Nuances- Ria Lawrence

Have you ever noticed that if you sit quietly near a brook, you can hear its music? The soft gushing sound, the rocks and water crashing against each other and the strong, swift current, it all seems like a sweet, reflective melody. There is always a sense of movement, of activity, of impermanence.

Have you also, ever noticed a dead tree? A tree without any leaves and no sign of life, standing alone and naked against the sky, all its branches outlined in a towering silhouette, and there, in its bleak nakedness there is a song, there is a sense of vitality, of vigour, for it waits for spring to cover its branches with beautiful, colorful leaves again.

Have you ever noticed a caterpillar just before its transformation into a butterfly? It’s extremely grotesque with all of it in a grossly distorted shape, but does it not eventually evolve in a butterfly?

Have you ever noticed the setting sun from the bank of a river? How it exudes the most incredible hues into the waters before dying down and leaving the world enveloped in a forbidding darkness.



Without seeming too profound and spiritual, I merely mean to point out how life as we know it and life as we live is so very similar to the ever flowing river, the caterpillar, the dead tree and the setting sun, it is eternally changing, constantly moving. There is no sign of stagnation or immobility. However, we ourselves, either in an attempt to resist pain or out of our own insecurities, our own uncertainties and reasons, form these intangible yet extremely strong walls around us. Walls of comfort, of virtues, of rebellion, of religion, of fear and many more and while we are busy creating and breaking down these walls…life moves on. It rears its ugly head more than we’d like and smiles that vague smile on us once in a while.

Like the setting sun and the dying caterpillar, we seek a reason to fly, to shine. Some manage to find that elusive standing while others struggle to find a foothold. Staggering, falling, picking ourselves up again, experiencing misery, anguish, mirth, laughter, trials, making memories, making mistakes, making the same mistakes, learning from these mistakes, growing up, acting like a child, numbness, excitement, fervour, partings, meetings, stillness, desolation, strength…through this kaleidoscope of emotions and incidents we stumble upon life, discovering our true selves and slowly dropping the façade we’re compelled to put on. And while the transition happens, people see the shine, the true light in each and every one of us, similar to the changing caterpillar which evolves into a butterfly. And even though, the butterfly may seem delicate, fragile to the eye, don’t you forget the fact that it has what it takes to fly!

It Doesn't Really Matter

IT DOESN’T REALLY MATTER!
by-Alisha Mishra

Not many of us are privileged enough to be born with flawlessness in our physical attributes. Some are beautifully endowed while others are bereft of these delightful gifts. My close encounter with one such mortal got me to realize that although life is challenging at the other side of the coin but at the same time, it’s not impossible.
I had been bequeathed with this wonderful opportunity to write an exam for a visually challenged student, Nikhil Deshmukh. Having a huge soft corner for people with disabilities, I wanted to help him to the best of my proficiency. When one of the supervisors’ got me introduced to him I was a little apprehensive about the way I should go about making him feel at ease in my company. So, when the teacher asked me to take him to the staff-room I thought of lending him a hand so that we could walk till there. But to my utter surprise, before I could do so, he’d already started walking. And I realized that not him, but I was following him, which was indeed a little weird, nevertheless interesting too. When we finally settled down and there were still a few minutes for the paper to start I thought of asking him a few questions which I had in my mind. So very randomly I asked him as to where he was from and why did he choose Wilson to be his college et al. I learnt that he was basically from Amravati and he was the eldest amongst his four siblings. His father had expired when he was a mere 2 years and all the family’s expenses were incurred by his uncle, who sometimes would be nasty enough to beat him up for no reasons. Here in Mumbai he stays at Worli and his conveyance mode is the public transport. I asked him if he ever has been duped by people or any incident which he remembers about him being ill-treated. And that got him to smile for some reason. He said, people in this city have not been of much trouble to him and he has been assisted as and when needed without any trouble. He doesn’t remember any such episode of him being harmed or maltreated, but sometimes the road-side hooligans are the reason behind a little distress. I asked him the reason, but his hush made me comprehend that he probably was not very comfortable to narrate to me those occurrences.
Insignificant things which just generally ensue also, speak hugely about a person’s individualities and uniqueness. Whilst writing his paper, there was a bundle of sheets kept next to the table. And just when the sheet kept on top was about to wing, before I could, Nikhil held it down. I was stunned for a second. I had to ask him, how he figured that out and that too before someone who could actually see that happen. Some other instances made me realize that visionless people have a very sharp memory and a huge sense of sound. Also, his answers were very articulate and to the point. Very evidently, he was a good student. And I was glad that he was one, for clear reasons. On questioning him later about various other particulars, he said that he could figure when people sitting next to him look at him by listening to their vague sound of breath and also mentioned some more specifications which I was not able to follow. In my opinion it’s simply incredible and miraculous to have such capabilities.
So on the whole this little encounter with Nikhil was more than writing an exam for him. Initially I was full of circulating emotions, but after seeing those little marvels, I have more respect and even more good-will for him.



