20 years back to this date on 15th November 1989, a young kid from Mumbai made his test debut against Pakistan in Karachi's National Stadium.A India-Pakistan series that too in Pakistan was not for the weak hearted. That along with the prospect of facing Wasim Akram, Waqar Younus of prime and a crafty/willy Imran Khan was what nightmares were made of. His first test innings of 15 runs made him rethink as to his future in the team and future of playing for India. In the second test he made a half-century. Sanjay Manjrekar had scored a century in that match. But i still remember people and tabloids talking more of that boy than Sanjay. That boy was Sachin Ramesh Tendulkar.
How privileged have we been to watch this GOD's gift to mankind.That viewers watching the first series itself would have realised the class stamped by this genius on the game. I was one of the many privileged to watch that first series. Those2 consecutive sixes in consecutive overs to Abdu Qadir.The cover drive four immediately on the next ball after being hit on the nose. I watched it all. Sometimes you wonder if your life has been fulfilling. But then you think of being in the same era as Sachin, remember his innings during these 20 years and you say, "well here's something i can talk to my grandchildren about". Would i have liked to be born in any other era? No way.
You just have to take a trip down the memory lane to find out those moment he has given us to enjoy and cherish. Be it the last over victory in a semi-final match at Eden Gardens, when he voluntarily opted to bowl the last over when 4 odd runs were required and got India to victory. Or be it the World Cup match in South Africa against Pakistan where he single handedly ensured that India doesn't lose the match most important for all the Indians.Or be it the recent 175 runs against Australia while chasing 350, let down only by the rest of the time. Or let it be the Chennai test against Pakistan which he almost single handedly won despite his injuries. Or of course the Sharjah Storm
Over the years Sachin has given a lesson to all as to how to conduct one self on the field as well as off the field. The greatness of this person lies in the fact that he has been able to keep himself level headed during all these years. Despite of so many accusations that he has not been able to finish a game, he has maintained a composed silence. It would have been very easy to say that cricket is a team game and all have to chip in, but he has maintained his dignity even in those circumstances.
All I can say is Thank You Sachin for all that you have given us. May you and all of us continue to enjoy the game watching you.
Sachiiiiiiin Sachin.
Sunday, November 15, 2009
Monday, August 17, 2009
Bollywood
So, Shahrukh Khan was frisked and detained at the US immigration. Why is a big issue created out of it? No one feels bad if he himself is meted this treatment, but becomes a big issue if one of the iconic stars is given this treatment. Before leaving for USA everyone is ready for this kind of treatment, so why issue? Are we saying that the whole of US should know who Shahrukh Khan is and give him a 5 start treatment.
This incident speaks a lot about the Indian psyche. So much is it embroiled in the cast structure/ social structure that everything is measured in the same way. One should be pleased that USA does not differentiate between individuals and handles everyone on par. Suddenly this whole issue takes a religious tone. So if Hritik Roshan is frisked can he claim that he was frisked because he was an Hindu and this is an insult to all of India and the Hindus?
Bottom line is, if you don't like the treatement given, don't go. Else please don't complain.
This incident speaks a lot about the Indian psyche. So much is it embroiled in the cast structure/ social structure that everything is measured in the same way. One should be pleased that USA does not differentiate between individuals and handles everyone on par. Suddenly this whole issue takes a religious tone. So if Hritik Roshan is frisked can he claim that he was frisked because he was an Hindu and this is an insult to all of India and the Hindus?
Bottom line is, if you don't like the treatement given, don't go. Else please don't complain.
Wednesday, August 5, 2009
Is Indian economy out of the woods?
That's the question which is being asked day in and day out. Here are my views on how to look at it.
Going by the Q1 results of most of the corporates, the general impression is that we are on the growth track. But looking at these performances closely may lead to a different view. Let us take Banks, the main reason for the jump in the profits is due to the decrease in the interest rates leading to an increase in the value of investments. Well is this there core activity?No. So is there an increase in the lending activity? There doesn't seem so. So, in a market where the interest rates are low, but not much of a credit activity does not seem to be a positive development. And the banks are supposed to be the barometer for any country's economy.
The next issue. What people are ignoring for the time being is the performance of the monsoons. The point that is put forward is that the monsoon is catching up the shortfall is being filled up but partially. But is that a good sign. the sowing of seeds happens in the month of June in most of the states. If these seeds don't get water, they burn out. So does the monsoon arriving in late of July really help the farmers? I feel this year there will be scarcity of agricultural products. Whether this scarcity has been discounted by the markets, i doubt.
Thirdly, India for what all we say is still linked to the global markets. And there for the time being everything seems to be quite. As in the case of mkts, where India started correcting much after it had started in USA, similarly the recovery may be lagged one. What growth is now seen in the market is more due to internal demand in the country.
Going by the Q1 results of most of the corporates, the general impression is that we are on the growth track. But looking at these performances closely may lead to a different view. Let us take Banks, the main reason for the jump in the profits is due to the decrease in the interest rates leading to an increase in the value of investments. Well is this there core activity?No. So is there an increase in the lending activity? There doesn't seem so. So, in a market where the interest rates are low, but not much of a credit activity does not seem to be a positive development. And the banks are supposed to be the barometer for any country's economy.
The next issue. What people are ignoring for the time being is the performance of the monsoons. The point that is put forward is that the monsoon is catching up the shortfall is being filled up but partially. But is that a good sign. the sowing of seeds happens in the month of June in most of the states. If these seeds don't get water, they burn out. So does the monsoon arriving in late of July really help the farmers? I feel this year there will be scarcity of agricultural products. Whether this scarcity has been discounted by the markets, i doubt.
Thirdly, India for what all we say is still linked to the global markets. And there for the time being everything seems to be quite. As in the case of mkts, where India started correcting much after it had started in USA, similarly the recovery may be lagged one. What growth is now seen in the market is more due to internal demand in the country.
Wednesday, July 1, 2009
India in FT Global 500 list
Was going through the FT 500 list and a few thoughts crossed my mind.
Why, despite being one of the fastest emerging economies in the world, India is not duly represented in the list? The first company you see in the list is of course Reliance Industries, but at 75, down from 60 last year. Bharti Airtel which is supposed to have the largest network in the 2nd most populous country in the world comes in at 188. And China mobile is at 5
Take the case of China. It has 5 companies amongst the top 30.
I think for India to make it big in this league will have to be through consolidation and looking overseas. We are most of the times satisfied at being in top 5 in the country whereas we are nowhere in the global list. The challenge will be consolidation in the Public Sector space which will give economies of scale. The question is will the government have the courage to do it keeping the interests of the labour unions and issue of job losses.
Why, despite being one of the fastest emerging economies in the world, India is not duly represented in the list? The first company you see in the list is of course Reliance Industries, but at 75, down from 60 last year. Bharti Airtel which is supposed to have the largest network in the 2nd most populous country in the world comes in at 188. And China mobile is at 5
Take the case of China. It has 5 companies amongst the top 30.
I think for India to make it big in this league will have to be through consolidation and looking overseas. We are most of the times satisfied at being in top 5 in the country whereas we are nowhere in the global list. The challenge will be consolidation in the Public Sector space which will give economies of scale. The question is will the government have the courage to do it keeping the interests of the labour unions and issue of job losses.
Tuesday, June 30, 2009
India's Budget
There is a general curiosity regarding the Budget to be presented in India. After a long period of time, here is a government which is free to take it's own decisions and act on it. No more excuses of the alliance partners not allowing you to do anything. The biggest question is, will the party used to crutches be able to walk on it's own
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