Rained & Ruined...

Yesterday would always be a memorable day for me.I started with my swimming lessons from yesterday.But I'd remember the day more so for the other reason - I lost my wallet.What makes the incident even more memorable and excruciating was the manner in which I lost it.Let me narrate to you the incidents that led me to this point -

I got off from my swimming lesson at 8.My buddy dropped me off at the phase-10 lights.I stood there waiting for an auto when it starts drizzling slightly.I get the auto before the downpour starts.All of a sudden,it starts raining ferociously.It's so bad that my back gets completely drenched even in the auto.I somehow manage to keep my phone dry.

The trouble began when Grewal called and asked if I wanted to play soccer.The idea was damn stupid to begin with - it was dark and I was pretty sure that the street lights wouldn't be working.But,I told him that I'd check up at home and let him know in a few minutes . The auto drops me at my destination and I sprint to my house where I see Grewal on his bike all wet waiting for me . I kept the phone inside the house but don't take out my wallet - I was sure that his bike wouldn't have enough petrol and I'd have to pay for the fuel . So,not wanting to be a spoilsport I hop onto the bike and proceed to Bunti's place.We make it to his place but Bunti isn't there and the place his parents said he was too was empty.So,we go to the STD and try calling him on his cell.(It is here that I think I lost my wallet)His phone was witched off and so we headed back home .At the phase-7 lights,as expected the bike gave signs of running out of petrol and we headed to the petrol pump.I dig my hand inside my pocket and Voila ! it's empty. So,we hurried back to the STD and find it closed . So,we go to Bunti's friends' place and ask him for money.On our way back,we ran out of fuel and dragged the bike to the nearest pump .

So,now I've lost my wallet,my driving license and all my saved money.So all I can do now is just wonder ' What if... ' - What if I'd stayed at home ? What if I had left the wallet at the house ? What if...

Bollocks !

I've just come back from the college. I had the RDBMS exam today and I must admit the exam was the easiest possible. But , this exam went down as the most disappointing one for me . For one,I had five days to prepare for it which were more than enough. I spent almost three days trying to get my system fixed , the fourth day was spent collecting notes and sample papers.It was on the fifth day that I started studying and by late evening I had managed to complete almost the entire course except for the first unit which was more of a recollection and introduction unit.So,I went as a fairly confident man to college today even though I had missed out on revision.So,I get the question paper in my hand and I browse through Section-A (Short Answer) and I knew almost every question.I turn the question paper around and get the rudest shock ,the whole Section-B and a good deal of Section-C was made up of questions from the first unit - the only thing I hadn't done.So,while everybody would have had the best paper of this semester I came home with a mediocre performance(bordering pathetic) .Bollocks !

Indians....

The T-20 World Cup has started in England and the country is again gripped in cricket frenzy after IPL.Well,nothing surprising about that,India is cricket mad.Cricket may have been invented by the English but the Indians have truly made it their own in a distinctly Indian way (jugaadi way) -

Thaapi Cricket - We have all played this version in the backyard with a 'thaapi' and a plastic ball;dreamt it was WC Final and single handedly won the match .

French - I have no idea how it got the name.This version involves a guy standing with his feet close to each other,another guy aims for the feet.If he hits the feet,the batsman is out.You score runs by hitting the ball and revolving the bat around in a circle around yourself.

Fatta cricket - Don't have a bat in school,no problem.Just take a bench and break the wooden board for a make shift fatta.Sneak in a ball in your bag and come recess time you can play your very own version of the ICC Champion's Trophy.

Hand cricket - Got caught with the fatta ? So what,just smack the ball with the hand.Obviously,'one-tip' is out in this version.Books are also popularly used for this version.

Book cricket - This has got to be the greatest invention of school children after pen fight.This version involves opening the book randomly.The last digit of the page number is your score.You open to a zero and you're out.There are no extras here.It's very popular with the 'padhaku' types....

Big ball cricket - Cricket is also played with football,basketball or even a volleyball.You roll the ball and you kick the ball with your foot.Allegedly,the name comes from the popular commentators' phrase for an in-form batsman - 'He must be seeing the ball as big as a football'.

Hockey Cricket - I believe this form was played only in my class.We rolled the ball and used a hockey stick to hit it.

One-tip cricket - Wonder how Dravid plays the ball so softly ? This is how.In this version,the batsman is surrounded by close-in firelders and he has to play the ball such that none of the fielders are able to catch it even after a bounce.Usually,the player who survives more balls wins.So,now you also know why Dravid takes an eterniy to get off the mark.

Tricky Business.

A couple of days back a court in Lahore,Pakistan freed Mohammad Saeed.It's been almost 6 months since 26/11.Governments have changed,the results haven't.The sports minister MS Gill has even gone on to say that India will resume sports ties with Pakistan.Elections,Economy,IPL have made the people forget 26/11.There's not much I want to say about this lethargy and apathy in oour system and our society at large.Instead,I will try to disect the options on the table for India,if the Govt chooses to exercise any.

