India and china were the two economies the World was watching with bated breath as the two asian giants almost wiped the economic unrest that the west was groping with in 2008/09.
The fag end of 2011 saw the Euro crisis rattling the economies of Italy, Greece, Portugal, Spain and France with Germany being the sole exception and that too barely managing to stay afloat amongst these drowning European nationalities. The crisis soon engulfed the Asian Countries and all the hyped up feelings about the north bound growth rate suddenly changed both, gears and direction southwards. The rating firm-Standard & Poor swung into action and downgraded the ratings of most of the countries and all the positive vibes disappeared and the dark clouds of recession and economic unrest soon gathered storm with the immediate future looking grim and bleak.
The IIP(index of Industrial Production ) figures too were suddenly trimmed by the govt. but was not negative and so was the case with the projected annual growth rate.
The rupee rose to an alarming Rs.54 from a stagnant Rs.45 to a $ (a rise of almost 18% in 6 months) and was expected to breach further north to unprecedented levels before pressure from economists and other rational individuals prevailed on the Govt. to act and resort to measures to arrest the freefall.
The bank deposit rates for non Residents generally varies between 0.2% to 3.20% in most of the western countries .The Indian Govt. recently raised the interest rate from 3.25% to an astounding 9.75% and already an estimated 15 billion dollars is waiting in the wings to be pumped into the forex kitty .
The repatriation has already gained momentum and there is a mad frenzy to cash on the once in a blue moon offering. The rupee is in a buoyant mode at 50 to a dollar and is expected to be stabilize around 46/47 in the next few months barring any major industry growth rate hiccups.
The RBI did not intervene(obviously at the behest of the Govt.) when the rupee was struggling to keep afloat with major imports like crude which was getting costlier,the crude hike meant higher inflation so on and so forth. The immediate beneficiaries were software Majors like Infy, TCS, HCL Tech and Wipro which showed in the 3rd qtr. results posting remarkable margins reaping the benefits of the enhanced foreign exchange rate.
India never had a favourable balance of Payments Position since 1947.With time the gap between the export inflows and import outflows has grown from a CHINK to an ABYSS. In 2008 when the rupee gained against the dollar and the rate was almost 39 to a dollar the RBI intervened in a haste and sold dollars to prevent the rupee from gaining further momentum. The Govt. said that the move was essential to cushion exports from getting costlier and eventually turning negative.
On a similar note the imports were getting cheaper including Crude-i.e. our biggest cash outflow was curbed and barbed naturally. Exports would materialize at any level if they are of superior quality and sourced at cost effective and competitive rates rather than depend on the fluctuating exchange rates often controlled at the whims and fancies of the govt.
No one has any clue as to why no measures were initiated by the authorities to curb this abnormality at the onset.No other Asian Currency nose dived (whatever be the economic condition they are in) visa-vis the Dollar during this period,hence the inaction is not only petrifying and unjustified but smacks of some deep rooted conspiracy or some tacit understanding with the US authorities for fulfillment of some vested interest.
Saturday, January 21, 2012
Tuesday, January 17, 2012
Withholding Foreign Direct Investment
We were bestowed Independence in 1947 by the bleeding Englishmen who trudged home after being inflicted with heavy losses during the 2nd world war and realizing that the costs to run this mammoth country was actually proving to be a bane rather than a boon with rapidly diminishing cost of returns.
This certainly does not take away the colossal efforts, withstanding excruciating Pain and humiliation, the self-less struggle by the countless number of freedom fighters many unnamed, who laid down their lives trying to wrest freedom for their beloved motherland from the manipulative and ruthless British invaders.
Post –Independence we had adequate infrastructure like railways, the iron and steel industry and abundance of textile mills which were started in the Pre- British era for meeting their own selfish needs.
India at that outset in the 1950’s was miles ahead of other Asian countries but were badly let down of the closed mindset of our economists who really could not apply their rusty mind and logic to let in foreign exchange through FDI which could have changed our country’s destiny and landscape forever.
