Falling Snow

Friday, January 8, 2010

3 Idiots- Movie Review






Life is all about listening to your heart and chasing your dreams. That's the essence of 3 IDIOTS, directed by the supremely talented Rajkumar Hirani. Let me come to the point right away. There are films and there are more films. And then there's 3 IDIOTS.

Come to think of it, 3 IDIOTS carries a huge 'burden' on its shoulders: The 'burden' of humungous expectations. And it's not without reasons...

  • 3 IDIOTS is Aamir's next release after the record-breaker GHAJINI.


  • 3 IDIOTS is Rajkumar Hirani and Vidhu Vinod Chopra's third film together, after MUNNABHAI MBBS and LAGE RAHO MUNNABHAI, landmark films.


  • Three actors from the path-breaking RANG DE BASANTI team - Aamir, Madhavan and Sharman - team up yet again. Plus, Aamir's teaming up with Hirani. It couldn't get bigger!



  • 3 IDIOTS is over-hyped and that could be dangerous for any film since it's the expectations which kill a film if the content doesn't match up to the hype. In this case, all izz well! 


    Now let's demystify the myths...
    3 IDIOTS is not about idiots or nincompoops. It's about three engineering students who believe in 'I'll Do It On my Terms' and that's what the three characters achieve in life and that's what Hirani, Chopra, Aamir eventually achieve at the end of the movie. Making a movie on their terms!  


    One more thing! You cannot draw parallels with any other film, past or present, successful or unsuccessful. And though people may draw parallels with GHAJINI or the MUNNABHAI series, it would be sacrilege to do so. 3 IDIOTS [based on a novel 'Five Point Someone' by Chetan Bhagat] doesn't tilt, it stands tall.

    Here's yet another illusion: 3 IDIOTS belongs to Aamir Khan. Yes, it does, but also to R. Madhavan, Sharman Joshi, Boman Irani, Kareena Kapoor and Omi, the entrant in Hindi movies, who delivers an equally sterling performance. The film would be incomplete without any of these characters.

    To cut a long story short, all you'd like to say about the film is, All izz very, very, very, very, very well. Watch this film to know what it means!

    Two friends [R. Madhavan and Sharman Joshi] embark on a quest for a lost buddy. As they make their way through the perilous landscape [Shimla, Manali, Ladakh], another journey begins: their inner journey through memory lane and the story of their friend - the irrepressible free-thinker Rancho [Aamir Khan], who, in his unique way, touched and changed their lives.

    It's a story of their hostel days that swings between Rancho's romance with the spirited Pia [Kareena Kapoor] and his clash with and oppressive mentor, Viru Sahastrabudhhe [Boman Irani]. And then one day, suddenly, Rancho vanishes...

    Who was he? Where did he come from? Why did he leave? The friend who influenced and inspired them to think creatively and independently, even as the conformist world called them three idiots. Where is the original idiot now?

    Hirani is a genius and that has been proved twice in the past. He proves it for the third time with 3 IDIOTS. Screenplay writers Hirani and Abhijat Joshi and screenplay associate Vidhu Vinod Chopra narrate a story that's straight out of life. A story that each one of us can relate to or identify with.

    Very often, we've read news-reports of students committing suicides because they've to live up to the family's pressure/expectations. This film depicts it at the very start, when a student commits suicide. But the issue doesn't end there, for 3 IDIOTS raises a pertinent question: Was it suicide or murder?

    Hirani balances the rough and smooth incidents in their lives beautifully. The sequences in the campus, right from the ragging sequence at the start, to Omi's speech when the word 'chamatkaar' is changed to 'balatkaar' [superb; will bring the house down], to the trio getting caught in an embarrassing situation at the reception of Kareena's sister [Mona Singh], to the dinner sequence at Sharman's house, to Kareena and Aamir driving Sharman's seriously ill father on their bike to the hospital... the funny moments would make your jaws ache.

    The interval point is a shocker. The point at which the first half ends will leave you stunned. Now what was that? Kahani mein twist!

    The mystery is solved soon after the intermission ends and a new journey begins. That's one of the USPs of the film. Just when you think that the story would be solved, a new story begins. Of course, the pace dips slightly in its second hour, especially during the delivery sequence of Mona [which may appear filmy to a few], but the immediate sequence, when the baby boy is born and also the subsequent sequence between Boman and Aamir bring the film back on track. The culmination to the film is novel and yes, it's a master stroke from the writing point of view!

    Every person behind the camera gives his/her best to the film. Hirani and Joshi's screenplay is the mainstay of the film. If you fondly recall 'Gandhigiri' from their previous film LAGE RAHO MUNNABHAI, you'd have a new phrase to chew on this time: 'All Izz Well'. Muraleedharan C.K.'s cinematography is awesome. Note the aerial view at the very start, when Madhavan and Sharman begin the journey to Shimla or the picture perfect look of Ladakh... the DoP does a magnificent job.

