The Untitled Project

Ever imagined an amazing tropical paradise instead of a thick and a massive ice sheet of Antarctica, this cannot be a reality for us but would definitely be one for our future generations if we don’t act now and act fast. Global warming is one word that is really keeping everyone on their toes. Setting aside all the critics and skeptics I would say that our generation is a very lucky one. Our generation is lucky enough to have the opportunity to clean the filth left behind by our ancestors and give hope and a fresh lease of life for the future and the upcoming generations. We have a huge responsibility on our shoulders and it is about time we start doing it.

We are all aware of the fact that climate change is a naturally occurring process. If we look back into history, there have five mass extinctions in our planets history. Though it would sound cynical we have to admit that we are heading towards a sixth now as a result of our activities because of which there is tremendous environmental degradation. As mentioned earlier climate change is a naturally occurring but what we humans are doing is expediting the process. Human intervention over the years has made global warming a living reality with profound and long lasting impacts.

Most of us who have watched the latest Hollywood movie ‘Avatar’ would be aware of the fact that the Naavi, the indigenous population of Pandora are connected with nature in mind, body and spirit. We cannot really tell for sure if James Cameron is a spiritually enlightened soul but one thing for sure; he knows the tricks in the book. He showed that the way for sustainable is to get back and stay in touch nature. As a matter of fact it was found that for every truck load of products of lasting value we produce 32 truck loads of waste. So, it is quite clear that in order to develop sustainably we need to redesign design itself.

If we still continue our ways the way we are doing now, it wouldn’t be far off in time when all the oxygen in the atmosphere is used and is replaced by carbon dioxide and all the greenery is replaced by dust and sand. It would hardly take our planet a thousand years (which is like a transition from day to night in geological terms) to replenish all the oxygen back and evolution will work its magic thereby letting all the creatures to adapt themselves to the new set of climatic conditions but what about we humans? We don’t have that much time.

It is important for us to understand that life on Earth is as intricately interconnected as a spider’s web where everything must exist in harmony with the other.  It is time we pull up our socks and try to be more responsible. We can set forward an example that though our leaders failed to reach a consensus in Copenhagen, we don’t want to get failed. We can still revive everything and make sure that life on earth will continue and continue in a more harmonious and a compassionate way.

               

30 Movies that ONE shouldn't Miss

1) The Godfather
2) The Pianist
3) 3 Iron
4) 13 Tzameti
5) Kaminey
6) Schindler's List
7) The Downfall (Der Untergang)
8) City of God (Cidade de Deus)
9) The Elite Force (Tropa de Elite)
10) Crimson Tide
11) Crimson Gold
12) Black Friday
13) The Bourne Ultimatum
14) Munich
15) Letters from Iwo Jima
16) Saving Private Ryan
17) The Good the Bad and the Ugly
18) Pursuit of Happyness
19) The Lives of Others (Das leben der Anderen)
20) Gandhi
21) The Day After Tomorrow
22) The Battle of Algiers (La Battaglia di Algeri)
23) The Motorcycle Diaries
24) Song of Sparrows
25) WALL .E
26) The Dark Knight
27) Se7en
28) The Bucket List
29) A Wednesday
30) The Age of Stupid

The Big Debate

Global Warming and Climate Change, is perhaps humankind's biggest threat looming just around the corner trying to ring the alarm bell or rather is ringing and we are failing to notice it. Well time and again, this has been a pot boiler in many international climate summits, the recent one being UN Climate Summit which concluded late last month in New York.

What's the debate about?

The above stated question is one which I came across many a number of times and of late I started wondering the same. Basically it goes this way, most of the economies including ours, today are concerned about one thing, "Economy and consumerism." Consumerism is one religion or cult which encompasses the entire globe without racial or religious bias. It was very interesting for me when I first came to know that an average twenty year old in a country like US is accustomed with more than 20,000 business logos and must have used the products of at least 1/10th of them and I am pretty much sure that the scenario in countries like India and China, the so called developing economies is far from better.

Consumerism gives everyone their fair share?

Well, the answer to this question would be a definite 'no'. With the onset of the Industrial Revolution in late 1800's, the big five of the world have gulped the major chunk of the planet's resources. The remaining tid bits are left for grabs among the developing and undeveloped countries. It would be ironic to know that US which accounts for less than 10% of the world's population accounts for 30% of energy consumption and Europe is not far behind. Till recently most of our political and economical stalwarts all over were of the opinion that when it comes to economy or environment, it is the economy that always deserves a head start. But things lately have started to change, the best example example being the UN Secretary General himself saying and as I quote, "The world's glaciers are now melting faster than human progress to protect them — or us." This was probably one part of the brighter side of the Summit, while the other side being the one those who acknowledged and shared his gloom.

