Talk about the exit of the "Big 5" (I will add Kumble to the list) of Indian Test cricket has been the talking point for the last year. This now seems to be in the home stretch, where some definitive action can be expected. It only bodes well that there has been a change in guard not just in the BCCI Managing committee, but also with the selectors.
For starters, it is wonderful to see that the various powers of the BCCI are now professional appointments and no longer Honarary posts. This, hopefully, will bring some accountability into the running of cricket in India.
India is now faced with 2 home series, the first against Australia starting Oct 9th and followed by a series against England in December. This seems like a perfect set of series to effect a change of guard in the team as well. The Big 5 have done enough in their careers to warrant a pompous farewell and where better to have that than at home. It is time to Phase their exit from cricket and ensure that a smooth transition happens. Heres how I would do it, if I were in Krish Srikkanths shoes.
The Australia series will be the swan song for Saurav Ganguly. For a man who kick-started Indias resurgence with a wonderful 141 in Adelaide aginst the very same Australians, it would be apt that he signs off after a series against the World Champs. This wil motivate him to play a good series and go out on a high and in teh minds of the public as a champion cricketer, one which he surely is, despite the controversies.
Anil Kumble and Rahul Dravid will play their last series against England. For two men who made their debuts against England in England, it will be fitting that them to sign off in style against the resurgent English team.
Laxman and Sachin Tendulkar seem to have a bit more in their tank and will help the transition be gradual and not sudden. With overseas series in Pakistan and New Zealand to follow, their experience will augur well for the youngsters in the side.
Talking about replacements, it is always difficult to fill the huge gaps that these contemporary greats will leave behind. Good news though is that the bench strength looks promising and ready to take on the reigns. Subramanium Badrinath, is the front runner in my opinion and with Akash Chopra, Rohit Sharma, Mohd Kaif, Yuvraj Singh and Virat Kohli in the wings, there is definitely good choice for the selectors. MS Dhoni has done enough to prove his effective captaincy and with 2 more series at home under the guidance of Anil Kumble will see him ready to take on the toughest job in Indian cricket. The huge boots of Anil Kumble as a bowler will be difficult to fill, but with Piyush Chawla, Amit Mishra and Pragyan Ojha knocking on the doors, Indian spin seems in safe hands.
Sachin Tendulkar should play his last One Day series against England at home and then focus only on Tests, thereby enabling him to elongate his Test career. The ODi team is now gelling well into a good side.
Time will tell if any of this happens. In the end I mean well for all of these seniors and I think that they deserve a grand farewell and I hope the players do not leave it until too late and get dropped from the side.
Thursday, October 02, 2008
Monday, September 29, 2008
Indian Sports : A Torch Relay
I stumbled upon this video hosted on Youtube from a friends Orkut Profile and it took me back 10 years when I used to wait to see this video. I have already, now seen this video 3 times today. Wonderful!!!!!
It was one of my dreams as a sportsman to be part of a torch relay. It remained unfulfilled primarily because I changed school after 10th std. If I had continued, I would definitely have been the torch bearer for the school. In my new school I was not there long enough to stake claim to be the torch ot flag bearer.
Coming back to the video, i was trying to identify each sportsman and heres the ones that I have got. Correct me if I am wrong and help me name the rest :
- Krishnamachari Srikkanth, the dashing opening batsman and now Chief of Selectors
- PK Bannerjee, who is the Dhyan Chand of Indian Soccer.
- Shiny Wilson, multiple Asian Gold medallist and represented India in a distinguished Athletics career. Was part of a Golden era of Indian womens athletics.
- PT Usha, like the video rightly shows, shes the gazelle of Indian athletics and the heroine of the era I mentioned earlier.
- Ramanathan Krishnan, one of Indias Tennis greats
- Ramesh Krishnan, completes the father and son duo, another Tennis great
- Nawab Mansur Ali Khan Pataudi, flamboyant cricketer and youngest captain of India. (Id s it Soha Ali running with him?)
- Kapil Dev Nikhanj, needs no introduction. Champion par excellence
- Milkha Singh (from one Pa'ji to another) . Indias Best Athletics Olympian
- Michael Ferreira, ace cueist
- Merwyn Fernandes, former Hockey captain and Olympian
- Sunil Manohar Gavaskar, first cricketer to 10K Test runs
- Erapalli Prasanna, one of the Indian champion spinning quartret
- Dilip Vengsarkar, distinguished cricketer, scored centuries at Lords in all of his innings there.
- Srinivas Venkatraghavan, another from the famous Spinning quartret (Bedi and Chandrashekar are the missing ones)
- Prakash Padukone, first Indian to win the All England Badminton Championship.
If I were to make a video like this currently, here are the people I would cast in it :
Sachin Tendulkar, Rahul Dravid, Saurav Ganguly, Anil Kumble, Bhaichung Bhutia, Dhanraj Pillay, Major Rajyavardhan Singh Rathore, Abhinav Bindra, Vijendra Kumar, Sushil Kumar, Leander Paes, Mahesh Bhupathi, Anju George, Pullela Gopichand, Vishwanathan Anand, Geet Sethi.
I have a feeling I am missing someone really special here.
With goosebumps, I sign off.
Tuesday, September 23, 2008
Things I have wanted to Do, and not gotten to yet!!!
Theres been quite a few things that I have wanted to do for a while, but for one reason or the other, I havent gotten down to doing it with full gusto. Any reason will be an excuse, so i better not mention any. These are the things I have been wanting to do :
1. Sing and record a few of my favourite songs in Karaoke. These songs include : Kannal Pesum Penne (Mozhi), New York Nagaram (Sillunu Oru Kaadhal), Hum hai Is Pal Yahaan (Kisna), Ajab Si, Ajab Si (Om Shanti Om)
2. Make a simple website for my Mama who is a practising Hydro Geologist, to enable him to reach out and market his services.
3. Join a short course on Photography.
4. Develop a nice and simple utility software that will help in automating/simplifying some routine task. The aim of this is to learn the new and emerging technologies as well as to do something productive. Perhaps, this is the only thing on this list that I have done something about.
5. Go shopping to utilise the gift voucher that I received for my budday.
6. Take my car for a service.
I better stop here and try and get on to one of these tasks right away.......
1. Sing and record a few of my favourite songs in Karaoke. These songs include : Kannal Pesum Penne (Mozhi), New York Nagaram (Sillunu Oru Kaadhal), Hum hai Is Pal Yahaan (Kisna), Ajab Si, Ajab Si (Om Shanti Om)
2. Make a simple website for my Mama who is a practising Hydro Geologist, to enable him to reach out and market his services.
3. Join a short course on Photography.
4. Develop a nice and simple utility software that will help in automating/simplifying some routine task. The aim of this is to learn the new and emerging technologies as well as to do something productive. Perhaps, this is the only thing on this list that I have done something about.
5. Go shopping to utilise the gift voucher that I received for my budday.
6. Take my car for a service.
I better stop here and try and get on to one of these tasks right away.......
Wednesday, September 03, 2008
Australian Ma(i)te!!!!
A couple of weeks ago, I "officially" became Australian. After 6+ years of living in this country, I have now been conferred Australian Citizenship. The Ceremony was simple and was presided by the Mayor of the Moreland Council, Joe Caputo. The function started off with a few words from the distinguished guests and was followed by the Pledge. We all were then invited on stage individually to be given our certificate of Citizensship and a native plant (dunno which one I got, trying to find out yet). My interpretation of being given a native plant is that the plant is a symbol of Australia and as Citizens it is our duty to nurture it and grow with it.
Once all of these formalities were done, it was time for the National Anthem. As much as I love the Australian National Anthem, I had a feeling that singing it was not going to be that special. I proved myself wrong, for when singing "Advance Australia Fair", I had a few goosebumps. Afterall, this is a country where I have spent the last 6+ years of my life. I enjoyed the feeling, knowing very much that I am Indian by heart, by soul and by whatever else. I fell bad though that my India Passport is no longer valid and I am speeding up my OCI application so that I will never have to obtain a visa to travel to India.
A couple of days ago, I was speaking to a colleague and I said "I cant wait for November", and when he asked "Why?", I replied "Because I am going home". He shot back with "Were'nt you at an Australian Citizenship ceremony not long ago?". I expected that question and replied to him "It will take more than just a ceremony to make Australia my home" :)
I am proud of the 46 Olympic medals that Australia won, but I am more proud about the 3 Olympic medals that India won :)
Talking about the Olympics, I did not have the time to blog during week 2 of the action and just for a round-up on that - it was amaing to see India come back with our biggest haul of medals ever. Sushil Kumar and Vijender Kumar deserve Kudos for their efforts. The upward trend - Bronze in Atlanta, Silver in Athens, Gold + 2 bronze in Beijing bodes well for India and we should continue with this trend. The Commonwealth Games in Delhi and London 2012 should be the next targets.
The Olympics in all was Fantabulous and it was 2 weeks of sheer BLISS in front of the TV. Watching champions like Phelps and Bolt perform on the worlds biggest stage was amazing.
