TEENAGE:Handle it carefully

TEENAGE is the most "dramatic"phase of one's life. Dramatic since the person is juggling between his childhood and adulthood.Teenagers have a strong feeling of being matured but trust me maturity develops when one passes through the destination named TEENAGE

              Teenagers are strong individuals;challengers;dreamers and artists.Yes,you heard me right.Teenagers are like the lead actors of film.With depression,funky hairstyles,attitude,no fear,shyness,ambition,mischievous ,different in a group, confident yet secure,they evolve as successful individuals as they walk into their next phase of life.
             Problems faced by teenagers are given sufficient attention. But are they really being perceived as "problems of important section of society".Teenagers forget that the word "teen" is attached to the word "age" and often behave as adults. As a result teenagers establish their friendship with drugs,alcohol,etc. Today a large no.of teenagers are facing depression.
                One should handle the teenage in best way.But in addition to this the family right care  and support works a lot ,family must understand their psychological condition and must handle affairs in that way.
               Then this teen age will lead a person to successful adolescence and this will in turn lead to good experienced old age
       

             

              A BEAUTIFUL ENIGMA- MUMBAI                                                                                              
           The city of dreams which never sleeps has hypnotized every soul that has had a taste of it. Mumbai has brought greater prosperity to India. It has mesmerized every person and they find no other place better than Mumbai. Mumbai has been believed  to fulfill every person's dream n their life.People never go empty handed  once they become a part of this beautiful city. 
            The diversity in cultures, languages and religions make Mumbai the best example of unity. Every festival is celebrated with the same enthusiasm by every resident of Mumbai. It is the wealthiest city in the country of India and has the highest GDP in south and central Asia. But this beautiful and amazing city faces a big shortage of toilets which leads to inconvenience and unhygienic conditions. This city shelters millionaires as well as slum dwellers.This city struggles to house the rapidly growing population which is estimated to be 14 million. Increasing population has given rise to a gradual increase in pollution. This city faces a huge problem due to pollution and hence Government and NGOs are trying their best to reduce the problem of pollution. Strict laws have been made to keep a check on people who are affecting Environment. 
            It is the responsibility of every resident of Mumbai to protect the Environment and keep it clean to maintain the beloved city of Mumbai. It is our home and we need to work together and contribute to keep it clean. We need to work towards making Mumbai the most clean and best city in the world.
                     
            "Writers have a lifelong love affair with the city, Artists call her their muse and a common mumbaikar will tell you that there's no place like Mumbai." 

You come, You see , It conquers

You come, You see , It conquers.

“Oh so beautiful!” mostly the reactions us Mumbaikars get when someone visits Mumbai for the first time. Well, that is something which cannot be denied. Mumbai- referred as the “city of Dreams” as well as “the city that never sleeps” at the same time, ironic, isn’t it? Thousands of people come to this city with millions of dreams wrapped up in little suitcases. But if you ask someone who has been staying in Mumbai for quite a few years you’ll realize most of them have a love-hate relationship with this city. Why, you ask? Many people staying in the city are those who work 9-5 throughout the week which makes them loathe the city so much, but then comes the weekend, when the city is their playground, since it is a metropolitan city, Mumbai provides many opportunities of relaxation like a long walk alongside marine drive or driving up to the worli sealink and many more, and after all no other city would offer such a fast paced life which is available to mumbaikars. 

Mumbai's local train, is the lifeline of the city. When a core Mumbaikar utters “Aamchi Mumbai” local trains are an inseparable element of it. About millions of people travel daily fromthe local train yet never get tired. The local trains offers a kind of rush that gets you going. For many people it’s like a second home and hence is so precious. 

The financial capital of the country is also the dwelling for Dharavi- the largest slum in the world. This slum is a world in itself, it offers jobs, hand-loom, craft and many more opportunities to the people residing in it. Such contradictory tales can be seen in many parts of the city itself. For instance, on one hand there are street shopping lanes like Colaba Causeway, Fashion Street etc. along with high end stores like Dior and Chanel. Street food is another element of this city, where empty stomachs are filled with just Rs.15. Vada Pav is the "staple diet' of most of the Mumbaikars.

But this city is not just fun and games it has seen darker sides too. The colossal floods of 26^th July and the terrorist attacks of 26/11, shook the city deeply. And yet built itself up again. The people here never give up; neither on their dreams nor the city. Each and every aspiration of people is respected whether big or small.

Lastly, Mumbai is not about the crowd or the rush, it's about how people make friends even in those few minutes in the local train, it's about the long queues at the bus stops, it's about a number of people gathering for a cricket match and the celebration when the nation wins, it's about the Dabbawalas, the Bollywood actors, about occupied roads even at 3:00 am, about Ganesh Chaturthi. About the local markets and the bargaining, about Marine Drive, Chowpatty, Juhu Beach, Bandstand, late night movie shows, Crawford market and so many other things. There's a reason why so many people come here and almost none goes back, and why all them call themselves Mumbaikars and the city Aamchi Mumbai , as Mumbai is not just a city ; it's a feeling...

