Well this is another page that I really liked designing. The person who actually made this song called the 'smoking anthem' says his own parents have never heard about the song... lol :P
Saturday, September 22, 2007
Sutta na milaaaa........
Well this is another page that I really liked designing. The person who actually made this song called the 'smoking anthem' says his own parents have never heard about the song... lol :P
Friday, September 21, 2007
Virtually whose?
Do you know that our 'PM' is handing out jobs on Orkut?? Read out the story in the image above and you'll know... Amrita Das crawled on these orkut posts and captured the most interesting reads and wonders why people love using famous identities for wrong purpose...
Thursday, September 20, 2007
Quark Shark
Yes, although I have made numerous pages on Quark... this somehow is one of my favourites... Filling the whole page with 'too less' words is tough man! By the way, did you notice the tricolour background. I think it has kind of lifted up the face value of the page. What say??
Wednesday, September 19, 2007
Patriotic frenzy over?
Most people are ignorant of ways of disposing of used national flags, causing unintentional insult
By Amrita Das
All of us celebrate the Independence Day and the Republic Day with great fanfare. But what follows is a very sorry sight. Most children, who are very enthusiastic about waving flags at the flag hoisting ceremony, get tired of it after a while and throw away the flag on the streets, to get trampled and driven upon.
The main culprit here is the abysmal level of awareness. Most people have no clue of what to do with the flag once it has been used. Utkarsh Jauhari, student of Amity, says, "Our school had once organised a workshop, and this why I know how to dispose it of." Freedom fighters are known to sacrifice their lives to protect the flag and to keep it flying high. But many of us forget this when in high spirits. Lieutenant Arpit Atreya says, "There is universal affection and respect for the National Flag. Yet, a perceptible lack of awareness is often noticed, not only amongst the common man, but even amongst people like me, who work in the Army, but don't know about ways to dispose of the flag after it gets torn or mutilated. Many times, I have found them lying in the garbage dumps and the sight is horrible."
Ali Anwar, JD(U) MP, and national president of Pasmanda Muslim Mahaj, an organisation for backward Muslims says, "There are various acts and codes that clearly enunciate ways of use and disposal of our National Flag, but the common man is ignorant about them. Moreover, manufacturing plastic flags is illegal and the government should put a check on it." On what he feels should be done he says, "Deviation from norms should be dealt with sternly."
Few of us know that only Karnataka Khadi Gramadyog Samyuktha Sangha in Hubli, is authorised by the government to make flags according to the specifications of the Bureau of Indian Standards. But, there are numerous small industries that are cashing in on by manufacturing plastic, paper and cloth flags. A manufacturer, Rajesh Aggarwal, Chhagan Lal & Sons, Rajasthan says, "After looking at the condition of the plastic flags after the event is over, we have decided to stop manufacturing plastic flags. Instead, we would be manufacturing paper flags and flag made of cloth which can be easily recycled and is eco-friendly." At how he feels when he sees the flags lying on roads he says, "It is a pathetic sight. Many people don't know how to dispose of a flag. We at our factory use the excess flags next year. The defective flags are buried with due respect according to the Flag Code of India."
The vendors are also clueless. "No, I don't know how to dispose them. I have never heard about ways to dispose it. I feel people should not throw them away and keep it even if it gets torn," quips Anil, a vendor, who sells such flags at the Delhi-UP border. RN Mehra, a self-employed consultant, says, "The plastic flag tears apart quickly, but that does not mean that we can throw it away on the street. We get angry when we see the same thing on TV. But, we do it twice every year in our own country, simply because we are ignorant of the ways of disposing of them."
It's quite clear that the percentage of 'unaware' far exceeds the percentage of the people who 'know' what should be done. "I feel schools and organisations should organise more such seminars to make the common man aware of how to protect our flag's sanctity. The government and NGOs can also invent ways of collecting the flags on the very next day."
ACCORDING TO THE LAW...
According to Prevention of Insults to National Honour Act, 1971, whoever in any place within public view burns, tramples upon or shows disrespect to the Indian National Flag, shall be punished with 3 years jail or fine, or with both. When the Flag is in a damaged condition, it should be destroyed as a whole in private, preferably by burning or by burying with due respect.
The main culprit here is the abysmal level of awareness. Most people have no clue of what to do with the flag once it has been used. Utkarsh Jauhari, student of Amity, says, "Our school had once organised a workshop, and this why I know how to dispose it of." Freedom fighters are known to sacrifice their lives to protect the flag and to keep it flying high. But many of us forget this when in high spirits. Lieutenant Arpit Atreya says, "There is universal affection and respect for the National Flag. Yet, a perceptible lack of awareness is often noticed, not only amongst the common man, but even amongst people like me, who work in the Army, but don't know about ways to dispose of the flag after it gets torn or mutilated. Many times, I have found them lying in the garbage dumps and the sight is horrible."
