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Bernard M. Baruch says \" Be who you are and say what you feel, because those who mind don't matter, and those who matter don't mind.\u201d<\/p>
We people live in an era of self-proclaimed gurus, experts and innovators. We are like persistently looking for the next Steve Jobs, Bill Gates or the great minds like them who can still change the world. We are so obsessed with an idea of becoming rich and successful that we are now religious about it. We obsessively share articles on how such people think, and about their lifestyle. We naively believe that we can become billionaires or millionaires within a night. Actually, we got it all wrong.<\/p>
One should get tired of thinking like someone else. All people are not alike, everyone is different. We all live on the same planet but we all have a vast world of ideas and dreams to achieve. We see the big people around us and we try to become like them. Hence, we wear a mask to hide our true selves and become someone else and we live like them due to which we lack our authenticity. We let others judge us on the contrast with the successful person. Our true self is who we really are when we let go of all of the stories, labels, and judgments that we have placed upon ourselves. It is who we naturally are without the masks and pretentiousness. <\/p>
It is who we really are when we let fall to the floor the cloak of other people\u2019s stuff that we have taken on. Everything else that we claim to be when we say, \u201cThis is who I am!\u201d is only a story. A story where we built our foundation on lies and we built our fake-selves on them. If you ever watch small children, you will notice just how free they are and how little they care about what other people think of them. They are happy and in the moment. They are their true natures. They have not yet been socialized to \u201cfit in\u201d to a society that squashes that. They don\u2019t care if people think that they are silly while they dance in the front yard for all of the neighbours to see. <\/p>
Children are just pure love and light. If you really want to get in touch with your inner child, become freer. Play, have fun, enjoy the moment, do cartwheels in the front yard. We play roles to fit into society and we suppress our true nature out of fear of what others think. If you find yourself worrying about being judged, remember that is merely just the socialized you, not the real you.<\/p>
You may be shocked by the number of negative thoughts that run through your mind on any given day. After so long, our reality begins to take shape based on all of these conditioned thinking patterns.Yes, thoughts will come and go, but just allow them to do that without getting attached to them. Just observe them. When you are finished, continue observing the mind throughout your day.We have so many unconscious beliefs that we have taken on over the years that were probably handed down to us from somebody else, and that we believed to be who we are. Becoming more aware of the quality of your thoughts, letting go of the old beliefs, and becoming more present can help in revealing your true nature. We are all so much more than those old negative thinking patterns would ever allow us to believe.<\/p>
Your authentic self is the real you that is beyond all of those conditioned beliefs and thinking patterns that you have accumulated throughout your life. If you believe in yourself you will be the one of your kind.<\/p>
\"It's not what I am or on what I BELIEVE in it's what I do that defines me\"<\/p>"},{"type":"img","id":"img-uid-1507914735064","data":"59e0f4626f7a0"}]
Starting late last year and extending all the way to mid 2017, the Global Student Entrepreneur Award 2017 saw some fantastic ideas and startups by students juggling their studies, lives and careers as they built a product that could change the world. Today, the GSEA is back for the 2017\/18 season with applications open right now! <\/p>
Much like last year, the GSEA will have regional competitions before moving to national and then global, where the best entrepreneurs from the selected countries will meet, compete and exchange ideas while also picking up investors and more. <\/p>
Are you a student entrepreneur looking to take your product to the next level? Are you dedicated to building a product that not only turns your life around, but also the lives of others? Do you think you have what it takes to be the recipient of the Global Student Entrepreneurship Award?<\/p>
If yes, APPLY TODAY by clicking here!<\/a> Here's to building a better future and to all the students who have dedicated their time and effort into bringing a change! <\/p>"}]
