New Life

Moving to a new city can be stressful as well as confusing. And obviously moving to a whole new  country is like moving worlds. I felt like leaving my cocoon-that comprised of  familiar faces and comfortable routine. From this to a completely unknown landscape, new culture and different climate was quite a big challenge for. But since I also wanted to explore, I mentally prepared myself to move ahead.

After the sorting out our basic paperwork, I started reading about Qatar and its culture. I had to search for several, for example-
Which schools will be good for my daughters?
Which areas are best to live with a family?
Where are the main supermarkets?
Are there good parks for families?
Will I still be able to work?
Will I find new friends?
I trawled the internet looking for all the possible information I could. Every crumb of insight was essential to show me what real life would be while living in Doha.

Initial Days
So we shifted here 6 months ago! I had a lot on my plate. And first three months were quite hectic as I had a lot on my plate. Though we took a fully furnished flat setting up the kitchen, settling the kids in and other random stuff engulfed a lot of time and effort. We applied for our kids admission in the   Indian schools. The presence of such schools and Indian neighbors kind of made me comfortable and I started feeling home like. but nonetheless, there are days when I miss my family and friends back in Delhi.

Culture in Qatar
Living in Qatar is quite an ethnic experience. I got to explore the ways of a new country that is in many ways  different from India. But there are common denominators, like life in Qatar is a mix of peaks-lows and ups and downs. Thankfully I am staying in heart of of Doha, I have no concerns of accessibility and convinience.

Here are some points that you must be mentally prepared for in order to shift here-

Expense

For a long time I kept calculating everything in terms of Indian currency and thought "how expensive this place is". But gradually I realized that I have to buy things here calculating the currency of this country only. I am still in process of learning this and still find this country quite expensive.  I think, the cost of living in Qatar in general is quite high. As Qatar imports most of its food, the basic items are expensive. Staples like rice, bread, certain meats and fish are moderately priced, but altogether food is expensive in Qatar.  Household goods are also comparatively expensive here.

Accommodation

House-hunting can be frustrating because most popular locations have high rent while others, despite having similar facilities, often lack good neighborhood and surroundings. There are no regulations in terms of rent and facilities but the most difficult thing here is finding a good accommodation that suits your preference type. Either you find the state of accommodation in Qatar wonderful or not, the rent is quite high, choices can be limited and many places look the same.

Less People

I see a stark difference in the population of Qatar and India. Here one can witness families and little crowd of people only on weekends. We Indians are usually surrounded by people everywhere, so we hardly feel isolated, but here its not the same. Here, I am still looking for friends and  relatives so that we can have a social network as in India we had many friends and relatives to mingle with. Although 25% of population living in Qatar are Indians, I am still lagging behind in befriending some.

Hangouts

The best part of this country is the sea and its beaches. Most people praise the mall or mention the deserts as integral part of Qatar but my personal favorite places are- Corniche and Katara. I have spent my life as a North Indian, without any sea view, hence I am quite fond of it. The beauty and calmness of sea is something I really love. Because of the extreme hot climate these days I am unable to visit these places frequently. I will write a separate blog on both Katara and Corniche, later on.

Events andActivities

Numerous events keep happening around the year. I am just 6 months old here but I have been fortunate enough to attend some really amazing musical concerts, Kite Festival and Spring Festival. Most of these events and festivals are lively and worth the visit. I am lucky that I have shifted here in Qatar-India Year of Culture, and hence able to enjoy many events and programs.

Malls and Supermarkets

Available in abundance and build in almost every corner of the city. They are lively and attarct good crowd, specially during weekends. 

Safety and Cleanliness

The best part of Qatar is that it is safe. I am not saying this just for the sake of it but I have actually experienced it. I have traveled alone many times late in night and never felt insecure or concerned. Taxis are available all around and are easily accessible. Being a mother I feel really safe going anywhere with my kids. Most of the parks here have families chilling till late in the night hence I can easily take my kids out during late evenings. And I find this extremely appreciable that citizens maintain cleanliness everywhere. 

Hence, like any other country this place also has its cons and pros. In fact, it has more pros than cons making it a wonderful place to stay with family. I just completed my 6 months in this country hence I thought of sharing my experience through this blog. To sum up I can definitely say that so far my journey in this country has been quite wonderful and I am hoping for everything positive and good in the future as well.

