International Film Festival of India

IFFI which was recently held in Goa, is perhaps one of the best places where you can see movies which have been critically acclaimed and interact with actors, producers and directors. The ten day festival which takes place in the city of Panaji in Goa, is almost situated at the coast, in fact one of the theatres has the beach in its premises. The festival is not only of Indian acclaim but it also receives appreciation from a worldwide audience and  the guest list includes directors and actors of international national fame. This year was no different with stars like Amitabh Bachan, Akshay Kumar, Amir khan, Ranbir Kapoor, Ilyana D’cruz, Imtiaz Ali, Muzzafar Ali, Vinay Pathak and many others attending the festival from India and the likes of Ang Li (world premiere of his Life Of Pi took place here), Suzane Bier ( Oscar winning director), Jacob Switzer, Jakub Tarkowski and Tomasz Leniask ( Polish directors) were among a long list of other international guests who attented the festival. Although the approximate number of movies screened during the 10 day long festival was 250, one movie which remained the centre of attraction was Ang Li’s “Life Of Pi” which had its world premiere during the same time. The International Film Festival, remained true to its words, with it telecasting movies from around the world and celebrating world cinema in its true form, and once again allowing people to come close by giving them a platform to meet and know the world as seem through a camera lens, for it is said “that movies are the mirror of society.”

Spitting glory !!!

We all, over the years have come across, the periodic discoloring of walls, buildings, stairs and mostly all of the public property that we see daily, but what we fail to grasp is that, this excellent piece of modern art and graffiti is not one of the projects undertaken by the government. Rather it is the excellent work of some men amongst us, who achieve a sense of glory when they recolor the public places. But sadly this art of theirs is not a dying one, although tobacco still continues to be hazardous to life and is being banned throughout the country, the art of spitting still continues.

 This is, I guess, the dedication of these men that makes sure that this, no good; danger to life, art form, is still prevailing. The reason that this art form is still prospering is because it gets the support of the educated, urban class with much status and dignity, how else do you explain it exceedingly doing well in the metropolitan cities. I mean for a country to prosper, it is essential that it continues to believe in its culture and spitting has over the years become our culture. But as a nation is this what we want us to be seen as, a bunch of HOMO SAPIEN SAPIENS, who can walk, talk, eat, and most imp of all, have power of endless spitting. 

I know that my saying all these things won’t stop people from spitting, but I hope you do think about it for a minute, I mean if you won’t do it in your own house, why do it outside it. Yes I understand that this has become a habit and old habits die hard but they do die, change is inevitable no matter how big or small, things change and that is the hope with which I am writing this article. Hope this brings some change and for some good.

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