Dear Sachin, Thank You for the cricket…

Very few times in life you have something that you come across that truly lifts your heart, something that even would make an old man jump on his feet and whistle. That something, at present would probably be Sachin Tendulkar.

Unfortunately, for the people of my age group watching Sunil Gavaskar or Sir Vivian Richards playing was not possible. Even if we were fortunate enough to see some glimpses of them, I feel we probably were too small at that time to understand the finer nuances and nitty gritties of batting. For those who did, well they are very fortunate.

It’s shocking to know that Sachin Tendulkar has completed 20 years playing for India. For a person like me he has always been playing for India (that’s from when I’ve started watching cricket on television). Whether opening the batting or rising like a phoenix from the ashes by taking the team out of loosing situations he has always been there. Looking at his videos when he had just joined the team really makes me wonder. Atleast now he has grown in built and stature. What it must have been for him at that time to face the fast bowling greats like Wasim Akram, Imran Khan, Waqar Younis, Walsh, Ambrose, etc. At that time with no limits on the number of bouncers, I’m sure that it might have been more of defence rather than attack. But even though, he made sure they never got the better of him.

Probably the most vivid memory I have of Sachin is his Operation Desert Storm. The 134 runs against Australia at Sharjah is something I’m sure that I and also the millions of Sachin fans will never ever forget. The array of shots played was as if a simulation of the coaching manual was going on. May it be Warne, Fleming or whoever, Sachin showed that all hope was not lost. And though with defeat being in the face, he fought harder and harder and made sure that the two teams would be having an appointment again. There's a common saying that “Fortune favours the brave”. I would like to modify that its not only fortune but also God that favours the brave. The sandstorm was like a large group of angels that had come to descend on the field with all the good wishes and blessings of each and every Indian just hoping that we atleast qualify for the finals. After all, the God Almighty didn’t want to leave the God of Cricket alone in this hour of need. The sandstorm finally abated and out walked a man, with just one thing on his mind; not qualification but victory. In came the Aussie bowlers and out flowed the runs from the Master’s bat like blood oozing out of a fresh cut. Neither Fleming’s speed nor Warne’s spin web could stop him. The rest they say is History. India not only qualified, but also went on to win the finals.

Sachin’s career has been, in one word, illustrious with all the records in all formats (almost) of the game to his name. His charisma, style of batting, humility has caught the eye of one and all. So much so that even the all time great, the legendary, Sir Don Bradman took a note of it. Sachin is the only cricketer of the current generation to be included in the greatest of all time. So much so that even all the top-class bowlers of the world pray that they don’t have to bowl to him. The Indian bowlers on the other hand are the happiest as they never need to have that fear.

Even though of his genius and power on field, Sachin has not been a stranger to injuries. Whether it may be his back problem or his tennis elbow, everytime he has proved detractors wrong and has made a comeback harder and much stronger. Innings after innings, runs after runs, he just continues to inspire one and all. No one can and probably will never in a long long time match his abilities. Such a man is born just once in a century. His talent and prowess, uncanny ability to find gaps, running between the wickets and sheer presence at the wicket is so exquisite that it seems that God has taken special care and own sweet time to see that he is perfect. The beauty of Sachin is that even though he may have all the records to his name he always regards himself to be a student of the game. No matter what, there's always room for improvement. That’s the way to keep moving forward. Humility, I must say is Sachin’s motto.

With a staggering 12,773 runs in 159 Tests at a robust average of 54.58 with a mind-boggling 42 centuries and a whopping 17,178 runs in 436 ODIs at a healthy average of 44.50 with 45 centuries in the process, Sachin’s authority over the game is undefiable. His 44 Test wickets and 154 scalps in ODIs underline the fact that Tendulkar has been underbowled.

So, as Sachin makes his way out in the open on Sunday, the same way as he has been doing for 20 years, let us just stop and take a moment to say,” Thank You Sachin. Thank You for the cricket. May you keep going on and on.”

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Raj Thackeray: The uncalled-for Hero.

