Yesterday, i made a Diwali mud fort for my daughter. I was doing that first time after my 9th standard ie. 1987. Bees saal baad. I was totally lost as to how i could go about doing it. Tried to google it (may be too hitech), finally my 10 yr old neighbour explained the process. After a lot of efforts and trials i finally made it.
Your kids take you back to same things as what you had done. Again going through std 1st books, school, friends etc they give you front seat view of what you did in your childhood. They complete the circle of life...
Diwali is always special esp for kids. Food, crackers, fort, clothes: everything had a role. Even smell of moti soap, multani mitti, tata oil.... The air is different. There is greenary, mornings and evenings are chillier. There is a typical smell. I feel myself lucky that i am at same geographical place of my childhood (though not in same locality or house which still i visit and a part of). Many of my friends, cousins are not lucky in this aspect. They are in Pardes celebrating Indian Diwali at weekends, phone calls, parties and cutural borrowings. And those are unique experiences too as i have witnessed.
At the start of this quarter, in my posting 'king of Good (and bad) times', i had wished india beat australia which they have done once . also wish they wrap up series in delhi. I had also mentioned about my fun quotient for last quarter. It all starts with diwali party with marraige theme. All of us have to get into our marraige clothes again. Then there are home parties, office parties. Picnics.. So much fun but I still remember Diwali at KGP . Those were the best diwalis. It was so special with diya and ilumination competition. It was fun preparing and actually lighting up the show. I hope my daughter, completes that circle for me by getting in to KGP (high hopes for a 1st std) and make that circle complete again for me.
Happy Diwali Folks
Friday, October 24, 2008
Tuesday, October 21, 2008
Champion
In my last posting, i had put up my list of real heroes who have made us proud. After all adulations over sachin's record over last weekend, i thought should he be in my list. Yes definitely, he has done his job with integrity, perseverance, honesty. Its not his fault that he is given super-super celebrity status. Its just indian pscyche...
But nothing will deny his status as true champion. Truly on cricketing terms there are comparisons with Sir Donald (i have not seen him play), Lara . Some very learned ex players admit that those two surpass sachin in sheer excellence. But for me i have a different point to make as i have seen cricket for almost 29 years now. i still remember kapil dev wrecking through pak batting at chennai in 79, sandeep patil scoring centuty at adelaide 81, boycotts and tavares batting in 81 in india, 83 worldcup, india's annihilation by WI in India, benson and hedges 85 australia, tie test, beating england in england in 86, missed reliance cup in mumbai (celebrating pak loss earlier day, and crying over mumbai defeat next day), gavaskar retiring, vengsarkars purple patch.... then comes a small kid
of my own age, plays for india. That was the same time i had found a knack to score at exams and started enjoying studies. earlier i used to go to school to play criket in recess, did some dramas and quizes though, played club level hockey, nothing great about anything, could manage only 60% with rank hovering about 30 in class of 60. There was immediate identification of resurgence and a wishful thinking that sachin should excel. Plus there were reviews from gavaskar, and few others that this kid will make big. I still remember in my school days we used to have a show called kheliyad, sports quiz hosted by sharad avashthi (police guy). He had invited sachin and vinod kambli after they had made that partnership. I still remember sachins face then when he was shy to tell about his feat when asked by quiz master.
anyways right from those there was expectancy about sachin. and he delivered most of the times. thats his greatness. He has given so many joys to cricket fans like me for last 19 years, its hard to recollect those moments. Match saving 50 in pak, 100 in england, great 100 at sydney and perth, that ODI opening innings in NZ seen at hostel in KGP on a holi (best holi in my life), his first century in lanka, hero cup semifinals last over to SF(thats most memorable for me be it for his bowling), World cup semis when after his wicket there was disaster at calcutta, sharjah 98, australia 98, pak innigs where he felt short by 3 runs, last 3 wickets at kolkata (VVS test), Consistent batting in 02, worldcup pakistan match, then the injuries , england 07, australia 08 series, .. so many...
He has thrilled us all by his strokeplay and aggression (though he had to mend that due to injuries in latter half). In my school days we used to fear Sir Vivian Richards, when he came out to bat. i think there must be butterflies in stomach for bowlers those days as they must have walked back to their runup. I think same is true for sachin, bowlers have different thought process as they bowl, spectators have different sense of expectancy. And to me that makes him much great cricketer as exhilirating as IVA Richards, (sehwag comes close in that sense but there is a chance for bowler everytime).
