Shahid

Hansal Mehta the director of this astounding movie has gone beyond the fancy realms of Bollywood to make an unnerving script into a captivating movie experience. Being a law student, I would say this is a must watch movie for all aspiring lawyers.

 

 

“By showing me injustice, he taught me to love justice. By teaching me what pain and humiliation were all about, he awakened my heart to mercy. Through these hardships I learned hard lessons. Fight against prejudice, battle the oppressors, support the underdog. Question authority, shake up the system, never be discouraged by hard times and hard people. Embrace those who are placed last, to whom even bottom looks like up. It took me some time to find my mission in life – that of a criminal defense lawyer. But that ‘school’, and that Teacher, put me on my true path. I will never be discouraged. Even thorns and thistles can teach you something, and lead to success.”. - Roy Black.

 

These are the words that drove criminal defense lawyer and human right activist Sir Shahid Azmi throughout his life. His biopic is taken so beautifully, doing justice to the life he lead. It shows us how innocent Shahid was arrested for Terrorist activities, taken in custody, tortured mercilessly and was acquitted after two years. How he decided to become a lawyer, How he ran pole to pole to deliver justice for the innocent even if it was at the cost of his own life. In a career span of seven years Shahid Azmi had 17 acquittals. An unusually high acquittal rate for a system that is known for its inability to render timely justice.

 

 

 

It is true when police arrests someone in relation to POTA we all direly start hating that human and wish for the last end torture as punishment for him/her but have we ever thought of, what if he/she was innocent? It is a usual plot of the Police officers in India, due to the pressure from the higher officials they tend to close the file as soon as possible. Hence in most of the cases it is the innocents that get trapped by the law enforcement wings of the country and the real culprit enjoys alcohol while plotting for the next attack in an AC Hotel room.

 

Shahid is a crucial document of our troubled times. It builds an incredible grippy case study of persecution and vindication.

This movie touched me deeply and I started thinking of justice from a lawyers perspective. I don't think I will let my human emotions overpower my intellect hereafter. Adv. Shahid, served the innocent till he breathed his last in 2010 at Mumbai where he was assassinated. It just proves us that the system of '1 innocent should not be punished even if 100 guilty men are let free' doesn't function the way it is supposed to be. It creates in us an empathy for the accused, the trapped innocents who are tortured severely for their carelessness.

 

Watch this movie to see how the real drama in Courts happen.

Karna's Outburst

Kunti
I have come here to take you.

Karna
Where will you take me?

Kunti
Into my parched breast: into your mother’s lap.

Karna
You are blessed with five sons: you are fortunate,
I am without dynasty or forefathers, a meagre king –
where will you place me?

Kunti
Above all.
I will seat you above all my sons.
You are the eldest.

Karna
With what right shall I enter
thus? With empire and wealth?
Those who have been deprived of the treasure that is
a mother’s tenderness –
how will you achieve
absolution of their completeness, tell me this.
A mother’s heart
is not sold in a game of dice
it is not defeated by the might of weapons
it is a gift from god.

Kunti
My child, it is with the right given by god
that you came to this lap
one day; with that right
come back, with your due glory
and without amore reflection
amongst all your brothers, and in
your mother’s lap
take your place.

Karna
I listen, as if in a dream, o lady,
to your words. Look, darkness
overwhelms us in every direction, our surroundings
are now vanished
and the Bhagirathi is
soundless.
To what world veiled by illusions,
to what
unremembered dwelling,
to what dawn of consciousness
have you taken me? Like some ancient truth
your words have touched
my enchanted heart.
It is as if my unrealised childhood,
the darkness of my mother’s womb,
surrounds me today. O Mother of Kings,
whether it be true
whether it be a dream
come, o embodiment of tenderness
place your right hand
on my forehead
on my face
for a while. I have heard
it said by people that I
was abandoned by my mother.
How often have I searched for
my mother in my nocturnal dreams.
She would come slowly… slowly…
to see me.
I have cried out and told her in deepest agony
“Mother, lift your veil, let me see your face!”
But then the figure dissolves, tearing asunder
the thirsty eager dream. Has that dream returned
today in the garb of
the mother of the Pandavas
this very evening, on the battlefield,
on the banks of the Bhagirathi?
Look, lady. On the other side, in the Pandavas’ tent,
burns the lamplight,
and on this side not very far away
in the stables of the Kauravas, the roars of a
hundred thousand horses erupt fiercely.
Tomorrow night will begin that great war. Why
then did I have to hear tonight
in Arjuna’s mother’s throat
my own mother’s voice of love?
Why did my name ring out on her lips
in such sweet music? My heart suddenly
runs out calling “brother” to the Pandavas.

