Women’s Reservation Bill and the BUZZ Around

To be very frank I am a fence-sitter on the Women’s Reservation Bill. Sincerely I’m against Reservation. Getting or reaching out to something under the Category of Reservation or in simple words under the Quota category is like grabbing something With an external force.

Women have worked hard to reach the place they are in. They need no sympathy to be what they are. They have the mind, will, power and determination to do and achieve what they want.

I am never in favour of Reservation of any kind. In this country the number of the Poor, living below the poverty line, is very much visible. In the name of Politics many nasty games are played and one among the many is in the name of Reservation. If at all the political parties are interested in giving privilege to the people of this country, time to stop increasing the quota percentage in the different categories. Think about the poor and draw the below poverty line edge and give these Economically backward people Reservation so that they can come up.

Surely most people will not agree with me. They will think many times and in the end come up saying 'this is not possible and not for the good of the country'.

If women want to get Reservation, it means they are weak and feeble, not able to stand on their own feet, instead will be tagged as babies who are making an effort to stand up but need support to stand on their own.

This Reservation will be more of a support than showing off before the world, “We are, we can and we will on our own”.

Look across the globe and you can find women adorning the highest place. Education can make a lot of difference in a woman’s life. And that’s the first stepping stone and not Reservation.

Colourful Spring

This picture reminds of P.B. Shelley's line from the poem Ode To The West Wind -

If winter comes, can Spring be far behind?

An Unusual Visitor with Hawk-like Stare

                                        An Unusual Visitor


Few days back I had the chance to meet an unusual visitor. That day I returned home from work late afternoon. With the chill in the air it was pleasant to walk down the colony road to reach home. The breeze and the sunshine, both sang the same tune...the cold did not bite and the sunshine did not hurt either.

Afternoon lunch was a lonely affair...sitting alone, eating my cooked food. Later I wanted to spend some time out in the balcony...the one at the back. It was then I met this Unusual Visitor perched on the electric pole very close to my balcony. This big bird was immersed in its Birdie Thoughts.

                                       The Bird with Hawky Stare


I clinched the opportunity to capture the image of this visitor in my camera. This bird does not have good looks and it seems it belongs to the Hawk family. And the eyes with sharp looks...that hawky stare. Never mind, after all I could get to see this rare bird.

Hardly do we see birds these days with all the trees vanishing. It made me happy to catch a glimpse of this rare bird.

Hockey World Cup – India losing grip...

Yesterday As I watched the India vs South Africa match, there was little to be happy about. India and South Africa ended their playing time with three goals from each side. So it was a draw.

As someone seeing the match on the television screen, I thought Indian players were bit let down morally because of some decisions made by the referees. I felt the boys played giving their best efforts.

Don’t know how much determination the players had while playing against England.

Now India will play for the 7th and 8th position in the tournament. Let’s see if they can better the previous 11th position India was in.

The commentators in English were not neutral with their words when India was playing. Their commentary did not go down well with many. To avoid this situation we have to become stronger and get a place in the top 3 and then what these people will say has to be heard.

Celebrating Women’s Day

When the 8th of March was chosen as the special and dedicated day for women across the globe, this was, to protect and promote certain causes of the women in general. There lies the secret of celebrating a day which has been stamped “Women’s Day” across the globe.

I don’t want to peek into the past but want to look at the present while aspiring for a better tomorrow, all for the cause of the still considered weaker section of the human society – the women lot.

Why only this day do we (women) have to be special. Women are special for they are Mother’s. 'Mother',  the word everyone has love and respect for.

Mother is the most respected word. We also address our country as “OUR MOTHERLAND”.

Women nurture, raise, nurse and care for people in and around their lives. What would the world be like without Women? A simple question but difficult for a reply.

Today, the Women’s Reservation Bill is waiting to be passed in both the houses of the Parliament. This too had to wait for years. If this goes through, surely it will make this Women’s Day phenomenal.

Jai ho and Happy Women’s Day.

Hockey World Cup 2010 – When India loses to Spain...

Yesterday as I sat watching India playing their third match - India vs Spain - there was nothing to be happy about. What has happened to the Indian team that played against Pakistan, a win over them and hopes of every Indian rising to see his/her country’s hockey making a place in this Hockey World Cup? Indian hopes have been shattered, Indian team losing to Spain playing before the home crowd in their home ground.

