PICKYOUROPINION ARE CELEBRATING -DESH PREM DIWAS 2015

“One individual may die for an idea; but that idea will, after his death, incarnate itself in a thousand lives. That is how the wheel of evolution moves on and the ideas and dreams of one nation are bequeathed to the next”.- Subhash Chandra Bose

Subhash Chandra Bose, born on 23 January 1897 in Cuttack, Orissa, was a brilliant student who excelled in studies and also had a patriotic zeal even when he was a student. After graduating from the University of Calcutta, he was interested in serving the British and returned back to India to join the Indian freedom struggle.

He joined the Indian national congress and also went to jail nearly 11 times. He was a veteran leader who strived hard for the freedom of the country. He was famously known as Netaji. Netaji was one of the prominent leaders who struggled for India's Independence from British rule. He is most famously known for building Indian National Army with Japanese support.

The late leader always stood like a rock against the fundamentalists, separatists and sectarian forces who tried to weaker the integrity and unity of the country.  He was a true friend to everyone in need, was loved by all beyond party, religion or caste barriers.  He made promises and strived hard to keep up those promises.

He captured the essence of truth, displayed sincerity, candor and practiced what he preached. He made decisions and accepted responsibility for his actions and his words. He was not only a political leader but also a representative of the hopes, aspirations and the interest of every citizen of the state.

Subhash Chandra Bose Jayanti is celebrated every year with the great honor by the people including government and non-government organizations. As he was one of the most well-known Indian leaders during the independence movement, he has become a great legendary figure in the history of India.

It has been demanded by the Netaji’s followers to celebrate his birthday anniversary as a “Desh Prem Divas” in order to re-memorize his great sacrifice towards the country. Netaji Jayanti in India became a national event with the schools, colleges, and clubs gearing up for the occasion.

There is garlanding ceremony on the morning of January 23 accompanied with bands and procession. Universities and colleges across the country have band procession, parades on the streets, cultural programs in the clubs, and competitions. Patriotic songs and dance performances take place in his honor. Many theatres organize for film shows where Netaji's role in freedom movement is highlighted.

In a country where political power determines social power, we feel proud to have had magnanimous leaders like late Subhash Chandra Bose, who loved people with all his heart, might, mind and soul.

Posted By: Shreya Saraf, Campus brand ambassador Intern at: http://pickyouropinion.com

VIRAT KOHLI’S CAPTAINCY MARKS DAWN OF NEW ERA IN INDIAN CRICKET

A middle-old batsman, who can also ball right arm medium pace-is the new test captain of the Indian cricket team, Virat Kohli. Over a period of time, he has done a lot for the Indian cricket team and taken India to greater heights, though not noticed much but still.

After the sudden retirement of Mahendra Singh Dhoni from test cricket matches, Virat Kohli took the lead and became the new captain of Indian cricket team. But there were many who compared Dhoni and Virat Kohli on many different bases. 

Some said that Dhoni always used the word ‘we’ for his team often. Dhoni made personal decisions only on the field. Off the field, it was always "we". Kohli was being more assertive off the field, even in defeat. Virat Kohli had been a prominent batsman for Team India for long. He slammed a record 140 on the third day of the Sydney Test but his tactics as captain a day earlier, left many confused.

Virat Kohli batted his way into record books yet again with an unbeaten 140 at the Sydney Cricket Ground on Thursday. With the ton, he became the first cricketer to make three Test centuries in his first three innings as captain. While the Delhi cricketer's excellent form has been a highlight of the series, his captaincy has not impressed the games legends.

Although still early days, Kohli was promoted as permanent Test skipper after MS Dhoni dramatically retired after the third Test at Melbourne, his tactics on the field on Wednesday left many confused. Among them, injured Australia captain Michael Clarke and former cricketer Ian Chappell were the most exasperated.

Virat Kohli has been walking around with a bull's eye around his head. One he has worn proudly. Everything about him has said, "Look at me." His statements, his shots, his send-offs, his fielding, his kisses blown to his Bollywood-star girlfriend and to Mitchell Johnson all state the same.

He has riled the Australians up, he has nearly got out because of that wind-up job, he has dropped a sitter at slip, he is about to become the first No. 4 in the history of the game to score 500 in a series when touring Australia, and he has generally looked and behaved like a man whose time has come. Despite of all this, he is still the most popular and most regarded cricketer among the public, especially the younger crowd.

