When the light's not visible,
the road dark and long...
new complexities emerge,
and all seems wrong.
Fret not. be strong.
you're running blindfolded
oblivious to the world;
the one legged's running smarter
some stand so proud, so bold!
You smother some wishes,
as the world inebriates;
your mind's heavy
there is little to celebrate.
you wonder, why me?
how long ?
Fret not. be strong.
Fret not. be strong.
Hold back those drops
& appreciate the dark,
for what it defines;
revel in the complexities,
for the character it refines.
The tunnel, one day, would surely end
there would be more chances,
many more amends.
one day..
Till then, dont you grieve.
Believe. Just you believe.
Fret not. be strong.
Saturday, December 11, 2010
Saturday, November 6, 2010
Obama's doin' a Columbus on India
The world has truly come full circle. If Columbus came looking for gold centuries ago, then Obama's coming lookin' for jobs and trade deals for the US markets - to the big land of opportunities (remember the "sone ki chidiya" bit..?).
What could be a bigger testimony and more gratifying than the fact that India is fast regaining the stature that it once enjoyed.
Given that this is despite and inspite of our politicians, it is all the more heartening. How i wish that this stature would inspire and get atleast a few politicos to rise above the crassness, moral bankruptcy and general ineptitude that we see around.
What could be a bigger testimony and more gratifying than the fact that India is fast regaining the stature that it once enjoyed.
Given that this is despite and inspite of our politicians, it is all the more heartening. How i wish that this stature would inspire and get atleast a few politicos to rise above the crassness, moral bankruptcy and general ineptitude that we see around.
Wednesday, September 29, 2010
...damn.. Lets play now.
If it was the silly controversy and frenzy created by MNS over the release of MNIK that made me sick the last time, the last two month brouhaha over the commonwealth games is just as nauseating.
We have been literally carpet bombed with every seamy little detail; every dollar that the organisers have made; every bed, bridge & ceiling that's collapsed; every paan stain that's landed on any edifice and every animal that has strayed anywhere close to the games arenas.
The media simply adores the magnetism of a negative story for its ability to attract and hold onto eyeballs. And in the CWG they found this huge treasure trove of rather large magnets.
Unfortunately, the infatuation with publically punching, puncturing and puking on personalities to spike up TRPs has taken away the objectivity that something of this magnitude and importance requires. No one is talking about the games, the records, the positive efforts off and on the field or the infrastructure that will actually stay with us long after the games are over. I'd have loved to read trivia on the sports icons , the opening /closing ceremonies, little known details of the new stadia & the facilities, how they compare with the other parts of the world, the preparations of our icons etc. No one is talking about what india could do to utilise the massive energy and funds spent on these games in a more constructive and edifying manner... and not enough column space and TV footage is being given to all the positive things that the athletes themselves are raving about.
Over the last 1 month in particular, humongous attempts have been made by some leading news channels and dailies like the Times of india and Times Now to deliberately air, twisted and distorted facts and unfairly influence public sentiment and opinion.
This is not to deny the existence of corruption or that the games village did not have its fair share of issues or that delhi roads were not choked. But is any of that new or unheard of in India ? Yet the approach to create, push and hype up negative stories day after day, all in the name of "Breaking News" has gone far too far. Some of the stories like the one on India bribing 82 countries to win the chance to host CWG in 2003 or the one realting to "why are we being slighted by Prince Charles as he inaugurates the CWG ?" have had little relevance except to create a negative vibe.
The fine distinction between news and views is being deliberately blurred.
One is not condoning the apparent corruption, the delays or the unabashed & over enthusiastic attempts to whitewash glaring inefficiencies by Kalmadi and his clique.
But by continuously criticizing every aspect of these games the media is robbing the public of a wonderful opportunity to build up enthusiasm, whip up frenzy and get them to participate and showcase positives of such a large scale event. Given the overall high interest in India, this would have served as the perfect icing on an already attractive cake. This should also have been the time to for us as citizens to get togteher and hold our heads high, rejoice and feel the same national pride that can be both unifying and inspiring.
Instead, by dubbing it as a national shame boldly and repeatedly, and working hard to continuously uncover every little unpainted crevice, the media is doing an even bigger disservice to Brand India than Kalmadi inc. Why do we forget that at the end of it all - Delhi's world class airport, spanking metro network, fabulous flyovers and expressways, new "usable" public conveniences and the top class games stadia and facilities will all stay as deserving icons of a world class city. This is the time to unite as one and push and present the "incredible india" story to the world.
It isn't too late even now. Just as the organisers can, even the media can still redeem itself by painting a picture, the world would admire and remember.
Enough is enough. Let the games begin and for once, lets talk about the positives. Lets play a fair game. There is substantial time available for each one of us to turn public critics after the games are overa nd done with.
We have been literally carpet bombed with every seamy little detail; every dollar that the organisers have made; every bed, bridge & ceiling that's collapsed; every paan stain that's landed on any edifice and every animal that has strayed anywhere close to the games arenas.
The media simply adores the magnetism of a negative story for its ability to attract and hold onto eyeballs. And in the CWG they found this huge treasure trove of rather large magnets.
Unfortunately, the infatuation with publically punching, puncturing and puking on personalities to spike up TRPs has taken away the objectivity that something of this magnitude and importance requires. No one is talking about the games, the records, the positive efforts off and on the field or the infrastructure that will actually stay with us long after the games are over. I'd have loved to read trivia on the sports icons , the opening /closing ceremonies, little known details of the new stadia & the facilities, how they compare with the other parts of the world, the preparations of our icons etc. No one is talking about what india could do to utilise the massive energy and funds spent on these games in a more constructive and edifying manner... and not enough column space and TV footage is being given to all the positive things that the athletes themselves are raving about.
