..as yet another milestone is achieved, by the one and only Sachin Ramesh Tendulkar.
Almost right from the time he made his debut, cricket experts and enthusiasts alike have fallen over themselves in complimenting and eulogizing the batman from India.
What I find most amazing amidst all this, is that the man himself is never ever fazed or dazed by the hyperbole and incessant 'tributes' paid to him.
Writers have run out of superlatives, but the man has not run out of steam yet. And are we happy about it!!
His humility, level-headedness, composure, focus and zeal to enjoy and keep evolving and keep honing his already supreme skills is what is worth emulating and makes him truly remarkable. Not to also forget that he's been a humble achiever unsullied by any blot against his name for the last 21 years at the international cricket level. And still counting!
We've written, read, before having again re-written and re-read, about all his achievements and abilities. But such is his greatness, and such are his qualities that he never makes repeating them seem unfashionable. Unfathomable - yes, for it is unbelievable to think that someone could do so much so regularly for more than two decades and still counting, under so much constant pressure without being in the bad books of anyone. Ever. Amazing, just amazing!
Find all this unfathomable? - yes. Unfashionable? - NO!
Many times, we tend to skip the fact that the genius that he is, could also be a human being - prone to emotions, troughs and errors of judgement. But the fact that he has managed to remain untouched by any controversy, any dissent (despite having borne the rough end of some real howlers) or anything undesirable both on the field as well as off it, is a testament to not only the man's greatness, dedication and focus towards the game, but also to his integrity, disciplined life and impeccable personality.
We all know of every shot in the book (and even those that he has created out of the book, like his vertically-pointed ferocious paddle sweep and the crisp upper cut) that he has enthralled us with, so many times. But if one also realizes the nature and attitude of the man behind the batsman, it makes Sachin worthy of being adored and regarded, all the more.
ToI aptly put the importance of Sachin's latest achievement in perspective, by writing thus: "In a year when adjectives like ‘biggest’ and ‘unprecedented’ were mostly used to describe scams, it was left to India’s sportspersons to provide cheer to the nation with their stirring feats. It is fitting, therefore, for 2010 to draw to a close with a stupendous achievement by a hero who has epitomized sporting perfection for over two decades and given millions of Indians countless moments of pride and joy."
For being the hope of a billion people for 21 years and counting, for still being the best batsman and the most prized wicket in the team even now, for being the motivation for innumerable teammates, youngsters, and cricket fans all over, for carrying the expectations and pressures of a billion hearts every time he sets foot on field so wonderfully and humbly over all these years, Sachin Ramesh Tendulkar - take a bow!!
More power to you, SRT - The Bharat Ratna that India is yet to call a Bharat Ratna!
Oh, by the way, if you'd also like to savor a moment from each of his 50 centuries (till now), here it is - go, indulge!
Monday, December 20, 2010
Friday, November 26, 2010
I say NO to empty rhetoric. Do YOU?
There we go, another year gone by...26/11/2010 now marks a couple of years since the entire nation endured the gruesome spectre of the 26/11 tragedy.
Just as 2010 also marks:
17 years since the Bombay serial blasts,
11 years since the Kargil war,
9 years since the Parliament attack, and
hardly a few days since we heard of the latest terror strike alerts.
Oh, and this is most certainly and most unfortunately, not even an exhaustive list.
Anyone aware of the way we have approached revisiting such bitter and tragic instances would know that such dates have turned into nothing, except a time for ceremonial platitudes.
Time for dishing out the usual rhetoric on every such anniversary.
Time for talking about the 'spirit' of a Mumbai and praising the much-abused Indian patience, resolve and statesmanship.
Sorry leaders, but we can totally do away with all the useless, spineless tokenisms that you choose to vomit/spurt/blurt out, on such days with unfailing regularity and predictability.
I tried to reflect on, and list, what all has happened/changed in the last two years since 26/11/2008:
WHY and for how long should we be expected to stay content with just pledging to act, repeatedly?
Hand on heart - have we done whatever it takes and is in our capacity to act? What have we done to improve our intelligence systems and beef our security apparatus, so that we are not sitting ducks, just waiting for the next bomb to go off somewhere?
I'm not one for blindly aping the US/West/anyone but what's good and worth emulating, must not be ignored.
Did the US do anything similar in the two years since 9/11?
Sure, we are not a superpower but can't we even show our intent (if we genuinely have one, to prevail against terrorism)?
How many years has it been since 9/11? How many repeats of (forget such attacks) any subsequent attack have we seen on US soil?
It's not even about results, for God's sake. It's about genuine, persistent intent translating into concrete action.
Have we seen the same earnestness and zeal to protect its borders and citizens from the Indian leadership and security agencies, as we have seen from those in the US?
As I said, it's not even just 26/11 - there are so many other instances that have left us bruised, battered, bereaved, and grieved. What has ever become of any of them?
Which is why, it is high time our leaders acttually be proactive and ACT to do everything to bring the perpetrators to book, and do all in their might to prevent a recurrence of any terrorist misadventure - instead of just vomitting their usual, empty rhetoric on such times.
Surely, we can do much better than just being dependent on Pakistan to act - expect (action against terrorists) and then regret and re-issue a strongly worded statement especially on such occasions, re-expect and re-regret, and on and on and on.
Till then, all that the Indian public can do is to keep its famed spirits alive by humming and believing in these lines:
Kuchh baat hai ki hasti..
Mit-ti nahin hamaari,
Sadiyon raha hai dushman..
Daur-e-jahaan hamaara.
Saare Jahaan se Achchha - Hindostaan hamaara!
Just as 2010 also marks:
17 years since the Bombay serial blasts,
11 years since the Kargil war,
9 years since the Parliament attack, and
hardly a few days since we heard of the latest terror strike alerts.
Oh, and this is most certainly and most unfortunately, not even an exhaustive list.
Anyone aware of the way we have approached revisiting such bitter and tragic instances would know that such dates have turned into nothing, except a time for ceremonial platitudes.
Time for dishing out the usual rhetoric on every such anniversary.
Time for talking about the 'spirit' of a Mumbai and praising the much-abused Indian patience, resolve and statesmanship.
Sorry leaders, but we can totally do away with all the useless, spineless tokenisms that you choose to vomit/spurt/blurt out, on such days with unfailing regularity and predictability.
I tried to reflect on, and list, what all has happened/changed in the last two years since 26/11/2008:
- The main conspirators hiding in Pakistan are still scot-free. Worse, we are even today, as helpless in apprehending them as we were a couple of years ago (despite all credible evidence and intelligence inputs).What has ever become of Dawood Ibrahim, for that matter, in the 17 years till date that we should expect anything better or new, now?!
- The predictably unrepentant terrorist - the captured gunman Ajmal Kasab - is still languishing in jail, having already cost the exchequer many crores.
- Home Minister P Chidambaram has, today, despite having issued thousands of pages of voluminous dossiers, yet again noted/appealed to/told (take your pick, if you find any one of them better than the other two stances) Pakistan that it has to act against the conspirators.
- India has re-re-re-re-re-re-re-issued a stern warning and re-re-re-re-re-re-re-said it is looking forward to stern action from the Pakistani authorities, and re-re-re-re-re-re-expressed its displeasure and regret over lack of enough action on the ground, despite enough incriminating evidence.
Keep looking, I say! What better can you expect of the Pakistanis? But what better have we done ourselves after just saying, saying and saying...and then expecting them to say and do what we'd like? Sure, we should just keep expecting, keep looking and keep hoping, all of us - before (God forbid!) the next one takes off. Even after that, what can happen? A new series of statements (yes, just those) of renewed, reaffirmed displeasure/regret/hope would be unveiled and there we go again.
- David Headley has been accidentally unearthed as the lynchpin of the 26/11 planning team but punishing him from our side, through our courts, stays elusive since it's unlikely he would ever get deported to India.
The only good bit is that we can act on the leads received (and to be received) from him, in advance, and use him to trace and track all his co-conspirators.
Alas, this too would be possible, only after the mercy of, permission from, and dependency on - USA's co-operation.
- A movement that looked to create a difference through public unity and an outpouring of emotions against terrorists in the immediate aftermath of 26/11 did seem to have some muscle in it but that too, has since fizzled out.
WHY and for how long should we be expected to stay content with just pledging to act, repeatedly?
Hand on heart - have we done whatever it takes and is in our capacity to act? What have we done to improve our intelligence systems and beef our security apparatus, so that we are not sitting ducks, just waiting for the next bomb to go off somewhere?
I'm not one for blindly aping the US/West/anyone but what's good and worth emulating, must not be ignored.
Did the US do anything similar in the two years since 9/11?
Sure, we are not a superpower but can't we even show our intent (if we genuinely have one, to prevail against terrorism)?
How many years has it been since 9/11? How many repeats of (forget such attacks) any subsequent attack have we seen on US soil?
It's not even about results, for God's sake. It's about genuine, persistent intent translating into concrete action.
Have we seen the same earnestness and zeal to protect its borders and citizens from the Indian leadership and security agencies, as we have seen from those in the US?
As I said, it's not even just 26/11 - there are so many other instances that have left us bruised, battered, bereaved, and grieved. What has ever become of any of them?
Which is why, it is high time our leaders acttually be proactive and ACT to do everything to bring the perpetrators to book, and do all in their might to prevent a recurrence of any terrorist misadventure - instead of just vomitting their usual, empty rhetoric on such times.
Surely, we can do much better than just being dependent on Pakistan to act - expect (action against terrorists) and then regret and re-issue a strongly worded statement especially on such occasions, re-expect and re-regret, and on and on and on.
Till then, all that the Indian public can do is to keep its famed spirits alive by humming and believing in these lines:
Kuchh baat hai ki hasti..
Mit-ti nahin hamaari,
Sadiyon raha hai dushman..
Daur-e-jahaan hamaara.
Saare Jahaan se Achchha - Hindostaan hamaara!
Tuesday, November 16, 2010
Guilty, until proven innocent
All of us are too aware about the current state of Andher Nagri, Chaupat Raja in our country.
I do not wish to dwell on the sheer scale (given the amount of misappropriation) of the scam - and it's not as if other scams of smaller amounts are any less deplorable.
A scam is a scam is a scam. Period.
It is nothing but a brazen breach of trust and honesty. The trust, commitment, transparency, and honesty that the citizens and electorate of the country expect and deserve. Nothing more, nothing less.
What I do want to write about, are the things that struck and hurt me even more than the obvious news flashes and beyond the usual platitudes of 'law must take its own course', 'we condemn such misuse of public money strongly', 'a thorough investigation is a must', 'innocent until proven guilty', and even 'it's a conspiracy'.
Excuse me, but whether it's CM Ibrahim or A Raja, who the hell wants to conspire against these people?
How often have we heard about the conspiracy theory against anyone who is accused of any malafide intent and wilful wrongdoing?
To put it in other words, have you ever heard someone accused of corruption, despite being confronted with raw facts, NOT putting up the 'It's just a ploy/conspiracy against me' front as his sole defence?
I bet, never.
Heard the DMK representative a couple of days ago, vociferously denying any possibility or need of Raja's resignation. After Raja was made to resign yesterday, it was quite laughable to then see him doing a shameless turncoat by taking a moral high ground by then shamelessly claiming how his party had displayed great virtues of probity and accountability.
Only, it wasn't funny. At all.
Where had all these values disappeared only a day ago when they had not been pressed for resignation?
To see such embezzlers being portrayed as 'scapegoats' of 'conspiracies', is nothing but a smokescreen of the highest order.
Does a Ratan Tata or the CAG have nothing better to do than alleging against someone like an Ibrahim or a Raja, respectively?
What we should actually ask is why was the Government sleeping on the matter and was in fact, even defending Raja till the last minute?
The accused always believe propounding a conspiracy angle is all they need to do, to wash their hands off any allegation. So what, even if it comes from credible people/agencies with incriminating evidence!
I believe it's time we dealt with such scamsters with this two-pronged approach:
A) Guilty, until proven innocent
Having seen enough of such attitudes and circumstances, I am honestly sick of people being framed as innocent when clearly and under the garb of conspiracy, all evidence is against them.
Now I am not against the basic premise of this idea. However, I am all against its misuse.
Such people who misuse these laws and tenets, under the pretext of 'conspiracy' and/or 'innocent till guilty' when there is compelling evidence against them, must be presumed as guilty. And this is where an independent (from the clutches of bureaucrats and politicians) agency must be formed, to act against those who are, on the basis of prima facie evidence, clearly found to be complicit in any kind of breach and misuse of public position and office. And then try to hide under the garb of 'innocent until proven guilty'.
Our judicial system is already swamped with so many cases that it takes only so long to decide on the cases (that too, assuming witnesses don't die/get killed/turn hostile), that the actual culprits either remain scot-free, on bail, or die a natural death at the young age of anywhere in their eighties or even nineties.
