Reminiscences of an old gallantry award winnerFiled Under: Images, India, Indians, Interviews

He won gallantry award from Pandit Jawarhal Lal Nehru at the age of 14, but now at the age of 64, he lives the life of an unsung hero in the by-lanes of Chandi Chowk, Old Delhi, India


 

Desi windowslivewriterreminiscencesofanoldgallantryawardwinner-13f8dharish-chandra-mehra-3 Reminiscences of an old gallantry award winner

  • An icon at the age of 14 and an insignificant person at 64. This is Harish Chander Mehra, the first gallantry award winner who now lives unsung in the bylanes of Katra Neel in Chandni Chowk. 
  • The honour was bestowed on him in 1958 by then Prime Minister Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru, whose life he had saved. Still then, the awards are now given to children annually on Indian Republic Day and they pass through Rajpath, near India Gate, sitting on an elephant.
  • The reminiscences are stamped in Mehra’s heart and the pain of having been elapsed once the short dalliance with famous person’s status died.
  • Recollecting the incident Mehra quoted “On October 2, 1957 evening, during the Ram Lila celebrations in Old Delhi’s Ramlila Ground, Nehru along with his daughter, Indira Gandhi and some foreign delegates was watching the fireworks that preceded the function. Suddenly, some sparks fell on the tent in which they were sitting and it caught fire.”
  • The congested place had people running haphazardly to accumulate their lives. Mehra, then a boy scout, was standing at the entrance hall of the pergola. He entered the flaming tent and ran near Nehru and instantaneously pulled him in the direction of the dais. In a fraction of seconds, he climbed on to one of the poles, pulled out the scouts’ knife and cut off the burning tent. In the scuffle, Mehra’s hands got rigorously blistered and he gone unconscious.
  • Mehra was presented with a certificate on the nexdt morning by Minister Jagjivanram. After three months, while studying in Class 8, his Principal, Tej Bhan Sethi entered the classroom and took the dazed child to the string of media persons and photographers waiting for him on the school grounds.
  • In the same year,The following year, a special programme was organised to honour Mehra and he was presented the Gallantry Award by Nehru at Teen Murti Bhawan.

“Nehru had said that I needed no introduction, as he was himself an eyewitness to the whole account. He said it would be better if we could have more children of undoubted courage,” says the shuddering Mehra.

  • Newspapers published Mehra’s profiles and interviews. A documentary film was made followed by an invitation to participate in the Republic Day parade held on January 26, 1959. A civilian boy was made to lead the parade for the first time. Five years later, due to economic crisis, Mehra had to quit studies. He took up a job as Lower Divisions Clerk in Union Public Service Commission.
  • After few years he was transferred to the Controller of Publications with no incentive and promotion. He retired from there on February 27, 2004.Apart from the populace in close proximity to him, no one ever since remembered Mehra. Every year, Mehra sits with his three sons and four grandchildren to gaze at the Republic Day parade on TV. The award winning children surpass all the way through Rajpath, memoirs draw closer once again for Mr Mehra.

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Women’s Day, 8th March , Bollywood Babes talk to usFiled Under: Bollywood, India, Indians, Interviews

Desi windowslivewriterwomensday8thmarch-104cbwomens-day-405 Women’s Day, 8th March , Bollywood Babes talk to us

Bollywood’s leading ladies say they have never felt mediocre to men and mull over opportunities are escalating for women in the country. 
On Womens Day today i.e. 8th March,2008 ,BestDesi.com asked Bollywood stars on what they feel being a woman , this is what they opined:

Shilpa Shetty:Shilpa Shetty As a woman I’ve nothing to grumble about. Today when I go abroad I’m proud to symbolize my film fraternity, my gender, my country and myself. I guess I’ve been singularly lucky. I realize there’re so many women in our country who are still aggressive to earn a living. But I think things are varying very fast. Opportunities for women aren’t incomplete any longer. 

 

Hema Malini: Hema Malini  I’m proud to be a woman and an Indian. With the prominence that I’ve achieved I’ve no problem getting what I want. But I know it isn’t so with a lot of women in our country. I sympathize with their distress and I do want to work towards getting better their lot. That’s one of the reasons I joined politics.

Ekta Kapoor : Ekta Kapoor Being a woman is no annoyance. Though I won’t say it’s an benefit either in today’s India - at least not in the corporate world. Yet lots of women in rural India are made to believe they’re deprived by their gender. Yes gender bias is fading. I think our inherent advantage as women is that we’re stronger than men even though we’re more perceptive.
 