Over the last 1 month in particular, humongous attempts have been made by some leading news channels and dailies like the Times of india and Times Now to deliberately air, twisted and distorted facts and unfairly influence public sentiment and opinion.
This is not to deny the existence of corruption or that the games village did not have its fair share of issues or that delhi roads were not choked. But is any of that new or unheard of in India ? Yet the approach to create, push and hype up negative stories day after day, all in the name of "Breaking News" has gone far too far. Some of the stories like the one on India bribing 82 countries to win the chance to host CWG in 2003 or the one realting to "why are we being slighted by Prince Charles as he inaugurates the CWG ?" have had little relevance except to create a negative vibe.
The fine distinction between news and views is being deliberately blurred.
One is not condoning the apparent corruption, the delays or the unabashed & over enthusiastic attempts to whitewash glaring inefficiencies by Kalmadi and his clique.
But by continuously criticizing every aspect of these games the media is robbing the public of a wonderful opportunity to build up enthusiasm, whip up frenzy and get them to participate and showcase positives of such a large scale event. Given the overall high interest in India, this would have served as the perfect icing on an already attractive cake. This should also have been the time to for us as citizens to get togteher and hold our heads high, rejoice and feel the same national pride that can be both unifying and inspiring.
Instead, by dubbing it as a national shame boldly and repeatedly, and working hard to continuously uncover every little unpainted crevice, the media is doing an even bigger disservice to Brand India than Kalmadi inc. Why do we forget that at the end of it all - Delhi's world class airport, spanking metro network, fabulous flyovers and expressways, new "usable" public conveniences and the top class games stadia and facilities will all stay as deserving icons of a world class city. This is the time to unite as one and push and present the "incredible india" story to the world.
It isn't too late even now. Just as the organisers can, even the media can still redeem itself by painting a picture, the world would admire and remember.
Enough is enough. Let the games begin and for once, lets talk about the positives. Lets play a fair game. There is substantial time available for each one of us to turn public critics after the games are overa nd done with.
Sunday, September 12, 2010
The end of my road romance
I've loved driving and being on road journeys - long or short, ever since i was 15. During the past 28 yrs, have burnt as much rubber on city roads as i have romanced mountain paths, verdant jungles or awesome beach stretches. Barring one major accident, about 12 years ago, this love has remained untouched and unblemished.
But the experience of the past fortnite has made me look askance at the unquestioned so far. For the first time in my life - i missed a flight due to a snarl that was oblivious to my urgency and made a 10km distance to the airport seem endless. This has happened to countless guys before and honestly, there's nothing cataclysmic about it. Except that merely 2 days later - i was stuck again. This time not on city roads but on the Mumbai - Goa highway. The fact that departing mumbai at 5.30am made little difference, with us eventually covering a princely 120 odd km in 9 hrs - made this journey the most excruciating in my entire driving life. We ended up abandoning our short getaway plan only to return back to mumbai at the same snail's pace by 9 in the night ! There seemed no obstruction, no accident, nothing untoward at all. It was just a pure and simple traffic build up that was far too humongous and huge for the narrow hiway stretch to accomodate or for the hi-way police to manage.
One has been hearing of similar horrors on Delhi and bangalore roads as well. The banality of the massive fund inflows and spends on road infrastructure seems apparent. The improvement in showcase areas and a few fantastic express-ways is in no way enough. The overall multi fold increased traffic volume needs far more prompt, aggressive and definitive action if our regression into the past century has to stop and incidents like the ones above are to be prevented.
As for me and my road romance, sometimes, hibernation is also a state of being and daydreaming about personal choppers can give one the same adrenalin rush!
But the experience of the past fortnite has made me look askance at the unquestioned so far. For the first time in my life - i missed a flight due to a snarl that was oblivious to my urgency and made a 10km distance to the airport seem endless. This has happened to countless guys before and honestly, there's nothing cataclysmic about it. Except that merely 2 days later - i was stuck again. This time not on city roads but on the Mumbai - Goa highway. The fact that departing mumbai at 5.30am made little difference, with us eventually covering a princely 120 odd km in 9 hrs - made this journey the most excruciating in my entire driving life. We ended up abandoning our short getaway plan only to return back to mumbai at the same snail's pace by 9 in the night ! There seemed no obstruction, no accident, nothing untoward at all. It was just a pure and simple traffic build up that was far too humongous and huge for the narrow hiway stretch to accomodate or for the hi-way police to manage.
One has been hearing of similar horrors on Delhi and bangalore roads as well. The banality of the massive fund inflows and spends on road infrastructure seems apparent. The improvement in showcase areas and a few fantastic express-ways is in no way enough. The overall multi fold increased traffic volume needs far more prompt, aggressive and definitive action if our regression into the past century has to stop and incidents like the ones above are to be prevented.
As for me and my road romance, sometimes, hibernation is also a state of being and daydreaming about personal choppers can give one the same adrenalin rush!
Friday, July 23, 2010
Friday, July 9, 2010
Stupor Stars & Paul
The ongoing and soon to be concluded FIFA world cup has had its share of hype & hoopla. What started off with the exciting eye-popping gyrations & fab rythm of Shakira's Waka-Waka, amidst the annoying drone of the vuvuzelas, soon veered towards the ominous forms of Kaka, Messi, Rooney, Ronaldo and Drogba - the super men, the super stars and the guys with all the fab WAGs (wives n girl friends). Such was the buzz around their ability and skill to dribble, shoot, head and outgun the opponents that one thought that goals were just waiting to be scored off their hallowed feet. All they had to do was to just show up on the field. Full marks to all the wizkids who dreamt of this.
But then reality has a sure way of re-defining the present. And it did. Not that these guys played badly. Just that they couldnt live upto the promised hype, appearing ordinary and fallible like countless others. When most of them played, especially Rooney, Ronaldo and even Kaka in his earlier matches - they looked dazed, uncertain and a lazy sleeping shadow of their media created personas. They were the "Stupor Stars", as i call them.