I am very tempted to write more about athletics. The hurdles and the batten played villain to many a Olympic hopes. The hurdles saw favourite Lolo Jones and Suzanna Kallur fall and in the mens, Chinas golden boy Liu Xiang got injured and in the Relays US, Great Britain and Jamaica were among the horror upsets. It was great Drama in all, but none greater than the Fairy Tale that is Usain Bolt - 3 Golds in 3 WR times.
I started the Olympics as an Indian Citizen and finished it as an Australian. The olympics was the same, wasnt it? Nothings changed!!!
Once all of these formalities were done, it was time for the National Anthem. As much as I love the Australian National Anthem, I had a feeling that singing it was not going to be that special. I proved myself wrong, for when singing "Advance Australia Fair", I had a few goosebumps. Afterall, this is a country where I have spent the last 6+ years of my life. I enjoyed the feeling, knowing very much that I am Indian by heart, by soul and by whatever else. I fell bad though that my India Passport is no longer valid and I am speeding up my OCI application so that I will never have to obtain a visa to travel to India.
A couple of days ago, I was speaking to a colleague and I said "I cant wait for November", and when he asked "Why?", I replied "Because I am going home". He shot back with "Were'nt you at an Australian Citizenship ceremony not long ago?". I expected that question and replied to him "It will take more than just a ceremony to make Australia my home" :)
I am proud of the 46 Olympic medals that Australia won, but I am more proud about the 3 Olympic medals that India won :)
Talking about the Olympics, I did not have the time to blog during week 2 of the action and just for a round-up on that - it was amaing to see India come back with our biggest haul of medals ever. Sushil Kumar and Vijender Kumar deserve Kudos for their efforts. The upward trend - Bronze in Atlanta, Silver in Athens, Gold + 2 bronze in Beijing bodes well for India and we should continue with this trend. The Commonwealth Games in Delhi and London 2012 should be the next targets.
The Olympics in all was Fantabulous and it was 2 weeks of sheer BLISS in front of the TV. Watching champions like Phelps and Bolt perform on the worlds biggest stage was amazing.
I am very tempted to write more about athletics. The hurdles and the batten played villain to many a Olympic hopes. The hurdles saw favourite Lolo Jones and Suzanna Kallur fall and in the mens, Chinas golden boy Liu Xiang got injured and in the Relays US, Great Britain and Jamaica were among the horror upsets. It was great Drama in all, but none greater than the Fairy Tale that is Usain Bolt - 3 Golds in 3 WR times.
I started the Olympics as an Indian Citizen and finished it as an Australian. The olympics was the same, wasnt it? Nothings changed!!!
Sunday, August 17, 2008
Prolific Phelps and Thundering Bolt!!!!!!
The weekend at Beijing was defined by 2 men who are on top of their respective sports - Michael Phelps and Usain Bolt.
Phelps found a way to where he is all alone, having won 8 Gold medals at the one Olympics. The 100m Butterfly finals was nail biting and defines the man Phelps - he fights to the end and never gives up and on more occasions than not, he comes out on top. Phelps turned at 50m in 7th position and the 8 Gold dream seemed distant at that stage, but he clawed his way back in his trademark style to take the Gold on the touch, from Serbian Milorad Cavic. There was only 1/100th of a second in that win. With that win, having equalled Mark Spitz 1972 record of 7 Golds, he entered the 4X100 medley relay as the butterfly swimmer and swam the crucial lap giving the Americans an unassailable lead and his 8th Gold. What a man!!!
Away from the Water Cube and inside the Birds nest, was another battle that I have been waiting for, for a few months now. The Mens 100m dash. The Semifinals were intersting too and the upset came in the 2nd SF when Tyson Gay failed to qualify for the Finals. That left just Bolt and Powell, the 2 heavyweights battling it in the Finals, or so I thought. The Finals was off to a smooth start and Usain Bolt was quick off the blocks. At half way mark, he was the clear leader. He thundered through the next 30 metres gaining a lead of almost 15m and then switched off, spread his hands and thumped his chest as he cruised to the finish line in World Record Time. It was the most fantastic and the most ridiculous race - at the same time - that I have ever seen. The man was toying with the field and had he not switched off with 20 m to go, he could well have gone 2/10th of a second faster. There was Usian Bolt and there were the rest. Theres more Thunder in store at Beijing. Micheal Johnsons 200m WR of 19.32 secs is very much under threat and there cant be a bigger stage to break that record. Usian Bolt made my weekend. Asafa Powell finished in 5th (just as in Athens). Perhaps the pressure of the Olympics finals got to him. Richard Thompson of Trinidad and Tonago took Silver and Walter Dix of US took bronze.
The 4X100 relay is a mouth watering prospect, with 3 of the 4 Jamaicans featuring in the 100m Finals - Powell, Bolt and Michael Frater(who broke the 10 sec barrier for the first time in the finals).
The story for the Indians has not been as good, since Abhinav Bindras Gold. Lee and Hesh lost the Doubles QFs to Roger Federer and Stainislas Wawrinka, who went on to take Gold. I think Roger Federer was very upset that he lost the Singles and wanted to make sure he goes home with a Gold. Good on him!! As I write, Nadal is leading by a set in the Finals of the Mens tennis.
Bajranglal Thakar finished 3rd is the D category final of the Mens Sculls and was not good enough for a medal. Well done to him though. The only hope for India now is the Pugilist - Akhil Kumar in the Bantam weight boxing. He beat the reigning champion to progress. His fight is tomorrow. Two other boxers have made it to the QFs.
The Indian womens Heptatheletes disappointed with a below par performance. Pramila Ganapathy, Shobha Javur and Susmita Roy finished 28th , 30th and 33rd respectively. What disappoints me most is that the Indian athletes never put up a Personal Best (PB) at the highest level. They may not be medal hopes, but coming up with a PB at least is the way to go.
Hopefully the others can do that.
Week 2 at Beijing ........bring it on!!!!!
Phelps found a way to where he is all alone, having won 8 Gold medals at the one Olympics. The 100m Butterfly finals was nail biting and defines the man Phelps - he fights to the end and never gives up and on more occasions than not, he comes out on top. Phelps turned at 50m in 7th position and the 8 Gold dream seemed distant at that stage, but he clawed his way back in his trademark style to take the Gold on the touch, from Serbian Milorad Cavic. There was only 1/100th of a second in that win. With that win, having equalled Mark Spitz 1972 record of 7 Golds, he entered the 4X100 medley relay as the butterfly swimmer and swam the crucial lap giving the Americans an unassailable lead and his 8th Gold. What a man!!!
Away from the Water Cube and inside the Birds nest, was another battle that I have been waiting for, for a few months now. The Mens 100m dash. The Semifinals were intersting too and the upset came in the 2nd SF when Tyson Gay failed to qualify for the Finals. That left just Bolt and Powell, the 2 heavyweights battling it in the Finals, or so I thought. The Finals was off to a smooth start and Usain Bolt was quick off the blocks. At half way mark, he was the clear leader. He thundered through the next 30 metres gaining a lead of almost 15m and then switched off, spread his hands and thumped his chest as he cruised to the finish line in World Record Time. It was the most fantastic and the most ridiculous race - at the same time - that I have ever seen. The man was toying with the field and had he not switched off with 20 m to go, he could well have gone 2/10th of a second faster. There was Usian Bolt and there were the rest. Theres more Thunder in store at Beijing. Micheal Johnsons 200m WR of 19.32 secs is very much under threat and there cant be a bigger stage to break that record. Usian Bolt made my weekend. Asafa Powell finished in 5th (just as in Athens). Perhaps the pressure of the Olympics finals got to him. Richard Thompson of Trinidad and Tonago took Silver and Walter Dix of US took bronze.
The 4X100 relay is a mouth watering prospect, with 3 of the 4 Jamaicans featuring in the 100m Finals - Powell, Bolt and Michael Frater(who broke the 10 sec barrier for the first time in the finals).
The story for the Indians has not been as good, since Abhinav Bindras Gold. Lee and Hesh lost the Doubles QFs to Roger Federer and Stainislas Wawrinka, who went on to take Gold. I think Roger Federer was very upset that he lost the Singles and wanted to make sure he goes home with a Gold. Good on him!! As I write, Nadal is leading by a set in the Finals of the Mens tennis.
Bajranglal Thakar finished 3rd is the D category final of the Mens Sculls and was not good enough for a medal. Well done to him though. The only hope for India now is the Pugilist - Akhil Kumar in the Bantam weight boxing. He beat the reigning champion to progress. His fight is tomorrow. Two other boxers have made it to the QFs.
The Indian womens Heptatheletes disappointed with a below par performance. Pramila Ganapathy, Shobha Javur and Susmita Roy finished 28th , 30th and 33rd respectively. What disappoints me most is that the Indian athletes never put up a Personal Best (PB) at the highest level. They may not be medal hopes, but coming up with a PB at least is the way to go.
Hopefully the others can do that.
Week 2 at Beijing ........bring it on!!!!!
