Ideology through Society, Culture, Family and Sports

Maybe I spoke too early and too much about my health (at the tail end of my previous blog) - The creator up there would have taken notice and said, "Now then, you are being too optimistic about your health being in good shape, time to get realistic - Take That". Ironical isn't it??! Yes, I have been down with an ailment for the past 3 days and still struggling to reach the 100% fitness mark, which I aspire to always. Let me speak about what I attained, instead of crying over what I possibly missed - for the simple reason, the former will be far lesser than the latter. I spent the entire weekend on bed, in front of the TV and the computer with bread and biscuits and of course tablets, surrounding me. Nice rest that, though I haven't done anything significant in recent times to demand one, but who cares. Secondly, I watched India pounding the hapless Lankans (somehow love seeing them lose) in the second T20 match, Yuvraj, Sehwag and Dhoni all at their brilliant best and...

December 07, 2009 - A day when I realized that I stay as I am, with a tooth that protrudes and hogs all the limelight, ahead of the other normal features that make up my face. Having said that, I have never been the one who lost sleep thinking about how to get my dental deficiencies right, I have lot of other things to pay attention to and worry about. But life is not only about how you think and feel about yourself, more often than not, you have to focus on how and what people perceive you as. On that note, there have been innumerable occasions when my friends and loved ones have advised me to consult a good dentist and find out a mechanism by which I can even out my teeth - to some extent at least. The reluctant me has successfully turned all those suggestions down, but for how long??!!! One fine day, a couple of my friends booked an appointment with a dentist for a consultation in the Ramakrishna Hospital, Coimbatore and the doctor I met there, promptly directed me to the Ramakrishn...

In March 1999, I witnessed one of the best fourth innings knocks ever played - and it was by Sachin Tendulkar, against arch-rivals Pakistan. Yes, I refer to the painstaking 136 that Sachin played on a terrible track against a brilliant bowling attack. Having to chase a tricky target of 271, India found themselves in a hole and in a precarious situation midway through the fifth day. In came Tendulkar to the rescue and he almost single-handedly took India to the verge of what would have been a fantastic win, but not to be. The moment he succumbed to the guile  of Saqlain, the late order crumbled like nine pins and handed over the match to Pakistan, gift-wrapped. The ill-fated across the line swipe from Nayan Mongia that initiated the collapse still hurts. Fast track to 2009, the present - At the age of 36 when many consider shifting their focus towards family and business, Sachin Ramesh Tendulkar is still going strong, as hungry as ever. Chasing a massive 351 to win and while...

To be very honest, I didn't really aspire to write a blog on the just completed Ashes, for the simple reason that I was vociferously backing Australia and unfortunately I would call it as, they ended up on the wrong side. In spite of that, I sit down to write to fulfill a request from one of my closest mates, Ravi - For a friend like you, I haven't done much, let this go as a very small dedication for the person you are and what you mean to me. And people who hate Test cricket, kindly excuse and press Ctrl + W if you are in Firefox or Alt + F4 if you are in IE or any other browser. This wouldn't soothe your interest one bit, I swear. For the others who are kind enough to continue reading still, Thanks for your love for the game. Here goes... When Australia arrived past the shores in late June for the Ashes series 2009, the result that was predicted to be, was the result that actually happened - England to win it comfortably. But as the series started and proceeded, ...

There are times in life when you think, there is absolutely no one in this world who can question you, how good or bad you are. The one above is one such occasion in Kodaikanal, where we were merrily going around the lake on a bicycle apiece when we suddenly saw an exuberant group on the road, surrounded by music played at an astounding decibel level. Not for a moment we hesitated to get introduced to them and in spite of everyone of ours' obvious limitations as dancers, we simply couldn't restrict ourselves from joining them and showcasing what best (or worst) we could do in the name of dance. The purists say that dance should be aligned to the tunes of the music, but we are neither purists nor concerned - its left to the music to get aligned with our steps, if so needed. The one that follows is marginally better, as at least we had the option of choosing our own song, unlike the previous situation, which enforced one on us. This was on way to a beautiful but little known plac...

It would have been a shame had Roger Federer, the supremely gifted and the most complete Tennis player ever (I have no doubts, do you?) had not won the French Open in his career. Not to be - A few moments ago today, the artist scripted his most beautiful and cherished painting (Ask Roger for a confirmation) by winning his most coveted trophy at the Roland Garros, in his fourth final. Earlier this year, RF left the colorful Rod Laver Arena with tears rolling all over, having lost the Australian Open final to Rafa, today he again was leaving the French Clay with a huge burst of tears..But this time its only a sense of relief rather than grief that was on display in Australia. Though he had absolutely nothing to prove the world on what his tennis is all about, the one missing laurel in his list of achievements have always raised questions - Is he good enough to win on Clay? "Why not" was the response from Roger, as he relentlessly reached the final year after year, but for some ...

Many times in life - The nicer I have been to people, the more granted I have been taken for and the more foolish I have been made to look like.... But I find it very difficult or impossible to change my ways!...

I start off with an apology to all Royal Challengers supporters, if any of my comments have offended you. But trust me, I don't really feel the need for one, since I know I can never be the one who would stamp on a loser when he is down (I always only speak ahead), nor would I have been the one who initiates a debate (but will anytime be willing to give back what I get). This time it was no different, I was completely prompted and my emotional attachment to the game was exploited, I have only myself to blame, anyway - No complaints. While watching the Challengers' chase yesterday, I suddenly realized that I am failing to admire the greatness of a team for the simple reason that I am against its supporters (of course, they are against me as well). From the audacity of young Pandey, to the elegance of Rahul Dravid, to the incredible determination of Anil Kumble and that incomparable team ethic, I just have not been able to enjoy anything since I was looking forward for them to lo...

Last night I had (carelessly and foolishly too) parked my bike on a slope and was happily munching my dinner. I suddenly heard a rollicking sound and was shocked when I turned around to see my bike lying down helplessly. How I felt afterwards made me realize how much I love my bike. The heart became heavy and the eyes became moist (remember, I hate to exaggerate), the feeling can be mapped to the one that a mother gets when her kid trips and falls down to get hurt or the one you get when your loving pet gets bruised by a speeding car. I forgot that I was in the middle of my dinner, without even wiping off my hands, I lifted my bike, made her stand upright, checked everything from the lights to the brakes to the kicker and confirmed all is fine and then resumed my dinner - half-heartedly though - with my thoughts fully inclined on my bike. That made me understand what my bike means to me - one who never once betrayed me right through the 63000 Kms she has been with me (My br...