    Shantanu Moitra's music may sound plain ordinary to ears, but when viewed on screen, the score is just perfect. 'Give Me Some Sunshine', 'All Is Well', 'Zoobie Doobie' are three tracks that would grow on you after you've watched the film. The choreography of 'All Izz Well' [Avit Dias] and 'Zoobie Doobie' [Bosco-Caesar] are eye-catching. The background score [Sanjay Wandrekar, Atul Raninga, Shantanu Moitra] is right.

    3 IDIOTS belongs to everyone. But, yes, there's no denying that Aamir makes you forget all his past achievements as you watch the amazing actor play Rancho. To state that this ranks amongst his finest works would be an understatement. Madhavan is incredible, especially in the sequence when he explains his point of view to his father [Pareekshit Sahani]. Sharman is outstanding from start to end. This was a difficult role to portray and only an actor of calibre could've pulled it off. Boman is superb as the vicious head of the institute. The scenes between Aamir and Boman are extra-ordinary and it's a treat to watch these two powerful actors clash on the big screen, without getting overdramatic. Boman's appearance, mannerisms and dialogue delivery are exemplary.

    The length of Kareena's role may not be as much as Aamir, Madhavan and Sharman, but she registers a strong impact nonetheless. Omi is excellent and the viewers are sure to love his acidic tongue and gestures in the movie. Mona Singh doesn't get much scope. Jaaved Jaffery is competent. Pareekshit Sahani is decent.

    On the whole, 3 IDIOTS easily ranks amongst Aamir, Rajkumar Hirani and Vidhu Vinod Chopra's finest films. Do yourself and your family a favour: Watch 3 IDIOTS. It's emotional, it's entertaining, it's enlightening. The film has tremendous youth appeal and feel-good factor to work in a big way.
     

    LightBox - For Javascript

    Overview

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    http://www.huddletogether.com/projects/lightbox2/

    IAS Pradeep Sharma arrested in a land scam

    IAS Pradeep Sharma arrested in land scam


    Ahmedabad: The arrest of senior IAS officer Pradeep Sharma, municipal commissioner of Bhavnagar, in a Rs70 crore land scam has shocked the state bureaucracy.

    The CID crime arrested Sharma on Wednesday morning for irregularities in the allotment of land for Bheed Bazaar, a wholesale market in Bhuj which was destroyed in the 2001 earthquake. The police arrested Sharma from his residence in Bhavnagar and took him to Bhuj.

    The state government had allotted 17 acres of land on the foothills of Bhujiya hillock to the traders of Bheed Bazaar who had lost their shops in the earthquake, said a source.

    The traders were, however, asked to procure a G-5 certificate from the district collector of Kutch before they could lay claim to the land.

    But many traders, who were not even affected by the calamity, managed to get land by presenting fake certificates. A complaint in this regard was also filed by Henry Chako, Kutch secretary of All India Anti Corruption Crime Preventive Council, an NGO.

    TGES Choir Night

    Choir Night Trend Setters



    Choir singing, religious or secular, can create vibes that resonate in your soul. These vibes are generated by the greatest gift of God that each one of us has and that is the natural instrument of our voice. We at TGES seek in exploring this Vocal talent and displaying it collectively for the listening pleasure of all. The Choir Night is a revolutionary and an evolutionary process that has been growing over the past three years.

    The first Choir Night was in March 2008 and was one of mass participation. We got a spirited start. The second one, held in February 2009, had a specific direction of moving up the ladder of quality. The third Choir Night, to be tentatively held in January 2010, will showcase something unique and special. The song selection is varied and in keeping with the populous expectation. We intend to set the stage ablaze with voices and choreographed dance movements. Quite a few parents of our students will croon alongside the staff and the students this year which will echo the melodies of harmony.

    With each passing year we intend to set ourselves a higher target of performance and excellence. The amazing factor is that,this year, our students have been able to distinguish the Soprano, Alto,Tenor and Bass (SATB) voices and recognize their individual strengths.



    Collective and participative singing is one of the aims of our endeavour.

    Thursday, January 7, 2010

    Global Warming

    Global warming is the increase in the average temperature of Earth's near-surface air and oceans since the mid-20th century and its projected continuation. Global surface temperature increased 0.74 ± 0.18 °C (1.33 ± 0.32 °F) between the start and the end of the 20th century.[1][A] In 2007, the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) concluded that most of the observed temperature increase since the middle of the 20th century was caused by increasing concentrations of greenhouse gases resulting from human activity such as fossil fuel burning and deforestation.[1] The IPCC also concludes that variations in natural phenomena such as solar radiation and volcanism produced most of the warming from pre-industrial times to 1950 and had a small cooling effect afterward.[2][3] These basic conclusions have been endorsed by more than 40 scientific societies and academies of science,[B] including all of the national academies of science of the major industrialized countries.[4]

    Climate model projections summarized in the latest IPCC report indicate that the global surface temperature is likely to rise a further 1.1 to 6.4 °C (2.0 to 11.5 °F) during the 21st century.[1] The uncertainty in this estimate arises from the use of models with differing sensitivity to greenhouse gas concentrations and the use of differing estimates of future greenhouse gas emissions. Some other uncertainties include how warming and related changes will vary from region to region around the globe. Most studies focus on the period up to the year 2100. However, warming is expected to continue beyond 2100 even if emissions stop, because of the large heat capacity of the oceans and the long lifetime of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere.[5][6]

    An increase in global temperature will cause sea levels to rise and will change the amount and pattern of precipitation, probably including expansion of subtropical deserts.[7] Warming will be strongest in the Arctic and will be associated with continuing retreat of glaciers, permafrost and sea ice. Other likely effects include increases in the intensity of extreme weather events, species extinctions, and changes in agricultural yields.

