Have Passion!
It was probably the April of 1974. Bangalore was getting warm and gulmohars were blooming at the IISc campus. I was the only girl in my postgraduate department and was staying at the ladies' hostel. Other girls were pursuing research in different departments of Science.
I was looking forward to going abroad to complete a doctorate in computer science. I had been offered scholarships from Universities in the US... I had not thought of taking up a job in India.
One day, while on the way to my hostel from our lecture-hall complex, I saw an advertisement on the notice board. It was a standard job-requirement notice from the famous automobile company Telco (now Tata Motors)... It stated that the company required young, bright engineers, hardworking and with an excellent academic background, etc.
At the bottom was a small line: 'Lady Candidates need not apply.'
I read it and was very upset. For the first time in my life I was up against gender discrimination.
Though I was not keen on taking up the job, I saw it as a challenge. I had done extremely well in academics, better than most of my male peers...
Little did I know then that in real life academic excellence is not enough to be successful?
After reading the notice I went fuming to my room. I decided to inform the topmost person in Telco's management about the injustice the company was perpetrating. I got a postcard and started to write, but there was a problem: I did not know who headed Telco
I thought it must be one of the Tatas. I knew JRD Tata was the head of the Tata Group; I had seen his pictures in newspapers (actually, Sumant Moolgaokar was the company's chairman then) I took the card, addressed it to JRD and started writing. To this day I remember clearly what I wrote.
'The great Tatas have always been pioneers. They are the people who started the basic infrastructure industries in India, such as iron and steel, chemicals, textiles and locomotives they have cared for higher education in India since 1900 and they were responsible for the establishment of the Indian Institute of Science. Fortunately, I study there. But I am surprised how a company such as Telco is discriminating on the basis of gender.'
I posted the letter and forgot about it. Less than 10 days later, I received a telegram stating that I had to appear for an interview at Telco's Pune facility at the company's expense. I was taken aback by the telegram. My hostel mate told me I should use the opportunity to go to Pune free of cost and buy them the famous Pune saris for cheap! I collected Rs30 each from everyone who wanted a sari when I look back, I feel like laughing at the reasons for my going, but back then they seemed good enough to make the trip.
It was my first visit to Pune and I immediately fell in love with the city.
To this day it remains dear to me. I feel as much at home in Pune as I do in Hubli, my hometown. The place changed my life in so many ways. As directed, I went to Telco's Pimpri office for the interview.
There were six people on the panel and I realized then that this was serious business.
'This is the girl who wrote to JRD,' I heard somebody whisper as soon as I entered the room. By then I knew for sure that I would not get the job. The realization abolished all fear from my mind, so I was rather cool while the interview was being conducted.
Even before the interview started, I reckoned the panel was biased, so I told them, rather impolitely, 'I hope this is only a technical interview.'
They were taken aback by my rudeness, and even today I am ashamed about my attitude.
The panel asked me technical questions and I answered all of them.
Then an elderly gentleman with an affectionate voice told me, 'Do you know why we said lady candidates need not apply? The reason is that we have never employed any ladies on the shop floor. This is not a co-ed college; this is a factory. When it comes to academics, you are a first ranker throughout. We appreciate that, but people like you should work in research laboratories.
I was a young girl from small-town Hubli. My world had been a limited place.
I did not know the ways of large corporate houses and their difficulties, so I answered, 'But you must start somewhere, otherwise no woman will ever be able to work in your factories.'
Finally, after a long interview, I was told I had been successful. So this was what the future had in store for me. Never had I thought I would take up a job in Pune. I met a shy young man from Karnataka there, we became good friends and we got married.
It was only after joining Telco that I realized who JRD was: the uncrowned king of Indian industry. Now I was scared, but I did not get to meet him till I was transferred to Bombay. One day I had to show some reports to Mr Moolgaokar, our chairman, who we all knew as SM. I was in his office on the first floor of Bombay House (the Tata headquarters) when, suddenly JRD walked in. That was the first time I saw 'appro JRD'. Appro means 'our' in Gujarati. This was the affectionate term by which people at Bombay House called him.
I was feeling very nervous, remembering my postcard episode. SM introduced me nicely, 'Jeh (that's what his close associates called him), this young woman is an engineer and that too a postgraduate.
She is the first woman to work on the Telco shop floor.' JRD looked at me. I was praying he would not ask me any questions about my interview (or the postcard that preceded it).
Thankfully, he didn't. Instead, he remarked. 'It is nice that girls are getting into engineering in our country. By the way, what is your name?'
'When I joined Telco I was Sudha Kulkarni, Sir,' I replied. 'Now I am Sudha Murthy.' He smiled and kindly smile and started a discussion with SM. As for me, I almost ran out of the room.
After that I used to see JRD on and off. He was the Tata Group chairman and I was merely an engineer. There was nothing that we had in common. I was in awe of him.
One day I was waiting for Murthy, my husband, to pick me up after office hours. To my surprise I saw JRD standing next to me. I did not know how to react. Yet again I started worrying about that postcard. Looking back, I realize JRD had forgotten about it. It must have been a small incident for him, but not so for me.
'Young lady, why are you here?' he asked. 'Office time is over.' I said, 'Sir, I'm waiting for my husband to come and pick me up.' JRD said, 'It is getting dark and there's no one in the corridor.
I'll wait with you till your husband comes.'
I was quite used to waiting for Murthy, but having JRD waiting alongside made me extremely uncomfortable.
I was nervous. Out of the corner of my eye I looked at him. He wore a simple white pant and shirt. He was old, yet his face was glowing. There wasn't any air of superiority about him. I was thinking, 'Look at this person. He is a chairman, a well-respected man in our country and he is waiting for the sake of an ordinary employee.'
Then I saw Murthy and I rushed out. JRD called and said, 'Young lady, tell your husband never to make his wife wait again.' In 1982 I had to resign from my job at Telco. I was reluctant to go, but I really did not have a choice. I was coming down the steps of Bombay House after wrapping up my final settlement when I saw JRD coming up. He was absorbed in thought. I wanted to say goodbye to him, so I stopped. He saw me and paused.
Gently, he said, 'So what are you doing, Mrs. Kulkarni?' (That was the way he always addressed me.) 'Sir, I am leaving Telco.'
'Where are you going?' he asked. 'Pune, Sir. My husband is starting a company called Infosys and I'm shifting to Pune.'
'Oh! And what will you do when you are successful.'
'Sir, I don't know whether we will be successful.' 'Never start with diffidence,' he advised me 'Always start with confidence. When you are successful you must give back to society. Society gives us so much; we must reciprocate. Wish you all the best.'
Then JRD continued walking up the stairs. I stood there for what seemed like a millennium. That was the last time I saw him alive.
Many years later I met Ratan Tata in the same Bombay House, occupying the chair JRD once did. I told him of my many sweet memories of working with Telco. Later, he wrote to me, 'It was nice hearing about Jeh from you.
The sad part is that he's not alive to see you today.'
I consider JRD a great man because, despite being an extremely busy person, he valued one postcard written by a young girl seeking justice. He must have received thousands of letters everyday. He could have thrown mine away, but he didn't do that. He respected the intentions of that unknown girl, who had neither influence nor money, and gave her an opportunity in his company. He did not merely give her a job; he changed her life and mindset forever.
Close to 50 per cent of the students in today's engineering colleges are girls. And there are women on the shop floor in many industry segments. I see these changes and I think of JRD. If at all time stops and asks me what I want from life, I would say I wish JRD were alive today to see how the company we started has grown. He would have enjoyed it wholeheartedly.
My love and respect for the House of Tata remains undiminished by the passage of time. I always looked up to JRD. I saw him as a role model for his simplicity, his generosity, his kindness and the care he took of his employees. Those blue eyes always reminded me of the sky; they had the same vastness and magnificence.
(Sudha Murthy is a widely published writer and chairperson of the Infosys Foundation involved in a number of social development initiatives. Infosys chairman Narayana Murthy is her husband.)
