What's The Good Word?

Over the last few weeks, I have been observing the varying moods of a good friend. According to him, he was sort of pulled deep into a whole lot of work. And he made no bones about the irritation that caused him. However, after a 'long day's work', he would, apparently head over to refresh his irritated mind and pull out his wallet that financed his refreshments. That's when, he said,"Man, you know, I am slogging it out, but then moments such as these, when I can spare that extra buck to make myself happy, makes me thank my job. So what, if some want to call mine a thankless job?". Poignant, very, I told myself. And that's when I thought to myself, "Work? Life? Balance? Boy oh boy, if not for work, where is life the way you want it?" That to me, settled the what's the good word question. And for a second reminded me another good friend's motto in life- if you want something that you don't have, do something that you haven't done. Now, I need to get back to work. After all, it' such a wonderful part of life. Or is it?

Shouldn’t Sunday Occur More Than Once a Year?

As the sun sets on World Environment Day 2009, it’s surely going to smile a little more. For, it’s on this day that the centre of the solar system has been in the spotlight. It’s next chance would surely be during some solar eclipse, but will never be as popular for another 365 days of it’s life. And our lives too.
True, the sun may not have been among the top trending topics on Twitter, but then, in the offline world, it sure has been a hit. And why not. The sun, for one day is the panacea for all the environmental ills that afflict our civilization. Clean, green energy. And what not. But then, that’s all for just one day. Not 24 hours. But about 12 to 18 hours. And then, as it sets, all the green activists bid the sun a goodbye. Surely, the big daddy of universe deserves a better deal- being thought of as a source of clean energy through the year. Till then, dear Sun, sad to say, but it just won't be your day.

Happy Schooling, Sonny Boy!

I am posting what everyone says is the text of Abraham Lincoln’s letter to his son’s teacher. I do not know if it is true or not. But nevertheless, as a father whose son has just joined school, and also as an admirer of meaningful writing, here I go. And yes, Abe, thank you. I hope my son's teacher and teachers of many kids out there read this. Happy schooling, sonny!

Text of Abraham Lincoln’s Letter to his Son’s Teacher

He will have to learn, I know,
that all men are not just,
all men are not true.
But teach him also that
for every scoundrel there is a hero;
that for every selfish Politician,
there is a dedicated leader…
Teach him for every enemy there is a friend,

Steer him away from envy,
if you can,
teach him the secret of
quiet laughter.

Let him learn early that
the bullies are the easiest to lick…
Teach him, if you can,
the wonder of books…
But also give him quiet time
to ponder the eternal mystery of birds in the sky,
bees in the sun,
and the flowers on a green hillside.

In the school teach him
it is far honourable to fail
than to cheat…
Teach him to have faith
in his own ideas,
even if everyone tells him
they are wrong…
Teach him to be gentle
with gentle people,
and tough with the tough.

Try to give my son
the strength not to follow the crowd
when everyone is getting on the band wagon…
Teach him to listen to all men…
but teach him also to filter
all he hears on a screen of truth,
and take only the good
that comes through.

Teach him if you can,
how to laugh when he is sad…
Teach him there is no shame in tears,
Teach him to scoff at cynics
and to beware of too much sweetness…
Teach him to sell his brawn
and brain to the highest bidders
but never to put a price-tag
on his heart and soul.

Teach him to close his ears
to a howling mob
and to stand and fight
if he thinks he’s right.
Treat him gently,
but do not cuddle him,
because only the test
of fire makes fine steel.

Let him have the courage
to be impatient…
let him have the patience to be brave.
Teach him always
to have sublime faith in himself,
because then he will have
sublime faith in mankind.

This is a big order,
but see what you can do…
He is such a fine little fellow,
my son!

~ Abraham Lincoln

Neither a borrower nor a lender be.

It’s now a month since the Mumbai attacks. So many incidents have taken place. Some rightly justifiable. Some regrettable. And some, outlandish and bordering on the ridiculous (pun intended). Here is one of them.

