The Only Superstar

I wanted to write a follow up to the Ayodhya blog, but I guess I will wait for some constructive developments before I would contribute any further. In a nutshell, “we the people” have very poor sense of and understanding of what is going around in our social structures. So for the time being we will put a comma.

What is an essence of the Indian Cinema? Very simple- a movie which gives you pure, unadulterated enjoyment for 2-3 hours and it contains each and every element which possibly there could be/should be (or perhaps even should not be) in a movie. And when a movie fulfills all of these criteria plus treats you with picturesque locations and a super-star cast? Well then a cherry on top!!

So if you love Indian Cinema then you just simply can’t miss “Enthiran” or “Robot”…..arguably most expensive movie ever made on paper and even more on screens. The movie is a delight to movie buffs like me who simply adore the Indian Cinema. It was also even more special because it was first movie of the Superstar Rajni I watched in theater. As I am writing, I am not sure what’s more fascinating in the amazing package deal of Robot- mind defying vision of Shankar, most beautiful locations (come on Yashraj, there are other locations beyond Switzerland), Aishwarya in her ravishing best or the jaw dropping action sequences or simply Superstar Rajni!!!

We have poor history of futuristic /sci-fi movies (remember 2050 love story!!) and over exploitation of love triangle in movies. But if you can weave AI seamlessly into a love triangle that’s a perfect recipe for a great movie, isn’t it? Well only if you are THE SHANKAR!! Rajni packs the punch with his amazing performance where a scientist and his clone-Robot are performed with equal ease. But when the adoring and lovable “Chitti” transforms into an evil and destructive one, Rajni delivers a superb performance that makes you clinch your chairs even more tightly. But movie stands out because it does not project Rajni as regular film “hero” who possesses all the skills and powers. So when Aishwarya is harassed he uses his brains and not brawns to rescue her. Even in the final sequence he does not fight with Chitti with guns and tanks. He again uses his brains to do the hard work and this aspect to make him "more human" must also be saluted. All those 160 crore are spent more than productively. And in climax sequence when an army of hundreds of Rajnis perform amazing action sequence where your imagination, smile, eyes broaden with every frame. And your memory is shaken and the days of anaconda and transformer are revisited with equal excitement.

The movie epitomizes the real Indian movie in every department. The story, the music and the entire package can only be described as COMPLETE! It has each and every element which makes you fall in love with movies…..

THE RAJNI- What can I say about him. At the age of 60, he still has all his charm, magic and style. The movie does not really display the real “superstar” Rajni. But the performance could have only been delivered by THE SUPERSTAR. His excellent performance matches the technical marvel of visionary Shankar. It’s a real shame and belated honour that this was my first movie of Rajni in theater. (And now I remember all those lousy comedies I spent my time on). Rajni at the age of 60 and with kilos of make up and may be some generous courtesy of few special effects adds “youthful exuberance” into both or rather all the three versions of him. How he looks younger is a technical aspect, but the energy which he pumps in is simply beyond any logic. And those who are cringing with the thought of him romancing with much younger Aishwarya, will surely be treated to quite a pleasant surprise.

Rajni epitomizes the real superstar. Someone who enjoys all the adulation, admiration and even worshipping by millions of his fans. He is the perfect example why we try to find a God in mere mortals. People know how he looks in real life without wig, make up and special effects but they adore him for his magic on silver screens and all that time when you are mesmerized in his world!! The pure financials of this movie reinforces his undisputed stardom! But what really makes me respect him is that I can’t find a single “Superstar” besides him who appears in masses without a make up, masquerading his real self. And it is then that you realize that temples are the most inevitable form of praise for him.

And while we debate who is the real "Shahenshah" and "the King" of Indian Cinema, I guess there should not be any debate about who the real “Superstar” is….. I will preserve further plaudits not because I am tired but I eagerly await the next Super film by the ONLY SUPERSTAR!!

-N.D.K. Nikhil

Convenient Secularism

Shake your memory and find a corner which stores all the popular Bollywood dialogues. There you will find a very famous dialogue which goes like, “It’s not the emotions but evidences which influence the law”. And all the years we cursed the lawyer/judge who uttered this dialogue. But this clichéd dialogue henceforth is completely ineffective.

