Truth is stranger than fiction

-By Swetha Amit http://content.msn.co.in/MSNContribute/Story.aspx?PageID=4749ee16-aed1-4a3d-86f8-d1cf527234a6 Grandparents love marks its specialty by being bountiful. It can indeed make one resort to reminiscence and evoke them to stroll down the memory lane with feelings of nostalgia. I am no exception. Those glorious days with granddad were certainly unforgettable. The wonderful memories of spending my childhood with him make my eyes moist as I think of my late grandfather even today. A quick flashback brings forth the memorable instances which clearly play right in front of eyes now. Being an early riser, his regular morning walks would be accompanied by me holding his hand delicately. Trotting by his side, my little voice would indulge in non stop chatter. The red hibiscus flower would greet us everyday allowing itself to be held in my tiny hands. He used to take me to see the cows being milked each morning. My grandfather who was known for his impatience surprisingly chose to mak...

-By Swetha Amit http://content.msn.co.in/MSNContribute/Story.aspx?PageID=4302f356-dabd-4a2a-9183-c98f0e121f81 It’s no mystery of April 20th being a 'special' day for more than one reason. The junior B has managed to win a million hearts and have the world bow before his feet (on a literal basis). After much speculation, the D day for Ash to be accepted as the Bachchan Bahu was decided upon. The media seemed to go crazy hanging around ‘Jalsa’ and Prateeksha’, eager to get a glimpse of the most happening news. The wedding happened to cover the main page of most leading newspapers and marriage between two celebrities seemed the only news that reporters were running after. It appeared that all other crucial happenings were eclipsed behind this ‘drama’ and resulted in taking a back seat. Perhaps to view this entire celebration? Wasn’t that going overboard? This was especially, when they were kept deliberately out of the so called "private "ceremony. It was portrayed to be ...

-By Swetha Amit http://content.msn.co.in/MSNContribute/Story.aspx?PageID=8b3d84a1-57d7-4dfb-bf04-1c5be3f607d0 The shootout at Virginia has caused a commotion in the minds of millions. Many are perplexed and baffled at the acts of terror occurring in a supposedly secure educational setting. Students especially are shaken by this entire episode. Colleges/schools which are considered as a ‘safe’ zone are now viewed as a threatening belt. The grave act of the 23 year old South Korean campus resident has caused several to tremble with fear. The merciless firing of bullets has resulted in many casualties and injuries to innocent individuals. One of the deceased victims was Professor Loganathan of Indian origin, who was a campus resident. His unexpected death has left behind a helpless family, mourning over the loss of their pillar of support. His aged mother is unable to gain clarity in understanding as to why her son was a target of such terror. The culprit was reported to have apparently b...

-By Swetha Amit http://content.msn.co.in/MSNContribute/Story.aspx?PageID=bc0b6cd6-5e6d-463b-ae94-469dde19512f It appears that the ‘bachelors’ club is losing the eligibility criteria. Yes, this is in relation to the shunning of these single Martians by housing societies in Mumbai. Apparently residential buildings seem to oppose the inhabitance of single men in their buildings considering it as a disturbance with late parties and being 'unsafe’ for the women. Mumbai is a city of maximum prospects and opportunities for single career oriented men. In addition to which accommodation tends to pose a problem. Ambitious men who dream big come to the island city like charged bulls to make it big before settling down. Not surprising, as the contemporary situation demands the man to earn in 5 figures, to fall into the ‘prospective groom’ category as per the matrimonial columns. In such a scenario, concentration on career becomes top priority, followed by bagging an apartment in a convenient l...

-By Swetha Amit http://content.msn.co.in/MSNContribute/Story.aspx?PageID=bc0b6cd6-5e6d-463b-ae94-469dde19512f In prison she found freedom. An ironical statement which is bound to make several faces portray mystified expressions along with a lingering question in their minds-Freedom from what? ‘Circle of light’ is one such autobiography by Rahila Gupta and Kiranjit Ahluwalia , bringing to light the dark side of a marriage. Adapted from the book about an ugly issue of domestic abuse depicts the true story of Kiranjit Ahluwalia that inspires the making of this film. Provoked that takes you through the unbelievable events which provides an explanation to the rather queer statement. The film starts with a strange figure holding a candle and setting fire to a man who goes up in flames. The identity is then revealed to be that of a quivering Kiranjit (Aishwarya Rai) trying to kill her husband Deepak (Naveen Andrews).An allegation by Deepak and further investigation by the law discloses the at...

Received this via email. This one is quite interesting and really gives us an insight into DECISION MAKING. A group of children were playing near two railway tracks, one still in use while the other disused. Only one child played on the disused track, the rest on the operational track. The train came, and you were just beside the track interchange. You could make the train change its course to the disused track and saved most of the kids. However, that would also mean the lone child playing by the disused track would be sacrificed. Or would you rather let the train go its way? Let's take a pause to think what kind of decision we could make................ Most people might choose to divert the course of the train, and sacrifice only one child. You might think the same way, I guess. Exactly, I thought the same way initially because to save most of the children at the expense of only one child was rational decision most people would make, morally and emotionally. But, have you ever t...

-By Swetha Amit http://content.msn.co.in/MSNContribute/Story.aspx?PageID=19607b13-55d7-494e-8a58-e4ac0f5fe55d ”Expectations reduce joy” is one of the famous pillars of the art of living. A simple quote and yet, a most challenging principle to follow in life. Akshay and Rakesh were best friends from childhood. What one did, the other was always aware of. Their friendship was one that would cause envy to many others in their lives. Both matured into young handsome adults and as fate always predicts, their paths took two different directions into the further journey of life’s expeditions. Solemn promises were made not to let such opposite routes come in the way of their friendship, thereby assuring one another of the going-on in each others lives. Akshay joined Hotel management while Rakesh went on to climb the corporate ladder of a multinational firm. Their professional lives took a toll that promises once made had to be forgotten as the demands made on each of them stifled them of their...