Goodbye Ted

So Edward Kennedy is no more? When I got the news, it was not that I was depressed (after all, he was not exactly a great leader, and certainly not a world leader). But yes, I of course felt a sort of vacuum. After all, who can deny this fact that the phrase "Kennedy Family" rings a music in our ears (though Kennedys, including J.F.K., did have their share of draw backs)? And therefore it was certainly sad to know that an old guard of the family - a legacy - was gone.

Edward Kennedy may have failed to hold the highest political office of his country (except in the Jeffrey Archer novel Shall We Tell The President?, where he was portrayed as the US President). But it must be acknowledged that he proved himself to be a worthy successor of the legacy left behind by J.F. Kennedy (and Robert Kennedy, to some extent), and established himself as one of the most successful Senators that the US Congress has ever had. And that was not a low achievement.

May his soul rest in peace.

Photo Courtesy - www.topnews.in

Dalai Lama's Proposed Visit To Taiwan - Who Is China To Oppose It?

The Chinese government is upset with His Holiness Dalai Lama's proposed visit to Taiwan. The spokesperson of the Chinese government has openly conveyed his government's displeasure to the global media, saying that his government "resolutely opposes" Dalai Lama's proposed visit to Taiwan (the country which China considers to be a part of its own).

Now, what locus standi does the Chinese government have in opposing Dalai Lama's visit to Taiwan? Taiwan is a sovereign country (no matter what China thinks about it), and it has full right to invite any person on its soil. And Dalai Lama is also by no means answerable to the Chinese government for his actions. Then from where does China get the right to express displeasure over the issue, in the first place?

“Interested Is Interesting” – The Fabulous Message From The Film “Loser”

The other day I was watching “Loser”, a nice Hollywood movie starring Jason Biggs, Mena Suvari and Greg Kinnear.

It is about an innocent small town boy named Paul Tannek (Jason Biggs) who comes to New York for college studies, and tries to cope up with the big city life while countering huge cultural shocks at every step. A both entertaining as well as thought provoking movie armed with high quality acting.

However, what I enjoyed most in the movie was actually a particular dialogue. There was a scene which showed Paul packing his bags before leaving for New York, when he asks his father that how he could make friends in an unknown city where he knows nobody. And then his father says – “Always remember, interested is interesting.” Puzzled, Paul asks – “What do you mean?” And his father says – “Remember, every man has a story. And he looks for somebody to listen to his story. Listen to peoples’ stories, and they will like you.”

How true! Indeed, lending an eager and sympathetic ear is the key to becoming popular with people. You take interest in people, and people will take interest in you. Simple!

Hats off to the dialogue writer of “Loser”, who has presented this basic truth in such a simple manner. It is not that I did not know this fact. In fact, we all are aware about this basic fact of life. But what I liked was the novel way it was presented. I basically liked the short and simple dialogue that said it all – “Interested is interesting.”

Citizen Journalism - The "Media Periphery"

I appreciate and relish the fact that the concept of Citizen Journalism is fast catching up with the modern society. Lots of interesting incidents are taking place around us, which unfortunately do not make to the mainstream media. And we cannot blame the mainstream media for not highlighting those stories, as the former must adhere to certain guidelines while carrying stories. If a story is interesting but not at par with those guidelines, then it is obvious that the mainstream media will not carry that story.

This is the gap that Citizen Journalism fills up. It is sort of a "media periphery", which accommodates those stories which do not make to the mainstream media, but are interesting all the same. The end result is a huge widening of media reach, thus facilitating our reach and accessibility to a wider range of news. And the benefit? Greater enrichment of knowledge (More information = More knowledge).

The emergence of New/Social Media has provided Citizen Journalism enthusiasts with a plethora of tools, such as Blogs, Twitters, You Tube, etc. And it is really heartening to see how a number of enterprising youths are making a great use of these tools. Our heartiest wishes to all of them.

Undoubtedly, the birth of the concept of Citizen Journalism is one of the best things to have happened in the recent times. It has really enriched the modern human society, and has revolutionized the world of media and information dissemination. I sincerely hope that technology will come up with more tools that will further enhance the reach and strength of Citizen Journalists.

The mainstream media is like our elder brother, whom we both love and respect. And Citizen Journalism is like our kid brother, who was born in front of our eyes, whom we love and adore, and whom we are watching to grow up into a strong and stout gentleman.

10th Anniversary Of World Blogging

23rd August 2009 was an auspicious day for all the bloggers across the world, as it marked the 10th anniversary of the launching of Blogger - world's first free weblog-authoring software. The software - launched by Evan Williams on this date precisely 10 years back - resulted in free blogging opportunities for anybody interested in the same, thus facilitating the spread of blogging across the world like a wild fire. It eventually resulted in the optimum democratization of media, by enabling common people to directly share their feelings and opinions through their own blogs, instead of completely depending on the mainstream media to represent their views, aspirations, etc.

