‘A LOT OF THE EARTHINESS THAT TYPIFIED INDIA IS GONE'

Juhi Chawla is back with a new movie on school and the education system. She gives suchayan mandal her take on cricket, its commercialisation, her films, history and motherhood

Charming, cute, bubbly would fit her but if Juhi Chawla were to be personified, she is innocently gorgeous and high on humour. Recently in Delhi, to speak on the ill effects of radiation, the soft spoken and “laugh-out-loud” actress was candid on how mobile towers were harmful for people. She even discussed cricket, its commercialisation, her films, history and motherhood. She was particularly excited about The Statesman’s Kolkata connection. Excerpts from an interview:  When did you decide to make people aware of mobile radiation and why?

Four years ago I was happily clueless about any harmful effects. Suddenly mobile antennas started cropping up, which my husband explained to me were harmful for us. Alarmed by this, we hired an agency to check radiation. Getting such an agency was a task itself. Then finally the agency checked and audited a report, which showed which areas of our home were most affected by radiation. I brought this to the notice of other residents in the locality. I wrote to several authorities, requesting them to remove or push back the antennas. They replied but only to inform us about some other bodies, who were the concerned authorities. Nothing majorly moved. I was about to give up as I had other preoccupations. One-and-a-half years later, my neighbour, a retired senior official, offered to help. Six months later, these were removed as most of them were found to be illegal. Now people started approaching us to help them. They would say, “Humare ghar ke bahar bhi hai!” (We have antennas outside our home too.) So I started giving them suggestions. One thing we did was to put banners on our flats with the words, “Harmful effects of radiation. Please remove antennas”. And they were noticed by people.  

What is your suggestion on the same? Ideally, you shouldn’t give these things (mobile phones) to little children to hold and chat. Today, kids are playing on iPads connected to 3Gs and that’s so dangerous! Constant exposure to radiation may harm them because they have soft skulls. Small babies have thin and soft skulls. It keeps developing until they become adults. Now everyone has phones, starting from my driver to the maid and to everyone. There are so many warnings in the phone itself on radiation, which I never knew. So you don’t expect most people to know about the ill effects. They have no clue of the harmful effects. Young men and women keep phones in their jeans pockets, close to reproductive organs and soft tissues. It’s not clear what happens, but that constant exposure for hours will surely have an effect! Remember, it’s not a toy. When you use it for gaming and photos, you can set it in the flight mode. Technicality about a mobile is clear but not the biological effect.
 Many stars are endorsing mobile phone brands. Can they contribute to this? It is definitely convenient for a celebrity to draw attention to a subject. But only when a celebrity says so, people tend to listen more attentively. If you can build that bridge, nothing better than that. You have to believe in it. Fifteen years ago I didn’t do all this, so let the other celebrities come to my age and maybe then they will understand. But it is a fantastic thing to do. More than anything, you can do something for people.  

  Talking about Gulab Gang, why did you choose to work with Madhuri while earlier you always refused to do so?    Earlier, when we were both into a career path, I was like “No! No! I won’t work with her because I have to share the limelight.” We were both doing similar things! We were vying for the same hero! When we danced together, comparisons would arise. Now when they came to me with the script and read it to me, I enjoyed the moment. The dialogues were strong! I was saying, “Kamal ke dialogues hai yaar! Kya dialoguebaazi! Bahut din ke baad aisi film aayi hai!” (Amazing dialogues! Such a film after ages!) But then I said, “Tum logon ka dimag kharab ho gaya! Aisa role main ne zindagi mein kabhi nahi kiya!” (Are you people mad? I have never done such a role!) Nobody will believe I can be that person you want me to portray! Three meetings later, they tried to soften the character. They were trying to justify the character. That just spoilt the whole thing. I realised it had to be in its earlier form. The way director Soumik Sen would read it, I tried to copy him in the movie. I tried to do what he was saying. Madhuri’s role and mine were completely opposite so I thought these were two different roles so people couldn’t compare us and I approved.

What was your reaction when the director offered you a negative role? Initially I almost said, “Watchman please inko bahar le jao! Aise script kyu leke aya!” (Watchman, take him out. Why has he got such a script?) For 23 years I have played positive roles. I realised this was very interesting. I thought, “Chalo theek hai! Try kar lete hai! (OK! Let’s try!) By God’s grace, this was the most exciting role I have ever played in my career!  You’re a co-owner of the Kolkata Knight Riders team. What’s your take on commercialisation of sports? (Thinks.) Both good and bad. What Test cricket used to be and shrinking them to into two hours! It’s like someone making a feature film being asked to make an ad film. This is like injecting a fast forward button into a Test match! It’s becoming exciting for viewers, players and then there’s a lot of money spinning around. On the other hand, so many sportspersons are benefiting from this. Earlier, it used to be if you aren’t selected for the national team you remained relatively unknown. Here, if you perform well in IPL matches you can grow big time! It offered lot of opportunities to players. And thanks to IPL, there is a football league and even a kbaddi league now. I think others will follow. Before, schools used to focus just on studies. Now no one will stop a shooter or a kabaddi player! Who knows, he might be giving autographs tomorrow.   Does your daughter Janhavi want to follow in your footsteps? She is inclined towards academics as of now. She is reading books and books and books. Right now she is confused, “Main banoongi kya?” (What will I be?)   How did you meet your husband? Woh din kya tha! Mere life mein twist aagya poora! (What a day. It totally twisted my life!) I had gone for dinner with my friends. I knew his family for quite some time. I had just started doing well. That evening I met him and from then onwards he stayed in touch. For a year-and-a-half he wooed me! And after that I said OK.    How has Bollywood evolved in front of your eyes? In many, many ways! But always films reflect what happens in society. So as society has changed, films have changed. But, yes, like earlier there used to be 500 films a year, where five were very good, 50 good and rest like “Na dekhne se bhi chalega!” (Can give it a go-by.) And that ratio hasn’t changed. Music has always been a strong part in Indian cinema and now music has developed much. Today, Indian cinema is very Westernised and a lot of that earthiness that typified India is gone. We are catering to more global people.  
 

