I am quite liking Britain’s new prime minister David Cameron who is here on a two day visit with what Downing Street described as the largest UK trade delegation.

It is quite a cheerful thing that Cameron who is on his third visit choose Bangalore as his first destination. He gave a pretty impressive speech at Infosys. He said he wants to make the UK the “partner of choice” for India.

“I want to take the relationship between India and Britain to the next level. I want to make it stronger, wider and deeper.”

The prime minister said that 90,000 people were employed in the UK by Indian firms, and many more because of the activities of British firms in India.

“There is an energy and a passion about this place that I have to say I find completely awe inspiring. This country has the whole world beating a path to your door. The Indian tiger has been un-caged and its power can be felt around the world, ” said Cameron

It seems his simplicity as well has left an impression on the hotel staff.

After checking out of the Maharaja suite at the Leela Palace Kempinski, Cameron told senior hotel officials, “Leo (personal butler at the suite) has done a fantastic job in making me feel comfortable and at home. Please take good care of him.”

“I have to say Cameron is perhaps the first VVIP at the hotel who is so simple and down to earth,” said a Leela official.

A statement that I felt was crucial and strongly needed at this time when India is spending billions fighting terrorism is that of Cameron emphasizing the need for UK and India to fight terrorism. London will not tolerate the “export of terror”, he said.

Earlier years, British politicos had made India see red making incomplete, fictional and erroneous comments on Kashmir and Pakistan. There is no doubt that Pakistan has been promoting terror, even supporting extremist groups with arms and weapons. Dint the WikiLeaks prove that?

In this visit, Cameron very outrightly accused Pakistan. This stinging criticism is very much needed than cowardly statements. Former foreign secretary David Miliband accused Cameron of being a “loudmouth” but I see nothing wrong in the PM expressing “frank” opinions.

Cameron said Pakistan couldn’t “look both ways” in receiving billions of dollars in aid from Western nations while continuing to “promote the export of terror, whether to India or Afghanistan or anywhere else in the world.”

Cameron refused to back down from his comment, telling Britain’s Sky TV that he has “perhaps a novel view of saying what you think and being frank and clear about these things.” He also repeated that Pakistan needs to work together more with the international community to shut down terrorist groups “which continue to operate both within and outside Pakistan.”

India has clearly given Pakistan proof of ISI involvement in the attacks on Mumbai by 10 Pakistani gunmen in 2008, which led to the deaths of more than 160 people. Still Pakistan has been denying the ISI involvement. But thanks to WikiLeaks, the truth is out.

Below are some funny, interesting comments I read on BBC for a question on India – Britain friendship. Read or ignore – disclaimer: the comments below do not belong to Indianiser

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I have worked with many Indians in the oil industry in SE Asia. They are more like us than the Americans. They have table manners for a start. If there is one thing that the empire has given our old colonies it is table manners. Have you ever seen an American eating? This, and arriving late for two world wars, taking all the credit and charging us for 40 years, should have put us on guard. India has never let us down, in both wars, and we left the infrastructure for a great power that will soon overtake the hamburger eaters. Who could possibly argue against having Chinese and Indian world domination within the next 10 years on a table manner and food front? Why even we British started Hard Rock Cafe so that we could practice eating our entire meal with a fork.

Of course, both the countries will benefit from friendship. I am surprised at the disrespect shown by Brits towards their prime minister. He is your “prime-minister” and I guess will know better than you. For logic behind his visit to India, read the news from around the world…don’t be ignorant.

Crossing Paris and the Atlantic Ocean, I finally reached my destination – Washington DC. Before I write on my experience, let me thank all the great engineers who worked on the New Delhi International Airport. It is splendid, my pastor surely will be very proud. The last time he came, he wailed over its poor dilapidated infrastructure. It looked the same ten years ago he said.

