Sanket Gandhi - The relentless dynamo
Amruta
This is a regular scene in my office: everyone is working hard on their respective computers, deeply absorbed in their work, when suddenly, you hear a moan, and then a loud call - “Sanket!!". Then, from nowhere, Sanket Gandhi, the savior, appears to rescue the programmers from the problematic computer, the 'not working' network, the 'loss of Internet connection', and so on. When the work comes to an absolute standstill, and the PC user is gaping helplessly at the computer, he resolves the issue and puts the machine back to its working form, God know how.

He is a total pro in network management and administration. No one, absolutely no one I know has better knowledge of this field than him. Extremely helpful, ever smiling, and constantly on the run are the prominent attributes that can be assigned to him. He is easily accessible, and never says no to help. Personally, I am grateful to him for answering all my stupid ignorant questions very patiently.

I fondly call him 'R&D'- for he is always learning and developing his skills. If he is not working on some complicated network issue, you can see him reading, thinking, and trying out new techniques and solutions with absolute dedication. He gets absorbed in it completely. Since I have joined this company, I have never seen him idle even once. Not only that, he even helps others to gain expertise in the field by training them.

All in all, a great human being to work with, with a lot of qualities worth learning and incorporating in my own life. On his birthday today, I wish him all the luck and success, which he rightly deserves. May God bless him..Happy Birthday Sanket!
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How to write a good blog
Amruta
Many of my friends have complimented me on my blog, and expressed the desire to do the same. That’s why I decided to write this post to share some tips and tricks of the trade. So here goes:
1.Choosing a blogging platform:
To begin with, choose a blog platform that you find comfortable and interesting. Play around with the options before finalizing on any one. Blogger and WordPress are good to begin with.
2.Choose the theme of your blog:
Once you finalize the platform, decide the theme of your blog: whether you are going to write on sports, technology, literature, spirituality, or are you simply going to write about your experiences and thoughts. Trust me, deciding the theme beforehand, definitely simplifies the writing process.
3.Play around with the appearance to get the feel:
Most people feel that once you create a blog, you ought to start writing blog posts. I beg to differ. In my experience, I enjoy playing around with templates and widgets to get the feel of the blog, and then start the actual writing. This gives me a sense of ownership of the blog, and thus makes the writing experience much more enjoyable.
4.Begin the writing process:
Now for the crucial part – the actual writing process. Start with the topic that you know well, or are really passionate about. You must be wanting to share something with your readers. Do not be in a hurry to finish off this task. Take your own time, think extensively before you write, brainstorm, write, and review. That’s it. Simple isn’t it?
5.Keep it simple:
One of the common mistakes among new bloggers (including me) is that we tend to express our ideas in a complicated way. Since we have to say so many things, we tend to just go on and on and on. This leads to lessened interest in our posts, as reading long sentences on the PC is a bit tiresome. So say whatever you want in a simple, crisp, and precise way.
6.Express one idea in one paragraph:
Whenever you want to write a post that would consist of more than one ideas, always express each idea in a new paragraph. This helps the reader to keep track of what is being said easily.
7.Be interactive:
Always remember that there is a human being that is going to read your posts. Make sure that your posts are interactive in nature, like a general conversation. This lends a sense of involvement for your readers, and enhances their reading experience.
8.Use the active voice:
Use the active and direct sentence construction to increase readability and understanding of your post. Inactive voice or indirect speech often form a tedious reading experience. For instance, use the active voice is easier to understand than the active voice should be used.
9.Use visual indicators as much as possible:
Make use of as much images and graphics, maps, charts, and so on as needed to assist the reader in understanding of what is being said. Visual aids help a lot in conveying the meaning correctly. Just make sure that you do not clutter your blog.
10.Explore, Experiment, Enjoy:
Blogging is a platform which lets you express your creativity and thought process. It is an on-going process. Make the most of it. Don’t be afraid to make mistakes. Explore different options, experiment with them, and make sure you enjoy the process.
That’s all for now. If you need any more help, feel free to contact me. Till then, Happy Blogging!
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Karpewadi – Paradise on Earth
Amruta
     In the frantic pace of today’s life, amidst the constant ringing of cell phones and the hectic work schedules, our heart craves for a solitary moment of peace and quiet. This is what you gain at Karpewadi. Situated near Alibaug, on the eastern coast of India, it is the perfect destination for a family get-away. No cell phones, no internet, no newspapers, television – just you, your dear ones, and nature – truly Paradise on Earth.