Cat Lovers- Finally A Place For You

Cat Cafe Studio

One of my dreams, being a cat lover, has always been to “build and run a shelter for cats”. But most of the people with whom I have shared this idea have either considered me a lunatic or declared me differently abled. Only few (and trust me this few is really few) have liked this idea of mine. As a general norm in India not many people are keen on helping stray animals. So, when I first read about the Cat Café Studio of Mumbai, I was filled with joy and got really excited to visit this place. Based in Mumbai, it is the first cat cafe of India that is build on the motto "rescue, care, love, adopt".   

Hence, as soon as I landed in Mumbai, on my recent visit, the first place I chose to go was - Cat Cafe Studio. Here is the little something I wrote out of my pleasing experience.

About the Ambiance- The decoration is minimalistic, neat and cute with floor seating arrangement that gives a very homely feeling. Cleanliness and hygiene is well maintained.  Before you enter you must take off your shoes, wash your hands and read the terms and condition. The "dos and don'ts" are explained in order to safeguard the cats. I reached in the evening with my twin daughters who are two years old. Yes, this place is kids friendly. It was then full of college students and possessed an animated ambiance. My daughters simply loved playing with the cats just like their mother. Although, it was quite difficult to control them as they got super exited to see so many cats, but nevertheless, we enjoyed thoroughly.

About the Cats- People of Cat Cafe Studio make sure that they rescue cats without being bias on the basis of breed or colour. To be honest, people in India love to buy expensive light coloured Persian cats, instead of opting for adoption. Hence to have a cafe that rescues Indian street cats is like a ray of hope for the innocent and homeless. For those who claim to "love" cats must acknowledge that Indian cats are the most active ones and require least maintenance money. Moreover, they are accustomed to the climate of India. I do love Persian cats as they are also very adorable, what I am trying to say is that we should adopt, not shop.

About the Engagements- One can simply sit and work on his/ her laptop or relax with a book picked up from the shelf. You can play or lovingly caress the cats who pass by or choose to sit with you. All the cats here are calm yet playful and ready to make friends. You will always find some of them snoozing comfortably in their soft beds built along the walls.

About the food- You can grab a cup of coffee or frappe along with snacks from the counter or get your order served at your table. I loved what I ordered, especially the chocolate brownies. Simply enjoy your food while watching the cats playing around. You can place your order at the counter and wait inside or choose to sit outside in the small seating area near the counter shelf. Remember that feeding the cats from your plate and putting them in your lap while you eat is not allowed. However, if a cat comes and sits on your lap on its own, then its ok. I sat quietly watching my twins playing when a little kitten came and slept in my lap. Trust me, I felt privileged.

About Adoption - If you like any cat and want to adopt it, you can simply do so by following the proper procedure. The cats here are vaccinated and well trained, hence you won't face problems.
I wish there is a place like this in Delhi also so that I can take my daughters there on regular basis and teach them how to love and deal with cats. Personally, I loved the place and its services as that cats were kept and taken care of in the best way possible. Also, I felt great to be with and around cat lovers. Its like a mini trip to heaven for those who are cat crazy like me.

Address- 63, Harminder Singh Road, Aram Nagar Part 1, Versova, Andheri West

Timing- Open from 11:30 to 9:30

PATNA

Nostalgia

Nostalgia is what I felt, when I went to my home town this time. Having lived away from my home town for so many years, I was super excited to visit it this time. Here are the most nostalgic scenes of my last visit to Patna.

I went to my city after two long years. I got a chance go to the colony where I spent most of my childhood times. This is the place where I learnt to ride bicycle, scooty. These are couple of lines that I wrote-

Revisiting the memory lane

Terribly missing my childhood lane…

Never knew time will fly by

Leaving me wondering why

It was a different world

Full of happiness around

The memories are very vivid

In my heart and mind

The streets with Amaltas and Gulmohar tree

All the neighbours knew me

This is the place I learnt to ride bicycle and scooty

This is the place I learnt to enjoy rain and natural beauty

This is the place I learnt to tie my shoe laces

This is the place I learn to find hiding places

Imagining figure in cloud was most enjoying

Playing with my cats was most satisfying

Nostalgic is what I feel here

Imagining what all I left here

Revisiting the memory lane

Terribly missing my childhood lane…

My collage, school, lanes of my colony where I used to ride my bicycle, every visual of those golden times just came flashing by. There are some good, some bad and some amazing memories that I have. Now everything looks like a dream, a faded memory. I was going crazy at the sight of my colony, my old house, old school buildings, and the most beautiful house of my colony (which I thought I will buy once I will grow up).  Fortunately I found the same phuchka wala who use to come to my school. Once we laughed at him when he referred phuchka as water balls. But today when I saw him I felt overwhelmed. Time has changed him; he looks much older now. I ate phuchka in contentment and stood there for some time. My cousin thought I am gone crazy. But that moment was beautiful. There are very few things of my childhood that is still intact (other than my memories). My school has been shifted to a new area, the house where we lived for a very long time is no more there, it is replaced by an apartment and the tree from where we plucked guavas have been cut down.