Ali Anwar, JD(U) MP, and national president of Pasmanda Muslim Mahaj, an organisation for backward Muslims says, "There are various acts and codes that clearly enunciate ways of use and disposal of our National Flag, but the common man is ignorant about them. Moreover, manufacturing plastic flags is illegal and the government should put a check on it." On what he feels should be done he says, "Deviation from norms should be dealt with sternly."
Few of us know that only Karnataka Khadi Gramadyog Samyuktha Sangha in Hubli, is authorised by the government to make flags according to the specifications of the Bureau of Indian Standards. But, there are numerous small industries that are cashing in on by manufacturing plastic, paper and cloth flags. A manufacturer, Rajesh Aggarwal, Chhagan Lal & Sons, Rajasthan says, "After looking at the condition of the plastic flags after the event is over, we have decided to stop manufacturing plastic flags. Instead, we would be manufacturing paper flags and flag made of cloth which can be easily recycled and is eco-friendly." At how he feels when he sees the flags lying on roads he says, "It is a pathetic sight. Many people don't know how to dispose of a flag. We at our factory use the excess flags next year. The defective flags are buried with due respect according to the Flag Code of India."
The vendors are also clueless. "No, I don't know how to dispose them. I have never heard about ways to dispose it. I feel people should not throw them away and keep it even if it gets torn," quips Anil, a vendor, who sells such flags at the Delhi-UP border. RN Mehra, a self-employed consultant, says, "The plastic flag tears apart quickly, but that does not mean that we can throw it away on the street. We get angry when we see the same thing on TV. But, we do it twice every year in our own country, simply because we are ignorant of the ways of disposing of them."
It's quite clear that the percentage of 'unaware' far exceeds the percentage of the people who 'know' what should be done. "I feel schools and organisations should organise more such seminars to make the common man aware of how to protect our flag's sanctity. The government and NGOs can also invent ways of collecting the flags on the very next day."
ACCORDING TO THE LAW...
According to Prevention of Insults to National Honour Act, 1971, whoever in any place within public view burns, tramples upon or shows disrespect to the Indian National Flag, shall be punished with 3 years jail or fine, or with both. When the Flag is in a damaged condition, it should be destroyed as a whole in private, preferably by burning or by burying with due respect.
Run of the Mills and yet a Boon!
For generations M&B has been a favourite read for girls. Ever wondered why?
By Amrita Das
She stared deep into his liquid brown eyes and drowned into their warm caress. An intense sensation burned through her. And she leaned into his waiting arms... Sounds familiar? It will. At least to an umpteen number of girls for whom Mills and Boon (M&B) has been a favourite read. For generations. And guy's just can't stop wondering why.
Vipul Agrahari, a call center employee says, "These romances are read by girls maybe because the try to identify themselves with the lead character in the hope that someday a knight in shining armour will come and sweep them off their feet." And as a century of heart breaks, la affaire and enticing kisses closes in, women still can't get enough of M&B. Many argue that all of them are alike. All book jackets carry images of couples that are either in embrace or have one in mind. The characters have a typical representation, with the women portrayed as femme fatales with hourglass figures, enticing smile and captivating eyes and men represented as the proverbial 'tall, dark and handsome' hunk with a charming personality! But Anuradha Bhatt finds these romances a waste of time. "I don't understand why girls read such fictions. They are all the same," she says.
Heresay goes that M&B has preset guidelines on how to write the story. Phitoli Swu, a religious reader, says, "The story lines are so typical that if you read them religiously, you can even guess the next scene and dialogue." But fans beg to differ. These books have had women swooning over them since ages and more so because of the way women, and more importantly, men have been represented in the series. A cliche could not be more successful!
Says Akansha, an avid reader, "We read these romances because we can't imagine experiencing such stuff in real life. It is our sweet fantasy. And why only M&B, even local fairy tales have the same representation minus the intense scenes."
Much to the liking of the reader (girls) men suddenly turn from warn to hot as women protagonist melt into their warms! M&B, more often than not, is a girl's first with romance. And women, thereafter, just refuse to be weaned away from this small but sweet world of fantasy.
For not only does M&B fuel rushes of desire, it does so in the safe sanctuary of the safe sanctuary of the reader's bedroom. A seminary teaching the essentials of life, the hurts are fictional yet tears the heart apart. The affairs are delightful, yet restrained.
M&B is also famous for the portrayal of the female characters. The matriarchal representation as working ladies and sole breadwinners captivates many a women who could not dream of stepping out of their homes. And thus they live their life.
And he picks her up in one graceful move. She looks deep into his eyes, he leans forward and they live happily ever after...
