Atul Manchanda's Weblog

The cutest video

Atul Manchanda — Fri, 15 Jan 2010 15:21:54 +0000

Here is the cutest video I have ever captured. Starring: Aarav Anand(my nephew). He is almost 2 years old and the naughtiest child in my family. Here is the video where he is answering few of my sister’s questions in the cutest manner.

My IPL season 1 album

Atul Manchanda — Thu, 03 Dec 2009 07:42:10 +0000

The real “Sach ka Saamna”

Atul Manchanda — Fri, 04 Sep 2009 03:37:06 +0000

Moment of truth

Rahul’s Dad brought home a robot one day.

The robot had the ability to detect lies and would slap the person who lied.

Rahul returned late from school.

Dad asked, “Son why are you late from school?”

“Dad, we had extra classes today”.

Robot slapped Rahul on his face.

Dad shouted, “Come on tell me the truth, why are you late?”

“Dad, I went to see the movie Ten Commandments.”

Robot slapped Rahul on his face.

Sorry dad, I went to see the movie “Chameli Ki Jawaani”.

“Shame on you son, when I was your age, I never watched obscene movies or misbehaved.”

Immediately, Dad gets a slap on the face from the robot.
Rahul’s mom comes walking out of the kitchen and says to her husband, “After all, he’s your son!”

The robot slaps the mom.

Letter to Sita!!

Atul Manchanda — Thu, 27 Aug 2009 10:31:52 +0000

My trip- The heaven of Amritsar

Atul Manchanda — Fri, 22 May 2009 05:13:25 +0000

About 3 months ago, on my vacation to Delhi, I finally decided to go with the plan of visiting Amritsar, Punjab. I somehow managed to convince my cousins along with my aunt and here I was all set for a 2 day trip to one of the most sacred place on earth, the home of Golden Temple. A city with a history, vibrant culture, India-Pakistan Border and of course awesome food.
The trip started with the plan of visiting the very famous India Pakistan ‘Wagah Border’, where every day between 4 to 6 pm soldiers of both countries parade and display their passion towards their nation through a flag raising ceremony on their sides simultaneously. Wagah Border is about 30 kms from main Amritsar city. The most amazing thing about being at such a place is watching people from the neighbor country just few meters away. There were cheer leaders at both sides of the gate making the huge crowd scream their country’s name loud. At the border post, both nations have built large grandstands capable of seating the thousands of “fans” who come out to witness the boot stomping, barking of orders, goose stepping, lowering of the national flags, and slamming the gates shut. At precisely 5pm, Border Guards in fancy uniforms, marched out and up to the border gate, and the crowd when wild cheering and hooting. Similarly outfitted Pakistani Border Guards were doing the mirror image on the other side to a cheering crowd. Despite the fact that India and Pakistan share a border of close to 1000 miles in length, Wagah is the only place where you can cross by foot between the two nations.
The next destination was of course ‘Golden Temple’, the place which I have always dreamt of visiting. The place is surrounded with huge road side markets and dhabas. A bargain friendly environment is much to the delight of tourists. I wish I can explain the delightful experience, when I got the first view of golden temple. It is one spectacular, majestic, sacred and awe inspiring place, you will actually feel you are being welcomed by someone. The temple is surrounded by ‘Sarovar’(Lake) where devotees don’t mind taking a bath even in chilly conditions of 4 degree C, this is something I could never prepare myself to try out. A walk around the temple on the cold marble floor, with flood lights from all 4 sides makes it look stunning, a treat to eyes, a moment to cherish for lifetime. I almost always had a smile on my face, feeling every moment of the soothing view right from the heart. The halo around the temple is just mystical, I could have just sat there and watched it for hours and hours. After capturing these moments in my eyes, heart and the camera, we took the path to make a circle around the temple and then enter once we have our Prasad in our hand from the Prasad stand. After entering, we also went to the top of the temple and took the magnificent view of the surroundings. The shadow view of the temple in the sarovar is worth watching. We spent around 2 hrs and left for our hotel after such a divine experience. The Harmandir Sahib is the holiest shrine in Sikhism. Previously known as the Golden Temple, it was officially renamed Harmandir Sahib in March 2005.
The 1st visit next morning was historical ‘Jaliawala bagh‘. I must say, makes you really emotional, specially after seeing the bullet marks and the well where people jumped to escape from bullets.
We visited the golden temple again, as it was just next to ‘Jaliawala bagh’. It was again an overwhelming experience seeing the sacred structure in day light.

