Revival

Revival is order of day; be it economy, be it politics, be it cricket, be it society. As we enter second half of the second month of year 2013, which had a bad start in addition to legacy of 2012 which was year of failures.  Somehow many will agree that speed of time flow is incredibly fast in 2013 though it may sound as cliché or for that matter anomalous as wheel of time moves it same speed since the big bang.  But having seen almost 45 days of New Year, seems like 2013 has different properties. 

Government seems to be acting especially against sending strong message to enemies of India irrespective of what lefts, seculars and anti nationals say against Afzal Guru hanging. Noises for Modi as PM have already made an impact so that govt had to take cognisance of it and act. If Modi outside power can create such an impact, what will happen if really he is give n charge in 2014? That for me sounds remote as Indian voters don’t vote by emotions, logic, ideology or development, they vote based on established equations, patterns, cash and demographic vote banks. And Indian media and elites have some agenda to derail Modi and his politics of development. But media is scared and that can be seen in endless debates on secularism and under mining of Modi. The British mindset of ruler and elites in India has not changes even after 60 years of freedom. Our Independence struggle has replaced British with new elite class which has ruled politics, media, society and business. Though after liberalization business in India has been relatively set free and they can have role to play based on what suites them. Government has taken note of public outcry and seems to heed for social media opinions and thus seems to have some decisive plan to defend its urban educated vote base. More interesting will be budget when populist and vote bank schemes which were highlight of UPA 2 will get financial support or will they be diluted on backdrop of reforms. That will clearly be the signal even as step to have Rahul Gandhi projected at PM carries no immediate political gains. Not that all will be revived if Modi is at power. It has to be seen if he can master coalition politics and yet push forth his development card. And here i do not wish to repeat that secular, corrupt and damaging political/elite systems which ruled for last 55 out of 60 odd years will make it impossible for someone well meaning, corruption free like Modi to act in benefit of India.

That brings forth development and economic growth which needs revival. Here 2013 will have to play a major role in defining 2014 and beyond. World economy seems better than 2012 especially US showing signs of recovery. European crisis still looms but some mitigating steps have been taken. Indian 2012 was poor with reduced growth, high inflation, BOP crisis, bad governance, corruption, famine all colluding to have gloomy impact on economy. Govt seems to be irrationally bent upon collecting taxes to narrow deficit sometimes illogically driving away investors. Govt also vacillates on key policies. Thus budget of 2013 will define the direction. Thankfully guidance for IT companies is bullish and we can see better job market further boosting the spending in real estate, consumer markets and auto. Thus we should look forward to PC to take steps to revive economy.

Will Narendra Modi and his development politics as an answer to a better 2014 and beyond....... Only time will tell but his chances are very slim for now. But you never know.

Same is for society. 2013 started on bad note for safety of women.  Though some laws have been straightened but much more need to be done. Issues like female infanticide, khaps, inequality still remain challenge for society. Thus society needs revival

State govt of Maharashtra is busy exploiting draught. Draught relief is proven industry for some. Energy crisis looms and no steps seem to be taken anywhere. Blame the coalition. Opposition is divided now with MNS declining to join any one. Thus this government is safe. So revival in 2014 seems distant.

Education system needs revival as IITs are abused. Govt is playing with students on exams, RTE and some evaluation dictats. Need experts to manage rather than politicos.

Civil society movements need revival and need to align with opposition to make an impact. Somehow hopes with likes of Arvind Kejariwal, MNS seems dying down as individual ego based politics lacks mass appeal.

Pune city needs revival on infrastructure and environment but people at helm are real estate tycoons and anti social elements so chances to develop city and remove corruption remain remote

Finally Indian cricket needs revival after nadir of series loss to England at home. Australia seems lesser challenge than England who had good pace and spin attack along with experience batting. Aussies  batting apart from Clarke and Watson seem inexperienced, also with lack of spinning option could hurt them but Indians should be beware of their young pace attack. But have Indian selectors taken look at larger picture that is future? Starting with captaincy where they don’t seem to have alternative despite Dhonis’ failing as test captain and batsman.  So at least they should groom someone for future by naming him VC; only candidate being Virat Kohli who is only certainty in playing eleven apart from Dhoni and Sachin till he retire. Sachin should be asked about his future clearly up to what time he can play and plans should be to use his experience. Some tough calls are necessary.  Young guns like Rahane, Dhawan, Tiwary should be given chances to cement their places like Kohli and pujara.  So that leaves Sehwag . But Sehwag was needed against aussies. It will be his last chance like sachin. On bowling getting back to Harbhajan was tactical for aussies and i feel he should be played ahead of ashwin. Fast bowling is strengthened by bhuvanesh. So once varun and yadav get fit we may have better picture for future. Let’s hope there is revival there

So during this romantic period of year , lets hope that we see revival.......

