Article 19 kickstarts and Goal for Globe kicks ass!

It was the big day! Article 19 officially kickstarted today and crowds rolled in hundreds to watch the spectacle that was Goal for Globe -- the A19 signature event!

The official inauguration took place in the morning and there was the usual stuff. There were a few workshops. And then we all headed to End Point at 6 PM. 16 colleges. 32 players. 16 nationalities. One cause: cancer awareness.

Hundreds of MICian's, MIT'ans and KMC'ians had flocked in to watch Manipal's biggest sporting event this semester. The enthusiasm of sports day was still fresh in our blood. "Go Reds" and "Go Oncolos" were echoing across the End Point grounds.

Oncolo Busters, dressed in blue, opened to a good start with a goal in the first half. Immanuel from Chemo Chargers converted a pentalty into a goal in the second half. With the teams tied at the end of 90 minutes, the play went into extra time, when Busters burst out into another goal, giving them a lead.

Busters finally won. But it was well played on both the sides!

Tomorrow we gear up for another day of workshops and the much awaited Las Vegas party!

What are you doing with your freedom?

I’m sorry, guys, for the disappearing act. You tend to forget things at times when you are right here in the middle of the action. There are speeches to be made, presentations to be prepared and people to be pleased…you know how it goes.

Anyway, we just celebrated Republic Day last Tuesday. Like we do every year. So what’s the big deal huh? It’s just a day. We became economically free on the day but so what?.

What you are effing doing with that freedom? Doing the drills? Screaming, “forward march” and tearing through others’ tympanum? There’s more, gentlemen.

Your blood is boiling? You want to set the damn country straight? Raise your voice. You don’t have to do something drastic as pull off a coup d'état or shoot the defense minister down. Start small. Just raise your voice. Exercise your freedom of speech.

Like today, the guy at the mess handed me a really worn and dingy twenty rupee note. I knew, by the time it was my turn to hand it over to someone else, it wouldn’t be alive. So I just asked him, “Do you have a better note?” You don’t have to take crap. Getting new notes is your birthright. Don’t suffer in silence.

Another incident where I raised my voice. A visiting faculty member here in MIC has not been turning up for classes lately. I called him up and said “Hi. You’ve got a class today.” He was shocked out of his wits, of course. Nobody from MIC had probably ever done that before. He made some excuse and promised to come for the next class, which was supposed to be today. I called him again. He didn’t come again, but has promised to, next week. He better turn up.

Start taking up people’s case if you think they’re screwing things up. If you can do it with a bit of humour, good enough, but it’s not necessary. You can be just plain straightforward as well. “Dude, this is not done, okay?”

So sit up, you folks. Raise your voice. Exercise freedom. Don’t take crap.

You Gotta Never Say Die!

The semester started on a depressing note: A19 had no sponsors. There was a dagger of cancellation looming large over it. The publicity team, of which yours truly is a part, was rearing to jump start the publicity campaign aggressively, but we were told that there can be no publicity without the fest itself. The recession-hit corporates had shown no interest so far.

I had seriously no clue what to do. But we were not going to give up. The sponsorship team spearheaded their efforts. Just a day before I came to know that a huge sum had been pocketed by the sponsorship team to organise the event. The sponsor, apparently overwhelmed by our enthu spirit, doubled the sum next day.

VOILA! Nothing can stop A19 from happening now!

40 Days...

So after a month of chilly sabbaticals, MIC was once again a spectacle of brewing energy. Armed with the well deserved laze at home and the enriching stints at various media outlets, they could be seen raring full throttle towards getting back into the Article-19 work mode. After a semester full of discussions, ideas and conflicts the first meeting of the semester kicked off.

40 days to the festival folks. Just 40. And the college came together with an electric fervour at the enthusiastic first meeting for the semester. For those of you who missed it, it’s a pity! The charged atmoshere in LH1 generated the much needed thrust for a frenzy of activities planned. There was an unprecedented plethora of ideas. How I love brain storming!

