BLUE AND LIFE PARTNER

BLUE

This is one of the most expensive movies made in India in the range of 129 crones....but movies are not documentaries, they need to have a good storyline ,good music,but this is sadly lacking in all. I saw it because of so much hype and then Jayed Khan is my favourite..he is such a good mix of child and man and then katrina and akshay. Sanjay dutt is looking old, flabby and Lara looks all the time as if she is on top of the world getting to work opposite Sanjay....know what I mean:)..totally a mismatched couple...It has only some good underwater scenes and a liitle good...Rahul dev.i always wonder why people brand Salman for taking off his shirt, every hero does that and at the most inappropriate times even..here Akshay is going to dive and before that he is shown standing without a shirt.

LIFE PARTNER,
This is the movie about two couples...one..Fardeen and Genelia..Genelia is shown to be a spoiled brat who changes her hobbies or profession every six months and though she is no good at that, her indulgent father encourages her and boyfriend never tells the truth,before marriage if she has illogical demands,BF fulfills everything , but after marriage the same things start irritating him..this takeI liked..like how parents pamper the children wrongly and lay a wrong foundation for their future lives,and how boy friends pamper to the evrywhimof their girlfriends without ever telling them the truth or differentiating between right and wrong,but after marriage they want them to be responsible wives..arent they expecting the impossible? Genelia is shown as a girl who cant do anything except enjoying the life..partying,shopping etc.But Fardeen is happy with her before marriage and expects her to change overnight...here in a comic way the movie gives us a good lesson.

Second couple is Tusshar and Prachi...here the culprit are Tusshar's parents who in their zeal of saving Indian culture are so dominating that they become the cause of breaking their children's marriage..Prach iis shown to be a girl good in most of things though she is also from a wealthy family,and well educated also,and Tusshar is always shown to be dominated by his father.

These two have a friend...Govinda,a divorce lawyer who does his business at the cost of everybody's family, but in then end its he only who brings everyone together ,he brings a few laughs with Himani Shivpuri..Amrita Rao.. opposite him is looking very artificial, even Genelia has also done over acting at many places

Now I have lost interest in Big Boss..as most of the interesting people have gone..Shamita,Tanaz,even Sherylyn was better than these men.
.

This is why Tata is a Respected name in India....

Meeting with H N Srinivas – Senior Executive Vice President, Taj Group of Hotels

He narrated the 26^th November 2008 terror attack on Taj Mumbai and there were some important points.

A. Terrorist entry

1. They entered from the Leopold Colaba hotel entrance and also from the northern entrance – spraying indiscriminate bullets on the Taj security personnel and guests in general.

2. Though Taj had a reasonable security – they were surely not equipped to deal with terrorists who were spraying 6 bullets per trigger.

3. The strategy of the terrorists was to throw chunks of RDX in an open area that will explode and burn – creating chaos so that the guests and staff run helter skelter so that the terrorists could kill them. The idea was to create maximum casualties.

4. There were several critical gatherings and functions happening in the hotel on that day – a Bohra wedding, global meet of Unilever CEOs and Board members and 2 other corporate meetings were being held in the hotel – besides the usual crowd.

5. The firing and chaos began at about 8.30 p.m. and the staff including employees on casual and contract basis displayed exemplary presence of mind, courage and sacrifice to protect the guests who were in various halls and conference rooms.

B. Stories of Staff Heroics

1. A young lady guest relation executive with the HLL gathering stopped any of the members going out and volunteered 3 times to go out and get stuff such as ice cubes for whiskey of the guests when the situation outside the hall was very explosives and she could have been easily the target of the bullets

2. Thomas George a captain escorted 54 guests from a backdoor staircase and when he was going down last he was shot by the terrorists

3. There were 500 emails from various guests narrating heroics of the staff and thanking them for saving their lives

4. In a subsequent function, Ratan Tata broke down in full public view and sobbed saying – “the company belongs to these people”. The wife of Thomas George who laid his life saving others said, she and the kids were proud of the man and that she did not know that for 25 years she lived with a man who was so courageous and brave

