Cricket’s God

24^th Feb 2010 will be etched in the pages of history of world cricket, deeply, strongly and eternally. That’s the day Sachin Ramesh Tendulkar made a double hundred in ODIs, scoring the first one of its kind since the 16^th century when cricket was documented to have been first played (The record Scorecard!). 442 matches and 20 years is as long as it took, a time period when anything could have happened –from being wiped off the face of cricket to be adored as THE BEST. And Sachin chose the latter. Yes, it was surely his choice that has seen him all this far. It was on this same day in 1988 that he and Vinod Kambli made a 664 run partnership that stunned and silenced the nation. Today, 22 years later, he has stunned the world.

He dictated terms in Gwalior on Feb 24^th, treating the bowlers with disdain. Carried his bat through the innings to earn his 200 – take special note that he had no by-runners. I would have preferred to be in India at my hometown amidst family and friends watching this match.. the shouts, the screams, the cheerings, oh my God, I certainly missed the fun. Nevertheless I did see a huge uproar – in the form of Facebook and Orkut updates.. each person raising to the occasion with innumerous posts for the master blaster, for the GOD of Indian cricket, for the epic writer of World Cricket.

A full length dive by a man nearing his 37 at the first ODI to save a boundary sent India one up in the 3 match series. Two days later he scripted another wonder. Only this man can do it, the little master, the master blaster.

Could anyone who has lost his father come back immediately and play for the team? This man did it for India in the '99 world cup, scored a century and dedicated it to his father. Any cricket fan's eyes would have had a drop of tear that moment then.

Could anyone be more humble than him? Loads of talent, abysmal passion and commitment. If someone said "Failures keep you humble", time to rethink on changing the phrase!

Awards are now just secondary to him - Any podium that acknowledges him with an accolade will only be too small for this great man.

"I don't get tired, If you practise every day, you get used to it" - Sachin [Ref: Cricinfo]. Truly inspiring statement. Take a bow master.

Sozzial Networking Sites - Likes it or Not?

I put together some thoughts that just came to me after the Google Buzz came in, it's one thing that takes away all my privacy... I am not liking it at all.

The pre-‘2000’ era -

This was probably how people who met each other in the late 90s or even before and communicated to get to know each other–

Mr.X: Hello! What do you do for a living?

Mr. Y: I am working with company ABC. What do you do for a living?

Mr.X: I work for company XYZ.

For the purpose of future communications, they exchange Business cards

The post-‘2000’ era -

This is how people communicate these days to get to know each other –

Mr.X: Hey bro, ssup?? What’s you gtalk ID? Do you Buzzzzzzzz?

Mr. Y: Yo man, I am on Facebook most of the time.. ping me there and you can get a response soon.

For the purpose of future communications, they exchange profiles in Orkut, FB, twitter, linkedin.. phew... did I get it all, or miss any?

We are all practically glued to the computer, especially the social networking sites. To be frank, I am addicted too, but for sure it’s not the best thing.

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FB and the “likes this” mania

I genuinely appreciate if someone “liked” a post or link that, in their perspective, is worth liking.. That’s individual rights.. But I sincerely don’t understand why for certain posts that do not carry a ‘likes it’ value or intended for a different purpose, people click on the option and say ‘likes it’. Here are some instances I got during the recent past.. real time ones from my FB page!

Post: ‘Happy Diwali’ AND ‘Merry Xmas and Happy New Year!’ (on different occasions, of course!)

Venki's response: Now, that was wishing people. You should either wish back or keep quite!!

Post: 16 Google wave invites...anyone need one?

Venki's response: Does this make sense?? And how many 'Likes this' do you think it got!!

Post: Hurray Tuesday!!!!!!!!!

Venki's response: Okay, so what?? How does a Tuesday in one person’s life affect the other person?????

Post: Mr. M. found some Premium White Mystery Eggs to share with their friends!

Venki's response: Wonderful and hilarious!! What else is required in life!!

Post: Mr. P. threw the mummy at 438 meters !

Venki's response: No comments ;-)

Post: It's not tht I can't it's just that I won't

Venki's response: Here’s someone who’s becoming lazy, and someone else now joins the party :P

Post: 2 more days

Venki's response: hmmm, errr.… and after that??

Post: Watched the toss. Now I can switch off teh tv

Venki's response: Very good. In the first case, an update on that was essential for sustaining the world economy :P And secondly someone liked this person not watching rest of the match, excellent! :D

I think now I have also got to ‘like’ everyone’s post, whatever it be… Next day if you post “Fell down and broke my hand”, I will “LIKE IT”!! After all, that is what is "Facebook Dharma" :-)

Phir - Mile Sur Mera Tumhara

I was listening to the new version of Mile Sur Mera Tumhara. The new song is amazing, no comparison to ARR. Especially the start he gives, the softness and smoothness of the twists and turns of the musical notes – mind-blowing! I am mesmerized by the start ARR gives on the finger-keyboard! Have been listening to this song now repeatedly! Btw, anyone knows which Raagam this is?

A very good attempt to recreate the depth of unity that the older version gave.

But is India and unity all about a bunch of film industry people? This was more like seeing the filmfare awards. The previous one had at least a good number of sportsmen. This one had some of them, but those were too small considering the time the ‘filmis’ dominated.

Aren’t there not enough people who have contributed to the cause of the nation and its upliftment, at least in some small way that has greater value than these bunch of filmi icons?? Haven’t not brave army men, scientists and the likes done India good? Haven’t those individuals gone beyond their linguistic and cultural boundaries and seen India as one? When do we ever recognize them – only posthumously as martyrs??

And yeah, they did show what was intended, but that was the last few seconds of a 16-odd minute long story! A little more creativity in picturization was needed. Was too lengthy and a little disappointing…