Two Frames: Post Tsunami Nicobar and Toronto Film Festival
Rahul Bose - September 20, 2005
My apologies for not having blogged earlier, but it has been a time of two very opposite, very enriching events, compressed into a corset of a few weeks. Since I blogged last, I have been to the Andamans, my usual monthly trip, except this time I was taking two brand new pick up trucks, one for the Tribal Council in Nancowry, the other for the Tribal council in Car Nicobar.
I don’t know how many people are aware just how long it takes to get to a place like the Nancowry group of islands in Nicobar from Bombay. It is a two hour flight to Madras. Then a two and a quarter hour flight to Port Blair in the Andamans, and then a two hour helicopter ride down to Kamorta, the largest island in the Nancowry cluster. It takes eight hours to get to London.
So, back to the pick-up trucks, or Tatamobiles as these particular models are known as. First, the money for the trucks was donated by Raymond India. Its CEO, Gautam Singhania who was a classmate in school, took ten, literally, ten seconds to say yes. The Tatas very generously waived the dealer and transportation charges on the purchase of the trucks. At Port Blair the necessary formalities were completed with the Tata Motors dealer there and then, armed with the signed papers I was off to Nancowry. Perhaps the next time I will ask if I can post photographs for you to see how it is in those islands. I cannot think of more beautiful places on earth. But then again I say that about anywhere outside of the cities in this country.
I landed on the little, picture postcard perfect airfield in Kamorta (how little? perhaps two tennis courts), and went straight for a meeting with the village captains. The head of a village in Nicobar is not called a Sarpanch. He or she (and there are many shes, all a mix of quietude and feistiness) is known as a Captain, because whenever ships arrived on these islands for trade, the seniormost official from the ship was the captain…
As usual we started with catching up on what rehabilitation efforts were being carried out, how things had moved with the government, which NGO efforts were petering out, whose promises came good etc. Then, Ayesha Majid, the Queen of Nancowry, announced the gift of the vehicles and showed the captains the registration papers. They clapped shyly. Then one of the wisest captains said something to Ayeshaji in a local dialect.
I asked what he had said. She replied, ‘He says, while the vehicle is very welcome, it is enough that you come again and again.’ The remainder of the trip (I visited three other islands by boat), was as poignant, as simple as all the previous ones. As usual, I set myself the next small goal of assistance for the islands. My efforts in these islands over the last ten months have taught me the only rule that one needs to know about helping people. Never overpromise, always deliver.
From the austerity of a trip to Nicobar I then made plans to fly to Toronto for the screening of Buddhadev Dasgupta’s film ‘Kaalpurush’ in which I have played the lead. It’s always great to go to Toronto for the film fest. It was my first ever festival exactly ten years ago, in 1995, when I traveled with Dev Benegal’s “English, August”. Since then I have made four trips and had five films programmed there. Since then it has grown to become one of the three best festivals in the world. My debut feature film as a director, “Everybody Says I’m Fine!”, had its world premiere here. This time was a little more special.
The film, titled “Memories in the Mist” in English, was programmed in the Masters Section which basically means the festival feels Buddhada is one of the world’s film masters. Naturally the film received special attention and every screening was house full. More than that, this gentle, complex film never failed to leave viewers feeling contemplative, sensitized, tender.
The festival as a whole was magical. From the time I arrived and was received by an airport limo, to the suite in the Sutton Place hotel, to the press interviews and photocalls and the cocktails at the sky bar at The Drake hotel, to the closing night party on the harbourfront where Bono was chilling, it was all a total, complete, comprehensive, almost surreal opposite as an experience to my monthly trips to Nancowry. That was my first thought.
My second thought was how immensely, immeasurably lucky I was to be in a position where both experiences would be accessible to me, because both are as important to me. The proof of this to myself is the totally identical reaction I had to the captain in Kamorta saying my constant return was enough, and this tough American film critic praising my performance – I slept the soundest sleep on these two nights.
Good night and may that peace I felt on those nights abound for all of us, again and again.