5. The episode happened on 26^th November, a significant part of the hotel was burnt down and destroyed – the hotel was re-opened on 21^st December and all the employees of the hotel were paraded in front of the guests

6. It was clearly a saga of extra-ordinary heroics by ordinary people for their organisation and in a way for their country. The sense of duty and service was unprecedented

7. The young lady who protected and looked after the HLL guests was a management trainee and we often speak of juniority and seniority in the organisation. She had no instructions from any supervisor to do what she did

a. She took just 3 minutes to rescue the entire team through the kitchen

b. Cars were organised outside the hotel as per seniority of the members

c. In the peak of the crisis, she stepped out and got the right wine glass for the guest

8. People who exhibited courage included janitors, waiters, directors, artisans and captains – all level of people

C. The Tata Gesture

1. All category of employees including those who had completed even 1 day as casuals were treated on duty during the time the hotel was closed

2. Relief and assistance to all those who were injured and killed

3. The relief and assistance was extended to all those who died at the railway station, surroundings including the “Pav-Bhaji” vendor and the pan shop owners

4. During the time the hotel was closed, the salaries were sent my money order

5. A psychiatric cell was established in collaboration with Tata Institute of Social Sciences to counsel those who needed such help

6. The thoughts and anxieties going on people’s mind was constantly tracked and where needed psychological help provided

7. Employee outreach centers were opened where all help, food, water, sanitation, first aid and counseling was provided. 1600 employees were covered by this facility

8. Every employee was assigned to one mentor and it was that person’s responsibility to act as a “single window” clearance for any help that the person required

9. Ratan Tata personally visited the families of all the 80 employees who in some manner – either through injury or getting killed – were affected.

10. The dependents of the employees were flown from outside Mumbai to Mumbai and taken care off in terms of ensuring mental assurance and peace. They were all accommodated in Hotel President for 3 weeks

11. Ratan Tata himself asked the families and dependents – as to what they wanted him to do.

12. In a record time of 20 days, a new trust was created by the Tatas for the purpose of relief of employees.

13. What is unique is that even the other people, the railway employees, the police staff, the pedestrians who had nothing to do with Tatas were covered by compensation. Each one of them was provided subsistence allowance of Rs. 10K per month for all these people for 6 months.

14. A 4 year old granddaughter of a vendor got 4 bullets in her and only one was removed in the Government hospital. She was taken to Bombay hospital and several lacs were spent by the Tatas on her to fully recover her

15. New hand carts were provided to several vendors who lost their carts

16. Tata will take responsibility of life education of 46 children of the victims of the terror

17. This was the most trying period in the life of the organisation. Senior managers including Ratan Tata were visiting funeral to funeral over the 3 days that were most horrible

18. The settlement for every deceased member ranged from Rs. 36 to 85 lacs in addition to the following benefits:

a. Full last salary for life for the family and dependents

b. Complete responsibility of education of children and dependents – anywhere in the world

c. Full Medical facility for the whole family and dependents for rest of their life

d. All loans and advances were waived off – irrespective of the amount

e. Counselor for life for each person

D. Epilogue

1. How was such passion created among the employees? How and why did they behave the way they did?

2. The organisation is clear that it is not something that someone can take credit for. It is not some training and development that created such behaviour. If someone suggests that – everyone laughs

3. It has to do with the DNA of the organisation, with the way Tata culture exists and above all with the situation that prevailed that time. The organisation has always been telling that customers and guests are #1 priority

4. The hotel business was started by Jamshedji Tata when he was insulted in one of the British hotels and not allowed to stay there.

5. He created several institutions which later became icons of progress, culture and modernity. IISc is one such institute. He was told by the rulers that time that he can acquire land for IISc to the extent he could fence the same. He could afford fencing only 400 acres.

6. When the HR function hesitatingly made a very rich proposal to Ratan – he said – do you think we are doing enough?

7. The whole approach was that the organisation would spend several hundred crore in re-building the property – why not spend equally on the employees who gave their life?
Minuted by Dileep Ranjekar

Source.email

Happiness

Sorry friends, I havent been able to read blogs and update mine for a long time, this was the longest break I must have taken , since I started blogging. Actually first we were shifting and due to incessant rains we got the Internet after a week and then I had guests.

