Posted on: November 16, 2008 - 5:27 pm
On location for ‘Teen Patti’, Capitol Cinema, Mumbai
November 16, 2008 4:48 pm
The article I spoke of in yesterday’s blog. On Nehru and speech and leadership.
When was the last time you heard a good speech. One that impressed you in content and text. In expression and style. In the usage of terminology and language.
Those stalwarts are hard to find in today’s world and circumstances. Public speech was an excellent opportunity for communication of thought in days gone by. Now we have other tools that do that job. And not all of them hold any consequence in the glorification of the spoken word. Now all our information comes from Television and Radio. The language of the anchor becomes the language of the nation. Their expression, our expression; their thought ours. Is this what we want for ourselves. Bad expressions, irregular graph of speech, wrong pronunciations and tone ??
The days of languid lingering speech, of words you would dwell on, that would sink in and remain with you for years has long gone past. It is the time for brevity of expression and speed. The sooner and in as short a manner you convey is termed ‘with it’ and ‘cool’.
I find it sad.
The medium of communication is such an important weapon in the hands of a few select individuals and channels. How brilliantly and well they could be used to educate us all. Instead I find them polluting our knowledge atmosphere.
Speech and language is so important in communication. Be it an expression of love or of gratitude. Of resolving an issue or putting across a point of value. Of explanation. Of attitudes between two friends, between husband and wife, clients, customers, employees, guests, visitors. It conveys the attitude of our culture and up bringing.
How important therefore that we should come out looking good. But do we always ?
Ponder…
More later.. they say my shot is ready. Even this seemingly innocuous communication by the assistant director, conveys something. Their body language, their tone.. all. I observe and study. Perhaps out of habit. Because it is a topic of interest for me. Perhaps with a desire to utilize it in my work in front of the camera someday. Perhaps…
OK… they are really screaming now for me to be on set.. BYE
Amitabh Bachchan
Well said Mr. Bachchan. The language that we use to communicate also reflects our upbringing. Like yours and we cant stop going ga-ga about it .
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Cant believe I am the first !
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..and second and third too ! someone take me to the hospital pls.:D
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Wow what a pleasure I am getting to see my name all around
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It takes a lot to be the first and to remain there
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The price of being the best and on top and not everyone can sustain
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Sir,
Can learn many a things from you. about life, thoughts. etc. I think u r a good teacher. many a salutes to you. also want to share many Quotes with you, can I have the honour of having yours mobile no., Please.
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Reeham, Rose..Resham,
Dont kill me for stealing the spot
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I got this chance today and wont let it go
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I am having a ball !
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This one the last for this moment…heehee
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arvinder aaaaaaaaaaah
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Good afternoon my love… my pure , clear sky… my unique treasure..
How are you doing papa…?? you didn’t mention anything concerns your precious health.. so i guess that everything is fine.. isn’t it..??
can i collect my breaths.. and feel satisfied..??
So you are in your break.. but they are calling you to be on set .., it’s amazing that you are sending this beautiful post about speech and language.. in the few minutes you have to get relaxed.. how wonderful you are.. and how fond of you i am..
I do agree with all what you had mentioned about speech and language…
i do love also that you are observing others body languages and tones.. that’s a very interesting thing.. and it is really useful in utilizing it in your work.. you are just brilliant..
Love you immense… was worried about you daddy.. but your sweet words are just my pain-killers.. god bless you honey.. keep you always.. happy, suuccessful, safe, healthy forever..
Till your next post and forever.. love.. love..lots of love
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AMIT JI
WHAT ARE YOUR COMMENTS ON FATWA AGAINST MADHUSHALA ? A QAZI FROM LUCKNOW HAS ISSUED A FATWA AWAGAINST HARIVANSH RAI ji BACHCHAN’S MADHUSHALA, SAYING IT IS ANTI-ISLAMIC AND UNFIT TO BE TAUGHT IN ANY ACADEMIC INSITUTION. DONT YOU FIND THIS BIZZARE AND INSULTING. IT IS IN TIMES OF INDIA, TODAY 16.11, PAGE # 7
B R MANOJ GROVER
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hello mr.bachchan …….. to be very honest,’ TUJHME RABB DIKHTA HAI…BOLO MAIN KYA KRU !!!
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Hi Amit Uncle,
I would like to read the book Discovery of India. can you please share some of your thoughts on the book.
Regards,
Manju
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ya its ok that you r back to work but as well as you take care of your health also bcz your illness make all of us ill …….. love n regards janvi
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Respected Bachchan Saab!
Now we have at least choice to opt for the network ,which did not exist earlier .With so many print & electronic media one can read between the lines also.So Sir,my point is that hyper information is better than hypo information.
Is this the way of Deepak Bubna to stay on the top?
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My tough refined voice could help you, yet it still doesn’t have the baritone. Do you have yahoo messenger on your internet line. A phone would be best. I’m still at 650-339-5885. You might have to add 001 to reach US (any STD/ISD booth can help you there)..
Deepak Murthy
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Mr B,
Why do you insist on having news items scanned and posted ? Sure, these days, storage is not a premium. But, this Web2.0 era; by posting scanned items, the scope for collaboration is lost. I mean, how do I link to that news item if I wanted to share it with someone. Plus, it is barely legible.
It took me hardly 5 seconds to search Google for the news item (http://economictimes.indiatimes.com/articleshow/msid-3714831,prtpage-1.cms) If you used Google News (I use it heavily) type of service, you would get all your news without having to resort to scanning etc. Plus, you can be “green” avoiding newspapers
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Respected Bachchan Saab!
