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 !
Sunday, June 6, 2010
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.)
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