QUICK UPDATE

I finally shot 'Youth Unplugged' at PSBB in Nungambakkam and the kids there were a riot of energy. Towards the end it descended into a shouting match, and, I was forced to grab the microphones out of their hands. But all in all, a high-energy affair full of passion.

Anyway, just wanted to tell all the anonymous nobodys out there that you can't comment on my space anymore. Reveal thyself and you can pass.

YOUTH UNPLUGGED

'Youth Unplugged' is a show where school students debate issues that concern them, or atleast, should concern them. Im planning to do one on 'censorship' and 'ethical spending'. Do mail me if you'd like to participate or know someone who does. Remember, this is for school students only. I'll be shooting on Tuesday, 25th July.

CURTAINS UP ON THE CODE

The Madras High Court has allowed the screening of The Da Vinci Code, calling its suspension, a violation of freedom of speech. A heartening judgment indeed. More importantly, Justice Prabha Sridevan observed, ‘It would be dangerous to suspend the screening of the film, if petulant groups of self-appointed persons demanded so even after it had the approval of the Censor Board of Film Certification.’ You can read the operative portion here.

TAMING THE BULL

I was not well enough to work but neither was I ill enough to stay in bed. In such a sorry physical state, I went over to meet Amrutha Radhakrishnan, at her home in Tambaram on a damp, rainy day in Chennai. But the preoccupation of sickness lifted rapidly as she started narrating her story to me. It was shocking and moving. She said, “At the beginning of this year my cup of joy was overflowing… today its empty. We might be out on the streets soon.” Over the next two hours, she narrated the financial tragedy of how she, her husband and two little children were cheated out of nearly one crore rupees by the stock trading firm, Indiabulls Securities.

The story of her battle to get her money back is convoluted and difficult to narrate. (You can read about it here.)

But the reason I’m writing about this is because Amrutha’s story is remarkable. She has been fighting a long, arduous battle against this corporate giant and she has finally won. But the fight has been exhausting, frustrating and heart-breaking. She went to everyone for help – police, lawyers, media, NSE, SEBI and of course Indiabulls. Some helped, some promised to help, some were indifferent and Indiabulls tried to shut her up.

But she didn’t keep quiet. In fact, she lent her voice to other ordinary investors like her. Today more than 50 of them have managed to get back their money because she fought so hard for them and she herself is finally smiling all the way to the bank again.

However, it has all happed because, through this extremely difficult time, with two young children and a looming financial crisis, Amrutha never gave up. It was not an option. She has been resourceful, energetic, dignified and gracious. She thought of me when she got her money back and I was delighted. I salute her spirit.