Anita Shreve’s “Sea Glass”, starts out in idyllic terms. A loving husband, hard-working couple, a first home, a satisfying hobby. This book has its own mini world infused with gadgets from the past like the precursor of the photocopier, a copiograph machine etc. and an unfortunate habit of past, making all your own dresses. This novel seems to be another one of those historical romances that view the past (especially 20s and 50s) as the safest time and more innocent time-period than the one we live in now.

The headlines Honora (one of the characters in the novel) reads every morning suggests a world just as scary and unpredictable as our own times, a world just as aloes to spinning out of control as the one we are familiar with today. The character of Sexton Beecher may be seen as the most believable by some readers. Sexton is good with people, loves his wife but when they are apart he feels lonely and he is not opposed to a little recreation with another woman. A look-you-straight-in-the-eye kind of guy and has no problem in doling out the lies that make business relationships, yet most of readers will not despise him. Rather they will understand his hunger and might be courting in his favor.   The world created by this novel has people who live together without getting married, cheat on their employers and think about having extramarital affairs, just as characters in a contemporary novel world. One of the accomplishments of Shreve’s book is that she is able to capture a time gone by in authentic and believable detail without making her characters cute, quaint or unrealistically virtuous.

This is a perfect novel with fragments of past as a fictional story, but so true to human psychology that the reader may feel it contains more truth than a newspaper or any other report.

“In the wet sand by her foot, a bit of colour catches her eye. The glass is green, pale and cloudy, the colour of lime juice that has been squeezed into a glass. She brushes the sand off and presses the sea glass into her palm, keeping it for luck”.

HAPPY READING!

The standoff in Eastern Ladakh has grabbed the attention of the entire nation towards a belligerent China that seeks to challenge the status quo on borders amidst a global pandemic. While in the rest of India, there is a popular sentiment against Chinese goods and services which have now become a symbol of scorn, the reaction in Kashmir Valley to developments along the LAC has been unusual.

On 17 June, former chief minister of Jammu and Kashmir Omar Abdullah was forced to deactivate his twitter handle for a few hours after a widespread trolling campaign that criticized the public opinion on the Ladakh situation. The former CM’s tweet read: “Those Kashmiris tempted to look towards China as some sort of saviour need only google the plight of Uighur Muslims. Be careful what you wish for.”Advertisementnull

Immediately after this post, a storm of tweets appeared on his timeline criticizing, ridiculing, and denouncing his stand on the issue. Omar was caught off guard with the deluge of negative reaction that his tweet generated, and which subsequently led to the deactivation of his account. However, the tweet and the response it generated highlighted a disturbing trend that has emerged ever since the first news report of the border stand-off between India and China.

Kashmiris and a significant section of the population in Jammu have used the standoff as a means of catharsis. Using humour, satire, and sarcasm – memes in the internet parlance – the local population has left no stone unturned to mock the government of Prime Minister Narendra Modi for the Chinese belligerence. On the streets of Srinagar, the most common greeting is “cheen kot woat?” (where has China reached?) – clearly alluding towards the ongoing border situation. Some online memes have started showing Xi Jingping dressed in Kashmiri attire, some even show him cooking Wazwan.

Be it a salon, a funeral, or the local bakery, China dominates every single conversation. Another common jibe “cheen woat Sonmarg” (China has reached Sonmarg) suggests that the Kashmiri population would not mind losing entire districts of Ladakh and Kargil as long as it dents the image of the government in power.

People have sharply focused their antennas to the ongoing situation consuming minute by minute updates even on slow speed internet. Screenshots, weblinks of Chinese state media, particularly the Global Times, are spreading like wildfire on WhatsApp. Stone pelters at the Sunday gunfight site inSrinagar raised “cheen aya, cheen aya” (China has arrived, China has arrived) slogans to mock the security forces deployed to deal with the law and order situation.

Among the intelligentsia in Kashmir, the Chinese aggression, by and large, is seen as a blessing in disguise which would help in easing the iron fist grip of the Modi government’s policy approach towards Kashmir. A common line of argument that is doing rounds in the valley is that the central government can only unleash its power against Kashmiris or Pakistan, and that it lacks the spine when it comes to big powers like China.

There is also an attempt to link the Chinese aggression with the constitutional changes and down gradation of the now erstwhile state of Jammu and Kashmir. The people in the valley think that whatever China is doing is a well thought out plan between Islamabad and Beijing to occupy territory and teach the BJP a hard lesson.

Whereas on social media, the reaction to the border stand-off has been mostly to lampoon and rub salt on injury, the offline conversation suggests that the people are well aware of Chinese mistreatment of minorities and their pathological hatred for Muslims.

Moreover, there is a realization that the aggravation of conflict may result in a war which in turn will bring havoc and destruction to Kashmir, Jammu and Ladakh together. Despite that, the people are seeing China’s aggression as a lesser evil simply because it doesn’t affect their lives and livelihood directly.

