Shilpa Shetty anybody?

I am quite sure 2008 is going to be one hell of an eventful year, considering the way it has started. With the Indian cricket team going through a rough patch and the Australian team facing severe criticism, we have already had our share of entertainment and drama. The Australian team should be thanking God and the ICC for conducting the series in their country because had it been in India, I am sure Ricky ‘So called aggressive’ Ponting would have had to face dire consequences. I am not a major cricket fan but have always enjoyed test matches and I witnessed some brilliant cricket the Sydney test, despite the horrendous errors committed by the umpires and the not-so-desirous attitude of the Australians. What was Ponting thinking when he walked down to the umpire and complained like a three year old kid? If the Australian sledging history is taken into consideration, then each of these guys should be handed over to Al Qeada for whatever they have done till date. I have no clue why one Mr. Andrew Symonds is obsessed with the word ‘Monkey’. Frankly, what’s wrong in calling a Monkey a Monkey? I would advise him to take it as a compliment hereafter as I am certain that given a choice anyone would prefer a Monkey to Symonds. Despite all the nonsense he created, I must admire him for being a real opportunist and using the word, which we supposedly gave him against us. Brilliant strategy there!

Now our good old angry young man Bhajji is in the middle of a controversy again. Looking at the footage, even a savage creature would be able to make out that there was nothing going on, on the field. And Singh’s startled reaction during the discussion with the umpire is a testimony to the fact. Add to all this a soft stand by the BCCI against the decisions. It is quite evident from this saga that commercial interests precede any other interests. The BCCI was more concerned about the eight crore that they had to pay as a fine if the tour was called off. Personally, I do not agree with the advice of canceling the tour, which was advocated by most of the ex-players. However, eight crore is as good as a drop in the ocean for the richest and mightiest cricket board in the world. This whole incident clearly brings forth the politician in Mr. Pawar, who is busy eyeing the chair of the CEO of the ICC and is unable to look beyond that. And why will he? He is after all one of the partners in crime. Thanks to the pressure from the public, the BCCI at least managed to retain whatever’s left of its already tainted reputation.

It is really sad to note that, despite being one of the richest and most powerful nations, we have never realised our strengths and have always accepted what others have dictated. This attitude is not just limited to the BCCI. Consider the recent nuclear deal issue. Everyone is cognizant of what the US did to Iraq and most of us are also aware that the all of a sudden friendly attitude the US is trying to portray towards India is to satisfy its selfish needs. India is a rich country and all the US wants is to suck the available resources out of this country. Well, it has been doing so since the last few decades when Americanization of this country started. Just give a thought to this. Would the US have done the same to Iraq if it were a cotton-producing or rice-producing nation instead of being an oil-producing nation? The answer is NO. I am not against the nuclear deal, but I strongly oppose the attitude of people who think we cannot do without the agreement, as if the nuclear deal is the only measure that can save India from drowning. We are looking up to a country that boasts of the being one with the highest crime rate. A country with more than 50% of the black population living below the poverty line. Sad situation.

We are highly capable! That’s the first and foremost fact that we need to accept in order to develop.

PS: Long time since I came up with an article. I have been at home these days. My employer offered me peanuts for every 12-13 hours in a day I spent at the office during the last one year and as advised by KD, I said “Sorry, I am allergic to peanuts”. Right now I am dedicating most of my time to pursue higher studies. Waiting for developments now. Will keep you guys posted.