being me.org

Independence day or an extended weekend :: Celebration or Grieving

2011-08-12T16:04:00.000-07:00

A country which is 65 years old and vibrant

With its three fourth of the population so young and resilient

Then why are we so timid and afraid to serve the nation

Why can’t one among us be a POLITICIAN?

Dynasty, Lineage and influence are just a mere tool

It works, because none of us are ready to challenge that fool

Then why blame the retard who takes the decision for us

After all said and done, what’s the point in creating the fuss?

Illiterates have joined POLITICS and ruling the roost

Literate bureaucrats have become useless and fooling the crowd

Heady cocktail of corporate and journalists are spoiling the show

Can INDIA ever come up and shine from such a low

Corruption and nepotism has become the need of the hour

Everything can be bought here if you have power

Greed and overwhelming desire has overshadowed everything

India is on AUTO PILOT, running on a prayer and a wing.

Where have the principles and ideals gone on which our nation was found

That the sovereignty of our country comes first and is profound

That all men and women have basic rights and have been created equal

That a government would exist of, for and by the people

So is there any way for us to come out of this madness

Or have we already surrendered and let those BASTARDS do the rest

How should we start and whom should we trust?

This is the question to be asked to every citizen on 15th of August

THE INGLORIOUS POLITICIAN

2011-07-04T10:48:00.000-07:00

When I say I will REPRESENT you, that is MY IDENTITY

When I say I will WORK for you , that is MY PROFIT

When I say I will PROTECT you, that is MY SECURITY

When I say I will keep my PROMISES, that is MY STLYE

When I am caught taking a BRIBE, that is my BUSINESS

When I am caught with CRIMINALS, that is my CHOICE

When I am caught FLIRTING WITH LAW, that is my BIRTH RIGHT

When I am caught completely NAKED, that is WHAT I AM

So when I say BACK ME UP, YOU people DO

So when I say VOTE FOR ME, you people DO

So I take this LIBERTY to PUT THE BLAME ON YOU

So I take this LIBERTY to PUT THE BLAME BACK ON YOU !!!

Pascal's Wager

2010-09-20T01:58:00.000-07:00

It refers to the argument put forward by famous French mathematician Blaise Pascal to help a person arrive at the decision on the existence of GOD

You better believe in god, Pascal argued, because if you are right, you stand to gain eternal bliss and if you are wrong it wont make any difference, anyway. But if you don't believe in god and if you turn out to be wrong, you are eternally damned, whereas if you are right, it makes no difference.

I do, She did, WE DID.

2010-09-01T04:08:00.000-07:00

After everything said and done and the spotlight on me for the entire one week, we are very grateful for all the love and support and especially happy to be able to pull such a terrific wedding and really thankful to all the amazing people who made our wedding weekend so perfect.

To our parents, words are not enough to describe your contributions, thanks, thanks and thanks for the immeasurable love, to all our extended families and friends, you helped us to make this day the happiest day of our lives, to Vijay, Paresh, Anusha, Tarun, Krishna, Ravi your talents are indescribable, you people transformed everything in to a magic wonderland and with your infectious energy and immense hospitality you made the evening worth remembering

To the entire Seemala, Pinjarla and Budidhavari family as a whole, it’s an incredible thing to be a part of such a collective of beautiful people who have become such an integral part of our lives. You people are indeed blessing in disguise and a very special thanks to Asha, Ajay, Naresh, Vivek, Ashish, Tejas, Milind, Vijay and Murli…we are forever grateful.

Below are just a sampling of pictures from our wedding and reception…thanking everybody who made the weekend MEMORABLE and we hope you like our pictures as much as we do.

The wedding ritual @ the muhurtham tym @ 7:24 am

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@ the reception @ TAJ Gateway, Visakhapatnam

2010-09-01T04:00:00.001-07:00

tying the MANGALSUTRAM...goose pimples all over...

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Exchanging the Garlands....

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MUMBAI <------ via hyderabad -----> RAJAHMUNDRY

2010-08-02T09:53:00.003-07:00

I am excited and can very animatedly say that I have reached to the point of no return.

I am defying my parents who at one time thought that I can never get married but as they say for every good MAN there is a good WOMAN.

For my age I have waited longer then some but it was WORTH waiting for her.