It is a private beach resort, just a 3-hour drive from Pune. The first thing that strikes you as you reach there is the soothing peace and quiet. The breathtaking beauty of nature is a treat for the eyes. On arrival, you are served refreshing natural drinks of kokam sherbet and coconut water. The accommodation provisions consist of well-furnished cottages which have a traditional-village feel to them. There are hammocks and swings to escalate the relaxing experience. The food is delicious as well as nourishing. The expert chefs at the resort prepare the typical dishes of the coastal area as per your requests. The staff is very courteous and helpful, and extends good service.


                            
     After settling in, you can proceed to the beach. The path to the beach is a beautiful way through the woods. Being a private beach, it is absolutely clean and not at all crowded. It is lined with ranges and ranges of coconut trees, smooth and firm sand, and crystal clear water. You can enjoy the boat rides, which take you deep into the sea and if you are lucky, watch the dolphins. The view there is marvelous. Surrounded by water on all sides, the sunrays playing on the water surface, the infinite sky overhead, birds sitting on the still water surface, and pin-drop silence – it is really a worthy experience.







Being in nature’s vicinity soothes the ruffled soul. It heals and resurrects the spiritual energy within you. All the stress and tensions of your daily life vanish into the thin air. You miraculously find the answers to all the troubling problems that you might be facing. The unpolluted, pure air refreshes your senses. The serenity of the place offers you a chance to reconnect with yourself and with nature. You feel one with nature, and can admire the splendor of natural beauty – the sunrise and the sunset, the scaling heights of the trees, the varied hues of natural colors, the mighty mountains next to the infinite water- it is a superb experience. You truly appreciate God’s powers and His Creations. It is an experience that rejuvenates your entire being and prepares you to take on your worldly responsibilities with a renewed vigor.



