Author: farooq Page 25 of 45

The “Where were you when that happened” rhetoric seems to have faded off this time in Aamir’s case. The usual “politically motivated” jibe has also been reported missing. Questions of “doing it for money” will be no less than a joke.

And so, there is a new one in the market. “If not India, where will you go?”

Pretty sure this naive argument of how people are mistreated in Middle East or our favorite neighbor Pakistan, would be another response to my blog. Is the idea of our country so weak, that we have to bring in comparisons from other countries? Especially ones which are countries which are ruled by concepts of One Religion?

Sorry, but I don’t live in a Hindu Country. And would fight to not turn into one, if I have to.

The common thread binding all the reactions is, that it shows why people are okay with Intolerance.

Yes, they all are okay with it. They tell is, Sure there is Intolerance in India, but then it is there elsewhere too?

I don’t live “elsewhere”, I live in India. I’ll judge my country based on what it stands for.

This isn’t altogether new. When Dadri happened, there was the need to justify it. Justification that this might be a result of a local conflict, instead of being a case of a person being killed because of eating Beef. Not to forget that even a forensic test was carried out on the meat.

But then we’re okay with this. Why should anyone eat something which one community doesn’t eat ?

When media reported incidents like Dadri, they were accused of leaving out another story of a certain “Prashant Poojari” who was killed by “Muslims”.
Sadly, when reports showed two people who are not Muslims were arrested by the Mangalore Police, hardly anyone reported. Now, was the Indian media selective? Or was it you?

But then we’re okay with this. Why bother when the news has died down?

Fact is, people are okay with Intolerance unless it directly affects them. Indians are not alone in this, but since we are discussing India, let’s skip that part.
When Aamir’s PK was released, there were protests. Protests not because he was showing fraud babas from Hindu religion, but why is he only showing the Hindu ones? A series of attempts to hold protests to paint him as an anti-hindu actor was evidently seen across the county.

[I wrote this piece of the Muslim perspective of PK for which also people protested against Aamir Khan]

The reactions to the whole Intolerance debate are testimony to why we are okay with Intolerance. We don’t shout down the fringe in unity. We verify which side is he on, and the decide. We have our own biases when the “fringe” speaks. Why?

Is it because it is easier to let the fringe speak for yourself, while expecting things to be “better for you” in a Hindu Rashtra? You don’t need to look further than our “favorite” neighbor when they let the fringe take control for our convenience. So, while we deny any association for what the fringe says, we’ll still continue to reap the “rewards”. Look where are countries which thought like that, now?

But then we’re okay with it. They are the torch bearers of our religion, no ?

The so-called apolitical people like Anupam Kher is the go-to person for issues where famous people speak out against “Intolerance”, speaks on why we should all stand behind India.

Yes, we do Sir. We do. And that’s why we are speaking out to keep the Idea of our India intact. Will not speaking out save it from being overtaken by fringe? Can anyone guarantee us that there won’t be another Dadri ? Because if the PM takes 15 days to respond to Dadri even when wishing every Tom Dick and Harry on his birthday, what should we expect?

But then we’re okay with this. As long as we’re holding huge rallies on our foreign trips?

YES. Like everyone else, even I wouldn’t like my country to be called Intolerant. But denying the fact that the atmosphere has become intolerant won’t turn our country tolerant.

There is a quote from Aamir’s Rand de Basanti, “Koi country perfect nahi hoti, banana padta hai” (No country is perfect, we have to make it perfect).

Abuses hurled at Aamir Khan, a few days back on Shahrukh and anyone who has remotely suggested that there is Intolerance, are proof enough why these statements are being issues. Although both of them never actually said, “India is Intolerant”, they remarked how there is rising Intolerance which needs to be taken care of. Are they wrong ?

As far as people speaking out or even returning awards is concerned, it is their right to do so. No one can stop them from doing that.

This won’t happen if you keep yourself on the denial mode and continue living in the dreams.

Unless you realize that your denial is only going to make the situation worse while these politicians milk away votes and then money from you. This also gives enough reasons for fringe to develop in other communities. The vicious cycle of hate gives rise and keeps adding fuel to it.

