To A Friend

To a friend…

In the confrontation between the stream and the rock, the stream always wins… not through strength but through persistence.

Promise to walk all the way, all I ask is just one first step.
Promise to wait and be patient, all I ask is not to alienate me...

I convince myself that I am used to it, but don't know, it just does not go to my head that I am used to it, so it keeps coming back and it pushes me down. I rise and I walk, and live on... another day and another knife. Sometimes it is sharp, sometimes it is blunt.

Choices to make, chances to take

You chose the path,
I chose to follow.

You chose to demand,
I chose to surrender.

You chose to speak,
I chose to listen.

You spoke of fate,
I spoke of choices.
Choices to make,
Chances to take.

Some where, some one
No where, now here,
Choices to make,
Chances to take.

Give or Live
Just like a broken arrow
Or like a roaring inferno.
Choices to make
Chances to take.

Give or live
Just like a shattered dream
Or like a longing hope.
Choices to make
Chances to take.

Give or live
Just like a withered flower
Or like a hearty lover.
Choices to make
Chances to take.

My Frenzied Mind

Why do we feel that we are stuck and seem to be moving no where? Why do we keep wanting more and more and never to be sufficiently full, despite liking what you do? Is money my motivating factor all of a sudden? Why? I was a firm believer that when you excel in what you do, results come automatically. Now, for the sake of results I seem to be planning my goals in life. And that looks very sad. So I decided that it is time for a little retrospect. And these are the thoughts of that retrospect…

When I was doing my engineering, I always had a plan. I will do a job after I do my graduation. And suddenly, in the final year, I have an even bigger motivation when I started focusing all of a sudden on programming. Prior to that, I wanted to get into ICs (Integrated Circuits). Circuits always fascinated me. The thin copper wires that form the core of the electronics, and when it came to understanding PCs, I was completely amazed at these tiny chips that have an inbuilt circuit to do something truly magnificent. And as usual, I wanted to create something like that. Then is the JAVA’s influence on me, a language that grew Internet to the proportions now seen. It fascinated me. And I decided that this is it, I shall be a master of that (Ha!). I guess I was falling in love for the first time. Anyways, I decided I would do certifications. I would be the best in my chosen field. And then I would do MBA, a combination of technical plus soft skills will take me to places, was what I thought. Well, not bad for a graduate with lack of exposure, right???

Then came the dreadful process of job-hunt, managed to scrape through and here I am in my office, in retrospection and thinking about my past and future. Am I what I thought I should be 2 years ago? Yes, I should say I am. I am a SCJP and a SCWCD, but what next? Am I the best? Am I on the way to becoming the best? On both counts it’s a NO. Why? Welcome to the real world, of IT. There is nothing like being best as I am not inventing anything. As they say, software is not re-inventing anything like what Einstein did; you only do better things with minimum effort. In short words, I end up doing SMART work. And am I happy? I have no straight answer for that. I am happy with what I do, because I am learning. And I am happy doing it. The lust for knowledge has not reduced and I don’t see it reducing any time sooner. So, what next? What do I need to do? Where do I see myself heading?

One of my friends, the other day, was saying that my core motivation comes from a very basic idea, to have an internal satisfaction over material benefits. But will that be sufficient in the long run to satisfy my needs or will I be compromising at that point of time? Then is the question of integrity. Am I willing to compromise on that? The very idea is revolting.

As I tend to gain experience in life, it is not turning out to be any better or easier. Again I see myself standing at cross roads, personally and professionally and I am confused. Standing up to my ideals is like trying to balance myself over a double-edged knife. Journeying ahead is becoming treacherous.

But then, whom am I kidding? Don’t I love a challenge? The difficult it is, the better it is. This is MY life and circumstances or none, I write my destiny. Good or bad, I will stick by it. I shall face it head on and I WILL WIN.

This is new to me, self-doubt.
This is new to me, being in the darkness.
This is new to me, pessimism.
But,
It is not new to me, getting up from the dumps.
It is not new to me, trying to find my bearings.
It is not new to me, standing up for myself.
It is not new to me, staring at my own fear.
It is not new to me, fighting my own battles, internal or external.
It is not new to me, soaring high.

(A little self talk to motivate myself)

Without “you” there is no “I”

You are worth every insult I face
You are worth every pain I feel
You are worth every tear I drop
You are worth the fight I do today, tomorrow and every other day

You are worth the struggle I have today,
to convince you that I am worth it…
I live today, for you
I die today, but for you

“I am not worth it”, you dare not say
You are… you are worth every bit of this pain.