Article sourced from: Lasting Legacies (Tata Review- Special Commemorative Issue 2004), brought out by the house of Tatas to commemorate the 100th birth anniversary of JRD Tata on July 29, 2004 .
Thursday, August 18, 2011
Sunday, August 7, 2011
Jai had one, Veeru had one, But I had (have) many...
At the twilight of childhood, there was this uncertain yet amusing feeling of stepping into adolescence. Not exactly a pair of reluctant legs, but certainly an inquisitive mind that was all set to run like a Forest Gump. Always had friends, may be was not so sure of the kind of world that would be unfurling in the days to come. As if life was all about being good in the classroom and outside of it there was a freaky yet fresh sky bestowing all the blessings. Study, play, laugh and dream- togetherness had only these inherent hygiene factors. Never had an idea what was up in store. Guys who one felt good to be with were too generously called friends and the pinch of innocence was probably the real beauty.
At 11, oh my gaaaaaaaawwwwwwwwssssssshhhhhh- I was 11 then, went to something- allow me to call it a hostel. It was the beginning of a new chapter in my life where I started to learn something called ‘sharing’. Being the 1st child of my parents, I was always the most pampered one and hence never perhaps cared for that term, or may be never had to. Sense and sensibility were reserved for a latter time. Then once I went home with a friend’s shirt covering the top half of my body. Well, I would vouch for the fact that it was not out of a kind of possessiveness, just a plain coincidence. My mom would scream at me and ask me not to do that again as if putting on someoneelse’s shirt was against the law of nature. I had no idea why she said what she said to me. About one and a half decade later when I was to go under the scalpel for a freaky injury that I had picked for over-stretching to reach out to a shuttle cock which got only worse with every game that I played, there was a group of buddies who left no stones unturned to ensure that I did not feel all by myself, broke all possible rules to be with me, share the fun that they had apparently brought to a room on the 7th floor of the hospital. One would take my mom to the ground floor for food and another would lit a fag and 4-5 agarbatties also to beat the raising eyebrows. Another would bring a nai to the room saying that the nurses would care better if I looked your normal self. They would take the doctors on duty for a cool ride asking questions that they would not normally hear from the acquaintances of a patient who had just undergone a surgery. Worse, from the discharge desk straight to a cabre dancer so that my pain was not felt. Back in the hostel they shifted my stuff to a room in a ground floor near to the loo and a chair cut in a way so that it became a commode for me as i was advised not to squat or stoop. Cutting short their times at labs, canteen and playground they would all join me in my room so that I was not left talking to myself. Guess what, they also shifted the TV which was there in our hostel canteen to my room because the world cup was on and others were kind enough not to complain. Am sure chetan bhagat would have borrowed few leafs had he known all these.
Dad stayed for few days but was not aware of all these. However, mom quietly took note of all those small things. After a good when she was to leave to join back her job, she would come to me and said with two lines of tears dropping down her cheeks, ‘now I know why you always care(d) so much for your friends’. Now my mom is proud of my friends as much she is for me.
Love you guys just being the way you are.
At 11, oh my gaaaaaaaawwwwwwwwssssssshhhhhh- I was 11 then, went to something- allow me to call it a hostel. It was the beginning of a new chapter in my life where I started to learn something called ‘sharing’. Being the 1st child of my parents, I was always the most pampered one and hence never perhaps cared for that term, or may be never had to. Sense and sensibility were reserved for a latter time. Then once I went home with a friend’s shirt covering the top half of my body. Well, I would vouch for the fact that it was not out of a kind of possessiveness, just a plain coincidence. My mom would scream at me and ask me not to do that again as if putting on someoneelse’s shirt was against the law of nature. I had no idea why she said what she said to me. About one and a half decade later when I was to go under the scalpel for a freaky injury that I had picked for over-stretching to reach out to a shuttle cock which got only worse with every game that I played, there was a group of buddies who left no stones unturned to ensure that I did not feel all by myself, broke all possible rules to be with me, share the fun that they had apparently brought to a room on the 7th floor of the hospital. One would take my mom to the ground floor for food and another would lit a fag and 4-5 agarbatties also to beat the raising eyebrows. Another would bring a nai to the room saying that the nurses would care better if I looked your normal self. They would take the doctors on duty for a cool ride asking questions that they would not normally hear from the acquaintances of a patient who had just undergone a surgery. Worse, from the discharge desk straight to a cabre dancer so that my pain was not felt. Back in the hostel they shifted my stuff to a room in a ground floor near to the loo and a chair cut in a way so that it became a commode for me as i was advised not to squat or stoop. Cutting short their times at labs, canteen and playground they would all join me in my room so that I was not left talking to myself. Guess what, they also shifted the TV which was there in our hostel canteen to my room because the world cup was on and others were kind enough not to complain. Am sure chetan bhagat would have borrowed few leafs had he known all these.
Dad stayed for few days but was not aware of all these. However, mom quietly took note of all those small things. After a good when she was to leave to join back her job, she would come to me and said with two lines of tears dropping down her cheeks, ‘now I know why you always care(d) so much for your friends’. Now my mom is proud of my friends as much she is for me.
Love you guys just being the way you are.
Wednesday, July 20, 2011
The more I change the more I remain the same
Caveat: ‘I’ am an imaginary construct. Any resemblance whatsoever to anyone dead or alive is a mere coincidence...
Ever since I gained something close to consciousness, I have been seeing/hearing ‘chalta hai’. So I stopped chasing excellence. There was something within me which simply hesitated to dig deep and put in the required effort as that something within me always saw mediocrity being promoted. Merit was a good virtue to possess, but then there was always an ‘another’ who would go past me either because of his/her surname or a long hand(le).
Was excited abt my 18th birthday. Unfortunate that I was and still am left with no choice but to elect/select the ‘less bad’. When we allow someone that we know not the best one around to make policies, they are bound to go haywire. And, we stand to lose our moral right to complain about such an unfortunate thing. Alas, democracy is supposed to empower the citizens to be the master of their own destiny. Let’s be honest and ask are we? When I am asked to grease someone’s palm to get something (which is my legal/constitutional entitlement) done like a driving license, a ration card, a passport, availing health-care facility, etc, nothing can be more unfortunate than this. I am yet not talking about a safe and secured society around me.
I think I have been indifferent of sort hearing about the blast every year. The recent Mumbai blasts were no exceptions. Deep down there, I see ‘fear’- fear of returning home as i step out, fear of losing any dear one as they travel. No place on this planet seem to me as a safe bet, nor even a police station.
Every time I see new schemes , new polices being made to die their natural death. Two things that are strikingly amazing in my country in last 6 decades; one is its democracy and other its persistent poverty, as if we don’t seem to care much and take them for granted.
Just a passing thought: imagine if one is given a chance to choose a place to be born in. You think India’s population would be 1.2 bln. I bet, no...Only the dirty minds wud choose. Please pardon my sense of patriotism here.
There was this joke which took a round in emails sometime back- Americans fart and say: Excuse me! Britishers fart and say: Pardon me! Japanese fart and say: Forgive me! AND Indians fart and say: NOT ME! It’s always ‘me’ when things are all honky-dory. The moment there is a bit of accountability, it’s not ‘my job’. Am sure may would tag me as ‘cynical’. But, am not left with better words now. How better one would feel when being let down by every ‘others’ who ought to have provided me with a sense of fool-good? Tolerance would certainly have been the greatest virtue to have, but if at the cost of human lives, then I am really sorry. I am not calling a head for another. But, my head should not be your head’s business.
What did a small child do to deserve a life without his father who never returned home because some ba***rd dropped a bomb on his way? By what stretch of imagination would it be ok to say that all terrorist acts cannot humanly be stopped? Is it my responsibility to always safeguard my life? If so, why the h**l then you come to me every five years to beg for my vote? If I have to stick my neck out for every bit that possibly affects my life, why should I then care for/respect that ‘anyone’?
Why do I need change when I am continuously made to feel that more the things change, more they remain in essence the same? I am born in a no-man’s land and allow me to peacefully perish at no-man’s mercy.
