By far  Shekhar Gupta’s is the best summarisation and assesment of the current scenario by any one worth his or her pen. The one thing that I’d like to add is, that yes this new found outrage of the middle class is a step in the right direction, but neither will it bring down the governent down nor will it change the system (specially by the ‘methods’ suggested) UNLESS they bring on board to support them  the people whose voice really counts-the countless living in densely populated areas such as  Dharavi, Ghatkopar, villages , rural areas and other places where the elites have never set foot. The poor people, the masses ,who were the first ( and current-remember CST) victims of terror in trains and  in crowded markets. The ones we didn’t give sound bites for, the ones we didn’t hold candle light vigils for. Because these are the people who are the majority of our electorate. It’s these people the netas come to ask votes to, and it’s these people and their support  that  will make possible a change. Not those who appear on news channels nit picking wondering about intelligence failure and NSG reaction time.( Thanks to them the NSG will get their own planes. Never mind the plight of  the millions in India languishing below the poverty line).

The answer is simple. United we stand divided we fall. We must make this a MASS movement. Sms’s and newspapers will help to some extent, but it’s is direct face to face interaction (the kind that our revered netas do in the form of rallies) that is the remedy.  There are millions who vote (who are illiterate , don’t read papers or SMS). And in time of war each man counts.

Poor and disenfranchised Hindus/Sikhs/Christians are not the ones being radicalized. There is no planned sustained movement in place to do so. India has the second largest population of Muslims in the world. Yet their representation in all walks of public life remains dismal (what ever the reasons). A disproportionate chunk of the Muslim population lives below the poverty line. These people are the ones the radicals target as their recruiting ground.

Yes, there are rich who also get involved. The percentage is small. The machinery in place that goes about recruiting these people is very advanced and unscrupulous. They are highly motivated by people whose full time job is to mislead these people. Their modus operandi is to show videos of Muslims being tortured /killed/women being raped, and other forms of propaganda. In Punjab ( I am a Sikh from a village in Punjab called Mahadian, Distt Fategarh Sahib), many youngsters from well to do families after seeing their relatives/ kin burnt alive by mobs, tortured and raped by the forces were badly shaken up. Psychologically numb. And were ready when extremists came knocking on their doors to garner support. As for the security lapses, I am sure there are many loop holes. We apart from being a booming economy are also a country of the poor and homeless, (who’s primary focus is two square meals). We are NOT the United States, where we can single mindedly pursue security. But having said that, it’s important to understand, that not even the best trained force in the world can be prepared for someone who is ready to kill himself. The terrorist wins by not losing/dying (for whatever short period he wreaks havoc) and the forces “lose” by not winning immediately (ultimately they do in a Mumbai like scenario, but not in J&K, Iraq). And how can I be biased? Because I am in Indian and believe that the same set of rules must apply to all? So Muslims who kill people are terrorists but Bajran Dal/RSS activists who burn Christian homes, rape nuns are “angry misguided youth”?? My father is a serving army officer; he has 40 years of service to the nation and is currently posted as Army Commander Central Command, at the very tip of the army pyramid. He also served as Northern Army Commander. I have been brought up in the most secular way possible, where I have observed at close quarters what the army does for the Nation. And it pains me to read about people pointing fingers at the forces being “inefficient” when they constantly give away their today for us to be able to blog like this, sleep peacefully and enjoy life as we know it.”

So it was with anguish that I reacted to the media blaming India’s no show at Beijing on KPS Gill and the politics in the team. It’s always easy to simplify an issue. Can any one name the players on the Hockey team?? Probably not. I am ashamed to admit I can’t. Ask any gali ka chokra about the cricket team and he’ll rattle of India’s 11. Cricket players set hair trends. But does any even one know about our celebrated hockey players?

