Airspace, movies, cricket, and politics

So, for the umpteenth time, Pakistan has again denied India the permission to fly over its airspace. Oh, and yes, the denial is not just for regular flights but also for the flights of its Prime Minister, Indian PM Narendra Modi. Yet again.

While this might seem par-for-course for those familiar with Indo-Pak bluster, there is a point one might do well to recollect. But, on that, later.

Foremost, let's look at the reason behind Pakistan's hardline stance. They have stated that this is being done (repeatedly!) to mark their protest against the "atrocities" on India's "unjust" and "unilateral" actions, and "suppression of human rights" in J&K. Espousal of human rights anyone, coming from the champions of jihad and terrorism?!

Well, once you are done laughing at a) the blatant lie, and b) the irony of where it is cimg from, let's also look at facts.

India has always maintained that it is well within its right of administering J&K in the ways it deems best, as per its own internal constitutional processes.

For the UNinitiated

Those harping about UN intervention and India not removing its troops (in self-defence) along the LoC need to also know and understand that as per the same UN's resolution, any de-militarization is contingent on 3 conditions. The UN resolution unequivocally states that India will de-militarize ONLY AFTER Pakistan does so on its side of the border. In the event of Pakistan mobilising troops on its LoC, India is well within its rights of self-defence.

"No politics, please"

Rewind to Pakistani movie stars not being able to get their much-coveted entry into Bollywood.

All of us know that the IPL is also a synonym for "sour grapes" in every Pakistani heart.

Remember Rahat Fateh Ali Khan and others not being able to enter, let alone perform, in India - especially after 26/11.

Now I'm not getting into the "whether to call them" debate right now.

But just go back and think movies, think sports, think music.

Think about ailing children/patients or people who India entertained to still come over and get treated at our best facilities.

Think about anything where the Pakistani citizen or economy could benefit by simply cashing on the wave of India's success in that field.

"Let's not mix politics between our relations" is an oft-repeated refrain from Pakistan's sideon every such occasion. The pattern is just unmistakable. Every. Such. Occasion.

Cut to 2019. Now, when we make repeated requests to the Pakistani side, such goodwill gestures and homilies have conveniently been put to the sword.

Why?

Only because it doesn't help them and only because it hurts only us in this instance.

Most importantly, also because, it shows they never believed in the small talk on earlier occasions either. It was just that the previous occasions helped them. So it never hurt them to preach about all.thr good things that the other side (India) should do. In the event of no such stance from us, it would only provide fuel to these guys to cry themselves hoarse about not mixing politics with sports/music/arts etc.

Our response

In the present context of airspace denials despite repeated requests for no less than our nation:s PM, the hypocrisy has stood thoroughly exposed. The shoe is on the other foot now and if Pakistan even dares to bring any such trash talk in future when it suits its own interests, their hardline-driven aviation policy - like every other policy of theirs - will come to haunt them.

We must also ensure that we close the Arabian Sea side link from our side towards Pakistan and get them to divert their ships towards their ports, which have till now used routes on our side.

Get flights emanating from/to Pakistan which are plying towards/from Australasia/South Asia/S-E Asia to also go through the same drill that we have been provided.

Leave aside all the espousals about mixing or not mixing politics with policies but for once, I do want us to mix our intelligence and geo-strategic resources with our abilities and response capabilities.

Jai Ho!

WTC, here we come!

As they say, well begun, is half done!

By collecting the maximum possible 120 points from 2 matches, India have made a great start to the inaugural World Test Championship (WTC).

In fact, India triumphed through the entire series – winning the T20s, ODIs and of course, the Test matches, without a huff, even when they did not field their best 11 in the limited over versions.

It was bewitching to watch our pace battery, led by the indomitable Jasprit just-a-treat Bumrah, showcase their wares against the hapless Caribbean batsmen.

Hanuma Vihari and Mayank Agarwal did their credentials absolutely no harm with sterling displays in each Test.

The icing on the cake is that our next Test matches are with South Africa and Bangladesh, all in our own den. Hopefully, this should only buttress our position at the top of the tree, especially because there won’t be any dead rubbers anymore. 