(Incidentally the promoters and actors of Raavan, Kites, etc all created similar hype and buzz only to face identical fates as well.)
Instead, what has captured hearts and heads alike with his super performance "on his turf" is Paul, the Octopus. This mollusc, a German inhabitant, has amazed the world with his accurate predictions of alteast 6 matches and blurred the distinction between accidental coincidence and blind faith completely. Hope he survives the onslaught of Germans and Argentines who are now gunning quite literally for his flesh.
I believe he is a worthy progeny and successor to the Indian parrot who had been discarded and consigned to the sidelines of history as someone who had outlived its utility with no further role in the lives of an increasingly educated and logical population.
But wait, just like Paul and like the phoenix, he too shall rise to be the cynosure of all TV channels and a dumbed down mass of people when he is employed to predict the outcomes of sundry World Cup Cricket matches next year. Just you wait.
But then reality has a sure way of re-defining the present. And it did. Not that these guys played badly. Just that they couldnt live upto the promised hype, appearing ordinary and fallible like countless others. When most of them played, especially Rooney, Ronaldo and even Kaka in his earlier matches - they looked dazed, uncertain and a lazy sleeping shadow of their media created personas. They were the "Stupor Stars", as i call them.
(Incidentally the promoters and actors of Raavan, Kites, etc all created similar hype and buzz only to face identical fates as well.)
Instead, what has captured hearts and heads alike with his super performance "on his turf" is Paul, the Octopus. This mollusc, a German inhabitant, has amazed the world with his accurate predictions of alteast 6 matches and blurred the distinction between accidental coincidence and blind faith completely. Hope he survives the onslaught of Germans and Argentines who are now gunning quite literally for his flesh.
I believe he is a worthy progeny and successor to the Indian parrot who had been discarded and consigned to the sidelines of history as someone who had outlived its utility with no further role in the lives of an increasingly educated and logical population.
But wait, just like Paul and like the phoenix, he too shall rise to be the cynosure of all TV channels and a dumbed down mass of people when he is employed to predict the outcomes of sundry World Cup Cricket matches next year. Just you wait.
Saturday, June 19, 2010
Wife's Soul Maid
The locational clues to a man's heart have long been known. Ever wondered where does the key to a woman's heart lie?
Simple - it lies with her maid. Someone who can be there for her and exhibit exemplary ability with mundane household chores; display the affection and perseverance of a Nirupa Roy as she finishes off a whole lot of additional work over and above her regularly alloted duties, be supremely honest despite her meagre income levels and bureoning needs, be more consistent than Rahul Dravid & Sachin Tendulkar in being at work in time and above all accept "Thy Lady's" commands - silently, unquestionably and preferably smilingly.
The maid is "The" key to the mood and ambience in the house. She is the centre of life; the key to irritation or decibel levels in the demeanour of your spouse. And as powerful (as Osama) in her absence as in her presence. Everything she doesnt do or doesnt do well enough is likely to have an equal and opposite cataclysmic reaction in your life for sure.
So, thank your stars as long as you have one that is reliable, regular and smiling ever so often. Or "run for cover" - maybe even an outstation trip, when you dont.
Simple - it lies with her maid. Someone who can be there for her and exhibit exemplary ability with mundane household chores; display the affection and perseverance of a Nirupa Roy as she finishes off a whole lot of additional work over and above her regularly alloted duties, be supremely honest despite her meagre income levels and bureoning needs, be more consistent than Rahul Dravid & Sachin Tendulkar in being at work in time and above all accept "Thy Lady's" commands - silently, unquestionably and preferably smilingly.
The maid is "The" key to the mood and ambience in the house. She is the centre of life; the key to irritation or decibel levels in the demeanour of your spouse. And as powerful (as Osama) in her absence as in her presence. Everything she doesnt do or doesnt do well enough is likely to have an equal and opposite cataclysmic reaction in your life for sure.
So, thank your stars as long as you have one that is reliable, regular and smiling ever so often. Or "run for cover" - maybe even an outstation trip, when you dont.
Tuesday, June 15, 2010
VJs and RJs move on. Its time for TJs.
Heard that MTV will soon have TJs i.e Twitter Jockeys on its shows rather than VJ's.
We were, i guess, part of the generation whose youth (25-40)coincided with the onset of liberalisation in india. We were called the X-generation. But before you knew, as we took cover under Loreals & Revlons, the Gen Ys took over from us lock, stock and barrel. They were smarter, zanier and meaner.
This wasnt the only dramatic change. There was more to follow. Email accounts - something that we didnt grow up with - but adapted to with great zeal and speed suddenly became obsolete as they gave way to social networking, almost overnight changing the entire demeanour of our connect with the world.
One of the first symbols of our youthful attitude then was an affinity towards irreverent music channels - primarily MTV & Channel V. We connected with their VJs, their music and importantly their attitude. But i guess, in the im-permanence of life lies its biggest secret. So now i learn that VJs, RJs et al are old fashioned. Its time for Twitter Jockeys. They'd ofcourse connect with tweeters and other surreal bugs in the digital world, keep track of celebs lives and ofocurse keep the junta updated on TV!
Then ofcourse there is that entire fraternity of networking specialists, podcasters and virtual reality enthusiasts. Beings -that one finds difficult to relate to.
At times i wish i was living in the early 90's. what a peaceful life it would have been. No mobiles to track you, No electronic mails, no social networking - just old fashioned friends and physical contacts with the world that you chose to be in touch with and a simplistic life you could understand. What bliss !
We were, i guess, part of the generation whose youth (25-40)coincided with the onset of liberalisation in india. We were called the X-generation. But before you knew, as we took cover under Loreals & Revlons, the Gen Ys took over from us lock, stock and barrel. They were smarter, zanier and meaner.
