Just Realised that Ravana was punished because he took Eve Teasing to new Heights.
In today’s World he would have easily got off with a rape too….(Not that I advocate that)
Does he deserve the Humiliation of being Killed every year by being Lit on Fire!!
How many more years…till this tradition will Stop.
Am I foolishly Over reacting or Being Sensible?
Author: gurpreetsinghtikku
“Na Kar Bura, Na Ho Bura”—-Yash Chopra
I do watch movies but have a very limited relationship with them, not as much as many of my friends do.
The only offline relation I had with Movies was of escorting some Movie Stars to my official Events in Appu Ghar, Swiss Military and Gitanjali Lifestyle.
But there’s one relation that I am being reminded today.
It was 2 years back(2010)…..In order to utilize a vacant shop of ours, we had taken up a “Bisleri Mineral Water Distributorship” for our area of West Delhi
It meant supplying different sized Bisleri Bottles to Stockists, Retailers, End Consumers, Hotels, Caterers and anybody who came asking for.
After working on it for 2 months and laying down the systems, I handed it in Auto Mode to my staff and continued with my regular work.
During that time, I heard that there’s some Movie Shooting happening in our Area and on Enquiring, I was told by my Rickshaw Wallah Bhaiya that “Shayad Ranbir Kapoor hai” aur “Rab ne Bana di jori wali larki”
Next day on the front page of Delhi Times, I could spot the details and realized that it’s “some” Ranvir Singh and not The Ranbir Kapoor as told. The Movie was tentatively named “Shaadi Mubarak”.
The Movie was later known as “Band Baaja Baraat” and was one of the Most Entertaining movies and was a Critical and Commercial Success.
Somewhat excited, I reached the location and saw the shooting in progress. The area which was actually Subhash Nagar was addressed as Janak Puri in the movie.
On reaching there, amongst the hustle bustle of the crew, Security, Spot Boys, Camera Men and Junior Artists, I noticed a truck parked on the back that was handing out Tea, Water, Tissue Papers, Juices, Biscuits to the members of the Unit.
I approached the person “Siya Ram Tiwari jee” and asked him about what’s happening.
He told me that this is a truck which goes with every shooting unit and stocks all the supplies like Juices, Biscuits, Water, Tea, Milk, Tissue Paper etc. that may be required by the crew. They had stocked it for 4 days from Mumbai and now it’s time to refill it in a day, specially the water.
On Sensing an opportunity, I jumped in and was introduced to the Executive Assistant and the Accountant who after knowing and verifying my credibility asked me to send 100 Cartons (1 Carton=12 Bottles) of 1 Litre Bisleri Bottles and 40 Jars of 25 Litres immediately.
To confirm they would not run away with my Money I approached the Accountant Dada, Mr. Mukherjee. He advised that I need to ensure to get all Delivery Slips signed & then Payment will never be an issue.
They have a set rules to pay the on-site vendors on a weekly basis. All goods received in a week HAS to be cleared by Friday. This is a Rule made by Mr Yash Chopra himself and ensures that all his accountants (Each unit has a different Accountant) follow it to the T.
He told me that he has been earlier working with Actress Rakhi jee and then with some other producer before started working for Yash jee. He has been working with YRF for past 18 years, and not even once any vendor has to face any problems. 
With this trust, I made arrangements that my Office staff take special care in dispatching the goods on time & the payments kept trickling on time.
We used to sell them water worth Rs. 10,000 (BIG) Daily and whenever there was a Big Shoot, (Like the first big shaadi wala scene, where Stage Rotary Motor does not work), then even more.
After a Few Days…..I was sitting with Dada, and he told me “Gurpreet, bore ho gaya hu, yeh khana khakar”, and I invited him to my house and served him jo bhi ghar par bana tha…..Bhindi, Daal and Roti. And then we started talking.
He told me that Yash jee is unlike many Producers/Directors in the trade. The Sense of Responsibility towards the Indian Film industry, Humane Approach towards his employees and a commitment to serve Entertainment to his Fans was utmost for him.
