All The Best, "Barfi"!

It is really so thrilling to know about "Barfi" getting nominated for Oscar. 

While it is always great to find an Indian movie to Oscar nomination, what made Barfi's Oscar nomination so thrilling for me is the movie's close connection with two places that I am so obsessed with - a.) Darjeeling (in the North Bengal region, i.e. the picturesque region that was once the home for my family), and b.) Calcutta/Kolkata, the magnificent city where I grew up. 

All the best, Barfi!

NB - However, I am aware of the controversy that "Barfi" has imitated a number of scenes from a Charlie Chaplin movie. Well, I am not aware of to what extent the imitation has been made. But it is certainly not appreciable if the movie owes the acclaim it is enjoying to the scenes that it has imitated from other movie/movies. 

Hiking The Diesel Price - A Laudable Step

Congrats to the Central Govt for showing the courage to hike the diesel price and curb the subsidy on LPG. These are two crucial decisions that were long overdue. 

It is very stupid to expect that the Govt will indefinitely put on hold a hike in diesel price when the international price of the commodity is on the rise. India has to import a huge quantity of oil from the international market, and the Govt is understandably bound to hike the diesel price if the international scenario forces any such decision. 


And as far as curbing the LPG subsidy is concerned, we should have the common sense to realize that subsidy is not an ideal way to keep price under control. Rather it is Counter Productive. Imposition of subsidy on a commodity might give us a temporary relief, but it is not sustainable and is bound to be withdrawn at one point of time. And significantly, more time is taken to withdraw the subsidy, more painful is the post-withdrawal impact. So it is always better to withdraw the subsidy at the earliest (if at all it needs to be imposed in the first place), right? I suppose we should have the maturity to opt for long term gain rather than momentary relief.

I know some of my friends will not like my view. Well, I have due respect for their opinions, but at the same time I am confident about my view.

Interview with KV Gautam, author of Love in Crazy Times

Love in Crazy Times, the debut novel by author KV Gautam been much talked about in the literary circles. The book discusses various issues youth face these days. 

KV Gautam is an independent filmmaker, cartoonist and entrepreneur based in New Delhi. He has worked as a cartoonist for leading newspapers like the Hindustan Times and the Dainik Jagran, and has illustrated more than 50 books.

KV Gautam is currently writing script of his first Hindi feature film Hum Honge Kaamyaab, a satire on corruption and society. He will also direct the film.

KV Gautam spoke to us about his debut novel, his life and his next book. 

Tell us something about your background?

I started my career as a political cartoonist for national newspapers. Later I got interested in entrepreneurship. Currently I run a media company in Delhi. I have future plans to make features films too. 

What inspired you to write Love in Crazy Times?

When I see young people I feel they are faced with many issues, whether it’s their love life or their career. Young people are more than often forced by parents to choose a different career or a different life partner from what they want.  This situation makes me think. I decided to tell a story which mirrors what the young Indians are going through.  

Some critics say you wrote the book for the young readers who have no taste for literary works?

Frankly speaking, I write for my young readers, not for winning some literary awards. I want to write in easy and engaging language so that people find it both interesting and easy to read. I don’ want people to have a dictionary to read the book.  I don’t have any literary pretentions. I had a story and I just wanted to recite it to my readers.

What are the issues Indian youth face these days?

Indian youth is going through a transitional phase. They are stuck between traditional Indian culture and the fast changing times.  Mostly, they are looking for a good career and the freedom to choose a life partner. Parents also find it difficult to cope with the changing times in the fast changing nation. 

So, what will be your next book?

I am currently writing a screenplay for a Hindi film Hum Honge Kaamyaab. It will be a comedy film about corruption. I intend to direct the film as well. 

I do intend to write another book after this. It most likely will be a non-fiction, some self-help or inspirational material.

KV Gautam’s debut novel Love in Crazy Times released

Love in Crazy Times, the debut novel by author KV Gautam has been released by Diamond Books. KV Gautam is a Delhi based independent filmmaker, cartoonist and entrepreneur. 

Love in Crazy Times is a gripping tale of search for love and freedom, braving heart-breaks, evil bosses and family pressure. The book is a racy and pacey story that has elements of romance, humour, emotions, drama and a bit of social message.

Informing more about the book, KV Gautam says, “The protagonist of the story, Amit is a daring middle class guy who chases both love and dream of starting his own business. He is faced with the hypocritical Indian society and the corrupt business class on his path. His victory is not easy and comes after a long trail of personal and professional setbacks.”

“The story also shows how India, after the economic liberalization, is offering immense opportunities as well as challenges to young people. It’s also about the cultural gap between a small town and a metro, and how parents find it difficult to adjust in a fast changing nation. I have dedicated the book to the legendary cartoonist RK Laxman, my childhood hero, ” adds KV Gautam.

