Serendipity!

Bollywood Remakes

2012-01-29T10:14:00.001+05:30

With the new trend of movie remakes that’s going on in Bollywood these days.. question such as the justice done to the old movies or that if it’s the right thing to do etc etc come up.. If you ask me .. my answer is whats wrong in remaking a movie?? I mean you are making it clear that it’s a remake that you are remaking the movie and making it more apt for the modern age..why should there be any controversy about it?? Its not like you are copying it and then not giving the original movie any credit.

Don was initially made when I was not even born and I never really saw the movie, ofcourse I was aware that its an awesome movie and a must watch but somehow maybe due to the generation gap or I didn’t want to watch old movie I never saw it.. same thing with sholay (I still haven’t watched sholay in one go, always saw it in bits and parts) it happens because those movie never connected to me. But when Ram Gopal Verma ki AAG was due release I had this sudden desire to watch the original sholay, and then RGV ki Aag failed miserably that just supported the fact that sholay is an all time classic. Same with Don, I had never seen the original Don but I was super excited to watch Farhan Akhtar’s Don because it connected to me.. being a sharukh fan I was all set to watch it first day first show.. and now same will happen with Agneepath.. I am already downloading the original Agneepath so that I know if I should appreciate or criticize the new Agneepath.

But all said and done, I am always for the Remakes of the movie… sometimes I wonder that my kids wont grow up with cartoons like Tom and Jerry or noddy or mickey and Donald or duck tales or our Disney princess snow white, Cinderella, rapunzell etc…and it upsets the hell out of me.. but if they remake it and make it more apt for the generation next maybe they’ll like it maybe they will grow up with just the right cartoons and bed time stories and not the silly dhishum dhishum cartoons they watch these days or the video games they are addicted to these days

Flash Mob at CST Station

2011-12-01T19:45:00.004+05:30

"Rang De Basanti" song started playing at CST railway station.. and a girl just started dancing to the tune and before we know it 100s of people joined in and danced for four and a half minute. This is such a novel idea just dancing together with people who you don't know personally but maybe share the same 5.33pm thane fast. Also this Flash Mob concept shows that anything can happen in Mumbai... also the bonding that can be seen between the citizens is really needed. Sometimes when everything is just routine and no extra spice to it we tend to start cribbing about each and everything around but something like this that happens really just makes you feel good inside though i wasn't there for the dance but just looking at this video makes me feel good, at one point of time i also had tears in my eye :) ... it somehow shows me that little bit of Mumbai Spirit which i had criticized a bit in my previous blog post and honestly i somehow am sad about the fact that i was no where attached to any of this.

I am a die hard bollywood movie fan, and you see these kind of things in Karan Johar movies, where the hero / heroine starts singing about her new found love and starts dancing and everyone just somehow joins in and everything looks so sweet and goodie good..i always wondered does this really happen? I mean 100s of people dancing together on the road except of Ganpati Visarjan, Holi and when India wins the World Cup. And this incident is just picked out from my dream also the song is very close to we... i just freaking wish i was there!!!!

I also want to thank all those people who did this Flash Mob, its real hardwork guys to do so much and also get the permission for all this... and you guys did a wonderful job :)

26/11 Forgotten????

2011-11-27T11:18:00.000+05:30

Yesterday we completed 3yrs of the worst terrorist attack i have ever witnessed.. but somehow it was sad to realise that people have already forgotten all about it. I mean last year on 26/11 there were peace rallies all over the city and candle light march, there was a big candle light march at the Taj hotel and Gateway of India, but yesterday there was nothing... as if nothing has ever happened there. Is this what the so called "Mumbai Spirit" is? The attack was 3yrs back guys not 30yrs back for everyone to just forget about it and go on with life as if nothing significant happened on that day.

Kasab is still alive with no punishment given... you cant just forget about it.. Look at America 10years after the 9/11 attack they killed the man behind it. And we have the man we have the witnesses we have the proof but still he is alive enjoying in the jail while the Indians have just forgotten about it. SHAME ON US GUYS!

Here is a link of my 26/11/ 2009 post... some pictures of the candle light march at Taj.

Sharad Pawar SLAPPED!!!

2011-11-24T20:00:00.005+05:30

In Delhi, random dude slapped an elderly man. What's new?

Ya so Sharad Pawar got slapped by a common man Harvinder Singh. And NCP blows it out of the hand by creating riots and bands all over Mumbai, Pune and Satara.. I mean really? How is that going to help anyway? By doing all this you are basically piling on to the miseries and problems of the common man, exactly the reason why Harvinder slapped Sharad Pawar. And honestly does this even justify anything? I mean millions of people get slapped everyday if we start doing riots and strikes… you can imagine what kind of dangerous world it will be then. Now you might say that Sharad Pawar is a big political personality and everything which is why this becomes national news, to which I would only ask you one question.. “Really???? “ I mean name me one thing he did that was good and beneficial for our country.

The news channels are also giving this out of proportion importance. They are clearly saying that this is a wrong act by Harvinder and is not accepted, and are trying to give their sympathies to Pawar by saying that he is old now and that Harvinder should have thought atleast about his age etc. Well does Pawar thinks even once about the poor farmers who commit suicide even before reaching his age, they have not even experienced how it feel to be old.

So basically what media and our Politicians are saying is that, when the government authorities beat up people who are voicing their feeling and anger.. is completely justified ( need I remind you about Ramlila maidan where the lathi charge took place when people gathered to support Anna Hazare and Ramdev baba, and congress had completely justified that the lathi charge act. ) but when a common man slaps a politician its not justified. Also a Politician recently quoted a dialogue from a bollywood movie,” bade bade desho mein aisi choti choti baatein hoti rehti hai” ( Meaning – small small things like this keeps happening in big big countries )during the terriorist attack in Mumbai ( this also reminds me that there is no follow up yet on that bomb blast and I guess the people who did it are free and are probably enjoying themselves right now) so basically when a politician says things like a bomb blast is a small matter it is of no importance, no other political party revolts against it or say a word against him and well our media also doesn’t highlight it much but a corrupt politician getting slapped is a bigggg news.

And now that we are talking about violence, recently two young boys were killed in public because they protected the girls in their group from eve teasing. And of what I know, the politicians visited the families of the accused and ensured them that they will get justice. Where were these political parties and the people who are creating all these riots then? Two young boys got killed and no one raising a word no one cares. And a corrupt politician gets slapped there is bandh all over Mumbai now.

Also, what about Kasab?? He is about to complete his 3yrs free stay in India. He killed like atleast a dozen people and are we protesting or doing anything against it? Guess killing people and people getting killed is not that very important for our political parties and also our media who has completely helped everyone to forget about all these matters, but a corrupt politician getting slapped by an ordinary man is a national news… breaking news flashes on every news channel… it will hit the headlines tomorrow and more riots and everything will happen.. maybe Sikhs will now be the enemy of these NCP people and other political parties and then there will be a much bigger scene created out of nothing.

Like honestly where is this country going? There are so many bigger issues left out and still all they care about is this?

Mount Mary, Bandra

2011-11-20T10:46:00.002+05:30

Rockstar

2011-11-14T10:06:00.000+05:30

So i saw Rockstar yesterday, and i was really very disappointed with it. I had very high expectations from the movie and somehow i came out of the theater disappointed.

The start was good, and the everything was in order before the interval... the dialogues were nice and made you laugh, Ranbir was at his level best, and it was a delight to see Shammi Kapoor on screen, A R Rahman has done magic with his music once again, a few scenes were a delight to watch, esp when the manager drags Ranbir from the brothel and tries to explain him how he is going off track when the whole street is dying to just shake hands with jordan and ranbir is trying to argue back how lonely he is...that scene really stayed with me.. also when he meets up his college friends and all they care about is taking picture with the famous rockstar Jordan, while is dying to share is lonelyness with them.well thats so true, we all forget that the rich and famous are not just some showpiece to take picture with they also have their own set or worries and problems... but thats about it.

The part after the interval was bit of a puzzle for me, where i was constantly trying to figure things out. yes the screenplay and the new way of showcasing done was a novel idea but would have worked out well had they worked better on it so as to give out a clear picture, and not just a vague idea. the story never grew towards the end, it was the same what was in the first 15mins post - interval.. repeated again and again.

The end was abrupt and i guess instead of the repetitive scene towards the last 20mins of the movie they could have used it to improvise the end.

the silver lining is, i liked the over all look of the movie,, Ranbir's clothes, the rock concerts and the beautiful places it was shot in. Ranbir has really evolved from the cute sawariya boy to the rockstar Janardhan Jakkar aka JJ aka Jordan.

Media et Bollywood

2011-11-12T10:25:00.002+05:30

News channels and News papers generally are the mediums through which we make the common man aware of the happening in the society and around the world. Where the important news are published so that people get to know what is right and what is wrong.

Ofcourse always reading the very serious news is not very exciting, that’s when Page 3 comes in, where news about your favorite celeb is published, their interviews and future projects etc etc. But the problem arises when the personal space of the celeb is not taken care of by the journalists. It hardly matters what they are doing in their personal life, who they go out with or who they are dating or who broke up with whom. As a media person every journalist should keep in mind that the celebs are not public property to print anything about them. They also have a personal life, a personal space which should not be disturbed for no reason or rather for the sake of pure sadist pleasure.

Instead of doing this in depth research on some film actress, wouldn’t it be better if they use the same skill and hard work to bring out the corrupt doings of some politician??

Another problem is, when the whole essence of a newspaper is lost because of the increasing number of page 3 articles. There are some news channels and news paper which are popular only because of their page 3 contents, which is really sad. But the thing is they use it as their strategy, they cook up some scandalizing story about them and create a bigger buzz about it.

According to me, there should be a balance between the two, real news and the page 3 content.

Gateway And Taj

2011-11-09T09:19:00.000+05:30

Mount Mary, Bandra

2011-11-06T11:38:00.000+05:30

Police Never On Time!!!

2011-11-05T22:49:00.000+05:30

So today i was waiting for a cab near a bus stop when a lady came to me and asked me if i had forgotten my purse at the bus stop.. i denied! she then said that, there is a purse in a plastic bag kept beneath the bus stop seat...

she then asked if we should touch it or call the police and inform them.. she mentioned the recent bomb blast which happened at Kabutar Khana, Dadar. which even hit a nerve inside me. i said that its better call police and not touch it. we looked around no police officer around, so we went to check around the corner to see if anyone is there, no police. we finally called 100 and told them about the bag, the police said that they will be there in a while. Thing is no one arrived ... after sometime both of us left. There is no bomb blast news yet on the TV so definitely what we found was just a normal bag.

But my point here is this, that if incase it really had some explosive and the police doesn't come on time, can you imagine the horrors that can cause. Does the police or ambulance or fire brigade reach on time ever??? I mean cool in hindi movies all this is acceptable as the hero gets more time to dhishum dhishum the goons and win over the heroine. But in real life that is hardly the case, we recently witnessed the Keenan Santos and Reuben Fernandes murder case, think had the police or ambulance come on time we could have saved their lifes.

Queen's Necklace :)

2011-11-05T11:41:00.001+05:30

if you could gimme some tips on night time photography then it will be appreciated :)

The Murder Of Keenan Santos and Reuben Fernandes

2011-11-04T11:50:00.004+05:30

The news of Keenan Santos and Reuben Fernandes's murder sent chills down my spine, especially for the news that it happened in Mumbai. I generally refer to Mumbai as a very safe and sound city with some bad elements but the power of good elements taking over the bad. But something like this, i never imagined in my wildest dreams.

10.30pm is not very late for the city which never sleeps, and Andheri is not an isolated place infact its a hub for youngsters at night, with awesome food joints available, pubs, clubs etc. I myself have hung out at these places at night, my profession is such that i have to travel late nights in the train.. and sometimes at 1am i am the only one travelling along with some other late night travelers.. now with such things happening am i to take the conclusion that i cant travel alone at night? oh to hell with me.. what about the million other women who are working in call centers and MNCs where they have to work late night? Is the city which never sleeps to function without women working at night? another thing which pops in my mind is.. if someday something like this happens to me, am i to stop my friends from helping me? am i to just quietly accept all the teasing without voicing a word or calling for help, because if i do its gonna cost them their life? another thing.. if you see someone getting molested on the street what will you do?? help her or just turn a blind eye because you know that helping her will cost you your life?

The record and the witnesses say that there were 13 people who came with swords and knifes... and police only got 4 to 5 people in their hand.. where are the others? disappeared??? the person who started everything Rana, who lives in Valimiki Nagar is sure that he will get off without any serious punishment, and he said this in public!!!!. Politicians from many parties were seen visiting Valmiki Nagar to meet the families of the accused and assured them that they will get JUSTICE! hello? excuse me?? what justice do they need?

The reasons there is no serious punishment or that the other killers are free and that politicians are promising justice to the families of the accused is all because , Valmiki Nagar is a major vote bank, and the politicians cant let go of their votes.

Keenan was stabbed in the stomach and died on the spot.. and Reuben was taken to hospital immediately, he was kept in ICCU and was unaware of Keenan's death...his condition was critical still the police forced entry under the pretense of interrogation during which Reuben realized about Keenan's death which was a blow to him. I dont really think the forced entry can be justified.. it was wrong! Reuben passed away on the 31st October after battling for life for a week.

Priyanka, Keenan's girlfriend, who was teased that night said that she will fight against this.. and whatever keenan started she will end it.. she wont let 2 of her best friends death to go waste. and we really need people like her right now.

Rana, the man who teased Priyanka already have 2 murder cases against him, how is it that he was freely roaming around and also killed 1 more person? and still saying publicly that he will be free in a few months time.

Our politicians have time for everything, from accusing one another.. to creating a scene out of nothing etc.. but when something serious like this happened which is practically threatening every female in the city they have run for their houses and sitting there quietly.

Diwali :)

2011-11-03T12:43:00.000+05:30

Acting is not acting - Al Pacino

2011-11-01T15:12:00.000+05:30

Acting is not acting - Al Pacino

So last few months were all dedicated in doing what i enjoy the most.. THEATER!!!

theater has a thing about itself.. the adrenaline rush you feel when you know that hundred's or people are watching you is amazing.

the energy that passes inside you after you here the third bell and when the curtain opens and the lights come in is something you will never experience in front of a camera after hearing lights... camera... action. Also the responsibility that whatsoever happens the show must go on is also thrilling, the fact that million things can go wrong in a live show and that you will have to put up with that and continue in such a way that the audience will never know what happened.

bad health, breakup, a row with mom back home or issues with friends etc anything that is going on in ur personal life is not to be shown on stage.. no matter how upset you are inside you still have to go there and perform with a smile on your face.. that's something theater has taught me.. to face things to let go of thing and move on and smile in front of the world.. cause of course if its your problem you should solve it not some third person right?

Diwali in Mumbai

2011-11-01T12:06:00.000+05:30

A new DSLR

2011-10-21T10:57:00.000+05:30

So i have got a new DSLR ... Canon 1100D and i couldnt stop taking pictures from it ... so ill upload some here and i want you guys to tell me how they are... and also some tips if possible :D

thank you.. and yes i also look forward to posting more often its just that.. well... with a hectic schedule it becomes really difficult to even get proper time for yourself let alone sit and blog.. so well... hope to be back soon :D

Scams Of India

2011-08-26T11:31:00.000+05:30

Jan Lokpal Bill

2011-08-26T11:10:00.001+05:30

The following Bill has been drafted only for setting up an institution of Lokpal at the centre. We propose that in this same Bill, provisions on the same model may be made for setting up similar institution of Lokayukta in each state.

Jan Lokpal Bill version 2.2

An act to create effective anti-corruption and grievance redressal systems at centre so that effective deterrent is created against corruption and to provide effective protection to whistleblowers.

1. Short title and commencement:- (1) This Act may be called the Jan Lokpal Act, 2010.

(2) It shall come into force on the one hundred and twentieth day of its enactment.

2. Definitions:- In this Act, unless the context otherwise requires,-

(1) “Action” means any action taken by a public servant in the discharge of his functions as such public servant and includes decision, recommendation or finding or in any other manner and includes willful failure or omission to act and all other expressions relating to such action shall be construed accordingly;

(2) “Allegation” in relation to a public servant includes any affirmation that such public servant-

(a) has indulged in misconduct, if he is a government servant;

(b) has indulged in corruption

(3) “complaint” includes any grievance or allegation or a request by whistleblower for protection and appropriate action.

(4) “corruption” includes anything made punishable under Chapter IX of the Indian Penal Code or under the Prevention of Corruption Act, 1988;

Provided that if any person obtains any benefit from the government by violating any laws or rules, that person along with the public servants who directly or indirectly helped that person obtain those benefits, shall be deemed to have indulged in corruption.