Thursday, August 14, 2008
Beijing 2008 rolls on
After the euphoria of Gold that Abhinav Bindra won, it was disappointment at Badminton when Saina Nehwal missed out after a hard fought Quarter Final. She played a wonderful first game to win it, but could not sustain that level of play for the entire match. Shes young and shes determined and I am sure she will improve in the coming months.
Watching the swimming has been a delight. On the one end we have the Legend - Michael Phelps who has won 5 golds (11 in all olympics) and still counting and on the other end we have Australias own glamour girl Stephanie Rice winning 3 Golds. And then there is Frenchman Alain Bernard and Aussie Eamon Sullivan breaking each othrs records in the span of minutes and on the other end there is also Indias young VirDhawal Khade, who competed at the Water Cube (which is a wonderful swimming facility).
It is all happening. I am disappointed by the coverage here though as it is very Australian opriented and the commentary is biased. Sure, you have to cater for local audience and show the Australians performing, but then the Olympics is the biggest stage and you want to watch all the best sporting action, irrespective of nationality. Games such as the olympics present an opportunity for sports like Fencing, Wrestling, Gymnastics, Diving to be showcased, but again, because of the coverage, theres been very little or none of these sports covered on TV. I miss watching DDs coverage, as they covered all sports pretty well.
As I write, BajrangLal Thakar must be taking to the water in his Mens Single Sculls finals. I wish him the best and hope that he comes back with a medal. Just because he does not have long hair like Dhoni, or because Saina nehwal is not as media savvy as Sania Mirza, does not mean that these 2 dont deserve coverage. I was very disappointed with the media - Times Now Tv channel announced that saNIa (not saINa) had entered eth Quarters in Badminton, and Timesofindia.com had BajrangLal s last name as Thakur instead of Thakar. So much for our news agencies love for glamour in sport too!!!!
Lee and Hesh are in the Quarters and in my opinion are a real chance at a medal. From images that I have seem, they seem to be able to put all personal animosities to rest when they are on court representing India. Heres wishing them well and hoping that they return with a medal - Gold would be best!
In the next 2 days the action in the pool builds to a crrescendo, with Phelps chasing 8 golds and the grand finale with all of the exciting Medley relays. As much as I am looking fwd to that, I am more than waiting for action to start on eth track and field. It is a mouth watering prospect - the battle for eth fastest man between Tyson Gay, Usain Bolt and Asafa Powell, the sheer dominance and elegance of Blanks Vlasic (High Jump) and Yelena Isimbayeva (Pole vault), the grir and determination of teenager Pamela Jelimo in the 800m, the battle for the quarter mile between compatriots Jeremy Wariner and LaShawn Meritt, the short Stefan Holm in the High jump.............and this is just a preview of whats to come!!!!
Bring it on Beijing!
Watching the swimming has been a delight. On the one end we have the Legend - Michael Phelps who has won 5 golds (11 in all olympics) and still counting and on the other end we have Australias own glamour girl Stephanie Rice winning 3 Golds. And then there is Frenchman Alain Bernard and Aussie Eamon Sullivan breaking each othrs records in the span of minutes and on the other end there is also Indias young VirDhawal Khade, who competed at the Water Cube (which is a wonderful swimming facility).
It is all happening. I am disappointed by the coverage here though as it is very Australian opriented and the commentary is biased. Sure, you have to cater for local audience and show the Australians performing, but then the Olympics is the biggest stage and you want to watch all the best sporting action, irrespective of nationality. Games such as the olympics present an opportunity for sports like Fencing, Wrestling, Gymnastics, Diving to be showcased, but again, because of the coverage, theres been very little or none of these sports covered on TV. I miss watching DDs coverage, as they covered all sports pretty well.
As I write, BajrangLal Thakar must be taking to the water in his Mens Single Sculls finals. I wish him the best and hope that he comes back with a medal. Just because he does not have long hair like Dhoni, or because Saina nehwal is not as media savvy as Sania Mirza, does not mean that these 2 dont deserve coverage. I was very disappointed with the media - Times Now Tv channel announced that saNIa (not saINa) had entered eth Quarters in Badminton, and Timesofindia.com had BajrangLal s last name as Thakur instead of Thakar. So much for our news agencies love for glamour in sport too!!!!
Lee and Hesh are in the Quarters and in my opinion are a real chance at a medal. From images that I have seem, they seem to be able to put all personal animosities to rest when they are on court representing India. Heres wishing them well and hoping that they return with a medal - Gold would be best!
In the next 2 days the action in the pool builds to a crrescendo, with Phelps chasing 8 golds and the grand finale with all of the exciting Medley relays. As much as I am looking fwd to that, I am more than waiting for action to start on eth track and field. It is a mouth watering prospect - the battle for eth fastest man between Tyson Gay, Usain Bolt and Asafa Powell, the sheer dominance and elegance of Blanks Vlasic (High Jump) and Yelena Isimbayeva (Pole vault), the grir and determination of teenager Pamela Jelimo in the 800m, the battle for the quarter mile between compatriots Jeremy Wariner and LaShawn Meritt, the short Stefan Holm in the High jump.............and this is just a preview of whats to come!!!!
Bring it on Beijing!
Monday, August 11, 2008
Gold to India
I was at work, doign a bit of work and following the olympics on the web. I was excited aboutthe swimming and then kept refreshing the page for eth shooting results. Just when the results page was coming up, a colleaugue of mine patted me to ask me something work related. I did not respond and instead said "YES, India wins Gold, the first individual Gold for us in Olympic history". I spread the joy around the office and felt the goosebumps.
The first thing I did when i got back home was log in to the CNN-IBN stream and to my luck it was playing the video of Abhinav receiving his medal followed by the entire National Anthem played in his honour. I watched the video in attention and at the end of it my eyes were moist. Truly inspiring.
Well done Abhinav!!!! You have led the way and I hope the others follow suit. If you look back 2 posts on this blog, you will read about how I hope to listen to Jana Gana Mana at Beijing. Now that I have heard it, I want more!!!! Go India!!!!
The first thing I did when i got back home was log in to the CNN-IBN stream and to my luck it was playing the video of Abhinav receiving his medal followed by the entire National Anthem played in his honour. I watched the video in attention and at the end of it my eyes were moist. Truly inspiring.
Well done Abhinav!!!! You have led the way and I hope the others follow suit. If you look back 2 posts on this blog, you will read about how I hope to listen to Jana Gana Mana at Beijing. Now that I have heard it, I want more!!!! Go India!!!!
Monday, July 21, 2008
Trust Vote!!!! Or is it Distrust Vote???
The motion to prove a simple majority is at boiling point, with a decision just hours away.
The motion is shaping up more as one of Distrust than of Trust. What with all the horse trading, bribing, defection from ones party to another, foes not long ago are friends now.......
The numbers game is very interesting and what could be more interesting if the parliament is split into 2 and the Vote goes to the Speaker. Now we know that the Speaker is a Communist and that adds a whole new dimension to the equation.
In the end....I want the nuclear Deal to go through!! Time will tell
The motion is shaping up more as one of Distrust than of Trust. What with all the horse trading, bribing, defection from ones party to another, foes not long ago are friends now.......
The numbers game is very interesting and what could be more interesting if the parliament is split into 2 and the Vote goes to the Speaker. Now we know that the Speaker is a Communist and that adds a whole new dimension to the equation.
In the end....I want the nuclear Deal to go through!! Time will tell
Wednesday, July 09, 2008
Lead up to the Olympics
It is the olympic year and Beijing 2008 is less than a month away. I cant wait for the mouth watering action to begin. The lead up to the Olympics has been roungh, in terms of the political issues surrounding Tibet, but I am certain that come 08-08-08 all that will be put to rest and the focus will completely shift to the sprting action with "Citius Altius Fortius" being the foundation.
There are many different events that I am looking forward to - The swimming where the duel between US and Australia is expected to be jaw dropping. While I will be backing the Aussies led by Grant Hackett and Libby Trickett (formerly Lenton), I will also be hoping for Michael Phelps to win the most Golds at Olympics.
Athletics has always excited me and the fact that I can relate a lot to it from my experience being an athlete, gives me many a goosebump moments. The IAAF Golden League is on and that is keeping me very interested. I cant wait to see the new World Record Holder and fastest man on earth - Usain Bolt, take on Asafa Powell and Tyson Gay for the 100m sprint. While Usains main focus is teh 200m dash, i hope his coach allows him to complete the 100m as well. The 3 have run races within 0.04 seconds each other in the last 1 year.
One of the biggest disappointments is tha fact that the Indian Hockey team has not qualified for eth Olympics. Apart from that, the Indian contingent in general is quite strong and there are a few medal hopes. leander Paes got a bronze in Atlanta, Major Rajyavardhan Rathore brought us a silver in Athens, can anyone go one better this time and return a Gold? That elusive Gold could, in my opinion, from from either the Shooters or from Lee and Hesh in the Tennis doubles. The other medal hopes for India, with outside chances, are : 4X400 m relay Womens team and Anju George in the Long Jump.
I will be hoping and praying to hear "Jana Gana Mana" being played in honour of an Indian Gold at Beijing. Also I will definitely be singing "Advance Australia fair" everytime Australia wins a Gold. Fair Dinkum??