He has a Mantra for Life
Na Kar Bura, Na Ho Bura
Guess that is also a reason that I can sense many Unknown people being teary Eyed today(The day he expired).
Though the shooting had shifted to Mehrauli (20 km away), They wanted my company “Gurbani Enterprises” to continue the service and were ready to pay us extra, as we had to travel a longer Distance to deliver. Thankfully, Bisleri too agreed as we had to sell beyond our territory, that too on special request by YashRaj Films for the same.
Another instance that reminds me of his greatness was when I met a Sikh Gentleman on the sets. He hails from Ambala & undertakes Food Catering and also provides Vanity Vans and Generators for Movie Shoots across india.
He told me that I was a very small business man in Ambala and used to provide Generator for marriages and Functions in the area.
It was one of his Generators which was being used for Yash Chopra directed Movie “Veer Zara’s Shooting. In the melee, He overheard Yash Chopra complaining about lack of Vanity Vans and how his stars have to get ready under uncomfortable circumstances.
This is quite similar to how I got my first order @ the age of 18.
Read it on The Gift of Lessons, My Gifting Company Taught Me.
Hearing this, he approached Yash jee and asked what he does he require and committed him to provide the same for next schedule. Hearing this & to Encourage him Yash Chopra gave him cash advance.
Within a Month he had 3 Vanity Vans ready for the shoot and since that day he has been providing vanity vans for all Movie Shoots in India, along generators and doing food Catering for the crew.
From 2 generators in 2004, He now owns 10 vanity vans, 10 generators and 5 Food catering Containers.
He has created such a Big Catering Set-up that during one shooting sequence for Movie VEER in Jaipur, he provided food for 4000 artists at one given time.
Being inquisitive, I asked him, does he get his payment on time. He replied that I don’t submit Weekly or Monthly bills. I collect Money as per Movie and that too, after the Movie has been released.
After the Movie is released, he goes to meet him with the Bills in Envelope. “However, Yash Chopra is such a master, he would know the amount before I told him & he would immediately issue a cheque for an amount he thought fit. In most of the cases, cheque was slightlty more than the actual bill. And if the movie turns out to be a hit….The amount could be 30% more that the bill.
This is just Instance; I know there would be many countless ones which no one would ever know. My Grand father had a philiosphy
“Help some with your Right hand, in such a way that even your Left hand does not know about it”I’m sure Yash jee too adhered to the same.
Yash Chopra was a person who valued relationships. He Made Stars. He nurtured them. He gave a helping hand to everyone of the trade who could/would approach him.
Karan Johar’s Tweet, shows that how he was a fatherly Figure to those close to him.
Mahesh Murthy’s tweet explains why he was a success at 75 too, he said because “I’m Romantic Even now”
What really hurts us is that this Man, had to leave this world after making a Movie which was his last, but had to go before he could enjoy the fruits of his last Labour.
Yash jee, How Very Apt You worked “Jab tak hai Jaan”!! No other Epitaph Required.
God, We need more of such Human beings down here….Hope you are listening!!
I FROZE when I should have MELTED- My Encounter with Actress Amrita Singh
Marriage of “Agent Vinod–Saif Ali Khan” to “Heroine–Kareena Kapoor”…Reminds me of “Chameli–Amrita Singh”.
Amrita Singh has been my first crush since 1987 when I was 9 and watched the Movie “Betaab”.
I was lucky to have the Video Cassette of Betaab back then and have viewed it Multiple times.
Today also I sense an Extra Hop in my step when I hear “Jab hum Jawaan honge, Jaane Khaan honge” and “Badal Yun Garajta hai, Darr kuch aisa lagta hai”
My love for Amrita Singh made me Hate Sunny Deol then…as I treated him as someone who snatched my Girl Friend and is living happily together with their Dog Bozzo.
It was only when I attained the age of 11 that I realized this is a Film and they are playing characters and this was not real life situation.
And when she married Saif Ali Khan………tab se to samjho meri Saif Ali Khan se Dushmani hi shuru ho gayi. (Till the movie “Love Aaj Kal” was released….The Movie which I term to be one of the best I have seen.)