City of dreams - mumbai ?

Mumbai is a name in it self. We need no explanations for what how and why mumbai is one of the most famous cities in our country as well as in the world . It’s full of dreamers , some with big and some with small but a dream is a dream after all  . Mumbai is looked upon as a city full of opportunities . It has the most prolific of film industries, working firms , shops , buisnesess that provides outsiders with opportunities or well it seems like that . Mumbai has one  of Asia’s biggest slums and the largest tropical forest in an urban zone. It’s India’s financial powerhouse, fashion capital and a pulse point of religious tension. It’s evolved its own language, Bambaiyya Hindi, which is a mix of…everything, specifically hindi with a marathi accent . It has some of the world’s most expensive real estate and a knack for creating land from water using only determination and garbage so called reclamation  .But wait. Mumbai is not frantic or fanatic , it’s not overwhelming . Or at least, it doesn’t have to be.
Contrary to what you might think, you may not have almost just died in that taxi or been rushed by that station crowd or run over by that guy with the funny outfit and the monkey. The city has its own rhythm, which takes a little while to hear: it’s a complex but playful raga, a gliding, light-footed dance that all of Mumbai seems to know. It does not fulfill eveyone 's dreams doesn't seem like what it is and breaks alot of hearts . Still mumbai is loved and will be the city of dreams
The one time of year Mumbai could be coined intense is during Diwali Festival of the Lights and during ganesh chaturthi .  Whether you follow Rama or Lord ganesha  or one of the other 330 million Hindu deities, these festivals  are a time for positivity and joy. Coming at the end of the harvest season, it’s a period of relative prosperity for the poor country and feels like the subcontinent’s version of Christmas.
Ganesha visarjans display takes place on Mumbai’s Chowpatty Beaches that are crowded so immensely that you can hardly see the water body from a distance .
If you’re bonkers for Bollywood, you’ve come to the right place to experience your 15 minutes of fame. Mumbai is the glittering epicentre of India’s  Hindi-language film industry, and they’re often looking for Western extras.
The industry churns out more than 900 films a year – more than any other industry even more than surprise surprise Hollywood .  But Not surprising considering we have one-sixth of the world’s population as a captive audience, as well as a sizable Non-Resident Indian following fanning about Indian culture , tradition and films alll over .
Every part of India has its regional film industry, but Bollywood continues to entrance the nation with its winning escapist formula of masala entertainment – where all-singing, all-dancing lovers fight and conquer the forces keeping them apart. These days, Hollywood-inspired thrillers and action extravaganzas are for moviegoers’ attention alongside the more family-oriented saccharine formulas.
Bollywood stars can attain near godlike status in India , so many examples. Their faces appear in advertisements  around the country, and star-spotting is a favourite pastime in Mumbai’s posher establishments, standing in front of their houses on the name of being there biggest fans hampering there privacy .
It was a recent film that made its way to oscars as well represented how the other half live in Mumbai, albeit in a stereotypical fashion. Slumdog Millionaire’s slum-dwellers represent approximately 60% of Mumbai’s population who live in the  slums – some would say they are the foundation of Mumbai city life. More than a fantasised and dreamy side there is a dark and gloomy side to mumbai too.
Underworld - the strongest chain of underworld still remains in Mumbai today as well. Strong defeating the weak , rich empowering the poor , rights violation and everything not so good yet is sustaining In the city of dreams . Every thing, place has its own goods and bads and are overcome over a period of time too. 
The city was a victim of sudden terrorist attacks 26/11 . Encompassing so many rules and historic ages and traditions and cultural diversity that made a typical mixed culture of the city's own, made Mumbai an unparalleled city of color and flamboyance. Maybe it has not fullfilled everyones dreams or provided everyone with opportunities, still it will be one of its kind . With such prominence in every field it is needless to say that Mumbai,  the city of events will always be the city of dreams .

Apoorva
12th aster

Between Fear and Fierceness

"Can a man be brave if he's afraid?" 

"That is the only time a man can be brave"

One of the most famous quotes from the enthralling series Game of thrones. Given the time period and scenario that the show depicts, the quote is very relatable at all instances of time and space.

