Independence Day

Tomorrow morning we will be awakened by Loudspeakers playing patriotic Manoj Kumar songs, Kids will be getting ready to go to school for flag hoisting,  You may have planned to attend flag hoisting at society or office or any social group.  Some will listen to PM speech and rest. There will be trio-color everywhere. Some might use this opportunity to chill out, picnic, long drives, restaurants , movies and so on. Criticizing the rituals now is cliche.  But what options we the people have to make the relevance of independence day more relevant.

Responsibility of independence should be year round and this day be just left to celebration as mentioned above ideally. Following is checklist for year round activities to mark us a as good citizens of Free India. Mind it that though this column does not want to be didactic and holier than thou attitude but simple practical ways I think I can contribute. This list may be edited, added , deleted as you wish depending on individual thoughts but would like to share mine.

l Do I follow traffic rules all the while.

l I do not encourage corruption in day to day and work related issues by offering bribe to achieve my ends

l Do I maintain my locality and neighborhood clean

l Do I help environment by planting trees, not using plastic (minimal), not dumping waste into rivers, maintaining cleanliness, avoid use of cars, AC, bottled waters , not creating loud volume noises and so on.

l Do I vote?

l Do I participate in any social service activity helping under-privileged?

l Do I treat my domestic staff fairly and provide them with dignity?

l Do I treat my elders respectfully and take care of their needs?

l Am I a right influence for my children and younger ones around me.

l Do I use resources optimally like Petrol, Electricity, Water, Food?

l Have I maintained cordial relationships in family, friends, society , community and nation.

l Do I work hard for betterment of my family , office, country and community?

l Do I follow work ethics at work place?

l Do I pay my taxes correctly?

l Have I pledged my organs for donation?

l Am I keen to seek knowledge by reading, using media tools, observation?

l Am I a good brand ambassador for my country outside India?

 List though may seem long but is simple to follow. Do let me know your views in comments if you have.

If you do this then only you have right to criticize system, politicians and society as most of cloumns will do in tomorrow’s media.

Wish you a very Happy Independence Day.

Whats Up?

We are now in the last leg of Summer after which colorful festival of Fall will set in mesmerizing everyone in this part of world. Starting with IPL followed by World Cup Soccer, Wimbledon and finally India Vs England series which is not going well for India. But certain individuals excel on sports landscape

Kohli ::

This guy now has no peaks left to conquer: part of test team No1 as player and captain. Part of world cup and CT winning team, Successful economically . Role model for today’s  overaggressive youth. But they should also note his commitment, passion and discipline and his hunger to succeed. Though he may have crossed boundaries on aggression but you can understand him as a part of package called Kohli. Master at chasing, going for win attitude, fitness, elegant stroke play across the field. Timing, placement, great defensive technique, running between the wickets, catching and fielding. May he comeback in series with team India lifting the trophy. And finally in same country lifting the ICC WC 2019. Its just an year away.

P V Sindhu ::

Another sportsperson in limelight was P V Sindhu. She won the silver medal after losing her BWF Badminton World Championships final clash to Spain's Carolina Marin at Nanjing, China. She has vowed to comeback and fight. "Never give up, never give in, and when the upper hand is ours, may we have the ability to handle the win with the dignity that we absorbed the loss - Dough Williams", she wrote. Sindhu went on to write that she wasn't disappointed to not have won the gold but was proud of her silver medal. "It brings me an immense amount of pleasure to bring back the silver consecutively 2 Nd year in the BWF world championships. I didn't lose the gold, I won the silver and I can proudly say my silver sparkles." She was trolled for being happy and contended. But I appreciate her resolve, discipline and dedication to her game. I have heard about her long hours of training under guidance of her coach Gopichand, her motivation. Lets hope she wins gold for India at world and Olympics stage.

World ::

Lots of things happening at highest executive levels in US. Be it Russian poll inquiry, trails, tariff war, G7 stance, Meetings with Russia and N Korea Heads, Mexican wall , shutdown, Guns, National anthem, anti press tirades, Nato issues, justice appointment, restrictive policies, list goes on and on. The mid terms will really gauge public mood or will they not?.

Britain is again at loss to manage impact of Brexit. Turkey had elections or so called ones to support hardliner Erdogan. US stance on Syrian pullout has created confusion and rise is violence. Russia after successful World cup came out winner in most of diplomacy, Pak elections created new set of violence in area including Afghanistan. Imran khan as PM will really be interesting.

Is Everything Fair in Love and War?