 

Bipasha Basu:  Bipasha Basu  The new Indian woman cuts across all age groups and class structures. We acclimatize better to situation because we are not playing by the rules of others. We are flexible and are able to bounce back from every prospect. I know women who go to work, take care of house and home, and be mothers without breaking a step. I don’t know many men who can do that. Somehow we never tire out ourselves as much in the place of work as men do. 

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Conversation with Vidya BalanFiled Under: Bollywood, India, Indians, Interviews, Movies, Vidya Balan

After a double merriment recently, New Year and her birthday on January 1, Vidya Balan is back to work. Her link-up with Shahid Kapoor and the undisclosed new glam look are the gossip of Bollywood today. Vidya reveals all!

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  • How did you celebrate your birthday this year?

I spent it at home with my parents and close friends. I’m not the late-night “partying” kind of girl; I’d rather spend time with my folks. This is how I’ve been celebrating my birthday and the New Year ever since I can remember. I believe what you do on the first day of the New Year, you end up doing the same for the whole year, so I spent the day reading, exercising and listening to my favorite music.

  • Tell us about your new look in Aziz Mirza’s Lucky Charm?

It’s a classy look – that of a sophisticated young city girl. I have consciously worked hard on changing my appearance and I hope my fans like it. In the past, I have received a lot of criticism for my looks, but I’ve taken these in my stride. I was lazy once but I don’t want to give my fans a chance to criticize me anymore.

  • What’s going on with your Lucky Charm co-star Shahid Kapoor? Is it true you have been watching films and spending lots of time together?

I have been reading a lot in the newspapers about my relationship with Shahid. I don’t know where people get such information. There’s no truth to all these stories. I think I’m slowly becoming a most wanted with the buzz mills; and when it comes to me, they start working overtime. I’m not the kind of girl who would ever hide her relationship. If I were in love, I’d be very proud of it.

Which guy in Bollywood comes closest to your idea of Mr. Right?

  • What changes do you see in yourself today?

I think I’m not as guarded as I used to be when I was a newcomer. During my Parineeta days, I was still exploring the industry and was fortified, but now I’m more aggressive.

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Rendezvous with Sarah Jane, Miss India 2007Filed Under: Femina Miss India-World 2007, Indians, Interviews, Miss World pageant, Sarah-Jane Dias

  • She’s gorgeous, intelligent and very much her own person. Sarah-Jane Dias, Pantaloons Femina Miss India-World 2007, talks on her preparations for the Miss World pageant.

    Desi sarah-jane-dias Rendezvous with Sarah Jane, Miss India 2007

Age:24 yrs
Height:5’9’’
Stats:35-27-37

    Desi sarah-jane-dias-crowing Rendezvous with Sarah Jane, Miss India 2007

    Was the Femina Miss India contest always part of the larger plan in life, or was it just something you decided to enter?
    It was unquestionably not on a impulse. I’d always wanted to be a Femina Miss India since I was a little girl. Then I read an ad in the paper this year and knew it was time. I was 24… I didn’t want to look back at 60 and regret not having given it a try.

You dreamt of being famous?
Yes. I enjoy being famous. Initially, it was a attraction, now it’s a job.

sarah jane-dias

How do you feel being among the Femina’s 50 Most Beautiful Women in India?
I can’t believe it. For someone as low profile as me, it was overwhelming.

Desi sarah-jane-dias-swimsuit Rendezvous with Sarah Jane, Miss India 2007

You are thinking of getting into Bollywood?
For now, I’d really like to stay focused on the contest. But I also want to do a lot of things in the future, Bollywood, etc. And I definitely want to have an album of my own some day.

What is your dream role?

Any role in ‘Shantaram’. I’d have the best of both worlds. I mean, it’s Johnny Depp and Amitabh Bachchan!

Tell us your fitness mantra.

I’ve been in training for about three months now. Deanne Pandey is my trainer and she is really the best. She’s extremely dedicated and constantly updates my workout so that I don’t get bored. I do a bit of kick boxing, yoga,weight training and cardio and I eat healthy.

Your advice to the young girls who would like to experience Femina Miss India.

Young girls out there should not let anyone control their minds. If you give up your autonomy, you’ve lost a massive part of yourself.