This wasnt the only dramatic change. There was more to follow. Email accounts - something that we didnt grow up with - but adapted to with great zeal and speed suddenly became obsolete as they gave way to social networking, almost overnight changing the entire demeanour of our connect with the world.
One of the first symbols of our youthful attitude then was an affinity towards irreverent music channels - primarily MTV & Channel V. We connected with their VJs, their music and importantly their attitude. But i guess, in the im-permanence of life lies its biggest secret. So now i learn that VJs, RJs et al are old fashioned. Its time for Twitter Jockeys. They'd ofcourse connect with tweeters and other surreal bugs in the digital world, keep track of celebs lives and ofocurse keep the junta updated on TV!
Then ofcourse there is that entire fraternity of networking specialists, podcasters and virtual reality enthusiasts. Beings -that one finds difficult to relate to.
At times i wish i was living in the early 90's. what a peaceful life it would have been. No mobiles to track you, No electronic mails, no social networking - just old fashioned friends and physical contacts with the world that you chose to be in touch with and a simplistic life you could understand. What bliss !
Sunday, June 6, 2010
Pawar, finally, leg before
One is actually greatful to the IPL for providing entertainment & insights like no sport has done before. Who could have visualised Tharoor's extra curricular interests or Modi's huge stakes? Or Praful Patel's daughter's selective info leaks or the BCCI President (Shashank Manohar) turning out to be a stake owner of the Chennai team when he ought to have been a neutral administrator ? The sharp twists & surprising turns would certainly do Ekta Kapoor proud !
The prize catch, in this ever unfolding, if somewhat sordid drama, has been Sharad Pawar. Murmurs on his active - below the radar involvement in lucrative sectors and industries have been abuzz for as long as he has been in active politics. His dealings and stakes in the sugar sector (agriculture, milling and retailing), the packaging industry (through a company called Dynamix), egg and poultry production (through Baramati Agro), grapes & wineries (Baramati grapes) have been part of folk lore. Always talked about but never ever proven. There are whispers linking him to Jet airways as part owner. His insistence on retaining the agriculture and civil aviation ministries with himself in every successive government need to be seen in this context.
The first cracks in his bastion appeared when his entire family stepped in to annouce in a well orchestrated move that they had nothing to do with the IPL. This was about a month ago and it almost seemed like a weak attempt to shore up the embankments in the face of an upcoming cyclonic storm that was certain to make landfall soon! It took nosey journos a month to unravel the modus operandi of his company's failed bid for the Pune IPL team. Now as the reigning BCCI Chairman, he is hard pressed to explain this impropriety. As he attempts to stonewall, divert attention and distance himself through rejoinders on technicalities of shareholding pattern and the MD's supposed actions, he is slithering on the thinnest of surfaces. He knows pretty well that urban India wouldnt buy his logic of the MD acting in defiance of the board. An MD who exposes the company to the risk of failure and a big one at that despite (claimed) advise from the board in any case deserves immediate dismissal! Wonder why the board of his company didnt do that ?
If the current revealations have not blown away the proverbial fig leaf and provided the first deep down look at perhaps the most corrupt man in India, then nothing ever will. Its another matter that this man is a hard nosed hawk for whom no embarrassment is so large and no ignominy as much as to get him to accept, apologise and step down. He stands unabashedly leg before, feeling safe that the Umpire's finger is unlikely to go up and those in rural India who form the bulk of his support base in all likelihood would remain unconcerned! Shame is a word that exists in the lexicon of ordinary mortals, afterall !
The prize catch, in this ever unfolding, if somewhat sordid drama, has been Sharad Pawar. Murmurs on his active - below the radar involvement in lucrative sectors and industries have been abuzz for as long as he has been in active politics. His dealings and stakes in the sugar sector (agriculture, milling and retailing), the packaging industry (through a company called Dynamix), egg and poultry production (through Baramati Agro), grapes & wineries (Baramati grapes) have been part of folk lore. Always talked about but never ever proven. There are whispers linking him to Jet airways as part owner. His insistence on retaining the agriculture and civil aviation ministries with himself in every successive government need to be seen in this context.
The first cracks in his bastion appeared when his entire family stepped in to annouce in a well orchestrated move that they had nothing to do with the IPL. This was about a month ago and it almost seemed like a weak attempt to shore up the embankments in the face of an upcoming cyclonic storm that was certain to make landfall soon! It took nosey journos a month to unravel the modus operandi of his company's failed bid for the Pune IPL team. Now as the reigning BCCI Chairman, he is hard pressed to explain this impropriety. As he attempts to stonewall, divert attention and distance himself through rejoinders on technicalities of shareholding pattern and the MD's supposed actions, he is slithering on the thinnest of surfaces. He knows pretty well that urban India wouldnt buy his logic of the MD acting in defiance of the board. An MD who exposes the company to the risk of failure and a big one at that despite (claimed) advise from the board in any case deserves immediate dismissal! Wonder why the board of his company didnt do that ?
If the current revealations have not blown away the proverbial fig leaf and provided the first deep down look at perhaps the most corrupt man in India, then nothing ever will. Its another matter that this man is a hard nosed hawk for whom no embarrassment is so large and no ignominy as much as to get him to accept, apologise and step down. He stands unabashedly leg before, feeling safe that the Umpire's finger is unlikely to go up and those in rural India who form the bulk of his support base in all likelihood would remain unconcerned! Shame is a word that exists in the lexicon of ordinary mortals, afterall !
Thursday, May 6, 2010
House fools
The exceptional thing over the last 7-10 days has been that my daughter turned a teenager and we chaperoned her friends on her bday to a movie. They loved it. we didnt. What can i say about a movie that left me before i left the theatre. I did kick myself for agreeing to see it, though. There is only word for it. Terrible.
Monday, April 19, 2010
Tharoor Pushkared !
