Run, Run, Run...

It is often said slow and steady wins the race and unarguably, this applies to almost all the great success stories: be it story of a chaiwallah becoming prime minister of the biggest democracy in the world, be it story of an average looking man becoming the biggest superstar of Bollywood or be it story of a train ticket examiner becoming greatest hero of a cricket frenzy nation.

It will only be fair to say that they have all run marathons after marathons and grinded themselves through a journey of pain, perseverance and passion. The most interesting aspect of all this is that several attributes related to the ‘journey’ are more or less ‘common’ which extends not only to great individual successes but also to great team success, stupendous brand building and sustainable business models.

I recently ran a half marathon (21 KM). This was my third half marathon and after running it the third time in a row, I realized few things which usually make a difference:

    1. Courage to believe:

All the BIG things begin from zero and when you begin from zero, it takes a might to believe FIRST that goals are not unreal and SECOND that they are not far away. And when the goal is to do something bigger and bigger, it is even harder to believe. However, there is only way to move from zero and the least what is a must is to BELIEVE.

2.    Pace and brace:

When it becomes more and more difficult to believe, it is important to brace yourself with all the hardships. Bracing yourself with all the odds would enforce you to take corrective and sustainable actions towards rewarding path. Lower the pace, brace with odds, correct the method and then again increase the pace. Keep learning!

3.    Show up and don’t give up:

Sometimes, hardships are so profuse that you tend to either look for alternative means or change the goalpost itself. It is only fitting to say that the goal was there for the taking; it just needed that little bit more – few more steps, few more calories and that extra zeal. Don’t give up. Show up and deliver! It is just a milestone!

 4.    Focus on finish line:

When you show up, run that extra mile, goalpost must never be out of sight. It appears closer and closer as you sharpen the focus. Inch by inch, feet by feet and yard by yard! When the mind is clear and heart is pumping, there is no way that focus could even shrink for a moment.

And, finally when you cross the finish line and affix that milestone, it is time to rejoice and raise the bar. Raise the bar and take it to next level. Level after level, year on year! It is time goals thought to be insurmountable initially ought to look tiny. Setting the target, preparing for it the best way and delivering under most resilient situations – these are the main ingredients of all success stories!!!

Clock is ticking...

Just float. Just float. And feel the exotica. Deep within carry that subtle rhythm. A rhythm that weaves together beautifully all the pearls… untouched by disgrace and unmoved by materiality. Pure like hummingbird and serene like feathers of snow.

Let go. Just let go. Let go all the pains and let go all the worries. Experience a life that binds the soul to the heart. Let eyes do the fondling and breaths do the talking… uninterrupted by chaos and unfazed by greed. Definite possibility – joy and delight abound, calmness and sanity personified.

Clock’s ticking and time’s running lest we forget!

ज़रा सोच पगले!

क्या खोना है तूने, कुछ है भी क्या तेरा,
ज़रा सोच पगले, क्या अपना कब था तेरा,
जो मुकम्मल हुआ, तू तो वो भूल गया,
जो छुट गया, उसके ग़म में घुल गया,

पाने की चाह में राहे पकड़ी थी तूने,
सब कुछ पाकर भी रह गया तू अकेला,
पक्की बात है तुझे सब ये है मालुम,
फिर क्यों बनता है यु खुद से मासूम,

आखिर क्यों डर डर के साँसे लेता है,
बोझ की तरह इन लम्हों को खोता है,
दिल से कर देख, दोस्ती एक दफा,
लुटा के देख, मोहब्बत पे अपनी वफ़ा,

रंगों की लहरों में डूब जा इस कदर,
ज़हन में जिसका हो बेइंतेहा असर,
ना पाने की चाह, ना खोने का डर,
मद मस्त सी जिंदगी और प्यार सा सफ़र,

ज़रा सोच पगले, येही है गुज़र,
ज़रा सोच पगले, येही है बसर…

Peace - can we 'the mango people' offer something?

It is very important for me to assert that this post is triggered by overflow of debates on the subject of secularism, which is hovering across all kinds of public media at the moment in our beloved country. Well, it is but natural that whenever you approach the general elections, this discussion makes THE headline.

