Slumdog Millionaire

When I first heard the name of the movie I anticipated that it would have some interesting scenes to watch out for. After I watched it I must say it was one heck of a movie! It blew me off! Directed fantastically by Danny Boyle, written and screen played incredibly by Simon Beaufoy, Slumdog Millionaire is about the journey of a boy, Jamal from the gutters to the stars. It is based on the book Q and A written by Vikas Swaroop. Jamal played by the new comer Dev Patel looked more like a professional than a new comer. He did a tremendous job and most deservedly won the critical acclaim and numerous awards as well.

There is drama, romance and suspense in the movie that keeps you glued to the screen until the end. Salim, the brother of Jamal was astounding in his acrimonious character with the right attitude he was supposed to hold on to until the end. All the roles played by "the three musketeers" at three different stages of their lives were simply marvelous. The film depicts the bare naked Mumbai with all its exceedingly gross slums, gangsters rein, hindu muslim extremism, betrayals, murder and money chase. However it eventually unfolds the fabulous and gorgeous love story of Jamal and Latika. The musical montage offered by A.R Rehman was just a delicious touch to the entire movie which moves on from rags to riches.

If you have watched the movie I am sure you would agree with me and if you have not watched it yet I strongly suggest you watch it right away! Three cheers to the "the three musketeers(Danny Boyle, Simon Beaufoy and Dev Patel)"!!! :)

Good bye 2008!

Dear 2008,

It has been wonderful knowing you and being with you all through the year. The fact that I will never see you again is something that pinches me but is abated by the exuberance of the arrival of a new year 2009. You sustained me through joys and sorrows. You have given me pains and pleasures.

I an indebted to you for all the lovely people you introduced to me and I am glad for the difference they could make in my life. I am overwhelmed by the fun you gave me every moment. You taught me that life is like a treasure and the more you explore the more you are humbled by its vastness and intricacy. The lessons you have taught me and the love you have shown me will continue to remind me about the faithfulness of God of wonders beyond our galaxy!!

I hope 2009 will also have in store for me much more fun, adventure, challenges and excitement. No matter who comes and goes no one can replace you. I will not make promises or demonstrate devotion saying "I will not forget you!". All I can say is a simple "Thank you!I really enjoyed your company."

Good Bye 2008!
Stella.

White Ribbon Day

The following video was made by us (the Arts Team) for our Christmas Programme. It was a tragic coincidence that during the time we were working on the video did the Mumbai terror attacks take place. For those who missed the video that day, you can check it out here.



How can it be that God is love?
When blood rolls down upon our land
And fathers lose their only son
Where is the hope?
Oh God we pray for white ribbon day

How can it be that you could love?
When blood ran down that wooden cross
Your father gave his only son
You came for peace
You came to die for white ribbon day

And we pray for peace
To flood our hearts again
Only god can save our nation now
And we long for joy to fill our streets again
Only god can save our nation now

How can it be that God is just?
When flesh is torn from young and old
And children run in bloody fields
Where is the hope?
Oh God we pray for white ribbon day

And we pray for peace
To flood our hearts again
Only God can save our nation now
And we long for joy to fill our streets again
Only God can save our nation now

Hallelujah, hallelujah
Hallelujah for white ribbon day

And can it be that You are just
When flesh was torn for young and old?
And here we stand saved by Your blood
We'll stand with courage
We'll live and die for white ribbon day

Hallelujah, hallelujah,
Hallelujah for white ribbon day

What. A. Victory.

There cannot be a better way to get back Cricket into going after the recent Mumbai terror attacks in India. I applaud the England team for returning to India after the atrocious things that struck India. I applaud the IPS of Chennai and his team for all the security and the efforts they put in to make the game possible. I applaud the crowd of Chennai who never backed down no matter what to see their heroes play (5000 on the first day to 30000 on the final day). I applaud the Indian team(specially Sehwag,Yuvraj and Gambhir) for their brilliant performance after coming back from a bitter recent past. Last but not the least I applaud Sachin Ramesh Tendulkar for that extra ordinary stupendous century that lead India to the win!

What more could one ask for in a test cricket! In a time where the 20-20s and one day forms have been over shadowing Test cricket, this match stands out as an answer to all those in question. No doubt that this has been a pleasure and treat to watch for every cricket lover. Most certainly it was a record breaking performance from India because chasing a huge score like 387( fourth highest) is no joke! Champion knocks from Sehwag who marked the perfect start for India and backed by composed and conitnuous tempo maintaining games from Gambhir, Laxman, Sachin and Yuvi and the bowlers who could previously restrict the English players were all part of this very special and amazing victory. England played well by dominating 70 percent of the match but India played even better and snatched the match away from the visitors. Surely a very very bitter pill for KP and his men to swallow!

But it is a privilege to witness such a victory which could easily be among those unforgettable wins right on the top! Way to go India!! After beating Australia 2-0 in the test series and England 5-0 in the one day series and now going up 1-0, I only wish that this momentum keeps going and we go on to make a World Cup winning team!! Bravo India!!!