Now at least we have choice to opt for the print & electronic media we like & one can get the fact.
May you live for 100 years(if you have no objection) & lead an active lifestyle till the end.
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Deepak Budna
:l0l:
:lol :lol
You are too darn funny!! I think you stole Mr Bachchan’s thunder today. I got caught up in reading your most amusing posts that I had to scroll back up again to read his post!
As Audrey Hepburn said in “Roman Holiday”, it is most amusing! Thanks for the laugh!
Rose C
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Hi Mr.Bachchan
Thanks for sharing such a wonderful article which is quite apt with the current state of communication. Its very unfortunate that most of us don’t give too much importance to the spoken & written word.May be that’s one reason why we don’t have great leaders to lead the nation today we just have politicians.
Take care
Love & regards
Anu Verma
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Hello Mr. Bachan, How are you doing. Going back to work and enjoying but tiring. Take care of yourself. please reply me when ever you can.
Thanks for taking time to read my comment. May God bless you and your family good health and happiness. You are an inspiration to all of us. Love
Fan from Toronto
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Respected Bachchan Saab!
HOPE YOU WILL NEVER DO A ” TOOFAN”,”JAADUGAR” ETC. IN FUTURE FOR THE SAKE OF DIE HARD FANS LIKE US.
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Hi,
THAT is a wonderful article! Thankyou very much for it! It’s well-threaded and beautifully ended.
I agree with you about recently hearing any speech that would have motivated me. Though Obama’s for his country and context was obviously inspiring. But I liked that take on: “We aimed high and looked far.”
With that aspect (inspiring writings), the way you write is stimulating and makes us think. Wish we could go further with it….
Thoroughly enjoyed Dostana (laughs and all!) for the second time. I WILL repeat again: Abhishek was brilliant! I want to thank him for his perfect acting and making us laugh!
Much love
CHEER FOR HEALTH AND HAPPINESS
gilga
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WELL YES YOU ARE RIGHT IN A WAY SIR, BUT HOW CAN WE FORGET THAT THE QUALITY OF OUR LEADERS HAS ALSO GONE DOWN. NOW TO REPLACE PEOPLE LIKE Dr AMBEDKAR WE HAVE MADAM MAYAWATI ONLY BECAUSE OUR ANCESTORS MADE A MISTAKE NO A LUNDER BY MAKING CASTES. WE HAVE PEOPLE LIKE MULAYAM SINGH WHO KNOWS NOTHING ABOUT EDUCATION, BUT HEY THERE IS STILL THAT DIM BUT STRONG RAY OF HOPE WITH PEOPLE LIKE OMAR ABDULLAH, PILOT ETC ETC……
TAKE CARE SIR
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Respected Sir,
Has the producers or directors got annoyed with you in the last 10 years for not honouring their comittments even that could be ur personal problem as well?
Regards
Mohit
Kabul
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Hi Amit ji,
Nice to see the above mentioned comment on Communication.
Really you are 100% correct. It is very important part of our day to day life.
Please keep posted such nice blogs……..
Cheers !!!!!
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Hello again my dearest.. most beloved and respected daddy..
Once again i read your precious words.. every time i do ..i get the deep meaning of them and taste their beauty..
I’m quite impressed by this paragraph:
” The days of languid lingering speech, of words you would dwell on, that would sink in and remain with you for years has long gone past. It is the time for brevity of expression and speed. The sooner and in as short a manner you convey is termed ‘with it’ and ‘cool’.
I find it sad. ”
I do find it sad honey… mostof the spoken words are just shallow.. and never remains in one’s memory more than few seconds.. ( except yours honey.. those precious gems are well memorised and studied by heart )..
even nowdays leaders’ speech, they never touched the crowd’s souls.. that why i understand how Obama’s passionate speech had impressed millions.. it just reflects the man’s dreams for his country and countrymen.. and i do wish that he is a wonderful person as much as people think about him..
i didn’t live in the time of late president Nasser.. but i saw a lot of movies about his life and how was he a true leader.. how much people (not only egyptians but all the arabs) were waiting for his speechsin a great thrill.. it doesn’t matter wheather they were well educated or not.. but his speechs were just marvelous and overwhelming .. and they reside in the hearts of the listeners.
I also my love am sad from the brevity of words .. the lose of their meanings.. and i do agree with you papa that words are more than lethal weapons if they are miss used.. they can start a war.. and they also can bring life back to the miserables if they are spoken in love and passion..
And this paragraph also emphasis on the power of words..
” Speech and language is so important in communication. Be it an expression of love or of gratitude. Of resolving an issue or putting across a point of value. Of explanation. Of attitudes between two friends, between husband and wife, clients, customers, employees, guests, visitors. It conveys the attitude of our culture and up bringing. ”
I absolutely agree with you my precious pearl… but unfortunately.. most of the words are spoken in anger and creat hatred.. reflect selfishness and fake prejudice and the worst they leave behind them unhealed wounds.. in both heart and soul..
Beautiful words like.. ” sorry ‘.. ” excuse me “.. ” thank you ” are rarely used especially among relatives and friends.. some people think that they are useless .. but these words have a great effect if it come from the lips of the dears rather than desperately seeking for them from the strangers..
I hope that my words reflect my deep, true, aimless, immense, warm feelings towards you papa..
Take care of your precious health honey.. and from time to time please take a break..
Forever.. Love.. affection and respect
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Deepak Bubna: Had to laugh seeing you scoring bullseye in the first few positions! Your reaction was more infectious!