Though this outspoken and flamboyant batsman has scored three hundreds in series so far, but still wavers a bit when it comes to handling the pressure of leading the side and salvaging some pride in the series.

Posted By: Shreya Saraf, Campus brand ambassador Intern at: http://pickyouropinion.com

PK - A Courageous Movie

It has become a trend of sorts now that the year ends with a major release by none other than Aamir Khan in the month of December.

After the release of DHOOM 3, as we gear up for the Christmas holidays, Aamir Khan brings his new film PK. Released on 19th December 2014, this film is about a stranger's childlike curiosity and world-view challenges people's long-held notions, making friends of some and foes of others.

The film starts off with PK (Aamir Khan), an alien, landing on earth, in the desert of Rajasthan, to study about human begins and life on earth. Arriving stark naked on a earth, PK has a rough start on the planet when his tracking remote, that helps him send signals back to his spaceship, gets stolen. He now has to find the remote to contact his spaceship and till then survive on earth on his own. Unaware of human mannerisms, language or life in general on earth, PK finds it difficult to adjust.

However, fate brings him in touch with Bhairav Singh (Sanjay Dutt) who becomes his dear friend and helps him with life on earth. But destiny takes PK to Delhi. From here on starts a whirlwind story of a stranger in the unknown city of Delhi asking questions that despite their innocence hold a valuable and deep meaning. Aided on by Jagat Janani (Anushka Sharma) who teams up with him on this journey, PK challenges some of the oldest rituals of religion that are ruling life of people on earth.

As for the performances, Aamir Khan excels in the title role. This is probably one of the most challenging characters that he has played so far and with his stellar performance, Aamir Khan carries the film all the way. His childlike innocence, his Bhojpuri accent and his love for 'paan' only adds layers to the character of PK. Anushka Sharma, who has in her previous releases earned quite a bit of critical acclaim, does a good job as "Jaggu". She stands shoulder to shoulder with Aamir through the entire film.

Sushant Singh Rajput is impressive in an extended cameo. Saurabh Shukla, though good, seems to be underutilized along with Boman Irani who too could have been given a meatier part. Sanjay Dutt, on the other hand, manages to carry off his role as a Rajasthani man with panache. This is what brings PK a grade lower than 3 idiots and Munna bhai, where every character had an equal and an important role to play. Rajkumar Hirani, known for his films like 3 Idiots and the Munna bhai series still  tries to live up to his reputation of telling an engaging tale with a message.

Though the storytelling is seamless, PK does seem to lack the punch that his earlier films had. Though the screenplay of the film is comprehensive and engrossing, with humorous situations and entertaining dialogues, the narrative does get slow at certain points. PK however hits the right notes and entertains.

Despite the film having its share of ups and downs, it is surely a good entertainer and everyone who watches the film is sure to comeout of the cinema hall with a smile. Being a film that deals with the topic of God and God men, audiences are bound to draw a few similarities between PK and the previously released Akshay Kumar-Paresh Rawal starrer OH MY GOD! But while latter dealt with a lay man asking some prominent questions about God and the almighty himself coming down to earth.

PK differs with an alien not directly questioning God, but instead questioning the belief system that humans have created to reach God. But with high level of anticipation and a massive release, PK is sure to create new box-office records. On the whole, Aamir Khan's PK is a solid entertainer that will surely entertain the masses and classes alike.

Posted By: Shreya Saraf, Campus brand ambassador Intern at: http://pickyouropinion.com

MAHENDRA SINGH DHONI WALKS INTO TEST SUNSET

MS Dhoni has retired from Test cricket with immediate effect, following the drawn Test against Australia in Melbourne.Virat Kohli will take over as India captain for the final Test of the series, which India have already lost, in Sydney. He chose to retire from Test Cricket with immediate effect in order to concentrate on ODI and T20 formats.

In recent months Dhoni suffered from fitness issues, missing five ODIs against Sri Lanka in November because of a hand injury, which also sidelined him from the first Test against Australia in Adelaide.

In addition to the pressure of leading India in all three formats, and the Chennai Super Kings franchise, for six years Dhoni has also had to play an extraordinary amount of matches. Since the start of 2008 - taking into account international matches across formats, IPL and Champions League T20 games - Dhoni has played 398 matches, the most for any cricket during this period. Suresh Raina is second with 369 games.

