Sabriwithrealitycheck

  Mira Nair’s address at the #RamaMehtaMemorialLecture in Udaipur, which I had the opportunity to attend via Zoom, was a masterclass in both intellectual depth and creative vision. Throughout her lecture, Nair offered a detailed exploration of her film making philosophy, illustrating the careful and thoughtful process behind her selection of subjects for her films. She emphasized that storytelling, whether through cinema or literature, is not merely about narrating events but about deeply understanding and engaging with the complexities of the human experience, culture, and context. Nair argued that without this profound understanding, the authenticity of a narrative is compromised. She underscored the agency of individuals in crafting their own narratives, stressing the necessity of authorship over one's personal or creative story. According to her, allowing others to shape or write one’s story poses the risk of misrepresentation, distortion, or erasure of crucial nuances tha...

  The International Day of Peace, also known as World Peace Day, is observed annually on September 21 as a day devoted to fostering global peace and reducing violence and conflict. Established by the United Nations in 1981, the day was initially intended to coincide with the opening session of the UN General Assembly. The first official celebration took place on September 21, 1982. World Peace Day is marked by calls for a cessation of hostilities, particularly through ceasefires in conflict zones, providing opportunities for humanitarian organizations to deliver aid in areas of need. The day encourages individuals, communities, and nations to engage in actions that promote peace, reconciliation, and non-violence. Over time, the observance has evolved to include broader themes beyond the cessation of warfare, focusing on the promotion of sustainable development, climate action, human rights, and social justice, all of which are considered essential to achieving lasting peace...

  On September 19, Nepal commemorates Constitution Day with various programs held domestically and internationally. This day sees active participation from federal, provincial, and local governments, political parties and civil society. These diverse groups come together to celebrate and reflect on the significance of the Constitution, which was officially promulgated on September 20, 2015. Nepal's constitution was the culmination of over seven decades of political struggle, which included a ten-year People's War and widespread civil mobilization. The document, consisting of 35 parts, 308 articles, and 9 schedules, is a milestone in the nation's political evolution. It enshrines key principles such as federalism, inclusive democracy, proportional representation, and secularism, aiming to establish a prosperous nation founded on democratic values and socialism. Constitution Day is celebrated annually as both Constitution Day and National Day, reaffirming Nepal's co...

  I was in my native village in East Champaran, near the Indo-Nepal border. One day, I travelled to Bettiah and Bagaha to learn about a social venture initiated by our friend. I will write more about that mission later, but for now, I want to share something else. My friend sent a car for me to reach his place; this journey took over two hours. During the trip, I asked the driver his name. He politely shared his name (Mohan) & proudly mentioned his caste identity, Bania.   This led to an endless conversation about caste, party politics and social justice in everyday life while our wheels were moving towards the destination.  When I proposed the subject of caste with him to share his thoughts, he keenly stated, "Sir, before Lalu Yadav's government in Bihar, our caste faced enormous challenges as a lower caste." He went on without stopping, and I was extremely fascinated by his perspective and understanding of the social justice efforts undertaken by Lalu Prasad Yad...