Hi Reeham: Hope you are feeling fine and the BP is down, just wanted to say a quick Hi. Have been unable to get onto Big B Group wall though I can open all other pages and different sites! I wonder why? No problem with my computer and internet connection is fine too.
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Hi
I am absolutely surprised by this new post…wasn’t expecting it….
God seems to be kind to all of us who are regulars at blog and of course you tooo……isnt it?
I am imaging the scene where the astt director comes to you to say sir shot is ready and …..if you take a pause and think….how many times you must have heard that sentence…and with God’s blessings must continue for ages ahead….we all love you and like you working to the best of your abilities….
Lots of love
Naresh
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“To speak and to speak well are two things. A fool may talk, but a wise man speaks”
masooda
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Thank you for posting this article. It has indeed been embarrassing for this country to have had George W. as the leader of the free world. Besides all the damage that he has done, he has come out sounding like a bumbling idiot. It is refreshing to finally have someone who exudes intelligence when he opens his mouth to represent the U.S.
It is true that today all we get is sound bytes in this time of short attention spans.
You better not let your blogging interfere with your film making. You may become known as a blogger who acts in movies on the side. I hope you are feeling stronger today. Good luck with your shot.
Love,
Rochelle
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Dear sir
The place of language and prounciation can not be taken by poor Glamour and sweet face only , but they forget that people are sitting near Radio or Channel for Good contents, audible clear voice with correct language and information. And then parents can suggest the childs to learn from their as they used to tell during old day .Only Ornament for dead body are meaning less .
I don’t want to compare just a quoting a example ..
First one launched ‘Kaun Banega Karorpati ‘ whole world watching it but not for prize , If prize will be important only then ‘CHHappar PHad KE ‘ could get milege ,BUt Viewer rejected it with compare KBC , anchored by one and only YOU.
In film also Very so called loudable voice are present But when i watch them they speak with same tone and prounciation with every co- artist ..whether with wife , mother , daughter , enemy , father or son .. and in every scene.
Great NEHRU JI one of the best one in language and speech as i learn from Books.
we have proud for YOU also in this area ..
thanks and regards
dinesh
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Hi to all the fellow bloggers
Reeham, Gilga, Subhash, Sunil, M, Rose C, Kashmira, Mithailal and all others….
have great time…you must know that
“”Those who can’t laugh at themselves leave the job to others.”"
Naresh
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AmitJi….
if you think about it ‘Kachcha Papar, Pakka papar’….was also a linguistic phenomena…..im sure many of us here tried saying these words the way you did,…..i think the longest i could do was about 20 seconds….
sorry, here you are talkin about grand and large scale things and here’s me banging on about kachcha this and pakka that.
lots of love
ibrar hussain uk
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~
~~
~~~
Sir,
Why don’t YOU write a speech and telecast it one fine evening for the whole nation?????!!!!!!!!!!
There can never be a better orator than you, and what you write is also simply brilliant! Combine these two with a booming voice, and what we have is a magic potion!!!!!
The world will lap it up Sir!!!!!!!
Give it a serious thought please……
warmest regards,
Rajesh Kejriwal
BigB Yahoo Groups
~~~
~~
~
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Obama is a rising hero. Tthe fact that he likes to surround himself with experienced folks, he likes to read history and learn lessons from it - speaks about what he conveys in his speech. I bet he has thoroughly studied Nehru’s style! Obama is eloquent; you can’t switch channels when he is speaking. I live in USA and don’t have voting right yet - but I loved listening him too.
Now is the time to stay tuned on whether he can achieve what he said - time needs that to happen so badly!
Veena
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My dearest Mr Bachchan…
Again, it is very difficult to read the article because of its size when enlarge. Too big.
Often I hear a good speech, which impresses in content, text, expression and style. Maybe I do not see them personally but watching the news you will see snippets of many politicians with their powerful, well thought of, planned with precision speeches.
Whilst as it might be true that, “One who cannot speak properly, cannot lead properly, for he lacks the fundamental qualification for democratic leadership, command over language”, I still maintain my belief in, “ACTION SPEAKS LOUDER THAN WORDS”. Often these politicians use powerful WINSOME WORDS to win elections and yet their words does not often follow the promises they make in their speeches.
Mrs Thatcher was one such powerful politician, in words, and I am sure somewhere, in deeds too, but what I often remember about her is the “let downs” of many a promises she had made. One promise she had made when candida-ting to become a Prime Minister was to not make any changes with NHS subscription. If I remember correctly, NHS subscription were free before she came into power but by the time she ceased to be a prime minister of England, she had raised it to more than £3! And who suffered?? The very people she had made promises to, the common person who had voted for her, according to her ‘words’. Her ‘words’ were certainly not followed by ‘deeds’ were they?
‘
So really winsome words may help a person to achieve their goal, especially in politics, but “ACTION” will “ALWAYS SPEAKS LOUDER THAN WORDS”. And so the mass public will always end up disappointed as most politicians can never stick to their promises, can never stick to their words.
I think the younger generation prefer to live with speed and with the belief of making everything easy and shorter. I often have texts and mails sent to me from family members who belongs to the younger generation.
Many in this form;
“Hw r u? Nt sd 2 cum 4 dinna n Sun? 4pm sd. C u der den”
In true English, it reads, “How are you? Aunty said to come for dinner on Sunday. She said 4 pm. See you there then.”
It is laughable how drastic Languages have been transform into meaningless gibberish!! :lol:. Sadly with the invention of modern technology comes a great price and that is the loss of not just the grammar, pronunciation, and tone but the very essence of written and spoken Language!! What a high price to pay!
