God is Upstairs

Unconventional wisdom, Unconventional thought-process. Perhaps, that is the way to be. The world, society has been conventional, as always, yet there are hints of miniscule cerebration which make the life progress. Shaped customs, traditions from years, decades and centuries and yet we try to break-free to set on a deviation, only to be deviated a bit further, in complete tandem with the ever evolving universe.

Where does the Almighty reside ? Is HE far from us, near us or within us ? How does HE hear us, help us ?. Have we humans, ever met him, seen him ? Why do we always look up at the abysmal SKY when we have to sometimes thank HIM, always curse HIM ? Do we have a provision of sitting, walking, standing besides HIM, somewhere in the Sky ? Can HE afford to spare us a 4*4 room upstairs ? Huh.

We all are part of atleast a religion (though self-styled) and we all have a few forms of GOD. Jesus, Buddha, Mohammed, Rama. Weren’t these present on Earth ? Didn’t they spend their duration (if not Life) here on the soil or did they take a flight to nowhere post the assignment.

Earth gives us all.

We all belong to Earth. We all start from the Mother’s womb only to make it back to Earth, happy to accommodate us, irrespective of religion, region, caste. Such a big heart. Earth feeds us, accommodates us, whatever or whosoever we are. Infact, Earth holds us all together, in pain, in happiness, in euphoria, in birth, in death. The force GRAVITY is what keeps us near to HIM, all unyielding like a dueling family. We start our life here and we end it here, to meet our creator, perhaps for another re-incarnation, another birth. Yet we all look upstairs, towards the sky, towards the stars (doesn’t even have GAS), in the space and in the vacuum, searching for HIM, believing HE will take us to a different flight when we give-in, either by choice or by compulsion.

It’s been thousands of years to life, ages to mankind, we still believe the conventional, the routine. We seek divinity, being a part of divine itself and yet being indifferent to his presence. Can we break-free from our fabricated ethos and bloated egos so as to recognize and realize HIM, the conventional. The evolution has happened and will continue so, perhaps, keen to meet the originator. Will we, as a part of the process, ever realize that we belong to HIMSELF.

Stereotype is time-bound, will be loosened, so are we, only to answer WHEN.

Certainly, God is NOT upstairs.

Hats off Kejriwal !!!

Two weeks of fast has cost him 6-7 kgs of weight, however, this has definitely catapulated Kejriwal to the league of politics. Sacrifice has been the key to success in Indian politics as it touches the emotional aspect with the voter. Not only has Arvind Kejriwal managed to grab the eyeballs at primetime, but also he has been able to strike the chord with the the average middle or even lower class. 

The fast which started on Mar 23 appeared to be a damp squib as compared to previous fasts, agitation or exposes (most importantly those of Robert Vadra and Nitin Gadkari). His fast has ended, but this has given a lot of credence to his crusade with over a million pledging their support for not paying the inflated power and water bills.

I strongly feel the following points would certainly give a thumbs-up to Kejriwal in his yet another attempt to make it to the big league of Indian politics and start the process of cleansing the stinking system.

Strategy : Old wine in the new bottle. Kejriwal has understood and utilized this concept pretty well. DLF-Vadra nexus was highlighted in Economic Times on Mar 14, 2011 in this article. Kejriwal made the most of this issue by exposing this in the press conference, giving multiple interview on news channels and almost convincingly answering a lot of questions. The issue of electricity and water prices has been raised by BJP (though on a muted note) in the past. Kudos to Kejriwal for hijacking the issue from BJP, adding a pinch of salt in the form of fast, campaign signatures, the required media coverage. He has been the super strategist with identifying the existing issues, re-packaging them and taking it to the doorsteps of Indian public.

Objective : Kejriwal will continue to get stronger with every event, be it be an agitation, fast, expose or whatsoever. The reason for his success can be attributed to the objectivity laid out. This objectivity has been able to give a direction and an approach to his campaigns and also a mechanism to measure the success or failure. Anna Hazare, on the other hand has been subjective. Anna comes with a very clean image and has a great appeal in the youth. However, people want RESULTS. They want QuickWins. His Lokpal campaign in Ramleela maidan was one of best seen in last 5 years or more. However, the campaign wasn't able to deliver the results, thanks to the chameleon parliamenterians. Kejriwal's decision of forming a political party has been a bold one and will certainly provide a path of delivering the results for the countrymen.