  

On a gloomy day in August I think six to seven years back, we sat in the conference room of my office, to decide future with our company of an Employee whom I would refer to by the name of Napoleon . This name has a background. Background goes back to battle of Waterloo fought by Napoleon and British/Prussian forces under Wellington.

War Story goes like this:

Both Napoleon and Wellington knew that the wild card of the battle is Blucher’s Prussian Army. Napoleon knew that he will have troubles defeating both the British and the Prussians. Wellington knew as well, that if the Prussian Army does not come to rescue them, they will be defeated.

But Napoleon was faced with a dilemma and forced to make a tough decision. Two days before Waterloo, Napoleon won another battle. But his cavalry and infantry were tired, and the night before the battle, there was rain. Napoleon was faced with a decision to wade his army through mud and tire them during the early stage of the battle, or wait another day for the ground to try out. Waiting one more day meant risking Prussian reinforcement for the British Army.

In hindsight, his decision to wait was what cost him the battle, and the War eventually. After Waterloo, Napoleon never managed to regroup, as the defeat signaled the end of his era.

Coming Back to August day in our conference room. Napoleon was employed in our Admin department who was entrusted to create, supervise and submit time sheets to clients. There were many mistakes after first month of training and there were escalation from clients. We made him work under experienced admin guys but showed no sign of improvement after 3 months. We ask him what needs to be done to improve. But he said he does not have idea and would step down on his own if we want. We consent and there was end of association with Napoleon and my company. His wry smile all the while really made me intrigued and be perplexed as how some people can lose control over one’s life and take it so lightly.

Year passed by. I had an opportunity to buy new house. Shifting house is really a challenge. Lots of things to plan: Interiors, electrical wiring, electronic good purchase and setup, mattresses, sofas, TV sat connection, lighting, landscaping, power backup, security, and most important Internet connectivity. Now as they say there are four basic needs. Food , clothes, shelter and wifi. I had coordinated with a broadband company. The sales guy was supposed to meet me on Saturday. My wife and daughter had a day out with my wife’s friend. So was enjoying solitude with music, reading etc. Them the doorbell rang. I opened the door to find Napolean. He introduced himself as sales guy from broadband. I filled the forms, gave him the cheque and my house was promised to be wired by Monday.

I offered him tea. He consented. Over the cup of tea, I initialed a conversation just like “Chai pe charcha”.

My first question was : “Are you settled in this job and are you enjoying it?”

 Napoleon: “ No, I hate chasing clients and dance on their whims and fancy. After your company this is my third job in an year”

Me: “ so what do you want to do in future”

Napoleon: “No Idea”

Edison's lab

  Sorry to bother,” Jed murmured. “But I think I maybe made another mixup.”

     Thomas Edison squinted at the boy. He’d known for some time that Jed was unintelligent. But lately he’d begun to suspect that the boy was an actual medical idiot.

“What is it now?” Edison muttered.

“Did you say to mix in five centilitres?”

“No,” Edison said. “Five millilitres.”

A nearby beaker exploded, showering them both with shards of glass.

“Sorry,” Jed said.

           Edison rubbed his throbbing temples. He’d hired the local boy to help with basic lab work, but even            the simplest tasks were beyond his capabilities. The boy’s best hope for contributing to science 
   would be to let doctors dissect his head to study the brain of a moron. There was just no other use for him.

Except, perhaps, for one.

•

“What do I do?” Jed asked.

“Just stand here,” Edison said. “In this spot.”

He roughly positioned the boy in front of his new apparatus, a square contraption made of metal and glass.

“O.K.,” he said. “Action!”

“What?” the boy said.

“Do some action,” Edison said. “With your body.”

“What kind?”

“It doesn’t matter,” Edison said impatiently. “Here.” He handed the boy a pair of oblong wooden clubs. “Swing these around.”

    Jed took the clubs and flailed them jerkily over his head. It was upsetting to watch, but, of course, it didn’t matter what Jed did. The point was for Edison to showcase his lab’s glorious new invention: the    kinetograph. Thanks to its novel high-speed shutter system, the device could produce a living 
photograph—what Edison liked to call a “motion picture.” The phonograph had brought him fame. The light bulb had brought him riches. But this machine would bring him immortality. This machine, he knew, would change the world forever.

•

   Edison titled his film, somewhat sarcastically, “Newark Athlete.” He expected that people would like it, but when he showed it in his lab the response surpassed his wildest expectations. The reporters he’d invited stood up and cheered, laughing and hollering like children.

Edison snapped his fingers, and Jed ran over to bring him a cigar.

“Any questions?” Edison asked the crowd.