Kunti
Then come away, my dear child, come away.

Karna
I will go, mother. I will go, and I will ask nothing
Without hesitation, without thought.
Lady, you are my mother! Your call
has awakened my innermost soul – in my ears
ring no battle cries, nor victory conches
and false appears
the malice of war, the glory of heroes, victory or defeat.
Where will I go? Take me.

Kunti
To that other side.
Where the lamps glow in those motionless camps
on Pandu’s sandy shores

Karna
There, the motherless will find
his mother forever! There, the star of truth will stay awake
all night, beautiful and vast,
in your eyes! Lady, tell me once more that
I am your son.

Kunti

My son!

Karna
Then why
did you discard me, to humiliation,
without family, class, and honour,
and without a mother’s eye over me
into this blind and unknown universe?
Why did you set me adrift forever
on this tide of disregard?
Why did you exile me from my brothers?
You kept me separated from Arjuna
That is why, from childhood, he and I are drawn
by an invisible bond, taking the form of malice
it is an irresistible attraction. Mother, no
reply? Your shame has penetrated these
layers of darkness and, in silence, touched
my whole being, and is forcing my eyes shut. Let
it be!
Let it be then!
Do not say why you abandoned me.
The first gift of fate in all this world and universe
is a mother’s tenderness – why, from that divine gift,
did you steal your own child?
Do not answer that question. Just tell me this:
why have you come to return me to a mother’s lap?

Take me Back

Take me back, someone,
To that day of eternal bliss
The day I first discovered
My alter ego.

The day I wandered
Beneath the darkness
Of a swarthy sky,

Listening to surreal beings
Drifting through the autumn air,
Musing on Life and Death;

On how humans part,
And how their memories
Remain within us
Like footprints left upon the sands of Time.

— Medhavagmi

Winnie the Pooh

Winnie the Pooh my all time favorite fictional character since I started knowing alphabets. Yes! A huge thanks to Disney for playing a major role in shaping our childhoods. 

Today I was going through Instagram when I came across a Pooh quote shared by someone, Just reminded me of how crazy I was about this cartoon and it's characters. Not to forget that I used to rush every Wednesday during library hours in school to get my Winnie the Pooh adventures before anyone else in my class did. To be honest till date I love the soft toys of Winnie the Pooh characters and the words keep me going even now, during my hardships.

I want many more of you to realize how big a loss it would have been if you had not come across this beautiful classic, hence sharing this write-up to give you a hist of how soulful and epic this work of Milne is! [Better late than never]

Thankyou A.A.Milne for creating such wonderful childhood for thousands across the globe.

"You are braver than you believe, stronger than you seem, and smarter than you think," said Christopher Robin to Pooh.

These simple yet powerful words have been lifted from the pages of the classic children's book and shared thousands of times (our estimated guess) whether it's a meme on the internet or the front page of a greeting card. 

There has never been a children's book that has provided us with quite as much soulful, inspiring and life-affirming quotes as Winnie the Pooh. Nor has a children's character touched as many hearts around the world across multiple generations as the bear named Pooh.

He may be softly spoken and a little dopey, but the cuddly figure and his friends Tigger, Piglet, Owl, Rabbit, Kanga, Roo and human pal Christopher Robin are full of humbling advice and profound wisdom.

