Actors/Actresses wanted.

We are a movie production company. 

We are looking for actors and actresses. 

Please see the conditions and advantages sections and 

do send us your resume.  

Actors

1) Do you have a relative working in movie field?

If yes, please refer section I
If no, please refer section II

Section I- If you have replied yes to relatives working in movie field.

A) Do you have your immediate family (Father, brother, Uncle, Grandfather) as main lead in the movie field?
If yes, please refer to pros section.
If no, please refer to cons section.

Pros- If you have replied yes to immediate family as main leads.

a) You do not have to have any appealing features. If you look like a cross breed of two extinguished species, you will be hailed as number 1.
b) You do not have to be tall or well built. Just a minimum height of 4ft is required. 
c) You will be hailed as super hero if you are married twice! If your first spouse belongs to the same language/region you will be cheered. If your second spouse is from different region or speaks another language, you will be hailed as super hero. if your third spouse is international, you will get a suffix "ism". But you will be expected to be in search of alien. Risk is yours. 
d) You can do couple of bollywood movies. But if you are thrown back to the industry you belong to, you don't have to worry. you will have your hay to support you.
e) You can get a special privilege to enter politics. 
f) You can instantly become rich by doing real estate/hospitality management.
g) Having bent index fingers, strong thighs, long hair, Casanova personality is a plus.
i) The more plastic in your body, the more chances of being number 1. 

Cons- If you have replied no to immediate family as main leads.

a) You will remain as a comedy hero.
b) You will get to do small/low budget movies.
c) You will become villain eventually.
d) You might have to leave industry pretty soon.


Section II- If you have replied no to any relative in movie field.

a) You will end up doing small roles irrespective of your good looks and acting skills.
b) You are not allowed to date/get engaged to any one in the movie field.
c) You might end up with hit movies that will never get to be released anywhere.
d) You might take years to struggle.
e) You might develop suicidal tendencies and undergo lot of psychological/neurological pressure.
f) You might eventually shift/change your field. So, please have your educational certificates ready just in case.
g) You are at your own risk.


Actresses

1) Do you have a relative working in movie field?

If yes, please refer section I
If no, please refer section II

Section I- If you have replied yes to relatives working in movie field.

a) You are never expected to act unless you are in bollywood.
b) You need to have NRI accent.
c) You can approach TV channels.


Section II- If you have replied no to any relative in movie field. 

a) If you speak the native language you want to act in, then please remember, we don't need you.
b) You need to be able to shed as many clothes as you can without inhibition.
c) You will get to act with all major actors before you retire.
d) You should be able to know how to operate "scissors" as you are expected to open/cut ribbons of malls/stores in the future.
e) No special acting skills required.
f) If you act or show talent, you will be demoted to character artist level.
g) You can be below 13 years of age to apply for actress post. But not older than 24 years. 
h) Remember, that you are not allowed to go to bollywood. If you, then you are no more welcomed back. You are at your own risk.

If you fall in any of the above mentioned categories and want to be an actor- 

Apply at your own risk.

Frankly speaking about Rahul Gandhi

Frankly speaking, I did not understand why this interview took so long to happen. Rahul Gandhi (RG) is one of his kind. He is a master piece which was never seen and will never be seen. You see, I am a fan of RG in many ways. I will explain why-

1) He is a youth icon

At the age of 43, he is a still charming and is called a youth icon. While women who are 40+ are considered old enough, RG still proves that men, especially when in power, no matter how old, can be referred to as youth. Since 35, RG froze in time and will be a youth icon for another 10+ years. 

2) Excellent speaker

RG is very excellent in choosing words. His vocab is superb and he uses less words to express more. He talked about empowering women, changing system, bringing RTI and nothing else. He proved that there is no need to speak about something for hours to give wisdom. If you stress a word for 10-50 times, they will register in people's mind. He reminded me of President George Bush in this interview. 

3) He belongs to "this country"

We all talk as if we own India. When we give interviews, we say our nation, our country, Hindustan or India. But RG understood that India is not an individual's kingdom (kisi baap ka raaj nahi). He saw India as an outsider. You see, when we get out of something and watch it from distance, we will know what's wrong in it. That is exactly what RG did. In his speech, he was evident that he never owned our nation (see I am again saying "our nation"...huh). He addressed India as "this country"-Empower women in "this country". Change the system of "this country". He proved that only (as) an outsider can see "this country" clearly.