The reporters began to shout.

“It’s him!” one of them cried, pointing at the boy. “The Newark athlete!”

Edison turned to Jed, who was smiling stupidly, surprised by the attention.

“Ah, yes,” Edison chuckled. “That’s the boy I used to display my invention. Anyway . . . questions?”

A reporter raised his hand. “Is it O.K. if I ask the boy a question?”

Edison was baffled, but saw no harm in indulging the odd request.

“I suppose that’s fine,” he said.

 The reporter turned to Jed and blushed. He looked a bit nervous. “Wow,” he said. “This is exciting. 
First of all, I just want to say I love your movie.”

   Edison choked a little on his cigar. It wasn’t Jed’s movie—it was his. He watched with mounting annoyance as the reporter continued to ramble.

“I think something we’d all like to know is: what kind of preparation did you have to do for your role?”

The boy shrugged. “Not much,” he said. “I sort of just stood in front of the lens.”

    The reporter nodded. “So you just, like, channelled it. You were, like, ‘I’m going to be this Newark athlete’ and then you were.”

The boy shrugged. “I guess.”

“Wow,” the reporter said, shaking his head in awe. “Holy shit.”

“O.K.,” Edison said curtly. “That was fun. Any questions for me? The inventorof the kinetograph?”

“Jed!” a reporter in the back shouted. “Do you have any advice for people starting out who want to be 
in pictures?”

Jed shrugged. “I don’t know.”

“Please!” the reporter begged.

Jed scratched his head. “I guess . . . follow your dreams?”

The crowd applauded.

Edison tried to regain the reporters’ attention, but it was too late. They had rushed past him and were surrounding the boy, peppering him with questions about his personal life.

“No, I’m not seeing anyone right now,” Edison heard Jed say.

“Not seeing anyone, like, at all?” a reporter asked. “Or, like, not seriously datinganyone?”

Jed shrugged. “I guess, like, not seriously dating.”

“So you, like, hook up and stuff.”

Jed nodded. “I hook up.”

    Edison realized with amazement that he had been pushed out of his own laboratory. Reporters wrestled        past him, brandishing cameras and blasting flash powder in his face. Edison coughed as his throat 
   filled   up with magnesium smoke. And, as he sank to his knees, it occurred to him that his prediction had come true: this time, he’d changed the world forever.   

       Simon Rich has written several works of fiction, including “Spoiled Brats,” a collection of stories. He is also 
the creator and showrunner of “Man Seeking Woman,” on FXX.

World Cup Soccer Memories and 2018 WC Analysis

My first memory of WC soccer dates back to 1982 when DD telecasted opening match of WC 92 in Spain where past winners Argentina was defeated. DD telecasted sfs and finals. W Germany vs France SF was epic. Paulo Rossi headed Brazil out in QF, defeated Poland and again headed  out W Germany in finals. Some story.

Then came world cup involving hand of god. Last minute hosts Mexico offered memorable World cup involving Maradona. Goals he scored vs Belgium , England (other than hand of god goal) were out of world. Final with W Germany was phenomenal. Many good teams like France with Platini, Brazil will Zico, Socretes etc, Denmark, Spain. All the matches were telecasted on DD (live or recorded due to time diff). DD used to be shut by 11.30 to reopen at 6 am. Strange in 24/7 age

1990 world cup in Italy was bit boring with some non classical but tactical soccer. Maradona still showed mettle by defeating Brazil, and reaching finals thanks to  penalty shootout performance. Germany finally succeeded to win finals thanks to a controversial penalty. Teams from Africa like Cameroon. Trio of Netherlands van basten rudd, rickaard flopped. England made to semis. Hosts had unknown hero in schillachi to reach semis. New stars like Bagiio, Owen showed their top skills.

I saw 1994 USA WC in hostel during summer breaks. I was doing project and hostel was almost empty with around 30 odd students on projects. We enjoyed night outs  with canteen egg food. Again African teams like nigeria excelled. East Europen teams like Romania as well as Scandinavian teams like Sweden excelled. Brazil vs Netherlands QF was excellent thanks to some great play by Romario, Bergkamp.  Italy vs Brazil played cat and mouse final with no score and Brazil won on penalties. Baggio played well but missed penalty.

1998 I was in bachelor company accommodation in Mumbai. It rained heavily in Mumbai. Luckily we survived thanks to local restaurant who sent parcels across the road for food water etc. France won finals when Ronaldo had seizures. It was Golden french generation of zidanne, deschamps, henry , bartez, lablanc name them all. Croatia excelled. Italy England , Argentina, Netherlands made their presence felt till QFs /semis.