This post is certainly not about who is secular and who is not. Neither is the post about the impact of this issue on the outcome of general elections. I barely intend to present an analysis on this subject of any kind either.

Fortunately, I do not belong to any political class and that saves me from headache of pondering over the above matters. I am a normal citizen of this proud country and my point is limited to my fellow citizens. Well, it is for political class to project something or somebody on some or the other lines, but isn’t it important for us to ACT RESPONSIBLY, especially when this political class is looking for masala that would help them make their own cup of tea?

I would like to remind my fellow citizens to not carry any hatred in their hearts. The fact is for the taking that hatred has always provoked more of it and by publicizing this over and over again, we do not do justice to the apt atmosphere of sarv-dharm-sadbhaav.

While watching a video on youtube yesterday, I noticed some links suggesting insult of a person of one nationality by a person of another nationality on a reality show. The video I was watching actually portrayed the message of peace and prosperity and was fabulous. On the contrary, the video with the insult element had more hits and more likes. Isn’t it an irony?

When we do such things, we offer an agenda to all those political parties to divide us for votes. We the people are mainly responsible for thinking and behaving in a certain manner and are limited by our own rule-books. We live with certain pre-conceived notions about everything in life to which we are not exposed and we continue to live happily that ways.

It is demand of humanity that in matters of sensitivities such as religions, caste and creed, we respect each other without any ill feelings. And why only these matters? Respect is very solid foundation of one’s character in the first place. Once you live with respect and offer respect, hatred will nowhere roam around you.

I urge all my fellow citizens to be the ambassadors of peace and prosperity. I wish I could carry the torch of hope, inspiration and peace to my neighboring country myself one day!

PS: here is the beautiful link, I mentioned above.

Stillness

Within a blink of eye, days have slipped through. Other side of the calendar is around the corner. Summer is at its peak. But, believe you me, nothing appears to have changed. The purity, the sanctity, the eternity, the stillness! The purity of those deep breaths, the sanctity of self-righteousness, the eternity of contentment and the stillness of mind, body and soul!

Just like free-flowing water, stillness also tends to find its own path and settles down well even after chaos. It struggles with self; a lot of times fights with self and emerges as the ultimate winner. When set free of expectations, mind deals with stillness in the most effective way. The demand of expectations sets one yearn more and more to go down the path of stillness. And by the way, the bigger the expectations, the harder it takes to get there!

How about the hierarchy of expectations? Well, it is one such ladder, which keeps on growing vertically upwards. You get what I mean. Even harder to get there! You see. Doesn’t matter how hard it is. The stillness will still find its way. Remember purity, sanctity and eternity. Can you ever get away with these pillars of stillness? Most likely not, unless you let your intentions fly in that direction. I am sure you would not want to.

Stillness without doubt breeds prosperity and happiness. Prosperity and happiness for all is what I pray for. Living a life full of smiles is what I wish for. Letting go of all the miseries and pains is what I want more.

Love is the word I spread more.

जले ये मशाल तो जले...

चलो मिलकर साथ चले, जले ये मशाल तो जले,

अन्धकार की राह में, जले ये मशाल तो जले,

अश्को की चिंगारी को, हमदर्दी के अंगारों को,

एक मंज़िल एक दिशा देती, जले ये मशाल तो जले,

 

सब्र करना सहन करना एक चूक होगी,

सहम के डर डर के जीना एक भूल होगी,

जवाब छुपा है कहीं, उन दबी आवाज़ों के तले,

लहलहाती आवाज़ों के साथ, जले ये मशाल तो जले,

 

हौसले बुलंद हो और आग में अमन हो,

लो कसम के ना किसी का अब दमन हो,

जन्नत सी इस ज़मीन पे अपनो का प्यार पले,

इंसानियत को रोशन करती, जले ये मशाल तो जले...

समझौतों का सिलसिला चलता रहा...

ज़िन्दगी य़ू ही चलती रही, यादों का शमा बंधता रहा,

कभी आने वालों का कभी जाने वालों का मेला लगता रहा,

ख़्वाबों में सजायी थी, खुशियों से भरी कायनात मैंने,

हकीक़त के पन्ने उलटते रहे, अनजान सा सफ़र चलता रहा,

समझौतों का सिलसिला चलता रहा...

