Gods of the Games!

We have grown up watching a lot of Hindi movies which were shot in the fascinating locations of the Switzerland in 1980s and 1990s. Impressive and eye-catching locales were a key ingredient for a movie to succeed then. Almost a decade after when I look around, nothing like that is considered necessary. However, there is still something that takes me to those wonderful locales. Still, I think of the place as one of most serene and calm destination. I take a pause here and tend to think why this charm is still afresh?

Because, all these years I have related to this place through one of most serene and humble champions of all time. A champion who breaches his own bar every time when he is in middle of the proceedings. A champion who is unruffled like a stone at the most crucial juncture of the game. A champion who goes on and on. Yes, this champion is popularly known as “The Fed Express”. Roger Federer is how he is better known as. He is probably greatest legend of modern era tennis. I remember conversations with one of my friend during Wimbledon 2001, when we used to chat a lot about the game of this person without knowing what future holds for this 20 year lad. That was the only time when Roger met with Pete Sampras inside the tennis court in an ATP tournament. And guess what? Pete, the previous generation’s best, was handed over a defeat by Roger, the current generation’s or perhaps all generation’s best. That was just the beginning of Roger Era. He has achieved them all during past 8-9 years. Career Grand Slam, Highest number of grand slam titles, No. 1 seed for record 237 consecutive weeks, 22 grand slam finals, 23 grand slam semi-finals appearances over last six years...

When he lost number one seed for the first time in 2008 to Nadal, many thought that Roger era is about to fade away. This era was supposed to be ending. However, the grit and greatness of Swiss Maestro was never ever faltering. He bounced back to win French Open (Career Grand Slam) in 2009 and he continues to maul his opponents. His greatness lies in his simplicity, humbleness and passion. The way, he controls his emotions, gestures and behavior is truly incredible. He is artist of the game and makes the game look so gracious and delicious. He is indeed “God of the Game”.

As Jimmy Connors said once: "In an era of specialists, you're either a clay court specialist, a grass court specialist, or a hard court specialist... or you're Roger Federer."

Having said that, what could be equally mesmerizing in the landscape of our own country which is so unlike those eye-catching locales? Well, there is a similar kind of champion here also, who makes me visit Alps every time he comes out to perform. A champion whose class, perfection and range is beyond imagination. A champion who is popularly known as “little master” or “master blaster”. He lives in heart of every Indian. He is a role model, an inspiration machine for millions of people or a run machine as Ravi Shastri always mentions. We call him Sachin Ramesh Tendulkar. Over 20 years of international cricket and more than 31,000 runs, 93 centuries, 147 half-centuries, record-holder for number of records. He has lived upto expectations of a cricket frenzy nation like nobody could do in any sphere of profession. For millions of fans, cricket still means Sachin. Amazingly, no occasion is big enough for him. No matter how big the occasion is, this champion makes it look tiny at the end.

Remember the stormy night during summer of 1998 at Sharjah, Remember nightmares handed over to Wasim & Co. in World Cup 2003, Remember match-winning 103 against England at Chennai or Remember empowering knock of 160 against New Zealand that helped create a history. These are just a few of superlative performaces by this great cricketer. With the kind of vintage form he is in at the moment and with the kind of passion he has for the game, I am sure that few more milestones await for him. Nothing better than a world cup win at Wankhede in 2011 could be a fitting tribute to the greatness of this Sensational and Radiant Talisman. Amen!

Take a bow to the legends! To the Gods of the Games!

In the name of love...

The New Year always comes up a well deserved break from work and a few holidays in India (14th January and 26th January). But as February arrives, goal setting process for the year and work presume loom large once again. In the middle of all this crazy time, comes a week which is celebrated worldwide by people who are “in love”.

Every year, this time fills the hearts with bubbles and joy. And why not, nice way to refill love in one’s personal life. Youngsters and a few old ones who have not yet found the perfect one like to spend whole week dreaming about someone special. Few lucky ones end up spending the week with more than a dozen close friends. Then, there are few people who have found their best partners. These are the people who are on top of the heavens. They yearn to spend all the moments together and prefer topping up their love coupons.

Amidst all these beautiful happenings, when I introspect, I realize the importance this particular feeling called love. Love is not new in one’s life. Love is what God conferred upon us beneath this wonderful canopy. Love is what our parents blessed us with all our life. Love is what makes us feel blissful or dismal of something. Love is what we cannot choose or ignore. Love is what makes us going. Yes, love is beautiful.

