Why Indian Film Industry lags behind at international level?

Including Hindi, Tamil, Telugu, Bhojpuri, Punjabi and other regional languages, more than one thousand movies are being produced yearly in India, which is more than whole of Hollywood, Chinese or Korean film industry. Chinese, Korean, Japanese and other country’s film industries produce far lesser movies as India, but their reach is greater than that of India’s.

Indian film industry is now not only laced with big budget, advance technology and superstars, but it is now producing movies out of the box. But, still what is the reason that Indian film industry is unable to draw international audience towards it. Why Indian movies have not international viewership so far?

Although many Indian movies are premiered in many foreign countries, it cannot be ruled out that their audience are only Indians residing abroad. Foreign audience is yet reluctant to spend their pocket money to watch Indian family drama.

Indian movies no matter they are Hindi, Tamil, Telugu or Punjabi are stuck to only Indian audience living abroad while Hollywood movies enjoy massive worldwide viewership. Even, Chinese, Korean and Japanese movies have international viewership, more than India. In India also English and dubbed versions of other foreign movies have greater audience.

Recently years Hollywood movies like Spiderman, Avengers and Jurassic World have even surpassed Indian movies in on their own ground.

What are the underlying reasons behind Indian movies failing to draw international audience should be found out.

Although in past one decade several Indian movies dubbed in English had been released in USA, UK and other countries with high Indian expatriates, but their foreign audience could be counted on fingers.

Kabhi Alvida Na Kehna, Kal Ho Na Ho, My Name is Khan, Jab Tak Hai Jaan, and several other big budget movies had been released in overseas, but the fact is that they could only draw Indian audience living abroad.

Bollywood experts assert that our Indian audience is too much that we don’t need to resort to international audience. Whether it is home country or overseas, out target audience have always been Indians, and that’s why we are still restricted at a global level.

On the other hand, Indian film director and producers don’t want to compete with foreign movies, because their cinema technology is advanced than that of India, moreover, they perceive fear of financial losses in it, and this may also be as a core reason behind Indian movies not getting Oscar awards.

Nonetheless, in recent years, various Indian movies have been premiered in foreign languages and have been admired at various levels, but it isn’t sufficient for such a huge industry. Now, time has come that Indian film industry should prove its mettle at Global Ground.

How Cycling could be an essential part of Smart City

Respected Prime Minister, 

Republic of India

As you have given a new life to Radio by starting Man Ki Baat, like this you should also give a new life to Cycle. Cycle is not only the cheapest but a symbolic of sustainable development. 

Almost in all the developed countries cycling has emerged as important mode of transport. I am living in Tel Aviv city Israel. It is one of the smartest Cities in World.  Here children, students, professors, girls, women, adult and even elders use cycling on daily basis for going outside. In Israel cycling has been introduced emerged as a modern mode of transport with hi-tech technology.

Cycling will provide a cheapest transport or vast middle class population of India, but it will also reduce traffic from road and reduce pollution drastically.

In Tel Aiviv, the cycling Stands have been installed in all parts of city, where one can get cycle for rent on hourly or daily charges and can return at any other cycle stand near his/her destination. This is very convenient way as one remains relived from carrying cycle all the way.  This project (Project Name- ‘Tel-O-Fun’) is run by a private company.

This is a fantastic method of transportation. Here cycles are modernised equipped with gears and lights. Here even those who did not like to use cycle in India, are using cycles on daily basis.

We can adopt this project from Israel for sustainable growth of India. It will not only save money, fuel and reduce pollution, but also be beneficial for people’s health.

In the last few years, cycling has become increasingly popular not only as a form of transport in the city,  but for sports and leisure. There is even a remarkable rental system for bicycles, Tel-o-Fun, which enables people to rent bicycles at any time at hundreds of rental stations around city.

Here I have mentioned a link to the website of the cycling project (Tel-0-Fun) running in Tel Aviv City, Israel along with a video showing how cycling works here.

Link-

https://www.tel-o-fun.co.il/en/

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WxKxSolDVFg&feature=youtu.be

Sanjay Shukla

Tel Aviv, Israel

Email: Sanjay.acdc268@gmail.com

Paradigm Shift in Indian Polity

 
Anna, AAP and 2014 elections have transformed the Indian polity forever. 2011 Anna Anti-Corruption Movement, 2012's overnight rise of Aam Admi party (Common Man's Party) led by Arvind Kejriwal and Modi's solo elections 2014  have triggered a paradigm shift in the Indian politics as never before.