This closed- door economy pursued by each and every successive Govt. failed to rake in the precious foreign exchange which if invested in core projects and Capital intensive ventures like infrastructure would have done wonders for our now sagging and faltering economy. Good quality roads would have saved millions of dollars of foreign exchange doled out for Crude imported every year and reduced the disastrous accidents taking place routinely on our so called highways riddled with craters rather than pot-holes.
The ensuing primitive results are not only disastrous but also very embarrassing.
South Asian Countries like Thailand,S Korea,Singapore,Malaysia, Phillipines and Indonesia have marched past us confidently while we are juggling with tons of food grains rotting in our larder-courtesy Food Corporation Godowns on one hand and unable to feed some estimated 23 million who go hungry each day on the other.
The traders and other middlemen operate in a clandestine and cohort manner and see to it that the operating margin between the Cost of the Produce and the ultimate selling price of the produce is stretched to the maximum for their own self-centered and vested interests.
This group was primarily responsible for spreading malicious and unfounded fears about opening the market for foreign direct Investment in the retail sector. The Opposition leaders with limited or NO knowledge too joined in the melee which culminated in putting the bill on hold at least for the time-being.
The Countries where there is a 100% FDI in retail markets like Brazil, China and Argentina have time and again proved that the fears about galloping inflation and job losses is totally unfounded and uncalled for. Retailers like Walmart,Carrefour,IKEA and Tesco are waiting in the wings to unleash their products which could benefit the end users by the concept of revolutionary selling at competitive prices. The job markets too could be upbeat as these retailers would need local labour both professional and unskilled to market the state of the Art products. Local agricultural producers who are at the mercy of middlemen who pay them a pittance but sell the same produce at an astronomical margin will also stand to benefit if the bill gets through.
The estimated growth in the retail sector is projected at 10% annually
and is a win-win situation for both the foreign investors as well as for our foreign exchange deprived economy.For them the ever surging Indian middle class will provide new customers as their own customer base(in their resp.countries)where the growth rate has turned negative prompting them to turn to greener pastures here.For us newer job opportunities would materialse, farmers are likely to get a better price for their produce given the absence of middlemen.
India has already signed the GATT Agreement-General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade and withholding this sector for 100% participation could tantamaount to penal action and complete isolation from trading with member countries a step which we can ill afford to.
This certainly does not take away the colossal efforts, withstanding excruciating Pain and humiliation, the self-less struggle by the countless number of freedom fighters many unnamed, who laid down their lives trying to wrest freedom for their beloved motherland from the manipulative and ruthless British invaders.
Post –Independence we had adequate infrastructure like railways, the iron and steel industry and abundance of textile mills which were started in the Pre- British era for meeting their own selfish needs.
India at that outset in the 1950’s was miles ahead of other Asian countries but were badly let down of the closed mindset of our economists who really could not apply their rusty mind and logic to let in foreign exchange through FDI which could have changed our country’s destiny and landscape forever.
This closed- door economy pursued by each and every successive Govt. failed to rake in the precious foreign exchange which if invested in core projects and Capital intensive ventures like infrastructure would have done wonders for our now sagging and faltering economy. Good quality roads would have saved millions of dollars of foreign exchange doled out for Crude imported every year and reduced the disastrous accidents taking place routinely on our so called highways riddled with craters rather than pot-holes.
The ensuing primitive results are not only disastrous but also very embarrassing.
South Asian Countries like Thailand,S Korea,Singapore,Malaysia, Phillipines and Indonesia have marched past us confidently while we are juggling with tons of food grains rotting in our larder-courtesy Food Corporation Godowns on one hand and unable to feed some estimated 23 million who go hungry each day on the other.
The traders and other middlemen operate in a clandestine and cohort manner and see to it that the operating margin between the Cost of the Produce and the ultimate selling price of the produce is stretched to the maximum for their own self-centered and vested interests.
