:val="undOvr"/>
</m:mathPr></w:WordDocument>
</xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<w:LatentStyles DefLockedState="false" DefUnhideWhenUsed="true"
DefSemiHidden="true" DefQFormat="false" DefPriority="99"
LatentStyleCount="276">
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="0" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Normal"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="heading 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 7"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 8"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 9"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 7"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 8"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 9"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="35" QFormat="true" Name="caption"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="10" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Title"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="1" Name="Default Paragraph Font"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="11" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Subtitle"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="22" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Strong"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="20" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Emphasis"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="59" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Table Grid"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Placeholder Text"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="1" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="No Spacing"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Revision"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="34" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="List Paragraph"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="29" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Quote"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="30" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Intense Quote"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="19" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Subtle Emphasis"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="21" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Intense Emphasis"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="31" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Subtle Reference"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="32" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Intense Reference"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="33" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Book Title"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="37" Name="Bibliography"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" QFormat="true" Name="TOC Heading"/>
</w:LatentStyles>
</xml><![endif]-->
<!--[if gte mso 10]>
<style>
/* Style Definitions */
table.MsoNormalTable
{mso-style-name:"Table Normal";
mso-tstyle-rowband-size:0;
mso-tstyle-colband-size:0;
mso-style-noshow:yes;
mso-style-priority:99;
mso-style-parent:"";
mso-padding-alt:0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt;
mso-para-margin:0cm;
mso-para-margin-bottom:.0001pt;
mso-pagination:widow-orphan;
font-size:12.0pt;
font-family:Cambria;
mso-ascii-font-family:Cambria;
mso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin;
mso-hansi-font-family:Cambria;
mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin;
mso-ansi-language:EN-US;}
</style>
<![endif]-->
<!--StartFragment-->
<!--EndFragment--><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-US">An ordinary Indian.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
</div>
Vikram Singhhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12170663904691626408noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3622339231793875616.post-57347229967323209282014-10-31T16:14:00.000+05:302014-10-31T16:14:58.491+05:30Aarmano Ka Sapna<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Last month I traveled with my good friend Milind Chitnavis to Nagpur to shoot this music video for his band Music UnLtd. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<object class="BLOGGER-youtube-video" classid="clsid:D27CDB6E-AE6D-11cf-96B8-444553540000" codebase="http://download.macromedia.com/pub/shockwave/cabs/flash/swflash.cab#version=6,0,40,0" data-thumbnail-src="https://ytimg.googleusercontent.com/vi/-LWkhsRWX_k/0.jpg" height="266" width="320"><param name="movie" value="https://youtube.googleapis.com/v/-LWkhsRWX_k&source=uds" /><param name="bgcolor" value="#FFFFFF" /><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true" /><embed width="320" height="266" src="https://youtube.googleapis.com/v/-LWkhsRWX_k&source=uds" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowfullscreen="true"></embed></object></div>
<br /></div>
Vikram Singhhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12170663904691626408noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3622339231793875616.post-5139417220908489022014-10-26T15:08:00.000+05:302014-10-26T15:08:47.780+05:30Experiments With A Macro Lens. <div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXtppEQKv9-p6UAttfY2NSm5aTN567OLq8GiemMLA-TCID0xLDlwqz9WwTuBUG2xEfbGmSrW5UMvbMVJsWcXkt1hOjOQnZ0K0o7G1oANqwl9WeMt6ia_4aSLP8XhoNic5qk1vI1Ny-lxui/s1600/IMG_7895.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXtppEQKv9-p6UAttfY2NSm5aTN567OLq8GiemMLA-TCID0xLDlwqz9WwTuBUG2xEfbGmSrW5UMvbMVJsWcXkt1hOjOQnZ0K0o7G1oANqwl9WeMt6ia_4aSLP8XhoNic5qk1vI1Ny-lxui/s1600/IMG_7895.jpg" height="237" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This little ant came into my kitchen.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbLoIerU0njManrK3wVg250HM5OjtCJAnKQz-OdhyQpLkqVu6p56KBsblbmsplBDw_UfM_ODI2XCit6gZbuM8mAZnjA3wUvPrrXrkInoBT7KxTsN1qtu2LDhdCNm_q5HnL9YNNDWl1GgH2/s1600/IMG_7913.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbLoIerU0njManrK3wVg250HM5OjtCJAnKQz-OdhyQpLkqVu6p56KBsblbmsplBDw_UfM_ODI2XCit6gZbuM8mAZnjA3wUvPrrXrkInoBT7KxTsN1qtu2LDhdCNm_q5HnL9YNNDWl1GgH2/s1600/IMG_7913.jpg" height="225" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A white A4 size sheet of paper got its attention . It was struck by the same feeling that a writer encounters on seeing a blank page. </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggYLA6rsMoe3ru5nqzNYyehabKxUFGTBCHirFeMEQtI8DEbkLGU9hIFFCbxNARhVUpIpk0S0GbDvjOFba_wvO1fNAubzQVRu8w1utFH0Pu4CEHt4KgaGO25kAYWq8WkVVEtzrVGOh1oiFc/s1600/IMG_8508.