Yesterday, there was this report. I quote- "The Asif Ali Zardari government is under pressure to impose economic ’sanctions’ against India. Pakistan’s national assembly has passed a resolution along these lines and is very keen that Zardari acts on the collective will of the House." This to me, takes the cake.

Take a closer look at the sort of economic sanctions Pakistan, a nation that’s on the brink of bankruptcy is seeking. Thus spake one of their top leaders. " We must impose economic sanctions upon India by halting all kinds of trade."

According to certain reports, between July 2007 and April 2008, Pakistan imported goods worth $1.209 billion from India and it's exports to India were at $227 million during July 2007-April 2008. Which means that the trade deficit stood at around $800 million.

Well, ban India's exports to Pakistan, and there is a loss of around $ 800 million to be considered. But then, if that group of wise men in Pakistan's Senate is serious about not just imports from India, but overall trading with India, as an Indian I can but only rejoice.

We have imported stuff worth $300 million this year. But the price we have paid, and are paying, and will continue to pay will be a lot more than that. That's why I urge those wise Pakistani decision-makers to consider this ‘what-we-don’t-need-from-pakistan’ wish list. And given your penchant to add to anything an Indian, significant or otherwise has to say, do feel free to add to this list.


1- Please stop sending us those uncouth, uncivilized and unhappy gun toting 20-somethings to Kashmir.
2- Please stop sending us those B-grade movies you make out there.
3- Stop sending terror to our cities.
4- Stop sending us your conservative, outdated and primitive outlooks.
5- Please stop sending us cowards who love to hate peace.
6- Please stop sending us your insecurity and ignorance driven propaganda.
7- Please stop sending us those silly journalists' points of view.
8- Please stop sending us your filmmakers who want use our studios for their editing.
9- Lastly, if you really have the gumption, I dare you to stop sending your talented cricketers who stand to gain millions by being associated with India.

Finally, to quote the famous bard, "If you prick us, do we not bleed? If you tickle us, do we not laugh? If you poison us, do we not die? And if you wrong us, shall we not revenge?".

All's well when it ends this well!

Ricky Ponting's Team Australia's unbreakable run that lasted over 24 months has ended. Finally some would say. And how, is I am pretty sure is the popular sentiment.

This India-Australia series so far, has been a great leveller of sorts. If Sydney Test was a moral victory for India, the Perth 'Pathaaka' like a TV Channel (and don't we all love those chaps' penchant for sensationalising every passing moment in time that they call news), was a victory for the game of cricket.

Beginning with the days of the bearded ol' egg, through the years when a certain Australian made runners out of cricket fielders, to the days of that Gentle Giant from the Caribbean, cricket has been one of aggression between the bat and the ball. Never between the ones who hold one of these.

But over the years, in the name of a bit of a chat, or any other thing one would want to call it, the interaction between the players have been taking up more newsprint than the one between the, like I said earlier, bat and ball. Things like family lineage, wives' loyalties being questioned rather rudely, children's eatables landing up on the pitch, momentarily forgetting the basics of what constitutes a catch, and even imagining oneself to be a batsman, captain and for God's sake, an umpire as well in one match. Tchah!

I think some gentlemen (yeah, yeah) from certain teams (yeah, yeah you know which ones they are), thought no end of themselves. Till this end arrived. Through a famous victory for the Indian team. And a satisfying one for the game of cricket on this day at Perth, Australia. An end which to every right-minded cricket follower fell into place pretty well. With one full day of cricket to spare.

While the Indians I am sure are congratulating fellow team members, I would be surprised if Headmaster Ricky Ponting is not giving a dressing down, spanking or even having a 'bit of a chat' with the supposedly world's best winners and undoubtedly the world's worst losers.

So, till Adelaide, it's 'better luck next time Ricky'. Make that Ricky Panting, or Ricky Ranting, or even Ricky Panting who possibly is now Ranting. But surely, no longer raving.

Midsummer Night's Dream

I begin by recalling what the Bard of Avon wrote about five centuries ago. Midsummer Night's Dream. A romantic comedy that portrays the adventures of a group of amateur actors, their interactions with the Duke and Duchess of Athens, and with fairies who inhabit a moonlit forest.