Compared to the films you worked in during the ’90s to the ones you work in now, like My brother Nikhil, what change do you notice in choosing films? I am glad that I now get films that are story-based. Now I can fit into films and I am glad that there is still an opening for me.  
 

Who are your favourite actors and actresses? I have always been a Sridevi fan. I can say this shamelessly that I used to copy her. She was cuteness personified. Today I think, Deepika is doing very well. Priyanka works really hard and is a very good actor! Alia is like a confident star.  Ranbir Kapoor is cute! He has done such diverse roles and done each one well. “Kuch bhi kar le ta hai!” (He does any role!) I have seen a lot of kids grow up in front of me. There’s Varun Dhawan and Imran. I have to say they are my favourites.  

Tell us about your upcoming projects? As of now I will start working for Chalk and Duster. It is a serious take on school and education. This is a film by Jayant Gilatkar. It has Shabanaji, Divya and Anupam Kher. However, casting hasn’t been totally finalised yet. In about two-three weeks, you will have complete picture of it. 

 How do you plan to celebrate Diwali? This time, because of my brother’s demise, I won’t. Otherwise, every year I do celebrate. We do what every household does. We make rangoli and take an hour to make one flower. In the evening, I would pull my children to light up diyas.  Also I would say this, avoid the crackers. Let Diwali be green and non- polluting. Earlier, pollution wasn’t of this level. Laxmiji won’t like that way.

(Published in The Statesman)

‘They have a very limited understanding’

Hate him or love him, Chetan Bhagat can never be ignored. his books have deeply influenced young urban indians. After his latest novel was launched, suchayan mandal catches up with India's paperback king

"Mother died today. Or maybe, yesterday; I can't be sure." When Albert  Camus wrote this in the opening line of his novel, The Stranger, the  uncertainty of the fiction got merged with the strange reality Camus lived in. On a similar note, Chetan Bhagat’s uncertainty that he lives in and the one he writes in has often been questioned by critics, who have many a times discarded his writing as literature. Bhagat came under fire, probably because his English was the same that the tank top wearing girl in club speaks and also the young chap at CCD ~ which better defines urban India. His writing has always been “filmy” and based on middle class mentalities rather than delving into post Partition crisis.
 In his sixth novel and seventh book, Chetan underlines an issue that is crucial and needs to be highlighted. Excerpts from the interview:

Why is it Half Girlfriend?
It’s a love story. Half Girlfriend is a novel about a timid, non-English speaking Bihari boy’s journey in a world dominated by “English types”, and who “half-romances” a rich Delhi girl. The girl knows that the guy is more than friends but unsure whether to date him because he can’t speak English.

Isn’t the title too sexist?
It’s from the guy’s perspective. Had it been from the girl’s perspective, it would surely have been half boyfriend.

Do you think that a Bihari who can’t speak isnt a dating material?
The whole country suffers from complexes. There is a lot of inferiority around this language. There’s a line in the book: he says, ‘My English is not that good. I have a Bihari accent.’ He says French people have French accent and it’s considered very sexy. So why is it? There’s an assumption of inferiority associated with the whole culture.

Right from Five Point Someone to Half Girlfriend, we have noticed a decreasing numeric value?
Yes. That’s because I was an engineer and a banker. And that’s the reason for my love for numbers.

Half Girlfriend is  being adapted into a Bollywood film even before it hits the stands? Your opinion.
For me whether Twitter or movies or books ~ it's everywhere. It helps in creating a hype around the book. People want to know what the book is all about, if a movie is made on it. I had asked them to first see if the audience is picking the book or not. But yes, they had read the book beforehand. I am not doing anything extra for them. If they want to come and make something then it’s OK with me.

How is the experience seeing your book’s characters on screen?
The first time, I remember, I saw Salman and Katrina playing the roles, it felt bizarre. It was like wow, what’s going on here! But now I am used to it. It does feel beautiful, whenI see the trailer of the movie and I know I am the one who created it.

Critics have often said that Chetan Bhagat’s isn’t literature. What would be your response?
I think they have a very limited understanding of what literature is. Literature, I believe issomething that mirrors society. And it has to reach the masses. There can’t be just one kind of literature. If something is accepted by the masses in such huge numbers we must try to understand that something must be there so that people are accepting it.