वो कहते है, थके न तू रुके न तू, गति में कभी झुके न तू,

मेले के बीच गुमनामियों में, खुद को पत्थर बना न तू,

रुका नहीं थका नहीं ये तन, ना कम हुई माथे से कभी ये शिकन

लहरों को चीरता हवाओं को मोड़ता, बेबाक ये कारवां चलता रहा,

समझौतों का सिलसिला चलता रहा...

शिकवे शिकायत सुनाने को, दो पल ठहरने को दिल कराहता रहा,

खुद में खुद को ढूँढने का वक़्त, ये ज़हन तलाशता रहा,

कभी हम तो कभी वो ना थे, सुनने सुनाने वाले कभी मंज़र ना थे,

फिर भी इंतज़ार के धुंध में, बहारो का पुलिंदा बनता रहा,

समझौतों का सिलसिला चलता रहा...

नूर ए जहाँ...

नूर ए जहाँ कहाँ है तेरा आशिया,

आँखें ढूंढती है तेरी परछाईया,

ख्वाबो में रहती है तू महफूज़,

हकीक़त में करता हूँ तुमको महसूस,

ना होने की बेबसी कैसे इज़हार करूँ,

उंघती खुशियों का कैसे इश्तेहार करूँ,

जुड़ने से तेरी जुड़ी एक नायाब दास्ता,

दो पल की ज़िन्दगी, मस्ताना ये कारवां

Aiming Low Is a Crime

That is what former president and renowned scientist Dr. A. P. J. Abdul Kalam said once. The words resounded in my ears so many times that I could not resist but post my few cents on the subject. It is needless to say that I would be hardly able to do justice to words of one of the greatest living legend, but still worth a try. After all, aiming low is a crime.

THEY say ‘don’t rise so high that it pains badly once fallen’. But then, what is the point in rising little, falling little, learning little and giving little in descending order of scheme? YOU and I are little objects in the context of universe and then if YOU and I do not dare, do not dream big, do not bring positive revolution, then who will. Imagine, Thomas Alva Edison thinking on these lines. Don’t YOU or I get the feeling that if he was not, he was committing a crime?

The point lies not in creating name or fame for self. YOU and I would do fair bit of that in entire span of 70-80 odd years – easier said than done though. The point is in answering a question on YOUR or MY deathbed – how had I inherited this beautiful world from my ancestors, what did I make of it and how have I shaped it up – shaped for the generations who are about to take over? If YOU and I dream low, aim low and try low, how would YOU or I answer this question?

Once again, THEY irritate YOU and ME and say, apprehension does not allow dreaming higher and aiming higher. Apprehension – apprehension of what? Only truth is free of fear as Gurudev Tagore conveyed craftily in one of his famous poems. Being true to the cause, motive and means is all it takes. Truth is in aiming high, striving high and not settling even once irrespective of outcomes – flat or enriching. Don’t settle, rather rejoice and relieve YOUR and MY spirits before taking off again.

THEY are around everywhere and they need YOU and ME. YOU and I truly can definitely aim high – high enough to converge THEIR and OUR efforts. Imagine the ‘Luminous Sparks’ that the ‘Ignited Minds’ (YOU, I and THEY) can generate with the ‘Wings of Fire’. His ‘Envisioning an empowered nation’ can never be an incomplete dream then! In context of this post ‘Envisioning an empowered universe’!

Come back soon, Yuvraj! We miss you!

Champions create the destiny for themselves and they do not need the so called ‘luck’ factor in order to stamp their supremacy during small or big battles in life. They more often than not make us believe that champions cannot be made – they are just born to be champs. They are the ones who inspire the whole generation; they are the ones who cross the barrier of generations due to their longevity and endurance.

This post is a tribute to one such champion who is the prince of millions of Indian hearts. The Real Yuvraj. Yuvraj Singh has once again resumed extensive training on his road back to Indian cricket team. Looking at his will power, it is hard to believe why he will not make it and why he won’t be the same. Over the course of past decade, destiny has always tested him and he had overcome all the tantrums that destiny threw at him. Life threatening cancer being the most recent and most unfortunate tantrum.

