Sachin You are Human

Sachin Ramesh Tendulkar, A name echoes in billion of hearts and says that I have a part of it. Sound odd, clock back to early 1990s when a country ridden with riots over whose Mandir or whose Mosque,economic slowdown, terrorism crippling the northern most part, Business capital was thrown into shattered by a Don, greatest Scam in Stock Market,corruption charges against the top leaders, former prime minister and prodigal son of royal family of nation assassinated, not an entry in medal list in Olympics. Among these there was a 5ft 6inch teenager with curly hairs goes into the arena with his wooden armour and fights for the country, some time as a front warrior ruthlessly dominating and sometime an unicast role,but the bravery was never in question. That is what this cricketing phenomena gave this to country. At the advent, he was born genius and no nobody did a second thought into it. But geniuses have additional burden of expectations but his burden was manifolded when he carries a dream, a hope, an imagination iof a million in his sleeve every time he went into the 22 yards.

The way Sachin's presence in the pitch soothes India is unique and nothing can even compared to it. Everyone has nothing but to agree to that the day Sachin hits a century, there is smile in every one face, it does not matter how much personal problem may be, a fine innings from the genius results in an ecastic child going to school, a jubilant boy discussing with friends, a enthusiastic professional working with satisfaction, a happy married couple, a satisfying parents having fun with kid. Am I gone overboard, no I am not and think this everyone might have came across. His icon status in the late 1990s when country 1st came in the path of vibrancy gave everyone a hope, an idol to look for. The balance he maintains ins both inside and outside field is what makes him an class act.

Sir Don Bradman saw this talent in 1996 and but by then we had already gave Sachin the status of demi God. It will be arrogance to say that this one statement from Sir Don uplift sachin into a different zone altogether but this statement made Sir Don much much more popular among a common people of India. At the age of 25, he was a world beater. In a country where gears are shifting to a younger generation Sachin motivated its youth to aspire not just compete but winning the race.

Such was the arrogance was the expectations that it started believing that he can not fail. everyone wanted not just best but perfections. Such was the arrogance that detractor were pointing that he attained supremacy and now he will be riding the other side of the hill. Despite the ageing body mechanisms and so may injuries he still stood vindicated. Each time he came back and explored the peak never achieved before. when an 16 year old sachin burst into this world of cricket, each of the batting records were presumably written in his name. But Sachin has taken everyone of these to a different level where even he himself might not have thought. He has indefatigable dedication and he understand intimately his own gift, and at length to lavish it upon others. Tendulkar's method promotes an air of calm, reassurance and poise at the crease. Brian Lara's batting is characterised by explosion and violence, and Steve Waugh's by grim resolve, but Tendulkar's ways are timeless.

How easily he carries the hopes and takes responsibility for the well being of untold millions on that impossible subcontinent; in this, he is also divine. All eyes are upon him, day and night, but no scandal has attached itself, not in his private life nor in his cricket endeavours. Across the land, he is the little man on the big posters and hoardings, creating a kind of reverse Big Brother effect; he is not watching them, but they are watching him. Still he stands tall. There is even about him, as there was about many saints, something of the ingenue. He is not a natural captain for the modern era because he can lead only by example. He does not have a charismatic presence in a cricket stadium, but rather fills it in a different way, as the one certainty in a sea of doubt. Batting is the most fraught of sporting pursuits because even for the best the end is only ever one ball away. Tendulkar seems to turn that verity upon itself.

Abundance brings greed alongside with it but this man is different, when the Guru himself that his trusted skills need fine tuning, he is not ashamed of lowering himself for a bigger cause and fight without it and still comes out with the best results ( Sydney 2004 or Oval 2007). He regains and fires with more potent. Everest of achievement still gives critics say so many things that is not achieved but it is the celebration of phenomena that peak looks like half way mark. He has failed but that only proved that he is a human.

Happy Birth Day Mr Khan - The entertainer

Wish you many many happy returns of the Day Mr Shahrukh Khan, the king of Bollywood, an enigmatic entertainer.

