I was born blessed. Average kid, with no handicaps - physical or mental. To parents who could afford a good education for me. In a country which was free and democratic. Yet, it took me 24 years to get motivated, to do something beyond my selfish interests, beyond pursuing personal desires. I am young, educated and now am motivated. Motivated to bring about a change, in myself and a few others. The few others could be handful or more, but I am motivated to make a difference to the society. I know, and am doubly sure that there are other people, individuals and groups who are as motivated, if not more than me, to do the same. I need to find them, connect with them and work with them. 2+2 becomes 5, 5+5 becomes 14 and such growth does not follow a mathematical pattern. The growth I am talking about is the growth in the number of young, educated and motivated individuals. The force of the young brigade, the fortunate educated ones, the blessed ones working in the comfortable facilities of an MNC - this force is so huge, that it can and probably (and hopefully) would change the face of our nation, and of the world.

‘Pratibimb’ is just a medium. It can, should and would channelize the force, give it direction and meaning and make sure that results are obtained, goals are achieved and a difference is made. A few of my friends, who fall in the same bracket of young, educated, motivated professionals - All of them are rather excited about this idea. Of having an identity, a banner under which to join forces and function. All of them are rather skeptical too, about the feasibility. Would people join? Would they stick around? Would they be able to achieve something? Would it make a difference? I have joined. I am going to stick around. I would achieve as much is possible by me. And I would make a difference. If there are others who feel the same way, they are the people ‘pratibimb’ is looking for. ‘pratibimb’ does not want leaders, the motivation is what would lead us. ‘pratibimb’ does not need followers, the results follows. ‘pratibimb’ needs a ‘humsafar’, a journeyman, who walks beside, through think and thin and face everything that is a part of the journey.

Ladies and gentlemen, I give you PRATIBIMB! The vision that I have for pratibimb is pretty clear, but to be a little more specific - It is time the torch is passed on people who are driven by the mere cause, of making a difference to the society. Not restricted by lack of resources, or knowledge and having connections in the right places (to pull a few strings, if required); they would be armed with the passion and desire to break the cocoon of red tapism and bureaucracy and narrow thinking and everything else that has been plaguing the society. Pratibimb takes off in a month’s time - exact details will follow. Anyone who believes that he has the ability, drive and focus to do what is required of us educated, young individuals can contact me. Just mail me at: sairam.natarajan@gmail.com or pass me yours by commenting on this. And we will get started, with making a difference.

It is true. You will always be a part of the race, leading or lagging would be decided by how badly you want the bread crumbs thrown at the end of the track. We are talking about money gentlemen; it is the money that is the bread crumb of our rat race. We’d never ever come out of the sadistic loop so long as we keep running behind the bread crumbs. Is there a way out? My heart asks. There’s got to be, so sayeth my brain.

Let us fancy our options.

Option 1: We keep running after the bread crumbs that we can see.

Option 2: We change our palate. We change our paths. We start believing that the journey is more important than the destination.

Since Option 1 is a tried, tested and wasted option, let me tell what option 2 can do for you. What it can do, is wonders!! You ask me how... And I am more than glad to share it.

Some rats - have some bread crumbs, some have more and others have lots of it; yet all of them are still running for more. Whereas you, not interested in the bread anymore, start walking the jolly walk - in a path that makes you feel good. You are just enjoying the path mind you, and not running behind anything in particular. Now the rats with the bread crumbs, surprised and shocked at the same time realize something that they should have realized long back. You are enjoying, they are not. Just to enjoy the same path that you are walking, or your company, or both... Those rats, having collected bread crumbs - few and more, join you and walk your path. But you are the leader, THE ONE. And to please you or pay you, they would be ready to share their bread crumbs with you. Now, you have got to be smart and not take that as the end of that. You do not want the bread crumbs remember?! So you offer them to the other rats that are still in the race. Some more would join you, and add to your stock of bread crumbs. You keep walking your path. The rat race is eternal. What you have found here, is that just by taking the path that you wanted to take, and enjoying it... You are getting the best of both worlds. You have the bread mind you, loads of it. As and when you need it you use it. And yet, you always always enjoy your journey... You are not running and it is the path of your choice.

Now, if there is flaw in this logic. I’d love to know. Till then, may your psyche have the strength to choose and make your own path. Amen.