And what of the ‘appealingly romantic tone’ of letters sent to families, friends, and lovers which we would often read over and over again?? Can you translate this essence into these new lingoes. Impossible!!! An even sadder fact!!
Whether you or I or all else like it or not, we inevitably end up writing or saying, ‘with it’ and ‘cool’, terminologies because they have become a daily part of our life. I would term it a backward way to the future. I find this sad too.
From the ‘tone’ of your post, I would say your day at the shoot sounds less tiring and more relax. Observing and studying your colleagues body language and tone sounds almost obsessive…but I guess an actor’s eye never rest. But then again you have an eye for everything! Acting, Literature, Art…et all!!!
Hope you remember to have a rest in between shot.
Sending Love…
Rose Cx
My dearest Mr Bachchan…
Again, it is very difficult to read the article because of its size when enlarge. Too big.
Often I hear a good speech, which impresses in content, text, expression and style. Maybe I do not see them personally but watching the news you will see snippets of many politicians with their powerful, well thought of, planned with precision speeches.
Whilst as it might be true that, “One who cannot speak properly, cannot lead properly, for he lacks the fundamental qualification for democratic leadership, command over language”, I still maintain my belief in, “ACTION SPEAKS LOUDER THAN WORDS”. Often these politicians use powerful WINSOME WORDS to win elections and yet their words does not often follow the promises they make in their speeches.
Mrs Thatcher was one such powerful politician, in words, and I am sure somewhere, in deeds too, but what I often remember about her is the “let downs” of many a promises she had made. One promise she had made when candida-ting to become a Prime Minister was to not make any changes with NHS subscription. If I remember correctly, NHS subscription were free before she came into power but by the time she ceased to be a prime minister of England, she had raised it to more than £3! And who suffered?? The very people she had made promises to, the common person who had voted for her, according to her ‘words’. Her ‘words’ were certainly not followed by ‘deeds’ were they?
‘
So really winsome words may help a person to achieve their goal, especially in politics, but “ACTION” will “ALWAYS SPEAKS LOUDER THAN WORDS”. And so the mass public will always end up disappointed as most politicians can never stick to their promises, can never stick to their words.
I think the younger generation prefer to live with speed and with the belief of making everything easy and shorter. I often have texts and mails sent to me from family members who belongs to the younger generation.
Many in this form;
“Hw r u? Nt sd 2 cum 4 dinna n Sun? 4pm sd. C u der den”
In true English, it reads, “How are you? Aunty said to come for dinner on Sunday. She said 4 pm. See you there then.”
It is laughable how drastic Languages have been transform into meaningless gibberish!! :lol:. Sadly with the invention of modern technology comes a great price and that is the loss of not just the grammar, pronunciation, and tone but the very essence of written and spoken Language!! What a high price to pay!
And what of the ‘appealingly romantic tone’ of letters sent to families, friends, and lovers which we would often read over and over again?? Can you translate this essence into these new lingoes. Impossible!!! An even sadder fact!!
Whether you or I or all else like it or not, we inevitably end up writing or saying, ‘with it’ and ‘cool’, terminologies because they have become a daily part of our life. I would term it a backward way to the future. I find this sad too.
From the ‘tone’ of your post, I would say your day at the shoot sounds less tiring and more relax. Observing and studying your colleagues body language and tone sounds almost obsessive…but I guess an actor’s eye never rest. But then again you have an eye for everything! Acting, Literature, Art…et all!!!
Hope you remember to have a rest in between shot.
Sending Love…
Rose Cx
My dearest Mr Bachchan…
Again, it is very difficult to read the article because of its size when enlarge. Too big.
Often I hear a good speech, which impresses in content, text, expression and style. Maybe I do not see them personally but watching the news you will see snippets of many politicians with their powerful, well thought of, planned with precision speeches.
Whilst as it might be true that, “One who cannot speak properly, cannot lead properly, for he lacks the fundamental qualification for democratic leadership, command over language”, I still maintain my belief in, “ACTION SPEAKS LOUDER THAN WORDS”. Often these politicians use powerful WINSOME WORDS to win elections and yet their words does not often follow the promises they make in their speeches.
Mrs Thatcher was one such powerful politician, in words, and I am sure somewhere, in deeds too, but what I often remember about her is the “let downs” of many a promises she had made. One promise she had made when candida-ting to become a Prime Minister was to not make any changes with NHS subscription. If I remember correctly, NHS subscription were free before she came into power but by the time she ceased to be a prime minister of England, she had raised it to more than £3! And who suffered?? The very people she had made promises to, the common person who had voted for her, according to her ‘words’. Her ‘words’ were certainly not followed by ‘deeds’ were they?
‘
So really winsome words may help a person to achieve their goal, especially in politics, but “ACTION” will “ALWAYS SPEAKS LOUDER THAN WORDS”. And so the mass public will always end up disappointed as most politicians can never stick to their promises, can never stick to their words.
I think the younger generation prefer to live with speed and with the belief of making everything easy and shorter. I often have texts and mails sent to me from family members who belongs to the younger generation.
Many in this form;
“Hw r u? Nt sd 2 cum 4 dinna n Sun? 4pm sd. C u der den”
In true English, it reads, “How are you? Aunty said to come for dinner on Sunday. She said 4 pm. See you there then.”
It is laughable how drastic Languages have been transform into meaningless gibberish!! :lol:. Sadly with the invention of modern technology comes a great price and that is the loss of not just the grammar, pronunciation, and tone but the very essence of written and spoken Language!! What a high price to pay!
And what of the ‘appealingly romantic tone’ of letters sent to families, friends, and lovers which we would often read over and over again?? Can you translate this essence into these new lingoes. Impossible!!! An even sadder fact!!