The verdict of the most awaited and hard fought legal tussle is finally out. The animosity of almost 150 years has finally some closure in sight. As all of us are aware, one of the most significant verdicts is based predominantly on “the faith” of Hindus, carried on for “time immemorial”. When we all felt that the faith in the Divine Powers and Supremacy is no longer relevant in contemporary tech savvy world, it is the faith carried on by the millions of Hindus which compelled the award of the Holy Land. So indeed faith can move petitions….

No doubt the verdict vindicates the firm or rather outrageous stance of various Hindu organizations. But these were the same organizations which were lambasted by so called secularists for asserting that the disputed site was indeed the Ramjanmabhumi.

From pure legal point of view, this verdict brings out a lot of debate; it is indeed the faith of Hindus and not some other evidence which has persuaded the opinions of all three judges. It raises a lot of questions. And as a student of Law, I am perplexed. On which grounds this faith has been measured? So if the faith of Hindus is relevant then what about the faith of Muslims?? Is a faith to be measured by how many people carry it or how much people believe in it? The judgment seems to have drawn conclusions largely based on the theological assertions and beliefs rather than simple factual evidence. It is this aspect of this judgment which has left both sides pondering over their options. Also in real sense the title suit- although has been barred by limitations- has not been answered. And the bone of the contention between the parties is still the same. The apportionment of the land between quarrying factions also invites great amount of academic polemics. The verdict of HC itself runs into thousand of pages and its detailed scrutiny, academic deliberations and its repercussions will take some time. But the verdict if stands the scrutiny of the Supreme Court after an appeal, will definitely be most interesting and landmark verdict with reference to the faith in the divine powers.

I am not really a devout follower of my own religion- Hinduism. In fact, I don’t even visit temples that often. But I always find it amusing the way we define secularism in this country. To my understanding, secularism is an equal freedom to each religion to practice their religion within the Constitutional boundaries. Because if we want to live in modern society, then the first rule book we ought to follow is the Constitution.

So the same people, who were asking for restraint before the verdict, are now “disappointed”. Some even went as far as to suggest that the verdict is politically motivated. And the worst one was the suggestion that the minority will feel like a second rate citizens. To my understanding, the HC verdict as on today is a final decision i.e. a closure. So why not it is agreeable to all the concerned parties? Even those who have got their right to build the temple are now demanding that the entire area be awarded to them. And the suggestion that there should be no mosque in entire Ayodhya can only be a childish argument and a clear sign of immature bigotry. But what if tomorrow the SC endorses the same opinions? Even then the minority will feel cheated/disappointed and left out in the cold? The reactions by Imams are a clear signs of provocations. (http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/patna/Imams-unhappy-with-HC-verdict-on-Ayodhya/articleshow/6668805.cms ) Just imagine similar reactions from VHP/RSS and other Hindu groups. The whole media would have slaughtered them. The so-called secularists and the flag bearers of the Muslim welfare have already started to heat up the topic by stating that the Muslims feel “cheated”. (http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/BSP-SP-start-manoeuvring-to-milk-Ayodhya-verdict/articleshow/6667433.cms ) I am sure they would have rejoiced if the verdict would have been opposite. Where is the secularism now? There are constant references that there were three judges- two Hindus and one Muslim. What kind of ludicrous argument is this? Last time I remembered, there is no special treatment for anyone with reference to caste, creed and religion in the eyes of the law. This is the level of secularism we have!

Another ironical statement is about report of the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI). There are constant references by the secularists to point out that the report was prepared during the reign of BJP led NDA. So the CBI in Amit Shah’s case is independent and has no interference from Government. But ASI had influence of BJP? Why do we always have to insinuate?? The colour given to this verdict is, it is a victory of majority and minority is cheated. So what would have happened if the verdict was “pro-minority”? Should Hindus then feel, they don’t get their dues? Or we have complete disregard to the HC verdict. As if even before the announcement of the verdict both parties were prepared to take the matter to the SC. Is the HC verdict so irrelevant?

And now that at the core of verdict is the “faith”, people are apprehensive that many other disputed sites will now become topic of debates and communal tensions. But there has been an enactment of the Places of Worship Act, 1991 to avoid Ayodhya like situation. So the issue is completely out of place.

But importantly the reactions of the political parties have been largely satisfactory. Apart from Mulayam Singh Yadav, as mentioned above Left have also shown their true sense of secularism (http://www.indianexpress.com/news/Left-intellectuals-call-verdict--blow-to-secular-fabric-/691407). The vote bank politics refuses to die down and poor BJP is condemned for its overt position on the issue. L. K. Advani would find some solace after loosing footings in politics in recent times. And although destruction of mosque cannot be justified, he can still find himself vindicated, after years of severe criticism he had to bear.