TIGER WOODS AS A ROLE MODEL – by Aakash Arora

Atul Manchanda — Fri, 16 Jan 2009 13:48:28 +0000

Name: Eldrick “Tiger” Woods
Born: December 30, 1975, Long Beach California
Statistics: Height: 6’2′, Weight: 170 lb., Waist 28
Nickname: “Tiger” — given him by his dad, in honor of his dad’s South Vietnamese combat buddy, Nguyen Phong, who saved Tiger’s father’s life in the Vietnam War.
Home: Orlando, Florida. Tiger lives in Isleworth, a development on the west side of Orlando.
As a Role Model: Tiger thinks that being a good role model to others is even more important than his golf. He thinks his golf is just a vehicle for him to influence people. He wants to influence kids in a positive way. Tiger feels that’s what it’s all about.
Tiger and his parents put together The Tiger Woods Foundation in order to promote both golf and non-sports activities for disadvantaged children. In 1997 Tiger ran six different golf clinics for youths in Orlando, Chicago, New York, Dallas, Miami and Memphis. Tiger’s foundation isn’t just interested in helping kids with their golf. It’s to help youngsters become better people.
People say Tiger has a real presence and that his ability to help others extends beyond the U.S. He is truly a multi-racial person, not just a black athlete. People feel that he will be a big influence on people across the world – and not just in a golf sense. He can hold everything together. He is a universal child – truly multi-cultural.
Parents: Earl & Kultida Woods
Father: Earl Woods was a lieutenant colonel in the Army and a former Green Beret. He served two tours of duty in Vietnam.
Mother: Kultida (Tida) Woods. Her maiden name is Kultida Punsawad.
Parents met: in Bangkok, Thailand, and were married in 1969.
Ethnic background: African, Thai, Chinese, American Indian, and European.
Religion: Buddhism, his mother’s religion. Tiger says that his religion has given him self awareness. He says his religion has taught him that he is here to work on flaws in his personality. The two things he has worked on most has been stubbornness and impatience – he used to want things to be perfect right away. Now he understands that he has to work on things in his life and that this takes time and discipline.
Biggest Influences: Tiger’s dad, who saw him through almost every phase of his golf development. His dad used to sit by Tiger’s bed at night and give him confidence, telling him how good he was going to be at life and at golf. But his dad never pushed him. Tiger did what he did because he wanted to. The other big influence in his life was his mother. For years she used to get up early in the morning and drive him to tournament sites all around the state of California. She used to keep score and never complain about how much time it all took. He says they were both very important in the development of his golf.
Early beginnings: Tiger started swinging a sawed off golf club in his garage at 11 months.
College Education: Stanford University, Palo Alto, California where he majored in economics, and played collegiate golf.
Siblings: Tiger has 2 half brothers and 1 half sister from his father’s first marriage.
Tiger’s Caddie: Mike “Fluff” Cowan
Tiger’s Golf Coach: Butch Harmon
Tiger’s Sports Psychologist: Jay Brunza
Early Golf History: Tiger was undefeated in 30 Southern California junior golf events. He won the U.S. Amateur at the age of 18 in 1994. He was the youngest to ever win this event. He is the only golfer to ever win three U.S. Amateurs in succession.
Professional Status: Tiger became a pro golfer in August, 1996. In that year he played in eight official PGA Tour events, and won two of them. Tiger won $790,594. and finished 24th on the final 1996 money list for pro golfers.
Biggest Contracts: Tiger signed a 40 million dollar contract with Nike, and a 30 million dollar contract with American Express.
Tiger’s Agent: Hughes Norton of International Management Group
First professional win: The 1996 Las Vegas Invitational. He won $297,000.
Quote about Tiger: Sports star Michael Jordan says: Tiger… will succeed and expand across all racial barriers…. I admire him… for establishing a new plateau, a higher ground, if you will…. I really do believe he was put here for a bigger reason than just to play golf. I don’t think that he is a god, but I do believe that he was sent by One.”
Fan mail address: Attention: Tiger Woods, International Management Group, One Erieview Plaza, Suite #1300, Cleveland, OH 44114.