Anyways…all was going well for many years till that day of 9th December 2008.
I was on an Official trip to Mumbai and had just come to my Swiss Junction Showroom after having my lunch at the “Lucknow ke Tunde Kebab” in the food Court of Mega Mall, Oshiwara. It was a wonderful afternoon and since I was at the store and it was a very dull hour for business…. I asked three of my Sales people to go for lunch and come back early.
While composing a mail…..A familiar looking lady just popped in and ushered an 11 year old boy in and requested me to take care of him. I being my usual self started chatting with him and entertaining with some unique toys we had.
He told me in a very heavy American accent that his name is Ibrahim and studies at DhiruBhai Ambani International School. And some other gupshup followed.
In a few Minutes… An Elegantly Dressed lady Walked in, and said “Hey Thanks, for taking care of my Boy”.
Looking at her, I froze for a moment.
Realised that she is AMRITA SINGH and it didn’t take me long to understand that the boy I was talking to, was her and Saif Ali Khan’s Son.
Within a Minute, the Familiar lady who sent Ibrahim, walked in and after a second look I recognized her. She was Navneet Nishan. (Tara)
Now watching my decades old Crush in front of me, I was not able to Say anything or Even Move.
Just then Ibrahim told her Mom that he wants to buy that toy…priced at Rs. 590/-
I packed it and told her that this is a Gift (Punjabi hu na…)… to which she refused sternly.
So I said “Ok Will give a 50% discount on the same for the regard I have for her….And all the while I was shaking”
And when she handed over her Amex Platinum Card to my shaking hands…I punched Rs 2.95 instead of Rs.295. Which she realized while signing and got my attention towards it in Punjabi. “Eh ki Kita?”
Sensing my mistake……I again swiped it for Rs. 295/-
Realising my nervousness…she hugged me and thanked me (na jaane kyu), before leaving.
These Preserved Credit Card Slips are a testimony to my claim
I have never been in awe of any celebrity….but for Amrita Singh….it’s different. And that is probably the only reason that I remember and relish that Instance even today.
Would have loved to share Ibrahim’s pic here too….But since he is very very young……Avoided it.
I don’t know how to end this Blog….. So am posting this image of hers published recently by Hello!! magazine with her Daughter Sara Ali Khan which shows she is as Beautiful today as she was 20 years ago.
Originally posted on http://www.koimoi.com/bollywood-news/i-froze-when-i-should-have-melted-koimoi-com-reader-talks-about-his-encounter-with-amrita-singh/
Reading a Report on honey…
Reading a Report on honey……..And was shocked to read this——“People in other countries are opting for honey as an organic sweetener in tea and coffee, But in India “Honey is still used as a medicine”
Estimates have it that while a German would consume 2.1 kg of honey per year, it’s limited to around 8 gm for an Indian.
And we call our Selves the The Land of Ayurveda!!
I am Shifting to Honey from Sugar!!
Any insights……
From Guts to Glory!! An Evening with YC Deveshwar, Chairman ITC Ltd.
A Few Days back, I had a Golden Opportunity to be at the Young Turks 11th year Anniversary Celebration at Delhi.
Earlier the Tag for Successful people was “Rags to Riches” but now it is “Guts to Glory”
Seems perfect for An Entrepreneur.
Every Moment of the Event is captured in my Mind and The one that I want to share with you is the talk by Mr Yogesh Chandar (YC) Deveshwar, Chairman of ITC Ltd.
It was so good that it inspired me to tweet that
“Listening to Mr Deveshwar for 1 hour is equalivent to 2 years Learning at Business School”
Some key takeaways were:-
We Need to have Indian Brands/Companies Going International
- To Improve Indian Economy Companies/Entrepreneurs need to Focus on Business wherein, Either you “Export More” or “Substitute Imports”
- Everything today’s young Consumer is buying is a Foreign Brand. On Every Purchase of a Burger, Aerated Drink, Diaper, Chocolate, Phone etc etc, we are paying a Royalty which goes out of our Country.If we don’t make more Make Strong Indian Brands…. Then we will only be a Royalty Paying Nation.