Yes, beautiful is the only other name of love. To all you people in love…

दिल की गहराइयों में उतर के देखो बस एक बार,

ज़ज्बातो के रंग में ढल के देखो एक बार,

खुदा को तन्हाइयो में कब तक देखोगे ओ मुसाफिर,

खुदा की खुदाई से इश्क कर के तो देखो एक बार!!!

Darwinism - A natural phenomenon

Theory of natural selection was published by Charles Robert Darwin - An eminent English Naturalist - long ago in 1859. Though the theory was further studied and refined by few contemporary naturalists, the subtlety of this theory clung to my mind in its originality. In my opinion, the theory does not only speak of natural selection by species, but also acts as a basic rule of survival strategies in even Today's scenario.

The question is how?

The theory states that any species which vary however slightly in any manner profitable to itself under complex conditions of life will have a better chance of surviving. When I look in the world around me, I find myself in a extremely tough, competitive and dynamic environment which is characterized by diversity of opinions, beliefs, missions or philosophies. This environment is so complex that it appears to be very similar to the environment where natural selection process was found as applicable. Yes, the environment where many more individuals of each species are born than can possibly survive, where everyone is vying with each other for a spot or two irrespective of the motives.

Hence, who would get "naturally selected"? Who has "better chance of surviving"? Who will lead to propagate "its new and modified form"?

The person who varies however slightly in any manner profitable to itself. The organization that varies however slightly in any manner profitable to itself. The government which varies however slightly in any manner profitable to itself. And profitable in a manner that finds a connection with the larger cause and has a greater impact. Continuous improvement is what is called for howsoever. Frivolous supremacy may be an illusion which can ruin the "species".

As Darwin concludes in his book "On the Origin of Species" : -

There is grandeur in this view of life, with its several powers, having been originally breathed into a few forms or into one; and that, whilst this planet has gone cycling on according to the fixed law of gravity, from so simple a beginning endless forms most beautiful and most wonderful have been, and are being, evolved.

Let us follow the foot-steps

Work-life balance, time management, inter-personal or negotiation skills, projects, vision, creativity, deliverable, demonstrations - Each one of these words sound very familiar to ears. Isn't it? Yes, a corporate associate probably hears of such words at least daily. At least so much so that this becomes a part of day-to-day life. We hear great visionaries speaking about these words and their significance in the work that we do, in the business that we conduct and in the way we represent a company. Some of us think that it is their job to speak, some of us think that it is our job to listen while a handful of us does not even listen because these stuffs sound too bookish to execute. But do we ever realize the method behind such talks? Do we ever look back and ponder how different things could be if we paid heed to such talks? Do we ever attempt to at least change the way we are used to operate?

Methods, discipline, organization, homework, understanding - these are not new to anyone. As a kid, we have been imparted teachings on these lines. As we grow up, we become "independent" and as we take charge of "our" lives, we become rule-makers for ourselves. This tendency turns so strong that some or the other way, we loose focus on methods, discipline etc. And we try to do things in hurry, take the short-cuts and target the easy goals.

But, if one had to dive deep within and contemplate, invariably one would think "oh! that was so easy" or "I could have done much better". Yes, just take a try. Here lies a learning that let us do thing a little different and enjoy the journey of self-enrichment. Let us not just live for the sake of it. Let us grow in absolute terms and maintain a balance in life. Let us vow to follow rules, embrace disciplines and create a culture which is resolute enough to withstand any challenge. After all, we do spend 60-70% of our time at a place which needs it all from us.

"Your net worth to the world is usually determined by what remains after your bad habits are subtracted from your good ones." - Benjamin Franklin

Kuch pal, yaad ke daayre me...

कुछ पल याद के दायरे में, ज़िन्दगी को महकाते है
कुछ पल याद के पैमाने पर, आंसुओ को छलकाते है
पलो की फिदरत होती है, दिल को बहलाना या बहकाना
ये कुछ पल फिर भी, एक कश-म-कश छोड़ जाते है...

छा जाते है ये बीते पल, दिल-ओ-दिमाग पे इस कदर
इस आज और आने वाले कल, पर चलाते है कैसा खंजर
इसे असर कहू या कहू मैं सहर, या कहू एक मीठा ज़हर,
ज़ज्बातो का इन्तेहाँ लेता, ये पलो का नायाब सफ़र...

हो भले ही खुशिया कम, या हो भले ही ग़म का अम्बार,
हो सके तो फैला ओ फकीर, मुस्कराहट की रौशनी सदाबहार,
बुलंद कर एक फिदरत ऐसी, की खिल उठे प्यार से संसार,
उभर के कश म कश से, जीत के जहर से, पल ये आये बार बार!!!