Let us stand behind India and not behind these politicians who support this sort of divisions. Idea of India needs to be saved. Hiding behind the shroud of “We are a tolerant country” won’t save us, but will turn us into a Hindu Pakistan.

#TheSonaTentProject: Digital Transformation

By farooq

On November 21, 2015

In Others

I’ve never been involved in our Family business of Tent Decorations, not as much as my father would have liked, unlike my younger brother. It was sort of an accepted fact that I won’t be joining the business.

A business started by my Grandfather in 1981 and which continues to remain part of our Family Identity. Of course, Entrepreneurial instincts have always been there, but the inclination to be part of it, have been missing. I won’t go into the reasons for the same.

However, while being a Digital Junkie and sort of marketer, have this urge to be part of the transformation of the family business into the 3^rd Generation. A generation which even I am also a part of.

To carry out this initiative, even sitting 1800 kilometers away in Bangalore, the only contribution I can make is to make the digital Transformation of our business.

For a market like Jamshedpur and the target audience, it is not very late for digital presence. A start can always be made. Sona tent and Decorations is taking the next big plunge. It has been 34 years of being in business and it is time to push for change.

I would of course need support from all of you to kick-start this initiative. A simple “like” on the Facebook page, would be good enough for a start.

[Just hit the like button on our Facebook Page]

Your suggestions on improvements on what do you expect from an Event Planner, or a decorator, would be much appreciated. Anything which you feel would be helpful in a new projection of a decades-old business would be helpful.

Your support will be a valuable addition to this Transformation process.

Thank you.

Travelogue: The Varkala Chapter

By farooq

On November 21, 2015

In Travel & Food

Our initial plan was to return to Ernakulam and after spending some time there around the city, to head back to Bangalore. But all of a sudden, we thought why not go to Varkala?

And the next moment, we took a bus for Varkala. Don’t you love it when impromptu plans work out? I do.

Changing two different buses, we reached Varkala. Reviews showed that the place will have more foreigners than Indians. And it was actually true.

We were lucky enough to get a decent room at just 600 INR. We freshened up and headed for the beach-side restaurant for dinner. Sizzlers, prawns and juice, and we were already full. Along the beach, there are a series of restaurants and we randomly entered one of them.

Tired as we were, headed back to hotel along while indulged in a conversation with a french whom we befriended on our way to Varkala. We talked about issues ranging from politics , culture, and religion. Like every foreigner, his questions were based on things they hear back from their own media. It was around the time when the documentary on the Delhi Rape accused was Banned in India and most of the questions centered around the topic.

The next morning started with a great breakfast.

An interesting thing happened, while we happened to have our Breakfast, we were told that “French Toast” isn’t actually french!! Thanks to our french friend.

Post breakfast, the moment we saw the beach. OMG!!

It has to be the best, out of all the beaches, I’ve seen till date. We had no second thoughts on NOT getting into the waters. Like kids, we splashed around and just enjoyed the course.

When sanity prevailed and we headed back to have our lunch as we needed to rush over to Ernakulam to catch our train. But before that, it was time for food.

Finally, I could taste beef fry from Kerala at this seaside restaurant. The best part was not just the food, which comprised of amazing Tuna laden pizza too, but also the decor of the place.

Filled with books around, it was as if we were eating inside a library overlooking the beach.

The weather was excruciatingly hot and humid. I can’t even recall how many bottles of water I would have gulped down to compensate for the loss by sweating.

Varkala is one of those places where you should not visit during summer unless you are okay with the hot and humidity. However, my bet is, you’ll still end up loving the place.

The beach is amazing and we could see a lot of trekking options available along the beach like the one Gokarna offers.

We had a shortage of time and hence could hardly explore anything apart from the beach.

We ultimately ended up reaching Ernakulam late, very late. We were supposed to reach by 8.30 PM to catch our train, but then we reached only by 10.30 PM.

It all was because we started late, and then took a bus instead of the train, which everyone suggested. We ended up spending the night on the platform, like a couple of nomads and the next morning boarded the train, but not before having a nice breakfast outside the station.

It’s a wrap of the Kerala adventure. There are of course many places to visit in the state which is termed as “God’s own country”, and hopefully will visit them soon.

Read the other two parts of the Kerala Trip as well and share your thoughts in comments.