Today blogging features among the top hobbies (read passions) of the world, enabling a wide range of people (from celebrities to nobodies like me) to express their feelings/comments/evaluations, etc. on virtually everything under the sun.

Personally speaking, having a blog of my own has been one of the most significant things to have happened in my life. Through my blog I can share with the world my feelings, views, etc. on such a diverse range of topics (ranging from global affairs to my personal experiences), which is such a thrilling and fulfilling experience. Today I am an active member of the world blogging movement, and it is an identity that I am extremely proud of. Blogging is a revolution in the human civilization, and I cherish this fact that I am a part of this revolution. It is certainly true that I am a very ordinary blogger, and my contribution in the world blogging movement is simply negligible. But I am at least a part of the blogging movement, and that is all for me.

Finally, a message for all my fellow bloggers across the world -

My dear friends, brothers and sisters, I am genuinely proud to be one of you people. I owe a lot to you, as you have helped creating and sustaining the beautiful world of Blogging, of which I am part today. I dearly love and respect all of you, irrespective of the language and the topic of your blogs. Keep blogging, and keep enriching the human society by sharing your valuable thoughts and views. Happy Blogging.

LONG LIVE BLOGGING.

Is “VIP Culture” Really Absent In The USA?

The recent hue and cry over Shahrukh Khan’s detention at a US airport – for security reasons – has highlighted the lack of “VIP Culture” in the USA, which means that the US government officials do not offer any special treatment to anybody, no matter how much big celebrity or VIP he is. While defending its action, the US Immigration Department has said that Shahrukh’s detention was a must in the context of certain rules and regulations. At the same time both the US as well as the Indian media have come up with a list of prominent American personalities (such as Bob Dylan and Al Gore) who were treated by the American government officials in the same manner as they would have treated an ordinary American citizen, despite the fact that both Al Gore and Bob Dylan are noted celebrities, and that too in the USA itself. Once Al Gore – a former Vice President of the USA – was detained at a US airport while boarding a flight, as he had skipped certain security checking formalities. Legendary singer Bob Dylan was detained by cops for questioning while he was wandering in a lonely New Jersey shore (however, the cops were reportedly too young to know who he was).

It is really appreciable that celebrity status or political clouts do not help any person having any preferential treatment in the USA. This praiseworthy American culture gets more prominent when we compare it with the situation that we have in India, where even petty politicians manage to enjoy special favours in various situations, that too in a manner as if it is their natural right. And as far as the undue advantages enjoyed by the celebrities (film stars, cricketers, prominent politicians, etc.) is concerned, the lesser we talk about it, the better. I hope the “Shahrukh” incident will help our celebrities to realize that while they may be “icons” in India, in other countries they are simply nobody. And therefore they should forget about getting any special treatment the moment they step on a foreign soil.

However, while evaluating the incident, a different thought came into my mind. While it is certainly true that the US government officials do not show any special treatment to the celebrities and politicians, does that necessarily mean that there is no “VIP Culture” at all in that country?

After all, isn’t it true that the business magnets and corporate Tsars hold huge influence in the USA, so much so that sometimes they even largely influence government decisions and policies? And is it really believable that the US government officials do not show any special favour to these people?

The US Immigration officials did not show any undue favour to their former Vice President. Fine. But could they have been equally tough if it were Bill Gates in Al Gore’s place? Would any cop have dared to detain Steve Jobs for questioning, if he were found wandering in a lonely street? Well, with due respect to the US government officials, I cannot help having some doubts.

My Thanks To ICICI Bank

Few days back I had made a posting in my blog, in which I complained about some inconveniences that I had faced in two ICICI Bank ATMs in Noida, which are located in the neighborhood where I stay.

I had made that posting just to give a vent to my displeasure and dissatisfaction, and not to inform the ICICI management know about the problem. Because, I had simply not expected that they would be able to track my blog and would thus come to know about my problem.

So I was pleasantly surprised when the other day - after visiting my blog - I found a reply to that posting. The reply was made by Ms. Nazia Sayeed, from the office of the Nodal Officer of ICICI Bank. In that reply Ms Nazia has not only accepted that there was indeed some problem, but has also given an elaborate explanation about the same.


What really touched me is the sincerity of the ICICI management in keeping track of the feelings of the common customers. They have not only successfully marked out an insignificant complaint made by an ordinary customer in his blog (and not in a reputed publication). But has also taken the pain of replying to that customer. It reflects there honesty in serving their customers.

My sincere thanks to the ICICI people. I am touched, honoured, and humbled, in one go.