(5) “Government” or “Central Government” means Government of India.

(6) “Government Servant” means any person who is or was any time appointed to a civil service or post in connection with the affairs of the Central Government or High Courts or Supreme Court either on deputation or permanent or temporary or on contractual employment but would not include the judges.

(7) “grievance” means a claim by a person that he could not get satisfactory redressal according to citizen’s charter and despite approaching Public Grievance Officer of that Department;

(8) “Lokpal” means

a. Benches constituted under this Act and performing their functions as laid down under various provisions of this Act; or

b. Any officer or employee, exercising its powers and carrying out its functions and responsibilities, in the manner and to the extent, assigned to it under this Act, or under various rules, regulations or orders made under various provisions of this Act.

c. For all other purposes, the Chairperson and members acting collectively as a body;

(8A) “Minor penalty” and Major penalty” shall mean the same as defined in CCS Conduct Rules.

(9) “Misconduct” means misconduct as defined in relevant Conduct Rules and which has vigilance angle.

(10)"public authority" means any authority or body or institution of self- government established or constituted—

a. by or under the Constitution;

b. by any other law made by Parliament;

c. by notification issued or order made by the Government, and includes any body owned, controlled or substantially financed by the Government;

(11)“Public servant” means a person who is or was at any time,-

(a) the Prime Minister;

(b) a Minister;

(d) Judges of High Courts and Supreme Courts;

(e) a Government servant;

(f) the Chairman or Vice-Chairman (by whatever name called) or a member of a local authority in the control of the Central Government or a statutory body or corporation established by or under any law of the Parliament of India, including a co-operative society, or a Government Company within the meaning of section 617 of the Companies Act, 1956 and members of any Committee or Board, statutory or non-statutory, constituted by the Government;

(g) includes all those who are declared as “public servants” in section 2(c) of Prevention of Corruption Act 1988.

(h) Such other authorities as the Central Government may, by notification, from time to time, specify;

(12)“Vigilance angle” includes –

(a) All acts of corruption

(b) Gross or willful negligence; recklessness in decision making; blatant violations of systems and procedures; exercise of discretion in excess, where no ostensible/public interest is evident; failure to keep the controlling authority/superiors informed in time

(c) Failure/delay in taking action, if under law the government servant ought to do so, against subordinates on complaints of corruption or dereliction of duties or abuse of office by the subordinates

(d) Indulging in discrimination through one’s conduct, directly or indirectly.

(e) Victimizing Whistle Blowers

(f) Any undue/unjustified delay in the disposal of a case, perceived after considering all relevant factors, would reinforce a conclusion as to the presence of vigilance angle in a case.

(g) Make or undertake an unfair investigation or enquiry either to unduly help those guilty of corruption or incriminate the innocent.

(h) Any other matter as notified from time to time by the Lokpal

(13)“Whistleblower” is any person, who faces the threat of

(a) professional harm, including but not limited to illegitimate transfer, denial of promotion, denial of appropriate perquisites, departmental proceedings, discrimination or

(b) physical harm, or

because of either making a complaint to the Lokpal under this Act, or for filing an application under the Right to Information Act, 2005 or by any other legal action aimed at preventing or exposing corruption or mal-governance.

3. Establishment of the institution of Lokpal and appointment of Lokpal:

(1) There shall be an institution known as Lokpal which shall consist of one Chairperson and ten members along with its officers and employees.

(2) The Chairperson and members of Lokpal shall be selected in such manner as laid down in this Act.

(3) A person appointed as Chairperson or member of Lokpal shall, before entering upon his office, make and subscribe before the President, an oath or affirmation in the form as prescribed.

(4) The Government shall appoint the Chairperson and members of the first Lokpal and set up the institution with all its logistics and assets within six months of enactment of this Act.

(5) The Government shall fill up a vacancy of the Chairperson or a member caused due to

a) Retirement, 3 months before the member or the Chairperson retires.

b) Any other unforeseen reason, within a month of such vacancy arising.

Chairperson and Members of Lokpal

4. The Chairperson and members of Lokpal not to have held certain offices- The Chairperson and members of Lokpal shall not be serving member of either the Parliament or the Legislature of any State and shall not hold any office or trust of profit (other than the office as Chairperson or member) or carry on any business or practice any profession and accordingly, before he enters upon his office, a person appointed as the Chairperson or member of Lokpal shall-

(i) if he holds any office of trust or profit, resign from such office; or

(ii) if he is carrying on any business, sever his connection with the conduct and management of such business; or

(iii) if he is practicing any profession, suspend practice of such profession.

(iv) If he is associated directly or indirectly with any other activity, which is likely cause conflict of interest in the performance of his duties in Lokpal, he should suspend his association with that activity.

Provided that if even after the suspension, the earlier association of that person with such activity is likely to adversely affect his performance at Lokpal, that person shall not be appointed as a member or Chairperson of Lokpal.

5. Term of office and other conditions of service of Lokpal– (1) A person appointed as the Chairperson or member of Lokpal shall hold office for a term of five years from the date on which he enters upon his office or upto the age of 70 years, whichever is earlier;

Provided further that.-

(a) the Chairperson or member of Lokpal may, by writing under his hand addressed to the President, resign his office;

(b) the Chairperson or member may be removed from office in the manner provided in this Act.

(2) There shall be paid to the Chairperson and each member every month a salary equal to that of the Chief Justice of India and that of the judge of the Supreme Court respectively;

(3) The allowances and pension payable to and other conditions of service of the Chairperson or a member shall be such as may be prescribed;

Provided that the allowances and pension payable to and other conditions of service of the Chairperson or members shall not be varied to his disadvantage after his appointment.

(4) The administrative expenses of the office of the Lokpal including all salaries, allowances and pensions payable to or in respect of persons serving in that office, shall be charged on the Consolidated Fund of India.

(5) There shall be a separate fund by the name of “Lokpal fund” in which penalties/fines imposed by the Lokpal shall be deposited and in which 10% of the loss of Public Money recovered under section 19 of this Act shall also be deposited by the Government. Disposal of such fund shall be completely at the discretion of the Lokpal and such fund shall be used only for enhancement/upgradation/extension of the infrastructure of Lokpal.

(6) The Chairperson and members of Lokpal shall not be eligible for appointment to any position in Government of India or Government of any state or any such body which is funded by any of the governments or for contesting elections to Parliament, state legislatures or local bodies, if he has ever held the position of the Chairperson or a member for any period after demitting their office. A member could be appointed as a chairperson, provided that the total tenure both as member and as chairperson would not exceed five years and no member or chairperson would be eligible for reappointment or extension after completion of a five year term.

6. Appointment of the Chairperson and members:

1. The Chairperson and members shall be appointed by the President on the recommendation of a selection committee.

2. The following shall not be eligible to become Chairperson or Member of Lokpal:

(a) Any person, who is not a citizen of India

(b) Any person, who was ever chargesheeted for any offence under IPC or PC Act or any other Act or was ever penalized under CCS Conduct Rules.

(d) Any person, who was in the service of any government and has remitted office within the last two years, either by way of resignation or retirement.

3. At least four members of Lokpal shall have legal background. Not more than two members, including Chairman, shall be former civil servants.

Explanation: “Legal Background” means that the person should have held a judicial office in the territory of India for at least ten years or has been an advocate in High Court or Supreme Court for at least fifteen years.

4. The members and Chairperson should have unimpeachable integrity and should have demonstrated their resolve to fight corruption in the past.

5. A selection committee consisting of the following shall be set up:

a. The Prime Minister of India

b. Leader of Opposition in Lok Sabha

c. Two youngest judges of Supreme Court

d. Two youngest Chief Justices of High Courts.

e. Comptroller and Auditor General of India

f. Chief Election Commissioner

g. After the first set of selection process, the outgoing members and Chairperson of Lokpal.

6. The Prime Minister shall act as the Chairperson of the selection committee.

7. There shall be a search committee consisting of ten members.

8. Members of search committee shall be selected in the following manner:

a. The selection committee shall select five members of search committee from the former Comptroller and Auditor Generals of India and Chief Election Commissioners of India.

Provided that the following persons shall not be eligible for becoming members of search committee:

a) Any person who has had any substantive allegation of corruption against him

b) Any person who has either joined any political party after retirement or has had strong affiliations to any political party

c) Any person who is still in the service of the government in any capacity

d) Any person who took up a government assignment after retirement barring those assignments which are reserved for the post from which he has retired.

b. The five members selected above shall nominate five members from civil society.

9. The search committee shall invite recommendations from such class of people or such individuals as it deems fit. The recommendations should, interalia, contain the following details:

a. Personal details of the candidate being recommended

b. Details of any allegations faced by the candidate under any law or any allegations of moral turpitude in the past?

c. Details of his work against corruption in the past with documentary evidence.

d. Evidence from his past, if any, to show that he is a fiercely independent person and cannot be influenced.

e. Any other material that the search committee decides.

10. The following selection process shall be followed:

a. The list of candidates received above along with their details received in the format mentioned above shall be displayed on a website.

b. Public feedback shall be invited on these names.

c. The search committee may decide to use any means to collect more information about the background and past achievements of these candidates.

d. All the material obtained so far about the candidates shall be made available to each member of the search committee in advance. The members shall make their own assessment of each candidate.

e. The search committee shall meet and discuss the material so received about each candidate. The selections shall be made preferably through consensus.

Provided that if three or more members of search committee, for reasons to be recorded in writing, object to the selection of any member, he shall not be selected.

f. Search committee shall recommend three times the names as there are vacancies to the selection committee.

g. Selection committee shall select such number of candidates as there are vacancies to the Prime Minister. The selections shall be made preferably through consensus.

Provided that if three or more members of selection committee, for reasons to be recorded in writing, object to the selection of any member, he shall not be selected.

h. All meetings of search committee and selection shall be video recorded and shall be made public.

11. The Prime Minister shall recommend the names finalized by the selection committee to the President immediately, who shall order such appointments within a month of receipt of the same.

12. If any of the members of the selection committee retires while a selection process is going on, that member will continue on the selection committee till the end of that process.

7. Removal of Chairperson or members-

(1) The Chairperson or any member shall not be removed from his office except by an order of the President on one or more of the following grounds:

a. Proved misbehavior

b. Professional, mental or physical incapacity

c. Insolvency

d. Being charged of an offence which involves moral turpitude

e. Engaging while holding such office, in any paid employment

f. Acquiring such financial interests or other interests, which are likely to affect his functions as member or Chairperson prejudicially.

g. Being guided by considerations extraneous to the merits of the case under his consideration with a view to favoring someone or implicating someone through any act of omission or commission.

h. Unduly influencing or attempting to influence any government functionary.

i. Committing any act of omission or commission which is punishable under Prevention of Corruption Act or is a misconduct.

j. If a member or the Chairperson in any way, concerned or interested in any contract or agreement made by or on behalf of any public authority in the Government of India or Government of any state or participates in any way in the profit thereof or in any benefit or emolument arising there from otherwise than as a member and in common with the other members of an incorporated company, he shall be deemed to be guilty of misbehavior.

(3) The following process shall be followed in respect of petitions for the removal of any member or Chairperson of Lokpal:

(a) Any person may move a petition before the Supreme Court seeking removal of one or more of the members or Chairperson of Lokpal, alleging one or more of the grounds for removal and providing evidence for the same.

(b) The Supreme Court will hear the matter on receipt of such petition and may take one or more of the following steps:

(i) order an investigation by a Special Investigation Team appointed by the Supreme Court, if a prima facie case is made out and if the matter cannot be judged based on affidavits of the parties. The Special Investigation Team shall submit its report within three months.

(ii) Pending investigations by a Special Investigation Team under sub-clause (i), order withdrawal of a part or complete work from that member.

(iii) dismiss the petition if no case is made out

(iv) if the grounds are proved, recommend to the President for removal of the said member or Chairperson

(v) direct registration and investigation of cases with appropriate agencies, if there is a prima facie case of commission of an offence punishable under the Prevention of Corruption Act or any other law.

(e) The bench shall be constituted by a panel of five seniormost judges of the Supreme Court.

Provided that the judges who have ever been members of the selection committee or against whom any complaint is pending in Lokpal shall not be members of the bench.

(f) The Supreme Court shall not dismiss such petitions in liminae.

(g) If the Supreme Court concludes that the petition has been made with mischievous or malafide motives, the Court may order imposition of fine or imprisonment upto one year against the complainant.

(h) On receipt of a recommendation from the Supreme Court under clause (b)(iv) supra, the Prime Minister shall immediately recommend the removal of the member(s) or Chairperson of Lokpal to the President, who shall order the removal of the said member(s) or Chairperson within a month of receipt of the same.

Powers and Functions of Lokpal

8. Functions of Lokpal: (1) the Lokpal shall be responsible for receiving:

(a) Complaints where there are allegations of acts of omission or commission punishable under the Prevention of Corruption Act

(b) Complaints where there are allegations of misconduct by a government servant,

(d) Complaints from whistleblowers

(e) Complaints against the staff of Lokpal

(1A) It shall be the prime duty of Lokpal to ensure the integrity of its own staff and employees, whether temporary or otherwise. Lokpal shall be competent and empowered to take all actions to ensure that.

(2) The Lokpal, after getting such enquiries and investigations done as it deems fit, may take one or more of the following actions:

a. Close the case, if prima facie, the complaint is not made out, or

b. Initiate prosecution against public servants as well as those private entities, which are parties to the act

c. Recommend imposition of appropriate penalties under the relevant Conduct Rules

Provided that if a government servant is finally convicted under the Prevention of Corruption Act, the penalty of dismissal shall be recommended on such government servant.

d. Order cancellation or modification of a license or lease or permission or contract or agreement, which was the subject matter of investigation.

e. Blacklist the concerned firm or company or contractor or any other entity involved in that act of corruption.

f. Issue appropriate directions to appropriate authorities for redressal of grievance as per provisions of this Act.

g. Invoke its powers under this Act if its orders are not duly complied with and ensure due compliance of its orders.

h. Take necessary action to provide protection to a whistleblower as per various provisions of this Act.

(3) Suo moto initiate appropriate action under this Act if any case, of the nature mentioned in clauses (a), (b), (c) or (d) of sub-section (1), comes to the knowledge of the Lokpal from any source.

(4) Issue such directions, as are necessary, from time to time, to appropriate authorities so as to make such changes in their work practices, administration or other systems so as to reduce the scope and possibility for corruption, misconduct, public grievances and whistleblower victimization.

(5) Orders made by Lokpal under sub-section (2)(c) of this section shall be binding on the government and the government shall implement it within a week of receipt of that order.

(6) Section 19 of the Prevention of Corruption Act shall be deleted. Section 6A of Delhi Special Police Establishment Act shall not be applicable to the proceedings under this Act.

(7) Section 197 of CrPC shall not apply to any proceedings under this Act. All permissions, which need to be sought for initiating investigations or for initiating prosecutions under any Act shall be deemed to have been granted once Lokpal grants such permissions.

9. Issue of Search Warrant, etc.- (1) Where, in consequence of information in his possession, the Lokpal

(a) has reason to believe that any person. –

(i) to whom a summon or notice under this Act, has, been or might be issued, will not or would not produce or cause to be produced any property, document or thing which will be necessary or useful for or relevant to any inquiry or other proceeding to be conducted by him;

(ii) is in possession of any money, bullion, jewellery or other valuable article or thing and such money, bullion, jewellery or other valuable article or thing represents either wholly or partly income or property which has not been disclosed to the authorities for the purpose of any law or rule in force which requires such disclosure to be made; or

(b) considers that the purposes of any inquiry or other proceedings to be conducted by him will be served by a general search or inspection,

It may by a search warrant authorize any Police officer not below the rank of an Inspector of Police to conduct a search or carry out an inspection in accordance therewith and in particular to, -

(i) enter and search any building or place where he has reason to suspect that such property, document, money, bullion, jewellery or other valuable article or thing is kept;

(ii) search any person who is reasonably suspected of concealing about his person any article for which search should be made;

(iii) break open the lock of any door, box, locker safe, almirah or other receptacle for exercising the powers conferred by sub-clause (i) where the keys thereof are not available.

Seize any such property, document, money, bullion, jewellery or other valuable article or thing found as a result of such search;

(iv) place marks of identification on any property or document or make or cause to be made; extracts or copies therefrom; or

(v) make a note or an inventory of any such property, document, money, bullion, Jewellery or other valuable article or thing.

(2) The provisions of the Code of Criminal Procedure, 1973, relating to search and seizure shall apply, so far as may be, to searches and seizures under sub-section (1).

(3) A warrant issued under sub-section (1) shall for all purposes, be deemed to be a warrant issued by a court under section 93 of the Code of Criminal Procedure, 1973.

