Not just some random thoughts…
Archive for August, 2008
Going for Gold
Aug 27th
INDIA Gold-1, Silver-0, Bronze-2, Standing-50
Achievements
First ever gold medal in an individual event (Shooting) in Olympic history of 108 years.
First ever medal in Boxing
So, the two lines above are enough to satisfy a population of 115 Crore?
Lets check out some other results:
KENYA Gold-5, Silver-5, Bronze-4, Standing-15
Facing ongoing political unrest from 2007.
ETHIOPIA Gold-4, Silver-1, Bronze-2, Standing-18
Raging shortage of food and riots.
ZIMBABWE Gold-1, Silver-3, Bronze-0, Standing 38
Destroyed by internal conflicts and facing isolation from International community.
Are we still satisfied with the results? We always compare ourselves with China, lets look at how they fared in their own backyard.
Gold-51, Silver-21, Bronze-28, Standing-1
It was not long-before, when China won its first ever Gold Medal. In 1984, Los Angeles Games, Xu Haifeng shooted his way to the history of Chinese Olympics as its first ever Gold Medalist. And after 24 years China stand firmly at the top of table with 15 Gold medals more than a distant US.
Some people might argue that they got the home advantage and automatic entry to all the games, but does that mean getting an entry itself guarantees a gold or for that sake a medal? When competing amongst the best of bests, gate-crashers rarely held their heads high.
We should look at China as a source of Inspiration, not enviously. We are, to be frank, no competition to them. Of course we did got the all important breakthrough by winning our first ever Individual Olympic gold. But, its about planning and more importantly executing it. The Chinese planned and targeted each and every medal available. They had a systematic and individual approach towards all the metal pieces on for grab. They started nurturing there talented individuals for this Olympics from Sydney 2000. And we talk about preparing ourselves for London 2012.
The truth is that India need to provide financial security to the athletes. Yes, we are obsessed with Cricket, why not be? Its the only game in which we compete in top flight. We have earned a Test Playing nation status, of which there are only 8 (Zimbabwe suspended for now) other nations in the world. The expectations are met more often than not as compared to any other game we play. India was the world hockey power house. The same sponsor support our hockey and cricket teams. There are no financial problems, of course dreams of over night riches are self made by players, which to be frank depends entirely on a game’s commercial value. Ussain Bolt or Michael Phelps even after winning heaps of gold medals, won’t be the face of there country for the next 4 years. Jamaica have a lot more than running athletes and as for US, it will be all over when Monday night football kicks off.
China adopted a very basic approach- catch them young. The US athletes were afraid of a Chinese athlete, who according to them looked no older than 14 years and when China showed proof of age, they have to, simply eat their words and criticise them (debatable though). But that clearly underlines one thing, other Olympic powers have acknowledged and are afraid of China’s might.
Had the Chinese media went crazy like their Indian counterparts, then they would have to stop broadcasting the events and have to keep interviewing the athletes all the time. There was a medal winner emerging every second hour for them.
We need to be realistic and plan to our strengths. Instead of planning for London 2012, we should start nurturing out forces for Olympics 2020. To plan is the first step, but to execute is the most important one. And who knows these things better than us Indians, we study the 5-year plans and Planning Commissions from Grade 1 to Grade 10. But as goes our basic instinct, we dream, rather to plan.
Unjustified tolerance
Aug 26th
When a government becomes too numb to something, the citizens are easy prey and more vulnerable. Thats what exactly is happening in India.
In very recent times, the country had suffered serial bombings in 3 religiously harmonic and growing metropolises and managed, somehow, to avert 1. After disturbing Jaipur, Bangalore and Ahmedabad were taken on sword by the terrorists in consecutive days and the third disaster averted in Surat the very next day. What does it symbolises? Has the Indian Government left the situation on itself? Or the terrorists are too smart for them to catch? Whatever it does, it surely concludes that the Government had taken a very unique stand on it, which no country and i REPEAT, no country in world can or will do- tolerance, UNJUSTIFIED TOLERANCE.
Agreed India is a country of huge proportions, both by size and population, but is that an excuse. We should look at how China has used it huge population as an asset instead of blaming it for failures and short-comings. With a population of 115 Crore people, pre-dominantly youth, the Government should use it as the best means of internal security. Instead of that, the head-constable on road pulls up a software engineer walking at 11.30 pm. His fault- he was walking hand in hand with his girl friend at 11.30 pm because there shifts are from 2 to 10 pm. Thats India and thats the alertness possessed by our Security forces.
Moreover, even a 5 year old, if hit by a bully on road, will retaliate and fight for it. But what does India do? India just condemn the bombings, correction, Condemn the bombings in strong words. When asked what were RAW and IB doing all the time? There is a foundry minted reply from the officials- We are trying our best to take stock of situation and will let you know after the investigations are over. Honestly, its not their fault. If allowed to work freely, the security forces won’t take much of time to clean up India of these obnoxious weeds scattered all over, But that word- ALLOWED carries much weight in itself.
So why is India just tolerating? We don’t have the capability to crack down on these terrorists? Or the Civil Nuclear Deal or perhaps the election season are much more important. We all know who’s behind these persistent infiltration in our territories but yet, the Government is too numb to act. This silent, unjustified tolerance by the so called Biggest Democracy, Fastest growing Economy, makes one wonder- Are we not armed enough? Mind you, armed by means, not by weapons. We repeatedly pledge and re-ignite our vows on international scene to fight terrorism and yet at home we so often fail to prevent the now-so-common militant attacks.
