Though I believe in re-incarnation I believe that for the moment 'Zindagi na milegi dobara' so I decided to experience the Filmfare awards 2012 at Filmcity even though I had laryngitis and could barely talk! As one of my dear ones pointed out I dont need to swoon and scream like a teenager because 'i am mature graceful charming and beyond bollywood madness'(is'nt it sweet of her to say so?)
Anyway I went. I did 'darshan' of Shah Rukh Khan, Ranveer, Priyanka Chopra, Abhishek, Usha Uthup, Alka Yagnik, Ravina Tandon, Aruna Irani. Kunal Kohli, Farhan Akhtar, Sonali Bendre...
You will read most news and see the prog on Sony eventually.
I would like to point out very sadly that they really think they are Gods, so they did not feel the necessity to apologize for starting 2 hours late!

I was touched by the fact that Usha Uthup won her first Filmfare Award and Aruna Irani received a Life achievent Award.

I liked the fact that Shahrukh could laugh at himself: He said he was able to sell most Ra One souvenirs, but not many tickets!

All in all I enjoyed the programme...Go again next year? Maybe not! Easier to watch it from the comfort of my home and the 'darshan' did not take me a step closer to enlightenment!

While my grandson Kiran (15 years old) was visiting Mumbai, he wanted to do community service and so I introduced him to Maya Shahani and her NGO Sage.
Kiran was touched by the work and offered to help with the blog and website. Of course, he was already influenced by yours truly's 'Dadi Nani ki Kahaani.
He also hoped to look into the possibility of having a peace garden in Nashville, Tennesse where he lives.
He spoke to some influential people and he has been invited to a 2nd Annual World Interfaith Harmony Breakfast meeting. Aagey Hari Ichhaa.
(Women's Movement for Peace WMPP) lives on through, our inspiration!...
Proud Nani
Shacune :)

pls click:
http://www.scarrittbennett.org/programs/wisdom.aspx

Was invited to the opening of an exhibition to encourage less privileged women to become self sufficient by Ms Uzma Naheed (Trustee of Women's Movement for Peace and Prosperity)
Present were Dr Vibhuti Patel
In the photograph with me: Mrs Parvin Daneshwar First Consul, Consulate General of the Islamic Republic of Iran

Now a days I travel less than I used to, but I never lose an opportunity to have some fun! We spent a full day at Ms Amla Ruia's beautiful house in Alibaug.
She is a gracious host and we blessed her with more!
I always say: " i wish my friends with houses all over the world. All we have to do is to be 'nice' and we shall surely be invited! And they can worry about keeping the house in great working order!
Dont miss the Buddha in the background and dont laugh at my silly hat! it did its job. It shielded me from the sun!

On the 17th of November 2011 I had attended a programme of 'Suresh Wadkar singing old songs at the Tata Thaeatre. It was a treat. particularly the following song of Mohammed Rafi:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yReE8e--v2c

In December 2011 Anna Hazare decided to fast for the nation again. He wants India to become corruption free. There may be many views for or against Anna's methods, but I felt I personally needed to support the movement, so I went to the Grounds.
In the photograph, the captions say: I am Anna and 'Will the nation wake up?'
Look closely and you will see Anna walking in (3rd photo)and in the 1st photograph you will see Kejriwal. I must say that he is a lucid and impressive speaker! But then so are all politician aspirants!

Shobha De writes: Never mind that his (Anna) Mumbai show ended not with a bang but a whimper. He did perform a very important role despite all bungling and mismanagement. He gave something precious to the aam aadmi (common man)-A voice. What we do with our newly discovered larynx is upto us from this point on. We dont need Anna to fast. We dont need him to hold our hand either. We just need to make ourselves heard!

Jug Suraiya writes: The problems of democracy cant be tackled by restricting democracy but by enlarging it...
1.2 billion of us are the government...

I am very very rich in friends.
They gave me a lovely get together accompanied with balloons and cake for my birthday!
Most of the same group joined in in celebrating New Year's eve!
Vimla Patil educated us on appreciation of miniature paintings (knowledge), then I told them a few jokes (laughter), and we danced Bollywood music.
Prayed that we all have a New Year filled with knowledge, laughter and dance!

Wish you all the same!
Love Shakun

Dev Anand was one of the celebrities who left for his last abode last year. Remembering a happy moment in my life when I met him. I used to find his acting 'awkward' and funny...but I guess that is what made him 'unique'

Another happy moment in my life was meeting Sri Sri Ravi Shankar...I love to be in the aura of luminaries...

I have had the good luck of meeting Sadhguru jaggi Vasudev earlier in a program in Times foundation (Me in a blue saree on the mike)
But Dec 2011 was real special. I got to attend Sadhguru's Inner engineering programme.

I loved the combination. The volunteers were extremely courteous and kept us as comfortable as possible without taking away, the spiritual content. There was discipline and we were not allowed to dose. I am particularly grateful to have learned the Shambhavi Mahamudra. Thankyou Sadhguruji!