4) He knows who are innocent

RG made specific that the Gujarat riots killed innocent people. He stressed that the Gujarat riots' victims are innocent and the government of Gujarat is responsible. But doesn't say who were killed in 1984 riots and but says the then government, with Rajiv Gandhi as PM, tried its level best to stop the riots. He stood by what his father said. Well this is what his father had to say- Rajiv Gandhi was sworn in as Prime Minister after his mother's death and, when asked about the riots, said "when a big tree falls, the earth shakes". See the details here. 

5) He redefined poverty

RG does not believe in poverty. He believes every one is equal. He redefined poverty by saying "It is just a state of mind". Read here. He is so true. Why UNDP has not come up with such a definition till date? Why there are poor nations? Why there are poor people? Why people die in poverty? Because its all just a state of mind. 

6) He knows what he is

RG knows himself. He knows what he is. He openly accepted that he is dangerous to the system. That is why people attack him. Now who will be so gutsy to accept that one is so dangerous to the whole system of a nation. Only a bravo like RG can! 

7) He loves his mother

Like his mother, RG is very international. I am sure he must have grown up reading God Father as it is close to his family. Well, I am just referring to the Italian bonding here. Like his mother, RG was pushed into politics without any experience. Like his mother, RG accepted a huge responsibility to run "this country". Like his mother, RG is expected to be the leader though he is unwilling. Like his mother,  he does everything because he wants to change the system of "this country". He loves his mother so much that I somehow located a painting in this interview, which resembles his mother. 

 (My interpretation of the painting - "Sonia assuring a poor woman that 

poverty is just a state of mind")

Now, I will no more prolong my blabbering about RG. Enough of my wind. I strongly condemn the interview by Arnab and I support RG. This interview is like asking someone about sambar recipe who always grew up eating 'frozen pizza'! Come on RG. We know what you know.  "You (are a) rock". 

Maid in India

(Image from Google)

Maids are powerful in many ways. Especially Indian maids. See, Almost 100% of upper class households  and nearly 70% of middle class households depend on maids in India. As a child from a middle class- employed parents- busy family, I have always grown up having a maid. I saw how our family was 'mentally disturbed' without a maid even for a day. My mother would go berserk. When I was working, I had a maid in my apartment, who would clean dishes and wash clothes and also clean the house. If the maid doesn't turn up, the house is a mess. So, having maids was not luxury. It  was a need. When I moved to the US, things changed. In this country, having maids is a luxury. Only the upper class families can afford maids! Now I have seen in some families where maids come once a week or once in a fortnight. Its not like India where they would come everyday! 

So, Ms Devyani Khobragade (DK), when being transferred/sent to US as a diplomat, could not leave her maid behind. See, even in the big household in US, its very rare to have live-in maids. One will find live-in nannies. But live-in maids is a rare case! But Ms DK couldn't leave the habit behind, so she brought a maid (made in) from India. As usual, the maid must have felt ecstatic. A free air ticket to USA, free house without rent, free food, NY trips and above all, 30,000 INR as income. What else can a maid ask for. She must have been envied in her circle by her peers. She must have been praised and applauded. She must have been hailed. See, even I never earned 30,000 INR when I was in India. I really had to struggle my way to get to that salary point. But DK showed her a life. 

But seems like things went weird. No one knows how this case just popped up out of blue. What political/personal/national differences are existing deep inside. I don't understand, why Attorney General Preet Bharara never targeted those millions of traffickers who illegally bring others into this country with fake visas and work permits. Why he targeted only DK? Only God and Preet Bharara know the answer. 

But what I am really surprised by is- Ms DK's case went so viral that the relationship between two nations is totally maligned! The relationship that lasted and continued for decades is now on turf because of a MAID? Are you kidding? Seriously?  What could have been a simple sit and talk situation now became so dirty that when I sit to talk with my friends, I am being asked one simple question- "hey what is this maid issue happening now?". Really? A maid issue? 

