What is this obsession that we commoners have with celebrities? I have been wondering about this for some time.
There are more pictures of Shilpa Shetty's wedding than about 26/11 in the last few days. Btw, can anyone name her last movie? There are more pics / articles of Rakhi Sawant, AB, SRK compared to everyone else combined.
This time, I had a hands-on experience of this manic behavior.
S and I are in LA and SFO for the Thanksgiving week and are visiting the various tourist spots in the vicinity. When at Alcatraz, I could see visitors sit on the toilet of the cell occupied by Robert "Birdman of Alcatraz" Stroud and click pictures. I could see others enter the cells of this jail and act as if they are prisoners of this cell and get some pictures clicked. This is probably the only time (i sincerely hope) that ppl pay to go to jail.
Then we were in Hollywood - BelAir - Beverly Hills and taking a guided tour of the area when the tour guide was pointing to different houses and identifying the celebrity who currently stays (or previously stayed) in those mansions. Not even 5-10% of those house could be seen due to the huge screening trees around the homes. But still, tourists were clicking their way to glory. Even worse, they even were clicking pictures of some parks where some celebs were caught breaking the law. There was no proof that these celebs actually stayed there or the crimes were actually broken there. But, the obsession towards celebs and their star studded lives made these ppl believe anything and everything narrated by the tour guide.
This reminds me of one funny incident that my uncle went through in Mumbai many years ago. For someone who came from a very small town and was visiting Mumbai for a month, he took the Mumbai Darshan bus. The biggest attraction of this bus ride was to see bollywood star's homes.
The guide showed a bungalow as AB's home. Next week, his wife and kids came to Mumbai and my uncle took them in the same bus with the same tour guide. This time, the guide showed an entirely different house as AB's home. My uncle immediately caught him red-handed and questioned him in front of the entire tourist group -- Hey, last week you showed me a different home as AB's home. This week you are showing me something new. Whats going on? The guide was smart -- ShaaNa, as they are called in Mumbai. He coolly replied -- AB moved over the weekend.
So, whats different in this one?
Yesterday, the marriage clock chimed 4 am. Its been 4 fabulous years full of fun and bliss. The near and dear ones called to wish and it was a day exactly as we would have wanted it to be. Morever, this was our first anniversary to fall on a weekend. All our prior anniversaries including the wedding day were weekdays.
So, to mark the occasion, I did what only insane or very rich or unmarried men dare to do. I took my girl on a shopping day out, to a place where there are 150+ factory outlets of any brand that you can name. We will do the math of the damage some other day.
But what surprised me was not her appetite to shop but the reasons to choose a dress. "The collar is different on this one.". "I do not have anything in this print". "The sleeves on this one is nice". "The color is different". -- Rather, if there is any reason to buy the dress, the lady decides to buy it.
On the other hand -- whenever I liked a shirt or a tee or jeans or jacket, I used to remember some garment which I already have which has something in similar to the new garment and would not proceed with the purchase. If there is any reason why I should not buy it, the man decides not to buy it.
Made me wonder -- is this an inherent difference between men and women? Are all the Martians like this and are all the Venetians like this?
Views most welcome.
So, to mark the occasion, I did what only insane or very rich or unmarried men dare to do. I took my girl on a shopping day out, to a place where there are 150+ factory outlets of any brand that you can name. We will do the math of the damage some other day.
But what surprised me was not her appetite to shop but the reasons to choose a dress. "The collar is different on this one.". "I do not have anything in this print". "The sleeves on this one is nice". "The color is different". -- Rather, if there is any reason to buy the dress, the lady decides to buy it.
On the other hand -- whenever I liked a shirt or a tee or jeans or jacket, I used to remember some garment which I already have which has something in similar to the new garment and would not proceed with the purchase. If there is any reason why I should not buy it, the man decides not to buy it.
Made me wonder -- is this an inherent difference between men and women? Are all the Martians like this and are all the Venetians like this?