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggYLA6rsMoe3ru5nqzNYyehabKxUFGTBCHirFeMEQtI8DEbkLGU9hIFFCbxNARhVUpIpk0S0GbDvjOFba_wvO1fNAubzQVRu8w1utFH0Pu4CEHt4KgaGO25kAYWq8WkVVEtzrVGOh1oiFc/s1600/IMG_8508.jpg" height="256" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Monsoon brings out a lot of these creepy crawlies. </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrf7MkuZkIJLvOlAW01sfNnRiGRsBx5FBinSpoohMkDiFbmyq6fSexDMh5QUDfdeEteiR8ZFAoBSgBobWJIhYW7jQJLuR92aMsGOVTI_5w_p9T1Agxua6E94ae3GrwJWkVkY1iixERCTzQ/s1600/IMG_8511.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrf7MkuZkIJLvOlAW01sfNnRiGRsBx5FBinSpoohMkDiFbmyq6fSexDMh5QUDfdeEteiR8ZFAoBSgBobWJIhYW7jQJLuR92aMsGOVTI_5w_p9T1Agxua6E94ae3GrwJWkVkY1iixERCTzQ/s1600/IMG_8511.jpg" height="292" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This guy stopped to pose for the camera.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrQ-yuJ3Z481WmIjd303G7peTgUHZAEkyVSCQFYyfAhQLyUMLzbK7BzOq0czcecGj1HwFgfKc0NU-CvDezHweZ5oAmzDfbAwDHiK8AX_j0tBwO7yafLdHHC1XqOU-8MkMaxKIosGxITq2F/s1600/IMG_8531.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrQ-yuJ3Z481WmIjd303G7peTgUHZAEkyVSCQFYyfAhQLyUMLzbK7BzOq0czcecGj1HwFgfKc0NU-CvDezHweZ5oAmzDfbAwDHiK8AX_j0tBwO7yafLdHHC1XqOU-8MkMaxKIosGxITq2F/s1600/IMG_8531.jpg" height="266" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">You discover how fast they move when you try focusing on them. </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIe-hYlbRbjDtzAvwMtafW3GyXVEPEcLAYAHzcZOGsV7Ml5UNWK7m8wpqE0Sqy7HcZUCEp5gEWM6eP9in3Igc_6Otoxfb3zXojEaUMwIXRYud4k-O3GyCycMoKmPGnlolyVwuVAFcBtvOc/s1600/IMG_8534.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIe-hYlbRbjDtzAvwMtafW3GyXVEPEcLAYAHzcZOGsV7Ml5UNWK7m8wpqE0Sqy7HcZUCEp5gEWM6eP9in3Igc_6Otoxfb3zXojEaUMwIXRYud4k-O3GyCycMoKmPGnlolyVwuVAFcBtvOc/s1600/IMG_8534.jpg" height="266" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">These snails were heading south.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwXCrLsQtDR5SSUnw7YUBUkr9hRaN1oepl9WOtqcbAltiqH5q_GWSJRe492hoD0FRfiWhNfOoaQkluRjuuOuQZjWcu2qLE4AjKbm29U6C6GYbw_NFZRShx2LmZuIpdwDlMFATGA6idAmwj/s1600/IMG_8546.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwXCrLsQtDR5SSUnw7YUBUkr9hRaN1oepl9WOtqcbAltiqH5q_GWSJRe492hoD0FRfiWhNfOoaQkluRjuuOuQZjWcu2qLE4AjKbm29U6C6GYbw_NFZRShx2LmZuIpdwDlMFATGA6idAmwj/s1600/IMG_8546.jpg" height="266" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This big guy was in no hurry.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHXx1-DID0LNixEvj55h0v8FzG2RsRGluVPP-C6jiG3yHxNSPm4COERxj3ylAtUzfgp6v70ntFy6W14892AyurGKC8km_zQqfA4pcE582k8iyyVz0G9_leXE9nORTOzWs2rP2ITI78WTLO/s1600/IMG_8773.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHXx1-DID0LNixEvj55h0v8FzG2RsRGluVPP-C6jiG3yHxNSPm4COERxj3ylAtUzfgp6v70ntFy6W14892AyurGKC8km_zQqfA4pcE582k8iyyVz0G9_leXE9nORTOzWs2rP2ITI78WTLO/s1600/IMG_8773.jpg" height="266" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I followed this butterfly around for a bit. It flew beautifully even with the damaged wing. </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<br /></div>
Vikram Singhhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12170663904691626408noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3622339231793875616.post-55108076355828453972014-05-15T15:33:00.002+05:302014-05-16T08:14:01.666+05:30Mordern Day Mir Jafers Wear A Suit<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="text-align: left;">Yesterday a routine shopping trip
ended in McDonald’s. The kids love it and it is quick and convenient for us
too. Even if the meal is indifferent at best. Whenever we go out an internal
war erupts as we try to do the right thing by steering the family away from a
fast food place while the loud and inviting advertising does it’s pulling act.
Yesterday was no different and it is no surprise that McDonald’s won. It
usually does. Happy Meals are quite popular with the kids and was the default
order for them. More than the food, if you think the regular food served is
indifferent you have to see the Happy Meal, it a cheap plastic toy that is the
star of this order. We indulge our kids, like most parents do I guess, and if a
plastic toy makes them happy so be it.</span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
The toy that came with the meal
was, as expected, a plastic made in China comb set. Halfway through the meal it
was opened and to our horror the comb started losing colour. Pinkish red stains
were all over those little hands that were still eating. The first thought that
came to mind was ‘that’s got to be toxic’. That is how little we trust the
restaurant we end up eating in at least once a month. So, immediately we asked to
see the manager. The poor man had no answer to our queries about the toy and
best he could offer was ‘I am very sorry, we will replace it’. Of course he
missed the point totally. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
Now I can only imagine the scenario
that must have played out in getting this offending toy into our hands.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Happy meals are well-established Kid
magnets.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Some manager, probably a
really bright person, maybe one of India’s best business managers of his age, must
have been entrusted the task of reducing cost and increasing profitability of
every Happy Meal sold. A KRA like that can lead one very quickly to making
marginal decisions. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
This little incident got me
thinking. How often does this happen? How often do we put our trust in large
companies, most of them global giants, multinationals with huge reputations,
and how often do they abuse that trust? How often do we come across products
sold in India that are inferior to the same brand of products sold in developed
countries? Take for instance a Cadbury’s milk chocolate or an Oreo cookie or
frozen deserts from Unilever. Very rarely will they match up to the quality
standards of the same product in UK or USA. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
It is my argument that none of this
is accidental. Most of these companies have different standards for different
countries. Every step in the product development cycle is carefully studied and
worked upon by the same kind of diligence that put man on the moon. So, when the
content of a packet of chips goes from 50 grams to 45 grams you can be sure
that it is the work of a well thought out strategy. Or for that matter when the
same packet of chips has more air, pumped in to make the packet look fuller,
than chips you can be sure that the quantity to air ratio has been decided on
by a committee of marketing & product managers and cost accountants.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
How often do we find the
aforementioned products to be sad imitations of what the same companies sell in
the developed world? For instance would Nescafé taste as insipid in Toronto as
it does in Delhi? <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And these are