So, I would like to announce that I am getting married on 15^th August 2010.

It has been a roller coaster ride so far and all I can say is that we gonna ROCK together…

AMEN!

p.s. It was a long delayed revelation between us to acknowledge that sometimes when you know, you just know

Sharing my surname, zip code and closet....

2010-08-02T09:52:00.001-07:00

Wedding...dinner...dancing and eternity 2 follow

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An evening to remember::

2010-07-11T22:08:00.000-07:00

Congratulations to SPAIN on creating a NEW WORLD ORDER...

KUDOS 2 SOUTH AFRICA on doing the IMPOSSIBLE....i guess this event will change the FORTUNE of this country forever for good..

As for me its time for a new HAIR cut, very patiently grown in support of ENGLAND...Unfortunately they were GARBAGE....

Sharing some TIMELESS moments with my 2 football crazy friends just before the grand FINALE....

2010-07-11T21:43:00.001-07:00

2010-07-11T21:42:00.001-07:00

with my friend Tejas

2010-07-11T21:40:00.000-07:00

with my friend Ajay...

2010-07-11T21:37:00.001-07:00

An evening before the kick off

2010-07-11T21:35:00.000-07:00

Fate had other ideas...

2010-06-27T09:38:00.000-07:00

At the end of the 90^th minute, we had only one deserving winner ….

As far as Germany is concerned their razor sharp attack at the front proved to be the decisive factor in the game…and the way they are playing now, they can go very far in the tournament…

As far as FIFA is concerned, it’s high time that they start taking help of TECHNOLOGY and shed their orthodox inhibitions….That was a CRIMINAL in such a crucial encounter…LAMPARD indeed scored….FISH..

As far as England goes, I wonder how come the same set of players can play so sublime football for their respective clubs and at the same time can dish out such a DISASTER for their country.

TIME TO INTROSPECT!

And as far as I am concerned, the world cup is almost over for me…and along with it it’s time to get a HAIR CUT, very patiently grown for the last 4 months in support of my team…

p.s. Wayne Rooney, I hate Manchester United but I stood by you and by your pathetic performance till the end….Now, I hate you 2…..try playing in the same way for Sir Alex...he will kick u in ur a**............

Can do it:

2010-06-27T04:21:00.000-07:00

Congratulations to England on reaching the Round of 16..

England vs Germany for a place in Quarter Finals...cant get any bigger then this....I hope we pull through...

Sign of things to come

England vs Argentina in the Quarter Finals
England vs Spain in the Semi Finals
England vs Brazil in the Finals

Massive 15 days ahead ! One game at a time and things would be all right in the end...

cc to Capello: If Rooney doesn't score soon, drop him. Defoe proved when he was given a chance-why not crouch too?

ALL THE VERY BEST...FIGHT TILL THE END AND CRUSH GERMANY....

Perform or perish

2010-06-22T20:16:00.000-07:00

It’s the same sad story in every four years for England…Pre tournament favorites…post tournament HAVE BEENS….and this time it looks like that it will be a DISASTER….

I hope it isn't…

For all of us, England supporters...we can take heart from 1990…on the brink of elimination…went to play the SEMI FINALS…

I believe that my team will try again with RESILIENCE…

Don’t let me down…don’t let the millions of supporters down…

cc to capello: Bring Defoe and Crouch...drop Heskey...go for a FULL BLOWN ATTACK !

Dedicated to the FAVOURITE person of mine::

2010-06-19T23:25:00.000-07:00

Writing for you today and taking an opportunity to tell you that how much I love you and the influence you have in my life.

You have given in abundance to me and I would be forever grateful for that.

The best part in you is that even in the midst of my successes ( very few), my problems (there have been many) and my short comings, you never lost faith in me.

I just hope and pray that i somehow, someday come close to having your strength and patience.

It has been a privilege to have you in my life and hope to bump on you in many many LIFE'S to come.

Made famous by the Late Frank Sinatra, aptly describes you

For what is a man, what has he got?

If not himself, then he has naught

To say the things he truly feels and not the words of one who kneels

The record shows I took the blows and did it my way

Yes, dad u always did ur way and here you are at the PINNACLE of your career and moreover at the PINNACLE of your life.

Thanx BABA for everything…u r a DUDE…A LIVING LEGACY!

