What is being progressive?

They also say sharing is caring!

They say that the union of a male and a female through marriage is a bonding that God had predestined to occur. They also say that the partners bond in the holy bondage are for each other's completeness. They complement each other's existence, they make each other's life more meaningful. But unfortunately no law in this man-made society of divisions is spared of flaw. And this law is no exception either. Though fortunately the air of change, and for the better has started to flow through this bourgeois society. Yet the conjectured minds continue to rule the households of the majority. 

Today fortunately we don't teach our daughters to become proficient in cooking, cleaning and prepare to excel their duties as wife, mother, daughter-in-law and preferably forget their dreams, or better existence. At-least the society has learned to accept that a woman is capable of almost all the work has man does. She can be the bread-earner of a family too. But the flawed theory is more with the evolution of man from the dominant, to the hand in hand partner. He has gracefully (almost) learned to accept the fact, that his partner is a corporate player, a doctor or a successful businesswoman. But the difficulty is with his and the society's incapability of accepting the fact that, as she is sharing his load with jobs outside the four walls of the house, he should learn to share her load within.

We brag about how modern our society has become. We say that we are progressing at a lightning speed. Digital India! Progressive India! But can a society actually progress without being able to shed off the ingrained prejudices? Time for some thought! If you don't agree that we have impregnated minds...just ask yourself the following few questions

a. How many times have you heard that a man was anxious about the meal he was supposed to prepare after getting home, after chasing deadlines in office? 

b. Does the man of a family, of working partners think of the menu the cook will prepare?

c. Who is responsible for washing clothes or at-least sending the clothes to the laundry?

d. Who keeps account of the monthly groceries?

f. And my favourite, who prepares tea/coffee (mostly, not interested in the occasional show of generosity) after a wife and husband return home, both after a long day at office?
g. After answering the above, just ask yourself "WHAT IS BEING PROGRESSIVE?" to you.

The answers to the above questions and many more will give a transparent picture of the prejudices our society carries. And it is very important to prevent inculcating the same in the tender minds of the generations to come. And the one and only way of doing it, is to exemplify equality in the house. The man and woman of the house should be treated with equal dignity and all work should be shared. A boy and girl child should not be fed with different beliefs about their status in the society and more so in the household. As both of them strive to be successful individuals, both should be proficient in household chores. Such that these kids grow up to be successful and sympathetic building blocks of a society, which could be called progressive from the core.

“I am joining the Ariel #ShareTheLoad campaign at BlogAdda and blogging about the prejudice related to household chores being passed on to the next generation.”

This video is extremely well made and symbolizes our society's pseudo progress 

ARITRA CHAKRABARTY SENGUPTA

STRINGS ATTACHED

Did you ever listen to the rippling waters?

Did you hear their plea?

Did you fly with the migratory birds?

Did you swim in the sea?

Did you follow the springs to their destinations?

Did you kiss the dew?

Did you witness the rainbow form?

Did you ever sink to the deep blue?

These questions I ask to my deceased soul

Caught in the mist of dwindling life

When will the fetters loose

And will I fly to the land of blooming flowers?

The traveler, the dreamer, the narrator in me

Tries to seek escape

Escape to the world of nature's abundance

Only to be lost in life's baffling maze.

An then I realize you sleeping by my side

My dreams devoid you appear too far fetched

And I relish the fact

That I have strings attached.

Strings that complete my life and living

Strings that bind our souls

Strings that make me the woman I am

They describe my life's roles.

Aritra Chakrabarty Sengupta

STRESS KILLS

It was past mid night. Goa was still alive but Arambol beach was silent. The waves were banging heads incessantly on the beach, the white froth was shining in the full moon night. Ashutosh was alone, he was sitting on the stairs of his shack which lead to the sands. His feet touched the soft and coldness of the beach. This was the first time he had dared to travel alone after Arunima had passed away. But the emptiness was eating its way to his heart. There was a slight pain that aroused from the middle of his chest but strangely he felt more alive. Their house back in Mumbai was a museum of their memories together and he was still quite unprepared to face those, alone. Relatives and their constant pandemonium barely gave him a chance to think of her to the fulfilment of his heart. But that night he was alone, in Goa, one of their favourite locations of travel. He was happy to be able to enjoy his melancholy and think of her over and over again.

Arunima was a nature lover, the only aspect of life that gave her happiness was closeness to the oceans, nearness to the mountains. And offcourse him. She was a painter of words, a narrator and a dreamer. That night the Arabian beauty lay in front of his eyes, but a girl with long silky hair was not sitting by him clinging to his hand with candid childishness. Her twinkling eyes, infectious smile and innocent face was nowhere to be seen. Tear drops had appeared in Ashutosh’s eyes without his consent. He closed his eyes in the hope beholding her. And she appeared.

