somparna-chakrabarti

[somparna-chakrabarti]

Vivo U20 Technical Review

#MAR #MAKAUT #TechnicalReview 

Vivo U20 is a continuation in the U series range of Vivo but there are several new additions that makes this model stand out from the previous one. This particular model  is priced at Rs 12,990 for the 4GB variant while the 8GB variant is priced at Rs  14,990. The camera does a good job even at night time providing clear pictures with its inbuilt night mode feature. However a better sharpness and clarity could have been achieve. Games like PUBG run smoothly without any lags and offer a seamless experience. Heating issues is something you can forget while playing games with this phone. The 6GB variant obviously offers a better performance. The 5000mAh battery will serve you all day if your activity is limited to texting and using basic internet features. Full Charging takes approximately an hour. Vivo’s FunTouch OS has been implemented based on Android 9 Pie. The 6.53 inch FHD+ display and glossy finish gives a nice feel and touch . 

Verdict:

Overall a 8.5/10  for one of the cheapest yet amazingly manufactured handset.

[somparna-chakrabarti]

Film Review of Anukul

#MAR #MAKAUT #FilmReview

Director:Sujoy Ghosh

Starring:Saurabh Shukla,Parambrata Chattopadhyay,Kharaj Mukherjee

Anukul is a Hindi language sci-fi short film based on an adaptation of a story of same name by Satyajit Ray.The story is set in the backdrop of Kolkata where Nikunj, a Hindi teacher by profession purchases a robot named 'Anukul' from Chowringhee Robot Supply Corporation.Anukul is a well behaved polite bibliophilic robot who diligently performs the household chores.Nikunj's brother Ratan on the other hand after loosing his years old job due to Robots turns hostile against Anukul and ends up hitting him.Nikunj is warned by the saleswoman after repairing about Anukul's ability to give high voltage electric shocks if this action is repeated.Nikunj and Anukul dont share an ordinary master servant relationship as in one of the important sequence of the film Nikunj teaches Anukul about one's dharma or duties.He enlightens Anukul on the concept of distinguishing between good and bad and how one should use his own conscience to judge accordingly.What Anukul does next when Ratan repeats his illbehaviour is based on his learnings about dharma from Nikunj.

The film does have certain changes from the original story but has beautifully explored the idea of Robots taking up a majority of human jobs.Anukul's reaction in certain situations is what is he learns from human's around himself.So the mistakes human keep blaming robots for is actually a result of careless actions undertaken by a human himself thus letting a Robot potentially learn from it leading to a hazardous future.The actors have done a commendable job and thanks to the director for keeping this film short yet so impactful.

An overall rating of 4.5/5 for this masterpeice that was written much ahead of its time.

[somparna-chakrabarti]

Avantika was turning Six

#MAR #MAKAUT #StoryWritting

Avantika was turning six this year.She was excited for her birthday party that her parents had promised if she scored a hundred in mathematics.That wasn't an ordeal for her.Scoring the highest in school examinations was pretty much like her daily routine.Her parents could barely understand how at this tender age and with such little effort she would come out with flying colours.Upon returning home after her exams  the first thing she would do was to talk to her 'Major'.Major and Avantika had their own share of secrets.Avantika would indistinctly chatter about her day at school and an engrossed 'Major'  would carefully listen to all of it."Avantika,...Avantika",called out her mom as she waited for her at the dining table.Like an obedient child she walked towards the table and almost climbed up the chair still too high for her to sit."So will you and Papa invite all of my friends to the party?",asked Avantika."Sure,its only been a few months for you at this school.We also want to see how many friends you have made." Avantika's Papa,Brigadier  Ritwik Mitra being an army officer had frequent transfers as a result they were always moving to and fro between several states.

The results this time was no exception."I did not expect a student joining school four  months late would be able to grasp everything so  swiflty",said her class teacher who  was almost falling short of words in admiration.That evening the guest lists were made.Avantika made sure to fill in Major about her day ,her results and her awaiting birthday party.Friends,relatives,neighbours in their newly moved apartment everyone was invited.Starting from double decker chocolate cake to a lavish buffet of gourmet items everything was arranged.Among all of Avantika's friends the one she most enjoyed talking to was Sreyasha.On the day of the party Avantika's Papa was at the doorway welcoming guests.The invitees came in with gifts,chocolates,flowers, and handed them to Avantika,dressed in a beautiful pink frock.Being to little to handle them her mother assisted her in collecting the presents and placing them on a table. However Avantika's eyes was stuck at the doorway searching for her Sreyasha and when Sreyasha finally entered Avantika shreiked with excitement running towards the doorway.It was not just Avantika whose facial expression had changed.Avantika's Papa,Ritwik was elated as  well when he came across a familiar face and embraced that individual.