I saw live WC soccer match in Korea in 2002. Dream come true thanks to my Korean partner and timing of my stay there. Hosts Korea reached SFs while Japan made it to knowckout. Korea killed many giants like Italy Spain till Germany outplayed them. Brazil and Germany progressed to Finals. Turkey excelled. Finally Ronaldo made his presence felt in finals and Brazil won.

2006 Germany was marked by controversial head butt in finals. Italy overcame jinx of penalties and won the finals against France. Brazil lost due to Roberto Carlos non actionvs France in QF. Portugal did well to reach semis and Ronaldo was introduce on world stage along with Messi though Agrentina lost in round of 16. Italians defeated hosts Germany with nation and president crying.

2010 world cup was hosted in Africa for first time in South Africa. This was height of Spanish empire with WC trophy sandwiched between two euro wins. Possession football as a strategy finally showed results. It was Golden Spanish generation. Netherlands reached finals with likes of Robben, Van Persie etc. Spain defeated Germany in semis. Urugway also excelled with likes of Suarez.

2014 world cup in Brazil was crazy with Germans gaining hold of trophy by winning final in penalties over Argentina (so near but yet so far for Messi) Brazil had nightmare evening in semis vs Germany. Netherlands also reached semifinals. Soccer was bit low on quality but Topsy-turvy .

Now then we reach present. 2018 I am in far land and with lagging time zone. So had time to follow matches and details. Had rampant Whatapp /facebook discussions during live match. Soccer was special and matches were exciting and scoring. Here is an anlaysis,.

While teams that hogged the ball struggled to score, many of the most effective sides were able to tactically exploit free kicks and corners to give themselves a crucial edge—and at a higher rate than ever before France’s 4-2 win over Croatia in Sunday’s World Cup final brought an end to five weeks of thrilling soccer and shocking upsets. It also means there is no longer a convenient excuse to sneak out to that bar near the office in the middle of the day.

Nine Months

Exactly nine months from now, India will face another general elections. Nine month is symbolic equal to the labor months of pregnancy. The situation now is of pregnant uncertainty as proclaimed by opposition or of pregnant optimism as proclaimed by incumbents. Though bit away from ground reality lets assess key points which matter.

We start with initial gains and publicity of Scheme like Swattch Bharat Abhiyaan (no past govt even addressed those issue , Beti Bachao, Make in India , Jan Dhan yojana and many more ground level schemes involving irrigation, education, social justice etc. Also there was change in functioning pattern of bureaucracy.

The focus on infrastructure was evident especially visible in Road construction, Railways modernization, electricity, airport modernization etc. Science and Technology missions like those by ISRO, DRDO, Universities and Institutes, healthcare  

Then came big ticket policy of Demonetization. It was a political move. The overnight transformation was almost impossible so a big risk. But men on streets accepted the problem and pain for larger picture. But ultimately things did not result in much significant step against corruption though actual statistics show some significant improvement in govt revenues. Those who suffered were most who had some vested interests, opposition to PM personally due to agenda difference or opportunism.

GST was discussed at all level during previous regime but finally it was implemented in this tenure. There were many technical glitches but finally people accepted and govt revenues improved at Country , state  and local levels. Those opposing were claiming negative imppact on Manufacturing etc which is a fact but reasons is not GST alone there are many global, local , and simple business feasibility factors.

Established and sold media left no stone unturned to create negative perception of govt and people of India. List started with Award wapasi, Anti dalit vs others division led by pro naxal/jihadi nexus of individuals in JNU, Hyderabad, leftist authors, foreign elements. Then there was  Intolerance based on politicization of issues like cow protection lynching, Rape, selective treatment of activist murders etc , Aslo there were political criticism equating PM as a Dictator, lack of his democratic values, lack of team work.

But impact of social media might help incumbents as they have their followers who are more active, techno-savvy and vociferous on most of the popular social media platforms. After having fed up with lopsided coverage laced with bias towards establishment, social media found a relief vent for those who wanted to  be heard and influence opinions.

Alliance with PDP ensured entry of BJP in J& K. Though it complicated matters in the valley, it mattered in Jammu and Ladakh the neglected population. Kashmir problem created by past regimes immediately after Independence need some harsh decisions like total authority to armed forces, constitutional changes in treating it as any other state, focus on tourism and economy, focus on education, infrastructure, rehabilitation of those forcefully displaced.