Such people who treat law as part of their own fiefdom need to be treated as guilty. Like a show-cause notice, the onus should be on them to prove why and how they are not guilty when all prima facie evidence is against them.
And atleast resign, voluntarily.
Time was, we had Lal Bahadur Shastri, who owed up responsibility for a train mishap and resigned. Voluntarily.
Simple question: How big a role do you think, did he have in the mishap?
Was Shastri ji's role in the train tragedy in any way more than or even similar to what Raja's (and his ilk's) has been in all sorts of scams? But unlike the bellicose, unrepentant, shameless politicos of today, Shastri ji voluntarily put in his papers.
THAT, is what is meant and evident by Probity, Conscience, and Transparency.
Not when you get belligerent and even have the gall to display a forced resignation as martyrdom in the guise of upholding values.
B) Ensuring Accountability and Setting Precedents
Barring the exception of Sukhram in the telecom scandal, how many politicians embroiled in a scam have ever gone to jail?
Let's make the perpetrators pay - I say this only metaphorically, because literally speaking, that's precisely what they do - pay they do! Which is why, after paying up and bribing the equally culpable officials, they always get to be scot-free.
It's time to ensure those who commit such gross misappropriation and corruption get nothing short of non-bailable warrants. Let's see them behind bars.
When the Harshad Mehta scam happened, only Harshad Mehta went to jail, not any politician.
When the Ketan Parekh scam came to light, only Ketan Parekh went to jail, not any politician.
When the cash-for-votes evidence against Bangaru Laxman came to light, he was made to resign but he too, was never jailed. Nor did anyone from the hawala scam, or the fodder scam, or the zillion other misappropriations that never even come to light.
If a Shivraj Patil is inept during (and before) 26/11, he is removed. But what next? He becomes a Governor. Ditto for an N D Tiwari, after his infamous, sleaze-filled video.
The point is, politicians have for long gotten habituated to a settled and a 'yahaan-nahin-toh-wahaan-accommodate-kar-denge' life. In any case, they know they would not only get bailed out and roam scot free, but also get some plum post, sooner or later, here or there.
What we really and urgently require is to set up an agency that is outside any purview or any sort of influence of the government and the MPs. However, forming one obviously requires a legislation. The only, small problem is that such a legislation, that undermines the power of the legislatures, would have to be created, ratified and passed by the legislatures themselves.
Well, it's a bit like asking ISI to disband terror camps or hand over Dawood - you will hear all the usual noises but ultimately, nothing will effectively happen on the ground.
Alas, one can't expect a burglar to pass a legislation allowing others to stop burglaries!
I do not wish to dwell on the sheer scale (given the amount of misappropriation) of the scam - and it's not as if other scams of smaller amounts are any less deplorable.
A scam is a scam is a scam. Period.
It is nothing but a brazen breach of trust and honesty. The trust, commitment, transparency, and honesty that the citizens and electorate of the country expect and deserve. Nothing more, nothing less.
What I do want to write about, are the things that struck and hurt me even more than the obvious news flashes and beyond the usual platitudes of 'law must take its own course', 'we condemn such misuse of public money strongly', 'a thorough investigation is a must', 'innocent until proven guilty', and even 'it's a conspiracy'.
Excuse me, but whether it's CM Ibrahim or A Raja, who the hell wants to conspire against these people?
How often have we heard about the conspiracy theory against anyone who is accused of any malafide intent and wilful wrongdoing?
To put it in other words, have you ever heard someone accused of corruption, despite being confronted with raw facts, NOT putting up the 'It's just a ploy/conspiracy against me' front as his sole defence?
I bet, never.
Heard the DMK representative a couple of days ago, vociferously denying any possibility or need of Raja's resignation. After Raja was made to resign yesterday, it was quite laughable to then see him doing a shameless turncoat by taking a moral high ground by then shamelessly claiming how his party had displayed great virtues of probity and accountability.
Only, it wasn't funny. At all.
Where had all these values disappeared only a day ago when they had not been pressed for resignation?
To see such embezzlers being portrayed as 'scapegoats' of 'conspiracies', is nothing but a smokescreen of the highest order.
Does a Ratan Tata or the CAG have nothing better to do than alleging against someone like an Ibrahim or a Raja, respectively?
What we should actually ask is why was the Government sleeping on the matter and was in fact, even defending Raja till the last minute?
The accused always believe propounding a conspiracy angle is all they need to do, to wash their hands off any allegation. So what, even if it comes from credible people/agencies with incriminating evidence!
I believe it's time we dealt with such scamsters with this two-pronged approach:
A) Guilty, until proven innocent
Having seen enough of such attitudes and circumstances, I am honestly sick of people being framed as innocent when clearly and under the garb of conspiracy, all evidence is against them.
Now I am not against the basic premise of this idea. However, I am all against its misuse.
Such people who misuse these laws and tenets, under the pretext of 'conspiracy' and/or 'innocent till guilty' when there is compelling evidence against them, must be presumed as guilty. And this is where an independent (from the clutches of bureaucrats and politicians) agency must be formed, to act against those who are, on the basis of prima facie evidence, clearly found to be complicit in any kind of breach and misuse of public position and office. And then try to hide under the garb of 'innocent until proven guilty'.
Our judicial system is already swamped with so many cases that it takes only so long to decide on the cases (that too, assuming witnesses don't die/get killed/turn hostile), that the actual culprits either remain scot-free, on bail, or die a natural death at the young age of anywhere in their eighties or even nineties.
Such people who treat law as part of their own fiefdom need to be treated as guilty. Like a show-cause notice, the onus should be on them to prove why and how they are not guilty when all prima facie evidence is against them.
And atleast resign, voluntarily.
Time was, we had Lal Bahadur Shastri, who owed up responsibility for a train mishap and resigned. Voluntarily.
Simple question: How big a role do you think, did he have in the mishap?
Was Shastri ji's role in the train tragedy in any way more than or even similar to what Raja's (and his ilk's) has been in all sorts of scams? But unlike the bellicose, unrepentant, shameless politicos of today, Shastri ji voluntarily put in his papers.
THAT, is what is meant and evident by Probity, Conscience, and Transparency.
Not when you get belligerent and even have the gall to display a forced resignation as martyrdom in the guise of upholding values.
B) Ensuring Accountability and Setting Precedents
Barring the exception of Sukhram in the telecom scandal, how many politicians embroiled in a scam have ever gone to jail?
Let's make the perpetrators pay - I say this only metaphorically, because literally speaking, that's precisely what they do - pay they do! Which is why, after paying up and bribing the equally culpable officials, they always get to be scot-free.
It's time to ensure those who commit such gross misappropriation and corruption get nothing short of non-bailable warrants. Let's see them behind bars.
When the Harshad Mehta scam happened, only Harshad Mehta went to jail, not any politician.
When the Ketan Parekh scam came to light, only Ketan Parekh went to jail, not any politician.
When the cash-for-votes evidence against Bangaru Laxman came to light, he was made to resign but he too, was never jailed. Nor did anyone from the hawala scam, or the fodder scam, or the zillion other misappropriations that never even come to light.
If a Shivraj Patil is inept during (and before) 26/11, he is removed. But what next? He becomes a Governor. Ditto for an N D Tiwari, after his infamous, sleaze-filled video.
The point is, politicians have for long gotten habituated to a settled and a 'yahaan-nahin-toh-wahaan-accommodate-kar-denge' life. In any case, they know they would not only get bailed out and roam scot free, but also get some plum post, sooner or later, here or there.
What we really and urgently require is to set up an agency that is outside any purview or any sort of influence of the government and the MPs. However, forming one obviously requires a legislation. The only, small problem is that such a legislation, that undermines the power of the legislatures, would have to be created, ratified and passed by the legislatures themselves.
Well, it's a bit like asking ISI to disband terror camps or hand over Dawood - you will hear all the usual noises but ultimately, nothing will effectively happen on the ground.
Alas, one can't expect a burglar to pass a legislation allowing others to stop burglaries!
Thursday, October 21, 2010
The Bharat Ratna that India is yet to call a 'Bharat Ratna'
Of late, I have allowed myself some indulgence by enjoying ‘seeing’ some creative and imaginative teams ‘play’, in my mind. Cricinfo has been dishing out All-time XIs - such as of the World, as well as of each country, including ours). Some lists are even more specific, like the All-time Poetry in Motion World XI or even an All-time XI of the best of the rest - the Excluded XI.
And so, while these are purely academic exercises, there is no harm in enjoying the romanticism of how great it would have been, to see all such players, playing together as a team.
And so, while these are purely academic exercises, there is no harm in enjoying the romanticism of how great it would have been, to see all such players, playing together as a team.
In continuation/relation with the above-mentioned theoretical pursuit, there is another such activity that has occupied the mindspace of many cricket enthusiasts – the evergreen debate about Sachin being the best-ever batsman to have played the game or not.
Anyone who has known me or discussed cricket with me, would vouch for my fan following towards Sachin. Therefore, to remove any bias in my judgement, I decided to test him on the most objective (and not subjective) parameters.
So even if I believe that no one ever could, or ever will achieve the balance in posture before, during and after playing a stroke the way only he does, I would not give him extra points for that (though he deserves them!).
Not even when he just no-more-than-pushes at the ball and it races to the boundary.
Not even when he is so compact in his defence that even lightning cannot sneak through, between his bat and pad.
Not even when he upper cuts fast bowlers to make it seem so ridiculously simple that you'd think even Geoffrey Boycott's mom would be able to mete out similar treatment to those balls.
Not even when he paddle-sweeps a spinner ferociously to the fine-leg fence.
And not even when he shapes up to play a sweep shot, and still has the time to easily switch to Plan B and execute a late cut, all with effortless ease and grace.
What I will judge him on, is how good he has been, in terms of the following parameters:
1) Longevity
To be able to represent your country for so long, to play with the kind of passion he has, and to still retain the joy, love and zest for the game even after more than two decades, is phenomenal, to say the least. Not to forget, he has been a backbone of the team all these years, right since 1989.
2) Consistent Match Winner
The number of Man of the Match awards he has won, and the number of times India has won when he has scored centuries, are all indisputable facts, for all to see.
His display in all formats of the game has not only been brilliant, but also consistently brilliant. It’s one thing to be good initially, in say, your first international season, but entirely another to retain it over the subsequent seasons. Ajantha Mendis would vouch for the same! And to be consistently great for so long, is possible for only a one-in-a-million.
3) Stats – Runs, 100s, Strike Rate, Average
Yes, they don't reveal everything, but stats don't hide everything either. In fact, they do tell a lot. And when it comes to Sachin's records, they just speak for themselves. Need I say more?!
4) Quality and Variety of Opposition Faced
From the previous point about Statistics, many believe that Sir Don with his famous 99.94 and the sheer frequency-of-centuries-per-matches-played makes for a greater bat than Sachin. However, with due respects to the Don, we must not forget that Sir Don played in an era where:
- He never played outside Australia and England
- He never faced vicious turners or hostile pacemen on their home turfs
- He played 52 Tests over a 20-year period with NO one-dayers (which meant enough time to recuperate and re-charge) as compared to 160+ Tests for Sachin over the same period (including playing in One Dayers too).
- He was never under anywhere close to the kind of pressure to perform each time he walked out to bat, that Sachin has almost forever gone through (and handled exceptionally)
- He never got video-analysed, and ‘sorted’ by the bowlers
- Without taking any credit away from his ability and talent, it must also be noted that the quality of bowling was hardly as high in the 1920s-1940s era, as it has been since the last two decades. Sir Don never played such a variety of pitches and bowling attacks as Sachin has.
With all the above facts, it shouldn’t be tough to ascertain who the greater immortal should be (and not the lesser mortal!).
5) Home Vs Away Performances
Sachin’s performances both at home and away are again, there for all to see. No wonder, he is the only cricketer in the only world about whom it is said that wherever he plays in the world, it is a home game for him – not just because he is loved everywhere, but also because he has scored against everyone, since these many decades against all sorts of bowlers, everywhere!
6) All Shots in the book
Not only does Sachin have all shots in the book, like his paddle sweep and upper cut, he has improvised to create many of his own, outside of the book too. No one else has had such complete mastery over virtually every shot played perfectly. Yes, there could still be/have been a few who might be/have been able to play all shots, but only Sachin can play all shots with same amount of perfection in each shot! Even the way he weaves out of the line of a bouncer with body and bat away from possible contact and eyes still on the ball, is a sight to behold.
Even after all this, what we might still not know is how much his body hurts at this age, and how he manages to motivate himself to raise the bar of excellence with his subsequent knocks.