With his boyish looks, suave persona and twitter friendly attitude layered on to his past experience as a UN under secretary general, Tharoor always came across as an articulate and a very visible minister - a man whose aura and mystique grew with every successive move & tweet; irrespective of how politically incorrect it was. It actually did seem for a while that India was finally ready for politics of a different kind.
His devil may care attitude about holy cows in his own backyard, actually lent a certain freshness and credibility and endeared him to many, including me.
His fall from grace has been as thundering as his rise was meteoric. As he now stands "pushkared" into a corner, robbed of the garb of decency and his reputation shred to tatters, he appears naked ; yet unrepentant and unabashed.
As a has been admirer, i feel let down for 2 reasons -
a) as an elected MP, like most, he chose to forego his core job to work for his constituency rather than devote effort and energy into matters of the heart, wallet and cricket.
b) He appears to have joined the very same league of political crooks that we believed him to be different from and has yet again dented whatever little hope we had of some of these new age guys.
Politicians almost always believe that the hoi-polloi is blind. and deaf. and dumb. and can be hoodwinked all the time.
The only improvement over the years has been the fact that earlier politicians would be caught red handed with truckloads of money stashed away in their houses ! Now they get caught trying to sweat their way into arranging equity for their paramours. India has progressed, all right!?
With him out of the way, its now Modi's turn to face the axe. The big difference ofcourse, in this case, is that there are no big surprises. Everybody has known this all along. In this hamaam, they are all nakedly alike.
His devil may care attitude about holy cows in his own backyard, actually lent a certain freshness and credibility and endeared him to many, including me.
His fall from grace has been as thundering as his rise was meteoric. As he now stands "pushkared" into a corner, robbed of the garb of decency and his reputation shred to tatters, he appears naked ; yet unrepentant and unabashed.
As a has been admirer, i feel let down for 2 reasons -
a) as an elected MP, like most, he chose to forego his core job to work for his constituency rather than devote effort and energy into matters of the heart, wallet and cricket.
b) He appears to have joined the very same league of political crooks that we believed him to be different from and has yet again dented whatever little hope we had of some of these new age guys.
Politicians almost always believe that the hoi-polloi is blind. and deaf. and dumb. and can be hoodwinked all the time.
The only improvement over the years has been the fact that earlier politicians would be caught red handed with truckloads of money stashed away in their houses ! Now they get caught trying to sweat their way into arranging equity for their paramours. India has progressed, all right!?
With him out of the way, its now Modi's turn to face the axe. The big difference ofcourse, in this case, is that there are no big surprises. Everybody has known this all along. In this hamaam, they are all nakedly alike.
Thursday, April 8, 2010
Sania-shoaib reflective of Indo-Pak relations
The Sania - shoaib relation in many ways is reflective of Indo-Pak relations. what started out as a fairytale, igniting hope of a new beginning has already hit rough air pockets much before its smooth take off. God knows who's to blame and who is being dishonest with whom ? The future of both leading a happy life together is clouded by the transgressions and haunting sins of the past. Love, mutual trust, friendhip and statesmanship stand swiftly swapped with distrust, suspicion and rank immature behaviour.
Wonder, if it is India again (and Sania) getting the raw deal ?
Wonder, if it is India again (and Sania) getting the raw deal ?
Monday, April 5, 2010
The end of the world is nigh..
There isn't a phrase more firmly implanted in my consciousness, than this. Not because, i have always believed in it but because this was a GD topic during my TAS preliminary rounds, the immediate context and provocation for which was the American attack on Iraq during the Iraq-Qatar war. The start of the third world war had seemed imminent then.
Now 19 years later, no matter how far one has come from those days and no matter just how much the whole world has evolved, there is this phrase that's resurfaced like the proverbial phoenix from its firmly entrenched groove in my head. I still remember quite vividly, arguing about not just the end of the physical world (due to the war like context) but its eventful journey into a world sans boundaries and a world devoid of tension and war. That was my little idealistic oasis, perfect and untouched by the evils around.
In early 91, no one could have imagined any other unifier. This was 3-4 years before the net became the omni-present potent force that it is today and maybe 6-7 years before the introduction of mobiles in India.
However, my inspiration to write this piece is neither the net nor the mobile. It is the IPL.
What years and years of discussions and debate could not achieve, the IPL has accomplished with ease. Who could have imagined that we would dump our own nationalistic pride and instead be rooting for a Pieterson and Shane Warne, going gaga over Malinga, Gilchrist and Gayle and applauding all the way for Ross Taylor, Kallis and Jayawardene as much as we would be appreciating our very own Sachin, Yosuf Pathan, Dhoni and Uthapa.
The world that we grew up with, has collapsed. Nationalities remain mere paper formalities and appear irrelevant. It is pointless thinking of a situation more perfect than this. Even if the motivation and driving force behind IPL was money, what it has achieved, goes far beyond. I doubt even Lalit Modi had visualised the Goliath, his baby would become or the radical changes it would unleash in the way and scale of how and what we think, interact and plan.
The other - inspiration has been the Shoaib Malik- Sania Mirza's proposed alliance - a somewhat star crossed, cross border alliance between two national stars (in their own countries) in less than perfect circumstances. Both- because of bitter inter-country tensions as also because of completely bizzarre talk surrounding his previous matrimony. If it eventually does come through and lasts, it would be perhaps real life emulating reel life (a la Veer Zara). It would set a good example of love transcending borders and mark the beginning of the end of an era of enemity, hatred and mutual disrespect and suspicion.
Now 19 years later, no matter how far one has come from those days and no matter just how much the whole world has evolved, there is this phrase that's resurfaced like the proverbial phoenix from its firmly entrenched groove in my head. I still remember quite vividly, arguing about not just the end of the physical world (due to the war like context) but its eventful journey into a world sans boundaries and a world devoid of tension and war. That was my little idealistic oasis, perfect and untouched by the evils around.
