Why this Kolaveri, ji?

One of the reasons why cricket is (hard-nosed realists might hasten to say 'was') labeled as a gentleman's game, is because of the impeccable, sporting and disciplined conduct by everyone on the playing field.
In fact, the sport and the conduct of its players used to be held in such high esteem that any unscrupulous act was coined with the term 'this is not cricket'!.
Can you imagine anyone making such a remark using any other sport as a metaphor?

This is what makes cricket different from other sports such as soccer, tennis, etc. where at least some level of intolerance is often passed off without being reprimanded.

And to then see, a shining young star of the Indian team, Virat Kohli in the latest instance as of yesterday, not only showing his dissent openly, but even abusing the umpire, was downright disappointing, to say the least.
Article 2.1.3 of the ICC Code of Conduct about "showing dissent at an umpire's decision" is quite clear and unambiguous too.
And even if it were not, is it not clear to us, that the umpire is the sole authority, who should not be disputed, least of all abused, in public?

I am a great fan of Virat Kohli's talent and he doesn't need a certificate from me anyway. The fact that he has made it to the international stage and is shining there too, is proof enough of his ability. What is terrible, though, is that he is making his mouth bigger than his bat. That too, to spew profanities.
Alright dude, you might have got a terrible (debatable) one, but he could have been disappointed, not disgruntled.

The most important and unfortunate point is: this was not the first time Virat has committed such an offence.

Time and again, one has seen Kohli expressing his anger at even taking a catch, throwing the ball, abusing an opposition player or umpire, and getting away with it.

One would like to know what gets inside the head of such otherwise gifted, intelligent and talented stars that they behave so abominably?

It is not even as if it's aggression. Aggression (if positive) is like alcohol intake. Your limit, propensity, ability or capacity for aggression would be different from mine.
Again, it is acceptable only if it can be controlled and handled within permissible limits of decency and propriety of public behavior.

Like the popular rage these days, the Kolaveri song, which roughly translates to 'Why this murderous rage?' - one would like to ask Virat and others of his ilk about their behavior - Why, oh why, this Kolaveri?!!

Please also note here, it is not just a Virat or an Asian. This malaise afflicts cricketers from all countries today, and the sooner we get rid of such sledgers and brats or their attitude, the better.

In this light, I also have a question/action item for the sport's governing body:
Why does the ICC not dock the cricketer's bulk of the fee (if not the entire amount)? Is just a reprimand, a 'don't-do-it-again' good enough? Especially, when a cricketer is found guilty for an offence for the second time (or more)?

On the positive side, such incidents make you admire Sachin even more. He has had countless decisions that have gone against him, in the last 22 years and more. He sure had been disappointed on all such occasions. However, one struggles to recollect even one instance when he has, through his verbal or even non-verbal behavior, crossed the line between disappointment and dissent.

Sachin Tendulkar, Rahul Dravid, VVS Laxman: RESPECT.

No wonder, you guys have been such a strong middle order for us. You have not only added the spine to our line-up with your abilities with the bat, but also added your character, your respect and your love for the sport.
After all, if you humbly accept the decision of the official entrusted to make the decision, then be it right or wrong, by accepting that decision, you only reflect your love and respect for the game that you love.

What often also beats me completely, is how people take a catch, pick a wicket, or score a 50 or 100 and get so worked up, and angry.

Are we remembering one-upmanship or showing the others how good/right/powerful I am, more than simply playing genuinely for the love of the game?
Would we get so hyperactive and insane on taking a catch/wicket/hitting a hundred, if we were playing for the sheer love for our game?

To everyone who says it is aggression that spurs people to greater heights,
Just these names/facts speak for themselves: Courtney Walsh, Richard Hadlee, Kapil Dev.

Despite the fact that the West Indian team of the 70s and 80s was the most ferocious and lethal team (as much as, if not more than the Aussies of the 90s and 2000s), they were and still are the most loved.
I'm afraid not many outside of Australia can say the same of the Aussie team of Waugh and Ponting.
Why?
While the latter played one-upmanship, sledging-filled (euphemistically called mental disintegration by Steve and team) cricket, the Windies played hard on the field, but still with a lot of sportsman spirit and love for the game.
Off the ground, they were the most gentle, affable and loving people around.

The choice is ours - who do we want to emulate?
Virat Kohli and others, I rest my case.
As I said, just need to ask yourself: Why this Kolaveri, ji?! :-)

Back to Winning Ways!!

139 days: June 23, 2011 - November 09, 2011
Finally, after enduring a horrid tour of England, and having relinquished their numero uno crown in Test cricket in the interim, we are back - back to winning ways!!

Okay okay, I know it's only one match, only against a rather average Carribbean side (who too had their moments in the match), on our home turf and all that. But I have already dwelt on that earlier, right after England.
This moment is not a time for that.
This moment is a time to enjoy getting back on track, and staying focused for even better, bigger, thumping victories consistently. And hopefully, against every opposition, in all conditions.

Just like a Test hundred or a fiver-for (ask Sachin or Ashwin for corroborations), any win in Test cricket anywhere, is cherishable. I repeat, any Test win, against anyone, anywhere.

Yes, a great team/individual performance against an above-par team, in adverse situations, against a quality attack, et al is always cause for more cheer alright.
However, to use a Sunil Gavaskar trite as an anagram here - 'It was a full toss alright, but it still had to be put away'.

However easy it may sound, a Test win always has a happy ring to it.

If anything, let's hope it's a precursor for greater glories ahead (read Australia)!!
Amen, go well Team India, and well played, bwaayzz!!!

Happy Birthday, Mr. Prime Minister!!

Yes alright, I do know that he ain't the Prime Minister anymore.
Yes, many have also come and gone (and again come and again gone) after Shri Lal Bahadur Shastri.