But people are forgetting most important gift of this judgement. The issues as sensitive as Ayodhya can be settled in the Court of Law within the limits of our Constitution, the simple point that whoever is rightful owner of the property should build any structure they wish to. The verdict also rose out of common legal precedents and has left no winners and loosers. So neither of the parties to the suit should feel aggrieved and at the same time triumphant. Some the reformists feel that these issues are non-relevant in contemporary times. But this is hardly any truth. But even tough in a country which has poor sense of history and poorer sense of historical recollections the statement has some substance. It’s best for each and every citizen that the dispute of the land has to be settled. Because the huge question over the land ownership which kept tensions simmering between the two communities over 150 years. Is it not beneficial that the dispute is settled legally once and for all?? There has been worry that the crores of rupees and strategic intelligence personnel were deployed due to Ayodhya verdict. But isn’t it a capital investment for future? May be those very people are oblivious to the crores of rupees washed down the drain on security of politicians and even more in corruption.

But the even funny remark is objection to the word bhavya – grand, used in reference to the temple which is proposed to be built. Well I think on piece of land which sprawls few acres only a grand temple can be built and why would be any objections if construction is going to be on legally awarded site?

The verdict has tried to go beyond normal legal opinions. It has given righteous share to each of parties. And in interest of the nation it is better if we all leave the chapter behind us and make a new start. The verdict vindicates the stand of Hindu organizations but whether it justifies demolition of mosque? I don’t think so. But for that we have a separate trial going on.

This is not the time to find winners and loosers. This is the time to start afresh and build the trust. And although suggestion of building a hospital on disputed site is laughable, immature and purely naïve with reference to the gravity of the situation. We can build solid relations from now on which will only ameliorate atmosphere in this country and we can look at future of constructive development.

-N.D.K. Nikhil

Tiger of Woods

Attic is one of the most intriguing places in one’s life... It stores all our valuable memories which once made our life worth living but in present, sadly those memories are hardly of any significance. I watched “Toy Story” a few days back and reminisced days when toys were no short of any mortal. But to me, attic also means many unfinished thoughts that I had left in the nascent stage. So while I was obliging my laziness, I was writing something a while back but then given up on it for which I have not yet garnered a proper excuse.

But it kept banging by brains to jump out and just when I thought it had completely given up on me, suddenly that thought awakened with all the vigour and forced me to keep my laziness away for a while…

The media (which will be dealt with separately sometime soon) can make anyone a star, at least a “well-known” personality. But a talented person can simply be raised to the level of a demi-god. And which most definitely has been evident with sports-players or rather sports stars.

What has captured the attention of the moral watch dogs is the behaviour of Tiger Woods. "The scandal of Tiger Woods" generated a huge furor. In a game as elegant as golf and the player who has been simply the best, this scandal shook this game by its core. The poster boy of the great game and of few billion dollar brands was overnight a villain and subject of mass media bashing. I don’t follow Golf, one of the sports which have been arcane to me. So the Tiger-gate remains just an outside curiosity. But the issue here is far different. The likes of Tiger Woods, John Terry, Ashley Cole, Shane Warne and the latest addition Wayne Rooney have all been caught in these scandals and then subsequently there has been huge controversy about sport stars (deliberately not using the word sportsmen). The simple question which bothers me is, whether we don’t have good enough ‘idols’ left in our society ? And frighteningly answer to this question is “yes” or they are simply not marketable!

Tiger Woods was or rather is an idol in Golf, but then that’s it. Why we have to make him the greatest man on the planet by expecting all the virtues? Similar thing had happened with Shane Warne and may be that was the major reason why he did not go on to captain Australia. But again if he is good enough on the Cricket field, isn’t that enough to make him a captain? May be not….but his success with RR in IPL simply is a vindication!! Again we have John Terry-who was dethroned as England Skipper cause of his behaviour out of the field….But here it was some what connected to the football, so may be we can give him a benefit of doubt.