Since the last few months she was suffering from hypertension, urban life stress, her want to embrace motherhood, and her desperate try for striking balance between the writer in her and her corporate life tore her to pieces. She kept complaining that she never felt comfortable and a mist was gradually hiding the effervescence of her heart. But neither she nor Ashutosh gauged the pressure that she was subjecting herself to. Not before that accursed night. When a cardiac arrest, arrested the life of a girl full of hopes and possibilities. Leaving Ashutosh alone with her memories.

She was sitting on the sand, in a royal blue flowing gown. The light from the shack was falling on her. And Ashutosh found himself being pulled like iron towards a magnet. When she looked up at him, he could clearly see the gloom that surrounded her pretty face. Tears were rolling down her pink cheeks.

“I wanted to fly with you but shackles held me back, I wanted to touch the sky. The constant struggle to be myself killed me……I wanted to live with you………………..”

When Ashutosh opened his eyes, it was all emptiness that surrounded him. But he vowed something, he vowed to follow his dreams and never let fetters tie him up. He vowed to live for Arunima.

LOVE YOUR DREAMS AND LIVE LIFE…MECHANICAL LIFE IS WORSE THAN DEATH……REMEMBER STRESS KILLS SO LIVE HAPPY.

Aritra Chakrabarty Sengupta

My Article in a magazine

Anything when happens for the first time is special, very special indeed. An occurrence that etches marks of contentment on your heart. And this feeling was awesome, my first appearance in a magazine. My article on JIO launch got selected by the editors of WOW, a magazine of Reliance and they featured it in their February Edition. Thanks a ton, for your appreciation.

Aritra Chakrabarty Sengupta

INTROSPECTION

I am a girl of modern days

Work and house makes a winding maze

I have fetters around my legs

Given the wings I would have touched the rays…..

I am the flowing waters

I am the soothing breeze

I am the one craving creative laze

Given the wings I would have touched the rays…..

The words choke and the phrases die

After losing the war with time

They are engulfed in unknown haze

Given the wings I would have touched the rays…..

What am I, who am I?

What do I desire to do?

These undisclosed create a hurtful faze

Given the wings I would have touched the rays…..

I am a corporate player

I am an Indian wife

But the hidden narrator is lost in soullessness

Given the wings I would have touched the rays…..

But yet I will strive hard

And get my narrations back

I am fighter, I am woman

And one day,  even without the wings I will touch the rays…

Aritra Chakrabarty Sengupta

Picture Courtesy: Google Images

AIRLIFT- more than just a movie

Some movies are slightly more than just that, and AIRLIFT is one such. It is based on the evacuation operation of trapped Indians from Kuwait when Iraqi dictator Saddam Hussain had invaded in 1990, and which earned Indian Government a place in Guinness Book of records. This event is of utmost historical importance, which very few of us had known before watching AIRLIFT. It epitomises the showcasing of responsibility by a government towards its citizens. 170000 Indians were Airlifted by the Indian Government using 488 aircrafts in 59 days. Humungous...Incredible...Unbelievable...isn't it? And guess what, our Government has repeated history in Yemen, through the astounding "OPERATION RAAHAT". Salute to all the men, who risk their lives to save humanity in such risky operations, we are nothing without your precious support. Kudos to the Government, whom we mostly find faults with..but reality at times can be rosier than imagination and heartiest wishes to the AIRLIFT team, for imparting India with knowledge and a debouching feeling of pride on the 67th Republic Day of the country. 

Coming to the movie, AIRLIFT directed by Raja Krishna Menon is the story of Ranjit Katiyal, played by Akshay Kumar and his wife Amrita, played by Nimrat Kaur, who are stuck in Kuwait with their little daughter Simu during the time, when Saddam had attacked. Ranjit is a ruthless businessman and calls himself a Kuwaiti. He is happy with his life amidst the patriarchy of Kuwait. He is rich, successful and influential. But one night his and many other lives fall apart like pack of cards. Iraqi soldiers transform Kuwait to a land of violence and fear, just overnight. Saddam's troops slaughter Kuwaitis without any second thoughts. And Katiyal and many others are saved from their bullets only on the grounds of their Indian Origins. AIRLIFT is the story of Ranjit's rise to occasion, when he chooses to save all Indians instead of just his family. His rise above the petty selfish goals and emerge victorious. 

