Mumbai Meri Jaan (Bombay, my Life)

Watched an wonderful movie - Mumbai Meri Jaan. I didn't know the story until I watched this movie. And it set me thinking on the recent furore about Slumdog Millionaire. Many in India have voiced their opinions that the latter movie shows Mumbai and India in bad light. The opinions have come about only because people started watching Slumdog . . . only because of the attention it's recent award winning streak created.

The former movie has shown the life and people of Mumbai in another realistic perspective; it has the same ingredients - a poor immigrant to Mumbai, an aspiring nationalist/IT person, a policeman whose soul awakens as the story unfolds, a TV personality who realizes the emotions of people through her own predicaments and the a religious zealot who learns to accept the diversity - all of these revolving around an unfortunate incident the city faces (in stark contrast to the storyline of individual triumph in Slumdog. . .).

More than comparing these two films, what made me think is the reactions from people. I have never heard people saying that Mumbai Meri Jaan is a very good movie about the famed Mumbai and Indian resilience and moral fiber. And the reason is because this film (or similar films) never got the marketing publicity and the buzz!! Hence, the towering film, publisher, etc personalities who raised the furore, never got a chance to say about this movie. A little bit of introspecting reveals that these personalities could have used their good offices to garner support for movies like the above, instead of just complaining about Slumdog Millionaire.

Jai Mata Di.

Is this the beginning of a new geo-political shift?

The shooting in Lahore, Pakistan on the Sri-Lankan cricket team bus on 3rd Mar 2009 is being termed as a dastardly attack on sports specifically. It is also termed as an internal combustion within the Pakistan political-government system. In our hearts, we feel for the people deeply affected by this act of terror, like the mass pouring of feelings for the recent Mumbai blasts.

At the same time, this might be the start of the new shift in the entire political-security-geographical shift in the Indian sub-continent. The forces of destruction seems to have unvieled a new path of repeating an "internal" colapse of a state. It might take many years before we can see the culmination of what was started yesterday. On the surface, it might be termed as an act conducted by well-trained jihadis, there are very numerous forces and countries - neighbouring and far-off - which gain immensely from an destabilised Indian sub-continent. I only hope that the so-called leaders on both sides of the borders - in Pakistan and India - are sensible enough to realise that the ultimate benefits of these acts does not bode well for its citizen; some other countries and forces will benefit.

The leaders will have to demonstrate considerable courage, determination and unconventional thinking to stop it and provide a much deserved safe haven for its citizen. I hope that common-sense will prevail and not play out the blame-game and stoke anger, which leads us no-where but to doom.

Mark Peter Davis

I found this fascinating quote today:

1. Only contact VCs that invest in your type of company (e.g., sector, stage, etc.)


2. Be honest about your intentions


3. Be patient with VCs


4. Actively share information


5. Do not take rejection personally


6. Do not harass VCs (they’re people too)


7. Focus on the success of the company; check your ego at the door


8. Be open to feedback and new ideas


9. Do not sully the reputation of a VC simply because you did not like their decision


10. Build relationships with VCs

Mark Peter Davis, Feb 2009

You should read the whole article.