Anyways, since the time I boarded my flight to Paris (early morning), I have only been seeing morning. At Paris, its morning (breakfast). I left Paris afternoon, but DC again was morning (breakfast). Well finally by the time I saw evening, I was jet lagged. It is strange, but it is true…on every travel of mine, I get to see and study people of different colors. They are all there – Weird, Good, Shocking, Bizarre, Exceptional and Admirable. On my flight to Paris, there was this educated Indian guy with a strange demand early morning 6am. He was throwing tantrums after breakfast, but why? The flight attendant asked if he wants tea or coffee, and he replies – I want fruit salad! What? She dint ask that. Where do such people come from? Mars? When she said they don’t have fruit salad, he is like, why cant you keep? Am I not paying my fare etc etc. That was rude dude!  Well, thanks to the TV screen (can you believe? they had Indian movies)…I escaped some eccentricity of this awesome neighbor. We Indians without question lack ‘social graces’. Our demeanor is so despicable. I was stunned when I saw many Indians coming with huge bags and filling the decks of co-passengers. That is very self-centered of us and we sure need to learn to respect and consider others in our lives than just our families and us.

Equality

One thing I like about America is the practice of equality. There is no rich and poor, there is rather great importance to human life (not to be taken out of context) regardless of caste or creed he may be. This is so unlike what we have in our caste-ridden India. From Paris to DC, I had a bunch of school kids returning home, whose companionship (between the black and white I mean) very much caught my attention. Although they were using a lot of f words, their proximity with each other, tearing down the barriers of color and class was splendidly invigorating. I was cheered to see them mingle without any differences or divisions. You should spend time with our modern Indian kids. The rich never mingle with poor, fair never with dark and strong-minded never with weak-minded (an attitude passed on from their parents). There is so much of ignorance and hubris! I had this African school kid  next to me in the flight, who kept passing the food with an affable smile, asking me if I was comfortable. Christianity has induced great morality, and this is much visible in the daily conduct of people there (many however act oblivious of this fact). Putting others before you – that is no doubt the result of Gospel. Also thanks to great people like Martin Luther and William Wilbefforce who fought till the end to abolish slavery.

Indians in US

I was a little perplexed before the flight landed. Was curious on the questions I would be asked before finally being permitted to enter Uncle Sam’s land. To my surprise, the officer was an Indian. From the time I entered the airport, my eyes were just fixed on the remarkably large number of Indians, whose accent and appearance dazzled me. Everywhere I see them, the coffee bar, streets, restaurant, high-up circles, top-notch buildings, etc. Indeed am very proud to see how people of my country seem to be doing here. But again it makes me wonder why they couldn’t contribute or do proportionate works back there in their homeland to see it grow and develop. I see these tip-top executives walking in the street, following the hand signals and not littering. And when they return to India, its like they have just landed hell where no rules exist. There is this story of Gandhiji volunteering to join a group of health specialists who were checking on the outbreak of a water-related disease. So the group was asked to primarily visit the houses of poor than rich to decontaminate toilets so as to control the disease. To Gandhi’s shock, he found the homes of poor Indians with thatched roofs much clean, and the toilet needing no care. He says it was so clean in contrast with the homes of rich that were nasty and smelling. I could not have better agreed with that. In India, no doubt the poor seem to be more culture-sensitive and hygiene-conscious than elite, rich, cosmopolitan Indians who follow a double standard. Go to the home of a poor and see for yourself the love and warmth you receive from them.

Unknown India

Ok back to America. One of my very shocking experiences here was a brief conversation I had with some of my people here who seemed totally ignorant of India. I was hit with weird questions like “Do you people in India eat meat?”; “Are cows used to plow the field?”; “Do snakes sleep in your homes?”; “Do Indians own elephants?”; “Do Indians speak English?”; “Do many use internet there?”. I wondered which century I was living in. The questions took me back to the age of those epic stories we read in Ramayana. Give me a break! I should have apprised them the number of Indian sites that come in top 100 of popular sites worldwide. In fact, according to Alexa, the 13th most popular website in the world is the Google India homepage. It shows the gargantuan searches people in India do. Also, isn’t it absolutely shocking that in the last 12 years, eight Indian Americans won the National Spelling Bee competition though the community is only 1 per cent of the US population?