This brings to mind many diverse thoughts:

Why this sudden change in the attitude of the players.

The defence was weak and there was enough gaps for the opponents to give the finish.

Did the Indian players not do their home work before coming out to play?

Sad affair they couldn't convert the penalty corners.

To say without Shivendra Indian team has lost their moral boost. Just a plea.

Is the past rift between the Indian Hockey Federation and the players still going on which has demoralised the morals of the players?

So many questions have come up in the minds of the people but the end answer is - the mood of Indian Hockey lovers has dampened.

Media has written so much about the match that every hockey game lover has got the details even if they could not go to the stadium to watch the match or could not get time to watch it live on their television sets.

Still the remaining hockey matches will be watched with interest and enthusiasm even if India is not playing. After all the best team deserves to win and be cheered.

At least being the host country Indian Hockey could get a place in this tournament. But they have lost their chance.

Time for Indian Hockey to rise above the level they are in and stop being called “Under Dogs”.

Isn’t it?

World Cup Hockey 2010 & Indian Hockey

India played the second match of the tournament against Australia. I waited for the match to start. Watching the match was not the same as the first one. Where do I begin...?


First the Indian striker Shivendra Singh was suspended for 2 matches, suspension reduced from 3 to 2 matches. So we lose the services of our main striker. It is really strange how the suspension came into force when the Pakistan team had not lodged a complaint against the player. What message does it leave? Is it biased towards the Asian players? If we had look at the England and Australia match earlier it is clearly visible how there had been rough tackles but no one was pulled up.


The commentators spoke out about the Indian players with a mean note from their Commentators box throughout.


The Indians were over powered by the Aussies from the very beginning.


Indians were at a disadvantageous stage when their ignorance of putting the ball out of the touch line was paid off with a penalty corner in favour of the Aussies who converted it into another goal. The team needs to do a lot of homework with the prevailing rules.


The Indians did lose the match 5-2 but still has chance to get a birth to the semi-finals with a win over Spain in their next match. But they have to careful with the goal margin.


Wish the Indian team all the best for the next match.


After all Indian Hockey is not losing its sheen with so many following the game whole-heartedly.

World Cup Hockey 2010 – India Wins First Match

I sat watching on the television the two teams - India and Pakistan - lining up to start their first match. When the Indian National Anthem was played it brought tears to my eyes. These were not the tears of sadness but that of a sense of pleasure overcoming my emotions. The Anthem itself brings the sense of pride and love, and my sentiments ran wild and fast. Don’t know why? But there was that strong feeling for my country...of love and adoration and honour.

Soon the match started, arch rivals playing against one another, India vs Pakistan.

Why am I talking of all this...emotions, admiration, love, pride and...when I’ve dedicated this space for Hockey, that too the World Cup being played in the Dhyan Chand National Stadium, Delhi.

Till the day the World Cup Hockey tournament started there was little hope about the attention this event would get. For the third match of the opening day (February 28, 2010), I mean this India-Pakistan match, the stadium stands were mostly full. This shows the interest people still have for our National Game.

From the beginning Indian players were at their best. They managed with 4 goals having missed a very near 2 more. The players excelled in all areas.

For the Pakistanis, they struggled, missing their opportunities to convert the penalty corners to goals. At last they could hit the ball into the goal post for a lone goal.

For sure Indians across the country are happy with the performance of the players. Today (March 2, 2010) India takes on Australia. A win over them makes it easy for the Indian team to reach the semi-finals.

Fingers crossed I’ll watch today’s match and cheer from my drawing room sitting area for the players.

The Hockey players have shown their talent and skill on the field and with that people have also raised their interest bar in this game.

One more win today and I’ll shout, “Jai Ho Hockey our National Game”.

With this sweet note...

Big B and Dhoni with HONEY

My previous blog was about Sugar.

And now…
read on…

She asked me, “Hey how does your sugar taste?”

I looked at her, drawing my eyebrows towards one another, came out with a halka (soft) reply. “Of course neither sweet, nor sour and not bitter either”.

She looked at me and I knew another question was coming. “MEANS???” (in a confused tone)

“Simple”, was my reply. “But but but but but did see the Dabur Honey Ad…hidden secret.” (smiles)

In bewilderment she went her way.

Sugar Sings Sweet

Today I poured another kilo of sugar into the empty jar. Rationing of sugar in a family is something which I, why only I, many households never thought about. Sugar prices have shot up within a few months.

