Sep 30, 2007

Chak De, So they say !

I am really happy about India winning 'a world cup'. Even if it has been in a form of the game new to most of the contenders. And even if Lady Luck did more than smile upon the Boys in Blue (BIB).

But not long ago, an underdog of a sport, unfortunately one that was once India's pride in the commonwealth, did a heroic resurgence after decades. A bunch of non-descript Indians won the Asian hockey Cup, with less or mediocre media mileage than they deserved.

And unabashedly, the media pulled in a Bollywood flick, Chak De India to attribute this feat to.
Possibly scripted in the wake of the BIB's sad show at the Caribbean World Cup ODI's, this movie chose a Hockey Vs Cricket theme, perhaps for want of a Cinderella of Indian Sports. It could have been Tennis, Athletics, Kabaddi, or even seven stones and hopscotch, for all that you care. Although, it capitalized on the popular anti-BIB sentiment, I felt it was more of an Indianized version of Hollywood's Baseball- Movies. Of course, with a lot of babes for extra coverage.

Not to mention King Khan as the hard hitting coach.

Basking in the rare media attention thrown upon them, BIB's poor cousins, gratefully, nevertheless unnecessarily dedicated their hard earned victory to the actor and the movie.
Less was said of the win, in itself, and lesser of the people behind it.

Perhaps enthused by his name becoming resonant with one sport, King Khan made his presence felt at the Twenty20 Cup, where the BIBs salvaged a thrilling win. With our Baadshah of Bollywood, Chak De-ing them. Step aside, Mandira Bedi, you small screen belle!

Not to be outdone by tinseldom, our respected political brethren from all friendly and not so friendly states, jump into the fray announcing hefty sums of tax-payer's money as rewards to decorate the BIBs.

Our poor cousins, realise what a ride they had been taken for, blink back their tears at the scraps of media attention thrown to them, and begin a Satyagraha-of-sorts, that,sorry to say, looks more pathetic than anything else.

Despite not being a sporting aficionado, one can't remain blind to this incongruity. But, that’s what we, as a nation, have chosen to be. Becoming selectively amnesic, lapping up to the upcoming ODIs. Degradation of the sporting fan into the dastardly voyeurs who watched the Gladiators at the Colosseum.

Yet another classic instance of the Great Indian Apathy at play. (Pun –intended.)


An update :

Sep 19, 2007

Just Wondering -4

A short cut to Ramar Sethu

Karunanidhi : "Who is this Rama? From which engineering college did he gradute? Is there any proof for this?"

Advani :''Today a civil war is going on and the government of Tamil Nadu is adding to it"

My father : "Intha Rendu kezhathaiyum pidichu jail la pota Ramarum nimmadhiya irupar, sethu vum nimmadhiya irukum." * (chuckles)


* Translation :
'If both these old croonies are put in jail, Rama would be happy, and so will the bridge. '

Sep 12, 2007

Just Wondering - 3


Why does a super-powered Genie always have a human master to command it? Is it for the same reason that a few lesser mortals hold the leash over the rest?




Inspiration : A chance flicking of channels that lead to a glimpse of Disney's Alladin.

Sep 3, 2007

People 8 :Magnanimity

Rush hour traffic. Zillion diversions. Buses that don’t stop for everyone. Share Autos to the rescue. He waits for one. Shifts his weight to his good leg. A blue ID tag dangles, from his white collar.

They whiz past him. The traffic police shoo them away. He holds his knee for support.
One crowded Auto stops for an extra ten rupees. He hops on beside the driver. Three of them perched on a seat for one.

He is not a local. Smiles make up for the lapses in language. He wants to get down mid-way. Another busy junction. The traffic constable brandishes his lathi. The auto driver mumbles his complaint.

He gets down and extends a ten-rupee note. A fare in excess of the distance he has traveled, but which the auto driver considers fair for the trouble caused. A Khaki coat’s righteous claim over the white collar.

He thanks the auto driver and limps across the busy road.

Yet another busy junction. The auto driver jumps down and runs behind his client. The auto stands idle, blocking the milling vehicles. The driver helps him cross and presses a 5-rupee coin in his hand.

Smiles cover up the lapses in language.