Views most welcome.
Namaste
An awesome interpretation of the word "Namaste" which we have been using for years together. Worth a watch.
AMAZING CREATIVITY
Now here are 2 instances of amazing creativity. We all remember "Jack and Jill" from our childhood. Here are 2 takes of that nursery rhyme.
1. A Bhojpuri remix by Raju Srivastava --
2. If Jack and Jill really happened, how NDTV would report it -- http://india-in-my-nightie.blogspot.com/2009/10/two-persons-hurt-in-climbing-mishap.html
ps: The 2nd link is something which I got from Amit Verma's blog.
1. A Bhojpuri remix by Raju Srivastava --
2. If Jack and Jill really happened, how NDTV would report it -- http://india-in-my-nightie.blogspot.com/2009/10/two-persons-hurt-in-climbing-mishap.html
ps: The 2nd link is something which I got from Amit Verma's blog.
TOO SWEET TO HANDLE?
There is a very well known celebrity chef. He has been cooking for more than 12 years now. He has made a few very good dishes, probably some of the best of all time. All those dishes were the favorites of his guests and very well reviewed by critics. Even today, whenever he is making a dish, it is very anticipated.
He had one sous chef amongst many. This sous chef has now graduated out of his culinary school and is ready to make his own signature course. Another well known restaurant, known for its head chef, gives a chance to his sous chef to make his own signature course. The stage is set for a very good course.
The ingredients are a few, but from the best farms. One of them is from a farm which has been known for generations for its products. The latest farm produce is regarded very highly and it is expected that this one will be a part in a lot of good dishes in the future. The other ingredient is also someone who has created a unqiue place for itself in the palate of critics with a special taste. There are a few other routine ingredients -- the salts and the peppers etc. But nothing over the board.
Now comes the topic of the style of the dish. This is a dish which you might eat a lot in your day to day life. As someone from the city where this dish originates, I have seen this dish being prepared many times.
All in all, the stage is set for a great dish. Now comes the time for tasting.
The entire course turns out to be perfect. From the time you taste it, you know it is perfect. The main 2 ingredients get ample visibility, the supports play their role to perfection and never end up outstaging the main 2 ingredients.
But the last bite -- ended up being too sweet -- and ruined the taste. To make the last bite sweet, there was unnecessary sweetness added and that made the entire dish, too sweet. Probably, just because of the belief that every course should end up with a sweet dessert.
Sounds familiar? Well, thats "Wake Up Sid" in a gist!!!
Ayan Mukherjee, a very good director who started as an assistant under Karan Johar. Moved to the Yash Chopra camp to direct his first movie. Ranbir "the-next-Kapoor" is regarded very highly not only on potential but also on the glimpses of the few performances so far. Konkana has set the bar pretty high for herself. Support cast of Anupam Kher, Supriya Pathak and Rahul Khanna play their "supporting" role to perfection and the other characters stay in the outskirts of the plot.
The story is something which I have seen happen so many times in Mumbai. Rich kids who do not think abt anything else other than cars, parties and money. Capturing those aspects of such a life so well shows the class of the director. More importantly, this has been done in Dil Chahta Hai and Lakshya, but still W-U-S stands apart. The whole movie moves smoothly and its very easy for most of the metro-kids to relate to.
All this until the end. Why is it that 2 individuals HAVE to fall in love or live like a brother-sister? Why can 2 individuals not be friends for ever? Why can they not be in a pure relationship which does not fall in the 2 categories mentioned above?
The director probably had to do this to the classical Indian taste, but for me, it ruined the movie. But that has ruined this whole dish, according to my opinion.
Why does every dinner have to end with a dessert?
He had one sous chef amongst many. This sous chef has now graduated out of his culinary school and is ready to make his own signature course. Another well known restaurant, known for its head chef, gives a chance to his sous chef to make his own signature course. The stage is set for a very good course.