Who has given the Shot at the rising prices of sugar? Of course the government and the concerned Minister. How much it may rise, with direct shots, my cup of tea is not going to go without sugar. Hey! I need sweetness in my tea.

Minister says ration your sugar. But we don’t have a Ration Card? Pheeew?

Minister says many people are suffering from Diabetes, eat less sugar. Haaah!!!

Minister, those who are not suffering from Sugar Ka Bimari will no doubt suffer from Loss of Sugar in their body. Ummm###

Some suffer from Diabetes and others are made to suffer from Loss of Sugar in their body. One way or the other the rise in sufferers from health problems are going to go up.

Standing at the cross roads of the Sugar problem in this country with the rising price, people will no doubt consume sugar even with the rising price.

After all Sugar-Sings-Sweet.

Lemon TV – the RKB Show and Rakhi Sawant

Saturday evening, late evening, I was lazing on my bed and surfing the channels. I was in no mood to watch TV but wanted to pass my time. I stopped short when I saw Rakhi Sawant. It was the RKB Show on Lemon TV and Rakhi going live on the show.

I don’t know when this episode started, but I was there at some point. RKB was telling Rakhi the show was being telecast unedited.

Watching Rakhi is entertainment for me. I don’t take her seriously; she has a volume that blows loud her words. RKB asked her about her Swayambar programme on NDTV Imagine. It was a Reality Show. She said she was had been engaged to Elash in this reality show but now her engagement is broken…not interested in reasons…

This brings to mind how much we can trust the happenings of a Reality Show? But as I said earlier, viewing a reality show on the TV…if you’re not a regular for the show and don’t get totally engrossed in it…can be a time-pass for the moment in time you want to spend watching it.

At times I feel Rakhi has a loud voice and there is some honesty in her words…but not in total entirety.

After all it’s personal choice…likes and dislikes.

I really enjoyed those minutes watching this show sans seriousness.

Cricket Cricket Once Again

Cricket cricket once again,
Sending message not in vain,
Players keep up country’s fame,
India on Number 1 spot again.

Cricket lovers are happy. Indian players have made them proud by winning the Test Match at Eden Garden. This win makes the Indian Team keep their No. 1 place in tact.

The cricketers have done the country proud.

In the upcoming Hockey World Cup tournament we want our players to make us proud. With the coming Commonwealth Games it is to be seen how many gold, silver and bronze medals India can clinch.

Terror Threat and the Sporting World

The Terror Threat alarm has already rung for the first ODI to be played between India and South Africa in Jaipur on Sunday (21 Feb. 2010).

Apart from this there has been report from Intelligence Agencies about terror strikes during various events to be held in India including the IPL matches, Hockey World Cup and the Commonwealth Games (CWG).

The government is making all efforts in giving assurance to the visiting countries of providing foolproof security for these upcoming events.

The whole picture that’s created due to the threat leaves a commoner’s mind to think how successful these sports will be when the dates are due. It also leaves behind the thought how many participating countries can make it for the events.

Delhi has made a huge facelift for the CWG and still more work has to be completed. But how successful will the Games be remains to be seen.

But for Delhites, no doubt this city is getting a better look day by day. At the end it is the people of Delhi who will enjoy every change even though they must have faced the huge trouble when the work was going on.

Keeping aside the terror threat the CWG is a big event of 2010 not only for the people of Delhi but for people across the globe.

Let’s keep our fingers crossed and pray everything runs off smoothly.

Pune Blast and Security

The word Blast creates a picture of horror in the minds of the people. Whenever we hear of a blast taking place it is for sure something is happening that will cause harm. And as the word of the Pune Blast spread across the country, fear also spread with it. The sudden deadly happening once again makes us feel about the insecurity looming around us.

Word Blast sings a terror-jingle in the minds of the people. Terror seems to have spun its web and this web has time and again been woven anywhere and everywhere. This leaves behind a question in the minds of the people about the internal security of this country.

If we are to go by the meaning of Terror, we now first relate to Terrorists and then to their acts of Terrorism. No one is really interested in its Dictionary meaning for this word has clasped the mind more with the deadly happenings in the name of Terror.

No place seems safe enough as acts of terror can happen - any time any place. This brings to mind a simple question; “Has life become so cheap that it can be destroyed by anyone?”

