About: 2007, A New Year.

As I sit and right down this post, the new year celebrations would have already started. Well this year has seen lots of ups and down and there will be some more of them through this life. But the emotional weight of a few events where just too heavy to carry.

About: Tapi in tears, Surat submerged.

I am looking forward for this new year perhaps from the time Surat was flooded. I grew up around sea shore but the images of water in such huge volumes just gave me a eerie feeling. I was perhaps wasn't much affected directly and I was in a safe house. I was a touch far away from Surat but my parents were stuck in here and for almost a week there was only water all around. The place where I stay saw water levels rise up to 6 to 7 feet and that to for week. It wasn't a pretty picture. I was thankful nothing untoward happen but Surat sprang back very quickly and all the mud and debris were clear in a week and looking cleaner than before. I think the scar of earlier floods (94 and 98) followed by Plague. It was kudos to the local and the state government along with thousands of voluntary groups which came forward to help each other when the going got tough. I think there were people who were worst affected and images which I saw humble and perhaps suprise me rather then shiver my soul out of my body.
It was bad.
It has made me look behind at times when things were good and how I often got top on tough times by just talking to myself. I think I need to do that more with myself. It is fun. You have to believe me I remember a few old moments and I simply burst into laughing. It is not always I may be a half crack but not a cynic loser.

Laughter is the least distance between two persons.

Cricket, (God no, is this guy crazy?)

To be honest yes every soul is a touch crack. One needs to be a bit crack to push oneself further from ones own the limits. I love cricket. I played a lot of cricket and listen to lot of commentary in school, college on the radio. Radio commentary rules. I have left playing the game long time back, six years to be precise. I love the game though. I think if anything I associate life with is the game of cricket. The tone of this blog has been up and down along with fortunes of Indian cricket team. Life always gives a second chance to do better.Life gives everyone a fair chance.

It is simply never over until is truly over.

Blogs.

Blogging is fun.I blog for myself, Cricket coaxes me to blog so does various other scenarios. I think I will plan to blog more on other issues as well and give "My Point of view" to the world. It will be honest, lament and may be not worth your liking. But then world is a spectrum of colours not just black out white. I manage to complete one year of blogging came up with my 200 post. There is more to come. I think off late I was not blogging enough to my liking, that was simply because I could not, thing were out of my hand.I think I still may not post things on time but I will try to login in some more posts regarding politic Indian current affairs and general things which may see some rotten eggs and tomatoes coming here but I wont shy away from controversies. I have tried hard not to post anything which may be open to zillion interpretations and start a chain reaction of mud slinging over the eye brow raising issue. May be turning off comments would be one, but I wish to know what the world things. I will definitely provide the reason for writing what ever I write.

2007 A new year.

I plan to change a template again but lets see. I will definetly look for somehthing real simple and lucid. Any suggestions would be experimented with, if any suggestion are sought then I will go out of my way for them. :)
How does one be himself ( or herself) when one does not know who he (or she) truly is? I think it is more about going with your instincts and being honest with oneself. One has to face failures and perhaps celebrate and learn something them rather than mulling over them and going no where.

Success after all is going from failures to failures without losing the enthusiasm.

A sense confusion and uncertainty rule the roost of my life. I have often trouble deciding which side of bed I want to get up from. Then other decisions are truly made on instincts. A trip to Pune and Shirdi. :) . I want to learn to channelize them and get more discipline in line with reason. For starters cutting down weight would be a right tonic. I may be just a couple of kilos (read 5 to 7 kilos) on the wrong side. I think getting into shape and cutting down would be great. The aim is to get within 70 kilos by Holi, ( I am 76 as off yesterday) I was never this skinny in my life.Lets see.
Then catching up on some old mates from School and College (the Gang), cousins relatives, family friends some of them are as good as cousins. Then juniors and seniors from college, some of these were God send. I also want to spend more time talking to myself. Then meeting more people from all round and perhaps some Blogger to would be fun. I want to regularly mail people instead of just scrapping or forwarding something stupid mail. Orkut has helped in getting in touch with people. I also want to try my hand at investing, there is always a free advice for my father but then handling ones own money isn't easy. I splurge and plan to splurge some more.Have it spend it.

I wish all the bloggers of the blogosphere a very resounding 2007. I hope some inactive bloggers spring back to life and start posting all over again coz it is pure magic to read their post.

Bottom line.

I look forward to this coming here with lots of expectation and hope. I wish to make this year my own let see where life takes us all. This ones for life.

The grandest of wishes for one and all.

About: Merry X-Mas

Here is me wishing a Merry Christmas to one and all. There is a lot to blog about and if everthing falls in place will post something in the hours to come ...

Cricket: Can it get better?

Well call it a greed or a deep desire ... should we hope India can pull off a series victory. It would be really awesome. Great in fact.
Back to what happened in this test.

First Innings: India limps to 250's vicinity.

India was tottering and was likely to holed out before 200 hundred but Ganguly farmed the tail and made sure the threshold of 200 was crossed. VRV Singh played a very typical number eleven innings. he whacked them to all parts something that would have tickled a dying souls funny bone. India manged to get into 250's neighbour hood. India in the morning was on 150 with 5 down.
Greg Chapell suggested that every run was twice the value. India nearly made 100. They looked in great spirits after VRV clobbered everything with his range. It was good to see Ganguly scoring. His innings sent a very strong message.

South African First innings scythe by Indian.

The bowling was one of the most aspiring and incredible part of this team. The team was out played in kind in the One Days and they do want to return it. After being bruised battered, sniffed tickle and bounce it was South African batting which need to answer some swinging questions.It did swing but there was a tame shameless surrender instead of a bold message. I think the thoughts of annihilation triggered South African collapse. You have to do more than just dream in oder to achieve. The top order had to face just seven over. The scorecard at lunch read 5 run for three wickets. Great delight for me.

India often let teams of the hook but not this team. The just pulled the carpet from SAfs feet and made sure they remain down in the dumps. Sreesanth got it to swung all day and claimed what Gavaskar called a Pfeiffer. It was to great joy for me to see some young fast bowler dishing things out to the opposition. The catching was amazing, fielding good only thing lacking is the top order to fire along with Tendulkar to blast Pollock out of attack.

Indians tend to win more when they excel in the field some amazing catches made sure that SAfs never reached triple figures, their lowest total since their re-admission to international cricket.
Great performance.

Indian second Innings: Will they screw up?