Its plain simple, these terrorists have no agenda, no demands, no target. They hit and will hit wherever and whenever they get the opportunity. So its upon the Government to prepare the very assets of this country- the people of India to fight against these trespassing, correction VIOLENT trespassing. India have actually forgotten the best way of fighting any dreadious disease- PREVENTION IS BETTER THAN CURE. That how we keep away from them. Its about taking a strong front and adopting a clear cut agenda. If we adopt the zero tolerance policy as by Russia or USA, there is no way any militant would dare eye us.
Yes, we are peace loving, but not cowards. Yes we like to solve situations amicably, but not at the costs of innocent lives of our own people.
The Great Indian Media Challenge
Aug 26th
Ok, This ones got nothing to so with my routine. Its about something we call home.
While reading other day about the warning by a certain Mr. Ratan Tata to an Honourable Indian State Goverenment, here West Bengal, i just wondered will Indian ever get out of the myth so called as MEDIA? Its such a shame that the Indian Media always try to protect the rich, affluent and influential people. Correction- they do not protect them, rather they get there pockets filled in exchange of creating a favourable and sympathetic image for them. And if someone messes with the Mafia, i mean the Media, they get a shot in the arm. Media will destroy there public image. So much so that, to save the family members of a 14 year old murdered girl, a certain news channel went on to conduct there own trial on Air. If thats what they think is Trial by Media then they need to read the Indian Law.
Lets get to the case. The dream Indian car, the 100,000 Rs. car promised by Tata and launched in hifty jifty with promises of commercial production and market launch by September-October, 2008. First of all, it was and never will be under or even near to the 100,000 Rs. mark as promised by the manufacturer. Secondly, the sub standard quality of equipments used will surely make one wonder is it really worth driving that car?
Ok, my point in not that. The warning given by Mr. Tata to the West Bengal government to reshift the Nano Plant to somewhere else was projected by the media as it was all the goverenment’s fault. We are so used to fed by the waiters in restaurants that whatever the media serve us, we just pounce on that. The actual facts are always covered up so brilliantly that no one believes them even when they really pop out.
Mr. Tata is a businessman. And we all know, that promises of businessmen are meant for quote unquote. He promised the Indian Dream car and when he couldn’t actually get his engineers to work on cost controls, he started blaming the government. The truth is that the car or even the prototypes are not ready and won’t be for sometime. And thats why the manufacturer starts to point out the obstacles which never existed and actually surfaced after the media highlighted his statements. Now these so called obstacles will be taken as causes of delay in manufacturing of the car and so the public will be fooled yet again.
No, i am not paid by any automobile company to paste this up in my blog, no one reads it anyways. But its just that i am sick of the Indian Media trying time and again and succeeding in fooling the Common Man. We really need a Media Commission which actually try to verify the contents. That would be the day when we get a clear picure. A country of 115 Crore people can get satisfied so easily by 3 Medals in a Summer Olympics. No, its the media that satisfies us by the constant delivery of same stories again and again making us think as we have acquired more than 10 medals in a day. The fact is that we finished at 50th position and when we actually see the list of countries finishing above us, its actually a shame. The best example is Zimbabwe, with all the political and internal turmoil in the country and even facing isolation from the international community, it finished at 38th position with 1 gold and 3 silvers.
Maybe it will change and that will be the dawn of a new era in India.
Yeh hai bambai meri JAAN..
Aug 24th
People end there day with a blog, like Mr. Amitabh Bachan and i write it at 3 in afternoon. Thats what so unique about me. My mom always used to say i am different, though she meant it in a sarcastic way. But lol, i am different i guess.
So, yesterday, first day of week, was actually quite hectic. Yes, it was work, but not all work. The social obligations, the will to give back to society also had to be addressed. As well as a commitment with some friends for a long due dinner.
It started with a good news ofcourse. Getting the driving test date rescheduled is an achievement in itself. And my man for the job did that after a bit of drama. But all’s well when it ends well.
The appointments are, for a change, getting honoured this week, unlike a fortnight back. People seems to have finally settled in the business spirit after the vacation lay off.
Never expect, that way, you get satisfied easily. Thats exactly what happened on the social responsibility front. I didn’t expected anyone and i got a 8 times satisfaction. Things are good, taking shape.
Now, the dinner, well. Nothing beats live music, nothing. Ae dil hai mushkil, jeena yaha, Jara hatke, jara bachke, yeh hai bambai meri jaan. The requests were obliged instantaneously and never stopped actually. The good ol’ days. Memories remain.
Crashing at 2.30 and then getting up at 9 is what i hate most, but well, have to do it. Its about earning a bread (with some butter, jam, cheese etc). getting ready for another day.
TV’s Back
Aug 20th
LOL!! Yeah, atlast the problems with my satelite TV were fixed by two gentlemen who appeared out of nowhere. Gosh! Its hard to live without TV in these times. Imagine missing the moment of glory in Olympics or the probbing spell of Zaheer that made Jaya and Sanga look like debutants or Deco’s 27 metre near post netter in first EPL game. Well, TV again helps, with the relays ofcourse.
So, the misery continues, the long and agonising wait to get the driving test rescheduled is getting on my nerves. How senseless people can be sometimes? Specially when they are given undue power and authority. Guess thats how it works. The deserving never get the rightous.
Well, the weather is definately getting unpredictable. The Global Warming’s really affecting. How else would someone explain temperatures ranging from 36 to 24 degrees 24 hours hours apart? But for a change 36 degrees is welcomed in August.
Ramadan is someone all the people wait. Some for its auspisiousity, holiness, purity and some for the sheer fun of a good 4-5 days off. Its as eagerly anticipated every year as a Olympic Gold for US. Am looking forward to it, more so because it happens to be my birthday around as well.
The travelling time appears to be coming near. Well hate it, but have to.
Off for now!!