In early 91, no one could have imagined any other unifier. This was 3-4 years before the net became the omni-present potent force that it is today and maybe 6-7 years before the introduction of mobiles in India.
However, my inspiration to write this piece is neither the net nor the mobile. It is the IPL.
What years and years of discussions and debate could not achieve, the IPL has accomplished with ease. Who could have imagined that we would dump our own nationalistic pride and instead be rooting for a Pieterson and Shane Warne, going gaga over Malinga, Gilchrist and Gayle and applauding all the way for Ross Taylor, Kallis and Jayawardene as much as we would be appreciating our very own Sachin, Yosuf Pathan, Dhoni and Uthapa.
The world that we grew up with, has collapsed. Nationalities remain mere paper formalities and appear irrelevant. It is pointless thinking of a situation more perfect than this. Even if the motivation and driving force behind IPL was money, what it has achieved, goes far beyond. I doubt even Lalit Modi had visualised the Goliath, his baby would become or the radical changes it would unleash in the way and scale of how and what we think, interact and plan.
The other - inspiration has been the Shoaib Malik- Sania Mirza's proposed alliance - a somewhat star crossed, cross border alliance between two national stars (in their own countries) in less than perfect circumstances. Both- because of bitter inter-country tensions as also because of completely bizzarre talk surrounding his previous matrimony. If it eventually does come through and lasts, it would be perhaps real life emulating reel life (a la Veer Zara). It would set a good example of love transcending borders and mark the beginning of the end of an era of enemity, hatred and mutual disrespect and suspicion.
Thursday, February 25, 2010
Two tons of happiness
Theres nothing about Sachin thats possibly not been written or that i could possibly add. Without taking away anything from his phenomenal achievements or superlative efforts or sheer genius over the past two decades just wanted to delve and understand our reaction and behaviour towards his double ton, just the day before.
Were we happier about Sachin scoring 200 or the fact that 200 could be scored in a one dayer at all ??? My gut says, its the latter ! Guess, the joy came more from the fact that he demonstrated to all that the peaks we do not even consider - can be conquered, missions accomplished and mind barriers broken - with sheer passion and perseverence !
My sense is that we may have, perhaps, been just as happy if a Sehwag or a Dhoni or even a Yuvraj had scored the same!
Had they done it, the joyous explosion, as in Sachin's case would also have partly come from the realisation that it was achieved by an Indian and not a Ricky Ponting or a Saeed Anwar ; that too against reasonably solid & quality opposition as opposed to a Zimbabwe or a Bangladesh.
Similarly all these guys play as aggressive and exciting cricket (even if not as classy) as Sachin - so the sheer firepower in their knocks and their entertainment value would have made it enjoyable for all.
The moot point is - would any of these guys been able to do this? Maybe not. I think the spontaneous overflow of energy and wow came from the fact that a milestone as memorable and important such as this -now rightfully stands against the name of a guy one considers to be far more deserving than those who are good but perhaps not good enough and surely not as consistent, classy or passionate as this man. and for sure, not as humble about their feats and talent! if the Bharat Ratna has to be conferred on a sports person some day - wonder if there could be anybody better than him?
Were we happier about Sachin scoring 200 or the fact that 200 could be scored in a one dayer at all ??? My gut says, its the latter ! Guess, the joy came more from the fact that he demonstrated to all that the peaks we do not even consider - can be conquered, missions accomplished and mind barriers broken - with sheer passion and perseverence !
My sense is that we may have, perhaps, been just as happy if a Sehwag or a Dhoni or even a Yuvraj had scored the same!
Had they done it, the joyous explosion, as in Sachin's case would also have partly come from the realisation that it was achieved by an Indian and not a Ricky Ponting or a Saeed Anwar ; that too against reasonably solid & quality opposition as opposed to a Zimbabwe or a Bangladesh.
Similarly all these guys play as aggressive and exciting cricket (even if not as classy) as Sachin - so the sheer firepower in their knocks and their entertainment value would have made it enjoyable for all.
The moot point is - would any of these guys been able to do this? Maybe not. I think the spontaneous overflow of energy and wow came from the fact that a milestone as memorable and important such as this -now rightfully stands against the name of a guy one considers to be far more deserving than those who are good but perhaps not good enough and surely not as consistent, classy or passionate as this man. and for sure, not as humble about their feats and talent! if the Bharat Ratna has to be conferred on a sports person some day - wonder if there could be anybody better than him?
Tuesday, February 23, 2010
with MNIK, K-Jo loses his groove
Incidentally completely forgot to write about MNIK. Was highly disappointed with the movie. Not only was it over-hyped, the famed SRK-Kajol chemistry was almost absent and it lacked pace and grip through most part. Some sequences intended to be emotionally charged (the whole Afro-American bit) were puerile and laughable.
The others dragged. Came out of the theatre feeling absolutely nothing - for the movie, for SRK or for the community it intends to target. K-Jo must be thanking his stars for having FOX star pick up most of the tab.
For the first time in the last decade felt that Kajol cd have actually done better. She looked good but sounded loud, screechy and over the top. Guess K-Jo's intentions with the film were noble. But meaningful yet interesting cinema has to be lot more than a diseased or suffering hero going on in search for a larger than life mission and good cinematography. What about an engaging storyline coupled with a great screenplay and interesting characterisations?
The only bit i liked in the movie was its music and songs.
I have loved K-Jo's earlier candyfloss stuff and genuinely believe he can do that better than the very best in the world. Thats his groove. why go away from it?
Leave the serious stuff to others.
Guess everyone wishes to grow and evolve. But believe me, in this case - it has to be a lot lot more !!
(Incidentally i saw this movie with family (3 females) and a friend and her daughter - all 5 females (ages varying from 8 to 39) didnt mind the movie at all. So i guess i am in a minority.)
