Posted by Naim Naqvi

As this scribe has earlier mentioned, there is no problem in using both the words. But the problem lies the hidden intentions behind the effort to change.

ON SPETEMBER 19, 2009 in these columns of “merinews” this humble scribe had written an article : “Khuda Hafiz” against “Allah Hafiz.” Several comments in response were symptomatic of the roots of fundamentalism, obscurantism and fanaticism that has been the hallmark of Talebani Islam. I will give some excerpts of that article to relate it to the latest development taking place in enlightened circles of Muslim Society.

Let me remind the readers that the term Allah Hafiz or Khuda Hafiz are never used in Arab peninsula. It is a pure Moghul – Indian creation. Most of the readers would recollect the famous old song – “Guzra Hua Zamana aata naheen dubarah…Hafiz Khuda tumhara.” These were the most emotional parting words that were common since time immemorial in Urdu-Hindi speaking regions.

The first time Allah Hafiz was used in public was in 1985 by a famous TV host on PTV during the Zia era.

The Wahabbi schools took up the cudgels for the concept as Khuda is more a Persian word and could have some affinity to Iran. Allah Hafiz words have its roots in Pakistan as General Zia-ul Haq, a Wahabbi dictator, with the help of Gulf and American money started setting up mosque-schools in an attempt to pick the kids and softer brains and brain wash them with the heinous Takfiri ideology which approves the killing of innocents in the name of Jihad. This ideology, though originated in Saudi Arabia got easy disciple in poor Islamic countries.

This strain of faith, in a subtler form, is now becoming popular in Indian Muslims; and ‘Tableeghee Jamaat’ has emerged as an equal and opposite reaction to the ideologies propagated by RSS and other similar fanatical outfits. This Jamaat has played the leading in giving currency to this new Pakistan originated “Allah Hafiz” address.

They believed that once they had convinced Muslims to follow the faith by adorning a long beard and hijab, the words Khuda Hafiz would not seem appropriate coming out from the mouths of such Islamic-looking folks. They believed that Khuda can mean any God, whereas the Muslims’ God was Allah.

Some observers suggest that since many non-Muslims also use Khuda Hafiz so it is a cultural pollution. Much water has flown under the bridges of Chenab, Jhelum and Euphrates since then.

As this scribe has earlier mentioned, there is no problem in using both the words. But the problem lies the hidden intentions behind the effort to change. Fanaticism is known for its shrewd clandestine strategies and these appear in the subtlest forms.

Naim Naqvi

Did his graduation in Science discipline from AMU in 1972-73. He was Secretary of University Ali Society in 1970 and M.M. Hall Literary Society in early 70 's and member of Tayyabji Literary Society. Did his Diploma in Bakery Administration from HTT College Oxford Street London in 1987. Worked with National Herald - Delhi, Blitz - Bombay as Trainee Journalist and in Production Department with 'Naya Sansar Pictures' of Khwaja Ahmed Abbas at Bombay in early 70's. Traveled for study and training purposes to Germany, U.K., Switzerland, France, Dubai, Oman, AbuDhabi, Bahrain and Philepines.

Apr

2010

A sojourn in idyllic Bavaria

Posted by Naim Naqvi

That fortnight was unusually bad for me. Sometimes your whole universe comes crushing down before your eyes and you just watch yourself being torn apart. You are compelled to become a helpless spectator of your own destruction. You accept what you see and you sleep while your eyes remain open. It often happens with many if not with every one. Personal life is too private and I won’t strain my readers with my trials, tribulations and travails. To make it short the critical moment when I was sinking in the morass of life a child hood friend who had well ensconced himself in Germany, offered me a change of the situation. He suggested a few days visit to Germany with a promise that it would alter my perception of situation no matter how bad it could have been.

It is easy to hop around the different cities in Europe than any other continent. You don’t need visa of every country if you got for one. London had become too mundane and sanctimonious to brighten up a bruised soul. I quickly packed my necessary baggage, took the earliest flight for Munich and sallied forth into the world of Mercedes, BMW’s and Porches. A day in the Munich and walk-through tour of the city did make some subtle difference but the next day’s program was a secret that my friend advised to appreciate the way it comes.

