The Premier League

The past few months have been predominantly occupied by cricket. The ICC world cup started on 19th Feb and since then the cricket fever is rising with the rising temperatures of summer. We won the world cup on 2nd April and within a week the IPL season 4 started off. Some said it will lack the fun this year because of the recently concluded world cup and it was not entirely incorrect. The fun seems to be reducing now, since people have realized, though a bit late, that they are the ultimate losers, and the players and organizers are minting money, whether they win or lose.

But the fever has caught up with my company and the eInfochips Premier League (EPL) is in full swing. I am strongly against the IPL matches, but am totally enjoying the EPL ones, since there's not a single paisa involved....PURE SPORT HERE. My team has already lost both matches and we are out of the tournament, but another team from my department is the topmost as of today and have played really well throughout.

This is the first time I am involved in such intra-company matches...well, I did participate once, but it was carrom...so a bit small scale u know. But otherwise, matches in my earlier company used to be played at Dadar and travel itself used to be a big turn-off. But being in the heart of any city has its own advantages and so now I can be on the ground within 15 minutes from home.

I always used to think it would not be that much of an involving experience since it is between colleagues and friends. But when it comes to cricket, some people do get quite serious; whether they are playing or not. I am sure many of you will agree to this, since such people can be found in all companies. And some seriousness is surely needed to perform and stay there on the ground for the entire match, which is not at all easy especially in such a city where temperatures cross 30 deg. cel. at 7 am in the morning. Still, a couple of them have crossed the 100 figure mark already. You might think the bowling was not as good, but still to make so many runs facing overarm bowling is no easy thing. One of my friends made 102 n.o. today and I was truly stunned. He was the opening batsman and stayed till the end of all 14 overs hitting 13 fours and 4 sixes facing 49 balls...looks like the score of Gayle or Yusuf Pathan. The bowlers also did well to restrict the opposition to just 56 runs by bowling them out in 9.5 overs and the run rate has now put the team in the top spot and a secured place in the semis (wow...I can be a cricket reporter).

I admire the players' spirit and enthu because some of them head straight to the office after play and start working. This requires true love for the game and a very strong desire to play and give the fullest. One of our colleagues has played cricket at state level and even being around 40 yrs of age, he is very keen to give his 100% on the field. I have never followed IPL but am very much enjoying EPL and the feeling of being a part of the topmost team is indeed very exciting.

Keep it up boys!!

P.S. - Thanks Jaymin for the inspiration and good captainship...

Mouse Hunted

"Justice has been delivered"....these are the words spoken by the proud President of United States Barack Obama in his address to the nation, or rather to the entire world on Sunday when the most significant Mouse Hunt in US history was concluded in the mice hole of the world - Pakistan (we Hindustanis call the place something else, but thats besides the point). The most wanted mouse Osama Bin Laden was shot in the head by US Navy Seals which all of us know by now and I share my extreme happiness with all of you.

This mouse had been causing a menace all over the world for a long time now and has been spreading a very dreadful disease called Terrorism. Lot of innocent men, women and children have fallen prey to the disease, irrespective of their religion or nationality. But it is the US determination which did not forget the death of its people and finally succeeded to deliver the justice. I am jealous that they don't have "the spirit of Mumbai" which whole-heartedly accepts whatever anyone comes and does to it. Infact, such people are taken special care of and given our own food and air and water to survive. How shameful, pathetic, loserly and cowardly....

The biggest good news in all this is that he has been killed in Pakistan, right near the capital and ya I know, near a military camp. I read somewhere that he was even called as a visiting faculty to the camp sometimes to deliver some lectures on "Offense against the white arts". Today I feel really proud that Mahatma Gandhi divided the country and saved us from facing this shameful moment which has put more sh*t on their face. I would like to pray to honourable Veer Savarkar to leave his wish to get that piece of land or rather that mice-hole back in our home. The pakistanis should atleast show some wisdom, or borrow it from us if they don't have it, and hand over the where-abouts of other mice they have hidden.

And our corrupt government should now not sit back and fear when will the mice retaliate. Rather, they should hit the iron now when it's red and try to eradicate the other mice who have troubled us. I am sure our black cat commandos are equally capable of the courageous act performed by the US Navy Seals. Else, in light of the ongoing corruption charges the government is facing, people of Hindustan will sense some underworld links of the government.

The media can play a big and matured role in this regard. It was very childish and irresponsible to show some random face as that of osama yesterday, when the US had not even decided whether to publish the photographs or not. When will our media grow up?? I was happily astonished that not a single Navy Seal officer has been named or revealed and the President has himself taken responsibility of the entire operation. People might see it as election campaigning, but I also see it as the correct way to act as the Commander-in-chief. Our media, on the other hand, was showing live coverage of the operation in Mumbai. Grow up kiddos...

But we, the citizens, should be alert and vigilant once again, since we are still the soft targets to fall prey to the disease. Our PM is busy trying to have peace talks and I hope he doesn't get stabbed in the back again. And if he does, this should be the last time ever. It should be our time to deliver justice (nukes). I request you all to keep your eyes, ears and noses open and looking for anything suspicious.

Be safe !!