Despite simulating how he’d feel like every time he walks onto the ground with thousands of lungs shouting (chanting) his name, we might still never realize just how much expectation and pressure he copes with and conquers, in every single innings of his.
We might still not know how his mere presence in the dressing room or on the field spurs other Indian cricketers to produce their best in front of him (and often, thanks to his tips and encouragement).
And we might still never know, how, in an India saddled with corrupt politicians, inept governance, average to below-average performers or non-performers in every sphere, and with general gloom and doom all around in a country that yearns for an avatar to feel good about, how he manages to give every cricket lover a reason to find life perfect, and how critical he is, to all of us.
Last, but certainly not the least, what is most lovable about this man is how he manages to retain his humility despite his super stardom and despite the world anointing him a Master Blaster/Little Master, he remains as much a student and humble, grateful servant of the game he has always genuinely loved, to this day.
Pray, tell me, how do we measure all this?! And if we can (as we should), how can there be any doubt whatsoever about who the greatest guy to have walked on this planet with a bat is?!!
To cut a long story short, Sachin is not just the world’s best Saurav da, he IS the world’s best-ever. Surely, the greatest Bharat Ratna that India is yet to have. Whenever he gets conferred with it (and hopefully he will be!), it would have been long overdue.
More power to you, Little Master..and may you keep thrilling us, even till ever after!
Sunday, September 26, 2010
Jai Ho!
Ok, this one's gonna be an angry, frustration-venting post.
As I write this, we have already read all sorts of sad, shameful and embarrassing reports about the CommonWealth Games - about a ceiling collapse, about a boxer's broken bed, about its 'filthy' rooms with unfit and unliveable conditions, and even about a snake being found in one of the rooms. To state that all these (and other such) incidents are saddening and humiliating, is about as insightful as the analysis that when the sun is out in full force, it can mean daytime!
That the nation's honor, self-esteem and credibility has taken a beating is not only a fact, but also an understatement. The larger issue, though, is about actually getting to the root of exactly what all went wrong, so that we learn our lessons well. We must honestly ask ourselves as to why, we as a nation, have failed so miserably?
I am reasonably convinced that atleast a majority of the readers, on reading the last line, would be thinking that I am referring to the failure of Kalmadi and his Organizing Committee (OC), only. Well, while they are surely (and deservedly) the prime candidates to be put in the dock, they are not alone. I am also referring to the government, to the media, as well as to you and me. It's a failure to which all of us have contributed, in one way or the other. Lemme talk about each, one by one.
Kalmadi and his entourage:
Having been at the helm of affairs of such a historic Games and after having touted their extensive experience in handling and organizing world-class events, surely, it's not asking too much from the Organizing Committee, led by Mr. Kalmadi, to be proactive, well-prepared, and thorough in their preparations. It's the very least anyone can do.
How on earth could these guys be so immune to the consequences/pitfalls of last-minute preparations? Why, in the first place, do we always have to leave things till the eleventh hour (and 59th minute)? Especially when we know rains would play havoc with preparations in July-August (if not the unexpected, unrelenting downpours in September too).
What was the CWG administration and the management doing all this while?
When the most embarrassing pictures of filthy living conditions were presented, why did the OC Secretary-General not even bother to be man enough to look facts and failure in the eye, and accept a fault? Wasn't it even worse and insensitive of him to deflect the cause of the query and accompanying remedial measures by attributing them to 'different standards of hygiene'?!
When allegations of corruption - of those infamously rented treadmills and other equipments - were running around thick and fast, why did not the OC come up with the correct picture and present its stance, if there were no ulterior motives behind the exorbitant costs?
The Govt:
When reports about CWG irregularities, ill-preparedness and significant project delays had become public knowledge, why did the Government not crack the whip, atleast by then?!
What can we expect from our government when it is itself incompetent in doing its job? CWG is just another feather in its cap. Already, it has been immune to so much else. Grains can rot and can be eaten by rodents but are not meant to be given to the poor for free, huge unrest in the integral parts of our country has anyway become routine stuff, people getting killed brazenly and without contempt in the name of family honor, infrastructure coming apart every other day somewhere or the other due to something as expected and innocuous as rains, Maoist disturbances to deal with every now and then, people using their parochial interests even at the cost of (further) national shame, Mamta turning into more of a Wail-minister than Rail Minister as Railways hurtles from one accident to another, while she stays busy playing politics over Bengal, and Kashmir and Ayodhya being such flashpoints in our country, that we have to clamp curfews due to the insensitive nature among us. Terrible, disgusting, abhorable.
Hey, I had told you, this is gonna be one angry, vent-filled post.
More than the lack of preparation, it's the attitude of the organizers and the men-in-charge, which is worrying and distressing. Lalit Bhanot wants us to think that the stinking and disgusting state of rooms is due to a relatively different standard of hygience among foreigners, Sheila Dikshit tells us that the bridge that collapsed was not meant for athletes. So anyone's life is cheap as long as it does not become a headline-hogging news, huh? Where have our hard-earned taxes been splurged, which have officially (and only on paper) been spent on CWG preparations?
What's the solution? Either let there not be any games so that we know our priority is in the right place first. And let us ensure we spend this amount on our infrastructure, proper training, equipment, stadia, attractive packages for capable players, coaches and administrators, etc. Having said so, again it's a utopian stand, because it's too late now. An out of India hosting would only officially discredit the nation as a classic case study of poor planning and zero execution skills, along with no troubleshooting ability when faced with a crisis.
The Media:
While the media has rightly discussed threadbare the pathetic state of management and last-minute preparations at the CWG, as a responsible and fair medium, it is also obliged to present the complete picture, and not just one side of the coin.
But has the media ever also brought the good bits to light?
How many in the media have reported the other, pleasant and pride-worthy side of the Games? While no sane-minded person would ever deny that there has been great bungling and much left to be desired, I think we too, by being ONLY armchair critics, and by reporting on ONLY the wrongs and completely overlooking anything wonderful, are only being negative participants.
Though we cannot have the authority to take to task those responsible (rather, those who have been irresponsible), we can atleast do our humble bit in making the Games a success. And it starts with respecting ourselves, in not letting go our nation's self-esteem and being proud of ourselves, wherever it is due and deserved.
Just as we bring to light the gross mismanagements, we must also be equally keen to appreciate and take pride in some exceptionally awesome work too, that runs the risk of not being given its due. Koi bhi desh (and/or Games) perfect nahin hota, usey perfect banaya jaata hai! :)
You and Me:
But what do we, as a people, do? You and me. Yes, all of us are pained by the state of affairs. But I was thinking, isn't it easy to keep cribbing about what all is wrong, who should do what or who should have done what?
Isn't it always easy to be an armchair critic? If Kalmadi & Co. are incompetent, that's a pity on them. But do we become better than them by just pointing out what they have and could have/should have done, while still nto doing anything except cribbing? Often, we tend to solely concentrate on getting to know which person to point our finger at, put the blame, and display our angst over social networking fora or by forwarding the latest jokes on CWG.
All very well and great use of freedom of expression, but I hope all of us (including yours truly) also learn to spot, and atleast try to look at, possible solutions from there (any critical, embarrassing, unpleasant situation) onwards instead of just lamenting/fretting about it or just sending bulk jokes.
It's great to be able to find faults in others and what 'can be/could have been' and 'should be/should have been' done by others.
What have we actually DONE ourselves in contributing to the betterment of our society, and our country?
Even if we aren't in the Games Committee, isn't there so much you and me can do, to make our country better? Do our good deeds and responsible citizen's duties have to take birth only as a direct after-effect of being bestowed with some authority or position? Isn't being a good, responsible, loving and caring citizen the responsibility and duty that should be ingrained in us? Even if others are not right, let us do our little things right. Atleast keep the slate of our conscience and our duties clean. From picking up a piece of garbage even if all others too walk right past it, to not honking unnecessarily on the roads and not jumping lights, to not ignoring an accident victim desperate for help for fear of police case/lack of time, to being a concerned citizen ready to help others, with a bomb blast/earthquake/flood relief work even when no one from our family and friends is involved - there's so much you and me can do.
If you are on FaceBook, do check out this album.
Phew - have ranted enough, but before shutting shop, I'd just like to sincerely urge all of us, including you and me, to take pride in the qualities and the great stuff we have, while also being cognizant of our shortcoming and failures and take the erring individuals to task. But while declaring the decision and punitive actions are not in our hands, what is entirely in our control as well as our duty, is to ensure we do our bit in making the Games a success, just like these volunteers. For starters, we can implement the points, Dr. Kalam has made - captured in Photos 28 - 30 of the album.
I'm sure, step by step, the world will be a better place. If nothing else, let us atleast change ourselves for the better without looking at whether our neighbors or neighbors' neighbors, or colleagues or colleagues' colleagues have changed themselves first. Let's just change ourselves, for the better, without being dependent on anyone else for approval or necessary appreciation.
Amen, and Jai Ho!
As I write this, we have already read all sorts of sad, shameful and embarrassing reports about the CommonWealth Games - about a ceiling collapse, about a boxer's broken bed, about its 'filthy' rooms with unfit and unliveable conditions, and even about a snake being found in one of the rooms. To state that all these (and other such) incidents are saddening and humiliating, is about as insightful as the analysis that when the sun is out in full force, it can mean daytime!
That the nation's honor, self-esteem and credibility has taken a beating is not only a fact, but also an understatement. The larger issue, though, is about actually getting to the root of exactly what all went wrong, so that we learn our lessons well. We must honestly ask ourselves as to why, we as a nation, have failed so miserably?
I am reasonably convinced that atleast a majority of the readers, on reading the last line, would be thinking that I am referring to the failure of Kalmadi and his Organizing Committee (OC), only. Well, while they are surely (and deservedly) the prime candidates to be put in the dock, they are not alone. I am also referring to the government, to the media, as well as to you and me. It's a failure to which all of us have contributed, in one way or the other. Lemme talk about each, one by one.
Kalmadi and his entourage:
Having been at the helm of affairs of such a historic Games and after having touted their extensive experience in handling and organizing world-class events, surely, it's not asking too much from the Organizing Committee, led by Mr. Kalmadi, to be proactive, well-prepared, and thorough in their preparations. It's the very least anyone can do.
How on earth could these guys be so immune to the consequences/pitfalls of last-minute preparations? Why, in the first place, do we always have to leave things till the eleventh hour (and 59th minute)? Especially when we know rains would play havoc with preparations in July-August (if not the unexpected, unrelenting downpours in September too).
What was the CWG administration and the management doing all this while?
When the most embarrassing pictures of filthy living conditions were presented, why did the OC Secretary-General not even bother to be man enough to look facts and failure in the eye, and accept a fault? Wasn't it even worse and insensitive of him to deflect the cause of the query and accompanying remedial measures by attributing them to 'different standards of hygiene'?!
When allegations of corruption - of those infamously rented treadmills and other equipments - were running around thick and fast, why did not the OC come up with the correct picture and present its stance, if there were no ulterior motives behind the exorbitant costs?
The Govt:
When reports about CWG irregularities, ill-preparedness and significant project delays had become public knowledge, why did the Government not crack the whip, atleast by then?!
What can we expect from our government when it is itself incompetent in doing its job? CWG is just another feather in its cap. Already, it has been immune to so much else. Grains can rot and can be eaten by rodents but are not meant to be given to the poor for free, huge unrest in the integral parts of our country has anyway become routine stuff, people getting killed brazenly and without contempt in the name of family honor, infrastructure coming apart every other day somewhere or the other due to something as expected and innocuous as rains, Maoist disturbances to deal with every now and then, people using their parochial interests even at the cost of (further) national shame, Mamta turning into more of a Wail-minister than Rail Minister as Railways hurtles from one accident to another, while she stays busy playing politics over Bengal, and Kashmir and Ayodhya being such flashpoints in our country, that we have to clamp curfews due to the insensitive nature among us. Terrible, disgusting, abhorable.
Hey, I had told you, this is gonna be one angry, vent-filled post.
More than the lack of preparation, it's the attitude of the organizers and the men-in-charge, which is worrying and distressing. Lalit Bhanot wants us to think that the stinking and disgusting state of rooms is due to a relatively different standard of hygience among foreigners, Sheila Dikshit tells us that the bridge that collapsed was not meant for athletes. So anyone's life is cheap as long as it does not become a headline-hogging news, huh? Where have our hard-earned taxes been splurged, which have officially (and only on paper) been spent on CWG preparations?
What's the solution? Either let there not be any games so that we know our priority is in the right place first. And let us ensure we spend this amount on our infrastructure, proper training, equipment, stadia, attractive packages for capable players, coaches and administrators, etc. Having said so, again it's a utopian stand, because it's too late now. An out of India hosting would only officially discredit the nation as a classic case study of poor planning and zero execution skills, along with no troubleshooting ability when faced with a crisis.
