Variable Captain, Kolkata Knightriders,John Buchanan, Cricket and bits of Shame!!

I somehow like Sourav Ganguly but that’s not what this is all about. A press conference was held today at Kolkata where John sort of spelled out the KnightRiders Team’s captaincy plan.
I understood that for every match there could be a different captain. Also, while the matches are on there could be more than one player directing different aspects of the play like fielding, bowling and what have you.

Let me draw up some analogies. So in a concert you would be having a multiple conductors; one managing the violins, the other perhaps percussion and depending upon the mood of the crowd that day it could be Zubin Mehta or somebody else as the main conductor. There could be more examples but I guess you get the hang of it.

This smacks of overworking minds in an ivory tower trying to take control over the game. Managing communication, keeping up the morale are going to become key issues. I am not old fashioned but stupid changes in formats just for trials is not my concept of good governance A leader is a leader; period. Let’s not undermine the leader and there can only be one.

Shame on you John and Shame on you Sharukh! Sphere: Related Content

TATA launches NANO while I cook some thoughts about Safety!!

We Indian are all so glad that finally the Nano has been launched. The first 100000 bookings have a guarantee on the promised price of 100000 INR. The TATAs have mentioned that the project is profitable. On second guess I have this funny notion that the price guarantees in other words mean that after the last car from the current lot rolls out the selling price will definitely go up.

We all know that TATA Cars to begin with have too many teething problems and I only hope that the “common man”’ consumer is not at his wits end if he has to keep visiting the workshop. So far so good!!

I also heard another piece of newsbyte that apparently there is a Nano Europa that is scheduled for a launch in the European Countries sometime in 2011. We have been informed that the new incumbent will have a more powerful engine and will adhere to European Safety and Emission standards. This leads to a nagging thought in my mind.

Why are Indians compromised whenever it comes to the question of safety? The automobile companies and the Government, both are to be blamed for this. The Government is lazy in introducing laws and the auto companies unless pressurized will never do anything on this. Of course the man on the street is also not absolved because given a chance the subcontinent habit ingrained in our genes is to break the law especially traffic or vehicular.

I remember the days when Bajaj vehemently opposed the introduction of indicator lights on their two wheelers. Unless police started taking serious actions helmets were avoided if possible. Using mobile phones while driving in Delhi is a for sure NO NO. I am not so sure about other states. Seat belts were never fitted in vehicles by the Auto Companies on their own until there was a law. Emission standards also came in to play after a lot of hue and cry. I cannot think of any single instance where the Auto Companies did something for the environment or safety on their own. Unfortunately and this trend continues.

Is it that the companies are to be blamed? We Indians are too shallow on certain crucial basic aspects of life. The Government, the business sector and anybody else in the game are after all manned by us. Where does the buck stop?

Sphere: Related Content

Cirque de BJP, Varun Gandhi, Election Commission, et al

This is an interesting state of affairs. Somebody gets up on a dais on a public forum and makes anti people statements. The political party backing him is anyway not bothered. The Election Commission is advising on issues where they have no locus standi. The media is happy since they have lots of feed of whatever is going on.

Criminals proven or non proven are present in all the parties. So this holier than thou approach by most political parties are hilarious and frightening at the same point of time.

The EC has never risen earlier against anybody else like this and there are scores of other hopefuls waiting for the elections who would have been guilty like Varun albeit on different counts.

Unfortunately as always the common man is at the receiving end of all these antics where nothing fruitful finally happens. I will be amazed if it does. So would you!!!

Sphere: Related Content

Varun Gandhi ‘and his Hate Speech

Like many others I was also appalled to watch Mr. Gandhi speaking against Muslims from that political dais in Pilhibit

I hope that young politicians do not take inspirations from him and start hate campaigns.

Coming to think of it other than his surname I find nothing in him that should inspire us. He has never done any distinguished social service, nor has he gained fame on any area other than publishing a poetry book that nobody bought.

So with the blessings of senior minds in the BJP, he went ahead for his two minutes of fame so that he can be the talk of the town.