Basics : Undoubtedly, Kejriwal and his core team were able to devise the right strategy for the core issues. Electricity and water do form the basics of any household. In the past few years, the inflation has virtually made the middle and lower class gasping for breadth. Coupled this with rising prices of electricity and water has just added to the woes. Kejriwal has hit the bulls eye with these issues in order to touchbase with atleast a million delhi households. Election would certainly be a different ball game, but atleast, he has made his presence felt in Delhi with a million people supporting his campaign.

Team : I was watching a debate a week back on NDTV, anchored by Ravish Kumar. The debate had candidates from Congress, BJP and Aam Aadmi Party (Yogendra Yadav was the participant from AAP). Yogendra Yadav was the clear winner. Kejriwal has been able to garner the right candidates, even though, very few in number, for his party. Any political party needs people with exceptional oratorial skills. Yogendra Yadav has been THE man with astute know-how of indian politics, it's pitfalls and possibly the agenda and the strategy that can be devised to beat the political parties at their own game. I would expect Kejriwal to bring in people with similar or more stronger credentials to his movement.

There is a lot at stake for Kejriwal's party AAP in the upcoming Delhi elections. Political pundits rightly say that election remains a different ball-game as it requires monetary and muscle power. Fasts, agitations etc may not necesarily translate in votes. However, irrespective of the results, Kejriwal has been able to make a dent in the existing parties' image, atleast to a certain extent and has been able to connect with the aam aadmi on the basic issues. He will have to establish his credibility further in the form of deliveries/ results to convince further the balloter.

Challenges ahead and so is the way.

Hats off again.

Back with a Bang

Procrasination. Waking up after a very long time, so as to pen something (again genuine) and keep my blog going. There have been many issues in the recent past which touched my heart (Arvind Kejriwal’s expose, Nirbhaya rape case) and I thought of collating my opinion, alas Procrasination.


So, here I come again, Back with a Bang.

MSD. Do I need explain further. One of the most prolific, flamboyant, canny sportspersons India has ever produced. There have been great cricketers of modern times, Tendulkar, Dravid, Sehwag, none can match the charisma of MSD as a captain. He has lead Indian team to scale new heights and with a lot of fervor.

It’s been a fairytale story for MSD’s fans since he has donned the hat of skipper. Series win in Down Under, NZ, 1st T20 World Cup, # 1 ranked Indian team in Test cricket and the icing on the cake, 2011 Indian World Cup. Not to forget, CSK being one of the most successful teams in IPL, under the leadership of Dhoni. Was it just the ladyluck ?

The disastrous tour of England followed by Australian tour did prove certainly expensive to VVS. And a bit almost to Dravid. Couple of other seniors such as Sehwag, Gambhir were also in the firing line for being inconsistent. The tour of English team in 2012 was almost like a curtains call for MSD. His credentials were at stake, certainly as a skipper and also an established batsman in Test side. Just when criticism was sneaking in, the magician has cast the Midas touch again.

2013, Australia’s tour of India.

1st Test, Chennai.

It’s just MSD. He over-shadowed a lot of batting prowess exhibited by Michael Clarke in Australia’s first innings, 81 by Tendulkar and a composed century by Kohli. Terrific double-century and a test win added yet another feather to the cricketing great.

Currently, it’s 3-0 in MSDs favor. As a true fan of this legend, I would hope the beleaguered and depleted Oz side would just help this tally to go upto 4-0.

To me, the best part of being Dhoni is the manner he has bounced back and has managed to give a befitting reply to his critics. He has put a lot of questions, rumors to rest. Not only has he ensured his captaincy in all forms of the game for atleast next year or so, but also he has found true Test cricketers in Pujara, Dhawan and M Vijay. Virat Kohli, has again performed pretty decently in the home series, giving a fillip to his confidence. These performances may certainly put a lot of doubt over Sehwag, Gambhir, though it just might suit very well for MSD and Indian Test cricket so as to look for young blood. It’s time for these young guns to be given a chance so as to forge and nurture their confidence and experience.