The Media:
While the media has rightly discussed threadbare the pathetic state of management and last-minute preparations at the CWG, as a responsible and fair medium, it is also obliged to present the complete picture, and not just one side of the coin.
But has the media ever also brought the good bits to light?
How many in the media have reported the other, pleasant and pride-worthy side of the Games? While no sane-minded person would ever deny that there has been great bungling and much left to be desired, I think we too, by being ONLY armchair critics, and by reporting on ONLY the wrongs and completely overlooking anything wonderful, are only being negative participants.
Though we cannot have the authority to take to task those responsible (rather, those who have been irresponsible), we can atleast do our humble bit in making the Games a success. And it starts with respecting ourselves, in not letting go our nation's self-esteem and being proud of ourselves, wherever it is due and deserved.
Just as we bring to light the gross mismanagements, we must also be equally keen to appreciate and take pride in some exceptionally awesome work too, that runs the risk of not being given its due. Koi bhi desh (and/or Games) perfect nahin hota, usey perfect banaya jaata hai! :)
You and Me:
But what do we, as a people, do? You and me. Yes, all of us are pained by the state of affairs. But I was thinking, isn't it easy to keep cribbing about what all is wrong, who should do what or who should have done what?
Isn't it always easy to be an armchair critic? If Kalmadi & Co. are incompetent, that's a pity on them. But do we become better than them by just pointing out what they have and could have/should have done, while still nto doing anything except cribbing? Often, we tend to solely concentrate on getting to know which person to point our finger at, put the blame, and display our angst over social networking fora or by forwarding the latest jokes on CWG.
All very well and great use of freedom of expression, but I hope all of us (including yours truly) also learn to spot, and atleast try to look at, possible solutions from there (any critical, embarrassing, unpleasant situation) onwards instead of just lamenting/fretting about it or just sending bulk jokes.
It's great to be able to find faults in others and what 'can be/could have been' and 'should be/should have been' done by others.
What have we actually DONE ourselves in contributing to the betterment of our society, and our country?
Even if we aren't in the Games Committee, isn't there so much you and me can do, to make our country better? Do our good deeds and responsible citizen's duties have to take birth only as a direct after-effect of being bestowed with some authority or position? Isn't being a good, responsible, loving and caring citizen the responsibility and duty that should be ingrained in us? Even if others are not right, let us do our little things right. Atleast keep the slate of our conscience and our duties clean. From picking up a piece of garbage even if all others too walk right past it, to not honking unnecessarily on the roads and not jumping lights, to not ignoring an accident victim desperate for help for fear of police case/lack of time, to being a concerned citizen ready to help others, with a bomb blast/earthquake/flood relief work even when no one from our family and friends is involved - there's so much you and me can do.
If you are on FaceBook, do check out this album.
Phew - have ranted enough, but before shutting shop, I'd just like to sincerely urge all of us, including you and me, to take pride in the qualities and the great stuff we have, while also being cognizant of our shortcoming and failures and take the erring individuals to task. But while declaring the decision and punitive actions are not in our hands, what is entirely in our control as well as our duty, is to ensure we do our bit in making the Games a success, just like these volunteers. For starters, we can implement the points, Dr. Kalam has made - captured in Photos 28 - 30 of the album.
I'm sure, step by step, the world will be a better place. If nothing else, let us atleast change ourselves for the better without looking at whether our neighbors or neighbors' neighbors, or colleagues or colleagues' colleagues have changed themselves first. Let's just change ourselves, for the better, without being dependent on anyone else for approval or necessary appreciation.
Amen, and Jai Ho!
Wednesday, August 25, 2010
Ja deja-vu
Time was, when man could not have expected to land on the moon.
Time was, when it seemed insane to expect some kind of technology would present and connect you to anything anywhere in the world at just the 'click' of a 'mouse'.
Time was, when it was inconceivable to think that a person could talk to another person at another end of the world, without having to blow his lungs away in trying to be audible to 'such a far' distance and that too, while being mobile, on the move.
Time was, when I used to think Ravindra Jadeja could bat.
Yes.
I first saw him struggle at the World T20 in England, and I thought he was too raw at the international circuit and considering the team's form, fortunes and match situations, most of his early knocks seemed a baptism by fire.
However, many matches, heartaches, frustrations and benefits-of-doubt later, I realized he is not going anywhere. Even after enough of chances, big-match experience, and backing provided to him.
The guy has simply stagnated bigtime.
But, being an eternal optimist, I don't mean to write this piece as an obituary for him. Hope he improves and earns and commands his place back in the Indian team (he needs to some day get dropped in the first place though, to make a comeback!).
However, being a pragmatist too, I don't see him as a guy who belongs there, at the highest level, as of now. Time after time, chance after chance, every time he has fluffed any opportunity that has come his way.
Unfortunately for him, and fortunately for India, the country is too big with too many talented players around, to fill up in atleast the shoes he'd (ok....make that he 'should') have to vacate on being dropped. Certainly not with the level of his game at the moment.
With precisely 8 games to play at home before THE Cup in 2011, we really need to get our core people in the mix. The Kohlis, the Unadkats, the Saurabh Tyagis, the Pujaras - they are all there, waiting.
Question is, do we have enough time to even blood a youngster NOW? Isn't this lack of planning/vision? What are we waiting for, when we see Jadeja fail?
For that one average flash in the pan, when he can secure his place for atleast a year? He's had enough chances, just be fair to all others too. Most of all, be fair to the chances of the team.
The problem, though, is not just this.
Why does the selection committee play him, time and time again? Just because he can be used to do both bat and ball (pathetically)?
Isn't Irfan Pathan (even Yusuf Pathan) a better choice than him? Surely, the bowler in Jadeja hasn't exactly turned out to be earth-shaking material either.
Okay, he's alright (at best) at containing batsmen (that too, only on his day), and can scratch his way to a 20-odd in just under 40 deliveries. Is that good enough for an Indian No. 7 in ODI cricket, especially when he is expected to come to the crease most often during or just before the slog overs?
Rohit Sharma is another case study on what goes inside the insides of talented people who do not get to transcend from being good to at least better and wonderful, if not great.
Only goes on to show how great Sachin Ramesh Tendulkar is.
To have talent and ability is one thing.
But to adapt, not relax, have the passion, enthusiasm, love and the will to always evolve and improve is another.
That's what separates the chaff from the grain. The men from the boys.
The Tendulkars from the Ravindars.
Till our players understand the merit behind having rigorous and seriously-taken nets and performance analysis sessions...
Till our selectors understand the need to ensure a non-performer (however potentially talented) does not take his spot for granted despite numerous chances...
Till the players themselves start yearning to get a feel of the pride one would get after turning a match around for India (instead of just the gift of turning up for India)....
Till we evolve together as a team...
...we shall keep being helpless witnesses to same results from same situations from the same players, match after match.
We would do better to learn from our mistakes and atleast not repeat the same ones again. Let's just give room to performers and performances and not on those who do not seem keen to learn or put in their best foot forward. Otherwise, we all know it will just be a case of deja-vu, yet again.
Time was, when it seemed insane to expect some kind of technology would present and connect you to anything anywhere in the world at just the 'click' of a 'mouse'.
Time was, when it was inconceivable to think that a person could talk to another person at another end of the world, without having to blow his lungs away in trying to be audible to 'such a far' distance and that too, while being mobile, on the move.
Time was, when I used to think Ravindra Jadeja could bat.
Yes.
I first saw him struggle at the World T20 in England, and I thought he was too raw at the international circuit and considering the team's form, fortunes and match situations, most of his early knocks seemed a baptism by fire.
However, many matches, heartaches, frustrations and benefits-of-doubt later, I realized he is not going anywhere. Even after enough of chances, big-match experience, and backing provided to him.
The guy has simply stagnated bigtime.
But, being an eternal optimist, I don't mean to write this piece as an obituary for him. Hope he improves and earns and commands his place back in the Indian team (he needs to some day get dropped in the first place though, to make a comeback!).
However, being a pragmatist too, I don't see him as a guy who belongs there, at the highest level, as of now. Time after time, chance after chance, every time he has fluffed any opportunity that has come his way.
Unfortunately for him, and fortunately for India, the country is too big with too many talented players around, to fill up in atleast the shoes he'd (ok....make that he 'should') have to vacate on being dropped. Certainly not with the level of his game at the moment.
With precisely 8 games to play at home before THE Cup in 2011, we really need to get our core people in the mix. The Kohlis, the Unadkats, the Saurabh Tyagis, the Pujaras - they are all there, waiting.
Question is, do we have enough time to even blood a youngster NOW? Isn't this lack of planning/vision? What are we waiting for, when we see Jadeja fail?
For that one average flash in the pan, when he can secure his place for atleast a year? He's had enough chances, just be fair to all others too. Most of all, be fair to the chances of the team.
The problem, though, is not just this.
Why does the selection committee play him, time and time again? Just because he can be used to do both bat and ball (pathetically)?
Isn't Irfan Pathan (even Yusuf Pathan) a better choice than him? Surely, the bowler in Jadeja hasn't exactly turned out to be earth-shaking material either.
Okay, he's alright (at best) at containing batsmen (that too, only on his day), and can scratch his way to a 20-odd in just under 40 deliveries. Is that good enough for an Indian No. 7 in ODI cricket, especially when he is expected to come to the crease most often during or just before the slog overs?
Rohit Sharma is another case study on what goes inside the insides of talented people who do not get to transcend from being good to at least better and wonderful, if not great.
Only goes on to show how great Sachin Ramesh Tendulkar is.
To have talent and ability is one thing.
But to adapt, not relax, have the passion, enthusiasm, love and the will to always evolve and improve is another.
That's what separates the chaff from the grain. The men from the boys.
The Tendulkars from the Ravindars.
Till our players understand the merit behind having rigorous and seriously-taken nets and performance analysis sessions...
Till our selectors understand the need to ensure a non-performer (however potentially talented) does not take his spot for granted despite numerous chances...
Till the players themselves start yearning to get a feel of the pride one would get after turning a match around for India (instead of just the gift of turning up for India)....
Till we evolve together as a team...
...we shall keep being helpless witnesses to same results from same situations from the same players, match after match.
We would do better to learn from our mistakes and atleast not repeat the same ones again. Let's just give room to performers and performances and not on those who do not seem keen to learn or put in their best foot forward. Otherwise, we all know it will just be a case of deja-vu, yet again.
Monday, July 19, 2010
Happy Birthday Harsha!!
To the man who is to cricket commentary, what Sachin Ramesh Tendulkar is to batting - Happy Birthday Harsha!
May God bless you with many more years of success, joy, and every happiness in the world - touchwood, and amen!
I can still recall, as a schoolkid growing up in the early 90s, I remember listening to Harsha's commentary for the first time on radio when India were Down Under in 1992. We didn't have a cable connection (don't remember if those matches were even telecast, except an hour-long highlights capsule of the day's play on good ol' DD)...it was at that time, that I got acquainted with this comfortable, easy on the ears, joy to hear, witty as well as knowledgeable voice that presented the game in a very simple yet insightful, and a very matter-of-fact yet thorough analysis of the game.
I remember listening to his commentary and enjoying it as much as the matches. A lot of credit for changing the quality of cricket broadcast in India goes to guys like (and primarily) Harsha. I don't recall paying half as much attention to the banal commentaries in the pre-Harsha era. Mr. Bhogle, it's you who made me sit up and enjoy listening to, observing, and studying the goings-on, the after-effects and the possible effects of anything happening in a cricket field than just a mechanical account of who bowled to him, and what happened after that delivery.
One instance specifically comes to mind:
Once, Sachin once got out to a lollypop offspinner (I guess it was MichaelVaughan) in '02.
Harsha wonderfully quipped something to the following effect:
"Oh what a shame. It was reminiscent of a soldier who survived the war when all the bullets were flying by his nose and then got run over by a bicycle in his native town."
Enjoy some more of his gems here!
His commentary was and continues to be a lesson in keeping things simple, enjoying the game, channelising the knowledge, passion and love for the game in the best way possible, and also being neutral and objective while doing so.
In fact, he is one of the select few commentators who are part of the most famous, most liked, most awaited, most elite and most sought-after commentators. Not to forget, that he is unarguably, THE most revered, level-headed, and enjoyable commentator in the world, atleast definitely in the list of commentators who have never represented their country.
Besides, it also doesn't hurt that the guy has an extremely pleasing and amiable persona, that totally complement his affable and down-to-earth nature, witticisms and earthy sense of humor, and last but not the least, his wonderful, endearing smile, and toothy grin.
More power to you, Harsha! Hope you continue enthralling all of us, and have a joyous, healthy, fun-filled long life ahead!! Sincere wish - Many many happy returns of the day once again...From just one of the millions of HB fans!