Ever since I gained something close to consciousness, I have been seeing/hearing ‘chalta hai’. So I stopped chasing excellence. There was something within me which simply hesitated to dig deep and put in the required effort as that something within me always saw mediocrity being promoted. Merit was a good virtue to possess, but then there was always an ‘another’ who would go past me either because of his/her surname or a long hand(le).
Was excited abt my 18th birthday. Unfortunate that I was and still am left with no choice but to elect/select the ‘less bad’. When we allow someone that we know not the best one around to make policies, they are bound to go haywire. And, we stand to lose our moral right to complain about such an unfortunate thing. Alas, democracy is supposed to empower the citizens to be the master of their own destiny. Let’s be honest and ask are we? When I am asked to grease someone’s palm to get something (which is my legal/constitutional entitlement) done like a driving license, a ration card, a passport, availing health-care facility, etc, nothing can be more unfortunate than this. I am yet not talking about a safe and secured society around me.
I think I have been indifferent of sort hearing about the blast every year. The recent Mumbai blasts were no exceptions. Deep down there, I see ‘fear’- fear of returning home as i step out, fear of losing any dear one as they travel. No place on this planet seem to me as a safe bet, nor even a police station.
Every time I see new schemes , new polices being made to die their natural death. Two things that are strikingly amazing in my country in last 6 decades; one is its democracy and other its persistent poverty, as if we don’t seem to care much and take them for granted.
Just a passing thought: imagine if one is given a chance to choose a place to be born in. You think India’s population would be 1.2 bln. I bet, no...Only the dirty minds wud choose. Please pardon my sense of patriotism here.
There was this joke which took a round in emails sometime back- Americans fart and say: Excuse me! Britishers fart and say: Pardon me! Japanese fart and say: Forgive me! AND Indians fart and say: NOT ME! It’s always ‘me’ when things are all honky-dory. The moment there is a bit of accountability, it’s not ‘my job’. Am sure may would tag me as ‘cynical’. But, am not left with better words now. How better one would feel when being let down by every ‘others’ who ought to have provided me with a sense of fool-good? Tolerance would certainly have been the greatest virtue to have, but if at the cost of human lives, then I am really sorry. I am not calling a head for another. But, my head should not be your head’s business.
What did a small child do to deserve a life without his father who never returned home because some ba***rd dropped a bomb on his way? By what stretch of imagination would it be ok to say that all terrorist acts cannot humanly be stopped? Is it my responsibility to always safeguard my life? If so, why the h**l then you come to me every five years to beg for my vote? If I have to stick my neck out for every bit that possibly affects my life, why should I then care for/respect that ‘anyone’?
Why do I need change when I am continuously made to feel that more the things change, more they remain in essence the same? I am born in a no-man’s land and allow me to peacefully perish at no-man’s mercy.
Tuesday, June 21, 2011
Rekindling the hope in Kiran’s life
Kiran was happy in more ways than one- a new book in her hand which is her own now, a sky-blue frock which seems to have eluded her for over a year, some candies which she firmly gripped in her left palm and so many new friends around. Life has certainly thrown a big surprise to this seven year old girl who has until now spent time at her home helping her mother in some petty household chores or her brother when he went out to keep an eye on the cattle and a herd of goats that her family rear to earn their livelihood. Now, she is enrolled into class II at a school in the neighbourhood.
It feels great that life for Kiran is never going to be the same again. Upon asked why she did not go to a school until now like many others of her age did, Kiran’s innocence unveiled the obvious-to-many: her parents never thought of sending her to a school. She does not even know whether two of her three siblings (all brothers) ever went to a school. But she says firmly that Biju bhai was going to a school for some time, but not now. After her father (Dibakar Gouda) sold off the goats that they possessed her other brother- Kaila bhai went to Surat to join the eldest one: Sanjay bhai.
Kiran would not stop thanking her paternal uncle and Mrs Bharati Kumari Sahu, the Head Teacher of the Girls UP School, Dura, Ganjam that she is going for 3 days now, for they were instrumental in convincing her father- Dibakar Gouda and mother-Kamini Gouda about the benefits of education and the provisions of the revolutionary Right of Children to Free and Compulsory Education Act-2009, popularly known as the Right to Education (RTE) Act. Dibakar would not have sent his daughter to the school if he had to spend money for buying books or a dress for his daughter.
Kiran appears to be on the top of the world, with so many friends around and with a book in her hand which she says she would love the most. It was too early for her to tell us what she wants to be when she grows up. However, she confided that she would continue studying as long as she can. And why not, the euphoria will need some time to sink in! The school is also celebrating Kiran’s admission along with some other new entrants who joined the school in its induction class during the pravesh utsav marking the first day of the state wide campaign: Shiksha Chetna Abhiya ( SCA).
The novelty of SCA launched by the School and Mass Education Deptt of Orissa in collaboration with Rural Development Deptt., ST and SC Development Deptt. and UNICEF office for Orissa, cannot perhaps see a better manifestation than having all the Kirans of the state enrolled in their neighbourhood schools. The 6-days long abhiyan with a basket of activities at the school levels was envisaged primarily for gearing up the implementation of RTE Act in the State. For little over a year now the Deptt., unlike many other states is not playing a wait and watch. Rather it has been a front-runner in terms of kick-starting an array of activities on a fast track starting with providing the required impetus in sensitizing the parents, guardians, community members, teachers, PRI members and administrators to ensure that children in the age group of 6-14 years are not denied their rights to elementary education. Going forward, crores of rupees will be sent, millions of man-hours would be dedicated for the purpose. But the real impact will be made at the cutting-edge level only by having all the Kirans in their neighbourhood schools.
There have been eye- brows raised over the quality of education in the state run schools. But then, somewhere there has to be a starting point. SCA promises to snowball into an impact-making larger revolution going from strength to strength with required support from and involvement of all the stakeholders to ensure quality education at the elementary level. I do have reasons to believe that quality education or lack of it is just a state of mind.
It feels great that life for Kiran is never going to be the same again. Upon asked why she did not go to a school until now like many others of her age did, Kiran’s innocence unveiled the obvious-to-many: her parents never thought of sending her to a school. She does not even know whether two of her three siblings (all brothers) ever went to a school. But she says firmly that Biju bhai was going to a school for some time, but not now. After her father (Dibakar Gouda) sold off the goats that they possessed her other brother- Kaila bhai went to Surat to join the eldest one: Sanjay bhai.
Kiran would not stop thanking her paternal uncle and Mrs Bharati Kumari Sahu, the Head Teacher of the Girls UP School, Dura, Ganjam that she is going for 3 days now, for they were instrumental in convincing her father- Dibakar Gouda and mother-Kamini Gouda about the benefits of education and the provisions of the revolutionary Right of Children to Free and Compulsory Education Act-2009, popularly known as the Right to Education (RTE) Act. Dibakar would not have sent his daughter to the school if he had to spend money for buying books or a dress for his daughter.
Kiran appears to be on the top of the world, with so many friends around and with a book in her hand which she says she would love the most. It was too early for her to tell us what she wants to be when she grows up. However, she confided that she would continue studying as long as she can. And why not, the euphoria will need some time to sink in! The school is also celebrating Kiran’s admission along with some other new entrants who joined the school in its induction class during the pravesh utsav marking the first day of the state wide campaign: Shiksha Chetna Abhiya ( SCA).
The novelty of SCA launched by the School and Mass Education Deptt of Orissa in collaboration with Rural Development Deptt., ST and SC Development Deptt. and UNICEF office for Orissa, cannot perhaps see a better manifestation than having all the Kirans of the state enrolled in their neighbourhood schools. The 6-days long abhiyan with a basket of activities at the school levels was envisaged primarily for gearing up the implementation of RTE Act in the State. For little over a year now the Deptt., unlike many other states is not playing a wait and watch. Rather it has been a front-runner in terms of kick-starting an array of activities on a fast track starting with providing the required impetus in sensitizing the parents, guardians, community members, teachers, PRI members and administrators to ensure that children in the age group of 6-14 years are not denied their rights to elementary education. Going forward, crores of rupees will be sent, millions of man-hours would be dedicated for the purpose. But the real impact will be made at the cutting-edge level only by having all the Kirans in their neighbourhood schools.