This group was primarily responsible for spreading malicious and unfounded fears about opening the market for foreign direct Investment in the retail sector. The Opposition leaders with limited or NO knowledge too joined in the melee which culminated in putting the bill on hold at least for the time-being.
The Countries where there is a 100% FDI in retail markets like Brazil, China and Argentina have time and again proved that the fears about galloping inflation and job losses is totally unfounded and uncalled for. Retailers like Walmart,Carrefour,IKEA and Tesco are waiting in the wings to unleash their products which could benefit the end users by the concept of revolutionary selling at competitive prices. The job markets too could be upbeat as these retailers would need local labour both professional and unskilled to market the state of the Art products. Local agricultural producers who are at the mercy of middlemen who pay them a pittance but sell the same produce at an astronomical margin will also stand to benefit if the bill gets through.
The estimated growth in the retail sector is projected at 10% annually
and is a win-win situation for both the foreign investors as well as for our foreign exchange deprived economy.For them the ever surging Indian middle class will provide new customers as their own customer base(in their resp.countries)where the growth rate has turned negative prompting them to turn to greener pastures here.For us newer job opportunities would materialse, farmers are likely to get a better price for their produce given the absence of middlemen.
India has already signed the GATT Agreement-General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade and withholding this sector for 100% participation could tantamaount to penal action and complete isolation from trading with member countries a step which we can ill afford to.
Tuesday, January 10, 2012
The Stone Age Man
Deepak Jadhav aged 28 a constable attached to the GRP-Govt Railway Police was hit on the head by a stone flung by a unknown miscreant. He was standing on the foot board of the local train as it was crowded. Struggling for life he gave up the struggle after a couple of days, the cause of death being excessive bleeding sustained on a/c of the grave injury.
The only earning member of a family Deepak leaves behind his wife, mother, father and siblings to fend for themselves in this world full of indifferent and self- centered people. The only solace perhaps is that one of the surviving members will be offered a govt. job, they will be provided with an ex-gratia amount from the Chief ministers fund but the core issue will be brushed under the carpet and forgotten.
Many innocent mumbaites have been rendered visually impaired and few more unfortunate ones have lost their lives because of this menace which has not been controlled for the past few decades despite umpteen promises made by the administration.
People who have been arrested for these type of heinous crimes have often committed this for a high and for no rhyme or specific reason. Most of these youths are unemployed and often channelize their volatile energy into nefarious activities.
We have the Railway Protection force, the GRP and all possible other Para-military forces which are grossly underutilized or rather mis-utilized (to protect politicians and their ilk)which could be possibly used to counter such anti- social elements who try to disrupt the peaceful atmosphere by indulging in such shameful and disdainful acts.
The Police will work overtime to investigate this case and bring the culprit to book since for once, their own brethren has been at the receiving end.
The State Govt. meanwhile has immediately ordered a now familiar enquiry and the police is searching in the dark as blind as a bat to nab the unidentified culprit.
We Indians have time and again tried to challenge the age old DARWINIAN theory of evolution.
We have stopped evolving long time back and desperately trying to go back to the STONE AGE from which it all began.
Many such incidents has rampantly exposed the satanic behavior of individuals in this part of our Sub-Continent which if not controlled could erode the much hyped cultural values which we have inherited from our ancestors since the stone age.
The only earning member of a family Deepak leaves behind his wife, mother, father and siblings to fend for themselves in this world full of indifferent and self- centered people. The only solace perhaps is that one of the surviving members will be offered a govt. job, they will be provided with an ex-gratia amount from the Chief ministers fund but the core issue will be brushed under the carpet and forgotten.
Many innocent mumbaites have been rendered visually impaired and few more unfortunate ones have lost their lives because of this menace which has not been controlled for the past few decades despite umpteen promises made by the administration.
People who have been arrested for these type of heinous crimes have often committed this for a high and for no rhyme or specific reason. Most of these youths are unemployed and often channelize their volatile energy into nefarious activities.