Now, today when I opened this article, I was totally shocked to see DK showing concerns about meeting her children. I expected some lines about how bad she would be feeling that two nations are fighting. But rather I am in awe while reading the lines on how she would meet her children when they decide to study in US. Really? I thought, you will have to travel across the globe as a diplomat and have your children with you wherever you go. Or rather you can always have them study/go to college in India. And DK is also mentioning about clearing the name in the visa fraud case. Hey....isn't her name mentioned in Adarsh housing scam? Isn't it necessary to clear the name in homeland first? Why a diplomat, whose name was brought up in a scam in India is never charged/questioned? Uff...looks like DK has to clean up several things without a maid now! 

Too many questions, too many situations, too many allegations, too many concerns- only one answer -

Have a MAID IN INDIA!  Not in the US especially when she/he is MADE IN INDIA! 

An open letter to Mohan Babu- The legend of Telugu film Industry

(oops...Did I just provide evidence for something???)

I think, Padma Shri (?) Dr Mohan Babu (MB) is truly a legend as he (self)proclaims. As old sayings say, one should realise one's own potential. MB did realise his potential- unlike other actors. In fact Many people were in awe when he received Padma Shri award. And I know many even expressed sigh of relief when High Court asked him to forfeit the award. But I do believe he is a legend. After watching this video, I dare those- who refuse to accept. Infact I can give substantial proof to what I am saying. 

Actor

MB started his career as a villain. He played extraordinary villain roles in 80% of his films. He lived upto the roles. He was just so natural that many people thought (me too..) he was not even acting. I was scared of MB as a child. I was so scared that  I never went to watch him on big screen. And even to this day when he acts! And I am still stuck to my resolution. He is one such actor in the industry, who thinks he is acting and he does! 

Telugu lover

You see unlike other heroes in telugu industry, MB truly stuck to telugu movies. You might think that he was never offered roles from bollywood...you might also think that he is not even known in bollywood. But I say- he loves telugu. He is so in deeply love with the language that he stuck to telugu throughout his life. The only other language that MB loved to talk/act was - the gibberish that he used pretty much in all movies. He even opened a school and included Telugu as a subject for all andhra kids and especially his daughter who finds it difficult to communicate/ talk Telugu. See the proof here. 

Father

He continued his legacy. He has a legendary lineage. I came to know in early 2000 that telugu industry and critics said that MB's sons can't fit as heroes. They highly criticised their looks. They also went ahead by saying that they possess poor acting skills. But MB was a true father. He never let his sons down. He himself produced their films and encouraged them in the industry. Though he went bankrupt couple of times, in his heart, he remained a proud father who appreciated his sons when industry continued to dislike and disapprove them. He proved that looks and acting do not matter. All that matters is love and then legacy and lineage. 

Equal opportunity employer

MB always believed in equal opportunity in movies. From Annapurna to Charmee, MB believed in giving opportunity to every heroine. He believed in hard work even if that calls for slapping female casts! Many people misunderstand him as someone with ego and ruthless behaviour. But perception differs. Even BBC misunderstood him. See here. 

No casteism in movies

Finally, from the recent denikaina ready movie controversy, I started believing in him strongly. He proved that caste is no bar in movies. Even though he was criticised for insulting certain community, he re-attacked them, told them they were there to just seek alms and fought back with his supporters. Let it take little damaging to the community or the people, he did stand by what he said. See here. 

Finally, before I finish my blog on MB and stop showering my kindness towards him, I strongly feel sad that he was asked to forfeit Padma Shri award which is given to honorable citizens of India who contributed towards society in one or the other way. I know it is rude and against rules to use the title in movies. I know Honorable High Court knows more than anyone, but still, MB just wanted to feel proud of his award. Just like his life, he wanted to showcase what he achieved. The same movie, that created quite a furor, in his life also made him forfeit his award. He shouldn't have been given the award if he was to see this day. What a dishonor! But MB please remember, you have an ardent fan here- who also thinks you continue to act and continues to think you can act. 

Chocolate hero who meltdown without a notice

(Image from Google Search)

Uday Kiran committed suicide. The very first thought that struck me was, "Alas! he is killed". My eyes became moist and so are my mother's and my friends'. We were never his fans. But he proved that a common man can make it big. Yet, he took his life. 

