Window Seat | Mrinal Chatterjee | 4.
6. 23
Dev Anand@100
If
alive Dev Anand, one of the most debonair heroes Bollywood have seen and one of
the first to take on gey shade would have been 100 now. Born on September 26, 1923, in the city of Gurdaspur, Punjab,
India Dharam Dev Pishorimal Anand became one of the most iconic and enduring
heroes of Hindi Film Industry. Considered one of the greatest and most successful actors in
the history of Indian cinema. Through a career that spanned over six decades, he
worked in more than 100
films. He was an actor, producer, director. He
also wrote stories of several of his films.
Dev Anand’s versatility as an actor added another layer to
his charismatic appeal. While he was celebrated as the evergreen romantic hero,
he could seamlessly transition into a wide range of characters, from the
playful to the intense, showcasing his depth as an actor.
Throughout
his illustrious career in Indian cinema, Dev Anand carved a niche for himself
as the quintessential lover.
One
of his most iconic romantic roles was in “Guide” (1965), where he played Raju
Guide, a charismatic and enigmatic character who falls in love with Rosie,
portrayed by Waheeda Rehman. “Johny Mera Naam”
(1970) saw Dev Anand as a flamboyant lover boy. Dev Anand’s evergreen romantic
image was not limited to specific films but permeated throughout his career.
His trademark puff hairstyle, stylish attire, and infectious smile made him a
heartthrob of his time.
He acted in many films acted in different characters and left
a distinctive mark of his persona.
His association with films was not limited to acting alone.
In 1949 Dev Anand and his elder
brother Chetan Anand, started Navketan Films. Dev Anand produced 35 films
and directed many of them. Of the 35 films he
produced, 18 were commercially successful at the box office. He wrote the
stories for 13 of his films.
5 ‘W’ and 1 ‘H’ of Philanthropy
Recently
I read an article, crux of which is: despite a rich tradition and legacy of daan (charity), Indians are actually kanjoosh. They do not ‘give’ in charity.
The article has impressive statistics to show that unlike the west, corporate
India is not keen on charity. It says
that the culture of institutionalized philanthropy is relatively new to India,
barring a Tata here or an Infosys there. Business houses have erected temples,
built dharmasalas. But when it comes
to doing something noticeable in social sector, it has little to show. The
article goes on to suggest that forget the corporate bodies, even an average
Indian gives a fraction of what his American counterpart and about half his
South Asian counterpart gives in charity.
I
wonder why? We give ‘chanda’ in all
religious festivals willingly or through coercion. We willingly put in green
backs in the hundi, strategically
placed in front of almost all temples. We throw handful of coins towards the
beggars, who crowd the entrance of the religious places. But why don’t we
donate for social causes?
As
a former journalist, I approached this question with 5 ‘w’ and 1 ‘h’ strategy.
1. Why
give? Most of us
are reluctant if not averse to give in charity. The first question that we ask
ourselves: why to give? Can’t we utilize that money or article or time or
whatever for ourselves or on second thought for our near and dear ones? Why
give to strangers, without any hope of getting anything tangible in return?
2. What
to give? Do we give
money? What should be the appropriate amount?
3. Whom
to give? This
probably is the biggest question which plagues our decision. Credibility of the
receiver is a big factor. We are familiar with religious places and beggars.
But when it comes to giving to somebody or some institutuion for social causes-
we really do not know whom to give. We are skeptic about majority of the NGOs.
We think they will usurp our hard earned money.
4. When
to give? Do we give
regularly- say once a month, or occasionally? Do we give on some occasion like
say on the birthday of your son or when situation warrants like say when
calamity has struck?
5. How
and in which form?
There are practical problems. Suppose, I want to donate my old shirt. How do I
give? There is hardly an institutional system working nationwide or even
statewide? I understand there are some NGOs who are working at this in some
large cities, but an institutional system is yet to be developed.
I
feel we Indian are willing to give in charity. The problem is to translate the
willingness to reality through a credible and efficient system. If that is
taken care of, Indians will not hesitate to ‘give’ in charity. After all we
have a long history and legacy of philanthropy.
Soft drinks
These
days soft drinks are considered hep. Where ever you go, any social do, you are
offered soft drinks. Thanks to the television advertisement urging the youth to
drink soft drinks, kids are guzzling it by gallon. The grownups usually indulge
the kids.
Soft
drinks impact our health in more ways than we tell ourselves. It impacts our
tooth enamel. It affects the functioning of the kidney. It makes us fat. It
increases risk of diabetes. It impacts heart and reproductive organs.
Despite
everything we continue to guzzle aerated soft drinks. I am beginning to believe
that we are a race with suicidal tendency.
Tailpiece:
Men and Women
Who are Men?
Woh jo narak me bhi mile
to kahe ....abe !! Yamraj ki beti dekhi ?? Aag hai Aag !!
And, who are Women??
Who go to heaven and say
"apsara dekh...no dressing sense at all!
(Courtesy: Bibhuti Rath on
facebook)
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