25th Jan

It was 25th Jan 2012, what would have made one Mr Santosh Mane , Occupation: Bus Driver with MSRTC, so agitated that he decided to drive a bus along morning streets of Pune and kill innocent lives, injure many , damaging many vehicles. The incidence shocked Pune and everyone felt for near ones of victims. Year has gone by and have we learnt lessons to avoid such incidences. Some things were done but situation is still not as it should be around bus terminuses. It was the same day when i was admitted to hospital for slip disc. somehow events are interwined with those around.

Lets not forget also following events which we need to learn lesson from in the near past

• GB and JM Road blast which should result in more vigil against terror . Govt seems busy only making politics while coloring the terror.
• Last year we had water situation. Nothing has done to plan for avoiding such incidences
• Road accidents in Pune continue everywhere. 2012 we had more accidents than 2011 which has lowest as curve which was going down has again risen. MGNL is digging up roads everywhere , is PMC monitoring situation. Now that Metro construction will start we need better traffic and road management.
• Expressway continues to kill. One can witness 2 wheelers driving in wrong direction, pedestrains crossing the expressway at ease.
• With power crisis looming due to water scarcity in state have we prepared plan B or are we heading towards days in 04-05 of loadshedding.
• Gang wars in pune have killed many in recent past. Does police instill fear amongst goons?
• Passport woes continue for Pune even after shifting
• Aadhar card scheme has not been streamlined.
• Property tax increase of 6% is suggested, will that help towards a better city or will corruption offset this raise?
• Do we have enough gardens, playgrounds, hospitals, community halls and similar amenieties as needed by society or are we just approving housing and commercial real estate hubs.
• Do we have effecient public transport? or we will end up adding more private 2 and 4 wheelers. Do we have control over errant rickshaw drivers who refuse to ply as per their will.
• Have we controlled crime against women? Is Pune anymore safe for women. Nayana Pujari accused still is at large? Darshana Tongre case still unresolved?
• Have we controlled crime against old people? Alurkar murder is still mystery
• Chain snatching, mugging incidences are on rise.
• Garbage and waste management still remain big problem.
• Rivers are polluted and we do not have any answer.
• Trees are being cut on hills sorrounding and there is no protection.

List is long but do our rulers and we cistizens have resolve to hep us solve these making Pune a better place to live. On eve of republic day and on first anniversary of sad incidence lets pledge to contribute.

Not Required Indians

Mr Ramchandra Guha, a social historian has historical branded certain people as Internet Hindus. The derogatory sense of the definition is what irks me. It’s common for three types of people to deride such Internet Hindus. First let’s start with the definition of ‘Internet Hindus’  who are sympathisers of RSS/BJP clan, who cry pseudo secularism to be only problem for this once great country which they (those who ridicule internet hindus) believe did not exist (Indian culture dates back only till Mughal times as per these three types),   and final definition of Internet Hindu is one who posts militantly on social media/web fourms against these three types. First of these three types who deride Internet Hindus are the doyens of secular media with JNU mould, second the ruling elites who get into power by milking cash votes or vote for cash in connivance with unscrupulous business class or for newly created class of Non resident Indian who leave no stone unturned to bash India for anything that happens here and compare that with their country of residence (of course there are well meaning and patriotic Non resident Indians always supporting Indian cause). Now if I were Ramchandra Guha of my school of thoughts, I would define these people as Not Required Indians.  Though I respect Guha not as a social expert he is claimed to be but for his cricket writing. I would also like to add fourth group which subscribe to groups named as ‘I am ashamed to be Indian’ and who criticize country, people and culture being culprit for all evils of India. 

This was very prominent kind of thought process in the aftermath of the Delhi rape issue. It’s good that this case has created mass awakening. This was an event when victim was one of class 3 of people as Chetan Bhagat has classified. Class 1 is politician who rule, 2 is business people who bend rules, 3 is people who are upwardly mobile based on their education and connected to social media, and last is poor in cities and rural India. When victim was from class 4 no one bothered. There was a storm created falsely by media on speech of RSS on India Vs Bharat. What he meant was nothing to do with urban rural divide. This divide exist, there are beast amongst people in both India and Bharat. But it’s very unfortunate that these people brand whole country, people and culture as rubbish. One of such characters compared US action on guns law as ideal way to tackle issues and blamed Indian people for allowing politicians to rule them badly. These people are happy to comment from outside without doing anything about it. At least much maligned internet Hindus or ‘class3 ‘ ‘painted and dented’ ‘candle light bearers with make ups’ at least go on street ( irrespective of its utility), face police and make effective pressure on government to take some action. What 'Not required Indians' do is post offensive statements against country, people and bash those patriotically involved for all ills and quote happenings in first world and how ‘we’ are different from ‘you’ petty Indians.

