Gear Up

Two thirds of 2019 is gone and we head towards last four months of the decade. This is the time to gear up. Gear up to celebrate the festivities waiting for the remainder part of the year. Gear up to recoup after long summer and unprecedented rains, cyclones, floods. Gear up to face new challenges like economic downturn, emerging market dynamics, wars, terror, extreme polarization and so on. Gear up to meet personal goals targets that we usually plan for the next Calendar year. This calendar change would usher in the new decade of 2020s. Lot was said about 2020 as landmark in human history. But signs are dangerous as we stand precariously to let our offspring live in a world and an environment they cannot salvage to continue their existent. The latest fires in Amazon forests have led us into an irreversible situation for climate and environment. It’s high time for the world to gear up, unite and fight the things to minimize further damage, do things to help us recover the situation. As we usher in celebrations, we pray to the Lord of Wisdom and Remover of Obstacles to help us do that. Ganapati Bappa Morya

50 50

Life can be described at its best as a 50 50 endeavor. It is divided between happiness and sorrow, success and failure, winning and losing, hope and despair, day and night, winter and summer. At the start of  this summer of 2019, I had a wish list of three things that I had no control over to happen: Mumbai Indians winning IPL, Modi winning general elections and Kohli lifting World Cup. Summer still is at its glory in this part of world while monsoons have set in finally in most part of India ending long summer there. Ignoring IPL to be non-serious matter, on the rest two accounts it was fifty-fifty verdict. While India and Modi won riding on a very effective campaign, lack of opposition and support of aspiring India, Virat lost it thanks to bad selection and decisions, half an hour of bad cricket at crucial moment. This column has said lot about why India won when Modi won. Though we will delve upon what next after the election and what needs to be the agenda for Modi2.0, but while analyzing World Cup we should also now focus on what’s next. As many serious thinkers will find it childish to equate cricket with National cause, but for this column cricket is passion while politics is a way of life. Cricket this time was 50 overs matter and in Indian Politics its about 50 % absolute majority and only around 50% of voters bother to Vote.

Catching Up

Lot of people need to catch up with lot of this as we already reach mid feb of new year 2016 which is a leap year. Let's hope we are able to manage that leap.

Firstly Modi government will need to catch up the promised dream of 'acche din'. It should  create jobs by capitalizing on steady economical parameters and low oil bills.  IT should Strengthen and substantiate slogans like Make in India, Start up India, Swatch Bharat , Smart Cities , Digital India and turn them into reality. Time is running out for reforms as markets seems to have lost patience in everything. Of course markets  work differently in this  global interconnected world. But then its high time for taking bitter pill of reforms and cut on subsidies. Not worry about politics and votes. Also need better PR machinery as deployed in 14 to make people sense about performance and governance. Good work done by minsters like Goyal,  Parrikar, Swaraj needs to be highlighted. Past establishment , corrupts and antinational will nevertheless would like to strike back with vengeance but still there are three years and a state lost here will be a collateral damage though we know it can  create problems further in upper houses.  There will be petty politics around emotional issues but Modi government needs to catch up on matters which really matter. This budget is very important.

Same is with Maharashtra state government. It should first decide who is ally and who is opposition.  Maharashtra politics is strange and first time we have seen some paradigm change. so it will take time to be really effective. But priority is correct anomalies and corruption in water distribution.  Make farming more scientific and all weather. Ease of doing business also needs some fine tuning. Planned Urban development and land shark control is priority.

Both at centre and state education policy needs revamp with creation of independent autonomous bodies to control quality and finances.

Pune as city as it heads for elections and having been selected as second smart city, needs  string decision making at executive level. I will put my neck out and say that we should undermine role of elected representatives who have in past failed people.

Indian cricket team also needs to catch up on may thing things apart from actual catching. They need to plan and be innovative to be able to lay its hands on asia and world t20 cups. On tests we need bowling unit capable to take wickets. BCCI is also running out of time to clean itself on everything.

Indian Olympics  Organization needs to really create environment to create winners at olympics levels but with only few months to go for Rio it seems we are running out there as well  unless for some individual brilliance. Time is also running out for euro teams to make mark at euro soccer.