Love might not be easy
Life is not easy
Hope, you give me to face it
Despair is what I feel at the thought of the distance,
That spans not miles but hearts…

Today is for you
Tomorrow is for you
For you and you alone,
For without you there is no tomorrow

In rags I walk with you
In riches I walk with you
In dreams I walk with you
In life I walk with you

Say, you will walk with me
Say, you love me too…
For without you, I am not whole,
Without “you” there is no “I”.

Happy Days...

Hey...
Watched happy days... Beautiful. Not just for the simplicity of the movie, but for a routine that was beautiful. Yeah, get up in the morning, get ready, board a bus, go to college, attend classes, comeback home and finally chat on the phone - a very simple routine. But what makes it beautiful is the bond that is formed with your college mates. From being complete strangers and progressing to friends you can count with your life... that is what this movie is all about.

This movie is for all those people who had a college life... I should say, not just for those, but for everyone who cherish their friends... Though there is nothing much in the movie, except a daily routine of six teenagers progressing towards their life's goals, somehow it was appealing. It reminisced as the title aptly says, happy days of the past. A whirl wind of memories went through me while watching it. And I think every one will connect to one scene or the other and somehow end up being over whelmed by the whole movie.

As days progressed, college life was history, but I clung on to the memories, those happy notes to bring a smile any given day. I never thought I actually enjoyed my college life so much, and watching this movie somehow made me feel that I did not have such a bad college life as I thought I had. Like footprints, friendship leaves its golden trait of memories on the sands of time. And thoughts of those are all it takes to make you smile.

And finally, I loved the closing statement:

This is the end of happy days and the beginning of the most purposeful days in your life....

T20 Inaugural World Cup 2007– A rare title triumph for India

When asked how he would keep his feet on the ground after winning the title. "Maybe," he said, "I can retire from cricket." – Dhoni, Indian Skipper 2007.

A rare and a special moment. India clinches the T20 world cup in a thriller.

The new child of cricket, yet to take its place in the world cricket, could not have asked for a better propaganda, could not have dreamt of a final like this. India vs. Pakistan in the finals, 40-over match with victory playing peek-a-boo with both the teams, before saying “booooo……….” and extending its hands for a warm embrace to India. That is India vs. Pakistan for us.

Amidst the tense moments, a few “aaaa…s” and a few “ooo…s” and a few heart-stopping moments, India has done it! Sweeping aside the hurt of ICC world championship, we WON a nail-biting thriller. We are the champions and we deserve every bit of it; the victory, the celebration, the stardom.

Gambhir’s fearless batting allowed us to pose a respectable total. And R.P.Singh shall now become a HERO for Indian cricket with his performance in T20. Little to choose between Irphan Pathan’s crucial middle-over spell, Joginder Sharma’s final over, Uttapa’s run out and Sreesanth’s wicket among his frenzied rhythm, India has clinched the title. Whatever Sreesanth fouled in his bowling, he made up for it in his wicket of Sohail tanvir and his catch of Misbah who threatened and almost took away the match from us. With world cup at stake, and a thousand eyes watching the ball and a few million hearts in their throats and team-mates hopes on him, only he shall know how he did it. Clinging onto the ball with his life, he signalled the close of the match. After two weeks of outstanding, back to back performances from team India against England, South Africa, Australia and Pakistan, India won the inaugural world T20 championship at the Wanderers.

Again the cricket fanatics, the same fanatics who burned the effigies of our team India a few months ago, shall start worshipping these new heroes and start expecting the unreachable… and so, before our cricket loses its beauty, thanks to the craziness of the fans… thanks to the media hype with the polls, tarot cards, discussions and voting, let us savour this victory. Let us drain our highly emotional quotient completely and celebrate while the victory is still alive and fresh. Let us join hands in applauding the young team who played fearlessly with unity and was led by a person who still has a long way to go in cricket. The beauty of this victory is its freshness and the passion with which the game was played. This team came in with the least expectations and enjoyed their game. Held their nerve and played cricket in its true beauty. The tune of this new team sounds melodious. Let us allow them to bask in this glory for a few days.

Twenty20 Championship… FINAL: India vs. Pakistan 2007

A torrent of emotions is running through me today. Woke up with the hope of seeing India rising again and with a hope that Indian Cricket does have a future, however tiny it may seem, after the retirement of the three legends of the current Indian cricket.

