Sachin's best 5 , My pick

Indian Media's frenzy mood for Sachin's half century of Test Centuries still continues after a week also. Its a celebrated journey of a legend, who started as a child prodigy and now a genius who is considered to be best of the best. As a sachin fan, I have not only watched each and every Innings of Sachin, but viewed , reviewed, discussed, marveled and remembered each of one of them. Here is my list of five top centuries where Sachin just expressed himself as a batsman. For a moment forget what happened to final result of the game and other blah blah of experts. Just on pure stroke plays these are the five Innings that I rate at the highest level.

5. 177 vs Australia 3rd Test Bangalore 1998

1998 was a time when Sachin was in his prime. The series was highly marketize as Sachin vs Warne, due to sheer brilliance of the two. But there was one run-away winner. With the series already in pocket, it was dominance time of Indian batting. Impetus and substance came from Sidhu, who hit eight fours and three sixes, and then Tendulkar, who scored 177 out of 281 added while he was in, with 29 fours and three sixes with an strike rate of almost 90. Tendulkar was impossible to contain, especially on the second morning, when he scored 60 in 64 balls. He fell to his own excesses, when he tried to hoist a straight ball from Dale to mid-wicket and was bowled. This was an Innings to savour for the batsmanship of the genius. Mark Waugh played an equally claass inning and a inspired performance by Michael Kasprowicz and Mark Taylor ensured a face saving win by aussies. Sachin was at his batting best in 1998, unfortunately India played only three tests that year, 2 out of 5 in this list from that 3 tests. The one test innings left out he scored 79 in 76 balls but that can not be in the list.

4. 155 vs South Africa Bloemfontein 2000-01

On the first day on an overseas series, India's plight is a familiar one - four down for 68, with all the wickets going just the way the South Africans expected - to rising balls. Tendulkar has a debutant for company, with another to follow. He takes 17 balls to score his first run, but 101 come off the next 97 deliveries. It isn't the prettiest of Tendulkar's Test tons, but it is one of the most savage, characterised by pulls and vicious upper-cuts. The South Africans have a plan for India, and Tendulkar makes a mockery of it. By the time Tendulkar's innings ends, India are reasonably well placed, though they go on to lose the Test. At one point, just before lunch, he hit eight fours in 18 balls. Unfortunately India could not seize the initiative and lost the test.

3. 169 Vs South Africa, Newlands, Cape Town 1997

This was only second time India was visiting rainbow nation with a very weak bowling attack, batting with virtually no body opening the innings. In the 1st test both the innings folded in 100 and 66. 2nd Test, Batting first, South Africa make a matchwinning 529. Playing only for honour, India find themselves groveling before Donald, Pollock, McMillan and Klusener. Tendulkar and Mohammad Azharuddin get together at 58 for 5, and start spanking the bowling as if they were playing a club game in the park. They add 222 for the sixth wicket in less than two sessions, and Tendulkar has 26 boundaries in his score of 169. Even Donald says that he felt like clapping. This was the day when all shots were on display and it was an incredible catch by Adam Bacher can end this epic. Again India lost but this batting masterclass can not be forgotten any day.

2. 114 Vs Australia, Perth 1992

This innings has been widely written and talked about. It was for the first time wonder boy became poster boy of Indian cricket. The fastest pitch in Australia has been reserved for the last Test. India have been beaten already, only humiliation awaits. Batting first, Australia score 346. Tendulkar enters at a relatively comfortable 69 for 2, but watches the next six wickets go down for 90. Tendulkar is the next man out... at 240. He has scored 114 of the 171 runs added while he is at the crease, and has made them in such an awe-inspiring manner that commentators are asking themselves when they last saw an innings as good.

1. 155* Vs Australia, Chennai 1998

Sachin Tendulkar was facing Shane Warne with India and Australia both battling for supremacy.

Seventy-one runs in arrears, India start the second innings and despite Navjot Singh Sidhu's 64 find themselves only 44 in front when Tendulkar joins Rahul Dravid. The duo has to contend with Shane Warne bowling from round the wicket and into the rough. Tendulkar, who has practised against Laxman Sivaramakrishnan and a few other bowlers on artificially created rough patch before this series, decides to take apart Warne. In a breathtaking assault, with the match hanging in balance, he deploys his unique slog sweeps against the spin to steer India past Australia and snatch a matchwinning 347-run lead. It was the inning that established his supremacy

Happy Independence Day

Wishing everyone a very happy Independence day. My country, My India celebrates her Independence Day. Since morning I wanted to write something, first I thought of writing about significance of the day, then I read some articles in morning newspaper, it was again full of articles arguing what freedom should mean and what it is currently meant. I was having a coffee on a sunday morning outside at my balcony then I heard band playing national anthem. I stood still, I could see a group of boys playing it in their school field. I sang the song, I salute the tri-color, felt so happy.