The worst analysis you have received so far?

Bodily criticism is the easiest way to affect a girl. I got a lot of that during the pageant. I decided to get healthy, and lost six kilos in three weeks.

The secret to your beauty..
Water. I try to drink at least three to four litres a day. It’s wonderful and flushes out all the toxins.

What do your carry in your make up box?

I always carry some sort of gloss, because my lips tend to get chapped a lot. So I have my gloss from The Body Shop.Also, transparent mascara and of course the Bobbi Brown eye shadow, blusher and bronzer in one.

The obsession you disgust about yourself..
I’m very hard on myself…

Do you have boyfriends?

I’m single… but have no time for a relationship. I’m dating a couple of
guys though.

The biggest support you have..
My family.Although they live in Muscat, I know they are always there for me. I gain my strength from them.

Where do you see yourself after an year?
Travelling around the world, hopefully as Miss World!

*****************************************************************

I find her UGLY! she is not going to win MISS WORLD FOR SURE! She is the worst to happen to The Miss Indian contest since..umm ever?

Quote of the day:
We have so much time and so little to do. Strike that, reverse it. - Roald Dahl

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In Conversation with Prachi DesaiFiled Under: Interviews, Nach Baliye

Prachi Desai who acquired identify and popularity on record courtesy Ekta Kapoor’s Kasamh Se is rising the success and celebrity ravel with chances falling under her lap, the most recent being launching opposite Farhan Akthar.

prachi-desai-aka-bani.jpg

BestDesi.com talks to teenaged actress more or less her endless love, dance which gave her Jhalak Dikhhla Jaa and gained the industry acknowledge that there has a lot to Prachi than equitable being Bani. In the last episode of Jhalak Dikla Jaa, Prachi Desai was nominated as the first finalist for the battle.

Which dance do you enjoy the well-nigh and which embodied the most difficult?

I genuinely had a good time doing the Cha Cha. And I discovered the late cabaret beat the hardest.

How come is it that the songs you decide are not real spicy?

I am not at ease with those type of dancing moves and costumes. The pick of song is subsidiary and what considers is the calibre of dance.

How come did you decline to put on certain costumes for the cabaret beat?

My bringing up does not allow for it. Furthermore, one dont require to throw away apparels to appear expert on the floor.

How do you experience right away that you are the number one finalist of the show?

I am thrilled, the rest two finalists, viz. Sandhya and Jay are too good dancers.

On whose elimination did you experience offend the most?

Apparently mine. Earnestly talking, we apprehend that Saturday afternoon when somebody has to go. Unluckily, we do not acquire a good deal time to even solace the kicked out Jodi, for we have to right away prepare for the gala round.

How has Jhalak facilitated you?

Masses now acknowledge me as Prachi and not just Bani. Participating in this reality show has made me very surefooted to experiment fresh matters. Originally, I would reckon dance as penalisation, but now I thirstily await for the following rehearsal.

Which has been the most virtuous consequence till now ?

Whilst I was returned in the wildcard. This demos how much I am adored.

Your chemistry with choreogpraher Deepak?

He is brilliant. When I first signed on, I was scared for I did not want a choreographer who would yell at misapprehensions. But Deepak is very diligent and cognise what works and what does not work for me.

Will you partake your trophy income with him if you succeeded?

We are not adhered to impart any money, the channel honors them individually. But I would certainly thank him in some other manner.

The finest bollywood dancer?

That would have to Madhuri Dixit and Hrithik Roshan.

Did Jhalak act as a persona in you bagging your film opposite Farhan Akhtar?

Why don’t you enquire them what instigated them? I was just pure auspicious to bulge this avid chance. Perhaps someone preferred away at the eleventh hour.

Today that you have embarked bollywood, would you step down TV?

No way, I love TV and would always continue part of this great industry which has foundered me everything.

If you get a balliye shortly, will you attempt Nach next time?

That’s a mischievous query. Permit me discover a balliye first. But for the present moment, Jhalak sways.

One last question, what were your parents reactions on your entering Bollywood?

They are very cheerful and they always will stand by me.

