Saturday, November 2, 2013

Evil Celebration

Courtesy - fAmEnXt
Dear All,

On the moonless holy eve of Diwali, I have this gloomy feeling within my heart being unable to wish you a happy Diwali. Do you realize that all your celebrations lead to misery for others and all that you do to celebrate are nothing but acts of evil?

The crackers you burst are the cause for panic among dogs, birds, other animals and causes pain in the heart of animal-loving humans.

Often, children are employed and exploited in cracker manufacturing units and scores of such innocent children die before experiencing puberty in deadly accidents in the ill-equipped factories.

The sweet that you devour to add sweetness in your life are made of milk and sugar, both bitter causes of pain to cattles and humans alike. Production of milk is at the heart of all inhuman treatment of cattles, who are made to produce calves each year like machines, injected with chemicals to produce more and more milk, and finally butchered when no longer productive.

The sugar mills are famous for exploitation of sugar cane farmers paying them less and less for sugarcane and mill workers as well who work in near slavery conditions.

The fine new outfit you wear on festivals is made of cotton. The same cotton in pursuit of which thousands of farmers take loan each year dreaming of a bumper crop and finally end their lives drinking pesticides when they find themselves unable to pay back the loan.

And your fine new outfit is made in the sweat shops of Southern India or Bangladesh where men, women, and children work 16-hour shifts in congested textile mills in inhuman conditions, leading a life of slave.

The lights that you decorate your house with requires power. Power that is produced from hydroelectric projects by building dam on a river, submerging the whole forest, and destroying the ecology of the river or by burning fossil fuels injecting enormous amounts of greenhouse gases into the atmosphere.

Your need for more power, more food, more clothes is leading to destruction of the environment, in turn causing catastrophic climate change endangering lives of billions of people living in the coastal area.

Do you understand now that your mere act of celebration is causing misery and death throughout the world. Would you please your celebrations for the sake of innocent childrens, poor farmers, animals, and to prevent the earth from doom's day.

Moral Lesson: Show middle finger to all those who preach their brand of cheap morality with only superficial if any understanding of the world. Tell them to fuck themselves who come and advise you on the righteous way of leading life.

Saturday, October 12, 2013

Unsocial Networks

Courtesy - Effbomb
Taking turn on the bed, searching for the elusive sleep, I picked up the mobile and reached for my ex-girlfriend (presently my wife). As I dialed her number, I was presented with a pleasant female voice, much sweeter than my sweetheart's although mechanical, stating it wouldn't be possible to connect to my beloved as she was on a different mobile network!

Since marriage, we never gave a thought to being on the same mobile network to reduce call cost. It wasn't necessary, after all one doesn't talk much post marriage and in fact, the focus is on how to avoid conversions.

I called the customer care and expressed my frustration at not being able to connect to someone on a different network. The 20-something, I imagined, with image of Pamela Anderson in mind, executive, with an aura of dumbness, was patiently reading me the same paragraph from their trouble-shooting guide, albeit with change of tone, traversing from unconcerned to bored to irritated.

Sir, it is the new policy of Supreme Mobile, she explained, to stop all off-net calls, incoming as well as outgoing, keeping the interest of customers in mind. Interest of the customers, I baffled, but how? I mean, what interest are you talking about? Sir, even though technically feasible, off-net calls cost more to the company compared to the on-net calls. With profits margins improving, the company would be in a position to reduce on-net call rates further and offer exciting games completely free! Hence, it was done in the best interest of the customers, she added exuberantly. In fact, given that our network is the biggest one in the nation, one should not be complaining about not being able to call one particular number, she added. We've got 750 mn users, sir, which gives you 750 mn numbers to call. Isn't that exciting! Why would one even think of calling someone on a different network? Besides, you can always invite your family and friends to switch to Supreme Mobile and enjoy the low call rates and amazing games. Inviting your friends to Supreme Mobile is as easy as sending an SMS! Just type...

