Thoughts on the New Year's Eve...

Thoughts & A Light Year Away.



~ Imagination is everything. It is the preview of life's coming attractions. ~
Sumran jot


~ A man is not idle because he is absorbed in thought. There is a visible labour and an invisible labour. ~
Victor Hugo

~ Thoughts come into our minds by avenues which we never left open, and thoughts go out of our minds through avenues which we never voluntarily opened. ~
Ralph Waldo Emerson


~ The power of Thought,--the magic of the Mind! ~
Lord Byron


~ Thought takes man out of servitude, into freedom. ~
Henry Wadsworth Longfellow

~ Thought is great and swift and free, the light of the world, the chief glory of man. ~
Bertrand Russell


~ Let your thoughts meander towards a sea of ideas. ~
Leo D. Minnigh

~ No one on earth has lived through the exact same experiences you have, and no one thinks the exact same thoughts you do. ~
Steve Pavlina

Wanna take a Day Off !!

Wow. We all have done it in our childhood and in our teens.
Faking illness before our parents to take a day off from school.
Atleast I have a count of my 'off days' I took when I had no mood to get out of my bed and dress up in the school uniform ;-)

And after school, college, office (and still in office)...how about going back to some school time teenage caper....well, here's one movie which celebrates just that...How to take a day off !


So we have a teenager named Ferris (Mathew Broderick) who has everything planned out on how he would make the best of his day and decides to unleash his 'leisure rules'.

He has his best friend Cameron and his girlfriend on his wish list.
Cameron has no idea what he wants to do when he leaves high school, is unloved by his parents and has never had a girlfriend. And he is mostly on the bed , sick and addicted to medicines. But Ferris has some other plans for him, atleast for a day. AND this day turns out to be the best day of Cameron's life.

SO , you have Ferris take his girlfriend right under the School Dean's nose for a ride in Cameron's father's red Ferrari !!

Ferris takes his friends to the Sears Tower, a museum, Wrigley Field and an upmarket restaurant where he precedes to sell himself as Abe Frohman, the sausage king of Chicago.

The day is finally capped off with Ferris taking over a float in the German-American Appreciation Day parade and belting out Danke Schoen and The Beatles Twist and Shout.

The film is a complete entertainer , with lots of elements to keep one engrossed...the best being Ferris's high nosed Sister who envies him and later joins him in his plan.
The climax is a teaser ...the most enjoyable teen movie from the 1980's ...glad to have seen it.

Xmas !

Wishes !

Hmm...goodies...

One for me

Jingle All the Way..

Desi Santa

Season's Trends

The 'WishMas' Tree at IHC.

Bulleh! to me, I am not known

Bulleh Shah (1680 – 1757) whose real name was Abdullah Shah ,was a Punjabi Muslim Sufi poet, a humanist and philosopher.
His lifespan also overlapped with the legendary Punjabi poet Waris Shah (1722 – 1798), of Heer Ranjha fame, and the famous Sindhi Sufi poet Abdul Wahad (1739 – 1829), better known by his pen-name, Sachal Sarmast (“truth seeking leader of the intoxicated ones”).

The verse form Bulleh Shah primarily employed is called the Kafi, a style of Punjabi, Sindhi and Siraiki poetry used not only by the Sufis of Sindh and Punjab, but also by Sikh gurus.

Bulleh Shah’s poetry and philosophy strongly criticizes Islamic religious orthodoxy of his day. At the time worldy corruption had been taken over as opposed to the true teachings of Islam.

Bulleh Shah's time was marked with communal strife between Muslims and Sikhs. But in that age Baba Bulleh Shah was a beacon of hope and peace for the citizens of Punjab. While Bulleh Shah was in Pandoke, Muslims killed a young Sikh man who was riding through their village in retaliation for murder of some Muslims by Sikhs. Baba Bulleh Shah denounced the murder of an innocent Sikh and was censured by the mullas and muftis of Pandoke. Bulleh Shah maintained that violence was not the answer to violence.