Last week our friends went to a trip to Ooty and the amount of havoc rains created there was really shocking..more of it was due to the flaunting of rules , neglect of environment and greed of certain people, we lost 300 crores and some lives..dont lknow when we will have ethical honest people here.The highlight of their trip was that they saw one young man who was looking very handsome and different, they asked him who he was and lo..........he was the hero...Kiran, they were very impressed with his demeanour and behaviour. Some people always remain down to earth.

We talked and discussed a lot and at our age, it always comes down to ..what is happiness and why there is stress in life.I am a person who does lot of introspection whenever anything happens and I try to think....did I do any wrong and if I didnt do anything wrong then why it happened to us? and all of us came to the conclusion that all that stress happens because we thing that we are the doer....whereas its not like this, nothing happens without the permission of God, its HE who decides everything, whatever happens is always his command and because of some grand perspective. But that doesnt mean that we must stop doing karma,....NO..we must always try to do the right thing but leave the results to God, whatever happens, we must neither take credit for it nor feel guilty, deprived or unhappy.What is important is doing the right thing and if we are able to do that, we must be happy and thankful to God, because very few people are able to manage that feet...One line that impressed me a lot .is.......I dont need anyone, in my life to be happy, I am happy in myself ,with myself....my happiness doesnt depend on things and people.
This topic is so close to my heart that I can write and write, but will be boring to others:).

Last week my sis came here from Canada and she did the impossible..she brought my mom also to chennai from Delhi..impossible because my mom has multiple health problems and she doesnt travel beyond the car:)...with this venture my sister showed that there is nothing impossible if one has the will....we had a blast, spent all the time at Pothys, Nallis:):):)..what are otherwise women for:)..then last day we saw 3 temples...Now a good costume jwellery shop has opened in Velachery 100ft road..Jazz, they have good items, though rates are little on higher side.She got two beautiful Pavadais stitched here..I just love them..best for formal wear or daily wear and look good also. The best part was that I and my sis reminisced about our childhoos, both of us grew together with not much of difference in age and our memories are so what should I say different from today's world...like always cooking something if our mom left us behind and younger siblings would be the esteemed guest and they being what they were would later ask our mom to make halwa like didi made( the burnt one)..we laughed so much rememebering those days..like we were quite afraid of our parents and wouldnt dare to do anything prohibited, so we were comparing with today's children..and my sis rememebers every little thing..it was really fun sitting together, drinking tea and gupshup..today when I see the single child syndrome, it saddens me that how much they will be missing, they will never know such sessions or the love of a sibling..its an experience in itself.

Last week was really good to me,as I got a prize from Burp for my review of Influence:)

FRIENDS

Yesterday one of our very old friend came on south tour, and here it is raining so heavily that they were evry dissappointed.and were surprised to known that its a rainy season here... I dont know after how long I had a heart to heart talk with a friend..really friends are a treasure.And this couple is one of those people who have bleen blessed by not things but people...I have realised that god always balances everything, if someone gets a lot of money , then its spent also like that, but if some one is not getting too much, god gives them in some other way.....

LIke getting good servant in a reasonable amount and that too a one who loves them..because I have seen that even this part is so difficult, here every maid charges me a lot, my neighbours.some say that she charges you doublew the amount because you are north indian, try to bargain, but to no avail, some even wail that these NI spoil the servants , increase their rates, but I have no option, either to do everything myself or pay.

Retaining good health..most important, otherwise all your wealth is useless.

Getting a good girl for your son...yes dont laugh, I think its your biggest fortune if you get a respecting and affectionate girl in your house..This is one of the biggest blessings or curse of the GOD you get.>.I felt so happy to see that my friend has a lovely girl in her house who loves her and respects her.

And god always gives you enough warnings for every future problem, telling you.put your house in order, or take care of your health etc, its we human, who always think negative whenever anything wrong happens. It is always god's way of warning us..hello take care, you are not looking after this area of your life, pull your socks.and do the needful.

