Tuesday, June 11, 2019

Summer Break of Cricket and Politics



This summer break was intermingled with alternate swings of Cricket and Politics. Though had stopped following cricket since a decade, being Indian, cannot completely ignore it especially at this juncture, when this is what you see and hear everywhere, every time. Started with IPL, then began the elections, once IPL was over, it was election results and new government formation; and then now it is the World cup Finals of Cricket.



Again last couple of years, in IPL it has been Mumbai Indian’s or Chennai Super Kings; With Chennai fans around, the final game was being played till the end; and Mumbai Indian’s were the winners. The fans home were so disappointed, even said that as long as Ambani’s are the owners of MI, no other team would be able to win!!!???



Election results, Kerala again proved to be outside India – South Indian states, the Dravidian states? ; rejecting the massive victory to BJP ; with Kerala being the only state to have given so much of majority to congress, when Rahul lost from his constant seat at Amethi, he won with a huge margin at Wayanad. Not sure if these are matters to be happy or not?? Not sure if in the North, people were fed up with Rahul and just wanted to reject him or is Modi so charismatic? People seems to fall for the words of Thadipaar gunda than an dumb, obviously they make better leaders – Right from Godfather!



Are people not aware of the ballot option NOTA – “None of the above “also known as “against all” or a “scratch” vote and that it’s important to vote for a part and not person?

And here comes Cricket again the World Cup mania and this time with so much of Pomp and show! Inaugural India Cricket Heroes event held at Lord’s ; The event was presented by actor & singer Farhan Akhtar and TV personality Shibani Dhandekar; the co-chairs of the awards jury were 1983 World Cup winner Kapil Dev and business tycoon Sanjiv Goenka, India's World Cup squad mingled with Bollywood celebrities at the Indian Cricket Heroes event in London. The inaugural edition of 'Indian Cricket Heroes', a concept by Virat Kohli's agent Bunty Sajdeh, had present World Cup squad members in appearance alongside few former players, business tycoons and Bollywood celebrities. Men and Women Cricketers were felicitated, not only the present but the past as well.


2011 World Cup winner and Man of the Tournament of that edition Yuvraj Singh with wife Hazel Keech; was present for the function; and soon after their return, he announced his retirement. Though he was unfit and not in form for some time, the time and the way the announcement has come is a bit surprising. Again a proof, that nothing lasts forever. Soon after the world cup, he was diagnosed with cancer, but he came back in form, and was with the team for 19 year and active for almost 17 years. Wishing him all the very best in his second innings. There was something about him that was special and with him going, I think I am complete blank about the new cricketers except Dhoni! Virat I know only for Manyatha Ad and as Anuska’s husband unfortunately. This world cup appears to be in water..with rain disrupting many of the matches. Was sad to see Vijay Mallya roaming around free and enjoying match, but was happy to hear the shouts and screams - Chor hey...heart goes out of the unemployment and poverty he has created and the loan defaults.



All these at the time of other uncertainties around – what next? Why not many companies coming up in Kochi when there are openings in Bangalore and Chennai; is the government here efficient? The number of service and past glory is not enough to continue, we need to be fit and updated. With time, things change, we need to be ready for the change and not Complacent!

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