Next morning he announced that we were going to Dachau. The very mention of the name of this town conjures up some deadliest memories of human history. As early as 1935 there were jingles warning: “Dear God, make me dumb, that I may not to Dachau come.” Dachau concentration camp (German: Konzentrationslager (KZ) Dachau) was the first Nazi concentration camp opened in Germany. It is located on the grounds of an abandoned munitions factory near the medieval town of Dachau, about 16 km northwest of Munich in the state of Bavaria, a state of Kings and aristocrats and it is located in southern Germany. Dachau served as a prototype and model for the other Nazi concentration camps that followed. Almost every community in Germany had members taken away to these camps. It was opened in March 1933. Heinrich Himmler, the Chief of Police of Munich had officially described this camp as “the first concentration camp for political prisoners.

We took Metro train No. S-2 from Munich Hoptbahnof in the direction Petershasun. Travel time was only 20 Minutes. From Dachau Rly Stn we boarded bus No. 726 to reach camp site, the first destination of our day.

“I’ve brought you a place where once every hope, every dream, every aspiration and every sense that nature has vested in a human beings was paired down to absolute minimum. You can’t fall down further. There existed no abyss after this.” My friend told me as we approached the main Gate. Dachau is city that runs in circle and as a pantry man informed – even today the spirits of the victims roam in circles here. More than 2 lakhs prisoners from more than 30 countries were housed in Dachau of whom two-thirds were political prisoners and nearly one-third were Jews. 25,613 prisoners are believed to have died in the camp and almost another 10,000 in its sub camps primarily from disease, malnutrition and suicide. In early 1945, there was a typhus epidemic in the camp followed by an evacuation, in which large numbers of the weaker prisoners died.

On 29 April 1945, KZ Dachau was surrendered to the American Army by SS-Sturmscharführer Heinrich Wicker. A vivid description of the surrender appears in Brig. Gen. Henning Linden’s official “Report on Surrender of Dachau Concentration Camp”:

“As we moved down along the west side of the concentration camp and approached the southwest corner, three people approached down the road under a flag of truce. We met these people about 75 yards north of the southwest entrance to the camp. These three people were a Swiss Red Cross representative and two SS troopers who said they were the camp commander and assistant camp commander and that they had come into the camp on the night of the 28th to take over from the regular camp personnel for the purpose of turning the camp over to the advancing Americans. The Swiss Red Cross representative acted as interpreter and stated that there were about 100 SS guards in the camp who had their arms stacked except for the people in the tower. He said he had given instructions that there would be no shots fired and it would take about 50 men to relieve the guards, as there were 42,000 half-crazed prisoners of war in the camp, many of them typhus infected.”

I was feeling nausea and wanted to leave the sight immediately.
“Do you realize that there are and there had been and there would always be people who are more unfortunate than you ? I have booked a taxi for Lake Steinberg !” I was listening to my friend. In a few minutes a smart lady appeared with her cab and we got into it leaving behind the goriest sight of human depravity.

Within minutes we were in a different world. Along the roads there were shady tree-lined avenues, tranquil orchards, cobbled streets and we passed through the villages whose farmsteads and houses have retained much of their original charm. White stork could be seen as reminder of virgin nature. We saw the glittering waterways and wooded hills. fortified stone churches and beautiful hard working people. Finally we reached Lake Steinberg. Glaciers and melt water from the last ice age formed a landscape here that has a touch of Switzerland about it. Lush green pine covered hills surround the idyllic lake. You can observe very closely how geology was shaped by the last ice age. A whole host of breathtaking sights did wonders to my spirit. It was evening on the road and we had a nice discussion with our beautiful taxi driver who was not that smart in English :

“My mother taxi; my father taxi; me taxi…”
“What about your kids ?” I asked her.
“No, they go school !”