Bulleh Shah’s writings represent him as a humanist, someone providing solutions to the sociological problems of the world around him as he lives through it, describing the turbulence his motherland of Punjab is passing through, while concurrently searching for God. His poetry highlights his mystical spiritual voyage through the four stages of Sufism: Shariat (Path), Tariqat (Observance), Haqiqat (Truth) and Marfat (Union).

The simplicity with which Bulleh Shah has been able to address the complex fundamental issues of life and humanity is a large part of his appeal. Thus, many people have put his kafis to music, from humble street-singers to renowned Sufi singers like the Waddali Brothers and Abida Parveen, from the synthesized techno qawwali remixes of UK-based Asian artists to the rock band Junoon.

Bulleh Shah's verses have also been adapted and used in Bollywood film songs.
In 2004, Rabbi Shergill successfully performed the unlikely feat of turning the abstruse metaphysical poem Bullah Ki Jaana into a Rock/Fusion song, which became hugely popular amongst the younger generation.

Since then, this song has resonated within me almost like an echo of my own self, inside out.
A few days ago I made my video on this song. I had long imagined myself singing those words and finally I pictured myself against Bulleh Shah's verses .

Most of those with whom I interacted, told me that they dont understand the meaning of the song nor do they know anything about Bulleh Shah.
But they loved listening to it.
Through this post, I have tried to introduce the great Bulleh Shah and translate his song in English.
Though, its hard to define the great Saint ...just like he himself declared..Bulleh! to me, I am not known.

Na maen momin vich maseet aan Na maen vich kufar diyan reet aan Na maen paakaan vich paleet aan Na maen moosa na pharaun. Bulleh! ki jaana maen kaun Na maen andar ved kitaab aan, Na vich bhangaan na sharaab aan Na vich rindaan masat kharaab aan Na vich jaagan na vich saun. Bulleh! ki jaana maen kaun. Na vich shaadi na ghamnaaki Na maen vich paleeti paaki Na maen aabi na maen khaki Na maen aatish na maen paun Bulleh!, ki jaana maen kaun Na maen arabi na lahori Na maen hindi shehar nagauri Na hindu na turak peshawri Na maen rehnda vich nadaun Bulla, ki jaana maen kaun Na maen bheth mazhab da paaya Ne maen aadam havva jaaya Na maen apna naam dharaaya Na vich baitthan na vich bhaun Bulleh , ki jaana maen kaun Avval aakhir aap nu jaana Na koi dooja hor pehchaana Maethon hor na koi siyaana Bulla! ooh khadda hai kaun Bulla, ki jaana maen kaun		Not a believer inside the mosque, am I Nor a pagan disciple of false rites Not the pure amongst the impure Neither Moses, nor the Pharoh Bulleh! to me, I am not known Not in the holy Vedas, am I Nor in opium, neither in wine Not in the drunkard`s craze Niether awake, nor in a sleeping daze Bulleh! to me, I am not known In happiness nor in sorrow, am I Neither clean, nor a filthy mire Not from water, nor from earth Neither fire, nor from air, is my birth Bulleh! to me, I am not known Not an Arab, nor Lahori Neither Hindi, nor Nagauri Hindu, Turk (Muslim), nor Peshawari Nor do I live in Nadaun Bulleh! to me, I am not known Secrets of religion, I have not known From Adam and Eve, I am not born I am not the name I assume Not in stillness, nor on the move Bulleh! to me, I am not known I am the first, I am the last None other, have I ever known I am the wisest of them all Bulleh! do I stand alone? Bulleh! to me, I am not known

Watch the video of my song :
http://wanderingthoughts-sumran.blogspot.com/2008/12/sumrans-official-music-video-released.html

A Director 's Cut !

Two Movies. One Director.
Director Marc Foster's Cut (above the rest)!

The Kite Runner (2007)

There is always a strange dilemma. Either to read the book first or watch the movie. It is easy when one of them is not available. I read the book first. Khalid Husseini's 'Kite Runner', a little over two months ago.
And after watching the movie last night, it seems both experiences have been truly enriching.
The book has been done a great justice by some superb screenplay and direction by director, Marc Foster. In one word, it left me 'spellbinded' for most part of the two hour movie.


