IPL

One month of madness, excitement, joy and disappointments comes to an end. Looking back upon the past 45 days, and all the criticism which came along with it, it wouldn’t be surprising to ask, what is wrong with IPL?

Cynics may find countless flaws with one of the biggest sporting events in our country.

इस IPL ने देश को निकम्मा बना दिया है

No one is asking you to be a part of it. If you can't accept it, you don’t have the right to reject it either.

Several other allegations which come along are match fixing, money drain, cultural nonacceptance and an exorbitant source of entertainment. Hell, I differ.

The IPL is a source of employment for thousands of people. I remember the TV presenter mention in one of the semi-finals at Navi Mumbai, "Here we are with a crowd of 60,000 spectators watched over by security strength of 1600". From the salespersons at the ticket kiosks to the security guard at the gates of the stadium, from the poor man selling overpriced cold drinks in the stands to the flagwallas and the paintwallas who tattoo your team colours on your face with bright poster colours, the IPL is responsible for feeding thousands of families. Meager as it may sound; their families are assured of a square meal for those 45 days.

The IPL is a source of motivation. For the millions of youngsters who play cricket in India, the IPL opens up a gate of opportunities. Playing for the country will always be The Dream, but unlike a few years back, it won’t be the only option. With more teams joining the league in the coming years, the room for showcasing young talent will increase exponentially.

Finally, and most importantly, IPL is a source of inspiration. It is a source of inspiration for all those Under 23 stars of the tournament who get a chance to share a dressing room with the greatest names in the game. An inspiration for tomorrow’s superstars as they share the field with their idols. A pat on the back of a bowler whose bowling the first over of his life to an opening pair of Sachin and Jayasuriya, a young and nervous pair of hands cupping under a skier, a match-winning partnership with Cricketing Gods at the other end to guide you, the league gives immense inspiration for the new kids on the block to perform better.

The Indian Premier League unites everyone. Families spend more time together at matches. It unites random people at a bar, it unites unknown fans at a giant screen at the promenade, and it unites the adrenaline rush of hundreds of spectators in the stands. And when a hundred crore viewers witness a nail biting finish to a game played by 22 super humans, it unites a nation.

The Risk

The dynamic duo started driving towards the sunset. He said he wasn't sure if they had enough fuel to go all the way. A few more minutes and he turned around, started driving, stopped again and asked her,

चलें? Should we take the risk?

What is the worst that could happen?

We might run out of fuel, get stranded on the घाट, it will get dark and there won't be a soul for miles.

Hmmm, what do you say?

I'm game for it. But it's almost twilight and this is risky. Do you think it's worth it?

Watching the sunset at Pavna is totally worth the risk, let's go!

And away they drove, into the crimson sun!

I have seen GOD. He bats at number 4 for India

'Beneath the helmet, under that unruly curly hair, inside the cranium, there is something we don't know, something beyond scientific measure. Something that allows him to soar, to roam a territory of sport that, forget us, even those who are gifted enough to play alongside him cannot even fathom.
When he goes out to bat, people switch on their TV sets and switch off their lives'

25 years ago, a child saw a dream, for the love of his country, for the love of cricket. What is it that makes Sachin the greatest cricketer to have ever walked onto the pitch? Dedication, commitment, discipline or his enthusiasm?

भगवान सबको सब कुछ नहीं देता। शायद यही वजह है कि सचिन अभी तक World Cup से वंछित है

The man's greatness lies in his respect for the game. On the field, and more importantly, off it. He once famously said, "Please don't make me do stuff which makes me look bigger than the game, no one is bigger than the game".

SACH is LIFE...SACH is the GAME...SACH is CRICKET!

Kites

It's really abstract, but listening to Hrithik Roshan talking about Kites in the sky, soaring together, lovers forever... makes me wonder how true it is. It takes me back 15 years in time, to the छत of Old Rajinder Nagar.

I vividly remember the clear blue evening sky showing off its palette of innumerable colors and the sounds of the kite paper fluttering in the breeze. Marking one's aerial territory and then defending it with the alliance of other friendly पतंगs, engaging in the cross-terrace warfare fondly termed as पेंच and finally after long, anxious minutes of ढील or खींच, a victory cry of आइबो काटा. Kites in the sky, soaring together, lovers forever...forever is a lie.

The burns from the मांजा which left a scar on the fingers are no longer visible, but those childhood memories from one evening of every year will never fade away. Not even with time.

चली चली रे पतंग मेरी चली रे,
चली बादलों के पार,
होके डोर पे सवार,
सारी दुनिया ये देख देख जली रे

Shikshangan

It had become a beautiful routine. One phone call, a 5 minute walk and a couple of hours drive before I walked through the gates of Plot 49, 50 at Girivan. Shikshangan had become a home away from home.

The झूला in a dimly lit verandah, the perfect deck, the breezy छत and the peaceful amphitheater have been a silent audience to innumerable friendly jokes, insane laughter, helpless tears and the warmest smiles. Greeted by the most permanent residents of this heaven, the awesome threesome, a Basset Hound named Heidi, Haroun - a beautiful Mudhol Hound and Hobbes, the whitest, furriest, cutest cat ever, an evening which started with चाय और नाश्ता, a morning which ended with tea and breakfast, and all the sweet memories which filled the gap.

This was what life at Girivan always was, pure bliss!