just examples of B2C brands. The difference of quality standards in every
sphere are glaring. Take the case of pharmaceutical giant Ranbaxy that has been
in news over the last couple of years and it shows up the rot in Indian
healthcare businesses.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The
invisible loot by the banking industry is quiet and, like carbon monoxide,
quite lethal and all pervasive. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
A few years back when the multinationals were entering India we were all very excited. Surely competition
will be great for the consumers we thought. The multinationals went about their
work by hiring some of the brightest minds to work for them. They flocked to
IITs, IIMs and other premier institutions and hired the best brains available
in India, some might say the best brains in the world. Everything pointed in
the direction of consumer nirvana. But the script has played out
differently.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>These brightest minds
have then been used to circumvent every regulation, every quality standard in
order to squeeze out that extra ounce of profit. Every manager is expected to
find a new way of making more money for his company. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And s/he does a great job of it. In the process an ice cream
that kids love becomes a frozen dessert. It can no longer be called ice cream
because it doesn’t contain any dairy.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>But then why let a silly fact like that come in the way when a cleverly
worded ‘Frozen Dessert’ can bail you out? <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
I would like to remind these
managers of the cycle that they too are a part of. The McDonald's manager’s kids
buy from Cadbury’s and the Cadbury’s manager’s kids buy from Unilever and the
Unilever manager’s kids buy from McDonald's. This cycle makes sure there is a
perverted justice built into the system. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>What goes around does indeed come around. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<o:DocumentProperties>
<o:Template>Normal.dotm</o:Template>
<o:Revision>0</o:Revision>
<o:TotalTime>0</o:TotalTime>
<o:Pages>1</o:Pages>
<o:Words>855</o:Words>
<o:Characters>4875</o:Characters>
<o:Company>ngngn</o:Company>
<o:Lines>40</o:Lines>
<o:Paragraphs>9</o:Paragraphs>
<o:CharactersWithSpaces>5986</o:CharactersWithSpaces>
<o:Version>12.0</o:Version>
</o:DocumentProperties>
<o:OfficeDocumentSettings>
<o:AllowPNG/>
</o:OfficeDocumentSettings>
</xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<w:WordDocument>
<w:Zoom>0</w:Zoom>
<w:TrackMoves>false</w:TrackMoves>
<w:TrackFormatting/>
<w:PunctuationKerning/>
<w:DrawingGridHorizontalSpacing>18 pt</w:DrawingGridHorizontalSpacing>
<w:DrawingGridVerticalSpacing>18 pt</w:DrawingGridVerticalSpacing>
<w:DisplayHorizontalDrawingGridEvery>0</w:DisplayHorizontalDrawingGridEvery>
<w:DisplayVerticalDrawingGridEvery>0</w:DisplayVerticalDrawingGridEvery>
<w:ValidateAgainstSchemas/>
<w:SaveIfXMLInvalid>false</w:SaveIfXMLInvalid>
<w:IgnoreMixedContent>false</w:IgnoreMixedContent>
<w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText>false</w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText>
<w:Compatibility>
<w:BreakWrappedTables/>
<w:DontGrowAutofit/>
<w:DontAutofitConstrainedTables/>
<w:DontVertAlignInTxbx/>
</w:Compatibility>
</w:WordDocument>
</xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<w:LatentStyles DefLockedState="false" LatentStyleCount="276">
</w:LatentStyles>
</xml><![endif]-->
<!--[if gte mso 10]>
<style>
/* Style Definitions */
table.MsoNormalTable
{mso-style-name:"Table Normal";
mso-tstyle-rowband-size:0;
mso-tstyle-colband-size:0;
mso-style-noshow:yes;
mso-style-parent:"";
mso-padding-alt:0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt;
mso-para-margin:0cm;
mso-para-margin-bottom:.0001pt;
mso-pagination:widow-orphan;
font-size:12.0pt;
font-family:"Times New Roman";
mso-ascii-font-family:Cambria;
mso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin;
mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman";
mso-fareast-theme-font:minor-fareast;
mso-hansi-font-family:Cambria;
mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin;}
</style>
<![endif]-->
<!--StartFragment-->
<!--EndFragment--><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
So the question is how will history
judge these Indians? These bright Indians, many of whom I call my friends, who
are actually decent people in real life outside of work. They have the same
issues that I have with compromised quality standards. I suggest, at the risk
of alienating half of my friends, calling them Mir Jafer wouldn’t really be
wrong. They, in their defense, may claim that they aren’t doing anything wrong.
They are following the law as best as they possibly can and still making money
for their companies. It isn’t their fault if the law or its implementation is
lax. They are only playing to the field they have been set. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But then I am sure Mir Jafer too thought that he was doing the right thing and it was in the best interest of those around him. I
don’t for a moment believe that Mir Jafer would have thought ‘Let me do the
wrong thing, let me f@#k up this country’. Neither do these managers. </div>
</div>
Vikram Singhhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12170663904691626408noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3622339231793875616.post-73884004825536937262014-01-31T15:21:00.000+05:302014-01-31T15:21:42.755+05:30Flower Market Scenes In December<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhB4OROolhuC5__rq4E06b6m_ajukcXnkMIQEhqNPfg3QUnksZd5Z7zfQtbdh5kozWg7lGyTjedX-cxvXNHvxtL_qoJ_VsAVgQc68faE_m8fcNvOHl3MQcY27JjczEwh3ShJ8KvLasxsjOF/s1600/IMG_4464.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhB4OROolhuC5__rq4E06b6m_ajukcXnkMIQEhqNPfg3QUnksZd5Z7zfQtbdh5kozWg7lGyTjedX-cxvXNHvxtL_qoJ_VsAVgQc68faE_m8fcNvOHl3MQcY27JjczEwh3ShJ8KvLasxsjOF/s1600/IMG_4464.jpg" height="213" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