By Amrita Das
She stared deep into his liquid brown eyes and drowned into their warm caress. An intense sensation burned through her. And she leaned into his waiting arms... Sounds familiar? It will. At least to an umpteen number of girls for whom Mills and Boon (M&B) has been a favourite read. For generations. And guy's just can't stop wondering why.
Vipul Agrahari, a call center employee says, "These romances are read by girls maybe because the try to identify themselves with the lead character in the hope that someday a knight in shining armour will come and sweep them off their feet." And as a century of heart breaks, la affaire and enticing kisses closes in, women still can't get enough of M&B. Many argue that all of them are alike. All book jackets carry images of couples that are either in embrace or have one in mind. The characters have a typical representation, with the women portrayed as femme fatales with hourglass figures, enticing smile and captivating eyes and men represented as the proverbial 'tall, dark and handsome' hunk with a charming personality! But Anuradha Bhatt finds these romances a waste of time. "I don't understand why girls read such fictions. They are all the same," she says.
Heresay goes that M&B has preset guidelines on how to write the story. Phitoli Swu, a religious reader, says, "The story lines are so typical that if you read them religiously, you can even guess the next scene and dialogue." But fans beg to differ. These books have had women swooning over them since ages and more so because of the way women, and more importantly, men have been represented in the series. A cliche could not be more successful!
Says Akansha, an avid reader, "We read these romances because we can't imagine experiencing such stuff in real life. It is our sweet fantasy. And why only M&B, even local fairy tales have the same representation minus the intense scenes."
Much to the liking of the reader (girls) men suddenly turn from warn to hot as women protagonist melt into their warms! M&B, more often than not, is a girl's first with romance. And women, thereafter, just refuse to be weaned away from this small but sweet world of fantasy.
For not only does M&B fuel rushes of desire, it does so in the safe sanctuary of the safe sanctuary of the reader's bedroom. A seminary teaching the essentials of life, the hurts are fictional yet tears the heart apart. The affairs are delightful, yet restrained.
M&B is also famous for the portrayal of the female characters. The matriarchal representation as working ladies and sole breadwinners captivates many a women who could not dream of stepping out of their homes. And thus they live their life.
And he picks her up in one graceful move. She looks deep into his eyes, he leans forward and they live happily ever after...
Ad-Influenza!
Have you also been hit by the ad virus? Blame it on the commercial breaks
By Amrita
By Amrita
Strange are the ways of God. First he created man. Then finding him not sufficiently alone, created woman. Then came a whole lot of children and then came their never ending demands! They always want 'something'. And the list is always endless. Then came the numerous blood-thirsty companies. They understood that these kids are their preys. So, came the enticing world of 'ads'. It is called the ad-mad world. Yes, quite literally!
The youngsters nowadays spend all their parent hard earned money on any and everything the models try to sell. They know that the new Red Loop Lewis that they wore to that party made them the cynosure of all eyes, but they also know that it had burnt a deep hole in their pockets. But they'll never blame their 'better judgement'. They darn it all on those 30-something-seconds teasers that are better known as advertisements. They put the innumerable commercials on the dock.
"Given the short attention span of the viewer. I know they are meant for selling numerous products and are often misleading. But they are meant for us, isn't it?" asks Rakshandha, presently pursuing a degree from NIFD. Agrees Preeti, her friend, but adds, "Ab to ads dekh dekh ke "baalon kka kuch karo" karte karte, baal hi nahi bachte!" (Nowadays, after looking at ads that say "do experiments with you hair", there is no hair left.) Quite an interesting observation one must agree!
Interestingly, ads were there from ever since one could remember. There was Lalitaji who would tell people that "Surf ki khariddari mein hi samajhdari hai", while HLL went on and on about "Rin ki chamkar". But that was in good old DD days. Then came the cable and an onslaught of commercials. And the latest is the sport stars and the Bollywood baadshahs selling anything from soft drinks and recharge vouchers to televisions and dream holidays.
So, while one Sania fan always drinks Sprite instead of the 'bakwaas' water, a Shahrukh fan is busy 'expressing himself' by using Airtel's magic cards! Sumeeta a school teacher says, "Kids nowadays just follow these stars blindly. They eat, drink, wear and live the lifestyle the screen idols sell!"
But there is a different genre of thought also that believes ads gives the customers a choice of plenty. "Advertisements are absolutely necessary due to the prevalence of similar sounding and often spurious products and unregulated industries. An identified brand often means safety and quality," says Rahul a BIT, Mesra, student. Agrees his buddy Sikha. "They aren't burning holes in any one's pockets. Instead, they help us take the right decision," she says.
What is your view about this whole fuss?
The youngsters nowadays spend all their parent hard earned money on any and everything the models try to sell. They know that the new Red Loop Lewis that they wore to that party made them the cynosure of all eyes, but they also know that it had burnt a deep hole in their pockets. But they'll never blame their 'better judgement'. They darn it all on those 30-something-seconds teasers that are better known as advertisements. They put the innumerable commercials on the dock.