Well-coupled with social media, the rise of Anna Hazare, Aam Admi Party and Modi led Bharatiya Janata Party in past 4 years have threaten deeply all the erstwhile oligarchs of Indian politics.  Specifically, revolutionary rise of these two parties in 2013 and 2014 polarized the Indian politics drastically.

                                                           © elections.in

Such was the effect that some the political dynasties like Congress, SP, BSP, JDU, LJP were shaken out completely from waves of these parties, while CPI, CPM, were rooted out from their very roots in 2014 elections. Other regional parties also faced set back in different regional.

Amalgam of all these factors aired a new kind of political environment in India as never before. Almost all the political parties have appeared directly or indirectly as opposition to ruling party, in the vengeance of defeat.

Anyhow, this has given rise to profoundly strong but fragmented opposition against on party.

However, it cannot be ruled out that each and every political party have had their vote banks whether it is on sectarian or caste based. And almost all the political parties no matter national or regional Sectarianism and Casteism as their trump card for election. If Congress, CPI, CPM lured Muslim voted then, SP, BSP, JDU and LJP had casteism bank policy. But collectively all these parties have been pro-Muslim voters since their inception. 

On the other hand, BJP which has an image of Hindu nationalist cannot even won support of Hindu voters in India, due to its radical approach in previous elections.

However, a lot of research and wiring have been done on what I mentioned above. What naïve that I noticed in recent years is that, after being feared to protect their existence, all of these parties discovered another new and trivial kind of politics.

Political debates are necessary for sustaining the democratic values, but in such a trivial way was never a feature of Indian polity. 

The situation have become so worse, that even a single move of ruling party (BJP) or PM make their ears erect to exploit  it for political gains.

And amidst the war of rat and cats media plays a role of broker grabbing whatever both sides thrown on their mouth.  Moreover, advent of social media has given another tool for such political blame game.

As a common man, I am not taking side of any political party, but it is extensively true that such cheap political have never been part of India.

Common man is somewhat getting frustrated from such cheap polity of such intellectuals who are elected to shape their fate. These parties are creating communal hatred among people, which lives happily with each other.

These politicians must first consider themselves as Indian no matter what religion and beliefs they share, and stop dividing the people of India.  First British divided us on the basis on religion, cast and north and south and ruled and now these politicians have inherited those traits.

No country has copyright of any religion and their followers.  Not Saudi Arabia has copyright of Islam, India have Hinduism and Israel has Jews. All is first – 'Humanity'.

Like Diwali, Jews Celebrate 'Hanukkah'

                     "Hanukkah is Jewish Festival of Lights, as Diwali for Indians" 

Lighting up houses with bright candles, chanting songs of victory and peace, distributing sweets and gifts and wishing each other well-being and prosperity, this is how Hannukah is celebrated, also known as the Festival of Lights. Surprisingly, this festival significantly resembles the iconic Hindu Diwali.

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Candles and Diyas symbolic of Festival of Light | © abhinabahtt and chosenpeople.com

Diwali Festival

Diwali is another festival of lights observed for five days in India by Hindus. There are many similarities between the two. The Jewish festival of lights, Hanukkah, is celebrated for eight consecutive nights sometime between late November and late December – determined by the Hebrew calendar – in Israel and by Jewish people all over the world. Hanukkah could be called the ‘Jewish Diwali,’ celebrated to commemorate the victory of good over evil since ancient times.

Diwali Celebration | © Pradip Mahato/Flickr

In India, the festival of lights, Diwali, usually falls in October and November – determined by the Hindu calendar – and is celebrated by the lighting of Diyas(lamps/candles) in and around the house and windows, wearing new clothes, preparing special dishes and sweets, opening festive crackers, and giving or receiving surprise gifts from relatives and friends.

In the same way, Hanukkah is celebrated with lightning of candles on the menorah(a candelabrum with nine branches) followed by the chanting of songs and the distribution of presents.

Hanukkah Lights | © Djampa/Wiki Commons 

Both festivals owe ancient importance, in their respective religion, to instances of war and victory, of good over evil. As per Hindu mythology, Diwali is celebrated in the name of Lord Rama (Hindu God) of Ayodhya, after his victory over the evil Ravana, when the people of Ayodhya lit lamps to celebrate his return and illuminated the whole city.