Do you believe that since Five Point Someone you have become a better writer?
 I think so. I have improved as a writer from my first book. The flow of writing has got better. There’s a lot more confidence. As a person, I don’t know if it’s just because I’ve been writing so much or it’s because of age, I’ve just become more mature, calmer, less reactive and more in touch with myself.

How did you deal with the criticism? Did it affect your self-confidence?
That’s where I feel in 10 years I have changed. I have become much better at handling it. I can dispassionately talk about it. It cannot bother me enough to disrupt me. But in the initial stages there were real moments of doubt. Maybe I write very badly. I don’t know. Do I write really awfully? Why are so many people criticizing it?

Can you define which genre you write for?
No, I don’t think I can do that. I think it’s like the DNA. It’s like your face, your writing. I don’t think you can alter it too much. I don’t want to. Why would I? I enjoy doing it. People love it. Is there a certain need? Am I supposed to feel inadequate somehow after doing so much? I don’t feel the need at all. It’s not a competition with other writers for me. Ever. It never has been. I have to wean the young kids away from YouTube, from WhatsApp, from Candy Crush and make them read my book.

What is your upcoming project?
I haven’t decided anything yet. I’d concentrate on my health as of now.


Half Girlfriend has been published by Rupa Publishers. INR 176
Available through: http://www.flipkart.com/half-girlfriend-english/p/itmdys62bm3pvww8

Published in The Statesman dated 16 Oct'14.

Can spring be far behind?

With winter round the corner, the designers just got busy to showcase their collections for the next season. At the Wills India Fashion Week Spring Summer edition, glamour took a front row with aesthetics to beat the heat. SUCHAYAN MANDAL reports from the runway 

 

Bold trikinis, polka dots, pencil skirts, sheen of gold and silver, pastel hues, light weight linen and bead work will be in vogue next summer, predicted the just-ended Wills India Fashion Week Spring Summer 2014. The five-day  extravaganza of glamour that concluded in the Capital last Sunday was replete with all the good things of life. Par lights beaming on the ramp and models sashaying the ramp and setting the trend is nothing new. But each season brings with it an innovation in creativity that hypnotises one’s senses to make one believe in a luxury that’s not just lavish.
 People often question the “wearability” of the showcased outfits on the ramps. However, FDCI organised WIFW designers never conceptualise anything that can’t be worn by the off-the-ramp people.

 

Aboriginal art 

Debutante Vivek Karunakaran’s  tops, crop tops, palazzos, jackets, pants, shorts, dresses in gorgeous Chanderis mixed with voile, georgette, linen and poplin have been inspired by the Papunya Tula artists of the Western Desert of Australia. Their patterns consist of dots primarily, and also lines, circles, footprints which when put together narrate a tale. Having introduced  tulip yellow for the first time in his collection, there’s also electric blue, ivory, black, flamingo coral and elephant grey. The designer has played with volume, texture and colour-blocking. Hand-embroidery, appliqué, pleats and gathers enhance the appeal of the colourful garments. Apart from jackets, anarkalis and gowns, dhoti pants ruled the roost.

Deconstructed pants
Much like the global scenario, deconstructed pants are a new trend this time. Wendell Rodrick’s version of this pant has a Goan relax mode, borrowing from the designer’s home town. Tarun Tahilani’s satin dhoti pants have a velvet waist bands and side pocket flaps. Arun Saluja adds an androgynous touch on this trend.
“A deconstructed pant needs to be teamed with something a little less dramatic as there is a lot happening in that one piece of garment. I would team it with a corset, simple stilettos, a tote and ‘just-out-of-bed’ hair. This year, I was inspired by old school Irani cafés, so my variation of the deconstructed pants for my Spring/Summer 2015 show on Sunday at Wills Lifestyle India Fashion Week are deeply pleated culottes paired with a simple crop top”, believes Nida Mahmood.  Pair the pants with fitted tops, or boxy crop tops or even a classic men’s shirt that is partly tucked in the front and you will be setting the trend.

Kashmir ~ an issue

 
Rohit Bal’s collection “Gulbagh” was a tribute to the people of the Valley, who have been affected by the floods that wrecked the state last month. “My heart goes out to the local people who have borne the brunt of the devastation caused by the floods. There is a huge problem there and the people continue to suffer a great deal,” said the designer.
Having liberally used fine handlooms like Chanderi, fine mustard and matka silk, hand block printing has been intelligently used with vegetable dyes and gold leaf embossing. “I grew up surrounded with a variety of flowers. So this collection has chrysanthemums, wild roses, which capture the pristine beauty of the place. There are other elements like the dual stitch technique of Kashmir,” he said to the press.
“On the whole, I would say this collection showcases our Indian sensibilities. I don’t understand why the present designers borrow so much from the Western art and architecture but fail to discover the beauty of our temples, mosques and other heritage sights,” he reasoned.

