The Tea-Master's Column

I had just come back from US in 2004 but I was appalled with how things have changed in India in the last 6 months since I left. One of that was mainly in Media - scantily clad women gyrating and dancing. Sort of shock for me. Hence, this piece. Attention: What is the essence of a woman? “ Just being a woman is God's gift” , a husky voice broke over 600 million television viewers way back in 1994.Then came spontaneous reply: " The origin of a child is a mother, a woman. Woman shows a man what sharing, caring, and loving is all about. That is the essence of a woman. " The dusky beauty Sushmita Sen went on to create history with those words. But 10 years later, another Femina Miss India Nafisa Joseph takes her life. Why.. What happened to this woman of substance? Has the make-believe-world created by the media been too harsh on her? Or are we expecting women to call up and say,” Hey Rahul .. am at home alone” and then dance and sing with them, “ Leke Phela Pehla Pyar ”. S...

This is a speech on fantasy which I did as part of my 7th project at Toastmasters in 2003. A bit of drama, a bit of passion and bit of entertainment. Happy reading! I get down from my black limousine. Venue – the Kodak theatre, Hollywood. There she is, the heart-throb of the millions – Sharon Stone. Tom Cruise with his wife. I am walking shoulder to shoulder with the whos and whats of Hollywood – the arc lights, the photographers, the press. I walk into the auditorium, over the red carpet … “ Welcome to the Oscar Awards Night “. There is the award – the golden figure of the Knight standing on a reel of film, the hands gripping a sword, shining. Oh, how I wish I could have it ! Good Evening Fellow Toastmasters and friends ! My topic for today is “ I want an Oscar ..” Just then I spotted her JLo – Jennifer Lopez, looking as gorgeous as ever. She wore a sinuous dress with bright pink and black, and the soft fabric outlined her thighs as she walked. The dress wrapped around her so th...