Indian business propelled by relatively stable economy on global scale needs to innovate and capitalize on young populace , skilled work force, vast markets and all other inherent strengths to make it to next level. IT industry needs to focus on SMAC and work on new models with stringent visa rules in election year in US.

Having just listed areas of priorities for India to catch up on issues that really matter. Advice to past establishment is to do away with negativity and be a sensible nationalist opposition moved away from dynasty and naxalism. They still have role to correct government.

On Bollywood , art and entertainment (national and vernacular), let me advice them to catch up on entertaining people or making interesting  and meaningful films/plays/art/literature and leave politics to politicians.  There is lot to catch up.

Same applies to main stream media to be balanced on opinion making else they will become more irrelevant than they already are. Time also for social media to be more relevant.

So hope to catch up with you guys after long break, Its same for this space as well.

Personally also lot to catch up as well on many fronts....

Welcome Back!

Sorry for the long break, these were the times filled with action and drama on personal front.  Cricket seemed to be only content on this forum understandably as this was world cup year and India ended up a tenure across South Africa, New Zealand, England , Australia , Bangladesh and Srilanka finally. It started in Dec 13 after HIS retirement in Nov 13 vs. WI at Wankhede. Now we await the best travelling unit , top ranking test nation in Oct. Transition has not been complete but future has some promise. Virat is at helm in tests and maybe MS will say last hurrah in limited format after end of this season with T20 WC.  We have promising batsman in store like Rahane, Vijay and Pujara. The home leg will be ok and this team has bowling options to travel well. The India vs. Aus series in 01 which we one losing first test transformed and built Team India in the decade of 00 culminating into WC win and test no 1 rank. Same can we said about the victory in Srilanka. But for one session in Galle we would have whitewashed new SL team. But for dogged batting by AB and Faf we could have won at Jo'burg and lost one session due to great bowling by Steyn at Durban. we would have won Adelaide and won in Nz but for stubborn innings from Mcullum.  If doesn't matter but young team India under transition showed  the spirit to fight except maybe last few tests in England (blaming BCCI as team India never has played more than 4 tests abroad in past). world cup was good India and look forward to new season

On usual political front the negativity shown by media will be a case study in Indian politics (even for the world to learn). Main stream media has lost its place in  the scheme of things and they have tried to strike with venom . Starting with Lalitgate, various bans which were there since ages, they never lost any opportunity to blame Modi and his team.  But thanks to social media and its power, there will be a day when their models will be usurped and they will bite dust. Right now only matter of  concern is draught management, growth, inflation and development. We have a great opportunity especially after China crisis to emerge, evolve. Reforms have to happen but anti-nationals won't allow. Only if there is growth it reached last man in pyramid and not because of wasteful subsidies. Nobel prize should be taken back for those who have argued otherwise. i know it's a joke as a statement coming from someone as un scholar as yours truly but how many times one has to bang ones head against left thought which has ruined the world. When rich Arab nations reject refuges welfare economies in Europe have left orientation even now to share the burden. Is oil so important or we have big failure in western liberalism.

Rains have played truant here  and we wish this year's festivities will be in observance of same. Did few ventures to help those affected. On personal side lot things happening thus hiatus on this forum  but hope last quarter is bit relaxed . This is Ganesha time again and this blog started on eve of Ganesha festival in 08 so now completes 7 years . And its itching to do more, write more and better as compared to pedestrian stuff earlier. Happy Ganesha Chaturthi

And on lighter note, as title of this post is based on sequel of much loved film  let me Welcome back Lord Ganesha. The movie was hilarious with one liners and acting of stars like Nana, AK, Paresh Rawal and Naseer. No plot no story but entertainment . Chemistry of Anil and nana is what director wanted , portrayed and was smash hit. Antakshari with ghosts will be cult scene for ages.