Denim is back
Dear to heart, denim became designers’ pick at the fashion week. Raakesh Agarvwal’s collection had a lot of distressed denim followed by white distressed pieces with a lot of colour on it. The designer teamed them up with free flowy tops with lot of fringing work to achieve an elegant look. Apart from denim wear range, Agarvwal has also gone back to his initial years of his design career to revisit his collection of 2008 and 2009 and give it a feel of 2014. There were lot of chiffon gowns, free flowing dresses and jumpsuits with intricate cuts and smart detailing.
Veteran designer, Rajesh Pratap Singh’s love for denim was much more than just jeans. With his collection Blue Blood, Singh etched in the collection his love for indigo-dyed raw selvedge denim ~ a dying craft that owes its origin to India. Using varying weights ofdenims for shirting and bottoms.
 The selvedge detail featured uniquely in each piece; sometimes as a seam, in the bias, as a placket detail, or as a minimal stripe down the back of the garment. Shirts, tunics, jeans, jackets, waistcoats, dungarees and culottes made up the ensembles. Experimental silhouettes were displayed in the menswear selection, in the “engineered shirt” and “bias tunic shirt”. An innovative step up showcased stainless steel blended denim, khadi-linen weaves and jacquards with selvedge detailing. Embroidery, applique, patchwork, polka dots and the label's signature pin-tucks and usage of ikat were all highlighted.
The collection was also a tribute to workers in the denim industry, dubbed the “blue-blooded tribe”, to whom the purity of denim is an heirloom and a legacy in itself. This was further reinforced by the fact that Pratap seated his workers at the entry to the stage, like a set of immovable columns in the structure of the industry. Black and white video footage showing the process of denim construction formed an artistic and stirring backdrop that ran throughout the show, saluting the efforts of those true to the art that is denim.

Aussie influence

 Roopa Pemmaraju, a Melbourne-based and Bengaluru-born designer, showcased a luxury ready-to-wear collection, featuring original artworks by indigenous Australian artists on garments, using fabrics created by Indian artisans. The collection has been created in collaboration with renowned indigenous Australian artists, including Warlukurlangu, artists from Yuendumu, Rosie Napurrurla Tasman from Warlpiri culture and Reko Rennie, whose art incorporates his association to the Kamilaroi people.

Be bold
Delhi-based designers Shivan Bhatiya and Narresh Kukreja  showcased maillots, bikinis and trikinis on the ramp. Their work reflected the modern women and the prints embody the work of Calder through the elements of the duo's work.
The designers created two signature prints ~ the hued Influx and the Calder's eye print. They made good use of colours like vermillion, chrome and moss. The palettes worked wonders with beautiful caramel Indian skin. The models looked stunning as they walked down the ramp with wet tresses in order to recreate a resort or pool look around.

Tinsel touch
While Aditi Rao Hydari, Sania Mirza sauntered ramp as show stoppers, sitting on the front row were actor Rahul Bose, Neha Dhupia and Nina Gupta apart from many other celebrities.
 Make-up is always the core part of fashion shows. Nidhi Shar'ma, Delhi based stylist associated with Wills India Fashion Week explained the backstage story. “The designers were getting little more inventive with tonal shades and neutrals. All high sheath and sheer is what this spring summer is all about,” said Nidhi, explaining the make-up trends for spring.
“ The look is both sexy and demure. Quirky prints and old school silhouettes ruled the ramp in Nida Mehmood show with her interesting spring summer line good look Irani cafe inspired from those old Parsi eating joints in Bombay,” she added.
This fashion week wasn’t a ramp tale but included style quotients off it. First timers who made into front row had loud make-up that didn’t synchronize well with the ambience. Yet Devil Wears Prada-inspired fashion editors in corset supported outfits redefined glamour. And to conclude, one often wonders how come most of the designers look so suave yet simplistically dressing up for bowing to the cheering crowd!

‘The innuendos kept coming’

The UPA's debacle in the 2014 Lok Sabha election was accompanied by what amounted to a "book attack" on the erstwhile government and the Congress,with tell-all books such as former media advisor to Manmohan Singh, Sanjaya Baru's The Accidental Prime Minister; Natwar Singh's One Life is not Enough and former Coal Secretary P C Parakh's Crusader or Conspirator? Coalgate and Other Truths making very damaging assertions about the government, the party and their leadership. The latest book to spill the beans on the UPA is former Comptroller and Auditor General Vinod Rai's Not Just an Accountant - The Diary of the Nation's Conscience Keeper (Rupa Publishers). Rai's apolitical stand givest he chronicle more authenticity. The former CAG, who has a degree in public administration from Havard University, is considered to be a symbol of the anti-corruption movement and is credited with having turned the office of CAG into a powerhouse of accountability and transparency. In his book, Rai has delved into the 2G spectrum scam and coal block allocations.
In an interview with SUCHAYAN MANDAL, Rai explained how and why he wrote the book.

Why did you write this tell all book?
Well, when I retired in May last year, I really had no intention of writing a book of this kind. Normally, my career span being vast, once I leave a job I cut the umbilical cord with it and move on. I close that chapter. With the CAG saga behind me, I had thought I might move on. But unfortunately, I found that six months later somehow or other the innuendos kept coming against the CAG or the establishment. I noticed that within the country, the innuendos and statements of very senior peronalities on the institution of the CAG were not dying down and a very incorrect picture was being given. When this picture was given, lots of my colleagues and good friends from my department suggested I write something on these issues to set the record straight. This happened in September-October last year. This was demoralising for the officers. That's when I decid-
ed to write the book.
The CAG reports had very limited circulation and maybe some media and MPs have access to it. I felt that I must write in very simple language about five major issues that have caught the public imagination and lend it wider circulation. More importantly, the five
subjects are five case studies.
The types of failures are variable. In some place there is failure of leadership, some place there is no model of governance,procedures aren't followed. So like this I've taken up the issues.

