Looking out through my window

Call it me growing old, call it me slowing down but I must say that I absolutely love spending time at home…J There is a joy I experience at home that is very special. My mind is always thinking, always working and so I said to myself... let me write my mind out and express myself via my blog today which is why here I am writing away. It is an overcast Sunday and its been raining this morning which is strange for mid November. I am seated at my chaise lounge in the drawing room and looking out into the garden and the pool. It seems like the ideal day to step out for most but for me it isn't.

The thing is most people my age enjoy stepping out, meeting up, partying, hanging out…but me, I love being home. I sometimes find myself thinking …hmm…maybe I am a tad weird I should be out living it up-I am in Mumbai!!! I have always fought fiercely to see that I create for a level of consistency in my life. Everything I do or endeavor needs to be with thought and if I enjoy it and want more of it, then I need to pave the way to see I create that avenue that allows me to consistently have that in life without getting too greedy. My joys are simple be it my gymming, going to movies, riding my bikes, traveling and chilling at home.

I was brought up with the value system that had you learn to nurture the ‘sense of belonging’ when I was young. My Mom infused in me how important it was to not always have to be 'entertained' but sometimes be able to also enjoy just ‘being’. Mom has been quite an amazing woman who really keeps the entire family together with always finding ways to see we bond, we communicate, we nurture and we selflessly love and I think in many ways I have tried to replicate her teachings in my life and take wisdom from the lady she is. She taught me the importance of home, family, staying united, always being accountable and staying humble. Today at 32, I find immense joy in time to myself and being able to enjoy the solitude of my home and its surroundings. I do not need to be on a mobile phone or have the television or music on…I can just sit and enjoy the space and I believe that is a huge achievement when I look around. I can have a very hectic social life-I choose not to. I like to still bring out the child in me who still can enjoy the whole joy of looking forward to stepping out and doing something special versus going out everyday and hitting the social scene as people would expect those living in Mumbai to do. Being a Model, you are constantly invited to some of the most happening parties in the city be it private bashes, launches, premieres or events...I would choose chilling at home anyday over doing this on a daily basis. 

What people don't realize is that it takes a lot to live on your own away from home in a fast paced metropolitan like Mumbai where you are constantly having to fend for yourself…this is all not easy when you have been at it year after year. Sure, it would be so easy to step out at the drop of a hat just so that you do not have to be dealing with the four walls of your home and being on your own but then over a period of time we all know what that leads to us as individuals becoming and that is definitely not someone i can or have ever been able to identify with. 

It demands a huge level of commitment and accountability to one’s self if you want to live well but then again the term 'living well' would probably have each person out there define it differently. For me 'living well' was very simply seeing i stayed 'happy' and when at home I was so overjoyed that I did not miss my family in Baroda or pine to be with them. That is what I have attempted to create in this place I have made home since July 2006 when I moved in. The energy in my home is self created, this is my world and it is a space i treasure and cherish. I love this place to bits. 

One more year has gone by here and 2010 nears to an end and 2011 shall pave way for new challenges, new dreams and new chapters to be written that I cannot wait to experience.

I look forward to 2011 as I stare out of my drawing room window. I love the life I lead in this city, I love my home and I look forward to each day that comes my way and has me experience a new facet of life that has me revisit the wisdom I believe I had honed. I have grown immensely as a person this year and what has allowed for that growth and learning has been my being a better listener and a better observer of all that surrounds me daily. My close knit family and the transparent communication we share though we are miles apart is such a catalyst in the person I mature into. It is lovely to be happier with every day that you wake up to and it is beautiful to smile as I look ahead to 2011…

A wonderful evening with 'Guzaarish'

Had a wonderful evening at the movies with loved ones. We went to see Sanjay Leela Bhansali’s new film ‘Guzaarish’ and I must say it lived up to the expectations I had created in my mind in the run up to its release. The past has seen me enjoy Dhoom 2 and Jodha Akbar both Hrithik-Aishwarya starrers and so I was quite excited about seeing  them pair up once again to set the screen on fire in the energy I believe they generate together.

Guzaarish has been made with a lot of heart and passion and you can see the sensitivity portrayed beautifully and eloquently by Hrithik who carries out the role of a paraplegic so wonderfully in the movie. I was in absolute awe of Hrithik and his acting and realized how crucial it is to find that perfect match of a great Director who knows how to nurture and accentuate the potential of his actor so beautifully shown in this film.  Hrithik, you have really come a long way and thank you for such a wonderful acting performance that had me believe what you wanted to convey. The dance with the ball was something only you could have done with the grace and elegance that had me applaud the way you carry yourself on screen.

What was wonderful about the film was that though the film touched upon the life of a paraplegic and the very sensitive issue of Euthanasia, it doesn't take any stand which is something you would expect of the cinema one is used to. Instead, it is about ‘Ethan’ and his life and about the strength of a paraplegic, who lived a full life for 14 years without being depressed. The film moves you and does have you reflect on your approach to the way you look at life and our everyday experiences. There is a sense of gratitude you walk away with and as you watch moments in the film when you see Hrithik pine to do some of the simplest things he can’t anymore, you learn to cherish what you have.