Diwali is observed for five days substituted by other small festivals including Dhanteras, Chhoti Diwali (Small Diwali), Diwali, Gowardhan Pooja and Bhai Duj.

Hannukah Traditions

The story of Hannukah is the remembrance of the Jewish victory of over the Syrian-Greek Army and reclaiming of the Jewish Holy Temple in Jerusalem over 2,100 years ago. You can visit the sites from the story still today.

Hanukkah Celebration © Rebecca Israel/WikiCommons

The story is that the army struck the Holy Temple in Jerusalem, leaving them with only enough oil to light one day, but that it stayed lit for eight consecutive days and nights, once they had won the war. This is why the Jewish people light the menorah using a single candle (the shamash), and commemorate Hanukkah to the mark the miracle that the oil lasted, by lighting candles from right to left each day from one to eight. They also eat deep-fried traditional dishes to symbolize this.

Diwali and Hanukkah, celebrated throughout the world, are the reflection of victory of light over darkness, knowledge over ignorance, good over evil, and hope over despair.

‘Country of Conflicts’

      24 hours, 365 days, struggle continues between life and death, for the existence, bombs and rockets are every second on the target, here the difference of life and death is merely 15 seconds, they have to escape, and they have to be alive so that they can save their Country. Here the 15 seconds stands for siren warning against air attacks alerting people to hide under bunkers to save their lives.

Every day, there is a new fight for their survival, the word like war, terror, bomb, rocket and missile has now been inherited in the soul of citizens.It’s the story of the Country, which has been in conflicts since its inception in 15^th May 1948, which has been fighting for its very existence on Map, where war in is the nerves of its citizens, The State of ‘Israel’- The land of Three Faiths-The Bone of Contention.

In last 70 years the Jewish country has been in direct fight with all its Arab neighbors, who consider Israel as their motherland.

In Israel the young generation prior becoming engineer, doctor, scientist, think of Nation, think of Army the foremost to all. Youths, Students, regardless of their gender and status, go to School and College or Work, only after ensuring safeguard of their nation. What will be use of Education when there will be no Nation to live, this what they have in their souls.

Army is their religion, Army is their culture, and Army is their deed. This is the country where from Prime Minister to Peasant, Richest to Poorest, Laborer to Leader and Capitalist to Communist, everyone is first supposed to serve Nation.

Israel has different connotation of terrorism and its supporters, and has very strong urge to save its citizens.

Israeli cities appears much more like cantonments where each and every corner is captivated with bomb proof bunkers whether it is home, office, ground, university, market, shopping mall, to save precious lives of its citizens, as no one knows when a rockets is going to destroy Jerusalem or Tel Aviv. Palestine and Gaza is round the clock preparing to launch missiles, rocket here.

The State of Israel, on June 5, 1967, was going to be disappeared from Earth, after being invaded by Egypt, Syria and Jordan armies via three sides. It was the situation of Do or Die for Israel who did not leave any stone unturned for the sake of their land, losing more than 1 percent of its citizens in famous Six-day War.

It must be charisma that Israeli Air Force got lead against trio-army, defeating and scooting them from their own land with Israel capturing Gaza Strip, West Bank and Sinai Peninsula up to Suez Canal in Egypt, more than three times of its size.

It is certainly a matter of amaze that how Israelis are accustomed to such kind of life.

Even after being in fight with neighboring countries from 70 years, spending a big chunk of GDP for continuous renovation of military, how it stood up as most advanced country, certainly tells its story of struggle. The Tel Aviv city is among the most modern, beautiful, smart and safe cities in the world. 

As I Landed on The Land of Three Religions

                                       

                                            Always presumed as a Country of war, conflicts, relentlessly engaged in cross-border territorial disputes with neighbouring countries and fighting against terrorism since its Inception.

Talking to anybody in Indian about going to Israel, evidently, gives them goose bumps as they always heard the name of Israel with the frightning words like Violence, Terror, along with the unstable middle eastern countries like Syria, Palestine Iraq, Iran, etc. Israel has a reputation and image of very unstable and war-torn country among Indians and nobody ever wants to come. 

