In the recently concluded One Day International between India and Sri Lanka, the end result, an Indian victory was completely overshadowed by what has now become the "No-Ball Gate". Of late there is no restriction on what can become a-----Gate or a scandal.
Scene 1: Sehwag was on 99, India needed 1 run and our Sehwag hits a 6 and India win. But the bowler (Suraj Randiv) bowled a big no-ball and so Sehwag is stranded in 99 and India still win because one run was awarded for the no-ball. The match is over.
Scene 2: Sehwag at the post match presentation accuses Randiv of deliberately bowling a no-ball so as to deny him a century and notes another instance when Sachin Tendulkar was stranded on 96 because another Lankan bowler (Malinga) conceded 4 byes and the match was over.
Scene 3: The controversy seemed over until our Sehwag to show off his technological prowess decidestp twitter more about this, then the SriLankan Cricket board conducts an inquiry and Dilshan apparently suggested to Randiv that he bowl a no-ball and the bowler obliged. But Sehwag states about Life will go on..win or loss ..truth etc....
My question to Sehwag and I wish someone else had the nerve to ask him this. If he was on 93 and he hit a 6 and the same scene was enacted, would he have created such a huge issue out of this. So does it mean he is concerned about losing a 100. If you saw his comments, he said he certainly missed a 100 but happy that India won. So why cant it always be the latter INDIA WINNING!!!
Why are we so obsessed with personal records and Please don't accuse other teams of "lack of spirit" when your team(a few members have indulged in the same". Where was the spirit in question roaming around when Symonds was sledged by Harbhajan?. Oh we hypocrites say Aussies provoked it and Bhajji gave a fitting reply and when it is your team facing such a thing, cry loud as if the world has fallen over your head!!. Well, during the Symonds-Harbhajan fiasco, didn't the famous SRT protect Harbhajan? Where did the Spirit of the game go then?
The only reason that Indian board and a few Indian cricketers do these sorts of bragging and acting as if they are the epitome of "gentlemanly conduct" is BCCI's bullying power(money). Sangakkara rightly said that we all should act responsibly. So when Randiv went up to Sehwag and apologised, the matter was closed. Why did our Sehwag have to twitter about Truth, Win or Lose etc??
Sangakkara summed up perfectly. He said this is India and the Indian team involved and we have to aware of the repurcussions.
In my view, if Randiv was banned for one ODI, it would not be wrong to ban Sehwag for the next ODI for making a big fuss about nothing. All because he lost out on a 100. Once again, someone please ask what his reaction would have been if he was on 93 and the no-ball scenario had occured!!
August 20, 2010
My Experience at the Regional Transport Office (RTO), Yelahanka
Continuing with my earlier blog entry, I wanted to share my experience of trying to obtain my Driver’s License (DL) for a car. I already had a DL for a two-wheeler and needed to get one for my car. So here is how it happened (rather happening, as after 2 weeks, and in spite of knowing a high ranking inspector, yet to obtain my license!!). My 2-wheeler DL was at a different address to the current address where I am staying. Apparently, the rules state that the address has to be changed to the current one first and only then I can apply to a DL for car. SO I put all these in one file and took it to the case worker!!. It was supposed to be done in a day but read below for what happened.
The next day when I went, I was told to finish some formality with the paperwork and I did it myself and handed over the file to the caseworker. He said that O could come later in the afternoon but since I was going elsewhere, I told him I will collect the file next day, get the signature of a higher ranking officer (who had refused to sign the day before and was talking about rules….when he didn’t sign the file for my sister all because of the fact her LL was through a Driving School and apparently she has to approach for the DL test through the school because if we start coming directly, his varamana(income) is affected!!!) and take my DL test. I was happy when I left the RTO building. The next day things took a turn for the worse. They couldn’t locate the file that I had personally handed over to them. Finally after a wait for nearly a month where my file was lost and the reason they gave was priceless.
Officer : Nimdu file na separate aagi idu antha helidde mix maadbittidaare nanna assistant
I had asked my assistant to keep your file separate, but she (my assistant) has mixed it up
Assistant(Lady): Illi ondu file ithu, naanu boss na kelde avru return maadbidu andru…Naanu hesaru nodlilla, adhu nimde aagirbahudu
I saw one file here and asked about it to my boss and he asked me to return it to the other side. That file might be yours (as I didn’t see the name or details)
Lady 2:Naanu hordavaaga aa madam ondu file thandru…Naanu table mele ittbittu horte, naanu hesarella nodlilla, adhe irbahudu nimma file
When I was leaving, that lady (Assistant/Lady1) gave me a file and as I was in a hurry to leave, I left it on my table. I didn’t check the name or details, that file may be the one!!!