    Political and public debate continues regarding global warming, and what actions (if any) to take in response. The available options are mitigation to reduce further emissions; adaptation to reduce the damage caused by warming; and, more speculatively, geoengineering to reverse global warming. Most national governments have signed and ratified the Kyoto Protocol aimed at reducing greenhouse gas emissions.



    For More Details.....visit the link below
    http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Global_warming

    Copenhagen Summit

    In 2012 the Kyoto Protocol to prevent climate changes and global warming runs out. To keep the process on the line there is an urgent need for a new climate protocol. At the conference in Copenhagen 2009 the parties of the UNFCCC meet for the last time on government level before the climate agreement need to be renewed.

    Climate friendly transport at tbe Bella Centre
    Climate friendly city car in front of the Bella Center

    Therefore the Climate Conference in Copenhagen is essential for the worlds climate and the Danish government and UNFCCC is putting hard effort in making the meeting in Copenhagen a success ending up with a Copenhagen Protocol to prevent global warming and climate changes.

    The Climate Conference will take place in the Bella Center. The conference centre is placed not far from Copenhagen and near the Copenhagen Airport, Kastrup.

    Governmental representatives from 170 countries are expected to be in Copenhagen in the days of the conference accompanied by other governmental representatives, NGO's, journalists and others. In total 8000 people are expected to Copenhagen in the days of the climate meeting.

    Connie Hedegaard, minister for climate and energy
    Minister for Climate and Energy, Connie Hedegaard. Photo: Jakob Dall

    The host of the meeting in Copenhagen is the government of Denmark represented by Connie Hedegaard, the Danish minister of Climate and Energy and Prime Minister Lars Løkke Rasmussen. The official sekretariat is placed in connection to The Prime Ministers Office in Copenhagen. Originally the hosting of the climate conference was initiated by the former Prime Minister Anders Fogh Rasmussen.

    Anders Fogh Rasmussen
    Former Prime Minister Anders Fogh Rasmussen
    Photo: Hung Tien Vu

    The Danish Government has decided that not only the subject of the conference should be focused on the climate but also the conference itself. Among other initiatives the organizers work on mounting af windmill near the Bella Center to produce climate friendly electricity for the conference.

    The conference in Copenhagen is the 15th conference of parties (COP15) in the Framework Convention on Climate Change. The recent meeting in United Nations Climate Change Conferences was held in December 2007 in Bali.

    Lars Lokke Rasmussen, Prime Minister in Denmark
    Danish Prime Minister
    Lars Løkke Rasmussen

    The secretary for the climate conferences is the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change UNFCCC - based in the German city Bonn.

    An important part of the scientific background for the political decisions taken on the conferences is made by the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change IPCC, based in Geneva, Switzerland. The IPCC is Established to provide the decision-makers and others interested in climate change with an objective source of information about climate change. IPCC is a scientific intergovernmental body set up by the World Meteorological Organization (WMO) and by the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP). In 2007 the IPCC received the Nobel Peace Price).

    The Climate Conference in Copenhagen is organized in cooperation between the Ministry of Climate and Energy, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Ministry of Science, Technology and Innovation, Ministry of Finance and the Prime Minister's Office.

    The adress of the secretariat for the Climate Conference is:

    COP15
    The Climate Secretariat
    The Prime Minister's Office
    Christiansborg
    Prins Jørgens Gård 11
    1218 København K
    Denmark
    Tel (+45) 33 92 33 00, Fax (+45) 33 11 16 65
    The Official secretariat of the 15th Climate Conference in Copenhagen.

    Copenhagen Climate Network
    Ehlersvej 11
    2900 Hellerup
    Denmark
    Tel (+45) 39 48 18 10, Fax (+45) 39 48 18 01
    A Danish network that will underpin the Copenhagen Climate Summit, thus making the 2009 UN climate summit a success for the benefit of sustainable climate policy. The network will use the period before, under and after the Copenhagen Climate Summit to establish networks among businesses, individuals and organisations supporting a climate policy focusing on the environment.

    Copenhagen Climate Council
    c/ Mandag Morgen
    Valkendorsgade 13
    Box 1127
    1009 Copenhagen K
    Tel (+45) 33 93 93 23, Fax (+45) 33 14 13 94
    An initiative founded in May 2007 by a group of business leaders and scientists with the aim of helping make the case for a new global climate treaty that will come into force when the first commitment period of the Kyoto Protocol comes to an end in 2012.