Pls remove all obstacles Vighnaharta, again Welcome back

Mauka to sabhiko milta hain

Cut to year 1998, when life was different, on right side of 20s , I had seen a movie made by Ram Gopal  Varma named Satya. The film was dark based on the underworld of then Mumbai  and was engrossing . RGV used to make good movies those days. The dialogue which was made famous out of that movie  is title of this post. Reason the Mauka campaign of star sports world cup. These ads were funny and really entertaining. And yes ironically it was Pakistan who lost Mauka by dropping Watson off Wahab. Imagine the much maligned fielder taking the catch, Australia 5 down for 70  chasing  220s at that point. Pakistan then going on to win to meet India in semis. and maybe Dhoni lifting cup on 29th and we celebrating on streets again.... so it's not about having a Mauka it's about grabbing it. so as in cricket so in life. All of us are aware of our 'Maukas': some dropped, some taken. But if wishes were horses....

As predicted here on this forum Australia ; the firm favourites, won the cup. They were the  team which had great batting and bowling . All players chipped in at different occasions. They ended a tough emotional season which started with sad death of Hughes. The cricketing sense prevailed but i have to give credit to changed rules to help southern hemisphere teams with unequal benefit. Spinners were out of equation due to fielding equations. Reverse swing was out due to two balls. Ground  were smaller at least in NZ and big bats were destructive. I am not whining . It's a truth that team with better bowling attacks survived and ordinary batsmen ran away with centuries. Coming back as Sourav says in commentary about team India, yes we performed as per the expectations and nothing more. Given especially the form carried on in Aus tri series. In fact we fought in first ODI vs aus, other was washed away. But surprisingly we lost both games to England the team which could not make it to WC QFs was an aberration. With this team we can beat Pak, UAE, WI, Zim, Ireland, Bangladesh any day any place but the biggest achievement was to beat SA comprehensively scoring 300 and running out AB, Miller. But when it mattered most we fell short of maybe 20-30 runs in semis. If Johnson had not played that innings we would have been chasing say 290-300 but then if wishes were horses we would have had the Mauka, We started well batting but for some rush of blood. Imagine we had Gambhir instead of Rohit (my namesake is the backbone of two world cup final victories) and yuvi instead of sir jadeja. these two black holes in selection finally lost Mauka for us. But then kudos to bowlers who came after smith 100 and throughout WC to dismiss opponents . Hats off to Dhoni.  On other teams, NZ did well and SA faltered without choking. England have lost it.  Associates need more time rightfully . We saw farewells for sanga, mahela, afridi and clarke. Not a great world cup except first semi and few matches involving associates.

And on to carry on topic based on Mauka, this is time we as a country can really materialize with opportunity to take our country into the next zone. Forget ranting of media which has antinational agenda to continue the erstwhile establishment to comeback. Just to prove my point i can cite the game changers in Delhi who were projected by this media. and how they have failed with regressive non agenda which was funded by anti nationals and those  ultra liberal utopians. Also look at media haste to subside Modi wave despite having a functioning government. and what they all have to claim are non issues. Many will argue that even Modi regime is creation of media. I beg to differ as it was expression of aspiring India who was tired of same old establishment taking away all benefits. Aspiring India is the one which believes that by hard work they can make it good for themselves and for their offspring without deserting India. Carry on good work Mr Modi as we need to en cash the Mauka whatever non issues are created by media for its own survival. It's been a good year . Waiting for summer holidays for children to let the masti begin. Tomorrow is IPLs first match. We the perennial fools will be engaged during the summer.

9/11 moment again

Thirteen is unlucky number. 13 years have gone by. I distinctly remember that Tuesday and time around quarter to 6 PM IST.  I was interviewing few candidates in a locality of Hyderabad. I had to catch my train back to Pune by 7. Interview was delayed and i rushed out of the ISBN office and reached station just to find that train was 45 mins late. So roamed in those lanes around station dominated by Kebab thelas, mosques, old houses. Majority of people were in their skull caps. And suddenly there was a black out due to electricity failure. There was some strange aerie feeling though i never knew what had transpired miles apart in New York at the same time. As I boarded train, no one had an idea. By nine after dinner, i took my berth and slept like a log to get up at Daund.  The paperwallahs were shouting “USA attacked”. Bought Sakal and Times to know what had happened. Coincidentally in the age of digital media, i got aware of 26/11 also on print media after reading papers delivered at home.  I had retired early after Indian victory over England in ODI on 26^th say by 10ish, as last night on 25^th Nov  I  had a night out due to work. That event on 9^th morning changed the world. Lots have been written about it. But for me only thing to add was world started taking Indian suffering seriously. Terrorism for India was local freedom fight hyphenated with Pak till then.  There were debates and most of the west dominated by liberalism questioned India while ignoring evil existing across Indian borders and within in some anti national quarters. I remember how US froze for almost fortnight. I travelled to Malaysia then on 1^st Oct and flight was empty. Security was beefed up everywhere. US now suffered pain which was meant till then for third world countries like India.  It was defining moment for humanity and personally as well as my daughter was born few months after....