Kochi Travelogue
Allepey Travelogue

Care Not for Thy Future, Care for Youngsters!

By farooq

On November 19, 2015

In Politics & Social Issues

Care Not for Thy Future, Care for Youngsters’!

No, I am not here to talk about ozone layers or terrorism. This blog post refers to our dream. I am writing about the dream our forefathers had seen while setting this nation free from the shackles of British demons. Do we even care about making a future of our nation what it deserves? We always talk of our mother nation, how great this country is and what not. Are we doing enough to make our youngsters be proud of us?

I am neither left nor right. Not even center. Just a human being trying to express what I see in my day-to-day life. Can I speak, sirs? Do I still have right to express myself? Am I still independent in 2015?

Men and women had to lay down their lives back in the century to bring us the freedom. The freedom where we can talk, shout and argue. We have forgotten the freedom of compassion though. The days in Kendriya Vidyalaya where I spent my childhood learning, one thing which was etched in my mind for being a good citizen was the morning pledge. I took pledge all those years which said – “All Indians are my brothers and sisters”, it never said – “All Hindus are my brothers and sisters”, it never said – “All other religions are a burden on my country”. But then why so many of my friends who would have taken similar pledge are behaving so differently today. Has our education gone down the drain? Who has taught us more? Politicians? Characters of hatred? Where is the compassion?

I am a Hindu by faith and my religion or any of the mantras during my any of sanskars on several occasions never said – you have to hate other religions to prove worthy of your faith. Lord Rama or Hanuman or Krishna never asked men to save them or their religion. But let’s keep religion separate because if pundits or fake yogis are reading this, they would love to manipulate interpretation of some of the Veda’s content to prove me wrong. Anyway, I am neither a religious preacher.

To talk about science, while a man can use electricity to cook a man’s food or cook a man too. Depends on usage. Similarly, religion has been a tool for hate mongers to use it in their own ways to spread lies and hatred among humanity. While I am referring to science I must say, if you are able to read this post, you must be literate enough to understand basic science and its usefulness in our day-to-day life. Yes, that computer in your lap or on your table, that smartphone in your hand. That’s a boon of science. If science has made society a better place, how can we use it to go beyond horizons? If Bertrand Piccard’s Solar Impulse has taken a full round of world without fuel in 2015, it is science.

When I turn to social media or news channels, everyone is debating on politics, murders and other’s tolerance levels. Where are we up to? Where is Indian society going? While a 44-year-old Elon Musk born in South Africa is making it big in the United States, you can argue about our own Sundar Pichai and Satya Nadella. They all would have got such environment or some would have struggled to become what they are. Can we make that struggle easy?

How can a student focus on general knowledge if day-to-day life is full of so much filth and hatred? A student who must be asking questions on science, commerce, and arts is now participating in hatred sessions, asking people about their religions. Because our society is on that way. A sales and marketing director of one MNC commented on my Facebook post trying to preach me why should we be wary of other religions, along with this he quoted me as “an educated fool” responsible for all the wrong happening with this nation. I agree I am the one fool who asks questions, or questions those who are red-handed. I should have accepted silently whatever happened. No, but my education doesn’t teach me that. It makes me a free thinker and compassionate person. I know most of you out there are/were free thinkers, but if you keep your mouth mum on every time nuisance is created, you are no less than a wrongdoer because this country’s future is in your hands too. If you don’t care for your own future, please do care for your younger generation. A generation learns from its elder ones, see what we are teaching them – Killing humanity. No brotherhood. Religious differences and hatred.

Hatred will lead to the end of civilization in this very nation where civilization started once across Indus valley. You, whosoever you are, you should care. You play games all day or you run business all day – you’ll have to care and we all will have to care. Rise above religion and politics. Voice your opinion, raise voice against wrongdoers. You are one of the kings of this Loktantra. Work for future and become an example for youngsters. Be a hero for them. Be an Elon Musk or Satya Nadella or Sundar Pichai or Kailash Satyarthi or Sania Mirza or Saina Nehwal or Kalpana Chawla or Mary Kom or Priyanka Chopra or Chanda Kochar or Indira Nooyi or Kiran Mazumdar Shaw. Be someone to look up to. I am not saying become someone else, be yourself but be an example for those who’ll look towards you in future. Be the one who cares for a nation, not just a religion.