10. Evidence - (1) Subject to the provisions of this section, for the purpose of any investigation (including the preliminary inquiry, if any, before such investigation) under this Act, the Lokpal may require any public servant or any other person who, in its opinion is able to furnish information or produce documents relevant to the investigation, to furnish any such information or produce any such document.

(2) For the purpose of any such investigation (including the preliminary inquiry) the Lokpal shall have all the powers of a civil court while trying a suit under the Code of Civil Procedure, 1908 , in respect of the following matters, namely:-

(a) Summoning and enforcing the attendance of any person and examining him on oath;

(b) Requiring the discovery and production of any document;

(d) Requisitioning any public record or copy thereof from any court or office ;

(e) Issuing commissions for the examination of witnesses or documents ;

(f) ordering payment of compensatory cost in respect of a false or vexatious claim or defence;

(g) ordering cost for causing delay;

(h) Such other matters as may be prescribed.

(3) Any proceeding before the Lokpal shall be deemed to be a judicial proceeding with in the meaning of section 193 of the Indian Penal Code.

11. Reports of Lokpal, etc. (1) The Chairperson of Lokpal shall present annually a consolidated report in prescribed format on its performance to the President.

(2) On receipt of the annual report, the President shall cause a copy thereof together with an explanatory memorandum to be laid before each House of the Parliament.

(3) The Lokpal shall publish every month on its website the list of cases disposed with brief details of each such case, outcome and action taken or proposed to be taken in that case. It shall also publish lists of all cases received by the Lokpal during the previous month, cases disposed and cases which are pending.

12. Lokpal to be a deemed police officer: (1) For the purposes of section 36 of Criminal Procedure Code, the Chairperson, members of Lokpal and the officers in investigation wing of Lokpal shall be deemed to be police officers.

(2) While investigating any offence under Prevention of Corruption Act 1988, they shall be competent to investigate any offence under any other law in the same case.

13. Powers in case of non-compliance of orders: (1) Each order of the Lokpal shall clearly specify the names of the officials who are required to execute that order, the manner in which it should be executed and the time period within which that order should be complied with.

(2) If the order is not complied with within the time or in the manner directed, the Lokpal may decide to impose a fine on the officials responsible for the non-compliance of its orders.

(3) The Drawing and Disbursing Officer of that Department shall be directed to deduct such amount of fine as is clearly specified by the Lokpal in its order made in sub-section (2) from the salaries of the officers specified in the order.

Provided that no penalty shall be imposed without giving a reasonable opportunity of being heard.

Provided that if the Drawing and Disbursing Officer fails to deduct the salary as specified in the said order, he shall make himself liable for a similar penalty.

(4) In order to get its orders complied with, the Lokpal shall have, and exercise the same jurisdiction powers and authority in respect of contempt of itself as a High court has and may exercise, and, for this purpose, the provisions of the Contempt of Courts Act, 1971 (Central Act 70 of 1971) shall have the effect subject to the modification that the references therein to the High Court shall be construed as including a reference to the Lokpal.

13A. Special Judges under section 4 of Prevention of Corruption Act: (1) On an annual basis, the Lokpal shall make an assessment of the number of Special Judges required under section 4 of the Prevention of Corruption Act 1988 in each area and the Government shall appoint such number of Judges within three months of the receipt of such recommendation.

Provided that the Lokpal shall recommend such number of Special Judges so that trial in each case under this Act is completed within a year.

(2) Before making any fresh appointments, the Government shall consult the Lokpal on the procedure to be followed in selection to ensure the integrity of the candidates selected. The Government shall implement such recommendations.

13B. Issue of Letter Rogatory: A bench of the Lokpal shall have powers to issue Letters Rogatory in any case pending with the Lokpal.

13C. Powers under Indian Telegraph Act: An appropriate bench of Lokpal shall be deemed to be designated authority under section 5 of Indian Telegraph Act. Such bench would be empowered to approve interception and monitoring of messages of data or voice transmitted through telephones, internet or any other medium as covered under India Telegraph Act, read with Information and Technology Act 2000 and as per rules and provisions made under Indian telegraph Act 1885.

Functioning of Lokpal

14. Functioning of Lokpal: (1) The Chairperson shall be responsible for the overall administration and supervision of the institution of Lokpal.

(2) All policy level decisions including formulation of regulations, developing internal systems for the functioning of Lokpal, assigning functions to various officials in Lokpal, delegation of powers to various functionaries in Lokpal etc shall be taken by the Chairperson and the members collectively as a body.

(3) The Chairperson shall have an annual meeting with the Prime Minister to assess the needs of Lokpal for finances and manpower. Lokpal shall be provided resources by the Government on the basis of outcome of this meeting.

(3A) The expenditure so decided shall be charged to Consolidated Fund of India.

(3B) The Chairperson and its members of Lokpal shall take all steps to ensure the integrity of its employees and integrity of all enquiries and investigations. For this purpose, they shall be competent to make rules, prescribe work norms, prescribe procedures for swift and effective punishment against inefficient and corrupt employees and take any other step as they deem fit.

(3C) The Chairperson and members of Lokpal shall be responsible for and shall be competent to take all steps to ensure that the time limits provided in this Act are adhered to strictly.

(3D) Lokpal shall be completely independent of the government in all matters including administrative, financial and functional.

(4) Lokpal shall function in benches of three or more members. Benches shall be constituted randomly and cases shall be assigned to them randomly by computer. Each bench shall consist of at least one member with legal background.

(5) Such benches shall be responsible for

(i) granting permission to initiate prosecution in certain category of cases.

(ii) Hearing cases of complaints against its own staff.

(iii) Appeals in such cases of investigation or vigilance, which are closed by officials of Lokpal and which are of such categories as are prescribed by Lokpal from time to time.

(iv) Such other orders as may be decided by Lokpal from time to time.

Provided that the full bench of Lokpal may lay down norms as to which category of cases will be dealt by the benches of members and which cases would be decided at the levels of Chief Vigilance officers or Vigilance Officers. The norms could be based on loss caused to the government and/or impact on public and/or the status of the accused.

(6) The Lokpal may decide to initiate investigations into any case suo motu.

(7) The decision to initiate investigation or prosecution against any member of the Cabinet shall be taken by full bench of Lokpal.

(8) Certain matters, as provided under this Act shall be dealt by the full bench of Lokpal, which shall consist of at least seven members.

(9) Minutes and records of meetings of Lokpal shall be made public.

15. Making a complaint to the Lokpal: (1) Subject to the provisions of this Act, any person may make a complaint under this Act to the Lokpal.

Provided that in case of a grievance, if the person aggrieved is dead or for any reason, unable to act for himself, the complaint may be made or if it is already made may be continued by his legal representatives or by any other person who is authorized by him in writing in this behalf.

Provided further that a citizen may make a complaint to any office of Lokpal anywhere in the country. It shall be the duty of that office of Lokpal to transfer it to appropriate officer within Lokpal.

(2) A complaint could be on a plain paper but should contain all such details as prescribed by Lokpal.

(2A) After its annual report has been presented in the Parliament, the Comptroller and Auditor General of India shall forward all such cases, which constitute an allegation under this Act, to the Lokpal and Lokpal shall act on them as per provisions of this Act.

(3) On receipt of a complaint, the Lokpal shall decide whether it is an allegation or a grievance or a request for whistleblower protection or a mixture of two or more of these.

(4) Every complaint shall have to be compulsorily disposed of by the Lokpal.

Provided that no complaint shall be closed without giving an opportunity of hearing to the complainant.

16. Matters which may be investigated by the Lokpal– Subject to the provisions of this Act, the Lokpal may investigate any action which is taken by or with the general or specific approval of a public servant where a complaint involving a grievance or an allegation is made in respect of such action.

Provided that the Lokpal may also investigate such action suo moto or if it is referred to it by the government, if such action can be or could have been in his recorded opinion, subject of a grievance or an allegation.

17. Matters not subject to investigation:- (1) The Lokpal shall not conduct any investigation under this Act in case of a grievance in respect of any action-

(i) if the complainant has or had, any remedy by way of appeal, revision, review or any other recourse before any authority provided in any other law and he has not availed of the same.

(ii) Taken by a judicial or quasi-judicial body, unless the complainant alleges malafides

(iii) If the substance of the entire grievance is pending before any court or quasi-judicial body of competent jurisdiction.

(iv) any grievance where there is inordinate and inexplicable delay in agitating it.

(2) Nothing in this Act shall be construed as authorising the Lokpal to investigate any action which is taken by or with the approval of the Presiding Officer of either House of Parliament.

(3) Nothing in this section shall bar Lokpal from entertaining a complaint making an allegation of misconduct or corruption or a complaint from a whistleblower seeking protection.

18. Provisions relating to complaints and investigations-

(i) (a) The Lokpal, on receipt of a complaint in the nature of an allegation or a grievance or a combination of the two, or in a case initiated on his own motion, may on perusing the documents, either decide to proceed to enquire or investigate into that complaint or decide, to make such preliminary inquiry before proceeding to enquire or investigate into such complaint or direct any other person to make such preliminary inquiry as it deems fit for ascertaining whether there exists a reasonable ground for conducting the investigation. The outcome of such preliminary enquiry, and if the complaint is being closed along with reasons for the same and all material collected during preliminary enquiry, shall be communicated to the complainant.

Provided that if any case is closed, all documents related thereto shall thereafter be treated as public. Every month, a list of all such cases shall be put on the website with reasons for closing a case. All material connected with such closed cases will be provided to anyone seeking it under Right to Information Act.

Provided further that no complaint of allegation shall be rejected on the basis of the motives or intention of the complainant.

Provided further that all hearings before Lokpal shall be video recorded and shall be available to any member of the public on payment of copying costs.

(b) The procedure for preliminary enquiry of a complaint shall be such as the Lokpal deems appropriate in the circumstances of the case and in particular, the Lokpal may, if it deems necessary to do so, call for the comments of the public servant concerned.

Provided that the preliminary enquiry should be completed and a decision taken whether to close a case or to proceed with investigations preferably within one month of receipt of any complaint, and positively within three months. Where the preliminary enquiry has not been completed within one month, reasons for the delay will be recorded in writing at the completion of the enquiry and made public.

(c) No anonymous complaint shall be entertained under this Act. The Complainant will have to reveal his identity to the Lokpal. However, if the complainant so desires, his identity shall be protected by Lokpal.

(ii) Where the Lokpal proposes, either directly or after making preliminary inquiry, to conduct any investigation under this Act, it.-

(a) may make such order as to the safe custody of documents relevant to the investigation, as it deems fit.

(b) at appropriate stage of investigations or in the end, it shall forward a copy of the complaint, its findings and copy of the material relied upon to the public servant concerned and the complainant,

Provided that such hearing shall be held in public, except in rare circumstances, to be recorded in writing, where it is not in public interest and in the interest of justice to hold it in public, it will be held in camera.

(iii) The conduct of an investigation under this Act against a public servant in respect of any action shall not affect such action, or any power or duty of any other public servant to take further action with respect to any matter subject to the investigation.

(iv) If, during the course of a preliminary inquiry or investigation under this Act, the Lokpal is prima facie satisfied that the allegation or grievance in respect of any action is likely to be sustained either wholly or partly, it may, through an interim order, recommend the public authority to stay the implementation or enforcement of the decision or action complained against, or to take such mandatory or preventive action, on such terms and conditions, as it may specify in its order to prevent further harm from taking place. The public authority shall either comply with or reject the recommendations of Lokpal under this sub-section within 15 days of receipt of such an order. Lokpal, if it feels important, may approach appropriate High Court for seeking appropriate directions to the public authority.

(v) The Lokpal, either during the course of investigations, if it is satisfied that prosecution is likely to be initiated in that case, or at the end of the investigations at the time of initiating prosecution, shall make a list of moveable and immoveable assets of all the accused in that case and shall notify the same. No transfer of the same shall be permitted after such notification. In the event of final conviction, the trial court may, in addition to other measures, recover the loss determined under section 19 of this Act from this property,.

(vi) If during the course of investigation or enquiry into a complaint, the Lokpal feels that continuance of a public servant in that position could adversely affect the course of investigations or enquiry or that the said public servant is likely to destroy or tamper with the evidence or influence the witnesses, the Lokpal may issue appropriate recommendations including transfer of that public servant from that position or his suspension, if he is a government servant. The public authority shall either comply with or reject the recommendations of Lokpal under this sub-section within 15 days of receipt of such an order. Lokpal, if it feels important, may approach appropriate High Court for seeking appropriate directions to the public authority.

(vii) The Lokpal may, at any stage of inquiry or investigation under this Act, direct through an interim order, appropriate authorities to take such action as is necessary, pending inquiry or investigation.-

(a) to safeguard wastage or damage of public property or public revenue by the administrative acts of the public servant;

(b) to prevent further acts of misconduct by the public servant;

The public authority shall either comply with or reject the recommendations of Lokpal under this sub-section within 15 days of receipt of such an order. Lokpal, if it feels important, may approach appropriate High Court for seeking appropriate directions to the public authority.

(viii) Where after investigation into a complaint, the Lokpal is satisfied that the complaint involving an allegation against the public servant, other than the Ministers, Members of Parliament and judges, is substantiated and that the public servant concerned should not continue to hold the post held by him, the Lokpal shall pass orders to that effect. In case of public servant being a Minister, Lokpal shall make such recommendation to the President, who shall decide either to accept such recommendation or reject it within a month of its receipt.

Provided that the provisions of this section shall not apply to the Prime Minister.

(ix) All records and information of Lokpal shall be public and shall be accessible under Right to Information Act, even at the stage of investigation or enquiry, unless the release of such information would adversely affect the process of enquiry or investigation.

Recovery of Loss to the Government and punishments

19. Recovery of loss to the Government: When a person is convicted of an offence under the Prevention of Corruption Act 1988, then the trial court shall quantify the loss caused to the government and additional gains that the accused would have earned by investing the proceeds of corruption and apportion such total amount amongst various convicts from whom this money must be recovered as arrears of land revenue.

19A. Punishments for offences: For offences mentioned in Chapter III of the Prevention of Corruption Act, the proviso to section 2(4) of this Act and section 28A of this Act, the punishment shall not be less than one year of rigorous imprisonment and may extend upto life imprisonment.

Provided that the punishment shall be more severe if the accused is higher in rank.

Provided further that if the offence is of the nature mentioned in the proviso to section 2(4) of this Act and if the beneficiary is a business entity, in addition to other punishments mentioned in this Act and under the Prevention of Corruption Act, a fine amounting to five times the loss caused to the public shall be recovered from the accused and the recovery may be done from the assets of the business entity and from the personal assets of all its Directors, if the assets of the accused are inadequate.

Dealing with complaints against judges of High Courts or Supreme Court

19B. Receiving and disposing complaints against Judges of High Courts or Supreme Court: (1) Any complaint against any Judge of a High Court or Supreme Court shall be dealt only by the office of the Chairperson of Lokpal.

(2) Each such complaint shall be subjected to a preliminary screening, which shall determine whether prima facie evidence exists of an offence under Prevention of Corruption Act. The screening shall be done by a member of Lokpal, who shall then present his findings to a full bench of Lokpal.

Provided that such full bench shall have at least three legal members.

(3) A case shall not be registered without the approval of a full bench of Lokpal with majority of members of that bench being from legal background.

(4) Such case shall be investigated by a special team headed by an officer not below the rank of a Superintendent of Police.

(5) A decision whether to initiate prosecution shall be taken by a full bench of Lokpal with majority of members with legal background.

Whistleblower protection

20. Protection of Whistleblower: (1) A whistleblower may seek the protection of the Lokpal if he has been subjected to or threatened with, professional or physical victimization.

(2) On receiving such a complaint, Lokpal shall take following steps:

(a) Professional victimization: If after conducting appropriate enquiries, the Lokpal feels that there is a real threat to the whistleblower on account of having made an allegation under this Act, it shall, as soon as possible but not more than a month of receipt of such complaint, direct appropriate authorities to take such steps as directed by the Lokpal.

(b) If a whistleblower complains that he has been victimized professionally on account of making an allegation under this Act and the Lokpal, after conducting enquiries, is of the opinion that the whistleblower has been victimized for having made an allegation under this Act, it shall, as soon as possible but in not more than a month, direct appropriate authorities to take such steps as directed by the Lokpal.

Provided that for clause (a) the Lokpal may, but for clause (b) the Lokpal shall, also issue orders imposing appropriate penalties under relevant Rules against the government servants who issued threats or caused victimization.

Provided further that no such penalties shall be imposed without giving an opportunity of being heard to the affected government servants.