However, to me, if there is any one politician I have always looked up to, without fail, and always felt inspired, it has always been Shri Lal Bahadur Shastri.

To me, the term or designation of a 'Prime Minister' in the real sense of the word, is not someone who simply happens to occupy that chair at that given point of time. No sir/madam, won't do for me.
To me, the term does not just refer to any PM who has been a PM or is even seen as an incumbent, PM-material.

To me, a Prime Minister is someone who has led from the front, with example, dignity, courage, integrity, and most of all, worked with genuine values along with taking every action keeping in mind, the true care and concern for his people.
Which is why, Shastri ji, to me, is truly a 'prime' minister among all Prime Ministers past and present, and of course a jewel who outshone and shall always outshine any and every minister/MP I have ever seen/known.

No wonder, I have always genuinely believed him to be a true Bharat Ratna, in every sense of the term:

Led by example
In today's times, the government of the day puts the Anna Hazare's of today behind bars for fasting peacefully, how many Netas (forget PMs!) can you expect to see who would lead by example?
Can we, in our sane minds, expect our PMs to go on fast for a day each week, and THEN, (remember only THEN) appeal to the country to follow suit?
And all of this not for publicity, but just with the noble intention of the sheer welfare and self-reliance of our nation.

Austerity
For all his deeds and popularity, he remained the most simple, soft-spoken, dignified and humble gentleman you can ever know.
Despite having become a Prime Minister, there were hardly any assets he left for his own (or his kin's) self.
Forget today or later, just how many in the entire world can do that? Ever?

Integrity
There is a train accident, and nobody bays for the Railways Minister. However, the Minister himself, voluntarily puts in his papers without any fuss, taking complete responsibility for the accident.
No, I am not referring to Satyug. I am just referring to a Yug Purush who happened to be the Railways Minister then.

What a great day today, the 2nd of October indeed is - two of my favorite personalities who have led by example and led austere, simple as well as upright lives, were born on this day!

However, what I always find all the more laudable is that though Gandhiji never entered active politics, Shastri ji did do so, and still remained as clean, as respected and as honorable as always (in fact, even more!), without getting besmirched in that mud-slinging, vitriolic gutter called politics.

So while we always (and ofcourse, rightly and most deservedly) remember our beloved Bapu today, I feel that somehow, we tend to not remember Shastri ji even half as much.
Here's to you, Sir - the little big man of Indian politics and my favorite political leader ever - Happy Birthday!!
If only we could get some leaders even a fraction as good, as upright, as sharp and as humble and still as genuinely simple as you, there's no stopping our country!!

A Sincere Appeal

I am sure all of us in India (especially in NCR/North India) must have heard about the horrific news about the killing of a 22-year young toll plaza attendant.

Fault: As per his duty as the toll plaza attendant, he asked for the toll fee from the hooligans who were commuting through the toll road.

Well, one can go on about the state-of-affairs and cry ourselves hoarse about why people do what they do.
Why are so many of us getting intoxicated through the high of a few extra notes in the pocket, or a weapon within arm's reach?

But, I would prefer to not dwell on these things. For, these are not the things that are within my control.
I'd rather share about what is in our - your and my - control.

Here's what we can and MUST do.
This link contains information about the details of Umesh's family and how we can send across our financial assistance to them.

Apart from just sympathizing with the absolutely innocent victim and his family, and deploring the hooligans and our inept system for a few moments before moving on with our lives, let's help in whichever way possible.

It's a humble, sincere request/appeal: Please DO help the bereaved family, if you can - through cheque or online transfer. (details are available within the link)

Although we might not be able to bring Umesh back, atleast a little assistance from us could go a long way in redeeming the financial condition of his helpless family.

Dear Team India

As a popular joke would have me believe, it was a good tour for us. We beat 3 teams: Sussex, Kent and Leicestershire. And lost to only one: England :|


A lot of water has flown through the Ganges (or through the Thames, if you'd like) since the time I last wrote about the Indian cricket team's travails in England.

Despite the fact that we had lost poorly in the first Test, I was still hopeful of a turnaround in our fortunes.
Well, turn they did, only to turn circularly - to effect a 0-4 drubbing in the Tests, a 0-1 in the lone T20 match, and a 0-3 scoreline in the ODIs.

I saw most of the massacres live, and I am still searching for a silver lining in our performance. Nevertheless, there is still no doubt that we can only do better in the upcoming series.

In a contrived and convoluted sort of way, I am quite happy in a way that we lost so badly.
Despite the injuries, the spate of below-par performances, and the weather playing truant especially on the few India was in commanding positions, we cannot say with hand on heart, that we deserved to hold on to the #1 spot in Test Cricket after our performance.

I am happy with our whitewash because I have a hope that this shall rankle us. Hurt us. Remind us.
I wanted to write about all this now,  because I do expect most Indian batsmen to score big and plunder attacks at will in the ensuing encounters at home.
Not for a moment am I not valuing their ability in home conditions. I just wanted to write this today to ensure I register my thoughts and rankling from the English summer somewhere so that next time we hit a fast bowler outta the park, we do not lose perspective of what we've still got to accomplish.

But as the Champions League razzmatazz gets underway, and our stars find their own in familiarly docile conditions, let us not forget that if we manage even 80% of what we do at home, we shall be consistent away-series winners.

It's been a while since we lost, let alone lost so badly. So hopefully, such a smattering which has come after a string of commendable and at least respectable away-series performances, shall prove to be more an aberration than a portent for things to come. However, as they say, those who forget their history, are condemned to repeat it.

While there is no reason why we should not be more patient and understanding about the highs and lows that any team and core group of players inevitably goes through, let us also try our best to learn from the tour and not forget those lessons as we rebound at home and ride on the crest of domestic success again.