We have the Railway Protection force, the GRP and all possible other Para-military forces which are grossly underutilized or rather mis-utilized (to protect politicians and their ilk)which could be possibly used to counter such anti- social elements who try to disrupt the peaceful atmosphere by indulging in such shameful and disdainful acts.
The Police will work overtime to investigate this case and bring the culprit to book since for once, their own brethren has been at the receiving end.
The State Govt. meanwhile has immediately ordered a now familiar enquiry and the police is searching in the dark as blind as a bat to nab the unidentified culprit.
We Indians have time and again tried to challenge the age old DARWINIAN theory of evolution.
We have stopped evolving long time back and desperately trying to go back to the STONE AGE from which it all began.
Many such incidents has rampantly exposed the satanic behavior of individuals in this part of our Sub-Continent which if not controlled could erode the much hyped cultural values which we have inherited from our ancestors since the stone age.
Thursday, December 29, 2011
Where Solkar Dared !!
Traditionally Indians have always been bad fielders the only exceptions being MAK Pataudi, Ghulam Parkar ,Brijesh Patel who stood like a rock in the covers ,Mohd. Azharuddin at slip and Gully , Abid Ali at mid-on/mid wicket and to the recent Ajay Jadeja/ Yuvraj Singh at backward point.
All these fielders were exemplary and achieved accolades for their courageous attitude and daredevilry on the field. However all these positions were ‘’SAFE’’ and the chances of getting injured was negligible if not impossible.
People who have played cricket at a reasonable competitive level reckon the position of ‘’Forward Shortleg ‘’ as a suicidal position to be in for any fielder of any calibre. Once the ball leaves the bowler’s hands and it pitches on and around middle and leg it is the natural tendency of the batsmen to heave his bat either for a flick or a pull which is enough for the fielder at forward shortleg to take evasive action. Instinctively the fielder will try to save his face and groin for these are some of the most sensitive body parts prone to get hit and if you do get hit YOU STAY HIT!! Atleast while Playing gully cricket (that too with tennis and rubber balls)most of us –including me always avoided that position and opted for safer areas like the slip cordon or at best be the wicket keeper.
In the ‘’PRE-HELMET’’ era of the early 1970’s E.D.Solkar – Eknath Dondu Solkar played for India who created his own space and stood within handshaking distance of the batsmen. Mind you there were no shin guards to protect the knees from getting hit and it was left to providence and destiny if they were to survive any onslaught from the batsmen.
It is said that LEGENDS are BORN and NOT MADE.
Born in perpetual penury his father struggled to make ends meet by working as a groundsman at Hindu Gymkhana where a hut in the far corner was home to Eknath and his 5 siblings.
Clad in tattered clothes he used to fetch the cricket balls in a jiffy for the fielders from the boundary.
Drafted in the Indian team he was a complete utility player who could play at any position and also bowled medium pace and spin as per the situation.
He had a very good reflex further complemented with a hawk like eye- sight which made him a predator on the prowl at the most enviable but dangerous position.
He played 27 tests and took 53 catches which is a world record for the highest average per test- which comes to 1.96 catches per test (for all fielders except the wicket- keeper who have played a minimum 20 tests).
The first ever overseas victory over the West indies and England in 1971 was a team effort but his contribution in batting /fielding in those twin victories is still talked about in cricketing circles.
During a recent effort while launching the Eknath Solkar academy his erstwhile team mates had come to talk about his super human efforts his colleague and of his most dear friends BS Chandrashekar, was choked with emotion and could barely speak about the long and fruitful association of the duo who mesmerized batsmen with the scoreboard often reading: caught Solkar bowled Chandra . Solkar took some amazing catches of his bowling and many debated whether it was due to the exceptional ball or the unbelievable catch that was taken. He had the ability to catch the ball inches off the ground and often threw himself forward, sometimes landing at the batmen’s feet. In the later stages when batting form deserted him he was included in the side just for his fielding exploits justifying his abundant talent and skill.