Anyways I did not want to devote even a single byte for these Not Required Indians but wanted to advice them. Respect Indian values and culture. India has never gone out and killed people in order to expand its religion or lifestyle. We had abundant natural resources and we are accommodative to all and sundry who came here. That is not our weakness but greatness in humanitarian terms. Please don’t treat this as our weakness though it has led to lot of problems in today’s India. But as Indian civilization has found ways to survive millions of year we will now also. That does not mean we will just bask upon past glory but we have taken upon new technology and science. Though we have many evil issues to tackle but youth of India will overcome.  Indian culture has been blamed as misogynist, caste driven. But misogamy set in medieval times out of external influences and in ancient times women were actively involved in society.  Regarding castes, it’s the biggest challenge we face as some sections had been deprived. But isn’t it common for elites to create safe bastions for themselves all over world. Why single out India? Even in today’s world doesn’t class1 people of politicians irrespective of their birth are depriving other classes access to goo life by means of corruption? But then we are patriots, we will find ways to solve issues just as Aamir khan highlighted. Let the ‘Not required Indians’ remain not required in these efforts. Let them enjoy comfort of their own cocoon.

13 jo tera hain

New Year is week old. Winters have set in. Normally this is a very cheerful time of the year. New resolutions are fresh and yet to be broken. Health is high on agenda.  But as they say 13 number is unlucky so has been its start.

The 16^th December Delhi gang rape issue is burning.  Case has started and lone witness has raised some serious issues for government, police and aam janata. Some insensitive and some misconstrued remarks have added fuel to this sensitive issue. Pak has killed two Indian soldiers and shown true colours.  Train fares have been hiked and a large hike in diesel and LPG is due after a minor rise. Market outlook and job stats are poor. Marathi literary fest is filled with controversies as usual. Pune DP plan which serves builder interest has been passed. India has lost series against Pak. Davis cup turmoil still continues.

Nothing has gone right and there is gloom all over. Government seems to have lost all it’s connect with people. Opposition keep hitting self goals.  There is no hope, darkness is everywhere.

But we need to move ahead. We need to make difference. We must believe in ourselves. Lot of sms were floating that ‘yeh saal tera hain’ ie this year is yours (Pun intended with hindi number 13 and word ‘yours’).  Yes we should believe in this. We can make difference.

We can remove evils around. We can make difference in society. We can be more vigil and help each other out in trying situations. We can demand stronger laws. We can make us listen through new media. We can control politicians to do their tasks properly. We can conquer our shortcomings. We can try something new. We can improve the things. Lets start with self then the surrounding, city, country and world. Let us care about environment as well. Let us help those in need.

Wish you a very happy new year 13 which is yours. Ring in the new....

Year of Failures

If 2011 was year of revolutions, 2012 can definitely be branded as the year of failures. Failures on the part of those at helm who could have really made impact if they wanted to and who for some reasons failed in connecting with masses, had wrong priorities and thus resulted in problems for masses. Be it world, India, Maharashtra, Pune or be in Indian cricket team, or be it new social activists

Let’s start with the world stage, the main concern everybody had was euro zone crisis and impending world economic crisis. It pitted Germany (and other northern countries) against rest of Euro zone. Had there been decisive tackling, crisis could have been managed better but still we carry over crisis to 2012. Entire Middle East was positive about spring revolution in 11. But agenda shifted from freedom to religion and as usual things lined up resulting in violence be it Egypt, Libya, Syria, Bahrain.  Iraq and Afgan problem continue to perplex US. Iran-Israel posturing amidst recognition of Palestine by UN continues to be serious threats.  Countries in rest of Americas (central and south) struggled to fight against crime. Africa continues to struggle on human development, violence etc.  China’s posturing with south sea countries, Taiwan, Hongkong, Japan shows intents Chinese have over the region and it wants to take up vacuum created by Russia which itself is bothered by protests. New Chinese leadership is yet to have its say which we will sure in 2013. India has to be cautious about that especially of growing influence of china in SAARC region, continued support to Pak, its own border agenda and Tibet issue. There is a school which believes that China also has a stake in NE and other naxal infested regions. Failure of Pakistan as nation will have unforeseen impact on India. Pakistan’s state and non state actors continue to abet terrorism and foment trouble for India. India definitely needs strong resolve in 2013. Main threat though is climate changes which resulted in sandy like storms all over, earthquakes , tsunamis , floods, melting of polar ice, and famine in our very own country. Though world did not end as said in 2012 but something needs to be done and we failed for another year.