India is India because it didn’t choose to become Pakistan in 1947. So let it be an India. All men and women irrespective of their faith/religions must and will be respected equally. If someone tries to paint a picture otherwise, he/she is a traitor. Not the others who raise voice against them. That was a huge preachy stuff. Wasn’t it! Though it was from the heart.

Guest Post, written By Raman Kumar

The author is a digital marketing enthusiast with interests in social and political issues. He has been writing about freedom of speech, political intolerance & social issues and believes that discussions lead to awareness, which can be transformed into actions to further shape society and future of the nation. To read more from him you can visit: The Purple Street

[The views expressed are of the Individual author]

Pray for the World

By farooq

On November 14, 2015

In Politics & Social Issues

As the morning dawned, and my twitter feed was abuzz with Paris, scrolling down woke me up from sleep. Another terrorist attack. Another after Baghdad, Beirut and countless other Middle Eastern countries who have been the target of violence by ISIS.

I was sad, angry and feared for what might come next. No, not from ISIS but the backlash. I was guilty too. My first instinct was to tweet or put up a Facebook status to condemn it. Tell the world about how “Terror has no religion” and free my conscience like the countless other Muslims out there on Social Media. Yet, before doing that itself, I was feeling guilty.

No, not because it was the “Islamic State” terrorists and the fact that I’m a Muslim too, but something else.

I feel guilty that it has become a “regular” news for me to see Middle Eastern countries being torn apart and thousands being killed and yet it doesn’t bother me much, unless there is media coverage. I know, like many others, people are dying. Yet, this Paris shooting affects me more and pushes me to write something than those innumerable ones in other countries with less white population. I am guilty.

It’ll be a pretty lame excuse to say,” Why the world is selectively outraging over this?”, because it defeats the purpose. We can argue that there isn’t media coverage given, but if we wanted to raise issues, who is stopping us? But the truth is, unless it truly affects us, we don’t give a damn.

There have been countless bombings in Middle Eastern countries by people whom we do not refer to as Terrorists. Superpowers who actually created and harbored these organizations for their own benefit, forgetting the fact that it can come back to bite them. Or that was the intention all along?

I don’t even have a count of the number of people who have suffered. Can you imagine the “Islamists” killing Muslims? The number is more than Non-Muslims. And yet somehow these are the people with whom the world associates Islam with. Not with the Muslim victims, many of whom are seeking shelter away from their homeland, people who are driving them away, and who have somehow started representing “Islam” for the world and many of its’ Islamophobics.

There is no point in telling that “I condemn the violence” in those many words, because the people who understand, “that for terrorists, it doesn’t matter which religion you follow”, won’t need it.

People who understand that “Terror has no Religion”, won’t need your condemnation. Those, the ones who need, won’t try to understand this.

One cannot imagine the pain of the people who have died. Apart from expressing solidarity, we cannot do anything. Do a little symbolism by sharing pictures, changing facebook DPs and then we’ll get back to our lives. People who created these monsters wouldn’t want this instability to end.

Terrorism has this habit of uniting people together into condemning it, but it is that vicious circle of terror which refuses to end. Apart from praying, we just cannot do anything than remain mute spectators.

This poem was being circulated on Social Media and wanted to share this as well. Pray for the World by Karuna Ezara Parekh

So, let us pray for the world to save us from monsters who do these heinous crimes as well as the ones who create them.

“Whoever kills a an innocent Human, it is as though he has killed the entire humanity” ~ Quran.

For Twitter, Heart is the new “Favorite”

By farooq

On November 3, 2015

In Others

Clicked on the Twitter tab, and Woah!! What happened there? Why do I see so many hearts out there?

And then noticed. The “Favorite” button has been replaced with the “Heart” one.

Twitter’s official blog says,

We are changing our star icon for favorites to a heart and we’ll be calling them likes.

You might like a lot of things, but not everything can be your favorite. The heart, in contrast, is a universal symbol that resonates across languages, cultures, and time zones. The heart is more expressive, enabling you to convey a range of emotions and easily connect with people. And in our tests, we found that people loved it.

