GRAND CONTRADICTION !!

For many years now, girls from the tribal belts of Jharkhand and Orissa have been notable performers in Indian women's hockey. Jyoti Sunita Kullu, Sumarai Tete, Marystella Tirkey, Helen Soy, Adline Kerketta, Ferdina Ekka, Masira Surin, Annarita Kerketta, Binita Toppo, Binita Xess, Asunta Lakra, Suniti Kispotta, Poonam Toppo are some players who have turned out for India with distinction at senior and junior levels.

But in Chak De! India, a brave Bollywood flick that challenges and demolishes several gender stereotypes, Soi Moi Kerketta and Rani Khispotta (screen names) are merely glorified extras reduced to raising a few loutish chuckles. Admittedly it is not possible to flesh out the characters of all players.

But the problem isn't about the length of their roles but the way it has been conceived and the subtext it represents. The movie creates the stereotype of the 'ignorant' tribal. During team registration, one of the tribal girls replies 'Ho ho' (what a laugh, ha, ha) to every question asked. Apparently she doesn't understand either English or Hindi. While there is nothing wrong in not knowing either of the langu-ages, the inaccurate representation ends up reinforcing the stereotype.

The truth is that such players come from the interiors of Jharkhand and Orissa and go to government and missionary schools. By the time they are groomed by Sports Authority of India and become national players, they speak decent Hindi and functional English. They certainly don't say, Happy Diwali, in reply to a good luck greeting. One also wonders why the script doesn't offer any leadership role to the Jharkhand girls.

Especially since India has seen at least two captains from the tribal heartland of Jharkhand and Orissa in recent times: Jyoti Sunita Kullu and Sumarai Tete. Is it because the areas they come from are inconsequential markets that can be given the short shrift even at the cost of ignoring reality?

Is this why the main characters are mapped to suit the more cash-rich, multiplexed areas in the country? And why does a Bengali girl - it is hard to recall when someone from that state played for the national team - finds a place in the squad? Undeniably Chak De! India is a stirring movie. If only it was fair to Jharkhand!

Lonavala Trip !!!!

Engagement Snaps

Wassup??

Hellos Janta,

Please don't get so boring and so unenthusiastic. Please keep in touch and remain in the habit of publihing.

I know, a major chunk of our janta is busy holidaying at Maysore and splashing themselves at the GSR Park..but other people..please don't keep on dissapointing all of us.

Expecting from all of the janta,

Take care,
Raveesh !!

Enthu is missing !!!!!

This blog is really warming up now !!!!! Hmmmm !!!!! Some gr8 pics and VDOs.... Too good...

Hoping that everyone will chip in with their views n comments on this.....

Please do contribute.....

Wish luck !!

Hii ppl,

The great Sachin Tendulkar (read God) is going to step out on Lord's, perhaps today for the last time. Though he does not need it at all, but we should say a silent and short prayer for the success of Little Master, the greatest and longest serving servant of the Team India, and also of the team along with it.

This is also to inform everybody that i am almost well now, and have recovered from the viral was down with. More later..keep publishing.

With luv,

Hail Sachin,

Raveesh !!

Am sorry !!

Hii Everybody,

I am so soory for being so irregular on our blog. Earlier i was at home and since i have come back to Pune have been really very busy and moreover, i am not well since last 3-4 days. I am down with viral fever and a very bad cough. Feeling very weak but just hoping that will be fine in a couple of days.

I am thankful to Kiran for sharing such beautiful pics and valuable informaton with all of us. As for me i cannot identify the temple..may be Pari Bhabhi will be able to help us in this regard.

I also want to say sorry to Mitu Bhaiya, Pari Bhabhi, Kiran and Bindu for not being able to come to Maysore. My trip was almost final, but due to the sudden plans of Papa for the "Grih-Pravesh Puja" and House-Warming Party..my trip to Maysore and Hyderbad were jeopardised. So i guess i will have to miss out on the out of world Dharvad peda this time round..but will surely visit Maysore very soon.

We have got a new room mate for our flat and coincidetally he is from Dharvad!! So i have got a whole new source to get the delicious Dharvad Pedas for me and Nidhi.

Signing off for now and will try my best not to be irregular this time round. Take care all of you and keep publishing!!

With Luv,
Raveesh.