May God bless you with many more years of success, joy, and every happiness in the world - touchwood, and amen!
I can still recall, as a schoolkid growing up in the early 90s, I remember listening to Harsha's commentary for the first time on radio when India were Down Under in 1992. We didn't have a cable connection (don't remember if those matches were even telecast, except an hour-long highlights capsule of the day's play on good ol' DD)...it was at that time, that I got acquainted with this comfortable, easy on the ears, joy to hear, witty as well as knowledgeable voice that presented the game in a very simple yet insightful, and a very matter-of-fact yet thorough analysis of the game.
I remember listening to his commentary and enjoying it as much as the matches. A lot of credit for changing the quality of cricket broadcast in India goes to guys like (and primarily) Harsha. I don't recall paying half as much attention to the banal commentaries in the pre-Harsha era. Mr. Bhogle, it's you who made me sit up and enjoy listening to, observing, and studying the goings-on, the after-effects and the possible effects of anything happening in a cricket field than just a mechanical account of who bowled to him, and what happened after that delivery.
One instance specifically comes to mind:
Once, Sachin once got out to a lollypop offspinner (I guess it was MichaelVaughan) in '02.
Harsha wonderfully quipped something to the following effect:
"Oh what a shame. It was reminiscent of a soldier who survived the war when all the bullets were flying by his nose and then got run over by a bicycle in his native town."
Enjoy some more of his gems here!
His commentary was and continues to be a lesson in keeping things simple, enjoying the game, channelising the knowledge, passion and love for the game in the best way possible, and also being neutral and objective while doing so.
In fact, he is one of the select few commentators who are part of the most famous, most liked, most awaited, most elite and most sought-after commentators. Not to forget, that he is unarguably, THE most revered, level-headed, and enjoyable commentator in the world, atleast definitely in the list of commentators who have never represented their country.
Besides, it also doesn't hurt that the guy has an extremely pleasing and amiable persona, that totally complement his affable and down-to-earth nature, witticisms and earthy sense of humor, and last but not the least, his wonderful, endearing smile, and toothy grin.
More power to you, Harsha! Hope you continue enthralling all of us, and have a joyous, healthy, fun-filled long life ahead!! Sincere wish - Many many happy returns of the day once again...From just one of the millions of HB fans!
'Acting' against terror
Alrighty, it's that time of the year again. Every year, we 'celebrate'/'observe' days (holidays) such as Gandhi Jayanti, where most (if not all) of us do not know what/why we are doing anything - forgetting the whys behind the whats. Another regular in this list of largely ceremonial tokenisms is the Indo-Pak dialogue process.
Now, I am not at all advocating that we should never talk to Pakistan or that these efforts should not be made. However, as the wise would advise, only those who have the ability to appreciate any quality can do so. There is no point in advertising the virtues of a comb to a bald man.
If Pakistan is consistently being intransigent, unreasonable, and has already made up its mind about its agenda, there is hardly any merit in exhorting it to re-think over the facts.
The ugly spat that erupted between the foreign ministers of both countries, was far too sour and too apparent, is a case in point. Had the Pakistanis been serious about taking action on anything, they would have done so, and atleast been appreciative of the Indian statesmanship and patience, despite India handing over voluminous, incriminating evidences, dossiers, transcripts, voice samples, and confessional statements of terrorists and masterminds.
What I don't understand, though, is how and why people are dubbing St. Qureshi as the peace deal-breaker, the villain-in-chief!! C'mon guys..where was the deal in the first place? When were you ever, in your heart of hearts assured of their genuine intent in taking action against the perpetrators of 26/11 (been almost 20 months since then)??
All along, Pakistan and St. Qureshi - being the gentleman that he is, have just stayed true to their words....India wanted them to act against terror. So yes, that's precisely what they have been doing all along - ACTING (pretending to show as if they are doing something) against terror!
How dumb do you think people are, Mr. Qureshi? Do you think we cannot spot your bluff? Do you think the constant charade of we-need-more-evidence holds any water? Sure, it took you to tell us that courts are independent bodies and need their own time. Thanks ever so much.
But pray, tell me, how can we not see how you do not take cognizance of the substantial evidence that India provides?
This, when you allege of an Indian hand in Balochistan, without ANY evidence at all? Tails I win, heads you lose, eh?!
How dare you take up our domestic problems (in J&K) as your concern? Was I just born? For, how come I totally missed seeing your world-care nature and attitude all this while?
How dare you equate a top diplomat from our country (Home Secy no less) with the rogue, demented fanatic and terrorist being sheltered in your country? Even the most uncouth of ministers would never take their imagination against a sovereign country's diplomat to such deplorable lows. Try labeling likewise against the lowest US official, Mr. Qureshi and try getting the time of your life!
It's us, who need to understand that we should talk only when, with, and if, those at the helm of affairs in both nations are genuinely interested.
Unless that happens, we can keep having discussions about our pain points, keep submitting dossier after dossier of incriminating evidence, and keep getting asked for more from our end. My problem is not in being positive, being patient, having perseverance, having faith, and continuing talks. What I have a problem with, is in seeing all our sincere efforts, diligent diplomatic parleys being mocked at, and seen as being done by us as if we are no good to be able to have/exercise any other option.
Let our qualities not be construed as our weakness. Let our statesmanship not be seen as our sterility.
It's also important to not kid ourselves here - we are dealing with a country that is beset with problems of its own, governed by predominantly fundamentalist people, marshaled and controlled by its ever-powerful Army, and always feeding on a hate/kill India/Indians propaganda, espoused and patronised by the country's powers-that-be. After all, if it's in their interest to see Indo-Pak rivalry and jostling going on and on, why and how on earth can any kind of peace talks succeed?!
Till we get any better people, state machinery and mindsets to deal with, we'd have to continue dealing with the Qureshi's of the world. Rest assured, they will continue to ACT against terror.
Hope I am wrong - but I will be extremely surprised, if they ever happen to feel satisfied with the plethora of files containing evidences submitted from India.
Now, I am not at all advocating that we should never talk to Pakistan or that these efforts should not be made. However, as the wise would advise, only those who have the ability to appreciate any quality can do so. There is no point in advertising the virtues of a comb to a bald man.
If Pakistan is consistently being intransigent, unreasonable, and has already made up its mind about its agenda, there is hardly any merit in exhorting it to re-think over the facts.
The ugly spat that erupted between the foreign ministers of both countries, was far too sour and too apparent, is a case in point. Had the Pakistanis been serious about taking action on anything, they would have done so, and atleast been appreciative of the Indian statesmanship and patience, despite India handing over voluminous, incriminating evidences, dossiers, transcripts, voice samples, and confessional statements of terrorists and masterminds.
What I don't understand, though, is how and why people are dubbing St. Qureshi as the peace deal-breaker, the villain-in-chief!! C'mon guys..where was the deal in the first place? When were you ever, in your heart of hearts assured of their genuine intent in taking action against the perpetrators of 26/11 (been almost 20 months since then)??
All along, Pakistan and St. Qureshi - being the gentleman that he is, have just stayed true to their words....India wanted them to act against terror. So yes, that's precisely what they have been doing all along - ACTING (pretending to show as if they are doing something) against terror!
How dumb do you think people are, Mr. Qureshi? Do you think we cannot spot your bluff? Do you think the constant charade of we-need-more-evidence holds any water? Sure, it took you to tell us that courts are independent bodies and need their own time. Thanks ever so much.
But pray, tell me, how can we not see how you do not take cognizance of the substantial evidence that India provides?
This, when you allege of an Indian hand in Balochistan, without ANY evidence at all? Tails I win, heads you lose, eh?!
How dare you take up our domestic problems (in J&K) as your concern? Was I just born? For, how come I totally missed seeing your world-care nature and attitude all this while?
How dare you equate a top diplomat from our country (Home Secy no less) with the rogue, demented fanatic and terrorist being sheltered in your country? Even the most uncouth of ministers would never take their imagination against a sovereign country's diplomat to such deplorable lows. Try labeling likewise against the lowest US official, Mr. Qureshi and try getting the time of your life!
It's us, who need to understand that we should talk only when, with, and if,
Unless that happens, we can keep having discussions about our pain points, keep submitting dossier after dossier of incriminating evidence, and keep getting asked for more from our end. My problem is not in being positive, being patient, having perseverance, having faith, and continuing talks. What I have a problem with, is in seeing all our sincere efforts, diligent diplomatic parleys being mocked at, and seen as being done by us as if we are no good to be able to have/exercise any other option.
Let our qualities not be construed as our weakness. Let our statesmanship not be seen as our sterility.
It's also important to not kid ourselves here - we are dealing with a country that is beset with problems of its own, governed by predominantly fundamentalist people, marshaled and controlled by its ever-powerful Army, and always feeding on a hate/kill India/Indians propaganda, espoused and patronised by the country's powers-that-be. After all, if it's in their interest to see Indo-Pak rivalry and jostling going on and on, why and how on earth can any kind of peace talks succeed?!
Till we get any better people, state machinery and mindsets to deal with, we'd have to continue dealing with the Qureshi's of the world. Rest assured, they will continue to ACT against terror.
Hope I am wrong - but I will be extremely surprised, if they ever happen to feel satisfied with the plethora of files containing evidences submitted from India.
Tuesday, June 22, 2010
How honorable is this?
Aware as you might and should be, honor killings are the latest flavor of the season in this part of the world...that too, in a country that aims to be known as a developed nation, a progressive society and is the world's largest democracy (it's another matter that given the way we as a people have been behaving, we have no right to call ourselves a democracy at all, in the first place - checkout the 5th meaning in the link defining a democracy).
A spate of honor killings are being reported and who knows, there could be many which we might not even be aware of. The fact that one wants to pen one's anguish, disappointment and frustration at the violation of such a basic right, the fact that one needs to appeal against such practices, is in itself shameful. What next? Do we now tell/instruct/command/request people to not go about shooting people as per their whims and fancies?! (though unfortunately, even here, road rage is also a reality, no fiction).
I mean what state have we come to? It's nothing but a shame.
Coming to the point of honor killings, whose honor is it anyway? And what the is honorable about what you do by torturing, maiming and killing a couple? How regressive can we keep getting? To say this is unpardonable is an understatement. The bigger issue is how we deal with the perpetrators of such crimes. We must amend our laws and practices to ensure the strictest punishment is reserved for such criminals who, in the name of familial honor, unleash their wantonly and inhuman streak on innocent, adult individuals.
Maybe I will read about such reports, feel sick and disgusted, and then go to a Sports page, get busy with my activities through the day and conveniently forget about this. But this is why I wanted to write this post, so that I read it sometime again, to remind myself of such horrible and dastardly malpractices. To ensure that out of sight does not become out of mind, and that I always stand up against such horrible practices and policies that lull some particularly dumb people to think it's legit to go on killing others (heck, even their own kin) and all this, in the name of protecting family honor!
But as an individual, wonder what I can do to stop this once and for all. Maybe nothing. But I'd like to ensure that whenever I hear of such atrocities, that too in the name of any ostensible moral high-ground or familial honor crap, I put my foot down and stand up for what's fair, just and deserves to be voiced, instead of being a silent spectator or just a passive tsk-tsk for the victims.
The next time you come across any form of injustice, please try putting your voice for such people who deserve to be given a voice, and against those who simply need to shut up and pack up. We get the world we make and deserve. High time we made the right choices and took a stand.
RIP, departed loving souls.
A spate of honor killings are being reported and who knows, there could be many which we might not even be aware of. The fact that one wants to pen one's anguish, disappointment and frustration at the violation of such a basic right, the fact that one needs to appeal against such practices, is in itself shameful. What next? Do we now tell/instruct/command/request people to not go about shooting people as per their whims and fancies?! (though unfortunately, even here, road rage is also a reality, no fiction).
I mean what state have we come to? It's nothing but a shame.
Coming to the point of honor killings, whose honor is it anyway? And what the
Maybe I will read about such reports, feel sick and disgusted, and then go to a Sports page, get busy with my activities through the day and conveniently forget about this. But this is why I wanted to write this post, so that I read it sometime again, to remind myself of such horrible and dastardly malpractices. To ensure that out of sight does not become out of mind, and that I always stand up against such horrible practices and policies that lull some particularly dumb people to think it's legit to go on killing others (heck, even their own kin) and all this, in the name of protecting family honor!
But as an individual, wonder what I can do to stop this once and for all. Maybe nothing. But I'd like to ensure that whenever I hear of such atrocities, that too in the name of any ostensible moral high-ground or familial honor crap, I put my foot down and stand up for what's fair, just and deserves to be voiced, instead of being a silent spectator or just a passive tsk-tsk for the victims.
The next time you come across any form of injustice, please try putting your voice for such people who deserve to be given a voice, and against those who simply need to shut up and pack up. We get the world we make and deserve. High time we made the right choices and took a stand.