       In the mad rat-race of our times, such a vacation definitely helps to gain the right perspective and regain your strength to face the obstacles. Hope you enjoy your stay at Karpewadi. Bon Voyage!
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The quintessence of a true teacher – Prof. Chandrashekhar Garde
Amruta
                In today’s world, when the teacher-student relation is restricted only to the classroom and the syllabus, I have had the fortune to be the student of Prof. C.S. Garde – the beacon of hope in the present scenario.
                Prof. C.S. Garde was the Head of Department of the Engineering Sciences department in my first year in college.  I was a bit apprehensive regarding the transition from high school to college. But on the first day itself, his peaceful aura and warm smile made me feel at home. The way he explained the principles of Physics made us want to explore them even further. According to him, any law or principle that is discovered by someone else shouldn’t be taken for granted by us, but we should reinvent the wheel and test the validity of the statement for ourselves. This is how I got the practice of questioning and verifying any piece of information that comes my way, which is proving to be an invaluable asset for me.
                From there, we became closely associated with him. We used to spend hours and hours after college discussing theories of Physics, nature of matter and energy, spirituality, and ways of living life and so on. It was, by far, the best time of my life. To be able to delve in such profound subjects gave me a unique feeling of satisfaction and accomplishment. These being the formative years of my life, I owe all my intellectual maturity to Garde Sir.
He not only taught us things related to our academics, but also educated us about the way of living life fully and justifiably. He taught us the basic principles of how to choose the correct path and have the courage to stand up for what are right. He never took our decisions for us, but always implored us to think through the situation and choose our own way. I am indebted to him for life for helping me become the person that I am today.
He is astoundingly brilliant, very well-read, and his thought process is worth emulating. Having travelled widely, he is extremely experienced and has a clear understanding of the various cultures and mindsets. He makes it a point to incorporate the positive aspects of the people of the places he visits, and refrains from criticizing the negative side.
He strives to arrange academic events and lectures to expose his students to the latest trends. He actively participates and supports any initiatives by the students, as far as they are related to growth in knowledge. He encourages and motivates his pupils to explore the different avenues and provides all the required assistance. He is very friendly and does not believe in any formalities. All you have to do is ask for his help and rest assured that he will do his best to guide you.
In these times, when everyone is so engrossed in their own lives, persons like Prof. Garde seem like the breath of fresh air. I wish to follow his footsteps and reach to his level someday. Hope my wish comes true. Amen.
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Chetan Kelkar - My Boss, My Mentor
Amruta
             On graduating with an engineering degree from a reputed institute, I was raring to get going on the career front, just didn’t know how. I had the requisite talent, the capacity of working hard and so on, but without a direction. That was when I met Mr. Chetan Kelkar.
Chetan Kelkar is the CEO of Agile Technosys, a prominent web design and development company in India. I joined Agile Technosys as a Content Writer. That is how I got the opportunity to know this multi-faceted personality.
Chetan Sir is the true example of a self-made man. A Computer Engineer by qualification, a normal 9-to-5 job couldn’t satisfy the passion he has for his work. So after coming to Pune from Mumbai, he set out all by himself to carve his own niche in the IT domain. This is how Agile Technosys- as we know it- came into being. With the initial employee strength of 4 people, and the initial investment was of Rs. 8000 only he started the first office in a 250 sq. ft. basement. From there, Agile Technosys has grown to have employee strength of whooping 175+ and multiple offices at various locations.
Chetan Kelkar is one person in whom you can find totally opposite trends of human nature perfectly blended together to form an amazing personality. His astute calculations, flawless methodical planning, and business-minded nature mesmerize you completely; while his benign nature, helpful and friendly approach, simple and down-to-earth attitude make you feel comfortable in his presence.
He is a staunch believer in his values. His conviction of right and wrong guides his actions. He believes in fighting fair and sensibly, rather than following the tit-for-tat method. He believes in the policy of Equal Opportunity for all, and goes out of his way to help those in need, without projecting fake sympathy.
His dedication to his work is mind-boggling. For him, nothing matters more than his work. He is extremely methodical in his work, and a terrific planner. To see him juggling all tasks at once is a great learning experience.
He believes in talent and hard-work, and not degrees and certifications. He always promotes budding entrepreneurs and helps them set up their own organizations. He shares his knowledge and experiences with anyone who asks foe help. He encourages and motivates youngsters to excel in their fields and acts as the strong pillar of support.
His Never-Say-Die attitude is what separates him from the crowd. His plans to the minutest detail. At the same time, he is not afraid to take risks. He has a very positive attitude towards life, by which he considers every failure as a stepping stone to success. He never gives upon an idea he is convicted about; he follows it through and makes it successful.
He is an exemplary visionary. He thinks beyond the capacity of a normal person. To appreciate his thought process, one has to be exceptionally brilliant and attentive. He has a good insight for the current and future trends, and knows how to cash in on them. Every time you meet him, he astonishes you with one of his awesome ideas.
There are very few people who have the courage to dream, and make their dreams come true. Chetan Kelkar is one of them. To me, he is the person to whom I owe all my knowledge and experience. He has not only taught me the tips and tricks of a successful career, but also has helped me grow into a better individual. He is truly my ideal boss, my mentor.
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Rantings of a traumatized soul
Amruta
              For some unknown reason, my mood was extremely restless today. Nothing happening around me seemed to make any sense. I saw a very old man pulling an extremely heavy load van. Then I saw a very old woman begging for alms. Then I saw a really small kid doing the same thing. And what made me more angrier with myself, was the fact that these people seemed like that they had accepted their fate, they had accepted their condition, and playing the game that destiny had played dealt them with. They were doing the best they could with what they have. Then why the hell do I have to question everything in my life?