The ingredients are a few, but from the best farms. One of them is from a farm which has been known for generations for its products. The latest farm produce is regarded very highly and it is expected that this one will be a part in a lot of good dishes in the future. The other ingredient is also someone who has created a unqiue place for itself in the palate of critics with a special taste. There are a few other routine ingredients -- the salts and the peppers etc. But nothing over the board.
Now comes the topic of the style of the dish. This is a dish which you might eat a lot in your day to day life. As someone from the city where this dish originates, I have seen this dish being prepared many times.
All in all, the stage is set for a great dish. Now comes the time for tasting.
The entire course turns out to be perfect. From the time you taste it, you know it is perfect. The main 2 ingredients get ample visibility, the supports play their role to perfection and never end up outstaging the main 2 ingredients.
But the last bite -- ended up being too sweet -- and ruined the taste. To make the last bite sweet, there was unnecessary sweetness added and that made the entire dish, too sweet. Probably, just because of the belief that every course should end up with a sweet dessert.
Sounds familiar? Well, thats "Wake Up Sid" in a gist!!!
Ayan Mukherjee, a very good director who started as an assistant under Karan Johar. Moved to the Yash Chopra camp to direct his first movie. Ranbir "the-next-Kapoor" is regarded very highly not only on potential but also on the glimpses of the few performances so far. Konkana has set the bar pretty high for herself. Support cast of Anupam Kher, Supriya Pathak and Rahul Khanna play their "supporting" role to perfection and the other characters stay in the outskirts of the plot.
The story is something which I have seen happen so many times in Mumbai. Rich kids who do not think abt anything else other than cars, parties and money. Capturing those aspects of such a life so well shows the class of the director. More importantly, this has been done in Dil Chahta Hai and Lakshya, but still W-U-S stands apart. The whole movie moves smoothly and its very easy for most of the metro-kids to relate to.
All this until the end. Why is it that 2 individuals HAVE to fall in love or live like a brother-sister? Why can 2 individuals not be friends for ever? Why can they not be in a pure relationship which does not fall in the 2 categories mentioned above?
The director probably had to do this to the classical Indian taste, but for me, it ruined the movie. But that has ruined this whole dish, according to my opinion.
Why does every dinner have to end with a dessert?
LIFE IN THE DESERT
Got this link from one of the blogs that I follow regularly. Pictures of someone praying, someone feeding pigeons, someone working out, someone flying a kite, someone playing soccer, someone enjoying at an amusement park just prove that there is life amidst the mayhem -- that is pretty much every remaining pic in that link.
Whats the plan Mr. Obama? When are you going to stop all this?
Whats the plan Mr. Obama? When are you going to stop all this?
RAKESH MARIA
From the time this name started making the headlines (since 1992), this man never ceases to amaze me.
Even though his father was a bollywood producer, he chose to appear for IPS. Today, in an organization known only for corruption and encounter killings, he one of the most respected officers. His sincerity and his commitment makes him stand apart from the crowd. Especially, during the November Mumbai attacks, he was the one who held fort in the Mumbai Police Control Room and controlled and marshalled a war-like situation.
I was reading his interview (continued here and here) and then I had a chance to see this video. My admiration for him continued to grow and I started imagining how intense would he be at work.
Then I got to see this scene (start from abt 5.10). K.K. Menon plays Rakesh Maria in this movie and this scene where he just silences the terrorist is so hard-hitting. The red light in the background make the sequence very impactful.
Hats off to the director Anurag Kashyap, actor KK Menon and obviously, Rakesh Maria.
Even though his father was a bollywood producer, he chose to appear for IPS. Today, in an organization known only for corruption and encounter killings, he one of the most respected officers. His sincerity and his commitment makes him stand apart from the crowd. Especially, during the November Mumbai attacks, he was the one who held fort in the Mumbai Police Control Room and controlled and marshalled a war-like situation.