So, in my first-last conversation, this is something I would like to dedicate to him.
With the way things are shaping up, I can clearly see you go a long way. And my best regards are sure to shadow you throughout.
BLIND-by Mitchell Pavao
Your beauty intoxicates all you encounter,
Yet you fail to notice,
This is your blunder,

You've had a rough time,
Though now it is over,
But yet you continue clinging to what is left over,

And in doing this your depression grows deeper,
Pulling you apart at the seams,
Causing you to unravel and fall to your knees,
Pondering desperately: "How much worse can it be? "

To ease your mind of your terrible burden,
You bargain with Satan (as if he cares),
Giving you a release, in turn for your soul:
That you believe tarnished and not worth much at all,

When all of your friends have been with you till now,
But here comes the crossroads up ahead,
They give you a choice: "Stand tall or fall down."

You have your beauty and charm,
Your intelligence and grace,
Good friends and your health,
What more does it take for you?

Realizations of a not-so-fresh BMMite - Shenna Albert

When I walked into Wilson College on the 1st of July, 2010 (around 10am I guess), I didn’t realize what I was getting myself into. I didn’t know I’d be redefining myself and trying to reach up to and beyond certain limits I’d set for myself.

Back then, all I knew was that I wanted to do something which would provoke me to reach to my best and a major part of the decision I took then, was to save myself from entering boring laboratories and fiddling around with strange liquids to get some result, to save myself from books weighing half my weight and the anxiety bursts, from calculators and confusing intertwined numericals. Well, I’m happy I’ve successfully warded off those evils!

But now, when I look back at the last six months of my life, I can’t help but ask myself ‘Was this all?’ Certainly not! I learnt and did things I didn’t know I would or perhaps I could at some point in life, or maybe I never gave it a thought.

Back in the summer holidays I never thought the crazy videos I was learning to make as an amateur on movie maker would ever fetch me marks and that too decent ones!

The chapter of Dance was closed long back in time until this August when my friend (Prajakta) urged me to go audition. I can’t say I am amazing at all of this but yes I can see the change, I can see myself excelling.

During our first ECS lecture, when Maam spoke about a blog and writing and how it could change your life, I did take something back home with me, though I never thought writing could change my life. No offence Maam, no flaws in your teaching, flaws lie in my writing! So, with the little something that I took back, I decided to create a blog of my own. As I decided, I did end up making one and I did post some of my not-so-great articles and eventually stopped. No likes, no comments, no motivation killed that little excitement that was created as I posted those articles.

I know what you’re thinking just now; everything one does, can’t always be complimented or appreciated. True! I just figured out a flaw in myself, while writing this. So I decided to try and keep posting, not just for appreciation, or lunch with Maam but to see myself grow.

I might not make it big here, but at least I can appreciate myself for trying. I think all of us should. Our teachers keep saying that a lot of us have it in us but do not try, out of fear and rejection. I see and sense great energy in our FY class, which is seen during various presentations, festivals, trips. These words coming from me are surprising to myself, let alone you!

On a serious note, now when I sit and contemplate on SSR’s words ‘Are you merely floating through the course?’ I realize the answer is no. I have learnt, I am learning and this process would go on until the end (NOT of this course). I tried my hand at painting, mingling with people who are totally different from me as well as a replica of me, drawing, video making, dancing, acting, presenting (phew!), modeling and here I finally try writing.

I’m not superb in most of these, may be also all of these; but nevertheless I tried and wow this actually got me to write an article that is Funny? Inspiring? Boring? All? None? Any which ways, I could blow your top if I’d go any further! So then, This Is It. The last six months have had a small impact on my life. Small for now, the effect gets stronger with time I guess (figured by reading what my seniors write).





P.S. This has still not motivated me enough to raise my hand in class for a debate or to question SSR. But like I said, as the effect gets stronger, the boundaries I set for myself keep extending further ;) (Excuse me for the smiley, I’m not sure it’s allowed but some statements are just incomplete without them)

-SHENNA ALBERT, FYBMM.

EssEssAar.