I wish he does not win the election. Like somebody said in a movie..I have nothing against him; it’s just that I cannot tolerate the things he does Sphere: Related Content

IPL (Cricket) goes out of India

On television tonight I was watching the frustrated face of Lalit Modi screaming on television rather proudly on how IPL will now be played in South Africa or England this year. Some other BCCI staffer announced that due to the rather negative attitude of the Government this was inevitable.

My points are as follows:

1. The BCCI was stupid to have planned for this date clash with the elections. Knowing reality and taking action is prudent rather than take the stupidest form of risks. Security is about spectators too.

2. The Home Ministry was rather sedate in its approach to resolve issues. I think we did not try enough. It is apparent that the Sports Minister in the Government has no say, nor can he contribute.

3. I still feel that IPL could have been held in India and in some form or the other, maybe with reduced matches or some other way.

4. Sometimes money and pride make human beings vulnerable and this is also another example of the same.

5. I feel sorry for ourselves that we did not work as a team to make this happen. The Government and the BCCI; both are at fault.

Sphere: Related Content

My Comments on Reality Televison on We The People, NDTV

Reality TV is not necessarily voyeuristic. Its the ''type'' of show that is of concern. As always there is always a good and bad in everything and that is judged by the societal norms of our surroundings. You have to admit that these rules are ever evolving and beyond your control. Human beings given the complex minds that we have cover the full extremes of positive and negative of morality(that itself is vague by definition).

Parenting and education are the control mechanisms when somebody is young. The law and societal rules are the control mechanisms when you are an adult. The problem is that in every sphere we absolve of or do not perform our responsibilities. So OK should have refused the coverage contract of Goody but they did not. Similarly a mother gave too much of pocket money to a child when that was not required.

You and I cannot define these. But that's how human culture evolves and only time will tell whether civilisation is marching towards doom or ever better future.

Media events are a reflection of our society.Good debate is good for the mind, but you and me do not have the powers on how humans will behave in the future. Morality is relative and its all a cycle. The word freedom can be interpreted in different ways and that's what is going to count in the future. Unfortunately, neither you nor I or for that matter anybody else will have a definitive answer.

The human laws unfold over time and always spring a surprise on older generations. Sphere: Related Content

Bombay Tadka in Dubai : An evening of Parathas, Biryani and Kulfi

While most of Dubai vouch for Paratha King in Karama for Parathas( Indian Pancakes made of wheat flour, a lot of times stuffed with Veggies or Minces) I did not like the experience too much. Perhaps when nothing is available, the one that you get becomes so dear to the heart. Or at least, that was my conclusion.

Then I visited this place called Bombay Tadka. The food has nothing to do with Mumbai, the menu is Spartan, but then this place is for repeated visits.

These guys make awesome parathas. The ones on offer are, Aloo(Potato), Dal Palak(Lentils and Spinach), Mooli(Radish), Gobi(CauliFlower) and Keema(Mutton Mince). Served hot, you cannot stop at one. I left out the special for the last. They have something called the Aloo Anda Paratha. So after the potato stuffed Paratha is done, the chef takes a knife and makes an insertion In the paratha and shoves in a beaten egg. The end result is fantastic. All parathas come with raita(diluted yoghurt with herbs, there could be many variations!!) and a chilly pickle.

Bombay Tadka also serves Mutton Biryani and it’s awesome. There is RaJma Chawal that I am told is good and of course you have the Kulfi as dessert if you choose so.

Bombay Tadka is situated in the Food Court of Lulu HyperMarket that is situated beside Mall Of Emirates. Rakesh Puri, the renowned chef is the promoter and trust me he is doing a great job. Avoid the Kababs. That’s a disaster. Overall rating for the food would be an 8 out of 10!! Sphere: Related Content

Amateurish and Childish Words

The morning sun greets us or is it the other way around.
The days just pass like a circle round and round.
The flowers are up for grabs
The claws of the devil - just like crabs
The evening is quiet and there seems to be no sound.

We could see the horizon when we first came in
The moon, sun and stars absolving us from every sin
The view now has gone away
Leaving behind just walls of grey
The curtains that were open have now closed in.

The cruel waves of the sea keep coming back
A young girl hurries with shells for her back pack
The forecast is of gloom
Believers tend to follow the doom
We go ahead as we should, turning our back. Sphere: Related Content