(c) Threat of physical victimization: Lokpal shall conduct appropriate enquiries and if it feels that there is a real threat to the person and the threat is on account of that person having made an allegation under this Act or for having filed an RTI application to any public authority covered under this Act, then notwithstanding anything contained in any other law, the Lokpal shall pass appropriate orders, as soon as possible but in not more than a week, directing appropriate authorities, including police, to take such steps as directed by the Lokpal to provide adequate security to that person, to register criminal cases against those who are issuing threats and also to take all such steps necessary to mitigate circumstances leading to such threat.

Provided that if the threat is imminent, Lokpal shall act immediately, within a few hours to prevent physical assault on that person. If the complainant wishes to meet the Chairperson or a member, he shall be entitled to talk to them either on phone or through video conferencing or in person, according to the desire of the complainant.

(d) If a person complains that he has already been physically assaulted on account of making an allegation under this Act and if Lokpal is satisfied after conducting enquiries that the person has been assaulted because of his having made an allegation under this Act or for filing an RTI application in any of the public authorities covered under this Act, then notwithstanding anything else contained in any other law, the Lokpal shall pass such orders, as soon as possible but in not more than 24 hours, directing the concerned authorities to take such steps as directed by the Lokpal to provide adequate security to that person, to register criminal cases and also to ensure that no further harm visits on that person. If the complainant wishes to meet the Chairperson or a member, he shall be entitled to talk to them either on phone or through video conferencing or in person, according to the desire of the complainant.

(da) If a whistleblower alleges that police or any other authority has registered or initiated any case against the complainant or any other person on account of making a complaint under this Act or for using RTI Act, the Lokpal may, on the basis of enquiries, issue orders to appropriate authorities, to withdraw such case.

(db) In case of threat of physical victimization or if any person has been assaulted, that person, or any other person may complaint to any office of Lokpal anywhere in the country and it shall be the duty of that official of Lokpal to forward such complaint immediately to appropriate officer within Lokpal.

(dc) Lokpal may delegate the responsibility of providing protection to whistleblowers to upto the level of Vigilance Officers and in such case, such officers shall have the powers to direct the appropriate authorities, including local police, to take such steps as are necessary to ensure protection of that whistleblower.

(dd) If, after making a complaint to the Lokpal, any person is still assaulted, the concerned officials in Lokpal will be held responsible for criminal dereliction of duty or connivance or both, unless they are able to prove otherwise.

(e) If the whistleblower has alleged an act punishable under Prevention of Corruption Act, then for cases under clause (c), Lokpal may and for cases under clause (d), the Lokpal shall, assign the allegations made by that person to a special team, put it on a fast track and complete investigations in that case in not more than a month.

(f) If the whistleblower has alleged an act punishable under any law other than the Prevention of Corruption Act, then for cases under clause (c), Lokpal may and for cases under clause (d), the Lokpal shall, direct the agency which has the powers to enforce that law to assign the allegations made by the whistleblower to a special team, put it on a fast track and complete investigations in that case in such time as directed by the Lokpal.

(g) Lokpal shall have the powers to issue directions to appropriate agencies in the cases covered under clause (f), monitor such investigations and if necessary, issue directions to that agency to do the investigations in the manner as directed by the Lokpal.

(h) Whistleblowers, who face threat of physical victimization or are actually assaulted may directly approach the Chairperson of Lokpal who shall meet them within 24 hours of their seeking such meeting and shall take appropriate action as per provisions of this Act.

(3) If any complainant requests that his identity should be kept secret, Lokpal shall ensure the same. Lokpal shall prescribe detailed procedures on how such complaints shall be dealt with.

(4) Lokpal shall Issue orders to the Public Authorities to make necessary changes in their policies and practices to prevent recurrence of victimization.

(5) Lokpal shall make appropriate rules for the receipt and disposal of complaints from whistleblowers.

Grievance Redressal Systems

21. Citizens’ Charters: (1) Each public authority shall be responsible for ensuring the preparation and implementation of Citizens Charter, within a reasonable time, and not exceeding one year from the coming into force of this Act.

(2) Every Citizens Charter shall enumerate the commitments of the respective public authority to the citizens, officer responsible for meeting each such commitment and the time limit with in which the commitment shall be met.

(3) Each public authority shall designate an official called Public Grievance Redressal Officer, whom a complainant should approach for any violation of the Citizens Charter.

Provided that a public authority shall appoint at least one Public Grievance Redressal Officer in each station, where they have an office.

Provided further that the Public Grievance Redressal Officer shall either be Head of that Department or an officer not more than one rank below him but if that station does not have a Head of Department in any station, the seniormost officer in that station shall be appointed as the Public Grievance Redressal Officer.

(4) Every public authority shall review and revise its Citizens Charter at least once every year through a process of public consultation to be held in the presence of Chief Vigilance Officer in that public authority.

(5) Lokpal may direct any public authority to make such changes in their citizens’ charter as are mentioned in that order and that public authority shall make such changes within a week of receipt of such order.

Provided that such changes shall have to be approved by at least a three member bench of Lokpal.

Provided further than such changes should not increase the existing time limits or reduce the number of items in citizen’s charter.

21A. Receipt and disposal of Grievances: (1) The Chief Vigilance Officer of any public authority shall declare such number of Vigilance Officers, as it deems fit, to be known as Appellate Grievance Officers, to receive and dispose grievances related to that public authority.

(2)If a citizen fails to receive satisfactory redressal to his grievance within a month of making a complaint to Public Grievance Redressal Officer, can make a complaint to Appellate Grievance Officer.

Provided that if Appellate Grievance Officer feels that considering the gravity or urgency of the grievance, it is necessary to do so, he may decide to accept such grievance earlier also.

(3) If the complaint does not relate to an issue mentioned in Citizen’s Charter of that public authority, the Appellate Grievance Officer, within a month of receipt of complaint, pass an order either rejecting the grievance or directing the public authority to redress the grievance in the manner and within such time, as is mentioned in the order.

Provided that no grievance shall be rejected without giving a reasonable opportunity of being heard to the complainant.

(4) A complaint to the Appellate Grievance Officer shall be deemed to have a vigilance angle if any of the following two conditions are satisfied:

(i) for issues mentioned in citizen’s charter, if a citizen fails to get satisfactory redressal from Public Grievance Redressal Officer.

(ii) for issues other than those mentioned in citizen’s charter, if the orders of Appellate Grievance Officer made under sub-section (3) of this section are violated.

(5) Each case, as mentioned in sub-section (4) of this section, shall be dealt in the following manner:

(i) After giving a reasonable opportunity of being heard, the Appellate Grievance Officer shall pass an order fixing responsibility for failure to satisfactorily redress complainant’s grievance in prescribed time and direct the Drawing and Disbursing Officer of that public authority to deduct from the salary of such officials, as mentioned in the order, such penalty amounts as are directed by Appellate Grievance Officer, which shall not be less than Rs 250 per day of delay calculated from the day the time limit mentioned in citizens’ charter or the time limit specified in the order passed under sub-section (3) of this section, for redressing that grievance got over,

(ii) Direct the Drawing and Disbursing Officer to compensate the complainant with such amounts as are deducted from the salaries of the said officers.

(6) The Officers mentioned in the order made under clause (i) of sub-section (5) of this section shall be required to show cause that they acted in good faith and did not have corrupt motives. If they fail to do so, the Appellate Grievance Officer shall proceed to recommend penalties against the said officers under CCS Conduct Rules.

21B. Annual Integrity Audit: Lokpal shall conduct annual integrity audit of each department as per guidelines to be made in this behalf by the Lokpal from time to time.

Imposition of major and minor penalties

21B. Allegations of misconduct shall be received and enquired by vigilance officers.

21C. Allegations of misconduct and public grievances with deemed vigilance angle under section 21A shall be dealt in the following manner:

(1) The vigilance officer shall conduct an enquiry into each such case within three months of its receipt and present its report to the Chief Vigilance Officer.

(2) Within a fortnight of receipt of report, the Chief Vigilance Officer shall constitute a three member bench of Deputy Chief Vigilance Officers other than the one who conducted enquiry at clause (1) above.

(3) The bench shall hold a summary hearing giving reasonable opportunity to the vigilance officer who conducted enquiry, the complainant and the officers accused.

(4) The bench shall hold hearings on day to day basis and pass an order either imposing one or more of the minor or major penalties on the accused government servants.

Provided that such orders shall be passed within a month of constitution of the bench.

Provided that such order shall be in the form of a recommendation to the appropriate appointing authority.

(5) An appeal shall lie against the order of the bench before the Chief Vigilance officer, who shall pass an order within a month of receipt of appeal, after giving reasonable opportunity to the accused, the complainant and the vigilance officer who conducted enquiries.

Employees and staff and authorities in Lokpal

22. Chief Vigilance Officer: (1) There shall be a Chief Vigilance Officer in each public authority to be selected and appointed by Lokpal.

(2) He shall not be from the same public authority.

(3) He shall be a person of impeccable integrity and ability to take proactive measures against corruption.

(4) He shall be responsible for accepting complaints against any public authority and shall transfer the complaints related to other public authorities within two days of receipt.

(5) He shall be responsible for carrying out all such responsibilities as assigned to him from time to time by Lokpal including dealing with complaints in the manner as laid down by Lokpal from time to time.

Provided that the complaints which require investigations under Prevention of Corruption Act 1988 shall be transferred to the Investigative wing of Lokpal.

Provided further that the complaints, other than grievances, against officers of the level of Joint Secretary or above shall not be dealt by the Chief Vigilance Officer and shall be transferred to the Lokpal, who shall set up a committee of Chief Vigilance Officers of three other public authorities to enquire into such complaint.

(6) All the grievances shall be received and disposed by Chief Vigilance Officer on behalf of Lokpal, if the citizen fails to get satisfactory redressal from Public Grievance Officer under section 21 of this Act.

(7) Such number of Vigilance Officers shall be appointed under the Chief Vigilance Officer as are decided by Lokpal from time to time.

(8) The Vigilance Officers and the Chief Vigilance Officer shall have powers to enquire and impose penalties under CCS Conduct Rules in such cases and as per such rules as laid down by the Lokpal from time to time.

23. Staff of Lokpal, etc.- (1) There shall be such officers and employees as may be prescribed to assist the Lokpal in the discharge of their functions under this Act.

(2) The number and categories of officers and employees shall be decided by the Lokpal.

(3) The categories, recruitment and conditions of service of the officers and employees referred in sub-section (1) including such special conditions or special pay as may be necessary for enabling them to act without fear in the discharge of their functions, shall be such as may be prescribed by Lokpal.

Provided that no official, whose integrity is in doubt, shall be considered for being posted in Lokpal.

Provided further that all officers and employees, who work in Lokpal on deputation or otherwise shall be eligible for the same terms and conditions as prescribed under this clause.

(4) Without prejudice to the provisions of sub-section (1), the Lokpal may for the purpose of conducting investigations under this Act utilize the services of.-

(a) any officer or investigating agency of the Central Government; or

(b) any officer or investigating agency of any other Government with the prior concurrence of that Government; or

(5) The officers and other employees referred to in sub-section (1) shall be under the administrative and disciplinary control of the Lokpal:

(6) Lokpal shall have the powers to choose its own officials. Lokpal may enlist officials on deputation from other government agencies for a fixed tenure or it may enlist officials on permanent basis from other government agencies or it may appoint people from outside on permanent basis or on a fixed tenure basis.

(7) The staff and officers shall be entitled to such pay scales and other allowances, which may be different and more than the ordinary pay scales in the Central Government, as are decided by the Lokpal from time to time, in consultation with the Prime Minister, so as to attract honest and efficient people to work in Lokpal.

(8) Lokpal shall be competent to increase or decrease its staff at various levels, within its overall budgetary constraints, depending upon its workload and keeping in mind the terms and conditions of the staff employed.

24. Repeal and savings – (1) The Central Vigilance Commission Act shall stand repealed.

(2) Notwithstanding such repeal, any act or thing done under the said Act shall be deemed to have been done under this Act and may be continued and completed under the corresponding provisions of this Act.

(3) All enquiries and investigations and other disciplinary proceedings pending before the Central Vigilance Commission and which have not been disposed of, shall stand transferred to and be continued by the Lokpal as if they were commenced before him under this Act.

(4) Notwithstanding anything contained in any Act, the posts of the Secretary and other Officers and Employees of the Central Vigilance Commission are hereby abolished and they are hereby appointed as the Secretary and other officers and employees of the Lokpal. The salaries, allowances and other terms and conditions of services of the said Secretary, officers and other employees shall, until they are varied, be the same as to which they were entitled to immediately before the commencement of this Act.

(5) All vigilance administration under the control of all Departments of Central Government, Ministries of the Central Government, corporations established by or under any Central Act, Government companies, societies and local authorities owned or controlled by the Central Government shall stand transferred, alongwith its personnel, assets and liabilities to Lokpal for all purposes.

(6) The personnel working in vigilance wings of the agencies mentioned in sub-section (5) shall be deemed to be on deputation to Lokpal for a period of five years from the date they are transferred to Lokpal. However, Lokpal may decide to repatriate any one of them anytime.

(7) That Department from where any personnel have been transferred to Lokpal under sub-section (5), shall cease to have any control over the administration and functions of transferred personnel.

(8) Lokpal shall rotate the personnel and create vigilance wing of each department in such a way that no personnel from the same department get posted for vigilance functions in the same department.

(9) No person shall be employed with Lokpal against whom any vigilance enquiry or any criminal case is pending at the time of being considered.

25. Investigation Wing of Lokpal: (1) There shall be an investigation wing at Lokpal.

(2) Notwithstanding anything contained in section 17 of Prevention of Corruption Act, such officers of Investigation wing, upto the level as decided by Lokpal, shall have, in relation to the investigation and arrest of persons throughout India, in connection with investigation of complaints under this Act, all the powers, duties, privileges and liabilities which members of Delhi Special Police Establishment have in connection with the investigation of offences committed therein.

(3) That part of Delhi Special Police Establishment, in so far as it relates to investigation and prosecution of offences alleged to have been committed under the Prevention of Corruption Act, 1988, shall stand transferred, alongwith its employees, assets and liabilities to Lokpal for all purposes.

(4) That part of Delhi Special Police Establishment, which has been transferred under sub-section (3), shall form part of Investigation Wing of Lokpal.

(5) The Central Government shall cease to have any control over the transferred part and its personnel.

(6) The salaries, allowances and other terms and conditions of services of the personnel transferred under sub-section (3) shall be the same as to which they were entitled to immediately before the commencement of this Act.

(7) All cases which were being dealt by that part of Delhi Special Police Establishment, which has been transferred under sub-section (3), shall stand transferred to Lokpal.

(8) After completion of investigation in any case, the investigation wing shall present the case to an appropriate bench of Lokpal, which shall decide whether to grant permission for prosecution or not.

25A. Prosecution wing: There shall be a prosecution wing of Lokpal. After completion of its investigations, the investigation wing shall forward the case to prosecution wing, which shall decide whether to proceed with prosecution or not.

Provided that in certain category of cases, as prescribed by Lokpal, the permission to prosecute or deny shall be taken by a bench of Lokpal.

Provided further that the prosecution wing shall decide whether to prosecute or not within a fortnight of receipt of a case from investigation wing, else prosecution wing shall be deemed to have decided to initiate prosecution.

26. Complaints against officers or employees of Lokpal: (1) Complaints against employees or officers of Lokpal shall be dealt with separately and as per provisions of this section.

(2) Such complaint could relate to an allegation of an offence punishable under Prevention of Corruption Act or a misconduct or a dishonest enquiry or investigation.

(3) As soon as such a complaint is received, the same shall be displayed on the website of Lokpal, alongwith the contents of the complaint.

Provided that if the complainant so desires, his identity shall be protected.

(4) Investigations into each such complaint shall be completed within a month of its receipt.

(5) In addition to examining the allegations against the said official, the allegations shall especially be examined against sections 107, 166, 167, 177, 182, 191, 192, 196, 199, 200, 201, 202, 204, 217, 218, 219, 463, 464, 468, 469, 470, 471, 474 of Indian Penal Code.

(6) If, during the course of investigations, it is felt that the charges are likely to be sustained, such officer shall be divested of all his responsibilities and powers and shall be placed under suspension.

(7) If after completion of enquiry or investigations, it is decided to prosecute that person under Prevention of Corruption Act, 1988 or he is held guilty of any misconduct or of conducting dishonest enquiry or investigations, then that person shall not work with Lokpal anymore. Lokpal shall either dismiss that person from the job, if that person is in the employment of Lokpal, or shall repatriate him, if he is on deputation, with a recommendation for his removal.

Provided that no order under this clause shall be passed without giving reasonable opportunity of being heard to the accused person.