Presentations... They get to you!! 
Commotion anxiety, distress, yet an unending desire to prove him wrong!!
 The day you've been assigned the task, it's almost as if you've psyched yourself up to win a gold at the Olympics (atleast, that's what I would do), only this may be better... Then the days go by.. Day 3 and by now you're looking for the easy way out.. Day 5 and Enter rain! You aren't gonna be able to do this.. Who were you kidding?!!...
D-day! and a pile of Unfufilled promises.. He's won again! 
Beat the system.. Learn how to be efficient even while you'll are busy mastering the art of procrastination in your mundane lives..  Scented lines used on an ailing group.. They barely have the time to shrink into their seat, as once again they hear the sound of chalk against the black that resembled their fate, and the words he spoke.. But all they could hear was, "Take... Down!!"...

India - lost and found

India is such a fascinating place to live in. I have always been bewildered by the unassuming ways with which we Indians tend add colour to our otherwise mundane, routine lives.

What I like about India is that we successfully blend our cultural past with our mechanized future. And that’s not just affecting the young work force we see bustling in and out of call centres throughout the day. It is affecting the subha ki chai ke liye fresh milk laane wala doodhwala, the street children who play cricket in the gulleys and the nukkads and also the Pujaris who offer daily prayers in Temples and Shrines.

Wait! Let me elaborate this point… with an illustration you know.

One fine morning, on Marine Drive, when I was sprinting to college (something I have to do each day to reach class on time), I noticed a scooter approaching in my direction. There were tens of cars running in the same direction as well; but what made me take notice of this scooter in particular, was its rider. I observed that the rider was a Jain priest who was heading to the Derasar, dressed in the traditional white attire that is peculiar to Shwetambar Jains.

However, it’s sorrowful that we have learned to overlook such out-of-the-box instances in our everyday lives. I mean, when you are swapping channels and you decide to watch the firangis stroll the colourful markets of Rajasthan or visit the fishing village of the Noila community in Orissa, you see your own countrymen doing wonderfully crazy stuff. Like yogis who have been sitting in Dhyaan since 15 days, tribesmen doing street performance to collect alms, a ragpicker in tattered clothes heading back home to switch on her television set to watch her favourite serial Big Boss 4, et al.

I remember I was watching a serial on Fox History Channel. The anchor was Malishka, the RJ woman and she was touring a remote area in Karnataka. She met this localite who was applying kajal on his eyes with his legs. That’s not all; he was applying kajal with the tip of a knife. That’s correct! Do you ever see something so awfully unusual and dangerous anywhere else?

India is a pot-pourri of various indigenous talents. Unfortunately, India has long forgotten the Desi mitty ka swaad. We have become so dependent on the West that we need their serials like America’s got talent and American Idol, to imitate and then showcase ourselves and our people.

The west’s glamour has had a blinding effect on our eyes. We have nothing but devalued our worth in the World market.

Open up your eyes to all the wonderful people around you. Let’s embrace our people the way we have embraced international chain stores like gelato ice-cream, KFC and Domino’s (forgive the unrelated association. I can’t think of anything else at this moment as I’m starving. But I’m not going to binge on a Mc D burger. I’m going to have daal bhaat. Sounds like a bad alternative? Not to me, not anymore.)

To sum it all up in 2 simple words, this is ‘Incredible India’!!!! :)

How Bad Can It Get@BMM

It's Festival time...all craziness in the air and amongst the chaos there always are interesting stories coming up!.

Here's a very recent and sad one.

When its a BMM dept. organizing a specific BMM only fest. all goes pretty'(almost) well but when its an whole college festival with some specific BMM oriented events things can get bad to worse to adjective..adjective!...SAD:(

Except the participants no other participant is allowed inside!..WOW so cool!

awesomely the event starts an hour before time(totally not BMM)..(any of our HOD's will love to see us do this though)

Strangely for a photography event the whole room is empty and totally unexpected- the judge is inside!...again way before time.

but the best is yet to come

In the awesome Media room(i have to admit they had some decent creatives)-{Applaud} there is very awesome projector that goes crazy at the start of the event- from the color scheme RGB R&B have disappeared so only green color will stand out!

i.e. Watermelon looks Green outlined and Black inside(immensely black)- and this is exclusive photography event screening!

spot on-our reply-we understand dude-totally happens

at the time there is a photography event the Security head tells us we are not allowed to take our DSLR's in so cool eh?

we understand dude-totally happens

Ad event- The speakers are spoilt and with base turned to-100 all we get to here is, ad's that have some kind of a strange nausea

we understand dude-totally happens

the host is a J.C guy who is very expressive

intro to the judge-he is very talented...!..blah blah..his MOST recent works being-pause...awesome expression on face in 2004...we say to ourselves-we understand dude-totally happens

The laptop gets heated up- stops recognizing Cd's

and again

we understand dude-totally happens

Volunteer comes up and asks us to maintain complete silence-leave silent PR

we understand dude-totally happens

To top it all-A "Slide Show wins the competition!