India’s famous overseas Victories over the West indies and England in1971catapaulted him to be acknowledged as the best close in fielder in the World and some odd dropped catch made Headlines!
England batsmen like Allan Knott and Fletcher lost confidence because of his close proximity which rattled their concentration and which ultimately resulted in losing their place in the test squad.
The legendary West Indian Batsman Vivian Richards made his debut against India in 1974/75 series and who treated every bowler during his playing days with disdain and contempt was shocked by the audacity of this slenderly built man with rolled up sleeves standing next to his shadow . He had to frequently nudge him with his bat to stand at a little more distance fearing that some of his shots could hit, maim or even kill the fielder who stood dangerously close for comfort. The greatest tribute paid by Richards was : “”Man! I am not afraid of your Chandrashekar (one of the best leg spinnners in the game) but this man gives me the goose bumps . This man is preventing me from playing my natural game and I really cannot concentrate’ . I can bet no one will field this close and even when he was hit on occasions there was not a flinch or grimace.
ED Solkar or 'Ekki' as he was fondly called by Chandrashekar became immortal on 26th June 2005 at a young age of 57, I reckon he had already attained that stature in his mortal state amongst his innumerable fans for his acrobatics and dare-devilry.
We were privileged to be born in an era and proud to have witnessed and heard about the exploits of this talented Cricketeer who was very humble and never discussed his on- field heroics and waived it off with a smile.
The image of the crouching fielder ever eager to pouch half chances that came his way shall always be vivid in our memory.
New cricketing terms and rules have come into existence and the ‘’FORWARD SHORTLEG’’ Position is now called as ‘’SHORTLEG’’ perhaps justifying the truth that –NO fielder will ever dare to stand in that fatal Position where ONLY SOLKAR DARED !!!
All these fielders were exemplary and achieved accolades for their courageous attitude and daredevilry on the field. However all these positions were ‘’SAFE’’ and the chances of getting injured was negligible if not impossible.
People who have played cricket at a reasonable competitive level reckon the position of ‘’Forward Shortleg ‘’ as a suicidal position to be in for any fielder of any calibre. Once the ball leaves the bowler’s hands and it pitches on and around middle and leg it is the natural tendency of the batsmen to heave his bat either for a flick or a pull which is enough for the fielder at forward shortleg to take evasive action. Instinctively the fielder will try to save his face and groin for these are some of the most sensitive body parts prone to get hit and if you do get hit YOU STAY HIT!! Atleast while Playing gully cricket (that too with tennis and rubber balls)most of us –including me always avoided that position and opted for safer areas like the slip cordon or at best be the wicket keeper.
In the ‘’PRE-HELMET’’ era of the early 1970’s E.D.Solkar – Eknath Dondu Solkar played for India who created his own space and stood within handshaking distance of the batsmen. Mind you there were no shin guards to protect the knees from getting hit and it was left to providence and destiny if they were to survive any onslaught from the batsmen.
It is said that LEGENDS are BORN and NOT MADE.
Born in perpetual penury his father struggled to make ends meet by working as a groundsman at Hindu Gymkhana where a hut in the far corner was home to Eknath and his 5 siblings.
Clad in tattered clothes he used to fetch the cricket balls in a jiffy for the fielders from the boundary.
Drafted in the Indian team he was a complete utility player who could play at any position and also bowled medium pace and spin as per the situation.
He had a very good reflex further complemented with a hawk like eye- sight which made him a predator on the prowl at the most enviable but dangerous position.
He played 27 tests and took 53 catches which is a world record for the highest average per test- which comes to 1.96 catches per test (for all fielders except the wicket- keeper who have played a minimum 20 tests).
The first ever overseas victory over the West indies and England in 1971 was a team effort but his contribution in batting /fielding in those twin victories is still talked about in cricketing circles.