Provided further that order under this clause shall be passed within 15 days of completion of investigations.

(8) A three member bench shall hear the cases of complaints against its staff and employees. However, for officers of the level of Chief Vigilance Officer or above, the hearings shall be done by full bench of Lokpal.

(9) Lokpal shall take all steps to ensure that all enquiries and investigations on complaints against its own staff and officials are conducted in most transparent and honest manner.

27. Protection- (1) No suit, prosecution, or other legal proceedings shall lie against the Chairperson or members or against any officer, employee, agency or person referred to in Section 14(4) in respect of anything which is in good faith done while acting or purporting to act in the discharge of his official duties under this Act.

(2) No proceedings of the Lokpal shall be held to be bad for want of form and except on the ground of jurisdiction, no proceedings or decision of the Lokpal shall be liable to be challenged, reviewed, quashed or called in question in any court of ordinary Civil Jurisdiction.

Miscellaneous

28. Public Servants to submit property statements-

(1) Every public servant, other than those mentioned in Section 2(12)(a) to (c), shall within three months after the commencement of this Act and thereafter before the 30th June of every year submit to the head of that public authority, in the form prescribed by Lokpal, a statement of his assets and liabilities and those of the members of his family. Public servants mentioned in sections 2(12)(a) to (c) shall submit their returns in a format prescribed by the Lokpal, which shall include their sources of incomes, to the Lokpal with the aforesaid time lines.

(2) The Head of each public authority shall ensure that all such statements are put on the website by 31^st August of that year.

(3) If no such statement is received by the Head of that public authority from any such public servant within the time specified in sub-section (1), the Head of that public authority shall direct the concerned public servant to do so immediately. If within next one month, the public servant concerned does not submit such statement, the Head shall stop the salary and allowances of that public servant till he submits such statement.

Explanation- In this section “family of a public servant” means the spouse and such children and parents of the public servant as are dependent on him.

(4) The Lokpal may initiate prosecution against such public servant under Section 176 IPC.

28A. Properties deemed to have been obtained through corrupt means: (1) If any property, moveable or immoveable, is subsequently found to be owned by the public servant or any of his family members, which had not been declared under this section by that public servant and which was acquired before filing of last return under this section, the same shall be deemed to have been obtained through corrupt means.

(2) If any property, moveable or immoveable, is subsequently found to be in possession of the public servant or any of his family members, which had not been declared under this section by that public servant, the same shall be deemed to be owned by that public servant and the same shall be deemed to have been acquired through corrupt means by that public servant, the onus of proving otherwise shall be on the public servant.

(3) The public servant shall be given an opportunity to explain, within 15 days,

(a) in the case of properties under sub-section (1) of this section, whether he had disclosed that property in any of the earlier years.

(b) in the case of properties under sub-section (2) of this section, to explain why these properties should not be deemed to be owned by the public servant.

(4) If public servant fails to provide satisfactory reply under sub-section (3) of this section with respect to some properties, Lokpal shall immediately confiscate all such properties.

(5) Transfer of those properties for which notices are issued under sub-section (3) of this section, shall be deemed to be null and void after the date of issue of such notices.

(6) Lokpal shall intimate such information to the Income Tax Department for appropriate action.

(7) Appeal against the orders of Lokpal shall lie in High Court of appropriate jurisdiction, which shall decide the matter within three months of filing of the appeal.

Provided that no appeal shall be entertained after expiry of 30 days from the date of order of Lokpal under sub-section (4).

(8) All properties confiscated under this section shall be auctioned to highest bidder. Half of the proceeds from the same shall be deposited by the Lokpal in Consolidated Fund of India. The balance amount could be used by Lokpal for its own administration.

Provided that if an appeal has been filed in any case, the auction shall not take place till the disposal of appeal.

28B. (1) Within three months after the conclusion of any elections to the Parliament, the Lokpal shall compare the property statements filed by the candidates with Election Commission of India with their sources of income available with Income Tax Department. In such cases where assets are found to be more than known sources of income, it shall initiate appropriate proceedings.

(2) For an allegation against a Member of Parliament that he has taken a bribe for any conduct in Parliament, including voting in Parliament or raising question in Parliament or any other matter, a complaint could be made to the Speaker of Lok Sabha or the Chairperson of Rajya Sabha, depending upon the House to which that member belongs. Such complaints shall be dealt in the following manner:

(a) The complaint shall be forwarded to the Ethics Committee within a month of its receipt.

(b) The Ethics Committee shall, within a month, decide whether to

29. Power to delegate and assign functions: (1) Lokpal shall be competent to delegate its powers and assign functions to the officials working in Lokpal.

(2) All functions carried out and powers exercised by such officials shall be deemed to have been so done by the Lokpal.

Provided that the following functions shall be performed by the benches and cannot be delegated:

(i) Granting permission to initiate prosecution in any case.

(ii) Order for dismissal of any government servant under CCS Conduct Rules.

(iii) Passing orders under section 10 on complaints against officials and staff of Lokpal.

(iv) Pass orders in cases of complaints, other than grievances, against officers of the level of Joint Secretary and above.

30. Time limits: (1) Preliminary enquiry under sub-section (1) of section 9 of this Act should be completed within a month of receipt of complaint.

Provided that the enquiry officer shall be liable for an explanation if the enquiry is not completed within this time limit.

(2) Investigation into any allegation shall be completed within six months, and in any case, not more than one year, from the date of receipt of complaint.

(3) Trial in any case filed by Lokpal should be completed within one year. Adjournments should be granted in rarest circumstances.

30A. Transparency and application of Right to Information Act: (1) Lokpal shall make every effort to put every information on its website.

(2) Once investigation or enquiry is complete in any case, all records related to that case shall be available for public scrutiny. Lokpal shall preferably post all such records on its website.

Provided that the information, which is likely to disclose the identity of any person, who has requested anonymity and such information which is likely to threaten internal and external security of India shall not be disclosed.

31. Penalty for certain types of complaints- (1) Notwithstanding anything contained in this Act, if someone makes any complaint under this Act, which lacks any basis or evidence and is held by Lokpal to be meant only to harass certain authorities, Lokpal may impose such fines on that complainant as it deems fit, but the total fine in any one case shall not exceed Rs one lakh.

Provided that no fine can be imposed without giving a reasonable opportunity of being heard.

Provided further that merely because a case could not be proved under this Act after investigation shall not be held against a complainant for the purposes of this section.

(2) Such fines shall be recoverable as dues under Land Revenue Act.

(3) A complaint or allegation once made under this Act shall not be allowed to be withdrawn.

31A. Preventive measures: (1) Lokpal shall, at regular intervals, either study itself or cause to be studied the functioning of all public authorities falling within its jurisdiction and in consultation with respective public authority, issue such directions as it deems fit to prevent incidence of corruption in future.

(2) Lokpal shall also be responsible for creating awareness about this Act and involving general public in curbing corruption.

31B. Reward Scheme: (1) Lokpal shall encourage complainants from within and outside the government to report and fight against corruption by publicly recognizing such persons.

(2) Lokpal shall also prepare an appropriate scheme to give financial award to such complainants.

Provided that the total value of such reward shall not exceed 10% of the value of property confiscated or loss prevented.

32. Power to make Rules – (1) The Government may, by notification in the Official Gazette, make rules for the purpose of carrying into effect the provisions of this Act.

Provided that such rules shall be made only in consultation and with the approval of Lokpal.

(2) In particular, and without prejudice to the generality of the foregoing provisions, such rules may provide for .-

(i) the allowance and pensions payable to and other conditions of service of the Chairperson and members of Lokpal;

(ii) the powers of a Civil Court which may be exercised by the Lokpal under clause (h) of sub-section (2) of section 11;

(2A) Lokpal shall also be competent to make its own rules for the proper functioning of Lokpal.

(i) the salary, allowances, recruitment and other conditions of service of the staff and employees of the Lokpal;

(iii) procedure for registration of cases at Lokpal and initiation of prosecution

(iv) any other matter for which rules have to be made are necessary under this Act.

(3) Any rule made under this Act may be made with retrospective effect and when such a rule is made the reasons for making the rule shall be specified in a Statement laid before both Houses of the Parliament.

(4) Lokpal shall strictly adhere to the time limits mentioned at various places in this Act. In order to achieve that, Lokpal shall lay down work norms for each level of functionaries and make an assessment of the additional number of functionaries and budget required in accordance with workload.

32A. It shall be the duty of the Lokpal to train its staff at regular intervals and take all other steps to improve their skills and bring about an attitudinal change in dealing with the public.

33. Removal of difficulties- Notwithstanding anything contained in this Act, the President, in consultation with Lokpal or on request of Lokpal may, by order, make such provision -

(i) for bringing the provisions of this Act into effective operation;

(ii) for continuing the enquiries and investigations pending before the Central Vigilance Commission by the Lokpal.

34. Power to make regulations: Lokpal shall have power to make its own regulations for the smooth functioning of the institution and to effectively implement various provisions of this Act.

35. This Act shall override the provisions of all other laws.

Bike Rally ... Support Anna Hazare!

2011-08-23T14:28:00.000+05:30

It’s the 8^th day of Anna Hazare’s fast and still no response from our Government…. All I wanna say here is that.. Anna we are with you.. just go ahead with the protest..

And honestly I am so surprised, that so many people are actually taking part in this protest.. and yes.. many more are still not participating in it calling It names, but all I wanna say to those people is this that few years down the line you people will be cursing the country for it corruption, like we do even now but that time it will be more worse, and that time you will say that we need to fight corruption and blah blah, but now that the time has come to protest and do something against corruption you are not doing it.. its time guys, we cant start a revolution but at least we can support someone who is doing it!

Anyway, my today’s blog is about something else … about my experience in the rally…

Initially when the protest was started few months back, the response was too good..and even then there was a huge support from the youth basically and also other people.. I am uploading some pictures of the initial protest…

And 2days back there was a bike rally.. and the feeling was awesome.. people on the way were encouraging us.. other bikers joined us.. I never thought that the so many people will support us so much… its kind of a feeling that all were united together for one nice cause.. as if every mumbaikar is united!!!

Pictures are here….

Reservation - Aarakshan

2011-08-19T17:34:00.000+05:30

Just saw Aarakshan… not the whole movie but half of it and then couldn’t stop from blogging before watching the outcome of the movie… the topic about Aarakshan or reservation is a very debatable topic… different people will have different views on it … so here is something would like to talk on this topic

Do you know what “Chaturvarna System” is? The origin of this Chaturvarna System can be dated back to 1100 AD. It was actually formed by the people of the society for the welfare of the society… work was divided by the people according to their talent and skill… people were divided into 4 categories

1- People who took up teaching of priestly functions.

2- People who took up Safety and Security

3- People who took interest in Commercial Activities.

4- And people who maintained hygiene and sanitation.

Over the time the People who took up teaching and priestly functions came to be known as “Brahmins”.. People who took up safety and security came to be known as “Kashtruyas”… People who took up Commercial Activities came to be known as “Vaishya”….. And people who took up maintaining hygiene and sanitation came to known as “Shudra”.

Naturally, the Brahmins started feeling that as they do the teaching and look after the mandir’s they are superior to other people… similarly, Kashtruyas and Vaishya’s felt they are very important as well as they look after the security and commercial activities of the Society… as the Shudra’s mainly looked after the hygiene and sanitation and works like shoe – shiner, carpenter, barbers, etc.. the other 3groups started looking down at these people as they felt that the work they do doesn’t require any skill or special talent…

They then started grading themselves as higher and lower so as to save their social status… and soon Brahmins started fooling people on the pretext of god workship etc. vaishya’s started exploiting poor farmers … and then the wheels of caste system started rolling…

So basically the people who help us in our day to day life were treated as of low caste and thus all the cast grading strated… they were not given enough rights that time, no proper education, were exploited at every given opportunity, so much that there were times when they were even call untouchables…I mean really? Untouchables?? You use donkeys for transport and worship snakes but you call humans of particular caste untouchables???

This discrimination had started way back in the history…maybe they are trying to get their independence even before our actual independence. They were not given the right to be equal to this so called higher caste people since ages and now when they are getting some kind of an reservation, we ask them to be equal and compete with us??? We have our lavish life, with good schools, college’s and coaching classes, best teachers, computers and internet to guide us, books to refer everything…but they don’t have all this… who knows what life they might be living… they do part time jobs support their families, go for night school…my mom is a teacher in a municipal school and I have seen these kids since my childhood and I realized just then that I was fortunate enough that I have all that I want… they used to wear hand me down robes.. and I used to get a new dress every month…I used to come home and sit in front of television while they went home and helped their mom sell flowers at the traffic signals or go home and fill water from the common tap far from the their house or should I call a hut…

My only point is that we just cant tell them to compete with us… our lifestyle and their’s is way different they don’t get McDonalds burger every other day or hangout at a mall and watch a movie every Friday… and we don’t live like them imagine washing our own dishes everyday or living without electicity.. oh forget that..just live without you cell phone, laptop and ipod for a day…

Social discrimination was not started by them, but by us.. by our ancestors… and now that they are getting some kind of a help to grow up socially and financially we oppose them? And tell them to do it on merit basis? Be equals? It was us who denied them the equality in the first place… there are still loads of people in India who don’t know English, cause they have never been to an English medium school, they had always gone to a government school…unlike us, we have grown up in an English school, and honestly ask yourself are u very well versed with your own mother tongue like you are in English? As of me , I am not… ill make loads of spelling mistakes while writing Marathi but English ill do just fine.. so if someone now tells me write thesis in Marathi obviously I wont be able to do it.. and quite naturally ill go ask help from my mom or grandmom or my Marathi teacher or just ask the person who has given me the work to write the thesis to allow me to write in English, so what am I doing here? Asking for help? Or an excuse? Indirectly asking for RESERVATION!!!!

So why are we making such a fuss out of the whole reservation thing when schedule caste people ask for it? Ask yourself are we falling prey to the game these politicians are playing? And if we so are against the RESERVATION then ask people who are paying donations…why are donations so needed in every stream these days? Why are we not talking against that? Because, its for our own good.. if tom I score less I can pay a bit of my parents bank balance and my career is set. But then what about the lower caste people where are they supposed to pay the donation from? When they are striving hard to just meet their 2meals per day… think about it..aren’t we just being selfish here?

I am sure your views shall differ, and people might even send me hate mails for this…but this is just what I feel… its my opinion… its my blog after all :D

Mumbai Blasts

2011-07-14T11:41:00.001+05:30

So there was yet another bomb blast in mumbai yesterday everyone was shaken people were in a hurry to get back home and keep a check on their loved once so as to check if they all are safe. There were three blasts yesterday first at Zaveri Bazaar then at Opera house and then at Dadar Kabutur Khana. Its not the first time that Mumbai's been under a bomb attack or a terror attack. Mumbai as well as the Mumbaikar's are really very familiar with such terror attacks. The support and the the unity which people show during such tragic events is commendable.

The numbers of such attack are loads in Mumbai's case like….
March 12th 1993 : Mumbai serial blasts
Jan 23rd 1993: Bombs go ff at Kanjurmarg station
Jan 24th 1998 : Bomb blast on Goregaon and Malad track
Feb 27th 1998: Bombs go off at Virar, Santacruz and Kandivali station
Dec 2nd 2002: Ammonium nitrate bomb rips through a BEST bus
Dec 6th 2002 : Blast at a fast food join at Mumbai Central Station
Jan 27th 2003: Ammonium nitrate bomb goes off at Vile Parle
Mar 28t 2003: Ammonium nitrate bomb goes odd on a BEST bus
Aug 25th 2003: RDX goes off in 2 taxis at Gateway of India and Zaveri Bazaar
July 11th 2006: 7 RDX and ammonium nitrate bombs rip throught 7 First Class local train coaches
Nov 26th – 29th 2008 : Taj hotel and Oberio Trident episode

Quite a list right??? Know any city which has gone through so much and still show no signs of any anger or anything I mean look around even now yesterday evening the city was shaken by a terror attack and everyone had lost their nerve trying to contact their friends and family and check if they are okay and the next day everything is as normal as ever as if nothing happened last night. People have left their houses for work, students returned to their schools and colleges and city is back on tracks already… ya it's a good thing to have such a nice spirit right? A display of our courage that nothing can stop us and all and now in a matter of few hours more people will even stop talking about the attack and then complain about how bad local trains are and how worse the pot holes are and how are government not doing anything.
But do you really think this is right? It's almost 20yrs of repeated terror attacks on Mumbai and our show of how courageous we are. Are we some kind of battle field where bomb attacks are everyday matters? And still we are sitting quite about it? Why? For a weak now the politicians will pretend to be doing some major steps to stop this and then it will be all over people will forget about the attack and the politicians will once again resume their carefree and lavish life. We showed our courage and everything when we helped people in whatever we could during the attack but now what? Just move back to our life without anything?
Which other country or city you know who survived these many terror attacks and still kept quite and behaved as if nothing has happened? There was one 9/11 in US and that was it and after all these years but they have taken revenge, but for us…our terror attacks are like statistics and still no show of any revenge or get back at them strategy okay if even that is too much for our nice little government then at least take some measure so as that nothing like this happens again… increase the security and I am talking about REAL security not the police who just stands for namesake but actually check the cars and keep an eye out of such people. Even the security at the railway stations airports and sea stretch should be increased. Our government has failed to do so over and over again. Its time they take some action something anything. Even the kasab thing and to say so many others who has been accused of bomb blasts and many other things should get the right punishment and that also asap not when he is not old that to hell with the punishment he will die anyway.
The news said that Intelligence had given them warning and that 2people associated with Indian Mujahhdin were arrested on 6th of this month in Mankhurd ... well then why did the government not take some security precautions? Were they waiting for something to happen first? Even today the government officials said that its safe now and that security is increased but whatever I have seen since morning atleast in my locality I see no security or anything to show that there any security precautions taken.
Government of India please please please I plead you please wake up … and also the politicians who keep fighting for all stupid reasons and create news about nothing take a step forward and really fight for some important matters such as this.