Iraq and Syrian problem is another such moment we now face after 13 years. USA has been silent till now and now only showing intent after being provoked by killing of journalists. USA chose to remain watchfully patient as situational dynamics in those countries are tricky. Helping Syrian govt vs ISIS funded by its own allies is the dilemma.  USA has been conveniently choosy in having allies and only parameter is self interest. But things seem to be poised at a level where if uncontrolled cancer will spread and world will be a different place.   Support amongst section of Indian youths is also alarming. So we are again facing 9/11 moment. Another point is would like to criticize is double standard by liberals, secular media (fiberals as per definition by a friend), while denouncing Gaza attacks they chose to remain silent on genocide and atrocities in Iraq and Syria. Also is it not ironical that those who wanted to drown Indian Army in Kashmir have army as their only saviour to avoid being drowned. It’s high time some vested interests should answer mango people as they are the only ones who suffer and never the leaders or armchair philosophers.

Mind over Matter

Out of all people in the world, it had to be Robin Williams a comedian. Lot has been already written about depression being the silent killer. Lot of analysis has also been made as to how comedians are most susceptible to depression.  Correctly appearances can be deceptive. People have one face for the physical world; one for virtual and third is the real one.  Nowadays its very important to have balance of mind to deal the situations in life. Modern life with its complicated ways is at its best to as questions each and every minute. So just as we spend time to maintain body, its very imperative to keep mind trained to adapt to various situations of life. Its easy said than done.

Without sounding sermonizing or without a need to repeat clichés, i have a concrete plan. Let me know if it helps

1.       Define your horizon: List down top 10 ten things you want in next 12 months. You will find that the list will have at least 4-5 things which you may like to edit and delete. Assess the list in at least 3 different times and mood. Say when you are partying hard, when something happens which you don’t like and most importantly say  between 4  to 6 am in  the morning fresh after decent rest at some scenic location. The common points in the list will be final. Now don’t worry about moving targets. That’s very important. Else there won’t be contentment. Eg last week I was at Panchgani, at a friend’s house. There i had a temptation to add an item of owning similar place.  So let this list be tight no additions or deletions once you lock it.

2.       Go after it persistently: Now that you have found your list of happiness, you need to act with steady devotion. Maybe on first day there will be disaster, but don’t give up. Be bull headed about action. Work on plan A, B and C to achieve that. Don’t let anyone else’s comments or suggestions affect your decision making though you would like to listen to all. Be aware of all things. Get on top of your schedule.  There will be one day when you will reach that horizon. And you will be very happy

3.       Don’t compare yourself with others: As Ravindranath Thakur said, ‘ekla chalo re’. Your life path has to be walked alone. Your story is unique. Be proud of it. Don’t sympathize with yourself accusing destiny or others for what you feel has gone wrong. Own up the mistake and correct it.  Be in control. Let not vices control you. Easier said than done but keep short targets.  Avoid evils of social media. Don’t get jealous of some ones vacation at exotic places. If you want that let it be in your list first. Don’t allow anyone’s new car or house  to move your target. Be responsible and honest with your own targets.  Only when an item is achieved add another item to replace. Here i won’t say be saint and its but natural for normal people to have endless list. My main point is to prioritize to avoid stress.

4.       Enjoy life’s small things which make you happy be it watching cricket match, reading book, watching movie, listening to music, trekking, playing with kids, whatever. These are constant source of happiness. Have a hobby which will bring down your stress. Dont feel guilty of spending time on these while going after your wish list.