Dhoni did not play the first Test in the current series against Australia because of a thumb injury. In his absence, Virat Kohli led the team and won accolades for his attacking approach. Many former players declared that it was time for Kohli to take over the leadership from Dhoni given that the incumbent had been struggling to present any fresh approach.

Though Dhoni's place in India's Test side has not been under question, his batting form took a dip in 2014 and he averaged only 33 in 17 innings this year. His wicketkeeping has also deteriorated, in particular his ability to move laterally to take testing catches. India's overseas results have also suffered under Dhoni's leadership in recent years. Since 2011, they have won only two out of 22 away Tests and lost 13.

Dhoni, however, is India's most successful captain, having presided over 27 wins in his 60-Test tenure, which began in 2008. His first Test as captain was against South Africa in Kanpur in April that year, because of an injury to regular captain Anil Kumble, and he took over full time after Kumble retired following the Delhi Test against Australia in October. Dhoni led India to the No.1 Test ranking in 2009, a position they enjoyed until the tour of England in 2011.

Dhoni was one of India's greatest Test captains under whose leadership India became the No. 1 team in the test rankings, MS Dhoni, has decided to retire from Test cricket citing the strain of playing all formats of cricket. BCCI, while respecting the decision of MS Dhoni to retire from Test cricket, also thanked him for his enormous contribution to Test cricket and the laurels that he brought to India.

Posted By: Shreya Saraf, Campus brand ambassador Intern at: http://pickyouropinion.com

Pickyouropinion: BEST PERSON OF THE YEAR IN INDIA 2014

It is almost the end of 2014 now. Just over a week and 2014 will be bid goodbye and we will welcome 2015. A lot has happened in this year which has made this year significant and memorable one. Actors, politicians, scientists, cricketers, astronauts all have contributed equally to make this year a memorable one.

From Narendra Modi who led BJP to a sweep with majority of votes and ousted Congress to Kolkata Knight Rider’s second IPL win to Kailash Satyarthi’s noble peace prize win. Everything has made India equally proud. It will be difficult to decide who the person of the year is since everybody has contributed greatly in this year.

Last year person of the year was awarded to Arvind Kejriwal who had risen to popularity and also won people’s hearts after winning the elections in Delhi. Whether he can win it again or not is doubtful since his stint as the CM didn’t last more than 50 days and he left the citizens of this country is angst and disappointment.

In politics the name which has been reverberating in everyone’s ears throughout the year was Narendra Modi. He through his powerful speeches and his magnifying aura drew attention of all in this country. He was welcomed with majority of votes too.

In cricket too, Sachin Tendulkar retired this year and left everyone in tears and feeling of shallowness. Everyone realised that cricket will not remain the same anymore. He also launched his maiden autobiography which garnered support from all over the world making it the bestseller.

Virat Kohli who has now cemented his place in the Indian side has also won millions of hearts. He has improved a lot over the years as a batsman and now is doing equally good as a captain too. His aggression has not been liked by many but whenever he has played well, he has managed to win hearts every time.

In Bollywood, Aamir Khan contributed again with Satyameva Jayate by taking up the right issues and connecting to the people of this audience through television. His end of the year release ‘PK’ has received rave reviews.

Aamir’s acting has been appreciated a lot since he has played the role of an alien wonderfully. The movie raises a few questions of religions and our blind faith which has received equal amount of flaks.

Finally Kailash Satyarthi received the Noble Peace Prize of 2014 which has made the nation proud. He was awarded with a lot of respect. Kailash’s work on child labour and saving thousands of children from the trap of child labour made him immensely recognized. He has been working for this cause since many years.

Since there have been so many persons who have contributed equally well in their respective fields it has put us in a fix. You have to decide who truly deserves to win the ‘Person of the Year in India 2014’ award. So put in your votes in the link given below and choose your ‘Person of the Year in India 2014’.

Posted By: Karan Bhatt, Campus brand ambassador Intern at: http://pickyouropinion.com

ATAL BIHARI & MADAN MOHAN MALAVIYA TO BE AWARDED ‘BHARAT RATNA’-A HISTORIC MOMENT

Former Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee and Madan Mohan Malaviya will be conferred the nation's highest civilian honour, the Bharat Ratna. This was announced on the eve of Vajpayee's 90th birthday and Malaviya's 153rd birth anniversary.