Internal security is under threat and so also the lives of millions who live here. For how long can we live a life where fear is riding parallel with every moment of our life?

On a serious note, “Are we really advancing in every sphere without a thought of assurance to safety and security”? This question jabs my heart and I feel many more people have the same query.

Rahul Gandhi - the Mumbai Local Train – Mumbai’s Life Line

I was in two minds whether to write on this or not. But once I have already started tapping on the keyboard why stay away from letting my creative juices from flowing…a river never stops flowing and so my thoughts can go for the run.

The TV is on and I can hear the Bak bak (blabber). I like the company of the voice from the audio-visual system…the noisy TV when it is on…the chatterbox it is gives me the feeling of the presence of someone talking away.

My Idiot Box says…Rahul Gandhi the General Secretary of the Congress Party travels in a local train which is said to be the LifeLine of Mumbal. Fellow passengers are happy.

Hmm feed for the media and food for my thought.

Why do these people who are surrounded by Layers of Security do such acts meant for the Common Man – Aam Aadmi…travel in local trains.

Showcase???

The Security gobbles up most of the space and the VIP traveler is safe making the ordinary everyday man feel He has a heart and soul to be among them as a Commoner.

No no no, don’t go by such sporadic activities. They want a name and fame behind such deeds where Safety surrounds them at every juncture.

And there is Rahul in search of a bride. So maybe Rahul'S need Bride'S…a thought to ponder.

Something else:

In cricket, South African captain ignites the thinking of the Indian captain. Be careful India, try your best to clinch to your top position.

Price rise is making it difficult to cope with my monthly budget…Me…no others like me feel the same.

Nah nah nah I want to go back to Rahul again:

The name Rahul is catching waves…so many expecting mothers maybe thinking of naming their son Rahul.

So next time meeting a Rahul…Phew…maybe you’re mistaking the VIP for Aam Aadmi in the making. Wish he could be as great as Akbar the Great who thought for his people and came out in disguise to see the plight of his people.

I take the remote control in my hand to stop the babbler from making any more noise.

The Noisy has made me Nosey.

Cricket and the Afridi Ball- Bite Episode

As I watched Afridi in action on the field on the TV, at first I could not make out anything about his Ball-Bite Game. As the news was played over and over again on different television channels, I sat back to laugh at the happening on the field.

A player biting a ball in the cricket field, was for sure, not to suck any juice from it. Whatever is the ball…the red or the white… can never feed the hunger of anyone. But a ball for a bowler can feed his hunger of Taking Wickets.

Strange happening just enough for the cameras to capture…The Ball-Bite Episode…that’s what I can name it. For me I can fit this episode under the Genre of Humour, but if considered with a serious thought, this has been an absolute mockery of the Gentleman’s Game…what more to say tells of the character of the concerned person, more of his ill intensions of a game that brings him money for every game he plays.

Such happenings have brought more shame to the Game, which is losing its sheen. Too much of anything is not good, that’s been my feeling about Cricket which is happening with far too many games being played.

So much has been written and said about the Afridi episode that gives little space to add anything more to it.

To add fuel to fire Afridi has come out saying that ball tampering is done by others too and this is nothing new.
Dear Mr. Afridi, please keep quiet for the prestige of the game. After all you have been caught on camera and don’t play a blame game on others.

If cricket has to live long such happenings have to be stopped by the players themselves.

Let Cricket Live Long, as for the ball, It Is Not a Juicy Fruit so Don’t Bite It.

3 Idiots

The film 3 Idiots is making waves and I've not watched this movie...neither in a multiplex nor got a DVD. As I think about it these fuzzy thoughts cross my mind -

...

This year I’ve not seen any film. Reasons are…if I speak out…simply vague.
I say I don’t have time…
...what weekends are for?
A whip cracker answer.
Swear will never speak nonsense again…ha ha ha ha ha …


I made no effort to watch the movie…
...that’s more sensible.
Sense and sensibility…I’ll follow.


The cold wave has made me stay indoors.
Nonsense…
...get a DVD and enjoy stupid.
The fellow did'nt turn up…in great demand, that’s what I’m told by him...wait...hah!


Still there’s time to see and enjoy…
...review already read.
Silly create your own review after watching the film.
I agree...becoming a critic...hmm


Be a Critic?
OR
Read Chetan Bhagat?


I’m gearing up to see 3 Idiots as early as possible before I’m known as An Idiot among film lovers.