Finally, the IPL is over. People were really consumed by it, even if the purists argue about the nature of the T-20 format, it sure proved to be a big hit. Not that the restarting of my writing in the blog had something to do with the end of the 1st season of IPL, looks like they have coincided quite well. It has been a season of comebacks...with Madhuri Dixit-Nene recently making hers( n ofcourse, not a very successful one)...n so have I(I'm sure its gonna be more successful than hers ;))
Anyways, feels like fun, writing after a really long time.
Jan 29, 2008
A game of Polo in the cozy winters of Kolkata
Every year, just before Christmas is the time for the Kolkata Polo Season. This time in December 2007, it was jointly organised by the Fort William Polo Club and the 144 year old Calcutta Polo Club at the very famous Pat Williamson Grounds,which is at the centre of the Race course.
It was my first time to a Polo match and that itself was thrilling.
We went on 3 different days and watched 5 games.
It was definitely a great experience. The mid afternoon during winter seemed like we were transported to a different land, with the hazy light, clouds tryin hard to block the sunlight and especially with the Victoria memorial as a distant backdrop was truly enchanting.
The horses looked amazingly ready for the game with the Polo players and their mallets(the stick used to hit the ball).
The language of Polo includes Chukkas (the basic period of play... each chukka is seven and a half minutes long and there are four chukkas in each match), Handicap(comparative rating of polo players awarded by the Polo Association), Throw-in(The game is started with a throw-in where the ball is literally thrown in between the line-up teams by the umpires), and the usual penalties, fouls and goals....and it took me one whole game to understand it fully.
Jan 27, 2008
The R-Day Effect.
The 59th Republic Day of our country was celebrated yesterday.
With each passing year, the debate whether we should really have a parade showcasing our military might and power has only become larger.
But the point here, I think is that the R-Day parade is much more than just this.
Every year, the parade is one thing I've been watching regularly on the television since I was little, along with my grandfather explaining about it. It brings back old memories each time I watch it. I only wished the kids of today had the same kind of feeling towards our nation's pride. But unfortunately, it seems to be withering away.
The other thing the I felt was that this was one such days in a year that our nation and more importantly,our news channels remember the unsung heroes of our armed forces. There is a huge coverage on the heroes and martyrs who have given their lives fighting terrorism and insurgency. But unfortunately it is restricted to only a select few days in a year that they are remembered, whereas there are officers and jawans living in unimaginable conditions, away from their families fighting each day against the weather and the enemy, laying down lives every other day. But how much of it is covered and shown to the public is anybody's guess.
The media is not to be blamed wholly because they show what the people want to see.
The basic problem lies in the very attitude of our people. We'd rather see an interesting story about our favourite Bollywood star or discuss about the strategy of the next day's game of cricket or the mindgames of a certain cricketer.
Like my best friend often says... "Weird are the ways of the world".
Happy Republic Day to everyone.
With each passing year, the debate whether we should really have a parade showcasing our military might and power has only become larger.
But the point here, I think is that the R-Day parade is much more than just this.
Every year, the parade is one thing I've been watching regularly on the television since I was little, along with my grandfather explaining about it. It brings back old memories each time I watch it. I only wished the kids of today had the same kind of feeling towards our nation's pride. But unfortunately, it seems to be withering away.
The other thing the I felt was that this was one such days in a year that our nation and more importantly,our news channels remember the unsung heroes of our armed forces. There is a huge coverage on the heroes and martyrs who have given their lives fighting terrorism and insurgency. But unfortunately it is restricted to only a select few days in a year that they are remembered, whereas there are officers and jawans living in unimaginable conditions, away from their families fighting each day against the weather and the enemy, laying down lives every other day. But how much of it is covered and shown to the public is anybody's guess.
The media is not to be blamed wholly because they show what the people want to see.
The basic problem lies in the very attitude of our people. We'd rather see an interesting story about our favourite Bollywood star or discuss about the strategy of the next day's game of cricket or the mindgames of a certain cricketer.
Like my best friend often says... "Weird are the ways of the world".
Happy Republic Day to everyone.
Jan 25, 2008
Super Confident Novak
This match was definitely something I've been waiting for, like many have.
But the great tennis which we wished to see eventualy knocked out Federer.
The world number 1 surely had an opponent who came to the courts to execute the game plan he had.
Serbia's Novak Djokovic defeated the Swiss in straight sets 5-7, 3-6, 6-7, leaving the crowd shocked.
Yesterday, world no.2 and today, world no.1 were sent home,by the new kids on the block.
The confidence that Djokovic had and being able to convert the tie breaker in his favour in a pressure situation says a lot about our new champion in the making.
The finals on Sunday will see the unseeded Tsonga and the 3rd seeded Djokovic fighting it out for the title.
Looks like one interesting contest.
But the great tennis which we wished to see eventualy knocked out Federer.
The world number 1 surely had an opponent who came to the courts to execute the game plan he had.
Serbia's Novak Djokovic defeated the Swiss in straight sets 5-7, 3-6, 6-7, leaving the crowd shocked.
Yesterday, world no.2 and today, world no.1 were sent home,by the new kids on the block.
The confidence that Djokovic had and being able to convert the tie breaker in his favour in a pressure situation says a lot about our new champion in the making.
The finals on Sunday will see the unseeded Tsonga and the 3rd seeded Djokovic fighting it out for the title.
Looks like one interesting contest.
Jan 24, 2008
The Tsonga Song
The Nadal and Tsonga semi-finals in Australian Open was the highlight of today's games. World No.2 Rafael Nadal must have felt it would be an easy match against the unseeded French opponent. But little did he know, that Tsonga would defeat him in straight sets to clinch his place in the finals.
What a match that was!
The Spaniard played very well but Tsonga looked like he was there on a mission. It was breathtaking, with the game of tennis emerging as the clear winner.
Looking forward to the finals where he will have to face either World No.1 Roger Federer or Serbian 3rd seed Novak Djokovic.
Today's afternoon was very well spent. :)
What a match that was!
The Spaniard played very well but Tsonga looked like he was there on a mission. It was breathtaking, with the game of tennis emerging as the clear winner.
Looking forward to the finals where he will have to face either World No.1 Roger Federer or Serbian 3rd seed Novak Djokovic.
Today's afternoon was very well spent. :)
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