Civil servants just like lawyers, doctors, soldiers ideally should be a motivated bunch of people, driven not by the money or the perks attached to the “IAS” and the “IPS”. The drive should be from within, to face the challenges and make a difference to India, a country which apparently has gone to the dogs. My Dad was telling me one day that in his days, red tapism and corruption was so prevalent in the Indian society that no one could do good work, even if someone wanted. He also mentioned that is changing. That the youth, the people of my generation are not going to conform to the ways of the past. The young ones were doing some good work, so he believed. The youth was motivated to make this country for what it could have been, so he thought. I felt proud to be a part of the same generation that gives way to so much hope and belief. I thought, may be I could play a role in it too. Two hands more could mean so much more. With him, I saw hope... With him, I believed.

I am not disappointed by the fact that people are still attracted towards the civil services due the respect attached with the job, or the perks available or some such. It should be that way and I am happy it is. What kills me from within is, people still see it as a no-effort-job, where performance is optional and yet ironically, growth is mandatory. Time scale promotions are not helping the cause at all. “Why would I want to sweat it out, if someone else who has put in no effort is going to get promoted as well”, they ask, and I have to search for an answer. What about enjoying your work, what about the passion to make a difference, what about feeling good from inside? Do all of these not matter? And then I tell myself, this is why I would want to sweat it out. Because I am different. I dream, I think, I do. I dream about a better tomorrow, an India that is meant to be; I think about what needs to be done about it, what I would be required to do to make India reach there; and I do whatever it takes, in my strength and a little beyond to help make a difference.

A friend of mine once refused to let me enter his room, because apparently, I was too complaining. He wanted me to be proactive and not reactive, because he was just that. I see a point in it now. I see people complaining left right and centre about politics, corruption, poverty and more. This is being reactive in a non-productive way. I also see people coming out to the streets in protests, getting into clashes, hurting people, destroying public and private property. This is worse, being reactive in a counter-productive way. I would love to see people joining the civil services to do something about the wrongs in the system, making changes that are strong and positive. This people, is being proactive, and this of course, if also being productive.

So right he was.

Step 1: We get a job, with apparently ‘high’ salaries in so-called MNC’s.

Step 2: We realize we are not getting paid enough(relative to our counterparts) and we go for higher studies - MBA.

Step 3: We complete an MBA from a great institution, and hope to get hired by the best.

Step 4: We get a job, with apparently ‘high’ salaries in so-called MNC’s.

Doesn’t anyone see an obvious flaw in this approach? No matter what you do, no matter how fast you run, you can never outrun the race itself.

..... To be Continued.

Mark Ronson’s Stop Me featuring D Merriwether and Avril Lavigne’s Girlfriend single was at number two and three. Beyonce and Shakira entered the chart at number five with their collaborative single, Beautiful Liar.

Also entering the chart at 14 is Gareth Gates’s comeback single, Changes. The Fray’s How To Save A Life single got another week in the top ten.

In the album chart, the Kings of Leon continued to top with their Because Of the Times album. Maximo Park’s Our Earthly Pleasures fell came down from two to nine, while Cascada’s Everytime We Touch album jumped to second spot. Take That’s Beautiful World stayed where it was, at number three.

Justin Timberlake’s Futuresex/Lovesounds album reentered the top 10 at number seven. With Nelly Furtado’s Loose album rose to fourth position and Timbaland’s Shock Value album holding fast at ten, the trio have everything to celebrate this week.

The new entries in the UK list were Bright Eyes, in at 13 with Cassadaga, and Ciara, who’s The Evolution album entered the chart at 17th position.

Via

Prosecutors plan to seek the maximum prison sentence of seven-and-a-half years if Tyson is convicted on all charges. Tyson has already served three years of a six-year sentence after his 1992 conviction for the rape of a beauty queen in an Indianopolis hotel room.

Tyson’s claim to fame is being the youngest world champion heavyweight in history. In his prime he was considered unbeatable. However, his later career was full of contrversies, the worst phase being his incident with Evander Holyfield in 1997 when he banished from the ring for biting off Holyfield’s ear.

Via

The producer-director duo of George Lucas and Steven Spielberg have announced that LaBeouf will partner Harrison Ford in the Indiana Jones sequel due to release on May 22, 2008.