The Problem : The Islamic Republic of Pakistan is dominated in every sense by the Punjabis - army ,politics,bureaucracy and society.Punjab si the most powerful province of Pakistan.The other three provinces are envious and in many cases down right resentful of the Punjabis.There is insurgency in Balochistan,the NWFP is being overrun by the Taliban(believe me it is) and the Sindhis have their own gang war going on against Mohajirs in Karachi.So,we have a deeply fractured country kept together solely by religion.The Punjabis are deeply resentful of India and hate us with a passion.In a way,they still haven't overcome the Partition.So,what seems like a multitude of power centres of Pakistan have their epicenter in Punjab.India had the right approach to the problem - fuel insurgencies in Balochistan and NWFP and let Pakistan wither away.But Punjabis managed to rally everybody around by going to war against India.And we've had too many of those.This along with the 'lamb like' Indian leadership has severely compromised India's range of responses - For e.g. I.K Gujral had instructed RAW to cease all intelligence operations in Pakistan.With the U.S pitted in a war in the region India has no way to rekindle the old fires in Balochistan and NWFP.So,other than pleading at the UN India has no other option at it's disposal.With the US consistently and compulsively backing Pakistan time and again that option too is unlikely to yield results.

India needs a man at the top(strictly in the metaphorical sense.It was said of Indira Gandhi that she was the only man in the cabinet) -Not a pencil pusher,not a boy and certainly not the 'Lau Purush'.We need a leader who is willing to give an eye for both of the enemies' and a tooth for the enemy's jaw,someone who wants it ! India is facing odds - The US supports Pakistan but US supported Pakistan even back in 1971.Back then,India was a soviet ally at the peak of the cold war,now we have somewhat better relations.
In the aftermath of every terrorist attack,we'll have numerous calls for war.We can go to war.But we'll bleed.Pakistani army is not a pushover.Indian Army will have to dig it's heels,exchange blows and then march forward.And I have no doubt they can .
But,that's the easy part.Once after the war,India would have to deal with numerous militias spread across Pakistan.This is what the biggest problem would be,we'll have a war to fight in every city,village and town.This is what is making US bleed in Afghanistan.That's why we need a leader who wants it and is willing to pay for it.However,this scenario is extremely unlikely as the posession of nuclear warheads has acted as a deterrent and probably will in the future.Pakistan has pointed it's entire nuclear arsenal straight atIndia and have clearly stated the option of preliminary strikes.India needs to shed it's own 'No forst use policy' and make it clear to pakistan that it won't shy away from a full fledge confrontation even if it means repurcussions from the rest of the world.
What is Pakistan's strength can be it's undoing.This highly armed and weaponised society will make it tougher for the Pakistani establishment to fight insurgencies.This is what India needs to capitalise on.We have faced far tougher odds before.This isn't one of them.

At the height of war with Pakistan in 1965,China claimed parts of Arunachal Pradesh and threatened military action.Shastri's reply at apress conference was 'If it's yours,come and take it'......

Hell yeah....

India became the first and only nation in the South Asian region to have 'Eyes in the Sky'.Indian Air Force acquired the AWACS (Airborne Early Warning and Control System) with the Israeli made Phalcon arriving at the Jamnagar airbase.This is a major strategic boost fot the Air Force.The system is the first of three to be inducted in the Air Force.The remaining two AWACS are expected to be delivered by the year end.AWACS would help detect incoming flying weapons and alsolisten into aerial communications.With its ability to detect aircrafts, cruise missiles and other flying objects at ranges far greater than is possible through existing systems, the AWACS can also collate surface information about troop movements and missile launches even while "listening-in" to highly confidential communications .AWACS has a range of approximately 800 kms.This renders the entire Pakistan and forward parts of China in it's range

The bottom line : India will know whenever anything larger than a kite flies over a house anywhere in Pakistan !

Intention - Action

Here's a classic example of what bad punctuation can do -

Intention :

Dear John,
I want a man who knows what love is all about.You are generous,kind,thoughtful.People who are not like you admit to being useless and inferior.You have ruined me for other men.I yearn for you.I have no feelings whatsoever when we're apart.I can be forever happy.Will you let me be yours ?
Gloria


Action :

Dear John,
I want a man who knows what love is.All about you are generous,kind,thoughtful people,who are not like you.Admit to being useless and inferior.You have ruined me.For other men,I yearn.For you,I have no feelings whatsoever.When we're apart,I can be forever happy.Will you let me be ?
Yours Gloria

Don't expect any party .....

Well,it might seem premature but I won't be giving any birthday party this time around.The reason being that I want to buy a punching bag and as pair of gloves.I have pleaded before my parents,but the way they burst into laughter tells me that they aren't very enthusiastic about it.So,come July 10 I will collect whatever money I can get hold of and buy it myself.

Advisory : Don't ask me for the party any day after either because I would have had sufficient practice to give you a solid ass-whooping !