RIP, departed loving souls.
Tuesday, June 1, 2010
Converting MKV Files - What an idea sirjee!
Just thought of sharing the link to a new software and site - (http://www.convertmkv.net, http://www.mkvavi.com).
This software allows you to do what even a generally workable VLC player cannot - is able to convert and play the bulky .MKV files that get stuck while being played in VLC.
Do check out the app - very much worth a dekko!
This software allows you to do what even a generally workable VLC player cannot - is able to convert and play the bulky .MKV files that get stuck while being played in VLC.
Do check out the app - very much worth a dekko!
Saturday, May 15, 2010
And the Black & Blue Bravery Award goes to...
...the Indian cricket fan! For being irrationally, unflinchingly brave and hopeful in loving his team and his cricketers, despite being beaten black and blue!
Yes, while the Red & White Bravery Awards are meant for displaying mental, social and physical fortitude and valor in life, I have coined a new set of Awards - the Black and Blue Awards!
Generally, one thinks of a reason/occasion to institute an award, does so, and then selects and awards the deserving. However, in the case of the Black & Blue, it's precisely the other way round. I have got the idea of the award only after having seen, witnessed and felt the plight of the awardee and then thought/conceptualised this award with the intent of recognising the awardee - the Indian Cricket Fan.
Yes, the Indian Cricket fan, who hopes for everything nice for Indian cricket (both inside and outside the field), yet gets beaten - black and blue (hence the name for the awards) - both inside and outside the field. Despite all that, time and time again, sticks his neck (and tongue and each lung) out to root for Indian cricket.
To an always practical, heartless mind, such behavior and irrational fixation might seem twice as foolish as it is brave, but make no mistake - it is brave nevertheless!
As if crashing out of an ICC event for the umpteenth time was not bad enough, the Indian cricket fan now has to also contend with speculative journalism - only causes needless anxiety. It's the last thing you want to experience after witnessing a string of disappointing losses.
And can someone explain to me who, in the holy name of Mpumelelo Mbangwa, gets and/or quotes these "sources". Yup, the same "sources" and "insiders", who provide easy fodder to speculative, trashy journalism even by the better-known publications in business.
Only to issue a self-correction and clarification from the horse's mouth this time, about the planted story a day or two later, except the small fact that in the meantime, speculation's gained ground among all quarters quicker than a Shaun Tait delivery.
The sad part is that this is not a one-off. We have often seen such baseless stories being planted, only to then be denied later.
Yes, I have no hesitation in calling such stories entirely planted - doesn't an editor of the nation's biggest publication owe it to his readers that they get informed, responsible news instead of being the unwilling audience for speculative, irresponsible journalism. (Though I agree, there are quite a few in our midst who would not be so unwilling to lap up rumours and fuel a fire that would never have been ignited in the first place).
Hasn't our journalism also fallen prey to the tabloid cult of sensation-selling (you can sell only when you have one and if you can't have one, create one) culture?
Now, who exactly are these sources and insiders in the first place? Even if one assumes they exist and did actually say anything to that effect, isn't it the responsbility of the publication to ensure that before making it a news item, the official version is taken into account from the actual decision-makers and the power-that-be?
Yes it is done - the official spokespersons do get to air their views - only, it is a couple of days later, in reaction to the 'insider' story.
When the same thing is done two days later after putting out the story, why can't we check first up before publishing any such stuff?
If this does not smack of planted stuff, I don't know what else does for you, or ever will.
Yes, a publication ain't a charity, it is a business, it has its readerships to cater to and increase, but at this cost? At any cost?
Amidst all this, the poor Indian cricket fan is subjected to additional, needless turmoil and anxiety. It is anyway difficult hoping against still lesser hope after watching one insipid display after another.
Nevertheless, the Indian cricket fan toils on, braves on, with the wish to see Indian cricket doing well, not only in its performance, but also in its conduct and administration.
As a related note though, I don't think we should get too knee-jerk in our reactions - MSD is still the best man for the job - a couple of tactical errors can be corrected, such as choice of playing eleven (even the squad at times - Piyush Chawla and Ravindra Jadeja ahead of the likes of Irfan Pathan, Amit Mishra and Pragyan Ojha - baffling!). Besides, what irks me is his propensity to bat at 3 or higher up the order (only) when the going's good.
All such disappointments surely call for a closed-door one-on-one chat and analysis, but it surely does not deem an axe, especially when he hasn't done much else wrong.
No, an Axe-effect ain't pleasant always.
What does need an axe is the useless, rumour-mongering and groupism/lobbying that speculative stories generate. Pronto.
And hope the Indian cricket fan, doesn't need to be a brave man to love and follow Indian cricket.
Yes, while the Red & White Bravery Awards are meant for displaying mental, social and physical fortitude and valor in life, I have coined a new set of Awards - the Black and Blue Awards!
Generally, one thinks of a reason/occasion to institute an award, does so, and then selects and awards the deserving. However, in the case of the Black & Blue, it's precisely the other way round. I have got the idea of the award only after having seen, witnessed and felt the plight of the awardee and then thought/conceptualised this award with the intent of recognising the awardee - the Indian Cricket Fan.
Yes, the Indian Cricket fan, who hopes for everything nice for Indian cricket (both inside and outside the field), yet gets beaten - black and blue (hence the name for the awards) - both inside and outside the field. Despite all that, time and time again, sticks his neck (and tongue and each lung) out to root for Indian cricket.
To an always practical, heartless mind, such behavior and irrational fixation might seem twice as foolish as it is brave, but make no mistake - it is brave nevertheless!
As if crashing out of an ICC event for the umpteenth time was not bad enough, the Indian cricket fan now has to also contend with speculative journalism - only causes needless anxiety. It's the last thing you want to experience after witnessing a string of disappointing losses.
And can someone explain to me who, in the holy name of Mpumelelo Mbangwa, gets and/or quotes these "sources". Yup, the same "sources" and "insiders", who provide easy fodder to speculative, trashy journalism even by the better-known publications in business.
Only to issue a self-correction and clarification from the horse's mouth this time, about the planted story a day or two later, except the small fact that in the meantime, speculation's gained ground among all quarters quicker than a Shaun Tait delivery.
The sad part is that this is not a one-off. We have often seen such baseless stories being planted, only to then be denied later.
Yes, I have no hesitation in calling such stories entirely planted - doesn't an editor of the nation's biggest publication owe it to his readers that they get informed, responsible news instead of being the unwilling audience for speculative, irresponsible journalism. (Though I agree, there are quite a few in our midst who would not be so unwilling to lap up rumours and fuel a fire that would never have been ignited in the first place).
Hasn't our journalism also fallen prey to the tabloid cult of sensation-selling (you can sell only when you have one and if you can't have one, create one) culture?
Now, who exactly are these sources and insiders in the first place? Even if one assumes they exist and did actually say anything to that effect, isn't it the responsbility of the publication to ensure that before making it a news item, the official version is taken into account from the actual decision-makers and the power-that-be?
Yes it is done - the official spokespersons do get to air their views - only, it is a couple of days later, in reaction to the 'insider' story.
When the same thing is done two days later after putting out the story, why can't we check first up before publishing any such stuff?
If this does not smack of planted stuff, I don't know what else does for you, or ever will.
Yes, a publication ain't a charity, it is a business, it has its readerships to cater to and increase, but at this cost? At any cost?
Amidst all this, the poor Indian cricket fan is subjected to additional, needless turmoil and anxiety. It is anyway difficult hoping against still lesser hope after watching one insipid display after another.
Nevertheless, the Indian cricket fan toils on, braves on, with the wish to see Indian cricket doing well, not only in its performance, but also in its conduct and administration.
As a related note though, I don't think we should get too knee-jerk in our reactions - MSD is still the best man for the job - a couple of tactical errors can be corrected, such as choice of playing eleven (even the squad at times - Piyush Chawla and Ravindra Jadeja ahead of the likes of Irfan Pathan, Amit Mishra and Pragyan Ojha - baffling!). Besides, what irks me is his propensity to bat at 3 or higher up the order (only) when the going's good.
All such disappointments surely call for a closed-door one-on-one chat and analysis, but it surely does not deem an axe, especially when he hasn't done much else wrong.
No, an Axe-effect ain't pleasant always.
What does need an axe is the useless, rumour-mongering and groupism/lobbying that speculative stories generate. Pronto.
And hope the Indian cricket fan, doesn't need to be a brave man to love and follow Indian cricket.
Tuesday, April 20, 2010
IPL: Sabse Bada Racket: Aapne kuch khareeda kya?
No? Too bad, so you are also among the losers who don't get to enjoy a slice of the pie!
It's a racket bigger than the proverbial IPL ticket...it's a murky world behind the stadium's happenings (and who knows, perhaps also influencing the stadium's happenings).
We have only just uncovered the topmost layer of the beneficiaries and the skeletons have come tumbling out. The big news, though, is still not about who has been named, but who all are yet to be named. Indeed, there are far too many vested interests on play. And as is often the case, the robbers are themselves the judges who are empowered to pronounce the verdict on their case.
From the head-honcho of the BCCI to a high-profile cabinet minister to the commissioner of the IPL itself - we've only just got started.
Highly recommend reading this wonderful, insightful article by Prem on his blog, reflecting on the under-currents running below the stream of controversies and suspicions.
As you'd realise, this is only the beginning. We're just getting started and at the time of writing, speculation is rife with the possibility of Lalit Modi being asked to quit.
I, for one, would like to know how we, as a public, react.
Do we stay immune to this and let it pass, since the culture of corruption and scandals is not second nature to us?
Or, should we ensure that as a cricketing public, we get to the bottom of things and ensure that all those who sully the good name of cricket for their vested interests are brought to book?
Shouldn't we ensure that those who are only interested in running this great game like a business and churning money for themselves are reined in?
Eventually, who knows, they might still get away. Far too many important people are involved and in power to endanger themselves, holy name of cricket and poor ol' justice be damned.
Pessimistic outlook yes, but unfortunately, I won't be surprised if nothing substantial comes out and the big fish again happen to go scot-free.
Sau mein se ninyaanve beimaan..par bus yun hi kehte rehte hain mera Bharat Mahaan...Mera Bharat Mahaan hai, aur rahega...but we must ensure that the guilty are brought to book, whoever they may be, soon....the pessimism creeps in because I can only hope for this...don't know whether/how it will actually happen...really hope for Satyamev Jayate!
It's a racket bigger than the proverbial IPL ticket...it's a murky world behind the stadium's happenings (and who knows, perhaps also influencing the stadium's happenings).
We have only just uncovered the topmost layer of the beneficiaries and the skeletons have come tumbling out. The big news, though, is still not about who has been named, but who all are yet to be named. Indeed, there are far too many vested interests on play. And as is often the case, the robbers are themselves the judges who are empowered to pronounce the verdict on their case.
From the head-honcho of the BCCI to a high-profile cabinet minister to the commissioner of the IPL itself - we've only just got started.
Highly recommend reading this wonderful, insightful article by Prem on his blog, reflecting on the under-currents running below the stream of controversies and suspicions.
As you'd realise, this is only the beginning. We're just getting started and at the time of writing, speculation is rife with the possibility of Lalit Modi being asked to quit.
I, for one, would like to know how we, as a public, react.
Do we stay immune to this and let it pass, since the culture of corruption and scandals is not second nature to us?
Or, should we ensure that as a cricketing public, we get to the bottom of things and ensure that all those who sully the good name of cricket for their vested interests are brought to book?
Shouldn't we ensure that those who are only interested in running this great game like a business and churning money for themselves are reined in?
Eventually, who knows, they might still get away. Far too many important people are involved and in power to endanger themselves, holy name of cricket and poor ol' justice be damned.
Pessimistic outlook yes, but unfortunately, I won't be surprised if nothing substantial comes out and the big fish again happen to go scot-free.
Sau mein se ninyaanve beimaan..par bus yun hi kehte rehte hain mera Bharat Mahaan...Mera Bharat Mahaan hai, aur rahega...but we must ensure that the guilty are brought to book, whoever they may be, soon....the pessimism creeps in because I can only hope for this...don't know whether/how it will actually happen...really hope for Satyamev Jayate!
Tuesday, March 9, 2010
WeMen's Bill
As if we were short of enough reasons on why we desperately need honest, credible and 'good' people entering politics, March 8th, 2010 provided yet another exhibit to only make the case stronger.
Having said so, I must confess first-up that despite whatever reasons/majbooris from my side (naming which is as unimportant as it is irrelevant and still not justifiable), I have myself not yet entered politics and do not look likely to, atleast in the near future. So although I will be doing something to walk my talk in future, I have not done anything just yet except airing and sharing my ideas/concerns with friends and netizens in discussions and platforms such as blogs - so as I talk and share my ideas, concerns and thoughts, I'll actually be happy and satisfied only after I would be able to someday really walk my talk.
