Sunday, October 26, 2008

THE FACT IS...

"When poeple are bored, it is primarily with their own selves that they are bored."-Jules Renard.

"Nothing can bring you peace but yourself."-Ralph Waldo Emerson.

"If man wants his dream come true, he must wake up!"-Anonymous.

"Blame yourself if you have no branches or leaves: don't accuse the sun of partiality."-Chinese proverb.

"The man who cannot believe in himself cannot believe in anything else."-Roy L.Smith.

"Optimism is essential to achievement and it is also the foundation of courage and of true progress."-Nicholas Murray Butler.

Sunday, October 5, 2008

THERE SURELY ARE WAYS..........to escape boredom of course!

After one year,they are here again--the pujas!Each and every Bengali awaits eagerly just for these four days.New clothes,new shoes,new style statements,new boyfriends and everything new.Durga puja ushers a season of festivities and celebrations in every Bengali's life.
I was really excited for these days but when they are here,I am feeling like hell!I have no one to go out with!How can anyone spend these days just staying back at home with books!However,I am trying to engage myself with something atleast.I have been reading books by Chetan Bhagat-'Five Point Someone','One Night @ the call center' and 'The three mistakes of my life'.Chetan Bhagat really rocks!
I thought the 'Five point someone' was the best among the three. Its the story of three IITian friends- Hari,Alok and Ryan.Ryan is the coolest;for him life is easy going;he wants to experience the utmost fun in life and thinks the entire IIT system is a 'crap'.They managed to have a lot of fun but they have completely messed up their grades big time!Even after several studying strategies,'Cooperate To Dominate' being one of the many,they lined themselves in a mere 'five point something' and thus were always the inferior 'five pointers'.Alok and Ryan could never get on well with each other but was linked by Hari.Meanwhile,Hari is smitten with Neha who happens to be Professor Cherian,the head of the Mechanical Engineering Head's daughter!.....
However,I am not going to give out the ending of story(as suggested by Sinjini).The book was a nice time pass and does hold a bit truth about the life of the IITians.
'One night @ call center' is also a nice story but I really doubt how nice it is going to be as a film called 'Hello' starring Sallu Mia as Sam(Chetan Bhagat)!!
I am really worried about the Singur issue. I feel Mamata Banerjee has locked the gates of industrialisation in West Bengal forever!She is so......

Thursday, August 21, 2008

YEH HAI YOUNGISTAAN MERI JAAN!

Make no mistake.Abhinav Bindra, the 25-year boy have lived these four years just to experience this auspicious moment of 12th August in Beijing Olympics,2008.It was for his determination, passion and hard work that he made up to the finals of 10m air rifle and also got the gold medal.He had made all the Indians proud of him.Yesterday,Shushil Kumar also won the bronze medal in wrestling and Vijendra Singh is also confirmed of winning a medal in boxing.All these poeple are inspirations for the youth of India.They deserve to de the role models of today's youth.We had auditions for debate competetion in our school a few days ago. The topic was-"Abhinav Bindra has made India proud by winning the gold medal, but India has no right to share the credit as it was only his own personal achievement."I felt the topic was a bit difficult because most of the participants would obviously speak against it.Even I felt that as he represented India, a part of the credit surely goes to India.But I had to speak for the topic.This was the first time I was to speak on something which even I was not in favour of.There was only 3 or 4 point which I could gather.However, I spoke whatever I could have and it was not that bad as I thought it to be.I shall always remember this day---not becouse of the debate but for something else.This was the first day I got drenched in the rains willingly.The sun had just set when the sweet raindrops started showing themselves.I was returning from my Maths tuition on my Ladybird when I got a bit wet.By the time I reached my home, it started to rain quite heavily.I did not know what urged me not to stop at my home and go on with another trip on the bicycle.Trust me it's BEAUTIFUL and AMAZING to experience rain during a ride on the bicycle!It just feels like playing childhood games-there is no limit, no one to restrict you!When my mother came to know about this, she scolded me a bit but she understood me I guess, because she always does.Yes, she is my best friend afterall!