Quotes for the daily grind

On perspective
“When you wake up in the morning, Pooh,” said Piglet at last, "what's the first thing you say to yourself?”
“What's for breakfast?” said Pooh. "What do you say, Piglet?”
“I say, I wonder what's going to happen exciting today?” said Piglet.
Pooh nodded thoughtfully. "It's the same thing,” he said.

On slowing down 
“Don’t underestimate the value of Doing Nothing, of just going along, listening to all the things you can’t hear, and not bothering.”

On self rewards
“Pooh always liked a little something at eleven o'clock in the morning, and he was very glad to see Rabbit getting out the plates and mugs; and when Rabbit said, 'Honey or condensed milk with your bread?' he was so excited that he said, 'Both,' and then, so as not to seem greedy, he added, 'But don't bother about the bread, please.'”

On missed goals
“Rivers know this: there is no hurry. We shall get there some day.”

On comfort zones
“You can't stay in your corner of the Forest waiting for others to come to you. You have to go to them sometimes.”

On mistakes
“My spelling is Wobbly. It’s good spelling but it Wobbles, and the letters get in the wrong places.”

Quotes for love and friendships

On affection
“Some people care too much. I think it’s called love.”

On loss 
“A day without a friend is like a pot without a single drop of honey left inside.”

On separation
“If there ever comes a day when we can’t be together, keep me in your heart, I’ll stay there forever.”

On not losing sight of what's important
Piglet: “How do you spell love?”
Pooh: “You don’t spell it, you feel it.”

On attachment
“If you live to be a hundred, I want to live to be a hundred minus one day so I never have to live without you.”

On closeness
“I think we dream so we don’t have to be apart so long. If we’re in each other’s dreams we can be together all the time.”

On selflessness
“Love is taking a few steps backward maybe even more… to give way to the happiness of the person you love.”

On loss
“How lucky I am to have something that makes saying goodbye so hard.”

Quotes for mindfulness 

On confidence
“The things that make me different are the things that make me.”

On modesty
“It is more fun to talk with someone who doesn't use long, difficult words but rather short, easy words like 'What about lunch?'”

On attitude
“Sometimes the smallest things take the most room in your heart.”

On self worth
“You are braver than you believe, stronger than you seem, and smarter than you think.”

On staying assertive
“Always watch where you are going. Otherwise, you may step on a piece of the forest that was left out by mistake.” 

On patience
“If the person you are talking to does not appear to be listening, be patient. It may simply be that he has a small piece of fluff in this ear.”

On judgement 
“Weeds are flowers, too, once you get to know them.”

An encomium to Jayalalitha Jayaram

It was during my college days in Chennai that the corruption case filed by Subrahmanian Swamy against Jayalalitha became a major topic of discussion. I was interested in debates and politics, and I lived on Cathedral Road, very close to the residences of both the ruling party and the opposition. I had the opportunity to witness political drama from close quarters. Yet, I never paid much attention to Tamil Nadu politics because I felt it was too dramatic to be analysed objectively.

However, this particular case had become a matter of national interest, and I decided to look a little deeper.

One day, I spoke to a police friend about an article my colleague in the media had written about Puratchi Thalaivi. He gave me a very different perspective and spoke about her personality, her relationship with material comforts and her strong desire for power. That was perhaps the first time I really started listening to what people in Tamil Nadu had to say about their Chief Minister.

Later, when my mother happened to mention Jayalalitha, I decided to share my criticism of her. Until then, I had mostly been a listener. My mother patiently heard me and then said just one thing.

"Please read about her past and the path she had to travel to reach where she is now before you comment on her."

She then quietly hung up the phone.

At that time, I had a fairly negative opinion of Jayalalitha. Perhaps some of it came from what I saw every day. She would leave her residence with a large convoy, and the SUV in which she travelled would have men holding on to the sides while hailing her. I thought it was excessive and felt uncomfortable watching such displays.