But, however, as soon as landed at the Ben Gurion Airport in Tel Aviv, Israel, I made myself prepared for any untoward and embarrassing situation regarding immigration, security checks and other VISA related issues, which is what I have heard from friends before who came here earlier. Nonetheless, I got my immigration slip from immigration counter without any effort, questions and security checking to my surprise.

I exchanged 100 USD for 350 Israeli Shekels (Israeli Currency) at exchange centre and came outside of Airport to get a train to Tel Aviv University; unfortunately it was the day of Shabbat the weekly festival of Jewish people, starting from every Friday afternoon to till Saturday evening. During this period all the bus, trains, shops and other public places remain almost closed in whole Country. Thus I had to take a taxi for University for which I was charged 175 Shekels, while via train it would have been only 20 shekels. (1 Shekel = Rs 16.90 Approx).

Although, I was in grate amaze and surprise with a phobia and fear of being a new in Country, where everything seems to be strange from People and Language to Food and Culture, made me think how would I am going to live here for one year. 

However, in due course of time, I got a bit of familiar with the city Tel Aviv, the people, culture, language and way of living. The people, who have been fighting to save their existence from last seven decades, would be such warm, easygoing and helpful especially to the Indian people, I didn’t ever expect.

And, of course, obviously, I want to convey to the Indians and people of other nationalities too, who may be aspiring to come to Israel and have scary image of Israel, that I didn’t feel here any difference from any Indian or European Cities in terms of safety and security. Moreover, all the cities in Israel are no less smart than any European and American cities.

Although, I never planned and thought of coming to the country of conflicts, but after coming here I didn’t feel like being over-questioned, over-checked, treated like suspects by security personnel because of different nationally, however, Israel is much vigilant for its security as compare to other European countries; of course they have to be due to prolonged experiences of terrorist activities.

And undoubtedly Tel Aviv city is the most advance and High-tech city in the Middle East, with amazing beaches, beautifully crafted landscapes, roads with free Wi-Fi in whole city and exciting night life. 

Indo-Israel Relations

                                                The Undercover Story

                                      

India and Israel relations have been kept secret since before its officials beginning in order to balance the international relations of both countries with appropriate politics and diplomacy. Even before the fall of Soviet Union it has been very good friend of India in all terms, but however, after USSR's collapsed both countries felt to extend officials hand of relationship in 1992, for their vested interest.

In 1971 and 1999 Indo-Pak war, Israel provided secret intelligence information to Indian forces, proved to be best friend when India needed it most.  Unfortunately both the countries have been prey of border disputes and terrorist backed by neighbouring countries since independence for many decades. Israel has emerged stronger per se learning from its past bitter experiences while India, even being such a big country, always failed to curb external violence.

Coming back on the point, however, even after fall of USSR, in order to maintain good relations with Russia, India has not stopped purchasing weapons from Russia, but had to opt to other sources also except USA as it would have proved to be bitter for India-Russia relations. Thus the option was obviously Israel. 

And now Israel is the second largest military partner of India after Russia. 

In 2003, for the first time Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon visited India to extend the bilateral ties even further of weapons. However, although India maintained good relation with Israel but did not attempt to publicize it, due to Indian relations with Arab World and of course to allure the 15 percent of Muslim populations of the Country.

On one hand, Indian National Congress (INC), which ruled India for more than 60 years since independence have a secular image in country in order to protect Muslim Vote Bank and maintain good relations with Arab World did not try to establish relations with Israel. But it was also during their tenure that India-Israel relations started in 1992. 

However, it was originally at the time of government of  Bhartiya Janta Party (BJP) led by Atal Bihari Vajpayee that the diplomatic relations got strengthened between both countries. The BJP government is considered to be backed by Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) which is extremist Hindu nationalist group of India fighting for Hindu rights. 

Anyhow, after the return of BJP government after 10 years in 2014 the relations between countries are again seems to be strengthening.

Since RSS and BJP are the admirer of Israel and it will not be surprise if any Indian Prime Minister come to Israel for the first time in history.

Recently, Indian president Pranab Mukherjee visited Israel in October 2015 ( first by any Indian President) actually in order to pave the way for the median visit of Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi to visit Israel with inviting Benjamin Netanyahu to India.

De facto visiting Israel may proved to be very crucial for India relations with Arab countries from where India purchase all crude oil and also millions of Indian work in these countries. But India is in itself has become big and strong country that it must not to be worried about other countries in its international diplomacy.