“

The biggest reason might be to make twitter appeal to newcomers as the website is struggling to increase its user base.

“We want to make Twitter easier and more rewarding to use, and we know that at times the star could be confusing, especially to newcomers.”

Sounds Legit. Doesn’t it?

But then change is difficult to adapt. Especially for an audience that had got used to the “Favorite” button.

Here are some of the funny responses to the “outrage” over Twitter and “bring back the favorite”

IT SHOULDN’T MATTER THAT FAVORITES ARE NOW LIKES — THAT TWEET WAS NEVER YOUR FAVORITE ANYWAY

— Sam Sheffer (@samsheffer) November 3, 2015

‘Why did you heart her tweet?’ Twitter dynamics have changed forever.

— Raz (@raztweets) November 3, 2015

Twitter replaces favourite star with valentines day heart symbol. Is this not against Hindutva ideology ?? #CongressMarch4Unity

— Vinod Mehta (@DrunkVinodMehta) November 3, 2015

Having a heart shaped like button on Twitter is as ridiculous as a cowboy wearing a Barbie shirt — The Bad Doctor (@doctoratlarge) November 3, 2015

Twitter is trying to make me love things with this stupid new heart but I don’t have a soul. Please put it back to giving one star reviews.

— Ali Spagnola (@alispagnola) November 3, 2015

What do Twitter software engineers do? Genuinely curious. Open Twitter. Take star icon. Change it into a heart. Ok work done for the day. — Luna (@mentalexotica) November 3, 2015

Twitter sure has a lot of heart

— Evan Edinger (@EvanEdinger) November 3, 2015

Jokes and outrage aside, this new update by Twitter is another push towards gaining more foothold into new markets and user bases. Their focus on helping ease the “migration” of users from comparatively popular and easier social networks like Facebook or even Instagram (Incidentally, also belongs to Facebook).

However, I guess Twitter missed the part that for many of the users, the “favorite” button was sort of a bookmarking tool. For many, it was also sort of a conversation full stop. I guess, Twitter thought favorite= likes!

It will take time for people to get used to this new addition. As a Brand one has to appreciate their effort to try experimenting, as a user It’ll take time to get used to it.

To conclude, (This tweet does it better than I can)

RIP: March 21, 2006 – November 3, 2015 Favorite is only survived by his friend, Retweet. pic.twitter.com/pkLIprnnbN

— Jordan Jackson (@__2js) November 3, 2015

Intellectual Symbolism

By farooq

On October 31, 2015

In Politics & Social Issues

Intellectual Symbolism is currently engulfing the nation and most of its news headlines.

When news of Sahitya Academy award winners broke, it was one of the kinds which we term as “symbolic”, and we continue to do the same. Several Sahitya Academy awards have been returned.
Filmmakers, led by Dibakar Bannerjee, around 11 of them, have also joined the protests.
They have been joined by Historians and even scientists. A group of 135 scientists has signed an online petition to register their protest as well.

Just a quick word before you proceed, Remember Gandhi?
Mahatma Gandhi was the epitome of Intellectual Symbolism. Dandi March? Civil Disobedience movement?
But then, we are a nation now being re-built on the ideals of Nathuram Godse, why does that matter.

Coming to the point.

Why are they returning their awards?

To protest against the growing intolerance in the country. To protest against killings of fellow writers. To protest against killings with regard to what people eat.

Are they wrong?

No. Protesting against something which you feel isn’t right is an acceptable practice of any democracy. Considering we are the largest of them, it is right on their part to do so. We can call it Intellectual Symbolism or use any such term but we cannot say they cannot protest.

Is their method wrong?

Debatable. I’m of the opinion that if you have the means to voice your opinion then instead of Symbolism you have to do that.

However, Right to dissent is very much a part of our constitutional democracy and returning awards which belong to them, is part of that right.

There are questions being raised, as silly as, “Where were they when that happened” and “renowned” writers like Chetan Bhagat are even asking very relevant questions of what is the importance of Historians.

What do historians do? I am genuinely curious. This happened. Then this happened. Then this. Ok work done for the day.

