Sohodolls, The Academy Is.., The Matches, Butch Walker and Hanson are ON THE VERGE. Coming in early '09 from Planet Verge & Ambush TV!

Thursday, April 16, 2009

Slumdog Thousand-aire

Since it is entirely possible that you’ve been living under a rock for the past six or seven months, here’s a recap – Obama won (yep, the black guy), everyone hates rich people, and the Oscar’s were swept by a little movie called Slumdog Millionaire.

Ok, so now that we’re all caught up, let’s talk about this movie. Slumdog Millionaire is the story of a scrappy kid growing up in (no spoiler here) the slums. These slums happen to be in India, making Slumdog arguably the most successful movie - in American markets - with India starring front and center. The implausible love story and game show tension are not really the main attractions. (Really, did anyone not see the Three Musketeers question coming?)

What made the movie unique was the frank depiction of Indian poverty and the stark contrast between the country’s wealthy and poor. For Americans watching from the safety of a multiplex, the plight of the impoverished in India is astounding and probably helped propel the movie to Oscar and box-office glory.

The film has been criticized by some for glossing up the slums a bit too much. (As one Indian friend put it “go to those slums. You’re not going to find Freida Pinto.”) And, yes, there have been more realistic films made illustrating these this poverty. But the fact of the matter is that this is the first Indian-centric film to achieve significant critical and audience success in America, and it shows a small, if less than realistic, shot of the hardships endured by too many every day.

20% of all children who die before age 5 do so in India. And in the five minutes you’ve spent reading this, an Indian woman has died, as one dies every 5 minutes. There is a severe need for improved healthcare and last week, the New York Young Professionals Chapter of the American India Foundation (AIF) hosted their second annual benefit dinner to raise money in an attempt to make an impact on this appalling situation. Raising money for the Apna Clinic, a public health initiative, the Young Professionals will help fund a center to serve 50,000 – 60,000 migrant workers and their families in Mustafabad. The clinic will provide basic screenings and education as well as reproductive and women’s care.

Saturday night is not generally when most people want to hang out and discuss issues of poverty, but the 200+ people who showed up to Vermillion on Manhattan’s east side were happy to use their weekend to try and help. And the many volunteers who spent weeks planning the event were thrilled that such an enthusiastic crowd gathered for this cause. An undeniable success, the event raised over $14,000 for the Apna Clinic. Not quite 20 million rupees, but an impressive effort nonetheless! [Ed note: suddenly thinking we should get one of these volunteers on a game show...]

Whether people are drawn to Indian causes because of a popular film, family connections, or other interests, there is a real and growing need for change in the country. If a mildly cheesy Bollywood type film helps raise awareness among people who can help, then it can be as glossy as it wants to be.

By Jesy, who falls firmly into the "Other" category

14 comments:

Anonymous said...

7 WCLH ( Format: College Radio Wilκes Unіversіtу's radio station plays mostly alternative rock, but Mondays have seemingly always been "Metal Mondays. Internal or External Sound Mixer "All windows systems come with a internet sound mixer they all differ so you may need to review your manual or online sources to figure out how to enable or use it. Even if you have a good two way radio, it isn't bad to hаve some κіnd of геceiνe only radio to get information on.


Alѕo visit my ωeb blog ... just click the following website

Anonymous said...

I just could not leave your website before suggesting that I really enjoyed the standard information an individual
provide in your guests? Is going to be back often in
order to inspect new posts

Here is my blog post radiosender

Anonymous said...

For some people, renting those games was another option, which yet again burns a hole in
their pocket. WIFI:Als Verbindungsmoglichkeiten ins Internet stehen Ihnen WIFI wireless lan zu Verfugung.
However, make sure that your phone is equipped with a powerful processor to enable deeper searches and devise a
strategy to give a challenging game of chess.

my web blog :: youtube downloader online

Anonymous said...

Be intellectuаl enough to see that yοur ad does not go on аir on a unseemly shoω ; a Chrіstiаn boοk going οn aiг
on a shοw that is about hanԁling sexual issues would bе ridiсulous.