There were also plenty of stories about her luxurious lifestyle, including stories about saffron milk, rose milk baths and many other details that were discussed as fact or gossip. Her chair, which she carried with her wherever she went, was initially a source of amusement for me. I also heard stories about how people were expected to behave around her, including the way some men would bow before her or avoid looking directly at her while speaking to her.

At one point, I had formed a very harsh impression of her.

All of that changed when I began to learn more about her life.

I became a great admirer of Madam Jayalalitha Jayaram. I have never called her Amma. I have always called her Jayalalitha because I have never considered myself a blind follower. I am simply an ordinary woman who admired her abilities while also recognising and criticising her faults.

The first interview of Jayalalitha that I watched was Rendezvous with Simi Garewal. (To watch the interview click here). What stayed with me was the transformation of a deeply emotional young woman into one of India's most powerful and influential women.

"It has been a tempestuous life," Jayalalitha said of her own journey.

Her journey from being a film star to becoming Chief Minister is certainly worth reading about. To my knowledge, only one detailed biography of Jayalalitha is available online. (Click here)

The second interview I watched, among the relatively few she gave, was with Karan Thapar. (To watch the interview click here). I remember being impressed by the way she handled his difficult and often sarcastic questions. She remained composed and responded with confidence.

That interview made me appreciate her ability to handle pressure and defend her position.

Jayalalitha was undoubtedly a remarkable and complex person. She rarely allowed her emotions to overwhelm her in public, even during some of the most difficult moments of her political career. One of the most disturbing incidents she faced was the violence and humiliation she experienced in the Tamil Nadu Assembly, including an incident in which her clothing was reportedly pulled and she was subjected to deeply disrespectful behaviour.

Yet she continued her political journey.

She was a charming and multifaceted actor who was trained in several forms of dance. Less obviously, she was also well read, witty and intellectually confident. She was comfortable speaking in English and Hindi and could hold her own in serious discussions.

Her entry into politics cannot simply be explained through her association with MGR. She had her own abilities, particularly her command of language, her intelligence and her capacity to communicate.

Two months ago, while returning from New Delhi, I happened to get into a discussion with a fellow traveler who used a rather disrespectful term while referring to Jayalalitha. I found it difficult to accept, especially because his view seemed to be based largely on the corruption case in which she had been convicted by a trial court at that time.

He spoke very strongly against her.

I acknowledged that Jayalalitha had a well known fondness for luxury and that there were serious questions surrounding her political career. But I also felt that those issues should not completely overshadow an assessment of her administration and her contribution to Tamil Nadu.

What matters to me is the impact a government has on ordinary people. Whatever one's opinion of Jayalalitha as a person or politician, it is difficult to deny that she built a strong administrative and political presence in Tamil Nadu and introduced or supported several welfare measures that reached large sections of the population.

Since my fellow traveler and I were both from Kerala, I asked him about our own state government and the benefits he had personally experienced. That conversation made me reflect on the differences between the two states.

Coming from a middle class family, I had often felt that the government existed mainly in newspapers and television news. When I moved to Chennai, I began to understand how visible and effective a state government could be in the daily lives of ordinary people.

I simply asked him to name five positive or negative things Jayalalitha had done for Tamil Nadu before criticising her. He struggled to answer.

That stayed with me.

I felt that it was unfair to judge a politician only by the number of silk sarees she owned, the controversies surrounding her or the corruption allegations against her without knowing anything about her administration or her contributions to the state.

I believe a reasonable approach to criticism is to understand both sides before forming an opinion. Politicians deserve scrutiny, but they also deserve to be judged by their complete record. This is particularly important when discussing a woman who held enormous political power in a largely male dominated political environment.

My views about Jayalalitha changed because I took the time to understand her journey rather than relying only on the stories and impressions that surrounded her.

She was far from perfect. Neither was she a figure beyond criticism. But she was undoubtedly a woman of extraordinary determination, intelligence and political ability who broke several barriers in her time.

I conclude by paying my respects to Jayalalitha Jayaram, a politician who left an indelible mark on Tamil Nadu and on Indian politics.

RIP Jayalalitha Jayaram.