Notebook

NOTEBOOK

A subtle, romantic and beautiful love story. A master stroke set in the Kashmir Valley; it strives to give peace a chance.

In this age of sensationalism and high pitched voices, the sane and logical voices are usually buried and forgotten. But sometimes a breath of fresh air comes which is gentle, cool and sincere; it brings calmness and smile to your faces. Notebook is one such example.

Set in the Kashmir Valley on the beautiful backdrop of Wullar lake, it starts as a simple tale of love between two strangers who have not met. What binds them and brings them together is a notebook diary of  Firdaus, the teacher (Pranutan Bahl). A diary which Kabir (Zaheer Iqbal), the new teacher happens to find. He falls in love with Firdaus through her notebook entries. He learns how to face solitude, to find one’s  place in universe and also teach the little children; all through the musings of Firdaus.

The story moves at gentle steady pace and gives you time to absorb the beauty of the lake, the landscape and the serenity of the wilderness. It touches upon the growing radicalization of the children and how it needs to be stopped. The most powerful message comes through a very simple thought.

Andhere ko andhera nahi mita sakta

Andhero ko mitane ke liye ujala chahiye

It is a metaphorical reference to violence. It suggests that violence begets violence. It needs efforts to win it over with peace. The story moves in this direction and is very successful in conveying it’s message. It does it in a way which is bereft of any violence. But, the tension and the underlying unrest in the valley is unmistakable.

Such kind of cinema, comes your way once in a while. It is too nuanced, romantic, beautiful and subtle. Don’t let it pass. Soak in it and feel it through your heart. You will love it for sure.

POLITICAL MURDER OF SECULARISM

POLITICAL MURDER OF SECULARISM

The political discourse has turned vapid and so-called ‘secularism’ is nothing but a myth. 

The non-secular politics vs secular politics of the so-called secular Mahagathbandhan is nothing but a political mirage and bluff called upon the people of India. Their claim that the ruling party practices and preaches a communal agenda is nothing but an insult to the whole country as a whole. The thumping mandate given by the people in the last elections to this philosophy is painted as nothing but communal. How is it possible that the majority of the country is communal and only these parties are practicing secular politics? Are we all the people of India communal?

A little closer look at their policies will lift the veil out from their hidden agendas. One may brandish oneself as a secular party, but still take stands that polarize the people on the basis of caste, creed or religion; what kind of politics is this? It is just fooling the people. 

The prince of the dynasty decides on contesting from a seat, which is a minority dominated constituency; isn’t this polarizing the people on the lines of religion? What signals are you sending out  to the people? How can you call this as secular politics? And he has the gumption to label the ruling party of practicing the politics of hate and religion. It’s nothing but tomfoolery!

The ‘Samajwadis’ as they call themselves, are neck deep into the politics of caste. They have no right to talk about secularism when the whole ideology is based on differentiating people on various lines of religion and caste.

It is sad that the political discourse turns to divide people in one way or the other when the election times approach. This has to stop and people should see through this fog of pseudo-secular agenda of these parties.

Something is seriously wrong when the majority community starts going on the defensive when the political parties start clamoring for votes of the so-called minorities. It is communal in nature to ask for votes on these lines.

Let there be only one agenda- development of the country. And let it be done unitedly. The political parties should put out their plans to achieve the best through their manifestos, and let the voters decide who suits the bill. Let us all be united in fighting all these divisive forces.