Food

Did I talk about food? It is all about quantity guys. Food is abundant here. My Chinese counterparts were right in describing America as a land overflowing with coke and pizza. I have gained a lot of calories for sure. You get those free fries with burgers which is double the amount of what we get back there. While the British give concern to quality than quantity, the Americans are just the opposite. It is quantity! But I like it, remember? I am a foodie! If America could rephrase the definition of Quantity, there would be plenty food that could solve the poverty issues of entire India. However, I have to tell you, there is no country like India. None at all. Would you want to spend a dollar for a 500ml water or 10 cents for a 1000ml mineral water. 5$ could fill your stomach with delicacies three-square meal in India. Here it would buy you a cheap one time meal. A Mc donald burger in India costs half a dollar. Here it costs 5$. Guys, think about it. We live in an “Incredible India”.

Social graces

By the way, it is not only food but also “thank you” overflows in this free country. “Good Morning, Sorry, Thank You”. I hear this everywhere. It is also easy to make friends here. You can say a hello or good morning to anyone with a smile. I just love it when I climb the elevator and a stranger looks to me and wishes me a “Good Morning” with a smile. It really makes my day! What is more beautiful is, greetings are not shared among people of same caste and class, rich or poor, white or black…they receive and give equal. How I wished the rich in India treated the poor with such equal respect.

Religion

Religion, that is another great aspect of this country. Freedom of religion, press or whatever ‘freedom’ you want, that is plenty. This country was founded by bible-believing Christians who fled religious persecution and started their lives with the very words “In the name of God, Amen”. Even their coins say “In God we trust”. However, in reality, it is “in ourselves we trust”. Religion is very much fading in this country. Christianity has lost its ground. Churches are empty. What is shocking is that these beautiful parishes are now rented for regular gay meetings. This country was founded with strong Christian principles, but sadly the addition and subtraction of certain elements have completely demoralized the essence of spirituality here. But, fear not, young and vibrant missionaries from India and China will be trained and sent to countries where an awakening is needed and America will be one! Indeed am very proud of how our church has been growing in US from strength to strength and I am chided and exhorted to ‘plan well’ and strive for ‘progress’. I hope to have my vision and action go together. Remember this ancient Japanese proverb? Vision without Action is Daydream; Action without Vision is Nightmare.

Why India!

Now before I take my siesta, you all sure have a million dollar question. Would I choose to return to my country or settle down in one of the most powerful and developed country? Well I would only if a day could be added to earth’s 365.2564 days The fact is it is no fun living in a DEVELOPED country. It is fun when you are living in a DEVELOPING country, being able to witness and contribute to the process of development and take great pride in it. Moreover, the sun rises and sets in the east just like it is in the west; the rain showers and flowers bloom in the east…just like in the west. We are slow at infrastructure and industry evolution but remember there is no country like India where tradition and technology go hand in hand. Where culture and modernism go hand in hand. Where our unity shines with diversity. Where democracy gets rocklike despite a population of 1.2 billion. India has achieved the skies despite being a country of just 60 years age.

The tomorrow is ours. I sure love my India! Your India!

Adios ~ SAM

I am totally in love with Brian Doerksen’s songs. Brian has written popular songs, including ‘create in me a clean heart’ and ‘don’t let my love grow cold (click here)’. Here is one that I came across last week which is a must hear – ‘faithful father’. It gets to the top on my charts Three cheers for this song! Please scroll down for the beautiful lyrics.

Faithful Father lyrics

Father I can’t explain this kind of love, this kind of grace
I know, I still break your heart and yet you run to welcome me

(chorus)
This is my song of praise to you
For who you are and all that you do
from the moment my life began, you have been faithful

Father, I love the way you hold me close and say my name
I know, when my life is through my heart will find it’s home in you

(chorus)

“And I’m still amazed when I think about the day that I returned.
Blinded by my own addictions and grief, I began my journey
expecting rejection, but secretly, secretly hoping for mercy
And while I was still a ways off rehearsing my lines, you saw me
and you ran to me… you ran to ME! And I began to speak and I said
“Father… I’ve been unfaithful and I am no longer worthy to be called
you son…”…”Welcome home son, I’ve been waiting for you!
I AM FAITHFUL! And I will always be your faithful father”

This is my song of praise to you
for who you are and all that you do
From the moment the world began
You have been faithful

(Repeat chorus)

You have been faithful, forever faithful…father

Here is a song that stirred my spirit and led me to tears. Heard this song for the first time during our church service. The lyrics of this song is very moving, so I am posting it for all of you. Also, there is another popular song (To be pleasing you) that breathed again fresh into me. Posted that as well. Enjoy!

