Why Rajni is Rajni?

The latest Kabali teaser with 17.2 Million hits has become the most viewed film teaser in the Indian film history. What makes him what he is? Everybody acts. There are a lot of good actors in India who act much better than him. But there is something in Rajni which is not there in any body else-his style. There is a subtle style in what ever he does. In Baasha his swish of the fingers was iconic. Also his gentle pull of his overcoat to the sides does'nt involve any huge effort or gadgets or costumes, but only his ingenuity and imagination but was very eye catching. Actors have been wearing cooling glasses right from the beginning but it is his unique quality for doing everything in style made him to invent his trademark coolers wearing style. Even at the age of 65, he effortlessly recreates his magic in his inimitable stlyle in the kabali teaser making it watchable again and again.

Election reforms: Should freebies be banned?

The Election Commission has deployed huge infrastructure to prevent cash distribution to voters and we, the officers in the field are trying our best to match the commission's expectations. But the biggest inducements are freebies in the election manifesto. What started as a promise of cheap rice to the poor, the culture of freebies has reached mad propositions with the promise of free T.V, mixer, grinder, fan and now subsidised scooter and even free washing machine that too without any targeting for the poor. One is really scared to think what will be promised in the next elections. But can freebies be banned by the Commission? A popularly elected government has the mandate to provide freebies to the people based on the needs and circumstances of the time. A welfare state is what is needed. But at the same time promises of freebies in the election manifesto, one may argue that, fall within the ambit of bribe or inducement to the voters. How to balance the two? What if the commission rules that governments are free to give freebies on coming to power , but no party can promise freebies in election manifesto? 

Think, act and change.

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This summer is extremely unkind. My face could feel the extreme heat within a fraction of a second  I lowered the glass of my A/C car to ask for an address from a passerby. I was literally cursing the heat, when I saw numerous women in their fifties and sixties sitting on the sides of the road selling cucumbers, tender coconuts, watermelons etc. I couldnt help but feel appalled at their plight sitting under hot sun, covering their head with a fold of their old cotton sarees and gesturing with their hands to each passing vehicles to buy their goods. It was afternoon 2.30 and one cannot miss seeing anxiety in their face to sell their entire goods within the evening. For  them it is an everyday struggle to meet the ends of their livelihood.

All of us who are in a better position in the society can make a difference in their lives with a simple change  in our attitude. We can and we need to support the people mentioned above who have opted not to beg but dared to live with dignity by trying to stand in their own legs. I am not asking to buy each and everything which is sold in the road side, but atleast we can buy cucumbers, tender coconuts, watermelons etc which are actually good for our health. It will cost only a fraction of the cost we spend for our movie tickets and pop-corns,but it could make all the difference in their life. By this we also contribute to the eradication of poverty in our country. They are after-all our mothers, sisters, brothers and fathers. Think, act & Change.