Spielberg was quoted as saying, “We are excited about bringing Shia into our Indy family, His talent has impressed not only his audiences throughout his young career but the directors, producers and fellow actors who have worked with him in his television career and now his film career.”, on the Indiana Jones offial website.

The 20-year old actor has dismissed the internet rumours as just that -rimours. “The way that thing started, it’s just wild how it snowballed, I don’t have a deal on the table, it’s just a rumor. Would I do it? In a second. It’d be working for a legend and working with legends. Who wouldn’t? But is it something I’m doing right now? No. I’m an out-of-work actor.”, he said to The Associated Press.

The actor is full till his neck with work, starring in “Disturbia”, which opened on Saturday. he is also hosting “Saturdaty Night Live” on NBC. “Transformers”, a movie for Spielberg’s DreamWorks Pictues co-starts him. Also providing voice for one of the penguins in the animated “Surf’s up”, he has previously worked in “A Guide to Recognizing Your Saints,” “The Greatest Game Ever Played” and “Holes.”. He also happens to be a Daytime Emmy award winner in 2003 for the Disney Channel series “Even Stevens.”

Via

Post death, John’s royalties were passed to his family, and his son Julian has sold off a part of it to Primary Wave, a music publishing company.

Primary wave does not own the songs or the recordings, and cannot decide how they will be used. Yet, they will receive payments when Lennon’s songs are played, performed live or recorded on CD.

Tracks which are labeled as classics such as, All You Need Is Love, Sgt Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band and Lucy in the Sky with Diamonds are a part of the catalogue.

Larry Mastel, CEO, Primary Wave said that he was thrilled to partner with Julian and be a part of music history. He also refused to reveal the worth of th deal, as also confirming that, they will also market Julian Lennons’s new music project.

Julian was quoted as saying,

I felt it was the appropriate time to take on a partner for both my interest in my father’s legendary music and for my future music endeavours.

He himself has had an up and down career in music, with his hits being Too Late For Goodbyes in 1984 and 1991’s Saltwater. His new album is yet to release.

The list of catalogues owned by Primary Wave are those of Kurt Kobain and Nirvana, which they acquired last year. The recordings of The Beatles is owned by EMI, while Michael Jackson and Sony jointly hold their publishing rights.

Via

The 31 year old actor says that in the third part, spiderman has success, glory and popularity is taking its toll on the superhero. He says, “The public is adoring him, and it goes to his head. He’s behaving arrogantly and is self-involved, which changes the feeling of the character for me. And it just gets darker from there”.

Apparently, Mcguire is a self-confessed addict and he has even attended Alcoholics Anonymous meetings at 19 because of alcohol issues. Also, Mcguire claimed to be very happy to see her 5 month old daughter Ruby Sweetheart smile. He is engaged to Jennifer Meyer, a 29-year-old jewelry designer.

Spiderman - 3 releases worldwide on May 14. Go watch it, you may not be able to catch Tobey spinning his web again.

What does one get out of a semi-animated, outrageously violent, mythical movie on the spartans that only harps about honour without any sense or sensibility ? Nothing but a load of bull crap that makes young minds more violent, more stupid... and leaves you Rs. 130/- short. No. I beg to differ.

I have been taught selective learning, and I use all of that while in a movie hall. And, I learnt a shit lot of things from this movie.

1. Winning is NOT important, fighting IS.

2. The biggest of problems can crumble to dust, if you have the will to face them head on.

3. There is more to life than materialistic desires - pride, honour, freedom.

4. Fight, but first with your mind, then heart and at last the body.

5. Before jumping into anything; think, plan, prepare, execute.

6. You dont have to be a man to fight for the right.

7. Skill is as important as will. Will alone takes you nowhere.

8. You might have to compromise to get what you want, but its not necassary that it WILL work.

9. To do the right thing, you may, sometimes have to go against wisdom.

10. The right plan, the right men, and the right will may not always get you the desired result, but it will surely take you a step closer than otherwise.

Ok, this was as much as I had to talk about the intellectual aspect of the movie. If one is talking about entertainment, this movie offers more of it, than any of its league or otherwise.

I strongly recommend the audience who like candy floss romance and/or slap stick humour to stay away from this one, since it may not strike a chord or two with them.

But, for those who are spartans at heart, this is must watch.

A WINNER ALL THE WAY.