There are some Allies in NDA who feel they are neglected and wronged be it: TDP, SS, SAD and others. How will that impact depends on influence of each in their region but can emerge as factor to reduction in votes

Now one trend that was set after Karnataka election is so called Opporsition Unity. This is an opportunistic coalition of few very notorious dynastic. Ultra corrupt  national and regional politician. If they manage to avoid ego clashes and field a single candidates then there might be significant impact.

Inflation has hurt back of common people. Be it rise in oil prices, basic household purchases, housing, transport, entertainment and so on. That might bee serious impact issue

One of the biggest challenge before incumbents  were the High Expectations people had from incumbent when they took over. They wanted end to corruption, they wanted better and cheaper living, they wanted strong India in world order. How did they fare on those expectation is relative individual perception which will define votes after Nine months. Interesting all these factors make 2019 election a black box though expressed electronically.

Finally there is TINA effect. There is strong mistrust towards opposition which leaves incumbents as only possible and capable party to govern. TINA stands for There Is No Alternative

Very Interesting Nine months. Nine months is long time in Politics but for now its a literal black box though electronic one.

Your Friendly Neighbourhood Detective

Prelude:

I accidentally ran into an alternate occupation which I had I never dreamed. As a child, like a majority of kids, I had dreamed of being a truck/bus driver or wanted to be a policeman. But the events unfolded in the month of March actually found a hidden talent in myself. You can call this entire episode as Serendipity amid ides of March (only for those studying for verbal MCQ competitive tests).

It started with the housing society committee meeting held in August earlier year. I am part of managing committee. Our society is complex of 8 building each having 11 floors and each floor having 6 “luxurious flats with latest amenities and facilities” as published in ads and brochure published by the promoter” . Thus we were a village of 528 families. In first two three years of completion all flats got sold thanks to a new planned 80 ft wide road access and social establishments coming up. So we are one of the prestigious residential complex in the area. Committee meetings are stormy with various issues, personal grudges, egos and rules termed as society by laws which are unclear to most.

In that meeting, we had an agenda of granting NOC of sale of flat which was exactly one floor below that of mine. The current owner an IT professional had his GC filed in US for long term assignment. The buyer was a party from Mumbai. We deliberated with a letter to owner to pay transfer charges, and let us know details of new owner for records. The owner then provided the detailed paid and their registration documents were submitted for records. As per details provided by current owner, Mumbai based party had multiple business interests. This flat purchase was personal investment as and also they were planning to have a unit near Pune in future.

Marching Ahead

Nostalgia

I have few questions for old punekars

What is status of old movie theaters in and around Pune like Alka,Arun, Jaihind, Hindvijay, Apsara, Vijay, Deccan, apollo and so on. Few still exist. But we Punekars  have memories. Isnt it?

Have you rented bikes esp small ones for learning cycle on roads in summer?

Did you learn swimming at swimming pools like Mandal, SP, Tilak, shahu, Gopal ?

A trip to Sarasbaug Peshwepark followed by bhel was your idea of ultimate happiness?

Did you think that  camp, Deccan were other worlds, kothrud, pashan, hadapsar were villages on outskirts?

Did you attend Vasant Vyakhanmala, majestic gappa?

Were your picnics conducted at Univ campus, empress garden, shinde chatri, aga khan palace?

Did you select ganesha idol for your house and spend whole night to decorate the seat.

Do you still have artis etc by heart?

Were you awake whole night to take a glimpse of dagdusheth rath ?

Did you roam around streets of peth areas watching Ganpati decoration?

Were Udpi hotels only source of eating out experience?

Did you feel proud of travelling by Deccan queen?

Did you count no of tunnels in Ghat?

Did you travel by ST to places beyond katraj Ghat or by those roads in north east of Pune?

Did you attend political rallies prior to elections on streets and grounds?

Did you see children theatre in summer at bharat or tilak or balgandharv?

Did you join a library in summer to read books in a group along with you friends.

Did you stand in  queue for only PMT bus to sinhagad paytha ?

Did you venture out of house during curfew imposed by super popular TV serials?

Were you fan of then established brands like Chitale, sujata mastani, bedekar misal, etc?

Did you wonder why rangpanchami was always close to final exams?

Did you venture to appa balwant chowk as the schools were about to reopen after summer vacations?

Did you shop at laxmi road before Diwali?

Were you the first one to light cracker on Narak chaturthI?

Did you go to sarasbaug on narak chaturdashi mornimg?

Did you prepare clay fort and decorated it with idols?

Did you enjoy eating faral or helping ladies in the family prepare it?

Was watching TV idea to spend new years eve?

There are many and may memories about life in Old Pune. You may add to this list…..