Raj Thackeray is to the Marathi people what the Spanish were to Christianity, a perfect bad example. In fact, Raj has so well lived up to this task that if you ask any Bombay city lover what is his worst fear, he’ll say Mr.Raj coming up with some of his paintras.

Starting from agitations about North Indians filling up posts to getting all sign boards in Marathi, this guy just seems to go on and on (I wonder what’s the secret behind such tremendous stamina). If that all was not enough, he went up to the extent of pulling up KJ’s movie just for the use of Bombay instead of Mumbai. Whatever Raj or his party workers and loyalists claim, I feel that Raj is nothing but a man of double standards.

If the Maharashtrians think that Raj is their friend then let me tell you or rather warn you. Raj is neither there for you nor for me. He may speak of many things like if necessary taking birth a thousand times to protect the rights of Maharashtrians (this same line seems to be on the lips of every MNS worker who’s caught for creating some ruckus). You only have to protect the rights of people whose rights are trampled upon. Which employer says that he will not give Maharashtrian’s jobs? If jobs were give on the basis of caste and creed you would only see one section of the country developing. Jobs are given to the competent and not for any other reason. When a job applicant applies for a job, the employer only sees to of what benefit he will be for the organization. He doesn't see that because he is a North Indian it’s good. Nothing like that.

If Maharashtrians are nowhere where it comes to having high posts and degrees then no other but they themselves are to blame. Who told the Maharashtrian’s to be so lazy and lethargic? Why is it that they are always associated with everything that’s slow and dumb? Don’t the Maharashtrian’s students have the intellect to crack exams like CAT, IAS, etc. Who stopped them from putting up stalls besides the so called outsiders? Just because Bombay geographically lies in Maharashtra that doesn't mean that the Maharashtrians can exercise they're right over it. All Maharashtrians should look back on their history. There was a time when Maharashtrian’s were considered pioneers and stalwarts. The beauty of the Marathi language and songs has inspired one and all. But that does not mean by just banking upon your past your future is going to be bright. Though Sachin Tendulkar may have 17K runs to his credit, yet he has to give his best everytime he plays. Unfortunately I think my Maharashtrian friends may have forgotten this. By showing through brutal force that you are a Maharashtrian does not help. Infact it attracts only strong criticism and flak. Rise to the top through hardwork and perseverance. All the Maharashtrian stalwarts too did the same. Shivaji didn’t steal his right from others, he commanded it.

If you think that just because Raj is fighting for Maharashtrian’s so he’s good. Let me tell you that he only fights for his agenda and getting all the media attention to get ahead in politics. Something that he has inherited from this uncle. Not surprising, whenever Raj lands up doing something, after a few days you see the other Sena too raising up the issue. Is this a case of one beating the other or some internally decided explicit timing? If Raj Thackeray is so much in love with Mumbai, then why doesn't he change the Bombay Stock Exchange(BSE) to MSE; the Bombay High Court to Mumbai High Court and the IIT-Bombay to IIT-Mumbai. Why did he have a problem with Bombay being used in Wake up Sid and not Rock On? Why does Raj only see to the affairs in Bombay? Why doesn't he see to the backward areas of Maharashtra where majority of people live below poverty lines? After all in Raj’s own words, Bombay alone is not Maharashtra. Unfortunately, Raj will never do that. Why? Simply because there's no media attention in it. It’s also unfortunate to know that where Raj should have being dealt with an iron fist, he was dealt with a velvet glove. The congress party keeping they’re vote bank in mind have allowed Raj to grow, rather than nipping him in the bud. History is a witness that in cases where one uses the other for his own gains he lands up being the biggest loser. During the times of the cold war, the US supplied arms, ammunition and monetary assistance to terrorist outfits like the Taliban to fight the Russians so as to curb the ever growing power of the USSR. Today the US is themselves fighting it. Its their so called own creation.