I was reading his interview (continued here and here) and then I had a chance to see this video. My admiration for him continued to grow and I started imagining how intense would he be at work.
Then I got to see this scene (start from abt 5.10). K.K. Menon plays Rakesh Maria in this movie and this scene where he just silences the terrorist is so hard-hitting. The red light in the background make the sequence very impactful.
Hats off to the director Anurag Kashyap, actor KK Menon and obviously, Rakesh Maria.
CHECK THIS OUT!!!
Take a look at this video. A spectator catches a flyball at a Phillies game. This is equivalent to a spectator catching a sixer hit in cricket. The only difference is that in baseball, the spectator can keep the ball for self. Usually, these serve as a souvenior for life and one can make a decent amount of money by auctioning it on ebay and the likes.
http://sports.yahoo.com/video/player/feat/MLB_Highlights/15594603
The dad catches the flyball at a Phillies game. He has his few moments of fame. Then his daughter asks for the ball. Daddy gives it to the daughter and without a moment's haste, she tosses the ball back where hundreds of fans wait to collect the souvenior.
However sweet and funny this is, I am really surprised at the father's reaction. There is absolutely no frown on his face. Not even an ounce of sadness or anger. His smile never vanishes, even for a fraction of a second. Infact, as soon as the kid realizes that she has done something wrong, he immediately hugs her so sweetly.
This reminded me of all my mistakes I have done as a kid (and mind you, I have hundreds of them) and have missed the rod.
Thanks mom and dad!!! You are the best!!!
SAFE or INSIGNIFICANT?
Yesterday evening, my local football team got trounced and shredded to bits. It was a horrible game and a gutless performance. It does not give a good vibe for the rest of the season. As soon as the game started going south, I went off and slept.
Today began with Indian cricket team taking on Sri Lanka in the final of a stupid Compaq cup. The game was laced with a brilliant century by Sachin and then a gutsy performance by Bhajji to bring the trophy India's way. Until the 8th SL wicket went down, it was anyone's game. I was excited to say the least. As soon as the 8th wicket fell (the 9th fell, next ball), the game was in India's hands. I was so happy after India won the game that I was cheerful for the rest of the day.
Then, in the evening, saw unknown Del Potro take on the might of Roger Federer and deliver a performance which can be termed as the tennis upset of the year. A player whom I love, respect and adore lost against someone who no-one knew before this tournament. As soon as the game was over, I got to make dinner so that I am done in time for the Patriots season opener.
This pats game turned out to be a total humdinger. Even until the last play (3 seconds), any team could have won. It was such a humdinger that I was actually shouting and wifey's doubt about my craziness were gaining more and more conviction with every passing second. As soon as the game was over, I was very very happy. Felt good enough to work for a couple of hours into the midnight.
Which brings me to the thought -- are we armchair fans in the best position? Nothing to lose, everything to celebrate. If the team we support wins, we get the bragging rights. We get every right to gloat about. But on any occasion when the team loses, we can blame the bunch of overpaid fatsos and conviniently slide away from the wrath.
Do we, the armchair fans, have nothing to lose and everything to gain? Are we safe?
FUNNY?
Wifey and I were seeing the desi version of "I am a celeb... " meets "Survivor" in "Iss Jungle se...". In the first few episodes, it was seen that the so-called celebs were penalized for not speaking in Hindi on the show. Have seen similar attempts on "Bigg Boss" as well.
Fair enough, they want to reach a wider audience (read non-English speaking) and improve the TRP by forcing the cast to speak in Hindi.
But then, a few days after the "penalize" episode, the cast continued talking in English without giving a damn abt the fines. So, the producer of the show added subtitles to aid the intended wider audience. Again, very fair. TRP at any cost.
But the hilarious part is, these subtitles were in English!!! Whats the point in adding subtitles in English when the audience can not even understand english. I am yet to meet someone who can read a language but can not understand it.