There have been eye- brows raised over the quality of education in the state run schools. But then, somewhere there has to be a starting point. SCA promises to snowball into an impact-making larger revolution going from strength to strength with required support from and involvement of all the stakeholders to ensure quality education at the elementary level. I do have reasons to believe that quality education or lack of it is just a state of mind.
(My) Passions (reposting)
Three passions have governed my life:
The longings for love, the search for knowledge,
And unbearable pity for the suffering of [humankind].
Love brings ecstasy and relieves loneliness.
In the union of love I have seen
In a mystic miniature the prefiguring vision
Of the heavens that saints and poets have imagined.
With equal passion I have sought knowledge.
I have wished to understand the hearts of [people].
I have wished to know why the stars shine.
Love and knowledge led upwards to the heavens,
But always pity brought me back to earth;
Cries of pain reverberated in my heart
Of children in famine, of victims tortured
And of old people left helpless.
I long to alleviate the evil, but I cannot,
And I too suffer.
This has been my life; I found it worth living ( adopted from B Russel)
The longings for love, the search for knowledge,
And unbearable pity for the suffering of [humankind].
Love brings ecstasy and relieves loneliness.
In the union of love I have seen
In a mystic miniature the prefiguring vision
Of the heavens that saints and poets have imagined.
With equal passion I have sought knowledge.
I have wished to understand the hearts of [people].
I have wished to know why the stars shine.
Love and knowledge led upwards to the heavens,
But always pity brought me back to earth;
Cries of pain reverberated in my heart
Of children in famine, of victims tortured
And of old people left helpless.
I long to alleviate the evil, but I cannot,
And I too suffer.
This has been my life; I found it worth living ( adopted from B Russel)
My ten cents: love it or hate it
Sometimes wonder don’t we have more than required number of bills/Acts/laws or having yet another in the form of Lokpal(LP from now on)is gonna to do what good ?
My worst fear is that the LP might just end up being yet another toothless tiger and would with time die its (un)natural death post elevating some names into the history book.
Not for once I am endorsing not having something to curb/kill/end corruption in the country. But then let’s ask ourselves once again- don’t we have anti corruption laws in place? And then, what about the RTI Act which was supposed to lay the very foundation of transparent governance? Are we realising its true potential or its being withering away? We are either too tolerant or plain fools. There is no third way.
A more realistic stab would force us do the soul searching. Are the existing laws being enforced properly, the Acts/bills being implemented in their true spirit. If we have not witnessed proper implementation/enforcement, I am afraid the new ones would not get us any magic fruition either. Be it the envisaged LP or anything else for that matter. If we would have strengthened the means, the purposes would have certainly been served. Result- we would not have had to see Annas and Babas doing what they are doing. Want an LP to overarch almost everything that’s existing, what for? Isn’t it unconstitutional to undermine the sanctity of the democratic independent institutions? Why would LP be designed to be a ‘super-judiciary’? Let's dive a little deeper. If the apex court is gonna remain as the supreme one, why duplicating? And guess what- when we already have all those uncleared, untouched court-cases, LP would simply delay things further. There would be more number of cases requiring more time to get the hammer on. LP or no LP, there is a stern need to give teeth and transparency to ‘law enforcement’ in this country. If not, mark my words- if LP becomes a reality it would also meet the same fate as others have. I am not all surprised over the deadlock/stalemate at the drawing board.
The latest buzz over the countless number of fasts is just as unfortunate as the fuss over the raise of drinking age, equally or more farcical. To add to the farce, Kejriwal terms it a ‘jokepal’- bad looser ( I mean see, he has already conceded) ! This goes on to show how serious he or for that matter his team was about the whole thing. In a democratic set up, if you are not ready to come to the table for a dialogue and allow agreements and disagreements over things, then I am afraid you are wasting others’ time. I am yet not talking about the purposeful sidelining of the likes of Aruna Roy and Harsh Mander from the camp. Worse, the inconsistency of Santosh Hegde! Come on, have a still head, dude!
The people of the country certainly need to be made aware of the concern over governance, transparency, justice, etc or lack of them. But then, for heaven’ s sake allow Gandhiji to rest in peace. Am sure he would hang his head in shame to see his notions being abused at the drop of a hat. History bears the testimony to the fact that Gandhiji never used Satyagrah (fasting) for Independence. Rather he fasted whenever there were atrocities meted by the Britishers. And then, that had a different historical context. A layman would tell us that something that worked wonders in the past may have turned obsolete. Going on fast to gain sympathy of the people is almost like putting me at gun point asking me to call a goat a tiger.
I don’t wish to make a mention of Ramdev here, as I strongly support what Digvijay Singh said. He should better be remembered as someone who took yoga to most households of the country and be respected for that only.
With heart within and God above me, let me say : Buraa jo dekhan main chalaa, buraa na mila koyee, Jo mann khojaa apna to mujh se bura naa koyee.....Do a survey and find out how many Indians don’t want corruption to end and how many of them have not been a party to it regardless of the magnitude. The point that I am trying to drive home is – let charity begin at home.
On another note- if my dad and mom had to retire from work life at 60, why should not everyone after 60 (I repeat) be asked to stay home and play with grand children. Isn’t it time for the country to run on fresh legs? I am sorry but ‘democracy’ has never been made to feel home here in India. You may like it or hate it, but ignore it at your own peril.
My worst fear is that the LP might just end up being yet another toothless tiger and would with time die its (un)natural death post elevating some names into the history book.
Not for once I am endorsing not having something to curb/kill/end corruption in the country. But then let’s ask ourselves once again- don’t we have anti corruption laws in place? And then, what about the RTI Act which was supposed to lay the very foundation of transparent governance? Are we realising its true potential or its being withering away? We are either too tolerant or plain fools. There is no third way.
A more realistic stab would force us do the soul searching. Are the existing laws being enforced properly, the Acts/bills being implemented in their true spirit. If we have not witnessed proper implementation/enforcement, I am afraid the new ones would not get us any magic fruition either. Be it the envisaged LP or anything else for that matter. If we would have strengthened the means, the purposes would have certainly been served. Result- we would not have had to see Annas and Babas doing what they are doing. Want an LP to overarch almost everything that’s existing, what for? Isn’t it unconstitutional to undermine the sanctity of the democratic independent institutions? Why would LP be designed to be a ‘super-judiciary’? Let's dive a little deeper. If the apex court is gonna remain as the supreme one, why duplicating? And guess what- when we already have all those uncleared, untouched court-cases, LP would simply delay things further. There would be more number of cases requiring more time to get the hammer on. LP or no LP, there is a stern need to give teeth and transparency to ‘law enforcement’ in this country. If not, mark my words- if LP becomes a reality it would also meet the same fate as others have. I am not all surprised over the deadlock/stalemate at the drawing board.
The latest buzz over the countless number of fasts is just as unfortunate as the fuss over the raise of drinking age, equally or more farcical. To add to the farce, Kejriwal terms it a ‘jokepal’- bad looser ( I mean see, he has already conceded) ! This goes on to show how serious he or for that matter his team was about the whole thing. In a democratic set up, if you are not ready to come to the table for a dialogue and allow agreements and disagreements over things, then I am afraid you are wasting others’ time. I am yet not talking about the purposeful sidelining of the likes of Aruna Roy and Harsh Mander from the camp. Worse, the inconsistency of Santosh Hegde! Come on, have a still head, dude!