Naim Naqvi

Apr

2010

Water is thicker than blood in Bhopal

Posted by Naim Naqvi

Water is thicker than blood in Bhopal

THESE DAYS if one walks around the lanes and by-lanes of any Indian cosmopolitan city, one will find an unpleasant scene of empty bottles of liquor, glistening discarded bottle covers in the middle of the roads and on the side-walks – thanks to our neo-rich emerging culture, prosperity and powerful advertisement campaigns. Despite that a huge section of population even today waits in long queues for the Jal Board trucks to arrive for the supply of water.

Once upon a time Bhopal was known for its aristocratic culture. It was a city of Tals (ponds), Talees (clapping) , Taams (royal cuisines), Tanpooras (musical instruments) and poets. Today, most of that has gone into the folklore. Stories of fairy tales have been replaced by the stories of miseries of the victims of Union Carbide Gas tragedy. The gas tragedy was a result of sheer negligience. Unfortunately corruption is on a high and the corrupt officials never allowed the compensation money to reach the actual victims.

Last year Bhopal witnessed a triple murder in a dispute over water . Jeevan Malviya, 42, his wife and son were killed in a violent squabble that broke out when they tried to draw water from a leaky municipal water supply line.

Three days later, another murder took place in Bhopal in the Kanha Saiya area following a dispute between two groups over fetching water, forcing the administration to ensure the distribution of water in the presence of police. Immediately after the crisis an official spoke to the public saying that 100 home guards have been sent to take care of the problem. It barred people from gathering along the 122-km Nemawar water supply line after several cases of water pilferage were reported. Policemen even today guards the length of the pipeline.

But even before people could be convinced about the efforts of the government officials, a teenager was stabbed to death by her neighbour over drinking water dispute.

The incident took place at Bakshibagh area in the city when Poonam Yadav (18), standing outside her house was attacked by Hukum Gaur with a knife. Poonam was rushed to the hospital where she was declared dead. In the preliminary investigation, it was found that due to water crisis in the city, the victim’s family members had earlier requested Gaur’s family members to stop drawing water from their tap, police said.

While people here are being stabbed to death for such a basic necessity,others are enjoying the resource in abundance.

Naim Naqvi

Mar

2010

Not Merits But His Mercy

Posted by Kaleem Sibtain

(S.Kaleem Sibtain Naqvi)

“Teri hai zameen , tera aasmaan;
Tu bada meherbaan tu bakhsheesh kar.”

As a matter of fact, the fast progress of the world made us able to perform wonderful things that were earlier far away from the possibilities and beyond our imaginations. The world has become hi’ tech and our motto has become perfectly materialistic, rooted in the marsh of real unreality.

In such a hypocritical environment of vulgar artificiality, it is of course, an uphill task to cut this Gordian knot to create a surge of searching the truth in the dormant sea of thoughts which depends upon our power of discrimination, decision, determination and dedication that will decide the fate of our final lives after death.

One of the common fact mentioned in Vedanta, Torah, Bible and Quran is that there is only the mercy of God that gives us all the blessings of merits all along our lives.
“O LORD REBUKE ME NOT IN THINE ANGER. HAVE MERCY UPON ME. O LORD, FOR I AM WEAK” (Bible,-Psalms 6-12…)

See the Gayatri Mantr which reveals that the God who created all, looks after us, removes our problems & calamities, Whose blessings give us merits is requested for mercy to make us perfect.
“OM BHORBHOWA SWAHA TATSAVITARVAREN-E-YAM DEWASS-E DHEEMAHI DHIYO-YONAH PRACHODAYA”

Now see the same in the ultimate book of knowledge- Quran in sora-e Humd “BISSMILLAH HIR REHMANIR RAHEEM. ALHAMDOLIL LAHE-E RABBIL AALAMEEM… EH-HEDE NUSSIRATAL MUSTAQEEM. SIRATAL LAZINA ANUMTA ALEHIM GHAIRIL MUGHZOOB-E-ALEHIM WA LUZ ZOALEEN”. In the name of The God, the compassionate, the merciful-praise be to Allah the Lord of the worlds… Guide us to the right path, the path of those upon whom you bestowed favours, not those who have invited Your wrath, nor those who have gone astray.