HAPPY FATHERS DAY !

With truck loads of Love,
Shrinivas, Vijay and Alekhya

England: all the way 2 the cup

2010-06-18T01:09:00.000-07:00

I am supporting ENGLAND this world cup…..so far so good…

But under the current form I fear however that Lampard and friends will, like me, will be watching the finals on the television

History tells us that no team has lost its first match and won that edition of the world cup. So statistically my team is out. But as they say…THERE IS A FIRST TIME FOR EVERYTHING

Its high time that Rooney and company convert their club form in to world stage

Now Showing: England vs Algeria, Live on ESPN @ 12 midnight

ALL THE BEST !

so close, no matter how far !

2010-05-29T00:45:00.000-07:00

In your well lit bedroom

One lazy afternoon

U pressed your hips in to mine

I ran my fingers through your hair

A kiss escaped both of us

A divine feeling enlightening us

U held me close

I held you more closer

Will never let you go

Is what I promised her

The first kiss on your tender lips

Put everything in motion

And then what followed

Will never be forgotten

The touch, the kiss

The feel, the bliss

The temptation going to the peak

Got my pulse racing and made me weak

I lean in to you

U lean in to me

I Love the way u hold me

The way your kiss sets me free

I am afraid it’s over for now

With a promise that it will come again tomorrow

The thrills fill my empty soul

Still craving for that touch and some more

So thanking you for everything you gave me that afternoon

God bless the bride and the groom

Reflections: 26/11 and beyond

2009-11-21T23:31:00.000-08:00

The first anniversary of the Mumbai terror attacks is slowly approaching and it’s a good time to introspect and take stock of the situation. On 26^th November last year, despite all the warnings and intelligence reports of an attack in any form, Mumbai was attacked by ten terrorists who took the easy way inside our territory- the sea.

I don’t think anyone anywhere alive on that day will ever forget the shock and agony that struck and gripped Mumbai for more than 78 hours and permanently etched a terror scar on India. Even though we mourn the deaths of so many innocent people during the attacks, this dark incident has touched every Indian.

But what about our response?

It has been cold, naïve and irresponsible. The Indian government’s response to 26/11 has been woefully inept and shoddy. We still have not succeeded in putting more international pressure on Pakistan to bring the perpetrators to book. The AJMAL KASAB hangover is still looming large on us. We keep on sending dossiers and Pakistan keeps on rejecting it.

After 26/11 our country lost a real time opportunity to put more pressure on Pakistan and eliminate the state sponsored terrorism there once and for all, otherwise who can explain that the Pakistani government virtually arrested, freed and then again put Mr Hafeez Saeed, Chief of LET and master mind behind 26/11 under house arrest. (Last heard he is having a great time in this house arrest stint).We failed to stop the military aid that Pakistan receives from the US government that is easily been diverted to fund the terrorist operations against us. Our foreign policy has failed miserably. The Indian government and its policies have been caught once again sleeping.

Is there something wrong with the democratic systems we flaunt? When the entire world is looking up to India for its economic growth (Read: 7 %) and domestic demand and terming it to be the GROWTH DRIVERS in the new era, why do we tend to look backward when such intrinsic issues are concerned. Why don’t we muscle our economic power and get decisions in our favour. If we are so powerful then why are we simultaneously so powerless?

Can we get an assurance from the prime minister that the attacks would stop once and for all? Can we learn anything from America, United Kingdom in how they prevented in another 9/11, 7/7 to happen again.

Many terror attacks later ( Mumbai, Malegaon, Imphal, Bangalore, Hyderabad, Gujarat etc) the centre and the state governments are still planning and trying to implement the security frame work of our country and by the time this planning is turned in to action, expect more anarchy. It’s scary but it’s true.

It’s just not the danger from the elements across the border but what about our own home grown terrorism. The threat from the Maoists is getting even bigger than the cross border infiltration. The red corridor which is under the Maoists control is inhabited by poor peasants and tribals. They have been supporting the Maoists as these poor people have lost faith in the government to protect them from mining mafia, forest contractors, the men wearing khaki and the representatives getting elected through the democratic election process.