Watch this space for more. I will endeavour to blog more regularly and get back to blogging the way I knew it until about 6 months ago.
There are many different events that I am looking forward to - The swimming where the duel between US and Australia is expected to be jaw dropping. While I will be backing the Aussies led by Grant Hackett and Libby Trickett (formerly Lenton), I will also be hoping for Michael Phelps to win the most Golds at Olympics.
Athletics has always excited me and the fact that I can relate a lot to it from my experience being an athlete, gives me many a goosebump moments. The IAAF Golden League is on and that is keeping me very interested. I cant wait to see the new World Record Holder and fastest man on earth - Usain Bolt, take on Asafa Powell and Tyson Gay for the 100m sprint. While Usains main focus is teh 200m dash, i hope his coach allows him to complete the 100m as well. The 3 have run races within 0.04 seconds each other in the last 1 year.
One of the biggest disappointments is tha fact that the Indian Hockey team has not qualified for eth Olympics. Apart from that, the Indian contingent in general is quite strong and there are a few medal hopes. leander Paes got a bronze in Atlanta, Major Rajyavardhan Rathore brought us a silver in Athens, can anyone go one better this time and return a Gold? That elusive Gold could, in my opinion, from from either the Shooters or from Lee and Hesh in the Tennis doubles. The other medal hopes for India, with outside chances, are : 4X400 m relay Womens team and Anju George in the Long Jump.
I will be hoping and praying to hear "Jana Gana Mana" being played in honour of an Indian Gold at Beijing. Also I will definitely be singing "Advance Australia fair" everytime Australia wins a Gold. Fair Dinkum??
Watch this space for more. I will endeavour to blog more regularly and get back to blogging the way I knew it until about 6 months ago.
Wednesday, May 14, 2008
Infrastructure
Oflate there has been this keeness, or maybe even passion, to know more and keep track of the various infrastructure projects happening around India. I have been enjoying looking at master plans, architects impressions, project updates of various projects. It all started off with the Bengaluru International Airport - a project that I am very excited about and one that I have been following for about a year. The website is a simple yet informative website providing all the required details of the project including monthly updates on progress and pictures.
The airport is a big improvement from what is currently in use and that is enough reason to be excited about. I was proud of the fact that the project was going to schedule and was ready on schedule, but disappointed that the airport has not yet been commissioned because of some PILs. The airport is about 30 kms from the heart of Bengaluru. Although there is a National Highway that runs through from Bengaluru, it is not good enough in terms of capacity to cater to the increased passenger and freight traffic. The Government has come up with a stop gap plan of "installing" underpasses at every intersection along the highway to ease the traffic woes, but that is just insufficient. The construction of the planned train link and road expressway have not even commenced. It is indeed a problem , as no one wants to spend 2 hours to get to the airport and then take a flight that takes just as long or even lesser time. Taxis and Volvo buses have been organised but are quite expensive, especially for domestic passengers flying budget airlines. A more viable road link and a train link are a must.
The Government is to blame and so is BIAL (Bangalore Intl Airport Ltd - a PPP undertaking). The Government was caught sleeping (as always) and BIAL did not press enough to have the connectivity looked at. The various PILs make total sense but what irks me is the fact that they have come so late, infact just days before the launch of the airport. Where were these petitioners before that? Why wait to the 11th hour to take action?
A result of this delayed litigation means the launch of the airport is stalled and India is once again in World news for the wrong reasons. BIAL is enduring huge losses and I am sure will collect all of this by means of taxes from us once they are open. It is frustrating to see the existence of World Class infrastructure that is not being used. In my opinion, opening the airport and then living through the hassles for a while will ensure pressure on the Government (a new one at that) to get their act together. I cant wait to see BIAL take-off.
The other infrastructure projects that I am having a close watch on are :
Namma Metro (Bengalurus Metro network)
Delhi IGI Airport (GMR Group)
Hyderabads New Airport (GMR Group)
The Clover Interchange at Kathipara Junction, Chennai
The Peripheral Ring Road Project and NICE road in Bangalore
and a few more random Road projects.
Being a Bengalurean, infrastructure wise, I am very excited and cant wait for 2011 when I think Bangalore will be a better place to live in. With the Metro Phase 1scheduled to be rolled out by then and the Peripheral Ring road, Airport Phase 2, Hosur Road and MonoRail to be completed around then too, it is exciting times ahead. I only hope that projects are run to schedule and that teh new Political power (if any) takes keen interest to puch Bengaluru to the next level. On my last trip to India I drove on a small completed stretch of the NICE Peripheral Road and the roads were no different to the Freeways I drive on in Melbourne. That should justify the excitement.
PS : I struggled to call Bangalore as Bengaluru.
The airport is a big improvement from what is currently in use and that is enough reason to be excited about. I was proud of the fact that the project was going to schedule and was ready on schedule, but disappointed that the airport has not yet been commissioned because of some PILs. The airport is about 30 kms from the heart of Bengaluru. Although there is a National Highway that runs through from Bengaluru, it is not good enough in terms of capacity to cater to the increased passenger and freight traffic. The Government has come up with a stop gap plan of "installing" underpasses at every intersection along the highway to ease the traffic woes, but that is just insufficient. The construction of the planned train link and road expressway have not even commenced. It is indeed a problem , as no one wants to spend 2 hours to get to the airport and then take a flight that takes just as long or even lesser time. Taxis and Volvo buses have been organised but are quite expensive, especially for domestic passengers flying budget airlines. A more viable road link and a train link are a must.
The Government is to blame and so is BIAL (Bangalore Intl Airport Ltd - a PPP undertaking). The Government was caught sleeping (as always) and BIAL did not press enough to have the connectivity looked at. The various PILs make total sense but what irks me is the fact that they have come so late, infact just days before the launch of the airport. Where were these petitioners before that? Why wait to the 11th hour to take action?
A result of this delayed litigation means the launch of the airport is stalled and India is once again in World news for the wrong reasons. BIAL is enduring huge losses and I am sure will collect all of this by means of taxes from us once they are open. It is frustrating to see the existence of World Class infrastructure that is not being used. In my opinion, opening the airport and then living through the hassles for a while will ensure pressure on the Government (a new one at that) to get their act together. I cant wait to see BIAL take-off.
The other infrastructure projects that I am having a close watch on are :
Namma Metro (Bengalurus Metro network)
Delhi IGI Airport (GMR Group)
Hyderabads New Airport (GMR Group)
The Clover Interchange at Kathipara Junction, Chennai
The Peripheral Ring Road Project and NICE road in Bangalore
and a few more random Road projects.
Being a Bengalurean, infrastructure wise, I am very excited and cant wait for 2011 when I think Bangalore will be a better place to live in. With the Metro Phase 1scheduled to be rolled out by then and the Peripheral Ring road, Airport Phase 2, Hosur Road and MonoRail to be completed around then too, it is exciting times ahead. I only hope that projects are run to schedule and that teh new Political power (if any) takes keen interest to puch Bengaluru to the next level. On my last trip to India I drove on a small completed stretch of the NICE Peripheral Road and the roads were no different to the Freeways I drive on in Melbourne. That should justify the excitement.
PS : I struggled to call Bangalore as Bengaluru.
Friday, May 02, 2008
I'm Back !!!!!
It is said that a Habit is very hard to wipe out coz :
if the H goes theres A BIT remaining
if the A goes theres a BIT remaining
if the B goes IT still remains.
Its the first time since I started blogging(thats about 3.5 yrs ago) that I havent posted for over a month, in other wiords have not kepy up my Habit. For starters, I have been unwell, thereby not having the motivation to do anything. I have been very busy at work and havent had the time to blog. The little time that I find at work is utilised playing Foosball / Pool / TableTennis (yes we have those facilities at work). At home, I have been trying to stay away from the computer and watch the TV instead:P:P Gordon Ramsay has me hooked twice a week with Kitchen Nightmares!!! The man has something about him, I must say!!!
Anyways, last week was a good one coz it started off quite well. We had the IT departments Day out for Team building (on Monday). We were taken to the Flemington race course(the centre of action on Melbourne Cup Day). We were split into 6 teams of 8 each and we played "Survivor", just like on the TV series. A series of team building tasks that required a combination of planning, resource planning, timing, coordination and lots of fun. It was a fun day and a learning day. It gave me teh opportunity to interact with work mates outside of work and also to get to know people with whom I havent worked with directly.
Among other things that have changed since the last time I posted, Melbourne is becoming colder by the day and it seems like a very early season of Snow in the nearby Alpines. As much as I hate cold weather, I am looking fwd to a trip up the snowy mountains sometime soon.
Its Saturday and I am going shopping now!!!!
if the H goes theres A BIT remaining
if the A goes theres a BIT remaining
if the B goes IT still remains.