Here I would like to quote a dream of a godly man who never performed any wrong. He utilized his whole life in the worship of God. He performed all the best deeds for others. Once in dream, he visualized that after his death, the angels were taking him in the sky way where the environment was becoming more and more pleasant with comforts of sweet flowering freshness. The man was happy to think of his merits that made Heaven’s comforts for him in return but as soon as this thought came in his mind he went on realizing the change occurring in the environment that was gradually becoming unpleasant, dry and then the chilling heat and hurdles made him tired and thirsty. He requested to angels for getting rest and some water but in vain.

Slowly the heartbreaking journey had become more and more tiresome. He saw a water woman on the way and requested for some water but she demanded its cost. The man had no money, he told his problem so she asked if he had anything to give in return, but nothing he found in his hands while the thirst was breaking his breaths. Water woman advised if he give all of his merits of worship & goodness of his whole life in return, she might give half full bowl of water. When he drank it, he thought of unworthiness of his thought. He realized that all his worships were equal to the half bowl of water. He realized his wrong thinking. Almighty God had given him sweet streams, rivers & fountains, He gave him innumerable gifts in each small fraction of time. The godly man was ashamed of his mistake that he had forgotten the mercy of God, Who gave everything to him to live and enjoy, He never demanded the cost of His uncountable gifts, His mercy was unlimited. He repented on his mistake and beseeched to excuse his sin. Then the God commanded the angels again to change the direction of journey towards heaven and slowly the environment was becoming again pleasant.

The God knows all of our feelings and is the lone commander of all his created Worlds. He is all Merciful & Compassionate & all of our merits are His mercy.We have no quality of anything without His mercy.

Kaleem Sibtain

In the dark shadows of Char Minar

Posted by Naim Naqvi

Char Minar

A city of rich cultural heritage, a melting pot of different religions, nationalities and civilizations, Hyderabad has been a seat of harmony and brotherhood. But today it stands reduced to a battle ground for vested interests and fanatical politics.

HYDERABAD, A city of rich cultural heritage, a melting pot of different religions, nationalities and civilizations and bearer of a unique style of communication is sending a different message to the world today. It is turning out to be the battle ground for vested interests and fanatical politics. For long there was peace and prosperity and it was visible in every sphere of life. President Clinton’s visit made it a city of reckoning on the world map. Unfortunately, for some this scenario of amity and good-will was too much to bear.

On February 24th, the Milad-Un-Nabi celebrations were being carried out in full swing. Green Flags were fluttering in the entire Old City. One month later, these flags were removed to put up saffron flags marking the Sri Ram Navami celebrations on March 24 in Madannapet (near Saidabad Colony), marking the first of the tensions. On March 27, organizers of Hanuman Jayanti celebrations in Moosa Bowli in the Old City tried to hoist their flags, removing the ones that had been put up for Milad-un-Nabi. After heated arguments there were clashes and then it was a free for all.

On the following Sunday, at around 11am, the BJP state unit president G Kishan Reddy and Himayatnagar MLA Baddam Bal Reddy were prevented from visiting the Peepal Hanuman temple in Moosabowli by the police, where clashes had occurred on Saturday night. Angered, the locals attacked houses and shops of the other community who retaliated with equal vengeance.

Latest Intelligence reports reveal that a key Karnataka BJP minister and Bellary strongman allegedly paid radical outfits to orchestrate riots in the city. A minister, who runs mines in AP, had developed a grouse against the K. Rosaiah government for its swift action in curbing illegal mining and transport of ore and for its cancellation of mine leases. Using his money power, this minister had reportedly arranged funding to different outfits in the city. The state Congress leadership, which has got the information about the Karnataka minister’s alleged role, has communicated it to the AICC leadership. It is learnt that Congress president, Sonia Gandhi, who was briefed about the intelligence findings, has directed the state government to take firm steps in handling the law and order situation.