You have been accused of being a sensationalist bent on promoting and selling your book. Your reaction?
I have never reacted to anything that came up like this in media. When someone says I am sensationalising, I feel he/she is unable to counter my argument. So whoever says so is trying to be personal.

Taking on the former Prime Minister Manmohan Singh,you have charged that he could have stopped both the 2G and Coalgate scams from happening if he had chosen to act promptly. Does this not question Mr Singh's integrity?
No. I haven't charged him like that. I have only mentioned the spectrum case. The Union Minister of Telecom wrote two letters to Singh. One, on 15 November, and another on 26 December 2007. In both the letters he has mentioned what he was trying to do. And in both the letters, the PM responded in a routine way just as an acknowledgment. Now
when the Finance Ministry, Law Ministry, Ministry of Commerce, all were writing that let
these issues be brought before GoM (Group of Ministers) my point was that on 3 January when the PM responded to the 26 December letter, he should have written, "Please do not take any precipitate action till we or the GoM (group of ministers)have discussed this" instead of giving a go-ahead to Raja for going ahead by himself. That could have changed the fate of UPA 2. In the coal issue I don't think I have put any blame on him other than the fact that the captain of the team always takes some blame for the happenings in the team.

A section of the Congress believes that they lost the Lok Sabha elections not because of Mr Narendra Modi but because of you.Would you take it as a compliment?
(Laughs) I can only say they need to look inwards. Why search for lame excuses? They
lost because of their own performance. I wouldn't like to comment on this. I think it requiresmuch more internal introspection for any of the political parties to do, I am not naming anybody for why the result came the way it did.

Will you ever join politics? Don't you think a thorough clean-up is also required in our political system and you could play a role there?
No, I won't join politics. I agree 100 per cent that clean up is necessary. Politics also has good people and also it requires good people. But I am just not cut out for it. Everyone needs some kind of competence for things he needs to do. I am not made for
politics.

What will be your message to the Modi government?
I am too small a man to give a message to the government. He has promised better governance and I hope that comes out to be true.

Sunny side up

In Maldives you can actually feel that love is in the air. Red roses teams up with the warmth of a hug. The beaches in Maldives prove love has no bar and age is just a number. Good food, luxury, spa and beach life ~ get pampered as much as you can, says suchayan mandal

Planning a romantic escape, where you want to experience opulent luxury? Or maybe, thinking of taking the kids and introducing them to a watery realm of the tropics? What about putting together a group of friends and chartering a weeklong live-abroad, combining diving and snorkeling with island hopping? Or, how about a week of just lying in the sun listening to the swoosh of the blue sea as it unfurls on the shoreline? If any of the questions brings a “Yes” in you, look no further than the tropical wonderland of Maldives.
 As we boarded the flight by the Srilankan Airlines, airhostess Niva, wearing a peacock blue saree in typical Ceylonese style, folded her hands in “namaskar” style and greeted us saying, "Ayubowan". A greeting in a foreign tongue was an instant icing on the cake as I prepared myself with beautiful visions of the country we were heading to.
 Maldives, with its sunny side of life, has always been a dream destination for those who choose to romance thrill along with the love of their life. The island country is best known for its pristine sea, white sands, virgin beaches and a lot of opportunities for a peek into the undersea world. As the flight started descending on the skies of Male, at 1.30 am, the Indian Ocean below seemed to shine abruptly. As we neared the ground we were happily dumbstruck to find the runway almost overlooking the sea.
 With 1,190 islands, Maldives has some of the best examples of coral atoll formation in the world and some of the most remote resorts where one never imagined life could exist. With the biggest brands in the 5 and 6-star resort business, coupled with one island ~ one resort policy, the problem in Maldives starts when you need to choose one resort and you are spoilt for choice.

First night

 Arriving at Ibrahim Nasir International Airport in Male, we headed for our first night's shelter at Hulhule Island Hotel, deemed to be the only airport hotel in Male. Unlike normal airport hotels, this place was unique. It offers a choice of food and rooms, tempting a visitor to stay there all through one’s vacation. The night being hectic, we simply dozed off. The next morning, as I stepped into the balcony, an awesome feeling engulfed me. In front of me, heavenly turquoise blue Indian Ocean dotted with a few speed boats. And the hotel has its own beach as well. Since the island is almost mid-sea and there is no official beach, the hotel has constructed a beach, which looks like a swimming pool with saline water and a natural feeling. Too excited to explore Male, the capital city of approximately 6 sq km area, we wanted to have our breakfast at a breakneck speed. But destiny had its own way. With the buffet spread including Rosi (Bread for Maldivians) and Reef Fish Curry, we didn't dare to defy the call of the table. Rather, giving in to the taste and relishing the chewy meat of the reef fish was the best option. Next on the itinerary was a visit to Male on speedboat. As the white boat cruised the blue water, the turbulence it yielded was thrilling, yet we were craving for more. Male is one of the largest producers of canned Tuna fish in the world. So, as a tribute, we visited the local fish market. Unlike our hustling fish markets in Bengal or Odisha, this was a quieter affair. The colourful and monstrous-looking fish dumped on white slabs seemed quite fresh. The market being clean hardly had the “fishy” smell that defines fish market. As advised, we made sure to see the fish-cutters at work, with their practiced blades slicing and dicing the fish neatly ~ all in a few seconds.