Let us not forget the mistakes and shortcomings to work on, when we hit the next knee-length ball out of the park.
While we respect, enjoy and love all the talent and ability on display at home, let us not forget that we are not true champions till we conquer all frontiers.
Let us enjoy being the champs at home, but let us savor etching the Indian flag on Australian, South African, and English soil, more than just defending our crown at home.

New Branch Office!!

They say, at the age of 3, a kid moves from one stage of life to another, for the first time. The first three years of our life are the most formative, the most carefree and enjoyable. We are still coming to terms with our family, relatives and acquaintances. Still trying to learn communicating, articulating, and expressing ourselves with everyone around.

And by the time we blow our birthday candles for the third time (at least in the current Indian educational set-up), our parents ensure we make our first move - from the totally carefree schedule at home, to a somewhat time-table bound routine - a 5-day a week introduction to an extended home atmosphere - in the form of pre-schooling!!
The rest, as they say, is history. And Civics. And Geography. And Chemistry, Physics, Biology, Social Studies, English, Hindi, and Mathematics. For the next 10-12 years!

So why am I saying all this? Cut to July 2008.
Ok, it isn't exactly back to the origin of species but yes, it was then that I wrote my first post, marking my first baby steps into the world of blogging.
And now that Choc-a-blog has completed 3 years (though not exactly at supersonic posting speeds but still managing atleast one post a month from April 2009 onwards), I would like to gift it too with an extended home for my baby - yes, Choc-a-blog is now on FaceBook as an FB page!!:)

Hopefully, this would help my blog connect with my friends through the social networking medium, and might help everyone to benefit from it through regular posts, comments and interactions.

Sau baat ki ek baat - itni publicity kar raha hoon, kabhi time miley (ya neend nahin aa rahi ho), toh yahaan aa jaaya karna yaar! Neend ke liye shartiya ilaaj guaranteed!! :-)
Ab toh hum aapke nikat ke FB profile par bhi uplabdh hain!!

Hope to see you all around, also through FB now...cheers!!

Have WE Made It Large?

With great power, comes great responsibility. - Voltaire

Perhaps, we could re-phrase or extend this to infer/create another statement that seems to hold true for the current state of affairs in/for the Indian cricket team. Or, maybe they are already experiencing/realizing this:
With great rankings, comes even great(er) criticism - especially if you have an Indian fan following.

I am never one to support anyone blindly or irrationally. So yes, one has felt gutted way too often for one's liking in the first Two Tests against England and there must always be (constructive) criticism, for that alone shall open the doors to remedial action.
However, over the course of the last two Test match routs, I have felt a sense of failure, not just on the part of Team India not living up to their touted billing, but also on the part of you, me - us: on the part of the fans and experts, in general.

As I said, yes, there is no doubt that a lot of flak is justified, wherever due. I am the first one to object to the defensive tactics we have had - in terms of:

• Poor, Reactive and Ultra-Defensive Field Placements - with easy singles and even twos, being offered on a platter
• Very Average Captaincy - in not keeping close-in men, especially to new, vulnerable batsmen
• Poor shot-selections and lack of application by many batsmen
• Some very ordinary line and lengths bowled by our bowlers, negating the good work done in an earlier session in the day

All this does need prompt attention and correction - especially since I have only highlighted the parts that are manageable. Not something like being able to bowl express pace/play the short-stuff out-of-the-blue from nowhere.
All the above is stuff that should never have happened in the first place and can surely be rectified w.e.f. NOW.

However, while I would hate to see an encore of the above-listed avoidables, I would also like to object to a generally pervasive sentiment among the more intolerant of India fans (and ofcourse, also almost all of the non-India fans) - that we do not deserve to be #1.

First things first - I would like to believe I ain't any jingoistic, least of all for the sake of a numbers rat-race. So while anyone would naturally always want to see and feel great at his team getting to and then defending its #1 position, I am not as bothered about the potential loss of the #1 tag, as I am about the unjustified and inaccurate comments and statements being dished out.

There has been a lot of breast-beating about the fact that India have not been able to defeat England in England. Fair enough, we won't be able to win the series this time (though we could still make it 2-2).

But at least we did beat England in England as recently as on our last tour (and so have many other teams) over the last few years. When did England do so on Indian soil?

I would like to ask anyone who cares to prefer reason over personal wants/preferences - Why are we making it such a big issue? Forget Harbhajan Singh, why have WE made it so large?!

Except Australia - that too, only in 2001 (that too, due to Indians suddenly being a disjointed lot after the then-skipper Ganguly chickened out in Nagpur - but let's leave that for another day), no team, and I'd like to repeat NO TEAM (including all other Australian tours with their unbeatable, golden cricketers at their pomp) - could ever beat India in India, in the last 20 or so years.

It's not for nothing that India is the Final Frontier. So while I myself strongly believe that this Indian cricket team is yet to become that good, where it can claim to have beaten anyone anywhere, I am equally convinced that it's not that we have a proven team all set and ready as the rightful inheritor of the #1 crown.

Just as each team has its strengths, so too have we.
As I said, while we would love to see the required gumption, skill and technique to survive and excel in conditions meant for swing, bounce, and seam movement, it is equally true that just about everyone that has toured our turf has failed equally miserably.

So here is my rant in a nutshell:
To Team India: 
Please wake up and smell the coffee. It's high time we adapt, perform and at least persevere. The very least I would want to see from them, is to redeem themselves in the areas I listed above.

Equally importantly, or perhaps even more importantly, to the Fan: 
Perhaps a good-to-remember note for all of us - to you and me who wish the Team well and want to see it excel everywhere: A fan ain't just one that's on our ceiling...ain't just one who goes mad at his team's wins. A fan believes and supports his team as much as he loves them.
Like in life, so too in cricket - one (a team) needs support (fans) the most, when things aren't going great. If you are a fan, behave like one.