India’s scene is the same. Its rulers failed to connect with aam aadmi. Reforms were pushed after Pranabda was given VRS at Rashtrapati Bhavan and PC took back his favourite job of managing economy to suit his/his party’s line of activities and interest. Some wasteful activities like MNERGA, subsidies, UIDs were tried to be improved upon again with failure.  The lpg and diesel pricing was big political issue. Mamta, Mulayam and Mayawati continued to push their own agenda. Mamata went away but other two Ms bailed out govt whenever needed due to some backroom gimmicks (CBI- other deals). Coalgate added to already swelling list of scams. FDI in retail issue was managed curiously by government. Naxals rule roost in their areas of dominance. Terror modules still exist all around though they seem underground with some key men arrested or outside India. Government failed to prevent crimes against women. India is no more a safe place for ladies.  Opposition failed to provide an alternative with an exception of Narendra Modi who can now take new roles in future. Government could not control Inflation, failed to achieve growth (They blame world economy though). New common man movements also failed to gather momentum after a great 2011. The series of exposes of Kejariwal added nothing new to known issues. Actually this was all public domain knowledge but not used by established media to take the corrupt to task. That’s where media failed. Government tried to regulate social media and failed.  Team Anna movement failed because of internal dynamics though AAP was launched. Hope it makes impact in 2013 and not help government by dividing opposition. This year government failed to control riots in Assam or UP or Mumbai. Riots were things of past but thanks to sinister agenda of the government, danger lies ahead. Again nature proved spoilsport with floods and famines. River linking project failed to see any action.

 In Maharashtra, main news of the year was of the sad demise of Balasaheb who was influential in last 50 years of state politics. Now it is to be seen if both thakareys can bank upon the goodwill and work towards defeating the inefficient DF govt in 14. This govt failed to control riots in Mumbai and few other towns. It failed to control terror in Marathwada where MIM had inroads in elections. Mumbai elections proved that shivsena will not end as predicted by CM. The drought situation worsened with politics played over water. The irrigation scam which maligned Ajitdada did not hamper his return into ministry which he strangely has resigned. Future of NCP also is curious matter. BJP was also maligned through Gadkari in same scandal but thankfully Munde was given prominence to avoid a setback. RPI joining Yuti was landmark.  The battle for memorials still goes on.

 For Pune city, things went worse on law and order front when juvenile crime took centre stage when young children were kidnapped and killed. Crime against women increased. Thefts, chain snatching and murder of elderly highlighted fact that Pune is no more Pune of old which we all cherished. Politically NCP won PMC and Kalmadi took backseat while Dada showing who is boss. Same rulers also took away Pune’s water to feed cash crops and rich farmers for ZP election. City had a monsoon scare but finally dams were full but water cuts continue. Politics is again at centerstage when new DP or BDP or Metro is discussed. Pune has to yet wait for world class infrastructure thanks to godfathers of Pune city. PMPML suffered irrespective of stunts like Bus day.  Expressway mishaps created own record and has become a death trap as one remembers death of marriage party in May and death of Marathi actors recently. Pune also saw IPL happening as well as international cricket back at Gahunje. And we had a bizarre tragedy where a psycho driver ran amuck with a bus and killed innocents on 25^th Jan.

 In sports lets start with cricket. An year of not only failure but disaster. Lost test series to Australia 0-4.  We missed on to reach finals of tri-series and Asia cup, or reaching knockouts of ICCT20 despite virat kohli heroics thanks to some stupid and inconsistent performances earlier. Two greats of Indian cricket:  the wall and VVS retired without a farewell they deserved. Sachin also deserved one for his service in ODIs. Most fans would though agree that he failed to time is retirement as he would a cricket ball. But watching ODI cricket will never be same in 2013 and we all will miss him. Let’s hope he has good time in Test and time his total exit properly.  The ultimate disaster was defeat tp England on home soil. Things cannot go worse than this and let’s hope young guns like Rahanes, Pujaras and kohlis take up the world stage. Bowling though is bigger problem. On world cricket SAFs took up No1 spot as they have good batting and bowling. Aussies have found some good talent after slump. Our win at U19 WC is also promise that road ahead can only go up.

 The Indian sports suffered thanks to some dirty politics and corruption resulting in disqualification at IOA level. We also had dope test failures and failure at olympics to win gold and our hockey team was last.  Thankfully we won 6 medals which was a record at Olympics. London did manage to put good show to host in addition to their performances. US piped china to have largest medal tally. Usain Bolt and Phelps showed who the boss is.

On soccer being a non follower of club level and champions trophy etc football only heard that Messi rules there. On international scene Spain continued its bull run started since euro 2008 and made hat trick. That’s the only case where club level excellence transmitted into National success which is surely a case study for BCCI while defining IPL future which seems on shaky ground. On tennis we had Federer back to winning ways though one may attribute that to Nadal injury. But still he managed to overcome Djoker and Murray. Murray was someone UK was looking forward to and had their own player at Wimbledon finals after decades. On rest sports side India gain had F1. India failed in Davis cup. Saina had some hiccups. Chess had a new GM for India and Anand failed to reach past levels.

