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A New Year Begins – More Mahabharat Lessons?

bhoot — Wed, 05 Jan 2011 16:27:06 +0000

I feel bad not having blogged the past weeks. Missed the commenting of the big gambling episodes of Mahabharat. The points are simple:

When you’re on a losing streak, STOP!
Even better, do not gamble for valuable things!
When your elders are doing something bad (and you’re realising), you should stop them! Or it can end into losing everything. If any one of the brothers had stopped Yudhisthir from putting at stake his kingdom…
A woman saved the day in that episode, despite being mistreated! How many women are still mistreated these days, yet they take care of their parents, children and themselves…

With this year, I plan to launch a few online products… Like someone said, anyone can get ideas, but to make them become a business requires execution, planning and perseverance!

Busy month + End of Tulsi on MBC + Budget 2011

bhoot — Sun, 21 Nov 2010 20:10:34 +0000

I feel bad not having blogged for weeks, and missed Ba’s funeral on Facebook. Here we are finally, the end of Kyunki Saas Bhi Kabhi Bahu Thi, aka. Tulsi over here… Happy to see 112y+ Ba and 64y Tulsi finally disappeared. I hope nobody remembers them… They should remember the villains: Ansh, Trupti etc…

I’ll have to write a full blog on the goods and bads of the budget 2011… The grave thing is that the government is spending nearly 20B (90B vs 70B) over it’s revenues, in times that businesses and themselves have shouted crisis! There are some good measures for the middle class, and for taxing the upper classes more but… the actual minister is no expert in the matter, and simply cannot match the former finance minister!

Mahabharat 01 Nov 10 – The Draupadi Sharing Misconception

bhoot — Mon, 01 Nov 2010 15:12:04 +0000

Arjun and Bhim told their mother that Draupadi was alms, which is why their mother ordered to share. But as soon as she realised that she’s a person: everyone was agreeable that women should be respected. However Yudhisthir says mother’s order is more important than moral? logic? Krishna explains to her that she should not unknowingly impose to her sons.

Unlike what many people think, it’s not the mother’s order that is the reason of sharing, but rather the boon that Draupadi herself asked for from Shiv: as 5 husbands. She was warned by Shiv as well. In the same scene, Yudhisthir confirms that women should be respected and Arjun/Bhim insulted womenking by lying that Draupadi is alms… I can only be annoyed how people have distorted this event, wrongly giving the impression that she was treated as a commodity…

If the student is not keen, what will the teacher teach

bhoot — Sat, 18 Sep 2010 17:27:53 +0000

Another point coming from Mahabharat this week: Motivation is required in the student for proper learning. Otherwise, the teachings may go to waste.

Action, Not Birth, Determines Caste – Religion, Politics & Management

bhoot — Sat, 11 Sep 2010 17:14:43 +0000

I was very pleased with the episodes of Mahabharat this week (Mahabharat 6 & 10 Sep MBC1). There were important lessons and teachings in each episodes. Given the recent uproar created by the infamous l’Express article on castes use in politics, I think it’s important that everyone understands that even in the times of Mahabharat (3000 years ago or so), it was accepted that people can determine their caste, by the job they do: their actions.

Karan told his father that he wants to become a warrior, a Kshatriya, changing from his father’s Shudra job of being charioteer. He will succeed in becoming a great warrior later in the series.

Another good lesson comes from Mama Shakuni to Duryodhan. Some people associate ‘Divide and rule‘ philosophy to colonial English, when the British East India Company used the divisions of small kingdoms in India to their advantage into conquering the big India. However, Shakuni gives the same advice over 3o00 years ago to his nephew. He mentions that together the Pandavas are stronger than he is, but one-on-one, Duryodhan can beat them.

