"Dial Kashmir" - A Good Initiative

Congrats to Ms Mehvish Mushtaq for becoming the first Kashmiri lady to develop an Android application, named "Dial Kashmir".

Well, she deserves to be congratulated not merely for becoming the first Kashmiri girl to make this achievement, but also for the utility of the application developed by her. "Dial Kashmir" will serve as a one-stop source of crucial information, as it contains the contains the contact details of more than 500 government and private departments/organizations (such as fire service, police and hospital). Naturally, it will be of great help to both the local people as well as outsiders like tourists. And Mehvish is planning to further expand the database, adding the contact details of more organizations and entities, and thus making the database more valuable.

Great job, Ms. Mehvish. You have really made a good use of your knowledge of Computer Science Engineering and Android Service. We all wish you all the best.

The Intimate Relationship Between Communism and Violence

Every political doctrine or ideology has a certain political idiom, which tends to play a central character in how the followers of that ideology carry out their political activities.

With due respect for the believers in Communism, I feel Violence is the perennial political idiom of Communism. It seems Communists’ excessive obsession with "struggle" always makes them opt for ultra-aggressive steps, even when there is room for other options. This probably explains the bloodshed on almost every occasion when radical Communists have ceased power in a country. Communism has always tended to glorify "Revolution" rather than favoring the more acceptable "Evolution", while overlooking this fact that "Revolution" entails conflict.

This post is not aimed at maligning Communism, which is certainly one of the most notable political theories that the human civilization has ever come across. It is rather an observation by a very ordinary person, who otherwise very much identifies with some of the key objectives of Communism (such as a classless society).

Just To Break The Silence

It may sound funny. But actually I am making this posting just to break my long absence from my blog. I made the last posting in September 2012. After that there was a long silence. Today I felt that I must write something in my blog, even if it is something purely nonsense. So I made this posting.

Hopefully I will come back soon with a proper blog posting.

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.