So after a week of these excuses, it was decided that the file was lost and because I was from “officer kade” (meaning officer’s side), they were going to prepare a duplicate file and made me pay an additional 200Rs (I had already paid 270Rs for the test fee, card fees and the address change). I then went with the same officer to the ARTO’s office as his signature was required and while talking to me, he asked me about my background, stay in the US( during the conversation, I had to tell him that I had just returned from USA) and he asked me where in the US and I said Boston. He looked up and suddenly things or rather the situation changed. He said that instead of wasting another card, they could use the Smart Card for the two wheeler and endorse the same for the 4-wheeler also. He then told me through his assistant that after I am done with the formalities, he wanted to talk to me. Suddenly the respect you get increases exponentially. It seems that his daughter was going to Boston for higher studies and he needed as much information as possible regarding US and more specifically Boston. For all the delay, here was the icing on the cake, He let me use his car to take the test and I got my license in an hour. So finally I found one honest and sincere individual in the entire RTO building and that too at the highest level (ARTO is second to RTO). I thanked him wholeheartedly and came back happy and of course with my DL!!!
The next day when I went, I was told to finish some formality with the paperwork and I did it myself and handed over the file to the caseworker. He said that O could come later in the afternoon but since I was going elsewhere, I told him I will collect the file next day, get the signature of a higher ranking officer (who had refused to sign the day before and was talking about rules….when he didn’t sign the file for my sister all because of the fact her LL was through a Driving School and apparently she has to approach for the DL test through the school because if we start coming directly, his varamana(income) is affected!!!) and take my DL test. I was happy when I left the RTO building. The next day things took a turn for the worse. They couldn’t locate the file that I had personally handed over to them. Finally after a wait for nearly a month where my file was lost and the reason they gave was priceless.
Officer : Nimdu file na separate aagi idu antha helidde mix maadbittidaare nanna assistant
I had asked my assistant to keep your file separate, but she (my assistant) has mixed it up
Assistant(Lady): Illi ondu file ithu, naanu boss na kelde avru return maadbidu andru…Naanu hesaru nodlilla, adhu nimde aagirbahudu
I saw one file here and asked about it to my boss and he asked me to return it to the other side. That file might be yours (as I didn’t see the name or details)
Lady 2:Naanu hordavaaga aa madam ondu file thandru…Naanu table mele ittbittu horte, naanu hesarella nodlilla, adhe irbahudu nimma file
When I was leaving, that lady (Assistant/Lady1) gave me a file and as I was in a hurry to leave, I left it on my table. I didn’t check the name or details, that file may be the one!!!
So after a week of these excuses, it was decided that the file was lost and because I was from “officer kade” (meaning officer’s side), they were going to prepare a duplicate file and made me pay an additional 200Rs (I had already paid 270Rs for the test fee, card fees and the address change). I then went with the same officer to the ARTO’s office as his signature was required and while talking to me, he asked me about my background, stay in the US( during the conversation, I had to tell him that I had just returned from USA) and he asked me where in the US and I said Boston. He looked up and suddenly things or rather the situation changed. He said that instead of wasting another card, they could use the Smart Card for the two wheeler and endorse the same for the 4-wheeler also. He then told me through his assistant that after I am done with the formalities, he wanted to talk to me. Suddenly the respect you get increases exponentially. It seems that his daughter was going to Boston for higher studies and he needed as much information as possible regarding US and more specifically Boston. For all the delay, here was the icing on the cake, He let me use his car to take the test and I got my license in an hour. So finally I found one honest and sincere individual in the entire RTO building and that too at the highest level (ARTO is second to RTO). I thanked him wholeheartedly and came back happy and of course with my DL!!!
Welcome to Bengaluru
I had read a lot of articles, newspapers and blogs explaining the traffic chaos in Bengaluru and was always under the impression that they may be “exaggerating” their reporting but when I experienced it myself, I realised that they were spot on and sometimes being polite about the situation. There is no way that this situation will change or improve, even for an optimist like me. It is not the lack of road awareness that is the problem but “A Total Lack of Respect” for smaller vehicles, drivers who are “learning” to drive, pedestrians. Plus add the never ending constructions (see iimage, courtesy Hindu). The first few days were a nightmare but over a period of time, you do what everyone does here, just drive without losing your “cool”. Be aware of the minute spaces next to your car or bike as there will be another bike or a car almost sticking to your vehicle. The biggest culprits are the taxi drivers, buses and of course who can forget the “evergreen” autos (some of the autos are painted “green”!!!) who will turn without warning, stop without indication, and of course turn in the tiniest of spaces if the front wheel of their auto can fit in!!!. What surprises me is that the person who has to turn left in say 50 meters will be on the right most lane and will decide ….Oh my God, I have to turn now!!! And then there are these special people who will see the vehicle in front of them with their turn signals (right turn) on and these people will have to go straight ahead and keep honking and try to join the other traffic going straight, and of course you guessed it right, they are not allowed an easy path……But the funny part is when you try to tell them about this, their response would be “Namgu gotthu, neenyaar helakke? (We (respect for themselves!!!) know the rules, who are you to tell us the right thing?). Of course, every time I am asked such a question, I end up speechless!!!. Bharat Bundh was one of the best days to enjoy driving on city roads as there are no autos, taxis and in some areas, the local transport (BMTC buses). The pollution levels fell to an all-time low in
A bundh one day a month is very very healthy for the environment!!!