Its the first time since I started blogging(thats about 3.5 yrs ago) that I havent posted for over a month, in other wiords have not kepy up my Habit. For starters, I have been unwell, thereby not having the motivation to do anything. I have been very busy at work and havent had the time to blog. The little time that I find at work is utilised playing Foosball / Pool / TableTennis (yes we have those facilities at work). At home, I have been trying to stay away from the computer and watch the TV instead:P:P Gordon Ramsay has me hooked twice a week with Kitchen Nightmares!!! The man has something about him, I must say!!!
Anyways, last week was a good one coz it started off quite well. We had the IT departments Day out for Team building (on Monday). We were taken to the Flemington race course(the centre of action on Melbourne Cup Day). We were split into 6 teams of 8 each and we played "Survivor", just like on the TV series. A series of team building tasks that required a combination of planning, resource planning, timing, coordination and lots of fun. It was a fun day and a learning day. It gave me teh opportunity to interact with work mates outside of work and also to get to know people with whom I havent worked with directly.
Among other things that have changed since the last time I posted, Melbourne is becoming colder by the day and it seems like a very early season of Snow in the nearby Alpines. As much as I hate cold weather, I am looking fwd to a trip up the snowy mountains sometime soon.
Its Saturday and I am going shopping now!!!!
Sunday, March 23, 2008
My First Car
Yesterday, I got my first Car. Its a day I have waited for, for a long time, but the was worth it. Many people prefer to get a car first and then a house, but I choise to get a house first and then a car. I am now the proud owner of a Mitsubishi Magna TL ES, 6 cylinder 3.5 L VTec complete with Power windows, mirrors and cruise & climate control. In short a wonderful car.
It is not brand new. It is a 2004 car that has done 65K kms, but the drive feels just like its new. Heres a look at my latest babe :
Just about to take her for a spin after she was officially "Mine"
Doesn't she have a sexy back ;););)
I have done 200 kms in 2 days notwithstanding the fact that the country was closed today on account of Easter. While on the freeways cruising at 100 kmph, the vehicle felt amazing - smooth, powerful and very stable. Now, I cant wait to gather a group of ppl and go on long drives. Cant wait for snow time to drive it up the snowy mountains either.
Thats one more thing ticked off my list to To-Dos!
It is not brand new. It is a 2004 car that has done 65K kms, but the drive feels just like its new. Heres a look at my latest babe :
Just about to take her for a spin after she was officially "Mine"
Doesn't she have a sexy back ;););)
I have done 200 kms in 2 days notwithstanding the fact that the country was closed today on account of Easter. While on the freeways cruising at 100 kmph, the vehicle felt amazing - smooth, powerful and very stable. Now, I cant wait to gather a group of ppl and go on long drives. Cant wait for snow time to drive it up the snowy mountains either.
Thats one more thing ticked off my list to To-Dos!
Wednesday, March 05, 2008
Saala pet Jal raha hai!!
NO. If you thought I am jealous about something, I am not. If you thought I am angry about something, no I am not. I am just suffering from acidity and believe me it is not pleasant. I have forgotten how Sambar and rasam taste, I havent had milk or milk products in the last month and I have been surviving on spiceless dal and palak and boiled veggies. Oh yes Water melons and apples are my staple diet.
Acidity or "Gastritis" as the doctors like to call it is not such a grave condition as to worry but it affects what we all like the most - our lifestyle. Heres a few simple things you could do to avoid getting into the troublesome loop of acidity . before I proceed, I must say that I am not a qualified dietician or doctor. While these are basic guidelines, your doctor is better placed to tell you whats right and whats not. This article is not in anyway a substitute to a doctors visit.
1. Eat less spicy food - Spicy food tends to affect the inner lining of the stomach and promotes excessive secretion of stomach acids.
2. Eat on time - Staying hungry for long intervals forces the stomach acids to be jobless and thats when they start acting smart, too smart for us.
3. Eat small and healthy portions - Eating small portions ensures that there is no pressure on the digestive system all the time. Its also keeps the digestive system in top order.
4. Eat Breakfast like a King - Breakfast is nothing but breaking the fast. We are fasting all the time we sleep and what the system needs is a good breakfast. Skipping breakfast is a very bad thing.
5. Eat Dinner early - There should be atlest 2-3 hours between dinner and going to bed. This allows the digestive system to do eth hard work before the body decides to relax.
6. Drink a glass of cold (not fridge cold) water first thing in the morning - This helps dilute all the acid in the stomach that has accumulated overnight and works asa cleanser.
While the above are general things to be aware of as preventive steps, there are many curative steps as well. I found this acidity trigger detector while doing all the research that I have done on this topic to date. It is a very nifty tool.
Goodluck with being acid free and healthy !!!!
Acidity or "Gastritis" as the doctors like to call it is not such a grave condition as to worry but it affects what we all like the most - our lifestyle. Heres a few simple things you could do to avoid getting into the troublesome loop of acidity . before I proceed, I must say that I am not a qualified dietician or doctor. While these are basic guidelines, your doctor is better placed to tell you whats right and whats not. This article is not in anyway a substitute to a doctors visit.
1. Eat less spicy food - Spicy food tends to affect the inner lining of the stomach and promotes excessive secretion of stomach acids.
2. Eat on time - Staying hungry for long intervals forces the stomach acids to be jobless and thats when they start acting smart, too smart for us.
3. Eat small and healthy portions - Eating small portions ensures that there is no pressure on the digestive system all the time. Its also keeps the digestive system in top order.
4. Eat Breakfast like a King - Breakfast is nothing but breaking the fast. We are fasting all the time we sleep and what the system needs is a good breakfast. Skipping breakfast is a very bad thing.
5. Eat Dinner early - There should be atlest 2-3 hours between dinner and going to bed. This allows the digestive system to do eth hard work before the body decides to relax.
6. Drink a glass of cold (not fridge cold) water first thing in the morning - This helps dilute all the acid in the stomach that has accumulated overnight and works asa cleanser.
While the above are general things to be aware of as preventive steps, there are many curative steps as well. I found this acidity trigger detector while doing all the research that I have done on this topic to date. It is a very nifty tool.
Goodluck with being acid free and healthy !!!!
Sunday, March 02, 2008
Indian cricket in safe hands
Being sick is bad enough, but being sick for over a month is worse!!!! I cant let my blog be sick for over a month atleast, so heres trying to make it better :)
It was a wonderful Sunday for Indian Cricket with India beating Australia in the first Finals of the Commonwealth Bank Series Down under and the Indian Colts (U-19) winning the World cup beating South Africa (chokers again?).
Talking about the seniors first, it was a wonderful innings from Sachin, laying quite a few doubts about his game to rest, for a while atleast. On his way to his first ever century on Australian soil, in an ODI, he went on to set the record slightly right in terms of his performances while chasing; in finals; and about staying there till the end. He not only scored the century but also took Rohit Sharma along in what was a mature innings from the youngster. The bowlers had excited early on with wickets of the brittle and out of form Aussie top order and with some miserly middle overs from the spinners, it was a wonderful effort. The wickets of Haydos and Symmo going to Bhaji was just the icing on the cake. Ahead of the second final, the worries for India are in the form and consistency of Yuvrajs batting and the injury to Ishant.
A few thousand miles to the West of the SCG, the India U-19 team were facing off against South Africa for the U-19 World Cup. The Kallang cricket ground was abuzz and the youngsters were at it. The Indians were put in to bat and failed to put up a good score, falling out well short of the 50 over mark. Tanmay Srivastava, played a decent knock, but could not carry on for long to guide the team to a better score. The bowlers came out showing intent of defending the total and the team was upbeat in their effort. With 3 early wickets after an accurate and miserly spell from Ajitesh Argal and Pradeep Sangwan, the rain came in. Play resumed and the South Africans were set a target of 116 in 25 overs, with our 2 star bowlers having almost bowled out their quotas. Ravindra Jadeja, Siddhart Kaul and Iqbal Abdulla chipped in well to restrict the Proteas. A fantastic win by the Indians, especially because they were unbeaten in the entire competition.
These results brings me to a discussion of coaches for the Senior and the Colts team. A very senior and successful coach in Dav Whatmore is coaching the U-19 team, while a relatively new coach in Gary Kirsten will be coaching the Indian team. I totally approve of the approach. Dav Whatmore in the past has worked well with young teams and the proof of that lies in how he transformed the Sri Lankan team into world beaters. He then brought Bangladesh on the World Map of cricket by guiding them to more victories than they have ever had in the past. It is this very trait that will go well with him moulding the youngsters to making them ready for International cricket at the highest level. Another advantage is that as coach of the U-19 team, he will be that much away from the media glare and the politics that are so much part of Indian senior cricket. To improve the cricketing ability of a nation, you have to catch the talent young and thats where I think Dav Whatmore has been perfectly slotted.
The coach of the senior team is more a facilitator and I think the vast experience that Gary Kirsten has as a player and the experience of having played under a revolutionary coach in Bob Woolmer will hold him in good stead in his new role. Being a contemporary of quite a few of the Indian players will help as well.
I dont want to jump the gun, but it would not be out of place to say that the future of Indian cricket is in safe hands.
It was a wonderful Sunday for Indian Cricket with India beating Australia in the first Finals of the Commonwealth Bank Series Down under and the Indian Colts (U-19) winning the World cup beating South Africa (chokers again?).