Digg this entry 
Add to Del.icio.us 
Share on Facebook 
Subscribe
Posted by Rahul Bose at September 20, 2005 11:23 AM
Comments
Nice post Rahul. I have seen Andaman and Nicobar in the photographs my dad has taken when he went there for a Govt. of India sponsored research work. It is an amazing place. I wish I could manage to go there sometime.
What a beautiful entry! I'd love to see pictures and that is certainly remarkable that it takes the same amount of time practically to get to London.
I too would find it very gratifying to be in your position to experience both sides. Very nice.
Goodness is its own reward.............no citations, no trophies, no speeches.......yet the best of all - a good nights sleep!
Juxtaposing yet satisfying!
Thanks very much for sharing your experience/ thoughts. Good luck and many congrats for all your noble and otherwise attainments!
Shrutii
Rahul
What a wonderful piece. Really enjoyed reading it.
Anusheh
Rahul,
I think many of us living in India have experiences like these (though yours seems particularly special).
It is something that i couldn't handle at first. Seeing immense poverty on one side, dealing with people who have nothing and then going out at night and spending more money than they see in a month, on one evening of food and drink.
The only way is to balance the two. And that comes with a positive action. Do and give instead of just thinking about it.
You seem to have found that perfect balance.
May you have many more nights of sound sleep.
Nicobar islands … I haven't ventured so far in my travels; it must have been a journey (back ?) to the Origins.
Remarkable how you smuggle your travel reflections on a piece of paper. One gets seduced into something like admiration - and envy for that "close approximation" and the peaceful conscience.
If your acting skills are equal to your writing ones I should probably get a copy of your films and see your face - which should I start with?
Note: I am new "on the blog", hello to everyone
I have visited Andaman & Nicober Islands during sept.2004 i.e. before Tsunami and fell in love with the place. For any adventure tourist and ecotourist this should be a ideal place to visit. Due to inaccessibility, govt. apathy the place is not finding it's proper place as one of the most sought after tourist destinations of India. Post Tsunami matter has become worse. I am trying to help some local tour operators to promote the place. I invite all of you to visit Andamans. I have tried to create a travelogue and blogged it. Anyone interested is requested to visit http://www.travelblog.org/Bloggers/ssecotourist/
If these Islands are an earthly treasure too much advertising can only hurt.
Let us not spread the word and speed up the inevitable - can you imagine masses of German and Japanese tourists taking pictures of the tribal leaders? God forbid
Nice to hear appreciation for my hometown, Toronto! Nicobar, art films, The Drake, & Bono on the Harbourfront...life doesn't get much sweeter than that! Good for you Rahul!
Dear Rahul
Ihave been a great fan of ur films n `Everybody says i'm fine' is one of the most fabulous cinematic experiences for me.To read about ur work in andaman is really amazing.I am a doctor in the army n was involved in carrying out medical relief work in Batticaloa ,Srilanka n feel silly 'bout the fact that i have recieved a medal for that work which is trivial compared to the fact that u still keep going their to help the victims of that tragedy.Keep up the great work.
ps: keenly waiting for ur next directorial venture
honest words and true sentiments!! they'll evoke the right response!
dear rahul...you are forgiven, forgiven already for the next 20 pretentious things you are going to say... just for one honest thought.
pl do this often..
Hey Rahul,
I didn't quite understand how you can equate your experiences at both places. Humanitarianism would always trump opulence, wouldn't it?
You go to the islands every month? Wow, its nice to know that some celebrities work for charitable causes out of the camera.
I'm a great fan of your films, especially Mr. and Mrs. Iyer.
I think adverstising the place would ruin it. Look at Darjeeling - its pathetic compared to a place called Lepchajagat 8 km away, only a restricted place. Lepcha. boasts a better view and a better ambience. It isn't advertised, and we had to go from pillar to post to be allowed there. No advertising is good.
Advertising Andaman & Nicober Islands will ruin it.
Is it so?