Note: Please scroll below for the lyrics of the first song.  There is nothing as beautiful as loving God and realising that He had us in His mind even before the world began. Broken may our hearts or lives be, He will take them all!!

Lyrics of So You Would Come

Before the world began
You were on His mind
And every tear you cry
Is precious in His eyes
Because of His great love
He gave His only Son
Everything was done
So you would come

Nothing you can do
Could make Him love you more
And nothing that you’ve done
Could make Him close the door
Because of His great love
He gave His only Son
Everything was done
So you would come

Come to the Father
Though your gift is small
Broken hearts, broken lives
He will take them all
The power of the Word
The power of His blood
Everything was done
So you would come

America, here I come. Finally after much waiting the US consulate here gave me a visa for 5 years. I totally attribute this blessing to God and not my accomplishments, educational background or financial stability. I have none of the above, and when hundreds of Indians..many highly qualified and rich were rejected ..I passed the test..have no idea how Happy that I got a visa right in the very first try..dint expect it this quick..

So..where am I headed to? AMERICA. The land where pizza and coke overlows (that’s the description my Chinese counterparts there in US gave). Oh! they are all crazy about that land. Apparently everyday hundreds trying to get over to the land of opportunities..have no idea why the craze..but me..hmm..I am not that of a big fan…They say visiting America is one thing a man should do before dying. Is it? Let me check out..and my experience will surely be penned down for all of yaa..Let’s see if America is not just a country but a WAY as claimed.

It is my first travel to any Western country..A little perplexed..moreover I hear rumours that my American counterparts judge a man through the brand of his shirt..huh..God..please dont make me a victim of ______ (please fill in the blank). Just kidding I am sure they are super nice..and I would just feel at home with them. Sam, is that really comforting yaa? Alright at least for now let me think so..

No packing done..and my flight leaves in the next 24 hours…headed to Paris and then DC..thanks to my credit card company that I could block and confirm a super cheap ticket. Will try best to talk to yaaa all during my travel and experiences…

Till then…

ADIOS ~ SAM

The ignoble wealthy class in India has been stingy, uncharitable and ungenerous, no doubt on that. They love stashing money, all for them, their family and the later four generations to come. Never about others, it is always the me-and-my-family attitude. How I hate this greedy, close-fisted mentality of our rich and getting-rich businessmen.

A report by Bain & Company on philanthropy suggests that India lags significantly behind developed nations in charity. While India’s charity contributions account for only 0.6 per cent of the GDP, it is as high as 2.2 per cent in the US and 1.3 per cent in the UK.

The number of wealthy Indians has been rising fast over the last decade, but they’re not ready yet to let go of their hard-earned cash, even for charity, says the study.

The number of so-called “high net worth individuals” in India has grown at about 11 per cent every year since 2000, possibly the fastest pace in the world, to more than 115,000 now.

Two industrialists, Reliance Industries’ Mukesh Ambani and Lakshmi Mittal, are among the five wealthiest individuals in the world, according to Forbes magazine.

Only 10 per cent of India’s charity funds come from individuals and corporates. The government accounts for 65 per cent the overseas aid agencies the rest. The Bain survey showed rich individuals contribute just 0.25 per cent of their net worth to charity.

Says Bain partner Arpan Sheth, Indians are not reluctant in giving cash to family, friends and household staff and religious organisations. What about charity to poor despite an estimated 40 percent of India’s 1.1-billion population living on less than $1.25 a day?

According to the study, the wealthiest social class has the lowest level of giving, just 1.6 percent of household income. Philanthropy in India needs a boost; this is without question needed considering the country’s escalating poverty and health issues.