Talking about the seniors first, it was a wonderful innings from Sachin, laying quite a few doubts about his game to rest, for a while atleast. On his way to his first ever century on Australian soil, in an ODI, he went on to set the record slightly right in terms of his performances while chasing; in finals; and about staying there till the end. He not only scored the century but also took Rohit Sharma along in what was a mature innings from the youngster. The bowlers had excited early on with wickets of the brittle and out of form Aussie top order and with some miserly middle overs from the spinners, it was a wonderful effort. The wickets of Haydos and Symmo going to Bhaji was just the icing on the cake. Ahead of the second final, the worries for India are in the form and consistency of Yuvrajs batting and the injury to Ishant.
A few thousand miles to the West of the SCG, the India U-19 team were facing off against South Africa for the U-19 World Cup. The Kallang cricket ground was abuzz and the youngsters were at it. The Indians were put in to bat and failed to put up a good score, falling out well short of the 50 over mark. Tanmay Srivastava, played a decent knock, but could not carry on for long to guide the team to a better score. The bowlers came out showing intent of defending the total and the team was upbeat in their effort. With 3 early wickets after an accurate and miserly spell from Ajitesh Argal and Pradeep Sangwan, the rain came in. Play resumed and the South Africans were set a target of 116 in 25 overs, with our 2 star bowlers having almost bowled out their quotas. Ravindra Jadeja, Siddhart Kaul and Iqbal Abdulla chipped in well to restrict the Proteas. A fantastic win by the Indians, especially because they were unbeaten in the entire competition.
These results brings me to a discussion of coaches for the Senior and the Colts team. A very senior and successful coach in Dav Whatmore is coaching the U-19 team, while a relatively new coach in Gary Kirsten will be coaching the Indian team. I totally approve of the approach. Dav Whatmore in the past has worked well with young teams and the proof of that lies in how he transformed the Sri Lankan team into world beaters. He then brought Bangladesh on the World Map of cricket by guiding them to more victories than they have ever had in the past. It is this very trait that will go well with him moulding the youngsters to making them ready for International cricket at the highest level. Another advantage is that as coach of the U-19 team, he will be that much away from the media glare and the politics that are so much part of Indian senior cricket. To improve the cricketing ability of a nation, you have to catch the talent young and thats where I think Dav Whatmore has been perfectly slotted.
The coach of the senior team is more a facilitator and I think the vast experience that Gary Kirsten has as a player and the experience of having played under a revolutionary coach in Bob Woolmer will hold him in good stead in his new role. Being a contemporary of quite a few of the Indian players will help as well.
I dont want to jump the gun, but it would not be out of place to say that the future of Indian cricket is in safe hands.
Sunday, February 10, 2008
Sumant in Melbourne
Actually, its more than a month since I got back from India and the India tales are a bit old and theres a lot more happening otherwise too. I just havent had the motivation to blog frequently enough to catch up on the events that I hadnt blogged about. So heres a jump, skipping the rest of the Indian tales.
Sumant, my classmate and good friend, was in Melbourne for 2 weeks on a holiday and was staying with me. We guys had a ball of a time. At the top of the agenda was the Australian Open and the Cricket. Sumant is a bigger sports fan than me and that made the agenda a great one. With tickets booked for the Quarterfinals of the Aus open the other sessions were only on an interest basis. We were lucky to have Sania and Mahesh play in the Mixed doubles after 6 pm which meant that i could get there from work. Sumant and myself were at the Margaret Court Arena with very few others in the stadium. We were sitting in the front row and cheering loudly for Sania and Hesh. We were waving the Indian tri colour and cheering them along to a win. The 2 acknowledged our cheering at various times and when the match was over Sania came over to where we were and autographed our caps.
It was a wonderful experience. Sania - i must say - is gorgeous. Shes pretty for sure, but its the way she carries herself around that gives her the X factor. Sumant and I were bowled over:) Rohan Bopanna and Rajeev Ram (US indian), who paired up in the doubles, were present there and we went to them, introduced ourselves and took pics with them too. At the end of the match we met some Aussie fans who were supporting Mahesh and said Hello to them. They supported Mahesh coz they were supporters of Mark KNowles(Maheshs partner in doubles).
A day later, we were at the Rod Laver Arena watching FedEx and James Blake in the QF. The stadium was full. It was a typical Federer match where he finished Blake off in straight sets with the precision tennis that he is known for. The next match on centre court was Bhupathi and Knowles vs the Bryan brothers. The stands were emptying and we spotted those Aussie fans in the crowd on the other side of the court and we went over to sit with them. We were just behind the family box of the Bryan brothers. What followed will be a memory for life. We were chanting slogans and cheering Hesh and Knowles on and waving flags - all this together - 6 of those guys and the 2 of us. We were on TV about 4 times (and spotted by friends in india too , who emailed us later) and we were noisy all through. Sania was in Maheshs family box and when she was shown on the big screen, i shouted in the silence of the centre court "Hi Sania". With slogans and one-liners and cheering and jeering, it was great fun. Mahesh and Knowles upset the top seeds and went through to the Finals. Sumant and I returned home satisfied that we had a great time.
The 20-20 match at the MCG was a great atmosphere, but the result was very disappointing. We also went on a road trip to the Great Ocean road where I drove a record 600 kms in a day and was exhausted by the end of it. It was fun nonetheless. Among the other activities, Sumant and I played tennis at the Aus Open practice courts and played a couple of sessions of cricket in the nets with other friends. The usual touristy things were of course on the agenda too. In all it was a wonderful 2 weeks. Now I am bored!!!! Sumant, when are u coming next?????
Pics and videos later!!!! perhaps some on orkut too.
Sumant, my classmate and good friend, was in Melbourne for 2 weeks on a holiday and was staying with me. We guys had a ball of a time. At the top of the agenda was the Australian Open and the Cricket. Sumant is a bigger sports fan than me and that made the agenda a great one. With tickets booked for the Quarterfinals of the Aus open the other sessions were only on an interest basis. We were lucky to have Sania and Mahesh play in the Mixed doubles after 6 pm which meant that i could get there from work. Sumant and myself were at the Margaret Court Arena with very few others in the stadium. We were sitting in the front row and cheering loudly for Sania and Hesh. We were waving the Indian tri colour and cheering them along to a win. The 2 acknowledged our cheering at various times and when the match was over Sania came over to where we were and autographed our caps.
It was a wonderful experience. Sania - i must say - is gorgeous. Shes pretty for sure, but its the way she carries herself around that gives her the X factor. Sumant and I were bowled over:) Rohan Bopanna and Rajeev Ram (US indian), who paired up in the doubles, were present there and we went to them, introduced ourselves and took pics with them too. At the end of the match we met some Aussie fans who were supporting Mahesh and said Hello to them. They supported Mahesh coz they were supporters of Mark KNowles(Maheshs partner in doubles).
A day later, we were at the Rod Laver Arena watching FedEx and James Blake in the QF. The stadium was full. It was a typical Federer match where he finished Blake off in straight sets with the precision tennis that he is known for. The next match on centre court was Bhupathi and Knowles vs the Bryan brothers. The stands were emptying and we spotted those Aussie fans in the crowd on the other side of the court and we went over to sit with them. We were just behind the family box of the Bryan brothers. What followed will be a memory for life. We were chanting slogans and cheering Hesh and Knowles on and waving flags - all this together - 6 of those guys and the 2 of us. We were on TV about 4 times (and spotted by friends in india too , who emailed us later) and we were noisy all through. Sania was in Maheshs family box and when she was shown on the big screen, i shouted in the silence of the centre court "Hi Sania". With slogans and one-liners and cheering and jeering, it was great fun. Mahesh and Knowles upset the top seeds and went through to the Finals. Sumant and I returned home satisfied that we had a great time.
The 20-20 match at the MCG was a great atmosphere, but the result was very disappointing. We also went on a road trip to the Great Ocean road where I drove a record 600 kms in a day and was exhausted by the end of it. It was fun nonetheless. Among the other activities, Sumant and I played tennis at the Aus Open practice courts and played a couple of sessions of cricket in the nets with other friends. The usual touristy things were of course on the agenda too. In all it was a wonderful 2 weeks. Now I am bored!!!! Sumant, when are u coming next?????
Pics and videos later!!!! perhaps some on orkut too.
Sunday, February 03, 2008
India Visit Nov-Dec 2007 : Part 3 - Puttu Times
Today is my Puttu Darlings 2nd Budday. Happy budday Puttu Raani.
I still remember this day 2 years ago, when I got a call from my brother that he has become a father. I heard Puttu cry and I had tears welling up my eyes. 2 years have gone by really fast and Puttu is no longer as Puttu as she was then:) I guess its a perfect time to write Part 3 of the series - Puttu times on my trip to India.