It comes up every time in my mind. They looked tottering with Dravid out for one it looked totally a vain attempt, Tendulkar played wonder fully to get out. Laxman stuck to task mean while Ganguly went to go over the top. Ntini got him. Laxman stood among the ruins and Zaheer manged to able support him for a partnership of 70 which made sure, India score above 200 in the second innings was over.
The icing on the came was yet to come. Andre Nel, a clown also speaking to batsman for no reason, he tried to ruffle Sreesanth, who smacked Nel out of the boundary for a huge six, an incident which followed is beyond words may be i will put a link to its video some day. Truly awesome.

Second Edit begins.

The first edit was as a result of just about managing the post when one finds time at the days end. it may not be tiring as always. I wanted to write more but then leave office as well. I wrote whatever I could...


India buoyed by late order batting.

The late order fought back and contribute crucial runs. Zaheer contributed a good hand of 37 he whacked mean while Laxman was all about touch, sublime touch may I say. The late floursih helped India to pull some momentum and push the score beyond the psychological barrier of 400. In test matches it is not very often that one sees a team chasing down 400 batting last. If one is as good (or bad) as the last inning, then this meant a countdown of a famous (read rare) Indian victory abroad especially away from sub continent.
The six by Sreesanth and the consequence dancing gyrations just summed up the whole test match. I am still laughing for it, if someone has it then please forward it to me.

Gibbs drives and Tendulkar nestles a catch.

They say nothing stops the inevitable. Zaheer Khan who got into the team through merit and made the case sure with his performance in ODIs. SAfs (read South Africa) had to play only six balls, an over. Zaheer pitched one up, Gibbs was tempted, playing away from the body he bottom edge to Tendulkar in first slip and pouched it like it was his dear baby. It is good to see Tendulkar in first slip. It is a positive more. Dravid in his own right is a brilliant slip catcher. Will he return there when his broken finger recovers, case to be seen.

The beginning of an end.

India nine more wickets away from victory. Gibbs bagged a pair, thats, a big nought in both the innings, courtesy over confidence and under estimation. Then it was Sreesanth show again. Captain Humongous Graeme Smith slashed hard and Sehwag caught a scorcher of a catch. India's catching and conceding extras are true signs of their intentions of winning. Amla whacked Sreesanth only to be pouched again caught behind of a delivery which rose and move away just enough.

A partnership blossomed but you Kallis followed the pavilion after getting a start ans startled by a Sreesanth delivery was caught in the slip, the commentators are all over Sreesanth and so are the advertisers, I see some big brands and big money coming his way.

The next wicket was a prime example of India doing the basic right and fielding well, (not superb at this stage) DeVillers reminds me of Ponting in his early career run for suicide Zaheer made his presence felt when his under arm flick saw Devillers short of crease. SAfs five down at the close of play on day three.

Day four, India's hour.

India need just five wicket taking deliveries to wrap it up and kick the faces of India media who made sure India would never ever close to even drawing one match. It is a pleasant suprise for all of us. But there is alway a hope of India doing well no matter how there form is.

The day could not start any better when Zaheer trapped Boucher in front of wicket, India on a roll. Pollock mean while decided to have a go at Indian bowlers he played much more than he could. Kumble to India's rescue beat Pollock on length and ball just kissed the top of leg stump, India closer to victory. Nel was then beaten for pace length and spin was crapped LBW guess who, Kumble. The next dismissal was as good as it gets, Kumble set it up allowing Prince to slip into a territory where he thought he could smack anything. he scampered down the pitch only not finding his length and ball hitting the stumps. India on a threshold of victory.

Zahher Khan ended it all as he induced an edge of Ntini which resulted in Sehwag claiming a good catch. India won a famous victory.

A few lessons, a few queries and few facts.

India played well to bowl out SAfs on 84 which made sure SAfs were on back foot and running a losing race. India played perfect under dogs and followed the basics. The batsmen hung out and most played defiant innings to set it up. The bowlers stuck to task on bowling in the right place and often producing deliveries which made the batsmen to surrender his wicket and head towards pavilion. The seam up bowling was brilliant so was Kumble and Zaheer. The youth started the down fall (Sreesanth and VRV) and age completed it(Zaheer and Kumble).

Laxman made sure he did not repeat the same mistake. He had a started he has to tighten up at times may be by the quality of his strokes. Tendulkar has to score runs. Ganguly has still to prove a lot although he has started well. The bowling looks good and imagine Irfan Pathan if out of the team, I don't think India will make changes to the team going into the next test. The opening is still a cause of concern let see them tightening up their game. Imagine Tendulkar coming down at 120 for 2 instead of 15 for two.

Dravid is the man of the moment.

A say a news channel hunting for SMS inquiring who is responsible for this victory and turn around in India fortune. Dravid no one else. If he has drawn much flak for India not doing well then he alone deserves the credit for victory. He has to be acknowledged more. He is still nursing an injury to his finger and came against medical advice and led India to victory. He weathered the storm and took a few more blows and made sure SAfs were always on the mat. His bowling changes were amazing and he kept talking the bowlers and plotting each downfall. Ganguly may have been a brilliant captain but most of his amazing victories are courtesy Dravid fighting it out and grinding the opposition into sub mission, (Adelaide and Headingley).

Dravid is the only one who deserves all the claim while team can savor the sweet victory.

Whateva u do; just watch the video on this link.

Cricket: Wondering about the Wanderer's

It is not over until the last wicket is taken, last run score and last ball bowled.

It looks in India favourites to win and they may win it. There is more to come in this test match. If the weather doesn't intervene we may see an Indian victory.

Humble pie served again to people who thought Indian cricket was dead. I would love to see the news papers tomorrow. Dravid couple of days said it all. He proclaimed don't write us off.

Ashes have been decided it is the Aussies this time. Gilchrist just blasted a centulr in 57 balls, record is off 56.

Today has been a day which tells us that what a great saga the game of cricket is really.
Hopefully the saga will continues and the charm will remain forever.


Birthday greeting to Sudeep. Belated happy Birthday pal.

Blog: A fresh guard.

A lot has happened since I blogged last. God forbids but it seems like it has been forever since I last blogged. Aussies have got into winning ways. India seems to adapt well to the fact that they are poor travelers especially if it means going to face quality hostile bowling. Could anyone believe that Sachin Tendulkar would ever struggle for runs. But life is little more than a struggle be it a Warren Buffet goofing up some where or Amitabh Bachchan struggling for a hit in late nineties. They say nobody dies a virgin; life screws everyone. If u can't bear it then enjoy it. There are various version depending upon your geographic locality but crux is independent of latitudes and longitudes. It has about courage nothing else. the courage not to face the realm of beyond there horizon of thoughts but courage of control of oneself. He who mastered himself serves one and all.