No, do not ignore their wrongs. But yes, lets criticize constructively, let them rectify, not pressurize 'em & just help them be their best.

Let's not be blinded by jingoism for sure, but let's also not be swayed by knee-jerk reactions or easy, drawing-room critiques either.
At least I, for one, do believe our team must already be as keen as we are, to seem them play to their potential - results notwithstanding.

The task of neutralizing the 0-2 lead and the big mouthing is already enough to keep our Team motivated. 
As genuine supporters and fans, let 'us' not make it large!

Time to Show Our Mettle

Yes, we have lost the first test badly. Yes, we have not acquitted ourselves the way a World No. 1 Test team should.

The sight an Indian fan did not want to see - England's victory huddle :-| (Source: Cricinfo)

Irrespective of whether we like it or not, and whatever be the entirely avoidable and unfortunate reasons behind this, but it is indeed a fact that for the Indian cricket team fits the tag of 'poor, slow starters' to almost every Test series (abroad). Perhaps this tag applies to us even more strongly than a certain 'cho_ _ _s' tag attributed to a prominent team from the southern part of a continent.

However, this is the time when our time needs us the most. They did not set the stage afire alright, but they did not really disgrace themselves either, even in defeat.

On that contrary, I was in fact happy with the way we went for Lunch on Day 4 (when Ishant had rocked England bigtime - the most ardent English fan too would have been jittery for them, then) and even at Tea on Day 5, when we still had 5 wickets in hand for the final session, with Dhoni and Raina at the crease. I am not sure about the others, but I seriously reckoned we could have salvaged a draw with a little more luck (weather) and application. Considering we were always short of our premier bowler, I would never want to give the stick to our cricketers, that too for not trying hard enough. And as I have always maintained, I am fine even with a defeat, as long as our team has put in every possible effort and not made silly/already committed mistakes.

Despite the largely forgettable performance by India, I do believe, though, that we still have it in us to upset the English applecart. Don't forget, this is an Indian team, that is not only used to coming back from behind, but is also a team that never gives up, and is not dependent too heavily on any one individual now, unlike the last two decades. Even the figures show we do manage to bounce back remarkably well after our first Test.

Having said that, it's truly going to be a test of our mettle, to mount back-to-back wins now from a very confident English side, with all bases covered.

Now for my Nobel-winning Eureka-statement of the day: The best and only way to defeat England, is to make sure that we pick our best cricketers (purely by form and as per pitch conditions).

In that regard, I believe it is high time we dispense with Mr. Harbhajan Singh w.e.f. NOW.

My reason: No, I am never a one-test or even a one-series critic. Show me the last time Bhajji bowled India to victory in a Test on his own, even before the current Test/series. Forget humans, even Google might struggle conjuring up the relevant match stats.

Yes, he is a big name (and in all probability, Mr. MSD's favorite will not be left to cool his heels), and is also a handy No.8 but I want to tell him and his admirers just this -
Har bhajan apna karenge, dear Bhajji tere liye...

...batting toh aa rayi hai lekin, ye bhi dekhna wickets din mein kitne liye.

Anyway, as I said, what I wish/think is immaterial as long as the captain/selector(s) do not think so too. I do not expect Dhoni to drop him - and I'd love to be proved wrong if Bhajji just goes on to bowl India to a win. However, my discomfort arises from the fact that not only has he not managed to be among the wickets, he has not even looked like taking/deserving a wicket. Even lower-order batsmen have played him with ease, even smacking him around with disdain.

Which is why, I would rather go with a Mishra instead of him. Why, I'd even drop Mukund to make way for Yuvraj too - he would not only bolster our batting but also add to our bowling with his left-arm spin. Again, though, it's not a selection I see happening in all practicality.

Yes, I am sorry to sacrifice a specialist opener who has actually acquitted himself well, but I wanted to include a left-arm spinner really, even at the cost of my specialist opener. Having said that, I would not mind too much even if this change is not made. But I do want Bhajji replaced with Mishra.

And, since this is my blog, I'd like to use this space to write about exactly what/who I believe are the personnel I can trust the most to do the job in the 2nd Test:

  1. Gautam Gambhir

  2. Abhinav Mukund

  3. Rahul Dravid

  4. Sachin Tendulkar

  5. VVS Laxman

  6. Suresh Raina

  7. MS Dhoni

  8. Praveen Kumar

  9. Amit Mishra

10. Ishant Sharma

11. Munaf Patel/S Sreesanth

Come on, India!!

It's time we showed why we are the World No. 1 side.

Let's silence the likes of Donald, Boycott, and Warne. For good.

Jai Ho!!

There you go again!

'Those who forget their history are condemned to repeat it.' - Tamas.

Right then, so it's another anguish-laden post, in reaction to another set of serial blasts in Mumbai. And as i had said earlier, I'm afraid it might only end up being just another date/anniversary of yet another terror attack, in the years to come.
I hope I am wrong but I am yet to see/notice any incident/action by the Government that can make me change my view.
All I can do is to just hope and wait for our Government to finally, kindly, please for Goddamn sake, - please, please - act!! Actually, come to think of it, act it does, but not the 'act' where 'act' is a verb, but where it is an adjective.
So dear heartless leaders, please stop the charade, relieve us of your bhaashans and found-again resolves, and just, only - ACT: TAKE QUICK, SWIFT ACTION AGAINST THE CULPRITS.

Right now, this is our typical cycle:
Blast > Govt issues the customary press release > Strongly condemns the heinous and unforgivable terrorist attack > Reaffirms tokenisms of ensuring justice and re-re-pledges war against terror > Re-re-re-warns terrorist networks of dire consequences, if repeated > Hails the much-abused 'spirit' of Mumbai and Mumbaikars > No Real Actions/Lessons > Blast..