Puttu was jetlagged from her flight and hence did not come to receive me at the airport. She was asleep when I reached home and I was looking at her quietly. When she woke up a little later she was cranky as she hadnt had her full sleep and that set the tone for the next 2 days. She would look at me and know who I am, but would refuse to come to me or call me "Kaka". The moment I walk out of the room or away from her view she would have absolutely no problems calling me Kaka and telling everyone that I am her Kaka. I was yearning for her to call me kaka in my presence and I knew I had to be patient.
As she got a bit more comfortable with me, she would sit with me and go through photos and answer my questions. I would ask her whos who on the pics and she would correctly say everyone except Kaka. When I point to a pic of mine and ask who it was, she would turn the page or point at someone else and say something else:) As much as I was yearning to her her say Kaka, her shyness came across as a very cute and smart game :)
A coupla of days later, she opened up and called me Kaka and I was over the moon. And ever since she would always want me to be by her side. The moment i walk away from her sight, she would shout for me and order me with her tender index finger to come near her :) Awwwww!!!!!! and how she shouted is "kaka...Kaa Kaa.....KAAA KAAAA" and I had better responded by then :D:D:D
The few days with Puttu were spent listening to all her babbles, her enactions of numerous rhymes (Hindi , Engklish, Tamil and Marathi), playing with her, clicking hundreds of pics of her and running around the house with her.
At Thirupathi, came the Mottai episode. Since her Mama was unable to make the trip, I as her Kaka had to sit her in my lap while her head was tonsured. The way Puttu got scared and cried made me decide that it was an act of TORTURE and not TONSURE. I wondered why there existed such a ritual and even started to question the ritual. It affected me a lot. In the end, Puttu with her Mottai Thalai was as cute as ever and I even taught her to say "Me Me" when I asked who "Mottai boss" was.
With the numerous functions that were there Puttu was dressed in Pattu Paavadais (silk dresses) each time and she looked so cute walking around in them. She had her first experience with Indian Railways in a Shatabdi train and thoroughly enjoyed the trip.
Saying goodbye to her was obviously very difficult and it was amazing to see how she too knew that she was parting. You could feel it. She would give u a kiss readily, while at most times u wud have to ask her a few times....she wud come to us and hug us etc etc.
For now, its phone calls, fotos and videos of Puttu that keep me going.
Once again, Happy Budday Puttu Kutty >:D< I miss being there.
I still remember this day 2 years ago, when I got a call from my brother that he has become a father. I heard Puttu cry and I had tears welling up my eyes. 2 years have gone by really fast and Puttu is no longer as Puttu as she was then:) I guess its a perfect time to write Part 3 of the series - Puttu times on my trip to India.
Puttu was jetlagged from her flight and hence did not come to receive me at the airport. She was asleep when I reached home and I was looking at her quietly. When she woke up a little later she was cranky as she hadnt had her full sleep and that set the tone for the next 2 days. She would look at me and know who I am, but would refuse to come to me or call me "Kaka". The moment I walk out of the room or away from her view she would have absolutely no problems calling me Kaka and telling everyone that I am her Kaka. I was yearning for her to call me kaka in my presence and I knew I had to be patient.
As she got a bit more comfortable with me, she would sit with me and go through photos and answer my questions. I would ask her whos who on the pics and she would correctly say everyone except Kaka. When I point to a pic of mine and ask who it was, she would turn the page or point at someone else and say something else:) As much as I was yearning to her her say Kaka, her shyness came across as a very cute and smart game :)
A coupla of days later, she opened up and called me Kaka and I was over the moon. And ever since she would always want me to be by her side. The moment i walk away from her sight, she would shout for me and order me with her tender index finger to come near her :) Awwwww!!!!!! and how she shouted is "kaka...Kaa Kaa.....KAAA KAAAA" and I had better responded by then :D:D:D
The few days with Puttu were spent listening to all her babbles, her enactions of numerous rhymes (Hindi , Engklish, Tamil and Marathi), playing with her, clicking hundreds of pics of her and running around the house with her.
At Thirupathi, came the Mottai episode. Since her Mama was unable to make the trip, I as her Kaka had to sit her in my lap while her head was tonsured. The way Puttu got scared and cried made me decide that it was an act of TORTURE and not TONSURE. I wondered why there existed such a ritual and even started to question the ritual. It affected me a lot. In the end, Puttu with her Mottai Thalai was as cute as ever and I even taught her to say "Me Me" when I asked who "Mottai boss" was.
With the numerous functions that were there Puttu was dressed in Pattu Paavadais (silk dresses) each time and she looked so cute walking around in them. She had her first experience with Indian Railways in a Shatabdi train and thoroughly enjoyed the trip.
Saying goodbye to her was obviously very difficult and it was amazing to see how she too knew that she was parting. You could feel it. She would give u a kiss readily, while at most times u wud have to ask her a few times....she wud come to us and hug us etc etc.
For now, its phone calls, fotos and videos of Puttu that keep me going.
Once again, Happy Budday Puttu Kutty >:D< I miss being there.
Thursday, January 17, 2008
India Visit Nov-Dec 2007 : Part 2 - The Functions
Ah!!! is my interest in blogging waning?? or is it just that I have had plenty of other things to do?? I think its the latter. Playing cricket and watching Ind battle Aus have taken up a lot of my time and more than that its the lap dance that I have been enjoying with my new Laptop. You beauty!!!! Its a Dell XPS M 1530 and its my first laptop.
Getting back to the series on my holiday, this one is about the Functions - both occassions and religious, that were part of my trip. It all starts off with a Satyanaraya Pooja at home. The pooja started barely 16 hours after I reached home (of course after the delay) and I was up that morning very early because of the jetlag. With lots of relatives arriving that day for the string of functions, it was a busy day. The excitement of being home and seeing all my relatives was good enough to overcome the jetlag and the lack of sleep.
The pooja went on very well and there started my tryst with full meals on banana leaves. Yum Yum!!!! 3 days later it was a couple of functions. Aayush Homam for my Dear Puttu Darling and the Kanakabhishekam of my maternal Grandpa. It was a wonderful day and Puttu darling in her cute 'Pattu paavadai'was the heroine of the day. The heroes of the day were my thatha (grandpa) and his great grand son (Pranav). The age difference was a staggering 93 years between the heroes. The occasion was one of joy for my Grandpa(and all of us) as he had all of his children and their spouses, most of his grandchildren and most of his great grand children. It was a wonderful feeling. For the uninitiated, Kanakabhishekam was performed to commemorate the fact that my Grandpas eldest son(my mama)'s eldest son(my cousin)'s eldest son(Pranav) was born :) A rare happening!!!!
The next day was the Shashti poorthi of my parents - celebrated on or after the 60th birthday of the husband. The Vedas describe 120 as the life span of a man and at 60, he ishalf way through life. At this stage, there apparently is a loss on interest in life and the purpose of the Shashti Poorthi is to tie the knot again in eth midst of children (who are in their youth) and rejuvenate life in general and married life in particular. A proud moment for us to get my parents "remarried". Again, this happened in the presence of the entire family and with some black and white photos as proof of the day, it was a complete affair. The Western culture of rewriting marriage vows when the husband gets to 60, is a similar ceremony.
After this there were 2 more Satyanaraya Poojas, one at my uncles place and one at a family friends place. I was part of both of them.
Now to the next function - this was my friends wedding in Chennai. I travelled to Chennai to see my friend from school (who is now in sydney) get married to his girlfriend of many years from Canberra. It was an Iyer-Punjabi wedding and the unique mix provided a lot of entertainment. Firstly it gave me the opportunity to meet with friends and see many more classmates who visited and then there was the wedding.
The Sangeet function which we turned into an Antakshari and Dance function was a whole lot of fun with a contrasting mix of 'Dappan koothu' songs & hindi songs & bhangra moves and pelvic thrusts :D:D:D I am yet to see the video. i will reserve my comments until i do see it. But i enjoyed the evening. After missing the wedding of many of my friends (all gals to date) it was good to be part of the wedding of this friend (the first guy to fall prey).
Phew!!! wasnt that a power packed set of functions that I was part of on my trip?? At first 5 weeks looked like a long holiday, but with all this going on, it started to look very short indeed.
In the next part I will write about the time I spent with Puttu kutty, my adorable niece :)
Getting back to the series on my holiday, this one is about the Functions - both occassions and religious, that were part of my trip. It all starts off with a Satyanaraya Pooja at home. The pooja started barely 16 hours after I reached home (of course after the delay) and I was up that morning very early because of the jetlag. With lots of relatives arriving that day for the string of functions, it was a busy day. The excitement of being home and seeing all my relatives was good enough to overcome the jetlag and the lack of sleep.
The pooja went on very well and there started my tryst with full meals on banana leaves. Yum Yum!!!! 3 days later it was a couple of functions. Aayush Homam for my Dear Puttu Darling and the Kanakabhishekam of my maternal Grandpa. It was a wonderful day and Puttu darling in her cute 'Pattu paavadai'was the heroine of the day. The heroes of the day were my thatha (grandpa) and his great grand son (Pranav). The age difference was a staggering 93 years between the heroes. The occasion was one of joy for my Grandpa(and all of us) as he had all of his children and their spouses, most of his grandchildren and most of his great grand children. It was a wonderful feeling. For the uninitiated, Kanakabhishekam was performed to commemorate the fact that my Grandpas eldest son(my mama)'s eldest son(my cousin)'s eldest son(Pranav) was born :) A rare happening!!!!