All Set For Business</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhctL-JhZs7mjgyzj3dNzcd4nd8KNRNJ9Vzt3fFHM1elDL5owjeTdbdYoGhtvd4PE01YsRFDuZvMJH7d0tOSL8sclpo7ChlI69VWNHwVOgZWbVdhxp0ktH5MXDcNa7pLnT8vc2xXHrPn1f2/s1600/IMG_4466.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhctL-JhZs7mjgyzj3dNzcd4nd8KNRNJ9Vzt3fFHM1elDL5owjeTdbdYoGhtvd4PE01YsRFDuZvMJH7d0tOSL8sclpo7ChlI69VWNHwVOgZWbVdhxp0ktH5MXDcNa7pLnT8vc2xXHrPn1f2/s1600/IMG_4466.jpg" height="213" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Rose By Another Name</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEieZBxq1xpCorV-kUDeHHBYUqVGYnHhaZBdeTlBmTBiqIDOY_znQlINrE3YMTcbLpt-w-o9Sitd4xOiQc1LEhLYpwwYnx3J4jmsR1QuzwmRN0E9DQLm-5Y3Wagh7-GCZ9gIn4yJQm-eQAbT/s1600/IMG_4471.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEieZBxq1xpCorV-kUDeHHBYUqVGYnHhaZBdeTlBmTBiqIDOY_znQlINrE3YMTcbLpt-w-o9Sitd4xOiQc1LEhLYpwwYnx3J4jmsR1QuzwmRN0E9DQLm-5Y3Wagh7-GCZ9gIn4yJQm-eQAbT/s1600/IMG_4471.jpg" height="320" width="213" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Offerings For The Gods</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvCL96bWZZelQcLMghz7mRdcS7wEwzK2Bn8bNywULE4DlPS8PZcW-CRT236QEBmfn8FXO89fQUlnDbjvJMGxACc7IFOk0-n7d5oSyKqbM7GasNA0OGbTdcyPGZVzlkYWq7LHzswPhyphenhyphen7qhd/s1600/IMG_4477.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvCL96bWZZelQcLMghz7mRdcS7wEwzK2Bn8bNywULE4DlPS8PZcW-CRT236QEBmfn8FXO89fQUlnDbjvJMGxACc7IFOk0-n7d5oSyKqbM7GasNA0OGbTdcyPGZVzlkYWq7LHzswPhyphenhyphen7qhd/s1600/IMG_4477.jpg" height="320" width="218" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
The Devout</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjD3F71VfeIuesA_zWrakJpujMl8Zbb3GWJRlQjchN0PwQofwYGMeX2NLYD9bvt1SCM8zzVzdsyGq-eq6jVP3A9ICrj0RzFjqLfmvMYzOoS2gAnBcdi95bd54DxOwbyz6Vrfk-nDaYJa4iG/s1600/IMG_4492.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjD3F71VfeIuesA_zWrakJpujMl8Zbb3GWJRlQjchN0PwQofwYGMeX2NLYD9bvt1SCM8zzVzdsyGq-eq6jVP3A9ICrj0RzFjqLfmvMYzOoS2gAnBcdi95bd54DxOwbyz6Vrfk-nDaYJa4iG/s1600/IMG_4492.jpg" height="320" width="229" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Only If You Are Buying</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg80ujWdcMmWjWGc4gsNOntADu5tOnHeimOlqD0BhHfZJx-ky05gETVomq8ihg_ZifSMKdMkQa8E_5mCH6hhLQWlYZjQ1rcKuquIBKHUqclni61q0dDZIxN7Pk7yJIsWPybFN4w1GjQO0Ke/s1600/IMG_4516.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg80ujWdcMmWjWGc4gsNOntADu5tOnHeimOlqD0BhHfZJx-ky05gETVomq8ihg_ZifSMKdMkQa8E_5mCH6hhLQWlYZjQ1rcKuquIBKHUqclni61q0dDZIxN7Pk7yJIsWPybFN4w1GjQO0Ke/s1600/IMG_4516.jpg" height="320" width="213" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Temple Offering</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2D__GKUo4QFVPRBzRpo0AXn141exfdwM1g7_9EY-HXDFSdKF6ZIuqjv1P4DcvAgp-jOK_fMNLbzhtqb1ymmzrZIRMDUifp91aQA_hw5DkpxAOdll7ekk7YE0Yi1bctzzUp3FXTCwBm10e/s1600/IMG_4566.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2D__GKUo4QFVPRBzRpo0AXn141exfdwM1g7_9EY-HXDFSdKF6ZIuqjv1P4DcvAgp-jOK_fMNLbzhtqb1ymmzrZIRMDUifp91aQA_hw5DkpxAOdll7ekk7YE0Yi1bctzzUp3FXTCwBm10e/s1600/IMG_4566.jpg" height="320" width="248" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Flower Sellers</div>
<br /><br /></div>
Vikram Singhhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12170663904691626408noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3622339231793875616.post-31343199403736850032013-12-23T10:32:00.002+05:302013-12-23T10:32:46.428+05:30The Catch campaign on Indiegogo.com.<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
I have finally uploaded the campaign for my short film 'THE CATCH' on Indiegogo.com. Please stop by and take a look.<br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.indiegogo.com/projects/the-catch/x/863167">The Catch - A short film by Vikram Singh</a></div>
Vikram Singhhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12170663904691626408noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3622339231793875616.post-38130822112016255692013-12-03T17:28:00.001+05:302013-12-03T17:28:37.094+05:30The Catch!<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
The Catch is a short film I've been working on. Here is a look at a poster and trailer we have designed.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRAESG1cvy7YzV7qVHSRF0D3kni_UgfFCkE0yu-OdnA1821Nbweh8AiZvkv-QRNk6H6ZELP_zdC3oC5KEtLYwQ9WsvfAsgRQRKsdyYFFXiZE5Bv1_S-meFjphVbU-7ynvUi0YW6QX4MlCE/s1600/Image-5.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRAESG1cvy7YzV7qVHSRF0D3kni_UgfFCkE0yu-OdnA1821Nbweh8AiZvkv-QRNk6H6ZELP_zdC3oC5KEtLYwQ9WsvfAsgRQRKsdyYFFXiZE5Bv1_S-meFjphVbU-7ynvUi0YW6QX4MlCE/s320/Image-5.jpg" width="226" /></a></div>
<br />
<a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o-Paded8nv8">Trailer of The Catch</a><br />
<br />
<br /></div>
Vikram Singhhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12170663904691626408noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3622339231793875616.post-84737712775728346812013-05-23T16:45:00.001+05:302013-05-23T16:45:45.275+05:30<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.youtube.com/embed/7QnUa89fNk8?feature=player_embedded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div>
Here is a recent video I shot and edited on my Canon 60D. Deepa Nair does a wonderful job of singing this beautiful song.<br />
<br /></div>
Vikram Singhhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12170663904691626408noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3622339231793875616.post-40120865086906848382013-03-31T13:29:00.001+05:302013-03-31T13:29:23.047+05:30Starry Starry Night<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
These pictures I took while walking around Powai at night. I've always been fascinated by long exposure and the trails that moving light sources create.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2Fse_67z7SP2iRFhv2tuiRjBacOYwmmyrEsMc2fuW6FRTZWxBuuMpm58ai7voQchF4d1wJWkt-csF5Z3Nun3oGpkHGpKYCRMEqyp8SWi5z28t23d6NU3ah6YZta2eEvWHdckj6BIdYigg/s1600/IMG_1786.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2Fse_67z7SP2iRFhv2tuiRjBacOYwmmyrEsMc2fuW6FRTZWxBuuMpm58ai7voQchF4d1wJWkt-csF5Z3Nun3oGpkHGpKYCRMEqyp8SWi5z28t23d6NU3ah6YZta2eEvWHdckj6BIdYigg/s640/IMG_1786.jpg" width="640" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4CbYErcIU3HunvTqcWmoQLPe9d5TNc7__qM6kvatJ7AEpmUfr5pmegmU_ezMGbOL1eJOJHsTbSM6AV8meM992cdnMlfyaXAbCqggf93rutHleT0oUsjf0v-CRC7qi2zR1h8CHFx7baLmW/s1600/IMG_1795.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="466" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4CbYErcIU3HunvTqcWmoQLPe9d5TNc7__qM6kvatJ7AEpmUfr5pmegmU_ezMGbOL1eJOJHsTbSM6AV8meM992cdnMlfyaXAbCqggf93rutHleT0oUsjf0v-CRC7qi2zR1h8CHFx7baLmW/s640/IMG_1795.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<br /></div>
Vikram Singhhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12170663904691626408noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3622339231793875616.post-6443234853966996922013-02-28T11:11:00.001+05:302013-02-28T11:14:39.528+05:30Powai evenings!<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
Last evening I went out and redid an experiment that had failed the last time I tried it. Shooting panoramas are not as simple as I thought they would be. Took some understanding of focal length and balance to work these two shots out.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgARlOj1eCp43FXiauUaZj0bclTiKbzv9bNDMYH7CNElBkXV9qppUu5ztHLcJRDJ0MH6Fkr-O3X63HJnxQDn6ztcgjPlKQIbTnpwpp3BvoTOnsN0Br-MxzeaxLE_XTD5ZntP5dfOvFAEy_H/s1600/11.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="68" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgARlOj1eCp43FXiauUaZj0bclTiKbzv9bNDMYH7CNElBkXV9qppUu5ztHLcJRDJ0MH6Fkr-O3X63HJnxQDn6ztcgjPlKQIbTnpwpp3BvoTOnsN0Br-MxzeaxLE_XTD5ZntP5dfOvFAEy_H/s400/11.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