The people of the country certainly need to be made aware of the concern over governance, transparency, justice, etc or lack of them. But then, for heaven’ s sake allow Gandhiji to rest in peace. Am sure he would hang his head in shame to see his notions being abused at the drop of a hat. History bears the testimony to the fact that Gandhiji never used Satyagrah (fasting) for Independence. Rather he fasted whenever there were atrocities meted by the Britishers. And then, that had a different historical context. A layman would tell us that something that worked wonders in the past may have turned obsolete. Going on fast to gain sympathy of the people is almost like putting me at gun point asking me to call a goat a tiger.
I don’t wish to make a mention of Ramdev here, as I strongly support what Digvijay Singh said. He should better be remembered as someone who took yoga to most households of the country and be respected for that only.
With heart within and God above me, let me say : Buraa jo dekhan main chalaa, buraa na mila koyee, Jo mann khojaa apna to mujh se bura naa koyee.....Do a survey and find out how many Indians don’t want corruption to end and how many of them have not been a party to it regardless of the magnitude. The point that I am trying to drive home is – let charity begin at home.
On another note- if my dad and mom had to retire from work life at 60, why should not everyone after 60 (I repeat) be asked to stay home and play with grand children. Isn’t it time for the country to run on fresh legs? I am sorry but ‘democracy’ has never been made to feel home here in India. You may like it or hate it, but ignore it at your own peril.
Wednesday, May 25, 2011
On Mon, 04 Apr 2011 16:32:01 , vinnu wrote
On Mon, 04 Apr 2011 16:32:01 , vinnu wrote
Sunday 3rd April
Those who have good observation will notice that “24” should have been “28” because the last time India won a cricket world cup (Rightly named “The cup that counts”) is in the year 1983. However when history of Indian cricket was being written and new era was beginning in 1983, I was 7 years young and don’t remember anything about that world cup. However, that event triggered my never ending love for the game and started playing the Indian beautiful game “cricket” with my new bat, a present from my dad.
1987 Reliance World Cup, India, Pakistan
This was the first world cup for me. By the time this world cup event came I was quite familiar and follower of not only Indian cricket but of world cricket. In those internet-free, computer free days, I and my methodical elder brother made a big chart containing details of each match played in the world cup. First feeling of heart break came in the semifinals against England where English players swept india out of world cup contest.
My brother prophesied Srilanka will be world champions soon and I ridiculed him n Srilankan team only to be proven terribly wrong in later years. I started dreamed to be a cricketer and play for my country being unaware that the same dream occurring simultaneously among billions of young children like me.
1992 Benson and Hedges World Cup, Australia, New Zealand
Though I never stopped being a cricketer (I play whenever possible even today and will play till I am OUT!), due to certain circumstances my priority in life changed. Education became compulsive first and playing cricket took slightly lesser attention but the fire, the josh and the interest were still intact.
This world cup remained in my memory bank for two reasons. First, the colorful dresses, beautiful grounds, white ball, a new look world cup. All these I watched in my first color TV, again a gift from my mom n dad for getting first class in 10th std. Second reason, which later became a legend, is the entry of Sachin Ramesh Tendulkar, a young boy of same age as me thrashing the cricket ball around mesmerized me beyond anything imaginable.
This world cup is also memorable for the entry of a new cricketing “choker” n “unlucky” powerhouse “South Africa”. Though Indian team couldn’t do much in this world cup, still it is one of my favorite world cup.
1996 Wills World Cup, India, Pakistan and Sri Lanka
“What will you do to watch world cup? Let’s do a Sine die!” That was the revolutionary words told by my Engineering college leader and we agreed more out of love for cricket than the leadership skills of our leader. Though it was horrible feeling sitting idle for nearly 3 months at home in hot Indian summer, watching world cup was too much of a temptation.
There has been a constant scene observed during this period of Indian cricket, the team, whole country was dependent only on one guy, sachin tendulkar. Once sachin is OUT, switch off the TV and do anything except thinking about match.
The joyful feeling felt in the quarterfinal match against Pakistan converted into a nightmare in the semifinal against Srilanka and I was devasted not only at the loss but the way team india lost. After that loss I was sure that it will need a miracle for India to win a world cup ever as I thought 1996 was the best chance to win the cup. As prophesied many years earlier by my brother Srilanka became champions.
1999 ICC World Cup, England
I had hardly any hope for India winning or even entering the finals. But as a hardcore fan of cricket I supported with all my energy to the only team which I thought was well deserved but unlucky team “South Africa” under Cronje’s leadership.
As if India’s exit from this world cup has not done enough damage, the stunning blow came in the semifinal of Australia and South Africa’s “Tie” game. One of the most foolish and turning point moment in cricketing history I have witnesses in the TV room of my IIT Kanpur hostel along with 200 or so die hard cricket fans. Australia have won that world cup and started their cricket world dominance for 12 continuous years.
2003 ICC World Cup, South Africa, Zimbabwe and Kenya
With the passing time, the cricketing playing teams matured, money increased many folds and next generation of cricketers have come up. There was a new generation coming up from my personal front too. This world cup is very very special for me not because India entered into this world cup final exceeding my expectations but the grand entry of my son “Ricky” into this beautiful world. While there were excited discussions about naming the new baby, I have decided on the eve of final match, to give my son the name of the player who will win the “man of the match” award. Unfortunately, India lost and Ricky Ponting won, but I loved the name “Ricky” (it’s a different matter I m the only one who call my son Ricky).
2007 ICC World Cup, West Indies
Undoubtly, the worst world cup event ever. From the start to finish everything went wrong. I even don’t remember any happy moment of this event except that my second son “Sunny” entered quietly into my world. No final “man of the match” naming ceremony this time, so I gave him the name of my past favorite player Sunil Gavaskar, Sunny.
Lets pass on to next one.
2011 ICC World Cup, India, Srilanka and Bangladesh
One significant development took place in last 2-3 years, no more switching off activity once sachin gets OUT. First time in many years, the Indian team understood the meaning of “TEAM”.
Though my heart and mind too said that India is the best team in this edition of world cup, I was wary of Australia and almost wished not to play them till Final. When I knew the quarterfinal is between India and Australia, I understood the winner will take the cup. After the win against Australia I felt confident for the first time after 1996 that the historic moment is not far. A good game against Pakistan in the semifinal boosted further my confidence and I was prepared for the Final.
On the D-day, most of the first innings I missed due to official work and unavailability of TV. As the second innings started and by the time I went near neighbour’s TV, both sehwag and sachin gone. Oh No! That old sinking feeling came back and memories of 1996 started haunting me. Still as the TV is not shut off after sachin’s departure and the confidence on this Indian team after defeating Australia was very high I continued watching along with some 30 odd supporters. The moment Dhoni hit Six and later on lifted the world cup along with sachin n team, everyone around me and everywhere in the world were dancing, celebrating. The first thing I did was to call my son “Ricky” and checked whether he watched the match or not. We both said congratulations to each other.
I quietly came back to my room, take out the photograph of my brother from my wallet, kissed it, said “We won!” and then slept peacefully after watching a cricket world cup final in 24 years.
* The views expressed in this article are entirely from my own experience...
Dr. Benu Madhab Gedam
M.Tech. IITK (1997-2000)
Sunday 3rd April
Those who have good observation will notice that “24” should have been “28” because the last time India won a cricket world cup (Rightly named “The cup that counts”) is in the year 1983. However when history of Indian cricket was being written and new era was beginning in 1983, I was 7 years young and don’t remember anything about that world cup. However, that event triggered my never ending love for the game and started playing the Indian beautiful game “cricket” with my new bat, a present from my dad.
1987 Reliance World Cup, India, Pakistan
This was the first world cup for me. By the time this world cup event came I was quite familiar and follower of not only Indian cricket but of world cricket. In those internet-free, computer free days, I and my methodical elder brother made a big chart containing details of each match played in the world cup. First feeling of heart break came in the semifinals against England where English players swept india out of world cup contest.
My brother prophesied Srilanka will be world champions soon and I ridiculed him n Srilankan team only to be proven terribly wrong in later years. I started dreamed to be a cricketer and play for my country being unaware that the same dream occurring simultaneously among billions of young children like me.
