Of Jabulani Zakumi Bafana Bafana Waka Waka

And like all good things come to an end, the FIFA World Cup 2010 also ended with Spain being crowned the champion much to my dismay (being an ardent Netherlands supporter). But I must admit that the better team deservedly won. Many would not approve the Oranje team's approach in the final but taking into consideration what was at stake, its quite understandable. Moreover, its a man's game.The logic was simple - do not allow Spain to play their natural game. The Oranje nearly succeeded in their approach of brute force and tackles. Had Arjen Robben succeded in putting the ball into the net of a sitter, the result would have been different. But it was Iniesta who provided Spain the crucial lead with only 4 minutes left in the extra time added. It was the goal that sealed Spain fate as the Eighth country to have lifted the cup ever.

Well, this WC would be remebered for many things. First of all, Paul the Octopus for rightly predicting the winners. In the process, he has made fans all around the world but, at the same time, there are foes who have been suggesting many interesting octopus recipe.Secondly, Shakira for "Waka- Waka". And who can forget the ever popular Maradona for his comments and gestures on the field. And there was the Paraguayan model Larissa Riquelme's promise which she finally fulfilled. Moreover, its a victory for South Africa, who proved wrong to those who had earlier doubted its ability to host the Football WC.

Btw, I forgot to mention the Vuvuzela which become synonymous to celebrations of joy. And of course, the world now got familiar with "Jabulani - the ball", "Zakumi - the Mascot" and "Bafana Bafana - the boys" will have to wait for another four year for Brazil.

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Some events in life does not happen again.Like attending your langotia yaar's wedding ceremony - priceless!!

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Its time for Africa - 2010 Football World Cup

The 2010 FIFA football world cup is in its final stage with only 4 teams left. What wonders me is the effect of this world cup on this Cricket frenzy country. Almost everyone seems to have engulfed in it. And the advantage of being an Indian is that you have the options of 32 teams to support for. And when your favourite team loses, you can always change for another team. If I were to pick two teams among those who have already been knocked out, that would be Japan and Ghana. The way they have carried themselves in this tournament has been amazing. Relying simply in their strengths with a strong belief that they can do it. With the whole Asia behind Japan and the whole of Africa supporting Ghana, it has been tremendous.
Sports can bring changes and believe me, it can do wonders. For instance, take the example of Manipur which is constantly in the news for the 2 months long blockade affecting every facets of life. But due to the World Cup fever , it is reported that the rate of crimes and conflicts have been reduced drastically in this troubled state.And coming to the question of who will lift the cup, I would say it would be either the Germans or the Dutch.

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Of honesty

Applied for 5 days leave. And gave the reason as "Attending a friend's marriage." This irked my boss. I could have easily given the reason as "Attending a cousin's marriage." That would have sounded more appropriate but I never thought it that way. Sometimes honesty does not pay yet I prefer to be honest.

So, so you think you can tell Heaven from Hell,
blue skies from pain .....
Pink Floyd on this rainy day -

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Of some random thoughts and the 3-iron

My old Maths teacher used to say that the worst thing in life is the regret of something not done when you knew how to do it. Like finding out after the exam that you have left a question whose answer you knew pretty well. Like finding out that your deeds have not been what your heart says.

Btw, I have been watching some strange movies lately. One of them is the Korean movie :3-iron directed by Kim Ki duk. It revolves around a guy who breaks into empty houses whose owners have gone for vacation. He would stay in the house for few days. At the same time he would repay the cost of his stay by washing clothes , mending electronic gadgets, watering the garden etc.The movie does not have many dialogues but just gestures.You will find yourself asking a lot of questions - and realised that the director has succeded in portraying what he wanted without actually making a fuss!!

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Of fishes in the troubled waters - Manipur

Manipur is the troubled waters in which fishes die in large numbers. Every now and then, conflicts and tension eats the very core of every socio-economic aspects. Until now, it was the valley (the plain areas including Imphal) where most of the burnings had happened. This time, the fire has spread in the hills too. Whatever the reason be, its the people who are suffering. The ongoing economic blockade of NH-39 - the lifeline of Manipur, has led to the shortage of essential commodities in the state leading to hiked in their prices. Petrol is being sold at Rs 150/litre in black market. Hospitals and medical services have also been hit due unavailability of drugs and oxygen.
The whole point is that its the people who are suffering. Its a fact that the centre has not being giving enough attention to the North-Eastern states that they deserved. So, its not surprising when someone like Mr Chidambaram sitting in New Delhi makes statements and decisions which led to unnecessary tensions in these regions. The truth is that the centre lacks the knowledge on the sensitivity and the ground realities on the issues that they are addressing. One such example is the recent massacre of 76 CRPF jawans in Dantewada. How can the incidents of 18 th June, 2001 can be forgotten when thousands of protesters up rise against the "GOI - NSCN(IM) " cease fire extension to Manipur. Mistakes cannot be made again and again at the costs of human lives.
North-Eastern states are already behind in the race with the rest of the country. We cannot afford to spend our energy and time in fighting among ourselves. When we are outside our states , we are being recognised as one. Nobody bothers to ask you if you are from Manipur or Nagaland or Arunachal. We are being seen as one - the North-East.

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Cocooned

'COMFORT' zones can be dangerous. The very thought of moving out of it can make you crippled.They say you don't have to do different things but do differently. But then again, the greatest deeds are done when explored.Life becomes exciting when the wind blows from the opposite end. Otherwise, you are cocooned.

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