I rewind myself to fifteen-years down the line, 15th August 1995, that was a new school I joined just a month back. Since I was a short guy that time, I was inducted into Scout Group,instead of NCC. A huge lead-up to Independence day celebration, about a fortnight before preparation started rolling. I was rejected in the audition from the School's Scout Band. They had the best dress among all the boys. We had a grey shirts and navy-blue half-pants, Cap in blue colour with BS&G Logo, Specially designed scarf, A black pouch with belt worn around waist and finally Black Hunter Shoes. We had practiced parade for two weeks. Since we had to do a right salute and I was chosen as right marker, there was special emphasis on my training. Right marker is the guy who is at right hand corner in the first line of a parade troop. When the troop does a right salute, everyone turns their heads to right and salute, only right marker has to keep his head steady and salute to keep the troop straight. When the I-day came, the morning started with all patriotic songs, that we sadly keep for only two days out of 365. After flag hoisting and slogans I should be charged up but I was feeling cold feet. I still remember it was a damp day with heavy rain fall overnight. Then we gathered at a Parade ground, an assimilation of three schools. Being from Boys High school , it was chance to have a glimpse of Girls from the Girl High School, and also from Convent School. The Parade was lead by NCC Band, then our schools Senior NCC, Girls high school's JRC ( Junior Red Cross) , then a troop from Convent followed by junior NCC , then Scout Band, then my own Scout Troop and finally a troop of Girl's Guide. As the Band started my heart started pumping first, I was determined not to make any mistake but to my dismay , when I heard Parade "Daeen Mood" ( Turn Right) , I was trained not to turn my head right, but guess what I did , All my troop was out of track, and girls behind us were anyway lost it . After around ten steps we were outside when someone shouted at us. Funniest part we ran for our lives to catch-up and somehow came to finish line. I was utterly disgusted for letting my troop and school down. I had a bad couple of weeks where I had to face some criticism and friendly banter from mates.

The Incident, still puts a smile in my face, seeing that band I went to nostalgia of school days. Independence day meant a lot in those innocent days, now so many of us just ruing that it is on a Sunday which means a one less national holiday this year.

Wish everyone a very happy Independence day!!!!!!!!!

Peepli [Live] - A satire yet brilliant

Its been a great year for Indian Movie, Udaan set an example of new age bollywood director, nuances in Anusha Rizvi’s “Peepli Live” is not every day hindi masala movie.What is portrayed harsh reality of farmer suicide without being melodramatic or condescending. The lot of the Indian farmer has not improved much since the days of Munshi Premchand's Godaan set in pre-Independence India [ Images ]. Actually, Natha (Omkar Das Manipuri) and Budhia (Raghubir Yadav) remind me of Hori Mahato. Hari Mahato hero of Godaan, In fact, there's a reference to him in the film; the malnourished farmer, also called Hori Mahato digging rough patches of earth to survive? Hori's plight hasn't changed even after more than six decades.

As someone who belongs to a relatively contemporary, metropolitan-bred generation, I could relate to the unfortunate divide between the urban mind-set and rural set-up. There is an urgent need to bridge the gap. We cannot be India in halves; one has to have a better understanding of where the other is coming from. Peepli [Live] provides insightful subtext to the same. But there's never any attempt to provide answers. But there is a strong slap on the bureaucracy. Marie Antoinette's famous blooper: 'If they don't have food, give them cakes!' And finally, there are the state officials who go through their entire gamut of garibi-hatao schemes, only to realise there is nothing tailor-made to prevent a farmer from committing suicide. It is the comic treatment of a cruel situation that has made it so engrossing. The entire rigmarole of breaking news, TRPs, villager bytes and grass-root opportunism is both believable and hilarious. We, as a nation, lack the ability to laugh at ourselves. Peepli [Live] not only does so but does it with a healthy irreverence. Hope it gets appreciated.

It gives the whole effort a healthy freshness. The fish bowl effect that you have while watching a village-based movie is totally absent here as I felt like a participant and not an observer of the unfolding drama. It's a compact script which has been executed with equal passion. There are no actors here only characters that all of us have seen or met at some point. I appreciate how Anusha has chosen unfamiliar faces with sound background in theatre.For all its engaging wit, every scene and close-up is a compelling study or an untold story. Bottom-line: Peepli [Live] is a well-researched, brilliantly-written and effectively documented creation that hasn't negotiated its wry vision for big screen.

Common Wealth Game Delhi 2010 - From Promise to a Hope

Four years ago, while watching the closing ceremony of Common Wealth Game 2006, Melbourne, I was full of emotion and chauvinistic feelings. Sitting in a cosy hotel in Antrewp, Belgium I was overwhelm by the Idea of my current living city is going to host this Mega event in four years time. Film stars from Bollywood presented an extravaganza of event featuring Aishwarya Rai. The Indian extravaganza continued with golden rays unfurling all around the stage to represent the sun in all its glory, as monuments of India and Delhi were projected onto the main stage.A high-energy Bhangra performance followed - a lively form of north Indian folk music and dance - featuring Saif Ali Khan, Rani Mukherjee and hundreds of brightly costumed dancers.As a grand finale, the theme song for Delhi 2010 was performed by some of India’s finest singers including Sonu Nigam, Shiamak Davar, Sunidhi Chauhan and Shreya Ghoshal, before the MCG erupted in a dramatic pyrotechnics display, featuring the three colours of the Indian flag - saffron, white and green.Nameste! See you in Delhi 2010! Swagatam!

It was a promise, opportunity, vision, aspiration of developing country to portray boisterous presence in the world but fast forward to four years, what we have now. A mess, uncertainty, fragility, irresponsibility and ugly face of Indian political system of power carving people.Possibly the most crucial for us as a nation was to have used the opportunity to showcase to the world the strides the country has made in many spheres of modern life, and seek to attract gains in diverse areas on the basis of the favourable impression created. China should serve as an object lesson in this regard. The breathtaking show it put up when it hosted the Beijing Olympics in 2008 guaranteed its status as a nation and society that can deliver quality, and on schedule. The Olympics more than confirmed China’s position and image as a manufacturing megapower, and the envy of other leading nations.