5.       Be fit. ( this is very difficult for me to advise anyone)

6.       Be considerate of others. Sometime you get angry with people around you in family or office. You feel someone is conspiring. Some one is not treating you fairly. Someone ditches you. Some one insults you. Take a deep breath. Try to reason out why that person has done that thing or said something which you did not like. Other people are not inherently evil or stupid. They will have their reason. If in first case you can put your reasoning above them then try to converse with them politely trying to reason them out. Sometimes it may not change situation so be it. In second case if you feel it’s you who need to act in order to improve situation so act.  Point is to put you in others shoes.

7.       You are not god. There are many things you cannot control. Know this inevitable truth.

On this note have a great independence day.  Most of the 67 years have been wasted barring post liberalization boom. Story has to be rebuilt.

On that note how can i complete narrative without politics and sports?

On International side one can feel double standards especially here in India and most of the liberals in west. They are completely quiet about ISIS and other extremist holocausts. Where in self protection of Israel in Gaza has been pointed out repeatedly. World is extremely unsafe thanks to some extremist versions of truth. Same threat extends to India especially as festive seasons are round the corner. This is the time to be vigilant.

New govt has completed 3 months and has made right intentions clear though would have loved them to me more revolutionary in actions especially during budget. But intent is there and govt presence is felt which was missing. Too early to judge but efforts to protect Indians abroad in conflict zones, functioning of parliament, apparent control over prices,  focus on defence etc are notable credits. Monsoons thankfully are not that bad as predicted though some regions still have deficit. Hope for a good revival next month.

Maharashtra is gearing up for elections. Hope we see change there as well to oust the non performing and corrupt regime. LBT issue is unresolved. The opposition parties need to be careful in playing their cards. Pune saw metro announcement amidst politics. BRT, waste management, DP, BPD issues still have no solution. Roads are pathetic thanks to Monsoon. New MPS need to act now. Thankfully again dams are 90% full and water scare is postponed till 2015 without any permanent solution.

Germany won WC. I had predicted same. Most unusual was the 7-1 match. I had never seen such thing happening before that too in WC semis.  Team efforts are more important than Individual brilliance as proven. It was an end of a Spanish era. I felt player of tournament was Robben who was too electric. But as usual Dutch never crossed the line. Some day maybe...

Team England in soccer is what Team India is in cricket. Both teams full of overrated star players. But more than that issue is decline of test cricket in India which is alarming.  No batsmen had patience to build innings. Those who done better in first two tests lie Pujara, Vijay and Rahane , gave it away in next two test. Lords win was great but next two losses showed that Indian juniors are not ready for 4-5 test long series. Max is 3 tests. Board better realizes that. This is effect of IPL and T20. We still are team in transition since 2^nd April 2011. Generation shift and personnel replacement has not happened. Let’s hope last test they will find energy from somewhere to square it up. CWG game gave us smiles but competitive level was bit less. Maybe CWG have lots relevance.  Finally it was good to see some Kabbadi players getting limelight.

Monsoon magic has turned this part into heaven as had first opportunity to experience last week. Where are you heading this long weekend?

Summer of 14

Things got haywire this summer with usual summer trips, business, marriages and events. Sorry for the break.

At the start of summer, I had written in this blog that how important this summer is mainly due to the elections. We eagerly await monsoons here in this part of world. Schools are set to begin next week. Transition of seasons makes you feel nostalgic about something as transient as time spent. I just remember New Year ringing in and we are almost half way down the road. First World War started 100 years ago. 20^th century which shaped our generation is almost a forgotten just as the great wars, cold war, Berlin wall, opening of Indian economy and finally Y2k. Tinaeman square celebrates silver jubilee this summer. It was 1989 then. It was also 1989 when someone as unknown as Michael chang won French open and this year it’s known face of Nadal at Roland Garos. It was 1989 when i did my first Himalayan trek after 10^th exam. It was 1989 when India had the last non coalition government and it is 2014 when we have same again.