Right from the opening credits which captivated the senses with such scintillating background music to the aerial shots of the Kite Flying scenes in the rugged mountains of Afghanistan, every frame is a soul stirring experience ...I was already in love with the movie in the first few minutes.

The two young kids played their bit of roles as Amir and Hassan to utmost perfection. Their relationship as described in the book was brought out superbly onscreen .

The most notable was the sets. The Afghanistan town of the late '70s was brought alive with such great detail...it was a visual treat...going back in time . Classic art direction. 'Bravo!'

Hassan 's characterization was extremely well done. The child actor showed some great acting skills. He was brilliant in the role of the submissive servant , resilient, and loyal to the core friend of Amir. The scene where he is in the Kite Shop on his birthday was splendid.




The most impressive actor who actually dominated almost the first half of the screen space was Amir's father , Baba.
He had charm, charisma, a mystical aura about him that reminded me of Marlon Brando in the Godfather.
He had such screen presence, such great persona that it overshadows any other character till the time he finally goes to the grave.
His relation with his son, Amir(as a child and as a youngster ) is delt deftly and incredibly.

Full marks to the director for choosing such a fine actor to portray such an important character.


The story is very fast paced, the cinematography is brilliant , the music moves with movie like poetry in motion. Some of the shots leave you heavy eyed. I admit I had tears atleast at more than a few shots, one being the scene where Amir returns to Pakistan after 20 years and reads the last letter written by Hassan.

The city of Peshawar, that desk near the tea-stall, that moment where Hassan's words blend into the background score , that expression on Amir's face. Unforgettable!

Personally, I feel it ended too soon. Had there been some more minutes in the final stage of the film, it would have lasted the impact much much better. I dont know why the director shied away from giving some more screen space to Amir and Sohrab( Hassan's son). It was a very sensitive subplot of the story which I thoroughly enjoyed while reading the book.

Nevertheless, watch out for the scene where Amir goes in search for Sohrab in a Masjid with his wounded body and offers his prayers. The song 'Supplication' plays in the background. A song that touches a chord deep within and almost makes it a divine intervention. There are no words to decribe the feeling. I can revisit and replay that scene a thousand times over!
Just like Amir repeats Hassan' s loyal words to Sohrab, when he goes to run the Kite in the end....

" For you, A Thousand times over!"

My Rating : "EXCELLENT". "MUST WATCH". "A COLLECTOR'S ITEM".

Quantum of Solace (2008)

I am a great fan of James Bond flicks. Ever since, I first saw 'For your eyes only' as an 11 year old. Then, I simply loved the action.
And since then, I have admired the marque , the brand, the name is Bond. James Bond.
I have grown up in the modern era of Mr.007 , played by Peirce Brosnan in movies like 'The Golden Eye', 'Tomorrow Never Dies' and 'Die Another Day'.
For me, Mr.Brosnan was a perfect Bond, who carried Ian Fleming's character to new heights.

And then came the hard boiled Daniel Craig in Casino Royale, almost 2 years ago. Frankly, I was disappointed. James Bond had changed. In character, in portrayal and in his demeanor.

This has continued in 'Quantum of Solace'. But this time, he's done a better job. Much better. And I find it a better film, not in league with my era, but in continuation of a new era ,defined by the Jason Bourne series of spy agents. Hardhitting, all brawn and brawl.


By definition, “Quantum of Solace” means a small degree of comfort that can exist between two people emotionally in a relationship.
Marc Foster does a good job again , by doing justice to the title by concentrating on Mr.Bond's personality 'dis'orders as he goes on to seek revenge of his beloved 's death.

However, this time , the Bond Babe fails to impress.
Bond girls are known to be a class apart in their acts, bold, beautiful, seductress, intelligent,suave and savvy.
But Olga Kurylenko, is good only in a few action scenes.
There is hardly any chemistry between her and Daniel Craig. Her characterization also leaves much to be desired.
And perosnally , I didnt find her attractive enough to carry off the prestigious tag of a Bond girl.
Anyways , a word for the action sequences, they were superbly crafted, especially the aerial combat and the para-dropping. Great!