May be the time has come when we look beyond sports and entertainment for our idols…Cause they are doing wonderfully well in their respective jobs and to expect everything from one person is just putting too much pressure on one’s shoulder. Another funny story was wedding of Sania and Shoib. Our watchdog had absolutely hilarious reactions. One of which was, “may be this will help to ameliorate Indo-Pak relations.” Now here, I am as expert as a common man on the streets. But surely this is not what all of us were waiting for last 63 years to happen!!

Something very similar takes place when Sachin breaks (or rather I like to call “creates”) any new record, all of us epitomize mass hysteria. As if we have found a solution to all our problems!!! We are blessed to have a player like him. But when you expect him to go to T20 World Cup after 20 years of service to the game (deliberately “nation” has been omitted) isn’t it asking far too much from a mortal? Next thing you know, Global Warming will be solved by Sachin!!!

But what shook me to complete this write-up was story of Wayne Rooney. Undoubtedly the most talented prodigy of English football, had a miserable and forgetful World Cup. But the reason for which was revealed to be - a fling with a hooker-and some people just could not digest that Rooney had to pay!! What a shame, isn’t it??

So as the story goes on, his marriage was on the verge of breaking down! (He is 24) But he could not stay away from his son……he loves his wife…..and so on and so forth…and now dust has settled!!!

I just don’t understand what is expected from sportsmen? At the age of 18, this boy has the world at his feet!! (Literally, no pun) He is earning millions every year. And he is still 24! Do we want every sportsman should master the book for moral and ethical behaviour? Let’s accept the fact that they are sportsmen and mostly they have spent their entire childhood and young age only playing the sport which they love! And what makes them special is their talent in the game. Our own Sachin, with due respect to him is not even a graduate!! In normal walks of life what you expect from a under graduate? And despite of this, he has carried the mantle with utmost dignity for last 20 years. But then again, it’s a bonus not the actual talent!! Diego Maradona- perhaps the greatest player to have graced the football field, battled grave issues off the field. But all we remember him for is two goals- one most dubious and one most brilliant and to me that’s how it should be.

So what’s the point? Simple- it is a plain stupidity on our part to search an ideal idol in sportsmen. Lets give them due accolades for their display on the field. If we want idols to imitate then there are tons of people who may not be as popular as these people are but surely not an inch less inspirational. Let’s broaden our visions and understand that “Indian Idol” is chosen every year. But likes of Lata Mangeshkar are borne once in a generation! Sachin makes us proud with every run but there are soldiers who are protecting every one of us. And then there are countless people who dedicate their lives and only then we can recline in our chairs and watch “India’s Got Talent”. Cause all said and done, Tiger was just made of only "woods", just like any other mortal!!

-N.D.K. Nikhil

Zoomply Zoobardast

I wrote a few bits about IPL, Tiger Woods but it remained WIP so let’s assume it all will be in “coming very soon” category.

I was discussing some random topics with my friend and I stumbled upon very interesting character “Zoo Zoo”. I have always been a keen follower of ads and they have always entertained me. It’s just that lack of genuine creativity has kept me only as a spectator in this field! I had planned writing about “advertisement” long back but it always remained on the wish list. So finally I have found something interesting enough on micro level. IPL2 among other attractions had a foreign location…and it should be only a genuine coincidence that Zoo-Zoo were also created on same very soil. I still distinctly remember the first Zoo-Zoo ad and as it happens with every new concept “it takes a while to digest” but this was a smash hit!

No one could understand the language of these aliens… but unveiling of one ad per match was one of the main attractions of IPL2.Though no one understood there language which seems as if a cassette is fast forwarded. Unique nature of presentation meant they have always been conveying the message more than effectively.

By now we all are aware that although they look, act, sound like a cartoon they are infact humans, mostly tall & slim women. The typical Zoo-Zoo ad has not a single essential element of what is considered “routine” ad, but sheer genius with which they are presented is simply or rather “Zoomply” unbelievable. I am not going to waste space here by giving “behind the scene” for that I will refer following links-

http://cutezoozoo.blogspot.com/

http://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=zoo+zoo&aq=f

But the Zoo-Zoo is among various innovative concepts undertaken by Vodafone advertisers. The famous “Vodafone dog” was replaced by “Zoo Zoo” and PETA for this change of markting strategy honoured Vodafone with an award ! Now that’s an advertising master stroke and not to mention sweeping of all the major ad awards by Zoo-Zoo. I am not really sure, but rarely has an ad campaign would have given a merchandising tool in the hands of a company. Zoo-Zoo T-shirts, Mugs are runaway success, I wonder why there are no official soft toys yet, and they will sale like garama garam vada-pavs!! May be I should start mentioning more ad campaign here…. Zoo Zoo remain one of the most searched queries on google and youtube. Yet another example of indirect benefits of Zoo Zoo!! People wearing Zoo Zoo merchandise still receive rave plaudits. It seems as if this campaign is here to stay or rather its ONLY campaign here to stay!!