When I see big Boss, I notice many things, I loved it when Tanaz said to Bakhtiar...for just once let HIM drive you, take the back seat and see, he will take you to a better destination.
I loved her belief in everything good,.
Then once Poonam said......For adults its not proper to say anything improper and then apologise or say sorry....Life doesnt go like that one has to learn to control the temper .and behave like an adult.
I so firmly believe that there are certain things you just can never do and say, so always learn your boundaries and never overstep them, otherwise you may loose something which you will never get back.
whatever may be the end of this game, but it will break and make the image of all the inhabitants...so far Tanaz and Bakhtiar are on the top image wise and Rohit on the bottom,Even Poonam has lost her favour.Raju is coming out as a good comedian, but as a person, just OK, not good.Shamita behaves like a cultured girl.

This & That

Just the other day I was walking back from the market..it was evening, getting dark..suddenly one young man asks me..Do you know Hindi? I immediately said yes, as I thought may be he was looking for his way and I could help him. He started saying..we are coming from Nagpur, we went to the darshan of Madurai and rameshwaram, and somebody stole our money.....I just cut him off in the middle and started walking away, because I got scared...as I had heard of 2-3 incidents of women being looted at that time, and I was wearing some jewellery. But my mind kept going to..what if it was true what he said? what if he was really a man in need? and i could really help him, I wished so much that my husband was with me, then I would have at least given him some money....I felt so restless and like a coward later on.Though when I came back home, my husband was sitting with some office people and everybody said that this is a very common con, good you came back, but still I think..
I didnt do the right thing.
Why we have come to a stage where we trust none.

Now-a days we looking for a flat,as we have to change the present one, we came across a very good one and the landlord was very interested and eager to give and lo..the next day its volte face..he says he would like to give company lease ....after lot of discussions we said fine,m we will take on personal, then he said, his son wants to give it to any of his relative only..but then why you came to us and took so much of our time..dont know why people behave like that.

BTW I saw Wanted and loved it:)...it looked like I was watching Kalia type movie of Amitabh bacchan...after a long time good action and good winning over bad...good dialogues and a fabulous hero..though slightly old type, but it has to be..now-a-days good doesnt win always....good entertainer.

Update of BIG BOSS.....The tables have turned a little..Rohit is not coming out a good person, he is the most chameliontype, always trying to create conflict between poeople..it was disgusting the way he told a lie about Claudia. The amount of bitching gossiping is done by men....Vindu, Rohit and Ismail Darbar ..amazes me..personally i have seen that men are good in general, its women who create problems( except my reader friends of course:), here the men are cunning, women are nice. And Raju Srivasatav is the only comic and entertaining person, though he goes overboard sometimes. Even big boss is covering selectively.women are covered less, men more..I would love to see more of Poonam Dhilloon and Aditi should be out soon.

Thought of the day...
Always keep your words soft and sweet,
just in case you have to eat them.

VANDALUR ZOO CHENNAI

Cave for Chimpanzee, he was just coming out
Lion..here we were behind the grills:)

EMU
Last Sunday we went to see the Zoo..VANDALUR zoo.. considered the biggest in Asia.. and looks like it is. I am very fond of nature and watching wild animals, so wherever I find time I see the Zoo..
I have seen. the Zoo in Kolkota........That time my son was justone and a half year, so most of my memories are of..he running here and there and me after him:).the memory of his cute face, excited to see so much, still brings a smile to my face.
London........again we went to see this one because my son was 3years and enjoyed watching and roaming there and then that time London' zoo was considered a unique one as it only had whitebear and tiger etc, first time I saw a different type of habitat for those animals.
San diego.......Here the table turned,:) my daughter took me there..it s beautiful as far as surroundings, landscaping is concerned,I specially loved the aviary
Hyderabad.......I went there with my son..it has many things like boating, mini train and safaribut otherwise not sonwell maintained,like restaurant had nothing except cold samosas and cold drink.
.and now Chennai..