"Given the short attention span of the viewer. I know they are meant for selling numerous products and are often misleading. But they are meant for us, isn't it?" asks Rakshandha, presently pursuing a degree from NIFD. Agrees Preeti, her friend, but adds, "Ab to ads dekh dekh ke "baalon kka kuch karo" karte karte, baal hi nahi bachte!" (Nowadays, after looking at ads that say "do experiments with you hair", there is no hair left.) Quite an interesting observation one must agree!
Interestingly, ads were there from ever since one could remember. There was Lalitaji who would tell people that "Surf ki khariddari mein hi samajhdari hai", while HLL went on and on about "Rin ki chamkar". But that was in good old DD days. Then came the cable and an onslaught of commercials. And the latest is the sport stars and the Bollywood baadshahs selling anything from soft drinks and recharge vouchers to televisions and dream holidays.
So, while one Sania fan always drinks Sprite instead of the 'bakwaas' water, a Shahrukh fan is busy 'expressing himself' by using Airtel's magic cards! Sumeeta a school teacher says, "Kids nowadays just follow these stars blindly. They eat, drink, wear and live the lifestyle the screen idols sell!"
But there is a different genre of thought also that believes ads gives the customers a choice of plenty. "Advertisements are absolutely necessary due to the prevalence of similar sounding and often spurious products and unregulated industries. An identified brand often means safety and quality," says Rahul a BIT, Mesra, student. Agrees his buddy Sikha. "They aren't burning holes in any one's pockets. Instead, they help us take the right decision," she says.
What is your view about this whole fuss?
Lord on my tee
You've got to have a faith... and wear it too? Should we 'wear' the presence of God or let it remain in the puja room? Or is all this streaching a simple style statement a bit too far?
By Amrita Das
Heard this one - "He wears his faith but as the fashion of his hat"? Well, that may as well be the case with most youngsters these days! Sporting cool prints on tees have always been in vogue but carrying faces and forms of lords on one's apparel can sometimes be quite a bold step to take. At least in the way they invites stern glances from passersby. And God save you if someone among them reacts because it may be too "sacred" a form to flaunt on one' tee.
Fashion can also be used to disguise your true self: a conservative in vamp clothing, a vamp in conservative clothing. Okay, that's putting it in extremes. But seriously what does one have to say particularly about wearing clothes with God’s (im)prints? Lets ask the youngsters. Abhishek Kapoor, member of Software Development Group Quark says, "Why not? If one looks good in such clothing, there is nothing wrong. I love to wear such stuff, but I keep I do make sure I don't abuse it and maintain the respect."
Sneha Singh, resident Delhi, shares, "God is very close to my heart and if I get a chance to wear something which has God’s print in it, I would definitely feel comfortable. It is not necessarily a style statement. Moreover in this age, where one gets little time for prayer, maybe it is the best way to bring them into everyday life." Well, the idea is quite rational; there should be nothing wrong really in wearing something with God’s print as long as it is treated with respect. After all, if Sadhu’s can wear dhoti’s with slokas printed all over, then why can’t anyone else too?
And in case you are an Indian residing in a foreign land, wearing such clothes actually comes with an added role-playing - of spreading our culture amongst strangers. As says Bhaskar Das (27), who is based in Arlington, Texas, "I think besides and maybe 'despite' it being a style statement, wearing such clothes helps us in acquainting other and popularising our culture. Whenever I wear such clothes, others take notice and try to learn about our deities. One cannot keep an idol with oneself all the time; it's not a bad idea to wear it on one's clothes and feel the presence."
But if this question is raised among the elderly, most end up bringing down the concept. They argue that today’s youth don’t know how to respect their religion. And that fashion for them is fad that changes as soon as they get blasé about it. If they sport God’s prints on their clothes today because of 'style', the same piece would become a mop tomorrow when it gets old and out of fashion. And that is a thought that is far from acceptable for them.
Jagjit Singh Tiwana a garment shop owner informs, "There was a similar issue not many days back in the USA where people were wearing undergarments with Indian God’s prints on them! That's blasphemous, anywhere in the world. God is meant to be worshipped and placed on a worship pedestal and not treated like that. There is sanctity coming long here."
With God coming into the scene, Indians are bound to get sentimental. While the debate goes on, there is no denying that the fad remains. Amit Sharma resident of Sector 27 Chandigarh, working as Deputy Manager with Petroleum Conservation Research Association, sees a lot of good in it, "It is good if young people are wearing such things. This shows that they have not completely forgotten their religion and they take pride in flaunting it. And those who don't know enough, might just begin to want to know more!" Point that, what say?
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