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Exclusive Interview with Shewta Tiwari a.k.a Prerna in Kasauti Zindagi KiFiled Under: Interviews, Star Plus

In communication  with Shewta Tiwari

Shewta Tiwari a.k.a Prerna

Shewta Tiwari, one of the admired women of Kasauti Zindaji Ki, who has shown as a symbol of remarkable bravery , great courage and strength of character and has many admirable quality with her performance in the show, recently was shopping in Dubai. We trapped her up in one of the costliest Mall Barjuman. She was in a jovial and good humoured mood, shopping for herself and the family unit. She did not mind having a cup of coffee with us in Costa Coffee—— some excerpts during the coffee chat:

Q.You should be in cloud nine as you are shown as the principal female character in the show, the only one who plays a vital role in the development and on whom the plot is structured?

A.Yes indeed! Ekta Kapoor had been very benevolent and thoughtful  enough with me for making me feel so unique and exceptonal.

Q. Well, you have two gentlemen to pamper you, the erstwhile Anuraj Basu and the present Rishab Bajaj!

A. Yes, my character  gets a lavish and bountiful treatment in the show and I   thoroughly enjoy the prolific and generous attention given to me by the two gentlemen.

Q. There used to be several rumours linking between  you and Cezanne Khan?
A. That was by and large a circulated story without facts to confirm its truth.

Q. Of late, you are seen in Bhojpuri films in the lead role?
A. yes, I am comfortable doing Bhojpuri movie, it is very easy for me to identify myself into the roles, it is meaty.
Q. And you play what role?

A. My name is Naina who is obsessed with the hero. The role of hero is also far-fetched as he plays a slack.  The film  is directed by Sanjay Tripathi, and it is a social and family movie.
The film is distributed by Rajshris.
Q. You got yourself hurt in some of the scenes, is it so?

A. To get into the crust of the character, I had to do real life enacts, so I had to learn cycling, since I never learned cycling before, I fell so many times and got myself hurt.
Q. Bhojpuri is not your dialect. How could you manage the dialogue delivery?
A.I mugged up the line by line understanding the meaning of it.  Moreover, Bhojpuri is similar to Hindi so dialogue delivery was not a big issue. We were shooting in sync sound, which per se is a big confront.
Q. How was your chemistry with Manoj Tiwary, your co-actor?
A. Unbelievable  fantastic experience. He never had a ego feeling that he was such a big star and I thoroughly enjoyed working with him.  He helped me come out the trauma when I was missing my daughter Payal as we were  shooting far away from Mumbai.
Q. Have you done Bhojpuri film before?
A. I have my next film lined up, titled ‘Ye Bhauji Ke Sister’, and Manoj is my co-star, again, in this one.
Q. Any Hindi movies in the pipeline for you?
A. I am happy with my role as Prerna Bajaj in ‘Kasautii Zindagii Ki’, the role which will be cherished throughout my entire life.
Q. You have been voted out of Jhoom India!
A. It is a very interesting concept by Sahara One, and is based on the reality show on Zodiak Television, called ‘Stars on Stage’. Ten soap stars are to be coached by popular playback singers to sing and perform in front of a jury and a live audience.  Yes, I could not move ahead, I had a sore throat; hence I could not sing, so I was voted out.
Q. But you contemplated  you will get sympathy votes?
A. Not like that, viewers just did not accept me without singing, I did not get a fare chance, I was really sick.
Q. Your husband was ill in Nach Baliye-2 shootings, at that time also you gave your husband’s illness as the  lame excuse for not giving the performance.
A. yes, my husband had liver problem, hence he could not make it to the show, destiny was not in our hands, otherwise Hussain-Tina would not have won the title.
Q.You were considerably late for your shoot in in Dhamaal Express on 9X recently!
A.. Initially, she laughed but perhaps wanting to kill the story, told us that very actor was given a different call time and   I reached at the scheduled time only.

Q.According to the grapevine, you are not able to devote time properly to the shoots because of extremely distressing situation at the home front which is  causing  severe emotional shock and because of this you are facing  psychological effects on your personality!
A. No, I don’t face any personal traumas; all you e-media made out things out of proportion.
Q. Of late you have filed a divorce petition against your husband?
A. A male ego is not able to accept the huge success of his spouse or his partner or girlfriend, and please leave me alone on this topic, said the angry Prerna.
Q. There were reports that you may be replaced by the production house as you are  not giving your 100% to the show.
A. I vehemently deny this rumor. I come to the sets everyday and I am  giving more than 100% to the show. There is going to be no replacement for me as yet. I feel the   show is successful because of my presence and the production house will be silly to replace me, said the over confident Shewta.
Q.Is it true that sometimes the production house uses your body double for your role in Kasuti Zindaji Ki?
A. Once in a blue moon, when I am extremely busy, but that is for master shots and every actor does it for their show. So there is no big deal about it.