Shakuni suggests that apart from the virtues, conspiracy can prove useful in battle. When the enemy is stronger that you are, you must first identify what your strengths are. Then identify the weaknesses of the enemy so that you can strike there. That’s how Duryodhan is able to beat Bheem by using the latters eating habit. Compare with the SW of SWOT analysis in Management…

Now I think that the politicians in Mauritius are really preaching unité national. After all, they are the models themselves, making coalitions, networks. Each party comprises of cross-religion and castes members. However, for the orthodox people who still vote on castes, they use a divide and rule approach, where it is easier to manage small blocks of the voters, compared to a large group. That’s also the approach in conventional management, where big companies (e.g. GML, Rogers..) have created specialised small firms to handle different activities…

Mauritians do work together well, at least, the youngsters do. I do, my friends from other religions do as well. We accept each other’s cultural differences, and learn the good things from each other, as well pointing the bad sides. E.g. women oppression in distorted ideas from Hinduism and Islam. Let’s hope that the current generation is stronger than the few of us who are still cultivate caste-communial differences negatively…

Mahabharat 07 – 26 July 2010 – 2 Lessons + This serial should really be PG-rated

bhoot — Mon, 26 Jul 2010 14:46:56 +0000

It’s so absurd to see more impulsive and extreme decisions today. The princess Gandhari prefers to blindfold herself for life instead of supporting his blind prince husband Dhristarashtra… Bhishma blesses her with 100 sons… Ayaya, this blessing will come true. Traces of cloning are speculated to have been the solution to this. I wonder if that will be pictured this way, or as usual to this serial: eye contact + smoke = new baby!I must say there is one good lesson to learn from Gandhari’s words: “one must learn to accept one’s fate.” This means that there are certain things that you cannot change e.g. past decisions. People must learn to live with those errors, must essentially correct them, or adapt to them. So stop complaining if you feel that you are too poor, or not good looking enough etc. Look at what you have, not at what you don’t!

Another lesson comes from Kunti, the upcoming queen: there is no need to go to temples or church to pray and give offerings. You can do it from your bedroom’s window. How am I going to convince my Mom about this?!

Science really was advanced that time. Women could conceive without having intercourse and undergoing pregancy. That’s what we call in-vitro nowadays… Read that somewhere… Like this there are many mysteries from myths (or history?) like Mahabharat and Ramayan that might be explained by an advanced ancient science.

What goes around, come around. Kunti abandoned her baby, who will rise as the mighty Karan and eventually know that Kunti is her mother…

Tulsi Tue 20 July – The 4 Lessons of this Episode That Your Mom Will Not Learn

bhoot — Tue, 20 Jul 2010 15:43:25 +0000

1. Realise that some people won’t change early, not after being kicked 10 times

Tulsi made the gravest mistake by trusting Mandira after being well aware of her character for over 40 years. Agreed that the first time you can forgive, come on even 2-3 times. But not after so many times. Even a dog would have known not to trust Mandira’s word.

2. Running with Sari is Hard

Shobha could not run after Mandira, who wore a knee-high skirt (or dress). Shobha must have work a heavy sari.

3. Know to whom you are donating

Didn’t Tulsi know that Nirmala has earned millions by blackmailing Mandira? Why does she give her peanuts then…

4. Check your alibi

Karan is no fool, he knows the moment you stutter in your words that you might be lying.

Tulsi Tue 13 July – Too lazy to run Ganga, too careless typical villain Trupti

bhoot — Wed, 14 Jul 2010 14:59:23 +0000

I finally decided to write more often about each bit the series that I can. No, I don’t enjoy watching, it’s because I’m fed up of complaining to my family that it ‘s bad.

So this episode showed a silly Ganga, who is supposed to be over 40 and seen all the ways of Trupti. It’s good that she guessed a trap in the old cottage, but she went right into the trap without any weapon, despite doubting the evil intention of Trupti (a hero to me )…

Pa fini, when Trupti was about to fire the house, she remained still. No she is not afraid of fire, but she can’t risk jumping over 1 foot of fire to pursue Trupti (aren’t they the same age? technically, Trupti is much heavier because of fat and jewels so Ganga should be able to run faster!)

Helpless, helpless me, not her to have to endure all that. Why don’t MBC put Sarabhai everyday!

