It's High Time!!!

Finally, Shiv Sena has let the Australian and Pakistani players play in the IPL. While Pakistani players will not be able to play anyway in this edition of the T20 extravaganza, Australian players in the IPL will add a lot of excitement with the likes of Matthew Hayden, Adam Gilchrist and Shane Warne (all veterans) to play for Chennai Super Kings, Deccan Chargers and Rajasthan Royals respectively. In their last three movements, Shiv Sena found itself all alone in the agitation with almost zero public support.

The first agitation came against Rahul Gandhi’s Mumbai visit on the issue of North Indians being tortured in Maharashtra. While the Sena chief challenged the young Gandhi to visit Mumbai, RG not only visited the city but also traveled in the local train, speaking with the local people and providing open views regarding the issues. The Sena lost the battle to bite the dust.

The second one started when SRK made a statement regarding the inclusion of Pakistani players in the IPL. Shiv Sena took this issue to ban the forthcoming film of the King Khan, My Name is Khan. However, the Sena found itself alone in the agitation as the multiplex owners screened the movie after receiving government assurance with respect to security and movie lovers too came in flocks to watch the most awaited movie of the year. While the cinemas went houseful, the Sena chief Bal Thakery took out the fury on public saying, “Let those who love Pak-lover SRK watch MNIK”.

The third defeat came as Sena finally agreed to let the Pakistani and Australian players play in IPL-3. While the Sena chief maintained that concerns regarding the security of Indians in Australia made him terminate his agitation against Australian cricketers, it is public now that Sena is finding itself isolated in its agitations. However, the Sena supreme didn’t fail to lash out his agony saying “Let Australian cricketers come here, let Pakistani cricketers come here. Let trained terrorists come here. Sena will do nothing”.

It is time when Indians have shown that they are tired of such jingoism or narrow minded nationalism. In today’s world of globalization, stopping innocent foreign people from entering your country on the basis of some stupid narrow minded ideology is not at all acceptable, let alone stopping your own countrymen from other regions. It’s high time when such anti-social elements in the country understand that such chauvinism is not going to work anymore.

Once again...

It happened once again….. the thing which I would have wanted to avoid at any cost. Don’t know how but I ended up sounding stupid once again. Often when I recollect my 2 years stint at MDI+ESCP, I don't see myself having made any significant contribution to the class or the school. Probably the worst two years or the worst set of friends I have made in my life.

Two days back, I replied to the post by Vabs regarding a small mention of our batch in Business Standard. I couldn’t resist myself replying to the mail after seeing people go “Oooo… la la” over the article. While, on the first look, I found my argument perfectly valid with a slight indication over the possible batch bias happened in the article. However, once again the argument was collectively dismissed. I don't know how do I always end up on the wrong side of the table in every debate I have with the batch.

I haven’t been replying to the group mails since long. However, this time I replied, just to end up sounding stupid once again. While this doesn’t happen on a routine basis but with MDI batchmates, it has happened almost everytime. And the tragedy is that I cannot digest the fact that I could be wrong all the time.

Today when I read the actual facts about the article I could not believe myself to give a judgement like that. While wisdom demands a strong knowledge of facts before passing on a judgement. I don't know how did I missed out this time. Or is it just the destiny that I would keep on sounding stupid in front of my MDI batch?

Grown Up (supposed to be posted in October 2009)

This Diwali was one of the best Diwalis of my life. Back home is always fun. But it becomes even more fun when you meet all your near and dear ones. And Diwali is the time when you expect everyone to be at home. While I met all the family members back home, meeting friends is always special. Especially the ones with whom you’ve shared your childhood. I was really excited to meet them all. Especially Javed, Anjali, Nirali and Krupali with whom I’ve remained regularly in touch. Unfortunately Chinmay and Anvesh weren’t able to make it otherwise it would have been even more fun. Anjali got added to the non-attendant list later on. We all have spent some of the best time of our lives together at Don Bosco School. The school, where I spent 10 years of my schooling life or I should say 71.42% of my schooling life from 1st standard till 10th.

This time, two great news made me more excited to meet them. First one, Nirali was getting engaged to a guy in the US who was doing his PhD there. Secondly, Anjali was also getting engaged to a guy in Ahmedabad, about to complete his CA. This made me realize how fast the time has passed. Yesterday, you were playing with them in school and today, they have grown up to get married; to dedicate their life to that one person called “husband/wife”. They’ve grown up so much so to take up the responsibilities of their own. So matured in their behavior. Never realized where the time went by!!!

Yesterday, we used to get worried about homework, class tests, terminal and annual examinations and today we are talking about job, marriage, settling down n all. 10 years down the line the topics will change again. What will remain the same would be the strength and the sweetness of the friendship.