IFTAR PARTY

Recently a Muslim friend of mine called me over for an Iftar Party. Iftar is understood as an event where a Muslim after a day of fasting, breaks their fast. This is a detail of my experience for I have never been to an Iftar Party.

I was called at 6:00pm and I arrived on time, with another friend of mine. My host was there, however to my surprise no one else had arrived. The hall had been cleared and carpets were spread out in the hall. While waiting I helped my host and his mother to set things up. Three ‘thals’ were set up on low stands. At first I thought that ‘thals’ were pronounced as ‘thala’, but I was corrected.

Further guest began to arrive at 7:00pm. The friends that arrived were mostly of the host’s brother. In fifteen minutes over ten more people arrived. By 7:15 over twenty people filled the room, some of the host’s brothers friends and some of his own friend. Before the food was bought the host’s father came in and formally shook everyone’s hand before leaving for an important meeting.

The first plate of the meal arrived and was placed on each thal. A few of the Muslims that were there went inside the house to pray, while a few others started to call the most reliable source of information, their mothers, regarding the time of breaking their fast.

The first dish consisted of fruits, mainly watermelon and dates.

The second dish consisted of chicken roll.

The third dish consisted of ragada patties.

The fourth dish arrived and actual ‘boos’ were heard going around, because vadas were served.

The fifth dish consisted of chicken patties.

The sixth dish consisted of a whole chicken dipped in a delicious curry sauce.

The seventh dish was the main course, that is ran biryanni. A full plate was served on the thal. Biryanni rice accompanied by a whole piece of roasted mutton leg.

And for desert ice-cream was served.

The whole meal started from 7:30pm to 9:30pm. And it was delicious and filling.

However for some it was so filling that they, (they claim) that the food was filled right up to their throats.

However more than the food, the experience was every bit of worth it. Meeting new people, experience a culture that I have not experienced before.

The Dark Fantasy

In 2005, Sunfeast launched their response to the high-end cream biscuit, Pure Magic. The biscuit is called Dark Fantasy and after a year, it can be said that Dark Fantasy is better marketed. There are a number of reasons for this, such as:

- Dark Fantasy distribution system is better. It delivers it product every week on Monday and its outreach is better that Pure Magic.

- Dark Fantasy’s packing is much more attractive that Pure Magic. While Pure Magic, only adorns a simple and colourful plastic packing, Dark Fantasy reveals a glossy packaging.

- Dark Fantasy also is relatively bigger that Pure Magic. The biscuit itself is bigger and the packet contains more biscuits that Pure Magic.

- The advertising of Dark Fantasy was based on the seven sins and the ad positioned Dark Fantasy as an indulgent biscuit. Compared to Dark Fantasy, Pure Magic has a very weak advertising base.

As far as can be seen, Pure Magic has failed to react to the challenge of Dark Fantasy and it will not be long before it is overtaken.

Buck Stops Here?

The 33^rd President of America was Harry Truman and in his presidential office in his table he has a sign which was written, “The Buck Stops Here”- taking responsibility for his country.

A few weeks ago, A. Raja former telecom minister and main accused in the 2G Scam, named and incriminated the Prime Minister Manmohan Singh.

A question has arisen whether the Prime Minister should be implicated and held accountable for the Scam as he is the head of the cabinet.

The action and conduct of the Cabinet members is held accountable by the Prime Minister and the Prime Minister and his Cabinet is held accountable by the Parliament. The responsibilities of every Cabinet portfolio is looked over by the Parliament. Considering the actions of the A. Raja as a Telecom Minister was not questioned or found suspicious of the PM is question is being asked by many. In reply to this the Prime Minister and his office (PMO) has denied knowing of the A. Raja’s action and that he had also managed to deceive them.

Whatever it may be, the Prime Minister is responsible for every Cabinet member’s action and has the power to review their actions. The questions to be asked is whether he should be not be charged for accountability of his Cabinet. Whether he should be forgiven for his ignorance?

In my personal opinion whatever it may be the Prime Minister should not be implicated, because simply before anyone can realize he will become a scapegoat for Indian society and every form of corruption will be blamed on him.

India?

What is India? A country, which is truly a country that has unity within diversity?