Shahrukh Khan is definitely the King Khan and to his credentials he has proved by taking the world heads on. From a guy who came to the tinsel town with a sum of 15,000 Rs staying in Aziz Mirza house to the highest tax payer of the country his travails has been leaps and bounds. He came infront of the lenses as Abhimanyu Rai a bright but naughty Soldier of Army in TV soap Fauji and he has never looked back since then. Bursting into the silverscreen as lover boy may not have worked initially.Then Raju became gentleman but it was the vengeful dual role of Ajay Sharma and Vicky Malhotra in Bazigaar that grab the attention of public. The villain quotient was persuaded in Darr as Rahul Mehra ( his 1st movie as Rahul) pronouncing KKKiran epitomized his mass popularity. The Sunil of Kabhi haan Kabhi naa was a picturesque of a teen age romance and dreams and till date one of the best SRK movie. He mastered the art of romance, tenderness, emotions as Rajs' and Rahuls'. His epic performance as a lover boy no can just resist, a fantasy boy for every girl, wealthy, spoiled brat,mischievous yet sensitive, a mothers' son, a sister's brother and youthful romance.Wins the heart of millions. Raj Malhotra has to rank as one of the most popular characters in Indian cinema history. Shah Rukh was charming, affable, boyish, and intensely romantic in this landmark Aditya Chopra film. The Rahuls and Rajs are the dreams of girl, they are heroic, they can jump hit the stage in college and yet go to temple secretly for prayer. He cheats in the basket ball to a girl but still hero in college, when his motherless daughter stumbles to speak about mother he goes to stage delivers a touching sentence that speaks the affection of mother.He may be arrogant in asking the girl but sweetness of the smile is too hard to ignore. He may not be MJ but can do a darde-e-disco and bend on knees proposing the beauties. Yet he is humble enough to benignly carrying his affections. He is not vulgarl but sexy that fairer sex is always attracted to.


But SRK has come of age and his some of the flicks off late has been stand out. As Mohan Bhargav, an NASA scientist, he embarks an imprint of next India that leaves outside and participating in the progress of human development.He Endears himself to its people of a village , he also encounters some of its harsher aspects with a thought provoking performance. Chakde India was a real winner with emulating a disgraced hero wants to make his slate clean by achieving what many has discarded as irrelevant and impossible. Working with a team of eleven girls and yet not romancing with anyone them and instead making them think what is nationalism is really phenomenal.Chak De India! — a film, which will not only be considered as a milestone in Bollywood, but as a movie that reinstated the confidence in the youth of the country.

For me he was still a great actor but he jumped a giant step with his mass-appeal when he returned back to small screen with hosting KBC. He had a very big shoe to fill in,a role that he took over with great aplomb. And despite all controversies and the reported media war between the two titans, SRK stood tall and was successful in striking a chord with the masses.

Then he went on buying a cricket team and all the fan fare, marketing and commercialization. The glamour he bought into different arena of life. Yet he is still humble and above all still he maintains his great sense of humor. You throw him any question in the world he has the judicious answer. He uses Media and media uses him and both reciprocate each other. He is every where both in views and news. He is asking everyone to "Express Yourself" by AirTel, Catch the I10 Hyundai, Asking to Wish for the Dish TV, or be it Fair and lovely for men so he is, or sunfeast food brands or brands for upper class like Tag Heuer. He is currently ruling the entertainment chart. To his credit he has achieved all these starting from ground zero.

On this day of celebration in "Mannat" wish him all his mannat to be full-filled and keeps on entertaining the way he is doing it for last quarter century or so. Again a very happy birth day king Khan.

David Nelson Hop Shepherad Out !!

In between the swashbuckling innings of MSD, when I heard the sad news of demise of David Shepherad , the first thing was the great loss of a great gentleman from the gentleman's game which is gradually dominated by raw powerful young boys. When you see David Shepherad walk into a ground for officiating a game of cricket, you can see the authority he carried. He was unfurled by the bad boys of the game. Yes, of course his hop on nelson number 111,222 is what is more made him more popular but his contribution to the game is enormous for his honesty, judicious decision that has maintained the scantily of this wonderful game in this age of high technical infusion. Doing all these tough job he can still be smiling and keep charting with the player. I still remember some remarkable decisions and this tubby character was always in complete control of the field. Paying a tribute to the old man for serving this game that we love and keeping every decision in right proportion.

Who are Maoists In India

Few months ago,Mr Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, addressing a meeting of the standing committee of the chief ministers of the six Naxalite affected state,argued that factors such as exploitation, artificially depressed wages, iniquitous socio-political circumstances, inadequate employment opportunities, lack of access to resources, underdeveloped agriculture, geographical isolation and lack of land reforms contributed to the growth of Naxalite movement.

