STRAY THOUGHTS

As I was crossing the road I came across a stray dog going opposite way, I smiled at him; confused he stood still for a moment, and then followed me waging his tail. Perhaps, he found that incongruous and strange. Or may be he followed because he felt exhilarated from inside at the thought of him getting importance from others. Imagine yourself walking down a street and noticing that no one walking past is even looking at you, you feel unwanted, just then a lady smiles at you, those negative feelings fly away, and that one thing makes your day.
Stray animals in India have always been the neglected slot. Concept of house for stray animals is still pretty unexplored. Moreover, public view about them is also much taken as granted – they are there because they always were. However, there has been an increase in the number of NGO’s working for stray animals but active mostly in bigger cities.
As socially responsible citizens we must do something for them. Make donations or participate in a rally for them. No Time…? Yes! We have busy lives and most of our mind is into thinking about people, who do no good to us, and give us new topics every time to think and get stressed. Believe me it’s certainly not bounded by money donations or attending such public meetings. There’s another way. Just give a smile! They’ll feel good just as you do. Animals too have feelings, they get happy, sometimes sad, they cry, they enjoy, they learn, everything is similar to us. Next time you come across one just try and take them as beings and not animals. Take my word, if you develop this, will help you stay sane. As the saying goes - A smile is something you can't give away; it always comes back to you.

Fanaa banned in Gujarat.... Aamir Khan pays for freedom of expression

Narmada Bachao Aandolan has been in the news since it started – be it Medha Patkar or ...Aamir Khan. Misunderstanding what people say is quiet common nowadays, so is inferring things which are not even thought of! What Aamir said was about allocation of land for people who’ve lost their houses and lands, misunderstood as being against the dam which is beneficial for people of Gujarat. This is just like saying “You stole it!” to someone who is searching for your lost wallet!

Freedom of expression! Well...now you don’t have the freedom to use it. Aamir did pay a heavy price for that. Flaming posters of Fanaa and threatening multiplex owners – all this and much more! Banning Fanaa though not actually desired by the film distributors of Gujarat but found it as a better option than getting their multiplexes and cinema halls damaged by some antisocial elements. These people demanded Aamir to say sorry to the people of Gujarat, for absolute no reason at all – why should he?

The groups who are protesting , burning effigy’s , shouting anti-Aamir slogans seem more of led by rumors than facts. On one of the TV shows of public opinion, people of Gujarat were being asked about what they thought of the matter, the answers were in favor of the actor! It seems that the common man is more aware of the truth and loves Aamir khan not only for entertaining them from his mesmerizing acting but also for the boldness of his thoughts on social issues.

written by me in july 2006 for TOI