January 26, 2008
Good bye Gilchrist & Thanks for the wonderful memories
A decision that took the whole cricketing fraternity, players and fans included by surprise, some sad to see him go and some relieved that he is "gone". The "relieved" group is the cricket teams that have suffered badly challenging him on the field to very little success. The bigger group that is "sad" is the millions of cricket crazy fans who have enjoyed his exploits against all teams.
He is probably the "greatest" entertainer the cricketing world has seen in the last 10-15 years. There has been no one before and there might not be anyone else to match his achievements in future. Above all, he stands out as a fantastic human being too. I am sure any cricketing fan irrespective of their nationality would have enjoyed Gilchrist's display.
He single handedly changed the way the cricketing world looks at wicketkeeper batsman. Every team now wants to have a Gilchrist but in my view, no one can come close to another "Gilly" as he is affectionately called.
Its indeed a loss for cricket that he chose to retire but he chose the right way a sportsman should retire...i.e when people ask "why" rather than "why not". You chose to quit when you would still have been a champion cricketer for atleast another year or so
Thanks Gilly for the absolute entertainment you have provided cricket fans all over the globe. You were not only a great cricketer but also a "great person and a great great ambassador" for the sport. You had the tough uncompromising Aussie spirit but also had the "champion qualities in a sportsman".Cricket will be poorer without players like you.
He is probably the "greatest" entertainer the cricketing world has seen in the last 10-15 years. There has been no one before and there might not be anyone else to match his achievements in future. Above all, he stands out as a fantastic human being too. I am sure any cricketing fan irrespective of their nationality would have enjoyed Gilchrist's display.
He single handedly changed the way the cricketing world looks at wicketkeeper batsman. Every team now wants to have a Gilchrist but in my view, no one can come close to another "Gilly" as he is affectionately called.
Its indeed a loss for cricket that he chose to retire but he chose the right way a sportsman should retire...i.e when people ask "why" rather than "why not". You chose to quit when you would still have been a champion cricketer for atleast another year or so
Thanks Gilly for the absolute entertainment you have provided cricket fans all over the globe. You were not only a great cricketer but also a "great person and a great great ambassador" for the sport. You had the tough uncompromising Aussie spirit but also had the "champion qualities in a sportsman".Cricket will be poorer without players like you.
January 20, 2008
Welcome Back!!
It has been ages since I have posted anything on my blog. So welcome to my first post for the year 2008. The best news, sports-related, has to be India's convincing win over the famed Aussies at the WACA, Perth. Yes, Perth. I would not have dreamt to type that we won in Perth...yes even in my dreams, but here we are to face the reality. When the entire world dismissed India's chances at Perth, there was a bunch of 15 people who decided to prove the world wrong. This bunch, led by a great, aggressive and a true match winner, answered the critics in fine style and made millions and millions of Indians proud. As my friend GK wrote in his blog http://whowrites.blogspot.com/ it gave us all a feel good factor for the rest of the day.
The concept of teamwork was very visible in the entire game. We were expected to struggle on a fast and bouncy track, with one guy wanting to bowl at 170kmph. A man on return to the testfold decided to attack the fast bowlers and gave us a solid platform. A fabulous cricketer, who recently has struggled to get going, decided to battle it out in the centre for an all important 93, ably supported by our Little Master with a beautiful 71. We should have scored about 400 but we folded in for 330. The next effort from team India was what gladdened my heart. A bowling trio, who would have a rating of 5 on 10 from most experts, plus a champion in our skipper decided to prove all of them wrong once more. It was the finest exhibition of swing bowling seen in a long long time. You do not have to bowl at 150kmph+ but all you need to do is pitch the ball in the right areas. Thats what India did better than the Aussies and had an impressive lead of 118.
Although we had a shaky start to our second innings, another very very special cricketer decided to release his script along with an up and coming w/k batsman. A target of 413 is going to be difficult for any team, even if you are a champion team like Australia. Day 4 will be etched in any cricket crazy fan's memory for years to come. A tall lanky 19 year old (reminded me of another called Mysore Express) gave one of the best batsman in world cricket a thorough workout for nearly 45 minutes and finally nailed him with an absolute beauty. This is what is exhilarating about Test cricket. Yes the T20 can get quick results and so can the ODI but this test cricket is what is the "real" cricket. You do not play over 20 or 50 overs but play by sessions. And this is where Team India played exceptional in all sessions. They deserved to win. Yes, it has finally sunk in that India beat Australia at the WACA, Perth.