It started off with the general over view of what has been accomplished so far and also discussing the plan of action. With too much to do and too little time, we plan to meet everyday. Here’s hoping the enthusiasm kicks in and our concentrated collective efforts helps us to achieve our ‘goal’

Flashback: Gay Rights and Rockstar Dreams

It was a really awesome year, except that I didn't become a rock star. That's one thing due this year. I'm sure I can make it happen.

Lots of other exciting things have happened, about which I have lots of things to say. One of the most exciting things to happen in the year just gone by was the overturn on the ban on homosexuality by the Delhi HC. I can't tell you how happy that made me.

Now, people, you don't have to start getting ideas about me. No, I'm not GAY. But I feel strongly about gay rights.

What's my point? It's plain and simple. And scientific. That homosexuality is all in the biology. There's not a gay gene as such, but scientists know for a fact that homosexuality is a product of a complex interplay among genes, hormones and the environment.

You don't decide to be gay. It's not a mental disease (Baba Ramdev, are you listening?). Oh and the Delhi HC didn't do it because the country is coming largely under the Western influence (as some radical religious leaders were heard saying in a press conference I happened to attend).

But will just one amendment in the constitution flip the destiny of homosexuals in the country over? Perhaps not. I still find my friends cracking silly gay/lesbian jokes that can only be considered as ridiculing of the community...

Things are not going to change unless people accept the fact it's not a choice, it's not a disease...it's something someone is born with. Just like you are born with blue eyes and dark skin, you are born with homosexuality. Though of course it's not as simple as that. Some people with genetic predisposition to the condition may never go on to develop it but the root of the matter is that it is vey much biological, very much out of one's own hand.

And people need to know that. Only then they are going to "overturn' their deep seated prejudices about homosexuality.

Enlighten yourself on the origins of homosexuality. Go read this detailed report in The Telegraph (and it's not highly technical)

And make it a point to enlighten others about it too. Life is just way too hard on homosexuals. They spend a large part of their life fretting about the fact they are stuck in the wrong body. This is enough to provoke their suicidal tendencies. And then the rejection by society just devastates them.

They are humans, just like you and me. Make life easier for them. Accept them.

Oh, and on the closing note: The clock is ticking quick for the great event of the year. Are you ready?

New (Year+Decade+A19+ME)

Imagine if dates were not created. We would up wake up to every New Year, every Century and Millennium considering them as just another day. Women will be glad with the idea that they would never have to tell their age ever again as they themselves wouldn’t realize how old they are and committed Men will not have to bother taking the toil of remembering the anniversaries or the date of their first date. negative side include, lack of public holidays which sounds dull and frustrating. We would also have to deal with setting up A19, according to the climatic changes and warmth of the sun, to continue with it as an annual event.
But we have dates and calendars and we know that we have entered into a new Decade and a New Year has beckoned upon us, and more importantly so is a new A19 EVENT looming large over Manipal.

The hangovers are never easy to tackle. The fame that I have acquired over the last year comes with a heavy price I learnt; Christmas and New Years and then the Eves that come prior to them, prologue-d by days set off by commercial Corps. that lure the human and Bijleean mind with highlighted shopping offers that are never close to being true. Anyways my point being, well… nothing really, basically all that I said forms my excuse for being so laid back in keeping in conversation with my readers, if I have any.
Well what do you expect, with my new irresistible and charming visual appeal I was the heartthrob at most happening parties, engagements and weddings just like how a friend of mine had predicted in a comment on my previous post. My in box on FB is flooded with event invites.

After such hectic and heavy partying, I went into a much deserved slumber, to come back refreshed and full of beans. What awaits me and my friends back in Manipal is nothing better; from the moment the MIC gates are pushed open for all its students, the high octane action and suspense filled mass exertion begins to bring about the biggest Fest seen in Town.

Fans of mine who have not yet been lucky enough to see me in person have gotten a glimpse of my new self with the bettered design and photo of mine on this Blog I believe.
I shall meet you all soon I hope at spectacular events that have been planned up for the coming weeks in the student hub. Be updated through my Blog.

Happy 2010!

Incredible -Philanthropic- India!