— Chetan Bhagat (@chetan_bhagat) October 30, 2015

Support from Bhakts is natural. They see any form of opposition to Modi or BJP or RSS as anti-national or Pakistani. The Bhakts also take immense pleasure in using others as well for people who don’t agree with them, apart from occasionally killing or assaulting them, but then for sanity let’s leave it at that.

There’s a fair share of opposition from the closet Sanghis too. Not on the fact that they are wrong in protesting, but why are they protesting now when they didn’t do it then? The classic technique of, when you cannot answer them, hit them back with another question.

I cannot speak for all of them. Neither will it matter to the ones who are following the herd mentality of blaming them for not speaking out when someone other than their favorite BJP was involved. Many of those writers did raise their voices, even during emergencies, wrote extensively during the dark Kashmir period and also when corruption was at the peak during UPA. But then, who checks all that? Especially when you have Chetan Bhagat to listen to? Rather read to.

People often comment on my posts as to why you didn’t say anything when that happens, or when that happens? Fact is because you won’t do it for me. You won’t Outrage when a minority loses a life, rather rush to label it as a one-off incident. Because you’d blame the “fringe” and then happily vote for a party that represents them.

Probably the Symbolism isn’t right and there might be many among them who are doing it just for the limelight. But then did you give them any choice?

The first comment on any article criticizing Modi is by a bhakt calling the writer with the choicest of words. Abuses that they get from saying anything against Modi go to extents that are baffling. Don’t you think they will be scared? Scared to speak out as they’ve seen people being killed for speaking out?

So, before you condemn them for speaking now and supposedly not when they did before, be thankful that they are at least doing it now.

Or if you don’t want them to return awards, do something to change the intolerant atmosphere.

It is not the first time that someone who has raised his voice has received flak from the online hate community. They have gone to the extent of abusing Sonakshi Sinha when his father has made any comment against BJP. They’ve gone after Noble Laureate Amartya Sen. The Finance Minster has even termed the current flock as “Rabid”.

You are also free to register to protest against this fashion of Intellectual Symbolism via peaceful protests, but stop blowing the trumpet of, “where were you when that happened?”.

The Bihari Identity

By farooq

On October 29, 2015

In Politics & Social Issues

There’s a certain sense of home-like attachment, when I’m around Biharis, not to forget that I’m a sort-of Bihari as well. I’ve never been able to associate completely with the feeling of belonging to one region. Born in Odisha (then Orissa), grew up in Jamshedpur, which is now in Jharkhand, but until the start of the Millennium was part of Bihar.

I’m a Bihari. I’m a Jharkhandi. I’m an Odia. Maybe a few years down the line after staying in Bangalore, a Kannadiga too? (Long Shot). I’m an Indian. I’m also a Pakistani, as some Bhakts would like to call as well.

Identity Crisis? Not really.

It is a distinct feeling when in the company of fellow Biharis, reminiscing about nostalgic Bihari memories or using dialects which others are not very used to. And no, for the Nth time, it’s not just Bhojpuri. Food, culture, language are not the only thing, It is about an Identity which we all share, the Bihari Identity.

It is not like I don’t relate to anything other than Bihar. Is there a Jharkhandi Identity ? Frankly No. Because, even though it became a separate state, our identity continued to be that of a Bihari. My shift from Azad Basti (Jamshedpur) to Jatni (Odisha) has taught me a lot, But the romanticism of being a Bihari, is something that just doesn’t fade away even after years of staying there. It all flows out, from being excited about anything to do with Gangs of Waaseypur to simply random talks with batchmates, colleagues or even people online.

There’s a sense of belonging whenever I’m with any of those people with whom I share my identity. But yes, having grown up in Bihar, you are pretty much stamped with that identity. The Bihari identity has been a slang for “backwardness” for decades, and there’s no denying the fact. Stamped by whom ? The ones who considered themselves comparatively developed. Perhaps a case of a less black kettle calling the more black kettle, Black ?

Bihar gets its share of limelight whenever there is an election. I won’t deny that I’m writing this post as it is in news. But then, isn’t this the only time you’ll actually listen ?

Biharis have a lot of stereotypes to deal with. Yes, apart from being a synonymous slang for being backward. I can list them out for you, but then people who are not even familiar with it, will start looking through those glasses only. Realistically, that is how stereotypes grow.