Ik Onkar- One God

Atul Manchanda — Sun, 14 Dec 2008 20:18:25 +0000

Every time I hear ‘Ik Onkar’, it gives me peace and total calmness. These lines have so much within them that even when I had not understood the meaning of it, I used to listen to it atleast 10 times a day. But now when I do understand, I would like to share some facts about this Sikh Mantra. The ‘Mool Mantra’ sums up Sikh beliefs about God, and is said to be Guru Nanak’s first teaching. Translated from the Gurmukhi script, it says, ‘There is only one god. His name is truth. Present in all beings, creator of everything, he is without fear or hate. He is timeless, beyond birth and death. Self-existent, he is known by the Guru’s grace’.

Ik Oankar (God is only One)

Sat Naam (His name is True)

Kartaa Purakh (He is the Creator)

Nirbhao (He is without fear)

Nirvair (He is inimical to none)

Akaal Moorat (He never dies)

Ajoonee (He is beyond births and deaths)

Saibhang (He is self illuminated)

Gur prasaad (He is realized by the kindness of the True Guru)

Jap (Repeat His Name)

Aad sachch jugaad sachch (He was True in the beginning. He was True when the ages commenced and has ever been True)

Hai bhee sachch naanak hosee bhi sachch (He is also True now. Nanak says that he will certainly be True in the future)

Sochai soch na hovae-ee sochee lakkh var (Mortals cannot comprehend God by pondering over Him for thousands of times)

Chuppai chupp na hovae-ee, jae laa-e rahaa liv taar (Mortals may remain silent and absorbed in the meditation of God and His love, yet peace of mind will not be achieved)

Bhukkhe-aa bhukkh na utree, jay bannhaa puree-aa bhaar (Yearning of hungry mortals will never end by keeping fasts, or by collecting loads of worldly riches)

Saihas si-aanpaa lakkh hohe ta ik na chalai naal (Mortal may possess thousands of clever thoughts or the biggest wisdom, yet not even one wise thought will accompany him to the next world)

Kiv sache-aaraa ho-ee-ai, kiv koorai tutte paal (How can the mortal become True? How can the barrier of falsehood be smashed?)

Hukum rajaa-ee chalnaa, naanak likheaa naal (Nanak replies that this can be achieved by obeying the pre-ordained Command and Will of God recorded for Man)

One should listen to the ‘Rang De Basanti’ version of this song sung by Harshdeep Kaur. Her voice and AR Rehman’s music has done total justice to this wonderful peaceful song.

Time we salute the “Real Heroes”

Atul Manchanda — Mon, 01 Dec 2008 14:27:42 +0000

When I was disgusted, angry, helpless and scared, same time I was proud of the fact that we had people like Ashok Kamte, Hemant Karkare, Sandeep Unnikrishnan, Vijay Salaskar, NSG commandos, army, Police force and fire fighters who had no fear when it comes to saving people and nation’s pride. We shall Salute them, for all our lives. I really wish I could meet those people and thank them individually for doing such a great job.

When all have lost faith in our great politicians. People who are getting Z class security and not doing anything for common man’s security. Its time now when we ask questions: how many such attacks do we have to see before they do something about such security lapses? How many innocent lives need to be lost for the authorities to do something? They can no more make excuses by giving statements about mumbaikars being strong and full of spirit and get away with their responsibilities. We are resilient because we don’t have anything else to do but to get on with our lives the very next day. This is high time when we all must come out of our adaptable nature and stop accepting killings of our innocent countrymen.

Jai Hind !!

Champions League T20- How big?

