Thursday, May 28, 2009

Need of the hour: Incredible Indians!

“Is desh mein aane waala har insaan hamara mehmaan hai, karo mehmaanon ki hifazat, toh milegi desh ko izzat, aapko barkat.”

This beautifully translates to, "Every person coming into this country is our guest and if we look after these guests well, not only will our country be more respected but also, we will receive divine blessings and good fortune."

Indians have always been known for their immaculate hospitality but in recent times this feeling of hospitality seems to have disappeared from the hearts of the masses. People are now looking for their own gains and not at the larger societal good. In recent times the government has taken many measures to bring about a sense that foreign tourists must be treated with respect. The Ministry of Tourism recently launched the ‘Atithi Devo Bhava’ ad campaign under the Incredible India! umbrella. ‘Atithi Devo Bhava’ when translated to English literally means that guests are a form of God. This campaign has been introduced not only because of the upcoming Commonwealth Games in New Delhi but also with a much larger picture in mind that foreigners feel welcomed, safe and completely at home here in India.

Before reading ahead I would recommend you to see the ad which I’m talking about http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RP7HfMc1t64&feature=related

Brilliant, isn’t it?

Aamir Khan has brought out the social message effortlessly in a very realistic and inspirational manner. The dialogues, written by Prasoon Joshi, are also very carefully written, appealing to the target audience and at the same time sophisticated enough that they appeal to anyone else who sees the ad. Even the director, filmmaker Rakeysh Omprakash Mehra of RDB fame, has done a flawless job in perfectly depicting a scene which is not at all alien to us and which most of us come across very often but do nothing about.

I feel that the idea of incorporating tangible gains, wherein Aamir explains to the public that if we don’t treat our guests well then they will surely not visit again, is very apt as it will definitely influence those who are plain selfish. By cheating or overcharging tourists once, we may get immediate money but it would leave the unwanted feeling that those guests were ‘one-time wonders.’ It can be compared to being so stupid so as to kill the hen that lays the eggs thinking that we can encash all future eggs in one go.

In the end all the other auto rickshaw drivers and shopkeepers are standing by Aamir’s side. This sight certainly instills a sense of confidence in the aam aadmi walking by who always wanted to interject in such a situation and make a difference but was under the impression that he was alone. Making a decision of not standing up for something that is right is also a decision. The scene unquestionably reminds one that if one speaks up for what is right one cannot be alone.

Also, by playing this ad on the radio apart from the TV, a larger target audience can be reached. Aamir’s familiar voice always makes the other person stop and listen and his conviction instantly touches the conscience. I would like to express my gratitude to Aamir and all those involved with the ad for being Incredible Indians and the government of India for keeping in mind an aspect of society that needs to change. Now, it is upto us to make the difference.

As the ad ended, “Jai Hind!


Monday, May 25, 2009

Australian dominance and the winning formula for the IPL.


Try to imagine a scenario which was very much possible. Indian cricketing legend Anil Kumble receiving the IPL trophy from Mr. K P Singh and Rahul Dravid animatedly joining into the celebrations. Robin Uthappa, Virat Kohli, Praveen Kumar and Manish Pandey spraying champagne on each other, reveling in the crackling bright fireworks behind them being cheered on by a 100,000 people present at the New Wanderers Stadium. Unfortunately, the script had an ending that slightly diferred from the one I would have ideally wished for.

But yet again the INDIAN Premier League trophy was lifted by an AUSTRALIAN. In the 2nd edition it was Adam Gilchrist who had the privilege of being the first one to get his hands on the trophy and in the inaugural edition it was Shane Warne. Adam Gilchrist had Aussie all-rounder Andrew Symonds to help with plotting their victories while Shane Warne had the comfort of being able to rely upon Aussie revelation Shane Watson. In each of the seasons the Player of the Tournament award has been bagged by men from Down Under, Watson being succeeded by Gilchrist. Even the award for the highest run getter in both the editions was won by Australians, young Shaun Marsh springing a surprise in 2008 and then the seasoned Mathew Hayden having a great tournament in 2009. No wonder both the Australian coaches John Buchanan (KKR Coach) and Greg Shipperd (DD Coach) wanted the limit of playing only 4 foreign players at a time changed.

Before the 1st IPL got under way, Team Rajasthan was declared least favorites to win, but the underdogs won. Coming into this year’s IPL, Deccan came in at the 8th spot but they transformed their wooden spoon into the beautiful golden trophy. Finally, Shah Rukh has something to look forward to in the next edition of the tournament. With KKR finishing at the bottom of the table this time and news doing the rounds that Ricky Ponting will be the next captain of the franchisee and Aussies Brad Hodge and David Hussey displaying intermittent strokes of brilliance, everything seems to be in place for next season. A last place finish and a new Aussie captain backed by a couple of his own all-rounders, Shah Rukh seems to have mastered the winning formula!

To end with, I would love to see an Indian lift that trophy next.

P.S.: In no way does this post take away from the absolutely brilliant and inspiring performances by our Indian heroes in the tournament. Without them obviously this tournament wouldn’t exist. 


Monday, May 18, 2009

An Ode to the Class of '09


I was a freshman back in two thousand and seven,

Getting to play cricket for me, seemed like heaven.

 

It all began on a boring train ride,

To make me feel comfortable very hard they all tried.

On our weekly hour long journeys for the cricket team

They advised on everything from CIS, Wharton to MEAM.

And then, before long, as you may guess,

I was taught the easiest way to release stress.

And all of us landed up for poker at Harnwell,

Before long with all of them we began to gel.

Obviously Naatak was to come into our lives very soon,

The afterparties ending after the sinking of the moon.

Freshman year had to come to an end sometime or the other

By now each of us knew at Penn we had more than one elder brother.

 

The summer zoomed by and began sophomore year,

We never really realized that for them the beginning of the end was near.

We were told that Yue Kee Aunty cooks the best food,

Going to places even 'further than AC' just depended on their mood!

We observed and learnt as they figured out their plans for after Penn,

So confidently Goldman was rejected by some of these brave men.

4029 was a second home throughout,

Every day we would land up there without a doubt.

The ‘Queen of Diamonds’ became a part of our lives,

May each one of you find suitable husbands and wives!

Watching sports together was always exciting,

And beating them at fantasy games was ever- enticing.

The fun of doing classes together was mad,

With us you took them, just be glad!

The ability of pulling off multiple accents was unique

With ease could be spoken English, Japanese or Greek.

Soon hit the Bahamain ‘Ricardo’ Spring Break o’ nine,

And together we did more than just dine!

 

And as everything does, the circle came back to cricket,

In the last game, even those who only batted took at least a wicket.

 

I was a freshman back in two thousand and seven,

Getting to play cricket for me, seemed like heaven.

 

It all began on a boring train ride,

Thank God I took that ride…

 

It was great learning so much from you’ll and spending these two years together. Wish each one of you the best for the future. We love you all!