I have seen, heard, known and gone through this many a times. The sun rises after the hour which is the darkest and perhaps the coldest. The last fortnight saw Indian Courts passing on judgment on three cases. The cases included Shibhu Soren, Navjot Singh Sidhu, Sanjay Dutt. Shibhu Soren is an activist, his activities are based on other side of law. He has been doing lot of looting and tings worst then that he also manged to get "elected" and also gained a Cabinet berth, beat that. Aristotle had said "the petty thievies are hanged the great once are elected for a public office." The institution of democracy is by the people of the people and for the people. I guess it is a journey not a destination. They say their is devil in the detail so lets not get there.

I was struggling to update a blog even though there was a lot to blog about. There was Ganguly was exclaimed a War hero for a 83 mean while Pathan just posted a 115*, Ganguly was out without scoring but hedge funds are claiming him to be in form meanwhile Greg Chappel are best friends. There is cricket and there are men who will talk it. The other day there was a discussion while going to car, someone exclaimed that if Ganguly goes consistent for six months he will be back as captain. I cited a little flaw, I said if he remains consistent, I was not writing off, I will be the last person who will write people off, Ganguly has been a very good One Day player, a brilliant finisher, his century assure India of a victory. He struggles in Tests coz he is not good enough to undergo a test of five day, where you may have to field for the first two days and then bet against your life and bat for three days or vice versa.

The whole point about Ganguly record can be pitted against Dravid both started international cricket on the same date. Dravid is perhaps as fit as anyone in the Indian team. His test record is know out of a large shadow called Tendulkar. I think this is turning out to be a cricket post again, more on Tendulkar later.

SNAP shot.

SNAP stands for Symbiosis Nation APtitude Test. This time my center is Surat this time, I have screwed up a little with the form so lets see. A few things needs to be brushed and some need things need to be dug up again, washed, cleaned and relinquished. The thoughts of CAT bitter or sweet can no longer be counted as an achievement of disaster of life, there is more in life. Anyways SNAP is tougher than CAT in the sense it has more questions and weird marking schemes. There is GK in that my natural forte. Then in SNAP there is more emphasis on logic and reasoning and things like those. Let see I would have said once but need to grind myself into it. Harder, further stronger.

Surat on a Sunday.

The city city of Surat is in bang in the middle of two big business centers Ahemdabad to the North and Mumbai to the South. Surat to is a big business center in itself. It is the Diamond Polishing center of not only India but perhaps of the world too. The Varachha Road is big and traffic logged. It is a big on Textile too, predominantly sarees. The people are friendly and will to welcome one and all. I dont think you will out of place in this city, at least I have not for past two and half years or so.

Sunday in Surat is all about taking the vehicle you own, and get to Dumas Beach, where there is nothing, I think a theme part will do great here lets see. The whole city is on bike and cars and if you are just two on a two vehicle u are likely to be hauled up by the Traffic Havaldar. Big Bazaar just opened a few days back. If u go there on Sundays you will feel like a Kumbh Mela but seeing the volume of the people there, it is not a mistake. That whole road is now a Retail road with three multiplexes, a Garden, Premier shops and some more Malls under construction. This road I am talking about is "Gaurav Paath". It is an 8 lane road and which stretches for nearly 6 to 8 kms a drive there is absolute pleasure provide it is not a Sunday.

I got some books for myself, Angels and Demons,. I have read it but only on a soft copy, Then a book by Naom Chomsky. Madhushalla is what Mom bought it is an absolute delight. It is a must read for everyone. I wonder if Abhishekh Bachchan has read what his Grand father wrote? I think he may have. :)

Sitaron ke aage jhaan aur bhi hain;
Abhi ishq ke imtehaan aur bhi hain.

There are worlds beyond the faintest seen stars;
Love is yet to be completely tested.

I think it sums it up why I haven't been able to blog.

About: AIDS Day

Prevention is the only cure.

The worst thing than death is living a dead life.
Be safe and be smart. No one want to screw up life in a big way
Is there anything worst then dying of AIDS?
Mend your way, life to expensive to let one mistake ruin it all.
Today the December the first, is the World Aids Day.
Spread the knowledge and not the virus.
Make a promise and keep it.

Cricket: Indian fate sealed?

I am not sure of the title. But I dont kow how to write off people. I don't know if anybody should be written off, But if India could not chase 248 in Durban should be expect them to chase score in excess of 248. I don't think I would ever say yes. The game of cricket is a game off momentum you always feel it. SA were 77 for 6 there stand at 255 for 8 and still counting. I think it would be miracle if India wins this. India is one team that can make a one sided match exciting. They did it when the game started but Graeme Smith having bowlers at his disposal India isn't exactly facing a seemingly easy task. I feel sorry for the team/team selectors/advertisers/followers/the agony aunts/the rickshawallah/the office clerk/the news readers/news reporters ............../ and at times for myself in times like this.
A friend on mine once said that we have all te wonderful players which such good records they are so very good but they must win. :D I always have a roar of laughter whenever I remember this one.

Start of the game.

I think it is good start when we got the opposing captain in the first over and their top bat kallis in that very first over. It was a dream start. Was. Then they still mange to pile into the "soild" South African batting. Gibbs holed out himself. DeVillers guided Agarkar to Dhoni's glove. Pollock out due to Kaif's reaction. This is where the Indian smile stopped and South African had all the way to cheer.

Directionless Campaign.

Does anybody have a specific aim say I am going to get Kallis out say 6 times out of 13 ( 5 one dayers and 8 innings in Tests) or I am going to hook Nel one every inning. I am not going o let Ntinin dictate terms. Anything that is tangible. I know we our bowlers have problems with the seaming, bouncing, turning, swrirling, swinging, jumping and aein conditions. My question is do we have the bowlers to contain? No is a short answer. Kumble straight away had an impact. Zaheer khan went for 39 of the last three. Pathan has tagged himslef as "excess baggage" and the ease with which Harbhajan and Agarkar are gifting away boundaries isn't very heartening to see. Agarkar I think hold a record for giving away most number of boundaries. The consummate ease with which boundaries are scored off him makes me believe that international cricket isn't all that difficult for batting if there are bowlers like Harbhajan and Agarkar. Harbhjan looked annoyed with himself if there would be no boundaries scored off him.

Is the wrting on the wall when India needs to chase 275?

or

Will India make this one sided match exciting. I don't care for the result I don't just wish to see the batsmen resign and kneel without giving a fight.

The Ashes Diary: Brisbane Test, Day One.

The first test of The Ashes series went underway at `Gabba, Brisbane. The first test of Aussie summers is always played here. The `Gabba pitch is traditionally a very complete pitch. It is complete in the sense that it offers something for everybody. It offers pace and bounces for the seamers, spin for the spinner, true bounce for the batsmen to play some rich strokes. It is obviously remember it for a gritty and rare Ganguly century and his exaggerated show of accomplishment which went onto to become his signature.