Sunday, August 3, 2008

HIGH SCHOOL MUSICAL

Though the name speaks just about music, the film depicts the crucial teenage mentality.The story is about a group of friends from EAST HIGH SCHOOL.They are going to pass on to the college and college being expensive,they get into jobs in a holiday resort during their summer vacations.They promise each other to stay together and make it their most special vacation.SHARPEY,one of the East High students as well the daughter of the owner of the above resort, has a soft corner for the hero, TROY but Troy is affectionate towards GABRIELLA .Sharpey is haughty, proudy and arrogant to her fellow schoolmates.She tries to get closer to Troy and so asks the manager of the resort to assign the post of golf coach to him so that she can spend time with him as well as keep him away from Gabriella.She also pays him more than the other schoolmates.Troy becomes so concerned about earning money for his college education that he completely forgets about giving time to his friends who has been with him since his childhood.The resort organises a competition for a specific award every year.The staff is also allowed to participate in it.Troy was supposed to be with Gabriella and his other friends in this competition but he was swayed away by Sharpey's provokation to be with her.Such behaviour of Troy annoys Gabriella and others.When Sharpey percieves that the staff team was still strong enough to win, she becomes so mean that she restricts the participation of the staff.When Sharpey's limit of selfishness crosses, Gabriella decides to leave the resort and this is when Troy realises his injustice towards his friends and rectifies his mistakes.
At the end every get on to the right track and all are friends again.
The story tells that is it is our teenage which decides our future characteristic morality.It is indeed extremely important to pay prior importance to our careers but friends and friendship is also essential because we are nowhere wihout friends.
Yes, some of you may be of the opinion that friends are not needed in each and every phase of life, for those people I request to think about it again or rather experiment on it. And I am of the firm conviction that you will surely realise the significance of friends throughout the life.From left to right--Chad,Maria(seated),Sharpey,Gabriella,Ryan,Troy.

COUNTENANCE

Shakespeare said,"There's no art to find the mind's construction in the face".
I feel that in a way he is right as well as he is not.It is generally believed that one cannot geuss or make out a person's character or rather nature just by his facial expression.But my opinion is something different.I have noticed a number of times my guesses in this case have been right.I try to concentrate in the person's eyes and I think that eyes generally do not lie.Well, Shakira says,"hips don't lie" too!!
Facial expressions are important for everyone to convey thoughts without speaking a word and remaining silent.Lips can only give words but it is surely our eyes that speak.For example, the poeple who are dumb and deaf use their facial expressions,apart from body gestures,to convey their messege and converse with each other.If you have ever watched a mime show,you would have surely recognised that even if you are not experienced in making out thoughts and feelings from from different facial expressions,you would be able to understand what the actor is trying to convey to you.Even the film actor and actresses excel in making us understand what he or she wants to say.
Again,it is sometimes impossible to interpret expressions or recognise pseudo expressions.For example, everyone must have heard how Rajiv Gandhi was murdered.Nobody could understand from the countenance of the girl who carried the human bomb(in bengali 'manob boma') that she was going to take such a terrible step.
So never be swaywd away by false expressions which mask an evil thought but do try to understand the soft corners and pains which are hidden under a fake smile.
There is no need of any special power to interpret expressions but we just need to be conscious and aware.What's your opinion for all these?

Tuesday, June 10, 2008

HARRY POTTER AND THE HALF BLOOD PRINCE

Before school starts

As Voldemort and his Death Eaters openly wreak havoc throughout Britain, Minister of Magic Cornelius Fudge has been forced to resign following public outcry over his mishandling the situation. Before he leaves office, he pays a visit to the Muggle Prime Minister of the United Kingdom to warn him that events occurring in the magical world are now having an effect on the Muggle world and that things are going pretty badly for the Ministry of Magic at present. The Prime Minister is then introduced to his succeeder, Rufus Scrimgeour. At his home in Spinner's End, Severus Snape is sworn to an Unbreakable Vow by Draco Malfoy's mother Narcissa. Although her sister, Bellatrix Lestrange, distrusts Snape, he agrees to protect Draco during his task assigned by the Dark Lord, and complete the mission should he fail.

During the summer, Albus Dumbledore enlists Harry Potter's unwitting help to persuade retired professor Horace Slughorn to return to his old Hogwarts post. Harry then spends the remaining holiday at the Burrow with the Weasleys and Hermione. To his family's dismay (especially Mrs. Weasley and Ginny), Bill Weasley has become engaged to Fleur Delacour, the Beauxbatons champion in the Triwizard Tournament. Harry, Ron, and Hermione receive their O.W.L. results. To become Aurors, Harry and Ron must take N.E.W.T.-level Potions as a prerequisite, but their grades in the subject are too low for Snape's advanced class, thus ending their career ambitions. However, Harry is very pleased (and secretly smug) to discover that he was the only one out of the three of them to get an 'Outstanding' in Defence Against the Dark Arts. While in Diagon Alley, Harry, Ron and Hermione spot Draco Malfoy and follow him. At Borgin & Burkes, a dark magic shop in Knockturn Alley, Malfoy threatens Mr. Borgin about repairing one item and keeping another safe. Hermione goes in after to try and find out what he was reserving. Suspecting Draco may be a Death Eater, Harry resolves to keep a close watch on him.

At Hogwarts

As school begins, Snape is unexpectedly announced as the new Defence Against the Dark Arts instructor while Slughorn replaces him as the Potions teacher. Slughorn only requires a minimum "E" grade (Exceeds Expectations) at O.W.L. to take his N.E.W.T.-level Potion classes, making Harry and Ron eligible for the class. Slughorn lends them old Potions textbooks until they buy their own. Harry's copy is marked on the bottom of the back cover, "This book is the Property of the Half-Blood Prince". The talented former owner's notes help Harry excel in the class, but the true identity of the "Half-Blood Prince" remains a mystery. As a reward for Harry's performance in Potions, Slughorn gives him a small vial of Felix Felicis, a good luck potion.

