ROMANCING THE TRAIN A chance meeting between two strangers. It’s hate at first sight which gradually turns to friendship and eventually love. Jab We Met revolves around the lead pair of Kareena Kapoor and Shahid Kapoor, but no less important is the "character" which brings them ‘together – the train. No wonder director Imtiaz Ali has called his film an advertisement for the "Great Indian Railways". Since the dawn of cinema, this mode of public transport has fascinated filmmakers the world over. In popularity, it has always been way ahead of the bus, the plane and the ship. Anything can happen on a reel train – romance, sex, suicide, murder, robbery, kidnapping, hijacking, sabotage and what not. Contrasting fates are in store for various passengers: for some, the journey marks a new beginning or an escape from a nightmarish world; for others, it brings separation, exile or even death. In this jet-set-go age, movie stars might be shuttling between cities and countries by air, but on-screen the good old railgaadi is still chugging along merrily. This year’s Emraan Hashmi flick The Train was a straight lift from the Clive Owen thriller Derailed. American director Wes Anderson’s The Darjeeling Limited is the story of the three Whitman brothers, who try in vain to settle their differences while travelling across India on the eponymous train. When did this reel-rail affair begin? Flashback to 1903 – Edwin S. Porter made the The Great Train Robbery, which created a blueprint for railroad action scenes. Since then, train robberies have been a staple ingredient of Westerns, most memorably Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid (1969). Michael Crichton paid a tribute to Porter’s pioneering movie by giving its name to his own 1979 entertainer. In Hindi cinema, the wheels were set rolling in the 1930s by Toofan Mail, Deccan Queen and Miss Frontier Mail. The latter showcased Fearless Nadia as the daredevil heroine who wowed audiences by fighting the baddies on the roof of a high-speed train. Before he entered films, "Master of Suspense" Alfred Hitchcock was so hooked on rail timetables that he used to learn them by heart. That partly explains why there are compartment scenes in several of his works, including The 39 Steps (1935), Strangers on a Train (1951) and North by Northwest (1959). His espionage spoof The Lady Vanishes (1938) was almost entirely set on a trans-European train. Hitchcock made brilliant [...]
Archive for January 2nd, 2008
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TERROR ATTACKS IN UP
January 2nd, 2008 
Tejinder August 14, 2000: Blast on Sabarmati Express in Faizabad kills 10. The same day, explosions in Kanpur kill nine peopleAugust 15: The next day, explosion in Lucknow Assembly Canteen. No one injured July 5, 2005: Fidayeen attack on the Ramjamabhoomi disputed site. All five terrorists killed. July 28: Shramjeevi Express blast near Jaunpur kills five March 7, 2006: Two explosions in Varanasi – at the Sankat Mochan temple and railway station kill 20 May 22, 2007: Tiffin-box bombs go off in Gorakhpur. Six injured November 23: Serial blasts on three court premises claim over a dozen lives. HuJI blamed . Why UP ? The state seems to be terror’s next target after Jammu and Kashmir. Some reasons why this is the case: Major militant outfits have found suitable base, building on the infrastructure developed by Harkat-ul Ansar in 1993. Jaish-e-Mohammad, Harkat-ul-Jehad-e- Islami and the Hizb-ul Mujahideen, splinter groups of Harkat-ul Ansar, have presence in western UP. The Lashkar-e-Tayyeba uses SIMI’s infrastructure in the region. IB has not been able to check the terror network that has grown manifold in the last five years. The state has also been lax in prose cuting terrorists. Though the Hapur-Moradabad-Bareilly-Rampur belt was most vulnerable to terror modules, police never followed leads. UP police totally dependent on the central agencies. Why terror thrives in UP? The attack on the Central Reserve Police Force camp at Rampur marks a paradigm shift in strategy and tactics of jihadi groups, hellbent on making Uttar Pradesh their major theatre of operation – the four terrorists who escaped are believed to be part of a fidayeen squad. This is the second fidayeen attack after the failed attempt at Ayodhya’s Ramjanmabhoomi complex on July 5, 2005. Five terrorists were killed then. Needless to say, the state has been on the terror radar for 14 years. A fresh tide of attacks has made it the worst affected state besides Jammu and Kashmir. Security experts are baffled at the sheer intensity of terror groups and their growing presence in UP, which they say has become the best bet in keeping the ’cause alive’. ”It is surprising UP has suffered a major terrorist attack when J&K has had none in five months. It is a clear pointer that the terror groups are making up in UP for what they have been denied in the Valley and other places by the security forces,” said a [...]