Being a student with imparting knowledge on different multitasking aspects is not an easy job.Like everyone, he had to go through many up's and down's in his life to set a meaning for his life and degree. After reading this you'll believe that success is the result of perfection, hard work, learning from your failures and persistence. <\/p>
In the words of Visla Krishna about his successful career :<\/u><\/b><\/p>
\"Facing all the challenges in my life gave me stronger feeling that there was something bigger that is waiting for me, a bigger challenge, a bigger stage to showcase my talents and a bigger success.<\/p>
My success starts from my engineering life. One day I and my friends happen to attend a technical fest and this was when I got more attracted towards technical stuff. I tried and interacted with many students who participated in that and designed a robot. With all the spirit I along with my friend participated in the competition that was held in IIT Hyd and secured the 6th position among 12 finalized groups. I knew that I had much more to face further and this was just a part of my career which actually helped me to learn more things for a better success.<\/p>
The next fest was on the go and I participated with the basic motors to and presented our selves in a very tough situation as everyone was fully prepared with all the possible things to win. Competiton was high and we were not up to the mark. But still, my passion did not stop me the place where I lost. The nightmares did not leave me a single night, they always reminded me of the failure I stood up to the failure fought back with all the mistakes that I had admitted when I was a beginner.<\/p>
I got tremendous support from my family as well as from my faculty members and then again I and my team happened to attend another event and we just not participated but won the competition for the Robot which we worked upon which not only gave us an identity but we could even make our college flag fly high. This was when I realized that hard work pays back to you in the form of success. It's just that you need wait for it. <\/p>
As an intern I managed to organise a workshop through Hackboats, a start-up company which trained the students on how to face hackathons and helped them out to prepare robots which resulted in 40+ of them and I continued as a trainer for this workshop in Vardhman and CMR Engineering Colleges.<\/p>
I never expected to be in the limelight. My passion is still continued with 54+ mighty certified achievements with one default. Some of the scales of winning at fests and events are JNTU HYD, KITS WARANGAL, SNIST, CBIT, IIT-Hyderabad, CMR, MLR, MJCET, MGIT, JNTU- Sultanpur.<\/p>
Just remember one thing, guys, if you quit once it becomes a habit so, never QUIT\".<\/p>
<\/p>
Wishing you all the success. ALL THE BEST VISLA.<\/p>
<\/p>"},{"type":"img","id":"img-uid-1507733709031","data":"59de3164bdc17"},{"type":"img","id":"img-uid-1507825458548","data":"59df97a4868a7"},{"type":"img","id":"img-uid-1507826232636","data":"59df9abc56a7a"}]
There are some friendships that don't leave traces on social media.<\/p>\n
No pictures or selfies to filter and upload.<\/p>\n
No exchange of casual harm words on timelines.<\/p>\n
No holidays were taken or travel plans pinned on walls.<\/p>\n
No , These friendships needs none of this evidence.<\/p>\n
Or talks that can track why they mean so much to our lives.<\/p>\n
Instead, they are quiet observers of living of growing and traveling together into a new version of themselves .<\/p>\n","id":"1507855205001","type":"txt"},{"data":"
There are full of stories that are shared and laughed over a cup of tea or a pint of beer or a plate of Biryani.<\/p>\n
Things that a virtual presence can hardly quantify but mean much more.<\/p>\n
that's it.<\/p>\n","id":"1507855205002","type":"txt"},{"data":"59dfce449ca91","id":"1507855205003","type":"img"}]
I've never really had the gumption to cosplay, for one it requires a considerable amount of time and patience, and for another, I'm not exactly a spring chicken I used to be. Come to think of it, I never was that spring chicken. <\/p>
Jokes aside, however, while cosplaying is a major part of the Comic-Con culture, one doesn't necessarily to cosplay to be a part of it. But, if personal experience is anything to go by, you do feel the pinch of that cosplay bug when you see fantastic cosplays on the show floor over the Comic-Con weekend. <\/p>
Keeping that in mind, I spoke to fresh new recruits to cosplay communities, talking to them about their cosplays and asking them the reasons behind it. Do note that since the Con has not happened yet, there will be no pictures of the people mentioned in this article in their costumes. Check em out on the show floor this weekend! <\/p>"},{"type":"img","id":"img-uid-1507815207347","data":"59df6f9a94787"},{"type":"txt","id":"rich_1507808300087","data":"
\"When you're a kid,\" says Tejodeep TJ, a 20-year-old student, \"you have this dream of wearing your favourite superhero's costume one day. Cosplay allows me to to do so and celebrate this culture with fellow geeks like me.\" <\/p>
