Random Thoughts!!

From Amitabh Bachchan in BigAdda to Aamir Khan and his secrets , Prince Harry in Afghanistan to Tom Cruise ranting about Scientology and footage from the Burmese uprising, blogging has never been bigger. It can help elect presidents and take down attorney generals while simultaneously celebrating the minutiae of our everyday obsessions.

I have always loved reading part and tried an unsuccessful attempt in posting some pieces that might a chord - somewhere, sometime, someone! Lots of thoughts running in my mind, personal life is taking a turn on its head, professional life has a lot to look forward to, lots of dreams turning into reality, and like the airtel add says:

Say Yes
Say No
Say Something
Say Nothing
Inspire
Conspire
Confess
Celebrate
Negotiate
Speak Up
Speak Out
Be Heard

http://www.metacafe.com/watch/232193/airtel_add/about:blank

Come back to my blog and you will feel all the emotions coming out! Till then ciaos.. - marketing stunt - please click the adds around the site in the meanwhile ;-)

Mr. Punter - Beware!

Mr. Ponting, this is referring to you and your collegues, Mr. Symonds, Mr. Hayden and Mr. Hogg telling something that made Mr. Harbhajan Singh very very angry. If I remember correctly Mr. Singh approached Mr. Symonds rapidly, I think right, before Mr. Tendulkar and the umpire restrained him and saved your collegue from buying a new whinger Aussie face post-match.

Of course we all know what happened next, when Mr. Singh replied to you and your collegues sicking remarks. I do not know how this comes across in Australia but in most parts of North India they would say that “Harbhajan Singh must have reminded of Australian’s mother and sister and might have made them into one…”

If you observe carefully you will notice that his surname is Singh.

You can do it. Try again. When you observe this surname on an Indian person in a competitive setting, such as a cricket match, traffic or in a crowded disco, you do not rub them the wrong way. In fact you avoid conversation at all costs. I would go so far to say that you complement them on their looks/wealth/health and relieve the location of your presence immediately.

While I am not a Singh myself I have had the opportunity to interact with several Singhs many of whom, inspite of my jokey, sarcastic demeanour, did not impel me to undertake critical surgery of any kind.

But that is because I said NOTHING. NADA. NIL.

This is a very good policy to follow with Singhs. Singhs, by and large, are some of the most jovial people in India. They love a good meal, heady drink and back slapping good humour. They work hard at whatever they do, party all night to the most infectious music and believe in living life to the fullest.

I know some Singhs who have two washing machines at home: one for washing clothes and the other for making Lassi. (True Fact.) But within this merry, albeit cholesterol full, demeanour hides a race that can rapidly combust when angered. When the average Singh has been driven to wrath he often throws things, throws things at things and sometimes drives things through other things. Such one other thing, once I observed, was a tractor.

And it’s not just action but also words. And whatay words! Rivaled in his insulting fervour only by a hardcore Haryanawi Jat, the average Singh can run through entire generations of Symonds, bestowing individual terms of endearment, without ever using the same abuse twice, or waiting to catch his or (this is the scary part) her breath.

Its good, that as a true sportsman, they never start, but mind you Mr. Ponting and gang if you start they know how to end. Cry like babies and lodging a complaint to the match refree shows what a big looser you are. Convincing the umpires that the catch was taken cleanly, which never was, shows how much respect you have for the game. Would conclude by saying, Team Australia is the best team on earth and also the biggest loosers on earth. And yes, a cautionary message to Punter saheb, if you ever want to remember your family, try instigating a "Singh", he will take it as a privilage and remind you of your family in-depth. Cribing stars - Australian Cricket Team

Chak De effect or a fluke?

A delayed post but as the phrase goes: der aaye durust aaye ('better late than never - for my gore friends and all the desi angrez as well'). A couple of days back, I happened to flip the newschannel and came across a headline: India retains Asia Cup hockey title. As soon as I heard, the thought of Chak De! crossed my mind, since then friends - sports freaks are branding it a Chak De! effect, inspired Indian Hockey Team wins the Asia Cup title. Its not something new (remember team India was supposed to be replaced by lagaan XI sometime back), we Indians have the tendency of comparing real life with reel.

For millions of Indians including me, Team means 'Indian Cricket Team', Match means 'One day or Test Cricket Match (20-20 was not famous untill yesterday) and Captain means 'Rahul Dravid or Saurav Ganguly (yes you morons who still want to stick with dada as the best captain)'.

How many players are in a hockey (remind you its our national sport) team, who is the captain of Indian Hockey Team (?? clueless, yes I am too), what is the website that gives the scores and latest fixtures (tuff ques??), what is a world cup and what the hell is a penalty shot and more mysteries for an ordinary Cricket fan. Not anymore!