The Commonwealth Games are much smaller in scale than the Olympics, and yet the privilege to host it is not easy to come by. Experts take a close look at a country’s ability to execute the Games infrastructure. India came through the scrutiny but runs the risk of faltering at the execution stage. This is a poor advertisement for its political executive, especially with those entrusted with overseeing the Games preparations. A little over two months to go for the opening of the Games a day after Gandhi Jayanti, and the nation’s capital is choking with uncleared debris, unfinished stadiums and other facilities associated with the Games. News reports highlight the last-minute rush and confusion to meet deadlines, and of passing the buck. Long before now, the dry runs should have commenced to ensure the success of the event on which about Rs 35,000 crores are said to have been spent. The plain reason for this not happening is that Delhi is virtually run by builder cabals that are in league with corrupt politicians and bureaucrats. These thrive on delays. When schedules are slipping, no questions are asked and cart blanche is given to take shortcuts, to cover up the use of below-par materials and shoddy execution through quick fixes, even if these will be exposed in weeks if not days.

There are many in our sports establishments who claim: Yes, we can. As far as claims are concerned, we have been the most fantastic claimers on this planet! No one can say Indian’s do not have commitment but when that comes to behaving as a nation, we are at a disadvantage, as we remain mired in politics more than economics; in speech more than action; in the game of playing ‘games’, than sports.

As a sports lover and die-hard chauvinist I wish for a magic wand that will sweep all everything away and a successful CW games that will enrich Indian status in the world.

Very Very Special Laxman

VVS Laxman, what a gem of an Innings Mr Special played on a 5th day of turning track. Really with all the glittering of Indian Middle order this star is always sidelined but time and again when glitters of other failed to show the path in the most toughest conditions, VVS steps up and shows what magician he is. Today was such day, Sewhag who can terrorize the opposition was unable to open his account, Dravid who grinds and accumulates runs fell in a tricky way, Sachin looked calmer and wanted to play in Dravid's Shoes, walks in Laxman on a pitch which was offering awkward moments of bounce and turn.

If someone want to guess, whether Lax is in zone or not, need not go to Paul the Octopus, just need to watch few strokes and his feet movement. Lax brings so serenity to batting, at times you wonder is he a magicians or playing a classical music. Today while Sachin played grafter role, Laxman was more offensive. It was tricky situation, too much of defensive mindset may pressed the self-destruction button but losing one wicket means momentum shifts to loosing barrel. No doubt VVS is a gifted player, how on the earth he has so much of time to play spins on turning track. It is one of romanticism of test match cricket to wacth VVS wristy flicks and blossoming cover drives. Exactly same delivery he can play a wristy flick from outside off to midwicket and if his mood is different carress through extra-cover.

Due to some reason he is denied his recognition amidst star power of Sachin, Rahul and Sourav but if you ask the team-mates how vital his contributions are in winning overseas. Dravid wrote a nice little tribute to him on his cenetary test describing him 'Nothing Calms you like Laxman'. Australians normally mention Laxman in the same breath as Tendulkar but rarely would they have seen this side of him. Starting with his 95 in Kolkata, a forgotten gem from 1998 when he first drove Shane Warne inside out, he's been one to get instantly in the groove. Whether it's his epic 281, again in Kolkata, or his three classics in Sydney, or his cracker in Adelaide, or even his nuggets in Mumbai, Chennai and Brisbane and a majestic knock at Perth.

It is not only aussies anymore, Johannesburg he played a match-winning knock in 2006, Gambhir was architect in saving the test at eden park but Laxman pulvarises the last day with scintilatting century. Sometime it is tailor-made for him to step in, when writting is against the wall and he crawls back with his flamboyancy.

All is said and done, yet Very Very Special has always been subject of suspicion for his spot in middle order. To secure his spot he is asked to open initially but it is a spot he never really relished, so took a decision not to bend to open even if it costs him place in playing XI. He stuck to his decision and made his spot at lower middle order. For the number three position he had to fight with Dravid who has cemented that for decade and half. But every time when Dravid's form dropped and Laxman asked to put his pad on from the offset, he has delivered, and guess what delivered big,( Kolkata 2001, Sydney 2008). But he finally settle down for number 5, and he averages 85 this year, that is quite remarkable considering he is only playing one format. But still one innings from youngster triggers all debate about VVS's lack of agility in field. Mind you no Yuvis, Rainas, Kohlis has reached a level where they can play such innings on last day of a turning track. If Agility lacks, softness adds, India's one of the reliable sleep fielder who has a safe hands.

For now lets celebrate this special knock, in the hindsight I thank Mendis to put up a score to produce such a batting display by Lax. VVS you beauty.

Kishore Kumar: Quintessential Versatility

Paying tribute the most versatile singer of Indian cinema, Kishore Kumar on his birth day. While driving I listened to some of my favorite romantic songs of Kishore da, I could not guess any other Indian singer who can match this legend. I was so much into the songs, as soon as I reached home and googled some of best of kishore da to just yoodle.

Acting wise, he’s most noted for playing a motormouth or a loud caricature or the eminently lovable romantic in a slew of comedies, including Half Ticket, Padosan and Chalti Ka Naam Gaadi. He along with Mukesh and Rafi formed the triumvirate of playback singers who dominated Hindi music back in the days when a film’s songs decided its box office success.

Kishore Kumar is considered to be a “versatile genius” with so many outstanding facets of his artistic personality. If overall as an artist, Kishore is versatile, only in singing domain he is a “versatile singer” in a true nature. Right from romantic to sad to soulful to motivating to semi-classical to qawwali to patriotic and to ghazals, Kishore had shown his tremendous variety in his god-given voice each and every time he had stood behind the microphone.