Whether you or I or all else like it or not, we inevitably end up writing or saying, ‘with it’ and ‘cool’, terminologies because they have become a daily part of our life. I would term it a backward way to the future. I find this sad too.
From the ‘tone’ of your post, I would say your day at the shoot sounds less tiring and more relax. Observing and studying your colleagues body language and tone sounds almost obsessive…but I guess an actor’s eye never rest. But then again you have an eye for everything! Acting, Literature, Art…et all!!!
Hope you remember to have a rest in between shot.
Sending Love…
Rose Cx
My dearest Mr Bachchan…
Again, it is very difficult to read the article because of its size when enlarge. Too big.
Often I hear a good speech, which impresses in content, text, expression and style. Maybe I do not see them personally but watching the news you will see snippets of many politicians with their powerful, well thought of, planned with precision speeches.
Whilst as it might be true that, “One who cannot speak properly, cannot lead properly, for he lacks the fundamental qualification for democratic leadership, command over language”, I still maintain my belief in, “ACTION SPEAKS LOUDER THAN WORDS”. Often these politicians use powerful WINSOME WORDS to win elections and yet their words does not often follow the promises they make in their speeches.
Mrs Thatcher was one such powerful politician, in words, and I am sure somewhere, in deeds too, but what I often remember about her is the “let downs” of many a promises she had made. One promise she had made when candida-ting to become a Prime Minister was to not make any changes with NHS subscription. If I remember correctly, NHS subscription were free before she came into power but by the time she ceased to be a prime minister of England, she had raised it to more than £3! And who suffered?? The very people she had made promises to, the common person who had voted for her, according to her ‘words’. Her ‘words’ were certainly not followed by ‘deeds’ were they?
‘
So really winsome words may help a person to achieve their goal, especially in politics, but “ACTION” will “ALWAYS SPEAKS LOUDER THAN WORDS”. And so the mass public will always end up disappointed as most politicians can never stick to their promises, can never stick to their words.
I think the younger generation prefer to live with speed and with the belief of making everything easy and shorter. I often have texts and mails sent to me from family members who belongs to the younger generation.
Many in this form;
“Hw r u? Nt sd 2 cum 4 dinna n Sun? 4pm sd. C u der den”
In true English, it reads, “How are you? Aunty said to come for dinner on Sunday. She said 4 pm. See you there then.”
It is laughable how drastic Languages have been transform into meaningless gibberish!! :lol:. Sadly with the invention of modern technology comes a great price and that is the loss of not just the grammar, pronunciation, and tone but the very essence of written and spoken Language!! What a high price to pay!
And what of the ‘appealingly romantic tone’ of letters sent to families, friends, and lovers which we would often read over and over again?? Can you translate this essence into these new lingoes. Impossible!!! An even sadder fact!!
Whether you or I or all else like it or not, we inevitably end up writing or saying, ‘with it’ and ‘cool’, terminologies because they have become a daily part of our life. I would term it a backward way to the future. I find this sad too.
From the ‘tone’ of your post, I would say your day at the shoot sounds less tiring and more relax. Observing and studying your colleagues body language and tone sounds almost obsessive…but I guess an actor’s eye never rest. But then again you have an eye for everything! Acting, Literature, Art…et all!!!
Hope you remember to have a rest in between shot.
Sending Love…
Rose Cx
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Darling Mr Bachchan…
Not usually one for complaining but these articles you keep posting are seriously giving me a terrible headache!! (sorry dear, really don’t mean to complain)
They are too large and I have to keep moving the page up and down as well as sideways to read them. And on top of that, doing these motions while reading is taking the impact of the message conveyed in them since by the time I have read them I can’t rememder most of what I’ve read because I am too busy doing these up/down and left/right movements to shift the page! Imagine doing that when you suffer from astigmatism?? One can seriously cry!!
I am going to abandon reading for the moment…
Love (and possibly begging for help to reduce size of articles…please)
Rose Cx
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And why on earth did my message up there repeated itself 3x???
Huh??
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Rose C
Is that you?…I doubt
Naresh
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Naresh
Yes, it is me.
Rose C
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Great piece here. Thanks for sharing. I really like your reflections on the same as well. I’d just add this. Much as language and communication are important for all the reasons you and the author have identified it is also important to not let language lapse into ‘nothingness’ in the illusion of maintaining various codes of propriety. Authenticity is important for everyone. Politicians become no more than registers of public opinion and find it impossible to say or do anything bold or useful. But the bond of language holds for all of us as well. Specially public figures..
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My dear Mr.Bachchan,
thanks for sending this article…i truely became enthusiastic to read Nehru’s book.
i also loved reading your comment with regard to language and expression.
after all a good speech is that which serves an actual cause, and that which delivers a sincere message. surrounding circumstances impose themselves, affect the mind and the soul, and bring out the best words that have the power to express….here iam refering to Nehru and Ghandi and the colonial circumstances they had to fight against. they had a true cause, and their language expressed their feelings.
if we don’t find powerful linguistic speeches, i think, it is because of the lack of this true cause. nothing is here to elicit these powerful expressions.
have a good day at the shoot.
with love,
Rasha Zayed,
BigB yahoo group,
Cairo, Egypt.
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there is sometihng new everyday which comes from you and todays blog is an eye opener and alot to learn from
thank you for wrttitng beautiful blogs everyday
and sometimes more than one …. its pure and clean coming straight from the heart
hope you gave a good shot…………
hope you could give undivided attention !!!!
i have tried not to use slang or short words in my comment
love you loads
zazee
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DEAR SIR,
HELLO SIR HOW ARE YOU?HOW WAS YOUR DAY?