It's simple - if we are genuinely concerned about cleaning the mess, we have to get into the thick of things and not just talk about the consequences of the mess which are only too apparent to one and all. The point is, exactly what are we doing to solve the problem, instead of just lamenting and cursing?
So before I talk about the state-of-affairs in our country, I would like to state that I myself wish to, and will work actively towards actually doing something and not just writing/bemoaning about arey-ye-bekaar hai, wo bekaar hai. So I do plan to DO something like getting into the rot atleast sometime, some way, to clean it but surely, writing about my thoughts and sharing them as of now isn't a bad idea either.
I guess writing helps me vent my anger/frustration of the moment in a channelised way, and as I write, it also makes me more clear, objective, dispassionate and more organized about exactly how and where things stand, how strong my conviction is, and how I can plan and see any solutions ahead.
Ok, coming back to the reason for this post...the Women's Bill:
The 8th day of March every year is celebrated as International Women's Day.
The Congress - the dominant party in the government of the day, chose to mark this day as the day when it would make the women of the country empowered with 33% reservation in the country's legislatures. Why it chose to wait till only the Women's Day for the tokenism, when it could have also been done much earlier is confounding, but as they say, better late than never. Also, to give credit where it's due - atleast they did, unlike every other government of the past.
And in a rare show of solidarity, the BJP and the Left also stood on the same side of the argument, as that of the Congress. In most cases, such unanimity among these 3 main parties should be enough to quell any opposition to any legislation. However, the petty interests of our regional parties put paid to any plans of a swift acceptance for the Women's Bill.
Yes, the government could still wriggle its way out in this episode and somehow generate consensus - either coercively by stonewalling any voices of dissent or persuasively through behind-the-door discussions with those who are opposing for their own ulterior motives.
So even if we might finally get to see the bill being passed somehow sometime, the moot question is why should it come to such a state at all, in the first place?
Why should we have to endure sorry sights of MPs behaving like goons?
Why should it seem as if expecting to watch the nation's Parliament functioning professionally, gracefully and debating rationally is as easy and as likely as teaching goons to sing soulfully, melodiously and in chorus in a choir?
WHY?
The way the MPs conducted themselves has brought about another round of humiliation, shame and despondency for our democracy as it should also be, for the electorate who vote them in - though I wonder if we have any better alternatives available to choose from in the first place - which again brings us to the point that the only solution is to have good, honest, credible people taking up politics.
Politics in itself has become a synonym for everything bad, corrupt, sinister and apathetic towards the nation. Actually, it is because of the leaders we have had, the leaders we have chosen and made for ourselves and our nation. Politics is bad if we see it as a verb, and not a noun!
It is perhaps this quagmire of politics (v.) behind people, parties, and various policy decisions/indecisions that puts off most good people from entering mainstream politics.
After all, if we look at it, politics (n.) is the only way and means of how one can actively debate, influence and take decisions for the country - by being part of the legislature.
I personally think we should spell the Women's Bill the way it is called - We-Men's Bill. Because this is exactly how we, the men, have treated our women and this bill too. Seriously, this bill is so like our women - never been allowed to flower, blossom, treated as only a subject, opportunity, as only a behind-the-scenes supporting cast but not and never the protagonist, the leader, the torchbearer - and this is why and where the 'good' people need to come into politics.
For, it is atleast they, who should be able to see the reason and the merit in issues like these, whilst putting aside their egos, petty politicking, personal/party/constituency-wise interests - in that order. Yes, we can debate in the House but debate sensibly and rationally.
Debate on something like the fact that instead of blindly earmarking/reserving a fixed quota of legislative seats for women, whether we'd better off ensuring that all parties are directed to allocate atleast a certain number of election tickets for women to contest, whereby the seats would be filled through people who come by virtue of being elected through competition and merit instead of just the plain, 'reserved' category reps.
But we do not debate on such lines. Infact, we do not debate at all. And as far as lines are concerned, the lines and words that some of our esteemed MPs use, is the reason why we have a word such as 'unparliamentary language' in our lexicon.
We just know how to snatch papers, abuse each other, storm the well of the house, make the people of the country see their taxed money (most of which is used in activities such as running the Parliament) go waste, as session after session gets adjourned due to unruly behavior. All this for what fault of the common man? Is this why we pay our taxes? Is this what we deserve for being the world's largest democracy? Largest democracy shouldn't mean loudest noise and chaos.
All this drama, gross indiscipline, intolerance, and facade, just because of the insecurities and the selfish aims of a few parties and individuals who undo all the hard work, tenacity and efforts of a few good men. And yes, the good men are truly, very few - as said, that's why we need lots more good men to be around, to see India do better, in every walk of life - economically, politically, and socially.
Having said so, I must confess first-up that despite whatever reasons/majbooris from my side (naming which is as unimportant as it is irrelevant and still not justifiable), I have myself not yet entered politics and do not look likely to, atleast in the near future. So although I will be doing something to walk my talk in future, I have not done anything just yet except airing and sharing my ideas/concerns with friends and netizens in discussions and platforms such as blogs - so as I talk and share my ideas, concerns and thoughts, I'll actually be happy and satisfied only after I would be able to someday really walk my talk.
It's simple - if we are genuinely concerned about cleaning the mess, we have to get into the thick of things and not just talk about the consequences of the mess which are only too apparent to one and all. The point is, exactly what are we doing to solve the problem, instead of just lamenting and cursing?
So before I talk about the state-of-affairs in our country, I would like to state that I myself wish to, and will work actively towards actually doing something and not just writing/bemoaning about arey-ye-bekaar hai, wo bekaar hai. So I do plan to DO something like getting into the rot atleast sometime, some way, to clean it but surely, writing about my thoughts and sharing them as of now isn't a bad idea either.
I guess writing helps me vent my anger/frustration of the moment in a channelised way, and as I write, it also makes me more clear, objective, dispassionate and more organized about exactly how and where things stand, how strong my conviction is, and how I can plan and see any solutions ahead.
Ok, coming back to the reason for this post...the Women's Bill:
The 8th day of March every year is celebrated as International Women's Day.
The Congress - the dominant party in the government of the day, chose to mark this day as the day when it would make the women of the country empowered with 33% reservation in the country's legislatures. Why it chose to wait till only the Women's Day for the tokenism, when it could have also been done much earlier is confounding, but as they say, better late than never. Also, to give credit where it's due - atleast they did, unlike every other government of the past.
And in a rare show of solidarity, the BJP and the Left also stood on the same side of the argument, as that of the Congress. In most cases, such unanimity among these 3 main parties should be enough to quell any opposition to any legislation. However, the petty interests of our regional parties put paid to any plans of a swift acceptance for the Women's Bill.
Yes, the government could still wriggle its way out in this episode and somehow generate consensus - either coercively by stonewalling any voices of dissent or persuasively through behind-the-door discussions with those who are opposing for their own ulterior motives.
So even if we might finally get to see the bill being passed somehow sometime, the moot question is why should it come to such a state at all, in the first place?
Why should we have to endure sorry sights of MPs behaving like goons?
Why should it seem as if expecting to watch the nation's Parliament functioning professionally, gracefully and debating rationally is as easy and as likely as teaching goons to sing soulfully, melodiously and in chorus in a choir?
WHY?
The way the MPs conducted themselves has brought about another round of humiliation, shame and despondency for our democracy as it should also be, for the electorate who vote them in - though I wonder if we have any better alternatives available to choose from in the first place - which again brings us to the point that the only solution is to have good, honest, credible people taking up politics.
Politics in itself has become a synonym for everything bad, corrupt, sinister and apathetic towards the nation. Actually, it is because of the leaders we have had, the leaders we have chosen and made for ourselves and our nation. Politics is bad if we see it as a verb, and not a noun!
It is perhaps this quagmire of politics (v.) behind people, parties, and various policy decisions/indecisions that puts off most good people from entering mainstream politics.
After all, if we look at it, politics (n.) is the only way and means of how one can actively debate, influence and take decisions for the country - by being part of the legislature.
I personally think we should spell the Women's Bill the way it is called - We-Men's Bill. Because this is exactly how we, the men, have treated our women and this bill too. Seriously, this bill is so like our women - never been allowed to flower, blossom, treated as only a subject, opportunity, as only a behind-the-scenes supporting cast but not and never the protagonist, the leader, the torchbearer - and this is why and where the 'good' people need to come into politics.
For, it is atleast they, who should be able to see the reason and the merit in issues like these, whilst putting aside their egos, petty politicking, personal/party/constituency-wise interests - in that order. Yes, we can debate in the House but debate sensibly and rationally.
Debate on something like the fact that instead of blindly earmarking/reserving a fixed quota of legislative seats for women, whether we'd better off ensuring that all parties are directed to allocate atleast a certain number of election tickets for women to contest, whereby the seats would be filled through people who come by virtue of being elected through competition and merit instead of just the plain, 'reserved' category reps.
But we do not debate on such lines. Infact, we do not debate at all. And as far as lines are concerned, the lines and words that some of our esteemed MPs use, is the reason why we have a word such as 'unparliamentary language' in our lexicon.
We just know how to snatch papers, abuse each other, storm the well of the house, make the people of the country see their taxed money (most of which is used in activities such as running the Parliament) go waste, as session after session gets adjourned due to unruly behavior. All this for what fault of the common man? Is this why we pay our taxes? Is this what we deserve for being the world's largest democracy? Largest democracy shouldn't mean loudest noise and chaos.
All this drama, gross indiscipline, intolerance, and facade, just because of the insecurities and the selfish aims of a few parties and individuals who undo all the hard work, tenacity and efforts of a few good men. And yes, the good men are truly, very few - as said, that's why we need lots more good men to be around, to see India do better, in every walk of life - economically, politically, and socially.
Wednesday, February 10, 2010
The Bigger Buggers - We, The People
It's pretty sad, watching the news these days.
I am apalled at the regularity with which minister after minister, bureaucrat after bureaucrat, and panelist after panelist comes on news shows, and appeals for Mumbai to stay calm, for the Mumbaikars and the Marathi Maanoos to remain in harmony, and to not be taken in by the hate-agenda of the Shiv Sena.
Isn't it so sad and shameful that we have to be told to do so?
In the course of the hate speeches that the Shiv Sena has continuously been spewing, I was struck by a thought. I wonder who exactly is it that I should hate, detest, loathe more - the Thackerays..Bal, Uddhav and Raj, for trying to incite hatred?
Or, the mob, the herd, the complete nincompoops, the ones who do not seem to be equipped with even an iota of brain - the ones who get incited by the Thackerays and their ilk?
In another instance, the Andhra sports minister has called for an IPL boycott, in the name of intensifying the Telangana stir.
Yes, ofcourse the people who incite communal/regional/parochial passions are anyway condemnable and deserve to rot alive, but what is beyond comprehension is how we as a people fail, when it comes to applying common sense and not getting swayed at the slightest pretext.
The fact that the incitement shouldn't be tolerated or even brought up/started is ofcourse acknowledged. But the bigger issue is that we need to ruminate over why and how this incitement gains even a semblance of credence in anyone's mind.
If we ever stop believing/buying into the theories and hate-propaganda that such hate-mongers patronise, would any Thackeray have the temerity to spread such schmuck around? Even if they do, with no takers, wouldn't it die down on its own?
I have a problem when people need to be told to stay in their wits, to not believe the bullshit that is being dished out. Why? For who?
Who is the bigger sinner then?
It is we, the people, who give legitimacy to such a goonda and extra-constitutional authority as a Thackeray. Pray, tell me, what business does a senior politician have, to kowtow at Matoshree to guarantee security for IPL, when his colleague and the Home Minister of the country is the man incharge for this? If there's an issue to be addressed, Mr. Pawar should suggest/speak to Mr. Home Minister and none else. If the country's Cabinet minister is not sure of the nation's security without this extra-consitutional authority's blessings, what assurance does a common man have?
The politician is a rotten creature anyway. No better than the guy who takes a poor person's kidneys and sells them off to someone else without the poor fellow's knowledge/consent. They are too busy, happily eating, actually scavenging away, from the lives and even corpses of the janta through internal bickerings, issues out of non-entities and apathy towards actual national concerns.
The politician will create his agenda from anything, get publicity through anything - good or bad be damned. It is our responsibility to ensure that we, as responsible citizens do not fall prey to their designs and we should be ashamed that we need to be told to stay in our senses and not buy the hate-agenda.
Shame on us, because it's we who are the bigger buggers.
Unless we acknowledge our faults and reach a stage where we do not need a directive to remain sane, we shall continue to give more power to such venom-spewing, invective-ridden buggers.
