100 years of 1857.

They say a picture is worth a thousand words. Well here's one more bit of evidence to show the truth in the saying. Very poignant picture, in my opinion. The background and the foreground couldn't be more similar, or more contrasted at the same time. I am eagerly awaiting your comments on this.

Taken from 10 May issue of Deccan Chronicle

My favourite scene in Chatrapathi

My most favourite scene in Chatrapathi....ahh wish I could be like that!!!

India Poised

In my opinion, I do not want to criticise anything, without saying to myself "I can fix it" or "I can play my part in fixing it". After two heavy posts criticising India, or more specifically its laws which seem to contradict with its ideals of freedom of speech, I thought to myself "What can I do to fix this?"

My answer is this. India Poised. It's old, but it is something I take up and notice. We are a nation in our 60th year of Independence. Japan was obliterated during WWII and now it is a forefront nation in the developed world. We are but two years "younger" than Japan, but we always seem to be, in PK Varma's words, a "developing nation". The question we need to ask is why. I believe India Poised has an answer to this question.

I reproduce the anthem as follows:

There are two Indias in this country.

One India is straining at the leash, eager to spring forth and live up to all the expectations the world has been showering recently upon us.

The other India is the leash.

One India says, give me chance, and I'll prove myself. The other India says, prove yourself first, and maybe then you'll have a chance

One India lies in the optimism of our hearts. The other India lurks in the skepticism of our minds.

One India wants. The other India hopes.
One India leads. The other India follows.

But conversions are on the rise. With each passing day more and more people from the other India have been coming to this side. And quietly, while the world is not looking, a pulsating, dynamic new India is emerging.

An India who's faith in success is far greater than its fear of failure. An India that no longer boycotts foreign made goods, but buys out the companies that make them instead.

History they say, is a bad motorist. It rarely ever signals its intentions when it is taking a turn

This is a rarely ever moment. History is turning a page.

For more than half a century, our nation has sprung, stumbled, run, fallen, rolled over, got up, dusted herself and cantered, sometimes lurched on. But today as we begin our 60th year as a free nation, the ride has brought us to the edge of time's great precipice.

And one India - the tiny little voice at the back of the head - is looking down and hesitating.

The other India is looking up into the sky and saying, it's time to fly.

(Taken from here)

The inspirational effect is multiplied by a big factor, when the booming baritone voice of Amitabh Bahchan recites it. Watch it below:



(Video taken from here)