 Why do I have to keep on cribbing and wallowing and asking for more? Why do I have to be this greedy? I have almost all the amenities and luxuries of a good life. Then why is my soul so restless and unsatisfied? What am I looking for? Will the million questions ever be answered? Why is my faith in Krishna quavering because I don’t see His verdict coming true, because I don’t see any valid proof of His existence anymore? Why am I feeling this need for my faith to be proved? Why am I unable to surrender to Him unconditionally and innocently as I used to? Why can’t I just resign to the fate He has decided for me, and just do my duty, like these people? These people do not think and brood and analyze, or rather over-analyze everything, do they? Then why me? Why can’t I just accept things? Why this craving to know? Why the questions about the origin of the Universe, and the end of time? Why the brooding over the purpose of my existence? Why does the mundane routine, which everyone follows so dutifully- get up, get ready, work, sleep; or in the larger context, to take birth, grow, reproduce, and die, work for me? Why do I feel this cycle of activities to be worthless and useless and downright stupid? Doesn’t every other supposed ‘living’ thing follow the same procedure? The plants, the animals, the insects, the micro-organisms, and even other human beings, then why do I have to question it?

What makes me feel that I will get the answers if I just persist in asking the questions? In today’s world, if loving others unconditionally and doing good for someone are proving to be vices, the biggest weaknesses, even sins that can possibly persist within a human being, why do I have to cherish them and feel guilty and mortified if I decide not to follow them anymore?

           I was right you know. I shouldn’t be alive. I don’t deserve to live in this world. I just don’t belong here. I want to go home!!! To Krishna..where everything is simple. Every person is good and simple. No stupid emotional and egoistic complications. Love rules, and not that stupid filmy love - love in its truest form, unconditional and natural and pure love. Nature is peaceful and happy. There is peace and happiness all around, without any reason. There is pure soul-to-soul direct communication between people, without the crutches of mobiles and landlines and facebook and twitter blah blah blah. Where people value each other as human beings, not because some religion or sector or gender. Where basically people know how to be human. And they also respect other living and non-living entities, and not behave as the kings of this planet and claim everything for themselves and inflict pain on the poor creatures. That is my home. And if my faith in Krishna is true, and if He truly loves me, He will make this wish come true. I don’t know how and when, but He will- that I definitely know.
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My advent into the ‘other’ world
Amruta
Being in the content writing field for almost a month now, I have grown quite acquainted with it. My engineering college days seem like a distant past, though it was just a few months back. Also in my office, I sit with the marketing team, which is not concerned with the technological aspects. So when I got the assignment of preparing a User’s Guide for a software application, it was a completely new experience for me. And I was supposed to spend an hour in the programmers’ area. Hmm…

            The first thing I noticed the moment I settled there, was the pin-drop silence. Being with the marketing team for so long, I am used to the constant chatter and ringing phones, but the picture here was completely reverse-and scary. Each and every one over here was engrossed in their own world. I could practically hear their brains wheezing around me. Everyone’s eyes were glued to the monitor screens, hands either rolling the mouse-wheel or moving frantically over the keyboard, looks of absolute concentration on each face. I was feeling totally out of place, and had to make an extra effort to maintain my voice level to that of a whisper.

            The person who was supposed to guide me was busy, so I took this chance to explore this new world. On every computer, I could only see lines and lines of code in an alien language, and what bemused me was the fact that these people understood them! I was mightily impressed with their devotion-like attitude towards their work, and their extreme patienceJ.