After the controversy surrounding the Sydney test, where supposedly there were issues relating to "racism" and some absolutely "shocking" umpiring on display, the test match at Perth was a breath of fresh air and it ended up with the sweet smell of victory for India. In hindsight, we should have been 2-1 up, but if everything is looked up in hindsight, we tend to lose the importance of the "present". Let us enjoy this awesome feeling for the time being.
Hats off "Team India". You made every Indian very very proud for beating the Aussies at WACA, Perth. Yes, at Perth!!!!
The concept of teamwork was very visible in the entire game. We were expected to struggle on a fast and bouncy track, with one guy wanting to bowl at 170kmph. A man on return to the testfold decided to attack the fast bowlers and gave us a solid platform. A fabulous cricketer, who recently has struggled to get going, decided to battle it out in the centre for an all important 93, ably supported by our Little Master with a beautiful 71. We should have scored about 400 but we folded in for 330. The next effort from team India was what gladdened my heart. A bowling trio, who would have a rating of 5 on 10 from most experts, plus a champion in our skipper decided to prove all of them wrong once more. It was the finest exhibition of swing bowling seen in a long long time. You do not have to bowl at 150kmph+ but all you need to do is pitch the ball in the right areas. Thats what India did better than the Aussies and had an impressive lead of 118.
Although we had a shaky start to our second innings, another very very special cricketer decided to release his script along with an up and coming w/k batsman. A target of 413 is going to be difficult for any team, even if you are a champion team like Australia. Day 4 will be etched in any cricket crazy fan's memory for years to come. A tall lanky 19 year old (reminded me of another called Mysore Express) gave one of the best batsman in world cricket a thorough workout for nearly 45 minutes and finally nailed him with an absolute beauty. This is what is exhilarating about Test cricket. Yes the T20 can get quick results and so can the ODI but this test cricket is what is the "real" cricket. You do not play over 20 or 50 overs but play by sessions. And this is where Team India played exceptional in all sessions. They deserved to win. Yes, it has finally sunk in that India beat Australia at the WACA, Perth.
After the controversy surrounding the Sydney test, where supposedly there were issues relating to "racism" and some absolutely "shocking" umpiring on display, the test match at Perth was a breath of fresh air and it ended up with the sweet smell of victory for India. In hindsight, we should have been 2-1 up, but if everything is looked up in hindsight, we tend to lose the importance of the "present". Let us enjoy this awesome feeling for the time being.
Hats off "Team India". You made every Indian very very proud for beating the Aussies at WACA, Perth. Yes, at Perth!!!!
November 3, 2007
The Kimster finally does it!!!
What a fascinating season of fluctuating fortunes this 2007 F1 cahampionship was!!!. In the end, for all the hype and attention that the supposedly two McLaren divas attracted, an "ice-cool" driver who doesn't talk much, snatched the championship from under the feet to win a thorughly deserved Drivers championship. The driver who came close twice but made a few mistakes and also had some bad reliability finally wins his 1st World Driver's championship. For all the talk about Lewis Hamilton's rookie season and a two time WDC in the McLaren's, Kimi is an absolutely deserving champion because he has won the max # of races (6), has been the strongest driver from the French GP onwards and above all, has one point more than his rivals.
I have admired Kimi ever since he made his debut with Sauber. He had a real inferior car in 2003 but ran Micheal Schumacher all the way to the end. In 2005, but for some reliability issues, he could have won the championship but had to settle for the second place. He had a listless year in 2006 and finally made the move to Scuderia Ferrari Marlboro to replace the man, the legend, the 7-time Driver's champion Micheal Schumacher!!!!. Those are biggggg shoes to fill and obviously there was lot of pressure on Kimi to perform well. Barring the season opener in Australia, he was completely overshadowed by the two McLaren drivers and his own teammate Felipe Massa.
As always, people started talking about how overrated he is and is going to get creamed by his team mate etc etc etc. Added to this was his excuse was that he was still getting used to the new spec Bridgestone tires and many experts were of the view that he being a great driver should not come up with such lame excuses etc. But all along, you never saw Kimi talking back against all those who questioned his talent, the money he is earning, etc etc. He simply believed in himself and stayed focussed. I had attended the F1 in Indianapolis this year and my thought when I got out of the race was that I saw the most inspired Kimi this season, the Kimi of Mclaren days who used to push as if there is no tomorrow. He came fourth but I was certain in my mind that we were going to see a Kimi revival from the next race.
And boy was I right!!!. Kimi put in unbelievable races in France and Britain and since then, barring the DNF in Nurburgring, he has been the most consistent performer among the top 4 drivers. He has had 5 victories and has been on the podium in all other races. His racing in wet in Japan and China was sublime and helped by Massa in Brazil, managed to pull off an amazing victory. He did drive beautifully in Brazil and finally won the championship by one solid point.