25 years is a long time. It is a quarter of the century. It is also a one third of human life on an average. We 89ers (as we call them at school to batch passed xth in 89) have spent that much time in our education, career, and family life for those many years. This summer we had opportunity to revisit that in form of a nostalgic trip. Our gen next has grown to their primary school. I still remember day in 1990 when karsevaks were shot at and we heard BBC radio reporting then due to DD blackout. Rajiv Gandhi govt was on verge of ouster and protagonist was the dangerous man called V P Singh. To admit even thought leaders had imagined him to be real Hero forget about teenagers like me. But he ended up leading nation to disaster followed by some worst governments leading to 91 crises. 91 saw another good PM in P V Narsimharao who was force behind liberalization executed by Manmonhan Singh. India changed after that irreversibly.  BJP grew in 96 after failed 13 day experiment and 13 months one in 98.  Meanwhile people like H D Devegouda and I K Gujaral won the roulette.  NDA govt in 99 became first non congress govt to complete full tenure and had some great push towards infrastructure and development under Vajpayee prior to stumbling on India shining disaster. Last 10 years have been shambolic with India story at its rock bottom. Corruption at high , populist subsidies, direction less non decisive government out of coalition games.  I remember day in 86 when we walked from school which was 7 kms away due to strike of transporters. That day as we passed by sarasbaug, we saw people distributing pamphlets of in Ayodhya movement. Latching to that movement, from strength of 2 in 1984 shok sabha till 288 on May 17^th in 2014 much water has flown under Ganges.

After the resounding success of BJP under Modi on May 17^th, I have been closely observing media, thought leaders, politicians who had put Modi under continuous scrutiny and abuse for last 12 years. In fact I never believed US and European governments to be so fool hardy to be influenced by these thoughts. But then west govt always have played in hands of hidden expansive religious agenda. All these people now had started being what i term as ‘cautionist’. These are very clever people. In every article or chat they proclaim to have open mind about Modi’s actions (which have been great and need to be lauded upon) , but every praise comes with a foot note of caution. So they have a chance to retreat to their original positions in case something happens in future which they have been scaring people about. But if things go as per development vision of Modi and Modi fulfils promises he made, then they don’t have to lose face. Maybe now only old congress stable of Iyers, Digvijays are still following ostrich policy but all those doyens of media, intelligentsia, and activists have fallen in place. Though some cried accusing Indian voters to be fantasists, but no one was there to hear these voices. Even foreign media saw a change in stance. Mankind has always been pro winner. There is no one who supports losers. But life is a great leveller. Losers have turned into victors and vice versa. What matters from now on is performance, performance and performance as Viday Balan said in dirty picture in different context. And within a month Modi has proven that he can do it. Though this month had strange controversies like Smritu Iranis education, Gen Suhaag vs V K singh, UP rapes, Pune killing, Beas tragedy and riots over fb posts ( seems some sinister agenda here as we face assembly elections in Oct), tragic death of Gopinath Munde and add to that bleak monsoon predictions and delay in monsoon. This government has its hands full mainly due to inherited economy. Hope Acche din aayenge. Only time will tell.

Analyzing the elections, no one predicted such a margin of victory. I think people were really fed up with inflation, lack of opportunities, corruption, non decisions on key issues. And young voters really made an impact. They don’t have any baggage of obsolete idealisms. They care only about growth and opportunities. They care a damn about history. One may also accede that polarization worked especially in northern states of UP and Bihar but a stage was set for decisive government without political compulsions. Modi had caught that imagination as someone who can be trusted to deliver on promises after 12 years of Gujarat (some may call marketing of Gujarat). I was initially sympathetic to Arvind Kejriwal and AAP to provide some option but somehow these people don’t come out as someone with honest interest to change systems. Many foreign supporters and arm chair philosophers have fought with me on various forums on putting BJP and Congress in same boat vs AAP.  I am also scared by their funding patterns which can undermine national security. But the AAP made a self goal by running away from Delhi and some arbitrary decisions to fight from Varanasi. The organization was young and needed time. Anyways they can still play a role of effective opposition as compared to some regional satraps or a dead party. They need valid policies not driven by egos, direction and should have patience. Their supporters barring few have vanished from social media for now. But am sure they are licking their wounds to return on every negative point about new government.  So for new government the mantra is to perform or perish.