            I realized that the backend job is extremely difficult and, according to me, boring. It is these people that make our lives so much easier. The things that we achieve ‘at the click of a button’, are the result of hours and hours of the hard-work of the programmers. It was truly a humbling experience. It inspired me to put in everything I have to present the magnificent work of these dedicated beings in the best possible manner, to the rest of the world. Kudos to the programmers!!!
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Joy of Giving Week
Amruta
India is celebrating the Joy of Giving Week from September 27 to October 3. Whenever we hear the phrases ‘giving’ or ‘contribution’, the first thought that arises in our minds is – What can an ordinary person contribute to anything? How is my involvement going to make a difference anyways? But this is not true. Here are some ideas help you play your part.

To start with, remember this- money is not the only form of contribution, it is one of the possible options. There are various other ways that you can consider. The simplest form is – SMILEJ. That is all it takes. People have forgotten to smile. Wherever you go, they hang around as if mourning someone’s death. Even if you smile at them, they are hesitant to smile back, as if scared what you may ask of them in case they return your smile. This is one of the prominent reasons of increasing stress levels- people have just forgotten how to be happy!! So go ahead, smile freely, and make someone’s day. Don’t worry if they don’t smile back.. Just keep on smiling at everyone till it becomes a contagious epidemic and everyone starts smiling again!

The next you can do is increase the kindness quotient. The most practical way to do this is – use ‘Thank you’ as often as possible (but not to the limit of irritation). Whenever you take an auto, thank the driver. Whenever you go to the grocery store, thank the salesperson. Go to a hotel, thank the waiter. Or, go home and thank your mother, father and so on for just being in your life. Or better still, thank God for giving you a life in the first place. So go ahead, express your gratitude and make people feel better. Simple enough!

You can also contribute your most valuable asset- your time. These days, we have every materialistic amenity possible, but what we lack is time for our near and dear ones. So go to a military hospital and serve the wounded soldiers there and tell them that you appreciate their courage and dedication. Go to an old-age home, and spend time with the inmates. Trust me, you will make their day. Or just take out some time form your crazy work schedule, and spend some quality time with your spouse, or children, or parents.
There is no bigger reward in the world than to see the people you love being happy.

            There is one more kind of contribution that you can make, and it is of utmost importance. It is the power of spiritual energy. I know it sounds all high-fundoo, but it is actually very simple. All you have to do is think good, positive thoughts about everyone and everything. Whenever you feel like cribbing or criticizing, stop yourself, and instead think f some happy thought, any good thought. Though we do not realize it, this really goes a long way to heal someone, or to balance things out. And the reason we don’t do it is that it is so simple, that we are just not aware of its power. So from now on, think as many good thoughts you can.

            The choice of the means of contribution are personal- each person to his own. I have done my bit by practicing these ideas and sharing it with you all by writing this article. All the best with yours. Wish you the Joy of Giving!!!
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Change is inevitable
Amruta
Change is inevitable – this is the tagline of my present company. For some strange reason, it has mesmerized me since the moment I heard it. It implies a far bigger concept than what these three words signify- this is because it is not only applicable to my company, it is the only truth of the moment.

             If you really think deeply, every single thing in the universe is undergoing one or the other form of change every second- the electrons changing their speed and direction, the atoms changing their configuration, the planets changing their position, and humans changing their spouses! Ok, bad joke. But honestly, Everything’s changing!!

            Now if the entire structure of the universe is changing, the time is changing with every passing moment, why the heck are we still bound by our ancient traditions?

The event that triggered this rebellious thought was the festival of Dussehra that we celebrated yesterday. There were loads and loads of flowers of marigold and leaves of some particular tree (aptyachi paane) on the streets. At first, I was delighted to see the beautiful flowers in such abundance; it definitely was eye-candy- till the time I realized that so many trees had been deprived of their flowers and leaves! Just because traditionally, this is what was exchanged as a token of good luck. But that was because in olden days, that was what was readily available! There were trees and leaves and flowers all around, and it was real easy to go pick them and exchange! But does it make any sense to do that anymore? As if we needed any more trees to be cut and the land eroded! Can’t we utilize that money to put a smile on the face of a homeless person?

