Dhamma Hill at Lathao

Dhamma Hill also known as Lal Pahad is in Lathao circle of Namsai district Arunachal Pradesh. The place is popular for largest Buddhist statue in India. One has to travel around 7km inside Lathao town to reach the place.

 We are nothing but nano micro dots in Universe !!!!

Though the road is not yet carpeted but it is smooth ride or drive to reach the place. One can also enjoy tea garden on the way to Dhamma Hill...

So take out time as we did, and visit Dhamma Hill to witness the largest Buddhist statue in India and add something good to your memory Book !!!

Our Moment !!!!

For  watching  video, click Here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zCYFr-KAJ6A

The Broken Promise!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Saw few small children flying colourful kites from their roof top from my office parking place.  They looked  completely  engrossed and engaged.

However, the  first   glimpse  that  arrested my  attention was  that  their  space  was  limited  and squeezed or contracted to confined roof top from the free space that we used to get when children.

All free space has been replaced by concrete jungle. Even the country areas are being transformed to cemented buildings and houses! 

What made me happy was that they were looking so happy, satisfied and contended within the boundary of confined space.

By the way, the matter and the concern is not if their happiness is confined or open. 

Their activity took   me to the past and  that  reminded me of a promise that I made to one of my friends. 

I had promised him that I would make a kite for him but that  promise remained  and I know I will never be making   any kite for my him.

He is no more alive !! 

Highway on My Mobile !

This Video was recorded while we were on the  way to Mawlynnnong, the cleanest village in Asia!

Mawlynnong is in  Meghalaya with it's capital Shillong  which is known as Scotland of the East. 

Enjoy: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4fH4wmU6xOM&t=4s

NEFA 1953-The Hidden War !!

We always look towards ‘Mera Dharam Meri Maa’ when it comes to Arunachali films. However, in recent times lots of films have been produced that are equally par excellence. One among them is -NEFA 1953-The Hidden War.

Still From 1953-The Hidden War !

Inspired by real event of some village in Arunachal Pradesh, the films depicts about the fight for their land, sacrifice for love. One of the dialogues says, “Our ancestors’ soul is inhabited in this mountain. So, that is why we have to take care of it.”

Still From 1953-The Hidden War !

The film begins with a brief depiction of Arunachal Pradesh’s  Adi warriors Matmur Jamoh and his companion who had killed British political agent, Noel Williamson and medical official Dr Gregorson respectively in 1911. 

Fast forward to 1953, post-independence! Indian government wants to bring development in country’s every nook and corner implementing various schemes. Indian forces (Assam Rifles) are assigned to carry out the tasks which seem to be very difficult. One character is seen saying, “Kaam  Mushkil Hai  Per Jaana  to Padega(Task  is difficult but have to go).”

Still From 1953-The Hidden War !

Army officials hired local mediators from other tribes; trekked many hills and reached to an interior tribal land. 

Indigenous tribal people, unaware of mainland people’s way of life and their intention, are unwilling to welcome the outsiders but mediators convinced them. These tribal people find difficulty in checking their rival community   at the one hand and advances of the outsiders.

The tension and conflict between them crop up when the outsiders start taking advantage of innocent people invading their privacy and social affairs.

Left with no option, they retaliate. The repression is more hostile. Indigenous people sacrificed their lives with bravery protecting ancestral land.

Still From 1953-The Hidden War !

Besides the main theme, the film also deals with issues including bride price system, nature’s worshiping, community’s norms and rules, clash within communities and revenge killing   system that used to prevail earlier.

Still From 1953-The Hidden War !

Tarh Gungte’s acting as Maruk is stunning. His aggressive looks, his disliking for outsiders, his grudges against rival community is all perfect. In one of the scenes where he hides himself under water and shoots at his enemy with an arrow is incredible.

Anna Taying’s acting is remarkable. The child birth scene looks so authentic. Audiences can feel her pang. Scene where she is shown cutting the umbilical cords with her teeth after giving birth is portrayed realistically that looks so real and convincing!

Patey Tajuk (Dr Techi Upan Tara) is the main villain and has acted flawlessly. The way he prays to nature, the way he kills his enemies, all look perfectly villainous.

Rukje (Maruk’s son) has brief but vital role. He gradually learns the way of the world from his father; by witnessing and observing the happenings around him. When Rukje sails back to his village is outstanding (emotional too!).

Still From 1953-The Hidden War !

Other actors Rana Konia, Tar Yokum Maya, Nabam Sunil have perfectly done justice to their respective roles.  

Though the film will be compared the film with Apocalypto and Warriors of the Rainbow but NEFA 1953-The Hidden War is a pure Arunachali film.

The film is mostly in Nyishi dialect with few Tagin, Adi and Galo dialects besides Hindi language with English Sub-titles. Portrayal of violence and bloodshed may disturb few audiences yet the film has a smooth flow like a beautiful short story being told without any digression.

State’s beautiful locations have been captured brilliantly. Amazing waterfalls, astonishing rivers, eye pleasing green hills are stunning. These locations must be used for promotion of state’s tourism.