Coming back to the big debate question, when things are put in a sharp and crisp way straight from the gut it comes down to this; The big brothers tell the younger ones, "You guys cannot exploit the natural resources the same way as we used and ruined them. Instead you have to cap your greenhouse emissions putting forward your development at risk while we reap the benefits of our misdeeds and you pay for them."

The above of is a classical example of the English saying, "One man's meat is another man's poison." which is totally unacceptable to economies like China, India, Brazil etc. which have to start to expand their horizons recently. But they like the bolt from the blue set forward postulates by agreeing to cut down their emissions and there by adding up more pressure on 'The Big Brother' to cut down his'. However, it was interesting that President Obama even after quoting John F. Kennedy, "our problems are man-made, therefore they may be solved by man.", couldn't offer the solution or rather a firm resolution that was expected from him and his nation.

With less than 11 weeks remaining for the final round of talks at Copenhagen, Denmark a lot has been in the left in the open irresolute and to debate on. The Big Debate rages on.

Hmmm Let's Think

Hmmm Let's think, I guess this is one common statement we all make. The reason I'm putting this up today, after a good long six month hiatus, no wonder makes feel "Hmmm let me think".

Hovering around in front of my PC, I have been wondering, what was I doing all these days. Frankly speaking I haven't written anything substantial for over a year now. So, this evening after more than 4 days of consideration and serious thought I would pen down anything that comes to mind and I guess I'm half successful in doing it already. Of late, I have been wondering why is that we all ponder much and still end up nowhere. I mean this question has been lingering in my already confused mind for over a long time, and I'm still clueless regarding what am I really looking for out there.

Let me guess, when was the last time I ever did something for the first time, I guess it was last December when I brought mom a gift for her B'Day. Gosh! Now that's a long time in any book, be it yours or mine. See I guess halfway down this post you might have guessed, "What the hell is this guy writing and what is that he wants to write about?" And frankly speaking I don't blame for thinking about it, because I really I'm really don't know why and what I am writing as of now. But all in all I would still go ahead and will certainly call this a random thought that comes, say randomly random. Try penning it down like the way I did just now [need not exactly be on a blog, you can try a notebook also ;)].

The only point I'm trying to make here is "If your life worth thinking about then its worth writing about."

P.S : The above quote if from the book "Who will cry when you die?" by Robin Sharma, but above written nonsense or sense is entirely mine. But the quote is applicable to each one of us :)

Are We Really Shining?

My exams just got over this evening. Of course they went well. Anyways coming to the hotboard now, the other day (around a week ago) I was watching some random program on the Discovery Channel. Some story on 'Megacities' was being aired. They were showing about the rapid pace at which cities in Asia and South America were growing. That episode's prime focus was Shanghai, a well known city in the China and a popular business hub in South Asia. It is analogous to our very own Mumbai. The only difference between the two cities, one is in reaping China and other is in red tape India.

Intros aside, the interesting fact is that Shanghai is going to host the World Expo in 2010. "World Expo 2010 Shanghai China is the occasion for China to bring the world at home, and for the world to feel at home in China. By dedicating a 5.28-square-kilometer area at the core of the city to exhibitions, events and forums on the Expo theme, "Better City, Better Life," Shanghai hopes to build a powerful and lasting pilot example of sustainable and harmonious urban living[1].

The rate at which this city is growing is really alarming in the Indian perspective at least. China frankly speaking is growing by leaps and bounds, the pace at which they are growing is such that even the West has started to take notice of it.I hope most of you are aware of the longest Trans-Oceanic Bridge built by the Chinese on the Hangzhou Bay in a record time of less than 5 years. The bridge connects the municipalities of Shanghai and Ningbo in Zhejiang province[2]. The Hangzhou Bay Bridge connects Cixi City, west of Ningbo, to Jiaxing. Whereas previously the trip from Ningbo to Shanghai and southern Jiangsu involved a detour of around 400 km (249 mi), the bridge reduces that distance to 80 km (50 mi), a reduction of 320 km (199 mi)[3]. Now that's staggering.

If that was the Chinese scenario, the Indian scenario is more bleak and pale I would rather say its impalpable. Any idea about the Trans-Harbour bridge in Mumbai. Well if you guys aren't aware of it then it is a 22.5Km long bridge that is supposed to connect South Mumbai and Navi Mumbai. Ironically this bridge lingering in shadows for 35years. Phew! Thats too long a time. Finally the contract has been awarded to a private party in 2006. The bridge is presently is construction phase.

