End of a Musical Era: Michael Jackson is Dead

Micheal Jackson, the king of pop or the Whacko Jacko is gone forever. On Thursday June 25, 2009 at 2:36pm he took his last breath and bid adieu to millions of fans, and followers. An epitome in the pop music, Jackson has lived a fairytale life. Born as a simple boy in Gary, Indiana, Jackson grew up to become the superstar of the pop music. He made impossible possible with his musical prodigy. Jackson started his musical career at the age of 4 as a founding member of the Jackson Five. He became the lead vocalist and frontman and modelled his impressive dance moves fearlessly. His variation in vocal styling also touched millions of hearts and they rose and jumped onto their feet with pleasure.

With the success of Thriller, his second album with Quincy Jones, the music producer, Jackson earned the highest reputation to become the unclaimed ruler of the pop world. "The Girl is Mine," and "Billie Jean," another most popular singles took Michael on the height of popularity and success at the tender age. By the time, he had one Grammy in his kitty. The videos of these songs proved Michael's ability to experiment with his dancing moves and he got standing ovation from the audiences. After that, there was no looking back and Jackson set forth to claim his position in the entertainment world.

Soon after, Michael treated his fans and music lovers with his some of the greatest masterpieces including "Beat It," "Thriller," "History," and others as a disco funk mixed with brilliance guitar tunes. The huge popularity of "Thriller" brought six Grammys to Jackson and he became the God of Pop, selling millions of music albums and LPs. Interestingly, Jackson is the only entertainment celebrity who has sold over 750 million copies of his albums and LPS worldwide, making him the most popular pop artist so far.

It is true that success and happiness come with lots of pain and suffering. In Jackson case, it is quite true. This quintessential superstar faced so many controversies such as financial crunch, child abuse cases and etc. It is believed that his much-talked about comeback on July 13 at London with his "This is It" tour series, Michael pledged to reform his financial situation. Unfortunately, he never get this chance and he passed away at the age of 50.

Michael Jackson, the name itself has become an important word in the history of pop music. He came, play, contribute and left some unforgettable memories in the hearts and the minds of uncountable fans and followers all over the world.

RIP Michael Jackson..we love you and keep celebrating your dance moves and beats till the day music dies...

Women's Reservation Bill: Will it Change the Future?

Since its introduction in 1996, the Women's Reservation Bill is still struggling for its clearance from the Lok Sabha. After twelve years of its introduction, people who have established themselves as guards of politics still hesitant to give even 33% reservation to women in the Lok Sabha and state assemblies. Does this bill will ever see green light?

Women Reservation Bill is a perfect example of ugly politics stands in the country. Over the years, the governments have tried enough to get consensus on the matter but remain unsuccessful. Recently, in the common minimum program released by the UPA government, the bill is given a high priority. However, as always, the controversies and protests by women bodies and political parties, are making the proceedings difficult to continue.

This time the bill is on the floor of the Rajya Sabha. Hence, it becomes the duty of every responsible parliamentarian to gear up and make a common verdict on the fate of this bill. Thankfully, major parties are speaking in the same tune for the bill. Not to forget protest from other parties including JD, SP (especially Abu Azmi who tried to snatch the copy of the bill from H R Bhardwaj, the law and justice minister) and RJD. According to Laloo Yadav, the bill will benefit only women from elite class and widens the gap more. Does Mr. Yadav ever tried to minimize the gap or do anything for women empowerment?

The time has come for all parliamentarians to come forward and make a common verdict on this matter. This is a serious concern and should be taken given high priority. In addition, the bill is about women empowerment. It should not be mixed with caste, class and religion.

Encourage women to come out and contribute their best in building a better and happy future.

Rahman's Success at the Oscars: 'Jai Ho' for the Indian Entertainment World

It was indeed a special day for all of us seeing the whole world dancing on the tunes of 'Jai Ho,' from the biggest blockbuster hit ' Slumdog Millionaire.' With the success of his powerful musical composition, Rehman has created history by becoming the first Indian musician to get such an honor. This versatile musicians has earlier proved his talent by giving some of the evergreen tracks such as 'Chhoti is Asha (Roja), 'Chaiyya Chaiyya (Bombay)' and others. His recent music in Aamir Kham starrer Gajhni has done very well.