Meanwhile, Vijayawada Congress MP, Lagadapati Rajagopal, who met the Congress president’s political secretary, Ahmed Patel, also alleged that the Hyderabad riots were the handiwork of the BJP.
“It is all happening after Kishen Reddy took the reins of the party in the state,” he said. “The BJP wants to prove its existence in Hyderabad through this.” He appealed to the state government to curb the incidents with an iron hand and warned that Pakistan’s ISI would further exploit the situation.

Needless to say the victims of riots are always poor. Poverty has no religion. The riot-hit families never have any hope that the marauders will ever be brought to book. At best, some innocent people will be made scapegoats. Experience has made cynics of ordinary citizens.

Naim Naqvi

Mar

2010

Crocodile tears and lip sympathy of BJP for Sikhs

Posted by Naim Naqvi

Narendra Modi finally steps into the SIT’s witness box to explain his role in the 2002 communal violence that engulfed Gujarat, which lives on as one of the most scarring episodes in our recent history. This is a reminder why the trials must be exemplary, and one that holds the state machinery of that time to full answer on their complicity.

This special investigation team, headed by a former CBI director, was set up last year on the National Human Rights Commission’s plea to track 14 of the most critical cases from sites like Gulbarg Society, Naroda Patiya and Sadarpur. This is the first, preliminary step to determine whether Zakia Jafri’s (widow of a Congress MP killed in one of the communal flashpoints) testimony has enough substance for a full-blown FIR and criminal investigations against Modi and the other accused. Despite the Supreme Court’s full backing, the SIT’s integrity has been questioned by a range of civil society voices, who claimed that three of the investigating officers are from Gujarat cadre, one even directly implicated in Jafri’s list. But both Modi and the SIT director took pains to clarify that his interrogation was conducted by a non-Gujarat officer. The questioning lasted nine hours, though there is little detail on the content of the proceedings.

The legal process on Gujarat so far resembles an obstacle race, and it has created an exploitable vacuum — on one hand, stories about the 2002 violence have been inflated and dramatised by many activists, as if the real violence wasn’t terrible enough. On the other hand, Modi’s ideological brethren have reacted with defiance, keeping up a mechanical “1984” chant every time the matter is brought up. Of course, the Congress’s glibness was also on display, as they dismissed Modi’s SIT appearance. “In public perception, Modi has been held guilty,” the Congress spokesperson sweepingly claimed — never mind what public perception is of the 1984 accused who have managed to dodge justice this far. Between them, they have managed to reduce the tangible horror of Gujarat into a set of rhetorical talking points. Activists too must resist the temptation to turn every development into a point-scoring opportunity. It would be a great disservice to the victims if we turn the tragedy into a tale told, and distract from the laborious, important work left — that of making sure that we clinically extract a thorough accounting from those in Gujarat’s
administration during those awful days in 2002.

Crocodile tears of BJP for SIKH communityBy: Naim Naqvi | Monday , 29 Mar ‘10 10:32:54 AM Reply | Forward 1984 was the horrendous incident of history. The perpetrators of that unfortunate aberration should have been dealt with long ago. Please tell me if congress was complacent than who stopped your great able Statesman P.M.Vajpayee and your Steel Loh Purush Advani to expedite the investigations when they were in power? Why they wasted so many years and didn’t bring the SIKH killing episode to the logical end ? These RSS bajrangess who are shedding crocodile tears for Sikhs today have no sympathy with any one. They need their votes and money to stay in power in Punjab and keep calling Congress names. I can understand the vulnerability of Sikh community to the propaganda of RSS but I’m sure, by now, they also have realized that this fascist organization which has many venomous heads of chimera is cornering the cow to the shed. They are trying to milk the cow of Sikh sympathy to divert the attention from the noose that is tightening for alleged complicity and patronage of Mody.

Naim Naqvi

Mar

2010

WWF- India must apologise to Abhishek Bachchan

Posted by Naim Naqvi

Abhishek Bachchan

Conservation and environmental protection are laudable objectives but conservation of human values and fundamental principles of decency are also equally important.