IPL happened this summer. Some credibility was won back thanks to some intervention by court and involvement of Gavaskar. Initially no one cared but as we saw some terrific cricket on field by Maxwell, Miller, that catch by Lynn, people started being interested. There was some good batting by Uthappa, Pandey, some scintillating chases scripted by Pathan and Mumbai Indians, some tight bowling esp by Narine, Bhajji, some great fielding. Many young Indian cricketers did well.  I feel this was best IPL in terms of cricket and felt honesty in efforts. But then cricket is on sidelines for a month thanks to carnival in Brazil and already after first 11 matches we have seen some great action. Big names have delivered. Absolutely a treat till july 14^th. Then we will change focus to an important series in England. Nadal created history and Wimbledon will be drowned amidst soccer action as it happens every 4 years. Shumacher is out of coma just to end on good news for sport lovers.

Pune voters have uprooted cong and NCP and same trend continued in Maharashtra. 42 seats is not a joke. That shows anger of people. Hopefully we will see govt change in Mumbai as well. But state politics has a twist in tale after Munde tragedy. LBT issue also needs resolution. And four months is long time. Pune has a minister, but no one has any say on BDP, Metro, Old city development plan, PMPML revival. As we near monsoons, concretization of roads has taken pace. I am not sure who is driving this and for what reason?

This was again hot summer worldwide, with lot of violence in Nigeria, Sudan, Iraq, AfPak, Egypt, Syria, Vietnam, Thailand, and Ukraine. Even Brazil had demonstrations against world cup. US had many gun attacks. Of course summer has just set in the northern world.

On personal side, I had lot of action both on leisure and work side. But as always it’s your children who are the happiest people during summer. This year was not an exception. Eagerly awaiting Monsoon to turn this part of world into heaven......

Important Summer

It’s the holiday time again for kids here. Another academic year is done and dusted with and we are witnessing heat all around. Summer is scorching so are elections. IPL season 7 starts today amidst raging controversies and credibility deficit. A world cup was lost in final where an ex hero turned into a villain. A plane is missing without any clues. There is a crisis in Crimea.

But nothing takes away an iota of attention from LS elections. It’s now or never situation for those who mean for India. Yes I can hear many accusing me to be right fundamentalist etc but asking my erudite friends if we have any choice. UPA 3 will be disaster for country.  The self proclaimed purists and agents of change who lived by media have been put to death by media (though some life is being infused from foreign shores in terms of support and money).  They had chance to create case study in Delhi but again individual ego and ambitions prevailed. Third front is nonexistent. If one believes in the pulse and the opinion polls, we will have NDA govt. But then Indian voting system is strange. It has sprung surprised in past and one should not rule out incumbent’s hold over systems and below the table practises. They have ruled of 60 years so they can still spring some surprise. You never know in India. Last night before voting is crucial especially in slums and rural areas where booze flows along with cash and kind incentives for poor people.  So as they say in Marathi ‘raatra vairya chi ahe jaaga raha’ (Enemy is around so be vigilant). This is true especially last night before election. Tomorrow we vote here in Pune. May 16 is month away.  So the things will get interesting every day till then. Growth which includes all and focus on basis infrastructure are the only things which will take India ahead and not some subsidies, wasteful schemes. I can also hear slogans from newbie party supporters that both NDA and UPA are same and corrupt. But are these newbie parties ready to deliver in 14. Come on, common sense should prevail and not idealism or pessimism of NOTA.

On cricket side, i felt BCCI has an opportunity to cleanse the system but power as they say blinds. Induction of Sunil Gavaskar is right step. Let Kumble, Ganguly and Dravid also join in ensuring no conflict of interest.  This is the time for gentlemen with honour to show these power hungry incumbents how to run the show. IPL thus is slow starter for me. On world cup loss, its combination of wrong selection by India (right from the start of tournament when they crushed everyone till finals) and excellent performance from Srilanka on day mattered most. But solace is only fact that we reached finals. The recovery phase in 13 again lost momentum in NZ. Now again it is the time for selectors to hone right talent and for youngsters (apart from Virat Kohli) to stand up and be counted.  Still the team is in transition.

On international front Crimea issue, MH370, China-Japan, Afghan elections offer intrigue for observers. Economy in US has improved. Now we look forward to world cup soccer in Brazil to catch imagination amidst lot of controversies later in June.

Interesting summer ahead, and very important one....