Don’t have a blind holiday, just plan it

I am a travel freak. Till today, I have seen most of India, barring most of the east and the northeast. From the icy hills of Kashmir to sandy beaches of Kanyakumari and from Krishna’s submerged Dwarka city to the lovely Puri and Jagannath temples- I have seen it all…loved it all.

A visit to the commercialised durbar

My visit to the Vaishno Devi temple, nestled in the Trikuta hills of Jammu and Kashmir, after 13 years, brought in a lot of amusement and surprise. The temple and its vicinity has changed completely than what I saw during my last visit. The temple is divine undoubtedly, but everything else gave the impressive of being commercialised, more and more.

An idly with ‘Jhansi ke kabristan ka chowkidaar’

I had ordered idly sambhar at Banana Leaf restaurant at Outer Circle, Connaught Place, when a voice grabbed my attention. An old ‘white’ man, wearing brown shirt, cargo pants and hat was ordering his meal.

“Do you have this?” he asked pointing towards the menu.

“Yes sir,” the waiter said.

Gear up Delhi!

Delhi is dug up everywhere these days. Wherever you go, you will either find Metro bridges underway or roadsides dug up either for cable work or for renovation.

Delhiites’ shopping delight Connaught Place is also undergoing the same ‘surgical operations’. The white circular building has been covered with sheets and floors are dug up. The authorities say, renovation is going on. CP is getting dressed up for Commonwealth Games 2010.

Homosexuality is not for me…but how does it matter?

Homosexuality is not for me. It may not be for you. But how does it matter? The Delhi High Court’s decision to decriminalise consensual homosexual relationships is heralded by thousands to whom it really matters.

Thousands, dressed in strange clothes with coloured and masked faces, welcomed the court’s decision. They couldn’t stop hugging, kissing each other and shedding the tears of joy. They had a new lease of life. Now, they may not have to remain outcasts in the society. They may not be forced to do, what they really wanted to, secretly.

Goodbye Michael!

My day today started with the sad news of Michael Jackson’s demise. My brother received it as a news alert and called upon me to cross-check from TV whether he is actually dead. Yes, he had. It was there on all TV channels. Another life cut short by overdose of drugs, I suspected.

I have been a Michael follower and loved his tracks “Black or White”, “Beat it” and “They don’t care about us” from very early times.

Internet, a strong influence in a child’s life

Though the Internet is a great medium through for the children for their educational and overall growth, their access to the web world has to be checked. It is noticed that when unobserved, children are vulnerable to the trap of porn websites and strangers on the social networking websites. Some children even meet their strange friends face-to-face without the knowledge of their parents or friends. It is high time the government should think about introducing strict laws and guidelines to regulate the use of Internet by children. Other than the government, it is the duty of the parents all over the world to keep a check on websites their child visits often.

Racism, there and here

There

The recent racist attacks on Indian students in Australia have troubled the nation. Three attacks in just one week! One student was beaten in a train, one stabbed in abdomen while being robbed and the third burnt by petrol bomb. Such behaviour towards foreign students in any country across the world is highly unacceptable and condemnable.

UPA makes a comeback

The verdict 2009 is the most clear, decisive and surprising mandate India has ever seen. Congress-led UPA coalition came back to power, emerging stronger since their last performance. BJP’s hopes are dashed and all that the PM-in-waiting L K Advani is able to get is a full stop to his waiting.

What has happened in the elections is really astounding. Lots of factors worked together behind such a mandate.