In the eyes of people in the valley and some parts of Jammu, the hard-line policies of the Modi government can only be contained by an external factor. There cannot be a better indicator of the absolute alienation even among the pro-India lot in Kashmir.

Not surprisingly, mainstream leaders have used the current situation to lash out at the central government on the abrogation of Article 370. The border standoff has given wings to mainstream parties who are now showing the temerity to question the policy of the Modi government openly.

Former CM Mehbooba Mufti launched a sharp attack on the Modi government through a tweet stating: “Illegal abrogation of Article 370 was done to take over land & disempower locals. Today China has grabbed Galwan valley & GOI isn’t even acknowledging it. Was J&K dismembered to gift territory to China.”

The National Conference on June 19 used the occasion to demand the restoration of Pre August 5th position of Jammu and Kashmir. This was the first significant statement of the party signed by 12 senior-most functionaries after the release of its leaders from detention.

The fact that Chinese bullying is compared to the actions of the government of India should worry the security establishment. The police chief of Jammu and Kashmir has already sounded alarm bells suggesting that Pakistan may use the opportunity to provoke violence within Kashmir valley and other parts of J&K: “Pakistan will try to infiltrate more militants and terrorists and also give impetus to violence in the Kashmir Valley and elsewhere in J&K, taking advantage of the standoff on Ladakh border.”

Given the public reaction, the security establishment is anticipating not just a spike in militancy but fearing mass protests and unrest too. The pent up frustration and resentment against the policies of the central government, particularly after August 5, is unprecedented. The communication lockdown and subsequent crackdown of the law enforcement agencies against individuals promoting separatism resulted in a silencing of both the separatist element as well as the mainstream in Kashmir.

The public response in Kashmir to the Chinese aggression should worry New Delhi and serve as a wake-up call. The situation becomes trickier in the absence of credible counter-narratives that expose China in the eyes of the public. The prime time warriors on TV very nonchalantly label all Kashmiris as anti-national and in doing so further push them into the clutches of Chinese propaganda.

Furthermore, the callous experimentation on matters concerning Kashmir over the last few months suggests that a change of course is too much to expect from those at the helm. But the least the government can do is to start seeing Beijing as the primary troublemaker in Jammu & Kashmir – too much attention has been given to Pakistan when it was clear that the big strategic plans on the erstwhile state of Jammu and Kashmir are owned by the Chinese.

Aane wala pal jaane wala hai, Ho sake to ismei zindagi bita do pal jo ye jaane wala hai! ~ Golmaal (sung by Kishore Kumar and composed by RD Burman)

Today’s the 81st birth anniversary of our all time favourite and evergreen Pancham Da urf RD Burman. He’s the one perhaps, who has painted our childhood days with full of evergreen and wonderful memories. Let’s have a look into his life achievements.

Born in the Bengali house of richly music family, with parents Sachin Deb Burman (father), who was a music director as well as singer and Meera Deb Burman (mother), who was a lyricist,the super talented Pancham Da composed the song ‘Aye Meri Topi Palat Ke Aa’ for the movie, ‘Funtoosh’ (1956) when he was just 9 years old. Undoubtedly, he composed one more song “Sar Jo Tera Chakraaye,” that was included in the movie “Pyaasa (1957) by his father SD Burman.

He joined hands with his father in the films like Chalti Ka Naam Gaadi (1958), Kaagaz Ke Phool (1959), Tere Ghar Ke Samne (1963), Bandini (1963), Ziddi (1964), Guide (1965) and Teen Devian (1965). Later in 1959, he started his professional career as a music director with the movie “Raaz,” but the film was never released due to some reasons. His first released film as a music director was “Chhote Nawab (1961).”

His first success as a music director was with the film “Teesri Manzil (1966).” He made his debut as music director in Telugu films with the movie “Rocky (1987).” Not only this, he too worked as a music director Bengali movies like Troyee(1982) Kolinkini Konkaboti (1981), Anyay Bichar (1985), Jagir (1984) and many more.

RD Burman is widely considered to be among the most iconic music directors of the Indian music industry. From the 1960s to the 1990s, the artist did major work with his wife, Asha Bhosle and Kishore Kumar and composed several songs that made these singers popular in those time span. He has also made various songs that were sung by his sister-in-law, Lata Mangeshkar.

Some of his major music compositions are –

• Rim Jhim Gire Sawan
• Meri Bheegi Bheegi Si
• Musafir Hu Yaaro
• Yamma Yamma
• Aane Wala Pal Jaane Wala Hai
• Mehbooba Mehbooba
• Lakdi Ki Kaathi
• Ek Chatur Naar
• Dil Ye Na Khel Hai Dildar Ka
• Tere Bina Zindagi Se Koi
• O Mere Dil Ke Chain
• Ye Dosti Hum Nahin Todenge
• Kya Hua Tera Wada
• Chura Liya Hai Tumne Jo and much more.