I was in Malaysia, staying at the same hotel as the Indian hockey team during the 6th Asia Men’s’ Hockey Cup. I could not recognise a single face. (Forgive me for being blinded by cricketers as they endorsed everything in sight). I went and saw the semi final match where India beat Pakistan. But the next day, back in India, I was surprised to find all coverage of their feat (they went on to beat Australia to lift the cup) relegated to a miniscule corner on the sports page. How many times in the recent past has Hockey (they’ve won enough, their loosing streak is only 2-3 years old) made it to the front page? The only consistent Olympic medal winner was our hockey team. God knows how they achieved that with the apathy of our nation. All the money in sport seems to only go to cricket. The BCCI’s coffers are bursting. Why is it that cricket attracts more than its fair share of sponsorship? Its because of a careful brand building exercise that has been in place for the last two decades or so, resulting in Icons being created over night due to one century or taking a few consecutive wickets. Its a different matter that unlike other countries, our Hockey team can’t even count on the government for the much needed infrastructure it needs; from world class astro turf fields to, grass root training modules, hockey camps and finally getting good coaches. After all how can the government justify millions on Hockey (or for that matter any sport) when there are people with out clean drinking water, and other basic amenities?

Its up to private enterprise to step in and fill the gap. Mr. Subroto Roy Sahara made a good start by pledging to help Indian Hockey. But more needs to be done. How can a country of a billion strong not produce atleast 40 medals at the Olympics? Its shameful, that a country with a growth rate of more than 8% can’t put aside a little for sport. Investing in Sporting infrastructure will create employment apart from boosting the morale of aspiring athletes.

The media too owes it to the nation to put in the same energy sensationalising squash, weight lifting, shooting, hockey and football as it does with cricket. And lastly we the people need to look at all sportsmen and women through the same eyes. After all, whether a Sania or a Sachin or an unsung weightlifter or a hockey player; they all toil equally hard, put up with un fair politics and hold the country’s flag up high.

JUSTICE, social, economic and political;

LIBERTY of thought, expression, belief, faith and worship;

EQUALITY of status and of opportunity;

And to promote among them all

FRATERNITY assuring the dignity of the individual and the unity and integrity of the Nation

I think its time to amend this in light of the present scenario. While I can’t argue with the sovereign and democratic part, I question “socialist” and definitely “secular”. As the constituent assembly envisioned the giddying heights their beloved India would scale, this definitely seemed like a wonderful guideline for a young nation. But today, 58 years on how much of this are we trying to implement? How many of our leaders treat the preamble as what it is- a guide to see them through, a constant talisman? But no, that’s certainly not the case. Certainly not, if one takes into account recent developments in Maharashtra, and Bombay in particular.

Where exactly is the ideology of “ Maharashtra for Marathi’s“ coming from? To question the beliefs of a group of people just because they are different. To actually oust them because of their alien (only to the former) culture? Will some one tell these people this is the 21st century? We are looking at inspiring the confidence of the west, in the stability of our country, its economy, that we are mature enough to be a nuclear power so that our hunger for energy can be met. But no, these concerns are too trivial for some people. They’d rather nurture vote banks in the name of Mumbai for Mubaikars, or Hindutva or socialism.

Justice??
I think the word is a joke. Acquittal of the cops in the best bakery case?? The 1993 riot cases still in court? And what about the 1984 riot victims? What is Jagdish titler doing still walking around even after eyewitness accounts to the CBI have described him leading mobs to mercilessly massacre Sikhs? And this when a so-called secular government is in power at the centre? I shudder to think what will happen should a right wing party come to power.

Liberty??
Now this has got to be even a bigger joke. Liberty of thought, expression, belief, faith and worship. If Richard Gere decides to show his affection for Shilpa (in no way endangering National Security) it becomes an issue. In Orissa and many other states there is a sustained campaign against those who’ve converted to Christianity. Violence against Dalits persists in very state. Are they not entitled to their liberty? Or is it just the prerogative of the rich and powerful? And who cares for EQUALITY?? Certainly not the supporters of MNS . After all, some are more equal than others, right? How else can we explain what is happening in West Bengal? And promoting FRATERNITY seems to be the last thing on the minds of Mr. Geelani, Mr. Narendra Modi and Mr. Raj Thakre.