On similar lines, here is one such funny blog -- http://jaiarjun.blogspot.com/2009/09/two-out-of-three-aint-bad.html
Wifey and I were seeing the desi version of "I am a celeb... " meets "Survivor" in "Iss Jungle se...". In the first few episodes, it was seen that the so-called celebs were penalized for not speaking in Hindi on the show. Have seen similar attempts on "Bigg Boss" as well.
Fair enough, they want to reach a wider audience (read non-English speaking) and improve the TRP by forcing the cast to speak in Hindi.
But then, a few days after the "penalize" episode, the cast continued talking in English without giving a damn abt the fines. So, the producer of the show added subtitles to aid the intended wider audience. Again, very fair. TRP at any cost.
But the hilarious part is, these subtitles were in English!!! Whats the point in adding subtitles in English when the audience can not even understand english. I am yet to meet someone who can read a language but can not understand it.
On similar lines, here is one such funny blog -- http://jaiarjun.blogspot.com/2009/09/two-out-of-three-aint-bad.html
YOU SAID IT!!!
Wifey has been obsessed with reality cookery shows and realty shows for some time now.
The former genre has chefs doing exactly what aspiring singers do in the umpteen singing talent hunt shows in India. Come from all corners of the country (or even abroad), give a taste (literally) of their skills and get eliminated 1-by-1 every episode until there is 1 winner who earns a minor bounty and slips into oblivion. These chefs make cookery as complicated as rocket science and the judges (barring a few really good ones) are no better than Anu Malik giving singing lessons to aspiring singers.
The second genre has home buyers checking out 3 prospective homes before finalizing the purchase of one of the three. This one is relatively less monotonous because, once in a while, the buyers shun all the 3 prospects and improve their chances of getting casted in another episode.
These shows are not that boring to watch once in a while, but for someone who has ABSOLUTELY no plans to get into real estate soon and for someone whom food is something that is good to the palate, these shows can be a real torture. Especially, while watching a good movie or a live game, it can be killing if the channels keep swapping every 2 minutes.
So, I finally gathered courage and asked. And for my 3 readers, this is a crash course in "How to crush a conversation in 2 easy steps for Dummies" --
Me -- Dont you get bored seeing the same shows every time you sit in front of the TV?
She -- Its like seeing your football / baseball / cricket games every time you put on the TV.
Me -- Yes, but thats different. Its a new game every time.
She -- Well, so is this.
If, anyone knows how to defend this case, I will nominate you for the best orator in this world.
ARISTOCRACY or DEMOCRAZY?
I had earlier posted a blog on similar lines. I would like to mark this post as part 2 of that blog.
YSR died in a chopper wreck and even before his body is brought back to Hyderabad, there are lobbyists clamouring to nominate his 36 yr old son to be the next CM. This fellow is just 100 days in politics, yes just 100. He stood for parliamentary elections earlier this year and was elected from his home town. Prior to that, he had absolutely no experience in politics. Whatever he is today (politician, newspaper baron etc) is purely due to the blessings of his father. Yet, why is there such a big hoopla to get him to the post of the CM? Just because he is YSR's son.
And this is the norm, this is the rule. And this rule has no exception. Go to any political party today and only the sons and daughters are getting promoted. Descent is the sole qualification.
Here are umpteen more cases -- http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Political_families_of_India
Every instance above is from a different part or different state. Irrespective of the state / political affiliation / generation, the next generation inherits the chair.
Same about Bollywood. Only star sons / star daughters get good opportunities. Else, how can anyone justify the presence of Tushar Kapoor in this industry.
The most important part is, we the people, are allowing this to happen. For decades, this is happening and we the people just accept it. We are supposedly the "power" bearers and we give the power in someone's hands just because they are their father's son/daughter. Just like earlier days -- when the princes used to take the throne once the father dies or abdicates the throne, by default. Only thing left for the "praja" to do was yell "Maharaja ki jai ho !!!"