During a recent effort while launching the Eknath Solkar academy his erstwhile team mates had come to talk about his super human efforts his colleague and of his most dear friends BS Chandrashekar, was choked with emotion and could barely speak about the long and fruitful association of the duo who mesmerized batsmen with the scoreboard often reading: caught Solkar bowled Chandra . Solkar took some amazing catches of his bowling and many debated whether it was due to the exceptional ball or the unbelievable catch that was taken. He had the ability to catch the ball inches off the ground and often threw himself forward, sometimes landing at the batmen’s feet. In the later stages when batting form deserted him he was included in the side just for his fielding exploits justifying his abundant talent and skill.
India’s famous overseas Victories over the West indies and England in1971catapaulted him to be acknowledged as the best close in fielder in the World and some odd dropped catch made Headlines!
England batsmen like Allan Knott and Fletcher lost confidence because of his close proximity which rattled their concentration and which ultimately resulted in losing their place in the test squad.
The legendary West Indian Batsman Vivian Richards made his debut against India in 1974/75 series and who treated every bowler during his playing days with disdain and contempt was shocked by the audacity of this slenderly built man with rolled up sleeves standing next to his shadow . He had to frequently nudge him with his bat to stand at a little more distance fearing that some of his shots could hit, maim or even kill the fielder who stood dangerously close for comfort. The greatest tribute paid by Richards was : “”Man! I am not afraid of your Chandrashekar (one of the best leg spinnners in the game) but this man gives me the goose bumps . This man is preventing me from playing my natural game and I really cannot concentrate’ . I can bet no one will field this close and even when he was hit on occasions there was not a flinch or grimace.
ED Solkar or 'Ekki' as he was fondly called by Chandrashekar became immortal on 26th June 2005 at a young age of 57, I reckon he had already attained that stature in his mortal state amongst his innumerable fans for his acrobatics and dare-devilry.
We were privileged to be born in an era and proud to have witnessed and heard about the exploits of this talented Cricketeer who was very humble and never discussed his on- field heroics and waived it off with a smile.
The image of the crouching fielder ever eager to pouch half chances that came his way shall always be vivid in our memory.
New cricketing terms and rules have come into existence and the ‘’FORWARD SHORTLEG’’ Position is now called as ‘’SHORTLEG’’ perhaps justifying the truth that –NO fielder will ever dare to stand in that fatal Position where ONLY SOLKAR DARED !!!
Saturday, December 17, 2011
Grave Mistakes
The Govt. recently issued a circular which imposed a moratorium on the number of SMS being sent using security and enforcement of law and order as a pretext .
A bill is on the anvil to gag or stall social networking sites such as Facebook, Twitter and Google which could empower the govt . authorities to force articles which it justifies to be deleted on the grounds of formenting communal divide, racial discrimination and inciting adverse reactions or take action against the writers on the grounds of defamation.
Although facebook reluctantly has agreed to fall in line with the controversial legislations ,It is heartening to note that Google refused to buckle under the pressure and clarified that it would not be a part of its agenda to gag the ‘’ freedom of expression’’.
Any one challenging the actions of the govt. are subjected to harassment ,threats , coercion and veiled attacks from paid goons..
Day in and Day out the Govt. is coining new measures to stifle any democratic movement against them and sabotage all honest attempts at reviving the anti-corruption crusade.
The over whelming response and support by the youngsters to this crusade against corruption invoking their own innovative methods using SMS’s and social networking sites has prompted the authorities to tackle the issues in a very crude manner which is provoking them into making GRAVE mistakes which could catapault it into digging its own GRAVE..
The Amazing Sketchman- Mario Miranda
Obituaries and more obituaries. The legends are passing on to another world in a jiffy and falling like 9 pins. One of the latest casualty is the legendary Indian Cartoonist –Mario Miranda. The deep abyss left behind by these legends probably will never be filled as they were possibly handpicked to leave the indelible mark on mankind with their creative, unique craftsmanship daringly different yet refreshing.
Circa 1970’s.