Hrithik for me really encapsulated perfection in this film and I do not believe there is anyone in Bollywood who could have done this role better. Aishwarya was beauty personified in the wonderful way she carried herself and Sabyasachi who has designed her clothes for this film made her look the gorgeous woman she is.

Sanjay Leela Bhansali, you for me were the magician in this film. Every shot of your film, every angle, the lighting you chose, the composition, the back-drop…all so beautifully thought out and executed. 

Well done Sir, thank you for taking me on a wonderful visual journey and re-affirming that there is beauty in Indian cinema and magicians like you…still exist.

India Pakistan Hockey Jai Ho…

I sat and watched absolutely mystified as India and Pakistan played out a crucial Men's Hockey match in the Asian Games today. Whenever these two Nations take to the ground for any sporting encounter, that game guarantees a match filled with passion, drive, determination and the fire to WIN. This tie was crucial for India as a win would have them top the Pool Table they are in and also guarantee a Semi-Final place in the Asian Games 2010.

It is interesting how we as a Country have still not yet truly embraced our pride in ‘all’ the sports we truly excel at and games like Cricket continue to shadow our pride and glory that some of the other sports too bring to us but go unnoticed. It was providence that I happened to have the television on today and was watching the Asian Games, which allowed me to catch this classic Hockey encounter, as it was played out live. There was no advertising of any kind in the run up to this match talking about this wonderful tie that was going to be played out today…why I wonder since this tie is what dreams are made of for any sportsman and any India-Pakistan match. Such a game is always watched with a lot of enthusiasm especially if it is a sport like Hockey…

I do believe it is high time that India recognizes and accepts that we are great at sports other than Cricket too-hockey with the wonderful Indian Team, Boxing, Tennis, Chess, Rowing (as showcased in this Asian Games), Shooting, Weightlifting etc. We are slowly but surely becoming a Nation that is churning out great sporting glory and this can only take full shape when our Government is recognizing of the talent that flourishes in our own backyards and is able to shed the political bureaucracy and money swindling ways we seem to be making more of a name for be it the IPL or the Commonwealth Games.

Isn’t it surprising that in a nation of billions we are not able to have 11 Football players who can represent us in the FIFA World Cup? I believe it is possible…..the question however is-Do we want this to happen and become a reality? Do we only want to be recognized for our political power games we play out or do we want to also be remembered for the pride we brought our nation in the sports we played and the friendships we forged on the field? Shouldn't we be taking from the wonderful Indo-Pak 'peace pair' of Rohan Bopanna and Aisam-ul-haq-Qureshi friendship in Tennis formed that has made both India and Pakistan very proud. 

India won their Hockey match today against Pakistan 3-2 and are through to the Semi Finals of the 2010 Asian Games. The Indian Hockey Team once again showcased their serious intent to us as a Country that they play to win, they play for the pride of our Nation….are we nurturing them in the support we show???

Hurrah Aung San Suu Kyi Hurrah!

Call it faith, call it belief, call it determination. For me, it sums up an inspiring story of someone who stood by what she believed in and has been a lamp of hope for not just her Country but people around the world. That is what Aung San Suu Kyi  and her life means to the people of Myanmar, Burma and to a large part of the world who have followed her journey.

Aung San Suu Kyi is a Burmese opposition politician and a former General Secretary of the National League for Democracy. In the 1990 general election, Aung San Suu Kyi's National League for Democracy party won 59% of the national votes and 80% (392 of 492) of the seats in Parliament. She had, however, already been detained under house arrest before the elections. She remained under house arrest for almost 15 of the 21 years from 1990 until her release on the 13^th of November 2010.

Aung San Suu Kyi was the recipient of the Rafto Prize and the Sakharov Prize for Freedom of Thought in 1990 and the Nobel Peace Prize in 1991. In 1992 she was awarded the Jawaharlal Nehru Award for International Understanding by the Government of India.

Aung San Suu Kyi returned to Burma in 1988 to take care of her ailing mother. By coincidence, in the same year, the long-time leader of the Socialist ruling party, General Ne Win, stepped down, leading to mass demonstrations for democracy on 8 August 1988 (8-8-88, a day seen as auspicious), which were violently suppressed in what came to be known as the 8888 Uprising. On 26 August 1988, she addressed half a million people at a mass rally in front of the Shwedagon Pagoda in the capital, calling for a democratic government. However in September, a new military junta took power. Later the same month, the National League for Democracy (NLD) was formed, with Suu Kyi as general secretary.

Influenced by both Mahatma Gandhi's philosophy of non-violence and by more specifically Buddhist concepts, Aung San Suu Kyi entered politics to work for democratization. She was instrumental in the founding of the National League for Democracy on 27 September 1988, and was put under house arrest on 20 July 1989. She was offered freedom if she left the country, but she refused.