Sent on my BlackBerry® from Vodafone

Harry Potter And The Deathly Hallows... Can't Wait

2011-07-14T08:31:00.001+05:30

Harry Potter and the deathly hallows is due release tomorrow and I just can't get over the wait. For 14yrs the magical world which JK Rowling introduced us too has been a part and parcel or life for many people young and old alike. What started with an own post to an 11yr old boy ended with a dramatic end and a beautiful story in between. Its is no more a children's tale like many think it is, people stand outside the bookstore for its release at 5am ( I was one of them and PROUD of it :D ) it is a story which also revolves around teenage matters like Love, Friendship and Betrayal along with the age old story of Good Vs Evil.

We also sometimes want to "obliviate" bad memories "alohomora" closed doors of our destiny and "levicorpus" our enemies who gets on our nerves.

The world she has penned down is so realistic and in sink with the real world that sometimes "Platform 9 and 3quaters" seem real. Also her writing is something worth applauding for, simple language, awesome timing and also excellently written and mind blowing plot... It makes you cry, laugh, and gets your eyebrows raised.... A total entertainment. You actually enter the magical world when you read the books.

The characters are wonderful and unique in their own way. And you somehow fall in love with all the characters. And its really very difficult to name my favorite character.....

P.S : PLEASE READ THE BOOK
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After Delhi... Its Mumbai's Turn Now

2011-06-24T14:53:00.000+05:30

After almost every week a girl getting raped in delhi, its now Mumbai's turn... In a weeks time I heard two news one that 4 girls were killed and 2nd that a girl got raped at kalyan station. What is wrong so suddenly? I always felt that mumbai is a very safe city. Whenever I am out of town I flaunt me being from Mumbai and that I feel so safe there.

With the profession I am in I generally have to get back home late in the night. And generally by train because that's the fastest route to get back home. And with the news that a girl got raped in the night at a station! Mind you.. Mumbai city never sleeps and the station is always filled with people... Not many but there are a few people and I wonder how had these 4guys managed to rape her. Its said that they showed her some weapons and forced her to come with her to some place and raped her there.

The news really got shivers down my spine and got my heart beats faster ... Of course the government and the Police has to do something in this matter so as to not get the situation out of the hand. But I also think that girls around also has to start taking some action against this. And the action starts from the smallest of the things like if any eve teases you, you have to stop it then and there. Speak up against it. Stop him then and there!!! Create a scene, make that person feel ashamed. The more you keep quite the more these sick people think they can do anything they want and we will keep quite. Girls should learn some kind of defense, applies to me as well.. We should learn some type of karate or something that will help us stay out of trouble. You can also keep a swiss knife handy or a pepper spray or some mirchi powder so that if anything like this happens with you (which I really hope never happens to anyone of you), you can get out of the place ASAP.

I love Mumbai, and something like this happened here really hurts me. I hope things get under control soon and these dirty people get such a horrible punishment that no one dare do it again to any girl!
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Politics with dadagiri

2011-06-09T15:09:00.001+05:30

So I was on my way home and in train ladies coach near the door as the train was quite full. At the next station a group of around 15-20 shiv sena lady supporters got into the train with an attitude that the train belongs to them and they can push whoever they want and get inside and the pushing includes a lady with a baby in her hand. To add more to it 2 males got into the ladies coach shouting shiv sena zindabad and many more things supporting Mr. Thakerey (excuse me if the spelling is wrong) it was getting on my nerve now the ladies actually were pushing people to get inside and to get a proper place to seat while when the 2 men got in many ladies who wanted to get in the train couldn't cause they were blocking the door.

It was too much for me now I told them to go to the gents compartment. He tell me that its a Morcha happening and everything is allowed today. I disagreed. I told them that the compartment is anyway full and there is no need for them to add more to it so the males should travel in the male compartment. That added fuel to the fire and they started blaming me saying I am of the opposing party (Raj Thakerey to be specific) the verbal fight intensed. And I dragged them to the Railway Police asking them if today indeed all was allowed because these people were protesting against something turns out they didn't even have the ticket to travel. We were there for almost an hour arguing on the topic and they trying to threaten using their political connections. At the end of the day they were forced to say sorry and leave (with them saying I have made an mistake)

All I am saying is... Does these political party people have all the right to do anything? This what happened today was really a petty thing I agree but there are much more things bigger than this that these people do and get away with it because they belong to a political party and have a political support! Aren't these political parties set up with the intention of protecting civilians?
When will the day come when they will realise that they are not here to terrorise people and scare them or do dadagiri using their political connections as they did today in the train..
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The One

2011-06-08T00:13:00.001+05:30

They say that when you find the one for you, you should never let them go! But what about those who find the one and then don't treat them properly and then the one leaves them and goes? What about them? When both of the people know that the perfect partner the soul mate is each other but still for some reasons things don't work out?
Is it too much to ask for if you ask for some respect. And some loyality, and some understanding that you need your friends as well as that one both!
And then imagine a day when someone looses their best friend and their the one both together on the same day! What do you think will happen to them?
All I would like to say is that the person who made all this happen should realize this and also accept that the biggest mistake they could have ever done in their life was to let go of that "The One"
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An Evening In Mumbai

2011-06-05T11:44:00.001+05:30

She was in a hurry to get back home from work. Whole day had just tired her from all the energy and she would have dealt anything to just be in her bed.

She had decided not to take the train home as that clearly meant that she would have to stand all the way in the sea of people who travel to and fro everyday. So she took a bus which will take her half way back home from where she will have to catch another bus. She sat in the bus all relieved and ready to relax when her phone rang and she was called back to work because someone wanted to meet her. She went back!

Later she decided to take a rickshaw halfway and cab home from there. So she got in the rick sometime later the rickshaw wala tells her that the gas is less and she will have to get down at kandivli highway instead of goregao. As she got down at kandivli she saw bus approaching from behind which will take her to santacruz from where she will get a direct bus back home. She run's for the bus and in the process she falls down and hurts her toe and it starts bleeding she still makes it to the bus and then continue back home with a bleeding toe. Sometime later she spots an old friend a person she always wanted to meet for a long time now but everytime either of them was busy! But there was no time to meet ofcourse. She reaches santacruz gets other bus which will get her to dadar. As soon as she crosses bandra a cool gust of wind hits her and all her tiredness just vanishes.
As soon as she get down at dadar it starts raining heavily and she takes refuge at a friends place. It pours for about half and hour and she has to wait there till it slows down enough to get her back home.

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Harry Potter Pick Up Lines

2011-05-29T12:59:00.001+05:30

I came across a few Harry Potter Pick Up lines on net a few days back ... Well I just loved them and what better than to post them in here :) so here are some of the best pick up lines I came across!

I'm not wearing an invisibility cloak, but do you think I could still visit your restricted section tonight?

If I were to look into the Mirror of Erised, I'd see the two of us together.

You don't need accio to make me come.

here, take my Remembrall. you'll need it for my name later.

that's not my Sneakoscope whistling in my pocket, if you know what I mean.

If I ever had to conjure a patronus, our time together is what I would think of.

My name may not be Luna, but I sure know how to Lovegood!

If you were a Dementor, I'd become a Death Eater just to get your kiss

Did you just use an 'obliviate' spell or are you naturally mind blowing?

You don't have to say Lumos to turn me on.

Are you using a stupefy spell or are you just naturally stunning?

Being without you is like being afflicted under the Cruciatus Curse.

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Relationships ... My Take On It!

2011-05-26T23:59:00.001+05:30

What is it that makes a relationship work? Love? Respect? Trust? I think its a bit of all even if one of the these things misses out the relationship is bound to go down the drain. But then how do you keep up to all these things together? Well love is taken care of already because had it not been for that the two of them would have never even come closer...

Respect on the other hand is what needs to build and to start with the fact that even in an argument you talk without insulting eachother. I don't see a point of getting back after insulting one another. I mean at one point of time you say the meanest things possible and then say baby I love you! Doesn't it sound stupid to you right now as you read it??? Imagine what the person will feel when the one they love says all meanest things to them and then after sometime comes and says I love you! I mean what sense does it make? A relationship works when no matter what they talk to each other in the same way with love in it and understanding. If one of them has started abusing the other or is talking all crappy things to other what guarantee there is that there won't come a day when things will lead to actual fights with slaps and hitting each other?

The other thing is trust.. And trust just doesn't come over night trust is to be built, to be strengthened over the time. If my partner knows where I am what I am doing and with who I am its obvious that the questions from his side will be less and with that I even need to show him that I love him and no one else. These days I hear reasons like I am busy with work that I don't get time with my loved ones. I don't get one thing you work so you have a good life and a great future with your wife/husband right? Then how come the reason you work doesn't get enough attention from you??? There are 24hours in a day and I think that way to enough if you really make an effort to do things on time and still get enough time to spend with your loved ones.

And most important is the two of them there is really no need of a third person between them to make decisions for them. When someone decides to be together and well just are sure that they want to spend the rest of the life with each other. I don't think there is any need for anyone to interfere in them. Let the two of them take on the course of life and decide what they want to do with themselves. Atleast if they go wrong they'll know it because of them and not someone else and esp here ill like to say the parents should not involve and make decisions for their kids.. Guidance yes! But a compulsion is not acceptable because that compulsion is gonna hurt one of the two and that one is gonna end up blaming the parents which is obviously dirty and it has to be avoided! If they are old enough to land a job and choose their life partner. I guess they are mature enough to even let the relationship survive without a third person interference.

Okay over and out!
PS - this is directly from my heart no checking no editing no backspace key no nothing. So if there are any mistakes please excuse! :)
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Magic

2011-05-26T00:35:00.001+05:30

What is that one thing which you believe in always? No matter what? Well for me its magic! Ever since I was a small girl I grew up within a fairy tale. Mom dad grandmom grandpa uncles everyone just sort of raised me in a fairy tale and with that somehow they even made me independent as well as confident. I am a type of a girl who can walk down the street at midnight without any fear and did anyone try any nonsense with me I know my way to get out of it... And along with that I was even taught of magic and belief and fairy tales and that I am their only princess who's every wish will come true and with that even learn how to make wishes come true.

Its sometimes difficult to decide how my childhood was or with exactly what type of atmosphere I was grown up in. Sometimes I think I was a spoilt child who always got what she wanted and still sometimes she got the worse punishments. I was raised with enough knowledge about love and affection which later helped me understand that if I have a boyfriend what exactly to look for in him. I had grown up watching a lovely couple madly in love with each other and I knew just then that this is what I want my kids to grow up watching.

Childhood is so very important in a person's life. I see people who even after becoming an adult are still called mama's boy or are still not able to take decisions for themselves or someone who just pretends to be all mama's boy to portray that he/she is such nice human beings. Well all I feel is sad for them. A right kind of teaching a parent can give according to me is when the child knows when to be independent when to take his/her own decision and when to follow their parent's steps.

A nice balance of traditional and modern values is what a person needs to be successful only one of either is not really gonna help!

It now occurs to me as I write down this post on my ramblings about childhood and a child's teaching. That I am glad I had the right pair of parents who made me all that I want my kids to be :) thank you mom and miss you dad!
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Extract from "War and Peace"

2011-05-14T14:31:00.001+05:30

Prince Andrei, who had carried the Russian flag in the attack against the French forces, lies wounded on the battlefield. He looks up at the blue sky: "Above him there was now only the sky -- the lofty sky, not clear yet still immeasurable lofty, with grey clouds creeping softly across it. 'How quiet, how peaceful and solemn! ... How was it I did not see that sky before? And how happy I am to have found it at last! Yes, all is vanity, all is delusion except these infinite heavens. There is nothing, nothing but that. But even it does not exist, there is nothing but peace and stillness...'"
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Friday the 13th!

2011-05-13T21:41:00.000+05:30

For a long time before now I always wondered what exactly was the big deal with the friday the 13th. As a kid I always connected it with some supernatural stuff maybe because I am a biggest fattu and I do believe that number 3 and 13 and unlucky for me, but I never really got a clear deal on why exactly Friday the 13th was so talked about and linked to all bad thing... So here is a extract from Dan Brown's The Da Vinci Code where there is a mention of Friday the 13th .. Following is the whole extract :)

"The Priory of Sion," he began, " was founded in Jerusalem in 1099 by a frech king names Godefroi de Bouillion, immediately after he had conquered the city. King Godefroi was allegedly the possessor of a powerful secret -- a secret that had been in his family since the time of christ. Fearing his secret might be lost when he died, he founded a secret brotherhood -- The Priory of Sion -- and charged them with protecting his secrets by quietly passing it on from generation to generation. During their years In Jerusalem, the Priory learned of a stash of hidden documents buried beneath the ruins of Herod's Temple, which had been built atop the earlier ruins of Solomon's Temple. These documents they believed corroborated Godefroi's powerful secret and were so explosive in nature that the church would stop at nothing to get them.". "The Priory vowed that no matter how long it took, these documents must be recovered from the rubble beneath the temple and protected forever, so the truth would never die. In order to retrieve the documents from within the ruins the priory created a military arm -- a group of nine knights called the Order of the Poor Knights of Church and the Temple of Solomon." Langdon pause. " More commonly known as the Knight Templar."

Sophie looked troubled. "You're saying the Knight Templars were founded by the Priory of Sion to retrieve a collection of secret documents? I thought the Templars were created to protect the Holy Land."

"A common misconception. The idea of protection of pilgrims was the guise under which the templars ran their mission. Their true goal in the Holy Land was to retrieve the documents from beneath the ruins of the temple."

"And did they find them?"

Langdon grinned."Nobody knows for sure, but the one things on which all academics agree is this : The Knights discovered something down there in the ruins... Something that made them wealthy and powerful beyond anyone's wildest imagination"

Langdon quickly gave Sophie standard academic sketch of the accepted Knights Templar history, explaining how the Knights were in the Holy Lan during the Second Crusade and told King Baldwin II that they were there to protect christian pilgrims on the roadways. Although unpaid and sworn to poverty, the knights told the king they required basic shelter and requested his permission to take up residence in the stable under the ruins of the temple. King Baldwin granted the soldiers request, and the Knights took up their meager residence inside the devastated shrine.

The odd choice of lodging, langdon explained, had been anything but random. The knights believed the documents the Priory sought were buried deep under the ruins -- beneath the Holy of Holies, a sacred chamber where God himself was believed to reside. Literally the very center of the Jewish faith. For almost a decade, the nine Knights lived in the ruins, excavating in total secrecy through solid rock.

Sophie looked over."And you said they discovered something?"

"They certainly did," langdon said, explaining how it had taken nine years but the knights had finally found what they had been searching for. They took the treasure from temple and traveled to Europe, where their influence seemed to solidify overnight.

Nobody was certain whether the Knights had Blackmailed the Vatican or weather the church simply tried to buy the Knights' silence, but Pope Innocent II immediately issued an unprecedented papal bull that afforded the Knight Templar limitless power and declared them "a law unto themselves" -- an autonomous army independent of all interference from kings and prelates, both religions and political.

With their new carte blanche from the vatican, the Knights Templars expanded at a staggering rate, both in numbers and political force, amassing vast estates in over a dozen countries. They began extending credit to bankrupt royals and charging interests in return, thereby establishing modern banking and broadening their wealth and influence still further.