Tejodeep goes on to talk about how the Hyderabad Cosplay Community helped him out, \"I did try last year as the Joker, and it turned out to be a disaster,\" he laughs, \"This year, I had help from the community and they were all very sweet and extremely helpful.\" <\/p>
Speaking about his cosplay itself, \"I'm cosplaying as Ezra Miller's Flash,\" he says, referring to The Flash in the upcoming Justice League movie, \"and I'm pretty excited. The costume has been coming along nicely, can't wait for the weekend to arrive!\"<\/p>"},{"type":"img","id":"img-uid-1507809014712","data":"59df6f8e9e190"},{"type":"txt","id":"rich_1507809016775","data":"
While there are those who have never cosplayed and are about to start their journey, among us are also people who have cosplayed before but never at a Con due to various reasons, majority of it being Comic-Con not having an edition in their city. Rubina Raphael is one such cosplayer. <\/p>
Hailing from Chennai, this final year Masters student is headed to Hyderabad for her first Comic-Con, \"I have previously cosplayed at various events like a Halloween party, Japan Habba and 2 other private events,\" she elaborates, \"But yes, this will be my first time at any Con.\" <\/p>
Speaking about her journey so far in the world of cosplays and fandoms, she says, \"I've grown up watching Anime, which was what drew me initially to the world of cosplay.\" Upon being asked whether she was nervous about the upcoming event, she laughs and says, \"I'll be too excited to be nervous,\" before elaborating, \"But yeah, it's my first con, I'm quite aware that we will have a very large number of people coming through. Thankfully, the community is really helpful and I'm quite confident it'll be a good couple of days.\"<\/p>
From the three costumes Rubina is bringing to Hyderabad, she isn't sure which one to go with first, \"I'm ready to go with Laura from Street Fighter, Inu Yasha from the anime series of the same name and Illaoi from League of Legends, although I still have to add the finishing touches to the Illaoi costume.\" <\/p>"},{"type":"img","id":"img-uid-1507812343738","data":"59df6fd35ff58"},{"type":"txt","id":"rich_1507812345935","data":"
Cosplaying is being in the public eye for extended periods of time in costumes of your favourite characters. While it sounds easy on paper, it can be quite the harrowing experience. Even taking pictures all day with fans can be quite cumbersome. Which is why our next first-time cosplayer waited for a while before she was confident enough to finally cosplay, \"As Princess Leia from the prequel trilogy,\" she laughs. <\/p>
Neha Nisal is a 25-year old corporate lawyer based out of Chandigarh and has been a part of the fandom culture for years, and is certainly not new to comic cons but, as she informs us, this would be her first time cosplaying a character, especially one she admires. <\/p>
\"I was nervous because for some people being in the public eye in costumes can be quite taxing on your mind,\" she explains, \"Combine that with the fact that the Cons are almost always crowded, packed would be the word, and you become really self-aware and conscious of one's self. That is something you need to avoid when you're cosplaying.\" <\/p>
Cosplaying as Princess Leia - and later Commander Organa, sorry I'm a fan too - is a dream come true for Neha, \"She's just this amazing character that has been an example for so many years. She never backs down from a fight and always takes a stand, that is admirable.\" <\/p>
Finishing the short chat, I asked Neha why she had decided to cosplay now, this year, in particular, she replied 'Alibaba Express Delivery.'<\/p>"},{"type":"img","id":"img-uid-1507812988661","data":"59df6febda063"},{"type":"txt","id":"rich_1507812990675","data":"
While all three of the people mentioned above have been part of fandoms for quite some time now, my facebook post on the Hyderabad Cosplayers Club netted a response from a person that, I would say, is an anomaly in the community, one which has fully embraced and welcomed her. <\/p>
Amita Sood is a Consultant with Microsoft Global Delivery Center and a recent arrival to the city, \"I arrived about a year ago,\" she says, speaking over the phone, \"and for 6 months I was really bored. I didn't know what to do or where to go, but then I started branching out.\"<\/p>
An extrovert through and through, Amita's love for public speaking lead her to sign up with Toastmasters Hyderabad and as she says it, it was only a matter of time until she came across Comic-Con. <\/p>