Lilac Sunsets is a combination of 16 pictures shot with a 50 mm focal length.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXHOg9oniUcdfeHI3L7I6k8LSyJONZqQ2jquMRtziQwgLgRIevbP5EpCTgiuVk9NbD_GeWFWwVk7SKxdsOvhK6d5dYKIC8-DLGG2aIV9rbnXcqhHwkD8Cgjbat3weZsfwi4nbZR9QPPARN/s1600/Powai+night.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="152" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXHOg9oniUcdfeHI3L7I6k8LSyJONZqQ2jquMRtziQwgLgRIevbP5EpCTgiuVk9NbD_GeWFWwVk7SKxdsOvhK6d5dYKIC8-DLGG2aIV9rbnXcqhHwkD8Cgjbat3weZsfwi4nbZR9QPPARN/s400/Powai+night.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
Powai at night is a combination of 6 pictures shot with a 50mm focal length. </div>
Vikram Singhhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12170663904691626408noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3622339231793875616.post-57690925136215636082013-02-21T17:13:00.001+05:302013-02-21T17:13:16.206+05:30<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
And these pictures I took at a flower show. It was a fantastic day to try out my new camera. Shot on Canon 60D with a 50mm lens these were a result of an hour or so of trigger happy shooting. <div>
<br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtU2O2la4zAsCzXUvG2D-xx-YPvu3TMADhIRmhUxfgXxMhcCMFBFUAgiRPezTD7HwwpaBqEFyJ_RobbuQEK0A4NMnjt41u7UBwSQwTepyRWc2Ck1_fv1NyTp8WetNnyv8z8Z6H8Ou9nRW7/s1600/IMG_1257.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtU2O2la4zAsCzXUvG2D-xx-YPvu3TMADhIRmhUxfgXxMhcCMFBFUAgiRPezTD7HwwpaBqEFyJ_RobbuQEK0A4NMnjt41u7UBwSQwTepyRWc2Ck1_fv1NyTp8WetNnyv8z8Z6H8Ou9nRW7/s400/IMG_1257.jpg" width="265" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Gladiolus flower</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhaty-6PPidDItpEltiDvguqg7L7rKXHNGx1-JAy8DJfNXIk7W3YpoXHr40glGgIYnKM0fcdU93Lv2RVQ6Mo0z9GnLRZgZ9aF8PPvvGqDkYtVCXuR0hkn_yGGtEm2tHe0YFg3Y33lzEng6A/s1600/IMG_1239.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhaty-6PPidDItpEltiDvguqg7L7rKXHNGx1-JAy8DJfNXIk7W3YpoXHr40glGgIYnKM0fcdU93Lv2RVQ6Mo0z9GnLRZgZ9aF8PPvvGqDkYtVCXuR0hkn_yGGtEm2tHe0YFg3Y33lzEng6A/s400/IMG_1239.jpg" width="266" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Garlands</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSLclteI26ahCuqP1krsgdx7kU1rrpwSYfPDIKuiK2Lr7pJYfDKlyGC33Qr9f766qJxxg2-CjnyZT2fJSWy8UjT8k_NY3EVVFh7_CZBu52M2JVTkmFqVa-Z5beCN0PCbmT8eNZp8o-vNdn/s1600/IMG_1267.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSLclteI26ahCuqP1krsgdx7kU1rrpwSYfPDIKuiK2Lr7pJYfDKlyGC33Qr9f766qJxxg2-CjnyZT2fJSWy8UjT8k_NY3EVVFh7_CZBu52M2JVTkmFqVa-Z5beCN0PCbmT8eNZp8o-vNdn/s400/IMG_1267.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Perfect</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUyz8ifxkKHa5po840_VbiK0685kN-5bNgo1o2Ccl0-xTA-O0MIRNDV6Q3O2_knFq9kqNihp6Ic_xr4vvqTBqUPtSjbGZ-HAPKTSTgfeoWA84q9XXbcqeGAwrhp6BwwwNN6yw3ZheGRGhg/s1600/IMG_1262.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUyz8ifxkKHa5po840_VbiK0685kN-5bNgo1o2Ccl0-xTA-O0MIRNDV6Q3O2_knFq9kqNihp6Ic_xr4vvqTBqUPtSjbGZ-HAPKTSTgfeoWA84q9XXbcqeGAwrhp6BwwwNN6yw3ZheGRGhg/s400/IMG_1262.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Add caption</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyPKozpWbokbyvEru77L99aLx-a5Vd9aQOixLNVUIi-2xDnluAwm8ZgaBUAGgf1a_alL-GlDkzbJryCZQOMbX2UWMJivbhSVygwoalERZTE6Pl1YC8FTU7qWEjeZeLTymobqI1Mkn_pmyF/s1600/IMG_1271.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyPKozpWbokbyvEru77L99aLx-a5Vd9aQOixLNVUIi-2xDnluAwm8ZgaBUAGgf1a_alL-GlDkzbJryCZQOMbX2UWMJivbhSVygwoalERZTE6Pl1YC8FTU7qWEjeZeLTymobqI1Mkn_pmyF/s400/IMG_1271.jpg" width="266" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Bottles wait for flowers</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidHEoGj-Qyjg-vuJMEQYac0l1H2Ptg8vMUHr-N0brstXsNs2aQusKTwwEAy_gBLF4zZbmzzrewdyiJSdLH7BIGi_A3CT7P-6XgjaugopFts1L1B-ZxfbpC8ecYRBo0QM57AYLHErCIOdEE/s1600/IMG_1268.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidHEoGj-Qyjg-vuJMEQYac0l1H2Ptg8vMUHr-N0brstXsNs2aQusKTwwEAy_gBLF4zZbmzzrewdyiJSdLH7BIGi_A3CT7P-6XgjaugopFts1L1B-ZxfbpC8ecYRBo0QM57AYLHErCIOdEE/s400/IMG_1268.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Background is as pretty as the foreground.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br /></div>
</div>
Vikram Singhhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12170663904691626408noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3622339231793875616.post-67127128696173540612013-02-18T17:31:00.000+05:302013-02-18T17:31:06.423+05:30<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
I haven't blogged for a long time. Even today I don't really have much to say. Posting some pictures I took yesterday that I'd like to share. These were scenes I caught in Mumbai.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjSVK1ra6dV5rNYtwGYzICLcdJaWjPfF_LJMhPF-Deb9XZl2vtYJ_SfRZ6454jEaCZ1PHypxXw8GVdEIu76L5aly-QtFd4KXt0acJHMBjs4zB4ftwJOT8PePJNYqAy2Tcl30-jaCcJV3mb/s1600/IMG_1156.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjSVK1ra6dV5rNYtwGYzICLcdJaWjPfF_LJMhPF-Deb9XZl2vtYJ_SfRZ6454jEaCZ1PHypxXw8GVdEIu76L5aly-QtFd4KXt0acJHMBjs4zB4ftwJOT8PePJNYqAy2Tcl30-jaCcJV3mb/s400/IMG_1156.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Mumbai is smoking hot at sunrise.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPwoOExlp0amkK3INnoI7G-0Eki1Ky2a37Ze1VZUd3sUV9wh7rfvMM-WIO38s5fOF97xB6Tsj6EVLwL15keRZtiVMrK_ctJpV6YgNR8r06WE2CGystVdLmf_bXiTXeBU2lDIQpI0cDuNsy/s1600/IMG_1188.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPwoOExlp0amkK3INnoI7G-0Eki1Ky2a37Ze1VZUd3sUV9wh7rfvMM-WIO38s5fOF97xB6Tsj6EVLwL15keRZtiVMrK_ctJpV6YgNR8r06WE2CGystVdLmf_bXiTXeBU2lDIQpI0cDuNsy/s400/IMG_1188.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A picture of the afterlife.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOj1QBcegAypS-ghTf1xfM1I_Ahe4EQNq6J-rzGcKcAza9CiRECJ0mo7jwqmN-ik6GgrRy1rNx48VgzqqfJSzSG_QEuaXV5FHhlIc1Iw922UrBKR0LPAXziOSnc1sWt6jOAPjCMN7S10Ge/s1600/IMG_1214.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOj1QBcegAypS-ghTf1xfM1I_Ahe4EQNq6J-rzGcKcAza9CiRECJ0mo7jwqmN-ik6GgrRy1rNx48VgzqqfJSzSG_QEuaXV5FHhlIc1Iw922UrBKR0LPAXziOSnc1sWt6jOAPjCMN7S10Ge/s400/IMG_1214.jpg" width="266" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Bright and ready to go.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTi-JE7I6ZtRb_8YymzqfDJAzEJI73_la-1Xm-PAOYsVOH5RF99CRGWOcBn2uT-LIv-xg9gaLrGTWiKOAvS1EXJQsLoQXMle7M9JbxXbXWOIU5hNkx6LloCHLs0hsb9KWM2gAb7vBv-PDa/s1600/IMG_1200.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTi-JE7I6ZtRb_8YymzqfDJAzEJI73_la-1Xm-PAOYsVOH5RF99CRGWOcBn2uT-LIv-xg9gaLrGTWiKOAvS1EXJQsLoQXMle7M9JbxXbXWOIU5hNkx6LloCHLs0hsb9KWM2gAb7vBv-PDa/s400/IMG_1200.jpg" width="266" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Silhouettes </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br /></div>