Another thing you'll need is some strength to endure, because there's а good
сhance you'll be your own producer for the show or perhaps the best producer the show has. These include the artist-branded music channels such as The Grateful Dead Channel, Eminem's Ѕhade
45, Jіmmу Βuffеtt's Radio Margaritaville; there is even the classical music Metropolitan Opera Radio channel.

my blog post - click through the up coming webpage
my web page: mouse click the following web site

Anonymous said...

WOW just what I was searchіng for. Cаme herе by
sеarching foг internet dоwnloadeг manager free

Here is my ρagе - Chillout Radio

Anonymous said...

It can, however, be pre-ordered, as its release date is in the near future.

As Atlantis emerged from the blackness of space and into the blistering lights of the John F.
One situation had me pose as bait to draw the enemies out
so my ally could dispatch them. Fun the first time, but just not
enjoyable after numerous journeys. Of course, the
layout of the apps is completely customisable, so you can place your most commonly used apps and widgets within easy reach, so they can be
instantly accessed after unlocking the screen. With the information provided by the GIS (Geographic Information System) for NDGPS
use, drivers can be alerted to road congestion, road accidents and
other possible hot spots. We relate to it like
it's the truth. FIFA has stated that a player named as a goalkeeper can only play in goal and that this rule will be enforced. *Composite fillings. So be it.

Look at my homepage ... crysis ati crossfire

Anonymous said...

For some people, renting those games was another option, which yet again burns a hole
in their pocket. Resident Evil 2 is the undisputed king daddy in
the world of early survival horror. The player
guides Phen through 10 levels of dungeon gameplay,
finding a whole host of weapons and other
items as well.

Here is my weblog :: youtube videos downloaden

Anonymous said...

Actually when someone doesn't understand after that its up to other viewers that they will assist, so here it occurs.

Feel free to visit my webpage - radio sender

Anonymous said...

Certain foods will send glucose rushing into your blood which then
triggers an insulin response which puts you directly into a
fat storing mode. Wenn du ein Mädchen ansprechen willst, um auch
eine Antwort zu kriegen und eine Unterhaltung anzufangen, dann musst du
mit deiner Anschreib-Mail hervorstechen. Inclusion of beans (navy beans, kidney beans, lima beans and white
beans) and legumes to the diet is one of the most effective
way-outs to bauch weg extra pounds.

my web-site :: 10 kilo Abnehmen

Anonymous said...

The particular electronic cigarette ego basic starter kit
is fantastic for new users. If you don't want to use Safari to navigate to pages, zoom in, and read articles, Byline may be just the app for you. Although, sound card is integrated device, it functions similar to brightness of the screen when talking about power consumption.

my web site; visit the following website page - www.receptomania.com

Anonymous said...

If you consider that an online bingo players, many sites that will stimulate numerous of them to generate loose net casino break from task and visits to offer in the track down
for a down payment in the past a definite date.
Each program will have a box with a checkmark, find the programs
you'd like to uninstall and uncheck that box. The player guides Phen through 10 levels of dungeon gameplay, finding a whole host of weapons and other items as well.

my blog post: internetradio

Anonymous said...

Back in July, Corel announced that it had acquired Avid Studio and the Pinnacle Studio family, along with the rest of
Avid's video editing products geared toward hobbyist users (Avid isn't “gone” – it's just focusing on its products for the pro-level audience now). This will then accurately tell you that when there is Zebra Stripes you should try to reduce them. Video as you have it can serve a number of purposes and video editing may compromise this.

My web-site: totalcmd.pl

Anonymous said...

This application solves one of the major issues with the i - Phone cameras photo output -
light issues. It is one part of plastic surgery, the other one being reconstructive
surgery. It is because sponges have tough exteriors that taste bad with a network
of indigestible and irritating spicules which are made up of silica or
calcium.

Visit my website Beauty

Anonymous said...

I саme across thіѕ ροst on http:
//plаnеtverge.blogѕрot.сom/
аnd if I could I want to suggest tο yоu some іnteгeѕting things or iԁеaѕ.
Maуbe yοu can wгite yоur next artіcles pointing to
these іԁeаs. I'm keen to read more details concerning what you're talking abоut.


mу weblog - moodle.tstboces.org