Death Eater attacks continue throughout the year and may be linked to events at Hogwarts. On the first Hogsmeade visit, Katie Bell, a Gryffindor student, is seriously injured while carrying a cursed necklace through Hogsmeade, apparently while under the Imperius Curse. In another incident, Ron accidentally drinks poisoned mead intended for Dumbledore. Harry reacts by administering the Bezoar he had submitted previously as an assignment to Slughorn. Hermione is so distraught over this that she and Ron, who were feuding mostly over Ron dating Lavender Brown and her relationship with Viktor Krum, reconcile; Ron soon breaks up with Lavender. Meanwhile, Harry realises his true feelings for Ginny, although she is now dating Dean Thomas.

Horcruxes

Dumbledore privately tutors Harry using his Pensieve to view collected memories about Voldemort's past. Dumbledore speculates that Voldemort splintered his soul into six fragments called Horcruxes to attain immortality, while leaving a seventh piece in his body. Two Horcruxes have been destroyed (Tom Riddle's diary by Harry and Marvolo Gaunt's ring by Dumbledore).

When Harry finds Malfoy sobbing in Moaning Myrtle's bathroom, they hurl curses at each other. Harry casts "Sectumsempra" inflicting huge gashes across Malfoy's body. Snape arrives and saves Malfoy. He attempts to re-possess the Half-Blood Prince's Potions book, but Harry hands him "Roonil Wazlib's (a.k.a. Ron's) copy . Harry receives detention, causing him to miss the Quidditch finals. Nonetheless, Gryffindor wins the Cup, and during the victory celebration, Harry's suppressed feelings for Ginny are revealed when he spontaneously kisses her; Ginny has just broken up with Dean Thomas, and she and Harry begin dating.

Harry reports Malfoy's suspicious behaviour to a seemingly unconcerned Dumbledore. He reassures Harry that he trusts Severus in keeping a lookout. Soon after, Harry learns from Professor Trelawney that it was Snape who passed a prophecy to Voldemort that ultimately led to James and Lily Potter's deaths. Enraged, Harry confronts Dumbledore, but he affirms Snape's loyalty. Dumbledore, meanwhile, has located another Horcrux and asks Harry to accompany him in retrieving it. Distrusting Malfoy and Snape, Harry asks Ron, Hermione, Luna Lovegood, Neville Longbottom and Ginny to patrol the halls while he and Dumbledore are gone and gives them the remaining Felix Felicis potion for luck. Harry and Dumbledore disapparate to a secret cave. They retrieve the Horcrux (Salazar Slytherin's locket). Dumbledore, however, has been greatly weakened due to the mysterious liquid he had to drink in order to acquire the locket.

Battle of the Astronomy Tower

Returning to Hogsmeade, Harry and Dumbledore see Lord Voldemort's Dark Mark hovering over Hogwarts. They fly to the Astronomy Tower on borrowed broomsticks and are ambushed by Draco Malfoy. Dumbledore paralyses Harry, who is under his Invisibility Cloak, just before Draco disarms Dumbledore. Draco admits he was behind the school attacks and has helped Death Eaters secretly enter Hogwarts via the pair of Vanishing Cabinets, although Dumbledore discerns that Voldemort has coerced the obviously frightened boy.

As members of the Order and the few from the DA battle Voldemort's followers in the castle below, Death Eaters appear in the tower and urge Draco to fulfil his mission—killing Dumbledore—but Draco hesitates. Snape arrives and a weakened Dumbledore entreats him with an ambiguous plea; Snape casts Avada Kedavra which hits Dumbledore squarely in the chest. The impact hurls his body over the tower wall. Upon Dumbledore's death, Harry is released from the paralysing spell. Harry pursues Snape and Malfoy as their only way of escape would be to disapparate outside the boundaries of Hogwarts. Malfoy escapes as Snape duels Harry. During the duel, Snape reveals that he is the Half-Blood Prince. Though instructive, the duel was ended by Buckbeak's intervention. Snape disapparates and escapes. Harry recovers the locket from Dumbledore's body, only to discover it is a fake. Inside is a note from someone with the initials R. A. B. who has stolen the real Horcrux.

The school year ends abruptly with Dumbledore's funeral. Professor McGonagall is appointed Hogwarts's interim headmistress and Professor Slughorn replaces Snape as the head of Slytherin House. Hogwarts is rumoured to close down due to the murder of Dumbledore. Harry decides to leave school in search for the remaining Horcruxes. Ron and Hermione vow to accompany him, while Harry ends his relationship with Ginny to protect her from Voldemort. The book concludes as Harry looks forward to Bill and Fleur's wedding and being comforted that "...there was still one last golden day of peace left to enjoy with Ron and Hermione."