I used to rule the world, seas would rise when I gave the word,
Now in the morning I sleep alone, sweep the streets I used to own.

Life after Death

He wiped his face and took a deep breath. A black sack on the shoulders and he walked out of the room, into the hall, faking a smile as he bid farewell to the grown ups.

She followed him down the steps, hands on his shoulders, full of emotion but lost for words. They walked out of the parking lot, towards the main road. His heart, sinking with every step they took.

It was time. He looked at her one last time, knowing that she had something to say, but it was time. He turned around, and left. Her face became smaller as the rick drove away and all he could hear was a cacophony of the noisy engine, the empty streets and his silent cries.

I now know what life after death is.

Hide-n-Seek with a Jungle Cat

It was the month of December a decade back, the 28th day of the month. We set out on yet another visual hunt for the elusive jungle cat. The chilly winds striking the parts of my body which weren't covered in 3 layers of warm clothing, slapping me across my face. It made me feel weak inside, submissive and vulnerable to the strength of Mother Nature. The jeep reached the forest barrier and we waited as the driver went to get the tourist permit signed.

The engine roared as we crossed the boundary and entered the Kanha National Park. Scores of Bison stood on each side of the kacchha rasta, which was otherwise difficult to notice in the fog. The temperature dipped further, biting into my feet and digging into my cheeks. The vehicle paused at the fork, deciding which path to take, when suddenly there was a faint, rustling sound in the bamboo thicket behind us. The chill from my face got diverted and ran down my spine. Were we being watched?

A passing group told us about the tigress of the 9 number area and her cubs. The driver put the jeep in the first gear and roared onto the left lane. A few uneven bumps and a dozen chital sightings later, we found ourselves in the Mother's territory. The typical cries of the langurs assured us that we weren't very far from the ambush. Our expert guide looked for signs in all directions and just when, on his word, we turned to our lefts to sight the cubs, we saw a tiny striped tail vanish into the dark green camouflage.

We were joined by another couple of forest jeeps, who couldn't make it on time for the sighting either. Two out of the three disappointed lots put their carriers in reverse and were leaving when there was a mention of a young male pair of tigers in Laal Ghaati. Our hopes grew, and as we drove towards the valley, the excitement grew as well. The jungle experts once again got to work, scanning the area for tiger trails. The screaming monkeys and the chirping birds signaled the presence of the twins somewhere nearby. The bamboo shooting behind us whispered once again. We turned around, only to see the pair cat walking down the hill, disappearing into the Red valley.

The jungle cat had won yet another round. The driver started the jeep, stepped on the pedal and drove, leaving behind the empress of the 9 number ilaaka with her kids, leaving behind the two young princes of the laal ghaati and bidding farewell to every other inhabitant of this lush green kingdom. And as I looked behind, I promised myself that I'll return. This time, to defeat the predator in his own backyard.

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