Cricket lovers would vouch for his cricketing prowess blindly and the impact that he creates in the field. More than anything else, it is his fighting spirit and the greatest of competitiveness that sets him apart in the presence of so many greats around him. It would not be exaggeration to say that Indian cricket owes so many moments of glory only to his self-belief and game changing performances. Yes, countless performances when the chips were down and a billion hopes hinged onto his shoulders.

The “pie-chucker” has revealed that he did not want to see the doctors during the world cup in 2011 when the cancer was in benign stage. All for the dreams of a billion crazy fans! The prince had revealed that he wanted to win the world cup for our little master – Sachin. All for Sachin’s kitty which somehow would not have been complete forever! I had predicted that India would win 2011 world cup. Deep within my heart I knew, ONLY IF, Yuvraj is 75% in form. They say it is a team game but in the hindsight, it is and it was hard to imagine India lifting the world cup without Yuvraj in the side.

For a true cricket lover, cricket won’t be the same without Yuvraj Singh, though the statistics may not be by his side. The sport can’t afford to loose him like that. I wish and hope that Yuvraj makes his way back to the national side soon and once again clobbers Stuart Broad for six half-dozens in as many deliveries in upcoming T20 world cup in September.

Take a bow, Yuvi. You are truly special.

The oasis of peace

In the modern world, the lifestyle seems to advance to the next level ceaselessly. This obviously leads to more prosperous and comfortable life. It does also lead to change in the way society responds to inter-personal needs – sometimes for good and sometimes for bad and finally settling for what suits it best. However, what does not change is the very basic instinct of human being of being social, being approachable and being loved.

To be social, to be approachable and to be loved isn’t an easy one for one has to be social, one has to approach and one has to love. In the middle of demanding work-life, it is all the more difficult to control fleeting thoughts. Fleeting because the world has become closer than ever. Difficult because most of the time, thoughts are pre-occupied. In the middle so much of flutters, not only one suffers mentally and emotionally, but also physically - the last being the most unfortunate.

Mental and emotional losses can get compensated over medium to long term, but how about physical loss! All those years of slogging your mind and body can take a toll which can never be cured. Physical gains need consistent intake of fresh air and activities that challenge the body progressively. Instead of being confined to the bed over long weekends (I hope I can reach out to people who burn their calories sleeping till late afternoons), one must look towards investing time in health and fitness. For instance, how about early morning walk on super Sunday, how about couple of hours sweating at a badminton court, how about skipping for few minutes!

Engaging in physical activity does not take much of efforts. It just requires will power to test your physical abilities which would ultimately result into peace of mind in the long run. Alas, it only sounds easy and comforts takes over the will power for many of us! So, if you desire for peace of mind, start testing your muscles and bones!

चिट्ठी आई है...

मिट्टी की महक तुम्हे क्या बताऊ मैं,

खुशबू से लिपटी चादर ओढाऊ कैसे मैं,

पल पल जी चाहे जिस पल को जीना,

उस पल के रूबरू कराऊ कैसे मैं...

तुम छोड़ गए थे प्यारा सा बचपन,

उन यादो के सहारे बहलता अब ये मन,

परदेसी हवाओं में घुल के रह ना जाना तू,

लहराती पछुआ आज भी करती साँसों को नम...

पल बढ़ कर चले गए तुम य़ू दूर,

आँखों की रौशनी जैसे हो गयी हो दूर,

तुम्हारी कामयाबी से चहकता है ये दिल,

पास ना होने से मचलता भी है ये दिल...

कभी तुम आओगे लेके खुशियों की बहार,

पल पल है हमें तो बस वो इंतज़ार,

पल पल जी चाहे जिस पल को जीना,

उस पल के रूबरू कराऊ कैसे मैं...