But who killed him? He committed suicide. It is evident. Even forensics can prove it. But really? Is he that weak to do so? The news channels are screaming and yelling at their pitch that he died due to family problems? One news channel reported that he died because he is under financial pressure. Another one went ahead to claim that he has differences in his married life. But what I fail to understand is, where were these people when he was killed careerwise a decade ago? 

Uday Kiran is an epitome of any middle class young boy, who dreamt of making it big into film industry. Like NTR dreamt 50 years ago. Like ANR dreamt 45 years ago. Like Ramanaidu dreamt 40 years ago. Like Chiranjeevi dreamt 30 years ago. Like many other legends, Uday was a young boy who came into the tinsel town with starry dreams. With budding acting skills, critics' whips and fans' demands, he paved a path for himself. He went on to grab awards, dreamy roles and duets in beautiful landscapes. Amidst all these dreams, came the proposal of chiranjeevi's daughter. Suddenly the star was high in career and personal life. 

Overnight his engagement was called off. Which is a very personal reason. But what was more surprising was, his career plunged into a valley and disappeared into oblivion. What I fail to understand here is, why the career of a young boy, whose engagement was called off, is no where to be seen? What had happened was his personal life. What does it have to do with movies? Why directors and producers ignored him? Why the same film industry who once ran behind him for appointments, shunned him. Really? Like the film industry never supported heroes with girlfriends out of wedlock? Like never supported actors whose engagements/weddings broke off? Never supported heroes who were in news for wrong reasons? Really?

No one wants to speak. No one wants to accept that, he was a potential threat to many upcoming heroes who are part of legacies and lineages. He doesn't have a father/babais (uncles), mother and brothers from film industry to support him. The depressing part of the ordeal is, even producers and directors proved to be dumb, deaf and blind. The actor was left on roads.

The film industry is definitely not the only reason why Uday Kiran is no more. But definitely played an important role in ending his life. Ending his career. For conspiracy. For brutality.

Its been 24 hours since the news broke out. Not a single so-called ivy-league actor from film industry like chiranjeevi, venkatesh, nagarjuna, the nandamuris or for that matter, any hero of this gen has commented on his death. It was just Murali mohan and character/junior artists who are expressing their condolences. Why is this? Is he so unimportant? Not to forget that Uday Kiran was a trendsetter. He brought fresh air and new life to movies in new millenium. He paved a way for rom-coms in Telugu. He gave life to many young/new directors, music directors and heroines. 

May his soul rest in peace. May the brutal minds behind his career realise their mistake. Even if no one is ready to accept, deep in their hearts, they know, they were instrumental  in his death. Deep in their hearts they know they killed him. Deep in their hearts they know, they ended the dreams of a young boy. Deep in their hearts, they know they will continue to do so...as long as audience hail their self proclaimed legacy. As long as audience are brainwashed. As long as audience fail to understand the difference between talent and blood relations. 

RIP my chocolate hero. I miss you. 

The $1 lesson

"Can I borrow your flip-flops?", asked my niece. I reluctantly gave her my new/ never used/ never planning to use/ but back up flip-flops  I was scared that she might end up bare foot wearing those. But, I suppressed my fears and let her wear them. she waved good bye and started walking to a different country. Yeah, you heard me right. She wore my flip-flops and walked to Canada from USA!

Who imagined that those yellow flip-flops that I bought from a dollar store will travel to a different country. Yeah, dollar store. Now don't be judgmental. I know where to shop and what to shop. You see, we don't have to spend $$$ on something that we can get just for $1. That is the beauty of America. You will get everything for every price. You just need to know where to buy and what to buy.

While the summer is on, I imagined myself in shorts and flip-flops like most of the americans. So, while I was in a dollar store, I came across these beautiful yellow flip-flops. They were bright and shiny and were screaming to grab them. I did. I was more than happy to purchase them for $1 and not spend $10 like other stores.

But hey wait, I never wore them. I feared their quality. I was too scared to end up bare foot in the middle of nowhere. So, I never wore them and they were lying in my closet for 2 months. While we were in Niagara with my nieces, after playing in the water and soaking ourselves, we realised all our clothes and shoes were wet. But my nieces had plans to go to Canada.