Marc Foster 's direction is again a cut above...though completely different from artistic 'Kite Runner'.
This shows that this man can handle any subject with such dexterity and finesse. And he leaves his mark in every frame that he captures in this high voltage drama. He blends poetry with action here!

As for Mr.James Bond, he is as smart as ever , just watch him walk right up to you and ask' Shall We?"

And the most satisfying experience was the last scene between Madam M and Mr.007.

[last lines]
M: Bond, I need you back.
James Bond: I never left.

Kudos, Mr.Director.

Manmohini...A Musical Tribute

Art Direction by Sumranjot
Lyrics by Gulzar
Music by A R Rehman.

Watch Out!





Also Available on Youtube :
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y2hcfB2DuoM

Artefact

Cold Wind

"Cold Wind in my hair"

Love is a cold wind
As it blows away from you
As you watch it go
It hurts to know
There's nothing you can do
And you're all alone again
and love is a cold wind

For more of My sketches , visit 'Sumran's Wall'.
http://sumranswall.blogspot.com/

Return of Showman?

Whats wrong Mr.Showman (Subhash Ghai) ? Still stuck in old times , with your hat intact?
feuding families, sophisticated crooks, 'shakuni' mamas, and 'evil' minded 'ladies in sarees' a la Ekta Kapoor.
Not anymore.
Okay, your attention to the enormous sets, beautiful landscapes and 'mastam rustam' music is highly appreciated...but is that it? No Story?
Yuvraaj seems to be a family drama with its archtypical 'larger than life' characters , rather caricatures who fail to impress. Except, Anil Kapoor,the only saving grace of this (and infact all of ) Subhash Ghai's movies... right from Karma (1985) days.
Salman Khan is typical , Zayed Khan is better, Katrina Kaif is same, Boman Irani looks a complete joker (surprisingly) and all the other 'good for nothing' actors are left with a mumble. Of course, they were paid, so they had to stand and act.
The biggest disapointment is the way the music has been trimmed to fit the scenes in the movie.
MUSIC ...by the magician AR Rehman...Oh I loved the songs when I first heard them , and waited to see them on screen. If you 'v got to listen the songs with lyrics penned by the master lyricist , Gulzar with such fine notes by AR Rehman, then you v got to give bring them to life on screen. Sadly, they just get lost in some nondescript screenplay and unnecessary drama.


Good points : Nice locales, good looking actors, brilliant sets, a tight second half and some good music for the ears and a subtle message which says 'music binds love'. Wished it was in bold letters.
Waiting for a 'Taal' , a 'Saudagar' , a 'Pardes' , a 'Khalnayak' , Mr. Showman.

If tomorrow never comes....

If tomorrow never comes

Each of us would like to leave behind happy memories. And to work on creating those, we need to start now. Not tomorrow. Not even a minute later. Now is the moment.

It’s true that nobody can ever be adequately prepared for the final reckoning. Well, not unless you have lived a rather full and fulfilling life that has taken you well into old age. Maybe then. Or, maybe not even then.

In the blinking of an eye, so many lives ended and many more changed forever. In the words of psychiatrist Elizabeth Kubler-Ross, “It’s only when we truly understand that we have limited time on Earth — and that we have no way of knowing when our time is up — that we will begin to live each day to the fullest, as if it were the only one we had.”
If anything, that should be our biggest learning from November 26. If that’s how fragile life is, the only way you can trust your one moment to the other is by having no regrets. Regret is not something any of us would like to exit life with and the best way out of that is to keep the slate clean always.
We would all like to be remembered, but certainly not for the inadequacies or incomplete work we leave behind. Each of us would like to leave behind happy memories. And to work on creating those, we need to start now. Not tomorrow. Not even a minute later. Now is the moment.
It’s important to ensure that those we love realize the depth of our feelings, those we have harmed know that we regret it and important that we take adequate measures for the protection of those in our care.
Why leave off till tomorrow what you can do today? Why leave it another minute longer to tell your dear ones you love them? Why delay telling a friend how much you value her?
Why leave off showing your appreciation to a colleague or acquaintance?
Why put off that heartfelt apology till it may be too late? So if you’re waiting for tomorrow, why not do it today?
For if tomorrow never comes, you’ll surely regret the day,
That you didn’t take that extra time for a smile, a hug, or a kiss and you were too busy to grant someone, what turned out to be their one last wish.