People talk about the ones who make "brave" decisions. How can we define a step as brave or cowardly? The difference is negligible as the above quote surely states. Bravery is not the spontaneous outburst of courage. None of the brave men were dropped from the heavens as heroes and saviors, ignoring the superhero movies of course (no offense to Justice league fans). A step, a clarity and the unfaltering determination is all that it takes to become BRAVE.
The courage to fight and get above fear is essential.And that's bravery. How is any of this related to us? you may wonder. It is very much related to each one of us. "You are at a very crucial stage in your life" is all we heard, the entire year.It is right I admit, while we need to work hard and focus at our goals. But we need to take time off to reflect upon ourselves. Because this year is not entirely based on the results, it is more importantly based on the decisions we make. The decisions that are going to define us for the next 50 years at least. Why not make it count? Let our choices be free from any influence, criticism,and preconceptions, let it be ours entirely. 

Ironically, as huge and chief our choices are going to be, they will be equally flexible. There is no hard and fast rule on who and how each one of us should be. Then why do we believe that careers and life goals are very firmly fixed?The possible answer: We are afraid of making the wrong decision. We are so taken aback by fear, that it stops us from exploring our personality and the possibilities that comes with it. But then what better time to be brave than, when you're afraid?

As preachy and clichéd as it may sound, it is the reality: Be who you want to be. Success does not come to those who take the safe sought after path, it comes to those who love the path that they chose. What are you afraid of? Of taking the wrong decision? Even if you do, at least it'll be yours; yours to analyze and learn from. Life is too short, but it is long enough to make mistakes and learn from them. Believe in yourself, then you will have the courage to bounce back from mistakes and to make new ones, because 

"By seeking and blundering, we learn"- Johann Wolfgang von Goethe.

If you are afraid to fall

Do not be fear's slave,

Always stand tall,

Be YOU-nique and brave!


By
Sneha Sivakumar.

(Photograph by: Tushar Barot)

                           MEDIA AND VIOLENCE 

 Media plays a very imperative role in shaping our beliefs, perception, ideas, and behavior in society. It is a powerful entertainment and education tool for us in abundant ways; however, media can have a negative impact on children and adolescents and sometimes even on the adults. We watch action movies, horror movies, thriller and fiction which may not have such a huge impact on the adults, specifically educated and sensible people but does have a major effect on the kids and the people who blindly believe whatever is being displayed on the “ Idiot Box”. It’s true that people need to know about everything that’s happening around the world but on the other hand we can’t deny the fact that certain things should not be exposed to the children and adolescents. Nowadays, children and adolescents are very much exposed to violence, profanity and much more in media. To parents, over-exposure to violence in media is seen as a threat to their children’s behavior.

Not just the movies but also the cartoon channels that kids watch everyday play a major role in fueling aggressive behavior and violence. For example – When a child watches an action movie like the “Superman” or “Spider man”, he/she starts believing that even they can have those super powers and can perform difficult stunts very easily.

Therefore, on a concluding note we can say that it’s very important to pay attention on what’s being shown on the television, particularly to the younger people as it may sometimes have a wrong effect on their tender minds.

MOVIE REVIEW: ANOTHER CLASSIC CASE OF STYLE OVER SUBSTANCE-"KABALI"

India's Biggest Superstar, Sir Rajinikanth is back with a movie whose trailer had literally broke all the records before. I was so impressed by that same trailer that I had watched it at least 15 times in a day. 'Kabali', coming after 2 not so successful films of Sir Rajini, had got audience rooting for it beyond skies. Since the first look, marketing has been brilliant and Sir himself looked stunning. Whatever may be the package, all that matters is the content and 'Kabali' falls short of content to say the least.

Pa Ranjith, after directing a successful Tamil film Madras, had signed on one of the biggest projects of India. Though he had a lot to offer, it seems that he had lost the track of it. The first half sails on with no struggle although there are some unnecessary sequences. Second half brings up a real test for the audience. Though the attempt of showing that a Don like Kabali is ready to go any distance to meet her wife is appreciable, the story just drags between all those sequences. Couple of miscasts doesn't help too. Few supporting actors pulls your focus away from the movie and that too not in a good way. The climax is probably the worst part of the movie. Ambiguous ending seems just forced when there is absolutely no need for that.The two female protagonist i.e Radhika apte and Dhaniska have done a commendable job.

Highlights: 

• Rajini Sir, Radhika Apte, Dhansika
• Costumes
• Flashback Episode
• Cinematography

Drawbacks:

• Story
• Second Half
• Miscast
• Screenplay
•  Climax   

Audience reaction:

What does Kabali do best?
               Rajini Sir is a feast to eyes. Kabali is a proof that he's still young and is still got it in him.
What does Kabali do worst?
               Too long! At least 30 minutes of the movie can be chopped off effortlessly. Story seems fresh out of a 60's movie.
What had helped and also contributed to the fall of the movie is marketing. Or should I say false marketing?! The movie was marketed as a movie of Gangsters and the re-rise of a long forgotten Don whereas it was a philosophical journey of a man for his family. That was the first nail in the coffin.

Verdict: An average flick that almost got saved by Rajini Sir!