Well, when you are in Niagara on US side, if you have a valid visa (or if you are an american citizen), you can go to Canada on foot. Yeah! As simple as that. One can literally walk over the bridge and go to a different country. Well, in my case, I am an immigrant. For me, crossing borders is out of question. Since my nieces are US citizens, they wanted to visit Canada. And one of them wore my flip-flops and in fact visited a different country. After she came back in few hours, she returned my flip flops and said, they were comfortable but stained her feet with yellow.

I took my flip-flops back, put them in the car and started thinking. Well, who imagined that something thats worth $1 will actually visit 2 different countries! I started realising how I underestimated my dollar flip-flops. May be this is how we underestimate most of the people and many situations. Just like my dollar store flip-flops, we never know who is worth what! A lesson learnt at the cost of $1. Now, I am not going to wear those flip-flops at all. They remain iconic in my life!

                    

angel who went back to heaven

Her almond shaped popping eyes, just emerging nose, genuine smile and a face to die for- would leave an everlasting impression on anyone. When I saw her picture, I thought it was a hoax. Just like any other spam on FB, doing its useless rounds in profiles. But, when I saw it again, I did my bit research and damn- It was for serious. She was missing for 3 days and a frantic search has been going on! How did I miss the news? Was I sleeping for 2 days? Whatever, I laid my eyes on the piece and started tracking and praying for the baby's return. 

No, I am not her relative, neighbour and I am noway related to her. Like 1000s of others, I was also praying for her safe return. For 3 days I was totally swamped by her thoughts. What was  her grandmother going through before she died. Did she try to protect her? Did she cry? Did she try to fight? A poor lady who is baby sitting her grand child just lost her life. 

What are her parents going through? Grieving with loss of mother or frantically searching for the baby? How are they managing the hell that just fell on them? I just prayed and wished them some positive energy. Probably, the most that any of us could offer!

While I was sleepless and trying to update myself with any news in the middle of the night, everything changed with a small piece of news. 

Baby Saanvi found dead! 

My heart sank inside pumping the tears  uncontrollably and fueling my rage. But within no time, the murderer was also caught.  What a cold blooded heart he is born with. Does he belong to a cult called Cannibalism? May be! 

My heart went out for the poor little baby. I would not even let her walk fearing she might fall down while trying to move. She is one of those babies, whom you would want to talk about after meeting/seeing her in a mall and tell your family, how you saw a beautiful baby that day. She is one of those, whose face leaves an unforgettable imprint on your mind. She is one those whom you would fall in love in first sight. 

Saanvi.  

I will never forget her. She will remain in my heart forever. In everyones heart- FOREVER!

                         

My heartfelt condolences to the baby. Tears and prayers :(

Painfully mine

I lie on bed folding my legs. My knees touching my chin. Part of my pillow is wet with my tears. My hands curled around my stomach trying to stop the deep twining pain. I try to move, but I can't. I hear sounds- may be my mother/father/sister/husband asking me to stop crying. They lie to me often by consoling that the pain will fade away in few minutes. Yes, just few minutes! Few minutes of excruciating pain! But going through the ordeal every month is no joke. And the name of the monster is Endometriosis. 

***********************************************

“The boss is calling you”. I heard the voice. Fingers crossed. I locked my computer, moved my chair, straightened my dress and knocked the glass door. I saw my boss watching TV. Yeah, in a TV channel, you are expected to watch TV 24x7, interpret what other channels are airing and then develop better programs than them. In a way, you are not stealing the ideas but just developing new ones on similar grounds. He asked me to come in and I greeted him.

“Which project are you working on”, he asked me with a smile on his face. My boss, with whom I just follow protocols like wishing and reporting, is a sane and highly intelligent man in my eyes. I had never interacted with him, though I find my colleagues share a laugh with him quite often. I am a nerd for him and I am fine with it.

“The one on Environmental Issues and nothing much”, I said anticipating some new project.

“How is your health now? Are you feeling any better?”

“Yes sir. I am doing alright”.

“I want you to take leave for at least 6 months. I see you taking off every month for 2-3 days. I think this will not work. May be you should take leave for 6 months, get well completely and come back to work”

“I think I will be fine without taking leave too. However I will think about it. Anything else?”

