Azhar's invitation to 500th Test

It is an iconic day for the cricket purists.The 500th test match is being played in Kanpur .A host of cricketing luminaries, contemporary and vintage were part of the distinguished invitees

The invites were from BCCI and the august gathering made for great nostalgia

The only blot to this momentous occasion was spotting Azharuddin in the illustrious mix!

While there is no denying that Md.Azhar was one of the most gifted and stylish batsmen to have graced Indian cricket,there is no denying the fact that he had a role to play in match fixing.

Are we so swayed by the dubious "victim of circumstances" portrayal of him in a Bollywood flick that we let bygones be bygones?

Players like Azhar and Jadeja should be nowhere near a cricketing discussion panel,ground or anything/anywhere to do with cricket.

We need to be careful on what kind of impression are we setting for the future generation of kids who would be cricketing stars....Do we want to say that its fine to give into temptations as long as you are talented and have prior illustrious records to boast?

Integrity before Talent.....Mantra for life...

Art,Sports & Politics...

Given our current political climate and more than frosty relationship with Pakistan, should we have any ties with them on the non political front?

While in our true nationalistic and patriotic fervor,we have snapped all ties with Pakistan on the cricketing front (makes the one off clash on neutral venues even more exciting!)

Why is there a hue and cry when there are talks of banning Pakistani artists and singers on our soil?

Suddenly you'll have a lot of peaceniks who say art and artists are pure and they do not belong to any country ....This is pure hogwash!

Artists are just like any other human being who is utilizing his skill to make a buck.An artist on screen is no different than a cricketer on field or a Doctor performing surgery

I know that the artists have a huge fan base in India but you cant be selective in your exile approach

You wouldn't see a single tweet or message on social media by these artists condemning the terrorist attacks on our country.

The least they could due is at least empathize with us but they seem immune in spite of earning mega bucks which they could not come close to earning in Pakistan

So lets not be caught up in Pakistani bromance and make politically correct statements like People are "good" but Pakistani government/military is "bad".

Time for us to boycott them completely, impose sanctions and make life difficult for them so that then the "good" people of Pakistan can elect a "good" government as well...What say?

"Aman ki Asha" has led to only more Nirasha for us...Lets hope sense prevails and peace be upon all of us!

URI Bloodbath! Pakistan or...?

17 soldiers martyred because of  the cowardly attack by Jaish e Mohammed aka terrorist outfit sponsored by our friendly neighbour Pakistan.

What I am amazed at is the timing of the attack.With UN General meeting just around the corner,this move is actually detrimental to their diplomatic image .This is actually going to tarnish their image and reinforce the pro terror perception they are rightly accused of.

This makes me think that there are parallel governments which govern Pakistan.The puppet government led by Nawaz Sharif and the Military/Hardliner clerics led government who actually call the shots.

Any sensible elected government would not perpetrate this attack especially at this juncture.

This brings to question,what is the point of negotiating with the elected government?
Who is supporting the military led parallel government who calls the shots?

I strongly believe China is the main player and Pakistan is just the front.

China has vested interests because of the CPEC corridor which connects both the countries
This actually helps China reduce time and money in connecting water ways/ports between China and Pakistan.

The Karakoram highway between China and Pakistan passes through PoK which makes China very jittery on India's stance on Kashmir

So if India decided to go to war with Pakistan...make no mistake...we are going to war with China!
We should be prepared to take on 2 countries!China a more formidable enemy compared to Pakistan

So lets not jump the gun and badmouth Govt/Namo for inaction...It has to be well thought out and we would need allies .It is not as elementary as a Kargil war anymore..

Banking on US to come to our aid would be a foolhardy approach..

Time for Hindi Chini Bhai Bhai now...what say???

The "Pink" Controversy!

Couple of days back, Times of India carried an article on Mr. Amitabh Bachchan's letter to his granddaughters

The letter was articulate and hit all the right notes.It had the right message for young women to be independent and strong.Very inspirational to the young women folk

There was a lot of appreciation initially on such a thoughtful letter across all platforms(social/print).

Why did this effort backfire in the subsequent days?
1)How and why does a private letter to his granddaughters go public?
2)Why pen a letter on women empowerment so close to the release of  the movie "Pink"

Pink is a very thoughtful and sensitive movie wherein Mr.Bachchan is the main protagonist.

My take on it is simple...
Mr.Bachchan is a BRAND and not just a person anymore
He is selling his product and used his image to market the film through a letter

If the message has a positive influence across pan India and manages to sell his movie....Look at it as a win win situation

No one took offence when Nike came out with the "Da Da Ding" anthem on women sport stars and claimed it was a path breaking message celebrating women in sports ...True that but dont forget they were also merchandising their Nike gear in all those ads.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1UvPZ8fD4B8

So nothing in life comes free...Everything comes with a price...Buy it if you like it or just window shop and enjoy!

Bakri Eid controversy

I am a bit befuddled by the entire controversy around Bakri Eid. I can understand the angst of the vegans who are against animal cruelty but I see a lot of my meat eating brethren who otherwise have no issues wolfing down a mutton biryani on any other day taking up cudgels for slaughtering the goats!

Why this change of heart on this specific day?The slaughter is not going waste because it is going to be food at the end of the day.Its a bit hypocritical on the part of the meat eating brigade to suddenly act queasy on this particular day.

Just posting grotesque pictures on social media is not going to absolve you of animal cruelty on other days.I wonder what about the chicken slaughters which are offered as sacrifice in certain parts of India?Why no love for them? Are they of less importance compared to goats?

I think as of now, if you are a meat lover, you cannot be selective in your love for animals...If you eat chicken, then you have no right to criticize anyone who eats beef or pork!

Live and let live guys....as for the vegans...I wish i was so strong so as to give up meat but its too important a part of my dietary make up....but never say never!

I phone or have nots...

That time of the year is finally here folks....Launch of the much awaited Iphone!
In the last 5 years ,never has any other product come even close to this maniacal levels.What is it about this product that has made the world go crazy?
The features and applications they come up with has been done to death by Android.The only feature they tom tom about is security which is equally good with an Android phone.
I have yet to see a high end android phone hacked or get infected with viruses

I phone is an enigma to me and for the users carrying it because they are stumped too when you ask them as to why they shell out 60k for a phone?!
They come up with the most inane answers and do not use it more than Facebook and Watsapp messaging in 90% of the cases

I phone is literally an "I" phone...which centers around satisfying a misplaced ego in certain cases

So guys...take a deep breath...do not shell out obscene moolah on a phone which is a well marketed and branded gimmick!

just my 2 bit guys...from an I phone convert...better late than never!