Vikram Singhhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12170663904691626408noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3622339231793875616.post-52570756516370844672012-03-14T12:48:00.002+05:302012-03-14T12:53:33.289+05:30To be or not to be a producer: That is the question.Last week I had an accidental meeting with a producer I’ve been trying to meet for a long time. I have been trying to get this gentleman’s attention because I wanted to pitch a film to him. As it happened, I didn’t have to pitch because I got to hear his views on the relationship between directors and producers when he hijacked a conversation about a completely different subject. The gist being- directors must produce their own material. As I met him at a neutral venue, a friend’s office I had dropped in for coffee, I was glad that I didn’t get to pitch to him and disagreed with him wholeheartedly. To me his assertions were not only wrong they seemed silly. His ‘I know it all’ attitude further pissed me off. <br /><br />Mulling over the conversation later on my way home I realized there was some truth in what the man said. At this point in time studios are farming out films to directors who are also willing to act as producers. This is just how the system is evolving, especially if you are working on small or mid-budget films. (Maybe the aforementioned producer had been having his chat with studio heads as well. But I digress) The system works like this -Studios that have faith in a project hand over a fixed amount of money and the director turns in the finished film. On the surface it seems like a good situation for both parties. The director gets to be in control, more or less, of his vision and the studio gets their film within a tightly laid out budget with minimal, a couple of midlevel executives taking turns at auditing the shoot/script, supervision and associated pain of managing creative egos. In addition the studio gets full control over the Intellectual Property Rights (IPR).<br /><br />My quarrel with this arrangement is that it doesn’t take into account a basic fact; most directors aren’t great producers. The skill sets required for the two jobs are not identical or interchangeable. Proximity to the subject does not ensure automatic transfer of skills. A good publisher or editor doesn’t automatically make a good writer or vice versa. Similarly just because a director in seeing the film clearly in his head doesn’t mean that he is also able to see the logistics needed to bring the vision to life. <br /><br />In real life there are very few examples of directors being good producers. A good producer isn’t merely the manager of resources. A producer is the creator of opportunities. A good producer is able to steer the director to a completely new and hitherto unseen horizon. He is able show the director a new path, sometimes several paths, thereby increasing the choices available to a director. A good producer nurtures a director’s vision like no one else can. <br /><br />When it comes to the business end of filmmaking the producer’s contribution is even more valuable and quite literally worth its weight in gold. Most directors aren’t businessmen. Making deals doesn’t come naturally to them. They might over time develop some of the skills but it is not an instinctive thing with them. The ability to smell a business opportunity in a chance encounter is a producer’s special ability. To turn the screws on an already good deal thus making it a great deal without breaking it down is an invaluable talent. <br /><br />On a personal note- I am a writer and director. That makes two hats. If I add another one of a producer it will kill me for sure. But how does one survive in this industry that believes that anyone can do any job?Vikram Singhhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12170663904691626408noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3622339231793875616.post-90354095486346814602011-02-28T12:48:00.001+05:302011-02-28T12:52:16.815+05:30De-risking a risky business= Bigger riskOne of the biggest changes in the past decade or so for the film business has been the advent of corporate funding. In addition to rapidly mushrooming multiplexes, this was hailed as the savior of our business. Finally money that didn’t come with ‘strings attached’ was being made available. And indeed it did work like a godsend for a few years. ‘Multiplex’ films were attracting funding and audiences were finally getting a choice. Filmmakers with alternate dreams were able to dream. And just when things were looking rosy, the dreams started to sour. Today multiplexes no longer encourage these small ‘Multiplex’ films. Instead some corporate distribution and exhibition chains are even charging a minimum guarantee from filmmakers to exhibit their films. Consequently activity in this category has almost come to a standstill.<br /><br />Sadly, the churning that led to the advent of the ‘Multiplex’ film and then to its fall also had another, maybe unintended, casualty; the indie producer and his distribution partner, who produced and distributed Bollywood masala, albeit on a smaller scale, got marginalized. These producers, much maligned for their dubious dealings and shady funding sources, were an essential part of Bollywood’s development brigade. They made small commercial films with tomorrow’s stars. Behind the screen talent almost always got their break with their films. These producers started getting marginalized as soon as the distribution business corporatized and started consolidating different avenues under one roof.<br /><br />Today’s situation is that very few small to medium budget films are being launched. Quite a few finished and semi finished films are sitting on the shelves, their producers unable to muster either a buyer or money for distribution. Many reasons have been attributed to the current situation. Piracy, lack of quality in the ‘Multiplex’ offerings, exorbitant ticket prices, the general economic slowdown, et al have been cited, and are perhaps in their own way responsible.<br /><br />But one of the biggest reasons, to my mind, would be the attitude of the ‘Corporates’ towards risk. Managed by upwardly mobile executives recruited from diverse business – some sold soap while others were bankers in their earlier avatars – they have brought a new term into the business with them: ‘De-Risking’. These executives who live from quarter to quarter don’t like taking chances. ‘De-risking’ sounds wonderful and probably works very well in the businesses they come from. Every script, every project is funneled through a model that seeks to reduce the risk element for the corporate investor. Hence they prefer bankrolling ‘safe’ projects. And to be fair to them, small to medium budget films represent a risk. As do large unwieldy multi-starrers. De-risking for the most part, is about working with stars who can guarantee an audience. And when it comes to stars, more is always better, so of course multi-starrers are a favorite.