 This year we had various new kind of films find success at box office like Kahaani, Wassepurs, Shanghai, English-Vinglish, OMG etc. Big banners failed with like JTHJ, SOS,ETT, Dabbang 2 (though might be great commercial successes for sallubhai) a disaster. Rohit Shetty held his fort so did Aamir with Talaash. We had sad exits of Darasingh, Rajesh Khanna and Jaspal Bhatti. In Marathi films there was quantity but quality was rare. Of course Marathi industry experiments and has talent. We Marathi people should give it more support. Old Marathi plays were revived and a listers attempted theatre. Experimental theatre also got support.  On Marathi literature we finally had new talent coming in name of Dharmakriti Sumant getting acknowledged with national award. We also lost Grace.

Music industry also lost stalwarts like Ravishankar, Mehendi Hassan. Film music also lost quality or its assumed place maybe to focus on storytelling as in Hollywood.  Pune saw great events like Sawai Bhimsen fest and many more but somehow event management has taken centre stage.  It’s more of being in vogue attending those than love for quality music.

Media again failed to connect with people while raking up issues selectively and lost its credibility. Print media struggled with feasibility amidst onslaught of online and mobile device based driven delivery models. This new media itself struggles due to lack of revenue models. Social media also lost its sheen due to over exposure and as well as censorship. But gain media lost due to skew commercial models which makes it vulnerable to business and politics. Of course one has to understand that if governments can be changed by internet opinions congress would have never been in power at least after advent of internet. But in India politics works on vote banks and cash for votes....

On business side country suffered policy paralysis for most of the years. Rupee fall and inflation added to woes. Foreign investors did not buy India story. But then UPA2 finally had its say in reforms to sooth markets especially after subsidy cuts, Retail FDI investment etc. But challenges still remain same due to euro zone and global issues as well as those induced by weak government. Airline industry struggled with AI and KF defaulting. Telecom companies had to increase price due to licensing policies.  One more driver this year was re-emergence of ecommerce as we saw people really using it in India. This is more threat to kirana shops next doors than FDI. On business houses Tatas will have change of guard. Ambanis have problems at homes and Laxmi Mittal abroad.

 On Technology scene where i am involved things were interesting. Samsung provided apple a great fight on tablet market. Facebook struggled in its IPO due to skew revenue model and its acquisition of Instagram was a surprise. User experience and privacy issues also made it difficult for facebook. Google had its nexus going successfully but Android still has some model driven and standards issue. Microsoft with the huge releases of its Windows 8 PC operating system, a new mobile phone operating system, and the new Surface tablet — but all hit the market without much fanfare. Windows 8 was panned as a confusing, unfocused user experience that left many users with a frustrating first impression. Windows Phone was better received, particularly for its fresh, new approach to displaying apps, photos and social media content on its home screen. But it hasn't connected with the mass market yet. And despite a large marketing campaign, the first version of Microsoft's Surface tablet managed to attract some early attention but failed to be seen as a real iPad rival. And "above" all other developments in the tech world was the growing presence of computing in the "cloud." Cloud services were everywhere and available from almost every tech company, allowing users to access their programs, data, files, photos, music -- essentially their entire digital lives -- from any device, anywhere, at any time. World moved from PC  and servers to devices and clouds.

In India we had a great advantage offered by USD exchange rate but all was lost due to reduced client spending in world scenario. Tier 2 companies struggled more than Top 10. But even in top 10, Infosys and Wipro struggled. We had more cvs fro Infosys floating in market. HCL, TCS and Cognizant did better whose business is more robust and models more customer centric. Does that sound for consolidation in 13? Tier 2 and 3 cities are real grounds for talent acquisition. And Indian domestic IT including rural market are new game changers. We saw more entrepreneurs doing good with adoption of mobile, device, cloud, FMS deliverables.  Talent creation hit saturation with education system faltering and autonomy of IITs/IIMs were challenged. IITs were never a number game but thanks to government there is a threat.

Finally on social side we failed as well. We failed to offer inclusive growth. We failed to adopt social engineering and equality. Castes still continue to plague us. Female infanticide, environmental damage, domestic violence, honour killings, water pollution and scarcity are main challenges as pointed by Aamir Khan in satyamev jayate this year. Lets work toward better corruption free India in 2013. Wish you a very Happy new year 2013

 

 

 

Whos Next?