Gautam has now started to write script of his first Hindi feature film Hum Honge Kaamyaab, a satire on corruption. He will also direct the film. He also runs Delnex Media, a company that runs web portals Fundoofun.com, Convixer.com and Tiffly.com.

The story of Love in Crazy Times, narrated in the first person by Amit, is set in Delhi from the period of 2005 to 2011. The story follows life of Amit, a small town boy armed with optimism and confidence, who comes to Delhi in search of a job. The story also narrates personal and professional struggles of his friends Suraj and Shantanu, who came to Delhi from Lucknow and Kolkata respectively.

KV Gautam feels that the youth are reading new stories written by new writers and it is the best time to write a book in India.

Raksha Bandhan - The Beautiful Festival That India Is So Lucky To Have

India is really so lucky to have a beautiful festival like "Raksha Bandhan", the festival that highlights the invaluable beauty and sanctity of brother-sister relationship.

The relationship between a brother and his dear sister is one of a very special kind, just like the one that exists between a mother and her child. It is a relationship that is based on unconditional love and affection, along with a beautiful bonding that knows no end. It is heavenly and divine. 

I pray to the Almighty that nothing can sour the sweet relationship that exists between a brother and his sister, anywhere in the world. I also thank the Almighty for blessing me with some of the best sisters in the world, whose love, affection and support have been the source of such a great strength in my life.

The Bodo-Muslim Clash In Assam – Another Outcome Of Inter Communal/Sectarian Animosity

What we experienced in Assam's Kokrajhar and Chirang districts is really so painful and embarrassing for all of us. So sad that even the 21st Century India is witnessing riots and sectarian clashes, which dent our pride of being an emerging economy to a great extent.

However, the real issue is not the denting of our international image (though that is undoubtedly a crucial issue). What is more painful is the fact that while we have been successful in touching economic achievements and technological expertise, we have failed to cure a serious grass root level ailment – inter communal/sectarian animosity. And as a nation that claims itself to be progressive and modern, it is a great failure for us.

The riot has brought under scanner the effectives of Bodoland Territorial Council, with many people including Bodos highlighting how and why the Council has failed to achieve the objective for which it was formed.

It is indeed very important to analyze Bodoland Territorial Council, identify the loopholes and address the same. However, what is also important is to identify the factors due to which we are failing to wipe out inter-communal/sectarian animosity, and then wipe out those factors from the root. Otherwise such unfortunate incidents will continue to take place, no matter whatever steps are taken on the par of the government.

In this context I will like to highlight one thing. Some people have raised this point that the clash was a result of illegal migration from Bangladesh, which has resulted in a huge number of Bangladeshi Muslims in the Bodoland Territorial Areas District. Well, illegal migration from Bangladesh is certainly a serious problem. However, it must be noted that Bodos have expressed their displeasure over the presence of a number of non-Bodos in that area, without showing any specific grievance on the presence of alleged illegal migrants from Bangladesh. It means that they are averse to the presence of all non-Bodos, irrespective of the fact whether they are illegal migrants from Bangladesh or from India (in fact Assam) itself.

And yes, steps should immediately be taken to address whatever gaps and deficiencies that exist in the Bodoland Territorial Council. The government has to be very serious in eliminating every drop of grievance from the minds of our Bodo brothers and sisters, so that they never have this feeling that Bodoland Territorial Council is just a showpiece without any ability to deliver. After all it is known to everybody that if the government fails to address the grievances of our Bodo friends, then it will give a huge scope to Bodo insurgents to enhance their so-called struggle for a separate Bodo state.

May I suggest something? Is it possible to make a law wherein no non-Bodo will be permitted anymore to buy a land or house in the Bodoland Territorial Areas District? I am not suggesting that the government should ask all those non-Bodos to leave who have already bought lands and/or houses in that area. I am only suggesting that no more non-Bodo should be permitted to buy land or home in that area. Personally I feel that permitting non-Bodos to buy properties in that area is severely diluting  the effectiveness of Bodoland Territorial Council. 

English Language – The Global Lingua Franca

The English language is undoubtedly one of the most precious possessions of the modern human society. It is the English language that helps to create and strengthen a feeling of unity and oneness among the various communities and nations across the world, by facilitating international communication and interaction. It is this language that ensures that a man from China in Asia can communicate and interact with a person from Burkina Faso in Africa, or a gentleman from Argentina in South America can chat with a guy from Germany in Europe. 

It is this language that helps develop and preserve global unity, understanding and co-operation, in every field ranging from trade & commerce to science & technology.

Hats off to this spectacular Global Lingua Franca!