TO ME Abhishek Bachchan is no different then any of the lucky breed of politicians, businessmen, actors. That they should enjoy the fruits of their heritage is very much in consonance with the law of nature. We, the lesser mortals, may feel envy, jealousy, helplessness, resentment or satisfaction and pleasure on their lot but it doesn’t matter. They have every right to avail what has fallen in their lap. I do also firmly believe that no one should deprive them of their bounties as long as they follow the laws of civilised society. Simply they are luckier than others.

The subject of this discussion is Abhishek Bachchan. He is a thorough gentleman and a tolerably good actor, a lucky husband. That he has got easy lollipops in the beginning of his career was never unexpected.

However, being the son of a mega star didn’t help him much. Those who were jealous of the success of Amitabh tried to smother the career of his son. He is not counted much even today.

Though I have never liked the politics of Amitabh Bachcan, I have always held him in high regards for his acting talents. I have always felt that artists, being impulsive and emotional, are not the correct material for politics. These masters of acting can play their roles with aplomb only on stage or screen. They are incapable to play and survive in the dirty game of politics because they don’t understand it. Ronald Reagan or MGR and some of his / her peers are exceptions to the rule. Amitabh got his fingers burned in politics long ago and he should have withdrawn. Today, the humiliation heaped on his son is not at all the result of Abhishek’s doing. If WWF was so afraid of government, why did this body involve Junior Bachchan in the campaign from the beginning? It had no right to insult junior Bachchan. This act is unethical and must be condemned in highest terms.

For the benefit of the readers I would shed some light on WWF – India itself.

First, it is not a government body and it takes its decisions independently. WWF-India is one of the largest conservation organisation engaged in wildlife and nature conservation in the country. It was established as a charitable trust on November 27, 1969, and it has an experience of over four decades in the field. From a modest beginning, the organisation was propelled forward by the efforts of its founders and associates who volunteered their time and energy to lend momentum to this movement. A part of WWF International, the organisation has made its presence felt through a sustained effort not only towards nature and wildlife conservation, but sensitising people by creating awareness through capacity building and enviro-legal activism. A challenging, constructive, science-based organisation WWF addresses issues like the survival of species and habitats, climate change and environmental education.

Historically, WWF-India started as a wildlife conservation organisation with a focus on protecting a particular species of wild flora and fauna. Over the years, the perspective broadened to reflect a more holistic understanding of conservation issues facing the country. To suit India’s specific ecological and socio-cultural situation, WWF-India articulated its mission in 1987 as follows:
“The promotion of nature conservation and environmental protection as the foundation for sustainable and equitable development.”

Conservation and environmental protection are laudable objectives but conservation of human values and fundamental principles of decency are also equally important. Humiliating Abhishek Bachchan was a mistake, an umbrage, a faux pas and it was done just to be in the good books of the Gandhi family. It would boomerang even upon those whom they have tried to please. There is no compromise on basic principles. Apologise before its too late!

Naim Naqvi

Mar

2010

Premarital sex is not an offence: SC ???

Posted by Naim Naqvi

In an observation that would mightily cheer liberals, the Supreme Court said on Tuesday that live-in relationships and pre-marital sex could not be considered offences.

“When two adult people want to live together what is the offence?” asked a three judge bench comprising of Chief Justice K.G. Balakrishnan, and Justices Deepak Verma and B.S. Chauhan. “Living together is not an offence. It cannot be an offence.”

The court pointed out that even Lord Krishna and Radha had lived together according to mythology.

The judges made the observations while reserving judgment on a special leave petiton filed by Tamil actress Khushboo seeking to quash 22 criminal cases filed against her in Tamil Nadu for allegedly endorsing pre-maritial sex in interviews to various magazines in 2005.

Khushboo was present during the entire hearing and was seated in the first row, dressed immaculately in an orange salwar with a green dupatta wrapped casually and her goggles fixed on her forehead.

The judges asked a battery of lawyers appearing for the complainants what was the offence the actress committed while expressing such views.

The lawyers argued that her comments would mislead young people and lead to decay in moral values. They said that if prominent people make such statements, it would create chaos in society.