\"A friend of my is a doodle artist and spoke about Comic-Con some time ago and I thought, this is something interesting, something that I want to do. Now, I'm not exactly into fandoms, neither do I watch TV shows or watch Hollywood movies, and I'm definitely the only person on the planet who hasn't watched Game of Thrones yet,\" she laughs, \"but I wanted to do something about Comic-Con, so I decided to go a bit retro.\" <\/p>
Amita is cosplaying as Little Red Riding Hood from the classic tale with a hungry wolf for a grandmother. The story has been passed down from generations for centuries, even finds itself in many video games, stories, movies and TV shows, the latest being a direct reference in The Witcher 3's expansion Blood and Wine. <\/p>
As a life-long introvert, my first reaction to anyone who says they are comfortable in the public eye is a usually a silent scream and a twist of my hand, the non-verbal sign of asking how. It really baffles me how people like Amita are so comfortable like that and when asked, Amita laughs, \"I'm used to it, you're going to get attention one way or another, the best way to do so is on your own terms. That's one way to be comfortable with it. I know there's only one thing I'm coming to the Con for this time, having fun.\"<\/p>"},{"type":"img","id":"img-uid-1507814367454","data":"59df7095e656b"},{"type":"txt","id":"rich_1507814369952","data":"
It is always great to see more people becoming part of the community you've been in for so long. As someone who - not so long ago - thought that there weren't enough like-minded people in the country, we've now found community and people like us whom we can identify with, who understand just how crazy you are about the fandoms you are part of. The feeling of community and showing appreciation for your favourite characters, as well as having fun, that is what cosplay is about. <\/p>
Hyderabad Comic-Con will be held on October 14-15. See you at the Con! <\/p>"}]
My First Defeat- it happened, not when I lost a game or something that we call life race. I was defeated when I first thought I\u2019m not worth it or I\u2019m not talented as much as everyone else was....ya that was my First Defeat when I started self-pitying myself. But you know what, I was wrong. I was totally wrong. My Defeat is because I haven\u2019t given my best at all. Maybe I\u2019m good at something else. But instead of considering the maybe or because I started thinking that I\u2019m not capable of anything.<\/p>
Days passed....months passed...years passed.... and I start cursing myself.....<\/p>
one day I found my talent.but it was too late.<\/p>
After losing something if I would not have blamed myself and started thinking about what mistake I would have done and started correcting them. The story would have been something different<\/p>
So remember -\u201c Failure is simply the opportunity to begin again, but this time more intelligently\u201d<\/p>"},{"type":"img","id":"img-uid-1507727379920","data":"59de188ab9097"}]
I feel like I should say this, with Comic-Con Hyderabad one day away. <\/p>
Many of us youngsters will be headed to Comic-Con to celebrate our weirdness together, but it is important for us to remember that no matter what, it is not okay for you to touch a cosplayer without permission, neither is it okay for you to take pictures without permission. <\/p>
Too many times I've seen people just grab cosplayers, especially women, around by their waists and pulling them around to take photos with without even asking for permission which, obviously, leads to some heated arguments. If you are at the Con, remember that the cosplayers are dressing up to celebrate their fandom, and not for your fantasies. <\/p>
So the following are 5 tips that you need to keep in mind while you're attending the con and not to come off as a creep. <\/p>
1. Come to the con for the fandoms, not the women: <\/b><\/p>
Look, don't try to pretend that there aren't boys who only go to the Con to check out women and creep on them. We saw this in prominence last year when half of Hyderabad seemingly turned up for the Con, so much so that there was barely any room to breathe in the hall, let alone walk in peace. When you have this many people in a crowded room, things get messy, especially with people who have come only to objectify women and not to enjoy the fandoms they like. <\/p>"},{"type":"img","id":"img-uid-1507792032590","data":"59df1b8d48d3d"},{"type":"txt","id":"rich_1507792034521","data":"
2. Understand Consent: <\/b> <\/p>
You have to understand that if anyone, man or woman, says no to your request, turn around and walk away. If a cosplayer does not want to take pictures with you, then walk away, because a No means a No. <\/p>"},{"type":"img","id":"img-uid-1507792105151","data":"59df1ba7b6c81"},{"type":"txt","id":"rich_1507792107140","data":"
3. Learn to ask permissions: <\/b> <\/p>