Madhu Koda, former chief minister of Jharkhand is a case in point. He is an example on how the elected representative neglects the poor and the needy and in turn makes lots of money. (Read: 4000 crore).Last heard he is scot free and campaigning for the five phase state assembly elections in Jharkhand.How low can the system go?

Is there any transparent mechanism from the state or the centre to combat Maoists? Is there any intention and simultaneous action to solve the Maoists problem once and for all and win the confidence of the poor people who have been neglected so far?

The answer is a blunt NO.

Confidence building among the citizens is a humongous task, especially after what our country has been going through. We need less talk and more action. Less planning commissions more of implementation. Less promises more delivery. Less whining more accountability. Less questions and more answers. Less oldies more youngsters in the government, Less old faces more fresher’s.

But is anybody listening?

p.s. If we all remember, in 1993 prominent places in Mumbai were attacked by Dawood Ibrahim and his men when 13 explosions simultaneously rocked Mumbai killing 257 and injuring 700. In all 7000 kg of explosives were brought in to Mumbai through the same sea route and ironically our coast and navy guards were even prepared then for any eventualities.

I hope we learned anything from 26/11 because we didn’t learn anything from 1993. Till that time who knows the next terror victim can either be you or even me.

GOD BLESS INDIA!

British RAJ :

2009-11-10T04:46:00.001-08:00

Thank you, Raj Thackeray for showing everyone what a danger you and your party are to the constitution.
Thank you, for reminding us, in case if we have forgotten that the people of Maharashtra have done a grave mistake in giving u a decent representation in the legislative assembly.We will definitely be more ALERT in the future.
Thank you for trying to divide Maharashtra which at present is struggling very hard to remain UNITED. This WARINING will not go unnoticed.
Thank you for achieving something that no one has ever managed to achieve so far, attacking an MLA in the assembly when the house is in motion. This incident will not be forgotten for a very long time.
Thank you, for making us (the common man) feel helpless and weak. I hope, this will make us STRONGER in the near future.
Thank you for ignoring the FAITH put up in you by the people of Maharashtra. We would not blindly TRUST any political leader in the future.
Thank you for ignoring the future of Maharashtra and its people. This would have a cascading effect and Maharashtra and its people would ignore you someday.
Thank you for promoting HATRED and ANGER among the people of MAHARASHTRA, because at some point of time, tired and frustrated by your politics, we as citizens will go beyond MOTHER TONGUE and RELIGION and see an INDIAN in everybody.
Thank you very much !

Caste Away ::

2009-10-25T09:12:00.000-07:00

WE MATCH BETTER screams the JEEVAN SATHI.COM websites punchline.. But WE MATCH BETTER on basis of what?

This question has provided a reality check? WE MATCH BETTER on basis of religion, caste, mother tongue etc. Match making has always been a big business idea in our country which is so PRE OCCUPIED with marriage. With over 5 million Indians finding their prospective partners through this medium, matrimonial websites are doing brisk business in their own right.

A preliminary visit to this website confirms this reality. Anybody looking for information on castes, sub castes, gothram, nakshatra etc are just a mouse click away. If caste is becoming so irrelevant, as some metropolitan urbanites want us to believe, then why don’t these sites reflect this trend? Why don’t these sites completely give away with the caste and religion column and give more impetus on Ideology, education, attitude and overall personality.

This unquestioning acceptance of the traditions, which painfully are passed on from generations to generations, worries me. Why can’t our elders, for a change, look beyond caste and religion and move on and in the process set an example for the coming generations to come.

It’s so surprising that in most European and American societies there is a complete breaking down of these silly practices with a more liberal and modern view on the institution of marriage. But in our own backyard we, as Indians, are going deeper and stronger in to these age old traditions.

Why is there so little light on such a sensitive topic? Why doesn’t the media play its role in awakening the masses? Why there is so little research in this subject?

Venkatraman Ramakrishnan, the Nobel Prize winner for Chemistry and an Indian by birth commented about nationality being an accident of birth. I just want to go ahead and add that nationality, caste and religion are an accident by birth and play a very trivial role in shaping up a human being.

I just ponder at times that amidst this entire ritual where does LOVE has its rightful standing or even LOVE has become a manufactured myth in the same way as the new ‘India’s great myth of the sexy sensex and 7 percent growth rate’

But the most unsettling of all this is that I am afraid whether the next generation will inherit all these naïve practices and traditions or we, as the current generation take matters in to our own hands and rewrite the rules once and for all.