Christianity and Astrology
January 2nd, 2008 krishna Every religion lays down it own principles of prayer. It is an act of surrender to the Almighty. It may be Islam, Hinduism, Christianity or any religion of the world. Thursday is believed to be a sacred day for prayers. Astrologically, Thursday is ruled by planet Jupiter that’s religious in character. It lays the code of conduct of worship, rules of fasting, pilgrimage, puja, mantra, namaaz, prarthana & duaa. The tarot card presents a majestic man with flowing hair and Olympian beard, holding a sacred eagle at his feet. According to Christian scriptures, this symbolises Jesus Christ; the monarch and father of men who acquits himself of his duties and protecting the innocent and chastising the wicked. Jupiter in good houses of horoscope gives protection, esteem, power, money and all worldly possessions. If afflicted, it is a sign of disappointment in career and marriage. The position also gives loss in stock market, deception and misfortune. The ill effect of Jupiter can be rectified by recitation of Ramayana, Geeta, and Quraan & Bible. Jupiter is a means to infuse discipline in one’s life in accordance to his respective religion. A devout Christian has to recite with complete conviction the sixth chapter of the Gospel of Matthew wherein Lord Jesus himself has recorded His words. · Wear a Cross which reminds you of God, death, good deeds, sacrifices and strength to forgive. · Do your charitable deeds on Thursday for your reward from Heaven. Let not your left hand know what your right hand is doing. · When you fast or pray, do not be like the hypocrites. · Recite four words Ma-Ra-Na-Tha for 20 minutes in total silence. Eastern Christians call it HESYCHIA. It purifies your heart, mind and gives you strength & wisdom. · It is believed if the above process is followed on X-Mas day, the malefic effect of Jupiter is rectified. It brings Jesus Christ nearer to you. Theologian JB Phillips says “Christianity is not a religion but a way of living and falling in love with God. And through Him a joyous journey to Heaven”. However Jupiter marks the ‘day of celebration as Jesus Christ bestows love & blessings on the native to transform him from a sinner into a saint.
CHAMBA
January 2nd, 2008 krishna Situated at the higher reaches of the Ravi Valley, 56 -Ian from Dalhousie, Chamba is perched on a little plateau about 100 m above the river. The capital of an ancient kingdom, this town was founded in 920 AD by Raja Sahil Varma who named it Chamba after his favorite daughter Champavati. Isolated in this valley by the high ranges, it has developed its own style of architecture and art. Much of this heritage has been preserved and Chamba is known for the elegance of its temples and for its exquisite miniatures and handicrafts. Places of tourist interest Lakshminarayanan Temple: In a group are six ancient temples carved in stone, with tall vimanas. Dedicated to both Shiva and Vishnu, they were built around the 8th century AD. The Lakshminarayan Temple, the oldest in this group, is richly ornamented. Bhuri Singh Museum: On display is a collection of fine miniatures from the Kangra, Basholi and Chamba schools of painting. There are also murals and paintings from the Rang Mahal Palace which was damaged by fire. Chaugan: A large grassy meadow forms the heart of the town and the centre of all its cultural activities. Each year, the colourful Minjar Mela celebrating the harvest is held here. Chamunda Devi Temple: Just 1 km from the f Chaugan is a temple overlooking the river; Dedicated to the goddess Chamunda Devi, the temple is embellished with fine wood carving. Katasan Devi Temple: A popular place of pilgrimage, the temple has a beautiful view of the Chamba Valley. Sarol: Lovely landscaped gardens, a sheep breeding centre and apiary make Sar9l an interesting place for picnics. Jhamwar: Located amid dense forests, Jhamwar is noted for its apple orchards. Saho: Situated on a high plateau on the banks of the River Sal, Saho is famous for the temple to Chandrashekhar – Lord Shiva, with his moon crown. Salooni : Another place with breath-taking views of the snow-capped ranges. Hidden Treasures of Chamba District: Bharmaur: Surrounded by alpine pastures, this is the summer home of the nomadic Gaddis. At a distance of 69 Km from Chamba town; Bharmaur, once known as Brahmpur, was between the 6th and 10th centuries, the capital of the princely state of Chamba. It is renowned for its cluster of temples collectively known as the ‘Chaurasi’. Though of varying architectural design, these temples are noted for their fine workmanship. Legend has it that [...]