Bijlee is fasting. Apparently I hear anyone who can go on without eating for more than ten days will be given free states in the country. Interesting I say. So what could I call my territory? Bijleeland where every one follows Bijleeism, or I can as well actualize a philanthropy-cal ideology and gift it to my loving MICians for their fest in Feb. Let them name it whatever they would like to name it. If you haven’t heard, as soon as the centre granted its acceptance for a new Telangana, the very next day as if it were some MTV Tickr news, people up west went into fasting to gain a state called Gorkhaland, a separate entity sliced off from the hills of Darjeeling. Im not being too political per say. But Bijlee is thinking on similar grounds if we could as well create Manipal as a separate state.

Anyways the whole point I fail to see in such enlarged fuss that people create for new divisions in this era. Haven’t they all watched 2012?
Or probably the trio comprising of the Italian descendant, the comical Saddu and the PC must have seen the show together and now they understand that nothing matters to them as by 2012 they would still be the ruling party so why not give everyone what they want atleast now.
December they say is the month. Even the students of my college have realized this and have quit planning for the 2012 A-19 fest.

Oh did you guys read, a new report suggests the Poverty Figure provided 2004 of India was 10% lesser than the actual. Ridiculous! Appalling I say of the Government to hide such … figures.
Hmm…*continues the fast*

Ab Tak Bijlee.

Its called ‘taking a break’. Very different from the term break-up. Every relationship necessitates this idea. Keeps the bond building stronger. Me and A-19 have been going around for a while since the year before last and after passionate times together for many months, things got clogged. We both needed our space. Thus the break. And now we are back after a while with increased intimacy. Enough about us or I shall venture into my cheesy mode which might get boring for some.

You people noticed Paa? That man’s head is a rip-off of mine! These Bollywoodian Tribes just cannot get original anymore. AB is a wannabe Bijlee with all his crazy junglee moves and seductive smiles from a face half occupied by his geeky glasses. I don’t even look nerdy do i? I was always a “bright” student, my teachers used to say but not nerdy.
I don’t like Paa. Let me crack a lame joke about the film, something I heard on TV.
Paa’s Director is all set to make four Prequels(get it?) to his new film.
He plans to name them thus in this order Maa, Gaa, Re, Saa.

As you must have by now noticed I really have not much to speak.MICians are having their hols and they don’t even realize it coz what they thought were their hols was their semester. Lazed out bunch of kids I say!

A certain someone has been given their marching orders out from that college I hear. If true, then the Cold War has ended and the college remains at peace.

I have plans to travel the Gelf. You will notice that the new me has hair. But it is photo shopped. GulfGate is my hope for the empty space like an Arabian desert that is my scalp. They fix people’s baldness with real hair. I must try. And if by chance Paa’s prequel has the character with hair, I shall swear upon filing a case against that whole crew.

I have been travelling away from the student town now and I am in dire need of energy.
*Power-Off* …

Article 19 is back again!

How time flies. I just seem to have gotten up from a really long slumber. And before I know it, it’s time for Article 19 – yet again!

It doesn’t seem like it has been a year since Rahul came and created a deluge of people at Kamath Circle (remember Power Off?). It doesn’t seem it’s been a year since Manipal damsels transformed themselves into Hawaiian beauties and glided across the streets.

Well, now you are probably wondering what I have been up to. Well, I’d been getting a bit of makeover, to begin with. More about that later.

The thing about Article 19 is that it goes on in a cycle. When last year’s fest wound up in Feb, we weren’t like “OK so it’s done. Let’s get drunk now and make merry,’”. Well, we did get drunk and did make merry but in no time we pulled our socks and started thinking about 2010—and the next Article 19. The dormant germ was up in the air again. Everybody was contemplating, thinking , mulling…in the midst of late night clubbing, while licking the cream over Kuppa Nirvana, during one of those afternoon class bunks in the canteen, and during those seemingly “jobless” squats at KC. We’ve been quite busy you see. Life here in MIC revolves around Article 19. Aricle 19 is our pride!

We’ve got bigger and bolder this time. So get ready for the bandwagon folks! Stay tuned.