We Indians really need to learn from generous and noble philanthropists like Warren Buffett who has given away some 82 per cent of his net worth. His children will not inherit a significant portion of his wealth as he intends to use it for the good of humanity. “I want to give my kids enough so that they could feel that they could do anything, but not so much that they could do nothing,” says Buffett. Do we have one Indian of this attitude?

Now what about Bill Gates? The American business magnate has the largest transparently operated charitable foundation in the world. As of 2007, Bill and Melinda Gates were the second most generous philanthropists in America, having given over $28 billion to charity.

It is time, we Indians realise that accumulating wealth is no way peace-giving and a boon for building a better India. Money is counterproductive – it prevents happiness to come, says an Austrian millionaire who is giving away his fortune that ‘made him miserable’. I remember here the passage from Ecclesiastes 12 – “and the dust returns to the ground it came from, and the spirit returns to God who gave it. Meaningless! Meaningless! says the Teacher. Everything is meaningless!” We come empty, we leave empty. Leaving you with this favourite verse of mine: Colossians 3:12 “Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience.”

ADIOS ~

I love spy stories. The sagacity, sensitivity and sharpness of spies and their motives has always been intriguing to me. Earlier this year I was so swept away by the agility of Israel’s Mossad spy agents who recruited 26 suspects and so meticulously planned the assasination of Hamas senior Mahmoud al-Mabhouh. I closely watched the planning and execution and it was so dumbfounding.

Well Israel spies specially the Mosad agents are known to be the best in the world, so no debate on that. Towards our India, we recently read about women spy Madhuri Gupta who was posted at the Islamabad High Commission. The diplomat allegedly fell in love with Rana, her Pakistani handler, and began selling secrets to him. Sources say that in her confession to the police, she said she also wanted revenge – she had been overlooked for promotion, and was unhappy with her service conditions. The story of Gupta reminded me of how jealousy and office politics of de-promotions and promotion of others can effect someone.

Now, forget Gupta’s episode. There is a more interesting spy story that has surfaced recently. Guess what? An intelligent and dangerous Pakistan spy was caught near the Indo-Pak border. It was none other than a pigeon carrying a Pakistani phone number and address on its body besides a rubber ring in its feet. It could not have been more interesting. I am having a hearty laugh here. So what is the version of our police? Police suspect that the pigeon, which landed in Indian territory, may be on ‘special mission of spying’ and might have been pushed by Pakistan intelligence agency Inter Services Intelligence.

The pigeon is being kept in an air conditioned room which is being guarded by policemen. The doctor from the state animal husbandry department carried out a medical examination of the bird. Now there is nothing very very hilarious about this episode, it has been around since the second world war. At the height of the cold war, the US and Soviet Union used pigeons as spies. Worse still, even Dolphins were trained to spy and report back on the whereabouts of enemy submarines.

Whatever, now the Indian RAW has proved it is doing its job right. We have got a pigeon spy. They are not jobless. We got to call a toast to celebrate. Well done!!

I needed a break…a real break. The worst period of the year has begun – SUMMER. And Delhi like all year is sizzling again. Oh I hate this city when its summer. It is record 44dc in May and imagine July. So despite all pending works, I decided to take a cool break. Where did I go? KASAULI!

My best shot in Kasauli

This trip was unique because I have never gone to any hillstation in North India. Despite my craze for them, for many reasons I have never been to one. Thanks to my friend for recommending this 1842-British-established region in Himachal Pradesh. The best part of this trip was it was very very comfortable and short. Starting from the Shatabdi train till my destination, my journey was sweet. I reached in straight six hours.

At a height of 1800 meters, Kasauli is located about 70km from Shimla and a distance lesser than that from Chandigarh. Now this town is very historical because it is where popular Anglo-Indian author Ruskin Bond was born. And who can forget our Khushwant Singh. In addition to that is the country’s oldest Pasteur Institute founded in 1900.

