When the 'Wall' leads from the front, always scoring and taking some great catches on the field...
When the famed and promising batsmen fail miserably ... The captain no wonder is shocked and dejected.
Friday, March 31, 2006
Ind Vs Eng Mumbai Test Match - Picture tells the story
I managed to get some nice pictures and with the help of my friend and colleague Rafiq, got them into a nice sequence. How true is the saying 'A picture is worth a thousand words' for the third and final test match, England emerging victorious.
When the 'Wall' leads from the front, always scoring and taking some great catches on the field...
When the 'Wall' leads from the front, always scoring and taking some great catches on the field...
Wednesday, March 29, 2006
Commonwealth '06 in Indian newspapers - True performers go unnoticed
It is sad that most of the newspapers dated March 27th decided to splash pictures of so-called Bollywood icons' dance performance at the closing ceremony of 2006 Commonwealth Games. We should be ashamed of not having the pictures of real heroes behind India's success like Samaresh Jung, who achieved the distinction of securing 5 gold medals and would have set a world record in Commonwealth history if his pistol hadn't jammed and deprived him of the elusive 6th.
This once again reflects the sad state where our newspapers neglected the real heroes and resorting to much more glamorous things. Sameresh Jung definitely deserves to be remembered, celebrated and honored much more than Aishwarya Rai or any other cine personality.
As long as we continue to ignore these achievements, our performance in sports at Olympics or other international events can never improve. For God sake - please don't qualify Saif Ali khan / Aishwarya Rai / Rani Mukherjee as cultural ambassadors. Any decent dancer could have performed that show if given chance. We don't need our cine personalities to showcase that.
This once again reflects the sad state where our newspapers neglected the real heroes and resorting to much more glamorous things. Sameresh Jung definitely deserves to be remembered, celebrated and honored much more than Aishwarya Rai or any other cine personality.
As long as we continue to ignore these achievements, our performance in sports at Olympics or other international events can never improve. For God sake - please don't qualify Saif Ali khan / Aishwarya Rai / Rani Mukherjee as cultural ambassadors. Any decent dancer could have performed that show if given chance. We don't need our cine personalities to showcase that.
Sunday, March 26, 2006
Prices of real estates in Chennai - is it worth investing?
Thanks to extravagant and some times, disproportionate pay packages that software industries are offering, I don't know what good things that has happened, but certainly it has contributed immensely to the unnecessary bloating of real estate prices.
If my statement looks prudent, just look at prices of real estate over the past few years. A plot in outskirts of Chennai (much beyond Tambaram) now costs nothing less than 15 lakhs (100,000 is a lakh); it would have been less than 5 lakhs a couple of years back. A month after finishing this article, it would be no surprise if the prices have gone by another lakh. Two important contributors for this price hike - people working in software and NRI (Non-Resident Indians). Being in software, I feel sometime ashamed that we have indirectly contributed to this. Not just real estates, IT industry pay packages have made any types of rent affordable thus indirectly affecting common man who won't be able to pay that and forced to move to an outer area from the centre. This lucrative payment has made many of the house owners greedy when it comes to charging rent.
In the case of NRI, it doesn't make a difference if the constructor adds few hundred rupees per square feet thus resulting in a huge price. The difference between 35 and 40 lakhs is not going to bother a NRI because always they translate that difference into Dollars or other currency and feel that "Oh! It's just few thousand dollars difference". But in reality, if you go and bargain with the constructor, the prices can be brought down to a reasonably existing value. But this depends on factor that there is no one else to buy that. If there is another buyer, the constructor will remark "Sir - there are others who are ready to buy it at this price" indirectly meaning that "If you don't like, get out of this".
Another factor encouraging these two sects of people are the banks - particularly private and MNC banks - offering huge loans. This certainly doesn't look good and calling it as an economic growth is a stupidity. People will only realize when something catastrophic happens and then the prices back to what they should actually be. I am not trying to be a pessimist here, but this trend looks lunatic and I pity all the people who still want to invest very well knowing that they are paying more than its worth.