I believe none of us wants to hear about Mumbai's spirit and resilience anymore. It's time we said enough is enough. And said just that, no more. Instead, for a change, can we please act on the culprits ASAP - atleast on known offenders like Kasab?
I want to read about how we put our foot down on this, like US did with Osama and Saddam.

We have no control over what others (terrorists) can do. But we can for sure control what we can do, instead of just spewing platitudes and offering ceremonial wreaths. Has even one terror attack (of even the smallest magnitude) occurred on US soil, post-9/11?
Touchwood for that, but has that happened just because of sheer coincidence or no effort or only due to press releases issued by the White House?

The least we can and should do is to set such a precedent that nobody ever dares to cast an evil eye on even one of our citizens, ever. 
Alas, we can only hope, wish, and pray.

The Fast and The Furious: The Just-Released Version

Ah, well...I bet that despite the lame heading I gave to this post, you knew you are not here for a movie review for The Fast and Furious! That, by the way, can be done here.
This one, is about the 'fast' and 'furious' that are currently - to use a Twitter jargon that is now becoming increasingly commonplace - 'trending'.

Yes, I am referring to the Baba saga that had both of it - yes, the Fast (n., not adj.): that was preceded, inspired, and encouraged by the POC done by Anna; and the Furious (with the government displaying its disapproval by flexing its muscles and resorting to strong-arm tactics. So much so, that it even sprung the Courts into action, demanding an explanation from the Govt).

I felt like penning my thoughts on this entire episode (after all, this indeed seems just an episode of what looks like a long-winded soap opera):

A Tale of Two Excesses
From first mollycoddling the Baba with ministers being paraded to receive him at the airport, to then coercing him and the thousands who had gathered at the Maidan, to rein 'em in - the government made major mistakes by being excessive in its approach on both counts.

Will the Real Satyagrahi please stand up?
Try this:
Search for Mahatma Gandhi courts arrest.
Search Results: Thousands

Search for Mahatma Gandhi jumping/hiding in salwar kameez.
Search Result: None

Did the Baba steal/burgle/kill anyone that you have to run and hide like a petty thug the way he did? Isn't it second nature to a true Satyagrahi to court arrest or at least expect and surely unfazed by that possibility?

In my view, the stature and respect for Baba would have only grown, if he would have courted arrest manfully, head held high. This whole jumping around, shying away, and even resorting to a ladies suit, left a pungent taste, which only led me to lose my appetite for his fight.

Why only Delhi or Noida (NCR region)?
Dear Baba,
First you ask the countrymen and the government to ensure that we do all it takes to extirpate black money and corruption from this system. Very good and all of that, I say.

But hey, on being denied entry by the Congress (Central and Delhi Govt) post your aborted crusade, you conveniently approach the U.P. Chief Minister - another epitome of the same corruption and black money that you so hate, requesting her to allow entry into Noida (U.P.) - how can one collude and request to be with the one who is against one's principles and is, in effect, the kind of person against whom you are doing all this is in the first place? Sounds of eroding credibility, right?

A Satyagrah can be done anywhere, isn't it? But doing so only where huge crowds can easily come and at a place like NCR (Noida) where the media is headquartered/readily available, simply points to..well, I do not wish to insult my readers' IQ level by explaining the conclusion of all this. All of us can connect the dots, can't we?!

Lost in Translation
How many of us now even remember the cause that was being espoused through this fast? Why do we not stress on what is the government doing about the issues instead of only focusing on what the government is doing with the people who are taking up those issues?

I do not think this is the first time one has raised this issue of focusing on the messenger more than (or even totally instead of) the message. Unfortunately, by the looks of it, I don't think, if, realistically speaking, I can say that this is the last time either.

Just hopeful and curious to see when and how we can get to see an end to any such charade.

Lessons from the Satyanarayana Katha

I believe most Brahmin households (in fact, I could probably also say - most Hindu households) would have convened/organized a Satyanarayana Katha at some or the other point in their house. Our family/house too, has been fortunate enough to have been part of this experience.
I just felt like sharing/posting some of my observations from whatever I have tried to gather from the Katha.

Let me begin by first thinking aloud about a query that always strikes me, whenever I listen in to the Katha:
In the Katha, we all get to know about anecdotes on what happened to whoever did or did not perform this puja/Katha.
That's generally what the Katha is about - a compilation of four stories/accounts of four different people/families, all preceded by how and why Maharishi Sooth ji recounted these anecdotes, and followed in the end by all the good things that happened to the people who conducted those Kathas - not only in that life of theirs, but also how they became pious/renowned people in their afterlife too, eventually attaining Moksha.

All very well, I say, but amidst all this, I could somehow never find any mention about what exactly was the Puja/Katha of Bhagwan Shri Satyanarayana that was said to have been done (or not done, at certain times) in any of the stories that make this Katha!
Till the last time, that is..

Lesson # 1 - What the Katha is About:
..Thanks to a Panditji's input in the last Katha that I attended, I have now come to know that the actual Satyanarayana Katha/puja that forms the crux, the basis for all these 4 stories, is that it's just a humble renunciation of the Almighty Lord (Bhagwan Shri Satyanarayana) and remembering that He is Infinite, Supreme, Eternal, and Always Our Well-Wisher. And of course, we must also always remember to sincerely, genuinely and most humbly, bow to His Grace, Love, and Constant Care.

Right, so let me now enumerate what I have learned from the actual 3 stories/anecdotes that make the Katha:

Lesson # 2 - From Stories 1 & 2:
The first story is about a poor Brahmin, who barely manages to eke out a living. Lord Vishnu (aka Bhagwan Satyanarayana), in the guise of another fellow, poor Brahmin, tells him about conducting the Katha, in order to lead a better life.
This shows the Lord's selfless love towards His children, whereupon once He is filled with mercy and compassion towards us, He voluntarily comes and helps us.
No wonder then, that the Brahmin, on having resolved to seriously conduct the Puja, gets to lead a better life, thanks to His blessings.
The next story is about the woodcutter, who gets to know of the Katha through the not-anymore-poor Brahmin. He too, genuinely decides to organize the Puja, and reaps quadruple rewards from his daily wage on the day, enabling him to easily translate his intent into action and results.

