Caught my attention

“On July 30, India will make its biggest noise against the global killer HIV/AIDS.

In a unique effort to spread AIDS awareness, the ministry of health has asked all citizens of Andhra Pradesh to make as much noise as possible, as a way to announce their fight against AIDS.

Drivers have been asked to blow their horns, housewives will rattle their utensils, police officials and ministers will blow their sirens, cyclists will ring their bells and curious onlookers will scream, moments after Andhra Chief Minister Y.S. R Reddy reads out a public pledge to fight the disease at a sports stadium in Hyderabad. The pledge will be taken by and in front of over 3,500 VVIPs and who’s who of Hyderabad.

Over 500 street plays will be performed and 500 condom machines will also be installed and inaugurated on the same day.

Condom blowing and tearing competitions will also be held.
Four renowned filmstars of the South will flag off four rallies. The rallies will culminate at the stadium where the public pledge will be read out exactly at 12 noon. It will be broadcast live on the national television. This will be by far India’s biggest and loudest public campaign against AIDS.” - TOI

And here I would like to share the punch lines of a small film where my friend’s sister has worked on. The concept is simple and very beautiful made with young adults as the target audience. The shots are straight forward with light music on the background. The theme-“Women, Girls, HIV and AIDS”

I am just a normal girl,
I help my mother,
I love watching the T.V with my family,
I love surfing the net,
I dance alone…..Sometimes,
I love to read
…and I am aware about AIDS.

I am concerned
I am aware
I am safe.

Then she says it in her own voice, ” I am also an AIDS activist. Be concerned. Join the campaign “

Let’s share the issue
&
Feel the change.

SASO world AIDS campaign, 2004.

Non-Harrypotterian, Nonhairypotty, hairypotty, potty

A day before the latest volume was released, my friend asked me to accompany him and grab the book the next day. I am a Non-Harrypotterian and was like eeks! Old man, what are you going to do reading that spectacled lad? Don’t you have better things to do like taking me out for a movie, buying me a dress but his enthusiasm appalled me. Next day we grabbed the book and he was busy making all kinds of calls long distance, short distance, no distance (I mean calling me to stand by his side as he paid) announcing his purchase as though he was announcing to the world that he is dating Yana minus Gupta. (He is waiting for Yana to ditch Aftaab and vice-versa)

I went back thinking what will happen to the world and a good samaritan like me should do something about it. But the next day, I see my colleagues talking about it, friends and even foes know about it. They are like please don’t tell me which character dies. So sad and all that stuff. Finally I realised, I am the odd man out for being Harry Potter illiterate.
Something must be there in this lad. Am I realising 6 volumes too late? So, I am doing some disaster recovery by watching the movies and reading up the rest.

After a few weeks, let’s talk Hairy oops Harry Ponting.

The weekend

Legends of rock, peanut masala, fish finger, music, wine, dine, Shoppers’ Stop, Jute bag, Skirts, tops, Fabmall, coke, chicken tikka biryani, French fries, baby food, Formula milk Powder, orphanage, baby smell, baby cries. Lovely names- Neela, Brinda, Ishani, Aryamaan. Hesitant steps, slow smiles, then sweet little hugs, easy laughters.

Aryamman pissed on my friend. Yeah baby! I kissed him for that. Decide what to carry along next time- diapers along with baby food. Yes, I agree having a child sleep in your arms must be one of the most peaceful feelings. ATM, rain, fruit juice, The Last Song of Dusk.

Quite Sunday, The last song of dusk. Raindrops, some soul searching, re-aligned my thoughts.

Sang loudly, soulfully- Lagja Gale…,

Yahi wo Jagah hain, yahi wo fizaayein, yahi par kabhie aap humse mille the...