And after the race, the world saw Kimi smiling a lot for the first time. A huge monkey must have been off his shoulders. I personally had a view that he might end up as a great driving talent never to win a WDC but he did make it and I was thrilled beyond words!!. yes, it is still not guaranteed with the McLaren appeal set for November 15th, but in my view, the Kimster is the 2007 champion and a thoroughly deserving one too!!!!!
He talks very little, smiles even less but when it comes to his driving he is soooo good that he makes his fans talk a lot and smnile even more!!!!
I have admired Kimi ever since he made his debut with Sauber. He had a real inferior car in 2003 but ran Micheal Schumacher all the way to the end. In 2005, but for some reliability issues, he could have won the championship but had to settle for the second place. He had a listless year in 2006 and finally made the move to Scuderia Ferrari Marlboro to replace the man, the legend, the 7-time Driver's champion Micheal Schumacher!!!!. Those are biggggg shoes to fill and obviously there was lot of pressure on Kimi to perform well. Barring the season opener in Australia, he was completely overshadowed by the two McLaren drivers and his own teammate Felipe Massa.
As always, people started talking about how overrated he is and is going to get creamed by his team mate etc etc etc. Added to this was his excuse was that he was still getting used to the new spec Bridgestone tires and many experts were of the view that he being a great driver should not come up with such lame excuses etc. But all along, you never saw Kimi talking back against all those who questioned his talent, the money he is earning, etc etc. He simply believed in himself and stayed focussed. I had attended the F1 in Indianapolis this year and my thought when I got out of the race was that I saw the most inspired Kimi this season, the Kimi of Mclaren days who used to push as if there is no tomorrow. He came fourth but I was certain in my mind that we were going to see a Kimi revival from the next race.
And boy was I right!!!. Kimi put in unbelievable races in France and Britain and since then, barring the DNF in Nurburgring, he has been the most consistent performer among the top 4 drivers. He has had 5 victories and has been on the podium in all other races. His racing in wet in Japan and China was sublime and helped by Massa in Brazil, managed to pull off an amazing victory. He did drive beautifully in Brazil and finally won the championship by one solid point.
And after the race, the world saw Kimi smiling a lot for the first time. A huge monkey must have been off his shoulders. I personally had a view that he might end up as a great driving talent never to win a WDC but he did make it and I was thrilled beyond words!!. yes, it is still not guaranteed with the McLaren appeal set for November 15th, but in my view, the Kimster is the 2007 champion and a thoroughly deserving one too!!!!!
He talks very little, smiles even less but when it comes to his driving he is soooo good that he makes his fans talk a lot and smnile even more!!!!
October 5, 2007
Politics Politics...everywhere
The word "politics" sure sends a sense of anger and dismay in most people's minds except the ones who actually play "politics". It creates disharmony, jealousy, disilluision etc. Unfortunately, politics exists everywhere, in sports, educational institutions etc etc etc. At the time of writing this blog, two issues are burning in my mind. One is with sports and the other one is with "politics" in my state of Karnataka.
Let me deal with Karnataka first. The state is being taken to the cleaners by one Mr Deve Gowda. I got mad when I saw the BJP party executive Rajnath Singh address him as "Gowdaji". DG is the last person that deserves respect in my book. God alone knows how he became the Indian PM and then used to hop in to Bangalore every weekend creating traffic jams everywhere. Once he was kicked out from there, he set his sights on the state politics, accumulated wealth enough for 3 generations, criticises Mr Narayanamurthy of Infosys about land grabbing, disowns responsibility for his son's withdrawal of support to Mr Dharam Singh's govt and within few days supports the same son in forming a govt with BJP in an arrangement that allows the two parties to have the CM position for a period of 20 months each and then goes completely against the arrangement. He is an absolute disgrace and still continues to call the shots. When will people realise that its time to kick "Gowdaji" out of politics once and for all. He calls himself "Mannina Maga". If he is true to his title, he should then quit the "Mannu" and go elsewhere. No wonder his sons Kumaraswamy and Revanna for all that they talk, end up acting like their dad. This is nature unfortunately!!!....And poor BJP fell into the trap set by "DG" to fulfil their ambition of ruling Karnataka. Wonder what one Mr Yediyurappa must be thinking...so near yet so far......how can you trust anyone in politics and if that certain other one is "DG", you must be insanely out of your mind to trust him. But hey, the lure of political power ruins everyone's thought process and its easy to corrupt the political minds because they are already at a very low level
Turning to the second event, FIA is turning Formula 1 into an absolute joke this year. First, they penalize McLaren Mercedes for possessing Ferrari documents but let the drivers go free and then in the recently concluded Japanese GP at Fuji, in what was a rain filled race, they penalized Vettel ( a 19 year old talent) for running into Webber's car and ruining both their races( were running 2nd and 3rd at that time). If people carefully observe Lewis Hamilton's antics behind the Safety Car, he is as guilty as Vettel for causing the accident. But all is well because you can't touch Hamilton and politicise this year's Drivers Championship( yeah politicise!!!) and he goes scot free. Then Vettel's team gets a You Tube video showing Hamilton's antics and boy o boy the Stewards call for a hearing and investigation, just to show the world they mean business....in other words just playing "POLITICS". Then came the amazing, mindblowing, enlightening decision from FIA. They not only clear Hamilton but also cancel Vettel's penalty. What does this mean? Is this to save Hamilton and not " politicise" the drivers championship or are the FIA so so stupid that just in the sapn of 5 days, they realised Vettel was not wrong because their golden boy LH was also doing something similar. And the best part, Formula One Management(FOM) takes away the video from YouTube. It is sheer disgusting politics in F1 where there is lots and lots of money flowing. The poor supporters and fans are the ones to suffer..not the FIA, not the FOM, not the drivers and definetely not the teams.