This shows that the Lord surely rewards any and every one who has genuine will and puts sincere efforts for a pious, noble and good cause with all the success it deserves.

Lesson # 3 - From Story # 3:
If the first two stories were about people with genuine intent, this next story is about a childless man, who vows to perform the Puja alright, but puts in a condition of doing so only after his wish of having a child is fulfilled. When God fulfills his wish, he is happy to enjoy the same, but conveniently forgets his part of the promise.
Even on being reminded of his vow by his wife, he keeps deferring the Puja repeatedly, and again puts in another wish + condition to the Lord - of conducting a Puja when his daughter would get married.
Even after all this, Bhagwan Vishnu/Satyanarayana remains merciful, giving chances upon chance to him. By His blessings, the girl becomes a lady in due course of time and gets married too.
However, the man still fails to perform the the Puja.
At this point, the Lord does decide to make him understand the hard way, and circumstances ensue in such a way that he and his son-in-law gets falsely implicated for stealing and are imprisoned.
Even then, the Lord makes his wife realize their folly by having her daughter narrate about a Satyanarayana Puja that she witnessed.
This shows that the Lord, even when we think is being harsh on us, is still concerned and caring towards us. Even when He is ostensibly (and rightly) angry with us, He still keeps giving us one chance after another, in order to rectify our mistakes.

As better sense dwells, the Lord Himself ensures that everything turns right once again and the imprisoned duo is set free along with lots of wealth and valuables. While returning back, the Lord again puts them to test, by asking them about the contents of the containers where they had kept all their wealth. When they lied to the Lord, they were truly left with only the Lies they had spoken.
Through this, I think we could probably learn that we must never lie to the Lord and also be ready to share a part of our wealth with others/the needy and those who are less fortunate than us. 
Later, when news that the father-in-law and son-in-law duo are about to come, reaches the mother and daughter who are conducting the Puja at their place, the mother hurriedly leaves the Puja right there, giving preference to meeting them instead of expressing her gratitude and obeisance to the One who had ensured their arrival in the first place. She tells her daughter to complete the Puja and come back after having the prasad, but she too, in her excitement, fails to take the prasad.
All these events only show how we, in our lives, are prone towards temptation and easily led by enjoying fruitful results, instead of first properly thanking the Lord who has ensured all this.
When the Lord displays His disapproval of such incorrect preferences by drowning both the men just before their arrival.
However, another thing to learn and remember is that as stated earlier, even in his anger, the Lord is still caring enough towards us, and the anger too must be the result of our misdeeds only.
Even when angry, the Lord makes an Aakashvaani, guiding everyone about why this happened and what must be done to correct that.
Can we ever come even remotely close to understanding just how much we are Loved by the Almighty, even if/when He gets angry at our misdemeanors?!
Needless to say, on taking the prasad and conducting the puja with genuine devotion and sincerity, the Lord blesses everyone and of course, if the Lord gives His blessings, it's again needless to say, that everything is set right again!

Lesson # 4 - From Story # 4:
The previous story referenced an incident about having forgotten to conduct the Puja and even on conducting it the first time, having ignored the prasad's value completely. This one teaches about not ignoring the prasad at all, from any where.
This is about a very renowned, fair, and wealthy king who though being an ardent bhakt of Bhagwan Satyanarayana, having conducted many Pujas at his place, succumbed to his ego and did not find enough merit in accepting prasad from a puja conducted by some cowherds. As a result, he suddenly found hacing lost all his kingdom, family, and wealth. His rejecting the prasad led to the Lord ensuring he understood the message behind the mayhem.
Did you see - though angry at the king's gesture of rejecting his prasad, the Lord was still kind enough to instill and bless the king with good sense again. Having understood his mistake, the King immediately apologised profusely to the Lord and went back to cowherds, had the Prasad, and voila, everything had to be fine again!

Jai Bhagwan Satyanarayana!!
Again, it's ONLY thanks to His Grace, that I have been able to write whatever He allowed me to, and whatever I could understand about the Katha, thanks to His blessings. 

Five Reasons Why Our World Cup Victory Is All The More Cherishable & Sweet

Here are 5 of my reasons why I believe our World Cup victory is all the more momentous and laudable:

# 1: First time ever that a century in the first innings of a World Cup Final, has ended up in a losing cause - that too, without even having any century from the chasing team. #TotalTeamEffort

# 2: First time ever that a team has won a World Cup (final) on home soil, that too, while chasing a never-before-achieved total in a World Cup final.

# 3: In WC 2011, India was the only team to have lost only one match in the entire tournament, after having played the maximum number of matches. Every other team that played, lost atleast 2 matches or more.

# 4: Whenever we have beaten a World Cup, we have always beaten every team that has ever won a World Cup, in that tournament. That's how World Champions should be!

# 5: West Indies, Australia, Pakistan, Sri Lanka - In our last 4 matches, we won the World Cup by beating every team that has ever won a World Cup (in chronological order of every team that won the WC). Truly World Champion stuff.

Congrats Team India, keep up the great work!!

Jai Ho (Gayi)!!

2.5 m of the UDRS and the Judiciary

It's Women's Day today, and I guess there could possibly be no better day than today to write about Aruna Shanbaug. I believe all of us are aware of the Aruna Shanbaug case. We all know how it is a real-life instance of Guzaarish-esque euthanasia.
Even after knowing the above, I came across a hard-hitting, disturbing and unfortunately, true and factual article.