It was unbearable by now and I had to disconnect abruptly, without the polity of thanking her. Dumbstruck, I wondered whether my judgment of the world was impaired due to overdose of homeopathic candies last week or the business community of the nation was under terrorist attack by biological weapons which left them incapable of sane thinking resulting in such policies.

You must be wondering where on earth this Supreme Mobile operates, why no action is initiated against its monopolistic policies, how can it be called a communication firm when its chief function is to limit communication. Certainly, there should be wide-spread condemnation of such policies in the media and people would leave such a mobile network. Well, that is not reality. In fact, people are pouring in day in and day out to get a subscription of Supreme Mobile because it gives you free games to play and you can call an astonishing 750 mn numbers. Damn those who are not on Supreme Mobile. They would eventually be forced to sign in because they too can't communicate with those 750 mn individuals. Soon, you would have none but Supreme Mobile as the only mobile company left in the nation.

Now, it isn't a made up story, it's reality, it's happening now and probably you are reading this shit on such a monopolistic platform. It may not be your voice calls that are being limited, but you don't share your thoughts just through you voice, you type text, you click photos as well. Do you realize that!

Cares who, we just fucking love Supreme Mobile and its policies. Monopolistic, huh...

Saturday, October 5, 2013

Durga Puja 2013 - Bangla Cultural Programs In Bangalore

Courtesy - Sayamindu Dasgupta
Durga Puja 2013 and here is another attempt to compile a list (sorted by location) of Bengali cultural programs happening across Bangalore. I will keep this post updating as and when more information becomes available.

Please comment if you know about other programs with details of program, location, date, and time.



Pandal Locations: For address of pandal locations, please see Durgotsav 2012 post. I have updated some of the addresses. If you know the changed location/address or if the event is not happening, please comment.

Wednesday, October 9, 2013 - Panchami
  1. Commercial Street - Bengali Association
    (a) Ananda Mela and Children’s talent Show - 1900 hours.
  2. Koramangala - Sarathi Socio-Cultural Association
    (a) Anandomela - 1900 hours
    (b) Karaoke - Rishi - 2100 hours

Thursday, October 10, 2013 - Shashti
  1. Commercial Street - Bengali Association
    (a) Aagomoni – Stotrya , Songs and Dances - 1930 hours.
    (b) Melodious Songs rendered by ’Bhavna Dutta & Troupe’ from Kolkata - 2030 hours.
  2. Indira Nagar - Socio-Cultural Association
    (a) Bengali Songs by Lopamudra Mitra - 2000 hours
  3. J P Nagar - Utsav
    (a) Bajlo Chutir Ghonta - Kids performance - 1900 hours
    (b) Vandana - Musical program - 1945 hours
  4. Marathalli - Poorva Bangalore Cultural Association
    (a) Udbodhoni Sangeet by Aditya Vittal - 1830 hours
    (b) Dancing Little Champs - 1930 hours
    (c) Rocking Gen-Y by PBCA Junior - 1945 hours
    (d) Songs by Indrani Sen - 2030 hours
  5. Rajarajeshwari Nagar - Aikatan
    (a) Anandomela – 1930 hours
    (b) Dandia – 2100 hours
  6. Sarjapura Road - SORRBA Durga Puja
    (a) Songs by Srikanto Acharya - Evening
  7. BTM - Bengalis in Bangalore
    (a) Fusion Band performance by "Anonymous" - 2030 hours
  8. J P Nagar - South Bangalore Cultural Association
    (a) "Janani Eseche Dware" - Musical programme by SBCA members - 2030 hours
  9. Jayamahal - Jayamahal Sarbajanin Durga Puja
    (a) Variety Entertainment - Youth from Jayamahal - 2015 hours
  10. Koramangala - Sarathi Socio-Cultural Association
    (a) Dance and poetry - 1900 hours
    (b) Drama - 2100 hours