Coming back to the purpose of my visit to my home town- I came here to attend the marriage of my cousin. And besides the usual get together and laughter sessions with my cousins and aunts, one very distinctive part of this visit was the time after Nikah (the marriage). The ceremony was organised in a different way this time. Nikaah in a very simple way was followed by a grand party. So all the male members of the family went to the Masjid for a simple Nikah. When they came back after nikah from phulwari, there was the same commotion, the same discussion, like the when they (my father, uncles and cousins) use to come back after nemaz of Eid. For some time I felt so overwhelmed by this scene that I stood there like a statue looking in that hall. The movement was exactly same, it seemed even after so long we are still the same old family. Every Eid, all my family members used to come to my paternal house to celebrate the festival. All my uncles and brothers use to go to Masjid decked up in freshly ironed and scented white kurta pejamas to offer Eid’s Nemaz. And when they came back after offering the nemaz we the ladies party were also ready deked up in new salkar kameez and bangles. That was how we celebrated Eid. That time Eid meant get together, happiness, fun, discussion, food. This marriage was a great get together for all of us. My uncles (my chachs), my aunts (my buas), and my cousins everyone was there. The only distinct person who was missing from the scene was my Amma (my grandmother). I knew that she cannot come back; it has been ten long years since she has left us. But I must say after she passed away we have not celebrated any Eid the way we used to.

Getting back to the marriage ceremony, I felt loved, appreciated and most importantly I was with my roots, my family, in my home town. Though three very important cousins could not make it to the marriage because they were not in India, still there were many people whom we knew. I met lots of relatives whom I have not met in years some recognised me and some did not. But the feeling was definitely super. My uncle (Chacha, father’s youngest brother) called me CHAMMO. In fact he called all of us (We three sisters) Chammo. In fact it was after a long time that we three sisters attended a marriage ceremony together. As a whole the whole ambience was amazing.  I don’t know when will the next occasion like this is going to happen in my family, but this visit of my home town was simply wonderful. Family get together, marriage function, a brief visit to my old colony, everything was simply nostalgic!

VOID

9th July’ 2012

When one door closes many other opens! I have heard this many times, but this time it's not just a door, it is much more than that.

I don’t remember the exact date or time when I met him but  gradually we developed a great relationship. We were neither friends nor relatives. We just had great teacher-student, student-teacher relationship. He always considered me as her daughter. Two common chords between us was- one we belong to the same state and second we followed same religion. I cannot get enough words to pen down about our rapo. On one hand, he used to appreciate me for my work and on other hand he used to scold me for my laziness.

I will always remember and cherish those afternoon sessions in the library where we used to sit and chat for hours. We used to discuss about students, friends and acquaintance which we had so much in common. And I always wonder how selflessly he thinks about everyone. How selfless a person can be?

Today, he is not with me and his loss has created a huge void, an emptiness. He is just irreplaceable. Athar Sir, you are missed, I needed you. You were my inspiration, my guide and my teacher.

It took me 2 days to gather the courage to write about this huge loss. While walking across the road, I still think may be one fine day you will come up and ask me- “Net Qualify karo Maryam, kab tak corporate world ke janjal me phasi rahogi? Utilize your talent.”

Har Ek Friend Zaruri Hota hai

MEMORIES 
GANG OF GIRLS

Today while researching for my story (office work) I read this phrase-  “Nothing is ever really lost to us as long as we remember it.” ― L.M. Montgomery. And I thought of scribbling something and that's why I ended up writing this post.