I congratulate Rehman on his victory and wish him all the best for creating wonderful music that reflects the sound of truth and happiness. This is a humble beginning for a person like Rehman, there is a lot more in store...we will be waiting for such lovely music...

The Pink Chaddi Campaign - What an idea?

A simple idea is powerful enough to bring in a revolution. It ignites minds and joins people to fight against injustice. The Pink Chaddi Campaign has proved that changes can be brought in by doing simplest thing as donating underwears to Promod Mutalik, the chief of self proclaimed cultural group called as "Sri Ram Sena on the Valentine Day.

'The Consortium of Pub-going, Loose and Forward women,' the group behind this idea has grabbed the national attention by encouraging free-spirited women to stand up for their rights and equally to enjoy their lives at par with their counterparts. With this campaign, women has given a clear message to so-called protectors of Indian culture to stop their actions immediately.

I wish the campaign to go far and far. This is not a campaign but a challenge to people who dare to tell what to do or not to do. Women deserve the best -- a happy, liberal, and rightful lives.

Go ahead..donate your underwears preferably in pinks to Mutalik and express your mind.

Is Yoga a threat to Islamic beliefs?

Muslims cannot practice yoga in its original form because it involves another religion”, says Harussani Zakaria, a controversial cleric from the northern Perak state of Malaysia.

Yet another sad news from Malaysia where practicing yoga is banned too too in a progressive country. This is the best example of a country's backwardness and inability to identity natural ways to improve the modern hectic lifestyle. The decision also indicates the power of government-backing Islamic organizations and their involvement in national decision-making.

Yoga is a form of exercise having roots in the ancient Hindu religion. It is a form of complete meditation wherein different aasanas are performed to get rid of many kinds of deadly illnesses and bodily injuries. This form of exercise is related to empower the inner power of a person to enjoy a happy and peaceful life. A regular practice of yoga helps in improving mental ability and leads to mind conscious and ability to understand and see things differently.

Regardless to its advantages, yoga is declared ban in Malaysia which is unfortunate and unreasonable. A ban on yoga is like ignoring a healthy way of living.

Slumdog Millionaire: worthy to get international acclaims

An original concept written straight away from heart with a touch of reality always clicks. It reaches to hearts easily and gives the message. Slumdog Millionaire is the latest message that has become the hottest talk-of-the-town. It has a simple concept of a slum boy Jamal (Dev doesn't look like a slum boy) entering into a quiz show and ends up winning 2 crores, mind it he is uneducated and can't recognize Mahatma Gandhi's picture, strange..its a film after all. The story is not extraordinary however, the presentation is indeed captivating.

What I like about the movie is how each answer of the quiz relates to the life of Jamal. Also, the film puts a limelight on the lives of slum people especially children who lost their parents. It is a serious issue such children are deprived of proper education, normal childhood and a chance to make their life. What wrong if such children went on choosing wrong activities to fulfill their basic needs? The need is to pay attention towards children to make a better tomorrow.

Manglore Pub Attack: a question raised once again on the democratic setup?

It was shameful and disgraceful. Why on the earth in a country like India which is recognized as the largest democratic setup in the world needs people who claim themselves as 'protector of Indian culture.' Manglore pub attacks have once again threw lights on fanatics who can do anything to get their 15-minutes of fame. In the name of Indian culture, they abuse women, beat them mercilessly and insulted them and no one can do anything. Is Indian culture allows such hooligans having political influences to disgrace women that too in public? No, then why such people are needed. Why every ban and restriction for women only? Men, being the stronger sex can do what they want to. Who will decide what should be done?

I strongly condemn such incidents that are blots for the country. Fundamental groups should be banned because they are misusing their right to express their free views. Instead of creating constructive approach, these groups are trying to influence young minds targeting religion and cultural ethics which has no space in the growing country like India.

Let's raise our voices against such non-acceptable and illegal incidents and people involved in it. The best way to get rid of such people is to boycott them completely and give them public punishments so that they can never ever dare to think about such ideas.