It was 1987 Sunil Gavaskar hung his boots after an epic but heartbreaking century against Pakistan at Bangalore. That was a long series with dull draws. It was hyped as this 2012 Pak series of T20s and ODIs is. It was Gavaskar vs Imran.  For kids like me born in mid 70s and induced into cricket religion in early 80s marked by 83 WC win, it was end of world. For me Kapil was the main show and Gavaskar the director.  There were Patils, shastris, shrikants, binnys, jimmys , colonels and madans but crux of team were these north and south poles. As in India we value batting more than bowling, Gavaskar retired was like a catastrophe. Who will replace him?  In comes a Mumbai lad who not only made a mark but also excelled the incumbent in all aspects. And of course ODI cricket gave him a demi-god status coupled with liberalization, entry of cable TV, day and night colored cricket, hypes around WC and other trophies.  He excelled along with Indians in all fields of life like business, IT, infrastructure. World outside changed with cold war making way for terror driven divide. We Indians crossed the chasm taking over high end technology and management jobs worldwide. Economy opened up with all world majors wanting to start shop here.  Now ODIs will be no more same. I have my own story attached to successes of Sachin over last 23 years but not very significant for public domain. Growing up with Tendulkar was great. Be it career defining Xth and XIIth academics. I remember how his maiden century in England and later Perth gave us confidence (though his test career is still intact and what has ended is ODI stuff). That tied ODI in Perth vs WI with sachin bowling was amazing. Be it hostel life in Kharagpur when he was making his early marks in world cricket. Memories include career defining opening blitzkrieg at Napier, Last over in Hero cup 93 at kolkatta, maiden century.  His captainship coincided with first job in Mumbai. But period when we plunged into entrepreneurship coincided with those two innings in sharjah popularly known as desert storm not as captain. Death of his father during 99 WC coincided with death of my father in law. His attack on Pakis in 03 erased all defeatist mindset India had against Pakistan in 80s , sharjahs and elsewhere. That was time when i embarked upon world stage in outsourcing. His injury since 05 coincided with BP and spinal issues. Disaster in WC 07 coincided with some turbulence.  His stamp on winning tri-series final in Australia in 08 marked us shifting to a big facility. His 200 coincided with a deal signed.  And finally his WC triumph which was witnessed live in person, marked in Himalayan trek and new experiences which had been dreamt since 1989 when i did my first Himalayan trek.

I am sure all of us have such thought process. Every one’s life has been enriched by Tendulkar memories. Each ODI was an event one looked forward to. His failure was hated and his success was assumed.  Cricket ODI viewing will be no more the same. Don’t know how most of us will cope up. But as they say time is only healer. And no one and nothing is indispensible in this world even Tendulkar.

Now we should answer who is next Tendulkar just as we found Tendulkar to be next Gavaskar. Virat? Rahane? I enjoy watching Rahane though with similar excitement as i had for young Sachin. He has to be more mature and selectors should trust him more.  Virats ODI record is better than Tendulkars at that stage. So let’s watch out these two. But when ODI future itself remains uncertain we don’t know if there will be any Tendulkar replacement for all stature he has acquired. T20s is different ball game and test future of India seems hazy with lack of bowling options and new batsmen trying to put feet into big shoes.

One thing is sure, that i got induced to cricket due to one Mr Kapil Dev Nikhanj.  His bowling and his batting induced life into proceedings on the field. His fielding was always excellent. His fitness after carrying team load for 15 years is exemplary. Though Kapils end was bit dragged like that of Sachin. I still feel as a fan 2^nd April 11 was the date to call quits as last 20 months have been difficult to digest for ardent sachin fan. But still after 18 years after Kapils retirement, we have struggled to find a bowling all-rounder who would have made 2000 team of greats a greatest consistent team at world stage. Irfan flattered to deceive. And there was inconsistent Agarkar. Ganguly’s bowling was limited.

Wish kapil would have born 10-15 years later. For me debate rests for the greatest Indian crickter who was undoubtedly Kapil Dev.  We may find next Tendulkar as we found next Gavaskar.....

 

Dusk to Dusk, Ashes to Ashes, Eden to Eden

This is December again and that too second half. This is time to reflect and sit back, relax and enjoy. Linked to US in terms of profession makes this fortnight most relaxed in terms of work load and deadlines. Waiting to see if I wake up next Saturday morning on 22^nd and see if world still exist as they predicted 21^st Dec 2012 to be last day of world. 12.12.12 passed by eventfully ending series of repetitive dd, mm, yy dates starting with 12 am on 00.00.00 (though that was a second and not date) or Y2k. Many had predicted then that world will end as well. But that scare propelled Indian IT into next league. I remember 01.01.01 when some believed to start new millennium.  God damn these numbers. Why numbers make us feel different is something i cannot explain as why we feel special on birthday. Another 6^th December has gone past. FB posts make you feel good with sheer number of wishes. Of course phone call and sms make you feel more special. Heading towards 40s is scary though in spite of euphemisms like Life begins at 40 and so called pep talks. Thus your kids birthdate make you feel more enthused than your own these days. Cannot wait for 20^th Dec. Another number game is completing 13 years of marriage on 21^st which i will celebrate for sure before the doomsday. 13 again seems strange number considered unlucky. Thats too much for dates and numbers. Thats what December does it to me. Many important dates pass by, year going past while looking forward to future.