By the 1300s, the Vatican sanction had helped the Knights amass so much power that Pope Clement V decided that something had to be done. Working in concert with France's King Philippe IV, the Pope devised an ingeniously planned sting operation to quash the Templars and seize their treasure, thus taking control of the secrets held over the Vatican. In a military maneuver worthy of the CIA, Pope Clement issued secret sealed orders to be opened simultaneously by his soldiers all across the Europe on Friday, October 13 of 1307.

At the dawn on the thirteenth, the documents were unsealed and their appalling contents revealed. Clement's letter claimed that God had visited him in a vision and warned him that the Knights Templar were heretics guilty of devil worship, homosexuality, de filing the cross, sodomy, and other blasphemous behaviour. Pope Clement had been asked by God to cleanse the eath by rounding up all the Knights and torturing them until they confessed their crimes against God. Clement's Machiavellian operation came off with clockwork precision. On that day, Countless Knights were captured tortured mercilessly and finally burned at the stake as heretics. Echoes of the tragedy still resonate in modern culture; to this day, Friday the thirteenth was considered unlucky.
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The Kid!

2011-05-12T17:14:00.000+05:30

Have you seen charlie chaplin's The Kid? Awesome movie isn't it? Apart from the comic part the best part of the movie is the love and affection between charlie and the kid. Towards the end it just gets tears in your eyes and that's some kind of love and affection I want with my kid. One of the things on my to-do list with my child is watch the kid with me baby holding his/her hand and by the end of it I want the same chemistry and affection between me and my child!

Its a wonderful feeling watching a child grow up right? Right from the first knowledge that he is inside you growing day by day and then the bump you get then the way you feel him inside you then they way everything you do and everything you eat is all about him and his future and his health. The most important thing that helps is how the love between the couple grows how he starts taking care of her all the time. Those walks they go on to walk slowly slowly holding hands. How he will start taking care of all her mood swings and her cravings which will grows with the pregnancy months.

And soon the baby comes in a little angel. Cute little baby! And then the house is full of all baby things blue for the boy and pink for the girl. Then planning the nursery their toys, their clothes, baby food and nappies. Soon the walkers will come the first time the baby will say mommy and pappa such a beautiful idea such a beautiful moment will that be...

Then a time will come when he/she will go to play school then school. Will come home and show the star his teacher will give. And ill congratulate him with a bar of chocolate. Then when his daddy will come home tired from office he will run to him and hug him and all tiredness will go in a moment. So while he and daddy is playing ill serve food and all of us will eat together. What a wonderful life that will be...

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Jab They Met - Ends

2011-05-11T21:31:00.001+05:30

She had never thought things will change with such a twist and turn... He had told her he will always stand by her and love her. It all had started with the love and then it was only love from her side while it was all cheating and lies from his side. Its 3yrs now and what she gets to know is his parents interfering way too much in their life and make them breakup. And that he had always kept things hidden from her many things to be specific. And now that they have broken up he is enjoying and she is going miserable. Honestly what to do of these guys is breakup what they deserve for just ruining someone life for ever? There have been many more things that happened when they were together one of them being an abortion!!! And now its over just like that is this right? When someone says that he or she loves the other person is it merely an expression these days?
What she thought was that their love was true not like the once of those stupid flings that keep happening these days. And what she gets is this?? Is this fair? Really? She is miserable cause of him and what about him? Just fool around?
What's happening these days!

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Just For A Laugh!!!

2011-05-03T00:12:00.000+05:30

How do you expect kids to listen to their parents? Tarzan lives half-naked, Cinderella comes back home after midnight, Pinocchio lies all the time, Aladdin is the king of thieves, Batman drives at 198 miles per hour, Sleeping Beauty is lazy, and Snow White lives with 7 guys. We shouldn't be surprised when kids misbehave! They get it from their story books...
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Nam Myoho Renge Kyo .... Meaning

2011-05-01T13:28:00.000+05:30

I have been practicing Nichiren Daishonin's buddhism for 4 months now (I know very less time) but the wonders it doing to my life is amazing ... Many a times people ask me what it is all about and how does chanting help me and what does Nam Myoho Renge Kyo mean ... So here goes the meaning :)

Nam Myoho Renge Kyo is a mantra that is chanted by the followers on Nichiren Daishonin buddhism. The mantra is referred as Daimoku and was first revealed by Nichiren Daishonin on the 28th April 1253 in japan. The mantra is written in the centre of the Gohonzon, the mandala. Shakyamuni Buddha expounded 80,000 teachings of which after studying all, Nichiren daishonin realized and came to a conclusion that MYOHO RENGE KYO - the title of the Lotus sutra is the most superior of all and hence appended the word NAM at the start which means .....

NAM :-
Nam comes from a Sanskrit word which means respect or dedication. So the phrase Nam Myoho Renge Kyo means devotion to the mystic law of the Lotus Sutra.

Nam is an action word that turns this principle from theory to reality. It also means to fuse our lives with an external truth of Myoho Renge Kyo and through this fusion, it enables us to draw forth wisdom from within ourselves in response to our daily lives.

It encapsulates both action we need to take and the attitude we need to develop if we are to attain buddhahood in this lifetime.

Its an expression of the middle way, encompassing and transcending both religious and secular aspects of devotion.

MYOHO:-
Nichiren Daishonin explains that 'Myo' is the name given to the mystic nature of life, and 'ho' its manifestation. In other words, while 'myo' refers to the essence of life itself which is unseen and beyond intellectual understanding, this essence always expresses itself in tangible form, one that van be understood by our senses.

For example:- if we were to consider that music is 'myo' its almost impossible to explain why it moves us i.e the sounds of the notes and their effect on our emotion can be felt and therefore are 'ho'

Taking another example, myo refers to the state of buddhahood, while ho refers to the 9worlds from hell to boddhisattva

On one level, this means that out buddha nature is not separate from the nine other worlds we all possess and that it can only be expressed through them. On another level, myo represents our full potential while ho stands for how much of that potential we have achieved.

Nichiren Daishonin explains that, as everyone posseses buddhahood, the potential of each individual is literally limitless. Thus just having great potential is no good to anybody, if it simple remains dormant in our lives. For instance, we cannot improve the quality of our loves and that of others unless we are able to turn our potential into reality and manifest it everyday in society.

RENGE:-
Renge means the Lotus Flower which grows and blossoms in a muddy pond and yet remains pure from defilement. Since it produces seeds and flowers at the same time, it signifies the law of cause and effect.

The circumstances and quality of out individual lives are determined by the causes and effects both good and bad, that we accumulate (through our thoughts, words and actions) at each moment. This is called our "Karma."

The law of cause and effect explains that we each have personal responsibility for our own destiny. We create our destiny and we can change it. The most powerful cause we can make. Is to chant Nam Myoho Renge Kyo; and the effect of Buddhahood is simultaneously created in the depths of our life and will definitely manifest in time.

KYO:-
Kyo means sutra, the voice or teaching of the Buddha. It also means sound, rhythm or vibration.

When we talk of Vibration, which is so important in our practice, as we say the voice does the Buddha's work and that's why we recite the sutra aloud than doing it silently.

Also the chinese character KYO originally meant "the wrap in a piece of a woven cloth" symbolizes the unchanging and continuity of life throughout past present and future.

Nicherin associated the characters Nam Myoho Renge Kyo with the parts of human body to HEAD, THROAT, CHEST, ABDOMEN and LEGS respectively indicating that the mystic law is in no way separate from the realities of our lives

In a more broad sense, KYO conveys tje concept that all things in the universe are a manifestation of the mystic law and how our prayets or the sound of our chanting can affect people and situation around us.

So the literal meaning of Nam Myoho Renge Kyo does not mean to devote oneself just to the practice of Buddhism but rather to life as a whole.

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Cricket or Country???

2011-04-09T09:58:00.001+05:30

So yesterday was the peace rally and candle light march happening in support to Anna Hazare. The rally happened at Azad Maidan at around 4 in the afternoon but due to some confusion about the timings I missed Azad Maidan but I did go for the candle light march at Gateway Of India.
The atmosphere was electrifying everyone was in full spirit to support Anna Hazare. There were candles burning, people with placard, announcement with live news happening, people singing patriotic songs, and also slogans like "Mera neta chor hai" and "Anna Hazare aage badho.. Hum tumhare saath hai"
But what made me think was, the world around me was divided in two.. Yesterday it was also the first day on IPL. I was in constant touch with everyone on twitter, facebook, SMS. and I was shocked to realise that half the people were supporting Anna Hazare and were trying to do some change in the government, while others were just sitting back home without any worry and watching IPL and cursing how bad the opening ceremony was! I mean is this for real??? A man is fasting for the country we all live in for our better future for this countries better future to bring down the corrupt and we don't care a bit for that and sit home and watch IPL?? Don't these people really care even a bit for the country??
I understand cricket is a religion here in india and people are mad about it, but does that mean that they will even forget about the country's need?
Is cricket really more important than India?? The country we live in??
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Anna Hazare...

2011-04-08T11:01:00.000+05:30

This is a mail I got right now. And I think it answers every question people have so posted it.

A Mahatma Announces Fast unto Death
Anna Hazare has given an ultimatum to the Prime Minister Dr Manmohan
Singh to enact a stringent anti-corruption law - the people's "Jan
Lokpal Bill"!
Jail to the corrupt a must! We have been betrayed by those that are leading us!
When & Where?
From 5th April at Jantar Mantar, New Delhi
Who is Anna Hazare?
A soldier, lone survivor in his unit in1965 Indo-Pak war, Anna
dedicated his life to the well-being of society. A bachelor, an
ascetic, he has no possessions, no bank balance and lives in a temple.
He is a living Mahatma Gandhi!
In Maharashtra, Anna has single handedly transformed barren and dry
regions into green and food surplus areas. He has fasted unto death on
several earlier occasions. He forced the Maharashtra government to
dismiss the corrupt - 6 ministers and 400 officers. Due to his fast,
the govt enacted the Maharashtra RTI Act. In 2006, when government of
India tried to amend the Central RTI Act, he again went on an
indefinite fast and forced the Indian government not to amend RTI Act.
Leaders, organizations and the common man from across India will be
with him. This is a do or die moment - let us make it happen!
Across India, join Swami Ramdev, Sri Sri Ravishankar, Swami Agnivesh,
Arch Bishop Vincent Concessao, Mahmood A Madani,Kiran Bedi, J M
Lyngdoh, Shanti Bhushan, Prashant Bhushan, Arvind Kejriwal, Mufti
Shamoom Qasmi, Mallika Sarabhai, Arun Bhatia, Sunita Godara, AllIndia
Bank Employees Federation, PAN IIT Alumni Association, Common Cause
and many other prominent organizations and leaders participatd as
India comes out on the streets! 100+ CITIES WILL RALLY BEHIND ANNA!
This is a defining moment for India that can give our children a
better future! Let us unite and standby him! Thousands will be there
to support him. Will you be there?
Anna's appeal to the people:
When I sit on fast from 5 April, I urge my fellow countrymen to join
me in fasting for one, two, three or whatever number of days you can
comfortably fast.
Along with fast, please pray to God (whoever you believe in) for
better and corruption free India. Collective prayers from all the
people of India would definitely have a huge impact.
Write an impassioned plea to our Prime Minister that we look upon him
to pass "Jan Lokpal Bill", else we will be compelled not to vote for
his party in next elections.
Remain calm and peaceful and develop the courage to go to jail, if
required, in this next freedom movement.
If possible, come and stay with Anna at Jantar Mantar for a few days
from April 5th.
Salient features of Jan Lokpal Bill
Drafted by Justice Santosh Hegde, Prashant Bhushan and Arvind
Kejriwal, this Bill has been refined on the basis of feedback received
from public on website and after series of public consultations. It
has also been vetted by and is supported by Shanti Bhushan, J M
Lyngdoh, Kiran Bedi, Anna Hazare etc. It was sent to the PM and all
CMs on 1st December. However, there is no response.
JAN LOKPAL BILL
1. An institution called LOKPAL at the centre and LOKAYUKTA in each
state will be set up
2. Like Supreme Court and Election Commission, they will be completely
independent of the governments. No minister or bureaucrat will be able
to influence their investigations.
3. Cases against corrupt people will not linger on for years anymore:
Investigations in any case will have to be completed in one year.
Trial should be completed in next one year so that the corrupt
politician, officer or judge is sent to jail within two years.
4. The loss that a corrupt person caused to the government will be
recovered at the time of conviction.
5. How will it help a common citizen: If any work of any citizen is
not done in prescribed time in any government office, Lokpal will
impose financial penalty on guilty officers, which will be given as
compensation to the complainant.
6. So, you could approach Lokpal if your ration card or passport or
voter card is not being made or if police is not registering your case
or any other work is not being done in prescribed time. Lokpal will
have to get it done in a month's time. You could also report any case
of corruption to Lokpal, like ration being siphoned off, poor quality
roads been constructed or panchayat funds being siphoned off. Lokpal
will have to complete its investigations in a year, trial will be over
in next one year and the guilty will go to jail within two years.
7. But won't the government appoint corrupt and weak people as Lokpal
members? That won't be possible because its members will be selected
by judges, citizens and constitutional authorities and not by
politicians, through a completely transparent and participatory
process.
8. What if some officer in Lokpal becomes corrupt? The entire
functioning of Lokpal/Lokayukta will be completely transparent. Any
complaint against any office of Lokpal shall be investigated and the
officer dismissed within two months.
9. What will happen to existing anti-corruption agencies? CVC,
departmental vigilance and anti-corruption branch of CBI will be
merged into Lokpal. Lokpal will have complete powers and machinery to
independently investigate and prosecute any officer, judge or
politician.
JAN LOKPAL BILL will act as deterrent and instil fear against corruption
(This movement is neither affiliated nor aligned to any political party)

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I Support Shiney Ahuja

2011-04-01T10:53:00.000+05:30

A few months back Shiney Ahuja was convicted of a rape case. Of raping his house maid and a few days back he was sentenced for 7yrs of imprisonment. Is it really fair?? According to me Not.

Just because someone is famous enough to create new, law and goverment is using him to glorify themseleves. If this is the thing and if out goverment is so particular about all the rules and regulations then why was salman khan freed easily few years back?? He had killed a deer right?? Why is sanjay dutt free?? Wasn't he convicted to have underworld connections during the bomb blasts?? Why is kasab still alive?? If a rape case gets 7yrs of imprisonment isn't it obvious enough that kasab, a terrorist who killed 100s of innocent people gets death sentence??? Only because all these people had or have influential connections they are allowed to live their life in luxury. And luxury to also a terrorist. Kasab gets all kinds of luxury treatment in his So called Jail. And out media is freely highlighting it with pride. They should have done something against it not support it!!!

I only want to say a 7yrs punishment us too much. There must be millions of rape cases everyday does each and everyone of them is given 7yrs punishment??? If rule is the same for everyone then why the ones who have influential connections freed while those who can't help it and create news convicted?? It should be equal for everyone right??? Just because Shiney Ahuja gives news he is being targeted.

I am not saying to just leave him without any punishment, but what is given right now is too much!!!
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What A Match

2011-03-31T13:25:00.000+05:30

Yesterday was the world - cup semifinals. India vs Pakistan world cup semifinals in Mohali Can you feel the thrill?? India Pakistan semifinals that too in India. It was like a war here. Everyone was in full spirit big or small..rich or poor..elites and common people all alike. Everyone were really very excited about the match.

Sachin tendulkar did 85runs he has to do 100runs to complete his 100th century. One more 100runs and 100th century. For the first time I was praying for him to play well and and get that century

There was a projector put up below my bldg and all had come together to watch and when we won against Pakistan all the crackers were busted as if its Diwali.

Dhoni as always was very calm and nice. Through he didn't get to do much runs but I am still in his support he has given us an excellent team and his calm and composure creates that positive energy that is needed by every Indian player on field

Sachin was playing very nicely. It was something like god was helping him win. Pakistani players dropped many of his balls ( ie. Catches got dropped, I don't know any specific term for that.. Not a big cricket pro you see )
One thing I appreciate sachin for now is that he knows cricket right. I have generally seen him walk off the field when declared out, but yesterday, when he was declared out by the umpire after a very loud appeal from the pakistani players, he asked for a review and was then after watching the review was declared Not Out!!! That is what I call as the right knowledge of the game.
Then again in the very next ball he was bowled out... But again when asked for Third umpire he was Not Out.
The man plays cool and calm and knows his game well. I know in a few of my earlier post I have spoken against him but still this is what I saw yesterday and I will appreciate it. Mind you I am not taking my words back from the earlier posts!!!