There are so many questions that needs to be answered and the silence is indeed deafening. Will the heavens open up and answer me?

p.s. Why can't the ministry of LAW under the present government pass a BILL under which whoever is practising this bullshit ritual by force, should attract a hefty fine or a jail sentence or both. I would prefer BOTH !

Democracy is slowly turning in to a Mockery !

2009-10-12T02:42:00.000-07:00

Something’s gone horribly wrong with Maharashtra. Don’t look at the shining malls, multi crore airports, fancy cars launched almost every day- The real Maharashtra bravely survives on a BARE MINIMUM.

The stinky slums, over populated urban clusters, overcrowded local trains, pot holed roads, poor infrastructure, pathetic urban planning,neglected villages,shocking cases of farmer suicides, long hours of power cut, the ever widening gap between the rich and the poor and desperate faces with HOPE amidst corruption and complete indifference towards people. The entire script of the state has turned in to FARCE.

In the last 2 decades, successive governments got ample opportunities to bring about the CHANGE, to make growth happen, to transform the lives of people who live in SUB HUMAN conditions. But did any political party measured up to their expectations?

The answer, I am afraid, is NO.

In the last 60 years every political party has enjoyed POWER and every WORTHLESS person has been tried as a LEADER. But things have only gone from BAD to WORSE. I have lost faith in the entire political system and to my worst dismay, PATIENCE is slowly running out in me.

By the way, the MAHARASHTRA STATE ASSEMBLY ELECTIONS are being held on 13^th October 2009.

STAY AT HOME, STAY BEAUTIFUL!

DON’T VOTE…

p.s. I hope at some stage the entire 100 % population stays at home on an election day and then the CORRUPT system collapses on it's own and a new era of GROWTH, PEACE and PROSPERITY will begin

AMEN!

An ENIGMA called pArEnTs !

2009-09-25T11:17:00.000-07:00

For me and my own image as one of the boys, it has been a fulfilling experience so far. I have been extremely lucky to be born in the family which I am now. My class- which tells me and more often reminds me the expectations that society around me has. A sacred pact- that tells me, that I can have a house, a car, access to higher education, good meals, a warm bed to sleep on with- it is something that more than half of the population can only dream of. In return, I have to behave myself, act like what my parents wants, constantly think about the societal pressures, pretend that I have no desires, can’t smoke and drink at my own will, can't even be seen buying them, can’t decide which higher education to go for, cant fall in love with a female from a different community and can’t live and enjoy life on my own terms.

This wonderful symbiosis is well explained by my upper middle class parents. Any threat to their respect and status in the society is seriously taken. And when things go out of hand and little sensitive, as it happened in my case it is meticulously dealt with.

They make you sit down, give you a cold glass of water and then in a very soft tone explain you about how going against the well established family tradition is criminal, going against the century old norms is dangerous. They emotionally blackmail you and nine times of out ten they succeed in this exercise.

But the question that begs asking is how much can anybody get dictated. Is it because they have given LIFE to us and hence we have to listen to them every time. Can’t we, for a change, decide what we want in life?

On the other hand, this fragile situation makes me wonder that even I could have negotiated my own way amidst everything, only if I would have reclaimed the I in the beautiful word called LIFE.

And I swear I would reclaim what was already mine, may be tomorrow or day after. I just hope it’s not too LATE

Euro 2008

2008-06-08T01:38:00.000-07:00

So finally the much awaited European championship made a grand entrance at the world stage in all its glory and i enjoyed the games pretty much...so far so good..With no British team good enough to qualify for this event and France looking out of sorts, I feel Portugal will win the tournament by defeating Spain in the finals. The four expected semi finalists will be France,Germany,Portugal and Spain.

The tournamanet would definitely miss the pesence of England. As one of the biggest nation in world football, Englands absence would affect the tournament financially.Never the less, I still think that it would be a great tournament.

The only other worrying factor in the Euro 08 could be the defensive tactics practised by the teams oflate, which can ruin any viewers day (including mine). The previous dull edition of EURO 04 and the dismal UEFA champions league (including the final) are making me vary of this edition.Will this time it would be any different? Only time will tell. I hope i am proved wrong.