Here's to retaining our sanity, sense and brotherhood so that we completely obliterate the utter crap that has been going on for far too long in our midst.
I am apalled at the regularity with which minister after minister, bureaucrat after bureaucrat, and panelist after panelist comes on news shows, and appeals for Mumbai to stay calm, for the Mumbaikars and the Marathi Maanoos to remain in harmony, and to not be taken in by the hate-agenda of the Shiv Sena.
Isn't it so sad and shameful that we have to be told to do so?
In the course of the hate speeches that the Shiv Sena has continuously been spewing, I was struck by a thought. I wonder who exactly is it that I should hate, detest, loathe more - the Thackerays..Bal, Uddhav and Raj, for trying to incite hatred?
Or, the mob, the herd, the complete nincompoops, the ones who do not seem to be equipped with even an iota of brain - the ones who get incited by the Thackerays and their ilk?
In another instance, the Andhra sports minister has called for an IPL boycott, in the name of intensifying the Telangana stir.
Yes, ofcourse the people who incite communal/regional/parochial passions are anyway condemnable and deserve to rot alive, but what is beyond comprehension is how we as a people fail, when it comes to applying common sense and not getting swayed at the slightest pretext.
The fact that the incitement shouldn't be tolerated or even brought up/started is ofcourse acknowledged. But the bigger issue is that we need to ruminate over why and how this incitement gains even a semblance of credence in anyone's mind.
If we ever stop believing/buying into the theories and hate-propaganda that such hate-mongers patronise, would any Thackeray have the temerity to spread such schmuck around? Even if they do, with no takers, wouldn't it die down on its own?
I have a problem when people need to be told to stay in their wits, to not believe the bullshit that is being dished out. Why? For who?
Who is the bigger sinner then?
It is we, the people, who give legitimacy to such a goonda and extra-constitutional authority as a Thackeray. Pray, tell me, what business does a senior politician have, to kowtow at Matoshree to guarantee security for IPL, when his colleague and the Home Minister of the country is the man incharge for this? If there's an issue to be addressed, Mr. Pawar should suggest/speak to Mr. Home Minister and none else. If the country's Cabinet minister is not sure of the nation's security without this extra-consitutional authority's blessings, what assurance does a common man have?
The politician is a rotten creature anyway. No better than the guy who takes a poor person's kidneys and sells them off to someone else without the poor fellow's knowledge/consent. They are too busy, happily eating, actually scavenging away, from the lives and even corpses of the janta through internal bickerings, issues out of non-entities and apathy towards actual national concerns.
The politician will create his agenda from anything, get publicity through anything - good or bad be damned. It is our responsibility to ensure that we, as responsible citizens do not fall prey to their designs and we should be ashamed that we need to be told to stay in our senses and not buy the hate-agenda.
Shame on us, because it's we who are the bigger buggers.
Unless we acknowledge our faults and reach a stage where we do not need a directive to remain sane, we shall continue to give more power to such venom-spewing, invective-ridden buggers.
Here's to retaining our sanity, sense and brotherhood so that we completely obliterate the utter crap that has been going on for far too long in our midst.
Saturday, January 9, 2010
For a Safe and Happy 2010!
First things first: Though the year isn't 'new' anymore, would like to express my greetings and best wishes to you for a safe and happy 2010!
Having said so, though my wishes are completely honest, sincere and genuine, I think we need to be better persons, and a better country, if we wish to actually see a better than 2009 year for us all.
I'd like to use this post to pen (type) my reactions to some of the prominent events of the last few days/weeks. I can't wait to vent my frustration, anger, disillusionment and repulsion about certain events, by just writing about some of them in this post. Guess, getting it outta my system through this platform would channelise my useless frustration into something constructive than just ranting about it.
We need to be a better society, a lot more tolerant towards each other in terms of understanding/reconciling with/being accommodative to each other, vis-a-vis our cultural and attitudinal differences. Equally importantly, we need to be zero-tolerant when we see apathy, discrimination, injustice, the usual corruption, and unfair use of political/administrative clout, etc. in our midst.
Safety, I wished?...Dream on!
Safe, I have wished...for 2010.
They say, if you want to make God laugh, tell him about your plans!
Pray, tell me, can cases like Ruchika's make anyone feel at ease?
Will we have time to talk about being 'safe' from anti-national, external conspirators against India, if we have not even addressed offenders from within, like SPS Rathore?
And it goes without saying that the probability of feeling happy when not feeling safe, is as much as that of Kumar Sanu or me winning the Miss Universe title.
Peeping into the future through the eyes of our approach in the present
There are some things that bother me a lot:
It's already sad to see a crime being committed. One cannot undo a tragedy once it has occurred, but the least one can do is to not defend the perpetrator of that wrong. You are wronging the victim much more.
KPS Gill's brazen and bizzare defence of Rathore is shocking, disgusting, and totally shameless, to say the least. What totally beats me is why we haven't raised our voices against such defences.
The article I have quoted still doesn't cover everything. I saw his interview on a news channel and he actually asked for a review of the law against a crime/charge such as molestation, which per him is frivolous and nothing serious.Why??
Is such stout and abominable defence of a crime called for?
If this is what we do in the name of democracy and free speech, knowing fully well as to who is in the wrong, then shame on us.
It won't be surprising if in the coming days, we see more and more such gentlemen coming out seconding dastardly acts while using their right to freedom of speech. Honestly, what really beats me is how can we not accord punishment sooner to known offenders, in clear open-and-shut cases where the least the victim deserves is to see justice being meted out ASAP.
Coupla Other Newsmakers
As 2009 drew to a close, a Nigerian and an octogenarian chose to hit the hall of shame. The former decided to wish Merry Christmas in his own not-so-merry way, mid-air on a US flight, while the latter, a governor, decided to lead by example in preaching make love, not war to 2 (or were they 3?) ladies.
Ofcourse, both remain unrepentant and least apologetic about their acts, the terrorist defending it and the politician in a gubernatorial position going a step ahead and even denying it!
Lessons
Talking of the ameer-baap-ka-bigdaa-beta and failed hijacker, among the first things Obama did was to take responsibility and ownership in ensuring that "the buck stops with me" and starting off an action plan and learnings from the incident on how to ensure nothing of the sort even happens again on American soil. He might fail, yes, but what's heartening to see is an honest, conscious, sincere, vigilant and genuine attempt at making things work, ironing out the flaws...and it all begins with recognising the flaws, assimilating the lessons to be learnt and getting to work on incorporating them.
We are like that only, ji
What all have we ever pro-actively done, as a follow-up after the numerous terrorist attacks, to bring about accountability, transparency and an action plan that ensures no recurrence in future?
Nothing, except dishing out impotent, rehearsed and meaningless rhetoric such as "This won't be tolerated" or "We salute the city's people and its spirit".
Bullshit seems too respectable a term to be accorded to such soul-less, intent-less, tokenism and sheer crap.
Hockey's in a mess..but we couldn't care less
As I write, we have come to know that the hockey team is in a mess but we couldn't care less..oh, and even this wouldn't have occupied mind space and new real estate, but for a tweet by a superstar.
Question: Why does a Sharad Pawar, a Rajiv Shukla, an Arun Jaitley, or a Lalu Prasad, et al, not get involved in any sport other than cricket?
Who wants to improve cricket sports administration in a country where the only sport that needs least attention is cricket? More importantly, why? Would they have done so if our cricketing coffers weren't overflowing? Is it just a coincidence that they are all involved with only that sport, whose administrative and financial spoils are too apparent to be termed news?
Doing our respective parts
In all this, I just hope we, and even if not we, atleast me - I, try and just do our bit in not tolerating injustice/corruption at any level, in any form, and most importantly, also ensure that we do not spare those who have the effrontery to shield the guilty.
For, this is anyway, all that an individual can do - his bit. Nothing more.
But the operative word is Nothing Less. Nothing Less than this will do from each of us. On the other hand, if each of us tries, nothing more than this is required to make us a vibrant, genuine happy, just, and safe nation!
Here it is then..To doing our bit!
Cheers n Amen!
Having said so, though my wishes are completely honest, sincere and genuine, I think we need to be better persons, and a better country, if we wish to actually see a better than 2009 year for us all.
I'd like to use this post to pen (type) my reactions to some of the prominent events of the last few days/weeks. I can't wait to vent my frustration, anger, disillusionment and repulsion about certain events, by just writing about some of them in this post. Guess, getting it outta my system through this platform would channelise my useless frustration into something constructive than just ranting about it.
We need to be a better society, a lot more tolerant towards each other in terms of understanding/reconciling with/being accommodative to each other, vis-a-vis our cultural and attitudinal differences. Equally importantly, we need to be zero-tolerant when we see apathy, discrimination, injustice, the usual corruption, and unfair use of political/administrative clout, etc. in our midst.
Safety, I wished?...Dream on!
Safe, I have wished...for 2010.
They say, if you want to make God laugh, tell him about your plans!
Pray, tell me, can cases like Ruchika's make anyone feel at ease?
Will we have time to talk about being 'safe' from anti-national, external conspirators against India, if we have not even addressed offenders from within, like SPS Rathore?
And it goes without saying that the probability of feeling happy when not feeling safe, is as much as that of Kumar Sanu or me winning the Miss Universe title.
Peeping into the future through the eyes of our approach in the present
There are some things that bother me a lot:
It's already sad to see a crime being committed. One cannot undo a tragedy once it has occurred, but the least one can do is to not defend the perpetrator of that wrong. You are wronging the victim much more.
KPS Gill's brazen and bizzare defence of Rathore is shocking, disgusting, and totally shameless, to say the least. What totally beats me is why we haven't raised our voices against such defences.
The article I have quoted still doesn't cover everything. I saw his interview on a news channel and he actually asked for a review of the law against a crime/charge such as molestation, which per him is frivolous and nothing serious.Why??
Is such stout and abominable defence of a crime called for?
If this is what we do in the name of democracy and free speech, knowing fully well as to who is in the wrong, then shame on us.
It won't be surprising if in the coming days, we see more and more such gentlemen coming out seconding dastardly acts while using their right to freedom of speech. Honestly, what really beats me is how can we not accord punishment sooner to known offenders, in clear open-and-shut cases where the least the victim deserves is to see justice being meted out ASAP.
Coupla Other Newsmakers
As 2009 drew to a close, a Nigerian and an octogenarian chose to hit the hall of shame. The former decided to wish Merry Christmas in his own not-so-merry way, mid-air on a US flight, while the latter, a governor, decided to lead by example in preaching make love, not war to 2 (or were they 3?) ladies.
Ofcourse, both remain unrepentant and least apologetic about their acts, the terrorist defending it and the politician in a gubernatorial position going a step ahead and even denying it!
Lessons
Talking of the ameer-baap-ka-bigdaa-beta and failed hijacker, among the first things Obama did was to take responsibility and ownership in ensuring that "the buck stops with me" and starting off an action plan and learnings from the incident on how to ensure nothing of the sort even happens again on American soil. He might fail, yes, but what's heartening to see is an honest, conscious, sincere, vigilant and genuine attempt at making things work, ironing out the flaws...and it all begins with recognising the flaws, assimilating the lessons to be learnt and getting to work on incorporating them.
We are like that only, ji
What all have we ever pro-actively done, as a follow-up after the numerous terrorist attacks, to bring about accountability, transparency and an action plan that ensures no recurrence in future?
Nothing, except dishing out impotent, rehearsed and meaningless rhetoric such as "This won't be tolerated" or "We salute the city's people and its spirit".
Bullshit seems too respectable a term to be accorded to such soul-less, intent-less, tokenism and sheer crap.
Hockey's in a mess..but we couldn't care less
As I write, we have come to know that the hockey team is in a mess but we couldn't care less..oh, and even this wouldn't have occupied mind space and new real estate, but for a tweet by a superstar.
Question: Why does a Sharad Pawar, a Rajiv Shukla, an Arun Jaitley, or a Lalu Prasad, et al, not get involved in any sport other than cricket?
Who wants to improve cricket sports administration in a country where the only sport that needs least attention is cricket? More importantly, why? Would they have done so if our cricketing coffers weren't overflowing? Is it just a coincidence that they are all involved with only that sport, whose administrative and financial spoils are too apparent to be termed news?
Doing our respective parts
In all this, I just hope we, and even if not we, atleast me - I, try and just do our bit in not tolerating injustice/corruption at any level, in any form, and most importantly, also ensure that we do not spare those who have the effrontery to shield the guilty.
For, this is anyway, all that an individual can do - his bit. Nothing more.
But the operative word is Nothing Less. Nothing Less than this will do from each of us. On the other hand, if each of us tries, nothing more than this is required to make us a vibrant, genuine happy, just, and safe nation!
Here it is then..To doing our bit!
Cheers n Amen!
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