The announcement coincides with Vajpayee's birthday on December 25 which the government has already declared as the 'Good Governance Day'.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi and other senior BJP members, including LK Advani, will be present when the Bharat Ratna is presented to Vajpayee at his residence in Delhi as he won't be able to attend a ceremony at Rashtrapati Bhavan due to ill health, a government official said.

The date for this hasn't been decided. Pandit Bhimsen Joshi also received the award at his home, in Pune, in 2009. However Modi moved the Bharat Ratna proposal to President Pranab Mukherjee on Tuesday evening.

The government had decided a while ago to give the Bharat Ratna to Vajpayee, said the official cited above. "It was only looking for a fitting occasion and what better than his 90th birthday," the person said.

He said the government was also keen to bestow the honour upon Malaviya as he was considered a Hindu nationalist besides being founder of the Banaras Hindu University in Modi's constituency, Varanasi.

"Malaviya's grandson, Giridhar Malaviya, was a proposer of Modi when he filed nomination papers from Varanasi," the official said. A Bharat Ratna for Malaviya, who was Congress president in 1909 and 1918, also serves to show that the award is not dictated by political affiliation.

PM Modi tweeted: "Atal ji means so much to everyone.A guide, inspiration & giant among giants. His contribution to India is invaluable. Pt. Madan Mohan Malaviya is remembered as a phenomenal scholar &freedom fighter who lit the spark of national consciousness among people. Country's highest honour to these illustrious stalwarts is a fitting recognition of their service to the Nation."

LK Advani of BJP said, “AB Vajpayee truly deserves the award as he had a blemish free tenure as PM.” Several other BJP leaders also expressed their pleasure on the development on social media.

The government steered clear of criticizing the previous UPA government for not bestowing the honour on Vajpayee. "The time and occasion is correct for the Bharat Ratna to Vajpayee and Madan Malaviya".

Home Minister Rajnath Singh said.43 people have been honoured with the Bharat Ratna since its inception, including scientist CV Raman, cricketer Sachin Tendulkar, singer Lata Mangeshkar and politicians C Rajagopalachari.

Posted By: Shreya Saraf, Campus brand ambassador Intern at: http://pickyouropinion.com

The Feel of festival Merry Christmas

“So warm by the fireplace we glow, all cozy and happy Hang all the stockings in a row, I've got the Christmas feeling I'll take it everywhere I go, And make this Christmas feeling grow”

Christmas is when we celebrate the birth of the Christ child. God sent His Son, Jesus, into the world to be born. His birth brought great joy to the world. Shepherds, wise men, and angels all shared in the excitement of knowing about this great event. 

They knew this was no ordinary baby. The prophets had told of His coming hundreds of years before. The star stopped over Bethlehem just to mark the way for those who were looking for this special child.

Christmas has a way of making people feel all the feels. From the twinkling Christmas tree to the thoughtful gifts beneath it, there’s just something heartwarming about the holiday. For some it may mean the gifts under the tree, the lights in the windows, the cards in the mail, turkey dinners with family and friends, snow in the yard, stockings hanging in the living room, and shouts of "Merry Christmas" to those who pass us in the streets. But Is this really Christmas?

For many people, Christmas is a time of sorrow. They don't have the extra money to buy presents for their children, family, and friends. Many are saddened at Christmas time when they think of their loved ones who will not be able to come home for various reasons.

Turkey dinners may be only a wish and not a reality for some. Our hearts grow tender with childhood memories and love of kindred, and we are better throughout the year for having, in spirit, become a child again at Christmas-time.

However sometimes it's hard when you grow older, as the business and pressures cause you to lose that wondrous spirit of Christmas. When money is tight and time is too, you can end up feeling disappointed, lost or dreading Christmas. Yet, everyone deserves to feel special at Christmas. Restoring the spirit of Christmas time 2014 is worth everyone’s focus and they feel better for it after.

Yet, Christmas can be a season of great joy. It is a time of God showing His great love for His people. It can be a time of healing and renewed strength. If everyone looks at Christmas in a different way this season, then it is a season to invite Jesus to our  hearts. This joy and the peace will last in our hearts for ever and ever.

Jesus Is The Reason For The Season! Rejoice!

Posted By: Shreya Saraf, Campus brand ambassador Intern at: http://pickyouropinion.com