Anytime, anywhere when money and politically influential people team up, it is sure disaster for the common man. In politics, its the common citizen and in sports its the spectators who favor one team over another, have endless discussions and arguments with friends but at the end of teh day the players with high stakes( the politicians and the Sports authorities) do not care as they are eager to satisfy their needs. It is such a shame but unfortunately it is true!!!!
Let me deal with Karnataka first. The state is being taken to the cleaners by one Mr Deve Gowda. I got mad when I saw the BJP party executive Rajnath Singh address him as "Gowdaji". DG is the last person that deserves respect in my book. God alone knows how he became the Indian PM and then used to hop in to Bangalore every weekend creating traffic jams everywhere. Once he was kicked out from there, he set his sights on the state politics, accumulated wealth enough for 3 generations, criticises Mr Narayanamurthy of Infosys about land grabbing, disowns responsibility for his son's withdrawal of support to Mr Dharam Singh's govt and within few days supports the same son in forming a govt with BJP in an arrangement that allows the two parties to have the CM position for a period of 20 months each and then goes completely against the arrangement. He is an absolute disgrace and still continues to call the shots. When will people realise that its time to kick "Gowdaji" out of politics once and for all. He calls himself "Mannina Maga". If he is true to his title, he should then quit the "Mannu" and go elsewhere. No wonder his sons Kumaraswamy and Revanna for all that they talk, end up acting like their dad. This is nature unfortunately!!!....And poor BJP fell into the trap set by "DG" to fulfil their ambition of ruling Karnataka. Wonder what one Mr Yediyurappa must be thinking...so near yet so far......how can you trust anyone in politics and if that certain other one is "DG", you must be insanely out of your mind to trust him. But hey, the lure of political power ruins everyone's thought process and its easy to corrupt the political minds because they are already at a very low level
Turning to the second event, FIA is turning Formula 1 into an absolute joke this year. First, they penalize McLaren Mercedes for possessing Ferrari documents but let the drivers go free and then in the recently concluded Japanese GP at Fuji, in what was a rain filled race, they penalized Vettel ( a 19 year old talent) for running into Webber's car and ruining both their races( were running 2nd and 3rd at that time). If people carefully observe Lewis Hamilton's antics behind the Safety Car, he is as guilty as Vettel for causing the accident. But all is well because you can't touch Hamilton and politicise this year's Drivers Championship( yeah politicise!!!) and he goes scot free. Then Vettel's team gets a You Tube video showing Hamilton's antics and boy o boy the Stewards call for a hearing and investigation, just to show the world they mean business....in other words just playing "POLITICS". Then came the amazing, mindblowing, enlightening decision from FIA. They not only clear Hamilton but also cancel Vettel's penalty. What does this mean? Is this to save Hamilton and not " politicise" the drivers championship or are the FIA so so stupid that just in the sapn of 5 days, they realised Vettel was not wrong because their golden boy LH was also doing something similar. And the best part, Formula One Management(FOM) takes away the video from YouTube. It is sheer disgusting politics in F1 where there is lots and lots of money flowing. The poor supporters and fans are the ones to suffer..not the FIA, not the FOM, not the drivers and definetely not the teams.
Anytime, anywhere when money and politically influential people team up, it is sure disaster for the common man. In politics, its the common citizen and in sports its the spectators who favor one team over another, have endless discussions and arguments with friends but at the end of teh day the players with high stakes( the politicians and the Sports authorities) do not care as they are eager to satisfy their needs. It is such a shame but unfortunately it is true!!!!