As every Indian, I too felt despondent at the exit from the world cup, not so much for the exit but for the way the exit happened. With Dravid relinquishing the responsibility of skipper, felt even lost as I felt no one is willing to take this Indian team into their arms and cuddle and protect them from the demands of modern day cricket. To say that it is OK to lose as long as you give your best. With the wall crumbling, felt that the anchor is lost. And it felt good to see that all hope is not lost and the young India is shouting and beating its heart with a rare passion and saying Chak De India… calling to attention to all those who wrote off the team.

I could not digest the shock of Dravid’s decision, however perfect it may be. Though it is early to comment on the captaincy of Dhoni, it feels fresh to see the team without the seniors and the big names creating ripples on the news front.

The dream final, yet to unfold, promises to be a seat-edge thriller. With the drama and passion of India-Pakistan match, with the ferocity of a world cup final, where teams are battling against the remnant memories of ICC World championship, this match promises to be breath-taking. And yet again, India proved the world wrong. Written off, isolated, without a coach and the batting greats in the team, there was not much to ask for. But they rose above the expectations, like a ball hit hard on the ground… only to reach higher rewriting the script and it couldn’t have been written better.

Yuvraj, a person with talent that was promising and a rare skill came unleashed like an inferno, blasting everything that came his way. Playing with an adeptness of sourav and Sachin, he moved into an iconic status over-night. It is scary, this kind of star-dom. Left out of the team, this persona of good talent, who kept fighting for his place in the team, now looks ahead into his role as a finisher in the ODIs and to lend a credibility to batting in tests. But only if he continues to keep knocking on the door does the opportunity open up to him. He now created an opportunity and it is up to him to reach the heights he dreamed of, when he started playing this game.

Taking it one day at a time, the resurgence of Indian cricket sounds promising. This new child of cricket seems entertaining and more demanding and only time can tell its influence. As the current life style, short and demanding, this is only for the fittest of the sport, with a will to hold their nerve.

Wishing India success…

Chak De India!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Awesome is the word that comes to the mind. What is this Chak de fever anyways?

Well, it’s a movie, so the winning part is inevitable. With all due respects to the sporting personalities in India, who have the killer instinct in them, winning is not just about will and perseverance. It also requires athletes who have the ability to endure the toughest of the challenges thrown at them. It is about their walk up the alpine peak and though a major part is a mind game, another 35% is the athleticism in the individuals. So are we having those muscles here, who can make India proud? Who can put India back onto the map again?

Anyway, let aside the movie, what is its undercurrent theme?
It’s about the fight of a man who raises above his inner conflicts to do the job he loves. Accepting the responsibility of a task that is nearly impossible and to tune the mediocre people who have little interest in hockey to world champions is not an easy task. But, coach Kabir Khan does it. Accepts it, challenges it and wins over it. It shows a person willing to accept the challenges and face the consequences for what he accepts. It is about a person who has the courage to raise above his inner turmoil.

It is about the girls who compete not just to win the cup but to fight against the egos of all the male chauvinists. It is about the women who have to fight not just for what they love but against the male egos to reach what they aspire for. Every step forward, they cross the barriers of the society and they symbolize the growing independence of the women in our country.

This movie is a call to all of us to raise above caste, creed and gender to help ourselves and our nation to move forward, to compete with each other yet work together to bring the best from within us. This movie tells us to focus on the journey and that the end shall take care of itself. Above all, it reminds us to identify ourselves as Indians and to put in effort to reach success.

I am here for you

A thousand miles of distance...
Close your eyes to hear your heart beat…

Days drag on with void…
Fill them up with our stories.

Hurdles weigh you down…
Hold on to me, we will trudge the uphill together.

Courage takes a break…
Share mine and we will cross the barriers with a smile.

Smile eludes me…
Look at me, and you will find it right beside u

I feel alone…
I am here for u… and when I say I am here, I mean it, for as long as you need me in whatever way you need me…

Harry Potter and Order of the Phoenix

Ha… watched Harry Potter and Order of the Phoenix. Loved every bit of it, though non-Harry Potter fans might not find it interesting. I simply liked the way the director gets to the story without so much as bothering to introduce the wizard community or any earlier versions. Liked the final 20 minutes of the movie, though the ending was a little disappointing. I mean, it was not like that of the book. But you can take only so much in the given two and half hours!!!!!