Now the finals is between India and Sri Lanka, two neighboring countries again. Sri Lanka has played brilliantly in this series and I am bit dicey about we winning the cup. But nevertheless I am an indian and will support india with tan man and dhan :D
Hope enthusiastic people don't start anything with Ram vs Ravan thing or anything related to Ramayan. Mixing up Mythology in this seems wrong but again, cricket is also a religion in India. And I might as well enjoy it for now.

Yuvraj and raina were also good, yuvraj yesterday got out on the very first ball itself but he has been very consistent in the whole series. He takes wickets and is playing very good. I still crave to see him do 6 sixes once again! Repeat the history dude!!!
Raina... Well a life saver!! He yesterday somehow stabalized the game. When everyone started getting out really quick. Those runs raina made were really very important. And about his fielding well whenever the ball goes near the boundary line my inside somehow say Raina Raina... And most of the time he is just there to save the ball. He is young, quick, and fast. "Raina Haina" is what I always say.

So, on 2nd april 2011, world cup 2011 finals in Mumbai's Wankhede stadium. Hopefully sachin will do his 100th century as the icing on the cake. And hopefully we will win the World Cup!!!

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The Wedding - book review

2011-03-28T15:41:00.001+05:30

The wedding by Nicholas Sparks

Wilson lewis has always found it difficult to express his emotions. Now with his thirtieth wedding anniversary
Approaching, he confronts the fact that he and his wife Jane have grown apart - and he wonders if she even loves him any more.
As Allie and Noah's son-in-law, and with the memory of theird fifty-year love affair as his guide, Wilson knows he must find his way back into Jane's heart. He still adores her - but is his love enough for both of them?

A wonderful book with lovely backdrop of a romantic classic "The Notebook". As all of Nicholas Sparks book this is also a lovely heart touching love story. Whenever I feel like reading romance or something about love the only author I turn to is Nicholas Sparks. He has a magic in him through which he converts the most normal story into a fairy tale.
He shows us through his writing that love knows no age .. No limit.. No nothing .. Love knows only one thing and that's love. If you want to tell someone you love them, the time is now!!! If you want to show someone you love them, the time is now!!!
Feel the love with this book or rather any of Nicholas sparks books!

PS. You'll love the twist! :)
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Project 365 - day 28

2011-03-22T22:36:00.001+05:30

Siddhivinayak temple, prabhadevi. Today
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Smile.... Laugh... Enjoy

2011-03-18T15:15:00.000+05:30

A very funny incident happened today, I don't know if I should call it funny or tragic but for sure something to learn from (atleast for me)...
I met a few of my friends todat as we were talking and complaining about work and all.. One friends suddenly started giggling on asking her what's so funny, she told us an office incident that happened with her a few months back!
It so happens that she is a very vibrant girl who always keeps smiling and laughing always has that smile on her face. So this boss of hers always used to nag her saying why u keep smiling and laughing blah blah and ofcourse some more nasty comments used to follow. Then one say while her boss was working he got a heart attack and the doctor later advised him to smile a bit more and laugh and have fun keep your mind and heart young!!!
Of course the nasty comments on her stopped!!!!

"Haso.. Jiyo.. Muskurao, kya pata kal ho na ho"
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Project 365 - day 27

2011-03-04T10:18:00.001+05:30

A hoarding at a restaurant!
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Traffic discipline

2011-03-03T15:00:00.000+05:30

Okay so this is what happened to me day before yesterday I don't know who was right and who was wrong or anything of that sort this post is coming out just because I am angry with what happened!!!

Me and a friend of mine had gone for a movie, he had parked the bike in the parking area, okay so the lane was small with lots of shops and roadside vendors. And there were almost 100 other bikes parked. After the movie as we got out of the lane one traffic police stops us and tells us that it was a one way and we cannot come out of that way instead we should have gotten out from the other side of the lane. We first accepted our mistake but also tried to suggest that there was no such sign board there and hence we didn't know but we accept its a mistake. He then asked for our license, But then the policeman started talking in a very rude way something on the lines of youths don't pay attention blah blah blah. It was just too much for both of us. It was then that another bike came from the same lane and he just went off from our side and the policeman didn't stop him. When we asked why he said that he can't attend to 2 people at the same time. And just few minutes back he said that rules are same for every individual.
So my temper just rose that if the rules are same for every person then why didn't he stop that bike? So our mistake was just that we didn't have other bike in front of us if there have been a bike or a car ahead of us he would have caught them and we would have rushed passed him??? Where is the equality here? How are rules equal for everyone here??? Should goverment not keep more policemen so as to catch everyone who breaks rules?
Just then I saw a car coming out of the same lane and the policeman who had caught us just didn't notice it. I showed it to him. He even stopped that car but other than that 3 cars and 7bikes went by without him stopping them!!!
So how the hell are rules equal for everyone? Maybe I am angry because I was stopped by him and this post would have not even come if I would have been saved by the grace of some one ahead by bike who would have broken the rule. But I am glad I was caught! At least that made me realize that our government should think of something new... appoint more policemen at every point. Put proper sign boards indicating no entry one way no parking etc! Don't you think we need some more traffic discipline?
We were standing there for one and half hour seeing how many cars he stopped and how many just went by. And I even managed to take a few pictures showing the cars and bikes coming out but not getting caught! Once a car went by and he didn't notice because he was talking to some local guy he knew!

The bike, the red car, and the silver innova were some of the cars that broke the rule and still just escaped!!!!
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Project 365 - day 26

2011-03-02T10:11:00.000+05:30

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Updates

2011-02-23T11:02:00.001+05:30

Its been a busy busy week just no time to post anything or write anything so here is a quick update. Had an awesome valentine's day enjoyed a lot got books as gifts well what more do I want?
Ya so there are these two books I read first is brida by paulo coelho and its mind blowing!!! Its thoda werid and makes you enter some different world a world of magic, of time travel and you end up being in two minds if all this could be true in anyway! And its really on the reader to decide if he/she wants to believe in it or not.
The other book is a book I always wanted to read since 9th names Not without my daughter by betty mahmoody. I have just read the first few pages but its just too good!
A book review for some other books will be up soon!

For now cya! Have a great day!
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Hum kar kya rahe hai???

2011-02-22T17:45:00.001+05:30

Kasab ko paal rahe hain..rahat ko rahat de rahe hain..atif se gaane gawa rahe hain..veena malik ko kaam de rahe hain..HUM KAR KYA RAHE HAIN?
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Project 365 - day 25

2011-02-05T15:30:00.000+05:30

Matunga station and the railway lines at matunga.
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A drop of ink!

2011-02-05T10:43:00.001+05:30

What exactly is a "problem"?? Is it something that you should worry about a lot or something that you should just keep ignoring?
When I was a kid my biggest problem used to be that my homework is not done or that if I miss my favorite cartoon today on tv it will be the end of the world.
Later as I grew up there were new problems which as time passed by got solved on its own accords and now when I look back at them... I laugh!!! Even now at this point of time I have problems and things to worry about etc but again I know that it is just a phase of life and as time passes by even this will go and at one point of time my life will be all goodie good and perfect.
Someone asked me today, "if you put a drop of ink in a glass of water what till happen?" I promptly answered that the water in the glass will turn blue. Then she asked me if I put the same drop of ink in am ocean what will happen? Will the ocean turn blue? I shook my head NO!
Similarly our problems are a drop of ink and its in our hand if we want out mind and heart to be a glass of water and get really very affected by all the problems or be like an ocean and take it as a part of life be positive that it will all work out for the good and move on!
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My books list

2011-02-04T11:36:00.001+05:30

So I was just whiling away my time sitting near my book shelf when I thought "how many books do I really have?"," which all books do I really have?" Then I thought why don't I make a list of all the books I have.... So here it goes!!! All my favorite books

Starting with my most favorite...
The harry potter series! By J.K. Rowling

1. Harry potter and the philosophers stone
2. Harry potter and the chamber of secrets.
3. Harry potter and the prisoner of azkaban.
4. Harry potter and the goblet of fire.
5. Harry potter and the order of pheonix.
6. Harry potter and the half blood prince.
7. Harry potter and the deathly hallows.
8. Beedle the bard.

The twilight series. By Stephenie Meyer

9. Twilight
10. New moon
11. Eclipse
12. Breaking dawn
13. The short second life of bree tanner

All by Nicholas Sparks

14. Nights in rodanthe
15. The notebook.
16. The choice
17. Dear john.
18. The wedding
19. Message in a bottle.
20. True believer
21. The rescue
22. The lucky one.
23. The last song

By Dan Brown

24. The lost symbol
25. The da vinci code
26. Angels and demons
27. Digital fortress
28. Deception point

By Cecelia Ahern

29. Thanks for the memories
30. P.S. I love you
31. The gift

32. The Godfather by Mario Puzo

By Paulo Coelho

33. Brida
34. The alchemist
35. The pilgrimage
36. The winner stands alone
37. The zahir

By Josephine Cox. Thanks to Tbg!!! :)

38. Looking back
39. Jinnie
40. The woman who left

41. Glittering images by Susan Howatch

42. Ambassador of dead by Askold Melnuczuk

Shakespeare plays

43. Julius caesar
44. Hamlet
45. A midsummer nights dream.

By Chetan Bhagat

46. One night at a call center
47. Five point someone
48. 2 states

Chiken Soup series

49. Chicken soup for teenage soul 4
50. Chicken soup for the teenage soul on love and friendship
51. Chicken soup for the indian romantic soul
52. Chicken soup for the soul. Teen talks and growing up.

53. The restricted joke book.
54. Hot relationships by Tracey Cox
55. The giant book of facts and trivia
56. Men are from mars women are from venus by John Gray
57. Anything for you ma'am by Tushar Raheja
58. King of bollywood - sharukh khan by Anupama Chopra
59. Now that you're rich... Let's fall in love by Durjoy Dutta and Maanvi Ahuja
60. Window seat by Janhavi Acharekar
61. Trust me by Rajashree
62. Breathless in bombay by Murzban F Shroff
63. Stilettos in the newsroom by Rashmi Kumar
64. Slumdog millionaire by vikas swarup
65. No country for old men by Cormac McCarthy
66. Love story by Erich Segal
67. 26/11 the attack on mumbai by hindustan times
68. Black friday the story of the bombau bomb blasts by S. Hussain Zaidi
69. From XL to XS by Payal Gidwani Tiwari
70. Bridget jones diary by Helen Fielding
71. Wuthering heights by Emily bronte
72. Urban shots
73. Almost single by Advaita kala
74. Only fat people skip breakfast by Lee Janogly
75. Don't lose your mind lose your weight by Rujuta Diwekar
76. Blackberry a complimentary book but its too good
77. Maximum city by Suketu Mehta
78. The google story by David A Vise
79. The story of my experiments with truth by Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi.
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A frustrated post!!!

2011-02-01T18:45:00.001+05:30

What kind of love is it when he doesn't even ask what's bothering you when you clear say "I am upset" and goes out to hangout with friends?

I mean how the hell does a man's brain work? How do you understand what he means and what he wants and when he saying the truth and when he is lying.
Someoneee pleasee start some crash course to understand men. Cause honestly I think at some point of time all girls need it.
They always say girls are difficult to understand and blahhhh. But sometimes even the guys are plain irritating and just makes you so irritated than all you wanna do is bang their head!!!!

Hmmm.... A bit of frustration removed here! feeling like 0000.1% better! Thank you for reading! Yeah this post was pointless you can curse me now!
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Something that just touched my heart!

2011-01-30T14:03:00.001+05:30

The more time we spent together, the more I could imagine it lasting in the future. That's never happened to me before, and I'm not sure it'll ever happen again. I've nevr been in love with anyone before you came along - not real love, anyway. Not like this, and I'd be a fool if I let you slip away without a fight.
I don't know what else I can tell you, other than that I can imagine spending the rest of my life with you.
And if you give me a chance - if you give us a chance - I'm going to live the rest of my life proving you that you made the right decision. I love you, gabby. And not just for the person you are, but for the way you make me think we can be.

The choice
Page no 214 and 215
By Nicholas sparks.
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Project 365 - day 24

2011-01-29T10:09:00.001+05:30

Advise to PM
Appoint an anti corruption minister!

A hoarding put up at pizzaria opposite marine drive!

Note - I know a very bad picture quality but I just had to take the pic and put up here!
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Project 365 - day 23

2011-01-28T09:49:00.000+05:30

A dream come true??? .... Well almost!
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Project 365 - Day 22

2011-01-25T14:21:00.000+05:30

The setting sun, marine drive!
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Dhobi ghat

2011-01-21T22:40:00.001+05:30

I saw dhobi ghat today first day first show and well ill say its different. Not the typical bollywood movie but again its an aamir khan movie you can't expect the bollywood mirch masala and all. Still I wouldn't say it falls in the league of rang de basanti, taare zameen par, 3 idiots ka league as I said before its different.
I doubt the usual audience will like it I mean 2 of my friends didn't like it. So maybe its not for the mass but only for a selected few who choose to look into technical stuff also and not just the dhinchak factor.
Aamir doesn't have much to do though the movie is practically based on prateik and the other girl ( I am sorry I forgot the name) and they both are soo good. Very cute! The girl who keeps recording the video she is also too good the natural acting as if really some new girl who is out of touch of technology is recording it even the lata bai.
I loved the start the most and even the way they have shown mumbai in bits and parts.

Over all I guess ill give 3.5 on 5.
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Project 365 - day 21

2011-01-19T21:59:00.001+05:30

ABC = Always Be Careful
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Project 365 - day 20

2011-01-13T14:59:00.000+05:30

You can find people sitting on the floor in a mall and having lunch only in gujarat
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Quotes

2011-01-13T01:46:00.000+05:30

Antoine de Saint - Exupery, the author of The Little Prince, once wrote,

"love is not two people gazing at each other, but two people looking ahead together in the same direction."
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Everything seems wrong

2011-01-11T01:39:00.001+05:30

There comes a day in your life when you feel everything is just right something is wrong in everything and all you wanna do is end your life and skip all the bad things all the negative things all the bad people just end everythingggg. Well that's what I am going through now and every things I do seems wrong everything that happens to me seems wrong just everything.
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Project 365 - day 19

2011-01-10T12:18:00.000+05:30

Gurudwara, Satellite road ahemdabad.
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No one killed jessica

2011-01-09T12:44:00.001+05:30

I saw no one killed jessica yesterday and it was just too good the director has done a superb job. If you have seen aamir then you probably know what I am talking about that guy is just too good and he has done the same justice with this movie.
Vidya is also very good in her non glamorous role and a very down to earth character she has very nicely adapted the character and gone to the very depth of it same goes with rani she has also done a very nice role. The new girl myra is also very good and very cute!
The start and the end is also good. Also the reference to kargil war, the plane hijack and then the rang de basanti was mind blowing. Also few of the montages the steady cams and many other scenes have been done beautifully

According to me it gets 4 out of 5.

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Life went for a toss

2011-01-07T12:27:00.001+05:30

Sometimes it so happens that things you want just seems to go away and away!!! Away from house for a week in places in gujrat where I have never been before rajkot jamnagar bhavnagar the night travels around 6 to 7 hours of travel in a tavera everyday is quite hectic and by the end of it when you don't get the expected results its just obvious to get irritated right???
So much of politics so much of back bitching so much of everything bad guess now I have started to face the real world the real industry the real people. Before this always worked in home productions and maybe that's why it always went the way we wanted the feeling of friendship of understanding of fun of feeling home away from home of feeling safe even in the dead of the night walking with a guy u work with on a strange road.
But as the saying goes "every cloud has a silver lining" with all the bad happening there is a small ray of joy the feeling of being loved of being cared by someone, is a new love story about to start??? A love triangle maybe!!!
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Project 365 - day 18

2011-01-04T12:32:00.000+05:30

Blackberry curve covers designed by me. How's it??? Which one you like more??? Any ideas???
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Project 365 - day 17

2011-01-02T17:58:00.000+05:30

Picture captured on our way to rajkot! Courtesy- Me and neeraj jad
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Project 365 - day 16

2011-01-01T18:42:00.000+05:30

My blackberry curve covers!!! Love them alll.
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My christmas wish list!!!

2010-12-26T10:43:00.001+05:30

I know its one day late!!! But who cares my santa will always do it for me right???

So here goesss my wish list!!!

1. I want a mac an iphone and various other latest gadgets!

2. A personal trainer and hair dresser who can manage my curly and out of control hair.

3. A nice life without any further sad parts or unwanted changes.

5. A credit card who's credit will never get over!!!

6. A library of my own

7. A movie library of my own

8. A nice cottage type house in my area (I know that is impossible)

9. A nice well settled life with him, well actually this is my first and most important wish but just though of writing it in the last! Last but definitely not the least!

Well, that's all for now! Dear santa hope its not too much for you and I believe you will fulfill them all! :)
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