One of her most famous speeches is the "Freedom From Fear" speech, which begins: "It is not power that corrupts but fear. Fear of losing power corrupts those who wield it and fear of the scourge of power corrupts those who are subject to it."

She has also always voiced how she believes fear spurs many world leaders to lose sight of their purpose. "Government leaders are amazing", she once said. "So often it seems they are the last to know what the people want”.

Aung San Suu Kyi, the Burmese opposition leader, has used her first speech since being released from house arrest to challenge the authorities that imprisoned her for much of the past two decades. She said in her speech and I quote, “Democracy is freedom of speech. Please do not give up hope” There is no reason to lose heart”.

I bow to your intellect and your wisdom that has had you lead the life you have Ma’am and I wish you a wonderful journey ahead as you pave way for a new Myanmar and Burma that is built on the plinth of hope, faith and democracy as its true bastion. I am with you in your journey Ms. Suu Kyi as I believe many others are as well. 

Did petty politics come in the way of the Grand Dinner hosted by Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh? Food for thought...

Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh hosted a grand dinner for US President Barack Obama and First Lady Michelle Obama at his Race Course Road residence on the 7^th of November 2010. Around 80 ‘eminent’ personalities attended this dinner.

The invitees included several political leaders, business leaders, one sportsman-Vishwanathan Anand and Bollywood celebrities the likes of Javed Akhtar, Shabana Azmi, AR Rahman and Aamir Khan.

This was such a wonderful platform for our Prime Minister to showcase via the guest list an eclectic mix of individuals that have done the Nation proud and allow for the World and the US President to meet with these individuals. It is interesting to note that Amitabh Bachchan and Lata Mangeshkar were not invited to the dinner, even though they enjoy legendary stature in India not to forget Ashutosh Govarikar who directed Lagaan that made it to the Oscars as an entry in the category of the best non-English language film in 2002. How come such a faux pas?

The only sportsman at the dinner was Vishwanathan Anand and whilst I have immense respect for him and his achievements I do believe a couple of more sporting greats could have been invited who have done this Nation proud.

It is at times like this that I believe we showcase what we are ‘proud’ of. The guest list for such an event is testament of people we want someone like the US President and his entourage to meet because these people’s achievements and what they stand for is what makes India the unique Nation it is. It is a list of individuals that is emblematic of who we as a Nation are proud of and who we aren’t….In hindsight, I believe this dinner could have been constructed beautifully with an eclectic guest list that traversed various fields from the Arts, Science, Sports etc. to add vibrancy and pride to a magical night that created not just a platform for the US President to meet these esteemed individuals but to have a room filled with the future of our Nation and the forum to interact with one another and share values, aspirations and vision for India.

I figure that once again petty politics and past grudges coupled with political agendas got in the way of this unique evening and members in power who ‘rule’ this nation succeeded in having their way and poking fun at the expense of India. Sadly, they must live with their own conscience if they do have one and one day life shall come full-circle for them.

Salaam Obama Ji…

I have spent the last 3 days intently watching television and following Barack Obama’s visit to India. Obama has left me both moved and inspired by what I have seen. I know my comments and thoughts may not go down well with many who attempt to break his visit down into minute details and also look at his tenure thus far as the President of the United States. The truth is that as I have watched the television and heard so many panelists break down his every move and question his integrity, his motives and his presidency; I have come to realize something that I believe is such an important catalyst to the future we all collectively look at. We as a country and nation have gotten so used to pointing out the negatives that it is almost hard sometimes to be constructive let alone be positive.

It has been wonderful to watch and follow Obama as he goes about his schedule here in our Country and I was inspired to see a President unlike others I have seen in the past who came off as being extremely humane and sensitive in his ways. It was clear he was here to meet with the people of this Country and not just the politicians. It was also visible that he understood the concerns of those he interacted with as was evident when he addressed the combined houses of Parliament this evening touching upon issues that have had the population wonder what his agendas were.

Here are the positives that I see from this visit. I realize this is not the first US President that has visited us BUT let us attempt to recognize that this President has made an effort no others have in the past in the way he has approached this visit to India clearly indicating our rise as a Nation to reckon with. He made the choice to visit Mumbai first over the Capital Delhi and met with the youth as well as Business leaders and young entrepreneurs. Business deals have been made to the tune of $10 Billion and there has been employment generation as well from the alliances built.There are clear paths that have been paved on this visit by him that I believe shall build wonderful alliances in the time to come. It is visible that the United States of America recognizes the value India brings to the global economy and that partnering with us as a country holds a lot of prospect for both nations in the years to follow.

Obama is a great orator and he shall go down in history for the way he is able to talk and have the world listen. He is a man with a mission that few may believe or feel can be made a reality YET he is choosing to believe he can make a change and so I think a lot of us should learn from that.

It is so easy to question someone’s integrity but when you think about it-isn’t what Obama has spoken about and voiced what we as a nation believe in and feel is what both countries require in an effort to make a positive progress?

What will it take for us as Indians to believe? Have we become so used to negativity around us that we are not able to see the light in the tunnel?

Food for thought…