If my statement looks prudent, just look at prices of real estate over the past few years. A plot in outskirts of Chennai (much beyond Tambaram) now costs nothing less than 15 lakhs (100,000 is a lakh); it would have been less than 5 lakhs a couple of years back. A month after finishing this article, it would be no surprise if the prices have gone by another lakh. Two important contributors for this price hike - people working in software and NRI (Non-Resident Indians). Being in software, I feel sometime ashamed that we have indirectly contributed to this. Not just real estates, IT industry pay packages have made any types of rent affordable thus indirectly affecting common man who won't be able to pay that and forced to move to an outer area from the centre. This lucrative payment has made many of the house owners greedy when it comes to charging rent.
In the case of NRI, it doesn't make a difference if the constructor adds few hundred rupees per square feet thus resulting in a huge price. The difference between 35 and 40 lakhs is not going to bother a NRI because always they translate that difference into Dollars or other currency and feel that "Oh! It's just few thousand dollars difference". But in reality, if you go and bargain with the constructor, the prices can be brought down to a reasonably existing value. But this depends on factor that there is no one else to buy that. If there is another buyer, the constructor will remark "Sir - there are others who are ready to buy it at this price" indirectly meaning that "If you don't like, get out of this".
Another factor encouraging these two sects of people are the banks - particularly private and MNC banks - offering huge loans. This certainly doesn't look good and calling it as an economic growth is a stupidity. People will only realize when something catastrophic happens and then the prices back to what they should actually be. I am not trying to be a pessimist here, but this trend looks lunatic and I pity all the people who still want to invest very well knowing that they are paying more than its worth.
Tuesday, March 21, 2006
Traffic Policeman or Is it a Govt. Employee in uniform seeking alms?
If you had guessed that this is yet another anguish on the conduct of a traffic policeman, you are right. Today, around 9:15 PM, in my bike, I crossed the Gemini circle signal (from Nungambakkam high road towards Cathedral road). The signal was green and turned orange when I had just crossed it. But a traffic policeman emerged from the shadows on the other side (in the style of gangster coming out), asked me to stop and claimed that it was red when I crossed. He didn't look rough or spoke in a rude fashion, but was hell bent on his claim. I shouted at the top of my voice that I didn't violate and it was the last second when I crossed. As usual, he kept on with his claim and I continued to deny.
While this conversation was taking place, an auto just zipped past (violating the signal) and this fellow tried to stop him which is next to impossible. He then came back to me, asked for my license and noted (or should I say scribbled) the number in a paper that he seem to be carrying for long years.
He asusual, said that there is a sergeant on the other side and I have to wait till he comes. I knew bloody well that there won't be anyone and sensed that this fellow was expecting some money. I then told 'Stop messing around. How much do you want? He said "give me 50 Rs". I said "fine. I am giving it because I don't want to waste my time in talking to useless people like you. Let this money be of no use to you". I gave a 100 Rs note and he gave me back 50 Rs. He kept his words. I just shouted at him on not being able to stop vehicles like MTC buses, lorries, trucks, cars who also violate, but he is capable of stopping only motorists and exploit.
I had to cool down myself before starting back thinking that I have paid money to a government employee which will be of some help to him and according to him, the amount received may not be referred to by the word 'bribe'. I was really happy about one thing - that I had shouted at him madly, and put some embarrassing questions which is the maximum I can do at that situation.
While this conversation was taking place, an auto just zipped past (violating the signal) and this fellow tried to stop him which is next to impossible. He then came back to me, asked for my license and noted (or should I say scribbled) the number in a paper that he seem to be carrying for long years.
He asusual, said that there is a sergeant on the other side and I have to wait till he comes. I knew bloody well that there won't be anyone and sensed that this fellow was expecting some money. I then told 'Stop messing around. How much do you want? He said "give me 50 Rs". I said "fine. I am giving it because I don't want to waste my time in talking to useless people like you. Let this money be of no use to you". I gave a 100 Rs note and he gave me back 50 Rs. He kept his words. I just shouted at him on not being able to stop vehicles like MTC buses, lorries, trucks, cars who also violate, but he is capable of stopping only motorists and exploit.
I had to cool down myself before starting back thinking that I have paid money to a government employee which will be of some help to him and according to him, the amount received may not be referred to by the word 'bribe'. I was really happy about one thing - that I had shouted at him madly, and put some embarrassing questions which is the maximum I can do at that situation.
Monday, March 20, 2006
When my 75 year old father says 'Sachin Tendulkar is of no use to the team' ...