Future though seems tough for Indian Cricket Team. Phase of transition is taking toll and lack of bowling options have exposed even at home front. Decade of 00 was great starting with that test at eden gardens in 01 under Ganguly-wright reign. We won tests in England (Headingley) and Aus(Adelaide). We won series in Pak.  Almost won a series in Australia (though in absence of warne and mcgrath) but for some stubborn Steve Waugh batting and silly Parthiv Patel keeping). We were invincible at home. We shared champions trophy once .Only blot was home loss to aussies in 04. In mid naughties when chapell/dravid  took over things were unsettled but still we won test in SAF, series in England, WI and won many ODIs chasing. Lowest point of chapel dravid era was first round exit in WC07. The recovery started under Kumble which then culminated into of heights under dhoni-kirtsen era, which saw us fighting back from tricky situations. Starting with Perth victory after epoch Sydney test, winning at fast Durban pitch, coming back twice from behind in home SAF series.

Youth blended with experience in this era. New format of T20 clicked with India winning inaugural T20 resulting in rise of IPL which is now held responsible for downfall.

Meanwhile we played some good cricket home and away to rise to NO 1 Test position for 18 month. And finally icing on the cake was made with world cup win in 11.

Then it started falling apart. Even in west Indies we aborted chase of 200 with 6 wickets in hand and 55 overs to play. In England where experienced players like vvs and sachin struggled while dravid was lone hand. Bowling unit fell apart. Openers got curiously injured.  In  Australia where barring virat no one batted and bowling again struggled.  Finally at Eden vs England where it all started it has come to an end. Irrespective of whatever happens at Nagpur, an era has ended. Last 16 months have proven that again. Now it can’t go below this nadir. Give youth a chance and i am sure we will see another era. But Indian borad seems to be interested in making money than investing in cricketing future. It was out of sheer luck that we had so many great and good players playing together last decade. Sehwag, Tendulkars, Dravids, VVS, Kumble, Ganguly are not born every decade. To support them were good players like Bhajji, Zaheer, Gambhir,Dhoni (some promising seam bowlers who drifted like pathan, shreeshant, ishant, RP, Munaf ) Now we have to rebuild the team with Rahanes, Pujaras, Tiwari, Kohli, saha, yadav, varun, unmukt, harmeet, . Let the loss of eden make this happen. And let an era end with the greatest fellow to bat on the earth have a great farewell as he enters dusk. Thanks for all those great memories master blaster.  Dusk to Dusk, Ashes to Ashes, Eden to eden (01-12) , dusk to dusk...

This proves cyclic nature of things. Everything has to come to an end. As the year comes to an end, one gets philosophical.  There are certain things and legends you wish never to end like sachin career, Modis governance in Gujarat, people like Ravishankar, Rajesh Khanna, Yash chopra whom we have lost this year. But there are certain things you wish to end like UPA rule at center, DF rule in Maharashtra, Afzal guru’s life, corruption, biased media, terrorism. Wish in 2013 we have these things dusked. But nothing as they remains unchanged. This is time to change. This is that time of year...

Dusk to Dusk, Ashes to Asshes, Eden to Eden

 

Tribute To a Mass Leader

Call it megalomania or call it plain coincidences or call it influence of reading Midnights children, seems like my life is intertwined with the happenings in India.

On Dec 6^th 1992, when Babri masjid was demolished I was camped at the most non religious place: NCC camp in Kalaikunda in my first year of IIT when NCC was compulsory.  The nation was burning outside but we were far from humanity unscathed from any such unrest.

On 29^th Sep 1993 when earth shook at Killari, i had to take refuge of co-hostel mate as my room keys were lost and we were unable to break the lock.

When rumour spread that all Ganesha idols were drinking milk, i missed a mid sem paper due to wrong copying of exam calendar.

I was on my honeymoon in Himalayas when IC814 was hijacked from Himalayas and Rupen Katyal another honeymooner lost his life.

During 2002 Gujarat riots i was in Gujarati dominated city of Leicester in UK. Now UK has started talking to Modi in 2012.

When kasab and co shook Mumbai in 08, i had a marriage to attend in Mumbai which i did.

When india was in non congress/bjp rule 96-98, i was working professional. I started entrepreneurship with NDA coming to power in 98. When India did nuclear test, and sachin was fire at sharjah we were doing some records in first quarter sales. When NDA govt lost in 1999 to get re-elected in 1999, my married life started and relocated. Same thing happened in 04 when UPA came to power, my business took definitive shape. Don’t know what will happen in 2014. Is life going to change in 2014?

Bit deviating from main topic of my discussion.

When Balasaheb died I was in a city of Hyderabad that too amidst some riots near charminar and passing through Muslim dominated areas of the old city. What a paradox and let down for someone like me who was fan of this leader.

