World can be made better and stronger through dissent.

Voice of dissent, rebellious spirit have never been more impotant than in this decade. In this decade contries have usurped the land of neighbouring countries through violence, countries have invaded other countries violating all the international laws. Countries have continued their forceful occupation of another country without popular mandate. Countries have imposed inhuman blockades and embargos literally straving the people to death. Countries continue to maintain prisons and detain people without even giving them an oppurtunity to appeal. In this age of chaos, protests,voices of dissent, oppositions and rebellions have kept the world afloat.

Rebellions or popular uprising have played a very significant role althrough the world history. It has resulted in shaping a better and stronger world. The rebellion of Fidel Castro against the American puppet Batista govt lead to a formation of Republic of Cuba which has been a role model of internationalism since 1960s. Mangal Pandey's voice of dissent, his refusal to take up arms smeared with pig fat resulted in the 1857 first war of independence which inturn provided the necessary impetus for a largerIndian freedom struggle, Ayatollah Khomeini's 1979's revolution in Iran was a result of his rebellion against American friendly Shah regime. In recent times the value of rebllion was very well demonstrated in Pakistan. President Zardari came to power after deposing dictator Mushraff. Zardari embarked on a journey to become an autocrat himself. He refused to reinstate Justice Chaudhary as Chief Justice of Pakistan. He probhibited his rival sharif brothers from contesting polls. Governor's rule was imposed in PML(N) led Punjab province. People protested against these verdicts, civil servents resigned from their jobs refusing to arrest protestors. Pakistan virtually came to a standstill. Zardari had to relent. May be in future the solution for Middle East problem also lies in a unified rebellion of all Arab states against unjust coalition of America and Israel. This is the massive power of voicing our dissent, opposition to unjust powers.

Now the question arises whom should we rebel against? according to Noam Chomsky one of the greatest intellectuals of our time, rebellion should be against unjust powers. To quote him "no power is acceptable until it is justified." Rebellions should be always based on rational investigation and moral judgement. He declares that "there is nothing nobler to do than to resist authority."

But as soon as the there is a process of judgement we are entering murky waters. In this age, ability to investigate rationally and to judge morally have been severely blunted by propaganda missionaries especially media. Dictators and politicians have come up with new devices and means to control the general opinion and attitude thus curbing any chances of a rebellion. Chomsky calls it " Manufacturing Consent." Engineering of consent has become the very essence of political process. The entire population has been turned into mindless masses. Politicians have began playing community, class, religion, caste cards thus bluffing people. They are using the media for fabricating the truth and misrepresentation. They dont want any rebellion to happen. They dont want people to wake up and ask questions. They Want the people to conform to their views.

So the youth should equip themselves with right knowledge so as to judge correctly. They should unite to raise voice against unjust powers. Youth should elect right candiates. Youth should look into the future as visionaries of utopian world which is free from abuse and control.
To conclude - protest has to be allowed in society, as we live in a world that is constantly changing, and it is by protest that the laws are changed for the betterment of future generations. As Chomsky says "Rebellion, Being dissidents is the only way to escape from containment and to preserve ideals of justice and freedom that come easily to the lips but are harder to defend and advance." Being a rebel is the only way forward and it is the only hope.

Did "Slumdog" deserve an Oscar in the 'Best Picture' Category?

There has been so much of jubiliation surrounding Danny Boyle "Slumdog" sweeping performance at the Oscars. Accolades to Mozart of Madras A.R.Rahman, Gulzar and Resul for bringing home three Oscars. But the most importanat question to be asked is did really "Slumdog" deserve an Oscar in the category of Best Picture. Lets compare "Slumdog" with the other nominees of this years Oscar- The Reader, The Wrestler, Curious Case of Benjamin Button, Frost/Nixon and Milk.

First "The Reader" directed by Stephen Daldry of "Hours" fame is set in Post WWII Germany. The entire movie revolves around two characters namely Hanna Schmitz and Michael Berg making it much more more challenging for the director to shoot the movie. The movie forces to think about Holoucast and what happened in Aushwitz from a completely new perspective( different from Speilberg's Schindlers List.) Being forced to work as S.S. concentration camp guard Hanna is brought to trail along with five others in the postwwII Germany. Instead of expressing contempt we start liking Hanna even though she had been a part of such a inhuman regime. Michael a lawyer knows the truth but is torn between his differing views of justice. The movie is depressingly poignant. Ralph Finness and Kate Winslate put up a stunning performance.

Second, Darren Aronofsky "The Wrestler" is a simple tale of Randy "The Ram" Robinson, a 1980s-era pro wrestler. Randy tries to build a new life after he has heart attack and warned by the doctor not to enter the ring as it may prove to be fatal. He tries move in with aging stripper and reconcile, re-establish a relationship with his daughter. He fails miserably and returns to his favourite arena which has given him all he has ever wanted. Wrestling is his life. Micky Rourke's performance is absolutely mind blowing and the movie depressingly realistic.

Third David Fincher's The Curious Case Benjamin Button is an adaptation of Scot Fitzgeralds short story. It is about a man who is born in his eighties and ages backwards: a man, like any of us, who is unable to stop time. Ultimately it ends up with the truth that "life is best cherished backwards and best lived forwards." Brad pitt and Kate Blanchet do justice to their roles. The movie stands out for its stunning visual effects by the team of Eric Barba, Craig Barron, Steve Preeg, Burt C. Dalton.

Fourth Ron Howard's ( The Beautiful Mind's fame) "Frost/Nixon" is a historical drama film based upon the play of the same name by Peter Morgan, writer of The Queen, which dramatises the 1977 televised Frost/Nixon interviews. It falls into the reign of Movie like Robert Redford and Dustin Hoffman's "All Presidents Men." It is extremely difficult movie to because of its plot.

Lastly Gus Van Sant's "Milk" is as superb as his masterpiece "Good Will Hunting". It narrates the story of California's first openly gay elected official, Harvey Milk, a San Francisco supervisor who was assassinated along with Mayor George Moscone by San Francisco Supervisor Dan White. His constant struggle against national anti-gay Save the Children crusade, led and fronted by singer Anita Bryant and similar political battles constitutes the movie. Sean Penn is absolutely superb as he was in Clint Easthood's "Mystic River".

When we compare "Slumdog" with the above it becomes very evident that these movies were thematically superior, bold and revolutionary. Then how did "Slumdog" pick up an Oscar for Best Picture? These might be few of the reasons

To begin with, Slumdog is the only film which ends with a optimistic note. It is a movie about hope. Hope is something which the Americans are holding on to in this period of "Economic Depression." So "Slumdog" augurs well with Americans.

Secondly The Oscar jury have a strange reputation of choosing a least deserving movie from the nominee lot for the Best Picture category. Even Orson Wells "Citizen Kane" which has been voted by critics as the best movie ever made was not selected as Best picture. Same thing happened to movies like Forgo, Apocalypse Now, Chinatown, Saving Private Ryan, Philidelphia, Extra Terrastrial, Munich etc. Can you imagine Shakespeare in Love got the best picture award ahead of Saving Private Ryan! Gaints like Stanley Kubrick, Alfred Hitchcock didnt win the oscars at all. So jury's selection defies logic.
Thirdly i feel that Slumdog was extremely well marketed at the Oscars than any other nominated movies.

Afterall these one shouldnt dismiss "Slumdog". It is a extremely well made movie with stunning camera work and cinematography. we Indians are extremely proud of Rahman winning the Oscars ( everyone will agree that Ji ho! and O Saaya! were no where near his best compositions) Gulzar and Resul for sound mixing. But my conscience hesitates to accept "Slumdog" as the Best Picture.