If you think that the other Sena is good then also let me tell you this. This Sena has attacked many communities too in the past. When the Gujrati's played a pivotal role in the affairs, the Sena had a problem. Even so, they removed all the local station names that were in Gujrati. On seeing the south Indians putting up hotels and road side food joints, they attacked them. It seems that these two Sena’s are nothing but two sides of the same coin. Instead of working in a constructive manner for the Maharashtrians(like as if they are its rightful caretakers) like educating them, grooming them, providing job opportunities they teach them to destroy and bring about an atmosphere of fear. Why do I get the feeling that this is the same that the jihadi groups do?

Raj Thackeray talks about a progressive Maharashtra, but how is it supposed to the progress when the damages done by Raj and his band of hooligan’s runs in crores of Rupees. Is Raj and his MNS ready to pay for all the damages caused? Moreover is Raj a real well wisher of Maharashtra? If yes, then what about his alleged irregularity of funds in the Kohinoor Mills’ deal?

With respect to the attack on north Indians and also on Abu Azmi I would just say that instead of seeing outside Raj should first see within. His own son hasn’t taken Marathi in college. His son studied and studies in an English medium institution. Around 95% of all Maharashtrian families send their children to English medium schools. I think from now on, they should send them to Marathi medium schools. I wonder how many will be in favour for it.
If Raj feels that all outsiders have come and taken up jobs leaving none for the locals, then he should be happy and proud of the attacks on Indians in Australia as the same thing is going on there. The Australians are probably feeling too that the Indians are taking up they're seats in universities and jobs. So Raj should now either come out in the open expressing his happiness or should stop parents from sending they're students abroad altogether.

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Enough Is Enough...Just another slogan

The last time I wrote was when some incidents perturbed me to such an extent that I had to get out what I felt. Few days later, my worst fears are taking shape. The Mumbai Massacre as it’s called is the main topic of argument.

Ever since we have had the Mumbai Massacre we keep saying Enough Is Enough. I know I may not be forgiven here, but I feel I need to differ. Enough is enough sounds nothing better than a political party’s slogan like Congress ka haath, aam aadmi ke saath. I wish to ask everyone, each & everyone as to what has infuriated us so much this time that we have actually come on the streets demanding answers. As far as my intellect takes me, it is simply because we have never seen an attack so severe. We never ever thought that an ordeal could last 60 hrs. all this while, we were used to those quick 20 minute bomb blasts & then ordinary people helping one another. Secondly, it was the Taj in question. The Taj or the jewel in the palace as one would say. This is probably the first time that the rich have felt unsafe. Probably this is the reason that Bombay was under the worldwide media glare. The Taj & the Oberoi-Trident did have guests of many different nationalities. If you ever doubt my perception then here’s a small query. How many news channels actually talk about VT railway station, Cama Hospital, Metro cinema casualties? There were more blast sites right? What about them? Weren’t lives lost there too? Or as compared to the elite living in Taj & Oberoi-Trident these are insignificant? Why have all the synagogues across the world decided to observe 26th November as a day of grief in remembrance of just 2 of its citizens? Why are we Indians treated as thrash & the death of one of us as ordinary?

Everywhere you go, you will find people asking questions as to why? What are the people who are entrusted with the job of protecting us doing? What should we do now? I’m quite surprised to know that people have even gone to the extent of saying that we are not going to pay taxes. We should go & demolish all the terrorist camps that have sprung all across PoK & Pakistan. In a state of fury such statements are legible, but come to think of it practically they're ILL-LEGITIMATE. If you ever think that these things are practically possible, then you're probably in LALALAND & need to be awoken from your deep slumber. These high vocals of protest of such anger are not going to yield anything except damage to one’s own health & nothing else.

You may have often heard on TV that we as citizens of this country need to exercise our vote carefully. We should make sure that those elected should be just & upright. I would like to ask the same people, whom are they talking about? Why they don’t understand that voting in India is nothing but choosing the Best out of the Worst. Everytime we see the same people contesting from the same constituency. Everytime the same person wins. Probably he has 9 criminal cases to his name as compared to the other who has 10. Secondly election is India is a big farce. We are made to choose people who are truly non-competent. This non-competent guy then goes ahead & handles an all-important portfolio which he is absolutely inept at. Thus the only condition for being a person holding power is to win an election. To do this, I just need to flaunt my popularity image, my muscle & money power. If I am successful at that then I will have thousands of chamchaas around me the same way bees encircle a flower.