The next day was the Shashti poorthi of my parents - celebrated on or after the 60th birthday of the husband. The Vedas describe 120 as the life span of a man and at 60, he ishalf way through life. At this stage, there apparently is a loss on interest in life and the purpose of the Shashti Poorthi is to tie the knot again in eth midst of children (who are in their youth) and rejuvenate life in general and married life in particular. A proud moment for us to get my parents "remarried". Again, this happened in the presence of the entire family and with some black and white photos as proof of the day, it was a complete affair. The Western culture of rewriting marriage vows when the husband gets to 60, is a similar ceremony.
After this there were 2 more Satyanaraya Poojas, one at my uncles place and one at a family friends place. I was part of both of them.
Now to the next function - this was my friends wedding in Chennai. I travelled to Chennai to see my friend from school (who is now in sydney) get married to his girlfriend of many years from Canberra. It was an Iyer-Punjabi wedding and the unique mix provided a lot of entertainment. Firstly it gave me the opportunity to meet with friends and see many more classmates who visited and then there was the wedding.
The Sangeet function which we turned into an Antakshari and Dance function was a whole lot of fun with a contrasting mix of 'Dappan koothu' songs & hindi songs & bhangra moves and pelvic thrusts :D:D:D I am yet to see the video. i will reserve my comments until i do see it. But i enjoyed the evening. After missing the wedding of many of my friends (all gals to date) it was good to be part of the wedding of this friend (the first guy to fall prey).
Phew!!! wasnt that a power packed set of functions that I was part of on my trip?? At first 5 weeks looked like a long holiday, but with all this going on, it started to look very short indeed.
In the next part I will write about the time I spent with Puttu kutty, my adorable niece :)
Sunday, January 06, 2008
India Visit Nov-Dec 2007 : Part 1 - The Journey
With a visit to me real Home, my online home lay orphaned for about 6 weeks. I must say that I am glad to be back taking care of my online home, but at the same time I miss, very badly, my real home.
My 5 week holiday was the longest I have had in about 4 years. This holiday, like most, was filled with family functions, visiting relatives and friends, travelling in India, shopping, a bit of relaxing, a lot of pampering and more. In the next few posts on this blog, I propose to relive the moments from my trip with the twin aim of sharing it with you and creating a holiday-log of sorts. In this post I will focus on the flight in and the journey.
Flights to India always seem longer than they actually are. Especially because I am ever so restless to get home. This time the feeling was no different, and thanks to Malaysian Airlines, they also made the journey longer than expected. I landed in KL only to realise that my ongoing flight was not displayed on any of the information monitors. I smelt a problem. I walked up to the Transit counter and my suspicions were confirmed when the counter officer handed me a few dinner coupons and told me that my flight was delayed by 12 hours. WHAT!!!!!!!! I bumped into 2 other passengers who had the same exclamation on their face. Being in the company of someone is not a bad idea, especially when in a sitaution like this. The 2 men turned out to be great company.
After dinner and after going through immigration, we assembled at a particular spot, as advised. A whole lot of confusion ensued and at last we were on a coach to a Hotel. The KL Intl Airport is about 70 kms from the city and we figured that the ride to the Hotel would be a long one. It turned out to be an hours drive even though it was close to midnight. We had to contend with long queues at the Hotel and being at the end of it, we were requested to share rooms. There was a unanimous outcry and the Hotel staff succumbed and started handing out deluxe suites to individuals. I was one of the lucky ones to get a Deluxe suite. It was a plush suite, but Hell I would have preferred reaching Home on time for "MY Bed" is a million times better than any other in the world.
It was 1am when I tucked myself into bed and managed to get some sleep - disturbed though. I was woken up at 3:30 AM by a phone ring. I picked and I heard a recorded message that said "This is your courtesy call". Strange!!! I had not asked for any courtesy from anyone. Infact all I wanted was to get home to Bangalore ASAP. I went back to sleep assuming it was an alarm set by the previous occupant of the suite. A few mins later, I decided not to take any chances and called Reception to find out what it was about. Thankfully I did. I was informed that it was a call to tell me that I should be ready to leave for the airport at 4:30 AM. Well - "Courtesy call" = "Be ready at 4:30" did not make any sense, But I am glad I called them to find out. I went down to hand in the keys and Check-out when I was handed a bill for the one phone call I had made to inform my folks about the delay. I told them to bill it to malaysian Airlines when the counter officer told me that I was allowed calls worth 6 Ringgits and anything above that I would have to bear. Ah well no point fighting over a few ringgits, even if 5 Star calling rates means that with 6 Ringets I hardly get to say HELLO.
We had an early brekkie and then were driven to the airport. My 2 new friends were again great company as we were talking about a lot of things. They were both Indians returning from Japan and we had extended discussions about cultural differences between India, Australia and Japan. At the airport there was a further delay of an hour before we actually took off. The plane soon was circling over Bangalore waiting for a landing clearance and the sight of Utility building told me that I was indeed home. Immigration was slow and the baggage handling "forces" had offloaded my baggage from the carousel even before I got there. Obliviious to the fact, I waited and waited and waited and waited. After a good 30 mins, a Malaysian airlines official announced that all bags from the KL flight have been offloaded. Phew!!! luckily my bags were not lost in transit. UC I was in India and I had started seeing the positive side of everything :D:D:D:D
Reaching India was more a sense of Relief, than anything else, after spending over a day in travel.
Keep tabs on this space for more on my holiday!!!!!!
My 5 week holiday was the longest I have had in about 4 years. This holiday, like most, was filled with family functions, visiting relatives and friends, travelling in India, shopping, a bit of relaxing, a lot of pampering and more. In the next few posts on this blog, I propose to relive the moments from my trip with the twin aim of sharing it with you and creating a holiday-log of sorts. In this post I will focus on the flight in and the journey.
Flights to India always seem longer than they actually are. Especially because I am ever so restless to get home. This time the feeling was no different, and thanks to Malaysian Airlines, they also made the journey longer than expected. I landed in KL only to realise that my ongoing flight was not displayed on any of the information monitors. I smelt a problem. I walked up to the Transit counter and my suspicions were confirmed when the counter officer handed me a few dinner coupons and told me that my flight was delayed by 12 hours. WHAT!!!!!!!! I bumped into 2 other passengers who had the same exclamation on their face. Being in the company of someone is not a bad idea, especially when in a sitaution like this. The 2 men turned out to be great company.
After dinner and after going through immigration, we assembled at a particular spot, as advised. A whole lot of confusion ensued and at last we were on a coach to a Hotel. The KL Intl Airport is about 70 kms from the city and we figured that the ride to the Hotel would be a long one. It turned out to be an hours drive even though it was close to midnight. We had to contend with long queues at the Hotel and being at the end of it, we were requested to share rooms. There was a unanimous outcry and the Hotel staff succumbed and started handing out deluxe suites to individuals. I was one of the lucky ones to get a Deluxe suite. It was a plush suite, but Hell I would have preferred reaching Home on time for "MY Bed" is a million times better than any other in the world.
It was 1am when I tucked myself into bed and managed to get some sleep - disturbed though. I was woken up at 3:30 AM by a phone ring. I picked and I heard a recorded message that said "This is your courtesy call". Strange!!! I had not asked for any courtesy from anyone. Infact all I wanted was to get home to Bangalore ASAP. I went back to sleep assuming it was an alarm set by the previous occupant of the suite. A few mins later, I decided not to take any chances and called Reception to find out what it was about. Thankfully I did. I was informed that it was a call to tell me that I should be ready to leave for the airport at 4:30 AM. Well - "Courtesy call" = "Be ready at 4:30" did not make any sense, But I am glad I called them to find out. I went down to hand in the keys and Check-out when I was handed a bill for the one phone call I had made to inform my folks about the delay. I told them to bill it to malaysian Airlines when the counter officer told me that I was allowed calls worth 6 Ringgits and anything above that I would have to bear. Ah well no point fighting over a few ringgits, even if 5 Star calling rates means that with 6 Ringets I hardly get to say HELLO.
We had an early brekkie and then were driven to the airport. My 2 new friends were again great company as we were talking about a lot of things. They were both Indians returning from Japan and we had extended discussions about cultural differences between India, Australia and Japan. At the airport there was a further delay of an hour before we actually took off. The plane soon was circling over Bangalore waiting for a landing clearance and the sight of Utility building told me that I was indeed home. Immigration was slow and the baggage handling "forces" had offloaded my baggage from the carousel even before I got there. Obliviious to the fact, I waited and waited and waited and waited. After a good 30 mins, a Malaysian airlines official announced that all bags from the KL flight have been offloaded. Phew!!! luckily my bags were not lost in transit. UC I was in India and I had started seeing the positive side of everything :D:D:D:D
Reaching India was more a sense of Relief, than anything else, after spending over a day in travel.
Keep tabs on this space for more on my holiday!!!!!!
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