SCG: Sydney Cheating Ground

2008-01-08T05:25:00.000-08:00

Australia finally managed to win the Sydney test to take a 2-0 lead but not without adding much drama and excitement to the face of cricket. Dubious umpiring decisions, shocking display of Australian attitude and a three match ban to Harbhajan Singh for alleged racial abuse and suddenly this test is remembered for all the wrong reasons.

The two on-field umpires, Steve Bucknor and Mark Benson got it all wrong with some atrocious and silly decisions and even the third umpire,Bruce Oxenford, who had technology at his disposal went berserk at a very crucial stage of the game thus heavily favouring the test towards Australians. There were many aghast decisions during the course of the match but the turning point (according to me) was the Saurav Ganguly's dismissal and the manner in which Saurav (atleast we have could have saved the test) was given out seriously questions the intent and the motive of the umpires. At times I think WAS THIS TEST MATCH FIXED?? and to add fuel to my suspicion was the manner in which Benson chose to ask the Australian skipper whether the catch was legitimate.

And to add to the Indian woes was the 3- match ban handed to Harbhajan Singh for alleged racial abuse and the punishment was meted out only on the evidence taken by the Australians. Sachin Tendulkar was screaming at the top of his voice that Singh was innocent but to no avail. The match referee preferred listening to Ponting and Co. How ONE DIMENSIONAL....

Now the ball is in the BCCI’s court and the top brass needs to act fast (very unlikely) and some tough decisions have to be taken to restore some pride at its rightful place (in the Indian team). And according to me the cricketing authority should have the courage to ask its cricketers to return home. I agree this would cost us some money ( $ 2.3 million fine for pullout) but at times there is more to cricket then money and its high time BCCI understands that and to get the scores even they should even get Mr. Bucknor and Benson expelled from the elite panel. Sorry guys u got it all wrong and you have to start your career all over again

Mr. Sharad Pawar was once a mute spectator when Ponting literally pushed him at a prize distribution ceremony and at that time only his reputation was at stake but this time the ego and self esteem of the entire country is on ransom. I just hope Mr. Pawar doesn’t screw this time but on the other note don’t get surprised if he DOES!!

A New Beginning For Indian Cricket, Hopefully......

2007-09-25T00:13:00.000-07:00

India beat archrivals Pakistan by five runs at the bull ring on Monday to lift the inaugural twenty20 world cup.The Indian team, which was virtually written off even before a ball was bowled showed great character under new captain Mahendra Singh Dhoni.

The playing X1, for a change gelled like a team and came up with a breathtaking performance to help India register the most famous victory over their sub continent rivals till date.

But for me the stand out player for India in the tournament would be Gautam Gambhir who led the team with his solid and composed innings in the middle overs match after match He offered the much needed support in the middle overs, when wickets came tumbling down at the other end and the ever improving R. P. Singh with his beautiful line and length.And not to forget the young Joginder Singh who kept his cool and accepted his captians call to bowl the ultimate over at such a grand stage.Imagine Pakistan winning the cup, it would have been GAME OVER for the poor Joginder.

But the most UNFORGETTABLE moment in this event would be Yuvraj's phenomenal 6-6-6-6-6-6 in a single damn over.

Without the likes of Sachin, Sourav and Rahul, the young side showed great character and kept their cool even in the tense situations.

Finally twenty 20 cricket made a faboulous debut at the world stage and South Africa has put up a brave show in scripting the best advertisement for this format. And it was not only cricket which grabbed eye balls at the event. Music, cheer leaders, huge crowds, party like atmosphere all summed up the Twenty 20 World Cup for me.

I HAD A GREAT TIME.....WAY TO GO TWENTY 20......

Single and (not yet) ready 2 mingle...

2007-02-13T21:44:00.000-08:00

It’s the time of the year again, when the whole day is devoted to couples and all other days take a backseat. Yes, it’s Valentine’s Day again. According to Wikipedia, it is a traditional day on which lovers express their love for each other, sending out Valentine’s card, candy or donations to charities, often anonymously.