<br /><br />Nobody seems to have done an analysis on success/failure ratios of small and mid budget films versus big budget films. But I am willing to bet that more money goes down the crapper on big budget films than it does on the smaller, smarter films. So, what then is this brand of de-risking all about? Clearly those who de-risked their business with films like Guzarish, Raavan, Kites, Veer, Blue, Action Replay, Teen Patti etc. ended up looking foolish. Some maybe even lost their jobs. How’s that for de-risking?<br /><br />The other argument often heard is that it takes the same effort to make and promote a small film as it does in the case of a big film. This is utter nonsense. How can anyone compare the rigors of a 100 day shoot followed by a 6-9 month post production followed by a 3 month long promotion with a 35 day shoot, 3 month post and a 4 week long promotion? I’m not even counting the umpteen hours/days spent hanging around for a star to show up for that costume trial or that dance rehearsal. Not to mention the time it takes to get all the dates organized. What about the bruising the ego takes at the hands of ‘stars’ and their entourages? It would be easier to understand a more honest comment, which would run like this: ‘we prefer rubbing shoulders with big stars because some of the glamour rubs off on us’. Or ‘they party a lot more and the booze is better’.<br /><br />In a business with so many intangibles, the first principle for any executive should be to take a leap of faith. Belief in a script is important, possibly more important than anything else. There is also a unique, much ignored, learning from the film business that unfortunately the ‘corporates’ can’t borrow from other businesses, which is that last week’s success is over and done with and if you follow that model you are going to end up with a turkey. Every new film has to be a ‘new’ film. Cosmetic changes don’t do it. The past record of the filmmaker or the star doesn’t do it either. Simple de-risked formulas don’t work because the audience doesn’t care too much about business strategies. Audiences only care about seeing cinema that takes them where no one has taken them before.<br /><br />Now for a truth, told in corporate speak, that might make the people who matter take notice: The presence of stars or directors with a great track record don’t necessarily provide an insurance against failure. They do however, provide a bloated package that might be difficult to recoup at the box-office. Thus de-risking might be risky. The only insurance available comes in three forms; they are script, script and script. But then everyone knows this and nobody has the time to read anyway.Vikram Singhhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12170663904691626408noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3622339231793875616.post-61094568048922282522011-02-10T17:32:00.002+05:302011-02-10T17:35:01.217+05:30Where our courts have failed usFirst off I’d like to say that I don’t have any theories on who killed Arushi Talwar. It is a sad case and the last thing I would want to do is prejudge anything on the basis of idle chatter gleaned from the media. Isn’t that a simple enough sentiment? <br /><br />I’ve been watching and have been baffled by the case as much as anyone else. The cause for my bafflement though is not on account of this unsolvable case but because of the sheer stupidity associated with it and around it. And I’m not even talking about the incompetence displayed by the investigating agencies. Everyone around me has already formed very definite views on who is guilty and what must happen next. Media reports based on selective leaks, in some cases triumphant and self-laudatory press conferences, from police, CBI, lawyers seem to be the basis of every ‘informed and therefore authoritative’ opinion.<br /><br />Everyday a new set of leaks and a new set of speculation are on offer. These are selectively twisted and released by the media to suit their current favorite theory. There is no care for the legal procedure or any concessions for simple things like decency. Worst of all is the slanderous gossip doing the rounds besmirching the poor victim’s character. Senior police officers, representative of the media and talking heads on television have speculated on just about everything. All taking their turn at playing armchair Sherlock Holms.<br /> <br />In all of this, and this is not the only instance; it seems to happen in every so-called high profile case, the court is a mute witness. Dubious evidence instead of being presented in court is discussed on television. Speculation is beamed as fact across the country ruining lives of not just the accused but anyone even remotely connected with the investigation. Media circuses driven by TRP gods have been allowed to play out without a word from the one authority that actually has the power to determine what really happened. The court has the power to shut this orgy down. It definitely has the power of pull up that idiot police officer, and more of his tribe, whose conduct of a press conference can only be described as shameful. Yet these learned people who run these courts have chosen not to do so. One wonders why they don’t take charge? A few contempt of court indictments will go a long way in restoring some order. I think the time has come for our courts to use their powers a little more forcefully otherwise we risk becoming a circus nation. And our courts run the risk of becoming irrelevant.Vikram Singhhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12170663904691626408noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3622339231793875616.post-59546467743877266362010-10-23T20:33:00.001+05:302010-10-23T20:34:39.071+05:30Shortcuts to DisasterWhen was the last time an ‘inspired’ or should I say lifted (is stolen too strong a word?) film do well in India? Can anyone remember? I can’t think of a single one that’s done well in the last couple of years. While out and out chori hasn’t worked even the legit remakes have by and large been duds. Leave aside a few stray examples like ‘‘Don’ and ‘We Are Family’, both didn’t set the box office on fire or get any critical acclaim, most have been duds. ‘Wanted’ and ‘Ghajni’ seem to be the only real hits. But those were more star power driven than content driven. Why then does Mumbai’s film industry still trust in remaking/adapting films? Is it possible that nobody has done an analysis of money made vs money lost by such ventures? I