“People of Tamil Nadu were worshipping her as Goddess but this is what they got out of her worship,” said a lawyer, but the court was not impressed.

“Please tell us what is the offence and under which section,” said the court. “Living together is a right to life.”

The judges also pointed out that views expressed by Khushboo were personal and did not concern others. In a democratic country, people had the right to express views, they said.

“How does it concern you?” they asked. “We are not bothered. At the most it is a personal view. How is it an offence? Under which provision of the law?”

“You have to establish a cognizable offence,” said the judges. “That this may have affected the public morality that is your view but we are only concerned with the law.”

The apex court further asked the complainants to produce evidence to show if any young girls had eloped after the actress gave the interview.

“How many homes have been affected?” the judges asked, and enquired whether the complainants had daughters. When the lawyers replied in the negative, they shot back, “Then how are you adversely affected?”

Meanwhile, Khushboo’s lawyer, Ms Pinkey Anand, alleged that her client had been targeted for political reasons. Even her clarification on the issue was not published in proper perspective by the media, said the counsel.

” She had not made any reference about Tamil Nadu women but this part was not published,” Ms Anand said.

The lawyer added that there was nothing wrong in Khushboo’s statement. “Indian society should be liberated from the thinking that a women should be a virgin (at the time of marriage),” she argued.

Khusboo had approached the apex court after the Madras High Court in 2008 dismissed her plea for quashing the criminal cases.

Naim Naqvi

Mar

2010

“KHOLO” – The Favorite demand of Akshay Kumar

Posted by Naim Naqvi

Akshey Kumar

What do you make of high profile lyricist Javed Akhtar endorsing Jaypee Cement? Om Puri for another brand of cement in the back drop of high rise buildings and airplane ?

The spectacle of celebrities in brazen cynical self-devaluation has had a certain undeniable force over the years. We have Big B selling some cool cool thanda thanda liquid fat. Should I consider him an exception owing to his growing age and believing myself charitable ?

It’s a mad mad world of creativity…..
For some, their profession hangs heavy round their necks and some are cut out for their jobs. We have Aamir Khan who is synonymous with Perfection we have Salman Khan who is famous for his brawn and generosity; we have Shahrukh Khan who has a Midas touch in every touch, of course with the exception of Knight Riders. But the one who flies at the tangent is our ‘Smooth Operator’ Akshay Kumar ‘The Machismo’ from Parantha Gali. Like his worthy colleagues of silver screen Akshay Kumar has several ‘worthy to ignore’ add campaigns to his credit. However, three of his performances have some very similar interesting story line and it can be put in one simple double-connotation word KHOLO (open up). This word seems to signify his brand of ‘Machoism’.

I have no hesitation in accepting that he is a man who has definitely changed the rules of the game. You can say he has almost rewritten it on his own terms. He had pushed the borders of decency to father horizons of hitherto somber add world. I’m not talking of condom adds or sweet Puja Bedi.

If the memory of the public is not worn out, let them remember the day when star Akshya Kumar was honored by President of India with the prestigious Padma award. On the same glorious day he was also seen in an obscene gesture at Lakme Fashion Show where he got buttons of his pants opened by his wife Twinkle. How unabashedly he pampers his wife to de-zip his pant before the spell bound and shocked audience ? Many law suits followed that adventure and he and his wife got easy escape from law.

Recently Akshay replaced Salman as Dollar innerwear brand ambassador. The add has its usual shor-sharaba and it begins with a shot where he asks 26 number bus to some punky funky gangsters and subdues them in a jiffy (an old Engglish theme which in different avatars have been repeated in Hindi films). In the next shot he becomes an embodiment of virtue and modesty and reminds a damsel in distress about ‘Aapka button khula hai !” The KHULA (open up or open down) word again is the climax of the theme.

And lo we have ‘Thumps Up – the tastes of thunder !” Again we find our macho man dangling in the air with a senorita comfortably ensconced in his lap on the plank of the suspender. The poor devil-may-care gymnast discusses about the very personal chase and follow-up query which again ends at a benign request – KHOLO ! This time again the same word come handy and it is about the bottle of Thumps Up ! Any comfort ?
After the luke-warm success of ‘Singh Is King’ he continues to appeal us with action, delight and comedy on screen which are turning out to be the damp squib.