“No. That’s all for now. Let me know what you have decided”

I walked upto my desk, unlocked my computer, typed a letter and submitted it in the HR.

After I started packing my stuff, the HR and my boss came to me and asked if I took the decision consciously.

“My problem will continue for life long. It is not a 6 months affair. You better hire someone who is hail and healthy. And I wish you will not do this to anyone else”. I uttered expecting them to read between lines. I did not inform anyone and walked out of office. I started my bike and tears began to flow. I cried all the way till home. It is troubling me again. How much ever I try to fight, it takes over me. A reason for my downfall. The reason for the downfall is Endometriosis. 

************************************************

I woke up from a blissful sleep. I never slept so deeply in ages. I realized I wasn’t at home. The ceiling was different. I am on a different bed. The smell is familiar. Looks like a hospital. It took a while for me to recollect why I was there. Just when I was about to move, I had excruciating pain in my body. Everywhere. The doctor walked in and sat next to me.

“You have lot of tissue. We tried to remove most of it, but we could not remove all. I guess you have to go through the pain for life”.

These were the words I have been expecting to hear or not hear for over a decade. Stage 4 Endometriosis-the very reason for my abnormal pain every month. Again Endometriosis. 

**********************************************

I was 13 when the trouble started in my life. That evening, I was studying for my final exams when the pain started reaching peaks. I told my mother and she helped me by giving all those home remedies. But nothing worked. I cried the whole night and my mother took me to the school next day, to write the exams. I came back in the evening and realized I reached puberty.

Puberty- the life of a teenager with a troublesome period. The saga continued every month. Pain, nausea, vomiting, passing out. I could never understand why I had to go through these things while my peers never complained about anything. Every month was a new story. Once, I passed out in the bus stop. Once, I vomited in the railway station. Once, I cried in the principal’s room. The pain is devastating. No painkillers can suppress it. I was put on heavy medication for my age. Yet, no relief.

The doctors used to say that, it was all in my mind and I need to put it out. But I never understood how come I have pain in my abdomen and the doctor says it is in my mind. There is no genetic reason as none in my family had this. I wonder why I get such stuff in life out of blue but never a lottery. The pain would just happen to me during my exams, family occasions, travel and every time. It always hampered me from socializing. Writing exams. Attending interviews. I always met people with a heartburn, swollen belly, dizzy eyes and crumpled walk because of the pain and the painkillers.

I lost jobs because I often fall sick. At least through my colleagues’ understanding, I get fever or flu every month. It was not easy for me to discuss about my syndrome with my male colleagues. The bosses would never understand it either. They have wives, sisters and children but no one suffers this much. So, they would brush it off. It is stigmatic to explain why I need leave. While some thought, I take off because I am bored to work, some would assume I bluff talking about flu every month. I used to get all those expert suggestions from my colleagues who would recommend to have a full body check up in hospital, eat fruits every day, do yoga and be positive and some extremists even suggested I get married or have children for mental peace. I still doubt this option!

I could never explain to anyone how a tissue is feeding on my hormones inside my body and growing up at its will and troubling me every month. No one will understand. There were certain occasions that made me realize that -as a woman, I am strong, independent and confident. But this pain suppresses me to the core and makes me vanish for days leaving no traces of my existence. No, I cannot let it happen to me. Pain is an understatement for what I go through every month. I need to overcome this. Overcome something that alters my personality. Overcome something that kills me. Overcome something that weakens me and makes me cry. Just overcome it.

It took nearly 10 years for me to understand the dynamics of the pain and my very own lifestyle. I slowly started to enjoy my painful days by sleeping, reading books, catching up on movies that I missed. I realized that, by lying on bed I could do 100s of things. I no more cry of pain. May be because I know I have to deal with it. The pain never pains me anymore. My tolerance level increased in folds. May be the very reason why I never cry because of any physical pain. Now, I have my own time every month. 3 complete days for myself. I read, watch movie or just sleep. I eagerly look forward for those 3 painful days, where the pain forcefully makes me take rest. I overcame a chronicle that is going to be with me for another 20 years. I am assured, for another 20 years, that no matter what, I have my own 3 days every month- painfully mine.  

Oh woman whats happening here?