The time has come once again to ask one of the more personal questions: Why am I still single. But I guess, being single has its advantages I don’t mind being single. Really, I don’t as being single provides me a sense of freedom, independence, ample time to personal grooming and did I mention FREEDOM…yes u r damn right I did

It will take a lot for me to want to get in to a relationship again. So during this Valentine’s Day, I am going to celebrate independence, freedom and the opportunity to love myself. What if I can’t celebrate with a lover, I shall celebrate it with a friend. Just on the other hand, who wants to celebrate it with me? I am still available for dates. LOL

Happy Valentine's Day!

Different Shades of BLUE....

2007-02-12T05:01:00.000-08:00

I know the thought of the present Indian cricket team winning the world cup cricket tournament sounds incredible and judging by the recent performances of our Indian cricket team we are slowly striving back to our old reputation “snatching defeat from the hands of victory”. I know it’s a game where we win some and lose some, but the will to go that extra mile for that elusive win and absence of killer instincts (which has eluded our team time and again) has disappointed the Indian fan more then the loses. And taking in to consideration the power struggles that rests within the hierarchy and the internal politics (within the different zones) regarding the team selections, the silverware looks a distinct possibility.

The Indian cricket team needs to desperately sort out their strategies for the World cup cricket tournament - the Indian team is actually good with batsmen like Tendulkar, Dhoni, Ganguly and Dravid, all rounders such as Yuvraj and Pathan and some raw pace bowling in the likes of Sreesanth and Patel and a decent spinner in Anil Kumble.

All successful one day international cricket teams for the cricket World cup ensure that their best batsmen get to play the maximum number of overs- and hence in my opinion we should open with Tendulkar and Ganguly. We are lucky to have many potential match winners in our team. Yuvraj and Sehwag (on his day, he is a delight to watch) are two potential match winners, and both of them not only score a lot of runs but score them at an incredible speed

The ability to play spin bowling is extremely important during the World cup cricket tournament in the West Indies,since the pitches are expected to be slow and aid spin and we all know that we play spin bowling like no other team. So the pre match statictics is realy favouring the indian team to lift the world cup for the second time, but after all said and done, they have to go out their and perfrom to their potential.

I (for a change) will be routing for the Indian team this world cup and the last time right before the world cup, India toured the South African side and performed much to the disappointment to the Indian fans but came back with a bang during the World cup. Will history repeat itself and this time will we go one extra step and win the World cup, only time will tell. Lets hope the men in blue regain their forms and more importantly the killer instinct before the world cup. But till then "Hoohaa India Aaya India" .

The team for the world cup:
Dravid, Tendulkar, Ganguly, Utthapa, Sehwag, Yuvraj, Dhoni, Pathan, Harbhajan, Agarkar, Zaheer, Kumble, Sreesanth, Patel and Karthick.

The Great Videshi Tamasha

2007-01-22T22:39:00.000-08:00

First of all we must all get the concept of Big Brother clear. Big Brother is a show were the contestants have to avoid elimination and simultaneous eviction from the house, with the viewers deciding who will go when and in the process making every contestant a household name and enabling them to win the big cash prize dangling in the middle.

Now coming to Shilpa Shetty, the bollywood siren, who has been reportedly paid Rs. 3.5 crore for participating in the high tension battlefield which they call the Big Brother house. She was ridiculed , humiliated, abused, was called ‘Paki’ and a ‘dog’, made fun of her cooking talent and was told to ‘fuck off back home’, thus clearly showing racial and Xenophobic colors.

Now this issue has suddenly taken a very emotional turn with the whole world taking notice. 14,500 people have complained to UK media regulator Ofcom about the racist comments against Shilpa Shetty on ‘Celebrity Big Brother’. Even the London Parliament was not spared and the Labour party ministers were questioned in the session, thus becoming the biggest sensational story of all.

But I guess the whole incident is blown out of proportion and a mountain is being made of a molehill. I think the media and we (as common man) have far more important issues to be dealt with.

Whoever has a remote idea of this concept will tell u that the whole show is rigged before hand by the producers and despite its tag of reality TV, it certainly isn’t contestant’s true reality. The contestants are paid to make each others life a living hell (in whatever means they can) and I guess eventually the ratings and the popularity comes from that type of bitching the funny part is that in the end all the members will eventually vacate the house, collect their hefty pay checks and will resume their normal life.