So who is going to stand up against these violations? Our Parlementarians ( average age 65yrs)? In light of the fact that the majority of India’s population is between the ages of 15 and 40, this is certainly a case of misrepresentatin, no? But since most of us are content with the way things are going( in the absence of any tangible protests), I can only agree with what a very wise man ( can’t remember who) said,we deserve our government:-)

I was brought up in a family where fitness was of utmost importance, and looking “slim” was secondary. Fitness meant being healthy, having energy to go about the day and still have lots left over. It meant if we randomly decided to walk over to some one who lived 10km away we would not collapse halfway or if we planned a long trek in the mountains we’d be able to not just walk and last but be able to take in the beauty with out fatigue gnawing away. Being fit was a virtue that was instilled in me just like integrity and honesty. And it was fun. I still remember the day my father ‘allowed’ me to go jogging with him for the first time. I had been seeing him every day, take off for his 5 km mandatory jog with the dogs and would want to go with him, but he would say “wait till you’re a little older”. I was 13 when I began jogging everyday with him. It was great being able to spend quality time with him and at the same time exercise. Unsurprisingly, I was good at all sports being athletic to begin with. And I must add that being athletic does give me an edge over a lot of people, I am able to endure long working hours, run marathons, go trekking and enjoy much more of what life has to offer.

Getting back to the weighty issue at hand. I believe more than trying to be “thin”, its important to pick a realistic weight and try and remain there. Too many people loose too much weight too quickly and put it back on, eventually. And the business of putting on and loosing weight again and again is very very bad for one’s health in the long run. I have tried to keep my weight constant (of course I do on occasion go up a kilo post a holiday) over the last few years and have by and large succeeded. And this shall be my fitness goal for the years to come. Not certainly “trying to become thinner to get into skinny jeans”.

And as I said earlier on, I have not changed; it’s the way people perceive me that has changed. Most people have taken my characters in Dor and Manorama Six Feet Under very seriously (which is a complement) and believe that if I am wearing loose clothes, it probably means I am a plus size! So if I am at some do in say a tight dress or say “skinny’ jeans the automatic reaction is “ohmygod look at how skinny you are!”. And I am like, Hello??? There is another person called Gul who is not Zeenat or Nimmi. I guess its ok as long as I have the last laugh:-)
Later then.

I finished shooting in London with Vinay Pathak for Parvati Balagopalan’s “Straight” and flew to Paris, and then from there to Marseille. From Marseille the track where the drive was going to happen, Le Castellet, was an hour away. Finally I reached the hotel and after an early dinner went to my room to crash out. But the excitement just didn’t let me sleep. I finally got out of bed, had a shower and was ready 2 hours before the designated departure from the hotel at 7 AM. The weather forecast predicted rain and a temperature of 4 Degrees. Luckily the day dawned fairly clear. Went to the training facility at the track and had some basic medical tests done. And finally on to the safety briefing. Before I knew it, I was being ushered towards the place where the car was parked. It looked beautiful. And so powerful. 580 kgs propelled by a V8 engine giving out 700BHP. Phew. I was beginning to get just a little nervous.

Next thing I knew I was in the car. I started the engine. The sound produced was like music to my ears. So loud. I started rolling out of the pit. And then I stepped on it. The responsiveness of the engine was overwhelming and the pick up knocked the wind out of me. I did a total of 9 laps over the course of that day. The track was very curvy with only a 400 meter straight stretch, but still managed to touch 180km/h. And I can say in all honesty, that nothing in the world could possibly have prepared me for what I was going to experience. Nothing. This day was clearly one of the most memorable days for me and it was definitely the experience of a lifetime.

For more on the Renault Formula 1 experience this do check out my piece in the next issue of Auto India.
Until next time.

Click here to view few pics.

Now to answer my own question, “why am I blogging?”

It’s actually a long story which I am going to try and keep short. From very early on I have been very outspoken, about everything, specially about things that others chose not to speak about. This naturally led me to the arena of Public Speaking at the University and later was instrumental in my winning the Miss India contest. From then on I had many opportunities to speak my mind but was now looking at expressing my self using written words. I was lucky I got a chance to write a fortnightly column for Hindustan Times. Later I wrote guest columns for Times Of India, Time and Style, Femina, Auto Car, and many more. But still felt the need to express my self on my own terms - a forum where I could choose what I wanted to write, and how often I wanted to write.

Thus was born the idea of a blog. I simply want to share my experiences as I go thru my life. Some times I’ve been in very frustrating situations but had no way of sharing it and so could do nothing to make sure others don’t go thru it. Or felt very strongly about certain issues but had no way to get involved. Whether harassment by airline staff or being at the wrong end of a gun wielded by a man blind with road rage or my views on the safety of women, the list is endless. I wanted to give my self a voice as an Indian first and foremost, then as a woman and lastly as a working professional actor. I hope you enjoy reading. Until next time.