I Belong

Where do I belong?

I’m guessing (and hoping) that this is a fairly common question in many minds … especially in the minds of friends ...
Was reading Sarat’s post on the Gujrat carnage and couldn’t help imagining the bestiality of the people involved … people like you and me they say – the common man in India.

I am sad.
I feel bad.
I feel ashamed.
And worse - I don’t know why!!!

Living as an Expat. – you automatically represent your people (country generally) – so you become a spokesman of your kind – ready to clarify myths/misconceptions and discuss cultures, habits, living conditions … you get the point – good things and bad.

Then again, I’m not sure if I identify with the average Indian – maybe the average Agnelite at best! Sure we are a great race and all that – but I don’t even know how to define an average Indian …
So I truly identify only with my family and friends – that's about it!

Then why do I feel ashamed when I read about riots and the likes … Bombay, Gujrat, Punjab, Bihar ... I don’t know these people – they could have come from Mars for all I care …

Really its just family and friends to whom I feel a sense of belonging – and if this subset ended up migrating to the Moon – I would call that home – by association!

On a macro level, a country/government is essentially a group of people deciding to live life in a particular way – I wasn’t given the choice to examine all these groups and take my pick! And I don’t HAVE to subscribe to the agenda (if there really is one!)

From where I stand - India is definitely one of the most beautiful countries in the world – but I’m not so sure about the people. I’m not saying that they are bad … or good … they are fine where they are - I’m just not sure if I want to be called one of them/us!
And then - Do I really need to belong somewhere? I don’t think so!

So why do I feel?!

Angola in Images

Yep - more pics - this time a variety of pics in and around Luanda ... and some in Cabinda and Malongo



If you've not already noticed then yes yes - the sunsets here are really nice :) Muito Obrigado as they say in Portugese.

Angola in Images ... May thru October

Jab We Met

Its been a while since we saw a movie twice in two days!

Jab We Met has been a very nice surprise - big thanks to Brij for pointing us in that direction (and D for pushing me towards it :) )

Personally I think this has to be the best work by Kareena Kapoor (Now I must admit that I have seen just two other movies of hers ... but still! She is very very impressive in the movie.)

Imtiaz Ali - haven't seen his other work but he's done a great job ... the movie could have been 15-20 minutes tighter towards the end ... but then thats nitpicking!

Preetam and Sandesh - superb music - again - its been a while since I've heard an entire soundtrack (minus the remixes of course) three times over ... and back to back! Now I'm not sure if these tunes are lifted/inspired etc. etc. - but they are really really nice to listen to ... and like someone pointed out - its a very interesting mix of song-genres - verry nice.

Shahid - I'm so happy that he does not do another junior SRK in this movie and has genuinely tried to bring out his own expressions and acting - good job.

Now if it would have been a very interesting twist if Anshuman turned out to be a goat ... or a fictitious character in Geet's head ... ergo she was not quite mentally sound in reality ... and so on ...

but then that wouldn't be a Punjab-loving Bollywood movie would it ;)

and speaking of Punjabi - its time I stopped trying and actually started learning the language - one of the sweetest languages to listen to - IMHO. D seconds the motion ...

and I digress as usual!

Watch the movie if you haven't already.

(Image courtesy Shree Ashtavinayak Cinevision Ltd)

here there everywhere in Bombay

Have been lazy and busy - in no particular order
Lotsa thoughts in my head ... queuing up - will see light someday
- Human Nature
- Music or Media
- Movies
- How much Money?
... ... ...

but all that will have to wait ...
For now its just pictures ... from the greatest city on Earth - BOMBAY ... (IMO)
snaps from here there everywhere in the city :) .... mostly taken from the cab!
(cabs are daily miracles in Bombay! defying all laws of motion and age and mechanics and engineering!)
... but thats another story altogether!)

India 2007 - Bombay ...