Visiting teams and injured members.

I still have no clue of this, but I think of a tour by a team and I think injuries, for example, Yuvraj missing tour to SA and Marcus Trescothick finds playing away from England a precarious situation. I think he should not play cricket outside Lord’s, Head Quarters of ECB. I don’t know what it is but that nothing short of insane. One has to obviously remember that Vaughan and Simone Jones are already there on the list. Micheal Vaughan only churned out century when he toured last. He is obviously been missing.

The Teams; English and the Aussies.

I think the batting order for England is quiet decent in the prevailing circumstances. Collingwood could have been at three, Pietersen at five and Flintoff at six add to the options. It is the matter of being consistent.
The Aussies have packed themselves with 7 batsmen and 4 bowlers. I think if any team can withstand the barrage of these supreme quality bowlers then there is a chance for anyone to extend the test match to 4 innings and 5 days. But as everyone knows that’s something rare. McGrath, Warne, Lee, Gillespie, they were there too last time, but this time Aussies are playing in their own backyard and English have not won a series since 87 (or 89?) .

The First test, dubious record, Aussies in control.

Ricky Ponting made a bold statement and further ads to the good work of Langer and Hayden. He made a brilliant century. He looks like climbing on to top Tendulkar; one can say that at least on current form. If one tends to fine one of the Aussie has superlative years scoring well beyond the benchmark 1000 runs and then seem to loose steam, sufferers could be a list of present Aussie team with bright exception of Ponting. Hayden, Glichrist, Martyn, Clarke, and Langer. It is weird. In the last Ashes which were played in England we had to wait till the fourth Test to see an Aussie hundred, this time round thankfully it is on first.
It is a bit very early to say but the English have always lost the first test at least in the last four concluded Ashes test. I think English will have a very bright chance on retaining the Ashes is they take this test into 4 inning and fifth day. I think this test would be no exception. I would be last one to be surprised in Aussie don’t pull of this test. But cricket is a weird game.

But cricket is a weird game.

India is such a brilliant team* in both forms of the game. The team carried its rich form of bizarre display of batting, ordinary bowling and one shot the batsmen played was to inside edge the ball onto the stumps, clear sign of lack of footwork and excessive bounce, Tendulkar was lucky to survive a leg before appeal. He did not manage for much long. I think India should have batted the second time as well. I am sure even in the second time they would not have come close to a moderate total of 248. Indian bowlers failed to impress with Munaf only managing some respectability in terms of bowling figures. If Indian batsmen find hard times on seamer friendly pitches then Indian bowlers struggle too to get the opposition out. Kumble has to come in at someone’s expense. Dinesh Mongia came in too late. I don’t know if he will score. Kaif was caught of a rising Pollock delivery, not many would have lined up after Kaif to play that one. Tendulkar was bowled so was Dravid. Raina has a lot to prove. I think the way Raina is playing should make Ganguly happy as it increases his chance of making it back to the Indian team.
I hope this performance is not a sign of things to come as the conditions as things only get bizarre, weird and tough.

* Only home conditions apply.

About: Sakshi's Tag

10 Favorites:

Favorite Season: Rains
Favorite Sport: Cricket (as a fan), Loved playing Volleyball a lot
Favorite Time: Dusk
Favorite Month: ?? January may be. Weird this one
Favorite Actor: Tom Hanks, Aamir, Shammi Kapoor
Favorite Actress: Kajol, Catherine Zeta Jones, Julia Roberts
Favorite Ice Cream: This one has to be toss between Butter Scotch, Chocolate Chips
Favorite Food: Parathas rule the roost, followed by something not extensively bland or too hot to taste.
Favorite Drink: Coca Cola, cold coffee, Water,
Favorite Place: As in?

9 Currents:

Current Feeling: Wierd, Insane, Horrified Petrified, Terrified. (from Beautiful Mind this one)
Current O/S: Windows XP
Current Windows Open: Excel, Access, Outlook, Firefox
Current Drink: Mug of Coffee
Current Time: 11:00 A.M.
Current Mobile Used: Nokia 6070
Current Show on TV: The Great Indian Laughter Challenge.
Current Thought: What will happen next? Will I wont I?
Current Clothes: Formal Office wear.

8 Firsts:

First Nickname: Johri. The others were known to my friends only ...
First Kiss: I swear it looked like this :-*
First Crush: That cold drink Crush.Nah, Catherine Zeta Jones.
First Computer: A Compaq.
First Vehicle I drove: A Hero Cycle
First Job: I wrote a report somewhere
First Movie I watched: I dont remember that might have memories for this one.
First Pet: A fish pond. I dont like or love pets.
First Shave: @ 16. I dont exactly remember the occassion.

7 Lasts:

Last Chai (Tea) : Sorry, I don't drink Tea at any time of the day.
Last Movie: In theater, Don, (Casino Royale) On TV DDLJ :)
Last Time I Drove: Hmm not much to drive, exccept driving myself crazy. LOL
Last Time Shaved: A day before CAT.
Last Web Site Visited: Cricinfo.com
Last Software Installed: Word Web
Last Pill I Had: Some anti biotic, a month back


6 Have You Evers:

Have You Ever Broken the Law: Hmm, I swear I have never been guilty of it
Have You Ever Been Drunk: Yup .. a few times.
Have You Ever Climbed a Tree: Yes.
Have You Ever Kissed Someone You Didn't Know: Kiss as in?
Have You Ever Been in the Middle/Close to Gunfire or Bomb Blast: I tend to have a blast at times but that has nothing to do with a bomb.
Have You Ever Broken Anyone’s Heart: How will I know that?

5 Things:

Things You Can Hear Right Now: People talking, drawers being open, the normal yap in office, people calling for something, phones.
Things on Your Computer Table: Files, Documents, Loose papers, pens, mouse, water bottle.
Things on Your Bed: Bed sheets, Books, Newspaper, Clothes, pillows.
Things You Ate Today: Nothing
Things in Mind: CAT result, SNAP test, Morning News Paper, Work at office, Am I thinking too much?

4 Places You Have Been Today:

Drawing room, Bathroom, Bedroom, Kitchen.

3 People You Can Tell Anything To:

Is there anything to tell? ;) Well me tells most things to friends. I think I have been blessed with some great friends

2 Choices:

Yes or No

1 Thing You Want To Do Before You Die:

Logout.

The people who ever read it in the present or the future need to be told that I am in an unassuming mood where only thing I am confused is if I am really confused.
The blog continues though ...

Bottomline.

Are you interested in this tag? It is in keep with the tradition of this tag if you ever wish to take it up, do inform me. :-P

The blue italics indicated recent edit.

