The Jungle Book (2016) – The 1967 Version Was Superior And Best Left Alone

Warning  - Spoiler Alert!

I probably have a solitary voice here.  I saw the movie and I preferred the 1967 version.  Here is why.

The Jungle Book was the last film which was personally supervised by Walt Disney, and it showed.  The film had the characters crafted in a way that balanced the story to appeal both to children and adults alike.  One may claim that the 2016 version boasts of similar abilities – but there is a difference.  The 2016 version is just too dark!

The sinister Shere Khan is just so hateful and full of spite. What may I say of Col. Hathi? The new version of Col Hathi is so demanding in terms of obeisance and authority, one wonders whether this was what Rudyard Kipling wanted.  There are many characters in many other movies that demand such obeisance – so what was so special about the 2016 Col Hathi? Nothing.  Absolutely Nothing.

King Louis was just another King Kong. Kaa was a sheer waste. If we wanted to see giant monkeys and snakes, we are better of with King Kong and Anaconda, thank you.

Kaa resembles a villain we have seen before – a deceptive back-stabber. By the way, where was Kaa's sense of humor?  Col Hathi and Kaa’s characters made sense only because we have seen the 1967 version of the Jungle Book.  For the first timers, Kaa leaves an unimpressive image of a subplot gone horribly boring.   Baloo was a lovable buffoon, but to think he would want Mowgli to be filled with bee stings is a bit too much. 

Most movies now suffer from the desire to outdo each other in terms of computer graphics they use.  Movies also suffer from the Harry Potter hangover wherein dark characters created a charm of their own.  These characters soon became a turn off for many Harry Potter book fans in the films directed by Director David Yates.

The Jungle Book (1967) was all about fun and hope. I just did not see the point of why the new version wants to show the ugliness of the world?  There are other films that can do that, but to allow The Jungle Book to become a vehicle for a peek in to the darkness of the human heart is unpardonable.

By the way, the new version completes makes a trash of the songs  “Bare Necessities” and “I wanna be like you”.

I was unfortunate enough to spend my post tax money on this junk. Save your money and go back to 1967 version – that version has a heart and is in no need of any lobotomy that the 2016 version desperately needs.

© Nitesh Kotecha

On Paris

Paris is to me a wonderful city,

The ballerinas there are very pretty;

The major sites are "musee du louvre" and the Eiffel Tower,

The greenery is also a pleasure to watch and devour;

It is the apple of ever fashionistas eye,

The clothes are so beautiful, I want to cry;

I love the streets of Paris and the accent,

OMG! would be the reaction when seeing how much I have spent;

When I grow older, I would go to Paris first,

Visiting the Eiffel Tower at night would quench my thirst

© Samruddhhi Kotecha

Because You Were There

Time passes, the world changes

I'm still the same old kid

And your jokes still bring me laughter

As if you still were here

And it hurts when I smile

'Cause my heart still remembers

When you were around

'Cause you were there

When no one was

Just when I thought nobody cared

You showed me love

'Cause you were my friend

You always told me

And I am still here

Because you were there

So precious, small treasures

A time when truth was innocent

True friendship was all we were after

A place where kids could still be kids

And it hurts but I'm glad

'Cause at least I was blessed

To have you as my friend

'Cause you were there

When no one was

Just when I thought nobody cared

You showed me love

'Cause you were my friend

You always told me

And I am still here

Because you were there

You're my best friend, yes, there are no accidents

God has a plan for everyone

And He brought you in my life

To show me what a good friendship was

'Cause you were there

When no one was

Just when I thought nobody cared

You showed me love

'Cause you were my friend

You always told me

And I am still here

Because you were there

You were there

You were there

You were there

Because you were there

Because you were there

Because you were there

Songwriters

EDMONDS, KENNETH

Published by

Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC

Indian Cricket And The Usual Suspects

The Honorable Supreme Court of India (HSCI) is finally monitoring this game and all the people associated with it.   As of today, the Chairman of the Board of Cricket Control in India (BCCI) has been asked to step down until all inquiries and investigation are done and Cricket is cleaned up.

Really?

The HSCI will do a good job of injecting a dose of antibiotics in this sport.  However, I have my doubts about the implementation of the HSCI directives and order.  Here is why.

Indian Cricket has its administrators from the corporate world and from the political world.  Indian politicians would kill in order to get some post or the other in the BCCI.  How come Indian Politicians are not making any attempts to join an organization, say for example CRY (Child Relief and You)?  For one, there is no money there that can be eaten up.  Two, one had to really work hard in an organization like that.  Third, CRY is not the richest NGO in the world.  The BCCI is the richest cricketing body in the world.  Here we have Indian politicians who come to parliament only to howl like peyotes and do a terrible job of running the country – but they still find time to manage cricket and show world-class entertainment to the world.  Can you imagine a politician ever leaving his grasp on cricket?