Now, I do understand the risks with euthanasia being a risky precedent for the not-so-rarest-of-the-rare cases, but here's precisely my point:
How does one identify what falls under rarest-of-the-rare?

As a related example, allow me to mention the case of ICC's 2.5 m rule under the UDRS, that gained prominence when Ian Bell was not given out lbw. Despite all indicators and parameters used in the review clearly being fit enough cases for a dismissal, the batsman was let off due to a theoretical technicality.

In theory, the hawk-eye technology could accurately predict the ball's trajectory only upto 2.5 meters from the stumps, and not any closer.
Hence, despite all actual considerations fulfilling an LBW criteria, the batsman was given not out, because he was struck well forward, 2.5 m from the stumps, thus activating the theoretical possibility, besides the technology's inadequacy.
However, it is important to note that better sense has since prevailed and rightly so.

Surely, Aruna Shanbaug has already suffered a terrible lot, and the vegetative state that she has been in, she has long been a victim of extreme pain, injustice and bestiality.
Can't we display practical activism as used in the UDRS and ensure Aruna gets a dignified end to her travails and incessant suffering?

Even more importantly, while all the news and noise has been about her, why don't we decide to punish beasts like Sohanlal Bhartha Walmiki, who committed such a heinous crime and are a menace to society, in the gravest possible manner?

We could be scared of this being a precedent that might trigger euthanasia petitions piling up after this alright. But what stops us from making a precedent out of punishing such criminals PROMPTLY and MOST SEVERELY, so that no pervert ever dares to even think on such lines?

It's time practical and common sense solutions win over theoretical, draconian and obsolete word-of-the-book.
It's time the 2.5 meters are bridged.

World Cup Prognosis

Yes, lots has been going on in the country and outside - in world news highlights, Egypt has courageously 
overthrown a monarch. On the home front, India is grappling with one scam after another. As if CWG, Adarsh, and 2G were not enough, presenting the new, improved - ISRO scam too!

Amidst all this, we have a more pleasant reason to look up the news - the ICC Cricket World Cup is here, and it's no wonder that we Indians love forgetting all the dreadful, avoidable news by immersing ourselves into the one sport that binds all of us. The one sport that gives India a credible chance at being World Champions - Yes, the cricket world cup is here. 

Thanks to 1983, we are always inundated with reruns of the Indian team's 1983 World Cup matches and the interviews of all our stars from that team. This time, the original showpiece event of cricket - the quadrennial Cricket World Cup, is here in the subcontinent after 14 years. So before the event gets underway, I thought of sticking my neck out with what I feel are each team's chances going into this World Cup.

Would be fun to watch how things pan out, come April 2.

And unless you are someone for whom all that cricket means, is only the name of an insect, you might well know that we have 14 teams playing this World Cup, divided into two groups, each comprising 7 teams. Anyway, here's the complete list of all the fixtures for WC 2011.

That having said, let's now get down to gazing through my crystal ball, and predicting the prospects for the World Cup (click the image below, to enlarge the sheet for a better view):

 

First-round eliminations:

Yes, I somehow fancy Bangladesh more than the West Indies to make it to the Quarters. The one big reason is that the Bangla boys are always a force to reckon with, when playing at home. Then, the fact that apart from playing all their matches in front of a rooting crowd at home, they are also blessed with quite a few players who are more suited to their playing conditions, as against the Windies' team. Also, unlike the West Indians, I actually believe that Bangladesh could still beat one of the 3 more fancied teams of its group (in India, SA, and England - apart from ofcourse, looking capable enough to beat the current West Indies team on home ground).

The rest of the teams - Zimbabwe, Netherlands, Ireland, Kenya, and Canada - could play a good match here and there, but it would be a big shock to see any of them progressing beyond the first round.

New Zealand - A4

Good team, but certainly not better than SL, Aus, and Pakistan from their group mates in Group A. Expect them to be A4.

Pakistan - A3

Not better than a rejuvenated Aussie side and cannot be better than a formidable SL team playing all its matches at home. A3.

Australia - A2

Better than all sides except a formidable SL team playing all its matches at home. A2.

Sri Lanka - A1

A formidable SL team playing almost all its matches at home (except against NZ - at Mumbai). Should top their group. A1.

Bangladesh - B4

Already spoken about. Can seriously edge out the Windies, esp since they are playing almost all their matches at home. Unlike Windies, could beat a top 3 team from its group. B4.

England - B3

Not better than SA and India (though not worse than any others in their Group) - cannot see them beating both SA and India. B3.

South Africa - B2

Better than England, Bangladesh (gut-feel and heart say India can only be beaten on an off-day on home soil) - can beat both. B2.

India - B1

Better than all sides except an off day at home. Should (and must) top their group. B1.

Why India must top their Group

If you look at the Quarter Final (QF) lineup, it is stacked against all teams who could easily beat India (or any team) on their day. Among them, the weakest link is the Kiwi line-up. Topping the group would mean we get to play the easiest team in the QF setup, that too, in pretty-much home conditions, in Sri Lanka (somehow, I feel outside of Indian pitches, India would prefer to play in Colombo than in Dhaka, in front of a difficult Bangla crowd, on a pitch that could be ultra-slow even by Indian sub-continental standards). 

QF1: SL Vs Bangladesh

Easy - Despite Bangla's home adv, SL won't take it lightly. The Lankans should be comfortable winners.

QF2: Australia Vs England

Australia - thanks to their mauling of England and superior form. England seems only a better Test-playing nation, not still the ODI champs. Aus also play better in Indian than England do.

QF3: Pakistan Vs South Africa

Hmm - tight. But still, SA have their noses in front. Could be anybody's game.

QF4: India Vs New Zealand

Unless they mess it or someone plays a blinder, the game should be India's - in subcontinental conditions.

Semi Final 1: Sri Lanka Vs South Africa (Colombo, Sri Lanka)

Though SL are a tough side especially at home, SA are the better side - greater batting depth and better bowling.