The above is a literal example of the sorry state of affairs that take place in this country. And ironically we people still say "India Shining". I'm not talking only about the infrastructure side of the story, the above is only a citation in the long list of unfinished businesses in this country which includes everything from basic needs to urban growth. How well it is shining is a matter of concern. So, next time if you are saying India is Shining, well I would say compare ourselves with countries like China or America and then try to repeat your words.

References:

[1] http://en.expo2010.cn/oe/indexn.htm
[2] Wikipeida
[3] Wikipedia

My new story... The Making

Guys after a long break I'm back with my new story The Making...from now i'll make it a point to update my blog every week mostly on the weekends....
here's the link for the story and i am also providing the pologue of the story

Prologue
The gunshots sounded like a bomber emptying its belly onto the earth below. Each gunshot pounded his ear again and again since the last twenty years. The sight of seeing loved ones fall dead in front of you is heart rendering. He has witnessed death in its closet possible manner. His mother ran into the house quickly, picked him up with all the energy left in her and pushed him up into the attic. But the glass of the window which the attic faced was not sufficient to hold the bullet, it struck its target, as soon as he got onto the attic his mother fell dead. But amid all the pandemonium he managed to see his mother’s killer’s forearm and a serpent’s tattoo on it and the sniper disappeared the very next moment.

download link :
http://rapidshare.com/files/124029325/The_Making_prin.doc.html

Platform No.7

Winter, the first thing it reminds us is of cold breeze and snow fall. Rajith was pacing up fast in his walk, dejected, he felt the pain of bearing the whole weight of earth on his young shoulders. Armed with a mechanical engineering degree, he set out to make it big in this world of intriguing gadgets and gizmos. His project was called off due to funds and the storm in his life has bagun. The "cooooooo" of the train's siren was audible from half a kilometre. He began run in order not to miss the penultimate train back home. The last would arrive an hour later, it was already eleven in the night then. Things weren't going his way that day, he missed the ride home.

He was visibly shaken that day following the events that took place earlier in the day, so, missing a train wasn't much of a pain. he bought the ticket and headed over the flyover bridge to Platform No.7, he placed himself on the bench and bowed his head down as if he were the world's biggest loser.

The clock ticked by and every second pained him terribly, he never lost something so far, but at certain times somethings in life happen for the first time. This was his first. The wind beagn to grow thick and fast, it picked up fallen leaves on it way an they began to sway as if they were dancing to its tuning with glee and merry. It was fifteen minutes since his arrival, he was still lost in thoughts, pensive.

The giggle, a smile of opposite gender distracted him from his moody ponder, a welcome distraction. The girl clad in red, was addressing her friend on her way down the flight of stairs that made way to platform below. She was smiling, a smile that had something in it, something that stole Ranjith's immediate attention. All of a sudden, his mood of pensive and thoughtful attitude seemed to be lost for his own good. but there was something wrong about her, something lacked in her but she seemed not to taken nothice of it, she was happy the way she was. Unfortunately nothing in this world was perfect, so was she. She was handicaped. She was a victim of polio, had difficulty in walking. But She was happy, the way she lived her life was something that caught the attention of Rajith.

From the moment she arrived on the platform, he kept his gaze towards with acute interest. Her benevolent manner of addressing things, her independency and over coming the deficiency, made him feel better. Her independency was something that really kept him stick to her. The night was growing cold as the minutes passed by, it was drawing close to midnight, the train was due for arrival any moment.

He picked up his guts, he got up from his bench and started moving towards her direction. He face now revealed a new and more passionable look, with full of life totally in contrast to what was an hour ago. A totally transformed and confident young man. He headed towards her and finally opened his mouth to speak, the first since hours.

He was straight into the topic, "Hello lady", was a nice way to begin and she looked at him in a totally different yet gleeful manner.
"Yes", she said in reply in a voice that touched the inner of the listener.
"You rock. Be happy and keep smiling", he said. Just then the trained broke through the wind and its siren disturbing the silence, all of a sudden everything seemed to be happening.
He turned towards the train and in a final turn backwards he said, "Thanks for teaching me about life".

After those final words he headed to his trains and got resurrected.

We all live life in our own ways... but sometimes it takes someone else to teach us the way to live and love it.... He learnt it from her...Its not something that makes life unworthy of living but it is we who make it...

Live it and Enjoy it coz...Life is Worth Living and Be postive and confident....[:)]