It's here!

Article 19 is here!

After 7 months of endless discussions and hard work, it's here!

I am very happy today. The event was started with the unveiling of a screen where the official A19 2009 video was screened.

It's all cool and all.

Folks, it's Bijlee time!

A whiff of freedom

We at MIC are all set. Article 19 flags are being cut into shape and are being pasted all over the university-town. Sound scratches about Article 19 play are playing in every restaurant in Manipal. The Hawaiian Luau Fun Fair work is in full swing, happy Hawaii colours make the college look very nice indeed! Signature campaigns have reached a big fat number for Power Off. There is constant calling between delegates and us. Arrangements and the jazz for the resource people is underway. It's all work here in college.

Right now, posters of mine are being put all around Manipal. I am famous, dude! Everybody knows who Bijlee is. I am shocked at mine own appeal. whiff

After the amazing entries we got from 5 continents, we are very content. The nominations are out and the list is available on the Article-19 website.

The festival is here and we are ready.

Freedom. Your right.

Freedom is Firangi!

We have the right to freedom of expression in this country, so we must all express our love for each other! Happy belated Valentine's Day to all of y'all.. The pink chaddi campaign sure managed to make some noise against the Amnesia incident..!

It is important that cultures should inter-mingle. If a culture is closed, it will saturate and burn out. But if it is open, a lovely amalgamation will happen. We must allow some Westernization in India. It will only be good. And, anyway, globalization has taken us places. So Valentine's Day is not a bad thing, you know..


On this note, I must tell you that: Article 19 has gone international! We have 12 entries from countries other than India.. Freedom is firangi now! Yay! Lets' rejoice as we will see different perspectives from across the globe meet at Article 19 this year.

Reminder: Registrations for Article 19 shall close at 10 am (Indian Standard Time) on 16th February. So hurry up! Register now! It is the eleventh hour, literally.

The Gimmick

This post is catered to Manipal crowd. Outside people can read it though, it's a free country after all!

On 9th February, at around o7:15 pm, I was at KC. All dressed up in a killer attire, I felt like a star. Four body-guards were around me and they were distributing pamphlets to all the onlookers. People were giving me strange looks. Why? Cause I have a bulb-head, not the most normal thing now, is it?

Then... I heard a conch shell blow in distance from three different spots, Campus Stores, Shivas and Sutta Point.. And the drum beat began to echo from the three directions.. It was Euphoric.. The next thing I saw was many people holding candles and they were progressing towards me..

I was the star, the center of attention.. A street play happened about my life.. Freedom of Expression came out through this theatrical piece.. Then? The banner of my friend Rahul Bose coming for A19 was unveiled.. What a finale!

A19 is so far so good.. It will only be better if you guys send in your entries.. Also sign up for Power-off, be part of this amazing cause..

FYI

If you were wondering where I was and why I didn't update for so long... I must tell you that I was in the midst of a lot of work. Entries have started coming for Express Awards and MMSC. Power Off for an Hour gimmicks are happening all over Manipal. Article 19 pre-events are also raising some funds for our main event.The pizazz has hit our student town.

Randomly, I would like to make an announcement. We have increased the time limit of Short Film category to 15 minutes, 7 minutes was too short even for a short film. And the time limit for documentary is now 45 minutes, reality needs time to unfold, after all!


And our resource people list has gotten bigger. After Rahul Bose, Prahlad Kakkar, Sankal Meshram, Kiruba Shakar, Third Thought Entertainment, and more... We have got Mike Pandey, yes, the famous guy who makes wildlife conservation documentaries. Awesome, isn't it? To know more about the resource people, click here.

So, register now! The last date for registrations is 15th February. You really don't want to miss this now, do you?

Energy, Life, and Guilt

Energy!

That's one thing MIC has been brimming with in the past few weeks. As I walk past the corridoors and peep into rooms, always contemplating how I should convince everyone in Manipal to power-off my brethren for one hour, I see groups of people talking, discussing, scheming and plotting. That's the thing about MIC - something is always up! If it's not Article 19, it's the group assignments, the presentations, the plans for breakfast, lunch and dinner, the trips to Goa and Gokarna, Student Council...