I could not believe I was so excited about it. For the past one and half day, I spoke nothing but Harry Potter, Harry Potter and Harry Potter. Dreamt about it as well :). Whether this movie creates any new records or not, the movie is a must watch for every Harry Potter fan, and I shall watch it again, if only to see the last half hour.

The highlights of the movie apart from Radcliffe’s action was the fire works of Fred and George and the sinister teacher Professor Dolores Umbridge’s steely smile and her chuckle. Radcliffe has lived his role to perfection, be it the anger, be it the coyness, be it the anxiety, be it the fear, be it the rebellious thoughts… he ROCKED!!! The movie was fabulously taken, though I felt one or two important scenes have not been taken. I remember every single sequence of the novel that I find it hard to convince myself that the movie was fantastic, but unlike other movies this has not taken away the major part of the story, nor did it introduce any new script. It took the story from the novel, not based it, rather attempted to direct it as it is or rather for what it is.

The let down was that the movie progressed to the climax abruptly. The climax scene is good by all standards, though the Order as such was not given much importance. Since the movie was about the Order of Phoenix, it would have been nice to see the Order being given at least another 2-3 minutes in the climax. Ron had absolutely no role to play in this movie. Ginni could have been portrayed much better, Hermione could have had a much better role to play as well at least in Umbridge's room that was leading to the climax. Neville’s role was not as highlighted as was done in the novel, but considering that the movie, by far being the longest of the Harry Potter films with two and half hours, its understandable to let that go. And finally, the climax itself. The special affects were good, but there is no leading into the Sixth movie and Dumbledore’s heavy role was underplayed, for instance, why does Dumbledore ignore Harry and does not meet his eye in any of the scenes? And where is this final talk between Harry and Dumbledore???

Criticisms aside, you got to give it to the director for bringing a cheer to the Potter fans and bringing the characters to life. You got to give it to the actors who played their roles to perfection. Every scene was terrific, meticulously neat and efficient. This is the best Harry Potter movie, be it the story or the direction or the actors coming up of age or the story finally moving forward, it has action, fun, thrills and above all magic.

So, Gear up Potter fans!!!!! Daniel Radcliffe is ready to soar high and so are millions of teenagers hearts… trust me!!!

Wimbledon 2007 - Nadal vs Federer

Awesome… simply awesome… a little unfortunate for Nadal…
If it wasn’t one Roger Federer at the other end, I would have said that the play was even. But now I have to say that Federer was made to earn this accolade… Obviously, breaking the record of one of the tennis greats should be nerve shattering, else it would not seem such a great achievement!

I decided it would not be worth watching the match, since the victory is tiresomely predictable. Especially with Harry Potter being aired on TV the same day, it really was not worth watching even the Wimbledon final when it is Federer on court :). But with the flick of a lazy hand, I switched to see if it can be called a Grand Slam final. And yes, it was!!! Savage, fast-paced, brilliant and thrilling.

Fabulous display of lightning tennis all round. Nadal looked deadly. But Federer charmed his magic again … wrote a script yet again that matched none but his own and inched closer to the record of all time tennis great Pete Sampras. (“It takes me five Wimbledons and three Australian Opens and three US Opens to just get close to him. So it just shows you what a great player he was.” – Federer after the match).

With blistering cross-court winners, and stupendous fore-hand shots, Nadal rose the bar of his game and looked like the champion to be… but even that was not sufficient for the champion. It was like a master, toying you to his tune and finally decides, enough! and blows you away with his hidden artillery. Nadal was exceptional in not giving away an easy victory, yet… there is an inch that was not covered, a lesson to be remembered. To win, courage and persistence are not alone sufficient, you need the weapons that match your opponent… and when it is Federer you need a Harry Potter wand to produce miracles. But now he was left with the only choice of taking a solace in bringing a frown to the other wise serene forehead of the current champion.

It took my heart out that Nadal could not inch closer, but the way Federer soaked the sledge hammer of Nadal to lift the cup is the mark of his greatness.

Indian Soap Operas - Shudder!!!!

Ha… finally an end to the never-ending saga of challenges of Tulsi in “Kyunki saas bhi kabhi bahu thi”… But Wait… O NO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!……… The role literally rose from the ashes to come back!!! Not again………. Please…..

Are these serials contemporary to the modern India?