1992 Benson and Hedges World Cup, Australia, New Zealand
Though I never stopped being a cricketer (I play whenever possible even today and will play till I am OUT!), due to certain circumstances my priority in life changed. Education became compulsive first and playing cricket took slightly lesser attention but the fire, the josh and the interest were still intact.
This world cup remained in my memory bank for two reasons. First, the colorful dresses, beautiful grounds, white ball, a new look world cup. All these I watched in my first color TV, again a gift from my mom n dad for getting first class in 10th std. Second reason, which later became a legend, is the entry of Sachin Ramesh Tendulkar, a young boy of same age as me thrashing the cricket ball around mesmerized me beyond anything imaginable.
This world cup is also memorable for the entry of a new cricketing “choker” n “unlucky” powerhouse “South Africa”. Though Indian team couldn’t do much in this world cup, still it is one of my favorite world cup.
1996 Wills World Cup, India, Pakistan and Sri Lanka
“What will you do to watch world cup? Let’s do a Sine die!” That was the revolutionary words told by my Engineering college leader and we agreed more out of love for cricket than the leadership skills of our leader. Though it was horrible feeling sitting idle for nearly 3 months at home in hot Indian summer, watching world cup was too much of a temptation.
There has been a constant scene observed during this period of Indian cricket, the team, whole country was dependent only on one guy, sachin tendulkar. Once sachin is OUT, switch off the TV and do anything except thinking about match.
The joyful feeling felt in the quarterfinal match against Pakistan converted into a nightmare in the semifinal against Srilanka and I was devasted not only at the loss but the way team india lost. After that loss I was sure that it will need a miracle for India to win a world cup ever as I thought 1996 was the best chance to win the cup. As prophesied many years earlier by my brother Srilanka became champions.
1999 ICC World Cup, England
I had hardly any hope for India winning or even entering the finals. But as a hardcore fan of cricket I supported with all my energy to the only team which I thought was well deserved but unlucky team “South Africa” under Cronje’s leadership.
As if India’s exit from this world cup has not done enough damage, the stunning blow came in the semifinal of Australia and South Africa’s “Tie” game. One of the most foolish and turning point moment in cricketing history I have witnesses in the TV room of my IIT Kanpur hostel along with 200 or so die hard cricket fans. Australia have won that world cup and started their cricket world dominance for 12 continuous years.
2003 ICC World Cup, South Africa, Zimbabwe and Kenya
With the passing time, the cricketing playing teams matured, money increased many folds and next generation of cricketers have come up. There was a new generation coming up from my personal front too. This world cup is very very special for me not because India entered into this world cup final exceeding my expectations but the grand entry of my son “Ricky” into this beautiful world. While there were excited discussions about naming the new baby, I have decided on the eve of final match, to give my son the name of the player who will win the “man of the match” award. Unfortunately, India lost and Ricky Ponting won, but I loved the name “Ricky” (it’s a different matter I m the only one who call my son Ricky).
2007 ICC World Cup, West Indies
Undoubtly, the worst world cup event ever. From the start to finish everything went wrong. I even don’t remember any happy moment of this event except that my second son “Sunny” entered quietly into my world. No final “man of the match” naming ceremony this time, so I gave him the name of my past favorite player Sunil Gavaskar, Sunny.
Lets pass on to next one.
2011 ICC World Cup, India, Srilanka and Bangladesh
One significant development took place in last 2-3 years, no more switching off activity once sachin gets OUT. First time in many years, the Indian team understood the meaning of “TEAM”.
Though my heart and mind too said that India is the best team in this edition of world cup, I was wary of Australia and almost wished not to play them till Final. When I knew the quarterfinal is between India and Australia, I understood the winner will take the cup. After the win against Australia I felt confident for the first time after 1996 that the historic moment is not far. A good game against Pakistan in the semifinal boosted further my confidence and I was prepared for the Final.
On the D-day, most of the first innings I missed due to official work and unavailability of TV. As the second innings started and by the time I went near neighbour’s TV, both sehwag and sachin gone. Oh No! That old sinking feeling came back and memories of 1996 started haunting me. Still as the TV is not shut off after sachin’s departure and the confidence on this Indian team after defeating Australia was very high I continued watching along with some 30 odd supporters. The moment Dhoni hit Six and later on lifted the world cup along with sachin n team, everyone around me and everywhere in the world were dancing, celebrating. The first thing I did was to call my son “Ricky” and checked whether he watched the match or not. We both said congratulations to each other.
I quietly came back to my room, take out the photograph of my brother from my wallet, kissed it, said “We won!” and then slept peacefully after watching a cricket world cup final in 24 years.
* The views expressed in this article are entirely from my own experience...
Dr. Benu Madhab Gedam
M.Tech. IITK (1997-2000)
Friday, April 1, 2011
Ton or Not, its India all the way.........
Over 32k intl runs vs over 1.3k intl wickets.......99 tons vs 77 5-fors........very difficult to choose from. But the one that looks little unfairly eluded the former is a WC crown....Am very sure if there is ANYONE out there who balances things, then its gonna be baba’s all the way. And it is dil-logical.
Appears like a dream one, and the run has been awesome and scripted to perfection. A WC finale, Mumbai and wankhede , isn’t it a fitting adieu that cricket can ever bid to arguably the best ever to don the whites or the blues.....
If I were anyone else including the SL captain, i would certainly not mind trading anything for this one. All the claims, zinx over the host not being crowned the camp ( btw, SL was a co-host in 1996 edition) has been put to rest since this time it has to be one of the hosts that would kiss the crown.
Rightly said by them- greatness never ages. Never ever thought baba would play this edition of the WC. From the curly teenager in 1989 to the more than matured that he is now, from shy and ardent disciple to a would-do-anything-to-get-this-mentor type now, from belting Qadir to take this off Lee, age has been made to look like a mere number. I don;t have any trace of doubt in my mind that this is the opportunity that MIB has ever had to give a perfect 10 to the best student of the game.
Agree- there is still a match to be won. agree,-its a game of glorious uncertainties, agree-nothing can be said unless the last ball is bowled, agree-most hope for the best team to win, agree- the other team that’s vying for similar glory is equally geared up and also agree that even the lankan tigers would not mind so much to wait at least until 2014 for their 2nd crown. And I just hope and pray for this to happen.
Modern days sports are extremely cruel on a human body. For this little great one, to remain enviably fit at this age and that after having to get almost all his bone joints treated and to stay extremely calm and balanced speak volumes about the persona. For those who still believe that he is just little over 5 and a half foot tall, baba has made them count his shadows when he walks. Jai ho.........
Appears like a dream one, and the run has been awesome and scripted to perfection. A WC finale, Mumbai and wankhede , isn’t it a fitting adieu that cricket can ever bid to arguably the best ever to don the whites or the blues.....
If I were anyone else including the SL captain, i would certainly not mind trading anything for this one. All the claims, zinx over the host not being crowned the camp ( btw, SL was a co-host in 1996 edition) has been put to rest since this time it has to be one of the hosts that would kiss the crown.
Rightly said by them- greatness never ages. Never ever thought baba would play this edition of the WC. From the curly teenager in 1989 to the more than matured that he is now, from shy and ardent disciple to a would-do-anything-to-get-this-mentor type now, from belting Qadir to take this off Lee, age has been made to look like a mere number. I don;t have any trace of doubt in my mind that this is the opportunity that MIB has ever had to give a perfect 10 to the best student of the game.
Agree- there is still a match to be won. agree,-its a game of glorious uncertainties, agree-nothing can be said unless the last ball is bowled, agree-most hope for the best team to win, agree- the other team that’s vying for similar glory is equally geared up and also agree that even the lankan tigers would not mind so much to wait at least until 2014 for their 2nd crown. And I just hope and pray for this to happen.
Modern days sports are extremely cruel on a human body. For this little great one, to remain enviably fit at this age and that after having to get almost all his bone joints treated and to stay extremely calm and balanced speak volumes about the persona. For those who still believe that he is just little over 5 and a half foot tall, baba has made them count his shadows when he walks. Jai ho.........