There is life in every corner, and there's so much emotion and energy!

It was on one such walk of mine, observing all these students, that I walked into this room with some young researchers and designers. They were the brains working on the campaign for 'Power Off for an Hour'. From what I heard, they've found these really killer facts about why we should conserve electricity. Frankly, I hate it when I'm switched off - but after listening to what these people... I'll just give you one small fact from what they told me:

"Bonded child labour is one of the biggest problems faced by India. The average amount of debt involved ranges from Rs 500-7500.

Saving 5 hrs of electricity wastage by lights and laptops for a year can free abt 18250 children for life."

Well, I'm feeling so, so, so guilty, I'm going to turn myself off for sometime now. No wonder Rahul Bose wants us to Power Off.

re-public day

Now first thing's first.. I would like to wish all of you:

Happy Republic Day!

Jai Hind!

Anyway, getting back to the point. I would like to make an announcement on Republic day. This blog is for the janta i.e. the public. The blog is today declared re-publican. On this blog, from today onwards, reading interests of the public will be taken into consideration. I hear from many sources that I must try and innovate more with my PJs. But if the standard of PJs are raised, do you think they would be PJs at all?

Heh!

Another one..

Be kind my re-publican readers. Criticise, comment, freedom is your right! And, that's what we are advocating through this festival. Freedom of expression, through A19.. Full on!

A few days ago, we got some more news about the moolah that matters. Union Bank has agreed to sponsor power-off-for-an-hour! Yipee! More money! You know, we can be hippie and say, money can't buy us love, but the truth remains, love can't buy us money either. So, it's all clear and simple. Money is most of what we need.

Now, besides this jazz, I must tell you another interesting something.. Mike Pandey, one of the country's most acclaimed documentary film-maker and wild-life activist has agreed to judge our entries for Documentary Express. Isn't that cool? The going just got tougher! And, the time is such that the tough should get going as well. The registrations being open is big news, you know..

All the volunteers are all enthused about Article 19. The publicity and other work is on in full swing. The college is shaken up with Article 19 meetings every single day, between 6 to 7 pm. Buzz and business of Article 19 is leaving most of the students breathless.

That's it from the Bijlee bulletin, no more news is worth being the breaking news. No Prince fell into any hole, after all.. Nor did any Aishwarya Rai get pregnant! Eh, commercialization of content in journalism, something like that.. All of this is and more, to be discussed at MMSC this year. Well, we got some food for thought there!

I shall bid adieu to all of you, please supply me with your honest opinion in the form of comments so that I can improve and all that. But just remember, my improvement is losing the essence of a PJ!

Oh yeah, one last thing.. I still don't see the point of power-off-for-an-hour! In the process of saving electricity, they are turning me off! I need a turn on!

Hope your heads be wise!

the blah post

Hello lovers!

I am sure you have guessed by now that Rahul Bose is coming! If you didn't guess already, then eat Mentos, dimag ki batti jalao! That way, you will save some electricity as well, batti like, get it?!

I am genuinely disgraced, sorry for the campy-cheesy jokes written above.. But that's my job! I am a bulb after all.. And these people are hell-bent upon doing power-off so how will I light up and come up with brilliant ideas now.. Making me mascot and then turning off the power! It's just not fair.. But you know, it's only fair to have fun at the Article 19 fun fair..! Another one..

Anyway, I wanted to say something.. Since I am so hungry now-a-days.. You know, no power and all that.. All I can think of is how Article 19 will be yummy.. I have been thinking and this is what I think are the reasons to make Article 19 yummy.. Here goes another cheesy list..

• 10 helpings of Express Awards
• 1 thinking cap full of Prahlad Kakkar
• Food for thought with Rahul Bose at power-off-for-an-hour
• Resource people spoon feed tricks of the trade at MMSC
• Seasoning of reasoning with workshops and screenings
• The fun fair flavour, you shall savour

Grab a bite now!
Register with me at www.article-19.com

The Man of the Moment

The batti bujhana that Article-19 wants to do is a very good thing! Turning the lights off is very turning on you know.. Darkness has some sex appeal now, doesn't it? Our very awesome 'resource people team' has done it again! Woo hoo! I am writing down a list of obvious clues.. The NAME is very big this time.. Guess who's coming?