A Word Worthy of Entry in Oxford

“Somebody who has not gone through this will have only questions, not answers”

This thought is so meaningful and profound. This was a kind of perfect statement said very simply and with utmost humility. I was awestruck and it kind of resounded in my ears several times. Wow! It is very easy to point fingers and put several questions which create doubts in one’s mind as regards ability and tenacity.

Life is a journey and each one of us has our own share of pains and joys. Ifs and buts are easy to manifest and speculate but the real deal is when one is confronted in a specific situation. Sad part though is that even people who have treaded along a path of learning, difficulties and challenges end up being part of the finger pointing mass. I find it really strange.

It is within one’s right to speak his or her mind but one expect the words to be encouraging and constructive. Constructive thoughts bring answers to the table; they carry lamp of hopes and bundle of energies. It requires humility in understanding the fact that there may be turmoil behind a smiling face. It requires dignity in perceiving the fact that the turmoil may be more painful to that smiling face than anything else. It requires sentiments in realizing the fact that the turmoil needs solace and love irrespective of severity.

Plainly deriding something or criticizing someone is the easiest thing to do, especially if one has had been through critical stages of life smoothly. Overcoming such situations on the other side is the most challenging and remarkable thing to do which at the end breeds plenty of modesty and reinforces faith in ability. There is one person who has done it so many times that it is hard to look beyond him for inspiration, gentility and greatness. The aforementioned statement was made by him today in a post-match conference when asked about the questions doing rounds in media of his performance off late.

Take a bow! Sachin Ramesh Tendulkar! Someone aptly said, Microsoft word should not give grammatical error when someone types Sachin!

Randomness!

It is hard to break the rhythm and it is even harder to be back in rhythm. I wonder how past several days have passed in a flash. No thoughts there to introspect either. It has been like flowing like never before. Thankfully, finally sometime to rejoice and rejuvenate.

It has been very good busy time for media these days. One would hardly blink before the other news breaks. World is within thumb’s reach these days which is somehow occupying one corner of the mind in lives of each one of us. It is therefore very important to be with at ease with your own self once in a while. Very important. Some time to spend peacefully with people who matter in your life and who inspire you to live strongly, gleefully and cheerfully.

Imagine one sip of coffee with your dear ones at one remote café and loads of soft music aiding to the wholesomeness of the ambience. No mobile phone strictly! Imagine late night phone call with one of your close friends discussing each and every thing. No facebook status/ likes strictly! Imagine embracing your parents/ spouses for all the strength and tenderness that one needs. No diplomacy allowed in that zone! Indeed, life is made up of all those wonderful moments which often are taken for granted in the mundane daily affairs.

All I say today is:

जी लो ये ज़िन्दगी कुछ इस तरह, गुज़रते लम्हों के साए में,

कागज़ अगर कोरा भी हो तो, मुस्कुराहटो की बहार लाये,

अगर कुछ लिखा भी हो तो बेशक, दास्ताँ बन के रह जाए,

एक बार जो मिली ये ज़िन्दगी, जी लो इससे पहले हाथो से फिसल जाए!

Will-Power Can Beat The Hell

For a moment, I gladly accepted the fact that it can be beautiful without my hero. I wondered what if bodies would break. I left behind the idea of supporting either of them plainly because of nervy moments and sweating palms. But the show kept going on and on till a divine intervention made its presence felt. I say divine because it was only divine that could stop them.

Ever since I saw Roger Federer playing the game, any grand slam final without him never stirred my interest enough to catch a glimpse of the match. Somehow, I managed to watch the first few minutes of the Australian open final on Sunday which featured Rafael Nadal and Novak Djokovic – world no. 2 and no. 1 respectively. If there was any indication of what was in store, it could not have unfolded in a better way – majestic tennis of 353 minutes. We will leave the thought of winner and loser for some other day.

Yes, it ended 353 minutes later. I thought that the Melbourne will have to wait for Monday sunrise to decide the winner. It was a game one would seldom witness in a lifetime. Close matches and long five setters are not uncommon and time and again we have seen a few epic stuffs. But this was something special. It was not a test of technique. It was not a test of knowing each other’s game well. For that matter, there was nothing that Nole or Rafa had to prove. Ever since these guys started playing grand slam, there was writing on the wall as regards their glorious careers.