Tuesday, March 29, 2011
blue vs green for a red hot battle
“They attacked on Tuesday, repeated on Friday and I am replying on a Wednesday”- one of the strongest b-town dialogues of recent times ( Nas Shah to Anupam Kher in the movie- Wednesday). Hope MIB are listening.
I was scanning through today’s newspaper and the three sports pages were almost all about what Mohali is going to unfold in few hour’s time. Y-day’s S/F clash between SL and NZ was reduced almst to a footnote. Such is the hype of this particular game and its impact seems to be second to no other sports news in India.
At centurion few years ago, Akhtar barged in and banged one short that Sahin cut over third man boundary for a massive six to mark the writing on the wall. As if that was not enough, the apprentice photocopied that shot, but this time Waqar was on the receiving end. No matter how hard Akhtar now tries to deny that he does not remember that shot of Sachin, I can bet my a** on the fact that the tailor-made-for-camera-moment will be remembered as long as cricket survives. And ditto for the nightmarish shot of Misbah in the T-20 final which found the waiting palms of Sreesanth. I think even Imran and Javed are also suffering from short term memory loss.
With team Sachin-Sehwag going great guns and Yuvi giving a performance of his life-time, its everyone’s guess which bowling side wud be under more pressure. Taking no credit away from Afridi’s purple patch ( for a change, its not bang bang Afridi thie time), I feel Indian batters will come on the top. Gul is surely going to pose a potential threat. But didn’t Bret Lee do the same thing the other day. The maturity with which he was tackled by baba and veeru was there for everyone to take a note of.
On paper, it is going to be a battle of Indian batting vs Pak bowling and so on the field too. Torrential rain last night would certainly have forced both the teams to have their plan-B ready. However my tip would be stick to your plan-A only. Its how perfectly you execute your plan-A will help you win more often than not.
It is for the media to keep flashing ‘ it is the mother of all battles”, ‘Epic tussle of nerves and skills’..blah blah.......And, for both the teams, it should be just yet another game. I feel i t is little unfair to pressurize the players who are there doing their jobs in a manner that they know the best. For us cricket fans, its all about fun, beer, friends, pub, and i-know-it-all strategies, post-mortems, half day in office, etc.........But whatever- its all abt blood, sweat and blue today.......Jai Ho.....
I was scanning through today’s newspaper and the three sports pages were almost all about what Mohali is going to unfold in few hour’s time. Y-day’s S/F clash between SL and NZ was reduced almst to a footnote. Such is the hype of this particular game and its impact seems to be second to no other sports news in India.
At centurion few years ago, Akhtar barged in and banged one short that Sahin cut over third man boundary for a massive six to mark the writing on the wall. As if that was not enough, the apprentice photocopied that shot, but this time Waqar was on the receiving end. No matter how hard Akhtar now tries to deny that he does not remember that shot of Sachin, I can bet my a** on the fact that the tailor-made-for-camera-moment will be remembered as long as cricket survives. And ditto for the nightmarish shot of Misbah in the T-20 final which found the waiting palms of Sreesanth. I think even Imran and Javed are also suffering from short term memory loss.
With team Sachin-Sehwag going great guns and Yuvi giving a performance of his life-time, its everyone’s guess which bowling side wud be under more pressure. Taking no credit away from Afridi’s purple patch ( for a change, its not bang bang Afridi thie time), I feel Indian batters will come on the top. Gul is surely going to pose a potential threat. But didn’t Bret Lee do the same thing the other day. The maturity with which he was tackled by baba and veeru was there for everyone to take a note of.
On paper, it is going to be a battle of Indian batting vs Pak bowling and so on the field too. Torrential rain last night would certainly have forced both the teams to have their plan-B ready. However my tip would be stick to your plan-A only. Its how perfectly you execute your plan-A will help you win more often than not.
It is for the media to keep flashing ‘ it is the mother of all battles”, ‘Epic tussle of nerves and skills’..blah blah.......And, for both the teams, it should be just yet another game. I feel i t is little unfair to pressurize the players who are there doing their jobs in a manner that they know the best. For us cricket fans, its all about fun, beer, friends, pub, and i-know-it-all strategies, post-mortems, half day in office, etc.........But whatever- its all abt blood, sweat and blue today.......Jai Ho.....
Friday, March 25, 2011
choke, bleed and blue.......
The most irritating yet inevitable question will continue to be asked to the Proteas. Thanks to the dramatic collapse at Mirpur against the Kiwis. I had to eat the humble pie when I went overboard after India lost 9 for 29 the other day saying – it happens only in India. Little I knew then that I would proved wrong by the Proteas, one of the favourites for the 10th edition of the World Cup being played in the sub-continent. Pat Symcox says, “ the answer lies not in batting, bowling and fielding, but in the fourth aspect of cricket: in the mind. And at crucial times, it seems that it's the opposition who have the upperhand in that department, despite all the changes South Africa have made”. Hence the only way to shed the inevitable tag is by winning a major ICC trophy.
It was horrendous, least to say, to witness a team collapsing from 108/2 to bundle out for 172. The likes of Kallis, Duminy and also Smith would throw themselves in towel for playing some of the nightmarish shots of their lives. Taking nothing away from the Kiwis, Proteas have only themselves to blame for or may be the history to failing at the knock-out stage. On another note , Kiwis lifted their games when it really mattered. Oram emerged from nowhere to pick Smith and then followed up with 3 more wickets. Much against the run of the play Smith and Kallis were back in the dressing room. As if one of the freakiest dismissal ( of Amla) was not enough for the fate of the Proteas, du Plessis and AB messed up things at the middle. DP tried to wage a lone battle, played sensibly during the batting PP, but guess it was too little too late and the inevitable was already scripted. Kudos to john wright, the silent assassin.
Now going forward, with the mother of all battles shedding its cast over the subcontinent it is going be a edge-of-the-seat battle at Mohali where history is waiting to be written. The great run of Pak notwithstanding, the semi would be a battle of nerves more than cricket. On one side we have a charged up young brigade led by a geared-up Afridi, while on other is a far more balanced team which is so determined to gift the cup to their God. A mouth watering clash indeed in prospect. Just need to see who takes the battle to whose camp. The mere thoughts of mini-battles of Veeru vs Gul, Sachin vs Hafiz/Azmal, Yuvi vs Afridi, etc. are enough value for money. The uncertain game that cricket is, it is surely going to offer the classic battle of the top run-getters so far vs the top wicket taker of the tournament. Not for a moment I am thinking of ‘let the best team win’. You may call me selfish or whatever you choose for that matter. But I want to see the cup that has long eluded the kit of the greatest cricketer of our (modern) times...so for me personally its not 03/30 , rather 04/02- the J-day, the D-day.....! Go, boys go........its all abt blood, sweat and blue now. .bleed blue.........cheers.
It was horrendous, least to say, to witness a team collapsing from 108/2 to bundle out for 172. The likes of Kallis, Duminy and also Smith would throw themselves in towel for playing some of the nightmarish shots of their lives. Taking nothing away from the Kiwis, Proteas have only themselves to blame for or may be the history to failing at the knock-out stage. On another note , Kiwis lifted their games when it really mattered. Oram emerged from nowhere to pick Smith and then followed up with 3 more wickets. Much against the run of the play Smith and Kallis were back in the dressing room. As if one of the freakiest dismissal ( of Amla) was not enough for the fate of the Proteas, du Plessis and AB messed up things at the middle. DP tried to wage a lone battle, played sensibly during the batting PP, but guess it was too little too late and the inevitable was already scripted. Kudos to john wright, the silent assassin.