About: A CAT story

It came and so did the media and followed by the faces of nervous parents dumb founded watchmen chaotic super-visiors, the rush to the loo and a catch of flu. Anyways it was a pretty sedated affair for me. I must thank the lord above an dpeople on this earth for their blessing and hopeful prayers. Let me say this alls fair in the end.

Believe in your instincts.

There will some more for the next years, but for people who will start to prepare or think they will start preparing whenever they feel like a few whispers in their years, (shouts for Sudeep to take note)
1. Reading speed in excess of 450 words per minute. It seems a touch out of sense but let me promise U that this one will be of out most importance.

2. Understanding atleast 80% of what U read in a minute. There is surely no merit in just reading fast. One should have good retention as well. The only way is just to keep on reading. The time is the only best friend U have till it gets over.

One has to develop some instincts about what question is trying to ask and one has to develop the ability to pick out the right answer directly without putting pen to paper. You have to develop romance with what U study. It doesn't mean U have to read only romantic novel. The fact remains is you have to love being alone with your CAT preparation material and every new page you turn, it should bring smile and make U more eager. I said once the best teacher is one whom diminishes darkness of fear and enlightens the lamp of eagerness.
Never think of failure. If it is survival of the fittest make sure you are the fittest there is no other way.

Vocab, Well one has to get into those senior secondary grammar books and just learn every damn trick in the book. Pay a generous attention to sentence formation, especially prepostions and Gerund and Participle, they are really helpful. One has to get the sequence of the sentence correct for most times with superlative degree of precision. Just keep on readin, keep a pocket dictionary close by.

Develop a habbit.

I think CAT is such a mental thing at the most basic level, cook, dance, sing, listen, read, write, blog, work out do whatever which just fills in in adernaline when the workload sucks life out of you. Just do it.

That was things I hope people can read and try to follow, for other things Orkut hai na ...

Well the countdown to CAT was CHaotic, it drained me out mentally, I was freaking out and did not have a clue as to why was I bogging down, there were too many reasons perhaps many of them beyond my control and some of them beyond my comprehension. Anyways, A day bfore CAT, My father had his birthday, a delicious dinner at a nearby retraunt and a chattter past mid night sooth my mood and ironed out lot of ironies and bought CAT again into focus.
I read whatever I could. I solved a few problems did a few Calculations and kept on reading "The Winning" by Jack Welch.

One Day Match.

The center was nearby just a stroll away, being punctual I landed up strolling there on time and just waited for tide of people to comeover. I easily found my seat and then kept on strollong around to get my focus at maximum level. I knew I was doing this one.
There was suppose to be a one day match. In one there was only one inning where one may have just slog, but I made a few stupid natured mistake, that what CAT does, perhaps may have costed me a seat in a good college. I started with Quant (Maths) before trugging for some time I left the 74 and 75 questions, then I cracked a case of geometry followed by one of arithmetic next was a fluke again followed by a geomety, then the first three questions, which I know now are wrong. I think my tally in maths would be 22 or 23 at max.

The next section I attempted was VA, I said to myself come on you ave been just preparing for this baby, I started from teh first Question and kept on eliminating the otpions and then marked the answers, these were Facts, Inference and Judgements ones. I was very happy I kept on pegging away. with the summaries and manged 3 or 4 of them, don't quiet remember them now. The there was a weird pasage which I attempted and marked as may answers as I could. The there was a passge on some Swedish MP and communism, Nazism, colonialism and al that, pretty easy, which was completed and I think some couple of more questions.

The lastattempted section was DI. It has been my nemesis. I maangted to get my first set going and I cracked 5 of them. It was fun, then there was a minor screw up and then I manged to cover up and completed one more set. One fluke in the next set and the time was running out. There were three questions which were done in the next set so roughly 15 questions, my heart knew no bounds and then it was all over and I thought I had just batlle my eyelids once.

It was thrill, couple of calls from home and catching up with friends there was a big slumper before catching train back to Surat.
The train in the night was real nightmare, it was late by couple of hours, I went to sleep at 2:30 got up at sometime before 7 and rushed to office.

The whole day has been a bigger CAT and mouse game.My break up is at present 34-36-18 (Verbal Di and Maths respectively) plus couple of marks. I am a bit confused or rather sceptic,, it will be great through to MICA Ahemdabad.

About: The coming weekend.

Lets wait and see how things turn up. One would do that if didn't they knew what was about to come. I know and I have a plan fixed I have a date with CAT coming weekend. This CAT is such a flirt that there are atleast 190 thousand more with me to feel this CAT again. I swear it is such a fun to plan this weekend on Monday morning itself.

CAT trap.

It is all in the figures.

The last time was fun and I hope this time it is fun too. I had manged 86.79 percentile last time. I think it wasn't good enough to land me at MICA, a B-School in Ahemdabad. This time around it is M.D.I. Gurgaon and MICA. I may not be the best prepared but who is? I mean u want to do more and more in the last few days and push the envelope. I manged to add beef to my DI scores with a decent 15 the earlier scores use to be around 9 to 11/ I know this isn't good enough but I have to push the DI scores above 18. Not the most toughest of task. Quantitative Section (read Maths) took a beating but then I saw it coming. My co-ordinator at IMS always use to tell me two things don't make it right but three wrongs do. I have been following this strategy and it pays. But often due to a bad habit of hastening up things I don't obviously eliminate the third option ending up marking wrong answers, I need to avoid this mistake.
Another grave mistake is marking wrong answers, I mean solve it correctly and then marking the wrong options, a classic case of many a slip between the cup and lip. the case of hastening is again pretty evident here. I must take control of things.

I am reading my own mind.

The next to verbal. I was proud of my reading ability but I am slowly realizing I am not as good. My reading speed settles at 25o words a minute where else ideal case calls for 400 words perminute. It is not tough though I think I will be pushing myself here. The instinct is very important here I think u have to listen to it there is no way out. I will revise grammar atleast once. I think I have not touched at vocab at all may be 3 hours in all week is what I pegged for it. I wil do lots of reading and brush up on grammar. My conclusion is to get hold of Prepositions, Participle, Verbs, Gerunds etc. It helps in eliminating the wrong options. In vocab there is case of nouns and verbs as homonyms, advise and advice, which is which U advise? I would love if I am able to read on Word Power Made Easy for one last time. It is a great book just to read. I will try to read exclusively and will be itching to lay my hands on anything which can be read.

The ghost in my mind.

Mental blocks are the heaviest. I don't know the probable reason but Data Interpretatiopn (DI from now on) is a big mental block. I need to overcome it. I think my misery is compounded due to the fact I am not reading the questions correctly, make questions on my own and answering them. I often get overwhelmed while sloving them in class but whn I am pretty relaxed I get decent marks in D.I. I am decent in Maths and DI I falter because i tie my own legs and then try a CAT walk.