Sheer Dominance..
Thats why he is champion. He believes in excellence. he is level headed and believes in simple value which we share with him ... These are other issues.
For me its the impact...
But nothing will deny his status as true champion. Truly on cricketing terms there are comparisons with Sir Donald (i have not seen him play), Lara . Some very learned ex players admit that those two surpass sachin in sheer excellence. But for me i have a different point to make as i have seen cricket for almost 29 years now. i still remember kapil dev wrecking through pak batting at chennai in 79, sandeep patil scoring centuty at adelaide 81, boycotts and tavares batting in 81 in india, 83 worldcup, india's annihilation by WI in India, benson and hedges 85 australia, tie test, beating england in england in 86, missed reliance cup in mumbai (celebrating pak loss earlier day, and crying over mumbai defeat next day), gavaskar retiring, vengsarkars purple patch.... then comes a small kid
of my own age, plays for india. That was the same time i had found a knack to score at exams and started enjoying studies. earlier i used to go to school to play criket in recess, did some dramas and quizes though, played club level hockey, nothing great about anything, could manage only 60% with rank hovering about 30 in class of 60. There was immediate identification of resurgence and a wishful thinking that sachin should excel. Plus there were reviews from gavaskar, and few others that this kid will make big. I still remember in my school days we used to have a show called kheliyad, sports quiz hosted by sharad avashthi (police guy). He had invited sachin and vinod kambli after they had made that partnership. I still remember sachins face then when he was shy to tell about his feat when asked by quiz master.
anyways right from those there was expectancy about sachin. and he delivered most of the times. thats his greatness. He has given so many joys to cricket fans like me for last 19 years, its hard to recollect those moments. Match saving 50 in pak, 100 in england, great 100 at sydney and perth, that ODI opening innings in NZ seen at hostel in KGP on a holi (best holi in my life), his first century in lanka, hero cup semifinals last over to SF(thats most memorable for me be it for his bowling), World cup semis when after his wicket there was disaster at calcutta, sharjah 98, australia 98, pak innigs where he felt short by 3 runs, last 3 wickets at kolkata (VVS test), Consistent batting in 02, worldcup pakistan match, then the injuries , england 07, australia 08 series, .. so many...
He has thrilled us all by his strokeplay and aggression (though he had to mend that due to injuries in latter half). In my school days we used to fear Sir Vivian Richards, when he came out to bat. i think there must be butterflies in stomach for bowlers those days as they must have walked back to their runup. I think same is true for sachin, bowlers have different thought process as they bowl, spectators have different sense of expectancy. And to me that makes him much great cricketer as exhilirating as IVA Richards, (sehwag comes close in that sense but there is a chance for bowler everytime).
Sheer Dominance..
Thats why he is champion. He believes in excellence. he is level headed and believes in simple value which we share with him ... These are other issues.
For me its the impact...
Wednesday, October 15, 2008
Half Boiled Eggs
Surpised by the title? Blogger does not allow devnagari as i would have written a phrase called as 'ardhya halkundane pivale' . If you literrally translate it, it would mean people turned yellow owing to half a stick of turmeric. It refers to that breed of people who are overrated by others for very mediocre achivements. Please note that, i believe that no one has any judgemental rights about anyone else's achievements and failures. But point to be noted mylord is that some people getting undue credit for unworthy achievements and glorified by media/public/society/friends/colleagues/family and self.
Start with those goons called as politicians whose hoardings occupy our landscape and we see those horrifying faces being termed as upcoming leaders across political spectrums. what have they done? apart from hooliganism, being at forefront at some functions, crime, corruption so on.. Most of them are second generation politicians whose claim to fame is his surname. and they come in bunches. one can atleast understand elected representatives starting with corporators , mlas and mps , but the faces seem to come from nowhere.. Its my ambition one day that on one of my birthday i will put up a huge cutout of mine and putting encircled photos of Sonia, Advani, sharad pawar, Seniormost Thakre, Raj Thakrey, Mayawati, (have i left anyone across political spectrum atleast here in Pune). Noone will have any reason to object.
Next comes those half celebrities on page3's and channels. Having featured in a half role for one of the umpteem soaps running on umpteen channels make them page3 and reality show regulars. Eg i dont know half the gang at big boss or 8 out of 10 jodis in nach baliye...