Atul Manchanda — Tue, 18 Nov 2008 09:38:37 +0000

Following up with the Success of immensely Popular India Premier League, the mastermind of Lalit Modi and BCCI have come up with even bigger gigantic idea, The champions League T20, probably the most awaited event after IPL for not only this cricket crazy nation but for the whole cricketing world. Eight teams consisting of the current winners and the runners up of the domestic T20 competitions in India, Australia and South Africa, plus current champions Sialkot Stallions from Pakistan and Middlesex Crusaders from England have been invited to take part in inaugural Champions League T20 offering US$ 6 million prize money. The runner ups of Pakistan and England have not been invited by BCCI as these teams consist of ICL players.

Popular belief says that this tournament isn’t going to be much interesting because the Indian Premier League sides will prove too much for others but this tournament could well end the same way as IPL did for those who had written out Rajasthan Royals. Main attraction could again be Chennai Super Kings lead by Dhoni who is on a high after a comprehensive home series win against Australia.

The T20 Champions League with the lucrative money and big players might well change the popular belief and attract a huge number of spectators & especially it will look forward to attract some new spectators which will definitely do good to the game of cricket.

Schedule:

December 3 (Wed)
Time: 16:00 local, 10:30 GMT
Group A – Middlesex Crusaders vs Victoria Bushrangers
Venue: Venue: Brabourne Stadium, Mumbai

December 3 (Wed)
Time: 20:00 local, 14:30 GMT
Group B – Natal Dolphins vs Rajasthan Royals
Venue: M Chinnaswamy Stadium, Bangalore

December 4 (Thu)
Time: 16:00 local, 10:30 GMT
Group B – Sialkot Stallions vs Western Warriors
Venue: M Chinnaswamy Stadium, Bangalore

December 4 (Thu)
Time: 20:00 local, 14:30 GMT
Group A – Chennai Super Kings vs Victoria Bushrangers
Venue: Brabourne Stadium, Mumbai

December 5 (Fri)
Time: 16:00 local, 10:30 GMT
Group A – Middlesex Crusaders vs Pretoria Titans
Venue: MA Chidambaram Stadium, Chepauk, Chennai

December 5 (Fri)
Time: 20:00 local, 14:30 GMT
Group B – Rajasthan Royals vs Sialkot Stallions
Venue: Brabourne Stadium, Mumbai

December 6 (Sat)
12:00 local, 06:30 GMT
Group B – Natal Dolphins vs Western Warriors
Venue: M Chinnaswamy Stadium, Bangalore

December 6 (Sat)
Time: 16:00 local, 10:30 GMT
Group A – Pretoria Titans vs Victoria Bushrangers
Venue: MA Chidambaram Stadium, Chepauk, Chennai

December 6 (Sat)
Time: 20:00 local, 14:30 GMT
Group A – Chennai Super Kings vs Middlesex Crusaders
Venue: MA Chidambaram Stadium, Chepauk, Chennai

December 7 (Sun)
12:00 local, 06:30 GMT
Group B – Natal Dolphins vs Sialkot Stallions
Venue: M Chinnaswamy Stadium, Bangalore

December 7 (Sun)
Time: 16:00 local, 10:30 GMT
Group B – Rajasthan Royals vs Western Warriors
Venue: MA Chidambaram Stadium, Chepauk, Chennai

December 7 (Sun)
Time: 20:00 local, 14:30 GMT
Group A – Chennai Super Kings vs Pretoria Titans
Venue: MA Chidambaram Stadium, Chepauk, Chennai

December 8 (Mon)
Time: 20:00 local, 14:30 GMT1st Semi-Final – TBC vs TBC
Venue: M Chinnaswamy Stadium, Bangalore
Group B winners vs Group A runners-up

December 9 (Tue)
Time: 20:00 local, 14:30 GMT
2nd Semi-Final – TBC vs TBC
Venue: MA Chidambaram Stadium, Chepauk, Chennai
Group A winners vs Group B runners-up

December 10 (Wed)
Time: 20:00 local, 14:30 GMT
Final – TBC vs TBC
Venue: MA Chidambaram Stadium, Chepauk, Chennai

Movie quiz 90′s: Test your bollywood knowledge

Atul Manchanda — Thu, 13 Nov 2008 14:33:55 +0000

Sharing something very interesting that I found on internet recently. This contains questions on movies released in bollywood during 90′s. Try and check how many you can answer, you can reply with your answers as comment.