This was all my CAT, I hope I have cleared my mind. Whenever I sit and study I can listen to Bryan Adams as if he is singing only for me, wont that be some fun. Hail Bryan.

I wish each of the Candidates all the best for CAT. Best Wishes to fellow Bloggers Anshul and Sudeep as well.

Blog: Read these lines

Zindagi hai to khwaab hai,

Khwaab hain to manzile hain,

Manzile hain to faasle hain

Faasle hain to raaste hain

Raaste hain to mushkile hain

Mushkile hain to hausle hain

Hausle hain to vishwaas hain

Vishwaas hain to Jeet hai.

Kyonki fighter hamesha jeeta hai.

I managed to Google these lines. This was an ad for Rotomac pens featuring Javed Akhtar saab.
Inspiring is what I think of it.

About: Cricket & Weekend.

Match or Mismatch?

I will leave that for you to ponder upon. The two teams which ended up in the final mismatch were two complete opposite teams in every sense. Aussies on the top of the game for over a decade now. The name of their game plane is consistency of winning. They have won virtually anything and everything wherever international cricket is played. They have won so much that it is a news when Aussies loose. Their batting order on paper is as solid and flexible as any in the recent for that matter past era. Their bowlers are nothing short of teeth grinding menace and they always among wicket. Their fielding is superb. They are now standard against whom you have to scale your team’s performance. The only thing which they could not have laid their hands on would be the Champions Trophy.
The West Indies team however represents completely different end of the spectrum. They are on a virtual decline for I don’t know how long. The West Indies supremacy or cricket I believe is now a faded memory for most. I think their hangover is still lingering. Their fast bowlers are no more fast. They never seem to be rushing the batsmen. They are no more intimidating. Their batsmen always offer some chance. The consistency of loosing is their bane. There is something key ingredient missing.

A flash in the pan start.

The West Indians seemed to have started their innings in the most aggressive of fashions, Chanderpaul and Gayle were not interested in singles they were just going boom boom over the top, cut flicks, pulls, drives all ending up in boundaries or over them McGrath was welcome with a six in his very first over after Bret Lee was beaten black and blue. But then you need to do that for fifty overs. There is some Aussie who will always put his hand up and bail the team out of the rot. Nathan bracken did that today. The it was party time for bowlers as West Indies collapse and their batting order was a set of single figures. Bracken was too good for Gayle and Lara failed so did West Indies. The Aussies got a meager target which proved just a matter of finishing up the formalities.

The root problems.

There are teams which takes out some positives from the defeat problem with West Indies is that they seem to carry the negatives from their victories. Sarwan seem to be all about inconsistency and the only team he can score against is India. Lara remains ever mercurial, here Tendulkar is far better even though last couple of years Lara nd Tendulkar seem to have different fortunes especially in test Arena.
There seems to have no plan, their batting looks good when Gayle fires otherwise they pan out too soon. Their late order is good though. The bowling is not as sharp as it could be. There seem to be no direction in West Indies team they seem to be lost island in the sea of cricket. Lara has had a brilliant last two years mean while injuries and bad form has bought down his stature just by few notches.
Dravid meanwhile has been consistent too. He was ICC captain of the year, rubbish media and public speculation that he is an ordinary captain. Ganguly earned a name of a successful captain only because of good work of Tendulkar, Laxman, Kumble and especially Dravid, who managed to hand over biggest wins for Dada both home and away in Test and one days.

Coming soon ... Ashes to Ashes; Dust to Dust.

The Ashes series is about to start in three weeks time. I will again start wrtting The Ashes Diary. The Aussies starts favourite again. I will not be surprised if English get routed for the first match they tend to get routed in the first especially in The Ashes meanwhile they always seem to win atleast one match in the last two remaining matches.
They atleast did so in last two previous tours.

It is a game of CAT and mice.

I love Tom and Jerry. But there is more to it.The famed exam one which all MBA aspirants in India dream to crack is know just 13 days away. I have been just in touch with the course and will dive dep into settling the dust forever. I am vying for MDI Gurgaon and MICA Ahemdabad (not necessary in this order.) The ere are three sections in CAT examination. Quantitaive ability,Data Interpretation anad Cerbal Ability. The plot seems well covered in Quantitative, Verbal is alright, but like last time Data Interpretation seems more than a spot of bother even thugh my maths is decent. I love Geometry and Arithmetic and hold my ground on Algebra. But DI remains a ghost I cannot fathom and Verbal is all about practice. I hope to sort out my “plans” is this week.

About: Banglore is "banglored".

Bangalore is bangalored to Bangalooru.

Cricket: Miracles wanted.

Let me check the present score before I start blogging on this one.Wow! much I feel like my prayers are being answered. Gilchrist hold out to Raina off Sreesanth.I have not got a very positive vibe of this match.I am desperate to see India beating Aussies.I am just waiting for Harbhajan to run through the side but that isn't something which is as east as typing Google + Ctrl+ Enter.
It is tough.This is what I love about cricket.

The following is just about a bygone match.

India played West Indies.One will read a lot of this on my page that India is one team that can make one sided match exciting. They can pull out losses from the jaws of victory and vice versa. The emphasis was on loss and victory.The Indian bowlers never had enough heart to produce something special.One expected Kumble but then he is busy being idle.India manged just 223 against West Indies. The problem seems to be not letting anyone besides Irfan go onto number three or at the fall of firwst wicket. I think the idle team would be Tendulkar Sehwag, Kaif, Dravid, Yuvraj, Dhoni,Pathan, Harbhajan, Kumble, Munaf, Agarkar. This give us ample balance in both deprtment. There can be chnages offcourse but one doen't want to do what K.P.S. Gill did when India won the Asiad last time around, He just kicked the core members out. There is a little wonder then, that hockey doesn't find the mention even in the localest of newspaper. This is a sad case. I hope it is not a sad demise be a happy news for India Hockey. It is down in near dumps can anyone please stand up.
O Ok! back to hockey. The best part of West Indies is that their lower order really clicks at most time. They have been doing that since the days of Ridley Jacobs.

Gayle Chanderpaul, Sarwan has a penchant for Indian bowling and no matter what the Indian bowlers offer The West Indians are ready with gloves on.Gayle has absolute measure of Pathan and he exactly knows all the trick that Irfan has. Gayle use his height to an advantage to cut down on Irfans swinging. Chanderpaul he just wont get out to any Indian bowling of present era.There were no partnerships from Indian batsmen and they simple had not enough to contain West Indies. They had a wobble and "perhps" beter bowling could see us through. But an ordinary batting result in not so good body language and I think we know the rest.

England and West Indies.