The annual report of the ministry of home affairs (MHA) 2005-06 says that “(n)axalism…is not merely a law and order problem but has deep socio-economic dimensions” (p 23). The ministry of defence in its annual report for 2005-06 claims that “left wing radicalism and extremism (is) motivated by prevailing socio-economic deprivation…” This gives the impression that the government is walking on two legs; fighting a “low intensity war”, as well as promoting good governance and development. Officials executing the policy on the ground in Bastar district, Chhattisgarh, however, describe this to be an “undeclared war” .

Politics is a struggle for power. To advocate seizure of power and to work to change the world is a legitimate project.Whether this should be through armed struggle, peaceful means or a fusion of all is an open question. But to advocate as an absolute must the disarming of people concedes to the government the right to a monopoly over violence, and a free run to exploiters and oppressors. Nevertheless,the question of means and ends are important. In the sense that whatever be the form of struggle, it has its dos and don’ts. Armed struggle does not mean a licence to loot and kill. Between the two extremes of valorising war and abhorrence of war lies a middle ground of social reality,which accepts that internal war cannot be prevented until governments opt for a peaceful resolution of conflicts. What policies or changes are being introduced that restore to people their right to live in dignity and freedom? Why should people wait patiently for a change in their lives while the prosperity of the already privileged rises exponentially? By all means fault the Maoists for their shortcomings and crimes. But respect them for fighting against exploitation and oppression, which refuses us the luxury of ignoring the plight of the sovereigns.

My State is now Odissa

There is a small correction in pronunciation of my state name. Now it is changed from Orissa to Odissa, while it gives me pleasure that it will be pronounced as it was coined and it will lead correction of so many things, I shall be called an Odiya from Oriya and our dance from will be called Odissi rather than Orissi. For reasons unknown, the British were lousy at pronouncing non-English names. So here we go again fixing another mispronunciation propagated by the Brits.

But why don’t we just let sleeping incorrect names lie? Because those folks didn’t let sleeping correct names lie when they were playing bossmen, did they? So how can we explain Kolkata being turned into Calcutta, Kanpur into Cawnpore and, most strangely of all, Varanasi into Benares — to the point of a famous Hindi film song sounding ridiculous even to our desi ears if sung as ‘Khai ke paan Varanasi-wala’? It turns out that the Brits — and their North American cousins across the pond — with their stiff upper palates pronounce things their way. So what is next inline, I think of again something from Odissa , kataka ( Cuttack).

I hope government of Odissa will spend very less in changing all the hoardings, all the official letter head, all the server space that has been reserved with old name in web world. I may say anything, if Odiya people will take pride that they are prounced absolutely right how they should be then I will be more happier than anyone else.

Looking for new Interest In My Religion

Its hard to believe how I was supporting a cricket team of far caribean Island to win over a province team from South Africa. Hard to imagine a full chinaswamy crowd rooting behind a boy from Auckland who was hitting two of current national team bowler all parts of ground. I still remember the silence of mid sea during 1996 WC quarter final when two southpaw from neighbouring rival were tearing apart two local lads. But its not much the same game which was used to be nothing less than a religion. I am missing the gentle man game played with a lot of Patience and artistic skill. Instead what I saw is raw power and athleticism. I am no one to down play the effort that new generations are putting and their new set of skills. But core of me carves for something that seems to be forlorn.

I assume there is a large group of cricket fans in their mid-to-late 20s, like me, who are grappling with the implications. This transition is messing with our minds. For many of us cricket began in November 1989.Sachin Tendulkar spoilt us. He commanded that we sit in front of the television sets. He ensured we got late with homework, he prevailed in our lunch-break discussions. He was not all that much older than us, and some of us naive schoolboys thought we would achieve similar feats when we were 16. We got to 16 and continued to struggle with homework.

Then came Kumble and the two undertook a teenager-pampering mission not seen in India before. Tendlya walked on water, Jumbo parted seas. Our mothers were happy that we had nice heroes - down-to-earth prodigy and studious, brilliant bespectacled engineer. They were honest, industrious sportsmen, embodying the middle class.

Economists would probably have predicted the bursting of the bubble. We had a deluge instead. One fine day at Lords' we got a glimpse of two new saviours: Delicate Timing and Immaculate Technique. Suddenly my group of friends was split into two camps. You were either with Ganguly or Dravid. In that period we even took Kumble and Tendulkar for granted. It was adolescent indulgence taken to the extreme.

