In Sheffield..we knew not all would enjoy  watching Cricket – no doubt an incomprehensible truth to rugby and football fans – this 6 week tournament was initially felt too long & flawed, however, we were still up for it. Gave our neighbours a run for cotton plugs! Luckily we had no complaints..

Every game India played – our voices reverberated across the walls of the room giving the sense of passion and love for the game. Every run/wicket/four/sixes were cheered. Superstitions were at its heights! If a wicket falls due to any of us drinking water/preparing chai or even a visit to the loo – would be followed throughout the game to ensure India win. However, even when India lost a few games these rituals never stopped…we persevered.

With Team India’s progress from group stages to quarters – everyone chose a particular spot on the couch & stayed glued to it..luckily for us roomie prashanth – not that much of a cricket buff would pop down & wouldn’t mind preparing tea!

For the ‘Mother of all games’ – India Vs Pakistan. Even our English colleagues at work or university knew it was a BIG Game. During the pakis run-chase..every wicket was vociferously cheered – even our neighbor’s could sense the importance of Team India winning..they could sense the anxiety.

An insight into the final from our very own Stats guru..

The first ever ICC World Cup Final between two Asian nations.

The first ever ICC World Cup Final between two host nations.

The third ICC World Cup Final for both teams.

An ICC World Cup Final between the two teams that lost in the Final to Australia during the last two World Cups.

Within the first 30 mins of India’s quest for World Cup Glory – Malinga had other ideas..soon 1.2 billion dreams seemed shattered. There were not only silence in Wankede, even in our living room  – fondly referred to as ‘Home of Cricket. But we did cross the final hurdle & the Men in Blue made all of us proud – Chak de Indiaaa!  You could call it a sweet revenge for 1996..Moving forward 2nd of April 2011 – will always bring sweet memories to all Indians residing any part of the globe.

Sitting: Prem, Prashanth, Rahul & Standing: Vipul, Myself, Prathap

We had real good celebrations — took a couple of snaps of our group! Had dinner at Dhanista – Srilankan restaurant – could sense the restaurant owner’s sadness. Despite that we were offered payasam at the end to make the victory even more sweet!.

In all excitement even the word ‘cricket’ was miss-spelt by us..Hahah! Tea-cup used by one of the lads to mark his superstition..

The sense of euphoria and elation that has engulfed the whole nation after Dhoni lifted the World Cup is all pervasive. Even the man on the streets, corporate heads,  young professionals, budding sportspersons, even us can take heart from this momentous victory and begin to realise that life is not as impossible as it seems. We are really grateful to the men in blue for having uplifted the national mood so emphatically!

Next..the focus moves onto Twenty20 – Each of us are getting ready to cheer our individual franchise’s..Look forward to some real big hitting !!!

Outside England ‘s Bristol Zoo there is a parking lot for 150 cars and 8 buses. For 25 years,it’s parking fees were managed by a very pleasant attendant. The fees were for cars (£1.40),for buses (about £7).
Then, one day, after 25 solid years of never missing a day of work, he just didn’t show up; so the Zoo Management called the City Council and asked it to send them another parking agent.

The Council did some research and replied that the parking lot was the Zoo’s own responsibility.

The Zoo advised the Council that the attendant was a City employee.

The City Council responded that the lot attendant had never been on the City payroll.

Meanwhile, sitting in his villa somewhere on the coast of Spain or France or Italy …  is a man who’d apparently had a ticket machine installed completely on his own and then had simply begun to show up every day, commencing to collect and keep the parking fees, estimated at about £560 per day — for 25 years.

Assuming 7 days a week, this amounts to just over 7 million pounds … and no one even knows his name.

Is this why they say ‘Life begins at retirement!’

Life laughs at you when you are unhappy.

Life smiles at you when you are happy.

But, Life salutes you when you make others happy.

You left this morning..
All set to enter God’s haven
Without saying good-bye
Neither could we stop to ask why

As I faintly recollect..
Last we met was 7 years ago
It seems just like yesterday
Now have left with just memories of you.