Tropical paradise

 As Maldives unravels the sunny side of your life, it makes sure you are never short of surprises. The next best thing waiting for us was Sea Plane.  The thrill to witness a plane that has a boat like quality to sail on water being immense, we rushed to the airport. Male airport is the only communicating and junction place there. The ferry and speed boat service to other islands as well as seaplanes all originate from the international airport here.
Our next destination being Medufushi Island Resort, we took the Trans-Maldivian Airways, which was a trance itself. The seaplanes are tiny with a capacity to carry 19 passengers. Officially called De Havilland Canada, or DHC-6 Twin Otter, these seaplanes are equipped with 550 shp (410 kW) PT6A -20 propeller turbine engines. Being a short haul flight, there was not much formalities except for the seat belts. The inside being small, the noise of the engine becomes intolerable at times.
At the ocean level, the Maldives provides visitors with a majestic vista ~ an infinite ocean dotted with idyllic tropical islands. As the plane propelled on the water and sped away, it set off a spray of water on all sides. Looking at Maldives through the window of a seaplane made us realize how fragile the island nation actually is.
Our 30-minute seaplane journey ended at Medhufushi Island Resort, a natural, quiet, serene and sensuous island. The green bottom of the sea visible from the jetty with lucky eyes tracing baby sharks and blueness spreading beyond the horizon, it seemed like an after-life sojourn of the heaven. The welcome drink of Kiwi and green apple was addictive enough for us to order  10 times over the next two days. The beach, dotted with sunbathing honeymoon couples, makes one realize the life beyond traffic jams and increment.
 The next two days at this island found us indulging in activities that made us laugh our lungs out ~ the enjoyment rose that high. The food was well-balanced between local and exotic with a delicious earthen pot of beef curry and yellow-fin tuna with pineapple salsa. Staple food of Maldivians is rice and fish, which sums up for a gastronomical delight for foodies like me.

The Big Blue

Snorkeling is one of the main draws here. With ample reefs, thilas, caves, wrecks and large pelagics and plentiful of fish and other aquatic animals and coral reefs, snorkeling in Maldives is never boring. We armed ourselves with fins and diving set and marched into the ocean. Our nervous joys exploded with confidence as soon as we spotted melon butterfly fish, coral rabbit fish, powder blue surgeon fish, shrimp goby right under. My heart skipped a beat as I saw a monstrous sting ray and a red snake!

Luxury on waves

We took a yacht to Anantara Dhigu Resorts from Male. The 35-minute journey on deep blue sea was a visual delight. Reaching Dhigu island we were welcomed the traditional Maldivian way with drum beats and coconut water. The full moon rose on the pinkish black sky and the villas on the water lent a surreal, romantic feel. While taking a spa, you can witness the antics of the fish, thanks to the glass flooring on the spas. There are three islands nearby, so one can take a dhoni (local boat) and hop on and hop off. Besides the balmy waters of the sea, hermit crabs engaged us with their hide and seek inside the shell.

Blue whale skeleton

When we reached Meeru island, we witnessed our last sunset in Maldives. Meeru being one of the largest islands there, getting around in the island isn't only by foot, like the others. There are golf cars for the visitors’ convenience. Centrally located in Meeru is an enormous blue whale skeleton that was found in the 1990s. The 20 ft long blue whale skeleton is that of a “baby” (calf) and I wondered what an adult would look like! Scariest was at night, if one is alone and staying in Jacuzzi water villas on the sea. One can hear the water rumble under the floors and if out on the verandah, one can see a limitless sea and imagine sea monsters lurking underneath. 

Nature friendly

Luxury tourism and environmental conservation may seem unlikely bedfellows but protecting the beautiful natural environment of Maldives is the responsibility of the resorts. Thilafushi, an artificial island 7 km from Malé, has been artificially made to dump and treat garbage. So tons of garbage collects over days, which is later treated and sorted out.
Published in The stateman, dated 25 september

Vivekonomics

On this day some 110 years back, the man in saffron represented India at the Parliament of Religions in Chicago. People were as enthusiastic to hear Vivekananda then as they now go gaga over Justin Timberlake's performances. Today, when India's economy is on the move, Vivekananda’s suggestions in this sector seem all the more relevant, leading suchayan mandal to wonder how Swamiji would have served as PM's economic adviser

On the morning of 11 September, 1893, Swami Vivekananda received a thundering applause that lasted for about two minutes. Credit goes to his choice of gender preference and words, "My Sisters and Brothers of America..." Little did people know that the flame, which flared up that day would enlighten his fellow human beings with a vision for a better world, where man would muster courage to fight the evil and believe in himself. His speech, "The Christian is not to become a Hindu or a Buddhist, nor a Hindu or a Buddhist to become a Christian. But each must assimilate the spirit of the others and yet preserve his individuality and grow according to his own law of growth," could have been a prelude to the anthem that the West and the Orient would sing in times to come. 
Swamiji believed that philosophical doctrines are not effective when it comes to the ill health of his country's economy and the worsening condition of his countrymen. On his return from the US in 1897, he delivered lectures across India on his views of the socio-economic condition of Indians and its betterment ~ the speeches were later compiled into a book, Lectures from Colombo to Almora.  