My father has never been a keen follower of cricket, but still, whenever India plays, he sits for few hours and watches and tends to blast at the players when our team loses the match without a fight. Today, in the third test match against England at Mumbai, after watching India slowly pulling off the follow-on, courtesy Dravid and Dhoni and then nudging close to 280 with key contribution from Kumble and Sreeshanth, my father remarked "If Munaf Patel can score 7 runs which included a boundary, then bloody, why Sachin manages just one run of 21 deliveries and got out to a nothing ball?" This clearly shows the angish people are getting over Sachin's continous and consistent failures.
Is it time that Greg Chappell says to Tendulkar - "Look, you have not been playing well and it is increasing the pressure on the team. I think it is time for you to step down." He did this to Ganguly and the people supported his decision and frankness in doing so. Will he do the same to Sachin?
The remuneration for players representing Team India is Rs 2.50 lakhs for a Test and Rs 1.85 lakhs an ODI on foreign tours and Rs 2 lakhs a Test and Rs 1.60 lakhs an ODI for a home series. This is not out of my hat - but from the Sportstar magazine. Check out the link - http://www.sportstaronnet.com/tss2907/stories/20060218001001700.htm to read in detail
The way Dravid is playing, the amount of consistency he is showing, I don't remember when was the last time he got out on a low score. At the same time, I don't remember when Sachin made a healthy contribution to the Indian score. Their scoring pattern has been at either ends of spectrum. Sachin's 35th century came against Srilanka, a side that was low in confidence and the innings was such a slow and painstaking I have ever watched. It was equivalent to the century made by Ganguly against Zimbabwe just before he was removed from the team.
It is time for Sachin to honour his own statement - "I will step aside when I feel that I have become a burden to the team". You have certainly entertained this game and played some great innings when you were so young, the type of innings many couldn't even think off.
He still seem to have something left in his one day cricket. But the time has come for a great cricketer like him to retire from Test cricket.
Is it time that Greg Chappell says to Tendulkar - "Look, you have not been playing well and it is increasing the pressure on the team. I think it is time for you to step down." He did this to Ganguly and the people supported his decision and frankness in doing so. Will he do the same to Sachin?
The remuneration for players representing Team India is Rs 2.50 lakhs for a Test and Rs 1.85 lakhs an ODI on foreign tours and Rs 2 lakhs a Test and Rs 1.60 lakhs an ODI for a home series. This is not out of my hat - but from the Sportstar magazine. Check out the link - http://www.sportstaronnet.com/tss2907/stories/20060218001001700.htm to read in detail
The way Dravid is playing, the amount of consistency he is showing, I don't remember when was the last time he got out on a low score. At the same time, I don't remember when Sachin made a healthy contribution to the Indian score. Their scoring pattern has been at either ends of spectrum. Sachin's 35th century came against Srilanka, a side that was low in confidence and the innings was such a slow and painstaking I have ever watched. It was equivalent to the century made by Ganguly against Zimbabwe just before he was removed from the team.
It is time for Sachin to honour his own statement - "I will step aside when I feel that I have become a burden to the team". You have certainly entertained this game and played some great innings when you were so young, the type of innings many couldn't even think off.
He still seem to have something left in his one day cricket. But the time has come for a great cricketer like him to retire from Test cricket.
Saturday, March 18, 2006
Rang De Basanti - Message - kill all corrupt politicians
Rang De Basanti or 'Colours of Spring' - a blend of pre-independence and modern times, reminding the audience that the time is still ripe to clean up Indian political system. If possible, watch the movie 'The Legend of Bhagat Singh' before you watch RDB.
RDB takes the backdrop of Flight Lt. Abhijeet Gadgil, who died due to a MIG 21 flight malfunction in a routine take-off exercise. The first half of the movie presents a completely playful mood. The group of collge students reluctantly agree to do a documentary on Bhagat Singh.
The movie gets into a serious tone when this group of people sit down to watch the full documentary. They are overcome by the mental make-up of the freedom fighters whose role they donned. They start talking about doing something, but then the conviction to take it forward keeps them away.