BEST WISHES AND WARM REGARDS
HIMMAT SINGH GREWAL
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अमितजी, मैं इस विषय को एक अलग ढंग से देखना चाहूँगा. मेरे विचार से एक अच्छे वक्ता और नेता का देश के सामने प्रस्तुत होना, देश की अपनी आवश्यकताओं पर भी निर्भर करता है. देश को आज़ादी से पहले एक गाँधी, एक नेहरू व एक सरदार पटेल की नितांत आवश्यकता थी, सो वे मंच पार आ सके. लेकिन आज का भारत उनके आगमन को ले कर उत्सुक हो, ऐसा दिखाई नहीं देता. आ जायें गांधी देश के सामने एक बार फ़िर…लेकिन ज्यादा दूर तक नहीं जा पायेंगे वे! यही बात आप हिन्दी सिनेमा के सन्दर्भ में भी देख सकेंगे, थोडा गौर करने पर. कहाँ गया ५० से ८० के दशकों वाला हिन्दी सिनेमा का संगीत बीते हुए कुछ वर्षों में? सीधा जवाब है श्रेष्ठ संगीत, श्रेष्ठ कवित्व व गायिकी के लिए आज कोई भी स्थान भारतीय सिनेमा में शेष नहीं रहा है. आज का दौर, शोर-शराबे वाले नृत्यों तथा तकनीकी रूप से ज्यादा चमकीली फिल्मों की होड़ का हो, ऐसा दिखाई देता है. शायद कुछ वर्षों के पश्चात् बेहतर संगीत, गीत व गायिकी एक बार फ़िर लौट सकें, जब वर्जिश करती न्रित्यांगनाओं को देखना दर्शकों को और गवारा न लगे.
यह भी कहता चलूँ, कि अच्छे वक्ता और नेता आज भी मौजूद हैं, यदि आप थोड़ी उदार विवेचना करें तो…दुर्भाग्यवश (या कहें तो देश की आवश्यकताओं व मुश्किलों को देखते हुए) वे क्षेत्रीय मसलों से ऊपर नहीं उठ सकेंगे आने वाले वर्षों में. रही बात मीडिया के बेतुकेपन की तो आप एकदम निशाने पर हैं.
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i cannot read this article ………..it gets toooooooooo large to be read properly ….hope it can be modified …………….missing out on good readingggggggg
zazeee
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Dear Amitji,
Well said regarding speech and correct usage of language! A few days ago on your blog there were comments made by a reader to Rose’s comment wherein I seconded Rose justifying informal use of language or perhaps unintentional typos. Well I guess you have replied to our comments by writing in favor of formal and correct speech and language.
As a mother, I am strict with my children where formal learning and correct usage is concerned.
However amongst friends and sometimes trying my hand at humour love to play with words and der spellings.
Surely language has great effect on the audience or readers. Words carefully selected to express ones thoughts, the delicately versed opinion and hint of suggestion all woven intricately to communicate sense and sensibility to the listener is an art. Some are natural orators and writers and many can develop the art of beautiful communication.
Jeffery Archer, the writer has such a flair for words not to forget Sydney Sheldon in his last book ‘The Other Side Of Me’ delicate references to self targeted humour…a pleasrable reading which provoked minds to self illustrate..these contemporary writers then Ghalib a genius at words and thought and expression…APJ Kalam very orderly simple straightforward in speech without the filligree…
regards
Reena
One thing is for sure, deep study and an explorers enthusiam is required to develop this art. A strong basis and understanding of any language is a must which exists in the Indian system of education. The stress on grammar and preposition at school level in India is very heartening and to the advantage of all children.
The Indian curriculum is long and intensive yes however teaching methodology is poor. The syllabus is there however expression is lost.
Definately then spoken language varies in expression and form when written…not as a whole but in form atleast.
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Yes, we hope all your desire will be utilized, and we will be so fortunate to enjoy all those expressions on your performance. Yes , your point is right about diluting our culture by projecting such mistakes on air worldwide, but you please understand their place, it is not very long , always at every point THEY all have mentioned/projected us as 50 year behind, only to reach them as THEY are and cross them to project our place ahead, we have practiced some mistake and it is just out of our culture, but dear, now our people are very much there to show our cultural heritage strongly , no body can manpulate us, we have our own facilities and we are not dependant, just waiting for our own satelite to controll internate, you know if so, it will not necessery to approch YAHOO or MSN to provide HELP when crime comes through, and we will have our own communication controll, really i am very sad about CHINIES hackkers, do you know they are repetedly hacking our govt portal, only for that we can’t share our secreat info through internate with our people working different part of our country. Just waiting for that day. I am sure it is not so far, and we will get back our world leadership status again in this era of new wave communication with all modern facilities.
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Dear Rose,
on the lighter side, it 3 timed thankfully not 2 timed!!!
Deepak Bubna, sooooooooooo funny could actually envision you having a roll up there.
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Dear friend,
HI, how are you?
how is your health? Nice artical.. Ilove the way YOU write…it is my pleasure to read your thoughts.. and pleased to write few words to you.. it gives me an ultimate happiness.. all these words that i’m writing to you is like flowers which I’m offering at your feet…
I’m very much poor in english, please forgive me if any mistake in my writing.I’m an average person. I’m not as intelligent as you are..
with pure love……with pure heart……..
LO I’m VE…..with ……U
smita_nine@yahoo.co.in
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To Deepak Bubna,
It is first time since Amitji’s mid-70s to late-80s that somebody has occupied the first ten slots. Congrats for doing it!