The movie's high point is most definitely Akshay Kumar. The khiladi of bollywood has successfully shredded his larger than life image and gracefully depicted a real hero, who has his share of desperation, fears and failures. The film however does no justice to Nimrat Kaur's creative genius. Her character fail to depict a woman stuck up in a war zone and has very meagre to deliver. The rest of the cast and crew deliver very natural performances. However the depiction of the AIRLIFT operation is not given as much limelight as was expected from the title. Nevertheless the movie is definitely a must watch as it has successfully depicted a story which deserves attention and a salute too.

Aritra Chakrabarty Sengupta

Dream travel destinations...

“The tranquil blueness of the sea beacons me,

The green country side asks me for company,

The colourful city life wants me to party hard,

The placid mountains look down at me with love.”

It’s strange but true, that I have never travelled outside India. But I have always felt a connection with many exotic locations in the world. I have felt that they beacon me to conquer their beauty and uniqueness and preserve it forever within me. I always call myself an aspiring traveller. Studies, job etc have kept me too busy and drifted from my travelling passion. But I guess and hope with all my heart and soul, for my globe trotting to begin sooTheFollowing are few of the exotics I wish to conquer....

1. Bali: Blue is my colour and hence tranquil serenity of tropical destinations have always attracted me. The golden sand ultimately embraces the blueness of the massive and powerful sea. The transparent waters, the colourful rocks beneath, the smooth coolness of the breeze, the brittle softness of the sand and the never ending blue sky above! A beautiful sea beach is an epitome of natural beauty to me. It kind of sets your spirits free. You feel colourful, you look colourful. The euphoria breathes life in you and relieves you of all stress. Actually I am simply a beach lover, but Bali is one of the most wonderful exotica I want to conquer.

2. Spain: Spain had always been in my wish list. From exotic beaches to places of historical importance like Madrid and Barcelona. Spain has it all, to quench the thirst of a wandering traveller. It has a feeling, difficult to describe in words.  The movie “Zindagi na milegi dobara” actually infused this craze to go through the feeling in me all the more. The stony roads, the smell of history, the culture, the songs and dances and the bull all make it too attractive to be ignored. It also has exotic beaches to offer. Lastly a Spanish holiday is something; I cannot offer to miss in this life.

3. Amsterdam: While Amsterdam is more known for its exotic night life, but my interest is more in the numerous museums the place is stacked with. Being the capital of the Kingdom of the Netherlands, its historical interest actually overrides the red light district attraction. I had loved to read Hazel and Gus romance in the streets of Amsterdam in John Green’s “The fault in our stars.” Its natural beauty and metropolitan features makes it apt for all type of travelers.

4. Paris: Oh! Paris….Its been my dream destination for so long. Just waiting to witness its excellence. The city of style and fashion. The capital of France is a great tourist puller from across the globe. Whether it’s the night view of the Eiffel Tower or the uniqueness of the Louvre Museum. Paris has it all to offer to the world audience. Like most desired destinations across the globe, Paris too has an inherent feeling attached to it. The chic quotient reigns supreme when we talk of it.

5. New Zealand: Though head over heels in love with the euphoria attached with beaches, the placid beauty of snow-capped mountains of New Zealandattract my fancies too strongly. The beautiful greenery of the valley and Grey Mountains around infuses so much life that it is possible to dream with open eyes. The life is more like living a dream there. Hence I dream to live there for a few days in my life.

The world is much more beautiful than we can even imagine, it has got a destination for every traveller. Besides the five places I have mentioned there are many more that I want to behold. The real wish list is never ever going to end.

Aritra Chakrabarty Sengupta

Kya Kool Hai Hum 3 Review

See my video to know how i felt of the movie.

Aritra Chakrabarty Sengupta

TALVAR was truly impactful

Movies are reflections or derivations of reality, but most of the times, fortunately or unfortunately they are far from reality. In an era where movies like Happy New Year turns to be big hit, it is a pleasant surprise to see “Talvar”.  Before I go into the lucidity and clarity of the narration and its portrayal on celluloid, I want to convey my satisfaction on seeing something so close to reality. The houses, dresses and the people, are so real, so tangible, that you immediately establish a connection. And offcourse the acting part, which is far from acting, what appears on screen is a bunch of real people, in real life scenarios.

Talvar is largely or completely based on the infamous double murder case that had stirred the nation and its perception of humanity and parenthood. Aarushi and Hemraj murder case, is one of the few cases where reality is stranger than fiction for sure. In 2008, when 14 year old Aarushi Talwar of Noida and Hemraj a domestic help in the house, were found brutally murdered, the nation had come together to seek justice for the deceased. With loads of twists and turns in the case, finally Aarushi’s parents Dr. Rajesh Talwar and Dr. Nupur Talwar were declared guilty by court and sentenced to Life imprisonment. However, many conjectures and doubts had nested since the declaration and before. The verdict was based on only circumstantial evidences, without any concrete proof to pin point the guilty.