When we played cricket on the streets, we had a number of choices. Left-handers were thrilled, defensive batsmen were happy, extravagant stroke-makers were delighted, the short boys didn't need to feel left out anymore, spectacles became cool, and freaky bowling actions were no more laughed at.

In such a state of bliss did we live our lives. We flunked important exams, shed tears over girls, crashed bikes, had drunken parties, choked on our first cigarettes, and felt utterly confused about our futures. But every time we felt low, we had an escape route. One glimpse of Sachin acknowldging the audience for yet another centur, Dada stepping out of the crease, or Jam leaving a sharp bouncer alone, or Kumble firing in a yorker, was an uplifting experience. So what if India lost? Could any of those Pakistani batsmen even dream of batting like Sachin or VVS? Never bothered about Elements of Periodic Table rather Sachin century list was so close to heart. There are two type of fans of in the group, one come forward and just admire greatness, others were detractor who deep down had such greed who wanted these mortals to achieve immortality.

close to 20 years, my generation needs to brace itself for this exodus. Some of my friends, crazy as this sounds, have been talking of needing to re valuate their own careers. Others are realising they need to recalibrate their childhood definitions of cricket. "Part of me just died," said a college friend who was the kind of extreme cricket buff who memorised scorecards. "No Dada, no Jumbo. I'm positive I'll stop watching after Sachin and Rahul retire."

These players were not only outstanding cricketers but also great statesmen. However hard they competed, they were always exceptional role models. Now we dread the next wave of brashness and impetuosity. Harbhajan Singh and Sreesanth are talented cricketers, but there's no way anyone would want a young kid to emulate either. The younger crop seems worse - a visit to some of their Orkut and Facebook pages tells you enough - and things may only get cruder in a cricket world when you can make a million dollars in a little over three hours.

"Our childhood is ending," said a friend from school, and in some way he was probably spot on. Tendulkar's retirement may mean a lot of things to a lot of people, but for a generation of 25- to 30-year-olds it will mark the end of the first part of their lives. Switching on the television the day after will be a serious challenge.

Happy Diwali

Wishing every one on this earth a very happy and safe Diwali. It is a day when we celebrate happiness, prosperity, success of life by enlightening the life. It also marks the success of goodness over evil. Lighting always shows the way to live, shows the path to go and it is the festival of lights which we always wait for. The dawn brings light removing darkness of the life. It is a celebration of lights in our life. Rekindling the taste buds' with enormous variety of sweetness brought by the sweets in the festival. The sweets, fireworks in the sky and Rangoli painted in the house marks the ecstasy of life to be celebrated.
On this day of light, sweet and color lets wish for a world, where there will not be any one who is far from light. Lets make a pledge to create a world with no plights of health,suffering of hunger and lack of educations. A world where every child is born with equal right to live a life without identified by anything other than being a human. A world everyone has equal rights for food,water and air. A world without boundaries, without identifying between me and him/her, it just we. A world without him or her. A world not only for human but also for all the creation of mother nature having equal rights to flourish.

Lets wish everyone a very happy and prosper Deepavali.

Congratulations Mr President

Last Friday, everyone learned the shocking news that President Barack Obama had won the Nobel Peace Prize.I was taken by surprise. Some commentators have gone so far as to suggest he won simply because he wasn't George W. Bush.

He wins the prize for more of hope and potential than for achievement.Mr Obama had been in office for just 11 days when nominations for this year's Nobel Peace Prize closed on February 1. He spent most of those first days settling into the White House.Although humbly questioning whether he was deserving, he described the prize as a "call to action". Apparently, someone got a little caught up in the “Change We Can Believe In” campaign and decided to nominate Obama before he even really had time to get comfortable in his new role as president

To my mind there are four enduring impasses, that, if Obama do it he will be truly worthy of the Nobel Peace Prize. One - to help revert potentially catastrophic climate change by leading the way in climate action policies that will work. Two - end once and for all the Israel-Palestine saga. There is little hope now for a two state solution - so interweaved are the territories. The only hope is for a single state, two peoples with equal rights. Three - mitigate and avert the always-looming threat of nuclear war or catastrophe by enforcing a drastic reduction in the world's nuclear arsenal. And four - deliver to the American public long standing calls for some type of sustainable and universal health care model.