I dare say that the roles depicted in the serials of the typical “saas’ and “bahu”, when taken not too seriously in their literal sense may be considered as worth watching, but the never ending pain and sheer nerve of the heroines is a bit too much. The saga continues mercilessly and the story becomes predictable (with a few serials of the same back-drop being telecasted in all the channels now). The core-story that these serials portray is mostly: politics within the family, about the mother-in-law’s harassing the daughter-in-law, about men sacrificing their “Oh, so called love” for their family, about parents forcing kids to marry according to their wishes, about the soon-to-be “saas” brain washing her son’s lover about the differences in their status, and the “so-called” lover moving out of the path owing to the ridicule they foresee … about marital rape, about sexual harassment, about benevolent relatives giving away their kids to the childless relatives, about wily sister-in-laws, about obscene relationships, about extra-marital relations, about ruthlessness, about inter-marrying between brother’s wives nad sister’s husbands, about sacrifices, about compromises, about love, about drugs and what not, you name it, you have it in your soap… and frankly the mixture is like a pigsty.

I am personally longing for serials which have more practicality than joint-family problems, and a house-wife holding the reins of the family-horse. I am tired of these typical house-wife persona portrayed in the serials, and am longing for serials like “friends” that portrays a simple day-to-day life of friends or “Full House”, a beauty which speaks volumes on family relations or to an extent “Left, Right left”, though I am darn sure army would never involve so much of drama and is way too neat, and the soldiers being way too professional and solid, but at least it gives a break from a typical house-wife routine or about serials where sacrifice is a life breath of it…

I am longing for sheer elegance and practicality and fun. I am looking forward to serials that portray a simple family that is built on shared responsibilities and values between its members, about a life of a typical family rather than a business tycoon and his saga with all the “Masala” of an Indian traditional Neanderthal concoction. Instead of loving every day of our progress towards our destiny, and making the most of the day in progress, why should we be bogged down by the problems which don’t have immediate, quick-fire solutions? Instead of treasuring our life, why are we portraying it as a tornado of problems, problems and problems? Life is not simple, I agree, but it is not a weight which we are dragging on our backs. It’s our life, and we can carry it with poise and elegance and take the happenings in the stride. Portray intellectuality, portray self-respect, portray confidence and attitude, portray logic and above all portray life to be beautiful and portray happiness. That is what I like to see in the media today, not a serial killer, or a half-baked story, or a public nudity portrayed as “high-class” style, hip and happening.

I guess the answer is in the deep-rooted culture, tainted by chauvinists of the then era. Time to grab the best of our values and welcome the changes that are taking place in the current society owing to the cross-cultural mingling. Time to take pride in self respect and start living a life, our life.

Dreams

A typical day begins with a yawn and a lazy stretch and a longing look at the bed and walking out to face the bright morning sun. The warm rays hitting your eyes are refreshing enough, but a cup of coffee to welcome it is even more pleasant, and that is what I love. Then, what do I do? I think of my dreams. Every morning, starting the day with what I want to be a day from now to what I want to be a year from now is my motivation. Though thinking about my dreams day-in and day-out might sound like a little too perfect persistence, I do think about today, at least.

Dreams are the threads that bind the beginning and the end of a life. If I cannot picture myself a year from now or ten years from now, I think I am missing out on something that is very vital for survival, DREAM. The symbol I portray for myself at the end is a self-contained, independent and loyal woman, elegant and intelligent, a person with integrity and honesty. I pray everyday that I have the courage to face the facts of life as I understand through day’s experience, that I have strength to challenge my fears and achieve my dreams. The crawl is slow, but its there, and I am happy. A typical Gemini that I am, a creature of change, a natural chameleon (which is so not true!!), I aspire to leap to my dreams than walk! But yeah!!! Life’s a hard teacher, it forces through your throat - the lessons it wants to teach, and smirks at your face with joy. But, well, I am happy to remember those lessons, lest I should stumble on my face.

Dream, so that you can reach out and touch it.
Work, so that the dream becomes a reality.
Live in the present, because it helps shaping better tomorrows, and brings you closer to your dreams.

A morning's incident

An incident from one of the fresh mornings I thought might be good to share…

Early mornings are the best, the sun rising, a giant fire ball shining bright orange, masking the day’s monstrous heat… I love to see the serenity of the morning, blur into the monotony of the day’s rush… I love to catch the early dawn to see it in its simplicity, transforming itself into another charade… we being the pawns of the life’s chess play…

So that morning, since I was down in the dumps due to some reason, I went upstairs to watch the sun rising, with a thousand thoughts and a few zillion emotions running through me..