This isn't just limited to asking cosplayers permissions to take pictures with, but if you are taking a picture of anyone else, make sure you ask them for permission. It is Comic-Con, cosplayers understand that they'll be taking pictures with folk all day, just ask first. It is a shame that I even have to write this down. <\/p>"},{"type":"txt","id":"rich_1507791318727","data":"
4. Learn to take a No: <\/b> <\/p>
Let's not take any names in this article, but not very long ago, an acquaintance with a massive ego was refused a photo with a cosplayer and a dear friend. This acquaintance went berserk, yelling at her in the middle of the crowded hall because she had dared hurt his fragile male ego. Don't do that, learn to take a no. <\/p>"},{"type":"img","id":"img-uid-1507792578671","data":"59df1bc462e10"},{"type":"txt","id":"rich_1507792740984","data":"
5. Remember that the world doesn't revolve around you: <\/b> <\/p>
Comic-Con is for everyone, not just for you. Women don't exist for your ego, if your idea of fun comes at the expense of someone else's, please do us all a favour and leave the con. The world does not, and will never, revolve around you, therefore making things worse for someone else is the worst thing you can do. Don't be a creep. <\/p>"},{"type":"img","id":"img-uid-1507793585635","data":"59df1be642dba"}]
Not being a big fan of historical movies, when I went, I was a blank sheet. I wanted to watch the movie on my own terms and form my own opinions. The way you think gets distorted when you take in the opinions of other people before judging it yourself.\nNeedless to say, the movie surprised me. It surprised me because it was never larger than life. This is 'my opinion' or otherwise what I call as 'a couple of thoughts that grazed my mind while I watched the movie'.\nScenes of aerial combat spitfires and paranoid shots at the sea shore aside, the movie told the story of war as it probably might have taken place. It didn't suggest a tale of a hero who charged into battles nor a tale of villain who is dragged to hell for destroying the world<\/u>. <\/p>\n
The story told by Dunkirk is a story drenched in many shades<\/u>- it's a story of shifting conclusion of morality which never seems to cease, about frightened youngsters just like you or me, marching into battle only because everyone else was, sometimes inspired to be courageous, at other times, purely motivated to survive no matter what the cost. The soldiers in Nolan's screen were sometimes a hero, sometimes a villain, sometimes merely extras, but at all times, human. <\/p>\n
Our movies are almost always stories of great feats by remarkable people, the reason we have a hero, who has villains to defeat and extras to outshine. We need it because we need to believe that there is something more than just our lives on this planet. We need to believe that there's something more. We need someone to blame, someone to save and someone to be a hero. Maybe damaged, maybe foul mouthed, maybe not perfect yet still a hero.<\/u><\/p>\n
I look around at my life and it's anything but larger than life. I'm an awkward almost-adult who lives life with earphones in my ears. I'm no hero. I stumble and fall, and then I get up. I try to do right but more often than not, mess it up. I sometimes say things I don't mean and I sometimes hurt the people that love me. <\/p>\n
There are moments when I feel like I am part of something big, like when I stand up to speak or when I'm writing my heart out, and see it resonate with wonderfully different people from across the globe. But most of the time, I'm just a confused person trying to keep it all together, wondering when I'll be the hero of my own story. Maybe, I already am. Just as it seems. <\/p>\n"}]
At the break of the day, as I got up from my bed, I heard a cuckoo telling a message to her friend or maybe singing just to share her joy. I wondered how come a bird\u2019s song can be so mesmerizing. That might be the magic of music. <\/p>\n
I put my backpack in the trunk and was driving to Cochin, listening to Drake\u2019s Grammys, and going with the varied playlist of mine\u2026some beats of Michael and melodies of Elvis. Then I approached the shore of the mighty Arabian Sea. The majestic wind turbines with mammoth sized blades turning to rhythm of wind, soaring high in the sky just left me awe inspired. Then leaving my headset and mobile in my car, I reached the shore to see something wonderful yet pretty melodious. The way the huge waves made their way from somewhere in middle of the vast waters to the shore striking with huge force just made a sort of sound, or maybe it was one of the songs of the nature, I guess. The rhythm of the flamingos and sea gulls pulled me towards them. That serene sea suddenly turned to something similar to a stage for a concert filled with tunes so soothing yet simple. <\/p>\n