There is always a great debate between development and destruction of natural beauty. Personally I stopped visiting places like Darjeeling, Mussouri, Simla, Nainital, Manali and most of the other tourist destinations, as it is really painful for me to tolerate the destructions happened due to advancement of tourism industry. The creations of concrete jungle, migration of labour and the picnic class tourists have created natural disaster in most of the tourist destinations. You just cannot recognize a beautiful place after may be 10 or 12 years.
But let’s give some logical thinking.
Firstly; when there is a beautiful place, does not each and every one of us have a right to enjoy that place? Should we keep it hiding?
Secondly, most of these places are very remote and the local population does not have any other occupation, they live on tourism only. The development of tourism is their only means of survival. Do we deprive them of their legitimate right? Do we want them to be poor? Do we want them to migrate to city for their livelihood?
I am sure that all of you will answer a big NO.
So it is very much needed that a place, which has natural resources, should be developed as a tourist destination. But as concerned human beings, we should see that the ecological balance is maintained; there is need for development of ecotourism.
Whatever our wishful thinking may be, we cannot stop development of any area. Human greed will see to it that developments take place. And the most unfortunate thing will be haphazard development. I don’t know whether any of you have noticed that recently Dept. of Tourism, Govt of India started releasing ads on Andaman & Nicober Islands. (And as expected from any govt. initiative, the ad campaign does not have any comprehensive basic support)
Hence my personal believe is that any person, who is true nature lover, has a duty to help development of ecotourism. By ecotourism only we can save the natural beauty from destruction. And here I feel that we, concerned human beings, have some moral obligation to act.
My personal concern for Andaman & Nicober Islands is exactly for this reason. I felt that I don’t want to see this place become another Darjeeling or Goa or any other so called tourist destinations. And I also felt that my wishful thinking would not be able to save this place. I need to act. That is why I got involved in this project. I took some initiative and did some correspondence with some local stakeholders. Because whatever may be my feelings, no fruitful result will be achieved without the involvement of local stakeholders. We are starting a campaign for development of ecotourism in Andaman & Nicober Islands. We need people who are really concerned for maintenance of natural beauty to visit the place, so that the concept of ecotourism is created among the local people also, as ultimately they have to maintain the place. Here I would like to share that, on my visit, I have seen that local people are reasonably concerned about maintaining of ecological balance. While snorkeling, some visitors wanted to collect coral pieces (strewn around the beaches), but were strictly stopped by the local people.
Here is a personal appeal to Rahul.
It is really wonderful gesture on your part to stand with the Nicobereese at their time of distress. As it is said, you find a friend only in distress; you are a real friend for them, that’s why they value your presence more than your gifts.
You have seen the natural beauty of the place. If you have visited Havelock or Neil Island, you might have felt that they don’t have any other option except develop ecotourism. If you feel that there is need of helping them to develop, you can extend your help. The plan we prepared for development of ecotourism for the place needs endorsement from celebrities. We shall be opening website on campaign Andamans shortly. Next time whenever you are there, please give a thought on the subject.
Regards
Bikash
hi rahul...
good peace of writing yaar..really enjoyed it .perhaps i am the only witness out here who saw u working in ground zero..car nicobar and other islands of nicobar.... remember me.. the journalist who interviewed u on from Indiatv.. and remember the day when we had to fight with defence people and andaman administration to get into a airforce aircraft going for nicobar...?
anyway...just wanna thank u for what ever u have done for these islands ....
visit http://andamannews.blogspot.com to know more about the tsunami news of Andaman and Nicobar Islands.
I am Sanjib Kumar Roy, and a journalist from Andaman and Nicobar Islands. During tsunami I had covered news for many TV channels and wires like AFP, Reuters, PTI and UNI but now I have joined UNI as staffer and have been posted in Andamans…just hope…tha …. I would be able to spread Andaman’s news to the world with honestly and sincerity.
Keep the good work going .
and peace i guess is very relative to ur mental state !
Nice post !