-we understand dude-totally happens

runner up's tagline says its time for INDIA to UNIT'-(he meant to say Unite)

Y did the ad come 1st- as its message was very clear is what they had to tell us

OK now a slide show with an awesome mesg can win an ad event

chuck it- we say-we understand dude-totally happens

nw 2Q-The runner up's mesg was not even proof read-Ans. so what his music coordination was brilliant!

Both the ad's being lift up's from various very old and famous campaigns win the competition!

and that was the humblest it could get!...what any BMM'ite could have made in 15min.(a ppt. ad) wins the whole event!...

our reply

WE LEAVE imspired by Please Leave©

Thats the Humble'st we can get..Now its u r turn to say the line

we understand dude-totally happens

:)

p.s-issued in public interest!..NO offence cos u noe-totally happens!

pic courtesy-it cant get worse-Arko doing Ballet in dance event and winning!

We've touched the sky that supposedly was the limit but have we really been exploring our roots, by taking the different 'routes'?

Moving from a place where people introduce themselves to you not with a wave or "hi"but a Namaste, folded hands full of gratitude. This is what may remind you of a typical Indian airliner but not a 5th grader from a random school.

Out of a place where kids don't cheer and yell their lungs out for a band performing on stage but give a standing ovation to a "kohli" dance, is just one small part of what we here call BHARAT!

People get cultural shocks by watching their own colleagues do weird stuff but somehow a place as small as 20 households dissonected from the basic amenities doesn't hit them hard enough to actually come back and do something for it.

As soon as we see a huge set back taking place in our societies we retort to the statement "kya isis Bharat ke liye Bose aur Bhagat shaheed hue the?"(Did our freedom fighters fight and die for the India we see this day?)and then we just move on saying that all of this is just part of life.

A daily walk for Krishna (a koralvari village kid) was an arduous trek for the urban crowd. If it were the effort what mattered then the people of villages like Tara and Koralvari would be millionaires by now.

If just a mere 17km's of distance from the Urban society can make us question ourselves as to whether this is what India really is? Than we should seriously make an effort to dig in deeper and look at the 70% Agrarian population of the country which live in rural India.

It is what a sociologist would say-"The more we Museum'ise them ....equally they Museum'ise us"

The Bridge(gap) has grown old and a repair is what is needed.Lets wake UP! and move away from the luxuries that we've become accustomed to so as to create a better living not only for the good of the people of the villages but for the betterment of the country as a whole.

Peace...-

Bharat-India Divide (Fazilat Abazer Biviji)

‘It is our dream to come to the city’, said an economically underprivileged woman of Koralvari village while she sat in front of a fireplace cooking her evening meal.

Koralvari village located on a hilltop is surrounded by a number of lush green hills, all of which appear to be a mirror image of each other. This tribal village of Maharashtra affirms all the peculiarities that people from cities associate with the image of rural India.

Stretching not more than a kilometer from its commencement, Koralvari village is equipped with a water pump, public toilet and a primary school teaching upto Standard 5th.

The primary occupation of the men folk of Koralvari is agriculture of Tandal (a type of crop) and cutting of wooden logs from the forests. A fewer proportion of people from this village have had the privilege of visiting the city for the purpose of sale of goods.

But why is it that people of India pray for an opportunity to come to the city? Is it the city life and its charisma that attracts villagers to the cities? Or is it considered a gateway to innumerable facilities, benefits and opportunities that opens up new career avenues and prospects for a bigger and better lifestyle?

Yes, cities of India have grown to become the focal points of development, progress and urbanization. We see a mélange of culture, ethnicity, religions, beliefs, professions, classes and ideologies in the big metros of India which comes together to make, what is known to us as ‘a city’.

Let’s take the city of Mumbai for example. We can think of more than a hundred facilities that the Mumbaikars benefit from each passing day of their lives.

Be it 24 hours water supply and electricity or access to public transport; it is all available readily in the cities.

Procrastination as a practice is more prevalent in cities as the people can always get access to their resources and complete the duties last minute. But when it comes to villages, the lives of the residents are driven according to the time when their access to resources is possible.

Distribution of resources is a clear indicator of the preference that is given to certain regions of the country as opposed to the others.

This is what divides the country into two halves; the primitive, agrarian Bharat and the modern, progressive India. Ironically, even as both aspects of India compete with each other to establish their supremacy, they successfully co-exist to make up a nation we love and respect so much.