Mahabharat MBC1 Monday 12 July – The lesson from Bhishma’s impulsive vow

bhoot — Wed, 14 Jul 2010 14:52:57 +0000

It was with great pleasure that I sat down to watch Mahabharat last Monday. I had spent my childhood enjoying the actions (flaming arrows etc) of this serial. I said to myself, let’s see if I still see it the same, convinced that I’d find new wisdom… Alas, I was not only disappointed, I was enraged by the picturing of the characters… So this episode must be No 2 or 4, telling about a king under whom India was united. He had a son Bhishma (who will later grow to become one of the best masters of war of his time), who was promised the crown. The king fell in love with a girl, whose father wanted her child to rule instead of Bhishma. The king, rightly bound by his vow, refused his love-at-first-sight. Bhishma came to know about it and negociated with the girl’s father that he would refuse the throne.

And the greedy father went on, seeing that he was at the advantage, asked how Bhishma can stop his own sons from claiming the throne. A most impulsive decision that Bhishma vowed that he would never marry, never beget children. The best part is that instead of everyone blaiming him, or telling him to stop, you are shown videos of demi-gods bowing to him for his great sacrifice…

Sacrifice of the throne for his father’s happiness is virtuous, but vowing not to beget children just for the ‘chance’ that his sons will claim the throne… That simply wasn’t in the agreement, not is it ethical. In a sense, it’s good that he didn’t become king, cause such an impulsive decision might possibly lead to the demise of his kingdom. As an aspiring leader of the great India, if only he had the calmness not to make such grave mistakes…

Now if I had to make this serial… I’d be different.

Kyunki Saas Bhi Kabhi Bahu Thi To Be Banned with KavyAnjali – Lack of realistic storyline

bhoot — Fri, 15 May 2009 20:44:02 +0000

Now you might be an ardent fan of Tulsi (Kyun Ki Saas Bhi Kabhi Bahu Thi) or Kavya/Anjali of Kavyanjali, but have you once use your logic and asked yourself if events that happen in those serials are rational, even for a child? Here are pitiful examples of recent events in these two nonsense serials:

KT doesn’t check whom she’s marrying. She is so indifferent to Lakshya that she recognises the hand of Eklavya but doesn’t say anything and willingly marries him. Or that she’s so silly or doesn’t love Lakshya that she CAN”T MAKE OUT THE DIFFERENCE between the hands of Eklavya and Lakshya.
One man is arrested for murder in KavyAnjali. Right after the interrogation, he takes out his mobile phone from his pocket and calls the villain. Come on, no murder suspect is interrogated, left in a cell without taking his mobile phone! Doesn’t even happen in Hindi movies…
KT’s mehendi comes out in less than 1 day! Means Lakshya doesn’t love him… Or it’s cheap Mehendi from China! 24 hours for your mehendi to disappear? Impossible even for the cheapest brand!
Over 25 years have passed but Tulsi and most other characters still behave the same as in the past. Now tell me, can someone who’s sane remain the same for all these years. I mean, she didn’t learn by her experience when she’s supposed to be the heroine role model for house wives… And Mihir?
Mihir’s character has changed however, but he still doesn’t trust Tulsi even after years of misunderstanding that would have tought a little child that he should have at least a little trust in his wife… BS… You don’t agree with me? Take a look at other people’s behaviour, especially old ones… No change! It’s impossible, unless you’re mentally sick…
The only freshness comes from Eklavya. He’s the only intelligent character in the serial currently. He thinks, plans and acts. Keeps to his word, is consistent. He has a goal, style and real character. Not just people who react to situations like most other people in the serial. Is he the villain? I don’t care, he’s the only sane person in the serial.

Now you tell me, you did see all that if you even watched Tulsi or KavyAnjali at least once. Hindi movies do have characters, unlike these 2 serials. Good Hindi movies (say from the big banners, Yash Raj Films, Farhan Akhtar, Farah Khan, Bhansali etc) all have strong characters and rational situations, just like any good movie from all around the world.

MBC should at least schedule Tulsi at 10 pm everyday instead of the peak hours at 6.30. Instead, local programs should be encouraged in that time slot, or family entertainers that encourage good behaviour. Even putting the local Naya Ayaam would be better than Tulsi.

One exception to Hindi serials on MBC is Astitva. That’s a contrast from the above two. Simran is every shining, has strong character just like other main characters. The storyline flows smoothly, without wasting footage. It’s not the best in the world, but it’s good. I agree that the hero is not heroic (Abhimanyu’s character is so not-manly) but it’s a lot better than watching Tulsi and KavyAnjali!