Not only this, he has composed several Bengali songs, such as–

• Mohuaaye Jomechhe Aaj Mou
• Mone Pore Ruby Rai
• Tumi Koto Je Dure
• Phire Eshe Anuradha
• Ele Na Tumi Je
• Nodir Paare Uthchhe Dhonya etc.

Some of these have same tune in Hindi as well as Bangla. In other words one can say, several Bangla songs have Hindi version. For instance, Meri Bheegi Bheegi Si is same as Mone Pore Ruby Rai and Pyaar Diwana Hota Hai is same as Aaj Gungun Kunje Aamar.

The RD Burman era, through which the Indian music industry received an ample amount of soulful compositions of music, would have been the best era of the film industry, because these were not only the pieces of entertainment, but have several deeper meanings attached in each of them, hence.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi has said that powered by the Corona warriors, India is firmly fighting COVID-19. Addressing an event through video conferencing to mark the special occasion of the 90th birthday of Most Revered Doctor Joseph Mar Thoma Metropolitan, Mr Modi said, earlier this year, some people had predicted that the impact of the virus in India would be very severe.
 
He said, due to lockdown, many initiatives taken by the Government and a people driven fight, India is much better placed than many other nations. Mr Modi said, India’s recovery rate is rising. He said, a people driven fight has given good results so far but we cannot let our guard down.
 
The Prime Minister said, people have to be even more careful now. He said, wearing masks, social distancing, do gaz ki doori, avoiding crowded places, are still important.
Mr Modi said, the world is fighting a strong battle against a global pandemic and COVID-19 is not only a physical sickness that is a threat to lives of people. He said, it also takes our attention to unhealthy life-styles.
 
Mr Modi said, in the last few weeks, Government of India has addressed both short-term and long-term issues relating to the economy. He said, from the sea to space, from the farms to the factories, people-friendly and growth friendly decisions have been taken.
 
The Prime Minister said, Government wants to ensure better technology, infrastructure and making value chains stronger. He said, Government has taken decisions not from comfortable Government offices in Delhi but after feedback from people of the ground.
 
Mr Modi said, it is this spirit that ensured every Indian has access to a bank account. He said, over 8 crore families have access to smoke free kitchens and over 1.5 crore houses have been made to give shelter to the homeless. He added that India is home to the largest healthcare scheme in the world, Ayushman Bharat.
 
The Prime Minister said, for the poor, Government is bringing one nation-one ration card scheme to help them where they are. He said, for the middle class, Government has brought a number of initiatives, to boost Ease of Living.
 
Mr Modi said, for farmers, Government has increased the Minimum Support Price and made sure they get the right price. He said, people should think of this that how can their actions contribute to national development. Mr Modi said, today India is saying, it will produce locally and also buy local products. He said, it will light the lamp of prosperity in the homes of many.
 
Prime Minister Narendra Modi conveyed his greetings to Most Revered Doctor Joseph Mar Thoma Metropolitan and wished him a long life and best health. He said, Dr. Joseph Mar Thoma has devoted his life for the betterment of the society and nation and he has been particularly passionate about removal of poverty and women empowerment.
 
Mr Modi said, the Mar Thoma Church is closely linked with the noble ideals of Saint Thomas, the Apostle of Lord Christ. He said, India has always been open to spiritual influences from many sources.
 
Mr Modi said, it is with this spirit of humility that the Mar Thoma Church has worked to bring a positive difference in the lives of our fellow Indians. He said, they have done so in areas such as healthcare and education.

A woman whom we call the creator of this world, is a simple women who takes care of all family members & always stands at the back of her loved ones without any demands or needs. But do we knows that what price they have to pay for this?
The second most painful thing in this world is giving birth to a child, for which a woman have to go through a lot of pain, not only this, but they have bear the pain every month during their menstruation. It is the most difficult time for every girl, every women.

Menstruation generally goes on from 3-7 days and these days are really hard for them. So, during this time they should take care of themselves. There are many precautions which they need to take and there are many things which they are not allowed to do. But the fact is they should do whatever they want to like exercise, yoga, they can dance if they wish to do, but should take care of themselves that it wouldn’t cause more pain. During periods, they should eat healthy food, avoid fastfood and drink more hot water. If they feels much pain then use hot water bottle or medicine prescribed by the doctor. They should take bath daily during these days and can also use hot water to take bath as it will be give more relief. They should use sanitary pads and change them time to time depending on their need as using same pad for longer time can cause infection and rashes. There is a myth that women’s should not wash their hairs during periods, which absolutely makes no sense and there is no proof that it causes any effect on body.

God made each of us pure and systematic. We humans are the only reasons for such superstitions.