So, the real Q is -- are we still in Aristocratic mode? When will democrazy go away and real democracy arrive.
I had earlier posted a blog on similar lines. I would like to mark this post as part 2 of that blog.
YSR died in a chopper wreck and even before his body is brought back to Hyderabad, there are lobbyists clamouring to nominate his 36 yr old son to be the next CM. This fellow is just 100 days in politics, yes just 100. He stood for parliamentary elections earlier this year and was elected from his home town. Prior to that, he had absolutely no experience in politics. Whatever he is today (politician, newspaper baron etc) is purely due to the blessings of his father. Yet, why is there such a big hoopla to get him to the post of the CM? Just because he is YSR's son.
And this is the norm, this is the rule. And this rule has no exception. Go to any political party today and only the sons and daughters are getting promoted. Descent is the sole qualification.
Here are umpteen more cases -- http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Political_families_of_India
Every instance above is from a different part or different state. Irrespective of the state / political affiliation / generation, the next generation inherits the chair.
Same about Bollywood. Only star sons / star daughters get good opportunities. Else, how can anyone justify the presence of Tushar Kapoor in this industry.
The most important part is, we the people, are allowing this to happen. For decades, this is happening and we the people just accept it. We are supposedly the "power" bearers and we give the power in someone's hands just because they are their father's son/daughter. Just like earlier days -- when the princes used to take the throne once the father dies or abdicates the throne, by default. Only thing left for the "praja" to do was yell "Maharaja ki jai ho !!!"
So, the real Q is -- are we still in Aristocratic mode? When will democrazy go away and real democracy arrive.
JINNAH or SARDAR PATEL
There is a popular saying "If your enemy is hell bent upon jumping off a cliff, do not bother to push him over the edge". Congress party is sticking to this piece of advice by keeping mum on the current show of self-destruction going on within the BJP.
Most of us are aware of the chronology of the events in this entire mess, but this is really a bunch of losers trying to find a scapegoat. After the loss in the recent parliamentary elections, they are enacting a headless chicken perfectly.
They needed an excuse to start the post-election massacre and Jaswant Singh's book gave them a much-needed trigger. I am not the best person to validate the authenticity of the excerpts from the book, but I, for sure, do not care whether it is true or not.
I thoroughly respect Sardar Patel. He is the reason why we see India as a nation and not a collection of Kashmirs. Nehru was the one who handled Kashmir - the only state not handled by Sardar Patel - and look what a mess it is. The sole reason why India is what it is today - an unified nation - is Sardar Patel. Infact, the very reason why India is a part of Kashmir today - the Instrument of Accession signed by Raja Hari Singh - is Sardar Patel. He arm twisted the king into signing it, else Kashmir would have been taken over by Pakistan in 1948.
But, if Jaswant Singh's book is true, I respect Sardar Patel even more. If he is the reason behind the partition, may he reign in heaven.
Who wants a unified India-Pakistan-Bangladesh. I can not even imagine a country bordering Afghanistan and Taliban neighbours. Terrorists from Pakistan and Bangladesh are already wrecking havoc in our country even when they are not allowed in our contry. Can you imagine what they would have done if they were legally a part of our soil.
Bomb-blasts every day in every city... No way to identify who is a terrorist or not, because everyone would be a citizen of "unified" India... Western nations threatening to bomb us to stone age... Proving to the world that we are not bad and the trouble makers are "non-state-elements"... Phew!!!
Thank You Sardar Patel for saving our country, one more time!!!
CALM AFTER THE STORM?
Last Friday, I took my project to completion. I was working on this project since November 2008. Thats 10 long months.
In the 10 months before November 2008, I executed 2 big and 5-6 small projects. But the latest project was the only one that I worked on in the last 10 months. Nothing else, absolutely nothing. Every single day, I was working only on this project. From 8 am to 9 pm, sometimes even later. Add to it, up to 4 hours per day every weekend. I was not a part of any other initiative, any other activity during these 10 months.