Shahrukh Khan and his team that made Chak De! have sent a powerful message. I don't know how many people received this message correctly; apart from the physical endurance, self-confidence and motivation the common terms from the coaching manual, this movie went miles ahead to cut the politics, ego problems within a team, lack of understanding, pursuing self-oriented goals than promoting team's interest, commercialization of the game, people who sit on the boards lacking drive and sponsor support and most importantly INDIA - A Country with Several Countries - that made the difference in this movie. The movie to me was powerful enough to convey the message of - Stay united, think like a TEAM, put the COUNTRY's interest forth and make your mark. Me thinks its a must watch for millions of Cricket and Hockey fans, must watch for Cricketers (esp, Yuvraj Singh will be surprised to see him in the movie) & Hockey Players of all levels and a must watch for Cricket and Hockey BOARDS.

But has a movie brought any big revolution in our country other than fear tears within the movie hall? I am not sure!! Can one result make us believe in Indian hockey team and its standards? Think time is the best teller, hopefully Indian Hockey is revived for good.

Look alike

Guys don't be jealous, yes the site says I resemble Brad Pitt. Girls heres the hotter, shorter and leaner version of Brad Pitt, just a click away. Cheers!

Chakde-ya India!

6th ODI, India vs England. India needing 25 of 13 deliveries, I saw Dhoni got bowled. My instant statement for my flaties was to stop watching cricket - Team India needs character, probably a coach like SRK (sorry for being too kiddish/filmish), in no time I had to eat my words.
I saw a spectacular display of character from Uthappa. A young lad from silicon city of India, and for sure this guy has an attitude to die for. Some of his earlier opening stands have been demolishing to say the least, today it was "cometh the day, cometh the man!" He came as a man with a mission, he wanted his place in India back and he could'nt have asked for a bigger stage.
Again like a typical Indian, I just have praise for him, afterall he made us win an all important match. As they say, "the best one-day matches are decided in tight finishes and, when the life of a series hangs in that balance, it makes the tension that much more real." To me, like Mr. Gavaskar and others he is the Man of the Match.
Having praised, we must realize that they are all humans and they will have ups and downs in life. Dhoni for instance was a find a couple of seasons back, got household name, posters everywhere, signed tonns of commercials, can hit the ball which will never come back, can hit a ball to Mars, what not, give me a break dude!! Here he was unable to play a straight shot and believe me or not, he is the best and only bet to replace our current kaptan. Is Dhoni by any standards close to our big 3? Answer is a NO. But we don't have a bigger cricketer than him in the current league, then who is at fault?
Dhoni? Probably, popularity gone over his head and he has already minted a lot, whats the need of playing more, better he insures money with GE money and roams around India with Narain using SPEED (or whatever crap of gasoline they sell). I believe its us, we make cricketers enter our bedroom thru television, we make them heros overnight, its not all about winning a couple of matches, its about wining consistently, performing in indian pitches and international pitches, its about playing for INDIA, playing for India to WIN.
Think it lacks in all the current breed of cricketers as they get instant publicity. Hope Uthappa has a good head on his shoulder and he keeps playing to make us proud rather than failing like our other Natwest hero - Kaif. Btw is he still in India? or is he playing for a county? or better for Indian cricket, has he joined ICL?

Back with a bang!!