After returning to desk, i was reading all and sundry commenting on legacy, fallacies of this great leader. Earlier in this blog i had mentioned that we are fast losing on politicians who have mass love and following. I think Balasaheb was the last. Raj Thakaray has potential. Only time will tell whether this potential can be converted into coherant and decisive politics apart from cutting into opposition votes. On NCP side, supremo has lost lot of ground due to some inexplicable politics, the new generation and second fiddle is nowhere near. On congress side Baba brigade looks too disconnected from masses. Regional leaders like Maya, Jaya, Mamata, have limited appeal. Atalji was last BJP leader loved by masses and he is no more active. Advani  has been made irrelevant thanks to current leadership. That leaves only Narendra Modi who has lot of handicaps.

There is no doubt in my mind that Balasaheb was and will be the last active leader for whom 20 lakh people will turn out to participate in the funeral. There are some in media who blame it to terror and fear which resulted in the turn out. That is bull shit. Knowing Mumbai first hand and people’s sentiment, all those armchair critics are wrong. These are not paid congress rallies. People love Balasaheb.

Same people are crying that his politics was divisive, irrational and dangerous. I disagree.

He stopped Mumbai to turn into dead Kolkata when mills were getting closed due to red brigade. He helped both owners and workers to survive. Some may point out that he got middle mans’ benefit but at least he had guts to own it rather than slimy old Mumbai/Maharashtra politicians who earned clandestinely.

Moreover social organization he created with shakha pramukh as family head of neighbourhood is something unique and point to study for all you armchair politicians. Though some may see this phenomenon as a way to legitimize local goons, but if it works so be it.

He made underworld scared. Extortion was rampant in late 80s till mid 90s. He created terror amidst gangsters by using discretionary encounters by police to control menace. Though not 100% eliminated, these days Mumbai is much safer. I have read bullshit books like Maximum city who cry foul against this. He will always have detractors.  He is no man of middle road, either you love him or hate him.

He took on casteist Marathi politics head on by appointing Brahmin CM which no one would dream. The so called inclusive leaders have divided society to such an extent that Marathi public life, art, history, culture, drama has every following drawn based on caste. By symbolism he made it clear that he does not believe in caste. He took sena to hinterlands of western Maharashtra, marathwada, konkan and vidarbha as could generate support amidst not so affluent people from ‘political’ community. He united Maharashtra by not recognizing castes. He had supporters in Dalit movement as well.

Balasaheb wanted Marathi kids to have confidence, our generation did. Many term this as pariochal politics but it worked well for Marathi people. We conquered west and do good in IT/real estate/media opportunities in Pune, Mumbai , Bengaluru, Chennai( no one complains name changes for these cities as they complain Mumbai to have changed from their beloved Bombay ).  We no more have inferiority complex but we do have superiority complex thanks to Balasaheb. We respect our gods like Shivaji. We are not ashamed of Peshwai as ’sponsored’ historians want us to. We love PL , GA, Vinda, Kusumagraj, Balgandharv, Mangeskars, Phalkes, tendulkars, gavaskars, bhimsen joshis,  Can any other community boast of such talent except those from Bengal ,  We love all our saints across caste line. We love Marathi films, drama, music. Gone are those days when we were ridiculed for being Ghaatis in our hostel.

He played critical role post Dec 6^th. And that’s where most of liberal, outgoing, liberal oriented, neo modernist, society has problems to associate with Balasaheb politics.  Shivsena was never anti muslim but opposes anti national elements. There are many Muslim shivsainiks. Shivsena retaliated every step of jihadist who sponsored riots to create chaos in Mumbai.  Man on street was scared and he needed some solace and support.  I am writing this as i had experienced firsthand. Many would agree with me but its not politically correct to accept it publically. Please note  that no country wants to have nuclear weapons for using it and nuclear weapons act as strategic deterrent in modern times (I don’t know about Pakistan and other countries blinded by religion) and no sane non criminal human wants to kill fellow human being unless its a war situation . But someone has to act strong in self defence to act as deterrent.  Of course mass frenzy was unavoidable and some violence unjustified. But someone had to fill in vacuum created for lack of safety for common man. Ideally Maharashtra govt should have but failed miserable.  And proof is that those enemies sitting in Karachi and Islamabad had to use bombs placed cowardly in public places to proclaim their vengeance. It showed the way to proclaim their impotence extending to 9/11, 26/11, 11/7 to use dastardly techniques to kill real men and women.  I had read statistically, period from independence till 92, had more riots than the period following it. Indian moved on from Riots (though we ended as victims of terrorism later, and Gujarat02 and current UP situations are exception)

Balasaheb  was a loved politician which is extinct in todays Indian Politics. Though armchair thought leaders would have their opinions, but for me he was a father figure in close family.