And this is just the tip of the iceberg. There are many more such stupid, blind, mindless following of traditions. I am not saying that the traditions are stupid- at the time when they were formulated; it was the best thing to do. But they are not applicable anymore. What sense does it make to throw and waste rice grains over the married couple in marriage ceremonies, when so many poor people are dying on the streets all over the world because of hunger? When our ancestors decided on this ritual, it was the right thing to do, because at that time, food was in abundance and population was less, so it made sense to use it to signify blessings being showered on the couple. But not anymore. Won’t it be better if we now donate that amount of food to an orphanage?

The same thing in case of division of work between husband and wife. In the olden times, there was the clear-cut division of work, wherein the husband was the bread-winner of the family, and the wife used to take care of the household chores. But in today’s times, when women handle responsibilities at par with men, is it not necessary that men should shoulder some of the household duties? Then why does the “society” still insist that the woman should look after the work and house and kids, while it is derogatory for the husband to help her out? What age are we living in? Primitive??

All I want to say through this huge article is that times are changing- and we need to change with them- for the betterment of our future. Let us try and adjust with our time, share what we have with others, and make everyone happyJ  Happy living!!
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Dussehra
Amruta
Today, we celebrate Dussehra, the festival of the victory of Lord Ram over the demon Ravan, the victory of the power of Goodness over Evil.

It seems like the plot of every superhero movie- or rather the plot of every Hindi movie (J), doesn’t it? The hero, after overcoming many obstacles, rescues the Damsel in Distress after defeating the villain. But it is not the same. The story of Ramayan is significantly different than the normal story in many ways. To start with, Ram is not only the hero, he is perceived to be God. While the debate continues to rage whether or not he is God, it is safe to say that he is one with Godly qualities. But then, even Ravan is not your regular villain. He was a brilliant scholar, a great warrior, and a hard-core devotee of Lord Shiva, with one flaw- his unconquerable desire for Sita. It is said that after Ram killed Ravan, he bowed to him. This shows that even Ram was aware that Ravan was a great soul, with human limitations.

The lesson to be learnt here is that in every one of us there resides Ram as well as Ravan. It always excites us to see the good win over evil in the external world. This Dussehra, let us try to defeat the Ravan within us, so that only Ram prevails. Trust me, it is a difficult feat. It is very easy to recognize and overcome the evil outside us – to know that this person hurt me, or that person lied to me, my luck is not good and so on. But it takes a great deal of courage and faith to acknowledge the evil within us, let alone overcome it. We easily find a hundred excuses to place the blame on someone or something else other than ourselves and defend ourselves.

But it is truly worth all the efforts and pain. Because the end result is a burden-free, guilt-free mind, a clean and free heart and a pure and innocent soul. What more can you ask for? So this Dussehra, I urge all of my readers to look into the depths of their own souls, look within, weed out all the regrets of the past and worries of the future; and discover the beautiful blissful silence and peace that are the reflections of the One… God bless you all.
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Surrender Onto Me
Amruta
           In the Bhagavad Gita, Lord Krishna gives Arjun one simple instruction - Surrender. Since I am a hard-core Krishna fan, I thought a lot about how this instruction applies to my life, or what implications does it have on my being. And then when I found my answer, it was as if Krishna had gifted me the Heavens.
         
            The way I understand it is that Krishna knows what I do, feel and think every single moment. He knows exactly every reason behind each of my actions and thought process. That's why He is totally aware of the emotional turmoil that I go through, He knows the unnecessary baggage of hurt and pain that I carry on my tiny shoulders, He knows the dejection that I go through when something that I put my heart and soul into, doesn't turn out well. And He also knows the heightened  excitement that I feel when something good happens, He knows the lack of concentration that I face then. In short, He knows about all the highs and lows that happen in my world, and He is completely aware that they throw me off the track.