The only time Bihar finally tried to peep out, or at least appeared to, when Nitish Kumar first took lead as the chief Minster. News of something good happening to Bihar, to all those Biharis outside the state, was something which made them beam with joy. Regardless of political affinity, everyone was proud. Looking a little back, when news of the Railway turnaround under Lalu Prasad Yadav was around, people were proud too. Biharis were proud too. All of this, wasn’t about political affiliations, but about the identity that it is associated with.

I’ve known Bihar, like any other kid who grew up in it. Experienced the joy when living outside and hearing something good out of it. However, for reasons of my confused identity, even to others, never been subjected to the bihari slang. Frankly, this is something I wouldn’t mind. I’m proud of my Bihari Association, just like everyone who has a connection to the state.

Growing up in Jamshedpur, perhaps one of the few Industrial cities that the state of Bihar could boast of, didn’t brought us close and personal with the under-developed areas of the state. But even with living there, you are not completely alien to what is happening around. The state was indeed under Gunda-Raj, under Lalu, and there’s no denying that. Development was absent. One can argue that there were fewer riot-like situations, but then this was not the only thing Bihar needed.

The only times Bihar sort of got development was in the form of various Railway Minister, train lines did pass across Bihar. However, what they only ensured was Biharis travelling outside the state in search of work get options of alot of trains. Just go into the general train compartments of any Long distance train, you’ll find Biharis in there. Stereotype ? It is in fact a reality. A sad Reality.

Has Bihar developed in the last 10 years of Nitish ? To answer this, you have to be a Bihari.

For the politically sound Bihari, this puzzle wouldn’t be hard to crack. Because our politics too is part of our Identity, the Bihari Identity. Be proud.

Thank you Sehwag

By farooq

On October 20, 2015

In Sports

First ball of every innings kisses the boundary ropes, like it was a rule. Part of a ritual and accepted match routine.

The first few overs were a treat to watch because of this man. A flurry of fours, stand and deliver, and most often play a careless shot to head back to the pavilion. Yes, we hated it when he got out, but like those bowlers we expected him to get out after a few hits. But even in those few overs, he would ensure that the team got a flying start. He was a far more consistent than Afridi, but was known to follow a similar line of thought. Hit the ball, or get out of the way.

He was Sehwag. Virender Sehwag.

[Image courtesy: Telegraph.co.uk]

The guy with hand-eye coordination so perfect that he didn’t required any footwork. People talk about techniques, but surely had something of his own. The flair with which he batted, and when on a song, is the most musical thing you’ll ever watch it on the 22 yards.

People who have grown up watching cricket, can hardly hate this man. He was a treat to the eyes. Those swiftly timed hits on the offside, where the ball reaches the fence at lightning speed or a few on-side flicks. He even perfected Sachin’s cheeky over the keepers’ head 6 onto his own. (Remember when Sachin Hit one on a Shoaib delivery in the ’03 WC?). After, Sachin-Saurav, probably one of the best opening pair that I’ve seen, has been Sachin-Sehwag’s.

[Image courtesy: sportkeeda.com]

He admired Sachin like a hero. One famous incident which probably many know is when Sehwag sledged back Shohaib with , “Baap baap hota hai” in reference to Sachin. Such was his admiration and confidence on the man.

[Image courtesy: CricketCountry]

Generations which is going to hear about him, will assume him to be a typical ODI player, assuming they still play ODI’s then. But his innings in Tests, where he was surprisingly far more effective, are something that his stats also shout aloud.

It is like an era, Sachin, Saurav, Dravid, Kumble, Laxman, Zaheer and now Sehwag, has finally come to an end. I feel old. Seriously. A couple of days back when Zaheer announced his retirement, reading his letter was so heartwarming and pleasing. His humbleness was something that made me miss his bowling even more. Yesterday, when there was confusion on whether Sehwag has quit or not, I was hoping (like others who love him) that I’d see him again in India colors. Of course, I do accept that the Sehwag we once knew, had lost a bit of touch over time, yet being a fan, you do expect things like these to happen. Don’t you ?

Alas, that wasn’t supposed to happen. And he finally retired from all forms of International cricket effective today.