- India should build its own powerhouse of Indian Brands. Firstly win Indian Market and then explore other countries…and make it Global Brands like Tata, Mahindra and Mahindra
- A Country Like Korea produced Samsung.
- India requires Institutions driven with Values & Vision and Requires effort of 2-3 generations.
Tomorrow’s Business
- Tomorrow’s Business should be responsible businesses
- Tomorrow’s Consumer would demand Value Proposition that you have for society at Large
- Research and Development is Way to go.
- ITC has 250 Scientist working in their R&D Department and have been given free hand and ENOUGH Time to produce Results
About ITC
- 5 Groups, 30 CEOs and 30 Businesses, all Businesses are Leaders or next to Leader in their category.
- 5 Business represent Diversity… If u can handle them well. Then keeping them aligned will be great.
- Also, it proves to be a boon, if different Businesses can be interlinked and help each other.
- ITC was helped in Packaged Food Business by their Chef’s….Whom, he claims are the best in India. He mentions, nobody can understand the Indian Palate better than ITC Chef’s and that is the reason why Aashirwaad Atta is doing so well. They have different Mixtures of Atta for different Regions to suit their Palates..
- That is also the reason that Yippee Noodles (2nd after Maggi), Aashirwaad Atta, Bingo Chips, Sunfeast Biscuits, are giving tough Competition to Market Leaders, in such a short span.
- Yippee Noodles–We bought SIMPLE Insight— Long Noodles as Consumers want t Slurp more and Round Packs, as the Pans used to make then were Round as well. Know your Consumer!! Think as a Consumer.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7aIWsqb0jR0
QUOTES
- If your business makes only money, then it’s a Poor Business.
- True Glory Lies in bringing value to many unprivileged people
- If u think, U can do something, and if u think you cannot do something… In both the cases u r right.
- Bet on Yourself.. Ask Yourself.
- While Explaining that It is tough to do Business in initial Years, And then is easier. He shared that The Times are Tough when you are a Baby. When you Grow up, You develop muscle Be Quick!! Whoever will do it fast will rule the roost tomorrow.
THINK GREEN:-Facts about ITC that were Shared
- Only Company in the world which is Carbon Positive and Water Positive.
- Leeds Certified Greenest building in the “World”, ITC Hotels Office.
- All ITC hotels are Leed platinum certified which also Translates that ITC chain of Hotels are the GREENEST Hotel chain in the World
CONVICTION AND CLARITY
- When asked about the Future…He mentioned that I can SEE it very clearly and based on that we diversified. Apart from Conviction in his Idea/product, An Entrepreneur should be clear of where his company would reach in next 5-10 years. It should be Crystal Clear.
- ITC was told to sell hotel as international player by Top Consulting firms that when Foreign Chains would come in the entire Business would be wiped off. We had the Conviction in our Business and the clarity of what and how we wanted to do. Results are there for all to see.
Mr Deveshwar was asked, His Company is doing lots of Corporate Social Responsibility Projects. Is this because they feel guilty of being in Tobacco business?
He answered,
- I didn’t start it.
- If I don’t do, somebody else will.
- If ITC was not in the cigarette business. Then people would not stop Smoking
- If we Ban it in India….Then people will start smuggling which will even hit the State and Central Exchequer and only the Smugglers would benefit and nobody else.
LIGHTER MOMENTS
- Don’t challenge your competition. Let them sleep.
Disclaimer::Please note these views are mine and have been gathered from what I heard. The Words I have used are not the Exact Words that were used by Mr Deveshwar, but my interpretation from what I heard and Understood. He did not mention any other Brand’s name…..The Same has been added by me for easier understanding.
All Images have been Sourced from Google.com
It is said that only a Wo…
It is said that only a Women can understand a Women.
Also realised that …. “Only an Entrepreneur can understand an Entrepreneur!!…….. GST
When you see 100% Occupan…
When you see 100% Occupancy at KFC on a Tuesday afternoon…..you realise that people are Shedding their Inhibitions of Mangalwar and other Vaars quite Blatantly!!