If he could bring the house down with Cheel cheel chillake or sing for both the hero and the heroine with Le gayi mera dil teri zulmi nazariya, he could also hold his own against a schooled veteran in classical music like Manna Dey in Ek Chatur Naar. And if he could shame Tarzan with his yodelling, he could also see the world through the eyes of a drunken large-hearted man with Kucch toh log kahenge and woo his ladylove (or the hero’s) with a playful Bhanwre ki gunjan or a tenderly lustful Ek ladki bheegi bhaagi si. Such was his versatility that R D Burman went on record to denounce the other two singers in favour of Kishore Kumar, with whom he formed a partnership that remains unparalleled even today in terms of musical artistry.

Kishore Kumar was a genius. His repertoire varied. and his legacy phenomenal. He was perfectly at ease with all kinds of music from the fun & frolic my name is anthony gonsalves; to the melancholy manzilen apni jagah hai from the soft wooing numbers (ek ajnabi hasina se) to the boisterous declaration of intent (haal kya hai dilon ka na pucho sanam). He also was great at the rebel anthem – muqaddar ka sikandar – and the whimsical folksy philo number -which Mukesh did very well – like ruk jaana nahin …

Behind the joie de vivre lay a child’s heart that dreamed of a brighter day; behind the lover and romantic lay a restless soul; behind the comedian who elicited laughs from his audience was a loner and an eccentric.

But there is one debate that will always, always have the world divided into three factions – who ruled the roost during Bollywood’s Golden Era of music, Kishore, Rafi or Mukesh?

And for that, we’re blessed. May we never decide.

Thank you for the laughter when we wanted to cry, Abhas Kumar Ganguly – and thank you for the dreams.

The Difficulty of Being Good and Mahabharat

Just finished the book, The Difficulty of Being Good: On the Subtle Art of Dharma by Gurucharan Das.I am a big fan of the Author and My Sunday morning starts with his Article in Times of India. When I picked the book from the gallery I was fully aware of the context but could not stop reading till I finish.

It was my grandmother who introduced me to the Mahabharata in my childhood, then I read a book by R.K. Narayaran, and found the story is most enthralling ever I have come across, even Mario Puzo's The Godfather does not hold a chance with it. Now Gurcharan Das has taken on the difficult task of reading the Mahabharata and interpreting its many messages in light of contemporary circumstances.

Classics like the Mahabharata, The Iliad, The Odyssey, The Aeneid have a timeless appeal. But one should guard against reading too much into their relevance to understand our times. Gurcharan poses a simple question. How do we understand and interpret the word and the concept of ‘dharma’ in our lives? In seeking an answer he turns to the Mahabharata, and reads its versions in Sanskrit and English translations, and the many interpretations.

Gurcharan explores the idea of dharma in all its dimensions, while examining the frailties of human existence—envy, jealousy, greed, revenge, resentment, lust—and the many uplifting qualities of a righteous person, namely courage, valour, loyalty, selflessness, remorse, compassion, forgiveness and altruism.

Each of the major heroes have their failings. Dhritarashtra is blind to his eldest son’s faults. Duryodhana’s monumental envy is the driving force of calamity in the epic. Arjuna despairs over killing his kinsmen. The virtuous Yudhishthira has a weakness for gambling. The flaws of epic heroes show how difficult it is to be good in a world of moral haziness.

This tale of a family in crisis is a metaphor, in Gurcharan’s book, for the economic upheavals that have engulfed the world. Capitalism may be a mode of production but it also shapes the nature of social relations between human beings who buy and sell goods in the market.

There are similar parallels throughout the book. Investment bankers on Wall Street suffered from similar moral infirmities as the heroes in the Mahabharata; they exposed the flaws in the global capitalist system. Duryodhana’s envy and greed that makes him want to annex the Pandavas’ kingdom is in tune with what big fishes do to smaller ones.

In other words, the narrative fleshes out through a tale of sibling rivalry the brutal competition of ‘interests and passions’ that is the characterestic of a ‘free market’.

The best chapter in my view is the one that concerns Draupadi. Gurcharan has read the Bhandarkar Institute’s Critical Edition carefully and tells us that Krishna’s rescue of Draupadi is not in the original But that apart, Draupadi raises the question whether Yudhishthira had the right to stake her in a gamble when he had already staked and lost himself and his brothers. Whose property was she if Yudhishthira was not his own master? It is a question which hangs over the assembled men but few can give the answer. The epic itself resolves the rape scene by mentioning the miracle of many layers of garments. But the burning question of dharma and even of property rights remain.

Yet Gurcharan does not pursue the question of how much of the Mahabharata is a padding upon the original core Jaya and even the Bharata, which then became the Mahabharata. My own unscholarly hunch is that Jaya was a simple tale of the battle which raged over eighteen days in which Pandavas won. It was not clear that they deserved to win. But then as victors they invented the grievances which justified the dirty tricks employed with Krishna’s help. The gambling match and Yudhishthira’s behaviour defy belief unless he and his brothers were drugged as well. It is probably a later interpolation.

What is truly appealing about Gurcharan’s contemporaneous reading of the Mahabharata is his reinforcement of liberal values. The epic’s wisdom empowers the individual and shows us the way forward in dealing with daily challenges. It is not a ‘moral’ text, because the epic is characterised by moral ambiguity. It does not take a categorical position in the classic debate on ‘ends and means’, often interpreting ‘ends’ in a manner that would justify the ‘means’. Despite its moral ambiguity, it shows how one can act righteously in an amoral world.