            That's why He asks me to Surrender, to give up everything that I have held close and which is causing me pain. He asks me to turn all my troubles and worries to Him, and free my heart and let it soar. He tells me that He will take care of all my problems, while I enjoy each moment fearlessly and blissfully.

            As I see it, Krishna is my storehouse, the keeper of my feelings and thoughts and deeds. After I accomplish any task, no matter whether it's an important project, or having food, I surrender it to Him, and relieve myself of the burden of the doership of the task. Then I can move on to the next task with a free, uncluttered mind and a happy soul. And the fact that I am ultimately doing it for my beloved Krishna, makes me put even more efforts and thus makes everything I do, a piece of worship. And also as my focus point is Krishna, I do everything as per His standards, and then what anybody feels about it doesn't matter anymore! So my creation ultimately becomes absolute., not subjected to the Theory of Relativity.

            So the key to a happy, fulfilling life is Surrender!
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On the ‘dumb’ness of ‘females’
Amruta
            The other day, I was working in my office, like any other day, and accidentally overheard one of my male colleague telling another one – “Ya, that may be true, but you know what, all females are dumb.” Now being a “female” myself, my most natural and immediate reaction was supposed to be that all men are like that, I should have thought of all the exemplary women of the past as well as the present who defy this statement, or at the very least it should have hurt my ego. But my actual reaction was that I couldn’t help laughing!! The way he said it was as if stating an obvious fact, similar to saying “you know what, the Sun shines”- that obvious. And the conviction and innocence with which he said it was way too hilarious. One more thing that made me laugh was the use of the term “female”, as if we are some different species, or inhabitants of some distant planet! And honestly, I personally believe that women should not fight for equality for men. Because they then give up their superiority! And you can’t blame the “males” (!) for formulating this belief about women having a lower IQ. You see, the Theory of Relativity is at work here. The male species have extremely low levels of understanding, and hence are unable to grasp the intelligent concepts that we present, and since they can not understand it, they consider it as unintelligent. And since we are blessed with better emotional powers as well, it is our duty to sympathize with them and pray that they gain some of our ‘dumb’ness..Amen.
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Horton
Amruta
             This is a tribute to the animated movie – Horton, the best animated film EVER! For those who don’t know, Horton is a movie about an elephant named Horton, who discovers a world of Whos, who reside in Whosville, which is an entire world of its own, on a speck on a clover! And their world is endangered (obviously!) and Horton saves it. This is the basic theme of the entire movie.

             There are two main characters: Horton and Mr. Mayor, the mayor of Whosville. Jim Carrey has lent his voice to Horton, and, as usual, makes him come alive. His toning and timing are as perfect and hilarious as ever. Mr. Mayor is played, rather voiced (?) by Steve Carell, and he has done an a-maz-ing job of it. Then there is the villain – the kangaroo – who is voiced (ok, accept it, it’s my terminology) by Carol Burnett, and she actually makes you feel scared ( even for an animation movie, that’s saying something!). And the rest of the supporting cast, Mr. Mayor’s 96 children for instance, have done a good job as well.

            The conceptualization, plot, and implementation are mind-blowing and sooo cute!!! How Horton faces all the obstacles, from nature as well as his friends, and how he overcomes them is well narrated. There are times in the movie, when everyone else thinks that Horton has lost his mind, to be able to hear voices from a speck on a clover, and even try to punish him for that, but he remains steadfast in his belief and fights for and saves Whosville. The depiction of this conviction is extremely well shot. The concept by which he understands the existence of Whosville made me think of the comparison of our world with Whosville. May be, just may be, even our world is a small speck somewhere..what am I saying, it actually is! In the vast expanse of the Universe, our world is not even a speck! And the fact that may be our Horton is also watching over us, caring and fighting for us, makes me feel safe and relieved and happy! I definitely want to meet my Horton!!!

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