Live Now, Live Today – An Insight into Shah Rukh Khan’s Speech at University of Edinburg

Few days back, one of the well-renowned and accomplished actor of Bollywood, Shah Rukh Khan – aka King Khan, was bestowed with the honorary doctorate degree from University of Edinburg for his philanthropic work and to recognise his achievements worldwide & contribution towards the upliftment of art. In his acceptance speech, he gave some valuable and ponderable life lessons and advices that will be helpful for all who want to do something different in their life and, all suggestions were received positively and with great applause by the audience. 

He started his speech with the famous end-message of almost every Bollywood movie – “Everything settles for good at the end and if it doesn’t, it’s not the end. Picture abhi baaki hai mere dost.” He emphasized on being optimistic as nothing holds the same for ever and, after each night there is an energetic day and happiness always follows sadness. One should have respect for the work he/she does and must give his/her hundred percent to every project in a smart way. Everyone needs to work hard and smartly, study hard and play harder. He advised not to be bound by rules and proposed not to hurt anybody and, one should never ever live somebody else’s dream. 

Moreover, he suggested that art is more important than the artist and one should have no attachment to his/her art for, it’s regressive. He added that being a philosopher before one is rich is of no importance but, a waste. There’s no such thing as “normal”. That’s just another word for “lifeless”. Madness (of the particularly nice/romantic kind) is an absolute prerequisite to a successful and happy life. He said, “If you aren’t charged up about doing something, if you don’t have the fire in our belly for it, then don’t do it.” Whatever it is that pulls one back, is not going away unless one stands up and starts forging his/her own path with all might in the opposite direction. One should learn the habit of laughing at oneself whenever he/she is in despair.

Summarising his speech, he added, “Live now, live today. Don’t be bound by rules, live your own dream.” 

That was really an encouraging and motivational speech to all the young and old people alike. We really need to think positive and strive for the best in our life so that we can achieve what we have dreamt of. Nothing remains the same forever and, everything changes for good. Even, in medical terms, a straight line means lifelessness or death. Life may become insipid in the absence of any turbulence. So, just get charged up, have that fire in your belly and move ahead smartly towards your goal.

Survival of the Finest – Dance-Bar Girls versus Porn Stars versus Prostitutes

Just few months back, “Porn Ban” in India was one of the hottest and trending topic that was surfacing on every social networking site, news’ websites, or even daily newspapers. It had given rise to a huge uproar and, amid that cacophony, the voice of real and actual subject was suppressed. Also, years before this “Unprecedented Ban”, there was a circular that made rounds in Mumbai about the closing of dance bars. Why? What prompted the government to release such a notice about closing of bars? I am leaving that up to you for doing some research about the actual reasons behind such a huge step which, directly or indirectly not only hindered many businesses but also affected many individual’s life (specially bar girls, who were doing their jobs even when they weren’t interested in that).

The real question that lies in front of us isn’t - whether it’s good or bad? Instead, the fact that how these girls are being inducted or forced into this field is of prime importance. Also, why girls do join dance bars – it is something that needs to be pointed out. 

There is a common notion prevailing in the society – a society that treats itself civilized despite the fact that those who go to brothels to satiate their sexual arousal are also from this very society – that girls who do work in dance bars are from uncivilized society and they don’t have family values or, their culture isn’t good or, they are a blot on society and disfiguring or marring the young generation, specially boys. This is very ridiculous and a misconception too. Have we ever asked them why did they join this business or industry which, at times, have proved itself nothing worse than hell? Have we ever looked deeply into their life and background, instead of their flaunting curves and well-shaped body, so as to find the reasons of their involvement in this industry? No, we didn’t. Because, we never cared about others apart from those who are in immediate touch of ourselves and, there are also instances when the former fact has proven itself wrong ,as we do know how some family members sell their daughters just for some handful of money. 