After driving about fifty kilometers on an expressway, I reached the beautiful Western Ghats. The lush greenery just caught my sight and made me stop there. I reached a waterfall. There were a lot of birds, many of which were parrots and sparrows. There were a very few deers far from my sight yodeling and those birds were being creative hymnodists. <\/p>\n
The euphony made by mother nature filled me with an aura of euphoria. The I questioned was it really necessary to have a speaker or earpiece to have music, like should some person sing it with an orchestra? Then I answered to myself this might not be the only way.<\/p>\n
The harmonious music made by the trees, wind and all life full of beans' was no less than any of Fifth Harmony's single. I realized my d\u00e9j\u00e0 vu of having this feeling before but didn\u2019t realized this was a small showcase of creativity of mother nature.<\/p>\n
I admired her and resumed my journey. But then I started listening to beats not on mobile but on and along my way. This might be the so called Viva la Vida.<\/p>\n"}]
It has come to my attention that many people are nervous when they visit the airport for the first time, for a variety of reasons. From the tight security to the plush ornate design of the interiors, the general stark cleanliness of the surroundings and the lack of chaos that us Indians are used to in a bus or train station. It feels completely new and puts you on your guard, because it is simply human tendency to fear the unknown, it is perfectly alright. But you don't have to worry, because as someone privileged enough to fly enough times around the world, I have a few tips for you to remember as you head towards your first flight. <\/p>
1. Make a list of things you need: <\/b> <\/p>
You get used to this, but if this is your first ever time flying, sit down, take a piece of paper and a pen and write down everything you'll need to fly. Don't write what you'll pack, but what you actually need to make the trip, like your ticket, your ID and if you're traveling abroad, your Passport. This is important because it is often very easy to forget things when you're nervous about flying the first time, and before you begin the trip, crosscheck multiple times in a cool and calm manner, there is no need to panic. Speaking of staying calm, however...<\/p>"},{"type":"img","id":"img-uid-1507735788117","data":"59de44d053403"},{"type":"txt","id":"rich_1507735790249","data":"
2. Stay calm, there is no reason to panic: <\/b><\/p>
I realise people say that especially when there are plenty of reasons to panic, but in this case, there are none. The airport is a safe zone unless you're smuggling something, so don't actually do that. Enjoy the sights, get shocked at the prices on the menu in the varied cafes and restaurants that dot the place and find a nice chair you can sit on. <\/p>"},{"type":"img","id":"img-uid-1507737456507","data":"59de44df6a284"},{"type":"txt","id":"rich_1507737458699","data":"
3. Security Checks are a deterrent: <\/b> <\/p>
And they are there for your safety, so take comfort in that fact. Security checks can get really bothersome, but make sure you follow instructions when you are asked to do something and ensure that you and your fellow passengers are cleared through security as soon as possible. You will most likely be asked to deposit your phone, wallet and laptop in a tray available at the security clearance desk, so do it, and wait in line for your turn. If something happens, answer the questions you are asked as truthfully as you can. Remember, you have done nothing wrong, therefore you have no reason to fear. <\/p>"},{"type":"img","id":"img-uid-1507737597196","data":"59de44f9c2bb2"},{"type":"txt","id":"rich_1507737599034","data":"
4. Don't hesitate to ask for help: <\/b> <\/p>
One good thing about airports is that you can always rely on someone being close by who can help you out if you are confused and do not know which way to go. Before you get your boarding pass, airliners usually have people spread out near their counters who will ask you if you need help, alternatively you could go to them and ask for help as well. There's no shame in being a little lost and asking for help, therefore do not worry if you do not know what to do once you get through the initial security and are headed towards picking your boarding pass. <\/p>"},{"type":"img","id":"img-uid-1507737717813","data":"59de451fd88cc"},{"type":"txt","id":"rich_1507737719529","data":"
5. Remember to have fun: <\/b> <\/p>
If you are a first time flyer, you will experience the result of many decades of research into aviation in action as you fasten your seat belts in the aircraft cabin. The thrill of the aircraft attaining high speeds and the force you feel on your body as the aircraft takes off, as well as the lightness in your body when it starts descending is an incredible experience, one which can be scary at first. Remember that flying remains the safest way humans have travelled, and that you are in safe hands with an industry that has many regulations to check and prevent anything untoward from happening. <\/p>
