T20 World Cup had a glorious ending last night with India deservingly lifting the cup. The winning streak that started with the first match against Ireland continued till the very end and during the course of this roller coaster ride – roller coaster because pitches in US were batters’ graveyard- the new order clearly emerged that can be summarised as below:

(1) Team India no longer depends on one or two icons – it thrives on the contribution by each and every individual. Gone are the days when we would switch off TVs once the top 2-3 guys were out cheaply. This team bats deep with Ravindra Jadeja at no.8.

(2) There are no weak links in the bowling spearheaded by the world’s best bowler Boom boom Bumrah. The captain now has the luxury – he sparingly used the frontline spinner Jadeja and the seventh bowler Shivam Dube was used only once!

(3) India doesn’t have to worry about toss. Batters can chase any target and bowlers can defend any total! This is a rare attribute of all departments being equally strong.

(4) India currently is spoilt for choices. Look at the team that’s going to Zimbabwe for a T20 series, led by Shubhman Gill. All these players will eminently qualify to be the members of the team winning T20 World Cup.

(5) IPL heroes – Sanju Samson, Yajuvender Chahal, Rinku Singh – didn’t get to play any game as none of the playing members gave up any opportunity to contribute.

(6) And there cannot be a more befitting farewell to icons Rohit and Virat and Indian coach Rahul “ the Wall” Dravid for all of whom yesterday’s game was their last international T20! Seldom does one get to see so many icons together at the same time.

Another very positive outcome of this victory is the unprecedented love and appreciation that this team got from Pakistanis, including the masses. Once their national team was ousted, they chose to support Team India and this spirit of bonhomie and mutual appreciation should be capitalised upon to build bridges.

Congratulations Team India and thanks to all those who represented India, including officials, coaches, physios, standbys etc, with very very special thanks and best of luck to Rohit, Virat and Rahul! Party that started last night immediately after the result should not end but continued.

We have always heard that cricket is a game of glorious uncertainties and no one can safely predict what’s going to happen next in any game! This rule applies to all formats of the game – test match , ODI and T 20.

If the above is indeed true, why we as fans react so weirdly when any game doesn’t go our team’s way? Why the players whom we treat as demigods one day, become an object of ridicule the next day? What about the law of averages that states beyond doubt that no streak – whether it’s a winning or losing streak- is perpetual? Above all, while we all are passionate about our favourite game and its exponents, why don’t we reconcile to the fact that it’s after all a game and our favourite exponent a human!

Afghanistan’s rather pathetic display against formidable South Africa should not make the team and its players a villain from an overnight hero that they were after cruising into last four only day before yesterday. The people of Afghanistan should continue to rejoice at this extraordinary effort by their team that’s no longer treated as a dark horse, but acknowledged as a team of great substance!

In the evening, we witness the second semifinal between England and India. Given the uncertainties of the game, multiple results are possible – rain can wash out the game, easing India into finals automatically based on the team being a group topper, it can be a one sided disaster going either way like Afghanistan SA match, it could be an exciting hard fought battle going either way or it could be a tie going into super over! Let’s first acknowledge that we have sent our best players, who have so far performed commendably and then tighten our belts, hoping for a great game of cricket. As Indians and supporters of our team, we all want cup to be ours, but at the end of it, no one can escape the glorious uncertainties of this glorious game!

All the best team India!

There was a power break down and I woke up totally drenched in sweat. It seemed that I was sleeping without fan and AC for quite sometime as the room appeared to stuffy and hot. I got up and thought of making myself a cup of tea to get over the lethargy due to insufficient sleep. As I lit a match stick to switch on my gas stove, it refused to light up. The pipeline gas supplying LNG to my residence was not receiving gas from its source. As I opened tap to at least drink a glass of water to quench my thirst, I found the tap was running dry and there was not a drop of water to drink. I started feeling suffocated as if choking to death, when I actually woke up from my nightmare. AC and Fan were running, my wife was sleeping peacefully next to me but in spite of everything being fine, I was indeed drenched in sweat.

If we and our policy makers don’t invest in energy, water and food, the above nightmare is going to turn into a reality sooner than we can imagine. Monsoon is just a tad delayed and a bit weaker, but lakes supplying water to Mumbai are already dipping into reserve stock and yet meeting only partial requirement of water. Mumbai roads are infested with water tankers going here, there, everywhere. Power consumption in places like Delhi, reeling under extreme heat, has reached a new peak and any further demand for it may break down the system!

Things are scary, but in spite of tremendous progress in all walks of life, we seem to be unable to resolve the vital issues of availability of potable water, cheap and green energy and affordable basic food.

Sunday 16th of June 2024 is being celebrated as Father’s Day. On this eve, I can’t help but remember my father and have very fond memories of his life, well lived. A simple, hard working, truthful and complete family man, let me highlight some of his more unique attributes:

(1) He rose literally from ashes, having had to restart all over after being uprooted from Lahore.