It must be understood that managing in the BCCI is not about managing cricket but about controlling the resources of the cricketing body.  A BCCI executive can influence where the body will deposit its fixed deposits and thus do the bank a favour.  The bank in return will grant lenient terms and conditions to all finance that BCCI executive may need for his corporate enterprises.  Worse, the bank may become lenient in charging interest and penalties for the executive’s to-be-bankrupt company.  A major portion of BCCI funds go into building stadiums and acquiring land and giving contracts for work.  I leave it to your imagination about how much of these funds go into over-invoicing the expenditures related to such activities.  While you are at it, imagine the kickbacks too, if you would.  Is it possible for a corporate executive to ignore such a position?  Are there purple donkeys in India?

Imagine your ability to ruin a person’s career. Imagine the power you would have if you could just finish off a cricketer’s career based on some silly “team selection committee” recommendations.  Imagine your power to summon an actor or a model and demand favours in return for appointing him/her as some brand ambassador etc.  This is the kind of power that comes with holding a position in such an organization.  This is where the dirt is and all the pigs would love it.

How about the perks of being in the BCCI? Do you get to stay at expensive hotels?  You bet.  Do you get access to world-class cuisine?  Of course.  Do you get to throw junkets? Oh yeah!  Can anybody stop you? No Sir!

Cricket can never be cleaned.  This is not a negative statement but rather an honest one.  It is just too bloody lucrative!  The matches are all mostly fixed.  Forget all about how well your favourite cricketer plays.  The fixing racket is a perfect example of globalization.

Rumour has it the India’s top lawyers are burning the midnight oil in their attempt to present something that will hopefully get the HSCI to pass a soft order.  This will be in the form of some obfuscating promises that will be riddled with qualifying adjectives and holy ideology.

Prayer - I hope the HSCI gives the BCCI a strong laxative and a memorable enema.  We have to get all that sh** out.

Politics is the last refuge of the scoundrel.  Is the BCCI the first ?

© Nitesh Kotecha

Disclaimer:  By the grace of God, I have successfully avoided watching cricket since 1987.  Well, maybe a few times I had to watch it at a restaurant over dinner or at a friend’s house.  Imagine the hours I have saved in my life by staying away from cricket (while you imagine and total all those hours, deduct one hour that it took me to write this blog on cricket).  By the way, this is my 100^th post on my blog....Thankfully, a non-cricketing century!!

Maybe I Think Too Much

The seed is just barely sown
and you already consider it grown?
It is only over time that
the mulberry bush becomes the silk gown;
but you just want to dig in
and over its undergrowth you frown?
Will you, Oh! Gardener,
please give it your loving touch?
But, then I say to myself,
"Yeah... Maybe I think too much."

The seed is just barely sown
and you already consider it grown?
It is only over time that
the mulberry bush becomes the silk gown;
but you just want to dig in
and over its undergrowth you frown?
Will you, Oh! Parent,
please give it your loving touch?
But, then I say to myself,
"Yeah... Maybe I think too much."

The seed is just barely sown
and you already consider it grown?
It is only over time that
the mulberry bush becomes the silk gown;
but you just want to dig in
and over its undergrowth you frown?
Will you, Oh! Almighty,
please give it your loving touch?
But, then I say to myself,
"Yeah... Maybe I think too much."

©  Nitesh Kotecha

I Am A Liar But Dont Call Me A Rascal: The Sins of Parents and Teachers

An elderly person and a father was lying to his daughter.  The daughter caught him lying.  The daughter called him a rascal.  The father says “I am a liar but don’t call me a rascal.  I am your father.”

Let us now analyze this a little bit.  This little anecdote highlights the irrational demands made by the elderly, the revered and other such sacred cows.

Calling names such as rascal etc is a one time event. Lying is a perpetual habit!  Which one is worse?  The father clearly is using his position as a parent to minimize the dangers of lying as if it is a borderline virtue !

A closer look at the above text will tell you that the elderly do not only demand respect but also demand pardon – from the young!

Hello?!  Should not this be the other way round?  Are not the elders supposed to be the embodiment of experience, grace, virtue and forgiveness?   This is the only reason why we are traditionally and ritually  “programmed” to respect them.