There are not many interesting sightseeing areas. However, the few of them like Manki Point (where Hanuman is supposed to have rested his feet) and Christ Church I did visit. Christ Church is awesome. The entire location of that church including the adjacent market is one of the most serene places in Kasauli. It gave me a great feeling of tranquility.

Another great shot!

It is the perfect bliss no doubt. There is no other place to sojourn if you are looking for a peaceful stay. Well I dint find a lot of green around to enjoy, but what I expected I found it here. The cool breeze, gorgeous mountains and orderly laid trees…nothing more I asked. I always get captivated and lost at hillstations. Nature around me in its pristine form makes me closer to God and fear Him more. It just makes me realise how small I am before God’s gigantic creations.  I deeply regret for not being able to stay long but I do hope to return with more excitement.

So thumbs up to Kasauli! Sure would return to this place soon…but only if I dont get caught up with work.

Adios ~

It has been quite a while I left my cocooned office and witnessed the world around me. Fortunately, I got a chance this week as I was hitting on a journey to a close by hill station to escape everything, firstly the heat. My journey to narrate began in the Shatabdi train where I could closely spectacle the life of changing India, chiefly the elite higher class Indians!

I am travelling on Shatabdi for the first time. Trust me, it was my best train journey ever. It was very clean, spacious and beautiful. Around me were people of all colors. I could probably write a novel on this experience of mine. It made me really wonder if India was drastically changing for good or bad. Is this the change that our forefathers anticipated even before urbanisation, industrialisation and sustainable development crept into our souls? Is the paradigm shift India witnessing constructive and positive?  I am befuddled here, sure we all have varied views on this…some raise their thumbs up while others minimize its value.

Unlike my usual boring long train journeys, this was one that kept me engaged…one that led me to some serious rumination. Behind me sitting was a young man in his 20s showing off a cavalier attitude. Front of me was a pretentious couple from Kerala who were overly conscious of English and to the left of me was a very educated man who could not stop bragging of New York and to the right of me was a lady at her 60s reading Judith McNaught’s popular romantic novel “Paradise”.

Like I said, it is the richie rich I see around me and its about my experience with them not the poor. It makes me wonder if the rich mainly represent India? And if the rich represent it, is it such haughty people that could bring the change in the lives of the poor. Take for example the young man who could not stop flaunting his blackberry and other gorgeous gadgets. And his loud “dudes” and “excuse me” over the phone made me wonder if he is also flaunting his illustrious English, sitting with a sunglass inside an evening train. Sure represents the modern youth. But with this epitome of pride, I doubt if he represents the real India known for its hospitality and generosity or the downgrading West where morality has lots its stand.

Now the couple before me is quite interesting. Both of them although had their English in clutters, proudly communicated with their cute daughter only in the Queen’s language. I was pretty happy to find someone from my native land, but trust me the only word I heard in Malayalam was when the wife gestured to her husband “eniku vayya” (am tired). The craze for English sure has caught up with many Indian families who raise their children with no knowledge rendered on their rich heritage or language, but making sure their kids were better than others in English so they could claim a better job, money and status for years to come. I am not against parents talking in English to their children, but to a 5-year-old kid? English? oops..that sure is eccentric. Or is this the result of British colonialism in India? Sample this: I asked the kid her name in Malayalam and she was better off telling that in English than in Malayalam. You should have seen the pride on the parents face when the little lady sang and danced “Shakira Shakira”. Sure, India is changing, but how is it changing. Imagine the scenario after couple more years. We would have no generation to carry on the pride of this country. India would fade away only to be recorded in history as “once upon a time”. Please dont mistake me. I am not XENOPHOBIC.

The middle-aged sitting to my left was more than just interesting. He had a question for everything. They offered a welcome rose and he was like “what kind of rose is this…is it the one found in sunny areas?” The humble attendant was clueless. The juice comes and he is like “Is this orange juice?” The attendant responds: “No sir, it is mixed”. But the pseudo-literate guy has another question to that: “Then does it contain grapes? if it contains grapes…is it black or green?”. What is he? Food inspector? Or is he just making a point that he is conscious of what he takes. The result of his New York living? He goes on to brag: I am that…am this…I lived in NY for 20 yrs…I got felicitated there…bla bla bla…At least does he behave like one hell of an educated guy? No way. You should hear him scream: “Arey kitnaaa time huaa..meiney samosa mangaya thaaaa”. As if he deserves to be served two samosas unlike his co-passengers. And is there a Thank You? No way. Typical pseudo-educated.