Sometimes we are so caught up in our present that the images from our good old times become blur. Though I have left the golden road behind, but its memories are the dearest of my eternal possessions. Some of the most common things that I remember as a part of my memory are- old house, dress, swing, cats, rain and vacations. But the most important ones are people around me. People come and go and they create memories. Some become good friends and some I remember just as acquaintances. But one thing is sure that they are a part of my memory. Sometimes I remember someone out of blue and then try to figure out that one thing that reminded you of that person. Recalling, remembering and cherishing good times definitely brings a smile. There are different reasons why we remember certain people very vividly. 

In my case I remember 2 kinds of people. One people with whom I have spend very good time, most of them are my friends (and some cousins) whom I have always loved. Second, some unique personalities with whom I might not be that great friend but they are a part of my memory because of their distinct trait or goodness.

The recent advertisement that says- "Her Ek Friend Zaroori Hota Hai" is definitely a hit because of it amazingly appropriate caption. It is correct that you have friends for different purposes. One is neighbourhood friend, one is hanging out friend and the list goes on and on.

I will start with my friends in Patna, my growing up years.
1) Lubna - You are the most simple and genuine person I have ever met. What makes you special is your simplicity and ability to gel with people. I wish to be like you. You are definitely diplomatic, but in a positive way. You know what is right and what is wrong and what amazes me the most is your sense of balance. Librans are supposed to be balanced, but I have never seen a more balanced person than you. It is said that a true friend is one who is there when you are are going through bad time and I must say you have always stood by me. You know even today when I am in some problem or whenever I am stuck somewhere, I think of you. No matter wherever life takes me to,  you will always be one of the dearest friend.

2) Sanoober - I still laugh at our silly fights in college. You are simply super energetic, full of life and harabaria (can't get English word that translates this in a best way). Do you remember the ear ring stall that fell in Andheri Station with your jhatka... do you remember our long phone conversations to get through our first internship... do you remember our craziness for Harry Porter series...do you remember our first formal interview we gave together? Actually the list goes on and on...We have spend some most memorable moments together. You are definitely a distinct character. You are vivacious and the word that defines you the best is 'full of life'. Quite intelligent and social person...always be the way you are.  

3) Sana- You are a very mature yet innocent person. Love the time when you used to bring out the kid in yourself...it has been a real long time since we have met and despite of the fact we don't have any direct contact with each other, whenever we talk we don't feel like we are talking after such a long time. You are a very sensible, mature and an immensely understanding person. Can't forget the song "Jhhot bole kawa kate" with which we irritated you in the whole college trip. Do catch up whenever you visit India.

4) Swati Kumari- I don't know which part of the world you are in presently...but whenever I see Parineeti Chopra I remember you. You really resemble her. You are a very strong, sensible girl, my friend to accompany me till home. I still remember our long chats and discussion on our way to home. I know you have moved on in life but trust me I always remember you as a great friend of mine. I still remember our Radio class, our visit to mango orchid and of course our gossiping session...everything was fun. 

5) Anvesha - I know you are busy with your new responsibilities and life, but I really miss you. You might not know this but you are an intelligent person. You know exactly what to talk to whom. I wish I possess this quality. We have spend quite good time with each other. Our quest to go to college even in City Bandh and strike is something I really appreciate. Whenever I sit back, I remember those wonderful time. You were my constant companion in eating golgappa and egg roll of Boring Road. You have seen my mad crazy side and sometimes you behaved like my mom scolding me whenever required. You are missed Anvesha try to be in contact.

6) Sweta Jha -  Seriously Jha Ji you have quite a distinct personality. You have a uniqueness in yourself that separates you from others. I always look up to you whenever I have to consult any professional advise. You are extremely helpful, friendly and down to earth person. No matter how often we meet,  we meet only once in a blue moon still whenever I talk to you or meet you, I feel the same connection. I can talk to you, express my problems because you are extremely understanding and non-judgmental.  Just be the way you are.

7) Neha Vats- My childhood friend. I simply adore you. You are practical, simple and just an amazing person to be with. What amazes me the most about you is your sense of balance. I find you extremely balanced. We have spend some great time of our life together. You are aware of all my madness and obsession. You are extremely good in talking to people, again a sense of balance. I am really lucky to have you in my life. It has been almost 14 years since I first met you, a studious sweet girl. And though so many years have passed and we have moved on with our individual life, you are still the same simple sweet girl (though you scold your friends).

8) Richa Jha- My Satrangi friend, the girl with beautiful eyes and voice. A strong headed beautiful girl indeed. Whenever I see a colorful umbrella, a miser person or listen to the"Neele Neele Amber pe Chand Jab Aae" I remember you instantly. This is what is association (remember our Psychology class together). You are a fun person to be with. We have spend some great time together.