However, this brings to light many issues... what is the cut off age for an elderly person?  How do we define such a person?  For a child of age 5, the father at age 31 is an elder – however, people of such age are still treated as young people by society.  Why not have respect for all – young and elder people? Why not give respect purely because the person deserves it or has earned it irrespective of age?

Our ancient texts have glorified the devotions that one must pay to parents, teachers and guests.  These are absolute statements much like the directive principles of state policy that is highlighted in our constitution.  Do these postulates account for situational variables?  I believe they are absolutes and disregard the situation or the psychological framework of the person.

I have had bad teachers in my life – teachers who don’t have an iota of knowledge, not an ounce of moral fiber nor any shade of decency.  Why does one have to pay obeisance to such rot?

We don’t have to, I guess.  The only way out is to forgive these people.  They have no idea of their shortcomings.  They too are programmed, by virtue of their conditioning, that since they are of age or they have a position as parents or teachers – this fact alone automatically qualifies them to receive unconditional respect, obeisance and devotion.

Forgive them.  This is the price we pay for being compassionate and mindful of people's faults. But it is the only way out

© Nitesh Kotecha

Brother... Where You Bound?

A simple look at the latest developments in technology will give you an idea about a new paradigm coming up in our work environment – substitute technology and remove the human interface.

Researchers and Developers are creating digital actors – yes animated characters so real that one would not believe that the person you see on the screen is a digital creation.  Let’s face it; the dinosaurs have been looking real ever since Jurassic Park (1993) – it is about time we have digital characters who look every bit human.

Major Motor car companies are now incorporating bio-metric signals in the cars so as to assist the driver.  The car would signal a light representing coffee – meaning the driver’s skin is emitting signs of exhaustion or fatigue.  There are minor sensors in the steering wheel which will detect undesirable jerks in driving.  The cars will then automatically reduce their top speed and switch on side sensors which will assist the driver in ensuring his safety.

Stock brokers developed algorithmic trading and now have software in place for such trading.  The manned operations are discarded and the staff given the pink slip.

What is happening?  The above events are just a sample of how technology will soon substitute routine jobs.  New jobs will be created in place as the demand for such technology increases.  And soon those jobs will be replaced with technology and other new jobs will be created.

The above events summarize the need for people to understand that if they are in to traditional jobs, routine jobs, jobs that represent skills that machines can replicate – they need to re-evaluate the career paths they may have chosen for themselves.   Of course, certain jobs cannot be replaced – technology cannot replace a judge or a lawyer at a court.  Politics will not allow technology to replace a cricket umpire! Or an elected representative for that matter!

The current definitions of a business degree will need to undergo a metamorphosis in the sense that future business leaders will see pressure mounting on them as they meet the challenges of such changes in their business.  Curriculum focused only on the administrative side of businesses will need to be revised to accommodate for developing ability in spotting trends.

© Nitesh Kotecha

Not The End, My Friend

Dedicated to the soft and delicate one(s)

This is not the end, my friend,

Just a turn and not a dead end.

See how life gives its twists and turns?

The Protector hurts and gives heart burns!

The past is past,

It is the future we must fix,

Take the ashes of the heart burn

And rise like the phoenix!

For this is not the end, my friend,

Just a turn and not a dead end.

They say we must pay for all our sins,

For grief and pain caused to our kith and kin,

But it is not your time to go,

You are here to stay,

Rejoice as you will live,

To die another day!

For this is not the end, my friend,

Just a turn and not a dead end.

 © Nitesh Kotecha

If

If you can keep your head when all about you

Are losing theirs and blaming it on you;

If you can trust yourself when all men doubt you,

But make allowance for their doubting too:

If you can wait and not be tired by waiting,

Or, being lied about, don't deal in lies,

Or being hated don't give way to hating,

And yet don't look too good, nor talk too wise;

If you can dream---and not make dreams your master;

If you can think---and not make thoughts your aim,

If you can meet with Triumph and Disaster

And treat those two impostors just the same:.

If you can bear to hear the truth you've spoken

Twisted by knaves to make a trap for fools,

Or watch the things you gave your life to, broken,

And stoop and build'em up with worn-out tools;

If you can make one heap of all your winnings

And risk it on one turn of pitch-and-toss,

And lose, and start again at your beginnings,

And never breathe a word about your loss:

If you can force your heart and nerve and sinew

To serve your turn long after they are gone,

And so hold on when there is nothing in you

Except the Will which says to them: "Hold on!"

If you can talk with crowds and keep your virtue,

Or walk with Kings---nor lose the common touch,

If neither foes nor loving friends can hurt you,

If all men count with you, but none too much:

If you can fill the unforgiving minute

With sixty seconds' worth of distance run,

Yours is the Earth and everything that's in it,

And---which is more---you'll be a Man, my son!