Though am so far away..
Unable to be a part of your sending off
Tears not flow across my face,
As I now feel you’re much closer to me.

Am thankful for the little time we spent..
With..
A man that I grew up to love,
A man who listened to me
A man I fondly called Thaatha(Gran-dad)..!

“When you are sorrowful look again in your heart, and you shall see that in truth you are weeping for that which has been your delight.”  — Kahlil Gibran

In life, a time does come when you start looking for a companion. If this person matches your ideas & you both have mutual respect –more importantly love for each other, then you feel it’s safe to hold his/her hand for the rest of your life.

Hold on!!! Reckon this is still prevalent in the society that we live/grew up..Impending question you’re forced to answer? What ‘caste/faith’ is he/she?

Sounds clichéd, doesn’t it.

Heaven help you if he/she isn’t..at this point I ask the reader what is there in a ‘caste’..Does it help you when you’re left astray by life’s misfortune? Every faith teaches you the same morals, values except that they are in different forms/scriptures.

For the couple who until then remained united in love, suddenly are forced to give in, due to parental/society pressure. Many a times these scars do remain, (with due respect to individuals & their circumstances) sometimes I find it hard to fathom when either he/she just backs off. Reckon its better to laugh that you are out of a meaning-less relation & look forward.

We’ve always been talking about being ‘humane’..Suddenly when faced with situations such like…all goes down the drain..?

I stand here to be corrected..When we can accept advances in technology, policies/procedures in getting our tasks done – why can’t we just accept two people of different faiths unite…why can’t we be more humane/matured in this aspect?

Hope has always been a part of life..For all those who are presently treading on this path. Be Bold – when you can hold his/her hand..Damn it! Have the courage to stand by him/her & face your parents/society.

Folks, CASTE is a mere tag. Let’s not blow it outta proportion..!

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

And like a dream she went away.
Fading into the deepest of grey.

In this dream
I seek a path..

Crossing few miles of my beating heart,
Suddenly, felt breeze stroking me.
Sat her down
Under the shadows of nature.

Smile was all i could offer..
Under the open sky, felt real joy.

Suddenly it was time..
And like a dream she went away.

Folks..
Never stop dreaming..it feeds hope,
Who knows, you may eventually meet the person of your dreams..
Sharing a hut to beat the sun,
Contented for the rest of your lives.

It’s been a long day for me..
Sleeping is all i want to do,
I’d be too busy to watch you breathe,
For am entering my pipe dreams.

Paul even predicted the outcome of the third-place play-off – this time he chose his adopted nation Germany.  People fail to realize that Paul predicts winners by merely choosing a mussel from one of the two boxes bearing the flags of the competing nations. Sadly a few days ago after the German team’s loss went on to say that – Deep Fry the octopus & let’s feast on it. Get a grip people.

For the rest wait for the REAL encounter on Sunday..Sadly am working that night. Although guys at work are planning to stick the game on the wall board. Yay…!!!

Game–Set–Match..Vo ho..Congrats Rafael.

This guy played phenomenal tennis..exceptional ground strokes & was brutal in his shot making..look forward to watching him grab the U.S Open.

Credit goes to Thomas Berdytch too – the finalist who beat Roger Federer earlier in this tournament.

Am sure you’d agree some great tennis was played over the last 2 weeks..!

Had been home since mum underwent a knee-replacement surgery…Thank my stars it all went well. Met & made friends with the staff at the hospital…this might sound strange..but believe me…had loads of fun.

On the day of the surgery..learnt how important mum was & the role she has played thus far in my life..Huh…my heart pounding.. was restless. Thank my friends who were there to support me in person & through phone.

When mum came out of the surgery room… could sense her pain..but was helpless. Tears streamed out and I came into the dark.  Thanks to the MAN above, mum’s now back home..gradually gaining strength on her operated leg. Also thank the entire medical staff who attended mum..they played an important part in mum’s recovery too. In a few months time, have faith she’ll get there.

Maa, without you, there would be no me.

You’ve raised me up through all difficulties & pain..

Tis world, though wooed by flattering words.

However, tis heart of mine, bends..

With love, back to thee!