It took a toll on my health, personal agenda and family life. The India vacation not withstanding, I did not take even 1 day off during the entire 10 months.
As the project neared completion, the heat kept on increasing (duh!!!), tempers flared and verbal volleys ranged. For once, I was always in the clear and the only thing I received was praises and cheerios. But all other teams had a bad time.
Eventually, the project reached a logical conclusion and then arrived the calm after the storm. From last Friday, there has been a void in the schedule. It seems like there is no urgency for anything anymore. There is no one baying for your blood. Life is a routine 8.30 to 5 vanilla flavor.
Actually, one incident touched me, I had a print out of an important design document which was like my bible in the last 6 months. I carried it around with me like I carried my wallet or like my cell phone. I used to refer to it like I used to check my email. On Friday evening, after I finished my project, I cleaned up my desk and picked that document to be shredded. Putting that document through the shredder actually touched me.
Why does this happen? Why does someone miss the most hectic phase even when it takes a big toll on life? Why does someone miss the storm in the calm?
WHAT THE HECK!!!
Two high profile Indians go through a similar bad experience. I would not call the experience a shocker or a trauma etc. It is something that any one of us might have to go through.
APJ and SRK are two people who are in two professions which are as different as chalk and cheese. Both of them have raised the bar and have set such high standards for themselves in their own way that a sizeable chunk of Indian population regard them in high esteem. The fan following is pretty much similar across gender / age / profession.
Both of them go through a similar experience -- APJ was frisked in India and SRK in US. Both of them are Muslims, one is a nuclear scientist and other is in a profession where bad elements of the society invest a lot of their black money.
But, the gracious way in which APJ handled it probably showed how dignified he is. I do not think SRK is creating an issue here, it could be the hyperactive media. But SRK can keep his mouth shut and let this whole thing die away instead of giving media bytes and adding fuel to fire.
Just amazed how the same situation can be handled smartly and how it can be messed up as well.
NICE QUOTE
Was reading an article about a journalist meeting his idol, an Indian legend of royal descent. The journo was worried that the legend might not live up to the idolized image he had envisioned in his mind.
Ironically, the last line of the article read -- "There is one thing worse than being disappointed by your heroes and that is to let them down yourself."
OMAR SHOWS THE WAY!!!
Jammu-Kashmir CM Omar Abdullah submits his resignation for the allegations that his NC government is involved in a scandal which happened when his government was not in power. The same opposition (read Mehbooba Mufti) which is creating a ruckus right now was the one in power when this scandal took place. But, its really amazing, how Ms Mufti shove the entire blame on NC and now is creating hell in the JK assembly.
But, what is really praiseworthy is how gracefully Omar Abdullah has handled the situation. Within an hour of the issue raised in the assembly, he submitted his resignation. That too even after CBI had given him and his government a clean chit in their investigation. In his speech, he just said one sentence -- "I am guilty until proven innocent, so I submit my resignation".
When was the last time any politician said that and submitted the resignation? Probably, Madhavrao Scindia in 1992. That too when the investigation agency had already given a clean chit? Never.
If even 10% of our politicians follow Omar's suit, our country will be a much better place to live. Thanks Omar for showing everyone the way to go.
BACK!!!
RS reminded me that I have been out of action for way long. So true!!!
The project that I have been working on since January has been killing me. So bad that I have not visited the gym since January. The only activity that I have indulged in is weekly cricket practice. Whenever I get a breather, I just feel like relaxing and reading something which, according to my dear wife, makes no value-add. I have not worked out, never had a jog, not done anything creative for a long time.
Cricket has been very bad this year for me as well. I played only 4 games this season in which I got to bat only twice and scored only 3 runs. In bowling, I bowled 10 overs only, gave whopping 90 runs in those 10 overs, got only 2 wickets and took only 3 catches. Dropped one catch which could have turned the game in our favor.