Now the lady to the right. She sure is some sort of diplomat. She had a servant travelling with her. And what is more funny? She is quite old and yet she is reading Judith’s romantic novel. Does not matter. But what really struck me was when she scolded her servant for dropping her purse. Now this is not diplomatic. Education sure should root out our colonial behaviours or such class hegemony. This is one thing I hate in India. The ancient senseless caste system. It has divided the society into different class. The rich and powerful rule the poor and weak. There is no appreciation of talent, will or desire. They finally get confined, all because of the class system.

There were pretty other exciting scenes but the pick of all has already been described. Now you tell me how is India changing. As the second largest country with an average annual GDP economy growth rate of 5.8% for the past two decades, it is time for India to showcase morality along with the other boastful components. The India I envision is that which stands clear of human rights violations and stands tall for characterness. It is the Gandhian vision of holistic development and respect for all forms of life. Otherwise the Sanskrit phrase Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam will soon loose its value. Finally, let me conclude reminding you this. We are sure in an INCREDIBLE INDIA! Thanks to our Tourism dept

ADIOS~

Alright its time for some breast-beating. India has so poorly performed at the T20 Cricket World Cup. Well personally I am not going to seethe on India’s defeat. Why? I have so lost the love for this game. I only can reminisce of bygone days when I was crazy for cricket and wicket.

No doubt, India is a cricket crazy nation. But what I strongly castigate is cricket captivating our country so much that there is no space, time or investment for any other sports in India. Cricket sure has been detrimental to other sports in our country. Is it because the sport has been a religion for us? All major countries have more than one sport/game that receive equal importance, fostering and investment. It is only India where it is never possible.

It was very shameful when recently our Women’s Hockey team had to collect donation to fund their travel to a foreign country. It sure is ironical that Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) is by far the richest board of the world. Sincerely, we need other sports to flourish in this country as well. May be if government cant take an effort in this, the media should. Sadly media is after sensationalism. Sensations generate ratings..and ratings generate ads..and ads generate more money. It has succumbed to commercialisation, what say?

It sure was insulting when India could score just one gold medal and two bronze medals in the 2008 Beijing Olympics. Such a huge nation dubbed as world’s largest democracy having nothing to showcase? You would agree with me if I said cricket was to be blamed for this debacle. The over glorification of cricket while other sports are slowly dying. Ever heard of a country failing to qualify for world cup in football due to no proper shoes? Well you could hear that here in India. But what about our cricket players. They earn massive just through ads and it overpasses what they earn through playing for India. They get free lifetime travel, vacation, palatial villas, luxurious cars, trendy gadgets and what not. Guess what? When India fared poorly in the T20 World Cup, critics attributed the reason to excessive partying of players.

Seriously, I’ve lost all interest. It won’t matter to me whether India wins or India lose. I was least concerned of the IPL matches as well. The Indian Premier League has greatly succeeded in mesmerizing the minds of Indians whether it is poor, rich or dalit. It has enslaved us through the extravagant arrangements, the lascivious cheerleaders and popular Bollywood personalities.

Let me ask you, how many of you folks knew Viswanathan Anand was officially crowned last week as the world chess champion for the 2010-2011. The Indian grandmaster retained his title against Veselin Topalov in 12-game match achieving 6.5 points. Hello? Take a break. We have something to cheer. Forget India’s defeat at the T20 World Cup. Thanks to Anand for making us all proud in the sports arena. It gives me a sense of joy to boast Anand’s victory with my American counterpart who knows chess but is completely oblivious about a game called cricket!!!

I hope at least after Commonwealth Games, our government will take efforts to appreciate all sports. To foster talents that could make us proud. Meanwhile, it is time for each of us to encourage and patronise other sports like football in India. At least let us do our part!

Adios!