Mera Bharat Mahaan!

“WE, THE PEOPLE OF INDIA, having solemnly resolved to constitute India into a SOVEREIGN SOCIALIST SECULAR DEMOCRATIC REPUBLIC, and to secure to all its citizens: JUSTICE, social, economic and political; LIBERTY of thought, expression, belief, faith and worship; EQUALITY of status and of opportunity; and to promote among them all FRATERNITY assuring the dignity of the individual and the unity and integrity of the Nation; IN OUR CONSTITUENT ASSEMBLY this twenty-six day of November, 1949, do HEREBY ADOPT, ENACT AND GIVE TO OURSELVES THIS CONSTITUTION.”

“Mumbai-belongs-to-All” topic has been doing a lot of rounds these days (Thanks to a few so called nationalists whose primary agenda is national security – I am afraid they understand meaning of nationalism) so much so that I could not think of anything but the very Preamble to our constitution. Please read above. Each and every word of this short message speaks volumes of the principles that our forefathers envisaged for a nation called “Bharat” or “India”. Yes, they envisaged a united India – India with pluralism in every corner of her body, mind and soul.

This post is not here to discuss how and why India survives. This has been very well documented by Ramchandra Guha when he says “so long as the constitution is not amended beyond recognition, so long as the elections are held regularly and fairly and the ethos of secularism broadly prevails, so long as citizens can speak and write in the language of their choosing, so long as there is an integrated market and a moderately efficient civil service and army, and – lest I forget – so long as Hindi films are watched and their songs sung, India will survive.”

And it is beyond possibility that any external or internal, natural or supernatural force can defeat this idea of India. However, the heart wails when propaganda is made up solely to foster regionalism based on caste, religion, language or faith; when an attempt is made to bruise any words of constitution; when an injustice is done just because of a viewpoint that one possesses or when national resources are squandered at will of few people who have rights to pass ordinance(s). I feel a little worried when these interruptions continue to happen over and over again.

Before our protection system becomes vulnerable to a break down and our tolerance is ruptured of its sheen, let us reaffirm our belief in the powerful words as mentioned in the Preamble. Let us exercise all our rights as good citizens in a manner that has power to annihilate any or all anti-preamble ideologies. Let us be aware of what is happening around us. Let us be the leaders of the world doing only good and spreading message of wholeness and peace – perhaps that is how Bapu imagined India to be like.

A lot is left...

Take the case of a typical working professional – First few years of work, everyday is fresh and energy surrounds everything. Next few years, dilemma surrounds the course of actions and next few years, working within shell becomes order of the day. Ultimately, this invariably results into loss of a life of abundance.

Can we do anything about this? Yes, but how.

Just think where life was 5 years ago and who I was 5 years ago. It is probable you may get an answer. If still not, think of what you do now and how it translates back to your life 5 years ago. If you cannot see any connection, possibly you have reached a stage of dilemma. Would you like to continue to next stage and end up working in a shell for a longer time? No, nobody would like to. Take a pause here…

Before you move on, at least think of next 5 years or may be more. I am sure that one can re-group energy and passion at any point of time. Only limitation being it becomes more and more difficult as this tenure of 5 years gets multiplied. There are living legends and immortal souls who have paved the way for us. They have left foot-steps which go deep into the ground and enlighten the outer world.

More importantly, look back at your own experiences. Somewhere, you would have left a few foot-steps too. Who knows, they might have served someone as divine ones. After all, everyone is special. And a lot is left. Unleash the power within to foresee this lot and break the shell for once and forever.

"Never be satisfied with what you achieve, because it all pales in comparison with what you are capable of doing in the future."

Who will take the call?

There is an era where the world is flat and small - thanks to power of the knowledge. Thousands of years ago, our ancestors also felt the same, though for lack of knowledge.

There is an era where business is the best pastime and where pastime is the greatest concern. Everyone in this era is keeping so busy that a Sunday sometimes seems insurmountably long.

Yes, I call this era “Today”. We live in “Today” but do we really LIVE? Or rather LOVE?

Dreams, ambitions and desires (DAD) drive most of the people, if not all. Some count medals on their shoulders, some count greens in their urns and some count friends in their surroundings. The medalists spend all their life thinking they have achieved it all and so do the depositors and the socialites. And then there are few who are not driven by DAD. They wonder will this matter? Consequently, they end up counting z.e.r.o.

Here, I wonder who will take the call. Who will take the call to spread the love which was pumped in our hearts by the GOD? Who will own the duty to uplift the consciousness which is the root of humanity? Who will?

Let us take a call before we also melt like the rest!