His journey from KHOLO to KHULA and back to KHOLO might be an interesting coincidence of his life.

On a serious note – A recent survey conducted jointly by IMRB and i-Pan of over 2000 respondents, across 12 cities ( small and big metros) found that 86 percent of those interviewed admitted that the ad they most remembered had a celebrity. Ironically, only 3 percent said it influenced their buying decision. The IMRB study found that “more than the celebrity pull, factors like quality, price and experience ultimately drove consumers purchasing pattern.” Only 22% of this sample believes that the celebrities actually use the products endorsed.

Naim Naqvi

Mar

2010

Saina Nehwal has to read the Facebook of Sania Mirza

Posted by Naim Naqvi

saina nehwal and sania mirza

THE TUMULTUOUS brouhaha of Indian Premier League took its toll on one individual’s great success story. In the commercially triggered cosmetic euphoria media criminally ignored and reduced the greatest achievement of the finest Indian woman badminton player Saina Nehwal into a damp squib. The reticent, sober and wonderful player was content with the rationed laurels and the left-handed compliments she got. She didn’t complain. The country failed to exult the way it should. Silently but gracefully Saina climbed to the top fifth position in the world badminton ranking. The new feather in her cap is followed by her spectacular stellar performance at the All England Championship where she reached the semifinal.

Perhaps ,she was short of the glamour quotient!

Once upon a time there was a name with several nicknames to her credit – the ace Indian tennis player, tennis sensation of India, the tennis star of India, youth icon of India or the lone Indian flag bearer at world tennis circuit – Sania Mirza. She was a rage in India when she reached the forth round of US Open in 2005. She is the only Indian woman to reach the forth round of any Grand Slam event. She is also the first Indian to get into the top 50 WTA (Women’s Tennis Association) rankings. High rankings of her career till date are like 27 in singles and 18 in doubles.

In those memorable days each tournament was a new stepping stone towards the new triumphs. She remained unfazed when most of the Mullahs, with the exception of Mirza Mohammed Athar of Lucknow, hounded her for her dress or even for her act of playing tennis. But in due course of time, her lack of experience or guidance exposed her feet of clay. She allowed the brand Sania to take over the tennis player Sania. Ultimately she broke down.

Then came another mile stone of her life. Sania’s father announced that Sania Mirza engaged to her childhood companion and business scholar from their hometown Hyderabad. Even before the two got engaged, questions were asked whether Sohrab Mirza could cope with the demands of being life-partner to a widely-travelled, hugely-popular athlete. Unfortunately, the worst fears of the cynics proved true and premonitions persisted and won. Her father Imran, who coaches Sania and manages her career, called off his daughter’s engagement to Mohammed Sohrab Mirza. Sania did put up a bold face in the adversity and categorically refused to get into the why and what of the matter. She confirmed her engagement was off. “We were friends for half a decade, but found ourselves incompatible during our engagement period. I wish Sohrab the best in life.” Since then she hasn’t taken the break-up well as her results on court show. But with hard work and luck we hope and pray that Sania will definitely be the top tennis player in world one day.

Someone has commented – Sania Mirza hasn’t had the best of starts to the 2010 season – on and off court. A broken service game is one thing, but a broken engagement or a broken heart, is quite another.

I believe that like the several snide criticism of mullahs and other persistent controversies haunting Sania, she would have been able to surmount the challenges. It were not the natural calamities or a bad engagement that pushed down Sania; it were the pressures of brand SANIA that proved he Waterloo; it was super stardom which consumed Sania.

Here is something that own new deity Saina Nehwal has to learn from the odyssey of poor Saniya. The new glittering star of badminton much know that the sumptuous blend of celebrity endorsements, featured appearances, adoring fans, fame and money are a cocktail too heady for tender young minds to bear.

Everyone can’t be a Sachin Tandulkar.

Naim Naqvi

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