He was a visionary, probably the first person who said scoring a Double Century in an ODI is achievable. Of course, Sachin achieved the feat before him, but I’m pretty sure that if Sehwag would have been able to play till the 50 overs, he would easily have achieved it before itself. But then, he was not a guy who stayed long at the crease.

The time when Sachin used to close in on centuries and suffer the nervous 90s, I still remember Sehwag hitting a 6 to complete his centuries. And this is much before, Dhoni made finishing innings with a 6.

[Image courtesy: wisdenindia.com]

Coming from Najafgarh has made his own mark in the history books as far as cricket goes. Opposition was most concerned to get him out than any other in the Indian Line-up. I strongly believe, that one of the biggest reasons our batting line up became such a perfect fit, was because of starts which Sehwag gave.

We can remember him as the first Indian to score a Triple century. We can remember him for providing quick starts to the Indian bowling or simply destroying the opposition new ball bowlers on every occasion. Even when he would be in a bad patch, at least a couple of boundaries were expected to come off his bat.

He has been my favorite batsman and will always be. Yes, it is definitely true that each batsman does lose his way after a while, but in the time he has played and entertained us, he has become a legend for us. I still possess the scrapbook made of newspaper clippings and magazine cutouts of Sehwag.

The Viv Richards of our generation. As people who had witnessed him play, referred to Sehwag. Time will tell, whether we’ll have another Sehwag or not. But this moment, when you hear that this man won’t be playing for India again, it feels like something is lost. A Glorious chapter of Indian Cricket has ended.

Wish you a great life ahead Viru. The Sultan of Multan, will always rule our hearts. Thank you from the bottom of my heart for being the best entertainer of the game. There will be players, but I doubt there will be another Virender Sehwag.

Cheers!

Thank you Zaheer!

By farooq

On October 19, 2015

In Sports

India were being crushed by the Kiwis. Low scoring games in the fast and bouncy tracks of New Zealand and even though our bowlers were bowling well, our batsmen were not able to contribute much. The Test series was lost. The one-off t20 match, perhaps India’s first, was also lost even though Sachin scored a great knock and even won the MoM. We even lost the first two ODIs.

I remember the DD News anchor reading the headline, “Bharat ne jeet ka swaad chakha” (India finally tasted victory?). The person responsible for that ODI-win was the tailender, Zaheer Khan.

[Image courtesy: Sportskeeda.com]

It wasn’t the only time that he made it happen. The famous Natwest ODI chase, where Kaif and Yuvi got India home, and is more famously known for Dada’s antics in the Lord’s pavilion. The winning shot was also hit by Zaheer Khan.

Of course, he isn’t known for his batting, but these were some memories that are entrenched in many Cricket lovers’ mind.

It was around the same time when a new team India was formed. The Men in Blue team led by Saurav Ganguly came into being. The rise of Virender Sehwag, Yuvraj Singh, Harbhajan Singh, Mohammed Kaif and Zaheer Khan had all happened at the same time. Indian Cricket which was in deep trouble post the Match fixing scandal, was finally being rebuilt. Zaheer Khan was one among the many heroes which made it possible.

As Dhoni rightly pointed out, Zaheer is the Sachin of Bowling. No other words are fit to describe his contribution and stature.

I still recall how while playing as kids, would try to copy his bowling style. In my head I was trying to take a run-up like him and leap right at the crease and bowl. Of course, I did looked funny and nothing like him and probably the time my bowl reached the wicket, Zak would have already bowled two deliveries. Not just me, many who have played around the time when Zaheer was at his peak, have tried to do the same.

[Image courtesy: Yahoo Images]

He had that effect on a lot of cricketers. He had a certain charm and style to his action and you ended up feeling that you ought to be like him. At least try to.

Years later, when he was out of the Indian team, he went back to basics. Got his fitness back, played in the English county and finally got back to the team.

In his retirement note, clearly mentioning that winning the World Cup was the most cherished moment of his cricketing career.

[Image courtesy: Daily Mail]

He was a hero of Indian bowling, a mentor for many fast bowlers and I do wish that sooner than later, he gets associated with the Indian team in mentoring our fast bowlers.

Thank you Zaheer khan, for being an inspiration for many. No matter how much I write, it won’t be enough to thank you.

Have a great life ahead.