It was a test of mental toughness between the two of the mentally toughest sportspersons in this era. It was a test of overpowering every bludgeoning cross court forehands or baseline winners. There was tremendous display of high class professional tennis coupled with a will to smash each other to the extent of beating the hell out of each other. Final hour of the play had it all. Bodies were literally howling in never ending rallies. Nole almost broke his body in the longest rally of the match deep in the fifth set. Yet, it never looked like anyone of them was willing to offer a single inch of room. Each point was fought harder and harder.

The game eventually ended because it had to end. But, there was not one winner for me. If there was a rule, I could think of stopping them at some stage and declaring both of them as winners. Both of them displayed Great Spirit, Competitiveness and Will-Power to say the least. It is our fortune that there are so many great tennis players around us who play hard and fair game slam after slam. Take a bow – Nole and Rafa! You both deserved to win!

We are with you, Maahi!

For most of us, New Year means new hopes. With this very hope, we have embarked a wonderful journey of 2012. By journey, essentially I refer to the experiences – good or not so good, heartening or at times heart-breaking, jolly as well as somber. Who says life is always going to be a mattress of pink roses. And when there are thorns, there comes learning which makes one go wiser, steadier and balder ;)

Perhaps, this is what MS Dhoni meant during the post-match conference after Sydney test which India lost to Australia by unbelievable margin. Over four years of his captaincy, he has been through a golden patch which never seemed to end and people wondered at one point whether it will ever end. When India faced the ignominy in England few months back, a lot of factors were attributed to the mass failure which looked ok and sustainable to the cricket crazy nation including fans, media and experts. We not so open-heartedly accepted the defeat but eventually moved on. New Year has not changed the fortunes for Dhoni either – a master of leadership, humility and sportsmanship.

Two consecutive losses in Australia – first Melbourne and then Sydney – took the tally of test matches lost by India on foreign soil to a consecutive six. Now, there are questions being raised on the man who could never do wrong. Captain Dhoni finds himself on the firing line. Well, there may be some tactical errors which could well be one of the reasons behind such failure. And Dhoni admittedly understands the learning in the process. If you follow media, there are hundreds of other reasons that one may hear.

This post is not about getting into details of any specific reason. It may sound a voice of a sentimental cricket fan, but I tend to believe that these are the players who can deliver the results lack of which is being scrutinized to every detail. Can’t we just keep things simple and humbly accept that opposition has played better than us? May be, our preparation was not up to the mark? May be, we did not click collectively? May be, there are some issues within the team management internally?

I am sure that Dhoni knows it well within his jurisdiction and he is not the one to sit back and relax. For God sake – give him time to work through the system of test cricket amidst crazy limited overs environment (including bizarre scheduling) and ever-changing team dynamics including fitness management. Let him take a call which he is quite aware of (he openly admitted to the fact that he may not play in world cup 2015). He never expressed the responsibility that he has carried over past four years and therefore, we don’t even come close to appreciate that. Don’t write him off for he has given us every reason to smile in his short term of captaincy. If at all anyone has to be blamed, it has to be the infrastructure which has undergone radical and stupid changes due to boom-boom hitting caused by T-20 format.

I would instead admire courage of Dhoni who understands gravity of each question posed to him and answers honestly to his best. He may sound stereotype but isn’t he balanced, isn’t he calm amidst chaos, hasn’t he put his head up and sounded ready to face the next challenge and immeasurable pressure built by media. Not to forget the pressure of leading the team and working with administrators who are hell bent to transform the gentleman’s game into money-generating case study. His is the leadership we must treasure. His is the leadership we must respect. And his is the leadership which we must handle with care for his is the leadership so rare.

A great year and few underrated heroes

Bidding adieu is one of the toughest things to do and the time has come again to say goodbye to another year. The term goodbye is so powerful that it moves hearts, drenches the eye-lashes and leaves memories forever. The term goodbye is so powerful that it gives “the hope” its meaning and “the optimism” its importance. Before we say goodbye to this wonderful year, I would dedicate this post to few individuals who have been so underrated in their long-lasting career in their respective fields.