PS - Jeetendra once famously said, on being asked in those days if he was the most successful actor after Mr Bachchan, that he was indeed, but placed only at the eleventh spot, since AB enjoyed gathering the first ten….
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Dear Amitji,
expressions of thoughts by words in old days really were the impressions we had in our minds of our leaders - be a political or spiritual- which is truly diminishing these days. True leaders are not found anywhere. Sad, but true!
love
Ashesh
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Deepak Bubna, Bangalore
I am surprised you decided to stop at #12.
What stopped you?
You could have gone on and on and filled the whole Blog.
It is not every day that one becomes number ONE.
Not just joking, really enjoyed reading all that you have written.
Keep writing.
Subhash
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Dear Amitji, Discovery of India and now Discovery of America. Well picked up title but the essence of Discovery of India was very much different as compared to the American Discovery. Americans discovered Obama to lead them. Ananya could have written it differently because both mean different in context. Still the striking board will bring the window shopper first and then the real buyers.
Many of us passed this because we heard and read Obama so analysed view skipped but now that you posted it merits second look. Good a very important aspect of Leadership is brought out. Articulated speech. Please don’t compare a Leadership role with TV reportage both are very different in nature. Yes you are motivating the TV journalist to rise to a much higher level professionally to mantle the Leadership role. They should thank you for alleviating their position which is denied to them because of poor Leadership on which they have to time and again report and interview. A political Leader makes a statement explicitly in front of the TV cameras sounding tough but on return to office and being pulled by seniors goes in to a mode of I was miss understood my gun pointed Eastward not Southward I said.
We need to live by truth and not expected baking results. A strong desire and will for good of people is very different from keeping the vote bank flock together. This was not object with Nehru or Gandhi or Lala Lajpat Rai. They believed in a higher goal which does not exist for today’s Leadership. The present has also thrown up challenges because of selfishness of Leadership. It is more challenging time to Leaders because to sell well being is bigger challenge than freedom. Obama stood up to and won because he understood the wave and sailed through balancing the wind and waves both. A Leadership that understood the force needed to stop the present down slide was Obama success. Here we don’t even understand where we are going and what is the cause. May be Economical or Political. Someone has to risk his Political fortune and then Lead us. A long sight is needed to correct the bickering. TV cannot be entirely blamed for it is mirror of our creation run by us. Still its pictures can’t be wrong only commentary to be improved if at all. But pardon the commentary what is there to comment on. If this media of TV reportage was available to Gandhi Nehru we would have been free in 1925. Added more years to our present mess?
No,we have to present our facts in better political ways. We have to have patience of listening before pressing the trigger. We need educated debate in forums made for debate. We need laws which don’t spell negativity but we need Principled legislation. What a bench of Supreme Court judges rules appeals to all. Why not that level of education experience maturity astuteness constitute the calibre of Parliamentarians. We need education now to percolate up from the masses to the highest of the fora in our Country. Please the talk of masses being educated can wait till education be imparted to the elected people.
We need not only command over language but also over subjects that concern us. We need the passion to be well informed at every level at least where it matters the most. We need respect for a fellow human being despite his shortcomings. We need our souls to be alive to receive and give love,compassion,empathy and above all we need true Leadership in every field.
Regards
Ravi P Malhotra
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Dear Sir,
Media plays very important role to bring awarness among young people about about solution of crisis prevailing in India .
Time has come to bring awarness among media by people how they can change postive change in youth and uitize their energy in build new India.
asmita
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awesome article…..superb mr b
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Raam Raam, Amitji!
I especially liked your blog on speech and language as a means of communication! Thank you so much for maintaining high standards, and for continuing to use language so effectively, and with such precision. You’ve been blessed with the gift of speech, language and literacy! Nowadays, in many societies, literacy is regarded as a right, rather than a privilege. And, sadly, very sadly, millions of extremely fortunate children are not interested either in becoming literate, or in learning to use language and speech effectively. As a language teacher myself, my heart bleeds for them as I watch their self-imposed decay and destruction. Computer and video games, the Xbox and Playstations are now the order of the day. The ‘txt msg. is in’. Being a fool is now cool. You’re right…gone are the days when good speech and language were considered to be important, when spelling and grammar were a real indication of one’s level of education. Long gone are the days when even teachers spoke and wrote language in forms that were ‘proper’, accurate and pleasing to the eye and ear! It is indeed sad that communication has been reduced to ‘C U latr’. I thought technology was supposed to enhance our lives. Instead, there is an overall decay in standards of communication. It bothers me intensely when I hear my colleagues (yes, teachers) say things like: “…but his story is good. Punctuation is not that important; content is…” I constantly argue that without proper form, content, accuracy and mechanics of language, communication is ineffective; language becomes meaningless. Language can then become too subjective and can be interpreted differently, or even misinterpreted.
I am happy that there are still some of us ’sticklers’ left in the world. We have been given the task of keeping language alive, of deterring its corruption and complete eradication. I am happy for those of us who feel that language is a tool which should be used effectively for certain results. I am thankful for your ability, Amitji, to communicate your oral and written messages with such delicacy and precision, that I wish I could just stay and ‘talk’ with you all day long.
But return to my classroom, I must. The kindergarten students and I have great fun during the process of teaching and learning. I’m off to a whole new world of learning (if only they could stop picking their noses and…)
Love always,
Leela
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Mr. Ranjan,
(No offence intended),
I am no saint nor I intend to be. So long as you get what you want (without hurting anyone else), does it really matter when and how of it ?