So Kudos to the ZooZoo makers! Campaigns like this make a match even more exciting and Idiot box even more Idiotic!!

With this blog post I have introduced outsourcing of the typing of the draft!!! So those who are willing to join should jump on board quickly! My hand writing is as bad as you can find anywhere so it will be some challenge but then so was Gandhiji’s handwriting!!!

In the series on ads I hope to publish my all time favourite campaign – Fevicol ads!!

-N.D.K. Nikhil

Gowah Gowah Gowahhhhh!!!

I have always epitomized laziness. So, as much as I love to write, it becomes an excruciating pain to write down something and type it all over again. So naturally it takes something special to make me drag my pen across the papers and drag my fingers on keyboard all over again!!

So what’s special now?? What would you choose? - Unrestrained revelry with friends or enjoying beautiful locations?? Can’t decide?? Here is dilemma buster for you….What if you can combine both of them……??? Sounds exciting, right?? It feels far more amazing…..so topic on hand is unparalleled, unrestrained and hassle free enjoyment of Goa!!

Well the journey was efforts of years of planning!! (No kidding, seriously) and so finally after “arranging” off days from office, we geared ourselves for the journey to one of the most enjoyable locations on the Earth!!! And me and Rishi had special reasons to smile- only because of our exams the trip was postponed. So out go books and came in the weapons of mass celebration……

Cutting across the beautiful Konkan we traveled to Thivim….Some 25-30 Km from Panaji. When you reach Thivim you hardly feel what await you! So quiet, calm and serene, it doesn’t feel heaven is hardly 40 minutes away…

But on very arrival one is struck with the realization that roads are as smooth as butter, albeit not slippery!! And so we arrived at our temporary home for next few days. Although a treacherous one but we still had a private beach!

Goa has largely retained its quaint look. The Portuguese legacy is still stamped all over the place. So though you will see tourist flocking and flaunting every where, you never feel out of your comfort zone. It’s surprising that it still retains its good old charm and as you travel in the interiors the feeling reinforces.

But what really makes Goa special that all the ingredients you might wish for enjoyment are laden on your plate, you simply have to pick them up. And so deserves the special mention-the food…famous for its seafood, Goa offers you variety of tasty fishes. So all you can do is devour pomfrets, King fishes (surmai) and tiger prawns. We probably had our entire year’s seafood in matter of days. But among all the hustling and bustling its very soothing also, because after partying all night long and dusting your feet in sands, you can find shelter in temples and churches. So to counterbalance your enjoyment and keep you away from continuous hangover, Goa offers not only the beauty of nature but also beautiful temples and churches. No wonder everyone asks you first about temples, churches and only then about other excitement, once you are back at home.

And as for hangover-when you get to drink at prices which are at best elder cousins of cold drinks, sobriety does not really attract applause. What to say about beaches?? It’s always better to enjoy it personally rather than reading descriptions of nature. But do visit Anjuna Beach, just to remind us about the unlimited potential of tidal energy ,we have been wasting. But my award for best location goes to Chapora Fort- the DCH fame. So as good as director Farhan Akhtar is, he completely lacks sense of photography!! Remember the famous DCH scene? Stupid people showed us completely insipid view. The real fun was enjoyed by all the 3 actors!! So when we reprised the roles of actors, we realized why all of them had come up with stellar performances in the film…the view from there is more than any motivation. Just take a look from Chapora Fort at Vagator Beach…As good as wallpaper you can have on your desktop!! But believe me, watching with your own eyes is a lot more fun!!

The area around the Baga Beach comes alive only after 9….and first indication to it is-surprise surprise….Police patrolling!!! So the moment police start putting up the barricades, the gates to party would unlock!!

We happened to watch England Vs USA football match. And befittingly it has to be Goa to realise the passion of football. And to cheer USA against all odds and after they went down 1-0 takes some bravado. And don’t they say “fortune favours…..” The football god was smiling upon me, to the disappointment of majority crowd USA held on to 1-1 draw….And the football pundit within me grew a full foot taller!!