IPL has opened up this cult status for local cricketers who were left with wilderness of Ranji circuit. So you will now find more IPL starts in media glare.
Sania Mirza getting brand endorsements for winning one grandslam match 2 years back.
Software engineers who fail at basic oops concept interview questions commanding X+ 2 L as paypacket . (X= no of yrs of exp). The BPO executives demanding perks for wiling away time on facebook, orkut...
An IT evangelist attending page3 parties, an IT babu claiming to have brain behind supercomputer, Some bullshit novelist (international) asking for kashmir independance, average masala film lyricist, average secular film director having opinion on almost everything...
Self proclaimed authors writing and publishing books for most ordinary or borrowed experiences and insights. (thats includes yours truly as well but blogs is for my own sake, its for reader to find its merit)
List goes on an on:
Time to salute real heroes
Baba Aamtes of world, Abhay Bungs of world doing wonderful work in remotest areas, swaminathans of world, FC Kohlis of world who made Indian IT big, Narayanmurthys of world who positioned indian IT , Sam manekshaws, sam pitrodas, jawans and other police/military doing their duties amongst hardships , non corrupt officials doing duties honestly amidst corruptions, even politicians who contributed like rajeev gandhi for technology, Vajpayee/thackrey for roads, PV narshinarao/manmohan for Economy, profs at IITs /scientists who shy away from market riches for the cause of research out of choice, first gen entrepreuners trying to fight odds , volunteers doing traffic wardening, social servants doing honest and unpublicized efforts for various causes, our round tables building schools without much publicity, its for each of those who do their job honestly and with professional integrity to excel..
Need a media to value them. maybe some of them of above list have got their dues, but its time to appreciate each of above list and maybe ones i have missed. I feel that by doing this and glorifying these people, we can create role models and thus can spread virtues more effectively in younger generation. With these common good traits, society will improve.
It will do much better to stop glorifying these half boiled eggs...
Start with those goons called as politicians whose hoardings occupy our landscape and we see those horrifying faces being termed as upcoming leaders across political spectrums. what have they done? apart from hooliganism, being at forefront at some functions, crime, corruption so on.. Most of them are second generation politicians whose claim to fame is his surname. and they come in bunches. one can atleast understand elected representatives starting with corporators , mlas and mps , but the faces seem to come from nowhere.. Its my ambition one day that on one of my birthday i will put up a huge cutout of mine and putting encircled photos of Sonia, Advani, sharad pawar, Seniormost Thakre, Raj Thakrey, Mayawati, (have i left anyone across political spectrum atleast here in Pune). Noone will have any reason to object.
Next comes those half celebrities on page3's and channels. Having featured in a half role for one of the umpteem soaps running on umpteen channels make them page3 and reality show regulars. Eg i dont know half the gang at big boss or 8 out of 10 jodis in nach baliye...
IPL has opened up this cult status for local cricketers who were left with wilderness of Ranji circuit. So you will now find more IPL starts in media glare.
Sania Mirza getting brand endorsements for winning one grandslam match 2 years back.
Software engineers who fail at basic oops concept interview questions commanding X+ 2 L as paypacket . (X= no of yrs of exp). The BPO executives demanding perks for wiling away time on facebook, orkut...
An IT evangelist attending page3 parties, an IT babu claiming to have brain behind supercomputer, Some bullshit novelist (international) asking for kashmir independance, average masala film lyricist, average secular film director having opinion on almost everything...
Self proclaimed authors writing and publishing books for most ordinary or borrowed experiences and insights. (thats includes yours truly as well but blogs is for my own sake, its for reader to find its merit)
List goes on an on:
Time to salute real heroes
Baba Aamtes of world, Abhay Bungs of world doing wonderful work in remotest areas, swaminathans of world, FC Kohlis of world who made Indian IT big, Narayanmurthys of world who positioned indian IT , Sam manekshaws, sam pitrodas, jawans and other police/military doing their duties amongst hardships , non corrupt officials doing duties honestly amidst corruptions, even politicians who contributed like rajeev gandhi for technology, Vajpayee/thackrey for roads, PV narshinarao/manmohan for Economy, profs at IITs /scientists who shy away from market riches for the cause of research out of choice, first gen entrepreuners trying to fight odds , volunteers doing traffic wardening, social servants doing honest and unpublicized efforts for various causes, our round tables building schools without much publicity, its for each of those who do their job honestly and with professional integrity to excel..