Just when I was watching the news the Sunita Williams' space expedition, I couldnot stop the temptation to read about a girl who was molested by a mob. Seriously? A girl and more than 20 men? What kind of mardangi is it, to actually take advantage of the situation where a girl is helplessly screaming for help, a cameraman shoots the whole incident, passers by watch it as an entertainment, the mobsters strip the girl and feel happy to be screened, the TV channel airs it as an exclusive event! Wow, what an event for the whole nation to talk about a woman? 

Just fews days pass by and I watch another news clipping about a suicide of an air hostess with a suicide note stating a minister to be the reason of her death. Her family bleeds during the funeral and cries to arrest the minister. And there he goes- Whooosh. The minister disappears without a trace. We never miss a chance to write about any politician even if he eats chicken tikka masala, and here is a scamster, who stands a reason to the death of a girl and is reported by the media as missing. Missing? Are you kidding me. Hell, the word is absconding! 

Days pass by and I read a news about a Lawyer in Mumbai brutally killed by the security guard of the building. Bam! Security guard kills her as he had developed a lust. He makes every attempt to close the CC cameras, switches off the electricity and takes the help of his friend to kill her. I thought she lived in an apartment with full "security". 

And then another news about a rape, a married woman burnt to death and the stories continue to pour.

Oh India, I always thought women are safe here. I myself felt secure. But what is happening now? Why a woman is so vulnerable in a nation where woman is worshipped- at least -definitely in books?

I never know if I have to feel happy for Sunita Williams or shed some tears for those innocent lives who are victimised for no fault of theirs!

Oh woman whats happening here?

where is my India

"Central jaana hai..kitna?"

"60"

"kya??? jaake aane ka nahi hai, sirf jaane ka bhai"

"haa madam..60 hotha..."

i walked away as i never want to pay 60 bucks for less than 3 km distance..

"boliye madam kitna dete..."

"25.."

autowala looked at me as if i was trading for his liver...and replied in harshest of voices i ever heard.."meter pe 30 hota. 25 mein kya aata madam??"

"theek hai fir meter daalo...."

the autowala took it as a challenge to prove me wrong that it is not 25.

finally i reached my destination and the meter showed 28. 

"dekha madam...aap bole 25,,,meter mein 28 hua.."

"arey bhayya 25 se 28 kaafi achcha hai...aap tho 60 maang rahe the,,,woh kya naa insaafi hai...."

autowala took 30 bucks and zoomed off!

This was everyday ordeal in Hyderabad. either stand, wait for bus, get soaked in sun, swim in traffic and pay 10 bucks or just get into the autorickshaw and pay how much ever they ask. sometimes they might just quote three to four times of the actual price. either pay and suffer or don't pay and still suffer. 

This is the fate of a vehicle-less "me" in hyderabad! where is my India that I left a year and half ago.

coolie asks me 80 bucks for one suitcase!

the paper boy takes 6 bucks to sell the paper (i worked for it) that screams on front page saying Rs 3. 

i need to buy water bottle for Rs 17 and if i am in railway station it may range anywhere from 20-25.

1 kg of vegetables costed me Rs 60 from a roadside vendor.

the sickest of all is, i ended up paying service charge in all hotels which i never heard of!

These figures seem to be in single and double digits. But what bothers me more is, how can a middle class family survive in India now? Poor families are anyways suffering. God save them :(. 

I might have returned from USA. But I am not rich to blow my money on AC taxis and luxury hotels. I wondered how a common man lived in India?

Where is the country that I left? Why everyone wants to earn beyond their limits? From paperboy to politician, every person is trying to earn that extra buck in a wrong way. The corruption just infiltrated to the grassroots. nobody cares about those who live on just salaries! how will a common man who lives on a monthly salary, survives in India? 

Everything is pricy. Everything is costly. Everything is beyond reach. In the 2 months of my stay, I had to fight with autowalas, vegetable vendors, paper boys, coolies, vendors in railway stations, road rash morons, the queue breakers..and who not. i sounded like a screaming-yelling woman fighting with every moron on the road. Finally it just resulted in a throat soar and nothing else. 

India was not perfect when I left, but it was not this imperfect too! 

I miss my old India....Jai Hind.