(2) The entire world, more so the weaker sections of the society, was his friend and he had no enemies. Friendship to him was caring for his acquaintances and wishing them well and not the partying kind of friendship; he never partied.

(3) He had no vices; an occasional smoker that too he quit in his 40s.

(4) He was a stickler for punctuality- leave apart official engagements, even in his life in general – he had fixed time for all daily activities.

(5) He loved children and preferred to be with them instead of adults discussing politics, business or other people!

(6) He never traveled out of India ; he even didn’t own a passport!

(7) Above all, in spite of being a great father and a great son, I don’t think he had ever heard of Father’s Day!

Learning from the above is to become an epitome of excellence in whichever role life puts us into, without necessarily showcasing the role in this new fad of celebrating dedicated days.

Headlines in today’s national dailies are replete with formation of new government headed by Mr Narendra Modi, giving this government nomenclature of Modi 3.0. The following random thoughts immediately come to my mind at this subscript of 3.0 being attached to the name of the Prime Minister to describe this government:

(1) Generally, subscripts 2.0, 3.0 etc are used to represent the new or revised version, more so of a software. To that extent, the use of subscript is most appropriate as it’s  indeed the third time a government headed by PM has assumed office. 

(2) It can also be representative of a famous adage, “ third time lucky.” Let’s hope that this government is able to resolve the long pending cantankerous issues of disputes with neighbours, naxalism, terrorism, inflation, global warming etc.

(3) It can also mean the government working in third gear to implement reforms such as privatisation, asset monetisation, consolidation of banking sector, further fiscal  and monetary reforms etc at fast pace.

(4) Unfortunately, in the parlance of a race, no.3 is representative of “ also ran” or laggard, an eventuality that we all wish should never be a possibly outcome.

Let’s hope and pray for the success of the endeavours of the new government for the benefit of our nation and its citizenry. Let it be one out of the above 3 points or at best all the three, but never the fourth! Let’s wish the new cabinet all the best! 

Our building has announced water cut and advised judicious use of water. I am basically a conservationist at heart and water conservation is a subject very close to my heart. Therefore, I am not really affected by this advisory as apart from generously drinking water, I use it frugally.  But this mistrust of other residents of my building using water liberally and wasting it is always at the back of the mind. 

And this fear or mistrust of others is not unique to this water conservation, which is incidental and circumstantial. Whether it’s keeping the city clean , obeying the traffic rules, controlling noise pollution or for that any matter any other social/ environmental issue, we always have this feeling that we are doing our best, but others are careless and thoughtless about these matters. 

Isn’t it visible all over, especially when we frequently come across the increasing incidents of road rage? As the basis premises is that it’s always the other person who’s wrong, it leads to friction, escalating into full fledged battle! 

It’s incumbent upon all of us to conserve our natural resources, follow the law of the land, observe road discipline and keep our surroundings clean. We can do our bit and also start trusting that largely, all others are also as aware and  conscious as us, which will increase our resolve towards this mission, encouraging us not to get swayed by the acts of others. 

Elections are over and results are out. Some outcomes are on expected line while a few have come as a surprise. But those who didn’t think it important enough to use their right of franchise either due to being out of their respective bases or sheer lethargy, should neither participate in the result euphoria or otherwise nor be concerned about the future.

In a democracy, voting is the only effective medium for any citizen to express his or her view. It doesn’t matter whether one votes for a specific personality, party, ideology or just as a part of one’s duty, what’s important is to go to the nearest polling booth and cast one’s vote!

The above action assumes all the more importance if one looks at a few of the closely fought contests. Winner from our constituency trailed by a few votes ( some reports say 1 vote) but was declared a winner only after physical votes were counted and that too by less than hundred votes. This result could have been different if a few of those who voted for the winner had decided to abstain from voting or if a few of the supporters of the loser had not abstained, but decided to vote!

NDA could have won a few more; India group could have tried its hand at forming government- in fact, anything could have been possible if the overall voting percentage was close to 90% against the final figure of around 60%.

Elections are not mere events, but festival of democracy and merit the same degree of dedication, devotion and enthusiasm like Diwali, Eid or Christmas. After all , it’s about electing a government that decides our future for the next 5 years.

Let’s now hope that our country sees another 5 years of stable and effective governance to attain newer heights and better life for our citizenry.

On August 12, 2022, novelist Salman Rushdie was stabbed multiple times as he was about to give a public lecture at the Chautauqua Institution in Chautauqua, New York, United States. The captioned book is an autobiographical account of the attack and the author’s struggle in its aftermath to come over the physical and mental agony.

Some of the takeaways from Salman’s autobiographical account of this big tragedy in his life are enumerated below:

(1) Author has a superb style of expressing his thoughts by using words and phrases that are reflective of his great command over language.

(2) Salman is not only a great writer, but very well read too, having almost scholarly attributes. He has liberally quoted gems from well known and not so well known classics.

(3) A few passing remarks are reflective of his love for India, especially for Mumbai, where he was born and spent his childhood. But like several others, especially in Western media, he’s not happy with the rise of majoritarianism and insecurity of minorities.