September 28, 2007
T20 victory celebrations.... and Striking hockey players....and Fickle minded media & public
What an eventful week this past one was. On one hand the whole of India was celebrating our teams victory in the inaugural T20 World Cup tournament held in South Africa. Not one person in the entire wide world expected Team India to be champions. But they did play wonderfully well as a team and deserved the victory. The whole media went berserk as did various governments competing with each other to announce cash prizes to the winning members of their respective states. Wow!!!! we do have a lot of money to spend on people who are already stinking rich with their endorsements and match fees. I cannot understand one thing about this. Yes they did our country proud and we ought to thank them for their performances but just announcing lakhs of rupees as awards.....are you kidding me??. On the same token, why not announce cash awards to the Indian Hockey team who won the Asia Cup and Indian football team for winning the Nehru Cup.
What makes these players achievements any lesser?. I almost fell down form my chair when I read that the Indian Hockey Federation(IHF) president Mr Gill announces a cash prize of Rs 1000......oh yes Rs 1000 for every goal scored. Wow!!!!! what a magnanimous gesture. He sure will do well if he learns the importance of zeros from the BCCI president or variosu state governments.
Its a pity that in the same week when the Indian cricketers were praised to the sky, had a celebratory drive from the airport and a huge presentation at the Wankhede stadium.....[and please pay good attention to the picture....The winners were the cricketers but the members in the front row of the dias were BCCI officials and Maharashtra ministers], there was disturbing news that the Indian hockey players were planning to go on a hunger strike for the stepmotherly treatment meted out to them. Agreed cricket is fascinating and captures the attention of millions of people in the country but look at other countries where all sports coexist and no wonder Australia for example are excellent in cricket, soccer, hockey and any other sport. Why cannot we the public and media treat all sports equally. It has been this way for a long long time and any hope that victories like Sultan Azlan Shah Hockey tournament, Asia Cup etc changes the mindset of the public .......unfortunately no!!!
Another place where the public and media need to change their mindset and become more mature is in reacting to wins or losses. So as soon as Dhoni captains India to a triumph, Dravid, Sachin and Saurav are targetted. And media conducting polls as to Do we need the holy trinity etc etc......what nonsense. Agreed, young performers are the future but they need to be groomed well before being thrown in the wild. Because if they are thrown in the deep and tehy fail, because of the fickle minded public and media just prey on them and some pelt stones at their homes etc.....Why can't we have a balanced approach to their victories or defeats?.
The same Dhoni's house was attacked when he failed in a few games and now he is forgiven. Dravid's house has been attacked. Every sportsman has to go through highs and lows. So if Team India fails against Australia, dont kill them, with some experts questioning their attitude, etc. And please for god's sake stop with all the competition about which government comes up with a higher cash award. Let us treat all sports equally. Our hockey team won the Asia Cup and the soccer team won the Nehru cup. They too deserve our appreciation and admiration for their stupendous achievement. .
Hail team India in hockey, football and cricket. They are all gifted sportsmen in a land of billion. Let us encourage them all without a heroic treatment for cricketers and a stepmotherly treatment to other sports. The media sure has the biggest role in creating this awareness among the public
What makes these players achievements any lesser?. I almost fell down form my chair when I read that the Indian Hockey Federation(IHF) president Mr Gill announces a cash prize of Rs 1000......oh yes Rs 1000 for every goal scored. Wow!!!!! what a magnanimous gesture. He sure will do well if he learns the importance of zeros from the BCCI president or variosu state governments.
Its a pity that in the same week when the Indian cricketers were praised to the sky, had a celebratory drive from the airport and a huge presentation at the Wankhede stadium.....[and please pay good attention to the picture....The winners were the cricketers but the members in the front row of the dias were BCCI officials and Maharashtra ministers], there was disturbing news that the Indian hockey players were planning to go on a hunger strike for the stepmotherly treatment meted out to them. Agreed cricket is fascinating and captures the attention of millions of people in the country but look at other countries where all sports coexist and no wonder Australia for example are excellent in cricket, soccer, hockey and any other sport. Why cannot we the public and media treat all sports equally. It has been this way for a long long time and any hope that victories like Sultan Azlan Shah Hockey tournament, Asia Cup etc changes the mindset of the public .......unfortunately no!!!
Another place where the public and media need to change their mindset and become more mature is in reacting to wins or losses. So as soon as Dhoni captains India to a triumph, Dravid, Sachin and Saurav are targetted. And media conducting polls as to Do we need the holy trinity etc etc......what nonsense. Agreed, young performers are the future but they need to be groomed well before being thrown in the wild. Because if they are thrown in the deep and tehy fail, because of the fickle minded public and media just prey on them and some pelt stones at their homes etc.....Why can't we have a balanced approach to their victories or defeats?.
The same Dhoni's house was attacked when he failed in a few games and now he is forgiven. Dravid's house has been attacked. Every sportsman has to go through highs and lows. So if Team India fails against Australia, dont kill them, with some experts questioning their attitude, etc. And please for god's sake stop with all the competition about which government comes up with a higher cash award. Let us treat all sports equally. Our hockey team won the Asia Cup and the soccer team won the Nehru cup. They too deserve our appreciation and admiration for their stupendous achievement. .