Oh, and do ask your fellow passenger if you could have the window seat just for take off, since it is your first time. More often than not, they'll agree. Have fun! <\/p>"},{"type":"img","id":"img-uid-1507738807973","data":"59de4538aef5c"}]
The best weekend of the year, as they advertise themselves, is a fitting tagline for Comic-Con. A 2-day event celebrating your favourite movies, video games and of course, comics is basically a dream come true for every young geek who grew up playing video games, reading comic books and watching Star Wars and Lord of the Rings. <\/p>
Comic-Con Hyderabad, to be held this weekend on October 14-15, is the first Comic-Con edition in the country this year. With a range of guests - including Sailesh Gopalan of Brown Paperbag comics, whose interview you can read by clicking here - the event promises to be a memorable one with cosplayers from across the city and a few from across the country attending the event. But while all that sounds good, during a recent discussion with a friend about the event, we spoke about what makes Comic-Con an event we strongly identify with.<\/p>"},{"type":"img","id":"img-uid-1507730312336","data":"59de29737375c"},{"type":"txt","id":"rich_1507730314210","data":"
The extent of popular culture in India was centered around movies with over the top heroes and action sequences where a seemingly normal man beats up multiple henchmen with no particular problem, not even stopping to break a sweat. These movies also put a lot of emphasis on 'machoism', where the hero asserts his dominant masculinity over the people around him, even other men. The idea was that this was the only man you needed to see in the room, in this case, the screen. Heroes were flawless, they had the perfect comeback lines, they were ready to take on any challenges, they formed cults of personality around them with people existing solely to feed his ego.<\/p>
There were some of us that didn't like this at all. <\/p>
As much as our movies tried to promote - and still do - the machoism of the hero in movies, there were many of us who wanted stories, real grounded stories about extraordinary people. This led to an underground culture around comic books, greatly aided by the many Indian comics like Tinkle, Raj Comics and more. Chacha Chowdary was, and still remains, many young children's first introduction to a proper comic book. <\/p>
So for us misfits who rejected the popular culture that Bollywood forces upon us, we had comics to fall back on with its varied stories and interesting, richly detailed characters. But while comics had had a following for quite some time in India - just not a convention to celebrate it - there was another niche that was quickly forming as India opened the floodgates to its economy in the 90s: TV Show buffs and Gamers. <\/p>
The Indian economy boomed after liberalisation carried out in, coincidentally, the same year I was born. This would lead to a new generation of Indian children with access to the Internet and by extension, video games and TV shows. Starting my love affair with video games in 1995, I've never looked back over the years as I played more and more, keeping notebooks for games like Tomb Raider to write down puzzle solutions and draw rough maps from memory of the levels I had gone through to see if I could find an exit to the room I was stuck in. Those were the days. <\/p>
While I've never been a TV show buff until 2010, thanks to a dear friend who introduced me to How I Met Your Mother, video games have always been my life and I felt that there wasn't a proper community around it. That is until Facebook became mainstream in India. I found that there are thousands of people like me, people whom I count among my friends today, who felt the same way. It was only a matter of time before we would have something that would let us celebrate our collective geekiness together. <\/p>"},{"type":"img","id":"img-uid-1507731537362","data":"59de29894ed87"},{"type":"txt","id":"rich_1507731539423","data":"
This is why Comic-Con means so much to me. It is a platform for me to meet like-minded folk, people with whom I can hang out and talk, come out of my comforting shell of being a recluse and be part of a community. Being part of a community is, after all, a very comforting thing to keep in mind: you have a family that isn't bound to you by blood, but by your shared interest in a work of art. <\/p>
I do realise that there are many who have grown some animosity against how Comic-Cons are held in India, and I get that. It isn't perfect, but they were part of the movement while it was growing and with all our efforts, it will become something that we can all be very proud of. <\/p>
See you at the con! <\/p>"}]
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