I have seen this old couple walking past in the morning. I know them. Grand-pa stays next to my friends place, and he plays along with his grand-child and my friend’s sister (who, I think is 6yrs old)… every evening… I guess the couple goes for a morning walk. While returning, I have seen these people stopping near a shop to take milk and eggs… While grand pa was holding the packet of milk, granny was holding a pack of eggs in a cover. While walking the distance, grand pa was trying to get hold of the packet from her. And granny was not seizing the pack to him… Finally he managed to get a hold on the packet, and put an arm round her shoulder… She shied away from him, with a tender smile on her face, and held his hand, and they both walked away together.

Somehow that incident lifted my spirits, a simple and a cozy incident filled with love… What is she? At least 50-55, and he may be 55-60… still has the coyness in him, to actually take his wife into his arms on a road??? And that lady turns 16 again!!! Still feels the freshness of the youth in her…

It’s amazing how a spark of love binds complete strangers, and drags them through the life’s treacherous paths. Hearts have a telegraph of their own, whose messages are as sure and swift as those sent over material lines which link continent to continent and shore with shore.

Somehow this incident refreshed me that day… made me come out of the emptiness I was feeling, and it refreshes me today as well...

I wish...

I wish I can stroll on the sea-shore
And hear the incessant ramblings of the sea…

I wish the waves would touch my feet,
Creating flutters in my heart…

I wish I can sit on the rocks
And let that music echo in my ears…

I wish I can gather the shells
And countless pebbles, with the pride of an innocent kid…

I wish I can fly high in the sky
And challenge the mighty eagle…

Wish I can land on the moon
and claim it mine…

I wish I can wander in the enchanted woods…
Hoping to be lost in its vastness

Alas…. I wish I can take a break from the numerous thoughts
that surround me!!!

An ode to the smiling assassin

I love my team… Good or bad, better or worse, they are the people who represent India’s passion. May be its wrong to treat sport as anything but sport. But this is India, and its cricket, and hence I can get away with calling it anything. But “IT’S JUST A SPORT!!!”

After the disappointing exit, and horrendous out burst from the fans… the hue and cry being as usual humiliating… I wonder why these people ever want to play for us… but I would like to spare a thought for my fellow country men, and reaffirm the thought that not all are frenzy fanatics of the game, there are a few with sane mind, warm heart, and a cool head who are willing to shoulder your anguish and disappointment… and still have the guts to smile and accept the defeat in the hands of a team that out-classed us on that day… and wish the best for you… Till another day, “Well played Lanka…”

Now these are not the best of times for Indian cricketers, and certainly not the time to celebrate the exit of the legend of Indian Cricket, the king of Indian Spin, the smiling assassin “Anil Kumble”…, but I would like to do just that… because no defeat is worth undermining the absence of Anil in the Indian Cricket team, though he was forced to retire much earlier… a proven match winner left from the team for the likes of amateurs… and the best part is that he accepted it with a smile, swallowed the anger, waited for the opportunity… and delivered…

Anil Kumble… a SOLDIER, a fighter… untiring in his effort, ruthless in precision, a wily fox in terms of plotting the batsman’s dismissal… there are many a times when watching the match that I have seen his breath taking googlies… seen the plot of a master-plotter for a batsman… left gaping at deliveries and could only be happy that he is playing for India and not against… I could feel the tension in the nerves, waiting to jump from the cushion every single ball anticipating the wicket… I cannot forget his mesmerizing ten wicket haul against Pakistan, nor can any Indian, nor can any cricket lover… I cannot forget his batting adventure with Srinath to win the titan cup final against South Africa,… and these cannot even begin to say how effective a player he is…

Ball after ball, he comes at you with the ferocity and intensity of a lion, discreetly and tidily aggressive, he comes up with a performance of infallible majesty and transcendental brilliance and you never know when you are out… and you can only be stunned by that lethal delivery and accept that this is humanly possible!!!!!!!!!! An under-rated cricketer, a loner in a team game, I can only applaud your performance and contribution to this game… any words of appreciation cannot match the magnanimity of your presence in cricket. Be it taking the back lash of fans and critics, be it warming the bench or be it paving way for your students, be it swallowing the pain of being dropped from important matches, you accepted it with a smile… SMILING ASSASSIN… selfless, lethal, intense, committed being your synonyms…