Sumran's Official Music Video Released

"A Million Voices within me "

Watch out !




Also Available on Youtube:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=idoVe9y6Edo

Sorry Brother !!!

Wanna go on a trip to 'beautiful' Mauritius ? lovely beaches, cool blue surf , white sand, breezy sunshine...ah we got it plenty in here ...I mean in this movie: 'sorry bhai!'
For the better part of this fresh and crispy(admittedly naughty) film is a viva de la Mauritius...a visual treat and a refreshing tale set in the island nation.
And the rest of the story is about two brothers, one mom , one dad and a girl in between..ehm.
The look, feel, and the premise of the plot is essentially 'western' , rather somewhat like a breezy Hollywood flick...the only 'Indian' factor being the veteran lady dynamite ,Shabana Azmi who just manages to suffuse some 'culture' into this zanny tale.
Otherwise, you can dial in the moral police to ban this movie for violation of our so so many 'so called' imbibed family values and traditions.
I mean how could you possibly digest (and justify) a girl who's going to marry a guy (Sanjay Suri) who she has loved for the past 5 years suddenly fall for the innocence n charm of the guy's younger brother (Sharman Joshi)...in just 5 days!!!!
Believe me...the guy's family arrives just to attend that very marriage.
Ahh...ok, so Sharman looks cute with a saxophone and a 'kinetic' memory working on the theory of 'everything is alive' (even a toy dog)!
Ha! enuf to make a girl go week in her knees and seduce him in the men's changing room!
And which girl? A girl who is going to be her 'sis-in-law'!!
Dangerous.
Digest it...for there's enough 'restraint' and ethical intrusion to tone down the controversial and immoral conduct of the Miss Daisy Doo (Chitrandga Singh)
and a lot of humour to mellow down the 'hot' debate...I especially enjoyed the narrative, the superb performances, the freshness of the screenplay which kept me interested (and smiling).

So whats the message (actually a warning ..lol) : Beware of inviting your unmarried brother to your wedding ....there is a high probability that you might be left with nothing but an SMS : "sorry bro!"

Almost Famous

Paris Hilton launches 'Brand Sumran' as part of 'Hot Summer Looks'.

A Brush of Star'Dust'.

'Pro'Vogue : The Limited Edition

Happy Go Lucky....

LIGHTS CAMERA ACTION !!!

'Do you know they are shooting a film downstairs?"

My mom informed me as I sat cozy in my quilt in the cold December night last year.

"is it ?" I stood up and brisked towards the window. It was around 9pm and I could see two
huge camera cranes, some fifty odd people frisking up and down the road beneath our house
and a long lane of cabs, vans and buses.

"which movie?" I asked my mom .

"Some weird title ...'oye lucky' ..thats what those guys are saying..." she informed me.

I was suffering from cold and didnt dare to go out , comforting myself near the window to watch
a 'balcony' view of the events.

A huge crowd gathered as the crew of the movie set up a makeshift pan shop , the entire road was blocked for general traffic as the night progressed.

"who's coming?' I heard somebody say.

" Abhay Deol and Shilpa Shetty"

" Shilpa Shetty!"

Some time later, at around 10:30 pm...

" they are saying Bobby (Deol) is coming too!"

The crowd was at its peak ..some 200 odd people including children, young bikers, aunti ji and

uncle jis.

"Seriouslly Shilpa shetty aa rahi hai?" a young female voice inquired.

Silence.