There is also a demand that we should declare a period of national emergency to get things straight. I’m all for it. All I ask “Will it ever happen?” Sadly NO. No political party will agree to it. You see all our politicians have much to lose in this deal. Firstly, they would lose their salary. Now that runs into a pretty huge sum I would say. More importantly, do you realize how much time would be lost which could be spent in amassing huge wealth? Not to forget, if ever their scams are unearthed then it would spell disaster for the man in question. His clean image would be marred forever. After all things are put straight & India is returned her pristine glory, things would again be the same. Just like the time at independence & now.

Another angle to this incident is the Pakistan angle. I would like to ask; when would we learn to think as grown-ups. Every terrorist attack in this country is blamed on Pakistan. After getting credible evidence against Pakistan, we tell them to hand over to us those involved. Has Pakistan all these years paid even the slightest heed to our demands. NO. But yet like small children we run about yelling & pointing the finger at Pakistan. I mean why? What for? Pakistan is not to be blamed. India is. We very well know that our neighbor has probably nothing better to do than coming up with plans to annihilate us. But yet like old fools we continue to be a soft target for all of them. Why don’t we develop our security to such an extent that forget Pakistan, tomorrow even if Australia desires to attack us its plans never materialize. Its clearly a case where we point a finger at the other forgetting that three are pointing back at me.

In my earlier blog, I had spoken about the whole concept about India being a so-called country. Till today, since birth people keep on telling me that I belong to a particular religion, I belong to a particular region. When will the day finally arrive when people will tell me that I am simply an Indian…that too with no strings attached?

If we really want to change things then change should be complete. Not just a mere part of it. There should be changes in each & every department & that too with the celerity that it requires. A Harshad Mehta should be tried, convicted & should complete his sentence in his lifetime. Timely death should not be the ultimate punishment. If possible, corporal punishment should be awarded which will prove to be a deterrent for others. A high profile person giving inflammatory speeches against a particular section of people should be persecuted in the same way as an ordinary citizen is. A non-baillable warrant should be a non-baillable warrant & not just on the face of it. It is truly sad to say that we Indians don’t deserve democracy. We truly require the autocratic & imperialist rule that we are used to. In the ancient times we had just one English governor for the entire presidency. Today we have Ministers, Cabinet Ministers, MoS, etc, etc, etc. But yet, even together they are no match for the ability of that one governor. I am truly sorry for being a pessimist, but I guess it’s easy to convince yourself this way rather than being optimistic & see your hopes & aspirations of a better country go up in flames.

At last, the need of the hour is to channelize our anger, frustration in a proper way. This brings to mind an incident that took place years ago in USA. A son was returning home after years of education in another state. During this period the mother never saw her son. To return home, the son hired a cab. Unfortunately the cab driver was drunk. The son met with an accident & died on the spot. Imagine what the mother might have undergone? The mother’s anger knew no bounds. She was so angry that she formed MADD – Mothers Against Drunken Driving. This premier NGO in the US makes sure that people who drink & drive are brought to book. A common saying in Hindi says that the reply to a brick thrown should be a stone. I do not say that we need to hurl a stone at our enemy. I just say that we shouldn’t forget that somebody had the cheek to throw a brick at us. Together by looking in the interests of the country as a whole & not of a region or religion we will be able to make a difference. Yes We Can!!!

So, till we meet again. Take care, God Bless You & May God Bless India.

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I am Proud of my ‘So-called Country’ India…

I am proud of the country where the ideals of our freedom fighters are remembered only during election times.


I am proud of the country where the streets & the surroundings are nothing but a vast public latrine.


I am proud of the country where basic amenities meant for the poor & needy are instead used by the rich & powerful.