The news Lt.Col.Ajay's death during his routine MIG 21 take-off and the defense minister getting a clean chit comes as a shock. The rest of the story is about how thse people plan the killing of minister, sacrifice their life before broadcasting their ideals to the public and how that stirs the entire nation. It is bit disappointing to see the young men sacrificing their lives, but their mission to spread the message of corruption and to do something for the country stands out.
Good music by AR Rahman and lyrics by the ad-man Prasoon Joshi keeping up with the situation and adjusting the tempo. RDB might get positioned as a cult movie of this generation - no family drama, no cinematic stunts and no lengthy dialogs.
Hope this movie drives few people conscience - one need not sacrifice their life, but at least try not to disrespect the sacrifices made.
RDB takes the backdrop of Flight Lt. Abhijeet Gadgil, who died due to a MIG 21 flight malfunction in a routine take-off exercise. The first half of the movie presents a completely playful mood. The group of collge students reluctantly agree to do a documentary on Bhagat Singh.
The movie gets into a serious tone when this group of people sit down to watch the full documentary. They are overcome by the mental make-up of the freedom fighters whose role they donned. They start talking about doing something, but then the conviction to take it forward keeps them away.
The news Lt.Col.Ajay's death during his routine MIG 21 take-off and the defense minister getting a clean chit comes as a shock. The rest of the story is about how thse people plan the killing of minister, sacrifice their life before broadcasting their ideals to the public and how that stirs the entire nation. It is bit disappointing to see the young men sacrificing their lives, but their mission to spread the message of corruption and to do something for the country stands out.
Good music by AR Rahman and lyrics by the ad-man Prasoon Joshi keeping up with the situation and adjusting the tempo. RDB might get positioned as a cult movie of this generation - no family drama, no cinematic stunts and no lengthy dialogs.
Hope this movie drives few people conscience - one need not sacrifice their life, but at least try not to disrespect the sacrifices made.
Movie Review: Legend of Bhagat Singh
Although the movie came cose to 3 years back, I took up writing on this after seeing RDB. Bhagat Singh and Chandrasekar Azad - the two men who struck terror in the hearts of British Empire, though finally succumbing to the British power, almost showed the British how powerful revolutionaries can be.
If one ever likes to see a movie on Independence struggle and the sacrifices made, he or she should watch this movie.
Ajay Devgan suits into the role of Bhagat Singh, the perfect match when he wears the hat and sports the mouse tail size trademark moustache. The music is directed by A.R.Rahman and of all the songs, “Sarfaroshi Ki Tamanna Ab Hamare Dil Mein Hai…” set in Desh raga stands out. The movie is directed by Rajkumar Santoshi, who aptly ends the movie asking the question whether the sacrifices made by Bhagat Singh stands relevant when the country is gripped with corrupt politicians and scandals.
If you are interested in knowing about these heroes – visit the site which I stumbled upon - http://www.shahidbhagatsingh.org
Jaihind
Wednesday, March 15, 2006
"Dishyum" - Story of a Stuntman and a Sculptor
A character who risks his life performing stunts for movies, a girl who believes in boy-girl friendship and with them throw in few family emotions, stunt scenes, decent comedy, and a mix of melody, folk and disco style songs.
The good things about the movie is about showing the hardships a person undergoes as a stunt artist. Another pleasing aspect of this film is that there is no gravity defying fight sequences, which is good and different from few of the Tamil movies where the 40 plus actors flying and hitting 16 people at a time.
The two songs - "Nenchankootil neeye nirkirai..." set in a melodious tone and "Dialomma dialomma .." set in a disco style were appealing. The other numbers were also good except that for the pain of listening to a Hindi playback singer rendering 'Kitta Irangivaada ..." a dabbanguthu. The songs is sung by Sukwinder Singh (Chaiyya Chaiyya of Dil Se fame). God only knows why our Tamil music directors get these kind of idea and why those people too agree for the sake of money. "Dishyum" is the story of conflict between friendship and love, the later finally winning over.
The good things about the movie is about showing the hardships a person undergoes as a stunt artist. Another pleasing aspect of this film is that there is no gravity defying fight sequences, which is good and different from few of the Tamil movies where the 40 plus actors flying and hitting 16 people at a time.