The others dragged. Came out of the theatre feeling absolutely nothing - for the movie, for SRK or for the community it intends to target. K-Jo must be thanking his stars for having FOX star pick up most of the tab.
For the first time in the last decade felt that Kajol cd have actually done better. She looked good but sounded loud, screechy and over the top. Guess K-Jo's intentions with the film were noble. But meaningful yet interesting cinema has to be lot more than a diseased or suffering hero going on in search for a larger than life mission and good cinematography. What about an engaging storyline coupled with a great screenplay and interesting characterisations?
The only bit i liked in the movie was its music and songs.
I have loved K-Jo's earlier candyfloss stuff and genuinely believe he can do that better than the very best in the world. Thats his groove. why go away from it?
Leave the serious stuff to others.
Guess everyone wishes to grow and evolve. But believe me, in this case - it has to be a lot lot more !!
(Incidentally i saw this movie with family (3 females) and a friend and her daughter - all 5 females (ages varying from 8 to 39) didnt mind the movie at all. So i guess i am in a minority.)
Monday, February 22, 2010
Sunday, February 14, 2010
In your face gets a whole new meaning
3 events of the last 1 week have rekindled hope that All is Well. All have got to do with incidents that shook us earlier in more ways than one. What has happened now is a welcome counter- reaction that should have probably come in earlier. It is the tight figurative and in some cases almost physical lash on the visage of what we believe was so rationally corrupted. Muthalik - the man who had pub going girls beaten up in Mangalore last Valentines - was attacked and his not so pretty face painted black ; Rathore - the infamous cop adept at assaulting and mentally torturing hapless teenagers till they committed suicide - was stabbed on his face till he bled and bled; and finally Uddhav and Bal Thackeray were literally spat on their faces when their irrational and obnoxious opposition to fairly sane comments from SRK and MNIK were thrashed and pee-ed upon by the average junta.
Just hope that these guys understand that their views and style is so terribly out of sync with current ground realities. The "In your face" punches that they got were just so thoroughly well deserved. More importantly, sincerely hope that the guys who attacked them arent punished. These are actually our heroes who need to inspire and be felicitated for a job well done.
Just hope that these guys understand that their views and style is so terribly out of sync with current ground realities. The "In your face" punches that they got were just so thoroughly well deserved. More importantly, sincerely hope that the guys who attacked them arent punished. These are actually our heroes who need to inspire and be felicitated for a job well done.
Thursday, February 11, 2010
Vinaash Kaale Vipareet Buddhi...
Could this be more apt for anyone else other than Mr Uddhav Thakeray and his gang of hoodlums...?!
By stretching their war of words with SRK, by coercing theatres to shun advance bookings of MNIK and now by texting the story synopsis of the movie to the aam janta and inciting their cadres to violence, they are holding a city at large to ransom.
All in the name of his being anti Indian and to make him apologise to the guardian angel of Public morality - Bal T. Would a mere apology transform him from a pro Paki to a Pro Indian ?what kind of logic is this? With supposed freedom of speech, why must anyone apologise for what he thinks and says and that too, to people sans any legal authority?
Obviously the game and stakes appear to be much bigger than whats being shared in public forums and the media.
It almost appears that there was a large cash deal being worked out between KJo and the Sena and SRKs apology was to be the face saver for both sides. But an agreement eluded Kjo as the Sena expected a much richer cash quantum and SRK - for once - refused to capitulate. I guess this unexpected twist coupled with the recent Rahul Gandhi slap on their face has made Sena determined to stoop to new lows.
They seem to have forgotten that SRKs statement or his lack of apology is not a matter of earth shattering importance or a reason fit enough to vitiate the atmosphere in the city. It is neither likely to win them new friends nor revive their ties with old supporters. Even loyal supporters might find it tough to back this illogical stand. To me, this is not just a sign of hollowness but might just prove to be the Sena's waterloo!
Mercifully - the govt for once has wowed to act. So tons and tons of security is now consipicuous outside every darn theatre in Mumbai - many glum faced at their leaves having been cancelled. The bandobast appears heavier than immediately post 26/11. To say that this is just for a movie release would make it sound like this is perhaps the only significant event post Obama's elevation!! But then, a precedent must be set for all "such drama" driven political parties.
Unfortunately, most of us - even if we want to - are unlikely to risk our limb & life to watch MNIK. Police presence not withstanding. So even though SRK-KJo may not like it, the movie might loose out in mumbai - but this may be the price to be paid to rid Mumbai of the jingoistic agenda of Uddhav and Mr Bal T.
In this whole seemingly futile fight - both the Sena and the govt seem to hv forgotten that there are bigger worries in mumbai and elsewhere. Vinaash Kaale, vipareet buddhi. God help.
By stretching their war of words with SRK, by coercing theatres to shun advance bookings of MNIK and now by texting the story synopsis of the movie to the aam janta and inciting their cadres to violence, they are holding a city at large to ransom.
All in the name of his being anti Indian and to make him apologise to the guardian angel of Public morality - Bal T. Would a mere apology transform him from a pro Paki to a Pro Indian ?what kind of logic is this? With supposed freedom of speech, why must anyone apologise for what he thinks and says and that too, to people sans any legal authority?
Obviously the game and stakes appear to be much bigger than whats being shared in public forums and the media.
It almost appears that there was a large cash deal being worked out between KJo and the Sena and SRKs apology was to be the face saver for both sides. But an agreement eluded Kjo as the Sena expected a much richer cash quantum and SRK - for once - refused to capitulate. I guess this unexpected twist coupled with the recent Rahul Gandhi slap on their face has made Sena determined to stoop to new lows.
They seem to have forgotten that SRKs statement or his lack of apology is not a matter of earth shattering importance or a reason fit enough to vitiate the atmosphere in the city. It is neither likely to win them new friends nor revive their ties with old supporters. Even loyal supporters might find it tough to back this illogical stand. To me, this is not just a sign of hollowness but might just prove to be the Sena's waterloo!