Moving a bit forward, there are prostitutes and porn stars who do sell their bodies to make their ends meet. Most of them are forcibly inducted into this business while, there are some who do join with their consent although that counts to very few. Here also, the whole lot of so-called civilized people consider these girls the reason for the descending of our society and young generations to hell and also for their life being ruined completely. But, the real facts essays a different story. Had the government been really interested in putting a stop to this then, some of our politicians mightn’t be caught red-handed watching porn-videos on their mobile phones, that too in parliament. Because, we all know that supply is directly proportional to demand and, no one likes buying an outdated product (girls who start losing their beauty as they age). And, as the demand increases, there is an increased inflow of new and beautiful girls by any means. 

There are many reasons cited by the dance-bar girls for their undesired involvement and, one of them being the lecherous eyes of peoples of the companies or organisations where they went to seek employment but, found those eyes lurking in a line and staring beyond their clothes instead of their (employers’) mind to be focussed on girls’ potential and characteristics to do a particular job they had applied for. 

It is our duty to take care of everyone around us and, not to indulge in any activity which might bring infamy to us or strangle other’s life. The stay put up by Supreme Court of India earlier as well as recently and backing up Bombay High Court on Women Dance-bars’ ban in order to upheld its working again is really commendable and praiseworthy. The SC had, in 2013, upheld the right of women bar-dancers to follow their profession and dismissed the state government’s appeal to ban them. The apex court, however, gave power to licensing authorities to regulate indecent dance performances. It will help many to earn their breads again. And, on our part, we should respect them and not consider them responsible for any harm to the society because of their profession.

The Saviour, After Maggi……………..

It has been a long time since we have watched “The 2 Minutes” noodles’ ad on our television screen, laptops, and smartphones or, on any hoardings that used to increase shops’ magnificence with its yellow coloured packaging, attracting children and older ones alike. No one can deny the very fact that s/he doesn’t like Maggi. In fact, the yellow colour quickly becomes everyone’s favourite and, if it’s not for Maggi, it must be for the Minions. 

Maggi used to be everyone’s favourite food. Even, for some, it used to be a staple food and, for others, it was used as a taste-changer from the daily insipid food. And, for students or professionals residing far from their sweet homes, it was a saviour. Everyone knows, how students survive the constant attack of insipid flavoured food at hostels’ mess. 2 or 3 packets were normal in everyone’s room and if not present, they used to arrange that even at night or the wee hours. The aroma of vapours – of the perfect blend of spices and pungent preservatives – rising from the pan and getting diffused into the air was sufficient enough to arouse the urge to taste it even for once and, the rest isn’t necessary to mention.

Moreover, Maggi (if personified) was the only girl who used to get ready in nearly 2 minutes. Otherwise, we all know how much time girls do spend in getting ready, even for a casual hangout. And, if they have to get ready for a grand party or sort of like that, you can’t imagine the duration. First, they will spend quality time, not waste, in a parlour and, after coming to their home, they will again take time to smudge their face with a host of cosmetics from the wide spectrum of varieties of each element ranging from eye-liners to mascara to lipsticks, before giving a semi-final touch. The final touch does happen in cars or autos, whatever they take as their means of transportation to their final destination.

But, the golden history of Maggi scribbled in the world of food started losing its magnificence, especially in India, from the very time it was accused of containing lead (Pb) above the legal limit and more percentage of MSG. The ban was imposed on its selling in a number of states after it failed the test conducted by Food Standards and Safety Authority of India (FSSAI). As a result, Nestle – of which Maggi is a flagship product – incurred loss of about Rs 320 Crores. In order to revert back to its golden position, Nestle appointed Indian-born Suresh Naraynan as the CEO of Maggi in India, after a very long time. Mr Suresh is regarded as one of the finest economist and prior to joining Nestle, he has worked with Colgate Palmolive and HUL. The idea of appointing an Indian as CEO finds its roots in the fact that he will be able to understand the policies of the government and sentiments of customers better than any other expats. 

Also, one story or rumour is doing the round that Baba Ramdev is launching a sister of Maggi in the Indian market. Let’s see how much Maggi’s sister will be loved by all and, how much time does she take to get ready.            Sister

Hoping for the best and waiting for Maggi’s sister and, Maggi itself……………………