Turned out that it was Avantika's Papa's long lost friend whom he was meeting after six long years who also happened to be Sreyasha's Dad.Avantika's birthday party turned out to be a reunion for the two souls who were once parted due to their busy work schedules."Ritwik, I was not aware that we are now finally in the same city.",exclaimed Shreyasha's dad."We both planned to join the army so that we could stay in contact but yet were posted in separate cities".Shreyasha's mom on the other hand didn't seem to be in a pleasant mood.She looked around with eyes of suspicion when she overheard Avantika saying something to Shreyasha."Shreyasha let me introduce you with my friend 'Major',he lives with us."Shreyasha's mom immediately grabbed Avantika by her arms and almost shouted,"whose name did you mention just now?"Avantika was not used to this kind of behaviour being meted out to her.Trembling as she stood there not knowing how to react and gradually responded in a shaky voice."He is my friend,he lives with us."Avantika's mother seemingly confused by this entire sequence of events asked,"Avantika,... who are you talking about?'Major'?who is he?"By this time Avantika's papa and Shreyasha's dad had come over from the adjacent room.Ritwick enquired,"What is all this noise about?"

Shreyasha's mom asked Avantika's parents to let them in a separate room away from the sight of their relatives and the other kids so that the four adults could have some conversation with absolute secrecy.And then Sreyasha's mom began,"Two years back when we first relocated in this city we were alloted the same apartment.But there was something wrong about this place.I always felt the presence of a separate entity roaming around the house.An unsettling uneasiness would be always around.Later as Shreyasha turned four and had become more aware of her surroundings she would constantly talk about someone called 'Major' who according to her was our family member.Realizing the hazards of the upcoming situations we decided to shift to a separate apartment".There was a silence in the room for a long time."The separate entity you were talking about was my cousin",protested Ritwik in a exceedingly calm voice.My cousin brother lived in this apartment for his last few days after being heavily injured during a secret mission.My cousin was supposed to rise to the rank of an army Major if he would have survived.Probably that is why kids keep refering to him as Major.We adults might be able to see and comprehend situations around us but there are few things which are beyond our vision,only a kid's innocent eyes will be able to see through them".Suddenly,Avantika almost barged into the room the adults were in with something in her hands.Her eyes conveyed a sense victory as if she had discovered something that could prove the validity of her statements once and for all."Look at this Papa this is 'Major'.He lives with us".The photo was of a youth in military uniform.Below the photo there was something written.It read,"Late Colonel Abhay Mitra,1987-2012".

[somparna-chakrabarti]

Life in its True Sense

#MAR #MAKAUT #PoemWritting

What makes us down is a debatable question.

Can humans really assess the depth of their emotion?

We keep searching for contentment in every little aspect.

Not knowing even if there is even an opportunity for joy's prospect.

Ask yourself and make one judgement.

Is life all about being triumphant?

The essence of survival has always been about escapades.

Our only ability is to believe and persuade.

Remember this journey you embark upon,

Will leave a couple of scars whether or not you have won.

While all your plans,hopes and aspirations might shatter,

However learning to fall and rise again is what that matters.

[somparna-chakrabarti]

Film Review of Carbon

#MAR   #MAKAUT   #FilmReview

Written and Directed by: Maitrey Bajpai,Ramiz Ilham Khan

Starring:Jackky Bhagnani,Nawazuddin Siddiqui,Prachi Desai

Language:Hindi

Carbon is a science fiction short film that explores the idea of how we are polluting our very own planet Earth  making it impossible for our future generations to survive here.The story is narrated by Random Shukla,an inhabitant of Earth in the year 2067.We come to know through his narration that he has been surviving on Artificial heart for the past thirty years.Infact 43% new borns born that year had their heart collapsed.The picture that we get from him is no where similar to the Earth we are living in today,starting from oxygen being supplied to every household to wearing masks outside.While free and rare Oxygen was  banned by the government people had to rely on byeing oxygen and those unable to afford it would have to opt for low quality government supplied oxygen.And dont think that was all because water scarcity being added as another problem was the reason why every evening curfew would be imposed.Random took the advantage of his license to carry oxygen cans for having  an artificial heart to smuggle oxygen cans.He thought of it as his revenge against oxygen so that one day he could earn enough to leave Earth and settle in Mars where people had started living by then.

Consequently he gets an opportunity from Yaqub Bhai an oxygen smuggler to transport oxygen to a high profile customer Shah hailing from Mars.Being offered 40 millions Random seizes that opportunity and sets out on his mission.On reaching his destination he engages in a conversation with Shah but in the heat of moment ends up shooting him.Turned out that this person was not Shah and the original Shah was murdered by him as revealed by Pari who was locked inside a table by this stranger and ultimately rescued by Random.The story takes an interesting twist when Pari suddenly starts uttering words like,"System Reboot Initiated" and simultaneosly Yaqub Bhai captures Random.It is better not to reveal the rest of the story leaving it for the viewers to witness.

What I liked about the story was the storyline and potrayal of a polluted Earth in the year 2067.An interesting prediction about our planet's future and Mars becoming an alternate planet for survival has been displayed.The social message that the viewers get about future and pollution is definitely strong enough to have a lasting effect on one's mind.

I would give this film a rating of 4/5.