Durga Pujo 2009 :(

I visited the Lokhandwala Durga Pujo Pandal. I was so excited. So what If I wasn't in Kolkata. Nothing in the world could dampen my spirit. With cities becoming so cosmopolitan, every festival is celebrated with equal fervour.

But what was so amiss amongst all the decoration, people dressed up, prasad and aarti. It missed the Bengali touch. There are times when I feel it is so important for things not to get global but to always be local. Nothing beats that...

Ten on ten :)

I vaguely remember having a conversation with my professor from UK on recycling and I clearly remember him laughing at how Indians were known for recycling. I still can't figure out whether it was a scornful laugh or a laugh that had genuine admiration for us Indians ( chances of the former being greater).

I like the way we recycle things especially when it is used to spread awareness. Otherwise too. It always makes me smile to see things being put to good use and if it is in any form of art, nothing like that.

Below are a few installation art I spotted at the Bandra Fest this year. A few made out of waste plastic bottles, spoilt loudspeakers and exhaust fans etc.)

The Indian touch :)

What a zebra crossing :)

And then you talk about security? :(

I came across this in the Times of India, dated September 23, 2009 : "A day after TOI first reported news of a specific intelligence alert on a threat to Mumbai from the sea, security agencies have assigned around 65 fishing trawlers with officials on board, disguised as fishermen, to monitor the high seas day and night."

Have these people gone out of their minds? Do they have any sense of responsibility towards the safety of 'us' people. Isn't some information supposed to be confidential ? Why don't they go ahead and also disclose other information? Why limit it to just this bit?

A similar incident happened on the night of 26/11. Not only were the news channels giving out second by second information about the postitioning of the commandos, etc but they also had the audacity to call up the people stuck there, fighting a losing battle.

Come On! Grow up please! This is serious stuff. Don't treat it as sensational or we-are-the-first-ones-to-let-you news.