Friday, October 11, 2013 - Saptami
  1. Commercial Street - Bengali Association(a) Dance Program by The Children of Aswini Charitable Trust - 1930 hours.
    (b) Classical Dance Programme By Meghna & troupe - 2000 hours.
    (c) Musical night by Snigdha & Troupe - 2030 hours.
  2. Indira Nagar - Socio-Cultural Association
    (a) Bengali Dance Program from Swati and Troupe - 1930 hours
    (b) Navaratri Special – Garba and Dandiya - 2100 hours
  3. J P Nagar - Utsav
    (a) Sur-e Taal-e Adday - Evening
    (b) Badal Sarkar-er Anoboddo Ranganatto - "Solution X" Directed by Amitabha Bakshi
  4. Marathalli - Poorva Bangalore Cultural Association
    (a) Abritir Anginay - Bratati - 1830 hours
    (b) Songs by Srikanto Acharya - 2030 hours
  5. Munnekolala - Bangla Cultural Association
    (a) Songs by Ms Tanushree
  6. Rajarajeshwari Nagar - Aikatan
    (a) Mixed bag – Song & instrumental – 1930 hours
    (b) Amader Duniya Sopnopuri - Dance Ensemble – 2000 hours
    (c) Chetonate Nazrul – Song, Dance & Recitation  – 2045 hours
  7. RT Nagar - R.T. Nagar Sarbajanin Durga Puja Samiti
    (a) Songs by Lopamudra Mitra - 1945 hours
  8. Sarjapura Road - SORRBA Durga Puja
    (a) Songs by Anindya Bose (Shohor band) - Evening
  9. BTM - Bengalis in Bangalore
    (a) Dance Drama based on Rabindranath Tagore's Samanno Khoti - 1900 hours
    (b) Bangla Band performance by "Tathasthu" - 2000 hours
  10. J P Nagar - South Bangalore Cultural Association
    (a) Magic Show - 1900 hours
    (b) GARBA Dance by SBCA members - 1940 hours
    (c) Odissi Dance - 2000 hours
  11. Jayamahal - Jayamahal Sarbajanin Durga Puja
    (a) Songs & Dance - Sure-O-Chhondey Graam Bangla by Nakshtra Group - 1930 hours
    (b) Bangla songs over ages - Sekal Theke Ekaal by Bhavna Dutta - 2030 hours
    (c) Muktaangan - 2230 hours
  12. Kanakapura Road - KARBA
    (a) Rock concert - Evening.
  13. Koramangala - Sarathi Socio-Cultural Association
    (a) Sarathi Choir - 1900 hours
    (b) Gunjan - 2115 hours

Saturday, October 12, 2013 - Ashtami
  1. Commercial Street - Bengali Association
    (a) Songs by Lopamudra Mitra - 1930 hours.
    (b) Aaroti Nritya & Competition
  2. Indira Nagar - Socio-Cultural Association
    (a) Songs by 
    Anindya Bose with Sahar Band - 2000 hours
  3. J P Nagar - Utsav
    (a) Bandishe Band - Evening
    (b) HORIKHELA - dance drama based on a poem by Tagore - 1945 hours
  4. Marathalli - Poorva Bangalore Cultural Association
    (a) Dance by PBCA Next Gen - 1945 hours
    (b) Rockers Eve - Sparkplugs - 2000 hours
    (c) Bolly/Tolly Wood - Tanushree & Atanu - 2030 hours
  5. Munnekolala - Bangla Cultural Association
    (a) Songs by Ratna Mitra, Sampriti Dutta, Mousumi Pal, and Bhaskar Choudhuri
  6. Rajarajeshwari Nagar - Aikatan
    (a) Mixed bag – Song & instrumental – 1930 hours
    (b) Honeymoon – Drama – 2000 hours
  7. RT Nagar - R.T. Nagar Sarbajanin Durga Puja Samiti
    (a) Songs by Somlata Acharya - 1930 hours
  8. BTM - Bengalis in Bangalore
    (a) Sankha Competetion and Dhunuchi Nach - 1830 hours
    (b) Band performance by "Friends of BinB" - 2030 hours
  9. J P Nagar - South Bangalore Cultural Association
    (a) "Brishti Bheja Jeebon O Nari" Programme by SBCA Kids - 1930 hours
    (b) Musical programme by young artists - 2015 hours
    (c) Instrumental programme by RAINBOW - 2030 hours
  10. Jayamahal - Jayamahal Sarbajanin Durga Puja
    (a) Contemporary Dance by Natya Group 1930 hours
    (b) Harmony on Keyboard by Sutapa Das - 2000 hours
    (c) Gotipua dance from Odisha by Brahmagiri Group - 2030 hours
    (d) Muktaangan - 2230 hours
  11. Kanakapura Road - KARBA
    (a) Baul songs - Morning.
    (c) Melodious evening by Kolkata artists - Evening.
  12. Koramangala - Sarathi Socio-Cultural Association
    (a) Kohal - 1900 hours
    (b) Songs by Srikanta Acharya - 2000 hours