Guys have been missing you, its been a year since have blogged - excuses are a lot - blogger blocked at work (doesnt prove that I don't have work at office) and have been working real hard (I am serious, I really am). Was pondering on the things I have done and could have done, suddenly the weight of former looks far less than later.
I could have done so much more this year - could have finished writing my maiden book (I am not kidding, I might create the magic that Mrs Rowling has done) or could have proposed marriage to my girlfriend (in dreams!!) or maybe, could have attended wedding of the year (Abhishek - Aishwarya, had my brothers wedding date not clashed with his), could have met Amitabh Bachchan and asked him how it feels BigB?
But I guess that is the case with time. Once you travel pass some event in your life, try as hard you may, but you just can not get back to it. Yes, at times, you think you have got closer to a previous object - but if you look at it very intricately, it is all surreal.
This year had loads to offer too - both to me (personally and professionally) and otherwise. Personally.. ahem..there is no point. Those who are interested already know, others, knowing my life is not fun always. Unless you are a big "Bigg Boss" fanatic!!
Yes, television became bigger and more "real" this year!! Bigg Boss entered my bedroom - revealing what happens in others bedrooms, shows how girls bitch. Some lil' kids became Champs. Diwakar, Sanchita and Sameer became established singers; and Ravi Kissen suddenly became a national star (tearing beyond the regional hero tag).
Films sequeled too, hits were remade and how :o!! And then, there were some brilliant originals like Bheja Fry (I agree was a copied french movie, but then how many movies in India are "inspired" by foreign movies), Metro, Guru and Chak de. Of these, methinks, Chak de takes the cake. Not to forget "Sivaji" became a national issue.
The economy boomed this year. India's economy is on the hinge of an ever escalating growth curve. With positive indicators such as a stable 8+ per cent annual growth, rising foreign exchange reserves of close to US$ 166 billion, a booming capital market with the popular "Sensex" index topping the majestic 13,000 and 14,000 mark and eventually dropping back, the Government estimating FDI flow of US$ 12 billion in this fiscal, and a more than 22 per cent surge in exports, it is easy to understand why India is a being tagged as the "economy to watch out for". 44% of Top 100 Fortune 500 companies are present in India. Hutch sold out; Tata buys out Corus, is bidding for Jag and Mittal does the same on Arcelor - suddenly there is too much of India in the global scene. Who said that too much of something is an overdose?
Not to talk about Politics, think I have started detesting Congress and never used to like BJP, so from now onwards will support Laloo. :D. India got its first lady prez, US might get lucky as well. Dr. Kalam back to his roots, a man who will always get utmost respect from me.
A couple of blasts in hyderabad. Shocking scenes, hoax calls everyother day in Hitec city - worse we are checked in our office as if we are criminals - its for our safety. Hope peace prevails!!. Suddenly, drugs became a national issue courtesy Mr.Mahajan Jr. Suddenly, farmers committed suicide in Maharshtra, girls continued getting gang-raped in Delhi, innocent people got killed in Kashmir and women in Bombay kept getting stabbed while the politicians kept gaping helplessly. As they say, some things just don't change.
The biggest draw this year was probably the legal and the administrative system in the country. Systems which have been drawing flaks since inception, finally delivered - delivered justice. The list of convicts every year is endless but this year was an exceptional year. The society stood up and applauded the system which, for so long, has been touted as the "Protector of the high and mighty". Manu Sharma was convicted; so were Sanjay Dutt, Salman Khan; Abu Salem; Monica Bedi (only to get released later); Santosh Singh, Navjyot Singh Sidhu; Shuibu Soren and so on. At no time in the history of the India legal system, there have been so many high-profile people (read: Celebs) who have been convicted in one go. Kudos to all members of this re-invented system - except, probably one near-senile lawyer, who continues to embarrass the whole system and the nation.
Indian sports also went through a lot of turmoil. Tennis stars won the sets and the matches and the female cricketers shone brilliantly.
A captain dropped from the squad; a couple of wins; a series of losses and the captain is reinstated his place in the team, coach made the scapegoat. Others not ready to coach Team India, management find an aged yet astute ex-cricketer as manager - wins its first ever test series in the last 26+ years. That is more or less the story of an inglorious year of Indian cricket. Indian hockey - national sport, did we hear the name except for in Chak de and football became a national disgrace. Badminton, chess and table tennis - what are they, anyway? As they say, some things just don't change.
Worldwide, sports had its share of ups and downs. Shane Warne, Ian Thorpe, Andre Aggasi and Micheal Schumacher bow out; Aussies won the WC again; ManU lifted EPL, Kumble's century :D and some new finds like Hamilton (tho I still like Kimi), Robert Kubica, Piyush Chawla, etc.
But debatably, the biggest phenomenon this year in the world scenario was the "Orkutisation" of the world. Would you not agree??
A long blog has come to an end, think I will be a frequent visitor in it and would appreciate comments from people to make it better. Thoughts are still lingering in my mind, better keep them for sometime later, its already 0130 in India. Better I push off to sleep, before I start another day of my life tomorrow. Cheers!

Legend departs!

I remember watching the first race when I was about 12. A season which saw fierce competition between Hill and Schumi and at the end Schumi controversially coliding with Hill, to win the championship. This disgraceful act, instantly made me hate Schumi.

After that incident, there have been many more, where Schumi and Ferrari have brought the sport down, by winning thru means of cheat. My perspective has always been that sport is bigger than the sportsman. A sport should be played with utmost sportsmanship. Through the course of time, I have been an avid follower of the sport and has become a part of my life. I have cheered for Williams, when they had the best package with Villeneuve and Hill, Mclaren with Hakkinen and Kimi. A team competiting against Schumi.

This season for a change, my team Mclaren, dint put a good display. As the season approached the end, it looked like Alonso and Renault taking the honors, we saw something unbelievable. In a matter of a couple of months, Schumi reduced Alonso's 25 point lead to 0, which made Alonso crib and cringe. The way Schumi drove, should have impressed one and all. It was pure driving elegance, a skill that he has honed quite immaculately. Suddenly I have developed a sense of respect for him.

Whatever the final result of this year’s championship, Michael leaves Formula 1 holding almost all the records. He has taken seven Drivers’ world titles. Schumacher has been with Scuderia Ferrari for eleven seasons, a demonstration of loyalty without equal in Formula 1, to date securing five of his Drivers’ titles here and contributing to six of the team’s Constructors’ titles.

F1 will miss the legend. I hope he contributes to the team from outside, support Kimi and Massa in the coming seasons. Good luck to him!