Thanks to the WTC, every match means points at stake. 

No matches are inconsequential anymore. The more you score off these matches, the more your chances of actually being able to change change the look and final standings of the points table.

So keep going, Team India…it’s a marathon race WTC, but you sure have the lead right from the first lap. 

Keep up the good work, and…

…Get Set Go!!

Too much, too (many) "Late(s)"

Too many leaders have left us too soon this month. Or, for that matter, in recent times too:

Mr. Atal Bihari Vajpayee, Dr. Manohar Parrikar, Mr. S. Jaipal Reddy, Ms. Sushma Swaraj, and now, Mr. Arun Jaitley.

Each of these leaders had a larger-than-life presence, much beyond the boundaries of being relegated to only their political party.

One hopes that their personal and professional confidantes will have the strength to come out of this unfortunate, permanent void.

Let’s also try and ensure that all of us value and learn from the fact that each of these gentlemen (and much-respected lady) were so brilliant, yet extremely affable and humble.

If anything matched their charisma as much, it was their simplicity.

We are poorer without you.

Rest is peace, each one of you!

Champions!!

July the 14^th, 2019 – The day that would be remembered for two of the best sporting spectacles in the world, both hosting their respective championship finals, happening in the same country, even in the same city, and guess what, heck, both were at their thrilling best too, at pretty much the same time!

We had a World Cup final and a Wimbledon final happening concurrently, with surely a good chunk of the world riveted to at least one, if not to both the sporting treats together.

Look at what happened on Centre Court, Wimbledon on Sunday: Anyone who watched it live, would consider himself (or herself) lucky: For, on the one hand, you had a champion player – a player at the peak of his powers, the World # 1, a player who is extremely respected for his talent and abilities. Yet, even more renowned his personality, affability and tenacity: Novak - true champion - Djokovic.

On the other, you were witness to the old warhorse, a sprightly 37 (in a week’s time, 38) year old stalwart, a living legend, and another genius, who is such a sublime performer that his game has transcended itself to be called an art. Blessed with the ability to make everything look graceful, elegant and easy on the eye, he is someone who is and will always be remembered for his touch play, along with his pulse on outwitting placement and immaculate timing, as much as for his big booming serves and returns. Another true champion, another superstar: Roger - all-time great - Federer.

Both ND and RF are well-known for their down-to-earth, funny, genuinely humble, and easy-going nature. But on court, while their gentlemanly conduct never dissipates, both are also fiercely competitive, giving their all to each and every point, to each and every shot, game after game, set after set, match after match.

Sunday’s Final was a perfect testament to their character, talent, and perseverance.

Eventually, Novak held on, after saving two championship points and after channelizing all his reserves of energy and abilities. This match was well and truly worthy of being the final of the tournament.

Typically, one would be lucky to have seen such a close match on any day. Even as an audience, one is so heavily involved and invested in the match, that irrespective of the result, once the match has been done with, the audience is also pretty much spent. One does not have any more energy nor does one even expect to be involved in yet another humdinger, on the same day, in fact not just that but even right after the first match.

So, there you were: same day, same city: another sport, another match: another fitting final of ICC’s marquee event – the 50-over Cricket World Cup!

Again, it’s rare to have a tie in any match, let alone World Cup Final (an obvious first-of-its-kind). What made it even rarer was the fact that the Super Over, meant to decide the winner after the regular match’s scores were tied, was also tied!!

               

And, if any more drama was ever missing, it was left for the last: the fact that the winner was decided based on an absurd and illogical rule, which left everyone (except the English) baffled and even sad for the Kiwis.

From a fortuitous overthrow, to an incorrect interpretation of the rulebook by the umpires, there were too many rarest-of-rare cases together, which happened to always be incompatible with the Kiwis’ liking.

However, in yet another exemplary display of grace, dignity, composure and true sportsman spirit, the NZ team, led by their unflappable skipper Kane - Gentleman – Williamson, the Kiwis just showed how even if you might “lose” a match, you could still win hearts and become true champions.

To all such athletes who were in action in both the Finals on July 14^th: You’ve been great ambassadors for your sport. Well done, well done, well done!