Lage Raho Munnabhai

Recently, I watched the movie titled "Lage Raho Munnabhai", the much awaited sequel to Munnabhai M.B.B.S. After 3 agonizing years (two after knowing that a sequel is in the anvil), this movie hit the theatres on Sep. 1st.

We were there watching the movie on first day last show. But on the first row of the theatre (anyways not my first time both in the first row or the theatre). This movie came with major hype surrounding it, due to the fact that the previous one was a classic comedy. The expectations were very high from this one. And for the first time (well my view, atleast), the second part is as good if not better than the first one. The story, screenplay and the concept of the movie is really good.

This is a story about an underworld don, Munnabhai (aka Murli Prasad Sharma, and for those who dont know Bhai is a lingo used to describe underworld dons, in hindi) and his right hand, Circuit (Sarkeshwar). The two help a builder, Lakbhir Singh in clearing houses illegally.

Our bhai is in love with a World Space Radio Jockey, Jhanvi. To impress her, he says he is actually a Professor at a college and teaches mainly about Gandhigiri (Gandhism, in hindi). So, he is invited to give a lecture at her home, which also serves as an old age home (it is called, 2nd inings home). In order to know more about Gandhi, he goes to a library and starts reading about Gandhi. He is so impressed by Gandhism that, he starts hallucinating about Gandhi. In between, the house in which Jhanvi lives is evacuated forcefully by Lakbhir Singh.

So, now our bhai, instead of using force to take back the house, he uses Gandhism (Gandhigiri). Gandhism is using peace and non-violence. Inbetween he also moonlights as a radio Jockey giving Gandhism to others and telling them how to react to situations peacefully and non-violently. And a lot of incidents takes place in between, ultimately leading to the truimph of our hero Munnabhai. The story is taught and the screenplay very well written. It catches everybody`s attention and also is appealing to a wide audience.

The one scene, which impressed me most was when Munnabhai goes to her home to give a lecture about Gandhism. A person in that place says to him that he saw a small child throwing stone at a Gandhi statue at park. He asks Munnabhai, what should be done. Then Munnabhai replies saying that take that child back to the park and demolish the Gandhi statue. And then he goes on to tell that they must demolish all the statues and destroy all Gandhi`s paintings. Everybody is stunned. But then he continues that, All of Gandhi`s paintings and his ideals should be stored in their heart, not put out in the open.

And, finally I shall conclude the blog by saying that
"Gandhism is still valued today. Anything can be achieved by peaceful and non-violent means. The goal is reached ultimately."

Pearl Valley-Biking experience

Last sunday (3rd of september), me and a couple of my friends had gone on a biking trip to a place called Pearl Valley. Its situated at about 40 kms from bangalore on the bannerghatta road. A beautiful falls is located at this place. Me in my bike (Yamaha RX 135) and another friend of mine in Kawasaki (Wind 125). Both of us took off at around 2.00 in the afternoon. Well we had to contend with another important event which was happening in bangalore, the visit of Smt. Sonia Gandhi. The roads were blocked and the traffic, I have never witnessed such a huge traffic jam. The roads were blocked for about 3 kms from the place where the event was supposed to be held. So we, had to take a detour through the city. This cost us about 1 hr, as we had to navigate inside the city and then reach the highway.

The route which we took is through Dairy circle to IIM-Bangalore. After which you reach Bannerghatta National Park. About 25 km from there is a place called Anekal. On continuing our journey though to Anekal, we enquired about the place called Pearl Valley (Muthulaya Madu, in Kannada). This place was another 2 km from anekal. On the highway, you take a right to reach the place (Pearl Valley). The roads were very good most of the journey. But at some places there was just gravel with no topping of tar. So, we had to slow down after every 10 mts of fast riding.

We had to take a right from the main highway to reach our destination. The road was aweful, with no pukka road, just gravel trap. We had to pay entry fees for this place too. Its anybody`s guess what is done with this entry fee. From this check post it was about 2-3 kms to the actual falls. Now, in between we encountered a group of people. They were collecting money (donation) for Ganesha Chathurthi (which incidentally was over a week back). They were actually blocking the road and forcefully asking everybody for money. We had to give them some money as donation. After which we reached this place. It took us about 2 hrs of total drive. We reached around 4.30 p.m.

The place was a beautiful, with lots of greenery around. There were a lot of small hills around. The main waterfall is located inbetween hills. To go to the main one, you have to do trek for about half a kilometre down. Here either you can walk along the waterflow for a long distance (basically trek around the waterfall) or have a dip in the fall. The water flows from about 90 mts high. So you have to be very careful while taking a dip. Its a very scenic place and you can enjoy out there very much. Also there are treking routes (routes made by just walking) so you can go around that place.

After about 2 hrs in that place, around 6.30 pm we decided to return back as it had become dark. The trip back was uneventful and we stopped by to have dinner during the journey. On the whole it was a fun trip and a good excercise for both me and my bike.

Lastly I would like to complete the blog by saying
" Well right now the waterfall there is totally dry, as there has been no rains in that region."