He hopes to build multilateralism in the world, which is obviously a nice breath of fresh air compared to the previous administration’s more unilateral approach to global issues. Additionally, Obama hopes to reduce the stock of nuclear weapons in the world, telling a European crowd in April the United States has a “moral responsibility” to help along the process of nuclear disarmament. Obama has also reached out to the Muslim world, and he actually admits global warming is a pressing issue.

In fact, if he pulls off any one of those impasses, then he deserves the Peace Prize. Maybe a couple of peace medals and keys to all the cities on earth. But however they are only ideas.It is obvious Obama received the peace prize because of what the committee thinks he is capable of doing. However, I’m not sure capability is the strongest basis on which to decide the recipient of the award. This is probably why so many people are uncomfortable with Obama winning; since he has won without doing anything overly impressive, it calls into question the judgment of the selection committee and the legitimacy of the Nobel Peace Prize itself.

A very Happy Birthday Mr Amitabh Bacchan

Wishing Mr Amitabh Bachhan, the biggest superstar of Indian cinema a very happy birthday and a tribute to the living legend for his enormous achievment and mamoth persona. Wish him a greater success and health and wellness and glory.

Vijay, Anthony, Amit, Jai, Vicky… Each of his filmy characters became epitomes in life… larger than life yet humble.He tried each every nook and corner of cinema. Acting, dubbing, singing, ads, producing… Hero, anti-hero, baddie, supportive, cameo… He even tried to spread his persona into politics too. Sadly, it didn’t work out and he backed off at the proper juncture. Then he stepped in to the small screens…and his career took ahead like never before. With ‘Kaun Banega Crorepati’, Amitabh stormed into many more hearts and enjoyed an adorable status among the people. He went on to create a new stream for other stars to follow, a career beyond cinema, in television. He can be seen with same ease delivering intriguing argument with Lord or healing a mirror in an inact of drunken himself or protraying a forced husband still searching for the lost love of yester years. Versatility is not just small word to descibe his wide range of acting credentials. But for me what is most fascinating about him his protrayal of 'Angry Young Man ' of 1970s'.

'Angry Young Man' a term inspired by realist London theatre of the 1950s, in particular Osborne’s Look Back In Anger. This defiant character, who appeared across several films in the 1970s and 80s, was typically called Vijay ('Victorious'). Created by writers Salim (Khan) – Javed (Akhtar) as an epic hero rather than a novelistic type, In some ways his roles draw parallel to Karna in the great Indian epic, the Mahabharata. Like Karna, Vijay faces frequent childhood injustice: seeing his parents killed (Zanjeer), growing up without the father who abandoned his mother before marriage (Trishul), or losing the whole family after a dispute at work (Deewaar) or a disgraced Merchant Navy working as coal labour. He embodies the besieged male hero in a precarious world who fights a personal war against injustice – specifically the wrongs done to him and his family.

The power of these films is their ability to portray an outraged but sympathetic character. Despite his ongoing struggles, Amitabh as Vijay maintains his self-respect, gains respect from others and is a model of moral rectitude, especially in his interaction with women, elders and children but also in upholding his religious beliefs. He is fierce but controlled and noble, never losing his dignity but robbing others of theirs. Vijay is not a rebel. His fury is not random but focused on righting moral wrongs, which he pursues at the risk of his own life.

Amitabh as Vijay differs from other 1970s 'AYMs' such as Bruce Lee, Robert De Niro or Clint Eastwood. He is not an isolated vigilante subversively taking the law into his own hands but rather an upright man, motivated by family justice. The viewer empathises with Vijay’s anger and his humiliation. He is sad but admirable in his self-sacrifice and fortitude, even when he is doing wrong. We share his pain. We believe he is right, at least most of the time, and that his desire for vengeance is virtuous.

It is perhaps for this reason that Amitabh’s Angry Young Man had such far-reaching cultural impact.He epitomised a heroic masculinity whilst providing a link to India, its traditional values and a proud, unapologetic sense of self. He was also celebrated as the ideal son, deeply attached to his mother, who would look after family when the father failed. His brooding good looks (and lack of interest in women) added to his appeal.

Amitabh Bachchan, Hindi film’s biggest star, is a great communicator of the moral sentiments while Shahrukh Khan the other bigger star of the country often specializes on depicting tenderness.Indian film still wants the moral hero and, even today, there is only one that will do.

Once again wish Mr Bachhan a very happy birthday.