• A man, he happens to be. I mean, he is not woman!
• He has not been linked with Rakhi Sawant or Ekta Kapoor, ever.
• Rugby, the sport, he plays.
• Bombay, is the place where he lives.
• Koel Puri, he dated, once upon a time.
• With Mallika Sherawat, pyar karke pachtaya..!
• He did split, wide, open.. (Umm, it's a movie! Perverts!)
• Everybody Says I'm Fine! He directed and showed off!
• The Foundation is the NGO, he founded.
• He is known for propagating profound opinions on issues of public interest!
• Social causes, he works for.

Any guesses? Ladies, this one is for you! I 'm sure you love this guy!

By the way, registrations open for Article 19. Send in your entries now.

For further details, on to www.article-19.com

Rise and Shine

Raju took away the money to become raja, but then again, he didn't realize his deed had no satyam.. Students are not getting money to do a simple college festival and these corporate big-shots are stealing away gloriously!

But, you know what, we got lucky! Our sponsorship team is killer. 'Kusuma', through the Center for Internet and Society, have given us money and made money matters slightly better for us. After all, money matters!

Anyway, the Article-19 semester has begun! The holiday mood is still lingering but in a lazy-town like Manipal, that is always the case.

Yesterday, we had one big meeting. Everything was discussed. All the teams updated each-other on the happenings over the winter break. Since, this college is full of communication students, the talk was endless. Some PJs here and there and a lot of work-talk. MICians and ideas, inseparable! No wonder I am around, see how the bulb woks every time an idea comes up. Dimag ki batti jala de, but these MIC people want to bujha de, this time! Making the 'Power-Off' work was also a priority on the agenda.

So far , so good. I shall keep you very updated on the news here at Manipal. By the way, in the holiday time, I discovered this really cool game for us bulb-kind. It's called fuse-ball. I should probably get a fuse-ball table for the 'Fun Fair' at Article 19. How I love the way Article-19 has that scope for masti as well!

Lets be kickin' ass this semester!

The 'Ad-Hatter'

We have got BIG news!

So, the last time around, I told you all about the Article-19 Guest List. I am sure, you were damn impressed by the mind-blowing profiles of our resource people. Our main idea behind calling these big people is to generate intellectual interaction in a not-so-modest manner. Nah! I am not boasting, just being honest. ;)

Coming back to the BIG news... I am sure the image here is obvious enough. But allow me to say it anyway: Prahlad Kakkar, the 'ad-hatter', is coming to Manipal! The man will hopefully, let us try on his very stylish thinking cap. His thinking cap seems to have churned up those cool ads for Pepsi, Kit Kat, Maggie, etc! Lovingly, he is often called the 'madman' of the Indian ad industry. He started work with veteran film-maker, Shyam Benegal in 1972, with an income of Rs 300/month. With that little money, he set up his own office table at a place called 'Khatmal Niwas'. I must tell you that 'Khatmal Niwas' lived up to its name, it was infested with a variety of insects. I am not kidding, really! He established his own production house, 'Genesis'. The rest, as they say, is history.

Besides being an ad-man, he is also a scuba-diver, restaurateur and cigar-brand owner. So for all those of you who are not interested in the great Indian media, can take scuba-diving tips from him. You can plunge into the sea.

See sea where? Manipal has a beautiful coastline. The beaches near Manipal are clean and picturesque. The only surf-club in our country is an hour's drive from Manipal, in a place called Mulki. And yes, there is scuba-diving, para-sailing, close-by as well. I shall pass on that adventure-tourism info to you a little later. Later when? When you come to express yourself here in Manipal. So you see, a tourist destination awaits you as well! Article-19 is amazing, aint it?

Anyway, I am very very excited! Prahlad Kakkar! Yay!

photo courtesy: The Hindu