The forecast seems pretty simple. The magician will continue to spellbound millions of Indian fans for again a few years. I am quite sure, I will come back and pen down something further, cheerfully again, for the greatest ever.

At the mercy of...

Lo and behold.

The World Champions are being smashed all over. They have been battered, bruised and have been made to bite the dust. Whether it was England, Australia and now minnows Bangladesh, which have made a mockery of the World cup winning squad.

If I can re-collect correctly, the world champions, for example, West Indies, Australia, India, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, all did justice to their crown by dominating the game over their oponents atleast for a few years. World Cup is held every 4 years, and the above-mentioned world champs did rule the roost for a few years before loosing the sheen.

Indian victory in 2011 was celebrated across the nation as MSD did hand-over the most cherished prize to frenzy nation after a gap of 24 years. The victory was celebrated probably in the remotest village inIndia. Dhoni had become the messiah of the cricket followers in the nation. However, much to the dismay of every Indian fan, the hype and hooplah of being world champs, has been very very short-lived.

West Indies tour was an eyewash. We were playing against a decimated side which didn't have much to offer to themselves. They still managed to put up a good show in ODIs with a 2-3 loss. Suresh Raina got his first overseas win as a captain under his belt. England tour turned just forgettable and Oz tour was a disaster waiting to happen. Likes of Tendulkar, Dravid, Laxman all failed Down Under, in what was their last tour to the country.

ODI series in Australia was a up-down affair. Kohli came good. And India were at the mercy of SL, to reach the finals.

Asia cup. Sachin did score his 100th ton, though I still believe that maestro has been in poor form for over a year now. A century against Bangladesh in the sub-continent, doesn't prove his credentials. Infact, the new born hero is Kohli, who is having a roller-coster ride with every game being played. Unbelievable loss to Bangladesh, thanks to awful bowling, and we were still at the mercy of Bangladesh, to reach the finals.

Is this the same World Cup winning team led by Mahi which had outplayed every team, just a year back. The Indian cricket fan would be hugely disappointed, but to say that this would happen so soon, within a few months of the glorious victory, has been very very shameful.

IPL begins, only to add further woes to the remaining tours/ series this year. Injuries, fitness issues will surely crop-up post IPL.

And Indian team...will be...

At the mercy of...

Whitewash...

Humiliating defeats...India tamed by England and Australia 4-0, Pakistan hammer England 3-0. Just that Sri Lanka managed a win in South Africa, else that series would also have been a whitewash.

Are the ICC and other cricket ratings farce. Or the hosts are too clever for the visitors, thereby giving a thumbs down to the well-above ranked Test side.

Probably, the pitch and the conditions are becoming too much of a decisive factor. But then, what's the meaning of #1 or #2 Test side. Ideally, the #1 team should have championed the turn and bounce being offered by any pitch anywhere and their bowlers should be capable enough to outclass the opposition batting, whatsoever.

It seems that the golden era of a champion team a.k.a Steve Waugh's side, is almost over. That team had the true stalwarts, who could make the opposition look like minnows, irrespective of the venue, pitch, conditions.

It's proven that English side can be spinned out in Indian sub-continent, easily. There are chinks in Clarke's armour as well. Let's see what his side is capable of doing on a topsy-turvy track.

IPL is being blamed for India's debacle, and rightly so. Too much of stroke-play, not really meant for Test cricket. The longer format, instead would require a different and a tougher mindset altogether.

Time to be champions at home and to be tamed abroad.

Nasty cricket.