Talvar, the movie and a much researched one, intricately portrays the investigations and the loopholes in it, thus leaving you dumbstruck. And making you wonder about the integrity of the largest institution of investigation of the nation, the CBI, however in the movie they call the entity CDI for obvious reasons.

The movie starts with the discovery of a dead Aarushi and devastated parents Rajesh and Nupur pointing to missing domestic help Hemraj for the crime. The names however were changed. The depiction of Noida police is negative from its very first appearance on screen. The investigating officer’s coldness and lack of interest, leaves you feeling insecure of your safety. Meghna Gulzar’s Talvar evidently sided the convicted parents and goes on to narrate how police and CBI frames them, to fuel their internal strife and their inefficiencies. The cast of the movie has really done justice and I say that with conviction, as I have personally seen my videos and interviews of the Talwar Couple. Konkona Sen Sharma and Neeraj Kabi who play the mother and father of the victim, are very laminar with the portrayal of Nupur and Rajesh Talwar. If the highly researched movie Talvar and Avirook Sen’s Aarushi is to be believed, it is also almost impossible to overlook the coldness in the behaviour of Talwars seen in different interviews. And this aspect was portrayed truly magnificently by the actors. However Irfan Khan as the good cop steals the show, with his charm, frank approach and comic timing.

Overall probably, what Gulzar attempted to show, was not unknown to the nation. Yet it is a brave attempt to depict such a talked about case and putting the facts on face. I do not know the reality like most people, but if the reality is as gruesome as TALVAR, RIP justice. As an individual and a responsible citizen of the country, the movie/incident impacted me to an extent that a feeling of insecurity have permanently nested within me.

Aritra Chakrabarty Sengupta

This blog post is inspired by the blogging marathon hosted on IndiBlogger for the launch of the #Fantastico Zica from Tata Motors. You can apply for a test drive of the hatchback Zica today.

My fantastico encounter with fashion

They say Mumbai is a city of dreams. I too thought so, before hitting the hard reality. There is no denial that this city houses dreams of millions, but again it’s is maverick to ride. Yet the glitz and glamour at times gets over you and a few months back there was such an evening for me and my husband Avishek. We had quite a glittering evening in the awesome Palladium Hotel, celebrating fashion. It was the 5^th day of the ongoing fashion phenomenon, called Lakme Fashion Week. We went for Tarun Tahiliani’s colourful summer collection show.

As we reached the venue, the colourful and soulful vibes immediately stroke a chord. All around were beautiful faces, chic attire and glimpses of Gucci, Prada, Louis Vuitton. An ambience embedded with the glitter of the modelling world and tinsel town. There were paparazzi all around, trying to get a shot of their favourite faces. But we were more interested to get to see, one of India’s biggest fashion brands “Tarun Tahiliani”. Known for his flavours of India and elaborate use of Indian fabrics. A touch very unprecedented!

After a bit of wait, we could enter inside the ball room, on the 9^th floor of Palladium Hotel. Fortunately we had passes of the 2^nd row with a great view. The show started with the onset of colourful lights and Rajasthani folk musicians playing live. As the models confidently walked the ramp, the musicians went on to play, earthy Indian numbers. Though buying Brands like these, digs a hole in your pocket. But believe me, it’s a delight to watch a show like this live. I and my husband both have a knack of dressing right, so this was just the right thing for us. Because I believe good look, adds confidence to your personality and dressing right is an inevitable ingredient of the perfecto look.

All the models flaunted their beautifully shaped bodies and sculpt looks embracing Tarun’s flowing couture of Indian fabrics. Each was more colourful and vibrant than the other. Inspired by the Majaraja (Kingly) look of Indian tradition, the ensembles sprinkled richness of our culture, music and heritage around! The icing to the awesome cake was the glamorous Chitrangada Singh, who was the show stopper. A confident, beautiful, intelligent looking woman symbolising the woman of today.

Finally what I loved the most, was the Indian touch of the collection. But I would end by saying, fashion dies out but style remains. So it is important to have a style of your own, a style in how you look, a style in how you think and a style in how you write. Stay Stylish! Because Style is a reflection of your attitude and personality!!! And this was a fantastico experience for me!!!

Aritra Chakrabarty Sengupta

This blog post is inspired by the blogging marathon hosted on IndiBlogger for the launch of the #Fantastico Zica from Tata Motors. You can apply for a test drive of the hatchback Zica today.