At one stage, Gurcharan gives the example of the Ambani brothers to illustrate how such quarrels can get lethal. He pits Mukesh as Yudhishthira against Anil as Duryodhana. But surely we do not know yet. We need to wait till the end to see who wins. The winner will be Yudhishthira by definition and the loser will be Duryodhana. It is too early to say who will be which.

Are lessons from the Mahabharata enough to save capitalism? Gurcharan, certainly, thinks that a healthy dose of Dharma may restore trust in the system. Be that as it may, there is no doubt that this epic, like all classics, enriches one’s concept of Man. The Mahabharata is seven times as long as The Iliad and The Odyssey combined but it has not been translated in as many languages. It has had no Fagles.

Inception and Udaan Two Intriguing Movies this weekend

Over the weekend, I watched two movies, Inception and Udaan, to my surprise both turned out to be some of the best movies I have watched in recent times.

Christopher Nolan’s credibilities is well known with movies like Memento and Dark Knight but in Inception he crafted a movie that’s beyond brilliant and layered both narratively and thematically. For this magnum opus audience requires intense viewer concentration, raised thoughtful and complex ideas, and wrapped everything all in a breathlessly exciting action film. It’s a film built on possibilities and the boldness of pursuing those possibilities. Its a story of dream and dream inside dream in a recursive manner. If someone say just one line that, story is, through the use of a special device, construct the dreams of a target and use those dreams to implant an idea so that the target will make a decision beneficial to the individual who hired the team. Anyone but Nolan might would have forced theaters to distribute pamphlets to audience members in order to explain the complicated world he’s developed.

Its about dreams, some of the fact of the dream came alive, In dream time elapses slower then real, If you fall or die in dream you come out of dream , dream can be anything where law of physics can be defied and dreams are real when you are in but when you come out it feels strange. the film layers dreams on top of dreams to the point where a unique keepsake called a “totem” is required in order to inform a character as to whether or not he or she is still dreaming. Then you have people in particular roles like “The Architect”, “The Forger”, and “The Chemist” in order to pull off the job and delving too deeply into a mind can cause an eternal slumber called “Limbo”, using memories to construct dreams is dangerous because it can blur the line between dreams and reality. In addition, intruding in the dreams of another will cause the dreamer’s “projections” (human representations created by the dreamer) to attack the intruders like white blood cells going after an infection. And these explanations only represent a fraction of the terminology, rules, exceptions, or details that are necessary for creating the world of Inception. But it’s not a confusing movie if you provide it with your full attention.

The comparisons with The Matrix are inevitable. Both movies deal with the nature of reality combined with pulse-pounding set pieces that will be included in any action-scene highlight reel. But The Matrix is a freshman level course compared to the doctorate held by Inception, and it has nothing to do with how far special effects have come in ten years.

The other one Udaan is all about chasing dream. Much against our will, at several instances in life, one has to helplessly bow down to some entity – be it your teacher, boss, kin or anyone else. Udaan narrates a tale where a son is almost on an extended detention under his disciplinarian father’s domain. Through this allegory, Udaan inspires one to break away from all bindings of life and fly freely. Shoot In the beautiful city of Jamshedpur with least glamor quotient, this has many particlual instances that relates to owm occurance in life.. Udaan comes across as an intensely personal film; a coming-of-age story without the choreographed songs or road-trips; the anti-Wake Up Sid if you like. There is angst you can identify with. With Udaan, Vikramaditya Motwane makes a terrific directing debut, offering up a film whose images will linger in your head long after you've left your seat. The film reaches out because it's sincere. It tells Rohan's story in the only way it could have been told -- without the commercial trappings that might have made it an easier watch. And yet you're overwhelmingly happy that it isn't compromised cinema.

Tsamina mina zangalewa Anawa aa This time for Africa

The grand finale of FIFA 2010 world cup is just few hours away. Watching Mark Webber conquering Brits GP and waiting the clock ticks to Midnight to watch last hour of intriguing soccer with friends and drinks. Looking back at last one month, its a massive success for a nation like South Africa for producing such a beautiful tournament.Reading some reports prior to the start of the tournament, you could have been forgiven for thinking that Sepp Blatter and FIFA had gifted the World Cup to a country in collapse.

Jotting down some of the off field memories that will be there for next four years of this gala celebration of beautiful game;

Paul the astrologer, I have been watching sports with passion for last few years but I never freaked out more when one after another prediction of Paul, the Octopus turned out correct. I have my fair share of superstitions when it comes to supporting Indian Cricket Team, but this was outrageous for me at first to give space to Octopus who picks the team which will win the next match. Boasting the prolificacy of David Villa, the accuracy of a Gio van Bronckhorst 40-yarder and the sheer star quality of Diego Maradona, there is no doubt that Sea Life Oberhausen's Paul has captured the imagination over the past four weeks with his spookily accurate World Cup predictions.

Under-dogs outperforming the heavy-weights, Eouropean historical power house,France Imploded dramatically, Italy was ineffective, Englands rank ineptitude ensured was disappointing but we saw Ghana's romantic ride to the quarter-finals, Uruguay reaching the last four - through means foul or fair - and Slovakia sneaking out of the group stage. Even the South American royalty of Brazil and Argentina failed to reach the semi-finals, helping ensure that a new name will be etched onto the World Cup trophy on Sunday.Japan and South Korea both reached the second round for the first time on foreign soil and special mention should go to New Zealand who, if Netherlands are defeated on Sunday, will be the only team to end the tournament unbeaten.