In the middle of vanishing trust in politicians and vastly contaminating field of politics, there is one Congressman who has seen it all in his long political career and stood firm on his credibility not only amongst the people but also in the ranks of opposition. He has served more than four decades in the parliament. In a year when central government has been found lost amidst several social, economic and political issues, he has been the saviour of the government and aptly termed as the crisis manager. Mr. Pranav Mukherjee is a true statesman and hugely understated amongst the masses for his efforts in helping Indian National Congress (INC) run a coalition government which INC is not used to since the independence. May he continue to leverage his long political experience for the betterment of our country which badly needs it now!

This was a year when Indian cricket was supposed to prolong its number one position in test cricket. This never seemed possible and was never possible. Amidst heart shattering performances in test cricket by team India, which eventually cost us this number one position, there is one true individual who came out of a rough patch and emerged as only successful batsman. A true and down-to-earth gentleman, a great team-man, he has always put the team ahead as the team needed him. He survived tough demands of one day cricket over 15 year long career and in the fading years of his limited overs cricket, even matched the stroke making requirements of T-20 cricket. As a matter of fact, he will now lead Rajasthan Royals in the next IPL. Now second highest run-getter in test cricket and highest run-getter in tests in the year 2011, Rahul Dravid is a cricketer very understated compared to what he has done to Indian cricket.

New Delhi hosted common wealth games in the year 2010 and the event was a great success. The infrastructure of New Delhi benefitted enormously from this event and Delhi metro led the development story in the capital. Just upon completion of phase II of Delhi metro project, the metro has been able to connect all the major areas of Delhi. The man who has been behind all this has retired from his office today. Famous as a very sincere, honest and hardworking professional, he has delivered projects to Indian railways, Calcutta metro and DMRC which were of highest standards. His integrity come to the fore when he offered to resign as MD of DMRC taking moral responsibility for collapse of under construction bridge during Delhi metro project. I truly salute Mr. E. Sreedharan and several like him who work relentlessly in the background and are never known to the general public who indeed owe them a lot.

P.S. – I wish a very happy and prosperous new year to all the readers. Love you all! You all are so wonderful! Happy Blogging!

Flashing in the mob

It is holidays season once again and we are about to say goodbye to another year which had its own share of mixed events. Well, past is something which always had some good and some bad. What is definitely good is the future. I am more optimistic than ever today as several exciting moments of a wonderful life keep on unfolding. Indeed a wonderful journey the life itself is!

I thank all the readers who come here on this space and give me inspiration to write random thoughts. Most of the times, you will find this space serious and heavy. Therefore, I thought of bringing something entertaining on the plate today. In this particular year, we saw the concept of flash mob hitting metro cities and few other cities in India. It took me some time to get used to the term but this was something very very interesting. The idea dates back to 2003 when it was coined for the first time in Manhattan. However, it is now that it has come to India.

We all have seen what a Kolaveri can do. The audience prefers natural way of presenting the songs and videos these days. No wonder the flash mobs have drawn large amount of interest on the similar lines. All of a sudden, you see volunteers picking up in numbers in the middle of a busy street or a huge mall to entertain the public who is so engrossed in the daily affairs. Few in the public take weeks to smile whole heartedly. And the flash mob does the job of bringing back those smiles amidst a tough and tiring day out of nowhere.

Check this for instance. This is easily the best shot flash mob and deservingly attracted maximum hits on youtube among Indian flash mobs. You would see a lot of jaded face in the public which Mumbaikars can relate to easily. But then, look at what these youngster brought for them all of the sudden – smiles, fun and joy which perfectly matched with the flavour of the song.

I personally liked this one. Never thought this could happen in Kochi. They know how to add flavours in life and that too in true Indian spirit. Those kids seem wonderful and they really entertained big time. Three cheers to the dancing passion that can be seen only in southern part of India. They dance and they dance wonderfully.