It was four days of madness, craziness and complete lack of chores. And if you enjoy anything from heart, rest just falls in place, how do you explain four days of cloudy weather and just couple of hours of rains?? Even the Varun Dev- the Rain God- put his plans on hold just to allow us an unhindered enjoyment….

So as much I can write for my own pleasure, it is enjoyable only if you visit it, so do visit it at least once, the madness in our daily lives will come to stand still for a while. Agreed hangover of Goa will last for few days but that just a cordial invitation to drag you back as soon as you can “arrange” some free time. On personal note- I don’t enjoy crowds much. I prefer company of my beloved ones around. So if you are like me, I will recommend you Konkan!! No where close to boisterousness of Goa but surely as good as it in beauty (no pun intended) and even better for relaxation and unwinding!!

Special mention of all my seven friends who made it even special down there and my family who had to stay back home, only hearing descriptions of what it could have been!!

Ø Wait until next time; I am definitely heading to Konkan!!!

-N.D.K.Nikhil

Equality at 33%

All right to sustain this blog at least a post has to be published per month, that much discipline one must have!! So I was searching the topic for the Month of March –Oscars, IPL, Greek Crisis, Inflation and the best of all WOMEN’S RESERVATION BILL (WRB)!!

So what’s my view- simple –Reservation has to be there in country like India. So what’s the deal with WRB?

It could have been interesting coincidence if it would have passed on the Women’s Day!! But 24 hours delay was more of relief than any other feeling….for almost one and half decade the debate is going on but amidst the chaos the Bill passed its first hurdle.

But the ruckus created in RS was simply “shameless”; it is suppose to be higher and experienced house but what happened there was totally disgusting! (Reminds me of what happened with MNS in Maharashtra assembly and subsequent pandemonium across the country.) So what’s the problem in giving deserved participation to the 50% of population? I don’t have an answer but may be SP will give clarifications as to why did they field candidate from their own family –that too a female - to fight LS seat and How didn’t they find a candidate from most populous State of the country from OBC/SC/ST and Muslim communities.

Earlier same faction were opposing the Bill in its entirety but the moment they realised they don’t have a majority or rather any voice at all…they simply pulled up a card which they didn’t even own-who gave them mandate to fight for OBC/SC/ST and Muslims? May be in politics of opportunism it’s not required at all!!

So is the worry of SP, RJD & Co justified? I don’t think so, it’s completely baseless…and it’s completely ironical….So it’s completely OK to field your illiterate wife as CM candidate!! Everyone knew back then, who ran the show in Bihar. While they are asking for voluntarily fielding of 33% female candidates in all the constituencies- a simple question-when WRB ultimately passes are they going to give priority to backward community and Muslims or going to field powerful, influential and rich candidates? It’s totally justified to promote film stars and not people from backward communities-they should first look into their own houses.

Also I am not sure these people understand our democratic system of elections. How can you assume that rich, famous and influential people will get into Parliament and State assemblies? Last I knew, we have democracy and not some sort of oppressive system of elections…People do have voice and they do know how and whom to elect. This stand is clearly an insult to the citizens of India and our entire election system…

I am not discounting all their worries and apprehensions. In short term, may be some constituencies might have candidates who are rich, powerful and influential. But who awards them tickets to contest? The very political parties only…and about the independent candidates they rarely are going to get “benefit” of it. But in all this debate we all are simply assuming that the people of our country don’t know how to elect their own candidate…..We are simply questioning their intelligence….aren’t we?

Now the important question….whether there should be quota within the reservation-the answer is no…this reservation is for upliftment of women, let’s not bring issues of caste into this… Reservation for minority religion? Isn’t that against the spirit of the Constitution? But the main point we must realize that reservation is not the only tool and there are other tools also which our Politicians seldom realize. ..Education and awareness should be created first to counter arguments which belong to 18th Century…

The need of the hour is to share our resources without gender bias and in last 63 years of independence we have not achieved that. The first step towards it is to pass this Bill and to realize that this is just the beginning of many landmarks we are yet to achieve. We have cleared the first hurdle at RS; let’s hope second will not to be too high!!

-N.D.K. Nikhil

Lets rename Cricket as Sachin!!

Wow, amazing, wonderful etc etc etc...open your closet and dig out all the adjectives and superlatives you might have stored for super special occasions!!