Sunday, October 13, 2013 - Nabami
  1. Commercial Street - Bengali Association
    (a) Collage -3 - A portrait of life through drama, Music and Dance, glimpses of life & works commemorating 150 years of Swami Vivekananda and Sri D.L.Roy.
  2. Indira Nagar - Socio-Cultural Association
    (a) Musical Evening by Divya Raghavan - 2000 hours
  3. J P Nagar - Utsav
    (a) Songs by Lopamudra Mitra - 1930 hours.
  4. Marathalli - Poorva Bangalore Cultural Association
    (a) Bollywood Masti - Asit - 1830 hours
    (b) Rock band Prithibi - 2030 hours
  5. Munnekolala - Bangla Cultural Association
    (a) Hi Spirits Band - Manjunath and Party
  6. Rajarajeshwari Nagar - Aikatan
    (a) Mixed bag – Song & recitation – 1930 hours
    (b) Chandalika – Dance Drama – 2000 hours
    (c) Disco Express – A musical journey – 2045 hours  
  7. RT Nagar - R.T. Nagar Sarbajanin Durga Puja Samiti
    (a) Songs by Aurko band & Zubeen Garg
  8. Sarjapura Road - SORRBA Durga Puja
    (a) Songs by Subhamita Banerjee - Evening
  9. BTM - Bengalis in Bangalore
    (a) Kids Drama - 1830 hours
    (b) Special attraction - "Tollywood Through ages" - 1930 hours
  10. J P Nagar - South Bangalore Cultural Association
    (a) Musical programme by young artists - 1930 hours
    (b) Recitation - 2000 hours
    (c) Musical Nite by Ashirvaad Musical Event Management Group - 2015 hours
  11. Jayamahal - Jayamahal Sarbajanin Durga Puja
    (a) Variety Entertainment - Air Force Band - 1930 hours
  12. Kanakapura Road - KARBA
    (a) Melodious evening by Zee Saregama artists - Evening.
  13. Koramangala - Sarathi Socio-Cultural Association
    (a) Jhankar Beats - 1900 hours
    (b) Songs by Somlata Acharya - 2000 hours

Monday, October 14, 2013 - Dashami
  1. Indira Nagar - Socio-Cultural Association
    (a) Musical Nite by playback singer Monali Thakur - 2000 hours

Saturday, November 2, 2013 - Kali Puja




Of note, a creature know as Tathagata Maiti has been instrumental in inspiring and in the making of this list.

Hangover

A cold and cloudy evening, by the side of a blue pool, along the shallow stony stream. Rain had just past by, probably an hour past or probably more, probably several uncounted hours had passed, who keeps track of them here afterall. Rain had just past by, the feel of it still in the air, filling the streams with more noise. A streak of grayish smoke rising through the tinder, making way for logs, somewhere in the background, a couple yards away. That feeling of warmth in dry clothes after being drenched by the relentless evening shower, after being soaked in the chilliness of the blue, silent pool. Someone in the foreground combing her wet hairs, minuscule sprinklets of water vanishing in the mist.