9) Hena- My most beautiful and adorable friend cum cousin. You are one person whom I terribly miss sometimes. We have actually grown up together. Spend our teens together. Either it be watching I Dream of Jinnie together, plotting a plan of plucking guavas in afternoon when everyone is asleep or playing Hide-n-Seek (Name, Place, Animal, Thing & Dark Room), everything we did together was fun. Though we have moved on with time in our respective life and it has been almost 6 long years since I have met you, you are a part of my beautiful memories. All the beautiful memories keep flashing in my mind whenever I remember you.

10) Koyal - The most mastikhor and well-dressed girl of our PWC gang. I can say we have done lots of fun together which I am sure we will always cherish. And do you remember our great knowledge of phrases? Although we are not together now still we will always be friend. Enjoy Kolkata.

11) Aditi- Yet another mastikhor and bindas girl of our PWC gang.Just be the way you are- a fun loving yet sensible girl, a perfect amalgamation of both.  I wish I could take up some mast nature from you. I am really grateful that you have started a PWC chat group. It is the best way to be in touch.

Grandparents

ROOTS 

It has been 2 long years since I have met them (my maternal family). I am not very good at expressing my emotions and probably this is the first time that I am accepting that I have missed them terribly. I remember the last time I met them I wanted to freeze the time, I wish there was a save button in my eyes which can save their image. Today I am going back there after a real long time.

This is the only house which I can call home. Since my father has a transferable job we have never stayed at one house for a long time. We have spent our childhood in various houses, but this house is special, its my grandfather’s house (maternal). This is the house where I have spent most of my summer holidays, each and every nook and corner of this house has some or the other memory attached to it.

Coming back to my maternal family. I will start with my maternal grandfather whom we call Abbu Nana. There are very few people in the world with whom I can talk endlessly as I am not very good in talking. But one person with whom I could chat for hours about issues and topics is my Abu nana. The long conversations and discussion with him, brings smile on my face.. His narrative skills and explicit explanations are simply adorable.

My relationship with him is very special. We used to discuss issues in depth needless to say he is a very-well read person and understands all the aspects of a topic. It is a delight to talk to him either it be on a serious issue or a light topic. His narrative style is just explicit either it be about his first job, his siblings or it be mocking at present actor/actress.  All his children and grandchildren looks up to him. He is an extremely lovable person and loves to spend time with children and animals. He still has a poultry, parrots and birds. And at this age also he keeps himself busy. He gets up early in the morning reads nemaz, recites Quran and then have tea with Ammi Nanna (my maternal grandmother). He follows a fixed routine till now.  

I was apprehensive to write about him as: first I was scared that will I be able to pen down about such a dynamic and humble person. Second if he will ever get a chance to read this, he is going to find lots of mistake in my language, as he writes amazingly well English. However it’s for my own contentment that I thought of writing about him. 

My Ammi Nana (My maternal grandmother) is someone from whom I have learnt to play Ludo. She is extremely good in it. She hates sleeping till late in morning and whenever we used to sleep till late, she used to switch of the fan in summers. She loves her grandchildren and is very affectionate towards animals also. I think my love for cats have been inherited from her

I am sure of one thing and that is- Almighty has blessed me with  wonderful grandparents like them.

Light, Camera and Action

SHOTS

Don’t get carried away by the title, here by shot I mean a series of frames  (of camera) that runs for an uninterrupted period of time. I imagine everything in terms of shot and scene. I visualise every small things in and around me right from image, light, beauty, emotions to landscape in terms of shots. But at this juncture of life I have no real association with lights, camera and action (other than my still camera). Not that I have always been associated with it. But I have always been in and around it. And I did not realise when and why life took these things away from me. There is definitely a huge dissatisfaction that I have deep in my heart.

Today, if I sit back and think then I realise what I really miss. I have always been fond of reading and the possibility of imagining my own character began from there. I used to (even now) imagine each and every story book I read in terms of visuals. Ever since the time I started reading books, either it be simple Nandan (A Hindi story for kids), the fairy tale (which I used to adore), Enid Blyton’s stories, Nancy Drew’s stories or the first novel Oliver Twist which I read as a part of school project, I have always been fascinated towards stories and the characters. And sometimes when I used to read those silly teenage romantic books, I used to imagine which Bollywood actor and actress will justify the character the most. My visualisation started there and today I am just stuck with my own little dreams and imagination, without any way to substantiate those characters into the reel world.

