Let us break the silence!
From the Blog In the Line of Wire: Let us break the silence! - As we stood at "Do Talwar" with our banners and placards raising our voices against irresponsible statements from politicians, insensitive and unethical reporting by media and increased unchecked incidents of violence against women in the city, it was strange to see people passing by in their cars or on foot, turning around to look at . Read Full Post
What Would She Think of Today's Pakistan?
From the Blog All Things Pakistan: Benazir Bhutto: What Would She Think of Today's Pakistan? - Adil Najam Benazir Bhutto was assassinated three years ago today, December 27. Two years ago on the first anniversary of her death we had carried a post asking "What If She Had Not Been Killed?" Of course, this is not the type of question that has a real answer. But as the discussion on the question showed there is value in thinking about such speculative notions nonetheless. This year, to mark her third anniversary, we wish to ask a slightly different question: "What would Benazir think of today's Pakistan?" Of course, we realize that none of us can know or guess what she might actually think. But in thinking about it maybe we will come to grips with what we ourselves think and bring some clarity to those thoughts. So, dear readers, do please let us know what you would think Benazir Bhutto might think about today's Pakistan . Two days ago as I was driving in Karachi on my way to the airport I was stuck by all the huge bill boards and posters that were everywhere in commemoration of this day. All had huge”> pictures of Benazir Bhutto , most also had pictures (sometimes not as large) of Zulfiqar”> Ali Bhuto , and many also had pictures of Asif”> Ali Zardari and Bilalwal Bhutto (plus of whoever had paid for the poster in the first place). I realized that Benazir Bhutto is now the principal and most beloved icon and symbol of her party. Maybe even more so than her father! What, I wondered, would she make of that? The world was in utter shock at Benazir's death. And many still are. The memories of the assassination are still fresh for many of us. And, yet, so much – so very much – has changed. This was even true two years ago, when I had written: "An elected government holds power. Benazir Bhutto's arch-nemesis Gen. Pervez Musharraf is no longer President of Pakistan . Her husband, Asif Ali Zardari , is. We still do not know who was behind her death, but speculation remains rife . The economy remains in nosedive . An energy crisis is upon us. Drones pound us on the West. And Pakistan continues to lose both territory and citizens to the extremists who continue to wage a war within Pakistan and on Pakistan . Most of all, anger and angst still define the social disposition." What might have Benazir made of all of this had she been alive? What might she be thinking on this day? What are you thinking? How have things turned out that are different – or the same – if Benazir had actually survived the attack? . Read Full Post
Celebrities Who Died Too Soon
From the Blog Speak Your Mind!!!: Celebrities Who Died Too Soon - Marilyn Monroe: Lived up to 36 One of the most beautiful actresses ever, Marilyn Monroe was a rage in the 1950s. She was stunning and embodied innocence. She had a very unsettled childhood. She had a string of unsuccessful marriages and affairs including a rumoured one with charismatic US President John F Kennedy. Her first marriage was with childhood sweetheart Jimmy Dougherty in 1944. When Jimmy was away on assignment with the Merchant Marines, she was accidentally discovered by photographer David Conover and then began her initiation into the glamour world Divya Bharti: Lived up to 19 She had everything going for her when she died in 1993 after a fall from her 5th floor apartment. Her death remains a mystery. Though many in film circles believe it was a suicide after a fight with husband Sajid Nadiadwalla, police could not come to any concrete conclusion. James Dean: Lived up to 24 He was only 24 when he died in a high-speed car crash. In a very short span, James Dean, acted in three flicks – Rebel Without a Cause, East of Eden, and Giant. The last two fetched him posthomous Academy Award nominations for Best Actor. A youth icon of his times, such is the charisma of Dean that even today, almost half a century after his death his legacy still endures. Brittany Murphy: Lived up to 32 Having started her career in Hollywood at the tender age of 14, singer and actress Brittany Murphy acted in a spate of films like Clueless, Drop Dead Gorgeous, Don’t Say a Word and Uptown Girls and was also a major in the television scene. Like many other starlets, Murphy too succumbed to wrong intake of prescription drugs Madhubala: Lived up to 36 The ultimate beauty, Madhubala was to Bollywood what Marilyn Monroe was to Hollywood. Born as Mumtaz Begum Jehan Dehlavi in 1933 to a poor Pathan couple, Madhubala was one of 11 children. By virtue of sheer destiny, when her family relocatede from Delhi to Mumbai, Madhubala began her tryst with films. She was only 14. A so-far inert heart problem all but ended her successful run in 1950. Braving this problem and a very difficult father, she went on with her career for another 10 years. An much-publicised affair with thespian Dilip Kumar did not culminate in marriage leaving her broken-hearted. Marriage to actor Kishore Kumar happened in 1960. Nafisa Joseph: Lived up to 25 A Miss India contest winner at just 17, Nafisa Joseph went on to host the popular MTV show for 5 years. The well-loved VJ and PETA activist had a great career ahead but unfortunately took a broken engagement with businessman Gautam Khanduja too hard and ended her life by hanging herself at her Mumbai flat. Princess Diana: Lived up to 36 The most beautiful princess ever, the most photographed woman of her time, Diana’s life was a contrast to her beauty. After a Fairy Tale Marriage that never was and a string of failed affairs, Diana’s death in a car crash after a hot chase by paparazzi led to many questions being asked about the continued interference by snoopy press reporters in the lives of celebrities. Heath Ledger: Lived up to 28 The actor best known for his superb roles in films like Brokeback Mountain, Casanova and The Dark Knight in which he essayed the role of The Joker to perfection, Ledger was found dead in his apartment reportedly due to intake of a medley of prescription drugs. Anna Nicole Smith: Lived up to 37 Anna Nicole Smith aka Vickie Lynn Marshall, shot to fame overnight after her appearance on the Playboy cover in May 1992. Though she went on to became a successful model and TV personality her personal life was not as much alluring. She married first at 17 and later went on to marry tycoon J Howard Marshall who was 63 years older to her. She died at age 37 apparently owing to drug overdose and an overwhelming depression after the death of her 20-year-old son. At the time of her death she was also involved in a court case over Marshall’s property. . Read Full Post
Abhishek & Aishwarya At Worlds Bunts Sports
From the Blog Speak Your Mind!!!: Abhishek & Aishwarya At Worlds Bunts Sports - Abhishek & Aishwarya Grace Worlds Bunts Sports Meet at Powai, Mumbai. This is darn crowded. . Read Full Post
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