Tuesday, August 6, 2013

Telengana and Independence

Those who oppose Telangana's right for self determination are the same who opposed India's right for self determination at the turn of previous century. They are the same who forced treaties of accession on umpteen numbers of independent states. Those who take pride in externalities of society, in being associated with mighty and rich, in richness of language and culture, in the grand unified country, often support oppression of people and their democratic rights in the name of cultural superiority and pride of a being in a unified nation. Why independence at the first place if it doesn't get you the right to decide your life, your political road ahead. If people of the land do not possess the independence to decide whether they wish to be associated with the rulers or not, when the association is forced, then they are not independent in true sense.

Courtesy: Sikeaux
The basic social structure of a slave society still remains in India though we keep hearing the ego-inflating slogans of the biggest democracy. Our infatuation with riches and power of kingdom is tell tale. I wonder whether it's hereditary to be enslaved, to be proud of the master's greatness (to enslave us). You can see an overflow of pride on a face whose great great grandfather once had a chance to wipe some kings' ass, especially when he explains it to you. You cannot match that sense of pride even if you had written a bestseller or discovered a neutron star.

In a country half the world away, an Indian origin doctor happens to be involved with delivery of a so-called royal baby. The entire media body in India is delighted, almost like being blessed by the lord himself. We just fell short of calling it a national holiday. And this is when not a single doctor is ready to treat runny nose in rural India. I wonder whether India even deserves to gain sovereignty from Britain. Had we been proud of our independence, an Indian doctor serving those who once enslaved us would have made us ashamed, not proud. But alas we love liking white asses and belonging to the family of those who had done this during the Raj.

With our propensity towards kings and kingdoms, we cannot call ourselves democracy. Independence from Britain had merely given us a method to elect the knights and kings, to hold complete command over our lives and liberties. When we leave the decisions of what happens with people of Telangana, Kashmir, Manipur, Chhattisgarh on the elected knights and their collective decisions with complete disregard to what the people actually want, then we know where we belong.

Wednesday, January 2, 2013

Absence of Darkness

In wake of the brutal gang rape in Delhi and the consequent protests, the social media too flared up and we expressed our views on the matter and on all related matters. Once such meme circulating in the social media is:

"The problem is men... Men shouldn't be allowed to step out of the house after 9pm unless accompanied by his mother, sister or wife !!!" - henceforth to be referred as original phrase.

Many shared the post, some shared the thought as well though seemingly unlikely to be true. Some thought it's funny, some shared it out of concern for women, some seriously believed in it. I have something to say to those who considered this post worthy to any extent.

How would you react if I say "always satisfy your wife's jewellery needs, else she might fuck other men to get those", i.e., ALL WOMEN are potential whores. That's gross, disgusting, and would make no sense to anybody whatsoever. One might say that these words can come only from the minds of a psychopath.

Now, consider the original phrase. Doesn't that mean "ALL MEN are potential sex offenders." This too is equally gross, disgusting, in the same manner. And yet, I see morons liking and sharing this meme all over the social media. It is a proof that most people don't scratch beyond the surface when it comes to thinking and reasoning.

Both the sentences are absurd. The first one may sound funny but is equally sexist and gross as the second one. It is an irony that the same people who think this way also shout that racism is bad. What it is if not racism?

Opposite of darkness is not absence of darkness, but presence of light. There is no such thing as absence of darkness. We often fail to understand this fallacy in our logic. The irony of liberalism is that those who think they are liberal, go to such extent to oppose conservatism that they themselves become conservative of opposite color. Those who oppose superstition with blind faith in science are superstitious as well. Freedom to women doesn't mean curtailment of freedom of men.

Women who hate men are considered feminists  and the society projects an image of feminists as anti-men, men hater who vow to keep distance from men. That's an illogical perception. A women who hates men might not be interested in welfare of women (except self welfare) at all and a women interested in women's welfare might be in deep love with a man as well.

Our prejudiced society gives us molds and we try to put everybody around in one or other mold, and often end up putting ourselves in one such mold.

One can either go with those predefined molds, think, talk, and do what everybody else is doing or think for herself/himself and decide. Those who liked, shared, and loved the original post had given no thought to what it actually means.

We love outsourcing, but don't do it with "thinking."