Very honest to the core.The similar sentiments are felt by those who share opposite worlds with the strong sense of belonging to both.May sound bizzare,but I kind of go throgh somewhat similar experience ,everytime I visit my native place which is sort of 'backword' as against city where where I work and stay!Nice piece of writing indeed.Look forward to more.
Respected Sir,
There is a old maxim "Reap as you Sow" , surely you are a very compassionate person , who is always present to give a healing touch when calaimity strikes, therefore god has blessed you with such soothing experiences.
I just hope more and more people emulate you and 'being compassionate' starts being viewed as a fashionable trait , then perhaps more of us will be present to wipe the tears of fellow bretheren in distress.
with best regards
Ispita Saha
Awesome.......can I meet you sometime!haha sounds silly but I mean it
This is not just for Rahul, but everyone.Andaman is one place which is still to a large extent pristine though not perfect, tourism should be guarded carefully allowing only people who believe in preservation.
I am a corporate xyz near retirement at 37 (wow arent I lucky) and am on the way there to be an example of what all I say above.. Immigrant unparalleled. that is the ambition !! Soar and Sail
Joy Sarkar
When is ur next post coming. This is bad u know, making someone used to a drug , then denying it is bad.I have decided to make one post daily till Rahul saab comes up with his next post
An admirer
Though one understands Mr. Bose's pre-ocupation with the shooting of his latest film with Ms. Sherawat , he should not ignore his blogging, u c.
Admirer
I read in an interview by Mr. Bose that what does a woman find attractive in a man 5'6" tall and with 26 switches across his face? Well Mr. Bose should know that attraction is not muscle deep, its about the persona you have, and perhaps women in particular, prefer to be ruled by sentiments than by vision.So I guess he has the answer, of the question , which bothers him eternally. Thats why may be women are from Venus and men from Mars.
I remember this incident when you had come to Ahmedabad for the Dandi March...while no stone was left unturned to politicise the event, I remember a passing mention in the Times of India, "Actor Rahul Bose silently marched along with everyone"...that's pretty much all people would have known of your presence in the march...and that's the trait I admire...of doing things you believe in without making a show of it...you are an inspiration...
Rahul,
:))) thats one hell of a admirer you have there. :)). looks like she has forgotten to leave a comment today- must be busy with diwali preperations. what do you say? :))
this was a nice post. i liked it cos you drew the contrast so well to show the similarities that those two experiances gifted u. remembering your mention of 'narcissism' in your first entry, I dont think that a person would find peace and contentment with oneself, if it wasnt for an incy-wincy bit of narcissism. and you being happy with what you are is a result of your listening to the voices from within you. you have listened to your heart. given it a chance.
keep listenin to it. find contentment in every beat and pulse within you. find pride in every lil goodness you hand out, cos it make some of us proud of you too.keep the human in you alive.
Mr. Bose Eternal Hibernation
I would ask Mr. Deepak Chopra to please ask Mr. Bose to break his hibernation (or may be aestavation coz one hibernates in winters), becoz brief separation (here with ur fans) kindles love (affection , appreciation) but a long one kills it.
This is the right way to live and to work!
We hope that you will continue, never try to change your opinions and engagement. Greetings from Gemany, go on!!! Susi and family
good blog rahul. you need to write a little more often. do scan through my blog if and when you have the time.
http://blatantblabber.blogspot.com/
You know something this is Kalyug , i.e, a yug in which god becomes weak or is marked by his/her absence. Rahul is greater than god becoz he has not been absent he has simply disappeared from the face of the earth.
As far as terms like kalyug are concerned , I think he won't be knowing it keeping in view his scant awareness about the religion. Besides it is usual with the high class people to keep away from middle class concepts like one's religion, rather I guess its very high-class to find solace in things like Buddhism , etc.
I think he needs to read a bit about Michael Modhusudan Dutta, may be he needs to be a bit more aware about his mother tongue.
Besides I read somewhere that Shri. Bose hates talking to strangers, thats why he is showing withdrawl symptoms w.r.t. blogging too.