Special effects (for Arunachali film) are brilliant. Music by Zerchi Musobi and Karga Ragiand editing by Taba Shekhar and Dhurba Kakoti are fantastic.

The film has exceptionally raised the bar of the quality of Arunachali film.  Everything about the film is brilliant and can be termed as coming of an Arunachali film.

Still From 1953-The Hidden War !

A must watch film; not only for its story, theme, background score but brilliant acting, technical excellence along with amazing outdoor locations, the film will not bore you any bit.

Though film is not without flaws but brilliant acting; beautiful background score make audience to ignore those flaws. The use of   artificial rain is remarkable. It must have been used for the first time in any Arunachali film (though I am not sure!)

Produced under the banner of TN Dreams Pictures; Tar Aap, Tar Yokom Maya, Taw Ania and  Tapen Natam are the producers. Written and directed by Tapen Natam, NEFA 1953-The Hidden War is so far state’s one of the best films.

Audiences will thoroughly enjoy this 132 minutes long film for its entertaining value; for telling the about fighting of those unsung heroes who sacrificed their lives to protect their ancestral land.

Click here for watchng trailer :

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MufFgHlXt7k

* NEFA- North East Frontier Agency

*Image Courtesy: YouTube

Lifeline: A success story

Give man a fish, and you feed him for a day. Teach a man to fish, and you feed him for a lifetime.

Getting  it Ready

A Self Help Group (SHG) called Lifeline of Yazali block in Lower Subansiri district of Arunachal Pradesh is literary making it happen.  

Formed with the objectives of empowering women, inculcating the habit of saving and offering sustainable interventions, Lifeline is getting the benefits of an initiative facilitated by the North East Initiative Development Agency (NEIDA), an associate organization of Tata Trusts motivating more women to form SHGs.

Registered under the Societies Registration Act, 2012, the NEIDA has been implementing the Integrated Promotion of Livelihood in Arunachal Pradesh Phase-I project since July 2015 primarily focusing on finding innovative ways to improve the livelihood of rural farmers through enhancing productivity of existing livelihood-based activities. It mostly focuses on: Livestock - piggery promotion, Stabilizing land use systems through horticulture and agriculture development and Forest-based livelihood.  Before getting assistance from NEIDA, the members’ financial condition was very poor. Their main source of income and livelihood used to be agriculture. But the lack of technical aspects of farming resulted insufficient yielding and their financial condition still remained the same and needed alternatives.

                                                                        Feeding 

However, these women came in touch with the NEIDA and formed Lifeline SHG. Initially, when the field coordinator informed them about theNEIDA’s initiatives, they were apprehensive. When told about the benefits they would get, they were convinced and welcomed the assistance. Now, the Lifeline is one of the most popular groups in the locality.

Lifeline began its journey with a collection of Rs 50 from each of the group’s members for maintaining their micro-finance. Later, the amount was doubled and started collecting Rs 100 per head, which was increased to Rs 500 and then Rs 1000 per head. At present it collects Rs 1200 from each member.

Sharing their success story, Lifeline’s president Mrs Pill Yall informed that facilitation given by NEIDA changed their fate and improved their financial status.

Pig rearing being an important for promoting rural livelihood and poverty alleviation in the region, the members of Lifeline were provided scientific knowledge on piggery and trained them to set up proper pigsties; take care of the animals. They were also provided exposure tours.

Healthy Pigs

To start with each member was given two piglets. They reared their piglets with dedication and sincerity. These women earn good price after selling each matured pig during. Sale of each matured pig earns around Rs 14,000. Piggery has boosted their economic condition. Lifeline’s annual income has also gone high improving financial condition of each member. The women are happy with their annual income. In fact, the group has decided to expand the piggery units by constructing additional pigsties. These women take care of their pigs and even treat their sick pigs by applying the knowledge they acquired from training.

Besides piggery, the NEIDA also encouraged the members to practice scientific methods of agriculture.  Practice of scientific way of agriculture has resulted better yielding boosting their morale.

At Work !!

They mostly cultivate and grow maize and paddy besides growing tapioca, colocasia and other vegetables. Purchasing of fodder and silage for the pigs has come  down as they mostly use agricultural products and wastes as fodder and manure respectively.

Colocasia Used  as Fodder !!!

Focusing on the concept and role of SHGs, the members practise inter-lending of funds; book and record-keeping and micro-finance giving a big relief in times of emergencies and developing a better understanding of a wide range of issues bringing a positive change in their thinking and behaviour. They have become more independent both socially and economically.

Members of   Lifeline with  NEIDA's  Officials

Now, more women have started to come for seeking their assistance and suggestions. Lifeline’s success story demonstrates that they have been able to implement all the inputs and initiatives provided by the NEIDA.

Each member is now more empowered, more confident and more positive. They have set an example in the area by improving the quality of life, making women self-sufficient, and bringing brighter smiles to their faces.