Need a media to value them. maybe some of them of above list have got their dues, but its time to appreciate each of above list and maybe ones i have missed. I feel that by doing this and glorifying these people, we can create role models and thus can spread virtues more effectively in younger generation. With these common good traits, society will improve.
It will do much better to stop glorifying these half boiled eggs...
Wednesday, October 8, 2008
Terrorists have been successful
I think terrorists have been successful in dividing India on religious lines.
Its time for some out of box thinking on deep rooted issues around terrorism. There is a great mistrust within communities and it had widened the gap. I can understand all arguements of right and all cliches by leftist media and votebank politicians. Its not time for eye for an eye or also time for feeling perpetual victims. Its time to think fresh. Identify sensibe components of society to come down and create trustful gestures which can soothe communities. Forget votebank politics and create collective community prefects who inturn can act as pacifiers.
Terrorism affects all. And majority of people (whatsover be their religious affiliation) need peace and continuity in life. There are few hardliners who cannot live and let live. These elements can get aid from all unknown quarters in world who have ample of money and resources with an urge to make an impact or get political mileage. Time to alienate these from mainstream.
Need honest political leadership and credible governance to manage this.
But does this exist... Time to create one if it does not.
Its time for some out of box thinking on deep rooted issues around terrorism. There is a great mistrust within communities and it had widened the gap. I can understand all arguements of right and all cliches by leftist media and votebank politicians. Its not time for eye for an eye or also time for feeling perpetual victims. Its time to think fresh. Identify sensibe components of society to come down and create trustful gestures which can soothe communities. Forget votebank politics and create collective community prefects who inturn can act as pacifiers.
Terrorism affects all. And majority of people (whatsover be their religious affiliation) need peace and continuity in life. There are few hardliners who cannot live and let live. These elements can get aid from all unknown quarters in world who have ample of money and resources with an urge to make an impact or get political mileage. Time to alienate these from mainstream.
Need honest political leadership and credible governance to manage this.
But does this exist... Time to create one if it does not.
Friday, October 3, 2008
King of Good Times (and bad times..)
Whats happening all around... Bombs going off, financial markets crashing, stampedes killing many, floods creating havoc, inflation at more than 12%, IT scene getting tough, so on an so forth..... Really not good time for anyone....
There might be few exceptions, clearly a good time for healthcare and liquor industry. I would need to investigate a chain impact of world wide recession on to increase in sales of liquor brands or those of hospital admissions. Will try to get hold of UB or appolo hospitals annual report and compare them to sensex/other indices.
Incidentally my activity is mainly around healthcare these days. Thus can share some inside data though subsequently (dont arrest me for insider trading malpractices).
Anyways there is a silver lining: Festive season is just around corner.Dandiya nights have begun for us here. Have couple of dandiyas to attend, kojagiri gazal program is fixed, australian team is in India to play tests, then diwali celebrations lined up. Last quarter seems promising on fun quotient with couple of family weddings, birthdays, anniversaries and yearend ... Lots of scope for King of Good Times to flow.... (i cannnot see any impact on UB whatsoever).
Best wishes for festive seasons. Lets all pray to almighty that no untoward incidence rocks us again economically, socially, politically and lets hope India wins against Australia... And that will call for another round of King of Good times... (as if need an excuse..)
There might be few exceptions, clearly a good time for healthcare and liquor industry. I would need to investigate a chain impact of world wide recession on to increase in sales of liquor brands or those of hospital admissions. Will try to get hold of UB or appolo hospitals annual report and compare them to sensex/other indices.
Incidentally my activity is mainly around healthcare these days. Thus can share some inside data though subsequently (dont arrest me for insider trading malpractices).
Anyways there is a silver lining: Festive season is just around corner.Dandiya nights have begun for us here. Have couple of dandiyas to attend, kojagiri gazal program is fixed, australian team is in India to play tests, then diwali celebrations lined up. Last quarter seems promising on fun quotient with couple of family weddings, birthdays, anniversaries and yearend ... Lots of scope for King of Good Times to flow.... (i cannnot see any impact on UB whatsoever).
Best wishes for festive seasons. Lets all pray to almighty that no untoward incidence rocks us again economically, socially, politically and lets hope India wins against Australia... And that will call for another round of King of Good times... (as if need an excuse..)
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