This match would dearly categorize into a dead rubber.If there was one definition this match would have perfectly fit the bill.The West Indies walloped the English and Gayle was about to cut loose before some smart work manged to restrict West Indian march. Bravo also contributed with a century. England looked down and out and for once Pietersen did not fail. He is too good a player for that. He fails too much.The English look in all sort of troubles. The Ashes seems to be lingering large and no one seems interested playing One Days. They have got their batting wrong.

Back to the present.

Ponting wants to do it in style. India seems to be lacking the right set of players. They have not enough fire with the ball and batting seems not be firing on all cylinder. It seems for now Ponting will blast through India. If India has to win the some miracles are wanted.

Blog: To My Suprise.

I had not long been to Blog Things for a while. The result completely stumped me.I was happy though.

You Have A Type A- Personality

You are one of the most balanced people around Motivated and focused, you are good at getting what you want You rule at success, but success doesn't rule you. When it's playtime, you really know how to kick back Whether it's hanging out with friends or doing something you love! You live life to the fullest - encorporating the best of both worlds

Do You Have a Type A Personality?

Blog: Festive Weekend..

A very Joyous New Year to all. The Hindu New Year begins today. The morning was misty (smoogy actually). The city of Surat celebrated Diwali with lot of lights lighting up every nook and corner, most busy flowers were dotted with row of lights and one could shop as long as anyone would like. The shops are likely to be closed for better part of this week. There were crackers disturbing my sleep for two days now, but the aerial show which I saw was quiet exhilirating.

U cook before U celebrate.

This is common everywhere I think. No matter where festivals are clebrated it has some sort of food/ale associated with it. Diwali brings in host of sweets to be goobled up be it the chocolates, ladoos, barfis, kachoris U name it and u will be fed. I miss something called a thekua which my roomie friend use to bring from his home. I had a Monthal and loaddos for myself along with nutties and kachoris and gulab Jamuns.

A precursor to Diwali.

The morning of Saturdays was about uggling three landlines and two cellphones. I talked to almost everbody I wanted to, though there were a few who I could not get thru, messages failed. I tried mailing a few people. I got in touch with my long lost cousins.There was less of pandmonium this time and I found time for my afternoon siesta which has been an on going romance. Don't I love my sisestas? Then there was hush -rush of getting some more diyas some more hawan samgri and crackers was left to epople who organised the cracker show.
Thanks to Orkut and YM I managed to convey my refgards to many Blogger Friends of mine as well. I just about managed to find time to update my blog page as well.

Lakshmi Pujan.

I never dream of missing a Diwali Puja which is done with lots of fun and I actually look forward for this one. The Diyas were lighted and placed every where around the house. Blessing were seeked from the elders and we were blessed with blessings and cash offcourse. (grins)

Aussies vs English.

The ICC has to consider the ODI status of England as a One Day team, They are just good enough to make it to the list. They look so hapless and ordinary in especaially ODI. Trescothick making a point not to tour India. I think he is a good batsman but he can count me out as his fan. I cannot believe he doesn't want to play in India. The best of the best queue to bat here and he wish to stay away. I always get negative vibes whenever I see the English playing One Days, they seem out of sync and out of thoughts. I pray that they shall be proclaimed Cricket World Cup favourites atleast once in my lifetime. I will be on seventh heaven if they win this one. How about the English winning The Ashes and They World Cup. Miracles do happen don't they? I think I am pushing the envelope to far.
The English winning The Ashes would be a bigger miracle then the last win. They could have had the home advantage last time. The point to note is the fact that Aussies lost their last home series in 1992. They would like to keep that record up. I hope they can survive the first test atleast. "The Ashes Diary" will return will return on the eve of The Ashes 2006-2007. The Aussies won by the way although England did manage to take four wickets, t

Champions Trophy is a loser, till date.

I haven;t seen such a lack luster event featuring all the top 12 teams. The CHampions Trophy is proved out to be a damp squib more than anything else. Why are there four venues only in a country where cricket is played on every street? There are 21 matches and just four venues. Where is the rotation policy of BCCI, where each zone/ground is given a chance to host One Days. The point that struck me is the vindictive politics. The four honchos of BCCI Sharad Pawar President , Lalit Modi Vice President, Niranjan Shah Secretary and I.S. Bindra former BCCI chief and a Pawar supporter and some one who doesn't get along with Dalmiya and Raj Singh Dungarpur who has been ast various positiong in BCCI. There four have manged to make sure that CT is limted to their venues ONLY.
How one may ask?
Sharad Pawar Heads the Mumbai Cricket Association and Raj Singh Dungarpur is close to him. Dungarpur is Chief of CCI Brabourne Stadium. Lalit Modi is well placed in Rajasthan Cricket Association and Jaipur has seen N number of matches, perhaps more in 3 weeks then in last three decades. Niranjan Shah is also a member of Gujrat Cricket Association so no wonder that Ahemdabad to gets to host some meaty matches. IS Bindra helped Sharad Pawar win BCCI elections and he is also President of Punjab cricket association, he has flexed enough muscle to make sure Mohali host atleast five matches. I mean we surely have more than 4 venues to host these matches. This is really an awful, unexpected and unaccpetable on BCCI which has made sure theat Cricket reached every part of this country. It os purely lame and BCCI has to be laughed at for the way they have hosted CT.

Blog: Week in review

"Woh shaam kuch ajeeb thi ... Yeah Shaam bhi ajeeb hai ..."

"Woh kaal bhi pass pass thi toh aaj bhi kareeb hai."

Thats was one of the awesome Kishore songs that he song and this one has confirmed the eternity of the composer-lyricist and singer.These days people are busy personifying events and things including autumns and awful aches, which were absolute delight to read.

Culinary work out.
I am busy partying as my friends got a raise after they got the confirmation letter. I still await confirmation but it will definetly before I bid winter good bye and summers comes in again as hot as ever. There is a revolving restraunt in the town. I had a blast and thoroughly enjoyed myself a treat of free of fat-free diet. There was lot of things to munch on including some veggies and non-veggie dishes. Then there were sweets to latch onto, not being a gourmet, I ate just about well to insure that I am no where near levels of overeating. Then there is a lovely drive back from Surat.
I sometimes feel am I sometimes fatter then I think I am or it is ok to be 74 Kilos? Anyways I think things will fall into space and I can't see myself losing my night sleep over the fact that I am a couple of kilos over weight. Or really am I? The thought is clearly amusing and most times and then neblous at other times.

Triskaidekophobia.
Don't google over it, it is simply fear of number thirteenth. I dont know the reason why people do have the fear. The incidence which was quoted by Langdon in the novel and also the mvie "The Da'vinci Code" in refrence of Knights Templar give creeps to me though. There are a million others, many ridculous and some bizzare. What will be your take?