Technically my association with light and camera began when I was in graduation and we were sent to learn camera from a well-known centre.  That time I didn’t take those classes very seriously as I never knew one day I am going to miss it. Anyhow the memories of those classes are very vivid in my mind even today. Those winter mornings, bright sun light, carefree life with friends, Frank Sir’s class, everything about the class. I still remember the camera teachers did not let us take shots other than few static shots, no pan and tilt shot. One day one of the teachers let me take a pan shot inside the studio while shooting an interview and after that I kept on boosting about that shot to all my friends and sisters. I must admit that shot had terrible shake and editor did not used it in final programme.

There are two in fact 5 major events in my life or stage that 

made shots a part of my existence

1.       Documentary- I won’t say it was my first documentary, as it was our first documentary. As a part of our final project we had to make documentary. At that time we just knew documentary means we need real sufferers, victims taking about the rejection they felt in society (we had no idea of docudrama). We choose a great topic and that was HIV AIDs. At that time taking a topic like that and that too in a small city like Patna was definitely not a piece of cake. We hired camera person to shoot the film. Anyhow after the shoot with lots of hard work and difficulty when we sat on edit table we realise all the shots had shake, the zoom-in, zoom-out, pan and tilt was done so fast that we could not select which shot to take as it were equally bad. We were hardly left with time to re-shoot, so did the editing with whatever best was possible at that time. Our documentary’s name was- Darkness to Light. That was my first real shaking up event and then I realised that we should have done camera ourselves rather than trusting an outsider. A big eye opening, in fact it was a huge encouragement to learn camera.

2.       MCRC- Getting through Mass Communication of Jamia Millia Islamia was a definitely dream comes true. When I gave my entrance exams, I came back home quite paranoid and told my mummy I won’t be able to make it as there are just too many contenders. But I got through it. Anyways all the madness of camera, shot, visualization, characters came from there. The whole experience of creating our own characters, story was simply amazing. To present the story/ idea for the projects, to support the idea, to argue for the story from the teachers, to convince the teachers that this topic is worth making documentary/ project was something I miss terribly today. But that was the time when I actually got completely involved in lights, camera and action. Here I got to use film camera for the first and time. Analysing the shots, thinking about the background score, music and characterization was something that I learnt from here. In fact all my enthusiasm for camera and its components inculcated mainly from here.

3.       Basera-  I got my first job in a daily soap Basera(serial) as Assistant Creative Director in Mumbai. Working there was a huge exposure. Not because it was glamorous but simply because of the fact that I learnt a lot. We used to work for long hours, but every day there was a new enthusiasm. The major lesson I learnt from there is the lighting and continuity (the soul of television production)

4.       ANI- My second job was at a news agency in Delhi. The ambience was completely opposite of my Mumbai’s job. The pace was much more slower and easy. I had to sit at one place and work and it was a weekly programme so my work was much more at ease. But just after 2 months of my joining my Producer resigned and I was given all the responsibilities of the programme. I got to know about shoot, I used to fight for my ideas, for my stories. I loved working there, probably that was the best work I have ever done as I really enjoyed doing it. I was deeply involved with my programme and learned everything that goes in making a programme. Right from lining up a personality for interview, coordinating with outstation reporters, selecting stories, fighting for ideas, writing, editing, sequencing, use of graphics, getting anchor done and most importantly handling different type of people. But I must say it was something I really enjoyed and going to cherish all my life.  

Today my only association with lights, camera and action is the visualisation and imagination that I do within my own mind. This is called the vicious circle of life that today I stand at the same position where I started. But today I lack one thing the dream, the enthusiasm that one day I will be there.

There are two major encouragements because of which I felt the void even more vivid. And I started writing this post. Two things that I have never left completely are- watching films and clicking photographs. I saw Gangs of Waseeypur recently and the shots, characterization simply rekindled my love towards this field. The acting, the lighting, the shots, the story, the film has everything that makes a film great.    

Whenever I go to watch a film, whoever sits beside me knows that I am going to say something about the cinematography, sometimes my friends (not from the field) mocks at me and says- Ho gai shuru Maryam! I believe my association with lights, camera and action is something I will cherish my whole life, either I will be in and around it or not. I will always be associated with it.