By Rudyard Kipling

To Wonder

To crush and to ridicule one, people may try

But it does not make sense to wonder

All the what which where when and why?

Some scheme and connive, some may even lie

But it does not make sense to wonder

Why lesser mortals don’t change till they die?

To improve or to destroy? Even God gives a sigh

But it does not make sense to wonder

In which manner did God cut the pie?

'm scribbling these lines to you my children

Just keep smiling and don’t you ever cry

In this world it is no wonder

We go forward only if we try try and try

© Nitesh Kotecha

Don’t Let Yourself Be Hurt This Time

The gazelle slowly walked 

As her mother patiently talked

"We are the lion's meat

Everyday is not so neat

Calm your senses as you eat

For the bell will ring

And loud will be the chime

Don’t let yourself be hurt this time"

Don’t let yourself be hurt this time

Don’t let yourself be hurt this time

The boy quickly shook

As his father gave a last look

"I know I have been rude

'm sick 'n can’t have any food

Gimme a hug 'n make me feel good

For the bell will ring

And loud will be the chime

Don’t let yourself be hurt this time"

Don’t let yourself be hurt this time

Don’t let yourself be hurt this time

© Nitesh Kotecha

Old Wine - Computer Education in India

The world is different place now then at the time when I attended school.  Today, social networks and mainstream media are an integral part of all communication that takes place – whether it is Business, Politics, or Social Life.  However, the state department of education has participated just a little.

Teachers, Educators, Parents and Students do understand how learning is changing.   However, I am of the opinion that the involvement is just not so large enough, for our schools in India.

Many students are immersed in social networks and cellular technology outside of school life, and there are not enough adults in their lives who can guide them as to how they can use those connections to learn.  Our access to information, people and ideas is exploding on the net.  However, the education system in India has had this inability to recognize the paradigm shift.  The Education Boards do not fully understand the learning process that are needed for learners who want to share their knowledge and interests. 

The syllabus and course material does attempt to integrate the net and media with the way we learn, BUT, the examinations and their formats, together with state education board politics ensure that such 21st century skills do not amount to much.

My stay in USA had me interacting on the UNiX software by AT&T.  There was no graphic user interface.  Communicating was cumbersome (If you wanted to chat with somebody at a site - say school.com, you had to use for a command a word that was rather inappropriate - “finger xyz@school.com”!!!)

The net is now easy.  However, this ease does not necessarily guarantee education and growth.    The content on the net is much, but essentially that work reflects what we were doing with pen and paper.  The medium of publication has changed and nothing else.

21-century skills are just not possible for schools that are run by archaic school education boards which in turn are controlled by politicians and antediluvian academic dinosaurs.

Here are some thoughts:

- Mathematics is taught beautifully on the internet, free of charge, by the Khan academy (www.khanacademy.org).  I wish I had learnt to tame this monster this way.  Why cannot school children “officially” learn their material from websites such as these?

- I have downloaded dance numbers and videos that explain economic theories!  It is fun!

- School going children and schools must publish their own teaching skills at their own websites.  All school going children must have their own blogs at the school website where they are encouraged not only to share know but to also develop their own content.  The school webmaster can surely monitor the content.

Our ability to easily publish content online will force us to rethink the way we communicate with students, the way we deliver our curriculum and the expectations from the next generation.  Likewise, Teachers and Professors must publish their own content on blogs and encourage participation from students.

- Blogging on school websites allow children to have an audience and thus the children may grow to be more confident.

- Publishing self-content will force the children to have better critical, writing and analytical skills.

It is understood that the above model suggests a school which has funds and has children whose parents can afford the higher expenditure.  This is ok.

© Nitesh Kotecha

Alone

My dear children

Whichever road you may choose

You could win or you could loose

Either way

You must learn to walk alone

This world is your playground

You could play or just go round n’ round

Either way

You must lean to run alone

You may have no room at all

You may have your back against the wall

Anyway

You must learn to crawl alone

I could go on and on

But its time that I move on

I will always be there for you

But, you must learn to think alone.

© Nitesh Kotecha

Dream It

Oh my children!