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Dear Mr. Bachchan,
I do entirely agree with the thoughts of yours, particularly on ’speech’ and ‘language’ -
“Speech and language is so important in communication. Be it an expression of love or of gratitude. Of resolving an issue or putting across a point of value. Of explanation. Of attitudes between two friends, between husband and wife, clients, customers, employees, guests, visitors. It conveys the attitude of our culture and up bringing.”
As per Yoga there are four stages of the speech - Para, Pashyanti, Madhyama and Vaikhari. Each stage has got its detailed meaning. I will not go into details of it here.
Thanks for another great blog!
Regards,
Naishadh Vyas
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Dear Mr B,
The last speech that I heard that moved me and made me think was your speech at the book launch of Shobha De.
What a wonderful speech that is. If I remember correctly you had shared it with us on the blog too.
-Vikas.
Big B Yahoo Group.
Kolkata.
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AKHBAAR MAI PADHTAAA NAHI
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ARE BIG BOSS DEKHTE HAI KYA AAP?
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Godevening Sir, What is life without nreath, what is thirst without water ,what is pain without a BALM! You are “THE BALM” in my life. I want to say so much but it doesnt comeeasily when i hit the keys. Thank you and God bless you. LOVE ALWAYS>>>>JENNIFER
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HELLO
I SUPPOSE WHEN YOU ARE TALKING ABOUT HAVING GOOD LANGUAGE SENSE YOU MEAN BOTH HINDI AND ENGLISH
THE PRIOR BEING MORE IMPORTANT THAN THE LATER
BUT TODAYS SMS OR MSG LANGUAGE WITH ALL THE SHORT WORDS AND SHORTFORMS ARE ALSO A NECESSITY IN THEIR OWN WAY
LETS GIVE THE NEXT GENERATION THE BENEFIT OF THE DOUBT
WE HAVE TO TRUST OUR UPBRINGING OF OUR CHILDREN
BELIEVE ME THEY ARE NOT SO BAD WHEN THE SITUATION ARISES
WATCH SOME PROGRAMS ON BINDASS CHANNEL BOUT THE TEENS RESPONSES ON TRADITIONAL ISSUES
CYA
ANU9
PS. PLZ READ MY REQUEST ON 206(i) NO.134 & 136 AND DO RELPY
THNX
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Hai Amitji,
I have been a blogger for your blog for long.I must say that i have started blogging you right from the day one and i am really addictive to the kind of topics you take and enlighten(loaded one really) us with the same.I am really great full for having lived in your era and have watched almost all your movies.Though i am very young(in terms of age since i am 38) i feel highly privileged to having seen all your movies.I want to tell you one more thing that i have seen you physically in Hyderabad the day when you came to PVR cinemas as a promotional campaign.Now that i am blogging you every day and feel like you are a genius in writing also.You are no less a poet when you keep things in perspective.Sir, i still start weeping when i read the letter which you have written about your ‘Mother’.I feel as if i reached the temple when i read through the ‘SiddiVinayaka episode’.You have been a wonderful motivator in my life because you write so many things which normally motivates people(fans) like us.My sincere good wishes to you for which ever endeavor you step in.I have not been lucky so far with your reply but i would definitely treasure if you reply me back.
Wishing you every success
May god bless you with good health and wealth
My hai to Abhi and Aish
My namaskaras to Jaya aunty and Shwetha
with never ending love
Kitty
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Hi Amitji,love and regards gurpreet
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Dear Amitji,
Nice article. Nehru’s speeches still give me the goosebumps. I remember using his tryst with destiny speech in school in part for an elocution contest. I still remember it verbatim and it sounds great irrespective of who says those words.
Impressive orator indeed.
Anshu
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That landmark speech by Swami Vivekananda?!
Words have a sanctity. When you say something, you own the words.
These days we forget this more often than not.
I should like to think of this change as a cycle.
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Gr8 Job Deepak Bubna!!!
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Dear Amitji,
The last time I heard a good speech was when you delivered it as the celebrated author of Baghban in your blockbuster movie of the same title. It must have moved everyone in the hall as much as it moved me. It is quite a while since I saw the movie but your speech still remains fresh in mind. That is what a good speech is all about. It doesn’t go away with time.
Talking of speeches by political leaders, you are right, its long time we have heard a great compelling speech. In fact, leaders no longer have the time or the inclination to write their speeches, and depend on their speech-writers to do the job. It is an open secret and very often when a leader gives a great speech, the speech writer is acclaimed by the media. In this age of the internet, the leaders now have a huge choice to chose their speech for a particular occasion from hundreds of speeches offered on the net. There is no dearth of websites advertising their business of speech writing, eg. - “Speech-Writers.com has been writing speeches since 1994 with over 150000 satisfied customers”! These speeches by professional writers may have the right language, but the soul is lacking. A speech that does not come from the heart, cannot touch the heart. That is why most leaders today fail to lead their followers for long, they don’t speak from heart. Speeches made by great leaders in history attain immortality as they themselves have. Here are a few picked from the recent past, which never fade with time:
Mahatma Gandhi – Quit India speech (Aug 8, 1942)
“…..Let me explain my position clearly. God has vouchsafed to me a priceless gift in the weapon of Ahimsa. I and my Ahimsa are on our trail today. If in the present crisis, when the earth is being scorched by the flames of Himsa2 and crying for deliverance, I failed to make use of the God given talent, God will not forgive me and I shall be judged un-wrongly of the great gift. I must act now. I may not hesitate and merely look on…..Ours is not a drive for power, but purely a non-violent fight for India’s independence. In a violent struggle, a successful general has been often known to effect a military coup and to set up a dictat