1)Paresh rawal immortalized PINKY in Daud. There’s another movie where he plays the baddie who has this peculiar habit of using ad jingles while speaking. What is the name of the movie?

2)Two actors who featured prominently in Rajshri productions films of the 90’s have passed away. Who are they?

3)In the film Rangeela, Pakya proposes to a girl who declines him. What was her name and address in the movie?

4)Salman has reportedly written the story of his forthcoming film, Veer. In the 90’s too, he had reportedly written a story and starred in it. Can you name the movie and actress starring opposite him?

5)In the film, Akele Hum Akele Tum, what is the name of the music director who takes credit for Aamir Khan’s musical compositions?

6)This is an easy one. Name the movie with the song “Gun Gun karta aaya bhanwara”?

7)Akshaye Khanna has worked with Priyadarshan many times. Which was their first film together?

8 ) Name of the Nana Patekar movie where his surname is Lohar?

9)Name of a film starring Mithun Chakrobarthy and Ravi Behl?

10)In the film Kartoos, Sanjay Dutt is sent on a mission to gun down an underworld don. What is the name of the character of the don in the film and also the actor who played the role?

11)This film released in the same year as Kuch Kuch Hota hai and was produced by the same production house. Name it?

12)“Mera dil le gayi oye kammo kidhar” I am sure you must have heard this song. Which is the film that featured this song?

13)He was considered to play the role of Raj in DDLJ before Srk. What is his name?

14)Amitabh has played a double role in many movies. In the 90’s he had double roles in 3 movies , two of them were Sooryavansham and Bade Miyan Chote Miyan, which is the third?

15)David Dhawan did many movies with Govinda where the title had No. 1 in it. Which was the only No. 1 film of the 90’s directed by david but not featuring Govinda?

16)Two No.1 films of the 90’s featured Govinda but were not directed by David Dhawan. What are their names?

17)In Akshay kumar-Sunil Shetty’s first film together, who played the leading villain? Also the name of the villainous character has become quite controversial. What is it?

18)Saif Ali Khan did a film called Suraksha. Who was the female lead opposite him?

19)Name of a David Dhawan film where the lead actor becomes an MLA?

20)Faisal Khan makes a special appearance in QSQT. What is the name of another Aamir Khan starrer, where he makes a special appearance?

21)In Andaj Apna Apna, besides Amar and Prem who was the other guy contending to marry Raveena Bajaj?

22)Name of the film that features the song “Ruk ruk ruk arre baba ruk”?

23)Who played the character of Naseeruddin Shah’s wife in Mohra?

24)What is the name of the film which had the following dialogue “Suit pehanne se driver Don nahi ban jaata” ?

25)Aditya Panscholi played the boss in Yes Boss. Who played Aditya Panscholi’s brother-in-law in the film?

26)What was the name of Aamir khan’s character and what was his profession in the film ‘Dil Hai ki Maanta nahi’?

27)Sunny Deol and Rahul Rawail have worked together in many films. However Rahul Rawail has worked with Bobby Deol only once. Name that movie?

28)Which was the last film in which Dilip kumar played a double role?

29)(Difficult) Before Sanjay Suri or Salman Khan played characters suffering from AIDS, there was this another famous actor who played an AIDS patient in a movie from the 90’s though for a small period of screentime and the reason cited for his contraction to the disease is CAN U BELIEVE IT? bananas. Who was the actor and which movie I am talking about?

30)(very difficult) This Jackie Shroff- Mithunda Movie had a song sung by altaf raja which is stated below. Fill in the blanks and guess the name of the movie?
________ aur ______ ka maja lijiye

Thoda ________ ka maja lijiye…..
Taken from http://passionforcinema.com