Old proverb ..new versions 

There is a famous proverb which goes thus :” People who live in glass houses shouldn’t throw stones.” 

What is the literal meaning of this proverb ? This is actually a warning against hypocrisy. Before you go accusing someone of some wrong doing, make sure that you are not guilty as well because your accusation could come back and get you. 

Now you will wonder why this question today ? Well yesterday I saw the old movie “Waqt” (1965) The famous actor Raj Kumar had a lovely role in it.The senior readers like me, must be aware that  Raj Kumar had a unique style of dialogue delivery; very stylish in his own way and unmatchable which went on to become his trademark. Apart from his unique style of dialogue delivery, he was known for his show or scene stealing abilities. He has delivered some of very few memorable and famous dialogues in Bollywood. He is no more with us but will always be remembered for his roles and his deep voice.

Now, if you recall, one of Raj Kumar’s famous dialogue from the movie was :” Chinoy Seth..Jinke apne ghar sheeshe ke hon woh doosron par paththar nahi phenka karte..” 

I tried to put the above dialogue in a proper form :“Chinoy Seth,sheeshey key gharon mein rehne waaley doosron par paththar nahin fenka kartey…” 

This set me thinking as to whether our perceptions change over a period of time.(It is now 45 years since that “Waqt” dialogue first became a rage)    

I asked some of my friends to come out with better and funnier versions. Here are some of their responses : 

1. People who live in glass houses should not throw parties !

2. People who live in glass houses must dress in the basement !

3. Glass breaks very easily. So they should make houses from plexiglass. People who live in plexi glass houses, will probably get away with throwing stones to their heart’s content.

4. A glass house may be beautiful to live in, but there are other transparent   materials that are stronger than glass.

5. A song from a Hindi movie goes thus :

    “Sheesha ho ya dil ho, Aakhir toot jaata hai !

     Lab tak aate aate haathon sey sagar chchoot jaata hai !

     Sheesha ho ya dil ho, Aakhir toot jaata hai ! “

     So it is clear that people should not live in glass houses.

6. The way it was explained to me by my late father, this means, don’t go  throwing stones at other people’s houses ,because if they retaliate in  kind, your house will be very easily destroyed too. The non-literal meaning, is that whatever you use against other people can easily be used against you, so be careful how you treat others in order to avoid  consequences.

Dear readers, I would love to have your take on this proverb-and the funnier, the better ! 

By the way, Raj Kumar’s other famous dialogue from “Waqt” was :”Yeh bachchon ke khelney kee cheez nahin,haath katt jaayey tau khoon bhi nikal aata hai.”  

I hope you remember what he was referring to when he said :”Yeh” ? A knife. But more of that- later!

E..n..j..o..y… 

It’s a matter of time…. 

I was discussing the concept of time management with some of the MBA students in one of my classes recently.Time is money.Time and tide waits for no man etc. We also discussed how technology changes with time and how things change with time too.In a lighter vein, I narrated the following three humorous situations: 

Waqt waqt ki baat….. 

1. Kavi ka waqt… 

Ek kavi shaadi key baad biwi sey bola :

“Aaj sey tum hee meri kavita* ho,kalpna* ho, bhavna* ho..”

Patni bolee :” Merey liyey bhi aaj sey aap hee merey

Dinesh ho,Rohit ho,Raakesh ho..”!! 

(* in Hindi, these are popular names of girls too ) 

Translation : 

A Poet’s time…. 

A poet , just after his marriage, said to his wife :

“From today,you alone are my poetry,my imagination,my feelings …”

Replied the wife :”For me too,from today,you are

My Dinesh, my Rohit, my Raakesh …” !!  

2.Hanumaan ji ka waqt…  

“Bhagwaan,abb main dharti par nahin reh saktaa.”

“Kyoon nahin reh saktey?”

“Pehley log lait karr maathaa tektey ththey,

Firr thoda samay jaaney ke baad,

Keval jhuk karr tekney laggey

Main firr bhi kush thaa !

Lekin abb tau ghor kallyug aa gaya hai !

Aaj mandir mein ek 22 saal ki ladki aayi

Aur haath hilla karr boli–’ Hai Hanu !’ “ 

Translation : 

Lord Hanuman’s time…. 

Said Lord Hanuman to God,

“I can’t stay on this earth any more”

“Why” asked God very calmly.

“God,earlier,devotees used to prostrate

Before me and offer their respects.

A few years later, they just bowed their head

And offered their respects,

But I was still happy…

However,now, times are so bad.

You know God,what happened this morning?

A girl of 22 walked up to my idol in the temple,

Just waved her hand at me and said :

‘ Hi Hanu ‘ ”!!  

3.Bhikhaari ka waqt… 

Bhikhaari bola mujh sey,

“Saheb 10 rupaey dey do,

Mobile re-charge karr key

Girl friend ko phone karna hai.”

Main bola:”Wah,Bhikhaari

Nein bhi girl friend banai hai..”

Bhikhaari bola:”Nahin Saheb

Girl friend nein hee 

Bhikhaari banaya hai ! “ 

Translation : 

A Beggar’s Time… 

Said a beggar to me one day:

“Sir, give me ten rupees, I pray.

I have to get my mobile re-charged

And talk to my girl friend.”

Astonished,this is what, I uttered :

“A Beggar too has a girl friend these days.”

In turn,the beggar thus muttered :

“No Sir,my girl friend has

Turned me into a beggar…!” 

E..n..j…o…y…!! 

Amul has bagged this honor for second year in a row –Last year also, Amul was ranked as the number one brand in India. It is also the top dairy brand in whole of Asia-Pacific ahead of much bigger conglomerates like Kraft, Dutch Lady, Dumex, Walls, Anchor, Magnolia and Everyday. 

The rankings released by Hong Kong based “Media Magazine”, ranked Amul 73rd in Top popular 1000 brands in Asia-Pacific ahead of other Indian brands like Kingfisher (# 140), ICICI Bank (# 182), State Bank of India (#226) and Tata (# 256). Amul also managed to improve its rating by 10 points compared to last year when its ranking was 83rd. 

Its interesting to note that Amul is seen very less on tradition media outlets like Television and Newspapers. However, their hoarding Ads are a real treat to watch. They pick-up the most buzzing current topic and integrate it with their Brand Amul and come out with some really funny and catchy hoardings. Some of them are real classics ! 

Here is a look at some of their recent Hoarding Ads:

Wedding of the Indian cricket captain – July’10

Current turmoil in Kashmir – July’10

Argentina coach Maradona motivates Messi and team to perform well – June’10

Oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico- June’10

Goalkeeping howler in the present World Cup- June’10

Imagine that AMUL has kept the traditions of this hoardings for past 35 years !  

I think they have been registered in GUINESS BOOK OF WORLD RECORDS for longest running ad campaign as well ! 

They are a real treat to watch, ain’t they ?