The Children studying in English Medium Schools in the early 1970’s in the 2nd and 3rd Standard had Balbharati text book replete with the characters Tim, Mini and Robert. They were effectively complimented by sketch or murals or cartoons whatever name you may call. All these carved sketches had a distinct stamp and a trade mark at the bottom of the photo, signed by the inimitable Mario Miranda. The Sketch seemed to talk to the readers on behalf of the dumb characters, so vivid and complete was the insight provided by the thought provoking caption less masterpiece. The trademark stray dog or Cat at the bottom of the sketch as visualized also lent its silent meaning which defied the now familiar statement : The Pen is Mightier than the sword.
For the soft spoken Mario the Paint brush was his talking tool which depicted all the things going on in this world from Current affairs to office jokes to everyday anecdotes which caused instant smirk amongst the viewers.
It was the same Times of India Group which had rejected him earlier citing poor artistic skills which later on placed him on that unshakeable pedestal and linked him to its publications like the Illustrated weekly and Femina.
The unforgettable characters of Miss Fonseca and Miss Nimbupani and the Sardar sitting in a bulb
Specially created for Khushwant singh’s column will continue to entertain and endear the readers for generations to come.
.
Friday, December 9, 2011
Last Man Standing
The demise of the evergreen star of Indian Cinema Dev Anand signifies the end of the nostalgic era of the early 50’s which mesmerized the Cinema goers with pristine music, exquisite and mind-blowing lyrics and un-hyped acting. The masses identified the characters on screen with themselves as they found everything so natural, down to earth and which synchronized their humble dreams unifying them with the celluloid print focused on the giant screens by a noisy projector beaming black and white images.
Dev Anand along with Raj Kapoor were the trend setters which saw heroes who solely merited their presence on account of their handsome good looks. Prior to this people accepted disheveled, bearded or any ordinary looking guys and a good story coupled with good music alone guaranteed sure shot box- office success. Dev Anand was the last man standing as all the rest of his colleagues /co- stars of the magical era of the 50’s and 60’s had predeceased him.
The puffed up hairstyle was plagiarized from the legendary Hollywood icon- Gregory Peck who as admitted by Dev Anand was his idol. Geogory Peck and Clint Eastwood were famous for their Cigarette smoking cum talklng acts which only a handful few could enact with such dignified charm and grace. Dev Anand too has enacted the MUST SEE scene in Hum Dono with aplomb with the cigarette dancing up and down in his mouth while chatting with his colleague in his customary style.
The close resemblance between the actors(Peck & Dev Anand) has an interesting story which happened in the late 1960’s.Someone close to Gregory Peck told him of the amazing resemblance which raised curiosity and rustled his egoistic feathers and prompted the need to have a peek at the so called Indian film star. He didn’t waste an opportunity to Visit India when called upon to give the filmfare awards in the 1960’s. An amazing photo was clicked (this snap had appeared n the now defunct magazine- The illustrated weekly India) which showed Peck with a wry smile admiring Dev Anand from a distance. Dev Anand was simply gushing at the prospect of meeting his idol but perhaps the Hollywood idol himself was at his wits end calculating who was the better looker.
Waheeda Rehman his co star in Guide had rightly pointed out that the magic touch waned rapidly in the 1980’s and some whimsical and eccentric films stumbled out of the once famed Navketan Studios.
Yet the magic weaved earlier in films like Hum Dono, Solvaa Saal,Prem Pujari,Tere Ghar ke Saamne,Johnny Mera naam, Jewel Thief and Guide was good enough to keep his die- hard fans by his side despite the shortcomings as a Director in the later stages.
True to his ever youthful image he didn’t wish to die with Cotton sticking in his nose and wished to have a funeral in some distant country where his true fans wouldn’t have a glimpse of see his lifeless body.
His wish granted , even in death he remains an enigma difficult to decipher yet difficult to ignore.
As the flames consume his MORTAL remains the SMOKE emanating from the funeral pyre would probably hum the IMMORTAL lyric: Har Fikr ko Dhueee mein Udddaaaaaa thaa Chalaaa Gaya !!!!
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