Friday, January 29, 2016

Roll no.17 ? Absent sir!


This was me in college! Never had more than 75% attendance! 

No name in first box!
Name in the list for the rest of the semesters!



Friday, January 22, 2016

My 5 favourite coming of age movies.

After the horror genre my next favourite genre is the coming of age movie.They are about that exciting phase of life which when we are going through,we cant wait it to end and once it ends we cant stop thinking about it.That glorious phase when we can get away with most things.And at the same time there are uncertainties,awkwardness and a sense of being lost.These movies show that phase.The following are my favourite from that genre.The first two are clear favourites. The other three are in no particular order.

1. Napoleon Dynamite
What is it about
Its about a dorky 16 year old who tries to help his friend win a class president elections.
Why I liked it-
It is set in a small town and It brilliantly showed how life in small towns is.It has this innocent rural quality to it.People in this movie are all good.Some are serious some are funny.And the quality of humour is very high.This was the movie that piqued my interest in indie and offbeat movies.

2. Ghost world
What is it about- Its is about two girls of a small town spending their summer vacation while planning their college life.
Why I liked it
Scarlett Johnson would be a big reason.Her acting her is superb.She perfectly portrays the character of an aimless girl here. Her co star Emily Birch is good too. Add Steve Buscemi to the mix and you already have a classic indie movie.The story revolves around these girls getting acquainted with Buscemi for fun and slowly things take a different turn.The thing about this movie is it is slow and things happen leisurely.It has some wonderful moments.And it brilliantly shows their naivety and direction less attitude to life.

3.Stand By me
What is it about
It is about a gang of four 12 year old friends who set out to track down a body of a boy who gets struck by a train in a small town in the US.
Why I liked it
First of this is about friendship.And the thing that any movie about friendship should have is chemistry.This movie excels there.Like in every gang of friends, the four friends here have all different characteristics and yet they have so much in common.For one they are out for an adventure together. There are things that they do together,they insult each other and when the time comes they stand by each other.This movie perfectly portrays the worth of childhood friends.

4.The Spectacular Now

What is it about
Its about a popular guy who falls in love with the good girl/Sounds clichéd but the movie deals with the story rather well.
Why I liked it
My favourite Hollywood romance movie.The movie follows a very simple plot.The characters are simple.The plot is simple.The movie is honest in its portrayal of the kid who believes that the present is spectacular and he has no need to think of the future.He meets a rather quiet girl who brings a change in this outlook towards life. There is no unnecessary drama and no nonsense.This is a very good mix of romance and a bit of a philosophy.

5.Safety Not Guaranteed
What is it about
Its about a man who puts in an ad in the local paper 'Wanted someone to go back in time with me.This is not a joke.You'll get paid after we get back.Must bring your own weapons.I have only done this once before.Safety not guaranteed' Three magazine employees(two interns) set out to interview the man behind the ad.
Why I liked it
The absolutely interesting premise is what hooked me. An interesting set of characters and very wonderful execution will keep you wondering till the very end if the main lead is telling the truth or is just plain delusional.Also this is set in a town.By now you may have deduced I am partial to movies set in small towns.The characters in this movie have this sweet sadness about them about missed chances and lost dreams.Add to that, elements of science fiction,romance and comedy,it is a nice little indie movie worth your time.One of my all time favourites.

Thursday, January 14, 2016

5 things Rest of India should know about Chhattisgarh

I came to Chhattisgarh 3 years back when I got a job in a  Power plant here.Before that I did not know much about Chhatisgarh. Back then to me, like a lot of people the name Chhattisgarh was synonymous with Naxals. But having lived here for the last 3 years I can say how stupid that notion was.Recently when I mentioned to a co-passenger that I work in chhattisgarh he replied with 'Oh the land of naxals!' I could only smile in mild annoyance.
So for people like him here are 5 things they should know.

1. Chhattisgarh is not all about Naxals
     Chhattisgarh has active Naxal presence only in the Bastar region which lies to the south.The rest of the state is free from naxals.I have travelled to many places in Chhattisgarh and it is completely safe.Speaking of even bastar,it is safe for tourists.I even know of a traveller from France who has made Bastar her second home.She spends so much time among the locals that when she leaves for France a crowd gathers to wish her goodbye.Check out her blog here.Or you may heard of a girl who solo travelled 20 states in India.She made a visit to Bastar too.Heres her story.

2. Chhattisgarh has some amazing tourist sights.
     It has some of the best sights to visit like Chitrakote falls which is arguably the most beautiful waterfalls in India.Add to that the caves at Kutumsar,Teerathgarh waterfalls and a multitude of other underrated places will leave you surprised and speechless.

3. It is an industrial state.
     Chhattisgarh has many industries.In Power sector it has surplus power, that means it is one of the few states in India that produces more power than it consumes.It has a NTPC unit in Sipat,Jindal Power in Tamnar near Raigarh and many other big and medium power players. Coming to steel sector, it accounts for 15% of the total steel produced in the country.It has Bhillai Steel Plant in Bhillai operated by SAIL.And in raigarh it has Jindal Steel and Power Limited.All in all it has 100 steel rolling mills,The capital,Raipur is the largest market for steel in India.

4.It has huge natural and mineral resources.
     Forests occupy around 40% of the total area.And amongst many products including lac,wood and honey it produces the best quality tendu leaves in India and contributes almost 20% of the total tendu leaves production of India.Coming to mineral resources it ranks first in India in coal production and second in reserves.And it is the only state in India where Tin is produced.

5.Closely related to the above two points, the state has the highest freight loading in the country and one-sixth of Indian Railway's revenue comes from Chhattisgarh. Quite impressive!

Bonus- It is not all backward and dull as it is generally made out to be.Also the people here are good natured and very helpful.I have travelled quite a bit here like I mentioned above and here are my travels in Chhattisgarh.
Razzwashere in Chhattisgarh.