(4) Permanent loss of his one eye is the sore point that he’s finding difficult to come to terms with. His wife Eliza is his source of strength and the high point of his life, being with him through the darkest of the hours of his life.

(5) He’s a confirmed atheist, but is fine with faith remaining a personal matter being practiced privately rather than being flaunted and imposed. The attack has not cowed him down in that sense.

(6) He wants to leave the incident behind and continue what he’s doing best at – writing more and better!

(7) His new inspiration and role model is former India cricket captain Mansur Ali Khan Pataudi, popularly known as Tiger, who lost his one eye in an accident, but showed grit and determination in facing speedsters Halls and Griffin. Readers will remember my recent blog on this theme.

The author lived a protected life under tight security for almost three decades after fatwa issued against him post release of his book , “ The Satanic Verses” that was considered sacrilegious. It was only for the last few years that he thought fatwa to be a thing of the past that no longer posed any risk to his life. But it was not to be as was proven by almost fatal knife attack. He considers himself lucky to be able to be back on his feet and more importantly his writing desk.

It was indeed like a festival day. I and my wife woke up early, finished morning chores, dressed up well and by 7.30 AM, we were part of the long queue outside our polling centre. People of all age groups, genders, ethnicities, religions – the last two wherever easily identifiable by type of their wears- queued up there to exercise their right to franchise. And people had come in large groups, with their family members, friends, neighbours, acquaintances and atmosphere was absolutely festive. There was very good bandobast, but the crowd was highly disciplined, following all the rules and directions.

And by casting our votes, there was a sense of fulfilment on having discharged our responsibility that emanates out of the right granted to us to vote. The scale of elections and their management are something that we as citizens of India should be proud of and our wholehearted participation makes elections meaningful and successful.

We all would have casted our votes to the best of our ability and knowledge to the best candidate, propagating the best ideology. Winning and losing are part of this exercise but let’s pray and hope that the outcome results in the next 5 years of peace, prosperity and progress.

One of the most eminent and loved Pakistani Punjabi Urdu poet, Anwar Masud, never ceases to entertain one with his poetry that’s humorous, but not altogether bereft of a social message. His Banyan ( the humble vest that we wear underneath our shirt) and Aaj ki pakaiye ( What should be cooked today), which is in dialogue format between a man and his servant, have already attained iconic status. He’s also a well known scholar, having command over Urdu and Persian as well, apart from Punjabi, his mother tongue.

The other day, I came across another pearl by Anwar Masud in Punjabi that I found to be amazingly succinctly composed. When we are angry with someone, we need not use abusive or unparliamentary language that’s become bane of today’s world. The abuses entailing especially female relatives viz. Mother and sister are most disgusting and need to be banned altogether. In contrast, this gem of a piece by Anwar Masud teaches us how any hatable or disliked person can be cursed within the realms of decency. Being an erudite linguist, it’s very difficult to find words equivalent to the ones used by Masud in his poem even for a Punjabi like me. But as I want to share this delectably funny piece by Masud with larger audience, I seek readers’ indulgence to accept my humble attempt at translating this masterpiece. Original Punjabi lines in devnagri and it’s English translation are as below:

जा तेरी खखडी फीकी निकले खीरा निकले कौड़ा 

रब करे तैनूँ खाना पै जाए डाडा गर्म पकौडा 

The cucumber you eat be tasteless and bitter

A piping hot pakoda should singe you mouth’s inner

जा तेरेपिंडे उते तेरे टिलले हो जान कपड़े 

खुरक वी तैनूँ ओथे होवे जिथे हाथ न आपरे 

The clothes that you wear should dangle from your body

Itching should irritate unreachable part of your body

इक मुके ते पै जावे तैनूँ होर इक नवीं पसूडी 

जा तैनूँ सुते पए नूं शाला लाड जावे कोई तंबूरी 

May you encounter restlessness at a drop of hat 

Earn you should, while asleep, a wasp’s wrath 

जेडी गाल ज़रूरी होवे पुल पुल जाए तैनूँ 

ऐनक किथे रखी सी याद न आवे तैनूँ 

Important things should elude you in the nick of  time

Misplaced specs should remain so when you need at all times 

कदी न होवे कदी न होवेकदी न  होवे पूरी 

तैनूँ जेडी आवे शाला रह जाए निछ अधूरी

Should never get fully  consummated 

Incomplete sneeze should leave you devastated

मगरों लवे न तेरे पावें मारें ओनू पखी 

शाला तेरे नाक दे उते लुडियां पावे मक्खी 

Fly should escape all your attempts at swatting

Irritate you endlessly with her fierce dancing 

मच्छर तैनूँ केरा पावन जिथे डांवें मंजी 

पुर जान ओसदे दंदे तेरी कंघी हो जाए गंजी!!

And mosquitoes should infest where  you put cot to rest 

Your comb should lose all its teeth and leave your hair messed up at best!