Q. How do you like Dubai and why only Dubai for your small vacation?
A. Dubai is a paradise on earth. I get perfect happiness here. This is a place where there is everything that a person needs for their interest, like shopping, beaches, good quality food from different cultures, virtuous people, natural environment etc. It is one of the cosmopolitan cities I like to shop I am very happy to be here, I am told  Dubai is the  safest hub in the world for the ladies atleast,so I can shop and freak out, nobody recognizes me much, I am extremely fascinated by the different cultures here and definitely a place to chill out with family and friends.

Q. Ok one final question, which is your favorite restaurant or hotel in Dubai?
A. Marco Polo Hotel, I enjoy eating there.

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Indian Monkey Union(All India Bandar Dal) finally speaks out, they are Furious!Filed Under: Interviews

We got a opportunity for a exclusive interview with Mr Bandarnath who is the President of the All India Bandar Dal, they were formed after the outbreak of bad characters within the Monkey community in

India.

  Mr Bandarnath who is the President of the All India Bandar Dal

Q1: (BestDesi.com) Hi, firstly for most of our readers who don’t know about the All India Bandar Dal, can you tell us how it was formed?

Ans: (Mr Bandarnath) The All India Bandar Dal was formed as a result of the number of monkeys in different states adopting unethical and dangerous methods of living on the streets of India, we monkeys don’t get education we try to teach our children since childhood that humans are not our friends but due to the behaviour of humans on our species some of the bandars took law in their own hands. So the All India Bandar Dal was formed to help all the monkeys all over India have standardised living facilities and we will speak for the thousands of monkeys all over

India.

Q2: (BestDesi.com) Do you think the Indian government is going to listen to a leader monkeys?

Ans: (Mr Bandarnath) All we are demanding is equal rights for all of us, we don’t want the humans to hurt us and we wont HURT them, but if we are forced we will have to take definitive action.

 

Q3: (BestDesi.com) What are your comments about the recent monkey attacks in Guwahati? They by took away mobile phones, toothpastes, sipping coke after opening the refrigerators?

Ans ( Mr Bandarnath)

Mobiles? We try to buy a mobile phone but ask for all these legal documents how are we supposed to get them? We have loved ones all over

India and with the new reliance mobiles we can contact each other and we don’t need to bother to buy all those refill coupons and all..

Toothpaste? Dentists don’t attend to US! And we go to a pharmacy they try to sell us all this crap, we are confused so we go for products which the educated humans have.

Coke?  Thanda Matlab Coke Cola!

 

 

Q4: (BestDesi.com) Ok so you are justifying your fellow monkeys actions? What about the unruly monkey teasing Women? There have been reports of monkeys trying to take off ladies chunni’s and slapping them? What will you say about them?

Ans ( Mr Bandarnath) These are false accusations! We never try to take off ladies clothes ( they hardly wear any!)..and about the report that the monkey slapped the lady she was “Rakhi Sawant” we just hate her.Desi rakhi-sawant Indian Monkey Union(All India Bandar Dal) finally speaks out, they are Furious!

Q5: (BestDesi.com) But what about the attitude of the party to the riots?

Ans: (Mr Bandarnath) Before you see our party attitude, see the participation of the people in the riots …  

Q6: (BestDesi.com) Do you think there has been an overkill with your `feel-good’ and `India Shining’ campaign? Have these slogans become a joke?

Ans: (Mr Bandarnath) I don’t think `feel-good’ has become a joke or an insult. Even when some people use the expression `feel good’ as part of a joke, it shows that the message has reached … it is being used for cricket, for the sensex, in newspaper headlines. Whether you use or abuse `feel good’, you cannot ignore it. That is a sign of success; it is the best phrase we have ever come up with in an election … as for `India Shining’, in any kind of campaign the law of diminishing returns sets in…

Q7: (BestDesi.com) Ok our last question is what exactly are your Long term Plans?

Ans (Mr Bandarnath)  

  • Free education.
  • We need coke!
  • Keep Rakhi Sawant away from us.
  • Tell Indian women to wear more clothes.
  • Permanent Shelter Solutions all over India.
  • Politics wins, polity loses.

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