Vuvuzelas

vuvuzelas are part of South Africa culture and a legitimate way to express delight at a sporting occasion, but they are, in a word, annoying. Drowning out chants and songs from supporters inside the crowd, the constant drone from the dreaded horns came to infuriate television spectators as well. They were especially irritating when played in unison to create a pulsing sound; like having a particularly nasty migrane while sitting in a beehive.

The Jabulani

The advent of every major tournament sees goalkeepers complain about the state of the official ball, no doubt looking to get their excuses in early when a shot squirms under their body, but this year was different. Goalkeepers, outfield players and coaches all lined up to lambast the Jabulani. Brazil midfielder Felipe Melo described it as "horrible", Iker Casillas said it behaved like a "beach ball" and, perhaps most damning of all, USA 'keeper Marcus Hahnemann simply said: "Scientists came up with the atom bomb, doesn't mean we should have invented it."

FIFA's Black Sunday

As staunch opponents to the introduction of technology, FIFA's bigwigs must have been shifting uncomfortably in their executive seats, prawn sandwiches left uneaten, when two glaring mistakes from match officials left a black spot on the competition on June 27. Firstly, and most notably, Frank Lampard's shot clearly crossed the line against Germany, only for Uruguayan referee Jorge Larrionda to wave play on, sparking confusion in pubs across England. Replays confirmed the horrible truth, and surely moved the game a step closer to welcoming technology, rather than fearing it. However the suspicion remains that Sepp Blatter will continue to be the John Connor to Hawk-Eye's Skynet.

In the evening kick-off, Carlos Tevez then scored a blatantly offside goal as Argentina defeated Mexico 3-1. Somehow, the replay was broadcast live to the Soccer City crowd so referee Roberto Rosetti immediately knew his assistant had made a horrendous call. Aware of the grievous mistake but bound by the rules to ignore the evidence in front of his eyes, the Italian had no option but to ignore Mexico's pleas to disallow the goal. Not a great day for the governing body.

The Heart-breaking Ghana's Exit ( A cheat became a hero at the same time)

Luis Suarez had a reputation-enhancing World Cup until he stuck out his hand and became the spawn of Satan for denying Ghana, the darling of the tournament, its rightful place in the semifinals. Even though Suarez did what just about any soccer player in his position would have, he made the mistake of not showing any remorse when Asamoah Gyan's penalty kick clanged off the crossbar and Uruguay went on to win the game. Instead, he acted as if he had just scored the winning goal of the World Cup final, allowing his teammates to parade him around the field on their shoulders. Although karma caught up to Los Charruas in their defeat by the Netherlands, Suarez's postgame bravado turned a simple act of gamesmanship into a morality play. He now gets a starting spot on the All-Hands Team lineup, joining Diego Maradona, Thierry Henry and Paul the oracle octopus.

Muttiah Muralitharan - Heroics against all Odds

Muttiah Muralitharan, one of the recent memories of IPL3, when Dhoni hit that humongous SIX to seal the Semi Final Spot, Murali sprinted in such spirit as if challenging Ushain Bolt and Asafa Powell. It speaks about the persona, who has taken more International wickets than any one other in the planet. Now he has decided to hang his boot, its time to celebrate a career which is nothing less than roller-coaster. But Smile was never away from the Tamil Tiger, who enjoys as special popularity in India especially in Chennai, where he is son-in-law of the city.

A great ambiguity surrounds Muttiah Muralitharan; some paint him as sinner, others sketch him as saint. He is proof of wondrous skill for some and evidence of rules being conveniently bent for others; he is champion yet he is cheat. Argument over Muttiah Muralitharan is unending, it is alive with bias (both ways), and it is absent of conclusion except this: the page on his life will be marked with an asterisk. It suggests something villainous, and perhaps it does not.

Athletes across all sports have owned careers shadowed by suspicion, great deeds blotted by acts of alleged dishonesty, fine skill tainted by moments of indiscretion. It is a stain no powder can easily wash off. Muralitharan's beauty has been corroded somewhat by controversy, but it takes too great a leap in imagination, too great an embrace of prejudice, to put him in such company. He may stoically bear the burden of defamation ("chucker", "thief", "javelin thrower"), but he is no Tyson, no Maradona; he is neither criminal nor apparent cheat. He has not sent vile text messages or snorted cocaine or assaulted a woman. He has not been punished for using unfair means for, the clamour over his doosra aside, twice he has been cleared by the University of Western Australia.

Murali may stoke debate, some of it cruel, but here he does not belong. This is a better man, a decent human being, a cleaner practitioner, a man whose tarnish is different. His asterisk is unique; it is his alone.

Some might prefer to see him as heroic victim, presuming that the future will give us clarity, that time and distance will allow us to recognise he that was wronged, as if in a way he was some Jim Thorpe-like figure. The Native-American decathlete was stripped of his 1912 Olympic gold and publicly vilified after it was revealed he had earned $25 a week playing minor league baseball in 1909-10, thus negating his amateur status. Eventually, after his death, public outcry led to a reinstatement of medal and reputation.

But Murali does not fit here either; he is not seen as having committed one minor indiscretion, or as an uneducated man unaware of the rules. He is not seen as manipulated but as manipulative, at least by his critics. Thorpe was possibly ignorant; Murali is viewed in parts of the world as audacious. Thorpe's legend has been universally embraced; with Murali geography determines the response: the East believes him, much of the West does not.

When he bowls, he knows cameras are focused on his arm, commentators on his action, and that words will be said, usually not pretty. Spectators in Australia simply bellowed "Nooo" with every delivery; an opponent has allegedly called him a "f------ cheat" to his face; every press conference is rich with allegation. It is an unrelenting pressure that demands an erratic response, either in behaviour or performance, but it has not come. This man has more character than we think; he has grace; he has been for some even heroic.