The Dirty Picture

Hmm.....Undoubtedly,Vidya Balan's histrionics haved wow-ed the audiences all over, the same isn't true for the bleaguered Indian cricket team. The team has performed horribly, and MSD's men are down and out. It's the same Indian team which had shot to No 1 slot in Test rankings sometime back. With the current series lost tamely, the team still edges out Oz side, just on paper. If records are anything to go by, Sachin, Dravid and VVS should have made the current OZ team, bite the dust. All seems to be going down the drain and it wouldn't be surprising if the result of series is 4-0. Australian side is oozing with confidence, are full of momentum. A couple of quick breaks in Indian top order in the 4th test, would certainly be a nail in the coffin. Alas, the tour could just have been a lot better for the Indian side.

It's very very difficult to say what's going wrong with the Indian side. To me, it just looks like a rough patch at the wrong time. VVS, Dravid, Sachin have been true champions of Test cricket. Their records speak for themselves and they have all proved time and again, just for current and the last English series. With the openers not able to perform well, it has just added to the woes. Probably, India's batting was being considered as the true strength and that has proved to be the Achilles' heel.

Australian's, on the other hand, have bowled a superb line and length. Irrespective of their batting, it's the bowling which has outclassed the Indian side. They have toppled the Indian side in all the 3 test matches and the same should hold true in Adelaide as well. Couple of quick fires from Warner, Clarke and Ponting have just been right in time for the Oz team.

With the triangular one-day series up next, it looks as though this just would be a forgettable tour of Australia. I don't see any miracles from the Indian side, even in one-days. They just might get over Sri Lankans, who are struggling again in South Africa.

Wish it was much brighter and sunnier for VVS, Dravid and Tendulkar. For sure, these three won't be touring Aus next time.

Time for a few members a.k.a. 'seniors' to go under the knife

Curtains. The Dirty Picture.

Down @ Down Under

Difficult for me to start this one. It's been a heart-breaking series so far. Much hyped, much frenzied...how can it go all wrong for the star-studded Indian team. Losing 2 matches on the trot, and within 4 days...all seems like a nightmare.

Millions of indian cricket fans...had expected this to be a lot better....infact this was THE mouth-watering, tantalizing series (post the English debacle). There were quite a lot of excuses for the England's tour, fitness and injuries being the major one (post the victorious World Cup). This tour should have been a lot different with Sehwag, Gambhir, Zaheer all fit and relaxed.

I strongly feel that this should be the last of Australia for the greats aka Tendulkar, Dravid and Laxman. And the entire team should have put in their best so as to wish the above-mentioned a most rememberable farewell. Alas, the tour is proving to be a forgettable experience so far.

My analysis for the tour so far

1. Need other bowlers to support ZAK. He has been India's mainstay bowler for a long time. Someone has to fill-in his shoes. Youngster like Umesh Yadav looked very promising in the 1st test, but others need to take wickets as well. Australians managed to take 20 wickets in both the tests, all their bowlers performed quite well (same did hold true for the English team when they beat India 4-0). Australian bowling was being termed as weak and bleak, though Siddle, Pattison and Hilfenhaus have all done their job. Indians, on the other hand, have had bowlers Ishant, Ashwin, who toiled and still looked clueless.

2. A great team is infact a team. If couple of big guns don't fire, it really shouldn't matter. The rest of the team should stand up to the task. Indian batting have so much relied on Dravid, Tendulkar, VVS. They have put up a show, but mostly in patches. These guns need to score and score big. But most importantly, the rest including Sehwag, Gambhir, Kohli, MSD, need to perform.

If MCG and SCG were won within 4 days, WACA can assure the result in 3 days. The way Australians are bowling and the way Indian team is showing up with the bat, the result can be expected within 3 days, for sure. The chances look very very bleak for Indian team to make a comeback in the next 2 tests. It looks all over as of now.

Australian team should be oozing with confidence. For Michael Clarke, this is the best opportunity to seal the series and establish himself as a great captain for the next couple of years. Underfire Pointing, has for sure retained his place, with great performance in SCG.

Alarm bells for a couple of Indian players (Gambhir, Kohli, Ashwin, Laxman (though Oz has been his favorite hunting ground, until the last tour). If it's a whitewash, few of these mentioned players, can cool-off their heels for atleast a year or so.

As a true and ardent fan of Indian cricket, I still hold the faith of a strong comeback. Though, it looks Michael Clarke all the way.

Good luck, MSD.