Have taken S only to 1 vacation, albeit a good one. Yes, we did spend one month in India, but when is a vacation to India long enough. We are planning a vacation in the later half of the year, when the project pressures die down.
But, its almost end of July, and 7 months of this year are already overs. Within a couple of months, mercury will take its annual dip and all the activities will die down gradually.
So, here is a resolution -- I will go daily for a run and try to go to the gym atleast twice a week. Take S for a nice vacation at the end of the year. Will make sure that my contributions to my cricket team make me proud. Will indulge in activities which will lead to some value add. And yes, will blog regularly from here on.
RS reminded me that I have been out of action for way long. So true!!!
The project that I have been working on since January has been killing me. So bad that I have not visited the gym since January. The only activity that I have indulged in is weekly cricket practice. Whenever I get a breather, I just feel like relaxing and reading something which, according to my dear wife, makes no value-add. I have not worked out, never had a jog, not done anything creative for a long time.
Cricket has been very bad this year for me as well. I played only 4 games this season in which I got to bat only twice and scored only 3 runs. In bowling, I bowled 10 overs only, gave whopping 90 runs in those 10 overs, got only 2 wickets and took only 3 catches. Dropped one catch which could have turned the game in our favor.
Have taken S only to 1 vacation, albeit a good one. Yes, we did spend one month in India, but when is a vacation to India long enough. We are planning a vacation in the later half of the year, when the project pressures die down.
But, its almost end of July, and 7 months of this year are already overs. Within a couple of months, mercury will take its annual dip and all the activities will die down gradually.
So, here is a resolution -- I will go daily for a run and try to go to the gym atleast twice a week. Take S for a nice vacation at the end of the year. Will make sure that my contributions to my cricket team make me proud. Will indulge in activities which will lead to some value add. And yes, will blog regularly from here on.
RECIPE FOR SUCCESS
As they say, there is no sureshot recipe for success.
But if you are a writing a book on cricket, then there IS a sureshot recipe for success. Write a book and criticize star Indian players. The book WILL SELL thousands of copies. How many cricketers, especially Australians, have done that?
Gilchrist, Langer, Hayden, Steve Waugh. Now comes Mr. John Buchanan. He added a few "controversial" comments about Gavaskar, Ganguly, Tendulkar etc and boom!!! the book is a hit.
But, the funny part of it is, the timing of clarifications this time. The first thing anyoneheard anything about the book is the standard "My comments are taken out of context and misunderstood". After this news showed up, then everyone started reading the book and more statements came out. More controversies. More clarifications. More readers.
Success achieved!!!
I think I have had enough of coding. I should write a book on cricket now.
:-)
p.s -- Prem Panicker writes on his blog on exactly the same topic and here is how he mirrors my thoughts -- http://prempanicker.wordpress.com/2009/07/10/truth-in-advertising/
As they say, there is no sureshot recipe for success.
But if you are a writing a book on cricket, then there IS a sureshot recipe for success. Write a book and criticize star Indian players. The book WILL SELL thousands of copies. How many cricketers, especially Australians, have done that?
Gilchrist, Langer, Hayden, Steve Waugh. Now comes Mr. John Buchanan. He added a few "controversial" comments about Gavaskar, Ganguly, Tendulkar etc and boom!!! the book is a hit.
But, the funny part of it is, the timing of clarifications this time. The first thing anyoneheard anything about the book is the standard "My comments are taken out of context and misunderstood". After this news showed up, then everyone started reading the book and more statements came out. More controversies. More clarifications. More readers.
Success achieved!!!
I think I have had enough of coding. I should write a book on cricket now.
:-)
p.s -- Prem Panicker writes on his blog on exactly the same topic and here is how he mirrors my thoughts -- http://prempanicker.wordpress.com/2009/07/10/truth-in-advertising/
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)