Through it all, Murali has stayed the course, remained committed to his craft; and his world record is testimony to a moral strength and self-belief that he is not adequately celebrated for.But still, for all this, history will not know what to do with Muttiah Muralitharan. He is certainly not a villain, he will never be fully embraced as victim, and he does not stand as a conventional hero. He is truly a man apart.

Democracy, Strategic alliance and Bandh

Two democratic events happened last week, which has completely different significance, different motive but shows the power of democracy. Opposition parties of India called an all India Bandh on this Monday bring the nation to stand-still and the other one is Former Australian Prime Minister was voted out to be the Vice-President of ICC by virtue of strong Asian bloc representation in ICC.

The Supreme Court of India had banned Bandhs back in 1998, but political parties still organize them. Still all Bandhs although being illegal are carried out which proves how weak is our judiciary system and politicians are not abiding highest court orders. Why Supreme Court failed to punished them? Despite all this the Bandh continues to plague our day to day lives. And today it is adversely going to affect normal life in many cities. Is this right way to protest by disrupting the common man's life? What will happen to poor daily wages workers and people who depend upon daily business or workforce? Will the Bandh decrease the price rise?

I agree for the poor and the middle-class patrons, rising petroleum products prices are proving to be the most unfair tax because it harms them the most. Already, the common man is feeling the pinch, be it in the high price of food commodities, transport, or other basic necessities.

In India, Bandhs or Strikes are a general weapon used by the political parties to express their protests against policies mostly levied by the Government. Even though these bandhs are supposed to be voluntary, but with the kind of shocking impact the political parties impose, people are forced to take part in these strikes. The Bandhs not only lead to paralyzing of normal life, but also force people to stay at home. Schools, Shops and offices are forced to close and the transports are put off the roads and life comes to a halt.

There have been a series of Bandhs, called in protest of the price hike etc, but did the prices ever went down? Why do we need the Bandh? How does a Bandh help to protests against the policies or killings? Does anything change after the Bandh? Has any Bandh had a major positive effect on life and society? Common man becomes the victim of the so-called bandhs without any fault on their part. Is this what the parties calling the Bandhs want? They are fighting for common man or causing more trouble to them?

People who are in need of emergency medical attention get affected the most. If they die who would be held responsible for the mishap? Only some cases get media attention while so many cases go unnoticed.

Offices and schools are forced to close resulting in loss of work and studies. With paralyzing work for the day it seems for them bandhs are more important than work. I am sure political parties will not compensate the financial loss that the people of India will incur in one day. They do not think about economic loss, which happens on a huge level because again the common man- the taxpayer will pay the amount and suffice for the loss.

Protesters motivated by these political parties destroy public properties; uproot railway lines, burn buses and destroying shops. One question that arises is that why are they destroying public property and what will they get from this? How easy it is to ignite other people's properties? But who will be the one to get affected when rails and buses stop to ply?

I am not saying that the common man should not protest. But all such means of protest will not at all affect the government. The protest should to be more selective and bear some positive results. Moreover, for whom are we observing all India close, for those lazy people who would enjoy a day off than to resolve issues of social interest.

If the politicians are so worried, why don't they go on a hunger strike, that will also force the government to reconsider the decision but it will not be at the loss to people of India. Political parties no matter whatever ideologies they follow, their main duty is to work for the welfare of this nation & its people.

In my view, instead of Bandhs, they can protests by wearing black arm bands, by sending continuous petitions to the President, by staging dharna, hunger strike outside the Government offices and compel them to rethink about the policies. Further, the judiciary system should ensure that people who do not want to be part of the so-called political Bandh should have all the liberty to continue their work or move on the streets without any fear. Law and order should be implemented in stringent way.

The other big shocker of democracy was rejection of John Howard from ICC vice-presidency. Whether he has experience of managing cricket is not in question because he has zero knowledge on that, but he has experience of managing a country. His love for the game is as equal as current ICC president Mr Sharad Power if not less. The saddest thing about the rejection of John Howard's nomination to the vice-presidency of the ICC is that, prima facie, the cricket world has split, once again, on the lines of race. For years that was cricket's ugly truth: the white nations v the rest; the us v them syndrome underpinned every major conflict in the cricket.

There are different ways of looking at it. One is this. Seven members of the ICC board didn't want Howard as vice-president. Clearly, he shouldn't then have been vice-president and president-elect. Democracy doesn't always produce the best outcome, but who'd rather have the other system?

Howard was not the best candidate in the eyes of the cricket world. Even between Australia and New Zealand, he was not the unanimous choice. New Zealand wanted John Anderson, the former chairman of the New Zealand board and a proven cricket administrator; and most other members would have preferred him. But Howard was nominated through a rigorous arbitration process, and New Zealand accepted the verdict with good grace.

Similarly, another process has been completed now. Howard's candidature needed to be ratified by a two-thirds majority - it might never have been applied before, but the provision exists. All over the cricket world, non-executive positions - presidents, chairmen - come through an electoral process, which rarely throws up the best possible candidate. Pawar became BCCI president that way, as did Giles Clarke.

There were clear signs for months that Howard's candidature was unlikely to go through, but CA chose to ignore them. Cricket South Africa chairman Mtutuzeli Nyoka wrote to David Morgan, the then ICC president, pointing out that an "overwhelming number of directors were opposed to Howard". It was strong letter which accused Morgan of acting unconstitutionally, a charge Morgan denied equally vehemently. And the Sri Lankan board openly said that they would vote against Howard. Cricket Australia was within their rights to stick by their man. Howard himself made a trip to Zimbabwe, another known opponent, to lobby support. Evidently that mission failed.