Now the last piece that I thoroughly enjoyed is this one. This can happen in Park Street only on a lazy Sunday. I was chuckling to see the choice of song for a typical Kolkatan. You can be easily forgiven to assume that this was not Kolkata. What is missing in Kolkata these days is perhaps the vibrancy that came along with this song. I could only wish for its rubbing effect on to Didi! :)

Enigma of being a celebrity

The other day Amitabh Bachchan reminisced of his early days spent in Delhi winter – one what he described as a feature of ‘carefree life’. When asked about the place of original individuality in his very glamorous world, Karan Johar told us in an office gathering that it is already lost. Both of these responses from eminent bollywood personalities set me ponder on the enigma with which these people live – day in day out.

Be it cricketers, be it filmstars, be it other renowned personalities – the world knows them by what they do. For their popularity, only yardstick is probably their performance, delivery and product. Probably because it should be that ways, ideally! But then, the occupation of being a celebrity comes with an inherent hazard as Karan put it. There is one section of society who believes in criticizing the best of the works. There is a section called media who hovers around every possible inch of space in the life (personal as well as professional) of these celebrities. There is this self-inflicted image of being a celebrity which does not let them be their normal self after years of glory in public eyes.

Followers of Indian cricket would remember the incidence when stones were pelted at the house of our beloved cricketers’ homes after an early loss in World cup 2003. The same followers showered flowers during the spring of 2011 when the team – mostly comprising of same individuals – won them the world cup. Strange world – isn’t it? As a follower, as a fan, we tend to get emotional in a game when the chance of winning is 50% in each game for each team. Sachin Tendulkar said once in a pre-match interview that the other team also comes to play and with a mindset to win. No one likes the defeat.

Similarly, the filmstars slog hard to produce movies which are one of the best pastimes for us in India. Some of us may like it, some of us may not. Some of these movies may generate record breaking revenues; some can make the producers go bust. Our job should be limited to passing the judgment whether the movie was good or otherwise. But quite often, the good or bad work goes into the sentiments and nerves of the viewers and there emerges a strong liking or dislike for one particular personality on a personal level even without a single interaction. Constant criticism and media pressure gives way to an identity which in the first place is so superfluous.

Living with originality will be a tall order for them for they also have 24 hours to work with. It is widely said and believed that grass is greener on the other side. In the process, what is forgotten is that there are sides without grass too; there are sides where the grass is brown, dry and insipid. One may want to be a celebrity but there is a price for which it comes for. I would be rather contemplative and appreciative of what these celebrities go through and at the same time how they put up brave front to do things over and over again which offer a platform to rejoice, celebrate and entertain.

Hope I can be heard...

Almost 10 days ago, Kolkata woke up to another morning of sorrow, anger and losses. Little can I say to console the Kolkatans who lost their recuperating kin and relatives in supposedly one of best private hospitals (AMRI) due to an avoidable fire. As happens with most of the tragedies, this one too saw some blame game to begin with, continued with political propaganda coming to the fore and finally news channels flashing the combining effect of all the above.

Readers of this blog will remember the best things about Kolkata in my own words in one of the earlier series on the city of joy. Very generously, I ignored the grey shade of the city perhaps because the flow was so beautiful and at times romantic. Alas! All is not beautiful in this world and we have seen from time to time that it is not. I would not like to portray a grey shade of one particular city here, but from what we saw was mostly apologetic from human front and inhuman from safety front.

People flouting the rules and regulations can be seen across the country irrespective of social status, religion, state and background. Before one blames anyone, there is a need to look at one’s own self. How many times have we seen basic rules being flouted – 'umpteen number of times'? Haven’t we? How many times have we refrained from holding the accountables 'the accountable'? Very seldom. Just because it is so easy. Isn’t it? And who cares if these negligent acts cost few lives? None cares – what one care is to blame all the possible culprits once found in this very trap. I can’t see more miser way of looking at life.

My heart goes out to all those people who have been losing their lives due to failure of us as a society to do right things and follow basic discipline in day to day affairs. Yes, there was total lack of leadership in this particular mishap. But, leaders is none but one from us. And when largely the society consists of such mean and rule-breaking people, there is always one such fire on the cards. Sadly, these accidents take place and are then forgotten. No learning taken and chalta hai attitude! No words I have! No sentiments to represent what I think at this juncture! Hope a few handful can hear and understand what my point is!!!