While Mahatma Gandhi's belief was in cottage industry, Swamiji's vision predicted that to develop India into a true "independent" country, industrialisation was the need of the hour. In one his speeches in Chicago, Swamiji said it was "bread and not religion" that India needed the most. His pragmatism made him the celebrity whose lectures were, in the current context, like a Lady Gaga or Justin Timberlake's performance, with people gathering just to hear him perform with his thunderbolt speech.
 The relevance of Swami Vivekananda’s opinions to make India self-sufficient economically is reflected in the new government at the Centre leaving no stone unturned to pull in maximum industrialisation and  investments.
So, in this context, it appears quite relevant to discuss Swami Vivekananda's thoughts and opinions to make India self-sufficient in its economy, and who had thought of this in a smarter way some 110 years back.

Economic backdrop
During the last phase of the 19th Century, India's economy was far from being stable. Dadabhai Naoroji calculated that the national income of India during 1867-68 was Rs 3.4 billion for a population of 170 million, with a per capita income of just Rs 20. Comparison of per capita incomes of different countries revealed that India's income was very low ~ "even the most oppressed and mis-governed Russia" was much better and it was believed that India was "the poorest country in the civilised world".  
 The British domination had made India, the nation with a heritage, turn into ruins. The country's agricultural, industrial and business sectors were destroyed. Replacement of the traditional education with the Macaulay system resulted in changing the entire course of education, apart from denying it to a larger section of the society. The value-based systems that governed the functioning of the society and economy since ancient times suffered severe damages.
Political economists like John Stuart Mill influenced Vivekananda to a great extent. Though he had never been an economist by profession, having toured India and abroad and talking to grassroot people gave Swamiji an insight into economy and the whole idea of what kind of change was required. His expertise on economic concepts could be understood from the fact that he gave a lecture to the experts at the American Social Science Association in the US on the "Use of Silver in India" during his stay in 1893. 

Swamiji's warning
Today, while the West is practising yoga, studying Vedas and considering eastern spirituality on a serious note, Swamiji had cautioned them long back that emphasising on money-making and enjoying material pleasures were "just for the time being with a permanent side effect". In his lectures in various US cities, he clearly said it was necessary to imbibe higher principles for a meaningful life. Vivekananda opined that the economic theories and models that they were advocating over the years would prove to be failures. It is only now that the West has begun to understand that life is a complex process, of which economics is only a part.
 
Wealth drain
Swamiji was one of those who understood that the primary source of wealth of the Europeans was a result of the wealth drain to Europe from India. Until the 18th Century, India was performing better in terms of economy and wealth. 
In Complete Works of Swami Vivekananda, Vol VII, Swamiji said, "Indian commerce, Indian revenue and all are now in the possession of the English; it is, therefore, that they are foremost of all nations now. ...That India, the India of the 'natives', is the chief means and resources of their wealth and civilisation, is a fact which they refuse to admit, or even understand." 
Economic historian Angus Maddisson has established the supremacy of the Indian economy at the global level since the beginning of the Common Era. Andre Gunder Frank in ReOrient: Global Economy in the Asian Age has discussed how the western historians were engaged in projecting a wrong image of the West over the years. While these efficiently accuse the West of looting India, Vivekananda’s understanding of economy with agriculture and industrialiaation were a solution to develop India on her own.

Industrialisation
Swamiji went on to say, "In this country of abundance, the produce of which has been the cause of the spread of civilisation in other countries, you are reduced to such straits! Your condition is even worse than that of a dog...People of foreign countries are turning out such golden results from the raw materials produced in your country, and you, like asses of burden, are only carrying their load. The people of foreign countries import Indian raw goods, manufacture various commodities by bringing their intelligence to bear upon them, and become great."
According to  Dr P Kangasabapathi, professor of economics at Madras Institute of Technology, "Swamiji strongly advocated what the economists in the recent periods call  ‘inclusive economics’. His priority was the removal of poverty and uplifting the poorer and downtrodden sections of the society. He wanted all sections of the country to progress. His emphasis was on the weaker sections and women. He underlined that education and basic facilities must be provided to all." 
Swami Vivekananda understood that India being an agrarian land, emphasis on agriculture and the people tilling the soil is of utmost importance. In Swami Vivekananda’s Economic Thought and in Modern International Perspective: India as a Case Study by Sarup Prasad Ghosh, Swami Vivekananda is shown to be fully aware of the importance of agriculture and noted that "Indians must not shy off from their unique characteristic of being an agrarian economy".  Ghosh wrote, "Few people in India sincerely think about this matter. This has happened due to our education system. But he thinks that proper development of agriculture is needed for the economic development of India."