There is one crucial difference, though. In a political process, even if it is mere posturing, everyone knows who stands for what. In Howard's case, no one, apart from the Sri Lankan board, has articulated the opposition to him. And the Sri Lankan opposition - that Howard came from outside the realm of cricket administration - was so flimsy that it can't be considered a powerful enough argument to disregard a candidate chosen by two members following due process.

Rajneeti -The Movie

Firday night, after a hectic week at office, watched Movie "Rajneeti". Prakash Jha is a director who has given us hard hitting films like "Apaharan" , "Gangajal" with a backdrop of crime and politics and they have earned rave reviews from the viewers and critics alike. Although movie revolves around politics, crime, violence, the resemblance of the plot with the great Indian epic, The Mahabharat. Although many has different views about the movie, The screenplay is crisp and it kept glued to the seat. The film buffs may also be able to find some similarities with the cult film Godfather.

The epic Mahabharat is always far intriguing story than any of the story goes. Wish someday some one will take onus to pro tray this epic in 70mm within 3 hours. If we can watch Sagas like Lord of Rings so many times, why not Mahabharat. It will be fascinating to watch the greatest story, politics and battle field stories depicted in script. But I stick my neck out while I am wishing some one credible film maker take this task, justice has to be done this great epic. Once I heard Amir Khan talking over a show that he need at least 10 Years to make a Film on Mahabharat.

Coming back to movie, even though it shows dark side of politics, violence factor was very high. I feel we have to redefine censorship definition, It is not any raunchy scene that should decide whether its for Adult only or not. Films like this which pro trays glorification's of conspiracy, betrayal, cold blooded murders and violence should also be fall in guidelines which takes guard of the effect this may on child mind.

God Must Be Crazy About Sachin

Sachin Ramesh Tendulkar, Even God must be crazy about him. I remember Harsha Bhogle giving him a very famous complement, " Commit all your crimes when Sachin is batting. They will go unnoticed because even the Lord Is watching". I myself, not a great believer in comparing Sachin as God of cricket but he is undoubtedly greatest Hero of Cricket or more accurately for a generation he is the only meaning of cricket.

I want to share my ecstatic feelings of today along with some of crazy people whom I know ,who almost venerate Sachin as the undisputed hero of this country. For the very first time when I come to terms with this game, there was a 16 year old curly hair boy was giving an Interview to Tom Alter just before the West Indies tour which he missed. Since that day I developed love for this beautiful game, which may be envied by girlfriend of mine but its first love of my life. As a kid living this game in Mantra of "eat cricket, sleep cricket", used to dream of success of Indian team with infallible Sachin. I used to plot Innings, where there is one batsman can score more than any one, and needless to mention, it was only Sachin. I wanted every record of this world in Sachin's name. 1994, Brian Lara broke Sobers's Record, I wanted it to be in name of Sachin. Those time the maiden ODI century was still eluded but I wanted the Desmonds Hayne's Record of 17 ODI century only by one guy. When Saeed Anwar tormented Indian attack in chennai on a1997 summer afternoon, the agony in the heart was just dreaming for an Innings overtaking his highest score in the same match itself. Yes I am greedy but I know lot of people who deep in their heart agree with me.

1st ODI century came on a Ganesh Puja and as we say it was just a shri Ganesh, it followed with flurry of centuries. Records which were pre-written name of Sachin's were broken in due course of time. There were detractor talks about 'winning cause', 'when it matters',blah.. blah.. but one thing no one take away the bludgeon gigantic figures of the statistics. Yeah I remember Sidhuism, "statistics are like Mini-skirt, they hide as much as they show". But no one on the universe take away an ounce of it.

But a double century in an ODI and overhauling highest ODI individual score is a dream of last 13 years. This may be greed from a fan point of view but if anybody else on this earth deserve more than Sachin. This is one of the dream Inning that I plot. At 36, Tendulkar hasn't shown signs of ageing, and his sparkling touch in both forms of the game has ruled out all possibilities of him checking out anytime soon. Fatigue, cramps and paucity of time have stood in the way of batsmen going that extra mile to get to the 200-mark.But above all what stood is grit and determination to excel and outperform sachin himself. As he himself appropriately point out that this century is for the people of India. This is for the craziness of people who wants Sachin to conquer every possible batting record.

There comes a time in the life of some sportsmen, only some, and it rarely comes more than once,when they believe they can do anything , even fly, when the idea of being vanquished is a distant, lonely world that strange being inhabits,when the mind ceases to comprehend fear and when confidence breaches its barriers and flies forth into audacity without even recognizing it. They call it being 'in the zone' and no drug has taken man there, for this is the lovely , unscripted real world. Today was that 'in the zone' where it was flawless, Midas touch of artist, Epiphanies music of ball meeting center of bat. It brought all the country men to stand on their feet and bow down for a genius that has given his country so much yet we still ask for more. The majestic run machine adapted every new age challenge and transformed its effectiveness to a higher level.

Over the years I have watched Sachin play cricket. I have marvelled at his skill, admired his work ethics , been taken aback by the unwavering dignity that has accompanied him everywhere, often in the face of provocation. But now more than ever I find myself experiencing a craving for Sachin'. I want to watch him more play cricket to take my mind off this tenacious shroud that covers and darkens the rest of the society.

Thank you little master for everything, we expect more and who knows a Triple century in longer version of game or may be overhauling Lara's quadruple.