Dawn of a new era?

18th April 2008. 6.30 pm. The cricketing world set its eyes on the Chinnaswamy stadium, Bengaluru to witness an unprecedented show of cricket plus entertainment. The world witnessed an amazing spectacle and perhaps the dawn of a new era in Indian cricket. The launch of the Indian Premier League was an extravagant display of fireworks, music and colour. The world was witnessing a resplendent India in its entire splendour and grandeur. Fans got their money's worth right, as was promised and what a start to the exciting tournament! As Mr. Stammering TobaccoSmoker's team took on Dr. HighFlier Brewer's team, India was digesting the scintillating new equations that the game offered. Virat Kohli and Ishant Sharma rubbing shoulders with cricket legends. Sourav Ganguly playing alongside Ricky Ponting. Ishant Sharma claiming Dravid's wicket. A South African bowling to a New Zealander with an Australian non striker in India! The Force India car was proudly displayed in the stadium! Cheerleaders from the USA danced to the tunes of Hindi numbers. Aforementioned Six Packed Tobacco consumer dancing in delight while surrounded by a sea of Black and Gold! Two of India's former captains clashed with their teams in this completely one sided affair. The Kolkata Knight Riders beat the Royal Challengers Bangalore black and blue to clinch a decisive 140 run victory in the inaugural match! The performer of the day was definitely McCullum with his whirlwind knock of 158 runs. He left the spectators dumbstruck with his lofty hits all round the ground. His marvellous innings helped the Knights ride their way to an easy win. Agarkar, Ganguly and Co. bundled up the Bangalorean batting lineup which predominantly consists of Test batsmen. Maybe the King of Good Times was a bit tipsy when he 'bought' players when they went under the hammer! Why did he choose Wasim Jaffer for the blitzkrieg version of cricket? It was definitely a slam-bang start for IPL. Waiting for a show by the Mumbai Indians! Sachin-Sanath opening combination! DUNIYA HILA DENGE!

Stop torching the spirit of the Games!

The Olympic Torch,lit in Greece,is being relayed round the world and is igniting protests along the route. China's double standards and aggressive foreign policies have invited the ire of men and women across the globe. Its policies regarding Tibet since the 1950s deserve the dissent of the entire human populace but sabotage and hindrance should be kept miles away from a noble global ceremony like the Olympic Torch Relay. The Olympic Games rise above politics and are a symbol of worldwide peace,unity and harmony. Hampering the greatest sporting spectacle is worse than a sin. It's a shame that the Olympics face calls of boycott due to political turmoil. The host nation has definitely violated human rights just like any other communist regime but one must remember that the selection of an Olympic host city is an entirely democratic process. China has troubled the poor Tibetan population since half a century, where were the western powers then? Now the Sarkozy, Brown, Merkel, Bush regimes are in a dilemma whether to opt for a boycott or not. But have they questioned China in the UN? Although China has been on the wrong side of the Tibet issue, hindering the 2008 Olympics would be a disaster; a death blow to any hopes of living in a peaceful world. Something as pure and holy as the Olympic Games needs the participation of the entire human race. Athletes, organisers, fans, spectators contribute equally to the spirit of the games which is supreme. Wild protests not only damage the spirit of the games but also nullify the purpose of such a great event. Instead of ranting in protest and organising a doppelganger torch relay, the Tibetans and Tibetan sympathisers should understand that the Olympics can be a perfect medium to champion their cause of freedom and self governance. Co-operating for the success of the games would be the best step that the protesters can take because supporting the games would reiterate their demand for a free world. It is saddening to see that the protesters are getting rather emotional and forcing officials to extinguish the symbolic flame. Ironically, it was Adolf Hitler who suggested this great concept of a torch relay.
'One world, One dream' says the Beijing Olympics Motto. Very rightly phrased as it is the need of the hour in this utterly divided world. The New Delhi leg of the torch relay once again highlighted the Congress Government's typical netagiri attitude making it look like a Congress family function albeit a cheaply and crudely organised one resembling a practical joke. The security was commendable and very much needed but that didn't hide the Government's bowing down to Chinese diplomatic pressure which is sincerely strengthened by Indian communists. China asked us to shorten the route and we did it because as usual the UPA Government didn't want to invite The Dragon's wrath. It was heartening to see the Indian Express reunited( please get us a medal,Paes- Bhupathi!). P.T. Usha, Milkha Singh, Anju Bobby George, Karnam Malleshwari and all the other Olympians filled a billion hearts with pride when they bore the torch on the majestic Raj Path. But was it necessary to include people like Aamir Khan, Saif Ali Khan, Sagarika Ghatge among the 70 runners who ran from the Rashtrapati Bhavan to India Gate? Suresh Kalmadi was at his worst when he was given a chance to speak ( I didn't expect anything better). It sounded like an election campaign speech somewhere in Pune. He did something which has an apt phrase in the national language: Desh ki izzat mitti mein milana! And to think that such a person represents our country at an international level! Even a school kid could have spoken better on the Olympic Torch Relay. The Congress Party Jamboree had its own music with Daler Mehendi screaming when the cauldron was lit. The excess security had its own contribution to the list of problems. The last stretch of the run was thrown in total confusion as the runner and the tennis duo were veiled from each other by commandos. I was expecting great protests taking into account the large Tibetan population in the city. But thanks to Republic Day-like curfew, the relay was peaceful. Hope that the relay inspires the Indian contingent to bring home dozens of medals. May the spirit of the games never diminish!
Citius, Altius, Fortius!