Mine would be "Where is the Sensex?"
I checked it on Yahoo! Finance and just checked out the Historical prices of the Indian bourses on thiteenth of a particular month, offcourse in teh world of numbers, prices and values, 13 does hold it is on. The Sharpest falls and jumps could be seen on thiteenth of a month. This would give a sweet sounding bells to people called as brokers for whom volatility rules.
The Sensex has zoomed nearly 200 points of 1.6%. The events before this steep rise gives me a hint that it is time to bug out, sell somethings as there has been a period of lull in which one saw things stabilizing and taking a breather. The summer saw a massive windfall and people were convinced that the dream run was over. I am sure those very people are busy chanting the mantra over how they convinced people to stay in and cash in while the bourses are ringing.

Beta is in.
The new Yahoo beta mail is in. I manged to login on Wednesday night and check out the features. It was on the lines on new Rediff. But then Yahoo! is second to none. There have been couple of more Beta's as well, the Blogger Beta is just another one I guess.

"Can't help falling in love..."
I guess it to be an Elvis song but I am not sure for it. I think I did the right thing by going in for Nokia 6070. I love it coz it has large keys and large display. I am menacingly amazed over the battery. I charged my cell last, yesterday and talkde and messaged enough but to my glee it is still showing full strength which again convinced me over the abtter life and reception of Nokia cellphones.

About: This Weekend.

There is an unkown reason I love to blog about weekends which are mostly unwinding rather than going outlike may people do. I love to blog about it besides my Cricket blogs.I wanted to blog all week but just couldn't ful fill my own wishes. Sunday gives me enough time to go through the new papers and catch up with some movie.Cricket.
After ages some Champions Trophy started with some matches in which the result of the match was more obvious then the toss. Sri Lanka won against Bangladesh yesterday, Tharanga hit a control centruy and already hailed the next Jayasuriya. But I think I will reserve my opinions coz Jayasuriya is a bit chequerd player for me. He has a tremendous record against India nad Pakistan especially in the subcontinent. His record away from sub-continent is not as good. But he has something in him thats without doubt lets keep a check on his consitency and fitness.
West Indies vs Zimbabwe perhaps was again played to finish of the formalities. 85 all out I think W.I backed themselves to atleast pull this one off.
So as expected Sri Lankans and Windies pulled off their matches with minimum fuss.This tournament will alst for over a month and we will have to wait till Diwali to Check out whats team India upto and weather the "News Channels" can help India out of a rot.

Formula One.
After convincing the media that nobody other then Schumacher will win the Championship and also accusing and crying foul over FIA running the "show" behind the curtains, ALonso pulled the carpet from under Schumi's feet to setup a wonderful win at Suzuka, Japan and perhaps won his second crown on the way. But there is still a race to go and who knows ...

New Phone.
I was looking for a new phone for couple of months the battery of my cell was about to give way. I first check out Nokia 6030 and then something made me check out Nokia 6070 on Dusshera. So I got Nokia 6070 for myself and let me tell u I am loving it. There are whole lot things I can do with as is the case with so many mobile phones these days. Since I already have an iPod and a digi Cam I was not hell bent on get something extravagant which may be of no use tommorow. I am looking for some iPod attachements though.

Festive season on the doors.
Starting Navratri there will be some festival once every 10 days. Navaratri gave way to Dusshera, Dusshera will give way to Karva Chauth... A day of fsating done my all wifeys for their hubbies. Mom use to do it for ages but now her age she is not hell bent on going without food or water for a day. One good thing television has done is spread all the festival in a big big. They say it is not a seller's market any more. Let mne tell u one thing the seller's are not complaining me any more. The shop where I got my mobile I saw two high end Nokia phones being sold before I setteled for my 6070 which costed me Rs 5800. Karva Chauth will be followed by some festival which will be followed by Diwali. The festival of the season and a festival where people to don't bat a eye link before spending. The markets in Surat are all buzzing and all the brands including the seconds outlet are seeing huge volumes of customers, purchase and money flowing in the cash registers.

Surat , Then and Now.
The floods really dampened the spirit but Navratri took all the way but there is still a negative vibe when u go around the city but things not only crept back they have been restored and Surat is looking cleaner then ever. People are now ack to splurging on clothes and foods and other things roaming arond the city. Lets see a good Diwali this season.

My Diwali plans.
As a kid me and my brother use to buy crackers which should atleast last for couple of Diwalis, the rage for buying fcrackers has toned down a great deal. Me looking forward to buy a feew gifts for my folks and family and treat some friends to some treat. I am longing to reach Mumbai tune in into radio, travel in trains again. Then visit the never changing and ever crowded blanes of Bandra. I will try to visit my school this time although it may be closed. I need to catch up with lots of friends before they issue a red corner notice for me.

About: A day of celebrations.

So it is a day of many celebrations. Dusshera, Gandhi Jayanti along with Lal Bahdur Jayanti. Plus it is a holiday on Monday that alone calls or a celebration. My cousin is also celebrating his birthday so greetings to him as well.

Dusshera/Vijay Dashmi.

I sat searching for Dusshera on Wikipedia and Google to get more info as I did not wanted to miss listing many "days" of this day. Offcouse this day marks the day of good over bad. Lord Ram killed the Demon King Ravana this day. Me not enlisting the detail. Ramayan khatam ho gayi aur.... Ravan kaun aur Ram kaun. Here is one site which I think entails the importance of the day. There are more than u know, thats what I felt after I read it. You can always Google or check out Yahoo Answers.

Gandhiji.

People spit venom on him. But he is beond any live souls critcism. He may be wrong he may be right. But he was respected among the Britishers too. Those were days when nothing was right and an one could be booked under anything. Doing things had time needed qualities which are not meant for normal average person. The British Judge use to get up when he use to appear in court for trials. Amazing Man.
This is what Einstein had to say

Generations to come will scarce believe that such
a one as this, walked the Earth in flesh and blood.

I guess it needs a Genius to understand a Genius. The times have changed and Gandhism has changed to Gandhigiri, appreciated by one and all. It does potray things in positive light.
I don't think someone even comes close to second to him. He not only inspired to fight but inspired to win against all odds. At that point in time we were figthing against all odds.
So my humble tributes to the Greatest Perhaps ...

Lal Bahdur Jayanti.

There are three sides of every story, my side, your side and the truth. The Congress party has managed to resrect a Dynasty in a Democracy and that takes some doing. Lal Bahadur Shastri was the second Prime Minster of India. He is perhaps lost in history. But was very astute leader. he was known for his humility and honesty. He too shared his birthday with Gandhiji. They were two collosus of their times.