An hour later. crowd reduced to half. No uncles and aunts , no children.

A tall lanky young man practiced a scene around that pan shop and then walked down the road till the farthest end. He did this several times as the director and the camera person adjusted various angles and light positions.

At around 12: 30 am, when the crowd had melted away and only those 50 odd crew members remained on the benighted street, Mr. Abhay Deol walked in quietly, smoked a cigarette with the director and then started the shoot.
The scene was like this: he walks to the pan shop ,asks for 'benarasi' pan and the panwaala recognises his face and says "apko kahin dekha hai" (i think i have seen you somewhere)...and Abhay then says something and looks back chewing the pan and walks down the road in the similar fashion his duplicate had practised for hours before.


Just then, a TV reporter pans across the camera and mouths a sensationally funny list of Lucky's loot ...he does this several times before the director says "Ok. Cut "


For the next hour, the director and some crew members sit just beneath my window and ask Abhay to give them a perfect 'stare'.
And then , at around 4:30 am , it was 'pack up'.

I thought this was another some offbeat flick starring Abhay Deol ...but was glad to see the technicalities involved in filming a short scene.
My passion of making movies still ignited, I just wanted to be there , behind the camera.

Five months later, the same crew returned and this time they took a quick shot of Abhay riding in a red Skoda sedan with a fellow actor down the same road ...
This time i managed to stand near the action and click some photograph and videos.


I shared this stuff with some of my colleagues after researching on the net that the movie was being shot in Delhi and was titled 'Oye Lucky Lucky Oye '.
And the director turned out to be the man who had made an utterly butterly delicious comedy 'Khosla ka ghosla' couple of years back.
Man! that was a great rib tickler..so what about this one!

Five months later, the promos and music video of the movie were out on TV ...wow...the promos looked exciting and promising.

And then finally it got released on 28 November and I managed to see the movie this Friday
(5 Dec).

and in one line i simply "loved it".

THE SHOW BEGINS ...

Right from start till the end, the film is a roller coaster... that is so close to earth with its portrayal of characters that live and belong to us, people amongst us whom we see, meet everyday...speaking the lingo I identify with...people who make this "saddi dilli" such a choatic place to be in...a city statement.

Wow, ultra erratic screenplay, dark hues, shaded cinematography and a bouncy beat'sy' background score..it can't be 'different' than this.

Forget the morals , forget the 'thin yet so thick plot', the muddy storyline...its the characters and not the 'actors' that are 'hero' of this story.

To begin with, a teenaged sikh captures your attention with his superb wit and charm and an earthy innocence that you just cant stop smiling.... and let the drama unfold before you ..


The young Sikh faces his cheeky father's wrath, mingles with the local 'colony' goons, woos a pretty girl with his sheer magnetism and dethrones the throne of thorns...the 'making of a superchor'.




Class act...you just cant miss a beat as he gets 'happy go lucky' with his loot ...grows up to become the clean shaven Abhay Deol in his Act Two.

'Bengali' (Manu Rishi) as Abhay's side kick is bewitchingly funny, tipsy, 'cute' and yet so powerful in his dialogues that he starightaway wins your hearts.
Perfect cast.

Paresh Rawal...okay, quite illogical to cast this man in triple role with no connection...but take it for granted, this man delivers the maximum punch. Just the right mix of shades of grey to portray characters that define the distinctive layers of our society. Great Act!

Eeveryother character you come across looks so real , infact it seems you caught these 'real' people acting with a spy camera...the cops, the hookers, the sleuths, the autodrivers, the neighbours, the uncle jis and auntijis... and then they just blend into the storyline and make a thick dough of a toast called 'dilli'.
NO. you haven't seen Delhi like this before...the narrow by lanes of punjabi speaking colonies of west Delhi...the spacious and posh south Delhi localities...
and best of the best ..most of the robbery scenes were shot down our road...in our neighbourhood , Jor Bagh, a posh locality. I could identify each of those houses.

The director has shown Delhi as it is...simply irresistible...if it was me , I title this movie 'Delhi Heights'.