Hail team India in hockey, football and cricket. They are all gifted sportsmen in a land of billion. Let us encourage them all without a heroic treatment for cricketers and a stepmotherly treatment to other sports. The media sure has the biggest role in creating this awareness among the public
September 23, 2007
Rahul Dravid, a Perfect Gentleman
There was not much fanfare as always associated with this person. Whether he is on the field or away from it, he never attracts much attention. And his call to quit the Indian team captain''s job was exactly simple and dignified without much hue and cry. Yes, it did cause a shock among the nation's many cricket fans and all the cricket experts who always have suggestions for others but can never take up responsibility on their own. But in the end I feel that the man himself must have put a lot of thought into that decision just like the way eh prepares for his game. Was this a good call from Dravid or wasn't this particular shot not timed well??
As always, there are going to be people who agree and others who just have to criticize Rahul for anything he does. For example, consider the fact that India won the test series in England after 21 years......yes 21 loooong years and what were the critics saying, Oh Rahul should have imposed the follow-on and gone for 2-0. But then anything could have happened and India might have been struggling to save the game and every ardent fan knows how we play under pressure. SO where was the big hue and cry for him not imposing a follow-on. Also, he just wouldn't have taken the decision on his own. It would have been a collective decision.
Secondly, there are a lot of experts in Indian cricket who did nothing worthwhile when they had an opportunity but when its time to criticize others, oh yeah..they are the first in line. I guess this has been the problem with Indian cricket. Too many self proclaimed experts who are of the opinion that Rahul is very defensive. Now, does aggressiveness mean sledging opponents or taking your shirt off and shout at your opponents. Thats what majority of the country believes. But I feel at the end of the day, it is the W or L that counts, not how many times the captain claps or encourages his teammates. Tell me how much more can you tell a certain Mr Agarkar how to bowl and yet this person is a constant in the team. Surprising is the fact that not many comment on his performance but oh yeah Dravid is very very defensive!!!
Finally, the Selection committee chairman should not comment on what a captain should do or not do. His job is to select the team. Period. What the skipper and his team does is their prerogative.
Agreed Rahul could have improved a lot & become a great skipper but being the thinking cricketer he is, he called it quits just after winning a series in England after 21 years. That calls for a lot of guts and self belief and above all total selflessness. There are too many nonsensical people running the Indian cricket. Rahul surely does not wnat to be dictated to by these people. In a way, Team India needs Rahul the Wall for his batting skills and the man has the sincerity to realize his batting contribution to the team is going down and gives up the captaincy, which many clamour for!!!. Unbelievable!!!!!
Hats off Rahul. You( and your good old pal Kumble) are probably the most dedicated and disciplined cricketers India had seen in the last ten years. You sure are the perfect role model for many youngsters. Let your bat do the talking once more and silence the many many armchair experts of Indian cricket!!!
As always, there are going to be people who agree and others who just have to criticize Rahul for anything he does. For example, consider the fact that India won the test series in England after 21 years......yes 21 loooong years and what were the critics saying, Oh Rahul should have imposed the follow-on and gone for 2-0. But then anything could have happened and India might have been struggling to save the game and every ardent fan knows how we play under pressure. SO where was the big hue and cry for him not imposing a follow-on. Also, he just wouldn't have taken the decision on his own. It would have been a collective decision.
Secondly, there are a lot of experts in Indian cricket who did nothing worthwhile when they had an opportunity but when its time to criticize others, oh yeah..they are the first in line. I guess this has been the problem with Indian cricket. Too many self proclaimed experts who are of the opinion that Rahul is very defensive. Now, does aggressiveness mean sledging opponents or taking your shirt off and shout at your opponents. Thats what majority of the country believes. But I feel at the end of the day, it is the W or L that counts, not how many times the captain claps or encourages his teammates. Tell me how much more can you tell a certain Mr Agarkar how to bowl and yet this person is a constant in the team. Surprising is the fact that not many comment on his performance but oh yeah Dravid is very very defensive!!!
Finally, the Selection committee chairman should not comment on what a captain should do or not do. His job is to select the team. Period. What the skipper and his team does is their prerogative.
Agreed Rahul could have improved a lot & become a great skipper but being the thinking cricketer he is, he called it quits just after winning a series in England after 21 years. That calls for a lot of guts and self belief and above all total selflessness. There are too many nonsensical people running the Indian cricket. Rahul surely does not wnat to be dictated to by these people. In a way, Team India needs Rahul the Wall for his batting skills and the man has the sincerity to realize his batting contribution to the team is going down and gives up the captaincy, which many clamour for!!!. Unbelievable!!!!!
Hats off Rahul. You( and your good old pal Kumble) are probably the most dedicated and disciplined cricketers India had seen in the last ten years. You sure are the perfect role model for many youngsters. Let your bat do the talking once more and silence the many many armchair experts of Indian cricket!!!
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