Now going forward, with the mother of all battles shedding its cast over the subcontinent it is going be a edge-of-the-seat battle at Mohali where history is waiting to be written. The great run of Pak notwithstanding, the semi would be a battle of nerves more than cricket. On one side we have a charged up young brigade led by a geared-up Afridi, while on other is a far more balanced team which is so determined to gift the cup to their God. A mouth watering clash indeed in prospect. Just need to see who takes the battle to whose camp. The mere thoughts of mini-battles of Veeru vs Gul, Sachin vs Hafiz/Azmal, Yuvi vs Afridi, etc. are enough value for money. The uncertain game that cricket is, it is surely going to offer the classic battle of the top run-getters so far vs the top wicket taker of the tournament. Not for a moment I am thinking of ‘let the best team win’. You may call me selfish or whatever you choose for that matter. But I want to see the cup that has long eluded the kit of the greatest cricketer of our (modern) times...so for me personally its not 03/30 , rather 04/02- the J-day, the D-day.....! Go, boys go........its all abt blood, sweat and blue now. .bleed blue.........cheers.
Wednesday, March 16, 2011
Harsha Bhogle's note after Ind-SA match
Remember when you failed an examination. How many people recall that, your class, friends, relatives? You failed to make it to the IITs or IIMs. Who remembers. How many times have you had the feeling of being the best in your class, school , university, state….., you failed to get a visa stamped this quarter…, you missed a promotion this year…, how did it feel when you dad told you in your early twenties that you are good for nothing…..and now your boss tell you the same... You keep introspecting and go into a shell when people most of whom don’t matter a dime in your life criticize you, back bite you, make fun of you. You are left sad and shattered and you cry when your own kin scoffs at you. You say I am feeling low today. It takes a lot from us to come out of these everyday situations and move on. A lot??? really? Now here’s a man standing on the third man boundary in the last over of a world cup match. The bowler just has to bowl sensibly to win this game. What the man at the boundary sees is 4 rank bad bowls bowled without any sense of focus, planning or regret. India loses, yet again in those circumstances when he has done just about everything right. He does not cry. Does not show any emotion. Just keeps his head down and leaves the field. He has seen these failures for 22 years now. And not just his class, relatives, friends but the whole world has seen these failures. We are too immature to even imagine what goes on in that mind and heart of his. That’s why I would never want to be Sachin. True, he has single handedly lifted to moods of this entire nation umpteen number of times. He has been an inspiration to rise above our mediocrity. Nobody who has ever lifted the willow even comes close to this man’s genius. His dedication and metal strength is unparallel. This is specially for those people who would have made fun of him again last night when India lost. They are people who are mediocre in their own lives. Who just scoff at others to create cheap fun. Who have lived in a small hole throughout their lives and thought they have seen the oceans. Think about the man himself. He is 37 years of age. He has been playing almost non stop for 22 years. The way he was running and diving around the field last night would have put 22 year olds to shame. The way he played the best opening quickies in the world was breathtaking. He just keeps getting better which is by the way humanly impossible. Its not for nothing that people call him GOD. But still I don’t want to be in those shoes. We struggle in keeping our monotonous lives straight, lives which affect a limited number of people. Imagine what would be the magnitude of the inner struggle for him, pain both mental and physical, tears that have frozen with time, knees and ankles and every other joint in the body that is either bandaged or needs to be attended to every night, eyes that don’t sleep before a big game, bats that have scored 99 international tons and still see expectations from a billion people. And he just converts those expectations into reality. We watch in awe, feel privileged. Well I think its time that his team realizes that enough is enough. They have an obligation, not towards their country alone but towards sachin. They need to win this one for him. Stay assured that he himself will still deliver and leave no stone unturned to make sure India wins this cup. This is not just a game, and he is not just a sportsman. Its much more than this. Words fail here..... --- HARSHA BHOGLE
good, bad and ugly ( so far..)
Mid-term evaluation
With the ICC WC-2011 more than half-way through and more half of the quarterfinalists already decided, its not too many surprises so far. I know some must be giving knee-jerk response as most Indian fans would have post SA tie at Nagpur, some would have simply jumped the gun like Ian Botham did and some may have. But then, its always fun to wait and watch .
Ozs have been unbeaten so far, but the juggernaut is far from what it used to be in last 3 editions. Sub-continental teams have excelled in patches. Indian batting looks ok so does the protean. NZ has done every bit possible to get back to some kind of shape after the initial blues. Most of the matches in Group A went almost as per the prescript. But the other one has offered the real excitement. India beat Bangladesh, Bangladesh beat Ireland, Ireland beat England, England beat SA, SA beat India and this goes on to make one believe that one goes around also comes around. The uncertain element of the game at its best. The men in blue which was sitting pretty safe now faces a mathematical possibility of getting ousted. Well, i don’t see this happen as my gut feeling says its India all the way this time. I brushed off the Nagpur loss putting all the blame on a dear friend who flew all by himself from Bhubaneswar to watch the match without even bothering to leave slightest of a hint. I had earlier blamed him for India’s mixed fortune against Eng as he was sitting by my side at my home all thru the match. Superstition to be core!!!
A lot has been spoken and written about on the use of power-plays. So i don’t have anything much to say on that. Talking of individual glories, Sachin, AB, Veeru, Watty, Yuvi, Pollard, Trott have so far provided what was expected off them. However, in the bowling dept. its been pretty interesting. People who have historically been the bashers of pitches of this part of the globe are left completely clueless. We saw Afridi and Imran leading the pack initially and then two fiery hat-tricks by pacers provided a lot to fellow fast bowlers a lot to cheer about.
Now it would be interesting to see what this weekend has in offer as the Q/F line-up is all set to be decided as we go to the nest week. Right now I am enjoying Somedev’s run at the ATP masters @ Indian Wells. Oops he lost to rafa this morning, but it was worth spending 2 hrs this morning glued to the TV. He gave his idol a real run for his money. And interestingly, Somdev ran better than Nadal on many occasions. Just that Rafa won couple of points when mattered more. No worry- it was a brave-heart show by the Indian qualifier..well done dude, we are so very proud of u! cheers
With the ICC WC-2011 more than half-way through and more half of the quarterfinalists already decided, its not too many surprises so far. I know some must be giving knee-jerk response as most Indian fans would have post SA tie at Nagpur, some would have simply jumped the gun like Ian Botham did and some may have. But then, its always fun to wait and watch .
Ozs have been unbeaten so far, but the juggernaut is far from what it used to be in last 3 editions. Sub-continental teams have excelled in patches. Indian batting looks ok so does the protean. NZ has done every bit possible to get back to some kind of shape after the initial blues. Most of the matches in Group A went almost as per the prescript. But the other one has offered the real excitement. India beat Bangladesh, Bangladesh beat Ireland, Ireland beat England, England beat SA, SA beat India and this goes on to make one believe that one goes around also comes around. The uncertain element of the game at its best. The men in blue which was sitting pretty safe now faces a mathematical possibility of getting ousted. Well, i don’t see this happen as my gut feeling says its India all the way this time. I brushed off the Nagpur loss putting all the blame on a dear friend who flew all by himself from Bhubaneswar to watch the match without even bothering to leave slightest of a hint. I had earlier blamed him for India’s mixed fortune against Eng as he was sitting by my side at my home all thru the match. Superstition to be core!!!
A lot has been spoken and written about on the use of power-plays. So i don’t have anything much to say on that. Talking of individual glories, Sachin, AB, Veeru, Watty, Yuvi, Pollard, Trott have so far provided what was expected off them. However, in the bowling dept. its been pretty interesting. People who have historically been the bashers of pitches of this part of the globe are left completely clueless. We saw Afridi and Imran leading the pack initially and then two fiery hat-tricks by pacers provided a lot to fellow fast bowlers a lot to cheer about.
Now it would be interesting to see what this weekend has in offer as the Q/F line-up is all set to be decided as we go to the nest week. Right now I am enjoying Somedev’s run at the ATP masters @ Indian Wells. Oops he lost to rafa this morning, but it was worth spending 2 hrs this morning glued to the TV. He gave his idol a real run for his money. And interestingly, Somdev ran better than Nadal on many occasions. Just that Rafa won couple of points when mattered more. No worry- it was a brave-heart show by the Indian qualifier..well done dude, we are so very proud of u! cheers
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