Semi Final 2: India Vs Australia (Mohali, India)
Hmm - could be tight, but still expect India to make it through. WILL BE TIGHT.

FINAL: India Vs South Africa (Mumbai, India) 

Well, Home Conditions + FINAL + Choking SA =  India! That’s all the heart hopes for!! Amen.
For all we know, it could also be India Vs Pakistan (if Pakistan beat SA) in the FINAL! And yes, who knows what all can happen then!! Would nevertheless be great to see a 2007 T20 WC Final encore - India beating Pakistan in a thriller!! 
Amen!! :)

UDRS: Unable to Decode Reluctance of Sachin

Right then, we are into the World Cup season and it's hard to not think about it every now and then. Especially with its unabated and unabashed promotion through every second news byte or even advertisements.

Before I actually get into talking about the World Cup chances and performances, let me first dwell on something that has long been a mystery to me: India's approach towards UDRS.
I do understand the point that it might not be fool-proof and there could still be the odd 50-50 one or even an incorrect one being dished out to you, even after going with this option.
However, to say that it is useless just because it is not foolproof is laughable, to say the least. What in the world, by the way, is foolproof?
Do we stop driving (fearing that a non-foolproof thing like driving could cause accidents) or stop eating (fearing a non-foolproof bite might choke us)? In short, do we stop living, coz it is not fool-proof anyway either?!

And to beat this, what I surely, totally, do not get at all, is how we can claim to be ready for UDRS, without even having tried it ever in an ODI? Sure, we might still go on to use it well (and I do hope so) but does that mean we adopted the right way to learn using it? - by avoiding it, till it became necessary and avoidable?

We made a hell lot of noise about rotating all the top players in the Indian ODI mix over the last few years for World Cup by trying and testing them with international match practice before (and for) the World Cup - way to go!

Tested and strengthened our bench strength with international match practice before (and for) the World Cup, played and pottered around with Ravindra Jadeja (before patience with Jadeja finally ran out and Yusuf finally paid off) for the No. 7 position, but what about our testing and practicing our tactics and approach when it comes to the UDRS?

Why did we not try it out with international match practice before (and for) the World Cup,when the entire squad should have known how and when to use it?

The most essential bit about UDRS is that we can atleast do away with the blunders that no fair cricketer would want. I’d imagine even a victory feeling would be soured for many fair cricketers and fans, if you find that the match-winning player got away with a howler. As you said, it’s about judicious use of the referrals.

I think India’s reticence stems from the way we used our referrals the only time we ever used it - in India's 2008 Test series in Sri Lanka. And honestly, how Sachin got out to referrals (though Sehwag also was a victim of the referral – that too a 50-50 referral decision going against him, he still supports its usage). India was always at the rough end of the stick in that series – I think we got 2 refs right, as against SL’s 11.

I, like millions, am a Sachin fan, but I suspect even the BCCI is against anything that SRT doesn’t like. As you have rightly brought out, it’s nice to have limited appealing rights and that’s where knowing, using, learning and practising the UDRS usage is all the more important, instead of being a bully in every series and striking the option down.

Doesn’t even portray India as a fair player (and honestly, others are correct if they think so in this rergard) since whatever UDRS is, it is the same for both sides. How can only it be unfair to only India and not the other side (or vice versa), especially when the opposing teams have no objection to (in fact they want and support) its usage?!

Come to think of it, how many people/teams would be in complete support (or even prefer/like!) the dreaded and much-less-clear and much-more-random Duckworth-Lewis method?! But we all go by it, don’t we? I’m sure, UDRS is much better, much more reliable and beneficial and likeable and preferable by all vis-a-vis D-L. No?!

Otherwise too, if you see, specific to WC 2011 plans, even with all the anathema we have had against UDRS, what I find totally useless and stupid is why not agree to use it in all the series we played (Aus, NZ, and SA) and practise usage when, it is clearly and unarguably already known and decided, that even if we agree or not, like it or not, IT IS TO BE USED in the WC!

Hope better sense prevails and ICC gets to decide. For once, I don’t agree with SRT on this.

Why Choc-a-blog?

Happy New Year and all that, friends! (though as of today, 2011 ain't new anymore)!
Right then - so here's to a wonderful new year, new ideas, new posts - and new, fresh thoughts.

And in continuing with my bout of fresh-uenza, I, after almost a couple of years of blogging, took a fresh look at my blog today, and realized - what the heck, I have never quite explained as to why really - why my blog has been named thus!
So here I am, writing this today, to dig into the etymology of 'Choc-a-blog':

Well, to start with, all that I cared about was that my blog should get a nice, sweet name...
...and so, I guess putting in a Chocolate flavor (Choc) wasn't such a terrible effort after all!

And ofcourse, there was also the small matter of indicating the intent of what the blog could have - all that was going inside my mind or heart (generally only these two organs - yup, let's not digress!).

This blog has always intended to be a platform for me to reflect and share, whatever has been going on, inside me, about whatever appeals to me, or makes me feel strongly enough to write about.
I'd like to think I do have many thoughts going within me, that react to every development, every news and every activity that makes me think/ask/write about my stand vis-a-vis them.

Since there are many of them everyday, I think my mind is indeed always Choc-a-bloc/Chockablock with so many ideas and thoughts.
So I just decided to perform some word-wizardry of the highest order when I played on the idiom Choc-a-bloc/Chockablock.
And voila, there you go - out came 'Choc-a-blog'!:)

I started slowly and inconsistently (not that my posts have reached any supersonic speeds now!) but have become more regular now. Atleast from mid-2009 onwards, I set myself a goal to write, at least once a month, about whatever appealed to me at that time.
So, there you are - so far, so good - but hope to improve beyond an annual turnover of just a dozen posts.