The people of South India, believe that they are related to the people of Central India. The people of North-East India believe that the people of North India are their brothers. A country where all the States celebrate Independence Day together. A country where across the State, the national flag is raised up on Independence Day and all the national heroes that are learnt in the school books are remembered. A country where all the people unite to see the Indian cricket team win.

Is this India?

The South Indian States one will find that when you try to communicate to them in Hindi or English they refuse to help and do not reply inspite of maybe... knowing either of the languages. Kashmir is a State where over half the Indian army is present there with arbitrary rights and they are there to protect the rights of the citizens of India. A country where minority communities are killed by State sponsored violence.

Could this also be India?

A greater thinker once said that countries are imaginary.

Perhaps imaginary lines that are needed. Where a number of the people just imagine, they just believe they are truly all related, they are all brothers and sisters, while some do not feel the spirit.

Could this also be what India is?

Is India just imagined?

What, if States had a chance to separate today? What would happen?

There is a possibility of Kashmir and the States of North-East grasping their freedom. But there is also the real threat of Pakistan, occupying Kashmir and the real threat of China occupying the States of North-East. It is a real threat, because that is what is happening in this present world, they are slowly encouraging and encroached upon these States.

In my personal opinion, India is imagined, but very, very much necessary inspite of its flaws.

Workshop with Vaibhav Pursndhare

On Monday, the Audio-Visual room was filled in Wilson College. Student from Third year Journalism class and Second year Bachelor of Mass Media and Political Science students were all waiting for Vaibhav Pursndhare. Vaibhav Pursndhare is a distinguished journalist for Hindustan Times and has published a book name, Sena. His journalism is specializes in politics on Maharashtra.

Before he began his address, the Political Science Association was inaugurated. An introduction was given to it and information on the various activities it conducts, including the magazine it publishes. It was introduced and inaugurated by the Political Science students.

Vaibhav Pursndhare spoke on a variety of topics, which included of State and National level.

At the State level, he spoke on Maharashtra politics and how it has developed to its current situation. He specifically spoke on the political party Shiv Sena and its importance and actions Maharashtra politics.

At a National level, he spoke about the situation Delhi on the Lokpal bill. He spoke on a broader issue of corruption and how it affects the lives of the youth and what the youth can do to tackle this issue.

“Vaibhav Pursndhare definitely raised some important points which I was not aware of,” said Shasank Moore, a political science student. According to Trishan Panchal, a third year Bachelor of Mass Media student from the journalism class, “He has very aggressive views, but he has been able to put it across subtlety by expressly communicating that these are his personal views.”

Workshop with Dr. Nachiket Mor

On Saturday, Wilson College was glad to have Dr. Nachiket Mor addressing the students. He took two sessions at the College Hall. At the first session, he addressed the students of Bachelor of Arts and at his second session, he addressed the students of Bachelor of Mass Media and Bachelor of Management studies. Dr. Nachiket Mor has a variety of experiences with him. He has worked with ICCI bank for a very long time and is a prestigious banker in his field. He has also worked with many NGOs and has ample experience in social issues.

At the first session he spoke on the various job opportunities available in the banking and financial field.

At the second session he spoke about the variety of social work he has done in India. He also spoke on the importance of journalist and how, according to him they are doing a good job in India. He mentioned the undeveloped tourism in India which he was trying to develop and gave a example in Goa. He is developing rural tourism by creating what is called homestay homes. Homestay homes means that instead of staying at a hotel, a tourist can stay at a villager or residents home at a nominal rate which includes facilities and meals. He explained the financial agreement that is needed for this, between the NGO and the home owner.

At the end of his address, he took questions, where interesting question were raised. A question was asked on the relation between the banking facilities and the rural farmers and another was asked about the use of the internet as a media for financial banking and another on the where and how villages were selected to invest money.

At the end, many students were in thrilled with the session. According to Nikhil Bapat, a third year of Bachelor of Mass Media student, “I like the session where a lot of interesting things came up and the interactive session answered question that students asked”. For however Danika, another third year student of Bachelor of Mass Media student, “No doubt the talk was interesting, but the questions asked were not sufficiently answered as he gave his opinion and did not clarify what the question was asking”.