The two songs - "Nenchankootil neeye nirkirai..." set in a melodious tone and "Dialomma dialomma .." set in a disco style were appealing. The other numbers were also good except that for the pain of listening to a Hindi playback singer rendering 'Kitta Irangivaada ..." a dabbanguthu. The songs is sung by Sukwinder Singh (Chaiyya Chaiyya of Dil Se fame). God only knows why our Tamil music directors get these kind of idea and why those people too agree for the sake of money. "Dishyum" is the story of conflict between friendship and love, the later finally winning over.
Wednesday, March 08, 2006
BCCI - Board for Complete Comedy in India
The inherent quality that a cricketer or non-cricketer gets after being elected as a selection committee member of BCCI is that they get mentally out of balance with immediate effect and transform themselves into a Jekyl and Hyde personality. Remember that one DOESN'T need to have played cricket for being a selection committee member. All he needs is to have good rapport with the BCCI president.
Kiran More drew much praise when he dropped Ganguly for the ODI home series against SL as it was believed that Ganguly was the only one to blame as he made public his spat with Chappel.
The day before the test team against SL was announced, Kiran More was reportedly saying that Sourav wasn't playing well in the recent past and been sluggish in the batting department. But the next day, Kiran More did a splendid volte-face. Ganguly was in the 15 member team when announced and Kiran More was saying that Ganguly's experience and his quality test records paved the way for his selection. This was as close to being ridiculous.
And then the BCCI elections came. The new selection committee dropped Ganguly. It evoked lot of protest. For the third test, Ganguly was again picked !! so that the ODI match at Kolkatta happens as per plans without any protests.
Ganguly scored decently in the third and final test against Lanka, better than Sachin's snail paced 35th hundred. Ganguly was selected for Pakistan tour. Kiran More was cited saying that Ganguly's vast experience could be valuable.
Ganguly couldn't get to bat in the first test as Sehwag and Dravid played till the end of the match. Ganguly wasn't picked for the second test to accommodate a fifth bowler. In the third test, when every other Indian batsman failed, Ganguly and Yuvraj alone showed some class and made decent scores. Ganguly was not out overnight when the selection of ODI team got announced. No place for Ganguly. He hasn't got a chance to play in that series and was batting at an overnight score, building an innings, but the selectors still decided to axe. A predetermined step.
Ganguly did just one mistake - he made public his argument with Chappal which resulted in a series of events that finally resulted in Ganguly being indirectly given retirement. But in the case of Ganguly, I feel that the BCCI insulted him beyond the limits, dishonoring him as a person and as captain, who brought and instilled fighting qualities in the Indian team. The people of India may not remember BCCI much, but will surely remember Ganguly.
Kiran More drew much praise when he dropped Ganguly for the ODI home series against SL as it was believed that Ganguly was the only one to blame as he made public his spat with Chappel.
The day before the test team against SL was announced, Kiran More was reportedly saying that Sourav wasn't playing well in the recent past and been sluggish in the batting department. But the next day, Kiran More did a splendid volte-face. Ganguly was in the 15 member team when announced and Kiran More was saying that Ganguly's experience and his quality test records paved the way for his selection. This was as close to being ridiculous.
And then the BCCI elections came. The new selection committee dropped Ganguly. It evoked lot of protest. For the third test, Ganguly was again picked !! so that the ODI match at Kolkatta happens as per plans without any protests.
Ganguly scored decently in the third and final test against Lanka, better than Sachin's snail paced 35th hundred. Ganguly was selected for Pakistan tour. Kiran More was cited saying that Ganguly's vast experience could be valuable.
Ganguly couldn't get to bat in the first test as Sehwag and Dravid played till the end of the match. Ganguly wasn't picked for the second test to accommodate a fifth bowler. In the third test, when every other Indian batsman failed, Ganguly and Yuvraj alone showed some class and made decent scores. Ganguly was not out overnight when the selection of ODI team got announced. No place for Ganguly. He hasn't got a chance to play in that series and was batting at an overnight score, building an innings, but the selectors still decided to axe. A predetermined step.
Ganguly did just one mistake - he made public his argument with Chappal which resulted in a series of events that finally resulted in Ganguly being indirectly given retirement. But in the case of Ganguly, I feel that the BCCI insulted him beyond the limits, dishonoring him as a person and as captain, who brought and instilled fighting qualities in the Indian team. The people of India may not remember BCCI much, but will surely remember Ganguly.
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