Cut to 2008. A summer in Australia. And the adventures of four cricketers. Ponting, Symonds, Kumble, and Bhajji. Only the bard could have scripted a tale reeking of passion, envy, hate and soliloquies. But the Bard's muse would have failed in inspiring him to come up with a twist like an amateur at plays has managed to. An amateur at plays, aye aye. Yet, a master at playing games. The ICC. And it's latest antic of putting Brad in the hog-light. Fathom this. According to a news channel, ah my favourite topic, Australian spinner Brad Hogg is now charged under Level 3 of the International Cricket Council's Code of Conduct following allegations that he verbally abused Indian skipper Anil Kumble and Mahendra Singh Dhoni.

Hogg is accused of making the remarks during the final day of the controversial second Test in Sydney. Incidentally, Harbhajan Singh was also reported under the same clause! Eye for an eye. Ban for a ban. Whatever happens to what WG Grace popularised? What has been touted as a Dream Series is turning out to be a shame and importantly a nightmare for the players and the game of cricket as well.

Just a passing thought. Is there a match referee for this verbal duel? No. Mr. MP won't do.

As you like it

All's well that ends well. Famous words. The veracity of these words would be known once Team India is back from Australia.

Just as the humiliation of the first test was to sink in, came the tsunami of allegations, and emotions. I am not for once saying it is a great thing to be seeing these kind of things taking place. I mean, I am the sort of chappie who would surely say 'that's not cricket and all that.' But then, while I would say that, I would also say that that's cricket for you if it's in Australia.

I mean, everything goes out there. For instance, Bucknor's finger going up like it did. So, when you are dining with the devil, don't worry too much about the devil's appearances, habits or even vocabulary. Right then, what were we seeing on TV? Ricky, Bhajji, Symonds, Kumble, Pawar, and the gang. After seeing our Boys in Blue smile at us like super-humans in ads, we were treated to sights of them sulking and what not. We saw all that we had to. On and off the field. Heard all that had to be heard. Said all that had to be said. To our friends, colleagues, and the rest of the world to whom we want to be seen as a patriot for standing by the Men in Blue who normally are rolling in green paper. While, every Indian, almost every Indian, has let out that 'damn' or words to such effect, nothing has been done. No. I am not referring to a white sack with Bucknor written on it and set on fire in the middle of the road and all that nonsense. What I am talking about is the cash register manager of World Cricket- ICC. They are yet to move despite Malcolm-you-know who heading it. Now, for my pet peeve. The Media. Aha!

Apart from the two gentlemen's comments; Ricky's outburst and Kumble's famous statement that evoked applause by the Indian Media I don't see how anyone else's comments needed any coverage at all. A Maninder Singh, Chetan Chauhan and the rest of the world. I mean, these possibly are the same blokes who'd have smiled as the Hugheses and the Dean Joneses sledged at them. So much for the exclusives et al. And let me not mention another channel that kept showing that one grounded catch with Gavaskar in the background shouting 'sacrilege' or some such thing.

For goodness' sake, why on earth must all that transpired/transpires between 22 yards take up thousands of miles of footage on Indian Television Channels? And about as much length of newsprint as well?

Speaking of comments, I read elsewhere that Pigeon (that's his nickname and that's not racist) reacted to our stoic Kumble's comment that "only one team was playing in the spirit of the game", saying that he (Pigeon/McGrath) was a little bit surprised.

He went on to add, "I always got on really on with Anil and he's a great guy, very reserved. I find it quite surprising that he would come out and say that." Dear Mr. Glenn, you too were a victim of sledging once upon a time. Though you may want to forget that and also the fact that it was your own doing is another matter. But the fact remains in the form of video footage about how suddenly, like a Bollywood star, you grew young by three decades and threw a fit. And you talk about emotions and surprises. Tchah! Well. That's Australian camaraderie for you. And that's AC (Australian Cricket) for you.

Amidst all these controversies, rest assured that it's not really all black and white. Or even white and brown. It's all about blue and green. Baggy green if you please.

Oh yes! In case you are wondering about Pigeon all ruffled, go to this URL: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-IsVsLh-yGs