Co-Admirer
Its not that bad to talk with strangers Mr. Bose
Still an Admirer
It seems you r very angry with people at large , what else can be the reason behind such a long period of silence.
This a message to a person in eternal hibernation (winter is coming na) from an enternal admirer :)...............
Hi Mr. Bose,
Please take some time to follow this link
http://www.hindustantimes.com/news/181_1533762,00120001.htm
Despite your being busy:-
1. with shooting of a comedy with Ms. Sherawat
2. Scripting and acting in Whispers
3.The Indo-American Charity Foundation
INVITES YOU TO ITS ANNUAL GALA DINNER AND DANCE ON
SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 13, 2005 AT 5:30 PM
THE HILTON AMERICAS: 1600 LAMAR, HOUSTON, TEXAS 77010
Please take some time off to follow this link.
.........(Stranger)
Hi Rahul,
This is an extract from ur interview which i bumped upon while searching about u
eew: Why don't you endorse any products or come in advertisements?
Rahul Bose: Because I am short and ugly!
Can I ask for a favour u may not blog anymore but stop calling urself ugly (keeping in view the emotions of ur fans), besides ugly people are not as compassionate as u r or as straightforward as u.
Stranger
hi rahul,
nice stuff posted by u.
i am also writing reviews for
www.mouthshut.com
but there is subtle diff. b/w writing reviews & blog. but i reali liked fid stuff as one can write to his hearts content.i came to know through ur interview in digit magazine dat u too write blog.
so i got to dis site especially to know or see how celbs share their views nice to read.
bye & best of luck for future.
commitment, thy name is rahul....gr8 work in integrity...keep it up...and u take time off to blog too....
Dear Rahul,
your ability to straddle, these two diametrically opposite worlds, with such panache is why you are so loved and appreciated...
may all your dreams come true, Amen...
38. Posted by
electric_blue_pearl
![[TypeKey Profile Page]](http://www.intentblog.com/nav-commenters.gif)
on
September 26, 2007 07:13 AM
Post a comment
Thanks for signing in, . Now you can comment. (sign out)
(If you haven't left a comment here before, you may need to be approved by the site owner before your comment will appear. Until then, it won't appear on the entry. Thanks for waiting.)Thanks for signing in, . Now you can comment. (sign out)
(If you haven't left a comment here before, you may need to be approved by the site owner before your comment will appear. Until then, it won't appear on the entry. Thanks for waiting.)
Recent Posts
- 06/08/08: Open Thread
- 05/08/08: Can the Mystery of Consciousness Be Solved Objectively?
- 05/08/08: Returning to the Mat
- 04/08/08: Outlook - Perspective - Meinung - Pensiero!
- 04/08/08: Is the Universe (including life) a Purposeless Accident? Science of Purpose: Part 1
- 04/08/08: Given that, at base, we are One being, should we always bear in mind that even the most conflicting of views will have common root connections?
- 03/08/08: Stampede in India
- 03/08/08: Are We an Accident?
- 03/08/08: Weekly Intent - Kevin Boon
- 01/08/08: New Life in a New World
Recent Comments
-
electric_blue_pearl commented on Two Frames: Post Tsunami Nicobar and Toronto Film Festival
Dear Rahul,
your ability to straddle, t
-
sundar commented on Two Frames: Post Tsunami Nicobar and Toronto Film Festival
commitment, thy name is rahul....gr8 work in in
-
smita verma commented on Two Frames: Post Tsunami Nicobar and Toronto Film Festival
hi rahul,
nice stuff posted by u.
-
Stranger commented on Two Frames: Post Tsunami Nicobar and Toronto Film Festival
Hi Rahul,
This is an extract from ur in
-
.........(Stranger) commented on Two Frames: Post Tsunami Nicobar and Toronto Film Festival
Hi Mr. Bose,
Please take some time to fol
Rahul,
Your entry spoke to me of someone of a grateful heart and a "conscientious" citizen. Certainly encouraging. Thank you.