Here the entrance is beautiful and at the entrance I saw a fountain tap for drinking water, it was in the shape of elephant..looked so different and beautiful that I took a picture immediately, but when we went inside we found that there are many and all have the heads of different animals..after all it is a zoo.

Since we have left side walking system wherever I go, I start from left side and keep on going, but here it became my undoing.. the stop for TOUR THE ZOO and LION SAFARI for both the trips was located at the right and we completely missed it and when till the end we didnt find it and asked then came to know and then the time was left for only Lion safari..so if you want to take these tours plan accordingly.

It is a huge place, we continuously walked for 3 hours and still couldnt see everything..there are so many inhabitants of all the varieties and there was so much of crowd. There is just one canteen at the entrance only......I wonder in a country where there is so much of unemployment, govt never taps the opportunities available..there was so much of waiting there, not many things available..they could always make it a little cleaner well kept place, with sufficient items and always could employ some more people. We hadnt taken the lunch thinking we would have it there, but there was nothing except rice..everything finished at 1 PM only

We took Lion Safari....I have taken one in Hyderabad also, but here it was amazing..I saw the lion by my window and then with his cubs roaring and playing.To me, over all this trip was very enjoyable .

some unrelated news....http://economictimes.indiatimes.com/700-AI-flyers-stranded-at-Paris-airport-for-over-10-hrs/articleshow/5166894.cms

HOW TIMES ARE CHANGING

How times are changing........

Disclaimer..this post is a work of pure fiction and any resemblance to anyone is just intentional:)

When we were young we listened to parents,and did whatever we were asked today parents are listening to children.
Times are changing:)

Earlier parents decided everything..the career, life partner, and if they asked our consent we were thrilled to he core with this concession. Today children decide everything and if they ask parents or even inform them about their decisions, parents are happy......bacche hame maante hain...
times are changing:)

Earlier on every festival, it was children's duty to go home and be with family, today's children say..if you want to celebrate with us come and live with us or come to us..........
times are changing:)

Earlier children lived with the parents toady parents are living with the children.
Times are changing.

In our childhood we were like children, given everything as we required, but now children are everything and family is driven by them.
times are changing:)

When we got married, our MILs said....Keep quiet, DILs dont talk too much, respect the elders, todays DILs say...keep your mouth shut..MILS look good only if they are quiet.
Times are changing:)

Earlier as soon as the Bahu came, she was given the charge of all the work as it was the time for MIL to rest and enjoy.....today MIls are doing everything, its the time for DIl to enjoy.
Times are changing:)

When I got married a, if there was any conflict, my H would say..be mature, she is not so educated and aware, you can understand better. Today if I have a conflict with my DIL my son would say..be mature, if she is not..may be I was born mature:)
How the times are changing:)

Earlier after marriage , in most of the good families ..girl's family never thought of any right over girl or her household, today it seems that ONLY they have all the rights.
Times are changing:).

Earlier if you youngsters did everything for the elders, appreciation as rare, as..to kya hua, unki duty ha yeh, whereas today.....even if they speak nicely, they want and get so much of it:)..elders feel overwhelmed:) ( case of nil expectations my dear:).
Times are changing:)

Earlier having the sons was considered to be lucky, today I will say those who dont have are also lucky as they dont get any heartaches(DILS) in their family,and get a readymade son without any responsibilities ( in the form of SIL) but it shows that ultimately boys are better human beings as they are impartial and not so manipulative.

Earlier mothers wore whatever they liked, nonbody bothered, it was only wives who were scanned..for whatever be it..today wives can wear anything( nobody dares to scan them:)...but mothers are told how to dress:)
Times are changing:)

again times are changing..some for good some for bad.
and friends add some more changes you observe..



Now I would like to share one news..I always say that if we desire something, god always gives us, in one of my last post I wrote about books circulation and last week I read about....SET ON SAIL.. an initiative by Kaveri Lalchand..she has put some books which anyone can take and if one wants to leave books there, one is welcome, I went there left 2 books and brought 3, next time I am going to take my all the lot there...So far she has few books only, but I hope it will increase..her addres is..
Madras Terrace House
2nd street, royapetta