(cafe coffee day , lodhi colony)

But it was not just about Delhi and its people only, it was about 'Lucky' Singh...and yes, Abhay deol did apt justice to this character.
A boy next door charm that makes him the smartest kid (thief) on the block.
And yet he yearns for love and belonging and that makes you let your heart go out to him.
watch him woo Neetu Chandra and pass off her sister's seduction act ...watch him beat the blood out of eveteasers and make attempts to rejoin his scattered family. Watch him teach a lesson on those who cheated him...brilliant!

This movie aint a preacher..no lessons to be learnt story...its just plain simple naked truth ...with no reservations. A brainteaser and a rib tickler at the same time, it is a path breaking cinema with no 'bollywood' effects, no song and dance show, no 'heroic' acts, no 'special' effects and action sequences ........yet its has such vibrant mood that its looks jazzy enough to steal your two hours.


I would say a Very intelligent medium of film making where every scene leaves you asking for more and asks you more questions than it gives answers. Mind boggling!

THE ROAD AHEAD...

Watch the last scene and return to the road beneath my window.
The pan shop, the walk down the road and the 'sensational' crime reporter of a TV news channel.
And this is where it all started.


Watch the same scene through my 'digital' eyes.
Click on the video below.




Remember, the director made Abhay give a neat stare on that night of the shooting last December , on the road beneath my house.
Well, they made a poster out of it. Quite a promotion.
"Lucky" Road.

Open Up ...

(Coffee with Sumran)

Open you eyes,

Open your mind,

open your thoughts.

Don't stay behind.

Open up, open up,

open up, open up,

The key is inside you, to open your mind.

You know what is out there, your heartcan't be blind.

You can be rich, with no money to spend.

You can do everything, when you understand.

You can be mother, when your are man.

Open up, you know that you can.

Open your eyes and open your mind.

Open your thoughts, don't stay behind.

Kiss Me

Oh kiss me

beneath the milky twilight

Lead me

out on the moonlit floor

Lift your open hand strike up the band and make the fireflies dance

Silver moon's sparkling

so kiss me

Kiss me

down by the broken tree house

Swing me

up on its hanging tire

Bring, bring, bring your flowered hat

We'll take the trail marked down your father's map

Swing, swing, swing that spinning step

Nightly

beside the green green grass

You wear those shoes and I will wear that dress

Oh kiss me

beneath the milky twilight

Courage Under Fire.

I read the following article in the Sunday's edition of Times of India.

These Sikh youths toiled to keep forces well fed

Mumbai: During the chaotic aftermath of the terror strikes many ordinary Mumbaikars came out on the streets to offer whatever help they could. One such group of young Sikhs worked relentlessly during last few days to offer food and water to security forces at Taj and Oberoi hotels.

About 20 to 25 young Sikh men, volunteering for Gurudwara Shri Dashmesh Darbar in Sion, saw the chilling pictures of the carnage on television and offered to help. With the help of women from the community, they set up a temporary langar at several gurudwaras in the suburbs and cooked food day and night. “Once shri Guru Nanak Sahab had little money left in his pocket, but he used that money to serve food to the needy. We all draw inspiration from that incident. A Sikh’s first duty is to serve the needy,” said Ajit Singh, a volunteer who was serving food at Taj.

On Thursday and Friday, the volunteers supplied 500 packets of food to forces along with water. For lunch and dinner, 1000 packets of puri bhaji was prepared and served to forces at Oberoi and Taj.

This isn’t the first time these men have offered help during crisis. During the serial blasts in city’s local trains in 2006, the men helped police to pack dead bodies in plastic bags, and thereafter, immediately washed themselves and cooked food for the injured at the spot. “That was a completely different experience and one that changed our lives for ever,” said another volunteer. At the Taj and Oberoi, the youth were also coordinating with the police to make sure everyone gets the food.

Tired police officials and security men said that they were glad to see that common man cares for them. “This shows that the common man cares for what we are doing here,” said a army jawan stationed at the Taj.