SANJU... KUCH TOH LOG KAHENGEY.....

Travelled more than 200 km, stayed at hotel and watched Sanju-One Man Many Lives. Sanju is Ranbir Kapoor’s best film till date.  It did not disappoint me and will   not disappoint you either.

Paresh Rawal as Sunil Dutt has done excellent acting; delivers impressive dialogues-“Mera Beta Koi Guzra Hua Waqt  Nahi Hai  Joh Laut Kar Wapas Nahi Aa Saktaa”. But audiences might not completely accept Rawal as senior Dutt because he does not look like senior Dutt.

Hirani has sensibly depicted the father-son relationship. There are scenes which are emotional and will move everyone to tears!!!

Sanju is also about true Friendship. Vicky Kaushal as Kamle is impressive. Vicky, no doubt a fine actor but this film will give him more recognition.

Jim Sarbh as a drug dealer has acted well but not par excellence to that of Padmavat. The only waste of talent in Sanju is Boman Irani in spite of his good acting as he has only couple of scenes in the film.

All ladies look beautiful and gorgeous. Manisha Koirala as Nargis Dutt is convincing. Sonam Kapoor (as Sanjay’s ex-girlfriend) has acted well. Karishma Tanna is stunning.  Diya Mirza as Manyata seems real. Anushka Sharma as Winne the writer looks beautiful and stunning and acted well. Unlike Aishwarya Rai in Ae Dil Hai Mushkil, Anushka failed doing justice as a writer rather she looks more of a model or a lawyer.

However, the film only talks about junior Dutt’s troubled phases. Ranbir Kapoor might have too much of pain to be in Sanjay Dutt’s shoes. His body language, voice and mannerism all are similar. Ranbir, particularly junior’s Dutt drug addiction phase, has portrayed intensely. 

  

The one who did Priya Dutt’s role almost look similar to original Priya Dutt. But no dialogue was given to her except a word Bhaiyya.

Audiences will love the film; will be moved to tears for sure. But at the end people will remember only Paresh Rawal, Ranbir Kapoor and Vicky Kaushal in their respective characters while coming out of the hall though other actors have equally acted brilliantly.

Sanju is not all about story of Dutt’s troubled phases. It is about fights within; self realization; importance of relationship; significance of true friendship and role of media (role of media has been bitterly criticized) and proper parenting.

If children are kept under dominance, there is possibility of them going off track. Sanjay could have been a better son, a good brother and admirable lover but failed in all aspects. Initially, his father wanted him to be like him. Had his father realized earlier, chances were there Sanjay Dutt being free of all troubles and could have saved him from going off track.

Unlike Hirani’s other films, Sanju does not have outstanding appeal for watching it repeatedly like 3 Idiots or PK.

Background score is good. Songs are not as popular as Hirani’s other films. The only song that audiences remember is Main Badhiya Tu Bhi Badhiya.

Sanju is not a complete biopic on Sanjay Dutt as many aspects of Sanjay Dutt’s life have not been included. 

Finally, many may criticize the film, citing Hirani has tried to portray Dutt as a great and innocent person. He does not glorify Dutt. Sanju is fully Paisa Vasool film. Feer bhi Kuch Toh Log Kahengey!!!

Tryst with an old Woman!

She must be too frustrated or too cynic!  Just a moment of conversation and she spilled the beans about her family problems. Honestly I was not interested in knowing her family problems. While visiting Itanagar, the vehicle stopped at a place called Dimu for lunch. (Not sure about the name of the place)  There I saw an old woman working as domestic helper to hotel owner.

Wrinkles were what I saw her face. Her nerves and veins were clearly   visible in her hands.  She was not   weak though. After having lunch I went to a toilet to pee. As there was no running tap but hand pump, I went there to wash my hands but there was no soap. I used ash.   She was there cleaning the utensils.

I asked her, “ arrey kuch   saabun  bhi nahi  haath   dhoney  ke liye!” (Oh there is no soap for washing hands) She abruptly replied,” kahan rakhegaa  sabun yeh  log, . yeh log  sirf paisa ko  dekhta hai. Kanjoos!” (Who bothers to keep soap? They are only after money.  Stingy!).

When I asked in spite of this you work here.   Want of   money has forced her to do such work. Her husband is paralyzed and bed ridden since months and she    revealed that her two sons are already married and away from home. They   don’t’ send any money to them. When I suggested her to be strict, her mood   changed to that of agony and revealed that they beat them   when they are home. So are frightened of them. I wanted to know if they had daughter(s).  Yes was her reply.  I   told her to ask from them.  Her reply really surprised me- when she said they don’t help her and said, “shaadi ke baad toh  ladki  aur haraami  ho gaya.” (After marriage girls have  become bloody bastard)! 

I could feel suppressed  anger in her when she uttered those words. I did not say anything but came back and took my seat. After sometime, the journey resumed.  I was wondering what made her sharing her problems with me (a complete   stranger) within  that short span of  conversation between us. What a life but such is life!

Image Courtesy: Google