think a study like this could surprise quite a few of these short cut seekers. <br /><br />Why does Bollywood trust in remakes? It is an interesting question to ponder over even if you disregard my suggestion that there is no money or a good name to be made out of it. There could be many reasons but I suspect the primary reason would be a lack of confidence on the holy trinity’s (Producer, Director & Star) part in their own ability to read and judge a script. Reading a script is still an alien concept in Mumbai. Reading a script means being able to visualize what the words on paper are saying. Sadly, most directors, who are supposed to be able to decipher a script, are as at sea as the producer. This lack of confidence then flows and infects the only marketable commodity they have i.e. the ‘Star’, who are famous for being illiterate anyway. In such circumstances it is so much easier to just pick up a DVD and you have the recipe for a success. <br /><br />Unfortunately life is not that simple. <br /><br />Adaptations are tricky. It takes a writer of great ability and understanding to adapt a piece of work. It takes hard work to find, identify and then translate into contemporary language the moments that made the original. In cinema it gets even more complicated as a simple translation from English (or Korean or Spanish….) to Hindi is not the end of the job. Characters have to be reworked and cultural subtext has to be weaved into the narrative. Making it infinitely more complicated than it might seem. All of this goes beyond the simple task of translation as is undertaken by the producers and the hacks commissioned by them. And, as is well known, producers don’t spend too much money or time on a writer who has to ‘merely adapt’ as opposed to create original work. <br /><br />So what motivation does the writer thus hired bring to the job? Do they get their hands dirty and dig deep? Clearly not it seems from the superficial tripe that passes for popular cinema in India. Directors, who are given the original DVD to work with similarly don’t get too involved in the script and look mostly for styling cues while making their magnum opus. So, good looking but sadly vacuous cinema gets produced. Neither audiences nor critics are impressed and producers are left wondering why they have a turd on their hands. <br /><br />It is tempting to ask, it has been stated by a great number of acclaimed producers and directors, are there no Indian scripts or writers of merit? In fact this lament has become fashionable and appears regularly in interviews by producers and directors just before their adaption hits the screens. This is utter RUBBISH! These are feeble complaints from incompetent illiterates. The stench of their ineptitude would put Mumbai’s gutters to shame. To use an example from the business of publishing; is it conceivable that a publisher will publish material that is either stolen or re-written? When was the last time you heard a publisher say – Let’s rewrite Gone With the Wind? Why then remake films? The fact is that none of Bollywood’s production houses have put in position a system of reading and evaluating scripts. I will agree with the producer’s complaint that they are subjected to insane number of half baked/inept scripts sent in by untalented hopefuls. The nature of the business is such that it attracts a lot of not so great talent that bombards producers with material. But it is in the producer’s interest to set up a system to sift through this material. Prospecting and panning for gold is a good analogy. But you must believe there is gold in that pile of dirt.<br /><br /> I think there are a great many really good writers out there with many interesting stories. Stories they have lived with for years, stories that have been worked on and polished word by word. Writers who are hungry. Writers who belong to India’s gullies and mohallas. They share the pulse of India’s audiences. These writers and their stories are waiting to be discovered while Producer and Directors watch DVD’s and contemplate ripping them off. <br /><br />A word of unsolicited advice for the holy trinity then; before you rip-off that DVD please walk around the graveyard, it is full of such unhappy ventures. Ventures that bankrupted bigger better names than you.Vikram Singhhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12170663904691626408noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3622339231793875616.post-38056898871134692912010-08-13T18:58:00.001+05:302010-08-13T21:15:43.405+05:30Films are made from the heartAs more and more ‘different’ films do well, both critically and financially, one thing is clear- the old think tanks (read gasbags) of the film industry don’t know what is what. The filmi dhandawalle – those unseen punters, those guys who buy and sell films and make projects are about as clueless as the next person. I would dare to say that they might even be more clueless as they have forgotten, maybe they never learnt, to see a film for its content. They only evaluate it in terms of the conventional logic handed down to them in the form of 2nd or 3rd hand knowledge. <br /><br />The conventional logic of big name actors, masala entertainment (songs & dance, fights and stunts), big production values and big promotions doesn’t really work anymore though they are still the benchmark for buying and selling films. In the last few months I’ve met a set of bewildered old school guys who are looking to find a convenient logic in the way the business works today. As there are no fundamentals their logic floats around without an anchor. They rubbish anything they’ve not seen before. I’ve seen many small films written off at first- case in point is ‘PEEPLI LIVE’. I’ve heard it being called a documentary, a fringe film meant only for the film festivals, etc. Then all of a sudden when the film started to pick up steam and its promotions began to connect with audiences the same people started saying- it is Aamir’s magic, he is the badshah of promotions, etc. They completely missed one basic fact- that ‘PEEPLI LIVE’ looks interesting. Audiences are interested in it because it holds the promise of engagement, of entertainment. It doesn’t matter to the audience that this promise doesn’t come packaged with the usual masala or even big production values.<br /><br /> So, is there a lesson in all of this for the struggling filmmaker? A clear message I see is that films need to be made from the heart. This little message escapes most filmi businessmen. So, the next time a knowledgeable filmwalla tells you something about your script or your casting choices or your film, I would suggest listening to your own heart instead. At least there is a 50% chance of it being right.Vikram Singhhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12170663904691626408noreply@blogger.com2