I am proud of the country where disputes regarding the country’s resources are a daily affair.


I am proud of the country where justice takes years to attain.


I am proud of the country where the same guilty people always come to power in every election.


I am proud of the country where the people are not held accountable for their actions.


I am proud of the country where one community thinks of outnumbering the other by means of violence & destruction.


I am proud of the country where very citizen takes his freedom for granted.


I am proud of the country where its people have got caught entangled in the various laws & by-laws.


I am proud of the country where a 15 minute government job takes a minimum of 15 months.


I am proud of the country where red-tapism is the government agencies trademark.


I am proud of the country where its very own people look out for & destroy its own property.


I am proud of the country where the people are given a false impression of ‘Saare Jahan Se Accha, Hindustan Hamara’.


I am proud of the country where its people have no problem in dirtying it, but the same people in a foreign land stay away from.


I am proud of the country where being a literate means just being able to sign.


I am proud of the country where the minimum criteria for being a peon is Std X pass, but to be the Prime Minister even a Std V pass would do.


I am proud of the country where the facilities given to a minister for better implementation of his duties are used by his family to attend personal events.


I am proud of the country which though being the world’s largest producer of milk & wheat yet its every citizen is not guaranteed 1 roti & 1 glass of milk daily.


I am proud of the country where the law of the land is only for laymen & not for high profile people like ministers or people of power.


I am proud of the country where the number of pending cases in the Supreme Court is around 35 Lakh & no idea how many in the State & District courts.


I am proud of the country where before holding a person guilty his caste, creed & origins are taken into consideration.


I am proud of the country where freedom of speech, freedom of religion & other fundamental rights are only bound to the pages of the constitution.


I am proud of the country where its people are proud to flaunt their caste.


I am proud of the country where in a world of competition people look for reservations & resort to destruction of public property in order to get it sanctioned.


I am proud of the country where even after so many years questions are raised about an individual’s loyalty to his motherland.


I am proud of the country where an individual see’s to his betterment before the betterment of his nation & countrymen.


I am proud of the country where being an honest man is perhaps the worst crime.


I am proud of the country where holding a position of office is seen as a chance to amass wealth rather than a chance to serve with honesty & dedication.


I am proud of the country where laws are put aside just to attain political advantage.


I am proud of the country where its citizens feel unsafe even in the safety of their homes.


I am proud of the country where the death of its citizens is treated as an ordinary thing.


I am proud of the country where the innocent are penalized while the guilty are left scot free.


I am proud of the country where its people are looked upon only & only as a large vote bank & nothing else.


I am proud of the country where the meaning of ‘public servant’ varies from its actual meaning.


I am proud of the country where there are 43 political parties filled with relatives & people who are mostly incapable of governing the nation or have a long criminal record.


I am proud of the country where ministers having no previous knowledge of a particular office are given ministries to handle.


I am proud of the country where a justice seeking person’s character is maligned while that of the accused is glorified.


I am proud of the country each and every thing is given a religious hue.


I am proud of the country where the parliament is nothing other than a comedy circus.


I am proud of the country where its leaders itself don’t have any manners or etiquettes.


I am proud of the country where the people of 1 state are much more interested in the well being of its people in another sovereign country.


I am proud of the country where people living in a state for decades are termed as ‘outsiders’ & forcibly sent back.


I am proud of the country which has countless problems but no solutions.


I am proud of the union of 28 states & 7 Union Territories. I am proud of my ‘so-called country’ called India.


I am sad, depressed, disheartened & frustrated on seeing the incidents happening in India over the past few days. At such a time what do you expect someone to do? Let’s make an honest confession. Can we say that we are proud citizens of this country? Can we say that we are an emerging superpower? Or are we fooling ourselves by that never achievable dream?


We have everything that it takes to be the best. The best of talent, the work force, everything. The only thing required is the will, more importantly the political will. Till that comes nothing is achievable.

It is time for a new freedom struggle. Freedom from fear, freedom from injustice, freedom from caste, creed & other differences. The time has come. Let’s make a difference.

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