Mercifully - the govt for once has wowed to act. So tons and tons of security is now consipicuous outside every darn theatre in Mumbai - many glum faced at their leaves having been cancelled. The bandobast appears heavier than immediately post 26/11. To say that this is just for a movie release would make it sound like this is perhaps the only significant event post Obama's elevation!! But then, a precedent must be set for all "such drama" driven political parties.
Unfortunately, most of us - even if we want to - are unlikely to risk our limb & life to watch MNIK. Police presence not withstanding. So even though SRK-KJo may not like it, the movie might loose out in mumbai - but this may be the price to be paid to rid Mumbai of the jingoistic agenda of Uddhav and Mr Bal T.
In this whole seemingly futile fight - both the Sena and the govt seem to hv forgotten that there are bigger worries in mumbai and elsewhere. Vinaash Kaale, vipareet buddhi. God help.
Wednesday, February 10, 2010
Unexpected Purpose
How so very often we fall prey to despondence and allow the cobwebs to strengthen. Times when not much seems to make great sense are perhaps times when God chooses his messengers and beams them onto us.
Had a meeting with a fairly old aquaintance. we were never great friends. yet he chose to call on me while visiting mumbai -when there is not much in common in terms of our respective work lives and business - either current or future.
Guess he was to meant to provide me with a dream. Not really directly but through a half an hour conversation that we had on sundry things in life. After his departure, i felt a greater sense of purpose and meaning than before his visit. It is not that we discussed mind boggling
issues. Our conversation was mostly on our respective failures so far.
but he delivered to me an optimism that had perhaps got lost under mounds of dust.
Guess am going to dream again.
thx buddy.
Had a meeting with a fairly old aquaintance. we were never great friends. yet he chose to call on me while visiting mumbai -when there is not much in common in terms of our respective work lives and business - either current or future.
Guess he was to meant to provide me with a dream. Not really directly but through a half an hour conversation that we had on sundry things in life. After his departure, i felt a greater sense of purpose and meaning than before his visit. It is not that we discussed mind boggling
issues. Our conversation was mostly on our respective failures so far.
but he delivered to me an optimism that had perhaps got lost under mounds of dust.
Guess am going to dream again.
thx buddy.
Sunday, February 7, 2010
will this xenophobia ever go away
While the shiv sena might have been outsmarted and outmanouvered by Rahul Gandhi's latest train antics, something tells me that we havent heard or seen the last byte in this tale.
With the regional parties increasingly finding themselves squeezed for space in the political spectrum and given their lack of vision and understanding of a broader world view, it is and it would be so much easier for them, even in the future, to opt for basic-grass root division or strategies and ideas that can get them clutter breaking appeal and traction with the deprived populace they seek to cultivate and seek support from.
We have seen evidence of this in Karnataka, in Gujrat, in UP and now in Mumbai. I am certain this is neither the last city nor is Shiv sena the last political party pushing this agenda. In UP it was caste, in Karnataka it was culture, in mumbai it is language and in some other city it could be something else. At its heart is the economic disparity that political parties choose to exploit. And this disparity is not about to disappear away in a hurry. After all, it will always be easy for the sons of the soil from the economically weaker sections to buy the logic that people from other states have come and taken away what should have belonged to them and that they should be opposed. The political class would be only too happy to stoke the fires.
The prospect for people like us who have genuinely believed in "I am an Indian and the whole country is for us" and who work away from their state or city of birth could indeed be scary. Imagine being driven away from the city you live in purely because of your caste or language or something as inconsequential that you normally do not bother about. How does one fight when powerful politicians , goondas etc - or the state itself turns against you - irrespective of what one has achieved or where one has been paying one's taxes?
Would love to believe that consistent and continuous growth in -education and economy -the two elixirs that can ameliorate this mess, will help resolve the situation over the course of the next few years. But what if - the polity remains as infirm and weak spined as it is today?
Does the solution lie in being a son of one's own soil after all? does one look for a job elsewhere and start investing in the city of ones birth?
Maybe i am being too myopic and pessimistic and i hope that i truly am. and that the reality is much better than this.
With the regional parties increasingly finding themselves squeezed for space in the political spectrum and given their lack of vision and understanding of a broader world view, it is and it would be so much easier for them, even in the future, to opt for basic-grass root division or strategies and ideas that can get them clutter breaking appeal and traction with the deprived populace they seek to cultivate and seek support from.
We have seen evidence of this in Karnataka, in Gujrat, in UP and now in Mumbai. I am certain this is neither the last city nor is Shiv sena the last political party pushing this agenda. In UP it was caste, in Karnataka it was culture, in mumbai it is language and in some other city it could be something else. At its heart is the economic disparity that political parties choose to exploit. And this disparity is not about to disappear away in a hurry. After all, it will always be easy for the sons of the soil from the economically weaker sections to buy the logic that people from other states have come and taken away what should have belonged to them and that they should be opposed. The political class would be only too happy to stoke the fires.
The prospect for people like us who have genuinely believed in "I am an Indian and the whole country is for us" and who work away from their state or city of birth could indeed be scary. Imagine being driven away from the city you live in purely because of your caste or language or something as inconsequential that you normally do not bother about. How does one fight when powerful politicians , goondas etc - or the state itself turns against you - irrespective of what one has achieved or where one has been paying one's taxes?
Would love to believe that consistent and continuous growth in -education and economy -the two elixirs that can ameliorate this mess, will help resolve the situation over the course of the next few years. But what if - the polity remains as infirm and weak spined as it is today?
Does the solution lie in being a son of one's own soil after all? does one look for a job elsewhere and start investing in the city of ones birth?
Maybe i am being too myopic and pessimistic and i hope that i truly am. and that the reality is much better than this.
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