You are so lovely

I know you both will make it

But, nothing will happen unless you dream it

Our life is our thoughts

And when we think, we create it

And it will happen just the way you dream it

Things may look good on the surface,

Ignore the bottom; ‘n the top? Just skim it

It works only the way you dream it

Private Victories are fundamental

It’s the bigots who yell and scream it

Triumph comes to the silent who just dream it

Oh my dear ones

When we walk down the road

The rocks may cause us to fall

Get up and move, once you cleanse it

Nothing else will matter, once you’ve dreamt it

©Nitesh Kotecha

No Mountain Too Great

‘m scribbling a thought on this page

“Keep walking even if it’s steep”

In case you read this a little late

Just remember, that there is no mountain too great

There is this old adage

 “Miles to go before you sleep”

Now life is a dish and not an empty plate

So remember, that there is no mountain too great

We all soon learn

“Life has its twists and turns”

Don’t you waver; just keep your faith

And remember, that there is no mountain too great

Well my dear son

“Keep smiling and don’t ever weep”

We never know what lies in our fate

But remember, that there is no mountain too great

© Nitesh Kotecha

Alone We Fly

There was once a seagull

In search of food for his little one

The search took all day

So he took a deep breath to say

“Alone we fly, my dear son”

In the fine tradition of his people

He flew out with his little one

The lesson took all day

And he took a deep breath to say

“Alone we fly, my dear son”

Soon his health was a little dull

He sent a word out for his little one

The moment took all day

When he took a deep breath to say

“Alone we fly, my dear son”

Of course there is a moral

For a story as simple as this one

But I am not going to say

Will just take a deep breath to say

“Alone we fly, my dear son”

©Nitesh Kotecha

When You Have Got God, Why Would You Want Anything Else?

Our most typical agenda for prayers is a demand for a wish or a desire that is unfulfilled.  The other reason for prayers is a state – the state of fear. If I leave aside conformism and parental conditioning, the above two reasons – a menu or a fearful state - are the most typical motivators for prayers.

God does not run errands.  He is not somebody who takes orders.  In fact, God appreciates the fact that there is no demand (representing absence of desire) and no fear (representing karma consciousness).  In fact, the pearly gates of heaven are open to those who want God for God’s sake.

Below is a short anecdote by Osho.

A person died. He had spent his whole life praying. He went to the synagogue and shouted his prayers out loudly. When he went to bed at night he would again shout out his prayers. If his sleep was broken, again he would shout his prayers –“Listen God!”

In front of him lived an atheist, who never prayed and never went to the temple. The person thought in his heart – he was religious – he thought, “Child, enjoy your two or four more days of fun and then you will fall into hell, then the score will be settled.” And he was happy that, “I will be in heaven. I have done so many prayers, I have earned so much virtue. You will fall into hell. Now enjoy your four days pleasure and delights. Enjoy playing on your flute. But after these four days of moonlight come dark nights.”

Thus he thought to himself, doing his prayers more and more loudly. In his prayers he asked heaven for himself and in addition asked hell for his atheist neighbor. By coincidence they both died the same day. The angels came to take them. They took the religious man off towards hell. He screamed loudly, what are you doing?

And they took the unreligious man towards heaven. The man said, ”This is unfair. My whole life it was unfair and now injustice again. I was suffering then, but I kept patient in every way, assuring myself, ’It is nothing, endure it. Just four days of suffering, then heaven.’ And you are taking this sensualist off to heaven? Certainly there has been some mistake. You must be carrying orders to deliver me to heaven, look at your letter. Take him instead, you have made a mistake.”

But they said, “There is no mistake. If you are too upset we will take you both to meet god.” He said, “Take us. Certainly. It can be decided there.”

Coming in front of god he shouted again, it was his old habit. God said, “I am in front of you, now why are you shouting? What do you want?”

He said, “Some mistake has happened; they were supposed to take me to heaven and took this knave. He is a sensualist, and he spent his whole life doing wrong things. He has never prayed. I was always praying, why was I being taken off to hell?”

God said, “Because of your prayers. You have been eating my brains. Should I invite you to stay in heaven now and put my life in danger, in this harassment? This is the fruit of your prayers. This fellow I am inviting because he plays flute, he lives in music and melody. He will bring a little gaiety to heaven. Your staying would not add gaiety, what little gaiety there is here would disappear.”

When you have got God, why would you want anything else?

Copyright © Nitesh Kotecha

A Lovely Video About Foodchains

My daughter Samruddhhi was learning about food chains.  We were searching the web for some resource material that would enhance her knowledge.

We were browsing throught the national geographic website and we came upon a lovely video that clearly explains the food chain.  My daughter loved it and I am sure your children will like it too...

Below is the link. Enjoy

magma.nationalgeographic.com/ngexplorer/0309/quickflicks/brainpop/foodchain/mysteries.swf

Copyright  - Nitesh Kotecha