Agro based industry 
"His emphasis on agriculture remains true even in the present context, as about 60 per cent of the population still depends on agriculture and rural activities," believed Kangasabapathi while discussing Vivekananda’s economic policy. "We are witnessing how the neglect of agriculture after Independence is resulting in suicides and the younger generations leaving farming activities. This is not good for the future of the country. India has inherent strengths in agriculture, which the other countries lack. Besides, there is no other nation in the world that is capable of feeding our population, which is one sixth of humanity."
Not only did Vivekananda want industrialisation for the progress of the country, he was confident of what kind of industry was needed. He wanted Indians to take steps to make the required items without depending on foreign countries. On  his voyage to Chicago in 1893, he met Jamshedji Tata on board and discussed his vision of development. He said emphasis should be on domestic production instead of imports.


Entrepreneurial advice
"Take up one idea. Make that one idea your life ~ think of it, dream of it, live on that idea. Let the brain, muscles, nerves, every part of your body, be full of that idea, and just leave every other idea alone. This is the way to success." This sums up Swamiji’s advice for entrepreneurs. He was concerned that the art works of the village communities were neglected and wanted them to be taken up by those in the towns. 
He would say "Go and see, even now in the distant villages, the old woodwork and brick work. The carpenters of your town cannot even turn out a decent pair of doors. Whether they are made for a hut or mansion is hard to make out! They are only good at buying foreign tools, as if that is all carpentry! Alas! That state of things has come upon all matters in our country. What we possessed as our own is all passing away and yet, all that we have learnt from foreigners is the art of speechifying [sic].”
 "Swamiji emphasised the use of modern science and technology to solve India’s problems," added Prof Kangasabapathi. "He wanted India to develop into a scientific and technological power. In this connection it is necessary to remember that it was the suggestion made by Swamiji to Jamshedji Tata that led to the establishment of the prestigious Indian Institute of Science."
 

Indian way of development

He believed that each country has its own way of development, which shouldn’t be emulated from others. Ideas can be taken but the model of development can’t be the same. In this context, he quoted Japan to admonish Indians who imitate the West. He said in one of his speeches, "There, in Japan, you find a fine assimilation of knowledge, not its indigestion, as we have here. They have taken everything from the Europeans, but they remain Japanese all the same and have not turned European; while in our country, the terrible mania of becoming westernised has seized upon us like a plague."
  Ghosh notes in his book the development model suggested by Swamiji: "The uniqueness of the Vivekananda doctrine lies in the fact that whatever remedies it suggests for India’s economic, political and spiritual regeneration derives from Swami’s practical experiences of life. He used to meet the common Indians directly whenever he went to different places. This made him confident that India has to develop an economic model for herself, which will take the peculiarities of her social life into consideration."
 After the 2008 economic debacle, it's a recognized fact now that western model of economy is unstable. Indians need their own productive industry to shine. Involving everyone is the buzzword of Swamiji’s doctrine of economy as he suggested, "Let New India arise-out of the peasants’ cottage, grasping the plough; out of the huts of the fisherman, the cobbler and the sweeper. Let her spring from the grocer’s shop, from besides the oven of the fritter-seller. Let her emanate from the factory, from marts and from markets. Let her emerge from groves and forests, from hills and mountains." 

Why not to take #icebucket #challenge

It's ice-age!


The last few weeks have been eventful globally, what with Gaza and countries in the Middle-East continuing to make news and Irom Chanu Sharmila from Manipur being released and rearrested within two days. Amid all this, the ice bucket challenge, ostensibly for a "worthy" cause, has been going viral, mainly on the social network.
Most people in India, busy taking up the ice bucket challenge on hot afternoons, often in a bid to figure on page 3 or on the social media, wondered what was AFSP! Yet they are readily donating to an organisation dedicated to research on ALS (Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis), often referred to as Lou Gehrig's disease. The most well-known person afflicted with this disease is physicist Stephen Hawking.
While the fund-raising method is a study in itself, many share the feeling that donating for a cause is one thing but having fun on a serious note is another. In a country like India, already plagued with diseases like malaria, tuberculosis, AIDS and, to top it all, malnutrition and anemia, to help raise funds for a disease that was never in the sub-continent's radar is nothing less than absurdity. And just where does the money donated to the ALS Association go? A recent report suggests that in the last fiscal, 2013-14, only 27 per cent of its revenue was spent on actual research into ALS. The previous year, they spent only seven per cent on research and mostly on professional education on ALS.
Even if we don't take these into consideration, worldwide, in 2012, 8.5 million people died from ischaemic and hypertensive heart disease; 6.7 million from strokes; 3.1 million from chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD); 3.1 million from lower respiratory infections; 1.6 million from trachea/bronchus/lung cancer; 1.5 million from HIV/AIDS; 1.5 million from diarrhoea; 1.5 million from diabetes; 1.3 million from road accidents; and 627,000 from malaria. And ALS, a disease more prevalent in the rich countries and afflicting a small population, is not only preventable but curable as well. In any case, research in the rich nations is more on diseases afflicting them rather than those prevalent in the poor countries.
If at all we have to try ice bucket, why not try it for mid-day meal schemes, to eradicate malaria, or the simplest of all ~ to make the autowallah go by the meter or offer a seat to an elderly. Several offshoots have begun already, like the rice-bucket challenge, where rice is distributed to the poor.