What does Bangalore need?

An efficient traffic management system, a mass rapid transit system, feeder bus services, far fewer two wheelers and autorickshaws, pot-hole free roads and 24 hour power and water supply you say? Boy, are you wrong! Bangaloreans need more schools teaching Kannada, according to the government.

While you are stuck in a traffic jam for hours, you can practise your Kannada language skills by reading all the Kannada boards and hoardings and your kids can help you from the backseat! While you are being groomed into a true Kannadiga, the bureaucrats will take a quick foreign tour at the taxpayers' expense to 'study' the mass transit systems of various countries. How clever! Haven't these b**t**ds heard of the internet? Moreover, why go to Thailand when you have an efficient MRT system in New Delhi?

Fungal Infection

A couple of years ago, I suffered from an acute case of 'athlete's foot'. Fungal infections are not fatal, but they sure make you suicidal! You feel like killing yourself when you smell like a walking cadaver and when it itches in the wrong places at the wrong time. The itch, the burns, the smell (yuck!), I still vividly remember everything. It was one resilient fungus, just refused to die down in spite of the use of assorted topical medications. I had a couple of days of relief before the itch resurfaced with a venegeance!

Why speak of it now, you ask? Well, was reminded of it when I read this. The wily Arjun Singh takes centrestage again. Like a damned fungal infection he just refuses to wither away. He and his ilk are not fatal to our system in any way, Indian soceity has survived bigger problems. We will outlast this moron, but just like a case of athlete's foot, they cause severe embarassment and irritation.

People like Arjun Singh do not realise that they have gone past their 'best before' date. Protests and strikes are like topical medications, they will treat the symptoms but not help eliminate this fungus. We have to simultaneously strengthen the immunity of our social system by taking up a more proactive role. I have decided; I will never take the democratic process lightly in future. My vote will only go to a young, energetic and enthusiastic candidate, I have had it with politicians who are past their expiry dates.

Adrenaline Rush

Paragliding is a sport where people jump off tall cliffs with parachutes, a nice sport for adrenaline junkies. This man however, got more than he bargained for. Adds a whole new dimension to the phrase 'step on a minefield'. :)

We'll miss you Steve....

Stephen Robert Irwin, better known as 'The Crocodile Hunter' passed away yesterday at the age of 44, in a freak accident involving a stingray. Steve was filming this 'harmless' species in shallow water when he was stabbed in the heart by the bull ray's barb. It's ironic that a man who swam happily with the deadliest of creatures was killed by a docile creature.

It's not everyday that you see a real life 'Tarzan' who calls crocodiles and serpents 'gorgeous'! His aussie style and attitude are irreplaceable. Yesterday, we lost an ardent animal lover and a fantastic showman. Animal Planet will never be the same. We'll definitely miss you Steve! :(

Lagey Raho!

Hilarious! Total Paisa Vasool! Bole to ek dum jhakaas! That's Munnabhai-II for you. The reviews talked about Munnabhai & Bapu performing a 'past meets present' drama and I really didn't know what to expect. If nothing else was watchable, Vidya Balan would keep me occupied, so I decided to take the risk.

In the movie, Vidya Balan got pushed to the sidelines. This was a total Munnabhai (Sanju Baba), Circuit (Arshad Warsi) and Lucky Singh (Boman Irani) act! They stole the show with their hilarious antics and dialogues. An hour after the movie, I still can't stop laughing!

Munnabhai is fida over an RJ and he uses his usual trick to win a quiz and meet her. He convinces her that he is a professor and a fan of Bapu. When she calls him over to her place and deliver a lecture on Bapu, Munna tries to cram history at a library. This is when he has a chance meeting with Bapu himself. How this interaction changes Munnabhai and the life of all around him is what the movie is about. It touches social issues without being preachy or sentimental. I am sure even M.K. Gandhi would have loved this movie! :)

Arshad Warsi and Boman Irani are my new favourite comedians! Boy, they simply rock! Lagey Raho Munnabhai, Lagey Raho! :P

(Picture Courtesy: The Official Site)