And I seriously don’t understand the outrage in our own backyard as we all know (and if somebody doesn’t they should know) that Ms. Shetty knew before hand the complexities involved in participating in such type of shows and was warned of the consequences she might face and (to be very honest) I was surprised by the fact that what made Shilpa Shetty to sign on this show as a contestant as we all know she has a decent livelihood and is pretty much a household name back home.

I just want to conclude that CBB is not any kind of a racial show and Ms. Shetty in taking the plunge has suddenly become a household name in England and (very unlikely) the face of our nation in this alien country and who knows, if this siren continues to perform in the same way as she is doing now, she may get few Hollywood offers also (not bad Ms. Shetty). And look who is laughing all the way to the bank, it’s the producers, the sponsorers and the contestants (Ms. Shetty included).

Plz don go.....

2007-01-05T23:52:00.000-08:00

Test cricket's legendary bowler, Shane Warne retired from international competition after the Ashes 2006, thus marking the end of the most glamorous and controversial carrers in the sports glorious history.

I think Shane Warne is the grestest cricketer ever (from the time i am watching and following cricket) and it was the perfect retirement party for the showman who made is debut against India way back in January 1992.

To take 1000+ wickets in both the versions of the game is simply breathtaking and salute to your versatility, skills, hardwork, mental strength and flexibility. This once-in-life time champion will continue to inspire a generation of kids to take up the art of leg spin.

Thanks Warne for giving us everything you could ever give and in the process entertaining millions worldwide and i was privileged enough to watch ur flippers, zooters, wrong uns with bated breath.

i just wish u were an Indian !!!

Michael Schumacher: From his first race to his last ferrari....

2006-10-21T23:16:00.000-07:00

No matter what happens this sunday, Micheal Schumacher will go down as the greatest driver ever to hit the formula one circuit and this posting is just my way of paying tribute to mark the end of the most successful career in formula one history.
I may not understand the complex technology involver behind the wheels, but one thing is for sure beyond a shadow of doubt that the most important component in a racing car is the man behind the wheels and i guess that made all the diference in winning and loosing.
Schumachers pure speed, his risk taking ability, his supreme confidence, his love for the job and his high level of commitment has helped him to achieve those seemingly impossible heights which his fellow drivers can only dream off.
After winning 91 of his 248 grand prix and claiming 68 pole positions and capturing five drivers title for ferrari and two for benetton..it has proved that Michael Schumacher is indeed a genius who knows his profession like no one else and has single handedly turned the sport inside out and upside down forever for good.
Many formula one drivers will come and go and who knows his record of 7 magical titles may be eclipsed but the writing is clear on the wall..that he is indeed one in a billion or let me put it this way..ONE IN A GENERATION....
His charisma, his flamboyance, and his contagious enthusiasm will surely be missed.
thanks Michael for all those spectacular sunday afternoons....

Count Your Blessings......

2006-10-21T10:46:00.000-07:00

The following is an anonymous interpretation which i thought i can share with everybody:

Think of it this way.If you live in a good home, have plenty to eat and can read, you are a member of a very select group. And if you have a good house, food, can read and have a computer, you are among the very elite.
If you woke up this morning with more health than illness...you are more fortunate than the million who will not survive this week.
If you have never experienced the danger of battle, the loneliness of imprisonment, the agony of torture, or the pangs of starvation...you are ahead of 500 million people in the world.
If you can attend a church meeting without fear of harrasment, arrest, torture, or death...you are fortunate, more than three billion people in the world can't.
If you have food in the refrigerator, clothes on your back, a roof overhead and a place to sleep...yor are richer than 75% of this world.
If you have money in the bank, in your wallet and spare change in a dish someplace..you are among the top eight percent of the world's wealthy.
If your parents are still alive and still married..you are very rare.
If you hold up your head with a smile on your face and are truly thankful...you are blessed because the majority can..but most do not.
If you cant hold someone's hand, hug them or even touch them on shoulder..you are blessed because you can offer healing touch.
If you can read this message, you just received a double blessing in that someone was thinking of you, and furthermore, you are more blessed than over two billion people in the world that cannot read at all.
Is'nt it better therefore, to just be grateful for whatever you have, rather than crib about what you don't??

i guess this is the most wonderful way to jumpstart your day..and looking forward for all the challenges that life throws at you.