Sachin Ramesh Tendulkar has once again created (achieved doesn’t fit here) new record!! But what’s special this time- a feat which is unprecedented and unbelievable…200 not out in ODIs, a rarest of rare occasion in ODIs, in its history of almost 40 years and after thousand matches someone has achieved it and who better to achieve it but none other than Sachin Tendulkar who virtually owns every single record for batting in ODIs..

And for all the people who have doubted Sachin, this is a reminder that “old is gold” and "wine tastes better when older" and all other phrases. Those who were present in the stadium should be made to pay double their ticket prices!!

What can I say about those 200……It was simply flawless performance…an artist at his best….Each and every single shot he played was wherever and however he wished…I recall the reaction of Dale Stayn after Sachin picked a ball from out of the off-stump and played through the mid-wicket…that summed it all.

It just shows us what can a person do when he has passion, dedication and all that is transformed in to the application….But what’s more important that his previous best score had come more than 10 years ago…Do you now doubt his magic?? Well I don’t think no one will now ever question…

Well, I can go on and on about this for pages after pages…but there will be day for this too but until then lets all savour pure and unadulterated joy in watching him play!! So Sachin what’s next?? A triple hundred…... well we are waiting!!!

PS: Special mention of Dinesh Karthik who played very well today and the curators and ground’s staff who prepared amazing surface.

Siligoodie Days!!!

As always I am very proud of my punctuality…in fact I am thinking of competing with “Aaj-Tak” in speed…and as usual this was supposed to have been written at least a week ago.

We always talk about diversity and thousands of Kms of territory of our country but seldom do we realize that it’s a reality………and to realize it we have to travel and travel very very far (honestly reminds me of “3 idiots” scene of Simla/Ladakh). It was through a wonderful opportunity provided by our ICAI-which is not very often adored by its own students-to visit a beautiful city called “Siliguri”…..When you write a piece of paper and it gets selected at a National Event its indeed a proud moment but to present it at a beautiful location among amazing people, is all together a different experience!!!

I missed in my journey cutting across 5-6 states as a traveled by flight both times, so may be next time leisure will be a pillion rider.

“Siliguri” which is regarded as a “Gateway to North East” India is indeed at a strategic location-geographically and commercially- tea, tourism and timber (3 Ts) dominate. So when you are adoring beautiful tea gardens on your way to Siliguri from Bagdogra Airport, don’t get surprised by Military presence. In fact Bagdogra Airport is an Air Force base.

But never in our lives me and Nachiket (coincidentally from same city, whom I met directly at Airport-2200 Kms away!!) had seen a sun set at 4.30…..yeah I know about the time difference. But the reality struck us when we reached Siliguri-which had a quaint feel to it despite its on going rapid modernization-never in Mumbai-Thane we experience essentiality of winter “chilling cold”!!!

Our counterparts started pouring in slowly and then we had a “mini-Bharat” in our Swastik Residency. To come to Siliguri and not visit a tea factory is a sin and none of us were sinners!! Thanks to the EIRC of Siliguri we spent our Christmas Day sightseeing, tea factory and famous Bagh Pool were among them. And the road to Sikkim gave me a glimpse of what I missed by not visiting Sikkim, having traveled so close to it.

And it was a SHOWTIME!!! The next two days-26^th and 27^th were when all of us were under “microscope”!! And it was indeed a “semi-celebrity” experience too. All of us put up very good presentations –with our limited presentation skills we exceeded our potential, I am not boasting….

But those two days gave all of us some serious “professional tonic” …..it surely reminded us of the heights which we are yet to conceive albeit achieve…those days inculcated some of the best possible lessons in all of us…Well due to professional secrecy I cannot reveal further!

The very next day all of us started journey back to our usual interesting lives…some lucky rascals (!) had chance to go to Gangtok, thankfully I am not a rascal!!

Four well spent days…when you visit cities like Siliguri you realize that the “India Growth” story is actually true…And believe me when you hear the National Anthem almost 2200 Km away from your house and when borders of 4 countries are at less than 75 Km…you realize that there is something called “India” and there is something called “unity” and there is something called “We- the Indians”!!

Thanks to Manish Sir, Pankaj Sir and entire team of EIRC, Siliguri, all the volunteers-Vineet, Amit and others, our BOS and my fellow presenters-it was more than worth traveling all that distance!!

N.D.K.Nikhil