I like to high light a node in his career… which to me is the BEST…
After being dropped from the first test in Port Of Spain despite being fit, he had a point to prove. And when he was picked for the final test in St Johns, (Antigua in 2002 against West-Indies) before he had a chance at redemption, he had a broken jaw, thanks to a bouncer from Merv Dillon. However, on the third day, when the match was headed for a dull draw… one would expect him to relax, but not Anil.. he could not eat, he could not talk, he could not drink.. but he could bowl… and he did just that, he came up with a performance that can only be described as mesmerizing on a wicket where bowlers had no chance absolutely… He bowled 14 best overs in his life, scalping Brian Lara… as LBW… and going at others with a methodical precision long before giving up the fight… and left the field for a standing ovation … and rightly so… and now he plans to end his ODI career... after India’s debacle in Port Of Spain, 2007…

Though the exit is hurting, it fits the debacle of the team, and the sorry ending though can only be described by life not being a fairy tale. It’s a wonder that Kumble and great have not come in a sentence too often, but this lone fighter of Indian bowling after Srinath (another maestro) retired does not expect recognition, rather goes about his job with a perfection that can only be quotidian… Hopefully this uncomplicated performer, shall paint his canvas of test cricket as Da Vinci used his brush… and shall leave the test cricket with the foot prints of a rare genius...

Whispers of the heart

Listen to the whispers…
Echoing in your heart
Give it a will
And look at it… a fire in your heart
Bubbling and ready to explode…
Hold it…
Thrive on it…
Live in it…
Without warning, night becomes day…
Strain becomes vengeance…
It takes you to the dreams you hold dear
It takes you to lands unseen…

Inner Voice

Days come and go
Dreams wither and threaten
Smiles elude and deceive

I keep fighting the lump in my throat,
I keep pushing the thoughts
Alas!!! It is happening again…
Falling into the clutches of boredom,
I am losing my sanity…

There is this voice in me
That keeps whispering “its ok”…
How will it know that its not…
“Keep fighting” it says, “not a form that it is, to fight”, I say
“Keep Hoping”, it says, “hope for what?”, I say
“Keep Dreaming”, it says… “There you go…”, I say
“Keep Smiling”, it says, “yeah, sure!!!!!”, I say
“Catch it”, it says, and throws a smile… I do…
And here I am, with a smile on my face…
Fresh and raring to go…

“Thank you dear voice”, I say, … “ I cannot hear you”, it shouts…
I smile and I say it again…”thank you”
An echo comes back… “Arise, awake and stop not until the goal is reached…”

World Cup, and an enthusiast...

With just a week b4 India plays its first match in the world cup, just like many ICT ardent lovers, am looking forward for the game... Raring for some action.... waiting for some good cricket... Am I expecting India to win????

Well,.... I am a fan of cricket, and the team has been a huge inspiration to me over the years... but I believe that it is just a sport n not a nations pride or passion... I am ardent admirer of Dravid... who inspired me many-a-time in the tough times, ... Made me look into myself for that inner strength n motivation to reach my goals..., in fact, if I fail to put-in my 100% effort to reach my targets, I am so ashamed to say that I am an admirer of Dravid… n I would be lying if I say I am not expecting something from him n his team... I am expecting them to play their heart-out... they r wearing their heart on their sleeves, n playing for a nation of billion cricket lovers, probably the only nation where cricketers are GODs... though I cannot comprehend why... I mean... there are a bunch of sports out there n bunch of fine, talented youngsters performing in various activities reaching the hilt, putting India on the map..... so what is so special about this sport, that ticks young n old alike? Anywaz, with entire nation going gaga over this world-cup craze, I hope it shall not be another disappointment…

Good luck guys…

U r an inspiration to me… I hope I shall not be disappointed…

Random Quotes

• One machine can do a work of fifty men, No machine can do work of one extra-ordinary man.
• A smile can be like a drop of water in desert... Do not hesitate to smile often :)
• The greatest homage we pay to truth is to use it.
• Minds are like parachutes. They only function when they are open. -Lord Thomas Dewar
• The only time you realise u have a reputation is when u are not living upto it.- Jose Iturbi

Random Quotes

• One machine can do a work of fifty men, No machine can do work of one extra-ordinary man.
• A smile can be like a drop of water in desert... Do not hesitate to smile often :)
• The greatest homage we pay to truth is to use it.
• Minds are like parachutes. They only function when they are open. -Lord Thomas Dewar
• The only time you realise u have a reputation is when u are not living upto it.- Jose Iturbi